Chapter 35

Naruto walked through the vibrant streets of Kyoto, his hands tucked behind his head, a content smile on his face. The energy of the city buzzed around him, but his focus was on the two figures beside him.

One was Kurama, no longer a towering beast of destruction but a tall, broad-shouldered man with vivid red hair that shimmered under the afternoon sun. His golden eyes gleamed with curiosity as he took in the world from an entirely new perspective. Clad in a sleek, black haori over a deep crimson kimono, he exuded an aura of power and mystery.

The other was Yasaka, the beautiful and radiant leader of the Youkai faction. Her golden eyes sparkled as she looked at Kurama with interest, her long, golden hair flowing elegantly down her back.

Naruto smirked to himself as he watched the two exchange curious glances. This was exactly what he wanted.

"Yasaka, meet Kurama, my oldest friend," Naruto said, stepping aside and letting them properly face each other.

Kurama nodded, his usual gruff attitude softened. "It's an honor to meet you, Yasaka. Naruto speaks highly of you."

Yasaka chuckled, tilting her head playfully. "Oh? Only good things, I hope?"

Naruto feigned innocence. "Would I ever say anything bad about such a kind and beautiful lady?"

Yasaka gave him a knowing smirk, but her focus shifted back to Kurama. "You look... different from what I expected."

Kurama huffed, crossing his arms. "I get that a lot."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "You were a massive nine-tailed fox, of course people will be surprised."

Yasaka smiled. "Well, I think you look distinguished in this form. It suits you."

For the first time in centuries, Kurama felt something stir in his chest—a strange warmth. He wasn't used to being complimented outside of battle. He quickly brushed it off with a scoff.

"Hmph. This is just something new I'm trying out," Kurama said, but his tail flicked behind him in an unconscious display of pleasure.

Naruto smirked. He's enjoying this.

Before Kurama could respond further, a small, bubbly giggle interrupted them.

"Mommy~! Who's the big red man?"

The trio turned to see Kunou, Yasaka's adorable little daughter, bounding toward them with excitement. Her golden fox ears twitched as she looked up at Kurama with wide, curious eyes.

Yasaka smiled warmly. "Kunou, this is Kurama. He's a special friend of Naruto and a very strong fox, just like us."

Kunou gasped, her tails wagging in excitement. "Really?! You're a fox too?!"

Kurama blinked, staring at the small girl who shamelessly latched onto his leg and inspected him like he was an exotic creature. For all his power and experience, he was at a loss on how to deal with an energetic child.

Naruto snickered. "Well, Kurama? Are you strong enough to play with a little girl?"

Kunou's eyes sparkled. "Oh! Oh! Can you show me cool fox tricks? Can you teach me to be super strong like you?"

Kurama sighed, but there was no real annoyance in his tone. Instead, he crouched down, placing a gentle hand on the girl's head.

"Hmph. I suppose I can teach you a thing or two, kid."

Kunou cheered, hugging him tightly. "Yay! New big brother!"

Kurama stiffened at first, unused to such affection, but slowly, his expression softened, and his muscular arms carefully wrapped around the little girl.

Yasaka smiled warmly at the scene, watching her daughter bond with Kurama so naturally. It was rare to see such tenderness in someone so powerful.

Naruto stepped back, crossing his arms with a knowing grin. This is good for him.

Yasaka turned to Naruto with a gentle expression. "Are you not staying?"

Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Nah, I'll leave you three to get to know each other. Kurama could use some new connections outside of me." He gave Kurama a teasing smirk. "Besides, maybe Yasaka can finally tame you."

Kurama growled, "I swear, Naruto—"

Naruto vanished in a flash of golden light, leaving behind only his laughter.

Kurama sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That bastard..."

Yasaka giggled. "He's not wrong, you know."

Kurama glanced at her, his golden eyes meeting hers. For the first time in forever, he wasn't quite sure how to respond.

Kunou, still holding onto his arm, giggled. "You're stuck with us now, Big Brother Kurama!"

Kurama sighed but let a small, genuine smile form on his lips.

"Yeah… I guess I am."

DBZ World:

It had been two months since Raditz had been domesticated—or at least, as domesticated as a Saiyan could get. Life had taken an unexpected turn for the Saiyan trio, thanks to their reward points from Naruto's group.

Out of all of them, Gohan had changed the most.

It wasn't just the power boost—his mentality had shifted. The once pure-hearted boy had begun to dabble in new techniques, gaining a Space-type ability after Naruto analyzed his body. The result? A Gohan who was still good-hearted but had lost a bit of that innocence.

And today, that was very evident.

The trio—Goku, Raditz, and Gohan—were currently dressed in Power Ranger outfits.

Why? Because it was Gohan's birthday, and in the spirit of celebration, they had decided to fight crime as masked vigilantes. Goku thought it was fun, Raditz hated every second of it, and Gohan?

Well… Gohan was enjoying it a little too much.

They were surrounded by masked criminals, each one aiming guns at them.

Of course, guns were a joke to Saiyans, so the trio was completely nonchalant.

Gohan stepped forward, drawing the full attention of the criminals.

"Get down, you cartoon freak! One more move and I blow your head off!" one of the criminals barked.

Gohan didn't even flinch. Instead, he lifted his hand.

A blade of Ki formed in his palm.

The sight alone stunned the criminals—it looked like magic to them.

Gohan tilted his head. "Now you see me…"

Then, in a shocking display, he plunged the dagger into his other hand.

At that very moment, all the criminals collapsed, screaming as if their legs and arms had been pierced.

Gohan stood still, marveling at his new skill. His Space ability allowed him to transfer pain and injuries across multiple targets. By hurting himself, he could make his enemies suffer the same wounds.

Gohan spat on the ground in disgust. "How dare they even speak? Bloody filth."

Naruto, watching from the side, shook his head with a sigh. "Man, I don't know how he became like this. He was so pure just three months ago…"

Raditz and Goku both stared at Naruto, their expressions completely deadpan.

Their eyes screamed one thing:

"Are you SERIOUS right now?"

Raditz, in particular, was internally panicking.

'I need to get away from these freaks before I get corrupted too.'

The moment Gohan had finished his chilling display of power, a cold voice rang out.

"Dear, can I have a moment of your time?"

Chi-Chi, who had been standing close by, had witnessed everything. She sighed, shaking her head as the illusion ability kept the civilians oblivious to the chaos.

But her tone was calm—too calm.

Goku shivered, a deep chill running down his spine. His Saiyan instincts screamed DANGER.

"Of course, Honey Pie! I always have time for you!" Goku grinned lovingly, jogging toward his beautiful wife—not just out of love, but also to escape the impending doom.

The couple entered the washroom, closing off the area from the world. Chi-Chi folded her arms, her cold glare drilling into Goku.

Before she could speak, Goku raised his hands defensively.

"Honey, it's not my fault!" he blurted out. "Our little apple already moved on from me to Naruto! He looks up to him."

Chi-Chi's eyes narrowed. She shook her head in disappointment.

"I didn't expect this from you, Goku."

Goku gulped.

"Mr. Uzumaki is a gentleman and a scholar of the highest order." Chi-Chi continued in a dignified tone. "He has taught our boy such marvelous things that the world would be jealous. And here you are, accusing him of vulgar acts. Do you have any other defense?"

Goku's jaw dropped.

"Are you SERIOUS? That devil is NOT a gentleman!" Goku pointed at Naruto, who was shining with a golden glow as he struck a majestic pose, looking annoyingly perfect.

Goku stared at him—and to his horror, he had to admit:

Naruto actually looked kind of cool.

Goku sighed defeatedly. "Okay, fine! I was at fault. But come on, it's just some bad words! Nothing really bad! He'll grow out of this phase soon."

Chi-Chi wasn't convinced.

"It's not just bad words, Goku. It's a BAD HABIT." She gestured toward Gohan, her eyes brimming with motherly sorrow. "Look at him! He's starting to look like a HOODLUM! My little baby, corrupted by his own father!"

Goku winced.

"So, dear…" Chi-Chi's voice softened—but Goku knew better. "…you will need to fix this. And I will be giving you an incentive."

Goku's ears perked up.

"…An incentive?"

Then he saw it.

Chi-Chi raised her hand, and in it appeared a thorn whip—a terrifyingly fragile-looking weapon made of vines and razor-sharp thorns.

Goku paled instantly.

"Chi-Chi, STOP! You'll hurt your hand!" he pleaded, hoping to appeal to her heart.

Chi-Chi smiled gently. "So kind of you to worry, dear."

Then her eyes flashed.

"But don't worry. Mr. Uzumaki was kind enough to gift me something for protection."

Goku froze.

"…Naruto did WHAT?"

Before he could react, the whip cracked.

"NARUTO!" Goku screamed in despair as he felt the sharp sting on his back.

Nearby, Naruto stood peacefully, stroking his chin in a wise manner.

"The world has grown really strange these days," he muttered, as if he had nothing to do with the chaos.

Naruto world:

In the depths of his personal dimension, Naruto walked through an endless golden field, the sky above shifting between midnight blue and fiery crimson, reflecting the cosmic balance of his power.

Standing before him were his most trusted summons—Omnimon and Alphamon, the mightiest warriors of the Digital World, clad in their imposing armor.

Their glowing eyes followed Naruto as he stopped at the center of the realm.

"Are you truly ready for this, Naruto?" Omnimon asked, his deep voice carrying a sense of warning and respect.

"Tapping into the power of the soul is different from anything you've done before," Alphamon added. "Unlike chakra or ki, your soul itself will be exposed. If you fail, you might never be the same again."

Naruto grinned fearlessly.

"You guys worry too much." He rolled his shoulders. "I've already seen how it works in Ichigo's world. I just need to listen… and awaken the name of my sword."

The two Digimon warriors exchanged a glance before stepping back, giving Naruto space.

Naruto exhaled.

His eyes, glowing with the Alpha Stigma, traced the golden mist rising from his hands as he slowly reached forward. In front of him, embedded in the very fabric of his dimension, lay a blade that did not yet exist—a weapon that had always been a part of him, waiting to be recognized.

"So this is what Ichigo meant..." he thought, recalling their conversation in the Heroes Chat Group.

"Your Zanpakutō isn't something you gain—it's something you remember. A blade forged from your very soul."

Taking a step forward, Naruto placed his palm against the unseen hilt—and the world shattered.

Naruto found himself standing in an endless void, a place where golden threads wove the very laws of reality. Stars flickered in the distance, bound by unseen chains, held in perfect balance.

Before him, atop a colossal throne forged from light and shadow, sat a figure—his reflection, yet different.

The being wore golden-white armor, its form radiating authority so absolute that even time itself seemed reluctant to move. In its lap rested a blade—a katana with a golden edge, the hilt wrapped in deep crimson cloth.

The being's eyes met Naruto's, and he instantly understood.

"I am you, yet more. I am your law, your will, your throne. Your blade."

The figure rose from the throne, the weight of its existence forcing Naruto to his knees—but only for a second. Gritting his teeth, Naruto stood tall, meeting his reflection's gaze without wavering.

"You're strong," Naruto admitted, smirking despite the pressure. "But you're not stronger than me."

The armored figure gave a knowing smile.

"Then take up the blade, Emperor. If you have the will—claim your throne."

Naruto reached forward—

And as his fingers closed around the hilt of the blade, an explosion of golden light consumed everything.

Outside, Omnimon and Alphamon shielded themselves as a golden hurricane erupted from Naruto's form. The once-placid skies of the personal dimension twisted, shaking under the force of his ascension.

Standing at the center of the storm, Naruto opened his eyes—and they gleamed with something beyond mortal comprehension.

In his grasp rested a long golden katana, its blade humming with an unseen power. Along its edge, shifting kanji danced, rewriting reality with every flicker.

Naruto exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he lifted his new weapon.

"I see. This is my blade… my law."

With a single motion, he swung the sword—

And the space before him split apart like fabric, revealing an infinite golden realm, where the laws of the world bent to his will.

The Sword called Celestial Heart of the Emperor, Otenshin.

"When the Emperor's decree is spoken, all must bow before the inevitable."