Deep in the forest.
Naruto was frantically adding firewood to the campfire, sparks crackling and reflecting on his excited face.
"Hey, Naruto! You've put in too much firewood!" Karin pushed up her glasses, looking disgusted. "The fire's too high, the rice'll burn!"
"Huh? Oh!" Naruto quickly pulled out a few pieces of firewood, but his movements were so big that he almost kicked over the pot on the fire.
"Idiot! Watch out!" Karin was so angry that she grabbed a tree branch and was about to hit him.
Just then--
The video playing on the Heavenly Screen showed a crimson dragon tearing through the heavens!
"Night Guy--!"
Might Guy's roar echoed through the sky, and the moment he kicked out, even space itself seemed to distort!
"That's awesome--!" Naruto jumped up, his fist flying towards the sky, "Bushy-Brow Sensei is too strong!!"
Jiraiya sat on Taiseki nearby, one hand on his forehead. "This kid... he gets this excited just looking at the Heavenly Screen."
However, the next second, the scene took a sharp turn for the worse—
Six Paths Madara's tattered body rapidly regenerated, while Guy collapsed, carbonized. The jet-black Truth-Seeking Orb slowly aimed at the unconscious Guy...
"Damn it!!" Naruto slammed his fist into a tree, sending leaves rustling down. "That bastard Madara! When I see him again, I'm going to beat him to a pulp!!"
Karin, clutching her ears which were still numb from the shock, yelled, "Go crazy over there! The pot's really going to boil over!"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Naruto's furious expression, a slight smile playing on his lips.
(This kid... his energy is ridiculously high.)
He recalled the special training he had received over the past few days—weighted cross-country running, waterfall training, and Rasengan... An ordinary ninja would have collapsed long ago, but Naruto became more and more energetic with each training session.
(As expected of the Uzumaki Clan's physique...)
(But...)
His gaze swept subtly over the surrounding bushes. In the shadows, imperceptible to most, Six Paths figures lay silently in wait—their Anbu protecting them.
Jiraiya stroked his chin, secretly calculating:
(The lineup Tsunade sent is impressive... but the excessive protection will actually make this kid lack experience in real life-or-death combat.)
(How about...)
He suddenly revealed a sly smile and formed a secret hand seal. The Gekko Hayate on the distant treetops were slightly taken aback, then nodded in understanding.
"Naruto," Jiraiya suddenly spoke, "Starting tomorrow, the training volume will be doubled."
"Huh?! Why, you Pervy Sage!"
"Because—" Jiraiya stood up, a quest scroll sliding from his sleeve, "I just received word that a group of bounty hunters are roaming the area..."
He deliberately raised his voice. "They say their leader is worth ten million taels of silver!"
The two of them, who were walking in the bushes Namiashi Raidō —this was all made up on the spot!
But Naruto's eyes lit up. "Ten million?! That's enough to buy Ichiraku Ramen?!"
Karin sighed, "Is ramen all you think about...?"
Jiraiya laughed heartily, "So go to bed early tonight! Starting tomorrow—it won't be so easy!"
In a dimly lit laboratory on a remote island in the ocean.
The damp sea breeze was kept out by the thick stone walls, and the fluorescent light projected onto the Heavenly Screen illuminated Orochimaru's pale face. His golden snake eyes were fixed on the Heavenly Screen, and a playful smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"This is truly a pleasant surprise, Kai..." His hoarse voice echoed in the laboratory, "I never imagined that pure Taijutsu could reach such a level."
Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light. "The destructive power of that 'Night Guy' attack has surpassed the scope of an S-rank Ninjutsu; it can even distort space."
Orochimaru extended his long, thin tongue and slowly licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with greed.
(Immortality, Sharingan, Rinnegan... now there's another interesting topic.)
His gaze swept over the neatly arranged specimens on the lab table—cell fragments of the First Hokage, an eye specimen from the Uchiha Clan, and Cursed Seal tissue extracted from the Sound Four...
(The key to the evolution of the Mangekyō Sharingan into the Rinnegan... the secret of the Six Paths Power... and the Eight Gates that transcends the limits of the human body...)
(This world truly holds countless unknown truths.)
"Kabuto," Orochimaru suddenly spoke, "Any news from Kimimaro's side?"
Kabuto bowed respectfully. "Not yet. But with his abilities, finding the remnants of the 'Sky Ninja' is only a matter of time."
Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction.
(Shinnō's body revitalization technology... if it could be combined with my Living Corpse Reincarnation...)
At the same time, Dou's fingertips gently brushed against the syringe hidden in his sleeve.
(The fusion experiment of Senjutsu Chakra and Kimimaro's cells... is just one step away.)
(Soon... I will gain power surpassing Lord Orochimaru.)
In the Heavenly Screen, Six Paths Madara's maniacal laughter interrupted their thoughts. Looking at that almost godlike regenerative ability, Orochimaru's desire intensified.
"This is getting more and more interesting..." he murmured to himself, "How could this upheaval in the Shinobi World be complete without me, Orochimaru?"
On the cliff edge, where the sea wind howled, Sasuke's robes fluttered in the wind. He stood with his arms crossed, his dark eyes reflecting the crimson dragon shadow in the Heavenly Screen—
Boom!
The shockwave from Night Guy in the Heavenly Screen was so powerful that even he, far away on the isolated island, could feel the air tremble.
(This power...)
Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly. The last time he was so shocked was when the Indra's Arrow, which he fired during his final battle with Naruto, was projected onto the Heavenly Screen. But now, this attack, purely based on Taijutsu, was even more destructive than the arrow imbued with the power of Tailed Beast.
(Taijutsu... I didn't know they could reach this level?)
His gaze unconsciously fell on his wrist. It should have been wearing the same weights as Rock Lee's, but it was empty now—since training with Orochimaru, he had indeed become too reliant on the Sharingan and Ninjutsu.
(Perhaps we should have Kabuto Yakushi prepare some special lead blocks...)
The scene on the Heavenly Screen continued to play. Six Paths Madara's shattered body was regenerating at a speed visible to the naked eye, and his maniacal laughter echoed across time and space.
"Tsk." Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "He really is a monster."
But the next second, a cold smile appeared on his lips.
(The battlefield background is the same as the previous video... which means that this so-called "Six Paths Madara" ultimately lost.)
(And the winner--)
Flashback to the final battle at the Valley of the End, projected on the Rotation. As I collapsed, having exhausted my Chakra, Naruto...
Sasuke suddenly punched a nearby rock, sending shards of rock flying.
"The worst performer..." He gritted his teeth, his Mitsudomoe eyes slowly swirling, "Why can you...?"
The sea breeze whipped up waves, wetting his trouser legs. The lights of the laboratory in the distance flickered in the twilight, much like the man's last look at him.
(Itachi...)
(What are you hiding?)
(Just wait and see.)
(Wait until I uncover the whole truth--)
(Neither you nor Naruto can decide my future!)
In the dark and damp chamber, the only light came from the beams projected from the Heavenly Screen.
Hozuki Suigetsu's face was pressed against the glass wall, his silvery-white hair floating in the nutrient solution like seaweed. His skin was sickly pale from prolonged immersion, his lips drooped, and he exuded an aura of utter despair.
(Ah... another day has passed.)
He stared blankly at the ceiling, at the battle footage playing on the Heavenly Screen —his only form of entertainment for the past few months.
Ever since that mysterious Heavenly Screen appeared and played out those earth-shattering battles of the future, his previously resigned mindset has become excited, and he wants to find a way to escape from here.
But Orochimaru's subordinates are way too dedicated!!
The thought of this made Suigetsu so angry she wanted to bang her head against the wall—if her body could still move.
"Splash..."
The door to the secret room was pushed open, and a ninja wearing Sound Ninja Forehead Protector walked in carrying a tray.
"Subject A-17 needs an inhibitor boost."
Suigetsu's lifeless eyes shifted slightly as she looked at the newcomer.
(It's that expressionless guy again...)
The moment the needle pierced his skin, he didn't even flinch—it was a habit.
"Hey..." Suigetsu said weakly, "Can you guys... take a break once in a while?"
The Sound Ninja subordinate paused, "?"
"For example... forgot to come and give me my medicine?" Suigetsu forced a flattering smile. "Or 'accidentally' dropped the keys on the ground?"
The Sound Ninja coldly pulled out the needle. "Lord Orochimaru said you are an important sample."
(Important my ass!)
Suigetsu cursed inwardly, but outwardly she just rolled her eyes.
(How can these guys be so dedicated?!)
(Couldn't they learn from other villainous organizations and occasionally have internal strife or a strike?!)
He closed his eyes dejectedly, imagining himself possessing the strength of a powerful figure like the one in the Heavenly Screen, and then slaughtering everyone in his path.
(If only I could escape...)
(I'll definitely find a chance to utterly humiliate you guys!)
Just then, the door to the secret room opened again.
Suigetsu's pupils suddenly contracted--
Orochimaru!
The sinister figure stood in the doorway, its golden, snake-like eyes staring at him with a half-smile.
(Oh no, oh no, oh no...)
Suigetsu froze instantly, even her breathing stopped.
Unexpectedly, Orochimaru only glanced at him before turning and leaving.
"..."
Suigetsu let out a long sigh of relief and collapsed into the incubation chamber.
(This scared me to death...)
He recalled what Dou had said a few days ago—
"In a little while, you'll be able to be a 'sparring partner'."
(Sparring partner?)
(Who should I practice with? How should I practice?)
(Are they going to let me out to fight someone?)
Thinking of this, Suigetsu suddenly felt a glimmer of hope.
(If that's the case...)
(Maybe we can find a chance to escape!)
But the next second, he wilted again.
(Forget it, why think so much...)
(We can't get out now anyway.)
He blew a bubble out of boredom and watched it slowly rise in the nutrient solution.
(Whatever...)
(Just don't take my blood anymore.)
On the eastern side of the island, a simple wooden house stands quietly on the edge of a cliff.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, drifted through the half-open window, ruffling a few scattered feathers on the table. Jūgo sat on the wooden steps of the porch, a handful of grains between his rough fingers, while several unidentified seabirds hopped and pecked at the food in his palm.
"Eat slowly..." His deep voice held an unusual gentleness, "There's still plenty left."
Since his rampage and subsequent subjugation by Kimimaro, he had been brought to this island. Orochimaru seemed to "value" him highly—of course, Jūgo knew in his heart that this "value" was nothing more than taking a liking to the uncontrollable Natural Energy within him.
(However... compared to being locked up in a dark and sunless laboratory, this place isn't so bad.)
He looked up at the sky, where a crimson dragon was tearing through the clouds in the vast Heavenly Screen. Might Guy's earth-shattering kick caused Jūgo's calm pupils to contract slightly.
(This power...)
Grains of rice slipped through his fingers, and the seabird flapped its wings and flew away. Jūgo paid no attention, simply watching the Six Paths Madara body break and regenerate.
(A being so powerful it's terrifying...)
Then he thought of Sasuke Uchiha Orochimaru highly, and how he occasionally had to be Sasuke's sparring partner.
That guy is getting more and more powerful; no wonder he's from the famous Uchiha Clan! And Sasuke gives off a similar vibe to Kimimaro —both are cold and aloof.