"Stop it."
Naruto glanced up at the sound. "What's wrong?"
"Just…" Sasuke folded his arms. "Just stop moving."
Naruto, who had been pushing Sakura's wheelchair along the Healing center's courtyard, paused. No one needed or used wheelchairs, these days, so he wasn't sure what the issue was. "…Why?"
Sakura nudged him with a hint of irritation. "He means you're not going fast enough, I think."
"Ah, got it." Naruto nodded, adjusting his pace. This time, Sasuke blocked them entirely. Nearby, Hanabi, propelled by Toru in her own wheelchair, passed them by with a jeer.
Sakura turned to her husband. "See? He didn't say anything to them."
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly in thought as he studied Sasuke's strained expression. "You seem tense, Sasuke. Is that a vein on your chin? That can't be good for you."
"It really isn't." Sakura agreed, shaking her head sadly. "And he's still so young, too… How old are you now, Sasuke?"
"Thirty-something." Naruto chimed in cheerfully. "On the paper, at least, so a little bit more, officially. Still a spring chicken. He's got centuries ahead of him—"
"That's not the point!" Sasuke exploded. "You've got soul damage, on top of—"
Naruto blinked. "Right… that."
"On top of what has to be brain damage!"
Sakura cackled. "Now you're just being mean."
"Am I?!" Sasuke snapped. "There's a reason Mimura told you idiots to lay low for a few more days of observation, at least—"
"What do you think it is that we're doing?" Naruto asked calmly. "It's not like we're out playing with chakra. We're even staying here."
"What you're doing…?" Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Trying to damage your bodies even more? How should I know what you're doing today?!"
"It's fine." Naruto dismissed with a wave of his hand. "We're being careful."
"Oh really?!"
Sakura sighed. "I've hardly ever had to stay in a hospital. Who knew even with all the world's entertainment—"
"Stop it." Sasuke hissed sharply. "Just stop it. I'll chalk it up to brain damage."
"The brain damage has a name, Sasuke." Naruto interjected softly, a slight smile playing on his lips. "And Sakura prefers you use it." Sakura cackled and elbowed him—
Sasuke caught her arm, gently. "No hitting, for heaven's sake!"
"Our bodies are perfectly fine." Sakura folded her arm. "You clearly never had to stay imprisoned for observation, huh."
"What?" Sasuke looked incredulous. "What?! He made me a jinchūriki, remember?!"
"On your suggestion." Naruto said mildly.
"It seems to run in the family." Sakura said. "Remember, my father-in-law—"
"If you don't head back to the recovery chamber right now, I swear I'm going to—"
Another wheelchair whisked by.
"Please, Yui." Orochimaru addressed the young woman pushing his chair, quite amiably. "A little faster, if you would."
"Okay, sensei!" She answered cheerfully.
Sasuke watched them pass, clenching his fist.
"Were you saying something, Sasuke?" Naruto asked mildly. "Because you definitely made us lose the race."
Sasuke's jaw clenched, and another moment passed. Then, slowly, Sasuke unclenched his fist, the strain in his expression easing as he turned back to Naruto.
"Nice try. You almost pissed me off." He said, casually. "Well, I hope you had your fun."
"…Why do you say that?" Naruto asked, with rising suspicion.
"Because I'm telling your son." Sasuke said, with an amused smile. "Let's see what he thinks of all this."
Naruto groaned.
"Wow." Sakura whistled. "You really have become great at guilt-tripping over the years, haven't you? Color me impressed."
FOR WHOM THE SUN SHINES
Three days after Naruto had awoken, nothing much had changed.
Certainly, he dreamed of thunder, roaring like ancient gods at war, of wielding enough power to sunder worlds, shape reality to his desires.
The garden outside his window, once a blur as he rushed past in a flicker of unmatchable speed and energy, now demanded his full attention with each step. Flowers bloomed with an indifference to his change, their colors vibrant, almost as if mocking the dullness that had settled inside him. The leaves rustled, speaking a language of the wind he could no longer command, too.
Naruto supposed this might be the quiet reflection of an old shinobi fortunate enough to outlive his peers. Those who resisted this inevitable decline, fighting tooth and nail against it, often only held out until a younger, swifter shinobi replaced them, usually violently.
People like Madara, people like Indra, had not been prepared to step aside. Idly, he wondered if he himself was. There was no jealousy clouding his thoughts. Envy, perhaps, but that was a different thing altogether.
After centuries spent gathering power, he would have been surprised not to feel some longing.
He had done it, he supposed. Become the strongest under the heavens. Safeguarded his loved ones until they were strong enough to handle anything the world could throw at them. Brought peace about. There was no dream he had not achieved — now he just had to live, and so he wondered why he was questioning himself.
Had power been a means to an end, or had it become an end in itself?
The answer, he thought, had been rather clear, but things had a way of becoming slightly more muddled, more complicated. And it was exactly the sort of thing he would discuss with Ino, though she still slept.
It was a familiar world; it was a new world.
He saw some of the same interrogations in Sakura, more so than in Hanabi or even Toru, who also subtly lamented the change — everything she had learned seemed to be the ways of the past. She was well suited for a world of violence, but one of peace was a different beast altogether.
The same thing went for Naruto, on top of his sudden powerlessness. They were shinobi; warriors and killers; thieves and murderers; guardians and monsters. And with no immediate duties demanding his attention, with nothing he needed to be doing, this was a novel, unsettling quiet.
And he supposed he would have to come to terms with this stillness, too.
It wasn't all moodiness and living in the past, however. The frustration gnawed at him, at times, but it wouldn't prevent him from pulling himself out of bed each day.
When Naruto walked the paths of the garden, it was not as the demigod many saw him as, but as a man — a man with every step measured, every breath a meditation. He listened to the stories of the leaves, the whispers of the wind, the soft patter of the rain. It was the patient walk of a man learning to live.
"Long ago, when the world was scarred by wars and strife, there were many who sought to bend the course of history. Among them were Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Hamura. They were born with immense power, and burdened by deep loneliness.
"They were raised in isolation by their mother, and dreamt of peace. They founded Ninshū in pursuit of that dream. And eventually, they had children of their own.
"The firstborn's sons, much like other children of their time, spent their days picking berries, catching beetles, and fishing in the lake. But, well, the times they lived in — and their very natures — drove them apart. Their childhood pastimes were soon eclipsed by war-waging. Against each other, that is.
"These sons, these men, were none other than your Uncle Sasuke... and myself."
After a morning run with Hanabi, having chosen to stay inside the expansive health complex, they ate a light lunch prepared by Yugito and delivered by a particularly grumpy Matatabi, then spent most of the afternoon rather lazily, lounging under the sun.
There was a river nearby, and as a group of a dozen or so people, they headed there, using the opportunity to stretch their legs a bit.
They stopped to greet a few people first, who had a few interesting tidbits of information to share, though it was far too early for Naruto to figure out whether they were joking about the temples dedicated to him. Sasuke, who was staying with them, in spite of his supposedly busy schedule, definitely wasn't feeling particularly helpful on that front. A mocking smile was all he gave Naruto. Hinata laughed, and Hanabi rolled her eyes fondly, arm in arm with her older sister.
Akemi seemed in a particularly good mood today. So were Sasuke's twins, but it seemed to be a common pattern with them. And so they chatted as they wandered through the public gardens, until it was nearly dark.
Perhaps it was worth saying that none of the five who had awoken were under any obligations to stay with the Healers anymore.
No, the reason they stayed was rather simple.
They had gone into Takamagahara as nine, they would go back to the Ring as nine too.
"I have lived many lives, and this is no exaggeration.
"In my earliest incarnation, I was Ōtsutsuki Indra, the elder son destined to inherit the legacy of my father — the Sage of Six Paths. Or so I believed.
"The weight of that destiny was crushing, though at the time, I could not recognize it. Consumed by a desire to prove my worth, I insisted that my vision of peace — however twisted it became — must prevail. That might alone could enforce peace. My views hardened; my heart turned to stone.
"That belief led the Sage to choose Sasuke — Asura — as his heir instead."
'How long…?'
That was what Yūshirō wondered as they faced each other in one of the medical facility's many courtyards. Naruto's stance was relaxed but strong, a testament to years of battles both won and lost. And, with or without chakra…
His father's fists conveyed impossible strength.
It wasn't just in his sheer, refined technique. No, as far as technique went, both Hanabi and Toru were still slightly better, as far as he could tell. The same way, he could tell how many hours any of them had spent perfecting their craft, through every exchange of blows.
But, this…
How much effort had his father put into his training? How much had he suffered for his strength?
The questions weighed heavily on Yūshirō, and he felt a profound connection in this moment, Ninshū or not. And he thought he could see why so many revered him, too. Not just as the legendary hero, but a man who had endured immeasurable pain.
In spite of himself, Yūshirō felt truly moved. His heart swelled with awe and sorrow, and his eyes welled up with tears—
Naruto's fist connected squarely with Yūshirō's cheek.
"…Uh?" Naruto's voice cut through the haze of pain. "Did you just get distracted?"
"…Guh." Yūshirō grunted, the word half-defiant, half-embarrassed.
Naruto frowned minutely. "You totally were. I don't need to read your thoughts to tell—"
"Okay, I was." Yūshirō said, raising a hand. "Yes, I know, that's terrible form—"
"It's fine." Naruto said. "We can take a break, then."
Yūshirō gave an eloquent shrug, still catching his breath.
"Is it difficult?" Naruto asked. "To fight without your chakra."
Yūshirō nodded. "Kinda, yeah. It's like…" He frowned, searching for a good comparison.
"Forcing yourself to breathe manually."
"…Thanks for making me aware of that now." Yūshirō groaned, as he took a deep breath.
"You're welcome." Naruto smiled. "You can use your chakra, if it makes it easier. Short of Lightning Armor, I think I can take it — probably."
"It would be easier." Yūshirō admitted, as he sat down. "But I don't think easy is always the best solution."
"My, my…" Naruto grinned, sitting next to him. His thoughts were a bit more wistful than his words. "Yugito raised you well."
"Ah, come on, stop it." Yūshirō waved off, cheeks tinged pink. "Anyone knows that."
"I wouldn't say so."
They drank water and settled onto the training ground.
"Speaking of your Lightning Armor." Naruto began, picking at the grass. "Quite a potent one. Did you develop it yourself?"
Yūshirō, still catching his breath, smiled sheepishly. "Not entirely, I had a lot of pointers from Mom and Uncle Ay."
"Thought so." Naruto returned the smile warmly. "Well, I learned it in big parts thanks to the same man — the one from our world, that is."
"Really?"
Naruto shrugged, looking a bit wistful. "My teacher, Kakashi, taught me the basics of it, when I was young, though he never explicitly said so. The rest, I figured from watching either man fight." He glanced away. "They were not the most pleasant of lessons, admittedly."
"...You were fighting them, weren't you?" Yūshirō ventured.
"Got it in one."
Yūshirō decided not to press further on this particular topic.
Instead, he steered the conversation back to their earlier discussion. "So, your Lightning Armor... was mostly self-taught past that point, right?"
"Yeah." Naruto said. "Initially, I focused on my limbs, then my weapons. As I grew more accustomed to the sensation, I expanded the enhancement from my core, using its power to boost my overall speed." He then shrugged. "But what I ended up with was a crude, hybrid version of the technique. The Raikage once mentioned my Lightning control was amateurish. Now I see why."
"…Did that work?" Yūshirō asked. "It sounds rather… suicidal, skipping steps like that."
"It was risky, and I can't say it was the wisest choice during a battle, but it seemed logical at the time. And it was still relatively draining on my chakra." Naruto exhaled deeply. "I had to refine it considerably to make it effective."
"How did you manage the outer layer, without the Raikage telling you about the Tempest Flux Binding?"
Naruto frowned. "...The outer layer?"
"Yes, the—" Yūshirō paused. "...Did you never get to see anyone else's Lightning Armor from up close?"
"Now that I think of it, no." Naruto said. "Not really."
No one had ever really felt confident enough to show him their version after he had obtained the Rinnegan. Only the one he had taught to people.
"…I don't think you ever learned the Kumo version." Yūshirō pointed out.
"No?" Silence answered him. "Ah, well. I've always been more suited for Inner Release, anyway. Guess I doubled down on that."
That was… interesting, considering he had taught his version to both Mitsuki and Boruto.
"...It shouldn't even have held. A single layer would require chakra of... incredible density — or refined too far to be useful." Yūshirō said. "I think — I think you just made up something else. The version I learned emphasized the importance of gradual enhancement and precise control." Yūshirō shook his head. "I was never permitted to channel such vast amounts of Lightning chakra without ensuring everything was meticulously calibrated."
Naruto chuckled softly, a reflective sparkle in his eyes. "That sounds about right. What I came up with was rough around the edges at first — more brute force than finesse. Your mother and Uncle Ay are meticulous in their techniques. Kakashi, too. They wouldn't settle for anything less than precision."
"It's interesting, though. If dangerous." Yūshirō mused, picking up a small stone and tossing it lightly in his hand. "You integrated a raw form of Lightning Armor into your combat style before fully mastering the traditional version — or skipping half the required steps."
"Sounds about right." Naruto nodded, with a wry smile. "Adaptation and improvisation have always been my approach. Sarutobi tried to discourage the latter, but in the heat of battle, you don't always have the luxury of a perfect plan. You learn quickly what works and what doesn't." He shrugged. "And considering it didn't kill me the first time, well, it was workable."
"That's… Well, this approach has apparently worked rather well for you."
A pause.
Naruto blinked. "Are you talking about my marriage—"
"No!" Yūshirō cried out. "Just that there's something to be said for being able to adapt on the fly, even if it's not always the smoothest method."
"I agree." Naruto's smile widened. "Every ninja usually finds their own way. I guess the techniques we use might reflect that, to some degree. Some, like the Raikage, rely on overwhelming strength. Others, like Kakashi, focus on precision and tactics. I had to find a middle ground, using my instincts and the skills I developed over the years."
There was a bit more to it, but a lot of it was Naruto's hastily revised conjecture:
Kakashi's version of Lightning Armor prioritized speed and agility. He concentrated chakra mainly around his lower body and arms, optimizing his agility and facilitating rapid directional changes during combat. This technique was designed for short bursts of intense activity, as it consumed a lot of chakra quickly. Due to his relatively limited chakra reserves, prolonged usage, especially at full output, was not feasible. However, his reliance on the Sharingan helped compensate for any shortcomings in reflex speed.
The Raikage's version emphasized strength and durability. His technique involved a dense, armor-like chakra layer that enveloped him, significantly enhancing his muscle density and resistance to physical damage. This setup, with one layer under the skin and another above, transformed him into a formidable barrier capable of both delivering powerful strikes and withstanding severe attacks. Although this method required a substantial amount of chakra, limiting its versatility, it proved incredibly effective in head-on combat scenarios.
Naruto adapted the Lightning Armor to evenly distribute lightning chakra throughout his entire body, covering both his chakra core and brain in a perfect circuit, distributing the function and its burden in a unique way. This single, powerful layer enhanced his physical abilities and drastically improved his sensory capabilities, surpassing other versions. His vast chakra reserves allowed him to maintain this enhanced state for extended periods during battle. Furthermore, regular use of this technique, including its application by his clones, gradually improved his baseline physical and chakra capacities.
He had always loved self-feeding loops.
"I believed power — incorporating elements of both strength and speed — was the safest bet for me." Naruto shrugged. "Wind helped fill any gaps."
"…You added another element to this?" Yūshirō asked, somewhat shrilly.
"You sound just like your mother, now." Naruto laughed. "She had the same reaction. But I knew myself. I knew my body, and I knew my elements. By the time I did so, I knew it was safe." He thought about it, and then paused. "For me. Probably will be for you, too, once we get to it. But that comes later — I heard compounding became forbidden, by the way. That's probably a good thing."
"B-But…" Yūshirō shook his head. "Using Dark Lightning to power up a cloak took me years — and we're talking about the same element! Nature energy or not! I wouldn't even attempt—"
Naruto winked. "That shows just how good your old man was."
Yūshirō stared at him for a while, and he probably finally understood what his mother meant about his father's idea of safety.
"The Sage's rejection did not sit well with me. It ignited the fires of our war — a war I initiated.
"A war that spanned eons and countless lifetimes, in which I lost more than I gained. I carried the scars of those battles, haunted by the ghosts of both friends and foes alike — several of whom I had slain with my own hands."
"I have heard you lost your power." Kaguya said, her voice devoid of concern.
Naruto met her gaze just as evenly. "That's right. I suppose you don't need me to tell you to confirm it, though. Your eyes can see as much."
"A pity."
Naruto made a sound like a sigh. "If you've come to mock me, please do so. If you're here to point out the irony, you can do that too. There's nothing you could say that I haven't already considered myself."
Kaguya's expression remained impassive, her gaze cold as she surveyed Naruto, assessing his demeanor. "Mockery is beneath me." She finally responded, her tone as frosty as the air between them, and Naruto quietly doubted the truth of that statement. "However, irony is not. It is indeed ironic that you, once so formidable, now stand before me diminished."
Naruto's wry smile faded into a more serious, contemplative expression. "It is. Power waxes and wanes." He said, his voice steady and more reflective than defeated. "Today it's me; tomorrow, it could be anyone — even you."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of annoyance — and something else, closer to respect, but it couldn't be, considering that woman and himself — passing through them briefly. "We are not the same."
"Nah, I guess not." Naruto conceded. "But you've got things to protect of your own, don't you?"
Kaguya stiffened, her posture rigid, and there was a contemplative silence that followed his words. "What of it…?"
"Nothing." Naruto said with a nod. "It's just my impression that you might make the same choices I did, under similar circumstances."
She remained silent, giving nothing away.
"Besides, you know him." Naruto smiled. "Who knows in what sort of trouble he will drag you, should you choose to stay by his side—"
"I fear not the future."
Naruto smiled again. "For what it's worth, I think Kage was right about you. I didn't see it back then, but—"
"…Hush."
Next to Kaguya, her faithful shadow's features were set in a composed mask. She was Yūshirō's teammate, Eishin. The same way that little kami was. And the mere notion that kami were living alongside humanity and the myriad of different species that populated the Ring was something he still found truly incredible.
The resentment he could read in her eyes, he surmised, was due to what he had done to Tsuki, back then. It wasn't something he could blame her for. Even less so if that dislike was focused upon him.
Sakura was watching Eishin as well. "How are things going with the demon child?" She asked her.
Eishin frowned minutely. "…Who is it that you are referring to?"
"Yūshirō."
"…Nii?" Eishin's lips tightened slightly, a flash of annoyance passing through her eyes. "He is skilled enough, I suppose. Willing, if rather unexperienced—"
"Ugh, gross." Sakura made a face. "He's like seventeen — I'm not talking about your sex life. I meant the rest of your relationship."
Eishin stiffened. "What?"
"…What's your deal?" Sakura asked. She then turned toward Hanabi. "Why is she being so weird about it? They are together, right?"
Seeing the murder in Eishin's eyes, Hanabi found a pretext to drag Sakura away before she could make Yūshiro's life slightly more complicated. Still, she was laughing, and soon, Naruto was, too.
"In time, I became Uchiha Madara, a man who you likely have heard of. A man who loved and lost spectacularly.
"Still convinced that true peace could only be secured through control, through my control, I sought power that could quell any dissent.
"I aimed to protect, to prevent loss at any cost, but my pursuit only led to more destruction, more pain. It was just one part of a cycle, perpetuated by my own hands — a cycle I struggled to break, blinded by my own sorrow."
Naruto motioned for Hanabi to stop recounting the battle.
"Are you all right, Gama?" Uchiha — or Hyūga, depending on the day — Jiraiya gave his role model a look of concern.
"You look a bit pale." Naruto added.
Gama was. And weirder still, Hebi, next to him, was not trying to hurt him, and it was something Naruto found even stranger than the presence of Ōtsutsuki in the vast Medica complex. No, in fact, she was holding his hand, rather gently. No one dared to ask any questions about it.
"Man." Gama said, voice a bit shaky. "You guys never told me how bad things got, in there."
Sakura shrugged. "Who was going to tell you? Sasuke was already — Hey! Don't do that, Hanabi!"
"Well, there you go." Naruto said, rather flippantly. "The full tale of the battle against Susanoo-Arashi. Like it?"
Hebi gave a sickly smile, shoulders sagging with slight relief. "…You'll excuse me for saying this, of course, but… I'm rather glad I wasn't there for the full thing."
"Fuck yes." Gama breathed out. He shook his head once more. "I thought shit was rough when we popped in as incarnations, but…"
"It was not all that bad." Orochimaru pointed out, with a slight smile. "I've had the chance to test quite a few interesting versions of cellular-altering techniques there."
Sakura pressed a fist to her mouth, dry heaving as memories of fuzzy, mold-like constructs probably resurfaced — Sakura, out of all people. "…Yeah, it was pretty bad."
"…I wish I could have done more." Sasuke said, dragging a hand through his hair. "I should have known just destroying the kami's body—"
"How would you have known?" Hanabi asked. When he didn't answer, she shrugged. "Exactly."
"You should really learn to forgive yourself." Sakura said, laying a hand upon Sasuke' shoulder. "Took me a while to get the hang of it, but it's pretty helpful, believe me."
There was a deep scowl on his face, by then. "Oh, really?" He asked, rather sarcastically. "You? What in the world would you have to blame yourself for?"
"Good question." Sakura leaned back. "Not much, honestly."
And that was how they spent time, squabbling, getting used to this newfound freedom. Or in Sasuke's case, getting used to the others' presence again.
"In hindsight, each life and each battle subtly taught me the true nature of power and loneliness.
"The more I tried to change the world alone, the deeper I entrenched myself in the very patterns I sought to destroy. It's an ironic, pitiful truth that my quest for peace only brought about more war, and my yearning for love only bred more hate."
Uzumaki Ino and Karin, although in rooms separated by a wall, woke up at nearly exactly the same time, on the seventh of July, Year Seventeen of the Imperial Calendar, in the closing of dusk.
Though Karin's transition from sleep to wakefulness was smooth, Ino's was a jarring clamor or pain. A mean headache gripped her, magnified by the distant peals of thunder she remembered rather clearly, or perhaps the remnants of a dream slipping away.
The chamber drained, and she grabbed a bundle of clothes, dressing herself, pressing a hand against her temple, wincing. Her thoughts were fuzzy, disjointed, but a sense of wakefulness pushed her to her feet. She staggered to the wall, leaning heavily against it, and listened.
She had been slightly awake for the past hour or so, and had heard the hum of a chakra generator. Right now, all she could hear was silence.
Deafening, unusual silence.
"Karin?" She called out, her voice slightly raspy from disuse.
No answer. With shaky steps, she made her way to the chamber's door, fumbling with the handle before swinging it open.
Ino's gaze swept over the scene before her. The room, which was usually kept pristine, was cluttered with bodies.
They were sprawled across the floor, curled up on couches, some even using pillows that had clearly been Created. It seemed everyone had fallen asleep right where they sat, waiting.
A lump formed in her throat as she stepped closer, her eyes scanning the familiar faces. There was Naruto, of course, his head resting against the armrest of a sofa, his face peaceful in sleep. Sasuke was nearby, slumped against him, a book fallen from his hand—
...Sasuke?
It was him, alive and well; Ino's heart clenched. He looked at peace, and Ino stood there, frozen for a while. Finally, she let out a relieved breath.
Toru was there, curled up in a ball, head resting upon Chōji's belly, the same way Akemi did. Shikamaru, of course, had fallen asleep on the floor.
Ino's heart clenched tighter as she spotted her mother, leaning back in a recliner, her head tilted in a way that spoke of deep sleep. Karin was nestled into a corner of another sofa, her fiery red hair forming a stark contrast against the pale fabric, her chest rising and falling with slow, even breaths.
Sakura and Hanabi were together, the former's pink locks mingling with the latter's dark hair as they shared a cushioned ottoman, Sakura's lone arm protectively draped over Hanabi. Yugito was a solitary figure by the window, curled up on a high ledge — of course — with a blanket wrapped snugly around her, the gentle rise and fall of her back signaling her deep rest.
Here, she could hear an engine humming — ah, no, it was just Asuma. There were more people, including Sakura's mother. Hell, even Orochimaru. How they had all managed to fit all of them in one single room, she wondered.
Perhaps she sniffled a bit.
These were some of the people who had stayed by her side, through battles and peace, through chaos and calm. The sight of them, steadfast and vulnerable, overwhelmed her. They had waited, all through the night, just for her and Karin to wake up.
Stepping over a sleeping Anko, Ino made her way to Karin, whose mind was clearly awake.
'Karin?'
'Yes?' Came the answer, that she hadn't been sure she was going to receive. 'Should I wake them up? I think I'm the only one still awake—'
'Certainly not.' Ino's smile deepened. 'Let them sleep. We've earned it.'
Together, they settled down amidst their friends, finding small spaces of their own. Ino leaned back against a cushioned chair, pulling Karin down beside her. They adjusted their positions slightly, careful not to disturb the others.
The room was warm, and aside from the sounds of breathing, all Ino could hear was the occasional shift of someone finding a better position in their sleep. As Ino closed her eyes, she felt safe, entirely safe. With that safety came a deep sense of belonging, too.
There were many ways to say 'I love you,' but Karin didn't need her to say it out loud, apparently. She smiled, and gradually, the migraine receded.
The gentle rhythm of sleep claimed her, too.
"It is a harsh truth, but a truth nonetheless. I believe you can sense such a thing, can you not?
"I am a murderer.
"I have slain lovers in moments of betrayal, silenced kin amid the chaos of war, and struck down friends whose paths had diverged far from mine. I have razed cities to ashes, obliterated sanctuaries, and extinguished lineages that stood against me. My hands, though now outstretched in peace, have orchestrated symphonies of destruction across both time and worlds.
"It is rather ironic, too, that to the Ōtsutsuki of our former world, who I have wronged less than my own kin, I am seen as nothing short of a monster. To men, I am widely considered a hero now. Worse, an ideal.
"My legacy is tainted with the blood of the innocent and the guilty alike."
Naruto lounged comfortably on the sofa, his arms draped over Karin and Ino's shoulders. Hanabi was having a book read itself — the sort of book no one should be reading in public, even had it been a silent thing. Sakura was nowhere to be seen, probably out somewhere with Sarada. The quiet of the room — aside from the lewd tale playing out — was disturbed when Jinsuke and Kage stepped in.
"Ino." Kage began warmly, before cringing at what he could hear. "I heard about your recovery. It's miraculous. I can't tell you how glad I am to—"
"Are you going to do this every time?" Naruto interjected with a chuckle, cutting him off mid-sentence.
Kage shook his head, his lips curving into a reluctant smile. "…Man, you really are a bastard, y'know?"
"He is." Ino agreed, dismissing her husband's jest. "Thank you for coming. And for caring."
Jinsuke turned to Karin. "How are you two feeling?"
Naruto observed Jinsuke's sincere expression with a hint of surprise.
"All right." Karin responded, a faint smile touching her lips. "Glad to be back."
"I still feel like pinching myself sometimes." Ino confessed. "But well, we're here."
Karin looked around at the group, her eyes holding a glint of hope. "And now…" she paused, her gaze lingering on the doorway as if expecting someone. "We wait for Yoisen."
"There was Kakashi, who taught us survival, to become strong enough to survive the world; our paths diverged, and I murdered him.
"There was Nagato, who aimed to rule the world through terror; our paths diverged, and I ended his life to claim his ambition as my own.
"It was a long, grueling journey, where my body endured longer than my ideals."
"I see you have managed to awaken your Rinne-Sharingan." Sakura said, rather conversationally. "Congratulations. In spite of having children, too." She shook her head in amazement. "Incredible, truly. I always knew you had such potential."
Boruto stared at her, nonplussed.
"Oh, don't be jealous." Sakura waved her hand dismissively. "Your Mangekyō Byakugan is alright too, but you've had it for years."
"Tenseigan." He corrected.
"…What are you even talking about?" Sakura frowned. "Is that a new one?"
This time, Boruto could only sigh in response, while Sarada beamed, thanking her warmly.
"Speaking of impressive, where's Mitsuki?" Sakura glanced around curiously. "I wanted to see if he finally developed a decent human consciousness, like mine. Or grown it. Implanted it — whatever little snakes do."
"You do know he has his duties, right?" Boruto replied, his tone dry. "Kingly matters and such."
"Unlike you, then?" She shook her head, laughing. "Well, why doesn't he just delegate them to someone else? That's what my husband always did."
Sarada's smile widened, and even Boruto let out a chuckle.
"Why don't you come with us later?" Boruto suggested. Nacchan wasn't around, and he wasn't sure whether he would even have wanted to, but... "The kids would love to see you, and Hermione's been missing you since you came back." He paused thoughtfully. "Or we can have them come here if you're waiting."
"Ah." Sakura hesitated. "Children, especially the very young ones, aren't exactly my forte—"
"We know." Boruto interrupted with a grin. "Believe me, we know."
Sakura scowled and Sarada laughed, pulling her along.
"Oh, by the way." Sarada interjected casually, as if just remembering. "Have we ever told you what we named our first daughter?"
Sakura's brow furrowed slightly. "No, I don't think so."
Sarada's smile was soft. "Her name's Hanami."
At the mention of the name, Sakura froze, her eyes widening. She made a small, choked sound.
Boruto gave her a knowing look. "We named her as a tribute to a teacher of ours." He said. "You wouldn't know her, of course. She's always been quite reclusive, you know…"
"The only reason I didn't lose sight of the ultimate goal, this time, was thanks to them."
"You." Ino said to Toru as the group of four walked through the hills. "…You are a massive idiot."
Toru inclined his head slightly to her, gracefully accepting the compliment, and, if anything, it only seemed to piss her off even more. "Is this about the sketch?"
"The sketch?" Ino's confusion briefly overtook her irritation.
"Never mind that." Toru offered a placating smile. "Perhaps we should just blame Naruto for all of this—"
Before he could finish, Ino reached out and sharply flicked his ear. Toru let out a surprised yelp. "We had a plan, remember? And someone thought it wise to storm into Susanoo-Arashi's inner realm, ignoring everything else."
"Oh." Toru blinked. "Still going on about that?"
"Well, it may have been days for you, but in my case, and in Karin's, we just woke up."
"Got you, got you." Toru grumbled.
Her eyes softened. "…Oh, well. I suppose you had a good reason."
Toru smiled a smarmy grin, and Ino rolled her eyes again. "Well, yes. I had to make sure Naruto didn't kill himself."
Ino glanced at the man in question, who scowled.
"Did you manage?" Karin asked neutrally.
"I don't know." Toru said, with just the faintest hint of dry amusement. "I think he left part of his soul there. He's only been moping and staring at the sky ever since we got back. Not a single mention of how horny he must be feeling after fighting a god."
Karin laughed hard; Naruto scowled harder. "That's pretty far from the truth."
"True." Karin said, grinning. "There's also something a bit less depressing than your lack of chakra on your mind."
"…Why are you idiots prodding, exactly?" Naruto asked, with a sigh. "If you want to know how I feel—"
"Nah, we know." Toru cut him off, and Naruto rubbed his temples in irritation. "There's not much more you need to explain—"
This time, Ino interjected. "If any of you want to talk about it more." She glared at Toru. "I'm here. Same if there's anything you'd like to talk about."
"Thank you, dear." Karin smiled, and her face lit up. "Same goes for you. Just because you're a mind expert doesn't change anything."
"They reminded me of my younger self, when my ideals were pure.
"They rekindled something within me — or perhaps, they simply kept me focused on the endgame.
"Sasuke was among them. Without him, the world we live in would be a very different place."
"I know you've basically been offered your old job back." Ino said, eyeing Naruto closely.
He responded with a nonchalant shrug. "I thought it was just an honorary gesture."
"Mitsuki doesn't do honorary." Karin chimed in, a smile playing on her lips. "Does that mean you turned it down?" Her voice carried a hint of relief.
"Yeah." Naruto shook his head. "I think I'm rather done with that God-Emperor shit." He paused. "At least for now. There are so many other things I want to focus on."
"Oh?" Ino arched an eyebrow, her expression feigning surprise as though she wasn't already privy to his constant thoughts.
"I…" Naruto paused, his eyes softening as he surveyed the faces around him.
Meeting his son had gotten him thinking. Yūshirō was amazing, he thought. Brilliant and kind.
Naruto wasn't sure much of it had to do with him, and in some darker moments, he thought that his very absence for the last eight years might have had more to do with him being a good person than his presence.
He didn't consider himself the fatherly sort, although he tried.
To him at least, a lingering sense of solitude clung to Yūshirō, a mirror of the loneliness Naruto himself had finally escaped. He saw it in the way Yūshirō watched little Hanami play with her siblings, a wistful longing in his eyes that struck a deep chord within Naruto.
That longing rekindled an old, almost forgotten desire in Naruto — the dream of a large, loving family, one he wanted to get right this time. He wanted to be there for every second, too. Right from the start.
Ino's smile widened.
"I want to be here, with all of you. And perhaps." His voice lowered, warm and earnest. "It might be time to think about expanding our family."
Karin's face lit up. "Really? More kids?"
"Intentionally, this time?" Ino teased, her tone light.
"...Thanks for that, really." Naruto chuckled, warmth flooding his voice. "Why not? Now seems as perfect a time as any. That is, if you all agree—"
Their laughter mingled together, a sound of pure joy.
"I think that's a wonderful idea."
"Looking back, there are countless things I could have done differently.
"Choices that, had I the slightly broader wisdom of these later years, might have led to less suffering. I didn't have the foresight of consequence, only the bitter clarity of retrospection.
"It was a journey fraught with mistakes, but also lessons. Some, I finally learned.
"I share this with you, Yūshirō, because you are not doomed to repeat my errors. You have the opportunity to choose differently, to surpass me.
"Learn from my life, if you want, from the myriad lives I have led before, and understand that your path is yours to forge, unencumbered.
"Or perhaps, you might choose a completely different route."
"Well, of course we are living in the worst timeline!" Toru argued hotly.
His hand gestured wildly, betraying his annoyance — not solely from his recent blunder at the Jenga tower, which now lay in a defeated heap at his feet, but also from the raucous laughter that followed.
"How could it not be?" He continued. "They have chakra and will undoubtedly lord it all over us!"
They being Sakura, mostly. And Hanabi, to a lesser degree.
Sakura raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms — both the human one and the chakra construct she had made for that express purpose. "Oh, really now? Would you rather we didn't use our gifts at all?"
"I don't give a shit about that!" Toru shouted. "Just don't use it to cheat at fucking games!"
"I don't see what you're talking about." Hanabi frowned. "Actually, I don't see much—"
"Stop! Just stop!"
"So just because you can't cheat anymore, we get accused, so baselessly…?" Sakura asked, before sighing. "I'm disappointed, Toru. But also, I saw it coming."
"Sasuke remembers all this, just as I do.
"That's why things between us are... complicated. I have committed atrocities, and it is entirely within his rights to either accept them or reject them. As anyone should. Though your mother has, it would be more than fair of him not to. Just as it is your right to decide for yourself, Yūshirō."
"Yes." Mitsuki nodded, his voice full of conviction. "I believe it is all part of evolution. Are you suggesting twin convergent species, then?"
"That remains merely a theory." Kaguya pointed out.
"Yes." Orochimaru nodded. "That is the likely meaning I can extract from what Naruto says he has witnessed. A precursor race, wielding a power different from both chakra and shinsei."
"I find it rather fascinating." Mitsuki said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "And to think, a bastardized, forced evolution could allow one to handle even compounded chakra with reduced risk..."
"Sakura's case remains an outlier." Orochimaru said. "No experiment, whether it involved blending human with Ōtsutsuki or vice versa, succeeded in replicating her condition. Her own explanation was unsatisfactory, too." He shook his head. "I should have realized sooner — the missing element was the environment, a realm of kami, saturated with shinsei."
"Indeed, it appears so." Kaguya nodded. "And with the multitude of their divine beings residing aboard the Celestial Ring, it might become feasible someday in the near future."
"Yes." Orochimaru nodded. "It provides a starting point, or at least a curiosity. We must begin preparations. Time is of the essence, of course."
It wasn't, not really.
"Yes." Mitsuki's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Even now, as we speak of evolution, his own continues. Should we find a solution, and he regains his full power, he shall surpass even his former self. A perfected soul, unburdened by his past."
A pause. Kaguya frowned.
"…Why are you talking about my student again?" Orochimaru asked with a sigh.
"…I kind of knew already, Dad."
Yoisen woke slowly.
Confusion clouded her mind as her senses gradually returned; she was alive, breathing in liquid, in a room unfamiliar and oddly serene.
The bleariness of her eyes suggested a long slumber, one deep enough to erase time itself from her perception. She reached out instinctively for her chakra, only to grasp at emptiness — a sharp pang of loss echoing within her, but slightly muted. She had no regrets about that.
Slowly standing up, she feared the return of the old sickness from her childhood, a looming phantom pain.
But it didn't come.
Instead, she found her body surprisingly robust — healthy even, though it contrasted with a slight weakness from her long time spent asleep. She dressed slowly, carefully, and then exited the chamber. As her eyes adjusted, the outlines of the room took shape.
Soft light filtered through a large window, casting gentle patterns on the floor. Slowly, the silence of the room began to fill with the cautious movements of others. They emerged, faces she recognized instantly, cheering.
Ino was the first to step forward, and her presence, surprisingly, was as calming as the sunlight. "You're awake." She said, a smile breaking through her concern.
Yoisen didn't miss Sasuke's presence, far from it. She simply didn't quite know what to make of it. But the others seemed to have adjusted to the news, already.
She inhaled deeply. "…So it seems."
Karin's voice was gentle. "You've been asleep for a long time." The reason was clear without words; Yoisen had depleted herself maintaining her technique. "We've all been waiting for you."
…Yoisen had noticed. Hell, even Orochimaru was here. When he could have been out there, scheming things that would give even her pause.
No, they were here. Aside from the eight of them, as well as some relatives, including Ino's mother, were several of Yoisen's friends. The realization that she had not been alone washed over Yoisen like a warm tide. A decade was a short time to her, but it felt as though she had lived more in the last one than over the span of centuries.
Tears escaped her, wiped away quickly. She wondered if her emotions seemed excessive, given the likely brief separation by their measure, or whether they understood why she wept at all. Three of them, at least, did. That much, she knew. Yet, the tears flowed freely, and no judgment followed.
Instead, they drew close, enveloping her in their collective warmth.
"What?"
"Uncle Sasuke and Mom — they've told me bits and pieces. He always tried to avoid answering, but… I'm not entirely stupid. They said you would tell me the rest when the time was right, or they would have, if you hadn't..."
"Come back?"
"Yes. But, well… Matatabi doesn't necessarily believe in waiting for the 'right time.' Or in not insulting you. Eishin has no such reservations, either. But that's besides the point. I think I already had the gist of it. And I think you already know why."
"…I see. What do you think, then?"
Yoisen was in good hands.
That was what Naruto thought when he watched her more or less being dragged away from the Medica by Karin and Hanabi. She gave him a wide-eyed look, and there she went, into the golden hues of the setting sun, headed home.
Naruto, Toru and Sasuke were now threading their way along a narrow road, bordered by hills, accompanied by the persistent chirps of cicadas. The night air was warm, promising an even hotter day tomorrow.
Umi would likely be even warmer.
Although they could have made use of the Ring Core to warp, or asked any of the ones still able to use chakra to bring them home, they chose to walk a bit more before that. It felt oddly peaceful here.
"There's something I've been meaning to ask Yoisen." Naruto finally voiced his thoughts aloud, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. "Not sure about the right time, though."
Toru glanced at him, a knowing smile briefly crossing his features. "You really can't stop trying to steal a guy's thunder, huh?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow in answer. "What will—" He paused. "Oh."
Sasuke hummed in agreement, his eyes scanning the path ahead. "If you think it's time, go ahead. I've stopped trying to dictate the flow of reason here."
"Thank you for your thoughts." Naruto smiled.
"…Was there a question in there?" Toru asked. "Or are you just telling us anything that's on your mind, now? Because if so, I'm worried where this might go."
"Being open is rather new for you, Naruto." Sasuke agreed. He then paused. "...Speaking of discussions, have you spoken to Yūshirō yet? I think there are a few things you might have to tell him."
There was no question about what he meant. The same discussion Naruto knew Sasuke already had had with his sons.
"I have." Naruto finally answered.
"All of it? Even our roles in the events?" Toru asked.
"Everything." Naruto said. "Including the times before now. Including Yoisen's part."
A pause. "…Well, damn."
Sasuke, on the other hand, didn't seem entirely surprised. "So you did. What was his answer?"
"I think there's more to you than just your mistakes, Dad."
Naruto inhaled deeply, his breath quivering slightly as he exhaled. He nodded slightly, more to himself than anyone else, while his hands absentmindedly rubbed against each other. His right hand lingered on the Moon seal, tracing its outline.
"You know him quite well, don't you?" He asked. "I suppose you can guess his reaction."
Sasuke offered a slight, knowing smile. "I have a fair idea, yes."
Toru's face, however, remained impassive, his curiosity not quite satisfied.
"I'm not entirely sure I know him that well yet, so you'll need to fill me in." He said slowly. "Preferably before tonight's celebration."
"Uncle Sasuke says he remembers more than how heartless you might have been, at times. That he has seen how heavily things seemed to weigh on you. And I... I can read his heart, the same way you can. The same way I can read yours now. As clear as if they were my own. I do not know if it is my place to say, but... allow me to make an exception, just for today. I will apologize to him myself.
"Uncle... He remembers the little things, too. And I think I understand it all, now. I can make sense of it.
"He remembers seeing how proud Indra was learning his first jutsu, even though it was just a tiny fire technique. He remembers the letters Indra — or you, I suppose — sent home, as you traveled the world. He remembers your first love, how inspired you seemed then. He remembers your shared dreams of building a village together.
"He remembers that you didn't want to kill anyone, either.
"He remembers the tears you, him, and Uncle Toru shared after your first mission together went awry. He remembers deciding together that if the world didn't make sense, you would make it make sense.
"He remembers more than just the battles you fought and the pain you caused each other. He believes that pain was mutual, more than you implied.
"He remembers more than the cold power you wielded and the harm you caused. He remembers the dreams you shared, the lessons you learned together, and the love that is there. Those are also the things that shaped you — not just the wars you both waged or your quest for control.
"The way I see it… You had to go through all of that so you could change the world. From what you had... To this, to what we have now. You might not always see it, but you've saved countless lives. Because of who you are and everything you've been through. You can ask any of us. Every decision you made, every mistake, every victory... wasn't just about you. They laid the groundwork for the future, for all of us.
"I think you telling me matters, Dad. But your life — I see it as more than a quest for power or control. It's about... Well, I see a man who, despite his flaws and missteps, never stopped striving for a better tomorrow.
"That's the legacy you've given us, and that's the path I choose to follow.
"I'm not feeling burdened by your past mistakes. I'm inspired by your determination, your heart.
"So, thank you, Dad, for every part of your journey. You've given me the strength to carve out my own path."
lensdump:
i/zps0Gb : Sakura, Karin, Ino
i/zpxr4m : For Whom the Sun Shines/Father and Son
AN: Yeah, definitely slipping in at least one more chapter in there...
Next chapter: Hand in Hand, Heart to Heart