The next day, at Bayville University, a new student arrived—and he was impossible to miss.
Fred Dukes was huge, towering over most people with his massive build and rough demeanor. His Mohawk made him look even more intimidating, and his brown eyes scanned the unfamiliar surroundings with mild annoyance.
Mystique had sent him here, promising he'd find people like him—people who wouldn't treat him like a freak. But right now, all he felt was lost.
This place was big, too big, and he had no idea where the main office was. Annoyed, he decided to do what he always did—push forward and ask.
Spotting a blond, muscular guy nearby, Fred stomped toward him.
"Hey, where's the principal's office?"
The guy turned, smirking. "Are you talking to me, lardass?"
Fred froze.
For a moment, everything blurred—the taunts, the bullying, the humiliation—memories he had tried to bury came rushing back.
"What did you just call me?" Fred's voice was low, dangerous.
The blond guy grinned, unfazed.
"Lard."
"Ass."
He chuckled—only to be interrupted by a thunderous SLAP.
The impact sent him flying into a row of lockers, the metal crunching under the force.
The hallway went dead silent.
Until—
"Stop."
Fred felt his body freeze, not out of fear—but because of the voice.
A girl stepped forward, her presence instantly commanding attention.
She was beautiful, with flowing red hair and piercing emerald eyes.
Jean Grey.
She stood before Fred, calm and composed, yet something about her aura made him feel uneasy.
"Please calm down," she said gently, placing a hand on his thick arm. "His words can't hurt you, so don't let them control you. Reacting like this will only bring trouble."
Fred stared into her eyes.
Then, suddenly—
"We mutants need to stick together."
Her voice echoed inside his mind.
Fred's eyes widened slightly. A telepath?
He had heard about people like this, but never met one.
Yet, somehow, Jean's words made sense.
With a gruff nod, he unclenched his fists and let the tension in his body fade.
Wordlessly, he turned and followed Jean toward the main office.
A figure stood in the shadows, watching the scene with amusement.
Leaning against the wall, a blond-haired young man smirked lazily.
"University life seems boring."
The words left his mouth in a bored tone, as if he had seen this play out a thousand times before.
Inside his mind, a deep chuckle echoed.
'I thought you were going to say, interesting.'
The voice belonged to Kurama, who had placed a fragment of himself inside this Naruto clone.
Naruto's clone smirked. "That's too cliché."
With a simple flick of his fingers, he erased all evidence of Fred's outburst, ensuring no one would find out what really happened.
Then, shoving his hands in his pockets, he strolled away.
This was going to be a long day.
It had been two days since Naruto arrived in this world and began working with the X-Men.
His teaching methods? Brutal.
Even Logan—the man known for his harsh training—seemed kind in comparison. But those who endured it saw undeniable results.
They saw their powers sharpen, their control strengthen, and their limitations break.
Naruto wasn't just some outsider bossing them around. He could replicate their abilities, demonstrating flaws they never noticed and showing them how to improve in ways no other teacher could.
Among those who embraced the challenge were:
Bobby (Iceman)Scott (Cyclops)RoguePeter (Spiderman)Kitty (Shadowcat)Kurt (Nightcrawler)Jean Logan (Wolverine)
Together, they were becoming warriors, not just survivors.
Beyond training, Naruto and Hinata had been gathering crucial intel—data that could help their world prepare for future threats.
And from the Avengers, Naruto found two individuals particularly fascinating:
Sentry (Robert Reynolds)Hulk (Bruce Banner)
Tony Stark's technology was impressive, but Naruto's own research team had already surpassed him long ago. Tony was a brilliant engineer, but he wasn't a follower—not someone who could be easily recruited.
Still, Naruto couldn't ignore the mystery behind Sentry and Hulk's power sources.
The Gamma mutation was supposed to be a simple process—yet Hulk's strength was limitless.
Why?
Because his power was tied to something far beyond science.
Naruto had seen it now—the Rage of the Universe.
The angrier Hulk got, the more power the universe fed him. It wasn't just an emotion; it was a cosmic force.
This was a reminder.
Naruto himself was evolving—becoming the embodiment of humanity's will. But truly mastering his concept was an ongoing journey. Hulk's existence proved that beings connected to cosmic forces held immeasurable power.
Sentry's power was different.
At first glance, his abilities seemed similar to Naruto's—near-omnipotence, reality-altering strength, and immeasurable speed.
But his source of power was disturbing.
The serum that created Sentry did more than enhance him—it connected him to something else.
And Naruto knew exactly what.
The Darkness of the Universe.
Sentry's enemy, the Void, wasn't just his inner darkness—it was an ancient, malevolent entity that fed on suffering and destruction.
And now?
It had noticed Naruto.
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
No immortal allows another to step into their domain without permission.
Beyond the X-Men and the Avengers, Naruto found a few individuals who broadened his understanding of this world's power systems.
In Northern Thailand, he encountered Cressida, a woman with the ability to absorb life force and use that energy to enhance the powers of others.
While this wasn't an entirely new concept to Naruto—chakra absorption and amplification existed in his world—her methodology was different.
Her power had applications that could refine his team's amplification techniques, particularly for Hinata and those using celestial chakra.
Then there was Venom—a sentient symbiote that functioned similarly to Naruto's living armor and weapons.
But what really caught Naruto's attention?
Venom's master.
The creature that created the symbiotes was an ancient evil.
And Naruto had other plans for it.
His living equipment could devour and assimilate powerful entities. If they absorbed this dark immortal, it would significantly enhance their capabilities—turning a predator into prey.
Another fascinating individual was Blue Marvel, a man who could control anti-matter and draw energy from the Negative Zone.
Naruto was particularly intrigued by this.
The Negative Zone's energy was fundamentally different from anything in his arsenal. But now?
Naruto could integrate it into his celestial chakra, adding a new dimension of power to his already vast abilities.
Then there was Molecule Man.
Unlike the others, this man wasn't just powerful—he was on a completely different level.
Molecule Man had enough power to be worthy of Naruto's full attention. And through him?
Naruto discovered a path to the Beyonders—a race of beings capable of ending entire realities.
However, despite obtaining key information, Naruto wasn't reckless.
Facing an enemy that could erase him instantly without proper preparation was suicidal.
So, he gave the task to Eda—his top information analyst.
Her job? Investigate Molecule Man's past.
Naruto would only act when fully informed.
Doctor Stephen Strange ventured into the depths of Eternity's domain, seeking his former master, Yao, known to most as the Ancient One.
His purpose?
To learn the truth about the Otsutsuki threat and decide whether Earth's mystical forces should intervene in Naruto's struggle.
But what he uncovered was far beyond anything he could have imagined.
Sitting before Eternity, Yao met Strange with a knowing smile.
"You came to ask about the Otsutsuki... but what you truly seek is your role in the greater scheme of things."
Strange, ever the pragmatist, pressed forward.
"The Otsutsuki are a cosmic plague. If they are a threat to our reality, should we act?"
Yao closed his eyes and sighed deeply before revealing the truth that had been hidden for millennia.
"Stephen... you should not help Naruto because it is the right thing to do. You should help him because it is destiny. The boy is the rightful heir to a war that began long before he was born."
Strange frowned. "Destiny? Explain."
That was when Yao finally said the words that would change everything.
"I am not merely Yao. I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki—the Sage of Six Paths."
A shockwave of silence filled the realm.
Even Eternity, the embodiment of the universe, seemed to acknowledge the gravity of this revelation.
Strange stared, his mind racing.
"You… you're from his world?"
Yao nodded.
"I was born there. My brother, Hamura, and I sealed our mother, Kaguya, and prepared the world for the war that would inevitably come. But we knew the truth—the Otsutsuki never stop. More would come. Stronger. More ruthless. We gave humanity chakra… but it would not be enough."
Strange listened in disbelief as Yao continued.
"So we left. We traveled beyond our world, beyond the stars, to a universe where we could prepare for the day our descendants would rise. We have guided this world's heroes for centuries, ensuring that when the time came, there would be a resistance strong enough to fight back."
Strange took a deep breath. "And Naruto?"
"Naruto Uzumaki is my direct descendant. The culmination of our bloodline. He is the one we have been waiting for."
It all made sense now.
Naruto's boundless power, his instinctive connection to people, and his ability to unite even immortals and mortals—it was no coincidence.
He was the heir to the Sage of Six Paths.
And the time had come for Strange to stand by his side.
"The Otsutsuki will not stop, Stephen," Yao said, his gaze deep with ancient wisdom. "It is time we finish what we started. Help him. Guide him. This is your destiny, just as it is his."
Doctor Strange, still processing the revelation of Yao's true identity as Hagoromo Otsutsuki, turned his gaze to Eternity, the embodiment of the universe itself.
If the Otsutsuki were such a massive threat, why hadn't Eternity intervened?
"If they have been consuming worlds for so long, why does Eternity allow it?" Strange asked, his tone sharp.
Yao, the former Sage of Six Paths, simply sighed, shaking his head.
"Eternity will not interfere. The Otsutsuki do not threaten the universe itself. They consume planets, leeching them of their life force, but they do not bring true annihilation. To Eternity, they are simply a force of nature—an unfortunate cycle of existence."
Strange clenched his fists. "A thousand civilizations are wiped out every millennium. And yet, that is considered… acceptable?"
Eternity's form shifted, vast and unknowable, its voice resonating like a symphony of galaxies.
"To intervene would be to escalate the war beyond its current boundaries. If I move against them… the Otsutsuki of the Higher Realms will take notice."
Strange frowned. "Higher Realms?"
Yao's expression darkened.
"The Otsutsuki we know are merely seeds of a far greater tree. The true horrors rest beyond this universe, beings so powerful that they could devour entire star clusters with a thought. If they see one of our kind striking back, they will no longer be content with harvesting planets—they will begin consuming entire universes."
Strange was silent for a long moment.
The implications were terrifying.
This wasn't just about one world or even one universe. It was a delicate balance that had kept the worst Otsutsuki from ever setting their sights on this reality.
If they acted too aggressively, the war could become something much worse.
Strange exhaled. "Then what do we do?"
Yao's gaze turned serious, his voice heavy with wisdom.
"This fight is not for Eternity alone. We need to tip the scales in our favor before they notice. That means bringing a multiversal entity to our side… and gathering every universal entity that we can."
Strange felt the weight of those words.
A multiversal entity… there were only a few that could stand against a cosmic predator like the Higher Otsutsuki.
And even fewer who would be willing to fight.
Doctor Strange exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He didn't want to go down this road—but as the Sorcerer Supreme, he had to be prepared for all possibilities.
"Naruto mentioned an Otsutsuki targeting Earth." He looked at Yao, the former Sage of Six Paths, searching for any sign of hope. "Is there a way to make him leave? To erase Earth from his memory?"
For the first time, Yao was silent.
That silence was far louder than words.
Strange felt his stomach sink. "So it's impossible."
Yao finally spoke, his voice grim.
"The Earth of this world is too valuable. It is an ideal feeding ground for an Otsutsuki."
Strange clenched his fists. "Why? What makes it so different from other planets?"
Yao sighed. "Because of the vast diversity of life, the mutations, the enhanced beings, the supernatural forces, the cosmic entities that have lived and died here. If an Otsutsuki devours this world, they will gain the abilities of every powerful being—past and present—who has existed on this planet."
Strange's breath caught in his throat.
That meant…
An Otsutsuki that consumed Earth would inherit the powers of the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Sorcerers, the cosmic entities who had interacted with this world, even the mutants yet to be born.
That would make them unstoppable.
And worse—
"This is also why Naruto's empire is a delicacy," Yao continued, his voice even heavier.
Strange felt ice in his veins.
"His empire is filled with powerful beings—immortals, immortals, warriors with abilities far beyond mortal limits. It is a feast beyond measure. Even if we win here, a Higher Otsutsuki is already preparing to devour it."
Strange felt cold dread settle in his bones.
"Who knows when it will act? The only certainty is this—Naruto's empire is already on the menu. If he does not win, then everything he built will be nothing more than a dinner meal for the Otsutsuki."
A war was coming.
And if they didn't stop it—Earth, Naruto's empire, and possibly the entire multiverse would be nothing more than food.
Stephen narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with possibilities. The stakes were clear—Earth and Naruto's empire were already being prepared for consumption. They needed an edge, something that could disrupt the inevitable disaster.
"Where do we even start?" Strange asked, his voice controlled but heavy with the weight of responsibility.
Yao looked at him, his ancient eyes filled with a wisdom that spanned eras, dimensions, and lifetimes.
"We need powerful entities on our side." His voice carried finality. "And that does not exclude our enemies."
Strange immediately stiffened. "You're not suggesting—"
"Dormammu."
The name itself carried a sense of doom, an entity of pure destruction and endless hunger. Strange had battled him before, tricked him, and forced him into an eternal bargain to keep him from devouring this dimension.
And now… Yao wanted him to recruit the very being he had spent years keeping at bay?
"Are you insane?" Strange hissed, his fingers twitching with barely restrained magic. "You want me to free the Lord of the Dark Dimension?!"
Yao did not flinch. "You think he is ignorant of the Otsutsuki?"
Strange hesitated. That… was a good point. Dormammu had existed for eons, lurking in the abyss of the multiverse, spreading his influence across countless realities. If the Otsutsuki were a threat to everything, then Dormammu—someone who thrived on conquest and domination—would have had some kind of encounter with them.
"He knows about them," Yao continued, as if reading Strange's thoughts. "And more importantly—he hates them."
That caught Strange's full attention. "Why?"
Yao folded his arms, his expression unreadable. "Because they do not simply conquer. They consume. Dormammu thrives on ruling, on spreading his darkness. But the Otsutsuki? They devour everything. They would leave him with nothing."
That made a terrifying kind of sense. The Otsutsuki did not create—they simply fed. And if Dormammu's existence was about eternal dominion, then an enemy that erased entire civilizations would be a direct threat to him.
"So, what do you want me to do?" Strange asked, still wary.
Yao's eyes gleamed with calculating wisdom. "You must manipulate him into starting a fight with them."
"Are you joking?" Strange scoffed. "Dormammu won't just pick a fight because I ask him to!"
"No," Yao agreed. "But he will if he sees them as a threat. And even more so… if he has the chance to kill one."
Strange froze. "Kill an Otsutsuki?"
Yao nodded grimly. "Once one of their kind is slaughtered, they will never forgive the culprit. The Otsutsuki do not allow their own to be taken lightly. If Dormammu kills one, then the Otsutsuki will turn their wrath on him."
Strange rubbed his temples. This plan was insane—no, beyond insane.
Manipulating Dormammu into fighting the Otsutsuki?
It was like setting two monsters loose and hoping they killed each other before destroying everything else.
But... if it worked…
If they could make Dormammu start a war with the Otsutsuki, that would stall their invasion. It would buy Naruto's empire time, give them a chance to gather allies, and maybe, just maybe—turn the tide of the war.
Strange exhaled. "This is a bad idea."
Yao smirked slightly. "Perhaps. But it is the only idea that gives us a fighting chance."