73. The Calm Before The Storm

The Hidden Leaf Village had become a hub of energy, not just of the physical kind but of something deeper—an ethereal power that connected the present to a multitude of timelines. After Ryusei and Minato's brief but critical discussion in the Realm of Time, the plan was set in motion. Each member of Team 7, alongside Anon, would now carry the weight of mastering one of the Five Hidden Energies, while simultaneously imparting that knowledge to a select group of shinobi who would form the core of their respective teams. These five individuals, known now as the Eternal Hokage, were to lead their chosen shinobi into a new era, where time, void, and these new energies would become the foundation of their power.

The village, in its peaceful moments, had no idea of the battles that would soon shake its core. But Ryusei knew. They all knew. The calm before the storm never lasted long.

Ryusei stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching as the teams gathered, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had seen the future—or, more accurately, futures. But the one thing that remained constant was that this team, this new generation, was their best chance at survival.

Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Anon stood with him, each ready to take on their new students. They weren't just leaders now—they were teachers, mentors. And the knowledge they would pass on could shape the very future of the village and beyond.

Naruto, always the most energetic and optimistic of the group, stepped forward first. His trademark grin stretched across his face as he approached his chosen team. They were young, brimming with potential, but also rough around the edges—just as he had been years ago.

Standing before him were Konohamaru, Boruto, and Mitsuki. Each of them had already begun to show their talents, but under Naruto's guidance, they would be exposed to the chaotic power of Eclipse Energy—a force that balanced light and darkness, creation and destruction.

"Alright, you guys!" Naruto shouted, his voice filled with the same youthful energy he had always carried. "We're going to learn something amazing! This energy… it's wild, unpredictable, and it's exactly the kind of thing we need to master if we want to take down anything that threatens the village! You ready?"

Konohamaru grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Born ready, Naruto-sensei! What's the first lesson?"

Naruto winked, his hands forming the familiar signs for his Rasengan. "First, you need to understand how to control something that feels like it's about to explode. Just like this!" He formed a Rasengan in his hand, but this time it crackled with a strange, swirling energy—a mixture of light and darkness, the edges shimmering as if the very fabric of reality was bending around it.

"This is Eclipse Energy. Once you get the hang of it, it's going to take your attacks to the next level."

Boruto watched his father closely, his expression a mix of awe and determination. "I'm gonna learn that. No… I'm gonna surpass it!"

Naruto laughed heartily, his voice filled with pride. "That's the spirit! Let's get started!"

A few yards away, Sasuke stood silently, his arms crossed as he observed his own team. They were slightly older, more battle-hardened, but they were still raw when it came to controlling the power of Graviton Energy—the force of gravity itself.

Before him stood Shikamaru, Neji, and Shino. Each of them had a unique fighting style, but Sasuke had chosen them for their precision, their ability to strategize and think quickly in battle. Graviton Energy wasn't about brute force; it was about control, finesse.

"This energy…" Sasuke began, his voice low and measured, "it's not something you can throw around recklessly. Graviton Energy will let you manipulate the very weight of the battlefield, the mass of your enemies, even your own movements. But if you don't control it… it will control you."

Shikamaru yawned lazily but nodded, his sharp mind already working through the possibilities. "Sounds like something I can use to make my fights a little easier. Less effort."

Neji, ever the prodigious Hyuga, narrowed his eyes in concentration. "Manipulating gravity? That will change the flow of every battle."

Shino, quiet as always, merely adjusted his sunglasses, the hum of insects buzzing softly around him. "I understand. It will be useful for controlling large areas in combat."

Sasuke's Sharingan flared briefly as he held up his hand, concentrating a sphere of Graviton Energy between his fingers. The air around it warped, bending inward as if pulled by an unseen force. "Watch closely. You need to be able to feel the weight of the world in your hand and control it. No mistakes."

Sakura stood across from her own group, her gaze calm but focused. She had chosen Ino, TenTen, and Hinata—a trio of kunoichi who had grown immensely in skill over the years, but who still had more to learn. Under her guidance, they would begin to master Chrono Essence—the refined energy of time itself.

"Chrono Essence isn't just about speeding up or slowing down time," Sakura explained, her voice steady. "It's about understanding the flow of every moment in battle, and using it to your advantage. Ino, you'll be able to use it to enhance your mind transfer jutsu, controlling the minds of your enemies with perfect precision. TenTen, you'll be able to throw your weapons at the exact right moment, no matter how fast your enemy moves. Hinata, your Gentle Fist will become unstoppable. You'll strike at the right moment, every time."

Ino crossed her arms, her smirk playful but determined. "I've already got a good handle on controlling people's minds, but this sounds like it'll take me to the next level."

TenTen twirled a kunai between her fingers, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I've always relied on precision. This sounds perfect for me."

Hinata, her voice soft but filled with resolve, nodded. "I'll do my best. I know we'll all grow stronger."

Sakura raised her hands, forming a delicate thread of Chrono Essence between her fingers. The air around them seemed to shimmer, time itself slowing for a brief moment. "Feel the flow of time. Once you learn to sense it, you can control it. Let's get started."

Finally, Anon stood with his chosen students, his usual stoic demeanor hiding the immense power he held within. He had chosen Lee, Choji, and Kiba, each of them known for their brute force and physical prowess. Under Anon's guidance, they would begin to learn Null Energy—the absence of matter and form, a dangerous and volatile energy that could erase anything it touched.

"Null Energy is different from what you're used to," Anon said, his voice low and measured. "It's not something you can punch through or overpower. You have to understand it, feel the absence of everything, and then wield that nothingness as your weapon."

Lee, ever eager to push himself beyond his limits, clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination. "I'm ready! Whatever it takes, I'll learn this new energy! The power of youth will never fade!"

Choji, ever the gentle giant, looked thoughtful. "So we're talking about erasing things? Sounds risky. But if it'll make me stronger, I'm in."

Kiba, always brash, grinned wildly. "I can use this to take down enemies before they even know what hit 'em. Count me in."

Anon nodded, holding out his hand as a ripple of Null Energy formed around it, the very air seeming to vanish into nothingness. "This is the void—the absence of all things. If you can master this, nothing will stand in your way."

As each Eternal Hokage began their training with their respective teams, the energy in the village grew denser, more powerful. This was the future of the Leaf Village—this merging of new and old, of time, void, and the hidden energies. It was the calm before the storm, but with every passing day, the storm grew closer.

And when it came, they would be ready.