Sasuke led him to a nearby mountain. With their chakra and speed, the climb hadn't taken too long. But long enough for Naruto to ask a lot of questions, all of which the Uchiha wouldn't answer. This only intrigued him more. How was it that Sasuke was as lost as he was right now? Just what had the Uchiha speechless?

Sasuke stopped him near the peak and pointed Naruto to the right. He soon caught sight of what they were looking for. A huge rock, tablet-like, was hovering above the ground. A vertical and smooth slab caught in a slow spin as if on some display.

"The exact landing spot was hard to estimate but I managed to figure this much at least, it led me here."

Naruto approached the giant rock, staring at it in wonder. Strange characters coated it, but they were so worn, it was impossible to decipher. But what was stranger yet was the aura emitting from it. Focusing even harder, Naruto could make out some invisible shape, lingering inside.

"Kami," he breathed. He began absorbing natural chakra, letting it fill him. Activating his sage mode, he examined the oddity again. The shape did not become clearer with his improved senses but its essence did, feeling to him as if some network of chakra.

"S-Sasuke?"

"I know. Some jutsu, waiting for the right trigger."

Kurama? Do you know what this is?

No answer.

Kurama?

Sasuke pointed to the bottom of the stone, where a pattern seemed to be etched onto the surface, deeper and clearer than the rest of the characters on the rock. Too faded to tell what it was, but clear enough to tell there were two circular-shaped symbols.

"I believe this is a seal. I tried to undo it myself but couldn't. Just got this far. I think it takes two chakras." He wiped at the symbols, dirtying his fingers with dust. "And that they're the sun and the moon."

So that was why he had needed him.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"Whatever that light was, it entered this stone."

"But it looks ages old," Naruto said skeptically. "How could it have...put a seal on this when the seals themselves look ancient?"

"Exactly. So I asked the residents at the foot of the mountain what it was. This rock itself has been a landmark for them for ages. A source of folklore and whatnot because of its shape. But the sun and moon markers weren't there before. After seeing the glow enter it, some believe the markers are an unlocked sign from the Sage of Six Paths...But I believe it is older than even him. The writing itself dates it so. That's why I can't read all of it."

Naruto whistled. "Older than him? Should we, like, be touching it then? I mean...You do remember the last few Ōtsutsuki beings we've dealt with, right?"

Sasuke smirked. "Of course. But..." He raised his hand, eyeing the stone intently. Chakra swirled and a character began to glow against the cool surface of the oddity. A character even Naruto recognized.

Gift.

"I had an elder of the village approach me. He had an extremely pale complexion. Possible roots to the Sage's bloodline. And he interpreted some of this for me."

Sasuke pulled out a note from his pocket, one he had scribbled on prior. "'Those prophecy spake,'" he read, "'blessed will be to Time by the First. But by time done, hence time undone.'"

Naruto chuckled nervously. "Care to not speak gibberish, buddy?"

"It's speaking about the Child of Prophecy. That's who prophecy spoke of. They will be blessed. I'm not sure what it means about by time, though."

"Wow," Naruto said, examining the rock again. "This sounds nuts. Like its own prophecy. But I thought there was only one. And it already came to pass."

"There is. This stone merely marks a promise instead." He glanced down thoughtfully. "That those who made it come to pass will be blessed with time. But what it means by that... Time undoes it..."

Sasuke placed his hand on the rock again, this time on what appeared to be the sign of the moon. The rock stilled as chakra buzzed at his fingertips.

"Woah," Naruto started. "What're you doing?"

"Whatever this is, it's a gift. The Child of Prophecy is supposed to receive it."

"I don't see you the kind of guy who'd get wrapped up in superstitious stuff. I mean, this has 'Ōtsutsuki' written all over it. And you know how those aliens turn out!"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "That is true, but look at the Sage of Six Paths. I don't believe this will do us harm. Rather the opposite. The gift is time. Time was written with an emphasis. However it is given, it's a boon."

Naruto looked at him skeptically. "Like eternal life or something? Seriously, what's it saying?"

"Only one way to find out. And if it poses a threat, we'll take care of it. And if it's a gift, better to receive it than let its light fade and miss it. Can't you feel the chakra? It's dimming."

Naruto had noticed that. Whatever the light had sealed in here, it would not be with them for long at this rate.

Some part of Naruto was as curious as he was apprehensive. It was as if a door was in front of them and they were the only ones who could open it. But what was on the other side? Another Kaguya? Or something the opposite. Something deep. Something that could grant them even greater power, enough to take and evolve them further than where they were now as ninja. So they could stop further threats, ones even Kaguya herself had feared.

Finally, he gave into his curiosity and placed his hands on his own marked spot as well. The sun.

"Ready?"

"Yeah."

Together they summoned their chakra to it and almost instantaneously, the markings started glowing, brighter and brighter. So bright, Naruto had to shield his eyes. When he opened them again, the rock was gone, and in its place, a glowing figure. Naruto jumped backward, stuttering.

"Holy—"

The shape resembled a Ōtsutsuki but seemed much more ancient. Much grander. Godlike, even. A humanoid form, it floated, sitting in lotus position. From its head protruded what could be described in earthly terms, antlers like that of a deer. Its shoulders somehow bore multiple limbs. Behind them, a silky sash floated, forming a circle around it.

Light peeked through its eyelids as the being opened them. In fact, the socket was nothing but light. But something was off. It was as if it was not completely there, and its image flickered.

"Schnikies," Naruto whispered, scooting back. His brain was screaming caution but for some reason his being felt calm.

"Humans," it opened its mouth and spoke. It's voice multiple voices, bound together only by each word spoken in unison. Distinction deemed the sound both of male and female. "From dawn of time I came."

I guess that explains why this thing came now...the Dawn of Time is, what, forever ago?

"Yes."

Naruto jumped. "You read minds?!"

Kaguya had shown no signs of being able to do something as powerful as that. Naruto again felt like he should be afraid.

The being did not answer him. "I am the essence of Ōtsutsuki Saisho, the beginning of our kind. From the dawn of time, I have seen all. Foresaw your world's events. I saw Kaguya's transgression. Only after she had made your planet a home. It was too late but I saw more. Your births."

"So you were an oracle," Sasuke said, "when you were alive."

If it was the "essence" of this Saisho, that would explain his presence not quite feeling complete, his flickering image and diminishing chakra.

"If that is what you wish to call me, then yes. I am a form, left behind with one goal, left for much time has passed since the dawn. From my perch have I witnessed the threads woven by humankind and those of the outer world, threads my departed did not live to see but left in my stead this form. Knowing of Kaguya's transgression, I awaited the day when I could give the peacemakers my gift for only they be worthy of it."

A gift? He was just going to give them one? Naruto raised an eyebrow. He sensed no evil intent from the being but he also sensed no emotions from Saisho's spirit either. Not like the Sage of Six Paths. This guy...He was just...so devoid yet more.

"A gift of time, woven by a day, from sunrise to its fall, it will cost my essence, so choose you well what your time will be."

Naruto nearly stamped his foot. "Gift, gift, gift, time. We keep hearing that but what do you really mean by it? What are you saying?"

Sasuke looked at him sternly. "Calm down."

The being seemed unfazed by his outburst. "The greatest gift a race can be given. Intervention. Time will bend to your whim."

Knowing space could be manipulated, Naruto had always suspected time could too. It'd only take literally a god though if space alone took absolute mastery of chakra. Turns out his theories borne by daydreams were right.

This being could alter time? And it was granting them that power too?

It looked to Naruto. "It is not quite so."

He fought off a grimace, feeling its presence in his head.

Saisho's spirit looked forward, facing both of them once more. "I can give this power of intervention but once. It is an ability mortals cannot handle the hold of, even those deemed worthy. From the dawn of time I saw this, thus this must be."

"Wait..." Naruto said slowly. "Intervention? You're telling me you're really going to just let us pop up anywhere in time and do whatever? You're serious about this? Us?"

Sasuke seemed equally baffled. Excitement filled Naruto the more the concept sunk in, that this being could let them intervene in some grand spell that was normally impossible for humans. He almost felt like a kid again, conjuring up exciting theories that could never be.

"Just think about it! If we could go back in time we could do some real good! We could save people, or destroy future threats!"

Jiraiya. Obito. Nagato. And these were just the tip of the big iceberg that was shinobi world's regret and loss.

"But we only have this once," Sasuke said, instantly grounding Naruto's hope.

"But still! Just once could change everything, Sasuke!"

It was upon this statement that the chakra being spoke up again. "You need be weary, mortal, everything is connected. By time done, time will be undone."

Naruto wasn't really sure what the essence meant by time's undoing but he did understand the need to take their intervention point seriously. Especially if it could only be once. Sunrise to sunset...That wasn't long. But long enough to work miracles.

"So we pick a spot then time-travel? Right, and then come back?"

Naruto couldn't even believe he was even using words like time-travel. But he knew no other way to word it to himself.

"But the present might be different," Sasuke said. "Depending on the intervention we have. We'd have to be careful to not step on butterflies."

"Huh?"

Sasuke rubbed his forehead. "I'm not even going to attempt to explain it to you."

"Caution is indeed needed, mortal. Everything is connected and you may only act this once. There will be no going back to this original present should your choice ripple across the plane. It is their nature to do so."

"We need to think about this, Naruto," Sasuke whispered. "This is something that we can't waste."

He had become even paler than usual, his voice tight. Something in his eyes seemed...distraught.

It was now Naruto realized that what Sasuke wanted to change most did not line up with his first choice.

And he felt horrible for it. But at the same time...

If I could go back, to just one day, that one day would have to be—

The being placed his palms to their foreheads, the contact burned but Naruto felt himself unable to draw away from its powerful hold. "I will show you the result of your desires should you pick them. What you will feel now, is only a mirror of that which you choose. Consider carefully, mortals, the consequences when making your final decision for the choice given unto me itself will be final, unlike the vision I give you now."

Naruto felt a harsh explosion of sensations ripping at him. Sound and touch, sensations zipping through him to the marrow of his bones. He screamed, the world's own roar bled his cry out.

Then silence.

He opened his eyes, blinking.

He was standing in a city, it was raining, and cool.

A noise caught his attention. A rumbling. The ground shook. A battle from afar off. His heart stopped beating, his breathing pitching.

This moment, he knew what this was.

This was when and where Jiraiya had been killed.

Pelted by rain, he stood there, speechless. He was here. Really here. Amidst the towers of the Rain.

He thought of his children, his wife, of Sasuke, and then he thought of Jiraiya, catching up with them. Laughing together in the same room. With him.

He started running.

He wasn't going to lose Jiraiya again. It was this desperate thought, and the hope that he could finally share his life with him, that drove him forward, faster than he'd ever run before.

Tears filled his eyes. Back then, he had been unable to beat the Akatsuki. But not anymore. He wasn't that stupid kid, he was the hero who helped save the world. He was the Hokage. And now he was going to save Jiraiya from his cruel fate and keep him in his future. Yes, he had the power to save him and he would, without fail.

I'm coming, Sensei!

_-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-_

Many years ago, Sasuke watched as his brother slipped into his Anbu armor.

Itachi was unaware of his presence behind him, as Sasuke lingered at the doorway, watching him.

It would not be the last time Itachi would slide the armor into place, but it was near that point in time. He could feel the familiar tenseness in the air, surrounding the estate. It was as if the conspirators his father held meetings with literally conjured a dark cloud about them, summoning it like a demon. And yet through its midst, Sasuke had grown up with a single light that filtered it away whenever that light was in the room.

It felt like no time had passed. Every feeling, the creak of the floorboards, the familiar aura, the smell of laundry, it came back to Sasuke.

"Brother," he whispered, unable to move from the doorway. Sasuke realized he was shaking and stilled himself. His brother. In the flesh. Oh, how he ached to talk to him. To fill the gap between themselves they had created. To redo it all.

Itachi stopped short, turning around, a threatening look crossing his face at Sasuke's sudden appearance.

Of course, Sasuke thought, the Sasuke he knew now was just a small child. To see him as an adult, he must see him as a stranger.

Itachi's following actions confirmed this. In a matter of a second, Sasuke was standing in a genjutsu, a sword millimeters from his neck. Blackness was wrapped around him so all he could move were his eyes.

"Who are you?" Itachi spoke, standing before him, holding the blade to Sasuke's neck, pushing it slightly. His eyes were narrowed threateningly, eyelids thin slits. His irises a deep red. "Choose your words carefully, intruder."