Buddha's Wrath Reincarnation was clearly not satisfied with merely engulfing Toneri.
The aftershocks of the explosion continued to spread outward, devouring everything in their path and reducing the surroundings to utter ruin.
Sakura carried Hinata as she retreated to a safe distance, staring at the scene before her in shock—mixed with lingering fear.
Not only Sakura, but Naruto as well, watched the destruction with a trembling heart.
"How can Kaien have such a terrifying attack…?" Naruto stared at the massive explosion zone, his chest tightening.
If that move had hit him head-on, even at his peak, he would've been severely injured—if not killed outright.
"Oh no!" Hinata was the first to react, her face turning pale as she anxiously looked toward the center of the explosion. "Kaien is still inside the aftershocks!"
"What should we do?" Sakura asked urgently.
"We have to go in and save him!" Hinata said firmly, her voice resolute.
"But that explosion is too terrifying!" Kiba frowned. "If we go in now, we'd just be throwing our lives away!"
Sakura and Hinata both turned to look at Naruto.
At this moment, only Naruto had the strength to possibly save Kaien.
"I…" Naruto's face was filled with hesitation.
In his current condition, even he would be courting death by entering the explosion's aftershocks.
"Sigh…"
Naruto let out a heavy sigh.
He had to admit it.
He was scared.
"Naruto!" Hinata grabbed his shoulder, her eyes full of pleading.
"I can't save him…" Naruto lowered his head, guilt flooding his voice.
"I'll save him!" Sakura bit her lip and was about to rush forward.
"Don't be reckless!" Naruto immediately grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"Even I can't withstand those aftershocks—how could you?!"
"Then what are we supposed to do? Just stand here and watch him die?!" Sakura shook off Naruto's hand and glared at him angrily.
"I…" Naruto opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.
He truly didn't dare.
"Rumble—!"
Suddenly, a deep rumbling echoed beneath them.
Everyone looked down in shock as the ground beneath their feet rapidly began collapsing, spreading outward.
"Not good!" Naruto's expression changed drastically. "This place is collapsing because of the explosion! We need to leave—now!"
He grabbed Sakura and Hinata and ran.
Sai didn't hesitate either, quickly summoning a large ink bird and carrying Shino and Kiba into the air.
"Kaien!" Sakura turned her head back toward the explosion, tears welling up as she screamed hysterically.
At that moment, it felt as though her heart was being torn apart.
Naruto landed on the bird with Sakura and Hinata. He looked back one last time, guilt filling his eyes.
"Kaien… Brother Naruto is sorry," he murmured.
"Naruto, what about us now…" Sai began.
"Go back," Naruto interrupted in a low voice.
"The Moon has taken such a powerful attack—it may not be able to withstand it and could collapse completely. We need to find the teleportation array and return to Earth immediately, before it's destroyed."
Naruto didn't know whether Buddha's Wrath Reincarnation could truly destroy the Moon.
All he saw was the ground collapsing nonstop.
If the teleportation array was destroyed, they'd be trapped forever.
"Okay." Sai nodded and immediately began searching for the array.
"Naruto…" Hinata sat dejectedly on the bird, her head lowered. "Can we really not save Kaien?"
"He is a ninja," Naruto said quietly after a long pause. "He knew the dangers."
"You weren't like this before." Hinata suddenly looked up, tears streaming from her eyes.
"The Naruto I remember—even if he knew he couldn't save someone—he'd still try. Even if he failed, he'd never back down."
Sakura also looked at Naruto with disappointment.
She didn't understand when he had changed so much.
"I'm the Hokage now," Naruto said bitterly.
"You're all pillars of Konoha. I can't act recklessly anymore. I have to consider the consequences… I carry the burden of the entire village."
After taking a few deep breaths, he continued, "I believe Kaien will understand."
No one spoke after that.
Shino and Sai remained silent as always.
Only Kiba kept shaking his head.
"That must be the teleportation array up ahead," Sai suddenly said, pointing into the distance.
Soon, the bird flew above the array.
A burst of light erupted, enveloping everyone.
When they returned to Earth, there was no joy.
The group returned to Konoha Village in silence.
Bang!
The moment Naruto and the others entered the Hokage's office, the door burst open.
"Naruto! Hinata!"
Kushina rushed in, relief washing over her face when she saw them safe.
Then she looked around.
Her heart clenched.
"W-Where's Kaien…?" she stammered. "W-Where is he?"
Everyone's expressions darkened.
Naruto took a deep breath and said hoarsely, "He… he didn't come back."
"Didn't come back?" Kushina froze, disbelief etched across her face. "Why didn't he come back? Why isn't he back?!"
No one answered.
"Naruto!" Kushina's fiery red hair flared as she glared at him. "I'm asking you—why didn't he come back?!"
"Mom… I'm sorry," Naruto said quietly. "I didn't protect him well."
"Didn't protect him well?" Kushina laughed bitterly, resentment and grief twisting her expression.
"As his older brother, you couldn't even protect your younger brother?"
Naruto lowered his head in silence.
"Aunt Kushina…" Hinata sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry… it's all my fault. If it weren't for me, Kaien wouldn't have—"
"Where's his body?" Kushina asked coldly, staring at Naruto.
Naruto said nothing.
"Heh…" Kushina's voice trembled. "You couldn't even bring back his body?"
"I…" Naruto opened his mouth, then closed it, shaking his head helplessly. "I'm sorry, Mom…"
At that moment, Ino rushed to the Hokage Building.
Hearing everything from outside the door, she collapsed to the ground, covering her mouth as she cried bitterly.
"Buzz!"
Suddenly, a strange roar echoed through the Hokage Building, followed by a flash of dazzling light.
...
📢 Author's Update
The fanfic "Naruto: Raised by Kushina, Took His Brother's Wife" (Part 1, 2 & 3) is now officially complete! 🎉
All 160 chapters (Part 1, 2 & 3 combined) have been fully uploaded on Patreon.
One complete 18+ novel has been uploaded on Patreon, guaranteed to give you an intense and thrilling experience.
🔥 I also have a Doraemon 18+ fanfic with smut content available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
Soon pure 18+ "Naruto: Raised by Kushina, Took His Brother's Wife" (Part 1, 2 & 3) will be relase.
📚 Category: Naruto
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