Sakura Haruno awoke from unconsciousness, her face still pale. Surrounding her were Sasuke, Karin, and Neji.
Staring blankly as Junko placed a hand on her left breast, Sakura suddenly questioned Junko, "Who exactly are you?"
Junko bit her lip, her own face pale. "I... I'm Junko Muto. You know that."
Due to the severe trauma to her heart, even though she was now awake, Sakura was still incredibly weak. Yet, hearing Junko's words, she found an unknown strength. She swatted away Junko's hand from her chest, and with every ounce of her remaining energy, she struggled to her feet. Grabbing Junko, her voice was frail yet laced with fury, "Stop lying to me! I've already asked Rika! She doesn't know you at all! Who are you?! What is going on with this world?! Is this the Infinite Tsukuyomi or not?! Is this world fake?! Answer me!!!"
Sakura was on the verge of a mental breakdown from the relentless series of events that night. However, having just brushed with death, her emotions had also stabilized somewhat, and her initial suspicions had begun to waver.
Perhaps her foreknowledge had indeed caused her to overthink things. Truthfully, if she thought about it carefully, there were quite a few inconsistencies. But no amount of searching for evidence to refute her theories would be as direct as questioning Junko right here, right now.
Hearing Sakura's words, Junko froze, then stammered, "Grandma... Rika? Sh-she, isn't she dead? Wh-what's the Infinite Tsukuyomi?"
Sasuke, overhearing the conversation between Sakura and Junko, felt a stir in his heart. He turned to Karin and Neji. "People are coming from that direction. Prepare for battle... or perhaps, retreat."
"Sakura, we... we should go quickly! Master Tsunade is on our side! Dozens of ANBU have come from over there, but Master's summoning animal is keeping them occupied for now," Karin said to Sakura, her voice trembling.
Neji also turned to look in that direction. "We can talk about this later, Sakura. Besides Lady Fifth Hokage bringing Team Ten, Team Eight and our Team Guy are providing support on the perimeter. Let's escape first."
"You don't need to know. Answer me, who are you?!" Sakura ignored them, her grip still tight on Junko's clothes as she pressed her demand.
Seeing Sakura disregard him, Sasuke then said to Neji and Karin, "We'll go intercept them first. The village's target is Sakura. Karin, go find Team Ten and then escort Sakura away. Neji, you're with me."
"Alright!" Karin agreed.
"Wait." Sakura finally spoke, looking from Sasuke to Neji. "If I don't get to the bottom of this, I'm not leaving. If you truly want to help me, then buy me some time."
"No, that's too dangerous! I refuse!" Sasuke immediately vetoed.
"This is my only request!!!" Sakura growled at Sasuke. "Otherwise, I'm not going anywhere!"
Having reached this point, Sakura had to understand. If this truly was a false world, then what did it matter where she was?
Sasuke looked at Sakura's resolute expression, fell silent for a moment, then said, "I understand." With a heavy heart, he turned to Karin and Neji. "You two stay here. If I... if I can't hold them off, get her away. Please."
Hearing Sasuke say this, Neji vaguely understood Sasuke's intentions. A strange sense of liberation washed over him. He snorted coldly. "Trying to be the hero all by yourself? I won't give you the chance!"
Sasuke stared at Neji, about to try and persuade him to stay, but he saw the unwavering determination in Neji's eyes, a resolve that seemed to match his own. He sighed deeply. "You'd better think this through, Neji!"
"Hmph, no need to say anymore. This is my own choice!" Neji declared, then charged out first.
Is this what it feels like to decide my own fate? To no longer be constrained by the main family? This feeling… it's wonderful… Father, are you watching? I can decide my own destiny now…
Sasuke watched Neji rush out, his gaze hardening, and then he too charged forward. The village's target is Sakura. If… if I can't make myself their target instead, I probably won't be able to buy her any time. So… the only way is to make myself the village's target. Only by resorting to killing, by becoming a rogue ninja, can I draw enough of the Konoha ninja's fire.
Sasuke didn't know what Neji was thinking, but this battle would be the first test of his own strength. If he died here, it would only prove he wasn't worthy...
"Wait for me, I'm coming too!" Karin, seeing both of them charge out, thought for a moment and then followed. She might not understand Neji's decision or Sasuke's determination, but she knew this was all for Sakura, and that was enough.
"Everyone's gone now. So, tell me, is this the Infinite Tsukuyomi space or not?" Sakura stared at Junko, demanding an answer.
"I... I don't know what you're talking about. Wh-what's the Infinite Tsukuyomi space?" Junko asked, gasping for breath. Due to excessive blood loss from saving Sakura, her head throbbed as if it were about to explode.
"Hehehe..." Sakura laughed, a dark, chilling sound. "Stop pretending. I know more than you think. Infinite Tsukuyomi, the God Tree, the Ten-Tails, Black Zetsu, Indra, Asura, and... visitors from beyond the stars... Otsutsuki... Kaguya..."
Listening to Sakura's words, Junko asked blankly, "Sakura, what... what are you trying to ask? Tell me, I really don't know what any of those things you're saying are..."
Sakura had intended to bluff her, but seeing Junko still respond this way, she fell silent.
If this really is the Infinite Tsukuyomi space, I've practically laid all my cards on the table. There's no point in concealing anything further. Even if it admitted it, I wouldn't be able to escape anyway, so why not just admit it?
"Why doesn't Grandma Rika know you? I've already asked her!" Sakura asked, her voice low.
"Sh-she's not dead? How did you ask her?" Junko's face suddenly flushed, and she grabbed Sakura's hands in return.
"..." Sakura was silent for a moment. "I... I have a jutsu that can make even the dead speak." As she said this, something clicked. She stared sharply at Junko. "You're not Junko. Junko isn't like this!"
This time, it was Junko's turn to be silent. Her eyes darted around evasively. "I am Junko. Junko Muto. The Junko from before was me, and the Junko now is also me. I... I haven't deceived you."
"Fine. Since you're Junko, tell me, why doesn't Grandma Rika know you? How did you manage to alter a dead person's memories?" Sakura didn't want to get bogged down on whether or not she was truly Junko.
"Because..." Junko's eyes flickered, and she stammered, "Because..."
BOOM!
A loud explosion in the distance interrupted their conversation. Sasuke, Neji, and Karin stumbled back, and arriving with them were Tsunade and the Third Hokage.
They glared at Danzo, who stood not far away. The usual composed expression was gone from Danzo's face. Two figures knelt beside him, and behind him was his summoning animal.
Sakura looked up. In an instant, she felt as if the blood in her veins had stopped flowing. A constant ringing filled her ears, and the world seemed to lose all its color.
"Father... Mother..." The words escaped the young woman's lips, barely a whisper...