Hearing Naruto's answer—exactly as expected—
Sasuke let out a quiet sigh in his heart.
As I thought… Naruto.
You'll never choose a path that requires sacrificing someone.
Even now—cornered by enemies within and without—you still won't compromise on that principle.
Kawaki…
Even if he might one day become the trigger for the disaster Kakashi saw through Obito's genjutsu—
Until that future becomes reality,
Naruto would never treat him as a criminal.
Yes—
That "future" Kakashi described included everything.
Eida's omnipotence spiraling out of control because of Kawaki.
The chaos that followed.
The calamity of the Ten-Tails clones.
But for Naruto and Sasuke—
Those visions lacked something crucial.
Reality.
Weight.
Even if they forced themselves to accept it logically—
Emotionally, it hadn't fully taken root.
And nowhere was that clearer than in Naruto.
He believed in Isshiki—
Because Isshiki's existence was undeniable.
But everything else?
He was still hesitant.
Half-believing.
Half-doubting.
Sasuke, on the other hand, couldn't fully believe it either—
But he was forcing himself to think in the worst-case scenario.
Naruto suddenly smiled and patted Sasuke's shoulder.
"Sasuke… I know what you're worried about."
"People can change."
"I can tell—Kawaki's a good kid at heart."
"He just needs guidance."
"If, in that future without Uchiha Akira, Kawaki ended up hurting us…"
"Then this time—I'll give him ten times… no, a hundred times more care and love."
"I'll make sure he never goes down that path."
For a moment—
Sasuke saw a reflection of the past.
The Naruto who had once saved him.
And that… worried him.
Is Kawaki really the same as I was?
The power in Kawaki's palm—
The Kāma, meant for Isshiki's resurrection—
Was far more dangerous than Orochimaru's cursed seal had ever been.
If it spiraled out of control—
Even he and Naruto, in their current state…
Might not be able to stop it.
And beyond Kawaki—
Sasuke's mind was tangled with doubts.
Akira…
Blinding Naruto. Cutting off my arm.
Were those really just impulsive actions?
Or… did he predict that Kabuto would restore us?
Or worse… is Kabuto involved somehow?
And if Kabuto is… what about Orochimaru?
Even after investigating… there were no signs of manipulation…
Can I trust that anymore?
And Shikamaru… why did Akira specifically target him?
Boruto… Sarada… Mitsuki…
Are they in Akira's Hidden Shadow Village right now?
Are they safe?
Or… are they being used?
Sasuke felt it clearly—
His perspective was too limited.
Too narrow.
With the Rinnegan, he could uncover answers.
If he chose to abandon restraint—
He could extract memories directly.
The Human Path.
He had mastered it to a degree Akira likely hadn't yet.
But…
Naruto's principles as Hokage—
Had become his own restraint.
Binding him.
Limiting him.
…If I were my old self…
I could have cut through all of this.
Troubles like these wouldn't even exist.
Sasuke exhaled softly.
Then spoke:
"…Naruto."
"If this is your decision…"
"I'll support you. Fully."
Naruto froze.
Then—
For the first time in ten days—
He smiled.
Sasuke felt something ease in his chest.
"…How does it feel?" he asked.
"The Sharingan."
Naruto blinked.
"…Honestly? The world looks clearer than ever."
"So this is what the Uchiha see all the time? Feels like cheating."
Sasuke smirked faintly.
"You've seen nothing yet."
"With Mangekyō… it's even sharper."
For a brief moment—
They relaxed.
Breathing in a rare sense of peace.
Neither of them noticed—
In the shadows of the forest—
Kawaki stood.
His face shrouded in darkness.
Then—
He turned.
And left.
His fingers dug into the bark of a tree—
Leaving deep, jagged marks behind.
The Seventh Hokage treats me like his own son…
That kindness… is everything to me.
He's the brightest person I've ever known.
I don't know what Kakashi told him…
But from Sasuke's reaction…
It must have been about whether I deserve to stay by his side.
I know…
To everyone here… I'm still an outsider.
And I know… staying with him will only bring more trouble.
Because of my selfishness…
I hid the truth—that Isshiki is Jigen.
And because of that…
He fought Uchiha Akira.
People died.
The village suffered.
He must know by now…
But he didn't blame me.
…I can't accept that.
I can't forgive myself.
He took a slow breath.
Maybe… leaving is the right choice.
I won't drag them down.
But then—
His hand moved to his chest.
He pulled out a crumpled photo.
A family photo.
Recovered from the ruins of Naruto's home.
His eyes settled on the blond boy in the picture—
Grinning, carefree.
"…Uzumaki Boruto."
"I envy you."
"You got to grow up beside him."
"I don't know why you left…"
"Why you chose Uchiha Akira over him…"
"But I won't allow anyone to hurt the Seventh Hokage."
He folded the photo carefully—
Placed it inside his clothes.
Then looked at his palm.
The Kāma.
"…That boy—Feng."
"He has a Kāma too."
"I resonated with him once."
"I can feel… where he is."
"That's Akira's base."
"The Hidden Shadow Village."
"…That's where Boruto is."
His eyes sharpened.
"I'll find you."
"I'll beat you down if I have to."
"And I'll ask you—why."
"Why you chose to hurt him."
"If you've truly become his enemy…"
"I'll kill you myself."
"…So he doesn't have to."
"But if you have a reason—"
"I'll bring you back."
"Let you face him."
"…And then I'll return."
"To the cage I belong in."
"Boruto…"
"Wait for me."
"I'm coming."
—
Elsewhere.
A spatial rift opened.
"Whoosh—"
Jigen stepped through.
He walked past a wall etched with the Kara emblem—
Then stopped before a massive sealed cage.
Floating upward—
He met its gaze.
A monstrous eye.
Deep red.
Rippled.
Six tomoe embedded in its rings.
The Ten-Tails.
It snarled—
A grotesque, hunger-filled roar shaking the cage itself.
Jigen only smiled.
Calm.
Almost gentle.
"Not yet."
"It's not your time to devour me."
"Lend me your power."
The Kāma spread across his body.
"Zzz—!"
A torrent of crimson chakra surged upward—
Pouring into his hand.
"Boom—!"
His form shifted.
A horn grew from his head.
Power surged—
Then vanished just as quickly.
"…Strange."
"I can't directly open a portal to Kawaki."
"It's as if… something is blocking it."
"Did Konoha tamper with the Kāma?"
"Crack—"
He rolled his neck.
Smiling.
"Ah well…"
"Let's pay a visit."
"To Konoha's two 'shadows.'"
"And retrieve…"
"My disobedient vessel."
He chuckled softly.
"Heh… heh…"
The horn of calamity—
Had begun to sound.
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