A/N: I can't believe this update came so fast either. Trust me. I was surprised myself. But it looks like a prefer productive procrastination to writing important essays.

The soothing chakra infusion by Sakura's healing slugs eased up Chocho's fatigue. She was surrounded by dirt and rubble as in the distance, beams of energy flashed and a ray of white like shone through the sky. Then, she saw a figure being blasted upwards at top speed, disintegrating into the atmosphere. Nearby, Konohamaru's brows furrowed and then, finally, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"I think they did it," he whispered.

The last few days had been hectic: losing her father, seeing the very fate of the world hang in balance, witnessing the destruction of thousands of homes and the plight of thousands of civilians. Still, what was happening around her gave her a strange feeling of hope, which managed to reinvigorate her.

"Shall we tell the civilians it's safe out here?" Chocho suggested.

"Yes, get them out of their hiding places," Konohamaru answered.

In the midst of the rubble, Chocho could sense the beginning of a new dawn.

Rinne Tensei no Jutsu– it was the only way, his only chance. He had to do it.

This time, he looked at both Sarada and Sakura straight in the eye. "I believe I can resurrect Boruto. I'll do it."

Sakura steadied her gaze at him and asked, "But why?"

Sasuke took a deep breath. For the first time in years, emotions that he deemed long dead coursed through him, those figments of tenderness and concern he felt for a certain pink-haired ninja, buried deep within his consciousness, swamped by his zeal for vengeance and revolution - now all of that was resurfacing.

Apologies were pointless; he had done her too much damage, destroyed her life and everything she believed in and, in the process, destroyed her love for him as well.

He wasn't sure if he had ever loved her. Back when they were teammates, he certainly cared for her and saw the potential seeds of something more. Yet with his defection, he threw it all away and never looked back. Even when he tentatively sided with his old village against Obito and Madara and felt something for her, something he could not fully explain, he suppressed it all with ease. He never thought his life needed romance.

"Sakura," he began saying. "Since meeting Boruto, I have felt things I thought I would never feel again. You probably won't understand this. He made me see things, different possibilities and different ways. A different world. Anyways, you are completely justified in your hatred and disgust of me – that I know and there's no longer anything I can do. I have wronged you, Kakashi, Naruto and everyone else in Konoha too much in this life. And Sarada," he said as he turned to face the girl. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry you have to see me like this, see someone who looks so similar to your father commit such heinous crimes. You and Boruto, I wish both of you the best in the future. Sakura, I only ask that you let me save this boy."

"Sasuke…"

"Please."

"I won't interrupt you."

"Thank you, Sakura. Look…"

He weaved the ram hand sign.

"… whatever happens, you will do well. You deserve to."

And then the snake hand sign.

A blinding green light enveloped his presence.

"And so Aiko's boyfriend turns out to be gay, which breaks her heart – but, but she then falls in love with her brother and undertakes the historic mission of finding a suitable boyfriend for her ex. He ends up with the man selling dangos on the street," Boruto recounted triumphantly, not realizing that the fact that he remembered so many details within Icha Icha Boy Love could give Jiraiya the wrong impression. "But there's a whole tedious story behind it. Aiko comes up with this massive, elaborate plan that involves her dressing up as a fake bandit and attacking her ex next to the dango stand. Then there's the trouble with her ex – sorry his name is Taki, yes Taki – Taki's family."

All throughout the process, Jiraiya nodded, intrigued. "And the… action?"

"Oh don't ask me about the action! You know I don't read about this kind of stuff!" Boruto yelled defensively. "By the way, the one book of yours that I liked was about how Suzuki, the poor civilian boy, wins the Daimyo's daughter's heart. That one was good. I mean, I skipped all the parts about how nice her… assets were – but the rest was great. Yeah."

"Oh, really?" Jiraya eyed him skeptically. It was almost accusatory.

"Totally! What kind of person do you think I am?!"

"A young, fledgling boy on the cusp of puberty," Jiraiya remarked with a twinkle in his eye.

Boruto scoffed.

And then he sensed something seismic, a path being forged in front of him, leading him somewhere – somewhere out of here? "Jiraya," he turned around to the elderly shinobi, puzzled, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Looks like you're not dying after all." Jiraiya winked. "It's been nice meeting you, Boruto Uzumaki."

"Do I… just step on the path?"

"Yes, Boruto – that's precisely what you do."

"Okay. Okay. I think I got this."

He was floating – or at least that was the impression he got whilst treading on the road back to life. It was like an invisible hand was lifting him up, guiding him back to earth. Step by step, Boruto felt closer and closer to the temporal world, more solid on the inside, more alive.

"Hey, kid! Remember, tell Kakashi that moist is a terrible adjective to describe Junichiro's tongue – moist is a bad word. Period. Also, Yumiko should not be with Torifu. He's a total jackass!" Jiraiya called after Boruto, which made the boy grin. Even in death, Ero-Sannin was still dedicated to his legacy of erotic literature. "Also, live the best of lives boy – and go after Sarada! Don't worry about her dad!"

Boruto smirked.

Still shaking from chakra exhaustion and his worsening wounds, Sasuke felt life return to the boy as Boruto started to breathe again, chest heaving up and down. His pulse had returned too.

Silently, Sasuke looked up, facing Sarada. "He's back."

Sarada rushed forward and hugged Boruto, being relieved beyond description. Her tense demeanor immediately relaxed. "Boruto… I'm so glad you're okay now. It's all okay now. You'll be fine. We'll all be fine."

"Sarada?" Boruto opened his eyes – those brilliant blue eyes he inherited from his father – and looked around. "I'm alive, right?"

She nodded. "Actually… Sasuke was the one who brought you back."

Boruto tried standing up, leaning on Sarada and using her help. "… Thank you."

Sasuke smiled. "It was the least I could do."

"You're, like, in really bad shape." Boruto scrutinized his appearance and the gush of red that continued to stain his clothes. "Man, Momoshiki stabbed you pretty hard. Are you okay-"

"My chakra is running low – I spent most of it battling the two and on the Rinne Tensei no Jutsu," Sasuke admitted in a manner so tranquil it surprised himself. "I… I don't think I have much time to live. But that's fine."

"Wait, what?!" Boruto, Sarada, Sakura, Kakashi, and Mitsuki blurted out simultaneously.

And then Boruto: "You're joking, right? I mean, that stuff is healable. Sure, it looks like shit but healing it isn't impossible. I mean-"

"Boruto," Sasuke interjected, "There's no need for all that concern from you. I don't deserve it. Maybe this is all fated, for someone like me to die like this, bleeding out to death slowly and tortuously after years of killing others. I've resigned myself to this."

"But-"

"I know your opinion of me is slightly less unfavorable than all the others around here," Sasuke remarked wryly with a chuckle. "But please, it would be wrong for me to remain here and return to Konoha and the Hokage's office, ruling like nothing has happened, like nothing has changed. This is all for the best. I can't imagine the rest-"

"No," Boruto rejected his words flatly. "This is just – this is just stupid. Despite everything, you're really just an idiot."

"Well, thanks for imparting such flattering words to a man on his deathbed."

"You're not going to die," Boruto rebutted. He turned around to Sakura. "Sakura, you're the best medical ninja there is, right? I know you sort of hate this guy's gut but hear me out, okay? Right now, he's the Hokage of Konoha, which in this world, means he's basically in charge of everything on this continent. He's in the perfect position to put an end to his own regime – without bloodshed. There's been enough suffering, enough killing already. And believe me, if you guys try to start a revolution or upheaval, there will be a civil war across the continent."

The boy paused for a short moment, fixing his gaze into Sakura, who emanated a sort of emotionless emotion in the sense there was far too much thinking going on within her head for Sasuke to discern any clear, lucid strand of thought. He could tell she was conflicted.

"Look, please hear me out, guys. Every single system that has survived for as long as this one survived because enough people benefit from it, enough people feel okay about it – all the bureaucratic officials, petty artisans, ordinary people who are not doing too badly. I've met people, many people who would not take an abrupt regime change kindly – I – I don't like what Sasuke's tyrannical rule was about. Sorry, dude, but you know it. Still, some people are miraculously fine with it. Reconciliation and reform, over bloodshed and revolution – maybe this is the correct way," Boruto finished off.

Sasuke was stunned. He could not believe what he had just heard. What the boy said was controversial, too controversial. He felt his body grow weaker by the moment, his mind fading rapidly. He would not expect Kakashi or Sakura to sympathize at all.

"The boy has a point," Kakashi said with a sigh. "I… I don't exactly like what he says but he does have a point. Hi no Ishi is seen as a terrorist organisation by many civilians, even if some others do view us as freedom fighters, I know this much from years of reconnaissance. Sasuke can be of help if he stays alive."

His vision was blurring. Out of the corner of his eye, Sakura was shaking indefinitely.

"It's okay, Sakura, you don't have to li-"

He felt warm chakra course through his body. He let out a hoarse reply: "Why?"

"Death was the easy path," Sakura muttered under clenched teeth. "Death was too lenient a sentence for a man like you."

Solemnly, he nodded, sensing that strength was returning to him. "What would you have me do then?"

Silence. The bleeding in his torso was ceasing as his breath returned to its normal rate.

"You will step down as Hokage of Konoha – but not before helping us dismantle and reform your administrative bureaucracy. You will tell everyone that you were wrong, that the happiness and liberty you denied the people were all for nothing, that you had finally seen fault in your ways. You will correct all the lies you have said about us. You will free the political prisoners," Sakura instructed imperiously. "And after all this is done… you will leave this world. Momoshiki and Kinshiki may not be the only threats facing us. There is a chance that beings like them still exist outside of this realm. You will keep a look out for them."

"So, self-imposed exile, am I right?" Sasuke chuckled. "That sounds about right. What makes you think I… what makes you think I won't-"

"I know you won't." Sakura brushed off his comments. "And we'll make sure you won't."

Boruto watched incredulously before him as Sasuke conceded with a sigh: "Alright, I will step down. I will leave this world and condemn myself to a traveler, a vagabond. And to ensure I will never return unless summoned by you people, I will undergo the required sealing rituals."

Perpetual loneliness, perpetual wandering – to Boruto, that sounded like a fate worse than death. Yet perhaps it was only fitting for a man like Sasuke. It was the only way for him to atone for his sins. Still, a nagging sense of pity gnawed within Boruto. In spite of all that had happened, he had come to care for the man in front of him, to a certain extent. Maybe this was why justice can be so brutal.

Sakura was still trembling as she, along with Kakashi, began placing chakra seals around Sasuke as a means of ensuring his temporary captivity. He willingly let them do so.

"Hey Boruto, are you okay?" Sarada whispered into his ear.

"It's all lot to take in. This, all of this," Boruto said.

"I understand," she agreed. She pulled him into a hug and he found himself grinning uncontrollably. "It will all be fine. Soon, we'll be able to go home."

"I still think you two would make a good couple," Mitsuki interrupted, putting himself in between them in amusement.

"Hey, Mitsuki! Don't be like this!" Both Boruto and Sarada yelled in indignation.

Five days after the battle with Momoshiki and Kinshiki, members of Hi no Ishi and its sympathizers, recently released political dissidents and moderate reformers of the current regime all convened in a momentous convention, which Boruto, Sarada and Mitsuki found themselves participating too. While acknowledging the sheer importance and excitement of it all, there were times when the speeches could get a little long and technical and times when Boruto accidentally dozed. Sarada was not always pleased and Mitsuki always seemed to be rather amused.

One of the convention's first decisions was to declare the continent a federal republic, where the various nations, previously united into one bureaucratic and centralized state, would be given greater autonomy.

Instead of one single Hokage, the republic would be led by five representative leaders each regularly chosen from the five different states: Earth, Wind, Lightning, Fire and Water. (As part of simplifying his rule, Sasuke had made the effort to ensure that smaller nations were absorbed into larger ones.) They would voice concerns for their separate nations. In addition, there would be two co-leaders – which were decided to be Sakura and Kakashi – that would preside over collective agenda of all five nations.

Asides from that, there would be another council filled with representatives all across the continent, who would, together, possess the ability to draft certain laws.

The continental secret police would be disbanded, while the continental army would be replaced by a smaller standing army. During dire times of need, all shinobi and kunoichi would legible to be drafted.

Sakura, along with Konohamaru, had insisted the drafting of a charter of rights.

In the midst of it all, Sasuke Uchiha was nowhere to be seen. With the necessary sealing procedures complete and after his immediate continental decree in stepping down, he had consigned himself to a cell, gazing wistfully out of the window until it was finally time for him to depart.

When the convention had finished, Boruto decided to pay the man one final visit.

"The new system's not perfect," Sasuke remarked after Boruto had recounted the details. "Someday, this republic may find itself paralyzed by all the bickering and debate. At times, people may feel nostalgic for a strong leader. I'm not sure it could effectively mobilize if any outside threats were to attack it."

"No system is perfect," Boruto replied. "And this one sure sounds like a better one to live in – no offense."

"You don't have to keep apologizing for offending me. I'm never offended," Sasuke stated bluntly, albeit with a glint of amusement. "Still, I suppose you have a point. No system is ever perfect. Mine sure wasn't. Something new like this sounds good. I wonder what Naruto himself would think of it all. Maybe the will of firer is destined to live on."

Boruto shrugged.

"I wanted to give you this, Sasuke," Boruto said as he reached out into his pockets for Sasuke's old headband and handed it to the man. "Wear it as a reminder of your ties here. I know your memories aren't always pleasant, but I can tell that this means a whole lot to you. I want you to have it."

Surprisingly, Sasuke did not object. "Very well, I know how stubborn you can be."

"Says you," Boruto snorted.

"Well… looks like your stubbornness was the one that won in the end," Sasuke conceded with a laugh.

"A good thing too." Boruto, pleased, folded his arms with a wide smile.

"Go back to your world, Boruto. Have a great life there. I… I will miss you. There, I said it."

"Well, goodbye old man!"

"Farewell Boruto."

Then, peculiarly, Boruto started hugging the man in front of him. Though hesitant at first, Sasuke eventually started returning it.

A/N: Aaaaaannnddd we have two more chapters left! The next one is probably going to be the ultimate wrap-up and the last one, an epilogue of some sorts, where I will also answer some questions asked by reviews and PMs - which by the way, I'm still accepting!

So, how did you guys find the turn of events? The sort-of plot twist I gave with regards to Sasuke's fate? I know it might turn out to be controversial and for a long time, I was torn between having this and letting him die. Somehow, this version won out in the end. I wanted him to adopt a similar role to that in canon as that of an exiled atoner. Except here, he is completely barred from returning to this world (unless Sakura or Kakashi summon him), although he can communicate with them. In some ways, I guess, this is a harder path for him to take than death. He won't rest in peace just yet.

Sakura too, is now basically one of the leaders of the Continent, along with Kakashi, who is basically super experienced, given that he had co-ran Hi no Ishi and previously served as a Jonin in Konoha. This was my intention a long time. (Though for a while, I did consider killing Sakura off, but ultimately decided that after a life of suffering, she deserved something better - even though running a federal republic hardly sounds like the ideal job xD) In my head, Konohamaru will have an important job once Kakashi steps down, possibly serving as his replacement. The other representatives of the five nations were, in my mind, a mixture of former officials who weren't dicks, political prisoners, Hi no Ishi members and ordinary people. Put your own names onto them haha.

Given that this story is nearing the end, I'm sort of curious about how you guys feel when it comes to my characterisation of Boruto, who is the main character and the protagonist. I started writing this story before much of the manga and anime came out so I did take certain liberties with his character. And I realised that he faints a lot and gets injured a lot and even dies once xD Still, I'm curious about your opinions.

Please leave behind your thoughts and comments about this chapter in the reviews!