The real Shinobi World...
The eighth day before the final examination.
The afterglow of the setting sun stained Konoha blood red, enveloping all of Training Ground 7 in a crimson-gold halo. The evening breeze swept past, stirring the dead leaves at the edge of the training ground and making them rustle like mournful cries. The wooden posts in the center were already battered beyond recognition, crisscrossed with cracks, as if silently telling of the violence in the boy's heart.
Sasuke Uchiha stood alone in the middle of the ruined training ground, his short black hair soaked with sweat and clinging messily to his cheeks. His breathing was heavy and rapid, his chest heaving, every breath bursting with long-suppressed anger. Sweat dripped from his chin, striking the dry earth and leaving little dark spots.
"Still not enough..." he murmured, his voice too hoarse to belong to a boy of only thirteen.
Sasuke raised a hand to wipe away the sweat about to run into his eyes, and his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the distant Hokage Rock. The statues of the four Hokage looked especially imposing in the sunset.
The brief scene from the Heavenly Screen half a month ago forced its way back into his mind: Danzo's right arm, covered in Sharingan, every scarlet eye silently accusing someone of something. Those eyes... Were they his father's? His mother's? Or did they belong to the uncles and aunts in the clan who had watched him grow up?
"Damn it!"
Sasuke suddenly sprang into action, the piercing cries of Chidori gathering in his right hand, its blue lightning dazzling in the dusk. He charged at the last intact wooden post, and his Lightning Blade pierced straight through the hard wood with all its force. As splinters flew, he seemed to see Danzo's sinister face.
A splinter grazed his cheek, leaving a thin streak of blood, but he barely noticed. Pain had long since become commonplace for him. Compared with physical injury, it was the question he could not shake that truly tormented him:
What had the Konoha High Command done on the night the Uchiha Clan was massacred? Had they been involved too? Had they masterminded it, or had they collected them after it happened?
Familiar footsteps sounded in the distance, and Sasuke quickly composed his expression. By the time he turned around, his usual cold indifference had returned to his face. Only deep within his pitch-black eyes did an inextinguishable flame of hatred still flicker.
"Hah!" He suddenly threw a punch, and the wooden post before him split with a crack. But that did nothing to calm the turmoil inside him. Ever since the mysterious Heavenly Screen had shown new content half a month ago, his world had been thrown into complete disarray.
The scene from the Heavenly Screen kept flashing through his mind: his future self confronting the man whose right arm was covered in Sharingan—Shimura Danzō. Every Sharingan seemed to be silently accusing someone of something.
"Sasuke-kun, what are you thinking about?" Sakura's voice suddenly came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.
"Nothing." Sasuke answered without looking back, his voice cold as ice.
Sakura bit her lip. She had noticed that Sasuke had grown increasingly quiet lately and had been training even harder. "Um... Lady Tsunade said she was going to take me as her student, and I..."
"Congratulations," Sasuke replied curtly, his gaze drifting into the distance. The Sannin... Tsunade had taken Sakura as her student, Jiraiya was training Naruto, and Orochimaru...
Half a month earlier.
On the night the Heavenly Screen ended, an Anbu wearing an animal mask suddenly appeared while Sasuke was training alone at the old Uchiha residence.
"Sasuke Uchiha," the man said in a low, hoarse voice, "do you think playing at training in Konoha can make you stronger? Can it help you get revenge?"
Sasuke immediately assumed a fighting stance. "Who are you?"
"Who I am isn't important." The man sneered. "What matters is, do you know whose collection the Kusanagi Sword you used on the Heavenly Screen belongs to? Lord Orochimaru's. It seems your future self has already made a wise choice."
Danzo... Orochimaru... Those names circled in Sasuke's mind.
"Elder Danzo is the person who hates the Uchiha Clan most."
"Think it over carefully, Uchiha genius," the Anbu said at last. "Someone will come to meet you after the Chunin Ninja Exams are over. You'll never obtain true power in Konoha."
"Sasuke!" Naruto's loud voice came from a distance. "Kakashi-sensei says there's a meeting tonight! The matchups for the final stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams are out!"
Sasuke took a deep breath, temporarily pushing aside the image of the Kusanagi Sword and the Anbu's words. He turned and walked toward his teammates, his usual indifferent expression back on his face.
But the storm deep in his heart had never ceased. What exactly was the Konoha High Command hiding? Why did Danzo have so many Sharingan? Could Orochimaru really give him power?
"When the Chunin Ninja Exams are over..." Sasuke made a silent resolve. "I'll make my own choice."
Night fell, and the ruins of the Uchiha mansion cast long shadows in the moonlight, like the darkness spreading through Sasuke's heart. In a certain corner, a white snake slithered silently past, leaving a damp, cold trail.
Half a month earlier.
In the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was so tense it was almost palpable.
The afterglow of the setting sun slanted through the window, stretching Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's shadow long, while Shimura Danzō, standing opposite him, was completely shrouded in darkness, his single eye gleaming coldly.
"Sarutobi, you're too naive." Danzo's voice was low and hoarse. "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Uchiha brat are leaving the village at the same time. Do you know what that means? The content shown on the Heavenly Screen has exposed all their information—Naruto's identity, his abilities, even the Ninjutsu he might master in the future! If they're ambushed out there, or if people from other villages set their sights on them..."
"Enough!" The Third slammed his hand on the desk, sending sparks flying from his pipe. His gaze was as sharp as a blade. "Naruto and Sasuke are both Konoha shinobi, comrades worthy of our trust! Kakashi and Sakura are with them. There won't be a problem!"
Danzo sneered, his right arm tensing slightly, as if something were writhing beneath his wide sleeve. He slowly raised a hand and pointed at the distant Hokage Rock outside the window, his tone sinister. "Trust? Heh, Sarutobi, have you forgotten how the Uchiha Clan was wiped out?"
"That brat—Sasuke Uchiha—was standing against me on the Heavenly Screen! He'll betray Konoha in the future, and he might even become a threat! Rather than wait for him to grow stronger, we should bring him under control now!"
The Third's brow furrowed deeply, and he fixed Danzo with a piercing stare. "Control? They're both shinobi of the village, the village's future!"
Danzo's pupil contracted sharply, but he soon regained his composure. "Everything I've done has been for Konoha."
"For Konoha?" The Third's voice rose abruptly, filled with suppressed anger. "Danzo, what's going on with your arm? Those Sharingan... where did they come from? How many corpses did you take without permission on the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre?"
Danzo fell silent for a moment, then said coldly, "Some sacrifices are necessary."
The Third took a long drag on his pipe and slowly exhaled. Smoke curled between them like an invisible barrier.
His voice was low and authoritative. "Danzo, I don't want to argue with you about this now. The Chunin Ninja Exams are approaching, and the daimyos, nobles, and representatives of the ninja villages from every country are in Konoha. I don't want to make us a laughingstock in front of them. But remember this—"
He suddenly stood, his Hokage robes stirring without a breeze as the imposing presence of the "Shinobi Hero" burst forth. "From this moment on, all Root operations are suspended. Every one of your people will stay put in Konoha! If I discover you making any secret moves..."
His gaze was cold as iron. "I won't hesitate to strip you of your authority as an elder."
Danzo narrowed his single eye slightly, the corners of his mouth curling into a chilly smile. "Heh, Sarutobi, you're as indecisive as ever."
"This isn't indecision. It's trust." The Third sat down again, his tone firm. "I believe in my subordinates, and I believe in Konoha's future."
Danzo said nothing more. He simply turned slowly and walked toward the door. His back looked especially sinister in the sunset, like a beast lying in wait.
"Sarutobi, you'll regret this."
The door slammed shut. The Third gazed in the direction Danzo had left and sighed deeply. He picked up the intelligence on the Land of Snow from his desk.
"I hope... everything goes smoothly."
Outside Konoha, in a gloomy underground base.
A cold wind swept through the dead trees, making a low, whimpering sound. Orochimaru wore his disguise as the Fourth Kazekage, his golden snake eyes gleaming dangerously in the shadows. He stepped silently into a hidden underground passage, where Kabuto Yakushi had already been waiting for some time amid the flickering candlelight.
"Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a respectful smile on his lips, though an almost imperceptible hint of deeper meaning flashed in his eyes.
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru's voice was hoarse and pleased, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. "I really didn't expect it, Kabuto. The you on the Heavenly Screen actually mastered Sage Mode and even improved Impure World Reincarnation..."
His gaze slowly swept over Kabuto's face, as though trying to see through to his soul. "It seems I've always underestimated your potential."
Kabuto lowered his head slightly. His lenses reflected a cold light, hiding his eyes. "I have always been utterly loyal to you, Lord Orochimaru."
"Oh?" Orochimaru chuckled and slowly walked closer. "When did I ever say... I doubted you?"
For a moment, the air between them seemed to freeze.
The smile remained on Kabuto's lips, but cold sweat had already seeped down his back. Orochimaru's oppressive presence made him feel suffocated, even when he did something as simple as this.
"However..." Orochimaru suddenly turned and walked into the shadows beyond the candlelight. "Since the Heavenly Screen has already shown your potential, I can take you to Ryūchi Cave after this plan is complete."
Kabuto's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart gave a sudden thump. "Ryūchi Cave?"
"That's right." Orochimaru's voice came from the darkness, carrying a note of temptation. "The White Snake Sage might be interested in you... After all, someone capable of improving Impure World Reincarnation is no mediocre talent."
Kabuto's breathing quickened slightly, but he soon brought his emotions under control. He adjusted his glasses and said modestly, "You flatter me, Lord Orochimaru. I'm afraid the me on the Heavenly Screen could only have made such breakthroughs under your guidance."
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru's laughter was low and pleased. "Kabuto, you're still the same, always giving others credit for your own achievements."
He slowly emerged from the shadows, his golden snake eyes fixed directly on Kabuto. "But remember, I've never valued you for your modesty... but for your ambition."
Kabuto's fingertips trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
Orochimaru continued, "Sasuke on the Heavenly Screen looked three or four years older than he does now. That means, during that time, our plan... succeeded."
His tone carried a note of anticipation, as though he could already see the future. "And you, Kabuto, will be the key to all of it."
Kabuto bowed his head deeply, and the smile on his lips finally took on a trace of genuine fervor. "I am ready to serve you, Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction and turned toward the depths of the passage, his voice drifting back eerily. "Then let us continue our plan... The Konoha Crush is about to begin."
The candlelight flickered, illuminating Kabuto's eyes beneath his glasses as they gradually grew unfathomable.
Ryūchi Cave... Sage Mode...
His fingertips gently stroked the scroll in his sleeve as he silently repeated to himself:
"This time, I won't just be... a supporting character anymore."
Konoha, an izakaya.
The afterglow of the setting sun slanted through the paper windows onto a wooden table, illuminating several untouched cups of sake.
Asuma Sarutobi held a cigarette between his lips, his brow tightly furrowed; Kurenai Yuhi rested her chin on her folded hands, worry flickering in her red eyes; Might Guy was uncharacteristically silent, his gaze beneath his thick eyebrows unusually grave; Mitarashi Anko tapped the table with her fingers in irritation.
"You all saw it too, didn't you?" Anko suddenly spoke, keeping her voice very low. "That old man's arm..."
The air froze instantly.
Asuma blew out a smoke ring, which drifted apart in the sunset. "Yeah, we saw it."
Kurenai sighed softly. "That many... where on earth did they come from..."
She did not finish, but everyone present understood what she meant—those Sharingan could only have come from one place.
Might Guy suddenly took a large gulp of sake. For once, instead of shouting "youth," he said in a grave voice, "I always thought Root's methods were just a bit extreme, but I never imagined..."
"You never imagined they wouldn't even leave the dead's eyes alone?" Anko sneered, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the Cursed Seal scar on her neck. "That bastard Orochimaru was right. Konoha's darkness runs deeper than we imagined."
A suffocating silence fell.
Outside the izakaya, several Anbu wearing animal masks silently flitted across the rooftops.
Asuma caught sight of them out of the corner of his eye and deliberately raised his voice. "Come to think of it, that new dango shop is pretty good!"
Kurenai immediately caught on and replied with a smile, "Yes, especially the ones with red bean filling."
Guy also slapped the table and laughed exaggeratedly. "This is the sweetness of youth!"
Their laughter echoed through the izakaya, sounding forced and stiff. Several Genin at the next table looked over curiously, then quickly turned back.
Only after making sure there was no one suspicious nearby did Anko speak in an almost inaudible voice. "Root's people have been more active lately."
"Ever since all that content was shown on the Heavenly Screen, the whole village has become strange," Kurenai said quietly. "Hardly anyone talks about it openly, but in private..."
"Does the Third know?" Guy could not help asking.
Asuma stubbed out his cigarette, a complicated look in his eyes. "The old man knows far more than we imagine. But there are some things that even the Hokage..."
His words came to an abrupt halt. The wind chime at the entrance suddenly rang, and a Root member wearing a tanuki mask appeared soundlessly in the doorway, his chilly gaze sweeping over them.
"Hey! Isn't this our friend from Root!" Guy suddenly jumped up, waving his arms exaggeratedly. "Want to join us for a drink? This is passionate friendship!"
The Root member did not reply. He merely nodded slightly, then vanished like a ghost.
The four exchanged a knowing look.
"It's getting late." Kurenai stood, the sleeves of her kimono trembling slightly. "We have a mission tomorrow."
By the time they left the izakaya, night had fully fallen. Konoha's streets were still brightly lit and filled with laughter, but beneath that bright, polished facade, something unsettling was stirring in the undercurrents.
Anko looked up at the Hokage Rock and suddenly said, "Why do you think... the Heavenly Screen showed us those scenes?"
No one answered. The night wind swept past, lifting a few dead leaves and sending them spinning through the air before they finally fell in the direction of the Root building.