Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 541 The World Beneath the Illusion

An eerie white light is shining across the earth, and creatures that still retain their sense of self are gazing at this unfamiliar world with bewilderment.

They tried to awaken their companions or struggled against the branches rising from the ground, but no matter how hard they tried, those trapped in the dream showed no sign of waking up, and the roots growing from the ground never let go of their prey. Suddenly, the voices transmitted from their hearts exploded, so loud that Sasuke, who had never seen such a scene before, couldn't help but cover his ears, futilely trying to block out the sounds.

What's going on? We can't wake anyone up. Is there some kind of genjutsu that can make everyone's chakra fluctuations synchronize?

"It's true, even the faint chakra of ordinary people seems to be fluctuating more intensely. But... isn't chakra a power extracted from cells? If they keep burning like this, how long can they live?"

[At headquarters, only the research institute has tree branches appearing. Damn it, that big guy kidnapped the professor and destroyed a lot of experimental equipment!]

"We don't seem to be affected by the genjutsu. Could it be because we're resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation technique?"

Very likely.

"How can you all remain so calm! Who understands the pain of being interrupted at the most intense moment of a speech?!"

"Ha, this is nothing. We've already stormed the government building; we're practically ready to kick down that damn city lord's door."

You can keep kicking.

How could I be the only one to enjoy this wonderful event!

Alright, alright, I know you're about to succeed. Don't forget, the purpose of our uprising is to disperse our forces in northern Sichuan. If we fight too fiercely, that coward might abandon the campaign altogether.

"You've only just started fighting! The ninja war has been going on for a whole day. We should have the advantage, but the enemy can actually use this kind of technique? Can this even be considered ninjutsu anymore? It's outrageous!"

"I've seen that stone tablet too, but I've never seen the so-called 'Eye of the Moon' on it. And how come something so abstract is actually real!"

[Um... what are you guys talking about? Has the Infinite Tsukuyomi been activated?]

Don't you know? The moon is shining!

It's daytime here...

"Huh? So nothing happens if we don't shine the moon on the lights? That means there's still half the world of people who haven't fallen for the illusion!"

"Don't you guys find that strange?"

Everything is so strange!

"What I mean is, isn't mind transmission only supposed to be used between the team, the contact person, and Lord Jinlun? Why can we hear everyone's voices?"

"Wow! I hadn't even noticed until you told me!"

It's not unusual for people within the Allied forces to hear each other, but it's really strange that those stationed on the other side of the world can hear each other too!

[Family members, there's actually another place that seems to have avoided the outbreak, but I can't say the exact location.]

"Oh, I see, that research base that devours people, right?"

"Ahem, anyway, this area is completely unaffected, but the situation on the ground is hard to say."

After the initial chaos, the conversations finally regained some order. The effects of Infinite Tsukuyomi were so overwhelming that everyone forgot about formalities and reported the situation freely, relaying information from around the world to the central information hub in just a few words. The hub responded to these trusting voices.

[Please remain calm, everyone. The Infinite Tsukuyomi has indeed taken effect, but hope has not vanished. The vast majority of those on the final battlefield have escaped the illusion's influence. We will surely achieve final victory!]

The communications, which had quieted down a bit, exploded again. Since the implementation of the contact person system, no one had been able to hear Lord Jinlun's responses as often as before. Hearing the inspiring voice of their leader during the most chaotic time instantly ignited everyone's fighting spirit.

Among the countless calls for "Lord Jinlun," the most numerous were applications to join the final battlefield. It's clear that "Hui," who hadn't been practicing his martial arts for a while, was indeed a bit too full of martial spirit.

Shh, I understand how you all feel right now, but distraction during battle can be deadly. How about we try to calm down and keep quiet?

Now, you all have more important things to do. Don't forget the original intention behind our choice of this path.

After being calmed down, Sasuke's telepathic connection finally quieted down. Having been overwhelmed by the information overload, he felt as if he had been reborn, finding the quiet world incredibly reassuring. However, his peace of mind lasted only two seconds before he shifted his gaze to Naruto, who was looking at him with a carefree smile, saying in a slightly arrogant tone, "Can't handle this already, Sasuke-kun? Looks like you still have a lot of practice to do. But don't worry too much, once this batch of chakra is used up, you won't have to endure this noise anymore."

Is this something that requires a lot of practice?! Or is it that Naruto has simply gotten used to the noise around him all these years?

Sasuke recalled the final cries of the masses, a voice mingled with despair, utterly different from the clamor just moments before. Perhaps Naruto had truly... grown accustomed to listening to the wishes of all beings.

"The research on the communication machine is progressing smoothly." Sasuke said, having struggled to digest the official documents. Reading all of "Hui's" work in a short time was far too difficult, especially since he had been blind for a period of time. But for some reason, he remembered this important research route, because "Hui" had already invested so much in it.

It seems that he is not the only one who hopes Naruto can return to "peace".

“I know that.” Naruto’s eyes seemed to light up with even more surprise. “You actually noticed that? I thought you were only interested in weapon research.”

"I'm not a battle maniac," Sasuke protested. His thoughts had been subtly changing long ago. Fighting had never been his primary desire. The fact that he would first check the food supplies upon arriving on the island already indicated that his thinking was shifting towards Naruto's.

War is merely the deepest scar of history, while what heals it is the most ordinary and peaceful day after day.

"Alright, just kidding. Of course I know Sasuke is the kindest person. However, current technology limits the coverage of communication. 'Hui' has traversed far too many remote wilderness areas. Emergency communication in remote areas still has to be done telepathically."

"...It's fine to use my chakra."

"You were complaining about the noise just now."

"Didn't you say that you'll get used to it with more practice?"

"Well...maybe we shouldn't practice this."

At a time when the world seemed to be on the verge of collapse, the two unnerved teenagers were still busy bickering, not even uttering a single word about the enemy they were about to face. They seemed to be confident and invincible.

However, there are always those who worry about the future of the world, thus disrupting this rare moment of solitude. An unusual surge of chakra rose from Sasuke's body, swirling around the two of them, and then coalesced into a human form under the wary gaze of the Uchiha.

A gaunt old man who looked quite formidable appeared.