CHAPTER 7 – The Last Rebirth
The battlefield had gone quiet.
The ash, the broken weapons, the charred earth — all that remained of the allied shinobi force stretched endlessly around them. There were no cries, no explosions, no clash of jutsu. Only the faint, ragged breaths of the five who still stood.
Boruto. Sarada. Kawaki.
Naruto. Sasuke.
And across from them… Shukuyomi.
The Otsutsuki progenitor's feet touched the ground for the first time in the battle. He did not rush. He did not posture. He simply walked, his white robes moving like mist, his eyes glowing like twin black holes with golden rings.
> Shukuyomi: "Finally… the noise has ended. Now, only the truth remains."
Boruto's grip tightened on his sword. "Don't get cocky—" He lunged, Rasengan burning in his other hand. The sphere slammed into Shukuyomi's chest — and passed straight through him, scattering like smoke.
Boruto froze. "What—?"
Sarada didn't hesitate. "Fire Style! Great Fireball Jutsu!" The inferno engulfed him, but the flames parted harmlessly, as though refusing to burn.
Kawaki's arm transformed mid-charge, black seals spiraling as he struck with a killing blow. Again — nothing.
Shukuyomi's lips curved in the faintest smirk.
> Shukuyomi: "You three… you were never meant to touch me."
He turned his gaze — and for the first time, there was a weight to it. A respect, almost.
> Shukuyomi: "But you two…" (his eyes locked on Naruto and Sasuke) "…your essence is older than this star, older than the very soil beneath it. I know you."
Naruto's brow furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?"
> Shukuyomi: "Do you think your story began with Hagoromo? Foolish children. You… were my first enemies. Before there were shinobi, before chakra itself was shaped by humans, you wounded me. Your names… have not been spoken aloud for a hundred thousand years."
He whispered them.
Ancient syllables that felt like thunder inside their skulls, alien yet familiar. Naruto staggered — images flashing through his mind: a battlefield of crystal skies, an alien sea, and a younger self, golden-eyed, standing beside a dark-haired warrior with twin blades.
Sasuke's vision was the same — a war on a world that no longer existed, their enemies wearing the same pale eyes and horns.
Boruto's voice trembled. "Dad…?"
Naruto looked at him — and smiled sadly. "…Guess this fight's been going on a lot longer than I thought."
Shukuyomi's calm expression sharpened.
> Shukuyomi: "And now… it will end. Permanently."
He blurred forward — faster than lightning. Naruto and Sasuke blocked in unison, the shockwave tearing the sky apart. The clash threw all five across the battlefield.
Boruto coughed blood. Sarada's leg trembled as she stood. Kawaki's breathing was ragged.
The three of them looked at each other — no words. They already knew.
Boruto stepped toward Naruto. "This is your fight now, old man. Always was."
Naruto shook his head. "No way I'm letting you—"
But Boruto was already glowing — his chakra pouring out, gold and blue, burning brighter than the sun.
Sarada's voice was steady as she walked to Sasuke. "…Sensei. You've always fought for everyone. Let us fight for you, just this once." Her Sharingan burned as her chakra joined Boruto's light.
Kawaki placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "…You gave me a reason to live. I'll give you the strength to win."
The light swelled, engulfing them all. Their life force flowed into Naruto and Sasuke like twin rivers — gold and black flames intertwining, wrapping around them in spirals.
Shukuyomi paused mid-step, eyes narrowing for the first time. "…No… you wouldn't dare—"
Naruto roared as his eyes snapped open — Gold Byakugan, blazing like miniature suns. The pattern shifted — Gold Tenseigan — and back again, switching at will. His chakra shook the dimension.
Sasuke raised his head — dual Rinnegan, both eyes burning with Otsutsuki energy, tomoe spinning in an endless whirl.
Shukuyomi's smirk was gone. "…Ah. The anomalies… perfected."
Naruto cracked his knuckles. "You talk too much."
Sasuke drew his sword, lightning dancing along the blade. "…Let's end this."
The ground split as they launched forward — the real fight had just begun.
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