Main World.
Winter, Year 19 of Konoha.
The northern border of the Land of Fire, where the Land of Frost met the Land of Hot Water.
Heavy snow swirled through a vast expanse of white. Kumogakure's Lightning Release army stood in formation on the snowfield, lightning flickering through the blizzard like silver vipers. The defensive line of Konoha's Northern Army was already on the verge of collapse.
Tobirama Senju stood on high ground, his silver hair tossed into disarray by the blizzard, his red eyes fixed on the distant Kumogakure formations. He was wounded-blood still seeped through the bandages on his left arm, where the Second Raikage's Lightning Release had struck him three days earlier. He had not let a medical ninja treat it. Not because he did not need treatment, but because he did not dare. Sakura Haruno was absent, and he did not trust Konoha's medical ninja.
"Hiruzen."
"Here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood behind him, his face filled with exhaustion.
"Send in the reserves."
"Teacher, the reserves have already..."
"There are no reserves left?"
Tobirama Senju cut him off.
"Then send in the logistics personnel."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted slightly.
"The logistics personnel... they haven't had combat training..."
"Then let them train in combat."
Tobirama Senju turned, his red eyes as sharp as blades.
"Konoha has no way back."
Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head.
"Yes."
He turned and walked toward the camp.
Tobirama Senju watched him go, a trace of exhaustion flashing through his red eyes.
"The Will of Fire..."
He murmured to himself.
"Must be carried through."
Meanwhile, on the eastern border of the Land of Fire, facing Kirigakure.
Dense fog filled the air, reducing visibility to less than ten meters. The Uchiha Clan's ninja stood back-to-back in a circular formation, warily scanning their surroundings. Their Sharingan