No one expected Konoha to become so bustling in a single day. While only Iwagakure understood the potential benefits of the other world, the other villages were still willing to place their hopes on it.
Expanding the pie is already a daunting challenge; forging an entirely new path through uncharted territory is on another level entirely.
Recently, Uchiha Fugaku had grown noticeably thinner, yet his complexion had improved. Perhaps he lacked the boldness of a true pioneer, but as a guardian, he was unmatched.
Kirigakure's representatives had already arrived, and today, Iwagakure's envoy, Kitsuchi, appeared, accompanied by a sullen-looking Deidara. The blond youth had one arm wrapped in bandages, clearly broken. Whether it had been snapped in a clash or due to some internal strife remained a mystery. Judging by his expression, it likely wasn't a story he was proud to share.
Soon after, representatives from Sunagakure and Kumogakure entered the village. The Sand Village sent none other than their new Kazekage, Gaara, flanked by his elder siblings, Kankuro and Temari. Kumogakure, on the other hand, dispatched the Raikage's secretary Samui and the Jinchūriki known as Yukito.
The Raikage had chosen not to attend personally. Cloud Village was well aware that he wasn't exactly welcome in Konoha. Perhaps sending a pair of beautiful women would yield better results diplomatically.
Despite his rugged appearance and short temper, the Raikage wasn't without political cunning. Normally quick to flare up with his Lightning Chakra Mode, he had mellowed somewhat after losing an arm. If Su Xiuyu ever caught wind of this, he'd probably tease the Raikage for catching "Thor's Syndrome" rather than meeting his demise.
---
"Kirigakure poses no issue. You were among the first groups our ancestors pledged this opportunity to. Have you decided who will represent your side?"
The Hokage's office, once spacious, now felt cramped with all the visiting dignitaries. Fugaku hadn't anticipated this level of turnout. Fortunately, the village was financially stable and plans for a larger office were already underway.
"I'll go myself," declared Mei Terumi. "And I'll bring Chojuro with me. I need to witness this new world with my own eyes."
"Oh?" Fugaku regarded her with newfound respect. He hadn't expected any Kage to personally step onto the front lines of the unknown. This woman was certainly bold.
"Mizukage, think carefully. No other Kage has agreed to enter the rift directly. It's not a battlefield—not yet—but there's always a risk."
Mei Terumi smiled, her voice laced with wit. "Didn't Uchiha Xiuyu and Itachi go to that world? And isn't your youngest son, Sasuke, there too? If you're not worried about your own children, why should I be worried about mine?"
Everything she said made sense, but Fugaku couldn't shake the feeling that she was subtly mocking him.
"Konoha still has me and Kagami watching over it," he replied evenly. "And between us, Kagami is stronger. So, no, I have no concerns. Unlike other villages, we don't lack capable successors."
Fortunately, Mei didn't seem to take offense.
"Very well then. You can accompany Kitsuchi from Iwagakure. This isn't his first trip, so he knows the terrain better. I'll leave the coordination to you both. I have other matters to address."
As Mei exited, Gaara entered, flanked by his siblings. The Kazekage hat sat neatly atop his crimson hair, signaling his new role as Sunagakure's leader.
Fugaku was caught off guard by their decisiveness.
"Hokage. I'm Gaara, the new Kazekage. We've met before. Is Naruto still in the village?"
Fugaku paused, surprised that Naruto was Gaara's first concern.
"He hasn't returned yet. He and Sasuke are still in the other world. They're quite... enthusiastic about the place."
"Then, may I trouble you to pass along a message? When he returns, tell him I wish to see that vast world myself."
With that, Gaara left.
"Impressive," Fugaku muttered. "He's young, but his decisiveness surpasses both Sasuke and Naruto. No hesitation. That alone puts him ahead."
He let out a bitter smile. Naruto might be his adopted son, but he'd raised him like his own. Ironically, Itachi, his biological son, was the one pushed furthest away, sent to explore the unknown.
Perhaps Gaara and Naruto were kindred spirits—Jinchūriki who bonded through battle. If anyone could understand each other on a deep level, it would be them.
Besides, Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin had been groomed by the ancestor himself, and they longed for life in that other world. Who was Fugaku to smother that ambition?
Karin was practically glowing at the idea of meeting her idol, Uzumaki Mito. There was no stopping any of the three.
---
Next came Samui and Yugito from Kumogakure. Yugito was an old face, having spent time imprisoned in Konoha. Samui, with her voluptuous figure, was rumored to be trying to seduce Uchiha Su Xiuyu.
Not that such rumors were taken too seriously—mostly jokes among shinobi. Still, Samui reportedly held a quiet admiration for Su Xiuyu. After all, who wouldn't admire the God of Shinobi?
Despite her efforts, the negotiations didn't go smoothly. Kumogakure had burned too many bridges. They had launched not one but two aggressive actions against Konoha in the past. The Uchiha clan wasn't like the soft-hearted Third Hokage. They didn't forgive easily.
Fugaku firmly declined their request to enter the other world.
"Su Xiuyu said to wait. I won't override his orders."
Thankfully, the Cloud representatives came prepared.
"This territory transfer is our obligation. It's part of the agreed compensation," they explained, offering the final paperwork.
Financial reparations had already been made in advance. At least this time, Kumogakure wasn't being entirely unreasonable. Still, dealing with them was exhausting.
"Kumogakure should learn humility before making more demands," Fugaku thought.
Yukito and Samui, however, weren't ready to give up. They remained in Konoha, dropping in on Fugaku occasionally—sometimes to talk diplomacy, sometimes to simply annoy him.
-----------------
Penglai Island was a striking blend of natural beauty and unnatural origin. Lush green trees spread across its surface, surrounded by the endless sea, with the bustling skyline of New York City visible in the distance.
"So this is the other world? Earth, right?" Mei Terumi asked as she stepped onto the island. Behind her, a steady stream of shinobi moved through the space gate, connecting the ninja world to this one.
Mei's queenly aura caught the attention of nearby shinobi, momentarily freezing them. But only for a moment—after all, she wasn't some celebrity heartthrob. A glance to appreciate her beauty was acceptable, but staring too long was asking to be humiliated.
"So this is Earth, huh?"
"Yes," came the reply. "The island beneath your feet was formed by Master Xiu Yu using meteorites. The trees were also planted by him using Wood Release."
Standing beside Kitsuchi was a certain blonde-haired troublemaker—Deidara. Kitsuchi had him in a casual chokehold as he answered. The rocky shinobi had little patience for Deidara's eccentricity and had already taught him a few painful lessons back in Iwagakure, even breaking his arm once.
Despite being a prodigy, Deidara couldn't hold a candle to Kitsuchi, a senior elite jonin. Their difference in chakra reserves alone made the gap insurmountable.
Deidara muttered about how "art is an explosion"—though last time, he nearly got his head blown off by his own explosive clay. Still, he'd come to a decision: the other world needed his art.
"Honestly, Deidara's not bad," Mei said with a teasing smile. "At least he's got energy. Not like our Chojuro, who's good at everything... except speaking."
Chojuro blushed furiously behind her.
"Do you need to meet with Master Xiu Yu?" Kitsuchi asked.
"No, take me to Shisui. He's managing most affairs these days. Master Xiu Yu rarely appears."
...
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, Steve Rogers zipped up his workout hoodie and prepared for his morning run. Though decades had passed while he was frozen, Steve had no time for self-pity. He'd thrown himself into understanding this new world and rebuilding his strength.
Peggy Carter still lingered in his thoughts. It wasn't that he didn't want to see her—it was that he couldn't bear to. Seeing her aged face would only remind him of all he had missed, including that promised dance.
Steve jogged around the S.H.I.E.L.D. building. As usual, Sam Wilson—Falcon—was running laps too.
"Sam, on your left," Steve called, breezing past.
Moments later—"Sam, on your left."
Sam groaned. "Seriously, Cap? What is this, a race?"
No matter how hard Sam tried, he couldn't keep up. Steve's super-soldier serum made him the real deal. Sam's enhancement? A government-issued knockoff in comparison.
To make things worse, three kids were outpacing both of them.
"Sam, you're too slow. At this rate, are you only good for janitor duty?" Naruto barked, half teasing, half exasperated.
Sam glared at him. "Kid, we're not the same! You're a ninja! I'm just a regular enhanced human! Even Steve can't keep up with you freaks."
"Stop roasting me! I'm trying, okay?!" Steve huffed, out of breath and out of patience.
He'd been a military standout and SHIELD's top choice for the Falcon Project. Yet here he was, getting humiliated by three preteens who could outrun, outjump, and outfight anyone in SHIELD. They were like walking superweapons.
Most SHIELD agents could only smile awkwardly when the kids passed by, secretly praying they'd return to their own world soon. But the trio seemed to find Earth amusing—and had no plans to leave.
Nick Fury, oddly enough, hoped they'd stick around. They were core members of the Uchiha—powerful allies worth any trouble. If only his pride didn't stop him from sucking up to them personally.
"Are all ninjas this terrifying? How old even are you guys?" Sam finally asked.
"Twelve," Naruto replied with a shrug. "Why?"
"We even have a twenty-year-old Hokage," Sasuke added.
"Wait, Hokage? That's like your village chief, right?" Sam asked.
"Close," Naruto nodded.
Karin interjected, adjusting her glasses. "Not exactly. Hokage is more like your Secretary of Defense—except they can declare war, and even your President couldn't overrule them."
Sam blinked. "That... sounds horrifying."
"Welcome to our world," Karin said smugly.
"And what's your village, exactly? Some kind of military base?"
"Think of it as a nation's entire military force organized into one village," Sasuke answered.
"Who are you kids?"
Naruto puffed up proudly. "Naruto Uzumaki. My dad was the Fourth Hokage, my adoptive dad is the Fifth."
"Sasuke Uchiha," said the other boy coolly. "My father is also the Fifth Hokage."
"I'm Karin Uzumaki, of the Uzumaki Clan. Our clan and the Uchiha Clan are the strongest—and allies."
Sam's jaw dropped. "So... you're all royalty?"
"Basically," the three answered in unison.
"So where's your village?"
"Another world. Didn't you know that?" Naruto tilted his head.
"IDIOT!" Karin smacked him on the head. "That's a secret, remember?!"
A huge bump swelled on Naruto's forehead.
Karin turned to Sam, voice deadly serious. "Uncle Sam, now that you know, this information can't be leaked. Which means we'll have to—"
"Kill me to shut me up? Hell no! We're right next to SHIELD HQ, and I'm not that easy to take down!" Sam yelled, activating his mechanical wings.
Before he could lift off, Sasuke was already behind him. With a flick of his kunai, the wing mechanisms sparked and sputtered.
"C-can't we just talk about this like civilized people?!" Sam stammered.
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