"Naruto," Sasuke said, his voice softer than before, "I'm leaving. I want to take a careful look at this world."
Naruto froze for a moment, then smiled faintly. There was something complicated in that smile—but more than anything, understanding.
"When?" he asked. "I'll see you off."
"Now," Sasuke replied without hesitation. "I'm going."
He said no more. Turning, he leapt away, his figure vanishing after only a few bounds.
Karin lingered a moment longer, her gaze roaming over Naruto with open curiosity, as if assessing something unseen.
Only after a brief pause did she withdraw her attention—almost reluctantly—before springing lightly after Sasuke.
For now, Sasuke still held more appeal for her than this newly intriguing Naruto.
Naruto remained where he stood for a long time, staring at the direction Sasuke had disappeared. The evening wind stirred his blond hair, shadowing his eyes.
Neji watched him in silence, the unease in his heart growing heavier.
At last, he spoke.
"Naruto… haven't you always wanted to bring Sasuke back to Konoha?"
Why, then, was he simply watching him leave?
For years, that had been Naruto's near-obsession.
Naruto's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Yes.
Once, all he had wanted was to bring Sasuke home—and become Hokage. To earn acknowledgment.
That simple, burning dream had carried him through countless hardships.
But now…
He turned slowly, a smile curving his lips—one Neji couldn't quite read. There was no regret. No confusion.
Instead, it looked like relief after laying down a burden—and the sprouting of something stronger.
"Sasuke," Naruto said quietly, his gaze clear, "has already come back."
He offered no explanation.
Passing Neji, he leapt down from the rooftop and walked in the opposite direction of Sasuke, his steps steady as he disappeared into the deepening night.
Neji remained alone atop the empty roof.
The wind blew colder.
He looked once toward Naruto's path, then toward where Sasuke had gone.
In the end, only a long sigh escaped him.
"Naruto… I understand you less and less."
But what unsettled him more was the quiet dread spreading through his chest.
"And yet… I feel uneasy."
Across the shinobi world, voices rose in debate.
"Naruto and Sasuke… they've both changed."
"That look in Naruto's eyes—it's freezing. There's nothing left of that loudmouthed kid."
"Of course! After everything he's been through? Hero's son raised as a monster? The fact he didn't tear down the Hokage Tower on the spot shows restraint!"
"I think his reaction is normal. But Sasuke…"
"An Uchiha letting Danzō walk away when he's one of the culprits behind the massacre? That's wrong. Very wrong."
"It's that girl's doing! She swapped the chakra of Asura and Indra! And she's still following Sasuke—who knows what she's planning!"
Somewhere in the shinobi world.
"As I wished… Sasuke became Konoha's 'protector.'"
Itachi Uchiha's voice was hoarse and dry.
He saw Sasuke's maturity.
And he saw what lay beneath it—strings.
Had everything he sacrificed truly resulted in this? A younger brother who had lost the burning core of his own will, reduced to a symbol… a tool?
A violent cough seized him. He covered his mouth; dark blood seeped between his fingers.
"…But that was my plan for Sasuke as well, wasn't it?"
For the first time—
Itachi's resolve cracked.
He could manipulate Sasuke himself.
But he would never allow anyone else to do the same.
Even if the outcome mirrored his own design.
Konoha.
Sasuke clenched his fists so tightly his nails bit into his palms, blood dripping between his fingers.
"No… I wouldn't let him go."
"He's one of those responsible for the Uchiha Clan's destruction."
His voice was low, almost feral.
That future felt alien.
And terrifying.
Karin?
That woman deserved to die.
Elsewhere in the village—
Naruto repeatedly pressed a hand to his stomach, whispering softly, filled with yearning.
"Dad… Mom… are you really… inside me?"
Hokage's Office.
The atmosphere was glacial.
Tsunade slammed her fist onto the desk.
"Look at this! Look at what your 'partner' has done!" she snarled. "Danzō! Again! In that future, he's one of the ones who pushes Naruto to the brink of destroying everything!"
"This is your so-called 'Root'? Your 'necessary darkness'?!"
The Third Hokage drew deeply from his pipe. Smoke obscured his aged, weary face.
The heavenly projection continued—
Hyūga Clan Compound.
Neji stood respectfully before Hiashi Hyūga, recounting in detail his encounter with Naruto and Danzō.
After listening, Hiashi spoke calmly.
"Naruto is indeed the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
Neji's head snapped up.
"Then… what Danzō said—about the Third Hokage permitting, even directing, the concealment of Naruto's lineage and allowing him to grow up isolated… is that true?"
Hiashi did not answer directly.
He lifted his teacup, his gaze deep.
"Do not believe everything people say. Instead… watch what they do."
Neji repeated quietly, "Watch… what they do?"
"Yes."
Hiashi set down the cup, his tone steady—yet edged with cold clarity.
"The Third Hokage spoke many fine words. The Will of Fire. Bonds. The village as family."
"Stirring words. Enough to move people to tears. Enough to make them fight and die."
A faint, humorless smile crossed his face.
"But look at his actions. Permitting—perhaps even encouraging—the neglect of a hero's son. Tolerating many of Danzō's deeds through Root. And during the Uchiha incident…"
His gaze shifted toward Hokage Rock.
"And when Orochimaru invaded Konoha, and the Third Hokage faced his former student alone—did you see reinforcements arrive in time?"
Neji's pupils contracted slightly.
He remembered that battle well.
The Third Hokage's final stand had been tragic and heroic.
But in hindsight… the village's defensive response had indeed felt strangely delayed.
Seeing the complex realization forming in Neji's eyes—shock, doubt, then something darker—Hiashi gave a subtle nod.
"The minds of those in power are entangled and layered."
"'The greater good' and 'stability' often become convenient excuses—for enforcing one's own will… and preserving one's authority."
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