CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 249

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[Marvel: I Come From Dragon Ball]

For a moment, silence hung heavy.

After fighting for so long, they suddenly realized — these weren’t the true bodies of the Akatsuki at all, but merely borrowed vessels used for combat. It felt like they had been mocked.

Sasuke, in the midst of battle, discovered this truth and instantly erupted in fury.

"Itachi! What the hell is going on?! Don’t tell me... you’re not even the real one either!"

Itachi’s tone was calm, indifferent.

"Shōten no Jutsu (Shapeshifting Technique). Chakra transferred into a sacrifice body can create a clone-like form. Not full power... but not weak, either. My foolish little brother... you’re still as blind as ever. Only now you realize I am not truly here? Your growth is... disappointingly small."

"Damn it! Bastard!"

Rage boiled in Sasuke’s chest. Tailed Beast chakra instinctively surged into his blade.

Itachi’s eyes widened slightly. "You... how...?"

He never imagined his beloved brother could wield Bijū chakra. Even without confirmation, he guessed it — Sasuke had become a Jinchūriki.

This was terrible.

A Jinchūriki Sasuke would be hunted by Akatsuki, captured, the beast extracted — leading to his death. That was something the older brother in him could not bear to see.

But at that moment of distraction, Sasuke struck.

"Chidori Eisō (Chidori Sharp Spear)!"

Lightning surged, piercing Itachi’s heart clean through.

Itachi stared deeply at Sasuke one last time. His eyes closed, body dissolving, transforming at last into the form of a Sunagakure shinobi.

"Damn it!"

Sasuke let the Bijū chakra fade, his face dark with frustration.

He had thought at last his vengeance had come... but once again, Itachi’s true self had not appeared.

Still, he forced himself calm. If Itachi knew he was a Jinchūriki, he would come again. There would be more chances for revenge.

Kakashi’s expression was grim. Sasuke hiding such a massive secret... he couldn’t tell if it was a blessing or a curse.

Naruto stammered in shock. "S-S-Sasuke... y-you... you can use that power too?!"

Sasuke shot him a glance, offering no explanation. Instead, his eyes shifted toward the final battlefield.

Sasori had begun his ultimate move.

Controlling the Third Kazekage puppet, he unleashed the full might of Jiton (Magnet Release). Iron Sand blossomed outward, expanding rapidly in a deadly storm.

Guy had no choice but to open the Hachimon (Eight Gates), pushing straight to the sixth gate, Keimon (View Gate). Flames erupted from his fists as he punched, blasting a massive opening through the expanding Iron Sand.

Neji seized the chance, darting through the gap. His twin palms slashed the chakra threads, severing control. The puppet collapsed instantly.

With one more strike, Neji shattered its chest cavity, tearing out the puppet’s core — its heart container.

He had meant to destroy it, but an idea flashed through his mind. Instead, he gripped it tight.

Meanwhile, Chiyo saw her comrades succeeding. She too burst forward, driving her male and female puppets into Sasori. Together, their twin blades pierced his chest — the very core that powered him.

Yet Sasori smiled.

He raised his hands, placing them gently upon his parent puppets’ arms, his eyes softening as he looked at Chiyo one last time. Slowly, he closed his eyes.

Like a child embraced by his parents, Sasori died with a peaceful smile.

"...Sasori..."

Tears filled Chiyo’s eyes. She sank to the ground, unable to move for a long while.

Everyone watched quietly.

Even without knowing the full history, they could see — for all his madness, Sasori had loved his parents deeply. And in death, embraced by their puppets, he looked once more like a child.

Time passed before Chiyo finally stirred. She gathered the bodies of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. After some hesitation, she also retrieved the corpse of the Third Kazekage puppet.

She would bring them back to Sunagakure for burial.

Neji walked to Tenten, handing her the puppet’s core.

"I’ve always received Natsuki’s help, yet given nothing back. I know you’re the one most important to him. Maybe this will be useful to you — so take it."

"Thank you."

Tenten accepted without hesitation. Truthfully, she was very interested. Even though the Third Kazekage was long dead, his puppet could still wield Magnet Release. If she could unravel that mystery, she too could wield such power, adding new tools to her arsenal.

With the Six Paths weapons not always available to her, the more options she had, the stronger she’d become.

She also recalled Sasori’s flamethrower mechanism. She had glimpsed it earlier — a compressed system on his back. Gasoline and water stored in miniature tanks, then expelled as high-pressure flamethrowers or water cannons, rivaling Katon and Suiton in strength.

"Mm... another technique learned. Truly, Sasori was a genius of puppetry."

Naruto, meanwhile, walked over to Gaara. Though still unconscious, Gaara’s breathing was steady. Relief filled Naruto’s chest, but also disappointment.

"Gaara... once again, I feel like I couldn’t help much. Even though I trained so hard... maybe my ’effort’ wasn’t nearly enough. I still have to grow stronger."

Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder silently.

In truth, Naruto had done little this time. But compared to his past self, it was already a great improvement. And he couldn’t recklessly rely on the Kyūbi’s power — that was too dangerous. His performance was lacking, but he couldn’t be blamed.

"Alright. The mission’s a success. Let’s return to Sunagakure."

Kakashi’s gaze flicked toward Tenten.

She nodded, summoning two giant eagles, Batora. Everyone climbed aboard, and before they left, she wrote a note to send to Natsuki, letting him know they were safe.

Back in Konoha, inside Yakiniku Q...

Fū was happily devouring barbecue, loudly praising every bite, looking cheerful and carefree.

Natsuki, assigned to guard the Seven-Tails’ Jinchūriki, could only follow along. Honestly, he wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep.

After Shigeki’s meeting with Tsunade, Natsuki had escorted him back to Takigakure. Before leaving, Shigeki had stuffed him with a pile of money, insisting it was for Fū’s expenses while in Konoha.

Now, Natsuki had been given guard duty. So he simply brought Fū to Yakiniku Q for a meal.

He understood Tsunade’s worries. Whether or not Akatsuki came, the threats within the village itself were enough to concern her.

If Danzo suddenly snapped and made a move on Fū?

Don’t doubt it. That possibility was all too real.

(End of Chapter)

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