Meanwhile, Naruto and the Nine-Tails, who were discussing improvements to Flying Thunder God, both jolted. Naruto turned toward the coast. "Something's coming."
His ability to sense life signatures and good or evil intent reached even farther than the Byakugan could see.
Beside him, Hinata and Boruto hurriedly readied themselves for battle. Yet the instant Hinata activated her Byakugan, she let out a startled gasp. "Brother Neji's gone?"
"Gone? But isn't Neji just over there?"
Naruto answered, clearly sensing the presence of Neji, who had only just left.
"Could there be something nearby that interferes with the Byakugan, like that water?" The Nine-Tails noticed Hinata's worried expression. "Maybe Neji fell into some kind of trap. Naruto..."
"Yeah, leave it to me."
Naruto nodded, formed hand seals, and created a shadow clone, which headed toward the woods Neji had entered.
The Nine-Tails then returned to Naruto's body, ready to respond to whatever happened.
Sensing the unknown presence approaching at high speed, Naruto closed his eyes and opened them again. The long-absent markings around his eyes reappeared, and this time his pupils had become crosses.
Fox Sage Mode, enhanced by Mount Myōboku's senjutsu, made its long-awaited return.
Although Metamorphosis Mode provided tremendous enhancements in every respect, the Nine-Tails had repeatedly warned Naruto about its need to burn chakra in combat.
This time in particular was different. Now that Naruto was on the moon, he could not use Flying Thunder God to return to the village whenever he wanted. Until they understood the situation, the Nine-Tails advised against using Metamorphosis Mode.
Besides, as long as he was not facing an Ōtsutsuki-level enemy, the boost from Fox Sage Mode was more than enough.
"Naruto, I still don't see anything coming. Is that because something's interfering with the Byakugan too?"
Hinata looked in the direction Naruto