Chapter 2: Bonding in Hatred
Breaking the silence between them, Sasuke gazed deeply into Naruto's eyes, the intensity of his stare betraying the nerves he felt.
"But really? I'm not entirely sure you'll accept my proposal," he said, his voice low and hesitant.
Naruto stood tall, determination blazing in his eyes like an inferno. "Sasuke, look. You haven't lived with me for a very long time, and I haven't shared my beliefs and promises publicly. My biggest aim in life is to bring true peace to the shinobi world, and I'll go to any length to do that, even if it means bearing the hatred of the world."
Sasuke nodded, his mind racing with the gravity of their decision. It was perfect - he and Naruto, both intimately familiar with the sting of hatred, would bear the burden of the world's contempt together. Sasuke for the sake of Itachi and the Hokages who he earlier confronted, and Naruto for the memory of his master Jiraiya and his sibling-student Nagato.
Without hesitation, Sasuke extended his fist, offering it to Naruto as a symbol of their unbreakable bond.
But Naruto's heart was in turmoil. Though he knew that bearing the world's hatred was the only way to achieve true peace, he couldn't help but wonder if it was all worth it. As he fist-bumped Sasuke's hand with a blank expression, he couldn't help but think of the loved ones he would have to face with his sudden change in ideology.
Suddenly, a familiar voice shattered the tense silence. "There they are, Naruto... Sa-Sasuke!" It was Sakura, Naruto's heart pounding as he realized he would have to face her and Kakashi, his other teammate.
Naruto steeled himself, drawing on his training as a shinobi to remain composed. But Sasuke's hand on his shoulder stopped him in his tracks.
"Naruto, I said you have to bear the hatred of the entire world. The entire world includes those two as well," Sasuke said blankly.
Naruto nodded, understanding the weight of Sasuke's words. As Sakura and Kakashi approached, Naruto forced himself to remain calm, his mind racing with the knowledge that this would be the first confrontation with his loved ones - and it wouldn't be an easy one.
"Yeah, I should have guessed that. It's really going to be very hard for me, though," he said in a monotone voice, taking a step back to assess the situation.
Sasuke sighed, his eyes flickering with understanding as he turned towards their approaching comrades. Naruto knew that this was only the beginning of their journey towards true peace, but as he faced the disbelieving gazes of his teammates, he knew that he had to stay strong - no matter what.
Sakura's heart raced as she approached Naruto and Sasuke. Her mind was a blur of fear and confusion as she took in their dark, ominous auras.
"Na-Naruto, Sasuke, are you alright?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Naruto's response was monotone, and Sakura could feel her heart sink at the sound. She expected a happy reunion, but instead, she was met with something entirely different.
"Naruto, what happened?" Sakura paused for a moment, searching for any signs of life behind Naruto's cold facade. "Is Sasuke back with us, Naruto?"
Sasuke's impatience grew with each passing second, and he quickly intervened. "Yeah, everything is fine. Don't get in our way, and don't ask any more questions. We're going to release the Tsukiyomi and eliminate the five kages, so get out of here."
Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wh-What did you say, Sasuke? Are you serious?"
Naruto remained silent, his gaze locked onto Sasuke. Sakura's mind raced with thoughts of what could have happened during their absence. Why wasn't Naruto saying anything? Why did he seem so different?
Kakashi watched the scene unfold, his expression blank. He knew that this was a dangerous situation, but he had no idea how to intervene. All he could do was watch and hope that things didn't get any worse.
With a deep breath, Naruto finally spoke. "You heard him, Sakura. We're both going to undo the jutsu and take control of the world. The death of the five kages will be the testimony for the new beginning of the shinobi world. There's no hope left for this pathetic world. After this war, they will return again for their power-hungry quest against each other. We'll both make sure they remain in order."
Sakura's eyes widened in horror at Naruto's words. This wasn't the Naruto she knew. The Naruto she knew would never condone such actions. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
Sasuke smirked. "Well, you heard him. Let's go, Naruto."
As they turned to leave, Kakashi couldn't hold back any longer. "Why are you doing this, Naruto? You're the one who helped everyone out of their dark paths, and now you're going into the dark yourself" he called out, his voice filled with desperation.
Naruto turned back, his expression cold and unyielding. "Well, if you're talking about those people, most of them came out of their dark paths after they failed in their methods and couldn't find any other way out than accepting the path of light. But let me say this to you, Kakashi. The light path won't always work."
"But you can become Hokage in the future and use your bonds to ensure peace in all the villages..." Kakashi trailed off, his words falling on deaf ears.
Naruto and Sasuke continued to walk away ignoring Kakashi's words, leaving him and Sakura behind to grapple with the reality of what was happening.
As Sakura's tearful cry echoed across the battlefield, Naruto and Sasuke leaped into action. They soared over the towering Hokage statues, their eyes fixed on the majestic God Tree in the distance. When they reached their destination, the two warriors stood side by side, gazing out at the sprawling vista before them.
Naruto's attention was drawn to the nine massive boulders suspended in the sky, reminding him of the Tailed Beasts. He felt a pang of guilt in his chest, knowing that the Yin half of Kurama still slumbered within him while the other half remained captive. Sasuke's words about keeping the Tailed Beasts under his control rang in Naruto's ears, but he knew he couldn't let them suffer any longer.
"Sasuke, I'm asking you to free the Tailed Beasts," Naruto said firmly. "I possess their chakra, so I can maintain a connection with them. After all I've done to liberate them from hatred, I can't let them be mistreated again."
Sasuke weighed Naruto's words carefully, nodding after a brief moment of contemplation. "Very well," he said, raising his hand to release the Tailed Beasts from their shackles. The gigantic rocks began to crumble and disintegrate, causing the bewildered Tailed Beasts to stare at their newfound freedom.
"You! You bastard! I'll tear you limb from limb!" Shukaku roared, lunging at Sasuke with ferocity. But Sasuke remained rooted in place, his stoic expression unchanged as the sand spirit hurtled towards him. "Hold your ground, Shukaku," Matatabi said irritably. "We can't do anything to him. He'll just trap us back in his genjutsu."
Kurama shifted his gaze to Naruto and Sasuke, observing their agreement to release the Tailed Beasts. "It seems they've reached a compromise despite their conflicting ideologies," Kurama remarked. However, he was taken aback when he saw Naruto's dark and stormy eyes, in contrast to his typically bright and shining orbs.
"What's wrong, Naruto? Is my other half still asleep?" Kurama asked, sitting up to face him.
Naruto flashed a grin at Kurama, but the sadness and determination behind it were unmistakable. Kurama could sense Naruto's true emotions, as their connection went beyond chakra.
Kurama lay motionless, his red fur glistening in the morning sun as Naruto approached him. "Kurama, yeah, he's still sleeping," Naruto said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I've changed my approach to peace. After all these years, I've come to realize that even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't bring true peace to the ninja world. People have always manipulated chakra, which was meant to bind them together, into weapons of war."
Kurama listened intently as Naruto continued. "I've spoken with Sasuke, and we've decided that the only way to unify everyone under one umbrella is to take on all the hatred and resentment they have against us. I'll be the villain, but it's worth it if it means stopping further war and conflict between the villages. What do you think?"
Kurama let out a deep sigh, knowing that Naruto's decision would come with great consequences. However, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in the young ninja standing before him. "Hey, whatever you do, I'll be with you," Kurama said, a hint of respect in his voice. "You're right about the shinobi. They're selfish and only care about what benefits them in the moment. So, count me in."
Naruto smiled at Kurama's unwavering support before turning to face the other tailed beasts, who were horrified and irritated by Sasuke's presence. Seeing their reactions, Naruto sighed and began to speak. "To all of you tailed beasts, Sasuke is my comrade from now on," he said, his voice firm. "He has promised me that he won't do anything to harm you. You are free to roam and can also contact me through your chakra in my mindscape. No one will dare mess with you."
Naruto bowed to show his respect to the tailed beasts, surprising everyone, including Sasuke. The demon beasts, as he had always believed, deserved no respect. But Naruto knew that they were a crucial part of the balance of power in the world, and he was determined to protect them at all costs.
Matatabi's voice was soft and generous. "Oh, Naruto... We, the tailed beasts, trust you. We will support you in whatever you do."
The other tailed beasts echoed their support in unison.
Naruto beamed with gratitude. "Thank you, guys."
With this Naruto and Sasuke formed the tiger seal and released the Infinite Tsukuyomi finally ending the long dream sleep of the shinobi forces. The giant Tree unwraps the people it is holding captive as they woke up and tried to comprehended what has happened. As they found the tailed beast standing at the distance with 2 mighty shinobi standing side-by-side they came to realize that the war is finally over and their Hero Naruto has finally saved them, yet again.
As the people approached with Naruto's friend running fast as they approached their comrade and the hero of the shinobi world. Naruto and Sasuke stood atop the low cliff surrounded by the tailed beasts. Kiba was the first to speak, his voice laced with confusion. "Oh, N-Naruto, you saved us all. Thank goodness! But what's the traitor doing here?"
Naruto's comrades, including Hinata, Shino, Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru, followed close behind Kiba, followed by the Shinobi alliance and other prominent leaders.
"Sasuke, are 'you' going to execute the kage?" Naruto's voice was hesitant, barely above a whisper.
Sasuke's arms were folded tightly across his chest, looking down the cliff towards the approaching forces. "Actually, you are going to do that," he replied matter-of-factly.
Naruto's shock was palpable. "What?!"
Sasuke continued, unfazed. "I have a lot of hatred from most of the people around, but you don't. This is the best way."
Naruto's eyes welled with tears. "But how can I... I can't kill Grandma Tsunade, I just can't."
Sasuke's expression softened with concern. "I'm not forcing you. You can go back to your comrades if you want. But if you want to come with me and take the dark path, then you have to do this for everyone's sake."
Naruto's hands and feet were cold and trembling, and Sasuke didn't like seeing him like this. It wasn't the way the strongest shinobi of all time should behave.
"And for your dilemma, I have a genjutsu, the Reikoku na Kokoro (Cruel Heart), that will help you to kill them without any remorse. It will lessen your burden a little," Sasuke offered, gazing at Naruto with a mix of empathy and determination.
Naruto's voice quivers as he speaks, tears streaming down his cheeks. "You have such a thing? Then please use it. I can't do this without your help. We need to set an example, to show people that we're willing to make sacrifices for the greater good."
Sasuke nods, his Rinnegan eyes glowing with power as he casts the genjutsu, stronger even than the legendary Kotoamatsukami. Naruto feels his heart harden and the warmth drain from his body. He squares his shoulders, steeling himself for what's to come.
The crowd of people approaching them murmur among themselves, casting wary glances at Naruto and Sasuke. Many of them still remember the devastation wrought by Madara's war, and they're not sure what to make of the hero of the world consorting with a known traitor.
But Naruto has a plan. He raises his voice, calling out to the assembled people. "To all those who have awakened from the dream, hear me now: the war is over, and Madara is dead!"
The crowd erupts in cheers and applause, relieved and overjoyed at the news. They begin to celebrate among themselves, but Naruto's stern voice cuts through the noise.
"SILENCE!" he roars, his eyes blazing with anger.
The five kages step forward, led by the Raikage, who speaks up in his usual egotistical tone. "Hey, watch your mouth, kid. We appreciate what you've done, but that's no way to talk to your superiors."
Naruto's voice is cold and unyielding. "I said silence once. Do you need me to repeat myself, Raikage?"
The Raikage bristles, about to retort, but before he can say a word, Naruto reaches out with a chakra hand formed from Kurama's yin chakra. The Raikage struggles, caught off guard by Naruto's sudden show of force.
Kurama's voice rumbles to life inside Naruto's mind, stirred from his slumber by Naruto's sudden surge of chakra. "What's happening, Naruto?" he demands, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Naruto's response is swift and firm. "It's not the time to discuss it right now, Kurama. But trust me, you'll find out soon enough."
Kurama growls in frustration, his suspicions still not allayed. "You better not be up to something foolish, Naruto," he warns, settling back into his mindscape to keep watchful eyes on his host.
Tsunade's voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and deadly. "Naruto, what are you doing? This isn't the way to handle things. Explain yourself, now."
Naruto's eyes drift over to Tsunade, his expression flat and bored. Meanwhile, the Raikage thrashes wildly in Kurama's chakra grip, causing a stir of panic among the assembled crowd.
"I'm going to kill all of you five Kages and put an end to this village system once and for all," Naruto declares in a tone of casual indifference, his chakra hand tightening around the Raikage's struggling form.
The words hang in the air, the shock and disbelief of the onlookers palpable. "What...what are you talking about?" Tsunade demands, her voice trembling with fury and confusion.
Here we are at the end of chapter 2 of our story. I hope you have been enjoying it so far and would appreciate your feedback. As a newcomer to the world of writing, your valuable input will help me improve and keep moving forward. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to your reviews!