"My… mission?"
Naruto stared at Prince Suigen, feeling an invisible weight press heavily on his shoulders.
It was as if a great responsibility had suddenly been placed upon him.
Prince Suigen smiled gently.
"Yes."
"Fate chose me because I was meant to lead my clan away from destruction."
"And because of that choice, you were able to meet me."
"I believe… all of this was destined."
Naruto frowned slightly.
"Destined…?"
Prince Suigen nodded.
"Yes."
"Everything in this universe follows its own destiny."
"Believe in yourself, Naruto."
"You are the one chosen by the stone."
Naruto fell silent.
He suddenly remembered similar words.
Long ago, the Sage of Six Paths had spoken of fate and prophecy.
And even earlier…
The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku had foreseen the future.
In his dreams, he had seen a blue-eyed boy playing with the Tailed Beasts.
That prophecy had been passed to Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.
Only by waiting for that boy, he said, could the ninja world find peace.
That boy…
Had been Naruto.
And now, Prince Suigen was telling him the same thing.
That he was the one who would bring peace to the universe.
If this were the Naruto of sixteen years ago, he would have laughed loudly and declared:
"I'm that guy! I'll become Hokage and save everyone!"
But now…
He was no longer that impulsive teenager.
Where had that reckless, easily excited boy gone?
Naruto smiled faintly.
He raised his head, nodded calmly, and said,
"Yeah… I understand."
The passion of youth had transformed into maturity.
Recklessness had become resolve.
Prince Suigen watched him quietly.
In his heart, he knew—
Naruto was ready.
"Very good," Prince Suigen said.
"From now on, after you leave here, the academy leaders will train you together."
"They will teach you everything they know."
"Every technique."
"Every experience."
"They will not hold anything back."
Naruto was slightly surprised.
"But… haven't the masters of the Five Mountain Gates already taught me their highest mental techniques?"
Prince Suigen laughed.
"A mental technique is only a foundation."
"It must be combined with practical skills and combat applications."
"You will understand once you learn."
Naruto cupped his hands respectfully.
"I understand."
Prince Suigen smiled.
"Go."
"Do your best."
Naruto bowed deeply and turned to leave.
Outside the courtyard, Ichiro Suigen had been waiting for a long time.
When he saw Naruto come out, he hurried forward.
"Well? What did Grandpa say?"
Naruto replied thoughtfully,
"He said the academy masters will train me again."
Ichiro nodded.
"Oh, I figured."
"Did Grandpa say anything about me?"
"No."
"Nothing at all?"
"No."
"Did he mention how I should help you?"
"No."
"Not even a single word?"
"No."
Ichiro sighed angrily.
"So basically, he forgot about me again?"
Naruto shrugged helplessly.
"Seems like it."
Ichiro sighed.
"Forget it."
"Let's go."
"I'll take you to meet the academy masters."
On the way, the two flew side by side.
Ichiro kept complaining.
"Let me tell you, joint training is pure hell."
"Back then, I almost died from exhaustion."
Naruto smiled bitterly.
"That strict?"
Ichiro snorted.
"You have no idea."
Naruto took a deep breath.
"No matter how hard it is, I'll overcome it."
Hearing this, Ichiro glanced at him.
He noticed something different.
Naruto's eyes were firm.
His profile looked lonely.
Resolute.
Just like their grandfather's.
At the academy.
Takero Suigen and the five sect masters were already waiting.
Ichiro brought Naruto forward.
Before leaving, Ichiro turned back and shouted,
"Naruto!"
Naruto turned around.
"Give it everything you've got!"
Naruto smiled and nodded firmly.
Then he walked toward Takero.
"I greet the Head Master."
Takero placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Let's go."
With that, Naruto entered the mountains again.
This time…
He would face training from all five masters together.
Ichiro stood in place and exhaled slowly.
He knew.
What awaited Naruto now was true hellish training.
Half a Year Later
Time passed like flowing water.
In the blink of an eye…
Six months were gone.
At the foot of the academy mountain.
Takero Suigen looked at Naruto proudly.
"Naruto."
"We have nothing left to teach you."
"Except for dark matter cultivation, which still needs time…"
"In all other aspects, you can already compete with us."
Naruto bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Head Master."
"Thank you, all Masters!"
Sky Burial, Natsuki, Miyayama, Moriichi, and Iwayama all looked at him.
Naruto returned each gaze.
Then he picked up his sword and turned away.
His back was straight.
His aura was sharp.
Like an unsheathed blade.
Unstoppable.
Sky Burial sighed.
"I never thought someone with balanced attributes could reach this level."
Natsuki smiled.
"Such a man… what a pity."
Miyayama complained,
"Senior Sister, be normal."
Moriichi said softly,
"The decisive battle is approaching."
Iwayama remained silent.
They all knew.
This young man…
Might be the key to ending the chaos of the universe.
At the foot of the mountain.
Ichiro rushed forward.
"Naruto!"
Naruto smiled.
"Brother Ichiro!"
Ichiro examined him carefully.
He felt it immediately.
Naruto was different.
Like a sword ready to strike.
"You've become incredibly strong."
Naruto nodded.
"Yeah."
Ichiro smiled.
"Grandpa is waiting for you."
"Let's go."
On the way, Ichiro told him everything.
The Ōtsutsuki Clan's border had expanded into this universe.
They had noticed an abnormal barrier.
They were closing in.
Naruto frowned.
"If they discover Earth's barrier…"
Ichiro nodded.
"Grandpa is deliberately drawing their attention."
"He's using himself as bait."
Naruto fell silent.
In the garden.
Prince Suigen laughed heartily.
"Not bad! Not bad!"
"They trained you well!"
Naruto bowed.
"Grandpa… when will I touch the stone?"
Prince Suigen smiled.
"Come."
"Drink tea first."
Naruto drained the cup in one gulp.
Prince Suigen chuckled.
"You're too impatient."
Naruto lowered his head.
He knew.
Half a year here meant almost a year on Earth.
And the Ōtsutsuki were approaching.
Prince Suigen said seriously,
"Impatience leads to destruction."
"If you rush to comprehend the stone…"
"You may lose yourself."
Naruto nodded slowly.
Then Prince Suigen smiled.
"Don't worry."
"I've drawn their attention."
"Your homeland is safe."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"So that's why…"
Prince Suigen nodded.
"The Chuigen Clan is not weak."
"We've accumulated strength for countless years."
Then he took Naruto's hand.
"Come."
"I will guide you."
"To the stone."
The inheritance… begins.