Beneath the night sky of the Undying River, Naruto Uzumaki stood before a peculiar white expanse.
This white expanse was formed from the viscous fluid that had splattered out when the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was cleaved apart earlier. The liquid had pooled into a strange, shimmering puddle.
Driven by curiosity, Naruto crouched down, dipped his finger into the substance, and brought it to his lips.
After a moment of contemplation, Naruto nodded faintly. "Hmm, it tastes a bit like sugarcane juice… and oddly enough, it has a hint of breast milk."
Straightening up, Naruto felt a noticeable wave of relief wash over him, easing the exhaustion from the grueling battle.
"As expected of the essence of the Demonic Statue. Letting it dry out would be such a waste."
Naruto: "Fine then… Futsunomitama!"
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!
The white liquid began to gather and solidify, forming a thick, round mass. From the surface emerged a head, followed by a torso, arms, and legs. Slowly, the features became more defined, revealing a feminine figure with an alluring, curvaceous form and long, wavy hair cascading down her back.
It was unmistakable—standing before Naruto was a new variant of White Zetsu, one with a figure as unique as Tobi's.
In terms of soul composition, aside from the few ninja tools imbued directly with the essence of the Sage of Six Paths, the souls Naruto granted to other creations were randomized. While all were unconditionally loyal to Naruto, their personalities and traits remained unpredictable.
This new White Zetsu was no exception.
Naruto, rubbing his chin as he observed the newborn creation, mused aloud, "What should I call you? Hmm… you've got curly hair, so how about… Ajue?"
With a wide grin, Ajue responded, "Kekeke~"
After solemnly burying Tsuchima, Obito approached Naruto. "What do you plan to do with the Demonic Statue?"
Naruto scratched his head. "I don't really have a good place to store it for now. How about keeping it in your Kamui dimension? We've already reclaimed the Rinnegan, so there's no need to worry about Black Zetsu sneaking in."
Obito chuckled. "I appreciate your trust, but you need to be mindful of appearances. Not everyone around you will trust me as easily as you do. Even if they do, it won't happen overnight. I've decided to start anew, and the last thing I want is to make enemies—especially among women."
Naruto thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright then. Let's store it beneath Amegakure for now. I'll have Orochimaru work on resolving the Tailed Beasts' consciousness issue. If we're going to revive the Ten-Tails, I want to ensure the Tailed Beasts retain their awareness."
Obito agreed. "Sounds like a plan. By the way, there are a few things I need to return to you."
With a swirl of Kamui, Obito released the contents sealed in his dimension: the original Minato Namikaze, the Amber Purifying Pot, the Golden Canopy Rope, and even the Gate of the Great God.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Gate of the Great God bounced and hopped around, exclaiming, "Why'd you let us out? We were in the middle of playing hopscotch! It was so fun, we wanted to keep going!"
Naruto groaned, rubbing his temples. "Granting souls to these objects sure is convenient, but dealing with them afterward is nothing but a headache."
Kurama snorted. "If they're such a hassle, just get rid of them."
Naruto sighed. "If I could be that ruthless, I wouldn't find them troublesome in the first place. They're living beings now, and they see me as their father. Besides, it's not like I can't tolerate them. As long as they don't cause too much trouble, it's fine."
He paused, deep in thought. "Still, it looks like I'll need to set aside a place to house all these soul-infused objects. Amegakure is too small. Maybe I should buy some land and expand the village. Of course, that'll require a lot of funding… I'll ask Kakuzu about it later."
The battle at the Undying River had finally come to an end.
However, outside the river's bounds, chaos and commotion still reigned.
BOOM!
A Susano'o collapsed in defeat.
Sasuke Uchiha, battered and bruised, struggled to rise from the rubble. His weary eyes fixed on the insurmountable presence before him.
Sasuke: "Damn it… What kind of wood is that? Even my Indra's Arrow couldn't break it!"
Before him stood a massive, grotesque wooden shield, its surface carved with menacing, fanged faces.
The Wood Release: Ranking Shield Technique—a legendary defense said to be the divine artifact of the Thousand-Armed Kannon. This technique was the ultimate defense of Hashirama Senju, used during the Battle of the Final Valley to block Madara's most devastating strikes.
Thud!
The shield opened, revealing Hashirama standing tall against the wind. "Young man, stop. You're strong, but you're not my match—not yet."
Sasuke clenched his fists in frustration. "Damn it all!"
Thud!
A wheelchair rolled to a stop nearby. Kabuto Yakushi, his expression grim, addressed Sasuke. "The Second Hokage has already rescued the Third. If they regroup with the First, your position will become untenable. Let's retreat. You've gained enough experience from this battle."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
At that moment, Tobirama Senju and the freed Hiruzen Sarutobi landed on either side of Hashirama.
Tobirama, scowling, snapped, "Brother! Why haven't you finished him off yet?!"
Hashirama replied calmly, "Naruto only asked us to eliminate interference. He didn't tell us to kill anyone."
Tobirama: "Eliminating interference means ensuring there are no future threats! Sasuke Uchiha possesses Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, just like Madara did, and he's even mastered Sage Techniques that Madara never learned. If we let him grow unchecked, he'll become a grave danger in the future. If you won't act, then I will!"
Whoosh!
Before Tobirama could finish speaking, he leapt from the shield and charged toward Sasuke.
"Wait, Tobirama!"
Hashirama extended his hand, causing tree branches to sprout from the ground and bind Tobirama tightly.
Tobirama: "Brother, why are you stopping me?"
Hashirama: "Let him go."
Tobirama: "Why?!"
Hashirama: "No reason. Because I want to."
Tobirama: "Fine. Whatever you say. Just stop glaring at me like that…"
Kabuto: "Sasuke, let's leave while we can."
Though reluctant, Sasuke understood the gravity of the situation. Summoning his Susano'o, he lifted Kabuto's wheelchair and prepared to retreat.
Thud!
But before they could leave, something plummeted from the sky, crashing into the ground and forming a crater. As the dust settled, everyone turned to look—and froze in shock.
Lying motionless at the bottom of the crater was none other than Madara Uchiha.
Memories of the devastation and humiliation Madara had inflicted flashed through Sasuke's mind, igniting a burning rage.
Sasuke came to an abrupt halt.
"I don't know what happened to you, but if you've fallen before me, then this is fate!"
Sasuke: "Kabuto, wait here. I'll deal with Madara!"
Setting Kabuto's wheelchair down, Sasuke dismissed his Susano'o, drew his Kusanagi Sword, and charged toward Madara.
Leaping into the air above the crater, Sasuke flipped mid-flight, gripping his sword with both hands as he aimed for Madara's heart.
"Die!!!"
Squelch!
Madara's right eye snapped open. With a single motion, his left hand struck the ground, summoning wooden stakes that intercepted Sasuke's blade.
"What?!"
Sasuke couldn't believe it. He had underestimated Madara's remaining strength.
Madara: "Sasuke, I gave you ample time to reconsider. Is this the choice you've made?"
Whoosh!
Madara's hand shot through the gaps between the wooden stakes, pressing firmly against Sasuke's left eye socket. His fingers dug in.
"Then don't blame me for being ruthless."
Squelch!
Blood splattered.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Sasuke's agonized screams echoed as he fell from midair.
Rising to his feet, Madara held the bloodied eye in his hand. He pressed it into his empty left socket, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
Madara: "Both of us are Indra's reincarnations. This eye should suit me perfectly!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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