The Taoist In The Multiverse!

Walking behind Yuta with a curious look on her face was Anko, whom he had just met. She seemed equal parts amused and baffled by his peculiar behavior. Ahead of them stood three figures- Nohara Rin, Ebisu, and a black-haired boy wearing goggles, who looked like he had been dragged into the group unintentionally: Uchiha Obito.

As the larger crowd of students dispersed, Yuta quickened his steps, his serene expression unwavering. Before the group could part ways, he stepped forward with his characteristic bow and cupped fists pressed together.

"Fellow brothers and sister," he began, his tone calm although slightly hurried, "please, hold on a moment. May this humble Taoist exchange a few words with you?"

Rin, already accustomed to Obito's dramatic outbursts, gave Yuta an awkward smile. "Uh… sure? What do you need?"

Obito tilted his head, clearly puzzled by the formal tone. "Taoist? What's a Taoist? Wait, is that some kind of ninja rank? I've never heard of it."

Ebisu frowned and adjusted his glasses, muttering, "That's not a ninja rank, idiot. I think he's just… weird."

Unbothered by their confusion, Yuta smiled and continued. "Having observed your remarkable talent during today's lesson, I feel as if the heavenly path has brought us together. As one seeking the Tao, I wish to propose that we join forces to cultivate our skills and enlighten our spirits. Together, we can ascend beyond our current limitations and approach the great mysteries of existence."

Obito's jaw dropped. "Uh… ascend? Mysteries? What are you talking about?"

Anko, trailing behind Yuta, burst out laughing again, her toothpick threatening to fall from her mouth. "There he goes again! Yuta, I swear, you need a translator or something."

Rin, always the peacekeeper, tried to smooth over the confusion. "Um… so, you're saying you want to train together?"

Yuta inclined his head slightly, his expression calm and resolute. "Indeed. But this is no mere training group. It is a fellowship of seekers—those who wish to harmonize their spirits, nurture their inner chi, and transcend the mundane."

Obito raised an eyebrow. "Inner chi? Transcend? Dude, are you okay? You sound like those monks from the temples outside Konoha."

Yuta turned to Obito, his tone unfazed and genuine. "The monks you speak of are merely shadows of the greater Tao. Their teachings are but stepping stones on a longer path."

Ebisu crossed his arms, skeptical. "What exactly do you mean by 'transcend'? This is the Ninja Academy, not some meditation retreat."

Anko slapped her knee, cackling. "I like this guy! He's like one of those street preachers, but for ninjas."

Yuta maintained his composure, bowing slightly to her. "Your laughter reflects the skepticism of one who has yet to witness the truth of the Tao. In time, you will see."

Rin, sensing the conversation spiraling into chaos, quickly interjected. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to train together, right? Maybe we can all help each other improve."

Yuta smiled serenely. "A wise decision, fellow sister. May our combined efforts illuminate the path forward."

Obito scratched his head. "Wait, wait, wait. Why are you talking like this is some ancient movie or something? We're just going to, like, do push-ups and practice chakra control, right?"

Yuta turned to him, his gaze thoughtful. "To you, it may appear as simple exercises. But every breath, every movement, every thought is a thread in the grand tapestry of the heavenly Tao."

Obito blinked. "…What?"

Anko doubled over, unable to contain her laughter. "I can't—this is too much! Yuta, you're killing me here!"

Ebisu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Can we just… decide where we're meeting? I don't have time for this 'grand tapestry' nonsense."

Obito groaned. "Fine, but I'm only coming if Rin comes."

Yuta's mouth twitched. So what? Go away, we don't need you there! That's what he wanted to say, but he couldn't break out of character.

Rin rolled her eyes but smiled. "Alright, Obito. Let's all meet at the training grounds tomorrow after class. Sound good?"

Yuta clasped his hands together again, bowing deeply. "I am grateful for your willingness to walk this path together. May tomorrow mark the beginning of our harmonious journey. By the way, my initial intention was to bring everyone to share a meal together, since it's decided that we will meet tomorrow, let's all meet together during lunch to share some experiences."

Obito leaned toward Rin, whispering loudly, "Does he always talk like this? It's kind of creepy."

Rin elbowed him gently. "Be nice, Obito. He's… unique."

Anko finally caught her breath, smirking as she jabbed a thumb in Yuta's direction. "Unique's one way to put it. You're something else, Yuta. I'm sticking around just to see what you'll do next."

As the group began to part ways, Obito lingered next to Rin, still scratching his head in confusion. Yuta, however, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the setting sun.

"Tomorrow, we embark on a journey not just of skill, but of spirit," Yuta murmured to himself, his voice barely audible. Then, louder: "Fellow cultivators, may the Tao guide you until we meet again!"

Obito threw up his hands, exasperated. "Seriously, what does that even mean?!"

Anko waved him off with a grin. "Don't think too hard about it, goggles-boy. Just roll with it."

As they dispersed, Rin chuckled softly, a small smile on her face. Though Yuta's words were strange and his demeanor unlike anyone she'd met, except maybe Might Guy, there was something oddly inspiring about him-like he truly believed in the grand ideas he spoke of. Whether she understood them or not, she found herself looking forward to tomorrow.

Next day, in the academy's courtyard.

The warm midday sun bathed the Academy courtyard as students scattered across the grounds, carrying lunchboxes and gathering in small groups. Under the shade of a tall oak tree near the training field, Yuta, Rin, Obito, Anko, and Ebisu gathered to share their midday meal.

Obito plopped down beside Rin, looking slightly disheveled, while Anko lazily leaned against the tree trunk, chewing on yet another toothpick. Yuta sat cross-legged, his hands resting calmly on his knees, his posture exuding a serene air as though meditating even during lunch. Ebisu adjusted his glasses meticulously before opening his neat and well-packed lunchbox.

"So, why were you late again, Obito?" Rin asked, glancing at him with a mix of concern and exasperation.

Obito puffed up his chest dramatically, clearly eager to explain. "I was helping an old grandpa carry his groceries! He had this massive bag of vegetables, and I couldn't just leave him struggling."

Ebisu sighed, shaking his head. "Another excuse. That's the second time this week you've blamed an elderly person."

"I'm serious!" Obito shot back, waving his hands frantically. "I even got dust all over my clothes because the bag tore! Look at this!" He tugged at a rip on his sleeve for emphasis.

Anko snorted, muttering, "Dust or not, you still got yelled at by Saburo-sensei. Classic."

Rin smiled despite herself. "At least your heart's in the right place, Obito."

"Exactly!" Obito grinned, puffing out his chest again. "See, Rin gets it. Anyway, I'm going to be Hokage one day, so helping villagers like that is part of the job."

Ebisu raised an eyebrow. "You? Hokage? You can't even make it to class on time."

"Hey, everyone starts somewhere!" Obito retorted, glaring at Ebisu. "Even the Third Hokage had to be a kid once."

"Speaking of Hokage," Ebisu said, adjusting his glasses, "my dream is to become the best Jounin instructor in Konoha. The Hokage is known as the 'great teacher,' after all. I want to follow in his footsteps and pass down knowledge to the next generation."

Rin chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "That's really cool, Ebisu! My dream is to be like Princess Tsunade. She's an amazing medic-nin and the strongest kunoichi. I want to help people, just like she does."

Anko, who had been lazily munching on a rice ball, perked up. "Snacks," she declared, her tone firm.

The group stared at her.

"My goal," she continued, undeterred, "is to make enough money to buy as many snacks and candies as I want. My dad doesn't let me touch them, but one day, I'll have so much money that no one can stop me."

Obito groaned. "That's your goal? Snacks? That's so… shallow!"

But before anyone could laugh, Anko added, with a surprising air of sophistication, "Of course, if I want to sustain that kind of lifestyle, I'd have to invest in businesses and create passive income streams. Smart investments in high-demand goods, combined with leveraging market trends, could create a stable financial foundation to support my... snack empire."

Yuta's serene expression shifted slightly, his eyes gleaming with understanding. "An excellent approach, sister Anko," he said. "You speak of sustainable wealth creation, a cornerstone of economic theory. However, consider this: instead of merely chasing market trends, focus on value creation. Invest in innovations that benefit society while ensuring long-term stability. As the Tao teaches, harmony in wealth leads to lasting prosperity."

Anko blinked, then grinned. "You're smarter than you look, Yuta. That's good advice. I'll bother you for more later."

Rin and Obito exchanged confused glances, while Ebisu looked utterly lost. "What… are you two even talking about?"

Ignoring the others, Yuta turned his calm gaze to the group. "As for myself, my goal transcends material concerns. I wish to bridge the gap between mortals and heaven, guiding humanity toward immortality and alignment with the Tao. One day, I shall establish a sect dedicated to this cause and invite all of you to join."

The group fell silent, absorbing Yuta's words.

Obito scratched his head. "Uh… that sounds… big?"

Rin smiled politely, unsure how to respond. "That's… unique."

Ebisu frowned, muttering, "Immortality? That's not even possible."

Anko waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, Taoist mumbo jumbo. Thanks for the business tips, though."

---

Training Ground 14: Afternoon

The group arrived at Training Ground 14, a quiet space surrounded by tall trees and open fields. The sun was still high, casting a golden glow over the grass.

"Alright," Yuta began, clasping his hands behind his back. "Before we delve into advanced techniques, we must first strengthen our bodies and develop proper breathing. Physical foundation is key to cultivation."

Obito crossed his arms. "We're ninja. We already train our bodies."

Yuta smiled knowingly. "Not as efficiently as you could. The Tao emphasizes balance. By breaking down and rebuilding muscle fibers, engaging in cardiovascular exercises to improve lung capacity, and learning to breathe deeply, you will enhance your chakra flow and overall vitality."

Ebisu adjusted his glasses. "That… actually makes sense."

Rin nodded thoughtfully. "What kind of exercises do you suggest, Yuta?"

Yuta began demonstrating a series of calisthenics: push-ups, squats, planks, lunges, etc. There was one exercise for every main muscle group of the body. "These exercises strengthen the core and develop resilience. Pair them with deep, controlled breathing to circulate oxygen efficiently through your blood, nourishing your cells."

As the group hesitated, Yuta added with a serene smile, "Do not underestimate the simplicity of these movements. Even the grandest structures are built upon humble foundations, besides, they are good enough for us who are just starting, in the future, I will show you some more advanced methods."

They reluctantly followed his lead, grumbling at first but gradually falling into rhythm.

As he led the exercises, hours passed and he gradually fell into a feeling of nostalgia, Yuta's mind drifted back to his previous life. A lifetime of sickness had taught him the importance of physical fitness, and the personal trainer his family had hired drilled these principles into him. Now, he passed this knowledge on to his new companions, blending it with the wisdom of the Tao.

Of course, he didn't do this without reason, a glimmer of wisdom shone in his eyes. Since he travelled to this world and had some knowledge of the future, how could he be indifferent to it? Fuck the so called, Canon, he will definitely intervene in everything that bothers him.

Especially this trio... His thoughts wandered as he ignored Obito's existence. They could very well become his greatest aids in the future.

By the end of the session, the group was winded but undeniably invigorated.

"That… wasn't half bad," Anko admitted, wiping sweat from her brow.

Rin nodded, smiling. "I feel stronger already." And also very tired, she added in her mind.

Even Ebisu conceded, "Your methods are unorthodox, but effective."

Obito groaned, collapsing onto the grass. "I hate to admit it, but he's right."

Yuta clasped his hands together, bowing slightly. "I am pleased you recognize the value of the Tao's teachings. Let us continue on this path together."

Anko smirked. "Alright, Taoist. You're weird, but you're useful. I'll keep bothering you for tips."

The group exchanged glances, a sense of camaraderie forming despite their differences. As the sun began to set, they made their way home, each quietly contemplating the strange but intriguing boy who had brought them together.

Unbeknownst to them, a shadow hiding in the trees left at this moment, leaving an after image behind it.