Chapter 37: The Return and the Unrest of New Allies

The group made their way back, not to the Ninja World, but deeper into the island, away from the more mystical areas they had explored. They could feel the change in the air as they passed through different regions. The ground beneath them seemed to shift, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of an unfamiliar energy.

Sasuke was the first to notice it. His Sharingan flickered as he scanned the surroundings, feeling the unease that settled in the air.

"Something's not right," Sasuke muttered, glancing back toward the group. "The air feels different here."

Naruto turned his head to look at his new summoning companion, the tiny Nine-Tails cub that had attached itself to him. The little fox had been playful and energetic, darting around in circles just moments before, but now it was sitting down, its ears flat against its head. The other summoning beasts—the pink lion that had bonded with Sakura, the toothless dragon that had latched onto Sasuke, and the pack of wolves that Kakashi, Guy, and Obito had adopted—were all showing signs of distress.

The once curious cub that had been chasing after Naruto's feet now lay on the ground, looking uncomfortable, its little paws twitching. Sakura's lion cub seemed to be panting heavily, while Sasuke's dragon was curled up, its usually glowing eyes dull and weak.

"What's wrong with them?" Sakura asked, a worried expression crossing her face as she knelt beside the lion cub. The normally energetic lion was now barely moving.

Black Zetsu, who had been following them at a distance, noticed the distress in the air and approached. "Their chakra isn't stable," he said, his voice sharp with an underlying tone of concern. "Kaguya's world is vast, and there's a delicate balance between all the energy flowing through it. Your summoning beasts are being affected by it. It's not the right time for them to be here."

"Why?" Naruto asked, his brows furrowing as he knelt beside the little Nine-Tails cub, offering it a comforting hand. "They're not used to this place? But we've been here for hours and they were fine before!"

"Not just that," Black Zetsu replied, "This world is saturated with chakra, yes—but it's not the kind of chakra your beasts are accustomed to. It's potent, unstable at times, and infused with Kaguya's essence. It overwhelms beings who aren't native to this world. Your summoning beasts... they aren't ready for this kind of energy."

Naruto felt the pang of concern as he gently stroked the tiny fox, trying to soothe it. The little Nine-Tails let out a soft whimper, its tiny body trembling as though it couldn't handle the excess chakra around it. The other summoning creatures seemed equally distressed, even the usually calm wolves were now pacing anxiously.

Sasuke's dragon, which had been playful before, was now lying motionless, its body unnaturally stiff, while the pink lion cub appeared to be struggling to breathe. If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121

"We need to get them out of here," Sakura said urgently. "But where can we take them?"

"You can't go back to the Ninja World just yet," Black Zetsu answered. "This part of the island... it's a place for creatures of power to live in balance with the energy here. Your summoning beasts are too weak to be exposed to this area for long."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Then we have to find somewhere safe. We can't leave them in this condition."

Black Zetsu led them to a quieter, more isolated part of the island, one where the energy wasn't so oppressive. It was a peaceful area, a secluded place that seemed to calm the surrounding chakra. The winds here were gentle, the air thick with the scent of flowers and soft grasses, and the land seemed to hum with a quieter, more serene energy.

As the group settled, Naruto knelt beside his fox cub, rubbing its back gently as it whimpered softly. The little fox let out a deep sigh, and its body seemed to relax just a little.

"Stay calm," Naruto whispered. "You're gonna be okay."

Sakura, also kneeling beside her lion cub, was doing the same. "This place is different. They feel better already." She glanced up at Black Zetsu, her face lined with worry. "How long will it take for them to get back to normal?"

"Not long, but they need to rest," Black Zetsu replied. "They can't be exposed to Kaguya's full power for an extended time. It's not that the energy is inherently dangerous—it's just... too much for them."

Naruto clenched his fists, feeling helpless as he watched his new friend rest. "This place... it's amazing, but it's not where they belong. They can't stay here for long, can they?"

"No, not unless they are strengthened enough to handle the chakra," Black Zetsu answered. "They are too young, too unprepared. Kaguya's energy is unique—it's part of the land itself, a force of nature."

Naruto was silent for a moment, looking down at the little fox. He had wanted to give the cub a home, a place to belong, and now, seeing it weak and struggling, he felt a wave of guilt. "I didn't think it would be like this..."

Sasuke, always the realist, spoke up. "We'll figure something out. But first, we need to make sure they get better."

Kakashi, with his usual calm, walked over to Naruto. "We'll have to find a way to balance things out. If we stay here too long, we might end up overstretching ourselves too. But we can't just rush back either."

The group spent the next few hours in this peaceful haven, tending to their summoning beasts and watching as they slowly recovered. The tiny creatures were still weak, but their bodies were starting to stabilize in the calm environment Black Zetsu had led them to. The little Nine-Tails cub began to play again, though its movements were slow, and the pink lion cub managed to stand up shakily, though it was still breathing heavily.

Black Zetsu watched from a distance, his face impassive. "They will recover. But know this: They are tied to Kaguya's world in a way that is more than just summoning. If they are to live here, they will need time to acclimate fully."

Naruto nodded slowly, though a feeling of unease gnawed at him. "I don't want to stay here forever, though. They're not ready for this kind of world. It's not fair to them."

"You can leave, but I suggest you don't go back to the Ninja World just yet," Black Zetsu cautioned. "The energy of this island will only cause them harm if you travel too quickly. Give them time to heal. Then, you can leave. Kaguya won't care about that. But if you force it, it could result in worse consequences."

Naruto nodded, knowing that Black Zetsu was right. As much as he wanted to leave and head back, they needed to ensure the safety of their new companions first. So, they waited, tending to their summoning beasts, allowing them to regain their strength.

But even as the peaceful time passed, Naruto's mind was already on the horizon, wondering what would come next for them—and how they would eventually face Kaguya's world, and the consequences of their journey here.