On the Sky Screen, the images of the AB Combo gradually faded, and new images began to emerge.
[The Twelve Guardian Ninja are the twelve elite shinobis responsible for protecting the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. They are the Daimyō's private, independent, and directly subordinate force.]
[Sarutobi Asuma, the son of Sarutobi Hiruzen, is also one of them. Another fairly well-known shinobi is Chiriku. His signature technique, the "Thousand-Hand Kill," bears some resemblance to the "True Several Thousand Hands," but the difference between them is as vast as sky and earth.]
Accompanied by the narration, the screen showed close-ups of two shinobis—a rugged-faced man with a cigarette in his mouth, and a monk with his hands pressed together and the faint image of a Thousand-Armed Kannon appearing around him—alongside a group of people whose faces were obscured.
---
[Konoha, Year One]
Hashirama, Madara, and Tobirama were gathered together, a rare occurrence.
Young Hiruzen stood obediently to the side, not even daring to breathe loudly.
When he heard that the "Thousand-Hand Kill" was somewhat similar to the "True Several Thousand Hands," Madara let out a rare laugh.
What kind of trash was this, thinking they could even be compared to Hashirama!
However, Madara soon turned his gaze back to Young Hiruzen, his expression meaningful.
"Hiruzen, you brat, it seems that in the future, you not only have problems managing the village but also problems educating your son."
Young Hiruzen stood to the side, completely at a loss for how to react.
He could only offer an awkward smile, but his mind was on something else entirely.
'My son?'
"The son of the Hokage, going off to join the Land of Fire Daimyō's private direct unit?"
Young Hiruzen's mind raced.
From Madara's words, he keenly captured something he had never considered before.
Was there some subtle conflict between Konoha and the Daimyō of the Land of Fire?
Having been personally taught by Hashirama and Madara recently, he naturally knew the background of Konoha's founding.
The Senju and Uchiha had joined forces to establish a Shinobi Village, accepting funding from the Daimyō of the Land of Fire while providing military support to him in return.
But he had never thought that there might be conflict between the Hokage's successor and the Daimyō.
"Madara-sama."
Young Hiruzen asked cautiously, "Is it… inappropriate for the Hokage's son to join the Daimyō's unit?"
"Whether it's appropriate or not, think about it yourself."
Madara did not answer directly.
"But remember this—"
He paused, his gaze passing over Hiruzen to look at the village under construction in the distance.
"The Hokage is Konoha's Hokage, not the Daimyō's retainer."
Young Hiruzen lowered his head, lost in thought.
---
[As for Team Hebi, on paper, they seem to have support, crowd control, and damage output, but unfortunately, their leader is "Edgelord", and under his leadership, their track record is honestly pathetic.]
"Has support, crowd control, and damage output?"
Itachi recognized every word, but when put together, he didn't quite understand the meaning.
He leaned against a tree trunk, his black robe with red clouds fluttering slightly in the wind.
"Support… control… output…"
Itachi softly repeated the terms.
"Is it saying that Sasuke's teammates include someone responsible for healing, someone responsible for restraining enemies, and someone responsible for attacking?"
If so, then this team's composition was indeed very well-rounded.
But… what did "Edgelord" mean?
Itachi frowned slightly.
It didn't sound like anything complimentary. More like a… teasing nickname? Or an insult?
And "track record is honestly pathetic" indicated that Sasuke's team had performed poorly on missions.
"I hope 'Edgelord' isn't referring to Sasuke…"
Itachi murmured to himself.
---
"What do you mean 'track record is honestly pathetic'?!"
Sasuke's scream echoed through the entire training ground, startling a flock of birds.
He stood in the middle of the training ground, his face turning pale and then flushed.
After all, the disdainful tone in the Sky Screen's commentary couldn't have been more obvious!
And what did "Edgelord" mean?
Was it referring to him?
Why was he called Edgelord?
And track record too pathetic—was his future strength that bad?
Was the team he formed that weak?
Why did the Sky Screen use that kind of tone when talking about him?!
"Pfft—"
A stifled laugh came from the side.
Sasuke snapped his head around and saw Naruto covering his mouth, his shoulders shaking as he turned red from holding back his laughter.
"Naruto!!"
Sasuke's recently recovered single-tomoe Sharingan nearly activated on the spot.
"What are you laughing at?!"
"No, nothing…"
Naruto quickly waved his hands upon seeing Sasuke's agitated state, but the smile on his face was impossible to hide.
"I was just thinking… that nickname Edgelord… it's actually pretty catchy."
"Bahahaha—"
He finally couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
"Na—ru—to—!!"
Sasuke charged forward, ready to throw hands, but Sakura quickly stepped between them.
"Sasuke-kun, calm down! Calm down! The Sky Screen only said that the track record was pathetic, not that your strength is pathetic! Maybe your teammates are the ones holding you back!"
Sasuke paused, his expression improving slightly.
"Right… It's definitely their fault."
"That red-haired one doesn't look very bright, and the one with the big sword looks like a reckless brute. Plus that gloomy one might even be a spy…"
He loudly made excuses for his might be future failures, completely forgetting his earlier annoyance at the Sky Screen's tone.
Sakura nodded repeatedly beside him.
"Right, right! It's definitely their fault! There's no way Sasuke-kun's strength could be pathetic!"
Naruto was still laughing, but after a glare from Sasuke, he managed to rein it in somewhat.
Only Kakashi, standing behind the three of them, looked at the images of Team Hebi on the Sky Screen, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
He had already recovered from the shock of seeing Minato's battle and was beginning to analyze rationally.
The Sky Screen wouldn't mention Team Hebi for no reason.
This meant that Sasuke's future strength was at least on the level of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, or even higher—otherwise, the Sky Screen wouldn't bother introducing Team Hebi at all.
Track record too pathetic… maybe it just meant they performed poorly, or encountered stronger opponents.
So, what was the situation?
Kakashi looked at the figure in the white kimono on the Sky Screen, his brow furrowing slightly.
Sasuke's future was becoming more and more puzzling.
"Kakashi."
Sasuke's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Kakashi looked up and saw Sasuke staring at him with an unusual seriousness in his eyes.
"What does 'Edgelord' mean?"
Kakashi paused for a moment, then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. His mask hid his smile, but the crinkle at the corner of his eye was unmistakable.
"I suppose… it means some kind of Lord?"
Sasuke was stunned. "A Lord?"
"Mm. Lord First, of course, is the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama."
Kakashi said with a perfectly straight face.
"Being called a Lord means that in the future, you might reach the level of Lord First. That's a very high compliment."
Sasuke's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"Of course."
Kakashi nodded—if only one ignored the smile beneath his mask.