A perceptive ninja, currently on a mission outside the village, looked up at the mysterious scenes flashing across the sky. Instinctively, he released his chakra toward the sky to try and sense it, while murmuring to himself:"What are these images?"
To his shock, that very thought appeared on the sky like a floating message—like a live barrage of text.
Soon after, a series of similar text barrages appeared across the sky:
["There are words on the sky screen!"]["So we can send messages on this sky screen?"]["What the hell is this thing?!"]["No need to guess! This has to be a conspiracy from Konoha!! Didn't you see those people wearing Konoha forehead protectors?"]["Nonsense! This has nothing to do with our Konoha! It's a setup, clearly!"]["Fake, definitely fake! Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto only just graduated this year—those ages don't line up at all!"]["Same for Hinata, Neji, and Rock Lee—they graduated last year. There's no way that's them on the screen!"]["Shut it! Stop leaking village intel like it's nothing!"]["Wait—did I just see something unbelievable?"]["I mean their ages. The ones showing up in that footage are real Konoha genin, and they all just graduated less than two years ago!"]["Anyone know the average age of Konoha's genin graduates this year?"]["Twelve years old."]["Now look at those people on the screen—they look about fifteen or sixteen. Could this be some kind of future footage?"]["No way! It has to be Konoha's conspiracy!"]["Yeah right! If it was a conspiracy, why broadcast it for the whole ninja world to see?"]["Honestly? It's gotta be aliens. Only aliens would have this kind of tech—stuff we can't even interact with."]
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage rubbed his aching temples. With a sigh, he instructed his subordinates, "Quickly, get Kakashi and Guy. Have them bring their teams in."
Just then, the door slammed open without a knock.He turned—unsurprised to see his old classmate, Danzo Shimura.
Danzo didn't waste time with greetings. He stepped forward and said bluntly, "Hiruzen, you saw it too. Whether or not that sky is showing the future, one thing's clear—Konoha is now the center of attention in the entire ninja world. For the safety of the village... hand the Nine-Tails over to me."
The Third Hokage didn't even flinch. He already knew what Danzo would say—this wasn't the first time he'd made that request over the years. And every time, Hiruzen rejected it.
Because he knew what Root was. And that was exactly why he would never give Naruto to Danzo.
After Danzo finished speaking, Hiruzen replied flatly, "I'm not giving Naruto to you, Danzo. Root isn't the place to raise him. As for the security risk you mentioned, I'll assign Kakashi to keep a closer eye on Naruto for the time being."
Danzo wasn't surprised by the answer. His expression remained cold and stiff. "Aren't you afraid something might happen?"
Hiruzen simply waved him off. "It's too early to jump to conclusions. Let's at least finish watching everything the sky screen has to show before we decide anything."
Danzo turned, muttering as he walked out, "I hope you don't regret this, Hiruzen."It felt more like he had only come to make his presence known.
Hiruzen ignored the arrogance, his attention returning to the sky screen outside. A familiar face had just appeared on it.
[A blonde woman in a green coat, the kanji for "gamble" printed boldly on her back, looked out a window with a distant, unreadable expression. 'So... is this all fate?'][As this thought echoed, the screen changed.]
["Whoa! Beautiful lady! Anyone know who that is?"]["That's Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin—the First Hokage's granddaughter."]["She's gorgeous, sure—but do you know how old she is?!"]["Konoha again! And they still say it's not a Konoha plot?"]["Tsunade!!"]
The flood of comments meant nothing to the woman herself.Tsunade, having just seen her own face on the screen, was staring in disbelief.
She set down her sake bottle and frowned. "What is this? I don't remember this happening."
Beside her, Shizune was holding Tonton and quietly guessed, "Could it be what they're saying in the comments—that this is footage from the future?"
Tsunade shook her head. "I don't know. Let's just keep watching."
Meanwhile, deep in the Pure Land, Hashirama Senju—still making his way through the spiritual realm—couldn't help but comment when he saw Tsunade's image:
"Tsunade's... really grown up, huh?"
Elsewhere in the Pure Land, Uzumaki Mito, Nawaki, and Kato Dan—all deeply connected to Tsunade—had also noticed her appearance. They stopped what they were doing, their attention now fully fixed on the unfolding events in the sky.
[In a shadowy canyon, five figures stood on a cliff.][The one in front—a middle-aged man in black with long dark hair—was flanked by four figures in white robes. Together, they looked down at a temple-like building in the valley below.][The leader's hoarse voice echoed: "The time has finally come. With the dark medical ninjutsu developed for tonight, I will use this power to awaken the demon—and unify the world."]
["Unify the world?!"]["?! Demon?! Don't tell me it's that thing!"]["What's happening?! Anyone know what this 'demon' is?"]["...That might be top-secret info from the great nations. Try asking your village's higher-ups if they know."]
In the Land of Ghosts, upon hearing the word "Mōryō", the current shrine maiden Shion froze.
Her attendant, Zhuho, familiar with the duties of a shrine maiden, immediately stepped forward to reassure her."Lady Shion, don't worry. It's just a video."
Shion hesitated. "But... they said it's a video from the future. And that person on screen—it looks like me, all grown up. If that's really me... doesn't that mean Mōryō is coming back soon?"
Zhuho, ever calm, replied, "True or not, at the very least, this footage might offer us valuable information. With your power, Lady Shion, I'm sure you'll be able to seal Mōryō again."
Somewhat comforted, Shion nodded faintly. But far from the Land of Ghosts, another person was reacting very differently.
Huang Quan, the man in black who had just been exposed on the sky screen, sat frozen.
First, disbelief. Then panic.
He started sweating profusely.
His entire survival after the last sealing of the demon had depended on no one from the Five Great Nations knowing his true involvement.
But now, his identity had been broadcast across the entire ninja world.
There was no way he could stay hidden after this.
Realizing that, Huang Quan immediately began to pack up and flee the village where he had been hiding in seclusion.