"How... how is this possible...?"
Kakuzu coughed up a mouthful of blood, struggling to say something.
Before he could finish—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted.
The tiny Explosive Needle detonated inside his body, tearing him apart from within. Flesh and blood scattered in every direction, leaving behind only mangled remains.
However, the Earth Grudge Fear black threads were still wrapped around Sasuke's body. Fortunately, Naruto's timely intervention had prevented them from burrowing too deeply into him.
Ignoring Kakuzu completely, Hinata rushed straight to Sasuke.
She quickly tore away the black thread tentacles entangled around him before immediately using Medical Ninjutsu to heal his injuries.
Unable to maintain the Cursed Seal of Heaven, Sasuke reverted to his normal appearance.
His three-tomoe Sharingan also faded away.
"...Thank you."
Hinata smiled gently.
"Are you alright, Sasuke?"
"I'm... fine."
Sasuke looked toward Kakuzu's shattered remains and finally let out a sigh of relief.
"He should really be dead this time... right?"
Hinata activated her Byakugan and carefully scanned the battlefield.
After confirming that Naruto's final attack had destroyed Kakuzu's last two hearts, she finally relaxed.
"Yes."
"All five of his hearts have been destroyed."
"There's no way he can survive."
---
In the distance, Kakuzu stared blankly at Naruto.
All five hearts...
Destroyed.
He knew this was truly the end.
"I never imagined..."
"I would die at the hands of a brat like you..."
His fading gaze shifted elsewhere.
"Tobi..."
"Zetsu..."
Watching from afar, Zetsu slowly revealed his strange, plant-like head.
White Zetsu shook his head.
"There's nothing I can do."
"And besides..."
"Kakuzu."
"Your strength is nowhere near what it once was."
"You no longer deserve to remain a member of the Akatsuki."
Kakuzu's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What... did you say...?"
White Zetsu laughed.
"You were nothing more than a pawn."
Black Zetsu spoke calmly.
"It seems he still doesn't understand."
Only then did Kakuzu finally realize the truth.
"So..."
"That's why the leader sent me here..."
Before he could finish speaking...
The last trace of life left his body.
The light disappeared from his eyes forever.
A man who had lived since the era of the First Hokage...
The so-called immortal Kakuzu...
Had finally met his end.
---
Tobi watched the scene without the slightest emotion.
"So..."
"He really died."
"Hmm..."
"It seems the experiment ultimately failed."
He slowly turned away.
"I'll be seeing you again..."
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"And..."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
As he rotated his arm...
His body gradually disappeared into a swirling distortion in space.
Until only his right eye remained visible.
A faint crimson glow shone from within it.
Sasuke's heart skipped a beat.
"That..."
"That eye..."
"The Sharingan?!"
He shouted instinctively.
"Wait!"
"Who are you?!"
His shock was completely understandable.
As far as the entire ninja world knew...
The Uchiha Clan had been annihilated.
Only two survivors remained.
Himself...
And Uchiha Itachi.
So who...
Was this masked man with the Sharingan?
Countless emotions surged through Sasuke.
Shock.
Confusion.
Anger.
Disbelief.
His injuries flared, causing him to cough violently.
Hinata hurried to support him.
"Sasuke."
"You're still badly injured."
"Don't think about it too much."
---
Standing atop the Three-Tails, Isobu, Naruto glided across the ocean toward them.
"Are you alright, Sasuke?"
Sasuke stubbornly looked away.
He refused to appear weak in front of Naruto.
"I'm fine."
"But that masked man..."
"He also possesses the Sharingan."
"Who exactly is he?"
At that moment, Isobu spoke.
"I know."
"He called himself..."
"Uchiha Madara."
"Uchiha Madara?!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata froze in shock.
By now, they were no longer ignorant of history.
Thanks to Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata had learned much about the Uchiha Clan.
They knew that Uchiha Madara had been one of the two legendary figures—alongside Hashirama Senju—who ended the Warring States Era and founded Konohagakure.
But...
He should have died decades ago.
Sasuke's confusion only deepened.
"Madara?"
"That's impossible!"
Isobu spoke in a deep voice.
"That is the name he used."
"He defeated both me and the Fourth Mizukage."
"For years..."
"He controlled us through powerful genjutsu."
"Without the Sharingan..."
"No ordinary illusion could accomplish such a feat."
"Whether he truly is Uchiha Madara or not..."
"His Sharingan is unquestionably real."
"And as I said before..."
"That appearance is merely a disguise."
"The masked man is likely the true mastermind behind the Akatsuki."
"And their most dangerous member."
---
Sasuke fell silent.
His emotions were incredibly complicated.
Even if that mysterious man was an enemy...
The possibility that another member of the Uchiha Clan still existed stirred something deep inside him.
After witnessing the destruction of his entire clan...
The mere thought that another Uchiha might still be alive brought him an indescribable sense of comfort.
Hinata broke the silence.
"We can discuss this later."
"Right now..."
"We need to leave."
Naruto nodded immediately.
"Hinata's right."
"The Akatsuki could return at any moment."
"Let's head back to the Hidden Mist Village."
---
Isobu looked toward the distant sea.
Although he longed for freedom...
He also understood reality.
The Hidden Mist Village was currently the safest place for him.
If he wandered alone...
The Akatsuki would simply capture him again.
And this time...
They wouldn't merely seal him.
They would kill him completely.
There would be no resurrection.
Only total destruction.
Finally...
Isobu nodded.
"I understand."
Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and the Hidden Mist ninja climbed onto Isobu's massive back.
Together...
They sped across the sea toward the Hidden Mist Village.
---
Before long, they approached the village.
The Hidden Mist scouts spotted them immediately and quickly reported the news to the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi.
Numerous Mist ninja sailed out to escort them, ensuring no enemies were lying in wait.
Mei stared at Isobu's enormous body.
Surprise.
Relief.
And sorrow.
Seeing the Three-Tails inevitably reminded her of the Fourth Mizukage.
Moisture gathered at the corners of her eyes.
She discreetly wiped them away before once again wearing her confident smile.
"Naruto."
"You really brought the Three-Tails back."
"On behalf of the Fifth Mizukage..."
"And the entire Hidden Mist Village..."
"I sincerely thank Team Seven for everything you've done."
The surrounding Mist ninja all bowed respectfully.
"Thank you!"
Naruto crossed his arms proudly.
"I am Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I always keep my promises!"
"That's my Ninja Way!"
Sasuke sighed.
"Enough with the speeches."
"Let's get ashore."
"...Alright."
---
After welcoming Team Seven, Mei stepped forward and addressed Isobu directly.
"I am Mei Terumi..."
"The Fifth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist."
"I understand that you may not fully trust us yet."
"But from this moment onward..."
"Our goals are the same."
"So..."
"Please fight alongside the Hidden Mist against the Akatsuki."
Isobu nodded.
"The Akatsuki are not only my mortal enemies..."
"They are also responsible for the death of the Fourth Mizukage..."
"Someone deeply connected to me."
"I am willing to cooperate with the Hidden Mist Village."
Mei smiled warmly.
"That's wonderful."
"As long as you don't wish it..."
"We will never seal you again."
"Until the Akatsuki are destroyed..."
"Please remain here."
Isobu nodded once more.
"Very well."
Mei finally let out a sigh of relief.
Turning toward her subordinates, she ordered,
"Ao."
"Chojuro."
"The Three-Tails is now your responsibility."
"Increase security immediately."
"There must not be another accident."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!"
Ao and Chojuro quickly led Isobu toward a secure area within the village.
Mei then continued issuing orders.
"Chokichi."
"Gonbei."
"Recall every search team."
"We'll hold a joint strategy meeting immediately."
"Understood!"
---
Soon afterward...
Team Seven...
Team Eleven, led by Yamato...
Along with representatives from the Hidden Mist and Hidden Cloud Villages...
Gathered together to discuss what should happen next.
Naruto recounted everything that had happened during the battle.
Especially his encounter with the mysterious masked man.
"In short..."
"According to Isobu..."
"That masked man is the mastermind behind everything."
Mei clenched her fists.
"So..."
"We finally know who's been pulling the strings."
"But who would dare call himself Uchiha Madara?"
Naruto shook his head.
"I don't know."
"He definitely has the Sharingan."
"But his true identity is still a mystery."
"He might not even be an Uchiha."
"After all..."
"Kakashi-sensei also possesses a Sharingan."
As he spoke, Naruto quietly glanced toward Sasuke.
Sasuke remained completely silent.
Mei understood that the subject was extremely sensitive.
Without asking any further questions...
She allowed the matter to rest—for now.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)