Chapter 6: Huh? Only Four Hokage Inside the Death God’s Belly?

The group chat fell silent at Madara's appearance. The earlier prankthe God-Level Multiverse Systemhad hinted at the Pure Land's existence, promising its materialization. Now, moments later...

Madara Uchiha had joined the chat! Where were Hashirama Senju, the legendary Ninja God, and the others?

Tsunade: Madara's here... so why aren't my grandfather or the Third here yet? Madara Uchiha: Hmph. That Hashirama woman had better not show her face before me! Izuna Uchiha: Nii-san, temper your toneif I can join after all these years, they'll be here too. Fourth Raikage Darui: Does this mean... that really was my father? Mizukage Mei Terumi: HahaRaikage cursing his own dad! Impressive. Ohnoki: He's ruthlesseven his own blood. Third Raikage: Don't talk that wayyou're my son; I'll crush you when I catch you! Fourth Raikage Darui: Son, knock it off... Third Raikage: You wait, you little brat! I'll gut you! Mizukage Mei Terumi: These father-son insultskilling a thousand enemies but wounding yourselves. Ohnoki: First "turtle grandson," now "turtle son." Subtle self-roast. Madara Uchiha: And this Ohnokiis he that rock skeleton? Tsunade must be of the Senju clan... the Raikage is the Fourth, rare to see others. Izuna Uchiha: I've been dead ages, too. Hatake Kakashi: If the dead are in here, then Obito... Rin... you two there?

Rin Nohara: HeeheeI'm here! Obito? Obito Uchiha: ...I... I'm here...

Kakashi's sudden message made Obito tremble. Could he really speak to the dead? Was this Rin? Masked Obito's emotions waveredlove? longing? joy or sorrow? After so long, this strange reunion left him choked.

Rin Nohara: Obito, where are you in the Pure Land? When I opened my eyes I was back where I died, just like the real world. Obito Uchiha: I... I'm also where I died... Madara Uchiha: Fascinating. They've mirrored the Shinobi World in the Pure Landsouls intact, no need to eat, but otherwise nothing's changed. Izuna Uchiha: Nii-san, tell me where you areI'll come find you. Madara Uchiha: No need. I know your position. Wait for me... Izuna Uchiha (gentle): Okay. Tsunade: Huh? My grandfather should've jumped in first to speak... where is he?

[Video Footage]

Sasuke, collar in Naruto's hand, lowered his head.

"Why, Naruto?"

"Why do you care about me so much?"

Sasuke looked up, bewildered.

"You're the bond I finally built. That's why I must stop you!"

Naruto's smile was serene, whiskers flaring with Nine-Tails chakrabut otherwise calm.

Sasuke drew his Leaf headband and tied it around his forehead.

"Too late, Naruto... It's already too late to turn back!"

"Come on, Naruto!"

"Let me sever this bond with my own hands!"

Naruto tilted his head before moving.

"Sever it? Then why wear the forehead protector now?"

Sasuke cracked a small smile.

"Because I respect you! You're strong!"

"Because you and I both know loneliness and pain!"

Naruto paused, stunned.

"Pain can make one strong... So if I sever this bond, I'll gain greater power!"

"From now on, I'll fight you as equals!"

"But you'll never land a hair's breadth on my headband."

He pointed at the protectorclearly confident after dodging attacks.

"Enough talk. Next is life or death! Let's go!"

They fell silent, then erupted into a furious exchange. Every strike pushed both to their limits.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Technique!"

After the jutsu's end, Sasuke stared at Naruto lying amidst the flames, fear flickering across his face.

"Too late, Naruto! It's too late!"

He hoisted Naruto and dropped him hard, then leaped atop the prostrate ninja, crushing Naruto's stomach. His hands pinned Naruto's feet.

...Naruto's head slammed into the ground.

Tsunade: Naruto! Kushina Uzumaki: Naruto! Hatake Kakashi: Naruto...

Viewers reacted in a mix of hope and horror. Kushina, long peering at the chat, teared up hearing Naruto's voice for the first time. She didn't expect to see himyellow hair like Minato, that vast Uzumaki chakra... She was overwhelmed.

Fugaku Uchiha: Sasuke's blow is ruthless. Mikoto Uchiha: I can't interveneour children died so early. Kushina Uzumaki: You can't shirk responsibility like that, Mikoto! Mikoto Uchiha: I'm not shirking@Sasuke Uchiha maybe?

As Sasuke slumped, Naruto's 'body' sank again. Then he heard:

"I'm not ignoring you@Sasuke Uchiha!"

That voice... was his mother's?

Sasuke finally noticed the chat window. His parents' avatars glowed as his hand trembled.

"...Mom? Dad?"

Fugaku Uchiha: Sasuke, you've grown. Mikoto Uchiha: Yes, it's Mom. Sasuke. Kushina Uzumaki: I should be angry at how you've beaten my son... but I feel pity. Fugaku Uchiha: Your son's issues...

Mikoto Uchiha: Sasuke, run now!

[Video Footage]

Naruto's 'dead' body in the water suddenly erupted with red chakra, wrapping him fully. Sasuke blinked, three-tomoe Sharingan widening.

Naruto stood and punched Sasuke's nose. He clutched his side, screaming in pain as red chakra evaporated the water beneath.

His speed soaredso fast even the Sharingan couldn't track.

Sasuke steadied himself, forcing calm. The relentless assault battered him backward.

A massive chakra hand formed in the water and slapped toward Sasuke.

Sasuke knew he'd lose if this continued. He summoned the cursed seal.

"No choice..."

Black markings spread across him. His hair darkened, tinged purple. His eyes went obsidian.

"You are special!"

"But I am more special!"

...

Fourth Raikage Darui: What nonsense are they spouting? Who's judging who's weirder? Ohnoki: Honestly, this is odd. Fugaku Uchiha: If I were alive, I'd slaughter you both! Kushina Uzumaki: Where's my husband, Minato? Come out and handle this scoundrel! First Raikage: I'm dead. Second Raikage: Me too. Third Raikage: Should I revive to assist? Fourth Raikage Darui: Enough. I'm the target. Kushina Uzumaki: Minato, why aren't you replying? Tsunade: Where are my father, grandfather, Third, and Fourth Hokage? Playing mahjong?

Meanwhile, inside the Death God's belly:

"Yo, Flying Thunder God was my technique!" "Huh? Nine-Tails can kill?" "So Orochimaru failed to kill them?" "Waitare all four Hokage inside the Death God?" "Huh..."

They shivered mid-chat, bewildered.

"Whatevertell me more, what else happened?"