"So this is the world beyond the ninja realm... Space… This is what Earth looks like from the outside."
After successfully passing the identity verification, Naruto stood within the Sun God Kingdom's exclusive teleportation array. As the glow of the teleportation lit up around him, the vast universe was reflected in his pupils. Both he and the Kushina in his mental space were overwhelmed by the endless expanse and their own insignificance.
Sasuke, on the other hand, remained relatively calm.
Unlike Naruto, he had already seen this sight before. Thanks to being the eldest son of Sun God Hyuga Hitoshi, Sasuke's status in the Sun God Kingdom was beyond question. The teleportation method they were using now was actually an enhanced version of the old pathway that once connected Earth to the Moon.
It was personally created by Minister Snake of the Sun God Kingdom's research department, Teuchi. It serves as a teleportation link between Earth and Yangshin Star. During the teleportation process, the transparent halo allows a clear view of space—whether it's the Earth beneath their feet, the distant Yangshin Star, or the Moon, everything is visible.
For now, Yangshin Star is still considered the private territory of Hyuga Hitoshi and has not been opened to outsiders. It seems that His Holiness the Sun God is researching something together with Minister Snake.
But come to think of it, is it really a good idea for Minister Snake—who now acts like a strong and independent woman—to be living on the same planet as his father for so long? Could it be that, before long, he'll have another little sister?
Sasuke knew it wasn't exactly polite, but he couldn't stop his mind from wandering.
He couldn't help it. Putting aside Minister Snake's former gender, the way he looked now—his aura, body, and face—all perfectly matched his father's taste.
Forget it. People can't—or at least, shouldn't—think like that.
But then again, my father is a god.
Tch!
Sasuke shook his head to clear his thoughts. As a follower of His Holiness the Sun God, as well as His Holiness's illegitimate son, there were some things he was better off not thinking about.
"So beautiful."
Pulled from his thoughts, Sasuke suddenly heard an exclamation beside him. Following Naruto's gaze, he too was struck with amazement.
Unlike Earth, which was full of human presence and artificial structures, the world they saw as they descended from the sky was brimming with vibrant greenery. Stretching endlessly before them were vast, untouched forests. When they breathed in, the air was noticeably purer than that of the ninja world, filling them with a deep sense of relaxation.
This was a planet full of life, untouched by human destruction. Everything here seemed to tell the story of life's origins, of its greatness, and of the impact humans have on a world.
The only thing that stood out was a towering tree in the distance. It stood alone in the middle of a vast plain, looking completely out of place.
"This… this ominous presence… The Ten-Tails?"
On Naruto's shoulder, Kurama, who was still groggy from the teleportation, opened his eyes. The moment he did, his large fox face was filled with shock and disbelief.
As a tailed beast, originally born from the chakra of the Ten-Tails, he was naturally sensitive to the presence of the Ten-Tails and the Divine Tree. The moment he laid eyes on it, he immediately recognized the tree's true form—it was the Ten-Tails.
But what he couldn't wrap his head around was that this "Ten-Tails" seemed to be in its complete form, with no signs of having its chakra split away. Just the overwhelming aura it emitted was enough to make him feel suffocated.
"Every planet absorbs different kinds of energy. To put it simply, this Ten-Tails grew to this level by completely draining Yangshin Star's power. The amount of chakra it holds is dozens of times greater than yours, Kurama."
As footsteps approached, a woman in a white lab coat, glasses resting on her nose—Minister Snake, the research powerhouse—glanced at Kurama, then at the distant Divine Tree, answering their unspoken questions.
"To be precise, if Princess Kaguya hadn't stopped her clan members a thousand years ago, Earth's energy could have nurtured two Divine Trees as massive as this one. From that perspective, Earth contains at least twice the energy of Yangshin Star—maybe even more."
Earth had always been special, to the point that even the Otsutsuki clan hadn't fully figured it out.
Orochimaru reached this conclusion through data analysis.
Yangshin Star had barely survived after producing a single chakra fruit. That alone proved just how terrifying Earth's energy was. Even if another Divine Tree were to grow on Earth, it wouldn't necessarily run out of energy. That meant the life born on Earth was incredibly lucky.
"By the way, adorable little Ten-Tails and ominousness have nothing to do with each other, okay? Don't misunderstand, little Kurama."
Flicking Kurama's forehead, Orochimaru grinned. The playful expression sent shivers down Sasuke's spine.
Still, the ninja world respected transgender people. There were facilities specifically for those who had physically transitioned from male to female. Sasuke just couldn't understand—after spending so long in a woman's body, did even the way Minister Snake spoke have to become so feminine?
And calling him "little Kurama" on top of that…
Do you want me to smack you all the way back to Earth?!
Kurama clutched his forehead, looking absolutely miserable. But despite his frustration, he didn't dare to retaliate. Seeing this only made Orochimaru even more excited, as he immediately pulled Kurama into a tight hug and rubbed his fur aggressively.
"So, is our upcoming trial going to take place here?"
Yangshin Star was breathtaking, and Minister Snake was stunning beyond words, but Sasuke was far more concerned about the trial.
After all, this was directly tied to his performance in the upcoming ninja world tournament and his goal of earning enough points in advance to revive his mother.
That being said, his mother had been in a state of utter confusion ever since entering his mental space. Seeing Orochimaru only made it worse. She couldn't believe that the once-cold and ruthless man had turned into this. Even worse, she was clearly frustrated that this "old lady" still managed to look more seductive than her.
"Yeah, I don't know the exact details, but Brother Black Zetsu told me to take it seriously."
Sasuke's expression was serious.
"We're the first ones to experience this trial, so we're essentially test subjects. Usually, experiments like this come with compensation, and the rewards depend on how well we perform."
"But this trial is mostly meant to support a new training method. From what I heard, the mental aspect plays a big role in it."
Brother Black Zetsu also mentioned something else—apparently, there were many others, like Sasuke, within the Sun God Kingdom who had received the Sun God Seal and gained immense power. However, not everyone who obtained this power was able to keep a steady mindset. Some became blinded by their newfound strength.
This was the common problem with external power.
Just like how Obito, after first gaining the power of the Karma Seal, thought he was invincible and didn't need to keep training.
In the short term, there might not be any major issues. After all, Hyuga Hitoshi's power was overwhelmingly strong, and those bearing the Sun God Seal would only continue to grow.
But in the long run, this mindset was harmful to their spiritual growth. That was why this trial was created—not just to help them refine themselves, but also to teach them humility and remind them that power isn't something to take for granted.
The trial was also meant to complement the new, downgraded version of the chakra fruit training method and help strengthen their resolve.
Sasuke was no exception. He had gained power too easily and refused to accept even the smallest flaws in himself. As someone determined to become an Admiral under the Sun God Kingdom, it was only natural for him to participate in this experiment.
Though there was one thing Sasuke hadn't told Naruto—originally, Naruto wasn't even supposed to be here.
The only reason he was standing here now was because Sasuke had personally pushed for it.
No other reason—just that there were very few people he could tolerate.
Especially for someone like Sasuke, the king of acting cool.
— ¶ —————————————————————
Even though this isn't the original story and Naruto's personality has changed a lot, there's still a certain bond between them. They're friends who haven't put their feelings into words but want to connect. Sasuke has long been used to having someone by his side who constantly challenges him, even if he keeps losing. Meanwhile, Naruto has always aimed to surpass Sasuke.
But in terms of strength, even though Naruto has already mastered some of Asura's chakra, he still isn't a match for Sasuke. So, to keep his friend from getting discouraged, he worked hard to make this opportunity happen.
Friends don't need many words. Sasuke believed that even if he didn't say anything, Naruto would still figure out that he was the one helping behind the scenes.
"I guess I'm really lucky, huh? Out of all the people in the ninja world, Lord Yangshen actually picked me! Looks like I really am the chosen one!"
Naruto grinned as he spoke, while Sasuke's mouth twitched.
Alright.
Sometimes, he really does forget that this guy is a bit dense.
Sasuke shook his head slightly but didn't really care. Like always, friends don't need to say much.
But what Sasuke didn't realize was that, thanks to having Uzumaki Kushina as his guardian spirit, Naruto actually understood human relationships even better than he did. Even though Kushina reminded him that Sasuke was definitely helping behind the scenes, Naruto still said exactly what Sasuke expected—something that sounded cocky, as if he believed it was just luck.
And the reason was simple.
"Sasuke didn't bring me here just so I'd owe him a favor. Besides, there are plenty of smart friends out there, but sometimes being too smart isn't a good thing. And I've never thought of myself as a smart guy anyway. Sometimes, keeping up the image that your friends have of you is the key to maintaining a friendship."
Naruto smiled. This was how he had always lived his life, a lesson he had learned not just from his own experiences but also from what Kakashi had taught him as a kid.
"Well, when you don't have family around, you tend to figure some things out on your own. But everything I show Sasuke is the real me."
To him, Sasuke was a true friend, and he didn't want to overthink things in front of him.
But what Naruto didn't know was that his words even left Kushina stunned. She suddenly realized just how irresponsible she and Minato's deaths had been toward their child.
The next moment, an even more terrifying thought crossed her mind.
What if…
What if, after she and Minato died, the Third Hokage had taken power again, and Hyuga Hitoshi had never left the village? What if, just like the Uchiha, the Hyuga had chosen to compromise and handed over their eyes? What if the Uchiha clan leader had never become Hokage and all these strange events had never happened?
What kind of childhood would Naruto have had then?
Thinking back to her own time as a Jinchuriki, she knew that since Naruto only had half of Kurama sealed inside him, he probably wouldn't have been under 24/7 surveillance. But as a child, he would definitely have been watched closely to make sure he didn't lose control. And to prevent their enemies from assassinating Naruto, his identity as the Fourth Hokage's son would likely have been kept a secret.
But the village would still have needed a new Jinchuriki to stabilize people's emotions. And the villagers—desperate for someone to blame—would have seen Naruto as the Nine-Tails itself.
Even in reality, after the Fifth Hokage took over, Naruto—despite being trained by Kakashi—still had to endure cold stares from people.
So what would have happened if none of these changes had taken place?
Kushina couldn't even imagine what kind of treatment Naruto would have faced or how he would have survived it.
And at the root of it all… was her and Minato's deaths.
"That idiot Minato…"
She had told him not to use the Reaper Death Seal! If only he had split Kurama's chakra again, sealing half into her and half into Naruto, she could have taken one half away while Naruto still had a father. He would have at least grown up with a father's love. As the son of the Hokage, he could have lived in the light and felt warmth.
At this moment, she finally understood just how much she and Minato owed Naruto.
Even if she really did come back to life one day, she could never make up for everything he had lost. She could never give him back the childhood he should have had.
Thankfully, at least Kakashi wasn't like Obito—he wasn't completely heartless. He still looked after his teacher's child. If Kakashi had also turned a blind eye to Naruto, Kushina didn't even want to imagine what would have happened.
A mother's love is powerful. And as a mother, she couldn't help but run through countless possibilities in her mind, predicting everything her child might go through.
But what Kushina didn't know was that the very thing she felt relieved about… was about to become a strange reality.
"This experiment will send you into a brand-new world. Based on your actions in that world, I will evaluate you. The contrast between worlds will give you new insights into life and help you strengthen your resolve."
"This is a necessary step in mastering the new chakra training system."
Standing in front of Naruto and Sasuke, Orochimaru spoke about the importance and difficulties of this experiment. Behind him, the Divine Tree loomed, with its Rinnegan-like nine tomoe eyes. Not far away, the moon, borrowed from the Earth, hovered in the distance.
This was a trial.
Realizing whether that world was fake was just one part of the test.
The real challenge was in the "real" world. Could the test subjects break free from their original constraints, create a new life, and stay true to themselves? That was the most important thing. The experiment's purpose was to see what kind of choices they would make.
"What do we need to do?"
Sasuke took a deep breath to steady himself before asking.
Just as mentioned before, Sasuke had gained his power too easily. The truth was, the only reason he still maintained his composure was that he liked to act cool. If not for the natural advantage of his Uchiha bloodline inherited from his mother—and the fact that he had the backing of Lord Yangshen—he probably would have been even more arrogant.
But the reality was that he was still far from being truly stable. His mindset wasn't mature enough, and he hadn't yet learned how to handle big ups and downs in life.
Just like in the original story—except this time, some details needed to be adjusted.
"No need to be nervous, Sasuke-kun. Just lie there and enjoy the spiritual feast that awaits you."
Orochimaru smiled slightly and pointed to the special nutrient pod beside him.
The true Infinite Tsukuyomi is meant to be used alongside the Birth of the World of Trees, but the Limited Tsukuyomi has removed the step of absorbing chakra from those who are dreaming. Instead, it serves purely as a spiritual trial.
However, there are still some differences.
For example, if the dreamer repeatedly breaks free from their original life path and the chains that hold them back, they will gradually achieve self-awakening. This self-awakening comes with a reward system—just like how someone receiving a power boost before a final battle might become someone like Hyuga Hitoshi in the dream.
And the power boosts they receive will be incredibly strong, helping Naruto and Sasuke fulfill their dreams within the Limited Tsukuyomi world.
It's also possible that the different Limited Tsukuyomi worlds they experience may overlap at certain moments due to their strong beliefs and unwavering determination. These hidden connections are like Easter eggs within the script, waiting for them to discover on their own.
No need to explain further.
Since they've come to the Yang God Star, it means Sasuke and Naruto are prepared to grow stronger, both mentally and physically.
Even though they have already passed the first round of the preliminary matches in the Shinobi World Tournament, no one wants to miss the chance to become even stronger before the main event. Being chosen as test subjects is their fortune.
Lying inside the special pods, the two slowly closed their eyes.
Meanwhile, up in the sky, Hyuga Hitoshi—the mastermind behind this unique scenario—finally received Orochimaru's signal. He then slowly activated the Golden Wheel Tenseigan.
As the phantom image of the Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan aligned with the moon, a massive beam of reflected light shone down, piercing through the pod chamber and bathing Naruto and Sasuke in its glow.
Even with their Yin-Yang Release powers, they fell into a deep sleep under Hyuga Hitoshi's influence. Orochimaru, however, had already activated the Sun God Seal permissions in advance. With Hyuga Hitoshi's approval, he remained unaffected.
But what puzzled Orochimaru was that as the Infinite Tsukuyomi took effect, a strange trace of chakra seeped out from Naruto's pod. The chakra slowly gathered, taking on a human form, and then suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Interesting… So Minato and you did leave something behind for Naruto-kun after all."
Upon seeing the figure clearly, Orochimaru immediately understood and casually greeted Kushina.
"This special nutrient pod is designed to stabilize the subject's mind. So, even if Naruto-kun doesn't mind his mother existing in his spiritual world and his body doesn't reject it, your presence is still considered an external factor. That's why you were expelled."
Seeing Kushina's confusion, Orochimaru took the initiative to explain the situation.
"But Naruto's Yang Release power is still active, so you don't need to worry about disappearing. And once the experiment is over, the great Yang God His Majesty should—"
Before finishing his sentence, Orochimaru suddenly looked up and slightly bowed with a respectful expression.
There was no other reason.
The great Yang God His Majesty had already completed the targeted Limited Tsukuyomi and was now prepared with fruit and snacks, ready to enjoy his masterpiece.
He landed on the ground and opened a connection with the Earth's Yang God Temple through Teuchi. The long-awaited maid squad stepped out as soon as the spatial rift stabilized. In no time, they had set up an outdoor pavilion and a projection display connected to the Tsukuyomi world.
"Take a seat."
Pointing to two chairs not far away, the Hyuga clan leader leaned back into Samui's arms and gestured for them to join him.
"After today, we will all be witnesses to history. Opportunities like this don't come often."
Ignoring Kushina's confused gaze and skipping any small talk with her, Hyuga Hitoshi pointed to the incredibly vivid projection in front of them.
In the dark sky, a blood-red moon slowly rose. The eerie images playing out below left Kushina in a daze.
A pitch-black night.
ANBU ninjas moving in the shadows.
A masked man.
The Nine-Tails roaring.
The village in ruins.
Blood everywhere.
The desperate cries of the shinobi.
And then, a newborn baby who had suddenly stopped crying and slowly opened his eyes.
That was Naruto.
That was her child!