A few years later.
The Shinobi World was flourishing, peaceful and stable. Technological civilization had reached extraordinary heights: full electrification, complete digitization, and explosive progress in every field.
Transportation, trade, communications, military affairs, agriculture, industry, culture, science…
The population of the entire Shinobi World skyrocketed. Driven by technology, people opened up limitless new territories.
The deserts of the Land of Wind were reclaimed, and both population and usable land expanded rapidly.
In the Lands of Earth and Lightning the former mountains and deep valleys were leveled and filled, turning impassable terrain into open thoroughfares.
Maritime transport in the Land of Water boomed; ships could now circle the globe in a short time.
The region that once held the Five Great Nations was actually only a small part of the planet. Vast areas that used to have only scattered inhabitants and forces had now been fully developed.
The whole world enjoyed economic prosperity, scientific advancement, cultural elevation, and civilized progress.
…
Of course, Chiyu never forgot the importance of power itself. He fused technology with ninjutsu, creating a mighty civilization unique to the Shinobi World.
Taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, senjutsu, secret arts, forbidden arts…
Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, Kekkei Mōra…
Sealing, barriers, puppetry, summoning, sensing, medical techniques…
All blended as one.
Electric power merged with chakra. Sensory abilities meshed seamlessly with information technology.
In this new world you could choose to become a ninja to strengthen yourself, or pursue any other career—politician, scientist, economist, military strategist, even artist. An unprecedentedly prosperous civilization was born.
…
Underlying it all was Chiyu's original intention: to build a world where good is rewarded, evil punished, everything governed by law and guided by principle. This has now become reality—laws, statutes, agencies, departments, even political reform and progress. Today's Shinobi World possessed not only technology and strength but true civilization.
…
After so many years of preparation everything was finally ready. Chiyu would lead the Shinobi World's great power—
—to strike back at the Ōtsutsuki Homeworld!
The Ōtsutsuki, like cosmic termites, would invade other worlds, devour, plunder, oppress and destroy them—sacrificing anything to increase their own power: Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Momoshiki, Kinshiki, Kamishiki… an endless stream. The only answer was to cut them off at the root.
Yet Chiyu did not devote all forces to the counter‑invasion. As always, he valued the young. Veterans such as Ōnoki and Tsunade were left in the Shinobi World without hesitation. Even core pillars like Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyūga stayed behind to hold the rear and steady the situation.
Those Chiyu chose were the younger generation.
The first‑generation commanders of the expedition were from Kakashi Hatake's cohort: Kakashi, Might Guy, Terumi Mei, Darui, Mangetsu Hōzuki, Zabuza Momochi, and others.
The real main force and elite fighters were the now‑grown Konoha rookies: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Neji Hyūga, Rock Lee, Tenten, Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Shikamaru Nara, Chōji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, Sai… plus Gaara, Temari, Kankurō, Chōjūrō, Suigetsu Hōzuki, Haku, Kimimaro, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi, Atsui, Omoi, Karui and other young shinobi from beyond the Five Nations such as Karin.
…
By now the Shinobi World had already built spacecraft capable of space travel. Many top‑tier fighters could even fly through space on their own; Six Paths–level beings could do so easily, though at a higher energy cost. For someone of Chiyu's caliber, opening a space‑time portal was effortless. Not only he—Kakashi, Sasuke and others could also open portals, achieving instant space jumps in the void.
In Chiyu's estimate the campaign against the Ōtsutsuki planet would not take very long, but to sweep the clan away entirely would not be the work of a day. The planet was in decline; most Ōtsutsuki were no longer so strong and could not compare with today's Shinobi World. Yet the clan was an invading race—who knew how many more Isshiki‑ or Momoshiki‑class beings were still roaming the cosmos, attacking other worlds and civilizations that now awaited rescue. Chiyu reckoned the whole plan would take at least ten years, another reason he chose the young to carry it out.
…
At last, under the gaze of the entire Shinobi World, the Ōtsutsuki counterattack force prepared to set sail. Ships that combined technological and shinobi civilization stood ready.
The departing ninja bade farewell to family and friends, then—at Chiyu's order—the warships rose and sped into the starry sea. With a wave of his hand Chiyu opened a huge black space‑time gate, and the fleet flashed through endless space toward its goal.
…
Vast star‑sea, boundless universe.
Inside one warship, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha answered a summons to see the Lord of the Shinobi World. They exchanged a glance and bowed deeply.
"Lord of the Shinobi World."
Chiyu said calmly, "No need to be so stiff; you two could be called half my students."
Naruto scratched his head—since the Lord's power had reached unimaginable heights he had grown even more approachable. Sasuke, however, sensed a different profundity and could not help wondering: was this merely a clone, a projection, a fragment of consciousness, a strand of soul? Perhaps the real body had already transcended this dimension, like the fabled Ōtsutsuki god. It was only a guess.
Sasuke asked, "Why have you called us?"
Chiyu smiled. "Nothing special. Crossing the starry sea will take time—I just wanted to talk with you both."
Relieved, they answered, "I see…"
Chiyu said, "So—any questions for me?"
Naruto raised his hand. "I have one…"
"Go ahead."
"I've heard the Ōtsutsuki have a divine art called Ten Directions that can see every possible future timeline. I suppose the Lord has this power too?"
Chiyu smiled without confirming. Naruto laughed awkwardly: "So… could you predict my future?"
Chiyu shook his head. Ten Directions only glimpsed countless possibilities; it was not true prophecy. "Besides, even if you could watch a chain of futures collapse one by one, would that really be enjoyable?"
Naruto froze, then laughed. "True enough, Lord…"
Sasuke snorted. "Still the same Naruto, asking questions that put even the Lord on the spot."
"What was that, Sasuke?! Want to fight?!"
Chiyu, smiling, stopped them. "Sasuke, your question?"
After a moment Sasuke said, "I'm more interested in something else… the past—or another possibility. Lord, was everything we experienced truly fated? Can the past never change?"
Chiyu understood the knot in Sasuke's heart—who could easily accept an elder brother like Itachi? He said calmly, "The past is not absolutely unchangeable."
Sasuke's face changed.
"But… once you change the past, the present and future face unpredictable danger. There really are powers that let one travel through time: the Dragon Vein beneath the ruins of ancient Rōran, containing vast chakra that can warp time; a Ōtsutsuki artifact that also crosses eras; even I possess the power to traverse time and rewrite history."
Naruto and Sasuke both shuddered.
"But I won't do it. Aside from unknown consequences, it would mean wallowing in the past and doubting my former self—not my style."
Sasuke fell silent.
Chiyu continued, "Yet I can show you something—what the world would be like if I did not exist."
In an instant he cast a technique, and Naruto and Sasuke seemed to live an entire lifetime in another timeline—the original story. They were stunned, as if decades had passed in a moment, and finally came with heavy breaths, unable to recover.
"That was the timeline without me—another fate for you. What do you think?"
They were silent. Naruto looked at Sasuke. "I'd still choose this timeline."
Sasuke was shaken. "Why, Naruto? In that world you saved the village, even the Shinobi World, a hero beloved by all—why choose this one?"
Naruto said, "Sure, my life there was great, almost a dream… but you suffered far too much." He looked at Sasuke. "If the Uchiha had really been wiped out—your parents, your kin all dead—you might never escape that nightmare."
Sasuke understood and felt moved yet said nothing. "Indeed… Lord, I understand. I also chose this timeline. Thank you."
Chiyu knew his thoughts: without him it would have been true ruin. Naruto grinned. "At least that timeline had one perk—the final battle, I won!" Sasuke snorted, "A fake world. In this reality I won't lose." Chiyu laughed. "Your strength is not just power but will."
Naruto remembered something: after Infinite Tsukuyomi many people were addicted to the dream and begged the Lord to return it—Sasuke even smiled: "The Lord simply hung them back on the tree." Chiyu said, "They got what they wished for—eternal dreaming. For them, kindness."
He asked, "What did you two see in Infinite Tsukuyomi?" They hesitated. Naruto laughed: "I dreamed my parents never died. They weren't heroes, just ordinary ninjas living an ordinary life with ordinary me. But I still met Iruka‑sensei, the Lord, and Sasuke… and finally became the new Lord myself." Chiyu nodded: "A fine dream."
Sasuke sighed: "Mine was simply life before that night." Chiyu understood.
After a pause Naruto asked curiously, "Lord, what dream would you have?" Chiyu gazed at the endless stars. "I almost never dream—or rather, I prefer to obtain in reality whatever I might dream of." Naruto and Sasuke nodded: "That is just like you, Lord."
They looked out the window. "The Ōtsutsuki planet can't be far away now."
"Right."
Naruto's eyes burned. "Sasuke, if this is the last war, our rivalry ends here."
"Gladly," Sasuke answered.
Chiyu smiled at them. Sasuke could not hold back: "Lord, may I ask—are you truly here in person?" Chiyu chuckled. "You have perceptive eyes, Sasuke… and your intuition is sharp, Naruto." They asked together, "So—what's the answer?" Chiyu only smiled and did not reply. He stared ahead at the gigantic planet appearing in the void.
"The Ōtsutsuki world has arrived… Naruto, Sasuke—are you ready to fight?"
"Can't wait!" they answered.
"Good."
Moments later the warships burst from the portal into the planet's orbit and began descending. Countless ninja stood ready for the final battle.
"Kill," Chiyu ordered, opening the curtain on the ultimate war. A genuine smile spread across his face. He knew his mission in this world was complete—but the fight was not yet over.
Our journey is to the sea of stars.
~~~
Next World! One Piece!
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