Obito held the blood-streaked goggles in his hand, scoffing as he turned towards Sasuke.
"Sasuke, don't get up. We're leaving."
Sasuke took one last look at Konoha, watching the golden blur darting across the battlefield in the distance.
Hmph.
Naruto, our grudge isn't over yet.
Without another word, Susanoo's spectral hand reached out, pulling Karin to his side. He glanced at Obito and muttered, "Let's go. I have questions for you later."
Obito nodded. Sasuke dismissed his Susanoo, and within moments, the swirling void of Kamui enveloped them, sucking them into the abyss.
On the high platform, Haruno Sakura broke free from the grip of the Jōnin guarding her. Without hesitation, she leaped down, landing beside Kakashi. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw the bleeding, empty socket where his Sharingan used to be.
"Kakashi-sensei, why did you do this?! Without that eye, your strength will..." She trailed off, already channeling her medical ninjutsu to stop the bleeding.
Kakashi exhaled deeply, his body relaxing as the immediate battle tension faded. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he turned to Naruto, his lone eye filled with exhaustion.
Naruto, seeing the empty socket, clenched his fists. "Sensei... your left eye… was that Obito's?"
Kakashi waved a hand dismissively. "No, Naruto. I removed it myself. I gave it to him. I know it makes him stronger, but I refuse to owe him anything."
Naruto fell silent. In his past life, he recalled how Kakashi had been far more broken when he confronted Obito. Kakashi had blamed himself for everything, for Rin's death, for Obito's fall into darkness. In that life, when Obito struck, Kakashi hadn't even tried to dodge.
Naruto sighed. "Why put yourself through this, Sensei?"
Kakashi chuckled bitterly. "At least now, I've finally left the Kannabi Bridge behind."
Naruto met his gaze, nodding. "That's good."
He knew that letting go was sometimes the best thing someone could do. The era of the Copy Ninja Kakashi was over, but the legend of the White Fang's successor would never fade.
As he watched Obito disappear, Naruto realized that maybe, just maybe, Kakashi wouldn't visit those graves as often anymore.
Suddenly, a deep voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Naruto, that guy Sasuke... I held him off, but he ran. That masked bastard took him."
Naruto turned to see Killer Bee approaching, his expression neutral but his eyes watchful.
Naruto clapped Bee on the shoulder. "You did great, old man."
Two sharp whistles cut through the air, and within moments, Jiraiya and Tsunade landed nearby, their faces unreadable.
Jiraiya crossed his arms. "Naruto, don't you have something to say to us?"
Tsunade nodded. "Yes. You already knew the masked man's true identity, didn't you? Why didn't you tell us?"
Naruto smirked. "Because if I had, you wouldn't have believed me. And if I told you outright, I wouldn't have been able to get rid of Danzo so cleanly."
Tsunade listened as an ANBU member delivered a report behind her. It confirmed that Danzo was dead at Sasuke's hands, along with several of his most trusted Root operatives.
She exhaled. "I see."
Naruto met her gaze. "With Danzo gone, there shouldn't be any major resistance left inside Konoha. The two remaining elders will fall in line after this."
Jiraiya frowned. "That still doesn't explain why you went off on your own, why you did things that—let's be honest—made no damn sense. If you just trusted us, we could've worked together."
Naruto's smirk turned cold. "You're my master for a reason. You're sharp."
Jiraiya sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Damn, kid. You've really changed. I always thought of you as this loud, reckless idiot. Never imagined you'd start playing politics."
Naruto's expression darkened slightly. "I didn't have a choice. The world won't change if I just believe in it. People have to grow."
Tsunade stepped forward, arms crossed. "So tell me, Naruto—why? Why did you leave Konoha? Why did you do all of this?"
Naruto's expression grew serious. "Because I was preparing for the real war."
Killer Bee stepped beside him. "I swear on the name of Kumogakure and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki—Naruto speaks the truth."
Jiraiya studied Bee for a moment before narrowing his eyes. "Why do you trust him so much?"
Bee grinned. "'Cause I saw it, old man. Naruto's evolution showed me the future. And Gyūki believes in him too. If my partner trusts him, then I trust him."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "Evolution? You mean, Naruto, you can evolve? Show me. If that's true, Konoha will back you completely."
Naruto shook his head. "You wouldn't be able to see it. You've never touched the Sage of Six Paths' chakra. Bee could see it because Gyūki had. You wouldn't understand it—not yet."
His voice lowered. "Besides, now isn't the time. The Five Kage Summit hasn't happened yet. The Alliance isn't fully formed. Obito is still moving his pieces. For now, I have to play the role of the enemy—force everyone to unite."
Tsunade frowned. "Like Itachi. Watching the world from the shadows."
Naruto chuckled, flashing his trademark grin. "Nah, I'm not Itachi. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. My ending's gonna be a lot better than his."
As the tension in the air slowly eased, Naruto sensed the fading urgency in the village. The battle was over—for now.
The golden glow of his chakra cloak dissipated as he released the Shadow Clone technique, allowing the Nine-Tails' power to recede. His body relaxed, but his mind remained sharp.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Jiraiya. "Oh yeah, Pervy Sage—your arm. Shizune can graft one for you using your own cells. No need to go around missing a limb."
Jiraiya grumbled. "Damn brat. Always so considerate."
Naruto smirked. "As for you, Kakashi-sensei... your eye. I'll find a way to replace it."
Kakashi gave a weary nod. "I won't hold my breath, but thanks, Naruto."
Naruto turned back to the group, giving them one final look before stepping beside Killer Bee. "Well then, I'll be heading back."
He raised a hand in farewell. "Sakura, Grandma Tsunade… later."
And with that, Naruto and Bee vanished in a flash, leaving the battlefield behind.
The war wasn't over yet.
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