Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

The first nation to make its move against Konoha was the ambitious Land of Lightning.

On the northern border of the Fire Country, a formidable army from the Village Hidden in the Clouds (Kumogakure) advanced with unrestrained boldness. At the forefront of this imposing force was a young man with dark skin, striking light-yellow hair, and a towering, muscular build.

He donned a white cape with a green shuriken insignia emblazoned on his shoulders, a wide belt, and heavy armor that radiated strength. This was A, the son of the Third Raikage and the future Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure.

A's reputation preceded him. Known for his fiery temper and unparalleled physical prowess, he had once severed one of the Eight-Tails' horns with a single strike in his youth. His mastery of Lightning Style Chakra Mode was so advanced that his speed rivaled even Namikaze Minato's, though not the latter's instantaneous teleportation through the Flying Thunder God Technique.

In the Fourth Shinobi World War, A would eventually become the Supreme Commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces, leading the charge against the formidable Uchiha Madara and later standing with the coalition to defeat the Ten-Tails.

Beside A strode another iconic figure—a dark-skinned young man with light-yellow hair, a pair of black sunglasses, and a wide grin. His attire featured seven swords strapped to his back, a tattoo with the kanji for "iron" on his right shoulder, and faint horn-like marks on his left cheek.

He moved with an eccentric rhythm, rapping nonsensical tunes while gesturing animatedly.

This was Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki and A's adoptive brother. Known for his cheerful personality and unrivaled control over the Eight-Tails, Killer B was both a powerhouse and a wildcard. In the future, he would mentor Naruto Uzumaki in taming the Nine-Tails, becoming an integral part of the Allied Shinobi Forces.

"Yo, yo, big bro, slow your roll! The sun's gonna dip, and this war's gonna rip! Chill it, will ya?" Killer B rapped, swaying with exaggerated movements as he danced around A.

"B!" A growled, veins bulging on his forehead as his patience thinned. "Stop fooling around! This isn't a joke—this is war! Take it seriously!"

Killer B grinned mischievously, unfazed by his brother's frustration. "Yo, yo, relax, bro! Ain't no foe gonna steal my show! Killer B'll take 'em to the flow, heh, ho!"

A clenched his fists, his aura sparking with lightning chakra as his temper flared.

While the Cloud Shinobi advanced from the north, another force struck from the northwest.

The explosion ripped through the night, shattering the silence of the border. A flash of crimson and orange lit the skies, followed by anguished screams as Konoha's outpost was obliterated.

Amid the smoke and carnage, a tall, lean figure emerged. His dark-brown ninja uniform clung to his wiry frame, his tawny, spiked hair giving him the appearance of a wild predator. His sharp, green eyes glinted with bloodlust as he surveyed the bodies of fallen Konoha shinobi with sadistic glee.

This was Hunter, leader of Iwagakure's Demolition Unit and a user of Explosion Style—a deadly kekkei genkai that combined Earth and Lightning chakra to devastating effect.

"Impressive work, Hunter," a voice remarked. A man emerged from the ground nearby, his presence as unassuming as the earth itself.

This was Kitsuchi, son of the Third Tsuchikage and a senior strategist of Iwagakure. He wore a red combat uniform, a brown jonin vest layered over it, and sleeves mismatched in length—one arm armored, the other bare. His large nose and thin moustache gave him a distinctive, almost caricature-like appearance.

"Your Explosion Style has become quite refined," Kitsuchi added, his tone calm but tinged with admiration as he surveyed the destruction.

Hunter sneered, his grin twisted and feral. "Spare me the compliments, Kitsuchi. I'm not interested in your approval. Just tell me where the next ten Konoha strongholds are, and I'll take care of them."

The sadistic glee in his voice left no doubt—Hunter reveled in destruction for its own sake.

Kitsuchi, son of the Third Tsuchikage, smiled faintly at Hunter's bloodthirsty enthusiasm. "Very well then. Our next target is the stronghold at the valley," he said, his tone measured.

"You know its significance, don't you? The Valley is Konoha's most vital military hub in the northwest, a key forward base. Capturing it won't be easy."

...

Meanwhile, on the southeast coast of the Fire Country, another brutal force was on the move.

Swish!

A flash of silver streaked through the air, the sound of it slicing through flesh mingling with anguished screams.

A group of Konoha shinobi, each wearing headbands marked with four concentric circle patterns, collapsed to the ground, impaled by a bizarre, needle-shaped sword. Attached to the weapon was a taut steel wire that strung the hapless victims together, binding them to a nearby tree.

Their agonized cries filled the air as blood pooled at their feet.

From the shadows emerged a slender, eerie figure. His long, yellow, thorn-like hair jutted out wildly, and a Mist Shinobi Anbu mask obscured his face. A thick bandage was wrapped around his neck, and his movements were unnaturally fluid, almost predatory.

This was Kuriarare Kushimaru, one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and the wielder of the Longsword: Nuibari. Known for his sadistic tendencies, Kushimaru took grotesque pleasure in using his blade to pierce and stitch his victims together, tormenting them until their dying breaths.

Kushimaru's eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction as he watched the Konoha shinobi writhe in pain.

"You're taking your time as usual, Kushimaru!"

A deep, irritated voice cut through the scene. From the shadows, another figure stepped forward—a man with long, braided black hair, sharp teeth, and a single eye visible beneath a black eyepatch. His head and neck were swathed in bandages, and slung over his shoulders was the Bluntsword: Kabutowari, a massive weapon resembling a hammer and chisel.

This was Jinin Akebino, another of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. Renowned for his blunt-force combat style, Jinin was no less brutal than his comrade, though his patience for Kushimaru's theatrics was notoriously thin.

"Hurry it up! Once we're done with this skirmish, we'll use the Land of Waves as a springboard to launch a full-scale attack on Konoha!" Jinin barked, glaring at Kushimaru.

Kushimaru let out a low, disdainful chuckle, turning to Jinin with a mocking smile. "Why so hasty, Jinin? Don't rush my art. Let me enjoy this."

Jinin's irritation flared. "Enjoy it? You're wasting time! Do you want me to bash some sense into you with Kabutowari?"

Kushimaru's grin widened, his voice dripping with venom. "You can try, Jinin. I've been meaning to stitch that big mouth of yours shut for a long time."

The tension between the two swordsmen escalated, their bloodlust turning inward.

The eerie clang of Nuibari's wire met the thundering swing of Kabutowari as the two Mist shinobi clashed. Sparks flew, and the air crackled with the sound of steel meeting steel.

Their battle was a chaotic mix of precision and raw power. Kushimaru's needle-like sword danced through the air in intricate patterns, while Jinin's hammer-blade struck with earth-shaking force.

Despite the absurdity of the situation—Mist Shinobi fighting among themselves while on a mission—the ferocity of their duel was a testament to their skills as members of the Seven Swordsmen.

The infighting did little to hinder the Mist's advance. The Land of Waves soon fell under their control, becoming a staging ground for the larger invasion of Konoha.

...

Meanwhile, in the northwest, Iwagakure forces prepared to strike The Valley, while in the north, Kumogakure continued its relentless push.

The Sand Shinobi Village's declaration of war had acted as a spark, igniting the ambitions of the other great nations. Within days, all four major ninja villages had mobilized, launching coordinated attacks against Konoha.

...

At the heart of Konoha, an emergency council meeting was underway. Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the head of the table, surrounded by his advisors and senior commanders. The tension was palpable.