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[This is my second Naruto Sky Screen novel. If you're interested, check out my previous book, which was completed on June 13, 2026!]
[Title: Naruto: The Shinobi World's Great Villain]
[The first few dozen chapters were nine parts truth to one part fiction-not wild enough. I adjusted things later. It needs to be at least nine parts fiction to one part truth, with plenty of outrageous nonsense!]
July, Year 56 of Konoha.
The sweltering heat of midsummer should have enveloped the land known as the strongest shinobi village. Yet at that moment, an inescapable chill and dread hung over Konoha.
A week earlier, the Uchiha Clan Massacre had struck without a sound, yet shaken Konoha to its foundations. Like a boulder plunging into a tranquil lake, it had stirred up towering waves.
The once-illustrious Uchiha Clan, which had founded Konoha alongside the Senju Clan, had been all but wiped out overnight.
Only one young orphan, Sasuke Uchiha, remained, left to live alone in the world.
When the massacre first came to light, all of Konoha had erupted in shock and agitation. Undercurrents stirred among the major clans as discussions raged, and suspicion and unease spread unchecked among villagers and shinobi alike.
Yet in a single night, the turmoil caused by the massacre had been completely overshadowed by a far stranger, far more terrifying upheaval.
On the morning after the Uchiha Clan Massacre, a faintly glowing screen of light had appeared without warning in the skies above the entire Shinobi World.
Flat and smooth, the screen resembled an enormous cinema screen unlike anything the world had ever seen. It hung high in the heavens, clearly visible from every corner of the Shinobi World.
Bewildered and at a loss, the people of the Shinobi World had no idea what this sudden phenomenon was, so they called it the Sky Screen.
The instant the Sky Screen appeared, a voice filled with boundless grief, fury, and defiance pierced the clouds and resounded throughout the Shinobi World. It reached every person's ears with perfect clarity, each word piercing their hearts and shaking their souls:
"Our foundations have weakened again? What happened? Must Spirit Star remain under the rule of traitors forever? No!!!"
The despair and fury in that voice seemed to carry resentment spanning time and space. Its undeniable challenge struck the heart of every person in the Shinobi World.
No one knew where the voice had come from, or what exactly it meant by "Spirit Star" and "traitors."
Yet that sudden voice and the Uchiha Clan Massacre of the night before seemed inextricably linked. Everyone shuddered, countless terrifying possibilities taking root in their minds.
For a time, the entire Shinobi World was plunged into overwhelming fear and unease.
Even Konoha, hailed as the strongest village in the Shinobi World, was not spared.
A week passed, but the panic did not fade. Instead, it intensified. Hushed discussions filled the streets and alleys, while shinobi hurried about with grave expressions. The peace of former days had vanished, and an invisible pall gripped the entire village.
Inside the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was stifling.
Beyond the window, the Sky Screen still hung high above, emitting a faint glow. It appeared peaceful, yet it tugged at everyone's nerves every moment.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk. His face, usually softened by a gentle smile, was now etched with exhaustion and worry. The bloodshot eyes made it plain that he had not enjoyed a single restful night's sleep in days.
The tobacco in the pipe between his fingers had burned down to ash, but he did not notice. He simply listened with a grave expression as several members of Konoha High Command delivered their reports.
"At present, the other nations are focusing primarily on monitoring the Sky Screen phenomenon while secretly investigating the truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre. Fortunately, they haven't made any major moves."
"They are, however, using the opportunity to spread statements damaging to Konoha, and border security has been tightened."
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and continued his report in a measured tone. "In addition, the major clans within the village still have considerable objections to the Uchiha Clan Massacre. They simply haven't taken much action yet because of the Sky Screen."
Beside him, Utatane Koharu frowned deeply and took over, worry showing on her face. "The villagers are also very unsettled. Between the massacre and the Sky Screen phenomenon, everyone is on edge. If this continues, I'm afraid there will be trouble."
After listening to their reports, Shimura Danzō gave a derisive chuckle. Cold contempt flashed in his lone eye as he spoke in a sinister tone. "Hmph. We merely wiped out an ambitious clan. Even if it causes a stir, it won't amount to anything."
"I'm actually surprised things have been this quiet. It seems the Uchiha Clan was dispensable all along."
"Danzo, you can't put it that way." Mitokado Homura shook his head and said gravely, "The turmoil over the Uchiha Clan Massacre didn't subside on its own. It was overshadowed by the far greater phenomenon of the Sky Screen."
"Once we gain even the slightest understanding of the Sky Screen, the conflicts we've suppressed will erupt in full."
"So what?" Danzo shot him a cold glance, a vicious sneer curling his lips. "Before absolute strength, no unrest is worth fearing. Konoha has no need for destabilizing elements."
"But we were rash, after all!" Utatane Koharu could not help speaking up, her voice tinged with regret. "Perhaps we were too hasty in deciding to eliminate the Uchiha Clan. Now the Sky Screen has suddenly appeared, and none of us knows what will happen next. If a major crisis arises..."
"If we'd kept the Uchiha Clan, they would at least have been a powerful asset to Konoha. But now..."
"Is there any point in saying this now?" Danzo cut her off sharply, rebuking her with a sneer. "Where was this concern before?"
"When we discussed it, did either of you raise even the slightest objection? Besides, without the Uchiha ticking time bomb, Konoha will only become better!"
As his words fell, an argument erupted in the office. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, then both began arguing against Danzo.
Each of the three stood their ground. Their relentless bickering made the already oppressive atmosphere even more tense.
Watching the three argue without end, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a deep sigh, his eyes filled with helplessness and exhaustion.
He raised a hand to rub his throbbing temples and said gravely, "Enough. Stop arguing."
His voice was not loud, but it carried the authority of the Hokage, bringing all three to an immediate halt.
"What's done is done. No amount of arguing will help." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, his gaze settling on Danzo as his tone turned stern. "But Danzo, I'm warning you. Don't even think about laying a hand on Sasuke."
Sasuke Uchiha was the Uchiha Clan's sole surviving orphan, and one of only two people in Konoha who could not be touched now.
After all, there was a madman out there.
That Will of Fire, when driven to madness, frightened even Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At those words, Danzo curled his lip disdainfully. His lone eye was filled with scorn and contempt, and his voice was utterly indifferent. "Trash who couldn't awaken his Sharingan even through the pain of his clan's extermination isn't worth my attention."
In his eyes, Sasuke possessed mediocre talent and had yet to awaken his Sharingan. He had no value as a tool and was not worth wasting the slightest thought on.
At that moment, all his thoughts were occupied by the large number of Uchiha Sharingan he had collected during the massacre.
Before you continue