The images on the Sky Screen shifted once again.
This time, it was no longer a group photo of the Akatsuki, but a highly impactful battle scene—Pain, the Deva Path Pain, stood in mid-air, arms spread wide, as a colossal meteor-like rock—Chibaku Tensei—fell from the sky, trailing a long fiery tail, blotting out the sun.
In that single instant, countless people across the world felt their pupils contract sharply and their breath stop.
[Among the three phases, what truly made the Akatsuki famous was the second phase: capturing the Tailed Beasts. They operated in pairs, coordinating with each other to shine brilliantly across the Shinobi World. Their leader Nagato's strength even reached the threshold of the Super Kage Level, making the people of the world once again experience the frustration of one man taking on an entire village since Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.]
[From then on, Kage-level strength began to lose its value in the Shinobi World. Without Kage-level strength, one would be too embarrassed to even greet others when going out, and in a fight, they would be reduced to mere cannon fodder.]
One person taking on an entire village!!
Super Kage Level!!
Just these two phrases were like a heavy bomb exploding violently throughout the Shinobi World, giving everyone a clear understanding of the ranks beyond Kage level and leaving countless people utterly shocked.
One must realize that in the eyes of the vast majority of Shinobis, a Kage-level powerhouse was already a supreme existence standing at the very peak of the entire world.
They were legendary figures one would have to burn incense and pray just to catch a glimpse of.
After all, as a shinobi starting from Genin, there was Chunin above, and above Chunin there was Elite Chunin, Special Jonin, Jonin, Elite Jonin, and finally, Kage.
And yet?
The Sky Screen was telling them that above Kage level, there was the Super Kage Level, a rank that could destroy a village single-handedly!
Not only that, but in the future, not having Kage-level strength would make you nothing more than a cannon fodder?!
When did the world become this dangerous?
Countless Genin and Chunin looked down at the kunai in their hands, falling into deep self-doubt.
So… what are we?
Cannon fodder? Or cannon fodder among cannon fodder?
The Kage of the various nations stared intently, their expressions grave.
They all felt that they had definitely touched upon the secrets of the Shinobi World's future this time.
---
[Konoha Year 60 · Konoha Village]
Kakashi stood at the edge of the training ground, his exposed right eye fixed on the Sky Screen, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"One person taking on an entire village… Super Kage."
"Kage level isn't worth anything anymore? Without Kage-level strength, you're just cannon fodder?"
He looked down at his own hands. Elite Jonin—that was his current level of strength.
Still a fair distance from the Kage-level, let alone the lofty Super Kage.
It seemed he would have to work hard to improve his strength.
Based on what the Sky Screen had revealed, he probably couldn't even defeat most of the Akatsuki's members.
He thought back to the group photo with the black robes and red clouds, recalling those unfamiliar faces.
Every single one of them emitted an aura that made his heart palpitate.
Especially that orange-haired man standing at the very front—Pain.
"Super Kage… on the same level as the Lord First and Uchiha Madara?"
Kakashi muttered.
He turned to look at Sasuke, only to find the boy's face was even more grim than his own.
Sasuke stood in the middle of the training ground, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes locked onto the figure of the orange-haired man on the Sky Screen, something trembling violently deep within his pupils.
The Akatsuki, super Kage, one person taking on an entire village.
And that man—he was in that organization.
Sasuke's mind flashed back to the information the Sky Screen had revealed earlier—all members of the Akatsuki were S-rank missing-nin from various villages. For Itachi to be among them meant his strength was at least Kage-level.
And he himself?
A Genin.
A Genin who had just graduated not long ago.
A Genin who hadn't even taken the Chunin Exams yet.
Sasuke's body trembled slightly, a bone-deep sense of powerlessness washing over him.
He had never felt the gap between the two of them so clearly; it was like an abyss with no visible bottom.
Kakashi walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't overthink it."
Sasuke looked up at Kakashi, his eyes filled with uncertainty about the path ahead.
"Kakashi, you're an Elite Jonin, right?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Then how far are you from the Kage level?"
Kakashi was silent for a few seconds before saying.
"It's hard to say. It might never happen, or I might suddenly break through one day."
"Then what about Super Kage Level?"
This time Kakashi didn't speak.
Because he felt that was a level he might never reach.
Sasuke lowered his head, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
"How am I supposed to catch up to him?"
Kakashi looked at the boy before him, and finally, simply patted Sasuke's shoulder gently.
"One step at a time. Your talent is there... you have more hope than I do."
---
Otogakure, Underground Base.
"Hahahaha..."
A burst of ambiguous laughter echoed through the dark laboratory.
Orochimaru stood before a massive tank, extending his long tongue to lick his lips.
Inside the tank, an unknown creature floated slowly in the liquid.
The projection from the Sky Screen was reflected in his pupils.
"Super Kage... one person taking on an entire village... as expected of the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths."
If only he could study those eyes, unravel the secrets of the Rinnegan—nothing could be better.
"Unfortunately, the gap in strength is just too great."
Orochimaru said softly, a trace of regret in his voice.
"There's no way to take them for research."
Nagato was too strong—so strong that even in his madness, he didn't dare provoke him easily.
A being of that level was not something he could covet right now.
But that was fine.
He thought of another Dōjutsu, a flicker of caution also appearing in his eyes.
"The power of the Sharingan... is equally captivating. Soon, I'll be able to study a Sharingan from the very same source as Itachi's."
Laughter echoed again through the empty base.
---
[Konoha, Year One]
Hashirama looked at the Sky Screen, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"So our strength has been classified as the Super Kage level?"
Madara snorted coldly from beside him.
"Isn't that obvious? Which village could withstand an attack from the two of us?"
Hashirama didn't argue, just smiled and said.
"I wonder how that kid named Nagato compares to us?"
Madara's brow arched slightly.
"You want to fight him?"
"No, no, no."
Hashirama waved his hands quickly.
"I'm just curious. The Sky Screen said he reached the threshold of Super Kage. So what level are we at?"
Tobirama walked over from the side and analyzed calmly.
"From the description of Super Kage level, he does have strength close to brother's. But the word 'threshold' suggests he probably hasn't reached the peak like you and Madara."
He paused, then added.
"Still, having the ability to take on an entire village after the two of you is already quite remarkable."
After all, it was something that even his future self hadn't accomplished.
Hashirama nodded, then shook his head.
"But then again, in the future, Kage level isn't worth anything, and those who aren't Kage level are just cannon fodder..."
He looked at Tobirama.
"Tobirama, what level would you say your current strength is?"
Tobirama's face remained expressionless.
"...Kage level."
Hashirama was silent for a second, then patted his shoulder.
"It's okay. You still have room for improvement."
Tobirama: "...."
'Brother, when you pat my shoulder, can you not smile so punchably?'
---
[Another Timeline · Somewhere in an Underground Cavern]
A white-haired old man sat on a stone chair, a satisfied smile appearing on his aged face.
Nagato... that child, had not disappointed him.
His fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the stone chair, making a rhythmic thudding sound.
The power of the Rinnegan was awakening.
All of it... was going according to his plan.
*****
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