In the real Shinobi World...
After the Heavenly Screen showed Pain invading Konoha, Nagato had repeatedly ordered the members of Akatsuki to limit their activities outside, so the organization would attract less attention from the major ninja villages. He knew full well that Akatsuki needed to operate in secret. Yet events had gone far beyond his expectations. The Heavenly Screen's latest video had once again caused an uproar throughout the Shinobi World, thrusting Akatsuki's existence and strength into the spotlight.
Heated discussion broke out across the Shinobi World once more. People talked about what the video had revealed, especially the parts concerning Akatsuki. The "Sasori" shown on the Heavenly Screen was called the "Jade of Akatsuki" and wore the distinctive black cloak patterned with red clouds. This made many realize that he belonged to the same organization as Pain, who had invaded Konoha in the first video: Akatsuki. The discovery shocked people across the Shinobi World, revealing Akatsuki's strength and influence.
"So that missing-nin Sasori is a member of Akatsuki too!" a Sunagakure ninja exclaimed. His companion nodded in agreement. "Yeah. How many more monsters like that does Akatsuki have? Their strength is unfathomable!"
"Akatsuki has members this powerful? What are they after?" a Kirigakure ninja said with a frown. His companion shook his head. "Who knows? But one thing's certain: their goal is definitely no simple matter."
"We must remain on high alert. Every member of Akatsuki is dangerous," a senior Iwagakure official said gravely at a meeting. Everyone unanimously agreed with his proposal.
After watching the Heavenly Screen's latest broadcast, Nagato frowned deeply. He had hoped to draw less attention to Akatsuki by limiting its members' activities outside, but the broadcasts had leaked information about them. He knew full well that Akatsuki could no longer operate as secretly as before.
"It seems we need to speed up our plans," Nagato said quietly to Konan. She nodded, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "But if we do that, our actions may provoke an even stronger backlash."
On the outskirts of Konoha...
After the Heavenly Screen's first video ended, Tsunade had hurried back to Konoha with Shizune. But when they neared the village, Tsunade stopped. Standing on high ground, she gazed at the peaceful, tranquil village in the distance, a rush of complicated emotions welling up inside her. Konoha was as bustling as ever, with people coming and going through the streets, ninja busy carrying out missions, and children sweating on the training grounds, as if nothing had changed. Yet Tsunade could find no peace within herself.
She remembered her former lover, Dan Katō, the man who had given his life for the village. His smile, his vows—it was as though they still echoed in her ears. She also remembered her younger brother, Nawaki, the boy who had dreamed of becoming Hokage, only to leave her so early in the war. Those memories were like a sharp blade, piercing her heart again and again. Tsunade took a deep breath and said quietly to Shizune, "Let's not go back to the village yet. We'll stay at a nearby outpost for a while."
Though Shizune was somewhat puzzled, she asked no further questions and simply followed Tsunade in silence. She knew Lady Tsunade must have her reasons. The two arrived at an outpost near Konoha. It was modest, but quiet enough. Tsunade sat by the window, gazing at Konoha in the distance, lost in thought.
The second day of the Chunin Ninja Exams preliminaries, while the examinees were getting back into shape...
At an outpost somewhere on Konoha's outskirts, the Heavenly Screen lit up again, and the latest video began to play. Shizune was sorting medical supplies when she looked up at the screen. When the conversation between Sakura and Chiyo appeared in the video, Shizune's eyes suddenly widened. "Lady Tsunade! That Sakura on the Heavenly Screen is actually your future student!" she cried in surprise.
Hearing this, Tsunade looked up at the Heavenly Screen. In the footage, Sakura fought alongside Granny Chiyo, powerful Chakra concentrated in her fist as she smashed Sasori's Hiruko puppet with a single punch. Tsunade's gaze lingered on Sakura for a moment, a flicker of complicated emotion passing through her eyes. "Is that so? That little girl... will become my student?" she said quietly.
Shizune nodded excitedly. "Yes! Look at her Medical Ninjutsu and monstrous strength. They're clearly your style! And she used the Mystical Palm Technique in battle, too. That's one of the Ninjutsu you're best at!"
Tsunade did not answer immediately, instead continuing to watch the Heavenly Screen. She saw the tenacity and courage Sakura displayed in battle, and her determination to risk her life to protect her companion. The images stirred something in Tsunade's heart. She remembered herself as a young woman, remembered the passion and conviction she too had once possessed.
"Perhaps... this child really is a little interesting," Tsunade murmured. A rare hint of gentleness entered her voice, as if she had glimpsed some kind of hope.
Watching Tsunade's expression, Shizune felt a touch of relief. She knew that although Lady Tsunade appeared indifferent to many things, deep down she still cared about the village and her companions. Perhaps Sakura's appearance would help Tsunade find her direction again.
Tsunade was silent for a moment. Then she suddenly stood and said to Shizune, "Come on. We're going back to the village."
Shizune stared for a moment, then smiled. "Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Konoha Training Ground 26
Those who had recovered were undergoing extra training under Kakashi.
Watching Sakura's heroic performance on the Heavenly Screen, Naruto waved his arms and legs in excitement and could not help shouting, "Sakura, you're so cool! You're amazing! That enemy was so powerful, and you and that granny beat him! That's my teammate for you!" His voice rang with excitement and pride, as if Sakura's victory were his own. Naruto waved his fists as he shouted, as though he too were fighting alongside Sakura on the battlefield.
Sasuke stood to one side. Though he did not shout like Naruto, his gaze kept drifting to the Heavenly Screen. Watching the great strength and firm resolve Sakura displayed in battle, he could not help feeling a stir of emotion. "Sakura... you got stronger in the future," Sasuke murmured. A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes: recognition of Sakura's growth, as well as thoughts about his own future. "Then I should be even stronger, right...? Have I already killed that man?" Uchiha Itachi's image surfaced in Sasuke's mind, and his fists clenched involuntarily.
Ino, who was helping out at the flower shop, watched Sakura's performance on the Heavenly Screen with a radiant smile. Although she and Sakura often quarreled over Sasuke, Sakura would always be her best friend in her heart. "Sakura, you're amazing!" Ino could not help shouting, her eyes shining with pride. She recalled the countless moments they had shared growing up together, and warmth filled her heart. We're always arguing, but you'll always be my most important friend! Ino said silently to herself.
Kakashi stood nearby with his hands in his pockets, lazily watching the Heavenly Screen. There was a hint of satisfaction in his gaze, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly. "Sakura... becoming a medical-nin? That's really not bad," Kakashi said quietly. He recalled Sakura when she had first joined Team 7, the somewhat timid little girl who had always relied on others. It seemed she would grow into a powerful ninja capable of standing on her own. Kakashi felt a touch of pride, as if he could see the path of his student's growth.
"But Naruto's still the same as ever..." Kakashi glanced at Naruto, who was still shouting, and shook his head helplessly. His gaze shifted to Sasuke, and, noticing Sasuke's slightly complicated expression, a thoughtful look flashed in Kakashi's eyes. "Sasuke... you still have a long road ahead of you."
"Sakura, you're incredible!" Naruto shouted again, his voice echoing through the air as though conveying boundless support for his teammate.
Sasuke withdrew his gaze and said quietly, "Looks like I can't fall behind either."
Kakashi watched his energetic students, a gentle light flickering in his eyes. The future of Konoha is in your hands, he said silently to himself.
An Akatsuki base
After the footage on the Heavenly Screen ended, Sasori's death left Akatsuki's members in various locations silent for a brief moment. Unlike the others, however, Sasori himself was unusually calm. He sat to one side, still busy handling puppet parts, as though the "Sasori" who had been defeated and killed on the Heavenly Screen had nothing to do with him. His gaze was focused, and he seemed utterly unconcerned by what the screen had shown.
Deidara was entirely different. When he saw Sasori being defeated by Granny Chiyo and Sakura in the video, he could not help shouting, "How could Master Sasori lose? That's impossible! Yeah!" His voice was full of disbelief and anger, his fists clenched as though he were ready to charge into the Heavenly Screen and avenge Sasori at any moment. "How could those two women beat Master Sasori? Yeah! There has to be a mistake! Yeah!"
Hearing Deidara's shouting, Sasori merely glanced at him and said calmly, "Deidara, quiet down. That's only a possibility for the future. It may not be real." There was not the slightest change in his voice, as though he were discussing something that had nothing to do with him.
Deidara stared for a moment, then grumbled unhappily, "But Master Sasori, how can you be so calm? That was you! Yeah!" His voice held a trace of confusion and anxiety; he clearly could not accept Sasori's indifferent attitude.
Sasori said nothing more and simply continued to focus on the puppet in his hands. His fingers deftly handled the parts, as though those intricate mechanisms were the only things he cared about. His expression remained cold, as if his death on the Heavenly Screen were merely an insignificant scene to him.
Meanwhile, the other members of Akatsuki were also watching the Heavenly Screen. When they saw Sasori's death, each reacted differently.
"Hmph, Sasori actually lost to a little girl and an old woman. How disgraceful," Kakuzu said coldly. His tone held a trace of disdain, but wariness flashed in his eyes.
Hidan laughed loudly. "Hahaha, Sasori actually died! How interesting! But the way he died wasn't artistic enough!" His laughter was full of mockery, and he seemed utterly unconcerned by Sasori's death.
Uchiha Itachi stood quietly, looking at the Heavenly Screen with a profound gaze. His expression did not change, but a complicated emotion flashed in his eyes. "Sasori... it seems there are more uncertainties in the future than I imagined," he murmured.
Kisame Hoshigaki carried the great blade Samehada over his shoulder and grinned. "Even Sasori can slip up, huh? That's a surprise. But I guess it also means the battles in the future will be more interesting."
Pain (Nagato) stood on high ground, looking down at the footage on the Heavenly Screen. His expression remained cold, but a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes. Konan spoke softly. "Nagato, there are more uncertainties in the future than we imagined. We must be prepared."
Each member of Akatsuki had their own thoughts, but without exception, Sasori's death had made them all aware of the uncertainty of the future. Although they appeared indifferent to his death, deep down they were on guard against the battles to come.
Sasori himself remained focused on the puppet in his hands, as though everything on the Heavenly Screen had nothing to do with him. His expression was cold and calm, as if death were no more than an insignificant endpoint to him. Perhaps, to someone who had long ago turned himself into a puppet, death had already lost its meaning.
Looking at Sasori's back, Deidara could not help saying quietly, "Master Sasori, do you really not care? Yeah!" His voice held a trace of unwillingness and concern.
Sasori did not turn around. He simply replied, "What if I do? Death is merely another form of eternity."
Konoha...
Jiraiya stood in the streets of Konoha, looking up at the footage playing on the Heavenly Screen. When he saw the great strength and Medical Ninjutsu Sakura displayed in battle, a gratified smile appeared on his face. "Tsunade's student... looks like Tsunade did go back to the village," he murmured, his tone tinged with emotion and joy.
Jiraiya had long known that Tsunade was near Konoha, but he had never taken the initiative to seek her out. He knew Tsunade had complicated feelings about the village, and that she found it especially hard to let go of the pain of the past. After watching the video on the Heavenly Screen, however, a powerful impulse surged within him. He decided to see Tsunade again and persuade her to come back and visit the village.
"The old man... our teacher really has gotten old." An image of the Third Hokage surfaced in Jiraiya's mind. Though the Third Hokage was still vigorous, the passage of time had left deep wrinkles on his face. Jiraiya knew that the Third Hokage had always hoped Tsunade would return to the village, even if only for a brief stay.
With that thought, Jiraiya set off toward the edge of the village. He had long since learned from the ninja stationed at the outpost that Tsunade and Shizune were staying there. Jiraiya had been present the last time the stationed ninja reported to the Third Hokage. He had said little at the time, but had quietly taken note of the news.
"Tsunade's already so close to the village, but she still won't come in... she really is a headache." Jiraiya shook his head helplessly as he walked. His tone was teasing, but more than that, it carried deep concern.
Inside Konoha's guesthouse, Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, quietly watched the footage playing on the Heavenly Screen. When he saw Sasori defeated in battle by Granny Chiyo and Sakura and ultimately killed, the corners of his mouth rose in a faint, meaningful smile. A cold light glimmered in his eyes, as though he were pondering something.
"It seems your eternal art has withered too, Sasori," Orochimaru murmured, his voice hoarse and cold. His tone held a trace of mockery, but more than that, an indifference to life. "Life really is too fragile... no matter how powerful a ninja is, in the end, none can escape the fate of death."
Orochimaru looked away from the Heavenly Screen and slowly lowered his head to gaze at his palm. His fingers were long and pale, as if drained of blood. His mind turned to his years of pursuing immortality: the forbidden techniques, the experiments, the reincarnation techniques... all of it had been to escape the bonds of life and attain an eternal existence.
"I will keep walking this path to immortality," Orochimaru said, his voice low and resolute, as though making a vow to himself. A flicker of fanaticism appeared in his eyes, as if he could already see his future self: a being beyond life and death, eternal and indestructible.
Orochimaru's thoughts returned to his several encounters with Sasori. Though they had never been true companions, Orochimaru had agreed to some extent with Sasori's Puppet Technique and his philosophy of pursuing eternity. Sasori's death, however, had only strengthened his conviction: only through constant experimentation and forbidden techniques could he truly escape the bonds of death.
"Sasori, your path was unique, but in the end, you failed," Orochimaru said quietly, his tone carrying a hint of regret, but more confidence in his own path. "And I... will never repeat your mistakes."
Orochimaru stood and walked to the window, gazing at Konoha in the distance. His eyes were full of ambition and coldness, as though he could already see his future plans coming to fruition one step at a time. He knew his path was fraught with danger and challenges, but he had never wavered.
"Immortality... is my only pursuit," Orochimaru murmured, his voice carrying an almost fanatical obsession. His fingers tapped lightly against the window frame, as though composing a silent movement for his future.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Orochimaru quickly concealed his emotions and regained the calm and majesty of his disguise as the Fourth Kazekage. He turned toward the door, the corners of his mouth rising in a faint, meaningful smile.