Throughout the various eras of the Shinobi World—eras of war, eras of peace—schemes and treachery played out quietly in the shadows every single day.
The sky remained the same sky, clouds drifting and unfurling, never changing.
Until this moment.
Without any warning, a luminous screen stretched across the sky, extending from one end of the horizon to the other, splitting the entire sky into two halves.
The screen was translucent like glass, its edges shimmering with a faint blue light—nearly imperceptible under the sun, yet clearly visible to everyone who looked up.
Though no images had yet appeared, anyone in the world with even a slight bit of sensory ability understood: this was an unprecedented anomaly.
[Year 1 of Konoha]
The village of Konoha was in the midst of fervent construction.
A young Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara stood atop their favorite cliffside vantage point.
This was the highest spot in Konoha, offering a panoramic view of the entire village.
Below, the wooden pilings and foundations of many buildings had just been laid, and workers moved like ants amidst the bustle.
"Madara, look at that."
Hashirama raised his finger toward the sky, his thick brows furrowing slightly. For once, he had set aside his usual carefree smile.
Madara had already noticed the anomaly.
With his arms crossed, his Sharingan had activated without conscious thought, attempting to analyze the chakra structure of that luminous screen.
A moment later, Madara let out a cold snort:
"There are no Chakra fluctuations, and it's not Genjutsu either."
The two exchanged a look; years of unspoken understanding allowed them to grasp each other's thoughts without a word—the danger level of this thing was unknown.
Hashirama stepped forward and began forming hand signs:
"Let me test it with a Wood Clone first."
"Hashirama!"
Madara interrupted sharply, slamming a hand heavily onto Hashirama's shoulder.
"The village has just been founded. You're the Hokage. How can you act so recklessly? If that light screen turns out to be dangerous—"
"That's exactly why it should be me."
Hashirama turned his head and offered a reassuring smile.
"I have the strongest regenerative abilities. You know that."
"Ridiculous."
Madara let go, the corner of his mouth curling into a defiant arc.
"When it comes to defense and survivability, Susano'o is no less than your Sage Body. And besides…"
He paused, gazing down at the village under construction, his voice dropping slightly:
"You're the Hokage, and I'm not. At least, not yet."
Before the words even faded, azure chakra erupted from Madara's body.
Rib-like bones materialized in the air, swiftly followed by muscles and armor. In an instant, the complete body of Susano'o rose from the ground. The blue giant spread the wings on its back, kicking up a fierce gale.
"Madara, wait!"
Hashirama reached out to stop him, but Madara had already propelled Susano'o into the sky, charging straight toward the light screen.
Just then, Senju Tobirama appeared on the cliffside using the Flying Raijin Jutsu, his silver hair fluttering slightly in the wind.
He looked at the massive Susanoo in the sky, his steps toward Hashirama slowing down involuntarily, a complex expression flashing across his face.
"Brother."
Tobirama walked up behind Hashirama and spoke quietly:
"I've received intelligence that this light screen is visible from every corner of the world—the Land of Rain, the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, the Land of Water... reports have already come back via Messenger Hawks."
Hashirama didn't turn around. His gaze remained fixed on Madara's figure:
"Any discoveries?"
"None."
Tobirama answered succinctly.
"It simply seems to exist. It produces no Chakra fluctuations, neither absorbs nor releases energy. Physical contact is likely ineffective as well—exactly as Madara is currently verifying."
In the sky, the Perfect Susano'o swung its massive Chakra Blade. The slash cut through the clouds but passed straight through the light screen, as if it was nothing more than an illusion.
Madara frowned and controlled the Susano'o to attempt a direct collision, but the result was the same—the screen was as if it didn't exist. The entire upper half of Susano'o passed through it without making contact with any physical entity.
Madara dispelled the Susano'o and landed back on the cliffside, expressionless.
"Not a physical object. Not composed of Chakra. Not Genjutsu either. I've never seen anything like this."
Hashirama patted him on the shoulder:
"At least it seems harmless for now."
"Temporary calm doesn't mean there's no threat."
Tobirama analyzed calmly:
"Brother, we need to hold an emergency meeting. All Five Great Nations can see this thing now. The other hidden villages might overreact."
Hashirama nodded, his expression turning serious.
He looked at the calm screen in the sky and spoke in a heavy voice:
"Tobirama is right."
"Madara, let's go to the conference room. Notify all the Jonins!"
---
[Year 20 of Konoha]
The battlefield of the First Great Ninja War.
The smell of blood permeated the air.
This was the border of Yugakure, where the front lines of Konoha and Kumogakure had been at a stalemate for months.
The Shinobis on the battlefield turned a blind eye to the light screen above them—
Or rather, they didn't dare to be distracted.
In a life-and-death struggle, a moment of negligence was enough to be fatal.
---
[Year 37 of Konoha]
During the period of the Second Great Ninja War.
Amegakure.
Shimura Danzō, in his prime, stood inside a temporary command post, gazing through the window at the distant battlefield.
The Third Hokage's three disciples—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—were locked in battle there with the "Demigod" Hanzo.
Though miles away, the sounds of explosions and the surges of Chakra continued to reach them.
"Danzo, are you sure you won't step in to help?"
Utatane Koharu said with a frown from the side.
"This is their battle."
Danzō's voice was firm.
"As disciples of the Hokage, this is an ordeal they must undergo. If they can't even get past Hanzo..."
"Then they'll never truly be able to stand on their own."
He paused and looked up at the light screen in the sky:
"As for this thing... It's been five days already. Have there been any new discoveries from the intelligence?"
Mitokado Homura shook his head.
"Nothing. We've tried every method of detection. It's as if it doesn't exist, yet it's clearly there. The other major nations are also investigating, but they seem to have come up empty as well."
"What's the reaction on Hanzo's side?" Danzō asked.
"Amegakure seems to regard the light screen as some kind of 'divine sign.'"
"Hanzo himself hasn't made any statement, but the civilians of Amegakure have already started praying to it."
Danzō sneered, his tone indifferent: "In chaotic times, people always seek out meaningless spiritual sustenance..."
A massive explosion echoed from afar, followed by a tremendous burst of Chakra.
Three streams of Chakra collided with another, equally powerful yet cold force.
[A few days later]
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, in his prime presiding over Konoha, was in high spirits.
Konoha's strength now firmly stood at the top in the Shinobi World. His own disciples had managed to fight on par with Hanzo of Amegakure—dubbed the "Demigod" of the Shinobi World—and had even earned the title of the "Sannin."
He had ultimately lived up to his teacher's expectations!
---
[Year 50 of Konoha]
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, stood by the window, looking at the light screen above Konoha, frowning deeply.
The investigation team had submitted a report yesterday, and the conclusion remained: "Unable to analyze."
He had only recently become Hokage, and now this thing had appeared. He had no way of knowing whether it was a good or bad omen.