Sasuke asked the Sage of Six Paths a question—whether the reason for their differences was because they hadn't fought.
The Sage of Six Paths spoke solemnly, "That's right. Actually... due to certain factors, your futures have all changed. Originally, Naruto, your parents should've already died. Obito would become Madara's agent. The Uchiha clan would be wiped out by Itachi and Obito. You, Sasuke, in order to obtain power for revenge, would walk a ruthless path, just like the reincarnated one before—you two would eventually oppose each other..."
Naruto couldn't bring himself to believe what the Sage was saying, "Huh? How could that possibly happen? Aren't we all fine now?"
"This is a memory I obtained while entering Gamamaru's dream. This was the future destined to unfold in the ninja world. Take a look."
The Sage struck his staff once against the ground, and both Sasuke and Naruto were drawn into a genjutsu.
Inside the illusion,
Naruto witnessed his own parents dying trying to protect him from the Nine-Tails' claws, and then saw himself isolated by everyone else. During the Chunin Exams, he met Jiraiya and learned ninjutsu under him. Later on, Sasuke received Orochimaru's Cursed Seal and chose to betray Konoha in pursuit of power.
Naruto chased after Sasuke, facing him at the Valley of the End where Sasuke activated the second stage of the Cursed Seal, used the Sharingan and Chidori to defeat him—the version of Naruto who had been using Nine-Tails' power and Rasengan.
Later came the mission to rescue Gaara, though this time Sunagakure's Kazekage was Gaara himself rather than Baki.
During the chase after Sasuke, at the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth, Naruto confronted Orochimaru and Kabuto. Provoked by Orochimaru, he lost control and nearly killed Sakura.
When he met Sasuke again, Sasuke declared his intent to kill Naruto—to sever all bonds between them. Unable to stop Sasuke, Naruto could only watch helplessly as he left with Orochimaru.
Afterward, Jiraiya traveled to Amegakure for an investigation on Pain but was killed. Naruto fell into deep grief and despair until encouraged back to his feet by Iruka and Shikamaru...
Though these memories felt unfamiliar to Naruto, there was something strangely familiar about them.
Meanwhile, Sasuke also witnessed the night of the massacre. He saw himself defecting from Konoha in pursuit of power, following Orochimaru; repeatedly pushing Naruto away; personally killing Itachi for revenge, awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan; receiving the 'truth' from Obito; transplanted Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan and unlocked the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan...
Like Naruto, Sasuke too felt a strange familiarity watching these scenes unfold.
Once the genjutsu was released, Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances. Suddenly, both shouted simultaneously, "Shindai!"
They realized—the many scenes they'd seen were actually parts of role-playing games orchestrated by Shindai when they were little!
[Nine-Tails' Attack], [Battle of the Valley of the End], [Brothers' Final Showdown]—so many of those moments had actually been role-playing games orchestrated by Shindai when they were little!
Naruto asked in shock, "What's going on? These events shown by the Sage of Six Paths were meant to happen originally, but they didn't occur, right? Why did Shindai make us relive them?"
Sasuke suddenly thought of something and stared at the Sage of Six Paths while asking, "You just mentioned that due to some factor, our future was completely altered. This factor… Could it be Shindai?"
The Sage of Six Paths nodded, "That's correct. It was him. He is the factor causing the change in the future. He saved Obito who should have fallen into darkness, and rescued Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki who were supposed to die. Because Minato survived, an alliance formed between Konoha and the Uchiha clan, avoiding the massacre night...
Shindai shouldn't have existed in this future originally. He was supposed to die during the Third Great Ninja War. Yet he somehow survived. It seems he, like Gamamaru, possesses the ability to foresee the future."
Naruto asked in confusion, "Speaking of which, who exactly is Gamamaru?"
"The big prophetic toad at Mount Myoboku—Gamamaru—is someone you've met many times," replied the Sage of Six Paths. "Gamamaru possesses highly accurate prophetic abilities. He is a close friend of mine and my brother's. During our battle against our mother Kaguya, Gamamaru provided tremendous help.
One could say Shindai changed many people's lives—including yours—and prevented conflicts like those between Indra and Asura, or Hashirama and Madara."
Sasuke raised another question: "But if that's the case, then why couldn't Shindai change the present situation?"
Sighing heavily, the Sage of Six Paths replied, "Firstly, it relates to his personality. He's actually quite timid and avoids conflict. He doesn't act until things hit him directly—and he's completely disrespectful!"
Shindai was still muttering curses from outside, directed at the Sage of Six Paths.
Hearing the Sage's evaluation of Shindai, both Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously nodded in agreement. It was a truly accurate assessment!
Manners and Shindai are total opposites.
"Secondly..." the Sage of Six Paths said seriously, "Certain things are destined to happen regardless. You've probably heard about Black Zetsu that Shindai mentioned too. Actually, I only noticed him because Shindai warned me beforehand. Now I finally understand that Black Zetsu was created by my mother Kaguya specifically for breaking the seal to revive her.
It's possible, as Shindai suggested, that Black Zetsu altered the inscription on the stone monolith I left behind, leading Hashirama and Madara down the same path of conflict as Asura and Indra.
So even though these conflicts didn't happen this time thanks to Shindai's interference, as long as Black Zetsu exists, that day will inevitably come eventually. This is unavoidable."
Naruto and Sasuke remained silent for quite a long time.
After a brief pause, Naruto sincerely said to the Sage of Six Paths, "Even after your death, you still wanted to keep protecting this world. Despite how things turned out now, you still choose to trust us. Thank you."
The Sage of Six Paths shook his head and said, "There's no need to thank me. I don't deserve it. If this world truly needs Indra... no, if Mother's approach, treating it as a natural law, is correct, that means wanting to stop this is just my own personal wish.
Looking at how the Tailed Beasts have been used—not for balance or peace, but merely as weapons—perhaps my thoughts were too naïve..."
Naruto said firmly, "No, Lord Sage, you're not wrong!"
"Old man, Naruto's right. You're not wrong."
A massive figure appeared within the consciousness space—it was Gyuki.
"Eh! Aren't you B's Tailed Beast?"
Kurama also appeared and said to Naruto, "Didn't you fist-bump with transformed B before? I had Gyuki inject some Chakra into your body. Now all the Tailed Beasts' Chakra has entered you, Naruto."
Kurama looked at the Sage of Six Paths and said, "This is the moment we promised, old man!"
The Sage looked at Naruto and smiled, "Yes, indeed. Gamamaru's prophecy was correct after all—he really is the blue-eyed boy who calls forth the nine-tailed beast and befriends it!"
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