Gigantic roots and countless vines spread in all directions, tearing through the earth as they surged outward. The towering God Tree pierced the sky itself, its massive trunk stretching endlessly upward as though it connected heaven and earth.
At the very top of the tree, enormous flower buds slowly emerged.
The God Tree had once again appeared upon this land.
Madara Uchiha gazed at the colossal tree before him. A faint smile crept onto the corner of his lips as he sighed with deep emotion.
"I never thought… that in this lifetime, I would see the God Tree bloom again."
Beside him, Tobirama Senju and Hashirama Senju both wore solemn expressions. They understood far too well what this moment represented.
This time… no one would come to cut the tree down.
Naruto lowered his hands, staring quietly at the God Tree towering before him. His voice was soft, almost whispering, yet it carried unquestionable authority.
"Absorb the life of this land."
Boom!
The God Tree trembled violently, as if responding to Naruto's command. Its roots burrowed into the ground at a terrifying speed, spreading deeper and farther as it began to madly devour the planet's vitality.
In just a few short seconds, all the trees, flowers, and vegetation within several kilometers instantly withered. Green faded to gray, and life was drained as though the land itself had been hollowed out.
Crack—crack—crack…
Huge flocks of birds screamed as they fled into the sky. Wild beasts sensed the overwhelming danger and scattered in panic, fleeing in all directions.
Naruto's expression remained blank. His Rinnegan stared fixedly at the full moon hanging high in the night sky.
The reason he chose tonight… was precisely because the moon was full.
The timing was perfect.
"The Earth… is about to fall asleep again."
Naruto let out a quiet sigh.
Slowly, he rose into the air, floating high above the ground as he faced the God Tree.
Konoha Village
The moment the God Tree began its violent absorption, Konoha was the first to sense it.
The chakra fluctuation was simply too massive.
Outpost sensory ninja immediately paled.
"Quick! Notify the Hokage immediately!"
Kamizuki Izumo clenched his teeth, staring toward the distant horizon.
"Such terrifying chakra… what in the world is happening?!"
Kotetsu Hagane frowned deeply.
"Who knows? Stop standing around—send word to the Hokage!"
Standing nearby, Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, gazed silently at the God Tree in the distance. He stepped forward calmly.
"I'm already dead. I'll go check it out first. You go notify the Hokage."
With that, Sakumo leapt into the darkness, vanishing instantly.
At this moment, the responsibility of the older generation of shinobi was laid bare.
Hokage's Office
Kakashi immediately ordered Shizune to inform all shinobi: remain on high alert and do not leave the village under any circumstances.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shikaku, and others quickly gathered.
Kakashi's expression was calm, but heavy.
He told everyone only one thing.
"This… is Naruto's doing."
The room fell silent.
Jiraiya frowned deeply.
"What is that brat doing now?"
Kakashi smiled faintly.
"Lord Jiraiya… please believe in Naruto."
Jiraiya said nothing more. Kakashi would never say such words lightly. If he did, it meant Naruto had already informed him—and was carrying out a plan they could not interfere with.
Shizune clenched her fists.
"Kakashi, you can't keep everything secret. Everyone here isn't an outsider!"
Before Kakashi could answer, Tsunade raised her hand.
"Shizune, enough. Kakashi is the Hokage now. Since Naruto told him, and Kakashi agreed… then we follow Naruto's wishes."
Kakashi nodded.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade, for understanding."
Hokage Rock
The Third Hokage and Fourth Hokage stood side by side, overlooking the brightly lit village below.
"Minato…" Hiruzen said quietly. "Do you hate me?"
Minato turned slightly, surprised.
"Why would you say that, Third Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen sighed deeply.
"You should hate me. You and Kushina gave your lives for the village. In your final moments, you wanted Naruto to be treated as a hero. But what did I do? I didn't take good care of him."
Minato remained silent.
Hiruzen continued, his voice filled with regret.
"Although I gave him money and ensured his survival… I allowed him to become hated by the entire village. I stood too firmly in the position of Hokage and treated Naruto as nothing more than the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. For that… I am sorry, Minato."
Minato looked out at the village, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly.
"Yes… from a father's perspective, you didn't do enough."
He didn't deny it.
Naruto's childhood had been filled with loneliness and pain. Without Iruka… without Jiraiya… Naruto might have fallen into darkness long ago.
On this point, even if Minato could rationalize it, Kushina never would.
After a long pause, Minato finally spoke.
"It's all in the past now, Third Hokage-sama."
Naruto's Home
Hinata lay quietly on the bed, her hand gently resting on her belly.
"Child… my child… you must grow up healthy."
Downstairs, Kushina sat silently in the living room, her hands clasped tightly together.
Deep in the Forest
Madara narrowed his eyes as he watched the God Tree.
"It's enough. The chakra absorption has reached the required level."
Naruto changed his hand seals.
The God Tree trembled violently, its form shifting as overwhelming chakra surged through it.
"Come forth… God Tree!"
Across the Ninja World
Cloud Village
The Fourth Raikage slammed his fist onto the table.
"What is Konoha doing?! What is Naruto doing?! Why has the God Tree appeared again?!"
Stone Village
Ōnoki floated in midair, staring at the distant God Tree. Deep lines formed on his aged face.
"Naruto… what are you planning?"
Sand Village
Gaara stood atop the sand dunes, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Naruto…"
Mist Village
Mei Terumi sighed softly.
"It seems… the ninja world is about to face another great upheaval."
Within minutes, urgent inquiries from all four major villages were transmitted to Konoha.
Ten minutes later, four letters lay neatly on Kakashi's desk.
Shizune frowned.
"Shouldn't we convene the Five Kage and explain everything?"
Kakashi looked at the letters and sighed.
"No need… it will all be over tonight."
He leaned back in his chair and turned toward the window.
Outside, Konoha glowed with countless lights—like stars scattered across the earth.
"Shizune," Kakashi said softly, "I don't know whether Naruto will win. But I choose to believe in him. If he fails… this will be the last night we have."
He paused.
"In this life… being able to love you is the happiest thing I've ever known."
Shizune froze, tears instantly welling in her eyes.
Kakashi turned and smiled gently at her.
She rushed forward, and the two embraced, sharing a quiet, desperate kiss.
Konoha Park
Jiraiya led Tsunade through the park.
"Do you remember this place?" Jiraiya asked.
Tsunade looked around, confused.
"What about it?"
Jiraiya sighed.
"If it weren't for Naruto… this is where you won your first bet."
Tsunade remembered.
This was where she had once sent Jiraiya off to gather information on Pain. She hadn't wanted him to go—but there was no one else capable.
For the sake of the village… she had allowed it.
Jiraiya smiled bitterly.
"I joked back then… that you should bet I'd die, since you always lose."
Tsunade smiled softly.
"Thankfully… Naruto exists. Otherwise, I'd regret it for the rest of my life."
She gently touched her belly—the life she and Jiraiya shared.
"Yes," Jiraiya said quietly. "Thankfully… there is Naruto."
Suddenly, the earth shook violently.
Jiraiya instinctively shielded Tsunade.
They looked up.
The God Tree towered into the clouds.
"The God Tree?! How is this possible? Naruto didn't—"
Tsunade froze mid-sentence.
Jiraiya stared at the tree, recalling Kakashi's words.
…He understood.
"Tsunade," Jiraiya said gently, pulling her close. "Maybe… we should take a nap."
The God Tree
After absorbing enough vitality, Naruto clasped his hands and gazed at the moon.
"The Earth… will now enter deep sleep."
On his forehead, a third eye slowly opened—
The Nine-Magatama Rinne Sharingan.
With a low hum, the eye reflected upon the moon.
The moon turned blood-red once more.
Naruto raised his hand and formed a seal.
"Illuminate the world…"
"Infinite Tsukuyomi!"
A blinding light burst forth from the moon, bathing the entire world.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi…
Had returned.
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