Declaration of War (Part 1)

The pitch-black night sky hung over the land as hazy moonlight spilled through gaps in the dark clouds.

Fine snowflakes drifted down, laying a soft blanket over the earth and dressing the distant mountaintops in white.

Senju Tobirama sat on the windowsill, his gaze passing through the glass toward a mountain peak that resembled a wolf's head. A trace of memory flickered in his eyes.

Several decades ago.

He had sat by the window just as he did now, admiring the snowy scenery of the Land of Iron while his older brother sat inside pondering how to distribute the tailed beasts.

Though he had ultimately failed to come up with anything, at least he had worn himself out!!

Now, just as decades ago, his older brother was sitting there racking his brain while he sat by the window admiring the night view outside.

The only difference was that decades ago, both he and his older brother had been alive. Sitting by the window, they could still feel the cold. Now, he felt nothing at all.

Using the reflection in the window, he caught sight of his brother's pensive expression. His deep voice carried a hint of helplessness. "Brother, instead of spending your time on this, why not sit down and get some proper rest?"

"Sigh!"

Hashirama let out a long sigh and said with a face full of worry, "I'm thinking... is there any way to make the villages put aside their prejudices and truly cooperate with one another?"

"Brother, you're still as naive as ever!" Tobirama shook his head without hesitation. "Where there are people, there are interests. Where there are interests, there is darkness. And where there is darkness, there can be no sincerity."

"Isn't your goal to unite the Five Great Ninja Villages? As long as you