Main World.
Winter, Year 18 of Konoha.
Hokage Office.
The snow outside fell harder and harder, shrouding all of Konoha in white silence. Tobirama Senju stood before the window, his silver hair gleaming cold and hard in the dim light. His red eyes gazed at the snow-covered village outside, but thoughts colder than the blizzard churned within him.
Shimura Danzō stood behind him, a trace of barely concealed urgency on his young face. He was nineteen that year, with both eyes intact, black hair, and sharply defined features that had yet to be etched with the deep marks of time and intrigue. Yet deep within those eyes, faint hints of the brooding gleam they would later hold had already appeared.
"Teacher."
Danzo spoke respectfully, but with a hint of probing.
"Why not order Sakura Haruno onto the battlefield?"
Tobirama Senju did not turn around.
"Can you beat her?"
Danzo's pupils contracted slightly.
"I..."
"You can't beat her."
Tobirama Senju turned, his red eyes settling on him.
"You can't even beat the Two-Tails Jinchūriki. She killed the Two-Tails Jinchūriki with one punch."
Danzo fell silent.
"I can beat her."
Tobirama Senju returned to his desk and sat down.
"But after I defeat her, I will inevitably be defeated by Toyotomi Yinglang."
Danzo's breath caught slightly.
"Toyotomi Yinglang... is even stronger than her?"
"I don't know."
Tobirama Senju shook his head.
"But Sakura Haruno is willing to be his concubine. That means Toyotomi Yinglang is at least as strong as she is, if not stronger."
Danzo lowered his head, looking at his slightly trembling fingers.
"There are differences in strength even within Kage Level."
Tobirama Senju leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the desktop.
"For some Kage Level fighters, killing others at Kage Level is child's play."
Danzo