Akira set down his teacup, frowning.
"Did you record it?"
"Of course." Jinghua spread her palm, a blue flame flickering to life.
Akira reached out and grasped it.
In his mind, scenes from Konoha's stormy night unfolded—Ura-Taro fishing chakra from his victims.
"There's no mistake. That's Urashiki."
"So he actually survived… I didn't expect that."
"Did he plant his Karma in advance?"
Jinghua looked surprised.
"So that was Ōtsutsuki Urashiki?"
"Yes."
No wonder.
Even in a life-or-death battle, Urashiki hadn't carried his signature rod and basket.
He'd already planned his escape.
A cicada shedding its shell.
Thankfully, Jinghua had stumbled upon him.
Otherwise, he really would've played us.
Jinghua frowned in self-blame.
"At first, I wasn't sure if he was our enemy, so I didn't interfere…"
"If I'd known, I would've—"
"No."
"You did well."
"If we weren't sure whether he left only one Karma, acting rashly might've alerted him."
"And then he'd hide even deeper."
Before reincarnation, an Ōtsutsuki could plant multiple Karma seals.
Multiple vessels.
Just like Isshiki—he left one on Jigen, and another on Kawaki.
But once reincarnation activated, all extra Karma disappeared.
That prevented multiple personalities from existing.
Of course, that was assuming Jinghua acted.
If Akira had acted, none of that would matter.
He'd simply kill Ura-Taro.
Force the Karma to activate.
Urashiki would revive, and all extra seals would vanish.
Just like Isshiki in the original timeline.
Forced reincarnation meant a lifespan of only a few days.
If he couldn't find a suitable vessel in time, he'd die for good.
Urashiki being alive didn't frustrate Akira.
On the contrary—he was delighted.
Perfect.
I was regretting losing a piece of "tree fertilizer."
Now I've been given another chance.
Information.
Fertilizer.
And Karma.
"I used to think Urashiki wasn't worthy of leaving a Karma behind."
"But this little trick… he's earned some respect."
"His Karma might actually be useful."
"Now the question is—who should get it?"
Jinghua rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Akira serenely.
When Brother Akira thinks seriously…
He's really handsome…
Akira drained his tea.
He already had someone in mind.
"In the end…"
"It should go to one of our own."
…
July 12th, 4:00 PM.
After thirty-six hours of recovery, Sasuke's Rinnegan finally regained enough power.
He opened a space-time gate and returned with the Five Kage to the ruins of the Chūnin Exam arena.
"T-The Five Kage are back!"
"They're back! They won!"
Konoha's ninja and the other village representatives finally relaxed.
People flooded in, surrounding the area.
They came to welcome their victorious leaders.
But—
There was no joy on their faces.
Only exhaustion.
Disappointment.
Desolation.
What…?
This isn't what we expected.
Did they barely survive?
Shikamaru stepped forward, his expression heavy.
"Naruto. What happened?"
"Did something occur that I didn't predict?"
"Did Momoshiki and Uchiha Akira team up against you?"
Naruto shook his head.
"No."
"It was only Uchiha Akira."
"He killed Momoshiki."
"And then?"
Naruto's lips trembled.
"Then… he fought me, Sasuke, and all five Kage."
"By himself."
"…What?"
Shikamaru frowned deeply.
"Did you use the strategy I proposed?"
"We did."
"And we went beyond it."
"We even used techniques you never anticipated."
"T-Then… the result?"
"The result…"
"Hah… hah…"
The memory of that brutal slaughter surged back.
Naruto's breathing grew ragged.
He hugged himself unconsciously.
Sasuke clenched his one remaining hand.
The Five Kage trembled.
"Ugh…!"
Chōjūrō collapsed to his knees, vomiting violently.
Silence fell over the crowd.
What kind of monster…
Could reduce their proud leaders to this state?
Naruto spoke again, his voice low.
"Honestly… being alive feels unreal."
"Akira let us go."
"If he wanted us dead…"
"Not one of us would've survived."
"Not a single one…"
Shikamaru clenched his fists.
"Naruto… there's something you need to see."
"Prepare yourself."
Naruto looked up.
Shikamaru handed him a forehead protector and a letter.
"This was left by Boruto."
"It was on his desk."
"I know the timing is terrible…"
"But you need to read it."
With trembling hands, Naruto opened the envelope.
He read.
And his vision went black.
He collapsed.
"Seventh Hokage!"
Konohamaru rushed forward, but Shikamaru stopped him.
Sasuke bent down and took the letter from Naruto's fingers.
Only a few lines.
Yet enough to crush a man.
Father,
Forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye.
I'm going to Uncle Akira.
I want to become his disciple.
Until I become as strong as he is, I won't come back.
This is my decision after careful thought.
Please take care of Mom and Himawari.
Take care of yourself.
— Uzumaki Boruto
Sasuke crushed the corner of the paper.
"Why… now of all times…"
Shikamaru spoke heavily.
"Sasuke… you should know."
"Sarada and Mitsuki went with him."
Thud.
Sasuke collapsed beside Naruto, stiff as a plank.
Amid the crowd—
Ura-Taro, Urashiki's vessel, smiled cruelly.
"So the Five Kage are back…"
"I was a little worried."
"But now?"
"Hah~"
"A bunch of broken-backed losers."
"I'll reel in your chakra one by one…"
Akira's overwhelming presence.
The next generation's departure.
Urashiki's hidden threat.
Then—
Boom!
A thunderous impact shook the ground.
Konoha's nerves snapped.
"What was that?!"
"Another monster?!"
"That smoke—south forest!"
"Did something fall?!"
"That far away, and we can still feel it?!"
Southern Forest, Land of Fire.
A massive shockwave flattened trees.
A gigantic white object lay embedded in a crater.
A white airship.
Inside, black containers tilted but didn't fall.
Crack.
After a long time, a hand emerged.
A left hand.
On its palm—
A shining Karma mark.
"Run…"
"Escape Jigen…"
"Escape that damned Kara…"
The incident that marked Kara's invasion of the ninja world…
Had begun.
At the worst possible moment.
From the container stood a boy—
Short black-and-gold hair.
A face full of hostility.
It was—
Kawaki.
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