Inside the Tent.
Tsunade stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi for a long time.
Then she shook her head.
"So you want me to build my reputation, become the Fifth Hokage, and dash Shinji Uchiha's hopes in the process?"
"Of course!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Even if I die on this battlefield, you must win a decisive victory. Otherwise, Konoha may truly fall into the hands of the Uchiha..."
"Enough!"
Tsunade sighed softly, her voice gentler now. "Old man, sometimes I really don't understand... Why are you so fixated on the title of Hokage?"
"Forget everything else. In this war alone, what have you actually accomplished?"
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth, then closed it.
Tsunade looked into his aged face. "You're old, old man. What's wrong with taking a rest? Konoha will never lack capable young people."
"Lady Tsunade! Urgent news from the front!"
A familiar voice came from outside the Tent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly pulled up his hood.
Tsunade glanced at him, then called out, "Asuma, what happened?"
"The Two-Tails! The Two-Tails' Jinchūriki has appeared on the battlefield and is leading a force toward our position!"
Tsunade's eyes widened, and she sprang to her feet.
"What?!"
Tsunade hurriedly pulled down her rolled-up sleeves.
She glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Then she turned and strode outside.
"Where? Take me there!"
Tsunade led Akimichi Choza, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, and a group of Ino-Shika-Cho and Sarutobi ninja out of the camp.
In the distance, Kumogakure ninja stood ready for battle.
They were far away.
Too far to see clearly.
But if the intelligence said the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki was there, it had to be right. Was she hiding among them?
"No! Wait!" Asuma Sarutobi said sharply. "A Tailed Beast Bomb! Lady Tsunade, everyone needs to scatter!"
Tsunade's expression froze. She whipped around to face the