Yo,

  I'm back with the next chapter of Shadow Light.

  Discimer: I don't own anything.

  Without further ado, let's get started.

  Enjoy.

  Shadow Light

  Chapter 47

  The Curious Wanderer

  With Naruto, Dimensional Gap

  "Red! Stop!" Naruto's voice boomed through the Dimensional Gap, imbued with the authority and power of his spirit. His eyes, bright with Rinnegan's undeniable power, locked onto the dragon's ancient gaze, conveying not just a command but a plea for reason.

  Red, taken aback by the sudden intervention, halted his magic output, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of Naruto. The magic around them fizzled out, leaving a tense but stable stand-off.

  Aethra, for her part, recovered from the near strike, her ethereal form shimmering slightly as she regained her composure. She looked at Naruto, a mixture of gratitude and surprise evident in her cosmic eyes.

  Before Aethra can convey her gratitude, Astrid's voice, always clear and imbued with a slightly metallic tone, began to rey the comprehensive analysis she had compiled on Naruto. My dy, the entity before us does not conform to any known species cssifications within this or our universe. Identified as Uzumaki Naruto, his physiological structure is based on a highly unique form of energy known as Chakra.

  Naruto stood calmly between the two divine beings, his posture rexed yet alert, an embodiment of controlled power. His gaze shifted slightly towards Aethra, acknowledging her focus on him, a subtle nod to the scrutiny he was under.

  Astrid continued, her systems projecting schematics and energy readings that flickered in the air like ghostly blueprints. He possesses a mastery over elemental forces, extending beyond the typical fire, water, earth, air, and ether. His command includes the primordial elements of Light and Shadows/Darkness, which appear to be fundamental to his defensive and offensive capabilities.

  The visual data showed streams of light and dark swirling around Naruto's form, highlighting the extraordinary nature of his abilities. The orange light ball with wisps of darkness leaking from it was the image Astrid projected. Aethra observed, her understanding deepening, her expression a mix of awe and contemption. 'And the dragon?' she prompted, her voice soft yet carrying a weight that filled the space around them.

  Astrid's response was accompanied by a visual of a majestic dragon, scales shimmering with a bance of shadow and light. He is the host of Skiadrum, the Dragon of Bance. This entity is the second most powerful dragon known, ascending to prominence after his reawakening in Uzumaki. Skiadrum's essence is interwoven with his host, suggesting a symbiotic retionship that enhances both their strengths.

  As this information sank in, Aethra's gaze drifted back to Naruto, reassessing him with new respect and a hint of caution. The yers of complexity surrounding him were unlike anything she had encountered.

  Finally, Astrid brought up the analysis of the mysterious fox-like entity associated with Naruto, the visuals showing a fierce, ethereal fox enveloped in fmes that dwarfed stars in intensity. Additionally, he is accompanied by a 10-tailed fox entity. This Fox possesses a threat level cssified as Hypernova. It is an unprecedented designation, reflecting potential for destruction and creation on a cosmic scale. Its powers are vast, not fully quantifiable but deeply integrated with Uzumaki's own life force.

  Aethra absorbed the information, her eyes reflecting the starry data streams projected by Astrid. 'Such a confluence of powers,' she murmured, more to herself than to Astrid, 'anchored in a single being. Could it be?'She thought, her mind coming to a sudden realisation. She looked at Naruto with new found intensity, trying to ascertain her realisation.

  Aethra's gaze, enhanced by Astrid's Astral and Divinity detectors was drawn not only to Naruto but to the figures that seemed to manifest just behind him, ethereal yet distinctly powerful in their presence. The first, a fusion of fox and dragon, an entity she had never envisioned nor encountered in any lore, stood with a majestic aura that both intrigued and unnerved her. It was an amalgam of raw power and ancient wisdom, its eyes flickering with a fire that spoke of battles fought across dimensions.

  But it was the second figure that caused Aethra's breath to catch in her throat, her celestial heart skipping a beat as centuries of memories flooded her senses. The figure behind Naruto, bathed in a soft, radiant light, bore the regal demeanour and the golden, intricate armour of divinity. His 7 pairs of wings, resplendent and wide, shimmered with a divine glow that softly illuminated his surroundings, casting gentle rays of light that seemed to warm the cold void of the Gap.

  His face, though matured and marked with the wisdom of ages, was unmistakably familiar to Aethra. Those green eyes, kind and deep as the emerald forests of their youth, those gentle, knowing smiles that had comforted her in times of turmoil. This was no stranger from another dimension; this was her long-lost little brother, whom she had not seen since the cosmic tides had torn them apart.

  Aethra's mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of disbelief, joy, and a pang of ancient sorrow. How had he come to be here, standing with Naruto, in the heart of a potential cosmic conflict? His presence here, in such a time and pce, could not be mere coincidence. It spoke of fates intertwined and destinies that crossed the boundaries of time and space.

  As her eyes locked with his, a cascade of emotions washed over her face—surprise, recognition, and a dawning realisation of the profound reunion unfolding before her. Her lips parted slightly, a myriad of questions poised on the brink of utterance, yet no words came. For a moment, the Dimensional Gap was filled with a silence profound enough to echo through the cosmos, a silent testament to the weight of their encounter.

  Her brother, sensing her turmoil and confusion, offered her a smile that was both reassuring and mencholic, a smile that seemed to bridge the vast expanse of time and loss between them. His posture was supportive, standing just a step behind Naruto, indicating his role not just as an ally, but as a pilr of strength in the brewing storm.

  Astrid, ever vigint, continued her scan, her systems processing the profound implications of this celestial reunion. Her analysis, though clinical, captured the extraordinary nature of this moment—two beings of celestial origin, separated by cosmic events, now reunited in a dimension far from their origins.

  "Brother ?????????? (Kivren)…"

  The name hung in the air like a delicate string pulled taut, its vibration threatening to unravel the fragile fabric of the moment. "Brother ?????????? (Kivren)..."Aethra repeated, trembling under the weight of millennia and the pain of separation, broke through the silence. Her words carried the raw force of the divine, a whisper so profound it seemed to shift the very essence of the Dimensional Gap. Naruto and Red stood frozen, their thoughts caught in a whirlwind of confusion and revetion.

  ??????????. The ancient name reverberated in Naruto's soul, bypassing the logical pathways of his mind and striking a chord deep within his being. His Light Sacred Gear, silent ever since he'd achieved his Bance Breaker—manifesting the essence of the Biblical God—reacted violently, its dormant power stirring as if awakening to a long-lost truth. The name pulsed like a beacon in his core, disrupting the stillness he had fought so hard to master.

  Naruto's breath hitched, his body motionless as Aethra's words sank into the depths of his soul. Memories that weren't his—or perhaps were, in some ineffable way—flooded his mind. Images formed in fragmented crity, each one a shard of something vast and indescribable. He couldn't understand it fully, but the feelings they evoked were undeniable: longing, a desperate curiosity, and an ache that resonated like an old wound.

  A field of golden meadows stretched endlessly beneath a sky dusted with soft, ethereal hues. A young boy ran through the shimmering grasses, his ughter as light and free as the celestial breeze. There were no shadows here, no burdens of mortality or destiny. The boy's name echoed faintly, like a melody on the wind. Kivren.

  He had been Kivren once. The name was as natural as breathing, a part of him he'd forgotten but now felt as familiar as his own heartbeat. "Curious wanderer,"they'd called him, a title bestowed with affection by those who had watched over him in his youth.

  "Kiv! Don't run too far!" The voice of Aethra called out, warm and melodic, ced with sisterly exasperation. She stood atop a gentle rise, her figure radiant with the light of countless stars. She had always been his guardian, patient and wise, but never stifling.

  Kivren barely slowed. His attention was fixed on a peculiar crystal embedded in the earth, its surface glinting with an otherworldly glow. "Aethra, look!"he cried, his small hands working eagerly to free it. "It's glowing like the sky after a storm!"

  By the time she reached him, the stone was already in his hands, held aloft like a treasure. His face shone with triumph and untainted curiosity. "I bet it does something amazing,"he decred with childish certainty.

  Aethra smiled, smoothing the wild strands of golden hair that framed his cherubic face. "Everything has a purpose, little wanderer,"she murmured. "But its true purpose may not reveal itself immediately. Keep searching, and you'll find it."

  The memory blurred, reshaping itself into another. Kivren was older now, his boundless energy tempered by experience but still fueled by an insatiable desire to explore. He roamed the hidden pces of their realm—shadowed caves that echoed with ancient hymns, sun-dappled gdes untouched by celestial hands. His discoveries were not always understood by others, but they were never dismissed.

  "Show us, Kivren!"A sister's voice rang with excitement as she and their siblings gathered around. In his hands, Kivren held a prism, its many facets refracting divine light into cascading rainbows that danced across the sacred hall.

  "I found it near the Veil of Echoes,"he expined, his emerald eyes glowing with enthusiasm. "It turns our light into something even more beautiful. Isn't it incredible?"

  The eldest brother, Luciris, ever composed and solemn, allowed a rare smile to soften his features. Pcing a hand on Kivren's shoulder, he spoke with quiet admiration. "Amazing, indeed."

  The flood of memories poured into Naruto's mind, but he did not stagger or falter. His body remained steady, his expression calm as he processed the cascade of visions with the discipline forged through a century of experience. He had faced gods, seen the rise and fall of nations, and watched the Otsutsuki shape the cosmos with their ambition. This was no different—another mystery to unravel, another truth to confront.

  He stood rooted in the present, but his mind journeyed through the past. He observed the scenes pying out like a detached witness, aware of their significance yet unaffected by their emotional weight. A memory of running through golden fields. Another of standing among radiant beings in council, their voices a blend of wisdom and song. Occasionally, fragments caught his attention—moments that seemed to resonate more deeply.

  A hand on his shoulder, a voice that spoke with quiet authority: "You remind us to see the world not as it is, but as it could be."

  Naruto watched the memory fade, his gaze narrowing thoughtfully. He knew these weren't his memories. The name Kivren,the golden fields, the celestial kin—they all belonged to someone else. Yet they were here now, threading themselves into the light half of his Sacred Gear like roots entwining with the core of his being.

  "This isn't a coincidence," Naruto murmured, appearing in his mindscape, his tone measured, more observation than question. His Bance Breaker—the crystallization of the Biblical God's essence—was stirring in response. Whatever these memories were, they had awakened something long dormant within it. They wanted to tell/show him something.

  Kurama stirred within him, the great fox's voice breaking through the quiet. "I don't care what your shiny Sacred Gear is pying at,"he growled, his irritation crackling like a distant storm. "I'd rather know why every damn memory has you fighting creatures the size of mountains. You were supposed to be a creator, not a monster magnet."

  Naruto's lips twitched faintly at Kurama's tone, but he remained focused. "There's more to this than the battles," he replied, his voice calm as he sifted through the memories. "The creatures, the conflicts—they're just fragments of something rger."

  Kurama's tails flicked, his annoyance unabated. "Larger, huh? Sure, let's ignore the hydra with nine heads spewing enough fire to melt stars or the one with its face covered in shadows that tore through half a dozen cities. Not to mention that 'lucid dreaming' moment where you walked into a council of glowing gods like you were the damn chairman."

  Naruto folded his arms, his gaze unwavering as another memory passed—a fsh of divine light refracted through a crystalline prism, scattering into colors more vibrant than any mortal could perceive. "The Sacred Gear holds the essence of the Biblical God. If these memories are stirring now, it means there's something in them I need to understand."

  Kurama snorted. "Or it's just trying to py show-and-tell with all the disasters that came before you. That's what it looks like from here."

  Naruto didn't answer immediately. He let Kurama's grumbling fade into the background as he focused on the occasional memory that seemed to ripple through the light. A face here, a word there—pieces of a puzzle he had yet to fully see. Each fragment was precise, vivid, and purposeful, but they cked the context to reveal their meaning.

  "These memories aren't about the fights," Naruto said finally, his tone low and reflective. "They're about what comes after.Bance, creation, progress—that's what they're pointing toward."

  Kurama's grumbling ceased for a moment, repced by a considering silence. Then, he spoke again, his tone ced with dry sarcasm. "Bance and creation, huh? Sure, because the nine-headed hydra belching fire into an ocean really screams progress."

  Naruto allowed a faint smirk. "You're fixating on the chaos, Kurama. I'm looking at the order it was meant to create."

  The fox huffed. "Whatever keeps you calm, partner. Just don't expect me to enjoy the reruns of Kivren: Creator or Chaos Magnet while you work this out."

  Naruto's focus remained steady as he let the memories settle into the recesses of his mind. They were not his, but they were here for a reason, and he intended to uncover it. The battles, the celestial councils, the fshes of divine harmony—they were fragments of a story he now had to piece together.

  "Let's keep moving," he said finally, his voice decisive. "The name, the memories—they're just the start. I'll understand it in time."

  Kurama rumbled in agreement, his irritation fading into a grudging respect for Naruto's unshakable resolve. "Fine. Just make sure whatever comes next doesn't involve fighting another nine-headed apocalypse."

  Time passed, and Naruto found himself quietly reflecting on the singur sensation that set this memory apart from others that had surged through his mind. It was distinct—sharper, deeper, as if etched into the very essence of the Sacred Gear's light. Unlike the scattered glimpses of golden fields or divine councils, this memory felt heavier, yered with unrelenting tension and purpose. He observed it with calm detachment, noting every detail as it unfolded.

  The oppressive air of the cavern, so vividly oppressive it seemed to coil around Kivren like a living thing, was unlike anything Naruto had ever experienced. He could feel its weight, thick and suffocating, pressing down on his senses as Kivren stood before the slumbering colossus. The beast's presence loomed over the memory, more palpable than any enemy Naruto had ever faced. It wasn't just its size or form that struck him—it was the raw emotion that radiated from it, an overwhelming blend of malice, despair, and sorrow.

  "This one's different," Naruto murmured, his voice measured as the memory pyed out before him. His emerald gaze—Kivren's emerald gaze—lingered on the intricate web of runes and anchors being crafted with such precision. The ttice shimmered with golden light, its fragile brilliance defying the darkness that threatened to consume it.

  Kurama, ever watchful, stirred in the depths of Naruto's mind. His voice rumbled with a mixture of irritation and fascination. "Of all the crazy things in these memories, this beast takes the prize. It's like some cosmic disaster wrapped up in a monstrosity. And this… Kivren… just walks up to it like he's taming a stray mutt."

  Naruto allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips. "Not taming," he replied, his tone steady. "Sealing. Kivren wasn't looking to conquer it—he wanted to contain it, maybe even understand it."

  Kurama huffed, his tails flicking in agitation. "Yeah, and nearly got himself obliterated in the process. I don't care how shiny his runes are—standing that close to something like thatis asking for trouble."

  Naruto observed as Kivren meticulously worked to forge the anchors, the hammering of celestial metal ringing through the cavern. Each blow carried weight, each rune inscribed into the anchors a testament to his resolve. Despite the oppressive malice seeping from the beast, Kivren's focus never wavered.

  "What I don't get,"Kurama muttered, "is why the thing looks like every nightmare rolled into one. Six heads? Wings that don't even match? That thing's a walking apocalypse, and he's treating it like a project."

  Naruto's voice remained calm, contemptive. "Because he saw something else in it. That's why this memory feels different. It's not just about sealing a monster—it's about what the monster represents. Look closer, Kurama. He didn't fear it."

  Kurama grumbled but fell silent, watching as Kivren pced the final anchor and completed the ttice. The memory slowed, almost as if pausing to let Naruto absorb the gravity of the moment. The beast's six heads twitched, their forms radiating barely-contained destruction, yet Kivren knelt beside it, his hand resting against its scaled hide.

  The contact sent a ripple through the memory, a sensation Naruto could almost feel in his own hand. It was cold, vast, and alive with raw power. But beneath the malice, there was something else—a faint, lingering note of anguish.

  "You're suffering," Kivren's voice echoed in the memory, soft but firm. The words carried a weight that Naruto recognized—an unshakable resolve to act, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

  Kurama's voice cut through the moment, dry and unimpressed. "He's talking to it now? What's next, tea and biscuits?"

  Naruto smirked faintly. "You don't have to understand it to feel it. That's what's different about this memory. Kivren didn't see a monster—he saw something broken, something chained. And he didn't walk away."

  Kurama snorted. "Sure. But next time, maybe he could chain up something smaller."

  The memory continued with unrelenting crity, every detail etched into the fabric of Naruto's mind as if prompting him to pursue it. He felt the calm resolve Kivren had carried as he turned to leave the cavern, the faint smile tugging at his lips as he imagined the pride in his siblings' faces. There was a warmth in that thought—a flicker of hope amidst the oppressive darkness.

  But then, like a hammer shattering gss, the mechanical voice cut through the moment: DANGER! DANGER! MALICE SURGE DETECTED!

  Naruto felt the echo of the alert ripple through him, sharp and invasive. The memory tightened, the atmosphere in the cavern shifting instantaneously. Kivren froze, his body going rigid, the faint flicker of satisfaction draining from his face. He turned, his emerald eyes snapping back to the beast.

  Kurama's growl rumbled low in Naruto's mind, thick with annoyance and tension. "I knew it. You don't seal something that big without it fighting back. That voice, though—it's like it knew this was coming."

  Naruto watched the scene unfold, his gaze narrowing. Kivren's heart sank as the beast stirred, its immense form rippling with dark energy. It started with the dragon head, its serpentine neck uncoiling with a sickening crack that reverberated through the cavern. Its crimson eyes fred open, their glow cutting through the gloom with searing intensity, locking onto Kivren as though it recognized its would-be captor.

  The other heads followed in quick succession, each more terrifying than the st. The lion bared its fangs, ichor dripping from its maw and sizzling against the ground. The skeletal raven let out a shriek so piercing it seemed to tear through the golden ttice, causing runes to flicker and waver. The malice, once constrained, surged back with an almost physical weight, saturating the air with despair and fury.

  Kurama's irritation gave way to incredulity. "This thing doesn't wake up slow, does it? Six heads, all pissed off, and you're standing there with nothing but a bunch of glowing lines? What was he thinking?"

  Naruto's voice was calm, though a shadow of concern darkened his tone. "He wasn't unprepared. He just underestimated what he was dealing with. It happens."

  The beast's roar shook the very foundations of the cavern, a sound so immense that Naruto felt it in his chest, even as an observer. Kivren's voice, trembling with urgency but still steady, broke through the chaos.

  "No, no, no!"he muttered, his fingers flying over the runes, golden light bzing to life as he frantically activated the ttice. The seals responded, their glow intensifying as they struggled to contain the growing surge of malice. But the beast's awakening disrupted the bance, and the system began to falter.

  Then the creature lunged.

  Kivren reacted instantly, his hand sweeping upward as he activated the defensive yers of the seal. A barrier of golden light erupted between him and the beast, just as its massive cws smmed into it. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, cracks spider webbing across the ground and cavern walls. Kivren gritted his teeth, pouring more of his essence into the barrier, his emerald eyes locked on the monstrous entity before him.

  Kurama's voice was sharper now, his frustration palpable. "He's holding it. Barely. But those runes—they're flickering. If that thing keeps hammering at them, it's going to break through."

  Naruto's gaze flicked to the intricate ttice, noting the erratic pulses of light, the strain evident in the way the threads trembled against the beast's relentless assault. Kivren knew it, too. His thoughts raced, calcutions and desperation interwoven as he pushed himself to his limits.

  "I have to hold it,"he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice a quiet promise to himself. Sweat beaded on his brow, his body trembling under the strain of sustaining the ttice. The anchors fred brighter, struggling to stabilize the containment, but the malice was relentless.

  The beast's six heads attacked in unison, their movements a terrifying choreography of destruction. Each strike eroded the integrity of the seal, the golden ttice flickering and dimming with every blow. Kivren felt the strain deep within his soul, the tether between him and the system threatening to snap.

  Kurama snarled. "It's pushing everything back at him—every strike is pulling more of his essence into the seal. This thing isn't just fighting—it's ripping him apart."

  Naruto didn't respond immediately, his focus locked on the moment when the inevitable happened.

  The beast's energy surged, a cataclysmic wave that collided violently with the sealing framework. Golden and bck light exploded outward, intertwining in a chaotic dance of creation and destruction. The cavern was flooded with brilliance so intense it forced even Naruto to squint.

  Kivren's system screamed in protest, its mechanical warnings drowned out by the deafening roar of unleashed power. The ttice shattered, its fragments dissolving into the void, leaving Kivren exposed to the full force of the beast's malice.

  "No!"Kivren's voice was raw, his desperation cutting through the chaos. He reached out, trying to regain control, but it was too te. The energy consumed everything, igniting a chain reaction that obliterated the cavern.

  Naruto felt the ground vanish beneath Kivren's feet as the light enveloped him. His body glowed with the same intensity as the beast, the runes etched into his skin bzing with golden fire. For a brief, agonizing moment, time seemed to freeze. Kivren's mind was flooded with memories—his siblings' ughter, his experiments, the lessons of creation and failure.

  Kurama's voice cut through the silence, softer now, ced with a rare note of respect. "He didn't run. Even with that thing tearing everything apart, he stood there and fought to hold it."

  Naruto's gaze lingered on the memory, the final fragment of crity before it dissolved into pure light. He heard the thought that pierced through the chaos, a whisper of defiance: 'I can't let it end here.'

  The brilliance intensified, swallowing everything. The cavern, the seals, the beast—all dissolved into a void of blinding light.

  And then, silence.

  .

  .

  .

  The searing light of the cataclysm faded, leaving behind an eerie silence and an overwhelming emptiness. Kivren's body, battered and strained, y motionless against the unfamiliar ground. Slowly, his senses returned, the oppressive weight of existence creeping back like a tide reciming the shore.

  The air was foreign—thicker, heavier, and tinged with a peculiar energy that thrummed against his being. The ground beneath him was coarse and cracked, radiating faint warmth. Kivren's fingers twitched, his body instinctively pushing itself upright, every movement accompanied by the dull ache of exhaustion.

  As his emerald eyes opened, the world around him came into view. It was vast and desote, a barren pne stretching infinitely in all directions. The sky above was a chaotic swirl of dark, churning clouds, illuminated by streaks of crimson lightning. There was no sun, no stars—only a pervasive, ambient glow that seemed to emanate from the nd itself.

  "Where… am I?"Kivren murmured, his voice hoarse, the sound barely audible over the low hum of the strange realm. He tried to piece together the fragments of memory that lingered, but they slipped through his grasp like water through a sieve.

  A deeper realization settled over him, cold and unrelenting: he didn't know who he was.

  His name, his purpose, the faces of his siblings—they were all gone, scattered like ashes in the wind. He clutched his chest, his breathing quickening as the enormity of the void within him pressed down like an iron weight. The question burned in his mind, threatening to unravel him.

  Who am I?

  Before the tide of uncertainty could drown him, a sound shattered the silence—a guttural, earth-shaking roar that ripped through the realm like a primal force of nature. Kivren's head snapped up, his instincts fring to life.

  The beast.

  The monstrous entity loomed in the distance, its colossal form coiled and writhing as it shook off the remnants of the shattered seal. Its six heads moved with terrifying coordination, each one bellowing its fury into the chaotic sky. The malice that radiated from it was sharper here, unfiltered and raw, saturating the air with a palpable sense of dread.

  Kivren's body moved before his mind could catch up, his instincts guiding him with precision. The uncertainty, the void of his identity—none of it mattered now. His focus locked on the beast, and the knowledge buried deep within him surged to the surface.

  With a wave of his hand, he summoned tools and materials from the ether, their forms crystallizing in fshes of light. Shards of luminous crystal, celestial alloy, and condensed energy hovered around him, pulsing faintly in time with his thoughts. The knowledge was instinctual, as if it had always been a part of him. He didn't question it—there was no time.

  The beast lunged, its massive cws tearing through the ground as it charged. Kivren's fingers moved in swift, deliberate motions, inscribing glowing runes into the air. Golden light fred as the symbols interlocked, forming barriers that slowed the creature's advance.

  "Stay down!,"Kivren commanded, his voice steady and sharp. His words carried weight, ced with the authority of one who had wielded creation itself.

  The beast roared again, its six heads snapping and writhing as it tested the barriers. Cracks spider webbed through the golden ttice, but Kivren was already moving, weaving new yers of containment around the creature. Every rune, every thread of light, was pced with precision, each one tightening the noose around the beast's malice.

  It fought viciously, its cws and wings shing out, but Kivren was relentless. The knowledge flowed through him like a river, guiding his actions with an unyielding certainty. He poured his essence into the seals, golden light radiating from his body as he reinforced the ttice.

  Finally, as the st anchor fell into pce, the cavernous roar of the beast began to wane. The runes coiled tighter around its form, their glow intensifying until the creature's massive body was bound in an intricate web of golden chains. Its movements slowed, its heads drooping as the malice was drawn inward, contained within the unyielding framework.

  Kivren stepped back, his breathing ragged but even. The beast let out one final, guttural growl before falling silent, its immense form sinking into an eternal slumber. The seals pulsed faintly, their light a testament to his triumph.

  As the tension ebbed, Kivren's body swayed, the exhaustion finally catching up to him. He knelt on the cracked ground, his gaze fixed on the slumbering colossus. "It's done," he murmured, his voice heavy with finality. "You're not free… but you're at peace."

  The memory faded, its sharp details dissolving like mist as Naruto returned to the present. He stood motionless, his arms crossed as he processed what he had just witnessed. The connection between the past and the present began to crystallize, each fragment falling into pce with a crity that left no room for doubt.

  "That's where it started," Naruto said quietly, his voice steady. "After that… Kivren was gone. And the one they called YHWH came to light."

  Kurama, who had been watching the memory in silence, finally spoke, his tone begrudging but tinged with respect. "The kid didn't just seal that thing—he became something else. That roar snapped him into action, and now I get why you're carrying this weight. It's not just a Sacred Gear. It's a legacy."

  Naruto's lips pressed into a thin line. "A legacy… and a responsibility. That seal didn't destroy the beast—it chained it."

  The cascade of memories and revetions finally ended and what felt like lifetimes, yet when Naruto returned to the present, he realized it had been only the blink of an eye. Barely a heartbeat had passed, but within that fleeting moment, a torrent of knowledge had swept through him. He felt it in the core of his being—the ancient memories now settled, the faint resonance of something more than himself stirring within.

  And something else.

  There was a shift, subtle but unmistakable, happening in his body. It wasn't merely the weight of understanding that he carried now; it was physical. The very essence of the Sacred Gear's Light, long dormant and contained, had begun to flow through him in a way it never had before. It was as if the boundaries within him had been redrawn, the energy moving freely, seeping into his every fiber.

  The warmth was distinct, unlike chakra—it cked the steady, familiar hum of the life force he had long mastered. Instead, it was deeper, older, carrying with it a sense of purpose and inevitability. His veins pulsed with it, a gentle rhythm that felt like it resonated not only with his body but with something beyond him, something tied to the memory of Kivren and the ancient legacy he had glimpsed.

  Naruto flexed his fingers subtly, testing the sensation. His muscles felt denser, his movements more precise, his senses sharper. Even the air around him seemed different, more vibrant and alive, as though his very presence was attuned to the currents of energy in this space. He was changing—not in a way that was immediately obvious but in a way he could feel, down to his bones.

  He let the thought hang in the air, his cerulean gaze fixed on the iridescent colours of the gap. "Let's keep moving," Naruto said finally, his tone firm. "If this legacy is mine to carry, then I'll see it through." His words were quiet but resolute, a vow spoken to no one in particur but one that reverberated in the air nonetheless.

  Switching to the outside, Naruto's gaze shifted to Aethra, and he found her watching him with a focus so intense it was almost tangible. Her silver eyes shimmered, catching the faint light like twin mirrors reflecting the cosmos. They brimmed with emotion—hope so raw it was almost painful to see, longing that seemed to span eons, and a faint, unspoken fear. Her lips, soft and slightly parted, quivered as if caught between the desire to speak and the fear of shattering the fragile moment. The light of her celestial presence framed her in an ethereal glow, casting her pale, regal features in an otherworldly radiance.

  Naruto inhaled deeply, letting the grounded calm he had cultivated over decades steady him. Just as he prepared to address Aethra, a telepathic voice cut through the quiet.

  "Yo, Naruto. Still in one piece? How's the reunion going?"

  Shikamaru's voice carried its usual casual dryness, but there was an undertone of curiosity—and perhaps mild amusement—woven into it. Naruto's lips twitched faintly, his mental reply carrying the calm weight of someone who had long mastered the art of understatement.

  "Still standing, though it's a bit intense. I'll get you in once things ease up—and once I feel your body can adapt to the potency in this pce. For now, stay on standby."

  Shikamaru's response came back almost immediately, a note of humor lightening his tone. "Sure thing. You know, these shadows of yours remind me of clouds—they're quiet, they go where I tell them, and best of all, they don't compin when I lie down. Honestly, I wouldn't mind staying here and catching a nap."

  Naruto huffed softly in amusement. "Of course you wouldn't. Guess you've finally found the perfect audience."

  Shikamaru's mental chuckle was low and zy. "Damn right. Let me know when you need me to wake up and deal with something."

  Before Naruto could reply, a faint movement caught his attention. Aethra had moved forward, the quiet intensity in her eyes pulling his focus completely. Her approach was measured, her celestial radiance catching the faint, shimmering light of the sealed space, casting soft reflections across her features. Her silver eyes locked onto his, glistening with an almost unbearable depth of emotion. The tears that had threatened to fall earlier now welled at the edges, though she held them back with a practiced strength.

  Naruto exhaled slowly, the connection to Shikamaru fading as he severed the link. His focus sharpened, the faint echo of Shikamaru's casual wit lingering for a moment before dissipating entirely. His attention turned to Aethra, who stepped closer with a quiet intensity. The warmth within him, the hum of light from the Sacred Gear, grew stronger, as though responding to her proximity. It wasn't intrusive—it was steady and deliberate, a reflection of the changes subtly unfolding within him.

  Before speaking, Naruto turned slightly and gave a nod to Red, as if recalling his attention. The dragon tilted his massive head, his molten-gold eyes narrowing with deep, silent curiosity. Red said nothing, but his thoughts churned as he observed Naruto carefully. He could sense the shifts happening within the man—the subtle but profound changes in his energy. It was no longer purely mortal.

  Red felt the faint tendrils of divinity creeping into Naruto's chakra and magic. It wasn't a sudden, overwhelming surge, but rather a steady integration, a merging of the Sacred Gear's essence with Naruto's own. Divinity didn't manifest like ordinary power; it reshaped the very nature of energy, elevating it into something more refined, more absolute. Red's sharp senses picked up on this evolution, and though he didn't voice his thoughts, they settled in the back of his mind, a quiet acknowledgement that the Naruto he had known was becoming something greater.

  'This isn't just the Sacred Gear reacting,'Red thought. 'It's him. His energy's adapting, taking on attributes no mortal should wield this easily. Is this his path now?'

  Naruto's nod held meaning beyond words—a confirmation that he was aware of Red's silent observation, his curiosity. It was a subtle, unspoken acknowledgment, but it was enough. Satisfied for the moment, Red remained still, his molten gaze steady as he continued to watch.

  Naruto turned fully to Aethra. She stood a few paces away, the soft glow of her celestial presence framing her in radiant light. Her silver eyes held his, filled with a raw depth of emotion that seemed to encompass both hope and a fragile, unspoken fear. Her lips parted slightly as though she meant to speak, but no words came. Her hands, folded neatly at her sides, trembled faintly despite her composed posture, betraying the storm roiling beneath her serene exterior.

  Naruto stepped closer, his emerald gaze unwavering as he met hers. The changes in his body—the energy threading itself through his being—faded to the background. What mattered now was the connection in front of him, the truths waiting to be uncovered.

  "Aethra," he began, his voice steady and calm, yet carrying the weight of someone prepared to face the burdens of the past. "Let's talk."

  And Cut.

  That's it for this chapter folks. Hope you liked it.

  AN:

  The chapter went through many revisions as I started with writing Kivren's pov and then thought it will be too much since I have to go back and forth but in the end decided on writing it in Naruto's pov as he goes through them. This will have many far reaching consequences we will see in the coming chapters with next one being an absolute banger. I will let you know about the proper update schedule for January on the new year. Happy Holidays!

  Let me know in your reviews and do share your feedback and suggestions!

  Also, if you want discuss about the story or the ideas, you can join my discord server. I go by Henry there, give me a ping to say hi.

  link: discord. gg / SPsSwAcq4b

  Hope to see you there!

  If you like to read ahead, you can now read 1 chapter ahead.

  Thank you for reading.

  Good Day!

  Any suggestions are welcomed.

  See y'all in the next chapter.

  Bck Infinity 1289,

  Ja Ne.