"Chittering gibberish."
From the rift came a sound no human could make.
Sharp and frenzied, like a knife on glass, grating and unsettling.
"Indeed, a new world," Shen Mo said, as if chatting with an old friend.
"Chitter?"
"You're the first to arrive," Shen Mo replied casually.
Below, no one dared make a sound.
Though the memory and emotions from moments ago had vanished under an unfathomable force…
Kakashi, Zabuza, and the others knew.
The chill on their backs was a constant reminder.
Beyond that rift lay something far beyond their imagination.
"No need to dwell on it," Shen Mo's voice came from above. "Watching fate stages in other worlds is a privilege for senior Chamber members. It bears no malice toward humans, but its lifeform level is too high. Hearing its name drives mortals mad; seeing its true form kills in delirium. But rest assured, per the rules, it can only watch, not interfere—that was just a minor accident. I've erased its impact."
"Minor accident…" Zabuza's voice dripped with bitterness.
That "accident" nearly broke them.
Sasuke, Kakashi, and the others felt no better.
They'd already elevated the Chamber to unimaginable heights.
But this was too much!
Going mad from a name, dying from a glance?
So…
Strolling through the world, doing nothing, could drive all life to insane death?
Imagining that, even Naruto shivered.
Terrifying…
Shen Mo observed their emotions.
Satisfied.
This setup partly aimed to flesh out the Chamber's lore.
The earlier visions, too, built the image of a terrifying force spanning infinite worlds—the Omniscient Omnipotent Chamber.
A strong backstory boosted player enthusiasm.
Plus…
Shen Mo had ambitions. Maybe, one day, this "fake" Chamber could become real through his hands.
Thoughts swirled but soon settled.
Focus on the present.
As Zabuza, Kakashi, and the others reeled from the monster behind the dark rift, faint sounds signaled two more rifts opening.
Everyone tensed.
"Hahaha," a hearty voice rang out. "No need to worry. As Chamber members, keep chasing your dreams, and one day, you'll reach boundless heights. Young fate-chasers, I'll await you on the path ahead."
Unlike the inhuman presence before, this voice eased their nerves.
Even stirred them.
"Is that true?" Sasuke gripped his sword, looking up at the rifts and Shen Mo floating above. "Can we become like you?"
The forced kneeling, though its effects were gone, left a lingering oppression.
It screamed…
Ants remain ants.
But now…
"Of course!" the hearty voice affirmed. "We all started this way. The Chamber's greatest gift is breaking world limits, offering true endless growth."
Sasuke swallowed, eyes blazing with desire.
He wanted strength!
Not just for revenge, but to never be looked down on again.
Then—
A voice from the third rift.
"Hmph, no matter how hard mongrels try, they're still mongrels. Don't lump this king with your lowly kind," it said, dripping with arrogance. "Ants below, who permitted you to look up? Ants should act like ants. Amuse this king with your pathetic slaughter."
Sasuke's face stiffened.
But a fourth rift opened, a lazy, syrupy female voice emerging.
"Such a nasty guy. Want me to gap you out?"
"Amusing," the arrogant voice snapped, angered. "There's always some ignorant fool. If you're eager to die, this king will oblige."
"Hehe, want a senior member fate stage?" the female voice teased, unfazed. "No rush. After this new world, I'll satisfy you."
"A senior member duel?" a fifth rift opened. "Now that's interesting."
"A new world, no wonder it's lively," a sixth followed.
"Mr. Shen Mo, it's been a while. You're overseeing a new world?" another asked.
"…"
The minute was long gone, but rifts kept opening. No faces were seen, no overwhelming auras like before, but varied voices and distinct tones echoed through the space.
Sweat beaded on everyone's foreheads.
This was the true Chamber?
So many worlds, so many powerhouses!
Only Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement, staring at the rifts with boundless curiosity. His showoff nature loved this stage, thrilled by the gazes of otherworldly powerhouses. He clenched his fists, pumped.
"Just watch, I, Naruto Uzumaki, will blow everyone away!"
Then—
Shen Mo raised a hand.
"Silence—!"
His voice, not loud, drowned out all chatter.
Absolute quiet.
Only the dozen-plus rifts remained, hinting at otherworldly eyes watching.
"The fate stage has begun," Shen Mo said, his tone heavier. "Since it's the first in a new world, I'll overlook this, but don't forget the Chamber's rules—you only have the right to watch."
Dead silence.
From haughty kings to indescribable monsters, none spoke.
In this moment, Shen Mo embodied absolute authority.
"No need to worry," his voice reached Kakashi, Zabuza, and the others. "This happened because I'm here, and it's a new world, so senior members are curious. When you request your own fate stages, there won't be this many, and they won't have speaking rights. Also—"
"—Seize this chance. Perform well. They can't give much, but if you catch one's eye, you might gain permitted benefits… like them buying you a few higher-level cans."
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