UCHIHA JOURNEY TO MULTIVERSE

The cold wind brushed across the stone training floor. Mali sat cross-legged in silence, feeling the energy inside and around him—the pulse of his fused chakra and Qi flowing like a steady river. He breathed slowly, every breath pulling power through his core. Outside, the sea waves crashed against the massive island, now twenty times the size of Genma's shell. Fog rolled across the land, Genma's power hiding them from the world. The cyclone barrier spun at the island's edge, made by Mali's spiral jutsu and shadow clones.

Inside, Mali's closest friends and commanders prepared for what would come next. Everyone was tense, but they trusted him.

Haruki was the first to break the quiet. "You've been inside all morning. Are you still working on that space jutsu?"

Mali nodded. "Yes. Raikō Kukan — Thunder Light Space. It's like Minato's Flying Thunder God, but my chakra makes it much stronger. I can mark places, anywhere. Even far from here—maybe other worlds if I try harder."

Soma raised his eyebrows. "Can you really use it in battle now?"

"I can, but it pulls a lot of chakra. It's risky. Too many marks, too fast, and it feels like I could break myself apart."

Rei, always calm, turned her head. "Could you use it to take out someone important? Even if they're surrounded?"

"Yes," Mali replied. "If I know where they are, I put a mark. I appear there instantly."

Kenro grinned. "Can you help us out if we're in trouble—move us away?"

"I can, as long as I have a mark nearby and enough strength left."

Megumi brushed dust off her sleeve. "Enemies are coming nearly every day now. Will this work against the ones who lead them?"

"Yes," said Mali. "Especially if we prepare and work together."

Outside, the clan was busy. Gensei, old but steady, tended to rich gardens. Bohru hauled firewood to the kitchen, smoke already rising from big pots. Reina and Hana walked from house to house, making sure the orphans and young shinobi were fed and ready to train. Each member understood their place; nobody wasted time.

Uchiha Nabara, carrying a small child on her back, stopped by the training ground. "If you go to fight, don't forget we'll need someone to heal the wounded. Even you, Mali. No tricks, no hiding injuries."

Mali nodded. "You'll be the first I call if anything goes wrong. But for now, keep everyone safe."

A young ninja ran over from the watch post, panting. "Lightning Village ninja forces are marching here. Their Kage and jinchūriki are with them—a big group. Maybe a hundred or more."

Haruki's fist tightened. "It's time, then."

Soma wiped sweat from his forehead. "We set the plan now?"

Mali stood up and brushed the dust from his clothes. "Yes. Defensive teams get into position near the cyclone. Scouts—spread out, listen for anything strange. No one acts alone."

He looked at all of them. "If the enemy comes, you ask their name and clan. If they are from Sarutobi, Shimura, advisor clans, or Root, do what we agreed. No exceptions."

Megumi asked softly, "And if someone surrenders?"

"Bring them to me," Mali said. "We want answers first, not trouble."

Rei stretched, pulling down her blindfold. "If they bring medics or hostages, what do you want us to do?"

"Help anyone innocent. Only punish those who meant us harm," Mali said clearly.

Down by the shore, the fog grew even thicker as Genma exhaled, covering the approach from all sides. The cyclone barrier hummed and flickered with blue and white light.

In the center of camp, Mali met with the sealing team. Uzumaki Kana bent over a scroll, drawing careful lines.

"The barrier is set," Kana said. "If anyone comes in, we'll know. No one can teleport in or out except for you, Mali. Not unless they have your chakra."

Mali nodded. "Thank you. I'm going to try my new jutsu one more time before they arrive. If I disappear suddenly, that means it worked."

Haruki grinned. "Don't get lost. Or if you do, at least find somewhere interesting."

Mali just smiled. "I'll leave another mark here before I go, just in case."

He closed his eyes and focused, the world turning silent behind closed lids. The marks he set earlier—one deep in the forest, one far away on the coast, and one hidden near the enemy formation—pulsed lightly in his mind. With a single thought, he vanished in a flash of silent thunder.

A second later, he stood in the dark woods. The sea wind was stronger here. He waited, silent, feeling for any shift in the air, the ground, the pulse of foreign chakra. He set one more mark, intent on perfecting the jump distance and landing smoothly.

Then, just as quickly, he was back in the training ground.

Soma was waiting patiently. "You came back even faster this time. How's your head?"

"No pain right now," said Mali. "But I'll need to rest. I don't want to push it too hard and risk damage."

The clan kept moving, training, and talking as they had all along—real, direct, no extra words.

That night, while the clan made the final checks, Mali sat with his grandfather. Raigen looked tired, his eyes wrapped as always.

"You seem ready, Mali," Raigen said quietly.

Mali nodded. "As ready as I can be."

"Don't forget, sometimes strength means knowing what you don't use—not just what you do."

Mali smiled gently. "I remember."

He still kept the secret of his Mangekyō Sharingan to himself—never showing the pattern, never mentioning his left eye's realmstep or the small, living world in his dantian. Not yet. The time would come, but not tonight.

The wind changed direction. From the darkness across the water, torches and chakra lights began to appear. Hundreds of Lightning ninja, with their Kage at the front, approached the barrier.

Haruki, watching beside Mali, gave a half-smile. "Guess it's show time."

Mali replied softly, "If they want a test, we'll give them one."