Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

Large tracts of land were scorched black, and beneath the broken, cracked surface, streams of lava shimmered faintly. The destruction stretched far wider than Tengan Shinsei. The earth looked as if it had been flipped inside out. Tree roots—twisted and tangled—were exposed to the sky, while mushroom clouds blanketed the sunlight above. At the center of the nuclear explosion, it was hell on earth.

Zixu and Orochimaru had vanished in the blast. It seemed they had perished together.

Due to Neji and his team's limited time for development—and given that the mineral resources in the Naruto world differed from those in the real world—the most lethal forms of nuclear radiation hadn't fully manifested. Even so, the devastation was overwhelming.

From beneath the rubble, a pitch-black earthworm slithered out, twisting its body unnaturally.

Karin and Hatsuizumi rushed to the center of the blast zone almost immediately. Although the radiation wasn't strong enough to be unmanageable, the thunderstorm and violent winds made progress difficult.

At first, the cyclone was small. But the chaotic air currents nearby quickly fed its growth. The dark thunderstorm surged toward a magma pool several hundred kilometers away, like a colossal dragon drawn to drink.

Hatsuizumi felt the pull—the immense suction from the storm. No, storm was no longer the right word. It had transformed into something else entirely: a towering, blazing tree of fire sprawled across the volcanic landscape.

The nuclear mushroom cloud above was being sucked into this firestorm. Every particle of dust was consumed. And just as Whirlpool Country had begun to recover from the last disaster, it now faced an even greater threat.

There was no time to hesitate. Neji gave the order immediately.

"Move! Pick up the shield generators—we're holding this together!"

Despite the sheer size of Whirlpool Country, the civilians, empowered by their tech, still had the strength to change the tide.

Thanks to modern medical technology, Nagato had regained his ability to walk. His eyes had been replaced—not the Rinnegan, but still powerful. Unlike the undead reanimated through the Impure World Reincarnation, Nagato's chakra wasn't tainted. It wasn't limited to powering machines—it was real, pure chakra.

Konan helped him walk to the square. Though he could move on his own, she instinctively remained close, protecting him without a word.

They exchanged a glance and nodded. No words were needed.

Suddenly, the civilians felt a strange warmth pouring over them—like melted snow dripping into their veins. Chakra. Gentle, rejuvenating chakra.

Konan spread her paper wings and soared into the sky. Countless explosive tags surged from a separate dimension, pouring into the world with summoning seals etched into each one. And they kept multiplying.

The sky was filled with them. If the firestorm was a flaming tree rooted in the molten world, then the exploding tags were blooming flowers in the wounded heavens.

And it wasn't over.

Ice and mist began to spread. The temperature outside Whirlpool Country had reached terrifying levels—too close to the fire tree. The earth itself had begun to melt into fluid.

But the mist—condensed by Haku and Zabuza—pushed back. Thousands of tiny sharks made from chakra and water lunged toward the firestorm, sacrificing themselves to cool its heat.

Pink crystal fused with yellow sand. A shimmering crystal shield appeared over Whirlpool Country. A bloated toad lifted the barrier, while an elderly man floated above, forming Dust Release in his hands—an attack strong enough to decompose anything. He hurled it forward, intercepting a blazing magma sphere.

BOOM—

A thunderous explosion rocked the skies.

From the rear of Whirlpool Country, hundreds of millions of explosive tags detonated in unison. The massive shockwave launched the country like a slingshot projectile. And just like that, it broke free of the firestorm's gravitational pull.

The sheer force of acceleration ignited incredible heat. At that moment, the ancient machine Roran was deployed. Towering and mighty, it acted as the country's control center, constantly adjusting the chakra flow from the "battery units" to stabilize their trajectory and slow the flight.

"Zixu..." Hatsuizumi expression changed. The smile faded from her lips, replaced with a hollow stare. Her heart sank.

Not even Zixu at full strength could survive something like that.

Mad with grief, she unleashed her insects in a frenzy. With her chakra nearly depleted, she sacrificed her own flesh and blood to fuel them. Blood-soaked insects swarmed toward the fire tree, desperate to find any trace of Zixu's presence.

But it was no use. Even her most fire-resistant creations couldn't get close. The firestorm didn't fade. It fed on natural energy around it, sustaining its form. It was alive—flame incarnate.

Hatsuizumi, trembling and breaking down, muttered one last name.

"Chunqiu... There's still a way. If I use Chunqiu... we might still—" (her summoned beast)

"I'm sorry... Hatsuizumi."

A blade struck the back of her neck.

"You know Zixu wouldn't want you to do this."

A calming surge of chakra flowed into her body. Her eyes fluttered. Her limbs went limp.

She blacked out, collapsing silently into the arms of her comrade.

Wiping away the tears on Hatsuizumi's face, Karin clenched her fists so tightly that she didn't even notice her palms bleeding—her nails digging deep into her flesh. She hugged Hatsuizumi close, staring blankly into the roaring flames. Within them, she could only sense violent, chaotic energy. The familiar aura she had come to rely on... was completely gone.

Chinano had collapsed to the ground, utterly spent. Her once-crystal-clear Tenseigan had changed—blood-red threads spread across her sockets, and thick streams of blood flowed from them. With a final flicker of light, the Tenseigan shattered.

Nearby, a small earthworm writhed on the scorched earth before burrowing underground, desperate to flee the inferno. It was in terrible shape. If caught in the blaze, it wouldn't survive.

"I miscalculated... almost capsized in a ditch," came a deep, hoarse voice from Orochimaru's mouth. "But I'm still the one left standing..."

Orochimaru was alive.

"You won't stay dead, huh? But it doesn't matter," the voice growled. "Once I recover, none of you will escape."

Orochimaru had been completely overtaken by the other souls consumed by the system. Whatever cold, calculating genius had once defined him was gone. All that remained was chaos—pure, unrestrained madness.

A black snake slithered slowly across the ground, but its sharp gaze locked onto the three figures nearby.

"My body's ruined. No point holding back. Might as well kill them first..."

Orochimaru's form began to shift. Dark malice and hatred twisted into a solid shroud of blackness, enveloping his small body like a cloak. He strode forward with a sinister swagger.

Chinano lay motionless, her breathing shallow and labored. She could sense Orochimaru's presence, but her strength had been drained. She couldn't even scream—only wait.

Karin, still holding Hatsuizumi, felt the darkness creeping up behind her. But she was powerless. Zixu had given everything trying to destroy that evil—and failed. Her heart, already shattered, overflowed with rage and despair.

Orochimaru's body, now made of pure darkness, began to twist again—this time taking the shape of a massive black dragon.

Zixu's dragon form.

He spoke mockingly, his voice full of venomous glee.

"A little worm like him—this is all he could do. Without the system, he's useless. Resist fate? Pathetic. Just the final cry of a loser. You should recognize this body... It belonged to your precious Zixu."

As he spoke, Orochimaru's shape morphed again—becoming Zixu. But this wasn't Zixu. There was none of his calm, none of his warmth—only darkness, tyranny, and endless greed.

"You're not allowed to become like him!" Karin growled, her teeth grinding with fury. She refused to let this monster desecrate Zixu's memory.

"Oh? And what exactly are you gonna do?" Orochimaru sneered.

He moved toward Chinano, a black rod forming in his hand.

"I thought about using his face to trick you all. It would've been hilarious—seeing your faces light up with hope, only to watch it get crushed. But on second thought... it's more fun to kill you now."

Orochimaru raised the rod, aiming to drive it straight through Chinano's helpless body. He didn't have the strength to fight for long—he was only here because his hatred had pushed him to act. But killing these three was still worth it.

The rod plunged downward—

—but the pain never came.

Yet the blood still flowed.

Scarlet droplets splashed onto the ground, glowing like molten fire. Each drop shimmered with the fury of thunder and the heat of wind and flame.

And from the blood, a figure emerged—cloaked in flames, wearing a deep crimson Taoist robe shaped like fire itself.

He stood between Orochimaru and Chinano, his body radiating heat that seared Orochimaru's twisted form. The man opened his eyes—eyes burning like twin suns, devoid of emotion.

"That body looks terrible on you," he said coldly.

He snapped his fingers.

Orochimaru's body ignited from within, flames bursting out of his dark form. He writhed, screamed, twisted in pain. He shed his skin again and again, but the flames clung to him like a curse. Until the final moment—until the last scrap of flesh turned to ash—he couldn't comprehend how Zixu had survived.

He had absorbed many, but Zixu had kept their spirits outside himself. He'd found a way.

Zixu hadn't died.

As Orochimaru disintegrated into ash, still shrieking curses, Zixu ignored him. Calmly, he removed his flaming Taoist robe and stepped forward. He knelt beside Chinano and gently touched her shattered eye.

Karin—still conscious—was frozen. Everything had happened so quickly. She didn't know what to say. But one thing was clear:

Zixu was alive.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Zixu raised a hand to stop her.

"Chinano used the Tenseigan to send me to another dimension," he explained quickly. "Rosinante returned in that final moment—just before the flames touched me. Time stopped, even if just for a split second."

"In that frozen time, I spoke with Kaguya... and with everyone who had been devoured by the system. Their power helped me reach Chinano's alternate dimension safely."

He paused. "That includes Orochimaru. But the one you just saw? That wasn't really him anymore. The system and the fruit's consciousness had already corrupted him. And through Kaguya... I've learned something else."

He turned his gaze toward the burning tree in the distance.

"There are stronger enemies waiting. Much stronger."

He began walking.

"Don't worry," he whispered, as the wind stirred the flames.

"This time... we won't lose. I'll protect all of you."

Karin looked like she wanted to speak. She, too, had witnessed the terrifying power of the Fire Tree Disaster. They had all survived it by sheer luck—and now, she didn't want Zixu to take any more risks.

She helped Chinano and Hatsuizumi to their feet, about to call out and stop him. But when she saw Zixu's unwavering back, something in her heart shifted. She swallowed her words and chose to trust him.

Zixu stepped into the burning heart of the Fire Tree—and vanished.

Outside, the flames that once raged across miles began to shrink. The explosive energy that had nearly devoured the land now seemed to be drawn into Zixu's body. Slowly, the high winds, blistering heat, and roaring thunder dissipated. The natural disaster that had stretched across hundreds of miles disappeared, leaving only a faint ember glowing at its center.

The fire on Zixu's body faded. He stood calmly in the ruins, surrounded by a sea of molten lava that didn't seem to harm him in the slightest.

With every step he took, a trail of black stone bricks formed beneath his feet. The entire world held its breath in silence.

He reached Karin and the others, who had tears streaming down their cheeks. Without a word, he pulled them into a warm hug.

"I'm back," he said gently. "Leave the rest to me. You've all done enough..."

---

The Whirlpool Country In the Sky—A New World

In the years since the final battle, the Whirlpool Country—also known as the City of Technology—had grown rapidly. After the Great War, the "batteries" resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation had finally begun to fade away. Their souls couldn't bear the strain of being tethered to the living world.

Faced with dwindling forces, humanity turned to innovation. Technology advanced quickly in the wake of survival. The area destroyed by the Fire Tree Disaster had slowly begun to heal thanks to coordinated human effort, though faint traces of charred black earth still remained beneath the surface.

Zixu's first action upon returning was to ensure Orochimaru would never rise again. He personally examined every person branded with Orochimaru's cursed seal—and in doing so, he discovered something chilling. A trace of Orochimaru's soul had clung to Sasuke, who had consumed the Thunder Fruit. Had Zixu not been vigilant, the snake might've pulled off another resurrection.

The appearance of the Black Python had caused mass migration from various villages to the Whirlpool Country. And those who arrived quickly realized this was no ordinary place.

In Whirlpool Country, everyone was equal. Ninjas no longer looked down on civilians. Education was shared freely. The era of privilege had ended. There were no daimyos to serve—only a united people with a shared future.

Those who settled here eventually became part of a greater whole. Even if they left one day, the ideal of unity would live on in their hearts. The seeds of true peace had been planted. Now, all they needed was time.

---

A New Threat Descends

During this peaceful yet productive time, Zixu and his people remained vigilant. History had shown that after every disaster, technology advanced at breakneck speed. They had seen the power of a primitive nuclear bomb and understood its potential.

Now, Zixu believed they could build hydrogen bombs.

It was during this period that space itself rippled—and a man appeared.

He wore a long, elegant white tailcoat, slim-fitting, with loose black pants that dragged over his bare feet. Patterns on his sleeves matched the tattoos on his body. His skin was pale, a curved horn jutted from his forehead, and a golden wheel-shaped pattern glowed in his right eye socket—surrounded by eight triangles. Magatama tattoos ran down his chest and back.

Otsutsuki Isshiki had arrived.

He looked around with visible disgust, as if the mere act of breathing here offended him.

His mission was simple: kill the traitor Kaguya, retrieve the Sacred Tree, and destroy the planet.

But what he saw made him hesitate.

Nuclear bombs hovered in the sky—each radiating a monstrous aura. And aimed right at him was a hydrogen bomb so large and terrifying that his scalp tingled just looking at it.

Across the field, Zixu stood flanked by Karin and Hatsuizumi. Chinano stood behind them, and the citizens of the Whirlpool Country filled the area, glaring at the invader.

Zixu smiled amiably and called out to Isshiki from a distance.

"Welcome to our world. When a guest arrives from afar, we show hospitality: suffering, exhaustion, starvation, and finally—burial. That's our welcome ceremony. Are you satisfied?"

Isshiki's expression faltered.

Zixu and his group simply shook their heads. The space around them twisted, condensing into a large transparent sphere—and they vanished, leaving Isshiki alone beneath a sky filled with bombs.

A voice, low and almost bored, echoed across the sky.

"Alas... You guys play the heroes and leave the dirty work to me."

Rossinanti stepped forward, a massive snake coiled behind him. Under his control, the entire space began to crystallize. The bombs fell and exploded—yet the flames and shockwaves were stopped, as if the laws of nature themselves had been muted.

He casually stepped out of the blast radius, casting a glance at Zixu's group, who were already chatting and laughing nearby.

"...What a troublesome bunch of people."

Zixu turned and waved with a smirk.

"Don't sulk. I'll give you a long vacation this time."

Hatsuizumi jumped on Zixu, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Karin tugged on his arm, whispering something, but it was clear she had lost some ground to Chinano. Clutching her chest, she looked as if she'd taken an emotional hit.

Chinano followed calmly behind, glancing at Hatsuizumi antics with cool detachment. She stretched lazily and said nothing.

Meanwhile, Isshiki was still experiencing the full force of the "welcome ceremony."

Zixu looked down at the green sprouts growing from the once-barren earth. For the first time in a long while, he smiled—a warm, genuine smile, free of burden.

He felt lighter than ever.

And in that moment, he spoke words that echoed into the future:

"Then... our era is about to begin."