Tsunade stood by the window of her office, her back straight, arms crossed. Rain tapped lightly on the glass, the soft sound a quiet contrast to the storm boiling inside her.
She held a scroll in one hand, freshly delivered by an ANBU.
It was the full report from the northern border. Haji had intercepted and eliminated a second Kumogakure strike force. No Konoha casualties. The enemy squad was wiped out, including a known magnetic release user, Toroi.
Tsunade's hand tightened around the scroll.
"They really did it," she whispered. "They dared to try again."
Shizune stepped forward from the far side of the office. "We confird their target was an outpost. It wasn't a mistake, Tsunade-sama. They ant to strike us."
Tsunade moved to her desk, laid the scroll flat, and stared at it like it might change its contents.
"They send killers. Haji responds. They lose." She looked up, her voice low and angry. "And now they'll pretend it was us who escalated."
Shizune nodded slowly. "That's what they'll tell the other villages. That we're unstable."
Tsunade slamd her fist on the desk, rattling every cup and paper on it. "Unstable? They're the ones sneaking squads across our border!"
The room fell silent.
Then Tsunade spoke again, her voice calr, but sharper.
"Fine. If they want to play it that way, then we'll stop playing."
She reached into her drawer and pulled out two official Hokage-sealed scrolls. "It's ti to prepare our forces. We're not going to wait for another 'test' or 'probe.' This ends now."
She handed the first scroll to Shizune. "Deploy two full platoons to reinforce the northern border. I want them stationed with Kakashi's team."
Shizune nodded and left imdiately to carry out the order.
Tsunade looked down at the second scroll.
It had Haji's na on it.
She stepped over to the tall bookshelf on the back wall. Hidden behind one of the scroll racks was a tal box. She pressed a chakra point, and it slid open. Inside was a stamp only used in warti.
The Hokage's Command Seal.
She pressed it into wax and sealed the scroll.
Monts later, she summoned an ANBU to deliver it.
"Take this to Commander Haji. He now has full authority over the northern front."
The ANBU bowed low. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
As he vanished, another figure entered the room. Tall, calm, and thoughtful, Shikaku Nara, head of the Nara clan and Konoha's top strategist.
"You called, Lady Hokage?"
Tsunade looked at him and sighed. "I need your brain. Kumo's pushing us toward war. I've placed Haji in charge of the front. You'll go with him."
Shikaku raised an eyebrow. "You want under his command?"
"You'll be his assistant and advisor," Tsunade said firmly. "Your mind, his strength. Together, you'll hold the line."
Shikaku folded his arms. "He's not from our village, technically."
"He is now," Tsunade snapped. "He ca here with . I trained him. He saved my life. And more importantly, he saved Konoha from a snake like Danzō."
Shikaku nodded. "Understood."
Tsunade moved toward the window again, looking out at the gray sky over the rooftops.
"They sent assassins into our land. We didn't go looking for a fight, but we won't step back from one."
Her voice dropped lower.
"They want war? They'll get it."
…
Far north, on the rain-soaked border, Haji stood in full armor beneath a stone archway leading into the fortified Konoha outpost.
The stone beneath him was still cracked from his landing the day before.
Behind him, Kakashi and his team coordinated defenses, watching every hill and treetop for signs of movent. Leaf shinobi were stationed in guard towers, on the walls, and hidden across the valley. Every entrance was covered. Sealing tags lined the periter.
A black-armored ANBU arrived with a scroll and bowed.
"Hokage-sama's latest order. It's sealed."
Haji took it silently and opened the wax with one armored thumb.
After reading it, he closed it again.
He turned and walked into the command tent where Kakashi, Tenzo, and Shikaku, who just arrive with the anbu, were waiting.
"She's giving full authority, to command the border" Haji said. "Effective imdiately."
Kakashi nodded without hesitation. "Understood."
Shikaku glanced at the scroll. "And I'm your backup."
"You are," Haji confird. "Strategy is yours. Field command is mine."
Tenzo leaned forward slightly. "Then what's our first move?"
Haji looked toward the horizon where storm clouds gathered in the distance.
"They'll co again. Soon."
He lifted his halberd from the rack and set it across his back.
"We'll be ready."
Back in Kumogakure, thunder rolled across the mountaintops.
And the Raikage began to move his army.
End of Chapter 90 – "When Peace Is Shattered"
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