After reaching reconciliation, Returned Naruto and Innocent Naruto sat down for a heartfelt conversation beneath the Falls of Truth.
Sharing a single body was never a sustainable solution.
Thus, Innocent Naruto chose to leave.
Returned Naruto asked, "Do you have someone you wish to protect?"
Innocent Naruto replied, "Someone I want to protect? There are too many to count. Honestly, I still want to protect everyone."
To protect everyone—what once was stubbornness had now become a cherished belief. Innocent Naruto was no longer innocent.
Returned Naruto patted Innocent Naruto on the shoulder and said, "That's impossible, you know. Pick one person. As for those you can't protect, there's me and our comrades to look after them."
It was decided.
After serious contemplation, Innocent Naruto made his choice.
Whoosh!
His body began to dissolve into particles of light.
Returned Naruto stood up to bid him farewell.
Innocent Naruto: "Promise me one last thing!"
Returned Naruto: "Say it. I'll promise as many things as you want!"
Innocent Naruto: "No matter what Sasuke becomes in the end, in the very end, you must, you absolutely must, bring him back to the right path!"
Returned Naruto: "Do you even need to ask? He's our most important friend!"
Innocent Naruto: "Protect our home. Don't let that future repeat itself!"
Returned Naruto: "I will!"
Before disappearing completely, Innocent Naruto mouthed a silent message.
Returned Naruto understood the words, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "I understand."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Whoosh! The original Naruto, Innocent Naruto, scattered into particles of light.
A single tear slid down the cheek of Returned Naruto.
It was the tear of a final farewell to the innocent version of himself.
At 4 a.m., the village of Konoha was enveloped in silence.
In the back mountains, however, Hinata had just finished her training from the previous day.
Since parting ways with Naruto in the Land of Iron, she had resolved that no matter what happened to him, she would become someone who could stand by his side.
But currently, her strength was barely enough to protect herself.
So, she had to become stronger!
Exhausted from her training, Hinata fell asleep leaning against a wooden post.
Whoosh!
Particles of light, like fireflies, gathered to form the phantom of Innocent Naruto. He gazed at the sleeping Hinata, wanting to reach out and touch her cheek, but he pulled his hand back.
He was about to leave, but leaving did not mean disappearing—it meant becoming a new form of strength.
Hinata, I will use my chakra and soul to unlock the true power of your Byakugan.
Whoosh!
The crystalline light formed by Innocent Naruto's chakra and soul flowed into Hinata's eyes.
"Mmm..." Hinata's closed eyelids trembled as she opened her eyes.
"Naruto-kun?" Seeing the fading phantom before her, and as Naruto's chakra and soul merged with her, Hinata understood what had happened to him.
Naruto, whether in the past, the present, or the future, I will always be with you. Leaving these gentle words behind, Innocent Naruto's form completely dissipated.
Tears streamed down Hinata's face.
Sizzle! Her Byakugan, now cleansed of its former limitations, transformed into a radiant orange color.
The awakening of the Tenseigan was not merely through methods like Toneri's, which involved merging multiple Byakugan. Such an approach was ultimately inferior.
For one with pure Hamura lineage to receive the nourishment of pure Hagoromo lineage chakra and soul—this was the authentic way to awaken the Tenseigan.
Knowing this from Returned Naruto's memories, Innocent Naruto decided to help Hinata in his own way, granting her a power she never had in her previous life. He also wanted her to understand everything that had led to this moment.
Unlike Returned Naruto, Innocent Naruto lacked the unyielding resolve to leave Hinata in uncertainty and waiting.
At this point, no further explanations were necessary.
Hinata Hyuga, gentle yet strong, said firmly: "Naruto-kun, I will use this power you've given me to protect Konoha, to protect everyone in the village. And then, I will wait patiently, no matter how long it takes, for the day you fulfill your wish and come back to take me home!"
Under the Falls of Truth, Naruto opened his eyes. He knew that the innocent version of himself had left his body and, in his own way, continued to safeguard the people and things most important to him.
Naruto stood up and extended his hand.
Whoosh!
The waterfall split into two, revealing an entrance to the depths beyond.
Seeing this, Yamato, who stood behind him, was shocked. "This is...?!"
Orochimaru smirked. "The Paradise Island isn't just a simple training ground for jinchūriki to control their tailed beasts. The area behind the Falls of Truth is the true battleground for jinchūriki and their tailed beasts. So, Naruto-kun, will you proceed?"
Naruto said resolutely, "I've come this far; there's no reason to stop now. Orochimaru, I'll leave what I entrusted to you in your hands!"
"Of course~" Orochimaru replied with a cryptic smile and followed Naruto into the area behind the waterfall.
What kind of secret are these two hiding? Yamato, filled with unease, followed them as well.
The battle wasn't over—it was just beginning!
What awaited Naruto ahead were challenges both familiar and entirely new!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to ( 61 ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!