Naruto stepped forward and said, "Sasuke, maybe this time... you and I can fight together."
Sasuke sneered. "You and me?"
Naruto spread his hands and replied, "We were originally from Team 7. Fighting together is only natural."
Seeing this, Itachi added, "Sasuke, consider Naruto's words. Maybe he truly does have a way to change this ninja world."
In truth, Itachi wanted to say "he has a way to change you", but he knew his younger brother's temperament. If Itachi admitted Naruto could change him, it would indirectly acknowledge that Naruto was stronger than Sasuke—something that would ignite Sasuke's jealousy and probably trigger another pointless fight.
Madara narrowed his eyes, silently observing. Is Sasuke... about to be swayed by Naruto again?
Obito, too, was closely monitoring Sasuke's demeanor. The chakra binding seal was already prepared, just in case.
Sasuke looked at Naruto seriously. "Tell me. How do you intend to cooperate?"
Naruto didn't hesitate. "The Tailed Beasts and I are friends. They're all my comrades. Once this war is over, they'll stand by me of their own will."
Sasuke scoffed. "Being friends with the Tailed Beasts? That's disgraceful, Naruto."
Then, his gaze shifted to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path in the distance. "The real source of hatred is the Tailed Beasts themselves. We should use the Rinnegan to control them completely. Only then can we prevent their power from leaking out and causing more conflict."
Naruto stayed calm. Sasuke's thoughts were just like they had been in his previous life. He didn't argue—he knew where this would go.
"The Tailed Beasts really are my friends," Naruto continued. "Kurama, the Nine-Tails, is like a brother to me. Gyūki too—he's my comrade. Friends support each other. You don't need to worry about their power causing chaos."
Sasuke watched Naruto closely and gestured for him to continue.
"When you and I work together," Naruto explained, "our next step is uniting the Shinobi Alliance. We'll defeat Madara and Obito right here, end this war, and finally bring peace."
"And then what?" Sasuke asked coldly. "You go back to Konoha and run for Hokage? The world goes back to the same cycle of hatred? What you're saying... how is it different from what Hashirama did when he became the First Hokage?"
Sasuke's tone turned bitter. "As long as people like us are alive, we can control peace. But once we die, won't the shinobi world fall back into chaos again?"
"It won't," Naruto said confidently. "I'll unite the other Kage and create a Shinobi Military Council."
At those words, even Hashirama looked over in surprise. Tobirama's eyes narrowed, intrigued. Just what is Minato's son planning?
Sasuke frowned. "And what exactly would this council do?"
"I would serve as its President," Naruto said, lips curling slightly. "I'd manage all shinobi forces across the Five Great Nations. And with the Tailed Beasts—my friends—supporting me fully, we'll maintain lasting peace."
Sasuke burst out laughing. "Naruto, how is that any different from what I suggested?"
Naruto shook his head. "No, Sasuke. I don't intend to massacre the Kage of each village like you. I want to unite them peacefully. And while you want to control the Tailed Beasts with the Rinnegan, I fight alongside them as equals."
Sasuke scowled. "What difference does it make?"
Naruto raised his hands. "A big one. I have comrades, friends, partners from all across the shinobi world behind me. But you—you're trying to shoulder all the world's hatred alone. That's a path of solitude, Sasuke. Why suffer like that?"
Sasuke's eyes flickered with uncertainty. Naruto's words were cutting deep.
Itachi stepped forward, his voice soft but heavy with emotion. "Sasuke, don't follow the same path I did. Carrying everything alone... it's too painful. Too lonely. You can't handle that burden."
Sasuke snapped, "Shut up!"
Itachi's eyes widened for a moment.
"Don't underestimate me, Itachi!" Sasuke growled. "If you could bear it, then so can I!"
Shisui, watching from the side, sighed deeply. Sasuke had been completely shaped by the tragedy of Itachi.
If the Will of Fire was the guiding flame of the Leaf, then Itachi's ninja path was the one that protected it from the shadows. He was a dark Hokage—much like the foundation Danzō created with Root.
Now, having inherited Itachi's will, Sasuke sought to walk the same path—but without his brother's compassion. He wanted to rise above everyone, to make the world kneel at his feet.
He would crush anyone who stood in his way.
Naruto said, "Sasuke, I believe in you. Your brother and I may see things differently, but I know you're capable. Still... why carry the weight alone when we can carry it together?"
He paused, then added with unshakable sincerity, "You still want love, don't you? Wouldn't it be better to have your brother by your side again?"
Naruto's words pierced Sasuke's heart like an arrow.
Even in his previous life, after receiving the power from the Sage of Six Paths, Sasuke had still tried to kill Naruto—because Naruto was his only remaining bond. Once that bond was severed, he could fall completely into darkness.
And he was afraid of that.
Sasuke didn't know how to respond. Naruto stepped forward boldly and said, "Sasuke, come here."
He extended a hand. Sasuke stared at it, silent.
Itachi stepped forward as well. "Sasuke... come."
Looking at his brother, Sasuke hesitated. The emotions swirling inside him were too complicated.
Seeing that Sasuke was wavering, Naruto took a gamble.
"If you join me, I'll help you resurrect the Uchiha Clan!"
"...What?!"
Sasuke, Itachi, and Shisui all turned toward Naruto, stunned. His words were outrageous—almost divine.
Even Madara frowned. This Naruto... he's even crazier than I am.
Kabuto, standing beside Orochimaru, couldn't help but mutter, "Lord Orochimaru... I'm beginning to understand why you're following Naruto now."
Orochimaru snorted. He knew Kabuto had been influenced by Kotoamatsukami, but somewhere deep in his subconscious, Kabuto's thirst for truth remained.
Just when Sasuke was about to step forward—
Obito's eyes gleamed with killing intent. Damn it, Naruto. I have no choice but to act now.
Snap!
Obito made a hand sign and activated the chakra control seal!
"AHHHHH!"
Sasuke screamed in agony, clutching his chest!
Black curse marks spread rapidly across his body, forming intricate patterns. One by one, black chakra receivers emerged and embedded themselves into his limbs and torso.
Sasuke was being forcibly taken over!
His body rose uncontrollably and began to fly toward Madara and Obito.
"SASUKE!!!" Itachi shouted, his heart breaking. He activated Susanoo, which lunged forward, its massive arm reaching for Sasuke.
Obito quickly altered his seals.
A black rod on Sasuke's back rotated and launched forward.
CLANG!
The rod struck Itachi's Susanoo hand, knocking it away violently.
"Damn it!"
Shisui immediately used the Body Flicker Technique—but two black chakra rods flew at him, intercepting his movement mid-flicker and knocking him back.
Shisui gritted his teeth, heart pounding. Sasuke... He's my friend's younger brother... my clan...
The Uchiha Clan were infamous brocons—overprotective, emotionally intense, and proud. Watching Sasuke be taken away was soul-wrenching.
Surprisingly, Naruto didn't move.
He simply stood there, watching everything unfold with a strangely composed expression.
Because of this, none of the Hokage moved either—Minato, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen stood still.
Even Jiraiya and Orochimaru turned to observe Naruto's reaction.
Naruto stared at Sasuke being taken... with complete calm.
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