Boom!

"Damn, it blew up again."

Cid looked over the ruined chakra-infused paper blankly. Apparently, it is not the best idea to use another energy with material which is created specifically for chakra… Anywhos, moving on. They finally managed to create the foundation for chakra-magic symbol-rune system after a month or so, and now they were trying it out; however, it did not go so well…

Turned out, chakra-infused paper did not tolerate magic very much; however, neither did other materials carry chakra properly… Except one, which is freaking limited and they didn't manage to start its production yet… Yes, he's talking about Serpent Scales. You know, that big cosmic worm that could pierce dimensions and apparently could devour gods? Yeah, that one. So they didn't start experimenting with it yet, considering that magic-chakra fusion didn't even leave the beta test yet.

Now, the neat part. In theory, it was possible. In theory, because apparently Soul Space kinda adhered to his own laws and so fusion went seamlessly; however, just as he expected, after being taken out the product lost its stability over time. About two to three days, and it would explode just like the ones they created in material world. And if he actually just goes away for some distance, it immediately explodes… Probably because he was the anchor point for it? Yeah, pretty much.

Aside from the new field of research, Cid also managed to gain precious knowledge about ninjutsu, which heavily expedited the process of Stances creation… Yeah, he changed his mind about ninjutsu after realizing how cool it actually is!

So, here's the trick: remember Elemental Transformation? Yeah, that thing that is used to use fire and so on? Yeah, so that thing is actually very useful for stances… And before anyone can start pointing out that it's obvious, he's not talking about the usual Elemental Transformation. He is talking about how it's done.

Don't get it? Well, after some observations Cid has come to a conclusion that every shinobi has a certain connection with elements. Affinity, as the scroll with ninjutsu lessons said. However, Cid, having Magic Vision, could get a bit more out of it… You see, chakra is very material energy, as he said, and thus it is heavily connected to the world itself, if nature's chakra is to be believed… But here's the trick: human's chakra works a bit differently. Nature's chakra is raw, unrefined energy of the world itself that floats in the surroundings and doesn't go into contact with animals… Usually. In practice, however, animals still try to adapt to this chakra and slowly take up the place, growing more and more accustomed to chakra of that environment. It's quite easy to notice if you can just run around the world and look at similar animals in different environment…

Yes, just like in his first world, Earth; conditions force to adapt. However, just like there, shinobi world has one exception: humans. Humans adapted environment to themselves, and instead slowly refined their chakra to a certain point where they could use all these shinobi arts. However, in the process they have lost the ability to go into contact with nature's chakra. The last part left is chakra's affinity.

At least that's how Cid theorizes it. He is barely 7 months into this world, and he only has various scrolls that depict this world's past and his own observations. Moving on, chakra affinity is defined by shinobi's genetics and their own, well, soul's affinity. And here comes the problem: Cid's soul is very good and strong (yeah, self-praise), but his body was not born into shinobi world and was not connected to its elements. So, how does he go around that?

Well, the answer is simple: nature's chakra! Just like how he did back then with growing accustomed to elemental magic, right now he has to do the same. And, funny enough, even failure's effects are quite similar: magic might cause Magic Overload which causes heavy mutations, while chakra tries to reconvert you back to nature… which makes you a stone figurine.

Apparently, using nature's chakra was actually possible if you were some kind of Sage, though… It was called 'senjutsu'… And yes, he does get flashbacks from his fantasy world where one drill instructor of his own organization caused poor newbies to faint.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Shadow only knows why, one Lambda sneezed.

"Hokage-sama, the escort is ready," masked man bowed deeply.

"Good. Then, our destination is Land of Iron," old man sighed deeply.

The Kage meeting was set in a week from now. Considering Hiruzen's reputation as God of Shinobi, other Kages have no doubt believed him… That, and the fact that even being God of Shinobi wouldn't save him against four enemies just a bit below him, especially considering that time takes everything…

"Hiruzen."

"Danzo," Hokage nodded.

His old friend diligently compiled all observations done by his branch of Anbu and passed it to Hiruzen. Now, Hiruzen was not one to blindly trust anyone, but this time Danzo had a lot of convincing arguments. He also pushed the deal with Uchiha, but that one could wait.

"We might need to find a way to extract Kyuu-"

"No, Danzo, we are not risking Naruto."

He was also exceptionally adamant about replacing Jinchuuriki. Hiruzen was, in turn, adamant about not doing it.

A beautiful blonde-haired woman with sharp ears, a mark of being an elf, stood in front of large window in thoughts.

It has been three weeks since the leader of their organization, Shadow, has used the Black Rose.

No doubts, he had some grand plan that required the knowledge of other worlds… Or maybe it was just as Victoria said? He learned that other worlds, too, suffered greatly, and his kind heart moved him to help? If so, he at least could have taken Shadow Garden members with himself to have trustful subordinates…

She sighed.

At least the time he has chosen was good for his other, civilian, persona. As of now the academy was on break, and thus he had no need to attend it. However, that still didn't stop certain… people… from searching for him.

Alexia Midgar… What did he even find in you?

Elf's hands slowly tightened behind her back. She still couldn't ascertain what grand plans he had for this woman. Sure, she was a princess, but so was Rose Oriana, and Rose managed to become a Queen mere week after getting help from him. Alexia, on the other hand, did not show any spectacular achievement.

…No, she knows that Cid Kagenou could make errors. He confessed so. That still didn't diminish Alpha's unbreakable trust in him, though. However, she would like if her… beloved put more belief in those around him…

She gently caressed the ring on her finger.

Nonetheless, she has absolute trust in his abilities.

"Lady Alpha, by your orders we have managed to uproot yet another Cult's hideout," one of the subordinates bowed deeply.

"Great job, 314," blonde elf nodded appreciatively, "Choose any of Mitsugoshi facilities to rest. Both you and your team. You deserve it."

"…Yes, your Ladyship," clearly, she wasn't happy.

"I understand that you wish to participate in it as much as possible, but we cherish each of our members," Alpha's expression softened, "So please, proceed with your reward."

"Yes, your Ladyship!" subordinate's fluffy tail waved around in joy as she exited.

Yes, therianthropes had clear defining qualities such as animals' ears, claws, tails, eyes…

Speaking of therianthropes.

"Zeta."

"I hear you, Alpha."

Similarly blonde woman, but with cat ears and tail silently jumped down on the floor.

"Have you managed to find all the places he has left for us?"

"Yes, though some environmental conditions have proven to be quite a hassle for most of our members…" Zeta's ears twitched in annoyance.

Indeed, their benevolent Lord has left quite a lot of hints before his leave. They only had to decipher and connect the clues, and they would get a lot of benefits. Even now, he managed to grant them knowledge without even being here…

That is, if they succeed.

"Excellent. Has Eta been able to reproduce what he called Pylons?"

"Only in small quantities, and only on limited distance, compared to his own creation that covers the entire world, if she is to be believed…" therianthrope's tail lowered.

"I see…" Alpha hummed slowly, "I assume Eta was not able to understand the Black Rose yet, either?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

Both went silent.

As much as they were able to slowly piece the hints and clues together… What? Surely you don't believe him granting Epsilon a book full of his magic knowledge, a pair of Espionage Set to Zeta and Silence Collar to Delta, card that grants access to another realm to Gamma, camera that allowed to take almost infinite amount of pictures to Beta, and a station that eased the process of creating and enchanting things to Eta is a coincidence?

Of course not. Despite having initial doubts, both Alpha and Eta already proved that, despite not being as omniscient as they thought him to be, he was extremely intelligent and could weave the knowledge together with ease.

Card granted access to another realm, where the camera would be used to take pictures of another world. Book of magic knowledge and crafting set allowed them to decipher how all his creations and techniques worked. Then they could use Espionage Set and Silent Collar to get even more information out of interesting targets. And even if all of that fails, they still had the final trump card.

Sword that he gifted to Alpha. Sword that contained a portion of his own prowess.

If that all was not enough for them to succeed, they might as well just bare their necks to him in shame.

So, as much as they were able to piece it all together… They still were behind.

Especially if Victoria's words about time difference between worlds is to be believed. And Eta's observations concluded that they are to be believed.

However, Alpha was patient.

She was patient back when they just secured their first saved child who would later be named Beta. She was patient when it was time for them to depart, to fortify the organization. She was patient when he didn't pick up her clues.

She could wait a little longer.

Now, other girls…

Alpha looked at nervous, irritated Zeta.

Yes. Others' patience is slowly running out.

"Achoo-o-o!"

Alright, now that's some high level bullshit. Who could even remember about him?… Oh, yeah, Shades…

Damn, he kinda misses them. Should he take a small vacation after the academy year ends? It's only three months away… Then he can go back and reverse the time dilution to spend some time with them… Yeah, that sounds very good…

However, now he has some other stuff to do. Namely, nature's chakra.

He has now grown somewhat confident in his chakra abilities and wanted to do another attempt at using Overdrive with chakra. What? Meditation? Preparations? Nah, he would win.

Anyway, he chose some good place near a random city (he briefly noticed some kind of casinos and hot springs… casinos might be worth a visit just for fun) and sat down in peace.

You know, he didn't have any time to just lie down and relax. Always busy, always in research…

He lazily glanced at the sky, where the moon and the stars shone brightly. Hmm, stars are big chunks of energies, now that he thinks about it…

He quickly shook his head.

Eh, it is what it is. He was always focused on his goal in becoming power behind the curtains, and once he achieved his goal, he kinda swapped it onto magic research… Then he came back to it again, this time in becoming Eminence in multiple worlds.

Though now he certainly likes the feeling of research just as much as feeling of satisfaction from being able to pull his stages perfectly… Right, he might need to pull something cool off when academy year ends-!

"Hey, kid," a voluptuous woman with strange headband leaned in, "Wanna have some fun? I promise, I am very experienced in that~" she licked her lips sensually.

Cid's brain short-circuited for a moment, then he realized that he, indeed, was now in his Cid persona as he discarded the Shadow look to relax. However, the realization of her proposal slowly sank in, and the answer came out faster than he could hold it… if he ever wanted to, that is.

"Fuck off, I am married."

So-o-o… as it turns out, for the last four days the review and view system was broken for authors, and we did not get reviews before that. Now it's fixed, and all the reviews you guys sent suddenly flooded my inbox… That's nice.

DragonSword: yeah, it's all a setup for future cool stuff.

Habu and Angra: your wish is granted.