The summary is: I fight you because we're on opposite sides, that's all.
Kurama nods, not bad for someone I approve of.
Kaguya glances at Kurama, then at Naruto, and finally fixes her gaze on Sasuke: "Aren't you going to say something?"
"What? Thoughts before the battle?" Sasuke snorts. "I don't need that stuff. To me, the meaning of this fight is just to beat you. I once promised Naruto that if he lost his ability as a ninja, I'd take his place as Hokage. If he becomes a shadow, then he can protect the people he wants to protect, and I... I'll protect him."
"He's fighting you because he wants to protect the people he cares about, and I'm fighting you for the same reason... except I'm a bit more selfish than him."
"Because I only want to protect him and the village. As for everyone else... whatever."
Sasuke shrugs, clearly not caring about anyone else at all.
But that's normal too. After all these years of Kurama's guidance, Sasuke isn't as full of hate and revenge anymore, but he's still Sasuke. He won't fight for people he doesn't even know without a good reason.
Maybe in the future he will, but right now, he's still that Sasuke.
He doesn't care about anything except Naruto and the village.
"Tsk tsk tsk..." Kurama clicks his tongue.
Before he can say anything, Sasuke cuts him off first: "Kurama, shut up."
Kurama: ???
What the hell did I even say?
This short temper of mine!
Kurama is about to mock Sasuke when he sees Naruto next to him looking all touched, like he's about to cry: "You actually put me on the same level as the village, Sasuke. I'm so moved..."
As he says it, he suddenly senses something off, freezes up, and looks at Sasuke in horror: "You don't really have feelings for me, do you?"
Kurama: Pfft...
Sasuke: "..."
Kurama covers his mouth and chuckles: "That's not what I said."
Sasuke's face darkens as he grips his long sword tightly with his right hand: "Naruto, shut up!"
Naruto covers his mouth, looking totally innocent.
Kaguya just watches the three of them interact, simply observing.
Sasuke rolls his eyes: "Anyway, no matter what, this battle is coming to an end. It's been going on for over half a year... it should be over now."
"Half a year?"
Naruto is full of question marks.
"It might just be my imagination." Sasuke replies without thinking.
Kurama strokes his chin and nods in agreement: "Yeah, I feel the same. It's like this fight has been dragging on for half a year, from February this year until now. Must be an illusion." M.I.
As the words fall, the three of them turn to look at Kaguya in the distance, their bodies filled with fighting spirit.
Yes... it should end now.
Below, Hashirama and Madara stand beside Sakura, with Kakashi passed out on the ground.
Hashirama strokes his chin and looks up: "We really don't need to help?"
"No need to join in anymore." Madara crosses his arms, his face calm. "This battle wasn't meant to be ended by old guys like us. The new world... better leave it to the new generation."
Hearing Madara's words, Hashirama looks shocked: "Madara? Are you... really Madara?"
He's stunned. Madara saying something like that? Has he been possessed?
Madara glances at Hashirama: "Hashirama, shut up."
Hashirama: "..."
His whole body turns ashen, and he squats down next to Kakashi with a face full of black lines.
"Hmph..." Madara hums in satisfaction, then turns to Sakura beside him. "Your power isn't that strong, but you can still join this battle."
Sakura clenches her fists, takes a deep breath, and smiles happily. But after hearing Madara's words, she shakes her head without hesitation: "If I go up there, I'll just drag Naruto and Sasuke down. They'd have to hold back on big ninjutsu because of me... So staying here is the best way I can help them."
"Hoh~" Madara makes an ambiguous sound. "No regrets?"
"Of course I do." Sakura smiles back. "Not fighting alongside my teammates, or even being a burden right next to them—how could I not regret that?"
"But this is what I should do." Looking at Naruto and Sasuke's backs, Sakura's face is full of pride. "I'm a medical ninja. I have my own role to play. Whether they need me or not, what I should do now is wait for them to come back, then treat them."
This is something only I can do.
Sakura watches the two of them, her smile never fading.
Naruto, back then I was the same, entrusting everything to you and watching you go far away, unable to do anything. Yes, even now I am, but Naruto, when you need me, I'll step forward without hesitation.
Thank you for teaching me this.
Sasuke, back then I was the same, watching your back as you walked away, going off alone. I wanted to catch up to you... Yes, even now I do, but Sasuke, I won't stop chasing your steps. Even if I can never stand by your side, I'll keep going... keep... drawing closer to you!
Because I like you!
"Go for it!" Sakura shouts to the two of them.
They won't lose, and I won't stop moving forward. Naruto, Sasuke, I'll always be right behind you. Sorry, it might take me a little more time to catch up.
Sakura won't cry anymore. She'll only feel proud for the two of them, incredibly proud.
This is... our Team 7.
Right, Kakashi-sensei?
On the ground, Kakashi opens his eyes, his black pupils gazing at the sky where the golden and purple figures stand out so clearly.
He smiles with narrowed eyes...
Quietly watching this scene.
Minato-sensei... Itachi... Naruto and Sasuke, you don't have to worry anymore.
Kurama: You won't even mention me once...
The gold gradually turns light green, the Truth-Seeking Balls behind him glow, his eyes emit a blue light. The power of Otsutsuki Hamura surges within him, and the Tenseigan's eye power keeps building in Naruto's body.
Tenseigan Chakra Mode: Activate!
The purple slowly turns gray-white, black wedge patterns climb up from his shoulders to cover half his body, his eyes spin with tomoe Rinnegan, a bony horn grows around his forehead. As the chakra gathers, a thin white line on Sasuke's forehead suddenly opens, revealing a golden Rinne Sharingan embedded there.
Wedge Mode: Activate!
Kurama: "..."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Kaguya all turn to look at him at the same time.
Good thing they're in the sky, or Kurama could dig out a whole villa.
"Ahem..." Kurama coughs dryly and spreads his hands helplessly. "To be fair, I'm already Otsutsuki. All these flashy 'modes' are just my own powers now. I don't even need to activate them."
Naruto and Sasuke give meaningful smiles.
They totally won this round.
---
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