The world had moved on.
Graves had been dug. Mourning rituals performed. In the center of Konoha, beneath the sacred tree that once symbolized peace, Naruto Uzumaki had been buried with honors—revered as a fallen hero, remembered as a legend.
But now, that same legend stood alive and breathing—scarred by battle, transformed beyond recognition, and far stronger than anyone had ever imagined.
The air itself trembled around him as he stood in the middle of the battlefield, bloodstained and radiant. Kurama sat atop his head like a lion on its throne, proud and unbothered. Kara stood protectively at his side, her eyes fierce and glowing like miniature suns. Behind them were Pamela and Kushina—one exuding love and calm, the other barely holding back tears as she stared at her resurrected son.
But no one else moved.
They couldn't.
It wasn't just that Naruto had returned. It was how he returned.
This wasn't the boy they buried. This wasn't even the man he had become before his death. This was something… other. Divine. Alien. Transcendent.
And then there was what he had done—with a simple wave of his hand, he had erased Ishiki, the monster who had fought them all day long. The Otsutsuki who had brought the nations to ruin, whose power suffocated even the hope of victory.
The shinobi alliance had tried everything.
Tactics. Seals. Power-ups. Sacrifices.
Nothing worked. Ishiki had dismantled every defense, broken every strategy, and toyed with them like an immortal tyrant watching insects squirm. For every strike they threw, he returned despair tenfold. He didn't just fight them—he crushed their spirits.
But all it took Naruto was a single motion.
A wave of his hand.
No jutsu, no elaborate technique. Just will made manifest. And Ishiki was gone. Soul and body. Erased from existence.
The moment should've brought victory. Triumph.
But what followed was blood.
Naruto staggered slightly, crimson dripping from his lips as violent chakra backlash surged through his body. Even those who didn't understand the depths of chakra manipulation could tell—this wasn't even his full strength.
And still, it had nearly killed him.
Hinata's eyes widened in horror. All she saw was the man she loved, bleeding, fragile in a way that broke her heart. She didn't care about the awe-struck silence, or the powerful companions at his side, or the changed features that made him nearly unrecognizable.
To her, it was simple:
He was Naruto.
He was her light, the one she had followed through every storm, the one whose dream had become her mission after he died. And when he did… her world had lost its color. Everything turned grey. She had lived day by day like a ghost, keeping herself alive only to build the world he dreamed of.
So when she saw him again—alive, standing before her, even if bloodied and divine—nothing else mattered.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata cried, rushing into his arms once more, this time tighter, more desperate.
His breathing was heavy, but his voice was soft, joking even as blood stained his lips. "Calm down… I'm not dying again."
She pulled back slightly, holding his hand as if afraid he might vanish. "What's happening to you?" Her voice shook, eyes locked on his exhausted face.
Naruto chuckled weakly, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Heh… I thought you'd ask if I was real first."
"I believe in my heart," Hinata replied without hesitation. "You're real. You came back."
"You still love me."
He looked at her for a long moment, the chaos of battle fading into the background.
"I do," she continued, her voice steady, "and I'm still waiting for your answer."
There was a pause.
Naruto's golden eyes softened. He reached out, his thumb brushing gently against her cheek. "I'm married now… to several women. Are you still okay with that?"
She glanced at Kara, Pamela—beautiful, strong, and clearly close to him. His changes made it clear: time had passed, and a lot had changed. But she had already guessed that.
One year and six months, she guessed from the subtle maturity in his presence, the weathering of his aura.
A year without him was enough.
"I don't care," Hinata said quietly, but with unshakable resolve. "I just want to be with you. This year… this pain… it taught me something. Without you, I am incomplete."
And before he could say more, she leaned forward and kissed him.
Soft, warm, full of longing and pain and love.
Naruto didn't stop her. He didn't need to. He accepted it—not just the kiss, but her. Her love. Her loyalty. Her undying faith in him.
Because in a world where most turned away, Hinata had stepped forward.
When even his own comrades watched his death from afar, she had thrown herself into the fire, ready to die with him rather than live without him.
He didn't know if he loved her in the same way yet. But he respected her more than most. She was more than a friend, more than a comrade.
And now… she was here, once again, refusing to let go.
Just like always.
Naruto stood at the center, holding Hinata in his arms. The woman who had once been the quietest voice in the crowd, the shy girl who stuttered his name and watched from the shadows, now radiated strength, resolve, and unmatched grace. She had become one of the strongest beings on the planet—unshakable in will and unparalleled in devotion.
And yet, despite all her power, all her growth… she had asked for nothing.
She had lived humbly, taken nothing she hadn't earned, and never demanded his love—only a chance. A chance to stand by his side not as a forgotten admirer, but as someone who belonged there.
Naruto could see it clearly now. She wasn't someone who needed saving. She wasn't someone who would beg for affection or demand his attention. She had already built a world in his absence—a legacy crafted in his name—and all she wanted was to walk beside him.
Just that.
And so, in the quiet that followed the battle, in front of gods and mortals, comrades and lovers, Naruto made his decision.
"Then," he said softly, his voice carrying weight far beyond its volume, "I will give you the chance you wanted."
His hand gently cupped her cheek, thumb brushing away the single tear that had trailed down. He leaned closer, forehead resting against hers.
"From now on, you are mine," he continued, his tone firm but warm. "And if you can make my heart beat for you… I will make you truly mine. Forever."
The words fell like a blessing. A promise.
Not just to her—but to everyone watching. This wasn't some fleeting favor or empty consolation. It was acknowledgment. Recognition of her worth, her journey, and her unwavering heart.
And for Hinata, it was everything.
She gasped softly, overwhelmed with emotion. Her eyes shimmered with tears of joy, not sorrow, and her smile bloomed with radiant hope. Her grip on him tightened—not out of fear, but a fierce determination.
"I will," she whispered, voice shaking but steady in its resolve. "I will win your heart for sure."
Naruto chuckled, just a little. The pain in his body still echoed, but somehow, the moment felt peaceful. He nodded, pulling her gently against his chest. She melted into his embrace.
Behind them, Kurama sat silently, his tails curling lazily as he glanced at the others. Kara's intense focus on Hinata softened slightly. Pamela offered a knowing smile. Even Kushina, Naruto's mother, looked upon the girl in her son's arms with approval in her eyes and an unspoken whisper of "Thank you."
The tension in the air shifted as Kaguya's voice echoed across the battlefield, cutting through the moments of silence between Naruto and Hinata. Her regal presence, an aura of power that would have once intimidated Naruto, now felt almost insignificant in his presence. She had been a figure of unimaginable strength in her time, but the man who stood before her was something else entirely—a being who had surpassed the realms of mortality and had become something of legend.
"Who are you?" Kaguya asked, her voice still tinged with curiosity, though laced with caution. She had been watching the scene unfold, letting it play out as she tried to piece together the complexities of the strange, powerful man before her. Hinata's words had been enough to keep her from making any rash decisions, but the enigma that was Naruto intrigued her. She needed answers.
Hinata, who had been wrapped in her own world of happiness moments before, turned to face the towering figure of Kaguya. Her voice was calm but firm, a gentle reassurance for Naruto as she spoke. "She is Kaguya, the mother of the Sage of Six Paths. She was once our enemy, but she's since helped us defeat her partner, the one who sought to destroy the world."
Naruto's gaze never wavered as he assessed Kaguya. She was floating effortlessly, her presence like a celestial force, radiating an overwhelming aura of power. Yet, to him, she felt like nothing more than a fleeting speck in the universe—insignificant. He could feel the weight of her power, the centuries of experience she carried with her, but none of it registered as an immediate threat. He had transcended beyond the fears of beings like her.
Naruto's eyes narrowed, not out of malice but of curiosity. He could sense her noble bloodline, the same regal presence that was unmistakably Otsutsuki. He could almost taste the blood of kings in her—she was no mere mortal.
Hinata's explanation was clear, but Naruto could already read the situation in front of him with a single glance. All of his powers had grown beyond the point where simple words or history mattered. He could see the truth in the way Kaguya carried herself, a truth that Hinata hadn't even needed to elaborate on.
Turning his gaze back to Kaguya, Naruto answered her question with calm assurance. "I am one of them," he began, his voice smooth but resolute. "I died in this world. But someone from another world summoned my soul and gave me a second chance. I fought, I struggled, and now I stand before you. I've unlocked the bloodline of your King, and that must be why this is all so confusing."
His words carried weight, more than anyone present had expected. They had known that Naruto had changed, but hearing him explain it so openly left no room for doubt. Before Kaguya, none of this would have made sense, but with the experiences he had faced across countless dimensions, no one would question the existence of alternate worlds or other beings.
Kaguya's gaze softened slightly as she heard his explanation. It wasn't the boastful tone of someone pretending to be something they were not, but a statement of undeniable truth. She didn't need to question him further. Her own sharp senses told her everything she needed to know.
She noticed the subtle shift in the air as she observed the people around him—Kara's energy was Kryptonian, unmistakable to someone of her ancient lineage. Kara's attack on Ishiki had revealed that much. And then there was Pamela—the girl exuded the very essence of Gaia, a being Kaguya knew of only in whispers. Despite never meeting Gaia directly, Kaguya could sense the purity of the power emanating from Pamela, a power that Otsutsuki like her had long coveted.
The realization came to Kaguya swiftly. Naruto had come from another world, one where beings like them were not rare. A place where creatures like him could be born to hold dominion over such power.
Despite her centuries of existence, Kaguya had never felt a presence quite like his. It was not just raw power; it was royalty. The kind of presence that made even someone as ancient and prideful as Kaguya feel a certain submissiveness. She had come to understand that Naruto was a force of nature in his own right. And, for the first time, she felt genuine respect for someone beyond her own bloodline.
"Thank you," Kaguya said, her tone softer now. "Thank you for your assistance and your honesty, Naruto. I will repair the damage done by my actions, but there's one more thing. I must prepare for the inevitable battle against my clan. Unless they are dealt with, the lives of those on this planet will never be safe."
Her words were not mere talk—they were filled with the weight of generations. She had known what it was like to fight for survival. But now, for the first time in a long while, she could see a way forward—a path to victory—and that path, she knew, involved Naruto.
Naruto stepped forward, closing the distance between them and joining Sasuke, who had silently watched the exchange. He turned back to Kaguya, his eyes unwavering.
"I'll deal with them when I'm done here," Naruto said firmly, his voice calm but carrying the gravitas of someone who had seen and endured more than his fair share of battles. His expression was resolute, and even Kaguya, who had fought countless battles, could feel the certainty in his words.
Kaguya nodded in approval, feeling the weight of the moment settle over her. She had seen strength, power, and cunning in her time, but this—this was something beyond her comprehension.
With Naruto standing beside her, it felt like the impossible could finally be within reach.
The battlefield was still, the air thick with tension. Naruto stood tall, his eyes scanning the horizon, his mind momentarily still as he absorbed everything that had unfolded. He had fought countless battles, traversed dimensions, and faced enemies far beyond the comprehension of most mortals. But now, in this moment, standing before Kaguya and Sasuke, something felt different. It was a sensation that lingered in his chest—a quiet satisfaction, the kind that could only come from reconciling the past and finally feeling the weight of his journey's purpose.
With a decisive step, Naruto closed the distance between himself and Sasuke, who stood silently, lost in his own thoughts. Sasuke's once cold eyes softened, though they still carried the weight of his past. The shared bond between them was something deeper than words could capture, a friendship that had been forged through pain, loss, and, ultimately, understanding.
Sasuke's mind raced as he watched Naruto approach. It was hard to express the emotions swirling inside him. His thoughts flashed back to everything that had led them to this moment. The regrets, the mistakes, the anger he had once harbored—all of it seemed insignificant now. Sasuke realized, with a clarity that only came after death, just how precious the bond between him and Naruto had been.
He had never truly understood it until it was almost too late. The years spent apart had been marked by foolishness and misguided decisions. If Itachi had truly been evil, he would have been dead. If Orochimaru had taken control of him, his story would have ended in darkness. It was Naruto's unwavering faith, his persistence, and his loyalty that had saved him.
Sasuke had come to terms with his past, understood the magnitude of his mistakes. The power that the Sage had bestowed upon him, a gift meant for Naruto, had allowed him to survive the battles that followed. It had given him the strength to wield the Kyuubi's chakra and reach the same level of power Naruto once had when he had fought Kaguya. He had come a long way, but now, standing beside Naruto, it was clear: Sasuke was ready to fight alongside him again.
As Naruto arrived beside him, Sasuke's eyes met his. There was a moment of silence, heavy with unspoken words, before Sasuke finally broke it.
"You were right," Sasuke said, his voice steady, though a hint of something deeper lingered there. "Welcome back."
Naruto's face lit up with a grin, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he chuckled. "Heh, I told you so," he teased, his voice filled with warmth and affection. Without thinking, Naruto pulled Sasuke into a tight hug. It was a gesture that spoke volumes, the kind of embrace that could only come from someone who had fought beside you, bled with you, and shared the deepest of bonds.
Sasuke stiffened for a moment, his usual cold demeanor making him uncomfortable with such close contact. But as Naruto's grip tightened, something shifted inside him. It was as though the years of separation, the pain, and the misunderstandings melted away. It was as if Naruto had never truly left. In that moment, Sasuke allowed himself to relax, returning the hug with a sense of familiarity and longing that he would never admit to anyone else.
'I missed you,' Sasuke thought, but the words never left his lips. He was too proud, too stoic to admit such things openly.
But Naruto, now attuned to the thoughts of those around him, smiled softly as he heard Sasuke's unspoken feelings. It made everything easier now that he could understand what others felt, hear their true emotions without them saying a word.
"I missed you too," Naruto responded, his voice just above a whisper, as he pulled away from Sasuke. "Let's talk after I'm done with my issue."
Sasuke blinked in surprise as Naruto gently patted his back and released him, the unexpected gesture leaving him momentarily stunned. It was rare for Naruto to show such casual affection, and Sasuke wasn't sure how to process it. But there was no time to dwell on it.
"I see," Sasuke said, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He had always been one to hide his emotions, but the years with Naruto had taught him how to read between the lines. "Before you go... your father and master are stuck in the roots of this tree. Kaguya, please release these two men first."
With a nod from Sasuke, he showed Kaguya the image of the two men, Minato and Jiraiya, trapped in the immense roots of the Shinju tree.
Kaguya, having seen the sincerity in Naruto's actions and understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded in agreement. Without hesitation, she extended her power, the gravity of the moment weighing heavily on her shoulders. She reached out, her chakra enveloping the trapped figures, and with a simple wave of her hand, the massive roots that had bound them parted, releasing the two men from their prison.
The silence that followed was almost reverential. Minato, Naruto's father, stepped forward first, his gaze meeting Naruto's. There was a moment of understanding between them, a bond that neither words nor time could erase. Jiraiya, ever the playful sage, looked around and gave a knowing grin, his eyes filled with pride and love for his pupil.
Naruto nodded in silent gratitude to Kaguya, a quiet acknowledgment of her assistance. It was clear that, despite her past, she had come to value the lives of those she had once considered enemies. The world was shifting, and with each passing moment, the bonds between these ancient beings were growing stronger, woven together by shared experiences and mutual respect.
Sasuke, now standing beside Naruto once again, allowed himself a brief moment of peace. There was still much to be done, many battles to fight, but for the first time in a long while, Sasuke felt something he hadn't in years—hope.