quiet...
quiet...
quiet...
The video feed vanished, replaced by the live broadcast of the exam space now playing on screens across the ninja world. Instinctively, almost everyone turned to look at one person—Shimura Danzo.
Most of the people watching weren't even ninja. They didn't care about the spectacular ninjutsu display between Sasuke Uchiha and Danzo Shimura. What they did care about was the look on Danzo's old, crumpled face.
Even non-shinobi could see that Danzo had been utterly humiliated by Sasuke.
In fact, it was almost like Danzo had choreographed his own death...
Running... jumping... throwing kunai... summoning beasts... and finally, just straight-up committing suicide to blow up a bridge.
If Space had asked them who the winner was, and told them the answer was Sasuke, most people would have laughed. After seeing that video, they would've rather answered "Danzo" — or maybe even the bridge.
That man's downfall was so poetic it was funny.
If only he didn't look so grotesque, with those hideous arms and his overall shady vibe, people might've just crowned Danzo "comedy's new rising star."
I mean, really—Sasuke had already been sealed. Danzo had his sword. Just finish it with a single slash! Instead, he just had to stop and monologue. Had to say some final words. Had to flex about Sasuke's "evolution."
And then what? He threatened Karin for no reason, and when the tables turned, he hesitated again—only to be stabbed for it.
Then he turned around and ran like hell.
What was that?
This guy's combat IQ was worse than a Genin's.
---
"Still, that Sasuke Uchiha is seriously powerful."
In the shinobi world, someone finally broke the silence, and soon a wave of loud conversation followed.
"I don't care how strong he is. I just want to admit I respect him now!"
"Dog or not, that guy ain't human!"
And then came the sarcasm. Jabs at Sasuke from ordinary civilians, especially those bitter about his brutal execution of Danzo. It reminded them of their own lives—getting used and discarded like tools.
To them, Sasuke's revenge looked a lot like unloading and killing the donkey.
---
"Oh, Itachi… he really is as ruthless as you."
Orochimaru's tongue flicked with glee as he studied Itachi, who stood silently, his expression tight.
Watching the visual spectacle of the Mangekyō Sharingan techniques reignited Orochimaru's obsession with the Uchiha. His eyes shimmered with interest as he licked his lips and stared at the unconscious Sasuke in Itachi's arms.
If he could make Sasuke his new vessel...
"You won't touch him."
Itachi's cold voice cut through Orochimaru's fantasy. His gaze swept past him—straight to the shadowed figures gathering nearby.
A cluster of masked Root members had formed, surrounding none other than Shimura Danzo.
Itachi's killing intent simmered beneath the surface.
Not just because of Shisui's eyes, but because of the countless Sharingan embedded in Danzo's arm. Danzo had desecrated his clan's legacy.
He could kill him now, if he could stop him from forming Izanagi's pre-signs.
But Danzo's subordinates… they made it more complicated.
Itachi withdrew his gaze, deep in thought. He knew Danzo. The man would never sit back knowing Sasuke would one day kill him. He'd act first—maybe even use Shisui's eye to forcibly rewrite Sasuke's will.
That couldn't be allowed.
He couldn't leave Sasuke in Konoha anymore.
But…
He was about to use the Time Gate.
Itachi raised his head, eyes turning to Uzumaki Nagato, uncertain whether this enigmatic leader could be trusted.
---
Meanwhile, far from them, Uchiha Obito watched the fading images in silence.
Did he really team up with Sasuke just for Shisui's eye?
Obito slapped his forehead, baffled by his own future choices. Everything he was seeing made it harder and harder to understand what he'd been thinking.
And Black Zetsu, standing beside him, was equally contemplative.
He felt a strange, familiar aura from Sasuke Uchiha.
A breath that stirred ancient instincts.
A breath he had once felt from Madara Uchiha…
"Indra..."
---
Swish!
As the last image faded, a new event broke the tension.
A yellow light flared above the Sand Ninja team's platform, signaling that they had been chosen to answer the next question.
Conversations paused. All eyes shifted toward the screen.
Uzumaki Nagato's voice echoed across the exam space once more.
> "Team Yellow, prepare to answer. Question Four:
Why does Uzumaki Nagato have the ability to resurrect—but not Yahiko?"
At that moment, Chiyo looked like she wanted to curse out loud.
She could resurrect people, sure—but who the hell was Yahiko?
She glanced back at the other Sand Ninja. Maki was lowering his head. The others were practically doing the ostrich strategy, trying to dig into the stone platform.
Her face darkened.
She had no idea what the penalty was for failing this makeup exam—but it wouldn't be light. And if the rewards were abilities, then maybe the punishments were as well?
Would the Space strip abilities from losing teams and give them to others?
If that was true… it meant the implications were massive.
She blinked, turning to Sasori, her grandson, with hope in her voice.
"Sasori, do you know this one?"
At first, Sasori didn't respond. Then, seeing the trace of disappointment and loneliness in Chiyo's eyes, something flickered in him.
He hesitated, then said flatly:
"This question is too difficult. Not even members of Akatsuki know the answer."
Chiyo was stunned. She looked at Sasori in surprise, but didn't argue.
Then she turned to the unfortunate soul she'd been trying to ignore.
"Maki, you answer."
"...Eh?"
Maki looked up, stricken like a death row inmate.
Then, with the desperation of a man gambling his life, he answered:
"Because… he didn't want to resurrect him?"
The yellow light vanished immediately.
The next moment, a blue light lit up around Konan and the twenty-four Rain Village ninja behind her.
Konan didn't turn around to ask for their input. No one in this world knew Nagato better than she did.
She raised her voice:
"Nagato is waiting for the right moment to resurrect Yahiko. He wants to bring him back once they can live peacefully together."
Swish!
Blue light vanished.
Now it was the Black Team's turn.
A moment later, Kakuzu spoke up.
"The leader didn't resurrect Yahiko because their visions for peace in the ninja world differed.
Originally, Akatsuki was Yahiko's dream. Now it's Nagato's.
But their methods contradict.
So right now, it's not about personal bonds—
It's about clashing ideologies.
Nagato wants to resurrect Yahiko after achieving his version of peace.
Bringing him back now would only hold him back."
!
!!
Even Hidan was stunned by Kakuzu's calm, accurate monologue.
Behind them, Mifune and his samurai stood motionless.
Elsewhere…
Konan covered her mouth, tears brimming.
Sasori slapped his own face.
Jiraiya gawked like a fish, mouth opening and closing in shock.
And Nagato?
He looked at the correct answer card in his hand.
A perfect match.
Kakuzu's analysis mirrored it word for word.
His fingers trembled.
> "How… did he know that?"
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