A cave in the Land of Earth
Deep within the desolate, rocky mountains, a hidden cave is concealed by thick rocks. Inside, scorching steam fills the air, and the smell is reminiscent of sulfur.
"Call--"
With a long exhale, Han slowly opened his eyes, the high-temperature steam surrounding him gradually dissipating. He stood up, the heavy armor clanging with a dull metallic sound as he moved.
"Come out." His deep voice echoed in the cave.
From the shadows, a member of the Iwagakure Anbu silently appeared, kneeling on one knee and offering a scroll with both hands.
"Lord Han, this is the latest intelligence that Lord Tsuchikage ordered me to deliver to you."
Han took the scroll and glanced at its contents. After a moment, he chuckled softly, his tone tinged with a hint of wistfulness. "The old man has changed quite a bit lately... Is it because of the Heavenly Screen Curtain?"
The Anbu did not reply, but Han did not care. He put away the scroll and his thoughts drifted away.
(The Heavenly Screen...)
Those scenes that shook the Shinobi World — Akatsuki's terrifying power in destroying Pain, Sasuke Uchiha Konoha Naruto Uzumaki Kage Level combat, the crimson steam rising when Might Guy opened the Gate of Death... all reminded him that the landscape of the Shinobi World was undergoing a dramatic change.
He recalled the painful experience of having the Five-Tails implanted in him when he was a child, a period filled with hatred and struggle.
But after countless training sessions and battles, he finally mastered the power of Kokuō and became the renowned "Steam Ninja" of Iwagakure. However, as time went on, his political differences with Ōnoki grew, and he eventually chose to leave the village to train alone.
(Unexpectedly, more than a decade later, the Shinobi World has become so turbulent again...)
The Five-Tails Kokuō within me suddenly spoke, its deep voice echoing in my consciousness:
"Han, what are you still hesitating about?"
Han did not respond, but Kokuō continued:
"Those guys in the Heavenly Screen aren't someone you can handle alone. The Akatsuki, Madara Uchiha... If the enemy really comes knocking, are you sure you can escape unscathed?"
Han was silent for a moment, then finally sighed, "You're right."
He looked up at the Anbu, his tone firm. "Go back and tell Lord Tsuchikage that I'm preparing to return to the village."
The Anbu slightly raised his head, seemingly somewhat surprised.
Han continued, "The Tailed Beast within me is now completely under control and will no longer go berserk. Moreover... the content shown on the Heavenly Screen today has eased the tension between the Tailed Beast and the Jinchūriki considerably, and Kokuō also believes that returning to the village now is the best option."
The Anbu bowed deeply. "Yes! Lord Han, Lord Tsuchikage will be very pleased."
After the Anbu left, Han stood at the cave entrance, gazing towards the distant direction of Iwagakure. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the barren rocks, casting a crimson glow.
(Ōnoki... I hope you've truly changed.)
(This time, Iwagakure needs all its forces to unite.)
He clenched his fist, and steam once again billowed out from the gaps in his armor, scorching air swirling around him.
"Let's go, Kokuō."
"Hmph, finally figured it out?"
Han smiled slightly. "Yes, it's time to go home."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a streak of steam and sped off towards the direction of Iwagakure.
On the desolate rock face, Han's figure cast a long silhouette in the setting sun. Each step he took left steaming footprints on the hard rock, and hot white mist occasionally spewed from the gaps in his armor.
"Kokuō, you say..." Han suddenly broke the silence, "That Nine-Tails brat from Konoha, how can he be so strong?" His voice mingled with the hissing of the steam erupting, "Do you Tailed Beasts really rank strength according to the number of their tails?"
The Five-Tails within him suddenly fell silent. Han could clearly feel the pent-up frustration churning in his consciousness space— Kokuō was pacing the ground restlessly with his hooves, his single horn creating ripples in the Chakra.
"..."
(Was the old man drunk when he distributed Chakra back then?!)
(Why is that Kurama so strong?!)
(Doesn't my elegant form, with its distinctive corner and hoof, deserve even greater power?!)
Kokuō roared inwardly, but outwardly he merely gave a haughty snort and turned his head to the other side.
Han keenly sensed the Tailed Beast's embarrassment, and a slight smile played on his lips beneath his armor, "I understand, I won't ask anymore."
He deliberately made the steam jets louder, giving Kokuō face. On the horizon ahead, the towering stone walls of Iwagakure were already faintly visible.
(After returning... should I take on a few disciples?)
Han's thoughts drifted to the future. Although he had been free to cultivate alone these past years, watching the growth of those young ninjas in the Heavenly Screen, he had to admit that the Shinobi World ultimately belonged to the young.
(But before that...)
Roshi's stubborn face flashed through his mind. That Four-Tails Jinchūriki, who, like himself, chose to leave the village, was probably still wandering as a monk in some hot spring resort, right?
"Tsk, troublesome." Han suddenly clicked his tongue. Steam suddenly burst out from the shoulder armor, startling a passing lizard into a crevice in the rock.
(If the Akatsuki really does want to capture the Tailed Beasts as Heavenly Screen claims...)
(That stubborn old man probably won't even have time to use his Lava Release before he gets ambushed...)
Kokuō's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts:
Han.
"Take care of yourself first."
"When you get back to the village... don't argue with that old geezer Ōnoki."
Han paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. His hearty laughter startled the night birds perched on the cliff face, and steam billowed violently with the laughter, forming a hazy mist in the twilight.
"Don't worry, this time..." He patted his belly, "For the village."
The lights of Iwagakure drew ever closer. Han slowed his pace, turning back one last time to gaze upon the desolate wilderness where he had cultivated for so many years. The night wind ruffled his scarlet armor, and steam condensed into tiny droplets in the moonlight.
(A new era is dawning...)
(This time, Iwagakure must be prepared.)
He turned and walked toward the village gate, his heavy footsteps startling the ninja guarding the gate. When he saw who it was, the young guard nearly fell off the watchtower.
"Lord Han is back!!"
Han ignored the commotion and simply pressed the seal on his abdomen silently. Kokuō gave a soft hum in response.
In the sealed space unseen by anyone, the elegant white behemoth gazed at the "sky" of the spiritual world, where the real starry sky of the outside world was reflected.
The Five-Tails Kokuō suddenly spoke, his voice unusually solemn:
"Han... you ninjas are truly incredible."
Han paused slightly, and the rhythm of the steam eruption changed accordingly. "Oh? It's rare to hear you say that."
Kokuō's consciousness paced within the sealed space, his white mane moving without wind.
"A mere few decades of lifespan, yet it has grown to that level..." Its gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, thinking of the powerful ninjas playing on the Heavenly Screen, "That human named Might Guy, he could create such immense power using only Taijutsu..."
Han unconsciously softened his breathing. He Heavenly Screen the crimson steam that stained the sky, a power that even the Tailed Beasts found awe-inspiring.
Kokuō's single horn gleamed faintly; "And there was Madara Uchiha."
The air suddenly became heavy. The night wind blew across the cliffs, making a mournful sound.
"Those Rinnegan... that form..." Kokuō's tone grew increasingly somber, "They're exactly the same as the old man's back then."
Han's pupils contracted slightly. Steam billowed uncontrollably from behind him, forming a hazy mist.
(The Sage of Six Paths...)
He recalled the imposing figure suspended in the Heavenly Screen. That power transcended the realm of "ninja"; it was a near-divine force.
"Do you really think... that will be the future?" Han's voice was a little hoarse.
Kokuō remained silent for a long time, so long that Han thought he would not answer.
"I've lived for over a thousand years..." The Tailed Beast's voice suddenly became aged, "I've seen too many madmen who think they can become the second Six Paths of Hell."
"But this time..." Kokuō's Chakra fluctuated unnaturally. The Madara Uchiha playing in the Heavenly Screen —he had indeed crossed that threshold.
Han unconsciously pressed his abdomen. He could sense Kokuō's rare anxiety—this usually elegant and proud Tailed Beast was now pacing restlessly in the sealed space.
"Hey, don't scare yourself." Han deliberately made the armor clang loudly. "The content playing on the Heavenly Screen... that guy was probably killed in the end, right?"
"..."
Kokuō did not reply. He gazed at the illusory starry sky of his spiritual world—a sky reflecting the Milky Way of the real world. Memories from a thousand years ago surged up, and the starry sky then was just as bright.