Shimura Danzō's Hypothesis

But in the next instant, he heard future Sasuke's clear, low voice from the scene:

"I lost, Naruto."

The anger and disdain on Naruto Uzumaki's face froze.

He blinked his bright blue eyes, as if he hadn't heard correctly.

Then shock and wild joy erupted from deep within him like a volcano!

"Huh?!" His voice shot up an octave, and his mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg.

He snapped back to himself, clutched his stomach with both hands, and burst into triumphant laughter. He doubled over, nearly rolling on the ground:

"Hahaha! Did you hear that? Did you all hear that? That stuck-up Sasuke! The one who always wears that sour face and thinks he's better than everyone! He admitted it himself! He lost to me! Hahaha!"

Naruto Uzumaki danced with excitement. He even pulled a face at the sky and pointed a thumb at his own nose:

"How about that, Sasuke? Now you know how awesome I am! You always looked down on me, but in the future, you had to admit defeat! Hahahaha! The one who won in the end was me, Naruto Uzumaki!"

Smoke curled through the Hokage's Office.

Through the Canopy Screen, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the powerful future Sasuke Uchiha protect Konoha in his own way.

A deeply gratified smile spread across his weathered face.

He took a long draw from his Pipe and slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes shining with emotion.

"Do you see?" he murmured, as though speaking to the Hokage who had come before him. "These are Konoha's new shoots. This is the vitality of the Will of Fire."

"Even after passing through the deepest darkness, they can still shine so brilliantly if guided well. That light will never die."

Just then, the office door was shoved open.