This attack completely obliterated all the remaining chakra in Mukade's body. Even his soul was torn apart by the combined Rasengan of Uchiha Hikaru, Naruto, and the Nine-Tails.
There wasn't even a chance for him to pass on to the Pure Land.
The dust floating in the air gradually settled.
Uchiha Hikaru had almost no chakra left. He dispersed the Susanoo that had been shielding the Nine-Tails.
In the next instant, his consciousness shifted into Naruto's mindscape.
Without saying a word, and before Naruto or the Nine-Tails could react, Hikaru immediately slapped a "seal" talisman onto the gate within Naruto's seal.
Then, with the last bit of Mangekyō power he had, he activated the pupil technique: Sword.
"Seal."
With the restorative power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, the previously battered and crumbling "Seal" character was instantly restored to its original condition.
The Nine-Tails immediately sensed something was wrong.
"BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Two massive claws slammed furiously against the reformed Eight Trigrams Seal as the Nine-Tails roared in fury.
"Uchiha Hikaru! You tricked me!"
"Didn't we agree that once I helped you deal with that scum, you'd let me out for a while!?"
Hikaru turned his head silently, pretending not to hear.
(Hmph… how can this stupid fox be so gullible? He believed every word I said. He really has no idea how cruel the world is.)
(If I told him I was the Sage of Six Paths reincarnated, would he believe that too?)
Even though Hikaru didn't say a thing, the Nine-Tails had already begun to suspect something deep in his heart.
(This guy... he's really related to the Sage of Six Paths, isn't he? But he's also a total bastard! He even lies to tailed beasts! I trusted him once and got played so hard!!)
Even Naruto couldn't bear to watch it any longer.
Keeping his promises was part of his ninja way—he didn't like lying, not even to the Nine-Tails.
Feeling both the resentful glare of the Nine-Tails and Naruto's awkward silence, Hikaru let out a long sigh.
"Ah~"
He then pointed at the sealed gate and began speaking sincerely.
"It's not that I don't want to keep my promise. It's just... this place has been your home for over ten years. I busted it up earlier without saying a word, so I had to fix it. Otherwise, you'd be living in a broken-down cage. How pitiful~" ( ˘︹˘ )
Naruto suddenly remembered his childhood, living alone in that cramped, shabby apartment.
Tears welled up in his eyes. He rushed forward and hugged Hikaru tightly, sobbing into his shoulder.
"Waaaaah~"
"Big Brother Hikaru, you're so thoughtful! I actually doubted you… I thought you broke your promise. I'm such an idiot!!!" (╥﹏╥)
The Nine-Tails exploded again, completely enraged.
"You little brat! I don't care about this dump of a seal!"
"Uchiha Hikaru! Then tell me, how do you plan to let me out next time!?"
Hikaru gave the Nine-Tails a calm side glance, then gently patted Naruto's back like comforting a child.
"Don't worry. I'll use the power of the Dragon Vein to build you a new home."
With that, he and Naruto exited the mindscape.
Back in the real world, Sarah, Minato, and Choza—who had been protecting the villagers—ran over to check on Hikaru and Naruto.
Sarah looked directly at Hikaru, tears glimmering in her eyes, her heart filled with gratitude.
Thanks to Hikaru and the others' efforts, they had finally taken down Mukade. Or rather… the traitor.
At last, Mukade was gone, and Rōran could return to peace.
Sarah bowed deeply to Hikaru, Naruto, and Team Minato.
"Thank you for saving Rōran."
"You are Rōran's eternal heroes!"
Minato quickly stepped forward and helped her up.
"Lady Sarah, this situation was partially our fault."
"Six years ago, your mother—the previous queen—sent out a mission request. Sadly, she passed away before we could arrive. The matter was left unresolved."
"Had Rōran's sudden technological expansion not caught the Sandaime's attention, we wouldn't have been sent again. I'm sorry we were late."
He bowed deeply, remorse evident in his eyes.
Hikaru, watching from the side, was exasperated. He grabbed both of their shoulders and pulled them upright.
"The threat's over. Why are we still talking like this?"
"Shouldn't we be thinking about how to celebrate?"
In the next instant, Naruto leapt in front of Hikaru, raising his hands and beaming with excitement.
"Banquet! Banquet!!" (≧▽≦)
"I haven't eaten all day. Now that it's finally over, I want a feast!"
But before he could take another step, a white glow enveloped Naruto's body.
Sarah stared in confusion.
"Huh? What's going on with you…?"
Minato's expression grew solemn.
"Looks like I was right. With Mukade dead, the time-space distortion is fading. You'll return to the future…"
He raised his hand and gently placed it on Naruto's head, eyes misting with tears.
"I'm sorry…"
But just as Minato was about to erase Naruto's memories, Hikaru raised a hand and stopped him.
"Let Naruto decide that. You shouldn't be making the choice for him."
Naruto finally caught on to what was happening.
Before he could react emotionally, his eyes narrowed into slitted pupils.
"Uchiha Hikaru! Don't forget your promise! What happened to my training time!?"
(≖︿≖✿)
Hikaru snapped his fingers, and Sword, which had been absorbing chakra near the Dragon Vein, instantly reappeared at his side.
"Sword, I need your help one more time."
Sword shot a menacing glare at the Nine-Tails.
Then it morphed into a pitch-black chakra glove and wrapped around Hikaru's right hand.
Lifting Naruto's shirt, Hikaru pressed his gloved hand onto the Eight Trigrams Seal.
"Eight Trigrams Seal: Modification!"
The metal gate within Naruto's mindscape shifted. The bars faded away, replaced by a semi-transparent black chakra membrane. A handprint appeared at the center of the barrier.
"If Naruto places his hand here, you'll be able to come out. But only half your chakra can be released."
"I don't have the actual key, so this is the best I can do for now."
"If you want out in the future, talk it over with Naruto…"
With that, Hikaru lifted his hand from Naruto's stomach.
The Nine-Tails returned to his seal, still grumbling, but quietly acknowledging Hikaru's compromise.
At the same time, a thought crossed his mind:
(Is this kid… really the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths? Is he hinting that Naruto is the one who'll lead us tailed beasts one day?)
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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