Senba's Susanoo struggled to withstand the attack, but before Isamu, it simply wasn't enough.
In an instant, the eight-hundred-meter Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi cleaved straight through the enormous spectral warrior.
The Complete Body Susanoo shattered into countless fragments of chakra.
Senba crashed heavily to the ground.
The moment the Susanoo broke apart, Isamu immediately withdrew his power.
That single slash had been powerful enough to destroy all of Konoha. Had he not deliberately held back, the village would have been wiped off the map.
"It only took… one strike…"
"My Complete Body Susanoo… was destroyed with a single attack…"
Landing on one knee, Senba stared blankly ahead.
He simply couldn't comprehend how anyone could possess such overwhelming power.
Isamu slowly descended to the ground.
Looking at his half-kneeling son, he remained silent.
Instead, he waved his hand, bringing Mikoto and Itachi gently back down from the sky.
After landing, both of them looked at the defeated Senba, unsure what to say.
Senba had always been the pillar of their family.
Now that even he had been defeated, neither of them knew how to comfort him.
For a while…
Silence filled the forest.
Eventually, Isamu was the one who broke it.
"So."
"Now you understand what it means when people say there's always someone stronger."
"There is no such thing as an invincible technique."
"And there is no such thing as a perfect one."
"Every technique has weaknesses."
"Susanoo is powerful…"
"…but against someone of my level, it still isn't enough."
"No matter what path you walk…"
"Never become arrogant."
"Never become complacent."
"A little humility is never a bad thing."
After saying that, Isamu opened a spatial portal with a casual wave of his hand.
Looking toward his daughter-in-law and grandson, he said,
"Mikoto."
"Itachi."
"Let's go home."
"…Alright."
The two glanced worriedly at Senba before walking over to Isamu's side.
It was obvious they were still concerned about him.
Holding Itachi's small hand, the three of them walked toward the portal.
Just before stepping through…
Isamu stopped.
Both Mikoto and Itachi looked at him in confusion.
Behind them…
Senba slowly raised his head.
"Senba…"
Hearing his father's voice, he instinctively looked up.
Isamu looked directly at him.
"…Well done."
"Father…"
The moment those two simple words reached his ears…
A smile slowly appeared on Senba's face.
He understood.
His father had acknowledged him.
Mikoto and Itachi were equally stunned.
They had expected Isamu to criticize Senba again.
Instead…
He had offered him recognition.
The heavy atmosphere disappeared in an instant.
Both of them smiled with relief.
Having said those simple words, Isamu said nothing more.
Everyone had their own path to follow.
Everyone had their own choices.
Seeing the younger generation living well…
That alone was enough.
Taking Mikoto and Itachi with him, Isamu stepped into the spatial portal.
In an instant…
The three returned to their home in Konoha.
"Thank you…"
"…Father."
After they disappeared, Senba bowed deeply toward the place where Isamu had vanished.
Although it had only been two simple words…
He had felt trust.
Recognition.
His father had acknowledged both his strength…
…and his right to walk his own path.
Not long afterward, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, arrived at the battlefield with a squad of shinobi.
After surveying the devastated forest, he looked toward Senba.
"What happened here?"
Senba didn't hide anything.
He truthfully told Minato that Isamu had returned.
"I never expected Uncle Isamu to come back after all these years."
"That's wonderful news."
Minato smiled sincerely.
Because of Kushina Uzumaki, he had always enjoyed a good relationship with Isamu.
"…Yeah."
"It really is."
Although Senba answered, his expression remained complicated.
His father's return was certainly a blessing.
But…
Someone possessing power beyond imagination could also become an unpredictable variable for Konoha.
He couldn't help wondering whether the village would truly be able to accept someone like Isamu.
"Aren't you worrying too much?"
"Come."
"Take me to see Uncle Isamu."
Minato laughed casually.
From his perspective, another legendary protector returning to Konoha was unquestionably good news.
"About that…"
"Let's wait a few days."
"Father just got back."
"He's mentally exhausted…"
"…and his temper isn't exactly the best today."
"I think it would be better to meet another time."
Senba hesitated before refusing.
His father clearly wasn't in the mood to deal with Konoha's leadership.
At least…
Not today.
"I see."
"Then in a few days, Kushina and I will pay him a visit."
Minato accepted the answer without the slightest displeasure.
He still wore his usual warm smile.
To him, Isamu wasn't merely Senba's father.
The development of the Rasengan and the Flying Thunder God Technique had both been closely connected to Isamu.
In many ways…
Minato regarded him as a mentor-like figure.
Thus, the matter at Konoha's back mountain came to an end.
After returning home, Isamu admitted that he was exhausted.
Mikoto immediately had the servants prepare the finest guest room in the house for him.
Meanwhile…
Little Itachi stood in the courtyard for quite some time, staring at the spot where the spatial portal had disappeared.
"From the back mountain…"
"…to home in an instant."
"What kind of ninjutsu was that?"
"It's incredible."
"My grandfather…"
"…really is a mysterious person."
Thinking back to everything he had witnessed—the overwhelming battle and the miraculous space-time technique—Itachi found himself filled with curiosity about his grandfather.
Senba also returned home not long afterward.
Mikoto prepared dinner for him.
He ate only a little.
The family of three talked throughout the meal, though no one else knew exactly what they discussed.
As for Isamu…
After returning home…
He completely relaxed.
Before long…
He fell into the deepest sleep he had experienced in many years.
After everything that had happened…
He could finally put his heart at ease.
He had struggled for decades.
Now, his strength stood at the absolute summit of the Naruto world.
He had truly become the strongest shinobi alive.
There was no longer any need to chase greater power.
His descendants had grown.
They could carry the family's future on their own.
For the first time in many years…
Isamu felt completely free of burdens.
And that night…
He slept soundly.
Nothing unusual happened overnight.
Early the next morning, Senba's family was already awake.
Only Isamu was still asleep.
Unable to resist his curiosity, little Itachi walked to the guest room and knocked gently on the door.
"Grandpa?"
"Grandpa…"
Hearing the soft knocking, Isamu slowly opened his eyes.
He stretched lazily before sitting up on the edge of the bed.
"Come in."