Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 233: Final -

Tch...

Uchiha Madara couldn't help but let out a mocking chuckle.

While he never thought he'd be surpassed by those two brats, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, he hadn't expected the future "problem" would be resolved like this...

Uchiha Itachi... really ended up helping with something huge.

Even with Shigen outright revealing the truth, there was no way Konoha would ever accept Uchiha Sasuke again—a volatile element who nearly destroyed the entire village. Especially since... he almost succeeded!

"..."

The Konoha ninjas looked at Itachi with mixed expressions. None of them expected that this former rogue ninja had remained so loyal to Konoha.

Unfortunately...

His well-intentioned act had the opposite effect.

Instead, it only deepened Sasuke's hatred for the village.

"You... knew all along..."

Itachi couldn't believe that everything he'd done had already been seen through by Shigen. Even more shocking was that his effort to shape his brother's future had turned into a catastrophic mistake.

"Of course I knew."

"But don't worry."

Shigen's tone toward Itachi was rather friendly—especially given that Itachi's actions had become a critical part of the future he was shaping for the shinobi world.

"As repayment for you once willingly becoming my piece on the board, I'll make sure Sasuke ends up somewhere that suits him."

"Heh..."

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Madara chuckled at Shigen's remark, already understanding his intention. And he was pleased with it.

"Let the kid follow me, then. I could use a sparring partner anyway..."

Truth be told, Madara rather liked the kid Sasuke. Especially since his growth had kept up pretty well so far.

Peace in the shinobi world was ultimately just a veneer.

Or rather—

It was only inner peace.

The external threats hadn't even begun to surface yet.

Facing these future threats, Madara knew he couldn't afford to get complacent. He'd need to train Sasuke too, so they wouldn't be powerless when the time came.

"The priority right now is stopping that fight..."

Tsunade sighed, not commenting on Itachi's decisions—she couldn't blame him. And she certainly wasn't going to argue with Madara or Shigen over Sasuke's fate. Right now, the most urgent matter was stopping Naruto and Sasuke from fighting further.

That hope now rested solely with Shigen.

"Don't worry."

"I won't let them continue."

"My goals are already achieved anyway."

Shigen had no intention of letting the battle drag on. Not only would it risk injuring one of Madara's future allies, but more importantly—it could lead to Naruto and Sasuke reconciling mid-fight, which he didn't want.

The next moment—

Shigen rose into the air.

A towering, thousand-meter-tall Susanoo suddenly manifested!

This true god of war bore winged armor that seemed to blot out the sky as it soared directly toward the battlefield!

"That's..."

Tsunade couldn't hide her shock.

Even though Naruto had described Shigen's powers to her, witnessing it in person was another matter entirely—it was breathtaking.

Every Konoha ninja was left in silent fear.

If Sasuke's complete-body Susanoo was enough to make the village tremble...

Then Shigen's Susanoo made them lose all hope of resistance.

There was no way anyone could fight someone like this!

Clearly—

Shigen's arrival brought Naruto and Sasuke's battle to a screeching halt. Their clash was stopped cold by a single swing of a massive pale-blue blade. Even Kurama's golden form and Sasuke's purple Susanoo paled in comparison.

"Hmph..."

Sasuke didn't bother hiding his displeasure at Shigen's arrival.

In that moment...

Sasuke faintly understood what Shigen had meant in their final conversation after the war. He must have known about Itachi's plan from the start!

But now—after all this chaos—Sasuke truly had nowhere left to go.

And more than that...

He didn't want to go back to Konoha.

Especially when he landed and spotted the Edo Tensei'd Itachi among the crowd. A flash of frustration and complex emotions flickered through his gaze.

That brother of his...

"Sasuke..."

Itachi's eyes were full of guilt.

But Sasuke didn't want to look at him anymore. He didn't even want to speak with him. He couldn't forgive Itachi for trying to alter his will with genjutsu. If Itachi had something to say, he should have just told him directly!

"That's enough."

Madara knew this headstrong junior all too well and gave him an out with a faint laugh.

"Sasuke, come back with us. The threats to the shinobi world aren't truly gone yet—and we could all use a strong training partner."

"Hmph..."

Sasuke gave a dismissive grunt, but didn't refuse Madara's offer. He moved to stand beside him, silently making his stance clear.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto tried to stop him.

"Naruto..."

Jiraiya placed a hand on his student's shoulder, gently shaking his head. His eyes were complicated as he gazed toward Madara and Sasuke.

The boy didn't understand.

But Jiraiya knew very well—

After Sasuke nearly destroyed Konoha, the villagers would never truly accept him again. Letting him stay would only breed resentment and fear.

Just like after the Nine-Tails' attack years ago, when the villagers directed their hatred and terror at Kurama—now it would all fall on Sasuke.

But...

Sasuke wasn't like Naruto.

He didn't care for Konoha's approval. He wasn't the type to seek recognition by giving back to the village like Naruto did.

To be honest—

Even now, Naruto still hadn't earned everyone's recognition.

"Well then..."

"Until fate brings us together again."

Shigen gave a faint nod to the group.

Behind him, a dark space-time portal opened—swallowing him, Madara, Sasuke, and the others into the void.

"..."

Tsunade and the rest of Konoha's ninjas watched in quiet resignation.

What she didn't expect...

Was that this encounter would mark the last time she ever saw Shigen.

From that day forward—

Aside from the members of the Akatsuki, no one ever saw Shigen again. It was as if he had vanished completely from the world.

(End of Main Story)