The Heavenly Screen view continues--
Within the alternate dimension, a colossal God Tree twisted and grew, its thick branches coiling around Naruto Uzumaki's limbs like living creatures, suspending him high in the air. Momoshiki Otsutsuki's pale hand touched Naruto's abdomen, and golden Nine-Tails Chakra was forcibly extracted like a torrent!
"Ughhh--!" Naruto arched his back in pain, his orange jacket soaked with cold sweat.
Momoshiki sneered, a cruel pleasure gleaming in her golden Rinnegan:
"How does it feel to become nutrients in my seedbed?" He tilted his head, his tone teasing. "Pretty good, right?"
However, as Chakra continued to flow into his palm, Momoshiki's brows suddenly furrowed—
"This Chakra... how can it be so vast?!" He stared at his slightly trembling hands. "This is only halfway through?!"
Naruto struggled to lift his head, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet he managed a smile:
"I'm sorry... that won't do."
Momoshiki abruptly pulled her hand back, narrowing her eyes. "Oh?"
Naruto was breathing heavily, but the light in his eyes remained undiminished.
"I need to finish this work quickly... and get home as soon as possible." His voice was hoarse but firm, "Back to that kid (Boruto)'s side—"
So, I'll defeat you first!
"Hmph, a mere inferior creature dares to—"
Before Momoshiki could finish his wild words, the sky in the alternate dimension suddenly distorted!
"Whoosh--!"
A bolt of purple lightning tore through space, Sasuke Uchiha's Rinnegan flashed coldly, Kusanagi Sword, imbued with the Chidori Sharp Spear, severed the branches of the God Tree that bound Naruto in one strike!
"Go!" Sasuke's command was like a war drum.
Darui's Black Lightning blade had already struck Momoshiki's face, forcing him to retreat dozens of meters!
On the other side, Chōjūrō clashed his twin swords, the Hiramekarei blades creating huge waves that Kinshiki blasted back Kinshiki, who was attempting a sneak attack!
"These guys...!" Momoshiki steadied himself, his face ashen. His gaze was fixed intently on Sasuke—
(That Rinnegan with the black cloak... what a nuisance!)
At this moment, the four shadows have formed an encirclement!
Gaara calmly looked at the Ōtsutsuki and said coldly, "Don't think you can escape our grasp."
"You're the arrogant ones, you inferior race!" A strange red light suddenly flashed in Momoshiki's left Rinnegan—
"Let's go!" Gaara Sha Lang!
Darui and Chōjūrō charged forward simultaneously! Black Lightning and flashing blades intertwined to form a deadly net!
On the other side, Sasuke was fighting Kinshiki, sparks flying like rain as the Kusanagi Sword clashed with the giant axe! Kinshiki suddenly roared, unleashing a burst of brute force that Sasuke flying. Just as he was about to give chase—
Water Release: Water Blade!
Chōjūrō's Ninja Blade unleashed a giant water blade, forcing Kinshiki back!
"Strong build, yet incredibly agile." Chōjūrō looked at Kinshiki, his Hiramekarei blade pointed directly at the enemy.
"You'll soon regret it—" Kinshiki's voice boomed like thunder, "Regret that you, as a mere grunt, shouldn't have shown off like this!"
The moment the giant axe came crashing down, Chōjūrō barely managed to parry with his sword, but the terrifying force caused his hand to split open! Within three moves, his defenses were completely shattered!
"Swish!" The axe blade sliced through his chest, and blood splattered onto his glasses.
"His torso is full of flaws." Kinshiki's contemptuous comment accompanied Chōjūrō's staggering retreat.
"The same as you."
A cold smile crept across Chōjūrō's blood-stained lips, his gaze behind his glasses sharp as a knife.
"What?!" Kinshiki suddenly realized, but it was too late!
The ground suddenly cracked open! Kurotsuchi erupted from the sand, and the fist of the Added-Weight Rock Technique slammed into Kinshiki like a giant wave!
"Boom--!"
Kinshiki's massive body was smashed away, and his giant axe nearly slipped from his grasp!
"What tricks are you playing!" he roared in the air, only to see—
"Chidori Stream!"
Sasuke's Kusanagi Sword, crackling with blinding lightning, slashed down from behind!
"Crack!" Kinshiki's giant axe shattered with a crash, but the lightning's momentum remained undiminished, slamming him down from the sky to the ground!
"It's not over yet!" Chōjūrō swords, his Chakra boiling like blood mist—
"Blood Mist Blade Technique - Bone Pulling!"
Dozens of sharp water needles, condensed from Chakra, burst forth from the ground, instantly piercing Kinshiki's limbs and pinning him to the ground!
"Tsuchikage!" Sasuke shouted coldly.
"Watch this!" Kurotsuchi formed a hand seal, his cheeks puffing out—
"Lava Release: Gray Stone Sealing Technique!"
"Pfft--!" Thick, hot mortar gushed from her mouth, instantly encasing Kinshiki in stone, leaving only his head exposed!
Kurotsuchi clapped his hands and smiled smugly:
You guys are really unlucky~
The real Shinobi World...
Within the Land of Snow
"That was awesome!! Yes! That's it! Beat them up!!"
Naruto jumped and hopped on the snow, his golden hair swaying wildly with his movements, as excited as a child seeing a fireworks display for the first time. He waved his fists, pointing at the battle scene in the Heavenly Screen, his spittle almost spraying onto Jiraiya's face.
"Sasuke and Gaara were so cool saving the day!! And that uncle from Kumogakure —ah! That older brother and sister were amazing too!!" He suddenly turned around and grabbed Jiraiya's sleeve, his blue eyes wide open, "Pervy Sage! That kid named Boruto... is he my future son!?"
Jiraiya, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, sat cross-legged on an ice rock, gazing intently at the Five Kage's perfectly coordinated movements against the Heavenly Screen. Hearing Naruto's question, he grinned:
"Who knows~ But--" He ruffled Naruto's messy blond hair, "To be able to unite everyone to this extent... that's the power of the Child of Prophecy."
(From being a bottom-of-the-class student to becoming a link connecting the entire Shinobi World...)
Karin pushed up her glasses, let out a long breath, and her tense shoulders finally relaxed.
"Seriously... it was so worrying." She muttered to herself, but when she saw Naruto's lively profile, a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.
Konoha, Land of Fire
(Inside the Hokage's office)
Tsunade gazed at the scene in the Heavenly Screen where everyone had successfully rescued Naruto, her tense shoulders finally relaxed, and a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.
"Honestly... I worried for nothing." She scoffed, her gaze falling on Sasuke's figure. "That guy, he really didn't defect after all..."
Shizune hugged Tonton, her face full of joy. "That's great! Naruto's alright! That blond little boy... is that Boruto from the future? He looks just like Naruto when he was little!"
Shikamaru leaned against the window, his hands in his pockets, but his eyes remained fixed on Kinshiki, who was being controlled by Kurotsuchi and Chōjūrō, his brows furrowed slightly.
(It seems that not all enemies in that form are ridiculously strong...)
(This Kinshiki is far inferior to Madara Uchiha...)
But the next second, he shook his head violently, his eyes becoming serious.
(No, it's not that he's weak...)
(But those who will deal with him are the future Five Kage and the unfathomably powerful Sasuke!)
(If it were ordinary ninjas... they probably wouldn't even last a single exchange before being wiped out!)
Thinking of this, Shikamaru sighed and rubbed his temples.
"This is so troublesome... Our future enemy is indeed ridiculously strong."
Tsunade glanced at him and scoffed, "What, are you scared already?"
Shikamaru shrugged and smiled lazily, "I'm not so much afraid, but we need to make some preparations in advance."
(At least... we need to ensure that the ninjas of Konoha aren't helpless in the future!)
Bustling commercial street
Kiba breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Naruto being rescued, then put his hands on his head, looked up at the sky and laughed loudly, while Akamaru beside him barked twice.
"Haha! Naruto's such a loser!" He grinned, revealing a row of White Fang. "He's going to be Hokage in the future, and he still needs other village Kage to come and save him? I think it's more reliable for me to be the future Hokage!"
Shino pushed up his sunglasses, his calm voice coming from beneath his turtleneck. "If you were Hokage, you'd be even more Hokage Naruto."
"Huh?! What do you mean?!" Kiba immediately bristled, pointing at Shino and yelling.
Shino slowly listed them off. "First, you'll keep a dog in the Hokage's office, and the documents will be covered in paw prints. Second, during meetings, you'll suddenly rush out to catch the cat because of your 'dog instincts.' Third—"
"Hey!!" Kiba exclaimed, his face flushed with anger. "Akamaru is the best Ninja Dog! And when have I ever neglected my duties because of catching a cat?!"
Shino calmly added, "Last Wednesday, you knocked over three food stalls while chasing a black cat."
Tooth: "... Th-that was a special case!"
Hinata to the side, gently clasped her hands together in front of her chest, gazing at Naruto who had been rescued in the Heavenly Screen, and breathed a slight sigh of relief. But when the scene switched to the blond little boy— Boruto —her heart suddenly raced.
(Naruto-kun's child...?)
(So, who will Naruto-kun be with in the future...?)
Her cheeks flushed instantly, her fingers twisted together involuntarily, and countless images flashed through her mind—
The blond boy I always secretly watched when I was little, always alone...
His silhouette as he stood up for himself during the Chunin Ninja Exams...
(Could it be me...?)
The moment this thought crossed her mind, steam seemed to rise from her head, and she felt dizzy and couldn't even hear Kiba and Shino arguing anymore.
The owner of the dumpling shop on the street poked her head out and called out with a smile, "Hinata- sama, is your face so red because you have a fever?"
"Ah! No, no!" Hinata hurriedly waved her hands, her voice trailing off, "It's just... it's a bit hot..."
Kiba and Shino stopped arguing at the same time and turned to look at her.
"Hinata, are you alright?" Kiba scratched his head.
"Abnormally high body temperature, tachycardia, slightly dilated pupils..." Shino's insect quietly crawled out from his sleeve. "Do you need a medical team?"
"No, no need!" Hinata bowed sharply, then disappeared at the end of the street with the speed of Body Flicker Technique.
Kiba and Akamaru exchanged bewildered glances. "What's wrong with her?"
Shino pushed up his sunglasses, the lenses reflecting light. "Perhaps... the possibilities of the future are too dazzling."
Training Ground
"That's fantastic!! Sasuke arrived just in time!"
Excited, Rock Lee did a backflip and jumped onto the wooden stake, his green bodysuit fluttering in the wind. He clenched his fists, his blood boiling as he stared at the scene in the Heavenly Screen where everyone was working together to suppress Kinshiki, his eyes seemingly burning with fire.
"Yes! That's it! Let's rout the enemy!!" He clenched his fist, "This is—youth!!"
Tenten Tian sighed, nearly dropping the scroll in her hand. "Seriously... you and Guy-sensei can bring up 'youth' in everything..." She shook her head helplessly, but a slight smile played on her lips, "But, it's good that future Naruto is alright."
She looked up towards the border, her tone slightly worried. "Speaking of which, Kai-sensei and Kakashi- senpai went to the border, and I wonder when they'll be back..."
Neji stood quietly at the edge of the Training Ground, his Byakugan fixed on the battle against the Heavenly Screen. His expression remained calm, but complex emotions surged within him.
(How much will I grow up to in the future?)
(Why am I not reflected in the Heavenly Screen?)
(Did he die in battle? Or...?)
He subconsciously touched the Caged Bird Seal his forehead, his eyes darkening slightly. But soon, he raised his head again, his gaze resolute.
(No, no matter what the future holds--)
(Now, I will never stop moving forward!)
"Hey! Neji! Stop spacing out!" Rock Lee jumped down from the wooden stake, gave him a thumbs up, and said, "Let's have a match! Let's prove our strength with our passionate youth!"
Tenten, hands on hips, complained, "You two... this is the time to look at the Heavenly Screen, not to train!"
Neji smiled faintly, "It's alright." He assumed a fighting stance, "Perfect for stretching my muscles."
"Haha! That's more like it!" Rock Lee excitedly assumed a fighting stance. "Today, I'm going to break through your defenses!"
Tenten looked at the two of them and sighed helplessly, but her eyes held a warm smile.
(Seriously... those two hot-blooded idiots.)
Konoha Main Street · Yamanaka Flower Shop
Sunlight streamed through the glass window, illuminating the colorful bouquets. Ino trimmed the rose bushes while gazing up at the screen projected on the Heavenly Screen. When she saw Naruto being rescued, she couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"I never expected this..." She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, "That loser in class who always talked about wanting to be Hokage actually came true."
Sakura, enjoying a rare break, was sitting at the counter with a cup of herbal tea when she heard this and smiled, "Naruto has always been like that... a man of his word." She paused, her gaze softening, "Although he always makes us worry."
In the Heavenly Screen, a fleeting image flashed by of Sasuke wielding the Kusanagi Sword to sever a branch of the God Tree, and Sakura's eyes flickered slightly.
(In the future... Sasuke still returned to the village.)
This thought warmed her heart, but then she thought of the destructive power of the enemies in the Heavenly Screen, and her brows furrowed involuntarily.
"It would be better if there weren't so many strange enemies in the future..." she muttered to herself. "The Akatsuki, Madara Uchiha, and now extraterrestrial visitors... It's never going to end."
Ino placed the trimmed bouquet into the vase and shrugged. "Who says otherwise? But—" She suddenly winked mischievously, "At least the future Sasuke is back. Someone should be happy, right?"
"Ino!!" Sakura's face flushed instantly, and she almost dropped the teacup in her hand.
Ino laughed heartily and casually tossed a lily over, "Oh, what's there to be shy about? The whole village knows you like him!"
Sakura hurriedly caught the flowers, about to object, when the florist's doorbell suddenly rang.
Choji, carrying a large bag of snacks, poked his head in and said, "Are you guys watching the Heavenly Screen? I just came from a barbecue restaurant. The owner said there might be a food crisis in the future, so they're having a sale today..."
The three then huddled by the window, sharing snacks and discussing the future reflected in the Heavenly Screen.