230. Kamui
----
The Kamui dimension was a peculiar space. It couldn't be observed or perceived under normal circumstances, only revealing itself when Kakashi or Obito activated its powers, opening the black hole-like entrance.
The space itself seemed disconnected from the real world. Naruto initially worried he might not be able to navigate within it or find his way out after entering.
However, after Kakashi used Kamui to send in a Flying Thunder God kunai, Naruto's concerns eased.
This experience also deepened his understanding of the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, making him aware of details he had previously overlooked.
When leaving a Flying Thunder God mark, Naruto realized he was effectively creating a coordinate system in his mind. Each mark added a new point to this mental grid.
The system existed independently of the physical world it didn't matter how far away the mark was; the coordinate was always present. Even if his sensory abilities couldn't detect what lay at the marked location, the point itself remained fixed.
To visualize it, Naruto likened it to having a personal globe where his teleportation points were marked. With a mere touch, he could instantly transport himself to any point.
The only limitation was that the globe lacked detailed visuals, requiring him to rely on memory or estimation.
In a densely marked area, it was like zooming in on a map, making it easier to differentiate between locations. The Flying Thunder God mark left in the Kamui space functioned as an entirely new, independent coordinate system, allowing seamless transitions between it and the real world at minimal chakra cost.
For the past six months, Naruto had been effectively "occupying" the Kamui dimension. He sent shadow clones to leave marks throughout the space, and Minato occasionally helped with this endeavour. The dimension was now so saturated with their marks that it might as well have been renamed
"Uzumaki-Namikaze Space." Obito, its original owner, could only reclaim it by erasing every mark with large-scale destructive ninjutsu a feat that was easier said than done.
Naruto had even entertained the idea of repurposing the Kamui dimension as a spectacle, perhaps building a tourist attraction or using it for agriculture or storage. Letting such a vast space go unused seemed wasteful.
Closer to the present...
Back when Naruto was born, Obito had "gifted" him explosive tags as part of his destructive birthday celebration. Now grown, Naruto figured it was only fair to "return the favour" by delivering Deidara's explosive clay into the Kamui space.
The only regret was that he couldn't do it directly to Obito's face he'd save that for another time, along with a variety of Rasengan techniques.
Currently, Naruto and Deidara were locked in a high-speed aerial chase. Neither could gain the upper hand Naruto couldn't catch Deidara, and Deidara couldn't shake Naruto.
Naruto wasn't concerned, though. He had greater endurance thanks to Kurama's chakra and his Peacock Wings technique, which, though chakra-intensive, still allowed him to outlast Deidara's clay bird.
"Fly as far as you want," Naruto thought. "Let's see if you can make it back to the Land of Rain. If not, I'll start training you with miniature Tailed Beast Bombs."
Deidara, on the other hand, was sweating bullets. His chakra reserves were running low, and his clay supply was nearly depleted. If he took any more clay from his bird, he'd lose structural integrity, creating a hole in his makeshift cockpit a disaster for someone so devoted to "art."
Grinding his teeth, Deidara pushed forward. The desert offered no clay to replenish his supply and no cover to hide. "Is this the place where I'll showcase my ultimate art? But… there's no audience!" he lamented.
The two continued their pursuit deep into the desert, where a distant ruin caught Deidara's eye. For a moment, hope flared in him perhaps this was the turning point he needed.
But as he drew closer, disappointment set in. The ruins were buried in sand, offering no refuge or resources.
"Just thirty more minutes," Deidara muttered to himself. "If nothing changes, then… hm."
Suddenly, a massive explosion of chakra erupted from the ground behind him, a beam of light piercing the sky. Deidara turned, hovering mid-air in shock. The beam engulfed Naruto, who had been chasing him relentlessly.
"What is this?" Deidara murmured, awestruck. "This chakra… it's quite artistic. Hm."
The ruins and sand near the beam were obliterated, and there was no sign of Naruto emerging. Though curiosity gnawed at him, Deidara's depleted state made it unwise to linger. With a final glance, he flew off, vowing to investigate later when better prepared.
---
Elsewhere, in the Hokage's Office…
Minato worked tirelessly, coordinating the village's defences and dispatching teams to track Akatsuki. He had ordered that any sightings be reported immediately and warned against engaging without reinforcements.
On his desk, a miniature version of Kurama lounged lazily. The fox served as a communication link between Minato and Naruto.
Kurama didn't mind the job since Minato provided good food and frequent head pats, a luxury that had completely eroded his majesty as a fragment of Kurama.
Suddenly, Kurama sat up, his usual playful demeanour replaced with seriousness. "The main body's gone."
Minato paused mid-task. "What do you mean?"
Kurama explained, "Naruto and I were chasing the explosion guy when he got hit by a massive chakra blast. Now, I can't sense the main body anymore. It's not just a loss of connection I can't feel him at all."
Minato frowned, his kunai mark on Naruto also unreadable. "Where did this happen?"
Kurama pointed to a map. "Near Sunagakure, around this area…"
Minato's expression turned grave as he murmured, "Sunagakure..."
The name stirred a sealed memory from a past mission. Could it be?
Before Minato could elaborate, the office door burst open. Kushina stormed in, her red hair blazing with worry. "Minato! Naruto—!"
"I know." Minato gestured to Kushina. "We have a lead. Stay calm."
Kushina took a deep breath, trying to match Minato's composure. "What's going on?" she demanded.
---
Elsewhere, in a different time and space…
Naruto, now engulfed in the beam of light, muttered the same question as his mother.
"What's going on?"
----
Don't forget to drop some Power Stones!
For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon.
P@treon/iamxeno
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!