The Parallel Ninja World.
The Forest of Death.
Towering trees blocked out the starlight, and the surroundings were eerily quiet.
Kabuto Yakushi crouched on the ground.
Holding a specially made kunai, he carved the final runic circuit into the earth.
An intricate, cryptic formation instantly covered the clearing within a ten-meter radius.
"Chakra conductivity at ninety-five percent."
"Spatial anchor locked."
A moment later.
Kabuto Yakushi pushed up the round glasses on his nose.
The lenses reflected the formation's faint purple glow, lending his face a sinister chill.
He stood and brushed the dirt from his hands.
"Ready to activate."
Not far away.
Sasuke Uchiha leaned against a thick tree trunk.
His arms were folded across his chest, his expression utterly cold.
His Mangekyō Sharingan glowed a striking crimson in the darkness, brimming with murderous intent.
Neji Hyuga activated his Byakugan.
Veins bulged at the corners of his eyes as his gaze instantly pierced the dense layers of forest.
He scanned his surroundings, confirming that no Konoha Anbu were approaching within several kilometers.
"All clear."
Neji Hyuga kept his report brief.
"What a drag."
"But at least we can finally report back."
Shikamaru Nara let out a long yawn.
He scratched his pineapple-shaped hair, displeasure written all over his face.
"Let's get this over with."
"The wind in this world feels awful against my skin. It reeks of decay."
Temari rested her massive Three-Star Fan on her shoulder.
Bored out of her mind, she kicked a pebble at her feet, sending it straight into the darkness.
"Boar-Dog-Bird-Monkey-Ram!"
"Ninja Art: Space-Time Gate Introduction Technique!"
The next instant.
Kabuto Yakushi rapidly formed hand seals, then slammed his hands into the ground.
Boom!
An enormous surge of chakra poured along the engraved lines.
The surrounding air warped violently, emitting a piercing shriek as though