Indra: Extra

by stroke6

Follow-up to the events of Indra, so obviously, full of spoilers and all. And won't make much sense on its own. If you have any intention of reading Indra... Probably better to start with that! (Extras so long they got their own extras...)

92. Fear of the Sage

Playing with Gods

Orochimaru had decided, a few days ago, to take a closer look at Toru and Hanabi's ramblings about feeling something move quickly through the sky periodically.

He had dismissed their words as fanciful at first, mere side effects of their heightened senses, or perhaps their overactive imaginations.

But as the pattern repeated, so did their insistence, and so did his curiosity.

He turned to his trusty screens and devices, of course. His fingers danced over the controls, tuning into what he surmised were the frequencies that they had described. Having a Dōjutsu of his own definitely helped with understanding such matters.

("A Dōjutsu?" A young Jiraiya had grinned. "Nah, don't need any of that stuff. Although… that x-ray view might sure come in handy — I'm joking, Princess, I'm joking!")

The readings on the electronic sheet coalesced into coherent data, as he specified what he was looking for exactly.

His fingers drummed on his desk, in a manner that most of his former associates, back when he was still a Konoha ninja, had usually minded. Kaguya didn't. She simply sat inside her floating half-dome chair, and continued to read the Ōtsutsuki tales he had collected and bound together for her as a gift.

The first few charts Orochimaru obtained proved to be absolutely useless; the little insight they provided was not even worth the time he spent reading them.

Orochimaru loved the thrill of experiment, the challenge of trial and retrial, and the methodicalness of research. It was something that he assumed you either felt or didn't.

A couple of hours of observation were required, and so he waited.

Something took him by surprise. He blinked and leaned closer to the digital paper, his eyes fixed on the data.

The sensors had picked something up, a series of high-speed objects moving in an orbital path around the sun, too regular to be mere cosmic debris.

Only some had been noticed, and they had also disappeared.

Nothing disappeared from their watch, unless someone made them disappear.

Which only left a few beings, of the divine sort, likely.

The material composition of these objects was unmistakably terrestrial.

His mind raced, connecting the dots. The shattered remnants of Earth, he now knew. It all made sense now – the consistent movement, the unexplainable speed, the periodic nature of the sightings, right before they disappeared.

The remnants were moving at an impossible velocity, far faster than any natural celestial body should. It was as if they had been propelled, or rather, manipulated.

A chill ran down his spine. This was no natural phenomenon; he was sure of it. It was a clear sign of divine intervention.

The purpose behind such an act eluded him until he consulted with Kaguya, whose rather… unique perspective could sometimes cut through the strangest of riddles.

('That they would bother using their power merely to speed up the orbit of Earth's remnants around the sun seems rather pointless.')

None of the humans knew what mattered most for a Divine Oath: the wording or the intent.

There had to be a bit of the former at least, if the kami were exploiting the terms of their agreement.

The stipulation that the confrontation would occur in "eight human years, as they were once calculated on Earth before its end" was the key. The kami, in their cunning, had manipulated the Earth's remnants to alter the very basis of this temporal measurement.

Oh, well.

Orochimaru sighed. The gods had played their hand, and pretty discreetly too, but they were not the only ones capable of bending a rule or two. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

Orochimaru pondered the potential solutions. It wouldn't do, after all, for the confrontation to happen on an untimely day.

Kaguya was engrossed in her reading again.

Orochimaru returned to his console, his fingers flying over the controls with renewed purpose. He began to draft simulations, calculate trajectories, and delve into the wealth of space-time jutsu he had amassed over the years.

He had spent a lifetime of playing at god; this was no different.

Orochimaru didn't expect much recognition for this. If he even bothered to warn the others about the problem at all, once he solved it — no, he probably should.

He supposed that was part of being a teacher.

---

FEAR OF THE SAGE

"Whatever it is that you want to tell me, to tell us, I am afraid that our decision is already made." Naruto said.

That was how he chose to break the silence.

The Sage of Six Paths, the legend who gave chakra to Man, sat back with a long sigh, on nothing but warm air.

The Sage looked at him with veiled eyes. "Is that truly the first thing you wish to say to them?" He asked, his voice echoing in the stillness around them. Naruto bristled.

A heavy silence fell once again, the air thick with unspoken words and tension.

The father of Ninshū, the first jinchūriki in history, the one who had sealed his mother away for the sake of peace, whose teachings had shaped the history of the world.

There was something chiding in his voice, and part of Naruto, the part which remembered him having been his father once, bristled as the Sage spoke.

"It makes no difference that they're here." Naruto grunted. "Not in this regard."

Nearby, Sasuke didn't seem to know how to react at all. Toru was equally silent, although for different reasons. Which was a shame, because Naruto didn't quite believe himself to be a smooth talker. He was no Kage, and perhaps he should have taken the man along, after all. He decided to do most of the talking anyway, and sent the thought to the others.

Still, there was a surge of something that felt almost protective in Naruto's gut as he stepped in between Sasuke and Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo; between Toru and his parents.

With a mild grunt, Sasuke placed himself by Naruto's side again.

"Although…" The Sage said slowly, even as he took notice of it. "Perhaps Indra is a fitting moniker, after all. In your pursuit of dominion, you have elected the path of coercion to govern humanity."

"We are not planning to do what your mother did." Naruto said mildly. "We read the stone tablet. We understood its intent."

"And yet you have recreated the Rinnegan." The Sage pointed out. "Many, many times over. Made use of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, as well."

"Never for more than very temporary measures." Naruto countered. "Not once."

"Does that make it better?"

"Yes."

For a moment, there was only silence.

"We shared the Rinnegan with the people, just as you once did with chakra." Sasuke finally intervened.

"You have only imparted it unto those you deemed worthy."

"Only to those we deemed capable of bearing such a burden." Sasuke said, voice taut with conviction. "I have seen firsthand what handing out dangerous... gifts can do to the world." Hashirama.

"Ah." The Sage murmured, but it didn't sound approving. "You wish to guide them, this time. A rather paternalistic approach, I must say."

"Can you really throw stones at us?" Naruto countered. "That's what you have done, yourself."

"I could." The Sage said.

Naruto stayed silent, arms folded, and the Sage continued.

"You, especially, have slain numerous souls in your ascent to power, misguided though they were. You freed my mother from her age-old chains. And now, you find yourself on the brink of a venture even more audacious. You aim to alter the very essence of death."

"It's a burden I am willing to shoulder." Naruto said, full of conviction. "As it was before, too. The only deaths I regret are the ones I caused when I was not of sound mind."

Sasuke, next to Naruto, tensed.

"Was it truly necessary to carry out these executions?" The Sage inquired, his voice tinged with disapproval.

"I weighed every angle." Naruto said. "I spent sleepless nights thinking it over. And I ended up deciding that even with Nagato gone, it was not worth the risk. These actions, harsh as they were, served as a deterrent. And I think it proved to be the right choice."

"A child of war's choice." The Sage admonished.

"Perhaps. It is the world you left us, after all. Have you paid attention to the sort of people who died?" Naruto asked, shaking his head. "The worst of the worst, and they won't be missed. Not everyone was worth saving, especially then. Can you refute it?"

"There is, Naruto, a difference between saving a life and ending it."

"Even then." Naruto said. "Can you refute it?"

"I shall not attempt it. You have always possessed quite the… stubborn streak."

"Perhaps." Naruto admitted. "I don't think your words would stop us."

"I never believed they would." The Sage said, looking at him sharply.

"And I don't expect to change your mind, either." Naruto said.

"That hardly serves as justification."

"Oh?" Naruto asked, slowly getting incensed. "What would you have done, this time…? Handed out dangerous power freely again, and prayed that understanding would prevail? We've seen it fail time and time again."

"Indra created Ninjutsu, not I." The Sage countered. "I believe you remember it."

"I do." Naruto said flatly. "Very well, in fact. But you and I both know that for all his mistakes, and for all my mistakes then, I suppose, that he was only the first. There were others. The moment Ninshū spread was the moment it became possible to escalate the war. The names, the methods might have been different, but warfare using chakra began the very moment you made it possible."

"If the hearts of men are darkened, then even the purest of intentions can lead to calamity."

Naruto almost laughed. "You're not answering the question. What would you have done?"

"It is not a matter of endowing everyone with equal power, but rather fostering a world where power does not dictate worth." The Sage said. "A world where understanding and compassion prevail over the desire for dominance."

"Spare me the lesson about teaching Indra how the powerless felt." Naruto said tightly. "Pretty words. You speak of understanding, of equal power. As though you never handed your own power to your son anyway."

The Sage stared at him. "Grievances from the past, now?" He sighed. "If you believe I should have chosen Indra—"

"You should have chosen both!"

The Sage looked taken aback, and he said nothing.

"You pitted them against each other." Naruto continued. "You wanted them to work together — that's why you created this tablet in the first place. Because you believed that both their values were needed." Naruto continued. "But you still managed to pit them against each other. The only reason Indra believed the alterations that were made to it, that he never figured out the version he read was never anything you would have written… was because you never tried to become truly close to your sons in the first place."

The Sage shook his head. "That is…"

"That's not where I'm going with this. This is not about Indra — he was your favorite for years. It was Asura who was neglected, at first." Naruto said. "For all your talk of finding peace through communication and understanding, you never tried to understand either. To reach out to them. Or did you need your precious Ninshū for that? When that wasn't possible, instead of facing them, you resorted to a tablet?"

"Indra, by then, had already embarked on his journey." The Sage said slowly. "And so we did not speak of it."

"As though that made it impossible for you to speak to him." Naruto snorted. "Perhaps you would have figured out that there was someone out there fanning the flames of your children's rivalries, if you had."

"Would you attempt to justify attempted fratricide, then? Starting a millennium-long war over the succession?"

"I would not, no." Naruto countered. "You should have known it. Now... Would you attempt to justify neglecting both your sons and washing your hands off the entire matter? How many times did you reach out to Indra's vessels?"

Both knew the answer. None before today.

There was a moment of tense silence. Naruto clenched a fist, and then released it.

The Sage was giving Naruto a strange, peculiar look.

"…What is it?" Naruto asked, trying his best to remain detached from feelings that weren't his. "Are you going to answer at all—"

"Do you refrain from striking me because you believe I have taken your dear ones hostage?"

This time, Naruto ground his teeth.

"No." He said. "Although it is quite frustrating, I would have expected nothing less of you." He shook his head before speaking again, sounding more subdued. "No. Even if you hadn't brought them with you, I wouldn't have."

"That's rather uncharacteristic of you." The Sage pondered. "Do you doubt your own strength now?"

Naruto shook his head again. "If there is one thing I rarely doubt at this point, my strength has to be it."

"Then?"

"You are not the enemy."

"Rather arbitrary of you, considering. What am I, then…?"

"Well…" Naruto sighed in frustration. "A rather annoying ghost of the past, if you're asking me. Someone that should not make me feel this frustrated so quickly."

The Sage turned around to Sasuke, who had not bothered to intervene for a little while.

"Asura's father." Sasuke simply said. "Hashirama's guiding light, too. Everything he did was influenced by what little he knew of you."

The Sage nodded slowly.

"You have seen the world through these eyes." Sasuke said, pointing at them with his thumb. "Just like we have. Each of us perceived different answers."

"Was yours the same as Naruto, then?" The Sage asked evenly. "Was yours a reign of tyranny?"

"Was yours a failed experiment?" Naruto countered. "One that led to the mess that we had to fix?"

Perhaps his words reached, because for a moment, the Sage said nothing at all. Sasuke continued, after giving Naruto a pointed look.

"Your vision of unity was premature in its birth, Sage." Sasuke said smoothly. "It is a beautiful dream, but from the way the world turned out, it required you to guide it."

The Sage considered him, then Naruto. "It should not have."

"Not in a perfect world, perhaps." Naruto conceded, arms folded. "That's not the world we were born in."

The Sage accepted the answer with a slight, almost imperceptible nod. "I cannot claim to have, but you have traversed other realms, have you not? Were none amongst them serene?"

Naruto was about to speak, but Sasuke elbowed him again. "Few were, in truth." He said. "As far as humans were concerned. Or rather, it was a temporary peace, until an aggressor came along. And there never is a shortage of them."

"There was always strife." Naruto said. "Fear-mongering, discrimination, mutiny, hatred. A quest for more power. For resources. For self-aggrandizing. I suppose it's human nature. I found it easier to work within these constraints."

"Everywhere?" The Sage asked. "Or are you only seeing what you want to see? What feels familiar?"

"Nearly everywhere humans were involved." Naruto said, shrugging. "As long as there was an other, there was a tribe."

The Sage did not have an immediate response. "…That is quite disheartening to hear."

Naruto sighed deeply before speaking. "I don't really mean to blame you. I've committed terrible acts myself." He paused. "The issue in our world is that chakra, rather than being a tool for peace, has simply become another means to amass and wield power. This cycle, that I know I am very much a part of, is endless, because of the inherent flaws in most men."

"You bear the mark of a cynic."

"Maybe." Naruto admitted with a wry smile. "I think that although you started out as an optimist, you became one yourself, too. As tends to happen. And it might have steered you towards something as dangerous as our little tyranny."

The Sage stared at him flatly, and Sasuke tried to get him to stop talking. "…What might that be?"

"Inaction." Naruto said. "If anyone could have done something, it would have been you."

The Sage shook his head, eyes turning slightly harder. "Stripping choice from humanity, killing those you deemed unworthy was never a path I entertained. That is Mother's method."

"Your mother's method? Don't make me repeat myself." Naruto asked, slowly getting incensed again. "What do you want me to say? That your mother was right?"

Sasuke was beginning to rub his temples, cursing Naruto under his breath.

"Is that what you believe?" The Sage asked slowly.

That did it.

"She was wrong!" Naruto nearly shouted. "You still cannot read anyone's heart without connecting with chakra! If you believe that I was about to stand still while war raged and people killed themselves over land, over a leader's order, over lies they were told, over notions they didn't even understand, over and over again, then you're dead wrong!"

Perhaps he had been shouting, at the end.

"You seem angry." The Sage pointed out.

"I am." Naruto said. He breathed in deep, and frosty calm resumed. "…If all it took for it to stop was to kill my own heart, to bathe my hands in blood, then to me at least, that was a choice I would make blind. That was my answer then."

Sasuke was staring at him, and there was something strangely soft in his eyes. Naruto looked away.

"…Killing is a terrible act." Naruto said. "It ranks among the most heinous one can commit. And even in a world that has grown far too accustomed to it, seizing power by force is never something I can condone as good. Yet, I find myself doing both quite often. Despite often resorting to gallows humor, I assure you, these are not actions I undertake lightly."

"And yet you won't stop." The Sage said, his tone neither harsh nor soft.

"I am a shinobi, am I not?" Naruto answered in the same tones.

For a moment, no one spoke.

"That is no justification." The Sage eventually said.

"…It was not meant to be one." Sasuke shook his head. "But that is the world we grew up in. What he means to say—"

"Don't speak for me." Naruto interjected. "I—"

"I will if you're digging your own grave, dumbass." Sasuke cut him off. "We do it so that the generations after won't have to."

"You continue to train warriors, do you not?" The Sage asked.

"Warriors by choice." Sasuke said. "The same way you yourself trained men."

"Are you certain you are not shackled to the ways of old?" the Sage asked.

"We are still learning with every step." Naruto said. "For now, we've made a world at peace."

"At peace?" The Sage asked, something ancient in his eyes. "What of the kami?"

"They will never reach it again." Naruto said sharply. "The Ring is not Earth. I have made sure of it, and will continue to make sure of it."

"And still—"

"The kami Susanoo-Arashi is coming after me." Naruto said.

"So you intend to make yourself the recipient of their anger?" The Sage asked. "Their only given enemy?"

"If I have to."

"And should you lose?"

There was a tense moment between them.

"We won't." Sasuke said, before Naruto could. "We'll destroy Susanoo-Arashi, and the other kami will have no choice but to see it happen. This will be the last true battle with them."

The Sage's gaze, heavy with an almost pitiful understanding, fell upon Sasuke.

"That is your answer, then." The Sage nodded to himself. "What of today?"

Sasuke paused. "Today?"

"Either you or Naruto can defeat nearly anyone standing in your path with your ability, me included, but can you truly bear responsibility for all this? To challenge, perhaps even conquer, the unyielding specter of death itself—"

"Oh, that's rich."

It was Hanabi who broke the man's monologue.

The Sage appeared taken aback. "I beg your pardon?"

"I said, that's rich coming from a dead man who brought our equally dead kin here to guilt trip us." Hanabi retorted. "Because you thought, deep down, that we were going to attack you."

Her voice was clear, charged with both irritation and disbelief. "So, sure… Kaguya is a stuck-up bitch that makes me feel pleasant on my worst days. And sure, we took over with violence, killing when we had to, sometimes when we didn't. We did all these things and worse. But at least we did something. Weren't you always able to intervene? Why do so now? Why did you watch over your sons fighting on through a thousand years before you showed up? Did you get some sick, twisted amusement out of it? Couldn't you have… done something? Anything?"

The Sage's eyes were on her, weighing her silently. That's what she thought, at least, that he saw an arrogant woman who had killed her kin and willingly taken part in the uprising that eventually turned humanity into space-dwellers. She didn't care much for it, Sage or not.

"I'm probably not the best recipient for your philosophy in the first place, but…" Sakura chimed in, her lone arm folded. "I agree with her. You gave divided people tools for war in the name of understanding, and then left your clearly unprepared sons to handle the mess by pitting them against each other…? Sure, they patched up their differences now, but… really?"

The Sage's frown deepened. "Indra and Asura bore the burden of their own choices. To intervene in their destinies would have been—"

"Right." Sakura said. "And I suppose the rest of the people could go and fuck themselves for all you cared, as long as it meant your sons grew the fuck up. I'm disappointed." She sighed, and not just because she already had a stern talking to this week, courtesy of Ino, who was one of the few people she would listen to willingly. "Let's ignore him, Naruto, girls, Sasuke. There's someone I want you to meet — ah, maybe after your relatives."

The Sage didn't bother answering her.

"Ah." A helpless chuckle escaped Naruto. "Thank you, but I think Sasuke and I will hear him out first."

"Suit yourself." Sakura shrugged. "As for me, I'm done indulging this hypocrisy. Wanna meet my old sensei with me, Hanabi?" She asked, extending her arm out toward her. "Girls?" She asked the others when Hanabi took it. "Who are we seeing first?"

"I'll join you in a moment, Sakura." Ino interjected gently, her eyes lingering on her father. She communicated silently. 'Just a moment, dad.'

Inoichi nodded.

Understanding, Sakura signaled her assent, and Hanabi and her both turned, seeking seemingly more meaningful encounters. "My old man is the best suited to handle another, anyway." Hanabi said, as they walked into the distance. "Have fun."

Naruto simply shook his head fondly. Then he saw the look in Sakura's eyes and shook his head no.

Ino stepped forward to the Sage. "We've all had our fair share of pain and loss." She began, her voice steady. "We've fought, suffered, and survived. Your sons are no exception. But this…" Her gaze shifted towards the Sage. "…This certainly feels like manipulation."

Karin, usually more even-tempered, nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing with a rare intensity. "Exactly. None of us are here to serve as lessons for your sons." She shook her head, her red hair catching the dim light of Hell. "It's not just about their decision. And it's not about Naruto or Sasuke's decisions."

Ino turned to Naruto, reaching out to touch his arm, before turning to address the Sage. "I think that, since you've all but ignored the rest of us, it's only fair we do the same in turn." She said. "Respectfully."

"Besides…" Karin continued. "Whatever the meaning of this was... As Hanabi said, you are toying with life and death yourself."

"Perhaps." The Sage intoned, his visage a mask of impenetrable calm. Still, a glimmer of melancholy flickered in his ancient eyes. "You are mistaken in one aspect, however. They have chosen to come."

Karin's eyes went to her mother's ethereal form quickly. "…Even then."

The Sage seemed about to speak, but then paused, letting the weight of their words hang in the air.

His eyes caught Yoisen's. He remembered it all, of course. From the time she had come to their compound as a youth, after Naotora herself had, to the terrible actions she and Indra had undertaken. The perversion of his teachings.

Yoisen stepped forward gracefully, and there was more than a touch of regret in her eyes. Ino's own eyes were on her, and there were no high hopes in her expression.

Lowering her head in a deep, respectful bow, Yoisen addressed the Sage with reverence. "Hagoromo-sama." She said. "Your teachings, like a sacred river, have guided countless souls. I once sought wisdom within your walls. Though I hold these memories close, I won't ask for your forgiveness, as I do not deem myself worthy of such grace."

Ino's eyes narrowed further, her expression hardening with visible disdain.

The Sage shook his head, about to respond…

"However."

He paused as Yoisen lifted her head, her gaze meeting his, something flat in her eyes.

"I will say this. Naruto is more than just Indra's reincarnation." Yoisen said, respectful and unyielding. Her words, devoid of the ancient formalities, only carried raw honesty. "That is a role he has long since transcended. His wives have spoken, and I echo their sentiments. His journey, his decisions, are solely his, not tethered to bygone feuds or fated paths."

She paused, a shadow crossing her face. "…I have caused enough harm for several lifetimes. I have adhered to notions that tore at my soul for too long. I have walked paths of regret and turmoil. Now, I choose one that feels right, true to who I am." Her hand came to rest atop her sword's pommel. "If that means taking a stand against you…"

Ino paused, weighing her thoughts, then her expression seemed to clear, as though she had reached a decision.

The Sage too remained silent, his gaze lingering on each face before him, as if absorbing the weight of their words.

Then he turned to Naruto and Sasuke.

They both met his eyes.

"Are you intending to go through with it?" The Sage asked. "To face potential ruin, to this uncertain future of opposing gods?"

"Entirely." Naruto answered.

"Of course." The Sage said with a sigh.

"There's no negotiating with them."

"Have you tried?"

"The dangerous ones were never willing to listen." Naruto frowned. "Not to anything remotely reasonable. Would you try to negotiate with a thunderstorm?"

The Sage did not answer directly.

"...Do you grasp the magnitude of your actions, or are you merely navigating by the whim of your own counsel?" He then asked.

Naruto did not even blink at the remark. "It is not really me you're talking about."

Acknowledging Naruto's point, the Sage nodded.

"If it's a warning, it came much too late, Sage." Sasuke said, not unkindly. "We will proceed."

The Sage slowly nodded. He was not satisfied, and yet, he seemed to have expected it.

"I know the path we have chosen is not without its issues." Naruto said, his voice steady. "Taking power was the only workable way I saw. The world was fractured by endless conflict. There was no room for half-measures. I won't apologize for that."

The Sage, ancient and inscrutable, regarded them evenly. "Power, Naruto, is a treacherous ally. It tends to twist even the noblest intentions."

Sasuke moved one step forward. "He's aware of the dangers." He asserted. "So am I. The risk of being corrupted by power pales in comparison to the certain agony our world has endured."

The Sage offered a slow, contemplative nod. "Even then. It is a legacy that is often fraught with unforeseen outcomes."

Sasuke met the Sage's ancient gaze squarely. "That may be true. But we have walked through fire and blood. Over and over again. We've felt all of the anguish and the horror. To end this vicious cycle, seizing the reins was the only clear path."

"Or perhaps only the easiest, was it not?" The Sage sighed, a sound that seemed to echo across time. "So has his conviction swayed even you…?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "I am not Asura." He said firmly. "Just as he is not Indra. I do not believe he hoards power for its sake, but as a means to an end."

"Our aim was to create a world where people don't have to bear the burdens of war." Naruto said. "That hasn't changed. And we did well on that, already."

The Sage's expression softened slightly, but the weight of his judgment remained. "A noble, yet perilous path. The greatest challenge isn't in obtaining power, but in relinquishing it when the time comes."

"You are talking about yourself." Naruto pointed out. "About Kaguya."

The Sage's eyes were firmly into his. "I am speaking of any of us."

That was the moment Toru chose to find his voice.

"I think you're wrong." He simply said. "And that you're only seeing what you want to see."

"Perhaps I am." There was something like a smile, curling up the Sage's lips. "It would not be the first time. Might we speak another time? I would speak with Naruto and Sasuke."

"What of it?" Toru began. "Any of us would tell you the same, when it matters. We—"

"Toru." Naruto flashed the group a brief smile. "All of you. I appreciate your support. I think I understand what he's asking Sasuke and I."

Toru sighed. "Well, go on, then."

One by one, they departed, their lingering glances heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Naruto turned around to face Indra's father.

"Is this the answer you have found?" The Sage asked, entirely inscrutable. "Waging war?"

"Not war, order. That is what we have been bringing about." Naruto said. "I am a child of violence, although my actions were my own. A necessary upheaval to prevent greater catastrophe. The times demanded a firmer hand."

"A necessary evil, you claim?"

"Yes." Naruto's eyes narrowed. "I am well aware of the dubious morality of it. But consider the alternative — chaos, unchecked ambition, and the endless cycle of violence. My reign, though it began on a harsh note, has brought lasting stability."

"Truly? What of the future?" The Sage pressed. "When your rule ends, what legacy will you leave behind? Will the peace you've forged endure, or will it crumble without your iron grip?"

Like mine has, went unsaid.

"That is the question we sought to address." Sasuke interjected, stepping beside Naruto. "We're well aware of the impermanence of power. But we've also seen the potential for change, for a better world. Our actions before, our actions in the future, are all to ensure that the foundation we lay is strong enough to last."

"All the while you plan to wage war with gods." The Sage looked between them, his expression unreadable. "Is the peace you offer worth such a price?"

"It is." Naruto's expression hardened. "Are you saying you would let things remain as they are? Again? You keep telling me of the blood on my hands, but what of yours? How many lives were lost under your watch? When you introduced chakra to the world, did you foresee the wars it would spark? How many people died directly because of your way, through the ages? How many more would have died over time, had we not intervened? 'More than our way' is my answer."

The Sage remained silent for a moment, his eyes touched with an ancient sorrow. "…There is validity in your words, unfortunately. I had hoped for unity, for understanding. But perhaps I was naive. The power I bestowed became a tool for division, not harmony."

Sasuke was about to motion for Naruto to shut up, once more. But he didn't need to.

"I believe we have learned from the past." Sasuke said, looking back at the Sage. "I was rather… unconvinced by Naruto's way, in the past." He admitted. "And there won't be a day I won't complain about him as a person. Still…"

"Has it changed, then?" The Sage queried.

"Yes." Sasuke finally admitted. "I… agree with him." The words felt as though they burned his lips. "We have seen the consequences of unchecked power, of misguided intentions. We're not just repeating history; we're trying to rectify it."

The air was thick with tension, the weight of centuries bearing down upon them. The Sage finally spoke, his voice low and resolute. "I see the conviction in your eyes, this determination to carve a true, new path. And still…"

Naruto could almost hear the silent question in the Sage's eyes.

He could almost see it unfold: for hours, they would exchange ideals, never reaching a resolution that truly satisfied either side. Both would depart, feeling misunderstood yet unchanged, or their differing convictions might drive them into an actual conflict. One that he was too afraid he would win.

Yes, Naruto could almost hear the silent question in the Sage's eyes.

And he thought that maybe, just maybe, he knew his answer.

"Hagoromo." Naruto's eyes shone with a fierce, unwavering determination.

The Sage stopped to look at him, truly look at him.

Naruto inhaled deeply, and as he exhaled, his chakra unfurled from within, extending outward like a hand graciously offered.

"From you?" The Sage's eyes narrowed some. "Ninshū…?"

There was a half-apologetic smile upon Naruto's face, even as Sasuke's own chakra rose to join his.

"I figured we might at least try and see." Naruto offered. "If that is the way you favor..."

"…Very well."

Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo's chakra extended as well, like a well of ancient power.

They met in the middle.

Naruto closed his eyes, feeling the Sage's soul, just like he did Sasuke's. Just like they did. He opened them again.

"When peace is secured, when the world no longer needs such a… heavy hand to guide it, I will step away." Naruto declared. "Be it decades or eons. I don't intend to cling to power forever."

The Sage's ancient eyes were unreadable. "Those words, although honest in this moment, could easily be the words of a man deceiving himself."

"They could easily be." Naruto admitted. "I mean, it's a promise after all. We all know what those are worth."

This time, the surprise was clearly visible in the Sage's eyes.

"It wouldn't be the first time either of us three played the hypocrite." Sasuke said quietly.

Naruto's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "Indeed. But sometimes, a hypocrite is merely a man evolving, one step at a time."

"Of course you'd say that." Sasuke countered.

"You got me." Naruto smiled.

The conversation lulled and quietness swelled between them, just as their chakra did.

They saw each other, from the flickering doubts that whispered in their minds to the burning conviction that set their hearts ablaze.

"If faced with the choice of committing lesser evils to avert greater ones, and the scales tipped favorably on the side of good, what would you choose?" Naruto finally asked.

The Sage, ancient and inscrutable, paused. Allowing the question to hang in the air. He then responded with a question of his own. "Do you believe that the ends always justify the means?"

"Not always." Naruto shook his head. "But there are times when difficult choices must be made."

Sasuke added, his voice low but firm. "And if those choices lead to a better world, shouldn't they be considered?"

The Sage fixed his gaze upon Naruto and Sasuke. "Are you both truly committed to this path, then?"

Naruto nodded solemnly. "Yes. It is our final decision."

Sasuke, standing beside him, acquiesced as well. "It's a decision we've all made, one we firmly stand behind."

"Indra leaned towards coercion." Naruto said. "…And I suppose I've inherited a fair amount of that." He shook his head. "The worst is behind us, I have taken harsh decisions to lessen their need in the future. Though I regret the need for them in the first place, I do not regret having taken them."

"Asura leaned towards cooperation." Sasuke added. "We've found our answer lies beyond their separate paths. We will continue striving to maintain this hard-won order. For as long as it takes."

A deep silence enveloped them. It stretched long, heavy with the weight of centuries. In those moments, the air seemed cooler, even in Naraka's fiery, oppressive heat.

And finally, the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo, broke the stillness.

His shakujō formed from nothing. His strong chakra rose through the air. Sakura, further away, watched him closely.

"Very well. In that case…" Hagoromo spoke. His voice, though quiet, carried an undeniable authority that resonated through the space. "Naruto, Sasuke."

The two of them shared a glance.

The two had taken the same decision.

The two, the living legacies of his sons, stepped forward.

They were fierce, these two young warriors, as Asura and Indra had been, the Sage thought. And yet, both had something neither of his sons had managed to find throughout their lives. His ancient eyes gazed upon them with a mixture of pride and melancholy.

Slowly, with a grace that spoke of ages long past, Hagoromo extended his hands towards them. The shakujō broke apart in bright shards. From his fingertips, a soft light began to emanate, coalescing into the symbols of the Sun and the Moon. The symbols drifted towards Naruto and Sasuke, settling upon their palms. They were a power that transcended time, fused into their skin, glowing with a gentle but formidable light.

Naruto lifted his head, and there was true disbelief in his eyes.

"…Now?" He asked, voice thick with emotion that didn't truly belong to him. "…After everything? You'd still…?"

Sasuke accepted the gift graciously, only nodding with solemnity.

"I cannot say I truly agree with your choices." The Sage said, closing his eyes. "In fact, I disagree with many of them."

"…Why, then?" Naruto asked.

"Throughout my life, I have erred many times. Sometimes, as you said earlier, I ponder if Ninshū itself was a misstep. Yet, this decision... this feels unequivocally right." The Sage then paused, his gaze heavy. "You are not my only wayward children; indeed, there are nine others. Each has at some point embarked on paths I could not condone. You two have carved a different one." He took a weary breath. "One I can comprehend might have felt needed, as much of the fault lies with me. You have done so together."

"Plenty of the blame can be laid on me, as well." Naruto said quietly. Or Indra, depending on how one saw it. "You... understand our decision, then?" Naruto asked, keeping a level look on him.

"I see enough good in you. And you saved them, when there was nothing for you to gain, and all to lose." The timeless man said. "My children. Kurama, Matatabi, Shukaku, Isobu, Son Gokū, Kokuō, Saiken, Chōmei, and Gyūki."

"That's…" Naruto sighed.

"I must concede, I am truly fond of them." The Sage nodded wistfully. In spite of their deeds.

"Besides, what sort of father would I be if I didn't allow my sons the liberty to forge their own paths?"

Neither Sasuke nor Naruto answered.

"Tell me, how many worlds have you aided thus far?"

Sasuke and Naruto only shared questioning looks, before shrugging. "…Today, you mean?" Sasuke asked.

"Ah." The Sage smiled. "That is precisely what I mean."

Sasuke smiled, hesitantly.

"You possess another quality as well." The Sage said. "An important one. The resolve to do what is needed — perhaps I lacked it. As you have said, quite bluntly."

Naruto winced slightly.

The Sage watched them, a soft smile touching his lips.

"I am afraid that this gesture is closer to mere symbolism now. You have grown far too much already. However…" He said, his voice echoing with a thousand years of knowledge and sorrow. "…I needed to see you two with my own eyes. To witness the moment when the future of this world would be fully entrusted to hands other than my own."

His gaze was tender, yet there was a finality in his words that spoke of endings and beginnings. "I shall indeed entrust mankind to you now. It is time for me to truly rest, to lay down the burdens that have been mine for far too long."

Sasuke bowed his head in acceptance.

"And as for the kami." The Sage continued, his smile tinged with a knowing sadness. "There is nothing more I can teach you, unfortunately." And there was fondness in his eyes, too. The Sage smiled, and it crinkled his eyes. "My sons, in spirit if not in blood, have finally grown. Although we may disagree, they have surpassed even my greatest hopes."

Naruto blinked something away. That was not his, not truly. But part of him hoped that Indra was at peace, wherever he was. In spite of everything.

The Sage's gaze swept over the spectral figures he had summoned, his voice a blend of finality and tenderness. "This is my farewell to you, my parting gift." He spoke softly. "Treasure the time remaining with your cherished ones. They may not tarry long, even beyond the breaking of death."

A flicker of wry humor warmed his voice. "Your companions' vigilant guardianship has not gone unnoticed, yet fear not, bringing your loved ones here was not born of manipulation."

A soft smile graced his features. "Naruto, Sasuke, it is regrettable that Hinata and Yugito are absent. You both have chosen well — though perhaps one of you hasn't bothered to choose much. Each of them are remarkable partners, allies of heart and spirit; true companions for the paths you walk." He glanced at Sakura. '…Though I hold suspicions that one amongst them harbored intentions to end my life.'

He then glanced at Toru in the distance. "All this applies to any of your brothers, as well."

"Thank you." Sasuke said, meeting the Sage's eyes squarely, with resolve in his eyes. "Your words and trust aren't taken lightly."

Sasuke paused, his expression hesitant as he searched for the right words. For a moment, he seemed to struggle, as if trying to recall phrases from a language both familiar and unfamiliar to him.

"We'll carry forward, bearing the weight and the honor of your legacy." Sasuke said in the old tongue, speaking slowly at first, then with more confidence.

Hagoromo nearly froze when he heard the ancient language. And these words echoed those from a thousand years ago, familiar yet distinctly new.

"Right. We'll do it." Naruto decided. "But this time, it's not just for your sake."

"You two might well be different men…" Hagoromo smiled softly. "…However, you still speak too lightly of such matters."

"We're not saying this lightly." Naruto said, smiling.

"Then…?" Hagoromo prompted.

Naruto nodded. "I truly believe that peace is possible. It feels like we're just beginning to understand its true nature. Our task now is to nurture it, to maintain this fragile start, and extend our aid wherever needed."

"I will help him, of course." Sasuke said. "We're both well aware of the mess he'd make, left to his own devices."

Both of them shared small grins.

Their expressions turned to surprise when they turned to the Sage.

It took them a second to understand that the slight thing rolling down Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo's face was a tear. It was quickly followed by another. They stopped where they stood, at a loss for what to do.

And then the man smiled a true smile, through his tears.

"Please, relay a message to Mother…" He began, his voice imbued with a mix of regret and earnestness. "Tell her that I look upon what you two have achieved and wish I had done the same. That I could have seen the good in her. And let her know… Let her know that I am truly sorry for not having been a better son."

He stepped back, his figure beginning to fade, becoming one with the light. "Good luck." He whispered, his voice barely audible over the rush of emotions that filled the space.

"I have faith in your success."

…

"Right." Sakura said as she came back. "So, just to be clear, we're not killing the Sage?"

"No." Sasuke said, scowling at her. "We are not killing the Sage."

"Ah." She nodded. "You hypnotized him, then. I was wondering when Naruto became decent at talking to people. Good thinking."

"I didn't." Sasuke hissed. Naruto confirmed it.

"Oh. Okay." Sakura casually sheathed her dagger anyway. "If you say so." Then, seeing the few disbelieving glances aimed at her, she raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, pretend you didn't think of it."

"We didn't." Ino said flatly. "I'd know."

Sakura snorted. "Shows how much you know, yeah." She shook her head. "I was counting on it, really. We're talking about the guy who gave weapons of mass destruction to the people. Before anything that remotely looked like peace, unlike us, of course."

"He didn't give the Bijū to the people." Karin said. "He set them free — I think. Naruto?" She asked for confirmation, and he nodded.

"I meant chakra." Sakura said. "What was he hoping for…? Understanding? Yeah, right."

"He did." Sasuke pointed out coolly.

Sakura chuckled. "I wouldn't give children sharp tools and call it the path to peace."

"Yeah?" Toru asked slowly, his gaze somewhere else. "And what would you do?"

"Rule over them benevolently. Make sure they don't keep on killing each other." Sakura offered. "Kinda like what we're doing."

"Still sounds pretty evil to me." Toru countered, still not looking at her directly. "And it's probably made worse because it's you saying it."

"The Sage meant well, Sakura." Naruto said. "It… didn't work out as he did, but he had good intentions."

"Sure he did. Why didn't he try to fight you, then?" Sakura asked. "Aside from seeing my superior eye?"

"Aside from that?" Naruto asked.

"Obviously. Although that's enough, too."

Naruto looked at her with a slight smile. "Because he can be pragmatic, too." He said. "I suppose he decided it wasn't that bad of a tyranny."

Sakura shrugged. "Got it."

"No reason to destroy the eternal empire, if it means that his spiritual sons are finally working together — or maybe he just realized he was outmatched."

Sasuke's frown deepened. "He wouldn't think like that. If he believed we were wrong, he'd act."

"Yeah?" Sakura frowned. "What would he do about it, then? Resurrect all the worst people in the world to teach us a lesson? In the void of space, where Earth used to be—"

Sasuke clenched his jaw, conceding. "Alright, point made."

---

The two groups stared at each other. Hesitantly at first, then less so. They went to meet.

---

"…They certainly are something."

That was what Kiyoshi, Sakura's teacher for a time, said this time.

"Right?" She smiled in answer. "I wouldn't trade them for anything."

There was a short moment of silence. "…Was it hard, once I left?"

Sakura shrugged. "I hit the road. You know how it is."

He did. "I'm sorry."

"Eh, good times, bad times. Times." Sakura smiled. "I learned a lot, though."

"Tell me…" Kiyoshi hesitated. "I… didn't keep up with things below. I…"

"Is it about Chigusa? Sasori?"

"…Ah." Kiyoshi seemed ashamed. "So, you know about them?"

"Hard not to learn about this sort of thing eventually." Sakura shrugged. "I don't care, frankly. Shit students or not, you still taught me. So. Is it about them?"

"…It is."

"Chigusa became the Kazekage." Sakura said. "My wife captured Sasori, and as far as I know, he's probably still being tortured somewhere in a dark cell. Something about his human puppets and morality — I told you I was your most well-adjusted student, didn't I?"

"…I see." Kiyoshi sighed. "…I see. Chigusa, however? Is the village still standing?"

"I'd say so."

"That's all I can ask for."

…

"Ino." Her father's voice echoed in the still air. "You've grown so much, flower."

Inoichi's form was ethereal, a faint wisp of the strong man he once was, yet his eyes shone with the same warmth and wisdom.

Ino, feeling a tumult of emotions, stepped forward gingerly. "Dad..." She whispered, feeling all the weight of the years since his passing.

Inoichi smiled softly, a gesture that was enough to make her forget their surroundings. "The Sage has told me — You've been so brave."

Ino blinked some tears away.

They talked, but not of her grief or the unfairness of his early departure.

Instead, they spoke of little nothings, of the love he still held for her. Ino shared stories of her journey, her voice growing steadier with each word, as if the act of speaking to her father eased some of her burdens.

And that meant she told him about her life.

…

"I'm going to kill you. Sarutobi or Uzumaki or Namikaze or whatever else." Inoichi said calmly. "For the debauchery—"

"Dad, for fuck's sake." Ino grunted. "Leave Naruto out of this. If you think I'm unable to make decisions for myself, you're dead wrong."

"He's not sorry at all!" Inoichi roared. "Just look at his dumb mug! You deserve so much—"

"I'm not sorry at all either!" Ino countered. "They are what I want!"

"Right." Naruto said evenly. "You can meet the others properly once you've calmed down, Inoichi."

"I'm not going to calm down!"

"Yes, you will!" Ino roared over him.

…

"Hanabi."

"Neji."

The air was thick with memories and unresolved conflict. He had set her free. He had killed their kin. And ultimately made her commit the same sin in doing so. Hanabi's eyes searched Neji's face. His features, much younger than she remembered them, offered no answers. This was it for him: Neji would never grow any older.

"Have you really come willingly?" Hanabi asked. "What did you want?"

No answer came. Hanabi stared at the young man in front of her.

Neji's response was a nonchalant shrug, his pale eyes briefly flitting to the flickering fires. "Does it matter now?" He replied, his voice barely above a murmur.

In a swift motion, driven by years of pent-up frustration, Hanabi struck him across the face. The sharp sound echoed, Neji's head turning from the force. For a moment, he remained still, his expression one of shock more than pain.

"That's for making me kill you." She said stiffly.

"…Not for my father?" Neji asked, looking her squarely in the eye.

"No." Hanabi said, disgust plain in her voice. "That, I already killed you for."

Silence. And then, an olive branch.

"…Do you want to hear about Hinata?" Hanabi asked in hard tones. Beneath the surface lay a softness, however. "She had two sons. Or perhaps you truly do not care anymore, considering the threats you once made?"

Neji stood quietly for a long moment. Then he nodded, faintly at first, then more firmly. His voice, when he spoke, was laced with an earnest yearning. "…Please, tell me about them."

"Very well." Hanabi prepared to tell him. "I thought you might ask. My eyes are now attuned to see such truths."

Neji just grunted in answer. It sounded somewhat amused.

…

"I am glad."

Karin's mother spoke softly as their eyes met, an ocean of emotions swirling in her gaze. Her smile was warm, filled with love and a hint of sadness for the time lost.

"That you have found love, happiness—"

Karin rushed in to embrace her mother, her tears flowing freely. "I've missed you so much." She sobbed, her words muffled against her mother's shoulder.

Holding her daughter close, her mother gently stroked her hair. "I've always been with you, right here." She murmured.

Karin felt a lump form in her throat, her eyes welling up with tears. She held on to her tighter, as though afraid to let go.

"There are a few people I want you to meet, Mom." Karin managed to say. "They're very dear to me."

…

"Itachi became Hokage?" Fugaku's voice, though tinged with disbelief, carried a hint of pride.

Sasuke, standing before the spectral form of his father, nodded. "Yes." He said. "He is leading Konoha, and it has never been more prosperous."

"That's…" Fugaku said, before trailing off. His eyes, once stern and unyielding, now shimmered with unspoken emotions. "…And you, Sasuke? What path did you choose?"

"I am leading our clan." Sasuke replied with quiet confidence. "Nurturing it. I have seen much of our world and the ones beyond. I have learned about the true nature of strength. I… have children of my own."

Fugaku listened intently, his gaze never wavering. "That… I can hardly believe it. And… your mother? How is Mikoto?"

Sasuke's expression softened. "She's well. She's been the pillar that held us together through everything. She's… she's strong." He said. "She… We have adopted new clan members."

"Ah." A gentle hum of approval escaped Fugaku. "I could not be any prouder of you all."

There was a father's contentment in his voice.

Pausing, Fugaku's next words were cautious, almost fragile. "Are you…" Fugaku began, hesitantly. "You, Itachi, Mikoto... in your lives." He struggled momentarily to articulate his thoughts. "Are you finding… Are you all happy?"

A genuine smile graced Sasuke's features. "Yes, we are." He affirmed.

Fugaku's smile mirrored his son's, reaching the depths of his eyes.

"Ah... that is indeed good news."

…

Toru's meeting with his relatives was a more unpleasant one.

His father's eyes, once a window to nothing but madness, reflected an eerie clarity in death. His mother's, on the other hand, were full of the same thing as ever: sorrow, and...

Toru blinked. The resentment was still there. But it seemed aimless, now, instead of being pointed at him.

"Father." Toru spoke with a calm he didn't quite feel. 'Mother' didn't feel right. "Naho."

His mother's lips curled into a bitter smile. "So, you've come."

Toru's eyes narrowed, even as a treacherous part of him, one that he had left behind long ago, wanted to cower. There were a few pointed words on the tip of his tongue; there was something else in his mother's expression.

"Enough, Naho." His father interjected, his voice feeling like a distant echo. "Our fates were sealed long before he was born. Blame and regret are as pointless now as they have ever been."

A heavy silence fell upon them. Toru looked at his parents, the causes of his deepest scars.

"Well." Toru confessed. "I did wish that I could see you one last time, once. Not sure what I hoped to get from it. Closure…?"

His father's gaze softened, with a sorrow that had nothing to do with death. "I will be brief, Toru. I was not the father you needed. I lost my mind, and in my madness—"

But Toru shook his head. "That's not on you." He said. "There is not much I can blame you for, honestly."

"I… Even then." Uchiha Shūhei said, shaking his head. "Because of it, Shisui had to end my suffering. And you had to see it."

Toru let out a weary exhale. "…We did what was necessary."

"You did." His father said. "It was an act of mercy. But it must have been terrible for you two. I am sorry."

"We are fine, now." Toru said.

"And I must thank you—"

Toru raised a hand, swallowing hard. "…Please don't." He murmured. "It was still one of the hardest things I've ever had to witness."

There was not much the other man could say to that.

And there wasn't much they had to say to each other.

Uchiha Naho looked at her hardened son, falling entirely still. Her face was as youthful as it had been in life, and she realized that he would become older than she had ever been.

To Toru, she seemed a slight thing. Less solid than when he had been a child. And he could read her heart now, he thought, he could see past the bitterness.

" I cursed you in my dying breath." She said.

Toru smiled a mirthless smile. "Oh, believe me, I remember that. Did you come to rub it in?"

"…No."

He watched her with eyes nearly unmatched in all the realms, making her feel utterly exposed. And in that moment, more than ever, it seemed hard for her to reconcile the worried child he had been with the man he had become. "What, then?" Toru asked.

Naho spoke up, and she didn't bother with trying to hide. Toru could feel her reluctance, her shame, her self-loathing. It seemed so strange, to hear her voice, laced with a hint of true regret. "I... I was consumed by my own bitterness. I couldn't see past my own pain to realize the burden that would be on you."

Toru looked at her, the shadows of old pains flickering in his eyes. Briefly. "I've lived with that. It shaped me, I suppose. But I like to think I've moved beyond that."

Shūhei reached out, his spectral hand lingering in the air between them. "Toru, I believe my time here is soon going to be over. But know this — I am glad to have seen you. And I want both you and Shisui to know that you did the right thing."

Toru closed his eyes. "…Right. I know — I'll tell him."

Uchiha Naho began to weep, a silent testament to the remorse she could finally admit.

Toru watched her solemnly, but made no move to approach her.

"I'm sorry, Toru. For that day — for failing as a mother." His mother sobbed.

"I am sorry that your own life was decided for you." Toru said.

Her tears only redoubled. "I'm so sorry."

Toru replied softly, keeping the distance between them. "It's all right."

…

"You look like you need a hug." Hanabi said to no one in particular, standing next to him.

Toru snorted. "…Me?" He asked, noticing the subtle redness in her eyes, as well as Neji's departure. "Seems to me you're the one in need of one."

"Hardly." Hanabi stated. She then sighed. "Well, it appears my husband and wives are rather busy with their relatives. So, duty falls upon me. Come here."

Toru rolled his eyes. "I would rather get a hug from Naruto himself than submit to yours."

Despite his words, Toru allowed the hug, and perhaps both of them cried a bit.

…

The silence between Naruto and his biological parents was not a comfortable one.

They watched each other, as though strangers who didn't quite know what to make of the other. To Naruto, it felt as though there was an undercurrent of tension to that meeting.

What was there to say?

There were a myriad of conflicted feelings in Naruto's gut. And he imagined it was much the same for them, as well. What sort of words could possibly fill such a void? And there was the weight of his actions, the decisions he had made, some of which he knew might not sit well with them.

There was much they would likely not talk about. Neither of them would mention the events surrounding his birth. Naruto did not know if they regretted their choice, in the end, or if they thought he blamed them for it. Right now, he was unsure himself, as petty as it was. It felt like too dangerous of a subject anyway.

Neither would they mention Kakashi's fate, though it preyed on their mind, made heavier by said man's nearby presence. For Naruto, there had been enough regrets on that front, endless nightmares about it, too.

His taking over the world was maybe yet another matter they wouldn't discuss. Many things were likely to remain unspoken. There would be gaps and silences in their conversation, even as they spoke of easier things.

The silence had started already, in fact. It stretched too long, and Naruto decided he saw no point in this pointless dance.

"I suppose none of you have any sort of parental wisdom to impart upon me." Naruto said, lightly rubbing the back of his head. "Then again, I believe I should thank you both for saving my ass, first. If you even remember what your chakra imprints did— Oof."

Uzumaki Kushina's arms wrapped around him in a bone-crushing hug. Moments later, Minato joined, adding his strength to the embrace. His arms wrapped around them both. As though completing a circle that had been broken for so long.

Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. No matter what it was he wanted to say, she seemed to understand it before he himself did. "Naruto, we have been shown — we watched over you, every step. Your pain, your triumphs, we've felt them all."

A small smile grew on his lips. "It probably looked more impressive from the outside."

"Why would that be?" Minato asked.

"I was terrified." Naruto admitted. "During all of it, all that kept running through my mind was that I was going to get all of us killed. That I would do everyone a service by running away."

"Of course you were." Kushina said. "Who wouldn't be? Do you know how scared I was when I came to Konoha? Oh, I tried to hide it, but…"

Naruto shook his head. "You were a child—"

"And so were you." Kushina said. "And we know what sort of person you are now."

Minato's voice was steady, yet full of emotion. "You've faced more than anyone should have. And yet, here you are, strong and true." He said, and he seemed more real than he ever had, to Naruto.

Kushina smiled, if a bit wistfully. "Peace…? — I can hardly believe it, Naruto."

Minato shook his head. "You did what neither of us, nor Sensei ever could. What even the Sage…" And then he seemed to shrink. "And we have nothing to do with it. We were supposed to help you. To hold you."

"Things worked out well, in the end." Naruto smiled. "I have found people — We help each other."

Minato and Kushina shared a glance.

"We couldn't be prouder."

Naruto smiled thinly. "Proud? That's… a strong word."

Kushina's expression softened. "What you did, you did with a heavy heart. We know that." She said.

"Are you so sure of it?" Naruto asked quietly. "What if you were wrong about that?"

"Even then." Minato said. "In the years after the Rinnegan bearer released me… We have spent a lot of time with Kakashi and… Well, perhaps he will tell you himself."

Naruto was not looking forward to it.

Kushina smiled, adding. "Your journey wasn't meant to be easy, Naruto. But your heart, your intentions define you, as much as your actions do."

"I'm not a good man." Naruto said bluntly.

In response, Minato gently shook his head, his expression softening. "None of us are good, Naruto. That's the nature of being a shinobi."

"I suppose you're right." Naruto conceded. He took a deep breath. "I guess I've always wondered... What did you two hope for me? What dreams did you have?"

Kushina's smile was warm and reassuring. "What we wanted... was for you to live, to find your path. To be happy. That's all any parent wants."

…

"There are people I want you to meet, then." Naruto said.

…

There, in the hellish light, stood two figures, ethereal and familiar at the same time. Her parents.

"Mother?" Yoisen's voice was a gentle whisper. "Father?"

Her mother turned to her with a smile that stirred memories of sunlit days long past, tinged with sorrow. "Yoisen."

Her father's eyes, reflecting a depth of sadness, met hers. "Your path has led you to realms we never even dreamed of, daughter."

Yoisen stepped forward, her heart heavy, wrestling with a tumult of emotions.

A heavy silence fell, and in it, Yoisen sensed not just pride, but a deep, unspoken grief.

They approached her then.

"I have — I have endeavored to live true to your teachings, to live with integrity. To… to carry your legacy with honor." Yoisen started, her voice cracking. "However, the path I have walked… Oh, I have…"

Her mother's hand, gentle and hesitant, touched Yoisen's shoulder. It felt like memory made flesh. "We have watched your steps, felt the weight of your choices. The path of violence you have chosen."

Her heart felt as though it were straining.

Her father continued. "And we have also seen your heart break through every shadowed way."

It was the bittersweet tang of old griefs softened by long years. Yoisen nodded, taking the slight comfort for what it was. Though a millennium had passed since her parents' deaths, the memory, especially now, remained fresh as an open wound.

Her voice trembled, small in spite of her years. A single tear broke free, traced her cheek, glimmering in the hellish light. "Your absence has been — Oh, I have no words."

Her father bowed his head. "You have endured trials that would break even the stoutest of hearts. And your spirit remains unbent."

"It does not." Yoisen shook her head. "That might have been true of Naotora. I—" She then hesitated. "…Is she…? Did you…?"

Her mother's smile widened in joy at the mention of her sister, a bond unbroken despite the years of terrible conflict. "Nao is well." She said. "She is well and wished to come, though the Sage's word came too late."

Yoisen's heart swelled with hope. "…Then…? Perhaps another time?"

"Perhaps so." Her father smiled. "Everyone is there, in the Pure Lands."

"I shall not wait for death to visit you." Yoisen decided. "Not anymore."

Unless Naruto — or Sakura — managed to find a way to bar them from reaching that place before then.

"Very well." Her mother said, with a soft smile. "Now, what of your latest journey? Have you found purpose to fill your days?"

An easier subject.

"I am quite busy." Yoisen nodded. "With projects, with the creation and nurturing of new cities. Lately, we have worked to help rebuild regions affected by conflict, assisting refugees in establishing new communities. It is… rewarding to play a small part in restoring hope."

Yoisen's mother nodded approvingly. "Aiding others is a noble calling. You honor your gifts well, daughter."

Yoisen smiled. "We have also embarked on a journey of discovery. Through traveling to distant lands, we seek to learn about cultures and histories unknown to our own people."

Her father nodded approvingly. "There is something else, isn't there?"

Yoisen marked a slight pause.

"…I have found love." Yoisen replied at last, eyes brightening. "A hope that eases past pains and lets me walk on gladly."

Happiness lit her father's gaze. "Then call him, so that we may bless your bond before we fade once more."

Yoisen hesitated, coloring slightly at her father's words. "I fear it is too soon for that. Our bond is new and uncertain still."

Her father's eyes gleamed with kindly mirth, and her mother smiled understandingly. "Do not rush what should grow in its own time. We ask only that you find your way to happiness, daughter, however it may come."

Yoisen bowed her head, chastened yet relieved. "As you say. Perhaps next time we meet."

"Look for us in spirit until then." Her mother said.

Her father nodded, as well. "Go well, Yoisen. May the path lead you ever onward to joy."

It felt like the final notes of a lullaby; Yoisen felt a sense of peaceful closure envelop her heart.

"Thank you. For everything."

…

"Why is Yoisen's... mother? Why is she staring at us?" Sakura asked Ino, who just sighed.

"I'm sure I have no idea." Ino said. She turned to face Naruto's parents. "Lord Fourth, Lady Kushina?"

Kushina's smile was like a burst of sunshine in the dimness, warm and inviting. "No need to be so formal, Ino! You've brought much joy to Naruto. You all have!" Her voice was melodious, and her eyes sparkled with warmth. "I can only hope he did, to you as well."

Beside her, Minato's eyes crinkled kindly. "Indeed." He said, his voice gentle yet resonant. "It is a bit unfair, really. We've heard so much about each of you, yet you know nothing of us. It's wonderful to finally meet the women who have captured our son's heart — I'm Namikaze Minato."

"Yugito is unfortunately away." Karin stepped forward with a smile. "It's an honor to meet you both in person. Naruto speaks of you with reverence."

"He doesn't really—" Sakura began and Hanabi kicked her in the shin. She grunted in pain. "…stop sharing about your courage, your love. It's like we've always known you."

Kushina's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "To hear that warms our hearts more than you can imagine. Naruto has always been special, and to see him surrounded by such incredible women... it's more than a mother could wish for." She then glanced at them again. Four. No, Five. Or was it six…? "…Yeah. More than a mother could wish for." She mumbled to herself.

"It's a bit of an unconventional situation." Naruto spoke up, and wondered how he could feel embarrassed by mere words. 'Special,' really…? "We make it work."

Ino grunted noncommittally.

Minato's chuckle resonated softly in the space. "Ah, Sensei heard of it. He is really impressed—" Kushina gave him a pointed glance and he cleared his throat. Then, he rubbed the back of his head. "…He has a letter for Sasuke."

Sakura shrugged. "Couldn't he make it?"

"He…" Minato trailed off. "Was busy."

"Busy how?"

Minato winced. "…Just busy."

"Fine, we'll give it to Sasuke, then." Sakura said. Then, she frowned, glancing at Kushina. "You said you knew of us already?"

Naruto sighed. "I think she has seen too much of my life." He said, turning to Kushina. "Did you think I would never notice your meddling with my seal, back when I died?"

"Ha! I thought you wouldn't, honestly. Guess you take after me, in the end!" Kushina wiped a tear from her eye, her laughter a light note in the air. "I — I always wanted a big family. This is... more than I could have ever imagined."

"Different, too?" Sakura asked, grinning.

"Different, too." Minato acquiesced.

"Ah, I wish you could have met Yūshirō." Karin sighed forlornly. "Are you sure we can't make you reconsider about leaving the Pure Lands?"

Even as she asked, she knew the answer. None of the others had seemed willing to leave the place for the mortal world.

"…No, thank you." Kushina said, smiling wistfully. "Although I am sure you could visit us."

Ino nodded cheerfully. "We will, then. I will talk some sense into my dad by then." She said. "And all of you will meet—"

Minato smiled too. "Oh, but we know most of your families already." He said. "Inoichi — Your mother, Karin —"

"You did?" Karin asked in surprise.

Kushina shrugged. "The Pure Lands can be kinda boring like that — a lot of what we do is gossiping."

Naruto sighed. "…I'm really not looking forward to getting there. Maybe I won't."

"Yes, you will." Kushina said.

"…You don't get to decide that for me." Naruto rolled his eyes. "I will or I won't." He added, lightly but firmly.

Kushina scowled. "And where did you learn—"

"Kushina, please." Minato interjected softly, his voice a calming presence. He laid a hand on her shoulder, a silent plea for understanding.

"Well, since you already know everyone from creeping on us." Naruto said amusedly. "I might as well invite Toru, Sasuke and Yoisen over too. And their own ghosts."

Ino, her eyes scanning the group, noted Hanabi's unusual quietness. "...Hanabi?" She prodded gently, her voice laced with concern. "All good?"

Startled from her thoughts, Hanabi straightened up, her demeanor shifting to one of formal respect.

"...Ah." She said, bowing gracefully. "I am Uzumaki Hanabi, formerly of the Hyūga. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mother—"

"Aw, she's adorable!" Kushina gushed. "Like Mikoto used to be, but less dickish!"

"…I doubt it." Sakura offered. Then she yelped. "Okay, who kicked me this time? I'm going to switch Kamui back on again — warning you."

…

"Well… You know them already, but this is Ino." Naruto began, his voice tinged with clear fondness. "We met when we were kids, and I guess we never really left each other's side."

Ino nodded warmly. "Aside from a little hiccup when he disappeared for a few years and made me cry a lot."

"Right." Naruto conceded with a sheepish grin. "Aside from that."

"And let's not forget the time he died."

"…Yeah. Sorry."

"Pleased to meet you." Minato said.

"Is it true you can read thoughts without a glance?" Kushina asked before she could help herself.

Ino tilted her head slightly, a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "Do you really want to know?"

Kushina paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. "…No."

…

"This is Sakura." Naruto said. "We also met when we were kids, because she was and is Ino's best friend."

"So that's how you rope them in." Kushina said indifferently.

"I figured he was my best chance at getting a Dōjutsu." Sakura said. "Very early on. Although I wasn't quite sure which one the Uzumaki clan had."

"Right?" Kushina beamed at her. "I considered marrying into the Uchiha myself."

"…I'm still here." Minato said dryly.

"Oh, come on." Kushina shook her head. "You had a crush on Mikoto yourself."

…

"This is Karin, of course."

"You really do look like Yuriko, after all." Kushina said in quiet amazement, glancing between the two. "Now that I can see you side by side…"

Naruto had found himself introduced to Yuriko by a very enthusiastic Karin. The resemblance between mother and daughter was undeniable, though their demeanors contrasted sharply. Yuriko and Kushina, distant cousins, shared blood but not memories, having never met in life.

"Why do you sound so surprised…?" Karin's mother asked. "How many times have I told you…?"

"That's different." Kushina shook her head.

Without thinking, she and Karin bumped fists, a spontaneous gesture of solidarity.

"You're remarkably strong." Kushina noted with a whistle.

Karin, slightly embarrassed, shrugged. "I prefer direct combat."

"Me too!"

Minato nodded, next to her. "The Academy was a pretty dark place for xenophobic children, back when she attended." He explained to Naruto.

"I'm sure."

…

"This is Hanabi, as she previously explained."

"As I said, I am honored to meet you all." Hanabi began, her voice steady. "I understand the importance of family and tradition within both our clans. As part of this family, I am committed to upholding these values and contributing to our shared future—"

"…Hanabi, what the fuck are you doing?" Naruto asked.

"Don't you know the customs of the noble clans?" She hissed back. "There's a way to do these things—"

"Uh…" Minato said. "We can skip on that."

Kushina was just laughing. And laughing.

"I do remember something about that." She said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Did you also have to sit through these boring etiquette lessons?"

Hanabi's eyes lit up.

…

"Yugito is away, and so is my son." Naruto said. "Next time—"

Minato blinked.

Kushina blinked.

"That's… Yūshirō is your son, then?" Minato asked.

"I thought you saw most — Ah, you left before, then." Naruto paused. "Who did you think he was, then…?"

"Another wife…?" Kushina muttered.

"I'm glad I didn't get my humor from you." Naruto said.

"You got something worse — my husband's sense of style."

…

"This is Toru." Naruto said. "He's a dear friend of mine — he's from the Uchiha, which explains the general quirkiness."

Toru nodded at Itachi's former babysitter. "I used to try to talk some sense into your son, before." He said. "It didn't work so well, and now we're living in a man-made space station."

Kushina nodded sagely. "Yeah." She said. "Mikoto did say that Uzumaki and Uchiha don't mix so good."

…

"That's Sasuke." Naruto said, and said nothing else — their relationship was a peculiar one. "Maybe you know him already, since one of you, at least, was watching over my every action until I died."

"Not all of them." Kushina frowned. "There were plenty of times I would rather have been blind and deaf, actually—"

"We met Sasuke while we were alive." Minato said with a gentle smile, before his wife could go on another tangent.

Sasuke nodded. "My mother told me about it. Pleased to meet you, Kushina, Minato." He said warmly. "I am certain your company is much more enjoyable than your son's."

"Undoubtedly." Minato nodded.

"I guess." Kushina said dubiously. "Minato's kinda flaky, though. If Naruto is, too… Well, it doesn't reflect that well on me. I hope Mikoto didn't mope too much when I left — Could you give her a message, maybe?"

…

"This is Yoisen." Naruto said.

Yoisen, her eyes wide, looked around at him, seemingly nervous. "Uh..." She began hesitantly. "Why am I here? Not that I mind, of course, but…? Aside from Toru and Sasuke, you only—"

"That's easy." Naruto smiled at her. "It's because you're very important to me."

Perhaps Yoisen's lower lip trembled.

Kushina grinned — not at the look she knew all too well in the woman's eyes, however. "And that… makes you family — not just the fact that you are a distant, distant, distant relative." She said easily. "And family is always welcome."

Minato nodded in agreement. "We've heard much about you in the Pure Lands, Yoisen." He said, even though not all of it had been good. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Ah!" Yoisen let out, before bowing. "…Likewise."

…

Yoisen's eyes lingered on Naruto's wives laughing with his parents. Then, on her own. Gathering her courage, she approached him.

"Naruto?" Yoisen's voice was a soft murmur, laced with uncharacteristic nervousness.

He turned, his bright eyes meeting hers. "What's on your mind, Yoisen?" He asked gently.

"I don't think they will be able to remain for much longer — Would you…" Yoisen fidgeted slightly, her gaze briefly flitting back to the cheerful group. "Before they leave…? It would be brief." She started, her words faltering for a moment. "Would you... would you mind meeting my parents?" Her eyes searched his for a reaction, a mixture of hope and anxiety flickering within hers.

That was reaching into uncharted territory. Each of them knew all too well that Indra, for one, had never met them.

"Truly?" Naruto's expression softened into a warm, understanding smile. "I would be honored to meet them, Yoisen."

Relief washed over her features. "Thank you." She said, a smile blossoming on her face.

…

"Hatake Kakashi… the copy ninja." Toru greeted.

"The Mirage Blade himself…?" The man replied. "Or an illusion, perhaps…?"

For a moment, they simply looked at each other.

Then, almost simultaneously, their expressions softened into grins.

"Heard of my good name, have you?" Toru let out a snort that sounded just slightly too humid. "Even a worldwide celebrity such as yourself?"

Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly, his eye crinkling further in amusement. "Perhaps in some circles." He admitted with a light chuckle. "But fame means nothing to me. No, life's pleasures are—"

"A good book and a comfy fireplace." Toru finished for him.

"That is right." Kakashi beamed at him. "My, we must really have met before."

"I doubt it." Toru said. "I would remember such a striking face… if I had ever seen it."

Kakashi couldn't suppress a snort.

"You know…" Toru said, glancing around. "I was almost expecting to see Kurenai-sensei."

Kakashi shrugged. "I think she underestimated her influence on you three."

"And you didn't, of course?" Toru asked.

Kakashi smiled. "Of course not. Who else would have taught you two to steal—… copy jutsu so brazenly?"

"The Hyūga are still kinda mad." Toru grinned. "And to answer your question… certainly not Itachi."

"Exactly." Kakashi nodded wisely.

…

"As far as first impressions go, I think I messed that one up." Naruto muttered. "Who knew they'd be such moralists? It's like they found their will to live again."

Yoisen was still talking with her relatives, likely trying to untangle that particular mess.

Sasuke, next to him, chuckled. "Well deserved." He said. "For more… traditional-minded people, your shit really doesn't sit too well."

"Shit doesn't sit particularly well, usually. Ask little Jiraiya about it."

Sasuke didn't seem to find him particularly funny, so perhaps Kushina had a point. "Shall we go?"

"…Where?" Naruto thought he knew.

"What do you think?" Sasuke asked. "To see Kakashi. Toru's there already."

Naruto sighed. "I'll be here in a second."

…

"Hey there." Naruto greeted Sarutobi.

"Hello, Naruto." The man answered with ease that felt slightly forced.

"Got a heavy heart?"

Sarutobi chuckled. "Hardly. Would you comfort me if I cried?"

"You wouldn't cry." Naruto's smile was knowing. "And no, I wouldn't hold you. Remember when you gave the okay to have Shisui brainwash me?"

There was a long pause. Sarutobi's nod carried a weight of understanding.

"I thought as much." Naruto said evenly.

"...How are things with you? Down there? It is impossible for us to see inside your little space colony, in case you are not aware…"

"Pretty good." Naruto's voice was casual. "I died once. Before."

"So did I." Sarutobi nodded slowly. "You seem pretty alive to me, however."

"I got better. Nagato more or less flung me into space. Not sure if you were watching then. Nor how you guys do it."

"That is what he did to us, as well. And I did see it." Sarutobi said. "That was an end worthy of any of my students, I suppose."

Naruto gave a soft snort. "And what exactly was it you taught me?"

Sarutobi arched an eyebrow. "Might it be your defiance of limits? Or your formidable physique, much like mine? Your outlook on life? Seems that you're basking in godhood, now. You're welcome, by the way."

This time, Naruto's laughter was genuine.

"How's Biwako?" Sarutobi's voice softened. "And my son? And Konohamaru?"

"They're all doing well." Naruto assured.

"Then you have my heartfelt thanks." Sarutobi's tone was sincere. "I know they owe much of their well-being to you."

"That's alright." Naruto replied nonchalantly, a hint of warmth in his voice.

There was a slight pause in the conversation.

"You turned out decently well, all things considered." Sarutobi said.

"Right." Naruto's snort was mostly amused. "Thanks for the deceptions and tough love. You can rest easy now."

"I'd do it all again, for you."

…

"—How did you manage to stop Obito, in the end?" Kakashi asked. "I believe I was in a limbo of sorts, when it happened. I think. Naraka, I suppose."

"Sakura — the one with pink hair — and Ino did." Sasuke said.

"Ah." Kakashi said. He did remember Toru and Sasuke's former teammate. "So it is my… his eye that she's carrying."

Toru sighed. "Yeah. Is the man not in the Pure Lands?"

Kakashi shook his head ruefully. "If he is, no one has seen him."

"Figures." Sasuke muttered.

"Are you familiar with him?" Kakashi asked.

"Not this particular version." Sasuke said, and left it at that. "A generally unpleasant person. Not the ones on the Ring, they're fine."

Kakashi let out a weary sigh. "I suppose there are reasons for that. I have played a part in it, too, I suppose."

"Speaking of parts…" Toru said. "Oh, man."

Naruto was finally approaching.

…

Naruto took the last few steps.

Then he stopped, facing Kakashi. A long silence stretched between them. Toru glanced between Sasuke, Kakashi and Naruto. And then opted to say nothing.

It was the sort of silence that reverberated with unspoken words, a tangible tension that hung heavily in the air. The sort of echoing quiet that made Kakashi seem almost like a giant.

Naruto met Kakashi's gaze, the intensity of his remorse palpable.

With a solemn grace, Naruto bowed his head, an act that conveyed more than words could, yet still was insufficient. Toru and Sasuke watched solemnly.

"I am sorry." Naruto said. "I am so sorry."

Kakashi had never seemed to know how to handle this sort of moment before. Today was no exception.

He smiled that familiar awkward smile; the one they had only ever seen as a crinkling of his eye, hidden behind a mask that was absent for the first time that mattered. He rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture betraying his discomfort.

"Ah, well." Kakashi's voice was gentle. "What's done is done. We were fighting on opposite sides."

Naruto's expression tightened. "That's no excuse. I've spared others. People who I had less of a reason to keep alive."

Kakashi's gaze held a depth of regret as he spoke to him. "I've been down dark paths myself, you know. I was prepared to do the same to you. The fact that your parents found it in their hearts to forgive me..."

His voice trailed off into a sad sigh.

"You stumbled, yes, and you apparently fell hard." Kakashi shook his head slightly. "But then, you rose again. That's the essence of being a shinobi, isn't it?"

Naruto nodded, while Toru averted his gaze.

"I trusted you to do the right thing, in the end." Kakashi continued. "This mattered more to me than my life. And you did. You have made your way work." He shrugged. "Shows how little I knew, in the end."

"There were a few hiccups along the way." Sasuke said.

Kakashi chuckled. "Aren't there always?" His gaze shifted to Toru. "…I kinda expected you to blow up at me — or him."

Toru exhaled. "I've already had this conversation before. With another you." He said. "And I blew up at Naruto a few times before. I'm good."

"A few times." Naruto confirmed.

Kakashi laughed.

"In any case… The Pure Lands are certainly more pleasant than our old training grounds — perhaps because there are no smartasses to criticize my amazing teaching methods." He said. "Old faces, too. I cannot complain, really."

"I often suggested sending Naruto there." Toru quipped.

Sasuke nodded in approval.

"Eh, don't rush it." Kakashi said. "Your time will come, eventually." He then hesitated. "I… suppose?"

"Maybe." Naruto shrugged, a wry smile on his face.

A comfortable silence fell.

Kakashi's gaze lingered on each of his former students, a smile playing at his lips.

"Well… we certainly had our ups and downs." He remarked.

"You can say that again." Naruto murmured.

"Yet, here we are." Kakashi looked at each of them. "Seeing you all here, like this… Together. Well, it's more than I could have hoped for. Sasuke, congratulations on your marriage and your children."

Sasuke's response was a blink, followed by a soft, almost watery smile. "Thank you, Kakashi."

Kakashi then turned his attention to Toru. "And you, finding a way to get your comics out there… That's something."

"I didn't, back then." Toru shrugged, but he seemed pleased. "Had to self-publish in the beginning. They're doing well now."

Kakashi's hand waved dismissively, yet affectionately. "Same difference. I'm glad you're happy. And not wasting every weekend chasing tail anymore."

Toru sighed.

A silence fell, comfortable and reflective.

"And Naruto…" Kakashi paused, sighing. "Congrats on not destroying Konoha, I guess. And your multiple wives. And setting up a space tyranny."

"…Thanks." Naruto said, with a wry smile.

"Eh — I should have seen it coming, really. Well... I should probably go, now." Kakashi said. "I promised to meet Rin's friend today."

"We'll catch up another time." Toru said, wiping his eyes quickly, because his allergies were acting up.

"Why not." Kakashi agreed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

A pause filled the air, during which Kakashi's gaze seemed to grow become slightly wistful.

Toru, observing this, inclined his head curiously. "What is it?"

Kakashi, his eyes softening, gave a small, rueful chuckle. His gaze swept over Naruto, Sasuke, and Toru.

"It's nothing, really." Kakashi said, his voice a blend of pride and fond reminiscence. "It's just… When exactly did all three of you grow taller than me, again?"

…

"Get going." Kushina said, sniffling. "It's time."

"This is not goodbye forever." Karin said, glancing at her, then staring at her own mother. She touched her chest lightly. "You're here."

"Indeed." Karin's mother affirmed with a gentle smile.

"Write to us sometime?" Minato asked.

Sakura cocked her head, perplexed. "How would we even—" She paused, noticing a few narrowed eyes. "…We'll figure something out."

Tears glistened in several eyes, yet none sought to dry them.

"You all did well." One of the departing spirits said. "So well."

With that, they exchanged their farewells, lingering until the last vestiges of chakra imprints vanished completely.

…

"Are you crying…?" Ino asked Naruto, with red rimmed eyes.

"No." He said. "Some sort of hellish rain, I'm sure."

"If you say so." She nodded with a small smile, taking his hand. "Shall we go?"

Naruto nodded, gathering chakra to summon a gateway to the Celestial Ring. He would need to come back here again later, in any case.

They were looking at him, waiting. He stared back, glancing at each of them, in turn.

"What?" Toru grunted. "Are you going to summon that portal or am I going to have to do it myself?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes expectantly.

"No." Naruto smiled. "I'll do it."

They had followed him in Hell, all of them. As he had known they would. Would have faced the Sage himself.

As he focused on the task, a realization — not much of one, really — dawned on him with startling clarity. At this point, it was getting harder and harder to deny: the love they bore for him was unmistakable and sincere. In spite of everything.

He was not entirely sure what sort of trick he had unknowingly used for them to do so, but he supposed it must have been a good one.

---

The group of eight reached the Celestial Ring.

It was still early in the day, and the artificial sun hung high.

Naruto stood at the forefront, his purple eyes reflecting the azure sky, very quietly. He slowly turned to face the others.

His face broke into a broad, infectious grin. "And… it's done!" He exclaimed. "No more near-eternal damnation for the foreseeable future."

One by one, the others joined in, their fatigue, their emotional exhaustion washed away by the tide of victory.

Karin stepped forward, her smile bright as she threw her arms around Naruto in a tight hug. "I can hardly believe it!" She laughed, and her voice was light. Carefree.

Ino was next, her laughter ringing out as she playfully nudged Naruto's side. "And without even getting into a murder match with Indra's old man — You're always full of surprises, aren't you?" She teased, her eyes alight with mirth.

Toru, in a rare display of public affection, pulled both Sakura and Sasuke into an impromptu group hug. Sasuke responded with a soft chuckle, while Sakura, typically grumpy, surprised them with a small, genuine smile.

Hanabi wrapped an arm around Naruto's shoulders, her grin wide and genuine. "Easily done, wasn't it?"

In a very occasional moment of unspoken unity, one by one, they extended their hands, stacking them one atop the other, ending with Yoisen.

The sun seemed to shine a little brighter as they lifted their joined hands, their cheer echoing through the Celestial Ring.

…

As the moment passed and two or three of them started bickering again, Naruto met Ino's eyes.

Unspoken words passed between them in a swift exchange of fleeting glances and subtle shifts in expression. Her eyes, brimming with unvoiced thoughts, flickered briefly toward another woman.

And then, finally, with a nonchalant shrug, Ino broke the silence. "Well, I guess that one's on me."

She turned toward Yoisen. "Have fun tomorrow."

Yoisen's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?" She inquired, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of concern.

Ino didn't bother answering her. "Let's go and take a nap, girls. There will be more work to be done later." She said. "Toru, Sasuke, you're more than welcome to stay around, of course. I can call your better halves."

The two Uchiha shrugged and followed; aside from two, all of them left.

Yoisen and Naruto stood there, alone in one of the Celestial Ring's verdant green plains for a moment, still enveloped in the acrid scent of hellish fires and sulfur. Their forms were marred by the vestiges of battle — blood, ichor, grime, and ash — like war-torn statues in the wake of chaos.

It wasn't nostalgic, of course, because such a word could hardly fit the hellish past that Naruto remembered through another man's eyes, the one Yoisen didn't necessarily want to remember. But there was something strangely familiar about it, too. As terrible as it sounded.

Seeing the Sage, seeing their parents, everyone else… had been entirely unexpected.

There were plenty of things to say. And either of them could spend long hours merely thinking about that meeting. Enough to play the scene a thousand times in their minds.

And right now, once the fever of victory had come down, perhaps Yoisen feared that he might become distant, aloof. That the spell would finally break and he would realize that he had everything he could ever want already. That he might finally realize what sort of person she was, and at last, turn to leave.

Naruto turned and gave her a delighted smile.

"This was horrible." He said, trying to remove the grime from his face, but only managing to smear it. "Let's never do this again."

The tension that had enveloped Yoisen seemed to dissipate, like mist under the morning sun. She let out a soft, surprised laugh, and it echoed in the quiet of the plains. "Yes, let us."

A little silence settled over them.

"I…" Yoisen began, face flushed red. "I am sorry — about my parents' words. Had I known before, I certainly would not—"

"You're sorry?" He asked in slight disbelief. "Nothing they have said was wrong. Even their words about Indra and I—"

"They are wrong about you." Yoisen said firmly, her hands clenching at her sides. "I understand where they are coming from, but they are wrong."

Naruto laughed. "I don't mind."

"But—"

"I am considered sinful. I can't blame them, really." He grinned. "And I don't feel pressured into anything either, if that's what you're worrying about."

"…"

"Thought so." Naruto's smile widened, his eyes bright. "There is something I had to ask you, however. And it does relate to their questions, I suppose."

"…What do you mean?"

"Instead of a day like today." Naruto said. "And instead of training for survival. How about we do something enjoyable for a change? No fighting gods, demons. No meeting dead people." Then, with a rueful smile. "No wondering whether Ino is planning to trick you into something. No. Something peaceful, away from all this chaos. Just you and me."

Yoisen's eyebrows rose slightly, though she maintained her composure. "Normal? I am not sure I remember what that is like." She said, only half-jokingly.

"Let me remind you, then." Naruto replied earnestly. "Let's go on a date. Just a nice day where we can enjoy each other's company. And I assure you… it has nothing to do with what your parents said."

Yoisen's heart fluttered. She looked at Naruto, her eyes searching his, and found sincerity there. A soft smile, one that reached her eyes, bloomed on her face. "…I would like that." She said quietly.

Naruto's grin was infectious. "A date it is, then."

"…A date it is, then." Yoisen said. It sounded quite confident, she thought.

…

Yoisen closed the door behind her.

She leaned against its wooden frame. For a few moments, she maintained the same composed expression that she'd worn throughout the conversation. Her back straight, her eyes serious, she was the epitome of stoic grace.

She waited for the footsteps in the hall to fade away, her eyes half-closed, her breathing measured.

Once she was sure Naruto was truly gone, she let out a shaky whimper. Slowly, she slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor, her legs drawn up to her chest.

Her heart was doing acrobatic flips, apparently.

"…A date." She repeated, her face cupped in her hands. She felt her cheeks burning, and her palms were unusually clammy. "Oh, by my mother's name. Oh gods oh gods oh gods—"