[Devouring progress 25%...50%...75%...]
[Congratulations to the host for successfully capturing the Universal Medicine System! Would you like to integrate it now?]
'Huh?'
'Universal Medicine System?'
Naruto blinked in surprise, 'Isn't this the arrogant jerk system I met at the beginning of my transmigration?'
'Goodness, it still had the audacity to remain in the Naruto World, searching for another host. How reckless.'
'Now that it had fallen into my hands, it was poetic justice.'
'You abandoned me back then, but now, I won't let you off so easily.'
Especially seeing this traitorous system attempting to flee after Sakura's failure… there was no way Naruto could trust it.
Settling old and new grudges together, Naruto made up his mind without hesitation, "System-sama, you are permitted to devour the Universal Medicine System!"
[Thank you, host! Once I complete the absorption, I will definitely reward the host with an extremely luxurious gift pack!]
The system's voice was uncharacteristically enthusiastic. After all, this was about devouring another system entirely.
As the system continued its absorption, Naruto checked Sakura's condition. Her form was unstable, seeming on the verge of shattering.
The system's extraction had taken a severe toll on her body.
So, without hesitation, Naruto shattered her already fragile body with a decisive strike.
Seeing this, Sasuke became very anxious.
But before he could intervene, Naruto produced a peculiar coin, flipping it into the air. As it spun, the ground beneath them opened into an abyss of inky blackness, from which a blinding white light emerged.
Moments later, Sakura reappeared, completely unharmed.
Naruto's hand crackled with lightning as he swept it across Sakura's brain. He was using his lightning to delicately alter her memories. In this way, Sakura would not remember her past grievances, nor would she remember having obtained the system.
'This might be the best outcome for her. She could now live peacefully with Sasuke and retreat to the quiet life she desired.'
"Why am I here?"
Sakura slowly opened her eyes, confusion clouding her expression.
Naruto quietly explained to Sasuke that he had modified her memories. Sasuke nodded in understanding, recognizing the gesture as a way to prevent future conflicts.
Taking a deep breath, Sasuke walked toward Sakura, "You weren't feeling well earlier. I failed to take care of you. From now on, I'll devote my entire life to making it up to you."
As he spoke, he gently scooped Sakura into his arms.
Sakura's pale cheeks flushed a deep crimson, resembling the glow of the setting sun.
"Sasuke-kun... please take care of me from now on," she murmured, her voice soft.
Naruto watched them leave, nodding in satisfaction, 'Finally, everything was resolved.'
However, just as he had this thought, the world seemed to tremble.
The sky tore open, a massive rift splitting the heavens apart. It was as if a pair of colossal hands had forcibly ripped it open.
"I've finally found you, ant!"
From the void stepped a towering figure, its immense form resembling a god of destruction.
Naruto's expression darkened. He recognized this being… it was none other than a magnified version of Jashin.
It seemed that continually using his Taiji Lightning had drained the energy suppressing this world, inadvertently leaking his presence. Reviving Sakura had also provided Jashin with a window of opportunity.
However, there are too many ants like Naruto who do not fear the gods, so Naruto believed he will not alarm Jashin at all.
Naruto had long planned to grow stronger before confronting Jashin. But now, it seemed Jashin had come to him first.
Likely, Jashin saw Naruto's ascension to the Thunder God as a threat and wanted to consume him to bolster its own power.
"Damn bastard!"
Naruto's face was grim. He knew he was no match for Jashin in his current state, and fighting would be suicide.
'Had I come this far, only to fail now?'
Naruto thought so, and his just perfect mood suddenly fell to the bottom.
[Do not panic, host. This system has successfully evolved. The luxury gift pack I prepared includes Jashin's life itself. Since it has delivered itself to us, allow me to handle this for you!]
The system's voice sounded more humane, devoid of its prior mechanical tone. It even seemed to exude an air of intelligence.
Hearing this, Naruto's mood shifted instantly, "Then hurry up and act!"
[Yes, sir!]
The moment the system finished speaking, a radiant, multicolored halo appeared in the sky, transforming into a massive crystal coffin. Jashin was sealed within it in an instant.
"What is this? You think this can trap me?"
Jashin snorted coldly, and countless purple-black flames emanated from his body. However, the moment these flames touched the nine-colored radiance of the crystal coffin, they vanished into nothingness.
Not only that, but the radiant light spread toward Jashin, causing his enormous form to dissipate at a speed visible to the naked eye.
At the same time, Naruto felt an immense surge of spiritual power and faith power.
"This is…"
Naruto was both stunned and ecstatic.
[Friendly Reminder: All energy derived from eliminating Jashin will be transferred to the host. The system hope the host enjoys this gift!]
"Enjoy it? Of course, I will!"
Naruto laughed heartily, 'The system had clearly become more considerate, sharing its rewards generously.'
Like a whale drinking deeply, Naruto absorbed the influx of energy. His spiritual power grew incomparably vast and indestructible.
"No! I, the Jashin, cannot perish in such a lowly world!"
Jashin roared unwillingly, but he couldn't even muster the strength to self-destruct. In the end, his form was completely devoured by the nine-colored light.
The crystal coffin shrank, transforming into a fist-sized gem.
[Jashin has ruled for eons. This is his divine core, something only a first-tier god can possess!]
Hearing the system's words, Naruto's eyes lit up, 'So gods were ranked, and I was currently at the weakest, third tier. With this divine core, I could refine it into my very being. This would elevate me to not just a first-tier god, but possibly the pinnacle… a supreme Thunder God!'
His heart pounded with excitement, and for the first time, Naruto felt genuine appreciation for the system.
…
A year passed in the blink of an eye. Naruto had finally refined the divine core and ascended to become the supreme Thunder God.
Now only fifteen years old, his life had barely begun, yet he had already reached the summit of power.
His strength was unmatched in the Naruto world. Even if the entire Otsutsuki Clan descended, he had nothing to fear.
Every inch of his body was forged from the purest golden lightning, and even a single glance from him could obliterate Kage-level opponents.
As he opened the door to his room, two rows of people stood outside. On the left were his loyal servants, on the right, his subordinates.
"Congratulations, Naruto-kun!"
Their voices boomed like thunder, resounding through the halls of the Thunder God Temple.
That's right, during his year-long seclusion, Naruto had not let his subordinates idle.
He had tasked them with constructing the Thunder God Temple to gather endless faith from the world.
After returning the Biju to their respective villages, the Five Great Shinobi Villages were the first to pledge their support for the temple's construction.
With Kakuzu's unparalleled wealth and the backing of numerous powerful individuals, no one dared to oppose the temple's expansion.
Now, Thunder God Temples were scattered across the world. The main temple, however, was not located in Otogakure, but rather in Konoha.
With Naruto's Divine Sense spanning the entire Naruto World, he could teleport anywhere in an instant. He chose Konoha for one simple reason: to be closer to Hinata.
Naruto's servants and subordinates were all pursuing their own dreams and talents. The Thunder God Temple operated smoothly, and even Wartortle had become its official divine beast.
With his achievements cemented, Naruto realized all he lacked was someone to share his life with… a 'chief lady' for his domain.
As cherry blossoms drifted through the air, Naruto's thoughts stirred, and he found himself at the Hyuga Clan's compound.
There, he saw Hinata training diligently, her sweat glistening under the sun.
A small smile tugged at Naruto's lips, "Hey, beautiful. On such a lovely day, isn't it a shame to waste it training? How about going to see the cherry blossoms with me?"
Hinata froze for a moment, turning her head. As she did, the cherry blossoms cascaded around her.
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and her voice was barely audible: "Naruto-kun, I... I'd love to..."
Naruto grinned, "What was that? I couldn't quite hear you."
Hinata took a deep breath, cupped her hands around her mouth, and summoned all her courage to shout, "Naruto-kun, I WOULD LOVE TO!"
END OF NOVEL.