Uchiha Seiryu [226] (Patreon)

Chapter 226: Naruto's Ninja Way

When Seiryu was teaching the three kids, Kurama was listening in the entire time.

At first, Kurama's attitude toward Seiryu's teachings went from, "Let me see what kind of nonsense this Uchiha maniac will spout," to, "He actually makes some sense," and finally, Kurama realized that in his long life, nearly everything he'd witnessed could be explained by the theories Seiryu taught.

So now, Kurama didn't argue with Naruto's words. and fox stared at each other across the seal. After a moment, Naruto suddenly broke into a bright smile and said, "Big Brother Kurama, what do you think about traveling together and seeing the world?"

"What?" Kurama was taken aback.

"Even though sensei said that one person alone can't stop the tides of fate, now that I've learned such a mysterious jutsu, I think I should do something," Naruto said, determination flashing in his eyes. "If war is inevitable in the future, I want to protect as many people as I can."

Kurama looked at Naruto's serious face, and in his mind, the image of another young boy gradually overlapped with Naruto's.

Asura?

Kurama's moment of silence made Naruto look a little displeased. He pouted, "I'm serious, Big Brother Kurama! Why don't we go see every corner of the ninja world together?"

"Have you forgotten who you are? Do you think your teacher will just let you run around the world as you please?" Kurama reminded him.

"That is a problem." Naruto nodded thoughtfully. "Then we'll just sneak out. It's perfect—sensei is busy with all the post-war affairs lately."

"You know what it would mean for you, under the village rules, if you did this? Are you planning to become a rogue ninja?" Kurama pressed.

Having the most important issue pointed out, Naruto sighed deeply, and his previous smile faded. "Honestly, I'm not ready. There are not just my respected teachers in this village, but also friends I grew up with. If I leave, it'll be hard on them, too."

"But as things stand, war seems unavoidable. Sensei and Sasuke say it's the only way to real peace, but I don't want my chakra to be part of the killing—especially now that I know there's another way to use it." Naruto looked at the chakra in his right hand, connected to Kurama by the secret techniques of the Ninshū. "Think of it as me running away, if you want."

"So what are you planning? To rebuild the Ninshū?" Kurama asked, now intrigued.

"No." Naruto shook his head. "If the Ninshū already failed once, rebuilding it is pointless. If war is truly unavoidable on the road to peace, then I want to make sure as few innocent people as possible are harmed."

As Naruto finished, chakra surged within him, but his blue eyes grew even brighter.

"If pain is unavoidable on the road to peace, then I'll bear it alone. That's my Ninja Way."

In the seal's space, a golden light flashed across Naruto's body. He suddenly felt a new part of his hidden power awaken, as if the voice inside him had also approved his decision.

"Interesting kid," Kurama grinned, baring his fangs. "So, when are you leaving?"

"In the next few days." Naruto clenched his fist and smiled. "Before I go, I want to say goodbye to my friends."

"Do whatever you want. If you need me, just call," Kurama said, lying down and closing his eyes.

After leaving the seal, Naruto took stock of everything he had.

First were the limited-edition instant noodles he'd hidden all around his house—his treasured collection over the years. He packed them up, then went to the Senju clan compound in the middle of the night to find Karin.

"So... you woke me up in the middle of the night just to seal up these things?" Karin, still in her pajamas, stared at the pile of noodles, clenching her fists.

"Please! You know my sealing skills are terrible. If these got ruined, it'd be such a waste," Naruto pleaded with his hands together. "As thanks, you can take a few boxes. I promise, these are the best of the best."

"Idiot, girls get pimples if they eat too much of this stuff!" Karin couldn't help but smack him, but ultimately, she did as Naruto asked and sealed up the noodles.

Leaving a set for Karin, Naruto took the ten or so sealing scrolls and walked the streets of Konoha. After forming hand seals, he summoned more than ten shadow clones, each taking a scroll to his friends' homes.

His real body headed to the Uchiha compound, stopping outside Sasuke's house.

Naruto hesitated for a long time, but in the end, didn't knock or wake Sasuke. He just left a scroll at the door.

A clone did the same at Neji's house in the Hyuga compound.

"I thought you'd say a proper goodbye to that Uchiha kid," Kurama's voice sounded in Naruto's ear.

"No need. Sasuke's smart. If he figures something out, that would be bad," Naruto said with a sheepish grin.

"We should get going, Big Brother Kurama." As the sun rose, Naruto arrived at Konoha's west gate.

"Naruto? Morning! Where are you headed?" Two security ninja greeted him.

There were still some people in Konoha who called Naruto a demon fox, but those were rare now. Everyone knew Uzumaki Naruto was the clan head of the Uzumaki and practically raised by Captain Kakashi of the security force.

"I heard there's a new ramen shop in a western town, so I thought I'd try it out," Naruto laughed.

"I see." They nodded, but when it came to paperwork, Naruto got stuck.

Konoha no longer had its thick city walls, but any ninja wanting to leave still needed proper documents.

"Is it really necessary, just for ramen?" Naruto was a bit exasperated—his travel plan was stalled before it even began.

"It's the rules, Naruto. Just get the proper paperwork from the security force and you'll be fine," said the guard.

"Alright," Naruto nodded, turning away from the main gate.

He then waited near the west side, found a team of young genin preparing to go catch crickets for the daimyo, knocked them out, used transformation jutsu to become one of them, and left the village using their travel permit.

…

Meanwhile, Sasuke had woken up and seen the scroll at his door. Recognizing it as Karin's handiwork, he picked it up curiously.

"What's this?" Sasuke frowned, opening the scroll—only to find ten boxes of limited-edition Ichiraku ramen, some of which he remembered: ramen that could only be bought two boxes per person, and that Naruto had begged him to line up for after training.

Now, seeing this here, plus Naruto's odd behavior lately, Sasuke got a bad feeling.

"Sasuke!"

Just then, Neji and Hinata rushed over, scrolls in hand.

"You got one too?" Neji asked, surprised.

"Where's Naruto?" Sasuke asked immediately.

"I already checked—he's not at home," Neji replied.

"Check with the others. I'll find Karin," Sasuke said.

"Okay. Meet in Central Park in half an hour," Neji said.

…

Half an hour later, everyone gathered at Central Park, each holding a scroll.

"What is Naruto doing?" Sasuke gritted his teeth, clutching his scroll.

"I have bad news," Neji said gravely. "A team of new genin was attacked inside the village. The attacker knocked them out and took their travel permit. Security is investigating."

"Could it be Naruto?" Shikamaru frowned.

"Where did it happen?" Sasuke asked.

"The west gate," Neji replied.

"I see. You all keep searching in the village. I'll head west. Neji, tell sensei," Sasuke ordered.

"Are you sure it's Naruto?" Shikamaru asked.

"It's very likely," Sasuke replied. "Whatever he's planning, I have to bring him back."

Chapter 227: Valley of the End

"Kid, aren't you worried about being caught, moving so slowly?" Kurama asked as Naruto strolled along, enjoying the scenery after leaving the village.

"Big Brother Kurama, since I'm out, I might as well enjoy the view," Naruto said with a whistle. "Besides, my getaway plan is flawless. They won't realize I'm gone for a while."

"There's nothing special about this scenery," Kurama muttered, but thinking about how Naruto had never seen the outside world, he let it go. Before he lay down to sleep, he added, "If you get caught, don't say I didn't warn you."

"It's fine. I'll just run. With your power, unless sensei comes himself, no one can catch me," Naruto grinned.

…

At the west gate, Sasuke hurried through the checkpoint, telling the security force it was an emergency and that he'd handle the paperwork later, then headed west.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Seiryu received word of Naruto's disappearance—or rather, his definite absence.

Looking at the box of limited ramen and the crooked note left on his desk, Seiryu felt a headache coming on.

[Sensei, the world is vast. I want to see it for myself.]

Looking at the note and the report of the attacked genin, Seiryu sighed.

This kid—why not just tell him if he wanted to travel? Did he really think Seiryu would lock him up? A few years ago, Seiryu might have refused, but now Naruto could take care of himself. Seiryu understood that experience was more valuable than books, and besides, it was tradition for the Hokage's students to wander the world. Still, did he really have to sneak out and make himself a missing-nin?

"Sensei, Naruto…" Neji rushed in, but stopped cold at the sight of the items on Seiryu's desk.

"You can go. I know about it," Seiryu nodded. "I'll send someone to find him."

"Sasuke's already gone after him," Neji added.

"Is that so?" Seiryu nodded. "Tell anyone who knows not to make a fuss."

"Understood," Neji replied.

After Neji left, Seiryu looked west, shaking his head.

"So, in the end, these two still can't avoid the Valley of the End, huh?" he mused.

…

"Kid, someone's catching up," Kurama's voice sounded in Naruto's mind.

Naruto turned to see a figure wreathed in lightning racing toward him.

"So fast?" Naruto muttered, recognizing Sasuke.

"With your antics, it's a miracle you weren't found sooner," Kurama said. "Are you going to fight him?"

"Guess I have to." A golden glow shimmered over Naruto, and he took off running.

"Naruto! Where do you think you're going?!" Sasuke shouted behind him.

Naruto said nothing, just moved faster.

"Stop right there!" Sasuke gritted his teeth and hurled a barrage of shuriken and wire.

A rain of shuriken blotted out the sky. Naruto glanced back, then tried to dodge through the gaps—but Sasuke's hands flicked, changing the wires' trajectory midair.

Naruto prepared to take the hits, but suddenly, wire wrapped around his legs, tripping him.

Sasuke landed in front of him, looking down coldly. "Idiot, where do you think you're going?"

"So you caught me, Sasuke. I don't want to fight you," Naruto sighed, snapping the wires with chakra.

"Answer me. Where are you going?" Sasuke demanded. "Don't you know everyone's worried?"

"I want to travel the ninja world and find my own path," Naruto replied.

"That's your reason?" Sasuke frowned. "You know what's happening—war is coming, and we need your strength. You're leaving for this?"

"That's exactly why," Naruto said. "My path—a ninja's way—doesn't let me use my power for killing."

"You're sensei's student too. Did you forget? Our war for unity is meant to end the chaos and bring peace!" Sasuke pressed.

"I know," Naruto nodded. "I know everyone is working for that, but what I saw on the battlefield made me realize—no matter the reason, killing only brings pain. I want to lessen that pain as much as I can, at least for civilians."

"That's what you realized on the battlefield?" Sasuke took a deep breath, seeing Naruto had changed.

"Yes. Please, let me go. I don't want to fight you," Naruto said.

"So you think you've got me figured out?" Sasuke took a breath. "Sorry, but I can't let my friend become a missing-nin. Even if I have to break your legs, I'll drag you back home."

Silence fell, broken only by the rushing water nearby.

Both looked toward the sound.

"That's... the Valley of the End?" Naruto murmured.

Chapter 228: Fated Duel (Part 1)

A golden glow rose on Naruto's body, wind chakra whipping his jacket.

Purple lightning crackled at Sasuke's feet.

In a flash, both burst forward—Naruto racing toward the sound of water, Sasuke in pursuit.

They reached the Valley of the End, huge statues facing each other across the waterfall. Naruto leapt atop Hashirama's statue.

"Stop right there!" Sasuke followed, swinging a punch in midair.

Naruto twisted, kicking Sasuke in the stomach and knocking him back.

Sasuke landed atop Hashirama's head, clutching his stomach, glaring at Naruto, who now stood atop Madara's statue.

Water vapor rose, cold and damp. Naruto's golden hair clung to his forehead, blue eyes calm—not flaming, but serene. Yet Sasuke saw, beneath that calm, unshakable resolve.

"Sasuke, give it up. I have my own path. My ninja way isn't in Konoha. I don't want to hurt you," Naruto said quietly.

"Shut up!" Sasuke roared, anger surging. "Who do you think you are—a savior? Without Konoha, you're nothing! Wake up!"

He lunged, stone cracking underfoot as he moved like a streak of purple lightning, blurring into the waterfall spray. His blade flashed from behind Naruto's back—yet, at the last moment, Sasuke twisted the blade away.

Shhhht!

The blade only tore through Naruto's orange jacket as Naruto vanished, a burst of wind chakra propelling him away.

"Sasuke, I'm faster than you now," Naruto's voice called from above, riding the wind.

Sasuke's Sharingan whirled, locking on, and he spun, purple lightning arcing as he slashed upward for Naruto's waist. But Naruto's body bent impossibly, wind chakra forming a shield that pushed away the strike, as golden hair scattered in the wind. Launching off Hashirama's statue, Naruto became a golden whirlwind, hurtling toward Sasuke.

Condensed wind chakra formed a spinning, drill-like storm in Naruto's hand, howling as it flew at Sasuke. The speed was incredible, scattering water drops into mist.

Sasuke's Sharingan struggled to keep up, but Naruto was too fast—even the three tomoe couldn't follow.

Naruto sighed softly. At the last moment, he compressed the chakra, releasing it more gently.

A shockwave sent Sasuke flying, slamming him onto Hashirama's statue, cracks spider-webbing out as the waterfall swept him into the pool below.

"Sorry, Sasuke," Naruto murmured, picking up his ruined jacket and turning to leave.

After finding his own path and reconciling with the voice inside, Naruto's power had grown immensely—once equal to Sasuke, now he was completely dominant.

But as he turned, a sound like a thousand birds rang out behind him.

Sasuke, wreathed in purple lightning, charged again. He didn't know why Naruto was so much faster now, but if he wanted to catch up, he had to go all out. Chidori, sacrificing flexibility for explosive speed, was his only option.

"Sasuke..." Naruto saw Sasuke closing in, his determination clear in his three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Kid, looks like you won't get away unless you really put him down," Kurama commented.

"Yeah, sorry to trouble you, Big Brother Kurama," Naruto replied.

"Beating up an Uchiha kid? Not bad," Kurama grinned, golden chakra pouring into Naruto.

"Go easy—don't really hurt him," Naruto said, as golden chakra cloaked him, his blue eyes becoming slitted, demonic pupils, chakra swirling around him like golden fire.

Sasuke's breath caught. His Sharingan was overloaded by the energy before him—like a volcano about to erupt! The will in Naruto's eyes was colder than the waterfall. But pride, anger, and the pain of being left behind overwhelmed Sasuke's fear.

"Don't kid yourself!!!" Sasuke roared, all his pain and anger pouring into his right hand.

"Chidori—!!"

A sound like a thousand birds tore the air. Never had his lightning been so wild, so bright. Massive chakra gathered, not a sharp lance but a ball of crackling, unstable purple-black lightning, twisting the air as it arced, lighting his face ghostly white, Sharingan blood-red.

He staked everything on this strike.

Naruto grew serious too, the golden cloak blazing. He raised his right hand—not wind's shrill whistle, but a deep, heavy hum, as pale blue chakra swirled into a dense, spinning sphere. The wind howled as it drew in the mist.

"Rasengan!"

Empowered by Kurama, this A-rank jutsu was faster and more powerful than ever.

One wrapped in lightning, one in golden flame—as if two shooting stars collided for their beliefs.

"Naruto!!!" Sasuke's cry was lost in Chidori's shriek.

"Sasuke!!!" Naruto's roar echoed with Kurama's power.

Gold and purple, light and lightning, crashed in the Valley of the End—between the hands of Hashirama and Madara's statues, above the roaring falls.

Wummmmmmmmmm!

Time seemed to slow, then snap back.

When Rasengan and Chidori met, there was no earth-shattering explosion.

First, pure annihilation—a silent field where light and sound were swallowed, a sphere of gold and blue-white, energies tearing each other apart. The rock beneath them turned to dust, statues crumbling like sandcastles.

Finally, that compressed, destructive energy reached its limit...