Main World.
Year 21 of Konoha, winter.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku's room.
It was late at night. Outside the window, the cold wind howled, sweeping fine ice pellets against the window frame with a soft, dense rustling. Kinkaku lay on the bed, his eyes tightly shut and his breathing steady. Ginkaku lay beside him, also with his eyes closed and his face calm. Both were dreaming. A very, very beautiful dream. In their dream, they met an old man. He wore white Daoist robes embroidered with a yin-yang symbol and held a horsetail whisk. His hair and beard were white, his face kindly, and a faint golden glow surrounded him, like an immortal from legend.
Kinkaku's eyelids trembled slightly. Ginkaku's breathing quickened a little. An invisible force drew their consciousnesses into the same dream.
"Who are you?"
There was wariness in Kinkaku's voice. His hand was already pressed against the ninja tools at his waist, ready to fight at any moment.
"I am Taishang Laojun."
The old man's voice was calm, yet every word rang out with perfect clarity, echoing through the void like a tolling bell.
"I have come to guide you out of your predicament."
Kinkaku frowned slightly.
"Predicament? How could we possibly be in a predicament? We're Kumogakure's strongest warriors, descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, commanders of the Kinkaku Force. We have the Sage of Six Paths' ninja tools, the strongest Lightning Release, and the most elite troops. What predicament could we have?"
"Tobirama Senju and the Second Raikage have secretly joined forces to wear down the Hagoromo Clan and the Uchiha Clan."
Taishang Laojun's voice was calm.
"Your clan is about to become nourishment for Kumogakure."
Kinkaku's pupils abruptly contracted.
"What did you say?"
"Tobirama Senju needs to wear down the