Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki

Kawaki was right—the most important thing now was rescuing Naruto.

But Shikamaru, ever the cautious strategist, couldn't afford to make reckless decisions. They had barely dealt with one threat in Jigen; introducing another potential danger like Kirito wasn't something he could overlook.

"You're right," Shikamaru admitted, "but that doesn't mean we can blindly trust him."

Kawaki's frustration boiled over. Raising the powerless prosthetic limb once fueled by Naruto's chakra, he snapped, "This prosthetic is powered by the Seventh's chakra, and it's gone dark! That means Naruto is in danger—probably because of me! I have to save him, no matter what!"

"Calm down, Kawaki!" Boruto and the others quickly stepped in to comfort him.

Boruto understood Kawaki's turmoil better than anyone. While it had only been minutes since Naruto disappeared for the others, Kawaki had endured an entire day of guilt and anguish during their journey to the past.

Now, back in the present, to see their rescue attempt stalled like this was too much for Kawaki to bear.

Shikamaru swallowed the harsh words he was about to say. He had considered calling out Kawaki for potentially bringing danger to Konoha, but he stopped himself. Naruto had accepted Kawaki as one of his own, and Shikamaru wouldn't dishonor that trust by turning against him now.

As the group tried to calm Kawaki, the lifeless prosthetic limb in his hand suddenly lit up with a faint white glow.

"This is—!" Kawaki stared at the prosthetic in shock. The chakra coursing through it was unmistakable.

"The Seventh's chakra is back!" Boruto exclaimed with relief. "I knew it—Dad's okay!"

Kawaki quickly reattached the prosthetic and flexed his fingers. "I can feel it—I can sense the Seventh's chakra!"

Even Shikamaru couldn't hide his relief. Confirming that Naruto was alive was a small victory amidst the chaos.

But just as the tension in the air began to ease, Kirito's calm voice cut through.

"If this drags on any longer, I'll just save Naruto myself," Kirito said, stepping forward. "We can discuss everything else after he's safe."

Before anyone could react, the black tendrils of Shikamaru's Shadow Binding Jutsu melted away like ice under the sun, vanishing into Kirito's shadow.

"What?!" Shikamaru gasped. He had deliberately avoided Kirito's hands, but the Otsutsuki had neutralized his technique without even moving.

The surrounding ninjas tensed, ready to act, but an overwhelming pressure suddenly bore down on them. It was as if a mountain had materialized atop their shoulders, pinning them to the ground.

"No… this can't be…" Shikamaru gritted his teeth, his palms pressed against the grass. "How does he have this much power?"

Kirito, seemingly unfazed, approached Kawaki and placed a hand on the prosthetic. "Don't worry—I'm not here to hurt anyone. I just want to save Naruto. This stalemate isn't helping anyone."

He looked down at Shikamaru, who struggled to lift his head. "In my world, you and Naruto are my friends. Once I rescue him, we can sort everything out."

"Is this the power of an Otsutsuki?" Sarada murmured, stunned by what she was witnessing. Even with Shikamaru and a team of elite jonin, Kirito had subdued them all effortlessly while sparing Boruto and Kawaki.

Following the chakra trail from Kawaki's prosthetic, Kirito located Naruto's position. He let go of Kawaki's arm and summoned a shimmering space portal beside him, large enough for several people to pass through.

"Naruto is there," he said, stepping into the portal. "Anyone who wants to save him, follow me."

Without hesitation, Kawaki rushed in after him.

"Hey, wait for me!" Boruto shouted, chasing after them.

"Let's go too," Sarada said to Mitsuki, who nodded with a smile.

The two of them followed Boruto through the portal.

Moments later, the space door shrank and disappeared, leaving the area silent once more.

As the pressure lifted, Shikamaru and the other ninjas collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air.

"Damn it," Shikamaru muttered, clenching his fists. "Where did they go?"

Realizing there was no way to track the group through Kirito's space-time jutsu, Shikamaru could only pray silently. Naruto… please be safe.

Boruto and the others emerged from the portal into a barren, rocky wasteland.

Sarada looked around at the desolate landscape. "Where are we?"

"It's probably a different dimension," Kawaki said, glancing at the prosthetic. "The Seventh is here—I can feel his chakra."

Kirito, standing at the front, raised his chin and pointed. "Naruto is over there."

The group followed his gaze to a towering "mountain" over ten meters high. Atop it stood a massive figure in a black robe, leaning casually on a huge, black bowl-like object.

When the stranger noticed the group, he let out a booming laugh.

"Hahaha! I was starting to get bored. I've been waiting for you!"

(End of this chapter)