Chapter 1 — The Mysterious Gate
Year 61 of the Shinobi World!
Beneath a clear blue sky, within the territory of the Land of Fire, on a wide, flat road several kilometers away from Konohagakure, a group of shinobi had just completed an escort mission and were now hurrying back toward the Hidden Leaf Village at full speed.
"I'm definitely going to become Hokage!" Naruto Uzumaki shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing across the open road.
Bang!!!
Beside him, Sakura clenched her fist and brought it down hard onto his head, veins practically popping on her forehead. "Idiot Naruto! Can you keep your voice down?!"
"I'm sorry, Sakura-chan!" Naruto clutched his head, his face scrunched up in pain, looking utterly wronged.
"Dead last," Sasuke muttered, casting him a sideways glance.
"What did you say, bastard Sasuke?!" Naruto immediately exploded, spinning around as if ready to throw hands on the spot.
Sasuke didn't even bother stopping. He simply glanced at Naruto once before continuing forward, completely ignoring him.
Naruto's face twisted with frustration. He couldn't stand that attitude!
Always acting like he was above everyone else.
"Hmph, listen up! I, Naruto Uzumaki, will beat you next time—and then I'll become Hokage!" Naruto pointed straight at Sasuke, full of conviction.
Sasuke paused slightly, then turned his head just enough to respond, his tone calm and indifferent. "Come talk to me after you've repaid me for saving your life last time."
Naruto froze where he stood.
"Good grief… babysitting you three is such a pain," Kakashi said, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
That's right—they were Team 7, led by Kakashi, returning to the village after completing their mission in the Land of Waves.
Naruto Uzumaki.
Sasuke Uchiha.
Sakura Haruno.
Naruto glared fiercely at Sasuke as they continued forward—
And in the very next instant!
Bang!!
The boy slammed headfirst into something solid.
A strange white door, tightly shut, stood directly in the middle of the road.
It was completely out of place—just standing there silently, blocking their path…
"W-Who put that there?!" Naruto grabbed his head, wincing as he staggered back.
Everyone stared at the door, stunned.
Why… would there be a door standing in the middle of the main road leading to Konoha?
It simply stood there—silent, unnatural, and completely out of context with its surroundings.
"What is this? Who just dumped a door here?" Naruto scratched his head, baffled.
Seriously—what kind of person had such terrible manners? Leaving something this big in the middle of the road—he'd walked straight into it!
Naruto stepped forward and began knocking, punching, and even kicking the white door repeatedly.
Yet… not a single mark appeared.
It didn't budge in the slightest.
It was as if the door didn't belong to this world at all.
"Naruto, be careful. We don't know if this is some kind of trap," Sakura warned, her brows furrowed.
"Heh! I, Naruto Uzumaki, have already figured it out—there's only one explanation!" Naruto pushed up imaginary glasses with a smug grin. "Someone dumped it here!"
Silence.
Naruto reached out, grabbed the handle, and slowly pulled the door open.
In the next instant—
BOOM!!!
A strange force surged out from within, like a tide carrying the power of space itself, washing over their bodies and filling them with an indescribable sensation…
…
…
...…
A brilliant ray of light shot out from the door and, like a bolt of lightning, plunged straight into Naruto's mind.
It all happened far too quickly.
Naruto let out a startled cry and fell flat onto the ground.
"Naruto!?"
The other three rushed forward immediately, alarm flashing across their faces.
But Naruto… seemed fine. Aside from being shaken, there were no visible injuries.
They all turned their attention back to the slowly opening door. Inside, it resembled a swirling vortex, spinning endlessly as if it could swallow everything whole.
[Match successful…!]
[Mission:]
[Rewrite… the history of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya!]
Golden characters appeared before the four of them, floating in midair.
Then—
They dissolved into streaks of light and shot straight into Naruto's mind!
Everything fell silent once more.
Only the open door remained.
"W-What… what is that?!" Naruto's voice trembled, his entire body breaking out in cold sweat.
That thing… went into his head?!
Something just entered his brain?!
"Naruto, do you feel anything strange?" Kakashi asked, his tone turning serious.
"I-I think… I'm okay…" Naruto stood up unsteadily, still shaken.
Hearing that, the others finally relaxed slightly.
But their eyes quickly returned to the door, unease still lingering in their expressions.
That sudden burst of power… the blinding light… those golden words…
"Kakashi-sensei… what was that?" Sakura asked, her voice tight with anxiety.
"I don't know. I've never seen anything like it. Stay back—keep your distance," Kakashi replied, his gaze fixed on the door.
At that moment, Sasuke suddenly spoke.
"That won't work. It feels like something is blocking the area within three meters."
"A barrier? No… not exactly. Then it must be related to that door." Kakashi's expression darkened.
"It's all your fault, Naruto!" Sakura snapped, immediately smacking Naruto on the head again to vent her frustration.
"I said I'm sorry! Stop hitting me, Sakura!!" Naruto yelped, clutching his head.
"Alright, that's enough. Cut it out," Kakashi said with a sigh.
The two finally quieted down.
"This door is clearly the source of everything. I'll take a closer look with my Sharingan."
Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing his left eye—the crimson three-tomoe Sharingan.
He stared intently at the vortex-like interior of the door.
One second… two seconds…
"I can't see anything."
His expression grew even more serious. Even the Sharingan couldn't perceive anything unusual.
"I remember… there were golden words earlier. They said something, right?" Sakura said, raising her hand slightly.
"Yes… there were. But…"
Everyone's gaze slowly shifted toward Naruto.
Those words… had entered his mind.
"W-Why are you all looking at me like that?" Naruto shrank back, like a small animal surrounded on all sides.
"Since that thing entered your mind, Naruto, check if anything's changed," Kakashi said.
Naruto nodded and closed his eyes.
He focused… concentrated… tried to sense anything different…
At that moment—
It was as if a faint will emerged within him.
A line of words surfaced clearly in his mind—
[Mission: Rewrite the history of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya!]
"My head has words in it! This is amazing—I actually grew a brain!" Naruto suddenly opened his eyes and shouted excitedly.
"What words?" the others asked immediately.
"It says something about a mission… to rewrite… the history of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya?" Naruto replied.
"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya? Who's that?"
Everyone looked confused—even Kakashi had never heard that name before.
Rewrite… her history?
"Judging from the name, she sounds like a woman. But I've never heard of the surname Ōtsutsuki," Sakura said, shaking her head.
"I know, I know! Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku! Isn't that the ramen guy?" Naruto raised his hand eagerly.
"Idiot… his name is Teuchi. Don't you even know that?" Sakura said, utterly speechless.
"Huh? Really?" Naruto blinked, completely clueless.