Chapter 85: 85. Rise of the Eternal Hokages
The Hokage office was buzzing with a quiet intensity as Minato stood at the head of the room, his eyes scanning the gathered shinobi. The tension in the air was palpable, but there was an underlying determination in the faces of the five team leaders and their squads. These were the new generation of shinobi, forged through battle and shaped by the extraordinary circumstances of their training.
Minato's hands rested on a large, ancient-looking scroll placed on the table before him. The scroll was decorated with intricate seals and markings, containing knowledge that could change the course of the impending war. The Eternal Hokage had prepared these scrolls long ago, knowing that a time would come when they would need to be put to use.
Ryusei stood beside him, his eyes unreadable but his presence commanding. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Anon took their positions next to him, their teams scattered around the room. Each of them had come to understand the gravity of what was happening. The village, and perhaps the entire world, depended on the knowledge Minato was about to share.
Minato cleared his throat, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Thank you all for coming. We stand on the precipice of a new era—one that will require not just strength, but the mastery of skills and energies that go beyond anything we've previously encountered."
The leaders of the five teams, including Konohamaru, TenTen, Kiba, and Lee, exchanged glances, their expressions serious. They had all felt the shift, the change in the atmosphere. The rogue leader's defeat was only the beginning, and the storm that followed would test them all in ways they had never imagined.
"I have gathered you here today because the convergence of realms has begun," Minato continued. "The enemies we have faced thus far are merely the forerunners of what's to come. As we speak, the barriers between timelines and dimensions are weakening, and soon, more powerful foes will emerge—ones that threaten the very existence of our world."
The shinobi in the room shifted uneasily. They had already witnessed the effects of the convergence firsthand, and the prospect of facing something even more dangerous weighed heavily on their minds.
Minato's gaze hardened. "That is why I have called upon each of you to undertake a new level of training. You are all familiar with the scrolls I gave you when this began—the Five New Laws of Power."
He gestured to the scroll on the table. The markings on it glowed faintly in the dim light of the room, as if the knowledge it contained was alive, waiting to be unleashed.
"Each of these scrolls contains one of the five fundamental laws of energy that govern this world," Minato explained. "Time, Void, Space, Light, and Shadow. Each of these elements is crucial to the battles we will face in the coming months. And each of you must master one of these laws if we are to have any hope of surviving."
Ryusei stepped forward, his voice low but powerful. "Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Anon will lead this training. Each of them has already begun mastering one of these elements, and it will be their responsibility to teach the rest of you."
The room fell silent as the leaders of the teams absorbed this information. They had all undergone rigorous training over the past few years, but this was something entirely different. This was no longer about chakra and jutsu—this was about learning to manipulate the very fabric of reality itself.
"Naruto," Minato said, turning to his son, "you've already shown proficiency in Time energy through your mastery of the Eclipse Rasengan and the control you've developed over time flow. You will take Team 1 and train them to wield Time energy as well."
Naruto nodded, his face set with determination. "Got it, Dad. I'll make sure they're ready."
Minato turned to Sasuke. "Sasuke, your control over Void energy has been crucial in the battles we've fought so far. You will lead Team 2 in mastering Void. Teach them the power of the Graviton and how to manipulate the empty space between realms."
Sasuke's Sharingan gleamed as he gave a sharp nod. "They'll learn quickly. Void energy will give them the edge they need."
Sakura, standing tall, met Minato's gaze next. "Sakura, your strength in Chrono Essence is unmatched. You will train Team 3 in the use of Light energy, focusing on how to manipulate the balance of time and light to alter the battlefield in their favor."
Sakura's expression was resolute. "Understood. I'll teach them everything they need to know."
Minato then turned to Anon, who stood silently, his eyes glowing faintly with the Void. "Anon, your connection to the Void has given you insights into dimensions beyond our understanding. You will train Team 4 in Shadow energy, teaching them to harness the darkness not only for stealth but for control over the hidden forces that shape the world."
Anon nodded wordlessly, his presence as imposing as ever.
Minato looked at the remaining shinobi—the future of the village. "Team 5 will be under my direct supervision. Together, we will focus on Space energy, mastering the ability to manipulate distance, create dimensions, and move across realms in ways no one else can."
The team leaders exchanged glances, their expressions filled with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. This was unlike anything they had ever trained for. The Five New Laws were legendary, spoken of only in ancient texts, and now they were being called upon to master them in the face of an unprecedented threat.
"I won't sugarcoat this," Minato continued. "The training ahead will push you beyond your limits. It will test your very understanding of what is possible, and it will require every ounce of your strength and willpower. But if we succeed, we will have the power to face whatever comes our way."
Ryusei stepped forward, his voice commanding as he addressed the gathered shinobi. "We are not simply training for the next battle. We are preparing for a war that spans across time, space, and dimensions. The enemies we face are not bound by the same laws as us, but with these new powers, we will be ready."
Konohamaru, ever the leader, stepped forward and spoke on behalf of the teams. "We understand the stakes, Lord Fourth. We'll train as hard as it takes. The Leaf Village won't fall as long as we stand together."
Naruto smiled at his old friend's resolve. "That's the spirit! Let's make sure we're ready for whatever's coming."
Sasuke, ever focused, added, "The time for hesitation is over. If we're going to master these powers, we need to start immediately. There's no telling how much time we have left before the next convergence."
Minato nodded, his gaze sweeping over the room. "Then go, and begin your training. The scrolls are in your hands now. Use them wisely. The future of the Leaf Village, and possibly the entire world, depends on your success."
With that, the team leaders saluted and began to move out, each of them taking their respective teams to the designated training grounds.
As the room emptied, Minato stood beside Ryusei, a weight settling over his shoulders. "We've given them the tools, but we don't know how much time we have before the next wave hits."
Ryusei's gaze remained steady, his mind already focused on the battles to come. "We'll be ready, Father. I'll make sure of it."