Land of Water - Kirigakure
In the Mizukage's Office Mei Terumi leaned lazily against the window, her slender fingers gently swirling her teacup. Amidst the rising aroma of tea, her emerald green eyes were fixed on the scene in the Heavenly Screen where Momoshiki Otsutsuki abusing the other Kage.
"Heh... this future enemy is ridiculously strong." Her red lips curved slightly, her tone carrying a dangerous sweetness. "Even that Nine-Tails brat was defeated~"
However, when the camera switched to Chōjūrō wielding his twin swords Hiramekarei and charging resolutely towards Momoshiki, Mei Terumi's eyebrows suddenly twitched.
"Hmm? The future Mizukage... is Chōjūrō?!"
She blinked, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Oh dear~ Am I retiring so early?" She rested her chin on her hand, observing the mature and composed Chōjūrō in the Heavenly Screen with great interest. "But... this kid's probably going to look like Ao in the future, a typical middle-aged man~"
Thinking about how that shy boy who blushed easily and pushed up his glasses would become like this in the future, Mei Terumi couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle.
Time is truly cruel.
Mei Terumi took a small sip of tea, and suddenly her eyes lit up.
"Wait! I gave way to Chōjūrō so early..." She tapped her chin with her fingertip, her smile gradually becoming meaningful, "Could it be—that my future self has finally found her Mr. Right?!"
Her thoughts drifted away instantly, countless romantic scenes flashing through her mind—
A handsome and powerful wandering ninja met her on a rainy night and melted her heart with his burning gaze...
A noble young master from a mysterious merchant guild arrives in Kirigakure by ship and proposes to her with the most luxurious pearl necklace...
"Mmm~ that must be it!" She cupped her cheeks in ecstasy, as if pink bubbles were floating around her. "After all, how could a woman like me, with both beauty and talent, possibly end up alone?"
After finishing her daydream Mei Terumi sat by the window with her legs crossed, impatiently tapping her teacup with her fingertips. Her emerald green eyes stared at the Heavenly Screen, her heart churning with complex emotions.
"Tsk... why is there so much trouble in the Shinobi World of the future?" She rubbed her temples in frustration. "Can't people just live their lives in peace?"
First, there was news that the Akatsuki was going to capture the Tailed Beasts; then Madara Uchiha caused chaos in the Shinobi World; and now a group of extraterrestrials have appeared, wielding village-annihilating destructive power with a mere wave of their hands...
"That's enough!" She slammed down her teacup, spilling a few drops of tea. "Are you all going to make things difficult for peace, one after another?"
Thinking of this, she suddenly paused, her red lips curving slightly upwards.
"But... thankfully, these guys are all eyeing Konoha." She rested her chin on her hand, a subtle sense of relief in her voice. "Our Kirigakure doesn't have any Tailed Beasts, so we shouldn't be targeted, right?"
But the next second, she suddenly realized something, and her expression instantly fell.
"--Bullshit!" She slammed her fist on the table, gritting her teeth. "What if these lunatics aren't satisfied after beating up Konoha and decide to take a stroll through Kirigakure?!"
(Are we going to rely on that idiot Chōjūrō to block it then?!)
Kirigakure Central Square
Chōjūrō stood at the edge of the crowd, his fingers unconsciously pushing up his glasses on the bridge of his nose. Behind the black-rimmed lenses, his eyes were fixed on his future self in the Heavenly Screen, wielding the twin swords Hiramekarei and rescuing civilians at the scene.
"Huh?! I... I'm going to be the Mizukage in the future!?" His voice involuntarily rose, drawing the attention of several Genin around him.
(Me? The Mizukage? The one who blushes easily and even stutters when talking to Mei Terumi?!)
The "future Chōjūrō" in the Heavenly Screen is calm and capable, and he does not back down even when facing a formidable enemy like Momoshiki Otsutsuki. But now, just imagining himself standing on that kind of battlefield makes his palms sweat.
"Can I really... be a good Mizukage?" He looked down at his slightly trembling hands, his heart churning with unease.
(What if the decision is wrong? What if the Misty Kirigakure are put in danger? What if--)
"Hey! Chōjūrō!" A loud shout suddenly came from the side, interrupting his thoughts. A Kirigakure Chunin him hard on the back, "The future Mizukage can't be so insecure!"
"Y-yes!" Several young ninjas crowded around, their eyes shining. "You looked so cool in the Heavenly Screen!"
Chōjūrō's face flushed crimson instantly, and he waved his hands helplessly, "Wait! That's... that's something for the future. I'm still far from that point..."
His voice grew softer and softer, but the Mei Terumi's languid smile floated into his mind.
(Lord Mizukage... does Mirai really trust me that much?)
(To entrust the entire Kirigakure... to someone like me?)
He took a deep breath and suddenly gripped the twin swords, Hiramekarei, on his back.
(No, I can't let the Mizukage down!)
(Perhaps I'm not qualified yet...)
(But--)
His eyes hardened. (I will train even harder! I will absolutely... absolutely become a ninja worthy of the name Mizukage!)
Land of Wind - Sunagakure
The scorching desert wind whipped up fine sand, lashing against the stone walls of the watchtower. Acting Kazekage Baki and Gaara stood side by side, gazing up at the extraordinary battle unfolding in the Heavenly Screen.
"The future truly seems destined for disaster..." Baki crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "First, there was Madara Uchiha came back from the dead, and now this group of extraterrestrial visitors— the Ōtsutsuki."
His gaze swept across Gaara's figure controlling the sand waves to save people in the Heavenly Screen, a slight smile playing on his lips as he patted the shoulder of the boy beside him.
"But Gaara, you were really cool when you were saving people as the future Kazekage! Haha!"
Gaara's expression remained calm, but a hint of resentment flashed deep within his emerald green eyes.
"Still... not strong enough." He said in a low voice, his voice almost swallowed by the sandstorm, "I could only do some insignificant things, unable to help Naruto-kun fight the enemy."
(If it were stronger... if the Sand Shield were even more solid...)
The image of Momoshiki Otsutsuki tearing through the sand defenses with a casual strike in the Heavenly Screen was like a thorn stuck in his heart.
Baki noticed his emotions, sighed, and said with a wry smile, "What a bunch of monsters... How are we ordinary ninjas supposed to survive in the future?"
Gaara was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand, and a ball of fine sand condensed in his palm.
Therefore... we cannot sit idly by and wait to die.
His voice was soft, yet as heavy as Iron Sand filings.
"Teacher Baki, from today onwards—"
"I want to readjust the Sunagakure's defense system."
Baki was taken aback, then smiled with satisfaction, "That's more like it! But—" He pointed to the Heavenly Screen, "The destructive power of those guys can't be stopped by ordinary defenses."
Gaara's gaze remained fixed on Momoshiki as he slowly said, "Then... surpass the ordinary."
(Various locations in Sunagakure-- )
On the Training Ground, Temari's Three-Star Fan slammed heavily into the sand. "Kankuro! Stop fiddling with your crappy Puppet! More training!"
Kankuro, holding the newly assembled Crow Puppet, unusually didn't argue back, but simply nodded silently.
Tea Room
The light from the Heavenly Screen streamed through the paper window onto the tatami mats. Chiyo sat cross-legged at the low table, slowly pouring herself a cup of hot tea. The image of Momoshiki Otsutsuki destroying the world reflected in the Heavenly Screen was mirrored in her murky yet clear eyes, but it did not stir up much of a ripple.
"Really..." She blew on the steam rising from the tea, smacked her lips, "Luckily, I'm too old for that."
Looking at the exaggerated battle on the screen, she squinted and shook her head.
"Young people these days, they just fight, but they always have to make it so dramatic..." She took a sip of tea, her face full of disdain. "Back when we were fighting, we didn't have all this fancy stuff."
The tense shouts of the Sunagakure could be heard outside the window, but Chiyo leisurely picked up a piece of mochi.
"An extraterrestrial visitor? Ōtsutsuki?" She scoffed. "Having lived this long, what strange things haven't I seen? But—"
"The future..." she muttered, leaning back in her rocking chair, "Let future generations worry about it."