Chapter 99 - Chapter 98: Farewell to the Past, The Rebirth of a Ninja!

As the large spiral sphere in Uzumaki Menma's hand slowly descended from the sky, time itself seemed to stand still.That ominous black and purple ball, resembling a demonic snowflake, hovered in the air—its presence freezing the world around it.Menma looked up.In that single moment, countless memories flashed through his mind.He remembered the endless days of solitary training, the cold glares from the villagers, the curses whispered behind his back—demon fox, monster, curse of the village. Even the simple act of buying food was filled with struggle. Most shops outright refused to sell to him. The few that did charged prices ten times higher than normal.This village never gave him a shred of warmth. All he had ever received was unrelenting hatred.And now..."Since you all treated me like this from the beginning… you can't blame me now!"He clenched his fists."When an avalanche occurs, no snowflake is innocent."His eyes turned distant. Even now, amid his rage, Menma could distinguish right from wrong.He noticed something—Ichiraku Ramen was no longer part of the commercial district. He frowned, recalling the warm smiles of the ramen uncle and the kindness of Ayame. No matter what happened, Menma would never hurt them.They were the rare lights in his darkness.Suddenly, among the panicked Konoha villagers fleeing for safety, someone finally looked up."Y-You guys… look… what is that?!"All eyes turned skyward.That swirling, black-and-purple sphere hanging in the air like a lotus from the underworld filled the night sky with terror.Under the protection of Konoha's shinobi, some civilians from the commercial district managed to escape. But the area was overcrowded—too many people, too little time.From a distant rooftop, Uzuki Yugao watched silently.If it were her former self, she would have rushed in and risked her life to stop him. But that changed the moment she overheard what the Third Hokage had once said:"For Konoha, I can endure anything."From that moment, the Will of Fire in her heart had died.It was Naruto—the Naruto she believed in—who reignited her belief. He had become the light that pierced her long, cold night.She now believed in her own choices and in everything Naruto stood for.Because only by experiencing pain… can one truly understand it.The panicking civilians screamed. The shinobi prepared to stop Menma, forming battle lines and weaving hand seals.But against the terrifying power of the giant Rasengan variant, their efforts were meaningless.The orb descended like the blade of death, cutting through those brave enough to approach. It didn't discriminate. The black energy swirled mercilessly, obliterating those who tried to be heroes.Despair filled the air.No time to run.No chance to fight.Just helplessness as death came closer—glowing black and violet.BOOM!!!A thunderous roar echoed across the village.The mighty spiral sphere detonated, and in an instant, the once-bustling street transformed into a wasteland. It was as if a nuclear explosion had hit the heart of Konoha.Screams tore through the night.Agony.Wailing.Destruction.Everything that once stood proud was now buried in ruins.All those who had cursed Naruto, who wished death upon him during his youth, were now gone.Dead—reaped by the very storm they once helped create.Uzuki Yugao's eyes trembled. She gazed at the apocalyptic scene before her. For a fleeting moment, pity flickered across her face.But then, just as quickly, her gaze became firm once more.She turned, glanced one last time at Uzumaki Menma, and then walked away.She would not stop him.Not anymore.---[Interdimensional Audience Reactions – Ninja World Forum]Deidara: "Yes! Art is explosion! Seems like that Naruto from another world also understands true art!"Ōnoki: "Isn't the power of that Rasengan too terrifying?!"Even Uzumaki Nagato was momentarily stunned. He silently nodded in agreement with the Tsuchikage's words.The destructive force of that jutsu—its impact, its scope—reminded Nagato of his own Shinra Tensei. That power… was no longer just a technique. It was retribution.He remembered when he learned about the destruction of the Uzushiogakure. Many times, he imagined himself floating above Konoha, ready to ask that poetic question—"How many floors can a bag of rice carry?"Tobirama Senju: "That b*****d Naruto actually attacked the Hidden Leaf Village! He has no integrity as a ninja!"Terumi Mei: "Tch, that's not Naruto. Didn't I tell you? His name is Uzumaki Menma!"Fourth Raikage: "Stop playing dumb, Mizukage! This so-called Menma is just a Shadow Clone of Naruto!"Terumi Mei: "It's different. Menma isn't just a clone—he's the embodiment of Naruto's inner darkness!"Tsunade Senju: "Darkness? What do you mean?"Terumi Mei: "Because you've sat in high positions for too long, you've forgotten the suffering of the common people. That's why you misjudge Naruto. Everything he's done is understandable."Ōnoki: "You call this understandable?! He destroyed his own village!"Terumi Mei: "Then explain this—why did he deliberately avoid Ichiraku Ramen when he unleashed destruction?"Ōnoki: "…I…"Terumi Mei: "Because Naruto can still distinguish between right and wrong! It's your prejudice—just like the villagers who mistreated him—that pushed him down this path! I've lived through Kirigakure's dark era. That's why I understand."Terumi Mei: "Only when you accept darkness can you embrace light. Without evil, how can there be justice?"Naruto Uzumaki: "I'm not sure I fully understand… but what the Mizukage said kinda makes sense. I won't follow that path, but I don't think that other me is a bad person."Kushina Uzumaki: "Of course not! You and that Menma are both my sons—you're not bad kids."Jiraiya: "I'm more concerned about what Naruto will do next. With his strength, Konoha can't stop him anymore… and he already has the key to the Nine Tails seal!"Minato Namikaze: "Jiraiya-sensei is right. I left the key for Naruto to one day control the Nine Tails. But now… it might've been too early."Hashirama Senju: "Actually… maybe all of this isn't a bad thing. The structure we built for the ninja world didn't bring lasting peace. Perhaps my decisions back then were flawed."Madara Uchiha: "Hahaha! So, you finally admit it, Hashirama? You were a failure as Hokage!"Tobirama Senju: "Madara! Show some respect to my brother!"Hashirama Senju: "No, Tobirama… Madara has a point."Hashirama's gaze softened."I don't believe I was a failure. But I understand now that the system I created had its limits. My death… may have been a necessity."The audience fell silent.A realization struck them all at once—The mysterious death of Hashirama Senju… may have been by his own choice.After all, in a world without Madara, who could rival Hashirama?He had no equals.And as long as he lived, no one would dare to change the system.The ninja world needed change—but no one could bring it while he remained its immovable pillar.And so, the First Hokage, who once brought an era of peace through unity, chose to disappear.To die…So that something new could be born.Because supreme power can't lead progress—it can only maintain order.And Hashirama did not want to be a symbol of stagnation.He had created the "One Country, One Village" system to bring peace.But eventually, he came to see that peace was temporary—unsustainable in the long term.For the world to grow, he had to die.So that future generations could inherit his dream… and improve upon it.His true Will of Fire wasn't just about protecting the village.It was about self-sacrifice.It was about being a burning leaf that falls—so countless new sprouts may rise from its ashes.That, in the end, was the true Will of Fire…And the beginning of a new ninja era.