The three-dimensional projection that materialized before the astonished group of Konoha ninja was a level of illusion far beyond any Genjutsu. It wasn't a flat image; it was an atmosphere, a sensory experience that plunged them instantly into a world consumed by chaos.
A blazing sea of fire filled the air, the intense heat and the acrid smell of smoke seeming to tickle their senses. The flickering, orange light of the inferno cast demonic shadows, and rising above the crackle of the flames was the chilling sound of desperate, terrified screams.
As the virtual camera pulled back, Naruto gasped, his eyes widening in horror. He saw the grim tableau of disaster: a frantic mother clutching a wailing, soot-covered child; a man's frantic, muffled shouts as he lay pinned beneath the rubble of a collapsed home. In these few, heart-wrenching scenes, the feeling of absolute, crushing hopelessness seemed to permeate the very fabric of the air.
This was a catastrophe of unimaginable scale.
Then, the scene was utterly, violently overturned.
A powerful, high-velocity wind ripped through the cityscape, a literal tornado that extinguished a vast swathe of the raging flames instantly. From the turbulent sky descended a man of immense physical stature and power. He was an imposing figure with striking golden-blonde hair, two signature bangs curled stylishly back, and a smile so wide, so confident, it was utterly infectious and impossible to ignore.
"The power belongs to me!" a booming, resonant voice declared, cutting through the screams and the roar of the fire.
"All Might is here!"
"We're saved! He's finally arrived!"
The desperate shouts instantly transformed into cries of ecstatic relief. The moment the figure touched down, the oppressive weight of despair seemed to be physically lifted and reversed. Men wept with sudden, agonizing joy, ignoring the encroaching fire.
Women collapsed to their knees, their bodies trembling not from fear, but from the sudden, overwhelming release of tension. Even the children, whose cries had defined the atmosphere of disaster, fell silent, opening their wide eyes to stare up at the impossible blond man.
Naruto's breathing quickened, a lump forming in his throat. It wasn't just the display of power, but the response of the people. This man, simply by his presence, by merely standing there, became an immediate, irrefutable beacon of hope. The collective, unwavering faith they placed in him was a profound trust that transcended logic.
What kind of recognition is that? Naruto clenched his fists, his heart beginning to beat with a deep, resonating rhythm of pure aspiration.
Then came the climax of the scene, the moment of ultimate catharsis.
The hero's voice, amplified by his incredible will, echoed across the devastated city, each word a hammer blow of confidence and salvation.
"I am perfectly fine now! And do you want to know why? Because! I. Am. HERE!"
The ensuing roar of cheers obliterated the sound of the burning flames. The man named All Might, clad in his somewhat gaudy red, white, and blue uniform, was the image of hope itself. He moved with frightening speed and impossible efficiency, his very presence a force of nature. He extinguished fires and shattered tons of lethal rubble simply with the wind generated by his fists.
And he kept his promise. From the moment of his arrival, no one else was harmed. The unwavering smile on his face was the guarantee of safety.
"All Might," Shen Mo's voice cut through the awe, quiet and thick with emotion. "He may not be the strongest hero I've ever seen, but he is certainly the most recognizable, the most trusted. Naruto, did you truly see that smile? In his world, that smile is the protection. It is a symbol that tells people, 'I am here; you are safe.' They have unwavering faith in him, no matter the enemy or disaster."
Shen Mo had chosen All Might specifically for Naruto. He knew that the boy's entire dream of becoming Hokage stemmed from a deep-seated, desperate need for recognition and trust. Right now, Naruto's desire for that ultimate acceptance far outweighed his need for raw protective strength. All Might's contagious heroism had struck him to the core.
Naruto, eyes wide and glistening, could only shout his awe. "That is truly incredible! He is a real hero!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen quietly took a slow drag on his pipe. His expression was faint, thoughtful. As Hokage, do the people of Konoha feel that same unwavering trust in me?
The painful, immediate answer was no. It wasn't a matter of power. Hiruzen was capable, respected, and willing to die for the village, but he could not project that level of absolute confidence—the innate knowledge that with him present, all fear vanished. He was a pragmatist, forced to make sacrifices to protect the whole.
"Naruto," Shen Mo's voice returned, now carrying a hint of vast, cosmic nostalgia. "I have traveled countless worlds and encountered countless heroes. Some are not perfectly pure; some face hatred and misunderstanding. But they all share two essential qualities: the absolute determination to protect, and—Strength!"
Shen Mo snapped his fingers, and the vision shifted instantly.
The second screen flashed before them: another blazing inferno. But this time, the muscular man in a tight, distinctive uniform did not fight the fire directly. Instead, he shot toward a nearby lake with impossible speed, reaching it at what seemed like the speed of sound. With a single, tremendous breath, the entire surface of the massive lake instantly froze over.
Then, in a breathtaking display of raw, magnificent power, the man physically raised the lake of ice!
The immense, impossible slab of ice was lifted into the air and maneuvered over the city. The melting ice then easily doused the fires. If All Might's shock was rooted in reputation, this man's power was a terrifying, beautiful display of sheer, unrivaled physical might. Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. What magnificent strength is this?
Shen Mo snapped his fingers again. The third vision appeared.
A gargantuan meteor streaked across the sky, aimed directly at a lush, sprawling metropolis. Below it, a few exhausted heroes lay defeated. Then, a figure appeared: a bald man in a simple white cape and yellow suit. "Don't hit my city!" he shouted.
With a single, simple, blindingly fast punch, he struck the massive meteorite. The sheer force of the blow did not merely deflect it; it shattered the entire celestial body into a thousand pieces.
The screen cycled through a series of rapid images: A disciplined, muscular man holding a star-spangled shield. A dark, brooding figure, a knight of the shadows. Some heroes were less powerful but possessed unbreakable wills; others wielded cosmic, world-shaping strength.
The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the projected sounds of heroism.
Naruto was past excitement; he was vibrating with a spiritual tremor. These were not just ninjas; these were gods among men. They stood as unshakable bastions against destruction, defending cities with their fists, their will, and their sheer, explosive power.
Their fame, their strength, their resolute gaze—it stirred the deepest, most passionate longings within his heart.
So incredibly handsome! The desire was so strong, he felt tears welling up in his eyes.
"I want that!" Naruto finally screamed, his voice thick with emotion. "I want to be a hero like them! I want to protect Konoha like that! I must be able to do it!"
It wasn't just Naruto. Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade, Kakashi, Sakura, and even Sasuke—who tried desperately to hide his reaction—were profoundly moved. The constant exposure to the parochial conflicts of the Shinobi world had blinded them to the vastness of the universe.
There were, indeed, true, selfless heroes in other worlds.
The stage was set. The path to the ultimate protector—a symbol that guaranteed peace—was now laid before the aspiring Hokage. The question remained: Was he ready to pay the price?
The symbol of peace has been revealed. Now that Naruto is emotionally invested, what kind of power will he choose to achieve this heroic destiny?