Gekko Mansion.
Hayate lay sprawled across the wooden corridor in the backyard, one hand on his hip and the other propping up his head. As he basked in the morning sun, he watched Naruto being chased by the mysterious ninja in the Crystal Ball, occasionally switching channels to catch a glimpse of the sultry Mei Terumi's daily life and sneak in a little screen-licking.
Actually, Hayate wanted to switch to Sasuke Channel, too, but unfortunately, he wasn't familiar with Sasuke's Chakra nature, so he had to pass.
Oh, right. There was Karin, too.
Hayate suddenly remembered he had a little sister he'd picked up, and hurriedly searched for a new channel. A dozen breaths later, the image in the Crystal Ball flickered, and Karin's face appeared, reflected in the blazing flames.
Oh? Playing with fire?
Hayate adjusted the angle to match Karin's line of sight, and saw Sasuke standing in an open space, his hands forming the Tiger Seal as he puffed out his cheeks and blew fire with all his might.
Hayate narrowed his eyes and spotted several Steel Wires hooked around Sasuke's little finger.
Steel Wire... Fire Release... Forest of Death...
This scene looked familiar.
Hayate looked toward the center of the flames, where a blurry figure was just visible.
Interesting.
Hayate watched on calmly, clicking his tongue in amazement.
The blazing fire lit up the area for dozens of meters in every direction, bathing it in orange-red!
With heat this terrifying scorching him, even someone with the Steel Release Kekkei Genkai should have been roasted to a crisp, right?
That was what Sasuke thought, but he kept his mouth going, continuing to unleash the Dragon Fire Technique and furiously scorch Orochimaru.
Not far away, Karin wore a grave expression. Her red eyes fixed intently on the