Trial of the Hidden Rock Great Earth, Secrets Hidden Beneath the Crystal Layer

For the three days outside Iwagakure, Su Ye and his two companions never ceased their training. Naruto deeply fused the Nine-Tails chakra with the power of the Uzumaki Sealing Stone, allowing pale blue sealing runes to form intricate defensive patterns across the surface of his Tailed Beast Cloak. Sasuke attempted to ignite the mineral energy within the earth using the power of the Fire Seed; when his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword swept across the rock, it drew up magma from deep underground, transforming it into pillars of crimson-gold flame. Su Ye's role was the most critical: he refined the Thunder God Pearl and the Hammer of the Thunder God with the power of the Rinnegan. Within his pale purple chakra, faint lightning patterns began to interweave, and when he activated his space-time ninjutsu, he could even channel lightning to paralyze his enemies.

On the day of the trial, Ōnoki personally led the three to the Earth Temple located deep within Iwagakure. The temple was built a thousand meters underground, its surrounding rock walls covered in Earth Release runes. In the center stood three trial platforms crafted from obsidian, their surfaces flowing with liquid earth-attribute chakra, resembling the solidified pulse of the earth. "The first stage, 'Inheritance of the Earth,'" Ōnoki hovered in mid-air, his aged voice echoing through the temple. "The three platforms will continuously release gravitational fields. You must remain standing on your respective platforms for half an hour. The gravity will gradually increase from ten times to fifty times. If you fall into the crystal layer beneath the platforms, you fail."

Su Ye and his companions stepped onto the trial platforms. No sooner had they found their footing than a heavy pressure surged from the surface. Naruto let out a muffled grunt as his golden Tailed Beast Cloak instantly covered his body, the Nine-Tails chakra condensing into support points beneath his feet to forcibly withstand the tenfold gravity. Sasuke injected the power of the Fire Seed into his legs, the flames spreading along the Earth Release runes on the platform, using the reactive force of the magma energy to lighten his physical burden. Su Ye was the most composed; as his Rinne Sharingan spun, pale purple chakra formed light patterns beneath his feet. These patterns resonated with the Earth Release runes, actually guiding the force of the gravitational field into the surrounding walls, leaving him to bear less than five times the gravity.

"Interesting." A flicker of surprise crossed Ōnoki's eyes. He had expected Su Ye to rely on space-time ninjutsu to evade the pressure, but he hadn't anticipated that the youth could use the power of the runes to alter the trajectory of gravity. As time passed, the gravity on the platforms gradually increased to thirty times. Veins bulged on Naruto's forehead, the sealing runes on his Tailed Beast Cloak flickering incessantly, each breath accompanied by heavy gasps. Sasuke's flames began to dim; the reactive force of the magma energy was no longer enough to support his body, and his knees buckled, threatening to collapse at any moment.

Just then, Su Ye suddenly raised his hand, his pale purple chakra transforming into two chains that wrapped around the waists of Naruto and Sasuke. "Follow the trajectory of my runes," his voice transmitted through the chakra. "Inject your own power into the platform's runes and use the power of the earth to dissipate the force." Naruto immediately complied, his Nine-Tails chakra merging into Su Ye's light patterns along the chains, forming a cycle with the Earth Release runes that instantly halved the gravity. Sasuke also reacted, weaving the power of the Fire Seed with the pale purple chakra; his flames flared up even more intensely, forming a small magma vortex on the platform that completely neutralized the oppressive gravity.

Half an hour later, the first stage of the trial ended. As the three stepped off the platforms, Naruto was still panting heavily, and Sasuke's flames had dimmed significantly. Ōnoki descended slowly and pointed to the second trial platform: "The second stage, 'Obstruction of the Earth.' The liquid chakra on the platform will condense into 'Rock Puppets.' You must work together to shatter ten puppets within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Remember, the core of each puppet is hidden beneath the crystal layer; only by destroying the core can you completely defeat them."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the liquid chakra on the platform began to boil, and ten puppets made of rock rose from the surface. Their bodies were covered in a thick crystal layer, and as they swung their fists, they emitted a roar of shattering stone. Naruto charged forward first, a golden Tailed Beast Bomb condensing in his palm and blasting toward the lead puppet. With a loud "bang," the crystal layer on the puppet's body cracked like a spiderweb, but it did not shatter. "Such strong defense!" Naruto exclaimed. Just as he prepared a second attack, the puppet swung its fist at him. He hurriedly blocked with his Tailed Beast Cloak but was sent stumbling back several steps by the impact.

Sasuke leaped into the air, his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword slashing out a crimson-gold flame that spread along the puppet's joints, attempting to melt the rock. However, the crystal layer absorbed the heat of the flames, leaving the puppet unscathed. Instead, it backhanded Sasuke, sending him flying. Su Ye teleported to Sasuke's side, catching him while simultaneously condensing his pale purple chakra into a blade, which he thrust precisely into the puppet's joint. The chakra blade pierced the crystal layer but was blocked by the rock, unable to reach the core.

"The core is three inches beneath the crystal layer." Su Ye activated his Rinne Sharingan, seeing through the puppet's structure. "Naruto, use a Tailed Beast Bomb to blast the puppet's feet and crack the crystal layer; Sasuke, aim your flames at the cracks to melt the rock; I will locate the core." The three immediately adjusted their tactics. Naruto condensed a small Tailed Beast Bomb, hitting the puppet's ankle with precision, and the crystal layer instantly fractured. Sasuke's Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword thrust into the gap, and the golden flames erupted, melting a hole through the rock. Su Ye teleported to the top of the puppet, his pale purple chakra blade stabbing through the hole to precisely shatter the core hidden beneath the crystal.

The first puppet collapsed with a crash, turning into liquid chakra that flowed back onto the platform. The subsequent battle went much more smoothly, the three coordinating with increasing synergy. In less than half the time of an incense stick, they had shattered nine puppets. When the tenth puppet appeared, it was three times larger than the others, the crystal layer on its body glowing with a dark golden light, and its fists swung with the effect of the Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique. "This is the 'Earth Guardian Puppet.' Its core is hidden in the crystal heart on its chest," Ōnoki's voice echoed. "It can absorb the power of the earth to restore itself. You must shatter the core before it recovers."

As soon as the puppet landed, it charged at Naruto. Not daring to take the hit head-on, Naruto dodged, and the puppet's fist smashed into the platform, leaving a crater several meters deep. Sasuke seized the opportunity to circle behind the puppet, his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword slashing out flames, but they were deflected by the crystal layer. Su Ye teleported to the top of the puppet, injecting the power of the Rinnegan into his eyes to attempt to control it with genjutsu, but the crystal layer blocked the influence of his ocular power. "This isn't working!" Naruto shouted. "Its recovery speed is too fast; our attacks can't keep up."

Su Ye frowned, suddenly thinking of the power of the Thunder God Pearl. "Sasuke, use the power of the Fire Seed to ignite my chakra; Naruto, prepare a Tailed Beast Bomb." He took out the Thunder God Pearl, and his pale purple chakra intertwined with the lightning power to form a long blade of electricity. Sasuke's golden flames instantly enveloped the blade, the crimson-gold and pale purple interweaving to form a dazzling fire-lightning sword. Naruto condensed his largest Tailed Beast Bomb, pouring all the power of the Nine-Tails chakra and the Uzumaki Sealing Stone into it.

"Now!" Su Ye leaped into the air, the fire-lightning sword slashing toward the puppet's chest. The puppet swung its fist to block, but the sword collided with the fist, the lightning power instantly paralyzing the puppet's movements while the golden flames melted the crystal layer. Naruto seized the opportunity, blasting the Tailed Beast Bomb at the puppet's chest. With a thunderous "boom," the puppet's crystal layer shattered completely, exposing the core. Su Ye teleported forward, thrusting the fire-lightning sword into the core, and the puppet collapsed.

The second stage of the trial ended, and all three were drenched in sweat. Ōnoki landed on the platform and looked at them, saying, "The final stage, 'Core of the Earth.' Beneath the crystal layer in the depths of the temple lies the phantom of the Earth Crystal. You must carve a path through the crystal layer to reach the location of the phantom. The crystal layer is filled with Earth Release traps and patrolled by 'Rock Guards.' If you are discovered, you will be swallowed by the crystal layer."

Su Ye and his companions followed Ōnoki to the depths of the temple, where the rock walls were covered in a thick crystal layer. Beneath the crystals, one could faintly see flowing light—the phantom of the Earth Crystal. "The Earth Release traps in the crystal layer sense chakra fluctuations," Ōnoki warned. "You must suppress your presence and carve a path in the most stealthy way possible."

Su Ye activated his Rinne Sharingan, seeing through the distribution of the traps within the crystal layer. "Follow me." He was the first to dive into the crystal layer, his pale purple chakra forming a tiny blade of light in front of him, carefully slicing through the crystals. The Earth Release traps sensed the chakra fluctuations and began to release earth spikes, but Su Ye used his space-time ninjutsu to dodge them precisely, while simultaneously using his chakra to divert the traps' energy in other directions.

Naruto suppressed his Nine-Tails chakra, leaving only a faint amount to maintain his bodily functions, and followed behind Su Ye. Sasuke compressed the power of the Fire Seed to the extreme, the flames of his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword becoming as dim as a candle, causing almost no fluctuations as he cut through the crystals. The three moved slowly through the crystal layer, encountering several Rock Guards along the way. These guards were formed from the crystal layer itself and possessed extremely keen perception. Su Ye used the power of the Rinnegan to temporarily mask their presence, allowing them to bypass the guards successfully.

Half an hour later, the three finally reached the depths of the crystal layer. In the open space ahead, a bead entirely condensed from earth-attribute chakra floated—it was the phantom of the Earth Crystal. "As long as you touch the phantom, you will pass the trial," Ōnoki's voice came from outside the crystal layer. Just as Su Ye was about to step forward, the crystal layer suddenly shook violently, and countless earth spikes rose from the ground, surrounding the three.

"I didn't expect you to make it this far." A cold voice rang out, and a man in a black cloak emerged from the crystal layer. In his hand, he held a long sword crafted from rock, the blade inscribed with the runes of the "Shadow of the Ancient God." "I am an envoy of the 'Shadow of the Ancient God,' ordered to wait for you here. The Earth Crystal is not so easily obtained."

The man swung his rock sword, and countless Earth Release: Rock Piercing techniques surged toward the three. Su Ye teleported behind the man, his pale purple chakra blade thrusting toward his heart. However, the man was prepared; his body turned into rock and merged into the crystal layer, reappearing a second later behind Naruto, his rock sword slashing toward his back. Naruto reacted quickly, his Tailed Beast Cloak instantly covering his body as he turned and swung his fist. The golden Tailed Beast Bomb collided with the rock sword, kicking up a sky full of crystal shards.

Sasuke seized the opportunity to attack, his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword slashing out crimson-gold flames that spread along the crystal layer, attempting to force the man out. The man emerged from the crystal layer and swung his rock sword, sending an Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique toward Sasuke. Su Ye teleported to Sasuke's side, using the power of the Rinnegan to divert the weight-increasing force, while simultaneously condensing his pale purple chakra into chains to bind the man's ankles.

"Naruto, use the Sealing Stone!" Su Ye shouted. Naruto immediately injected the power of the Uzumaki Sealing Stone into his Tailed Beast Bomb, pale blue sealing runes wrapping around the golden chakra sphere as he blasted it toward the man. The man tried to merge back into the crystal layer, but he was bound by the pale purple chains and unable to move. The Tailed Beast Bomb hit the man precisely, and the sealing runes instantly erupted, sealing his body within the crystal layer.

"It's done." Naruto breathed a sigh of relief and walked forward to touch the phantom of the Earth Crystal. Just then, the crystal layer shook violently, and the phantom of the Earth Crystal began to distort. "Not good!" Ōnoki's voice came through. "He planted 'Earth Explosion Runes' in the crystal layer; he wants to destroy the Earth Crystal!"

Su Ye's pupils shrank as he activated his Rinne Sharingan, seeing through the distribution of the runes in the crystal layer. "Sasuke, use your flames to melt the runes; Naruto, use your Tailed Beast Bomb to neutralize the explosion's shockwave; I will protect the Earth Crystal." Sasuke immediately pushed the power of the Fire Seed to the limit, his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword slashing out a massive wall of fire that spread along the runes in the crystal layer, attempting to melt them. Naruto condensed multiple small Tailed Beast Bombs, distributing them evenly around the crystal layer.

Su Ye teleported in front of the Earth Crystal phantom, his pale purple chakra forming a barrier that enveloped it. At that moment, the Earth Explosion Runes began to detonate, and a series of roars echoed through the crystal layer as countless shockwaves spread outward. Naruto detonated his Tailed Beast Bombs simultaneously, the golden chakra colliding with the shockwaves to form a massive energy storm. Sasuke's flames successfully melted most of the runes, reducing the power of the explosion.

When the storm dissipated, Su Ye's chakra barrier had dimmed, but the phantom of the Earth Crystal remained intact. He stepped forward and gently touched the phantom, which instantly turned into a golden light and merged into his body. "Trial passed." Ōnoki's voice came as he walked in from outside the crystal layer, looking at the three and saying, "The true Earth Crystal is hidden in the core of Iwagakure. Follow me."

The three followed Ōnoki to a secret chamber at the heart of Iwagakure. On a stone platform in the center of the room floated a bead crafted entirely from crystal—it was the Earth Crystal. "The Earth Crystal can manipulate the power of the earth," Ōnoki said, handing it to Su Ye. "When used in conjunction with the Thunder God Pearl, it can unleash the 'Heaven and Earth Thunder Punishment,' a power sufficient to severely injure a Tailed Beast. But remember, when the five great bloodline treasures are gathered, it will trigger a 'Bloodline Resonance.' At that time, the seal of the 'Shadow of the Ancient God' will loosen, and you must be prepared."

Su Ye took the Earth Crystal, his pale purple chakra intertwining with the earth-attribute chakra to form a dazzling light. "Thank you, Tsuchikage-sama," he said. "We will gather the final treasure as soon as possible to prevent the 'Shadow of the Ancient God' from reviving."

Just then, the Six Paths Secret Record in Sasuke's hand suddenly lit up, the pages turning automatically to reveal information about the final treasure: "The final treasure, the 'Deep Sea Pearl of the Water Clan,' is hidden deep within Kirigakure in the Land of Water, guarded by the Mizukage. According to records, the 'Deep Sea Secret Realm' where the Deep Sea Pearl is located is wrapped in a powerful Water Release barrier; only by passing the 'Trial of Water' can one enter the secret realm."

Naruto clenched his fists, a determined light flashing in his eyes. "Finally, we are about to gather all five great treasures. No matter how difficult the trial in Kirigakure is, we will pass it." Su Ye nodded, his Rinne Sharingan looking toward the direction of the Land of Water. He could feel that the aura of the "Shadow of the Ancient God" was growing stronger, and the time for the seal to loosen might be sooner than they had imagined.

Ōnoki prepared an Earth Release warship for the three. The ship was crafted from rock and could travel rapidly underground, avoiding patrols from Kirigakure. The three boarded the ship and set off toward the Land of Water. Along the way, Su Ye began to fuse the power of the Earth Crystal; his Rinnegan power, earth-attribute chakra, and lightning power intertwined to form a three-colored chakra, and his strength was once again enhanced. Naruto integrated the power of the Earth Crystal into his Tailed Beast Cloak, and earth-attribute runes began to appear on the golden cloak, significantly increasing his defensive capabilities. Sasuke also attempted to fuse the power of the Fire Seed with the Earth Crystal, and the flames slashed out by his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword began to carry earth-attribute chakra, allowing them to leave eternal marks on rock.

When the warship reached the border of the Land of Water, a massive Water Release barrier suddenly appeared ahead, flowing with deep blue chakra like a solidified ocean. A ninja wearing Kirigakure attire emerged from behind the barrier, his face covered by the village's signature mask, and he held a Water Release ninja sword in his hand. "Who goes there?" the ninja's voice carried a cold killing intent. "Kirigakure forbids outsiders from entering. Leave immediately!"

Su Ye stepped forward, taking out the Six Paths Secret Record and the Earth Crystal. "We are here for the Deep Sea Pearl of the Water Clan and wish to participate in the Trial of Water." Seeing the Earth Crystal, a flicker of surprise crossed the ninja's eyes. "I must report this to the Mizukage. Wait here." With that, the ninja turned and merged into the Water Release barrier, disappearing from sight.

The three stood outside the barrier, feeling the Water Release chakra contained within. "The Trial of Water in Kirigakure is likely related to the deep sea," Naruto said. "I'm not very good at Water Release, so I might need your help when the time comes." Sasuke nodded, his Heaven-Burning Ancient Sword vibrating slightly in his palm; the collision of fire and Water Release would be a difficult challenge.

Su Ye closed his eyes, activating the power of the Rinnegan to try and see through the structure of the barrier. He could feel that countless Water Release runes were hidden within, connected to one another to form an impenetrable defense. "The Mizukage's strength is likely even greater than that of Thunder Fang or Ōnoki," Su Ye opened his eyes, a grave expression flashing across them. "This Trial of Water will be the final hurdle in our quest to gather the five great treasures."

Before long, the Water Release barrier slowly opened, and a woman in a blue robe stepped out. Her hair flowed like ocean waves, and deep blue chakra flowed within her eyes—it was the Mizukage, Mei Terumī. "So you are the ones who want to participate in the Trial of Water?" Mei's voice carried a hint of languor, yet it concealed a powerful sense of oppression. "The Deep Sea Pearl is a treasure of the Water Clan, hidden at the core of the Deep Sea Secret Realm. To obtain it, you must pass three trials. If you succeed, the Deep Sea Pearl is yours; if you fail, you will remain in the deep sea forever, becoming slaves of the water."

Su Ye and his companions exchanged glances, determined light flashing in their eyes. "We accept the trial," Su Ye said, his Rinne Sharingan meeting Mei's gaze without the slightest retreat.

A smile curled the corners of Mei's lips as she turned and walked into the Water Release barrier. "Follow me. The Deep Sea Trial begins now." The three followed Mei into the barrier, and the Water Release barrier behind them slowly closed. An ultimate trial of water and fire, lightning and earth, was about to unfold in the Deep Sea Secret Realm.