Chương 128

As the rest of the group slowly made their way toward the courtyard, still discussing everything they had witnessed inside Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One quietly spoke before Kakashi and Jiraiya could leave.

"Hatake Kakashi... Jiraiya." The two shinobi stopped simultaneously.

"If you would indulge me for a few more minutes, there is something I wish to discuss with the two of you. Privately." Rei paused halfway through the doorway and instinctively looked back. His curiosity immediately flared. He would love to join this conversation.

"... Should I stay?" Rei asked.

"No. This concerns the teachers of Naruto and Sasuke, which I assume both of you are." Both Jiraya and Kakashi nodded. Rei too accepted. Although curiosity gnawed at him, he respected her enough not to pry into a conversation she had intentionally kept private. Giving Kakashi and Jiraiya one last glance, he quietly followed everyone else outside, allowing the heavy wooden doors to close behind them. The Ancient One remained seated for several long moments before finally speaking.

"What I am about to tell you is not an immediate danger." Both men visibly relaxed.

"But..." she continued, "... it is something the two of you should quietly observe as those boys continue to grow." Jiraiya's expression became serious.

"This is about Sasuke?"

"... And Naruto." the Ancient One answered without hesitation. That single addition surprised both men. They had expected another warning regarding Khonshu, yet Naruto's inclusion immediately changed the direction of their thoughts.

"When I separated Sasuke's astral body from his physical body, I wasn't examining only Khonshu's covenant. While tracing the spiritual structure of his soul, I discovered something else hidden far beneath that foreign influence." Kakashi leaned forward ever so slightly, listening carefully.

"It was unlike anything originating from this universe," the Ancient One continued.

"Ancient... incredibly ancient. It wasn't another soul, nor was it a possessing spirit. Rather, it resembled an extraordinarily old spiritual imprint deeply intertwined with Sasuke's very existence. It neither resisted my observation nor attempted to communicate. It simply... existed, as though it had accompanied him long before Khonshu ever entered the picture."

"And Naruto possesses something similar?"

"I cannot answer with absolute certainty," the Ancient One admitted honestly.

"Unlike Sasuke, I had no reason to separate Naruto's astral body from his physical one. However, while speaking with him, I sensed an extremely faint resonance buried deep within him. It was remarkably similar to what I observed inside Sasuke, though gentler and far more difficult to perceive. Whatever it is, I believe both boys carry manifestations of the same mysterious origin."

"Ma'am I think if you had asked Naruto, I am sure he would volunteer." Kakashi joked.

"That maybe, but it would still be a bit suspicious even in the eyes of a child." Neither Kakashi nor Jiraiya spoke immediately. The Ancient One's description stirred an uncomfortable feeling inside both experienced shinobi. Finally, Kakashi broke the silence.

"Do you know what this power actually is?" he asked quietly.

"Is it another outside influence like Khonshu?" The Ancient One slowly shook her head.

"No. This does not belong to Khonshu. Nor does it belong to this universe. Whatever I sensed originated entirely from your own world. In fact, it feels far older than either Naruto or Sasuke themselves. It is almost as though something from an unimaginably distant past has continued flowing through countless generations before eventually settling within the two of them." This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Should we be worried?" he finally asked.

"Could it become dangerous later?"

"I sensed no hostility," the Ancient One replied truthfully.

"On the contrary, there was something strangely harmonious about it despite its opposing nature. It felt as though two ancient forces shared the same origin while forever walking separate paths. I cannot explain it further because even I do not fully understand what I witnessed."

"Whatever these ancient imprints truly are, they have already become inseparable parts of both boys. Whether they remain dormant forever or awaken as they mature is something only time will reveal." She rose gracefully from her seat before walking toward the large window overlooking the monastery courtyard where Naruto's laughter could already be heard in the distance.

"When that day finally arrives," she said softly without turning around, "they will need teachers who continue seeing them as children worthy of guidance."

"Thank you. I will keep those words in mind." Both Jiraya and Kakashi accepted this small advice.

"I would like to know next time you visit our world. We will host you properly." Jiraya said. To this the Ancient One smiled and said.

"You have a wrong misconception. I guard this world, and there are rules I need to follow in order to visit another universe, and for your new world that has been connected recently, I have not figured out a way to pay a visit and from the looks of things, I probably will never be able to. Which is good, as it means the influence of both of your worlds on each other is ver minimal."

The Ancient One said, and this made both of them sad that such an entity would not be able to visit their place but also relieved that such a powerful being who could bend realities. Jiraiya and Kakashi offered one final respectful bow before quietly taking their leave. As the heavy wooden doors closed behind them, the sounds of Kamar-Taj gradually returned. Apprentices continued practicing intricate mandalas throughout the courtyards. The conversation with the Ancient One lingered heavily in both of their minds.

Neither man spoke immediately. Whatever those ancient spiritual imprints were, they had decided to keep watch over Naruto and Sasuke without burdening either of them with unnecessary questions. The rest of the group had gathered near the central courtyard exactly where they had been asked to wait. Naruto was enthusiastically watching several apprentices repeatedly open and close glowing portals while asking endless questions that none of the trainees had enough courage to answer.

Sakura quietly apologized on his behalf every few minutes. Sasuke, however, stood several meters away, silently observing another group practicing elegant golden constructs. His crimson Sharingan analyzed every movement despite knowing perfectly well that he couldn't learn the techniques. Having the door to the Mystic Arts closed before him made the weight of becoming Khonshu's avatar feel even heavier than before.

"There you two are." Tsunade said after spotting Kakashi and Jiraiya returning.

"Finished discussing whatever secret the Ancient One wanted to tell you?" Jiraiya merely smiled.

"Nothing that needs to worry anyone today." Kakashi nodded in agreement.

"Just... advice for teachers." Rei studied both of their expressions for a brief moment before deciding not to ask further. If the Ancient One wanted him to know, she would have told him herself. Instead, he simply gestured toward Master Drumm, who had already arrived to escort them back.

"I suppose it's time we head home." Master Drumm silently formed a series of elegant hand movements before a brilliant golden portal bloomed into existence. The swirling gateway revealed the familiar interior of the New York Sanctum on the other side. One after another, everyone stepped through, taking one last glance at the snow-covered monastery before the portal quietly closed behind them.

Moments later, they exited the Sanctum itself and returned to the bustling streets of Manhattan, where afternoon life continued as though none of the impossible events they had witnessed had ever occurred. The group had barely reached the two waiting Escalades when an excited voice suddenly rang out from across the sidewalk.

"Oh my God! That's Laura Harris!" Within seconds several children, followed by equally astonished parents, hurried toward them carrying books, notebooks and even a few well-worn copies of Harry Potter. Daniel sighed with the practiced expression of someone who had witnessed this exact scene countless times before, while Laura laughed warmly before kneeling slightly to greet the first child.

"Mrs. Harris!" a little girl squealed excitedly.

"Can you sign my book? Please! I love Harry Potter!"

"Of course." Laura smiled as she accepted the book.

"What's your name?" As she signed one autograph after another, more children gathered around. Several eagerly held out their phones.

"Can we have a selfie too?"

"Absolutely." The flashes began almost immediately. One little boy suddenly looked past Laura toward Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura standing nearby. His eyes widened dramatically before he tugged on Laura's sleeve.

"... Are they Harry, Ron and Hermione?" For a brief second the entire group froze. Laura burst into genuine laughter.

"I'm afraid not." she replied between chuckles.

"They're just my kids and some very close friends visiting from overseas." Naruto immediately leaned toward Sakura and whispered loudly enough for nearly everyone to hear.

"... Who's Harry?" Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose while Karin struggled not to laugh. Even Sasuke, despite everything that had happened throughout the day, couldn't completely suppress the tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"You seriously forgot the story I narrated. You hurt me Naruto." Rei said.