In the early hours of July 29.
Naruto led the remaining eight thousand survivors of Konoha to settle in a mountain valley southwest of the Land of Fire, ten kilometers from the Valley of the End.
—Wood Release: Wood Pillar Home Technique!
With his hands forming seals, hundreds of multi-story houses rose from the ground, enough to shelter all eight thousand people.
A village took shape instantly.
It was worth noting—
The original site of Konoha was now under reconstruction by the Ryumen Group, commissioned by the Fire Daimyo. Completion would take at least a month.
Water systems, electricity, infrastructure—these couldn't be solved by Wood Release alone.
Wood Release could only provide temporary shelter.
Nearly one hundred thousand civilians had already been evacuated north during the Nine-Tails incident. Since the crisis hadn't ended, they hadn't followed the shinobi to Mount Xiangyang.
In that sense—
Akira had indirectly saved them.
If civilians had been present during Jigen's attack…
Even the mass grave wouldn't have been enough.
Under normal circumstances, Naruto's Wood Release would have drawn awe and admiration.
But not today.
Behind him, whispers spread.
"Hey… that's First Hokage-level Wood Release, right?"
"Impressive, building this many houses without even breaking a sweat…"
"Yeah… so where was this power earlier?"
"I heard from Konohamaru—Hokage almost died, met the Sage again, got even stronger than in the Fourth War."
"Heh. What's the point of strength when everyone's already dead?"
"Yeah… maybe he can use it to make coffins for all of us."
Naruto didn't react.
Whether he hadn't heard—
Or simply had no answer.
He stood silently for a long moment.
Then turned to face them.
Still smiling.
Gentle.
"As you can see, each house has three floors. If you sleep on the ground, each floor can hold ten people. That's thirty per house."
"There are basic restrooms on each level. Please get some rest tonight."
"As for food and water, I've already requested aid from the Daimyo. Supplies should arrive tomorrow morning."
"For now, please make do with ration pills and what you have. If necessary, you may fetch water from nearby rivers—but report to your squad leader first."
Konoha was truly devastated.
Before the battle, there had been around five hundred Jonin.
Now—
Only eighty remained.
The eight thousand survivors were divided into over eighty squads, each led by a Jonin with a numbered armband.
Konohamaru, as an elite Jonin, was appointed overall commander.
One by one—
The villagers passed Naruto.
Silent.
Then—
A Chunin stopped.
Clenched fists.
Unable to hold back any longer.
"Hokage… what about Kawaki?"
His words ignited everything.
"Yes! While we risked our lives protecting that kid—where was he!?"
"Did you hide him!? Or did he run!?"
"We deserve to know!"
Naruto closed his eyes briefly.
It was coming…
He exhaled.
"I didn't hide Kawaki."
"And I don't believe he ran."
"He left… for reasons I don't yet understand."
The Chunin snapped back, "Then how can you be sure he didn't run!?"
Naruto hesitated.
"…Because I trust him."
"He's not the type to abandon others."
"If he had to leave… he would have told us."
"We don't want belief! We want answers!"
Konohamaru stepped in. "That's enough! The Seventh is suffering too! What's the point of this now!?"
A shinobi who had lost everything stepped forward, eyes red.
"Fine! Maybe it doesn't matter anymore!"
"But if that brat comes back—what then!?"
"Say it, Hokage!"
The crowd surged with emotion.
"We're not unreasonable!"
"You've saved us before—we know that!"
"But we won't fall into the same pit twice!"
Naruto's fists trembled.
His voice shook.
"The one at fault… is Jigen."
"And me."
"Kawaki… is innocent—"
"Hokage!!! Are you still protecting him!?"
"This isn't protection, I—"
Inside his mind, Kurama's voice cut in:
"Naruto! They're angry! Think of the bigger picture!"
Naruto swallowed the words he wanted to say.
About the Will of Fire.
About protection.
About bonds.
"…I haven't decided yet."
"Give me time."
"I promise… I'll give you an answer."
In the end—
They backed down.
Barely.
After the crowd dispersed—
Naruto turned silently.
Walked toward the forest.
Stopped.
"Come out."
Leaves rustled.
Kawaki stepped out from the shadows, uneasy.
"…When did you notice me? I hid my chakra."
"Back on the road. When you wanted to come forward… but hesitated."
Naruto glanced at his arm.
"…Where's your left hand?"
Kawaki froze.
"…I—"
Before he could answer—
"Whoosh!"
A black-cloaked figure flashed behind Naruto.
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke landed before Kawaki.
Silent.
Cold.
Without a word—
His hand rose—
Gripping Kawaki's head.
His six-tomoe Rinnegan glowed faintly beneath his bangs.
—Human Path.
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