The creature that looked like a four-tailed fox was, on closer inspection, actually a person.
His body seemed scorched black, surrounded by a red mist like blood. Both the fox ears and the four tails were manifestations of energy.
With fangs and claws—he looked absolutely terrifying.
This was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki!
The answer was obvious: this world was Naruto, specifically during the Shippuden era.
Naruto Uzumaki, the host of the Nine-Tails, had just unleashed the power of Four Tails.
Nearby, a pink-haired girl lay unconscious on the ground.
Facing off against the Four-Tails state Naruto was a creature shaped like a giant snake—or more accurately, a huge red-black earthworm. On its head was a Noh mask with a single character written on it: "Zero".
This was Zero-Tails: Null, a creature from the movie Naruto: Bonds. Despite its name, it had no relation to the tailed beasts.
"Not only the Naruto world, but the movie version of Naruto too…" Moss muttered.
With a thought, she retracted her eight angelic wings. A magic circle appeared above her head, and her appearance began to change.
The iron mask transformed into a monk's crown, the pink ribbons became a red scroll-shaped scarf, and the white battle armor became a simple white robe and trousers.
Finally, she draped a soft yellow monk's mantle over her shoulders.
The Sanzo Beast's Soul had been accepted and activated.
Her bare feet touched the ground—this was the only form Moss used where she didn't wear shoes.
Her soles looked delicate but were incredibly tough. Though she could feel the pebbles beneath her feet, they didn't injure her.
The faint stinging sensation… was actually kind of nice.
Thanks to the protective energy layer, her feet never got dirty, even walking through mud and stone.
Angewomon Lucy asked curiously, "Why suddenly use the Sanzo Beast's Soul?"
Moss replied with a soft smile, "In this world, the Sanzo Beast's form feels more appropriate—plus it fits the theme of enduring the 81 trials on the path."
Just then, she sensed a strong energy signature approaching rapidly.
Looking toward the source, she saw a black-haired boy emerge from behind a tree.
Handsome, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, with open-toe ninja boots. Around his waist was a purple rope belt and a dark blue cloth sash. A long sword rested at his back.
—Sasuke Uchiha.
"A monk?"
Sasuke also noticed Moss.
He had come here for something Orochimaru needed and was surprised to run into such a strange monk.
The robe and mantle certainly marked her as a monk.
But why was a monk in the wilderness rather than in a temple? And that outfit—exposed shoulders, a rather suggestive neckline—more like a kunoichi than a priestess.
"Maybe… a ninja monk?"
Ninja monks were basically hybrids between monks and shinobi.
A female ninja monk, though? That was new.
Then he noticed her bare feet—not even wearing ninja sandals. Truly bizarre.
Still, as long as she didn't interfere, her weirdness didn't matter.
Sasuke turned his attention back to the fight between Four-Tails Naruto and Zero-Tails.
Moss also looked back in the same direction.
The battle had already ended.
In just two or three exchanges, Naruto had regained his consciousness and suppressed the Nine-Tails' chakra, returning to his normal form.
"Amaru!"
Naruto ran under the Zero-Tail's writhing body and shouted into it, "Amaru, wake up! Aren't you Master Shinnō's student? Shouldn't a student inherit their teacher's will? Don't you want to be praised by Master Shinnō?"
At those words, the Zero-Tails instantly vanished.
As it turned out, the Zero-Tails was a creature formed by absorbing the darkness in human hearts, creating a being made of dark chakra.
When that darkness disappeared, so did the Zero-Tails.
Yes, Naruto's "Talk-no-Jutsu" really worked.
As the creature faded, a red-haired girl appeared in its place.
This was Amaru, the heroine from the Naruto: Bonds movie and the host of the Zero-Tails.
The Zero-Tails wasn't a regular tailed beast. It latched onto darkness in the heart, not the soul, so it vanishing didn't threaten Amaru's life.
"Master Shinnō…" Amaru murmured, looking lost.
Master Shinnō was a famous doctor in the ninja world and had raised her from a young age. He was someone she deeply respected—even loved.
But just recently… he had died before her eyes.
That grief had plunged her into despair, which the Zero-Tails had exploited to revive itself with dark chakra.
Just then, a voice called out to her: "Amaru, you did great."
She turned and saw it was Naruto Uzumaki, holding an unconscious Sakura in his arms.
"You've finally returned to us safe and sound… I think that's what Master Shinnō would've said," Naruto said gently.
Amaru blinked.
Yes. If Shinnō were still alive, he would have said something like that. And he'd probably pat her head too.
"Mmm…"
At that moment, Sakura slowly regained consciousness.
"Sakura! Are you okay?" Naruto asked tenderly.
Opening her eyes, she was startled to find Naruto's face inches from hers, looking at her so intently.
"AHH!"
With a loud shriek, she slapped him so hard he flew several meters away.
"..."
Watching from the shadows, Sasuke was unimpressed.
The last time they'd met, things had been tense. Now he saw that nothing had changed between Naruto and Sakura.
…Still so loud.
Annoying, yes—but also nostalgic. A past he could no longer return to.
Because he was an avenger.
Moss, observing this first encounter with the Naruto main cast, had no emotional ties. She merely thought: "That slap had hundreds of pounds of force behind it."
Even for a ninja, that kind of power wasn't natural—it had to involve a jutsu.
Sakura had trained in super strength. Her chakra constantly flowed in a way that built passive strength. Over time, it became more than a technique—it was her passive state.
She could casually dish out massive force. A serious punch could shatter a dozen meters of stone—several tons of force.
Of course, there were drawbacks.
Ordinary ninjas had to intentionally control their chakra to activate techniques, but Sakura had to intentionally restrain herself to do anything mundane, like eating or drinking.
BOOM!
Suddenly, the ground began to shake.
"What's going on?"
Naruto looked around. The red palm mark on his face had already faded.
"It's not over yet…" Sakura looked toward the nearby ruins. "Hinata and the missing villagers might be in there."
Without hesitation, Naruto declared, "Sakura, take Amaru back to the Leaf Village. I'll go rescue Hinata and the villagers."
The situation was urgent. Sakura didn't object. She nodded and said, "Got it. I'll return with reinforcements."
Then she turned to Amaru. "Let's go."
But Amaru hesitated.
Sakura crouched down with her back facing Amaru. "Hop on, Amaru."
"No!" Amaru shouted.
Naruto and Sakura were both surprised.
"I want to carry on Master Shinnō's will and help bring the villagers back!" Amaru said.
Sakura paused. She didn't want to say it, but… Amaru wasn't even genin-level. She'd just be a burden—and in danger.
"I understand." Naruto smiled. "Come with me."
He ran straight into the ruins. Amaru lit up and followed.
"Wait, Naruto…" Sakura called out.
"Don't worry! I'll protect Amaru!" he yelled over his shoulder, disappearing into the ruins with her.
"…Still so stubborn," Sakura sighed.
But she wasn't too worried. She trusted Naruto. Even though he was still a genin in name, most jonin couldn't beat him.
And this was about fulfilling Shinnō's last wish. With that thought, Sakura turned and prepared to return to the Leaf to report and summon backup.
BOOM—!
Before she'd gone a hundred meters, the tremor intensified. Massive marble structures rose from the earth, soaring into the sky.
"What… is that?"
She looked up in shock.
A flying fortress was forming in the air!
Tap!
The sound of shoes on marble.
As the fortress rose, Sasuke had used the Body Flicker Technique to leap aboard.
Not far away, he saw the barefoot monk girl again.
She hadn't worn shoes, so her steps made no sound—but she'd still landed faster and farther than him.
"So fast!"
Sasuke was shocked. They'd jumped at the same time, but she'd outpaced him easily. Clearly, this wasn't just some random monk.
Who was she?
What was her purpose?
Moss turned and gave Sasuke a glance.
Yo. Your jump game's weak.
Sasuke frowned. "What was that look supposed to mean?"
Moss meant nothing by it. She looked away and headed into the fortress.
"Is she… inviting me to follow her?"
Sasuke didn't want to follow. He was that kind of contrarian.
But after exploring a bit, he realized there was only one side entrance—hers. Going through the front would mean running into Naruto.
One path led to the monk girl, the other to Naruto.
In the end, Sasuke chose the side path. "Might as well see what she's about."
No matter the path, both led to the fortress's central chamber—but the side route had more enemy patrols.
The fortress was a Sky Ninja Village weapon, so its guards were all Sky Ninja.
"Who's there?!"
Groups of Sky Ninja pointed kunai-launchers.
"A monk?"
"A ninja monk?!"
"Whoa, a female ninja monk—rare!"
"Capture her! Lock her up!"
Hearing this, Moss raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You just want to lock me up? Not do anything weird to me?"
Her sultry voice echoed, dripping with charm.
Sasuke watched from behind, speechless.
He'd suspected as much before—but now he was sure.
This monk girl was definitely not normal.
Seduction techniques were one thing… but this?
Even as a ninja, such low-grade seduction was crude. Real "technique" was genjutsu-based.
And as a monk, she should be following strict discipline—this kind of cheap ploy was unbefitting.
Her blonde hair and blue eyes reminded him of someone he used to know… someone who used similar techniques.
Sexy Jutsu…
Tch. Embarrassing. No finesse at all.
The Sky Ninja shivered, then scoffed. "A true ninja avoids alcohol, lust, and greed. You think that weak attempt can break us? Dream on!"
"..."
Moss leaned back slightly, taken aback.
Huh. The "Three Ninja Taboos"… she'd totally forgotten.
She glanced back at Sasuke. "No wonder you only have one daughter."
"?!"
Sasuke's expression didn't change—but internally, he froze, then seethed.
Nonsense!
He, Sasuke Uchiha, was pure as snow!
Where would he get a daughter from?!
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10 Advance Chapters: patreon.com/milezen
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