Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

A remote corner of the Stone Mountains stood quiet, save for the faint whispers of wind rustling through the jagged cliffs. Amid this stillness, a group of figures gathered with disciplined precision.

Among them was a man in a pristine white haori, exuding an air of command. Surrounding him were one hundred and one ninjas clad in uniforms of black adorned with pale blue borders. Each uniform bore a symbol on the back: a stylized number "five," matching the one on Aizen's haori, though rendered in a lighter blue hue.

Aizen crouched by a map spread across a flat rock, his sharp eyes scanning its details. Gesturing to a specific point, he addressed the group around him.

"This is our path. We will navigate through the Stone Mountains here, circumvent their defenses, and strike at this location," Aizen explained, his tone calm but firm. "I expect this to take no more than six hours. Understood?"

The Stone Mountains were notoriously treacherous—hundreds of kilometers of perilous cliffs and sheer drops. Even Konoha's elite ninja units would require days to traverse such terrain.

But Aizen's demand for this mission left no room for negotiation.

"Understood!" came the unified response from the assembled ninjas. Their unwavering confidence filled the air like a solid wall of determination.

"Good," Aizen said with a nod, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Yin, Shuji, ensure no one lags behind. Move out immediately."

Without waiting for further acknowledgment, Aizen leaped into the sky, his form propelled by a masterful control of Chakra-infused flight. His team followed suit, their mastery of Moonwalk enabling them to ascend and move effortlessly through the air.

This was the Fifth Division, a unit forged over two years under Aizen's meticulous care and unparalleled resource allocation. Each member, having undergone transformation through Aizen's secret medicine, possessed at least the strength of a Special Jōnin.

Every member of the Fifth Division had mastered the Six Forms techniques, and some with exceptional talent had even developed advanced versions of these abilities. Among them, Kitagawa Shuji stood as a shining example.

Once a humble civilian ninja, Shuji's absorption of the secret medicine had propelled his abilities to that of an Elite Jōnin. With his unique compatibility with Thunder, Earth, and Wind Chakra, Shuji had honed advanced applications of the Six Forms, rivaling the skill of seasoned veterans.

Aizen's quiet observation of Shuji's growth had prompted a single, amused thought: Fortune truly favors fools.

Recognizing his potential, Aizen had promoted Shuji to vice-captain of the Fifth Division, placing him alongside Hyuga Gin.

Hyuga Gin, the other vice-captain, was a prodigy of the Hyuga clan's branch house. At eighteen, his mastery of the Byakugan and swordsmanship placed him at the peak of Elite Jōnin, with the combat prowess of a near-Kage-level ninja. His leadership and strength made him indispensable to the division.

The division also boasted over seventy Special Jōnins and twenty Jōnins, many drawn from the Hyuga branch house through Gin's influence.

Despite their incredible strength, Shuji's genuine and straightforward demeanor had quickly endeared him to the entire team. Within weeks, he became the heart of the unit, fostering camaraderie and morale.

For Aizen, Shuji's natural ability to inspire loyalty was a blessing and a frustration. The corners of Aizen's mouth often twitched as he watched Shuji unite the team effortlessly, something logic alone couldn't explain.

The Fifth Division soared through the air, covering miles of rugged terrain with uncanny precision. Their flight bypassed the treacherous cliffs and jagged outcrops that would have stalled even the most seasoned ninja on foot.

Meanwhile, back at the Stone Fortress, the main Konoha and Sand Shinobi forces clashed in a brutal and relentless battle.

After five hours of intense combat, the battlefield was drenched in the blood of both sides. Within the fortress, Chiyo and Ebizō observed the fight with growing unease.

"Elder sister, don't you feel something is off about the Konoha forces today?" Ebizō asked, his voice tinged with suspicion as he repaired his damaged puppet.

"Yes! I've noticed something unusual as well. Today, Aizen and Minato seem far less aggressive than usual. It's as though they're merely holding the line rather than attempting to overwhelm us."

Hearing this, Ebizō frowned, his unease deepening. "If they're truly holding back, it's not for no reason. I fear they might have another objective in mind."

A cold weight settled over the air as his ominous words hung between them.

"Something big is about to happen," Ebizō muttered, his voice filled with apprehension.

Chiyo hesitated momentarily before shaking her head, trying to dismiss the rising tension. "The strength of Konoha's western army has been on full display in this battle. Even if they're plotting something, they simply don't have the forces to mount another significant offensive elsewhere."

She paused, gesturing toward the battlefield visible from the fortress walls. "Even if they can spare a few elites, what can they hope to achieve within the scope of several hundred kilometers? Their only realistic target is this Stone Fortress. As long as we remain vigilant, Minato won't get the opportunity to breach our defenses."

Ebizō nodded slowly, conceding her reasoning. Her logic was sound, yet it failed to quell the gnawing anxiety in his chest.

But that's precisely what troubled him—why didn't it add up?

If Konoha's forces had only one viable objective, the Stone Fortress, what was the purpose of the subdued aggression in their attack?

Ebizō clenched his fists, his thoughts swirling. Even if a handful of Konoha's strongest were sent on a separate mission, how much damage could a few individuals cause? Unless Konoha's army had somehow gained the ability to fly, any large-scale assault behind enemy lines was improbable.

Far from the Stone Fortress, nestled between the surrounding mountains, lay the Seisho Plain—a strategic lifeline for the Sand Shinobi army.

This natural bastion was heavily fortified, its layout designed for both defense and logistical support. Within a kilometer of its perimeter, outposts and watchtowers dotted the landscape, forming a formidable surveillance network.

The Seisho Plain held immense significance. It served as the staging ground for nearly all of Sand Shinobi's war supplies—food, weapons, medical resources, and more. If this stronghold were to fall, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Defending this vital location were two thousand Sand Shinobi soldiers. Together with the natural barriers of the Stone Mountains and the support of the fortress, the defenses made even approaching the area a herculean task.

For Konoha's forces, capturing the Seisho Plain was a pipe dream. It would be a near-impossible feat to infiltrate or attack, let alone secure the plain itself.

Yet...

Ebizō's gaze drifted toward the horizon. Despite the improbability of an assault, unease gnawed at his instincts.

"Is it really impossible?" he whispered, the words barely audible.