The war is over, the time has come for Sasuke's revolution to sweep the world. AU starting from manga Ch.697
The End ======= ======= =======
Heaven and Earth lamented. The blue skies grew clouded with dust, smoke, and humidity as the battle between the two most powerful men on Earth drew down. Eventually, Naruto and Sasuke ran out of chakra, going at each other with fists and shuriken. In the center of the torn and upturned landscape, the two men put their fists in each other's gut, with no forthcoming reaction as both punches had been too weak. They collapsed on their knees, gasping for air. For a moment they looked into each other's bruise-deformed and bloodied faces. Naruto's chakra flared one final time as the Nine Tails gave him one last ounce of strength. It vanished as soon as it came, absorbed by Sasuke. Sasuke couldn't help but finally smirk in triumph after the fight had lasted all day without once going in either boy's favor.
"This is the power of the Rinnegan. It's me - the one who has the eyes of the Uchiha clan, that is destined to win." He violently retracted his hand from Naruto's abdomen, causing Naruto to keel over. Naruto turned his head up to see Sasuke looking down on him with his hand raised. The time for the final blow had come.
"Damn it." Sasuke's hand trembled as he cursed. Staring into each other's eyes, the former friends were frozen in time. Sasuke had already willed his hand to move, yet it hadn't obeyed. He hated his weakness. He hated the way Naruto looked at him with that gaze that pierced the very depths of his soul. He hated himself for his hesitation. Whether it was years ago, during their first real battle, or one of their later confrontations, or now… It was all the same. Really, when it came down to it, he just couldn't kill Naruto. His Sharingan spun, and he forced his way into Naruto's mind, to see what the other man was thinking. He saw memories, images and sounds of his brother, speaking to him.
"I couldn't have made it without my friends", huh? If you forget about everyone else after rising to power and become obsessed with yourself, you'll end up just like Madara, you know." His brother's deep voice was speaking to Naruto, but rather than lecturing, it sounded regretful. "It doesn't matter even if you're strong. Don't try to deal with everything by yourself. Because if you do, you'll end up losing anyway. Your father Minato could only become Hokage because he never forgot about Kushina and his comrades. I failed because I tried to do things all by myself. And so, that's why I'm leaving it to my friends this time…
Sasuke tore himself outside of Naruto's head. Naruto had remained uncharacteristically silent.
"So that's what you meant, when you said I didn't understand nii-san."
"Damn right. Why did you think you had to shoulder all the darkness by yourself? You have me, and everyone else to help. If you did it alone, then you might forget why you started in the first place… just like how Obito and Madara forgot about their ideals and eventually surrendered to the darkness. Don't think that you're so different from them!"
Naruto shifted his body so that he was seated in a more comfortable position while Sasuke pondered Naruto's words.
"Do you know why the people need a Hokage like me?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto looked at his friend expectantly.
"What do people truly want? Poverty, discrimination, war… The people want the problems plaguing this world to go away forever, but people also desperately can't understand each other. Even civilians who have rejected war depend on the police, don't they? Everyone understands that crime cannot be stopped, because people can't help the desires they have. That's why I don't need to win hearts and minds or tout some shining ideology... why not bring peace to the world with a system of power?"
"Sasuke, you want to… control people through fear?"
"Peace is an illusion. Mankind's history is one of conflict. Madara tried to keep everyone stuck in an illusion, but I will go further. Is it not discipline that is required to make an illusion a reality?"
"And you plan to discipline the entire human race all by yourself?! Only a god might be allowed to do that!"
"Then I shall become a god. If that is what people want me to become to bring them world peace."
"If you think that way, then you're no different from Kaguya and Madara and the rest of the Akatsuki!"
"Naruto… I still think my way is the correct path over yours… however… It is clear to me that there is some merit to your way." He looked at his own charred and tired hands. "Your strength is proof enough… How about a compromise, then?"
Naruto looked like he wanted to smile, but was too exhausted.
"What did you have in mind?"
"I'll go forward with my plan, but I'll do it your way." Sasuke tiredly covered his face with a hand, as if dealing with a headache.
"What does that mean?"
Sasuke spread his fingers wide and opened his blood-soaked left eye, revealing the Rinnegan to his former friend.
"It means this, Uzumaki Naruto; Uchiha Sasuke orders you… die!"
Now that he had finally accepted Naruto in his heart, accepted that Naruto had been right all along… there was solace in letting him go. After all, Sasuke knew Naruto would be a part of him forever, their bond enduring the fleeting existences of their impermanent flesh bodies.
"Forgive me, Naruto. This is the end."
His chidori pieced Naruto's chest.
Naruto fell back, eyes open yet unseeing. Leaning forward, Sasuke gently pressed his hand on Naruto's face, closing the other boy's eyes for him. Then, he stood up.
"Time to undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi." Sasuke said to himself out loud as he gathered the necessary chakra, and then tried to put his hands together to form the handseal. His hands bounced off of each other instead. Looking down, Sasuke noted with irritation that his hands were shaking too much for him to intertwine his fingers the correct way.
"Damn it!"
Sasuke tried again, taking special care to manipulate each unresponsive finger individually. But soon he could barely see his hands, as his vision had gone blurry.
"Damn it…" A shuddering sigh escape him, and he furiously wiped at his eyes with his sleeves.
"Even in death you're full of surprises, Naruto… I never thought I'd cry again… "
Release.
Sasuke stood alone in the center of the wrecked landscape, waiting for the God Tree to slowly relinquish the people from its roots. Everywhere else, one by one, wearing surprised expressions, the people climbed out of their cocoons. Sasuke gazed upon the golden-haired boy's face one last time.
"Naruto… I remember now those words you once told me. That when you're with me, you finally understand what it's like to have a brother. When I think of it that way… that feeling… I finally get it now."
Be it Hinata, or Gaara, or Gai, all the freed people quickly moved to check on the people near them, opening their eyes to a world where everyone had been made safe.
"We were alone and starved of love. Kids that lived alone in a world of hate. We went our separate ways and fought, but time has passed and now I'm thinking… Could it be that just like the hopes and pain from my father, mother, and brother flowing into me… I'd understand your pain and hopes too, Naruto?"
After a few minutes, the Shinobi Alliance realized that their star team was missing, and began to search for them. They would end up searching through the night.
"You never abandoned me no matter what, and you never gave up on me, coming closer when I pulled away. It wouldn't have surprised me if you hated me, but you didn't. You kept insisting that we were friends."
Having used her Byakugan to find Kakashi and Sakura, Hinata asked to know where Naruto and Sasuke had gone. Not entirely understanding Kakashi's sad expression, she followed the direction pointing her towards the two heroes who had saved the world. Hinata never realized that Orochimaru and his gang were tailing her, figuring she would lead them to where Sasuke and Naruto were. She never turned her head back; her personal hero who had saved her soul was waiting.
"In the end… I destroyed it."
####### ####### #######
The early morning rays of sunshine began to break through the parting clouds. That day would be a bright new sunny day. Despite the violence that the land had been subjected to just hours earlier, a peace had descended on the scene. The river's red-stained water flowing slowly around the two figures, the burning lights behind bathing them in halo-like aura of light. It was this scene that Hinata found when she landed on what used to be the cliff's side, where Naruto had stood.
"Naruto-kun!" She dashed forwards, hoping he would be alright. "Naruto-kun!" She repeated as she came closer, but Naruto did not stir. Kneeling over him, she placed her hands on the back of his head and shoulder, propping him up. Is he unconscious? What's wrong with him?
"Naruto-kun!" She shook him, then placed a hand on his forehead. It felt cold. Ice began to form in her insides as worry penetrated her being. She placed a hand on his neck, looking for a pulse. Not finding one, she activated her Byakugan to look inside his body to see what was wrong. On the side, she called out to Sasuke.
"What are you doing? Help him!"
Naruto's heart was not beating, his lungs silent, and the rest of his body frozen with inactivity. The cold gave way to a black pit, burning her heart.
"It's no use. He's dead." Sasuke answered.
"That's not true!" Hinata ground out through clenched teeth. "That's impossible!" But as much as she denied it with words, the hot blackness engulfed her like fire. Reality was lying right in her arms. It hurts… it hurts so much.
"I'm sorry."
"NOOO!" She screamed. Her high pitched voice rose in a bloodcurdling cry as absolute loss killed all other thought and feeling. She threw herself down on the body.
"Naruto-kun… Naruto-kun… Naruto-kun…"
Looking up towards the cliff face, Sasuke spotted Orochimaru, Karin, Suigetsu, and Juugo heading his way. Sasuke leaned over and gently pinched Hinata on the neck, letting her go limp over Naruto's broken form.
"Perfect timing, Orochimaru, I have something I want to talk about."
"So, the boy is dead after all." Orochimaru's eyes quickly swept over Naruto, looking for a cause of death, but found none. How curious, for Sasuke to cover his tracks like this. Must be the power of the Rinnegan at work.
"I see you already used your Kagutsuchi flames on the Bijuu." The snake noted as the nine immolating boulders slowly rose higher into the sky. "Everyone will see… Though, I guess that's the point. What did you want to discuss with me?"
"The Future."
About an hour afterwards, Sasuke walked away. There was still more unfinished business to take care of.
####### ####### #######
The rocks scraped beneath their feet as Kakashi used one hand to help Sakura regain her footing.
"Time to go look for them." Sakura sighed.
"If I had to take a guess..." Kakashi stared at the strange glow over the horizon that was in the wrong hemisphere to be sunrise. "I'd say that way."
"That will no longer be necessary." Sasuke's voice imperiously rang through the clearing. Stepping forward, Sasuke revealed his battered and bloodied form, yet he stood tall and proud. A victor.
"Where's Naruto?" Sakura asked. Kakashi narrowed his eyes as he noticed Sasuke's arm painted in blood all the way up to the elbow.
"He's dead."
"No way!" Sakura gasped, feeling numb. She fell to her knees, no sounds forthcoming from her anymore.
"You… killed him, didn't you?" Kakashi's anger flared. I trusted you!
"It's too bad you knew about our little duel. As far as everyone else is concerned, Naruto died to release the Infinite Tsukuyomi. A hero who sacrificed everything for world peace."
"You're a monster!"
"Is that what you believe? I think you'll change your mind pretty soon…" Sasuke's Rinnegan blazed.
"Sharingan hypnosis?!"
Kakashi was too late to avoid it. Sakura didn't even try to resist.
"I'm sorry. I had to do it. It was the only way for me to release everyone from the Infinite Tsukuyomi. I needed his chakra… " He shut his eyes, the cast of the hypnosis already done. "I truly am sorry…"
"Well… that's…"
"Everyone sees him as a hero. His death will be remembered as a great self-sacrifice. Isn't that enough?"
"Naruto…" Sakura whispered. "You idiot." Silent tears slid down her face.
Kakashi bowed his head and sighed.
"Come, let's rejoin the others." He announced grimly.
"...Yes." Sasuke replied, lending a hand to Sakura.
####### ####### #######
As Team Seven sans Naruto approached the valley where the Shinobi army was assembled, they could hear cheers erupting.
"It's over! We won!"
"Gokage-sama! Are you guys alright?"
Tsunade, Ay, Oonoki, Mei, and Gaara stood together, surprised by the lack of injuries amongst the survivors of Infinite Tsukuyomi.
"So, Naruto succeeded…" Gaara's smile was quickly emulated by the other Kage's.
"Where is the General of the Fifth Division?" Ay queried.
"Mifune-dono was separated in the fighting against the Juubi…" A nondescript communications shinobi answered.
"I want all divisions to rally at our position. We must regroup, reorganize and then take care of our wounded immediately." Gaara declared.
"Roger."
A sensor ninja appeared in front of the five Kage's and bowed.
"Gokage-sama, we've confirmed that that Uchiha Sasuke is returning here with Hatake Kakashi."
"Naruto isn't with them?" Tsunade seemed confused.
"No Ma'am, Naruto's location is still unknown."
"Perhaps Kakashi and Sasuke can help us find him." Oonoki concluded.
After a minute of waiting, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura appeared in front of their leaders. None missed the sad expressions on Sakura and Kakashi's faces. They also didn't like the blank face Sasuke wore, not giving away anything.
"What happened?!" The Raikage demanded.
"Hold on. I don't want to repeat this twice, so we'll wait for the everyone to assemble." Sasuke replied.
"Forgive me, am I late?" The samurai leader's entrance luckily diffused some tension. Orochimaru casually approached as well.
"Not at all. I will now make my announcement." Sasuke paused for effect.
"The war is over. Madara and Obito are dead, and the Infinite Tsukiyomi is permanently dispelled, thanks to Naruto's sacrifice. Unfortunately, Naruto passed away in the early morning before dawn."
Tsunade fell to her knees in shock. The other Kage were speechless. Gaara himself seemed to almost tremble in place.
"That is not all. I will continue Naruto's will in creating a world of peace. But… I will not be Hokage. No... from this day on, there will be no more Kage." Sasuke's Rinnegan flashed, freezing the five Kages in their positions. "In order to create a new future free from the Cycle of Hatred, the Shinobi System we have must be destroyed and made anew." To the horror of the entire Shinobi Alliance, Sasuke's lightning blade decapitated Ay. The Raikage's large muscular body fell with a resounding thud. Next, Sasuke turned to Oonoki.
"Damn Uchiha brat. So much like Madara after all-" Oonoki didn't finish his thought as Sasuke's chidori blade went right through the old man's head, frying his brain. Tsunade didn't even look angry. She closed her eyes, waiting for Sasuke to end her and her unbearable sadness.
"I failed him. Forgive me."
Sasuke decapitated her as well.
Orochimaru chuckled softly in the background.
"Kukuku. You know, I spent so much effort reviving and healing them. Feels like a waste now."
Sasuke didn't deign to respond to this, and instead turned to face the rest of the Shinobi.
"I am now the sole leader of the Shinobi Alliance. None can challenge my authority. But for now, gather your wounded and dead. Bring them back to your homes to mourn our fallen. After a month of mourning is finished, I will announce a New Order. That will be all."
"No way…" "He just killed three generals just like that!" "Does he seriously expect us to follow him?"
The assembled crowd of warriors murmured to each other.
"Aren't we going to do something?"
"He murdered Tsuchikage-sama, Raikage-sama, and Hokage-sama!" "We have to stop him!" "Are you crazy? This guy is more powerful than Madara, he'll kill us all!" "We can't just let it go!"
No one made the first move. Sasuke smirked. He brought his hands together. A large shadow passed over the entire army as the meteor-sized boulders holding the Bijuu within floated into view.
"I am not interested in controlling the world. I just want to bring lasting peace." Awed by the display of might, the shinobi fell silent.
Trembling from shock, Gaara steadied himself and lent a hand to Mei who was still recovering from the Sharingan genjutsu.
"Why… why did you spare us?"
"The older generation can't be trusted with the birth of an entirely new system. However, you are young enough that you should be capable of adapting. If possible, I would like you to cooperate in the creation of my new system of rule."
"You want our… cooperation?"
"For Naruto's sake. He wanted people to work together, so that is what I'll do. I won't incite violence, but in exchange, you must not oppose the changes that must be made."
"What kind of changes do you mean?"
"We will discuss this one month from now." Sasuke replied, looking meaningfully towards the field of dead and injured. "Now is not the time for politics."
"I… I understand."
"Orochimaru!" Sasuke called out without turning his head.
"Yes, Sasuke?" The senning perked at the rare attention from his protégé.
"You're coming with me."
"Where to?"
"Akatsuki's base, to tie up some loose ends…" With that Sasuke and his personal followers vanished.
Discussion over, Mei turned to the nearest communications ninja.
"Assemble the Medical Corps. I want a report on casualties."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Also, I want a headcount. Each division is to account for all their able-bodied personnel and assist in the search for dead and injured."
"Roger."
As soon as this order passed, the divisions all regrouped. It was with great displeasure that Hyuuga Hiashi realized that his daughter hadn't reported to her post as ordered, and formed a search party. Using sensor nin, they quickly located Hinata. She had remained firmly attached to Naruto, clinging on to his lifeless corpse, even though she had already passed out.
"Hinata."
The girl did not respond to her father's prodding voice.
"Let's take them back to base camp. Naruto-san's body as well. Treat it with care."
"Yes sir."
When they moved to pry Hinata off the corpse, she struggled at first, frantic to not lose direct contact with Naruto. Hiashi restrained her himself and she collapsed, all fight gone from her.
Hiashi took a moment to observe the corpse.
No marks... How exactly did he die?
The journey back was silent, Hinata having exhausted her tears, and the rest being struck dumb by the sight of nine helioses of black flame burning brighter than the sun in the sky.
Though they brought her body back, a part of her would always be left behind in that Valley of The End.
