Chapter 175: Triple Dream
Sharp, flexible vines clung to him like parasites, and no matter how he struggled or fought back, it did nothing. They bound his limbs, pierced into his flesh.
The ground surged upward. The countless vines holding the giant Buddha were lifted by an enormous wooden pillar. Those same vines curled and twisted, rolling into themselves like a pill bug, merging with the vines restraining the black Franklin. In an instant, they wrapped him completely, layer after layer reinforcing the binding.
Atop the colossal pillar, a solid vine sphere several kilometers wide rapidly took shape.
Black Franklin was trapped at its core, pierced, bound, and sealed like a mummified prisoner by the dense layers of vines pressing in from all directions.
With his spiritual energy draining fast, Franklin immediately pulled out the pouch of senzu beans at his waist. One restored him to the peak of the Qi Refining stage, fully healing his injuries.
The second brought him to the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. Only after swallowing the third did his spiritual energy finally return to its peak state.
Sending his divine sense outward, everything within the mass of vines appeared clearly in his mind.
"Who are you? Why do you look like me?"
"Who am I? Take a guess. You must have some idea by now."
Hearing that transmitted voice, Franklin frowned deeply, eyes locked on the black Franklin at the core of the sphere.
Thinking over his earlier words, Franklin suddenly realized the one detail that stood out the most. He dropped down beside the two girls.
His divine sense erupted. Heaven and earth, everything within four kilometers, unfolded before him.
"Ikaros, Astraea, Nymph — none of them are here. This is still a dream, isn't it?! Are you actually my inner demon?"
A dry, grating laugh followed.
"Heh heh heh, a bit slow, but close enough. It doesn't matter. Stealing your body in one try was unrealistic anyway.
This time was only a test. I'll have plenty more chances. Don't get complacent, Franklin — I'm always ready to replace you.
That little spontaneous vine seal of yours was beyond what I expected. But the next heart trial and will-forging trial won't be this easy.
Those will leave a mark. Unforgettable. I might even take full control directly — who knows? Heh heh heh…"
As his voice faded, cracks tore through the dreamscape again.
Momo and Lala seemed to be shouting something, but Franklin could no longer hear them. The entire dream collapsed, and everything fell back into darkness.
Light filled his vision. Franklin's eyes snapped open once more — full of caution. But then unfamiliar memories surfaced abruptly.
He jerked upright, staring at the black-robed figure seated in meditation not far away.
"Who are you? Why are you in my dream? Are you another inner demon?"
"Who I am… that's something you'll have to learn for yourself. But here's one mistake you can cross off — I'm not your inner demon."
Franklin frowned harder as he stared into the hood, dark as a bottomless abyss.
"All right, enough pointless thinking. I've already given you the Nascent Soul, Spirit Severing, and Void Refining volumes of the Spatial Tyrant Body Technique. What comes after is up to you.
Above those are the Integration, Great Ascension, and Immortal volumes. Beyond Immortal, there are further realms still — those are for you to find on your own.
Before I leave, there's one task you need to complete. Consider it the price for receiving the remaining parts of the Spatial Tyrant Body Technique.
The Naruto world you visited is abnormally separated from the normal cycle of reincarnation. Reviving the dead — mortals are forbidden from doing such a thing.
Transferring souls is forbidden. Summoning the dead with reincarnation jutsu violates the moral order.
The Underworld there exists outside the natural cycle as well. None of this is permitted, so that world has become a temporal anchor point. When you feel your tasks are complete, activate the temporal anchor. Place it anywhere.
After that, the souls of that world will finally receive proper judgment and a chance at reincarnation.
Here — this is the anchor. And these are the activation seals and incantation."
Franklin took the strange chess piece. Instantly, the Dimensional Tome issued a prompt:
[Temporal Anchor Acquired — Anchor Space, Anchor Time, Anchor World.
Contract as new page of the Dimensional Tome?]
[Yes][No]
He chose "Yes" without hesitation. After memorizing the seals and mantra the robed figure demonstrated, Franklin exhaled slowly.
"So you're not planning anything shady?"
"Hmm. With your personality you wouldn't believe me no matter how I explained it, but not explaining will just make you uneasy. So I'll put it this way:
My existence is similar to the Watcher from the Marvel universe you've read. So no, you don't need to worry about me having any of those petty mortal desires."
With that, Franklin finally nodded in understanding.
"All right. I accept. Now, do you have any pills or fruits that extend lifespan? Returning to the Naruto world again will burn a lot of life. I'll need something to compensate.
Otherwise, with how greedy I am, I'm not sure I'd complete the task properly."
Silence. Deep silence. Just when Franklin was getting impatient, a strange pure-white fruit floated out from the black-robed figure's sleeve.
"This is a Lifespan Fruit. It grants five hundred years of life and is also a creation of heaven and earth."
Franklin's eyes lit up. It was exactly what he needed — both to replenish the lifespan he had burned and to further extend it.
He reached for it — but the fruit drifted back out of reach.
"Set the mission in your task list first. I need to make sure you really will return to the Naruto world. Then I'll give it to you."
Franklin narrowed his eyes briefly, then nodded.
"Fair enough. A deal should feel like a deal."
At his gesture, the golden Dimensional Tome appeared in the air. The black-robed figure leaned forward slightly.
"I thought you didn't have mortal desires."
Franklin's blunt remark made a palpable wave of embarrassment radiate from the robed figure. Franklin felt secondhand awkwardness just looking at him.
"Ahem… reflex. You don't understand the value of that Tome.
Forget it — I can't explain. Just accept the mission so I can leave."
Franklin watched him sit upright again. With a thought, the Dimensional Tome flipped rapidly until it reached the task section. Franklin focused on the designated task.
[Designated Task]
[Task Rank: E– to EX]
[Designated Task]: The awakened talent user selects the task location, task time, or task target for pinpoint traversal.
Each selection consumes 100 years of lifespan. Completed tasks grant lifespan rewards equivalent to spirit stone value.