A massive surge of energy poured into the God Tree, like countless rivers rushing into the sea at once.
Almost immediately, the God Tree showed signs of overload. Cracks spread along its massive trunk, and its surface groaned under the pressure.
"The energy is far too much. The God Tree cannot endure this," Ōtsutsuki Kaguya said softly, her expression tense.
"Normally, it takes thousands of years for the God Tree to bear fruit."
"Thousands of years?" Malrick raised an eyebrow. "That is not a problem."
He reduced the raw energy output and instead applied time acceleration directly to the God Tree.
After only a few breaths, the tree trembled.
The petals at its crown slowly unfolded.
A radiant fruit formed at the very top.
Malrick flew upward, plucked the glowing fruit from its branch, and the God Tree instantly withered, its life force completely drained.
He examined the fruit briefly before eating it, bite by bite.
Everyone else hovered nearby, watching in silence.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was stunned by such an impossible method.
Naruto stared wide-eyed and asked excitedly, "It really bore fruit just like that? Big Brother Malrick, what did it taste like?"
"The taste?" Malrick paused, recalling the sensation.
Once consumed, the Divine Tree Fruit dissolved into pure chakra energy. It attempted to restructure his genes and elevate his life form.
Under normal circumstances, it would have transformed the eater into a humanoid Ten-Tails, granting immortality, mastery over natural energy, and the awakening of the Kekkai Mōra.
But for Malrick, the energy was far too weak.
His cells absorbed it instantly, without even a trace of resistance.
Still, he fully understood the essence of the Divine Tree Fruit through the process.
"It was decent," Malrick said calmly. "Do you want to try one?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "I do, but the God Tree is already gone, and the Ten-Tails disappeared too, right?"
"That is hardly an obstacle."
Malrick casually closed his fingers, manipulating matter and energy with precise control, compressing them into a unique structure within his palm.
After a few moments, two shimmering Divine Tree Fruits materialized out of nothing.
"Here. Eat them if you want."
He tossed one fruit to Naruto and the other to Sasuke.
"Whoa! Whoa!" Naruto shouted, eyes sparkling. "Big Brother Malrick, you really can do anything!"
Sasuke caught the fruit and gave a sincere nod of thanks.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone present, the two boys quickly devoured the priceless fruits.
A wave of mixed emotions flooded Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and Hagoromo, shock, envy, disbelief, and helpless resignation.
They watched as Naruto and Sasuke finished eating, their auras surging visibly.
Sasuke gained a Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan on his forehead, while black Truth-Seeking Orbs appeared beside Naruto.
The contrast only deepened the others' sense of disbelief.
"So this is what it tastes like," Naruto muttered. "The Nine-Tails is shaking inside the seal."
Sasuke glanced at him, then touched the Rinnegan on his forehead in silence.
With Naruto's chakra now surpassing even the Nine-Tails, its fear was only natural.
"Malrick," Sasuke said, "where are we going next?"
Malrick looked at him calmly.
"You gave us these fruits," Sasuke continued. "That means there are enemies even stronger than Kaguya, ones you need Naruto and me to help deal with, right?"
Sasuke's reasoning was sharp, far more thoughtful than Naruto's.
His words made Kaguya tense again, and she quickly clarified that she was no longer an enemy.
Malrick smiled. "I will need you to do certain things, but not yet."
"For now, take me around the shinobi world."
---
Several months passed.
Malrick traveled across the world, experiencing its cultures and people firsthand.
At the same time, his other existence continued integrating with universe after universe.
The Naruto universe contained numerous parallel worlds, far more than expected.
Each time Malrick entered a parallel world, he destroyed an Ōtsutsuki stronghold, steadily increasing his power.
Eventually, while moving through higher-dimensional space, he was stopped.
"So it is you who has been slaughtering my clan?"
Ōtsutsuki God Shibai appeared.
Having long abandoned his physical body, Shibai possessed immense power. Twin V-shaped horns crowned his form, and his presence alone warped reality.
He could alter the world with a thought, manifest illusions, and reflect killing intent as actual damage.
His abilities surpassed ninjutsu and senjutsu entirely.
In the Naruto universe, he stood as a supreme higher-dimensional god.
And now, he attacked Malrick.
"Oh," Malrick said calmly. "The god who transcends physical dimensions. Interesting."
His massive palm closed around Shibai, refining him instantly.
The so-called god did not even have time to speak before his existence was erased.
Malrick continued onward.
"The ability to reflect killing intent is worth keeping," he noted. "I will make it my own."
---
More months passed.
All parallel worlds within the Naruto universe had been brought under Malrick's influence.
His main body witnessed Naruto using the Will of Fire he had learned to unify the shinobi world.
He watched Sasuke reunite with Itachi, cure his bloodline illness, and force him into a very questionable civilian life.
Finally, the day of departure arrived.
On Hokage Rock, three figures stood silhouetted against the setting sun.
"Big Brother Malrick," Naruto said reluctantly. "Are you really leaving alone? Can't you stay, dattebayo?"
Malrick clasped his hands behind his back. "People always part, Naruto. If not today, then tomorrow."
Sasuke spoke quietly, his eyes steady. "Naruto has unified the shinobi world. I believe he can protect it."
"My parents have been brought back, and with Itachi around, the Uchiha have a future."
"If the place you are going needs strength, take me with you."
Malrick was momentarily surprised by Sasuke's sincerity.
Naruto snapped out of his shock and shouted, "Hey, Sasuke, that's unfair! Are you trying to leave me behind? I want to go too!"
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Can you really abandon the world you just unified?"
Naruto froze, groaning in frustration as he struggled to answer.
Malrick chuckled softly.
"When the shinobi world no longer needs you," he said, "come find me."
"How do we find you?" Naruto asked.
Malrick smiled. "Your universe has many parallel worlds."
"Go help them."
"When you have brought order to all of them, I will be waiting at the end of the world."
Before leaving, Malrick added, "One last gift. Use this power wisely."
He activated his transcending ability and vanished.
Naruto and Sasuke stared at the empty space where he had stood.
A glow suddenly spread across their hands.
Naruto stared at the Courage Staff in his palm, while Sasuke unfolded the Wings of Miracle behind him.
And so, two extraordinary shinobi began traveling across parallel worlds, bringing justice and order wherever they went.
____
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