Path Of War

At the Light Village.

The streets were busy, and the mood was light. But inside Sun Stream Plaza was different.

Various robed figures exited with a purpose. Many citizens watched their determined faces.

Not long ago, the news was heard of the Rain Village’s declaration of war. It had been a day since Kaito returned, carrying the weight of the recent events.

Most of Arthur’s followers had seen war before. They’d fought in skirmishes, defended their homes, and lost friends and families. For them, like Ashina, the news that another conflict was on the horizon was almost a familiar cycle.

War was part of their existence now, be it in the old era or in this new one.

It simply didn’t scare them; it didn’t shake their resolve. They each understood the stakes, and they were ready to face whatever came next.

But in the midst of this readiness, there was a different concern: the infiltrator, Zetsu, who had managed to slip into the village unnoticed.

That fact gnawed at everyone, specifically Kimimaro, who was the head of security. He was visibly upset.

During the meeting, when he had learned Zetsu managed to breach their security, he was quick to apologize. Though words could hardly undo the failure. His team had been supposed to catch such threats, and now they had failed.

Kimimaro’s frustrations led to swift action. Borders were sealed. No one could leave or enter without scrutiny. Any suspicious individual or package was to be captured, detained, and likely executed if deemed a threat.