At the same time...
Within a strange dimension that resembled a vast desert wasteland — desolate and barren, with nothing but endless yellow sand stretching as far as the eye could see — a colossal tree stood towering at its very center.
It pierced the heavens like a ladder leading up to the celestial realm, connecting earth and sky as one.
This space originally belonged to Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki. However, unlike before, the once-withered Divine Tree now teemed with vibrant life.
Lush greenery surrounded its base, completely transforming the desolation that once defined this place.
And right at the very top of the tree, a pure white fruit had formed, radiating an ancient and majestic aura...
"Under the nourishment of Six Paths power and the essence of the Ten-Tails, this once dead Divine Tree has been revived... and now, a new Chakra Fruit has finally been born..."
Kaoru murmured in awe as he floated upward, slowly ascending along the massive trunk until he reached the very crown of the tree.
Over the past few years, Kaoru had constantly sustained this tree using the power of his Rinne Sharingan, combined with the unique abilities granted by his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Through his care, the tree had not only returned to life but had achieved the miraculous feat of producing an entirely new Chakra Fruit!
Kaoru gazed indifferently at the fruit — roughly the size of a basketball — resting high above.
"Long ago, when Kaguya Ōtsutsuki first arrived in this world, she consumed a fruit just like this... and that moment marked the true beginning of the shinobi world. Later, the Sage of Six Paths taught humanity how to wield chakra and founded the Shinobi Order... And now... I too am about to become the creator of a new Shinobi Order in another world..."
Kaoru spoke softly to himself as he reached out and plucked the fruit, heavy with ancient power.
Swish...
The moment the fruit was taken, the great tree suddenly blazed with brilliant light — but only for an instant.
Immediately after, it began to change rapidly. Its lush vitality faded away; green leaves turned yellow and withered, branches became brittle and dry, and the fertile soil surrounding it turned back into endless desert sands.
In the end, the entire Divine Tree returned completely to its original dead state, as if the years of nourishment and growth had never happened at all...
"The moment the fruit is picked, the tree begins to wither again... It truly exhausts every drop of its life force just to create this single fruit... Still, obtaining another Chakra Fruit after years of preparation... it feels quite rewarding," Kaoru whispered, holding the object that represented the very source of primal power.
"Eating it turns one into the Progenitor of Chakra... but in my current state, consuming it wouldn't change my strength much. However, this fruit is far more valuable as a seed..."
"So then... it is time to plant this fruit in the next world..."
Staring at the ultimate source of power resting in his palm, Kaoru closed his fist and stored it away.
"I have remained in one place for far too long. It is finally time to witness the wonders of other worlds..."
"Let the new journey begin..."
...
Three days later, at dinnertime.
Kaoru was deep in thought, planning for what lay ahead, when a crisp voice broke his concentration.
"Father!!!"
Kaoru looked up to see his clever, sharp-tongued daughter Eriri standing in the doorway of the grand hall.
She stood with hands planted firmly on her hips, cheeks puffed out in a pout, and her brilliant blue Tenseigan eyes flashing with indignation.
"Why are you still standing there?! Everyone is waiting for you inside!!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming..."
Kaoru smiled helplessly, pulled back to reality by his daughter. He silently reaffirmed his plans one last time in his heart, then let the little girl take his hand and drag him along.
She pulled him down the magnificent corridor, up winding and ornate staircases, and into the grand dining hall.
"Kaoru... you are so slow..."
As they entered, Kaoru saw the long, lavish table already laden with exquisite dishes and fine wine. Everyone was already seated, waiting for him to arrive.
"We've all been waiting for ages..."
Terumī Mei spoke with a hint of complaint, swirling the wine gently in her crystal glass.
Ten years had passed, yet she looked even more radiant and youthful than before, appearing no older than in her late teens or early twenties.
Beyond Mei, Kaoru swept the room with his scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan gaze. There was Tsunade, Konan, Yūgao, Hinata, Wan'er, Kurenai, Kurotsuchi...
All of them were gathered together, seated along the long table and looking toward him with anticipation.
Eight women of breathtaking beauty, united in one room — a sight so magnificent it would make any man in the world stop in awe.
More than their beauty, it was the deep love and adoration shining in their eyes that almost made Kaoru abandon his plans for other worlds, choosing instead to stay here forever, surrounded by joy and splendor.
But... the world of Naruto was simply too small. He had set foot on every inch of land here, and his ambition could not be satisfied.
His very nature craved battle and passion; endless struggle and conquest were what he believed his destiny to be.
Kaoru knew well that possessing his unique Sharingan meant he was never meant to be confined to just this one world.
"Lord Father..."
Shinichi, who had been sitting upright and proper at the table, quickly stood up and bowed politely as Kaoru approached.
"Father... please sit down quickly..."
Unlike Shinichi, who strictly followed etiquette, Eriri acted much more casually.
She tugged Kaoru down into his seat, then glanced secretly toward the graceful and stunning figure of Tsunade sitting across the table, sticking her little tongue out mischievously.
"We waited so long... Mother Tsunade has a very bad temper when she's kept waiting..."
"I apologize... for keeping you all waiting..."
Kaoru gently patted Eriri's head, his voice heavy with a kind of guilt that went far beyond mere tardiness — guilt for the departure that was soon to come.
And so, a warm and peaceful dinner concluded amidst laughter and conversation.
When the meal was finished, Kaoru slowly set down his utensils. His scarlet eyes swept calmly across every face of his beloved family.
Then, with a wave of his right hand, his appearance transformed instantly.
He was now clad in the white robes of a Sage, embroidered with countless mysterious black tomoe patterns.
His long hair floated weightlessly around him. In addition to his deep scarlet eyes, a single — eerie and blood-red — Rinne Sharingan was now set upon his forehead.
Nine dark Truth-Seeking Balls hovered silently around him, and in his hand he held the Sage's Staff — a black polearm that seemed capable of swallowing the very stars and sky.
"Kaoru... what are you doing...?"
Seeing him suddenly activate his Six Paths form, everyone froze in confusion, unsure of what was about to happen.
"Let us meet again, after some time has passed..."
The moment Kaoru spoke, the atmosphere in the room turned heavy and silent. All eyes turned toward him in shock.
"TIME STOP!!!"
Swinging his divine staff, the flow of time and space throughout the entire world instantly froze.
Everyone at the table remained suspended in that exact moment — expressions frozen in surprise and confusion as they looked at him.
Kaoru stood slowly from his seat. His scarlet gaze lingered deeply on each and every face, etching their images permanently into the depths of his heart.
____________________
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