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The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series
July 2010 - July 2014
Series Finale, Part 5;
"Akuma-Sensei, why have you gathered us like this if I may ask??"
"Glad you asked Ikari! I've gathered you here today so that we can get to know each other a little better. If you are going to work as a team, it might be a good place to start. It is indeed going to be interesting to have you three as my students! Now, let me hear your dreams..."
"Our dreams, Sensei?"
"Yes, Ibuki. Everyone has a dream, no matter how big or small... Why don't you start??"
"Uhm, okay... I want to become the best shinobi I can, and to make everyone I care about proud! That is my dream I suppose."
"Not a bad dream Ibuki, I like that!"
"Whoa, she's amazing..."
"Did you say something Ikari??"
"Oh, no I just said that I think that's a good dream too Sensei..."
"That was not what you said Ikari..."
"Ehh?! What are you proposing Bruce??"
"Ehehehe, easy guys... So what about you Bruce? What is your dream?"
"Heh, my dream Sensei?? Well, I suppose since I'm two years older than these two, my dream, if anything, could perhaps be a bit more serious than theirs... However, we've just become a team, so what do I know..."
"Well, what is it then?"
"I'm going to follow in my father's footsteps and become Hokage, that is the only thing I can be bothered to dream about..."
"No way, that is my dream!! I mean, to become Hokage that is!"
"Hahaha, don't make me laugh, Ikari, there is no way you can become the next Hokage, at least not as long as I'm around..."
"Humph!!..."
"Now, now, no need to start your rivalry already... However, I suppose since you both want to become Hokage, you might want to hear what the Hokage's most important job is?"
"Oh, I know Sensei! It is to protect the people!"
"That is a good guess Ibuki, but that is not the only thing."
"Heh, it is to lead of course, and to show the way for the rest of us."
"That is correct Ikari, but not quite what I was thinking about."
"The Hokage is the strongest shinobi in the village, what else is there that can be so important than to keep improving??"
"Well Bruce... The Hokage's most important job is a bit of all those ingredients you guys mentioned, but, being able to make the ultimate sacrifice when needed to, no matter the cost, that is the most important job, even if that is something which the Hokage only does once in his lifetime..."
Raigo: Release!!
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: Noooo!!
Springing out of the ruins of the house he was tossed into, Ikari tried reaching them in time, but once more was he caught in the traction-beam as he was tossed hard on his back, sliding across the ground and into some trees standing some distance away from them.
Ikari: Ouff!
Raigo: It is useless to resist, I thought I already had proven that when I dealt with the previous Hokage and his son??
Letting go of Raikiru's head, Raigo then turned his attention towards Ikari. Getting up to his feet, Ikari looked towards their direction as he knew that whatever Raigo did to Raikiru, it could not bode well.
Ikari: Raikiru, are you alright?!
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: It's too late... Raikiru is no longer the one you used to know!!
Ikari: It can't be?!
Raigo: And now... Now we will have our battle!!
Ikari: What did you do to him?!
Raigo: I released his seal of course... I suppose it will take a moment for his memory of the past to merge with the memory of his recent years, but he will be fine once it does, I can assure you...
Ikari: Fine?! What do you mean by that?!
Looking over at Raikiru, Ikari realized that he was in some sort of trance, not easily to be broken. How could he let this happen, it was not suppose to go this way... But was it too late to do something about it? What would Raikiru do once he snapped back to reality?
Ikari: I will not let you keep people suffering anymore, Raigo! As long as you continue to wage war against us, it leaves me no other choice than to stop you to end it once and for all!
Raigo: Me?! You are the ones who refuses to back down!
Ikari: You don't get it, do you?! For true peace to ever happen, people need to fully understand each other, each others' feelings and be able to live together! Eliminating your opponents will only lead to more suffering and pain! War will never end that way!
Raigo: Hahahahahahaha! Your ideal of peace is outdated my friend... You have to crush your opponents to be able to bring peace to the land, to your people! As long as humans exist to oppose each other with different ideals, true peace can never happen...
Ikari: I urge you to reconsider! We don't need to keep this war going any longer, we can make an agreement of peace and end it here and now!
Raigo: An agreement of peace??! With the Killer of both my brothers?!
Ikari: ...
Raigo: End it here and now you say... Well, the only way it can end here and now, is with your blood on my blade!
Ikari: !!
Racing it at him, Raigo drew his sword as he went for the kill. Responding to this, Ikari drew both his two swords as well, as the two of them clashed in the middle of the field.
Ikari: Fine!! I will not try to change your mind any further then!
Raigo: Great!! The sooner you stop talking, the sooner you can die!!
[...]
"You wanted to see me, Naruto??"
"Yes... There is something I want to talk to you about Ikari... You've been her for two years now, and your training is rapidly coming to an end..."
"And?"
"Well, you still have much to learn, but as far as the basics go, you are now ready..."
"The basics??"
"...You know you have something to prepare for, that even with the future still being uncertain, there are some things you need to be ready for, to be able to overcome, and that is why you are training here at Mt. Myobokuzan... What you saw in The Waterfall of Self-Reflecting Soul Determination, all those things and what followed the Kage-meeting two years ago... Even if I can't tell you everything about the future, what your destiny really is, other than the fact that you are meant for something great... Why is it that you follow my will, my... "Command," without even as much as a question asked? What is it that drives you to keep training, no matter how much left out in the dark you really feel?"
"I... Is this why you really called me in here today Naruto??"
"No, but I would still like to hear what you have to say, in person..."
"Belief, Naruto... I've chosen to believe in you, what you have foreseen for me... Whatever the future holds, it can wait. Once I'm ready and my training here comes to an end, I will be ready to seek out and find those answers for myself..."
"Hmm, I see... If what I have foreseen for us, and what really is going to happen in the future, is the same, then both of our true destinies shall reveal themselves to us eventually, until then, all we can do is to look forward... Believe that the future holds the Key to everything, and work hard towards that day where our true resolves shall be tested... If we can find the Key to True Eternal Peace, then this World shall finally be able to prosper the way it always was meant to..."
"And what way is that?"
"The only way it can ever truly be-..."
"..."
"Free, Ikari..."
Jubi: Naruto, that is-... That really is-...
Kurama: ?! This chakra, it feels so... Different...
Shukaku: That feeling, it is not chakra, Kurama... Is he even a human being??
Gyuki: I've never felt such a strong presence before, not since... You became complete, Naruto...
Emerging out of him, several of the Tailed Beasts' voices expressed their opinions, as Naruto had finally come face to face with the ancient Wizard of the old, the one being he had heard so many legends of and sought out to meet, without having a chance to do so, before now. This was it, just like the Great Toad Sage once had foreseen. The Prophecy was finally coming to completion, but what would Naruto say?
Naruto: ...Who are you?? What are you? Why have I had to wait this long before finally meeting you? Why the helmet? And why can I only sense your powers, but not your chakra?? Ever since I first could sense you presence, why have I felt more and more human by every hours that have gone by? Are there more beings like you? What is it that-...
??: ...You have many questions you need answered I see... Why not pick a better question to start of with, hmm? The real question that you have been meaning to ask for ages now...
Naruto: ...The Key to Peace... Is there even such a thing?
This was the chance Naruto had been waiting for, the one thing he had sought for countless generations. Would this destined meeting finally solve his long unanswered question? Would he finally be able to fulfill the promise he had made to all those people in the past? What he had been fighting for, what he had sacrificed his humanity for to be able to achieve, what he had lived on to find the answer to; all those things, just for this very moment. This was what he had been waiting for... Thinking back, he could only remember the different situations where that said question had been brought up several times over, and how he had sought to find the answer, all those years ago, but still hadn't been able to find the Key to Peace and fulfill his destiny, even to this date. From his first talk with the Jubi, him meeting with the former Hokages, Madara, Ero-Sennin, Orochimaru and his mother, even to the meeting with the Sage of Six Paths himself during the 5th Great Shinobi War, and his final talk with the Great Toad Sage before he passed away... The answer had remained unresolved, and this was finally the man Naruto knew would have the answer he had been promised... But would it be as he had expected?? And if so, would it be an easy task to fulfill? Could he finally bring on True, ever-lasting Peace and move on to the afterlife, to see his wife, children, family and friends, once more? Naruto was eager to bring it all to an end, as countless memories of his earlier life and of his friends and family flashed before him. This was definitely it...
*Flashback Begins*
'Jubi: If you've been paying attention to anything I've said, you know that time is everything... One step at a time... Do you know the Key to Peace, Uzumaki Naruto? True...Ever-Lasting...Peace?... The Key to Peace... Those were the dying words of the Sage of Six Paths before he passed on his will to his two sons and split me into nine individual beasts. To rule through Power, or to rule with Love... What would create Peace??... The never-ending battle between Senju and Uchiha begun a long, long time ago...
Naruto: ...This is an opportunity I can't let slip, as there's something I've been meaning to ask, something I have been trying to find the answer to, for many years. The will you entrusted in me, Jiraiya-Sensei... Finding the Key to Peace... I'm still not sure, I still haven't found the real Key yet... The 1st... What do you think is the Key to Peace?
Hashirama: The Key to Peace huh...
Tobirama: There will never be any peace, as long as the Uchiha is around...
Madara: What did you say?
Hashirama: Tobirama! Enough already!
Naruto: ...
Hashirama: Controlling the land with Benevolence and Love... That is the Key to Peace...
Naruto: The 2nd?
Tobirama: Hmm... Strict Control and Supervision, that is the Key to Peace...
Naruto: 3rd?
Hiruzen: Long term Stability and Guidance Naruto... That is the Key.
Naruto: Hmmm... Dad?
Minato: Acknowledgement and Bonds of Honor and mutual Respect, son... But if anyone will find it, I believe it will be you...
Naruto: ...Mom?
Kushina: Oh, you know I'm with your father on this one.
Naruto: Hehehe... Ero-Sennin?
Jiraiya: I've already entrusted my will to you Naruto... And I know you will find the Key, if you look deep into your heart.
Orochimaru: You're a fool Jiraiya, do you really believe that this kid will find the Key to Peace? There is no such thing as True Eternal Peace...
Naruto: ...
Madara: Hashirama and Tobirama are wrong... Love and Control alone can't bring Peace to the land. Power and Hatred, creating Fear in people's minds and hearts and to rule with Iron Will, is the Key... As long as the people don't dare revolt, there will always be Peace... When people don't pursue foolish ambitions, that is when there are no battles to be fought...
Tobirama: Are you for real? There can't be Love and Hate at the same time! As long as those two co-exist, there can never be Peace!
Hashirama: My brother is right... You once had the same vision as I Madara... You can't create Fear in the heart of the people, that's never going to work...
Thinking long and hard about what the eight Edo Tensei said, Naruto could not come up with a proper reply.
Kushina: Son... Come here for a second.
Proceeding to walk over to Kushina, Naruto then stepped within her circle, as Kushina went on to place her hand on his shoulder, giving him a smile of confidence. Minato and Jiraiya, who were standing beside her, quickly did the same.
Kushina: We all believe in you, my son, and no matter what happens-...
Minato: ...You will always be our son.
Jiraiya: Ehehehe, they're right, you hold the Key to Peace in your heart Naruto, no one can ever say otherwise...
Hashirama: We entrust our will to you as well, to find the Key... The Will of Fire is strong in you, perhaps the strongest I've ever seen.
Tobirama: He's right... You're the only Hokage left alive after all, and the only one among us who can still find the Key to True Peace. From what I can tell, you might even rival my brother with your current skills, though, one can never get too much knowledge, and you're still young and got much to learn... When and if you get to the same age as Hiruzen, maybe you can look back at the history of Konoha, and tell your legacy who was the greatest of them all.
Madara: If anything, make sure you actually find the Key to Peace, kid...
Hiruzen: We all believe in you!
Hashirama: Keep fighting, until we'll meet again in the afterlife!!
Hiruzen: Never give up, always trust your instincts..
Jiraiya: Gehehehe, you have surpassed me by miles Naruto. Until we meet again!
Kushina: Naruto, my son... My lovely son... If we only had more time in life together...
Minato: It's all over now son... I'm so proud of you. I believe you will become the greatest Hokage to ever live in Konoha! Until we meet again.
Naruto: Thank you... Thank you all... I will find the Key, and bring on a new Era of Harmony and True Peace; I promise you that!
"What are your intention in this world, kid... In this life?? What do you want to achieve??..."
Naruto: What do you mean, Great Sage of Six Paths??
"Tell me your resolve... It seems like the Curse of Hatred still exists in this world... The never-ending curse must be lifted... The unfulfilled task that I left behind, created by my very own hands and foolish idea. It must be stopped for True, ever-lasting Peace to ever happen..."
Naruto: So you know the Key to create Peace??!
"No... You will have to break the Curse..."
Naruto: But how??
"Look deep into your heart to find the answer you seek... If you truly are my successor, you'll find the Key to Peace eventually..."
Naruto: I... That's what-... Ero-Sennin said...
"I can't give you the Key, but I'll teach you something to guide you in your quest."
Naruto: ...
"The most important thing is that you need to continue what I started, to break the Curse that I placed upon the land to bring on True Peace. In order to do that, you'll have to first overcome this challenge... I believe it's a test, your test, to test your true resolve. This is your Fate, Naruto, your Destiny, that the Goddess has chosen for you... Become the man you were destined to be, and the world shall know Peace in the end!"
Naruto: The Goddess?? I can't remember hearing about her before...
"She was the one to guide the first wielder of the Master Sword, but that is all that I know about her..."
Naruto: I see...
"I bet the Jubi told you how I was an ordinary man before I met the Wizard and that I learned about chakra and chakra control through reading the Founding Book of Jutsu?? It took a long time before I managed to adapt to this new ability of mine, but I always was an excellent swordsman..."
Naruto: You mentioned the Master Sword earlier??
"Yes, the Master Sword... It was said to be forged by the Gods of the old themselves... The Blade to oppose all evil, to shine light upon the good things in life... I came across the Master Sword, after being visited in a dream by the Goddess herself... She told me that it was my destiny to uncover the long lost blade, that I had to travel long and far to find it. That only one of pure heart and intent may draw the blade, and that it's a symbol of Hope and Peace... When I asked her about the Blade's powers, she said to me that its powers reflects the heart of its wielder, and that's why it only can be wielded by one with a pure heart, one with no selfish ambitions... When I fought the Titans, I knew it was I who had strayed from my path, creating the Curse that was cast upon the land, the Curse of Hatred, the Jubi's Curse... I was no longer worthy as its wielder... That's why I used its power to seal away the Titans, laying it to rest in the Underworld Dimension in hopes of that one day, another hero would rise to claim it his own..."
Naruto: Hmm...
"Naruto, I must ask you... How far are you willing to go to obtain True Peace and to break the Curse?? What are you willing to risk??"
Naruto: I... I'm willing to do whatever needs to be done...
"I see... When this is all over, I want you to seek him out, the Great Toad Sage, tell him that you're ready to Fulfill your Destiny... and that you are ready for the final test... Tell him about our meeting..."
Naruto: To Fulfill my Destiny?
"Yes... Those are the magic words..."
Naruto: ...
"I truly believe that you are my successor, the one destined to fulfill the task I left behind... I believe in you, Uzumaki Naruto, and I know that you will find the Key to Peace eventually... Never stray from your path, never give up, never pursue foolish ambitions... Claim the Master Sword your own, and follow your heart..."
Naruto: I will, you can count on me Old-Man-Sennin!
"Hehe, it seems that something good came out of this after all, just as HE predicted. I'm glad we got this opportunity kid... When we meet again, I'm sure you'll be one step closer to achieving that goal, that dream, the dream left by your Sensei, Jiraiya... Always keep in mind that true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one... I'm sure we will meet again someday kid... I just know it... Until then!!"
Naruto: Great Toad Sage... I'm ready to Fulfill my Destiny, I'm ready for the final test...
Great Toad Sage: ...Study the Founding Book of Jutsu... Grasp and learn the same secrets the Sage learned... You are now complete, but it is still not the right time for you to take your final trial... It is still not the time for you to make the important choice you are destined to make... The one that will seal the future of Peace... First, your legacy must be prepared... Your legacy must be ready... For you to be ready...
Naruto: But I am ready! The Sage said that I had to-...
Great Toad Sage: Not yet... Patience young human... The period of the Three Great Toad Sages are not upon us yet... You will first have to find the missing two...
Naruto: The Sage spoke of a man who had predicted the two of us meeting... Who is this man?
Great Toad Sage: Hmm... You don't need to ask questions you already know the answer to... The Sage's knowledge has already been transplanted into you, his memories, his knowledge... You still have to grasp and learn though...
Naruto: ?! The Wizard of the old??...
Konohamaru: The Wizard?
Great Toad Sage: Yes... The one who bestowed upon the Sage the Founding Book of Jutsu and the Staff of Fortune and Destiny... The mysterious being of ancient times...
Naruto: ...What do I need to do to find True, Eternal Peace? What must be done, what is the Key to Peace?
Great Toad Sage: Once your legacy is ready... Once you are ready... Once you've made that important choice and fulfilled your destiny... The two of you will meet... The Wizard holds the answer you seek...
Naruto: Then what is this choice I will have to make?
Great Toad Sage: If you must know... The Wizard is the one that will give you the choice... A choice of life and death, a choice that only can be made by you... That is all. Uzumaki Naruto, Sarutobi Konohamaru... When the two final Sages are ready, come before me again... Until then...
Yamato: ...Naruto had a lot to say, as detailed in this Scroll I have with me, but most importantly... Naruto has gone through the first step of some sort of ritual... If Naruto completes the final stage of his training, he will become... The new Great Toad Sage of Mt. Myobokuzan... It means that when the third new Sage has come to be, and Naruto's legacy is finally ready, he will have to make two choices...
Konohamaru: Two choices?! I thought the Great Toad Sage said that he would have to make a choice of life and death, but not that he had to make another one as well?
Yamato: The other one will decide whether or not Naruto will fulfill his destiny and be able to make that final choice of life and death... When the time has come, Naruto himself will summon the three next Sages, and he will then elaborate on this... That's all that he said...
Konohamaru: ...Phew, another trip to Mt. Myobokuzan completed...
Jiraiya: Why, weren't we suppose to make it you mean? Hahaha...
Minato: So... The time has come then, just like the Great Toad Sage predicted, all those years ago...
Konohamaru: ...Honorably Great Toad Sage and Naruto-San, we've come before you as requested.
Naruto: ...
Great Toad Sage: Yes... We have much to discuss indeed... The Era of the Three Great Toad Sages are upon us... Uzumaki Naruto, your legacy is now ready, and the trio is now complete... Sarutobi Konohamaru, Uzumaki Jiraiya and Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato... You three will be the Bringers of Peace and Stability, the Guardians of Hope, Fate, Fortune and Destiny... Until time deems it necessary for the next generation to take over, you will be the first Trio of Light and Benevolence...
Naruto: Well... With the world at temporary peace, witnessing more stability and prosper than ever before... I have other things to attend to... To finish my training, and to emerge into the role, that I was destined to...
Konohamaru: ...Seven years ago, when Yamato-San lead a group here to visit you and gather information, he came back with a Scroll detailing countless observations and advices... He talked about two choices, and when the time was right, those two choices would be revealed.
Naruto: Yes... After the Era of you three was upon us, I would meet the one who has the Key to True, Eternal Peace... The answers to everything, the Wizard of Ancient Time... He will give me a choice... That is all that is known for now... But, to be ready to make this choice, I will have to make another...
Jiraiya: ...
Naruto: I can't remain in this...
Minato: Yeah?
Naruto: Human form...
Jiraiya: ?! What?! What do you mean father?!
Konohamaru: !!
Minato: I...
Great Toad Sage: The training Naruto-San is about to commence... Is training to become the new... Honorably Geezer of Mt. Myobokuzan.
Minato: ...
Great Toad Sage: When the Sage of Six Path became complete, and his training was fulfilled... He became One with Nature... This granted him temporary immortality, but, at the cost of his humanity.
Konohamaru: What does this mean exactly?
Great Toad Sage: Knowing that the human world would never be able to evolve properly with him around, he gave up that immortality and passed it on to me, his personal summoning... He then divided the Jubi's chakra in nine parts, sent his body out of this world, creating the moon, and trusted his legacy to his two sons. For over thousand years, I've been the Keeper of this place, its Guardian... But now, my time is coming to an end.
Jiraiya: To an end, what do you mean?!
Fukasaku: He means that he has to start looking for his successor... The incredible life-force of the Jubi, together with all the paths combined, the user gains access to powers beyond human capability... And to be able to restrain and control these powers for a greater period of time, one will have to give up on their humanity, their human form...
Shima: That's why, in theory, Naruto, if and by completing his training... He will never be able to leave this place again...
Konohamaru: So that's why your Legacy had to be prepared, because someone needs to watch over the outside world, beyond Mt. Myobokuzan's border...
Jiraiya: Wait, dad you can't be serious about this?!
Naruto: ...
Minato: My father is right, you just can't go through with this grandfather?!
Naruto: I have to do this, as my destiny has foretold... By finishing my final training, gaining the Jubi's full cooperation and gaining full control over my new powers, thus, becoming One with Nature, I will access the final stage...
Konohamaru: Naruto is right... As much as I hate to admit this. If the Great Toad Sage's time is coming to an end, someone will have to take his place... To take his role as Guardian.
Naruto: This will be the best way to keep the Jubi in check, preventing future wars from breaking out because of its powers... You can call me when you need me, in time of instability and chaos, but I will have to remain here on Mt. Myobokuzan indefinitely.
Jiraiya: Dad... You will still be you after this right? I mean, by losing your humanity... You won't, die in a sense?
Naruto: No... I will remain the same, but with age and experience, my mind might adapt.
Minato: Meaning?
Naruto: I might not come off as a human anymore.
Konohamaru: ...
Great Toad Sage: That should be all for now... Naruto-San, we have much to do and time is of the essence.
Naruto: Right. Jiraiya... Make sure you tell your mother that I'm sorry.
Jiraiya: I will dad, and I'm sure she will understand, however, I'm not saying that she will like it...
Naruto: Heh, I know... Even apart, my heart will always belong to her.
Jiraiya: Even if I have to walk her the long way to Mt. Myobokuzan, I will make sure she comes by, you have my word.
Naruto: Hehe, thanks. And Jiraiya, don't forget to always care for your sister. Even with her living in Suna, she always looked up to her older brother.
Jiraiya: You can count on me dad.
Konohamaru: Well then, I guess we should get going.
Jiraiya: Right.
Minato: Take care then granddad.
Naruto: Minato... I believe you will become the best Hokage to ever have lived in Konoha. From this day forward, I leave the rest to you guys...
Minato: Hehe, we shall see indeed... I will not disappoint you!
Naruto: Jiraiya, Minato... I love you both...
Great Toad Sage: ...Well then, Uzumaki Naruto, are you ready to begin the final stage of your training?
Naruto: Yes, yes I am...
Great Toad Sage: ...With this, your training is now complete, Uzumaki Naruto... From this day forward, you will not age, and therefore, you will not die... Taking the role as my successor, and with your Legacy prospering, the choice you will have to make, will soon be upon you. This will be my final blessing, and also, my final goodbye. My friends, my family, farewell...
Naruto: ...No matter the cost, no matter the time it will take, I will find a way to make my promise come to fruition, I will see that once True Peace is obtained, no hatred will ever fall upon this world again. Only then, can my soul finally rest and I be reunited with my loved once beyond this world again...'
*Flashback Ends*
??: Ahh, Peace... A word often misunderstood by many humans. It's a broad word that describes the harmony of mutual understanding... But Peace, Peace is a thing that always is at stake as long as people fail to keep that mutual understanding global and lasting... What is really Peace, and can it last eternally?? Mankind has always sought Peace, but quite often through war and not the way they should have been looking for it...
Turning around, the Wizard then looked at Naruto as he started to walk towards him. Naruto felt anxious, nervous, for the first time in ages. This man was powerful and he could feel it, whatever or whomever he was. Was he even human? Stopping right beside him, Naruto could only see his eyes and mouth visible through his helmet as he was anticipating his answer.
??: The answer to what you seek is simple...
Naruto: ...
??: The Key to Peace is-...
Naruto: !!
[...]
Ikari: *Pant, Pant...*
Raigo: ...Your swordsmanship is not bad Hokage, however, how far does your techniques go I wonder?
Not only was Raigo a powerful guy standing almost three meters tall, but his black armor was more advanced and more robust than his two brothers'. With each hit Ikari connected, his armor seemed to just brush it off as if nothing. Raigo was in his early 40s, had spiky dark hair, dim red eyes, and a clean-shaved skin with many small battle-scars cut all over in his face. If his two brothers looked scary, this guy gave scary a whole new meaning. Holstering their swords, the two opponents glared intensely at each other, anticipating the next move.
Ikari: Whatever you have planned or are thinking of doing, as long as I'm standing, you will not succee-...
Raigo: You fool! It is all of your plans that have failed, resulting in you leading my son straight back to me... Not only will I defeat you here, but once you are gone, my forces will annihilate yours and "Peace" will finally happen, my way or no way!
Slamming his hands together, Raigo then preformed some hand-seals as Ikari prepared himself for what to come. However, just as it seemed like he was about to fire off a powerful technique towards him, it was as if nothing really happened, as Ikari looked puzzled at him, wondering what he was up to.
Ikari: Genjutsu?? No... Something el-...?!
In just a split-second, the clear blue sky above them suddenly turned stormy black as a massive thunderbolt struck down towards Ikari who only barely managed to dodge using his Flying Thunder God. He had never witnessed something like this before, realizing that if anything, Raigo's Lightning Techniques were far more powerful than any opponent he had ever faced in the past.
Ikari: *Pant, Pant* What the?! How did he change the weather like this-... Shit!!
The technique however, was far from over as the storm just got more and more fierce, sending several great thunderbolts towards him. As each one of them hit the ground and as Ikari managed to just dodge them by the hair, the ground beneath him sent rocks and dirt flying up into the air, as four large hurricanes had formed around them.
Ikari: It has to be some sort of a time-delay technique, but such a technique surely must have a weakness or a great cost of chakra!
Raigo: Damn you're fast you rat, but how long will you be able to run away??
Catching his breath as Raigo's technique seemed to eventually calm down a bit, Ikari closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating as he gathered the last bit of natural energy he needed.
Ikari: ...Finally...
Raigo: ??
Ikari: Go forth, Sennin Mode!
Having been able to save up enough chakra to enter Sennin Mode, Ikari could finally show off his true skills as he reached his right hand up in the air. Just as he did, another thunderbolt struck down towards him, but in the exact moment it was about to connect with him, it crashed right into a large RasenShuriken swirling over his head instead. Sending it off at great speed, the RasenShuriken headed straight for the four fierce hurricanes ravaging around them, as all four of them were sucked up into it, enlarging the shuriken by ten folds.
Raigo: !!
Being powered up by Raigo's technique, the massive shuriken went straight for Raigo as he raised both his hands up into the air to try and intercept the head-on collision.
Raigo: Aaaaarrrrrrrgggggh!!!!!!.......
Ikari: Ug-h...
Causing a massive explosion, Ikari could only cover his face as great shockwaves flung in all and every directions. Seeing an opportunity to get over to Raikiru, Ikari hurried over there as he laid both his hands on his shoulders, trying to get through to him. Still being caught in some sort of a trace, Raikiru didn't seem to know who he was or where he was, at first.
Ikari: Raikiru, snap out of it, oi, Raikiru, can you hear me?!
Raikiru: ... I... Where am I??
Ikari: What do you remember?! Are you still with me?!
Shaking him back and forth in a fast motion, Ikari finally got through to him as Raikiru seemed to snap out of it in an abrupt fashion, reacting as if he fell off a cliff, hitting hard on the ground.
Raikiru: Ahhhhhh?!?!?!?!??
Ikari: Hey, hey!! Calm down, just-...
Not knowing how to cope with his old memory suddenly returning, and which side to be on, Raikiru fell in a rage as he had to push Ikari away to gain some space. Clutching his head with his right hand and holding Ikari off with his left, Raikiru had to support himself up against the ruins of the house still standing behind him, as Ikari tried to reach out for him once more.
Raikiru: Don't! Don't come near me Ikari, for your own safety!
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: I need some time, I just need some time to think...
Ikari: Are you-...
Raikiru: I'm fine, I just... What happened to Raigo, what happened to my-... Father??
Seemingly being able to force his mind back in place, Raikiru raised his head as he looked up at Ikari, still feeling like he had been hit by a large rock to the head.
Raikiru: Ikari... Behind you.
Ikari: ...
Turning around, the black thick smoke created by Ikari's earlier attack had finally started to settle as Raigo had climbed out of the crater created by it. Breathing heavily, it seemed as if the attack had made its impact, but even if his black magical armor had been torn apart, it rapidly regenerated before their eyes.
Raigo: *Pant, Pant, Pant* Raikiru... Do it now.
Ikari: !! Gwuack!!
He wasn't even able to react. From behind him, Raikiru came flying in as he kicked him hard from behind, sending him flying on his stomach, and as Ikari forced himself up again, he turned around as he saw that Raikiru's eyes had changed. They were beaming red and his face-expression had an emotionless stare to it.
Ikari: Raikiru?!
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: I told you he wouldn't be the same...
Ikari: Shit... I should have been able to sensed it with my Sennin Mode... However, whatever you have done to him, I am certain the Raikiru I know is still in there some place, and I will bring him back!
Raigo: Bwuhahahahahahaha! This battle is far from over, but, whatever happens here today, it will end with you dead on the ground, in one way or the other... Time to up the game a little, don't you think??
Reaching his hand out, Raigo's electrified traction-beam attack from before shot towards Ikari's direction as he tried to grab a hold onto him once again, but this time however, it seemingly had no effect as Ikari was not affected by the gravity altering effect that the attack should have made on him, but instead, it was as if the attack crashed into some sort of shield as Raigo looked confused at him.
Raigo: ...
Ikari: I agree...
Disappearing in a blink of the eye, Ikari suddenly reappeared behind Raigo's back as his hand connected with him, sending him flying through the air.
Raigo: ?!
Ikari: Rasengan!!
[...]
Naruto: ...Yes??
Could it all be as simple as he made it seem, or was there something far more complexed behind his choice of wording??
??: ...Heh, if it only was that simple... In truth, there isn't really one Key to True Eternal Peace, but if anything, there are several requirements to achieve it...
Naruto: ...What do you mean?
??: As you know, there is a Curse placed on this land... The Curse of the Jubi, a Curse that was created by the Sage of Six Paths himself... This Curse is what binds shinobi to eternal fighting, and True Peace can only be guaranteed if this Curse is lifted. However, if you decide to go through with all the requirements that is set to lift the Curse, it will certainly have its costs, especially for you...
Naruto: Name them...
??: With the Curse of the Jubi gone, humans will eventually lose their contact, their touch with chakra, and in time, they will go back to what they used to be before the Sage of Six Paths was ever born... Hatred however, has existed long before the Jubi was created, so there is no way to say for sure if True Eternal Peace will ever happen or if it will ever last eternally...
Naruto: Hmm... It's still better than nothing, is it not??
??: I suppose. However, with the Curse removed, there is a chance that this world will obtain that so called Peace which will last forever... And the Key to that rests on your back, literally...
Pointing at him, the mysterious Wizard was clearly talking about the sword that Naruto had holstered on his back.
Naruto: The Legendary Blade of Evil's Bane... The Master Sword...
Looking at it for a brief second, Naruto suddenly felt the urge to draw it from its hilt and raise it into the light, but quickly decided not to. After all, he wasn't quite sure what the Wizard wanted him to do with it, just yet...
??: We have much to talk about before I go into details on how to lift the Curse... This world has existed for a long, long time, and it is important that you are prepared for your last journey.
Naruto: My last journey??
??: Yes... Let me tell you about my meeting with the Sage of Six Paths... I'm sure you already know most of it though, but some details might have been lost, even when you met the Sage himself many, many years ago, during the last war...
Naruto: How do you know about that??
??: Before our meeting ends, all your questions shall be answered in due time, now, let me show you how it all went down...
Walking even closer to Naruto, the Wizard placed his hand on his head as a bright light beamed out of it.
Naruto: ??
[...]
The battle, having raged on for a good while already, had seen the two opponents fighting with their hearts' content, as both men had sent several different attacks each others' way, one stronger than the other. However, no matter what they threw at each other, it was all to no vain as neither one of them were able to overpower the other.
Ikari: !!
Raigo: ?!
Having created yet another massive explosion between them, they both flew away from each other as they crashed hard to the ground. Not even thinking twice about it, they both shot up to their feet even faster than they hit the ground, staring intensely each others' way.
Raigo: ...Now I understand what my brother Raiba and Raika went up against... However, I will tell you this...
Ikari: ...
Raigo: My brothers may have been strong... But, I was elected the next leader of our forces for a reason!
Ikari: !!
Using his speed, Raigo went straight up to Ikari's face as the two of them exchanged several blows between them before breaking apart, sending two techniques flying towards each other.
Raigo: Lightning Style: Thunder Manipulation!!
Ikari: Fire Style: Konoha's Great Fireball Destruction!
Reaching his hands up in the air, Raigo attracted lightning from the skies above, down to him, as a powerful beam was shot towards Ikari. Responding to this, Ikari fired off an erupting fireball his way as the two attacks collided in the middle of the field. Drawing their swords again, the two of them went around their own attacks as they clashed for another several rounds, with their swords clinging hard against each other with each thrust.
Raigo: I will win! This land is mine!!
Ikari: I will stop you and bring peace to this land, no matter the cost!!!
Raigo: Ugh!!
Ikari: ?!
Charging their swords with each their elements as they clashed once more, the two opponents got tossed hard backwards as their swords' elemental currents created a minor blast between them. Landing on his feet again, Ikari had to take a short breather to come up with a plan of approach as his feet finally stopped sliding across the ground, some meters away from the impact-zone. He had about half an hour left of his Sennin Mode, and if he continued fighting like this, he would get nowhere before it ran out.
Raigo: *Huff, Huff*
Ikari: *Pant, Pant*
The battle was going to a stalemate, and that fast... What would Ikari do? Was this his plan all along, to take Raigo out all by himself, or had he counted on Raikiru, so that their combined effort would be enough to do the trick? Raigo was way stronger than his two brothers, that was for sure, and Ikari was only just barely able to defeat Raika by himself, yet along Raiba, which required more than he could muster, only being able to bring him down with the help of Naruto himself... He knew for sure now what Naruto meant back then, why it was important that Ikari found out Raikiru's true identity by himself, and not before a certain time had passed... To win this battle and bring an end to this war, it would require both himself and his counterpart, Raikiru, to be able to bring Raigo down, but would he be able to convince Raikiru to fight by his side and to betray his own father?? Ikari had a stern look on his face, this was not going to be an easy battle, but whatever happened, he simply could not afford to fall here, he just had to win, no matter what and no matter the cost. What good would his plan be if he was to fall before being able to see it through? What good would it be if he was right about Raikiru not being the same as his kin, if he was to die before being able to prove it? He had to think about something, but what??
Raigo: Raikiru... It's your turn now...
Raikiru: I... Father, I can't, Ikari is my-... Fri-end...
Raigo: Do it now...
Raikiru: No, I don't want to, this war is all so wrong... Why are you doing this father, why are you continuing to wage war?! Why can't we just... I don't believe that you are this simple-minded, even with my memory returning, I still don't think that we shou-...
Raigo: I said now, Raikiru!!
Having to choose between being loyal to his father, to his family and to his clan, or to fight for what he had come to believe in during the last few years of his life, Raikiru was in a great conflict with himself. Not only that, but it seemed like Raigo had done more than to just open up his seal, as Raikiru's mind was rumbling harder than a great storm at sea, making it hard for him to control his own body or thought.
Raigo: You will obey your father's command!!
Raikiru: ?!!
Ikari: Raikiru...
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: Why does it have to be this hard...
Ikari: His eyes, they... What are you up to Raigo??...
Raigo: ...
Analyzing what was happening before him, Ikari could feel that Raikiru wasn't just being slowly brainwashed to follow his fathers orders, neither was he doing what he thought to be the right thing to do whenever he attacked him head-on. His eyes, they were not suppose to beam red like that, and it was as if Raikiru's mind was being influenced by some sort of mind-control. That was why he didn't attack Ikari head-on earlier when he managed to talk to him for a brief while, but only did so at Raigo's command. Watching as Raikiru headed for him, Ikari did not let his sight of Raigo go, as he saw him turning around to his left with his sword, aiming to use a combined attack with Raikiru. Just as the two of them were closing in at him, it was as if Ikari was about to let it happen, much to Raigo's surprise.
Raigo: He's not moving or preparing to dodge?! Well then, this is my chan-...?!
Ikari: *Smirk*
Ikari however, had a plan, a plan he had devised and planned down to every detail, and just as the situation was looking dark, the final phase kicked in. Reaching his right hand out, a portal opened up before him as four shinobi came jumping out of it. Seeing this, Raigo was quick to back off a couple of meters as Raikiru did the same, stopping by his side. Landing on their feet, the four shinobi took up position by Ikari as the five Kages were finally gathered once more.
Ikari: Hehe, seems like the battle has turned in our favor!
Utakata: Looks like your plan has worked out perfectly Ikari, well done...
Nakimura: So this is the leader of the enemy forces huh...
Haku: This is it...
Maki: Yes, this is where the five Kages will make their stand!
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: !!
[...]
??: ...-And that, was the last thing he ever did... And so, the rest is history...
Naruto: ...
??: ...I can sense that you feel that this place seems familiar... Is it not??
Naruto: ...I've been able to sense a lot of things lately...
??: It is both the future and the past speaking to you, as the two of them meet... You've been here before, but at the same time, you still have to walk here in a different time... You are the Sage's reincarnation, but your role in all this is so much more important, so much more grand than his role ever was. I recognize you, but we have never met before... Why is that you wonder?? Well everything in due time...
Naruto: I hear you say that, but what about some answers??...
??: Hmm... What you've been feeling lately, how you've been feeling life flowing through you once more... It is not entirely coincidental, it is indeed tied with this meeting. As one generation ends, another one begins... Even with how important this meeting really is, not only to you, but to the Shinobi World as well, I can feel that you are still worried about your apprentice, am I right??...
Naruto: Ikari...
??: The Sage of Six Paths... He created the Curse when he used the Staff of Fortune and Destiny for more than he was suppose to do. After he created the five Treasured Tools, Heaven's will had had enough... It was time to strike back.
Naruto: ...
??: There are Three Requirements to lift the Curse.
Naruto: I'm ready...
??: You want to lift the Curse... This is how you do it...
Waiting patiently, Naruto knew he was closer than ever before to achieve his long time ambition, but would it be an easy task?
??: First, you must hand over the five Treasured Tools, the Founding Book of Jutsu that I once bestowed upon the Sage, and the Staff of Fortune and Destiny... Since they are all connected to the Curse, they need to be terminated. The Founding Book of Jutsu taught men to become shinobi, the Staff of Fortune and Destiny altered fate and created the Treasured Tools, which again extended the already long list of the Sage's selfish wishes made into a reality... With them gone, the founding blocks of the Curse will no longer be a concern, and we can then move on to the next requirement...
Naruto: I see... Done.
Not feeling a single doubt in mind, Naruto summoned the tools from inside himself as he place them on the ground before him. Seeing this, the Wizard reached his hand out as all seven of them suddenly melted before their eyes. All these powerful tools, gone in the blink of an eye, and Naruto didn't seem to worry much about it.
??: Secondly... You will have to kill me...
Naruto: ?! What, why??
??: As long as I'm part of this world, the Jubi will never fully cease to exist...
Naruto: The Jubi, what do you mean by that, I thought the Curse of the Jubi was the-...
??: Isn't it obvious?? As long as the Jubi, as long as the Tailed Beasts still exists in this world, the Curse can never be lifted, chakra will never be removed from this world, Naruto...
Naruto: But the Jubi is within me, so what have you to do with it?
The first requirement might have seemed easy for him, but the second one was something Naruto had no idea how to respond to.
??: The clue is... You will have to defeat me to be able to kill me, as I am not able to kill myself, ironically, or let someone else kill me without a fight, that is the will of the Jubi. Once I'm gone, the Jubi will no longer reincarnate, and over time, chakra will then finally disappear from this world... The destined choice you have been foreseen to make... This is it, Uzumaki Naruto, the choice of Life and Death... You might not fully understand it now, but once the three requirements are completed, you will see what I mean... For the past 1000 years I've been around, you are the only one capable of doing this, passing the second requirement that is...
Naruto: I don't understand, what do you mean by-...
??: ...-And the third requirement might be the hardest yet, however, I am not obligated to tell you the full details of the final step, unless you achieve the second one first. The world depends on you Naruto, and should you fail, then this world will never experience True Peace. The thing about the third requirement is that it will take time for it to take full effect, and by the time it takes for it to do just that, neither one of us will be around anymore to see if it actually created True Eternal Peace or not, that is the catch... Before we commence the second requirement though, before we fight... There are some people you need to meet...
Naruto: ...And who might that be??
??: The former wielders of the Master Sword...
Naruto: !! How??
??: By using the Master Sword of course! It holds the final key to everything... It is not just any sword the Sage told you to draw to be able to escape his Underworld Dimension transfer technique. The sword... It is so much more than that... First, let's go to the Skyworld Dimension and take it from there.
Reaching his hand out, the Wizard snapped his thumb and his index finger, and just like that, they were suddenly in the white room where all things of creation is imagined.
Naruto: This is the same as?
??: Yes... You've been here before, haven't you?
Naruto: During my battle with the Sage... This is where he transported our minds to teach me about the Master Sword and the different stages of the Bijou Mode... I haven't had the need to go here since that time...
??: Well, now you will be able to meet him again...
Naruto: Meet the Sage again you say... Hmm, I see.
??: Use the sword... The Master Sword possesses magical powers that no one knows the full extent of... It was forged by a man over 7000 years ago, the first wielder of the sword... He made it so that only his legacy could wield the sword, and that each wielder's soul were to forever be connected with it. The sword... It is not only the Blade of Evil's Bane, to vanquish all evil... It is a timeless item... Use it as a Link through Time, a path to the past to fulfill your destiny... The final stage of the sword needs to be reawakened, and with the help of the former wielders, you will be able to.
Naruto: My destiny huh...
??: With the sword, you can summon their spirit, and with it, you will be able to gain the last piece to the puzzle...
Naruto: To find peace?
??: ...To travel through time...
Naruto: Huh??
??: But more on that later... For now, place the sword here.
Walking over to something sticking up from the ground, the mysterious Wizard stopped by it as Naruto had a curious look on his face.
??: It is called the Pedestal of Time, but I'm sure you already know this... You can recognize it, don't you??
Naruto: Yeah, it is the same thing I drew the sword from in the Underworld Dimension all those years ago... The Sage recreated the scene of where he found the sword, to be able to put it to rest and seal the Titans there...
??: Yes... By placing the sword here temporary, you will be able to awaken their spirits, the former wielders of the sword that is...
Naruto: So even if I sealed away the Sage's Reincarnated body there, he will still be able to...
??: Yes, even so...
Naruto: I understand...
Doing as he said, Naruto then walked over to it as he pierced the sword into the ground, and just as he did, a strange dark light filled up the room. Suddenly, they found themselves in a Great Temple from an ancient time.
Naruto: ...Where are we??
??: This is the Temple of Time... The pond in the desert where you found the sword in the Underworld... That was the ruins, what was left of this Temple...
Suddenly finding themselves in a mysterious and holy place, Naruto looked puzzled around as he had no idea what this Temple was or what its purpose used to be. He couldn't even feel the similarity from where he drew the sword, except for the platform with the Pedestal where the Master Sword now was stuck into.
??: Many past wielders have retrieved the sword here, including the third, fifth and the eight wielders... In one way, you could say that the second wielder also found it here, but that would not be entirely true... The Pedestal of Time was built as a mean to store the sword and protect it from falling into the wrong hands, and what better way than to hide it into a Great Temple? That is how this Temple got its name, as it stood firm as the sword's keeper for many generations to come...
Naruto: Why are you telling me all this?
??: If you don't know the story of the sword, how are you suppose to fulfill your destiny?
Naruto: I-... You got to speak more plainly, I'm not really following here...
??: It's not really important that you grasp all the details, only that you understand the basics... Now, the first wielder was a guy named Revan...
Naruto: Revan?? What type of name is that?
??: This world has existed for a long, long time, and thus, the world has been through several different stages, several different Eras... So, the third wielder was a man named Aragon, the forth wielder a man named Levi, the fifth a guy named-...
Naruto: Hey hang on a moment, what about the second wielder??
??: His name is not important right now...
Naruto: But wasn't I suppose to meet them all? If I don't know their names...
??: I will get back to it in due time... Truth been told, you won't even meet with the first wielder here...
Naruto: I won't?? But if I don't meet them all like you said, how can I-...
??: You will meet him soon enough... Now, for the fifth wielder...
Reaching his hand out, the Wizard pointed towards the other direction as a man dressed in a green battle tunic, was suddenly standing beside them. Walking over to them, the man seemingly had a puzzled look on his face.
Naruto: !!
?: This place...
??: The fifth wielder of the Master Sword. His name... Is Link.
[...]
Raigo: How, how is this possible?! My armies should have kept you busy?! Without you down there, who the hell is leading your armies to battle?!
Ikari: This is where Kitsuke's role comes into play... That is why I wanted to name him Jonin Commander, so that he could lead our forces in the Kages' stead. This was my plan all along Raigo, I only made you think that you had seen through my plan...
Raigo: ?!
Utakata: So if we're able to defeat this guy, we will be one step closer to ending this war, right Ikari?
Ikari: Yes...
Maki: What about Raikiru??
Ikari: Things didn't go entirely as planned, but I'm certain I can get through to him... He's being controlled by some sort of mind-control technique, but if I can break it...
Maki: I see.
Haku: So...
Nakimura: ...
Ikari: I'll deal with Raikiru, while you-...
Utakata: We will take care of this scum, leave it to us!
Raigo: Hah! This changes nothing! I guess since you're going to be a coward Hokage...
Ikari: ??
Whistling with his thumb and index finger, Raigo's black horse suddenly came running towards him as he mounted it in a hurry. Turning around, it was as if he was retreating, and seeing this, the Kazekage slammed his right hand down into the ground.
Nakimura: He's retreating?!
Haku: No he's not! Summoning Technique!!
Summoning four huge wolves, Haku signaled the other Kages to mount as they all were about to give chase.
Maki: Ikari! I leave Raikiru up to you!
Ikari: Yosh!
Utakata: Look for our triumphant return, we will not fail!
Giving chase, the Kazekage, the Raikage, the Tsuchikage and the Mizukage gave hot pursuit as they disappeared from view shortly thereafter.
Ikari: Damn... I guess this leaves the two of us then...
Raikiru: ...
Not slightly interested in responding, his eyes continued to beam red as Raikiru slammed his hands together, starting to charge up chakra.
Ikari: I guess I will have to defeat you to snap you back to reality, huh! Very well, let's do this, Raikiru!
Raikiru: ...You will die here, like all the others...
Answering in a cold tone, the Raikiru Ikari knew, was not to be easily returned back to him, and he had to do his best to try and break the control without hurting Raikiru too much in the process.
Ikari: Hah, not a chance! Now that we've got some space, I will definitely be able to turn you back, you can count on it!
Raikiru: ...
Reaching his thumb out, a big grin formed on Ikari's face. He was more confident than he had been in a while, and with the other Kages going to deal with Raigo, things were looking good. Leaping off, the two of them clashed head-on as several punches and kicks were exchanged between them, before the two of them back off away from each other to gain some space to make room for a technique.
Ikari: Rasengan!
Raikiru: Thunderball!
Channeling a powerful electrified chakra-ball in his right hand, Raikiru leaped off towards Ikari as they came face to face once more.
Ikari: I don't know what sort of technique that is, but I will definitely win! Wind Style: Rasengan!
Sending a strong wind through his Rasengan, Ikari amplified its strength right before the two clashed. Shock-waves flung everywhere as neither one of them wanted to back down from each other.
[...]
Haku: We got you now, there is no place for you to escape!
Raigo: ...
Having forced Raigo up into a corner by the end of a great cliff, it seemed like he had no other choice than to stand his ground and fight them now. Dismounting from his black horse, Raigo sent it away as he turned around towards them. Would the four Kages' combined might be enough to deal with him once and for all?
Nakimura: This guy seems strong, however, with the four of us together, there is no way we can lose...
Maki: Just don't underestimate him, if we let our guards down for even a second...
Utakata: You are right, let's be careful...
Looking at him from on top of their wolves, the Kages seemed confident, yet they carefully approached the situation, even if they had him corner with no way to go.
Raigo: Who said I was retreating?! I was simply luring you out here!!!
Maki: !!
Clapping his hands together, a massive source of chakra suddenly beamed out of him as Raigo shouted out towards them. What powers did this man have stored within himself that he only just now unlocked?? A great battle was about to begin, as Raigo leaped off at immense speed with his sword in hand.
[...]
Link: ...You know my name?? Just who are you guys?... Why am I summoned here??
??: You are right, you have been summoned Link... The reason is simple...
Naruto: ...
Link: And that might be??
??: You will see soon enough...
Link: I see... So time has passed since my death I presume? This appearance of mine, it was not what I looked like when I died...
??: Not at all... This appearance, this younger-self of yours... This is how the Master Sword remembers you to look like, after all, you were still young when you pierced the sword into the dragon's head...
Link: Ganon... Something feels familiar about you two, yet, I don't recall anything about the Master Sword having to be drawn again during my time... I left it in Ganondorf's beastly transformation, in Ganon's head... Why was there ever a need to draw it again??
??: It's a long story, but we got time... Now, we just need to wait for the rest...
Naruto: The rest??
Link: ...
??: There...
Pointing behind the two of them, two other men had suddenly appeared.
??: The sixth and the seventh wielders of the sword, close in kin... Xuan and his grandson, Ike...
Ike: What is this place?? Grandpa, aren't we dead already??
Xuan: Supposedly so...
Link: So I was right, there were other wielders, but to think there were at least two to come after me, that I would never have dreamt of...
??: No wonder, you lived as a King together with your Queen for the remaining days of your life, as peace continued to thrive in your expanding kingdom... It wasn't until several generations later that peace was disturbed once again, long after your time...
Link: Hmmm...
Xuan: So who are you guys??
Ike: ...
??: This is Link, the fifth wielder of the sword, and this guy, this is Naruto...
Xuan: ...Why are we here??
??: Everything is coming to an end, but only the past creates the future, and thus, we need to draw full circle to be able to go forward from here. I'm sure you recognize this place Link, as this is where you drew the sword, however, if we jump forward in time, then this is how it would look like.
Pointing out in the room again, the scenery suddenly changed as they found themselves by a mysterious pond in the ruins of the once Great Temple. By it were the podium with the sword on top of it, as Ike immediately recognized the place.
Ike: ?! Grandpa, this is where I was told to come to put the sword to rest after the war finally came to an end. Ryu and I traveled for several days before getting here...
Xuan: So this is what it looked like... I could only imagine what this place looked like when you told me on my deathbed...
Ike: ...
Naruto: This place, huh...
Link: Okay, now that we are all a bit better refreshed on how things went down, why don't you explain to us why we really are here?
??: To avoid having to explain the same thing over, let's just wait for the rest that will come here today...
Ike: So there are more than us??
??: Yes...
Xuan: Speaking of which, if you were the wielder before me, Link, then was the legend true? About you fighting with a fierce dragon, piercing the sword into its head? I thought it was said that you died during that battle??
Link: Yeah, no quite, my brother Nexus just happened to write it that way for story-telling purposes, but the part about the dragon was all true... So you drew the sword from its head I reckon??
Xuan: Yes, eventually... So at least that part was true then, huh... You must have lived a long time before our time, as only the head remained, and many people believed it to just be an oddly shaped rock with a fancy story to it...
Link: Probably...
Naruto: Wizard... What about the Sage??
??: Oh yes, the Sage of Six Paths... He found it where Ike left it, in the same manner that Xuan found it where Link left it... He should be here soon...
Link: The Sage??
??: Yes, he's the eight wielder of the sword...
Ike: So there were this many wielders in the end huh... Did True Peace ever happen??
Xuan: From the looks of it, I can't honestly believe that it will ever happen eternally, Ike, but who knows...
Link: ...
Naruto: Well??
??: Ah, there he is...
Naruto: !!
From the shadows of the exit-tunnel came a man, and just like he had walked there before, the man once again walked into the room where the Great Temple once stood.
SoSP: So we meet again, Uzumaki Naruto...
[...]
Ikari: Shit!!
Raikiru: ?!
Having created yet another blast in between them, the two men were sent flying on their backs, only to force themselves up again, ready for yet another clash. Ikari's main problem was that he couldn't overdo his attacks' power, as that could in worst case scenario, kill Raikiru, and that was not his intent, however, if he didn't use enough power in his attacks, he wouldn't even able to land a scratch on him, and thus, the battle went basically nowhere as of now.
Ikari: This isn't working at all... I wonder if the other Kages are doing any better... !!
Staring at Raikiru, Ikari noticed that his beaming red eyes suddenly disappeared, as if the mind-control had been broken. Running over to him, Ikari tried yet another time to get through to him, knowing that he had to act fast if he was to make an impact.
Ikari: Did something happen to Raigo?! Oi, Raikiru, can you hear me??
Raikiru: Ikari??... I-... What is going on, my head feels like it is going to explode...
Ikari: I need to know while I still have you with me... What do you remember??
Raikiru: Everything, and it hurts like hell, I... I don't know what to think anymore...
Ikari: The cause, are you still fighting for the same cause?? It is important that I know, it is important that you are still with me, still at our side!
Raikiru: I... Yes, I am with you Ika-...?! Aaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!
Ikari: ?! Gwuack!!!!
Out from within Raikiru suddenly came a powerful wave of red chakra as Ikari was blown away. As he got back to his senses, he looked up as Raikiru's entire body was beaming in red chakra, more powerful than it had been before.
Ikari: !! What just happe-...?!
Not hesitating for even a second, Raikiru came straight for him as the two exchanged several rounds before Ikari was blown away, landing on his back. Quickly getting up again, he saw that Raikiru came for him once more, this time even more fiercely.
Raikiru: Lightning Element: Thunder-Wrath, Storming Punch!
Ikari: !!
Just inches from Ikari's face, Raikiru's punch scratch his chin as Ikari only managed to dodge in the last second, coming in at him once more, Ikari fired up a Rasengan to defend himself as the two of them clashed. Great shockwaves teared up the earth around them as the two came face to face.
Ikari: Raikiru!!!!!
A huge blast sent them both flying as Ikari fell through some trees standing behind him in the distance. Landing hard on the ground, Ikari struggled hard to get up, trying to catch his breath. Coming out of the forest, Ikari saw Raikiru standing in front of him, and beside him-...
Ikari: ?! No, no, no, no... No way, it can't be?!?!!
Raigo: *Pant, Pant, Pant* Surprised??
Beside Raikiru stood Raigo, having returned back to them, however, the four other Kages were no place to be seen.
Ikari: *Pant* Impossible, what happened to-...
Raigo: I killed them... I told you I wasn't going to give up before you laid dead on the ground!!
Ikari: !! No... They can't-...
Raigo: But they are, and now, you will die too!
Leaping off towards him, and being joined by Raikiru, the odds had suddenly turned against Ikari's favor!
[...]
Kitsuke: Almost there, keep pressing the advance and victory will surely be ours!!
Zise: If we can defeat our opponents in one last battle, this war will end!
Rei: I won't back down, not now!!
Ibuki: I'm right behind you guys!
Still in battle, Kitsuke was commanding the entire allied force as they were slowly gaining in on the enemy shinobi. Having fought bravely in the Kages' absent, it seemed like the allied forces were doing better than anyone could have hoped for, however, the fierce storm on the horizon worried Kitsuke as they pressed on the attack.
Kitsuke: I can't say I like the look of the weather... I just hope you guys are doing your job as well, Ikari...
Inba: I'm sure they are fine, don't you worry...
Yoshi: Besides, it's the Kages we are talking about! If we worry too much about them, we won't be able to do our jobs here!
Kitsuke: You are right... Everyone, keep going!
[...]
SoSP: And I see that the wizard is here too... Figured, he did promise me that you two would eventually meet, and once you did... We two would meet again...
Naruto: ...
SoSP: Hmm, this place... We are not in the Underworld I see... Why have you recreated this place in the Overworld? Are you planning to make a reality out of it like I once did? I suppose it is not without reason that my soul was dragged here from the Underworld where Naruto sealed my reincarnated Edo-Tensei body??
Naruto: Me? No, I'm not the one who-...
SoSP: I wasn't really talking to you though...
??: There is a reason, yes...
SoSP: ...Time must have gone by fast, seeing you this old, Naruto... How many years has passed since we-...
Naruto: Too many to count...
SoSP: I see...
??: Now that you are here, we only need-...
Aragon: Where the hell am I??
Interrupting from the other side of the room, yet another strange figure appeared beside them.
??: The third wielder arrives... Aragon, this is the ruins of the Temple of Time... Or at least the imagination of it...
Aragon: If you are here Wizard, then that must mean...
Link: Aragon??! I heard legends of you! You were the one first to do battle against the Great King of Evil!
Aragon: Ganondorf, yes... Sadly, we were only able to seal him away... And you are??
Link: My name is-...
??: It can wait... The fourth wielder is here...
Approaching them came the final expected wielder of the sword that the Wizard had called for, as the first and second wielders were still no place to be seen, though, neither were they expected to begin with. Having at last gathered the third to eight wielders of the Master Sword, the Wizard could finally begin explaining, but first, he had to gain the men's attention...
Levi: This place... Is it the same as??
Ike: Temple of Time, yes we already know that! Can we please go on??
Xuan: Ike, it's not like you're in any rush to get back to being dead, is there?
Ike: Uhm... I suppose not...
Levi: The last thing I remember was my... Death?? Hmm... Did Ganondorf die??
Aragon: Ganondorf?? So he broke the seal and returned from the Sacred Realm??
Levi: Yes... After slaying the resurrected Demon King Demise, Ganondorf's beastly transformation of Ganon reverted back to his human form... That is when I found the Master Sword within the Lost Woods and-...
Aragon: The Lost Woods... Oh, the Master Sword had to be hidden away there because the Temple of Time was destroyed during the Hyrulean War... I suppose the Temple was rebuilt after the war came to an end, and-...
Levi: Indeed, and after I retrieved it, I went up against Ganondorf... I suppose I was able to slay him, but it cost my life, did it not?? Hmm... Yes, I am certain I did...
Link: Aragon and Levi... You two were my predecessors, the ones to fight the Great King of Evil before me...
Levi: Before you??
Link: Yes... Millenniums after your great tales ended, the Great King of Evil returned... I don't know how, but in the end, I was able to kill him for good as his body turned into stone with the sword stuck into his head and-...
Xuan: Then, after I retrieved the sword from his head ages later-...
Ike: And after the Unification war of the Three Kingdoms was brought to an end after I inherited the sword from you grandpa, the sword was then brought here-...
SoSP: So that I could retrieve it and go up against the Jubi-...
Naruto: Before handing it over to me so I could escape the Underworld Dimension and break your technique... I don't know who the two first wielders were, but-...
Aragon: So that is why we are here... All the wielders of the Master Sword... But, without the one who created the sword, we are but one short, are we not??
Naruto: Two short actu-...
Aragon: No... This guy... He was the second wielder of the sword...
Naruto: !!
Pointing at the Wizard, the third wielder, Aragon, was confident in his claim.
Naruto: Huh??
SoSP: So it was as I had expected...
??: In some way, it is true... However, I've been more of a guide to you guys through time, than a wielder of the sword itself, that is why I don't like to view myself as-...
Aragon: Don't flatter yourself Great Wizard, you were the one to bring the sword to the Temple of Time in the first place, before that, the sword was nothing more than a powerful item... The first wielder, he was the one to defeat the Demon King Demise, but hearing how he got resurrected from Levi here, I suppose there are really no way to bring Peace that will last for good, is there??
Naruto: Wait, if you were a wielder of the Master Sword once, then that must mean that your heart really is pure, does it not??
Link: About that, how come you still live if you were around in Aragon's time??
??: Age is but a number, there are more things in this world that remains a mystery...
Ike: So you're immortal then??
??: No...
Xuan: Hmm... Okay, whatever you say...
??: Let's move on, shall we? The first wielder... His name was Revan, and he forged the Master Sword as his own blade... He came to earth looking for someone, and that was when I met with him... The rest, is history...
Ike: Revan... That name sounds so familiar... Did he have an alternative name that he was known for?
Naruto: What do you mean??
Link: ...
??: Ahh... You are talking about the dream, are you not??
SoSP: The dream?
Ike: Yes, I was told by someone claiming to be the Hero of Time to come and rest the Master Sword here as the war came to an end, that is how it ended up here to begin with, at least in this Temple's ruins that is...
Link: The Hero of Time?? Yes, that must be the first wielder of the sword, that is at least what the legends said...
SoSP: I see... So since the Goddess was the first wielder's guide and Master, it makes sense for her to tell me to find the sword here after you, Ike...
Link: The Goddess?? As in the Goddess Hylia??
SoSP: Indeed, that was her name... But not much is known about her...
Ike: Hmm...
Xuan: ...
Naruto: So that sums up all the wielders then?...
??: Yes... Revan the first wielder, I, the second wielder, Aragon, the third wielder, Levi, the forth wielder, Link, the fifth wielder, Xuan, the sixth wielder, Ike, the seventh wielder and you, the eight wielder...
Going over to the Sage, the Wizard put his hand on his shoulder as he closed his eyes for a brief second. Just as he did, the other past wielders gathered in a circle beside them.
Naruto: So that makes me the ninth then?
Coming up to them as well, Naruto decided to just pay attention to the situation rather than thinking too much about it, as the Wizard continued.
SoSP: ...
??: There are in fact only eight wielders of the Master Sword, Naruto...
Opening his eyes again, the Wizard turned his attention towards him, as Naruto could not really make any sense of what he just said.
Naruto: What do you mean?
??: If you can fulfill the two remaining requirements and lift the Curse, then you will know what I mean... Now, for why I have summoned you all here... The Master Sword... It is a timeless artifact, a magical sword that can be used as a portal through time... However, to be able to do just that, the sword needs to be restored to its former glory... And for that, it needs every wielders' strength but one... Revan he... You will meet with him later on Naruto, and when you do, you will know what must be done... Now, go and retrieve the sword, Naruto... It is time for the ritual.
Naruto: ??
For once in a long time, Naruto was not the one with all the answers... Everything he had learned, what he had become as the new Great Toad Sage at Mt. Myobokuzan, every bit of it felt like it was forgotten, as if he was back to his youth, his younger-self. It was something strange about the whole situation taking place, and Naruto could simply not even begin to grasp it. Doing as the Wizard said, Naruto went to retrieve the sword as he quickly got back in line right afterwards. The eight men were now gathered together, everyone with their attention towards the middle of the circle.
Naruto: Okay, what now?
??: The Master Sword...
Reaching his right hand out in the air, the Wizard looked at the six other wielders as they all suddenly had their own version of the Master Sword on their backs, everyone except for the Wizard himself...
??: Draw your swords men...
Link: This is it...
Ike: Let's see if Peace can finally happen, huh...
Doing as he said, all six of them drew their swords as they reached them up in the air, connecting with each others' tip as they did. Doing the same shortly thereafter, Naruto was as if waiting for someone, having a puzzled look on his face.
Naruto: What about you Wizard?? If you really are the second wielder, shouldn't you-...
??: ...
SoSP: Oh... So that is how... I finally understand what you meant back then now Great Wizard... So this is why it was important that my meeting with Naruto went as you had planned... So the final piece has finally fallen into place... And my soul can finally rest in peace now, I am glad... To the afterlife men...
Naruto: Old Man-Sennin, what are you talking about??
SoSP: You will see soon... These two meetings have been much fun Naruto, now only time will tell if you were able to fulfill the task I left behind...
Link: Now!
Naruto: ??
??: One legendary weapon, all but one wielder emerges...
Aragon: Together our souls connects, and the Master Sword finally awakens once again...
Levi: The portal through time shall open, and we shall be one yet again!
Link: The sword we wield, as evil shall forever be vanquished!
Xuan: Through pain and suffering, we rise to free the land!
Ike: With each strike we punish, those who stand against justice!
SoSP: And with the Master sword in hand and our hearts set towards one goal... Peace shall forever triumphant! Later, Naruto! Give it your best until the very end!
??: ...
Taking a step back, the Wizard watched as the seven versions of the Master Sword began beaming in a bright light before them, before they all emerged into Naruto's version with the bright light retracting into it.
??: It is done, the Master Sword has been restored... You will now be able to make the journey, Naruto... But first, you will have to overcome the second requirement...
Naruto: ...
??: Defeating me!!
Shouting out, the Wizard went into battle-position as the situation suddenly turned from peaceful to dead-serious. As he did, the Skyworld Dimension slowly begun to vanish, returning them to the real world as the past wielders of the sword disappeared one by one, with smiles on their faces. They had all passed their will and their trust to Naruto, and it was solely up to him now, the last one with the Master Sword in his possession. He knew what he had to do now as he had but one mission; to overcome the Wizard's challenge and finally bring on True Peace. This would be Naruto's final test, even if the journey was still long and far ahead of him.
Naruto: Fine, let's do this then!!
??: Don't hold anything back, no matter what happens!!
Naruto was about to commence the greatest battle of his life!
[...]
Ikari: Uwaaa!! Ug-h... Gwuack!!
Receiving countless blows, Ikari was tossed around as he struggled to get back up on his feet. He could not believe it, did really this Raigo guy kill all the other Kages, all by himself, in one foul swoop?!
Ikari: I-.... Can't-... Fail... Damn it, damn it all!! My plan was not suppose to fail... The rest, if they really are dead, how am I suppose to beat this guy?! Damn it, how could I let this happen?!
Falling to his right knee, Ikari looked beaten up. He had come this far, this close to ending the war, he just couldn't fail here... If he was to fall now, everything would have been for granted...
Raigo: You have fought well, but this is the end for you and your kind... This land is mine, I thought I already told you that!!
Walking closer towards Ikari, Raigo seemed eager to bring the battle to an end as Ikari finally managed to stand up to his feet again. His Sennin Mode was just about to run out of gas, and he had to think of something, anything to turn this around.
Ikari: I promised I wouldn't let anyone else die on my watch, I... If I don't end this war here, everyone I ever cared for will... No, I can't let that happen!! I won't-... That's?!
Raigo: !! You...
Just as it seemed like all hope was lost, unexpected back-up suddenly arrived. It was Utakata, and he was still alive! Badly beaten up, he was clutching to his right side, but despite the wound, he was still standing on his feet.
Utakata: I am not done with you yet, you coward!!
Raigo: ... Oh, so you are still alive I see...
Ikari: Utakata!!
Stopping by his side, Utakata had a concerned look on his face. Would the two of them be enough to turn this tide around?
Ikari: The other Kages?? What happened?!
Utakata: They are dead... This guy... He's stronger than any opponent I have ever faced before... Even the four of us weren't enough to stop him, *Cough, Cough!*
Ikari: Oi, Utakata?!
Having to catch him from falling, Ikari realized the bad shape he was in, and the worst part was that Ikari had no way to help him recover either. Without medical attention, it could only head one way.
Utakata: Don't, I can still fight...
Raigo: Hah, you are already dead, you just don't know it yet!! Perhaps I should have double-checked to make sure that you were dead earlier before returning here... Oh well, guess I just have to make sure to be more efficient this time around then...
Ikari: If you fight...
Utakata: There is no other way Ikari... Stick to the plan, get Raikiru back to us... With his help, I'm certain we will be able to win this!!
Ikari: Wait-... Shit!
Racing off towards Raigo, Ikari saw no other choice than to follow as he clashed with Raikiru once more. The battle was entering its final phase, and the outcome of it would literally decide the war... Fighting for some minutes, the battle seemed to stall for a bit when something dramatic suddenly happened. First, Ikari clashed with Raikiru using his Rasengan, but as he did, he saw in his rear-sight that Raigo outmaneuvered Utakata, and due to this, Ikari lost control over his own attack as he came face to face with Raikiru.
Ikari: ?! Utakata?!!
Utakata: Ugh-...
Raigo: Die!!
Ikari: !!
Blocking Utakata's advance, Raigo drew his sword as he pierced it straight through his stomach, lifting him high up in the air as he did. Focusing on this event taking place beside him, Ikari let his feelings take over as he powered up his Rasengan way more than he had originally thought to. Smashing straight through Raikiru's guard, Ikari sent him flying through the air as Raikiru bumped his head into a small rock as he landed, causing his body to fall motionless on the ground.
Ikari: Shit, I used too much power?!!
Running over to him, Ikari tried checking on him, but before he even got the chance to, Raigo came swinging in with his sword, forcing Ikari to get some distance.
Ikari: !! Utakata?!
Remembering what he had witnessed, Ikari ran over to him to discover what he had feared. Utakata was dead, and with him, died the last hope Ikari had at turning this battle around in his favor. The situation was dense, hopeless to say the least, but could he still find a way through it, to come out on top??
Raigo: No, no, no, Raikiru... My son!!
Ikari: ...
Holding Raikiru in his arms, Raigo seemed to fall in an uncontrollable rage. Looking up at Ikari, he was more serious than he ever had been before.
Raigo: Now you've done it... Now you've really done it!!
Ikari: Raikiru, he's not... He can't be...
Raigo: My son is dead, and you will pay for it!! Summoning Technique!!
Slamming his hand into the ground, Raigo summoned six large salamanders beneath him as the one Raigo was riding on top of, reached its long sticky tongue out and picked Raikiru's body up, storing him inside his mouth.
Raigo: Prepare to die!!
Leaping off towards Ikari, Raigo was set to end this battle once and for all.
Ikari: Summoning Technique!!
Not having time to think up a strategy, Ikari used his last bit of Sennin Mode to summon his own army as ten different toads appeared underneath and around him.
Ikari: You have caused enough pain already Raigo, I will kill you, if it is the last thing I do!!
Clashing hard, the two men fought for their lives, each one desperately to defeat the other.
[...]
A tense and dark feeling filled the air, this was the moment Naruto knew would eventually come, in one way or the other, the one thing he had set his mind on and prepared for, for the past 100ed or so years. He had to overcome the Wizard, to be able to fulfill his promise, no matter what. It was his Ninja Way, to never back down on the promises he made. This was one of them, and he was finally this close to fulfilling his destiny...
Naruto: !!
Not holding anything back, Naruto went with his best techniques right off the bat, but whatever technique he used or whenever he seemingly connected with the Wizard with one of them, none of what he tried seemed to have any effect, whatsoever. Even his Rasengan had a direct hit, but it was as if it was just sucked into the Wizard's body without even as much as an effort having to be made from his side, to be able to prevent Naruto's attacks from taking any damage on his body. He was just standing there, still in the same battle-position, as it felt like time almost stopped completely before them.
Naruto: Is this the same as the Rinnegan's powers?? No... There is something else taking play here, but what??
The Wizard was more powerful than he had expected, and in one way, he really seemed immortal. But why could he not land a single scratch on his body? The Wizard didn't even seem to bother dodging, as he was just standing there, watching as Naruto sent technique after technique his way. The strange thing was that, whenever he tried using something more advanced, it was as if the technique were sucked out of his hands before he even got to fully created them, yet along go for the Wizard with them in hand. There was something else happening, and Naruto could feel it. It was like a strange dream where Naruto in one moment was attacking, and in the next, he was just standing there looking the Wizard's way.
Naruto: What is going on?! Why am I not able to utilize any of my stronger techniques, yet along land a hit on your body with any of my weaker ones?? It is not Genjutsu either, so what are you up to??
??: ...It won't work like that, Naruto... You have to use your Sennin Mode, that is the only way you can weaken me... I already know every one of your attacks, and the only way you can actually deal any damage to me, is by using the way of the old, before my time. Combine the Master Sword with your natural chakra, that way, you can do it... However, it certainly won't be easy!
Naruto: ?!
??: I am but a shallow vessel for chakra to blossom. Everything related to it won't have any effect. The reason is simple, and everything shall be clear if you can defeat me!! Even if I am your opponent now, I am still your ally... We walk the same path, but we are but two separate beings... Think of me as a shadow, mimicking your every move... You have to think outside the box, to use speed faster than I am able to keep up with. I can read your mind, but I already know the future... Neither good nor evil, I will not respond to either force directly. Have a clear mind, but strike with intent, as only the Master Sword can terminate my long overdue existence. I believe you can do it, Naruto, you will be the one to finally bring past and future to one dimension. Two paths shall become one, and Peace shall remain as the only way forward...
Naruto: I can't even begin to understand, I-...
??: Do not think, just act!
Reaching out for his back, the Wizard suddenly had his own version of the Master Sword in his hand as he came charging in for Naruto.
Naruto: I don't know what you mean, but if that is the way you want it, if there is only one way defeating you, so be it...
Drawing his sword as well, Naruto prepared himself as Kurama's voice emerged from within him.
Kurama: Whatever you do Naruto, do not underestimate this guy. We are close, close to realizing your dream, but, we have to see things through properly... If you can't use my chakra or your own to defeat him, you will have to use your willpower and strength alone. I know you can do this, just never give up and trust your instincts!!
Naruto: I will not fail, Kurama!! Go forth, Sennin Mode!
[...]
Ikari: !!
Raigo: Aaaaarrrrrrghhh!!
The battle had raged on for about an hour now, and it had both had its ups and downs. But even though both sides seemingly had had the battle in their favor each their turn, it was now that the strongest of the two was beginning to show. Taking care of Ikari's last toad, Raigo was still standing two salamanders strong, and to top it all, Ikari's Sennin Mode finally ran out of gas.
Ikari: *Pant, pant, pant...*
Raigo: So your Sennin Mode finally ended huh... Very well, I suppose I should end this no-... ??
Ikari: ?! What is this?!! Could it be?!
Just as Raigo was about to fire off an attack, Ikari's entire body began beaming in all sorts of colorful chakra. It was as if his strength returned back to him in an instant, and that his powers were amplified by several times over.
Ikari: What is happening with me?! This chakra... Naruto's??!
Feeling the chakra flow through him, Ikari could feel Naruto's own chakra burning strong from deep within his core. Just like he was able to suddenly throw his RasenShuriken, and how he suddenly was able to utilize lightning element in his battle with Raika, this had to be the same connection that he had felt before. Just what could it be, and when- even how had Naruto been able to transfer some of his powers to him? This time he was certain, it just had to be when he healed his broken arm before, but with no time to analyze it further, Ikari knew that he had to utilize this power-up while he still could. Drawing both his swords from his back, Ikari leaped off with incredible speed, spinning around as he sliced the two salamanders feet, forcing them to fall over.
Raigo: !! What the hell?!
Jumping up in the air, Ikari span several times over before he swung both his swords with massive force, Raigo's way, whom only could block his attempt with his own sword to avoid getting hit. The clash was so hard that both of Ikari's swords broke in the process, leaving a large crack in Raigo's sword. Following up with a Rasengan as he span around, Ikari smashed it right through Raigo's guard, breaking his sword in two and sending him flying through the air. Landing on the ground again, Ikari's hands transformed into two razor-sharp wind-blades as he went straight for the salamander with Raikiru in its mouth. Slashing at its jaw, the salamander's mouth opened up wide as its tongue rolled out and Raikiru's body fell out on the ground beside him. Disappearing in smoke, the salamander was no more as Ikari concentrated his remaining attack on the other salamander, unleashing a powerful hurricane which pierced straight through it in one fatal blow. Pausing for a bit, Ikari went over to Raikiru as he checked on him.
Ikari: Hmm... As I though, he's still-...
Looking down at Raikiru, Ikari was about to examine him further when Raigo suddenly came straight for him, having recovered from the previous blast.
Raigo: Leave my dead son's body alone!!
Ikari: !! Let's see if this actually works...
Before Raigo could even get close, Ikari disappeared in thin air, reappearing right behind his back as he sent a powerful punch straight his way.
Ikari: This is it! 6th Gate of Wonder, Open!!
Raigo: The Eight Gates?! Gwuack-...
Sending Raigo flying at incredible speed, Ikari was all over the place, smashing and tearing his armor apart. Combining the gates with his Flying Thunder God, Ikari went by so fast that Raigo could only take the damage that was being dealt to him. His armor was practically on fire as he hit the ground, sending him several meters down into it in the process. Ikari was exhausted... This was it, it just had to be and he knew it. Landing on the ground again, Ikari took a deep breath.
Ikari: *Pant, Pant...*
Watching closely as the smoke was settling, Ikari was just about to head over to check the crater out when a hand landed on the surface, then another...
Ikari: !!
He couldn't believe it, there was no way he could still be... Watching as Raigo slowly dragged himself up from the hole, Ikari looked panic-struck. He had nothing more to give, and he was totally out of it. If that didn't take care of Raigo, what would? Finally being able to stand to his feet again, only his armor's lower-body remained, with the rest slowly regenerating as he approached Ikari.
Raigo: My-...Will-...Shall-...Triumphant...
Ikari: Ugh-...
Leaping off towards him, Raigo sent a kick straight to Ikari's groin, sending him tumbling over as he did, and just as Ikari hit the ground, Raigo then grabbed a hold onto his hair as he pulled him up to his knees.
Ikari: Ah-...
Raigo: Ahahahahahahaha!! I win!!
Laughing out as he drew out a short-blade that he had holstered at his side, Raigo placed it at Ikari's throat, ready to end his life at any moment.
Raigo: I haven't felt this alive since I battled the leaders of the four clans in my own land... Congratulation, you were this close to defeating me, however, it was not enough, Hokage...
Ikari: ...
Reaching out for his hand, Ikari could only try to keep the blade away from his throat, but it was to no use. He had no strength left, and Raigo could feel it.
Raigo: No you don't... You see, it was always meant to end this way... With all of you pesky Kages gone, I will lead my forces to crushing victory... Then, peace can finally happen...
Ikari: I-...
Raigo: This is the end for you, but before you die, I want you to know something...
Ikari: ...
Raigo: Raiba he... He knew there was a powerful shinobi among your forces... He warned me that if the allied forces continued to gain victory after victory, then there was no way we could win this war. However, this strong man amongst your ranks had a weakness... This girl named Rin, yes, I think that was her name, was it not??
Ikari: !!
Raigo: He urged me to have her dealt with to upset you guys enough to make a mistake, and guess what, it did its trick... During that battle, I ordered a group of assassins to look for her...
Ikari: You did what?!-...
Raigo: I'm not done talking!!
Pressing the blade even closer to his skin, Ikari had to cease talking to avoid having the blade pierce his throat.
Raigo: She died like the squealing pig she were, and shortly thereafter, everything went our way!!
Ikari: !! You bastard!!
Raigo: I suppose it was only fair that you got your revenge killing my two brothers though, but with your death here, we can finally be even...
Ikari: I-... I did not kill Raiba...
Raigo: ...
Ikari: He was too-...Strong...
Raigo: Really now... Then who killed him?
Ikari: Does it matter?? Nothing can change the past, the future is all that matters now...
Raigo: I suppose that is true, for once we agree on something... And that is why... That is why you will have to die too...
Ikari: No, I will, I will-...
He wanted so badly to kill this guy, and even with all his taunts, Ikari could do nothing to get back on him. He was completely powerless to do anything. He had failed, failed to protect his friends and those he cared about, failed to complete his duty as Hokage. All the trust everyone had put in him, just so that it could end this way??
Ikari: I-... I'm finished... I've failed everyone... Rin... I'm sorry...
Raigo: Bwuhahaha, there is no time for regrets now!
Ikari: You might as well kill me Raigo... I have nothing more to give...
Raigo: ...
Ikari: Just kill me you bastard, what are you waiting for?!
Raigo: You are the strongest opponent I ever have battled Hokage, but still, I was never suppose to lose, and that is why you lost here today... My undefeated streak continues to rise! And now... Now, you will die!!!
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: Nooooo!!!
Raigo: ?! Gwu-ack!!...
Ikari: ??!!
Blood spat on Ikari's face, however, even how likely it would seem, it was definitely not his own. Raigo's blade fell to the ground before him as Ikari jumped forward to get away while he could, and as he turned around to see what exactly happened, he saw the unthinkable.
Raigo: Gukk-... Rai-Kiru, you...
Having drawn a blade of his own, Raikiru had jumped in and pierced it right through his own father's neck from behind. Blood dripped on the ground as Raigo only barely managed to turn his head to the side, and at the realization of his own son still being alive, and being the one to kill him, he tumbled over face first. Ikari was shocked to say the least, as Raikiru had only bumped his head, causing him to fall temporary unconscious. Having awakened again, Raikiru saw that his father was about to kill Ikari, and acting on his instincts, his body moved by itself before his mind even managed to gather a proper thought.
Ikari: Raikiru... Why??
Raikiru: I... I know who I am now, who I used to be... My father's way was wrong, and I could not let his lust for death and pain continue... I-... I realize now that who I was before, no longer is who I am today. Ikari, you are my friend, and I believe you are the one to bring much deserved peace to this land, and that is why, why I chose to believe in you...
Ikari: !!
Raikiru had killed his own father to save him... If this wasn't an act of his true allegiance, then nothing could ever prove otherwise. Going over to Ikari, Raikiru reached his hand out, helping him up to his feet again. The battle was over, but it had definitely had its costs. Ikari was struggling to stand, but he knew there and then... The war was finally over.
Raikiru: So what happens now?...
Ikari: I... I don't know... What are you thinking?
Raikiru: I... I will take command over my forces, over the Rai clan... It is time I led them on a proper path...
Ikari: Are you sure?? How??
Raikiru: I didn't tell you earlier, but... Once I entered the enemy main camp, not a single guard attacked me... They know who I am Ikari... Who I used to be... With Raido's help, we can bring an end to this war, to all the pain and suffering that my clan has caused, I am sure of it...
Reaching his hand out once more, Raikiru had a smile on his face. For the first time in a long while, he was confident that the future would bring prominent and prospering days to all of them. Grabbing a hold onto Raikiru's hand, a truce of peace was made between the two forces.
Raikiru: Guess I should head back to the camp and take command...
Ikari: I should head back to tell Kitsuke about the latest news... With Raigo taken care off, the enemy-... Your troops should withdraw...
Raikiru: Yes... Let's meet up again afterwards to make things final...
Bidding their farewell for now, Raikiru grabbed a hold onto Raigo's black horse who was standing by a tree feeding on some grass as he headed back to his camp. Ikari on the other hand, sat down for a few minutes, gathering up chakra for one last ride. Disappearing from view, Ikari then reappeared by the allied main camp's border as the battle there had come to an end. Meeting with Kitsuke and the rest, the remaining enemy troops had already surrendered as Ikari informed them of the situation. Regretting the other Kages death, Kitsuke then commanded their forces together with Ikari, as they all headed towards the enemy main camp with their prisoners. Eventually arriving there a few hours later, they were met by Raikiru and Raido at the gate of the main camp, as they brought out their remaining forces, all of them being unarmed. The war had come to an end, and as a meeting to find out what to do next had to soon be set, Ikari had a feeling that he had something else he had to take care of first before anything.
Kitsuke: Oi, Ikari, where are you going??
Raikiru: Yes, we still need to figure things out...
Raido: ...
Ikari: It can wait, I'm sure you guys have things under control from here on and out.
Kitsuke: But you are the only Kage left alive at the moment! How can we get anywhere without your approval?
Inba: Yeah... Something bothering you, Ikari??
Yoshi: He's worried Inba, I can clearly tell...
Ikari: I-... I will be back before you know it... And then, then we can agree on a meeting to figure things out...
Zise: ...Well, if you feel like you have something to take care of kid, then do it.
Rei: But you better be fast...
Ibuki: Ikari...
Ikari: Right, I'll be seeing you then...
Arriving at Mt. Myobokuzan a few moments later, Ikari then met with Fukasaku, just outside the Great Temple's entrance.
Fukasaku: So Naruto was right putting his trust in you, Ikari... You have come far, further than I had expected. You truly are a real Toad Sage, the very next one in line...
Ikari: It is done, the war is over... It is finally over, Fukasaku...
Fukasaku: Hmm...
Ikari: And Naruto??
Fukasaku: He-...
Ikari: I know he's gone to see the Wizard like the future had predicted, I could feel his true emotion through his chakra...
Fukasaku: Through his chakra??
Ikari: No time to explain, I need to know, I need to know where he went to meet him...
Realizing that there was no point hiding it away from Ikari any further, Fukasaku gave him the coordinates as Ikari was gone in a flash before him.
Fukasaku: So it all finally comes to an end... Naruto, it is all up to you now...
[...]
Naruto: *Pant, Pant*
??: You are getting there, but you still need to advance with greater intent! Do not sway from your path, believe in yourself and Peace shall happen!
Naruto: Whatever I do, nothing seems to work!! This battle will go on forever, as long as you are able to read through my every move and defend against them! It's like you know my moves before I even think to make them, like you know how this battle will play out before it has even managed to advance properly. How am I suppose to beat a shadow?!
??: ...You have several allies, use them!
Naruto: !!
Realizing what he meant, Naruto ventured inside himself as every Tailed Beast, including the Ten Tails, added their opinions. However, all except for one seemed to help Naruto no further, as it wasn't until Kurama added his opinion that Naruto knew what he had to do.
Kurama: To overcome your shadow, you have to do the unexpected, the one thing not even a shadow can mirror or predict!...
Naruto: Right!!
??: ...
Leaping forward, Naruto readied his sword.
??: Now or never kid, do it!!
Naruto: Aaaaaaarrrrggghhh!!
Readying his sword, Naruto swung it as the Wizard did the same to counter, but as the swords were about to connect with each other, Naruto suddenly let his guard down before him.
??: ?!
Naruto: Gwuack-...
Swinging his sword down towards the ground and missing his target on purpose, just as the two swords were about to connect with each other, Naruto got hit by the Wizard's sword instead, as the sword buried itself deep down into him between his head and his right shoulder, causing him to spit blood up in the process. Was it a fatal blow or did Naruto have some sort of plan up his sleeves?
??: !! What are you doing?!
Just standing there, Naruto took the hit head on as the Wizard looked at him with a puzzled look.
??: ...-Ugh?!
Just a moment later after getting hit, Naruto flung his sword forward as it pierced the Wizard through his stomach, causing him to fall backwards and lose grip of his own sword which was still stuck into Naruto, as he did.
Naruto: ...There is only one Master Sword, is there not?? I had to immobilize yours before I could really use my own...
Grabbing a hold onto the sword stuck in his shoulder, Naruto dragged it out as it started vaporizing into thin air before him. Just as it did, Naruto's wound healed in the process, as if he wasn't even injured to begin with.
Naruto: It's not my healing powers that are healing the wound... Now I understand how your technique worked... The thing is, even though it was not Genjutsu you used, your version of the Master Sword was just an illusion... Even though you were able to go toe to toe with my Master Sword and effectively render all my techniques useless, your version was still not able to attack, only parry and deflect my own attacks. The Master Sword is able to oppose all evil, and since "Ninjutsu" is a result of the Jubi, the one wielding the Master Sword is able to resist any technique... In the end, a shadow can't do something before the user does, and thus, I was able to read through your move this time instead of the other way around... That is why, even though I was hit by your Master Sword replica, it really had no effect on me...
??: ...So you figured it out, did you not... Well done, ugh-...
Having let go of his sword, the Master Sword was still stuck through the Wizard's abdomen. He had a surprised look on his face, but at the same time, it was a look of a satisfied man.
??: It seems that with each timeline, the ending takes place differently... That is why I wasn't able to realize how you were suppose to defeat me before you actually did, and intercept your fatal strike...
Naruto: What do you mean??
Looking at him, Naruto noticed that tiny, tiny bits of clothes and skin started to fall off from the Wizard's body, vaporizing into the air as they did. Had Naruto's move done the trick? Was this really the end of their battle?
??: It is finally happening... After all these years, my job is finally done, my destiny fulfilled... So I can finally rest now, and be rejoined with my family and friends beyond the skies... Thank you, Naruto, my soul can finally be free again now...
Naruto: What are you-...
??: Naruto, haven't you figured it out yet?? Haven't you figured out who I really am?
Naruto: !!
It was then, in that very moment, that Naruto started realizing what the Wizard had been onto, all along. Reaching down to the sword stuck through him, the Wizard pulled it out of himself as he tossed it over to Naruto whom caught it mid-air, wiping the blood on it off and holstering it on his back as he did. Using his remaining strength, the Wizard then reached up to his helmet, as he slowly removed it from his head and tossed it on the ground before them. Seeing this, Naruto could not believe what he saw... His face finally came into view, and for some reason, the Wizard looked just like someone he knew, but he had no idea how that was even possible to begin with, could the Wizard really be...
Naruto: You are-... How is this possible?!
Jubi: !!
Kurama: Naruto, that is!! So this is why we weren't able to sense his chakra to begin with, because he is the same as...
Looking at him, the Wizard looked exactly like a younger version of himself, of Naruto. What type of technique was this?? How could the Wizard be no other than a younger-self of Naruto himself??
Naruto: Am I-... No... The Sage too looked like me... Are we both reincarnations of you somehow??
Kurama: That is not it Naruto, this is different... If you remember the Sage's chakra, he definitely had his own sense, his own smell... This man however, he really is-...
??: I am you, Uzumaki Naruto, we are the same being, the same man, the same soul, but from different periods of time... It's kind of hard to explain, but I will enlighten you more on the matter before my time is up, I promise you... I am of the past, but I still am the future you...
Naruto: ?! But, but...
It couldn't be... All the time Naruto had spent preparing for this destined meeting, a meeting that would decide whether True Peace would finally happen or not... Only so that he could meet with himself from the future?? How was that even possible to begin with, yet along a younger-looking version of himself?? If this was his Future-Self, would this mean that Naruto still had a long way to go before he could fulfill his destiny, and was this how it all would finally come to an end? Naruto had never been so confused in his entire life, yet, it all started to make some sense now, and as Naruto was pondering on how it all was possible, his Future-Self went on explaining.
Future Naruto: I don't have much time to explain, so I'll have to be brief... Even though we have walked two different paths, we are still the same man... You are not the ninth wielder of the Master Sword like you thought, Naruto, but in truth, you are the second wielder of the sword... You just happened to claim it at two different periods of time...
Naruto: ...
Future Naruto: You weren't able to sense my chakra, because we are the same man... You could only sense your own, and that is why it seemed like I wasn't human... The Tailed Beasts, although they no longer exist inside my body, their chakra still remains inside of me...
Naruto: I...
Future Naruto: So as you can understand, the reason I know so much about you, about your past, is because I am you, and because I've been through the same as you, ages ago, I knew everything you would do, every choice you would make... I knew that this day was always meant to be my last... That in some twisted way, I could only die by the hands of my Past-Self, for True Peace to ever happen...
Naruto: Your Past-Self... So this really means that I will end up like you, and that this is the place where we... Die?
It was like his entire body suddenly felt the pain of dying... It was still not Naruto's day to die, but at the same time, it also was, as in the end, if this really was him from the future, then Naruto knew there and then how it all would come to a close. This was how he would end up dying, by his very own hands of all things... Was this really the only way, was this truly his fate?
Future Naruto: Eventually, yes... And like I just realized, each time-period creates a different ending, but no matter how different it is, how different it seems, how different either one of us acts, the outcome will always be the same, just like it was last time when I made the same choice as you... It's been 7000 years since I was in your shoes, since I made that choice you just made... That day... You must be feeling the same as I did. In truthfulness, I don't really feel a thing now as my body slowly tears itself apart... I suppose, I went through the feeling of dying when I was in your shoes, that I've been prepared to die for so long, that-... I'm glad that I was able to go through with my final journey, only so I could end up here, at this very day... So in the end, the Past really did create the Future...
Naruto: 7000 years... That really is a long time... I don't know if I can wait that long before I-...
Future Naruto: The past and the future meets here... What I've been through, what you will go through... The reason you have to kill me is simple, because as long as the Jubi's powers still exist, this world can never have Peace, and since we are the same person, we can't continue to exist in the same Era... Ironically, the only way I could die, was by having a different version, a different time-period of myself, my Past-Self, kill me; but even so, I was never able to kill myself or die on purpose, before this very day...
Naruto: ...
Future Naruto: This was the destined choice you had to make, Naruto, the ultimate choice, the ultimate sacrifice of "killing" yourself... That is why I could not reveal my identity to neither you nor the Sage himself before, because if you were aware of who I was to begin with, you might not have been able to make the same choice, like you did...
Naruto: !! So that is what the Sage meant at the end... He realized that you and I, that we were the same...
Future Naruto: Yes...
Naruto: I see...
Future Naruto: And the worst part about this whole thing, about our meeting, *Cough, Cough...* Is that you would have already made that choice before realizing what choice you actually were making. The choice of Life and Death, that you were destined to make, the choice that I would "give" you... The only way True Peace could ever happen, was with the Jubi and ourselves... Gone from this world, Uzumaki Naruto... And even with the Curse of the Jubi gone, there are no certainty that it actually will happen the way we have dreamt about, because neither one of us will be here to witness it...
Naruto: I can't even, how can we-...
Future Naruto: From this day onward, we can only believe that with the Curse gone, Peace will last eternally, and so, we will have to believe in the future generations, to put our fate in them, that they can walk hand-in-hand and have a mutual understanding of each others' feelings, like we did together with our friends and fellow shinobi of the past...
Naruto: Ikari and the Shinobi World Alliance... So all we can do from this day onward is to believe? That with the Curse of the Jubi, which binds Shinobi to eternal fighting lifted, men will once again be free to make up their own minds and destinies?
Future Naruto: Yes... However, the Curse is not lifted just yet...
Naruto: !!
Future Naruto: And time is starting to run out as we speak...
Looking at him, the whole lower-part of his Future-Self's body had already vaporized as only his upper-part remained.
Future Naruto:This brings us over to the third requirement to lift the Curse of the Jubi, the most important one yet...
Naruto: And that is?? What is the final requirement??...
Slowly, but steadily, more and more parts of his Future-Self's body continued to vaporize before him... Was this really Naruto's ultimate destiny?? Could there really be no Peace without him having to go through all this first? If this was the truth, then Naruto's journey had only just begun, as a long and hard path was still ahead of him, waiting for him to one day, return to this place and to this very meeting.
Future Naruto: To lift the Curse, and hopefully create True Eternal Peace, Naruto... The last requirement that is set, is for you to use the Master Sword as a Link through Time, and travel 7000 years back in time... This is why you met with the previous wielders, to be able to awaken the Master Sword's true abilities, to put the sword to its final rest... That is your current destiny, the last thing you will do before you leave this world, as the sword... It can not be taken with you through time, as there can only exist one Master Sword at a time... I'm sure you already understand this...
Naruto: Hmm... So the Master Sword holds the final Key, since hatred has existed longer than the Curse of the Jubi has... With it being placed to eternal rest, having vanquished all evil that ever stood up against its righteous might, no hatred will ever rise again from this day forward?
Future Naruto: Only time will tell, but personally, that is what I am lead to believe, and so, I suppose you will be lead to believe that as well, eventually... The thing is, since my time is up and you are traveling to the past, there is no way for either one of us to say what will happen starting tomorrow, but like I mentioned before, the afterlife probably holds the Key... As only time will tell in the end, and that is something I have finally run out of... I have played my part, my role, and whether True Eternal Peace was ever meant to be or not, that is for the future generations to figure out... All that is left for me now, is to die...
He spoke plainly for once, but something in what he said, made Naruto agree. His Future-Self had after all, opened up their meeting by stating that there probably wasn't even a Key to True Eternal Peace to begin with, wondering if it was actually possible. If he, after over 7000 years looking for that answer, had come to believe that it would happen after his time was up, then what was it that Naruto could think otherwise? For Naruto himself, there was only one thing he could do from this day onward, and that was to...
Naruto: Then I will choose to believe in that as well, like you do...
Future Naruto: You still have a long, long, long road ahead of you, I am afraid, and you can only rest once you get to where I am today... Once there in the past, you will first meet with the first wielder of the sword, Revan, and from there on and out, you will have to keep watch over the world, to make sure everything goes as it should, that everything falls into place...
Naruto: How will I know what to do, to make sure I go through the same steps as you?
Future Naruto: You will find your path, just like I found mine... It's not a matter of knowing what to do, it is a matter of doing what you think is right...
Naruto: Gotcha...
Future Naruto: Most importantly, once time has gone by and the Sage of Six Paths comes to be... It is important that you guide him like I once did, but from that day onward, you will have to keep your identity a secret... Even if you are tempted to change, to alter history, to prevent the Curse from ever happening... You will have to let history play out as it was always meant to be, because if you don't... You will never come to be, Uzumaki Naruto, and if you are never born, this meeting of ours can never take place and this world will forever be lost...
Naruto: I understand...
Future Naruto: Time-travel does a thing or two with you, and since the Master Sword only remembers a certain appearance of the one wielding it, you will find yourself looking younger once you touch ground again in the past, like you've been reborn somehow... You will still be you, but your humanity will have returned you back to what you used to be, back to the same person you were when you were around your best age of 30... You will no longer be the man you came to be once you climbed to immortality, but all of your experience, all of your wisdom, will be intact... You have to be careful though, because even if you don't age, you can still die prematurely... And if you die in the past, only the unthinkable will happen... For you to succeed, it is important that you keep a bright mind, and that you remember this meeting of ours...
Naruto: How did you endure all this?? Why were we chosen for this task??
Future Naruto: There are many things in this world that we can never truly understand, one of them, is destiny... And even with all our knowledge, even with the ability we once had to foresee the future, I still can't answer that question. It is as it is, and so it will always be... Fate can be a peculiar thing indeed, but perhaps the afterlife holds the Key to our final questions... The reason you have been feeling alive, mortal again, like you were on the edge of dying, the closer you got to this meeting, is because in one sense, you do die here today... We do die here today, Uzumaki Naruto... To watch your own death taking place before you, is... Strange to say the least... I can feel it is close now, and finally I'll be able to move on without any regrets...
Naruto: My-own-self-Sennin...
It was himself that was about to die, so of course Naruto could not help feeling sorry for him, but also, in some other way or form, he also felt relieved, because this meeting proved one thing, and that was the fact that no matter how hard or how long his road was still ahead of him, he would finally be able to move on in the end, and find his loved ones beyond the afterlife...
Future Naruto: ...Since chakra has yet to be... Since the Jubi has yet to be... Because you'll travel to the past, this day will be the last day you can ever converse with the Tailed Beast ever again, as even when time finally becomes the future once again, the Tailed Beasts will forever be gone...
Naruto: !! As in??
Kurama: That means... We will no longer exist? Once Naruto makes the time-travel, we will die? I see, so that is our fate then...
Jubi: I'm not sure if I like this plan, but if that is what needs to be done...
Future Naruto: Only the Jubi's chakra will remain inside you, Naruto... And when you finally do get to where I am today, the Jubi's chakra will also vanish when you die, and chakra will eventually disappear for good as the Curse ceases to be... I know it might be hard to grasp now, but that is how you will come to experience the past... Your powers will be absent for a very long time, and even though you might still feel the same, you will in one sense just be a regular human with some extra abilities to go along with... If you at any point lack motivation, just think of this day, when you finally will be able to move on, and I'm sure you will do fine... This is the final requirement, Naruto... Travel to the past and return to this meeting... To die by your own hands, that is our fate...
Naruto: So my destiny... It is far from over then...
Future Naruto: Indeed, this is where our paths goes each their separate way... All that remains now is for you to depart from this world... To say your last goodbyes to those you feel are needed... As the next time you step foot here and meet yourself like I just did, your time will finally come to an end too, and your task will be completed... If I had the time to, I would go visit their graves one last time, but alas, I suppose I will be better off seeing them in person instead...
Naruto: ...
Future Naruto: Do you know... What to do... From here on... And out??
Naruto: Yes... I am ready now, Naruto...
Future Naruto: Good... Get to where I am today... And you too can finally... Attend the journey... To the afterlife...
Naruto: You...
Even Naruto could not restrain himself witnessing his own future death happening before him as he struggled to keep his cool. It wasn't as much as him crying over his own death or that he was afraid of dying... It was that he was happy for himself, that he would finally be able to rejoin with his friends and family, something he himself had longed for, for a long time already, having been lead to believe that he had been chosen for eternal service at Mt. Myobokuzan, never to be able to move on and see his loved ones again. A tear left his eye-socket as it ran down his wrinkly old face...
Future Naruto: It is time... It has been forever since I last saw my family and friends... My wife Hinata, my children Jiraiya and Kushina, my grandson Minato, Ero-Sennin, father, mother, Kakashi-Sensei, Sakura-Chan, Sasuke, Gaara, Killerbee, and all the others... Now we can finally be reunited... At last-... At long last...
Only his face remained now as tears of joy begun to stream down his chin. His Future-Self's time finally came to an end, and only his smile of confidence was left before he disappeared completely from view. This was how the tale of The Legendary Sage of Konoha, would eventually come to an end...
Naruto: So this is how it will all end, huh... My path is still long ahead of me then...
Watching as his own eventual death took place before him, Naruto then proceeded to walk outside the cave as he looked downhill, on the land below. Looking up towards the skies above afterwards, Naruto suddenly felt sad, yet happy at once.
Kurama: Whenever you are ready Naruto...
Naruto: Yeah, I know Kurama... Is this his last technique? No, this is definitely...
Looking up on the sky, a scenery took place before him as Naruto watched himself rejoin with all his friends and family from Konoha and the rest of the Shinobi Alliance. This was how his life would come to an end, and he could only look forward to it, still in mind that he had a long road ahead of himself before he could finally be the one to rest. As he was looking up on the skies, images from his whole life suddenly started to flash before him, from the first day he met with Iruka-Sensei, Team 7 and the rest of Konoha 11, the countless battles he had been through, all the sacrifices that had had to be made, Konohamaru, Jiraiya-Sensei, Granny Tsunade, Gaara, Killerbee, and all the others... His marriage with Hinata and his son and daughter being born, him rescuing Sasuke from the other side and becoming Hokage, his three students Jin, Asuka and Heihachi, his son succeeding him to become the next Hokage, and his grandson after that again. All these memories, as far back as he could remember, all the way up until this very point when he watched his own death happening before him... All those memories from over 150 years of existence- Yet, he still had 7000 years to go. Even with all this on mind, it still felt like he had come to the point he always sought to go. Would Peace finally happen once he left this world for good? He could only hope as a bright smile formed on his face. Through all those fading memories of his life, there was especially this one thing that no matter what happened, Naruto would never forget. The last day he ever saw his family...
*Flashback Begin*
'Jiraiya: Are you sure father?? I mean, we've just finally been able to deal with Zetsu once and for all, do you really need to undergo even more training at this point?
Naruto: I am afraid so... I will be gone for a long time, but one day, one day I will return to this Temple again.
Jiraiya: I see... Well whatever it is that you seek in the Forsaken Forest, I hope you'll find it... Kushina, Minato and Hinata should be here short-... Ahh, there they are.
Naruto: ...
Minato: I told you it would not be hard to convince them for one last visit, although I must say grandpa, why did you sound so serious before? After Tobi's resurrection was stopped and Zetsu dealt with, you just returned here to Mt. Myobokuzan in a hurry. Then after the Chunin exam had come to an end, the other Kages just barely managed to take their leave before you called us in here...
Kushina: Father, it has been a while...
Hinata: Naruto-Kun...
Naruto: You are all here, I'm glad... I would want nothing else than to be able to lay eyes upon you for this one last time.
Jiraiya: Father...
Minato: This is really it then, huh...
Jiraiya: Btw, Minato, how did the battle between your two sons go? I found it regretting that we missed out on the final because of Zetsu...
Minato: Naruto beat Sasuke, but it was a close one indeed, apparently... We Kages decided to promote more than one Chunin though...
Jiraiya: I see...
Naruto: So my great grandchildren are growing up faster than I had come to expect... The future holds much promise... Anyways, what I wanted to talk about... Jiraiya, since you arrived first, you already know...
Laying out the details of his upcoming journey, the five of them chatted for a long while, before Naruto finally rose from his chair. It was time, and this would be the last time he would ever see them again...
Hinata: I will always cherish the time we had together Naruto-Kun. Although we might be older now, my love for you will always stay true, no matter the time we will be apart. I understand what you have had to sacrifice to follow the destiny laid out for you, but I only wish we could have lived out our remaining days, together, that is all...
Having a teary look on her face, Hinata struggled to restrain her tears as Naruto went up to hug her. It had been a while since he did, but this very moment, would be the last time he ever saw his family again, and he knew there and then that he had to take full advantage of it while he still could.
Kushina: Father, I don't want you to leave...
Naruto: You are a grandmother now Kushina... It is now your turn to bring the traditions of our family over to the next generation. Although we may be apart, you will always be in my heart and memory, all of you...
Minato: So you are really leaving for good then?
Naruto: Well, at least for a lifetime I suppose... Once I return, much will be different and everything will not be as it used to be... From what I can tell, the coming years will be peaceful, at least until the next child of prophecy awakens...
Minato: And who may that be?
Jiraiya: ...
Naruto: His name... It should be... Ikari... Uzumaki Ikari...'
*Flashback Ends*
As he was still standing there, the dark clouds above finally started to break apart as a bright light shone through them and onto Naruto's face. The scenery taking place before him, then finally came to an end, and when it did, he knew that he had one more thing to do before he finally could commence his final journey. It was then when he was about to go back to Mt. Myobokuzan, that someone approached him from behind.
Ikari: Naruto, I finally found you!!
The destined meeting comes to an end! With Ikari and Raikiru's victory over Raigo and the Rai clan's ultimate surrender, the Shinobi World Alliance could finally look to the future with Peace at mind. Will Naruto fulfill his destiny and travel to the past, and what else lies beyond Naruto's death? Everything comes to an end as the final part of this Series Finale of The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series, comes Next!!
[
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]The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series
July 2010 - July 2014
Series Finale, Part 5;
The Legendary Sage of Konoha
&
The 6th Great Shinobi War
Victory or Defeat? Two Hokages, One Dream;
The Past meets The Future as
The Key to Peace is Finally Revealed!:
Victory or Defeat? Two Hokages, One Dream;
The Past meets The Future as
The Key to Peace is Finally Revealed!:
"Akuma-Sensei, why have you gathered us like this if I may ask??"
"Glad you asked Ikari! I've gathered you here today so that we can get to know each other a little better. If you are going to work as a team, it might be a good place to start. It is indeed going to be interesting to have you three as my students! Now, let me hear your dreams..."
"Our dreams, Sensei?"
"Yes, Ibuki. Everyone has a dream, no matter how big or small... Why don't you start??"
"Uhm, okay... I want to become the best shinobi I can, and to make everyone I care about proud! That is my dream I suppose."
"Not a bad dream Ibuki, I like that!"
"Whoa, she's amazing..."
"Did you say something Ikari??"
"Oh, no I just said that I think that's a good dream too Sensei..."
"That was not what you said Ikari..."
"Ehh?! What are you proposing Bruce??"
"Ehehehe, easy guys... So what about you Bruce? What is your dream?"
"Heh, my dream Sensei?? Well, I suppose since I'm two years older than these two, my dream, if anything, could perhaps be a bit more serious than theirs... However, we've just become a team, so what do I know..."
"Well, what is it then?"
"I'm going to follow in my father's footsteps and become Hokage, that is the only thing I can be bothered to dream about..."
"No way, that is my dream!! I mean, to become Hokage that is!"
"Hahaha, don't make me laugh, Ikari, there is no way you can become the next Hokage, at least not as long as I'm around..."
"Humph!!..."
"Now, now, no need to start your rivalry already... However, I suppose since you both want to become Hokage, you might want to hear what the Hokage's most important job is?"
"Oh, I know Sensei! It is to protect the people!"
"That is a good guess Ibuki, but that is not the only thing."
"Heh, it is to lead of course, and to show the way for the rest of us."
"That is correct Ikari, but not quite what I was thinking about."
"The Hokage is the strongest shinobi in the village, what else is there that can be so important than to keep improving??"
"Well Bruce... The Hokage's most important job is a bit of all those ingredients you guys mentioned, but, being able to make the ultimate sacrifice when needed to, no matter the cost, that is the most important job, even if that is something which the Hokage only does once in his lifetime..."
Raigo: Release!!
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: Noooo!!
Springing out of the ruins of the house he was tossed into, Ikari tried reaching them in time, but once more was he caught in the traction-beam as he was tossed hard on his back, sliding across the ground and into some trees standing some distance away from them.
Ikari: Ouff!
Raigo: It is useless to resist, I thought I already had proven that when I dealt with the previous Hokage and his son??
Letting go of Raikiru's head, Raigo then turned his attention towards Ikari. Getting up to his feet, Ikari looked towards their direction as he knew that whatever Raigo did to Raikiru, it could not bode well.
Ikari: Raikiru, are you alright?!
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: It's too late... Raikiru is no longer the one you used to know!!
Ikari: It can't be?!
Raigo: And now... Now we will have our battle!!
Ikari: What did you do to him?!
Raigo: I released his seal of course... I suppose it will take a moment for his memory of the past to merge with the memory of his recent years, but he will be fine once it does, I can assure you...
Ikari: Fine?! What do you mean by that?!
Looking over at Raikiru, Ikari realized that he was in some sort of trance, not easily to be broken. How could he let this happen, it was not suppose to go this way... But was it too late to do something about it? What would Raikiru do once he snapped back to reality?
Ikari: I will not let you keep people suffering anymore, Raigo! As long as you continue to wage war against us, it leaves me no other choice than to stop you to end it once and for all!
Raigo: Me?! You are the ones who refuses to back down!
Ikari: You don't get it, do you?! For true peace to ever happen, people need to fully understand each other, each others' feelings and be able to live together! Eliminating your opponents will only lead to more suffering and pain! War will never end that way!
Raigo: Hahahahahahaha! Your ideal of peace is outdated my friend... You have to crush your opponents to be able to bring peace to the land, to your people! As long as humans exist to oppose each other with different ideals, true peace can never happen...
Ikari: I urge you to reconsider! We don't need to keep this war going any longer, we can make an agreement of peace and end it here and now!
Raigo: An agreement of peace??! With the Killer of both my brothers?!
Ikari: ...
Raigo: End it here and now you say... Well, the only way it can end here and now, is with your blood on my blade!
Ikari: !!
Racing it at him, Raigo drew his sword as he went for the kill. Responding to this, Ikari drew both his two swords as well, as the two of them clashed in the middle of the field.
Ikari: Fine!! I will not try to change your mind any further then!
Raigo: Great!! The sooner you stop talking, the sooner you can die!!
[...]
"You wanted to see me, Naruto??"
"Yes... There is something I want to talk to you about Ikari... You've been her for two years now, and your training is rapidly coming to an end..."
"And?"
"Well, you still have much to learn, but as far as the basics go, you are now ready..."
"The basics??"
"...You know you have something to prepare for, that even with the future still being uncertain, there are some things you need to be ready for, to be able to overcome, and that is why you are training here at Mt. Myobokuzan... What you saw in The Waterfall of Self-Reflecting Soul Determination, all those things and what followed the Kage-meeting two years ago... Even if I can't tell you everything about the future, what your destiny really is, other than the fact that you are meant for something great... Why is it that you follow my will, my... "Command," without even as much as a question asked? What is it that drives you to keep training, no matter how much left out in the dark you really feel?"
"I... Is this why you really called me in here today Naruto??"
"No, but I would still like to hear what you have to say, in person..."
"Belief, Naruto... I've chosen to believe in you, what you have foreseen for me... Whatever the future holds, it can wait. Once I'm ready and my training here comes to an end, I will be ready to seek out and find those answers for myself..."
"Hmm, I see... If what I have foreseen for us, and what really is going to happen in the future, is the same, then both of our true destinies shall reveal themselves to us eventually, until then, all we can do is to look forward... Believe that the future holds the Key to everything, and work hard towards that day where our true resolves shall be tested... If we can find the Key to True Eternal Peace, then this World shall finally be able to prosper the way it always was meant to..."
"And what way is that?"
"The only way it can ever truly be-..."
"..."
"Free, Ikari..."
Jubi: Naruto, that is-... That really is-...
Kurama: ?! This chakra, it feels so... Different...
Shukaku: That feeling, it is not chakra, Kurama... Is he even a human being??
Gyuki: I've never felt such a strong presence before, not since... You became complete, Naruto...
Emerging out of him, several of the Tailed Beasts' voices expressed their opinions, as Naruto had finally come face to face with the ancient Wizard of the old, the one being he had heard so many legends of and sought out to meet, without having a chance to do so, before now. This was it, just like the Great Toad Sage once had foreseen. The Prophecy was finally coming to completion, but what would Naruto say?
Naruto: ...Who are you?? What are you? Why have I had to wait this long before finally meeting you? Why the helmet? And why can I only sense your powers, but not your chakra?? Ever since I first could sense you presence, why have I felt more and more human by every hours that have gone by? Are there more beings like you? What is it that-...
??: ...You have many questions you need answered I see... Why not pick a better question to start of with, hmm? The real question that you have been meaning to ask for ages now...
Naruto: ...The Key to Peace... Is there even such a thing?
This was the chance Naruto had been waiting for, the one thing he had sought for countless generations. Would this destined meeting finally solve his long unanswered question? Would he finally be able to fulfill the promise he had made to all those people in the past? What he had been fighting for, what he had sacrificed his humanity for to be able to achieve, what he had lived on to find the answer to; all those things, just for this very moment. This was what he had been waiting for... Thinking back, he could only remember the different situations where that said question had been brought up several times over, and how he had sought to find the answer, all those years ago, but still hadn't been able to find the Key to Peace and fulfill his destiny, even to this date. From his first talk with the Jubi, him meeting with the former Hokages, Madara, Ero-Sennin, Orochimaru and his mother, even to the meeting with the Sage of Six Paths himself during the 5th Great Shinobi War, and his final talk with the Great Toad Sage before he passed away... The answer had remained unresolved, and this was finally the man Naruto knew would have the answer he had been promised... But would it be as he had expected?? And if so, would it be an easy task to fulfill? Could he finally bring on True, ever-lasting Peace and move on to the afterlife, to see his wife, children, family and friends, once more? Naruto was eager to bring it all to an end, as countless memories of his earlier life and of his friends and family flashed before him. This was definitely it...
*Flashback Begins*
'Jubi: If you've been paying attention to anything I've said, you know that time is everything... One step at a time... Do you know the Key to Peace, Uzumaki Naruto? True...Ever-Lasting...Peace?... The Key to Peace... Those were the dying words of the Sage of Six Paths before he passed on his will to his two sons and split me into nine individual beasts. To rule through Power, or to rule with Love... What would create Peace??... The never-ending battle between Senju and Uchiha begun a long, long time ago...
Naruto: ...This is an opportunity I can't let slip, as there's something I've been meaning to ask, something I have been trying to find the answer to, for many years. The will you entrusted in me, Jiraiya-Sensei... Finding the Key to Peace... I'm still not sure, I still haven't found the real Key yet... The 1st... What do you think is the Key to Peace?
Hashirama: The Key to Peace huh...
Tobirama: There will never be any peace, as long as the Uchiha is around...
Madara: What did you say?
Hashirama: Tobirama! Enough already!
Naruto: ...
Hashirama: Controlling the land with Benevolence and Love... That is the Key to Peace...
Naruto: The 2nd?
Tobirama: Hmm... Strict Control and Supervision, that is the Key to Peace...
Naruto: 3rd?
Hiruzen: Long term Stability and Guidance Naruto... That is the Key.
Naruto: Hmmm... Dad?
Minato: Acknowledgement and Bonds of Honor and mutual Respect, son... But if anyone will find it, I believe it will be you...
Naruto: ...Mom?
Kushina: Oh, you know I'm with your father on this one.
Naruto: Hehehe... Ero-Sennin?
Jiraiya: I've already entrusted my will to you Naruto... And I know you will find the Key, if you look deep into your heart.
Orochimaru: You're a fool Jiraiya, do you really believe that this kid will find the Key to Peace? There is no such thing as True Eternal Peace...
Naruto: ...
Madara: Hashirama and Tobirama are wrong... Love and Control alone can't bring Peace to the land. Power and Hatred, creating Fear in people's minds and hearts and to rule with Iron Will, is the Key... As long as the people don't dare revolt, there will always be Peace... When people don't pursue foolish ambitions, that is when there are no battles to be fought...
Tobirama: Are you for real? There can't be Love and Hate at the same time! As long as those two co-exist, there can never be Peace!
Hashirama: My brother is right... You once had the same vision as I Madara... You can't create Fear in the heart of the people, that's never going to work...
Thinking long and hard about what the eight Edo Tensei said, Naruto could not come up with a proper reply.
Kushina: Son... Come here for a second.
Proceeding to walk over to Kushina, Naruto then stepped within her circle, as Kushina went on to place her hand on his shoulder, giving him a smile of confidence. Minato and Jiraiya, who were standing beside her, quickly did the same.
Kushina: We all believe in you, my son, and no matter what happens-...
Minato: ...You will always be our son.
Jiraiya: Ehehehe, they're right, you hold the Key to Peace in your heart Naruto, no one can ever say otherwise...
Hashirama: We entrust our will to you as well, to find the Key... The Will of Fire is strong in you, perhaps the strongest I've ever seen.
Tobirama: He's right... You're the only Hokage left alive after all, and the only one among us who can still find the Key to True Peace. From what I can tell, you might even rival my brother with your current skills, though, one can never get too much knowledge, and you're still young and got much to learn... When and if you get to the same age as Hiruzen, maybe you can look back at the history of Konoha, and tell your legacy who was the greatest of them all.
Madara: If anything, make sure you actually find the Key to Peace, kid...
Hiruzen: We all believe in you!
Hashirama: Keep fighting, until we'll meet again in the afterlife!!
Hiruzen: Never give up, always trust your instincts..
Jiraiya: Gehehehe, you have surpassed me by miles Naruto. Until we meet again!
Kushina: Naruto, my son... My lovely son... If we only had more time in life together...
Minato: It's all over now son... I'm so proud of you. I believe you will become the greatest Hokage to ever live in Konoha! Until we meet again.
Naruto: Thank you... Thank you all... I will find the Key, and bring on a new Era of Harmony and True Peace; I promise you that!
"What are your intention in this world, kid... In this life?? What do you want to achieve??..."
Naruto: What do you mean, Great Sage of Six Paths??
"Tell me your resolve... It seems like the Curse of Hatred still exists in this world... The never-ending curse must be lifted... The unfulfilled task that I left behind, created by my very own hands and foolish idea. It must be stopped for True, ever-lasting Peace to ever happen..."
Naruto: So you know the Key to create Peace??!
"No... You will have to break the Curse..."
Naruto: But how??
"Look deep into your heart to find the answer you seek... If you truly are my successor, you'll find the Key to Peace eventually..."
Naruto: I... That's what-... Ero-Sennin said...
"I can't give you the Key, but I'll teach you something to guide you in your quest."
Naruto: ...
"The most important thing is that you need to continue what I started, to break the Curse that I placed upon the land to bring on True Peace. In order to do that, you'll have to first overcome this challenge... I believe it's a test, your test, to test your true resolve. This is your Fate, Naruto, your Destiny, that the Goddess has chosen for you... Become the man you were destined to be, and the world shall know Peace in the end!"
Naruto: The Goddess?? I can't remember hearing about her before...
"She was the one to guide the first wielder of the Master Sword, but that is all that I know about her..."
Naruto: I see...
"I bet the Jubi told you how I was an ordinary man before I met the Wizard and that I learned about chakra and chakra control through reading the Founding Book of Jutsu?? It took a long time before I managed to adapt to this new ability of mine, but I always was an excellent swordsman..."
Naruto: You mentioned the Master Sword earlier??
"Yes, the Master Sword... It was said to be forged by the Gods of the old themselves... The Blade to oppose all evil, to shine light upon the good things in life... I came across the Master Sword, after being visited in a dream by the Goddess herself... She told me that it was my destiny to uncover the long lost blade, that I had to travel long and far to find it. That only one of pure heart and intent may draw the blade, and that it's a symbol of Hope and Peace... When I asked her about the Blade's powers, she said to me that its powers reflects the heart of its wielder, and that's why it only can be wielded by one with a pure heart, one with no selfish ambitions... When I fought the Titans, I knew it was I who had strayed from my path, creating the Curse that was cast upon the land, the Curse of Hatred, the Jubi's Curse... I was no longer worthy as its wielder... That's why I used its power to seal away the Titans, laying it to rest in the Underworld Dimension in hopes of that one day, another hero would rise to claim it his own..."
Naruto: Hmm...
"Naruto, I must ask you... How far are you willing to go to obtain True Peace and to break the Curse?? What are you willing to risk??"
Naruto: I... I'm willing to do whatever needs to be done...
"I see... When this is all over, I want you to seek him out, the Great Toad Sage, tell him that you're ready to Fulfill your Destiny... and that you are ready for the final test... Tell him about our meeting..."
Naruto: To Fulfill my Destiny?
"Yes... Those are the magic words..."
Naruto: ...
"I truly believe that you are my successor, the one destined to fulfill the task I left behind... I believe in you, Uzumaki Naruto, and I know that you will find the Key to Peace eventually... Never stray from your path, never give up, never pursue foolish ambitions... Claim the Master Sword your own, and follow your heart..."
Naruto: I will, you can count on me Old-Man-Sennin!
"Hehe, it seems that something good came out of this after all, just as HE predicted. I'm glad we got this opportunity kid... When we meet again, I'm sure you'll be one step closer to achieving that goal, that dream, the dream left by your Sensei, Jiraiya... Always keep in mind that true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one... I'm sure we will meet again someday kid... I just know it... Until then!!"
Naruto: Great Toad Sage... I'm ready to Fulfill my Destiny, I'm ready for the final test...
Great Toad Sage: ...Study the Founding Book of Jutsu... Grasp and learn the same secrets the Sage learned... You are now complete, but it is still not the right time for you to take your final trial... It is still not the time for you to make the important choice you are destined to make... The one that will seal the future of Peace... First, your legacy must be prepared... Your legacy must be ready... For you to be ready...
Naruto: But I am ready! The Sage said that I had to-...
Great Toad Sage: Not yet... Patience young human... The period of the Three Great Toad Sages are not upon us yet... You will first have to find the missing two...
Naruto: The Sage spoke of a man who had predicted the two of us meeting... Who is this man?
Great Toad Sage: Hmm... You don't need to ask questions you already know the answer to... The Sage's knowledge has already been transplanted into you, his memories, his knowledge... You still have to grasp and learn though...
Naruto: ?! The Wizard of the old??...
Konohamaru: The Wizard?
Great Toad Sage: Yes... The one who bestowed upon the Sage the Founding Book of Jutsu and the Staff of Fortune and Destiny... The mysterious being of ancient times...
Naruto: ...What do I need to do to find True, Eternal Peace? What must be done, what is the Key to Peace?
Great Toad Sage: Once your legacy is ready... Once you are ready... Once you've made that important choice and fulfilled your destiny... The two of you will meet... The Wizard holds the answer you seek...
Naruto: Then what is this choice I will have to make?
Great Toad Sage: If you must know... The Wizard is the one that will give you the choice... A choice of life and death, a choice that only can be made by you... That is all. Uzumaki Naruto, Sarutobi Konohamaru... When the two final Sages are ready, come before me again... Until then...
Yamato: ...Naruto had a lot to say, as detailed in this Scroll I have with me, but most importantly... Naruto has gone through the first step of some sort of ritual... If Naruto completes the final stage of his training, he will become... The new Great Toad Sage of Mt. Myobokuzan... It means that when the third new Sage has come to be, and Naruto's legacy is finally ready, he will have to make two choices...
Konohamaru: Two choices?! I thought the Great Toad Sage said that he would have to make a choice of life and death, but not that he had to make another one as well?
Yamato: The other one will decide whether or not Naruto will fulfill his destiny and be able to make that final choice of life and death... When the time has come, Naruto himself will summon the three next Sages, and he will then elaborate on this... That's all that he said...
Konohamaru: ...Phew, another trip to Mt. Myobokuzan completed...
Jiraiya: Why, weren't we suppose to make it you mean? Hahaha...
Minato: So... The time has come then, just like the Great Toad Sage predicted, all those years ago...
Konohamaru: ...Honorably Great Toad Sage and Naruto-San, we've come before you as requested.
Naruto: ...
Great Toad Sage: Yes... We have much to discuss indeed... The Era of the Three Great Toad Sages are upon us... Uzumaki Naruto, your legacy is now ready, and the trio is now complete... Sarutobi Konohamaru, Uzumaki Jiraiya and Uzumaki-Uchiha Minato... You three will be the Bringers of Peace and Stability, the Guardians of Hope, Fate, Fortune and Destiny... Until time deems it necessary for the next generation to take over, you will be the first Trio of Light and Benevolence...
Naruto: Well... With the world at temporary peace, witnessing more stability and prosper than ever before... I have other things to attend to... To finish my training, and to emerge into the role, that I was destined to...
Konohamaru: ...Seven years ago, when Yamato-San lead a group here to visit you and gather information, he came back with a Scroll detailing countless observations and advices... He talked about two choices, and when the time was right, those two choices would be revealed.
Naruto: Yes... After the Era of you three was upon us, I would meet the one who has the Key to True, Eternal Peace... The answers to everything, the Wizard of Ancient Time... He will give me a choice... That is all that is known for now... But, to be ready to make this choice, I will have to make another...
Jiraiya: ...
Naruto: I can't remain in this...
Minato: Yeah?
Naruto: Human form...
Jiraiya: ?! What?! What do you mean father?!
Konohamaru: !!
Minato: I...
Great Toad Sage: The training Naruto-San is about to commence... Is training to become the new... Honorably Geezer of Mt. Myobokuzan.
Minato: ...
Great Toad Sage: When the Sage of Six Path became complete, and his training was fulfilled... He became One with Nature... This granted him temporary immortality, but, at the cost of his humanity.
Konohamaru: What does this mean exactly?
Great Toad Sage: Knowing that the human world would never be able to evolve properly with him around, he gave up that immortality and passed it on to me, his personal summoning... He then divided the Jubi's chakra in nine parts, sent his body out of this world, creating the moon, and trusted his legacy to his two sons. For over thousand years, I've been the Keeper of this place, its Guardian... But now, my time is coming to an end.
Jiraiya: To an end, what do you mean?!
Fukasaku: He means that he has to start looking for his successor... The incredible life-force of the Jubi, together with all the paths combined, the user gains access to powers beyond human capability... And to be able to restrain and control these powers for a greater period of time, one will have to give up on their humanity, their human form...
Shima: That's why, in theory, Naruto, if and by completing his training... He will never be able to leave this place again...
Konohamaru: So that's why your Legacy had to be prepared, because someone needs to watch over the outside world, beyond Mt. Myobokuzan's border...
Jiraiya: Wait, dad you can't be serious about this?!
Naruto: ...
Minato: My father is right, you just can't go through with this grandfather?!
Naruto: I have to do this, as my destiny has foretold... By finishing my final training, gaining the Jubi's full cooperation and gaining full control over my new powers, thus, becoming One with Nature, I will access the final stage...
Konohamaru: Naruto is right... As much as I hate to admit this. If the Great Toad Sage's time is coming to an end, someone will have to take his place... To take his role as Guardian.
Naruto: This will be the best way to keep the Jubi in check, preventing future wars from breaking out because of its powers... You can call me when you need me, in time of instability and chaos, but I will have to remain here on Mt. Myobokuzan indefinitely.
Jiraiya: Dad... You will still be you after this right? I mean, by losing your humanity... You won't, die in a sense?
Naruto: No... I will remain the same, but with age and experience, my mind might adapt.
Minato: Meaning?
Naruto: I might not come off as a human anymore.
Konohamaru: ...
Great Toad Sage: That should be all for now... Naruto-San, we have much to do and time is of the essence.
Naruto: Right. Jiraiya... Make sure you tell your mother that I'm sorry.
Jiraiya: I will dad, and I'm sure she will understand, however, I'm not saying that she will like it...
Naruto: Heh, I know... Even apart, my heart will always belong to her.
Jiraiya: Even if I have to walk her the long way to Mt. Myobokuzan, I will make sure she comes by, you have my word.
Naruto: Hehe, thanks. And Jiraiya, don't forget to always care for your sister. Even with her living in Suna, she always looked up to her older brother.
Jiraiya: You can count on me dad.
Konohamaru: Well then, I guess we should get going.
Jiraiya: Right.
Minato: Take care then granddad.
Naruto: Minato... I believe you will become the best Hokage to ever have lived in Konoha. From this day forward, I leave the rest to you guys...
Minato: Hehe, we shall see indeed... I will not disappoint you!
Naruto: Jiraiya, Minato... I love you both...
Great Toad Sage: ...Well then, Uzumaki Naruto, are you ready to begin the final stage of your training?
Naruto: Yes, yes I am...
Great Toad Sage: ...With this, your training is now complete, Uzumaki Naruto... From this day forward, you will not age, and therefore, you will not die... Taking the role as my successor, and with your Legacy prospering, the choice you will have to make, will soon be upon you. This will be my final blessing, and also, my final goodbye. My friends, my family, farewell...
Naruto: ...No matter the cost, no matter the time it will take, I will find a way to make my promise come to fruition, I will see that once True Peace is obtained, no hatred will ever fall upon this world again. Only then, can my soul finally rest and I be reunited with my loved once beyond this world again...'
*Flashback Ends*
??: Ahh, Peace... A word often misunderstood by many humans. It's a broad word that describes the harmony of mutual understanding... But Peace, Peace is a thing that always is at stake as long as people fail to keep that mutual understanding global and lasting... What is really Peace, and can it last eternally?? Mankind has always sought Peace, but quite often through war and not the way they should have been looking for it...
Turning around, the Wizard then looked at Naruto as he started to walk towards him. Naruto felt anxious, nervous, for the first time in ages. This man was powerful and he could feel it, whatever or whomever he was. Was he even human? Stopping right beside him, Naruto could only see his eyes and mouth visible through his helmet as he was anticipating his answer.
??: The answer to what you seek is simple...
Naruto: ...
??: The Key to Peace is-...
Naruto: !!
[...]
Ikari: *Pant, Pant...*
Raigo: ...Your swordsmanship is not bad Hokage, however, how far does your techniques go I wonder?
Not only was Raigo a powerful guy standing almost three meters tall, but his black armor was more advanced and more robust than his two brothers'. With each hit Ikari connected, his armor seemed to just brush it off as if nothing. Raigo was in his early 40s, had spiky dark hair, dim red eyes, and a clean-shaved skin with many small battle-scars cut all over in his face. If his two brothers looked scary, this guy gave scary a whole new meaning. Holstering their swords, the two opponents glared intensely at each other, anticipating the next move.
Ikari: Whatever you have planned or are thinking of doing, as long as I'm standing, you will not succee-...
Raigo: You fool! It is all of your plans that have failed, resulting in you leading my son straight back to me... Not only will I defeat you here, but once you are gone, my forces will annihilate yours and "Peace" will finally happen, my way or no way!
Slamming his hands together, Raigo then preformed some hand-seals as Ikari prepared himself for what to come. However, just as it seemed like he was about to fire off a powerful technique towards him, it was as if nothing really happened, as Ikari looked puzzled at him, wondering what he was up to.
Ikari: Genjutsu?? No... Something el-...?!
In just a split-second, the clear blue sky above them suddenly turned stormy black as a massive thunderbolt struck down towards Ikari who only barely managed to dodge using his Flying Thunder God. He had never witnessed something like this before, realizing that if anything, Raigo's Lightning Techniques were far more powerful than any opponent he had ever faced in the past.
Ikari: *Pant, Pant* What the?! How did he change the weather like this-... Shit!!
The technique however, was far from over as the storm just got more and more fierce, sending several great thunderbolts towards him. As each one of them hit the ground and as Ikari managed to just dodge them by the hair, the ground beneath him sent rocks and dirt flying up into the air, as four large hurricanes had formed around them.
Ikari: It has to be some sort of a time-delay technique, but such a technique surely must have a weakness or a great cost of chakra!
Raigo: Damn you're fast you rat, but how long will you be able to run away??
Catching his breath as Raigo's technique seemed to eventually calm down a bit, Ikari closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating as he gathered the last bit of natural energy he needed.
Ikari: ...Finally...
Raigo: ??
Ikari: Go forth, Sennin Mode!
Having been able to save up enough chakra to enter Sennin Mode, Ikari could finally show off his true skills as he reached his right hand up in the air. Just as he did, another thunderbolt struck down towards him, but in the exact moment it was about to connect with him, it crashed right into a large RasenShuriken swirling over his head instead. Sending it off at great speed, the RasenShuriken headed straight for the four fierce hurricanes ravaging around them, as all four of them were sucked up into it, enlarging the shuriken by ten folds.
Raigo: !!
Being powered up by Raigo's technique, the massive shuriken went straight for Raigo as he raised both his hands up into the air to try and intercept the head-on collision.
Raigo: Aaaaarrrrrrrgggggh!!!!!!.......
Ikari: Ug-h...
Causing a massive explosion, Ikari could only cover his face as great shockwaves flung in all and every directions. Seeing an opportunity to get over to Raikiru, Ikari hurried over there as he laid both his hands on his shoulders, trying to get through to him. Still being caught in some sort of a trace, Raikiru didn't seem to know who he was or where he was, at first.
Ikari: Raikiru, snap out of it, oi, Raikiru, can you hear me?!
Raikiru: ... I... Where am I??
Ikari: What do you remember?! Are you still with me?!
Shaking him back and forth in a fast motion, Ikari finally got through to him as Raikiru seemed to snap out of it in an abrupt fashion, reacting as if he fell off a cliff, hitting hard on the ground.
Raikiru: Ahhhhhh?!?!?!?!??
Ikari: Hey, hey!! Calm down, just-...
Not knowing how to cope with his old memory suddenly returning, and which side to be on, Raikiru fell in a rage as he had to push Ikari away to gain some space. Clutching his head with his right hand and holding Ikari off with his left, Raikiru had to support himself up against the ruins of the house still standing behind him, as Ikari tried to reach out for him once more.
Raikiru: Don't! Don't come near me Ikari, for your own safety!
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: I need some time, I just need some time to think...
Ikari: Are you-...
Raikiru: I'm fine, I just... What happened to Raigo, what happened to my-... Father??
Seemingly being able to force his mind back in place, Raikiru raised his head as he looked up at Ikari, still feeling like he had been hit by a large rock to the head.
Raikiru: Ikari... Behind you.
Ikari: ...
Turning around, the black thick smoke created by Ikari's earlier attack had finally started to settle as Raigo had climbed out of the crater created by it. Breathing heavily, it seemed as if the attack had made its impact, but even if his black magical armor had been torn apart, it rapidly regenerated before their eyes.
Raigo: *Pant, Pant, Pant* Raikiru... Do it now.
Ikari: !! Gwuack!!
He wasn't even able to react. From behind him, Raikiru came flying in as he kicked him hard from behind, sending him flying on his stomach, and as Ikari forced himself up again, he turned around as he saw that Raikiru's eyes had changed. They were beaming red and his face-expression had an emotionless stare to it.
Ikari: Raikiru?!
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: I told you he wouldn't be the same...
Ikari: Shit... I should have been able to sensed it with my Sennin Mode... However, whatever you have done to him, I am certain the Raikiru I know is still in there some place, and I will bring him back!
Raigo: Bwuhahahahahahaha! This battle is far from over, but, whatever happens here today, it will end with you dead on the ground, in one way or the other... Time to up the game a little, don't you think??
Reaching his hand out, Raigo's electrified traction-beam attack from before shot towards Ikari's direction as he tried to grab a hold onto him once again, but this time however, it seemingly had no effect as Ikari was not affected by the gravity altering effect that the attack should have made on him, but instead, it was as if the attack crashed into some sort of shield as Raigo looked confused at him.
Raigo: ...
Ikari: I agree...
Disappearing in a blink of the eye, Ikari suddenly reappeared behind Raigo's back as his hand connected with him, sending him flying through the air.
Raigo: ?!
Ikari: Rasengan!!
[...]
Naruto: ...Yes??
Could it all be as simple as he made it seem, or was there something far more complexed behind his choice of wording??
??: ...Heh, if it only was that simple... In truth, there isn't really one Key to True Eternal Peace, but if anything, there are several requirements to achieve it...
Naruto: ...What do you mean?
??: As you know, there is a Curse placed on this land... The Curse of the Jubi, a Curse that was created by the Sage of Six Paths himself... This Curse is what binds shinobi to eternal fighting, and True Peace can only be guaranteed if this Curse is lifted. However, if you decide to go through with all the requirements that is set to lift the Curse, it will certainly have its costs, especially for you...
Naruto: Name them...
??: With the Curse of the Jubi gone, humans will eventually lose their contact, their touch with chakra, and in time, they will go back to what they used to be before the Sage of Six Paths was ever born... Hatred however, has existed long before the Jubi was created, so there is no way to say for sure if True Eternal Peace will ever happen or if it will ever last eternally...
Naruto: Hmm... It's still better than nothing, is it not??
??: I suppose. However, with the Curse removed, there is a chance that this world will obtain that so called Peace which will last forever... And the Key to that rests on your back, literally...
Pointing at him, the mysterious Wizard was clearly talking about the sword that Naruto had holstered on his back.
Naruto: The Legendary Blade of Evil's Bane... The Master Sword...
Looking at it for a brief second, Naruto suddenly felt the urge to draw it from its hilt and raise it into the light, but quickly decided not to. After all, he wasn't quite sure what the Wizard wanted him to do with it, just yet...
??: We have much to talk about before I go into details on how to lift the Curse... This world has existed for a long, long time, and it is important that you are prepared for your last journey.
Naruto: My last journey??
??: Yes... Let me tell you about my meeting with the Sage of Six Paths... I'm sure you already know most of it though, but some details might have been lost, even when you met the Sage himself many, many years ago, during the last war...
Naruto: How do you know about that??
??: Before our meeting ends, all your questions shall be answered in due time, now, let me show you how it all went down...
Walking even closer to Naruto, the Wizard placed his hand on his head as a bright light beamed out of it.
Naruto: ??
[...]
The battle, having raged on for a good while already, had seen the two opponents fighting with their hearts' content, as both men had sent several different attacks each others' way, one stronger than the other. However, no matter what they threw at each other, it was all to no vain as neither one of them were able to overpower the other.
Ikari: !!
Raigo: ?!
Having created yet another massive explosion between them, they both flew away from each other as they crashed hard to the ground. Not even thinking twice about it, they both shot up to their feet even faster than they hit the ground, staring intensely each others' way.
Raigo: ...Now I understand what my brother Raiba and Raika went up against... However, I will tell you this...
Ikari: ...
Raigo: My brothers may have been strong... But, I was elected the next leader of our forces for a reason!
Ikari: !!
Using his speed, Raigo went straight up to Ikari's face as the two of them exchanged several blows between them before breaking apart, sending two techniques flying towards each other.
Raigo: Lightning Style: Thunder Manipulation!!
Ikari: Fire Style: Konoha's Great Fireball Destruction!
Reaching his hands up in the air, Raigo attracted lightning from the skies above, down to him, as a powerful beam was shot towards Ikari. Responding to this, Ikari fired off an erupting fireball his way as the two attacks collided in the middle of the field. Drawing their swords again, the two of them went around their own attacks as they clashed for another several rounds, with their swords clinging hard against each other with each thrust.
Raigo: I will win! This land is mine!!
Ikari: I will stop you and bring peace to this land, no matter the cost!!!
Raigo: Ugh!!
Ikari: ?!
Charging their swords with each their elements as they clashed once more, the two opponents got tossed hard backwards as their swords' elemental currents created a minor blast between them. Landing on his feet again, Ikari had to take a short breather to come up with a plan of approach as his feet finally stopped sliding across the ground, some meters away from the impact-zone. He had about half an hour left of his Sennin Mode, and if he continued fighting like this, he would get nowhere before it ran out.
Raigo: *Huff, Huff*
Ikari: *Pant, Pant*
The battle was going to a stalemate, and that fast... What would Ikari do? Was this his plan all along, to take Raigo out all by himself, or had he counted on Raikiru, so that their combined effort would be enough to do the trick? Raigo was way stronger than his two brothers, that was for sure, and Ikari was only just barely able to defeat Raika by himself, yet along Raiba, which required more than he could muster, only being able to bring him down with the help of Naruto himself... He knew for sure now what Naruto meant back then, why it was important that Ikari found out Raikiru's true identity by himself, and not before a certain time had passed... To win this battle and bring an end to this war, it would require both himself and his counterpart, Raikiru, to be able to bring Raigo down, but would he be able to convince Raikiru to fight by his side and to betray his own father?? Ikari had a stern look on his face, this was not going to be an easy battle, but whatever happened, he simply could not afford to fall here, he just had to win, no matter what and no matter the cost. What good would his plan be if he was to fall before being able to see it through? What good would it be if he was right about Raikiru not being the same as his kin, if he was to die before being able to prove it? He had to think about something, but what??
Raigo: Raikiru... It's your turn now...
Raikiru: I... Father, I can't, Ikari is my-... Fri-end...
Raigo: Do it now...
Raikiru: No, I don't want to, this war is all so wrong... Why are you doing this father, why are you continuing to wage war?! Why can't we just... I don't believe that you are this simple-minded, even with my memory returning, I still don't think that we shou-...
Raigo: I said now, Raikiru!!
Having to choose between being loyal to his father, to his family and to his clan, or to fight for what he had come to believe in during the last few years of his life, Raikiru was in a great conflict with himself. Not only that, but it seemed like Raigo had done more than to just open up his seal, as Raikiru's mind was rumbling harder than a great storm at sea, making it hard for him to control his own body or thought.
Raigo: You will obey your father's command!!
Raikiru: ?!!
Ikari: Raikiru...
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: Why does it have to be this hard...
Ikari: His eyes, they... What are you up to Raigo??...
Raigo: ...
Analyzing what was happening before him, Ikari could feel that Raikiru wasn't just being slowly brainwashed to follow his fathers orders, neither was he doing what he thought to be the right thing to do whenever he attacked him head-on. His eyes, they were not suppose to beam red like that, and it was as if Raikiru's mind was being influenced by some sort of mind-control. That was why he didn't attack Ikari head-on earlier when he managed to talk to him for a brief while, but only did so at Raigo's command. Watching as Raikiru headed for him, Ikari did not let his sight of Raigo go, as he saw him turning around to his left with his sword, aiming to use a combined attack with Raikiru. Just as the two of them were closing in at him, it was as if Ikari was about to let it happen, much to Raigo's surprise.
Raigo: He's not moving or preparing to dodge?! Well then, this is my chan-...?!
Ikari: *Smirk*
Ikari however, had a plan, a plan he had devised and planned down to every detail, and just as the situation was looking dark, the final phase kicked in. Reaching his right hand out, a portal opened up before him as four shinobi came jumping out of it. Seeing this, Raigo was quick to back off a couple of meters as Raikiru did the same, stopping by his side. Landing on their feet, the four shinobi took up position by Ikari as the five Kages were finally gathered once more.
Ikari: Hehe, seems like the battle has turned in our favor!
Utakata: Looks like your plan has worked out perfectly Ikari, well done...
Nakimura: So this is the leader of the enemy forces huh...
Haku: This is it...
Maki: Yes, this is where the five Kages will make their stand!
Raikiru: ...
Raigo: !!
[...]
??: ...-And that, was the last thing he ever did... And so, the rest is history...
Naruto: ...
??: ...I can sense that you feel that this place seems familiar... Is it not??
Naruto: ...I've been able to sense a lot of things lately...
??: It is both the future and the past speaking to you, as the two of them meet... You've been here before, but at the same time, you still have to walk here in a different time... You are the Sage's reincarnation, but your role in all this is so much more important, so much more grand than his role ever was. I recognize you, but we have never met before... Why is that you wonder?? Well everything in due time...
Naruto: I hear you say that, but what about some answers??...
??: Hmm... What you've been feeling lately, how you've been feeling life flowing through you once more... It is not entirely coincidental, it is indeed tied with this meeting. As one generation ends, another one begins... Even with how important this meeting really is, not only to you, but to the Shinobi World as well, I can feel that you are still worried about your apprentice, am I right??...
Naruto: Ikari...
??: The Sage of Six Paths... He created the Curse when he used the Staff of Fortune and Destiny for more than he was suppose to do. After he created the five Treasured Tools, Heaven's will had had enough... It was time to strike back.
Naruto: ...
??: There are Three Requirements to lift the Curse.
Naruto: I'm ready...
??: You want to lift the Curse... This is how you do it...
Waiting patiently, Naruto knew he was closer than ever before to achieve his long time ambition, but would it be an easy task?
??: First, you must hand over the five Treasured Tools, the Founding Book of Jutsu that I once bestowed upon the Sage, and the Staff of Fortune and Destiny... Since they are all connected to the Curse, they need to be terminated. The Founding Book of Jutsu taught men to become shinobi, the Staff of Fortune and Destiny altered fate and created the Treasured Tools, which again extended the already long list of the Sage's selfish wishes made into a reality... With them gone, the founding blocks of the Curse will no longer be a concern, and we can then move on to the next requirement...
Naruto: I see... Done.
Not feeling a single doubt in mind, Naruto summoned the tools from inside himself as he place them on the ground before him. Seeing this, the Wizard reached his hand out as all seven of them suddenly melted before their eyes. All these powerful tools, gone in the blink of an eye, and Naruto didn't seem to worry much about it.
??: Secondly... You will have to kill me...
Naruto: ?! What, why??
??: As long as I'm part of this world, the Jubi will never fully cease to exist...
Naruto: The Jubi, what do you mean by that, I thought the Curse of the Jubi was the-...
??: Isn't it obvious?? As long as the Jubi, as long as the Tailed Beasts still exists in this world, the Curse can never be lifted, chakra will never be removed from this world, Naruto...
Naruto: But the Jubi is within me, so what have you to do with it?
The first requirement might have seemed easy for him, but the second one was something Naruto had no idea how to respond to.
??: The clue is... You will have to defeat me to be able to kill me, as I am not able to kill myself, ironically, or let someone else kill me without a fight, that is the will of the Jubi. Once I'm gone, the Jubi will no longer reincarnate, and over time, chakra will then finally disappear from this world... The destined choice you have been foreseen to make... This is it, Uzumaki Naruto, the choice of Life and Death... You might not fully understand it now, but once the three requirements are completed, you will see what I mean... For the past 1000 years I've been around, you are the only one capable of doing this, passing the second requirement that is...
Naruto: I don't understand, what do you mean by-...
??: ...-And the third requirement might be the hardest yet, however, I am not obligated to tell you the full details of the final step, unless you achieve the second one first. The world depends on you Naruto, and should you fail, then this world will never experience True Peace. The thing about the third requirement is that it will take time for it to take full effect, and by the time it takes for it to do just that, neither one of us will be around anymore to see if it actually created True Eternal Peace or not, that is the catch... Before we commence the second requirement though, before we fight... There are some people you need to meet...
Naruto: ...And who might that be??
??: The former wielders of the Master Sword...
Naruto: !! How??
??: By using the Master Sword of course! It holds the final key to everything... It is not just any sword the Sage told you to draw to be able to escape his Underworld Dimension transfer technique. The sword... It is so much more than that... First, let's go to the Skyworld Dimension and take it from there.
Reaching his hand out, the Wizard snapped his thumb and his index finger, and just like that, they were suddenly in the white room where all things of creation is imagined.
Naruto: This is the same as?
??: Yes... You've been here before, haven't you?
Naruto: During my battle with the Sage... This is where he transported our minds to teach me about the Master Sword and the different stages of the Bijou Mode... I haven't had the need to go here since that time...
??: Well, now you will be able to meet him again...
Naruto: Meet the Sage again you say... Hmm, I see.
??: Use the sword... The Master Sword possesses magical powers that no one knows the full extent of... It was forged by a man over 7000 years ago, the first wielder of the sword... He made it so that only his legacy could wield the sword, and that each wielder's soul were to forever be connected with it. The sword... It is not only the Blade of Evil's Bane, to vanquish all evil... It is a timeless item... Use it as a Link through Time, a path to the past to fulfill your destiny... The final stage of the sword needs to be reawakened, and with the help of the former wielders, you will be able to.
Naruto: My destiny huh...
??: With the sword, you can summon their spirit, and with it, you will be able to gain the last piece to the puzzle...
Naruto: To find peace?
??: ...To travel through time...
Naruto: Huh??
??: But more on that later... For now, place the sword here.
Walking over to something sticking up from the ground, the mysterious Wizard stopped by it as Naruto had a curious look on his face.
??: It is called the Pedestal of Time, but I'm sure you already know this... You can recognize it, don't you??
Naruto: Yeah, it is the same thing I drew the sword from in the Underworld Dimension all those years ago... The Sage recreated the scene of where he found the sword, to be able to put it to rest and seal the Titans there...
??: Yes... By placing the sword here temporary, you will be able to awaken their spirits, the former wielders of the sword that is...
Naruto: So even if I sealed away the Sage's Reincarnated body there, he will still be able to...
??: Yes, even so...
Naruto: I understand...
Doing as he said, Naruto then walked over to it as he pierced the sword into the ground, and just as he did, a strange dark light filled up the room. Suddenly, they found themselves in a Great Temple from an ancient time.
Naruto: ...Where are we??
??: This is the Temple of Time... The pond in the desert where you found the sword in the Underworld... That was the ruins, what was left of this Temple...
Suddenly finding themselves in a mysterious and holy place, Naruto looked puzzled around as he had no idea what this Temple was or what its purpose used to be. He couldn't even feel the similarity from where he drew the sword, except for the platform with the Pedestal where the Master Sword now was stuck into.
??: Many past wielders have retrieved the sword here, including the third, fifth and the eight wielders... In one way, you could say that the second wielder also found it here, but that would not be entirely true... The Pedestal of Time was built as a mean to store the sword and protect it from falling into the wrong hands, and what better way than to hide it into a Great Temple? That is how this Temple got its name, as it stood firm as the sword's keeper for many generations to come...
Naruto: Why are you telling me all this?
??: If you don't know the story of the sword, how are you suppose to fulfill your destiny?
Naruto: I-... You got to speak more plainly, I'm not really following here...
??: It's not really important that you grasp all the details, only that you understand the basics... Now, the first wielder was a guy named Revan...
Naruto: Revan?? What type of name is that?
??: This world has existed for a long, long time, and thus, the world has been through several different stages, several different Eras... So, the third wielder was a man named Aragon, the forth wielder a man named Levi, the fifth a guy named-...
Naruto: Hey hang on a moment, what about the second wielder??
??: His name is not important right now...
Naruto: But wasn't I suppose to meet them all? If I don't know their names...
??: I will get back to it in due time... Truth been told, you won't even meet with the first wielder here...
Naruto: I won't?? But if I don't meet them all like you said, how can I-...
??: You will meet him soon enough... Now, for the fifth wielder...
Reaching his hand out, the Wizard pointed towards the other direction as a man dressed in a green battle tunic, was suddenly standing beside them. Walking over to them, the man seemingly had a puzzled look on his face.
Naruto: !!
?: This place...
??: The fifth wielder of the Master Sword. His name... Is Link.
[...]
Raigo: How, how is this possible?! My armies should have kept you busy?! Without you down there, who the hell is leading your armies to battle?!
Ikari: This is where Kitsuke's role comes into play... That is why I wanted to name him Jonin Commander, so that he could lead our forces in the Kages' stead. This was my plan all along Raigo, I only made you think that you had seen through my plan...
Raigo: ?!
Utakata: So if we're able to defeat this guy, we will be one step closer to ending this war, right Ikari?
Ikari: Yes...
Maki: What about Raikiru??
Ikari: Things didn't go entirely as planned, but I'm certain I can get through to him... He's being controlled by some sort of mind-control technique, but if I can break it...
Maki: I see.
Haku: So...
Nakimura: ...
Ikari: I'll deal with Raikiru, while you-...
Utakata: We will take care of this scum, leave it to us!
Raigo: Hah! This changes nothing! I guess since you're going to be a coward Hokage...
Ikari: ??
Whistling with his thumb and index finger, Raigo's black horse suddenly came running towards him as he mounted it in a hurry. Turning around, it was as if he was retreating, and seeing this, the Kazekage slammed his right hand down into the ground.
Nakimura: He's retreating?!
Haku: No he's not! Summoning Technique!!
Summoning four huge wolves, Haku signaled the other Kages to mount as they all were about to give chase.
Maki: Ikari! I leave Raikiru up to you!
Ikari: Yosh!
Utakata: Look for our triumphant return, we will not fail!
Giving chase, the Kazekage, the Raikage, the Tsuchikage and the Mizukage gave hot pursuit as they disappeared from view shortly thereafter.
Ikari: Damn... I guess this leaves the two of us then...
Raikiru: ...
Not slightly interested in responding, his eyes continued to beam red as Raikiru slammed his hands together, starting to charge up chakra.
Ikari: I guess I will have to defeat you to snap you back to reality, huh! Very well, let's do this, Raikiru!
Raikiru: ...You will die here, like all the others...
Answering in a cold tone, the Raikiru Ikari knew, was not to be easily returned back to him, and he had to do his best to try and break the control without hurting Raikiru too much in the process.
Ikari: Hah, not a chance! Now that we've got some space, I will definitely be able to turn you back, you can count on it!
Raikiru: ...
Reaching his thumb out, a big grin formed on Ikari's face. He was more confident than he had been in a while, and with the other Kages going to deal with Raigo, things were looking good. Leaping off, the two of them clashed head-on as several punches and kicks were exchanged between them, before the two of them back off away from each other to gain some space to make room for a technique.
Ikari: Rasengan!
Raikiru: Thunderball!
Channeling a powerful electrified chakra-ball in his right hand, Raikiru leaped off towards Ikari as they came face to face once more.
Ikari: I don't know what sort of technique that is, but I will definitely win! Wind Style: Rasengan!
Sending a strong wind through his Rasengan, Ikari amplified its strength right before the two clashed. Shock-waves flung everywhere as neither one of them wanted to back down from each other.
[...]
Haku: We got you now, there is no place for you to escape!
Raigo: ...
Having forced Raigo up into a corner by the end of a great cliff, it seemed like he had no other choice than to stand his ground and fight them now. Dismounting from his black horse, Raigo sent it away as he turned around towards them. Would the four Kages' combined might be enough to deal with him once and for all?
Nakimura: This guy seems strong, however, with the four of us together, there is no way we can lose...
Maki: Just don't underestimate him, if we let our guards down for even a second...
Utakata: You are right, let's be careful...
Looking at him from on top of their wolves, the Kages seemed confident, yet they carefully approached the situation, even if they had him corner with no way to go.
Raigo: Who said I was retreating?! I was simply luring you out here!!!
Maki: !!
Clapping his hands together, a massive source of chakra suddenly beamed out of him as Raigo shouted out towards them. What powers did this man have stored within himself that he only just now unlocked?? A great battle was about to begin, as Raigo leaped off at immense speed with his sword in hand.
[...]
Link: ...You know my name?? Just who are you guys?... Why am I summoned here??
??: You are right, you have been summoned Link... The reason is simple...
Naruto: ...
Link: And that might be??
??: You will see soon enough...
Link: I see... So time has passed since my death I presume? This appearance of mine, it was not what I looked like when I died...
??: Not at all... This appearance, this younger-self of yours... This is how the Master Sword remembers you to look like, after all, you were still young when you pierced the sword into the dragon's head...
Link: Ganon... Something feels familiar about you two, yet, I don't recall anything about the Master Sword having to be drawn again during my time... I left it in Ganondorf's beastly transformation, in Ganon's head... Why was there ever a need to draw it again??
??: It's a long story, but we got time... Now, we just need to wait for the rest...
Naruto: The rest??
Link: ...
??: There...
Pointing behind the two of them, two other men had suddenly appeared.
??: The sixth and the seventh wielders of the sword, close in kin... Xuan and his grandson, Ike...
Ike: What is this place?? Grandpa, aren't we dead already??
Xuan: Supposedly so...
Link: So I was right, there were other wielders, but to think there were at least two to come after me, that I would never have dreamt of...
??: No wonder, you lived as a King together with your Queen for the remaining days of your life, as peace continued to thrive in your expanding kingdom... It wasn't until several generations later that peace was disturbed once again, long after your time...
Link: Hmmm...
Xuan: So who are you guys??
Ike: ...
??: This is Link, the fifth wielder of the sword, and this guy, this is Naruto...
Xuan: ...Why are we here??
??: Everything is coming to an end, but only the past creates the future, and thus, we need to draw full circle to be able to go forward from here. I'm sure you recognize this place Link, as this is where you drew the sword, however, if we jump forward in time, then this is how it would look like.
Pointing out in the room again, the scenery suddenly changed as they found themselves by a mysterious pond in the ruins of the once Great Temple. By it were the podium with the sword on top of it, as Ike immediately recognized the place.
Ike: ?! Grandpa, this is where I was told to come to put the sword to rest after the war finally came to an end. Ryu and I traveled for several days before getting here...
Xuan: So this is what it looked like... I could only imagine what this place looked like when you told me on my deathbed...
Ike: ...
Naruto: This place, huh...
Link: Okay, now that we are all a bit better refreshed on how things went down, why don't you explain to us why we really are here?
??: To avoid having to explain the same thing over, let's just wait for the rest that will come here today...
Ike: So there are more than us??
??: Yes...
Xuan: Speaking of which, if you were the wielder before me, Link, then was the legend true? About you fighting with a fierce dragon, piercing the sword into its head? I thought it was said that you died during that battle??
Link: Yeah, no quite, my brother Nexus just happened to write it that way for story-telling purposes, but the part about the dragon was all true... So you drew the sword from its head I reckon??
Xuan: Yes, eventually... So at least that part was true then, huh... You must have lived a long time before our time, as only the head remained, and many people believed it to just be an oddly shaped rock with a fancy story to it...
Link: Probably...
Naruto: Wizard... What about the Sage??
??: Oh yes, the Sage of Six Paths... He found it where Ike left it, in the same manner that Xuan found it where Link left it... He should be here soon...
Link: The Sage??
??: Yes, he's the eight wielder of the sword...
Ike: So there were this many wielders in the end huh... Did True Peace ever happen??
Xuan: From the looks of it, I can't honestly believe that it will ever happen eternally, Ike, but who knows...
Link: ...
Naruto: Well??
??: Ah, there he is...
Naruto: !!
From the shadows of the exit-tunnel came a man, and just like he had walked there before, the man once again walked into the room where the Great Temple once stood.
SoSP: So we meet again, Uzumaki Naruto...
[...]
Ikari: Shit!!
Raikiru: ?!
Having created yet another blast in between them, the two men were sent flying on their backs, only to force themselves up again, ready for yet another clash. Ikari's main problem was that he couldn't overdo his attacks' power, as that could in worst case scenario, kill Raikiru, and that was not his intent, however, if he didn't use enough power in his attacks, he wouldn't even able to land a scratch on him, and thus, the battle went basically nowhere as of now.
Ikari: This isn't working at all... I wonder if the other Kages are doing any better... !!
Staring at Raikiru, Ikari noticed that his beaming red eyes suddenly disappeared, as if the mind-control had been broken. Running over to him, Ikari tried yet another time to get through to him, knowing that he had to act fast if he was to make an impact.
Ikari: Did something happen to Raigo?! Oi, Raikiru, can you hear me??
Raikiru: Ikari??... I-... What is going on, my head feels like it is going to explode...
Ikari: I need to know while I still have you with me... What do you remember??
Raikiru: Everything, and it hurts like hell, I... I don't know what to think anymore...
Ikari: The cause, are you still fighting for the same cause?? It is important that I know, it is important that you are still with me, still at our side!
Raikiru: I... Yes, I am with you Ika-...?! Aaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!
Ikari: ?! Gwuack!!!!
Out from within Raikiru suddenly came a powerful wave of red chakra as Ikari was blown away. As he got back to his senses, he looked up as Raikiru's entire body was beaming in red chakra, more powerful than it had been before.
Ikari: !! What just happe-...?!
Not hesitating for even a second, Raikiru came straight for him as the two exchanged several rounds before Ikari was blown away, landing on his back. Quickly getting up again, he saw that Raikiru came for him once more, this time even more fiercely.
Raikiru: Lightning Element: Thunder-Wrath, Storming Punch!
Ikari: !!
Just inches from Ikari's face, Raikiru's punch scratch his chin as Ikari only managed to dodge in the last second, coming in at him once more, Ikari fired up a Rasengan to defend himself as the two of them clashed. Great shockwaves teared up the earth around them as the two came face to face.
Ikari: Raikiru!!!!!
A huge blast sent them both flying as Ikari fell through some trees standing behind him in the distance. Landing hard on the ground, Ikari struggled hard to get up, trying to catch his breath. Coming out of the forest, Ikari saw Raikiru standing in front of him, and beside him-...
Ikari: ?! No, no, no, no... No way, it can't be?!?!!
Raigo: *Pant, Pant, Pant* Surprised??
Beside Raikiru stood Raigo, having returned back to them, however, the four other Kages were no place to be seen.
Ikari: *Pant* Impossible, what happened to-...
Raigo: I killed them... I told you I wasn't going to give up before you laid dead on the ground!!
Ikari: !! No... They can't-...
Raigo: But they are, and now, you will die too!
Leaping off towards him, and being joined by Raikiru, the odds had suddenly turned against Ikari's favor!
[...]
Kitsuke: Almost there, keep pressing the advance and victory will surely be ours!!
Zise: If we can defeat our opponents in one last battle, this war will end!
Rei: I won't back down, not now!!
Ibuki: I'm right behind you guys!
Still in battle, Kitsuke was commanding the entire allied force as they were slowly gaining in on the enemy shinobi. Having fought bravely in the Kages' absent, it seemed like the allied forces were doing better than anyone could have hoped for, however, the fierce storm on the horizon worried Kitsuke as they pressed on the attack.
Kitsuke: I can't say I like the look of the weather... I just hope you guys are doing your job as well, Ikari...
Inba: I'm sure they are fine, don't you worry...
Yoshi: Besides, it's the Kages we are talking about! If we worry too much about them, we won't be able to do our jobs here!
Kitsuke: You are right... Everyone, keep going!
[...]
SoSP: And I see that the wizard is here too... Figured, he did promise me that you two would eventually meet, and once you did... We two would meet again...
Naruto: ...
SoSP: Hmm, this place... We are not in the Underworld I see... Why have you recreated this place in the Overworld? Are you planning to make a reality out of it like I once did? I suppose it is not without reason that my soul was dragged here from the Underworld where Naruto sealed my reincarnated Edo-Tensei body??
Naruto: Me? No, I'm not the one who-...
SoSP: I wasn't really talking to you though...
??: There is a reason, yes...
SoSP: ...Time must have gone by fast, seeing you this old, Naruto... How many years has passed since we-...
Naruto: Too many to count...
SoSP: I see...
??: Now that you are here, we only need-...
Aragon: Where the hell am I??
Interrupting from the other side of the room, yet another strange figure appeared beside them.
??: The third wielder arrives... Aragon, this is the ruins of the Temple of Time... Or at least the imagination of it...
Aragon: If you are here Wizard, then that must mean...
Link: Aragon??! I heard legends of you! You were the one first to do battle against the Great King of Evil!
Aragon: Ganondorf, yes... Sadly, we were only able to seal him away... And you are??
Link: My name is-...
??: It can wait... The fourth wielder is here...
Approaching them came the final expected wielder of the sword that the Wizard had called for, as the first and second wielders were still no place to be seen, though, neither were they expected to begin with. Having at last gathered the third to eight wielders of the Master Sword, the Wizard could finally begin explaining, but first, he had to gain the men's attention...
Levi: This place... Is it the same as??
Ike: Temple of Time, yes we already know that! Can we please go on??
Xuan: Ike, it's not like you're in any rush to get back to being dead, is there?
Ike: Uhm... I suppose not...
Levi: The last thing I remember was my... Death?? Hmm... Did Ganondorf die??
Aragon: Ganondorf?? So he broke the seal and returned from the Sacred Realm??
Levi: Yes... After slaying the resurrected Demon King Demise, Ganondorf's beastly transformation of Ganon reverted back to his human form... That is when I found the Master Sword within the Lost Woods and-...
Aragon: The Lost Woods... Oh, the Master Sword had to be hidden away there because the Temple of Time was destroyed during the Hyrulean War... I suppose the Temple was rebuilt after the war came to an end, and-...
Levi: Indeed, and after I retrieved it, I went up against Ganondorf... I suppose I was able to slay him, but it cost my life, did it not?? Hmm... Yes, I am certain I did...
Link: Aragon and Levi... You two were my predecessors, the ones to fight the Great King of Evil before me...
Levi: Before you??
Link: Yes... Millenniums after your great tales ended, the Great King of Evil returned... I don't know how, but in the end, I was able to kill him for good as his body turned into stone with the sword stuck into his head and-...
Xuan: Then, after I retrieved the sword from his head ages later-...
Ike: And after the Unification war of the Three Kingdoms was brought to an end after I inherited the sword from you grandpa, the sword was then brought here-...
SoSP: So that I could retrieve it and go up against the Jubi-...
Naruto: Before handing it over to me so I could escape the Underworld Dimension and break your technique... I don't know who the two first wielders were, but-...
Aragon: So that is why we are here... All the wielders of the Master Sword... But, without the one who created the sword, we are but one short, are we not??
Naruto: Two short actu-...
Aragon: No... This guy... He was the second wielder of the sword...
Naruto: !!
Pointing at the Wizard, the third wielder, Aragon, was confident in his claim.
Naruto: Huh??
SoSP: So it was as I had expected...
??: In some way, it is true... However, I've been more of a guide to you guys through time, than a wielder of the sword itself, that is why I don't like to view myself as-...
Aragon: Don't flatter yourself Great Wizard, you were the one to bring the sword to the Temple of Time in the first place, before that, the sword was nothing more than a powerful item... The first wielder, he was the one to defeat the Demon King Demise, but hearing how he got resurrected from Levi here, I suppose there are really no way to bring Peace that will last for good, is there??
Naruto: Wait, if you were a wielder of the Master Sword once, then that must mean that your heart really is pure, does it not??
Link: About that, how come you still live if you were around in Aragon's time??
??: Age is but a number, there are more things in this world that remains a mystery...
Ike: So you're immortal then??
??: No...
Xuan: Hmm... Okay, whatever you say...
??: Let's move on, shall we? The first wielder... His name was Revan, and he forged the Master Sword as his own blade... He came to earth looking for someone, and that was when I met with him... The rest, is history...
Ike: Revan... That name sounds so familiar... Did he have an alternative name that he was known for?
Naruto: What do you mean??
Link: ...
??: Ahh... You are talking about the dream, are you not??
SoSP: The dream?
Ike: Yes, I was told by someone claiming to be the Hero of Time to come and rest the Master Sword here as the war came to an end, that is how it ended up here to begin with, at least in this Temple's ruins that is...
Link: The Hero of Time?? Yes, that must be the first wielder of the sword, that is at least what the legends said...
SoSP: I see... So since the Goddess was the first wielder's guide and Master, it makes sense for her to tell me to find the sword here after you, Ike...
Link: The Goddess?? As in the Goddess Hylia??
SoSP: Indeed, that was her name... But not much is known about her...
Ike: Hmm...
Xuan: ...
Naruto: So that sums up all the wielders then?...
??: Yes... Revan the first wielder, I, the second wielder, Aragon, the third wielder, Levi, the forth wielder, Link, the fifth wielder, Xuan, the sixth wielder, Ike, the seventh wielder and you, the eight wielder...
Going over to the Sage, the Wizard put his hand on his shoulder as he closed his eyes for a brief second. Just as he did, the other past wielders gathered in a circle beside them.
Naruto: So that makes me the ninth then?
Coming up to them as well, Naruto decided to just pay attention to the situation rather than thinking too much about it, as the Wizard continued.
SoSP: ...
??: There are in fact only eight wielders of the Master Sword, Naruto...
Opening his eyes again, the Wizard turned his attention towards him, as Naruto could not really make any sense of what he just said.
Naruto: What do you mean?
??: If you can fulfill the two remaining requirements and lift the Curse, then you will know what I mean... Now, for why I have summoned you all here... The Master Sword... It is a timeless artifact, a magical sword that can be used as a portal through time... However, to be able to do just that, the sword needs to be restored to its former glory... And for that, it needs every wielders' strength but one... Revan he... You will meet with him later on Naruto, and when you do, you will know what must be done... Now, go and retrieve the sword, Naruto... It is time for the ritual.
Naruto: ??
For once in a long time, Naruto was not the one with all the answers... Everything he had learned, what he had become as the new Great Toad Sage at Mt. Myobokuzan, every bit of it felt like it was forgotten, as if he was back to his youth, his younger-self. It was something strange about the whole situation taking place, and Naruto could simply not even begin to grasp it. Doing as the Wizard said, Naruto went to retrieve the sword as he quickly got back in line right afterwards. The eight men were now gathered together, everyone with their attention towards the middle of the circle.
Naruto: Okay, what now?
??: The Master Sword...
Reaching his right hand out in the air, the Wizard looked at the six other wielders as they all suddenly had their own version of the Master Sword on their backs, everyone except for the Wizard himself...
??: Draw your swords men...
Link: This is it...
Ike: Let's see if Peace can finally happen, huh...
Doing as he said, all six of them drew their swords as they reached them up in the air, connecting with each others' tip as they did. Doing the same shortly thereafter, Naruto was as if waiting for someone, having a puzzled look on his face.
Naruto: What about you Wizard?? If you really are the second wielder, shouldn't you-...
??: ...
SoSP: Oh... So that is how... I finally understand what you meant back then now Great Wizard... So this is why it was important that my meeting with Naruto went as you had planned... So the final piece has finally fallen into place... And my soul can finally rest in peace now, I am glad... To the afterlife men...
Naruto: Old Man-Sennin, what are you talking about??
SoSP: You will see soon... These two meetings have been much fun Naruto, now only time will tell if you were able to fulfill the task I left behind...
Link: Now!
Naruto: ??
??: One legendary weapon, all but one wielder emerges...
Aragon: Together our souls connects, and the Master Sword finally awakens once again...
Levi: The portal through time shall open, and we shall be one yet again!
Link: The sword we wield, as evil shall forever be vanquished!
Xuan: Through pain and suffering, we rise to free the land!
Ike: With each strike we punish, those who stand against justice!
SoSP: And with the Master sword in hand and our hearts set towards one goal... Peace shall forever triumphant! Later, Naruto! Give it your best until the very end!
??: ...
Taking a step back, the Wizard watched as the seven versions of the Master Sword began beaming in a bright light before them, before they all emerged into Naruto's version with the bright light retracting into it.
??: It is done, the Master Sword has been restored... You will now be able to make the journey, Naruto... But first, you will have to overcome the second requirement...
Naruto: ...
??: Defeating me!!
Shouting out, the Wizard went into battle-position as the situation suddenly turned from peaceful to dead-serious. As he did, the Skyworld Dimension slowly begun to vanish, returning them to the real world as the past wielders of the sword disappeared one by one, with smiles on their faces. They had all passed their will and their trust to Naruto, and it was solely up to him now, the last one with the Master Sword in his possession. He knew what he had to do now as he had but one mission; to overcome the Wizard's challenge and finally bring on True Peace. This would be Naruto's final test, even if the journey was still long and far ahead of him.
Naruto: Fine, let's do this then!!
??: Don't hold anything back, no matter what happens!!
Naruto was about to commence the greatest battle of his life!
[...]
Ikari: Uwaaa!! Ug-h... Gwuack!!
Receiving countless blows, Ikari was tossed around as he struggled to get back up on his feet. He could not believe it, did really this Raigo guy kill all the other Kages, all by himself, in one foul swoop?!
Ikari: I-.... Can't-... Fail... Damn it, damn it all!! My plan was not suppose to fail... The rest, if they really are dead, how am I suppose to beat this guy?! Damn it, how could I let this happen?!
Falling to his right knee, Ikari looked beaten up. He had come this far, this close to ending the war, he just couldn't fail here... If he was to fall now, everything would have been for granted...
Raigo: You have fought well, but this is the end for you and your kind... This land is mine, I thought I already told you that!!
Walking closer towards Ikari, Raigo seemed eager to bring the battle to an end as Ikari finally managed to stand up to his feet again. His Sennin Mode was just about to run out of gas, and he had to think of something, anything to turn this around.
Ikari: I promised I wouldn't let anyone else die on my watch, I... If I don't end this war here, everyone I ever cared for will... No, I can't let that happen!! I won't-... That's?!
Raigo: !! You...
Just as it seemed like all hope was lost, unexpected back-up suddenly arrived. It was Utakata, and he was still alive! Badly beaten up, he was clutching to his right side, but despite the wound, he was still standing on his feet.
Utakata: I am not done with you yet, you coward!!
Raigo: ... Oh, so you are still alive I see...
Ikari: Utakata!!
Stopping by his side, Utakata had a concerned look on his face. Would the two of them be enough to turn this tide around?
Ikari: The other Kages?? What happened?!
Utakata: They are dead... This guy... He's stronger than any opponent I have ever faced before... Even the four of us weren't enough to stop him, *Cough, Cough!*
Ikari: Oi, Utakata?!
Having to catch him from falling, Ikari realized the bad shape he was in, and the worst part was that Ikari had no way to help him recover either. Without medical attention, it could only head one way.
Utakata: Don't, I can still fight...
Raigo: Hah, you are already dead, you just don't know it yet!! Perhaps I should have double-checked to make sure that you were dead earlier before returning here... Oh well, guess I just have to make sure to be more efficient this time around then...
Ikari: If you fight...
Utakata: There is no other way Ikari... Stick to the plan, get Raikiru back to us... With his help, I'm certain we will be able to win this!!
Ikari: Wait-... Shit!
Racing off towards Raigo, Ikari saw no other choice than to follow as he clashed with Raikiru once more. The battle was entering its final phase, and the outcome of it would literally decide the war... Fighting for some minutes, the battle seemed to stall for a bit when something dramatic suddenly happened. First, Ikari clashed with Raikiru using his Rasengan, but as he did, he saw in his rear-sight that Raigo outmaneuvered Utakata, and due to this, Ikari lost control over his own attack as he came face to face with Raikiru.
Ikari: ?! Utakata?!!
Utakata: Ugh-...
Raigo: Die!!
Ikari: !!
Blocking Utakata's advance, Raigo drew his sword as he pierced it straight through his stomach, lifting him high up in the air as he did. Focusing on this event taking place beside him, Ikari let his feelings take over as he powered up his Rasengan way more than he had originally thought to. Smashing straight through Raikiru's guard, Ikari sent him flying through the air as Raikiru bumped his head into a small rock as he landed, causing his body to fall motionless on the ground.
Ikari: Shit, I used too much power?!!
Running over to him, Ikari tried checking on him, but before he even got the chance to, Raigo came swinging in with his sword, forcing Ikari to get some distance.
Ikari: !! Utakata?!
Remembering what he had witnessed, Ikari ran over to him to discover what he had feared. Utakata was dead, and with him, died the last hope Ikari had at turning this battle around in his favor. The situation was dense, hopeless to say the least, but could he still find a way through it, to come out on top??
Raigo: No, no, no, Raikiru... My son!!
Ikari: ...
Holding Raikiru in his arms, Raigo seemed to fall in an uncontrollable rage. Looking up at Ikari, he was more serious than he ever had been before.
Raigo: Now you've done it... Now you've really done it!!
Ikari: Raikiru, he's not... He can't be...
Raigo: My son is dead, and you will pay for it!! Summoning Technique!!
Slamming his hand into the ground, Raigo summoned six large salamanders beneath him as the one Raigo was riding on top of, reached its long sticky tongue out and picked Raikiru's body up, storing him inside his mouth.
Raigo: Prepare to die!!
Leaping off towards Ikari, Raigo was set to end this battle once and for all.
Ikari: Summoning Technique!!
Not having time to think up a strategy, Ikari used his last bit of Sennin Mode to summon his own army as ten different toads appeared underneath and around him.
Ikari: You have caused enough pain already Raigo, I will kill you, if it is the last thing I do!!
Clashing hard, the two men fought for their lives, each one desperately to defeat the other.
[...]
A tense and dark feeling filled the air, this was the moment Naruto knew would eventually come, in one way or the other, the one thing he had set his mind on and prepared for, for the past 100ed or so years. He had to overcome the Wizard, to be able to fulfill his promise, no matter what. It was his Ninja Way, to never back down on the promises he made. This was one of them, and he was finally this close to fulfilling his destiny...
Naruto: !!
Not holding anything back, Naruto went with his best techniques right off the bat, but whatever technique he used or whenever he seemingly connected with the Wizard with one of them, none of what he tried seemed to have any effect, whatsoever. Even his Rasengan had a direct hit, but it was as if it was just sucked into the Wizard's body without even as much as an effort having to be made from his side, to be able to prevent Naruto's attacks from taking any damage on his body. He was just standing there, still in the same battle-position, as it felt like time almost stopped completely before them.
Naruto: Is this the same as the Rinnegan's powers?? No... There is something else taking play here, but what??
The Wizard was more powerful than he had expected, and in one way, he really seemed immortal. But why could he not land a single scratch on his body? The Wizard didn't even seem to bother dodging, as he was just standing there, watching as Naruto sent technique after technique his way. The strange thing was that, whenever he tried using something more advanced, it was as if the technique were sucked out of his hands before he even got to fully created them, yet along go for the Wizard with them in hand. There was something else happening, and Naruto could feel it. It was like a strange dream where Naruto in one moment was attacking, and in the next, he was just standing there looking the Wizard's way.
Naruto: What is going on?! Why am I not able to utilize any of my stronger techniques, yet along land a hit on your body with any of my weaker ones?? It is not Genjutsu either, so what are you up to??
??: ...It won't work like that, Naruto... You have to use your Sennin Mode, that is the only way you can weaken me... I already know every one of your attacks, and the only way you can actually deal any damage to me, is by using the way of the old, before my time. Combine the Master Sword with your natural chakra, that way, you can do it... However, it certainly won't be easy!
Naruto: ?!
??: I am but a shallow vessel for chakra to blossom. Everything related to it won't have any effect. The reason is simple, and everything shall be clear if you can defeat me!! Even if I am your opponent now, I am still your ally... We walk the same path, but we are but two separate beings... Think of me as a shadow, mimicking your every move... You have to think outside the box, to use speed faster than I am able to keep up with. I can read your mind, but I already know the future... Neither good nor evil, I will not respond to either force directly. Have a clear mind, but strike with intent, as only the Master Sword can terminate my long overdue existence. I believe you can do it, Naruto, you will be the one to finally bring past and future to one dimension. Two paths shall become one, and Peace shall remain as the only way forward...
Naruto: I can't even begin to understand, I-...
??: Do not think, just act!
Reaching out for his back, the Wizard suddenly had his own version of the Master Sword in his hand as he came charging in for Naruto.
Naruto: I don't know what you mean, but if that is the way you want it, if there is only one way defeating you, so be it...
Drawing his sword as well, Naruto prepared himself as Kurama's voice emerged from within him.
Kurama: Whatever you do Naruto, do not underestimate this guy. We are close, close to realizing your dream, but, we have to see things through properly... If you can't use my chakra or your own to defeat him, you will have to use your willpower and strength alone. I know you can do this, just never give up and trust your instincts!!
Naruto: I will not fail, Kurama!! Go forth, Sennin Mode!
[...]
Ikari: !!
Raigo: Aaaaarrrrrrghhh!!
The battle had raged on for about an hour now, and it had both had its ups and downs. But even though both sides seemingly had had the battle in their favor each their turn, it was now that the strongest of the two was beginning to show. Taking care of Ikari's last toad, Raigo was still standing two salamanders strong, and to top it all, Ikari's Sennin Mode finally ran out of gas.
Ikari: *Pant, pant, pant...*
Raigo: So your Sennin Mode finally ended huh... Very well, I suppose I should end this no-... ??
Ikari: ?! What is this?!! Could it be?!
Just as Raigo was about to fire off an attack, Ikari's entire body began beaming in all sorts of colorful chakra. It was as if his strength returned back to him in an instant, and that his powers were amplified by several times over.
Ikari: What is happening with me?! This chakra... Naruto's??!
Feeling the chakra flow through him, Ikari could feel Naruto's own chakra burning strong from deep within his core. Just like he was able to suddenly throw his RasenShuriken, and how he suddenly was able to utilize lightning element in his battle with Raika, this had to be the same connection that he had felt before. Just what could it be, and when- even how had Naruto been able to transfer some of his powers to him? This time he was certain, it just had to be when he healed his broken arm before, but with no time to analyze it further, Ikari knew that he had to utilize this power-up while he still could. Drawing both his swords from his back, Ikari leaped off with incredible speed, spinning around as he sliced the two salamanders feet, forcing them to fall over.
Raigo: !! What the hell?!
Jumping up in the air, Ikari span several times over before he swung both his swords with massive force, Raigo's way, whom only could block his attempt with his own sword to avoid getting hit. The clash was so hard that both of Ikari's swords broke in the process, leaving a large crack in Raigo's sword. Following up with a Rasengan as he span around, Ikari smashed it right through Raigo's guard, breaking his sword in two and sending him flying through the air. Landing on the ground again, Ikari's hands transformed into two razor-sharp wind-blades as he went straight for the salamander with Raikiru in its mouth. Slashing at its jaw, the salamander's mouth opened up wide as its tongue rolled out and Raikiru's body fell out on the ground beside him. Disappearing in smoke, the salamander was no more as Ikari concentrated his remaining attack on the other salamander, unleashing a powerful hurricane which pierced straight through it in one fatal blow. Pausing for a bit, Ikari went over to Raikiru as he checked on him.
Ikari: Hmm... As I though, he's still-...
Looking down at Raikiru, Ikari was about to examine him further when Raigo suddenly came straight for him, having recovered from the previous blast.
Raigo: Leave my dead son's body alone!!
Ikari: !! Let's see if this actually works...
Before Raigo could even get close, Ikari disappeared in thin air, reappearing right behind his back as he sent a powerful punch straight his way.
Ikari: This is it! 6th Gate of Wonder, Open!!
Raigo: The Eight Gates?! Gwuack-...
Sending Raigo flying at incredible speed, Ikari was all over the place, smashing and tearing his armor apart. Combining the gates with his Flying Thunder God, Ikari went by so fast that Raigo could only take the damage that was being dealt to him. His armor was practically on fire as he hit the ground, sending him several meters down into it in the process. Ikari was exhausted... This was it, it just had to be and he knew it. Landing on the ground again, Ikari took a deep breath.
Ikari: *Pant, Pant...*
Watching closely as the smoke was settling, Ikari was just about to head over to check the crater out when a hand landed on the surface, then another...
Ikari: !!
He couldn't believe it, there was no way he could still be... Watching as Raigo slowly dragged himself up from the hole, Ikari looked panic-struck. He had nothing more to give, and he was totally out of it. If that didn't take care of Raigo, what would? Finally being able to stand to his feet again, only his armor's lower-body remained, with the rest slowly regenerating as he approached Ikari.
Raigo: My-...Will-...Shall-...Triumphant...
Ikari: Ugh-...
Leaping off towards him, Raigo sent a kick straight to Ikari's groin, sending him tumbling over as he did, and just as Ikari hit the ground, Raigo then grabbed a hold onto his hair as he pulled him up to his knees.
Ikari: Ah-...
Raigo: Ahahahahahahaha!! I win!!
Laughing out as he drew out a short-blade that he had holstered at his side, Raigo placed it at Ikari's throat, ready to end his life at any moment.
Raigo: I haven't felt this alive since I battled the leaders of the four clans in my own land... Congratulation, you were this close to defeating me, however, it was not enough, Hokage...
Ikari: ...
Reaching out for his hand, Ikari could only try to keep the blade away from his throat, but it was to no use. He had no strength left, and Raigo could feel it.
Raigo: No you don't... You see, it was always meant to end this way... With all of you pesky Kages gone, I will lead my forces to crushing victory... Then, peace can finally happen...
Ikari: I-...
Raigo: This is the end for you, but before you die, I want you to know something...
Ikari: ...
Raigo: Raiba he... He knew there was a powerful shinobi among your forces... He warned me that if the allied forces continued to gain victory after victory, then there was no way we could win this war. However, this strong man amongst your ranks had a weakness... This girl named Rin, yes, I think that was her name, was it not??
Ikari: !!
Raigo: He urged me to have her dealt with to upset you guys enough to make a mistake, and guess what, it did its trick... During that battle, I ordered a group of assassins to look for her...
Ikari: You did what?!-...
Raigo: I'm not done talking!!
Pressing the blade even closer to his skin, Ikari had to cease talking to avoid having the blade pierce his throat.
Raigo: She died like the squealing pig she were, and shortly thereafter, everything went our way!!
Ikari: !! You bastard!!
Raigo: I suppose it was only fair that you got your revenge killing my two brothers though, but with your death here, we can finally be even...
Ikari: I-... I did not kill Raiba...
Raigo: ...
Ikari: He was too-...Strong...
Raigo: Really now... Then who killed him?
Ikari: Does it matter?? Nothing can change the past, the future is all that matters now...
Raigo: I suppose that is true, for once we agree on something... And that is why... That is why you will have to die too...
Ikari: No, I will, I will-...
He wanted so badly to kill this guy, and even with all his taunts, Ikari could do nothing to get back on him. He was completely powerless to do anything. He had failed, failed to protect his friends and those he cared about, failed to complete his duty as Hokage. All the trust everyone had put in him, just so that it could end this way??
Ikari: I-... I'm finished... I've failed everyone... Rin... I'm sorry...
Raigo: Bwuhahaha, there is no time for regrets now!
Ikari: You might as well kill me Raigo... I have nothing more to give...
Raigo: ...
Ikari: Just kill me you bastard, what are you waiting for?!
Raigo: You are the strongest opponent I ever have battled Hokage, but still, I was never suppose to lose, and that is why you lost here today... My undefeated streak continues to rise! And now... Now, you will die!!!
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: Nooooo!!!
Raigo: ?! Gwu-ack!!...
Ikari: ??!!
Blood spat on Ikari's face, however, even how likely it would seem, it was definitely not his own. Raigo's blade fell to the ground before him as Ikari jumped forward to get away while he could, and as he turned around to see what exactly happened, he saw the unthinkable.
Raigo: Gukk-... Rai-Kiru, you...
Having drawn a blade of his own, Raikiru had jumped in and pierced it right through his own father's neck from behind. Blood dripped on the ground as Raigo only barely managed to turn his head to the side, and at the realization of his own son still being alive, and being the one to kill him, he tumbled over face first. Ikari was shocked to say the least, as Raikiru had only bumped his head, causing him to fall temporary unconscious. Having awakened again, Raikiru saw that his father was about to kill Ikari, and acting on his instincts, his body moved by itself before his mind even managed to gather a proper thought.
Ikari: Raikiru... Why??
Raikiru: I... I know who I am now, who I used to be... My father's way was wrong, and I could not let his lust for death and pain continue... I-... I realize now that who I was before, no longer is who I am today. Ikari, you are my friend, and I believe you are the one to bring much deserved peace to this land, and that is why, why I chose to believe in you...
Ikari: !!
Raikiru had killed his own father to save him... If this wasn't an act of his true allegiance, then nothing could ever prove otherwise. Going over to Ikari, Raikiru reached his hand out, helping him up to his feet again. The battle was over, but it had definitely had its costs. Ikari was struggling to stand, but he knew there and then... The war was finally over.
Raikiru: So what happens now?...
Ikari: I... I don't know... What are you thinking?
Raikiru: I... I will take command over my forces, over the Rai clan... It is time I led them on a proper path...
Ikari: Are you sure?? How??
Raikiru: I didn't tell you earlier, but... Once I entered the enemy main camp, not a single guard attacked me... They know who I am Ikari... Who I used to be... With Raido's help, we can bring an end to this war, to all the pain and suffering that my clan has caused, I am sure of it...
Reaching his hand out once more, Raikiru had a smile on his face. For the first time in a long while, he was confident that the future would bring prominent and prospering days to all of them. Grabbing a hold onto Raikiru's hand, a truce of peace was made between the two forces.
Raikiru: Guess I should head back to the camp and take command...
Ikari: I should head back to tell Kitsuke about the latest news... With Raigo taken care off, the enemy-... Your troops should withdraw...
Raikiru: Yes... Let's meet up again afterwards to make things final...
Bidding their farewell for now, Raikiru grabbed a hold onto Raigo's black horse who was standing by a tree feeding on some grass as he headed back to his camp. Ikari on the other hand, sat down for a few minutes, gathering up chakra for one last ride. Disappearing from view, Ikari then reappeared by the allied main camp's border as the battle there had come to an end. Meeting with Kitsuke and the rest, the remaining enemy troops had already surrendered as Ikari informed them of the situation. Regretting the other Kages death, Kitsuke then commanded their forces together with Ikari, as they all headed towards the enemy main camp with their prisoners. Eventually arriving there a few hours later, they were met by Raikiru and Raido at the gate of the main camp, as they brought out their remaining forces, all of them being unarmed. The war had come to an end, and as a meeting to find out what to do next had to soon be set, Ikari had a feeling that he had something else he had to take care of first before anything.
Kitsuke: Oi, Ikari, where are you going??
Raikiru: Yes, we still need to figure things out...
Raido: ...
Ikari: It can wait, I'm sure you guys have things under control from here on and out.
Kitsuke: But you are the only Kage left alive at the moment! How can we get anywhere without your approval?
Inba: Yeah... Something bothering you, Ikari??
Yoshi: He's worried Inba, I can clearly tell...
Ikari: I-... I will be back before you know it... And then, then we can agree on a meeting to figure things out...
Zise: ...Well, if you feel like you have something to take care of kid, then do it.
Rei: But you better be fast...
Ibuki: Ikari...
Ikari: Right, I'll be seeing you then...
Arriving at Mt. Myobokuzan a few moments later, Ikari then met with Fukasaku, just outside the Great Temple's entrance.
Fukasaku: So Naruto was right putting his trust in you, Ikari... You have come far, further than I had expected. You truly are a real Toad Sage, the very next one in line...
Ikari: It is done, the war is over... It is finally over, Fukasaku...
Fukasaku: Hmm...
Ikari: And Naruto??
Fukasaku: He-...
Ikari: I know he's gone to see the Wizard like the future had predicted, I could feel his true emotion through his chakra...
Fukasaku: Through his chakra??
Ikari: No time to explain, I need to know, I need to know where he went to meet him...
Realizing that there was no point hiding it away from Ikari any further, Fukasaku gave him the coordinates as Ikari was gone in a flash before him.
Fukasaku: So it all finally comes to an end... Naruto, it is all up to you now...
[...]
Naruto: *Pant, Pant*
??: You are getting there, but you still need to advance with greater intent! Do not sway from your path, believe in yourself and Peace shall happen!
Naruto: Whatever I do, nothing seems to work!! This battle will go on forever, as long as you are able to read through my every move and defend against them! It's like you know my moves before I even think to make them, like you know how this battle will play out before it has even managed to advance properly. How am I suppose to beat a shadow?!
??: ...You have several allies, use them!
Naruto: !!
Realizing what he meant, Naruto ventured inside himself as every Tailed Beast, including the Ten Tails, added their opinions. However, all except for one seemed to help Naruto no further, as it wasn't until Kurama added his opinion that Naruto knew what he had to do.
Kurama: To overcome your shadow, you have to do the unexpected, the one thing not even a shadow can mirror or predict!...
Naruto: Right!!
??: ...
Leaping forward, Naruto readied his sword.
??: Now or never kid, do it!!
Naruto: Aaaaaaarrrrggghhh!!
Readying his sword, Naruto swung it as the Wizard did the same to counter, but as the swords were about to connect with each other, Naruto suddenly let his guard down before him.
??: ?!
Naruto: Gwuack-...
Swinging his sword down towards the ground and missing his target on purpose, just as the two swords were about to connect with each other, Naruto got hit by the Wizard's sword instead, as the sword buried itself deep down into him between his head and his right shoulder, causing him to spit blood up in the process. Was it a fatal blow or did Naruto have some sort of plan up his sleeves?
??: !! What are you doing?!
Just standing there, Naruto took the hit head on as the Wizard looked at him with a puzzled look.
??: ...-Ugh?!
Just a moment later after getting hit, Naruto flung his sword forward as it pierced the Wizard through his stomach, causing him to fall backwards and lose grip of his own sword which was still stuck into Naruto, as he did.
Naruto: ...There is only one Master Sword, is there not?? I had to immobilize yours before I could really use my own...
Grabbing a hold onto the sword stuck in his shoulder, Naruto dragged it out as it started vaporizing into thin air before him. Just as it did, Naruto's wound healed in the process, as if he wasn't even injured to begin with.
Naruto: It's not my healing powers that are healing the wound... Now I understand how your technique worked... The thing is, even though it was not Genjutsu you used, your version of the Master Sword was just an illusion... Even though you were able to go toe to toe with my Master Sword and effectively render all my techniques useless, your version was still not able to attack, only parry and deflect my own attacks. The Master Sword is able to oppose all evil, and since "Ninjutsu" is a result of the Jubi, the one wielding the Master Sword is able to resist any technique... In the end, a shadow can't do something before the user does, and thus, I was able to read through your move this time instead of the other way around... That is why, even though I was hit by your Master Sword replica, it really had no effect on me...
??: ...So you figured it out, did you not... Well done, ugh-...
Having let go of his sword, the Master Sword was still stuck through the Wizard's abdomen. He had a surprised look on his face, but at the same time, it was a look of a satisfied man.
??: It seems that with each timeline, the ending takes place differently... That is why I wasn't able to realize how you were suppose to defeat me before you actually did, and intercept your fatal strike...
Naruto: What do you mean??
Looking at him, Naruto noticed that tiny, tiny bits of clothes and skin started to fall off from the Wizard's body, vaporizing into the air as they did. Had Naruto's move done the trick? Was this really the end of their battle?
??: It is finally happening... After all these years, my job is finally done, my destiny fulfilled... So I can finally rest now, and be rejoined with my family and friends beyond the skies... Thank you, Naruto, my soul can finally be free again now...
Naruto: What are you-...
??: Naruto, haven't you figured it out yet?? Haven't you figured out who I really am?
Naruto: !!
It was then, in that very moment, that Naruto started realizing what the Wizard had been onto, all along. Reaching down to the sword stuck through him, the Wizard pulled it out of himself as he tossed it over to Naruto whom caught it mid-air, wiping the blood on it off and holstering it on his back as he did. Using his remaining strength, the Wizard then reached up to his helmet, as he slowly removed it from his head and tossed it on the ground before them. Seeing this, Naruto could not believe what he saw... His face finally came into view, and for some reason, the Wizard looked just like someone he knew, but he had no idea how that was even possible to begin with, could the Wizard really be...
Naruto: You are-... How is this possible?!
Jubi: !!
Kurama: Naruto, that is!! So this is why we weren't able to sense his chakra to begin with, because he is the same as...
Looking at him, the Wizard looked exactly like a younger version of himself, of Naruto. What type of technique was this?? How could the Wizard be no other than a younger-self of Naruto himself??
Naruto: Am I-... No... The Sage too looked like me... Are we both reincarnations of you somehow??
Kurama: That is not it Naruto, this is different... If you remember the Sage's chakra, he definitely had his own sense, his own smell... This man however, he really is-...
??: I am you, Uzumaki Naruto, we are the same being, the same man, the same soul, but from different periods of time... It's kind of hard to explain, but I will enlighten you more on the matter before my time is up, I promise you... I am of the past, but I still am the future you...
Naruto: ?! But, but...
It couldn't be... All the time Naruto had spent preparing for this destined meeting, a meeting that would decide whether True Peace would finally happen or not... Only so that he could meet with himself from the future?? How was that even possible to begin with, yet along a younger-looking version of himself?? If this was his Future-Self, would this mean that Naruto still had a long way to go before he could fulfill his destiny, and was this how it all would finally come to an end? Naruto had never been so confused in his entire life, yet, it all started to make some sense now, and as Naruto was pondering on how it all was possible, his Future-Self went on explaining.
Future Naruto: I don't have much time to explain, so I'll have to be brief... Even though we have walked two different paths, we are still the same man... You are not the ninth wielder of the Master Sword like you thought, Naruto, but in truth, you are the second wielder of the sword... You just happened to claim it at two different periods of time...
Naruto: ...
Future Naruto: You weren't able to sense my chakra, because we are the same man... You could only sense your own, and that is why it seemed like I wasn't human... The Tailed Beasts, although they no longer exist inside my body, their chakra still remains inside of me...
Naruto: I...
Future Naruto: So as you can understand, the reason I know so much about you, about your past, is because I am you, and because I've been through the same as you, ages ago, I knew everything you would do, every choice you would make... I knew that this day was always meant to be my last... That in some twisted way, I could only die by the hands of my Past-Self, for True Peace to ever happen...
Naruto: Your Past-Self... So this really means that I will end up like you, and that this is the place where we... Die?
It was like his entire body suddenly felt the pain of dying... It was still not Naruto's day to die, but at the same time, it also was, as in the end, if this really was him from the future, then Naruto knew there and then how it all would come to a close. This was how he would end up dying, by his very own hands of all things... Was this really the only way, was this truly his fate?
Future Naruto: Eventually, yes... And like I just realized, each time-period creates a different ending, but no matter how different it is, how different it seems, how different either one of us acts, the outcome will always be the same, just like it was last time when I made the same choice as you... It's been 7000 years since I was in your shoes, since I made that choice you just made... That day... You must be feeling the same as I did. In truthfulness, I don't really feel a thing now as my body slowly tears itself apart... I suppose, I went through the feeling of dying when I was in your shoes, that I've been prepared to die for so long, that-... I'm glad that I was able to go through with my final journey, only so I could end up here, at this very day... So in the end, the Past really did create the Future...
Naruto: 7000 years... That really is a long time... I don't know if I can wait that long before I-...
Future Naruto: The past and the future meets here... What I've been through, what you will go through... The reason you have to kill me is simple, because as long as the Jubi's powers still exist, this world can never have Peace, and since we are the same person, we can't continue to exist in the same Era... Ironically, the only way I could die, was by having a different version, a different time-period of myself, my Past-Self, kill me; but even so, I was never able to kill myself or die on purpose, before this very day...
Naruto: ...
Future Naruto: This was the destined choice you had to make, Naruto, the ultimate choice, the ultimate sacrifice of "killing" yourself... That is why I could not reveal my identity to neither you nor the Sage himself before, because if you were aware of who I was to begin with, you might not have been able to make the same choice, like you did...
Naruto: !! So that is what the Sage meant at the end... He realized that you and I, that we were the same...
Future Naruto: Yes...
Naruto: I see...
Future Naruto: And the worst part about this whole thing, about our meeting, *Cough, Cough...* Is that you would have already made that choice before realizing what choice you actually were making. The choice of Life and Death, that you were destined to make, the choice that I would "give" you... The only way True Peace could ever happen, was with the Jubi and ourselves... Gone from this world, Uzumaki Naruto... And even with the Curse of the Jubi gone, there are no certainty that it actually will happen the way we have dreamt about, because neither one of us will be here to witness it...
Naruto: I can't even, how can we-...
Future Naruto: From this day onward, we can only believe that with the Curse gone, Peace will last eternally, and so, we will have to believe in the future generations, to put our fate in them, that they can walk hand-in-hand and have a mutual understanding of each others' feelings, like we did together with our friends and fellow shinobi of the past...
Naruto: Ikari and the Shinobi World Alliance... So all we can do from this day onward is to believe? That with the Curse of the Jubi, which binds Shinobi to eternal fighting lifted, men will once again be free to make up their own minds and destinies?
Future Naruto: Yes... However, the Curse is not lifted just yet...
Naruto: !!
Future Naruto: And time is starting to run out as we speak...
Looking at him, the whole lower-part of his Future-Self's body had already vaporized as only his upper-part remained.
Future Naruto:This brings us over to the third requirement to lift the Curse of the Jubi, the most important one yet...
Naruto: And that is?? What is the final requirement??...
Slowly, but steadily, more and more parts of his Future-Self's body continued to vaporize before him... Was this really Naruto's ultimate destiny?? Could there really be no Peace without him having to go through all this first? If this was the truth, then Naruto's journey had only just begun, as a long and hard path was still ahead of him, waiting for him to one day, return to this place and to this very meeting.
Future Naruto: To lift the Curse, and hopefully create True Eternal Peace, Naruto... The last requirement that is set, is for you to use the Master Sword as a Link through Time, and travel 7000 years back in time... This is why you met with the previous wielders, to be able to awaken the Master Sword's true abilities, to put the sword to its final rest... That is your current destiny, the last thing you will do before you leave this world, as the sword... It can not be taken with you through time, as there can only exist one Master Sword at a time... I'm sure you already understand this...
Naruto: Hmm... So the Master Sword holds the final Key, since hatred has existed longer than the Curse of the Jubi has... With it being placed to eternal rest, having vanquished all evil that ever stood up against its righteous might, no hatred will ever rise again from this day forward?
Future Naruto: Only time will tell, but personally, that is what I am lead to believe, and so, I suppose you will be lead to believe that as well, eventually... The thing is, since my time is up and you are traveling to the past, there is no way for either one of us to say what will happen starting tomorrow, but like I mentioned before, the afterlife probably holds the Key... As only time will tell in the end, and that is something I have finally run out of... I have played my part, my role, and whether True Eternal Peace was ever meant to be or not, that is for the future generations to figure out... All that is left for me now, is to die...
He spoke plainly for once, but something in what he said, made Naruto agree. His Future-Self had after all, opened up their meeting by stating that there probably wasn't even a Key to True Eternal Peace to begin with, wondering if it was actually possible. If he, after over 7000 years looking for that answer, had come to believe that it would happen after his time was up, then what was it that Naruto could think otherwise? For Naruto himself, there was only one thing he could do from this day onward, and that was to...
Naruto: Then I will choose to believe in that as well, like you do...
Future Naruto: You still have a long, long, long road ahead of you, I am afraid, and you can only rest once you get to where I am today... Once there in the past, you will first meet with the first wielder of the sword, Revan, and from there on and out, you will have to keep watch over the world, to make sure everything goes as it should, that everything falls into place...
Naruto: How will I know what to do, to make sure I go through the same steps as you?
Future Naruto: You will find your path, just like I found mine... It's not a matter of knowing what to do, it is a matter of doing what you think is right...
Naruto: Gotcha...
Future Naruto: Most importantly, once time has gone by and the Sage of Six Paths comes to be... It is important that you guide him like I once did, but from that day onward, you will have to keep your identity a secret... Even if you are tempted to change, to alter history, to prevent the Curse from ever happening... You will have to let history play out as it was always meant to be, because if you don't... You will never come to be, Uzumaki Naruto, and if you are never born, this meeting of ours can never take place and this world will forever be lost...
Naruto: I understand...
Future Naruto: Time-travel does a thing or two with you, and since the Master Sword only remembers a certain appearance of the one wielding it, you will find yourself looking younger once you touch ground again in the past, like you've been reborn somehow... You will still be you, but your humanity will have returned you back to what you used to be, back to the same person you were when you were around your best age of 30... You will no longer be the man you came to be once you climbed to immortality, but all of your experience, all of your wisdom, will be intact... You have to be careful though, because even if you don't age, you can still die prematurely... And if you die in the past, only the unthinkable will happen... For you to succeed, it is important that you keep a bright mind, and that you remember this meeting of ours...
Naruto: How did you endure all this?? Why were we chosen for this task??
Future Naruto: There are many things in this world that we can never truly understand, one of them, is destiny... And even with all our knowledge, even with the ability we once had to foresee the future, I still can't answer that question. It is as it is, and so it will always be... Fate can be a peculiar thing indeed, but perhaps the afterlife holds the Key to our final questions... The reason you have been feeling alive, mortal again, like you were on the edge of dying, the closer you got to this meeting, is because in one sense, you do die here today... We do die here today, Uzumaki Naruto... To watch your own death taking place before you, is... Strange to say the least... I can feel it is close now, and finally I'll be able to move on without any regrets...
Naruto: My-own-self-Sennin...
It was himself that was about to die, so of course Naruto could not help feeling sorry for him, but also, in some other way or form, he also felt relieved, because this meeting proved one thing, and that was the fact that no matter how hard or how long his road was still ahead of him, he would finally be able to move on in the end, and find his loved ones beyond the afterlife...
Future Naruto: ...Since chakra has yet to be... Since the Jubi has yet to be... Because you'll travel to the past, this day will be the last day you can ever converse with the Tailed Beast ever again, as even when time finally becomes the future once again, the Tailed Beasts will forever be gone...
Naruto: !! As in??
Kurama: That means... We will no longer exist? Once Naruto makes the time-travel, we will die? I see, so that is our fate then...
Jubi: I'm not sure if I like this plan, but if that is what needs to be done...
Future Naruto: Only the Jubi's chakra will remain inside you, Naruto... And when you finally do get to where I am today, the Jubi's chakra will also vanish when you die, and chakra will eventually disappear for good as the Curse ceases to be... I know it might be hard to grasp now, but that is how you will come to experience the past... Your powers will be absent for a very long time, and even though you might still feel the same, you will in one sense just be a regular human with some extra abilities to go along with... If you at any point lack motivation, just think of this day, when you finally will be able to move on, and I'm sure you will do fine... This is the final requirement, Naruto... Travel to the past and return to this meeting... To die by your own hands, that is our fate...
Naruto: So my destiny... It is far from over then...
Future Naruto: Indeed, this is where our paths goes each their separate way... All that remains now is for you to depart from this world... To say your last goodbyes to those you feel are needed... As the next time you step foot here and meet yourself like I just did, your time will finally come to an end too, and your task will be completed... If I had the time to, I would go visit their graves one last time, but alas, I suppose I will be better off seeing them in person instead...
Naruto: ...
Future Naruto: Do you know... What to do... From here on... And out??
Naruto: Yes... I am ready now, Naruto...
Future Naruto: Good... Get to where I am today... And you too can finally... Attend the journey... To the afterlife...
Naruto: You...
Even Naruto could not restrain himself witnessing his own future death happening before him as he struggled to keep his cool. It wasn't as much as him crying over his own death or that he was afraid of dying... It was that he was happy for himself, that he would finally be able to rejoin with his friends and family, something he himself had longed for, for a long time already, having been lead to believe that he had been chosen for eternal service at Mt. Myobokuzan, never to be able to move on and see his loved ones again. A tear left his eye-socket as it ran down his wrinkly old face...
Future Naruto: It is time... It has been forever since I last saw my family and friends... My wife Hinata, my children Jiraiya and Kushina, my grandson Minato, Ero-Sennin, father, mother, Kakashi-Sensei, Sakura-Chan, Sasuke, Gaara, Killerbee, and all the others... Now we can finally be reunited... At last-... At long last...
Only his face remained now as tears of joy begun to stream down his chin. His Future-Self's time finally came to an end, and only his smile of confidence was left before he disappeared completely from view. This was how the tale of The Legendary Sage of Konoha, would eventually come to an end...
Naruto: So this is how it will all end, huh... My path is still long ahead of me then...
Watching as his own eventual death took place before him, Naruto then proceeded to walk outside the cave as he looked downhill, on the land below. Looking up towards the skies above afterwards, Naruto suddenly felt sad, yet happy at once.
Kurama: Whenever you are ready Naruto...
Naruto: Yeah, I know Kurama... Is this his last technique? No, this is definitely...
Looking up on the sky, a scenery took place before him as Naruto watched himself rejoin with all his friends and family from Konoha and the rest of the Shinobi Alliance. This was how his life would come to an end, and he could only look forward to it, still in mind that he had a long road ahead of himself before he could finally be the one to rest. As he was looking up on the skies, images from his whole life suddenly started to flash before him, from the first day he met with Iruka-Sensei, Team 7 and the rest of Konoha 11, the countless battles he had been through, all the sacrifices that had had to be made, Konohamaru, Jiraiya-Sensei, Granny Tsunade, Gaara, Killerbee, and all the others... His marriage with Hinata and his son and daughter being born, him rescuing Sasuke from the other side and becoming Hokage, his three students Jin, Asuka and Heihachi, his son succeeding him to become the next Hokage, and his grandson after that again. All these memories, as far back as he could remember, all the way up until this very point when he watched his own death happening before him... All those memories from over 150 years of existence- Yet, he still had 7000 years to go. Even with all this on mind, it still felt like he had come to the point he always sought to go. Would Peace finally happen once he left this world for good? He could only hope as a bright smile formed on his face. Through all those fading memories of his life, there was especially this one thing that no matter what happened, Naruto would never forget. The last day he ever saw his family...
*Flashback Begin*
'Jiraiya: Are you sure father?? I mean, we've just finally been able to deal with Zetsu once and for all, do you really need to undergo even more training at this point?
Naruto: I am afraid so... I will be gone for a long time, but one day, one day I will return to this Temple again.
Jiraiya: I see... Well whatever it is that you seek in the Forsaken Forest, I hope you'll find it... Kushina, Minato and Hinata should be here short-... Ahh, there they are.
Naruto: ...
Minato: I told you it would not be hard to convince them for one last visit, although I must say grandpa, why did you sound so serious before? After Tobi's resurrection was stopped and Zetsu dealt with, you just returned here to Mt. Myobokuzan in a hurry. Then after the Chunin exam had come to an end, the other Kages just barely managed to take their leave before you called us in here...
Kushina: Father, it has been a while...
Hinata: Naruto-Kun...
Naruto: You are all here, I'm glad... I would want nothing else than to be able to lay eyes upon you for this one last time.
Jiraiya: Father...
Minato: This is really it then, huh...
Jiraiya: Btw, Minato, how did the battle between your two sons go? I found it regretting that we missed out on the final because of Zetsu...
Minato: Naruto beat Sasuke, but it was a close one indeed, apparently... We Kages decided to promote more than one Chunin though...
Jiraiya: I see...
Naruto: So my great grandchildren are growing up faster than I had come to expect... The future holds much promise... Anyways, what I wanted to talk about... Jiraiya, since you arrived first, you already know...
Laying out the details of his upcoming journey, the five of them chatted for a long while, before Naruto finally rose from his chair. It was time, and this would be the last time he would ever see them again...
Hinata: I will always cherish the time we had together Naruto-Kun. Although we might be older now, my love for you will always stay true, no matter the time we will be apart. I understand what you have had to sacrifice to follow the destiny laid out for you, but I only wish we could have lived out our remaining days, together, that is all...
Having a teary look on her face, Hinata struggled to restrain her tears as Naruto went up to hug her. It had been a while since he did, but this very moment, would be the last time he ever saw his family again, and he knew there and then that he had to take full advantage of it while he still could.
Kushina: Father, I don't want you to leave...
Naruto: You are a grandmother now Kushina... It is now your turn to bring the traditions of our family over to the next generation. Although we may be apart, you will always be in my heart and memory, all of you...
Minato: So you are really leaving for good then?
Naruto: Well, at least for a lifetime I suppose... Once I return, much will be different and everything will not be as it used to be... From what I can tell, the coming years will be peaceful, at least until the next child of prophecy awakens...
Minato: And who may that be?
Jiraiya: ...
Naruto: His name... It should be... Ikari... Uzumaki Ikari...'
*Flashback Ends*
As he was still standing there, the dark clouds above finally started to break apart as a bright light shone through them and onto Naruto's face. The scenery taking place before him, then finally came to an end, and when it did, he knew that he had one more thing to do before he finally could commence his final journey. It was then when he was about to go back to Mt. Myobokuzan, that someone approached him from behind.
Ikari: Naruto, I finally found you!!
Ikari arrives!! What will Naruto do next?
~ End of Part 5
The destined meeting comes to an end! With Ikari and Raikiru's victory over Raigo and the Rai clan's ultimate surrender, the Shinobi World Alliance could finally look to the future with Peace at mind. Will Naruto fulfill his destiny and travel to the past, and what else lies beyond Naruto's death? Everything comes to an end as the final part of this Series Finale of The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series, comes Next!!
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