Nightfall.
In a dimly lit corner of the Kumogakure.
"Shirou-kun, you've finally arrived."
A raspy, unique voice broke the silence. From the shadows emerged a tall and slender female Kumo ninja, wearing a Kumo forehead protector and carrying a ninja blade on her back.
Particularly striking were her long eyelashes, which made Shirou's eye twitch slightly as he leaned against the darkness.
"Sn... Lord Orochimaru, you're hard to meet."
The words "Snake Lady" almost slipped out of his mouth as Shirou teased with a smile. Orochimaru, however, responded with a devilish grin, licking his lips.
He had never cared about the opinions of others—that was Orochimaru.
"The old man sent you, Shirou-kun, to assist me. But I suppose they still don't know you've mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, right?"
It was evident that the two had spent the past few years frequently collaborating on the development of ninja techniques and forbidden jutsu. Orochimaru was already well aware of Shirou's mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, something Shirou had never hidden from him.
Orochimaru, after all, was far more meticulous than those playing political games.
"By the way, Shirou-kun, with your sharp intuition, you must have realized it already. By tomorrow, your identity will be exposed to the Kumo Ninjas. After all, I'm part of the Root…"
Orochimaru spoke calmly, his raspy laughter punctuating his words as he revealed the orders he'd received.
It was clear that this time, Shirou's mission in the Kumogakure was a trap. The Root organization was secretly planning to leak his identity to the Kumo Ninjas, hoping to use them as a knife to eliminate him.
Hearing this, Shirou smirked disdainfully, waving a hand dismissively.
"That just goes to show that those old fools have long lost their edge—resorting to such filthy tricks."
"Heh heh, it seems a lot of interesting things have happened since I left the village. Who would've thought Tsunade would unexpectedly carry on the Senju name? It's made those old fools anxious, hasn't it? Now they're trying to pit me and Tsunade against each other."
Orochimaru's raspy laughter echoed again, his pale golden snake eyes showing no excitement, only calm detachment as he casually revealed how the higher-ups had reached out to him.
For Orochimaru, who had already begun pursuing the mysteries of life itself, the allure of power paled in comparison to his quest to uncover the secrets of the ninja world.
After hearing Orochimaru's words, Shirou chuckled, narrowing his eyes.
"After all, Lord Orochimaru, you're of commoner descent. In their eyes, you represent the interests of ordinary ninjas, with the support of many civilians. Meanwhile, Sister Tsunade represents the interests of the great clans. This balancing act of theirs is quite the spectacle."
Though the two of them spoke of the political struggles within the village, their gazes both carried a sense of clarity and disdain, as though observing from above.
They were both individuals who had no real attachment to power.
Orochimaru sought eternal life, while Shirou wanted to pilot a Gundam. Ahem! To him, the entire ninja world would belong once he grew powerful enough.
Power was the ultimate goal, and authority was merely a tool to accelerate its acquisition.
"Shirou-kun, this is the intel on the Two-Tails. It's currently in the Kumo Gorge. However, I've heard the Kumo Ninjas are searching for a new Jinchuriki. The current Jinchuriki's body seems to be in poor condition. I believe your Sharingan should come in handy."
Orochimaru tossed a scroll containing the intel toward Shirou, who caught it with a smile and nodded.
"Understood. I'll do my best to collect the tailed beast's chakra and cells."
"Let's proceed according to plan. As agreed, I'll share a copy of the experimental data with you later."
The two exchanged a knowing glance and smiled—kindred spirits recognizing one another.
Both were unbound by the conventions of the world, which only made Orochimaru more excited as he laughed in his raspy voice.
"Heh heh, Shirou-kun, you truly are different. Even Tsunade has a trace of desire for power and strength in her eyes, though for various reasons. But you, Shirou-kun, from beginning to end, power has always been nothing but an accessory to you!"
As he spoke, Orochimaru flashed his signature, charmingly sinister smile, staring intently at Shirou.
"Shirou-kun, I've always said this—you have a unique ambition in your eyes. The pride in your bones sets you apart from other Uchiha. You've always exuded confidence.
To you, power is nothing more than a shortcut to greater strength. From the beginning, your goal has been crystal clear—conquer! The endless pursuit of power with no limits."
Orochimaru's pale golden snake eyes glimmered with profound depth, like those of a philosopher. Shirou responded with a smile of his own.
"That's why we're kindred spirits."
To Orochimaru, he was no longer an outcast; he had found a fellow seeker of the ninja world's secrets.
What Orochimaru didn't know, however, was that Shirou had long since uncovered the secrets of this world. That clarity only fueled his relentless pursuit of strength.
...
Kumo Gorge.
A massive wooden gate was built into the mountains, with its interior hollowed out.
A giant plaque hung above the gate, bearing the words "Kumo Gorge."
Under the moonlight, a flash of crimson light flickered in the shadows. A figure silently passed through a barrier without alerting anyone.
"A Uzumaki-style barrier, huh?"
With a calm smile, Shirou stepped through the barrier. Using sensory techniques, he quickly assessed the situation inside.
"No wonder the Kumo Ninjas are looking for a new Jinchuriki at such a critical time. The current Two-Tails Jinchuriki's body is nearing its limit."
In the current ninja world, replacing a Jinchuriki was always a necessity for a reason. During wartime, the difference between a seasoned Jinchuriki and a newly chosen one was clear to anyone.
Inside the Kumo Gorge.
Within the cave, countless sealing chains intertwined, binding a middle-aged Kumo ninja who sat cross-legged on the ground.
"The Two-Tails is constantly eroding the Jinchuriki's consciousness. For now, the sealing technique has stabilized it, but the village must replace the Jinchuriki within a year. Otherwise, the risks will become uncontrollable."
In the dim cave, three Kumo Ninjas sat cross-legged in strategic positions, continuously channeling chakra to maintain the barrier. One of them smiled in relief and joked:
"This Uzumaki sealing technique is something. Too bad we couldn't get the complete version."
"It's good enough. At least our village has made progress in sealing techniques. Kumogakure will become the strongest in the ninja wo..."
"Saburo? What's wrong?"
Suddenly, Saburo's laughter stopped abruptly. His two companions turned to him in shock, only to see a flash of crimson light, and their expressions froze.
From the shadows behind Saburo came a cold, sinister laugh.
"Heh heh, such filthy scum..."
Saburo coughed up blood, trembling as he caught a glimpse of the figure behind him.
"You… you…"
In the darkness, a tall, pale figure emerged. His appearance caused Saburo's pupils to shrink in terror—it was a face he recognized.
Golden hair, two upward-curving horns on his head, and a "Copper" character tattooed on his arm.
"You… you're one of the remnants of Kinkaku… and Ginkaku…"
The familiar features brought to mind the most infamous criminals in Kumogakure's history—former legends of the village.
The figure grinned cruelly in response.
"I didn't expect anyone to still remember the legends of the Kumogakure. Back then, you devils invaded our Land of Lightning, breaking the promises of the past!
Even the Third Raikage was one of you devils! I, Skoll, represent the original people of the Kumogakure, and I've come to exact revenge!"
With a cold, arrogant laugh, Skoll stomped on Saburo's face, crushing his nose and shattering his teeth. Blood poured out in streams, but even as he spat blood, Saburo could only helplessly watch as Skoll moved toward the sealing center.
"No… The Tailed Beast going berserk… it will kill countless people in the Kumogakure! You… you're part of our village too…"
Weak, pleading words sounded from behind, but Skoll only responded with an impossibly dark side glance.
"The Kumogakure? Heh, isn't it now the Kumogakure of you devils? Go back and tell your foolish Third Raikage: the debt owed by you devils must be repaid.
Enjoy your last moments of survival. I, Skoll, have inherited the will of Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Even if I must ally with Konoha, I will revive the greatness of the original Kumogakure."
With maniacal laughter, Skoll (Shirou) strode mockingly toward the center. The Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails, Heigui, glared at him in fury.
"Skoll! I don't know the grudges of the past generations, but I know that there are countless of our comrades in the Kumogakure! Do you even realize what kind of disaster will come if you release the Tailed Beast inside me!?
And you—joining hands with Konoha?! That's an outright betrayal of the Kumogakure!"
"Shut up!"
With a cold shout, Skoll instantly appeared before Heigui. In his terrified gaze, Skoll severed the chains of the sealing mechanism, causing the Tailed Beast's power inside him to spiral out of control.
"You'll destroy the village!"
"Kekeke… Destroy the village of you devils, and then I'll rebuild the new Kumogakure atop the ruins! For this, I, Skoll, have willingly joined forces with Danzo Shimura of Konoha. For this, I've wandered the shinobi world for countless years. Finally!"
Shirou, disguised as Skoll, had fully transformed into a crazed avenger. The cave in the Kumo Gorge was suddenly filled with the terrifying chakra of a Tailed Beast.
Sealing Release!
A terrifying chakra appeared in Shiou's palm as he struck Heigui's chest. The seal on Heigui's body emerged and began to unravel.
This made Heigui cry out in fear: "How is this possible!? This is a village sealing technique!"
But Shirou, still disguised as Skoll, scoffed coldly and mockingly laughed:
"Kekeke, you lowly devils, have you forgotten? Konoha possesses all of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques. Before I came, Danzo Shimura of Konoha had already told me everything about your devils' sealing methods."
"No!"
The violent chakra of the Tailed Beast began to devour Heigui's consciousness. In his terror, he realized that if the enemy could so easily break his seal, he might as well have fought to the death from the start.
But by the time he realized this, it was too late!
ROAR!
A beastly roar echoed through the Kumo Gorge, and cracks began to appear in the barrier sealing the area.
Far away, the Kumogakure was shrouded in the night.
...
In a bedroom, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Blue B, with his half-white, half-green hair, was trembling in terror. A tall female Kumo ninja was pinning him down.
"Heh, it's useless. What you ingested earlier was a special genjutsu drug I created. Living is painful, isn't it? Let me release you from the unease and pain of being a Jinchūriki. Allow me to guide you to the world of death…"
The woman removed the human-skin mask from her face, revealing Orochimaru's visage. At this moment, Orochimaru spoke with the excitement of a philosopher, his five fingers glowing faintly blue with chakra.
Sealing Release!
As Orochimaru struck Blue B's chest seal, Blue B's eyes rolled back, and he let out an uncontrollable scream.
"Alright! Come out, Eight-Tails!"
By dawn, most of the people of Kumogakure were still asleep when a terrifying, ominous chakra swept over the entire village.
In an instant, birds took flight in panic, and insects and wild animals scattered in terror or fled while screaming as if struck by fear.
"This is bad! That's the Eight-Tails' chakra!"
In the Raikage's office, the Third Raikage, who had been training, showed a look of shock and anger the moment the chakra swept through.
At the same time, countless Kumo ninjas in the village looked toward the source of the chakra explosion, their faces filled with dread.
"The Tailed Beast has gone berserk!"
That was the first thought that came to every Kumo ninja's mind.
BOOM!
With a roar, a massive, terrifying Eight-Tails appeared on the outskirts of the Kumogakure at dawn. Its beastly cry shook the entire village.
Hidden in the shadows, Namikaze Minato suddenly appeared on a rooftop. Looking at the terrifying Tailed Beast in the distance, even his pupils couldn't help but show a trace of shock.
"So this is a Tailed Beast..."
It was the first time he had seen the full form of a Tailed Beast. Even from such a distance, the presence of the Eight-Tails filled him with a sense of terrifying dread from its chakra.
"Lord Orochimaru succeeded. I must retreat quickly—and find Shirou!"
With ghost-like speed, Minato moved toward the predetermined meeting point to assist Orochimaru's escape. Meanwhile, chaos reigned throughout the entire Kumogakure.
"Help! Somebody help!"
"Ugh, it's the Eight-Tails! A monster!"
"Run for your lives!"
A Tailed Beast going berserk was a terrifying disaster in any ninja village. Countless Kumo ninjas flooded the streets, urgently evacuating civilians to shelters.
"The sealing squad is already containing the Eight-Tails. All ninjas, evacuate civilians to the shelters immediately! All chunin and below, maintain order in the shelters."
"All Jonin and chunin, form defensive lines! The Raikage-sama has already led the Elite Guard to suppress the situation!"
Emergency orders were issued one after another as the Kumogakure entered a state of emergency.
ROAR!
In the distance, the Eight-Tails rampaged, and the sealing squad was the first to arrive.
Knowing that the Jinchūriki was within the village, the Kumogakure had stationed a sealing squad nearby in preparation. This was especially true since Blue B had shown signs of mental instability recently.
In the original timeline, when the Eight-Tails went berserk, the sealing squad quickly appeared to contain it temporarily, buying time for the village to evacuate.
However, this time, as the sealing squad rushed forward and unleashed sealing chains, a sudden flash of light appeared in the sky.
"Damn it! The Two-Tails is going berserk too!"
The Third Raikage, who was rushing toward the Eight-Tails, suddenly froze, his pupils contracting as he looked at the light in the sky. His face filled with shock and rage.
A massive, terrifying Tailed Beast Bomb was hurtling toward the Kumogakure.