Chapter 360: The Start of Self-Rescue, Hagoromo Gengetsu—The Greatest Boss of the Ninja World—Has Also Arrived!

Chapter 360: The Start of Self-Rescue, Hagoromo Gengetsu—The Greatest Boss of the Ninja World—Has Also Arrived!

Hagoromo Gengetsu had arrived in this world, along with another version of Otsutsuki Kaguya and the Sage of Six Paths from a different world. If the versions from this world were to appear as well...

The thought alone made everyone present feel a chill down their spines.

Even Orochimaru's usual smile became a bit stiff. Though he had always been fascinated by alternate worlds, he had no desire to encounter someone like Hagoromo Gengetsu. Now, not only were these unbelievably powerful beings arriving in this world, but it was also certain they would continue their unfinished battles—possibly even concerning the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Such battles wouldn't be confined to one location; they would likely affect the entire planet. No one would be exempt from the consequences!

Orochimaru, who had begun pursuing immortality, definitely did not want such events to unfold. He immediately asked, "How did you all come to this world? Is there a way to return?"

He didn't bother asking Naruto how to defeat Hagoromo Gengetsu and the others. If Naruto had a solution, he wouldn't have earlier shaken his head in response to the question about the Shinobi Alliance's grim situation.

But! Since Naruto, Hagoromo Gengetsu, and the others had crossed over into this world, they might be able to use the same method to travel to another world—or even back to their original one.

Orochimaru's mind worked quickly, and others also began to realize the implications, all turning their attention to Naruto.

Naruto took a moment to recall, "I remember that during the battle, it was me, Hagoromo Gengetsu, Kaguya, and Toneri... Toneri is also a very powerful shinobi. The Sage of Six Paths lent his chakra to both me and Toneri. Then, at the final moment..."

Naruto's expression dimmed. He shook his head and continued, "We were fighting in a desert in the Land of Wind. At a certain point, the Sage of Six Paths seemed to do something, and a blinding white light erupted from the ground. Everyone was enveloped by the light, and I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found myself lying in the desert. At first, I thought it was still the same world, but after asking around, I realized I had come to another world."

"So, Naruto, you've only been in this world for a short time?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

Naruto nodded at first, then shook his head, saying, "I arrived in this world yesterday. But the others should have arrived much earlier than I did."

While rushing to Konoha, Naruto had also been pondering this. He pointed to the sky outside the window, even though it was daylight, and used it as a reference point.

"The moon!"

Naruto spoke gravely, "The moon that was used to seal Kaguya has disappeared. This is very abnormal! It's highly likely that it has something to do with the others who came here with me."

The disappearance of the moon a year ago had alarmed everyone in the ninja world. However, with the moon hanging high in outer space and shinobi having no means to investigate it, the incident had been left unresolved.

Now, hearing Naruto's explanation, everyone found this explanation plausible. Only those who had arrived with Naruto had the power to make the moon vanish.

"In a way, this can be seen as good news," Shikaku Nara analyzed, stroking his chin. "Based on what Naruto has said, if Hagoromo Gengetsu had gained complete control, the ninja world's current situation would have changed drastically. If Kaguya had gained the upper hand, we'd all be under the effects of the Infinite Tsukuyomi by now. It's highly possible that the Sage of Six Paths, who stands on the side of the ninja world, is maintaining the current peace, allowing our world to remain stable."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was just about to nod in agreement when Orochimaru suddenly interjected, "Isn't it also possible that Hagoromo Gengetsu arrived late, just like Naruto? Or... perhaps he's still on his way here?"

Hiruzen paused mid-nod.

At this moment, Minato Namikaze spoke up, "Naruto, do you remember where that white light appeared, or where you first arrived in this world?"

"Of course!" Naruto nodded. "It was in a place called Roran. In this world, it's still a country, but in my world, it no longer exists—there are only ruins left." Minato immediately looked towards Hiruzen.

As Orochimaru had pointed out earlier, how Naruto and the others had come to this world was now crucially important. Given that defeating Hagoromo Gengetsu and the others seemed nearly impossible, finding that white light and using the same method to send them back was their best hope.

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood what Minato meant. He turned to Naruto and said, "Naruto, both Konoha and the entire ninja world need your help."

"No problem, leave it to me!" Naruto pounded his chest in assurance.

After all, this was the reason he had rushed to Konoha in the first place.

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately assigned personnel to join Naruto in investigating the time-space travel incident in Roran. If they could figure out how everything worked and send Hagoromo Gengetsu and the others back—or even to another world—it would be a victory for them.

Even though Naruto and Orochimaru didn't get along, Hiruzen still had the highly talented Orochimaru join the team, given his scientific prowess. Minato and Kushina Uzumaki, who strongly insisted on coming along, were also included in the group. There was no longer any time to worry about the risks of sending a Jinchuriki outside the village. To ensure the investigation's success, Hiruzen had to bet everything he had.

In addition, Konoha had to inform the other four major ninja villages about the situation. Whether they believed it or not, at the very least, they needed to ease the brewing ninja world war. Otherwise, it would be a dark irony if Hagoromo Gengetsu and the others appeared in the middle of a war and wiped them all out with the mere shockwaves of their battles, bringing the conflict to an abrupt and catastrophic end.

With his decision made, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly set everything in motion.

Soon, the Konoha ninja who had been assigned missions began taking action. Naruto, Minato, Kushina, and the outsider Orochimaru formed a time-space investigation team and immediately set off for Roran.

"Wait! Are you... Kakashi-sensei? You're already wearing the mask?"

Just as they left the Hokage building, Naruto ran into a young Kakashi. After expressing his surprise, Naruto quickly said goodbye and continued on his mission.

Kakashi rubbed his still sore head, confused by the older-looking Naruto who had called him "sensei." He had just woken up and was on his way to report his own attack to the Hokage, unaware of what had transpired in the office. However, seeing the many ninja coming and going from the building, it was clear that something significant was happening.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing at the window, had also noticed the encounter between Naruto and Kakashi.

As he watched Naruto and the others leave, he silently wished them success.

If they failed, he would have to resort to his final contingency plan.

Like the original Hagoromo Clan, Konoha was simply too large. In the face of disaster, dispersing was the only way to preserve the last embers of hope.

(Support me and read additional chapters on my Patreon: p@treon.com/craxxtranslation. Thanks!)