Looking at Sasuke's outstretched hand, Madara was momentarily confused.
Damn it… I've become the one who's being drawn in.
The thought made Madara almost laugh. With a hint of amusement, she looked at Obito and said, "Obito, the person you've chosen is truly interesting. No wonder… After all, he's also a reincarnation like me, and he seeks to become that person."
"Become a wind of change... It's a pity. If you want to be the wind that reforms the shinobi world, it's not that simple."
Obito stared at Sasuke and said, "Sasuke, this hypocritical world has no hope of reform. No matter how much you try to change this rotten shinobi world, you'll always face people who resist, who don't understand!"
"Look at them—the people standing in front of us right now. Aren't they the perfect proof?"
"Let me ask you one more thing. Sasuke, even if you, I, and Madara join forces, even if we kill them all and bear the hatred of the entire world... will it bring back the people we've lost? The ones who meant everything to you—can they be resurrected?"
Hearing Obito's words, Sasuke narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "What do you mean?"
Obito gave a faint smile. "Good... You're still the same Sasuke. Just a few words and you start responding on cue."
He continued, "Yes, the Infinite Tsukuyomi is indeed a large-scale genjutsu… but it's also a genjutsu that can save this broken, hypocritical world!"
"In the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, everyone can be redeemed."
"Sasuke… don't you want to live in a village without war, where life is peaceful and happy? In that world, Naruto's parents are alive. Your parents are alive too. Even your beloved brother Itachi is there. No war, no conflict, no bloodshed."
"Isn't it beautiful? You and Naruto, living together in Konoha, attending the Academy side by side, playing in the streets like normal children."
"In that world, there are no Root operations, no Danzo. There's no darkness pulling the strings behind the scenes. Everything is perfect. Even I… I could appear in that world too. I might even become your sensei!"
Hearing such tempting words, Sasuke hesitated.
Yes, Itachi would be there. But what about his parents, their love, his childhood?
The memories of this world had left too many scars on Sasuke's heart. If such a world could truly exist—even if it was an illusion—so what?
Seeing the effect of his words, Obito pressed on, voice thick with persuasion.
"Sasuke, under the Infinite Tsukuyomi, no one will even know they're in a genjutsu. It's just like reality."
"This world is cruel. It's filled with hatred. Isn't life just an experience anyway? Wouldn't you rather have a perfect life inside that world and live happily until the end, instead of continuing in this hell?"
"Yes, you're strong—but even you suffer. What about the ordinary people who have no power? How do they endure this world?"
Sasuke's eyes flickered, uncertainty growing in his gaze.
Seeing that, Naruto immediately spoke up.
"Sasuke! No matter how beautiful a dream is… it's still not reality. True beauty comes only from changing the real world!"
Obito chuckled coldly at Naruto's words. "Naruto, have you already forgotten the illusion I created to trap you?"
"Be honest. In that illusion, you had a real family. When you came home for the first time, the lights were on, the food was warm, and your parents were waiting. Didn't you cry?"
Naruto fell silent. His fists clenched slightly.
Obito's eyes narrowed as he pressed forward. "Tell me, Naruto… is it really so great to stay in this world as an orphan?"
"Wouldn't it be better to live as Menma, with both parents alive, in a peaceful world?"
Obito's Sharingan gleamed with temptation, spinning hypnotically as he tried to lure Naruto again.
Yes, Naruto remembered. He and Sakura had once fallen into an illusion Obito cast. In that world, he was known as Menma, not Naruto.
His parents were both alive. They were ordinary Jōnin, while Sakura's family were heroes—her parents had died defending the village from the Nine-Tails.
Naruto remembered that illusion vividly. For the first time in his life, someone had celebrated his birthday. When he returned home, the house was lit up. The smell of food filled the air. Someone had smiled at him and said, "Welcome home."
Even if it wasn't real… the warmth had felt overwhelming.
He had seen photo albums filled with fake memories—pictures of himself growing up with his parents, birthdays, Academy days, hugs, laughter.
For a moment, he hadn't wanted to leave.
That dream... it had been sweet—like wine aged for centuries. Just one breath of it was enough to make him drunk.
But in the end, he'd awoken—thanks to Sakura's words.
Minato looked at his son from across the battlefield with guilt in his eyes. The weight on his heart was heavy. He had failed Naruto as a father.
Minato hadn't needed to die. Kushina and Katsuyu could have subdued the Nine-Tails without his death. But to protect the village—and because of the unknown threat of the masked man—Minato had sealed half of Kurama into Naruto and died alongside Kushina.
It had been a sacrifice… for the future.
He hoped that by sealing the Nine-Tails into Naruto, his son would grow strong enough to defeat the masked man and change the world.
In hindsight, his actions had indeed shaped that very future.
When Tsunade later reviewed the details of the Nine-Tails incident, she and Jiraiya came to the same conclusion:
Namikaze Minato never did anything without a reason.
He had faced the masked man once and correctly predicted that only someone who mastered the Nine-Tails' power could ever defeat him.
Yet still… Minato felt deep guilt. Knowing the hardship Naruto endured as a child because of that decision, he couldn't help but resent the Third Hokage's choices.
Here and now, Naruto took a deep breath. He looked Obito straight in the eye and said:
"Obito… that world may be beautiful—but it's not real. And I'm not the same person I used to be."
Several people nearby who knew Naruto came from the future glanced at him, eyes filled with meaning.
Naruto then turned to Sasuke and said clearly:
"Sasuke, what Obito said… I think it may not be impossible for you and me to make that world real—without using genjutsu."
Sasuke's eyes sharpened. "What are you saying?"
Naruto smiled and pointed toward the two men standing ahead—Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui.
"Your brother… and Brother Shisui—they're both dead. But look—they're standing right here in front of you."
"What I'm saying is… you still don't understand what's truly possible."
Sasuke was momentarily stunned. Then, his eyes lit up with a flicker of realization. Excitement trembled in his voice as he looked at Naruto with a new expression.
"...Naruto. You've really changed."
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