Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 329: Reforged Bonds

In an unknown space, Sasuke gazed at the Six Paths Sage before him, suddenly recalling what Lord Hagoromo had said to him before the great war.

It was a night like this one, with the blood moon hanging high in the sky. Hagoromo Gengetsu, the greatest pillar of the Hagoromo and Uchiha clans, stood with his back to Sasuke, recounting a story much like the one the Six Paths Sage had just told—a tale of love and hatred between the Ōtsutsuki mother and son.

Lord Hagoromo hadn't asked Sasuke for his thoughts after hearing the story. Instead, he posed a different question:

"It's been a thousand years, yet the Ōtsutsuki mother and son still float in the heavens. They don't tire, but the people below have grown weary. Now, if someone were to suddenly appear beside them and ask if they're tired, how do you think they would respond, Sasuke?"

Sasuke had answered, "They wouldn't welcome an outsider."

Just as established norms resist change, and rigid hierarchies abhor disruption, Sasuke realized, the moment he discovered the Six Paths Sage's identity, what his intentions were.

Would Lord Hagoromo ultimately be nothing more than a stepping stone for Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's return?

Having spent so much time with Lord Hagoromo, Sasuke was well aware of his unfathomable power, but even more so, of his character. He knew that someone who now held the entire ninja world in his hands would never allow himself to become a mere pawn.

Moreover, now that the Six Paths Sage had recounted a story nearly identical to the one Lord Hagoromo had told, Sasuke understood that Hagoromo Gengetsu's knowledge of the ninja world far surpassed everyone else's.

Yet, despite this, the Six Paths Sage stubbornly believed that Lord Hagoromo's efforts would end in failure.

Sasuke wasn't one for persuasion, nor was he inclined to reveal his inner thoughts to the Sage. He understood now why Lord Hagoromo had shared that story with him.

Thus, when the Sage asked for his allegiance, and Naruto vouched for him, Sasuke resolutely agreed.

He was indeed fighting for peace, but not for the kind of peace that Naruto or the Six Paths Sage envisioned.

If he could obtain the power of the Six Paths, he would fight for peace—just not from the side of Naruto or the Sage, but standing alongside Lord Hagoromo.

Calmly, Sasuke made his intentions clear. Yet, to his surprise, the Six Paths Sage rejected him.

Unfazed, Sasuke coolly asked, "Even now, you're still wary of Indra's reincarnation?"

Indra's reincarnations were known for their overwhelming pursuit of individual power, often neglecting their comrades, humanity, and everything else. This fixation had brought about many of the ninja world's past calamities.

Sasuke assumed the Sage feared that granting him power would not lead to peace.

But the Sage shook his head. "No, Sasuke. I see in you something different from all the previous reincarnations of Indra. You are yourself, untainted by Indra's chakra."

Sasuke frowned. "Then what is it?"

The Six Paths Sage looked deeply at Sasuke. "You do long for peace, but you place far too much trust in Hagoromo Gengetsu. Even after learning the truth about the Infinite Tsukuyomi, your resolve hasn't wavered."

"That's why you're not the one I've chosen."

As the Sage's words faded, the surrounding space rapidly dissolved. When Sasuke opened his eyes again, he found himself back outside the base, with barely a moment having passed. It was as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than an illusion.

But Sasuke knew it was no illusion.

"So, it's been discovered."

His attempt to seize the Six Paths' power had ended in failure. Accepting this, Sasuke quickly pushed his emotions aside and began to consider the implications of the Sage's appearance.

"Naruto…"

His gaze sharpened as he focused on the direction of Naruto's grave. In a flash, he sped towards it.

Meanwhile, within the spiritual space of the Six Paths Sage, Naruto was still advocating for the now-rejected Sasuke when the Sage interrupted him, saying, "There's no need to continue. Naruto, the future of the ninja world is now in your hands."

"What? But Sasuke…" Naruto was stunned.

The Six Paths Sage explained, "The peace Sasuke envisions is still centered around Hagoromo Gengetsu."

"Oh…" Naruto bowed his head, then looked up with a serious expression. "But I'm dead."

The Sage responded without concern, "The Yin-Yang Release can create life from nothing. By modern standards, Naruto, you haven't even passed your seventh day. The power of Yin-Yang Release can revive your body and bring you back to life."

"So, Naruto, I'm entrusting this task to you."

"I understand!"

Knowing what he needed to do, Naruto clenched his fist and struck his chest, making a solemn vow.

"Good. Now…"

The Six Paths Sage extended his right hand. Naruto, seeing this, did the same, and as their hands touched, the Sage transferred a portion of his chakra along with the Yin-Yang power that carried the ultimate sealing technique, "Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei," into Naruto's body.

Naruto looked at the sun and moon marks that appeared on his palms, nodded to the Sage, and then left the space.

Boom!

In the real world, at Naruto's gravesite, an explosion rang out.

Having entered the Six Paths Sage Mode, with six Truth-Seeking Balls floating behind him, the newly resurrected Naruto rose from the ground. He glanced around and then looked at the inscription on the tombstone.

Besides the large words "Naruto Uzumaki's Grave," there was a small line that read, "Buried by his dear friend, Sasuke Uchiha."

"Huh? So, it was Sasuke who buried me here! Not bad, the view's pretty nice!"

Despite everything, Naruto's feelings for Sasuke remained unchanged, and even upon his rebirth, the first thing he muttered was Sasuke's name.

But Naruto didn't linger. Fixing his gaze on the direction of the Divine Tree, he was about to rush there as fast as he could.

Suddenly, a massive purple Susanoo sword came crashing down from the sky, aiming for him.

Boom!

Debris scattered everywhere.

Naruto easily dodged the attack and looked up to see Sasuke, who was striding towards him, encased in a fully formed Susanoo.

"Sasuke…"

Sasuke, noticing Naruto had returned to normal, said without surprise, "Naruto, we finally meet again. Let's have a talk."

Naruto slowly shook his head. "Now's not the time, Sasuke. Let's talk after all of this is over."

With that, Naruto sidestepped Sasuke, preparing to rush towards the Divine Tree.

But a powerful purple arrow immediately followed.

"That's not up to you, Naruto!"

With a clap of his hands, Sasuke activated the Sage Mode he had learned from Hagoromo Gengetsu. His complete body Susanoo drew another arrow, aiming it straight at Naruto.