The real Shinobi World...
While the major ninja villages of the Shinobi World negotiated with one another and busied themselves preparing to participate in Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams, the countdown on the Heavenly Screen finally ran out. People across the Shinobi World all looked up at once, their eyes fixed on the enormous Heavenly Screen. From the ninja of Konoha to those far away in the Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, the Land of Water, and the Land of Lightning, all were drawn to the mysterious Heavenly Screen.
The light on the Heavenly Screen gradually gathered, finally revealing several conspicuous lines of text:
[TON8: Hozuki Gengetsu VS Mu]
[The rankings are in no particular order; the number only indicates sequence.]
[Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu: Enjoy battle and keep growing stronger. Don't call me little mustache!]
[Second Tsuchikage Mu: To me, the ninja way is to protect—to protect the land beneath my feet and my own beliefs.]
Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu, two legendary Kage Level powerhouses, had long since left their mark on the history of the Shinobi World. Their names symbolized the greatest power and wisdom the Shinobi World had to offer. And now, the Heavenly Screen would bring their battle back before the world!
Konoha
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window with his hands behind his back, gazing deeply at the words on the Heavenly Screen. His brow relaxed slightly, and he felt a faint sense of relief. The words "Hozuki Gengetsu VS Mu" on the screen had put him at ease. "Good, the Heavenly Screen isn't showing someone from Konoha this time..." Hiruzen murmured, a hint of relief in his voice. As Konoha's Third Hokage, he knew full well that the appearance of the Heavenly Screen had made the situation throughout the Shinobi World complicated and sensitive. If it showed another battle involving a Konoha ninja, especially a scene from the future like Naruto's before, Konoha might become the target of everyone's hostility and even prompt the other villages to unite against it.
Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu... The battle between those two legendary Kage Level powerhouses may be shocking, but at least it has nothing to do with Konoha, Hiruzen thought. He knew that although it would draw the attention of the other villages, it would not directly affect Konoha's interests.
He turned, walked over to his desk, and picked up his pipe. He took a gentle puff, and smoke rose slowly, obscuring his face. His thoughts, however, remained clear. The appearance of the Heavenly Screen has made the situation in the Shinobi World even more complicated. The other villages are growing more wary and hostile toward Konoha, too. If it were showing someone from Konoha this time, we might not even get a chance to explain ourselves.
At that thought, Hiruzen frowned slightly again. He knew that, powerful as Konoha was, it could not withstand the hostility of the entire Shinobi World. Especially now, with the Chunin Ninja Exams about to begin and ninja from every village gathering in Konoha, the slightest disturbance could have unpredictable consequences.
Still, since the Heavenly Screen is showing the battle between Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu, at least it won't put direct pressure on Konoha for the time being. Hiruzen felt a little more at ease. He walked to the window and looked up at the screen again, but his thoughts turned to deeper questions.
Just then, someone knocked softly on the office door. Hiruzen put his thoughts aside and said in a deep voice, "Come in."
The door opened, and an Anbu Ninja entered. He bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Hokage, some of the participating teams from the other villages have already arrived in Konoha, and preparations for the Chunin Ninja Exams are complete."
Hiruzen nodded and said steadily, "Very good. Notify all the examiners and guards that they must ensure the exams are safe and fair. Also, increase surveillance of the ninja from the other villages, especially those from Sunagakure and Iwagakure. There can be no oversights."
The Anbu Ninja nodded in acknowledgment and quickly left the office. Hiruzen walked to the window once more and gazed into the distance, still unable to relax completely.
At the training ground, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the other members of the Konoha 12 also stopped training and looked up at the Heavenly Screen. Naruto scratched his head and asked in confusion, "Who are Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu? They sound pretty amazing."
Kakashi had appeared behind them at some point. His gaze was thoughtful as he said, "They were the Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage, powerful Kage in the history of the Shinobi World. I heard their battle ended with them killing each other."
A flash of fighting spirit appeared in Sasuke's eyes. "A battle between Kage Level powerhouses... Interesting."
Sunagakure
Gaara stood on high ground in Sunagakure, coldly watching the Heavenly Screen. The corners of his mouth lifted in a faint, bloodthirsty smile. "Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu... How much blood will be spilled in their battle?" Temari and Kankuro stood behind him, feeling uneasy. Temari said quietly, "What is the Heavenly Screen's purpose in showing a battle at this level?" Kankuro tightened his grip on his puppet strings and said gravely, "Whatever it is, we need to be careful."
Iwagakure...
Ōnoki sat in the Tsuchikage's office, staring solemnly at the Heavenly Screen. "Lord Mu... The Heavenly Screen is actually going to show that battle this time."
Kitsuchi stood nearby and asked quietly, "Lord Tsuchikage, do we need to do anything?" Ōnoki considered for a moment, then said slowly, "Watch and wait. We must not act rashly."
Kirigakure...
Mei Terumi stood by the window of the Mizukage's Office, calmly watching the Heavenly Screen.
The Heavenly Screen...
As the words on the Heavenly Screen gradually vanished, images began to appear. Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu came into focus, their battle seeming to cross space and time to unfold before the world once more.
Hozuki Gengetsu stood on the surface of the water, Water Release Ninjutsu surging under his control as though it were alive. Mu, meanwhile, floated in the air with his arms crossed and a calm, profound gaze, the power of Dust Release gathering in his hands.
A confident, unhurried smile played on Hozuki Gengetsu's lips, and his eyes shone with irreverent arrogance. His hands rapidly formed seals, his movements smooth and graceful, as if he were playing a magnificent piece of music.
"Water Release: Water Gun Technique!" Hozuki Gengetsu shouted, abruptly firing a high-pressure water bullet from his mouth. It traced a sharp arc through the air, heading straight for Mu. The bullet was incredibly fast and astonishingly powerful, tearing even the air apart with a piercing whistle.
At the same time, a faint mist began to spread around Hozuki Gengetsu's body. It gradually condensed, forming a giant steam clone. The clone was enormous and radiated scorching heat, as though it might explode at any moment.
"Steaming Danger Tyranny!" Hozuki Gengetsu's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Mu, let's see if your Dust Release can withstand the power of my steam!"
On the other side, Mu floated in the air with his arms crossed, his gaze calm and profound. His figure seemed to merge with heaven and earth, and even the air around him grew heavy because of his presence. His body was wrapped in bandages, giving him a mysterious and imposing appearance, like an unshakable statue.
"Hozuki Gengetsu, your Water Release and Genjutsu are indeed astonishing, but before my Dust Release, they are futile." Mu's voice was low and calm, as though he were stating a fact. He slowly spread his hands, and a mass of dazzling light gathered between his palms.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!" No sooner had Mu spoken than the light erupted, turning into a massive beam that shot straight toward Hozuki Gengetsu. Wherever the beam passed, space itself seemed to tear apart, and even light was swallowed, leaving only emptiness in its wake.
Hozuki Gengetsu's steam clone was struck by the Dust Release beam and instantly broken down into countless tiny particles of dust that scattered into the air. Hozuki Gengetsu himself, however, had already used the Hydrification Technique to liquefy his body, avoiding the lethal blow.
"Haha, Mu, your Dust Release really is impressive, but defeating me won't be that easy!" Hozuki Gengetsu's laughter came from every direction as his body moved swiftly across the water's surface, seemingly merging with the entire expanse.
Mu's gaze remained calm. His body slowly split into two separate individuals, each possessing his full combat strength. His invisibility also activated, and he vanished into the air in an instant, concealing even the fluctuations of his Chakra completely.
"Hozuki Gengetsu, your Genjutsu and Water Clone Technique are indeed troublesome, but before my invisibility and splitting abilities, your advantages will be completely erased." Mu's voice came from the void, seemingly everywhere at once.
Hozuki Gengetsu's smile remained confident, but his eyes grew a little more serious. He knew Mu's strength was far more fearsome than he had imagined. Yet instead of backing down, he grew even more excited.
"Now this is interesting! Mu, let's fight to our hearts' content!" Hozuki Gengetsu's voice rang with fighting spirit. His hands formed seals again, and countless pillars of water instantly rose from the surface, weaving together in the air into a giant net that sought to catch Mu.
Mu's figure flickered in and out of sight in the void as the light of Dust Release gathered once more, preparing a deadly strike. Their battle reached a fever pitch. Water Release and Dust Release clashed violently in the air, erupting in dazzling light and deafening roars.
The real Shinobi World...
Everyone watching across the Shinobi World was shaken by the battle. From the ninja of Konoha to the powerhouses of the other villages, all stared intently at the Heavenly Screen, filled with amazement.
"So this is a battle between Kage Level powerhouses..." Naruto's eyes widened, his voice full of shock.
A flash of fervor appeared in Sasuke's eyes. "That kind of power... That's what I'm after!"
Kakashi stood nearby, his gaze thoughtful. "Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu's battle isn't just a contest of power. It's also a contest of wisdom and strategy."
On the Heavenly Screen, Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu's battle raged on. Water Release and Dust Release clashed violently in the air, erupting in dazzling light and deafening roars. Meanwhile, in the Tsuchikage's office in Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, stood quietly by the window, watching the familiar figure on the screen—Mu, his teacher and Iwagakure's Second Tsuchikage.
A complicated mix of emotions flickered in Ōnoki's eyes: admiration, nostalgia, and determination. He pictured Mu, the legendary figure who had once led Iwagakure. Mu's composure, wisdom, and strength had always made him a role model for Iwagakure's ninja and the goal Ōnoki had pursued all his life.
"Lord Mu..." Ōnoki murmured, his voice tinged with respect and emotion. His thoughts returned to many years ago, when he was still a young ninja and Mu had personally taught him Earth Release Ninjutsu and the mysteries of Dust Release. Mu's words still echoed in his ears: "Ōnoki, the Will of Stone is not merely a symbol of power, but an embodiment of resilience and responsibility. Remember, the future of Iwagakure rests in your hands."
Ōnoki's fists tightened slightly, determination shining in his eyes. "Lord Mu, rest assured. I have inherited your Will of Stone, and I will make Iwagakure stronger."
His heart was filled with a sense of purpose. As the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki knew well the responsibility he bore. Though Iwagakure was remote and lacked resources, it was precisely this environment that had forged the unyielding character of its ninja. Ōnoki believed that as long as they upheld the Will of Stone, Iwagakure would surely secure its place in the Shinobi World.
"Kitsuchi," Ōnoki suddenly called, his voice low and firm.
Kitsuchi immediately stepped forward from his place nearby and asked respectfully, "Lord Tsuchikage, what are your orders?"
Ōnoki kept his eyes on the Heavenly Screen, his tone hardening. "Pass the word down. The team participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams must show Iwagakure's strength during the exams. We must let the other villages know that Iwagakure's new generation is not to be underestimated either."
Kitsuchi nodded. "Yes, I'll make the arrangements right away." He quickly left the office.
Meanwhile, the battle on the Heavenly Screen continued. Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu crossed paths in the footage as Water Release and Dust Release clashed fiercely in the air.
"Lord Mu, please watch over me from the afterlife. I will make Iwagakure stronger." Determination shone in Ōnoki's eyes, as though he could already see Iwagakure's glorious future.
"Lord Second... Your power truly is the pride of Kirigakure." Mei Terumi murmured, her voice tinged with respect and nostalgia. She thought of Kirigakure's history, of the once-glorious bloodline clans and the ninja persecuted during the reign of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.
"The Bloody Mist..." Pain flashed in Mei Terumi's eyes. The name had once been a disgrace to Kirigakure, a product of the extreme isolationist policies enforced during the Fourth Mizukage Yagura's tenure. During those dark years, Kirigakure had been filled with bloody purges and brutal competition. Many powerful bloodline clans had been forced to flee or even wiped out. The outside world's view of Kirigakure had changed as well: once a powerful ninja village, it had become the "Bloody Mist," a place full of slaughter and fear.
"Fortunately, we discovered the truth that the Fourth Mizukage was being controlled." A hint of relief entered Mei Terumi's voice. She knew full well that if they had not exposed the Fourth Mizukage as a puppet, Kirigakure might have gone further and further down the wrong path, eventually heading toward destruction.
She looked back at the Heavenly Screen, where Hozuki Gengetsu's figure still shone. A powerful sense of responsibility welled up in her. We must reshape Kirigakure's future ourselves. The ninja and bloodline clans who were once forced to leave are precious assets to Kirigakure. We must find them and bring them back.
"Ao," Mei Terumi called suddenly, her voice firm and strong. Ao, who stood nearby, immediately stepped forward and asked respectfully, "Lady Mizukage, what are your orders?"
Mei Terumi kept her eyes on the Heavenly Screen, her tone decisive. "Pass the word down. From today onward, if any Kirigakure Ninja carrying out missions abroad encounter Mist Ninja or bloodline clans who fled back then, they may convey my message to them—Kirigakure welcomes them back."
Ao paused in surprise, then nodded. "Yes, I'll make the arrangements right away."
Mei Terumi continued, "Also, notify the village elders and Jonin that we're holding an emergency meeting. We need to draw up a detailed plan to welcome these returning ninja and clans. Kirigakure's future needs their strength."
Ao nodded again and quickly left the office. Mei Terumi looked back at the Heavenly Screen, but she had already begun planning for Kirigakure's future.
She imagined what Kirigakure's future would look like: the village more prosperous, the ninja of the bloodline clans returning home, and Kirigakure's name resounding throughout the Shinobi World once more. Mei Terumi knew the road would not be easy, but she believed that as long as they stayed on the right path, Kirigakure would surely achieve that goal.
"The Fourth Mizukage's isolationist policies cost Kirigakure too much. Now, we'll open our doors again and welcome the ninja who were once forced to leave." Mei Terumi spoke quietly to herself, a trace of determination in her voice.
She turned and walked to her desk, picked up the documents on it, and began attending to village affairs. Whatever the future held, Mei Terumi would lead Kirigakure through every challenge as its Mizukage.
Meanwhile, the battle on the Heavenly Screen continued. Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu crossed paths in the footage as Water Release and Dust Release clashed fiercely in the air.