The content displayed on the Heavenly Screen continued to play...
Crimson steam erupted from Kai's pores like a volcanic eruption, and every inch of his skin was carbonized and peeled off under the high temperature.
His muscle fibers snapped one by one like a fully drawn bowstring, yet he forcibly maintained his fighting stance with the support of Chakra.
Then, his feet shattered the air, and his figure shot towards Six Paths Madara like a burning meteor! Six Paths Madara, who had just emerged from the deep pit, exclaimed in shock, "He actually... ran all the way here through the air?!" Six Paths Madara's Rinnegan contracted violently.
The man shattered not only the air, but also Madara's understanding of the "limits of humanity." Sonic boom clouds bloomed one after another behind Kai, like a blood-red rainbow bridge paved for the hero.
Gaara on the ground stared at the battle in the sky, his pupils trembling slightly, his heart churning with turmoil.
Memories flooded back—during the Chunin Ninja Exams, the man in the green bodysuit rushed into the arena like a whirlwind, saving Rock Lee from the brink of death in his own sandstorm.
At that moment, his gaze unconsciously shifted to the figure in front of him, also dressed in green combat gear, and his throat bobbed. "Li, you..."
"I'm not sad!" Rock Lee suddenly interrupted loudly, his voice like a sharp sword slicing through the heavy air.
His clenched fists bulged with veins, and his eyes burned with a fierce fire. "Before a man who has made up his mind, sorrow and grief are an insult to him!" These resounding words plunged everyone into a brief silence, as if even the air itself had frozen.
A few seconds later, the Impure World Reincarnation Minato broke the silence. "We're going to support Guy." A tactical glint seemed to flash in his dull eyes. "Let me say a few words."
"Teacher, his black weapon is very troublesome." Kakashi quickly added, his left Sharingan slightly twitching.
"That wasn't an activated Ninjutsu, but a continuous, standby type. Not only could it change shape at will, but objects it touched would also vanish—yet the eerie sensation would linger." He paused, "The effective control range is about 70 meters; beyond that range, it will become ineffective."
Minato nodded upon hearing this. "Since it's a tangible entity that has always existed and is visible to the naked eye..." He turned his gaze to Kakashi, "Your Kamui can come in handy. As long as we create distance, we can make Madara lose control."
Kakashi looked troubled. "To be honest..." He raised a hand and gently touched his left eye; "The vision in this eye is rapidly deteriorating. To use Kamui for precise positioning, I have to get extremely close."
"Gaara," Minato suddenly turned to the red-haired boy, "Could you prepare some sand for me?"
"You want to use my sand to send Kakashi high into the air?" Gaara immediately understood, but a look of worry appeared between his brows. "But given the speed at which sand moves, it would probably become an excellent target."
Minato gave a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, I'm here. Let Kakashi take my Kunai."
"Eight Gates - Sixth Gate of View - Open!" With a loud shout, a wave of emerald- Chakra suddenly erupted from Rock Lee's body.
The powerful energy fluctuations even caught the attention of Impure World Reincarnation Minato: "Li? You can also open the Eight Gates?"
"It's a pity... I can only go up to the sixth gate." Rock Lee gritted his teeth, his voice filled with resentment and self-blame. "I've never hated my powerlessness as much as I do now!"
Minato gazed at the young ninja, his eyes filled with both admiration and a deeper meaning. "No, this is enough, Lee."
His voice suddenly softened, "Because you are still... that 'green leaf' that Kai would protect even if it meant burning his life."
The real Shinobi World...
Konoha, Land of Fire
Above the village, the giant projection Heavenly Screen continued to play its content. When the words of Impure World Reincarnation Minato, "You are the green leaf that Kai would burn his life to protect," rang out, Rock Lee on the Training Ground burst into tears again.
"Waaah... Teacher Kai--!" He collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face like a burst dam, snot bubbles rising high from his nose. "So, in Teacher's heart... am I really such an important disciple?!"
"Hey, hey..." Tenten Tian sighed, rubbing her forehead. She crouched down and patted Rock Lee's trembling shoulder. "This is just what the Heavenly Screen is showing! It's just a possible future! Teacher Kai is probably off somewhere, doing whatever he wants."
Neji Hyuga nearby, silently pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Rock Lee with a look of disgust. "Wipe your nose, it's practically dripping into your mouth." The Byakugan boy's tone was indifferent, but his gesture of handing over the handkerchief was gentle.
"But... but!" Rock Lee sobbed, grabbing Neji's wrist. "What if this future really happens?! I can only open up to the sixth gate... I'm so useless!" She then tried to rub her tears on Neji's shoulder.
"Stay away from me!" Neji instantly activated his Rotation, but seeing Rock Lee's red and swollen eyes from crying, he ultimately just stiffly patted his shoulder.
"... Fool, it's precisely because you foresaw this future that you have the opportunity to become stronger now."
Suddenly, Tenten Tian's eyes lit up. "Speaking of which, isn't displaying these images on the Heavenly Screen the best warning?" She stood up, hands on her hips, sunlight dancing on her twin tails. "Now that we know about the black weapon, when the Lord Hokage summons the Jonin a meeting—"
"Let's go find Teacher Kai for extra training now!" Rock Lee jumped up suddenly, tears still glistening on his face, but his eyes were already burning with a fierce flame. "I will break through to the Seventh Gate within three months!"
Neji and Tenten both facepalmed. "This girl's thought process..." Neji's Byakugan practically rolled to the sky.
"Well... it's a positive reaction, I guess." He smiled bitterly Tenten.
On a rooftop somewhere, Kakashi and Might Guy sat side by side, quietly watching the content playing on the Heavenly Screen.
When the words of Impure World Reincarnation Minato, "You are still the green leaf that Guy would protect even if it meant burning his life," echoed in the air, Kakashi's one eye narrowed slightly, and a ripple of emotion stirred within him.
(The teacher is right...)
He glanced sideways at Kai beside him—this man, who was usually full of enthusiasm and always talking about "youth," was now grinning foolishly, but his eyes were shining with determination.
(You really can't judge a book by its cover...)
Kakashi withdrew his gaze, looking down at his palm, his thoughts churning. What if so many crises truly occurred in the future, and he was powerless to help due to his lack of strength...?
(Looks like I need to step up my game.)
He clenched his fists, silently making a decision in his heart.
Meanwhile, Kai was already moved to tears. He suddenly stood up, raised his arms high, and shouted towards the Heavenly Screen:
"The Fourth Hokage was right! Burning one's life is about protecting the green leaves! That's youth!!"
His voice was so loud it could almost carry across half the village, even startling a few birds in the distant treetops.
Kakashi sighed helplessly, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Kai, you're shouting so loudly, the Anbu will be coming to warn you again soon."
"Haha! The voice of youth cannot be stopped, Kakashi!" Guy laughed, turning to his best friend, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit. "How about it? Want to have a thrilling duel right now?"
Kakashi waved his hand lazily. "I already said to wait until the Heavenly Screen finishes playing."
"Kakashi! This kind of slack attitude won't do!" Guy stood with his hands on his hips, his face serious. "The future crisis is imminent, how can we stand still? Come on, let's prove our resolve with a thoroughly enjoyable battle!"
Kakashi looked at Guy's serious expression, remained silent for a moment, and finally chuckled softly before standing up.
"... Okay, but the loser has to buy Ichiraku Ramen."
"Haha! This is the Kakashi I know!" Guy excitedly gave a thumbs up, "Then--"
"Ready—Go!"
Two figures leaped from the rooftop in an instant, transforming into fleeting afterimages in the afterglow of the setting sun as they raced towards the Training Ground.
In the Hokage's office in the distance, Tsunade stood by the window, watching the direction they had left, a slight smile appearing on her lips.
"These two guys are still the same as ever..."