Tsunade was greatly surprised—she knew Uchiha Shigure would never joke about something like this.
"The Third Great Ninja War—it's about to begin. I need to go back and make preparations," Shigure said gravely, his voice sharp and resolute.
"Who's fighting whom? Why are you so sure?" Tsunade asked immediately.
"Since it's a Great Ninja War, it's naturally a multi-nation conflict. It's a battle among great nations for their interests," Shigure said. Seeing Tsunade doubtful, he continued his analysis.
"First, all nations have recovered from the trauma of the Second Great Ninja War and now possess the capacity to fight again. Border conflicts occur frequently—any spark could ignite a full-scale war."
"It does sound logical…" Tsunade mused. "Then tell me, Shigure—if you were Konoha's commander-in-chief, how would you view this war? How would you ensure our victory?"
Shigure spread open a ninja map on the table.
"Let's analyze. Geographically, the Land of Fire lies at the center of the Five Great Nations—it becomes the battleground of four fronts. Amegakure, Takigakure, and Kusagakure are Konoha's friendly villages, acting as buffer zones against Iwagakure's northwestern offense. The Land of Rivers buffers between Sunagakure and Konoha, softening attacks from the southwest.
"This entire front I call the Western Battlefield. The Northeastern Battlefield exists to counter Kumogakure, and the Land of Hot Water is our ideal buffer zone. We should avoid letting battle reach our homeland—adopting the strategy of 'befriend distant nations, attack nearby ones' to resist outside threats. This minimizes loss and, if invasion happens, unites everyone in purpose to drive the enemies out."
Tsunade was astonished once again. "What about Kirigakure, though? The Land of Water lies far across the sea—how would you handle them?"
Shigure shook his head. "We don't need to fear Kirigakure."
"Why not?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"Kirigakure enforces the so‑called Blood Mist Policy, slaughtering their own kekkei genkai users. Because of their isolationist stance, their economy is weak. I heard that a child named Zabuza killed all his classmates just to graduate. A village like that has no sustainable future.
"At best, they might attempt sneak attacks while the three great nations are fighting. We just need to station a small elite division on the southeastern seas to prepare."
"Not only can you fight and plan tactics, but your strategic thinking rivals that of our leaders… What exactly can't you do?" Tsunade exhaled in admiration.
"I… there's nothing I can't do. A man shouldn't say 'I can't,'" Shigure replied, scratching the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.
Tsunade's tone turned serious. "Shigure, what you've said makes a lot of sense. If your predictions are true, then I should get moving."
"Where to?" Shigure asked.
"To find Jiraiya," Tsunade said solemnly. "That guy wanders too much—probably only I can track him down."
"Jiraiya, huh… Indeed. With the Sannin on the battlefield, plus Minato and me, that's at least five Kage-level shinobi," Shigure said calmly.
"Hm… why didn't you include Konoha's White Fang?" Tsunade frowned—there was no way Shigure would overlook that name.
"White Fang…" Shigure muttered quietly.
Just then, a messenger hawk landed nearby, its leg bound with a scroll bearing the seal of the Third Hokage and Anbu.
He unrolled the parchment—and his expression changed instantly.
"White Fang dead. Return to Konoha immediately."
"White Fang… is dead?" Shigure froze. The timeline was unfolding just as in the original events.
"What's wrong?" Tsunade demanded, noticing his sudden shock.
"Why didn't I include White Fang…? Look for yourself." Shigure handed her the note.
"White Fang? Dead?! That's impossible!" Tsunade looked disbelieving.
"White Fang's strength rivals the Third's. Who could kill him?" She shook her head. "Or… did you already foresee this?"
Shigure paused, then spoke softly, "White Fang didn't die to an enemy—he was killed by the rules of the shinobi world, by the village itself."
"Senior Sister Tsunade… will you return to Konoha with me? At least attend Sakumo‑sama's memorial service before you go," Shigure said earnestly.
"…Alright," Tsunade nodded. Even for her, the name Hatake Sakumo carried immense weight.
"Lord White Fang… even he…" Amahara Suisen and Amahara Hachi stood in stunned silence.
"This is confidential. We must return to Konoha immediately. Let's part ways here," Shigure told them.
"Who knows when we'll meet again," Suisen said quietly.
"There will be a chance." Shigure gently patted her head, then departed swiftly with Tsunade toward Konohagakure.
Using the Flying Raijin marks he had left before, Shigure and Tsunade traversed the Land of Fire at impossible speed. Soon, they arrived at the gates of Konoha.
"We made it…" Tsunade murmured as they changed into black mourning attire and walked to the Memorial Stone Plaza.
Before them lay the body of Konoha's White Fang—Hatake Sakumo. Even Tsunade bowed her head in grief.
"Kakashi…" Namikaze Minato tried to comfort his student, but Kakashi's eyes were empty. Obito and Rin could only watch helplessly.
"This is Kakashi's second emotional knot," Shigure thought. "Only Obito and Rin can help him. I won't interfere—Obito's fate changes Kakashi, and that chain of cause and effect must remain."
"White Fang… Konoha's hero. What a tragedy." The Third Hokage placed a bouquet of flowers by the coffin.
Hatake Kusuo and Hatake Saru, both relatives, stood silent before the remains, eyes glistening.
For Shigure, this was his first time feeling the raw grief of losing someone close.
After most mourners had departed, a quiet, hoarse voice came from behind him.
"What do you think, Shigure? Was White Fang right or wrong?"
Shigure turned—and saw Orochimaru.
Sakumo had been stronger than Orochimaru, but still died first. That contradiction stirred something within the Snake Sannin.
"From an emotional perspective, White Fang wasn't wrong—he abandoned the mission to save his comrades, ensuring their lives. But from a rational standpoint, he was naïve. His comrades were prepared to sacrifice themselves, yet he saved them, causing mission failure.
"One is the First Hokage's Will of Fire. The other—the Second Hokage's Will of Fire. I believe… both are valid."
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