Haruto Saito knew that he had completely altered the course of the Second Shinobi World War from what was recorded in the original history!
In the original timeline, the Second Shinobi World War did not document the involvement of Kirigakure, which could be interpreted as them not participating at all. Perhaps it was because Kirigakure had orchestrated the destruction of Uzushio Village, gaining enough benefits to avoid further conflict. Additionally, being an island nation far from the mainland, the Land of Water was relatively isolated, which meant no other factions targeted them during the war.
But in this world, Kirigakure had mobilized!
A year and a half ago, they suffered a defeat. Since the start of the Second Shinobi World War, they had not actively participated. However, according to the intelligence received now, this mobilization was their first official entry into the war!
Haruto Saito carefully examined the intelligence scroll.
The current information stated that Konoha's infiltration unit in the Land of Water had detected Kirigakure's First Army Corps departing from the western port of the main island a day prior. They were traveling on massive warships and were expected to reach the eastern harbor of the Land of Whirlpools within four days!
Kirigakure's First Army Corps was its most formidable offensive force, with an official ninja count exceeding 2,800. It was second only to Kirigakure's Defensive Army Corps, which had 3,000 ninjas.
The Defensive Army Corps was designated for protecting their homeland. Just as Konoha had a defensive unit stationed in the village, Kirigakure had the same setup.
Excluding the Defensive Army Corps, Kirigakure's First Army Corps was their most powerful combat unit. They were not sending a probing force—this was a full-scale invasion! The Land of Whirlpools was undoubtedly their target!
Haruto Saito's mood soured.
This was completely unexpected!
Kirigakure's forces were unstoppable!
His settlement in Furuta Village was still under construction, barely functional, and certainly not prepared for war.
Unless Konoha sent reinforcements!
"Someone, come!" Haruto Saito suddenly stood up.
A ghostly figure appeared in the corner of the room—it was Thirteen!
"My lord!"
"Notify Fenghuo and the others, immediately!"
"Yes!"
Ten minutes later, Haruto Saito convened an emergency meeting in the palace's conference room.
Thirteen, Hattori Ryuno, Kakuzu, and other key subordinates were present, along with some Anbu and infiltration unit ninjas. The room housed more than a dozen individuals, all at least Jonin-level in strength.
Haruto Saito revealed the intelligence he had received earlier.
Thirteen and Hattori Ryuno remained expressionless.
Kakuzu, however, looked grim—because he was the only normal one. Thirteen and Hattori Ryuno were anything but conventional.
Haruto Saito laid out his plan.
He had to return to Konoha immediately! There was no time to waste!
By the time he returned from Konoha, Kirigakure's First Army Corps would have already arrived in the Land of Whirlpools. If anything happened to Furuta Village in his absence, he wouldn't be able to intervene in time.
But he had no choice!
The sooner he left, the better!
If he delayed even a few more days, he would be completely trapped. At least by leaving now, he had some time to prepare. Kirigakure's forces wouldn't immediately launch an assault; they would need time to establish a foothold and contact local factions in the Land of Whirlpools.
Thus, if Haruto Saito hurried back to Konoha and returned promptly, the situation should still be manageable.
But caution was necessary!
Therefore, he assigned responsibilities before departing.
Kakuzu, the most rational one, was given full authority over Furuta Village's affairs, with Hattori Ryuno assisting him. As for Thirteen… he was better off continuing his studies. Other than combat, he wasn't expected to involve himself too much.
By dusk, Haruto Saito secretly left Furuta Village.
Accompanying him were Minato Namikaze and Kaga, two young ninjas. He intended to escort them to Yamaryu Village before returning to Konoha.
Yamaryu Village was located in central Land of Whirlpools, near the Forest of Torture. Konoha had been operating in Yamaryu Village for several years, making it a much safer place than Furuta Village.
Haruto Saito regretted one thing—why hadn't he placed Flying Thunder God kunai along the route between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools? If he had set one every few hundred kilometers, he could have traveled back to Konoha in ten seconds!
Unfortunately, his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique was not yet advanced enough.
If he were truly proficient, he should have been able to sense the kunai he had left in Konoha.
Still, despite lacking these teleportation markers, Haruto Saito's return wouldn't take too long.
---
**The Next Day – Fire Country – Konoha Village**
At dawn, a messenger bird arrived from the southeast, flying into the forests behind Konoha.
Not long after—
In the Hokage's Office—
Hiruzen Sarutobi had just arrived to begin his daily work when he was handed an urgent report by White Fang himself.
It was the intelligence report from Konoha's infiltration unit in the Land of Water—Kirigakure had mobilized!
Hiruzen received this report more than ten hours later than Haruto Saito. Naturally, this was because the Land of Whirlpools was closer to the Land of Water, whereas the Fire Country was further away. Both reports had been dispatched simultaneously—Haruto Saito just received his first.
"Summon the high council for an emergency meeting!" Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered grimly without looking up.
"Yes!" came the respectful reply from outside the window.
Hiruzen continued staring at the scroll in deep thought.
White Fang stood silently before the desk.
This was serious.
Kirigakure was not supposed to be directly involved in the war. Until now, they had only engaged in covert skirmishes within the Land of Whirlpools. Konoha only needed a few hundred ninjas to counteract their presence. Since Konoha had previously dismantled Kirigakure's intelligence network, they had consistently held the upper hand in these shadow conflicts.
Both sides had maintained a kind of unspoken agreement—
They fought within the rules.
They targeted each other's infiltration units, striking at intelligence networks while strengthening their own.
Logically, Kirigakure should not have launched an invasion unless they had fully rebuilt their intelligence network in the Land of Whirlpools.
Yet, unexpectedly—
Kirigakure had overturned the table!
They were going to war!
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt momentarily caught off guard. Konoha's military strength was limited. If they engaged in battles on two fronts, the strain would be immense, and the situation could easily spiral out of control.
Of course, Konoha could choose not to intervene.
But allowing Kirigakure to conquer the Land of Whirlpools would mean losing a strategic buffer zone. In the long run, it would be a catastrophe for Konoha.
The Five Great Shinobi Nations had never shared a direct border.
If Kirigakure occupied the Land of Whirlpools, that would change.
A gust of wind stirred.
A shadowy figure materialized beside the desk—his presence exuding a chilling aura.
It was Danzo.
"An emergency meeting—what has happened?" Danzo asked.
Hiruzen tossed the scroll to him.
Danzo quickly scanned the contents, his eyes flickering with thought.
"Kirigakure has mobilized," Hiruzen said, rubbing his temples.
"Hmph!" Danzo sneered. "There's no doubt—this is Haruto Saito's doing!"
*********************************************************************************************************Hey everyone! 🚀 Want to read ahead and unlock up to 100 early-access chapters? 📖 Plus, enjoy even more exclusive novels! Join my Patreon now and dive into the adventure! 👉
patreon.com/Rawink00
Hurry Up..!!!! Join Now !