Everyone leaped into the cold, eerily glowing pool, sending splashes glittering in the faint light.
A chill instantly enveloped them. Naruto Uzumaki took the lead, swimming swiftly through the water with his abundant chakra and stamina.
Rock Lee had spent quite a while warming up earlier, and he refused to fall behind now, rapidly sweeping his arms and stirring up streams of water.
Tenten shook her head helplessly and followed close behind the two, vigilantly surveying the underwater surroundings, ready to respond to any danger that might appear.
The others submerged one after another, swimming deeper into the passage.
Although the pool was deep, it was not dark. Instead, it was brightly lit, and they could even make out the scenery in the distance at a glance.
Countless bubbles of all sizes floated in the water, looking utterly magnificent.
Just then, a strange fluctuation reached them, and everyone felt the scene before their eyes begin to distort.
Naruto was the first to fall into an illusion, finding himself in a familiar setting.
It was a street in Konoha.
Warm sunlight spilled over the street, where people laughed and chatted in a scene of peace.
Not far away stood Hinata Hyuga, a shy smile on her face and tenderness in her eyes.
Something stirred in Naruto's heart, and he walked toward Hinata despite himself.
"This idiot!"
Inside Naruto, Kurama gave a cold snort.
"Falling under genjutsu so easily. That Naruto..."
Kurama was speechless.
But just as he was about to wake Naruto, he suddenly stopped, having sensed the contents of Naruto's illusion.
"There's no danger nearby anyway. I'll let him be."
"Besides, this couldn't be a better opportunity."
A smile curled at the corners of Kurama's mouth, and he closed his eyes again.
Under normal circumstances, a perfect jinchuriki was very