"I knew it—if the Sky Screen suddenly focused on her, there was no way it would end that simply!"
Discussions erupted everywhere, faces filled with envy, jealousy disputed only by unmistakable awe.
To think that through the Sky Screen's transmission, the mere revelation of a name could inflict a spiritual shock on everyone watching.
The level of this so-called Divine Technique had clearly surpassed the commonly understood categories of ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu.
"It's settled! That Sakura Haruno will definitely become a powerhouse in the future!"
Many people arrived at the same conclusion.
However, just as this consensus was taking shape, a sharp question splashed cold water over the crowd's heated thoughts.
"Wait! If she really became that strong… then why—why didn't we see her at all in the first Sky Screen, during the Fourth Shinobi World War?"
The moment those words were spoken, it was as if someone had pressed a mute button.
Silence fell in many places.
That's right.
Although the first Sky Screen's footage had been fragmented, it had depicted the grand, world-shaking battlefield of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
The images had shown the Five Kage.
They had shown Might Guy, burning his very life.
But there had been no sign of Sakura Haruno.
If she truly obtained such a powerful Divine Technique, how could she possibly be absent from a battle that decided the fate of the world?
How could she not even have a single shot?
"Could it be… that although she gained the inheritance, she died before the war began?" someone ventured pessimistically.
"Or maybe… she went into hiding? Assigned to an even more important mission?"
"Could it be that her 'Divine Technique' has severe restrictions or an enormous price, making her unable to fight?"
"Or perhaps she did become stronger—but compared to those top-tier monsters, she still wasn't enough to be recorded by the Sky Screen?"
That last speculation sounded weak, given the overwhelming sense of dread the words Divine Technique alone had inspired.
In Konohagakure, Kakashi gazed at the sky, his single visible eye narrowing slightly.
Even Guy had stopped his earlier outburst, arms folded, brow deeply furrowed.
"She didn't appear on the battlefield of the Fourth Shinobi World War…"
Kakashi repeated the key detail softly.
"Did she die… or did she walk a completely different path?"
Almost simultaneously, in different locations, the same kind of order rang out—urgent, uncompromising—within every center of power.
Konohagakure – Hokage's Office
Tsunade slammed her fist onto the desk, sending wood chips flying. She barked at the assembled ANBU:
"Immediately organize elite squads! Based on the clues revealed by the Sky Screen, search all coastal regions—especially areas that could conceal hidden caves! At any cost, find that cave and bring back the Divine Technique inheritance! Priority level—highest!"
Sunagakure – Kazekage's Office
Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, stood by the window, staring at the sky. His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable resolve.
"Baki. You'll lead this personally. Mobilize all available reconnaissance forces. Search for any terrain that matches what we saw. That power—Sunagakure must obtain it."
Kumogakure – Raikage's Office
"Bang!"
The Fourth Raikage, A, punched a hole straight through the wall.
"Hurry up and move! Search everything! Turn over every inch of coastline! That cave—that stone tablet—we must get to it before any other village! Darui, you're in command!"
Iwagakure
Floating in midair, Ōnoki wore a grave expression.
"Kitsuchi, act immediately. Divine Technique… a power like that cannot be allowed to fall into another nation's hands. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, find a lead."
Kirigakure
The controlled Mizukage, Yagura, issued his command coldly:
"Mobilize all sensory-type shinobi. The sea is our domain. That opportunity should rightfully belong to Kirigakure."
The Akatsuki, and even places like the Land of Iron, the Land of Hot Water, and the Land of Rain…
All factions, great and small, began operating at full throttle in that very moment.
Inside a personal subspace, Yin An observed the turmoil caused by the words Divine Technique—the lingering pain and terror on countless faces—and felt deeply satisfied.
After all, this effect had cost him a significant price to exchange for. In truth, it amounted to only two words, usable only once.
That was why, in the future storyline, the stone tablet would still appear—but no visible text would ever be shown again.
While the shinobi world argued endlessly over Divine Technique and Sakura Haruno's future, the atmosphere inside the Ninja Academy was completely different.
Yamanaka Ino suddenly threw her arms around Sakura, her eyes sparkling with undisguised excitement and flattery.
"Sakura! Did you hear that?! Divine Technique! You're going to be super—super amazing in the future! We're best friends, right? You have to teach me when that happens!"
Sakura was a bit stunned by the sudden hug. But hearing Ino's words and seeing the looks of envy and curiosity from their classmates, the pallor on her face—left behind by seeing herself "jump into the sea" on the Sky Screen—slowly gave way to a faint blush and an unusual spark in her eyes.
She blinked, then nodded firmly, responding with bright anticipation:
"Okay, okay! If I really do learn it someday, I'll definitely teach you!"
After answering Ino, her gaze drifted unconsciously toward the other corner of the classroom—toward Sasuke Uchiha.
At that moment, Sasuke was looking at her as well.
The darkness in his eyes was no longer pure indifference and distance, but carried a faint, hard-to-detect scrutiny.
Divine Technique…
Sasuke thought silently.
A power system different from ninjutsu. If she can master it, then maybe… I can draw something from it too. Power—no matter where it comes from—as long as it makes me stronger…
The images in the sky paid no heed to the shinobi world's speculation and continued to flow.
Inside the cave, Sakura Haruno awakened once more.
This time, she did not faint again. The vast, profound knowledge now present in her mind made her understand just what an astonishing opportunity she had encountered.
She looked at the crimson stone tablet on the ground—now plain and unremarkable—and knew it was an invaluable treasure. Carefully, she picked it up and kept it close to her body.
Exploring the glowing cave, she discovered with amazement that the entrance actually opened into the deep sea, yet an invisible force completely isolated the seawater from the interior. It was nothing short of miraculous.
Filled with shock and joy at her gains, she found her way out, swimming back to the surface.
When she finally met up with the anxiously searching Kakashi and Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura merely rubbed her hair and offered an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Kakashi-sensei. Naruto. I was just… feeling a bit down and wandered too far along the shore."
She said nothing about the cave.
Nothing about the stone tablet.
Nothing about the Divine Technique.
Some opportunities and secrets, she instinctively understood, needed to be guarded and digested alone.
Kakashi studied her deeply for a moment, then asked no further questions. He simply patted her on the head.
"I'm just glad you're safe. Don't wander off alone next time."
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