—Human Path!
"Ugh… AHH—!!"
Kawaki's eyes rolled back, showing only the whites. His face twisted in unbearable agony.
In an instant—
Everything that had happened after he left that night without a word unfolded in Sasuke's mind like a sequence of images.
…Bastard.
Sasuke's gaze turned ice-cold.
His hand lifted—
And Kawaki's soul was forcibly pulled out from the crown of his head!
"Stop!!"
Naruto flashed forward, grabbing Sasuke's wrist with crushing force.
"Are you trying to kill him!?"
Sasuke felt the strength in Naruto's grip.
He was serious.
…Tch.
Reluctantly, Sasuke let go.
Kawaki's soul snapped back into his body.
He collapsed to his knees, gasping violently, tears and saliva spilling uncontrollably.
Naruto released his grip, exhaling in relief.
"Sasuke… what's going on? Ever since we met the Sage, you've been acting strange."
Sasuke replied coldly, "Why don't you ask your precious adopted son… what he did yesterday."
Naruto frowned. "What do you mean?"
Sasuke's voice sharpened.
"He went to the Hidden Dark Village to kill Boruto. Almost succeeded."
"And then… he tried to kill Himawari."
Naruto staggered back.
"…Himawari!?"
Sasuke added, "She's alive. Somehow survived. Escaped to the outskirts of Hidden Dark… and was saved by Uchiha Akira."
Alive…
Himawari was alive.
For a moment—
Overwhelming relief flooded Naruto's eyes with tears.
He steadied himself.
Then turned to Kawaki.
"Kawaki… is what Sasuke said true?"
Kawaki took a deep breath, pressing one hand into the muddy ground as he stood.
"…Yes."
"I did it."
Naruto's brows tightened.
"Why would you try to kill Boruto?"
Kawaki's voice grew firm.
"Because Boruto is your stain."
"He's the Hokage's son… yet he sided with your enemy, Uchiha Akira."
"He betrayed you. Betrayed Konoha."
"I wanted… to erase that stain."
Naruto fell silent for a moment.
"…Then why attack Himawari?"
Kawaki's expression twisted with pain.
"I heard… about what happened to Konoha. About your death."
"But everyone… everyone hated me because of Jigen."
"Himawari looked at me the same way…"
"I couldn't take it."
"I felt like I was going to explode…"
"I just… wanted to cut off all bonds. Escape the pain."
"I lost control."
"…I regret it."
"I didn't dare face you after being sent back by Uchiha Akira…"
"I—"
He couldn't continue.
Watching him—
Broken. Ashamed.
Naruto clenched his hands.
Then quietly said to Sasuke, "He really does remind me of you… back then."
Sasuke glanced sideways. "And?"
Naruto sighed softly.
"He didn't cross the line."
"Boruto and Himawari… they're both alive, right?"
Sasuke nodded. "Yes. Akira saved them."
"…That's enough."
Naruto exhaled deeply.
"I want to give him another chance."
Sasuke said nothing.
This was exactly what he expected.
Naruto stepped forward.
Kawaki lowered his head, unable to meet his eyes.
"Seventh…"
"Kawaki," Naruto said gently, "everyone makes mistakes."
"But yours… went too far."
Kawaki trembled.
He was ready—
To be abandoned.
Rejected.
By the person he admired most.
But then—
Naruto took his hand.
Wiped the mud from it with his Hokage cloak.
Brushed the dust off his clothes.
Kawaki's eyes widened in shock.
Naruto smiled warmly.
"So from now on… you'll make up for it."
"As a Konoha shinobi."
"And as my son."
"…Will you?"
Kawaki's voice broke.
"I… I still have that right…?"
Naruto chuckled softly.
"Still calling me Seventh."
"You really are a clueless son."
"…Dad…"
Kawaki burst into tears.
"Dad!!"
Naruto's eyes softened as he pulled him into an embrace.
"You've been through a lot."
Kawaki cried uncontrollably.
"But this is wrong… I'll only bring you trouble! If Jigen finds me here, he'll attack again!"
Naruto smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry."
"While you were gone, Sasuke and I… gained new power."
"We're stronger than ever."
"If Jigen comes—he won't leave alive."
"…Really? That's Otsutsuki Isshiki!"
Naruto chuckled.
"We've fought Otsutsuki before."
"Even stronger ones."
"And we sealed them."
"Stay here. You're safe now."
"No one will take your home away again."
"I promise you—"
"As your father."
Kawaki was overwhelmed.
For the first time—
He felt lucky.
Naruto noticed his missing arm.
His left hand, bearing the mark of Yang power, reached out.
"Shh—!"
A brand-new arm regenerated instantly.
Kawaki stared in shock.
"My… arm!?"
Naruto shrugged lightly.
"Nothing special."
"But this time—it's your real arm. Not a scientific tool."
Kawaki clenched his fist.
"…Good. I hated those things."
Naruto's gaze shifted to the Karma mark that still remained.
…So it's beyond the flesh.
An Otsutsuki mechanism.
But don't worry, my son.
I'll deal with it someday.
Naruto helped Kawaki to his feet.
"Let's go home."
"Rest for now."
"When things settle down… I'll teach you ninjutsu myself."
"You'll become a true shinobi."
Kawaki's eyes burned with devotion.
For you—
I would destroy anyone.
Anyone.
Watching them walk past—
Sasuke spoke.
"Naruto, you…"
Naruto stopped him.
"I know what you're going to say."
"But this is separate."
"Yes, Akira saved Boruto and Himawari."
"But that doesn't justify reviving Kaguya."
"Or abusing Edo Tensei."
He turned slightly.
"Get some rest."
"Tomorrow morning—we deal with Kaguya."
"As for Uchiha Akira…"
Naruto's Mangekyo Sharingan gleamed.
"My stance hasn't changed."
"If he turns back—"
"I'll give him one more chance."
"That's the furthest I can go…"
"As Hokage."
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