Sacred Gear Shadow Light

Few Moments Ago

Underworld

In the shadow-filled chambers of Falbium Asmodeus aka Shikamaru Nara, a sudden disturbance rippled through the air—a subtle but unmistakable tug at the edges of his consciousness awoke Shika. Ever the strategist, he quickly recognized the signature of this disturbance as something emerging from the Dimensional Gap.

With a furrowed brow, Shikamaru contacted Naruto. He was about to share something disturbing he had discovered, intending to discuss it the next day as Naruto was visiting. But now, this disturbance changed everything. "Naruto, things are going out of hand. Can you come?"

Across the dimensions, Naruto, who had also sensed the peculiar shift in the cosmic balance, was already on high alert. At Shika's call, his response was immediate and decisive. "I'm there," he replied, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve.

With a subtle shift, Shadows around him deepened, taking him into Shika's residence. In a heartbeat, he stepped out of the shadows into the grand hall of Shika's residence in the Underworld, the air was thick with magical energies and instruments, befitting the Devil Army Commander. As Naruto emerged from the shadows, his presence shifted the atmosphere, a testament to his formidable power.

Falbium turned to greet him, his expression grim but composed. "Thanks for coming quickly," he said, gesturing towards a large, translucent screen displaying fluctuating energy patterns and data streams. "Look at this," he pointed to a specific cluster of data that showed unusual energy spikes emanating from the Dimensional Gap. "This isn't normal. It's as if something—or someone—is trying to manipulate or pass through the dimensional barriers."

Naruto, already aware of the intruder, nodded in acknowledgement. "Yes, there was an intruder. Red was currently talking to her." Naruto said in a neutral tone. As someone who experienced breaking through space-time, he knew the feeling of someone doing the same.

Though he thought of leaving her be, as Red engaged with her, he kept an eye on the magic, not wanting for realms to be destroyed by the new entity's power or Red's rage. Not to mention he felt a new sense of thrum in his heart as he continued to sense the energy. It almost feels like… nostalgia?

The blonde's lost look didn't go unnoticed by the sharp Nara. Sighing, he decided to share the info he was collecting for the past years to prepare. "Naruto," Shikamaru began, dragging the words a little, showing his reluctance to delve into potentially troublesome matters.

"There's something you need to see here." He motioned lazily towards a particular set of readings on the display. "Found something odd in the remnants of a war-torn region of my territory. It's been on my radar for a while now, just simmering on the back burner."

He paused, running a hand through his hair, a gesture that belied his growing concern beneath his outward calm. "It's not just any anomaly. This one's different. Been trying to wrap my head around it, developing strategies for the Devil army, and then this shows up. It's like finding a puzzle piece that doesn't fit any known puzzle."

Shikamaru clicked on the screen, expanding a complex diagram that illustrated the unusual energy signatures. "See this? These patterns are too structured to be random. I've been analyzing it, and it's... well, it's just plain odd. And with that recent shift we felt from the Dimensional Gap, I can't just ignore it. Feels like whatever's happening there might connect to bigger issues."

Kurama, whose form coalesced beside Naruto, peered at the data with a scrutinising eye. "You think whatever's did that is linked to the disturbances in the Gap?" His voice rumbled, carrying a hint of intrigue mixed with caution.

"Possibly," Shikamaru replied with another heavy sigh. "And that's exactly why I think we should send you to check it out, Kurama. Not to mention your interest to stretch your legs. You've got the sensory abilities and power to handle whatever's there. And frankly, it's getting to a point where not knowing is becoming more troublesome than knowing."

Naruto folded his arms, his brow furrowed in thought. The room was thick with the weight of decisions, each carrying potential repercussions far beyond their immediate understanding. "You're sure about this, Shika? It's a lot to ask of Kurama, going into unknown territory based on a hunch."

Shikamaru nodded slowly, his gaze firm and serious—a sharp contrast to his usual lazy demeanour. "I know, Naruto. And I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was necessary. Whatever's happening there, it's important. And after feeling that power shift in the Gap, waiting around feels like the bigger risk."

Kurama let out a low, thoughtful growl. "Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse? Just make sure those coordinates are spot-on, lazy bum. I'm not keen on popping into existence in the middle of a star or something equally unpleasant."

"Got it," Shikamaru replied, tapping a few commands into the display. "I'm double-checking everything. We need precision, not just for safety but because this mission could provide us with the answers we need."

Naruto nodded, his demeanour reflective of the trust and respect he held for both Kurama and Shikamaru. "Alright, Shika. Set it up. Kurama, be careful out there. Whatever he's found, it's big enough to rattle him, and that's saying something."

As they finalised the preparations, the air in the room seemed charged with a palpable sense of anticipation mixed with the usual undertones of foreboding that came with delving into the unknown.

Shikamaru's mind raced with strategies and contingencies, while Naruto and Kurama prepared for a reconnaissance mission that could very well alter their understanding of the cosmic balance they decided to protect.

As moments passed, in the silent expanse of the Underworld chamber, Shikamaru meticulously confirmed the coordinates for Kurama's mission, Naruto stood slightly apart, his gaze unfocused yet intensely aware.

His heightened senses, honed through countless battles and experiences, extended beyond the physical room, reaching into the intricate energies of the Dimensional Gap. Even the formidable barrier erected by Red, designed to isolate and conceal, could not completely shield its contents from Naruto's probing awareness.

As he tuned into the distant cosmic vibrations, a sudden surge of magic spiked through the Dimensional Gap's normally steady hum—a sharp, discordant note that spoke of imminent conflict. The intensity of the energy shift suggested that the two powerful entities were on the verge of a clash, the tension between them crystallising into a moment of potential violence.

Naruto's reaction was instinctive. His years as a protector ingrained in him a rapid response to any threat, especially those involving cosmic powers that could ripple disastrously across dimensions. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned to Shikamaru, his expression grave. "Shika, something's wrong in the Gap. It's about to escalate."

Shikamaru looked up, his analytical mind immediately shifting from the task at hand to the broader implications of Naruto's words. Before he could respond, Naruto was already moving, his chakra swirling around him in a vivid display of power and precision.

"Stay here, I will pull you in quickly," Naruto instructed, his voice firm yet calm, as he extended a protective shadow barrier around Shikamaru, the shadows coalesced into a dense, dark shield, encapsulating the strategist in a cocoon of safety making him nostalgic.

With no time to spare, Naruto tapped into his deep reserves of chakra, focusing on the dimensional coordinates he had been monitoring. Using his Rinnegan, he wove his essence through the fabric of space-time, targeting the exact location of the impending clash. The air around him crackled, the very atmosphere charged with the potential of his action.

And Cut!

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