Inside the Death God's belly, those materialized stood frozen in shock.
The Hachibi's tails bristled, its fox claws flexing with tension. But the greatest shock came from seeing the figure standing before them Hashirama Senju, the legendary God of Shinobi, now bound within this abyss.
The Third and Fourth Raikage opened their mouths to speak, but the Second Hokage slapped the Third sharply on the back of the head.
"Monkey, calm down. Weren't you the one who sealed us in here?"
Grumbling followed as the four Hokage began quarreling in the vast hollow of the Death God's stomach.
Madara Uchiha: Forget that Senju fool. If my brother weren't beside me, I'd swear that brat in the video was his reincarnation.
Izuna Uchiha: Ha! True Uchiha blood, and he even looks like I did when I was a kid.
Below, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha watched the ongoing battle with heavy hearts. Whether it was Naruto or Sasuke, if either child were to die, there would be no joy in victory.
[Video Footage]
On opposite shores, a bizarre duel was unfolding.
One ninja in dark, gothic attire. The other, in a worn Leaf headband. Their eyes locked across the water, no words exchanged.
Sasuke's right hand crackled with dark-striped Chidori. Naruto's left palm held a red, spiraling Rasengan.
They leaped at the same time.
"Chidori!"
"Rasengan!"
The jutsu collided midair. Blue lightning twisted with crimson chakra, spinning into a storm of violet light.
In that instant, Sasuke's free hand drove into Naruto's chest while Naruto's clawed fist only managed to nick Sasuke's forehead protector.
The violet orb swelled, then turned pitch black. A waterfall surged down upon it, but the orb resisted, repelling the cascade.
Cracks spread across the energy sphere until, with a deafening flash, the light burst outward.
As the light faded, their gazes met in the air, echoing their very first handshake.
Had it ended?
Sasuke stood over Naruto's collapsed body. The headband had fallen away.
"Naruto..."
"I..."
Rain began to pour. The storm clouds born of fire jutsu and chakra detonation finally broke open.
Under the downpour, Sasuke trembled as the cursed seal's backlash wracked his body. He collapsed beside Naruto. Their faces were only centimeters apart close enough for a kiss.
But Sasuke couldn't finish the job.
Mikoto Uchiha: Phew... nearly gave me a heart attack. Good thing Sasuke held back. Otherwise, Kushina would've come swinging a kunai.
Kushina Uzumaki: I know they're friends, but... best friends trying to kill each other? That's insane.
Sasuke Uchiha: Can't best friends finish each other off?
Mikoto Uchiha: Sasuke! Watch your mouth when talking to Aunt Kushina!
Sasuke Uchiha: ...
Ohnoki: I thought this was just how Leaf shinobi played with their friends.
Fourth Raikage Darui: Haha! Real manly friendship right there!
Tsunade: Sasuke, are you serious? If you hesitate again, just ask your mother for advice!
Sasuke Uchiha: Then you go ask your own mother!
Tsunade: ...I meant seek your mother's wisdom.
Sasuke Uchiha: That came out wrong.
System Notification:Initiating question sequence!Question 1: How many times did Naruto fall into the water during the video?Correct Answer Reward: Naruto's Chakra Outfit Experience Card ×1Wrong Answer Penalty: UnknownNote: Time-limited. Numeric answers only.
The group fell into stunned silence.
Ohnoki: I'm too old for this. I didn't count a thing.
Fourth Raikage Darui: Ahem... I was definitely watching! I just didn't catch all the details.
Madara Uchiha: Was it two times?
Izuna Uchiha: I remember two as well.
Ohnoki: Genius deduction!
Tsunade: So brave.
Mizukage Mei Terumi: Admirably confident.
Madara Uchiha: ...They don't look too bright.
Izuna Uchiha: We're the real fools here.
System Judging Answer: "2" from Madara Uchiha, Incorrect!Penalty: Upload a cosplay maid selfie in the group chat.
System Judging Answer: "2" from Izuna Uchiha, Incorrect!Penalty: Upload a maid hairpin selfie in the group chat.
Madara Uchiha: Wrong? What the hell is cosplay? I know what a maid is, but cosplay?
Izuna Uchiha: ...We truly are the idiots here.
The entire chat burst into laughter.
System Explanation: Cosplay means dressing up as fictional characters.System Directive: Madara and Izuna Uchiha must upload selfies in maid costumes within 3 minutes.
Madara Uchiha: You have got to be kidding me. Maid outfit? I'll destroy whoever coded this system!
Izuna Uchiha: ...I'm doomed.
The chat was roaring, but rules were rules. Even the legendary Uchiha brothers could not escape system punishment.
Fourth Raikage Darui: Ahem... I have to say, maid costumes are going too far...
Madara Uchiha: The Fourth speaks sense. Remember this mercy, Raikage, or suffer my wrath someday.
Fourth Raikage Darui: ...Acknowledged.
System Note: Chakra Outfit Card and Maid Costume Card are both one-time-use cosmetics.
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