Emperor of Mankind (Naruto X Marvel )

Chapter 21: Chapter 21



"Getting back to the topic, Naruto, don't forget to invite others," Gaara said, his voice firm but caring. "I know you want others to work together, so you need to show them that sentiment in a proper manner. Life is all about give and take, so don't expect everyone to agree to your desires without giving some benefits in return."

Naruto, who had been absorbed in the possibilities of their future and the work they still had ahead of them, took a deep breath. Gaara's advice was simple yet profound, and it struck a chord with him. He understood now more than ever that the road to unity wasn't one-sided; it would take effort from everyone involved. The future of peace and collaboration would require sacrifices, understanding, and the willingness to offer something valuable in return for support.

Naruto smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Thanks, I will remember that. And I have you on my side," he said, his gratitude clear in his words. Gaara had always been a reliable friend and ally, someone who was willing to speak his mind, even when the truth wasn't easy to hear. It was moments like this that made Naruto appreciate their bond even more.

Without another word, Naruto stepped forward and, with a swift motion, wrapped his arms around Gaara in a hug. It was brief, but it carried a weight of sincerity and trust. Gaara, slightly surprised by the gesture but appreciating it nonetheless, returned the hug. There was a sense of mutual respect between the two men, a shared understanding of the challenges they faced and the strength they found in each other.

The hug was a simple but meaningful display of their camaraderie, but before Gaara could say anything else, Naruto stepped back, his eyes gleaming with the same determination that had driven him throughout his entire journey.

With a final glance at Gaara, Naruto disappeared in an instant, his body vanishing without a trace of smoke. It was a sign of his complete control over chakra—something that had been honed through years of training, battles, and growth. His exit was seamless, quiet, and without spectacle. It was as though he had always been part of the wind itself, fading into nothingness with the precision only someone who had mastered their chakra could achieve.

Gaara stood for a moment, watching the space where Naruto had been, a quiet admiration in his eyes. He knew that Naruto would take the advice to heart and continue to grow, leading the way toward a better future. It was clear that the young hero was not alone in his journey—he had allies, friends, and the unwavering support of those like Gaara, who were ready to stand by his side through every challenge ahead.

 

 

"And, I am not interested in becoming a Jinchuuriki. I believe I am best suited as a support, not direct combat. I think Mei Terumi would be the best candidate for the turtle." Tsunade rejected Isobu's meeting after hearing about it while showing no interest in the power.

Naruto listened intently as Tsunade explained her perspective, his brows furrowed as he tried to process everything she was saying. They were seated under the moonlit sky, the quiet ambiance of the night enhancing the seriousness of their conversation. The private room they occupied in the Akimichi clan's restaurant was a stark contrast to the intensity of the topics they were discussing, but it allowed for an undisturbed dialogue.

Tsunade's words weighed heavily on him, particularly her rejection of becoming a Jinchūriki and her decision to step back from the battlefield. Naruto had always admired her strength and prowess in combat, and it was difficult for him to understand why she would turn down such an opportunity. She was one of the strongest people in Konoha, second only to himself in terms of raw power. The thought that she didn't want to take on a greater role in combat seemed foreign to him.

Naruto's voice was filled with genuine confusion as he countered her reasoning. "But why not? You're literally the second strongest person in Konoha and one of the top ten strongest in the world. I don't think there's anyone more suited for combat than you." He didn't see any reason why Tsunade, with all her skill and experience, wouldn't want to be a Jinchūriki. In his mind, it was a perfect fit.

Tsunade took a calm bite of her meat, savoring the taste before sipping her sake, her eyes not leaving Naruto. She knew his passion, his drive, and his sense of justice. But what he lacked was a broader understanding of the delicate balance required in leadership and responsibility. He hadn't yet seen the bigger picture, the way things were interconnected. Her sigh was heavy with the weight of experience, her voice measured and patient as she tried to impart her wisdom.

"Sign," she muttered before taking another sip. "Naruto, before you speak with the other leaders, please make sure to discuss your decisions with me or Kakashi. You need to be educated, and I mean urgently. You're in need of some serious lessons, and I'll give you half a year to learn what's necessary." Tsunade's words weren't harsh, but they carried the gravity of someone who had been in the field for a long time. She knew how Naruto hated sitting down to study, how much he disliked reading and absorbing complex information. But this was different—this was about the world's future, and that required more than just raw strength. It demanded wisdom, foresight, and the ability to think critically.

Naruto thought about it for a moment, his expression softening. "I have no problem with that," he said resolutely, though there was a hint of hesitation in his voice. "I already decided to learn once I decided to step on this road." He had always understood the importance of growth, but the specifics of governance, the inner workings of diplomacy, and the complexities of responsibility were still somewhat foreign to him. He had always been quick to act, quick to jump into battle. But now, with the world on his shoulders, it was clear that simply being strong wasn't enough. He needed to be more.

Tsunade nodded but then shifted the conversation to a subject that had weighed on her for some time: her decision to step away from the frontlines. "My reason is simple," she explained. "Someone needs to watch over the research and healing efforts. If I'm busy with training and fighting, I wouldn't know what the researchers are doing, and that could lead to dangerous results. We can't afford that. My responsibility is to the medical field, to healing, and to improving our medical facilities. If I'm not here to guide them, everything could unravel."

Naruto listened carefully, understanding that Tsunade's role was just as critical as his own. He'd never truly considered what would happen if she wasn't there to lead the medical efforts, to ensure the wellbeing of the people. Her absence on the battlefield made sense in that context—her presence in the medical field was indispensable.

"Tsunade, just like you're an important guardian to the world, I am also a core in the field of healing," she continued, her gaze serious but filled with the weight of experience. "It would be a tragic mistake to put the healer at the forefront of the battle."

Naruto nodded slowly, absorbing her reasoning. "Does that also disqualify Sakura?" he asked, his tone thoughtful. Sakura had been trained under Tsunade, and her medical skills were exceptional. Would she also be kept from the frontlines?

Tsunade's expression grew more somber. "Yes, I wouldn't recommend for her to take the battlefield. She's almost learned everything I know, and she can help me and Shizune continue our research. But… I can't control her. She might choose to fight instead of focusing on healing, especially after what happened with Sasuke." Her voice was tinged with concern as she spoke about Sakura's inner struggles. Tsunade had seen the signs—the way Sakura had been consumed by guilt and a desire for strength. She was afraid that the same madness that had plagued her own desire for power might be creeping into Sakura's heart, too.

Naruto sat in silence, reflecting on Tsunade's words. The thought of Sakura abandoning her healing role to chase after power troubled him. He knew how hard it had been for her to cope with her limitations, especially when Sasuke had been so far out of her reach. He didn't want to see her make the same mistake Tsunade feared.

Finally, Tsunade spoke again, her voice quieter but no less resolute. "I understand your frustration, Naruto, but someone needs to keep an eye on the research. We can't let things get out of control, not when we're dealing with the potential for world-ending threats. That's why I can't leave the medical field. It's not just about power—it's about responsibility. And we can't afford to lose sight of that."

Naruto sat back, the weight of her words settling in. He had always been focused on the battle, on defeating the enemy. But now, he saw that there was more to being a leader, more to protecting the world, than just strength. There was wisdom, care, and responsibility.

Tsunade was the only that was trustworthy that could understand the full extent of the research and could keep it from derailing into the wrong direction. Others could only watch and the researchers could easily trick them with scientific terms that were beyond their understanding.

"Fine, is there any way I can help the research?" Naruto finally gave in, his tone soft but earnest. He could see that this wasn't just some abstract scientific endeavor—it was something that could change the world. And perhaps it was something he could be a part of, something beyond the battlefield, something that could elevate humanity itself.

Tsunade smiled, her eyes twinkling with the excitement of a scientist on the cusp of discovery. "We're planning to mix the genetics of all the powerful clans around the world to help us get back to our roots," she explained, leaning forward, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "It should directly boost our base strength and allow us to grow beyond our current limitations. But that's just the beginning. We also want to incorporate the genetics of other species, beings that surpass us in different aspects."

Naruto's eyes widened as he processed her words. His mind raced with possibilities, images of powerful, mysterious creatures flashing before his eyes. "I'm talking about our base without chakra enhancement," Tsunade continued, clearly excited. "For example, the giant turtle that was as big as an island. If we could incorporate its genetics, our base life force and other stats would reach insane heights. And that's just the start. There are species in the Dark Ocean, on the Myriad Beast Continent… creatures we've only heard of in myths."

The more Tsunade spoke, the more Naruto's excitement grew. This wasn't just about gaining power for power's sake—it was about humanity becoming something greater, something more than what they had been. "Through genetic enhancement, we might actually be able to put up a real resistance against the threats out there," Tsunade finished, her voice laced with enthusiasm. "Don't you feel excited now? Isn't it relaxing to know that we can kick their ass?"

Naruto sat up straighter, a grin slowly forming on his face. The idea of humanity pushing beyond its limits, of using the genetics of powerful creatures to gain an edge, was intoxicating. "Really?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Tsunade nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, we can do it. So, what beast do you want to use? The real Kyuubi, or maybe the mystical dragon?"

Naruto blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "There's another Kyuubi?" His mind was racing as he tried to comprehend the implications. He had spent so much time focused on his own struggles with the Kyuubi within him, that the idea of a second one out there was almost unfathomable. As for the dragon, he was familiar with the legends—he'd played Dragon Quest and was a huge fan of dragons—but he never once thought they might actually exist in the world of the Shinobi.

Tsunade chuckled, clearly enjoying the look of surprise on Naruto's face. "No slime," she said with a teasing grin. "But there is a dragon. There were many of them in the past, but most got hunted down. Now, only a few remain." Her eyes gleamed as she spoke of these mystical beings. "And the Kyuubi inside you? It's a chakra beast. The one out there, though—it's a true beast of flesh."

Naruto could hardly believe his ears. A real dragon? And a Kyuubi that wasn't just an abstract concept of chakra? His mind was reeling, but Tsunade wasn't finished. "Since we're talking about mystical beasts, let me tell you about some others. You'll need to collect samples from them."

She leaned forward, clearly excited to list the creatures. "There's the giant moth with mental abilities, Mothra. The giant gorilla, King Kong, the monkey king of the region. An ice wolf called Roen, also known as Fenrir, who was sealed in the Howling Wolf Village. A humongous snake, Jörmungandr, around 100 kilometers in size. A three-headed giant dog called Cerberus. The lightning tiger, Byakko, and the fire bird, the Phoenix."

Naruto's jaw dropped, struggling to absorb the magnitude of what she was saying. Each of these creatures sounded like legends come to life, beings of immense power and mystery. But what really caught his attention was when Tsunade spoke of the king of them all.

"The king of monsters," she said, her voice low and reverent, "is a special kind of dragon named Gojira." Her words sent a chill down Naruto's spine. "It might have been difficult for even a Kage to invade the continent and fight these species, but it shouldn't be an issue for you."

Tsunade spoke about these creatures with a fervor that made it clear how much she admired them. To her, they weren't just terrifying monsters—they were models, specimens, keys to unlocking a greater potential for humanity. It was fascinating to see Tsunade, usually so composed and serious, so animated and passionate about her work.

Naruto couldn't help but get caught up in her excitement. He imagined the power, the sheer strength, the potential these creatures held. And he began to see the bigger picture—not just about adding power to humanity, but about unlocking something truly extraordinary. The possibility of fusing their genetics with these otherworldly creatures could lead to something beyond anything the world had ever seen.

His mind raced with the thought of meeting these creatures, collecting their samples, and perhaps even forming a bond with them. The large signals of life force he had sensed around the world now made sense. They weren't just anomalies—they were real, tangible beings, and they could hold the key to humanity's future.

Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination. "I can't wait to meet them," he said, his voice full of excitement. "This is going to be incredible."


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