Chapter 366: Alien Country Bumpkin
In any case, after a thrilling space "field test," Naruto basically clarified the abilities this body—having undergone drastic changes from fusing Urashiki's [Karma] power—had additionally gained.
Besides resilient-enough-to-survive-and-operate-in-universe-vacuum, extreme radiation and harsh planetary environments' Otsutsuki-level basic physique, that temporarily-unnamed black-base golden-pupil right eye mainly granted him two brand-new powers.
First, [Yomotsu Hirasaka]. Without pre-marking required, merely using intention to lock target location, he could open space-crossing portals. Worthy of being called universe-scale "Anywhere Door."
Second, ability transforming matter into special energy "paper crane" form.
In this state, he could almost become immune to physical and energy-form direct damage. This transformation wasn't simple chakra shape change—its essence seemingly involved energy Naruto currently couldn't yet understand.
Naruto's heart still held slight regret—he actually quite envied Urashiki's [Time Reversal] ability evading fatal injuries. Unfortunately, seems he didn't inherit this "cheat"-level ocular technique.
When he manipulated Yomotsu Hirasaka relocating and returning to Earth's forest, sky had already darkened.
Uchiha Sasuke immediately conducted detailed questioning on him, core concentrated on two points: whether Naruto's body had any subsequent discomfort or abnormality, and what state Otsutsuki Urashiki's consciousness body currently existed in within his body—any potential risks.
Naruto as told sank into inner world to check. Only saw Nine-Tails seemingly "educating" Urashiki to some exhaustion, currently lying prone on sealing space's ground, eyes closed resting, but aura still locked onto certain direction.
And in distance, Urashiki's consciousness body squatted on grassland. "Injuries" caused by Nine-Tails seemed already self-repaired. He distantly gazed at Naruto, not knowing what scheming.
Regarding suddenly having one sealed "alien tenant" soul in his body, Naruto himself also felt extremely troublesome, not knowing how to handle.
But Nine-Tails and Minato both solemnly assured him they'd continuously "watch" this prisoner, ensuring seal stability, absolutely not letting Urashiki have slightest opportunity causing trouble. Letting Naruto live at ease.
Sasuke—after confirming Urashiki consciousness body was effectively confined, temporarily unable constituting direct threat—silently noted this situation.
Perhaps here's response experience could provide reference for resolving Boruto's hidden danger.
Night deepened. Uchiha Sasuke made decision.
"Boruto, we should leave. Since crisis here is already resolved, also no more matters requiring our intervention, we'll now return to our era."
"Eh? Leave now? Didn't we agree tomorrow?" Boruto was somewhat surprised.
"Plans can't keep up with changes. Today's events caused too much commotion, dragging out too many secrets. We can no longer hide in this world low-key as 'wandering performers' like before. Continuing staying will only attract investigation and questioning."
His implication was clear. Rather than being treated as suspicious persons repeatedly interrogated, even possibly forced exposing more future-sourced information, better to quietly leave while matters temporarily concluded, everyone's attention still concentrated on Naruto's recovery and village aftermath.
"No need rushing this much, right? At least... not going to bid farewell to Mikoto-san and Fugaku-san?" Naruto tried retaining. He could sense Sasuke's deeply hidden emotional fluctuations toward seeing this world's parents.
"...No need."
Sasuke fell silent momentarily, finally gently shaking head. "Knowing they're living well in this world, safe and sound... this is sufficient."
He looked at Naruto before him. Originally mind still lingered with questions about this world's "Uchiha Itachi," but gaze glimpsing Uchiha Satsuki standing at Naruto's side, currently looking at himself, swallowed back questions reaching lips.
"...Alright." Naruto saw Sasuke's determination to leave, no longer insisting. "Definitely be careful on return journey. That 'Plow' is still in your hands, right? In future, if there's opportunity, anytime can 'come over' to look again."
Sasuke didn't directly answer but also didn't clearly refuse. Only meeting Naruto's expectant gaze, finally almost imperceptibly, gently nodded.
"You're leaving now? Before that, may I ask one question?"
Always quietly standing aside Uchiha Satsuki suddenly spoke. Her gaze fell on Sasuke, currently no longer having initial vigilance and hostility.
Sasuke looked toward her, finally able with relatively calm mind to face this world's "self."
"Yes. What question do you have?"
Satsuki slightly sighed, then asked a question making everyone present instantly feel air solidify.
"...In your world, Naruto's wife—do I currently know her?"
Uzumaki Naruto instantly felt himself somewhat sweating profusely.
---
Otsutsuki Urashiki never imagined he'd fall to such straits.
The [vessel] successfully inherited his power. However, Otsutsuki Urashiki's personality, consciousness and soul were firmly confined by that damned sealing technique in this "vessel's" mental world depths.
[Vessel] counter-killing Otsutsuki caster main body—though rare in Otsutsuki's long and cruel history, wasn't without recorded precedents.
But those recorded failures' endings usually were power seized, consciousness thoroughly annihilated, returning to void.
But him?
Power seized, consciousness imprisoned. This neither-up-nor-down state made Urashiki feel humiliated, awkward, and filled with unknown torment.
With Urashiki's bone-deep arrogance, previously he might think: I'm noble Otsutsuki! Now actually must like parasite, relying on 'vessel's' consciousness world surviving barely? Simply utmost disgrace! Rather thoroughly dying cleanly, at least preserving dignity!
However, when death truly became possibility, Urashiki discovered his heart's deeply rooted survival desire, attachment to "existence" itself, plus faint hope for possible comeback, overwhelmed all empty "dignity."
He didn't want to die.
Even if that damned fox daily stared at him with eyes wanting to devour him alive, even if he currently couldn't mobilize slightest power, like fish meat on chopping board... he still didn't want thus welcoming death.
But where was the way out? How to break this deadlock? How to break free from this cage, regain body and power that should originally belong to himself?
No answers. Otsutsuki codices never recorded similar situation's breaking method. Everything could only rely on his own exploration.
"...Bastards... you all wait for me..."
Urashiki with volume only he could hear, gritted teeth muttering lowly, simultaneously vigilantly glancing at distant lying-prone but aura-always-locked-here Nine-Tails, plus that always-calm-expression making him feel dangerous Minato.
"Someday... this body... will belong to me again!" He seemed encouraging himself, also venting unwillingness.
A self-deceiving "plan" formed in his heart: temporarily hibernate, pretend compliance. Wait for opportunity—wait for this kid called Naruto due to combat, injury, or any other reasons, falling into deep coma, consciousness scattered, mental world control weakest moment!
At that time, perhaps seal would loosen? Perhaps he could find gaps? Even if only slightest chance, he must attempt reconnecting that already-fused power, attempt breaking through this damned seal!
Simply put—he needed to wait.
However, mouth speaking harsh words, heart scheming "grand" plans Urashiki—body made extremely honest reaction—he bit by bit, moved steps, distancing farther from Nine-Tails and Minato's location.
Urashiki instinctively wanted distancing from threats, seeking a self-considered safe corner hiding.
He thus aimlessly yet vigilantly "walked" unknown how long, until at grassland's edge region, saw things abruptly existing incompatible with surrounding natural scenery.
Bookshelf quietly stood on emerald grassland. Cabinet interior neatly arranged many different-cover books.
"What is this?" Urashiki stopped steps. This obviously wasn't natural landscape, more like... consciousness master intentionally or unintentionally "stored" here things?
He cautiously approached, gaze sweeping those books' spines, attempting discerning above text or patterns.
[Harry Potter]
[Battle Through the Heavens]
[The Three-Body Problem]
[Don Quixote]
"Are these codices? These... record what?"
Heart's suppressed curiosity was slightly hooked. In this cage, any unusual things might hide information.
***
80+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces