Aftermath

Kakashi lay on the ground, a hole torn through his ninja flak jacket. His chest rose and fell faintly, showing that he was still alive.

"As expected, I'm no match for him."

He looked up at the sky.

This Sasuke had completely surpassed him.

There was no chance of him defeating Sasuke now.

"If you want your student, come find us," Sasuke said coldly.

He nodded at Naruto.

The two continued onward, intending to leave Konoha.

But before they could fully depart,

figures appeared around them one after another. Some stood in the trees, while others stood on the ground.

They were all dressed in Anbu combat uniforms, with thin-faced masks covering their faces.

Pairs of eyes watched the two of them.

"Anbu?" Naruto frowned.

"No." Sasuke shook his head. "They're Root."

"Root?" Naruto's expression changed.

Those people who had once betrayed Konoha.

"You need to come back with us."

A figure stepped forward in front of them.

"For the destruction you have caused Konoha, we will punish you both. We hope you will not resist."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance, their faces full of confusion.

"Forget it."

Naruto took a step forward.

Darkness began to gather around him.

After so much time, he had mostly recovered.

Figures continuously emerged from the darkness. Narutos dressed in black raised their heads and looked at the people before them.

"It seems you intend to resist."

The Root member leading them spoke in a low voice.

The Root members slowly drew their weapons and charged at the Narutos.

Naruto's clones did not back down and charged forward as well.

The Root ninja leading them sneered. This guy clearly had no idea how powerful Root members were.

They had forgotten their names and had no pasts. They were tools created to achieve their