Chapter 11: 11. Enter A*** The Void Ripper!
Ryusei drifted ahead of Team 7, the vastness of the Realm of Time stretching infinitely around them. Panels floated in all directions, each one shimmering with its own unique energy, each an echo of a different reality. The swirling colors and faint glows created a mesmerizing, almost hypnotic effect, but Ryusei's gaze was sharp, focused. He knew what they were here to do, but the path was not set in stone. It never was in this place.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura floated close behind, their eyes wide as they took in the sight before them. This wasn't their first encounter with the bizarre, but there was something about this place that felt different—more alive, more volatile. They could feel the shifting energies, the sense that these realities were constantly in flux, as if they might change or disappear at any moment.
"So, how do we know where to go?" Naruto asked, glancing at Ryusei. "Are there, like, signs or something that tell us which panels are the weakest?"
Ryusei shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Not exactly. This realm isn't like a map we can follow. The panels are all reflections of different timelines, different realities, and their strength varies. Some are stable, while others are on the brink of collapse. But I can't be certain which ones are the weakest—not until we get closer."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, the faint red of his Sharingan flickering as he surveyed the endless panels around them. "Then how do we know where to go? We can't just wander aimlessly through this place."
Ryusei paused, looking back at them. "That's the thing about the Realm of Time. It's not about certainty. It's about feeling. I don't know for sure which panels are the weakest, but I know which ones call out to me. It's as if they're reaching through the void, pulling at my essence. For the course of this training expedition, we'll be traveling to those. And the same goes for you three."
Sakura's brows knitted together as she listened, her expression pensive. "You mean… some of these panels might be calling out to us, too?"
Ryusei nodded. "Exactly. This realm has a strange way of drawing us toward the versions of ourselves that resonate the most. Some of these panels will call out to me, but others might call out to each of you. These realities may hold versions of yourselves you can learn from, strengths you've yet to unlock. That's why we're here."
Naruto's face lit up, excitement mingling with the curiosity in his eyes. "So, we're basically going on a training trip across timelines? This is gonna be awesome!"
Sasuke, ever the skeptic, crossed his arms and looked at Ryusei with a hint of suspicion. "But why now? Why bring us here to face versions of ourselves that might be even more powerful? There has to be a reason."
Ryusei met his gaze, the weight of their mission settling in his voice. "Because we need to be prepared. There are threats coming that none of us can face alone—not even the strongest versions of ourselves. But by connecting with these timelines, we can draw strength from them, learn from them, and in return, help stabilize this reality."
Sakura nodded slowly, her determination shining through. "So, each of these panels might have something different to teach us. If we can handle whatever's waiting on the other side, that is."
"Exactly," Ryusei replied, his voice calm yet filled with a quiet intensity. "But remember, this place is more than just a training ground. The panels that call out to us can also challenge us in ways we've never faced before. You'll need to be ready for anything."
Naruto cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, I'm ready for whatever! Let's get going!"
Sasuke smirked, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the panels once more. "Let's see what these realities have to offer. I've come too far to back down now."
Sakura tightened her fists, the resolve in her gaze matching that of her teammates. "We're with you, Ryusei. Lead the way."
Ryusei turned forward, his eyes scanning the sea of panels stretching endlessly into the void. He could feel the subtle pull of energies reaching out to him, the whispers of versions of himself that beckoned him closer. He took a deep breath, letting his senses guide him, letting the Void itself draw him toward the realities that held the keys to their growth.
"All right," he said, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation. "Let's see where this journey takes us."
And with that, Team 7 plunged deeper into the Realm of Time, ready to face whatever awaited them on the other side of each panel, knowing that each encounter would bring them closer to the strength they needed to protect their world.
Ryusei stopped, allowing the vastness of the Realm of Time to wash over them, filling the space with a pulsing energy that seemed to breathe and flow around them. He turned to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, sensing their readiness to begin.
"Before we step through any panels," Ryusei began, "there's something you need to understand about chakra here. In this place, time isn't just a concept. It's a living force, and it flows through you, nurturing you every moment. To survive in the Realm of Time, you'll need to learn how to connect with it—how to let it flow through you and amplify your chakra."
Naruto glanced around, curiosity and excitement mixing on his face. "So… we can use this time energy to make our chakra stronger?"
"Not just stronger," Ryusei replied, a faint smile on his face. "You'll gain better control over it, both mentally and physically. To do that, you have to visualize your chakra in a new way."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. "And how do we do that?"
"Close your eyes," Ryusei instructed. "Focus on your breath first. Let it be your anchor in this vast space. Now, as you breathe, start to feel the energy around you. This isn't just ordinary chakra—it's the chakra of time, and it's nurturing you with each passing moment."
The team closed their eyes, following his lead. The air was thick with the presence of energy, almost tangible, like they could reach out and touch it. Ryusei could sense their auras adjusting, aligning with the rhythm of the realm itself. He continued, his voice calm and guiding.
"Imagine your chakra as a river flowing through your body," he said. "Now, instead of it being a force you push and pull, let it become part of you, as natural as breathing. Feel how it moves, how it pulses in time with the energy around you. Let it spread to every corner of your body—your fingers, your toes, your mind."
Sakura inhaled deeply, her brows furrowing as she concentrated. Slowly, she began to feel it—a subtle, nurturing force intertwining with her own chakra, like invisible threads weaving through her core. The sensation was new, yet familiar, like a forgotten memory resurfacing.
"It's… different," she murmured. "It's like my chakra is feeding off something greater, something beyond me."
Naruto's face relaxed, a look of amazement dawning on him. "I can feel it, too. It's like my chakra is growing, but it's also more… steady. Like it's breathing with me."
Ryusei nodded, satisfied with their progress. "That's it. Now, I want you to visualize this chakra expanding beyond your body. Picture it flowing into your surroundings, blending with the chakra of time itself. It's not separate from you—it's part of you. You're part of this realm, and this realm is part of you."
Sasuke's eyes tightened as he focused, the faint glow of his Sharingan illuminating his face even with his eyes closed. He could feel the shift, the merging of his chakra with the pulse of the Realm of Time. The sensation was almost intoxicating, filling him with a sense of control and clarity he hadn't felt before.
"It's like… I'm able to see without seeing," he murmured. "I can feel the energy of the realm, and it's guiding me, like an extension of my own chakra."
Ryusei watched them carefully, noting the changes in their auras. "With this connection, your chakra will become more responsive, more precise. You'll find that your control improves, not just over your body but over your mind. When we enter the panels, you'll be able to draw on this connection to strengthen yourselves."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "This is just the beginning. The more you practice, the deeper your connection will become. With this, you'll be able to face any reality, any version of yourself, and come back stronger."
Naruto opened his eyes, a newfound resolve in them. "I feel it, Ryusei. I feel like I can do anything now."
Sakura and Sasuke followed suit, their gazes steady, reflecting a deeper understanding and readiness. They were no longer just traveling through the Realm of Time—they were becoming a part of it, their chakras woven into its very essence.
Ryusei nodded approvingly. "Good. Keep that connection strong. Now, let's find the panels that call to us. Together, we'll see just how far this power can take us."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his expression tightening with an intensity that cut through the momentary calm. "Hold on," he said, his tone measured but alert. "I'm picking up on something. It's… hard to explain, but there's a pull. I can feel it, like a presence calling out to me from somewhere close by."
Ryusei nodded, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Perfect, Sasuke. Let's find out what—or who—requires your attention. Go ahead and lead the way."
Without hesitation, Sasuke took point, and the rest of the team fell in line behind him as they drifted through the glowing expanse. Naruto and Sakura exchanged glances, the excitement sparking between them as they walked, their footsteps echoing faintly in the vast emptiness.
"So, how does this whole 'infinite chakra' thing work?" Naruto asked, trying to suppress his curiosity but failing as usual. "Are we really just standing in it, like it's some kind of endless river or something?"
Ryusei glanced over, his gaze calm yet focused. "Exactly. Here in the Realm of Time, chakra isn't bound by the same limitations as in our world. Think of it as an infinite well. As long as you're connected to it, you can draw from it endlessly. But it requires balance and control to access it fully, which is why we're here."
Sakura nodded, thoughtful. "So that's why you had us visualize our chakra. It's like we're blending with the energy around us, right?"
"Precisely," Ryusei affirmed. "The more attuned you become to this place, the more you can pull from it. In time, you'll find that your own reserves can grow beyond what you've known before. But be cautious—too much too fast, and you risk being overwhelmed."
As they continued to follow Sasuke's lead, the air grew denser, vibrating with an almost tangible intensity. Ryusei knew they were getting closer. The pulsing energy from the panel ahead was unmistakable—a powerful force, brimming with tension and urgency.
Finally, they arrived before a panel, its surface shifting like the surface of a dark lake, ripples moving through it as if something—or someone—inside was trying to break free. They could see a boy, around their age, standing in the center of a battlefield. His form was a blur of motion, surrounded by hundreds of ninja, each one advancing on him with ruthless precision. But the boy was relentless, his hands moving through the air with a fierce determination, tearing open rips through dimensions, using them to attack and defend with deadly efficiency.
Naruto's eyes widened. "No way… he's holding his own against all of them? That's insane!"
Sasuke's gaze was locked on the boy, his expression steely as he watched the chaotic scene unfold. He could feel it now, more strongly than before—this wasn't just a call for help. It was a resonance, an unspoken connection. He had to know more.
Ryusei placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, his tone quiet yet firm. "Looks like we found your panel. Whoever he is, he's fighting a battle that's clearly drawn you here."
The scene before them intensified, the boy unleashing another rift that swallowed an entire squad of opponents, only for more to close in around him. The tension in the air was electric, brimming with possibilities and dangers yet unseen.
As the panel flickered and the boy's gaze seemed to turn in their direction, Ryusei and the others stood poised, ready to step forward into whatever awaited them.
To be continued…