The real Shinobi World
The numbers on the Heavenly Screen decreased second by second, as though silently announcing some irreversible countdown. Shinobi across the nations of the Shinobi World looked up at the dwindling numbers. They understood that a new video would appear in three days, and during that brief countdown, undercurrents stirred between the nations, making the situation increasingly complicated and tense.
In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the window of the Hokage's office, his brow furrowed. He looked at the numbers on the Heavenly Screen, filled with worry. As Hokage, he had to prepare for the village's future.
"Summon all Jonin and Anbu members immediately for an emergency meeting," Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a low voice, a hint of urgency in his tone.
"Yes." The Anbu member responded at once, then turned and left.
Before long, Konoha's Jonin had gathered, the atmosphere heavy. Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, and the others arrived one after another, every face grave.
"Everyone, the numbers on the Heavenly Screen mean there will be new developments in three days. We'll make every preparation in the meantime." Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the head of the conference table, his gaze sweeping over the assembled shinobi. "The Anbu will immediately send elite squads to reinforce the defenses near the Land of Rain. At the same time, strengthen the village's defenses and make sure nothing goes wrong." "Kakashi, take Naruto to your place for the next few days, until Jiraiya returns."
"Understood!" everyone answered in unison, then quickly sprang into action.
In Kumogakure, Fourth Raikage A stood in the Raikage's Office, fists clenched and fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. He had always been known for his tough approach, and he would never sit and wait for an unknown threat to strike.
"Darui, send an Anbu squad to infiltrate the Land of Rain immediately. Make sure they uncover everything about the Akatsuki!" the Raikage ordered in a low voice, his tone carrying unquestionable authority.
"Yes, Lord Raikage!" Darui nodded, accepted the order, and quickly left.
In Iwagakure, Ōnoki sat in his office, his brow furrowed. Though advanced in years, his mind remained sharp. He knew full well that the Akatsuki's existence posed an enormous threat to the Shinobi World.
"Kitsuchi, find the person responsible for contacting the Akatsuki and have him probe them. Then send someone to tell Roshi to return to the village," Ōnoki said quietly, his tone grave.
"Yes, Father!" Kitsuchi nodded, accepted the order, and quickly left.
At the Akatsuki's base in the Land of Rain, Konan stood on high, staring at the numbers on the Heavenly Screen. Her emotions were complicated. The video on the Heavenly Screen had already exposed them, and she and the Land of Rain would face enormous challenges ahead.
Three days later, the Heavenly Screen lit up again and began playing. Subtitles appeared:
[TOP 9: Hashirama Senju vs. Madara Uchiha]
[The rankings do not indicate placement; the numbers only indicate sequence.]
[Main figure: God of Shinobi World, Hashirama Senju. My fellow villagers in Konoha are a part of my body. The people in the village believe in me, and I believe in everyone.]
[Asura of the Ninja World, Madara Uchiha. This world is so small, with so little land left to conquer, that there is barely enough for me alone to run wild in. Do you want to dance too?]
Behind the subtitles, two colossal figures appeared indistinctly, standing between heaven and earth like ancient gods and radiating a suffocating pressure.
On the left was a statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, its entire body radiating a solemn golden light. Countless enormous arms stretched out behind it, each seeming capable of shaking heaven and earth. This was Hashirama Senju's secret Wood Release technique—Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands, the ultimate power wielded by the legendary God of Shinobi World. The Thousand-Armed Kannon's face was serene yet majestic, as if looking down upon the entire Shinobi World, a symbol of the power to create and protect.
On the right was a Perfect Susanoo, clad in deep-blue armor and wielding a massive Chakra sword, its eyes glowing scarlet. This was Madara Uchiha's Perfect Susanoo, a symbol of ruin and destruction. Enormous wings spread behind the Susanoo, as though it were ready at any moment to sweep across the entire Shinobi World, bringing endless war and disaster.
The two giants flickered in and out of view on the Heavenly Screen, as if locked in a silent confrontation. The Thousand-Armed Kannon's compassion stood in stark contrast to the Susanoo's savagery, symbolizing the eternal oppositions of the Shinobi World—creation and destruction, peace and war, protection and devastation.
Shinobi across the nations looked up at the Heavenly Screen, filled with shock and fear. They had never seen such a magnificent sight, as though a legend had come to life before their eyes.
"That's... Lord Hashirama Senju's secret Wood Release technique!" In Konoha, an elderly shinobi's eyes widened, his voice trembling with disbelieving excitement.
"And Madara Uchiha... How is this possible? Haven't they been dead for years?" another shinobi murmured, his voice full of fear.
The Kage of the various nations watched the scene on the Heavenly Screen, their emotions complicated as well. They knew that Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were the two most powerful shinobi in history, their strength enough to change the balance of the entire world. And now, the figures of these two giants had appeared on the Heavenly Screen,
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood atop Hokage Rock, looking up at the two enormous figures on the Heavenly Screen—Hashirama Senju's Thousand-Armed Kannon and Madara Uchiha's Perfect Susanoo. His gaze was deep and complicated, as though he had been drawn back to that earth-shaking battle decades ago. It was the most powerful battle in the history of the Shinobi World, and the war that had brought an era to an end.
"Lord Hashirama... Madara..." Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured, his voice heavy with nostalgia. His thoughts drifted involuntarily back to that war-torn age.
The Shinobi World had still been in the Warring States era then, with the great shinobi clans slaughtering one another in ceaseless warfare. As the two most powerful clans of the time, the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan shared an unfathomable hatred. Yet Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha had broken free of that fate. They had once been close friends, dreaming of ending war and building a peaceful Shinobi World.
In the end, however, the gulf between ideals and reality drove them apart. Madara Uchiha chose the path of conquering everything through strength, while Hashirama Senju insisted on building peace through understanding and trust. The clash between their ideals eventually grew into an earth-shaking battle.
Though Hiruzen Sarutobi had not witnessed that battle himself, he had heard many details from his teacher, Tobirama Senju. The battle had taken place in the Valley of the End, where Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha's power had nearly leveled the entire valley.
He recalled something else Hashirama Senju had once said to him: "Sarutobi, a shinobi's duty is not merely to fight, but also to protect. No matter how difficult the future becomes, we must continue forward without wavering."
In Iwagakure, Ōnoki sat in his office, his brow furrowed. He had witnessed Madara Uchiha's power firsthand and knew how terrifying it was. It's fortunate... those two fought each other back then. Otherwise, we would never have been able to stand against that powerful village, Ōnoki thought, privately relieved. He knew that if Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha joined forces, the entire Shinobi World would be ruled by their power, and the other villages would have no chance to resist.
As people throughout the Shinobi World continued to discuss it, the Heavenly Screen began showing a scene.
In the scene, sunlight fell upon the streets of Konohagakure, and the villagers wore happy smiles. Children chased one another and played in the streets, shinobi busily carried out missions, and shopkeepers warmly greeted their customers. This was a peaceful and prosperous Konoha, the place of Hashirama Senju's lifelong dreams.
Wearing the Hokage's robes, Hashirama walked slowly down the street. His gaze was gentle yet resolute, and he occasionally nodded to passing villagers. His heart was full of hopes for the future and a deep appreciation for peace. But just then, his brow creased slightly as a familiar, powerful fluctuation of Chakra reached him.
"This Chakra... is it Madara?"
Complicated emotions welled up in Hashirama's heart. His former close friend was now his enemy. They had once fought side by side and founded Konohagakure together, but their differing ideals had ultimately driven them apart. What did Madara's return mean? Was it a sign of war, or an unresolved obsession?
The scene changed.
On a cliff outside Konohagakure, Madara Uchiha stood silently. His figure was bathed in the lingering light of the setting sun, his black robe swaying gently in the wind. His gaze passed through layers of forest and settled on the bustling village of Konoha in the distance. Cooking smoke rose in wisps from the village, children's laughter could faintly be heard, and busy shinobi moved through the streets.
Madara's Sharingan reflected it all, but his expression was cold and complicated. The gulf between his former dreams and reality stirred indescribable emotions within him.
"Konoha... Is this the peace you wanted, Hashirama?"
Images of fighting alongside Hashirama surfaced in Madara's mind. Back then, they had shared an ideal, seeking to create a Shinobi World without war. But the cruelty of reality had gradually driven their ideals apart.
"A false peace, built on sacrifice and compromise. A world like this cannot last."
A flicker of resolve passed through Madara's eyes.