Shinobi World No. 1.
Winter, Year 46 of Konoha.
Northern Land of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi's camp.
The snow had stopped, but the wind still cut to the bone. Jiraiya sat in the snow outside the tent, holding a flask of wine that had gone completely cold. His white hair was disheveled in the wind, and his face bore a bewilderment it had never shown before. Tobirama Senju stood beside him, his silver hair gleaming coldly in the moonlight, his red eyes gazing at the gray northern sky.
"I'm clearly still in my prime as a ninja. Why do I feel old?"
Jiraiya's voice was hoarse, tinged with self-mockery.
Tobirama Senju said nothing.
Inside the tent, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the head, holding a cup of hot tea. His face was expressionless, but deep in his eyes lay an indescribable weariness. Tobirama Senju entered the tent and sat opposite him.
"Monkey, I know what you're thinking. But don't chase what isn't yours."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Tobirama Senju. A complicated emotion flashed in his eyes-respect, fear, and a nearly furious gleam that had been suppressed for a very long time.
"Teacher, do you believe that yourself?"
Tobirama Senju frowned slightly.
"Isn't the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique able to counter the Mangekyō because you plotted to make Kagami Uchiha betray the Uchiha? Weren't you the one who put slow-acting poison in the Uchiha's drinking water? And weren't some of the Uchiha secret techniques in Konoha's possession stolen by people you sent?"
His voice was calm, but every word was like a knife.
"Are you a saint? What are you lecturing me for?"
Tobirama Senju's face turned livid.
Jiraiya happened to enter the tent and heard those words. His pupils suddenly contracted, and the flask fell from his hand, spilling wine all over the