247- War

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling market of Kusagakure. The market was alive with activity—vendors hawking their goods, shoppers bargaining for the best prices, and the sweet scent of fresh fruits and herbs filling the air.

Laughter and chatter wove together in a comforting, familiar rhythm. But amidst the vibrant energy of the marketplace, a conversation was unfolding that carried with it a darker undercurrent, one that spoke of unease and growing tension.

At one of the many stalls, a merchant stood behind a cluttered table, surrounded by wares ranging from dried spices to colourful textiles. He was a stout man with a greying beard and kind eyes, and his hands moved deftly as he wrapped up a bundle of dried herbs for a customer.

The buyer was a middle-aged man, sharp-eyed and tall, with the rough look of someone who had spent his life working hard.

"Good day to you, Ichiro," the merchant greeted cheerfully, handing over the bundle. "The herbs this season are especially potent. Perfect for that cough of yours."

Ichiro nodded as he took the bundle but didn't seem particularly focused on the herbs. His eyes darted around the market before he leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice. "I've been hearing some strange things lately, Hideki. You know anything about it?"

Hideki, the merchant, raised an eyebrow. "Strange things? What kind of things are you talking about?"

Ichiro shifted on his feet, his expression turning serious. "War. That's what I've heard."

The word seemed to hang in the air between them, heavier than the usual chatter of the marketplace. Hideki frowned, clearly caught off guard by the statement.

"War?" he repeated. "With who? And where did you hear such nonsense?"

Ichiro glanced around again as if to make sure no one was listening too closely. He leaned in even more, his voice barely above a whisper. "Konoha."

Hideki blinked, his confusion deepening. "Konoha? Why in the world would we go to war with Konoha?"

Ichiro straightened up, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know the full story, but it's what I've been hearing all over the village. Word is, some of our shinobi have gone missing. You haven't noticed? They're not just missing, though. They've been gathering—at the borders."

Hideki's eyes widened in disbelief. "At the borders? For a war with Konoha? That's ridiculous. What could we possibly gain from provoking them?"

Ichiro shrugged, but there was a grim look on his face. "That's the thing, Hideki. I don't think this is about what we gain. I think our leaders have decided something's coming, and we're about to be caught up in it. I don't like it one bit. "

"We've all heard the stories about Konoha—everyone knows their military strength. They've got the Hokage, powerful clans, and even a jinchūriki. We don't have that kind of power, Hideki. We'd be crushed."

Hideki crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head. "We don't even have a jinchūriki, for crying out loud. How do they expect us to stand up to Konoha's might? Whoever's behind this must be out of their mind."

The two men exchanged a sombre glance, both of them knowing that if war truly was on the horizon, their peaceful village would be the first to suffer.

Meanwhile, in a small herbal shop just across the street, a similar conversation was unfolding. An old man, hunched over with age but still spry in his movements, stood at the counter, exchanging a few coins for a bundle of herbs.

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman named Teruko, smiled as she wrapped up the herbs in brown paper.

"There you go, Takashi-san. That should last you a good while."

The old man smiled back, his weathered face crinkling. "Thank you, Teruko-chan. You always take good care of me."

As he turned to leave, he paused at the door and glanced back over his shoulder. "Be sure to keep yourself safe, now."

Teruko blinked, confused. "Safe? From what, Takashi-san?"

Takashi sighed, his brow furrowing as he shuffled back toward the counter. "Haven't you heard? War is coming."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "War? What are you talking about?"

Takashi nodded sagely. "That's what I've heard. My grandchild's friend's brother's wife's sister… she said the same thing just yesterday. Kusagakure is preparing for war, and it's Konoha we're up against."

Teruko let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. "Takashi-san, are you sure about this? It sounds like a rumor that got blown out of proportion."

Takashi shook his head, his expression somber. "I wish it was just a rumor. But I've lived long enough to know when something big is about to happen. Mark my words, Teruko-chan. It's coming."

With that, the old man turned and slowly made his way out of the shop, leaving Teruko standing behind the counter, her brow creased in thought. As the door swung shut behind him, the smile faded from her face, replaced by a dark, contemplative expression.

Teruko moved with purpose now, her fingers deftly reaching into one of the cabinets behind her. She pulled out a small piece of parchment, the edges worn and delicate. Her hand trembled slightly as she uncapped a vial of ink and dipped her brush in, writing swiftly and silently across the paper.

When she was finished, she held the parchment up to eye level, scrutinizing her work. Without a word, she tossed the parchment into the small brazier beside the counter.

The flames leapt up, swallowing the paper whole, but as the fire died down, something strange happened. The parchment left no ashes behind, disappearing entirely into the air as if it had never existed at all.

Teruko watched the flames with cold, calculating eyes.

'I have to let them know this' she thought.

In a grand building at the heart of Kusagakure, Nao Kita, the kage of the village, sat at his desk, deep in thought. Papers and reports were scattered across the surface, but his eyes were fixed on a single letter in front of him, his brow furrowed in frustration.

"I just hope the payment comes soon," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples.

The situation was growing more complicated by the day, and the weight of leadership pressed heavily on his shoulders.

A sudden knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and Nao straightened up, composing himself.

"Enter."

The door creaked open, and his aide, a tall man with sharp features named Ryota, stepped inside. There was a worried look on his face, one that Nao recognized immediately.

"What is it, Ryota?" Nao asked, his voice weary but commanding. "What's the problem?"

Ryota hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's the rumours, Lord Kita. The villagers… they've been talking."

Nao raised an eyebrow, motioning for Ryota to continue.

"For the past two days, there's been talk all over the village. People are saying that Kusagakure is preparing for war… with Konoha."

Nao's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger sparking within them. "How did they come to that conclusion?"

Ryota shifted uncomfortably. "Someone must have noticed the movement of our shinobi. Word has spread that we've been gathering forces near the border."

The Kage slammed his hand down on the desk, the sound reverberating through the room. "Idiots!" he spat. "Do they think I'm foolish enough to start a war with Konoha? Our forces were just supposed to—"

Before Nao could finish his sentence, a small spark appeared on his desk, crackling with faint energy. Both he and Ryota stared in shock as a parchment materialized out of thin air, settling on top of the desk.

"What is this?" Ryota asked, his voice filled with alarm. "That's not one of our usual communications. How did it get here?"

Nao's eyes were locked on the parchment, his heart pounding in his chest. He reached out cautiously and unfolded it, his hands steady despite the fear gnawing at him.

As he read the words on the parchment, his face paled. He swallowed hard, then looked up at Ryota, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's from the northern border. Iwagakure… they've attacked our forces."

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