Within the Heavenly Screen
With chilling efficiency and composure, Orochimaru completed the "material collection" from Naruto's remains.
Sasuke carefully sealed Naruto's mutilated body inside a summoning scroll.
Even during the process, he did not neglect more pressing matters.
In concise terms, he relayed to Orochimaru the shocking truths Sakura had revealed not long ago—the Fishpond Theory, the World Conversion Event, and the claim that chakra and Divine Arts were both forms of "intrusion."
He even repeated the chilling concept of "Baiting."
Even someone as calm, rational—甚至 cold-blooded—as Orochimaru fell into brief silence after hearing these worldview-shattering revelations.
Within his golden snake-like pupils, shock, contemplation, exhilaration, and gravity flickered in rapid succession.
This information had brought him before an unprecedented, grand horizon.
"So that's how it is… All this time, my understanding of this world has been so shallow…"
He murmured the key terms to himself, digesting their implications.
After regaining composure, Orochimaru turned toward Sakura, pure intellectual curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"Lady Sakura, might you elaborate further on the Divine Technique System you cultivate? Even its foundational principles or the nature of its energy would be of immense research value for my upcoming 'work.'"
Sakura pondered for a moment.
"I can outline the general framework," she said coolly. "But the specific cultivation methods, core rules, and internal information of our organization cannot be disclosed."
"That will suffice. My gratitude," Orochimaru replied with a satisfied smile. Access to high-level concepts from another power system was already invaluable.
He was just about to ask his first question—
"Such a—pity—!"
A drawn-out female voice, laced with exaggerated regret and faint mockery, rang out without warning.
"Why not share a little more? You're making it rather hard for me to restrain myself."
"Who's there?!"
All four of them reacted instantly.
Each of them possessed keen perception or formidable strength.
And yet—not one of them had sensed the presence of a fifth person.
"Careful!" Sakura reacted first. Without hesitation, she moved like lightning, her fist smashing toward Sasuke's direction.
At the same time, Sasuke's Rinnegan flared with violet light.
"Amenotejikara!"
His ocular technique activated, instantly swapping his and Orochimaru's positions with a distant slab of rubble.
The moment they vanished—
BOOM!!!
A deafening impact erupted.
Sakura's punch—capable of splitting mountains, infused with Divine Arts power—collided head-on with a slender fist that had appeared out of thin air.
A shockwave burst outward from the point of impact, kicking up a storm of dust.
Thud, thud, thud!
The unexpected attacker was clearly at a disadvantage. She was sent flying dozens of meters, carving a shallow trench in the ground before barely stabilizing herself.
As the dust settled, her appearance became clear.
She looked no older than eighteen or nineteen, with long, silky hair.
A fresh streak of blood stained the corner of her lips—evidence of the blow she had just suffered.
Yet there was no panic. No pain.
Only interest.
Casually, she wiped the blood away with the back of her hand.
More striking, however, was what she held in her right hand—carelessly tossing it up and catching it again.
It was an exquisitely crafted, brightly colored… humanoid toy.
"That aura just now—you're a Devil Fruit user?" Sakura's brows knit tightly.
She did not pursue, instead standing her ground, locking onto the mysterious girl with a cold, piercing gaze.
"Who exactly are you?"
There was unmistakable killing intent in her voice.
One unexpected twist after another—events were slipping out of control.
The girl caught the teddy bear doll midair and gripped it lightly, flashing them a radiant—
—and deeply unsettling—smile.
"You may call me…"
She paused.
"Light."
"Light?"
"A Devil Fruit user…" Orochimaru's golden pupils fixed on the girl named Light.
It was his first time witnessing a Devil Fruit ability in action. His desire to research it surged instantly.
Outside the Heavenly Screen
Across the shinobi world, countless observers watching through the Heavenly Screen felt their hearts tighten.
"A Devil Fruit user! She's finally appeared!"
"That woman… 'Light'? What a strange name."
"She doesn't seem that strong. Sakura injured her with one punch."
"Are you kidding? Look who she was fighting! That's Sakura! Surviving a punch from her and only coughing up blood is already impressive!"
"What's her ability? Something to do with toys? Or light? Did she appear out of nowhere—was that invisibility? Or space-time movement?"
"Are you all blind? Is that really what matters right now? Didn't you see Neji get turned into a doll?!"
"What?! Neji was turned into a doll?!"
"I thought he escaped like Sasuke!"
"No! I didn't blink! When she clashed fists with Sakura, her other hand moved insanely fast—she tapped Neji! It was almost impossible to see!"
"Yeah! I saw it too! Then Neji disappeared—and that teddy bear appeared in her hand!"
"Hiss… That toy… is Neji?!"
A wave of cold dread swept over everyone.
"This is a Devil Fruit ability? Turning people… into toys?!"
"No wonder it's called a 'Devil' Fruit… That's terrifying."
"I've got a bad feeling… Why do Sakura, Sasuke, and Orochimaru seem like they haven't even noticed Neji's disappearance?"
That sharp observation cut through the panic.
Indeed—
Within the Heavenly Screen, Sakura, Sasuke, and Orochimaru remained fully focused on the sudden arrival of "Light," their vigilance locked onto her.
None of them appeared aware that Neji was gone.
Back Within the Heavenly Screen
Light casually weighed the teddy bear in her palm, a playful smile lingering as her gaze swept over the wary trio.
Finally, her eyes landed on Sasuke's cold face.
The moment she saw him—
Her smile vanished.
Her expression turned utterly frigid.
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