Sub-basement three, Hokage Tower. No windows, only ever-burning chakra lamps. Jack followed a cat-masked ANBU; footsteps swallowed by sound-absorbing stone, like walking down a gullet."Stop." Cat-face raised a hand; a metal door slid, cold washing in—not AC, but the inertia of sealing arrays.Inside: one stone table, three people—Mitokado Homura (Council)Utatane Koharu (Council)Hatake Kakashi (Recorder)No Hokage, but Jack recognized the carved "忍" on the wall—the old ROOT interrogation room, now a reserve council chamber."Sit." Koharu's voice was gentler than expected, yet absolute.
The chair sprouted cuffs, locking wrists and ankles—not restraints, but chakra monitors."We read your mission report," Homura unrolled a projection scroll. "Research confirms Scroll Null-07 activated without human action. Explain.""I can't," Jack answered honestly—truth, since the thread was not "external," but inside.Cat-face lifted a crystal from the table center: within, a wisp of golden mist—shrine rift residue."Place your hand."
Jack obeyed. The collar spiral stung; golden threads gushed into the crystal—mist spun, synchronizing perfectly.Monitor readings spiked:
「Sync rate: 97.6%」
「Threat assessment: ???」All three councillors frowned. Kakashi half-lidded: "Looks like you two are old friends."Koharu pressed a button; the crystal sank, cuffs released.
"Conclusion: you possess 'affinity' but no hostile intent. Konoha's decision—"She paused, gaze sharp: "—'cooperative observation.' Weekly reports here, assist the sealing squad. In exchange, library restricted stacks open, ANBU won't knock at midnight."Soft prison for resources. Jack nodded: "I accept.""Good." Homura produced an agreement, already stamped (joint-council proxy; Tsunade away). Jack signed; the thread left a golden fingerprint, invisible watermark.II Restricted Stacks: Rift HistoryCat-face led him to an elevator, two floors deeper—"Seal" level archive. Smell of camphor and old ink."Related shelves, row seven. Three hours, no removal, no copies."Jack pulled the oldest volume—Space-Time Rifts & the Rabbit Goddess, author unknown, pre-Konoha calendar.First page: a hand-drawn spiral, identical to his collar mark.
Excerpt:
"…When the Ōtsutsuki descended, a spiral gate opened in the sky, Kaguya stepped through, planted the God Tree. The gate never closed, leaving 'Embers' in the world, later called 'rifts.' Those who synchronize with Embers glimpse what lies beyond, yet their minds eventually return to nothing…""Return to nothing?" A chill. The thread quivered, excited.Second scroll—Sealing Formulae vs. Rift Applicability:
"Rifts cannot be fully sealed, only 'borrowed'—guide energy into another medium, use medium as prison, replace regularly. Media: usually high-purity crystal, but records exist of 'living vessels,' lifespan seven years.""Living vessels…" Jack's hairs stood.Appendix: list of human test subjects, all "missing." Last note:
"Subject Ω, highest sync, left prophecy—'When Spiral returns, the Gate will choose its master.'"Writing broke off, as if severed.The thread suddenly cinched; darkness flashed, Jack standing in a white void, giant spiral gate ahead."Return… the shard…" female voice, gentle, hollow."Who are you?"
"Guardian of Embers, also your future." Tentacles of gold reached—POP! Library lamps sparked; alarm bell shrilled. Cat-face flashed in, palm striking Jack's shoulder: "Exit trance!"Pulled back, shirt soaked. The ancient book snapped shut; golden letters appeared on cover—thread-written:
「Countdown: 6 years 11 months 29 days」III Emergency Addendum: Warden of the RiftHalf an hour later, council convened. Koharu slid the "seven-year" record toward Jack: "You saw?"
"Yes. I want to live, and I'll take risk. Give me inhibitors."After hushed debate they produced a draft:
"Uzumaki sealing shell + Hyūga tenketsu locks, monthly maintenance, slows 'nulling' progression. Materials costly, village-funded—condition: you become 'Warden of the Rift,' official rank, reporting directly to Hokage.""Salary?" Jack joked.
"S-class secrecy allowance, special-jōnin level," Kakashi smiled wallet-shaped."Deal." He signed; the thread flashed, countdown unchanged, new line added:
「Position: Warden of the Rift · 1st Generation」IV Homeward & New WhisperNight, 22:00. Streets empty. Moonhook above. Jack remembered the female voice—"the Gate will choose its master."Palm thread peeked, moonlit blue, echoing sky.
—Seven years for infinite possibility, fair trade; he'll spend them finding how to break the prophecy.A whisper laughed in his ear:
"Then let the game begin."