That monster sounded even less controllable than Naruto.
Naruto, for all his madness, was primarily targeting the shinobi system and those tied to it. Ordinary civilians, at least in theory, might be spared.
But a creature that devoured chakra by instinct?
It wouldn't distinguish between shinobi and civilians.
If released, it would sweep across the entire shinobi world—indiscriminate devastation.
Sasuke and Neji absolutely refused to become accomplices to something like that.
Seeing the clear rejection and growing hostility in their expressions, Shu seemed to finally grasp the "flaw" in his plan.
He fell silent for a moment.
His wooden face showed no expression, but his voice remained calm—almost innocently reflective.
"I see… perhaps so."
"After all… I am merely a fragmented consciousness that was born accidentally within a corpse. Then inexplicably placed into this shell."
His tone was flat.
Non-human.
"Maybe… I really am 'brain-dead.'"
He accepted Naruto's mockery as if stating a simple fact.
That reaction made Naruto's teasing smile fade slightly.
This "Shu" was stranger than he had expected.
Naruto shook his wrist, dispersing the lingering numbness from the vine.
"Since your plan is so stupid," he said lightly, chakra flaring again, killing intent locking onto Shu, "and since you've so honestly admitted it…"
"Then you can die now."
This time, his target was clear.
Shu.
Sasuke and Neji could wait.
Yet Shu did not move.
"Naruto," Neji warned sharply, "think carefully. If we fight again and unleash more chakra, that monster might truly awaken."
If all three sides erupted at once, the consequences would be unpredictable.
"…No need," Shu said quietly.
"I was already dead."
He lowered his head slightly.
His body was beginning to dissolve—light particles drifting from his fingertips.
"This consciousness won't last much longer."
Naruto visibly relaxed.
For someone who openly admitted to having no brain, Shu no longer seemed worth worrying about.
Perhaps out of idle curiosity, Naruto asked:
"Hey. Your sister—who was she?"
Shu shook his head faintly. The disintegration accelerated.
"That was merely the obsession embedded in the corpse that gave birth to me. To me… it's just a name."
"Say it," Sasuke interjected hoarsely. "Maybe she was once our comrade."
Too many had died in this war.
Too many names erased.
Shu fell silent.
Then—
He spoke.
Two words.
Clear.
Calm.
But like thunder splitting the heavens.
"Tsunade."
…
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Naruto's relaxed expression froze.
"Tsunade… Granny?"
Sasuke's Six-Tomoe Rinnegan trembled slightly.
Tsunade?
The Fifth Hokage?
Her… brother?
This wooden being?
Impossible.
Neji staggered half a step back.
Tsunade had been a pillar of Konoha.
Her brother?
—
Outside the Projection
The entire shinobi world exploded.
Konoha.
Hokage Tower.
Tsunade shot to her feet so abruptly that her chair toppled over behind her.
Her green eyes—normally filled with resolve—were wide with shock.
Impossible.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune cried, rushing forward.
Tsunade raised a hand to stop her.
She stared at Shu's dissolving form.
Nawaki.
She had only one younger brother.
Long dead.
The deepest wound in her heart.
Was this "Shu" born from Nawaki's corpse?
No.
That couldn't be.
His body had been…
Memories surged violently.
Painful.
Sealed away for decades.
Beside her, Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe had gone out unnoticed.
His aged face trembled.
His eyes were layered with shock… and something darker.
Shu had killed Danzō.
Killed Homura Mitokado.
Killed Koharu Utatane.
If Shu was connected to Nawaki…
Then his motive—
A horrifying possibility began to grow in Hiruzen's mind.
Back then… Nawaki's death…
He did not dare pursue the thought.
A chill ran up his spine.
Somewhere in a hidden base—
Orochimaru slowly ran his tongue across his lips.
For once, his golden eyes held no amusement.
Only something deeper.
And reflective.
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