First steps into the metaverse

Atop a dead tree.

Shisui looked at Naruto, and Naruto looked back at him.

Shisui knew it was best not to provoke Naruto right now. After all... upsetting a mentally ill person was a bad idea. He could only play along.

Besides... Naruto was no ordinary lunatic. He was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If he went berserk, both Konoha and the Uchiha would suffer another disaster.

Although Shisui had the Mangekyō Sharingan and could control the Nine-Tails, he... did not want to reveal its secret just yet.

After all, his Mangekyō Sharingan was the key to resolving the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha.

"All right! Naruto, I do want to resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha. What did you want to say?"

Shisui went along with Naruto's words. It was the truth anyway, so there was no harm in telling him.

Naruto had no idea that Shisui already considered him mentally ill.

"I can help you resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha!"

"If I'm not mistaken, the Uchiha have already started planning a rebellion, haven't they?"

At Naruto's words, Shisui, who had intended to brush him off, nearly lost his composure.

"That's impossible!"

Shisui desperately wanted to ask, "How did you know?"

But remembering that Naruto was probably mentally unstable right now-or that the Naruto before him might be another personality-Shisui steadied himself again. He absolutely could not let a psychiatric patient take control of the conversation.

"Well, Naruto... I see you've already started training. How about playing a ninja sparring game with your big brother Shisui?"

Having thought of Sasuke, that little brat from Itachi's family, Shisui... tried teasing Naruto the same way he teased Sasuke, hoping to keep Naruto's emotions stable.

Naruto was rather speechless at Shisui Uchiha's words.

"Hey, Shisui, I told you not to treat me like a kid..."

Shisui: ...

Shisui had only one thought now: little brats were such a pain. How did Itachi manage Sasuke...?

"Ahem... Naruto... since you say you have a way to resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha, go ahead! What's your plan?"

Since you say you can resolve the conflict, let's see what you've got. Whatever you say, I'll just say, "Yes, yes, yes..." That's the best way to handle a mentally ill person! Shisui thought.

Shisui's mind was racing. This was his first time dealing with a mentally ill person, after all-and one with a nuclear bomb inside him, at that...

Whether Shisui's question was sincere or not, Naruto knew his scheme was already halfway to success.

As long as he got Shisui to put on the Virtual Headset, he could... explain the entire plan to him in the metaverse.

Naruto believed that once Shisui experienced the wonders of the metaverse, he would definitely be tempted.

If he could resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha without using Kotoamatsukami, Shisui would certainly be willing, because... he did not want to reveal Kotoamatsukami's secret.

The main reason was that Kotoamatsukami's ability was far too broken. If word got out, not only he but even the Uchiha might become everyone's target!

Moreover, even if Shisui used Kotoamatsukami himself to eliminate the seeds of the Uchiha rebellion, he would gouge out both his eyes afterward and destroy them.

He could guarantee that he would not misuse Kotoamatsukami, but he could not guarantee what someone else would do after obtaining his eyes...

As Shisui waited for Naruto's answer, Naruto took two black headsets out of the backpack behind him.

The fronts of the headsets could completely cover the eyes. Clearly, these were not helmets meant for combat.

Otherwise, any ninja who was not from the Hyuga Clan would be no different from a blind person while wearing one.

Naruto handed one Virtual Headset to Shisui.

"This is called a Virtual Headset. It can take you into another world! Come on, give it a try!"

Naturally, Shisui did not believe Naruto.

Setting aside how ridiculous the headset's supposed function sounded, he had to carefully weigh anything a mentally ill person said!

When Shisui still made no move, Naruto put on his own Virtual Headset first.

Then, after making a few gestures in front of his eyes with his right hand, Naruto's body went still!

Seeing Naruto's actions, Shisui fell silent for a moment before finally deciding to put on the headset and try it. If anything went wrong, he could take it off immediately.

If all else failed, he still had Susanoo.

And so, Shisui put on the Virtual Headset as well.

Once he had it on, he felt the headset absorb some of his chakra.

Naturally, the headset needed energy to start up, and in the world of Naruto, chakra was the most convenient energy source.

Of course... to let ordinary civilian Muggles play too, there were also models that plugged into an electrical outlet.

After putting on the headset, Shisui discovered that he had somehow arrived atop a lake.

Although it was called a lake, the water beneath his feet stretched as far as the eye could see. Shisui could even see the distant sky meeting the lake.

"So am I under a genjutsu? Or have I really entered another world?"

As he spoke, Shisui activated his Sharingan.

But to his surprise... he could not sense any chakra.

Without chakra to activate it, he naturally could not awaken his Sharingan.

"What... is going on?"

"Genjutsu... release..."

Shisui tried to dispel the genjutsu, but his efforts remained futile.

Just as Shisui began to think Naruto had tricked him, a voice rang out through the space.

"Welcome to the metaverse. Please choose a name for yourself!"

Hearing someone speak, Shisui shouted, "Let me out..."

"Naruto Uzumaki... what is this...?"

But no matter how much he shouted, there was still no response.

Because... Naruto had altered this headset's permissions. Shisui could only log out with Naruto's approval.

Even if Shisui shouted himself hoarse, he would not be able to leave.

Seeing this, Shisui could only follow the voice's instructions and choose a name.

Rubbing his chin, Shisui decided it would be better not to use his real name. Then he called softly, "Let's go with Crow Messenger!"

[Name confirmed: "Crow Messenger"]

[Yes, No]

A selection menu appeared before Shisui's eyes.

Seeing it, Shisui chose yes without hesitation.

"Crow Messenger, please design your perfect appearance!"

As the voice spoke, a person who looked exactly like Shisui appeared before him, along with some facial customization settings.

Shisui Uchiha rubbed his chin and considered for a moment, then reduced the size of his nose and gave himself smooth hair like Itachi's, as though it had been washed with Rejoice shampoo.

Although these were only two minor adjustments, the changes to Shisui's appearance and bearing were... considerable.

With a smaller nose and smoother hair, the previously sunny Shisui now had the air of a brooding handsome man, much like Itachi.

"Oh? Am I... a bigger version of Itachi? Hahaha..."

Looking at the face he had created, Shisui could not help laughing.

Once he was done, Shisui clicked confirm beneath the facial customization settings.

The moment he clicked confirm, his own appearance changed to match the face he had customized.