[On the screen --]
[Sasuke takes a fighting stance and yells: "Come on, Naruto! I have to cut off our bond with my own hands!"]
["Cut it off? Then why are you wearing that forehead protector?" Naruto asked, his voice low.]
["I acknowledge you, you're strong. But I can only gain true strength by severing these ties! And wearing this forehead protector is to show you that from now on, you can't touch my forehead." Sasuke said with conviction.]
[Naruto felt a surge of happiness that Sasuke finally recognized his strength. But at the same time, his heart ached because Sasuke wanted to cut him off.]
Konoha Village,
When the ordinary villagers saw the spectral image of the Nine Tails behind Naruto, they recoiled in fear and anger.
That cursed fox had killed their loved ones over ten years ago, destroyed their homes, and taken away their most respected Fourth Hokage.
"Damn Naruto! He really is the reincarnation of that demon fox!"
"I even used to sell him paint at a loss..."
Another shopkeeper, who sold masks, grumbled, "I even smashed a mask on his face once. I don't want anything to do with that monster fox's money."
"I really don't get why Lord Third didn't just kick that monster out of the village."
.
.
.
Hyuga Hiashi's brow furrowed as he noticed Hinata's eyes fixed on Naruto.
Right now, Naruto was overflowing with the Nine Tails' power. If Hinata got too close, it could be fatal.
He walked up to Hinata and said sternly,
"From now on, stay away from Naruto."
Out of instinctual fear, Hinata could only nod in agreement.
But inside, she refused.
Naruto was the sun in her world, the driving force that pushed her forward. She would never abandon Naruto.
"No..." she whispered.
Hiashi was stunned. This was the first time Hinata had ever disobeyed his orders. And it was all because of Naruto.
He wanted to discipline Hinata, but his raised hand faltered and dropped.
Keeping Hinata away from Naruto was just his way of protecting her. It didn't mean he hated Naruto.
In fact,
He admired Naruto's fiery spirit, his refusal to give up, and his determination to break free from the chains of fate.
It was just a tragedy that Naruto was the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki.
On the other side,
Iruka found a secluded corner and let out a choked sob.
Looking at the image, seeing how Naruto respected him like a father, he felt a wave of satisfaction. Everything he had done was worth it.
A long time ago,
He had hated Naruto, blaming him for the death of his parents and for making him an orphan.
But slowly, he came to realize that Naruto was also the loneliest person.
As they spent time together,
He and Naruto had forged a deep connection.
If anyone had been redeemed, it wasn't him redeeming Naruto, but Naruto redeeming him.
"Naruto... thank you."
.
At the same time,
Sakura hung her head in shame, a painful memory resurfacing.
It was the day after the team assignments were announced.
She had said terrible things about Naruto to Sasuke.
Talking about how Naruto always provoked Sasuke because he had no parents, no education, and always acted without thinking.
.
She finally understood why Sasuke had looked at her with such disdain back then.
Because,
Naruto and Sasuke were two sides of the same lonely coin.
"Naruto... Sasuke... I'm so sorry! I'm truly sorry!"
...
Jiraiya stared at Naruto in the image, and his thoughts drifted to himself.
He and Naruto were so alike, both valuing the bonds with their comrades above all else.
But he hadn't had Naruto's unwavering resolve.
If he had chased after Orochimaru with everything he had after he defected, would Konoha, and even the entire ninja world, have been spared so much tragedy?
"Orochimaru... if you're seeing this, will you even think of me?"
...
Countless people in the ninja world were deeply moved by the exposed battle between Naruto and Sasuke. In this world overflowing with killing, betrayal, and deceit.
Could such a precious brotherhood truly exist?
Ninjas and commoners alike, who believed in the power of brotherhood, silently prayed for Naruto in the image,
"You have to bring Sasuke back!"
[In the image--]
[In an instant, Naruto exploded with speed beyond imagination, faster than even most Jōnin could achieve. The red blur flickered and lunged towards Sasuke. He unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, but Sasuke's Three-Tomoe Sharingan tracked every movement, deflecting each attack.]
[Under the Sharingan's advanced prediction, Sasuke knocked Naruto into the water once again.]
[Suddenly, the scene shifted, and multiple Naruto clones like cannonballs erupted from the water, charging towards Sasuke, only to be effortlessly blown apart.]
[Just then, a pair of shadowy hands shot out from beneath the surface, grabbing Sasuke's ankle.]
[Dozens of Narutos appeared, holding hands, and with a mighty heave, slammed Sasuke headfirst into the rock like a bowl of ramen being overturned.]
[But Sasuke refused to yield, immediately unleashing Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!
A roaring inferno, capable of scorching the very sky, erupted from his mouth, instantly incinerating dozens of Naruto's shadow clones.]
[For a moment, the Valley of the End resembled an erupting volcano.]
[Sasuke stared down at Naruto, who was still clinging to his foot, his eyes clouded with dizziness and a strange numbness, and said, "It's too late, Naruto."]
[Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Naruto and slammed him down from a terrifying height.]
[Naruto's body went limp, crashing into the river and being swept away by the current.]
Rock Lee: "This time... Naruto's done for!"
(╯︵╰,) feeling sad and remorseful.
Hinata: "Naruto-kun!!!"
(ಥ_ಥ) tears welled up in hers eyes.
Sakura looked utterly devastated, her face pale and unable to speak.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's grip tightened on his pipe as he said to Asuma, who stood beside him.
"Hurry! Take a squad to the Valley of the End!"
"Yes!"
Asuma vanished in a puff of smoke.