The endless twists, reversals, conspiracies, and revelations of human ugliness had already dulled everyone's nerves.
Now, as the so-called chakra-devouring monster broke through its seal, beyond instinctive dread, many felt something strangely absurd.
Of course it's come to this.
Finally.
Some even watched with a detached, almost theatrical mindset.
"Karin… actually succeeded."
"The monster's coming out… the shinobi world really never catches a break."
"Well… at least this is some good news. We'll finally see what this thing looks like—and what it can do."
That thought spread rapidly.
Yes, despair was inevitable.
But the celestial projection at least provided information.
Against the unknown, foreknowledge was a sliver of advantage.
Across the world, people held their breath, eyes locked on the rupturing earth.
Konoha — Hokage's Office
The atmosphere there was different.
Tsunade's gaze drifted repeatedly toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
There was no longer reliance in her eyes.
Only scrutiny.
And doubt.
Hiruzen shifted uneasily, faint sweat forming at his temples.
Ninja Academy Training Ground
"Targeted…" Neji muttered under his breath.
He had seen what Karin did.
Her interest in the Tenseigan was not a good sign.
In the projection, he was exhausted—unable to resist.
Nearby, Sasuke occasionally glanced at Naruto, who was rubbing a swollen lump on his head and baring his teeth in irritation.
The contrast disturbed him.
The calculating, cold "World-Destroying Naruto" in the projection—
Versus the loud, impulsive Naruto standing right here—
The difference was disorienting.
Naruto noticed the stare and snapped.
"Oi! Sasuke! What're you looking at?! Sneaking glances like that—planning something shady again?!"
Sasuke scoffed.
"Idiot. I'm wondering how someone as dumb as you got manipulated so easily. Letting yourself get provoked like that? What's inside your skull—ramen broth?"
Naruto flushed instantly.
But then his eyes lit up as he remembered something.
"Oh yeah? I might be dumb—but in the projection, some self-proclaimed genius got played like a fool! Almost lost everything! What was your Sharingan doing? On vacation?"
Sasuke froze.
That humiliation—
Watching "himself" get outmaneuvered—
Burned hotter than any physical injury.
"You bastard, Naruto—!!"
They collided again in a flurry of fists and chakra.
The training ground descended into chaos.
Back to the Projection
The earth split.
The smoke cleared.
Silence fell.
Then—
Absurdity.
At the center of the crater, where an apocalyptic horror should have stood—
Was a dog.
A medium-sized yellow dog.
Muddy fur.
Drooping tail.
Half-lidded black eyes, as if it had just woken from a nap underground.
It scratched its neck lazily.
A metal tag hung from its collar.
It jingled faintly.
…A collar?
This thing had an owner?
Across the world—
Silence.
Then uproar.
"A… yellow dog?!"
"That's the monster?! The chakra-devouring apocalypse?!"
"Am I under Genjutsu?!"
"Look at the tag! It has a tag! Who seals a world-ending monster with a nameplate?!"
"Impossible! What about that roar?! That pressure?!"
"Maybe the real monster hasn't fully emerged yet?!"
The disbelief was overwhelming.
The buildup—
The tension—
The devastation—
And the result was… this?
A dog.
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