The real Shinobi World...
It has been a full two weeks since the last episode of Heavenly Screen aired, featuring the earth-shattering battle between Six Paths Madara and Gate of Death Might Guy.
The Shinobi World appears calm on the surface, but undercurrents are turbulent beneath.
Although the Five Great Shinobi Villages have temporarily formed an alliance due to the various contents of the Heavenly Screen, and are jointly guarding against the Akatsuki and future threats, this fragile alliance is gradually faltering as the enemy remains indifferent.
Especially Raikage A —the leader of the Land of Lightning known for his volatile temper and ferocity—was standing in the highest Raikage's Office of the Kumogakure, his iron fist slamming into the tempered glass. Spiderweb-like cracks instantly spread out, emitting a piercing shattering sound.
"How long has it been! We haven't even found a trace of Orochimaru!" His roar was like thunder, shaking the documents on his desk and causing even the Kumogakure patrolling outside the window to involuntarily shrink back.
Ai's gaze turned somber as he looked towards the Land of Fire.
The breathtaking images in the Heavenly Screen still lingered in his mind—the final battle between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha at the Valley of the End, their earth-shattering power; the last crimson sunset burning with life as Might Guy opened the Gate of Death; the elusive Flying Thunder God Technique; and the countless forbidden techniques and secret arts of Konoha...
Every scene filled him with deep dread, even... jealousy.
"Big brother's thinking about Konoha's forbidden techniques again~ Yay!"
Killer B's untimely rap suddenly came from behind, his sunglasses reflecting a blinding light, further fueling Eben's already irritable mood. "The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki has to stay put~ otherwise the bad guys will kidnap him~ you idiot~"
Ai's temples throbbed, and the veins on his forehead almost burst.
During this period, he strictly forbade Killer B and Yugito Nii from leaving the village, fearing that they would be captured by the Akatsuki like what was shown in the Heavenly Screen.
But this meant he had to endure Killer Bee 'Killer B piercingly loud rap every day, which was even more torturous than being struck by Lightning Release.
What angered him even more was that the tracking forces in various villages kept sending back intelligence—that many cemeteries had been disturbed, and even the remains of some powerful figures had disappeared.
Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi have probably already collected enough materials to activate the Impure World Reincarnation, and may even have secretly resurrected some monsters that shouldn't exist in the mortal world.
And what about them? The Five Great Shinobi Villages could only search around like headless flies, but they couldn't even catch a glimpse of the enemy!
"We can't wait any longer!" A whirled around, his cloak billowing, and a surge of powerful Lightning Release Chakra around him. "Contact the other three Kage and tell them I'm restarting the Five Kage Summit!"
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes, his voice low and cold. "Konoha holds too many secrets, those forbidden techniques, and Sage Mode... We can't let them monopolize the bargaining chips against Akatsuki!"
Killer B, standing to the side, was making exaggerated rap gestures with his hands, his eyes gleaming with excitement behind his sunglasses, as he rattled off a string of rhyming words:
"Big Brother wants to hold another Five Kage Summit! Oh!"
Are we going to team up to fight the leader of Akatsuki? Yay!
The powerful Akatsuki —dangerous and mysterious!
Each member is ruthless—it's terrifying! Stupid bastards!
It's time to deal with them~ Yo!
His singing became increasingly energetic, and he even spun around on the spot, giving Raikage A "peace" gesture with his finger, completely immersed in his own musical world.
Ai's lips twitched violently, veins bulged on his forehead, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the urge to punch Killer B out of the office.
"Below..." Ai's voice was low and rumbling like thunder, "I'm not in the mood for your impromptu performance right now."
"But Big Brother's expression is hilarious! Yay!" Killer B, completely oblivious to the danger, took a step closer and continued singing with a grin, "Lord Raikage's brows are furrowed~ He's plotting a scheme~ Oh! Is he trying to take advantage of the situation--"
"Shut up!!"
Boom--!
A's Lightning Release Chakra erupted instantly, violent blue arcs of electricity exploding in the office, shattering the entire desk with a single palm strike. Killer B nimbly jumped back to dodge, muttering, "Big brother's temper is still so volatile~ Yay~"
Ai clutched his forehead, feeling his blood pressure spike to its limit. He gritted his teeth and growled, "If you dare interrupt me again while I'm talking about serious matters, I'll throw you into Valley of Clouds and Lightning for six months!"
Killer B finally toned it down a bit, shrugging and spreading his hands. "Okay, okay~ Big brother's sense of humor is still so bad~ You idiot, you jerk~"
Ai: "..."
(He really wants to convene Five Kage Summit right now, just so he can get away from this troublesome younger brother for a while.)
The night was deep, and the cold moon hung high in the sky.
The Training Ground's rock walls were covered in scorch marks, and the ground was uneven, clearly indicating that it had undergone intense training. Yugito Nii sat cross-legged on a broken boulder, sweat streaming down her cheeks, her breathing slightly rapid, but her eyes were unusually determined.
Ever since the futuristic scenes were projected onto the Heavenly Screen, a sense of urgency has been constantly with her.
--Akatsuki, Naruto Uzumaki, Might Guy, Six Paths Madara...
Those powers that defied common sense, those terrifying beings capable of overturning the entire Shinobi World, made her realize that her current strength was far from sufficient.
"Failed again..." she murmured, the Chakra gathering at her fingertips dissipating once more.
The Matatabi, its voice echoing in her mind. "Hmph, human, don't push yourself too hard. In your current state, any further training will be futile."
Yugito Nii ignored its taunts, simply closing his eyes to regulate his breathing. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "Matatabi, the Sage of Six Paths mentioned in the Heavenly Screen... did he truly create you?"
The Matatabi's tail flicked slightly, its tone tinged with impatience. "Didn't I tell you already? The Sage of Six Paths was indeed our creator, but that's all in the past."
"Madara Uchiha? How was he able to transform into that state?" Yugito Nii pursued relentlessly.
The Matatabi's pupils suddenly contracted, and a low purr escaped its throat, clearly indicating its strong aversion to the topic.
"... That's not something you should be asking." Its voice turned cold.
Yugito Nii frowned slightly. "If the enemy truly possesses that kind of power, we should at least know—"
"So what if you know?" the Matatabi scoffed. "With your current strength, you can't even beat that Uchiha brat, let alone Six Paths Madara."
The Yugito Nii remained silent.
She knew the Matatabi was right. In the future shown in the Heavenly Screen, even the Lord Raikage and Killer B wouldn't last long against those enemies. And she herself... probably wouldn't even have a chance to struggle.
"... At least tell me, what exactly is the Ten-Tails?" she asked in a low voice.
The Matatabi Chakra suddenly stopped, then completely disappeared, as if it had never existed.
"Hey, Matatabi?"
There was no response.
Yugito Nii sighed and looked up at the night sky.
--It's always like this.
Every time the topic of the Ten-Tails comes up, Matatabi immediately cuts off the conversation. It's as if it's a taboo that can never be mentioned among the Tailed Beasts.
She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms.
"... Since you won't tell me, then I'll become stronger myself."