Chapter 264: Funa-tsū

One day later, in Konoha Village's laboratory—

"Space–Time Hurricane Flash Sequential Steps: Style Zero?'"

"Hahahaha…"

Senju Tobirama burst out laughing, then patted Minato's calf. "That's quite a joke."

"Uh…"

Sarutobi Hiruzen went quiet. He'd tried hinting for Minato to come up with a short name, but…

"Ha… ha… ha…"

Tobirama's laughter dwindled until he fell silent, staring at Minato, who was awkwardly scratching his head. Skipping the idea of letting others name it, he said, "Let's just call it Funa-tsū no Jutsu ('Ship-Passage Technique')."

Susanoo, who was exiled from Takamagahara down to the human world, was said to have descended at Funa-tsu Mountain. Beyond the imagery, the name would reflect the mindset of those who created the technique.

He hoped that in time, their main world could become a sort of 'heaven' among many worlds.

Subconsciously, he also felt that, having the power to traverse between worlds, this side was naturally far above any other "mortal realm."

They had previously confirmed that besides the parallel world they'd already explored, there were indeed other worlds. By using Funa-tsū no Jutsu, they could send various beasts or death-row convicts over there. But since a single world's resources hadn't even been developed yet, they would postpone exploring any other worlds indefinitely.

Still, knowing that parallel worlds existed at different points in time, going forward they would mostly rely on Funa-tsū no Jutsu to locate other similar parallel worlds—safer, steadier. As for the truly unknown worlds, where the danger was a complete mystery, there was no need to risk it.

[A shame—"Space–Time Hurricane Flash Sequential Steps: Style Zero" sounded a lot cooler…]

Minato sighed inwardly.

"Next group," Tobirama called. A few little Uchiha kids waiting on one side stepped forward, three at a time, and placed their hands on the scroll for Funa-tsū no Jutsu.

About one "standard unit" of Link's chakra could power Funa-tsū no Jutsu for three to five people; factoring in baggage, groups of three were optimal.

"Remember—keep in mind that you're going to the same world I visited."

Tobirama actively released his chakra, letting the three kids memorize the sensation, then tore open a scroll containing Link's sealed chakra.

Without coordinates, relying solely on the jutsu's fuzzy targeting had previously sent a test Summon Beast to a nearby world's offshore island.

But by using [the present Tobirama's chakra] as a coordinate, the destination would lock onto Kannabi Bridge.

Interestingly, Funa-tsū no Jutsu inherited part of Link's mutated-ninjutsu trait—namely that the ninjutsu could act autonomously, with some ability to record past transmissions, then search them out.

As a space-time ninjutsu, Funa-tsū no Jutsu did have a bit of a learning curve—and some risks as well.

First, during teleportation, you had to keep stray thoughts to a minimum, or risk ending up in some unknown world. Second, for precise travel, you needed at least fundamental abilities in chakra sensing and recording.

So an ordinary person generally could only go if led by a ninja. Even with Link's chakra, using it was dangerously unpredictable. Ideally, normal ninja wouldn't attempt it mid-battle either, lest their mind wander and they vanish who-knew-where.

"Next group!"

Tobirama watched the Uchiha kids vanish into the vortex, then called out again.

Only Uchiha Fugaku and his wife, along with a few former Police Force jōnin, remained, still needing to head for the other world.

Uchiha Sasuke had gone among the first, to meet them over there.

Previously, the three Uchiha jōnin who were instantly taken out by Itachi had stepped up to be teleported.

"Tobirama-sama." Uchiha Fugaku came forward. "We appreciate all you've done for us."

Though Fugaku, as Uchiha patriarch, had once decided on rebellion for the clan's honor—even skipping the Nine-Tails incident, leaving home and children behind—by Konoha standards, it was never truly forgiven. He'd also blamed the Second Hokage in the past for isolating and monitoring the Uchiha.

But by this stage, there was no point clinging to old grudges. They couldn't just get along like nothing happened, but forming a relationship akin to how the Uzumaki clan once allied with Konoha—centered on Sasuke and Link—seemed feasible enough.

Tobirama shot him a guarded look, saying nothing. At this point, it was the Uchiha who needed Konoha, not the other way around.

Fugaku gave a slight smile, no trace of awkwardness. A man who once preached "clan stance and honor" wouldn't be so naive as to lack a shred of tact.

Soon enough, the entire Uchiha clan was gone. The once-crowded lab was suddenly empty.

"My most respected Lord Tobirama." Orochimaru wore a humble grin that seemed at least fractionally sincere.

"I haven't forgotten you. This afternoon, you'll come with me," Tobirama said, gesturing for Anbu to escort the prisoner away.

Next, the younger Namikaze Minato approached the desk. His own world was still at war, so he couldn't linger long—one day was the limit.

Reflecting on his day's bounty of intelligence, he placed his hand on the technique's seal, savoring the strange feeling of a space-time jutsu transporting him. He couldn't help glancing at the sealed scroll on a nearby table that somehow enabled the jutsu to activate, then looking across the room at his other "self" watching him.

[What in the world is that? Traveling so far through space… incredible.]

[And I'll… actually die when the Nine-Tails attacks in the future? Me and Kushina's child…?]

He cleared his mind and recalled the location from which he'd arrived. His body vanished on the spot.

"Minato, go fetch Link. We're pretty much ready to set off," said Senju Hashirama, eyes closed as he mulled the plan. Satisfied it had no major flaws, he spoke up.

Minato's body was already gone, and only his voice remained in the air:

"Understood!"

…

Behind the Hokage Rock in Konoha—

"Who exactly are you?"

A frail, hunch-backed Nagato, seated in a wheelchair, gazed at the white-masked man in front of him. He couldn't help asking, given everything that had happened lately, he hardly knew how his life had ended up like this.

When his Six Paths of Pain were crushed like chickens by Uchiha Madara, he utterly lost the will to resist. Had it not been for this masked man—previously pinned to the chest by a black rod but somehow reappearing unharmed—spiriting him away, Nagato figured he'd be dead by now.

Nagato touched his own eyes. These eyes that seemed like a curse, apparently left to him by Uchiha Madara—then what was all his past struggle worth?

His whole life…

"My identity doesn't matter." Uchiha Obito stared at Konoha's bustling scene. "Right now, we have reason enough to join forces, no?"

Without giving Nagato a chance to respond, he continued, "C'mon. Let's go see Konan."

"She might know a few things."

~~~

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