Uchiha Seiryu [229-231] (Patreon)

Chapter 229: Sasuke's Mangekyō

A deafening explosion echoed through the entire Valley of the End. The earth itself groaned and fractured under the blast. A tangible shockwave rippled outward in a ring, expanding at supersonic speed. Air was compressed into a white wall, and the surging waterfall below was abruptly severed, sending massive waves crashing skyward. Tons of water instantly turned into scalding steam, then were shredded by the shockwave. The giant statues of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, which had stood tall since that legendary battle, enduring wind and rain for years, shattered at the neck under the force, as if they were mere plaster. Massive shards of stone were hurled into the sky like a meteor shower, then crashed back down into the swirling steam and waves.

At the heart of this destructive storm, Sasuke's vision was nothing but blinding white chaos. The intense force made every bone in his body scream. His right arm ached with a tearing pain, as if the next second, it would be completely crushed by the wild golden power. The lightning of Chidori screamed under the relentless rotation of Rasengan and the brute force of the Nine-Tails' chakra, its light rapidly dimming.

Was he going to lose? Was his arm about to break? No! Absolutely not! How could he lose to the dropout who abandoned them all? He would break this guy's legs and drag him back to the village! The loneliness and anger of being left behind burned in his heart like a poison fire.

"Uaaahhh—!"

A howl of despair and unwillingness erupted from the depths of Sasuke's soul. In this desperate moment, his ferocious desire for power and obsession with changing his fate burned into his rapidly spinning three-tomoe Sharingan, searing a special chakra deep within.

Crack—!

A sound only he could hear, as if from the depths of his soul.

The spinning tomoe abruptly froze, then in a split second, as if pulled and twisted by some invisible force, shattered! An indescribable pain shot through his brain. Amid the shards of scarlet, a brand new, intricate pattern formed and solidified!

That pattern was deep and cold, carrying an ominous sense of insight into destiny itself. As it took shape, a surge of cold, powerful ocular power flooded into Sasuke's eyes and flowed through his entire being: the Mangekyō Sharingan!

The world changed before his eyes. The flow of energy was clearer than ever; every node of chakra in Naruto's wild Rasengan was laid bare. A cold new power instantly awakened and gathered in the Chidori in his right arm, just as it was about to collapse.

Zzt—!

A thin, jet-black arc of electricity shot from the core of the Chidori, like a blade from the underworld. It ignored the Rasengan's spinning defense, carrying an annihilating force, and pierced through the golden chakra shell, stabbing straight into the core of Naruto's Rasengan!

"What?!" Naruto's beastly pupils contracted sharply. In Nine-Tails Mode, his senses instantly picked up on the deadly black arc. It was power that could corrode and dissolve chakra at its core! He tried to withdraw, but the momentum of their clash was unstoppable.

The moment the black arc pierced the Rasengan's core, it was like dropping cold water into boiling oil.

BOOM—!

A second explosion erupted! This time, it wasn't a shockwave outward, but an internal detonation as the black arc destroyed the Rasengan's structure. The highly compressed chakra lost all restraint and exploded in Naruto's palm!

"Ugh!" Naruto coughed up blood, blasted backward by his own jutsu. The golden chakra cloak flickered violently, nearly collapsing.

Sasuke, too, was hurled back by the blast, crashing into a massive rock wall that hadn't yet shattered, leaving a web of cracks. He fell to one knee, breathing heavily, pain from his wounds and the Mangekyō's awakening stabbing at his nerves. But he raised his head sharply, his new, cold, and eerie eyes locking onto the falling Naruto. His gaze seemed to pierce through smoke and steam like a freezing current.

The dust and mist slowly settled, torn apart by the lingering energy. The Valley of the End looked as though a war between gods had taken place. The statues were left as broken torsos, the waterfall had been blown apart, leaving a gaping void of mist, and the turbulent waters below wailed as they flowed together again.

Naruto staggered onto a large rock jutting from the water, blood at the corner of his mouth. The golden chakra cloak flickered like a dying candle, and in his beastly pupils was reflected Sasuke's cold, unfamiliar Mangekyō Sharingan, brimming with a new, terrifying power. He gasped, every breath stinging with blood. He slowly raised his right hand—his palm was blackened and mangled, proof of his own Rasengan backfiring.

Sasuke steadied himself against the cold stone, forcing himself upright despite searing pain in his left arm and the burning ache in his brain from the Mangekyō's awakening. The new ocular power flowed coldly in his eyes, taking in Naruto's battered form, his ruined right hand, and the pain and exhaustion in his gaze.

"Haha…hahaha…hahahahaha!" Sasuke laughed up at the sky, then fixed his gaze on Naruto. "Naruto, this time you're not getting away."

"Mangekyō Sharingan…" Inside the seal, the Nine-Tails looked on with a grave expression at the swirling Mangekyō in Sasuke's eyes.

"This time, it's for real." Naruto took a deep breath. Steam rose from his wounded hand, which healed rapidly in a few breaths. "Let's go, Kurama!"

Golden chakra erupted around Naruto once more as he entered Kurama Mode.

The two now stood on opposite sides of the water, no longer exchanging words, and charged at each other. Fists, feet, and blades clashed. Naruto's chakra flared into claws as he attacked, while Sasuke, wreathed in black-purple lightning, calmly used the skeletal form of Susanoo to block. They were evenly matched for the moment.

But in the heat of battle, Sasuke saw his chance. After forcing Naruto back with a diagonal swipe of purple lightning, he rushed forward and locked eyes with him.

Mangekyō Sharingan—Genjutsu, activated!

Caught off guard, Naruto's movements slowed. Sasuke seized the opportunity to invade his consciousness and entered Naruto's seal space.

Inside the seal, Sasuke ignored Naruto, whose pupils now carried the Mangekyō mark, and instead looked up at the Nine-Tails behind the gate.

"Nine-Tails, you're the one who manipulated Naruto, aren't you? Your schemes end here, before these eyes!"

Nine-Tails: ???

Chapter 230: Fated Duel (Part 2)

"Uchiha brat, stop your yapping!" the Nine-Tails snapped, baring its teeth. Then, it quickly adjusted Naruto's chakra flow from within.

Instantly, Naruto shook off the genjutsu, and Sasuke's consciousness was ejected from the seal space.

Back on the battlefield, the clash between the Tailed Beast Cloak and Susanoo paused for a moment.

Thrown out of the seal, Sasuke staggered back several steps on the water, pain wracking his body. Even using just the skeletal Susanoo with his newly awakened Mangekyō was pushing his limits.

"Do you really think you alone can stop the coming war?" Sasuke wiped away the bloody tears trailing from his eye and gritted his teeth. "Have you forgotten everything our teacher taught us?"

Naruto could see Sasuke was trying to buy time to recover, but chose not to mention it. "I never thought I could stop the war. When it starts, I'll return to the village and do my part."

"Then why leave?" Sasuke demanded. "Do our bonds as comrades mean nothing to you?"

"No." Naruto shook his head. The golden chakra cloak shimmered in the sunlight and mist. "You're all precious friends to me."

"But there are many in the ninja world suffering from war, with no way out. They need my help," Naruto said.

"Then why go alone?" Sasuke yelled. "Can't we help you with what you want to do?"

"It's not the same, Sasuke. Some things, if done in the village's name, would be seen as provoking other nations and could trigger war. You know better than I do—the village isn't ready for full-scale war yet," Naruto replied.

"What is it you want to do?" Sasuke asked, his pain easing as he straightened up.

Naruto raised his right fist. "If you want to know, come and touch fists with me."

"Touch fists, huh?" Sasuke sneered, stepped forward, and raised his own fist.

But the next moment, Sasuke's fist smashed into Naruto's face.

"If you want to touch fists, wait until I've dragged you back and you apologize to everyone," Sasuke's Mangekyō spun in his right eye, blood tears rolling down as black lightning gathered in his hand, stabbing at Naruto's shoulder.

Naruto, caught off guard, had his face knocked aside. As he recovered, Sasuke's attack was already upon him.

Two golden chakra arms shot from Naruto's back, forming a shield in front of him.

But as the shield touched the black lightning, it began to dissolve. The black lightning could actually break down chakra, and it started to spread along the cloak.

Naruto immediately severed the shield. The golden chakra, tainted with black lightning, fell to the ground and was gone in seconds.

"That…is your ocular power?" Naruto asked, taking a deep breath.

"That's right. With these eyes, you have no chance," Sasuke sneered as black lightning spread around him, fusing with the purple Susanoo skeleton.

"I told you, Sasuke," Naruto's voice dropped, every word carrying the chill of the waterfall.

"Anyone in my way…I have to defeat," he said, looking past Sasuke as if gazing at a distant, heavier future. "Even you."

"Says who!" Sasuke roared, his Susanoo, wrapped in black lightning, lunging at Naruto.

Naruto's gaze hardened. Just as Sasuke's attack was about to land, Naruto's body became a streak of golden light, vanishing before Sasuke's eyes.

"So fast!" Sasuke was shocked—he thought with the Mangekyō he could keep up, but clearly Naruto hadn't used his full speed before.

Naruto appeared behind Sasuke, formed a Rasengan, and slammed it into Sasuke's back. This time, Naruto held nothing back. He knew he couldn't escape Sasuke without going all out.

Caught off guard, Sasuke was thrown into the pool, sending water flying.

Sasuke quickly recovered, his Chidori wrapped in black lightning exploding at the bottom. He burst from the water, charging at Naruto.

Naruto's eyes narrowed, and eight chakra arms appeared behind him, gathering in front. A black chakra ball rapidly formed and compressed.

As the Tailed Beast Bomb finished forming, Naruto grabbed it and hurled it at the oncoming Chidori.

At the critical instant before the next cataclysmic collision—

Naruto's blue eyes, now covered by the Nine-Tails' pupils, met Sasuke's cold Mangekyō.

Separated by smoke, mist, and waves of destructive energy, across the ruined Valley of the End.

Sasuke saw clearly in Naruto's eyes—a fissure in the ice of his resolve, as if the glacier would crack at any moment.

But Naruto's face broke into a gentle farewell smile.

His lips moved, his voice soft but piercing through the chaos, landing squarely in Sasuke's consciousness:

"Sorry, Sasuke… Once I've done what I have to do, you can beat me up all you want."

The Tailed Beast Bomb in Naruto's left hand roared, golden chakra flaring.

At that moment, Sasuke's Mangekyō shuddered violently. Reflected in its depths was not only the fatal golden light, but also Naruto's gentle, parting smile—a smile that pierced deeper than any attack.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Sasuke roared, driving his Chidori at Naruto.

A terrifying surge of energy erupted around them.

The valley walls groaned, the colossal statues—already damaged—were torn apart, melted, and stripped away by the blast. House-sized boulders were flung like pebbles, hurtling into the distance.

The very air burned and twisted. Where the shockwave passed, space itself trembled and blurred. All vegetation, rock, and terrain at the surface was erased, leaving only scorched, glowing ground. The water in the pool below the explosion evaporated by three centimeters.

A gigantic mushroom cloud rose, blotting out the sun. It was made of pulverized rock, steam, burning dust, and lingering chakra. Inside, lightning still crackled, rumbling like the dying breaths of a giant beast. The smoke spread, swallowing the canyon, turning day into an apocalyptic dusk.

The air was thick with ozone, sulfur, the salty tang of boiling water, and a suffocating dust unique to aftermath and destruction.

Once the deafening roar faded, only the rumble of collapsing mountains and falling stones remained. The Valley of the End was unrecognizable. The cliffs were leveled and collapsed, a massive gap left behind. The statues were shattered and blackened, dense dust slowly settling, cloaking the once-sacred valley in a haze of ruin.

As the dust cleared, only Naruto stood on the water. He didn't look unscathed—the golden cloak was dim, his headband scorched with black lightning.

Naruto gasped for breath, a chakra arm pulling the unconscious Sasuke from the boiling water and tossing him to shore.

Satisfied, Naruto released Kurama Mode and turned to leave.

"Are you just planning to leave like this?" Suddenly, a voice called out behind him.

Naruto instinctively shrank his neck, then turned stiffly, his face awkward.

"Sensei…"

Seiryu stood there, holding the unconscious Sasuke, a faint smile on his face.

"What do I do, Kurama?" Naruto asked in a panic inside the seal. He knew his own strength—he could beat Sasuke, but against Seiryu he didn't stand a chance.

Kurama, sensing Seiryu's arrival, immediately pretended to nap, wanting no part in Naruto's trouble.

"Did you bring money before running off like this?" Seiryu's voice sounded in Naruto's ear. "I'd hate for the Konoha's Jinchūriki to end up begging on the streets."

"Eh?"

Seiryu's words stunned Naruto—his teacher didn't seem intent on dragging him back.

"Guess not." Seiryu shook his head, took out a scroll, and tossed it over.

Naruto checked with chakra and found it contained cash, gold, and all kinds of food.

"Sensei…" Naruto was at a loss for words at Seiryu's attitude.

"Sigh, Gato wanted to develop this place into a tourist spot just last week. Guess that's not happening now." Seiryu surveyed the devastation with a helpless shake of his head.

"Sorry, Sensei," Naruto said.

"You should be. You want to go on a journey and couldn't tell me? If I don't issue a missing-nin warrant now, I can't explain this mess. Like it or not, you're a rogue ninja now."

"Wha—?" Naruto gaped, stunned.

"But before you go, can you at least tell me what you're planning?" Seiryu asked with a sly smile.

"Time's short. Let's fist bump, Sensei." Naruto raised his right fist to Seiryu.

Naruto had no guard up—he knew that if Seiryu wanted to catch him, no sneak attack was needed. He couldn't resist at all.

"You even learned this?" Seiryu was a bit surprised, then bumped fists with Naruto.

In that instant, Seiryu understood Naruto's recent struggles, his resolve, and his grand plan for the coming unification war.

"Your plan is a bit naïve, but not totally unworkable. If you still believe in it after traveling the world, then go for it," Seiryu said.

"Sensei…"

"I never expected you'd be the first of you three to find your path." Seiryu smiled. "But I have a task for you."

"A mission?" Naruto blinked.

"Yeah—while you're traveling, keep an eye out for a secret group called 'Kara'."

Chapter 231: Seiryu: Do I Look Like Your Errand Boy?

"Kara?" Naruto scratched his head. He'd heard of Akatsuki—his buddy Deidara was there—but not Kara.

"It's fine if you can't find them. Just remember the name," Seiryu said.

"Got it." Naruto nodded.

"All right, off you go," Seiryu waved him off. "When the war starts, come back early. Don't leave your friends waiting."

"Okay. Goodbye, Sensei." Naruto nodded and left.

Seiryu watched Naruto disappear over the horizon, then carried Sasuke back.

To minimize the impact of Naruto leaving, Seiryu hadn't even alerted the village's ANBU.

After returning, Seiryu took Sasuke to Tsunade.

Tsunade was shocked to see Sasuke injured. Who hurt him like this?

After examining Sasuke, Tsunade frowned. "Serious chakra pathway damage. He needs rest. The other injuries aren't too bad. Who did this?"

"Naruto," Seiryu shrugged.

"Naruto?" Tsunade took a moment to react.

"Exactly," Seiryu said.

"Wait, where's Naruto now? With their relationship, even if it was a sparring injury, he should have brought Sasuke in himself," Tsunade wondered.

"It's a long story," Seiryu said. "But basically, Naruto is following in Jiraiya's footsteps."

Tsunade tensed. "He peeked at the women's bath? Sasuke caught him, and they fought?"

Seiryu was speechless. Is that all Jiraiya is to her?

"No, Naruto just left the village. Sasuke chased him, and they fought. That's all."

"Left the village? That kid's grown wings, has he? Where is he?" Tsunade decided to scold Naruto herself.

"I didn't catch up in time. He's gone," Seiryu shook his head.

"Who taught him this…" Tsunade trailed off, embarrassed under Seiryu's stare.

Who taught him? All three Sannin were wandering the world at his age.

"My case was different!" Tsunade defended herself.

"So, how will you handle this?" she asked, changing the subject.

"What else? Keep it quiet, issue a missing-nin warrant with a token bounty. Then send Jiraiya after him to train him," Seiryu said. "You look after Sasuke. I need to go deal with the Lightning Country's officials."

Seiryu left for the Senju estate, just as Neji and Hinata arrived after being summoned by Karin.

"Sensei." Neji greeted Seiryu, then was shocked to see Sasuke in the hospital bed. "Sasuke?"

Hinata, meanwhile, searched the room for Naruto, but didn't see him, and froze.

"Sensei, did you find Naruto?" Neji asked after confirming Sasuke was okay.

"No." Seiryu shook his head. "He was already gone when I got there."

"Damn! I should've gone with Sasuke," Neji muttered.

"Take care of Sasuke. I have to talk to the Lightning envoy about the recent conflict. We'll discuss the rest tonight." Seiryu patted Neji's shoulder and left for the Fire Daimyo's palace.

…

By the time Seiryu arrived, court was already in session. After announcing himself, he went to his place as Grand Minister.

"Sorry, Your Highness, there was an emergency in the village," Seiryu bowed to the Daimyo, Yoshinori.

"Please, Sensei, rise," Yoshinori hurried over, helping Seiryu up. "You work tirelessly for the country and as Hokage. I could never blame you for being busy."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Seiryu replied, thus smoothing over his tardiness.

"Where's the Lightning envoy?" Seiryu asked, scanning the hall.

"They haven't arrived yet," said councilor Miura.

"Still not here?" Seiryu frowned.

The Lightning envoy should have been here at the start, but was now half an hour late.

At that moment, a herald outside announced, "The envoys of the Lightning Country request an audience."

Though annoyed by their tardiness, Yoshinori ordered them in.

The Lightning envoys entered, exuding arrogance, as if they were here to dictate terms rather than negotiate.

"Greetings, Lord Daimyo of Fire." They barely acknowledged anyone but Yoshinori. The lead envoy produced a document and handed it to the court eunuch at the base of the throne.

"Daimyo, regarding the recent military incident, our Lightning lords have prepared this agreement. If your country has no objections, you can sign."

The eunuch looked to Yoshinori for a signal, then handed the document to Seiryu.

As Seiryu took the document, a sharp voice spoke up.

"This is a letter personally signed by our Daimyo. Is it proper for your Hokage to open it?"

Miura, standing nearby, realized the envoys were here to cause trouble. "Hokage-sama is Grand Minister by imperial appointment, entrusted with all affairs until His Highness comes of age. What's wrong with him opening your letter?"

Seiryu ignored the provocation. These were just clowns who'd lost on the battlefield and were now posturing.

But as he read the agreement, Seiryu's fury grew. He'd expected little sincerity, but these terms were an insult.

The key terms:

Symbolic Compensation: The Lightning Country would pay 1 billion ryo as goodwill—but in the form of low-grade ore, for which Konoha would bear transport and refining costs, to be paid over ten years.

Prisoner Release: Konoha must immediately release about 1,000 Cloud ninja prisoners, while Lightning would overlook any injuries during captivity.

War Responsibility: Both sides would call the conflict a series of misunderstandings, and Lightning refused any responsibility.

Ultimatum: Fire must sign within twenty-four hours, or Lightning would consider it deliberate sabotage of peace, reserving all necessary responses.

Not only was releasing the prisoners absurd, but the compensation was a joke, paid in ore valued far below its stated price. Everyone knew Lightning's ore was inferior, yet they insisted on pricing it sky-high.

This was the kind of treaty that only a fool would sign—especially considering that Konoha had actually won the war!

Seiryu felt deeply insulted.

"So, Lightning wants total war with Fire?" Seiryu put the document down and glared at the envoys.

"Hokage, what do you mean? We came in good faith," the lead envoy said, chin high.

"Good faith? Three billion's worth of ore?" Seiryu sneered. "Tell your Daimyo and Raikage: expect a declaration of war. As for the prisoners, don't worry—they'll be put to work as slaves to repay the damages."

In fact, Lightning's leadership didn't know the full extent of their defeat—of all their troops, only A and Killer Bee had escaped, and they were likely still unconscious. Assuming Konoha had suffered equally, they tried to bully their way to a favorable deal.

"Your Highness, is this your intention too? If our countries go to war, it will be the Fourth Great Ninja War," the envoy tried to pressure Yoshinori directly.

"War, then! Fire has never feared war!" Yoshinori snapped. "Guards, take these men away!"

"We came prepared to die! Our army will avenge us!" the envoy declared.

The bravado made Seiryu laugh inside. Playing at being ancient envoys now?

As the palace guards moved to drag them away, another announcement sounded: "An urgent envoy from the Lightning Country requests an audience with the Daimyo and Grand Minister!"