There was no point in continuing the pursuit.
Of course, this was also a judgment made by Choza based on the fact that he saw no possibility of success. Menma's strength had far exceeded previous estimates.
Just based on the strength displayed moments ago...
Choza reckoned he might need to swallow his clan's red pill just to match that power—and even then, it would only be matching him, not necessarily defeating him.
The red pill provided a one hundred percent chakra boost.
That in itself was already a terrifying upgrade.
But in front of the Nine-Tails, it didn't amount to much.
Heaven only knew to what extent Menma could release the Nine-Tails chakra.
In that battle 12 years ago, everyone in the Hidden Leaf had realized the might of the Nine-Tails. The interception force led by the Third Hokage struggled to withstand the Nine-Tails' rampage. Even though Menma was currently only borrowing the Nine-Tails' chakra and not directly transforming into the beast...
Choza Akimichi wasn't among the very top tier of ninjas in the world, either.
Not to mention they were about to leave the Land of Fire's border. Continuing the chase would entail bearing additional risks. With their team suffering casualties and heavy injuries, it really wasn't suitable to keep pursuing.
Naruto also stared blankly at Menma's figure as it receded into the distance once again.
This time seemed no different from the last.
But the despair in Naruto's heart was clearly deeper than before.
Menma's indifference and decisiveness completely pierced Naruto's heart.
At least last time, Naruto felt everything was salvageable. But today, feeling the chilling killing intent radiating nakedly from Menma...
Everything he saw seemed to turn incredibly gray and bleak.
An indescribable pain...
Completely filled Naruto's heart at this moment.
Choza looked at Naruto, whose face was dim and whose entire aura had become incredibly heavy, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
For biological brothers to reach such a point...
It really could be said that fate makes fools of people.
And at this moment...
Even a thick-skinned, good-natured person like Choza felt a rare trace of resentment rise in his heart toward the sacrificed Third Hokage.
If Menma's identity had been made public back then, perhaps the situation today wouldn't be like this.
Shikamaru, who had walked up close, also subconsciously sighed when he saw Naruto—who always showed a cheerful, optimistic, and positive face—wearing such an expression.
Whether it was Menma...
Or Sasuke...
Both had clearly walked away so decisively.
As early as the start of the pursuit, Shikamaru had clearly realized that their mission was very likely an impossible one.
But because it was an order, and out of friendship with Naruto...
Shikamaru had accepted it.
And this final result...
He could only say...
This was life.
"Naruto..."
Kakashi, who had finished initial treatment and regained basic mobility, walked slowly and with some difficulty to Naruto's side. Looking at Naruto, who seemed endlessly desolate and dazed, a complex expression appeared on Kakashi's face. He patted Naruto's shoulder gently, wanting to say something, but ultimately couldn't say a word.
Even Kakashi hadn't expected things to unfold this way.
Not that Kakashi was as naive as Naruto.
It was just that Kakashi felt that no matter how decisive or ruthless Menma was, at most, he would seek revenge against people like them. Even if he wanted to destroy the Leaf, Kakashi might have considered that within the realm of "normal." But to attempt to kill Naruto?
That truly exceeded Kakashi's expectations.
They were biological brothers, after all!
"Kakashi-sensei, why has Menma become so decisive? Or was he always like this, and everything in front of us was just a disguise?"
Naruto looked at Kakashi with a face full of sorrow and spoke in a very pained tone.
He had truly believed that it was just a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding that could be resolved.
A misunderstanding amplified after being bewitched by Orochimaru.
But looking at it now...
It seemed this wasn't the result of being bewitched, but rather Menma's true inner thoughts?
Thinking of Menma's eyes just now, filled with cold killing intent...
Endless grief surged in Naruto's heart.
Was this the inevitable outcome between brothers?
Hearing Naruto's question...
Kakashi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to start.
Comfort him?
At this moment, it seemed useless and superfluous.
Agree with him?
That would be even more foolish.
Silence. Endless silence was the only portrayal of this moment.
As if even the heavens were cooperating with the scene, rain began to patter down.
While washing the earth, it further soaked Naruto's heart.
Tears?
Rain?
At this moment, Naruto himself couldn't tell them apart in his already frozen heart.
'Mom, Dad, what is the right thing for me to do?'
Naruto closed his eyes, the pain on his face becoming even more intense.
"Let's go back, Naruto."
A thousand words...
At this moment, could only be condensed into this final whisper.
In the silent space...
Movements became incredibly mechanical.
The group from the Leaf headed in a completely different direction.
This was a parting of ways on the road of reality, and even more so, a drifting apart of wills and ideals.
This symbolized Menma's final "ultimatum" to Naruto, to Kakashi, and to the Leaf!!
---
Menma and his group sped away.
In less than two hours, they crossed the western border of the Land of Fire.
After successfully entering the Land of Grass...
They could be considered completely out of the Hidden Leaf's effective sphere of control. The three of them didn't stop at all.
Led by Menma...
They rushed back toward the secret base located in the southwest of the Land of Grass.
Kabuto Yakushi, who had received the message in advance...
Appeared outside the base immediately to welcome Menma and the others back. Upon seeing Menma and Sasuke, Kabuto went up to meet them right away.
"Menma-kun, thank you for your hard work on this trip. And welcome, Sasuke-kun. Lord Orochimaru has been waiting for a long time," Kabuto said with a face full of smiles.
Seeing that both Menma and Sasuke had arrived safely, Kabuto instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew very well how much his Lord Orochimaru valued these two.
One was the body vessel he had coveted for so long.
The other was currently his most important partner.
As for the Sound Four who had sortied...
Seeing only Tayuya return, Kabuto didn't care in the slightest.
Even if they had all died, Kabuto didn't think his Lord Orochimaru would care.
Only Kimimaro was a subordinate Orochimaru valued greatly; once, he even thought Kimimaro was one of his most perfect reincarnation vessels.
Unfortunately, Kimimaro's Kekkei Genkai disease was an unsolvable bug.
This sortie could be considered Kimimaro expending the last bit of his remaining heat.