The forest felt unnaturally quiet as Naruto and Shikamaru moved through the canopy, accompanied by two ANBU. After several hours, the trees opened into a vast clearing—circular, as if carved out by some massive force long ago.
At the center stood a stone archway covered in moss.
Shikamaru examined it carefully.
"These carvings… they're Senju. Maybe even pre-Senju."
Naruto stepped closer. "Feels like it's watching us."
Before Shikamaru could warn him, Naruto placed his hand on the arch.
The ground trembled.
Lines of red energy pulsed across the stone, spreading like veins. A blast of cold wind burst outward as the air shimmered—revealing a staircase spiraling underground.
One ANBU swallowed hard.
"Hokage-sama… permission to retreat would be—"
"Nope," Naruto said, already walking down. "Adventure time!"
Shikamaru covered his face.
"Why do I still work here…?"