At noon, a figure walked into the deserted conference room. It was Raiden, returning to the village after recovering the Rinnegan. Just ten minutes ago, under the name of the Fourth Hokage, he summoned all the mid- and high-ranking members of Konoha Village. This conference room was the designated meeting place.
On the wall of the room hung portraits of the past Hokage. The one at the front was the founder of Konoha Village, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
Raiden stepped into the room, his Rinnegan calmly gazing at Hashirama's portrait, silent for a long time.
"Madara Uchiha's enemies have all been eliminated. The only remaining threats are those from beyond this world."
"Before the crisis arrives, the power of the entire ninja world must be united. For that, certain sacrifices are inevitable."
"Your method of maintaining peace was flawed. I will correct it."
Raiden stared at Hashirama's portrait in quiet reflection.
"Raiden, why did you suddenly summon the village's key personnel? What's going on?"
At that moment, the door creaked open and a slightly stooped figure entered the room. He looked at Raiden, who stood in front of the Hokage portraits, and asked aloud.
"Mr. Sarutobi, it's been a long time. You've aged quite a bit." Raiden turned toward the door. His red bangs veiled his forehead, making his expression hard to see.
The one entering the room was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, the retired Third Hokage.
Now 74 years old, Hiruzen still looked relatively well-kept despite his gray beard and pale hair—signs of age. Raiden's words, however, didn't offend him.
Despite being in his 30s, Raiden appeared no older than a man in his early twenties. Time had left no visible trace on his face.
"Heh, I've grown old. My body's naturally deteriorating."
"You summoned everyone out of nowhere. What happened?"
"I heard that Madara Uchiha—the threat looming over the ninja world for years—was killed by you. Don't tell me there's someone even more dangerous now?"
"You—"
Just as Sarutobi was about to continue, Raiden swept his bangs aside, revealing the Rinnegan beneath his hair. The sight rendered Hiruzen speechless, his words stuck in his throat.
After a moment, he collected himself, his expression turning grave.
"You transplanted the Rinnegan?!"
"It's done," Raiden replied seriously, cutting in. "They were Madara Uchiha's eyes. I took them after I killed him."
"As a member of the Uzumaki Clan, I'm capable of nurturing the Rinnegan. These eyes have granted me immense power."
"I need them."
Hiruzen's heart sank.
Even before receiving the Rinnegan, Raiden was arguably the strongest shinobi in the world. That he still sought greater power meant only one thing—he had developed ambitions far beyond what he once held. And for someone in a position of leadership, ambition often meant disaster for those beneath.
That Raiden had summoned Konoha's elites suggested he was planning something major.
"What are you planning?!" Hiruzen's voice deepened, his tone heavy. He knew Raiden's actions would have serious consequences for Konoha.
"Start the Fourth Great Ninja War."
"Destroy all the ninja villages. Konoha will lead the entire ninja world."
Raiden declared this calmly, shocking Hiruzen into silence.
For as long as Hiruzen could remember, Konoha had never started a war. The Hokage had always dedicated themselves to preserving peace. Yet now, his former student—the Fourth Hokage—was planning to initiate war and upend the entire world order.
Hiruzen had long stepped away from Konoha's core power, but Raiden's ambition made him feel genuine dread. His late friend, Shimura Danzo, had once harbored dreams of becoming Hokage, and even that modest goal had caused bloodshed across the ninja world.
If Raiden followed through with his plan, countless Konoha shinobi would be sent to war. Children as young as seven or eight might again be pushed into battle—something Hiruzen could not allow.
"Do you even hear yourself?!" Hiruzen stared hard at Raiden, his voice rising.
"I know exactly what I'm saying." Raiden nodded calmly.
That answer ignited Hiruzen's fury.
"If you know, then do you also understand that what you're proposing will kill countless people in the village?!"
"How many families will be torn apart?! You lived through the wars—you know their horrors firsthand. And now you'd make the children endure them again?!"
"Raiden, what happened to you?!"
Hiruzen grabbed Raiden by the collar, his anger blazing in his eyes. He couldn't believe such words could come so casually from his former student.
"Has your growing power made you arrogant?! If you think strength gives you free rein, even as my student, I won't sit idly by!"
He glared fiercely at Raiden, frustration mixing with sorrow.
"I'm only doing what's right."
"To save future generations from suffering the same pain."
Raiden gently pushed Hiruzen's hand aside and replied slowly. Seeing Raiden's unwavering stance, Hiruzen realized that persuasion was futile. He could only sigh and say:
"Your ideas won't pass the Jonin Council."
"And even if they did, the Fire Daimyo would never approve. Without the Daimyo's support, your plan is just fantasy."
"Even if you destroy Iwa and Kumo, new ninja villages will rise the next day."
"Raiden, give up on this."
"If retirement bores you, I'll ask Minato to find you a post. That should keep you occupied."
Raiden shook his head, walked to the conference table, sat at the head seat, crossed his arms, and said:
"I didn't summon the leadership here for a vote. I came to announce my decision."
"As for the Fire Daimyo? I don't need his approval."
"Soon, there won't even be such a thing as a Daimyo."
He spoke softly, lowering his gaze. Hiruzen's pupils widened with shock. Raiden wasn't just declaring war—he was challenging the very political structure of the ninja world, aiming to eliminate the Daimyo-Ninja Village system entirely.
"You—" Hiruzen pointed at Raiden, his mouth agape, lips trembling. He couldn't form a single word.
"Please sit."
"Mr. Sarutobi, the turmoil is only temporary. Afterward, there will be true peace."
Raiden tapped his fingers lightly on the table. The room quieted again. One by one, Konoha's notified ninja began to arrive. Upon seeing Raiden seated in the chief's position, most were only momentarily surprised before finding a place to sit or stand.
Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara arrived after more than half had gathered. Following them were Kushina Uzumaki, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Nawaki, and behind them, Naruto and Senju Mariko.
Minato entered silently and sat next to the Third Hokage. But Shikaku frowned, uncertain of Raiden's intent.
Minato had ruled Konoha for years and held considerable influence. If Raiden planned to reclaim the Hokage title, Shikaku would firmly side with Minato. After all, Raiden was the former Hokage.
"Raiden, this is a Konoha meeting. Why did you summon us from the Cloud?"
Kirabi and Yugito of Kumogakure had entered the room alongside the others. Kirabi didn't hesitate to question Raiden, ignoring the heavy atmosphere.
"You'll know soon." Raiden smiled, but when his Rinnegan met Kirabi's gaze, a chill ran down the Cloud ninja's spine.
Kirabi's sharp instincts warned him. He began quietly scanning the room, ready to flee at the first sign of danger.
"Most are here. Let's begin."
"Everyone here is an elite of Konoha. I've summoned you to make an announcement."
"I plan—"
Before Raiden could finish, a young ninja suddenly stood up, slamming the table with one hand to interrupt him.
All eyes turned toward him. The older ninja frowned in disapproval.
"Lord Raiden! You're retired—you're just an ordinary Jonin now."
"What gives you the right to sit in the main seat?!"
"Lord Minato hasn't spoken—how can you act on his behalf?!"
The young man was clearly agitated, pointing at Raiden in anger. The room fell silent.
Some of the older ninja looked at him in shock. Everyone had noticed the shift in seating—Minato's usual place was now occupied by Raiden. Most realized something big was happening and kept quiet. Only this young man chose to speak up.
Even Raiden hadn't expected this. After a brief pause, he rubbed his temples and gestured for the young man to sit.
"I gathered you here to announce one thing. If you have objections, we'll discuss them after."
Raiden dismissed the interruption. But the young man grew more incensed—until a middle-aged ninja beside him grabbed his wrist and pulled him back down.
As the youth prepared to protest, the older ninja whispered:
"Don't be foolish. Lord Raiden chose not to punish you. Be grateful."
"You're young, so I'll advise you—look around. Do you see any veteran ninja speaking out of turn?"
"Just listen. Don't act rashly."
Right after that, Raiden's voice echoed through the room:
"Our Konoha teams went missing in the Land of Rain and the Land of Tang. I intend to send two search units to retrieve them."
"Due to the vast search area, we'll deploy many personnel. That's why I convened this meeting."
"I now announce: Uchiha Fugaku will lead the first search unit. Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi will serve as deputy commanders. They'll head to the Land of Rain."
"Hyuga Hiashi will lead the second team. Hizashi and Hatake Kakashi will be deputy commanders. They'll search in the Land of Tang."
"The two of you, review the team lists. All other appointments will be handled by the unit commanders."
"This is a top-level mission. Everyone must comply without question."
"Anyone who defies orders will be treated as a traitor to the village."
As Raiden spoke, he took out two pre-prepared lists and handed them to Fugaku and Hiashi. These lists, comprising about 800 shinobi in total, included few of Raiden's old comrades from the Third Great Ninja War.
Fugaku briefly glanced at his list, then closed it and responded with a solemn "Understood." Hiashi's pupils narrowed as he read, silently watching Minato before nodding in agreement.
The conference room fell into an eerie silence. All eyes were on Raiden and Minato. Hiruzen looked constipated, as though he had something to say but held back.
Minato lowered his head, his brows furrowed. After locking eyes with Raiden for a moment, he sighed softly and said:
"Raiden's will represents the village. Those appointed—follow the order."
(End of this chapter)