Chapter 36: The Guardians of Kaguya's World

The group, still reeling from the revelations about the Ten Dragon Gods, followed Black Zetsu as he led them deeper into the heart of Kaguya's world. The island was more than just a haven for the Tailed Beasts and creatures they had already seen. It was a living, breathing ecosystem that stretched far beyond their initial understanding.

As they walked through the lush terrain, Black Zetsu began to speak again, his voice steady, though tinged with an odd reverence.

"There are more creatures here than you can imagine, far more than you've seen," he began, pausing for effect. "Some of them come from the deepest roots of myth—beings from legends that predate time itself. Creatures like the Phoenix, Griffins, and Chimeras—all protect different parts of the world. They're bound to Kaguya's creation, helping to maintain the natural order, each in their domain."

Naruto's eyes widened in excitement. "Wait, so there are actual Phoenixes here? Like the ones that are supposed to rise from their own ashes?" If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121

Black Zetsu gave a small nod. "Yes, the Phoenixes here are more than just rebirth and fire. They are keepers of the flame that ignites new life in areas that have been destroyed or depleted. Wherever the land is barren, these creatures are reborn from the ashes, breathing new life into the scorched earth. Their fire doesn't just burn—it rejuvenates. They are crucial to the cycle of life on this island."

Sakura gasped, her mind racing with the possibilities. "That's incredible. So these creatures actually heal the land?"

"Exactly," Black Zetsu replied. "The Phoenixes have the power to heal and bring fertility to even the most desolate regions. They maintain the natural balance by ensuring that no part of the world falls into decay."

Naruto, still brimming with enthusiasm, bounced on his heels. "I can't believe it! A Phoenix... Imagine the kind of power it must have!"

"Indeed," Black Zetsu said with a slight smirk, "But there are other creatures of equal importance."

He continued, explaining how the Griffins guarded high mountain peaks, keeping watch over the skies, and how the Chimeras—with their hybrid bodies—protected the forests, rivers, and jungles, acting as silent sentinels against any who would seek to harm the natural world. Each of these creatures had their own realm to protect, contributing to the island's balance in their own unique ways.

As they continued walking, Black Zetsu's gaze grew more serious. "And then there are the great guardians—those who protect even larger swathes of land, regions the size of a country, or even larger. The dragons are the most prominent, but there are others who are just as vital to the world's survival."

Naruto, fascinated by the sheer scale of the island's guardians, asked, "What kind of creatures are these? Bigger than dragons?"

Black Zetsu nodded. "Some of these guardians are Titanic Beasts—creatures whose size is beyond comprehension. They help maintain entire regions that could rival the size of a continent. For example, there are Sea Serpents that patrol the oceans, ensuring no great imbalance occurs in the water. There are Sky Behemoths, massive winged creatures whose wingspans can stretch across the horizon, controlling the winds and regulating the weather across the vast stretches of sky."

Sasuke, ever the skeptic, asked, "So, the dragons handle the land, and the Titans handle other areas, like the sea and sky?"

"Yes," Black Zetsu affirmed, "But there are more still. Some are more elusive, like the Turtle Giants, which live beneath the earth, guarding the world's core. These creatures regulate the planet's internal energies, ensuring the planet doesn't fracture or destabilize from the immense chakra flow that sustains it."

Naruto looked up at Black Zetsu in awe. "So, all these creatures are just... watching over everything? All these different parts of the island, the planet? How do they even keep track of all of it?"

"Because they don't," Black Zetsu answered, his voice almost a whisper. "The island—Kaguya's creation—was made to be vast, larger than Earth itself. While some creatures focus on the minute details, others, like the dragons and Titans, focus on the macro-scale—the entire land. The dragons, in particular, are bound to the planet's physical structure. They ensure that the natural world remains undisturbed. They do not need to watch over every inch. Instead, they influence the larger forces, ensuring balance remains between regions."

Naruto felt a sense of humility wash over him. He had always thought of the world in terms of the battles he fought, the villages he protected, the friendships he had made. But this island—Kaguya's world—was so much larger, so much more complex, and yet it was all tied together by these incredible creatures, these silent guardians that most likely went unnoticed by the world's inhabitants.

"You said the island was large," Kakashi spoke up, his calm tone cutting through Naruto's reverie. "How much larger are we talking about?"

Black Zetsu's expression shifted, his gaze narrowing, but he said nothing further on the topic of size. Instead, he led them to another area of the island, a clearing where the land seemed almost to shimmer in the light. "This part of the island is protected by the Ancient Behemoths. These creatures are more primal than the others, living in the untouched regions of the land where no civilization has ever tread."

Naruto was practically bouncing on his toes. "So, the place we're walking through now is some kind of ancient jungle or forest?"

"Not just a jungle," Black Zetsu replied. "It is a place where the laws of time are different. The energy here is so potent that it can heal wounds, regenerate entire ecosystems, and even slow the passage of time."

The group paused, taking in the beauty of the area. The trees were enormous, with thick vines hanging down, and the air felt thick with magic. There was something ancient here, something primal, but also alive with potential.

"Everything here is tied to Kaguya's will," Black Zetsu said, almost as if speaking to himself. "All of this—these creatures, the energy, the lands—it was made for one purpose. To maintain balance. To keep the island—and by extension, the planet—alive."

Naruto, his mind racing with the possibilities, turned to Kurama. "This place is amazing, Kurama. It's like we're walking through a living world. But... there's so much more to it than just chakra. There are creatures here that even Kaguya doesn't fully control, right?"

Kurama's voice filled Naruto's mind. Yeah, that's right. Even Kaguya doesn't command the full force of this planet. It has its own will. The creatures here—they're all part of something much bigger than anything we've dealt with before.

Naruto nodded, feeling the weight of Kurama's words. There was a deeper power here, something that went beyond the battles they fought or the struggles they faced. They were standing on the edge of something vast, a force of nature that could not be tamed.

As they continued walking, Black Zetsu's voice echoed in their minds.

"You will meet these creatures in time. They are not to be underestimated. But remember, your actions here are not without consequences. Each creature you encounter, each region you enter, is tied to the island's balance. And Kaguya... Kaguya does not take kindly to those who disrupt that balance."

The journey had only just begun. The world of Kaguya was far larger and more dangerous than they could have ever imagined, and the price of their involvement would be much greater than they could have anticipated. But with each step, they were growing closer to understanding the true nature of this world—and the true extent of the responsibility that came with it.