The Sky Screen continued showing uneventful scenes of daily life in Konoha, warm images of everyone living in peace. There were no conflicts, no crises, only quiet, peaceful days.
Until one day, that peace was shattered.
Sasuke Uchiha, who had been absent for so long, wandering abroad and secretly protecting the shinobi world, quietly returned to Konoha.
He made no announcement, showed himself to no one, and did not alert the village leadership. Slipping into Konoha under cover of darkness, he went straight to Naruto and met him alone.
Reunited with his old friend after so long, Naruto broke into a broad smile and strode forward to greet him.
"Sasuke! You finally decided to come back!"
"Is the world out there really that exciting? You spend every day wandering around, and we never see you in the village. You've really got it easy!"
Seeing Naruto so full of energy, Sasuke's lips curved into a faint smile. He exchanged a few pleasantries with him, easing the awkwardness of their long separation.
But after only a brief exchange, the smile vanished from Sasuke's face. His expression turned grave, and even the air around him seemed to grow heavy.
With the safety of the shinobi world at stake, he wasted no time. In a low voice, he revealed a secret he had stumbled upon during his years of travel.
"Naruto, I didn't come back just to visit the village."
"I discovered a new threat hidden in the shinobi world."
Naruto's smile froze. His pupils contracted slightly, and he hurriedly asked in shock, "What? Another threat?"
"What is wrong with the shinobi world? Can't we have some peace for once?"
He had thought that with Kaguya sealed and Toneri dead, all that lay ahead was an age of peace, free of any major trouble.