What?! Kirigakure launched a surprise attack on the Land of Fire's border outpost, starting a war with Konohagakure without warning?!
The entire Konoha meeting hall erupted into chaos.
The jonin present wore expressions of shock, disbelief, and utter confusion.
If the Hokage himself hadn't delivered this information, hardly anyone would have believed it.
Setting aside the fact that the major villages had only signed a peace treaty a few years ago, there was also Kirigakure's location to consider…
Why would they suddenly attack Konoha?
What were they after?
Doubt. Confusion.
But after all, everyone here was a seasoned Jonin, so they quickly regained their composure.
Following the Hokage's orders, the selected Jonin returned home to pack their belongings, getting ready to head to the front lines.
Aizen and Shisui were among those chosen. It made sense—after all, the Twin Stars of Konoha had made a name for themselves on the Kirigakure battlefield. They had the skills and experience to handle Kirigakure's ninjas.
But this time, Aizen didn't seem as calm as he had been on his last trip to the front lines. His brows were furrowed, and he looked a little anxious.
Shisui, with his sharp senses, even caught him muttering to himself. "So you're really going through with this?"
What did that mean?
Shisui froze for a moment, looking surprised. But he didn't ask anything in front of everyone. Instead, after the meeting ended, he silently followed Aizen out of the hall.
The two of them, lost in thought, walked down the main street of Konoha. It wasn't until they reached a side alley that Shisui grabbed Aizen and pulled him aside.
"Aizen, do you know something? Is this Kirigakure invasion… planned by someone?"
"So you did notice." Aizen paused for a moment, his eyes behind his glasses showing a complicated look. "Forgive me, Shisui. I never wanted to drag you into this."
"What the hell are you saying?!" Shisui grabbed his shoulders, eyes blazing with anger. "Aren't we best friends? If we are, then we should face things together!"
"Yes… and it's exactly because we are friends…" Aizen took a step back and said softly, "That's why I don't want you to get involved. I'll carry this burden alone."
Shisui stared at him, as if he could see an indescribable sorrow hidden in Aizen's eyes.
"Aizen, you…"
Swish.
Before he could finish speaking, two figures wearing animal masks suddenly appeared in front of them.
"You're from Root?" Shisui immediately recognized them, his face darkening. "What do you want?"
The shorter of the two ninjas glanced at him before turning to Aizen.
"Aizen Sosuke, Danzo-sama has ordered you to return immediately."
Return?
A bad feeling hit Shisui all at once. His expression changed drastically.
But Aizen didn't seem surprised. He simply nodded. "I understand."
As he turned away, his lips moved slightly, forming a silent message to Shisui.
Shisui's pupils shrank. He had been about to stop Aizen, but his body suddenly froze in place.
The two Root ninjas didn't seem to notice their silent exchange. They took Aizen with them and left.
Shisui watched their backs disappear, his expression shifting several times. In the end, he clenched his teeth and turned in the opposite direction.
Pure Land.
A black void suddenly opened, and Aizen, along with the two Root ninjas, stepped out.
"Welcome back. Good work." Aizen sat down in a chair with a relaxed voice.
At that moment, the two masked figures removed their disguises, revealing themselves as Konan and Uchiha Itachi.
The three of them turned their eyes to a fourth screen on the left. The monitor displayed an image of Shisui, who had quietly returned home.
Resting his cheek on one hand, Aizen also looked at the screen, a small smile playing on his lips.
"The choice is in your hands now. What will you do, Shisui?"
Konan recorded everything and sent it back to the group chat.
Curly-haired Guy: I can already see the tragedy unfolding. This is brutal! I need a strawberry sundae to recover!
Doujin Artist: Using Shisui's trust and loyalty while setting up both him and Danzo… Aizen is seriously ruthless!
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: It's not just trust and loyalty. He also played on Shisui's curiosity and sharp instincts. Aizen factored everything in.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: This is terrifying! I feel like I just got a firsthand experience of Aizen's danger! He makes people walk right into his plans without even realizing it!
Doujin Artist: There, there. Come here for a hug, Ruiko-chan.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Mhm… hug.
Curly-haired Guy: Hmph! My chest is broad too, you know! I'll allow you to hug me as well. But don't get too full of yourselves, you little brats.
Doujin Artist: Get lost, you creepy old man.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Dude… you've got a pair of underwear on your head. And it's got little teddy bears on it.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Pfft.
Amegakure Village's Angel: Gin, stop harassing the kids.
Curly-haired Guy: What the—?!
For crying out loud, all he wanted was a friendly hug!
How did things end up like this?!
Was he really that much of a creep in the group chat?!
Sakata Gintoki, with a pair of teddy bear panties on his head, fell into deep thought.
This is an Actor: Am I the only one who finds his acting terrifying too?
Aizen wasn't bragging—he was giving them a hint.
Didn't they realize there was another actor in the group?
Doujin Artist: Forget the acting. I'm more curious about what Aizen meant by "choice." And what's that secret code he and Shisui were using?
Eriri's message completely changed the subject.
Aizen's hint was like winking at a blind man.
If he weren't so composed, he might've already cursed them out.
Amegakure Village's Angel: I'm not sure about the "choice," but the secret code is probably a clue.
Curly-haired Guy: Tch. Aizen is always saying weird, confusing things. It's so frustrating!
Doujin Artist: Then go beat him up. I dare you.
Curly-haired Guy: Hah?! What kind of nonsense is that? There's nothing in this world Gintoki wouldn't dare to do!
Doujin Artist: Eat poop.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Become a eunuch.
This is an Actor: Date a cactus.
Curly-haired Guy: ??? Are you guys actual demons?!
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