Within the mysterious space.
Yin An lounged comfortably in his so-called director's chair, gazing at the system interface before him—a master control panel displaying the "footage" the Sky Screen was about to broadcast.
A mischievous, satisfied smile curled at the corner of his lips, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
With a light tap of his finger, Yin An pressed the virtual Play button.
In that instant—
Across the entire shinobi world, regardless of location or circumstance, everyone's gaze was irresistibly drawn upward to the sky, to the Sky Screen that had finally begun to change.
The image sharpened.
Konoha Year 66.
Four massive, unmistakable characters were branded across the celestial canvas, shaking everyone who looked upon them to the core.
Then the scene shifted—
A bird's-eye view of Konohagakure.
The familiar Hokage Rock.
Newly constructed districts.
Bustling streets filled with civilians and shinobi alike.
Prosperity. Order. Peace.
"Th-this… the future? Is this Konoha's future?!"
After a brief, stunned silence, the shinobi world erupted into an uproar far greater than when the Uchiha clan's annihilation had been revealed.
If the Uchiha Clan Massacre was a shocking present—
Then what the Sky Screen now displayed was a future capable of overturning the entire balance of the shinobi world.
The leadership of every major village sprang into frantic motion.
"Record everything! Every frame! Analyze every detail!"
The Fourth Raikage's roar echoed through the Valley of Clouds.
"Building layouts! Civilian density! Clothing styles! Possible defensive changes—don't miss anything!"
Sunagakure.
Iwagakure.
Kirigakure.
Every intelligence division spun into overdrive.
This was no longer spectacle—
This was the greatest intelligence war in history.
Through this window into the future, they might grasp Konoha's trajectory…
or even uncover its weaknesses.
Konohagakure – Hokage Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was ashen.
The hand gripping his pipe had gone pale from the force of his grasp.
The shock he felt far exceeded that of anyone else.
Why is the Sky Screen showing the future?
And worse—
Could it also reveal the past?
The truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
His secret compromises with Danzō.
A chill shot from his feet straight to his scalp, filling him with unprecedented dread.
Yet he forced the panic down and stared unblinkingly at the peaceful, prosperous Konoha displayed above.
"…Under my leadership," he murmured,
"the future village is… this stable?"
A trace of hidden relief—and pride—momentarily replaced the fear.
Hiruzen wanted to see more.
He wanted proof that his choices had been right.
Land of Rain – Outside the Akatsuki Base
Under the falling rain, Itachi Uchiha lifted his head.
His Mangekyō Sharingan locked onto the familiar image of Konoha displayed in the sky.
Within his frozen heart, waves stirred.
A powerful thought surged forth—
Sasuke… are you there in that future?
How are you living? Have you grown strong? Have you… restored the Uchiha's name?
This—
Was the sole hope he had purchased with everything he sacrificed.
Konohagakure – Ninja Academy
"What is that thing? Is that the village? It looks really familiar!"
Naruto Uzumaki shouted loudly, pointing at the sky.
It looked like Konoha… but not quite.
Yet no one had the attention to spare for him.
Everyone was consumed by the shock of glimpsing the future—and by anxiety over their own fates.
Sasuke clenched his fists so tightly his nails nearly bit into his palms.
Sasuke Uchiha stared up at the Sky Screen, its light reflected in his dark eyes—eyes filled with boundless hatred and obsession.
He wanted to know—
Did I kill that man in the future?
The Sky Screen continued under countless watchful gazes.
The scene shifted again.
The Hokage's Office appeared clearly.
A figure stepped into view—
And her overwhelming, eye-catching figure instantly drew the attention of the entire shinobi world.
Many civilians—and even young shinobi—flushed red, eyes blazing.
"It's Lady Tsunade!"
"She… she became Hokage?!"
Exclamations rang through Konoha.
Somewhere in the Land of Fire, outside a hot spring—
Jiraiya froze.
Then slapped his thigh and burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! Tsunade, you actually became Hokage!"
He grinned shamelessly.
"And that figure—still outrageously illegal after all these years!"
Mid-laugh, his face flushed crimson.
Two streams of blood shot straight from his nose, drawing stunned looks from passersby.
But while ordinary people were excited—
The leaders of the great villages darkened instantly.
"Tsunade-hime… one of the Legendary Sannin. The Senju Princess became the Fifth Hokage?"
The Fourth Raikage's brow furrowed deeply.
"She's far more decisive—and dangerous—than that indecisive Sarutobi."
"A medical master, monstrous physical strength, plus her lineage and resolve…"
Ōnoki hovered in midair, his aged face heavy.
"Konoha's future may be far harder to shake than we anticipated."
Every Kage-level figure understood—
If Tsunade ruled the future, Konoha's recovery speed would likely far exceed expectations.
Somewhere on a Gambling Street
Tsunade herself stared at the Sky Screen.
Her golden eyes shrank violently as the dice slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the table.
"…Me? Becoming Hokage? Don't be ridiculous."
There was no joy on her face—only deep unease.
She knew herself too well.
Unless Konoha was on the brink of annihilation, with no one left to step forward—
She would never return to take on that burden.
Thinking of the Uchiha Clan Massacre…
Thinking of the bizarre Sky Screen…
A chill crept over her.
"Shizune!"
Tsunade abruptly stood, ignoring the curious and awed gazes around her.
She grabbed Shizune—still holding Tonton—and vanished down the street corner.
She needed answers.
Immediately.
On the Sky Screen, the scene continued.
The future Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, no longer carried her usual carefree demeanor.
Exhaustion and gravity weighed heavily on her face.
She pressed her fingers to her forehead and spoke—
Her voice carried across the entire shinobi world.
"War… is now unavoidable."
The words struck like thunder.
Every listener was shaken.
Another great war?
The Fourth Shinobi World War… ten years from now?!
At the thought alone—
The Kage of every village almost simultaneously issued similar orders.