Naruto and Sasuke were defeated by the power of Madara Uchiha. Madara forcefully extracted Kurama from Naruto, resulting in Naruto's death. He then sealed Kurama and the other tailed beasts inside the "Gedo-mazu". Madara also used Sasuke's chokutō, also known as the "Kusanagi Blade," to end Sasuke's life. With Naruto and Sasuke gone, Madara became the "Ten-Tails Jinchuriki" and brought chaos to the ninja world.
Flashback.
From the Perspective of Sasuke.
Immersed in darkness, Sasuke opened his eyes, half-expecting to find Itachi and the rest of his family awaiting him in the afterlife. Despite his best efforts against Madara, Sasuke was incapacitated, stabbed through his chest, awaiting what he thought was his end. However, as he surveyed the gloom around him, he understood that this wasn't the afterlife; this place was unknown to him.
"Where am I?" Sasuke pondered out loud, his gaze darting around.
"That indeed is a challenging question to answer. Essentially, you are dead, but not completely lost," came a semi-amused voice from behind him.
Sasuke spun around to face a floating man endowed with two Rinnegan eyes and an unusual spiral-shaped third eye on his forehead.
"Who are you?" Sasuke inquired, his defensive reflex poised, even though, without his chakra, he was no match for the other.
"I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki, often known as the Sage of Six Paths," the man said, shocking Sasuke.
"I understand your disbelief, but I brought you here because in essence, you are my son…" Sasuke's disbelief only grew.
"That's a lie!" Sasuke retorted, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"…You did not let me complete," chided Hagoromo, causing Sasuke to fall silent, although he still wore an indignant scowl.
"As I was about to explain, you, in a way, are my son. Not really you, Sasuke, but your chakra. Allow me to narrate the tale of my children, Indra and Ashura," Hagoromo began.
With the story concluded, Sasuke facially expressed no reaction. However, he was secretly astonished by the narrative.
"So, you're stating that I am the reincarnation of your malevolent older son, while Naruto bears the spirit of your benevolent younger one," Sasuke queried skeptically.
Hagoromo nodded. "Essentially, that's it, although it is an oversimplified version. Indra's grudge, unfortunately, has lived on through the ages. Like you, Madara too is a manifestation of Indra, whose ambitions led him to exploit the rinne-rebirth technique to attain life once more. His potential only increased after absorbing Hashirama's chakra," explained Hagoromo.
"But how does Hashirama's chakra absorption worsen the situation?" Sasuke asked, not quite following Hagoromo's explanation.
"He was the Ashura reincarnate before Naruto. Having absorbed his chakra now, Madara possesses a power equivalent to mine," Hagoromo clarified.
'Well, that's not promising. We're essentially pitted against another Sage of the Six Paths,' Sasuke thought, frustrated at this revelation.
Hagoromo sighed. "I feel as though this chain of events is my doing. I entrusted everything to Ashura, hoping that Indra would support him. My favoritism led to Indra feeling wronged, starting a conflict with his brother, thus igniting the cycle. I now trust you and Naruto to terminate this cycle of violence," he said.
"And what exactly are you expecting from me?" asked Sasuke, keeping his expression neutral.
"Before I address that, answer my queries. What are your plans after the war, provided we win, and how would you describe your relationship with Naruto?" Hagoromo questioned.
Mulling over his answers, Sasuke looked away. He was clear about his post-war intentions but uncertain about his relationship with Naruto. After a few moments of contemplation, he turned to Hagoromo.
"I plan to destroy the current Kage and reign over the shinobi world post-war. I'll unify all shinobi through their shared hatred for me. No one will have to become an Itachi again. Regarding my relationship with the idiot… he's my best friend, yet also a hindrance to my ultimate mission," Sasuke said, his expression ominous.
After deliberating over Sasuke's responses, Hagoromo nodded.
"I understand. Instead of sending the two of you back into the war, I am going to transport you both to another dimension. This will give both you and Naruto a chance to achieve your goals. You both will tackle the challenges of this unfamiliar world, assist its people with their troubles. And ending my sons feud at one other, so I'm entrusting you and Naruto with the task of quelling the rivalry. Configure your strengths to dissolve the vendetta between my sons. You'll retain all of your memories and your abilities, however, to prevent misuse, I will impose a seal on 50 percent of your powers," Hagoromo elaborated.
Sasuke was taken aback initially, but soon wore a mischievous smirk. Noticing Sasuke's expression, Hagoromo resumed speaking.
"Naruto will retain his powers as well, to act as a restraint on you if required. His memories will remain unaltered, though a seal will be put on 50 percent of his powers as well, ensuring he doesn't recklessly brandish his power," Hagoromo reiterated.
Wait, so you're telling me that Naruto will also have "the nine tails" back?" Sasuke said, angered by what Hagoromo said.
"Yes. The moment I teleported you two to this dimension, I will send you... He will have "the nine tails" back," Hagoromo said to him.
Sasuke scowled at the thought of Naruto paralleling his prowess in the new realm. Despite this, the offer seemed favorable, even with just half of their original strengths. He also had to tolerate Naruto once again, but he shrugged it off casually.
"Does Naruto know anything about this too?" Sasuke asked the sage.
"Yes, he does. In fact, I'm talking to him right now, the same way I am talking to you," Hagoromo said to Sasuke.
Sasuke frowned, "Tch, he'll still be a loser," Sasuke expressed, showing nonchalance.
Hagoromo rolled his eyes at Sasuke's attitude, yet he held onto the hope that Sasuke would act benevolently. "Alright Sasuke-kun, are you prepared for the journey to this new dimension?" Hagoromo inquired.
"But wait. Before you transport me, I need to understand why you're sealing our powers by 50 percent. If we're moving to this novel world of yours, at least provide me with an explanation," Sasuke retorted, bewildered by Hagoromo's decision.
Hagoromo nodded, already foreseeing Sasuke's query about their powers' sealing. Hence, he initiated an explanation. "The dimension where you both are being sent lacks any chakra. Put simply, unlike your world, this dimension's populace doesn't possess any chakra nor do they use it, like you and Naruto. They rely on highly advanced technology. The sealing of your powers is meant to inhibit any potential misuse of your powers in this new world," Hagoromo explained, clarifying his earlier decision for Sasuke.
Sasuke was disgruntled by the weakening, but since Naruto would be on the same plateau, he figured it wasn't an entirely losing situation.
"I understand your point. But I do have one final question. Why seal our powers instead of removing our chakra? You've stated that a 50 percent sealing is necessary to prevent power abuse. Wouldn't removing our chakra be more efficient? And how can we regain full potency of our abilities?" Sasuke posed this query to the sage.
"A very pertinent question, Sasuke, but extracting the chakra from your bodies would be lethal to both of you. Remember, you and Naruto don't belong in this world. You function differently. This world has destructive technology that rivals your combined powers, and it would be unsafe for you both to face those threats defenseless. But worry not, you will unlock your true powers in due course, like your Mangekyo Sharingan," Hagoromo explained.
"So, you're implying that I need to train all my powers again in this new world?" Sasuke asked, clearly frustrated.
"Yes, Sasuke. That's precisely the point. Think of it as a return to your academy days when you and Naruto were training to become stronger," Hagoromo responded.
Sasuke then asked, "And what about my 'Curse Mark' and 'Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan'? Do I also need to train them again?"
"No, your 'Curse Mark' and 'Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan' are intrinsically connected with your body. You don't need to train them. However, the jutsus that aren't inherently connected to your body will require training". Hagoromo explained.
Sasuke smirked malevolently. "So, you're saying that I don't need to train my 'Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan'?" Sasuke asked.
Recognizing Sasuke's expression, Hagoromo spoke up. "Yes, but due to the seal I put on your chakra, you can't fully access your 'Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan'. You can only use your basic 'Sharingan'," Hagoromo clarified, ensuring Sasuke comprehended the situation.
"So, that means I can't use 'Amaterasu' nor even my 'Susanoo'," Sasuke stated, his voice drenched in annoyance.
"Yes, that's correct," Hagoromo responded.
Despite his displeasure, Sasuke gave a begrudging nod which did not escape Hagoromo's notice. He then used the last of his chakra to prepare the transportation jutsu.
"Always remember, Sasuke-kun, the feud between Indra and Ashura must be resolved by you and Naruto if you wish to extend your lives beyond this era and prevent another war," Hagoromo offered his final words of advice as he readied the technique.
With one last nod, Hagoromo activated the technique, successfully sending Sasuke to the other dimension.
End of Sasuke's perspective.
From Naruto's Perspective.
Surrounded by utter darkness, Naruto opened his eyes, half-hoping to see his parents and Jiraiya waiting for him in whatever afterlife they dwelled in. He had given his all in his battle with Madara, which regrettably ended with his defeat. Naruto figured he was walking into death's arms but was quickly taken aback upon finding himself in an obscure location.
"Where am I?" Naruto mused aloud as his eyes darted around the space.
"It's indeed a tricky question. I suppose you're technically dead, but you are not entirely gone," a mocking tone answered him from the shadows.
He swiftly pivoted to see a man floating in air, equipped with two Rinnegan eyes and a peculiar spiral-shaped eye in the center of his forehead.
"Who are you?" he queried, alert and ready for an attack, even though he knew he was powerless without his chakra.
"I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki, also known as the Sage of Six Paths," the man introduced himself, leaving Naruto wide-eyed.
"I can sense your skepticism, but I brought you here for a particular reason, and that's because, in a sense, you are my son…" His revelation left Naruto even more bewildered.
"You're joking!" Naruto retorted, his blue eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"…Have patience! You have to let me finish," Hagoromo chided, calming Naruto down, though a hint of suspicion lingered on his face.
"As I was explaining, you resemble my son in a certain he way, not in flesh and blood, but through your chakra. Let me clarify by telling you the story of my sons, Indra, and Ashura," Hagoromo started his narration.
Upon its completion, Naruto chose not to react, even though he was admittedly taken aback by the tale.
"So you're saying that Sasuke and I are the reincarnations of your sons – he of Indra and I of Ashura?" Naruto asked with a pinch of skepticism.
Hagoromo gave a nod. "That's one way to put it. I regret to tell you that Indra's grudge hasn't died yet. Madara is also a reincarnation of Indra. He used the rinne-rebirth technique to return to life and has grown even more formidable after incorporating Hashirama's chakra."
"But how does Hashirama's chakra make things worse?" Naruto questioned, attempting to connect the dots.
"Hashirama was an incarnation of Ashura before you came into the picture. After absorbing his chakra, Madara's power nearly equals mine," Hagoromo disclosed.
'That doesn't bode well. We are essentially facing another Sage of the Six Paths,' Naruto internally grunted.
Hagoromo released a sigh. "My actions were not without consequences. I placed too much faith in Ashura and hoped that Indra would assist him. The favoritism led to Indra's resentment, and the chain of events ignited a cycle of hatred. Now, the responsibility falls on you and Sasuke to break this cycle."
"And how do you expect me to do that?" Naruto questioned, his face a mask of neutrality.
"Before we venture into that, I want you to answer a couple of questions. What are your intentions post-war, provided we emerge victoriously, and how would you define your relationship with Sasuke?" Hagoromo requested.
His gaze wandering, Naruto started to ponder, certain about his post-war plans but still mulling over his exact relationship with Sasuke. After a few seconds of silence, he turned his gaze back towards Hagoromo.
"Post-war, I plan to confront the shinobi world and finally bring peace. I want to fulfill my dream of becoming Hokage. Regarding Sasuke… he's a dear friend and a rival. In my path to peace, I am determined to bring him back to the village," Naruto announced, voice echoing with determination.
After considering Naruto's response for a moment, Hagoromo nodded.
"I understand. Instead of sending the two of you back into the war, I am going to transport you both to another dimension. This will give both you and Sasuke a chance to achieve your goals. You both will tackle the challenges of this unfamiliar world, assist its people with their troubles, and end the feud between Indra and Ashura. I am entrusting you with the task of quelling the rivalry. However, to prevent misuse, I will impose a seal on 50 percent of your powers," Hagoromo explained.
Wait. So you're saying I can no longer see my friends?" Naruto said, saddened by what Hagoromo said.
Hagoromo saw Naruto's reaction and spoke. "Yes, Naruto. You will no longer be able to meet them again," Hagoromo said to Naruto.
Then Naruto suddenly felt saddened. He was in tears at the idea that he would no longer see his friends again. Hagoromo saw this and couldn't help but feel sad for Naruto.
"What's the matter, Naruto-kun?" Hagoromo said with a curious tone.
Naruto wiped his teary eyes and spoke. "Nothing, really," Naruto said with a sad smile.
"I know you're in pain, Naruto. Speak," Hagoromo said to him.
"I'm just sad that I will no longer be able to see my friends again," Naruto said with a sad tone.
"I know that you are the type of person who values friendship. You are just like my son, Ashura," Hagoromo said to him.
Naruto was initially taken aback, but soon a determined look crossed his face. Sensing Naruto's determination, Hagoromo continued speaking.
"You will also retain your powers to act as a restraint to Sasuke if required. His memories will remain unaltered, though a seal will be put on 50 percent of his powers as well, ensuring he doesn't recklessly abuse his power," Hagoromo reiterated.
"But how is that possible, 'super sage gramps'? I lost Kurama in my body because of Madara," Naruto said, not understanding the Sage's words.
"Yes, for now, but... But the moment you and Sasuke are teleported to the dimension I sent you, you will have Kurama back," Hagoromo said to Naruto.
Naruto was happy that he would have Kurama again. He also smiled at the thought of Sasuke matching his strength in the new realm. Despite this, the offer seemed favorable, even with just half of their original strengths. And he had to work with Sasuke once again, but he shrugged it off casually.
"He may be difficult to deal with at times, but I'll manage," Naruto said confidently, expressing his determination to make things work with Sasuke. Hagoromo smiled, grateful for Naruto's positive attitude and hopeful that he would approach the rivalry with benevolence.
Hagoromo smiled at Naruto's comment, yet he held onto the hope that Naruto would act benevolently.
"Alright Naruto, are you prepared for the journey to this new dimension?" Hagoromo inquired.
"But wait. Before you transport me, I need to understand why you're sealing our powers by 50 percent. If we're moving to this new world of yours, at least provide me with an explanation," Naruto retorted, curious about Hagoromo's decision.
Hagoromo nodded, already expecting Naruto's question about the sealing of their powers. Therefore, he initiated an explanation. "The dimension where you both are being sent lacks any chakra. Unlike your world, this dimension's populace doesn't possess any chakra nor do they use it, like you and Sasuke. They rely on highly advanced technology. The sealing of your powers is meant to inhibit any potential misuse of your powers in this new world," Hagoromo explained, clarifying his earlier decision for Naruto.
Naruto was slightly disappointed by the weakening, but since Sasuke would be on the same level, he figured it wasn't a major setback.
"I understand your point. But I have one final question. Why seal our powers instead of removing our chakra? You've stated that a 50 percent sealing is necessary to prevent power abuse. Wouldn't removing our chakra be more efficient? And how can we regain full potency of our abilities?" Naruto posed this question to the sage.
"Naruto, that's a valid question. But removing your chakra completely would be detrimental. Keep in mind that you and Sasuke are not native to this world, your physiologies function differently. They possess advanced technology that can rival your and Sasuke's powers. Don't worry, in due time, you will discover the true extent of your powers, just like your Nine-Tails transformation and Sage mode," Hagoromo explained. It's important that you retain some chakra to defend yourselves," Hagoromo replied.
Naruto nodded, understanding Hagoromo's explanation. With a determined look, he prepared himself for the journey to the new dimension. He took a moment to absorb the information. So he need to train again to fully gain his full ppowe, but he knew the importance of their mission.
"So, to unlock my full abilities, I'll have train again in this new world?" Naruto asked, a mix of determination and sadness in his voice.
Yes, your correct Naruto, just think of it as in your academy days back then. Hagoromo said to Naruto.
"Ahh... Man, I can't believe I have to train again just so I can unlock my full power," Naruto thought with a pout.
"But what about my 'Sage mode'? Do I also need to train that as well?" Naruto asked the Sage.
"No... Your 'Sage mode' is already a part of your body. The jutsus that are not a part of your body are the only ones that need training," Hagoromo explained to Naruto.
With an understanding look, Naruto nodded happily at the Sage. Hagoromo saw this and couldn't help but smile back.
"Always remember, Naruto, the feud between Indra and Ashura must be resolved by you and Sasuke if you wish to bring peace and prevent a war," Hagoromo advised during his final moments of preparing the technique.
With a confident nod, Naruto braced himself as Hagoromo activated the technique, transporting him into another dimension.
End of Naruto's perspective.
End of flashback.
Naruto and Sasuke woke up with throbbing headaches, their hands pressed against their temples in disbelief. They had been brought back to life once again, given another opportunity in a new world. The words of the Sage of the Six Paths echoed in their minds.
"Ah... my head hurts," Naruto thought, wincing in pain.
Sasuke also held his head, his eyes scanning their unfamiliar surroundings. To his right, he saw Naruto looking back at him with a smile.
"Oh, you're finally awake, Sasuke," Naruto greeted, momentarily forgetting the pain in his head.
Sasuke responded with his usual stoic expression. "I could say the same to you."
Naruto placed his hand on his stomach, trying to sense if Hagoromo had returned Kurama to him. He smiled when he felt Kurama's presence.
Sasuke, however, simply looked at Naruto and asked, "What are you doing?" He seemed confused.
Naruto smiled at Sasuke and replied, "I was just trying to contact Kurama to see if the 'super sage gramps' really did return him to me." He said this to Sasuke.
"Super sage gramps? Is that what you called him?" Sasuke asked, feeling a bit puzzled by Naruto's choice of names.
Naruto, with an awkward smile, said, "Yes, that's what I called him." He scratched his head as he spoke.
Sasuke frowned upon hearing this. "So that old man did return the loser's 9-tails power," he thought to himself.
Both Naruto and Sasuke stood up, their surroundings coming into focus. They found themselves in a dark hallway, filled with strange artifacts, display cases, statues, and elaborate paintings. Some items were recognizable, like poems on scrolls, but most of it seemed foreign to them.
"What is this place?" Naruto wondered aloud as he began exploring the hallway, his eyes drawn to the peculiar objects.
Sasuke, too, examined the bizarre items. "This might be the world the Sage of Six Paths sent us too," he suggested.
As they walked, they couldn't help but stop and appreciate some of the paintings. Naruto, who never considered himself an artist, found himself fascinated by the beauty captured in each artwork. However, unbeknownst to them, they had accidentally teleported inside the National Museum. Sasuke, however, grew impatient and attempted to leave the museum but paused when he noticed Naruto stopping as well.
"Tch... Are you done looking around, loser? We're wasting time here," Sasuke grumbled, annoyed at the delay.
Naruto brushed off Sasuke's comment and continued to marvel at the artwork surrounding them. His attention was soon captivated by a sculpture that resembled a dinosaur.
"What the hell is this thing? It's weird but also cool," Naruto exclaimed, reaching out to touch it. Before he could make contact, Sasuke swiftly smacked him on the head.
"What the hell are you doing, moron? Don't just touch random things," Sasuke scolded, his frustration evident.
Naruto, rubbing his head with tiny tears forming, shot an angry glare at Sasuke. "What was that for, you bastard?" he retorted, his irritation matching Sasuke's.
But before Sasuke could respond, their argument was interrupted by a loud voice echoing through the National Museum.
"Hey, who's there?!" a man in a guard uniform shouted, his voice filled with suspicion.
"We've been spotted..." Sasuke muttered under his breath.
Naruto and Sasuke turned their attention towards the source of the voice, spotting a man and two of his colleagues also clad in uniform, their flashlights trained on the two boys.
"Hey, what the hell are you kids doing here in the middle of the night?" one of the guards interrogated, his flashlight beam fixed upon them. "Don't tell me you're planning on stealing something, huh?"
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances, realizing they had stumbled into a precarious situation. They quickly assessed the guards and their stern expressions, understanding that a simple explanation might not suffice.
Caught off guard, Naruto's instinctive response was to defend himself. "No, wait! We didn't come here to steal anything!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. As they both cover their eyes in the light that is pointed at them.
Naruto, being in his usual panicked state, quickly reached out to contact Kurama. He managed to successfully establish contact with the fox spirit. As he prepared to perform a hand sign for a shadow clone jutsu, he suddenly remembered the words of the Sage of Six Paths. Realizing that he had no other choice, Naruto attempted to raise his hand, hoping to show that they meant no harm.
However, true to his nature, Sasuke appeared right in front of Naruto. Without hesitation, he sprinted towards the guards, swiftly knocking them unconscious.
"Come on, Naruto. We need to leave before more guards arrive," Sasuke said calmly, his expression unchanged.
"Sasuke, did you really have to do that?" Naruto exclaimed, his voice filled with anger.
Ignoring Naruto's protest, Sasuke turned his attention away and started running, determined to find a way out of their current predicament.
"Hey, wait for me!" Naruto shouted, chasing after Sasuke.
After what felt like an eternity, Sasuke and Naruto finally reached the exit and made a dash towards it.
"I can see the exit!" Sasuke said, charging straight through the exit door.
"Damn it... It's locked..." Naruto grumbled, attempting to open the door.
Suddenly, a blaring siren echoed throughout the national museum.
"What is that sound?" Naruto exclaimed, trying to cover his ears from the noise.
Being the ever-alert one, Sasuke heard footsteps approaching. He swiftly grabbed his sword, preparing to defend himself.
"What's wrong, Sasuke? Why are you suddenly on high alert?" Naruto asked, confusion evident on his face.
Before Sasuke could answer, a voice boomed throughout the museum.
"Hold it right there! You two are under arrest!" a man in a guard uniform declared.
"Yeah! We've already called the cops!" another guard added. "It won't take them long to get here! You might as well give up now!"
Sasuke frowned, forming a hand sign to unleash a fireball jutsu, ready to blast the approaching guards away within the confines of the National Museum.
Witnessing Sasuke's actions, Naruto quickly grabbed hold of his hands. "What are you doing, Sasuke?" Naruto whispered, his voice filled with concern.
To get away from those losers," Sasuke said, annoyed at Naruto for stopping him.
Weighing his options, Naruto noticed a window to his right. A part of him knew that running away would only make them appear more guilty, but at the same time, he had no idea what they were being accused of in the first place!
Naruto dragged Sasuke to the window to inform him. But before they could jump, one of the guards tried to stop them.
"Hey, hey, hey! Not so fast, boys. You're not going anywhere."
Sasuke's irritation grew. He flashed his Sharingan at the guard, knocking them unconscious.
Naruto witnessed this and wanted to argue with Sasuke, but he knew it was the only way to make the guards back off. He would deal with Sasuke later; right now, they needed to escape.
Triumphantly, Naruto and Sasuke jumped out through the window, smashing through the glass. Shards of glass rained down around them as they landed. Their tattered orange jacket and purple cloak fluttered in the night wind.
As the cool breeze washed over them, Naruto and Sasuke felt a momentary sense of victory. It calmed their nerves. However, this serenity wouldn't last long.
As they landed on the ground, they were greeted with unfamiliar surroundings. Tall buildings towered above them, unlike anything they had seen back home. The greenery around them bore no resemblance to the forests of Konoha or the Land of Fire. Even the trees here were vastly different from the ones Bee had destroyed.
Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened at the sight before them. "What the hell is this place? It's unlike anything we've ever known."
Sasuke remained stoic, his face devoid of emotion. "This might be the world the Sage of Six Paths told us about," he said.
"You mean super sage gramps?" Naruto chimed in.
Sasuke nodded in agreement. He was just as surprised by their surroundings as Naruto was. It was clear that this world was unlike anything they knew. While Naruto expressed his amazement, Sasuke remained stoic, unfazed by the spectacle.
Then, he glanced to his right and saw a grand fountain... Sasuke swallowed hard. It suddenly dawned on him that this was a much bigger problem than they had initially thought. Naruto, on the other hand, was still captivated by the unfamiliar sights before them.
Kirigiri Jin was not a man who liked to stay up late. As the headmaster of Hope's Peak, his nights were getting shorter and shorter. "Why did I ever take this job?" he thought to himself, suppressing a sigh. All he wanted was to take off his suit and finally rest in his comfortable bed. After all, he deserved it after a long day at work. Running a school filled with Ultimates was no easy task, and the staff had their own peculiarities that rivaled those of the students. It was definitely not an easy job to deal with, Jin thought with a tired sigh.
And yet, here he was, following Tengan who led him to one of the interrogation rooms in the Tokyo police station. Having to drive all the way here, especially at this hour, had put him in a bad mood. "Just what is this about, Tengan-san?" Jin asked, a touch of annoyance in his voice.
The former headmaster chuckled lightly. "You seem annoyed. I apologize for keeping you from going home," Tengan said, acknowledging Jin's frustration. At least he was aware of it, Jin thought to himself.
"But this is something that cannot wait, I'm afraid," Tengan said, his tone serious.
"What are you talking about? Why are we here?" Jin asked, curiosity and concern mixing in his voice. A police station was not a typical meeting place.
"The board has caught wind of some very interesting individuals. Normally, Kizakura-kun would handle something like this. But given the circumstances, I thought it best for you to personally handle this matter," Tengan explained.
Jin raised an eyebrow at this. Based on the context, he deduced that this had something to do with new students. This only raised more questions, though. Why were two high school students being held in a police station?
Before Jin could ask his questions, Tengan motioned for him to enter the observation room next to the interrogation room. Stepping inside, Jin saw the two boys, Naruto and Sasuke, through the one-way mirror. His eyes studied the blonde boy and the dark-haired boy. The blonde boy seemed restless, constantly shifting in his seat as if he were uncomfortable. The dark-haired boy, on the other hand, remained silent as always. They were both seated at a table in the middle of the room, staring blankly at the wall. Jin's attention was drawn to their attire. The blond wore a jumpsuit with a jacket, while the dark-haired boy wore a navy blue "T-shirt and dark blue on his waist" and black pants. The dark-haired boy also had a wrist brace and a strange purple belt around his waist. Both of them seemed worse for wear and wore open-toe sandals. The blonde had mesh shirts underneath his outfits, while the dark-haired boy didn't have one. And the blond boy had a headband with a peculiar symbol on it, while the dark-haired boy did not. Additionally, they both had unusual symbols on their backs, with the dark-haired boy's symbol being a red and white fan, and the blond boy's symbol consisting of round red circles.
Sasuke looked at the mirror in front of them. "I can sense that someone is watching us through these mirrors," he thought, frowning.
Naruto interrupted Sasuke, his expression bored. "Hey Sasuke, what's wrong? Is there something bothering you?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke turned to Naruto, his face stoic. "No, I just sense that someone is watching us through this mirror," he replied.
"Yeah, I can sense it too. It's like there are two of them," Naruto said, looking into the mirror.
Sasuke's anger flared up. "Tch... I shouldn't have listened to you earlier. It's because of your dumb decision to not fight back that we're stuck in this situation," he said, clearly frustrated with Naruto's choices.
"Don't blame me for that! You know it's not a good idea to use our powers to forcibly fight them," Naruto retorted, annoyance in his voice.
Little did Tengan and Jin know that the ongoing argument between Naruto and Sasuke was all part of their plan.
"Well, it seems like they're having some fun," Tengan commented as he observed the two boys through the mirror.
"Yeah, you're right about that," Jin agreed with a nod.
"On that note, their style is quite atypical for teenagers these days," Jin remarked.
Tengan chuckled. "Seems like they've captured your interest, huh?"
Jin shook his head in amazement. "How could they not? What... what are they wearing? It almost looks like they're cosplaying or something," Jin said, examining the outfits of the two boys.
"But that's not the most interesting part of all this," Tengan said, capturing Jin's attention.
Jin looked at his colleague curiously. "Meaning?" he asked, surprised.
"These two young boys managed to break into the Tokyo National Museum and outsmart the guards," Tengan revealed.
Jin's curiosity was piqued. "They pulled that off? But why were they caught? What did they steal?" he inquired.
Tengan shook his head. "They didn't steal anything. The only possessions they had on them were some outdated weapons," he explained.
"Like what?" Jin asked.
"Kunai, shuriken, and a chokutō," Tengan replied with amusement. "It was almost as if they were ninjas the way they broke in. The only thing that breaks that image is the orange one."
Jin acknowledged that orange wasn't exactly a stealthy color. However, the dark-haired boy did give off a ninja-like vibe as he fought alongside his orange-haired friend. Tengan said to Jin.
Jin's eyes widened in astonishment. "Regardless, these two managed to pull off a potential heist, and all on their own. Whether they're orange or purple, it's quite an achievement," Jin remarked.
"They were captured only because the blonde boy surrendered himself after they stopped running once they were out of the museum," Tengan explained. "The dark-haired boy was supposed to fight back, but his blonde friend stopped him before he could cause more trouble. Something made him freeze up. Without that, the police wouldn't have been able to catch them in time. And it seems like these two appeared out of nowhere. There are no records of them, at least not in Japan. The police want to broaden their search, but it will take time." Tengan said to Jin.
Jin was amazed by what he heard. "Interesting," he thought.
Straightening his tie, Jin asked, "I understand the fascination with these boys, but what does this have to do with me? And with the board?"
"The board wants these two boys to come to Hope's Peak to study their skills," Tengan revealed.
Jin's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! But that's-" he began.
Tengan raised his hand to stop Jin. "I shared the same concerns as you did. Especially since he was in police custody. But since the boys didn't steal anything, the board was able to convince the police to hand him over without much trouble."
Jin knew well the power and influence the board of trustees held. It wasn't just their control over Hope's Peak Academy that made them formidable, but their influence on the entire country.
"But if they're willing to go this far, does that mean..." Jin trailed off, hesitant to finish his sentence.
Tengan understood Jin's implication. "Yes, it's for the Izuru Kamukura Project," he confirmed.
The Izuru Kamukura Project aimed to create the perfect hope, requiring extensive research on the talents of the Ultimates at Hope's Peak. There were no shortcuts if they wanted to succeed.
"What title will this boy be given?" Jin asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Tengan simply grinned.
Upon hearing Tengan's response, Jin felt like banging his head against the wall. "They can't be serious..." he thought to himself.
"It was necessary. It helped the police understand that these boys meant no harm," Tengan explained, shaking his head. "Of course, we still need to explain the details to them. Given that they haven't said a word since arriving, I don't think it will be easy."
"So we're supposed to bring these two boys, about whom we know nothing, into the school with the other students?" Jin asked, concerned about the potential disaster it could be.
"That's all we need to know: they have talent," Tengan replied, causing Jin to shoot him an incredulous look.
Talent was all that mattered to the school. Jin was well aware of that. It didn't mean he supported the decision, but it seemed his hands were tied. If the board of trustees was united on this issue, not even Jin's position as headmaster could prevent the boys' admission. That was the current state of Hope's Peak Academy.
Tengan turned to Jin. "Let's go greet them, shall we?" he suggested.
After their pointless argument, the two boys fell silent, lost in their own thoughts. Naruto's mind was still reeling from everything that had transpired in the past few hours. The sudden appearance in the building with Sasuke, the unfamiliar surroundings, and the realization that they were in a completely different world left him feeling numb and overwhelmed. No matter how hard he tried to make sense of it all, his mind drew a blank.
Meanwhile, Sasuke sat quietly, his hands folded together, pondering how they had ended up in this strange building. He also contemplated unlocking his full power and whether he should continue pursuing his goal of revolution. The conversation he had with the "sage of six paths" lingered in his mind, even though they were now in a foreign world. If it was necessary, he would still strive to unlock his full potential.
Naruto and Sasuke were no longer in the midst of war, nor were they in the Land of Fire. The reason behind the "sage of six paths" teleporting them to this unknown world remained a mystery to Naruto and Sasuke. However, the silver lining was that they still possessed their chakra, and Naruto still had Kurama by his side.
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, his curiosity piqued about what was going on in his friend's head. Naruto, bored and restless, sat slumped in his seat, absentmindedly tapping his head on the table.
"What are you wondering about, loser?" Sasuke asked, breaking the silence.
Naruto looked up at Sasuke and replied, "Oh, it's nothing. Just...thinking," he said, expressing his boredom by lightly bumping his head on the table.
Sasuke maintained his stoic expression and pressed further, "Thinking about what, exactly?"
Surprised by Sasuke's curiosity, Naruto retorted, "Why are you so interested?"
"Because...I can sense that something is bothering you," Sasuke replied with a serious expression.
Naruto sighed and confessed, "I was just wondering why the 'Super Sage Gramps' brought us here instead of letting us fight Madara in the war. I don't understand why 'super sage gramps' reasons for teleporting us to this strange world."
Sasuke smirked and commented, "So you still call the old man 'Super Sage Gramps,' huh?"
"What's wrong with that?" Naruto replied defensively.
"Nothing... I just hope you won't give everyone silly nicknames," Sasuke said, his stoic expression unchanged.
"Yeah, yeah... Whatever," Naruto retorted, rolling his eyes.
Sasuke then reminded Naruto of the Sage Of Six Paths' true intention, saying, "You know what he wants, right? He wants us to break the cycle of hatred that his sons started."
"I know, Sasuke. I just don't understand why we have to do it in this unfamiliar world instead of our own," Naruto replied, clearly annoyed.
Sasuke looked at Naruto with understanding, as he himself couldn't comprehend the Sage Of Six Paths' decision to teleport them to a dimension they knew nothing about.
Letting out a sigh, Sasuke fell silent once again. The situation seemed bleak, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.
"Hey, what's the matter, kid? You seem down," Kurama said, concern evident in his voice.
"It's nothing, Kurama. I never imagined that Sasuke and I would end up in an unknown world like this," Naruto replied, his voice filled with sadness.
Kurama acknowledged Naruto's feelings, understanding that this was all new and overwhelming for him.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but at least you have me and your 'traitorous Uchiha friend' here with you," Kurama reassured Naruto.
Naruto closed his eyes, trying to communicate with Kurama. "Hey, don't say that about Sasuke. He may be a jerk, but he's still my friend. And I'm glad he's here with us, Kurama."
Kurama chuckled but didn't say anything more, falling silent once again.
Ignoring Kurama's attempt to provoke him, Naruto focused on the present. They had been brought to this unknown world, and the answers to their questions would have to wait. For now, he needed to stay calm and rely on his instincts and the bond he shared with Sasuke, as they faced this new challenge together.
And after a long silence, Naruto finally snapped out of his boredom and spoke.
"Ugh... This is so boring. I want to get out of here," Naruto shouted, annoyed.
"What are you mumbling about, loser?" Sasuke said to Naruto.
"Oh, shut up Sasuke... I know what I'm saying," Naruto replied, annoyed.
Sasuke was starting to feel irritated by Naruto's endless whining.
"Whose fault is it that we're stuck here in the first place?" Sasuke said, annoyed at Naruto.
"Hey! Don't blame me for that! You know that I only wanted to follow 'Super Sage Gramps' orders, right?" Naruto said, pointing at Sasuke.
"So stop whining, loser. Because you're the one responsible for us being stuck here," Sasuke said, starting to get irritated at Naruto.
Naruto was about to jump at Sasuke when they heard the door open. Both Sasuke and Naruto glanced at the two men who walked straight towards them.
Naruto looked at the two men with a weird expression on his face as they entered the room.
Meanwhile, Sasuke just glared at them, with a frown on his face. Moments later, their attention was drawn to the younger of the two men who sat on the other side of the table, his arms folded.
"It seems like the two of you have been through a lot tonight, young man," the man spoke carefully, choosing his words with great care. "I can't even begin to imagine what must be going through your minds right now."
Naruto said nothing in response. He could sense that this man had a better attitude than the others in the strange outfits from earlier. At the very least, he wasn't yelling at him.
Meanwhile, Sasuke simply ignored them. He had no interest in engaging with these two individuals. He didn't care about what they were about to say.
However, we have an offer for the two of you, with no strings attached."
Despite himself, Naruto perked up upon hearing this. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Hmph... And what makes you think that we're just going to say yes to your offer? And this better not be some kind of trap," Sasuke said, folding his arms in a mocking tone.
Jin knew that the dark-haired boy was trying to mock him, but he decided to answer his questions. "Because I'm the only one here who can set you both free. Unless you want to stay here forever, the choice is yours," Jin replied with a mocking tone. "And don't worry, we have no intention of trapping you both."
Tengan chuckled at Jin's response to the dark-haired boy. Sasuke sensed that this man was also trying to mock him, but he chose to ignore it, not wanting to let this man get under his skin.
"An offer? What kind of offer?" Naruto asked, confused.
"How about the two of you attend Hope's Peak Academy?" the man proposed.
To be continued.