Sasori of the Red Sand's fate wasn't much better than his-
On the contrary, compared to Deidara, who only had his Chakra sealed and didn't suffer many physical injuries, Sasori, whose body was mostly composed of puppet parts, was in a much worse state.
Including his hard-repaired Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets, as well as his own main body, everything turned into crumbling sand upon contact with the Calamity Flames.
No matter what kind of puppet it was, after being scorched by the Calamity Flames, it would quickly lose its durability.
And the frustrating part was that these flames couldn't be blocked or absorbed by other Ninjutsu!
Sasuke didn't even need to use any Taijutsu; just by relying on the Calamity Flames wrapped around him, he easily defeated Sasori.
Now, Sasori only retained his upper body and his core, but compared to Deidara, his expression appeared more normal.
- Or was it because his puppet body was inherently expressionless?
"It seems 'Uchiha Madara' failed?"
Sasori showed no resentment about being captured but calmly looked at everyone and drew this conclusion.
"Although I'm not sure which 'Uchiha Madara' you're referring to, I can tell you they all failed."
Holding Sasori by the scruff of his neck with one hand, Sasuke said coolly.
'Speaking of which, after achieving complete revenge, this kid really liked to laugh in that cool manner. Was it some kind of side effect?'
Naruto thought about it.
'Hmm… compared to his previous deeply resentful appearance, this current look was more pleasing. Let him laugh if he wants.'
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing this, Sasori initially wanted to nod but then realized he couldn't perform the action, so he gave up and spoke directly.
"Then we surrender."
His words didn't surprise Naruto and the others.
After all, judging by the fact that they didn't accompany Obito to the past, these two might have already planned to leave the Akatsuki, but perhaps feared the organization's retaliation, hence choosing to observe.
The others didn't react, but Deidara's reaction was huge.
He immediately opened his mouth to curse, but Naruto just smiled and wiped his hand across it. A mask made of black material appeared on his face, completely blocking the guy's noise.
A mask made of Truth-Seeking Balls. Deidara was the first in the Ninja World to experience such thing.
…
The negotiation with Sara went very smoothly. In fact, she had already been looking for a suitable place to settle.
The environment of Uzushiogakure was infinitely better than that of the Land of Wind.
As for the reconstruction, it wasn't a big deal either.
Under Sara's hospitality, the group held a grand banquet.
Everyone could enjoy the process to their heart's content.
Even Sasori and Deidara, who are prisoners of war.
Naruto wasn't worried at all about these two causing trouble.
It can't be helped. As enemies, Deidara and Sasori were now at least a whole version behind.
This banquet wasn't held in a magnificent palace. It was just a group of people around a campfire in the center of the oasis, eating and drinking freely near the tents.
From time to time, there were special Roran's song and dance performances.
For the Kingdom of Roran, this celebrated the completion of their mission and the rebirth of their nation.
For everyone in the Tailed Beast Team, it also seemed to signify the final gathering before parting ways.
Everyone tacitly avoided discussing this topic.
Although the time spent together wasn't very long, everyone in this team, including Zabuza, the former Demon, had gradually accepted the others.
This harmonious experience was very novel for both the Jinchuriki and for Ninjas like Haku and Zabuza, who had once been reduced to assassination tools.
Unknowingly, the banquet gradually reached its end.
Naruto was still drinking with B and Jiraiya.
Unfortunately, even without using any cheating methods, just based on Naruto's current physique, finding a fine wine on this planet that could make him drunk was almost impossible.
On the other side, Kousei, for once, wasn't staying by Naruto's side. Instead, she went to the side and told part of her wonderful experiences to the two 'babysitters' and Gaara, who was secretly pricking up his ears.
She also mentioned the sand in the gourd on Gaara's back.
"Dark Circles, your mother loved you, without a doubt."
Listening to Kousei casually reveal secrets he never knew in a conversational tone, Gaara sat there in a daze, tears streaming uncontrollably.
"So, don't let down those who love you. Although your father was a scoundrel, there are still people in your family who care about you."
Gaara couldn't help but recall the two figures who had always been by his side.
Temari and Kankuro, Gaara's family.
After saying this, she turned to the two 'babysitters' and instructed them about something.
Who knows what she said? After listening, Haku showed a very conflicted expression, and even Zabuza, the usually expressionless one, seemed to want to say something.
But Kousei just gently shook her head at them.
"Let it be. You have your own happy lives, and I have things I must do."
The sensitive Yugito and the naturally simple and optimistic Fu both sensed the unusual atmosphere tonight.
No wonder, since no one was really trying to hide it.
The fundamental reason Naruto had persuaded or forcibly taken everyone initially was the existence of a great villain who could appear at any time, threatening the Jinchurikis' safety.
Now that the threat was resolved, everyone had to return to their original lives.
"It was truly a... wonderful journey."
Yugito took a sip of the wine in her cup. Like Gaara, who was among the last to join the Jinchuriki, Fu seemed somewhat confused.
'I hadn't even completed my mission of making a hundred friends yet, and now I had to go home?'
…
The next day.
Naruto didn't dawdle and directly announced the complete disbandment of the Tailed Beast Team.
Deidara would be personally taken back to Iwagakure by Roshi. With his Chakra sealed, it would be difficult for Deidara to escape from Roshi, a Jinchuriki whose strength had reached a new level.
Fu was assigned to B and Yugito, who would escort her back on their way.
Naruto trusted their character relatively well.
As long as the Raikage didn't give a direct order, Yugito probably wouldn't mind doing this favor.
Besides, if they secretly took her to Kumogakure... well, if Naruto happened to pass by and find out next time... it might not end well for Kumogakure's Tailed Beasts.
Haku and Zabuza would return the same way they came, back to the Land of Vegetables, to their own small courtyard.
"Konoha isn't worth hoping for… but you're always welcome to visit us in Uzushiogakure for a gathering."
Hearing Naruto say this made Jiraiya, standing behind him, look complicated.
'Ah, sensei, I wonder if you would have still done it if you could have foreseen today.'
And so, the group completely parted ways within the Land of Wind. Gaara, carrying Sasori's core, set off alone on the road back to Sunagakure.
Even though he had always wanted to do this while in the team, why did he feel so reluctant when it was time to part?
Pressing his hand lightly over his heart, Gaara walked while recalling the experiences of these past days.
Unknowingly, a sincere smile appeared on his face.
…
Konoha Village, Memorial Stone.
Naruto, holding Kousei's hand, walked to the graves of Minato and Kushina and softly spoke to them.
"Dad, Mom, this is my daughter, Kousei."
"She's a very sensible and strong little girl."
"Don't worry about me, I'm over here..."
He appeared openly and without concealment within Konoha Village, completely disregarding the fact that the so-called 'arrest warrant' from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire against him hadn't been revoked yet.
Not far away, Hiruzen, the current Fifth Hokage Hiashi, and the newly appointed temporary advisor Nara Shikaku remained silent.
From Jiraiya's description, they had a rough understanding of the cause and effect.
To be honest, if Jiraiya didn't have sufficient prestige, they wouldn't have been able to believe such a mythical story.
What Madara's resurrection, a millennium-spanning conspiracy, the Sage of Six Paths' mother Otsutsuki Kaguya...
Just how far had Naruto's strength reached?
Thinking this, Hiruzen couldn't help but recall the words Naruto had said when he confronted him before. A sense of foreboding suddenly arose in the old man's heart.
'No, no... no matter what, it wouldn't... Hmm, it's best if he waits until after I die before causing trouble.'
The former Hokage, Hiruzen, thought to himself.
After saying what he wanted to say before his parents' graves, Naruto took out Obito's body.
"The grudge between us is over, but you still owe them an apology."
After speaking, without any visible action, the corpse turned into a large pile of dust.
Then, under the control of Yin-Yang Release, this dust transformed into a kneeling statue.
The statue's face was adorned with that familiar spiral-patterned mask.
'Since you liked wearing a mask, wear it forever.'
'The Obito who was his father's student and Kakashi-sensei's partner had died long before you chose to kill them.'
'And as the masked man, you will remain here forever in penitence.'
Suddenly, Naruto felt his daughter gently tug his hand.
His gaze followed, and Kousei just gave him a light smile.
"Dad, take me for a walk."
"...Okay."
On the main street of Konoha, Naruto, without any concern, carried his daughter on his shoulders and went for a stroll, just like any ordinary father.
As he narrated, the two walked through various places from Naruto's memories.
They also walked through Naruto's past.
The shop where Naruto played his first prank, the place where Naruto went to school, Naruto's favorite ramen shop and bookstore, and the Hokage Rock he often climbed...
Naruto seemed to want to show his daughter his entire life of over a decade in this village within a single day.
Until sunset…
After Kousei and Naruto came out from Ichiraku Ramen, they strolled under the starlight.
"Dad, I want to go back."
"Okay, we'll go back tomorrow..."
Before Naruto could finish, his daughter gently shook her head to interrupt him.
And Naruto was actually mentally prepared.
"Dad, Kousei doesn't belong to this timeline. Kousei wants to return to her own era."
As she spoke, Kousei took out the turtle-shaped device, then gently hugged Naruto.
"Dad, you have so many people accompanying you, but Mother over there only has me..."
Kousei's muffled voice came from against Naruto's stomach, and he could feel his clothes getting wet.
"So, it's time to say goodbye."
"Dad is really like they said, a Super Hero! A great person."
"It's really wonderful. It's really wonderful that Kousei is Dad's daughter."
Kousei looked up, her tears having made her eyes wet and red.
"Dad, don't be sad. Just like you said, we will meet again."
Kousei stood on her tiptoes, and Naruto crouched down, allowing his daughter to gently hug his neck.
In the next moment, light flashed.