There was no point in continuing the pursuit.
That was Akimichi Choza's conclusion after calmly assessing the battlefield.
Menma's strength had already exceeded every prior estimate Konoha had made.
The power he had displayed moments earlier while only drawing upon the chakra cloak of the Nine-Tails was already enough to overwhelm elite jōnin.
Chōza understood his own limits clearly.
If he wished to confront Menma head-on, he would likely need to consume the Red Pill, the final and most dangerous of the Akimichi clan's Three Colored Pills.
That pill forced the body to convert all stored fat directly into chakra, producing a temporary but terrifying surge in power.
In terms of raw output, the increase could exceed one hundred percent.
But even that level of enhancement might only allow him to contend with Menma briefly not necessarily defeat him.
Because Menma was drawing power from the Nine-Tails itself.
Everyone in Konohagakure still remembered the catastrophe twelve years earlier.
When the Kurama rampaged through the village, even the combined forces led by the Hiruzen Sarutobi had struggled to restrain it.
And that had been only a fragment of the beast's true power.
Menma was not transforming fully into the Nine-Tails.
But even borrowing a portion of that chakra was already enough to place him in an entirely different category of shinobi.
Chōza was strong.
Yet he was not one of the legendary figures who stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world.
Furthermore, the battlefield was dangerously close to the western border of the Land of Fire.
Continuing the chase would carry them beyond the range of Konoha's direct military support.
Their forces were already depleted.
Several ANBU had fallen.
Kakashi was critically injured.
Pressing forward recklessly would only invite further casualties.
Under those conditions, withdrawal was the only rational choice.
Not far away, Naruto Uzumaki stood silently, staring toward the distant horizon where Menma had disappeared.
The scene looked almost identical to the last time.
But the feeling inside Naruto's chest was completely different.
Previously, he had believed everything could still be fixed.
He believed that Menma's resentment could be resolved.
That the misunderstandings between them could eventually be untangled.
But today
When Naruto felt the unmistakable killing intent directed at him
Something inside him finally shattered.
Menma had truly intended to kill him.
The realization wrapped around Naruto's heart like ice.
The sky seemed darker.
The air heavier.
A deep, indescribable pain filled his chest.
Chōza watched Naruto quietly.
The normally cheerful boy now stood with his head lowered, his entire presence weighed down by grief.
Chōza sighed softly.
Brothers reaching this point…
It was a cruel twist of fate.
And for the first time in many years, Chōza felt a faint resentment toward the late Third Hokage.
If Menma's identity had been revealed from the very beginning…
Perhaps things would not have ended like this.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Shikamaru Nara walked over slowly.
Seeing Naruto standing there in silence, the usual carefree expression gone from his face, Shikamaru could not help but sigh.
Menma.
Sasuke.
Both of them had left without hesitation.
From the moment this pursuit mission began, Shikamaru had already suspected that success was unlikely.
Still, he had accepted the assignment.
Partly because it was an official order.
Partly because Naruto was his friend.
And this
This was the result.
Shikamaru scratched the back of his head.
"Troublesome…"
That was all he said.
Nearby, Hatake Kakashi slowly approached as well.
After receiving initial treatment from the ANBU medical-ninja, his bleeding had been stabilized and his life was no longer in immediate danger.
But the damage was severe.
His left eye socket was bandaged.
His movements were slow and unsteady.
Even walking required effort.
Kakashi stopped beside Naruto and gently placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
For a moment, he tried to speak.
But no words came.
Even Kakashi had not expected things to develop this far.
He had anticipated hostility.
He had expected Menma's resentment.
Even revenge against Konoha would not have surprised him.
But killing Naruto?
That possibility had never crossed Kakashi's mind.
After all
They were brothers.
Naruto finally spoke.
His voice was hoarse.
"Brother Kakashi… why did Menma become like this?"
He lifted his head slightly.
"Was he always like this…?"
"Was everything before… just an act?"
The sadness in Naruto's eyes was impossible to hide.
He had always believed Menma's anger came from manipulation.
From Orochimaru's influence.
From misunderstandings that had spiraled out of control.
But now…
The cold killing intent Menma showed earlier felt undeniably real.
If that voice had not interrupted the moment
Naruto might already be dead.
Was this truly the inevitable fate of their bond?
Kakashi opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
What could he say?
Empty comfort would only sound hollow.
Agreement would be cruel.
So he said nothing.
Silence settled between them.
As if the heavens themselves were echoing their mood, rain began to fall.
The droplets struck the broken ground, washing away blood and dust alike.
They soaked through Naruto's clothes.
Through his hair.
Through everything.
Tears mixed with rainwater.
Even Naruto himself could not tell the difference anymore.
His heart felt unbearably heavy.
'Mom… Dad…'
'What am I supposed to do?'
Naruto slowly closed his eyes.
The pain on his face deepened.
After a long moment, Kakashi spoke quietly.
"…Let's go back, Naruto."
Those four words carried the weight of everything left unsaid.
No one spoke after that.
The Konoha shinobi began moving again.
Their steps were mechanical, heavy.
Behind them lay the battlefield.
Ahead of them lay uncertainty.
But the true divide had already been drawn.
Not just on the map
But between ideals.
Between brothers.
Between the path Naruto chose and the path Menma had taken.
Meanwhile, Menma's group moved rapidly across the wilderness.
Less than two hours later, they crossed the western border of the Land of Fire and entered the Land of Grass.
At that moment, they had effectively left the immediate sphere of influence of Konohagakure.
Even so, they did not slow down.
Under Menma's lead, the group continued deeper into Grass Country until they reached a hidden base located in a remote region in the southwest.
Someone was already waiting.
Kabuto Yakushi had received advance notice of their return.
He stood calmly outside the entrance to the underground facility.
When Menma and Sasuke Uchiha appeared, Kabuto stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Welcome back, Menma-kun. And Sasuke-kun as well."
He adjusted his glasses.
"Lord Orochimaru has been waiting for quite some time."
Seeing both of them return safely, Kabuto felt genuine relief.
He understood better than anyone how important these two were to Orochimaru.
Sasuke was the vessel Orochimaru had desired for years.
Menma, meanwhile, had become an indispensable ally.
As for the Sound Four who had participated in the mission
Only Tayuya had returned.
Kabuto showed no reaction to the others' absence.
Whether they lived or died was of little importance.
The only exception might have been Kimimaro.
Kimimaro had once been Orochimaru's most valued subordinate and his original candidate for a perfect vessel.
Unfortunately, Kimimaro's terminal illness had made that impossible.
This mission had likely been the last opportunity for him to fight.
The final moment for the loyal warrior of the Kaguya clan to burn the remainder of his strength.
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