Five hours later, in the Second World, inside the research lab:
"A jutsu that changes the properties of objects…"
The two Orochimarus exchanged glances with different expressions, and the Orochimaru from the Main World turned his head:
"Based on your description and comparing all the experimental procedures, the conclusion is—"
"When you reverse the property you've changed, it'll be preserved." (x3)
Tobirama joined in and spoke:
"If the enlarged stone you crushed ended up being saved, but not the other properties, then yes, the answer is quite obvious."
Link patted his forehead. On the surface, it sounded like another bizarre bug similar to how Shadows are born. But can one really enlarge an object out of thin air without paying any cost?
On second thought, if it can be permanently preserved, why only under some conditions? It all felt contradictory.
He reined in his wandering thoughts and carefully considered how to utilize this new bug.
The new issue was that "reversing" the property wasn't straightforward. If it grew bigger, how exactly do you "shrink" it further? If it turned harder, how do you make it softer? If it became transparent, how do you make it black again? Even if it remains after that reversal, what's the point?
"If there's nothing else, we'll be going now," the Orochimaru from the Main World said, sounding a bit disinterested.
Tobirama also showed little of his initial excitement upon first seeing Link's mutated ninjutsu. Keeping a calm manner, he said:
"The Ninja Alliance has plenty to do."
He noticed Link's perplexed look and explained plainly:
"When all's said and done, this property‐changing jutsu of yours still comes down to Yin–Yang Release creating something from nothing.
"The core is simply Yin Release conjuring a form out of nothing, which should be easy for someone with your vast spiritual power."
"But as for this technique, we can't replicate it," he remarked, shrugging. It's a unique personal Bloodline trait beyond the Bloodline Selection ("Kekkei Tōta") or even above that, in the realm of Bloodline Web ("Kekkei Mōra")—like the Sage of Six Paths' territory. There's no way to recreate it.
Even the Space–Crossing Jutsu (Ship‐Link Technique) was another unusual reflection of Link's colossal mental energy. So colossal, in fact, that not even Kaguya, the so-called progenitor of chakra, could power it herself. The logic is simple: they haven't even finished studying normal chakra, let alone transformations like Kekkei Genkai. How could they possibly jump straight into something akin to the Six Paths' Yin–Yang Release and succeed?
After all, if jumping ahead was that easy, the Final Era's Ninja World would have soared long ago.
In simpler terms:
They can't help Link do these experiments.
They can't replicate it themselves.
Even repeating the experiments can only be done by Link.
Hence, there's no great significance for them.
Once he realized their point, Link felt both exasperation and amusement. His mutated ninjutsu was too advanced, so they set it aside. Now he had no one to help or talk with—just left tinkering on his own?
"Anyway, if you do any more experiments, do them alone," Tobirama said, as he left with his short stride. "If you need help, just find Tsunade and ask for staff. You don't have to call all of us over."
He cast a final warning:
"And absolutely do not cast your Great Breakthrough on the planet we stand on. If by some freak chance it triggers a weird transformation—even for a moment—it may destroy the entire world."
Increasing gravity or oxygen levels, changing the planet's rotation or revolution… Humans are too fragile; even ninjas aren't strong enough to survive that sort of planetary upheaval.
After that, they left in a hurry, each returning to their own work.
"Right… I'll be careful. At least for now, I won't tamper with the planet," Link muttered.
He planned to thoroughly test Great Breakthrough on various items—anything except the planet.
…
Meanwhile, in the Second World's Kannabi Bridge area, at the "Friend House" café:
"Tap, tap…"
Sasuke (Fourth World) stood across the street, gazing at the shop. Inside, an ordinary shopkeeper, who looked exactly like himself, was politely seeing off customers—Sasuke (Main World), wearing a gentle smile.
The Fourth World Sasuke felt at a loss.
"Such a peaceful life…?"
He reflexively touched his neck, as if checking the cursed seal, only to recall it was gone.
Once the last customer left, the Sasuke in the shop spotted him. His calm smile warmed slightly, and he waved.
Despite both being Sasukes, the younger one in white attire appeared notably more laid-back and composed.
Fourth World Sasuke crossed the road and entered Friend House. He paused for a while before speaking. The other Sasuke didn't press him with any questions, waiting silently. Finally, the newcomer broke the silence:
"So…do you like sweets?"
"Not that much," the Main World Sasuke answered, "I just…don't dislike them as I used to. So how've you been recently?"
Fourth World Sasuke stayed silent. Yet the atmosphere in the shop wasn't tense. The Main World Sasuke patiently waited for his counterpart to open up. Because he understood himself; if he'd never hit a dead end, he might have walked a very dark path.
"It's pretty nice here," the other Sasuke finally said. "You and I are different—"
He looked up.
"Link. My world doesn't have Link," he murmured.
He'd never felt anyone truly respected his personal resolve. Even among Squad Seven, or his family who loved him, no one had ever fully stood at his vantage point.
Main World Sasuke didn't make any "condescending" remark, letting him continue.
"So I want to meet that…that Sasuke from the future."
Pressing away confusion, Fourth Sasuke said resolutely:
"I want to see how he thinks, how he ended up where he is."
"Will you help me?"
"Of course," the Main World Sasuke said, extending a hand—just as someone had done for him in the rain that once changed his life.
~~~
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