The First Valley of the End

Following the direction of the voice, Naruto and Satsuki silently passed through the forest, drawing closer to that familiar young voice.

Soon, the view before them opened up.

Naruto immediately recognized the place.

A massive waterfall poured down from above, its thunderous roar deafening. On either side of the waterfall stood two enormous statues facing one another, each extending one hand in the Release Seal.

The statue on the left had flowing long hair and a resolute expression—it was the First, Hashirama Senju.

The one on the right had wild black hair and an imposing presence—it was Uchiha Madara.

The Valley of the End.

Legend said that these two former allies turned mortal enemies had fought their earth-shaking final battle here. Later generations had erected these two giant statues to commemorate that battle and warn those who came after.

Of course, Naruto knew this place.

But he also knew that what he was seeing was not the Valley of the End from his own world.

Because of the two young figures standing atop the statues.

Two figures he knew better than anyone.

One was a black-haired boy wearing a blue Uchiha uniform. His back was cold and detached, his bearing aloof, his hairstyle familiar—it was Sasuke.

Or rather, this world's Second Pillar.

The other was a blond boy.

He was younger and more immature than Naruto remembered himself being, with the traces of youthful innocence still lingering on his face. He wore that classic orange tracksuit and stood before Sasuke, his eyes filled with—

Heartache, indignation, and an unquestionable resolve.

Naruto understood.

This was another world.

A parallel timeline, like the world Sasuke had come from.

This point in time... was probably when Little Sasuke had first defected.

"What does what I've become have to do with you?"

Little Sasuke's