thefictionvixens Chapter 427 "Death"
Chapter 427 "Death"
Chapter 427 "Death"
"Are you just going to dump this on me like this, Tobirama-san?" Kinrin replied, both amused and exasperated.
"You said it was fine to bring it back."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry to bother you while you're doing your research, but I really don't have time to deal with this, so I'll have to ask you for help."
"What exactly do you mean?" The man, who had been listening quietly for a while, gripped the bamboo tube in his arms. This place didn't look like Konoha territory; only the person who came to rescue them was wearing a Konoha headband.
"Don't be nervous, Mr. Utakata. You've been out of touch with the ninja world for a long time, so you don't know. Right now, there's a group of people in the ninja world capturing Jinchuriki. We brought you here for your safety." Kinrin's smile was flawless as he gestured for you to enter through the door. "If you don't believe me, you can go and meet those people like you. They will explain it to you."
Yu Gao frowned and said, "Can't we explain this here?"
Do you believe what I'm saying?
Of course... I don't believe it.
While Yu Gao remained silent, the girl behind him tugged at his sleeve and said, "Master, this leader doesn't seem to have any ill intentions..."
"What do you know?" The ninja world is so cruel that even masters and disciples can kill each other. How can you trust an outsider so easily? But... he has never seen anyone other than the Fourth Mizukage. Even if this is a trap, it doesn't matter. He can just release the Saiken! That monster's power should be enough to protect him and Hotaru.
Having made up his mind, Yu Gao said in a seemingly casual tone, "Alright, we'll do it your way."
Just as the two parties reached an agreement and were about to leave, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Jinlun suddenly staggered, nearly collapsing while clutching his chest.
At that moment, Yu Gao suddenly felt a strong killing intent. In the blink of an eye, two unremarkable young men appeared beside Jin Lun from the other side of the courtyard. The one with black hair stared at him with blood-red eyes without any attempt to hide it, while the one with white hair placed a green-glowing hand on Jin Lun's chest, seemingly trying to alleviate Jin Lun's symptoms.
But it was no use. Jinlun left only one last sentence before turning into white smoke.
He said, "...staying calm is my choice."
Back in that bustling forest, not long ago, both groups of people chasing the weasel were stopped by "Akatsuki".
Although the Konoha side outnumbered them, the one who stopped them was someone they barely knew. Tobi, who possessed a strange space-time ninjutsu, was a master at stalling for time; no matter what they tried to attack, they couldn't harm him. And this guy seemed to be everywhere, intercepting them from every direction they advanced, even if they split up.
This strange ability hampered their actions, thus forcibly stopping them in their tracks.
The Snake Squad, following Sasuke, got a little closer than the others, but not close enough to observe the battle. Itachi's teammate, Kisame Hoshigaki, stood on the outskirts of the abandoned village, indicating that only Sasuke could enter. Sasuke, also intending to settle things with Itachi alone, ordered the Snake Squad to remain in place and not advance further.
Jugo is absolutely obedient to orders. Suigetsu saw Samehada, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and insisted on learning from him. Karin was genuinely worried that Sasuke might encounter misfortune, but her two teammates were clearly unreliable. It would be difficult for her to break through Akatsuki's obstruction on her own, so she could only wait unwillingly.
So, only Sasuke stepped into that desolate village.
Naruto could perceive the above situation with just his normal senses. As the shadow clones gradually withdrew, his throat started to itch again, and the rusty smell that had been lingering for the past few days became even stronger.
Actually, after fighting the immortal duo, his condition deteriorated rapidly. His fight in front of the Daimyo wasn't acting; it was a prelude to his collapse. After that, Naruto immediately took on new missions, constantly releasing and withdrawing his chakra—each one a life-threatening ordeal.
"I don't understand." Kurama had already sensed something. He had been silent for the past few days, but only now did he speak, asking, "Naruto, do you want to use dying in front of Sasuke to persuade him to turn back? Is it necessary?"
“Well… it’s not entirely to make him turn back.” Since it was already the last moment, there was nothing wrong with admitting it, so Naruto said with some ease, “Awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan requires strong emotional fluctuations, and only when I am completely 'dead' will Sasuke accept your and my power.”
Nine Lama sat up straight and after a long while, he commented, "I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that the kid has a friend like you."
"...This is for Sasuke, and for the future of this world. Only when my chakra and his are united can the Rinnegan possibly manifest." Naruto's voice was deep, as if he were persuading Kurama, and also himself. "Don't forget the threat of the Otsutsuki clan. Without that eye, our world might be destroyed again."
"Hmph, you'll regret this."
"I have a foolproof backup plan, don't I? You'll help me, right?"
The familiar chakra drew closer, Sasuke's pace neither too fast nor too slow, seemingly observing the area. Indeed, this was the former Uchiha stronghold; as a member of the Uchiha clan, it was normal for him to notice something amiss. Taking advantage of this final respite, Naruto endured the dull pain and took several deep breaths, even creating an ice mirror to check his expression.
Perfect, without any flaws.
A figure draped in a black cloak appeared. Sasuke took several steps before suddenly stopping, his wide, three-tomoe eyes filled with disbelief.
Naruto was amused by that expression, and naturally smiled brightly, waving to Sasuke and saying, "Sasuke, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
He felt anger, but it wasn't his own. It must have been unpleasant to have someone snatch you away at the very doorstep of success, and he understood that.
"Naruto. I don't have time to talk to you right now. After we get our revenge, you can talk for as long as you want."
Sasuke didn't draw his sword and attack, but instead patiently reasoned with him. He's really grown up.
"While I'm glad you said that, that's exactly why I came here."
"You'll regret killing him."
The anger intensified, Sasuke's eyes seemed to spit fire as he roared, "Naruto! I've told you, you can't possibly understand my pain!"
No, he understood, he completely understood. But his fists didn't stop, draining the last bit of life from this body.
"Go away!"
The chirping of a thousand birds echoed through the mountains and forests, finally igniting Sasuke's true anger, which was his real purpose.
The light of the Rasengan dissipated before the collision. He couldn't bear to look at that bewildered face any longer, and with his eyes closed, he gave Sasuke a blood-soaked embrace. He was about to die without a doubt, and even Tobirama's use of all his forbidden techniques couldn't reverse it. But death didn't bother him. Perhaps he knew he would definitely return, or perhaps he had died more than once, or perhaps this slightly trembling embrace was too warm, making him yearn for peaceful sleep.
"sorry."
The connection of the technique is complete. It must be extremely painful to suddenly seal the tailed beast inside... Hopefully, Kurama can knock him unconscious as soon as possible.
"Sasuke, I will give you back everything you wanted."