Night fell over Konoha, Year 64.
The Chunin Exams were fast approaching, and ninja villages from all over were sending waves of genin toward Konoha.
"I've let you down, sensei…" Hiruzen sighed, his voice heavy with helplessness and self-blame over the current state of the village.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before an old photograph hanging on the wall—it was a portrait of his teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Just as he sank deeper into his thoughts, a sudden voice shattered the silence.
It was mechanical—cold, emotionless.
[ [System Notification] Binding host in progress...]
[ [System Notification] Live broadcast editing system has descended upon the ninja world! All individuals, please prepare!]
[Counting participants...]
[Count complete. Pulling all individuals of the ninja world into the live broadcast room!]
[Otsutsuki Kaguya, Otsutsuki Momoshiki, Otsutsuki Hagoromo, Otsutsuki Isshiki, Otsutsuki Urashiki, Otsutsuki Toneri, Otsutsuki Shibai have joined the broadcast room...]
[Connecting individuals from the Pure Land...]
[Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Butsuma Senju, Madara Uchiha, Izuna Uchiha, Tajima Uchiha, Fugaku Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, Sasuke Sarutobi have joined the broadcast room...]
The voice seemed to come from another world.
Its sudden appearance pulled Hiruzen out of his sorrow instantly, his expression turning sharp and serious.
"Who's there?!" Hiruzen's gaze flashed like lightning as he barked, the very air around him tightening.
"Anbu," he called coldly, not a trace of fear on his face.
"Here."
With a series of swift sounds—
Shua! Shua! Shua!
The Anbu appeared like ghosts within his sight, their black cloaks fluttering faintly. Their masked faces hid their eyes in shadow, giving off an ominous presence.
Hiruzen turned his gaze toward one of them. "What is this?"
His tone carried unquestionable authority.
The Anbu member straightened and pulled open the office curtains. Moonlight poured into the room.
Hiruzen looked out through the window toward the sky.
"Third Loed Hokage… look at the sky."
Hiruzen raised his head, confusion flickering in his eyes.
A massive black screen had appeared in the sky. The sight resembled a divine miracle—yet it carried an unsettling aura.
"Is that… a genjutsu?" A sense of dread rose within him.
"Release!"
He attempted to dispel it, but it was like throwing a stone into the ocean—no response at all.
Hiruzen's heart sank. He could feel it—this power was no ordinary force.
"Could it be… that Uchiha Itachi?"
A name flashed through his mind.
That genius ninja who always hid in the shadows—his genjutsu had already reached a terrifying level.
[Hashirama Senju: Strange… what's going on? Can you all speak through this?]
[Tobirama Senju: Brother, this light screen has an unknown origin. Don't speak carelessly!]
[Fourth Raikage A: Hmph. A strange screen… is this some scheme by Konoha?]
Kumogakure.
Inside the Raikage's office, the atmosphere was as heavy as ever.
The Fourth Raikage, A, stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze piercing through the thick glass as he stared at the strange light screen in the sky.
Moonlight blended with the glow of the screen, creating an ominous radiance.
"Samui, what do you think?"
Samui also stared at the screen, answering cautiously, "Raikage-sama, we must proceed carefully. We shouldn't speak recklessly about this."
Iwagakure.
Inside the Tsuchikage's office, Ohnoki sat at his desk, intelligence reports scattered before him, trembling slightly under the dim light.
"Is Konoha behind this?" His gaze was sharp as a blade as he looked at the Anbu reporting to him.
"Tsuchikage-sama, we cannot determine that yet. There's too little information," the Anbu replied helplessly.
Ohnoki nodded. "You may leave."
He set down the documents and looked out the window, his eyes locking onto the expanding light screen in the sky.
"The ninja world… may be on the brink of great change…" His voice was low, filled with concern.
Kirigakure.
The beautiful Mei Terumi stood there, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "Chojuro. Ao."
"Yes."
The two responded immediately.
"Investigate that light screen in the sky. Find out what it is."
Her tone left no room for refusal.
"Th-this…" The two exchanged glances, showing a hint of difficulty.
A sharp glint flashed in Mei Terumi's eyes. "What are you waiting for? Go!"
With no choice, they accepted the order and hurried off.
Mei Terumi remained alone, staring at the increasingly bright screen, unease growing in her heart.
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Is everyone seeing the same thing…? (Image)]
The image showed the enormous, highly visible screen.
[Madara Uchiha: Susanoo!]
[Madara Uchiha: Hmph… strange. I can't destroy it…]
[Hashirama Senju: Madara! I didn't expect you to be here too!]
[Madara Uchiha: Hashirama!]
[Hashirama Senju: Madara!]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Sasuke!]
[Sasuke Uchiha: Naruto!]
[Might Guy: Hahaha! now that's spirit, Kakashi!!]
[Kakashi Hatake: ...]
Konoha.
Inside an unremarkable small house, Kakashi Hatake was immersed in a peaceful sleep.
Then—
[System Notification]
A crisp sound shattered the silence.
He shot upright in bed, the haze of sleep quickly fading.
"That idiot… doesn't even know embarrassment…"
[Kakashi Hatake: Ahem, I think we should be cautious. This doesn't seem like something from the ninja world.]
[Deidara: Damn it, I just fell asleep and got woken up!]
[Fourth Raikage A: The people of Konoha are insane.]
[Mei Terumi: So… is this light screen Konoha's doing?]
[Orochimaru: Heh… what fascinating technology.]
[Jiraiya: Huh? Orochimaru, you're here too?]
[Orochimaru: I have no interest in talking to idiots. Didn't it say it already? Everyone in the ninja world has been pulled in.]
[Ohnoki: @Deidara You ungrateful brat, get back to the village immediately!]
[System: Ahem, hello everyone, I am the system.]
[Hidan: What the hell, the system can talk?]
[System: Of course.]
[System: Next, three videos will be played. Everyone will vote to choose.]
[System: Whichever gets the most votes will be shown.]