Before returning from the battlefield in the alternate dimension to Konoha's base, after some discussion, the Sage of Six Paths agreed to postpone the agreed departure time for the assault on the Hidden Shadow Village from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Naruto was genuinely surprised. Previously, his "Sage Grandpa" had been extremely firm on this core issue and refused to budge.
The Sage spoke earnestly, explaining his reasoning. "Naruto, the reason I didn't allow you to pursue and kill Isshiki is simply because there's no need to waste chakra on someone who is already doomed to die."
"With the injuries he has sustained, he has at most two hours left to live. His only option is a desperate gamble—using space-time ninjutsu to forcibly reach Kawaki and implant a Karma."
"That possibility has already been accounted for. I won't leave such a hidden danger for you."
Sasuke questioned him. "Even if that happens, we'd still have to deal with him when he reaches Kawaki. And that would be in Konoha, surrounded by non-combatants."
The Sage smiled. "Sasuke, I knew you would ask that. I wasn't finished."
"Once we return, I will immediately teach you a barrier technique that can only be performed with Yin-Yang Release. Its strength far surpasses the Four Crimson Ray Formation, and it can prevent space-time ninjutsu from infiltrating."
"With Isshiki's dying strength, he won't be able to break through."
"But to give you complete peace of mind before going to subjugate Kaguya, I've extended the time by two hours. You can also use that time to calm the villagers after Orochimaru's attack."
Naruto was deeply moved. "Sage Grandpa, you're so understanding!"
"Sasuke, I won't let you nitpick Sage Grandpa anymore! Without him, we wouldn't have even survived Isshiki, let alone deal with Kaguya and Akira afterward!"
And so, Naruto and Sasuke returned to Konoha's base.
The first thing they did upon arrival was combine Yin and Yang Release to activate—
Six Paths: Yin-Yang Barrier.
Boom!
Four towering golden pillars of light rose from the edges of the valley, spreading like a radiant painting, forming a massive formation.
It was like a giant golden gift box wrapping up Konoha like a chocolate cake.
Naruto marveled, "This golden barrier is incredible! Even a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki probably couldn't break it by force! And it blocks space-time intrusion too… it really puts my mind at ease!"
After personally confirming the barrier's strength, Sasuke felt somewhat reassured. But recalling the expression on Isshiki's face before he escaped, unease still lingered in his heart.
Noticing this, Naruto clapped his shoulder. "Relax, Sasuke. With Sage Grandpa around, nothing will go wrong. We have to trust the authority."
The attack orchestrated by Orochimaru earlier that dawn resulted in no casualties aside from minor injuries to Yugao Uzuki, who had been guarding Kakashi. However, the buildings had suffered some damage.
Naruto used Wood Release to quickly reconstruct the pillar-style houses. To calm the villagers, he also announced that he and Sasuke had defeated Isshiki.
The effect was immediate.
The gloom of the night attack vanished, replaced by celebration throughout Konoha.
"Great! We can finally sleep peacefully!"
"Our fallen comrades can rest now! Lord Hokage and Sasuke have avenged them!"
"As expected of our Hokage and the Shadow who supports him!"
"Everyone makes mistakes—what matters is getting back up! That's the Naruto we've watched grow up!"
"The village will rise again under the wise and mighty Seventh Hokage!"
Naruto returned home and had breakfast.
The Karma on Kawaki's left palm had already disappeared.
During the meal, Naruto noticed something off about Kawaki's mood.
Afterward, they had a father-son talk.
"Kawaki, why do you look so down?"
"Father… I don't know why. Isshiki is gone, and I'm finally free from the Karma that's haunted me for so long. I should be happy… but I just can't smile."
Seeing Kawaki's conflicted expression, Naruto seemed to see his younger self. A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Kawaki… is it because you lost that power—the Karma—and now you feel an emptiness?"
"Huh…?" Kawaki looked up in shock, instinctively wanting to deny it.
But Naruto continued, "Facing your own heart honestly is an essential part of growing up."
Kawaki clenched his fist, emotions swirling inside him.
"Father… how can you see through something like that? How do you understand people so well?"
Naruto's eyes flickered with a trace of nostalgia, then softened into warmth. "Because I've been in a similar place. Being different brings mixed feelings—you're troubled by it, yet you rely on it."
"But at the end of the day… Kurama and the Ōtsutsuki are not the same."
"Karma is a curse created to steal someone's body. It's not something you should ever rely on."
"As for the power you've lost—and the emptiness it left behind—fill it with harder training and the bonds of your comrades."
After speaking, Naruto raised his fist.
Kawaki's eyes glistened as he bumped fists with him.
"Thank you, Father… I thought you'd look down on me."
"Idiot." Naruto ruffled his messy hair. "After we deal with the Hidden Shadow Village, I'll personally train you."
"…Yeah."
But Kawaki still had something weighing on him.
Uchiha Akira.
That man had spared him and sent him back to Konoha—but the way Akira had looked at him still sent chills down his spine.
Kawaki hated that feeling.
And Akira's power… while perhaps not surpassing Isshiki, was far beyond Jigen.
"After we take down the Hidden Shadow Village… what will you do with Uchiha Akira?"
Naruto lowered his gaze. "That depends on him."
"That depends on him?" Kawaki frowned. "He killed 180 of our people!"
Naruto shook his head. "There were reasons behind it. After fighting Isshiki, I understand Akira's intentions better. He wanted to protect the world—but chose extreme methods, like Madara and Obito once did."
"So I want to give him a chance to change. If he returns the Tailed Beasts, kneels in repentance, and sincerely embraces the Will of Fire… I can forgive him."
Kawaki's eyes flickered. "And if he refuses?"
Naruto's gaze darkened, then hardened with resolve.
"Then… for the long-term peace of the ninja world, we'll have no choice but to eliminate him."
Kawaki felt a surge of satisfaction.
Good. Akira didn't seem like someone who would repent.
His death was inevitable.
And with Naruto and Sasuke together—even Isshiki had fallen.
Akira wouldn't stand a chance.
"Father… if Akira dies, what will you do with his body… and his eyes?"
Naruto frowned. "I haven't thought that far."
"What if?"
"If it comes to that, both his body and eyes must be destroyed completely. We can't allow anyone to misuse them."
Kawaki lowered his head. "Why not transplant his eyes? With that power… you'd become even stronger."
Naruto's expression hardened.
"Kawaki… why would you think that?"
Kawaki hesitated. He had heard Borō's last conversation with Akira and realized the value of Akira's eyes.
He wanted Naruto—his father—to become even stronger.
Naruto sighed softly.
"So that's what you were thinking…"
He then spoke patiently.
"Kawaki, your intention is good. You want to protect the world. But remember this—stealing someone's eyes is no different from using Edo Tensei. It's a crooked path."
"A shinobi of Konoha who inherits the Will of Fire will never walk that road for the sake of power."
"True strength isn't about eyes or abilities. No matter how powerful a technique is—even one that can stop time—it will never compare to the unwavering resolve to protect others, even at the cost of your life."
"That said, your awareness of future threats is something I acknowledge."
"When the time comes, everyone will grow stronger together."
"After dealing with Akira and the Hidden Shadow Village, I'll report everything we've learned to the Five Kage."
"I'll propose large-scale training for all shinobi. With unity and cooperation, we can overcome any future crisis."
Knock, knock, knock!
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door.
Knock, knock, knock!
Hinata was washing dishes in the kitAkira.
"I'll get it," Kawaki said.
"No, I will."
Naruto walked to the entrance.
"Coming."
He turned the handle.
Creak.
The door opened—
And standing outside was…
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