In the Heavenly Screen...
Smoke filled the air, and the earth cracked. Six Paths Madara hovered high in the sky, his long white hair flying wildly as his Chakra surged. His Rinne Sharingan looked down upon all living beings, like a god judging ants.
Impure World Reincarnation Minato Namikaze stood to the side, his tattered sleeves fluttering in the wind; Gaara's sand swirled around him, his gaze solemn; Kakashi watched Might Guy being rescued; Rock Lee supported the weakened Guy, and the figures of the others appeared so small in Madara's shadow.
"It's too early to give up Taijutsu, Kakashi!"
Might Guy suddenly pushed away Rock Lee's support, staggered a step, and then stood firmly on his feet. His voice was hoarse but firm, as if burning with an inextinguishable flame.
Kakashi turned around abruptly: "But—"
"Our youth hasn't faded yet! Don't give up hope!" Kai clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. "Wishes may not always come true... but if we don't even have wishes, how can we do what we want to do?!"
Kakashi's pupils suddenly contracted as memories flooded back—
(Many years ago, in the Konoha Training Grounds, a young Guy pointed to himself, his eyes burning with fervor beneath his thick eyebrows.)
("Let's settle this once and for all, Kakashi!")
(A figure who never retreated despite repeated challenges and defeats...)
"And I did this... not out of bravado." Kai's voice lowered, becoming heavier than ever before.
Kakashi's breath hitched for a moment. "Could it be... you..."
"The Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf of Konoha..."
Kai slowly raised his head, his eyes shining like the rising sun.
"--Disappeared forever."
"The time to transform into the Red Beast has come!!"
Kakashi's pupils contracted sharply, Sharingan reflected Guy's resolute back.
"Wait, Kai! Are you going to...?"
"Open the final Gate of Death?!"
Impure World Reincarnation Minato's voice was filled with unprecedented anxiety:
"Kai! You can't! Think about it carefully... none of the people here want you to do this!"
"Your father must also--"
"No." Kai's voice was low and firm, interrupting Minato.
"This is my wish."
His gaze was piercing, burning with an inextinguishable flame.
Rock Lee stood to the side, tears welling in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion:
"Teacher Kai... in your opinion, has it really come to that point...?"
Kai turned around and looked at his most cherished disciple, his eyes beneath his thick eyebrows still burning with the same intensity.
"Li, don't make that face."
He slowly raised his thumb, a familiar, passionate smile spreading across his lips.
"This time... you just sit back and watch with a smile!"
Rock Lee's tears finally broke free, but he bit his lip tightly and nodded forcefully.
Then, Kai's mind drifted to the Training Ground under the setting sun many years ago—
As a child, I stared wide-eyed at my father Might Duy body was enveloped in green Chakra.
"Dad! When did you learn such a powerful move?!"
Might Duy wiped away his sweat, revealing a simple yet proud smile:
"I was a Genin, and after twenty years of consistent daily training, I finally mastered this one and only technique."
He looked at Kai, his eyes more serious than ever before:
"In other words, this is the only move your father can teach you... and it will be the most special move for you."
"You're already an excellent ninja... but there's a strict condition for using this technique—"
That is self-discipline!
Young Kai wondered, "Self-discipline?" The memories faded.
In reality, Kai gazed at the Six Paths Madara in the sky, a relieved smile playing on his lips.
(Father... I finally understand.)
(Self-discipline... not about not using it, but about being prepared for the most important moments--)
(Burning without reservation!)
Madara's Six Paths Madara narrowed slightly as he watched Might Guy running towards him on the ground, calmly analyzing the situation: (Rinnegan Chakra is gathering at the Gate of Gate of Death...)
Might Guy's entire body was enveloped in violent Chakra. The original emerald green steam gradually turned blood red, his skin cracked inch by inch, and the blood was evaporated into crimson mist before it could drip. His face was flushed, his veins bulged, and his expression was ferocious due to extreme pain, but his eyes were more determined than ever before!
"Eight Gates Released Formation - Gate of Death - Open!!"
"Boom--!"
The earth trembled, and the air distorted!
Kai's hair and eyebrows floated up one by one in the Blood Steam, like burning flames. His muscles swelled under extreme power, and the ground beneath his feet collapsed with a roar!
(When you're determined to protect what's most important to you even at the cost of your life...)
(This is my Ninja Way!)
Kakashi's Sharingan contracted violently, his voice trembling almost as he said, "Gai, you really..."
Impure World Reincarnation Minato stared blankly, "How could this happen..."
Standing at the back, Rock Lee's vision was blurred with tears, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to keep his eyes wide open.
(Teacher Kai said... I should watch it with a smile!)
Six Paths Madara hovered in the air, his Rinnegan indifferently looking down at Kai, whose life force was burning beneath him, his voice cold and arrogant:
"Red steam... Is this the 'Blood Steam' unique to when Eight Gates are opened?"
He gave a soft snort, as if commenting on a boring performance:
"Hmph, but looking at it this way... it's not so great after all."
"Like fallen, withered leaves in autumn... like fallen leaves."
Kai slowly raised his head, Blood Steam rising like flames, his voice hoarse yet powerful:
"You're right... but I'm not finished just because I wither away!"
His fist clenched, and crimson Chakra erupted once more!
"I will also become nourishment for new green leaves!"
"And when the green leaves sprout... and the New Year arrives--"
Kai's figure vanished abruptly, and the next second he appeared in front of Madara!
"That's the climax of youth!!"
"The moment when it burns at its most intense—!"
Real Shinobi World
Within Konoha, Land of Fire --
Kai's words in the Heavenly Screen plunged the entire village into a vortex of shock and emotion. On the streets, ninjas stopped and stared at the crimson figure, their eyes glistening with tears and respect.
"That guy Kai... he was right!" A Chunin clenched his fist, his voice choked with emotion, "The Will of Fire, that's it!"
"Burning oneself to light up others..." another ninja whispered, "That's what a true ninja is!"
On the Training Ground--
Guy's three disciples— Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji— stood together, gazing up at their teacher's majestic figure against the Heavenly Screen.
Tears streamed down Rock Lee's face, but a stubborn smile still lingered on her lips, "Teacher Kai... is this what your youth was like?!"
Tenten, wiping away tears, her voice trembling, she cried, "Stupid teacher... we clearly said we'd cultivate together until we're old!"
Neji's Byakugan flickered slightly, and he whispered, "Kai-sensei..."
On the roof--
Kakashi and Guy sat side by side, the light from the Heavenly Screen shining on them.
Kakashi glanced at Guy, his voice unusually tense. "Hey, Guy... don't suddenly open the Gate of Death like you did in the Heavenly Screen in the future."
Kai laughed heartily, his eyes beneath his thick eyebrows still burning brightly. "Kakashi! This is youth! Burning to the extreme is the most beautiful!"
Kakashi sighed helplessly, but his eyes softened. "... Idiot."
(But... if it were you, you might really do that.)
Some forest--
Naruto jumped up excitedly, waving his fist. "Bushy-Brow Sensei is so cool!!"
Karin adjusted her glasses, unusually refraining from making a comment, but instead muttered under her breath, "What a... overly enthusiastic guy."
Jiraiya stood to one side, his gaze distant. His thoughts drifted back to that battle many years ago—
(Matt Day... that man was like that too.)
(To protect Guy and his comrades, he single-handedly fought against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, ultimately sacrificing himself to thwart the Kirigakure's invasion plan.)
(And now... Kai has inherited his father's will.)
(Konoha's "Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf" and "Red Beast"...)
(Is this... a legacy?)
Inside the Kirigakure 'Mizukage's Office in Kirigakure
Mei Terumi's fingers tapped lightly on the window frame; the crimson figure in the Heavenly Screen had long since cooled the black tea in her hand. Ao stood behind her, keenly noticing the slight trembling of the Mizukage's fingertips.
"I never imagined... Konoha would harbor such a monster." Chōjūrō, holding the Hiramekarei, stared wide-eyed behind his glasses. "I've heard about Might Duy, but..."
"But I didn't expect his son to be even more terrifying?" Mei Terumi suddenly turned around, a dangerous smile curving her red lips. "Those three guys who escaped back then considered this a lifelong disgrace."
"However... I should thank Might Guy's father."
Ao asked, puzzled, "Lord Mizukage?"
"If they hadn't severely damaged the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the rule of the Bloody Mist Village would probably have lasted much longer." She suddenly crushed the teacup to pieces, "Just like now... We should thank the Heavenly Screen for revealing the future war in advance."
Kirigakure Anbu Base--
Several masked ninjas are replicating Kai's Taijutsu moves from the Heavenly Screen.
"No! The point where the Blood Steam bursts out should be in the heart!"
"But the Chakra flow path..."
"Shut up! Keep analyzing!"
Above the tower in Sunagakure, the Land of Wind --
Temari's golden ponytail swayed gently in the dry wind. She snapped her Three-Star Fan shut, the sound of the fan ribs clashing ringing out crisply in the silent observation deck. The crimson figure in the Heavenly Screen made her pupils shine.
"Gaara..." Her voice held a rare hint of hesitation. "The content playing on the Heavenly Screen... Will you participate in battles of that level in the future?!"
Kankuro leaned against the railing, the Puppet "Crow's" fingers clicking unconsciously. He forced a smile that was more like a grimace, "Ha... I don't want to face that kind of monster. Just looking at it gives me goosebumps..."
Gaara between the two. He raised his hand, and a wisp of fine sand floated out from the sand gourd, flowing slowly in his palm.
"Who knows what the future holds?" His voice was soft, yet it made Temari and Kankuro turn their heads simultaneously.
Sand drifted in the wind as Gaara's gaze swept down upon Sunagakure —a cluster of low, earthen-yellow buildings; on the Training Grounds, several Genin were practicing extra hard; at the hospital window, medical-nin wearily rubbed his eyes...
"But I will protect all of this."
The words were spoken so naturally, as if they weren't discussing a powerful enemy that could destroy the world, but rather describing tomorrow's weather. Temari nearly dropped her fan, Kankuro's Puppet strings got tangled in his fingers.
The two looked at each other and suddenly burst into laughter at the same time.
"Hey, that's such a cool line..." Kankuro rubbed his sore nose with his bandaged hands.
Temari unfolded her fan again, concealing her slightly reddened eyes. "Really... when did you learn to say things like that?"
Gaara didn't respond, only a slight upturn of the corners of his mouth.
The wind whipped his hair, and sand flowed silently around him.
Sunagakure Hospital Rooftop--
Baki and Chiyo gazed at the three figures on the tower.
"That child... has really changed." Chiyo's wrinkled hands trembled slightly, "More like the Kazekage than the wind shadow in the Heavenly Screen."
Baki stood with his arms crossed, a smile playing on his lips, "Because what he's protecting has never been just the village..."
Sunagakure Orphanage--
The children lay on the rooftop, pointing at the Heavenly Screen and chattering away.
"A big brother with red hair!"
"That's our Lord Kazekage!"
Training Grounds of Kumogakure, Land of Lightning
Darui looked up at the Heavenly Screen, his Lightning Release Chakra Blade trembling slightly. The overwhelming power of Six Paths Madara Might Guy's Eight Gates state made him feel powerless.
(Will I really be able to participate in a battle of this magnitude in the future?)
Just as he was lost in thought, he heard heavy footsteps behind him.
"Darui!"
Raikage A's voice boomed like thunder, jolting Darui back to his senses. He turned around and saw his Raikage and Killer B striding towards him.
"Lord Raikage! Lord Killer B!" He quickly bowed, but his eyes were still somewhat dazed.
Raikage narrowed his single eye, staring at Darui's expression, then suddenly snorted coldly and punched him in the face without warning!
"Bang!"
Darui staggered a few steps after being hit, clutching his numb cheek, looking completely bewildered. "Lord Raikage?!"
"Idiot!" Raikage roared, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "What I hate most is your pathetic state!"
Killer B started rapping on the side:
"Yo yo! Big brother's right~"
A gloomy face won't do!
"No more despair for the future~"
"We're going to charge in too!"
Darui froze, while Raikage grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, his single eye burning with fierce fighting spirit.
"Listen, Darui! The ninjas of Kumogakure never back down because the enemy is strong!"
"The future projected on the Heavenly Screen? So what!"
"If the future is destined to be despair--"
"I'll smash the future to pieces with these fists!!"
His roar echoed across the Training Ground, and the Cloud Ninja around him stopped their training, their eyes gradually hardening.
Darui stared blankly at the Raikage, the pain on his face actually bringing him back to his senses.
(Yes...)
(Even if the enemy is strong, should we give up?)
He took a deep breath, straightened his body, and Lightning Release Chakra once again gathered in his palm:
"Yes, Lord Raikage!"
Raikage then released his grip with satisfaction, grinning, "That's more like it!"
Killer B patted Darui on the shoulder, his eyes behind his sunglasses sparkling with laughter:
"Yo~ Darui, don't be afraid~"
The future may be scary~
But we are stronger!
Let's forge ahead together!
Darui couldn't help but laugh, "Killer B Bee, your rap is still as awful as ever."
"What did you say?!"
The Raikage laughed heartily and punched Killer B on the head, "Stop messing around, Bee!"
"Ouch! Big brother, you hit too hard!"
The atmosphere on the Training Ground became lively again, and the Cloud Ninjas returned to their training, with the light of Lightning Release flashing in the air.
Raikage stood in the center of the arena, gazing up at the Heavenly Screen, his fists clenched.
(Six Paths Madara? Gate of Death Might Guy?)
(Hmph, the lightning of Kumogakure is second to none!)