"The Uchiha's Sharingan has a forbidden technique like Izanagi."
Naruto's voice was calm, almost casual.
"Danzo likely knows how to use it."
His gaze fell on the arm wrapped in bandages.
"These eyes can't stay with him."
"Otherwise…"
"He'll fake his death and escape."
Before anyone could react—
Naruto moved.
Pop—pop—pop!
The crimson Sharingan embedded in Danzo's arm were violently torn free, ripped out one by one as if pulled by an invisible force.
They shot through the air—
And landed directly in Uchiha Fugaku's hands.
Fugaku froze, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"AAAAAHHH—!"
Danzo's scream tore through the silence.
His arm began to twist and mutate violently. Flesh split apart as green branches burst outward, writhing like living serpents.
The power of Hashirama's cells—
Had lost control.
Danzo struggled desperately, forcing chakra into his arm to suppress the rampant growth.
But the pain—
Was unbearable.
Naruto watched calmly, as if observing an experiment.
"Using Sharingan to suppress Wood Style…" he murmured.
"Interesting idea."
A faint pause.
"But without the strength to control it—"
"You're just digging your own grave."
Tobirama stepped forward.
With a single, clean motion—
He severed Danzo's arm.
The screams stopped.
The detached limb hit the ground—
And in the next instant—
It erupted.
Wood spread rapidly, forming a dense forest that consumed the flesh entirely, devouring it as if it had never existed.
Silence fell.
Even the Uchiha—
Who moments ago burned with anger—
Said nothing.
Fear had replaced everything.
Tobirama turned slowly toward Naruto.
"…Who are you?"
Naruto waved a hand dismissively.
"Just a passerby."
"I came on a whim."
A faint smile appeared.
"Actually…"
"I'm here to take a disciple."
His gaze shifted.
Landing on Neji.
"Time's up."
"You made a promise."
Neji stepped forward without hesitation, his expression firm.
"I'll go with you."
"Neji—!"
Hizashi's voice broke with panic.
But Hiashi raised a hand, stopping him.
"…Let him go."
"It will be good for him."
Hizashi hesitated—
Then lowered his head.
Neji approached Naruto respectfully.
Naruto's eyes moved to his forehead.
The Caged Bird Seal.
A symbol of control.
Of division.
Of bondage.
Naruto lifted his hand—
And casually wiped it away.
Gone.
"…What?!"
The Hyuga clan erupted.
The branch family stood stunned.
The main family—
Was furious.
That mark—
Was the foundation of their entire system.
Naruto scoffed.
"Clan hierarchy? Caged Bird?"
"Ridiculous."
"You think this protects your bloodline?"
His gaze swept across them, filled with cold disdain.
"If someone really wanted your bloodline…"
"They'd just seduce one of your members."
"One night is all it takes."
His voice sharpened.
"Tell me—"
"Can your seal control a child in the womb?"
Silence.
Absolute.
No one spoke.
No one could.
Even Tobirama—
Fell into thought.
Because for the first time—
He realized something undeniable.
It didn't make sense.
Bloodlines—
Could not be controlled so simply.
Naruto continued, his tone cold and decisive.
"The entire system is flawed."
"Completely illogical."
The Hyuga stood frozen.
Shaken to their core.
For the first time—
They questioned everything.
Naruto turned away.
"Neji. Let's go."
"Wait!"
Hiashi stepped forward suddenly.
He pulled a small girl forward.
Hinata.
"…Take her too."
Naruto paused.
Hiashi bowed his head slightly.
"She will benefit from it."
"And Neji won't be alone."
But beneath those words—
Was something deeper.
He understood.
Naruto's strength—
Was beyond comprehension.
If Hinata followed him—
Her future would change completely.
Naruto looked at the girl.
Hesitated.
Across countless timelines—
Hinata existed in many forms.
Different paths.
Different destinies.
Were they all the same person?
Or entirely different individuals?
Naruto closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
"…Fine."
Hiashi exhaled in relief.
Hinata stepped forward timidly.
She glanced at Naruto—
A strange sense of familiarity stirred within her.
Then she looked at Neji—
And felt at ease.
Naruto raised his hand.
Space twisted.
A spiral distortion formed.
In the next instant—
They vanished.
---
"Was that… space-time ninjutsu?!"
"Like the Flying Thunder God?!"
"No… it's different."
The crowd stood in stunned silence.
For most—
It was the first time witnessing such power.
---
At the Valley of the End—
Waterfalls roared endlessly.
The towering statues stood in silent opposition.
Naruto appeared.
Neji and Hinata beside him.
"This will be your home."
With a simple gesture—
A house rose from the ground.
Complete.
Furnished.
Perfect.
Naruto smiled faintly.
"You won't be using it much."
Something in his tone—
Made Neji's spine stiffen.
Hinata blinked in confusion.
Naruto snapped his fingers.
Two massive barriers appeared over the lake.
Sealed.
Mysterious.
Each with a single entrance.
"You each choose one."
"Inside—"
"You'll learn how to become strong."
"The path is already prepared."
"How far you go…"
"Depends on you."
Naruto's gaze locked onto Neji.
"If you don't want to watch your father die again…"
"Then give everything you have."
Neji's eyes hardened.
Without hesitation—
He stepped forward.
And entered.
Naruto turned to Hinata.
His voice softened.
"Do you want your father's approval?"
"Do you want to change yourself?"
"Do you want to become strong… and confident?"
Hinata trembled.
Then—
She nodded.
Naruto gently guided her forward.
She paused—
Turning back one last time.
She saw his gaze.
Calm.
Encouraging.
And then—
She stepped inside.
The entrances sealed.
Silence returned.
And just like that—
Their journeys had begun.
-------------------------
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