This is a bit of a long one. 4,000 words!

It had been a month since Naruto began his physical training, increasing his fitness level to 3,000 times what it originally was. This made his base form significantly stronger than his fully amped state during the original War Arc—much stronger.

Along with his physical progress, Naruto had been dedicating himself to studying with his shadow clones, guided by Kurama's advice. He knew that to protect his friends and family, he needed to reach his full potential, and that meant mastering both the yin and yang aspects of his chakra. His balance between the two was improving steadily, and his intellect was also growing. He was already sharper than Shikamaru had been when he was thirteen.

~~~All Hail the Shadow Clone~~~ Came a chorus of voices singing out from the great beyond.

And, it was during one of the nights during this month that he received a visit.

FLASHBACK

Day 23 of his physical training

Naruto was dreaming of ramen, nine-tailed foxes, and Ma's famous stew. He chased after them with all his might, but—like in every other dream—he could never quite catch them. On his 56th attempt that night, just as he reached out for his prize, he was suddenly pulled into his mindscape.

"Ashura, quit dreaming," said a voice unfamiliar to the blonde boy.

"Huh? What?" Naruto muttered, confused as the visions of ramen, foxes, and stew faded from view.

"Look up, Ashura," the voice said again, firm yet calm.

Naruto tilted his head upward and saw an incredibly old man,with horns on his forehead, floating in the air. The figure radiated a serene yet overwhelming presence, and beneath him hovered ten black orbs, perfectly aligned. Resting in his lap was a peculiar staff—a shakujō.

The upper section of the staff was shaped like a crescent, sleek and smooth, its edges gleaming faintly in the dim glow of the mindscape. Dangling from the crescent were six metallic rings, which jingled softly with every subtle movement the old man made. The shaft of the staff was polished to perfection, its surface a seamless blend of black and metallic gradients, exuding both elegance and power.

Naruto blinked, still trying to process the sudden shift from his dream to the enigmatic figure before him.

"I have come to speak with you, Ashura," the man said. "You have already achieved great strength, but more is required of you."

Naruto straightened up, unsure of what was happening but instinctively understanding the importance of the moment. "What do you mean? Who are you?"

The man smiled gently. "I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki, and I have been watching you. The path ahead of you is fraught with formidable enemies, ones unlike any you've faced before. You will need strength beyond what you have now."

Naruto furrowed his brow, a hint of frustration creeping into his thoughts. How can I get any stronger? he wondered. I've already gained enough fitness to withstand Baryon Mode, and in that time, my chakra reserves have increased drastically. It's even possible to maintain a three-way Baryon Mode between me, Kurama, and Natural Energy.

He couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. He had already pushed himself so far, but Hagoromo's words suggested there was something more he had yet to tap into—something that would take him beyond even his current limits. His mind raced, searching for answers, but no clear path emerged.

Hagoromo seemed to sense Naruto's confusion. "Strength alone will not be enough to face what's coming, Ashura. What you've gained so far is impressive, but true power comes not just from physical ability or chakra reserves. The power you will need is deeper—within your very essence. It is a power that you have yet to unlock."

Naruto's gaze hardened. He wasn't sure what Hagoromo meant, but he could feel the weight of the situation. If he was going to protect his loved ones and defeat the enemies ahead, he would have to find this "deeper" power, whatever it was.

Hagoromo's voice softened as he continued, "This gift I offer you will help unlock that power. But remember, true strength requires more than just raw power. It demands wisdom, perseverance, and an unwavering resolve."

Naruto nodded, his heart burning with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes. I'll find a way to use this power, just like I always do."

Hagoromo's expression was a mix of approval and quiet understanding. "You will, Ashura. But remember, the greatest challenges often come when we least expect them. Be ready."

With those final words, the figure of Hagoromo began to fade, leaving Naruto standing alone in the vast expanse of his mindscape. The glowing light of the mysterious gift still lingered, as if waiting for him to reach out and claim it.

It was then that he reached out to the glowing orb. He could feel the warmth it radiated, letting off a subtle, yet satisfying hum. When he touched it, a surge of energy shot through his fingertips, sending a jolt of power coursing through his entire body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before—ancient and primal, yet familiar, as if it resonated with something deep within him.

For a moment, everything around him seemed to fade away, and he was engulfed in a bright, swirling light. His senses expanded, as if the very essence of the universe itself was flowing through him. He saw flashes of distant stars, vast, untouchable galaxies, and the endless spiral of time itself. It felt as if he was connected to every living thing, every force in existence, all at once.

Then, just as quickly as it had come, the light receded, leaving Naruto standing in the quiet of his mindscape, breathless. The orb had dissolved into a warm, golden light that now swirled around him, settling into his chest.

He could feel it—a new power, a new understanding. It wasn't just an increase in chakra, or raw physical strength. It was something far more profound. His connection to the natural world, his bond with Kurama, even his understanding of his own will—everything seemed to align in a way that felt… limitless.

He took a deep breath, letting the newfound energy settle within him. A sense of calm and confidence washed over him, as if he had just unlocked the next stage of his evolution.

"I can feel it…" Naruto murmured to himself, a smile forming on his face. He had no idea what exactly this power was, but he could tell it was something incredible. He had just taken another step toward becoming the protector he needed to be.

From the distance, Hagoromo's voice echoed one last time, softer than before, but filled with meaning: "This gift will guide you, Ashura. Use it wisely."

Naruto clenched his fist, feeling the pulse of power within. He didn't know exactly what threats lay ahead, but now, he was ready to face them head-on.

With renewed determination, he turned, ready to step back into the real world, knowing that the battles to come would be unlike anything he had ever faced.

END OF FLASHBACK

It was at the moment Naruto recalled the event that he suddenly leapt from his bed. While in mid-air, a black chakra rod, measuring the same height as Naruto (5'7" or 170 centimeters), pierced through the floor beneath him, leaving a three-by-three-foot hole in his bedroom.

He quickly turned his gaze to the right, through the window, and saw an alabaster-skinned man standing outside. The figure had a horn wrapping around his head, resembling a crown, with eight magatama arranged in a line down his chest. In his left eye, the man possessed a Byakugan, while his right eye was marked by a black background with a yellow eight-sided wheel in the center, the intricate design converging at his pupil.

Naruto's eyes widened as he recognized the figure outside his window. The man's aura was unmistakable, the oppressive energy radiating off him like a storm. His mind raced, trying to identify the figure standing there, but the strange eyes and the unsettling presence told him that this was no ordinary foe.

The man raised his hand slowly, and the chakra rod that had pierced through Naruto's floor shifted. It floated mid-air, spinning with a sinister hum, before the figure snapped his fingers.

Naruto braced himself, ready to react, but the chakra rod shot toward him faster than he could blink, aiming straight for his chest. In a split second, he summoned his chakra and threw up a quick defensive stance, feeling the rush of energy surge through his body.

"You're awake," the man's voice echoed calmly, almost as if he were speaking to an old friend. "Impressive. I thought I'd have to do more than that to rouse you."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he assessed the figure before him, floating outside of his window. His mind raced, the sharp clarity from Hagoromo's visit still fresh in his thoughts. Something about this man felt eerily familiar—his presence, his energy, everything about him.

Naruto clenched his fists, trying to steady his thoughts. "Are you the same guy I fought in Baryon Mode?" he asked, his voice steady despite the tension building in the air. "Your presence is very similar."

The man didn't immediately respond, but the faintest, knowing smile crossed his lips.

Isshiki's posture was calm, but his presence was suffocating. "Baryon Mode," he mused, his tone almost contemplative. "You are strong, Naruto Uzumaki. But what you fought before wasn't truly me. It was the vessel I've inhabited. Now, however…" His voice trailed off, and he allowed his chakra to surge, sending an unmistakable wave of power into the air. "Now, I am free to show you my true form."

Naruto's gaze hardened, and he straightened up, meeting Isshiki's intense gaze. He could feel the weight of Isshiki's power, but something inside him refused to back down. His fists tightened at his sides, and his heart beat steady with purpose.

"Well, no matter how much stronger you are compared to when we last fought. I Am still stronger."

Isshiki's smile widened, a mixture of amusement and disdain flickering in his eyes. "You talk big, Naruto Uzumaki. But words alone won't save you from the inevitable."

Naruto took a deep breath, his expression serious. "We'll see about that. I don't lose when it counts."

Without wasting a second, Naruto launched himself into the air, his speed a blur as he shot toward Isshiki, aiming to land a blow that would give him the upper hand. His plan was simple—get close enough to use his Flying Thunder God technique to teleport both of them outside of Konoha. He had to keep the battle away from his friends and the village.

"You're not getting away this time!" Naruto grunted under his breath, his hand reaching out to make contact with Isshiki.

Isshiki's eyes flickered with amusement. Without a hint of panic, he raised his hand, effortlessly swatting Naruto's strike aside as if it were nothing. The moment Naruto's palm missed, Isshiki's own hand shot forward with blinding speed, aiming straight for Naruto's chest.

Naruto's instincts kicked in just in time, twisting his body mid-air to dodge the incoming attack. The force behind Isshiki's strike was enough to crack the air itself, sending shockwaves rippling through the area. "Tch!" Naruto grunted, narrowly avoiding the deadly blow as he quickly repositioned himself.

The shockwave from Isshiki's strike was so powerful that it obliterated the apartment buildings directly below them, sending chunks of concrete and debris flying in every direction. Naruto was sent crashing into the remains of one of the buildings, landing hard in the rubble with a loud thud. The force knocked the wind out of him, but he quickly recovered, pushing himself up with a determined look in his eyes.

His enhanced physique allowed him to shake off the impact far quicker than most, and despite the damage, his mind was already working through his plan. He had sent a shadow clone ahead earlier to teleport every civilian far from the area, ensuring no one in Konoha would get caught in the crossfire of this battle. With his new chakra reserves and control, he could afford to make that move without worry. Everyone was already safely out of the village.

"Now, it's just you and me," Naruto muttered, brushing debris from his clothes as he straightened up. His body was already adjusting to the intense pressure of the battle, his enhanced fitness allowing him to stay on his feet despite the destruction around him.

Isshiki hovered above the ruins, watching Naruto with a calm yet cold gaze. "You've done well to clear the area, but it won't save you."

Naruto's eyes flickered with a new intensity as he called upon the power of Sage Mode. His body pulsed with natural energy, blending seamlessly with the world around him. The moment his chakra shifted, the vibrations of the environment flooded his senses. He could feel the weight of the broken buildings around him, the tremors of the destruction still lingering in the ground, but more importantly, he could feel the presence of every living thing in the area, as well as the ominous miasma that clung to Isshiki like a dark cloud.

Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind. I've been gathering natural energy for you, brat. Be ready. This fight's only going to get tougher from here on out.

Naruto's senses sharpened, his vision clearing as he took in the battlefield in a way he never could before. He could feel the life force of every person he had teleported out of the village, each one safe beyond the outskirts of Konoha. He felt the cool night air and the vibrations of the shattered earth beneath his feet. But, it was Isshiki's presence that stood out the most, pulsating like a malignant force.

So this is what it's like to sense you, Naruto thought, his gaze sharpening. Not even the strongest physical barrier can hide your presence.

Isshiki floated above him, observing with that same, unbothered demeanor, as if his opponent was nothing more than an insect he could squash at will.

"That's quite the trick," Isshiki mused, clearly amused by the sudden change in Naruto's energy. "But it won't be enough."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, every muscle in his body tensing. "I've learned a lot since we last fought. And I'm not going down without giving it everything I've got!"

With a roar, Naruto exploded forward, moving faster than the eye of a Kage could track. The air around him warped from the sheer force of his speed. He was a blur of orange and green, the raw natural energy swirling around him, his chakra enhanced by both Sage Mode and the bond with Kurama. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he shot toward Isshiki, his fist glowing with concentrated chakra.

Isshiki didn't flinch. With a simple flick of his wrist, he activated his ability to manipulate space, creating a massive barrier that blocked Naruto's punch with a crackling sound of energy. Naruto's fist collided with the barrier with enough force to create a shockwave, but the barrier barely budged.

"I expected as much," Isshiki said, his expression still calm. "You're stronger than before, but you're still too weak to touch me in this form."

Naruto's eyes hardened, frustration welling up inside him, but he didn't stop. Not now. Not when I've come this far.

He pushed against the barrier, drawing on more natural energy, his muscles bulging as he roared again and tried to break through. But it was no use—the barrier held strong, and Isshiki wasn't moving an inch.

Naruto gritted his teeth as he pushed against the barrier, the strain evident in his bulging muscles and the raw force of his chakra pouring into the effort. Natural energy surged through him in waves, amplifying his strength and resolve, but it wasn't enough. The barrier stood unyielding, and Isshiki remained as immovable as a mountain, a smug expression etched onto his alabaster face.

Naruto's frustration bubbled over into a primal roar as he drew on every reserve he had. Then, suddenly, a thought clicked in his mind—a possibility that had never occurred to him before.

Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind, alarmed. Naruto, what are you thinking?! Baryon Mode—combined with this natural energy? You're going to burn through more than chakra—you could destroy yourself!

"I don't have a choice!" Naruto growled back, determination laced in his words. "If I don't stop him now, there won't be a Konoha left to protect!"

With that, he allowed the natural energy within him to fully merge with the power of Baryon Mode. The transformation was instant and overwhelming. His body erupted in a radiant golden-red aura, the fiery energy of Baryon Mode now interwoven with the pure, tranquil essence of nature itself. It was a contradiction—raw, volatile power tempered by the calm stillness of the natural world.

Naruto's whisker marks deepened, glowing faintly against his skin. His golden eyes took on a fiery hue, the pupils narrowing to slits that exuded an unyielding intensity. The chakra tails formed once more, flickering wildly, but they no longer felt unstable. Instead, they moved with purpose, as though guided by the harmony of the natural energy that now pulsed through him.

The ground beneath him cracked and splintered further as the energy around him surged, creating a vortex that pushed back the rubble and debris. The oppressive miasma surrounding Isshiki wavered for the first time, the pure force of Naruto's presence cutting through it like sunlight piercing through a storm.

Isshiki's eyes narrowed, the calm confidence on his face replaced by something colder—wariness. "This... this is new," he said, his tone flat but betraying a hint of intrigue.

Naruto grinned, his fiery aura blazing with renewed intensity. The merging of Baryon Mode and Sage Mode wasn't depleting him as Kurama had feared. Instead, his body, fortified by the rigorous training he had undergone over the past month, adapted seamlessly to the overwhelming power coursing through him.

"Guess I forgot to mention something, Kurama," Naruto said with a sly smirk as the fox spirit rumbled in surprise. "All that training? It wasn't just about getting stronger. It was about making sure I could handle this."

Kurama let out a chuckle, his voice now tinged with pride. You're full of surprises, kid. Let's see how far this can go.

The barrier shattered completely, and Naruto strode forward, his steps confident and deliberate. His chakra tails swirled behind him like flames dancing in the wind, and his golden-red aura illuminated the battlefield, casting long shadows across the rubble-strewn ground.

Isshiki's narrowed eyes betrayed a flicker of unease, though he quickly masked it. "So, you've managed to refine your power," he said, his tone measured. "But raw strength won't save you, Naruto Uzumaki. It never has."

Naruto's grin widened, his gaze unwavering as he met Isshiki's cold stare. "You're right. Raw strength alone isn't enough. But this isn't just strength. It's control. It's purpose. And it's enough to take you down."

Naruto's aura blazed like a sun as he pressed his assault, each strike backed by the combined might of Baryon Mode and Sage Mode. The battlefield trembled under their clash, shockwaves leveling what was left of the village outskirts. Yet, for every opening Naruto found, Isshiki countered effortlessly, each movement precise and deliberate.

Isshiki sidestepped a punch that cracked the ground beneath them, then caught Naruto's follow-up kick with one hand. "Impressive power," Isshiki said, his voice calm but tinged with disdain. "But power without purpose is meaningless."

With a sudden twist, Isshiki flung Naruto across the battlefield, his body carving a trench through the rubble. Naruto sprang back to his feet instantly, unyielding, and dashed forward again, fists glowing with chakra. This time, he feinted a strike and aimed for Isshiki's torso with a Rasengan infused with natural energy.

Isshiki didn't flinch. Instead, he shrank the Rasengan mid-flight, rendering it harmless, then expanded it just as it passed Naruto, forcing him to dodge his own attack. Before Naruto could regain his footing, Isshiki appeared behind him, slamming a black rod into his shoulder and pinning him to the ground.

"Is this what the great Naruto Uzumaki amounts to?" Isshiki sneered, planting his foot on Naruto's back and pressing down hard. "Your newfound strength is remarkable, but you're still bound by human limitations. You cannot defeat me."

Naruto growled, pushing up against the weight with all his might, his chakra flaring violently. The rod dissolved under the pressure, and Naruto spun to deliver an uppercut. Isshiki blocked it with ease, retaliating with a knee to Naruto's stomach that sent him sprawling.

"You've trained well," Isshiki continued, his tone almost condescending as he floated above Naruto. "But you misunderstand the nature of this battle. Power is not enough. Strategy is not enough. You are nothing compared to the might of the Otsutsuki."

Naruto rose to his feet again, his breathing heavy but his resolve unshaken. "You talk too much," he muttered, charging forward once more.

This time, Isshiki didn't bother countering immediately. Instead, he allowed Naruto to land a flurry of blows—each one creating shockwaves that reverberated across the battlefield. But Naruto quickly realized something was wrong. Despite his attacks connecting, Isshiki didn't budge, his body barely reacting to the strikes.

"What's wrong, Uzumaki?" Isshiki mocked, catching Naruto's wrist mid-punch. "Do you feel it yet? The futility?"

Isshiki tightened his grip, and Naruto felt a surge of energy sap from him as if his strength was being drained directly. The oppressive feeling of Isshiki's power grew heavier, suffocating even the natural energy Naruto had been drawing upon.

Before Naruto could react, Isshiki slammed him into the ground with devastating force, creating a massive crater. He followed up with a series of blows, each one driving Naruto deeper into the earth.

Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind, filled with urgency. This isn't working, kid. We need a plan before he crushes us completely!

Naruto coughed, blood trickling from his mouth as he struggled to rise again. His vision blurred, but he refused to give up. "I… won't… let you win," he growled, summoning another burst of chakra to stand.

Isshiki appeared in front of him in an instant, his hand gripping Naruto's throat. "You already have," he said coldly, lifting him off the ground. "This is the difference between us. You fight with heart, but I fight with inevitability. And now, Uzumaki, your end has come."

With a flick of his wrist, Isshiki hurled Naruto across the battlefield once more, his body slamming into the remnants of a building. This time, Naruto didn't rise immediately. His aura flickered, his strength waning.

Isshiki landed softly, brushing dust from his robes. "Your defiance is admirable, but ultimately pointless. Rest now, and know that your efforts were in vain."

As Isshiki prepared to deliver the final blow, Naruto struggled to his knees, his determination unwavering despite the odds. The battle wasn't over—not yet. But for the moment, it was clear: Isshiki held the upper hand.