The clouds parted to reveal a clear blue sky. Two towering statues stood at attention in the Valley of the End the site of the Shinobi God and the Shinobi Asura's final clash. The valley formed by that titanic battle was forever known as the Valley of the End. It marked what was said to be the last bond between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha… but was it truly a bond?
Naruto's voice echoed across the vast expanse. White birds scattered before him.
Naruto (calling out): Sasuke! Are you running away from me?
Sasuke Uchiha did not slow. He continued forward as if lost in his own world.
Sasuke (coldly): That's none of your business.
Naruto's eyes widened. He remembered the cruel smirk. The blood. The words.
Sasuke (mocking): Hey, you big idiot. Is it your turn now?Naruto (swallowing): Why… why did you become like this?
Naruto leapt from Hashirama's head and charged.He tackled Sasuke, pinning him to the ground. Hesitating only a moment, he struck Sasuke's cheek. Blood splattered onto Naruto's face.
A strange voice echoed in Naruto's mind:
"Do you want to know everything?""The secrets your brother has hidden!""The true reason the Uchiha clan was wiped out!"
Sasuke (whispering): I have my own path. The days of fooling around with you Leaf people are over.
He turned to leave.
Naruto (desperate): What have you made our comrades into? Why did you leave me?
He leapt again but Sasuke kicked him away, then vanished in a flash, reappearing atop Madara's statue, savoring newfound power.
Sasuke (to himself): If I unleash the Cursed Seal now… how strong will I become?
Naruto clawed himself out of the lake, gasping for breath as he sprinted through the water.
Naruto (yelling): Wake up, Sasuke!
Sasuke (eyes alight): I woke up long ago to a future of peace with you and our comrades. That's why I left the village to chase strength. My dreams lie in the past.
They stared at each other across the waters of the Valley of the End.
Suddenly, a chime rang out.
Ding! Question release initiated!Ding! Answer the question: What did Sasuke mean when he said his dream was only in the past?Ding! Correct answer rewards you with one Tsukuyomi Illusion Card. Answer wrong punishment unknown!Ding! Time-sensitive question: Any chat referring to Sasuke counts as an answer. Be cautious!
A strange bubble appeared overhead, and a new presence silently forced every ninja into a sudden group chat…
Ding! Parody, bah! The God-Level Multiverse System has arrived! Welcome your future!Ding! Creating group chat… live broadcast channel… marketplace…Ding! Replicable item search complete. System detects the Pure Land… world materializing…
The entire shinobi world panicked. But Naruto and Sasuke, locked in their fierce duel, heard none of it. On the giant screen above the Valley of the End, their clash was already live:
Broadcast footage:"You call them comrades?""Being with them… does that make me stronger?""I'm going to Orochimaru!""That Orochimaru killed the Third Hokage and tried to destroy Konoha!""Do you think he'll give you power for free?""You might never come back!"
Inside the Akatsuki compound, Itachi's face was grim. Orochimaru's plan had taken root.
The screen faded to scorching sun and hawks circling overhead Naruto and Sasuke paused, locked in their eternal rivalry.
Finally, Naruto's voice rang out:
Naruto (firmly): It doesn't matter now. I'll bring our comrades back, even if I must use brute force.
Sasuke's smirk turned thoughtful.
Sasuke: Then show me your strength.
Naruto clenched his fists. The Valley of the End bore witness to their unending struggle.
END OF CHAPTER