After returning from Kamar-Taj, Johan opened a shimmering golden portal using the sling ring the Ancient One had taught him to use. He stepped through, emerging in Wanda's room. She looked up, startled, but relaxed when she saw it was him.
"Johan? What's going on?" she asked, setting down the book she was reading.
"I need to talk to Emma," Johan said, his voice calm but urgent. "It's important. I'm sending you home for now. Stay safe, and if anything happens, contact emma immediately."
Wanda nodded, though she looked concerned. Johan opened another portal, this one leading to her apartment. With a reassuring smile, he guided her through, then closed the portal behind her.
Next, he opened a portal to Emma Frost's mansion. The opulent living room greeted him, with Emma sitting on a sleek leather couch, scrolling through her phone. She looked up, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she saw him step through.
"Johan," she said, her voice cool but curious. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
"Something's come up," Johan said, taking a seat in the chair across from her. "I've gained access to a new ability—a way to travel to other worlds. I'll be gone for 24 hours, but in that time, I'll be away from this world entirely. I need you to cover for me if anything happens."
Emma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Other worlds? How fascinating. And what, pray tell, do you expect to gain from this little excursion?"
"Power," Johan replied simply. "Knowledge. Anything that will help us prepare for what's coming. The Sentinel Program is accelerating, and we need every advantage we can get."
Emma leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "And you trust me to handle things here while you're off gallivanting across the multiverse?"
"You're the only one I'd trust with this," Johan said, his tone serious. "You know how to handle yourself, and you understand the stakes."
A small smile played on Emma's lips. "Flattery will get you everywhere, darling. Very well, I'll keep an eye on things. But don't take too long. I'd hate to have to clean up your mess."
"Thanks, Emma," Johan said, standing up. "I'll be back before you know it."
After their conversation, Johan followed Emma up the grand staircase to one of the many rooms in her mansion. The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, with large windows that let in the soft glow of the evening light. Emma gestured toward the plush bed in the center of the room.
"Make yourself comfortable," she said, her tone casual but with a hint of curiosity. "I assume this is where you'll be... disappearing to?"
Johan nodded, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Yes. This ability—it's new, and I'm still figuring it out. But it's important. I'll be back before you know it."
Emma crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "And what exactly are you hoping to find in these other worlds? Power? Allies? Or just an excuse to escape the chaos here?"
"A bit of everything," Johan admitted, meeting her gaze. "The Sentinel Program is moving faster than we anticipated. I need to be stronger, smarter, and more prepared. If I can gain something—anything—from another world, it could make all the difference here."
Emma studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes searching his face. Then, with a small sigh, she stepped closer. "You're taking a risk, Johan. You don't even know what you're walking into."
"I know," Johan said, his voice steady. "But it's a risk I have to take. For all of us."
Emma's expression softened, just for a moment, before she regained her usual composed demeanor. "Very well. Just don't get yourself killed. It would be... inconvenient."
Johan chuckled. "I'll do my best."
He closed his eyes, focusing on the system interface in his mind. The Multiversal Quest Tab appeared, and he initiated the process. A 10-second countdown began, the numbers glowing in his vision.
"Here we go," he murmured, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and trepidation.
As the timer reached the final seconds, he felt a sudden warmth on his cheek. Startled, he opened his eyes just in time to see Emma leaning over him, her lips brushing against his skin in a brief, unexpected kiss.
"Good luck," she said softly, her voice uncharacteristically gentle.
Before Johan could respond, the world around him dissolved into darkness.
Arrival in the Naruto Universe
Johan opened his eyes to find himself in a pitch-black void. The only thing he could see were three glowing options floating in front of him.
[ CHOOSE YOUR GENERATION: ]
[ 1. SAME GENERATION AS HASHIRAMA AND MADARA ]
[ 2. SAME GENERATION AS KAKASHI AND OBITO ]
[ 3. SAME GENERATION AS NARUTO AND SASUKE ]
Johan thought for a moment. While the first two options were tempting, he decided to play it safe. "Third option," he said aloud.
The void shifted, and he felt a rush of energy as his consciousness was transported into the Naruto universe. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a traditional Japanese-style room, the walls made of wood and paper. He sat up, taking in his surroundings.
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: ABILITIES LOCKED EXCEPT SHADOW MANIPULATION, SIX EYES, AND TEN SHADOWS TECHNIQUE. ]
Johan frowned but quickly accepted the limitation. He would have to work with what he had. As he stood up, he felt a flood of memories integrating into his mind. He was now Johan Nara, a cousin of Shikamaru, and the genin graduation exam was just a week away.
"Well," Johan muttered to himself, "this is going to be interesting."
Johan quickly gathered his things—a small bag with a few supplies and a forehead protector he found in the room—and made his way to the academy. The morning sun bathed the village in a warm glow, and the streets were already bustling with activity. He could see other students heading toward the academy, some chatting excitedly, others dragging their feet.
When he arrived at the classroom, he spotted Shikamaru sitting near the back, slouched in his seat and staring out the window with a bored expression. Johan walked over and sat down next to him.
"Morning, Shikamaru," Johan said, setting his bag down.
Shikamaru glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, it's you. What's with the sudden enthusiasm? You're usually as lazy as I am."
Johan chuckled. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf. The graduation exam is in a week, after all."
Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome. It's just a formality. No need to get worked up about it."
Before Johan could respond, the classroom door slid open, and their teacher, Iruka Umino, walked in. The chatter in the room died down as everyone turned their attention to him.
"Good morning, everyone," Iruka said with a warm smile. "Today, we'll be reviewing the basics of chakra control. This is essential for mastering any jutsu, so pay attention."
As Iruka began the lesson, Johan leaned back in his seat, his Six Eyes already analyzing the chakra flows in the room. He could see the subtle differences in how each student's chakra moved—some were erratic and uncontrolled, while others were more refined. Shikamaru's chakra was calm and steady, a reflection of his laid-back personality.
"Alright," Iruka said, clapping his hands. "Pair up and practice the Leaf Concentration Exercise. Remember, the goal is to focus your chakra onto the leaf and keep it balanced."
Johan grabbed a leaf from the basket at the front of the room and sat down with Shikamaru. As they began the exercise, Johan couldn't help but notice Naruto struggling nearby. The blond-haired boy was frowning in concentration, but his leaf kept falling to the ground.
"Hey, Johan," Shikamaru said, his voice low. "You've been acting weird lately. What's going on?"
Johan glanced at him, considering how much to reveal. "Just trying to get my act together. Figured it's time to take things more seriously."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You? That's new."
Johan smirked. "People change, Shikamaru. Besides, I've got a feeling things are going to get interesting soon."
Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome. I was hoping for a quiet life."
After the lesson, Johan approached Naruto, who was still struggling with the exercise. "Need some help?" he asked.
Naruto looked up, surprised. "You're Shikamaru's cousin, right? Johan?"
"Yeah," Johan said, sitting down next to him. "Let me show you something."
Using his Six Eyes, Johan pinpointed the issue with Naruto's chakra control. "You're using too much force. Chakra is about balance, not power. Try to focus on the leaf gently, like this."
Johan demonstrated, placing a leaf on his palm and channeling his chakra. The leaf floated steadily, perfectly balanced.
Naruto's eyes widened. "Whoa! How'd you do that?"
"It's all about focus," Johan said. "Here, try again."
With Johan's guidance, Naruto managed to keep the leaf balanced for a few seconds before it fell. "I did it!" Naruto exclaimed, grinning widely. "Thanks, Johan!"
"No problem," Johan said, smiling. "You've got potential, Naruto. Just keep practicing."
As Johan walked away, he noticed Sasuke watching him from across the room. The Uchiha's expression was unreadable, but Johan could sense the curiosity in his gaze. Interesting, Johan thought. I'll have to keep an eye on him.
As Johan and Shikamaru made their way back to the village, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the training grounds. Unseen by either of them, a figure cloaked in darkness observed their every move from the treeline. The ANBU operative, masked and silent, had been tasked by Danzo Shimura to monitor any unusual activity in the village. Johan's display of the Ten Shadows Technique had not gone unnoticed.
The operative's sharp eyes followed Johan and Shikamaru as they walked, their conversation drifting through the quiet evening air.
"Seriously, Johan," Shikamaru said, his hands in his pockets. "You're going to have to explain how you developed that technique. It's not something you just stumble upon."
Johan chuckled, keeping his tone light. "I've been experimenting with shadow manipulation for a while. Guess I just got lucky."
Shikamaru gave him a sidelong glance. "Lucky, huh? You're hiding something, but I'll let it slide—for now."
Johan grinned, but his sharp eyes—his Six Eyes—flicked subtly toward the treeline. He had sensed something, a faint disturbance in the flow of energy around them. Someone was watching. He didn't let on, though, continuing the conversation as if nothing was wrong.
Meanwhile, the ANBU operative silently retreated into the shadows, already formulating a report for Danzo. The emergence of a new, unknown technique within the Nara clan was something that demanded attention—and potentially, control.
Danzo's Office
Later that night, in the dimly lit confines of his underground office, Danzo Shimura listened intently as the ANBU operative delivered his report. The room was cold and austere, filled with the scent of old scrolls and ink. Danzo's single visible eye gleamed with interest as he processed the information.
"A shadow-based summoning technique, you say?" Danzo mused, his voice low and measured. "And this Nara boy—Johan—was able to control it with precision?"
"Yes, Lord Danzo," the operative replied, bowing slightly. "He demonstrated the ability in the presence of Shikamaru Nara. The creature appeared to be highly intelligent and responsive to commands."
Danzo leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "The Nara clan's shadow manipulation techniques are already formidable. If this boy has developed something new, it could shift the balance of power within the village—and beyond."
He tapped his fingers on the armrest, considering his next move. "Continue to monitor him discreetly. I want to know everything about this technique—its origins, its limitations, and its potential. If it proves to be a threat to the village's stability, we may need to... intervene."
The operative nodded. "Understood, Lord Danzo."
As the ANBU operative disappeared into the shadows, Danzo's gaze hardened. Johan Nara had unknowingly drawn the attention of one of the most dangerous men in Konoha. And in Danzo's world, power was either controlled—or eliminated.
Johan's Awareness
Back in the Nara compound, Johan sat on the porch of his home, staring up at the night sky. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched earlier. His Six Eyes had detected something—a faint presence, carefully concealed but not invisible to his heightened perception.
"Trouble?" Shikamaru asked, stepping outside and joining him on the porch.
"Maybe," Johan admitted, his tone serious. "I think someone was watching us at the training grounds."
Shikamaru frowned. "Who would be spying on us? We're just academy students."
Johan shook his head. "I don't know, but I've got a bad feeling about it. Keep this between us for now, okay?"
Shikamaru nodded, his usual laziness replaced by a rare seriousness. "Got it. But if something's going on, we need to be careful."
"Agreed," Johan said, his mind already racing. He hadn't expected to draw attention so quickly, but he couldn't afford to be careless. If someone—especially someone like Danzo—was watching him, he'd need to tread carefully.
As the two of them sat in silence, the weight of the situation settled over them. Johan's journey in this world was just beginning, but already, the shadows of intrigue and danger were closing in. And in the world of shinobi, there was no such thing as coincidence.