Main world.
Winter, Year 21 of Konoha.
The northern Land of Fire, the front lines of the Kumogakure battlefield.
Frigid winds howled across the snowfield, whipping fine grains of ice against the tents with a rustle. Tobirama Senju stood before a map, his silver hair gleaming coldly under the lamplight, his red eyes fixed on the markers showing enemy movements. His finger moved slowly across the map, tracing from Kumogakure's defensive line to Iwagakure's border, then from Iwagakure to Kirigakure's coastline.
The war continued. But its course was unfolding according to his calculations.
"Teacher, Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki and Second Tsuchikage Mu have already engaged each other." Hiruzen Sarutobi stood behind him, his voice respectful. "Following your plan, we sent men disguised as Iwagakure ninja to attack one of Kirigakure's supply stations. Hozuki Gengetsu is convinced Mu was behind it and has already led his elite forces west."
A cold smile curled Tobirama Senju's lips. "Let them fight. Once those dogs have torn each other apart, Konoha can reap the rewards."
"Yes." Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head. "Also, regarding Kumogakure... the Uchiha Clan has been transferred to the most dangerous sector of the front, as you ordered."
"The Uchiha?"
Tobirama Senju turned, his red eyes settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Their Mangekyō Sharingan was countered far too severely on the Kirigakure battlefield. Now that they've moved to the Kumogakure battlefield, Lightning Release counters the Sharingan. They'll die even faster."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly.
"Teacher, are you..."
"This is tactics."
Tobirama Senju cut him off.
"The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan is one of Konoha's strongest kekkei genkai. But on the battlefield, no matter how powerful a kekkei genkai is, it still needs to be used properly. The Kirigakure battlefield doesn't suit them, and neither does the Kumogakure battlefield. But Konoha needs them. So