Didn't choose?
Uchiha Madara frowned. Senju Tobirama was equally incredulous.
Did my big brother… completely lose hope in today's Konoha?
Damn it—Monkey and Danzō!
And those two as well—Koharu and Homura!
Tobirama's anger surged.
Given Hashirama's love for Konoha, even knowing the truth, he should have chosen [1] or [2] without hesitation.
Madara was also surprised by Hashirama's choice.
After all, Senju Hashirama had once struck down his closest friend for the sake of the village.
For someone like him to not choose [1] or [2] now—
to Tobirama and Madara, who knew Hashirama best—
it was no different from Black-Frame Naruto suddenly turning into Gold-Frame Naruto:
kneeling before villagers who cursed and abused him, foolishly declaring that he would work hard to gain everyone's approval, become Hokage, and protect them all.
[A cool evening breeze brushes past.]
[Little Naruto's blond hair sways gently.]
[He looks at Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose entire old face is scrunched up from smiling.]
[A wave of nausea rises in him.]
[The ones who treat others like idiots are the real idiots.]
[Little Naruto looks at Sarutobi Hiruzen as if he is stupid.]
[Has this rotten old man's brain short-circuited?]
[Even if he isn't the strongest Hokage in the village, he still works under that position.]
[At the very least, he's the small boss of the shinobi watching me.]
[There's no way he doesn't know how I've been treated in this village—or what I've gone through.]
[Treat them like family? Are you stupid, or am I?]
[The Will of Fire? Sounds impressive… but why does it feel like he's trying to trick me?]
[Self-sacrifice? Heh. You want the power inside me, don't you?]
[So after all those detours, the dead old man finally got to the point.]
[Seeing Naruto keep staring at him, Sarutobi Hiruzen assumes he has been persuaded and says with a kindly smile,]
["It's fine if you don't fully understand yet. When you grow up and experience more, you'll know."]
["The Will of Fire is Konoha's absolute treasure~!"]
The answer is obvious.
In that instant—
everyone who chose [1] or [2] is stunned.
Why?
Just as the Third Hokage said on the black-framed screen—
the Will of Fire is Konoha's treasure!
Damn Uzumaki Naruto!
This fox demon really is impossible to teach!
Of course—
how could a fox demon ever comprehend such a noble will as the Will of Fire?
On Konoha's side, chaos erupts.
Inside the arena, curses fill the air.
Naruto looks at them in confusion.
It has been a while since he last saw those expressions.
"Why?" Naruto asks, puzzled.
"Because you're no longer the powerless child you once were,"
Neji explains.
"You're a ninja now—
someone with the power to kill them."
Naruto clearly does not understand yet.
"Why keep that damned fox demon alive?!"
"Look at his eyes! Konoha raised him—and he looks like a damn ungrateful wolf!"
"Exactly! We should have beaten the fox demon to death back then!"
"The Third Hokage was too kind—this fox demon doesn't know gratitude at all!"
"..."
Elsewhere, in stark contrast to Konoha—
inside the Phantom Body Projection Barrier.
All members of the Akatsuki are assembled.
Once their consciousnesses connect, their phantom forms appear upon the Gedō Mazō.
"This comparison viewing system may expose our existence,"
Deva Path Pain says solemnly once everyone has arrived.
"But exposure is still some distance away."
"The tailed-beast capture plan must begin earlier."
"Prepare yourselves. The moment the comparison system disappears—we strike."
Hoshigaki Kisame says,
"Leader, Mr. Itachi and I have already entered the Land of Fire. We're heading toward Konoha."
Sasori says,
"I'm curious how far the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki of the black-frame world will grow. Let's observe a bit longer."
Kakuzu says,
"Don't know. Not interested. His head doesn't have a bounty."
Hidan says,
"Heh. Jinchūriki or not—pierce the heart and they die all the same."
The discussion quickly turns noisy.
After waiting a moment, Deva Path Pain speaks again.
The others fall silent instantly.
"Whether Uzumaki Naruto or the Nine-Tails—before god's power, they are insignificant."
"Each of you, move toward your assigned targets."
"This time, god will show the world that divine power cannot be profaned."
As the Akatsuki meeting continues—
the system's prompt rings out once more.
[Ding—]
[The rewarded quiz has ended. Calculating results…]
[Top three earliest submissions—]
[Congratulations to Uzumaki Kushina! After the comparison viewing ends, Uzumaki Kushina will be revived at any location in the shinobi world of her choosing!]
[Congratulations to Yamanaka Ino! After the comparison viewing ends, her talent will be increased fivefold!]
[Congratulations to Hyūga Neji! After the comparison viewing ends, the Caged Bird Seal will be removed, and Byakugan purity will be enhanced!]
[Note: Upon receiving another reward, the recipient may choose revival at any time and place, or continue receiving a random best-fit reward.]
[Note: Rewards are issued by default after the comparison viewing ends.]
(The system's so-called "Byakugan purity" clearly referred to latent potential, not an established Hyūga doctrine.)
What?!
Revival?!
This comparison viewing system can actually revive the dead?!
In the stands, Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils shrink violently. His body trembles.
Revival?
Kushina… will be revived?
The image of Kushina in a rage flashes through Hiruzen's mind, sending a chill down his spine.
Kushina isn't like Naruto.
If she loses control, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Hehe, Sarutobi Hiruzen-sensei… things are getting more and more interesting~"
Orochimaru, closest to Hiruzen, naturally senses the change.
He smiles brightly.
But his curiosity toward the comparison system deepens.
Actual revival—
not Edo Tensei, but true resurrection.
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