Chapter 289:
"Why… why did it turn out like this…?" Sakura knelt on the ground, staring in disbelief at the ruins of the Hidden Leaf Village before her. "Naruto, please come back! I'm begging you, Naruto!"
Just as she finished speaking, Naruto, in Sage Mode, was summoned via Reverse Summoning.
"Where is this place?"
Standing atop the toad's head, Sage Naruto looked around.
"What's going on, old lady? I thought you were going to summon us to the Leaf Village—where the heck is this?"
Fukasaku asked.
"This is the Leaf Village. Take a good look around."
Shima replied.
"You're kidding, Grandma Shima."
Naruto looked left and right.
Finally, the remnants of the Hokage Rock confirmed it for him—this really was the Hidden Leaf Village.
"The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki… Perfect. That saves me the trouble of searching for you."
Tendō Pain descended and stood before Naruto, who was atop the toad's head. He looked up at him as he spoke. At the same time, the other five Paths of Pain landed behind him.
"Let's settle this, Pain!"
From amidst the ruins in the distance—
"Can Naruto really win?"
Hanabi watched as Naruto battled Pain. Though his entrance had been spectacular, the relentless fight combined with the perfect coordination of the Six Paths of Pain gradually put Naruto at a disadvantage.
"…Yeah."
Future Boruto nodded.
Naruto panted lightly.
Though he'd expended a great deal of energy, his results were equally impressive—four of the Six Paths of Pain had been destroyed, leaving only the Deva Path and the Naraka Path.
"You really are something, Naruto. No one else has ever pushed Pain this far." The Deva Path extended his right hand toward Naruto. "However… Universal Pull!"
Naruto's body was suddenly yanked toward him. At the same time, the Naraka Path appeared behind him and restrained him. The Deva Path slammed a fist into Naruto's abdomen.
"Ugh…"
Naruto gritted his teeth, doing everything he could to stifle a cry of pain.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you. After all, you're an important Jinchūriki to me..."
"Hmph, is this all you've got? Don't underestimate Sage Mode! Now it's my turn..."
"Sage Mode… is rather troublesome..."
The Deva Path said calmly, staring at Naruto, still restrained by the Naraka Path.
"That guy… he absorbed my senjutsu chakra…" Realizing something was off, Naruto looked over his shoulder at the Naraka Path. "If you like it that much, then take it all!"
Though Naruto reverted from Sage Mode to his normal state, the Naraka Path, having absorbed too much senjutsu chakra, was turned into a stone toad statue.
Just as Naruto broke free from the Naraka Path's restraint and barely caught his breath, the Deva Path drove a black receiver into the ground—pinning Naruto in place.
"Naruto!"
Hinata had just regained consciousness and saw Naruto impaled on the ground. Without thinking, she dashed onto the battlefield, placing herself between him and the Deva Path.
"Reinforcements…?"
To be cautious, the Deva Path backed off and muttered as he looked at Hinata.
"I've never seen Sister act like this before…"
Hanabi murmured as she watched Hinata step forward.
"You won't hurt Naruto again!"
Hinata stood firmly between Naruto and Pain, her eyes filled with resolve.
"What are you doing here?! Run! Hinata!"
Pinned to the ground, Naruto shouted at her.
"I came of my own free will, Naruto. I'm standing here by my own choice…" Hinata replied, shifting into a Gentle Fist stance. "...I've always been chasing after you from behind, Naruto. I wished one day I could walk beside you. I just want to stay by your side… No matter what happens, I'd gladly risk my life to protect you—because I… I love you the most!"
Even though she was confessing, Hinata, for once, didn't blush.
"How meaningless."
The Deva Path extended his right hand toward her.
"Eight Trigrams Twin Lion Fists!"
"Almighty Push!"
Hinata was instantly blasted away mid-charge.
"Hinata!"
"I'm fine… Naruto, this time… let me protect you..."
Her body trembling, Hinata struggled to her feet.
"Hinata, run!"
"No… A promise is a promise. That's my ninja way!"
"Still standing? In that case…"
The Deva Path raised his hand again.
"I'll end you in one blow. Almighty Push!"
"Boruto! Hurry—go save my sister!"
Watching anxiously from afar, Hanabi grabbed Future Boruto's hand.
"No… If I interfere now, the future could change drastically..."
Future Boruto clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly.
"Future! If you won't go, then I will!"
Hanabi, now cloaked in a tailed beast shroud, rushed onto the battlefield.
"Hanabi? What are you doing here?"
The Deva Path asked upon seeing her.
"Hanabi…" As if reacting to the name, Hinata—who had been lying unconscious—suddenly came to. "Right… I can't collapse yet… I still have to protect Naruto..."
"I won't let you hurt my sister!"
"Hanabi? Hinata's little sister? Why are you…" Naruto looked confused as he saw Hanabi wearing the Akatsuki uniform. But he quickly shook his head. "No—this isn't the time for that. Hanabi, take your sister and get out of here!"
"No! I want to protect Naruto too!"
Hinata once again struggled to her feet.
"Your sister?" The Deva Path glanced from Hanabi to Hinata. "I see. In that case, I'll just kill both of you. Almighty Push!"
Hanabi instinctively moved to shield Hinata and shut her eyes. But the expected pain never came. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Future Boruto standing in front of her.
"So you do have the Rinnegan too..."
The Deva Path stared at him, noting his raised right hand.
"Boruto!"
Hanabi cried out in surprise and relief.
"Anyone who betrays the organization… must die!"
…
"What's going on? Is the Akatsuki turning on itself?"
Sakura looked utterly bewildered as she watched Future Boruto clash with the Deva Path.
"In any case, let's get Naruto and Hinata out of there!"
Tsunade called out from beside her.
"Yes, Lady Hokage!"
…
"Naruto, I'm coming to save you!"
Despite having no strength left, Hinata made her way to Naruto's side and, together with Hanabi, pulled the black receiver out of him.
"Thank you, Hinata. And you too, Hanabi."
"I only did it to save my sister."
Hanabi replied coldly.
"By the way, Hanabi, who was that guy?"
Naruto asked, glancing at her.
"Not telling."
Hanabi stuck out her tongue and made a face at him.