Chapter 22: The Call of the Summoning Island

As Team 7 and their companions continued to walk away from the islands, a strange and unsettling silence filled the air. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, but one that seemed heavy with anticipation—each person lost in their thoughts about what they had just witnessed. The sheer scale of Kaguya's power, her creations, and the unknown future ahead weighed on their minds.

But then, just as they were about to leave the floating islands, Naruto felt a familiar voice resonate inside his mind.

"Naruto... I want to see more of that Summoning Island."

It was Kurama.

Naruto's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Huh? You wanna go back there? After everything we saw?"

"Yes," Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind, brimming with curiosity. "There's more there than meets the eye. I sense it. I want to see what else Kaguya has hidden on that island. Besides, it's not every day we see beasts like those. You've got to admit, they're fascinating."

Naruto chuckled, a small grin forming on his face. "Heh, you never change, do you, Kurama? Alright, let's go. But we'll be careful. No guarantees about what we might run into."

Sasuke glanced over at Naruto, his expression unreadable. "Are you sure about this? We don't know much about what we're dealing with here. It could be dangerous."

Naruto turned to Sasuke, a confident smile on his face. "Don't worry, Sasuke. Kurama's got my back. And besides, I'm not going to pass up a chance to explore a place like that."

Sakura, ever cautious but also curious, gave a small nod. "Just don't do anything reckless, Naruto. We still have no idea what Kaguya's full intentions are, and you're acting like this is just another adventure."

Naruto gave her a playful thumbs up. "Don't worry, Sakura! I've got everything under control."

With a determined nod, the group made their way back toward the Summoning Island. Black Zetsu, who had been silent throughout their journey, looked back at them with an expression that was hard to read. "You're returning to the Summoning Island, then?"

Naruto didn't hesitate. "Yeah, we want to see more of it. Is that a problem?"

Black Zetsu's lips curled upward in a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Do as you wish. But remember, this is not a place for the faint of heart. Kaguya's creations are powerful, and they do not take kindly to intruders."

As the group returned to the island, the familiar mist surrounded them once more. The island felt even more alive this time. The trees appeared more ancient, their trunks twisted and gnarled, and the air felt charged with energy. It was as though the island itself was aware of their presence, watching them, waiting for them to explore further.

A Journey into the Unknown

The path through the mist led them deeper into the island, and they soon found themselves in a vast clearing. The landscape was far different from what they had seen before—now, towering mountains stretched into the sky, their peaks shrouded in clouds. The land was wild and untamed, with dense forests and rolling hills.

"We didn't see this last time..." Naruto murmured, his eyes wide with wonder. "This island is way bigger than it seemed from the outside."

Kurama's voice filled his mind. "It's more than just an island. It's a whole ecosystem—a world of its own. I can feel the chakra of so many different creatures here, each one unique in its own right."

Naruto nodded, feeling a sense of awe wash over him. They were standing in the heart of a world where Kaguya's influence spread far and wide, shaping everything around them.

As they continued to walk, a sudden movement caught their attention. From the treeline, massive, shadowy figures emerged, their eyes gleaming like twin moons in the darkness. The ground trembled beneath their feet as a creature stepped forward, unlike anything they had ever seen before. It was a massive, scaled serpent, its body adorned with patterns of glowing chakra that pulsed with an eerie rhythm. Its eyes locked onto the group, and for a moment, the air was thick with tension.

Sakura instinctively stepped forward, her hands preparing to form a seal. "Is that another one of Kaguya's summoning beasts?"

"It looks like it..." Sasuke said, his gaze fixed on the serpent. "But there's something different about this one. It's not like the others we saw before."

The creature raised its head high, letting out a low, rumbling hiss. But instead of attacking, it lowered its massive head in a gesture that was almost like a bow. It was as though it recognized them, or at least sensed their power.

"Kurama…" Naruto muttered, glancing at the fox's chakra within him.

"You've got it, kid," Kurama responded, his tone calm yet full of intrigue. "This one's not hostile... yet. Its chakra feels familiar—like mine, but twisted. Maybe it's another one of Kaguya's creations."

Naruto took a step forward, trying to gauge the creature's intentions. "Are you... friendly?" he called out, unsure if it would respond.

To everyone's surprise, the serpent's glowing eyes flickered, and a deep, rumbling voice echoed in their minds. "I do not harm those who do not threaten the balance. But you should not be here. This island is a place of power, and not for the weak."

The voice was like a thunderclap, both in volume and in the sheer force of chakra behind it. The serpent shifted its massive tail, causing the ground to shake with its movement.

"Should we leave?" Sakura asked, glancing at Naruto with a questioning look. "It seems like we're pushing our luck here."

Naruto hesitated, then glanced back at the serpent. "No... I think we need to see more. This island has secrets, and we're not leaving until we know what they are."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "We should be cautious. Kaguya's creations have been nothing but dangerous so far."

But Naruto, driven by a sense of adventure and determination, nodded firmly. "We've come this far. We need answers, and this is the place to get them."

The Dragon and Mythical Creatures

As the group continued deeper into the island, they encountered more creatures—each one more fantastical than the last. Massive birds with wingspans that could block out the sun flew overhead, their feathers shimmering with Kaguya's chakra. Creatures that resembled dragons, their scales gleaming like jewels, prowled the land. Their eyes glowed with a divine, almost otherworldly power, and their very presence made the air vibrate with energy.

Naruto's eyes shone with excitement. "This is incredible! These creatures are like nothing I've ever seen!"

Sakura was equally in awe. "They're so... majestic. I can't even imagine the amount of chakra they must have."

Sasuke remained more cautious, but even he couldn't help but admire the sheer power these creatures possessed. "They may look impressive, but they're still Kaguya's creations. They're dangerous if we let our guard down."

They continued their exploration, moving further into the island's depths. The landscape shifted once again, revealing towering cliffs and deep ravines, where glowing trees grew from the sides of the rock. Strange, ethereal creatures danced through the air, their forms flickering in and out of sight like spirits.

Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind once more. "This place... it's unlike anything I've ever felt before. Kaguya's chakra is woven into every inch of this island, creating life and power on a scale we can't even fathom."

Naruto's heart raced with anticipation. There was so much more to learn here. So many questions left unanswered. And though he was wary of Kaguya's true intentions, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were standing on the edge of something far bigger than they had imagined.

As they ventured deeper into the island, the looming question remained: What was Kaguya truly planning? And how did these creatures, this power, fit into her larger scheme?

For now, all they could do was explore and hope they would find the answers they were looking for—before it was too late.