Sasuke stood within the full form of his Susanoo, his Rinnegan eyes glowing faintly as he surveyed the battlefield below.
"Is he… dead?"
His gaze fell on Uchiha Shin — bloodied, pierced through by kunai, and kneeling on the ground — lifeless.
A flicker of emotion crossed Sasuke's face before he turned to look at Boruto, who stood nearby, expressionless.
"To think he could defeat Shin, who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, without a single scratch…" Sasuke thought silently.
Nearby, Sarada stared at the red-haired woman before her, unsure and hesitant.
"Who are you…?" she asked softly.
Karin smiled warmly.
"That's right, Sarada. You probably don't know me yet."
"You can call me Aunt Karin. I never thought you'd grow up so quickly."
"Aunt Karin?" Sarada repeated, puzzled. "Have we met before? Why don't I remember?"
Karin chuckled.
"Well, when Sakura gave birth to you… I was the one who helped deliver you."
Her eyes softened as she recalled that day — the moment Sarada came into the world, crying for the first time.
"So it was then…" Sarada murmured, surprise flashing through her eyes before her expression relaxed.
Guilt flickered faintly in her heart as she thought of Sakura.
The tension eased, and soon the two began to chat warmly — mother and daughter figures connected through a single thread of the past.
Seeing this, Boruto and Naruto quietly stepped aside to give them space.
Naruto's eyes soon fell on the odd creature following closely behind Boruto — the small, crab-like being.
"Boruto, isn't that the creature that kidnapped you and Sarada before? What's going on here?" Naruto asked in disbelief.
Boruto smirked.
"Dad, his name's Krab now. He's my pet dog."
Naruto blinked.
"Pet dog? Are you serious?"
"It's dangerous to keep something that weird as a pet," he said, frowning slightly.
Boruto waved him off.
"Relax, Dad. He's under my Jōgan Eye's control now. Totally safe and harmless."
He looked down at the creature and grinned.
"Even if he's ugly, he's more than qualified to be a dog. Come on, Krab — let's hear your best bark."
Krab lowered his head obediently.
"Woof, woof—!"
Naruto could only shake his head with a weary smile.
"This kid…"
Meanwhile, Sasuke released his Susanoo, and the colossal purple figure dissolved into the air.
He landed lightly on the ground, cloak fluttering, his eyes sharp as he surveyed the rows of Uchiha Shin's clones.
The six-tomoe Rinnegan in his right eye flashed — and in an instant, the clones collapsed, one after another, like marionettes with their strings cut.
"Amazing," Boruto whispered in awe. "Just one glance, and he trapped them all in a genjutsu."
"Hey, Sasuke, they—" Naruto began, but Sasuke cut him off.
"They're only trapped in an illusion."
Then he turned to Naruto.
"What do you plan to do with them?"
Naruto sighed softly.
"They may be clones, but they're still human… and they're still children."
Sasuke shook his head slightly.
"Still the same as ever, Naruto."
Naruto smiled faintly.
"The first thing we'll do is teach them right from wrong."
Sasuke gave a brief nod.
"Since everything's been resolved," Naruto said, "you should return to the village for a while. Rest."
Sasuke looked toward Sarada, who was laughing with Karin.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
With a puff of smoke, dozens of Naruto's clones appeared and began securing the area.
"These clones will stay here for now," Naruto said. "Once we're back in Konoha, we'll send a team to relocate these kids to an orphanage. They deserve a new start."
After the arrangements were complete, Sasuke summoned his Susanoo once more.
The massive, winged figure towered over them like a mountain of chakra.
Susanoo spread its wings and soared into the air, carrying everyone high above the land.
Inside the giant warrior, Boruto gazed out at the rapidly changing scenery below and couldn't help but laugh to himself.
"I never thought the great, terrifying Susanoo would end up being used as a flying taxi."
Soon, they arrived near Orochimaru's base.
Karin waved goodbye, her eyes glistening with emotion.
"Sasuke, Sarada — goodbye."
Sarada smiled and waved back.
"Goodbye, Aunt Karin!"
Susanoo slowly ascended again, carrying the family into the glowing horizon.
Karin watched their retreating figures for a long time before whispering softly,
"Sasuke… you'd better be happy."
Then she turned away, her silhouette fading into the darkness — lonely, but content.
The sun dipped below the horizon as Susanoo carried the group back toward Konoha.
The village came into view, glowing softly under the orange twilight.
That night, Sakura quietly opened the front door, exhaustion in her voice.
"I'm home…"
"Mom, you're back! How was your trip?" Sarada greeted her cheerfully, taking the luggage from her hands.
Sakura smiled wearily.
"Sorry, Sarada. Ino insisted on staying out a little longer, so we got delayed."
Sarada shook her head.
"It's fine, Mom. As long as you had fun."
Noticing her daughter's unusually bright mood, Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, Sarada, why are you so cheerful today?"
Sarada smiled mysteriously.
"Guess what?"
Sakura smirked playfully.
"Hmm… did Boruto confess to you today?"
"Mom!" Sarada's cheeks flushed red. "Don't talk nonsense!"
Across the room, Sasuke sat silently on the sofa. At Sakura's teasing words, his lone hand clenched involuntarily.
Slowly, he stood and walked toward the entrance.
"Sakura…" His voice was quiet but heavy with emotion.
Sakura froze, rubbing her eyes as if afraid to believe it.
"Am I… dreaming?"
Sarada smiled gently.
"No, Mom. You're not dreaming. Dad's really back."
Sasuke lowered his gaze, guilt and sincerity blending in his tone.
"Sakura… I'm sorry. For everything."
Tears welled in Sakura's eyes as she covered her mouth.
Then, unable to hold back anymore, she ran forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him — years of loneliness and longing pouring out all at once.
Sasuke stiffened for a moment before gently returning her embrace with his one arm.
Under the warm glow of the lights, their shadows blended into one.
Sakura's voice trembled.
"Sasuke… you're really home."
Sasuke stroked her hair softly.
"Yes. I'm home."
Sarada's eyes grew misty as she stepped forward, joining the embrace.
The three of them held each other close — a family, finally whole again.