15. Meditation Session

Ryusei turned toward Anon, a subtle glint in his eyes. Without saying a word, he released a tiny, concentrated blast of chakra, sending it gently in Anon's direction. The energy brushed past Anon's shoulder—a signal, not an attack. Anon paused, meeting Ryusei's gaze, immediately understanding the unspoken message. Ryusei wanted a moment alone.

Anon gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then turned to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. "Keep practicing. This realm offers a unique energy; make sure you learn to harness it while you can. I'll be back shortly."

As Anon stepped away from the team, Ryusei moved to a quieter part of the Void of Time, where the energies of the realm felt more subdued, almost calm, though the tension was ever-present beneath the surface. Anon followed, his footsteps silent as he joined Ryusei in the secluded space.

Once they were alone, Ryusei crossed his arms, his gaze steady as he regarded Anon. "I wanted to talk with you away from the others," he began. "This new realm we've created… it's a lot to take in. And I can tell there's more on your mind than you're letting on."

Anon's face remained impassive, but his eyes softened slightly, betraying a hint of the emotions he usually kept hidden. "You're right. I've lived in the Eternal Abyss for as long as I can remember. I'm used to being alone, to fighting alone. Being in this Void of Time, with all of you… it's different. I've never had to worry about others being here with me."

Ryusei nodded, his tone understanding but direct. "I can sense that. You're strong, Anon, and you've carried a burden that most people can't even comprehend. But you're not alone here. We're in this together now. If we're going to survive and thrive in this realm, we need to be able to trust each other fully. That means no holding back."

Anon looked away, his gaze shifting to the swirling energies around them. "I understand. It's just… I've always been the protector. The Void grants me power, but it also keeps me isolated. I'm not used to relying on others, or having others rely on me. This… trust is new territory."

Ryusei let the silence linger for a moment, giving Anon the space to gather his thoughts. Then, he spoke, his voice calm but resolute. "We're all out of our element here. The Void of Time is new to all of us, not just you. But that's why we need to work together. If we're going to unlock the full potential of this place, we can't afford to hold anything back—our power, our knowledge, or our trust."

Anon's gaze returned to Ryusei, a newfound determination in his eyes. "You're right. I'll do my part. I may not be used to this kind of teamwork, but I'm willing to learn."

A faint smile crossed Ryusei's face. "Good. I knew you would. This place—this Void of Time—it's bigger than any of us alone. But together, I believe we can master it."

Anon nodded, his resolve solidifying. "Then let's see this through. I'll stand with you and the others. Whatever we face, we'll face it together."

They exchanged a silent understanding, a shared commitment to the path ahead. As they turned back to rejoin the team, the energy of the Void of Time seemed to pulse around them, as if acknowledging the unity forged between the two warriors. They had begun as individuals, but now, they were something more—a force bound by purpose and trust, ready to unlock the mysteries of the Void of Time together.

Ryusei and Anon walked back to where Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were waiting, their eyes reflecting a mix of determination and curiosity. They had been practicing chakra control under Ryusei's guidance, but now the lesson was about to go beyond the usual boundaries. This was more than just chakra—this was about energies that transcended their understanding.

Ryusei stepped forward, crossing his arms as he regarded his teammates. "We've been working on chakra control, but if you're going to adapt to this realm fully, you'll need to understand how to harness energies beyond chakra. The Void and Time aren't just concepts here; they're forces you can interact with, draw strength from, and use in ways you may not have thought possible."

Anon nodded, his gaze steady as he added, "The Void and Time each have unique properties. They can amplify your power, but they demand balance and understanding. These energies may seem foreign, but there's a chance that some of you have something dormant within, something that resonates with either the Void or Time—or maybe even both. What you're feeling now is just the beginning."

Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "So, you're saying we can use the Void and Time like you guys? That would be awesome!"

Sasuke, ever the realist, crossed his arms, his expression skeptical but intrigued. "But how do we control something we've never used before? Chakra is one thing, but this… this feels different."

Ryusei nodded in agreement. "You're right, Sasuke. It is different. Chakra is a part of you, an extension of your life force. But Time and Void are forces beyond that—they interact with you, not as extensions of yourself, but as allies, or even adversaries. To begin, you need to synchronize with these energies, to allow them to flow through you without resistance."

Sakura raised an eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "How do we even start to do that? I can feel something here, but it's almost like trying to catch smoke."

Anon stepped forward, raising his hand to illustrate. "The Void is a vast emptiness, but it's also full of potential. Think of it as the negative space around your chakra, the place where energy doesn't exist—until you will it to. Close your eyes and try to sense that emptiness, the spaces between your own chakra flows. Allow it to seep in, just a little. It won't feel like chakra; it will feel like silence, like a pause in the rhythm of your energy."

They followed his instructions, closing their eyes and letting their awareness expand beyond their chakra, beyond the usual bounds of their energy. Naruto was the first to react, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"I can… kind of feel it," he murmured. "It's not like chakra, but it's there. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff, but there's no fear. Just… quiet."

Ryusei smiled. "That's the Void. It feels like emptiness, but it can be shaped. Now, try to imagine that emptiness filling with a purpose, like an intention taking form. If you can do that, you're already beginning to wield the Void."

Sasuke opened his eyes, a faint glint of red as his Sharingan flickered on. "It's subtle, but it's there. It's like a shadow that's waiting for direction. And Time—how does that work?"

Ryusei took over, his voice calm and guiding. "Time is a flow, a constant current that you're already moving within, but rarely perceive. Try to feel the moments between heartbeats, the way your thoughts shift from one to the next. In this place, you can grasp those transitions and stretch them, compress them, or even stop them altogether."

Sakura furrowed her brow, focusing intently. After a few moments, her eyes widened, and she looked up at Ryusei. "I can feel it—a rhythm, like a pulse that's outside of me but somehow still connected. It's almost as if I can slow down the space around my thoughts."

Ryusei nodded approvingly. "Yes, exactly. Time doesn't move independently of you. In this realm, it becomes something you can touch, mold, and direct. If you learn to synchronize it with your chakra, you can enhance your movements, your reactions, and even your perception."

Anon watched them, noting the subtle shifts in their postures and expressions as they connected with these energies. "By combining the Void and Time with your chakra, you're expanding your potential. The Void can give you resilience, the ability to absorb and negate attacks by redirecting energy into nothingness. Time can give you precision, allowing you to act in ways that seem instantaneous. If you can learn to control these aspects, your strength will multiply."

Naruto clenched his fists, a look of newfound understanding and excitement crossing his face. "I feel like I can do more now. Like I'm not just stronger, but… bigger. Like I'm connected to something greater."

Sasuke's expression remained serious, but a small smirk played on his lips. "This could change everything. We're tapping into forces that can reshape how we fight, how we think. It's not just chakra anymore."

Sakura took a deep breath, a sense of calm filling her as she adapted to the energies around her. "It feels right, somehow. Like we were meant to learn this, like it's been a part of us all along, just waiting to be awakened."

Ryusei looked at each of them, pride shining in his eyes. "Exactly. You've only scratched the surface, but already, you're learning to integrate these energies with your chakra. This realm has accelerated your growth and opened doors to powers you might never have discovered otherwise. Embrace it, and let it become a part of you."

Anon nodded in agreement. "Now, it's up to you to continue honing this connection. The Void and Time will push you, challenge you, and at times, they may even try to consume you. But if you can master these forces, you'll gain strength unlike anything you've known."

The three of them—Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—stood taller, a newfound sense of purpose reflected in their expressions. They were no longer just shinobi relying on chakra; they were students of the Void, of Time, and of the mysterious forces that connected them to realms beyond their own.

Ryusei stepped back, his gaze steady as he looked at the team he had come to trust. "We have much to learn and countless challenges ahead. But I believe this is only the beginning of what you're capable of. Together, we'll uncover the full potential of the Void of Time."

They stood united, ready to explore the new depths of their powers, bound not only by chakra but by forces that transcended their world and reached into the very fabric of reality itself.