The Hidden Leaf Village Darkens

A sudden downpour enveloped the Hidden Leaf Village in a dull, oppressive rain.

Raindrops pounded against the windowpanes in a top-floor private room at the Hidden Leaf Hospital.

On the bed near the door, Sasuke, hooked up to an IV drip, had just finished recounting his battle with Chen.

Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Konohamaru, who were present, all broke out in a cold sweat.

"Reversing time... that ability is just too over the top. Compared to it, Obito's Kamui back then seems almost inadequate."

After stepping down from his position as the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi no longer participated in the daily affairs of the Hidden Leaf. However, the severity of this incident required his input.

The black eyes above his mask held more restraint and composure than they had in the past.

He asked Sasuke cautiously, "Are you sure? The move Chen used to pierce your chest at the end, was it Purple Lightning?"

Sasuke stated with certainty, "Yes. It didn't require hand seals, nor cooperation from the eyes, and its overwhelming piercing power surpassed even Raikiri and Chidori. He was undoubtedly using Purple Lightning."

Kakashi pondered, recalling. It had only been five years since he created Purple Lightning. During that time, only Sasuke had managed to master it intuitively without instruction. More recently, it had been tested with the Hidden Leaf's emerging Scientific Ninja Tools unit.

It couldn't possibly be that he secretly learned it while I was practicing privately, could it? No one could possibly stand so close to me and hide their presence.

So then...

Did Chen figure out Purple Lightning himself?

Possessing a dojutsu with terrifying effects like 'Personal Barrier,' 'Reversing Time,' 'Dharma Eye,' and 'Shattering Objects,' having learned Sage Mode... and even possessing the talent to create his own super S-rank ninjutsu.

The ninja world truly is full of talented individuals.

At this moment, Sasuke said with lingering fear, "Honestly, it's incredible that I'm even alive. I still feel a chill thinking about it. If Uchiha Chen had reversed time again at the point of my Space Gate, both Naruto and I would have been finished!"

Kakashi mused, "That he didn't reverse time then, I believe there are two possible reasons: 'couldn't' and 'didn't want to.' We can approach it from these two angles to speculate about his situation at the time."

"Actually, there's another possibility," Shikamaru interjected from the side. "That is, he was afraid."

(Regarding the controversy surrounding Shikamaru's characterization, I will reiterate: he was affected by some kind of 'jutsu' cast by an unknown entity, unknown to both factions at the moment. This was originally planned to be gradually revealed as the plot developed, but due to the significant controversy, it is being announced in advance.)

From the bedside by the window, Naruto cast his gaze over. "What do you mean?"

Shikamaru said, "Chen was afraid of the threat Sasuke might pose!"

Hearing this, Konohamaru exclaimed in surprise, "Threat? But at that time, Mr. Sasuke was already exhausted, wasn't he? He couldn't even maintain his eyes."

"I'm about to explain that," Shikamaru continued. "From Sasuke's description just now, I've concluded that Uchiha Chen's time reversal is constrained by 'karma.'"

"If he reversed Sasuke's time, then the chakra cost of Sasuke activating 'Space Gate' would be fed back through 'karma.'"

"At that point, if Sasuke realized escape was hopeless, he would inevitably use the chakra originally intended for the Space Gate to launch a final counterattack against Chen."

"Uchiha Chen probably couldn't bear that price."

"This is one reason he was afraid."

Naruto asked, "And the second reason?"

"That's right," Shikamaru nodded. "The second reason. Uchiha Chen doesn't have the guts to take the lives of two Leaf Kage! Because doing so would make him an enemy of the entire ninja world, inevitably leading to a joint campaign by the Five Great Nations led by the Five Kage!"

"There would be no place for him to hide in this ninja world! Therefore, Uchiha Chen dared not truly kill you two!"

Konohamaru marveled inwardly: As expected of Mr. Shikamaru, Naruto's capable strategist and assistant! Like a great blade striking the heart, he instantly analyzed the enemy's psychology!

Naruto asked, "Teacher Kakashi, what do you think of what Shikamaru just said?"

Kakashi lowered his gaze, thinking: Although it makes a lot of sense, I still feel like something is slightly off...

But since it's Shikamaru's judgment, he must have sufficient grounds.

He carefully chose his words. "Perhaps it's as Shikamaru says. However, I feel there are too many suspicious points about Uchiha Chen. Until we fully understand, it's not advisable to get into another conflict with him. I think we could start by investigating the 'Sage Jutsu' Uchiha Chen practices to probe his background. What do you think, Naruto?"

"Teacher Kakashi is right. It makes sense."

Naruto closed his eyes in thought. "Uchiha Chen, his Sage Mode can unleash taijutsu similar to 'Frog Kumite.' After hitting me, slugs would emerge from my body, releasing strong acidic fluids. Combined with his unusually calm state after activating Sage Jutsu, it must be the Sage Art of the Shikkotsu Forest, taught by Sage Katsuyu."

Kakashi was greatly shocked: The Shikkotsu Forest? I heard that since the Warring States period, no one has ever mastered the Sage's Art of Lord Katsuyu. That Uchiha Chen actually managed it?

"Hoo." Sasuke bit off the IV needle from his wrist and got out of bed. "We can't delay. I'll have Sakura summon a slug..."

"Thump!" Before he could finish speaking, he swayed and fell beside the bed.

"Hey! Sasuke!" Kakashi stepped forward and helped him up, saying earnestly, "Your dojutsu is overused, and you've just recovered from serious injuries. You should be resting in bed. There's no need to rush."

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"But... the thought of such a dangerous person doing unknown things in unknown places makes me restless... Cough, cough, cough!!"

Sasuke struggled to get up again, but a searing pain from his chest wound caused him to cough up blood.

"Sasuke... sit down." Naruto's deep voice came.

"Naruto?"

Naruto said gravely, "Let's not even mention that Sakura has been working all day to heal us."

"If Chen is truly a disciple of Sage Katsuyu of the Shikkotsu Forest, then it would be too disrespectful to summon a slug clone through Sakura to inquire about this matter."

"The Slug Clone was in your yard yesterday. It didn't react when it heard Chen's name, which already tells us something is wrong."

"If we really need to investigate, we should go to the Sacred Land, Shikkotsu Forest, ourselves and ask Sage Katsuyu directly."

"In any case, we can't rush. Focus on recovering from your injuries first."

"Sigh, I guess that's all we can do." Sasuke sighed and sat back down on the bed.

Kakashi thought to himself: After years of experience as Hokage, Naruto's handling of human relationships and affairs was indeed more mature and seasoned than Sasuke's.

Naruto pulled out the IV drip and got out of bed, walking to the window. On the rain-streaked glass, he saw his own haggard face.

A wave of irritation washed over him, and he pushed the window open.

"Splash!" Boruto, who had been eavesdropping between the rooftop and the hospital window, quickly scrambled back to the roof. (Don't judge, this is how it was depicted during that period in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.)

Amidst the sheets of rain, the faces of the past Hokage on the Hokage Rock seemed to be weeping.

Naruto forcefully gripped the window frame's sliding track.

This Hidden Leaf Village was like a train speeding on its tracks, unstoppable and unwilling to stop for anyone or anything!

"The Chunin Exams are almost here. This is a grand event involving the Five Great Nations, and there are also many pending cases waiting for me to handle. I'll need a Shadow Clone to hold down the fort in the office."

He raised his hand and formed the seals that had become ingrained in his life.

"Ah..." The white smoke dissipated, but no Shadow Clone appeared. Naruto slumped to the floor.

"Hey!! Naruto!!" Shikamaru rushed over to help him up.

"You've already been working overtime non-stop! First, there was Shin's issue, then Chen's! You just recovered from such a serious injury! Stop worrying about the cases for now! I'll work overtime and help you deal with them later!"

Naruto sat on the floor, vaguely looking at his bandaged right hand, and said dejectedly, "For the first time, I feel like I'm really not young anymore..."

"Creak!"

Just then, the hospital room door opened, and a man in a white coat, wearing glasses and with a square face, walked in.

"You are..."

In response to Naruto's question, the man who entered bowed politely and said, "Seventh Hokage, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tono Tasuke, and I am the head of the Hidden Leaf's Scientific Ninja Tools Unit. I heard that you and Lord Sasuke were defeated by someone named Uchiha Chen, is that correct?"

"The news travels fast," Naruto thought, frowning. But after causing such a scene at Sakura's house, it's impossible to keep it a secret.

He grabbed Shikamaru's hand to steady himself and stood up. Turning to face Tono Tasuke, he said seriously, "It is true. Do you have any advice?"

Tono Tasuke adjusted his glasses and took a sophisticated-looking wrist-mounted device from his white coat pocket, a confident smile on his face.

"If you and Lord Sasuke were equipped with the latest results from our Scientific Ninja Tools Unit, dealing with a mere Uchiha Chen would be a piece of cake..."

Outer World.

"Achoo!" Chen suddenly sneezed.

"Caught a cold?" Madara asked with concern.

"It's nothing. I just feel like a little worm was scratching at my nose."

"Rumble rumble...!!" Above, amidst the roaring sounds, a white giant shadow flickered in and out of existence between the crumbling fragments of the celestial star.

The three brothers under the moon looked up.

"Hey, isn't that..."

"That's right. It can only be that."

"Yes, there's no mistake, that is... Kaguya's true form, Utsu!"