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Chapter 283 - Chapter 283: Persuading Sasuke

Faced with Madara Uchiha unlocking the Impure World Reincarnation technique on his own, becoming his own summoner and achieving true immortality, Tobirama was furious.

How ironic!

Nothing could be more insulting than having your own technique used against you in such a way—especially right in front of the creator himself. Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, had always prided himself on his jutsu. And now, Madara's move was nothing short of a taunt to his face.

"I'm so pissed off... damn Uchiha clan!"

Hashirama sighed. "Tobirama, does this mean Madara is truly immortal now?"

Tobirama looked a bit embarrassed. In theory—yes. Madara had broken the limits of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, giving himself autonomy and an eternal body.

When Naruto sent Shisui's three-man team to search for Kabuto, Tobirama immediately understood the plan. Naruto intended to locate the summoner to end the Edo Tensei. Tobirama had wanted to ridicule Uchiha Madara for being dependent on another's jutsu… but was instead the one being mocked.

Seeing Tobirama's clenched fists and scowl, Naruto stepped forward with a grin.

"Don't be mad, Uncle Tobirama. I never planned to take Madara down that easily. I mean, this guy's as strong as Grandpa Hashirama—of course, he's not going down without a fight!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, looked at Naruto and asked, "Then what's our next move?"

Naruto smiled. "I'll go talk to him."

At the same time, Sasuke glanced at Madara, noticed he was unharmed, and scoffed. He activated Susanoo again, his voice filled with contempt. "Madara? He's just a name now. You're all just shadows of the past. Watch me destroy everything you represent!"

"Amaterasu!"

A black inferno surged toward the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Hokage—hellfire that burned anything it touched.

Tobirama's eyes sharpened. "You damn Uchiha brat, born with darkness in your blood, I'll—!"

Before Tobirama could react, Naruto leaped forward and entered his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. A massive tail of Kurama's chakra swelled from behind him, shielding everyone from the black flames. He then grabbed the inferno and yanked it down, smothering it with raw chakra force.

Tobirama smirked slightly. There was admiration in his eyes.

Although Naruto had his older brother Hashirama's naivety, he had just as much strength and even more control over his Bijū's chakra. It was impressive.

After nullifying the Amaterasu, Naruto tossed the flames aside. Sasuke snarled, drawing back his bow inside his Susanoo.

"Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi—Flame Control Arrow!"

A sharp hiss cut through the air as the black arrow blazed toward Naruto. Naruto's face turned cold. He clenched a chakra fist and, with a metallic clang, punched the arrow head-on, shattering it mid-air.

"Sasuke!!!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke roared in response. His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, now evolved into Rinnegan, pulsed with power. His Susanoo grew even larger, complete—massive wings, armor, and a towering form reaching into the sky. Drawing a sword, Sasuke dove at Naruto.

Naruto immediately responded, activating Kurama's full form. His chakra avatar met the incoming Susanoo blade with bare hands.

CLANG!

Susanoo versus Nine Tails—two titanic forces colliding with enough shockwaves to rattle mountains.

Madara watched with a smirk. "Hashirama, look at them. Don't they remind you of us?"

Hashirama's eyes narrowed. He understood exactly what Madara was implying.

Madara's smirk deepened. "Like I said at the Uchiha Stone Monument—I've seen the future. This world always has two opposing forces: you and me, Naruto and Sasuke… always tangled in eternal conflict.

"But those opposing forces can be unified. When they do, they bring forth the power to truly reshape the world. That's the true essence of ninjutsu—the foundation of peace, the fulfillment of the Eye of the Moon Plan!"

He raised his hands slightly, his voice full of fervor. "Hashirama, you don't have these eyes, so you can't see it. But don't worry. Once I take your power and merge it with mine, I'll show you the real world. A world of true happiness—not this fake, hypocritical existence!"

Hashirama's face twisted in frustration as Madara ranted.

Tobirama scoffed. "See, brother? I told you. Madara's insane. He's been like this ever since he lost Izuna. The Uchiha—once they lose someone they love—their whole personality shatters!"

Minato, standing nearby, fell into silence. His eyes drifted toward Obito in the distance.

He too knew that Obito had changed after Rin's death—after Minato had failed to be there in time. Guilt gnawed at his heart. He had lost a student, and that failure had helped bring about this entire war.

Kakashi, too, looked toward Obito. Like Minato, he thought back to the Battle at Kannabi Bridge. If only he'd been stronger... maybe he could've saved Obito and Rin. Maybe the chain of tragedies would've ended right there.

No Fourth Great Ninja War.

No masked man.

No Akatsuki.

Minato wouldn't have died, Kushina would still be alive, and Naruto wouldn't have grown up alone.

Maybe—just maybe—the Uchiha massacre could've been avoided. With Itachi guided properly, the clan might have found reconciliation with Konoha.

Sasuke wouldn't have defected.

Naruto and Sasuke might've grown up side by side—true brothers.

Regret hit Kakashi like a shaken soda bottle exploding under pressure, flooding his chest with bitter memories.

Nearby, Jiraiya turned to Orochimaru and muttered, "So... it seems everyone who lost someone ended up changing. One lost a brother, another lost a teammate. What about you?

You wanted to destroy Konoha one day, killed our sensei, and now you're following Naruto around like his guardian snake?"

Orochimaru chuckled coldly. "Once, I used to enjoy stirring the wind—causing chaos just for the thrill. But now… I prefer to watch the wind blow, to follow where it leads, and appreciate the view along the way."

He paused.

"For me now, Naruto-kun is that wind."

Jiraiya folded his arms. "Still saying creepy stuff, I see. No one ever knows what you really mean."

Orochimaru gave a faint, amused smile. But in truth, he was glad Jiraiya still spoke to him like this—still treated him like a comrade, even after all he'd done. Despite betraying the village and killing Hiruzen, Jiraiya hadn't severed their bond.

Back on the battlefield, the standoff continued.

Naruto shouted, "Sasuke, wake up! The people you're working with—they're just using you!"

Sasuke scoffed. "Oh? So you've come to preach again, Naruto? Go ahead, tell me how much you care.

If you really saw me as your brother, then do something simple...

Destroy the Hokage system and this rotten village."

His eyes burned with hatred. "Those nobles—those leaders—they allowed my clan to be slaughtered. And they slept peacefully after calling it peace. Recognize that pain, and maybe I'll recognize you."

Naruto's face twisted in anguish. "Sasuke, I'll do everything I can to help you heal from that loss. I'll find a way to make things right. But I need you to believe in me—stand by me now!"

Sasuke growled.

With a shing, he drew his sword and slashed at Naruto.

"Why should I believe in you?!"

Naruto ducked instinctively, half-crouched as the blade sliced over his head.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Sasuke's sword cut through three entire mountains in the distance.

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