The real Shinobi World...
Konoha, Land of Fire
The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the window and fell on the desk, illuminating the mountain of documents piled up on it.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, steam rising from the teacup in her hand. She gazed in the direction the Heavenly Screen had dissipated, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips.
(That kid... did a good job.)
She had assumed that Might Guy in the Heavenly Screen was surely dead, and had even begun planning the process of posthumously awarding him the title of "Hero of Konoha." But at the last moment, Naruto made a stunning entrance—kicking back a Truth- Truth-Seeking Orb with his Yang Release Chakra, snatching Guy back from the clutches of Shinigami.
(Just like the fight against Pain shown in the first video...)
(No, it's even more dazzling than before.)
She took a sip of tea, and images flashed through her mind of what had been playing on the Heavenly Screen: Naruto facing Pain alone, his final battle with Sasuke at the Valley of the End, and now, the scene of saving Guy who had opened the Gate of Death...
(Jiraiya...)
The smiling face of the white-haired man appeared before her eyes, causing her fingertips to tighten slightly.
(The Child of Prophecy you risked your life to find...)
(Looks like it's really found it.)
Tsunade suddenly burst out laughing.
(Starting tomorrow, I'll leave these troublesome matters to that kid Shikamaru.)
She stretched, and the necklace on her chest shimmered with a warm glow in the setting sun.
(I'm nurturing the future pillars of Konoha...)
(Yes, it's definitely not to be lazy.)
With this in mind, she happily opened the drawer and took out a bottle of sake.
"Shizune!"
"Lady Tsunade, it's still working hours—"
"Enough with the chit-chat! Today is a day to celebrate!"
Outside the window, Tonton, holding Shizune, sighed helplessly, while Tsunade had already taken a hearty gulp of sake, her face flushed.
(I'm so great!)
Land of Wind - Sunagakure
The setting sun dyed the tower of Sunagakure, casting long shadows of the three people.
Gaara in the direction where the Heavenly Screen had dissipated, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.
(Naruto...)
The boy who once woke himself up with his fists is now able to save others from dire straits.
(As expected of my... friend.)
"Hey, hey—" Kankuro suddenly cried out in pain, breaking his thoughts, "That guy is stealing the spotlight! How many times has he shown off in the Heavenly Screen now?!"
He waved his bandaged arm, the Puppet Crows cawing behind him. "Am I so invisible in the future?! Not even worthy of a single shot?!"
Temari sighed, rubbing her forehead, "When did you become so concerned about screen time...?"
"That's not the point!" Kankuro gritted his teeth. "At least let me show my face and prove that the Sunagakure Puppet aren't just background figures!"
Gaara watched his brother and sister bickering, and his smile deepened. There wasn't a time when such everyday conversations were a luxury for him.
"The Heavenly Screen has fallen." Temari put away her Three-Star Fan, turned, and walked towards the steps. "What do you want to eat tonight? Maybe I'll go buy some ready-made food—"
"Let's go home!" Kankuro suddenly interrupted her, mysteriously patting the scroll on his back. "Today, I'll show you the culinary skills of the future Kazekage!"
Temari's expression froze instantly. "You cook? The miso soup you made last time tasted like that..."
"That happened when I was twelve!"
Gaara looked at Kankuro's flushed face and suddenly whispered, "I want to eat Kankuro's cooking."
The air suddenly became quiet.
Kankuro's ears turned red at a visible speed, Temari gave him a "I really can't do anything with you guys" look.
"Let's go." She took the first step, her blonde hair fluttering in the evening breeze. "Remember to add plenty of chili."
The three walked down the tower side by side, leaving a trail of deep and shallow footprints in the sand. The lights of distant houses lit up one after another, blending their shadows together and making them indistinguishable from one another.
Land of Earth, Iwagakure
Inside the Tsuchikage's Office, Ōnoki stood by the window with his hands behind his back, the Heavenly Screen casting shifting shadows on his wrinkled face.
"Hmph... In the end, we still have to rely on Konoha brats to save the day?" he muttered to himself, his tone a mixture of resentment and a barely perceptible hint of envy.
The way the boy named Naruto Uzumaki kicked back the Truth-Seeking Orb reminded him of Hashirama Senju, whom he had met in his youth—both possessed an unreasonable strength and a radiance that inspired people to follow them.
(Why do geniuses like this always seem to come from Konoha...?)
His withered fingers unconsciously stroked the Iwagakure Forehead Protector on the table, the light of Dust Release flickering in his palm.
(If Iwagakure had such a person...)
"Grandfather!"
Suddenly, Kurotsuchi's voice came from outside. The girl flipped over and leaped onto the windowsill, her dusty boots landing unceremoniously on the freshly wiped window frame.
"How many times have I told you to use the main entrance!" Ōnoki's mustache bristled with anger.
Kurotsuchi ignored him and instead leaned closer to stare at the old man's face. "You wouldn't happen to be jealous of Konoha, would you?"
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
"You're lying~ Your right eyelid twitches every time you lie."
Enraged, Ōnoki waved his hand, sending a pebble flying towards his granddaughter, who nimbly dodged it by leaning back.
"Seriously..." Kurotsuchi suddenly became serious, looking at the already darkened Heavenly Screen, "That Naruto is completely different from the one I met during the Chunin Ninja Exams."
She recalled the funny things the blond boy did in the exam hall: the way he gestured wildly while chatting with his friends, his embarrassed state of scratching his head during the written test, and his blushing face when she teased him.
(Is this really the same hero who kicked away Six Paths Madara's attack in the Heavenly Screen?)
Ōnoki noticed his granddaughter's unusual silence, then said, "Do you think some of the content being displayed on the Heavenly Screen is fake?"
"Not exactly..." Kurotsuchi suddenly flipped herself onto the ground, Chakra gathering beneath her feet, "It's just proof that there's a gap between what we see in the 'present' and that 'future'—"
She suddenly swung her fist.
"--There are still countless possibilities ahead!"
The girl turned around, revealing her signature fanged smile, "That's why I'm going to be stronger than all possibilities! Sooner or later, I'll ensure that Grandpa's Dust Release has a successor!"
Ōnoki paused for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
(That's more like my granddaughter, Ōnoki!)
Then, turning to Kurotsuchi, he said, "Add another five hundred sets of rocks to break! No dinner until you finish!"
"Hey?! You old stubborn fool, you're settling a personal score under the guise of your position!"
Land of Water - Kirigakure
Inside the Mizukage's Office, a thin mist hung in the air outside the window, and a damp sea breeze, carrying a faint salty tang, seeped in through the half-open window.
Mei Terumi rested her hands on her chin, her red lips pressed tightly together, her emerald green eyes fixed on the direction Heavenly Screen had vanished. The image of the golden figure in the scene— Naruto Uzumaki kicking back Truth-Seeking Orb and saving Might Guy —was still lingering in her mind.
(Konoha...)
She sighed softly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the Mizukage hat.
(Most of the future strongmen actually come from their village...)
(How... enviable!)
"Lord Mizukage?" Ao's voice pulled her back to reality.
Mei Terumi looked up at the two people standing in front of the desk—Ao's right eye was covered by a bandage, the Byakugan he had stolen; while Chōjūrō nervously held the twin swords Hiramekarei, his eyes behind his glasses flashing with unease.
"Pass on my orders." She slowly stood up, her voice soft yet authoritative, "Starting tomorrow, the training intensity for all ninjas in the village will be doubled."
Qing nodded slightly. "Yes."
Chōjūrō nodded quickly, "Y-I understand!"
Mei Terumi's gaze swept over the two of them, then landed on Ao: "Ao, is there any news about the team we sent to search for the Six-Tails Jinchuriki last time?"
After a moment's thought, Qing replied, "There are some scattered clues, but I have already ordered them to withdraw."
"Well done." Mei Terumi nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes. "Even if we find Utakata, given his personality, he won't come back easily. Unless I personally intervene... but that's not the time yet."
She turned and walked to the window, gazing at the hazy coastline in the distance.
"The focus now is on Orochimaru." Her voice turned colder. "The Four Great Shinobi Villages have searched for so long, yet they haven't found a single clue... I suspect he might be hiding right under our noses."
Qing frowned. "You mean... within the Land of Water?"
"The Land of Land of Water has many islands, many of which are so deserted they're not even marked on a map." Mei Terumi tapped her fingertips lightly on the window frame. "If Orochimaru wants to hide, this is the best choice."
She turned around, her gaze as sharp as a knife.
"Qing, you will personally lead the team to conduct a thorough search of the uninhabited islands in the eastern sea area."
"Yes!" Qing replied solemnly.
Chōjūrō hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage and asked, "Um... Mizukage- sama, if we find Orochimaru... can we really change the future of Heavenly Screen?"
Mei Terumi smiled slightly, her red lips curving into a dangerous arc.
"Who knows?" she whispered, "But at least... we won't just sit here and wait to die."
Outside the window, the sea fog thickened, as if it would swallow the entire Kirigakure.