Hinata's Sensual Adventure - The Chronicle's End [Part F]

Madara could but smile in defeat as both men activated their ocular ability in unison, speeding up Obito's warp before he was struck down. In the same beat, Gai arrived in the nick of time to shield Kakashi from an unfortunate fate.

"You actually had perfect time for once," Kakashi teased.

Thanks for saving Kakashi, Gai! Minato thought inwardly, a kunai secured in his mouth.

"Obito!" Sakura exclaimed when the man materialized, her disposition instantly changing to caution.

"It's all right," he reassured wearily. "I'm here to help Naruto."

"Can I trust you?"

Hinata studied his features, as if to wring the truth from his body. But, as he staggered close, she could feel the light brush of a cool aura that was almost synonymous with Naruto's.

"Ever since I was a kid, I've never been able to walk a straight path," he admitted sincerely, resting a hand upon Naruto's chest. "But I've finally gotten to where I needed to be."

And with those words, a warm light enveloped Naruto's body.

The Final Battle — The Sage Emerges!

"Only senjutsu works against him," Minato informed as he approached the others. "As well as physical attacks such as taijutsu."

"Which means our only hope is the Fourth Hokage's senjutsu and your taijutsu, Gai," Gaara added.

Kakashi glanced over at the Yellow Flash who seemed to have a lot on his mind. "If I recall, Sensei... senjutsu isn't your forte..."

"Yes. In all honesty, I'm weak in senjutsu. It takes me too long to infuse the chakra and I can't maintain it very long. I haven't used it very much in combat, either. Furthermore, in this state, I can't weave signs, so I don't think I can even fight effectively."

"Everyone!" Hinata said upon being warped back among their ranks. "The transfer was successful, and the clone returned to his original body. The real Naruto-kun should be here any minute now."

"What about Obito?" Kakashi asked.

"He said it's imperative that we keep the Rinnegan as far away from Madara as possible. Sakura-san stayed behind to heal him. He needs to regain his strength in order to keep suppressing Zetsu."

"In that case," Gaara began. "All we need to do is hold out until Naruto gets back."

Gai did nothing but listen to the entire conversation, and then he leapt before the daunting foe without hesitation, knowing exactly what must be done. "So, it's showtime for the wild blue beast, eh?"

While the Jōnin employed the fierce power of the inner gates to confront Madara, Orochimaru and company came across Kabuto hovering over Sasuke's motionless body.

The man was able to escape Itachi's eternal prison, only after coming to terms with his feelings and turning over a new leaf. But, despite his change of heart and proficiency in medical ninjutsu, Kabuto could but heal the cold corpse that laid beneath his hand.

Karin's eyes quivered. Devastated, she dropped to her knees limply as a scream tore from her lungs.

Naruto scratched his cheek with an awkward smile, looking to Shukaku who meekly held a paw forward like a borne tsundere. Hurry and make the pact before I change my mind!

"A pack?" Naruto's eyebrow quirked in question.

Kurama watched as he made contact with the Bijuu before next moving to Gyūki to do the same. Thanks to Obito, you're now in possession of all nine Bijuu.

Naruto stepped back into the transmutation-like circle etched in the ground. Then he turned on his heels to pass a gaze over the unique creatures that surrounded him. As opposed to the dreary mental scape that housed Kurama, they were all gathered in a world of white that stretched as far as the eyes could see.

"...Son," Naruto said repentantly, looking to the Bijuu that shared an uncanny resemblance to a gigantic ape. "Even though I promised I would free you, I stood by and watched you get taken again. Everyone... I'm so sorry."

You're not to blame, Matatabi returned with a gentle, maternal voice. You did as promised. It was up to us to protect ourselves, afterwards. But Madara proved too strong, even for our combined strength.

At least we're free to choose whether our consciousness hangs out here or with that lunatic, Chomei said in a happy-go-lucky tone, highlighting the positive side of their circumstances.

Naruto grinned. "In that case, how about I make it feel more like home until I beat the crap out of that nut job?"

Using the realm as his canvas and his will, a dependable brush, the Jinchūriki weaved beautiful colors together to pain nine separate worlds for his new house guests.

Shukaku was now able to wonder the high dunes of a desert. The torrid wilds was glorified with many ancient structures and lush oases. Chomei was now the master of a sky accentuated with floating islands and beautiful waterfalls that cascaded into the clouds. Son Goku would now roam an expensive forest teeming with life where he would relish the title of king.

Similarly, Naruto prepared a home that best complemented the temperament and characters of each Bijuu until there was Kurama.

"As for you, O Great One...," Naruto performed a cancerous courtesy that had Kurama's face contorting into a sneer. "Words can't begin to describe how grateful I am for everything that you've done for me. I'll give you the power to shape your space in however way you like — and you can change the design whenever you want. I'm sure the others wouldn't mind some tweaking every now and then, too."

Kek! Gyūki came back from his lakeside paradise in time to overhear Kurama's special benefits. The Kyūbi's always the one getting special treatment.

He's my Jinchūriki, so it's only right, Kurama responded with a smog grin.

"What other special treatment has he received?"

Kurama is the only one who received special jutsu from the Rikudō Sennin — two, in fact, Matatabi answered upon returning from her own realm.

Surrounded by all nine Bijuu again — who looked more exuberant than when they left — Naruto looked to Kurama inquiringly. "I know about one of them, but what's the other?"

The pact, Kokuo murmured, his response leaving much to be desired.

"Shukaku mentioned that before. What exactly is this pact?"

Kurama took a moment to gather his thoughts. For as long as I can remember, we have been nothing more than just tools. Powerful weapons for humans to use for their own selfish gains. Bijuu Fission was meant as a means of finding salvation.

If there ever came a time when we were all imprisoned and our powers threatened the very fabrics of this world, then we would set out to find a savior.

Everyone looked at Naruto intently, which made him extremely self-conscious.

Kurama gestured at the intricate circle beneath his feet that had started giving off a luminous blue glow. You are our savior, Naruto. I've been watching you since you were an infant and know this to be true. When you met the Bijuu and their Jinchūriki earlier, you were not just given a portion of their chakra, but entered into a pact. The pact can be interpreted as a verbal consent, while the chakra acts as a key.

Naruto turned on his heels, captivated by the unraveling ritual and the increasing glow that tinted his body. "But what exactly does all this mean?"

The Rikudō Sennin sealed a portion of his power inside all of us, Matatabi clarified calmly. By receiving our consent and chakra that acts as a key, one would be able to break the seal and obtain this great power. You are our savior, Naruto. You will receive this great power and liberate the world from the evil that is Uchiha Madara.

Naruto humbly gestured to the Bijuu who summarized everything with less than a fraction of the words that Kurama used. "Now was that so hard?"

Kek! the Kyūbi clicked his tongue flippantly. A little suspense never killed anyone.

The glow from the circle waned as Naruto absorbed its contents, divine power permeating through every fiber and cell of his being. His expression hardened as his beastly comrades regarded him with high expectations. And he responded with a nod, oceanic eyes smoldering with unspoken promises.

His expression softened, however, when a familiar aura pulled at his senses. As if he could look across the veil of time and space, he snapped his head to the side, his eyes focusing on a soul who didn't belong.

I have poured all that I am into your ring, Akiko said softly, her angelic voice humming from the wedding band perfectly cupping Naruto's finger. Please take good care of Hinata — and tell her thanks for giving me such a wonderful name. Our time was brief, but I enjoyed her company. Make sure that you win!

Naruto closed his eyes, his heart effusively and ceaselessly chanting his gratefulness to the selfless deity. Then he looked to the assessing Bijuu once more. "Before I face Madara, there's something I need to take care of first."

A single droplet falls into the pitch black of an endless stream. As waves rippled across the surface, Sasuke found himself gradually climbing back to consciousness. When his eyes blinked open, it took a moment for them to acclimatize to the dazzling glow that surrounded him.

"This is..."

He could instantly tell that he was no longer apart of the moral world. The unrelenting flames that fueled his desire for vengeance and global reform no longer plagued him. In its place, he felt a deep-seated regret and longing.

"I'm happy to see you and yet, it grieves me that you are here."

As if the man's words held the power to shift dimensions, the all-white scenery suddenly changed. Now Sasuke stood beneath a cherry tree in a grove, the balmy summer breeze stirring up a flurry of leaves that cluttered the ground.

As if a second later would render the man a mere illusion, Sasuke snapped his head around to capture him in his gaze. He didn't need to see the owner of the familiar voice to know who it belonged to. But still he studied the figure ambling toward him — a man bearing dark eyes and a warm smile.

"Itachi...," the words left Sasuke's mouth on a note of disbelief.

"Despite putting a stop to Kabuto, it looks like the war still managed to become unfavorable."

Sasuke bowed his head repentantly, his fists trembling. "I'm sorry. I failed at changing the village and restoring our clan."

Itachi homed in close, gently pulling in his brother so that their forehead could meet. "You're beginning to sound like father and the others," he teased harmlessly with a smile.

In the same beat, Sasuke noted his mother and father standing together. They watched eagerly from a distance, as if it was forbidden for them to tread any closer despite their desire to do so. And a rueful smile stretched their lips when they met his curious gaze.

"Without everyone's influence weighing on his mind, I was finally able to get through to him," Itachi admitted softly, a hint of joy dancing in his eyes. "Don't trouble yourself with matters concerning the clan. This burden is what led us astray in the first place. Focus on yourself, little brother. Don't you have a child on the way?"

Sasuke's eyes widened, a fierce blush burning his cheeks. Tearing himself away, he raised his hands defensively. "H-How did you know?"

Itachi laughed, relishing the nostalgia between them. "This woman and child are your clan now, Sasuke. If you wish to pay tribute to my sacrifice, then take care of them. All I ever wished for was your happiness."

Sasuke's eyes quivered. "But... it's too late for that now."

Itachi turned on his heels, holding his brother's gaze from across his shoulder. "Your friend made me a promise. I have the utmost confidence that he'll keep it."

Following his eyes, Sasuke turned to find Naruto standing behind him. And when he looked back around, Itachi and his parents were gone.

"I'm glad I was able to see Itachi again," Naruto said as a means of introduction, his voice changing the scenery to a cloudy sky being reflected upon an endless sea.

Sasuke frowned. His brother's indication aside, he knew that Naruto had somehow found a legitimate way of bringing him back to life. Though, accomplishing such a forbidden feat had to be far from easy. "Why are you doing this? Why would you go to such lengths for me? Why wouldn't you bring back your mother or father? The Fourth Hokage could have helped you fight off Madara!"

Sasuke but blinked, and Naruto was suddenly floating down at his side from a gnarled and moss-coated tree protruding from the water, demonstrating extraordinary speed and agility. "There's no way I could separate mom and dad, just for my sake. Besides, unlike you, they are happy and have fulfilled their role. But yours is just beginning."

"I gained the power to enter the darkness and sever all bonds. And, naturally, everyone's tried to cut their ties to me, as well, at some point. But you... you've never attempted to cut me off.

— "The only one who can handle all that hatred is me!"

"Why do you keep involving yourself with me?"

Naruto smiled, surprised he would have the gall to ask such an obvious question. "You already know, don't you? Now that you're a spirit, your mouth sure is moving a lot."

"Just answer me!" he asserted.

And Naruto paused, organizing his thoughts. "...Because you're my friend."

Sasuke's eyes widened. Now that he wasn't blinded by the sinister ambitions that erected an invisible wall around him, it was easy for him to comprehend those words and the emotions they summoned. Naruto had expressed the weight of their friendship time and time again, but only now was it recognizable.

"I've heard that before," he attempted to dig deeper. "But what exactly does that mean to you, anyway?"

"You ask me to explain it, but I really can't put it into words. It's just that... when I see you take on stuff... and get all messed up. It kinda... hurts me. It hurts so much inside, that I can't just leave it alone, y'know?"

...

"Come back to us, Sasuke...," Naruto said just above a whisper, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

The Uchiha's eyes widened and then half-lidded as he surrendered to his thoughts. When he first met Naruto, he thought he was a weak, good-for-nothing who constantly played pranks on the villagers. But, in truth, it was his loneliness that incited such obscene behavior. Even if it was just to get scolded, his existence had to be acknowledged in the process.

As he desperately continued trying to bond with people, it reminded Sasuke of his own family, which, in turn, reminded him of what his brother had done. And so, every time he saw Naruto suffering, he felt pain, too. But, it was through this pain that they forged a bond like no other.

— "I'll let you deal with Sasuke."

The teen flinched as his brother's voice echoed in his mind. Like a broken dam, Naruto's memories gushed into him, playing on his emotions as if they were his very own.

— "That was my plan from the start!" Naruto returned with unsuppressed exuberance.

And it was enough to win a grateful smile from the typically aloof Itachi. "Entrusting it to you was the right thing to do, after all."

Naruto's dream was not just to become the Hokage, but to become a leader more powerful and successful than all others before him. It was a treacherous path with no shortcuts. There was indescribable pain and many sacrifices. But he kept pushing forward regardless, forging irreplaceable bonds and overcoming countless obstacles along the way.

Though, there was one sacrifice he was not willing to accept. One person he wouldn't allow to be crushed under the weight of the past.

— "No way can a guy who can't even save one friend become the Hokage. Isn't that right, Sasuke?"

And so, despite his own burdens and shortcomings. Despite his own aspirations, Naruto decided to chase after his friend — to set his dreams aside and salvage the most meaningful bond he had found during the time his world was at its bleakest.

—"No matter how powerful you become... don't try to shoulder everything alone," said Itachi, sharing his counsel with the man tasked with saving his brother. "You share your father's dream, don't you? Then don't forget: Becoming Hokage doesn't mean people will acknowledge you. But when the people acknowledge you, you can become Hokage. Never forgot your friends."

Sasuke's chest tightened, his facial features set in utter dejection. Forgetting his friends is exactly what he had done. Consumed by the darkness associated with his chosen path, he had carelessly trampled upon the Will of Fire that both Naruto and Itachi proudly wore upon their foreheads.

Why did it take so long for him to recognize the futility of his path? Was the curse of the Uchiha Clan true? Until he had died and was stripped of his burdens, he was entirely blind to everything but his goal.

As the world shifted around him, Sasuke tilted his head, reduced to but a child. The bitter blackness that encircled him only became visible after Itachi — his ray of light — disappeared. Now he had matured into a teen, and Naruto stood before him, braving a similar weight of solitude.

As time pressed on without pity or remorse, Naruto found Iruka. But Sasuke still stood alone. Soon Sakura and Kakashi flanked him. Next the rookies and their team captain joined his ranks while Sasuke's company was still the cold darkness. As Naruto kept weaving new friendships, including Itachi's, Sasuke still had nothing.

His heart broke at that sudden realization.

If he continued down this beaten path, would his mental fortitude outlast the culmination of his goals? No. His goal was impossible from the beginning. Like Itachi said, the people were the catalysts that determined a worthy Hokage. His dream of a global reform was dust in the wind before it had even begun.

"I see. I see now...," Sasuke murmured in a low, repentant breath, picturing himself standing amidst the warm community that Naruto had forged all on his own.

Naruto dropped his arm from Sasuke's shoulder and took a step back, yellow eyebrows pulling down above oceanic eyes. "Anyway, let's hurry back so that you can return to your physical body. If I punch you hard enough, maybe that will make you finally open your eyes!"

Sasuke laughed. It wasn't the crazed guffaw he had let out after eliminating Danzo, but a merry sound he hadn't allowed since they were kids. "Even in death I can't get a break from you!"

"Damn right!" Naruto snapped. "Sakura-chan and your kid are—"

"I admit it," Sasuke interjected. "...I was wrong."

"You cocky bastard! It took you this long to figure that out? After atoning for your crimes, you better bring your ass back and help me! What I want to do is to make all shinobi cooperate with each other — and that definitely includes you!"

"Just because you want that doesn't mean others will agree to it."

"Dammit! If you keep whining and sulking, I'll really have to slug you, once I bring you back!"

"There's no guarantee I won't stand against you again..."

"Then I'll stop you again!" Naruto warned, a confident hand cupping one hitched hip. "Besides, I know you're not going to do that kinda thing anymore."

Sasuke bowed his head, eyes cast in the shadow of his bangs. "...How can you be so sure?"

"Don't make me repeat myself! Haven't you figured it out yet? Now that I think about it... you were always pretty stupid, too—"

Naruto's words trailed off when he noted Sasuke's shoulders rise and his body began to quake. And he turned around before he could see the tears, his friend's grief weighing on his own heart. "...I'm sorry it took me this long."

Madara peeled himself up off a slab of bedrock and wiped the blood from his mouth with a grin. "I almost died, you bastard! You're the first since Hashirama to make me feel this excited! Can you still dance? Do you have any other techniques? Give me some more fun!"

Gai broke out into a sweat, alarmed and distraught by the man's eagerness to continue despite getting beaten to a pulp. The awkwardness he felt, however, couldn't be compared to the inconceivable pain that rippled through every fiber of his being. Such was the price he had to pay for unleashing the final chapter of the Eight Inner Gates.

But he wouldn't allow himself the time to consider the pain, nor would he give Madara any time to gather his bearings. It was evident that his attacks worked, he just need a greater force to finish the bastard once and for all. And, as he assumed a stance to dish out his ultimate move, he knew it would be enough to get the job done.

An ultimate move with the ultimate sacrifice.

"That's enough," said Naruto coolly, placing an attentive hand upon the man's shoulder. As if his words were enchanted, an enigmatic power from his touch quickly suppressed the inner gates. And the man's skin tone gradually went back to normal, hot, hearty breathes ripping from his lungs.

"Na-Naruto-kun!" Lee exclaimed.

Minato's eyes narrowed. That speed... it's much faster than me, and he's not even using the Kyūbi's cloak.

"Fuzzy-Brows! Hinata!"

The princess promptly answered to the call, doing quick work to heal the Jōnin once his apprentice had recovered his overburdened body. That's strange..., she thought inwardly, probing the man's skeleton using her Byakugan. I noticed multiple fractures and broken bones while Gai-sensei was fighting before. Did Naruto-kun somehow heal them?

Naruto? Madara thought, studying the teen's back curiously. You seem a little different from before. What did Obito do?

"Naruto..." Gaara muttered.

So this is it... Kakashi's eye narrowed pensively. The amalgamation of thousands of clones' worth of training and study. You may just be a teenager in body, but your mind must be as refined as a sage. Let's see what you're capable of now.

"Water Release: Corrosive Whip!"

He's fast! Kakashi thought surprisingly. It's almost like when I was fighting Itachi; I can't keep up with his finger seals.

Tapping into Saiken — the Six-Tails' — arsenal of abilities, Naruto spewed a high-pressured jet of noxious fluid from his mouth to cleave the bastard in two. Unable to dispel the jutsu with a single eye, Madara ducked, the corrosive attack slicing through half the trunk of the Divine Tree in a glorious demonstration of destructive power.

Naruto frowned calculatingly, already flying through another series of seals that culminated with a stomp of his foot to the ground.

"Earth Element: Skewering Spears!"

Just before the rugged spikes could sunder his body, the man leapt upwards. Then used his staff to defend against a monstrous punch from a sneering sage, who had almost instantly closed the distance between them. As much as he had blocked the attack, the force was still strong enough to drive him up against the tree in a loud explosion.

Madara frowned, his arm trembling under the force of Naruto's push. He touched the Truth Seeking Orb, so how can he...? Is it because I haven't finished healing yet? No. His power is suddenly growing?

"Sage Art: Lava Style Rasenshuriken!"

Now Naruto tapped into Gyūki's reservoir. And a whistling sphere radiating hellish flames effortlessly formed in his hand, fanned by his own wind-natured chakra.

"Th-This is bad!" Madara panicked as the orb swelled more than twice the size of its wielder.

Without missing a beat, he hightailed it, willing an invisible shadow of himself to intercept his pursuer. But while Naruto wasn't able to see the invisible phantom, it wasn't quite elusive enough to fool his sensory abilities.

What? Madara's eye popped disbelievingly. He dodged... my Limbo?

Before he could spin another thought, he, instead, heard as the air was suddenly torn from his lungs. Searing flames engulfed his torso when the projectile made impact. And, with a single verbal command from its master, the sphere detonated, slicing through the Divine Tree like a hot knife through butter.

The tree's been severed, Kakashi observed in shock, watching as the colossal structure eased into a slow fall. In less than a minute, he managed to topple the tree and deal a heavy blow to Madara. Unbelievable!

Crashing into one of the many giant roots looping through the earth, the fallen God watched as all his lofty ambitions came falling down in the form of the Divine Tree.

As he stared at the horrific sight, willing it to be untrue, he heard a ghostly voice whisper in his mind. For a moment, he wondered if his obsession had rendered him delusional or driven him mad. But, for such an unstable mind, the proposition it whispered was quite rational.

Take me within you, it commanded again. Take the Divine Tree, the Jūbi ... everything, into you.

"The tree disappeared!" Gaara said, watching from a distance.

But Lee was more concerned with his sensei's treatment, tears blurring the man who was the embodiment of his entire world. "Gai-sensei!"

"Bushier-Brow Sensei is going to be all right," Naruto reassured, suddenly teleporting there via the formula he had placed on the man before. "He's not going to die."

"Naruto-kun — you healed him? But I thought he had activated all Eight Gates..."

"It feels like I can do all sorts of crazy things... the way I am right now. You guys look after him. I'll take care of Madara."

"Naruto-kun!" Lee wept. "Thank you for... Gai-Sensei..."

With a nod, the sage turned on his heels.

"Naruto." It was Gaara who stopped him now. "When you become Hokage, let's have a drink together."

"I'll ensure that Shukaku and Kurama joins us, too," he promised with a grin before taking off.

...I understand now, Madara mused, gazing unseeingly at the moon as if he had reached some new plateau of enlightenment. The Divine Tree itself... he laughed delightfully. The time has come for all to become one.

Naruto tightened his headband, looking up at the villain who giggled like a child with a new toy.

"You cannot take me down," the megalomaniac assured, clenching gloved fingers into fists. "Essentially, I am completely immortal now! I have attained eternity!"

Unlike his previous adversaries, Naruto knew there was no reasoning with Madara. No eloquent tongue or empathetic speech would bend his will and shift him from his chosen path. For the man thought he was humanity's savior. He knew his philosophy was distasteful and undesirable by the people, but deemed it necessary to induce a better change.

Keeping his lips sealed, Naruto dropped his hands from the straps of his forehead protector. With a controlled breath, he donned his new form, which glowed like the first light of dawn. A conjunction between Six Paths Sage Mode and Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, he had achieved a new pinnacle of greatness.

A circular design sat prominently over his stomach, his attire giving the appearance of a full black body suit beneath an open yellow coat. The whisker-like patterns on his face become thicker to resemble a trigram, and six magatama markings were present on and around his collar.

Naruto outstretched an arm, the intersecting slits of his eyes characteristic of Sage Mode and Kyūbi Mode fixed on his foe. Mentally reaching out to the tiny traces of his chakra still present inside Sasuke, he effortlessly summoned the Uchiha beside him via the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"Your time has come, Madara," Sasuke said by means of introduction, the pattern representing his Sharingan overlapping that of the Rinnegan in his left eye.

Madara tilted his chin arrogantly, regarding the duo from his lofty spot in the sky. One has awakened the Six Paths' Senjutsu and the other awakened the Rinnegan, huh? However... I possess both of those powers!

"This is the final battle!" he said, forming the seal for a lethal attack. "My powers versus yours... let's settle who is superior, once and for all!"

Ignoring the challenge and the looming assault, Naruto turned his head to the side, gazing across the rugged battlefield. "Sasuke. Your role is to provide support and help me to analyze his moves."

"Hah," Sasuke agreed calmly. Despite his new eye, he knew for a fact that Naruto was the only one who stood a chance against the man right now, especially since he absorbed the Divine Tree.

Making use of his augmented sensory abilities, Naruto quickly calculated a few coordinates and locked onto a target beyond the horizon. Tapping into the assorted pool of Bijuu chakra dwelling inside him, he combined the power of Shukaku and Matatabi to create a massive arrow made of sand. The projectile had a pointed tip and a hallowed circle at its end housing a hidden Rasengan.

As if he could not only sense but see his target, Naruto frowned, a flick of his hand launching the arrow like a cannon firing a rocket.

"Sage Art: Magnet Rasenglaive!"

Madara snapped his head to the side, following the trajectory of the deadly weapon as it broke the sound barrier. Before he could deduce who or what its target was, the projectile was already within the airspace of the other battlefield and pierced White Zetsu's chest.

Sarutobi and the rest of the Allied Forces braced themselves under the rippling force of the shockwave. Zetsu shrieked, the sealing ability of Shukaku's magnetic element preventing his escape.

With a fold of his hand, the sand heeded Naruto's distant command. It began shifting its shape, enveloping the parasite inside a ball-like cocoon. And, the Rasengan harboring Matatabi's blue fire at its core, merged inside that constricting sphere.

Burst! Naruto chanted.

And, the resulting explosion was fierce and all-consuming, completely vaporizing every fiber and cell of the parasite along with the wooden titan upon which it was mounted.

Black Zetsu vividly felt as his counterpart abruptly ceased to exist. And the frightening power that dealt the swift blow struck fear in his heart, adding fuel to his endeavor to fight against and retake control of his host. But neither Obito or Sakura had any intention of allowing that to happen.

Madara grinded his teeth in fury.

"One down and two left to go," Naruto threatened with a nonchalance that had the man seething even more.

"Sage Art: Shadow Style Thunder Blast!"

Purple lightning shot out from the man's fingertips, extending downwards like branching veins. Without missing a beat, Naruto used one of his eight Truth Seeking Balls as a lightning rod to completely intercept the attack. Sasuke, on the other hand, completely disappeared, throwing Madara for a loop.

This left eye... so that's what it can do, he deduced inwardly, gazing up at his foe through his fingers.

After receiving Hashirama's power and experiencing death, the ordeal had somehow evoked an evolution of his ocular abilities. As opposed to Madara, however, he had only acquired the Rinnegan in a single eye. It was strange, but he was certain his single Rinnegan held more power than one of Madara's. But his stamina for prolonged use was another matter.

Teleportation? This distance? Madara thought, trying to figure out his kin's special ability. No, he didn't teleport!

Capitalizing on that momentary distraction, Naruto morphed one of his Truth Seeks Orbs into a staff and mounted an attack. Madara retaliated with his phantom warrior, and Naruto flinched, quite familiar with the sensation of the invisible threat.

What is that? Sasuke pondered, his eyes following the elusive creature.

"Sage Art: Gale Style — Fang of Light!"

Naruto ducked in time to avoid being beheaded by a laser beam-like whip that shot out from Madara's mouth. His staff wasn't so lucky, however. It got cut in half, which spoke volumes about the force behind the attack.

It's coming again! Naruto thought, his senses prickling.

Sasuke launched his sword in the phantom's projected path, but it flew right through it. And the seemingly intangible warrior proceeded to attack Naruto, only to be rewarded with a cloud of smoke.

Madara's eyes dilated when a large shadow appeared beneath him. Before he could look up, he was hit with a colossal, double-headed hammer that breached the atmosphere like a meteorite. The explosion that followed shook the earth.

"I can't see it but something's definitely there," Naruto said, suddenly appearing next to Sasuke.

"Oh yeah? I can see it clearly!"

WHOOSH!

The enormous hammer dispersed, and Madara slowly levitated from the crater, evidently damaged from the attack. These guys can see my Limbo...

"It's another Madara...," Sasuke informed in a low tone. "Looks like our physical attacks have no effect on him."

"Yeah. I figured as much," Naruto replied, looking to the sword that had failed at hitting its mark.

Madara raised his hand, morphing an orb into a staff. Normally, one shouldn't be able to sense or see it from this realm. That "me" exists in the invisible world of "Limbo." How did they both obtain such power so suddenly? Especially Naruto... I don't think I'll be able to deal with him without first retrieving my other eye.

So Naruto's Six Path's Sage Chakra can affect the shadow Madara, too, huh? Sasuke concluded, watching as the white phantom hovered close to its master. That wound on his right arm is from blocking Naruto's first attack earlier.

"It seems your shadow returns to your body after a certain amount of time," Sasuke declared, to both Naruto and Madara as he studied the phantom doing just that. "Naruto...," he whispered this time. "When his shadow emerges again, go after it. I'll take on the real one. However—"

"I don't want you putting yourself in any danger..."

"Relax, and just listen. This is our chance. Madara and his shadow will probably stay merged for a little while longer. I don't care what it is, but get a Sage Power Jutsu ready — one that seals movement."

Madara poised himself for what would come next, his attention more learning toward Naruto who was the greater threat. He's estimating the Limbo's duration, activation interval and how to counter it, he noted, sparing Sasuke a momentary glance. He's got sharp intuition, calm analyzing and judgment skills, and ocular abilities similar to my own. If he had only been born before Obito... he would be my— no. There's no point in reflecting now. No matter what's happened, I must keep in mind that these two aren't ordinary brats. I need to get my other eye back soon.

Naruto's eyes narrowed, as if he had caught the fleeting hint of desperation that flickered across the man's stoic visage. And he knew what intention that desperation would spark, which he needed to nip in the bud before circumstances spiraled even more out of control.

"Sage Art: Magnet Style Rasengan!"

"Chidori!"

My input won't be as effective as Naruto's, but I did receive quite a bit of Sage Power from Hashirama. "Naruto, aim that towards me! I'll take care of the rest!"

Without missing a beat, Naruto did as he was told with Sasuke mirroring his charge. The next thing Madara knew, the world around him shifted, and he was now caught in between both attacks. Sasuke's special ocular ability allowed him to switch a target's location with another. Madara understood that now, but it was far too late — the sealing jutsu was already accomplishing its intended purpose.

Or so Naruto and Sasuke thought.

In an instant, Madara decisively turned the tables by substituting himself with his phantom. Then he slingshot himself in Kakashi's general direction, leaving the duo in shock. But Naruto had a contingency plan.

Having applied a Technique Formula through his Rasengan making impact, he teleported Sasuke to the man's location. But, even when cut in half at the waist, Madara found his equilibrium and continued hurling towards his target.

Leaving a clone to hold the phantom down, Naruto teleported himself next. Willing a Truth Seeking Orb into an edged blade, he brought the makeshift sword down into an diagonal slash, hoping to sever the bastard's head from his shoulders.

But Madara was as slippery as Orochimaru. He managed to tilt what was left of his body in time, offering the Jinchūriki an entire arm, instead of his cranium. There was no hesitation or regret — and he dared not slow his speedy career or look back. Before Naruto could teleport and pounce on him again, he covered the distance that separated him from his target.

Like a scouting meerkat, Kakashi pivoted his head to the side. And a pained grunt tore from his mouth before he could comprehend what had happened. In the nanosecond it took Madara to zip by the Jōnin, the man ripped the Sharingan from its place and promptly secured it in his own eye socket.

"Dammit!" Naruto cursed, just merely missing the bastard with another magnet attributed Rasengan.

"Can't you teleport after him?" Sasuke asserted.

"It's too risky. If I don't have enough chakra to make the trip, I could get trapped in between dimensions."

"Tch!"

Just to be safe, Obito had entrusted Sakura with an important task. While he focused entirely on preventing Black Zetsu from intervening, the girl was to destroy the Rinnegan. Obito had a gut feeling a mere dimension's distance away wasn't enough to prevent Madara from turning the laws of reality askew to have his way.

And he was right.

Just before Sakura's kunai could puncture its mark, the mastermind appeared, intent on skewering the wench who would dare attempt to foil his plans.

Obito managed to teleport her away just in time, only to have Madara turn the full of his malevolence on him, instead. And what better way to torture him than with the absolute truth of events long passed.

Obito's eyes dilated in horror, his heart all but stilling in his chest. And Madara heaved a devilish grin, relishing the man's despair as he admitted to being the puppet master behind Rin's untimely death. It was all an elaborate plan to pitch Obito into the darkness and equip him with the necessary strings to become a proper marionette.

"This is bad!" Sakura exclaimed upon being brought up to speed by Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke. "Obito had already reached his limit and couldn't move. According to him, if Madara manages to get his other eye back, he's going to become nearly unstoppable!"

"Which is why I was so annoyed when he got away," Naruto said, gesturing that the kunoichi step aside in the treatment of their sensei.

Having achieved a masterful grasp of chakra and the ability to comprehend all universal things, Naruto rested an attentive palm over the man's eye, effortlessly treating it as if he had reversed the very influence of time.

Kakashi blinked his eye open, astounded by the results. It was if he had never lost it in that desperate battle to rescue Rin.

"No way!" Sakura gasped. "How did you do that?"

"Mmm...," Naruto considered that for a while, a finger beneath his chin. "The best way I can describe it is that I took a part of Kakashi-sensei — on a molecular level — propagated and molded that into his new eye."

"Oi, Naruto!" Sasuke snapped. "Shouldn't we be staying alert right now? What are we going to do about Madara?"

"Na-Naruto-kun!" Hinata called breathlessly upon joining their ranks. "I saw what happened! Is everyone all right?"

"Hinata! We're fine. How is Bushier-Brow sensei?"

"He's stable, thanks to you. He just needs a lot of rest."

Kakashi sighed in relief.

And Naruto shrugged, recognizing the anxiety hidden behind Sasuke's growing annoyance. "Don't worry, I have the Bijuu keeping watch, too — and I have a plan. Ideally, it would have been better if Madara didn't regain his other eye. But I think I can still beat him.

Going forward, I'll face him alone. Sasuke, you look after Kakashi-sensei and the girls. Pull back as far as you can. Once Madara returns, I plan to go all out. I don't know what the significance of absorbing the Divine Tree is, but I don't plan on giving him enough space to find out."

"But how do you plan on defeating him?" Sasuke asked, reminding the sage that cutting him in half didn't even slow him down.

"I'm going to try crushing his heart. If that doesn't work, I'll move on to lapping his head off. If neither methods work, then I'll try a seal. It's very risky, so I hope one of the former methods work, instead."

Before anyone could argue, Madara returned with his lower half entirely regenerated. And his eyes radiated a fierce desire for revenge that had Sakura and Hinata quivering in their sandals.

Obito had returned, as well. But the man was suspiciously quiet and still, his close proximity to Madara arousing many questions.

"Unfortunately, Obito is gone," Black Zetsu informed. "I've taken over his body now. Seems he was hoping to right his wrongs. He was praying like a child, deep inside, so that he could leave the future to you all. How convenient that would have been for him, right? Just like a spoiled brat."

Naruto's eyes was a fierce storm. Every word that the parasite spouted had his blood heating to a boil, and he took a calm step forward, his amble stride the embodiment of conviction and rage.

"Naruto!" Sasuke called tellingly.

"Yeah, I know. There are more of them, right?"

Registering his approach as a clear indication that their battle had begun, Madara unleashed his four phantoms on the advancing warrior. At the same time, he took to the skies to unleash a cataclysmic-level attack.

"Catastrophic Planetary Devastation!"

Similar to the god-tiered jutsu Nagato had used in an attempt to subdue a rampaging Kyūbi, Madara released a dark sphere of energy imbued with gravitational properties. But, as opposed to the single sphere that the Almighty Pain had managed to produce, Madara effortlessly replicated dozens that quickly amassed chucks of earth miles wide in diameter. Without hesitation, he launched his fabricated meteors that sparked fire as they breached the atmosphere, intent on completely eradicating the opposition.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Naruto tasked four clones to engage the phantoms in close combat, and then he spared Hinata a reassuring gaze before looking to Sasuke. "Go now! All hell is about to break loose!"

Quickly spawning his purple guardian, Sasuke secured Kakashi, Sakura and Hinata inside of a protective screen behind Susanoo's forehead before taking to the skies.

"Bijuu Bomb: Rasenshuriken!"

Even as Naruto's sudden eruption of power supplemented the earth's gravitational pull, slowing Susanoo's speedy ascent, the party watched as the projectile made impact with the first mountainous clump of earth. The resulting explosion destroyed its target like a fragile pane of glass against jagged rocks. And the prolonged vacuum created by the nature of the attack continued shredding the other meteors, like peanuts in a food processor.

Madara paid their efforts no need. It was merely a distraction to seize an opportunity. Breaking off the horn-like crown from his forehead, he turned his full attention to the full moon that seemed closed enough to be plunked. Bearing the characteristics of both Rinnegan and Sharingan, a blood-red eye suddenly snapped open in the center of his forehead, the intricate patterns now being reflected on the moon.

According to that stone tablet: when the one who possesses the power of the Rinne should drawn near to the moon, the eye that can reflect off the moon and grant the infinite dream, shall open. "Shine upon the world... Infinite Tsukuyomi."

The Allied Forces hadn't gotten a chance to breathe, even after the fall of the hooded warrior that terrorized them. Now the ground rumbled beneath their feet as island-sized masses of bedrock were obliterated above the earth. These were the repercussions of a battle leagues above what they had witnessed between Hashirama and Madara. Their duel was one among men who had ascended to the pinnacle of greatness, but this current battle was being waged by gods.

While the shinobi braced themselves in a panic, Akamaru was the only one who noticed the curious change in the moon. Sasuke was the second to take note. And, as if his newly evolved eye had whispered the dangers it posed, he made a breakneck dive to the ground.

Naruto frowned, studying the change in the lunar deity. Shit! If it's making Sasuke haul-ass like that, then it must be serious.

Susanoo made no attempts at a soft landing. The titan practically crash-landed next to Naruto and unloaded its human cargo before nestling around them like a hen protecting its young, giant wings coiling around them to form a velvety cocoon.

With a malicious grin, Madara evoked the jutsu. And a blinding surge of light illuminated the globe. It was as if the morning had dawned, completely dismissing the blackness of night. Earth, wood, concrete — nothing could filter out or escape the penetrating glow. Those who were fast asleep in their beds, or even the many who had taken refuge in underground bunkers, were still subjected to the jutsu's effects.

Animals were no exception.

The warriors of Edo Tensei watched in dismay as their families and comrades stood motionlessly in what seemed like a daze, their eyes locked in a perpetual gaze at the moon. What was most bizarre was the Rinnegan that overlaid their eyes. It was a blatant indicator that Madara was somehow involved in this great tragedy.

"Divine Deep Forest Emergence!"

On top of Infinite Tsukuyomi, the puppet master summoned a field of massive roots. From their groves and crevices, slender wisps of wood reached out to coil around the enchanted victims. Like a spider restraining prey, they spun them inside of a cocoon-like husk.

Try as they may, Sarutobi and Tobirama couldn't stave off the occurrence. As they ripped and sliced through the wooden wisps, more would simply spawn in their wake until the subject was secured.

Fear. Grief. Anxiety. Loss — Naruto could feel as a plethora of negative emotions across the globe converged to form an unspeakable darkness. It resonated in his own heart, like a volcanic eruption, urging his body into motion despite his better judgment.

"Naruto, don't do it right now!" Sasuke exclaimed urgently, a restraining hand upon the sage's shoulder. "Don't go outside right now; without this Susanoo that my eye made, you'd get bound inside his genjutsu, as well!"

"Naruto-kun, please don't go!" Hinata cried pleadingly, clinging to the hem of his jacket. Like Sasuke, she could see what was happening on the outside with her ocular ability. It was terrifying.

The sage allowed his shoulders to sag, his composure gradually returning. "...Sorry to make you worry," he reassured with a smile and a pat on her head. "I've calmed down now, thanks."

Sasuke relinquished his grip, dark eyes grave and unswerving. "Naruto... if you fall, it's all over! We need to bide our time. This is all I can do to help, so allow me to protect you."

Sakura's emerald eyes were automatically drawn to Dark Knight by his uncharacteristic words. Since she returned from Obito's space-time dimension, he somehow seemed different. Almost like the icy wall that surrounded him had thawed. Now, he seemed warm, approachable... human.

A muscle worked in Naruto's jaw. Now that the collective wave of emotions had passed, it was possible to think more clearly. It was evident that everyone was still alive on the outside; they were just trapped inside an illusion that would undoubtedly be dispelled once the caster was defeated.

Sasuke and Hinata were right — ideally, they just needed to bide their time until the opportune moment presented itself. This was all still reversible. He just needed to play his cards right to ensure that Madara got what was coming to him.

But, behind his conceding nod and reassuring smile, a vicious rage grew inside Naruto. What Madara had done was beyond outrageous. Despite the general consensus, he had forcibly entombed the entire world within his selfish ideology. Just thinking about it made his blood seethe beneath his flesh.

All the deaths, all the suffering... was it truly worth it?

As the luminous light from the moon subsided, Madara gazed down upon what was once a fierce battlefield. Now all was still, all was quiet, except for a few whose grim fate was already etched into history's stone tablet.

Disposing himself to the divine task — fate's own personal guillotine — Madara slowly floated down to the ground, watching as Sasuke's Susanoo gradually unfurled its wings. "Once I personally guide these pests to the River of Styx, no one will be left to stand in my way!"

That's what he thought. But even the almighty Madara couldn't have accounted for what would happen next. Drunk on his divine power and what he had accomplished thus far, the man had sorely forgotten what people were capable of when they were trapped between a rock and a very hard place. Especially a certain shinobi that had been tasked with, not only ending the war, but ascertaining the true path to peace.

Madara and Black Zetsu watched in surprise as Susanoo launched itself into the sky like a missile, as if desperately trying to escape the looming grip of a nuclear strike.

Had they decided to turn tail and flee?

Did they finally realize the futility of their resistance?

No.

The pull of gravity suddenly doubled.

Madara noted a silhouette emerging from the cover of dust and debris, and the individual's high soprano voice reached out before his body did. The roar of Naruto's battle cry was like the embodiment of wrath and malice itself. And, for an instant, Madara felt the fine hairs at the back of his neck stood on end.

As if a defense mechanism, all four phantoms materialized to protect their master. But Naruto wasn't deterred. He broke through their ranks like a clap of lightening and thunder, and time slowed as his palm spanned the size of Obito's face. Employing his universal comprehension of chakra control, the sage effortlessly separated the parasite from Obito's body, and then sent the man to Sasuke's care via the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Son! Naruto called inwardly, and the Bijuu heeded the call.

Simultaneously combining his wind-natured chakra with that of Son Goku's earth and fire, the sage was able to simulate the effects of Kekkei Tota (Bloodline Selection) and create a new element.

"Dust Release: Atomic Blast Technique!"

Time righted itself as Black Zetsu studied the translucent cube that was essentially his grave. He frantically screamed his discontent, but was promptly reduced to nonetheless in a blink of an eye.

Outraged, Madara flung his arm out, siccing his phantoms on the lone shinobi like a pack of hungry wolves. But still Naruto didn't concede, nor did he even frown. Far from alone, he called out the names of all nine Bijuu, requesting their aid as he raised a single hand to the stars.

"Tailed-Beast Planetary Rasenshuriken!"

Willing an astronomical amount of his power to his command, Naruto weaved and launched a giant Rasenshuriken with a lava-based core. Empowering the projectile even farther — like organic cannons — Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Goku, Kokuo, Saiken, Chomei, Gyūki and Kurama fired off a highly compressed Bijuu bomb that synched in rotation around the sphere like planets orbiting around a sun.

The cosmetic phenomenon hummed like an celestial hymn as it traveled along its trajectory with unshakable purpose and resolve.

And Madara flinched.

He didn't need to be psychic to recognize danger. Every nerve ending in his body screamed in alarm. Committing the entirety of his power into a hasty retreat, he watched in a mixture of apprehension and fury as the expanding blast tossed his phantoms from Naruto's path like straws and feathers.

From their high altitude, Sasuke and the others cried out as the shockwave met them like a brick wall. Hashirama, Tobirama and Sarutobi watched in dumbfounderment as a blinding white light effortlessly vaporized thousands of miles of landscape in a matter of moments.

Madara was in disbelief. Slowing to a stop, he turned to assess the scope of the destruction. Miles of land looked as if it had been gorged out and spirited away by an unfathomable force. Despite being airborne, he could feel the earth still rumbling, charged with sparks of energy that prickled his skin like electricity.

Aside from the Kyūbi, Naruto only possessed an inkling of the other Bijuu. Madara, on the other hand, held the majority of their power — including the Divine Tree and the Gedō Mazō. So how? How could he possibly manage to output this magnitude of power?

Before he could even come up with an hypothesis, Madara caught a flash of movement — fiery bright against the black plums of smoke rising up from the land. No sooner had he spied a pair of piercing blue eyes through the thick veil, than Naruto's hand was piercing his chest.

Flabbergasted, the man looked down with wide eyes. What's this...? I can't move? Madara studied the aura emanating from Naruto's arm, noting the elemental traces of sealing-type chakra. "H-How is this possible?"

Like I thought, Naruto thought inwardly. I completely crushed his heart and he didn't even flinch. There's no guarantee that lapping off his head would work, either — and he probably won't allow me to get in this close again.

Despite the violent storm brewing in his oceanic eyes, a muscle worked in Naruto's jaw as he spun the words on his lips. "I wasn't just dwindling my thumbs while you fought my clone," he clarified, his voice quivering in his effort to subdue his anger. "I was devising a way to take you down."

Madara grinded his teeth, veins bulging at his temples as he mustered his strength. But try as he may, he couldn't break free.

"It's pointless. I accepted the fact that you're a seasoned veteran — you're knowledgeable and experienced in warfare. And, on top of that, being a Uchiha makes you exceptional at almost everything. But, your power is limited. My only way to defeat a genius like you before you could analyze and intercept, was in one fell swoop with overwhelming force."

Madara clicked his tongue. With his acute field of vision, he could see Hashirama and his kin observing from below, which made his humiliation soar even further. But, despite the emotions that fueled his power, he still couldn't break free from Naruto's accursed hold.

"While my body was recovering, my mind was still hard at work. I taught Kurama how to gather Senjutsu. With such a large container, he was able to amass an inconceivable amount of power. That coupled with his own chakra and my newly attained divine energy gave me a constant supply of explosive power.

Even as we speak, Kurama's taking in a constant supply of Senjutsu — the earth, the mountains, the seas... even everyone you trapped inside that genjutsu — they're all sharing their power with us. We even took energy from the Divine Tree, before you took it in.

The world is pitching in so that we can finally end your reign of terror, Madara. The difference between you and I is that you chose to walk your path alone, and selfishly kept everyone beneath your thumb as you carried out your acts of tyranny."

"...It's not too late," Madara began, seeking now to fight with words than brawn. "I just severed the Karmic Cycle of this world. I have freed humankind from their suffering, pain and futility."

"All this is just a lie!" Naruto sneered.

"Naruto, you're the one who's interfering with everyone's happiness. Just look at this world now," his eyes motioned to the cocoons suspended from the appendages of the Divine Tree. "All fighting between shinobi has ceased. I've transformed hell into heaven. I've finally corrected Hashirama's mistake."

"What do you mean by the First Hokage's mistake?" Sakura shouted from the protection of Susanoo's bosom.

"You Hidden Leaf may not want to acknowledge it, but Hashirama ultimately failed in reforming the shinobi world. In the beginning, both Hashirama and I had the same goals — and we worked together. We tried to change the culture that sent out barely grown children to war.

As a result, the two of us created the Shinobi Village. However, that does not result in true peace. People cannot show each other their true feelings. Fear, suspicion, and resentment... never subside. My opinions were pushed aside and the shinobi world moved forward in accordance with Hashirama's vision.

And what happened because of it?

The fighting between shinobi didn't stop. Rather than ceasing, establishing ninja villages led to an increase in their military build-up, which resulted in battles that turned into great wars... with countless lives lost. This is Hashirama's legacy to the shinobi world.

Right now, everyone is inside of the Divine Tree. Each one of them, dreaming their own idyllic dreams. They are in their own ideal worlds."

"This is your idea of a perfect world?" Sasuke retorted. "You're just deceiving people."

"I just want to be the savior that ends the long history of fighting amongst shinobi. This is the only path left to humanity..."

Naruto frowned, both unconvinced and unamused. "The First didn't fail," he corrected bashfully. "We no longer live in an age where children are sent out to war. And, thanks in part to Akatsuki, a strong bond was created between all five Kage. The world wasn't created in a day — likewise, you can't expect it to change in a single generation, either.

The First strived for change. Despite having the power to bend everyone to his will, he didn't become a tyrant. He knew that change genuinely needed to be desired and pursed by others. If it was forced or dictated, it could potentially yield the opposite effect. And that's exactly what you've done."

"If there is one thing that I'm sure of, it's that people will never change. Despite Hashirama's shameless pleas to the heads of the other villages, the world didn't change. People need to be herded like sheep—"

"You changed," Naruto interrupted curtly, catching the man off guard. "The only reason you fell from grace is because the other villages didn't share the same vision that brought you and the First together. So you decided to find another answer. But what if there was no segregation? What if those other villages with conflicting ideals didn't exist?"

Madara's forehead furrowed in his reluctance to swallow Naruto's reasoning, but the sage pushed even harder.

"Despite being from rivaling clans, you and the First became friends. Am I wrong? You could both relate to one another because of the burdens you shared. And a tenacious greed for a better future natured you both into powerful warriors that managed to usher in this change.

What if everyone faced the same circumstances?

You destroyed all the Hidden Villages except for Konoha. What if, instead of rebuilding the other villages, everyone moves to the Leaf, instead? If everyone works together toward the same goal, just like you both did, I'm sure our customs will change."

"Kek!" Madara clicked his tongue venomously. "Do you really believe that the other villages will abdicate in favor of your proposal? There are minimalists who seek peace and prosperity, but there are even more who seek conflict and to be drunk on all the pleasures that life has to give. Both you and Hashirama are idealists who are completely blind to the true nature of people.

What you strive to achieve will merely become another idiotic legacy that exposes humanity to another generation of chaos and suffering. Cease your foolishness and surrender to me, Naruto. The world cannot be changed using conventional means. You know this to be true. My plan is nearly complete. All you have to do is surrender the Kyūbi to me and join your friends. This is your only chance to find true happiness — you will be able to reunite with the family you never had and finally become Hokage."

...

There was a moment of silence. So prolonged and deafening it made the onlookers anxious.

"Na-Naruto!" Sakura called worrisomely. "Don't listen to him!"

"Naruto... I'm sure I don't have to remind you about all the sacrifices that have been made up until this point," Kakashi added. "All those killed in the war won't be able to live a life of paradise in a genjutsu. Once you die, there's no coming back."

"To induce a change of this magnitude, it would be weirder if there wasn't at least this level of sacrifice," Madara defended coolly, years of combat and solitude deteriorating his sense of empathy.

Hinata looked on silently with a knowing smile, a hand pressed to her chest. Naruto's delay didn't mean he was considering the Madara's proposal. He was just taking the proper precautions to controls his emotions as he gave the man an opportunity to redeem himself.

But that moment was now passed.

"Are you saying I can't become Hokage on my own?"

Madara may have become antisocial and boorish in the final years of his life, but he hadn't become so insensitive that he couldn't note the rage that was flaring beneath the weight of Naruto's words, stemming on the brink of nuclear meltdown.

Before the tyrant could spin a word of consolation on his tongue, he heard as a broken roar tore from his throat, instead. The power that Naruto wielded suddenly reached deep inside of him — breaching every barrier and barricade — until it got to his core. Like ghostly hands, something all-consuming with absolute power and authority wrapped around the gears, cogs and levers that powered and propelled his entire being. Intent on destroying him.

Severing the conversation induced by Shukaku's need for time, Naruto proceeded to put an end to the stubborn tyrant. At his disposal was the One-Tails' strongest jutsu — a sealing mechanism that would entirely extract a target's chakra.

But, there was a risk.

The target would also share the ability to seal the assailant's chakra. It was a kind of tug-of-war, where the strongest would prevail. But, until Madara who walked a lone path, Naruto had the help of all nine Bijuu. Kurama, in particular, was funneling a monumental amount of Sage Energy to him. It essence, it was as if mother nature and all the people of the world — despite being trapped in a genjutsu — was sharing their power with him. An explosive flash signaled the end of a long battle.

With an emotionless expression, Naruto yanked his hand from the man's chest, a bundle of chakra akin to an inverted Rasengan humming in his palm. Like a star that had lost its light, Madara grew pale and weak, his body emaciated. He plummeted from his once lofty place in the sky, motionlessly crashing to the ground.

Sasuke sighed in relief after appraising Madara for a moment, the tension leaving his body like a punctured balloon.

"Is it really over?" Sakura dared to ask, noting the moment Sasuke deactivated his ocular ability. "Did we finally win?"

"Madara barely has any chakra left," Hinata confirmed exuberantly.

Once Susanoo was grounded, Kakashi took his friend and found a quiet spot to rest the man down on his back. Naruto waited for the moment the Jōnin would urgently request his aid. But the moment never came.

"It's finally over," Obito celebrated in a strained whisper. "Tell Naruto I said thank you. After fighting him, I feel like I've woken up. It was as if I saw my past self when I looked at him. And I regret what I am now. But, for some reason, it also made me happy.

As a kid, I would imagine myself as Hokage so often. That indescribable feeling of exhilaration and anxiety... I think he brought that all back for me. Imagining the village, friends, and me as the Hokage... even after all that's happened, just the thought of it seems to fill up the hole in my heart." he allowed a weary smile. "Maybe it's because it's the end, I find myself rambling all of a sudden."

"You still have a chance, Obito!" Kakashi urged uncharacteristically. "Naruto should be able to heal you—"

The man shook his head in denial. "Even if it was just a droplet in an endless ocean, I've played my part in Naruto defeating Madara and saving the world. Me sticking around would only be a constant reminder of the pain I've inflicted on many people. Besides, I've kept Rin waiting long enough."

"Obito..." Kakashi murmured, regarding the man with a grief-stricken gaze.

"I really made a mess out of the Shinobi World. So much that I don't even know what to say to you before I go."

Kakashi attempted a wholehearted smile behind his mask. "We're able to say goodbye as friends, not enemies. To the old you — the one who was always late because you were helping others. That's plenty enough for me."

Obito smiled faintly, knowing it was more than he deserved. His eyes grew heavy, and he allowed them to drift close. "...Thanks, Kakashi."

Naruto watched from afar. He didn't need to use his abilities. The moment Kakashi's head tilted low, he knew Obito was gone. But the traces of a smile upon the man's lips proved his final moments was not entirely of regret and sorrow. There was evidently some bliss weaved in, and that was enough to put Naruto in better spirits.

Looking down upon the ball of chakra in his hand — the essence of Madara's power — the sage allowed his shoulders to sag. Finally it was over. Now, they just needed to clean up the aftermath of the war. And the first order of business was—

CRASH!

He shattered the sphere with a tight clench of his fingers. From its depths, nine different color chakra emerged, each transforming in a full-sized Bijuu that surrounded their savior.

We finally made it out! Son rejoiced. Kurama, your Jinchūriki's pretty good.

The fox heaved a wolfish grin.

"Kurama, you said the Bijuu's strength are determined by the number of tails they have?" Naruto said with a grin. "I find it pretty ironic then that the jutsu that just saved us all came from Shukaku."

The One-Tailed Bijuu allowed a smog grin, lapping up the compliment like a deprived animal. And he practically beamed at the sight of Kurama's annoyance. It had been far too long since he managed to one-up the dumb fox.

Wearing an ashen expression, Hashirama looked toward his rival and best friend who had suffered a gripping defeat.

"Well done, Naruto," Minato said warmly.

"Indeed. Your feats are definitely worthy of praise."

The voice came from a man who looked almost identical to Madara, but his words held more power and authority. And most noteworthy was that they were pure and sincere.

"Naruto, who's this?" Sakura asked in a low whisper, sharing everyone's curiosity.

"Mmm," he looked the man over, processing his thoughts. "If I had to guess, I'd say he's the Six Paths Super Gramps. I started sensing him after I awakened by my abilities."

The man nodded in confirmation. "Similar to how Minato incorporated both his and Kushina's consciousness inside of the Eight Trigrams Seal, I also preserved myself within the seal that imparted a portion of my powers onto you."

"Six Paths Super Gramps?" Hinata couldn't help but think Naruto was being obnoxious again.

Kakashi broke out into a nervous sweat. "Are you by any chance the legendary...?"

"I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki," the man clarified. "Also known as the Sage of the Six Paths."

"No wonder... you're levitating," Sakura muttered meekly. "At this point, nothing shocks me anymore."

"So you are the one, after all," Kakashi continued. "To be able to independently manifest yourself in a physical form despite dying hundreds of years ago, you're probably the only person who could perform such a godly act."

"Are you Hatake Kakashi?"

"Oh... yes."

"Good job guiding everyone and subduing Madara."

"I hardly played any part at all. It was these four and many comrades. And... a former friend also lent us strength."

"That's why I said you guided everyone well. Despite losing your way, you remained Naruto's teacher and Obito's friend. Or else, you likely wouldn't have succeeded in stopping Madara."

"Oi, Kurama!" Naruto called, running over to the pensive Bijuu. "Were you lonely being separated from me? I missed you!"

Don't talk so loud! Kurama snapped. I wasn't lonely. You have most of me inside you, remember?

Son Goku burst into a fit of laughter.

It must of been contagious, because Hagoromo chuckled, too. "Just look at Kurama, all embarrassed and flustered. But this is exactly what I had once envisioned — that there would one day be a shinobi who could move even the Tailed Beasts to cooperate."

Hinata regarded the Miracle Boy with a loving smile, honored to be the one responsible for safeguarding his heart.

"Oh, everyone!" Naruto called out to the Bijuu with a grin, whipping through a series of complex hand seals. "I have a present for you all."

They watched him intently.

"Bijuu Fission: Jinchūriki's Judgment!"

As opposed to the corresponding jutsu that judged a Bijuu by allowing just the embodiment of their goodwill — the Yang aspect of their character — to emerge from the seal, Naruto gave them the exclusive right to pass through of their own free will.

And nine miniature Tailed Beasts appeared from a cloud of fluffy smoke, looking around from their new adorable skins.

"Bee-kun?" Hinata called in disbelief when she spotted him.

The tiny tyke rushed off to meet her, leaping into the princess' arms despite the presence of his kin. "I've missed you!" she cried.

Except for Matatabi, none of the other Bijuu would admit it, but they longed for a day to be loved and appreciated just the way the Sage of the Sixth Paths treated them when they were young. Considering Kurama's temperament, it was truly ironic that he was the first one to find the haven they all secretly sought.

It's so strange seeing a baby version of myself, Son commented with a quirked muscle that represented eyebrows.

Oi, who are you calling a baby? his counterpart snapped.

Naruto watched in amusement as they all assessed their counterparts. "Until the world is mended, I think it would be for the best if you guys stayed with me."

The Bijuu considered that for a while.

Between having a boundless dimension to explore and being able to visit the real word whenever we please, I think it's a great deal, Kokuo said.

If we get captured, we can just undo the jutsu and respawn again, Chomei added in a laid back tone. It's the perfect method for us!

I think so, too, Matatabi concurred. And I think we will meet more people like Naruto, if we stay by his side.

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

Chibi-me can remain with Naruto, Gyūki began. But I'll go back to Bee. He should be safely tucked away inside of one of my tentacles right now. But the fact he isn't here means he's also under the genjutsu.

What about you, Dumb Tanuki? Kurama ridiculed. Aren't you going back to that Kazekage brat?

Keh! You seem to forget who just saved the world, including your sorry hide, Shukaku gloated shamelessly. Naruto said he plans on uniting the Shinobi World, so I'll see Gaara, either way.

It's settled then, Isobu concluded.

While Naruto was busy assimilating the Bijuu, Sasuke sought to deal the finishing blow to Madara who was still faintly breathing. But Hagoromo raised an arm, stopping the Uchiha in his tracks. "Madara was a Jinchūriki," he said. "Even if it was temporary... emptied of the Tailed Beasts, he won't last long. Sasuke, Naruto — behold, the end of your predecessors. You should watch this closely."

The First knelt before his fallen rival, his visage a mold of many emotions. The most prominent had to be a sense of regret and pity. It clawed at him incessantly, like a dripping facet in the back of his mind that he couldn't shut off or mend.

"Is that you, Hashirama?" Madara murmured beneath his breath, gazing off unseeingly into the dark night's sky.

"Hah..."

"I guess neither you, nor I could achieve what we wanted."

"It's never that easy. Our job is to do all that we can, while we're alive. And then, bequeath the rest for future generations to accomplish."

"So naive... as usual," Madara responded wearily with a wanly smile. "You... were always... the optimist. But perhaps... that is the correct path. My dream was squashed. But your dream... still lives on."

"We were both too hasty. We didn't need to fulfill our dreams ourselves. It was more important to cultivate those who would come after us, to whom we could entrust our dreams."

"Which means I would have failed, anyway. Since I always hated someone... standing behind me."

"When we were kids, you once said we're shinobi and we don't know when we'll die. And that for neither side to die, we'd both have to reveal what's inside of us and pour each other drinks to toast like brothers. But we're both about to die. Right now, we can drink together, as war buddies."

Madara considered that for a while, his lips pulling up into an uncharacteristic smile. "War buddies... huh? Well... I guess... that's okay... by me..."

Hashirama hung his head as his friend, for a second time, moved on to the afterlife ahead of him. Madara's desire for a better world was just, but his methods were unorthodox and unfavorable in the eyes of the people. Could his shortcomings be blamed entirely on the fabled curse of the Uchiha Clan, or the toxic environment in which he was grown?

As the founding Hokage mourned his former ally, everyone took a moment to allow the bittersweet scene to wash over them.

"This is the perfect moment," Hagoromo said, diluting the tension a tad. "I will release the jutsu and free the Kages."

Naruto flinched at those set of words. He looked up at Kurama dejectedly, as if silently hoping the Bijuu could cast some manner of spell to keep this moment suspended in time. But, instead, the deity simply told him to go and bid his final farewell. If this moment ceased to progress, the rest of his dreams would never come to fruition.

"Dad...," Naruto said upon leaping over to his father, his eyes glum and quivering.

Minato attempted a wholehearted smile. "Oh, that's right. I've been meaning to tell you..."

As he weaved the words together in his mind before spinning them upon his lips, the sun rose from beyond the horizon, basking the world in the promise of a new age. "Happy Birthday!"

Tears tipped Hinata's eyes.

"You've become a splendid young man, Naruto. I wish both you and Hinata all the best."

Naruto attempted his own wholehearted smile. "Yeah... thank you."

"We're an existence outside of the rules; we can't remain in this world forever. It's time to say goodbye."

Naruto hug his head somberly as his father was enveloped in a ray of soft light, his soul separating from the human vessel.

And Minato fastened his eyes shut, desperately trying to keep up his fatherly figure rather than falling apart under the weight of his sorrow. "I promise to tell Kushina everything."

"Tell her not to worry," Naruto responded exuberantly, trying to prove his independence and uplift his father's spirits. "Thanks to Hinata, I'm not as picky and eat lots of different foods, including fruits and veggies. I bathe every day, and go to the Leaf Hot Springs once in a while, too. Although everyone just says I only take quick dips."

He laughed awkwardly, lacing his fingers behind his head.

"Let's see what else. Oh. I've made lots of friends! And they're all good guys! And I was really awful at school, but I never got depressed and had more confidence than anyone else!

Naturally, I always obeyed Lord Third and Kakashi-Sensei. I respected them both. They're both right here, so you can ask them yourself. Oh! And those Three Prohibitions of Shinobi? I learned a lot about that when I was with the Ero-Sennin. He was hopeless when it came to them, though. But he was an awesome Sennin and I respected him the most.

I haven't been indulging myself on alcohol. Oh, and I know mom said to find someone like her. Hinata may not be as outgoing and headstrong, but she's just as determined and loving!"

Tears spilled down his face in an echo to hers.

"I'll keep pushing forward and giving life my best. I've got dreams, too! I'm gonna become an even greater Hokage than you, dad! I swear I will! So, when you see mom over there, please tell her... that she doesn't have to worry about me at all! Tell her I'm doing my best!"

Hinata came to a stop behind him and pinched the hem of his jacket affectionately.

"Got it," Minato replied just before he was spirited away by the sky. "I'll make sure to tell her everything. Hinata, thank you for loving our son..."

"H-Hn!" the princess nodded, burying her face in his back.

Sarutobi heaved a radiant smile as he, too, began his permanent departure. "We're leaving the rest to you... Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke... Hinata and Naruto."

Kakashi bowed his head respectfully.

"Elder Brother," Tobirama began. "You finally settled things with Madara. As Saru said, let's leave the rest to the next generation."

As his soul abandoned the vessel, Hashirama took one final look at his old friend before casting his gaze over the others. Uzumaki Naruto... Uchiha Sasuke... you two will probably find a different conclusion than we did — no, it looks like you both already have. he noted the gentle light of empathy that dwelled in Sasuke's eyes now, and it brought a smile to his face. I'm curious to see how both your stories unfold.

And, all too soon, the previous Kage were gone.

"A very interesting derivative of the Bijuu Fission jutsu," Hagoromo said, appraising the tiny titans. "Except for Gyūki's, all of your chakra is now within Naruto. In short, Naruto is like a home and gathering place for you all. If you want to discuss something, you can speak to each other through your chakra inside Naruto, assuming you're not together in real world.

Kurama..."

Hmm?

"You will be the overseer of the gathering place. It's no longer a hardship for you anymore, is it?"

Well, if you say so, Old Man, I guess I have no choice.

The Bijuu all laughed, incurring the fox's wrath.

Still not upfront with your feelings, Kokuo teased. You haven't changed at all, Kurama.

Naruto grinned, which brought a smile to Hinata's lips, as well.

"So the Great Ninja War is finally over now," Sakura said.

"Yeah," Kakashi replied. "All that's left is..."

"To ensure that a reenactment of Madara's deeds never reoccur, I will be taking the Gedō Mazō statue to the netherworld with me. I will also undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi. But, before that," the sage looked to the Child of Prophecy who came to a halt before him. "Naruto, do you wish to use the eye you received from Itachi?"

Sasuke's eyes widened at the mention of his brother's name. And he looked to Naruto curiously, awaiting his response.

Kakashi and Sakura looked on in surprise, too.

A muscle worked in Naruto's jaw as he considered his options, his disposition hardening. "Jiraiya, my former sensei, searched for the path to true peace all his life. In the end, he passed on that responsibility to me before he died. After sending out thousands of clones in an honest pursuit for knowledge, it feels like I've lived for hundreds of years. But it was enough time for me to come to a conclusion: there's no such thing as complete peace and prosperity."

Everyone gasped in shock.