Following the Third Hokage's decree, the shinobi of Konoha mobilized. Their primary objective: a comprehensive sweep and diagnostic of the village's barrier system.
The Barrier Team felt the weight of the pressure most acutely. For the second time in three years, a mysterious entity had breached their perimeter undetected. To the Third Hokage, the Barrier Team currently seemed like nothing more than an expensive decoration, and his displeasure was palpable.
The public and the rank-and-file shinobi remembered the Nine-Tails' attack three years ago as a tragic disaster of nature. Only the upper echelons knew the truth: it was a meticulously orchestrated assault. That night had claimed the Fourth Hokage, his wife, the Third's own wife, Biwako, and a dedicated medical assistant.
Now, history was repeating itself. Another ghost had slipped through their fingers, murdered a foreign envoy, and nearly ignited a world war.
Despite the skepticism radiating from the Hidden Cloud, Konoha's leadership remained immovable. They stood by the narrative that a third-party intruder was the culprit. Because the Hyuga brothers—the village's crown jewels of combat—had both been wounded in the pursuit, the Cloud's accusations of a conspiracy were left with nowhere to land. Konoha's resolve had effectively checkmated the Cloud's scheme.
Deep within the subterranean gloom of the Root headquarters, Danzo Shimura listened to Tatsuma Aburame's briefing with a cold snort.
"It seems quite lively out there, doesn't it, Lord Danzo?"
The door to Danzo's office slid open to reveal Orochimaru. On his way from his secret laboratory, the Sannin had passed dozens of squads, including Anbu units, moving with frantic purpose. Even for a man obsessed with the silence of science, such large-scale mobilization piqued his curiosity.
Danzo didn't answer immediately. He merely inclined his head toward Tatsuma, who understood the silent command.
"Last night, a mysterious shinobi infiltrated the village," Tatsuma explained. "He assassinated the Cloud Envoy and planted the body in the Hyuga compound to frame them."
A stranger who could wound both Hyuga brothers and then vanish—only to double back and evade both the Hyuga elites and Root's own pursuit?
Orochimaru's golden, slitted pupils gleamed with interest. His long tongue flicked out, licking his lips in anticipation.
'It seems the world outside remains as vibrant as ever.' Orochimaru had fought alongside the Hyuga brothers; he knew their caliber. Any enemy capable of humbling them was an enemy worth studying.
"Enough of that," Orochimaru said, dismissing the news with a wave of his hand. He extended his right palm toward Danzo. "I'm here for more 'test subjects.' Research materials and funding, if you please."
Danzo's visible eye twitched. "You've burned through the last batch already?"
"I've made significant progress," Orochimaru replied, brushing a lock of dark hair behind his ear. His confidence in his current trajectory was growing. "The common stock can no longer meet the demands of my latest breakthroughs."
The accidental success of the Wood Style experiment—which Danzo had managed to 'claim' for himself—proved that Orochimaru's theories were correct. Now, he was no longer satisfied with civilians; he wanted shinobi.
"I will have them sent to you," Danzo warned, his voice sinking into a low, dangerous register. "But do not overreach. My patience is not infinite."
The prisoners in Konoha's dungeons were running low. To fuel Orochimaru's hunger, Danzo had already begun 'disappearing' civilian-born ninjas. In Danzo's mind, every sacrifice was a small price to pay for a Konoha that reigned supreme.
As long as he wasn't the one being sacrificed.
"Heh... I look forward to the good news." Orochimaru's laughter was a dry, haunting sound that lingered in the room long after he had vanished back into the shadows.
——————
The Land of Hot Springs: Capital City
Establishments built on geothermal springs made this city a jewel of tourism. Situated at the crossroads of the great nations, its economy thrived on luxury and vice.
Inside a high-end brothel, Jiraiya was in his element. Surrounded by geishas, he was regaling them with exaggerated tales of his travels, drowning in wine and the scent of expensive powder.
Poof—
A cloud of smoke erupted on the table. A small red toad wearing a pair of goggles appeared in the center of the party.
"Jiraiya!" the toad shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the laughter and music.
Frustrated, the toad hopped directly onto Jiraiya's face. The Sannin yelped, nearly choking on his sake. Recognizing the messenger from Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya's drunken haze cleared instantly. He quickly ushered the disappointed geishas out of the room.
"Kosuke! What are you doing here?" Jiraiya asked, grabbing a teapot to splash water on his face.
"Lord Fukasaku sent me to find you," Kosuke urged. "It's urgent."
Jiraiya wasted no more time. He performed the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, vanishing from the Land of Hot Springs.
He reappeared in a land of mist and stone, where giant toad statues stood sentinel over vast lily pads. He followed Kosuke to the wooden palace perched high above the water.
"Lord Fukasaku, you called?"
Jiraiya arrived smelling of wine and perfume, but the expression on the two elder toads waiting at the gate made him sober up completely.
"The Great Toad Sage has dreamt of something terrible," Fukasaku said, his voice unusually heavy.
"Terrible?" Jiraiya's heart sank. It had been years since the Great Sage had offered a prophecy. For him to speak now, and for it to be 'terrible,' boded ill for the world.
They entered the depths of the palace. There sat the Great Toad Sage, a massive orange toad draped in beads, his 'Oil' pendant catching the dim light.
"Great Toad Sage!" Jiraiya knelt.
"Ah... Little Jiraiya," the Sage rumbled, one eye opening a tiny slit. "What brings you here?"
Jiraiya nearly face-planted into the floor. Shima, the female elder toad, barked, "You summoned him, you old fossil! Have you lost your mind?"
"Oh... yes," the Sage replied slowly. "I remember now. I had a dream."
"In my dream, the entire ninja world was slowly draped in a shroud of darkness. All nations—the Five Great Powers included—were swallowed whole by the void."
Jiraiya felt a chill. The previous prophecy about the 'Child of Prophecy' who would bring revolution had been vague, but this... this was a countdown to extinction.
"I saw a silhouette within the darkness," the Sage continued. "A back that none could look upon directly. He was the one who brought the world to its knees."
"Did you see any details? Any identifying features?" Jiraiya pressed, his brow furrowed.
"The Abyss..." the Sage whispered. "When he turned, I saw only an infinite, bottomless abyss. Even I... felt my heart tremble."
"An abyss?" Jiraiya repeated.
"The one who will destroy the world... the Son of Darkness?!"