Naruto: I Can Take People Through the Ninja World in the Future

"Good!"

Since Tenshou Sennin had spoken, Nagato had no more objections.

Just an Edo Madara—he could control him now!

Nagato wasn't arrogant but didn't belittle himself either.

Looking across the ninja world, aside from a few Ōtsutsuki, he was the strongest!

After all, he was the one to unify the ninja world; basic confidence was necessary.

"…"

Edo Madara looked at Nagato, then at Lux.

For a long time, he couldn't utter a word of thanks.

But in the end, he nodded slightly as a response, acknowledging the chance given to fulfill his final wish.

"Master, what about that Rikudō Sennin?"

Nagato looked at Lux, noticing only the unconscious Naruto floating beside him, with no sign of Hagoromo.

"Probably back in the Pure Land. He's been taught a lesson and is obedient now."

"Don't worry, he won't meddle in your affairs anymore."

Lux gave assurance, believing Hagoromo wasn't foolish enough to be beyond saving.

"Thank you, Master!"

Nagato thanked him from the bottom of his heart.

He knew clearly that without Tenshou Sennin's intervention, he might not have defeated Rikudō Sennin, especially since the latter used Naruto's body as a proxy.

Without Tenshou Sennin, Nagato wouldn't have reached this point.

"Alright. Take care of this kid too."

Lux tossed the unconscious Naruto to Nagato.

With Konoha already destroyed, Nagato likely wouldn't make things too hard for Naruto.

After all, he was a fellow disciple and bore Yahiko's shadow. Unless forced, Nagato didn't want to kill Naruto.

"Also, I'm taking those two back. You can handle the remaining matters here, right?"

Nagato understood Lux's intent, immediately assuring firmly:

"Yes, leave it all to me!"

With the answer, Lux was decisive.

He activated instant world transfer, interrupting Parallel World 1 Madara and Parallel World 2 Mokuton Madara's 'experience exchange,' sending them back to their respective ninja worlds.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

With Lux and the others gone, only Nagato and Edo Madara remained at the scene.

Also present were the unconscious Naruto and Kabuto, trapped in Izanami's cycle.

Naruto was beaten too badly to wake up anytime soon.

But Kabuto showed signs of stirring.

"How will you handle this guy?" Edo Madara looked at Nagato, taking the initiative to ask.

"Since he's hit by Izanami, he's surely a loyal Konoha supporter now."

"Hmph! So you know that kid's hidden intent?"

"No matter. Before great power, nothing can stand in the way."

Nagato wasn't foolish; he knew Itachi always thought of Konoha. But thinking of Konoha was one thing—actions were another.

'Saying one thing while meaning another' could be positive or negative.

The key was actions, not thoughts.

As long as Itachi's actions didn't harm Akatsuki, Nagato didn't care what he thought.

"Great power, huh?"

"With that god around, it can indeed be called great power."

"So?"

"How will you handle this guy?"

Edo Madara sighed, silently praising Nagato's luck!

Nagato caught Edo Madara's hint: "You want this guy?"

"Yes, since you don't need him."

"Then leave him to me."

"This guy's quite talented; he'll likely be useful for researching Shiki Fūjin."

Edo Madara was frank.

Though strong, he wasn't a research genius; cracking Shiki Fūjin required assistants.

Kabuto before him was undoubtedly good help.

"Can you fully restrain him?"

Nagato wanted to warn him, as Kabuto summoned Edo Madara; an accident would cause trouble.

"Edo Tensei · Release!"

Edo Madara didn't bother answering, forming seals and using the technique to reverse Edo Tensei's binding, freeing himself from Kabuto's control.

Just Edo Tensei—how could it restrain him?

He just hadn't had the right chance to break the seal before.

"So you know how to break the seal too…" Nagato sighed, no longer worried.

At that moment, Kabuto finally opened his eyes, waking from Izanami's endless dream cycle, sobbing.

He'd shed all his hatred, recognizing his truest self.

Acknowledging his imperfections, no longer obsessed with devouring others, he yearned to reclaim his glasses, the warmth of his orphanage childhood, and his kind self who couldn't help aiding the injured…

Protecting all orphans, becoming someone like Nono, the orphanage head, was Kabuto's original goal and hope!

"I… this…"

"Headmistress, I'm sorry…"

The awakened Kabuto froze, sobbing and calling out.

Until now, happy orphanage memories lingered in his mind.

His only beautiful memories.

Sadly, Edo Madara wouldn't gently wait for Kabuto to grieve.

He activated Susano'o, grabbing Kabuto from the ground, peeling back the snake cornea over his pupils, and activating genjutsu.

Controlling and dominating Kabuto.

Post-Izanami, Kabuto couldn't resist Edo Madara's Eternal Mangekyō genjutsu.

Then, Madara grabbed Kabuto, preparing to leave.

"I'm off too. If anything comes up, have Kyuubi contact me; he has a summoning contract with me."

Edo Madara left; this place of suffering and sorrow—he didn't want to stay a second longer.

He only wanted to find a place to research breaking Shiki Fūjin.

The rest, Nagato could handle.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Madara took Kabuto and left.

Before going, he had Kabuto fully release Edo Tensei on other ninjas, letting their souls return to the Pure Land.

Nagato didn't stop him.

As long as Edo Madara didn't obstruct him, he could do whatever.

Nagato had plenty of cleanup work to finish.

His side won this battle.

Though the victory was confusing, largely thanks to Tenshou Sennin's guidance, it didn't affect their ultimate triumph!

Next, Nagato needed to accelerate and seriously advance ninja world unification.

While fulfilling the agreement, he'd realize his and Yahiko's true ideals!

Nagato looked up, gazing into the distance.

Konoha's remaining forces there faced their final bloody 'baptism.'

Itachi led the remaining Edo Akatsuki, charging at Konoha's remnants.

Jiraiya was still persuading Konoha's people to surrender. This time, it was much easier.

After witnessing the terrifying 'gods and demons' battle and enduring Infinite Tsukuyomi's suppression, most Konoha ninjas lost their will to fight.

Fighting for a slim chance of victory could be called a desperate struggle.

But with no chance at all, insisting on fighting to the death was pure folly.

Even the stubborn Tsunade showed rare softness.

She knew continuing the fight meant meaningless death for all.

Better to surrender honestly!

Though Nagato seemed fierce, he was willing to offer a way out; otherwise, he could've used Infinite Tsukuyomi to drain them dry!

Or fired a few Bijuudama here to end it once and for all.

Tsunade might not see this clearly.

But Kakashi, Shikaku, and others saw it vividly.

The other side sent Jiraiya to integrate Konoha's remnants—the only lifeline Nagato left for Konoha, and his final warning.

After persuading Tsunade, Jiraiya mostly succeeded.

Tsunade, as Hokage, quickly gathered the defeated, scattered forces, preparing to surrender to Nagato.

Though humiliating and reluctant, under another's roof, one must bow…

Of course, a small faction of Konoha hardliners still refused to yield, gritting their teeth.

They lacked the strength and courage to fight Nagato's power but had plenty of boldness to flee…

Sadly, the fate awaiting these escapees was sealed.

Itachi finally acted. Since Jiraiya couldn't bear it, he'd play the villain.

To most Konoha ninjas, he was already the great sinner who slaughtered his clan; more blood on his hands didn't matter.

After all, the final team battle had ended.

His side had destroyed the enemy's crystal; if Itachi didn't show more effort, his score might end up negative.

In an instant, Itachi unleashed his full power.

He activated Susano'o in armor form, extending four arms, condensing two bows.

He began shooting at the fleeing Konoha ninjas.

*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*

Sharp sounds sliced the air; Susano'o's bows drew afterimages, turning into countless light streams shooting far.

The arrows weren't too strong, but ordinary ninjas below Kage level couldn't withstand them.

In moments, dozens of Konoha ninjas trying to flee were pierced and killed instantly by Susano'o's arrows!

Itachi remained silent, steadily and ruthlessly firing.

His merciless, cold, brutal aura terrified all Konoha ninjas, slowly recalling the horror of Uchiha Itachi, the ruthless clan slayer.

This guy was a psychopath who massacred his entire clan alone!

Many fleeing Konoha ninjas, terrified out of their wits, hurriedly returned, tears and snot streaming.

Over a hundred were shot dead by Itachi in less than half a minute!

Some few escaped, but they likely wouldn't get far.

Akatsuki still had many Edo ninjas pursuing and cleaning up remnants; soon, all would be resolved.

Besides, letting one or two survivors escape would spread the great war's horror, pressuring other villages to hasten unification.

Otherwise, Nagato wouldn't have let a single survivor go…