There is a saying: Some stories that haven't been finished, just let them be. Those flowers once bloomed.
The birds skimming across the sky carried away scattered words and the relentless flow of time.
Logan finished the college entrance exam, enjoyed the fireworks festival, stepped through the gates of university, and gradually settled into a new and stable life.
Meanwhile, the Ninja World continued to witness its own wonders.
Without the strange and ever-influential presence of Raiden Hattori, the Ninja continued to write their own tales.
Battlefields thundered with the clash of thousands, heroes from the past and present emerged like shooting stars, and the war grew fierce and white-hot.
This was the most dangerous Fourth Ninja World War, yet also the most epic, the one that would be remembered.
The Team Taka, evolved from the Team Snake, the stunningly brief appearance of 'Akatsuki', the brilliantly effective medical corps, the seasoned and experienced older generation of Ninja, the dazzling new generation of geniuses… those who were meant to appear did so, and those meant to fight continued to fight.
The stories of people carried on as always, like vast, mighty rivers and grand, stretching mountain ranges. The existing fervor and passion, the tears of tender reunions, all flowed ceaselessly forward with time.
If there were changes and subtle shifts, they were hidden within the immense world, unknown and undiscovered by anyone. It was enough for those within it to hold onto their memories.
And so, just like that, time passed.
If it continued like this, time flowing on, in two parallel worlds: one where the Ninja charged fearlessly ahead, and the other where the blue planet slowly turned.
If it continued like this, until the day the final battle ended.
Until the day the serialized Naruto concluded.
…
'Naruto' had ended.
When the weekly magazine announced the production of the final chapter, many were shocked but didn't fully grasp the reality of it. It was only when the final chapter was published, and the Author announced the end of the serialization, thanking everyone for their support along the way, that people suddenly understood… it was truly over.
Instantly, a wave of excitement swept across major portals and streaming sites. The next day, people at work and school talked about it. Anyone who had even a passing interest in anime or knew a bit about otaku culture turned their attention to it.
Overnight, conversations about Naruto seemed to pop up everywhere on the streets. The sustained discussion over several days.
This work, acclaimed from its very beginning, had amassed a huge fanbase around the world over its many years of serialization. It set numerous records, spawned countless derivative products, and had a widespread influence. The moment it drew to a close, the response was like an unending tide.
But even for a work with such a profound reach, as time passed, the hype would inevitably fade.
Its conclusion was fleeting for casual observers. But after the dust settled, for those who had once chased after it, been moved by its strength, and truly loved the stories within, they would dust off its covers and reminisce about the pure days of watching the admirable and beloved Ninja charge fearlessly forward.
In a high-end apartment in downtown New York.
Summer returned from work, feeling utterly exhausted. Following her usual routine, she took off her restrictive office attire and headed into the bathroom.
After her shower, when she sat at the desk in front of her drawing board, the spiritual emptiness and fatigue seemed to become insignificant. The incompetent boss, the unreasonable clients… when she picked up her brush, the grime of life faded away, leaving only that purest of worlds.
The tip of her brush whispered across the paper, gradually outlining forms. Her computer was on nearby, drawing software open. The changing glow of the screen and the bedroom light accompanied the deep night.
Summer had grown accustomed to the late-night quiet of New York. This city of millions brought constant pressure to all its moving parts. She earned a handsome salary and rented this apartment, yet still worked late every day. But she bore it willingly.
No matter how hard or tiring, she was supporting herself with her own hands, doing what she loved.
Over the years, Summer had fought her way to where she was today. When she inadvertently looked back and thought of her clueless, confused seventeen-year-old self as a cosplayer, her feelings would grow complex with nostalgia.
As an adult, she still held onto one night that felt like a strange fantasy. As life moved on, she gradually couldn't quite remember whether those events had truly happened or not.
There was a moment of extreme danger and helplessness when she had seen Raiden Hattori.
In her student days, she'd had some misguided ideas. Now, she was an urban professional, working as an original artist in the game division of a well-known conglomerate.
She stretched, finished her drawing, and with a click, only the desk lamp's circle of light remained in the room.
The browser was still open to the news about Naruto's ending. Summer stared at it for a moment, then took out a fox mask from the very bottom of her drawer.
Her fingers gently brushed over it. It was made of very ordinary material, like the cheap, mass-produced souvenirs sold at anime conventions to cash in on otaku. With the passage of time, its surface looked worn, yet Summer had never thrown it away.
Had it really happened? She truly couldn't remember clearly anymore…
She pulled up a drawing from her files, a piece of fan art of Hattori she had drawn when she first started in the industry. The coloring was rough, the technique far from polished, yet it was the drawing she was most satisfied with.
The story on the Ninja World had ended, but the characters would stay with us for a long time to come.
Readers who held the manga saw the final scene of Naruto and Sasuke shaking hands, that line, 'I acknowledge you, Naruto.' and felt genuine relief and joy.
When the anime team, after much dragging, finally adapted Naruto's wedding ceremony much later, despite all the complaints during the process, everyone became generous and forgiving at the end, offering their blessings.
Everyone felt it was a satisfactory conclusion, just as officially described and certified when the dust settled:
'The story successfully portrayed Ninja, who originally hid in the shadows, using the world's greatest perseverance and most arduous efforts to carry out the most secretive and cruel tasks… as the proudest, most radiant profession under the sun.'
Well then, curtain call.
"…"
A quiet, dark curtain.
And then, well, there will still be those who miss it.
They will occasionally think of a certain character, remember how they felt reading a certain part. What about Team 7? Can they reunite? Have one more meal together… They truly wish they could see it one more time… everyone, washed clean of their trials, gathering as they did at the very beginning, saying:
[When we grow up, let's play the bell test with our teachers one more time.]
Summer, looking at the boy who had given her courage and strength, clearly thought of this and giggled.
"Raiden Hattori, have a smooth journey."
…
"Attention, attention, everyone! If there are no issues, make your final preparations..."
Logan heard faint voices in his ears, more than one person speaking. It seemed many people were around, bustling with activity.
"Lighting technicians, photographers… oh, you Jonin protect the equipment first! This is something our village can leave for future generations to admire and learn from..."
"If things get really bad, just run..."
The voice grew louder. It was a female voice, one that sounded quite familiar.
"Hey, I'm talking to you! I'm not just reminding the staff, do you few in the center know? Be serious! Do you think shouting like this isn't exhausting for me..."
The bold and straightforward tone, the powerful aura of a strong personality, Logan began to realize, 'Was this Tsunade?'
'Why was I listening to her speak, and why did it sound like she was giving orders...?'
He heard more distinct conversations, all from familiar people, near and far. His body felt warm and sunny, he could feel the sunlight shining, a gentle breeze brushing by, and soft grass beneath his feet. The temperature was comfortable and pleasant.
'This must be a warm season...'
'But why am I here?'
Suddenly, someone patted him on the shoulder, "Hey, are you ready?"
Logan opened his eyes, as if the scene had suddenly shifted. Light and color flooded in. Subconsciously, he turned his head and saw Kakashi standing beside him.
"Huh... what?"
"I asked if you're ready." Kakashi half-opened his eyes, his gaze unusually lackluster as he looked around. Hearing the question, he glanced over, a bit more alert, "What's wrong, Hattori? Didn't sleep well?"
Logan opened his mouth slightly and scanned his surroundings. He found himself on a wide stretch of grassland.
The sky was azure, a stream flowed about a hundred meters away, and beyond that was a lush green forest. The scenery was beautiful, but his field of vision was dotted with people standing here and there. Some Ninja wearing vests were carrying equipment back and forth.
"Where is this?" He asked blankly.
"The training field out in the suburbs." Kakashi replied, looking at him strangely, "You haven't realized what's happening, have you? Ah... it's normal. I'm still having a hard time accepting it too."
Processing the information, Logan recognized his surroundings.
But his mind was still fuzzy...
"...After all, we have to fight our students who've already made names for themselves. Even though the teacher-student bond comes first, who knows if they might not hold back a little... The kids from back then have all grown up. Ugh, so annoying. If we get beaten later, it'll be really embarrassing..."
Kakashi muttered naggingly, unlike his usual self. Logan found it surprising, but what truly shocked him were the words he suddenly caught.
"Oh, you're so annoying. Stay optimistic..."
"What did you say?!"
Logan felt that something shocking might have happened to him. He stared at Kakashi in disbelief, "I have to fight those... guys?"
"To be precise, it's us."
"Something's wrong here! Wait, who exactly are 'those guys', Kakashi? You need to be clear. 'Those guys'... Team 7..."
"Yeah, no mistake." Kakashi rubbed his stiff face from waking up early, "After all these years, Team 7 is holding a meaningful commemorative event… 'Another Bell Test'. Haven't you seen the surroundings..."
At this, he glanced at Logan, his tone suddenly turning dangerous, "You're not thinking of backing out, are you? No way, Assistant Instructor Hattori."
"Here, take this."
As he spoke, Kakashi took two bells from his pocket and handed one over.
"..."
Logan subconsciously took it and dumbly looked around. About ten meters away stood Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura after the Fourth Ninja World War. Just their outfits alone were intimidating.
Recalling what Kakashi had said earlier, Logan turned around abruptly, "Then are you ready?"
"Heh."
Kakashi drooped his half-dead, fish-like eyes, exuding an aura of despair, and looked at him as if he were an idiot, "What do you think?"
"Alright, is everything set? Then everyone, attention! We're about to start!"
Tsunade shouted from afar.
Whoosh!
Everyone lingering nearby quickly retreated, vanishing into the forest in the blink of an eye. Like a whirlwind sweeping through, the once noisy grassland was instantly cleared.
Including Tsunade, Ninja watching the spectacle poked their heads out one by one, watching with tense excitement.
"..."
"All of Team 7, attention!"
Logan's mind was frozen. He wanted to say something, but no words came out.
"On your marks..." The announcement floated from afar.
Just then, a breeze blew by.
Dling ding…
The hanging bell swayed gently, emitting a crisp, pleasant sound.
The suddenly arriving scene, the abruptly quieted field… somehow, as the wind kissed his cheek, Logan's emotions flowed with the story, flying to distant horizons.
This... was a story he had been part of.
Under a cloudless sky, in spring or summer, he finally understood.
"Kakashi-sensei, Hattori-sensei, hehe, don't expect me to go easy on you later!" Naruto pressed his palms together, grinning mischievously.
"Calling me back from so far away just for this..." Sasuke closed his eyes impatiently, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly in the sunlight. He opened his bright eyes, "But to be honest, I've been wanting to beat you up once."
"Don't worry, Sensei! I'm not like those two… I won't get serious!" Sakura smiled cheerfully, but the way she cracked her knuckles looked anything but harmless.
Logan looked at them… Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura... He had always been thinking about one thing. When he heard the news that Naruto had ended, he thought...
Back when the 'To be continued...' troubled him, he had wondered about the day those words would change to 'The End'.
All these encounters were truly wonderful.
"Ready…"
Tsunade raised her hand high in the distance. Next to her stood the smiling Hiruzen. The leaves of Konoha danced in the air, under a sky filled with boundless light.
Her arm swung down forcefully.
"Begin!"