The so-called Three Great Holy Lands are not worlds that exist beyond the Ninja Realm. They are actually located in specific corners of the Ninja World, though their locations are difficult for ordinary people to find.
Each Holy Land has its unique ecosystem and inhabitants: Mount Myoboku is home to toads, the Shikkotsu Forest to slugs, and Ryuchi Cave to snakes. Among them, Mount Myoboku is the most secretive. While the other regions have been discovered by people to some extent, Mount Myoboku remains almost impossible to find unless one is chosen by the toads.
Now, Naruto had vaguely sensed the location of Mount Myoboku. It was far, but still within the range of his Flying Thunder God Technique.
Naruto chose not to teleport directly to Mount Myoboku, as there was still some cleanup to do at the scene.
He turned his gaze to Kakashi, who hadn't left yet.
Naruto appeared in front of Kakashi and Ao, his eyes filled with amusement. "One-Eyed Uncle, long time no see."
Kakashi's single eye turned into a dead-fish stare. "Yeah, it's been a while, Naruto."
Ao, who happened to have a functioning eye to complement Kakashi's, looked shocked. He hadn't expected Kakashi to be an old acquaintance of Naruto's.
'And those Uchiha… they were probably all Missing-nin from Konoha. It just goes to show how strong Konoha is, that even their Missing-nin are on a different level compared to those from other villages.'
"You're quite self-aware, aren't you?"
Naruto's tone carried a hint of teasing. Even if the two had chosen to run, it would have only been a minor inconvenience for him. Still, their cooperative attitude was somewhat satisfying.
After all, a Mangekyo Sharingan and a detachable Byakugan had practically delivered themselves to him. He wasn't about to let such opportunities slip away.
Kakashi couldn't help but roll his eye. "What are you planning to do with me?"
Even in this situation, Kakashi remained calm. For him, life and death had long ceased to matter. In a way, the Ninja known as Hatake Kakashi had died years ago. What remained was merely a tool, existing only to complete missions.
Besides, even if he were to die here, he probably wouldn't even be able to touch Naruto's clothes. And now, he would never get to see the next installment of Icha-Icha Paradise. The future suddenly seemed bleak.
Dying on a mission was the best ending he could hope for.
Ao, on the other hand, was too scared to even breathe. If Kakashi hadn't dragged him away earlier, he would have been killed by the shockwaves of Naruto's battle.
Naruto just smiled and said, "Kakashi, your skills are decent. How about becoming a teacher in the Land of Waves?"
Naruto had no intention of killing Kakashi. Because unlike Jiraiya, Kakashi was like a walking corpse, devoid of purpose or belief. All he needed was a new purpose.
Kakashi remained silent, not answering the question. He was a Ninja of Konoha. He could accept his death, but he wouldn't betray his village just to survive.
If he betrayed Konoha, he would also be betraying his teacher and Obito, who had sacrificed his life to save him?
Naruto didn't press further. He simply smiled at Kakashi.
The next moment, with a bang, a cloud of white smoke erupted around Naruto. A figure appeared beside him.
After seeing this figure, Kakashi's eye immediately, and his expression froze as if he had seen a ghost. Which, in a way, he had, as Minato was as good as a ghost now.
"Min... Minato-sensei!"
Kakashi's voice trembled, filled with disbelief. He never expected to see his long-dead teacher here.
A mix of emotions surged within Kakashi… nostalgia, respect, confusion, and doubt.
"Long time no see, Kakashi."
Minato's expression was equally complicated. He hadn't wanted to interfere, but Naruto had dragged him out.
The atmosphere grew heavy with silence.
"Kakashi, this is just a Chakra I left before my death. My true self is already gone."
Minato finally broke the silence with a smile.
Hearing this, Kakashi's gaze grew distant. He finally understood how Naruto had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, because Minato had been inside him all along.
'If so, I'm afraid that Naruto's experience in Konoha over the years was seen by sensei, that's why whether Naruto destroyed Konoha or killed Jiraiya-sama, he didn't come out to stop him.'
'Even Minato-sensei had lost faith in the village.'
Kakashi thought about his own actions over the years. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out. After a long pause, he finally managed to utter three simple words.
"I am sorry."
Minato's eyes dimmed slightly. He knew what Kakashi was apologizing for, but he simply shook his head with a smile. He had no right to forgive on Naruto's behalf, and Naruto himself seemed indifferent to the past now.
"Naruto-sama!"
At that moment, Inabi and the other Uchiha, along with Natsu, approached. They were carrying Chojuro and the Hiramekarei. Their eyes were filled with fervent admiration, and even Natsu's gaze was full of respect, with no trace of her earlier resentment.
After witnessing the sheer power Naruto had displayed, they all felt that even the legendary God of Ninja couldn't have been more impressive. They hadn't seen the original God of Ninja, but they were fortunate enough to witness Naruto's might.
Naruto waved at them, then turned to Kakashi and Ao, sealing their Chakra to prevent them from using ninjutsu.
"Okay, I'll leave the cleanup to you."
"Once Izumi finishes dealing with Mei, you can all head back together. Just in case anything unexpected happens."
"Understood!" Inabi and the other Uchiha, as well as Natsu and Minato, nodded in unison.
"Lastly, Kakashi, I need to borrow something from you." Naruto smiled at Kakashi, who was being supported by Minato to keep from falling into the water.
"What?" Kakashi looked at Naruto in confusion, unsure what he had that Naruto could possibly want.
"Your eye!"
Naruto swiftly removed the eye beneath Kakashi's forehead protector.
He grasped it and, in an instant, absorbed its power.
In the distance, a venus flytrap-like figure submerged into the sea after witnessing this.
"Damn it!"