"Interesting, this thought is truly intriguing!"
"It just so happens to add a bit of joy to my otherwise dull life!"
In the past, the Grand Priest wouldn't have been able to break through the dimensional barrier.
Moreover, he didn't even know that other dimensions existed.
But Roy, having lived two lives and with power now more than ten times stronger, was no longer the same.
These things were now easily within his grasp.
A smile curled on Roy's lips as he gently stroked the shiny bald head of the little salted egg creature.
This little guy… sometimes he really plays a crucial role!
He completely ignored the two guards behind him, whose eyebrows had twisted into pretzels out of sheer tension.
Roy brought his hands to his chest and drew a shape left and right.
Buzz!
A humming sound echoed.
From his chest, ripples began to spread.
Invisible energy condensed, forming a void filled with countless twinkling lights.
It resembled a miniature universe, the glimmers like stars.
"Wow!!!"
Next to him, the little Zeno egg cried out in wonder.
"Roy, what is that?! It's so shiny and beautiful!"
"Are you preparing for a new Tournament of Power?"
Zeno had no idea what it was, and even the two guards behind him exchanged glances, sensing an unusual force.
Their pupils contracted violently. What started as solemn expressions quickly shifted to shock and finally, deep fear.
To become Zeno's guards, their strength had to be immense—at least on par with the Grand Priest of the past.
Yet even these godlike beings couldn't comprehend what Roy was doing.
Roy thrust his arm forward into the void, and space around him vibrated with overwhelming force.
That energy spread rapidly, extending into the depths of the universe.
Where it reached, time froze, space distorted, and civilizations across the cosmos trembled.
Universe 7, Destroyer Realm.
"Is... is that Father's power?"
Whis closed his eyes in awe, whispering with reverence.
Beside him, Beerus collapsed to the ground, trembling.
"T-That power... Is Zeno erasing another universe?!"
"Please let it be Universe 4! That rat Quitela must've pissed him off again! Serves him right!"
Meanwhile, Universe 6, Destroyer Realm.
"Vados! What are you spacing out for?!"
"Hurry up! We need to check on Universe 7—it better not be that bastard Beerus getting erased!"
"Even if I hate that guy, he's still my brother! And he saved my life during the last Tournament of Power! Let's go!"
Champa's face was ablaze with urgency.
Across all twelve universes, every Angel, Destroyer, and Supreme Kai stood at full attention.
None of them dared approach Zeno's Palace directly. All they could do was await a summons from the Grand Priest.
Zeno's Palace.
The void shimmered with more and more stars, brighter and denser by the second.
It looked as though each glimmer represented an entire alternate universe.
Until at last, the entire space was aglow with dazzling light.
"Alright… that should do it."
Roy placed his right hand into the shimmering void, his eyes alight with a burning flame.
"Just wait, my little eggs…"
"I'll organize the greatest Tournament of Power ever seen—one you'll never forget!"
Naruto World – Konohagakure Village.
"Get him, Neji! Beat that fox brat!"
"Kill the demon fox! That thing almost destroyed Konoha before—kill him!"
"Yeah! He killed the Fourth Hokage! If not for Lord Sarutobi, who knows what would've happened to us!"
"I can't believe that fox demon dares to take the Chūnin Exams! He's got a death wish!"
The annual Chūnin Exams were underway.
The stands were packed, the crowd roaring and seething with emotion.
Words like Uzumaki Naruto, fox demon, and Lord Sarutobi rang loudly among the chaos.
From the highest observation deck…
"Haha! The audience is fired up this year!"
"Looks like this will be the most exciting Chūnin Exam in history!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed his pipe, smiling as he surveyed the lively crowd.
He even waved to the spectators below, drawing loud cheers.
But for the "fox demon" they cursed… he offered no protection.
Down on the stage—
A blond-haired boy stood face-to-face with a stoic white-eyed youth.
"Naruto, even if I sympathize with your struggles…"
"I won't go easy on you in this match. I hope you can last ten seconds."
Neji's cold expression held no warmth.
"Hmph! I'll beat you!"
"And I'll make the whole village acknowledge me!"
"Because I'm gonna be Hokage one day!"
The blond boy—Uzumaki Naruto.
Branded a demon fox by many, yet he stood with determination, unfazed by their scorn.
Between them stood Shiranui Genma, a senbon in his mouth and eyes sharp.
"Enough chatter."
"The match officially—"
Before he could finish saying "begins,"
BOOM!!!
A deafening roar tore through the sky.
Clouds parted, the heavens split open, revealing a massive rift.
Blinding golden light poured from the crack like a waterfall.
From it formed an enormous screen.
Strangely, no matter where you stood in the ninja world—be it the Five Great Nations or even within a hollow tree hidden away with Nagato—you could see it clearly.
At this moment, the entire ninja world was shaken.
The Chūnin Exam arena descended into chaos.
From the stands, Hiruzen frowned deeply.
"Is this some enemy ninjutsu? But it doesn't feel like genjutsu…"
"Such an overwhelming display… Who could be behind this?"
He quickly turned to Nara Shikaku behind him.
"Deploy the intel unit. I want this analyzed immediately."
"Also, suspend the Chūnin Exams until we understand what's going on."
Then he turned toward a figure in white robes and a Kage hat.
"Kazekage, perhaps it's best we wait for now."
The Fourth Kazekage gave a slight nod, cold light flashing from behind his mask.
....