Chapter 26: Minato...

A radiant white light sliced through the pervasive darkness, bringing color to the stark void and its surroundings. The source of this brilliant illumination was a door, not just any door but one embedded with modern IoT technology, resembling the kind seen in contemporary markets or modern buildings. This door stood as a beacon, a gateway to the unknown, harboring secrets beyond the realms of understanding.

+ Minato POV +

'What... is happening?' The thought echoed in Minato's mind as he stood enveloped by darkness, the only light source emanating from the door ahead. The light painted his features in stark relief against the shadows, highlighting the confusion etched across his face.

The pulsing light from the IoT door seemed to throb in time with Minato's growing bewilderment. He could feel the usual rush of chakra within him, yet it remained stubbornly unusable, locked away by some unseen force.

His thoughts were a whirl of tactical assessments and growing frustration. 'What kind of place negates a ninja's ability to use jutsu?' he wondered, his mind grappling with the unsettling reality of his powerlessness. The door ahead, bathed in light, seemed like a silent sentinel, guarding secrets of a world or dimension unknown. The familiar weight of responsibility pressed down on him as he contemplated his next move.

"Release!" As this was his second time, he tried to escape this reality, the word echoing slightly in the void that surrounded him. Nothing changed, and no relief came; the light remained, a beacon and a barrier all at once. Minato's hands slowly dropped to his sides, his eyes narrowing as he studied the door. It was the only feature in this expanse of darkness, the only clue, but it gave away nothing.

'This isn't like any genjutsu I've encountered,' Minato mused, his mind went through different possible explanations. 'Could this be a place outside of time? A pocket dimension, perhaps?' The thought was unsettling but not without precedent in his experiences with the extraordinary.

With a determined set to his jaw, Minato took a cautious step forward, each movement deliberate under the watchful glow of the door. 'If I can't break free using my jutsu, I'll have to understand what this place wants from me,' he resolved, his gaze locked on the illuminating door, ready to face whatever lay beyond its threshold.

As Minato instinctively approached, the door before him swung open of its own accord, a rush of brilliant light spilling out and engulfing the space around him. He shielded his eyes with a swift raise of his arm, momentarily blinded by the intensity of the illumination. When the light finally dimmed to a bearable level, he lowered his hand, revealing an expanse of stark white space that stretched endlessly before him. His vision momentarily showcased a white expanse that soon faded, revealing a place with color.

Minato's instincts as a shinobi kicked in as he assessed his surroundings with a sharp, tactical gaze. Setting every sense on high alert. The group of people before him, with their varying attire, some of which seemed typical, added a layer of complexity to the situation. 'Where is this?' he thought.

His attention quickly shifted to the more immediate and unnerving presence, a tall, black figure standing apart from the crowd. The entity's featureless face and its long, unsettling dark limbs made it seem as if it was carved out of the darkness itself. Minato's hand subconsciously hovered over a kunai. Maintaining a cautious distance, he tried to gather as much information as possible without alerting the entity or the crowd to his wariness. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his demeanor was calm yet assertive as he prepared to engage if necessary.

As he observed, it became apparent he wasn't the only newcomer; others had seemingly arrived through the same luminescent gateway. 'Are they in the same situation as me?' he pondered internally, wondering if these individuals had also stumbled upon similar portals in disparate corners of the shinobi world. However, this thought deepened his scrutiny, particularly of their attire, which varied dramatically. 'None wear the cloaks or headbands of shinobi villages. Where, then, have they come from?'

The crowd's growing buzz of conversation and occasional pointing at each other's unusual outfits brought a faint, almost imperceptible tightening to Minato's jaw. He stood like a sentinel amidst the confusion, his mind racing through scenarios and strategies yet outwardly displaying a statue-like serenity. The questions multiplied with each observation. 'This is no part of anywhere around the ninja world that I know,' he concluded silently, his thoughts tinged with both intrigue and caution.

Minato's analytical mind didn't cease working as he constructed and deconstructed theories, trying to ascertain the most plausible explanation for his and the other's presence in this place. Despite the flood of information, the true nature of their situation remained elusive, cloaked in layers of mystery that no single observation could unravel. His training had honed his ability to remain patient and observant, qualities that he leaned on heavily now as he continued to watch and wait, prepared for any eventuality.

As if a hint graced itself, the chatter settled as the rising monotone filled the air surrounding them. "Welcome to the Market. My name is Kazuhiro, and I will be of your assistance." As Kazuhiro's resonant voice filled its surroundings, commanding attention with its unwavering tone, Minato's attention sharpened. The solemnity in the entity's gesture, a respectful bow, did little to ease the knot of apprehension tightening in his chest.

'Kazuhiro...,' he repeated mentally, imprinting the name that seemed to hold the answers to the swirling questions inside him.

The words "market" stirred Minato's sense of curiosity. 'A market? Does that mean this place is a place of commerce and trade?' his gaze traveled across the expanse of the place. His eyes were drawn to the seemingly infinite rows of shelves that stretched beyond his sight.

He remained outwardly composed, his stance relaxed yet ready, as he contemplated his next move. The straightforward greeting from Kazuhiro, while polite, gave little away, compelling Minato to remain on guard. He knew the importance of gathering information discreetly and making informed decisions, especially in an unfamiliar environment.

Internally, Minato's mind was a filled with unanswered questions. He considered approaching Kazuhiro directly to inquire more about this place, but he also weighed the potential risks of revealing too much about his own capabilities or intentions.

For now, Minato decided to observe and listen, using his skills as a shinobi to blend in as much as possible while keeping his senses sharply tuned to the nuances of his surroundings. Every detail could be a clue, and every interaction might reveal more about the place's true nature.

Minato's focus sharpened as he absorbed the subtleties of the conversation around him. His attention was immediately diverted towards the individual who had been referred to as the "professor" by another character beside him, a large man with a disheveled appearance.

'A professor? Is his status akin to Lord Third's?' Minato mused internally, drawing parallels between this man's role and the leaders of his own world, equating it with revered figures like the Third Hokage. Minato concluded that the person was a high-status figure elsewhere, unsure if it was somewhere in the shinobi world, but that's unlikely as his name would spread like that of the third Hokage status unless...

"And I believe you are the steward of this realm?" Came from what he heard was the old man. The one who was labeled as the professor by the unkempt giant man.

"No," came Kazuhiro's humble clarification, "I am merely a worker, tasked with its management, not its creation."

He listened to the exchange. 'A worker, not the creator?' he thought, reassessing his initial assumptions about the authority of Kazuhiro. His mind raced, considering the implications of Kazuhiro's role. 'If Kazuhiro was not the creator, who then wielded the true power here? And more importantly, what were their intentions?' His gaze lingered on the entity's, as he contemplated.

The ones around seem to nod in understanding in the reveal of Kazuhiro's status. Suddenly, a teen marched towards Kazuhiro after that little ordeal of bumping into a talking cat.

His attention then briefly shifted back to the talking animals amongst them. 'Could they be summoning animals?' His experience in the ninja world had familiarized him with the unexpected and the supernatural. However, the casual presence of speaking animals in what seemed like a commercial hub was still a sight to reckon with.

"How do I get rid of it, that door?" The teen that marched asked Kazuhiro.

The tall figure shook his head. "I do not have any intel about that. But one thing that I know is that the Market is sentient. It will appear and vanish on its own."

Minato watched as the teen urgently approached Kazuhiro, the question about a "door" suggesting a similar disorientation and unexpected arrival as his own. 'A sentient market that manipulates its own doorways?' he thought, pondering the implications.

The teen slowly retreated after not receiving the answer he wanted. However, another teen paused him and asked, "Um, can you tell us which one is your world?"

That struck something within Minato, a hint to all of his questions, the answer to this mystery. 'His world?' That confusion was mirrored by Minato and the teen who was questioned.

Minato observed the interaction intently. The request directed at the teen for information about his world underscored the possibility that individuals could originate from entirely different realities, each perhaps accessed through those mysterious doors. 'The idea of multiple worlds, each accessible and interconnected somehow through this market, is, could it be?' That theory expanded the scope of Minato's understanding of his situation, but he wanted to confirm once again, especially from Kazuhiro.

The teen's hesitant reaction suggested that he was grappling with the sudden responsibility of representing his world, or perhaps he was unsure about disclosing such personal information in this unknown environment. This hesitation resonated with Minato, who knew all too well the strategic disadvantages of revealing too much in uncertain circumstances.

Minato listened to the teen's explanations about his world. The mention of its unsuitability for living and the desire to start anew elsewhere painted a grim picture of the conditions they must have faced. The sight of bloodstains on the garments of several individuals in the crowd only deepened his concern and curiosity. Such signs of distress and trauma indicated a severe crisis or conflict in their world, one that drove them to seek refuge in this place.

'What catastrophe could drive so many from their homes?' Minato thought, his mind went through possible scenarios involving wars, natural disasters, or other calamities. This information not only provided insight into the desperate situations that could exist in other worlds but also reminded him of the volatile nature of his own experiences back in the ninja world.

As Minato continued to observe, the teen complied, "Fine. I will just share the information, But that doesn't mean you'd have to come to mine. I need to confirm your world first and whether your statement holds truth. There are other things that need to be taken into consideration, but we'll leave that aside for now," Minato watched the teen's cautious approach.

The teen's gesture towards the screen and his readiness to facilitate access to information struck Minato as this was an opportunity to observe the various worlds.

Watching the teen interact with the technology provided Minato with crucial insights into the operational aspects of the Market. The screen, likely an interface for accessing detailed data about the various worlds, seemed to be a focal point for gathering and sharing information.

As the screen lit up, displaying options and information, something appeared. The words mentioned that four new worlds had been added to the data, which intrigued him. The crowd chattered about what those new possibilities of worlds could be as Minato shared their curiosity.

"Each new arrival to the Market triggers a scanning process, adding their world's data to our stored library. This allows us to offer a comprehensive overview for those considering a visit." Kazuhiro elaborated, his tone steady and informative.

The notion that his world's details might now be stored and displayed here filled him with caution and curiosity. 'What do they know about us? What kind of information could this place gather just from one's arrival?' he pondered, his eyes scanning the crowd's reaction.

Minato's focus intensified as the descriptions of the newly added worlds became visible on the screen. His heart skipped a beat when he recognized details that unmistakably described the Shinobi World, listed under the designation "World 10."

'How much do they know? How deep does this information go?' Minato wondered, his mind racing through scenarios of misuse or exploration by those with less than noble intentions.

The teen later turned and pointed towards the description of his world, his voice carrying a blend of resignation and practicality. "This is it," he declared, indicating the entry with a casual flick of his thumb. The crowd surged slightly forward, their eyes scanning the screen. His world is labeled as 'World 6.'

As the teen's words hung in the air, Minato studied him closely, understanding the weight of his decision. The mention of 'Chiba, Japan' from World 6 piqued his interest, wondering what place that refugees such as them wish to stay in. 'Could it be a peaceful world? Where wars and crisis are non existent?' He was not sure, but the concept of visiting a different world intrigued him.

"Like I said, I'll only share information for now. I have yet to trust a group of strangers showing up in one's world," he explained firmly. "However, I'll come back to look into yours. For now, I have to go; someone is waiting for me,"

The crowd's reaction was a mix of disappointment and respect. They understood the need for caution and the unease of exposing one's home to outsiders, especially in such a vast, unknown marketplace. Minato could see the underlying principles of shinobi discretion mirrored in the teen's cautious stance, a necessary guard against potential threats.

As the sliding door closed behind the departing teen, his thoughts lingered on the implications of such technology and the very nature of this domain. The ease and autonomy of the door suggested a level of sophistication that was both impressive and somewhat unsettling. 'This place is far beyond a simple hub of trade,' He pondered, observing the seamless integration of advanced technology and seemingly magical elements.

One of the refugees mentioned a travel fee, which snagged his attention back to the immediate conversation. Minato listened intently to Kazuhiro's explanation of the Market's financial system, analyzing each word with the critical eye. The conversion of currency into store credits and the option to sell possessions were straightforward enough and echoed the practices of many commercial systems across different worlds. Yet, it was the loan system that caught his particular attention, primarily due to the severe repercussions attached to it.

'Loans with such repayment conditions.' Minato thought, his brow furrowing slightly at the potential for exploiting ignorant lives.

Minato watched and listened as Kazuhiro presented another method for engaging with the Market's unique economy. "Are there other alternatives?" the query echoed within the crowd.

Kazuhiro responded without revealing any emotion in his tone. "There is," he stated, navigating through the device. The subtle sound of the device's operation was almost drowned out by the crowd's murmur, Minato wondered about the functions of the object held by Kazuhiro.

As Kazuhiro backed, the crowd began to move, following where Kazuhiro went, while Minato maintained a deliberate pace, observing both Kazuhiro's actions and the crowd's reactions. His approach was methodical, reflecting his shinobi training to never rush into an unknown situation without assessing all angles.

The wall to the left caught everyone's attention as it began to glow, the luminosity building to a crescendo before gradually dimming to reveal the large bulletin board. This new feature, seemingly a hub for tasks and opportunities, offered a potential wealth of information. Minato noted the immediate shift in the crowd's focus, the glow of the board reflecting in their wide eyes. He considered how this board might be used to gain store credits or information and what it implied about the structure and rules governing this domain. His stance relaxed but alert, he prepared to explore this new tool, his thoughts already turning over the possibilities it presented for gaining insight into the Market's deeper workings. 'I need to fully grasp an understanding of this place, this information, I have to report it back.'

POV End

As Kazuhiro stepped closer to the newly revealed mission board, he continued to address the assembled crowd. "This board is designed to facilitate the earning of store credits through various tasks and missions," he explained, his tone clear and informative. "You can select missions based on your individual or group's rank."

His gaze scanned the sole document at the center of the board.

Xxxx

-The Dynamic Bulletin Board:

Features:

• It's free to participate, however you must agree to the terms and conditions before becoming an adventurer.

• Participating for free will allow you to start on the easier missions, Hence becoming a 'Novice rank', Paying a fee to participate will unlock both easy and neutral difficulty missions, becoming 'Seasoned rank'.

• Adventurers can choose to resign and will keep their obtained valuables and benefits.

• There are five difficulties in the bulletin board, Light Brown 'Easy', Light Grey 'Neutral', Yellow 'Hard', Red 'Demonic' and Black 'Nightmare'. The bulletin board has currently two difficulties, Easy and neutral, if upgraded it will unlock more difficulties. Once upgraded, adventurers can choose to pay their way to rank up or rank naturally by completing tasks, the higher the rank the more expensive it gets.

• There is no limit to how many missions one can do.

• Adventurers will have the choice if they wish to progress or not to the next rank.

• Adventurer of 'seasoned rank' and or higher will be allowed to use certain facilities such as the training room.

• Adventurer of 'seasoned rank' and or higher will receive a device like those similar to the workers, however, applications such as the 'appraise', 'door', 'track' and 'task' will be the only thing displayed. 'inventory' and 'wallet' will be the only features provided.

• The higher you advance, the better the perks and benefits provided.

• You won't have to pay a fee for every travel, however, the fee will stack on how many travels you have made in a month and must be paid back by the end of it.

• Adventurers are able to choose their missions by ripping the sticky note in half to confirm. Failing a mission would result of you to pay a 'failing fee' and will be met with the consequences of how severe is the failure. (for example, a client died during an escort, would result in revoking their membership.)

• Members and those who are not are able to commission a work and stick the note on the bulletin board, they must justify, the title, description and the reward completed. Failing to pay the reward and lying about the purpose of the commission will result in measured circumstances according to the signed document of 'commissioning works'.

• Ranking system, with this system, everyone will be able to see which traveller completed the most missions. Adventurer in the top 10 rankings will receive benefits quarterly (Market Time), while those who participated will receive a modest amount of SC in their virtual accounts.

• Adventurer's are able to go in groups, however the rewards will be split amongst them after the assignment is complete.

• With each mission, adventurers will have two goals before completing the note or the mission wont end. The first is the main mission, where it entails the descriptions and or work that needs to be done.

• The second is the 'Looting' mission, this is given by the Market. While you're in that world, you are given an objective to loot, the items or object that world offers, either by buying that loot, stealing, or gathering/hunting. There are more than one way to obtain loot. The loot obtained should amount to 20% of the rewarded SC that is given by the mission and must be later handed to the any fo staff available.

• Adventurer's will receive a magical enhancement which would make them determine the amount or value of a loot while on their mission, and it will subside once their mission is over.

• Cheating your way by stealing or harming any adventurer during a mission in not tolerable and will be dealt with the consequences described on the adventurer terms and conditions.

Xxxx

He pointed to a prominent piece of white paper at the center of the board, which detailed the structure and rules of the mission system. "Here you can find the things you need to know before participating," he added,

Kazuhiro gestured towards the paper again. "If you're interested in becoming an adventurer, I encourage you to read these guidelines carefully to fully understand your responsibilities and the opportunities available here," he advised, ensuring that every potential adventurer was well-informed before committing to the path ahead.

Kazuhiro maintained a professional stance as he provided further instructions, clearly outlining the next steps for those interested in becoming adventurers. "Once you have thoroughly reviewed the guidelines and decided to pursue this path, then you can seek my assistance with the registration process."

As the crowd gathered around the bulletin board, the diverse reactions to the mission listings and the Dynamic Bulletin Board's features sparked a lively discussion among the potential adventurers. Each note pinned to the board represented a different world, a different challenge, and varying levels of rewards, which seemed to intrigue yet intimidate some.

"So many jobs but with such poor pay," a man murmured, scanning the board with a critical eye. His comment reflected the sentiment of several others who were evaluating the risk versus reward of the available missions.

"I don't think I'll ever want to rank up; it's too soon to die anyways," another quipped, trying to inject some humor into the sobering realization of the dangers that higher-ranked missions might entail.

"Hah! You're such a wimp," a teen retorted, playfully shoulder bumping his friend. Their light-hearted banter contrasted with the more serious contemplations of their peers.

Meanwhile, the tanuki, engaged in a conversation highlighting the bulletin board's potential benefits for community leaders and organizers. "The fact that others can commission is brilliant. Don't you think so, Mayor?" he exclaimed, his voice carrying a tone of entrepreneurial excitement.

"Mhmm, I'd be able to finally remove a few of the weight off my shoulders," replied the small human, known as the Mayor, nodding in agreement. His response underscored the utility of the bulletin board in facilitating not just adventurous endeavors but also community tasks and improvements.

The old man stroked his beard as he gazed at the array of tasks that could be assigned. Satisfied with reading the hanged document and a few notes, he turned to face Kazuhiro. "Albus Dumbledore, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Fujii," the wise wizard said, his voice carrying a tone of genuine interest. He gently bowed his head after quickly glancing at Kazuhiro's name tag to ensure he addressed him correctly, an attention to detail that spoke of his diplomatic nature.

"Welcome," Kazuhiro replied succinctly, maintaining the formal yet courteous air required in his role as the Market's overseer.

The man beside him extended a massive hand toward Kazuhiro, his demeanor friendly and his smile broad. "Rubeus Hagrid, a pleasure,"

Kazuhiro, careful not to provoke any unintentional harm with his touch, gently shook Hagrid's hand. "Yes, welcome to the market," he responded, his voice steady and calm.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with keen interest as he surveyed the bustling expanse of the Market, his voice carrying a mix of wonder and scholarly curiosity. "Fascinating, this place is. The ability of this hub to allow for seamless communication, negating language barriers across different realms, is quite remarkable," he mused aloud, his gaze drifting over the diverse crowd of beings mingling and conversing freely. Turning back to Kazuhiro, his expression conveyed a deep intrigue as he posed his question, "What other wonders does this place offer?" His tone was laden with a genuine eagerness to learn more about the capabilities and services provided by the Market.

Just as Kazuhiro was about to respond, a smooth voice cut through, capturing the attention of the three. "Excuse me for the interruption." The young man's eyes landed on kazuhiro " May I look at the adventurer's contract, Kazuhiro-san?" he said with a respectful tone a small smile gracing his lips.

Kazuhiro turned his gaze toward the man, his expression neutral. "Oh, do you wish to join? And if so, what might your name be?"

"Minato Namikaze"