"What is the meaning of life?" This question was asked by many of my acquaintances. In our world, death was commonplace, and the value of life was often equated to a simple thing. When you see how easily you can lose everything dear to you, you start to ponder the meaning of existence. Life, as it turns out, is not just a series of events and decisions but something more.
When I was young, energetic, naive, and an outcast in society, I still clung to every opportunity to stand out before others. Only those who have experienced something similar can understand what it feels like to be an outcast in a children's or youth group. Naivety played a key role at that time, and, in fact, I wasn't a real outcast or reject; I was just a little different. Which, if we're being honest, is quite sad: being in the middle between freaks and normal people is even worse than belonging to one of the sides, I was obviously a jerk. Reflections on such complex things as "life" didn't even cross my mind. Those were happy days, although many disliked me for my pranks.
There was one person at the academy; he was a teacher and replaced my father. He was strict with me, punished me if I disobeyed, but I still loved him. But he wasn't the only one in whom I saw family.
When there are bonds, amazing things happen. Even the one who caused my suffering in childhood eventually became my brother and comrade. Living with a beast inside isn't so bad! And speaking of suffering...
Not only do people constantly hurt each other. Through these wounds, we learn to survive, become stronger. But even hating someone is not that simple... Over time, you understand that hatred is just one facet of human emotions. It can turn into understanding, respect, friendship. Even the one who was once an enemy can become an ally. Life is full of such paradoxes, and it is these paradoxes that make it so complex and at the same time so beautiful.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and so on. Battle after battle, development after development. When the satisfaction, safety, and development of another person become as important to you as your own, you can say that this is love. The ideology of Super Gramps became accepted by all, uniting us in the pursuit of a better future. Humanity began to understand that the only path to true progress is unity and cooperation. We learned to work together despite differences, overcoming obstacles and creating a new, better world. A world where every person felt important and needed, where everyone had the right to happiness and well-being.
At the same time, every achievement, every victory reminded us of the price at which they were obtained. We built new cities on the ruins of the old, planted trees on battlefields, created new families in place of lost ones. We strived for peace, knowing that every moment of calm and joy was paid for with the blood and tears of our comrades...
— It's too late to regret...
Now there's nothing. It's all over. Because of me, one mad "man" went into a rage. He killed them all to teach me a lesson, so I would forever remember my mistake... And I remembered. Regret is a far worse punishment than death. Everyone dies, but only a few live with such pain. I have nowhere to return. The only thing left for me is to stand on the edge of the abyss and fight, realizing my insignificance. Life in my eyes has become meaningless and empty. I never thought my end would be so grim.
I opened my eyes and saw an unfamiliar dark ceiling above me. My head was spinning, and my body felt foreign and weak. I tried to get up, but pain pierced through my entire body, and I helplessly fell back onto the bed. Hot, acidic air blew into my face, and I involuntarily coughed. The atmospheric pressure here was monstrous; my lungs felt compressed as if they were being squeezed from all sides.
— Naruto, you're awake?
I heard a familiar stern voice. The figure in front of me was framed by a long dark cloak, casting shadows on walls with drawings. This person's face was etched with deep scars, the most noticeable of which was a long scar crossing his face. Gray strands mingled with remnants of black hair, giving him the appearance of a warrior who had been through many battles. His purple eyes radiated immense power.
His outfit consisted of a light but extremely durable technological suit, riddled with thin energy channels glowing bright purple. These channels ran through the entire suit, giving the impression that energy circulated through his body like a blood system. He watched me intently, his eyes following my every move.
— Sasuke... was it a failure? How long was I unconscious?
— A week, — replied Sasuke, closing his eyes and trying to speak evenly. — Some survived. Meiyo managed to evacuate them, but she stayed behind to cover our rear. She died.
I couldn't hold back a grimace of pain. Not because of physical pain, but because of the cruel irony. How many people died after I lost consciousness? Apparently, the mission to search for habitable sectors was supposed to remain hidden from enemies. Such a chance for reconnaissance happens only once, and we couldn't miss it.
— It doesn't matter. I already understand. It's better to pray for Meiyo's soul. — Sasuke opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, I stood up limping. My body ached from the consequences of the technique, but I ignored it.
Sasuke silently supported me, and now, seeing clearly where I was and realizing the situation, I resigned myself. I held on for a long time; ninjas are patient. Patient even in the most extreme situations. That's a fact. But we've both reached the edge. Even a stone will crack over time if constantly struck.
— Rest in peace...
— What we've lost, we can never regain. The Earth won't recover from its wounds — too much blood has been shed. The heart can't forget that. All we can do is accept what was and learn from it, — sighed Sasuke, with heaviness in his voice and on his face. — And this place...
— I know. Aikou sent us far away. This is not the best place for a final battle.
I was engulfed by a strange apathy. We were on the planet Eris-2, the second in the Gamma Eris system, in the constellation Eris, about 200 light-years from Earth. This refuge was far from ideal; the extreme conditions of this planet tested us to the limit. However, after everything we had gone through, surviving in even harsher places, this place seemed almost normal. Maybe that's why I didn't feel fear or anxiety — only exhaustion from endless fighting.
The planet has a carbon dioxide atmosphere with a high concentration of sulfur compounds, making the air here caustic and completely unbreathable. Without a magnetic field, it relies on its dense ionosphere to protect against the harsh cosmic environment and stellar wind. The star Gamma Eris in this system is a red giant, creating constant spatial anomalies that fortunately disrupt the enemy's sensor systems. As if that wasn't enough, a supernova explosion is expected here soon, making staying on this planet even more dangerous and eerie.
Although these factors make Eris-2 an excellent hiding place from the all-seeing Eye. The technologies we have allow us to create protective domes and atmospheric filters to withstand the harsh conditions of this planet. Even here, among acidic clouds and hellish heat, we found a way to adapt and survive.
I looked around. Yes, Sasuke's words were the absolute truth. I stubbornly didn't want to admit it, but now it seems it's time to embark on our final sortie. The thought that some of the team survived that massacre brought me slight comfort. Looking at the boiling liquid carbon dioxide nearby, I allowed myself to think back to how the Shinobi world came to such a state. No, it's more accurate to say — to what became its end...
My name is Naruto Uzumaki, better known as the Seventh Hokage. After the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, humanity seemed to have entered an era of perfect peace. The connection and unity of shinobi around the world reached unprecedented levels. The mutual understanding, strengthened by years of joint battles, allowed us to nip any threat in the bud. The population of the villages ceased to be divided into warring factions, and we began to build a society based on trust and cooperation. Progress in technology and medicine became possible thanks to the united efforts of all five great villages and their allies. Shinobi no longer fought each other but together faced common threats. And yet, reality turned out to be quite different. Our ability to handle threats on Earth was insufficient against an enemy that came from space.
The Ootsutsuki clan, like a calamity, invaded our world. Their goal was clear — to finish what Kaguya had started. Fortunately, in those times, the Earth had enough power to repel more than one attack. Subsequent waves followed, and we began to lose ground. Sacrifices were inevitable, but the realization of the threat led to the unification of the ninja villages. Thus, the Ninja Federation emerged — a single state where the new and old generations became much stronger. Over the years, the division of ninjas into "villages" completely disappeared, giving way to larger-scale battles requiring our utmost efforts.
There were two turning points in the war.
The first turning point was the unexpected appearance of militia from the Ootsutsuki clan. We considered this clan our enemies, but it turned out that among them were those who betrayed their kin to save the Earth. Aikou and Meiyo Ootsutsuki, known as the "Bright Stars" in their clan, decisively stood on our side. Their unique abilities and deep knowledge of the enemies became invaluable resources in the struggle. And not only they... One who had lived on Earth since Kaguya's times also stood on our side under strange circumstances.
Aikou, with the ability to manipulate time, slowed or accelerated its flow around us, allowing us to win in the most hopeless situations. Meiyo, capable of manipulating space, created portals and distorted reality, enabling us to perform lightning-fast attacks and rescue the wounded. Their actions made a significant contribution to our successes in dark times, and thanks to their efforts, we managed to win several crucial victories.
With the militia's help, we also gained access to the clan's advanced technologies. These chakra-related technologies modernized our traditional methods, turning them into highly efficient systems. We received devices that enhanced our chakra, allowing ninjas to recover faster and use more powerful techniques. The Ootsutsuki medical technologies provided the ability to heal the wounded quickly and restore those who were previously considered hopeless.
Scientists, veterans of world wars... These people became indispensable in our struggle.
However, the war was bloody, and our forces were limited. What could we do with what we had? To maintain secrecy, the militia participated only at key points on the front. The battles spread across multiple dimensions of our sector. So many casualties, mountains of corpses that you could climb all day without reaching the top.
We took a desperate step... The resurrection of the great shinobi of past eras was not an easy decision and was considered a great sin. Disturbing their peace and returning their souls to the world of the living contradicted many moral principles. However, their power was necessary for our survival. The greatest warriors and strategists, such as Hashirama Senju, Minato Namikaze, Raikage Ei... and even Madara Uchiha, were called back. The future generation needed the strength of the ancestors.
The thought of Minato made me shiver. The weight of emotions flooded in, and memories of what I had lost stirred my soul. Despite all the suffering, we had to continue fighting, using everything we had, for the survival and salvation of humanity.
Then came the second turning point that changed the course of the war.
Among the Ootsutsuki clan was one who stood out with his incredible power. Unlike his kin, he did not just observe events from afar. When he learned of the betrayal and that the earthlings began to gain the upper hand in battles, his rage knew no bounds. This bastard decided to personally join the war to once and for all end our struggle...
A sudden attack caught us off guard. They struck with such speed and power that we didn't even have time to organize a defense. The first explosions destroyed our main positions, followed by high-precision energy strikes that wiped out our fortifications. The enemy knew every vulnerability, every line of defense, and every bunker where we could hide.
Shock. I was horrified at how easily we were overcome. So much effort and human resources had been invested in this war... I never considered myself the strongest, but to be beaten like this... It happened in an instant. I remember that moment as if it were yesterday. We stood among nearly destroyed sectors, our forces exhausted, hope fading before our eyes. The Earth was occupied and became uninhabitable due to divine trees.
After many years of our efforts, the last mission to search for viable sectors deep in space failed. We were looking for habitable planets and dimensions where we could find refuge and hope for survival, but all attempts were in vain. Our scouts explored every anomaly, every corner of star systems, but nowhere did we find signs of life or conditions for habitation. Everywhere we looked, we found only ruins of destroyed civilizations and their uninhabitability. During the last sortie, we fell into an ambush and engaged in a fierce battle. The carefully planned operation, into which so much time and resources had been invested, ended in bitter disappointment. Space is truly empty.
I barely survived, rescued when I was already on the brink. I thought we were setting a trap, but in reality, we gave ourselves away. Our main trump card perished. I'm tired; it's visible, but inside, I'm completely hollow. Haha... Death, death, and more death — an endless series of failures... That's all that's left of our hopes.
Most likely, it's all due to fatigue. The nerves are worn out. I'm worn out. I'm 78 years old... Sometimes I remind myself of an old worn-out orange jacket. Everything is falling apart at the seams. I'm trying to maintain some semblance of appearance. The difference is that you can take off a jacket. But what to do with yourself?
— You look tired, — said Sasuke.
— Yeah, I've lived a long life.
— Fighting all your life... — my friend smirked crookedly. — All God does is watch us and kill us when we're deadly tired of living. We have to try not to get tired.
— So, you've made your decision? — I asked, changing into my armor. — I'm fed up, dattebayo.
Particles of chakra began to gather around my skin like liquid metal. They flowed over me from all sides and gradually formed a perfectly fitting armor; red lines shone on the surface, creating sealing patterns. A rush of energy coursed through me, my muscles tightening and my senses sharpening as power surged within.
— ...Yes, it's long overdue. By the way, is Kurama ready?
— "Tail with you, I wasn't expecting to live to retirement anyway."
We heard a voice with a hint of mockery. A silhouette. Apparently, the story began with Kurama and will end with him as well. My partner and brother... Kurama has changed a lot during the war. His appearance became more imposing and majestic. The fur, once bright orange, was now interwoven with black and red strands, reflecting all the battles he had been through. Chakra channels, resembling lava and roots, beautifully wrapped around his body. His eyes, full of power, now burned even brighter, reflecting all the suffering and experience accumulated over the years of war.
And his body became much more massive and muscular, claws, and fangs — longer and sharper. Around him constantly swirled a mist of chakra, giving him the appearance of a mysterious and invincible creature. Kurama's power during the war grew to unimaginable heights. Although, what hasn't changed is his humor.
— Retirement? Seriously? With this schedule, I'll be heading for a vacation in the afterlife.
— Sasuke, it's high time to take a break. — I stretched... Phew... My companions stared at me in bewilderment. — Why are you looking at me like that? This suit is just amazing! You can even go to the toilet without taking it off. Now that's what I call technological progress!
Kurama shook his head in obvious displeasure. All this time, his toilet was my mind, so he should understand me. What a pesky fox...
— "Old age is no joy. You can't even hold back your shit."
— Kurama, I'll...
Sasuke raised an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest, smirking. I felt my face flush, and I quickly waved my hand, trying to justify myself:
— Come on, guys, it was just one small accident! Who hasn't had one, especially when everything around is exploding and burning!
Kurama snorted, and I felt him lounging inside my mind, clearly enjoying the moment.
— "You, Naruto, should sometimes think about your actions in advance. Otherwise, next time you'll have to shit not only in your armor but also in your pride."
The old fox waved his paws, smiled, then quickly became serious. He got down to business, and we began discussing the plan. I too discarded my embarrassment, pondering our actions.
— "It's time for us to act. Aikou slowed down time around this planet. We've had time to recover, but that bastard will find us as soon as we step out. For him, it will be just a second, and for us, a week. We must weaken him as much as possible. Fortunately, we have Eris as our trump card."
— He is indeed strong...
— We must be out of our minds to decide to take him on hand-to-hand. Even Aikou sealed the entrance to the Federation sector and lets no one in. This is a one-way ticket. The chance to die a natural death? Forget about it.
— The final battle, I know, you saw it too. When we fight next time, we will die.
Talking about the future, I stopped thinking about it. It comes soon enough on its own. Years of training and endless battles to the death. The strongest blades are forged in the heat of battle. Sometimes we came out alive, and sometimes dead after particularly tough fights. We were revived from the brink of death, though I didn't mind staying there. For those who survived, I hope they find untouched living sectors.
— Well, we always were crazy old men, — Sasuke said casually. — If this is the last fight, I hope we at least won't have to fill out a report this time.
— Oh, I'm definitely not going to spend my last minutes on paperwork! — I laughed for the first time in a long time. — Let's put on a show for him.
The worst crime I can imagine is deceiving people with my pretense and pretending to feel joy 100%. Sometimes it seems to me that I would like to stop the clock when I step onto the battlefield. I've tried to do everything in my power to accept this. And I have accepted, God, but it's not enough. Sometimes I wonder if this senseless struggle is our only reality. We fight not only with enemies but also with ourselves. In every battle, we lose something important, and in return, we get only scars that remind us that we survived.
What do people do if the chosen path turns out to be wrong? They fight, they look for another way to live. Why do they fight? How should they live? No one knows. All we can do is try to survive, like stray dogs at the very bottom...
— Yeah, if we survive, I might write a book. "How Not to Die in Extreme Conditions: A Guide for Idiots."
Sasuke, Kurama, thank you...
— Just don't forget to mention how we survived on those planets, inhaling terrible iron fumes, dattebayo. Though, to be honest, I still think you just got used to it.
— Got used to it? I even started enjoying it like fine wine, — Sasuke held back laughter.
— "Send a signal to Aikou, Sasuke. It's time to finish this show with dignity."
Our exit from the mini-refuge was accompanied by a deafening sound. We emerged to the surface, and how I wished to breathe in fresh, clean air. But in this place, life seemed impossible. Supersonic winds carried with them fine particles that cut through everything in their path like razors. The surface was covered with sharp rocks and lava flows, and acidic rains corroded stones and metals, leaving behind devastated landscapes. The pressure was higher than Earth's, more than 90 bars, and the temperature fluctuated around 500-800 degrees. A real hell.
Unlike me, who was idly waiting for someone, Sasuke stared intently at the sky, as if trying to discern the secrets of the universe through the dense layers of the atmosphere. For him, with his Samsara eyes, it was as easy as looking at the bottom through clear water. When we look at something, our brain through the eyes creates an approximate image of reality. But the Samsara eyes see the truth without distortions, perceiving quantum vibrations and resonances hidden from ordinary vision.
Moreover, he can see all kinds of waves simultaneously. To avoid going insane, one needs to be able to control this flow of information, but for Sasuke, it has become a habitual thing, though achieving this took his entire life. He even sees other dimensions using the principles of quantum entanglement and superposition. Our universe consists of many hidden layers of reality, and Sasuke, thanks to his chakra and eyes, can interact with these hidden levels. This is true art.
If the past me tried to understand what I just said, I would think: "Utter nonsense, it's impossible for me to be this smart." But now it seems completely natural to me. Chakra is a unique thing, nothing to say.
Over time, our understanding of the forces we wield has significantly expanded, surpassing all our expectations. It's like piecing together fragments of a broken mirror — it's impossible to return to the previous state once the truth has been revealed. This process led us to true enlightenment, changing our perception of reality forever.
— When I look at the sky, I see the cosmic past. I can see what was happening on Earth 200 years ago...
— The first ninja villages? — I perked up.
— Not in such detail, temporal anomalies interfere, but in general, yes, — he replied thoughtfully. — Is it possible that there is something in the universe that transmits information instantly, regardless of distances? It's like omniscience. But to know everything, you need to be able to perceive everything at once, and the speed of light limits the flow of information.
We know the answer to this question. It's chakra. It connects everything and everyone, crossing any distances and creating invisible bonds between living beings and the forces of nature. It sounds fantastic, but it has been confirmed repeatedly.
— Our abilities are not magic, but simply quantum physics in action, — I said. — A little bit of science, and we're almost wizards.
Sasuke nodded.
— You know, sometimes it seems to me that we're only beginning to understand how vast and complex this network is. All our techniques, all our battles...
— Do you think we'll ever fully comprehend it?
I looked at him, feeling excitement growing inside me.
— Maybe. But for that, we need to keep learning, experimenting, exploring. And maybe, one day, future generations will fully understand chakra and use this knowledge for something truly great.
— You've always been an idealist, Sasuke, — I smiled.
— Someone has to be, — he replied with a slight grin. — Otherwise, what's the point of all this?
— "When things are so bad that they can't get any worse, there's only one thing left to do: laugh. It saves you from madness, and your teeth don't chatter so much from fear. Now shut up, that bastard is already here."
Kurama tensed, as did we all.
At that moment, our attention was drawn to a hoarse laugh coming from a spatial rift. It was a giant over three meters tall; he emerged from the portal, looking sweaty and slightly tired but without visible injuries, except for a broken horn. His clothes were torn and burned, barely covering massive muscles. White skin gleamed in the fiery light of the lava.
— Ha... Ha... Tricks? I just killed that traitor, and here you are, fresh as cucumbers, — said the tall man, looking down at us. His eyes sparkled with malice.
He looked around, noticing the unbearable heat and conditions of this planet. — Rebels!
Quickly. The residual time technique weakened, and now it's much easier for him to find us. I glanced briefly at the other side of the portal from which he appeared. Indeed... I didn't even blink an eye, and he had already beaten us, and here we are again, fresh, at least from his point of view. However, it's hard not to notice that Meiyo clearly gave this bastard a good thrashing — he looks like he's been through a meat grinder.
Ootsutsuki Kagayaki.
— Yes, we are a stubborn people.
Sasuke replied for me. A diamond-shaped mark on his forehead flared up, emitting a dazzling glow. His back was enveloped in a bright radiance, and a red chakram began to form from chakra. He threw his hands behind his back and pulled out a bright red katana from this energy spiral, glowing like heated metal.
— Meiyo is dead... by my hand, — Kagayaki unexpectedly said, and a shadow flickered in his eyes for a moment. — They say, "There are no worse enemies than former friends"... But I live only to protect the Clan. This is my only goal, my purpose for which I was born. She betrayed us, became my enemy. And now, no matter how cruel and merciless it may sound, every action of mine is directed towards the benefit of my people.
Sasuke, hearing his words, stopped and looked at me. In his eyes, I saw a slight sadness, as if he remembered the horrors of the war...
I understand. We all understand. But this is war, and no one will return my family to me. My daughter died in my arms, whispering through tears: "Daddy, I don't want to die." That's what real death is. It doesn't matter what form soldiers take, it doesn't matter what modern weapons they have. Everywhere there was a struggle, killings, destruction, and each side believed they were fighting for the truth, for God, against the devil. This is the madness of war, from which there is no escape.
— You think you understood it, but in reality, you only think you understood what you think you understood. She knew what she was getting into. And that's her choice, you piece of shit.
Sasuke shook his head, casting off emotions. He released his aura. The very dimension trembled from this jolt, instantly plunging into silence. In moments of true combat, there is no point in holding back — only in full strength is the true power revealed. For us, age has long ceased to be a barrier to our strength. Kagayaki angrily slammed his fist into the ground, raising a giant cloud of dust, and rushed at us. We walked towards him, rage boiling in our veins, feeling our power grow with each step. We were ready to die but not to yield.
— Indra! Ashura! Prove that her death was not in vain! — he shouted. — If she went to such lengths, it means she believed in you! Make her death not meaningless!
Truly magnanimous people are always ready to show compassion when the enemy's misfortune surpasses their hatred. The most terrible thing in war is to understand your enemy. I can still understand, but forgiving — that's too hard for me. Sometimes it's better to remain silent and appear a fool than to open your mouth — and prove it.
Now, possessing a power capable of destroying anything, I feel how the temperature around my body and inside me has risen to such heights that the heat of stars seems like a gentle warm breeze before this raging fire.
It's frightening to realize, but the place where we are now will soon become just a point in space. It will be erased to the last atom.