Chapter 1

Naruto stood atop the Hokage Mountain, his golden hair glinting in the sunlight as he gazed down at the city of Konoha. The wind carried the faint sounds of bustling life below, but atop the mountain, there was a solemn stillness. His iconic orange cloak, now adorned with intricate golden markings symbolizing his imperial status, billowed around him. Behind him stood Kakashi, Shikamaru, and several others, their faces a mix of concern and reluctant acceptance.

"Are you really leaving alone?" Kakashi asked, his voice calm but with a hint of worry beneath his usual composed demeanor. His visible eye studied Naruto's back, as if memorizing the moment.

Naruto didn't turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the village he had protected for so long. "Yes," he replied, his voice firm yet tinged with melancholy. "This world needs protection now that I'm leaving. I am the strongest being in this world, so you can relax. Even if by some chance I die, I'll just wake up in a new vessel." His words, though confident, carried an undertone of finality, like a farewell to the life he had built here.

Beside him, Hinata stood silently, her hand tightly clasping his. Her pale lavender eyes shimmered with worry and love, emotions she couldn't fully put into words. The bond between them had deepened over the years, and though she respected his decisions, the thought of him leaving alone tore at her heart.

'Believe in me like you've always done. Have I ever let you down?' Naruto's voice echoed gently in her mind, their connection allowing them to share thoughts without speaking.

Hinata shook her head, biting her lip as tears threatened to form. 'I will always believe in you, even if you don't believe in yourself,' she thought back, her mental voice steady but filled with emotion. 'But I want to be with you. I want to walk beside you, to spend every moment with you. Won't you grant me this selfishness?'

Naruto turned to look at her, his blue eyes widening slightly. Her words struck him in a way he hadn't expected. A wide, genuine smile broke across his face, and for a moment, the weight of his responsibilities seemed to lighten.

"Well, on second thought…" he said, his tone playful yet heartfelt. He pulled Hinata into a warm embrace, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "I'm taking Hinata with me."

The group standing behind them collectively sighed, shaking their heads in unison. 'If you were going to change your mind at the last moment, why did you have to act like the tragic hero leaving alone on a dangerous journey?' they all thought, though none dared voice it aloud.

"Good," Shikamaru muttered, his hands shoved into his pockets as he leaned against a nearby rock. "We don't have to worry about you overworking yourself now."

Naruto turned to him with mock indignation. "What do you guys think of me? Do I look so careless? Screw you guys! I'm not bringing you back any gifts." He folded his arms dramatically, drawing a few chuckles from the group.

Before anyone could respond, Naruto clapped his hands together. A golden shimmer surrounded them, and in an instant, they found themselves in Suna, far from Konoha. It was all part of the act, a final playful gesture before his departure. Despite his relaxed demeanor, everyone knew the gravity of his mission.

As the Emperor of Mankind, Naruto had achieved the impossible. He ruled not only his world but vast dominions across the universe, his influence stretching far beyond the limits of imagination. His heralds, beings of immense power, had conquered solar systems in other realities under his command. Yet even with his empire and his unshakable strength, he faced a threat unlike any other—the Otsutsuki King, the ultimate enemy.

The Otsutsuki King was a force of such overwhelming power that even Naruto's heralds could not stand against him. Naruto needed more than just strength; he needed allies from beyond his universe. Using his unparalleled senses, which connected him to the very essence of his reality, he had identified a target: a universe brimming with beings of extraordinary power. Unlike his own heralds, these beings would be capable of tipping the scales in his favor.

His instincts, honed through years of battle and divinity, told him this universe was crucial. His connection to his world, his reality, and his people had only grown stronger, and soon, his universe would truly become a part of him.

With a simple thought, Naruto raised his hand. A shimmering portal of gold and crimson swirled into existence before him, its edges crackling with energy. He turned to Hinata, his gaze softening as he looked into her eyes. Without another word, the two stepped through the portal together, leaving their world behind and embarking on a journey into the unknown.

And so, the Emperor of Mankind and his queen ventured into a new reality, seeking the power and alliances needed to secure the future of their universe—and perhaps many others.

Naruto and Hinata stepped out of the golden portal and found themselves standing atop a skyscraper in the heart of New York City. The hum of the city below reached their ears—a chaotic symphony of car horns, distant sirens, and the buzz of thousands of lives intertwined. The air was thick with a mixture of exhaust fumes and the ocean breeze, a stark contrast to the crisp, unpolluted atmosphere of their world. Hinata looked around with quiet curiosity, her hand still tightly clasping Naruto's as she took in the unfamiliar skyline.

Naruto closed his eyes for a moment and allowed himself to connect with this new world. Instantly, he felt the planet's energy, a web of life and nature stretching across its surface. However, there was resistance—an almost imperceptible barrier that seemed to push back against his presence. He frowned slightly, realizing it was likely because they were outsiders. Forcing his will upon the planet could cause irreparable harm, so he decided to let time ease the tension.

Through his connection, Naruto sensed powerful life forces scattered across the globe. These presences weren't quite like the Otsutsuki he was hunting, but they were far stronger than the average humans walking the streets below. Each stood out like a beacon in the chaotic tapestry of this planet's energy. His first thought was that the Otsutsuki could be hiding in a pocket dimension, a strategy they had often employed in the past. Before making any assumptions, however, he knew he needed to gather information about this planet, its inhabitants, and its history.

The planet itself intrigued him. It was alive and vibrant but smaller than his homeworld, with weaker humans as its primary inhabitants. Yet, despite their fragility, they had managed to build sprawling cities and thriving civilizations. It was an impressive feat, though the state of the planet was concerning. The air and water were polluted, the natural energy systems strained. "Guess I'll help out as it comes," Naruto thought to himself, his resolve to protect strengthening further.

Hinata observed her surroundings silently, her Byakugan activated to scan the area. She noted the advanced technology in use and the incredible density of the population. "It's so different," she murmured, her voice carrying a mix of awe and concern.

Naruto gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled. "We'll figure it out," he said. "First, we need to blend in."

With that, Naruto activated his flight and floated a few feet off the ground, his body turning completely invisible and intangible. From this vantage point, he observed the city with keen eyes, taking note of the people and their behaviors. One thought crossed his mind: 'I'll need to learn the local languages if I'm going to understand them and avoid unnecessary attention.'

As he scanned the skyline, his gaze landed on a young man clinging to the side of a nearby skyscraper. The figure wore a tight, red-and-blue suit adorned with a spider logo on his chest. The way he stuck to the glass and moved effortlessly up the wall confirmed that he wasn't a normal human. This man was special, radiating a faint but distinct energy that marked him as different from the masses below.

Naruto's interest was piqued. This individual seemed to have a strong moral compass, evident in the way he carried himself even from a distance. More importantly, he wasn't so overwhelmingly powerful that he might sense Naruto's presence. A perfect candidate for observation and a potential ally.

Without a sound, Naruto approached the young man, remaining invisible and intangible. As he hovered nearby, he focused on the man's mind—not to intrude, but to copy his linguistic abilities. Naruto took only what he needed: the languages the man spoke and understood. Memories and thoughts, he left untouched. He preferred to learn through experience, as memories could often be biased or incomplete.

Naruto stood casually on the wall, his golden hair and calm demeanor a stark contrast to the bustling city below. "Hello, what are you doing?" he muttered with a friendly tone, startling Spider-Man, who instinctively jumped to the side and scanned his surroundings. His sharp eyes landed on Naruto, perched as easily as if gravity had no hold on him.

Peter Parker's mind raced. How did I not feel his presence? he thought, slightly unnerved. At least my spider-sense isn't going off, so he doesn't seem like a threat.

Peter tilted his head, slipping into his usual jovial tone to mask his wariness. "I'm just hanging around to rest before I swing off to help some people in trouble. What about you, stranger? What brings you to this part of town?"

Naruto offered a disarming smile. "Relax, I'm a friend—from another world." His tone was matter-of-fact, as if such statements were completely normal. "I'm looking for people who can help me fight a threat that could destroy entire worlds. They're a nomadic race, so I'm also searching for their locations. Have you heard of the name Otsutsuki? Aliens with horns, pale skin, strange eyes, or perhaps a giant tree that sucks the life out of a planet?" Naruto's words were honest, direct, and without pretense.

Peter's jovial mask faltered slightly. The description sent a shiver down his spine. Aliens that destroyed planets? Giant trees that drained life? It sounded like something straight out of a sci-fi horror film. But his skepticism lingered. Is this guy serious, or is he just messing with me?

"Uh... no, sorry," Peter replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "Never heard of them. But maybe my friends could help you. They're a lot stronger than me, older than me, and, well, smarter too. These kinds of threats are more in their wheelhouse than mine."

Naruto's piercing blue eyes studied Peter for a moment, and then he nodded. "Is that so?" Through his refined Sage mode, Naruto could sense Peter's honesty. He also glimpsed brief flashes of imagery from Peter's mind—faces of powerful individuals who could be of help. Naruto memorized these images for later.

As if conjured from thin air, Naruto formed two images in his hands using the Creation of All Things technique. The ethereal pictures depicted two Otsutsuki: Kaguya, regal and cold with her horns and pale features, and Isshiki, imposing and alien with his distinctive eyes. He handed the glowing projections to Peter, who hesitated before taking them.

"This is how two of their kind look," Naruto explained. "Keep the pictures in case you ever come across them. But listen carefully—don't try to engage them. If you see them, leave immediately. A single swipe of their hands could erase this city in an instant. Their power is beyond anything this world has likely faced."

Peter looked at the images and swallowed hard. "Thanks for the warning," he muttered, feeling the weight of Naruto's words. "Do you want me to show you the way to my friends, or can you find them yourself?"

Naruto smiled faintly. "I'll look around on my own for now, but I wouldn't mind if your friends come to find me. Oh, and by the way, there's a building on fire 20 kilometers from here with people trapped inside."

Peter blinked in surprise. "Wait, what? A fire?"

Before Peter could ask how Naruto knew that, he found himself teleported above the burning building. He noticed the flames raging, yet curiously there was no heat emanating from them. As he swung into action to help the trapped civilians, he muttered to himself, "Definitely out of my league."

Meanwhile, Naruto, still atop the skyscraper, glanced in the direction of the fire. "See you later, Peter," he murmured. Turning to Hinata, who had been watching the entire exchange with quiet amusement, he said, "Let's explore more of this world. Something tells me we'll find what we're looking for soon enough."