Sasuke's end?

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh--!

The sound of something cutting through the air was sharp and whistling, continuous and persistent.

Crimson-black, solidified Chakra claws attacked from the air, each wave stronger than the last!

Sasuke Uchiha's figure appeared particularly small against the backdrop of those enormous claws, and he had to exert all his strength to dodge each of their sudden attacks.

Boom!

The claws viciously tore Sasuke's body apart and shattered the huge rock like tofu. Sasuke's broken body was scattered on the ground and suddenly turned into smoke and disappeared. The next moment, Sasuke's true form appeared on the other side of the battlefield, staggering.

Whew, whimper--!

His breathing grew heavier, and sweat soaked the boy's hair, which clung tightly to his forehead. After standing there for only a short while, a small puddle of sweat had already formed on the ground.

Sasuke was completely unconcerned about his disheveled appearance.

He stared intently at the figure not far away, tightly enveloped in a thick Chakra Cloak. The opponent's attack carried a fierce killing intent and unparalleled power; one wrong move and he would be beheaded!

The attacker was his teammate.

Naruto Uzumaki.

No, it should be said that he was a Jinchūriki who overused the power of the Nine-Tails, to the point that he was devoured by the Tailed Beast and completely lost his mind and consciousness!

Or rather, what he lost was only his consciousness as "Naruto Uzumaki".

And in those ferocious, bloodthirsty eyes, Sasuke clearly saw the insane consciousness belonging to Nine-Tails!

Yes, the ninth tail is gradually extending from behind Naruto.

"Damn it! Wake up! Don't let the Nine-Tails devour your consciousness, Naruto--!" Sasuke shouted anxiously!

Call out--!

Before Sasuke could catch his breath or even shout, a new wave of attacks was launched by the berserk Naruto!

No, he's no longer Naruto, he's Kurama (the Nine-Tails) now!

Perhaps it was because Sasuke's stamina was declining, or perhaps it was because the power leaking from Nine-Tails was becoming increasingly stronger, but Sasuke was finding it increasingly difficult to cope with this round of attacks!

"Damn it! My body feels so heavy!"

The boy gritted his teeth, frantically drawing out the last bit of strength and Chakra remaining in his body, stimulating his thighs to jump up, narrowly dodging another attack from the Nine-Tails.

Upon landing, his legs buckled, and he nearly fell to the ground.

This is a sign of physical exhaustion.

"Can't even muster Chakra?" Sasuke's heart suddenly sank.

Damn it! If he still had the stamina, he could have used Susanoo hold off Naruto for a while, and maybe even subdue Nine-Tails with Genjutsu!

But now, let alone Susanoo and Mangekyō Sharingan, even Chidori Mode can no longer be maintained! The battle has dragged on for the rest of its life.

Fortunately, Nine-Tails, probably because Naruto was still struggling, had not yet unleashed its full power.

But the game of cat and mouse will eventually come to an end.

This time, the Nine-Tails, which had been eyeing Sasuke covetously, did not let the opportunity pass. With a sudden swing of its massive tail, it slammed down fiercely towards Sasuke!

Bang!

With strength from who knows where, Sasuke Susanoo and block it in front of him!

With a deafening roar, Susanoo was shattered by the immense power of the Nine-Tails, and the boy was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

Cough, cough!

Sasuke Uchiha coughed up a mouthful of blood, covered his eyes, and struggled to his feet.

His strong will to survive saved his life; Susanoo blocked most of the impact, preventing Sasuke from being crushed to death by Nine-Tails.

However, this struggle was ultimately futile; it was merely a matter of dying a moment sooner or a moment later!

Is it over yet?

Sasuke wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said with a wry smile.

The Nine-Tails 'Chakra condensed into bones, then transformed into muscles that enveloped the Tailed Beast's body. Now, only the final step remains before it can completely take over Naruto's body, devour Naruto's soul, and transform into the true Nine-Tails.

Those beastly eyes, filled with madness and killing intent, are getting closer and closer to the eyes of the Nine-Tails!

Perhaps in a short while, there will be no more Naruto Uzumaki in the world, only Nine-Tails).

The Nine-Tails, about to reach its complete form, slowly walked over and stood before Sasuke.

Naruto's Nine-Tails Transformation is inevitable, and his death is inevitable!

Sasuke closed his eyes.

Despair?

Having finally defeated their opponent, they were killed by their own people at the last moment?

Sasuke had expected to feel resentment and bitterness, but at this moment, he found himself unusually calm.

She didn't blame Naruto for losing control, nor did she hate herself for being powerless.

Yes, if Sasuke were stronger, Naruto wouldn't have needed to use dangerous power beyond his limits, and after defeating Sasori and Kakuzu, he wouldn't have lost control and become the Nine-Tails, turning around to attack Sasuke.

In fact, if he hadn't been exhausted after using that Super Electromagnetic Cannon attack, Naruto wouldn't have been forced to enter a deeper level of Tailed Beast Transformation to protect him!

But reality doesn't allow for "what ifs," and Sasuke has no need for regrets, because he never slacked off in his training; he had already done his best.

Sakura once told him to do his best in everything, and then face the ending with equanimity, without regrets.

He did it.

Sasuke felt no shame, no resentment, only a little regret.

Unfortunately, the fate that belonged to him and his brother Naruto was completely severed by Nine-Tails on this day.

People say that on the verge of death, all the memories of one's life will flash through one's mind like a revolving lantern. But Sasuke found that in his final moments, only two figures appeared in his mind.

There are still some regrets about certain things and certain people.

"I truly regret that I couldn't defeat you and save Naruto and me from our fate," Sasuke said with difficulty, opening his eyes.

He raised his head and looked at the gradually clearing blue sky.

"Brother, why?"

It's a real shame. Unfortunately, there was never an answer.

The Nine-Tails fox raised its claws high.

The boy calmly closed his eyes, but tears still streamed down his face.

"Sakura, I'm sorry."

Will she... shed tears?

Then--

The Nine-Tails's claws descended.

Snap!

Is this what death feels like? No pain, not even a collision, the Nine-Tails gave him a quick death? And what was that strange sound?

Sasuke secretly opened his eyes.

A giant, turquoise hand blocked his way, firmly grasping the Nine-Tails's claws.

The boy's gaze traveled upwards along the giant hand.

"I should be the one apologizing." A familiar voice came from above.

"Sorry I'm late, Sasuke."

"And... Naruto."

A pink-haired girl stood high atop the giant's head, her clothes fluttering and her hair flying.

"Leave this to me."

She looked down at Nine-Tails and Sasuke, the powerful Chakra emanating from her body pressing down on the earth, and spoke slowly.

"You... have come." Sasuke blinked, looking at the dashing young woman with disbelief.

The body, which had been stubbornly standing, suddenly seemed to have lost all its strength, or as if it had remembered that it was already exhausted, and in an instant it slumped down.

"You're here, Sakura." Sasuke, then plopped down on the ground without any regard for his manners, and said weakly.

He found his heart pounding. He had been so calm and composed just moments before, but now he was gasping for breath, gasping for fresh air. This action, which he usually paid no attention to, was now a stark reminder to Sasuke that he was still alive!

Although one can face death calmly, but--

It's good to be alive!

[This is from yesterday; I'll write another chapter tonight.]