The Empire.
Wind Province, Dragon Vein Underground Palace.
Dense silver-white runes illuminated the deep subterranean cavern.
Massive metal energy conduits twisted across the floor like monstrous pythons.
"Aaaargh!"
"This is driving me crazy!"
"Why do I have to stay here and act as a battery?!"
Uzumaki Naruto grabbed at his golden hair, shouting in utter discontent.
A phantom of the Nine-Tails hovered behind him, his entire body radiating heat as fierce as the blazing sun.
"You idiot, Naruto."
"You dare complain about His Majesty Chiba's orders?"
"Watch out, or His Majesty will dock your entire allowance next month!"
The Nine-Tails' haughty roar exploded directly inside Naruto's head, leaving his ears ringing.
"Shut up, Kurama!"
"I'm a super Kage-level fighter!"
"Those old fossils in the parallel world definitely haven't seen my Rasenshuriken!"
Naruto planted his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes wildly at the empty air.
"Naruto, stand still."
"Maintaining the cross-world passage requires perfect resonance between the chakra of the Nine Tailed Beasts."
"Don't drop the ball at the crucial moment."
Gaara stood a short distance away, his expression remarkably composed.
A massive sand gourd hovered behind him.
"Tch."
"Gaara, you..."
"You're sounding more and more like Uncle Shikaku."
"You're no fun!"
Naruto pursed his lips and glanced at the seven others beside him.
"Little Naruto, stop sulking."
"His Majesty entrusted us with guarding the core energy source. That's an enormous show of trust."
Yugito Nii covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
Her eyes shone with the poise and confidence of a mature woman.
In the Empire of today.
The nine jinchuriki had long since shed the tragic label of "living weapons."
Jinchuriki were pillars of the Empire, enjoying its highest honors and allowances.
The Three-Tails Jinchuriki beside them nodded.
She was a young woman from Kirigakure