A conversation with Tobirama

"Lord Hashirama—" Kazemori Masaki had never expected to hear this news. Though unexpected, it was hardly unreasonable. Hashirama's health had been deteriorating, and he could pass away at any time. Emotionally, however, it was still hard to believe.

"Go back and get ready. The sooner you return, the better your chance of seeing him one last time. If you delay, you might not make it," Tobirama said.

"Teacher, aren't you going back to see him?" Kazemori Masaki could not help asking.

Tobirama shook his head. "I can't leave. If I do, the Land of Lightning will launch a counterattack at once. Besides—" He picked up a Scroll beside him and handed it to Kazemori Masaki. "Take a look at this."

Kazemori Masaki took it and read the intelligence report written on it: the Land of Water's troops were heading north along the Coast. He immediately understood that the Land of Water was coming to provide support. Otherwise, there was no reason for them to ignore areas the main force could not cover and instead move toward the main force itself.

"It looks like you understand. That makes it all the more impossible for me to leave at such a critical moment." Tobirama sighed. He wanted nothing more than to go back and see Hashirama, but his duties as Hokage would not let him abandon this front. He could only send Kazemori Masaki back in his place. Masaki was his student and had also shared a teacher-student bond with Hashirama. Though that bond had been limited to sage arts, it still counted.

Tobirama lowered his head, wrote a few words on a Scroll, and handed it to Kazemori Masaki. "Take this back with you as well. It's the document appointing Kagami as a Jonin and ordering him to lead troops against