Three days later,
The massive projection screen that had appeared during the Chūnin Exams remained dormant.
However, a subtle undercurrent of tension began to ripple through the shinobi world, with various factions quietly maneuvering against Konoha.
In Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village),
The Fourth Raikage, A, raged in his office. The original wooden desk, previously destroyed, had been replaced with a reinforced marble one, yet it now bore two distinct fist-shaped dents.
"Damn Konoha! I knew they were behind this!"
"That resurrected Madara Uchiha must be their doing!"
"Contact the other three villages immediately! We'll form an alliance against Konoha!"
Mabui, his aide, promptly acknowledged the order, preparing to arrange a video conference with the other Kage.
Half an hour later,
Mabui opened the Raikage's office door and announced, "Raikage-sama, the connection is established!"
"Excellent!"
As soon as he spoke, A shattered the window and leapt out, bypassing the door entirely.
Mabui sighed, lamenting the cost of the Raikage's office, a significant portion of the village's budget, constantly ravaged by his destructive tendencies.
On the video conference screen,
Onoki (Tsuchikage), Mei Terumi (Mizukage), and A (Raikage) appeared, but the Kazekage, Rasa, was conspicuously absent.
"Rasa, you're not a shy maiden, why are you hiding?" A taunted.
"Are you imagining me blushing?" Mei Terumi covered her mouth, giggling.
"Well, his presence is irrelevant. Fourth Raikage, why haven't you summoned Hiruzen Sarutobi?" Onoki inquired.
"He's plotting to seize control of the shinobi world. Why would I invite him?"
"It seems we all suspect Konoha's involvement with Madara Uchiha's resurrection!"
"Regardless, only Konoha shinobi are capable of Impure World Reincarnation. We must pressure them to eliminate anyone who has learned it!" A declared forcefully.
"This..."
"While it could prevent future problems, it's too drastic!" Onoki frowned.
"It's the most effective solution! Do you want to be crushed by a meteor?"
A's blunt remark silenced Onoki.
The future visions clearly depicted Onoki facing the meteor's wrath.
His survival was uncertain.
An awkward silence filled the room. A's words, though harsh, were undeniably practical. They lacked a better alternative to counter Madara.
"If no one has a better idea, we'll collectively pressure Hiruzen Sarutobi to destroy the Scroll of Seals and hand over the Impure World Reincarnation practitioners!"
"Agreed."
"I concur!"
The video conference ended, and preparations were made to travel to the Land of Fire.
.
InSunagakure (Hidden Sand Village),
Baki and the other executives breathed a sigh of relief after the video conference concluded.
The sudden disappearance of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, left them in a state of confusion. They were unsure whether to continue searching for the Third Kazekage or elect a new Kazekage.
Suddenly,
Baki recalled a crucial detail.
In the future visions, Onoki referred to Gaara as "Kazekage".
Could it be...
Their Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was deceased?
The chilling possibility sent a wave of dread through him.
Baki's mouth went dry as he tried to dismiss the thought.
Despite Gaara being his student,
He only considered him a weapon, a powerful tool to be used against other villages, not a suitable leader.
"Captain Baki, should we wait for the Kazekage's decision regarding the summit?"
"I'll search for Chiyo! Continue looking for the Kazekage!"
"Understood!"
After the others departed, Baki headed towards the back mountains, seeking someone capable of taking charge.
.
Meanwhile,
At Konoha's most popular hot spring,
A man lay outside the women's bath, peering through the cracks.
He shifted his position, a lecherous grin spreading across his face.
"Ah, after traveling through many countries, Konoha's women are still the best!"
"Truly exquisite!"
Engrossed in his voyeurism,
He failed to notice the blond-haired boy behind him.
"Hey, you perverted old man, do you have no shame?"
Jiraiya quickly covered Naruto's mouth.
"Quiet, brat! What if the ladies hear us?"
Naruto nodded, blushing, indicating his understanding.
Once released, Naruto yelled,
"Pervert!!!"
"Help!!!"
Inside the bathhouse,"Kyaa, pervert!!" the ladies yelled and dress in bathrobe , grabbing whatever they could to beat that pervert.
Jiraiya sighed, then used ninjutsu to silence Naruto.
"You're the one peeking, not me."
"Hahaha!"
.....