Whoosh—
Uchiha Madara narrowed his eyes, stunned as he watched Naruto's body shift effortlessly to the side. A chill crept down his spine.
He can see it?
Impossible!
His eyes—just Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. It's impossible for him to perceive the Rinnegan!
Madara closed his eyes.
"To protect something… you must sacrifice something else.
Unless it's the true dream world… there's no other way."
Whoosh—
But in the next instant, Madara's shadow clone, wielding the Rinnegan, failed to land a strike once more.
Naruto didn't even flinch. The wood beneath his feet responded instinctively, rising to block the attack with natural barriers.
Madara's expression hardened.
His Rinnegan is useless against him.
Opening his eyes again, Madara glanced from Naruto to Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Because I had power, I craved war.
Because I lacked power, I lost everything.
I only wanted to create a world that transcends that suffering!"
"A dream world, free of chakra—through the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Tobirama shook his head. "We're relics of a bygone era, Madara."
"You won't convince us. Besides… was the Eye of the Moon Plan really your own?"
"Was Black Zetsu ever truly your will?"
Hashirama stepped forward.
"Madara, we both had our flaws. But can't you see what the ninja world has become?"
"Why cling to the Eye of the Moon Plan now?"
"Do you even know who really came up with it?"
Their words silenced Madara.
"You could just ask the Sage of Six Paths himself," Naruto said, stepping forward. "Though… the old man's a little busy."
"Next time, I'll take you to him."
As he spoke, Naruto entered Sage Mode, floating slowly toward Madara.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
All four of Madara's Rinnegan clones were smashed away in an instant. The great wooden Buddha statue loomed again—seemingly sentient—dropping down like a divine force of nature.
Madara's Perfect Susanoo shattered instantly.
He stood frozen. His limbs no longer obeyed him.
Defeated?
Madara suddenly laughed bitterly and slumped down.
"You can even commune with the Sage of Six Paths directly… That kind of power is far beyond mine."
Bang!
Naruto's foot landed squarely on Madara's chest.
"No. You should've fought harder than this."
"The second round ended before it even started?"
Madara lay on the ground, unmoving.
"Don't bother wasting your breath. My will already crumbled during the Impure World Reincarnation."
"My only hope was the Eye of the Moon Plan. But blame Hashirama and Tobirama for running their mouths. I might've fought back otherwise."
"Hmph. With how well you know Hashi-hot-mom... you probably understand me better than I do."
He glanced sideways at Hashirama.
"You're unusually confident in front of me. That only happens when you know something I don't."
"The Moon Eye Plan… is it fake? Black Zetsu?"
"Tch. That really would be something."
Seeing that Madara truly had no intention of continuing the fight, Naruto sighed and turned.
"Fine. You old-timers chat it out."
"I'm off to collect the tailed beast chakra."
"And if any of them don't cooperate—well, I'll beat 'em until they do."
With that, he vanished in a flash of Flying Thunder God.
Just like that, the second battle was over.
"I never thought I'd see the day you'd admit defeat," Hashirama said, sitting beside Madara.
Madara stared up at the sky.
"That kid's power is on an entirely different level from mine. What could I possibly use to fight him?"
Tobirama chuckled.
"You spent two lifetimes planning this Eye of the Moon thing… and my brother and I talked you down in a few sentences?"
Madara didn't respond right away.
"I'm not capable of completing the plan," he said finally.
"Naruto Uzumaki… his eyes already meet the conditions to awaken the Rinnegan. He just hasn't reached the right time."
"If the plan fails, he might use Infinite Tsukuyomi himself—without me lifting a finger."
Tobirama crossed his arms.
"That white creature—White Zetsu—you still think you created it?"
Madara's brow furrowed. "What are you implying?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet?" Tobirama said.
"Black Zetsu wasn't your creation. It fed you the Eye of the Moon Plan. Manipulated you from the start."
"You think you created White Zetsu?"
Hashirama gave a wry smile. "Tobirama, just tell him."
"It's Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. Black Zetsu is her will. The Moon Eye Plan? All part of her resurrection."
"You wanted to become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki, didn't you?"
Madara's eyes widened.
So I was deceived all along…?
He clenched his fists in silence.
"So… you two knew all this from the start?"
"Yep."
"Then why didn't you tell me when I was reincarnated?!"
Hashirama shrugged. "Would you have listened without a beating first?"
"…Do I look like someone who doesn't even let people talk?"
"Would you have listened?"
"…Fine."
Madara gave up the argument.
"Ah… I'm tired. Let's get this over with."
But Hashirama pulled a construction hat from seemingly nowhere.
"Your new role's been decided—my deputy!"
"Don't think dying means you're off the hook. If needed, Naruto'll drag your soul back to work."
Tobirama muttered, "That kid… really treats the dead like reusable tools."
"Let's talk logistics on the way back. Once we're in the village, take a good look at the new shinobi world."
"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
Hashirama extended his hand.
Madara hesitated. Then, with a deep frown, he took it and stood.
"Enemy?" Madara asked. "With that child's power, who could stop him?"
He thought of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. A naive girl who fused with the God Tree to become it.
Even without it, she was simply too inexperienced to be dangerous.
But in Naruto's vision of the future… the threats weren't just from the Ōtsutsuki.
There were beings from beyond the known world—gods, demons, and more.
"Spiritualization," Madara murmured. "Like the ghosts and gods of legend…"
The Three Great Holy Lands—their power didn't feel like they belonged in this world.
If the Ōtsutsuki could descend from another world…
Why not others?
Tobirama added gravely, "I don't know for sure. But the enemy ahead… might be Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki—the Sage of Six Paths himself. Or even his mother, Kaguya."
"Even with the power of the Ten-Tails… even at the Six Paths level… you can't fight alone."
"Kaguya created the army of 100,000 White Zetsu as preparation for a war far greater than any of us imagined."
The more Madara listened, the more uneasy he became.
At that moment, Hashirama suddenly grinned and said,
"Madara, don't stress over it. We've got bigger things to focus on now—like greening the entire ninja world."
He looked around with a satisfied expression.
"Seriously, the world's changed so much."
"Come on, come on, let's walk and talk."
Clearly, Hashirama was in high spirits.
"Once we finish cleaning things up here, let's head to the moon," he added casually.
"Not sure if Kaguya still has a physical form up there…"
For Naruto, gathering the chakra of the nine tailed beasts would now take no more than the time it took to finish a meal.
When they reached Uchiha Madara's old base, the scene was already chaotic—every single one of the 100,000 White Zetsu had turned traitor.
The wooden clones Naruto had left behind were already holding the line.
"Oh right, I almost forgot… Toneri's still on the moon, worrying about Hinata and Hanabi."
Naruto scratched his head.
"Guess we'll deal with him while we're there."
"But before that, time to awaken your Rinnegan."
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the world.
"Sasuke's already back in the village. That means… I can awaken the Eternal Mangekyō today."
"People from the future will return soon, too. We'll push all the White Zetsu forward first."
Opening his eyes, Naruto stared at the army of Zetsu with intensity.
A headache brewed in the back of his mind.
It was too noisy.
Too chaotic.
After arranging everything, Naruto returned to Konoha, leaving a few wood clones behind to manage the advancing forces.
The sun was beginning to set—Konoha was calling him home.
"Naruto, about Yakumo…"
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
"I'm counting on you~"
Meanwhile, at the gates of Konoha, the 'cockroaches' had returned.
A crowd had already gathered outside the entrance—former villagers and shinobi hoping to re-enter.
Gatekeepers Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki stood tall, their expressions stern.
"Get lost! The moment you abandoned Konoha, you lost your right to return!"
In the wake of today's events and Konoha's growing influence, regret flooded the hearts of those who had once walked away.
Konoha wasn't just the strongest village in the world now—it was also the most prosperous.
People from all across the world were flocking to it.
And yet… these were the original residents.
They had once belonged here.
They had watched as the rebuilt Old Konoha was destroyed in mere moments.
Even the two former Hokage advisors had been helpless, fleeing without dignity.
Now, with peace restored, they dared to return—demanding inclusion in the rebuilding effort.
The Fire Daimyō was still collecting taxes, and life outside the village had become unbearable.
Ironically, those who remained in Konoha had once mocked them for leaving.
Now, humbled and broken, the returning villagers bowed low before Kotetsu and Izumo.
Their arrogance had vanished.
"Please, our ninja lords, we were wrong!"
"Let us apologize to the Kitsune—Naruto—and Lady Tsunade!"
"Please let us return home!"
Kotetsu and Izumo stayed stone-faced.
Until they noticed the returning shinobi—the so-called cockroaches—standing behind the crowd.
Their expressions softened.
"You're back," said Kotetsu with a faint smile.
"Go rest."
The sudden change in attitude left the outsiders stunned and confused.
As they turned, they caught sight of the figure behind them.
Some with ulterior motives rushed forward, trying to win his favor.
But before they got close—
Sasuke kicked one of them flying without hesitation.
"Scram."
His Sharingan flared open—and the crowd instantly backed away in fear.
"He's an evil Uchiha by nature... Don't go near him!"
"Damn it... Why are there still Uchihas alive?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed with cold intent. Just as the tension rose, Shikamaru lightly placed a hand on his shoulder.
After a moment of hesitation, Sasuke withdrew his killing intent.
As Naruto's squad—the Konoha 11 and the others—entered the village, the mood shifted.
The villagers and shinobi near the gate smiled warmly, welcoming them home.
Children playing nearby immediately ran up, giggling and tugging at their cloaks.
Several little girls grabbed Sasuke's hands with wide eyes.
"Big brother, did you complete your mission?"
"You're so cool, big brother!"
"Can I be a ninja like you and protect the village too?"
"Big brother~"
Sasuke's usual cold expression gradually softened.
A rare, faint smile appeared on his face.
Inside the village, peace and warmth had taken root.
Outside? It was another story.
Beyond Konoha's gates, a growing crowd of exiled villagers and old-era shinobi had gathered—former residents of the old Konoha.
They blocked the entrance, causing chaos and throwing tantrums.
People from across the ninja world looked on with disgust, sneering at their behavior.
The scene was growing louder and more unruly by the second.
That's when Nara Shikaku arrived—calm, composed, and right on time.
At his back stood shinobi from all the major clans, along with countless new-generation villagers and ninjas of Konoha.
Without wasting a breath, Shikaku raised his hand and brought it down sharply.
"Clean it up."
Whoosh—!
In a flash, countless Konoha shinobi surged forward.
Even some courageous outsiders, long sick of the old Konoha crowd, rolled up their sleeves and joined in.
At the gates, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, Konoha's stalwart guardians, finally had enough.
They leapt in with gusto, showing the mob exactly why they were feared as the twin gatekeepers of Konoha.
Screams erupted. The chaos was short-lived.
Amid the din, Shikaku turned toward Sasuke.
"Someone's here to see you. South Gate."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. A shadow flickered across his face.
"...So he's here."
His voice was low, dark with anticipation.
"Hmph... Today, I'll kill you myself—Itachi."
"Big brother...?"
Sasuke looked down. The little girl still held his hand.
He quickly crouched and gently let go, brushing a hand through her hair.
"You'll be an excellent kunoichi one day."
He stood and followed Shikaku without another word.
The very fact that children could play safely at the village gates—while their guardians watched without fear—spoke volumes about the peace Naruto had helped create.
Before long, the disgraced remnants of Old Konoha limped away from the gate, battered and bruised.
"Damn bastards!"
"You'll regret this one day!"
Their curses faded into the distance, drowned out by the laughter of children echoing from behind the walls of a new Konoha.
...
TN:
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