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With Daichi. Approx. 2:30 am.

The young Genin felt like he was floating in air. His whole body felt weightless and the second he experienced this sensation he opened his eyes. Daichi found himself standing amidst the vast expanse of swirling galaxies and nebulous clusters.

A surreal reflection of the universe outside. The stars twinkled like countless eyes, watching Daichi as he silently encountered a figure identical to himself, yet distinct in essence.

"You've seen enough anime to know what this is don't you?" The voice came from his clone standing several feet in front of him.

"This is... inside my mind… or my soul?" Daichi deduced and replied after a few seconds of silence.

Doppelganger Daichi nodded. "Yes. A realm unbound by the physical world's limitations. This is the inner universe of your mind. A place where your true self and your deepest thoughts converge and where the essence of our being resides."

The Genin looked around, marveling and awestruck at the cosmic beauty surrounding them, the nebulae and stars creating a light show of profound beauty.

In the ethereal vastness that stretched endlessly, shimmering like a galaxy within his mind, Daichi stood face to face with a figure that mirrored him in every aspect—his doppelgänger, the embodiment of his consciousness. The atmosphere was serene and yet it vibrated with an energy that felt both alien and intimately familiar.

"This is the deepest sanctum of our mind. The Gamer's Mind skill has no effect here."

Daichi nodded as he heard the words of his clone. "So you're me?" The Genin looked at the figure with a keen gaze.

"Not quite. I am the embodiment of your innermost thoughts, your true self unclouded by doubt or fear." The figure replied and held a jovial gaze.

Daichi became silent as he looked at the doppelganger. "So, you're me, but... not fully me. Alright, I'll bite. But first I have two questions for you."

"Ask away." The other Daichi had his hands behind his back and stood in a regal manner as he replied.

"Ok. Question one. Why are you talking like that?"

"Like what?" The doppelganger smiled and slightly tilted his head in amusement.

Daichi crossed his arms and looked at his counterpart. "You know what I mean. You sound like a monk trying to give advice to a millennial. Speaking all formal and ancient like that."

Doppelganger Daichi chuckled lightly as he looked at the annoyance on his mirror image's face. "I believe that what I have to say will be more impactful if I spoke in this manner to you. It'll also make me seem more mystical and wise."

Daichi didn't miss the playful smile on the other's face and he groaned. "Argh. Fine. Whatever… Ok, second question. Why did my subconscious want to meet me today?"

Consciousness Daichi looked at his real life counterpart with a knowing smile. "You know why. It's time to address the elephant in the room, isn't it?"

The real Daichi was silent as he thought about the reasons for being here and after a while he seemed to guess what brought him here. All the while his counterpart continued to just stand there with his easy going smile.

After a while Daichi frowned and spoke. "You're talking about my power, aren't you?"

"Yes." Came the simple nod from the other side.

"Why exactly did you bring me here?" Daichi slightly narrowed his eyes.

"This is an issue of great importance. I brought you here to discuss your true strength and the reason you conceal it."

"And why now?"

The smile on 'Consciousness Daichi' disappeared and he became serious. "Because it's time. Time for you to confront the truths you've veiled even from yourself. About power, its essence, and the path you've chosen."

Daichi frowned upon hearing that. "What are you getting at?"

Consciousness Daichi crossed his arms and spoke. "You're hiding it, Daichi. Keeping your true power under wraps, playing the part of a mere Genin when you could easily surpass even the Jonins."

"It's not that simple. This world is dangerous. Revealing my true strength could put a target on my back." Daichi spoke defensively to justify his actions.

The subconscious counterpart merely shook his head. "And yet, by holding back, aren't you doing yourself a disservice? How will you grow if you're always hiding in the shadows?"

Daichi furrowed his brows, the weight of those words settling in.

He looked at his clone and spoke. "I've always believed power is something to be wielded with caution. To protect, to ensure the safety of myself and those I care about without causing unnecessary harm."

"Noble intentions. But think, why shield your true might? Is it solely out of caution, or is there fear—fear of the unknown, of how others will perceive you? Or perhaps, fear of losing yourself to that power?"

Daichi remained silent, the conflict evident in his gaze as he pondered the question.

"Speak the truth Daichi." The words came from the clone and it sounded unusually harsh.

Daichi looked down at his hands and spoke. "I... I hide my strength because I fear the consequences of revealing it. The world isn't ready. Nor am I. There are people depending on me and I'm afraid of failing those expectations. I can become the strongest faster than anyone else if I really wanted to but I'm scared of the destruction I could cause if I'm not careful... If I lose myself to that power."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

He looked up at his counterpart and sadness and fear were evident on his face. "I'm afraid of not recognizing who I am when I embrace that power fully."

The expression on the clone Daichi softened as he heard the woes of his counterpart. "That incident with Mizuki, What you did to him. It really shook you huh… Your cautious nature has always been your shield, but now it has also become your prison."

"And what about all the threats? Orochimaru's greed, Madara's ambition, the motives of Zetsu and the Akatsuki? My power could force all of them to take action." Daichi spoke of his concerns to his subconscious figure.

The clone's eyes slightly widened as he understood the deeper fears inside Daichi. "You believe that Orochimaru's attack on Tsunade is your fault."

Daichi clenched his fists and anger was visible on his face. "I know it is. I've been thinking about this for a while. This didn't happen in the original timeline. If I was just an ordinary Genin then no matter what disturbances or ripples I would have created because of my existence, Orochimaru wouldn't have gone after them. The fact that he did means he's after my power or because of it. And after everything I did to hide my real strength, if Orochimaru still noticed me, then I'm sure Obito, Zetsu and others would have taken note as well."

Consciousness Daichi nodded his head. "True. Those names carry weight. They are powerful and dangerous. Your unusual strength could indeed draw their gaze."

"And what about the village's leadership? The Third Hokage has always been cautious. Revealing my true power... wouldn't that stir unrest, fear, or even challenge the established order? I'm growing too strong too fast. The Hokage knows I'm unnatural. But right now we have peace between us." Daichi knew what he would do if the Hokage stood in his way or put restrictions on him. He didn't want it to get to that point.

The clone created from Daichi's mind nodded. "Yes. It's also true. The balance of power is delicate. A sudden shift could either fortify or fracture the fragile peace that exists. Yet, is concealing your strength truly the way to maintain harmony? Or does it merely delay an inevitable confrontation?"

That question from his inner doppelganger silenced Daichi.

"True power is not just about strength. It's about understanding, compassion, and control. You have all these qualities, Daichi. You've trained, learned, and grown not just in strength but in character. Your journey in this universe, the challenges you've faced and the allies you've gained—it's all shaped you into someone capable of wielding your true power wisely."

Daichi took a moment, letting the words sink in. He realized his fears were based on what he thought he should be, not on who he had become.

"But...how do I know when the right time is? When to step out of the shadows and show my true strength?" He looked at his inner self and asked.

Consciousness Daichi: "The right time is a moment of your choosing. You'll figure it out. After all, who knows you better than yourself?"

The boy thought about the answer and nodded.

At that moment his inner self shared his wisdom. "But know this—hiding diminishes not just your potential, but also the help and hope you can offer your friends. It isn't just about facing enemies with strength but inspiring your friends with courage and leading by example."

A silence fell between them, filled only by the soft hum of cosmic energy. Daichi felt a warmth spreading through him, a fusion of confidence and clarity.

Consciousness Daichi spoke. "You are unique Daichi. A traveler from an era and world with completely different values. You are a gift to this world of ninjas and chakra. It's time to embrace yourself, to stop hiding. Show them who you truly are, not as a demonstration of your might over the weak, but to protect those who you care about, not to prove your superiority over others, but to fulfill your goals. Use it as a proof of your character, your resolve, and your vision for a better world. Let them see the true meaning of your strength."

Daichi nodded as he realized what his inner self was saying. "I see... I've been so focused on what could go wrong, I didn't see what could go right."

The mirror self nodded. "When your strength is anchored by a strong will and a clear purpose it becomes a beacon of hope, a force for good."

The Genin took a deep breath and a sense of clarity washed over him. He nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "I understand. I think after so long I've had a sort of tunnel vision and forgot the most important thing. It's not just about hiding or showing power. It's about using it with purpose. Thank you..."

The doppelganger smiled at him. "Of course. After all, I am you. You've always had this wisdom within. You just needed an outside perspective. It's time to show them all... The Power of Daichi Hekima."

As the conversation concluded, the galaxy around them began to fade, and Daichi felt a gentle pull, beckoning him back to the physical world. He felt a sense of peace, armed with the knowledge that his path was not just one of power but of purpose and wisdom.

Daichi opened his eyes filled with a newfound resolve and understanding of his path forward. He awoke a new person, emboldened, and ready. Ready to show the world the true extent of his strength.

—-

Mountains Graveyard.

In the dim light of a cavernous hideout, Zetsu emerged from the shadows. His figure, a stark black and white against the darkness. The silence was thick and only the subtle drip of water from stalactites broke it.

Madara, who had a black cloak and red spiral mask, sat before a rudimentary table carved from the very stone of the cavern. Several maps and scrolls laid scattered across the surface, illuminated by the flicker of a single candle.

He didn't turn to acknowledge Zetsu's arrival, yet the air shifted with the recognition of his presence.

The spy of the Akatsuki, spoke with a voice that carried the essence of both light and shadow.

"Madara," he began, "Orochimaru has left a trail of deceit in his wake. False bases, guarded by experimental rejects to mislead the Third Hokage and his hounds."

The figure known as Madara turned slowly, his Sharingan ablaze with interest. "Orochimaru, ever the serpent." he mused, his voice tinged with intrigue. "And what about the Leaf?"

"They're fractured," Zetsu replied. "They dispatched their teams in a scattered frenzy. They're chasing ghosts across their own land."

A dark resonating chuckle, escaped Madara's lips. "Haha… It looks like the beginning of chaos. With this, the Leaf village now exposed its underbelly in desperation."

"It is a possibility." Zetsu agreed. "What should we do? The village is weakened but it's not without its guardians."

Madara became silent, a stillness that spoke volumes. "Has there been any other developments?" He asked after contemplating the situation.

"Jiraiya has returned. And Hiruzen may be old but he is no fool. If he has scattered his shinobi in such a manner it must have a deeper purpose." Zetsu replied and conveyed his thoughts.

Madara paced inside the cave, each step a measured beat in the silent chamber. "You will observe, for now," he declared, his gaze piercing the gloom. "Let the Leaf village scatter its forces thin. They're desperate to find Orochimaru and Tsunade. Soon they will reveal more than they conceal."

"What are you going to do?" Zetsu asked the masked man with a tinge of caution in his voice.

"There are three targets in the Hidden Leaf village that Nagato and I are after." Madara replied and the gleam in his Sharingan wasn't missed by Zetsu.

"The nine tails holder, Naruto Uzumaki. Shisui's eye in possession of Danzo and the genius medic Daichi Hekima… Naruto is the least priority but the other two… I'm going to pay the Leaf village a visit. Specifically Danzo. He might try something at this time. If the opportunity presents itself then I'll take Shisui's Sharingan eye and then Daichi as well."

Madara told Zetsu his goals and the plant-like creature frowned minutely. "This is risky. If you strike at the Leaf, Itachi will no doubt retaliate."

"I'm aware. I will visit the village but I will only take action if the opportunity arises. If not I can still have a front row seat to the chaos unfolding." Madara replied and Zetsu nodded.

Moments later the Uchiha and Zetsu vanished from the dark cave and the only sound left was the drops of water dripping from the stalactites.

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Author's Note.

I wanted to write a scene with Daichi and his inner self for a longtime. Felt that this was the right moment.

Now Obito is gunning for Kotoamatsukami and Daichi.

What's going to happen next? Will they meet?

What about the Root?

Stay tuned to find out….

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/MonkWithAPen