Marvel : The Summoning System

Chapter 25: The World Beyond

As Hunter exited the room, the remaining shinobi were left in silence, their gazes shifting to Jiraiya. The legendary Toad Sage stood at the center. After a moment, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"Now that we're alone," Jiraiya began, his voice steady, "I'll explain what I can about this world and what you're up against. I won't claim to know everything, but the basics should suffice for now."

The group leaned in slightly, their collective focus sharpening. For shinobi, knowledge was as critical as any weapon.

Jiraiya gestured toward the room's large screen, which displayed a rotating hologram of Earth. "This world is unlike anything we've encountered before. It's technologically advanced in ways that make even the most sophisticated shinobi tools seem primitive. Airplanes, jets, missiles, and nuclear weapons—devices capable of mass destruction on a scale that rivals forbidden jutsu. Their communication systems, like the internet, connect people instantly across vast distances. Imagine a world where information flows freely, unimpeded by barriers or borders. And let me tell you, these nuclear weapons have potential to erase entire country, and also affecting the upcoming generation, bringing genetic disorders, etc. another thing having similar threat is biological weapons and chemical weapons, the super soldier serums which increases your overall physical powers, chemical weapons which could kill cities in an instant. If these weapons are planted strategically… I don't have to elaborate more, right?"

He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. "But it's not just the technology. The political landscape is fractured, with nations constantly vying for power. Alliances are fragile, and trust is a rare commodity. As we speak here many wars are being fought on the surface between nations. In some ways, it's not so different from our own world. However, they don't have chakra. Their strength lies in their skills and the tools they've developed."

The shinobi exchanged uneasy glances. For those accustomed to relying on chakra, the thought of facing enemies with such devastating weaponry was unsettling.

"Now," Jiraiya continued, his tone growing graver, "let's talk about the supernatural elements of this world. Aliens, gods from various mythologies, immortals, and beings who could rival these gods and surpass even the greatest shinobi. There are secret organizations as well, like MI6 which deals with more human and international stuff, and like SHIELD, that deal with threats far beyond human comprehension. And then there's the X-Men, mutants born with extraordinary abilities. Some hidden countries, some organizations like 'Ten Rings' who are on this earth from around the Middle Ages, we don't have enough intel to pinpoint the exact point in time. This world's challenges are as much about survival as they are about identifying alliances and threats."

Jiraiya allowed the words to hang in the air, giving the group time to process. The shinobi remained silent; their expressions unreadable but their tension was recognizable.

"If anyone has questions, now's the time to ask," Jiraiya offered.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, a kunoichi from Kirigakure raised her hand. "You mentioned gods and immortals. Are they as invulnerable as they sound?"

Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "Some are. Others have weaknesses, but they're not easily exploited. The key is understanding what you're dealing with. There are people here who literally have control over death, control over time, soul, beings who are not bound by time, and the list goes on."

An Iwagakure shinobi spoke next. "What's our objective here? Survival or conquest?"

"Survival," Jiraiya said firmly. "For now, it's about adapting and understanding. Anything beyond that will come later. Even with all of you, I cannot say that we are the strongest on this continent let alone the planet."

Satisfied for the moment, the shinobi fell silent again.

"Ezio," Jiraiya called, and a figure stepped forward from the shadows, his movements were silent and precise. "Escort them to their temporary lodging. I'll ensure you all receive a copy of the basic information we've compiled about this world."

He turned back to the group. "Ezio will also teach you how to operate the technology here. If you have any questions after reading the information, contact me directly. For now, rest and prepare. Tomorrow, you'll begin your orientation."

The shinobi nodded, though their wariness lingered. As they followed Ezio out, their footsteps echoed in the now-empty room.

Later that night, Jiraiya met Hunter in the command room. The two exchanged observations about the group.

"Sakumo Hatake," Jiraiya said, leaning against the table, "is a kage-level shinobi, possibly stronger than me. His presence alone is a significant asset."

Hunter nodded. "And the others?"

"Strong, but their loyalties are fractured. We'll need to tread carefully. For now, they're willing to listen, but that could change if they feel threatened."

Hunter sighed. "It's a balancing act. We need them united, but trust isn't going to come easily."

Jiraiya nodded. "Leave that to me. For now, focus on the bigger picture. Decide on what you have to do next now that you have these assets."

Hunter said, "We can move more boldly since these guys are here, but we should wait till the trust is built up among us."

After leaving the command room, Jiraiya returned to his quarters. As he picked up his pen to continue writing his manuscript, his device buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw Sakumo Hatake's name.

Answering the call, Jiraiya heard Sakumo's calm voice. "Jiraiya, we need to talk. I have some questions"

Jiraiya's brow furrowed. "Of course."

"Where, I want it to be somewhere private," Sakumo replied.

"The viewing gallery, it's empty at this time" Jiraiya suggested. "I'll send the location to your device."

"I'll be there," Sakumo said before the line went dead.

Jiraiya leaned back in his chair, his thoughts racing. "This should be interesting," he murmured, preparing for the meeting to come.

Jiraiya leaned casually against the glass wall of the viewing gallery as Sakumo approached. Sakumo Hatake nodded in greeting, his expression calm yet calculating.

"Been a long time, Jiraiya," Sakumo began, his voice laced with a hint of nostalgia.

"Indeed," Jiraiya replied, a warm smile on his face. "Almost feels like one of those late nights during the war."

Sakumo's gaze sharpened slightly as he said, "The white moon rises over the green forest."

Jiraiya's grin widened. "And the white fang howls at dawn."

Sakumo relaxed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's good to know some things never change."

Turning toward the vast expanse of the night sky, Sakumo's expression grew softer. The lights of the city below flickered like stars, blending seamlessly with the sky above. "Beautiful, isn't it? But the more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it tends to be."

Jiraiya followed his gaze, the city lights reflecting in his eyes. "You're not wrong. It's a lesson we've learned the hard way."

Sakumo crossed his arms, his voice quiet but firm. "Tell me more about this world. Not just the basics. I want to know what we're truly up against."

Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, then chuckled. "You don't miss a beat, do you? I shouldn't be partial, you know. But since you asked…" He fixed Sakumo with a serious look. "Can I trust you to keep this between us?"

Sakumo turned to meet Jiraiya's gaze, his eyes unwavering. "You can. From what I've seen—both in my memories and here—Hunter is a good man. Whatever his goals, they seem aligned with survival, he has this kind of strength in his disposal, still he is only thinking of survival means, this is a dangerous world. And I trust you, Jiraiya. You've never betrayed the village, and you won't now."

Satisfied, Jiraiya nodded. "Alright then. Here's the truth." He gestured toward the city below, as if encompassing the entire Marvel world. "For now, things are manageable. The threats we'll face in the next couple of years aren't extraordinary by shinobi standards. With you here, along with the others, we can handle them."

"But," Jiraiya continued, his tone grave, "this world doesn't play fair. It escalates. Quickly. What starts with weapons—missiles and the like—will soon evolve into portals from space, alien invasions, and battles against gods. And I mean literal gods."

Sakumo frowned, his analytical mind processing every word. "You're saying it's like a difficulty curve. A steep one."

"Exactly," Jiraiya said. "Right now, we have about two years to prepare. Iron Man has just stepped into the spotlight. Next year, we'll have Iron Man 2, and the Hulk will show up around the same time. Then, the real challenge begins: Loki's invasion and the events of the Avengers."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "These are the major events we know are coming. But there's always the chance of unexpected threats popping up—small plots that could throw everything off."

Sakumo's gaze remained fixed on the sky. "And beyond that?"

Jiraiya's expression darkened. "Beyond that… things get murky. There's someone—or something—called the 'He who remains', a being that protects this universe. When he ceases to exist, the multiverse will open up. And when that happens… well, let's just say the possibility of encountering copies of ourselves isn't out of the question."

Jiraiya chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Imagine meeting another Jiraiya. Or worse, another Sakumo Hatake."

Sakumo allowed a faint smile but remained silent, his mind racing. Finally, he said, "Two years isn't a long time. But it's enough to prepare if we use it wisely."

"Exactly," Jiraiya agreed. "We'll need to train, adapt to this world's technology, and figure out how to integrate their strengths with ours. And we'll need your help, Sakumo. Your leadership and your strength."

Sakumo nodded, his resolve clear. "You'll have it. But I'll also need to speak to Hunter. He's the one leading this effort, after all."

"Of course," Jiraiya said. "But for now, let's focus on keeping everyone together. We'll figure the rest out as we go."

The two men stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. The city lights below shimmered like stars and a warning of the challenges yet to come.