NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: The Sky Veil Appears – What Is a Jinchūriki?
Year 61 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar
During the Chūnin Exams…
The sound of a small stream trickling down the riverbank filled the air. Two figures, one large and one small, stood by the water, seemingly engaged in a training session.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A young boy's voice rang out loudly.
Poof!
A puff of white smoke erupted from the ground. Out of it emerged a small, brown-speckled tadpole, no bigger than a finger.
"Yes! I did it! Haha!" the boy exclaimed with joy.
The older man beside him, however, looked unimpressed. "That's still just a tadpole," he muttered, glancing at it skeptically.
"Look closer! Right here—it's got legs now!" Naruto pointed excitedly at the tadpole, its tiny legs flapping.
"…" Jiraiya was silent.
"You idiot! Summon a real frog already!"
"Sheesh, Ero-Sennin, you're so annoying! At least it has legs this time—that's progress!" Naruto huffed, crossing his arms.
Jiraiya sighed in exasperation. "You really have no talent for this, do you?"
"What did you say?! Just watch! I'll summon a big frog, and then you'll have to admit I'm amazing!" Naruto shouted, his determination flaring.
Suddenly, a loud sound echoed across the ninja world.
Boom!
Everyone froze as a massive, mysterious veil appeared, floating ominously in the sky. Countless shinobi from every corner of the world stared upward in shock.
"What is that?" Naruto gasped, looking up at the strange phenomenon.
Hidden Leaf Village, Hokage's Office
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, stood by the window, his face grim as he stared at the veil. He puffed on his pipe, breaking the tense silence.
"What do you make of this?" he asked.
Shikaku Nara, standing nearby, thought for a moment. "Hokage-sama, its appearance is bizarre and its purpose unclear. We should observe it carefully for now."
"Very well," Hiruzen replied, nodding gravely. "Send a team from the Anbu to monitor it. Report any changes immediately."
"Understood."
Hiruzen's eyes returned to the veil. His unease deepened. Could this herald a major upheaval for the ninja world?
Land of Earth, Hidden Stone Village
In the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki, the elderly Third Tsuchikage, squinted sharply at the veil.
"What is this thing?" Ōnoki muttered, his tone heavy.
"Could it be something Konoha or Sunagakure created?" he asked his subordinates.
"We'll investigate," an Anbu member replied before vanishing.
Ōnoki frowned deeply, his unease growing. "I hope I'm wrong," he murmured.
Land of Lightning, Hidden Cloud Village
In the Raikage's office, the muscular Fourth Raikage, A, crossed his arms as he stared at the veil with a stern expression.
"Samui, what do you make of this?" he asked his assistant.
Samui paused before replying, "It's strange and feels ominous. We should tread carefully."
"Do you think it could be Konoha's doing?"
Samui shook her head. "Even Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't be capable of creating something like this."
Land of Water, Hidden Mist Village
Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī stood at her office window, her brows furrowed in concern.
"Chōjūrō, Ao," she called.
"We're here!" her aides replied promptly.
"Find out what this veil is and keep an eye on Konoha's activities, especially the Chūnin Exams," she ordered.
"Yes!" They disappeared instantly.
Left alone, Mei sighed, rubbing her temples. "What on earth is happening?"
Back by the riverbank, Naruto stared wide-eyed at the veil. It loomed larger than even the Hokage Monument, vast and awe-inspiring.
"What… what is that?" Naruto whispered, his voice trembling.
"Stop training for now. Stay behind me," Jiraiya ordered, stepping protectively in front of him.
Naruto glanced at Jiraiya's broad back. For a moment, he felt a flicker of reassurance from the older ninja's presence.
Elsewhere, Sasuke, training under Kakashi, found himself in a similar situation.
"Kakashi-sensei, what is that?" Sasuke asked, unable to mask his shock.
"I don't know," Kakashi admitted, his one visible eye narrowing. "But we shouldn't act rashly."
Suddenly, a deep, booming voice emanated from the veil.
Ding!
The ninja world collectively flinched at the sound. It felt as though a heavy pressure had descended upon them.
"Question: What is a Jinchūriki?"
The world fell into stunned silence.
"What's going on?"
"What's a Jinchūriki?"
"Why is this question appearing in the sky?"