Chapter 125: Absolutely Cannot Lose
"It all depends on Naruto's own will now..." Yamato said.
By now, the battle between Naruto and Sora had reached a fever pitch. Although Sora had lost his sanity, his combat experience and power remained incredibly formidable. Naruto, on the other hand, was holding on through the Nine-Tails' power and his own willpower.
"Sora, wake up!" Naruto shouted his name while fending off Sora's tide-like attacks. "We are comrades! Didn't you want to protect Konoha?"
However, Sora seemed completely unable to hear Naruto's voice, mechanically swinging the weapon in his hand and launching attack after attack at Naruto.
"Why did it turn out like this..." Naruto looked at his former comrade in this state, his heart filled with pain and despair. "Is there really no way to make him return to normal?"
Just then, he suddenly felt the Nine-Tails Chakra within his body begin to grow restless.
"No... I can't be controlled by the Nine-Tails..." Naruto gritted his teeth, trying hard to suppress the Nine-Tails' power within him. "I must stay conscious... for Konoha... for Sora..."
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then snapped them open and charged at Sora once again.
Meanwhile, the moment for the final showdown between Kōdo and Asuma had also arrived.
"Asuma, you are indeed strong!" Kōdo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "But you are still no match for me!"
"Stop talking big!" Asuma raised his Chakra blades once more and charged at Kōdo. "I will absolutely not let you have your way!"
The two collided fiercely in mid-air, sparks flying everywhere. The shockwaves from their Chakra collision made the surrounding buildings tremble.
However, just as their battle reached its peak, a powerful surge of Nine-Tails Chakra suddenly descended from the sky, knocking them both back.
"This is..." Asuma struggled to get up from the ground. "Naruto and Sora..."
At this point, the battle between Naruto and Sora had entered its final stage. Although Sora had lost his sanity, his power was growing stronger. Naruto was barely holding on with his willpower and the Nine-Tails' power.
"I can't lose..." Naruto clenched his fists. "For Konoha... for Sora... I absolutely cannot lose!"
Suddenly, Sora let out a shrill scream and then collapsed to his knees, seemingly broken.
Naruto also collapsed on the ground due to exhaustion, and the Nine-Tails Chakra gradually dissipated.
The battle was finally over.
Konoha Village began intensive repair work to rebuild their destroyed homes.
This battle brought great trauma to Konoha, but it also made everyone more united in their common goal to protect their home.
In the hospital, Sora lay quietly on a hospital bed. His injuries had been treated, but his spirit was still very weak.
"Sora, you're awake." A familiar voice came; it was Naruto.
Sora slowly opened his eyes and saw the concerned gazes of Naruto and his other comrades.
"I... what happened to me?" Sora asked with difficulty.
"You're fine now," Naruto said with a smile. "It's all over."
Hearing these words, Sora's eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
He knew what terrible things he had done, yet Naruto and the others were still willing to accept him.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." Sora whispered... "Don't say that." Naruto patted his shoulder. "We are comrades; we'll face future difficulties together."
A month later, Konoha Village had basically returned to its usual tranquility.
"Byakuya-sama, Kakashi-sama has returned." An Anbu member hurried into Byakuya's office to report.
"Let him in quickly," Byakuya said.
Kakashi pushed the door open and entered, his expression solemn.
"Byakuya-sama, I have important intelligence to report," Kakashi said.
"What intelligence?" Byakuya asked.
"According to our investigation, the 'Akatsuki' organization has begun to move," Kakashi said. "They seem to be gathering the power of the Tailed Beasts, preparing for some kind of conspiracy."
Hearing this news, Byakuya's brow furrowed tightly.
He knew that the "Akatsuki" organization had always been a mysterious force. If they were truly making a move, Konoha Village would face a massive threat.
"Furthermore, this time they seem to have their sights set on the Tailed Beasts," Kakashi added. "We must take action as soon as possible to stop their plan."
Byakuya nodded, realizing the urgency of the situation. "What about Naruto and the others? They just went through a major battle and need rest."
"I know, but time waits for no one," Kakashi said. "I will arrange for them to participate in the mission, but I will keep an eye on their physical condition."
At that moment, Shino suddenly burst in. His Kikaichu seemed to have been affected by something, becoming unusually restless.
"Byakuya-sama, Kakashi-sama, my Kikaichu have been attacked by an unknown Ninjutsu!" Shino reported anxiously. "They have developed a strange crystallization reaction!"
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