C-Negative: Return of All Things to the Void

Deidara looked at Naruto, his gaze calm and sharp. "Can your techniques completely destroy this moon-sized ship in an instant?"

Naruto Uzumaki opened his mouth, then fell silent.

Everyone understood. Naruto was not afraid to sacrifice himself. If he had another way, he would have used it already.

The battle had grown so desperate precisely because they had no way to destroy the ship in an instant.

Deidara looked at the silent Naruto and smiled, at peace yet utterly resolute.

"Enough hesitation. Like Sasuke Uchiha said, when you trace this back to its source, our old man from Iwagakure may well be responsible."

"Then as the Fourth Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, let me end it with my own hands! I ought to see it through!"

He fixed his gaze on Naruto, his voice turning grave. "But Naruto Uzumaki, I need your word! After I die, Iwagakure will lose one of its strongest fighters. Its strength is bound to plummet!"

"So please, protect Iwagakure. Don't let my home be swallowed by war!"

He stared into Naruto's eyes as if he could see straight through him. "Otherwise, even if I turn to dust among the stars, I'll never let Konoha off!"

Faced with Deidara's final plea and warning, made at the cost of his life, Naruto Uzumaki cast aside his reluctance and hesitation.

He straightened his back. A will and a promise blazed in his blue eyes, fierce as the sun. He struck his chest and spoke one word at a time.

"Deidara, I swear on my name as Hokage! As long as smoke still rises from Konoha's hearths, Iwagakure's children will sleep peacefully beneath the sun! I'll protect your village!"

That solemn promise echoed through the shattered ship, as binding as the strongest contract.

Deidara looked into Naruto's sincere, unwavering eyes and