The rank and file of Konoha were in confusion and panic, it was truly unexpected, a surprise attack during an event like the Chunin exams. But this was the shinobi's specialty, deception, honor are just an excuse by the samurai for their inferior status. The thin walls of the village were breached, as dozens of shinobi poured in, massacring the initial wave of defenders. Deafening explosions rung from all sides, as the outskirts were turned into a battlefield, the defenders and aggressors fighting tooth and nail for every house. The civilians were evacuated, but some unlucky ones lay beneath the rubble.

The northern side of the village was secure, for the time being, as it had the rocky hills upon which the Hokage monuments were carved. A river ran through the southern side of the village, dividing it into two unequal parts, one having roughly 80% of the village and the other 20. This river was near the Western and Southern gates, which were breached. The river was getting red, blood mixing with water. Some enemy shinobi infiltrated through the waterway, and fighting occurred.

Unlike the previous attack four years ago, this was something Konoha hadn't prepared for. There was no central command, each team acted on its own accord, rescuing civilians or fighting off shinobi. This was the worst possible case in such a scenario, a coordinated effort is necessary for repelling such ambushes. But it could not be established in the chaos.

Naruto's eyes glowered with anger and rage as he saw the flames burning from the outskirts, the bastards had dared attack his home, they must pay. Near him were his teammates, Sasuke and Sakura, with the same distressed expressions. They jumped from building to building, nearing the battle currently going on. But before they could proceed any further, a kunai landed directly before them. The squad stopped abruptly and looked around in an alert manner.

The masked Kakashi approached from behind, his voice stern and manner serious,

"You three must get out of here. This is a battle zone." Naruto opposed this,

"But we must fight sensei! You must-" Kakashi's voice grew sterner, somewhat intimidating, as he repeated himself,

"I said leave, you are all mere genins, you won't last a minute against those people, go rescue the civilians if you want to help."

Sakura was first to go, jumping away, soon followed by Naruto and Sasuke. Kakashi took a deep breath under his mask, then rushed towards the battle with great speed.

Arena

The Hokage's manner remained calm and stoic, even as the Kazekage placed a kunai to his neck. Only the two of them were inside this enclosed space; no one got in or out. Outside, The ANBU squad tried in vain to break the barrier, always repelled by the Kazekage's men. This was it, it's either the Kazekage or Hokage's funeral tomorrow. Hiruzen smirked, it was ironic, both of them were the presiding chief guests over this event, and now they must battle to the death in the same arena.

The Hokage elbowed the Kazekage in the stomach, and the latter dodged and plunged the blade into his neck. The Hokage gave a faint groan, before dispersing. The Kazekage turned around to see the Hokage, without his official robes and clad in armor. Chuckling, he commented,

"You're old Hiruzen, but your mind remains young as ever."

Hiruzen took out a katana, while the Kazekage readied his kunai. For a brief time, they engaged in melee, then quickly retreated to a safe distance. Hiruzen quickly weaved hand signs and sent a fireball toward his foe, who responded with an even stronger wind jutsu, dispelling both. The force was so great a hole was created in the roof, but it did not fall. The Purple aura covered a cubic area around the roof, including the ground, and the rubble turned to ashes as it touched the aura. Nothing could pass this aura, not even the user it seems. Hiruzen quickly made another hand sign, and in a second several dozen of his shadow clones appeared on either side. The Kazekage sensed something to happen and quickly reacted. But before he could do something, all the clones shot fireballs at him with great force, so much so that even the aura seemed to waver.

As the flames subsided, it was now visible again. The wooden roof was charred black, while the Kazekage was only slightly burned, his hands held before his face, the cloth torn and burned. As he raised his face, the skin was also somewhat burned. Yet, it didn't affect him at all, instead, he grinned like a maniac at Hiruzen. The grin soon evolved into a chuckle, that seemed to echo in Hiruzen's ears.

"You think that, will be enough to kill me?" Saying this, he slowly lifted his hand towards his face, grabbing the skin, before speaking once more,

"You are naïve, aren't you, sensei?" Hiruzen's eyes shot up in surprise and shock as he gazed at the man standing before him, the Kazekage's 'face' lay on one side, and facing him was a man with skin pale as snow, the eyes of a snake, and a heart colder than ice.

Orochimaru.

Land of Fields

Kiyomori carefully examined the woman sitting before him. She had a cold expression and tone, there was a piercing below her lower lip. She had pale purple hair and yellow eyes, quite odd for an individual. Her attire was decorated with red clouds, and her manner was intimidating. Kiyomori himself was an able shinobi and an even better -or shrewd- diplomat, yet this woman was something else; she invoked fear and caution in his heart, but he had trained himself not to display any such effects.

"So, you're an ambassador from Amegakure? What does Hanzo want from me now?" Konan turned his eyes around the room, then returned her gaze to Kiyomori, and replied coldly,

"There is a change of leadership in our village, and so the new Ame leader wishes to send his regards." Kiyomori smiled, trying to appear friendly. He gestured with his hands and replied,

"Well, the same has happened in Kusa. I will be happy to cooperate with your new leader. I didn't like that Hanzo anyways." Konan remained silent for a minute, then continued,

"So, our new leader approaches you for a confederation." Kiyomori raises his brow,

"An alliance?" Konan nods her head sideways. Staring in the Kusa leader's eyes, she explains,

"You see, our leader has a vision. A vision for a peaceful world he wishes to share with everyone. The five great villages are the root cause behind all wars. Their pride, arrogance, and greed blind them to the common man's suffering in wars. They have complete disregard for the value of human life, and the pain individuals have to go through; all this they justify with the dogmatic idea of 'for the village'.

Our leader has observed the suffering of the smaller nations and its people, how they are trampled by the greater villages; who fight their wars on our land, destroy our homes, and then say it was for a greater good as they make private dealings. He understood that only unity among the smaller villages would protect us from these larger forces, from getting swallowed up by the Great Five or the Romans.

As such he approaches you with an offer, the leader wishes to form a confederacy of all the smaller villages to protect their interests against powerful foes. The Waterfall Village and the Hidden Valley Village have already agreed, they see the merit in this offer. Now only you and several others remain. So I advise you and seek your decision. Give it careful thought."

Kiyomori listened intently to Konan's words. As the woman ended her words, Kiyomori seemed lost in thought, and Konan patiently waited. Finally, after a moment of thought, Kiyomori posed his first question,

"I am considering your offer. But what is in it for me?" Konan immediately understood where his words pointed,

"Our leader proposes that all the leaders will still command their villages, only that they will be collectively represented as one nation in matters of state. Think of it as autonomous provinces, the council governs the land but the leaders have considerable freedom in their local territory."

Kiyomori smiled and answered,

"Your offer is tempting. Indeed, the great villages can't stop us if we combine our strengths. I look forward to meeting the other minor village heads over this matter." Konan smiled, satisfied with the answer, and got up from her seat,

"Well then, lord Kiyomori, I will take my leave. Our leader will be pleased to know you are willing to cooperate." Kiyomori smiled back in a courtly manner and bid Konan farewell.


Author's notes

Alright so many of you will be questioning what I have devised here, what is Nagato's philosophy now if not killing everyone and forcing them into a peace? Well, as a fanfic, I have decided to drastically change Nagato's views on such matters to suit me. You may have come to understand what it is after reading this chapter.

From this point on I will be going heavily AU, not abandoning canon entirely, but you'll see the drastic changes at a glance. Should I give spoilers to the next chapters? Eh, I don't think so. Just a clue, I like to make wars in my fanfic, however frequently in chapters, and this will be no exception. This was a rather short chapter, but I didn't have much material to work with.

Do leave a review, suggestions are always welcome :)