The battle was over, and Naruto sat on a rock to rest.
Sasuke was taken away by White Zetsu, who had arrived to collect him. Naruto did not stop them.
Rustle...!
Sheets of paper gathered into Konan's body. Looking at the shattered ruins, she sighed. "That was quite a bit more intense than I imagined."
Naruto smiled. "Yeah... Sasuke's gotten stronger. If I hadn't gone to Kumogakure, beating him would have taken a lot more effort."
Konan asked in confusion, "You're just letting him leave? Why not bring him back and show him what happens in the future?"
Naruto had his own reasons.
"The time isn't right yet."
"Everyone's experiences and understanding determine how they think and act. Even if Sasuke saw those memories, as he is now, he would only think I'd fabricated them."
Naruto's gaze grew somber. "Besides, I need to let Sasuke use his hatred to draw out his own potential..."
Thirty years ago, Naruto would never have said such a thing!
But his perspective had broadened now.
"When you think about it, wasn't the power Sasuke once gained also born of love that turned into hatred? In the end, that very power, despite its ignoble origins, saved the Shinobi World from Kaguya."
"As you grow, your horizons gradually broaden."
"And as your horizons broaden, your hatred gradually fades."
Konan asked, "What if Sasuke can't let go and attacks Konoha again?"
Naruto smiled. "Then I'll stop him again! Whether it's Sasuke or Obito, the Uchiha are emotionally sensitive, which makes them prone to obsessive thinking. Sooner or later, they'll notice why I keep showing them mercy. When they become truly interested and start earnestly seeking answers, that's when I'll lay everything out for them..."
Konan looked surprised. "Not just Sasuke... Madara-no, Obito Uchiha. You want to win