The Third Hokage: First Move Send Danzō to Prison

"The Akatsuki grow ever more rampant, bringing chaos upon all five great nations. They slay Kage and butcher innocents. Their crimes have stained every corner of the realm.

Now, under the will of heaven and the charge of justice, we, the Five Kage, unite as one.

Let us strike down these rebels and restore balance to our world!"

The Allied Shinobi Forces had established a massive base camp stretching for miles, blocking all outward routes from the Hidden Rain Village.

The precise location of their encampment had been determined by the joint calculations of each nation's sealing squads strategically set just outside the influence radius of the Rain Tiger at Will technique.

It created a surreal scene: a battlefield split in two.

On the Allied side, the skies were clear, warm sunlight bathing tents and banners. But across the invisible line where the jutsu's influence began the Hidden Rain was cloaked in thick black clouds and relentless downpour.

Despite the visual divide, the actual distance between the two sides was nothing to a trained shinobi. From the Allied base, one could peer through the rain and faintly make out the silhouette of the cyberpunk-esque steam towers of the Hidden Rain Village. With a sharp eye, one could even spot Hidden Rain ninja high above, silently watching, their faces pale with anxiety.

After all, how could such a small nation provoke a war from all five great powers?

Inside the central command tent, a massive LED screen displayed a full schematic of the Hidden Rain's internal layout.

Ōnoki, the elderly Tsuchikage of the Hidden Stone, hovered in the air at the tent's entrance. At his side stood his granddaughter and bodyguard, Kurotsuchi.

"Hmph. For a tiny backwater like the Hidden Rain, this sure feels like overkill. Dragging me all the way out here," grumbled Ōnoki.

"What can we do?" Kurotsuchi replied, hands folded behind her head. "Even the Hidden Cloud was taken down. Everyone's scared of being next."

"Our village's Jinchūriki are already gone too," she added. "We had no choice but to come."

"And Deidara he joined that criminal group too. What are we supposed to do about that?"

Ōnoki cast a sidelong glance at his granddaughter's innocent expression. Kurotsuchi, you're far too naïve.

The very reason we don't want to be here is because our Jinchūriki have already been captured. The Hidden Leaf and Cloud still have theirs. They're in far less danger than we are…

But some things couldn't be said aloud. Ōnoki could only sigh quietly and say, "Come. They're waiting for us."

Inside the command tent

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat at the head of the table. The shadow of his Kage hat concealed part of his face. His pipe glowed faintly between breaths. At his side sat the war general, Jiraiya, and a mysterious elite shinobi wearing a crow-patterned mask.

To his left, the Mizukage, Mei Terumī, sat cross-legged, expression calm and poised. Beside her was Killer Bee, the Hidden Cloud's Jinchūriki, whose sunglasses caught the light.

To his right, the Elder Chiyo of the Hidden Sand sat polishing her puppet. The seat of honor next to her remained empty reserved for the Tsuchikage's entrance.

Ōnoki's gaze met that of his old battlefield rival, Hiruzen. They were of the same generation veterans of many conflicts.

But while Ōnoki had grown old and frail, Hiruzen looked as if he had grown younger with time. If this wasn't mere cosmetic jutsu but actual rejuvenation… then that was troubling indeed.

Floating just above the floor, Ōnoki didn't sit. He narrowed his eyes and remarked coldly, "I wasn't aware the Hokage had already been declared the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces."

He was, as usual, voicing Hidden Stone's perennial dissatisfaction with the Leaf.

Before Hiruzen could respond, the Mizukage spoke first, gently tapping the table. Her tone was calm but firm.

"This mission was initiated by the Hidden Leaf. It's only natural for the Hokage to serve as Supreme Commander."

Don't think I don't know, Mei, Ōnoki thought darkly. The Mist has already fallen under the Leaf's sway.

Killer Bee stood, bowing respectfully to the head seat.

"The Hidden Cloud suffered greatly in this disaster. We're grateful to the Leaf for their assistance in evacuating our survivors. For this mission, I will follow the Hokage's command."

Then, in a sudden motion, Bee unsheathed his long sword and pointed it directly at Ōnoki.

"If anyone dares speak ill of the Hokage, I might forgive them but my sword won't!"

Seriously? You're from the Hidden Cloud, and you sound like one of Hiruzen's diehard loyalists!

Beside him, Kurotsuchi tensed and moved into a defensive stance. Sweat trickled down her brow.

This is supposed to be an alliance meeting why does it feel like a fight's about to break out?

Ōnoki subtly waved a hand to ease her tension. No battle would break out here not yet.

This Eight-Tails host… has he gone mad from the trauma of losing his village?

Ōnoki narrowed his eyes. I need to find a chance to teach him a lesson. When it comes to Dust Release, even a Tailed Beast is nothing.

Elder Chiyo rose next, speaking calmly.

"Back during the Warring States Era, it was the Senju brothers of the Leaf who brought peace to the land. The Third Hokage was their direct disciple a legacy of justice and strength. The entire shinobi world owes the Leaf a great debt. I have no objections to Hiruzen as commander."

It's over, Ōnoki thought bitterly. The Mist, the Cloud, the Sand… they're all in the Hokage's pocket. Even if we held a vote, we'd lose.

Now, the Hidden Stone stood alone.

Ōnoki gave one last protest. "If the Hokage is to serve as commander, then the logistics of the Allied Forces must be managed entirely by the Hidden Leaf."

A compromise, a face-saving way to concede.

Hiruzen tapped his pipe gently, letting the embers flicker.

"As it should be. Lord Tsuchikage, please take your seat."

And with that, Ōnoki sat down.

The Five Nations Allied Forces were officially formed.

Hiruzen pressed a button, and the giant screen shifted.

The map of the Hidden Rain gave way to harrowing images of the Hidden Cloud devastated by Pain's Almighty Push. Accompanying the visuals were detailed mission logs and analyses from Leaf intelligence.

Hiruzen's voice was grave.

"This meeting is not an attempt by the Leaf to dominate. It is because the power of the Akatsuki is beyond the capability of any single nation or village. If we do not stand together, the tragedy that befell the Hidden Cloud may soon come for each of us."

The Leaf's intelligence reports were far more comprehensive than the scraps Ōnoki had received.

As he looked at the ruins of the Hidden Cloud, now almost completely leveled, Ōnoki's pupils shrank.

"This is impossible…" he whispered. "People like this still exist in our world?"

He had believed the days of monsters were over ever since Hashirama and Madara had died.

But now, a new terror had emerged. Someone who defied the limits of what ninja should be capable of.

The dark memories of Madara's power stirred in Ōnoki's mind. His face darkened.

"You're right, Hokage," he said. "The Akatsuki are far too dangerous."

If they wielded this kind of overwhelming violence, the Hidden Rain would become a geopolitical threat. The balance of the five great nations might shatter.

Mei Terumī looked visibly shaken. She had heard the Akatsuki were dangerous but not this dangerous.

The Leaf's generosity… might come with a price.

She glanced behind her. Her eyes met those of her bodyguard Ao. Neither spoke, but both understood.

Elder Chiyo, already familiar with the data, closed her eyes and said nothing.

Bang!

Killer Bee slammed his fist onto the table, splintering the wood.

"Hokage, give the word! I'll lead the Hidden Cloud's elite into the Land of Rain right now!"

The images on screen had stirred his pain, igniting fury in his chest. Tears slid silently down his cheeks.

"They'll pay for what they did to my village. I'll make sure they feel every ounce of it!"

As Killer Bee's fury boiled over, Hiruzen raised a hand to calm him.

"Bee, we must plan this carefully," he said.

With that, he pressed the button again.

The screen changed, now showing the profiles of Akatsuki members alongside their true goal:

Collecting all the Tailed Beasts.

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