Emperor of Mankind (Naruto X Marvel )

The moment Hinata disappeared, the security team monitoring Konoha's barrier system was immediately alerted. This barrier wasn't just a physical shield; it was a highly sophisticated mechanism designed to register all authorized individuals entering and leaving the village. Any unauthorized entry or abrupt disappearance triggered an alarm, ensuring that the village could respond quickly to any unusual activity.

The warning reached the Hokage's office within moments, and soon after, Naruto was informed. Upon hearing the news, his heart sank. He wasted no time rushing to the location where Hinata had last been seen. When he arrived, accompanied by Kakashi and several other shinobi, the area showed no signs of a struggle or resistance. It was as if Hinata had vanished into thin air.

"It's teleportation," Kakashi stated after carefully inspecting the site. "The transition was instantaneous. There wasn't even a ripple of conflict."

Naruto clenched his fists tightly, his mind racing. The only beings capable of such advanced teleportation techniques were either himself, thanks to his Six Paths abilities, or the Otsutsuki clan. The implications sent a shiver down his spine.

"Was it Ishiki?" Naruto muttered under his breath. His gut told him that it had to be something significant, and his mind immediately leaped to the greatest threat he knew.

Kakashi, standing beside him with a calm yet serious demeanor, shook his head. "It could have been Ishiki, but we can't limit our suspicions to just him. There are plenty of other dangers lurking out there—smaller villains, rogue shinobi, or even organizations we don't know about."

Naruto almost found solace in Kakashi's words, thinking he might have been overreacting. But Kakashi's tone shifted as he added, "Though… in this case, you might be right."

The possibility of Ishiki targeting Hinata made Naruto's stomach twist in knots. He considered the possibility that Ishiki was collecting the tailed beasts. It wasn't an idea that had crossed his mind before, but now that it had, it horrified him.

"But why Hinata?" Naruto whispered, his voice trembling. "Is he after Matatabi? Is he trying to collect the Bijuu again?"

The thought of Hinata being targeted because of her role as Matatabi's Jinchuriki made Naruto's heart race with fear. He had fought so hard to protect the tailed beasts and their vessels, but now it seemed like his worst fears were becoming a reality.

"Calm down," Kakashi said, his voice firm but understanding. "Panicking won't help us think clearly. If it is Ishiki, we're dealing with a threat that goes far beyond this planet. But even so, there's always a way. We just need to find it."

Naruto took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. His instincts screamed at him to rush out and find Hinata immediately, but he knew Kakashi was right. He couldn't afford to act recklessly. He needed a plan, no matter how desperate the situation felt.

"Give me something," Naruto said, his voice filled with urgency. "Some kind of lead, some kind of clue. Just give me one thing, and I'll find her."

Kakashi closed his eyes, drawing on his vast well of experience and knowledge. "There might be a way," he said after a moment. "It's a theory, and it's far from perfect, but it's something."

Naruto listened intently as Kakashi explained his idea. "Nature isn't just around us—it's everything. It's the universe itself. Space, time, light, darkness, chakra… all of it is part of nature. If you could truly connect yourself to nature—not just take from it, but become one with it—you could theoretically sense everything. Nothing would be able to hide from you."

Naruto's eyes widened as he processed Kakashi's words. "You mean… not just using Sage Mode, but going beyond it? Becoming part of nature itself?"

"Exactly," Kakashi said, though even he looked skeptical. "It's never been done before. But if anyone can do it, it's you."

Naruto considered the possibility. In Sage Mode, he could already sense attacks from other dimensions and life forces across the globe. But what Kakashi was suggesting went far beyond that. It meant merging with the very essence of nature itself, transcending the boundaries of life and chakra.

"Thanks for the idea, sensei," Naruto said, his resolve hardening. "I'll go to the Toads and see if they can help me figure this out."

Leaving a shadow clone in his place to manage village affairs, Naruto wasted no time heading to Mount Myoboku. The journey ahead would test the limits of his abilities, but he was willing to do whatever it took to find Hinata and bring her back safely.

Arriving in the pocket dimension connected to Earth known as Mount Myoboku, Naruto wasted no time. The immense, vibrant beauty of the land—its colossal plants and otherworldly atmosphere—was not even a fleeting distraction for him. His mission was far too urgent.

Without hesitation, Naruto made his way to the two elder Sage Toads, Fukasaku and Shima. He found them seated for dinner, their calm moment interrupted by his hurried arrival. His expression, voice, and stance conveyed his desperation.

"Grandpa Sage, Grandma Sage, I need your help," Naruto said urgently, his voice laced with determination and worry.

"What's happened, Naruto boy?" Fukasaku asked, hopping closer to inspect Naruto, concerned that he might be injured or in distress.

Naruto took a deep breath and went straight to the point. "An unknown enemy has kidnapped a friend from Konoha. It seems to have been done using space-time jutsu. She could be anywhere now. My teacher suggested an idea—something new. He mentioned the possibility of connecting to nature itself to sense someone, no matter where they are."

The two elder sages exchanged a look, understanding the gravity of his request. Shima spoke first, her voice calm but serious. "That's beyond our understanding of Senjutsu. But there's one who might know. The Great Toad Sage may have the wisdom you seek."

Fukasaku nodded in agreement. "Let's not waste time. Follow us."

Without delay, the elders led Naruto to the Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru, the ancient being revered for his wisdom and prophetic abilities. Gamamaru was the embodiment of time-worn knowledge, a massive, ancient toad who had lived for thousands of years. His prophecies had shaped pivotal moments in the shinobi world. It was he who foretold of a child who would bring either destruction or peace to the world—a prophecy that Naruto had now fulfilled, though its ultimate conclusion remained uncertain.

As they approached the Great Sage, Naruto saw the familiar figure reclining in his massive stone seat, his warm and knowing smile as welcoming as ever. Despite the urgency of the situation, Gamamaru radiated an unshakable calm.

"Great Sage, we are in need of your guidance," Fukasaku said respectfully, bowing low. The reverence in his tone spoke volumes of the sage's importance to their world.

Gamamaru's eyes rested on Naruto, a glint of understanding in their ancient depths. "You two may stay or leave," he said to the elders, his voice deep and slow, yet filled with authority. "I will guide the young Sage."

The elder toads exchanged another glance. They knew they were powerful, but they also knew their own limitations. Gamamaru's connection to nature and the universe far surpassed their own. Normally, they might have left Naruto to train alone, but the battles against Pain and during the Fourth Shinobi War had left them feeling the weight of their limitations. They had resolved to learn more—if not for themselves, then for the future.

"We will stay," Fukasaku said, and Shima nodded.

Gamamaru turned his attention fully to Naruto. "Do you know where my ability to predict the future comes from?" he asked, his voice both gentle and profound. "It comes from my connection to the universe itself. In the grand scheme of existence, we are as fleeting as a spark in the wind. The Senjutsu you and the elders use? It is only the beginning—a basic application of a much greater force."

Naruto and the elder toads sat down before the Great Sage, listening intently as he began his explanation.

"Your current understanding of Senjutsu involves taking nature energy, mixing it with chakra, and creating Sage Chakra. It enhances your strength and awareness. But… you limit yourself. Nature is not just energy; it is everything. The air, the earth, the water, the stars, even the light and shadows—they are all nature. And so are time, space, gravity, sound, life, and death."

As he spoke, Gamamaru raised one massive hand, and the air around him seemed to bend to his will. Wind danced at his fingertips, water condensed from the air, earth and fire appeared in balanced harmony, and sparks of lightning crackled around him. Even light and shadow seemed to shift at his command.

"This is just the beginning," Gamamaru continued. "If you truly connect with nature, nothing is beyond your reach. Not time. Not space. Not even life and death. Nature knows all because it is all. By connecting to it, I can see fragments of the future. And with such a connection, you could find your friend."

Naruto's eyes widened as he absorbed the enormity of Gamamaru's words. "So… you're saying that if I become one with nature, I can sense her? No matter where she is?"

Gamamaru smiled. "Yes. But it is not something you can achieve with brute force or willpower alone. You must expand your understanding of the universe. You must learn to listen, to feel, to be. Words alone cannot teach you this. I will guide you through the stages of understanding."

Naruto nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Gamamaru chuckled softly, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "Good. Then let us begin."

The elder toads sat beside Naruto, eager to learn alongside him. For the first time, they would take steps beyond the limits of their own Senjutsu, embarking on a journey that would test their understanding of the universe and their place within it. Together, they prepared to unlock the secrets of nature's boundless power.

Hinata sat by the sea, eating her meal of freshly caught fish, her eyes scanning the horizon as her mind worked to solve the puzzle of her strange, chakra-less imprisonment. The long hours of solitude had tested her resolve, yet she remained vigilant. Despite her superhuman physicality, the absence of chakra weighed heavily on her, making her feel disconnected from her true self.

Her hours of exploration had yielded little. There were no signs of intelligent life, no settlements, and no chakra signatures to track. The region was desolate, save for ordinary creatures inhabiting the lush environment. However, there was one thing that stood out—the sun.

Hinata squinted up at it, her sharp instincts catching the anomalies. It wasn't like the sun she knew. The warmth it emitted wasn't natural, and its proximity seemed… off. It was undeniably artificial. The idea sent a chill down her spine.

"How do I get up there?" she wondered aloud. Her Byakugan might have made quick work of the mystery, but without chakra, even that was unavailable to her. She rubbed her arms as the sense of helplessness threatened to creep in.

"Do I have to jump towards it?" she murmured. It was an insane thought, but not entirely out of the question. Even without chakra, Hinata's body was conditioned to superhuman levels. She could leap incredible distances, though the prospect of aiming for an artificial sun hanging in the sky was daunting.

Shaking her head, she decided to try another approach before resorting to that. "Let's see if I can reach it with something else."

After finishing her meal and stretching her stiff muscles, Hinata approached the nearest tree. She calculated its size and weight, gripping its trunk with her hands. Her lithe body moved with precision as she uprooted the tree in one smooth motion, her strength making the impossible seem almost casual.

As she prepared to throw the tree, she began to sing softly. It was an old song—one that Naruto had once sung to her when she'd doubted her abilities. The words were etched in her memory, a source of comfort and strength when she needed it most.

"You're not alone

You and I have this bond between us

That bond has made me want to take a step forward

Let's link the colors of our dreams

And create a bright rainbow up in the sky…"

The melody drifted through the air, her voice steady despite the uncertainty ahead. The song reminded her of the countless times Naruto had inspired her to keep moving forward, even in the face of impossible odds.

"I had no forte

I lived back to back with inferiority

Nor did I have confidence

But you said to me with a smile,

"What's so fun about that?"

And you went ahead of me"

The chorus filled her heart as she hoisted the tree above her head, aiming it toward the artificial sun. "You make up for the strength that I lack, I will cover the powers that you lack," she whispered as the words lingered in the air. Then, with a powerful throw, she launched the tree upward.

The massive projectile hurtled toward the glowing sphere, piercing through the sky. Hinata's sharp eyes followed its trajectory, her heart racing. Just as she'd suspected, the sun was an illusion—a construct. The tree struck something solid before shattering into splinters. Bits of debris rained down, landing with soft splashes in the sea below.

Hinata's suspicions were confirmed. The false sun wasn't just a source of artificial heat—it was hiding something. But what? Her determination flared, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Well," she said, dusting her hands off, "now I know it's not just for show. Whatever's up there, I'll figure it out."

As she stood on the shore, the lingering notes of her song seemed to echo in the back of her mind. She felt the bond she shared with Naruto, a quiet reassurance that she wasn't truly alone. And with that, she turned her focus back to the problem at hand.

The sun was hiding secrets, and Hinata was determined to uncover them—even if it meant jumping to the heavens themselves.