Here's a bonus chapter for you all! Thank you so much for waiting. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and I hope you have a wonderful time reading!
The battle had concluded. Naruto rested on a rock, catching his breath.
Sasuke was carried off by the arriving White Zetsu. Naruto made no move to stop him.
Crash!
Sheets of paper swirled together, forming Konan's figure. As she surveyed the ruins, she sighed, "That was even more intense than I imagined."
Naruto chuckled, "Yeah, Sasuke has grown stronger. If it weren't for my trip to Kumogakure, defeating him would've taken a lot more effort."
Konan asked, puzzled, "You're just letting him go? Why not bring him back and show him what lies ahead?"
Naruto had his reasons.
"The timing isn't right yet."
"Everyone's experiences and perceptions shape their thoughts and actions. Even if Sasuke were to see those memories now, he'd just think I fabricated them."
Naruto's gaze darkened. "Besides, I need Sasuke to channel his hatred to unlock his full potential."
Such words were something Naruto would never have uttered thirty years ago.
But his perspective had broadened.
Thinking back, the power Sasuke once obtained was born from hatred, which itself stemmed from love. In the end, it was that very power, however tainted its origins, that saved the ninja world from Kaguya.
Perspective grows with maturity, becoming more expansive.
Hatred, too, fades as perspective broadens.
Konan asked, "But what if Sasuke loses his way again and attacks Konoha?"
Naruto smiled, "Then I'll stop him again! Whether it's Sasuke or Obito, the Uchiha's deep emotions often give rise to extreme thoughts. The reason I've spared them repeatedly is something they'll come to understand eventually. When they truly become curious and seek answers, that's when I'll open my heart to them."
Konan was surprised. "Not just Sasuke? Even Madara—no, Uchiha Obito—you want to win them over too?"
Naruto looked up at the sky and replied, "Yes. Just one Ōtsutsuki like Shibai could wipe us out. And there are many among their clan even stronger than him. I'm not naive enough to think I can fight them alone."
"Beyond strengthening myself, I must seize every opportunity. In the future, everyone will stand with me. It's just that, for now, due to asymmetry in information and differences in understanding, I have no choice but to act as the pioneer."
"That's why I won't suppress them. Instead, I'll encourage them to grow stronger—whether through opposing me or pursuing other goals. As long as they grow stronger, they'll become part of our force against the extraterrestrial threats."
Naruto's words were convincing, but Konan couldn't help but worry. After all, the enemy's power was overwhelming, and Naruto's mission was fraught with risk.
Seeing her concern, Naruto smiled and said, "Konan-nee, you don't need to worry. I've lived through one life already. I know exactly who is worth winning over, who can be won over, and who will only hinder us and must be eliminated."
Konan asked, "Can you tell me who you plan to win over and who you plan to eliminate? It would put my mind at ease."
Naruto pondered for a moment and replied, "Sasuke, Obito, the previous Hokage, Madara, Kabuto, and Kaguya—these are the ones I aim to win over."
"Madara and Kaguya!?" Konan thought she had misheard.
Naruto's gaze grew deep. "Yes. Madara is merely blinded by a flawed ideal, and Kaguya... she simply lacked someone to walk alongside her and guide her. That's why she stood against us."
Konan asked, "But isn't Kaguya an Ōtsutsuki herself?"
Naruto lowered his eyes. "But she coexisted with humanity once. What embodies her isn't just divinity but also humanity. She behaves more like a woman desperately lacking a sense of security than a tyrannical god who looks down on all living beings."
"I know it's risky, but I believe that if it's me, there's a chance to win both of them over!"
Naruto looked up at the moon. "One day, I'll resurrect Kaguya and have a conversation with her. Of course, by the time that day comes, I'll need to have the power to be worthy of speaking with her!"
Naruto's decision was both visionary and risky. But as time would prove, he was right. Kaguya truly became their ally. Of course, that's a story for another time.
"Because I plan to resurrect Kaguya, I tolerate Black Zetsu's existence. But to resurrect her, a new Ten-Tails Jinchūriki must be born, and that Jinchūriki will inevitably become a sacrifice."
"In the previous life, Madara was the sacrifice. This time, since I plan to win him over, someone else will take his place."
Naruto's eyes shimmered with an unreadable light.
Additionally, in Naruto's plan, he himself would also become a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. That was a necessary step to confront the Ōtsutsuki.
But he planned to do so only after resurrecting Kaguya and winning her over.
Naruto shifted the conversation. "As for those I plan to eliminate, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki and his Kara organization are at the top of the list. They must be destroyed! Even now, they're lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance."
"Those people are like bloodthirsty parasites who devour everything without mercy!"
Naruto's eyes gleamed with unmistakable killing intent.
Once he deemed the time right, he would launch a devastating assault on Isshiki and Kara.
"Once, the ninja world was brought to the brink of ruin by Isshiki and his Kara organization. This time, the tables will turn!"
Konan felt deeply honored.
After all, she was the first person Naruto had ever shared such an important and comprehensive vision of the future with. That represented trust.
After resting, Naruto stood up, brushing off his robes, and leapt down from the rock.
"This Valley of the End will surely become the stage for future duels between Sasuke and me. I might as well restore it for now."
Clap! Naruto formed a seal.
Earth Release: Creative Transformation!
Rumble!
The ground shifted as Naruto reconstructed the statues of Hashirama and Madara based on his memory.
Whoosh! Naruto changed his hand seals.
Water Release: Waterfall Basin Technique!
Crash!
An artificial waterfall cascaded down the gorge between the two statues.
Though not fully restored, the Valley of the End was now presentable.
Hovering in mid-air, Konan's orange eyes scanned the statues and remarked, "Aren't the two statues a bit asymmetrical?"
"Huh?" Naruto exclaimed in surprise. He stepped back for a better view. "You're right."
Madara's statue was noticeably shorter than Hashirama's.
Naruto shook his head. "Oh well, it'll do. Madara can't see it anyway."
"Pfft!" Konan stifled a laugh. "What if he does see it someday and comes after you?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head nonchalantly. "Well, I'll deal with it when that day comes."
Whoosh!
With the Flying Raijin Jutsu, Naruto and Konan returned to Amegakure.