Emperor of Mankind (Naruto X Marvel )

As Naruto approached the Konoha Hospital, he reflected on how much had changed in just a week. He hadn't seen Sakura during that time, but he believed in her resilience. She had Kakashi, Ino, and many others by her side, providing support. It was a tremendous loss she was dealing with, but Naruto was certain she could walk out of it stronger.

Using his heightened senses, Naruto pinpointed Sakura's location—she was in the hospital with Ino and Shizune. The place was buzzing with activity as the healers worked tirelessly to manage the mutations caused by the sudden dispersion of heavy chakra across the planet.

The aftermath of the war had left a profound impact on the world. The sudden influx of chakra—far greater than what the planet had ever experienced—had disrupted the natural balance. The Juubi, the Shinju tree, Kaguya, Sasuke, and even Naruto himself had fundamentally altered the chakra concentration of the world. Normally, changes to the environment and living beings occurred over decades or even centuries, as they adapted to an increase in energy. But this time, the shift was instantaneous and widespread, forcing rapid mutations in plants, animals, and even humans.

The residual chakra from the battles with Madara, Obito, and Kaguya had left the planet saturated. Combined with Naruto's own overwhelming presence, the world was adapting by increasing the concentration of natural energy. Survivors of the chakra sickness had their own capacities enhanced, and the ripple effect was clear: life on Earth was becoming stronger, but at a significant cost.

Naruto entered the hospital, weaving his way through crowds of patients. The sight of so many people in need reminded him of the enormous responsibility he carried. When he finally found Sakura, she was in the operating theater, focused on healing a child. This wasn't a simple case of chakra sickness but a complex viral infection that required her full attention. Her steady hands and calm demeanor showed her mastery and compassion.

Seeing Sakura at work filled Naruto with gratitude. He was reminded, once again, that he couldn't do everything alone. No matter how strong he was, he needed others beside him—not just as comrades but as equals. His current power placed him on a peak far beyond ordinary humans, and the gap between him and those he cared about was growing wider.

'How can I help them reach my level?' he wondered. The thought of monopolizing his power never crossed his mind. Naruto wanted to share his strength with those he trusted, to ensure they could stand beside him—not beneath him.

As he watched Sakura, his mind raced with ideas. He considered teaching others Sage Mode, helping them increase their chakra capacities, and even guiding them to form partnerships with Tailed Beasts. Naruto had already forged an unprecedented bond with Kurama, and he believed that others could build similar connections if given the chance.

The path forward was clear: Naruto would dedicate himself to empowering those around him. Only by lifting others up could he ensure that the bonds he held so dear would remain strong, even as he continued to ascend to greater heights.

Naruto entered the room silently, his movements fluid and unintrusive, ensuring Sakura noticed his presence without being startled. She glanced at him briefly, her focus returning almost instantly to the child she was healing.

"I'm just here to say hi," Naruto mouthed with a reassuring smile as he stepped closer. Placing his hand gently on Sakura's shoulder, he transferred a significant amount of his chakra to her. The dense, potent energy surged into her body, but Sakura, ever the skilled medic, deftly directed the excess into her Strength of a Hundred Seal. Her experience and training allowed her to handle the overwhelming energy with precision.

As the chakra replenished her reserves, Sakura felt a wave of renewed strength wash over her. The fatigue that had been weighing her down lifted, and she felt more capable of continuing her delicate work.

"Thanks, but I won't be able to keep you company today," Sakura mouthed, her lips curling into a small, grateful smile before she returned her full attention to the child under her care.

"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow," Naruto mouthed back with a thumbs-up.

With that, Naruto vanished from the room in a blur, utilizing his Rinnegan's teleportation ability. The technique, inherited and enhanced from Sasuke's Rinne-Sharingan, allowed him to move anything within his line of sight. His enhanced range now extended up to five kilometers, and the ability's sheer versatility made it one of his most potent tools.

This technique had once been a deciding factor in a deadly confrontation with Sasuke. Sasuke had nearly used it to send a lightning-imbued kunai directly into Naruto's brain. If not for Naruto's enhanced senses, precognition powers, and his familiarity with the technique, he wouldn't have survived. Despite his immense power, even Naruto wasn't invulnerable to critical strikes like that.

As Naruto left the hospital, his Rinnegan allowed him to see through walls and solid matter, effortlessly navigating the busy corridors without hindrance. Once outside, he paused to consider his next move.

He decided it was time to visit Hinata. With a thoughtful expression, Naruto adjusted his course and began heading toward the Hyuga compound. It had been a while since he last saw her, and he wanted to check in, not just as her friend but as someone who genuinely valued her presence in his life.

As Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha, his thoughts drifted between the daunting responsibilities he now carried and the people who might share in that burden. The idea of convincing the Tailed Beasts to partner with others weighed heavily on his mind. The bonds he had forged with them weren't born of power or dominance but trust, understanding, and shared experience. Could another human foster such connections?

Naruto mulled over the possibilities, considering the challenges ahead. The Tailed Beasts, each with their unique personalities and histories, weren't tools to be wielded—they were sentient beings, each carrying scars from centuries of mistreatment. Convincing them to place their trust in someone else would take more than words; it would require proof, patience, and a genuine willingness to meet them as equals.

Then there was the question of who he could choose to stand beside him. Naruto didn't see it as a matter of bestowing honor or glory, as his younger self might have. Now, he saw the reality: the sacrifice, the responsibility, and the burden of wielding power that could shape the fate of the world. For anyone he chose, it wouldn't just be a privilege—it would be a lifetime of sacrifices.

Naruto sighed, his hands slipping into his pockets as he walked. The path ahead felt heavier than ever.

Would anyone truly be ready for such a life? Could they endure the weight of the world on their shoulders without breaking?

He thought about his own journey, the losses he had endured—Jiraiya, Neji, his parents—and how those moments had shaped him. The power he now held wasn't just a gift; it was a constant reminder of what was at stake. As strong as he was, even he felt the cracks forming under the immense pressure.

Will it get easier with time and experience? Or will the burden only grow heavier as I age?

That thought gnawed at him, the uncertainty of it all. He had no answer, but he knew he couldn't allow himself to falter. His world depended on him now more than ever.

Lost in his thoughts, Naruto barely noticed the hustle and bustle of the village around him. It was only thanks to the constant activation of his Six Paths Sage Mode that he remained aware of his surroundings. The heightened perception allowed him to sense every detail—the shifting of leaves, the distant footsteps of shinobi, the faint heartbeat of a bird nesting nearby.

It wasn't just a precaution. Kurama had warned him before going to sleep, his chakra drained from the war and the strain of combining with the other Tailed Beasts. The fox had reminded him of a harsh truth: The world is filled with evil, and you can't afford to let your guard down. They'll never stop coming for you.

Kakashi and Gaara had echoed similar sentiments, reinforcing the reality of Naruto's position. He wasn't just a hero or a protector—he was a target. The thought of lowering his defenses, even for a moment, was a luxury he couldn't afford.

As he neared the Hyuga compound, Naruto pushed those dark thoughts aside, focusing instead on the visit ahead.

Arriving at the gates of the Hyuga compound, Naruto walked in without hesitation. Hiashi had granted him unrestricted access to the estate, a rare privilege that spoke to the trust and respect between them. The attendant waiting at the gate bowed and silently guided him through the sprawling grounds. The Hyuga estate, with its serene gardens and elegantly constructed buildings, seemed calm on the surface, but Naruto could sense the tension lingering in the air.

It had only been a week since the funeral that marked the loss of over a hundred Hyuga clan members. Despite the staggering number, the clan had moved forward swiftly. It was their way. The Hyuga believed in stoicism, viewing public displays of grief as shameful and undignified. Within two days, they had returned to their duties, honoring their fallen by continuing to uphold the traditions and strength of their lineage.

Yet not everyone in the Hyuga clan adhered to such a rigid mindset. Hinata, with her gentle heart and empathetic soul, had felt the loss deeply. Unlike her kin, who buried their emotions behind stern expressions, Hinata mourned quietly but with purpose. She chose to draw strength from the tragedy, channeling it into action for the sake of her family and the future of the clan.

Naruto followed the attendant to the training grounds, where he found Hinata sparring with Hanabi. The clash of their Byakugan-enhanced strikes echoed through the open space, a display of grace and precision. Hinata moved with fluidity and power, her strikes landing with controlled intensity, while Hanabi countered with the agility and sharpness of a younger sibling determined to prove herself.

Naruto stood silently, watching them. This wasn't the Hinata he had once known. The shy, uncertain girl who struggled with self-doubt had grown into a formidable warrior and a determined leader. Her journey had been anything but easy.

Growing up in the Hyuga clan, Hinata had endured immense pressure. The clan's rigid traditions and cruel practices, such as the branding of branch family members with the cursed seal, weighed heavily on her. To protect her younger sister Hanabi from that fate, Hinata had deliberately held herself back, allowing others to see her as weak and unworthy of the heiress position. She bore the brunt of verbal and physical criticism, all for the sake of her sister's freedom.

Things began to change after Neji, once her harshest critic, became her ally. With his guidance, she trained harder and began to develop a quiet resolve. The attack on Konoha by Suna had marked a turning point for the clan, softening Hiashi's rigid demeanor and beginning a slow shift in the divide between the main and branch families.

Still, Hinata's confidence was fragile, and she placed her hopes for the clan's future on Neji. She envisioned him as the one who would bring about change. But Neji's death during the Fourth Great Ninja War shattered that dream. His sacrifice to protect her left an unfillable void, one that haunted her every day. For a time, she believed it should have been her who died.

But then came Naruto. His words and unwavering spirit reignited her resolve. After the war, when the Hyuga clan was at its weakest, Hinata stepped forward in a way no one expected. She proposed abandoning the clan's archaic traditions and uniting the main and branch families, arguing that their survival depended on it.

The elders, steeped in their old ways, were outraged. They dismissed her words and ordered the guards to remove her. But Hinata, for the first time, stood her ground. She fought back, defeating the guards with swift precision, each strike a testament to her training and determination. When one of the elders stepped in to subdue her, Hinata held her own in a battle that shocked the clan. She proved herself to be the strongest of her generation, second only to the elders, a level of strength that highlighted Neji's legacy as well.

Hiashi, moved by his daughter's resolve, stepped in to mediate. He used the elders' fear of Naruto's influence to convince them to accept the changes. If they refused, Hiashi warned, Naruto—known for his defiance of tradition and love for justice—might take matters into his own hands. The elders, unfamiliar with the full extent of Naruto's character, relented.

The Hyuga clan's transformation began. The cursed seal tradition was abolished, and Neji was posthumously honored as an elder, his legacy preserved for generations.

Hinata's actions didn't stop there. She poured herself into training, not just for the sake of her clan but for Naruto. Her love for him was unwavering, and she saw herself not as someone who needed protection but as someone who could protect him in turn. She wanted to fill the gaps in his life, to be the strength he could rely on when he needed it most.

As Naruto watched her spar, he felt a swell of admiration. Hinata had grown into someone remarkable, a person who could truly stand beside him—not in his shadow but as his equal. Yet, he knew she wasn't doing this for recognition or validation. Whether he accepted her love or not, Hinata had made a vow to herself: she would do everything in her power to ensure his happiness and support his dreams.