The Five Stages of a Four-Dimensional Being

The timing was perfect; after ruminating on their previous conversation, Hui asked the question that had puzzled him for so long.

That is, what is dimensional ascension?

Actually, there was also the question of self-awareness, but Hui had already formed some of his own understandings regarding that.

The action of force requires time, and the thinking of self-awareness also requires time.

These two types of time made it fundamentally impossible to confirm whether they were the time affected by the fifth fundamental force.

And as for medium particles? They couldn't even find gravitons, let alone those.

This answer had thus become a permanent mystery.

Perhaps only a god truly overlooking everything in the world would know the answer.

But dimensional ascension was different.

Only the core part of the Flame Explosion Technique remained beyond his understanding to this day.

Perhaps with a great war looming, Hui wanted to know the answer before then.

Listening to Hui's description and watching him gesture the Chinese characters for "dimensional ascension" with his hands.

Chuanhe marveled at Hui's intelligence and once again initiated that genjutsu.

Hui felt a familiar sensation, his own chakra moving away from that large hand as if it had a life of its own.

Hui skillfully controlled his own chakra.

There was a sense of unease in his heart; surely his father wasn't going to be gravely injured in front of him again, was he?

This time, the world before his eyes was no longer pitch black.

The entire world played out the phenomena of the Flame Explosion Technique's casting phase like a movie.

It was exactly the same as what Hui and Sasuke had seen while hiding behind the tree that day.

"Hui, you may have discovered this problem as well."

"Why must one 'compress' to ascend dimensions?"

"Let's use a game as an example."

Chuanhe displayed a scenario (].[), where an object was compressed between two walls in a narrow space.

As a standard game bug, as long as these two walls kept closing in, the small ball in the middle would inexplicably be pinched into the sky.

"If the world were only three-dimensional, this would be a standard bug. There would be no point in discussing this phenomenon."

"But this world is at least four-dimensional. Just like in this situation, as long as the motion in the three-dimensional world approaches a certain critical point."

"Matter in the three-dimensional world will, just like a game bug, directly reach the fourth dimension."

"And the simplest way is compression. Of course, simple compression would likely require black hole levels of force. That is why manipulation of matter with four-dimensional characteristics is required."

"And that is why such a terrifying effect can be achieved solely through chakra."

Hui understood the process, but still could not understand the "why."

He could not speak now, so he could only use his expression to tell his father that he was confused.

Chuanhe naturally saw it.

So, he explained it this way.

"Hui, in the real world, for energy and matter, the concept of zero does not exist."

"We can never confirm whether there are decimals beyond the precision of our perception."

"Our entire world is at least four-dimensional; even if we reside in a three-dimensional world, there will always be infinitesimal four-dimensional kinetic energy."

"Anyone who possesses Four-Dimensional Perception can, under four-dimensional observation, drive three-dimensional kinetic energy toward the 'zero' they are capable of achieving, thereby allowing that matter to reach the fourth dimension."

"This is the entire origin of how I developed this technique."

"As for the remaining minor issues, I trust you can solve them yourself, Hui."

"However, since you have asked about the problem of dimensional ascension."

"Then I will give you one more hint, otherwise this genjutsu would be a waste."

"Four-Dimensional Perception is not as simple as you imagine. I have seen you use the Flying Thunder God Technique before."

"Although I don't know what it is called on your side, to me, the two techniques are exactly the same."

Hui once again tried to use his expression to convey his confusion.

"Haha, Hui, I never thought you would have such a simple question that you couldn't figure out."

"Alright, alright, let's not waste any more time."

"The answer to this question is simple: the Kunai for the Flying Thunder God Technique is pre-made. This Kunai is constantly maintaining the sealing technique."

"This means the Shortcut has always existed."

"You have always been thinking about releasing it on the spot, never thinking about preparing in advance."

Hui revealed an embarrassed expression.

It seemed he had made a foolish mistake.

Chuanhe, however, felt a sense of sentimentality; having such questions was a normal phenomenon for someone of Hui's age.

"Alright, let's leave that question there and continue."

"In my hypothesis, this Four-Dimensional Perception of ours has five stages."

"Stage One: Common Sense."

"People at this stage can perceive the vast majority of three-dimensional movements and a portion of matter that has ascended from the three-dimensional world—that is, substances like chakra."

"Theoretically, all ninjas are at this stage. However, they lack guidance."

"When actively perceiving, being assassinated will cease to exist for us. Of course, this only applies to ninjas and ordinary people. That group of Otsutsuki might be somewhat different."

"At the same time, one can barely achieve effects similar to the Flying Thunder God Technique; if one is not proficient in sealing arts, it can only be used at specific moments."

Hui nodded to show he understood; this was exactly the same as when he had first acquired it.

"Stage Two: Gate of Opening."

"People at this stage can achieve effects similar to opening spatial gates, extending the four-dimensional effects previously limited to themselves to the space outside their bodies."

"The span of this stage is immense. As one's understanding of the fourth dimension deepens, the number of things one can accomplish in the three-dimensional world increases."

"For example, Space Slash, the pinpoint phenomenon of Dust Release-Atomic Dismantling Jutsu, the Otsutsuki clan's Yomotsu Hirasaka, and so on."

Hui nodded once more, proudly pointing a finger at himself.

"Hahaha, Hui, you are truly amazing. Judging by that, you have already reached this stage."

Hui wanted to scratch his head, but he had no sensation there now, so he could only twitch.

"Stage Three: Origami."

"Just as the name implies, people at this stage can fold the three-dimensional world just like folding a piece of paper."

"By creating a Four-Dimensional Topological Labyrinth, one can exile a person forever, unless someone with similar abilities undoes the labyrinth. Even the Flying Thunder God Technique cannot escape it."

"A Gravitational Singularity achieves an effect similar to a super-massive celestial body bending spacetime through multiple spatial folds. What manifests is an effect similar to Chibaku Tensei."

"At present, I have just stepped into this stage."

"Given enough time, I can indeed achieve the effect of Chibaku Tensei."

"But that group of Otsutsuki have fixed this technique into their eyes, much like my own core ninjutsu. Currently, I cannot do that."

Hui looked at his father, struck with sudden dread; it seemed his father was no longer much different from a true Otsutsuki.

The only remaining difference was their lifespan.

But for a four-dimensional being, does the lifespan of a three-dimensional body even matter?

"Stage Four: Ghost."

"I cannot comprehend this stage yet. I can only predict that it might achieve effects similar to Kamui, with the difference being that a person at this stage can attack while intangible. They exist in a superimposed state of illusion and reality."

"Stage Five: Polluter."

"This is merely my imagination; I cannot even predict if it is achievable. Perhaps a person at this stage could interfere with the physical constants of the three-dimensional world."

"Like a polluter of the three-dimensional world's rules, wantonly tampering with everything."

Hui recalled all of this, feeling his heart surge with excitement.

Perhaps, he too could achieve these things in the future.

But the question was, how could he reach the next stage?

Blindly training in material manipulation seemed to have a limit.

Just as Chuanhe said, human manipulation has its limits.

Could it be that reaching a higher stage requires equipment assistance?

And so, Hui began to gesture his questions.

Chuanhe looked at Hui with a complex expression. This was the ultimate answer he had obtained over two lifetimes; truly, the ancestors plant the trees and the descendants enjoy the shade.

If he had known all of this when he first arrived, perhaps things would have been different long ago.

After thinking for a while, Chuanhe decided to tell Hui the ultimate answer.

No one can clearly foresee the future. He was indeed powerful now, but his past experiences always kept him vigilant.

"Hui, do you know? The method to become a true four-dimensional being?"

Hui's excitement suddenly stalled, and he stopped his reverie about the future.

"Cognition. The answer is just that simple."

"To become a true four-dimensional being, cognition is the most important thing."

"Think back to the feeling when I last took you to the fourth dimension; you must understand that world just as you understand the three-dimensional world."

"Only then will you be a true four-dimensional being."

"From that day on, you will be able to do as I do: leave this world and live in the fourth dimension."

"But humans are humans after all, and we still have unfinished business."

"This is also the final shackle binding us from becoming four-dimensional beings—humanity."

"Yet this feeling isn't bad; originally, I only understood all of this because I was seeking power."

"The original me was already content. Continuing to gain more power holds no great significance for me."

"It is you who urges me forward, Hui!"

"Do you know why I chose this name for you?"

Hui had been somewhat mesmerized by the memories, but at these words, a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

"You are the light that illuminates my path forward; from the day I learned of your existence, I finally had a new goal."

"That is why I named you, Hui!"