Land of Water - Secret Island
In the dimly lit laboratory, a pale green nutrient solution flowed slowly within a glass column, casting eerie shadows.
Orochimaru stared at the projected Heavenly Screen, his golden snake eyes narrowing into slits with excitement as he fixed intently on the figures of Momoshiki Otsutsuki, Kinshiki, and Urashiki in the Heavenly Screen.
"Hehehe... that form..." His voice trembled slightly with excitement, "It's exactly the same as Madara Uchiha's 'Six Paths Mode' in the previous video! And that legendary Sage of Six Paths...!"
His neck unconsciously lifted even higher, as if he wanted to penetrate the screen and touch those supreme beings.
"A perfect level of life... this is true 'evolution'!" A near-fanatical grin spread across his lips. "The source of Chakra... the form of a god!"
Kabuto Yakushi stood to the side, his glasses reflecting the cold light of the Heavenly Screen, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Truly astounding, Lord Orochimaru." He adjusted his glasses, his voice low and respectful. "Their Rinnegan... seems to be of a higher level than we know."
Orochimaru's tongue slowly slid across his lips, his eyes gleaming with greed.
"It's not just the Rinnegan... their 'Dan' technique can directly refine and absorb the Chakra of Tailed Beasts!" His voice was almost obsessive. "If we could analyze this technology... no, if we could obtain their 'samples'..."
Dou nodded slightly, his gaze behind his glasses equally sharp.
"It seems we need to adjust our research direction again," he said softly.
"Of course, Kabuto." Orochimaru chuckled in a low voice.
On the rocks at the edge of the island, Sasuke and his two companions were gazing up at the image playing in the sky. Waves crashed against the rocks on the shore, and the splashes of water shimmered with tiny sparkles in the sunlight.
"Hey, Sasuke! That's you!" Suigetsu suddenly jumped up from the rock, pointing exaggeratedly at the Heavenly Screen. "Looks like a middle-aged man now!" Suigetsu nudged Sasuke with his elbow with a mischievous grin. "I didn't expect you to be so handsome even in your old age~"
Jūgo stood to the side with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed. "Those guys you fought... they looked really weird." He turned to Sasuke, "And the aura they gave off... it was dangerous."
Sasuke didn't respond immediately; his Sharingan was fixed on his future self in the Heavenly Screen. In the image, the "middle-aged Sasuke" was briefly exchanging blows with Kinshiki, before decisively retreating after a few rounds.
"A visitor from outer space? An alien?" Suigetsu was still chattering on when she suddenly leaned close to Sasuke's face. "Hey, what are you thinking about so intently? Are you perhaps admiring your future self's handsomeness?"
Sasuke finally spoke, his voice low and deep. "Why are all my future enemies in this form..." His brows furrowed deeper and deeper, "Almost exactly like Six Paths Madara from the last video."
Jūgo in thought, "Could it be... that everyone becomes like this after reaching a certain level?"
"Huh?" Suigetsu spread her hands exaggeratedly, "I don't want to turn into that kind of weird shape! My handsome face can't be ruined!"
Sasuke suddenly stood up, his black cloak fluttering in the sea breeze. His gaze shifted from the sky to the direction of the laboratory deep within the island. "Orochimaru must know something..."
"Hey, going to see that weird scientist again?" Suigetsu pouted. "But to be honest, those guys are ridiculously strong. Even you in the future wouldn't dare to linger in a fight."
Jūgo his wrist, the joints making a crisp sound, "Do you need me to come with you?"
Sasuke at the content that continued to play on the Heavenly Screen.
"Let's go find Orochimaru after the Heavenly Screen finishes," he said in a deep voice, calm yet carrying an undeniable determination.
Upon hearing this, Suigetsu let out an exaggerated sigh and plopped back down on the rock, "Ah~ another wait?" He rested his chin on his hand, "But it's fine, I want to see what other tricks these freaks have up their sleeves."
Jūgo nodded silently, his gaze never leaving the Heavenly Screen: "We definitely need to gather more information." Faint traces of Cursed Seal seals appeared on his arm, then quickly vanished. "These people's power... is very special."
Sasuke's Sharingan swirled slightly, taking in every detail of the Heavenly Screen.
He noticed that his fighting style would become significantly more mature in the future, with every movement precise and restrained, a stark contrast to his current aggressive style.
"Hey, Sasuke," Suigetsu suddenly leaned closer, a mischievous smirk in her eyes, "Don't you think your future self has become a bit too cautious? Hitting a few times and then running away, that's not like you at all~"
Sasuke scoffed. "That was a tactical retreat." His gaze locked onto Kinshiki's weapon. "That man's weapon... is dangerous."
Jūgo seemed thoughtful. "It seems your future self is quite aware of the enemy's strength."
The three's conversation was interrupted by a sudden change in the scene displayed in the Heavenly Screen.
Momoshiki and the others were passing through a spatial rift, heading in a certain direction. Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly—that direction was clearly the location of Konoha.
The sea breeze suddenly picked up speed, whipping up small waves that crashed against the rocks. Sasuke's cloak fluttered in the wind, and his expression grew increasingly solemn. Even across time and space, he could feel the oppressive aura emanating from his enemies.
"After reading all this..." Sasuke muttered to himself, his right hand unconsciously stroking the hilt of the Kusanagi Sword. "I must figure everything out as soon as possible."
Suigetsu and Jūgo exchanged a glance, both seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.
The three stood silently by the sea, gazing at the Heavenly Screen, awaiting further revelations about the future. In the distance, several seagulls skimmed across the water, emitting long cries, as if also warning of the approaching storm.
Within the Land of Snow...
On the vast snowfields of the Land of Snow, the cold wind whipped up fine snowflakes that shimmered in the sunlight. Jiraiya stood on a protruding ice rock, his long white hair fluttering in the wind, gazing solemnly at the scene playing in the Heavenly Screen.
"Is the extraterrestrial visitor's target... also Tailed Beast?" Jiraiya muttered to Jiraiya, his brow furrowed. His broad hands unconsciously clenched.
Naruto stood beside him, his azure eyes wide, his face filled with disbelief. "Pervy Sage! That old man... he was... by that bastard..." His voice trembled with anger, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
Karin pushed up her red-rimmed glasses, her eyes behind the lenses flashing with worry. "They look... much more dangerous than the Akatsuki." She instinctively took a step closer to Naruto, as if to confirm his safety.
Jiraiya's gaze never left the Heavenly Screen, his mind rapidly analyzing various possibilities. "First Nagato, then Madara Uchiha, and now several extraterrestrial visitors..." he said in a deep voice, "And they've all set their sights on the Tailed Beasts 'Chakra..."
Naruto abruptly turned to look at Jiraiya: "Then their next target is..." His voice trailed off, and his hand unconsciously went to his stomach.
"Nine-Tails." Jiraiya nodded solemnly, his wrinkles deepening. "It seems we need to prepare in advance."
Land of Rain, Amegakure
Under a sky overcast with dark clouds, the pattering rain continued to beat against the windows of the tall tower.
Nagato sat inside the machine, his slender body shrouded in a large Akatsuki robe, his purple Rinnegan staring intently at the images playing on the Heavenly Screen.
"This... how is this possible..." His withered fingers unconsciously gripped the handrail, his knuckles turning white from the force.
In the Heavenly Screen, the figures of the Ōtsutsuki Clan stirred a storm within him. "So many beings with forms similar to Six Paths Madara will appear in the future? No... wait..."
Nagato's thoughts suddenly stopped, a flash of realization Rinnegan. "Not like Six Paths Madara... but Six Paths Madara transformed into their likeness!"
This realization made his already pale face even more ashen. "An extraterrestrial visitor... and the legendary Sage of Six Paths, isn't he also in this form? And he's also called Ōtsutsuki..."
The rain grew heavier, its tapping against the window seeming to echo his chaotic thoughts. "So... even the Sage of Six Paths wasn't from the Shinobi World?"
The thought made Nagato feel dizzy, and he had to close his eyes to calm his breathing.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw Momoshiki Otsutsuki easily absorbing the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Damn it!" Nagato slammed his fist on the armrest, his voice hoarse and furious. "These damned bastards, are they targeting Tailed Beasts too?"
Rainwater streamed down the outer wall of the tower, forming distorted watermarks on the glass.
Nagato forced himself to calm down and began to think quickly. "My current physical condition... is simply not enough to fight such an enemy." He looked down at his emaciated legs, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.
"Last time I asked Black Zetsu about the secret of Madara Uchiha's transformation into that form..." Nagato recalled Black Zetsu's vague answer, "He said it was recorded on an ancient stone tablet..." The sound of rain pounding against the window grew more urgent, as if urging him to make a decision.
"Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free." Nagato his mind, his voice low and firm. "I must go and confirm it myself. If I can really find that power... perhaps I can restore my health."
His gaze returned to the Heavenly Screen, watching the enemies from beyond the stars running rampant.