Main World.
Konoha Year 17, winter.
British Continent, New Capital.
Imperial Palace, Consort Jin's chambers.
It was late at night. Moonlight filtered through the thin window curtains, casting silvery patches on the floor. Tsunade sat by the window, holding a cup of tea that had gone completely cold, her gaze slightly unfocused. Sakura Haruno sat across from her, also holding a cup of tea without drinking it. They had been silent for a long time.
"Sakura."
Tsunade finally spoke, her voice very soft.
"What is Konoha... like in this world?"
Sakura Haruno's fingers tightened slightly. As she looked at Tsunade's face, which appeared especially gentle in the moonlight, an indescribably complex feeling rose within her.
"Tsunade, please don't be upset by what I'm about to say."
"Go ahead."
Tsunade's answer was brief and calm.
Sakura Haruno took a deep breath.
"The Will of Fire... may have been spread through nothing more than brainwashing the younger generations."
Tsunade's pupils contracted slightly.
"The Konoha ninja of today... almost none of them believe in it."
Sakura Haruno's voice was very low, but every word was perfectly clear.
"Tobirama Senju is using the war... to kill off the older generation of ninja."
Tsunade's fingers abruptly tightened.
"The Uchiha have suffered the most ninja deaths among them. Quite a few ninja have awakened the Mangekyō in their grief."
"I received intelligence that Tobirama Senju plans to... foment internal strife among the Uchiha after the war ends, then install a pro-Konoha clan leader-Uchiha Fushan."
Tsunade's breathing quickened slightly.
"And Uchiha Fushan has a newborn son-Uchiha Fugaku."
The teacup slipped from Tsunade's hand, hit the floor, and shattered into several pieces. Tea splashed onto the hem of her clothes, spreading into a dark stain, but she was completely oblivious.
"Uchiha Fugaku..."
She repeated the name quietly.
"Uchiha