Н‘¾Ð‘¯Ð‘¬Ð‘Μ Ð‘»Ð‘¯Ð‘¬ Н‘¾Ð‘°Ð‘Μ𝑫 Н‘©Ð‘³Ð‘¶Ð‘¾Ð‘º €¢Ð’Ƒ𝒙Н’Ƒ• Quantum Immortality (Good Ending pt1)

AN: As I’ve mentioned at the end of chapter 83, this is the other ending, continuing right after chapter 83, the ‘Good Ending’. (It’s not really the end, there are about two or so chapters left until the Naruto Shippuden storyline is fully finished)
After I write that, I will occasionally update a chapter (maybe once a week) in which Akashi’s future life is featured.

The world went into a standstill.

Various thoughts ran through Akashi’s mind.

He can’t do that. He can’t do that. He can’t do that. He can’t do that. He can’t do that.

The people are all inside a dream and it didn’t matter how happy that dream was. They were all in a dream. They needed to be set free. They needed to be allowed to live out their own life.

Their real life.

And as much as it pained him to admit it, his own life wasn’t above theirs. It never was. It never will be.

Little one, you’ve made up your mind?

I don’t know, Kurama.

The world they lived in was the only one. It was their world. A shared one. It was a world filled with children who had a promising future. Who was he to take their future away from them?

A nobody. A boy who was too angry at the world to think straight. None of them did anything to harm him… They did nothing to hurt him… His pain was his own to bear.

Akashi, you still have me… Don’t you remember what you said to me that day? You said you’d take all my pain away and mix it in with your own. Allow me to do the same. That pain of yours and this pain of mine are ours. Mixed together. Shared. Until we part ways.

I know… I know. I remember everything. Really, Kurama, what would I do without you?

There’s no need to think about what could have been… We are here now, in the present. You should only think about the present. I won’t try and influence your decision, it is yours to make, as Hagoromo had said.

Yeah… It seems to be that way.

But, we both know you’ve already made your decision and we both know which one. After all, if you’d have chosen the other one, Naruto wouldn’t have been standing right now, would he?

Hearing those words be directed at him made Akashi close his eyes. He had almost made up his mind, he had almost ended his brother’s life along with the lives of every other human being, including himself.

What for?

Revenge?

I can’t do it to them, Kurama.

I know, little one, I know.

Is this the right decision?

That is for you to know… Hagoromo gave you that choice.

Yeah…

He was snapped out of his thoughts as he felt the ominous chakra from outside disappear. Did the Infinite Tsukuyomi stop? A moment later, Susano’o spread its wings and disappeared, revealing the outside world to the five of them.

“Finally…” Sasuke said.

“Looks like it didn’t affect that black one,” Naruto commented, staring at Black Zetsu, who was still attached to Obito, before he glanced at Sasuke, “Sasuke, what do we do to release everyone from the Genjutsu?”

The most obvious thing would be to use the Rinnegan to deal with the Genjutsu, since Madara used his own Rinnegan to cast it. That was what popped inside Akashi’s mind.

“Rinnegan Genjutsu can be dealt with using Rinnegan, probably.” Sasuke answered.

Akashi stood correct.

“Which means we need Sasuke’s left eye.” Kakashi spoke up, staring at Black Zetsu.

“I won’t let that happen… All that’s left to do is to get rid of you guys…” Zetsu was interrupted as a familiar looking man landed in front of him, breaking the ground under his feet.

“Which I, the saviour of the world, will do.” Madara declared.

So the man had come down, eh?

“Madara!” Naruto bit out, glaring at said man.

“That eye on his forehead!” Sakura exclaimed. Akashi had noticed that as soon as the man landed. There was a… crimson Rinnegan on his forehead? There used to be something covering it, but it was broken and the eye was revealed to the rest of them.

“Be careful,” Sasuke warned them all, “We’re surrounded in all directions by four of his Shadows.”

“I know that!” Naruto replied.

Madara straightened up, standing tall as he looked at them, “I won’t allow you to do anything further,” he said, “I just severed the Karmic Cycle of this world. I have freed humankind from their suffering, pain and their futility.”

Akashi felt Naruto’s emotions skyrocket, “But all this… is just a lie!” The blond yelled at Madara.

“Naruto, you’re the one who’s interfering with everyone’s happiness,” Madara gestured around himself, “Just look at this world now. All fighting between ninja has ceased. I’ve transformed hell into heaven. I’ve finally corrected Hashirama’s mistake.”

Hearing this, Sakura leaned forward, “What do you mean by the First Hokage’s ‘mistake’?” She questioned.

“You Konoha may not want to acknowledge it, but Hashirama ultimately failed in reforming the Ninja World,” Madara explained and continued, “In the beginning, both Hashirama and I had the same goals and we worked together. We tried to change the ninja world that sent out barely grown children out to war. The two of us created the ninja village.”

Barely grown children? Isn’t that what was still happening?

“However, that does not result in true peace. People cannot show each other their true feelings. Fear, suspicion and… resentment never subside,” Madara narrowed his eyes, “My opinions were pushed aside and the Ninja World moved forward in accordance with Hashirama’s vision. And what happened because of it? The fighting between ninja hasn’t stopped. Rather than ceasing, establishing ninja villages led to an increase in their military build up, which resulted in battles that turned into great wars with countless lives lost…” he trailed off, “The battling in what became the First Great Ninja War… The Second Great Ninja War… The Third Great Ninja War… The fighting never stopped. That is Hashirama’s legacy to the Ninja World… Although I admit that I triggered this Fourth Great Ninja War…”

“That’s right! Because of you, so many people died!” As soon as the words left Sakura’s lips, Akashi sensed something. That Black Zetsu… Its chakra was spiking, as if it was preparing for something…

Akashi didn’t wait to hear the next words, because he forcibly took Naruto’s control over his own body. Not waiting for anything, he willed his chain to life and broke it off, immediately throwing it towards Zetsu. The spear sped past Madara, the man not trying to do anything with it since its trajectory wasn’t leading to him, and embedded into Zetsu’s shoulder.

Activating the Flying Thunder God, Akashi appeared behind Madara and slammed Zetsu into the ground. He grabbed the spear and pushed it through its chest and into the ground, sealing Zetsu’s movements for the time being.

“Naruto?!” Sakura called out, surprised at the sudden movement.

“That’s not Naruto!” Sasuke exclaimed, lightning blade already at hand. He appeared in front of Madara, thrusting the blade forward. It bounced off a Shadow Madara which blocked the hit.

Akashi, confirming that Zetsu couldn’t move, gave Naruto back his control, “What the hell?!” The blond exclaimed.

Never mind that! Get Madara, I have a plan!

Naruto listened to his brother and did his Shadow Clone Jutsu, summoning a clone for each of the Shadow Madara’s.

Listen, I think there is a possibility of me sealing him. I’ll need your Sage and Six Paths jutsu’s to help me. Akashi informed Naruto as the blond dodged under a hit.

Sasuke can help with that! Naruto added, jumping back and away from Madara.

“What is the meaning of this? Do you think incapacitating Zetsu will help you in any way possible?” Madara questioned, staring at them, “Because it won’t.”

They remained silent.

Naruto, tell this to Sasuke, will you? The blond replied with a nod of his head, before he quickly went back to Sasuke’s side.

“Sasuke, Akashi has a plan, listen.” He leaned closer to him and told him what Akashi said.

_

They all faced one another and stood still. Then, Sasuke disappeared from Naruto’s side and reappeared next to Madara, catching the man off guard and making him block the next hit. Using that opportunity, Akashi took control over Naruto once more and activated the Flying Thunder God, teleporting above Zetsu. Giving control back to Naruto, he willed his chains to appear.

They burst out of Naruto’s back and whipped towards Madara. Before the man could get away, the chains reached him and wrapped around his leg mid-jump. They pulled him back down and Naruto slammed his staff into him, knocking him into the ground. Then, Madara stood up as if nothing happened, “Is that all?” He tilted his head, taking a step forward.

“Not at all.” Naruto grinned, blood dripping onto the ground.

Confused, Madara trailed his eyes over the blond’s form, before he stopped at his bleeding hand, “Is that supposed to help you with something?” The man narrowed his eyes, taking a step forward.

But, he found himself unable to move.

“It is.” Sasuke added, standing off to the side.

Madara, once again confused, glanced down at his feet just to see glowing, crimson swirls, “This…” He mumbled out, eyes wide as he stood in place.

“You seem to have forgotten you were dealing with descendants of the Uzumaki clan.” Naruto said, stepping closer to him.

“This won’t hold me! No seal can hold me now!” Madara exclaimed, but it proved futile. He was stuck in place, body bound to that one spot above the seal.

“That’s not a regular seal, Madara,” Akashi spoke up after taking control of Naruto’s body, “That’s a blood seal, one meant to hold until my chakra practically runs out.”

That seemed kind of hilarious to him at the moment… Until his chakra runs out…

“Let’s get this over with.” Sasuke commented from the side, walking towards Madara.

Akashi closed his eyes and Naruto was given control, “Sasuke, let’s do this!” The two of them stood on each side of Madara, their marked hands reaching towards the man.

A thud resounded from behind them and they whipped their heads around just to see Black Zetsu racing towards them. There was a brief moment of silence as Zetsu sliced Obito by the arm and threw the kunai at the seal beneath Madara’s feet. It embedded and they could only watch as a drop of blood slid down it and onto the seal.

Immediately, something slammed into Naruto, throwing him away and into the ground, “Damn it!” The blond exclaimed as he sailed through the air, a grimace on his face.

“Naruto!” Susano’o’s hand appeared just in time to block Madara’s next hit.

Akashi took control again and used the Flying Thunder God to teleport himself to Sasuke. He willed his chain to life and gripped the blade tightly in his palm.

It was their last stand. If they were defeated there, that would be it.

The blade was lit up by Kurama’s chakra and Akashi slashed it at Madara. The blade slid through nothing but air. Sensing chakra behind himself, Akashi teleported away and to Sasuke’s side once more, barely missing a certain death blow. The ground cracked and shattered beneath their feet. Something grabbed Akashi by the arm and he was pulled up, into the air.

Susano’o had fully formed and was taking Akashi away.

“Sasuke! Naruto! Akashi!” Sakura called out, waving at them.

From the side of his eye, Akashi saw Madara following after them, an enraged expression twisting his features. If Madara were to get to where Sakura and Kakashi were, they would get hurt.

Most likely even killed.

Glancing up, Akashi was met with Sasuke’s mismatched eyes. Reaching his other hand up, blade long since discarded, Akashi gripped Sasuke by the wrist, before he pulled his arm out of the hold, descending onto the ascending Madara.

“Akashi!” Sasuke yelled after him, Susano’o changing its direction to race after him.

The said boy ignored him and took a deep breath. This was something he had never tried before, but… it was something worth trying.

Two chains burst out of his back as he bit into his thumb, drawing blood. As Madara neared him, Akashi reached for the chains, smearing blood all over them.

The previous silver changing into bloody crimson.

That was something which had to work.

“Madara!” He yelled and the chains whipped forward. Madara moved out of the way, one chain whizzing past his cheek as the other managed to wrap around his arm. Just before the two of them collided, Akashi pulled on the chain which was wrapped around Madara, subsequently moving Madara to the side and stopping him from doing a jutsu.

The passed each other and Akashi’s other chain reached back for Madara, this time managing to wrap around him. The two chains slithered around him, tightening with each passing second.

Madara was slammed into the ground as soon as Akashi’s feet touched it.

Summoning another chain, he broke it off and threw it at the oncoming Zetsu, making the thing freeze in place as the spear pierced through his leg. Its eyes trailed down and saw the blood dripping from the spear. It was keeping him bound in place.

A moment later, Sasuke appeared next to him, an dissatisfied expression on his face, but he stayed silent.

Akashi gave control back to Naruto.

“Akashi!” The blond exclaimed as he stared at the unmoving Madara.

Both Naruto and Sasuke jumped to where Madara was. The man was lying on his back, staring at the sky above himself, eyes wide open as he couldn’t move a muscle, “What did you do?” He asked, eyes shifting to Naruto’s form.

“We defeated you.” With that, Naruto bent down and placed his hand atop left Madara’s shoulder as Sasuke did the same with the other one.

“What did you do?!” Madara yelled, struggling against their hold. Multiple chains burst out of Naruto’s back and pierced through Madara’s chest, making the man gasp out.

“We’ll be taking these.” The chains briefly glowed, before they violently ripped out of Madara, pulling the Tailed Beasts out of him. One by one, they left his body. One by one, they weakened him.

And as all of them were out, Madara was no longer a Jinchuriki.

Instead, he was a dying man.

“Any last words?” Madara didn’t even have the strength to open up his eyes at that point.

His mouth twitched as it managed to open, “This world… would have been… a better place.” With those words as his last, he relaxed against their hold, no longer struggling.

His heart no longer beating.

“Naruto!” A rumbling voice echoed from behind them and the said boy turned around, the other half of Kurama staring down at him. The blond trailed his eyes over the other Tailed Beasts, lips curling up into a happy grin.

“Kurama! Everyone!” Naruto laughed, the chakra cloak around his body disappearing, leaving him in his dirtied clothes.

Naruto, I’d rather just get this over with… I want my body back. Akashi reminded him and Naruto froze. You… Don’t tell me… Did you seriously forget about that part?! Akashi yelled at him, causing him to cover his ears in an attempt to protect himself from his loud voice. I’m in your mind, you idiot! You can’t block me out!

“Okay! Okay!” Naruto answered, looking up at Kurama, “You… Uh, don’t mind being sealed back inside me, right?” He awkwardly asked and Kurama raised his brows at his question.

“I do, actually,” he answered, causing Naruto to freeze in place once again, “I’m joking!” The giant fox laughed at Naruto’s expression.

I’ll be doing it right now.

With that, chains reached towards Kurama and wrapped around him.

_

Akashi was met with sudden darkness. Realising his eyes were closed, he slowly opened them, blinking to get used to the light which assaulted his senses.

He was met with the dimly lit sky above, “Akashi?” He heard someone say his name. Sitting up, Akashi was met with no one other than Minato, “Akashi?” The man repeated, blue eyes staring at him.

“Yeah?” Akashi croaked, feeling like he had swallowed sand.

“Akashi!” Naruto’s voice rang out, before something slammed into him and forced him back onto the ground, “Akashi!” Naruto’s arms tightened around him, almost knocking the breath out of him.

“Get off!” Akashi struggled to move away, but Naruto wouldn’t budge.

“Naruto, let go of him.” The blond pouted and looked ahead of himself, staring at the raven-haired boy.

“No! You just want him all for yourself!” He blurted out, not moving an inch, “I’m not moving!” But, it did not go his way. Hands clamped over his shoulders and he was pulled back.

“Naruto!” For the second time in his life, Akashi was thankful to Sakura. The girl pulled the blond away, ignoring his struggles as he tried to reach his arms towards Akashi again.

The redhead sighed and got to his feet, slightly stumbling, but managing to regain his footing.

“Uzumaki Akashi.” A familiar voice echoed his name.

The said boy turned to look in the direction from which it came from and was met with an old man, “Hagoromo… Did you come to see what… my decision ended up being?” He asked the man.

“You’ve chosen to save the world instead of destroying it… Something which I did not expect.” Narrowing his eyes, Akashi glared at him.

Didn’t expect? “You… didn’t expect this? What? Did you think I would choose to destroy it?”

Confused, Minato stepped closer, “Save? Destroy? Akashi, what is he talking about?” The blond questioned.

“Nothing which matters now,” Akashi glanced at the old man, “Either way, I’ve made my decision,” he shook his head, staring off into the sky, before he remembered something, “What happened to Obito?” He asked, trailing his eyes around himself, before he was met with what he was looking for. Obito was lying on the ground, Kakashi kneeling next to him.

Obito wasn’t moving.

“Your chains ruptured a vital organ and we didn’t get to him in time… Black Zetsu was found dead next to him. I think Kurama’s chakra was lethal to it.” Minato answered his question, looking at his deceased former student.

Hagoromo was quiet for a few moments, before he spoke up again, “Now that all of this is over with, I will be releasing the jutsu and freeing the ones under the Reanimation.”

Which meant…

Hearing that, Naruto jumped to where Minato was, stopping in front of the man, “Dad…”

“Oh, that’s right. I’ve been meaning to tell you two…” Minato glanced between Akashi and Naruto, lips curling up into a small smile. Naruto’s eyes widened as realisation flooded through Akashi. The sky above them slowly lit up and the sun’s rays covered everything around them, lighting up Minato’s features, “Happy Birthday! You two have grown up… Became splendid young men…” Minato trailed off, voice thick with emotion.

Akashi slowly stepped closer and stopped next to Naruto, “Yeah… Thank you.” Naruto replied, but Akashi stayed silent.

“We’re an existence outside of the rules. We can’t remain in this world forever,” Minato said, “It’s time to say good-bye.” Naruto’s shoulders slouched and he slowly nodded, sorrow etched clear onto his features.

“Minato… Dad?” Akashi spoke up, staring straight into the man’s ocean-blue eyes, “Since this will be the last time we see each other, I’ve just got one thing to say to you,” he stopped for a few moments, gritting his teeth together, “I’m sorry for everything I’ve said to you… You tried your best and I brushed it all off.” He looked away.

“There’s no need for you to apologise, what you’d said was the truth… I had made a mistake and you had to bear the consequences of it… Both you and Naruto,” the man said, eyes glistening as he looked at the two of them, “I regret quite a few things I’ve done in the past… I also regret you’ll never get to meet him.”

“Him? Who’s him?” Akashi immediately asked.

Minato’s form lit up, his soul starting to leave the body, “You’ll find out one day… If I started talking about him, our time would run out.” Minato lowered his head, struggling against the jutsu being deactivated.

“Dad…! Tell mom that I’m sorry! Tell her I’ll miss her! Tell her I-!” His throat constricted and the words wouldn’t come out.

“I’ll tell Kushina everything.” He promised as his skin started to peel off.

Fingers intertwined with Akashi’s own and he glanced down to find that Naruto had taken his hand in his own, holding it tightly, “Tell her not to worry. I’m eating properly! I’m not picky and eat lots of different stuff!” He started naming different kinds of ramen and Akashi couldn’t help but let out a laugh that sounded more like a sob, “I try to bathe every day! I go to the Konoha Springs once in a while too! Although everyone just says I only take quick dips! What else, what else?” He trailed off.

“Naruto…” Akashi mumbled out, but the blond didn’t hear him.

“I’ve made lots of friends! And they’re all good guys! I was really awful at school, but I never got depressed since Akashi was by my side! I always listened to Lord Third and Kakashi! I respect them both! Akashi is here, you can ask him!” The said boy gripped Naruto’s hand in his own, “Oh! And those Three Prohibitions of Shinobi? I learned a lot about that when I was with Pervy Sage! He was hopeless when it came to them thought… but he was an awesome Sannin and I respect him the most! We just turned seventeen today, so I don’t know much about alcohol or girls, I think Akashi has more experience than I do…” Naruto choked out a laugh.

“Akashi, huh?” Minato glanced at the redhead, fondly tilting his head to the side, “Is it…?” He asked and looked over the boy’s shoulder. The only thing he received was a slight nod in return, “I see… As long as he treats you right, there are no complaints from me.”

“Dad? We tried out best… We did everything we could… I don’t know if everything turned out as great as it could, but we tried.” Akashi lowered his head, hiding his expression from view.

“I know.” Minato’s physical body broke and his soul slowly ascended into the sky.

“I will become an even greater Hokage than you, dad! So, when you see mom over there, tell her she doesn’t need to worry about me! She doesn’t need to worry about Akashi!” Naruto didn’t even try to hide his tears like Akashi did, “Tell her we’re doing our best!” He yelled out.

“Got it… I’ll make sure to tell her everything.” Minato’s words resounded as his soul disappeared.

Naruto’s shoulders shook as sobs racked his body.

Akashi patiently waited for him to calm down, trying to calm himself down in the process. It didn’t take long for his brother’s sobs to subside and when he was done, Akashi pulled his hand away, stepping in front of him and facing him, “Naruto? It’s over… Everything is over.” He gave the little comfort he could…

He wasn’t comfortable with anything else… Not after all those thoughts which ran through his head.

“Now… All that’s left to do is to undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi.” Hagoromo spoke up, snapping Akashi back to reality. That’s right… The Genjutsu was still active.

“How will that be done?” Akashi glanced at the old man.

“Since Naruto has the chakra of all the Tailed Beasts inside himself and Sasuke possesses the Rinnegan, the only thing they need to do is simultaneously weave the sign for ‘rat’. That way, the jutsu will be undone.”

That sounded awfully easy to do…

“Now, the rest is up to you, Sasuke.” Hagoromo looked at the quiet boy.

For a brief moment, Akashi didn’t sense anything from the boy, it was as if he turned everything off. Then, Sasuke raised his head and their eyes met. All kinds of emotions flowed into Akashi and he was almost overwhelmed. Stepping away from Naruto, Akashi made his way towards the raven-haired boy. They faced one another, neither of them saying a word.

This was the deciding point.

One which would either merge their paths together or make them walk different ones… Just like those four years ago.

Then, ever-so-slightly, Sasuke’s hand was raised. Footsteps resounded from behind Akashi and he didn’t need to turn around to see who it was. Naruto stopped next to him, hand mirroring Sasuke’s own.

With the hand-signs in tow, they deactivated the jutsu.

The ground rumbled as the tree’s branches fell down, almost immediately drying up. The cocoons opened up, revealing the trapped ninjas inside.

Sensing the arrival of the person he had expected to see, Akashi turned in that direction. Tsunade, on Gaara’s sand, was heading their way. As soon as the sand was near the ground, the woman jumped down and walked up to the redhead.

“Akashi,” she said his name, “It would be an understatement to say I wasn’t surprised when I saw you joined the war… And to see you on our side,” he remained silent, just looking at her, “Uchiha Sasuke,” she glanced next to him, “The two of you may have helped win this war, but it still doesn’t pardon you.”

“Granny-” Naruto was interrupted when Tsunade raised her hand.

“Enough. For now, we need to get everyone back to Konoha and… honour the ones whose lives were lost. After that, we’ll settle the matter.” With that, Tsunade turned around and left along with Gaara, going towards the ninjas who were released from their cocoons.

Akashi stood still, her words resounding inside his mind.

He and Sasuke were criminals… That wasn’t forgotten.

Little one, I’m glad I’m back inside you… Your brother’s mind was a hectic one.

Kurama… It’s nice being back to how things were before, eh?

Sure is. Akashi could practically feel Kurama grinning.

“Akashi,” the said boy turned to the side and was met with Sasuke, “I… After we get back to Konoha, we need to talk.” He sounded serious and Akashi found himself agreeing with him.

“We do.”