Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 26: The Village in the Shadows

The night that the Senju clan announced their withdrawal, a hawk flew into the border camp from the direction of Konoha. Not long after, Hayama, who was resting, heard the piercing sound of the emergency assembly whistle echoing through the camp. He didn't know what had happened, but years of battlefield experience had honed his instincts. Quickly grabbing his gear, he made his way to the gathering point.

The once-quiet camp was now alive with the sound of shuffling feet. The ninjas who weren't on missions assembled with practiced precision. Despite their numbers, there was hardly any noise. No one dared whisper or make idle chatter; only the faint crunch of boots against the ground broke the stillness.

In less than the time it takes for tea to brew, the shrill whistle cut off. Two ninjas wearing standard Konoha flak jackets stepped onto a raised platform, looking down at the orderly rows of shinobi below.

From his place in the crowd, Hayama caught sight of the two figures on the platform, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He recognized both of them. The smaller, stern-faced man on the left was none other than Sarutobi Kato, the former mission officer for the Rain Country—Hayama's personal nemesis. On the right stood a burly, square-faced ninja: none other than Konishi Kaku, a well-known veteran jonin of civilian origin, renowned for his skill with Lightning Release. Konishi held a higher position in the civilian organization than even the late Tsuchiryu Okata.

Hayama lowered his gaze, careful not to draw attention to himself, particularly from Sarutobi Kato. He wasn't in a position to provoke the man.

Konishi Kaku cleared his throat and turned to Sarutobi Kato. "Director Sarutobi, would you like to say a few words?"

Sarutobi Kato did not hesitate. He stepped forward and prepared to speak. Konishi's eyes flickered briefly with displeasure, but he said nothing, quietly watching Sarutobi take the stage.

For Sarutobi Kato, this was a moment of triumph. His spirits were high. He raised a hand in a performative gesture before addressing the crowd. "I called everyone here tonight for one reason."

He paused, letting the silence stretch. His sharp eyes swept over the assembled ninjas, scanning their expressions. Satisfied that they were hanging on his every word, he continued, "On behalf of the Hokage, I am issuing this order: return to Konoha. We move out immediately!"

A murmur ran through the ranks. If it weren't for the solemnity of the occasion, many might have doubted the command's authenticity.

After all, just days ago, Sunagakure had breached the border and wreaked havoc inside the Land of Fire. Now they were being ordered to pull back—what would happen if Suna attacked again?

Hayama's mind raced as he tried to decipher the true meaning behind the order. Yet even he couldn't have guessed the full extent of the events unfolding in Konoha. The Senju clan's total withdrawal was beyond his wildest speculation. He had assumed they would simply lie low and recover their strength—not fade into obscurity altogether.

There wasn't much time to dwell on the matter. At the command to depart, the assembled shinobi began their march back toward the village.

…

The following evening, after marching nearly nonstop, the Konoha forces finally arrived on the outskirts of the village. They weren't met with warm meals or rest. Instead, tasks were immediately assigned, leaving the weary shinobi no choice but to scatter and fulfill their new duties.

Frustrated and exhausted, Hayama found himself assigned to Konishi Kaku's team for a patrol mission atop the Hokage Rock.

The Hokage Rock, with its carved faces of past leaders, was not only a symbol of the village's history but also a fortified refuge. Its strategic position made it one of the most defensible locations in Konoha, and it was revered as a sacred landmark by all who lived there.

Standing atop the Third Hokage's stone likeness, Hayama gazed down at the village, cloaked in the dim light of dusk. The serenity of the scene was deceptive.

"This is quite the vantage point," a voice murmured behind him.

Hayama's reflexes kicked in. Without thinking, he twisted his wrist and thrust his weapon backward.

A large hand caught his wrist mid-motion. A brief crackle of lightning flickered, and Hayama's hand went numb. But when he turned, his would-be attacker was none other than Konishi Kaku.

Konishi released Hayama's hand and stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Together, they looked out over the village.

After a long silence, Konishi began to speak, recounting the events that had transpired in Konoha the previous day. His eyes remained fixed on Hayama's profile, watching closely for any reaction. Yet Hayama's cold, impassive expression revealed nothing.

Arms crossed, Hayama listened without comment. His mind, however, was racing. He found it almost laughable—how could the village's leadership orchestrate such a sweeping change without expecting repercussions? But outwardly, he remained silent, staring unflinchingly at the Hokage Building.

From their elevated position, the Hokage Building seemed far from grand. In fact, it looked quite ordinary compared to the bustling markets and brightly lit shops of the village. Yet the people working within those walls imbued it with an air of mystique. Half-lit, half-shadowed, it seemed to embody the duality of Konoha itself.

Konishi, noting Hayama's composed demeanor, felt a brief flicker of admiration. It was rare to find a young ninja who could keep his cool. But he hadn't assigned Hayama to his team just to stand and brood together. Remembering his orders, Konishi finally broached the subject that had brought them there.

"Hayama, would you consider joining a new team?"

Hayama blinked, caught off guard. "Who's the leader?"

"I am."

"Why me?" Hayama asked.

Konishi smiled faintly and took out a letter, handing it to Hayama without another word.

Hayama hesitated. After a long moment, he took the letter and read it on the spot. When he finished, his expression grew complicated. Trouble seemed to have found him once again.

The letter was a recommendation. It endorsed Hayama's inclusion in Konishi's team, signed by none other than Konoha's White Fang—Sakumo Hatake.

WDNMD…

Hayama felt like laughing and crying at the same time. He was at a loss for words.

In the ninja world, favors were rarely given without reason. For someone like Sakumo—one of Konoha's top combatants—to personally endorse a mid-level ninja like Hayama was no ordinary gesture. It clearly meant someone had intervened on his behalf. The only logical explanation was Uchiha Fugaku.

Well, then. There was no denying it: the Uchiha clan certainly knew how to do things on a grand scale. They didn't just offer ninja scrolls; they arranged for a renowned master to mentor him. No half-measures, no hesitation—just a direct path to power.

Hayama couldn't help but mentally cheer, Uchiha—best clan ever!

Carefully tucking the letter into his ninja pouch, Hayama turned to Konishi and smiled. "Thank you, Sensei. I'll do my best!"

Konishi nodded, clearly pleased with Hayama's response. To him, Hayama wasn't just another recruit. He had watched the young ninja grow over the years. Among the veterans of their clandestine gatherings, only Konishi and Hayama were still alive. Whatever had kept Hayama alive this long, be it skill, luck, or both, was proof enough of his worth.

Once Konishi left, the Hokage Rock grew silent again. Hayama couldn't suppress a grin. He executed a celebratory backflip, relieved that joining the Uchiha faction had been the right choice after all.

…

In a newly established underground base in the northwest corner of Konoha, the dim glow of candles cast long shadows. The Root division had claimed this space as its headquarters. Despite being the home of Root, it was not Shimura Danzo who sat at the central table, but Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Hokage sat quietly, eyes fixed on the flickering candle flame, his thoughts inscrutable.

The wooden door creaked open, and Danzo entered. Hiruzen lifted his gaze slightly as Danzo settled into a chair across from him.

"Here you are, Danzo," Hiruzen greeted, though it was Danzo's own domain. His tone suggested he was the host rather than the guest.

Danzo remained silent, his expression blank as he took his seat.

Hiruzen chuckled and lit his pipe, letting a ring of smoke curl into the air. "Have the Senju assets been accounted for?"

Danzo, despite his annoyance at Hiruzen's casual tone, answered succinctly. "136 mines, 410,000 acres of land—all accounted for. The clan's scrolls and techniques have been sealed and delivered to your office."

Hiruzen nodded in acknowledgment. "And the village? Have things calmed down?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Enough, Hiruzen. You've done what you needed to. Now stop pretending to lament the outcome."

Hiruzen paused, taken aback by Danzo's bluntness. He knew he couldn't maintain the façade any longer. "Fine," he said. "Focus on the next step—dealing with the Uchiha. As for Suna, leave it to Sakumo. He'll handle it."

Danzo leaned forward. "You're sure about Sakumo? He's close to the Uchiha."

Hiruzen exhaled another puff of smoke. "Sakumo is a pragmatic man. He knows where his loyalties lie."

Danzo studied Hiruzen through the haze of smoke. Once, Hiruzen had been the bright, cheerful ninja they'd known in their youth. Now, he had grown into a leader who thrived in the shadows. For Danzo, it was both unsettling and strangely reassuring. In the world of power, change was inevitable. Even old comrades could become unrecognizable.

That night, the village remained eerily calm. The Senju clan had indeed vanished, leaving behind no visible chaos—just a silent, chilling void in the annals of history.