Sasuke's Choice

The sky above the Valley of the End was overcast, with thick clouds hanging low as if they might press down at any moment. The waterfall cascaded down, its roar echoing, while the statues of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha still stood facing each other across the valley, silently witnessing yet another battle that would decide the fate of the Shinobi World.

Six Paths Sasuke stood atop the statue of Madara Uchiha, the image of Naruto reflected in his purple Rinnegan. He wore a dark robe, with the Kusanagi Sword at his waist, and the sleeve of his left hand fluttered gently in the wind—where the moon mark and Truth-Seeking Orb bestowed by the Sage of Six Paths should have been, but now they were empty.

A month ago, when Neji suggested postponing the final battle, Sasuke hesitated. The Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave was indeed powerful, but that power came with a disturbing price. In his twelve-hour daily hallucinations, he saw countless times himself become another Madara Uchiha, suppressing the entire Shinobi World with absolute power and creating a peace without war—a peace built on the fear and despair of everyone.

"Sasuke!" Naruto's voice boomed through the roar of the waterfall, "Are you ready?"

Six Paths Naruto stood atop the statue of Hashirama Senju, his orange coat fluttering in the wind. His eyes still shone with that unwavering light, even though only half of the Nine-Tails remained within him, and even though the Yang Power bestowed by the Sage of Six Paths had long been exhausted in sealing Kaguya.

Sasuke didn't answer, only nodded slightly. He could have used the Senjutsu from Ryūchi Cave, or the Wood Release Ninjutsu perfected by Orochimaru —both of which would have given him a decisive advantage in this battle. But he didn't.

"Then..." Naruto also took a deep breath, without entering Nine-Tails Mode or summoning Natural Energy, and simply used the purest Taijutsu and Rasengan to fight.

The battle has begun.

Konoha, Neji Hyuga stood atop the highest point of his clan's residence, his Tenseigan reflecting the scene of the Valley of the End, a hundred miles away. His vision pierced through the clouds and distance, clearly capturing every detail.

"As expected, they didn't use their full strength." Neji muttered to himself, his expression unreadable.

Beside him lay a specially made container containing a White Zetsu that had been modified by Orochimaru. This White Zetsu had been enhanced in vitality and adaptability, making it an ideal transplant material. Neji had prepared all of this several days ago, as if he had already foreseen the outcome of the battle.

In the Tenseigan, Sasuke and Naruto's battle is strikingly similar to the original story—the clash of Rasengan and Chidori, their final exchange of blows, and then both falling to the ground, each losing an arm.

Neji sighed softly, picked up the container, and instantly disappeared from the spot.

The dust slowly settled on the battlefield of the Valley of the End.

Sasuke lay on the broken rocks, his left shoulder empty, blood gushing out. He struggled to turn his head and saw Naruto not far away, who had also lost his right arm. Their eyes met, and one of them laughed first, then the other, until they both laughed, their laughter a mixture of pain, relief, and some indescribable understanding.

"We... are still the same as before," Naruto said, panting.

"Last-place..." Sasuke responded softly, a rare gentleness in his voice.

Sakura rushed over with tears in her eyes, a green light of Medical Ninjutsu emanating from her hand. "You two idiots! Why did you fight like this!" she scolded as she quickly stopped their bleeding.

Kakashi arrived shortly after, and seeing the two students' miserable state, his expression was complex. "It seems you've finally... reached an agreement."

Just then, a spatial fluctuation flashed, Neji's figure appeared in the center of the battlefield. He was carrying the specially made container, his expression as calm as still water.

"Neji?" Sakura looked up in surprise.

Neji didn't offer much explanation, but simply opened the container and released the modified White Zetsu. He skillfully severed both of the White Zetsu's arms, then walked over to Naruto and Sasuke.

"This is..." Sasuke frowned.

"The most suitable transplant material," Neji replied succinctly, and began the arm transplant surgery on the two men.

His movements were precise and swift, and even more astonishingly, his hands emitted a faint golden light—not Medical Ninjutsu, but some higher-level power. Under the influence of that light, White Zetsu's arms perfectly reconnected with the two severed limbs, and blood vessels, nerves, and muscles healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"This is... your Six Paths Power?" Naruto sensed a familiar yet unfamiliar surge of power.

Neji did not deny it, but focused on completing the surgery. After a short while, both of their new arms were able to move slightly.

Sasuke sat up, flexing his newly grown left hand, his brow furrowed slightly. He looked at Neji, then at Naruto, as if confirming something. Neji also stopped what he was doing, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.

"Naruto, Sasuke," Neji suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a barely perceptible hint of inquiry, "Where are your Yin-Yang Power? Why weren't the Truth-Seeking Orb seen during the battle?"

Naruto paused for a moment, then scratched his head and chuckled, "You mean that? When sealing Kaguya, the Truth-Seeking Orb and Yang Power were all used up at once. The gift from the Sage of Six Paths was for a limited time!"

Sasuke avoided Neji's gaze and said in a low voice, "The Truth-Seeking Orb and Yin Power that the Sage of Six Paths gave me... disappeared along with the seal." There was a hint of guilt in his tone, as if he had failed some kind of expectation.

Neji remained silent for a few seconds, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. "So that's how it is... Six Paths Tier without Truth-Seeking Orb." He muttered to himself, "Six Paths Chibaku Tensei uses nine Truth-Seeking Orb as its core, combined with Yin-Yang Power to complete the seal... no wonder."

He didn't say "no wonder," but those present vaguely understood what he meant.

"Now that your final battle is over," Neji stood up, his gaze sweeping over the shattered Valley of the End, "Let's go back to Konoha together."

As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle spatial force enveloped the five of them, and the next moment, they were standing at the gate of Konoha.

Neji nodded to Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto, then looked at Sasuke: "I'll take you back."

As they headed towards the Uchiha Clan Compound, night deepened, and the lights of Konoha gradually illuminated the village. The two Earth Walk in silence for a while, their footsteps echoing on the stone path.

"Why don't you use Senjutsu or Wood Release Ninjutsu?" Neji finally spoke, his voice calm and even, as if he were merely asking about the weather.

Sasuke paused slightly, glancing sideways at Neji. In the moonlight, Neji's face appeared exceptionally calm, his Tenseigan reflecting the streetlights, yet unfathomable.

"There's a one-month adaptation period for the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave," Sasuke said slowly. "Then you'll postpone the battle for a month. During that month, I'll spend twelve hours a day in illusions..."

His voice lowered, as if he had returned to those days tormented by hallucinations. In those hallucinations, he became another Madara Uchiha, suppressing the entire Shinobi World with absolute power and creating a peace without war—but that peace was deadly, built on the fear and despair of everyone.

"Absolute power can indeed bring peace," Sasuke continued, a hint of weariness in his voice, "But that kind of peace...is born of despair and fear. Naruto's path...hopes to achieve peace through mutual understanding, though it may seem naive and unrealistic..."

He paused for a moment, then looked towards the direction of the Hokage Rock in the distance.

But there is still hope.

Neji listened quietly, his face expressionless, but a fleeting emotion flashed in his eyes—was it disappointment? Understanding? Or some complex feeling?

"So you gave up the revolution?" Neji's voice remained calm.

A flicker of reluctance crossed Sasuke's face, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "Yes, I've given up the revolution." He took a deep breath, "But I will still push forward with reforms in my own way, and I will still strive to become Hokage."

His tone was resolute, and his eyes were determined, as if he had found a new path and a new goal.

Neji looked at Sasuke like this, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in his heart. He had meticulously paved the way for Sasuke — the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, perfecting his Wood Release Ninjutsu —but Sasuke always had his own ideas and ultimately chose a path similar to, yet different from, the one in the original story.

Perhaps this is fate, or rather, a choice made by personal will. Neji sighed inwardly.

"Our cooperation has ended," Neji finally said, his voice devoid of emotion. "From now on, you'll have to walk your own path."

After saying that, he turned to leave, his white tribal robes swaying gently in the night breeze.

"Wait a minute," Sasuke suddenly spoke up.

Neji stopped walking, but did not turn around.

"The Sage of Six Paths asked Naruto and me to relay a message to you."

Neji turned slightly to the side, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. The Sage of Six Paths had actually sent him a message through Naruto and Sasuke?

Sasuke spoke slowly, as if recalling each word. "'The Ōtsutsuki Clan will always exist, and the Shinobi World will remain dangerous.'"

Under the moonlight, Neji's expression froze for a moment, then a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

So that's how it is. The Sage of Six Paths still wanted him to take action to protect the Shinobi World, but he miscalculated.

"Then the Shinobi World will depend on you and Naruto," Neji said softly, a hint of relief in his voice. "My time in Konoha is running out."

Sasuke clearly hadn't expected Neji to refuse so decisively, let alone that he was planning to leave Konoha. But then he thought, Neji has his own goals and path. Whether or not to take on the task of maintaining the Shinobi World is a personal choice, and Sasuke has no right to interfere with others.

"Okay." That was the only word Sasuke uttered in the end.

Neji nodded, his figure gradually fading in the moonlight, disappearing as if blending into the night.

Sasuke stood alone in front of the Uchiha Clan's territory, gazing in the direction Neji had disappeared. After a long while, he turned and walked towards the home that had once been filled with laughter, but which was now only filled with memories and awaited reconstruction.

Inside the Hyuga Clan residence, Neji stood by the window, gazing in the direction of the Valley of the End, his Tenseigan reflecting the distant scenery.

Everything he meticulously planned ultimately ended in this way. Sasuke chose a path similar to the original story, rejecting the power he had prepared, but also finding his own direction.

Perhaps this is for the best, Neji thought to himself. The future of the Shinobi World must ultimately be decided by the people of this era.

As for the threat from the Ōtsutsuki Clan... Neji looked up at the night sky, a deep light flashing in his eyes.

He already knew about the Sage of Six Paths' warning, but he had his own plans. The Shinobi World did need a protector, but it didn't have to be him.

Outside the window, the lights of Konoha twinkled like stars, peaceful and warm. On this night, a battle that would determine the future of the Shinobi World ended, but a new story was just beginning.

Meanwhile, far away in the Uchiha Clan Compound, Sasuke pushed open his door, only to be greeted by complete silence and lingering dust. He walked to the window, gazing at the night view of Konoha, and slowly clenched his newly grown left hand.

Although the revolution has been abandoned, reforms will continue. He is determined to obtain the Hokage Position.

The battle in the Valley of the End is over, but their battle will never truly end.