Main World.
Winter, Year 21 of Konoha.
Kumogakure, Land of Lightning.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku's room.
It was late at night. Outside the window, the cold wind howled, driving fine ice pellets against the window frame with a soft, steady rustling. Kinkaku lay on the bed, his eyes closed and his breathing even. Ginkaku lay beside him, his eyes also closed, his face calm. Both were dreaming. The same dream.
In the dream, they stood in a void. There was no sky, no earth, only endless gray-white light. The light was neither blinding nor warm. It simply existed, like eternity itself. Taishang Laojun sat cross-legged in the golden light, his hair and beard white, his expression kindly. He held a horsetail whisk, and a faint golden glow surrounded him.
"Kinkaku, Ginkaku."
Taishang Laojun's voice was calm, like the tolling of a bell.
"How are your preparations?"
Kinkaku dropped to one knee and lowered his head.
"Master, I have a ninety percent chance of killing Tobirama Senju and the Second Raikage."
Ginkaku also dropped to one knee and lowered his head.
"Ninety percent?"
Taishang Laojun's brow furrowed slightly.
"What about the remaining ten percent?"
"The remaining ten percent accounts for unforeseen events."
Kinkaku's voice was calm.
"No one can predict unforeseen events on the battlefield. But Ginkaku and I will do our best to minimize them."
Taishang Laojun fell silent for a moment.
"I recall that you have five Six Paths Tools. The Banana Palm Fan, the Seven Stars Sword, the Gold-Binding Rope, the Purple-Gold Red Gourd, and the Amber Purifying Pot."
Kinkaku nodded.
"Yes. These five Ninja Tools were left behind by the Sage of Six Paths. Our Hagoromo Clan has passed them down through the generations."
"I can modify them to strengthen you."
Taishang Laojun raised his hand, and five