Countless fragmented images flickered before Naruto's eyes, a meaningless, mottled jumble.
Above, below, left, right, ahead, behind, in every direction...
The same strange scenery surrounded him.
"Where exactly am I? Kurama, can you still hear me?"
His voice vanished like a stone sinking into the sea. Since getting to know the Nine-Tails, this was the first time Naruto had been completely unable to contact him.
Naruto looked around, studying the flickering images before him with curiosity.
Having no one answer his inward calls felt unfamiliar, but for some reason he couldn't explain, he instinctively felt there was danger here.
After hesitating for a moment, Naruto finally tried reaching out to touch the images.
They weren't solid. His hand passed straight through the image, and he felt nothing.
Unwilling to give up, Naruto kept trying for a while. Eventually, he accepted that it was pointless and could only stand where he was.
"I should find a way out of here first. But why can't I remember how long I've been here? Hmm... now that I think about it, it feels like I only just arrived... huh? Is someone up ahead?"
He seemed to notice a strange golden-red light, vaguely shaped like a person, and instinctively walked toward it.
The golden-red glow grew increasingly distinct.
Now, let us turn back the clock a little.
In Konoha, on the roof of the viewing stand prepared for the three Kage.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!
As five coffin lids hit the ground, Jiraiya watched the figures emerging from them, his mouth twitching and cold sweat pouring down his face. "Orochimaru, you've really outdone yourself!"
As the five reincarnated figures stepped out, Orochimaru watched Jiraiya retreat with unmistakable alarm and began taking a moment to regulate and recover his chakra.
"Heh heh, scared?" Summoning five