What if Fembeerus Was Sent to Destroy the Shinobi World but Fall in Love With Naruto

Purple lightning split the cosmos, illuminating the ancient temple suspended between dimensions. Lady Beeris—Divine Destroyer, Goddess of Annihilation, and notably, the most temperamental deity in Universe 7—yawned with catastrophic boredom. Her slender feline form stretched across her floating throne, tail flicking with irritation as she examined her deadly claws.

"Whis," she drawled, golden eyes narrowing at her attendant. "How long has it been since I've destroyed something particularly entertaining?"

Whis, ever composed, consulted his staff with a serene smile. "Approximately seventy-three years, my lady. Your last truly satisfying destruction was the Tuffleheim nebula, as I recall. You mentioned the colors were 'almost worth waking up for.'"

"Seventy-three years?" Beeris bolted upright, her dark purple ears flattening against her head. A halo of destructive energy pulsed around her slender frame. "That's entirely too long! No wonder I'm so famished."

Planets trembled across the galaxy at her rising irritation. Whis, unperturbed, produced a holographic catalog from his staff.

"Perhaps I could interest you in—"

"No more desserts, Whis." Her tail slashed through the air, dissipating several nearby asteroids. "I need something... substantial. Something that will make me feel alive."

"Well," Whis twirled his staff thoughtfully, "Lord Zeno did mention something about universe realignment during your last nap. There's a stray dimension that wasn't properly cataloged—a nexus realm that developed independently of our cosmic hierarchy."

Beeris's ears perked forward. "A dimension outside divine jurisdiction? How... unauthorized." Her lips curled into a dangerous smile, revealing sharp fangs. "Tell me more."

"It's called the Shinobi World—a rather primitive realm where humans have developed energy manipulation techniques somewhat similar to ki, though far less refined. They call it 'chakra.'" Whis produced an image of the planet—blue and green, spinning peacefully, blissfully unaware of the divine attention now fixed upon it.

"Any decent fighters?" Beeris inquired, already slipping into her golden and blue battle attire, stretching her limbs in preparation.

"Nothing that would challenge you, Lady Beeris. Their strongest warriors might amuse you for several minutes at most." Whis paused, knowing exactly how to bait his temperamental charge. "Though they are quite... creative with their techniques. Unpredictable, one might say."

The word 'unpredictable' lit a familiar fire in Beeris's eyes. Predictability was the bane of an immortal's existence. The goddess stood, destruction energy crackling between her fingertips.

"Plot a course, Whis. Let's pay these... shinobi... a visit. If they prove uninteresting, I'll simply erase their little dimension and be done with it." She grinned, feeling more alive than she had in decades. "And Whis? Pack those little fishy rice cakes I like. Destruction always makes me peckish."

"Of course, my lady." Whis tapped his staff, and reality bent around them. "Journey time: approximately twenty-two minutes and fourteen seconds."

Beeris groaned. "That long? Wake me when we arrive."

As the Divine Destroyer fell instantly asleep, Whis smiled secretively to himself. "Oh my," he whispered, "this should prove quite interesting indeed."

In Konoha, Naruto Uzumaki stood atop the Hokage monument, twenty-two years old and breathing in the peaceful morning air. Five years after the Fourth Great Ninja War, the world had settled into an uneasy harmony. As the future Seventh Hokage (Kakashi had promised to retire "any day now" for the past two years), Naruto found himself restless.

Peace was good. Peace was what they'd fought for.

But sometimes, peace was also... boring.

"Yo! Earth to Naruto!" Shikamaru's voice broke through his thoughts. "The Five Kage conference preparations won't handle themselves, you know."

Naruto grinned, stretching his arms wide as the rising sun bathed Konoha in golden light. "Just getting some fresh air, Shikamaru! The paperwork isn't going anywhere."

"Troublesome as ever," Shikamaru muttered, but there was fondness in his voice. "Kakashi-sama wants the security protocols finalized by noon."

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto started to reply when something strange prickled at his senses. A disturbance in the natural energy around him—subtle, then overwhelming.

Within his mindscape, Kurama stirred. "Kit... something's coming."

"You feel that too?" Naruto whispered, muscles tensing.

"This energy... it's not chakra. It's something... older. More primal." The Nine-Tails sounded uncharacteristically concerned. "Whatever it is, it's powerful. Dangerously powerful."

Naruto's eyes flicked to the sky just as a strange light appeared—a spiraling vortex of purple and blue energy tearing through the fabric of reality itself.

"Shikamaru," Naruto said, voice dropping to a serious tone he rarely used, "sound the alarm. Get everyone to safety stations."

"What is it?" Shikamaru followed his gaze upward, eyes widening.

"I don't know," Naruto admitted, already forming a shadow clone to spread the warning. "But whatever it is... it feels like death itself."

Lady Beeris yawned tremendously as the interdimensional tunnel collapsed behind them. Her first impression of the Shinobi World was one of... quaintness.

"Rather primitive, isn't it?" she remarked, floating cross-legged above what appeared to be some sort of monument carved with giant faces. "Their energy levels are pitiful."

"As I mentioned, my lady," Whis replied pleasantly, "they're quite underdeveloped compared to our universe. Though," he added, pointing his staff toward a particular spot in the village below, "there is one energy signature that might interest you."

Beeris lazily turned her gaze downward, then blinked in surprise. Amidst the sea of flickering lights that represented the life force of the village's inhabitants, one burned like a small sun—bright orange-gold with flickers of something darker and more ancient swirling within it.

"Now that's interesting," she purred, tail curling with sudden interest. "What is that?"

"According to my research, this realm has entities known as 'Tailed Beasts'—concentrations of chakra given physical form and sentience. That particular energy signature belongs to a human who contains the strongest of these beings, the Nine-Tailed Fox."

"A mortal containing a power not his own?" Beeris's ears twitched forward. "How presumptuous. Perhaps I should remind them of their place in the cosmic hierarchy."

Without warning, she extended one clawed finger toward the village and released a tiny spark of destruction energy—a fraction of her power, barely enough to erase a small mountain.

Naruto felt it coming—a concentrated beam of pure annihilation heading straight for the heart of Konoha. Without hesitation, he flashed into Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, golden energy enveloping his form as he launched himself into the path of the attack.

"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he shouted, filling the sky with hundreds of glowing clones. As one, they formed a massive Rasengan barrier—a technique he'd been developing but never needed to use until now.

The purple beam collided with the barrier with catastrophic force. The clones detonated in sequence, each sacrificing itself to absorb a portion of the devastating energy. Even with this strategy, Naruto felt the raw power tearing through his defenses like they were made of paper.

"Kit, this isn't normal chakra—it's pure destruction energy!" Kurama roared inside him. "We need more power!"

Naruto gritted his teeth, drawing deeper on his connection with Kurama, pushing into the Six Paths Sage Mode he rarely needed to access anymore. The golden glow around him intensified, truth-seeking orbs materializing behind him as he poured everything into deflecting the attack skyward.

With a final desperate push, he managed to redirect the beam away from the village—the diverted energy shooting into the atmosphere where it detonated with earth-shaking force, temporarily creating a second sun in the morning sky.

Naruto hung in the air, breathing hard, his enhanced eyes focusing on the source of the attack—two figures floating above the Hokage Monument. One tall and blue-skinned with white hair, looking almost amused. The other...

His breath caught.

She was unlike any being he'd ever encountered—clearly female but feline in appearance, with purple skin, large pointed ears, and golden eyes that regarded him with surprised interest. She wore elegant, foreign-looking attire of blue and gold, and despite her slender frame, Naruto could sense power radiating from her that made the combined might of all five Kage feel like children playing at being ninjas.

"Well, well," her voice carried effortlessly across the distance, a hint of intrigue coloring her tone. "Perhaps this won't be boring after all."

Beeris couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. The blond mortal had not only survived her test but had actually managed to redirect it. The last time anyone had accomplished such a feat, she'd been forced to erase an entire solar system in irritation.

But rather than irritation, she felt... curious.

"Whis," she called, not taking her eyes off the golden-glowing human who hovered defiantly before her. "Tell me about this one."

"Naruto Uzumaki," Whis supplied promptly. "Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox, hero of the Fourth Great Ninja War, and future leader of this village. Quite remarkable for a mortal of this realm. He appears to be using a combination of sage energy and the tailed beast's power."

"Sage energy?" Beeris's ears perked up. "Natural energy manipulation? How... old-fashioned." Her lips curled into a smile. "I haven't seen that technique in millennia."

She descended slowly, purposefully, landing atop the carved face that Whis informed her was the likeness of the current village leader. The blond warrior—Naruto—landed opposite her, his golden aura illuminating the morning air, truth-seeking orbs rotating slowly behind him.

"You attacked my village," he stated, voice firm but controlled. His blue eyes burned with resolve. "Why?"

Beeris yawned deliberately, examining her claws. "I am Lady Beeris, Divine Destroyer of Universe 7. This dimension exists outside proper cosmic regulation, and I've come to determine whether it deserves to continue existing." She flicked her tail dismissively. "Standard procedure, really."

To her surprise, instead of cowering or attacking rashly, the human's expression shifted to one of determined negotiation.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I won't let you destroy my home or my precious people." His voice carried absolute conviction. "Whatever test you're here to perform, test me instead. Leave everyone else out of it."

Beeris raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued by his boldness. "You volunteer to entertain a Destroyer God? How... presumptuous." She stepped closer, her divine aura making the very air tremble. "But I accept your proposal, Naruto Uzumaki. Impress me, and perhaps I'll spare your little world."

"Lady Beeris," Whis interjected smoothly, "might I suggest the abandoned valley approximately seventeen kilometers southwest? It would provide an adequate arena without unnecessary collateral damage."

Beeris rolled her eyes but nodded. "Fine, fine. I suppose excessive destruction would be premature." She fixed Naruto with a predatory grin. "Race you there, mortal. Don't keep a Destroyer waiting—we tend to get... impatient."

With that, she vanished in a blur of speed that broke the sound barrier several times over.

Naruto stood stunned for precisely two seconds before Kurama's growl snapped him back to reality.

"Kit, we're in serious trouble. Whatever that cat-woman is, she's not bluffing. Her power... it's like nothing I've ever felt."

"Yeah," Naruto muttered, already signaling to Shikamaru who stood watching with horrified fascination. "Get everyone to the emergency shelters and contact the other Kage. Tell them exactly what's happening."

"You can't seriously be planning to fight that... thing," Shikamaru protested. "The energy she released with just one finger—"

"I don't have a choice," Naruto cut him off, already turning to follow Beeris. "If I don't go, she might just decide to destroy everything without giving us a chance." His expression hardened with determination. "Besides, she seems like she wants to be entertained more than anything. Maybe I can talk her down."

"Talk down a god of destruction?" Kurama snorted. "Your optimism borders on insanity, kit."

"Wouldn't be the first time I've changed someone's mind," Naruto replied with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "And if talking fails..."

He left the sentence hanging as he launched himself toward the Valley of the End—or what remained of it after his final battle with Sasuke years ago. The irony wasn't lost on him; once again, he was racing toward that valley to fight for everything he held dear.

But this time, he was facing something far beyond a wayward friend. Far beyond even Kaguya.

He was facing a god who destroyed universes on a whim.

The Valley of the End looked different than Naruto remembered—the massive statues of Hashirama and Madara had never been fully repaired after his battle with Sasuke. Now they would serve as silent witnesses to an even more cataclysmic confrontation.

Lady Beeris floated cross-legged above the waterfall, looking bored as she examined the surroundings. Her attendant stood nearby, staff in hand, wearing a pleasant smile that revealed nothing of his thoughts.

"You're slow," Beeris remarked without looking at Naruto as he arrived. "I was considering taking a nap while waiting."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Naruto replied, landing on what remained of Hashirama's statue. "I had to make sure my people would be safe."

"How touching," Beeris yawned, finally turning her golden gaze to him. "Such concern for lesser beings."

Naruto's eyes hardened. "They're not lesser. Every life has value—that's something I learned the hard way."

"A charming sentiment," Beeris replied, uncrossing her legs and standing upright in midair. "But ultimately misguided. In the grand scheme of the multiverse, entire galaxies are born and die in the blink of an eye. Your attachment to these fleeting lives is... quaint."

"If you really believed that," Naruto countered, surprising himself with his boldness, "you wouldn't be here looking for entertainment. Something that genuinely means nothing doesn't need to be destroyed—you just ignore it."

Beeris's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise crossing her features before she masked it with amusement. "Perceptive for a mortal. Very well, Naruto Uzumaki. Show me why this world deserves to exist. Show me something I haven't seen in my millions of years of existence."

Her expression turned predatory as destructive energy began to swirl around her slender form. "Entertain me... or perish."

Without warning, she vanished—only to reappear directly in front of Naruto, one finger extended toward his forehead.

The battle for the Shinobi World had begun.

Time slowed to a crawl as Beeris's finger approached Naruto's forehead. In that fraction of a second, Naruto made a crucial realization: direct confrontation would be suicide.

"MOVE!" Kurama's roar galvanized him.

Naruto didn't just move—he vanished, utilizing the Flying Thunder God technique he'd finally mastered from his father's notes. He reappeared behind Beeris, already forming a Massive Rasengan infused with natural energy.

But Beeris hadn't even turned her head when her tail whipped around with devastating precision, slicing through the Rasengan like it was nothing more than a bubble. The resulting explosion sent Naruto tumbling backward, barely managing to land on his feet at the edge of the cliff.

"Teleportation?" Beeris sounded mildly impressed. "And space-time manipulation, no less. Not bad... for a beginner."

She casually flicked her wrist, sending a barrage of energy blasts toward Naruto that moved faster than even his enhanced perception could fully track.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Dozens of clones materialized, each taking a hit meant for the original. The explosions rocked the valley, sending water and debris flying in all directions.

Through the smoke, Naruto launched his counterattack—hundreds of clones filling the sky, each armed with a different Rasengan variant. They descended upon Beeris from all directions, a storm of spinning chakra aimed to overwhelm through sheer numbers and diversity of attack.

Beeris yawned.

"Disappointing," she murmured, and with casual grace, began to dance.

There was no other word for it. The Destroyer God moved with fluid, almost lazy elegance, her body twisting and flowing around every attack without apparent effort. Each movement, however slight, decimated dozens of clones. A flick of her tail, a brush of her finger, even the disturbance in the air as she pivoted—all of it carried destructive force that turned Naruto's clones to smoke.

"Is this truly the best your world has to offer?" she called, not even breathing hard as she eliminated the last clone with a negligent wave of her hand. "I've had more challenging warm-ups."

The real Naruto, who had hidden himself underground during the clone assault, burst from beneath Beeris's feet, his hand extended upward in a desperate gambit.

"Truth-Seeking Orbs: Binding Prison!"

The black spheres morphed instantly, expanding to encase Beeris in a cage of material that could negate all forms of chakra and techniques. For one brief moment, Naruto thought he might have caught her off guard.

Then she smiled.

"Oh? Is this supposed to contain me?" Beeris tapped the black material with her claw. "Interesting construction. A shame it only works on energies from your dimension."

She inhaled deeply, then released her breath—not as a shout or a beam, but as a simple sigh.

The Truth-Seeking cage disintegrated, not broken but unmade at the molecular level.

Naruto stood frozen, genuine fear creeping into his heart for the first time. Nothing had ever simply... negated the Truth-Seeking Orbs like that. Not even Kaguya had managed such a feat.

Beeris stretched languidly, looking almost disappointed. "I had hoped for more of a challenge. Perhaps I overestimated—"

Her words cut off as the ground beneath them glowed with an intricate sealing array—a massive formula that Naruto had been laying out with his clones without her noticing.

"Six Paths Sage Art: Divine Sealing Chain Barrier!"

Golden chains erupted from the array, moving with impossible speed to bind Beeris from all directions. Unlike normal chakra chains, these were infused with Six Paths power—designed to restrain even god-like entities. They wrapped around her slender form, tightening and pulsing with energy as they attempted to subdue her divine power.

Beeris looked down at the chains with genuine curiosity. "Now this... this is somewhat interesting. Binding divine energy with mortal techniques? Ambitious."

For a moment, the chains seemed to hold, glowing brighter as they drew on the natural energy of the entire valley. Naruto poured everything he had into maintaining the seal, sweat beading on his forehead as he strained against her immense power.

Then Beeris flexed.

Just a simple tensing of her muscles.

The chains shattered like glass, the sealing array burned away as if it had never existed, and the backlash of energy sent Naruto flying backward into the cliff face with bone-crushing force. He crashed through solid rock, coming to rest in a crater of his own making, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Kit, this isn't working," Kurama growled, already directing healing energy to Naruto's broken ribs. "She's toying with us."

"I know," Naruto gasped, struggling to his feet. "But we can't give up. Everyone's counting on us."

"We need to try something different. Something she won't expect."

A shadow fell over Naruto as Beeris floated into the opening of the crater, arms crossed, her expression one of growing boredom.

"Is that all? How disappointing. Perhaps this dimension isn't worth preserving after all." She raised her hand, purple destruction energy gathering at her fingertip. "Any last words before I erase you and then your entire world?"

Naruto looked up at her, blood streaking his face, but his blue eyes remained defiant. Instead of attacking or pleading, he did something that caught Beeris completely off guard.

He smiled.

"You know," he said conversationally, as if they weren't in the middle of a battle for the fate of his world, "you remind me of Kurama when I first met him. All power and anger and loneliness."

Beeris blinked, the destruction energy at her fingertip wavering slightly. "Excuse me?"

"The Nine-Tails," Naruto clarified, gesturing to his stomach where the seal was located. "When we first met, he wanted to destroy everything too. Took me years to understand why."

"Are you comparing me to a GOD OF DESTRUCTION?" Kurama sounded simultaneously offended and terrified. "Kit, now is NOT the time for your talk-no-jutsu!"

But Naruto pressed on, ignoring both Kurama's protests and the imminent threat of annihilation. "It's exhausting, isn't it? Living so long, being so powerful that nothing challenges you anymore. Everything becomes... boring."

Something flickered in Beeris's golden eyes—a flash of surprise, quickly masked by irritation. "You presume to understand the existence of a Destroyer God? Your arrogance is astounding."

"Not understand," Naruto corrected, taking a painful step forward. "Just recognize. I've met beings consumed by power and purpose before. The stronger they are, the more they hide their loneliness."

"Loneliness?" Beeris scoffed, but her tail had stopped its casual swaying, now rigid with tension. "I am a GOD. I exist beyond such petty mortal concerns."

"Then why travel across dimensions looking for entertainment?" Naruto asked quietly. "Why test worlds instead of just destroying them? There's something you're searching for, isn't there? Something even destruction can't satisfy."

Beeris's eyes narrowed dangerously, the energy at her fingertip intensifying. "You talk too much, mortal."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Naruto admitted with a pained chuckle. "But before you destroy everything, at least let me show you what makes this world worth saving. Not through fighting—you've already proven I can't match you there—but through living."

He extended his hand, not in attack but in invitation. "Let me show you what I fight for. If you still want to destroy everything afterward... well, at least I tried."

Beeris stared at his outstretched hand with an unreadable expression. For a long, tense moment, the fate of the entire Shinobi World hung in the balance, dependent on the whim of a capricious deity.

Then, to Kurama's utter disbelief, Beeris lowered her hand, the destruction energy dissipating.

"You are either the bravest or the most foolish mortal I've ever encountered," she said, a hint of reluctant admiration in her voice. "Very well, Naruto Uzumaki. You have... temporarily... piqued my interest. Show me this world you believe is worth preserving."

From a distance, Whis watched the exchange with a knowing smile. "My, my," he murmured to himself, "how unexpected. It seems Lady Beeris might have found something interesting after all."

The divine attendant's staff glowed briefly as he made a small adjustment to their interdimensional itinerary. Something told him they might be staying in this Shinobi World longer than originally planned.

Much longer indeed.

"You have got to be kidding me," Beeris said flatly, staring at the small ramen stand with undisguised skepticism. "This is what you want to show me? Primitive food from a roadside vendor?"

After a brief detour to the hospital where Sakura had nearly fainted at the sight of the divine visitors (but had composed herself admirably to heal Naruto's injuries), they now stood before Ichiraku Ramen. Curious and terrified villagers peeked from windows and around corners, watching their hero casually chatting with the being who had nearly destroyed them all merely hours ago.

"Ichiraku isn't just food," Naruto protested, already lifting the shop's curtain. "It's... well, you'll see. Come on!"

Beeris exchanged a long-suffering look with Whis, who merely smiled encouragingly. With a dramatic sigh that made nearby trees shiver, she ducked under the curtain and entered the humble establishment.

Teuchi, to his eternal credit, barely missed a beat when the purple feline deity slid onto a stool beside Naruto. His only reaction was a slight widening of the eyes before his professional demeanor reasserted itself.

"Naruto! And... distinguished guests! Welcome to Ichiraku!" He bowed respectfully, though his hands trembled slightly.

"Three specials, old man!" Naruto called with genuine enthusiasm. "Trust me," he added to Beeris, "you've never tasted anything like this."

"I sincerely doubt that," Beeris muttered, eyeing the simple surroundings with thinly veiled disdain. "I've consumed delicacies from across the universe. Star-fruit cultivated in the corona of dying suns. Nebula-aged spirits distilled from the essence of cosmic phenomena. What could this possibly—"

Her words died as Teuchi placed a steaming bowl before her. The aroma hit her sensitive nose like a revelation—complex, enticing, and utterly unexpected. Despite herself, her ears perked forward and her tail began to sway with interest.

Naruto watched with barely contained glee as Beeris cautiously lifted a single noodle with her chopsticks, examining it with the thoroughness of a scientist studying a new life form. She sniffed it once, twice, then delicately placed it in her mouth.

Her eyes widened.

"This is..." she began, then paused, seemingly struggling to find words. "This is..."

"Amazing, right?" Naruto supplied, already halfway through his own bowl.

Beeris didn't respond. Instead, she began to eat with increasing speed and enthusiasm, her initial caution forgotten as she savored each bite with expressions ranging from surprise to delight to something approaching reverence.

"The broth," she finally said between mouthfuls, "has seventeen distinct flavor components, perfectly balanced. The noodles have exactly the right elasticity and absorbency. The protein has been prepared with techniques that should be beyond this world's culinary development."

She looked up at Teuchi with new respect. "You. How did you achieve this mastery?"

The ramen chef blushed under her intense scrutiny. "Fifty years of practice, my lady. My family's recipe, refined through generations."

"Generations," Beeris repeated thoughtfully, slowing her consumption to truly savor the experience. "That's what makes this different. The cumulative knowledge, passed down and improved. The care and attention to detail."

She turned to Naruto, who was watching her with a knowing grin. "This isn't just food, is it? It's your history. Your connections to one another."

"Got it in one," Naruto confirmed. "Ichiraku was the first place that accepted me when everyone else saw me as just the Nine-Tails container. This ramen represents precious bonds."

Beeris contemplated this as she finished her bowl, then immediately gestured for another. "Intriguing. In all my existence, I've rarely found mortals who put such care into temporary creations, knowing they will be consumed and forgotten."

"Not forgotten," Naruto corrected gently. "The ramen's gone, but the experience stays with you. The memory becomes part of you."

Something shifted in Beeris's expression—a subtle softening that might have been imperceptible to anyone but Whis, who watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction.

"Perhaps," she conceded, accepting her second bowl with surprising gratitude, "there is more to your dimension than I initially presumed."

From Ichiraku, Naruto led his divine guests through Konoha, pointing out landmarks and introducing bewildered villagers who alternated between bowing profusely and frozen terror. Beeris seemed simultaneously amused and perplexed by the mortals' reactions, occasionally prodding at their fear with casually mentioned threats that made Naruto hastily change the subject.

"And this," Naruto said as they reached a grassy hill overlooking the village, "is where I come to think."

The afternoon sun bathed Konoha in golden light, the shadows of buildings stretching across the landscape like fingers reaching for the surrounding forest. From this vantage point, the village looked peaceful, vibrant with life and activity.

"Your attachments are... extensive," Beeris observed, sitting cross-legged on the grass, her tail curling around her. "You value each of these insignificant lives?"

"Every single one," Naruto confirmed without hesitation. "That's what being Hokage means—protecting everyone, not just the people you personally care about."

"Hokage," Beeris tested the word. "Your title of leadership. Yet you're not officially the leader yet, correct?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Well, Kakashi-sensei is still Hokage, but everyone knows I'll take over soon. Just waiting for the right time."

"Why wait?" Beeris asked bluntly. "With your power, you could simply take the position."

"That's not how it works here," Naruto laughed. "Leadership isn't just about being the strongest. It's about earning trust, making wise decisions, being ready to put everyone else before yourself."

Beeris studied him with renewed interest. "You are... unusual, Naruto Uzumaki. Most beings with your level of power would not hesitate to claim what they desire."

"Maybe that's why this world is worth saving," Naruto suggested with a meaningful look. "We've learned that power isn't everything."

Before Beeris could respond, a small toad appeared in a puff of smoke beside them, startling the Destroyer God enough that she nearly obliterated it with a reflexive energy blast. Only Whis's subtle redirection saved the messenger.

"Naruto-boy!" the toad croaked urgently. "The other Kage have arrived at the emergency summit! They're demanding to meet this... visitor... who threatened our world!"

Naruto grimaced. "Already? That was fast. Must be serious if they all dropped everything to come here."

"Kage?" Beeris inquired, ears twitching with interest. "The other leaders of your world? How fascinating. I would very much like to meet these mortals who presume to govern a realm outside divine jurisdiction."

The gleam in her eye made Naruto distinctly nervous. "Um, maybe we should save that for another day—"

"Nonsense!" Beeris was already standing, brushing grass from her attire. "Take me to this summit immediately. As the Divine Destroyer, it's only proper that I formally evaluate those who claim authority in this dimension."

"Kit, this is a disaster waiting to happen," Kurama warned inside Naruto's mind. "The Five Kage in one room with HER? You remember how they are—especially the Tsuchikage."

"Yeah, I know," Naruto muttered under his breath. Aloud he said, "They might not be as... understanding... as I've been. Some of them can be pretty stubborn and proud."

"All the more entertaining," Beeris purred, stretching languidly. "Lead on, future Hokage. Let us see if your world's leaders are as impressive as its ramen."

Whis caught Naruto's eye and gave him a sympathetic smile that somehow conveyed both apology and amusement. "Once Lady Beeris makes up her mind, there's very little that can deter her. Best to proceed with... caution."

"Great," Naruto sighed, already imagining the catastrophe that awaited. "Just great."

The emergency Kage Summit had been hastily arranged in Konoha's largest council chamber. Tempers were already flaring when Naruto arrived with his divine guests.

"—should have been informed immediately!" The Raikage's booming voice carried through the closed doors.

"And what exactly would you have done, A?" That was Gaara, his tone calm but with an edge of steel. "From the reports, this being's power exceeds anything we've ever encountered."

Naruto took a deep breath, exchanged a glance with Beeris who looked thoroughly amused by his discomfort, and pushed open the doors.

Five pairs of eyes turned to them—and then widened in varying degrees of shock, anger, and disbelief.

"Is that—" Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage, half-rose from her seat.

"Everyone," Naruto announced with a forced cheerfulness that fooled nobody, "I'd like you to meet Lady Beeris, Destroyer God of Universe 7, and her attendant Whis. They've... um... come to evaluate our world."

The silence that followed was so complete that Naruto could hear the dust particles settling on the conference table.

Kakashi, still wearing the Hokage robes and looking more tired than usual, was the first to recover. "Naruto," he said with remarkable composure, "when you said you would handle the situation, I didn't expect you to invite the being who threatened our world to tea."

"Not tea," Beeris corrected, sauntering forward with catlike grace. "Ramen. Quite excellent ramen, I might add. Your dimension has at least one redeeming quality."

The Raikage slammed his fist on the table hard enough to crack the wood. "Is this some kind of joke? This creature attacks our world, and you're taking it on a culinary tour?"

"Watch your tone, mortal," Beeris's voice dropped to a dangerous purr, her aura flaring just enough to make the temperature in the room drop several degrees. "I am not a 'creature' to be addressed so disrespectfully. I am Lady Beeris, Divine Destroyer, and I can erase your existence with less effort than it takes you to blink."

"Please, everyone," Naruto stepped between them, hands raised placatingly. "Lady Beeris has agreed to evaluate our world before making any decisions. I'm showing her what makes the Shinobi World special, worth preserving."

"And you thought ramen would convince a god not to destroy us?" Chōjūrō, the Mizukage, asked incredulously.

"It was a compelling argument," Whis interjected pleasantly, speaking for the first time. "Lady Beeris is quite the connoisseur of fine cuisine. Your Ichiraku establishment has made quite the impression."

Gaara, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Naruto has always had a unique approach to diplomacy." His pale eyes studied Beeris with cautious respect. "If anyone could convince a deity through friendship and food, it would be him."

Beeris tilted her head, regarding the young Kazekage with new interest. "You speak of him with unusual confidence. Why?"

"Because he changed me when no one else could," Gaara answered simply. "When I was consumed by hatred and bloodlust, Naruto reached me. He has a gift for seeing the best in others, even when they cannot see it themselves."

The other Kage shifted uncomfortably, but none contradicted Gaara's assessment. Even the Raikage, for all his bluster, had firsthand experience with Naruto's unique brand of stubborn optimism.

"Interesting," Beeris murmured, her gaze returning to Naruto with a calculating gleam. "You inspire unusual loyalty in those around you. Even those in positions of power."

"It's not about loyalty to me," Naruto corrected. "It's about what we all believe in—peace, understanding, protecting everyone precious to us."

Kakashi cleared his throat. "While I appreciate Naruto's... unorthodox approach to preventing cosmic annihilation, perhaps we should discuss how to proceed from here. Lady Beeris, may I ask what your intentions are regarding our world?"

All eyes turned to the Divine Destroyer, who smiled with feline smugness. "Originally, I came to erase this dimension—it exists outside proper cosmic cataloging, you see. Very untidy." She examined her claws casually. "However, I've decided to extend my evaluation period. Your Naruto has argued that there might be... unique aspects of your realm worth preserving."

"And how long will this 'evaluation period' last?" Kurotsuchi asked, trying to keep the challenge from her voice but not entirely succeeding.

"As long as I find it entertaining," Beeris replied with a shrug that somehow conveyed both indifference and threat. "Days, years, centuries... time is rather flexible from my perspective."

"Lady Beeris operates on a cosmic scale," Whis explained, seeing the alarmed expressions around the table. "Her last nap lasted for thirty-nine of your years."

"Thirty-nine—" the Raikage spluttered.

"A brief rest," Beeris waved dismissively. "Now, I understand you all represent the major powers of this world? Show me your abilities. Prove to me that this dimension deserves continued existence."

The demand hung in the air like a sword. Naruto glanced nervously between the Kage, knowing that pride and caution were warring within each of them.

To everyone's surprise, it was Kakashi who stood first.

"Lady Beeris," he said with a formal bow that somehow managed to convey both respect and reservation, "while we could attempt to demonstrate our combat abilities, I suspect nothing we could show would truly impress someone of your... cosmic stature."

Beeris raised an eyebrow but did not contradict him.

"Instead," Kakashi continued smoothly, "perhaps you might be interested in seeing how our five nations, once locked in perpetual warfare, have forged an unprecedented era of peace and cooperation? The true strength of our world lies not in individual power, but in what we've built together."

A spark of genuine interest flickered in Beeris's golden eyes. "Peace? After war? How... unusual. In my experience, mortals rarely achieve lasting harmony without external enforcement."

"It wasn't easy," Gaara acknowledged. "And it remains a work in progress. But yes, after generations of conflict, we found a better path."

"And this one," Beeris gestured to Naruto, "had something to do with it, I presume?"

"Everything to do with it," Kurotsuchi admitted grudgingly. "He was the rallying point in the Fourth Great Ninja War. The one who refused to give up on unity even when it seemed impossible."

Naruto felt his face heat with embarrassment. "It wasn't just me—"

"It was mostly you," Kakashi interrupted with eye-crinkled amusement. "Though I appreciate your modesty."

Beeris circled the table slowly, studying each Kage with penetrating intensity. "A world that values peace over power... maintained by leaders who acknowledge the contributions of others rather than claiming credit themselves..." She stopped behind Naruto, her tail swishing thoughtfully. "Most irregular. Most interesting."

"Then you won't destroy us?" Chōjūrō asked hopefully.

"I haven't decided," Beeris replied, though her tone had lost some of its dangerous edge. "Your world has... potential. I require more evidence before making my final judgment."

"What kind of evidence?" the Raikage demanded, earning himself a warning look from Kakashi.

Beeris smiled, revealing sharp fangs. "I wish to see more of this world. Its cultures, its conflicts, its curiosities. And," she placed a clawed hand on Naruto's shoulder, "this one will be my guide."

"Me?" Naruto blinked in surprise.

"You volunteered, did you not?" Beeris reminded him with a predatory grin. "To show me why your world deserves to exist? I'm simply taking you up on your offer."

Naruto swallowed hard but nodded. "I did. And I will."

"Excellent!" Whis clapped his hands together cheerfully. "A grand tour of the Shinobi World! How delightful. I do hope we'll sample more of your local cuisine along the way."

The Kage exchanged glances ranging from concern to resignation. Whatever they might have thought about this arrangement, none were foolish enough to object openly.

"Well then," Kakashi said with forced lightness, "I suppose we should make our divine guests comfortable for the duration of their stay. Naruto, as our... ambassador... I trust you'll ensure Lady Beeris finds our world suitably impressive?"

The weight of that responsibility settled on Naruto's shoulders like a physical burden. "I'll do my best, Kakashi-sensei."

"This is either the bravest or the most idiotic thing you've ever volunteered for," Kurama commented. "And that's saying something."

"Since when are those two different things for me?" Naruto muttered under his breath.

Beeris's sensitive ears caught his comment, and to everyone's shock, she let out a genuine laugh—a sound that somehow managed to be both melodious and mildly terrifying.

"I was right," she said, golden eyes fixed on Naruto with newfound respect. "You are going to be entertaining after all."

"No, absolutely not." Naruto crossed his arms stubbornly, blue eyes narrowed in determination. "I'm not giving you my apartment."

Two days had passed since the Kage Summit, and the novelty of having a Destroyer God in Konoha had yet to wear off. Citizens alternated between hiding in their homes and cautiously emerging to catch glimpses of the divine visitors, particularly when Naruto led them through the village on what he called "cultural orientation tours" (and what Beeris termed "evaluations of mortal tedium").

Now they stood outside Naruto's modest apartment building, locked in what had become a regular occurrence—a battle of wills between a stubborn shinobi and an equally stubborn deity.

"It's the logical solution," Beeris countered, tail swishing with irritation. "Your accommodations are inadequate for two divine beings, but they're better than sleeping outdoors like savages."

"My Lord of Lords suggested tents," Whis reminded them helpfully, receiving dual glares in response.

"I'm not abandoning my home because you decided to stay without asking," Naruto insisted. "Besides, where would I sleep?"

Beeris waved dismissively. "That's hardly my concern. Perhaps with one of your many admirers? That pink-haired medical ninja seemed eager enough for your attention."

Naruto's face reddened. "Sakura's not— That's not— We're just friends!"

"All the more reason you should be the one to relocate," Beeris pressed, a sly smile playing across her feline features. "Divine beings require privacy and comfort. Surely your 'cultural diplomacy' extends to proper hospitality?"

"She's manipulating you," Kurama observed with grudging admiration. "The cat-goddess is surprisingly good at pushing your buttons."

Before Naruto could formulate a response, a familiar voice called from down the street.

"Naruto! There you are." Shikamaru approached, looking even more exhausted than usual. He eyed the divine visitors warily before continuing, "Kakashi-sama has arranged accommodations for our... guests. A fully furnished diplomatic residence in the eastern district."

"Oh?" Beeris's ears perked with interest. "What sort of residence?"

"The former Daimyo's mansion," Shikamaru replied. "It's the most luxurious property in Konoha, reserved for visiting dignitaries. Kakashi-sama thought it would be... appropriate."

Relief washed over Naruto's face. "See? Problem solved! You get a fancy mansion, and I keep my apartment."

Beeris seemed to consider this, her tail now swaying in a more contemplative pattern. "This mansion... does it have proper bathing facilities? Your primitive world's hygiene standards leave much to be desired."

"It has the largest private hot spring in the village," Shikamaru confirmed. "Along with a staff of attendants, a private chef, and security personnel."

"Security?" Beeris scoffed. "For whom? Me? Or to protect others from me?"

Shikamaru, to his credit, didn't flinch. "It's standard protocol for all diplomatic guests. Though I think we all understand it's merely a formality in your case."

"Hmm." Beeris tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Very well. I shall inspect this mansion. If it meets my standards, I may consider accepting your Hokage's hospitality."

"Great!" Naruto said with perhaps too much enthusiasm. "Shikamaru can show you the way, and I'll—"

"You'll accompany us, of course," Beeris interrupted, fixing him with a pointed stare. "As my official guide to this dimension, your duties are far from complete."

Naruto's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine. But tomorrow we're starting our tour of the other hidden villages. You haven't seen anything until you've visited Suna's glass gardens or Kiri's coral palaces."

"Or sampled their local cuisines," Whis added cheerfully. "I'm particularly looking forward to exploring the culinary diversity of your world."

As they followed Shikamaru toward the eastern district, Naruto couldn't help noticing how differently Beeris moved compared to two days ago. Initially, she had floated imperiously above the ground, avoiding contact with the "primitive" earth of his world. Now she walked beside him, her bare feet occasionally kicking at pebbles with childlike curiosity, her golden eyes taking in the village with what appeared to be genuine interest rather than mere evaluation.

It was... weird. But not entirely unpleasant.

"Don't get comfortable," Kurama warned. "She could still destroy everything on a whim."

"I know," Naruto muttered. "But at least she's giving us a chance."

The diplomatic mansion exceeded even Naruto's expectations. Built in traditional style but with modern luxuries, it sprawled across a private garden complete with cherry blossoms, koi ponds, and meticulously maintained landscape features.

"This," Beeris declared after a thorough inspection, "will suffice."

Coming from the Destroyer God, it was high praise indeed.

"Glad you like it," Naruto said, already backing toward the exit. "Well, I'll leave you to get settled—"

"Stay." The command was simple but carried unmistakable divine authority. Beeris gestured to a cushion across from where she had elegantly settled herself. "I have questions."

Naruto hesitated, then reluctantly sat. Shikamaru had already made a tactical retreat, leaving Naruto alone with the divine visitors. Whis busied himself examining the various artworks and artifacts decorating the mansion, though Naruto suspected he was listening to every word.

"What sort of questions?" Naruto asked cautiously.

"About you." Beeris's golden eyes fixed on him with unnerving intensity. "You contain a powerful entity—this 'Nine-Tails' that Whis mentioned. Yet unlike most vessels in other dimensions, you and the beast seem to coexist harmoniously. Explain."

"Kurama," Naruto corrected automatically. "His name is Kurama, not just 'Nine-Tails.'"

Beeris raised an eyebrow. "You named the destructive entity imprisoned within you?"

"I didn't name him. That was his name all along—one that everyone forgot or ignored." Naruto placed a hand over his stomach where the seal was located. "And he's not imprisoned anymore. We're partners."

"Partners is stretching it," Kurama grumbled, though without real heat. "More like I'm stuck with you and making the best of it."

Naruto smiled at the familiar complaint. "It wasn't always like this. For a long time, we hated each other. He wanted to break free and destroy everything, and I was afraid of his power."

"What changed?" Beeris leaned forward slightly, her tail curling around her cushion.

"Understanding, I guess." Naruto's expression grew thoughtful. "I realized Kurama wasn't just a mindless beast—he had reasons for his anger. Generations of being used as a weapon, passed from one vessel to another, feared and hated. Never seen as anything but a source of power or a threat."

"And you saw differently?" Beeris prompted when he paused.

"I saw someone like me." Naruto met her gaze steadily. "Someone who knew what it was like to be feared just for existing. To be defined by others based on what you contain, not who you are."

Beeris's ears flicked with what might have been surprise. "A rather enlightened perspective for a mortal."

"Tell her it wasn't that simple," Kurama interjected. "I didn't exactly make it easy for you."

Naruto laughed. "Kurama wants me to clarify that he wasn't exactly cooperative. There was a lot of threatening to eat me and destroy everything I loved before we reached our understanding."

To his surprise, Beeris's lips curled into a small smile. "Yes, that sounds more believable. Powerful entities rarely surrender their grievances easily." She tilted her head, studying him. "Yet you persisted. Why?"

"Because everyone deserves a chance to be more than their worst impulses," Naruto answered simply. "Even tailed beasts. Even gods, maybe."

The air between them grew charged with unspoken implications. For a moment, something flashed in Beeris's eyes—a fleeting vulnerability quickly masked by imperious disdain.

"How quaint," she said, but her tone lacked its usual bite. "Your naivety is almost charming, Naruto Uzumaki."

From across the room, Whis cleared his throat. "Lady Beeris, perhaps we should allow our guide to rest? Tomorrow's journey to the Sand Village will require an early start."

Beeris waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. You're dismissed, mortal. Be here at dawn tomorrow. And bring provisions—I refuse to travel on an empty stomach."

Recognizing the reprieve for what it was, Naruto stood and bowed slightly—not low enough to suggest subservience, but enough to show respect. "I'll bring ramen." He grinned. "Lots of it."

As he turned to leave, Beeris called after him: "One more question, Naruto Uzumaki."

He paused at the doorway. "Yes?"

"This harmony with your tailed beast—is it common among jinchūriki?"

"Not really," Naruto admitted. "Most of us struggled with our relationships with the tailed beasts. Some never found peace with them."

"Yet you did." It wasn't a question, but her ears were forward, attentive.

"Yeah. Because I stopped seeing Kurama as a tool or a burden. I started seeing him as a friend."

Beeris's expression remained neutral, but her tail had gone very still. "Interesting. Very interesting indeed."

As Naruto left the mansion, he couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just transpired—though what exactly, he couldn't say.

"The boy is unusual," Beeris remarked once Naruto had departed. She lounged across a silk divan, absently tracing patterns in the air with her claw.

"Indeed, my lady." Whis arranged a platter of exotic fruits that the mansion staff had provided. "His approach to power is rather... unorthodox by universal standards."

"He speaks of partnership with a destructive entity, not dominance over it." Beeris selected a persimmon, examining it before taking a delicate bite. "Most mortals seek to control such power, to bend it to their will."

"Much like most gods of destruction," Whis noted innocently, earning a sharp look from his charge.

"What exactly are you implying, Whis?"

The divine attendant smiled serenely. "Merely an observation, my lady. The parallels are rather striking, don't you think? A being of immense destructive potential, feared across a world, gradually forming a bond with someone who refuses to see them as merely an instrument of destruction."

Beeris narrowed her eyes. "If you're suggesting this mortal is somehow... 'taming' me... you are gravely mistaken."

"Oh, I would never suggest such a thing," Whis assured her, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. "I simply find it fascinating how this dimension approaches the concept of balance. Destruction and creation working in harmony rather than opposition."

"Balance," Beeris echoed, the word oddly resonant. She stared out at the garden where fireflies had begun to dance in the twilight. "There is no balance in destruction, Whis. Only endings."

"Is that truly what you believe, Lady Beeris?" Whis asked softly.

For a long moment, she didn't answer, her gaze distant. Then, with a dismissive flick of her tail, she rose from the divan. "Prepare for tomorrow's journey. I expect this Sand Village to provide adequate entertainment. If not..." She left the threat hanging, but it somehow lacked her usual conviction.

As she wandered to the private hot spring to bathe, Beeris found herself replaying Naruto's words in her mind.

"Everyone deserves a chance to be more than their worst impulses."

Ridiculous sentimentality, of course. The naive philosophy of a mortal who couldn't possibly comprehend the cosmic order.

Yet as steam rose around her and she sank into the heated waters, Beeris couldn't quite dismiss the strange feeling that had taken root in her chest—a sensation both unfamiliar and oddly compelling.

It felt almost like... curiosity. Not about this world's capacity to entertain her, but about a single mortal's capacity to see beyond what everyone else saw.

To see possibility where others saw only destruction.

"It's hot," Beeris complained for the twelfth time in an hour, her purple fur practically bristling with irritation. "And there's sand everywhere."

They had been traveling toward Sunagakure since dawn, taking the direct route through the vast desert that surrounded the Hidden Sand Village. Though Whis had offered to transport them instantly, Naruto had insisted that the journey itself was part of the experience—a decision he was now quietly regretting as Beeris's patience wore thinner with each passing mile.

"We're almost there," Naruto assured her, shielding his eyes against the harsh desert sun. "The landscape might seem barren, but wait until you see what Gaara's done with the village. It's amazing."

"It had better be," Beeris muttered, flicking sand from her tail with distaste. "Thus far, this part of your world seems distinctly unworthy of preservation. Nothing but heat and grit."

Whis, who appeared entirely unaffected by the desert conditions, chuckled softly. "Lady Beeris has never been fond of arid environments. Her home planet has quite the opposite climate—perpetual twilight with temperate lakes and lush forests."

"Really?" Naruto glanced at Beeris with new interest. "I'd like to see that someday."

"An impossibility," Beeris stated flatly. "Mortals cannot visit the realm of the gods."

"Never say never," Naruto grinned, undeterred by her dismissal. "I've made a habit of doing the impossible."

Before Beeris could retort, the horizon shifted—a subtle mirage-like wavering that revealed the massive sandstone walls of Sunagakure. Unlike Naruto's last visit, the approach to the village was now lined with thriving desert gardens—hardy plants with vibrant blooms that defied the harsh environment.

"A genjutsu concealment barrier," Naruto explained, noting Beeris's narrowed eyes. "Hides the village and the oasis from outsiders."

"Primitive but effective," she conceded, her interest visibly piqued by the sudden transformation of the landscape. "Though hardly an obstacle for beings of our perception."

As they drew closer, the full extent of Gaara's transformation of the Hidden Sand became apparent. What had once been a austere, fortress-like settlement was now a harmonious blend of defensive architecture and natural beauty. Terraced gardens cascaded down sandstone buildings, while ingenious irrigation systems created small but vibrant green spaces throughout the village.

Most impressive of all were the massive glass domes that housed Suna's botanical achievements—desert flowers and medicinal plants cultivated through careful chakra nurturing and Gaara's specialized sand techniques.

"The glass gardens," Naruto announced proudly as they passed through the village gates, where nervous but respectful guards bowed deeply to their divine visitors. "Gaara created a way to regulate temperature and moisture using special sand infused with chakra."

"Adaptation and innovation in a hostile environment," Whis observed. "Most impressive for mortals with limited resources."

Even Beeris seemed reluctantly impressed, her ears perked forward as she took in the sights. "They've turned constraints into advantages. Unusual resourcefulness."

Word of their arrival spread quickly through the village, citizens alternating between curious stares and respectful distance. Unlike Konoha, where fear had been the predominant reaction, the people of Suna displayed a more measured response—cautious reverence rather than terror.

"Sunagakure has an ancient tradition of respecting higher powers," Whis explained quietly to Naruto, having apparently read up on the village's history. "Their priests once worshipped celestial entities not entirely dissimilar to Lady Beeris."

"Great," Naruto muttered. "The last thing she needs is people treating her like an actual god."

Whis smiled enigmatically. "But she is an actual god, Naruto-san."

"Yeah, but..." Naruto struggled to articulate his concern. "If everyone starts worshipping her, she might start thinking destruction is the only thing she's good for."

Whis's eyes widened fractionally, an expression of genuine surprise crossing his features before his usual serene mask returned. "A most insightful observation. You continue to fascinate me, Naruto Uzumaki."

Before Naruto could respond, they were greeted by Gaara himself, who stood waiting at the central plaza. The Kazekage bowed respectfully but not subserviently to Beeris.

"Lady Beeris, Divine Destroyer. Sunagakure welcomes you." His pale green eyes shifted to Naruto with warm familiarity. "Naruto. Thank you for bringing our distinguished guests safely through the desert."

"As if a mere desert could pose any threat to divine beings," Beeris sniffed, though there was less haughtiness in her tone than usual. "Your village is... unexpectedly viable, given its hostile surroundings."

Coming from Beeris, this was practically effusive praise. Gaara, perceptive as ever, seemed to understand this and inclined his head in acknowledgment.

"We have prepared refreshments and accommodations. Perhaps you would like to rest before touring our glass gardens?"

"Food first," Beeris declared, her tail swishing with anticipation. "What culinary specialties does this sand-covered settlement offer?"

Gaara's lips quirked in the subtle expression that passed for a smile. "We specialize in desert cuisine—cactus jellies, preserved fruits, and spiced meats. Our chefs have prepared a sampling of our finest dishes."

The meal that followed was a revelation even to Naruto, who had visited Suna many times. The Sand Village's chefs had outdone themselves, presenting course after course of desert delicacies—sweet-tart cactus fruit preserves, tender meat slow-cooked in underground pits, bread baked with herbs found only in the region's hidden oases.

Beeris ate with characteristic enthusiasm, pausing occasionally to demand explanations of ingredients or preparation methods. By the meal's end, she seemed genuinely satisfied.

"Your chefs make the most of limited resources," she acknowledged, delicately wiping her mouth. "A commendable trait."

"Necessity breeds innovation," Gaara replied simply. "The desert teaches harsh lessons about adaptation and survival."

Something flickered in Beeris's golden eyes—recognition, perhaps, or understanding. "You speak from personal experience, Kazekage."

It wasn't a question, but Gaara nodded nonetheless. "Like Naruto, I was a jinchūriki—a vessel for a tailed beast. The One-Tail, Shukaku. For most of my life, I was feared as a monster, a weapon to be used but never trusted."

"Yet now you lead your people," Beeris observed. "How did such a transformation occur?"

Gaara's pale eyes shifted to Naruto. "Ask him. He was the catalyst."

Naruto scratched his head awkwardly. "I just knocked some sense into him. Literally."

"You showed me another path," Gaara corrected quietly. "When all I knew was pain and isolation, you demonstrated that bonds with others could be a source of strength, not weakness."

Beeris's gaze moved between the two leaders, her expression unreadable. "You mortals and your obsession with connections. In the cosmic scale, such attachments are fleeting at best."

"Maybe that's what makes them precious," Naruto suggested. "Because they don't last forever, we value them more."

Whis nodded approvingly, while Beeris's tail twitched with what might have been irritation or thoughtfulness—with her, it was increasingly difficult to tell the difference.

After the meal, Gaara personally guided them through Sunagakure, showing them the innovative water conservation systems, the training facilities where ninja learned desert-specific techniques, and finally, the crown jewel—the massive central glass garden.

Unlike the smaller domes they had passed earlier, this structure was enormous, a cathedral of glass and chakra-infused sand that housed a veritable eden of plant life. The temperature inside was perfectly regulated, neither too hot nor too humid, creating an environment where desert and tropical plants coexisted in breathtaking harmony.

"This is our greatest achievement," Gaara explained as they walked along crystal-clear streams that flowed through the garden. "A demonstration that life can flourish anywhere, given proper care and understanding."

Beeris trailed her clawed fingers through the water, watching the ripples spread outward. "You've created a sanctuary in the midst of harshness. Why expend so much effort for mere plants?"

"Because beauty and life have value beyond utility," Gaara answered without hesitation. "And because it reminds us that transformation is always possible."

The pointed parallel wasn't lost on any of them. Beeris's ears flattened slightly, but she didn't object to the implication.

As sunset approached, they found themselves on a high balcony overlooking the village and the surrounding desert. The fading sun painted the sands in brilliant golds and crimsons, transforming the barren landscape into something breathtakingly beautiful.

"I must attend to some administrative matters," Gaara said, excusing himself with a respectful bow to their divine guests. "Please enjoy the sunset. It's one of Suna's most remarkable features."

Left alone with Naruto and Whis, Beeris was uncharacteristically quiet, her gaze fixed on the horizon where sun met sand in a blaze of color.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Naruto ventured after a lengthy silence.

"Beauty in desolation," Beeris murmured, almost to herself. "An unexpected paradox."

Whis smiled knowingly but said nothing, leaving Naruto to navigate the conversation.

"That's what I wanted to show you," Naruto said, moving to stand beside her at the balcony rail. "Every place, every person has something unique and valuable. Something worth protecting."

Beeris's tail swayed slowly, thoughtfully. "Even those whose purpose is destruction?"

The question hung in the air between them, heavier than it appeared on the surface. Naruto considered his words carefully before responding.

"Especially them," he said finally. "Because destruction doesn't have to be an end in itself. It can make way for something new, something better."

"A convenient philosophy for one who faces a Destroyer God," Beeris observed dryly, though without her usual sharpness.

"Maybe," Naruto admitted with a grin. "But I believed it long before I met you. Destruction, creation—they're just different sides of the same coin. Neither makes sense without the other."

Beeris turned to face him fully, her golden eyes searching his with unnerving intensity. "You are a strange mortal, Naruto Uzumaki. Most beings cower before destruction. They don't try to... understand it."

"Understanding is kind of my thing," Naruto shrugged. "Usually after I've punched someone a few times."

To his astonishment—and Whis's barely concealed delight—Beeris laughed. Not a mocking chuckle or a superior smirk, but a genuine laugh that softened her features and made her seem, for just a moment, less like an untouchable deity and more like... someone he could actually talk to.

"I'm beginning to see why you've had such an impact on this world," she said, her voice warmer than he'd ever heard it. "Your persistence is almost admirable."

"Almost?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, emboldened by her unexpected good humor.

"Don't push your luck, mortal." But there was no threat in her words, only something that sounded surprisingly like... fondness?

As the final rays of sunlight faded and stars began to appear above the desert, Naruto became aware of something unusual—Beeris was completely still, her gaze fixed upward with an expression he couldn't quite decipher.

"The stars," she said softly, almost to herself. "They're different here."

"Different from your universe?" Naruto asked, following her gaze to the increasingly brilliant display above.

"Different from anywhere I've been." There was something in her voice—a hint of wonder that seemed strangely out of character. "This dimension exists outside the standard cosmic framework. Its celestial arrangement follows none of the patterns I recognize."

Whis stepped forward, his staff glowing subtly as he examined the night sky. "Indeed. Most fascinating. This realm appears to have developed in isolation from the standard universal laws. A genuine cosmic anomaly."

"Is that... bad?" Naruto asked hesitantly.

"It's unprecedented," Beeris replied, her tail now swaying with obvious interest. "Dimensions typically conform to certain fundamental principles, regardless of their individual peculiarities. Yours simply... doesn't."

"Lady Beeris," Whis ventured cautiously, "I believe this may explain why we were directed to evaluate this realm. Its existence outside normal parameters could potentially affect neighboring cosmic structures."

"Or," Beeris countered, her eyes still fixed on the stars, "it could represent something entirely new. A different path of cosmic evolution."

Naruto looked between them, trying to follow their increasingly esoteric conversation. "So... is that good for our chances of not being destroyed?"

Beeris finally lowered her gaze from the heavens, fixing Naruto with a penetrating stare. "It means your world is even more anomalous than I initially believed. Whether that improves or diminishes its prospects for survival remains to be seen."

Despite the ominous ambiguity of her statement, Naruto couldn't help noticing that the dismissive contempt that had colored her earlier evaluations was notably absent. Whatever she had observed in Suna's night sky had genuinely intrigued her.

"Tomorrow," Beeris announced abruptly, "we will visit this place where the barrier between dimensions is thinnest. This 'Land of Demons' your Kazekage mentioned."

Naruto blinked in surprise. "The Land of Demons? That's not on our itinerary. I was planning to take you to Kumogakure next—they have these amazing hot springs and—"

"I have decided," Beeris cut him off imperiously, though without real heat. "As Divine Destroyer, I must investigate all anomalies that could affect cosmic stability."

"She's actually interested in something beyond food and destruction," Kurama observed with surprise. "That's... unexpected."

"Yeah," Naruto murmured under his breath. Aloud he said, "Alright, Land of Demons it is. But I should warn you, it's not exactly a tourist destination. It's remote, and the people there are... well, let's just say they have unique beliefs about otherworldly beings."

"Perfect," Beeris purred, her lips curving into a smile that was equal parts amusement and anticipation. "I quite enjoy witnessing primitive attempts to comprehend divine power."

Whis coughed delicately. "What Lady Beeris means is that cross-dimensional cultural perspectives can be most enlightening."

"No, I meant exactly what I said," Beeris corrected, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness. She turned back to the stars for one last, lingering look. "Your world continues to surprise me, Naruto Uzumaki. That alone is... noteworthy."

Coming from the Divine Destroyer, Naruto realized, this was high praise indeed.

The journey to the Land of Demons would have normally taken several days, but with Whis's abilities, they arrived by midday the following afternoon. The transition was jarring—one moment they were saying farewell to Gaara at Suna's gates, and the next they were standing in a misty forest clearing surrounded by ancient, gnarled trees draped with moss and spiritual wards.

"Efficient," Naruto commented, a bit dizzy from the instantaneous travel. "Though I think I prefer slower methods. Gives you time to appreciate the journey."

"Time is a luxury afforded to mortals," Beeris replied dismissively, already examining their surroundings with keen interest. "Divine beings operate on different scales."

The Land of Demons was exactly as Naruto remembered it—an eerie blend of natural beauty and spiritual intensity. The very air seemed charged with a different quality of energy than the chakra he was accustomed to. Distant temple bells rang through the mist, their sound somehow both melancholy and soothing.

"This place," Beeris said, her ears twitching forward, "it resonates oddly. The dimensional fabric is indeed thinner here."

Whis nodded, his staff hovering slightly above the ground. "There appears to be a unique energy convergence. Not unlike the passage points between realms in our universe, but... inverted, somehow."

"It's been a while since I was last here," Naruto admitted, leading them along an ancient stone path nearly reclaimed by the forest. "I helped Shion, the high priestess, seal away a demon that was trying to destroy the world."

Beeris's ears perked up. "A demon? You mean a higher-dimensional entity breached the barrier to this realm?"

"I guess?" Naruto scratched his head. "We just called it Mōryō. It was sealed away by Shion's ancestors, but it managed to break free. It had this whole 'plunge the world into darkness' plan going on."

"Typical lower-tier destructive entity," Beeris sniffed. "No imagination or cosmic purpose. Just mindless obliteration."

Naruto couldn't help but smile at her obvious disdain. "Not up to your godly standards of world-ending?"

"Certainly not," Beeris replied with surprising good humor. "If I were to destroy your world—which remains a possibility, I remind you—it would be done with proper divine authority and cosmic significance. Not some petty agenda about darkness and suffering."

"Good to know," Naruto chuckled. "I'll be sure to appreciate the cosmic significance while we're being erased from existence."

To his surprise, Beeris's lips curved into what might almost be called a smile. Their banter had gradually evolved from thinly veiled threats to something approaching... friendly teasing? The realization was as startling as it was encouraging.

The forest path eventually opened onto a massive clearing where an ancient temple stood, its architecture unlike anything in the Five Great Nations. Multiple curved roofs rose in tiers toward the sky, each level adorned with bells and spiritual wards. The entire structure seemed to shimmer slightly, as though existing partially in another dimension.

"The Temple of Souls," Naruto announced. "Shion should be inside."

As they approached the temple steps, figures emerged from within—priests and priestesses in elaborate ceremonial robes, moving with practiced precision to form a reception line. At their center stood a young woman with pale lavender eyes and light blonde hair, her elegant robes marking her as someone of great importance.

"Naruto Uzumaki," she called, her voice carrying clearly across the temple grounds. "It has been many years. My visions told me you would return, though they did not reveal..." Her words trailed off as her gaze fell upon Beeris and Whis, her eyes widening in unmistakable recognition.

To Naruto's astonishment, Shion immediately prostrated herself, pressing her forehead to the stone steps. The entire assembly of priests and priestesses followed suit.

"The Divine Destroyer," Shion whispered, her voice trembling with awe. "The Balance-Keeper of Cosmos. You honor us with your presence, Great One."

Beeris's ears flicked forward in surprise. "You know of me? Impossible. This dimension exists outside standard cosmic awareness."

Shion remained prostrate as she answered, "The High Priestesses of the Demon Country have always seen beyond the veil, Divine One. Our scrolls speak of the Purple Destroyer who maintains balance between existences. The One who unmakes what must not be."

Naruto glanced between them in confusion. "Wait, you two know each other?"

"Not personally," Whis clarified quietly. "But it seems this priestess's bloodline allows her to perceive cosmic truths that should be inaccessible to beings in this dimension. Most extraordinary."

Beeris studied Shion with new interest. "Rise, priestess. Your awareness of cosmic hierarchy is... unexpected, but appropriate."

Shion stood, though she kept her gaze respectfully lowered. "We have prepared the inner sanctum for your inspection, Divine One. The threshold between dimensions is strongest there."

"You anticipated our arrival," Beeris noted, sounding both impressed and suspicious.

"I have had visions of this meeting since childhood," Shion admitted. "Though I did not understand their significance until I saw you with my waking eyes." Her gaze finally shifted to Naruto, a hint of her familiar haughtiness returning. "And of course you would be the one to bring divine beings to our realm, Naruto Uzumaki. Still causing cosmic disruption, I see."

Naruto grinned sheepishly. "Nice to see you too, Shion."

The high priestess almost smiled before composing herself into formal dignity once more. "Please, follow me. There is much to show you."

As they were led into the temple, Naruto fell into step beside Beeris. "So, you're famous even in dimensions that aren't supposed to know about you. That's pretty impressive."

"I am a Divine Destroyer," Beeris replied, though she seemed genuinely intrigued by this development. "My cosmic significance transcends ordinary dimensional boundaries."

"And modest too," Naruto teased.

To his surprise, Beeris didn't bristle at his irreverence. Instead, she gave him a sidelong glance that was almost playful. "Modesty is for beings with limitations, Naruto Uzumaki. I merely state cosmic fact."

Their banter was interrupted as they entered the inner sanctum—a perfect circular chamber at the heart of the temple. Unlike the ornate decorations of the outer temple, this room was stark in its simplicity. The floor was polished stone inscribed with complex symbols that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles. The domed ceiling opened to the sky, though instead of showing the afternoon sun, it somehow revealed a night sky filled with stars that Naruto was certain weren't from their world.

"The Cosmic Mirror," Shion explained, gesturing to the ceiling. "It shows the stars as they appear in the realm beyond. The realm from which Mōryō and other entities have attempted to enter our world."

Beeris stepped into the center of the chamber, her gaze fixed upward. "These are not stars from my universe," she said softly. "This is something else entirely."

Whis moved to join her, his staff glowing as he analyzed the celestial display. "Fascinating. It appears to be a pocket dimension—a buffer zone between realities. Neither fully part of this world nor any other recognized cosmic structure."

"Precisely," Shion confirmed. "Our ancestors discovered that our land existed at a junction point between dimensions. They built this temple to monitor the boundary and prevent unauthorized crossings."

"Like cosmic border guards," Naruto suggested, earning himself an exasperated look from Shion and an amused one from Whis.

"A simplistic but not entirely inaccurate analogy," Whis conceded.

Beeris had gone very still, her attention completely captured by the star-filled dome above them. When she finally spoke, her voice had lost its usual imperious tone, replaced by something closer to wonder.

"This explains the anomaly," she murmured. "Your dimension isn't merely outside standard cosmic organization—it's a nexus point. A gathering place where multiple dimensional realities touch."

"Is that good or bad?" Naruto asked, not for the first time.

Beeris turned to him, her golden eyes reflecting the otherworldly stars above. "It means your world serves a cosmic function I did not anticipate. It is not an error to be corrected, but a natural meeting point between realities."

Relief washed over Naruto. "So you won't destroy us?"

"I haven't decided," Beeris replied, though her tone lacked conviction. "Further evaluation is still required."

Shion stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Divine One, if I may... our records speak of a ritual traditionally performed when the Balance-Keeper visits a nexus realm. A ceremonial offering to honor your cosmic role."

Beeris's ears perked forward with interest. "A ritual? What kind of offering?"

"A feast," Shion replied solemnly, "of the nexus realm's finest delicacies, presented in accordance with cosmic harmony principles. It is said to provide divine beings with insight into the unique essence of the world they evaluate."

"A feast, you say?" Beeris's tail began to sway with obvious anticipation. "Well, I suppose traditional protocols must be observed. For cosmic purposes, of course."

"Of course," Whis agreed, his eyes twinkling with barely suppressed amusement. "Cosmic protocols are most important."

Naruto caught Shion's eye and could have sworn he saw the faintest hint of a conspiratorial smile cross her usually serious face. Somehow, across dimensions and despite vast differences in their beings, food remained the universal language—even for gods of destruction.

The ritual feast exceeded all expectations. Held in an open-air pavilion overlooking a misty valley, it featured dishes from across the Shinobi World, each prepared with ceremonial precision by the temple's culinary masters. Course after course arrived, arranged in patterns that Shion explained represented cosmic harmony and dimensional balance.

Beeris, predictably, paid more attention to the flavors than the symbolism, but she seemed genuinely impressed by the offerings. Particularly captivating was a dessert made from rare mountain fruits that changed flavor depending on which direction one faced while eating them—a peculiarity of the Land of Demons' unique position between dimensions.

"The molecular structure actually shifts based on spatial orientation," Whis explained after analyzing the phenomenon. "A most remarkable example of cross-dimensional properties manifesting in physical matter."

"It's also delicious," Beeris declared, turning in complete circles to experience all the flavor variations. "Perhaps the most interesting food I've encountered in your world thus far."

As the feast continued into evening, lanterns were lit around the pavilion, casting warm light that mingled with the misty air to create an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Musicians played instruments that produced sounds just slightly different from what Naruto was accustomed to—notes that seemed to linger longer than they should, harmonies that resonated in unexpected ways.

"The barrier between dimensions affects everything here," Shion explained when Naruto commented on the music. "Sound, light, even time flows differently in the Land of Demons."

"Time?" Naruto echoed, suddenly concerned. "How differently?"

Shion smiled enigmatically. "A day here might be slightly longer or shorter than elsewhere in the Shinobi World. Nothing significant for short visits, but those who dwell here permanently often find themselves slightly out of sync with the outside world."

"Most intriguing," Whis commented. "Temporal elasticity is a common feature of dimensional boundaries. Though usually on a more dramatic scale than what you describe."

As the evening progressed, Naruto found himself increasingly aware of how much Beeris had changed since their arrival in the Land of Demons. The haughty disdain that had characterized her initial assessment of his world had given way to genuine curiosity. She listened attentively as Shion explained the history of the temple and the dimensional phenomena they monitored, asking questions that revealed a mind far more nuanced than her destructive role might suggest.

At one point, Naruto caught Whis watching his mistress with an expression that could only be described as paternal pride. When their eyes met, the attendant smiled knowingly.

"Lady Beeris has not shown such interest in a dimension's unique properties in several million years," Whis confided quietly while Beeris was engaged in conversation with Shion. "Your world has accomplished something quite remarkable—it has alleviated her boredom."

"Is that all it takes to avoid cosmic destruction?" Naruto asked, only half-joking. "Entertainment value?"

"For a being who has existed since the dawn of time," Whis replied thoughtfully, "novelty becomes the most precious commodity in existence. Your world offers something Lady Beeris hasn't encountered before—not merely in its dimensional peculiarities, but in its approach to power, balance, and connection."

Naruto's gaze shifted to Beeris, who was now examining a ceremonial scroll Shion had presented, her tail swaying with genuine interest. "She's different than I expected. When we first met, I thought she was just... destruction personified. But she's more complex than that."

"Indeed," Whis agreed. "Though I would advise against mentioning such observations to her directly. Lady Beeris prefers to maintain her fearsome reputation."

As the night deepened, Shion led them to private quarters prepared within the temple—luxurious rooms with furnishings that somehow combined elements from multiple cultural traditions, creating an aesthetic unique to the Land of Demons. Beeris inspected her accommodations with critical thoroughness before declaring them "adequately divine," which Naruto was learning to interpret as high praise.

Left alone in his own quarters, Naruto found himself drawn to the window, where the mist-shrouded forest stretched below, illuminated by a moon that seemed unusually large and bright.

"You're playing a dangerous game, kit," Kurama rumbled in his mind. "Getting friendly with a being who could erase us all with a flick of her finger."

"Maybe," Naruto conceded. "But haven't you noticed? She's changing, bit by bit. She's actually interested in our world now, not just evaluating it for destruction."

"Or perhaps she's simply toying with you," Kurama countered, though without much conviction. "Gods are notoriously fickle."

"I don't think so." Naruto shook his head. "There's something genuine in the way she's engaging now. Almost like she's... enjoying herself."

"And you think that's enough to save us? A god's momentary entertainment?"

"It's a start," Naruto replied, watching as a shooting star traced a brilliant path across the unusually vibrant night sky. "Everyone has to start somewhere—even Destroyer Gods."

Kurama made a noncommittal sound but didn't argue further. They both knew Naruto's approach to seemingly impossible situations—persistent optimism combined with unwavering determination. It had worked against enemies and obstacles that had seemed insurmountable before.

Whether it would work against a divine being with the power to erase dimensions remained to be seen. But as another shooting star blazed across the sky, Naruto couldn't help feeling that they were on the right path.

What he didn't see was Beeris standing on the temple roof above, her slender form silhouetted against the night sky as she too watched the celestial display. Her expression, had he been able to observe it, would have puzzled him greatly—a complex mixture of wonder, confusion, and something that looked remarkably like longing.

Dawn in the Land of Demons brought a surreal quality of light—sunbeams diffused through mist to create scattered rainbows and halos around everything they touched. Naruto woke to this ethereal display and the distant sound of temple bells, feeling surprisingly refreshed despite the lingering strangeness of their surroundings.

His peaceful morning was promptly interrupted by an impatient knock at his door.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Beeris's voice carried clearly through the wooden panels. "Your presence is required. Immediately."

Hastily pulling on his clothes, Naruto opened the door to find the Divine Destroyer standing with arms crossed and tail swishing in what he was learning to recognize as anticipation rather than irritation.

"Good morning to you too," he said cheerfully. "Sleep well?"

"Divine beings do not require sleep as mortals do," Beeris replied automatically, though something in her expression suggested this wasn't entirely true. "The priestess has offered to show us the Dimensional Archive. Apparently, it contains records of previous cosmic visitors to this realm."

"Previous visitors?" Naruto blinked in surprise. "You mean other gods have been here before?"

"Not gods, necessarily," Beeris corrected, already turning to stride down the corridor. "But entities from beyond this dimension. I find myself... curious... about these encounters."

Naruto hurried to keep pace with her. "That's unexpected. I thought you'd be more interested in the food than the history."

Beeris shot him a look that was half irritation, half amusement. "I contain multitudes, mortal. My appreciation for culinary excellence does not preclude intellectual curiosity."

"Fair enough," Naruto grinned. "Just surprised to see you excited about dusty old scrolls."

"I am not 'excited,'" Beeris sniffed, though her swishing tail betrayed her. "I am conducting a thorough cosmic evaluation, as is my duty."

"Right, right. Very professional of you."

Their banter—which had somehow evolved from terrified deference to something approaching friendly teasing—continued as they made their way through the temple complex. Naruto couldn't help noticing how differently the priests and priestesses reacted to Beeris now compared to the previous day. While still respectful, their terror had largely subsided, replaced by something closer to reverent fascination.

Shion and Whis were waiting for them in a secluded courtyard, standing before what appeared to be a solid stone wall covered in ancient carvings.

"Good morning," Whis greeted them cheerfully. "I trust you both found your accommodations satisfactory?"

"Barely adequate," Beeris replied, but without any real complaint in her tone.

"The archive entrance has been prepared," Shion announced, gesturing to the carved wall. "It has not been opened in many generations. Only in times of cosmic significance or... divine visitation."

With ceremonial precision, she pressed her palms against specific symbols on the wall, channeling chakra in a pattern that made the carvings glow with soft blue light. The stone began to shift, sections sliding away to reveal a downward staircase illuminated by crystals that emitted a steady, otherworldly glow.

"These steps lead to our most sacred repository," Shion explained as she led them downward. "The accumulated knowledge of twelve generations of high priestesses, including all recorded interactions with entities from beyond our dimension."

The staircase descended deep beneath the temple, the air growing noticeably different as they proceeded—not stale as one might expect from an underground chamber, but charged with an energy that prickled against Naruto's skin like static electricity.

"The barrier between dimensions is particularly thin here," Whis observed, his staff glowing faintly. "Most fascinating."

Finally, they reached a vast circular chamber lined with shelves containing scrolls, tablets, and artifacts that seemed to defy conventional material properties—objects that shimmered with internal light or appeared to exist in multiple states simultaneously.

At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal supporting what looked like a perfectly smooth obsidian sphere about the size of a large melon. Unlike everything else in the room, it didn't reflect the crystal light—instead, it seemed to absorb it, creating a dark focal point that drew the eye inevitably toward it.

Beeris approached this sphere with uncharacteristic caution. "This object... it resonates with divine energy."

"The Seeing Stone," Shion confirmed with a respectful bow. "A gift from the first cosmic visitor to our realm, thousands of years ago. It allows communion across dimensional boundaries when properly activated."

"Communion?" Naruto echoed, eyeing the black sphere warily. "With what exactly?"

"With whatever lies beyond," Shion replied enigmatically. "The records speak of visions, knowledge transferred directly to the consciousness of those who connect with the Stone. Each high priestess uses it once in her lifetime to receive guidance."

Beeris circled the pedestal, her golden eyes never leaving the obsidian sphere. "This artifact doesn't originate from my universe. Its energy signature is... unfamiliar."

"Nevertheless," Whis interjected gently, "it appears to be a genuine cross-dimensional communication device. Quite sophisticated, despite its simple appearance."

Shion gestured to the shelves surrounding them. "These contain the recorded experiences of each communion, along with observations of dimensional anomalies throughout our history. Including," she added with a meaningful glance at Beeris, "previous visits from entities with destructive authority."

Beeris's ears perked forward with obvious interest. "Show me."

With reverential care, Shion retrieved an ancient scroll from a specially marked shelf. The parchment appeared to be made from some iridescent material that shifted colors as it moved, the writing upon it in a script that Naruto didn't recognize.

"This dates from approximately three thousand years ago," Shion explained as she carefully unrolled it on a reading table. "It describes the visit of an entity called 'The Unmade One' who came to evaluate our dimension's right to exist."

Beeris leaned forward, studying the strange script with intense concentration. To Naruto's surprise, she appeared able to read it, her eyes widening slightly as she processed the information.

"This describes a being from the Null Dimension," she murmured, more to herself than to the others. "A cosmic authority from an entirely different multiversal structure."

"You can understand that writing?" Naruto asked, peering at the incomprehensible symbols.

"Divine beings possess universal comprehension," Whis explained. "Language is merely a primitive construct to contain meaning. Lady Beeris perceives the meaning directly."

"Show me more," Beeris demanded, already setting the first scroll aside. "You said there were multiple visitations?"

For the next several hours, they pored over the ancient records. Shion produced scroll after scroll, tablet after tablet, each documenting encounters with beings from beyond dimensional boundaries. Some had come as observers, others as evaluators, and a few—most concerningly—as would-be conquerors or destroyers.

What fascinated Naruto most was watching Beeris's reaction to these accounts. The Divine Destroyer absorbed each record with growing intensity, occasionally muttering comments or questions that revealed how deeply she was engaging with the material.

"This one," she said at one point, tapping a particularly ancient stone tablet, "describes a being with authority similar to mine, but from a completely different cosmic hierarchy. One I've never encountered."

"Is that significant?" Naruto asked.

"More than you can comprehend," Beeris replied, but without her usual dismissiveness. "It suggests the existence of parallel cosmic authorities operating independently of the structure I know. The implications are... vast."

"Like finding out there are other Hokages you never knew about," Naruto suggested, trying to frame it in terms he could understand. "Leaders of villages that exist but were never on any map you've seen."

Beeris gave him a surprised look, as if startled by the apt comparison. "Yes," she admitted. "Something like that, though on an infinitely larger scale."

As the morning stretched into afternoon, Naruto noticed Beeris growing increasingly focused on one particular aspect of the records—the accounts of how these cosmic visitors had ultimately judged the Shinobi World.

"Every one of them," she finally said, setting aside the last tablet, "every single cosmic evaluator ultimately decided to preserve this dimension. Despite its anomalous nature. Despite the potential risks of a nexus point between realities."

"Is that so surprising?" Naruto asked.

Beeris's tail swished slowly, thoughtfully. "Yes. Cosmic enforcement typically errs on the side of caution. Unusual dimensional structures are generally deemed too risky to maintain."

"Yet they all saw value here," Shion noted quietly. "Value worth preserving."

"Indeed." Beeris's gaze moved to the obsidian sphere at the center of the chamber. "This Seeing Stone—you said each high priestess communes with it once in her lifetime?"

"Yes, Divine One," Shion confirmed with a bow. "It is our most sacred ritual. I performed my communion five years ago, after the defeat of Mōryō."

"And what did you see?" Beeris asked, her voice uncharacteristically soft.

Shion hesitated, her pale eyes darting briefly to Naruto before returning to Beeris. "I saw... balance. Not the absence of chaos or destruction, but their integration into a greater whole. I saw that our world exists not despite its dimensional anomalies, but because of them—as a meeting point between realities that would otherwise never touch."

Something shifted in Beeris's expression—a subtle softening that transformed her features from divine hauteur to something almost vulnerable.

"I wish to commune with the Stone," she announced abruptly.

The request clearly startled Shion. "Divine One, the Stone was designed for mortal priestesses. The effect on a cosmic being such as yourself could be... unpredictable."

"I am well aware of the risks," Beeris replied, her decision evidently made. "As Divine Destroyer, I must gather all possible information before rendering judgment on this dimension."

Whis stepped forward, a rare expression of concern crossing his usually serene features. "My lady, perhaps it would be prudent to—"

"Your concerns are noted, Whis," Beeris cut him off, though not unkindly. "But my decision stands."

Naruto watched this exchange with growing unease. "Is this dangerous? Even for you?"

Beeris turned to him, and for a moment, something like appreciation flickered in her golden eyes—acknowledgment of his concern. "For a mortal to question a god's safety is... unusual."

"Yeah, well, I'm an unusual guy," Naruto grinned, trying to mask his worry. "Just making sure you don't get cosmic indigestion or something."

A hint of a smile tugged at Beeris's lips before she composed her features back into divine solemnity. "Your concern, while unnecessary, is... noted."

With visible reluctance, Shion began the preparations for the communion ritual. Attendants were summoned to arrange ceremonial items around the pedestal—incense burners, crystal focuses, and strange metallic objects that hummed with barely perceptible vibrations.

"The ritual normally requires extensive preparation by the communicant," Shion explained as she worked. "Fasting, meditation, purification rites..."

"Unnecessary," Beeris declared confidently. "Divine beings exist in a perpetual state of cosmic attunement."

Despite her skepticism, Shion completed the preparations with professional thoroughness. Finally, she stepped back from the pedestal, bowing deeply to Beeris.

"It is ready, Divine One. To commune, you need only place your hands upon the Stone and open your consciousness to its resonance."

Beeris approached the pedestal with uncharacteristic solemnity. For a being who typically exuded casual confidence in her divine power, she now moved with careful deliberation, as if approaching something she genuinely respected—or perhaps even feared.

"Naruto Uzumaki," she said suddenly, not turning from the obsidian sphere. "Stand ready. I may require an... anchor... to this dimension during the communion."

"An anchor?" Naruto blinked in surprise. "What does that mean?"

"It means," Whis explained quietly, "that Lady Beeris wishes you to be prepared to call her back should her consciousness become too deeply immersed in the cross-dimensional communication. It is... a significant request."

The implication was clear—Beeris was acknowledging that this ritual carried genuine risk, even for her, and she was entrusting Naruto with the responsibility of keeping her tethered to their reality.

"I understand," Naruto said, moving to stand beside the pedestal. "I'll be right here."

Beeris nodded once, acknowledging his commitment without looking at him. Then, with a deep breath that belied her earlier dismissal of preparation requirements, she placed her slender purple hands on the obsidian sphere.

The effect was immediate and dramatic. The Stone, which had appeared to absorb light, now emitted it—not as illumination, but as waves of dark energy that rippled outward from the point of contact. Beeris's body went rigid, her eyes widening and then glazing over as her consciousness evidently engaged with whatever existed on the other side of the dimensional barrier.

For several tense minutes, nothing else happened. Beeris remained frozen in communion, her expression unreadable, the dark energy continuing to pulse around her hands and up her arms. Whis watched with uncharacteristic tension evident in his usually relaxed posture, while Shion softly chanted mantras that seemed designed to stabilize the ritual.

Then, without warning, the energy pattern changed. What had been smooth, rhythmic pulses became erratic, jagged bursts. Beeris's body began to tremble, her ears flattening against her head in what appeared to be distress.

"Something's wrong," Naruto said, looking to Whis for guidance. "Is this normal?"

The divine attendant shook his head, genuine concern evident in his expression. "No. The communion appears to be overwhelming even her divine consciousness."

"We must break the connection," Shion urged, stepping forward. "Before—"

She never finished her sentence. With a sound like reality itself tearing, a shockwave erupted from the Stone, throwing everyone except Beeris backward. The Divine Destroyer remained locked in communion, but now her body floated several inches above the ground, surrounded by swirling energy that had taken on an ominous purple hue—the same color as her destruction power.

"She's losing control," Whis said urgently, regaining his footing. "If her destruction energy merges fully with the cross-dimensional current—"

"The entire temple could be obliterated," Shion finished, horror evident in her voice.

Naruto didn't wait for further explanation.