Sacred Gear Shadow Light

Naruto and Red nodded to each other, a mutual understanding passing between them. With a single motion, Naruto extended his hand toward the glowing orb, channeling his chakra into it. The orb expanded slightly, its glow intensifying as the vessel began to take shape. It solidified into a humanoid form—tall, lean, and perfectly proportioned, its surface gleaming like polished obsidian streaked with veins of molten gold.

Kurama floated forward, his immense form looming over the group as his crimson eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Finally," he muttered, his voice carrying a mix of annoyance and excitement. "Let's get this over with."

Naruto placed both hands on the vessel, closing his eyes as he focused. The energy around him shifted again, and a stream of light began to flow from Kurama, coiling toward the vessel like a living river of power. The transfer began, the sheer magnitude of Kurama's energy causing the air to thrum with a deep, resonant vibration.

As 90% of Kurama's power flowed into the vessel, the intensity of the energy became almost unbearable. The vessel pulsed, its surface rippling as it absorbed the vast reserves of chakra and magic. The instant the transfer was complete, a shockwave of magic erupted from the vessel, radiating outward with such force that the barrier Naruto had crafted for privacy shattered like glass.

The surge of power tore through the Dimensional Gap, the shockwave sending Shikamaru stumbling backward toward the edge of the void. His sharp reflexes kicked in, but before he could steady himself, Red's massive claw shot out, catching him by the back of his armour.

"Gotcha," Red said with a grin, effortlessly pulling Shikamaru back to safety.

Naruto cursed under his breath, immediately weaving a series of seals with lightning speed. Shadows erupted from his hands, forming a new barrier—thicker, stronger, and layered with protective runes. The dark construct solidified around them, sealing the space once more.

"Dumb fox," Naruto muttered, his tone half-annoyed, half-exasperated as he turned to glare at Kurama. "You couldn't wait five minutes for me to finish the preparations before throwing a tantrum with your power?"

Kurama's crimson eyes narrowed, his grin revealing sharp teeth. "Don't blame me if my strength is too much for your little barrier to handle. Next time, build something that doesn't crack under pressure."

Shikamaru, still dangling in Red's grip, groaned softly. "You two arguing about this is already giving me a headache," he said, brushing himself off as Red set him down. "But for the record, I'm definately keeping that vessel once this is over."

Naruto shot him a flat look, but Red and Kurama both burst into laughter, their amusement echoing through the now-stabilized space. Aethra, meanwhile, watched the vessel with wide, shimmering eyes, her awe undiminished by the chaos.

"That… is extraordinary," she murmured, her voice filled with quiet reverence. "The balance, the strength—it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

Astrid's voice chimed in Aethra's mind, her tone crisp and analytical as usual. Entity: Vessel of Uzumaki Naruto and Great Red. Composition: Blood-Chakra-Draconic Essence fusion. Durability: extreme. Energy harmonization: unparalleled. Threat level: unquantifiable.

Aethra turned her gaze to Naruto, her expression a mixture of respect and curiosity. "You've created something truly remarkable," she said softly. "This vessel… it might be exactly what we need."

Naruto nodded, his focus still on the vessel as he made a few final adjustments. "Let's hope so," he said. "Because once Kurama steps into this thing, there's no going back."

Kurama smirked, stepping forward as he prepared to fully inhabit the vessel. "Don't worry, Naruto," he said, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "I'm going to show them what true power looks like."

Naruto exhaled, giving one last glance to Shikamaru and Red, who both nodded in silent agreement. The space settled into a tense stillness as the next phase of their plan began.

The vessel glowed faintly as Kurama adjusted to his new form. His presence, once immense and unrestrained, now settled into the humanoid vessel crafted from Naruto's and Red's combined essence. The energy flowing through the vessel was staggering—a perfect fusion of draconic resilience and the unparalleled power of the Ten-Tailed Fox.

Kurama stretched, flexing his new body with deliberate movements. His golden-obsidian skin rippled with latent power, and the streaks of molten veins glowed faintly as if alive. His crimson eyes gleamed, sharp and commanding, as he rolled his shoulders and let out a satisfied huff.

"Well, this is different," Kurama said, his deep voice reverberating through the space. He clenched his fists, sparks of energy dancing across his form. "But I'll admit—it's a damn good fit."

Naruto watched him carefully, his emerald eyes scanning the vessel's energy fluctuations for any sign of instability. When none appeared, he nodded. "You've got control?" he asked.

Kurama grinned, baring sharp teeth. "More than enough. This body's solid. Durable. I can channel everything without worrying about it falling apart."

Red snorted, his massive form shifting as he gave an approving nod. "Of course, it's solid. You're welcome, furball."

Kurama shot him a smirk. "Don't think I'll be thanking you, lizard."

Naruto raised a hand, cutting off the impending banter. "Focus," he said, his tone calm but firm. He turned to Aethra. "Are you ready for the journey?"

Aethra stepped forward, her celestial form glowing softly as she inclined her head. "I am," she said, her voice carrying both determination and gratitude. "And I believe Kurama will be the key to stabilizing the balance. But before we leave…"

She bowed deeply, her silver eyes glimmering as she addressed the three of them. "Thank you—for everything. For your strength, your ingenuity, and your willingness to assist my world. Your actions here will not be forgotten."

Naruto, Red, and Shikamaru exchanged glances, each responding in their own way. Naruto offered a slight nod of acknowledgment, his expression steady. Red rumbled with satisfaction, his wings flicking slightly. Shikamaru gave an awkward wave, his sharp mind already shifting to other concerns.

Aethra straightened, her gaze softening as she lifted her hand. A faint light appeared in her palm, coalescing into a small, crystalline orb that pulsed gently with energy. "Before we depart, I want to ensure you can remain in contact with Kurama," she said. "I do not want you to rely on the 10% of his power left in you to sustain communication over such a vast distance. So, I have crafted this."

The orb floated upward, splitting into three identical crystals, each one drifting toward Naruto, Red, and Shikamaru. As they took hold of the crystals, Aethra explained, her tone tinged with a hint of weariness.

"This system is barebones—a pseudo-basic assistant designed to bridge the gap between you and Kurama. It is linked directly to Astrid, who will serve as the primary interface in Kurama's vessel. With this, you can communicate with him across dimensions, receive critical updates on his status, and share key information as needed."

The crystals flared faintly, projecting a simple interface in the air before them. A synthesized voice, clear and neutral, resonated in their minds:

Greetings. I am Oracis, the Dimensional Relay and Support System. Title: Pseudo-Basic Liaison. Threat Level: Non-combative. Functionality: Interdimensional communication, dynamic energy management, and combat enhancement.

Naruto raised a brow at the introduction but remained silent as Aethra continued.

"Oracis is limited," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "It cannot perform complex calculations or provide detailed analysis like Astrid. However, it excels in several key areas that will prove invaluable to you."

She gestured to the crystals, which pulsed gently. "First, Oracis enables seamless communication between you and Kurama, even across vast dimensional distances. You'll receive real-time updates about his progress, status, or challenges."

Shikamaru, examining the interface with a sharp eye, nodded thoughtfully. "Useful, but we already expected that. What else?"

Aethra smiled faintly and continued, "Second, Oracis can dynamically redistribute energy among you, Red, and your allies. If one of you has surplus reserves, Oracis can redirect that energy to reinforce barriers, empower techniques, or temporarily enhance others."

Shikamaru's eyes widened slightly, and even Red tilted his massive head, his molten-gold gaze gleaming with interest. "Redistributing energy?" Shikamaru repeated, his tone laced with admiration. "That's… brilliant. If someone like me could tap into Red or Naruto's reserves—even temporarily—that could change the tide of a fight."

Red chuckled, his wings flaring slightly. "You're already planning to siphon my power, huh, Shika?"

Shikamaru gave a sly grin. "Only if you let me."

Naruto smirked faintly but directed his attention back to Aethra. "What's the catch?"

"It requires permission," she said firmly. "Oracis will not redistribute energy without the source's explicit consent. Additionally, it's designed to ensure balance—no one will be destabilized in the process."

Naruto nodded, satisfied. "Fair enough. And the third feature?"

Aethra's expression turned more serious. "Oracis can synchronize with the dimensional flow, allowing you to navigate the interdimensional framework with precision. This includes identifying stable pathways, tracking dimensional disruptions, and even predicting anomalies that could affect Kurama's trajectory or your own movements in the Gap."

Shikamaru examined the crystal again, his analytical mind racing. "A navigation system tied to dimensional flow… that's not just useful—it's groundbreaking. Even in our world, we've barely scratched the surface of that capability."

Red grinned, his massive tail flicking lazily. "Looks like you've got your hands on something special, Shika. Just don't break it."

The crystals dimmed slightly, their glow stabilizing as the interface disappeared. Naruto, Red, and Shikamaru exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment of the tool they had just been given.

"It'll work," Naruto said finally, his tone decisive. He glanced at Aethra. "Thank you."

Aethra inclined her head, her expression softening with a hint of apology. "I hope it serves you well," she said softly. "And that it helps ensure our worlds remain connected."

Kurama rolled his shoulders again, his grin widening. "Well then," he said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "Let's get this show on the road. Time to see what kind of mess these machines have gotten themselves into."

Aethra stepped closer to Kurama, her radiant form casting a gentle glow over his vessel. "Are you prepared?" she asked.

Kurama's crimson eyes gleamed. "Always."

Naruto, Red, and Shikamaru watched as Aethra raised her hand, a vortex of light forming around her and Kurama. The energy pulsed, resonating through the Dimensional Gap as the two prepared to embark on their journey. Aethra glanced back one last time, her silver eyes meeting Naruto's.

"Thank you," she said, her voice steady and filled with resolve. "For everything."

Kurama looked at his partner as well and with a toothy grin, gave his final words. "Don't die when I'm gone, Naruto. Who knows what I'll do,"

Naruto gave a small nod at both of them.

And with that, the vortex intensified, enveloping them in a burst of radiant light. When the glow faded, Aethra and Kurama were gone, leaving only the faint hum of residual energy behind. Naruto, Red, and Shikamaru stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their departure settling over them.

"Well," Shikamaru said finally, breaking the quiet. "That was… something."

Naruto exhaled, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You can say that again."

Red rumbled with amusement, his wings shifting as he turned to face them. "And now we wait. Let's see what kind of trouble that furball stirs up on the other side."

The three exchanged glances, the tension giving way to a quiet sense of readiness for whatever came next. They weren't just sending Kurama to fight—they were sending him to change the game.

Everything went silent, save for the residual hum of energy left behind by Aethra and Kurama's departure. The faint traces of their power lingered, a reminder of the monumental task they had just set into motion.

Shikamaru stretched lazily, breaking the stillness. "Well, that was entertaining," he muttered, his tone dry but not without a hint of amusement. "But I think I've had enough fun for one night."

Naruto shot him a sidelong glance, his emerald eyes gleaming faintly with lingering energy. "Heading out already?"

"Yeah," Shikamaru said with a shrug. "Unlike you, I actually need sleep. Someone has to stay sharp enough to clean up your messes later." His smirk softened the remark, a casual jab that carried no real bite.

Red rumbled with amusement, his wings shifting as he leaned back. "Don't go too soft on him, Shika. You've got a reputation to uphold."

Shikamaru waved dismissively, already stepping toward the edges of the space. "Yeah, yeah. Don't burn the place down while I'm gone."

With a nod, Naruto sent Shikamaru to his residence, his figure faded into the shadows, leaving the swirling void of the Dimensional Gap as their only companion. He exhaled slowly, the faint tension in his shoulders easing as he turned back to Red.

"Think they'll manage?" Naruto asked, his tone thoughtful.

Red snorted, his molten-gold eyes narrowing slightly. "Kurama's got enough power to level a dimension, and Aethra knows what she's doing. The real question is what's going to wake up while they're gone."

Naruto nodded, his gaze drifting outward toward the churning expanse of the Dimensional Gap. The swirling void rippled faintly, its chaotic energy as unpredictable as ever. For a moment, everything seemed calm, the stillness settling over them like a fragile truce.

But then, without warning, Naruto's Sacred Gear pulsed.

The first sign was subtle—a faint vibration in the air, a low thrum that resonated deep in his core. But within seconds, the pulse grew stronger, Skiadrum's dark essence and the luminous energy of the light half awakening in tandem. The sudden convergence sent a wave of energy rippling outward, distorting the air around Naruto as though reality itself were bending to acknowledge the shift.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly, his body tensing as the power within him began to churn uncontrollably. A deep, resonant hum filled the space, and the swirling void of the Dimensional Gap shuddered, the chaotic expanse reacting to the surge of energy.

Red's head snapped toward Naruto, his draconic eyes narrowing sharply. "What's this now?" he muttered, his tail lashing against the void impatiently. "Naruto, your power—"

Before he could finish, a brilliant aura erupted from Naruto's form, enveloping him in a cascade of shadow and light. The transformation was instantaneous, the energy radiating from him so intense that it forced Red to take a cautious step back, his wings flaring instinctively.

The shadows of Naruto's Sacred Gear recoiled, it's dark essence coiling like a serpent ready to flee. The luminous energy of the light half surged forward, a blinding cascade of radiance that seemed to pierce through the swirling void around them. The two forces clashed within Naruto's form, their opposing natures vying for dominance in a struggle that reverberated through the very fabric of the Dimensional Gap.

And Cut.

That's it for this chapter folks. Hope you liked it.

AN:

Here is the banger. it was fun to write an interdimensional problem solved. Oh who will forget about the system? I mean, who knows when it will be used? Looks at the end. Not soon, for sure. Also, I will let you know about the proper update schedule for January on the new year. Happy Holidays!

As always, let me know in your reviews and do share your feedback and suggestions!

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Black Infinity 1289,

Ja Ne.