Of course, even a power as overwhelming as Sasuke's came with limits. He hadn't said it aloud, but he already understood them clearly. His new ability could only truly resonate with one deep-bonded partner. That bond had already been set to Naruto. Forcing it to connect with anyone else would consume an enormous amount of chakra and might even rebound, damaging Sasuke's own spirit.
Hinata had been an exception. She was someone Sasuke trusted deeply, someone who had grown up alongside them, who shared their rhythm and understanding. She didn't resist his connection, and because of that, Sasuke had been able to share his power with her though only temporarily.
A moment later, Sasuke deactivated the ability, closing the chapter of shared consciousness.
"What an incredible technique," Naruto said, his bright blue eyes returning to normal as he studied Sasuke. "With this, it's like we all share one another's strengths. But what about your right eye? What does it do?"
Sasuke's gaze hardened. "Ashen Annihilation. Its true nature is absolute decomposition matter and energy alike. Wherever my vision falls, chakra structures unravel into raw energy particles. For physical matter, even living beings, it breaks them down on a molecular level. But it only works through direct contact."
Naruto drew in a sharp breath.
"With that ability, even the Tailed Beasts pure masses of chakra could be erased completely, not just sealed away. I could annihilate them outright," Sasuke declared. His eyes shone with a dangerous conviction.
Perhaps it was because of what Naruto had endured earlier, that near-death state where Sasuke had promised the Nine-Tails it would perish if Naruto ever fell. Out of that vow, his Mangekyō Sharingan had manifested abilities shaped entirely around protecting Naruto.
His left eye carried the light of the heart: Heart's Resonance. "Where the heart reflects, the bond endures. The sun Naruto must never fall."
His right eye burned with utter destruction: Ashen Annihilation. "All shall return to silence, and threats to him will be reduced to nothing."
Naruto had become the root of Sasuke's being, the one and only sun in his inner sky. Every power born of his Mangekyō reflected that truth.
So this was the true essence of the so-called "eyes that mirror the soul."
"Damn, that's strong," Naruto admitted with a grin. "With eyes like those, your power's gone through a complete transformation."
Sasuke's lips tugged upward, the faintest hint of a smile breaking through.
"Well, in that case," Naruto continued, "once you've mastered all five chakra natures, you should head to Mount Myōboku and learn Sage Mode. That'll push your strength even higher. After that… we'll leave Konoha."
Sasuke raised a brow. "Leave? And go where?"
"To find Itachi," Naruto said, his voice low and resolute.
For an instant, murderous intent flickered in Sasuke's eyes. Yes he already had the Mangekyō. The time for vengeance was approaching.
But Naruto quickly added, "No need to rush it. You've waited this long. Better to finish mastering Sage Mode first. The more cards you have to play, the safer you'll be."
Sasuke fell silent, then nodded. He knew Naruto was right. No one knew how far Itachi had pushed his abilities in all these years. Caution was necessary.
After countless sparring matches where Naruto had beaten sense into him, Sasuke had learned restraint.
The night grew late. Naruto turned toward Hinata. "Hinata, why don't you stay with Lily tonight?"
Hinata nodded obediently.
But Naruto suddenly paused. "Wait where is Lily? With all the noise we made, she should've noticed immediately."
The three of them exchanged glances and went to Lily's room.
"She knocked herself out," Sasuke observed coolly, glancing at her unconscious form. "Looks like she did it on purpose."
Naruto sighed, realizing the truth. Lily's sensory abilities were so sharp that the torrent of emotions and malice they had unleashed must have been unbearable for her. Knocking herself out had been her way of escaping it.
"Guess being that sensitive isn't always a blessing," Naruto muttered, scratching his head. "Hinata, I'll leave her in your care."
Hinata's lips curved in a gentle smile. "Of course."
Naruto ruffled her hair affectionately before heading off to his own room.
Later that night, lying on his bed, Naruto drifted back into his inner world.
The seal's landscape had reverted to a sunny meadow beneath a clear sky.
"Sorry, Kurama," Naruto said quietly, facing the colossal fox. "I failed again."
"Hmph. I already knew you would. A brat like you still isn't ready to handle my power," Kurama growled, sprawled lazily across the grass.
"Hey, you stupid fox! You could at least comfort me a little!" Naruto snapped, leaping to his feet and jabbing a finger at the beast.
Kurama gave a sharp laugh but didn't respond. Comfort a human? Ridiculous. Even if this one had eased its loneliness a little.
Loneliness had been Kurama's only companion for a thousand years. He'd grown far too accustomed to it.
And yet, his nine tails swished unconsciously behind him, betraying the flicker of something else.
"I'll overcome it," Naruto said firmly. "Just you wait."
Kurama's eyes narrowed. "You're still leagues away. That little taste of my chakra? It was nothing. If you really want my power… you'll have to break the seal."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Naruto replied with a grin.
Kurama bared his teeth. "Careful what you wish for. If the seal breaks, I might just take over your body."
"Not a chance," Naruto shot back. "Don't forget I've got friends who'd never let that happen!"
Kurama fell silent, unwilling to admit it, but he was wary. Sasuke's eye techniques terrified even him. No one in history had ever truly threatened the existence of a Tailed Beast. At worst, they'd been sealed or dispersed. They always returned eventually.
But Sasuke's Mangekyō… it could erase them permanently.
Mangekyō Sharingan truly defied all logic.
"I'll be ready," Naruto promised. "I'll break the seal, take your chakra, and together we'll become a perfect jinchūriki!" He flashed a thumbs-up, grinning ear to ear.
"Who the hell wants to be 'perfect' with you?" Kurama roared, tail lashing in irritation.
Naruto only scratched his head. "Eh, you said it yourself before. I'll just record it next time." He winked, snapped his fingers, and a television blinked to life in the corner of the seal. "Anyway, enjoy your show. I'm out!"
His figure vanished, leaving Kurama staring at the empty space.
"That brat… maybe he really will pull it off someday," the fox muttered to himself.
The next morning, Lily jolted awake, her heart racing.
She had dreamt of an endless nightmare, a storm of hatred pressing against her senses. Though the malice hadn't fully consumed her, it had been enough to drive her to the edge of collapse. Knocking herself out had been the only way to survive it.
"You're awake," a gentle voice murmured.
Lily flinched like a frightened bird, clutching her blanket tightly.
Hinata slipped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her into a comforting embrace. "It's alright now. Naruto's regained control."
"...Naruto?" Lily whispered, stunned. Of course the malice she'd sensed matched perfectly with the dark, violent chakra buried deep inside him.
"He's okay?" she asked, her voice trembling. Naruto had saved her once, pulling her out of the shadows of Grass Village. She owed him everything.
"He's fine," Hinata reassured her with a nod.
Relief washed over Lily. "Good. Last night… I thought we'd all be done for."
She exhaled slowly, letting herself relax in Hinata's arms. For now, at least, the storm had passed.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Already hooked by this cosmic shinobi journey? Share what drew you in your words and reviews keep the flames of youth burning bright. And every 300 Power Stones will unlock a bonus chapter, pushing Naruto's path to the stars even faster!
Naruto's dream has only just begun, and the Unbound Evolution of his destiny is far from over. Stay with Naruto: Set a Goal, Conquer the Universe and reach beyond the horizon together!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a