After the coronation ceremony, Chiga spent some peaceful time in the Royal Palace.

One day, he gathered Gion and the others to deliver unexpected news: he would be leaving for a while.

At first, the women didn't take it seriously. Chiga's work-related trips were never long, and thanks to his spatial abilities, he could return at any time.

But this time was different. Chiga wasn't simply traveling through space—he was crossing into another dimension. He was returning to the Naruto World.

Chiga couldn't guarantee he'd be able to return easily. Through experimentation, he had explored the Ten-Tails' ability to traverse dimensions and discovered the energy required was staggering.

Even the Ten-Tails, which had devoured Ōtsutsuki Zero-shiki, could only manage it once. For a second use, it would either take a long time or require devouring another Ōtsutsuki. Chiga had no idea how long he would be gone from the Pirate World.

Before departing, he made one final decision—he would use the Immortality Surgery on the women closest to him. This was because, in the twisted logic of this world, beautiful women aged in bizarre ways, almost becoming unrecognizable. Chiga wasn't going to let that happen to them.

With a thought, a violet ROOM enveloped the group.

His eyes glowed with a brilliant purple light. With a few swift gestures, the ROOM faded.

Before the women even understood what had happened, the Immortality Surgery had been completed.

Chiga let out a soft breath. Performing the surgery on several people at once had drained him slightly.

Now, he understood why previous users of the Op-Op Fruit died after performing this technique. The energy cost was immense—far beyond what a regular human could withstand.

If Chiga hadn't already evolved into an Ōtsutsuki, even one surgery would have been fatal.

He explained everything to them. The women, now immortal, were overjoyed, though Kalifa and Robin remained calm, watching him with quiet eyes.

After exchanging a glance with Robin, Kalifa stepped forward and asked gently,

"Chiga-sama, how long will you be gone this time?"

The question sobered everyone. The mood shifted instantly. Nerona suddenly threw herself into Chiga's arms, clinging to him.

"Chiga, don't go! I don't care about immortality. I just want you to stay... please?"

Gion, Ain, and Hancock also came closer, silently wrapping their arms around him.

Chiga let out a small laugh, tinged with helplessness. It felt like they were saying goodbye forever.

But that wasn't the case. The Naruto World still had an entire planet of Ōtsutsuki—it was like an energy reservoir for him.

He gently lifted Nerona's chin and looked into her eyes.

"Silly girl, I'm definitely coming back. It won't be long. I gave you the Immortality Surgery because I always planned to. Do you want to turn into an old woman?"

"What about you?"

He grinned. "I've been immortal for a while now. Are you really asking that?"

"I'm not silly!" she huffed.

Chiga chuckled and pinched her nose affectionately. Then he turned to Kalifa.

"Kalifa, you can inform Sengoku and the others of my departure."

Kalifa nodded softly. "Please come back soon, Chiga. We'll be waiting."

"Mhm."

He reached out and gently stroked her cheek.

"It'll be hard on you again while I'm gone."

Kalifa smiled wryly. "You weren't exactly giving us a break while you were here either."

Chiga laughed awkwardly, releasing Nerona and walking toward an open space.

Dark energy flared from his body. A blood-red Twelve Tomoe Rinnegan opened on his forehead.

In front of him, a swirling vortex tore open—the dimensional gate back to the Naruto World.

He felt the weight of the women's gazes on his back. He didn't look back. Without hesitation, he stepped into the gate.

Nerona couldn't hold herself back. She dashed forward, reaching out—but the gate snapped shut the moment Chiga disappeared. She grasped only air.

Seeing this, Hancock stepped over, gently brushing the cowlick on Nerona's head.

"Don't be sad. Chiga-sama said he'd come back."

Nerona nodded, but her eyes remained fixed on the spot where he vanished. She said nothing for a long time.

---

Meanwhile, in the Naruto World—Tenchi Bridge

Orochimaru licked his lips, eyes locked on Naruto, who was wrapped in an intense Nine-Tails chakra cloak.

"Once I capture you, Naruto, I'll finally be able to grow a new pair of Rinnegan..."

Naruto didn't understand a word of it. He just wanted answers.

"Orochimaru! Where's Sasuke!? What did you do to him!?"

Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Sasuke is doing well. He's already stronger than you."

That lit a fire in Naruto. The chakra around him intensified. Two enormous red claws lashed toward Orochimaru.

The snake-like man leapt into the air, laughing maniacally as he unleashed Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, his right arm turning into a mass of serpents.

Naruto smashed through the snakes with raw fury, sending guts flying. More claws lashed out.

Orochimaru continued to dodge—but one lucky strike slammed him down into the earth.

Still, he wasn't easy to kill. From his shredded body, a new one crawled out, grotesque and unnatural.

Naruto, fueled by rage, began to transform further. A third tail emerged. His form darkened, and his skin started peeling back.

The chakra became overwhelming.

Orochimaru was thrilled.

"That's it. Let the Nine-Tails loose!"

Naruto's eyes gleamed red. The bridge trembled under the weight of his power. Sakura, unconscious, began to fall.

Yamato immediately sensed danger.

"Sai! Get Sakura!"

Sai responded quickly, drawing a bird and flying toward her.

Meanwhile, Naruto's transformation wasn't done. Black chakra cloaked him now.

He was entering the Four-Tails state.

---

Finally....The Naruto arc begins....

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All my fanfics are ahead btw.

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