Menma told Naruto everything. He revealed how the tailed beasts would be captured, how Gaara would be killed and revived soon after, how Jiraiya would go to capture Pain and die, how Pain would destroy the village, and everything about the impending Great Ninja War that threatened to destroy the world.
Naruto listened to it all with a stoic face, his expression barely changing. He absorbed the information over several days.
After sharing everything, Menma questioned Naruto, "Now that you know everything, Naruto Uzumaki, what will you do?"
Naruto was silent for a moment, conflicted and feeling sorry for himself, having come from a future filled with such tragedies.
He sighed and asked, "Why?"
"What do you mean, 'Why?'"
"How could you do all that to save the world? How do you sacrifice everything to save those people who, in the end, still hate and resent you?"
Menma almost laughed at the unexpected question, then looked at Naruto with a genuine smile, as if recalling a precious memory.
"Because I found my light in that dark world, someone who was always there for me, even when I didn't know it. She pushed me forward, always cheering me on."
Naruto looked puzzled, not fully understanding Menma's words.
"Don't give up hope on this world. You'll find that light someday too. Until then, don't lose your own light. Keep fighting, so when that moment comes, You might be able to face her and stand by her side."
As Menma spoke, his body began to disappear.
"What's happening?" Naruto asked, a hint of panic in his voice.
"As I said before, I have very little time in this world," Menma replied softly. "Just remember, never lose hope. That's my final request to you."
With a smile, Menma vanished.
Naruto was left alone, struggling to comprehend what he had just witnessed. He found it hard to believe that someone like Menma could smile so brightly, without regrets, even in his final moments.
Remembering Menma's last words, "Just remember, never lose hope," Naruto felt a sense of confusion and determination.
"What does that mean?" he wondered aloud. Despite his confusion, Naruto decided to focus on his goal.
"Maybe I'll figure it out in time," he thought to himself.
Looking somberly at the sky, Naruto headed towards the Sand Village.
POV Change:
In the Hidden Sand Village, Gaara oversaw preparations for defense against potential Akatsuki attacks. Despite their efforts, he couldn't shake a sense of impending danger. Gaara had grown immensely as a leader and shinobi, but the threat of losing control over the One-Tail still haunted him.
Meanwhile, Sasuke remained in the Hidden Leaf Village, pushing his limits daily. Consumed by his pursuit of power, he mastered new techniques and honed his strength, driven by thoughts of revenge against his brother and finding Naruto's killer.
Hinata and Neji continued rigorous training under the watchful eye of the Hyuga Clan's leader, steadily improving their skills to protect their village and loved ones.
In Konoha, Sakura's medical training progressed under Tsunade's guidance. Dedicated to mastering healing techniques and advanced medical ninjutsu, she prepared herself to support her comrades on the battlefield.
A meeting was held in Konoha, where news of an attack on the Sand Village was reported. Kakashi and the new Team 7 were dispatched to aid them.