Chapter 382: The Finale
[Ding!] Just as Hagoromo Gengetsu was about to give the system a zero rating, the familiar system notification sounded again.
He hesitated.
The system, which was supposed to give its final message, now presented a new one.
[Friendly reminder, Host: Ratings come with rewards! The higher the rating, the greater the reward!]
Hagoromo Gengetsu took all of this in without a second thought. His finger shifted from the zero rating to a full ten.
In hindsight, although the system had been acting erratically from start to finish, it still had its merits.
Being kind-hearted, he decided to let go of past grievances and reward the system that had helped him.
Hagoromo Gengetsu finally pressed the ten rating option.
Soon enough:
[Ding! Ding! Ding!]
Unlike the previous cold and monotonous sounds, the system notification this time sounded joyful.
[Thank you, Host, for your sincere rating!]
[Since the Host's arrival in this world, the system has witnessed your talent, effort, kindness, sincerity, and love. Although we are about to part ways in the Naruto world, we shall meet again!]
[Full Score Reward: Together on the Journey (After the Host's death, the system will return as promised to accompany the Host in adventures in another world.)]
[Host, see you in the next world!]
"It'd be better if we never meet again."
Hagoromo Gengetsu regretted giving the system a ten.
This thing was really clinging to him.
Not to mention that he was now at the level of the Sage of Six Paths, with a long lifespan ahead and no intention of dying anytime soon.
Even if he did move on to another world outside of Naruto, as long as the system was normal, it would be fine.
But his system always seemed a bit off.
In the end, he had to rely on his own efforts.
"Maybe you should fix your head first, system."
With that, Hagoromo Gengetsu could only sincerely wish it well.
The system didn't respond.
As it had said before, its mission in this world was over.
On the other hand, Hagoromo Gengetsu's era was just beginning.
A month later, the limited Tsukuyomi world had stabilized.
After handling the affairs related to this world, Hagoromo Gengetsu once again met with Kaguya Otsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths.
Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't waste any words and simply said, "It's time to go."
Kaguya and her son nodded.
In the next moment...
Roar!
With a great commotion, the Dragon Vein burst from the ground beneath the three of them, enveloping them in its body. Blinding white light erupted from each of them.
In an instant, the Dragon Vein dissipated, and the three disappeared.
After a familiar journey through time and space...
When Hagoromo Gengetsu, Kaguya Otsutsuki, and the Sage of Six Paths opened their eyes again, they were greeted by a beautiful landscape of mountains and rivers.
"We've finally... returned!"
The moment he opened his eyes, Hagoromo Gengetsu was certain this was the world he had grown up in.
The plan had gone smoothly.
After all the twists and turns, he was finally back, feeling a mix of emotions.
Though he wanted to see how the ninja world he left behind had changed, there were more pressing matters at hand.
Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at Kaguya Otsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths beside him.
It was time to send these two back to their rightful place.
The three of them flew swiftly, without stopping, and soon arrived at the ruins of Roran.
Hagoromo Gengetsu found the Dragon Vein of this world and, after taking control of it, turned to Kaguya and her son and said:
"It's time to say goodbye."
The Dragon Vein's passage between worlds had a sequence.
The next world in line from Hagoromo Gengetsu's was the homeland of Kaguya and her son.
This had been thoroughly tested.
"Then, farewell, Hagoromo Gengetsu," said the Sage of Six Paths as he withdrew from Naruto's body and expressed his gratitude to Hagoromo Gengetsu.
He did not say goodbye.
Neither did his mother.
No one wanted to encounter the overwhelmingly powerful Hagoromo Gengetsu again.
Hagoromo Gengetsu understood their thoughts.
He smiled indifferently and activated the power of the Dragon Vein. Then, with a flash of his figure, he pulled Naruto back outside.
As before, the Dragon Vein rose up, emitting a bright white light.
However, this time, the light was limited to the Sage of Six Paths and Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Soon, with the final burst of brightness, the Sage of Six Paths and Kaguya Otsutsuki were gone.
Everything returned to normal.
"Where am I?"
Regaining his senses after being controlled by the Sage of Six Paths for so long, Naruto looked around in confusion.
"Welcome home, Naruto," Hagoromo Gengetsu said with a faint smile.
"You! You're Hagoromo Gengetsu!"
Naruto finally noticed Hagoromo Gengetsu beside him and quickly stepped back, cautiously keeping a close eye on him.
After seeing that Hagoromo Gengetsu made no move, Naruto couldn't help but ask:
"Why am I here? What happened?"
"Still not fully awake? Think harder."
Back in his homeland, with the hidden threats eliminated, Hagoromo Gengetsu was in a good mood and didn't mind chatting with Naruto for a bit.
Naruto scratched his head hard, trying to recall.
"I was hit by Uchiha Obito's genjutsu... Grandpa Six Paths saved me... Then I don't remember much."
"Wait! Grandpa Six Paths forcibly took over my body!"
Naruto suddenly remembered the last scene before he blacked out, shocked and confused.
"Why did Grandpa Six Paths do that?"
"And Hagoromo Gengetsu just said 'Welcome home.' Am I really back?"
For a moment, Naruto understood a lot, but also didn't understand much.
He looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu, wanting to ask more.
But Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't answer.
"Naruto, just live your life from now on. Fall in love, have some kids, and stop getting involved in pointless things. After all, you helped me a lot, and I don't want to have to kill you again."
Leaving behind these words, Hagoromo Gengetsu opened a black portal in front of him and stepped inside.
"Wait..."
Naruto, still puzzled by Hagoromo Gengetsu's words, wanted to stop him.
But Hagoromo Gengetsu ignored him.
In the next moment, the black portal vanished.
"Just like that, he's gone?"
Staring at the empty space in front of him, Naruto muttered.
After a moment, he looked around and noticed the area was somewhat familiar, as if it were the ruins of Roran.
"Am I really back? I wonder how everyone is doing."
With that thought, Naruto, who now had experience in another world, quickly determined the direction and sped towards Konoha.
At the same time...
Compared to Naruto, who had to travel day and night on foot, Hagoromo Gengetsu crossed thousands of miles in an instant and arrived at the Hagoromo Clan's territory.
Yes, the Hagoromo Clan's territory.
Unlike the last time, when the area was filled with broken, decayed remnants, now, it was full of magnificent buildings, bustling with activity.
Though it was still not as grand as the Hagoromo Clan's territory in the limited Tsukuyomi world, it was far more prosperous than anything in Konoha or even the capital of the Land of Fire.
Hagoromo Gengetsu could see that Sasuke and the others had done a good job after he left.
"Clan Leader!"
"Lord Hagoromo!"
"Senior Hagoromo!"
...
As Hagoromo Gengetsu formally stepped into the territory, he didn't hide his presence. With a single step, his aura surged, covering the entire area and announcing his return.
In an instant, everyone in the Hagoromo Clan's territory felt as if they were being watched by a divine, unapproachable presence. Shocked, puzzled, and then enlightened, they gathered, looking with fiery admiration at the descending Hagoromo Gengetsu.
Cheers erupted all around.
Hagoromo Gengetsu swept his gaze over the gathering crowd.
Elder Moteni, Hanare, Hagoromo Anki, Samui, Uchiha Izumi, Uchiha Kei, and many others were among them.
Hagoromo Gengetsu's gaze finally settled on Uchiha Sasuke, smiling in satisfaction:
"You've matured and become steady. I can see that you've done an excellent job, Sasuke."
Sasuke looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu with respect and replied earnestly, "Everything we've built was carried out according to your plans, Lord Hagoromo."
"No matter how flawless the plan, without proper execution, it would all fall apart."
Hagoromo Gengetsu patted Sasuke on the shoulder, speaking as he glanced at the former Konoha shinobi and the other ninja clans from the Five Great Nations standing respectfully behind the Hagoromo and Uchiha members.
"Also, Sasuke, your political tactics have impressed me."
The usual Uchiha approach to enemies was total annihilation.
Sasuke's willingness to forgive past wrongs, accept former enemies, and use this to sow discord among them was a rarity among the Uchiha.
"How many stubborn remnants are left in the ninja world?" Hagoromo Gengetsu asked Sasuke.
Sasuke immediately replied, "Led by the remaining Four Kage, there are about a hundred of them. They move around constantly, making it hard to track them down."
"Don't worry, someone will soon volunteer the information," Hagoromo Gengetsu said with a faint smile.
Finally, he looked at the gathered crowd and, with a calm yet unstoppable force, declared, "True peace has finally arrived."
"Everyone, welcome the arrival of the new era!"
...
"Why? Why are Hinata's uncle, Choji's elders, and Ino's elders—everyone from Konoha—attacking me?"
Outside Konoha Village, Naruto, repeatedly dodging attacks, shouted in confusion at his pursuers.
Originally, Naruto had returned to Konoha with a sense of homesickness, rushing back as quickly as possible, traveling day and night.
However, as soon as he entered the gates, before he could even notice the changes in the village compared to his memories, he was met with fierce attacks.
Naruto recognized many of his attackers, though he couldn't name them all, he was sure they were all Konoha ninjas.
Naruto believed there must be some misunderstanding and repeatedly tried to explain.
But it was no use.
The attacks from the former Konoha ninjas only grew fiercer.
Naruto was baffled.
With his strength, he could easily defeat these people.
But he didn't want to hurt his comrades from the village.
Seeing more and more people attacking him, Naruto had no choice but to retreat temporarily.
"Keep chasing him!"
A Hyūga ninja activated his Byakugan and, together with his comrades, continued to hunt Naruto with murderous intent.
To ensure the survival of their clans, they had already pledged loyalty to the Hagoromo clan.
At this point, the last thing they could afford was to be indecisive.
To prove their loyalty, they wouldn't hesitate to kill Naruto, or even a former Hokage.
This was the way of the ninja clans.
Those who couldn't adapt to the changing tides had long since disappeared into the river of history, like the Uzumaki and Taketori clans.
Though Naruto was unwilling to harm his former village comrades, he was still able to shake off his pursuers.
An hour passed, and Naruto had completely evaded his pursuers, but he found himself lost in a remote wilderness.
Just as Naruto chose a random path and charged ahead, a familiar voice suddenly called out.
"Naruto!"
Naruto turned to see Kiba Inuzuka.
"It really is you!" Kiba, now more seasoned than before, sniffed the air to confirm, and then exclaimed with delight.
Naruto was equally delighted, rushing forward and eagerly asking, "Kiba, what are you doing here? Where is everyone? And what happened to Konoha? Why are so many comrades trying to kill me?"
Hearing this, the smile on Kiba's face dimmed a bit, and he slowly explained, "This place is dangerous. I'll explain on the way."
As they traveled, Kiba explained the situation to Naruto, and upon learning the truth, Naruto fell silent.
"We've arrived."
Kiba led Naruto to a hidden valley.
"This is where everyone is hiding."
As Kiba spoke, he formed hand seals, and in the next second, a barrier opened, revealing the valley's true nature.
Naruto quickly walked in and soon saw many familiar faces.
Granny Tsunade, Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, Hinata, Shikamaru, and all the other members of the Konoha 12 were there.
Unlike their elders who had surrendered, the younger generation of shinobi didn't understand much about politics.
They only knew one thing: they shouldn't betray the Hokage they had grown up hearing about.
Additionally, Naruto noticed there were also ninjas from the other Four Great Shinobi Villages, including Cloud and Mist.
"Naruto!!"
At that moment, not only did Naruto see everyone, but everyone saw Naruto as well. Sakura was the first to cry out in joy.
As the crowd swarmed towards Naruto, and just as he was about to wave excitedly—
A voice, too familiar to be mistaken, sounded once again in Naruto's ear.
"Thank you again, Naruto."
Naruto felt a chill run down his spine.
At the same time, Kakashi and the others froze, their faces showing despair.
Behind Naruto, a black portal opened, and Hagoromo Gengetsu stepped out with a smile, patting Naruto on the shoulder. Looking at everyone present, he said, "The family's finally all together."
Hagoromo Gengetsu had only returned to the ninja world for a day, and the last remnants of resistance were already rounded up.
He didn't take their lives, but instead, made full use of them, having them contribute to the peace of the ninja world.
There was no need for further words; during their work, they would naturally find their own redemption.
In the following days, the entire ninja world continued to be reshaped according to Hagoromo Gengetsu's vision.
During this time, Hagoromo Gengetsu traveled to the moon and used the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu to revive the Hagoromo clan members he knew, including Hagoromo Haru.
Unlike in the Infinite Tsukuyomi world, where Haru was still a little girl, on the moon, when Hagoromo Gengetsu met Haru again, she had grown into an adult.
However, the way she addressed him remained the same.
"Big Brother Gengetsu!"
Haru, with tears in her eyes, hugged Hagoromo Gengetsu tightly.
Hagoromo Gengetsu hugged her back.
From then on, the former Otsutsuki clan's territory on the moon became the new home for the resurrected Hagoromo clan members.
Hagoromo Gengetsu enjoyed more than ten years of peaceful life.
Until one day.
Otsutsuki Momoshiki and Otsutsuki Kinshiki crossed the universe and arrived.
Before the two could even utter their usual "lower life forms," Hagoromo Gengetsu kicked them both into the Divine Tree, where they joined the previously revived Otsutsuki Isshiki, becoming nourishment for the tree, which eventually produced a chakra fruit.
"Looks like you'll be waiting forever, system," Hagoromo Gengetsu said with a smile, playing with the genuine chakra fruit in his hand before taking a bite.
His era was far from over!!!
(The main story ends, with a few side stories to follow.)