Tsunade's eyes gleamed with mischief as she leaned lightly against Orochimaru's shoulder, a rare, playful smile curving her lips.
"I could learn that move from you, Orochimaru," she said, half teasing. "Maybe it would boost the destructive power of my super strength."
Her expression shifted into something sharper, a silent warning that seemed aimed at the white-haired man lurking nearby. If you even think about spying on me in the bathhouse, Jiraiya, you're dead.
Jiraiya, catching the unspoken threat, instantly backed away. He waved his hands as if to dispel the very idea. "Are you kidding? No way!"
Why would Tsunade, of all people, peek at anyone? If she did feel like peeking, Jiraiya mused privately, it certainly wouldn't be at a washboard figure—he preferred women with curves and confidence.
Ignoring his thoughts, Jiraiya's eyes lit with excitement. "Orochimaru! You have to teach me that Wind Release technique you used to control the shuriken. It was amazing!"
He could already imagine it—showing off in front of every gorgeous kunoichi he met, or using it to dominate a battlefield.
Orochimaru tilted his head, golden eyes narrowing in amusement. "It isn't impossible to teach you," he said slowly, "but you're only interested because it will help you show off in front of some pretty woman, aren't you?"
Tsunade crossed her arms with a huff. "That's exactly what he's thinking. Only Jiraiya would treat advanced ninjutsu like a party trick."
---
Later that evening, the three of them gathered at Jiraiya's small rented house. A faint blue glow from the television flickered across the walls as the sound of waves and playful music filled the room.
"Television… this is incredible," Jiraiya whispered, eyes wide. Onscreen, a group of bikini-clad women laughed and chased each other along a sunlit beach. His jaw went slack.
Tsunade's patience frayed. She clenched her fists until her knuckles cracked. "Jiraiya," she warned, voice like rolling thunder.
"Wow, it's really cool!" he blurted, leaning closer until his nose nearly touched the screen.
"Enough!" she snapped. "If you love that TV so much, why don't you just climb inside it?"
Before Jiraiya could react, Tsunade delivered a swift, perfectly controlled punch. With a resounding crash, his upper body slammed into the television, head first, and his arms flailed wildly as his legs kicked the air.
"Gugaa—!"
Orochimaru emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of steaming boiled mackerel. He froze at the sight of Jiraiya's head protruding through the television and into the wall, the screen a mess of static.
"Are you… doing some kind of performance art?" he asked dryly.
Hyuga Mio followed with a pot of rice, setting it down before rushing over. "Are you okay?" she asked, tugging at Jiraiya's legs to help him out.
Jiraiya finally popped free with a groan, his eyes still fixed on the shattered screen. "The swimsuits… so beautiful," he muttered tearfully.
Orochimaru raised a brow. "Tsunade, you can hit him harder next time."
"I accept," Tsunade said without hesitation.
---
Mountain Graveyard
Far from Konoha's warm lights, Uchiha Madara sat motionless on a stone chair in the desolate Mountain Graveyard. The silence was so deep it seemed to swallow time itself.
Black Zetsu watched him with wary eyes. He hasn't moved for hours, it thought. If I didn't know he was alive, I'd think his soul had left his body.
If Madara truly were dead, Black Zetsu would already be planning how to foster the next reincarnation of Indra and Asura—essential to awakening the Rinnegan and advancing the grand plan. Without that legendary power, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path on the moon could never be controlled, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi would remain a dream.
But Madara was very much alive. His sharp mind replayed the images he had recently seen on a television screen—images of a bustling, modern world filled with technology and dazzling lights.
Technology… is this the true power of the world?
For a moment, he wavered. Perhaps technology is the ultimate force.
Then he clenched his fist. No. Technology alone cannot bring peace. Only the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the dream of the Sage of Six Paths, can end war. In that perfect world, there will be no conflict, only eternal harmony. I, Uchiha Madara, will be the savior.
If Orochimaru ever heard such thoughts, he would scoff. As a scientist, he despised the idea of trapping humanity in a Genjutsu, no matter how beautiful the illusion.
---
Konoha: "Every Day" Broadcast
Despite occasional skirmishes and political friction with other villages, Konoha enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
"Hello everyone! I'm Nara Matsuka, host of Konoha Every Day!" A bright smile lit her face as she spoke into the microphone before a camera crew. "Yes, it's me again! Surprised? Today we'll share all the latest happenings in the village. But first—a sudden cold front has dropped temperatures, so stay warm out there!"
Orochimaru stood beside her with visible reluctance, his expression a mixture of boredom and mild annoyance. "Why am I here?" he muttered.
The cameraman nearly laughed aloud, barely keeping the lens steady.
"Come on, Orochimaru!" Matsuka teased. "Where's your youthful energy?"
Youthful energy… Orochimaru thought wryly. His days were filled with research, rigorous training, and assisting Tsunade at the hospital with complex cases. When Root or Anbu operatives suffered wounds that even rebirth pills couldn't heal, he was summoned. He often felt like a brick—useful, reliable, and dragged wherever needed.
The broadcast continued, delighting citizens across the village. Even civilians with no ties to ninja life tuned in to watch the mix of gossip and real-time news. From major incidents to minor mishaps—like drunken brawls or Uchiha Police arrests—Konoha Every Day captured it all.
---
A Cold Evening
After filming ended, Orochimaru pulled his purple scarf tighter and stepped into the snowy streets. The village was quiet; most people were indoors watching television. As he passed a cinema, a colorful poster caught his eye: Breaking the Cage! The Fate of the Byakugan Clan!
The film chronicled the Hyuga Clan's recent revolution, a public declaration that the oppressive Main and Branch family system was over. The once-secret movement had become a proud statement of change, known across the entire ninja world.
Orochimaru smirked faintly, then turned as a sharp wind carried the distant sound of battle.
---
Danzo's Mission
High above the frozen trees, the whir of strange flying devices broke the night. The Sky Ninja attacked from the clouds, kunai tipped with explosive tags raining down like deadly hail.
"Scatter!" Danzo Shimura barked. His Root operatives leapt aside as he wove signs. "Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"
A slicing gale erupted from his lungs, tearing through several Sky Ninja and their machines.
"Summoning Technique!" shouted Aburame Shisuke, biting his finger and slamming his palm to the ground. A burst of smoke revealed a massive Chimera Bug, its twin scorpion tails whipping dangerously.
"I'm counting on you," Shisuke whispered. The creature clicked in acknowledgment and lunged, spraying adhesive mucus. Several Sky Ninja failed to dodge and were instantly trapped, plummeting from the sky.
Danzo followed with another attack. "Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!" Razor-sharp air bullets exploded like machine-gun fire, shredding enemy bombs before they could detonate.
Realizing they were outmatched, the remaining Sky Ninja released thick smoke bombs and vanished into the night.
"Again they escape," Danzo muttered coldly. This was not the first time Root had faced these airborne foes, and every encounter ended with their retreat.
"Check the captives and bring them back to the village," he ordered.
"Yes, Lord Danzo!" the Root ninja replied, moving quickly.
Shisuke fed his Chimera Bug a soldier pill before dismissing it in a puff of smoke, satisfied with the mission's partial success.
---
Chaos in the Hidden Cloud
Far to the north, in the Land of Lightning's Hidden Cloud Village, a sudden earthquake rocked the streets. Buildings trembled, and terrified civilians cried out.
A blinding light split the sky as a massive form emerged—an ox-like monster with eight writhing tentacles and a horned head. The Eight-Tails roared, each swipe of its limbs shattering stone and wood as if they were paper.
Years of captivity within the Kohaku no Johei had fueled its fury. Now, free again and certain it would soon be sealed once more, the beast unleashed its wrath.
From the rubble strode the Third Raikage, A, his body crackling with lightning chakra. His eyes narrowed as he took in the destruction. The sealing attempt had failed, and the Jinchuriki host lay dead.
"Stop right there!" he shouted, charging with blinding speed.
The Eight-Tails swung a massive tentacle in retaliation, but A met it head-on, slicing through with his hand like a blade, the air exploding with the force of their clash.
---
To be continued…
patreon (Obito_uchiha)
Last one day for participate Giveaway