The next day, just as people across the various timelines of the Shinobi World were eagerly waiting, the Sky Screen in the air showed no change at all, disappointing countless onlookers.
Regardless of whether the content was true or false, there was indeed a certain pleasure in prying into someone else's private affairs—especially when that person happened to be a Hokage renowned throughout the Shinobi World.
Moreover, most people firmly believed in the content being broadcast, and countless schemes were already being hatched based on the information revealed.
It was worth mentioning that Sarutobi Hiruzen in every timeline got a taste of what it felt like to be a celebrity.
[Konoha Year One]
A young Hiruzen stood on the training ground, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead. The man standing before him, with his hands simply clasped behind his back, made the very air feel heavy.
"Do you remember yesterday's lesson?"
Madara's voice fell from above.
Young Hiruzen took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
"I do, Madara-sama. One must not be soft-hearted."
Hearing that, Madara gave a slight nod of approval, the corner of his mouth curling into a barely perceptible arc.
"Not bad. Now continue from where we left."
Yes, Young Hiruzen had been preemptively taken as a disciple by Madara and was now undergoing education all day long.
Young Hiruzen gritted his teeth as he stood up, assuming a starting stance once more. In the distance, Tobirama leaned against the shade of a tree, watching this scene with a complex and indescribable expression.
'Damn that Madara, stealing my disciple! And... an Uchiha teaching a future Hokage—something about it just doesn't feel right.'
---
Meanwhile, in another timeline, Tobirama—having successfully completed the peace talks with Kumogakure—returned to Konoha via the Flying Raijin. He had already clearly designated Hiruzen as his assistant.
Since he didn't die in the Land of Lightning this time, he had plenty of time to properly teach Hiruzen. This guy's methods were too crude—none of Tobirama's own style at all.
Look, under his own methods, the Uchiha were both locked into the Police Force and could still be utilized by the village.
He didn't know what the future Hiruzen had done to lead to the Uchiha clan's annihilation.
Although a dead Uchiha was a good Uchiha, after the future Fourth Hokage died in the Nine-Tails incident, Konoha would lack high-level combat power—so wiping them out was such a waste.
'Don't let the kind-hearted Senju go to waste, but don't waste the evil Uchiha either.'
Hopefully, with the extra training time he could give Hiruzen now, the future could still be changed.
---
One week later.
The stirred hearts of the people returned to calm, and the residents of the Shinobi World continued their daily lives—assassinations, fights, wars... anyway, there were hardly any moments of peace.
Then, suddenly, the Sky Screen activated once more.
No warning. No fluctuation. It simply appeared in the sky just like that.
"It's here, it's here!"
"The Sky Screen has appeared again!"
"Quick, record!"
The Shinobi World instantly erupted. Whether the Kage of the Five Great Nations or those in remote villages, whether shinobis on missions or farmers working in the fields—everyone stopped what they were doing, looked up, and watched the massive screen glowing with a faint blue light.
The Kage of the Five Great Nations had learned their lesson this time. Each had gathered their closest aides and established dedicated "Sky Screen Recording Teams."
At this moment, these recorders sat in perfect formation at the best vantage points, pens in hand, paper spread before them, not daring to even blink.
"Quick, quick! Get ready to record!"
"Each person is responsible for one area—do not miss any information!"
"Everyone, stay sharp!"
In the Kazekage's office, Chiyo personally took command, flanked by three young shinobis, each holding pen and paper at the ready.
In the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki floated in midair, five recorders standing behind him, each staring in a different direction.
In the Raikage's office, the Fourth Raikage, A, sat in a chair by the window, with Darui and two secretaries beside him, their pen tips already touching the paper.
In the Mizukage's office, the Fifth Mizukage, Mei, stood by the window, a row of ANBU behind her, each holding specially prepared waterproof scrolls.
And in Konoha, on the rooftop of the Hokage Building, Hiruzen, Danzō, Koharu, and Homura stood side by side, with an entire squad of ANBU recorders behind them.
In the Uchiha clan grounds, Fugaku stood on the stone steps in front of the Naka Shrine. Behind him were the core clan members—Shisui, Yashiro, Inabi, Tetsuka, and others. Everyone's Sharingan was already open, not for battle, but to ensure not a single detail was missed.
In the Hyūga clan grounds, Hiashi stood with Hinata and Hanabi, their Byakugan activated to their maximum range, piercing through the roof and gazing directly at the Sky Screen.
The Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka… the leaders of every major Shinobi Clan had gathered together.
The entire Shinobi World was waiting.
On the Sky Screen, light swirled as the image gradually came into focus.
Then, a voice spoke:
[In this world, there aren't only many renowned Shinobis whose great fame resounds throughout the lands, but also quite a few Shinobi duos and teams famous throughout it. Today, we'll discuss the Shinobi combinations that have become famous across the world.]
"Here it comes!"
"Record!"
Across the Shinobi World, pens touched paper simultaneously.
[Kirigakure · Mizukage Office]
When the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist" appeared on the Sky Screen, the Third Mizukage's brow rose slightly. The ANBU recorders behind him froze for a moment, then frantically began writing.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Kirigakure, cheers erupted.
"That's us! The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"
"Hahaha, our reputation really does resound throughout the Shinobi World!"
Several Shinobis wielding oddly shaped swords were gathered together, their faces full of pride. The most eye-catching among them was Biwa Jūzō, who carried the kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade) on his shoulder, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
"See that?! The Sky Screen mentioned us first! Now the whole Shinobi World knows our names!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
Standing at the edge of the crowd, Suikazan Fuguki held Samehada, his eyes merely flickering. As a Shinobi primarily engaged in assassination work, unlike figures like the Hokage who shook the Shinobi World, he didn't actually want to be famous.
Fortunately, the Sky Screen's image flickered past them quickly, soon moving on to other combinations.
---
[Kumogakure · Raikage Building]
"Big bro! That's us!"
The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B, jumped up excitedly, striking a strange pose with his hands and beginning to rap.
"AB combo, famous through the land, yeah yeah!
Even the Sky Screen gives praise, so cool, oh yeah!"
The Fourth Raikage, A, sat in his office chair, his thick arms crossed over his chest. His mood wasn't exactly pleasant; he didn't want to be critiqued.
But… A's lips then curled up slightly as he couldn't help but say.
"The AB combo making the list… shows that the Sky Screen has good taste. What are the Seven Ninja Swordsmen anyway? They're not worthy of being listed alongside us!"
Darui nodded with a smile beside him.
"Raikage-sama and B-sama's combination truly deserves to be known by the entire Shinobi World. It's the pride of Kumogakure!"
---
[Land of Fire · Daimyō's Mansion]
When the image of the "Twelve Guardian Ninja" appeared, a gratified smile appeared on the face of the Land of Fire's Daimyō.
"Ah, it's my Twelve Guardians."
The Daimyō leaned against a soft couch and picked up a piece of pastry.
"Chiriku and the others definitely deserve to be recorded."
The attendants beside him quickly chimed in.
"Yes, yes, Daimyō-sama is wise. Forming the Twelve Guardian Ninja was truly far-sighted."
Chiriku stood in the crowd, hands pressed together, a calm smile on his face.
---
[Somewhere in the Shinobi World · A nameless forest]
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow.
A black-haired man leaned against a tree trunk, his eyes half-closed as if resting.
He wore a black robe adorned with red clouds. A forehead protector with a single scratch through it sat on his brow. His features were so exquisite they were nearly perfect, with faint tear-trough lines at the corners of his eyes that gave him a slightly cold appearance.
When the image of "Team Hebi" appeared, his eyes widened.
It was the silhouette of four people. At the forefront was a young boy wearing a white kimono, a Kusanagi sword strapped to his back and a purple cord tied around his waist. Beside him stood a red-haired girl, a large man wielding a massive sword, and another young man who looked extremely gloomy.
The man's gaze fixed on the boy in the white kimono at the front.
That face… resembled his own somewhat.
"Sasuke…"
He muttered the name softly, his voice as light as a sigh.