On Hokage Rock.
Naruto and Sasuke stood side by side, gazing down at the village below.
They talked about many things—about their childhood, about their days growing up together, about missions, battles, misunderstandings, and reconciliation. From their earliest memories to everything they had experienced as adults, the two of them spoke as if they wanted to pour out every unfinished conversation they might never have the chance to have again.
It felt as though they were unconsciously trying to talk through all the topics that might belong to the future.
Sasuke looked at the village beneath them, his eyes deep and thoughtful, and suddenly said:
"Naruto, have you ever thought about using the God Tree to absorb a portion of the Earth's vitality, condense it into a chakra fruit, and then eat it yourself? If you did that, your strength would increase dramatically."
If it were in the past, Naruto would never have even considered such a thing.
But now, the pressure he carried was suffocating. He could no longer afford to ignore any possibility.
"I've thought about it," Naruto admitted after a brief silence. "But I'm afraid I won't be able to control the amount the God Tree absorbs. If it goes wrong, the consequences would be irreversible. So I've shelved the idea."
Sasuke turned his head and looked at Naruto seriously.
"You can go to Kaguya. You absorbed her power—logically speaking, the ability to control the God Tree should exist within that power."
Naruto nodded slowly.
"That's true. There is a way. But you understand me, Sasuke. I don't want to use that method unless it's absolutely necessary."
Sasuke understood perfectly.
Naruto was someone who would never willingly sacrifice others to achieve his goals. From the bottom of his heart, he wanted to protect everyone. He would rather suffer himself than allow others to be harmed.
"Naruto."
Naruto looked at him.
Sasuke met his gaze and spoke calmly but firmly:
"If you fail, everyone on this planet will die—me, Hinata, the people of the village, everyone. Necessary sacrifices are unavoidable. To save everyone, you have to gamble. Can you afford that price?"
Naruto fell silent.
Sasuke was right.
If the gamble failed, everything would truly be lost.
Sasuke continued, his voice unwavering:
"Even if you drain all the vitality of the planet, once you win in the end, you can use chakra to restore the ninja world. Isn't that right?"
Naruto's eyes widened slightly in shock as he looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded.
"Naruto… do it."
Several seconds passed.
Tears slowly welled up in Naruto's eyes.
"I understand."
Seeing Naruto's resolve, Sasuke let out a long breath and smiled faintly while looking at the village below.
"You didn't come to see me today just to chat, did you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have talked for so long."
A gentle breeze passed by, lifting the bangs on Sasuke's forehead. A fallen leaf drifted on the wind and landed precisely in Naruto's hand.
Through the tiny holes in the leaf, Naruto saw the village below.
Konoha.
"You're right, Sasuke," Naruto said softly. "Thank you… for waking me up."
He opened his hand and let the leaf drift away with the wind.
At this moment, Naruto was no longer protecting just one village—he was protecting the entire ninja world. Konoha was only one part of it.
Naruto turned around, preparing to leave.
Sasuke looked at his back and asked:
"When will we start?"
Naruto didn't turn around. After thinking for a moment, he replied:
"Tonight."
With that, Naruto vanished instantly.
Sasuke smiled faintly, turned his head back toward the village, and sighed.
"So fast… It seems I'll fall into a deep sleep as well."
Naruto flew directly toward Kaguya's residence.
The guards at the entrance recognized him immediately. Seeing Naruto, they respectfully stepped aside and allowed him to enter without hesitation.
At that moment, Kaguya was calmly watering the flowers in the courtyard. She was now an ordinary woman, having lost all Ōtsutsuki power. When she sensed Naruto's presence, she turned and smiled.
"You've become stronger, Naruto."
Naruto smiled slightly. As a former Ōtsutsuki, Kaguya could naturally sense the changes in him.
"I came to ask you something."
Kaguya put down the ladle in her hand and looked at him.
"Go ahead."
Naruto spoke directly:
"When you activated the God Tree to absorb the Earth's vitality… many people were wrapped in its roots, their life force drained away until they died. If they weren't rescued, they would turn into White Zetsu, correct?"
Kaguya nodded.
"Yes. They would become White Zetsu."
Naruto continued:
"How long does that transformation take? Once the God Tree is activated, how long before a person fully turns into White Zetsu?"
Kaguya looked at Naruto quietly. By now, she had already guessed what he intended to do.
"It takes a long time," she said slowly. "I can't give you an exact number, but after the God Tree absorbs a living being's vitality, it takes at least seven or eight years for complete cellular transformation to occur."
Naruto's eyes brightened slightly.
"So long?"
Kaguya added calmly:
"However, a person will be drained to death by the God Tree in less than thirty days."
Naruto nodded.
"I understand. What I want is to preserve everyone's bodies. You know what I mean."
Kaguya smiled faintly.
"I think I do. It seems I'll be entering a deep sleep as well."
Naruto bowed slightly.
"Thank you… and excuse me."
Just as he turned to leave, Kaguya stopped him.
"If you carefully control the amount of chakra the God Tree absorbs from living beings, you can keep them alive for a long time. They'll be extremely weak, but alive. Your idea is correct—wrapping them in the God Tree can function as a form of dormancy."
Naruto nodded deeply.
"Thank you."
With a soft hum, Naruto disappeared.
Inside the Hokage's office.
Naruto explained the entire plan to Kakashi. Sasuke stood quietly beside him.
Kakashi sat back in his chair, fingers interlocked, his expression grave.
This plan… was far too bold.
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said firmly. "I've already decided."
Kakashi raised his head and looked at Naruto. He knew that Naruto would never make such a choice without immense internal struggle.
"I understand," Kakashi replied. "Should we notify the other four Kage?"
Naruto shook his head after a moment's thought.
"No. Let everyone fall asleep without knowing."
As he spoke, Naruto formed a seal on the spot.
Flying Thunder God: Reverse Summoning Technique.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
White smoke filled the room as figures appeared one after another.
Hashirama Senju.
Madara Uchiha.
Tobirama Senju.
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Minato Namikaze.
Kushina Uzumaki.
Fugaku Uchiha.
Mikoto Uchiha.
Sarutobi Asuma.
Nearly all the most important figures were present.
Hashirama and Madara had already sensed the summoning the moment Naruto formed the seal.
Hashirama looked at Naruto and asked:
"Naruto, why did you summon us?"
Madara stared at Naruto, frowning slightly.
"This kid seems… different."
In this state, Madara seriously suspected Naruto was even stronger than a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.
Minato looked at his son, a heavy feeling rising in his chest. He knew something enormous was about to happen.
Naruto explained his entire plan.
The moment he finished, Madara burst out laughing.
"You're absolutely right, Naruto! If you fail, the entire ninja world ceases to exist. What's the point of preserving life then?"
"Madara!" Hashirama snapped. "How can you say that?"
Tobirama crossed his arms.
"He's always been a war maniac."
Madara snorted.
"Tobirama, you're wrong. My brother has already been resurrected by Naruto once, and now he'll be wrapped by the God Tree again and possibly die. I don't feel sorry for him at all. That's exactly why I support Naruto even more."
Madara stepped forward and looked at Naruto intensely.
"Naruto, great men don't hesitate. If you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll do it for you."
"Madara!" Hashirama shouted again.
Naruto raised his hand.
"Everyone, please stop arguing. The plan is already set."
He looked around the room.
"Once the God Tree is activated, only you will be able to move freely. I hope all of you will take care of those who fall asleep."
He turned to Fugaku.
"Uncle Fugaku, I've resurrected many Uchiha. I hope you can lead them."
Fugaku nodded firmly.
"No problem. With the ancestor here, they will obey."
Madara crossed his arms.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, the Uchiha will execute the plan."
Naruto nodded.
"Good. Everyone, follow my instructions."
"Naruto!"
Kushina suddenly spoke, her voice urgent.
Everyone turned toward her.
Minato held her hand tightly, but she still said:
"Naruto… Hinata is pregnant. You should—"
All eyes turned to Naruto.
Naruto froze for a few seconds, then took a deep breath.
"Follow the plan."
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