"What have I done to deserve this…"
Kakashi let out a quiet sigh and pressed hard against his throbbing temple.
All three of them had been allowed to graduate early. Naturally, he was still assigned as their jōnin instructor.
But none of these three were ordinary.
What exactly was he supposed to teach them?
"Troublesome…"
Taking a deep breath, Kakashi walked toward the three brats who were still bickering.
"Hey—training's over for today. We've got a mission tomorrow." His tone returned to its usual lazy drawl.
Leaves rustled softly. A moment later, it was as if Kakashi had never been there at all.
Sasuke didn't bother watching him leave.
Leaning against a wooden training post, he tilted his head back and stared at the orange-red sky painted by the setting sun.
The massacre. Revenge. Power…
Indra. Asura…
"Sasuke, don't overthink it!"
Naruto suddenly plopped down beside him, sitting cross-legged and slapping his shoulder—only for Sasuke to frown and shrug him off.
Naruto didn't mind. His blue eyes sparkled with his usual, cloud-dispelling optimism.
"We already know what's going to happen from the Heavenly Screen! That means the future will definitely change!"
Sasuke turned his head and fixed Naruto with a cold stare.
This idiot… always making things sound so simple.
His voice came out even colder than his gaze.
"You're not bothered at all about Asura inside you?"
The smile vanished from Naruto's face.
He froze for a moment. Then a rare seriousness—completely different from his usual antics—settled over his features.
He straightened up and met Sasuke's eyes directly, speaking each word clearly and firmly.
"If the price is that I might become the village's enemy, then I'll guard it with everything I have. I won't let Asura leave my body."
He paused, his voice lowering but becoming even more resolute.
"Even if people call me a puppet."
Even if it meant being branded a puppet—he would still hold on to that power, no matter what calamity it might bring—simply because he refused to stand against the village.
Sasuke stared into Naruto's unwavering eyes and found himself… unsurprised.
Of course. This idiot would make any outrageous decision if it meant becoming Hokage, earning recognition, or protecting Konoha.
The world-destroying Naruto shown on the Heavenly Screen felt distant and unreal.
The one in front of him—earnest, stubborn, and a little foolish—was far more believable.
Absurd… yet somehow fitting.
Seeing Sasuke fall silent, Naruto's seriousness vanished like a magic trick, replaced by his familiar grin. He smacked Sasuke on the back.
"Don't worry, Sasuke! No matter what decision you make, I'll support you!"
Sasuke scoffed and turned away with a sharp huff.
"Dead last. Like I need your support. I have my own plans."
His own plans…
The path of revenge had just become even more complicated.
But no matter what, power was necessary.
Rain pattered against the towering spire of the Akatsuki's base.
Nagato sat in his wheelchair, staring out at the endless gray curtain of rain.
Konoha…
In the ending revealed by the Heavenly Screen, he—Pain—had declared himself a god and delivered divine judgment, nearly erasing Konoha from the map.
And then?
He had been moved by a boy named Naruto Uzumaki. Chosen self-sacrifice. Revived all those he had killed in Konoha. Even… entrusted the Rinnegan.
That was betrayal.
A betrayal of Yahiko's ideals. A denial of the suffering and choices he had endured all this time.
"Nagato."
Konan's cool voice sounded at his side, carrying a trace of concern.
"I'm fine," Nagato replied hoarsely, as if he hadn't spoken in ages.
He slowly turned his wheelchair to face her.
"Konan… that ending…" Each word felt forced from deep within his chest. "I cannot accept it."
Konan remained silent for a moment, her gaze steady.
She understood.
"That's only one possibility," she finally said, her voice calm yet firm. "If we don't acknowledge it, then it isn't our reality."
A faint, rare smile touched her lips.
"Nagato, whatever you decide to do, I will always support you."
She stepped forward, her eyes suddenly sharp as blades.
"Even if you decide to destroy Konoha right now."
"Konan…" A flicker of emotion passed through Nagato's eyes.
No matter how the world changed, Konan always stood beside him and Yahiko—silent, steadfast, holding together the fragile world they had built.
"Don't worry, Konan. I won't do something so meaningless."
His gaze returned to the rain outside, as if it were falling within his own heart.
"And besides… I can no longer see this shinobi world clearly."
"There are too many hands pulling the strings from the shadows."
"And this is only what the Heavenly Screen has revealed. Who knows whether there are even older, deeper schemers still hiding?"
"We thought we were the ones in control… but perhaps we're just slightly more visible pieces on someone else's board."
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