745This is it. The very last chapter. This chapter has had, by far, the most editing and rewrites I've ever done…EVER. It was crucial to me that everything worked and fit perfectly.
It was also the most difficult chapter I've ever written. Wrapping it up was challenging, knowing that this story has been with me since 2011. I think was 21 when I started writing it, and back then, I had different ideas about how it would go.
Finishing the story was bittersweet. I felt happy, finally wrapping up this story, but also a bit sad.
Before I move on to the reviewers, I want to give you a quick heads-up. After this chapter, there will be an author's note where I'll happily answer any lingering questions you might have. Feel free to address them there. The note will also explain the slower updates over the past year.
I realize this chapter may resonate differently with everyone who reads it, and that's okay. To me, it embodies the very essence of what this story has always been about.
I also want to thank everyone who took the time to add this story to their alerts and favorites. To all the silent readers, your quiet support has never gone unnoticed. I truly appreciate it!
Onto the reviewers:
36Barry72: Not yet! Thank you for the review, I hope you'll enjoy the finale!
Geo Soul: god your review made me laugh. I have done my fair share of cliffhangers throughout this story, but this one had to be the worst. I'm sorry! I promise there aren't any cliffhangers after this ;) have fun with the last chapter!
Estrellajuana291: Here's to hoping that you've reached this chapter! Thanks for your lovely review!
Guest (Jake): congrats man! A lot of hoops you have to go through, but its so worth it man. I hope you've settled in by now. A very late merry Christmas to you too and here's to a great 2025!
Thank you for your continued support hopefully I'll see you around in the future stories I have planned! Enjoy the last chapter!
Chapter 68: Depths of Things Never Known
Micheru Sun's world shattered in an instant. When she started her journey to the dreaded forest, she clung to a fragile hope, a stubborn belief that somehow Naruto could come back, that she'd see him again.
Her breath caught, and she stumbled back. "No…" The word escaped as a whisper. She shook her head slowly at first, then harder, as if the motion would undo what had been said. "That can't be the way."
"I know," Kami said softly. His voice was steady, full of empathy, but did little to help her broken heart. "It's not the way you're hoping for."
Tears blurred her vision as they spilled freely. "It's not fair," she murmured, her voice trembling and thick with emotion.
"No…It's not." Kami rested his hand on her shoulder. "But it's the only way, to undo all the suffering the Shinigami has caused."
Her legs gave out and she crumpled to the ground, the cold earth beneath her knees did little as her world slipped from her grasp. Tears soaked the front of her hunter's outfit as she clutched the fabric tightly, her sobs wracking her frame. She felt impossibly small, like a child again, wishing someone would tell her everything would be okay.
The decision before her felt impossible. And yet, in her heart, she knew it wasn't a choice at all.
Through her tears, she forced herself to look up at Kami. Her voice cracked as she spoke, trembling with despair. "So, it comes down to this," she said unevenly. "Either I leave this world broken, scarred, with millions of lives lost… and we carry that pain forever…" Her hands trembled as she gripped her knees, her tears flowing even faster. "Or you bring back everyone who died… erase all that pain. But with it, every memory. Like…" She choked, unable to finish.
Kami crouched in front of her, his movements slow and calm. His expression softened. "Like it never existed," he said quietly. "I wouldn't be erasing memories, Micheru. I would be removing the Shinigami's influence, restoring the world to its natural course."
Micheru fought to pull herself together, to find strength, but it was no use. The enormity of what he was asking crushed her. "It's not just Naruto I would lose," she whispered, her voice trembling as fresh tears streaked her face. "It would be everyone."
Her mind filled with images of Naruto, the way he had always made her feel stronger than she thought she was, to make her feel like she mattered. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as she covered her face with her hands and collapsed forward. "I-I-I can't do this."
Kami remained silent, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as she poured out her grief. When her sobs finally subsided, her voice was hoarse. "Not even a memory?"
Kami shook his head. "I'm sorry."
Micheru's body trembled as she pulled herself away from him, slowly climbing to her feet. Her tears clouded everything around her, her vision unfocused as anger flared alongside her despair. "Kenpachi took everything from me," she whispered, her voice shaking. "And now, I can't even have…a….m-memory."
Her hands clenched into fists. "Naruto was everything to me. And now you're telling me to forget him? To forget all of them?" Her chest tightened as she drew in a sharp breath. "Itachi, Hawke, Rome, Raipa… They were my friends. My family. You're telling me to let them go, like they never existed? Like none of it mattered?"
"Please," she whispered, her voice breaking while her legs trembled. "Don't make me choose." She tilted forward, her body hitting the ground with a jarring thud. She lay there unmoving as her sobs overtook her
The Gardener stood above her, his gaze filled with deep empathy. "I can't imagine what you're going through, Micheru," he said softly. "And you have every right to hate me for this. I truly wish I could do more, but I cannot." He paused, taking a slow breath.
"You have a choice to make. You can leave the world as it is, carrying the memories of those you've lost, even if they bring you pain. You will keep everything that's happened…Every bond, every sacrifice, alive in your heart. But the pain of it will remain, not just for you, but for everyone who survived. The scars of this war will endure, and the lives that were lost will never return."
He hesitated briefly before continuing, his voice softer now. "Or you can decide to undo it all. You'll return home to Mirarca, to your mother, father, and sister, waiting for you with open arms. Everyone who suffered because of this war, your family, your friends, the innocent lives torn apart, will be freed from the pain they endured.
"But by doing so, those who walked beside you on this journey of war and death will be erased. Naruto, and the bonds you had with him and others, will fade as though they were never there. The pain you've endured will disappear, but so will every moment that gave it meaning."
Micheru's voice was barely a whisper, the dirt hitting her lips. "This is an impossible choice."
The 'Gardener' nodded. He looked at her for a long moment, but said nothing.
Her voice quivered. "If I stay here… leave everything as it is, and I die… would I see him again? My dad? My sister… everyone?"
Kami met her gaze, his voice steady as he answered. "The time for goodbyes, for letting go, is now, Micheru."
She closed her eyes tightly, his words crushing her. "I don't want to." Her voice cracked, her denial slipping out.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly pushed herself to her feet. Her body felt unbearably heavy , and her tears continued to fall, but she wiped them away with trembling hands. She looked toward the ruins, her vision blurred as she made out Itachi's still form. He had become one of her closest friends, someone she had come to trust and even call family.
Her thoughts wandered to Rome and Raipa. She remembered their laughter, the strength they had shown in their darkest moments, how they had helped her become a capable fighter. Then her mind turned to Mirarca, where she had first met Hawke before they fled the war-torn land. She could still hear his voice, the way he guided her when she was unsure if all of it even mattered.
Her mind shifted to the Drowned Man Inn, where they had spent so much time together. There, she met Hitoshi and his brother Kia, along with Naruto. It was also where Uesari and Robatsu had become part of their group. She could practically still hear their laughter.
A smile touched her lips at the recollections, but it faltered, quivering with the knowledge that she was about to lose them all.
"I've made my choice." Never felt she so uncertain, so defeated in a choice she was forced to make.
"I know you have. You made it the moment I told you."
Micheru looked down, her voice low. "But I feel like this isn't my choice to make. That it would have to be everyone's choice."
Kami nodded thoughtfully. "Some choices are a test of the heart, Micheru, the kind that takes everything, that leaves you hollow, yet spares those you love from ever knowing its cost."
She didn't respond immediately. Her eyes shifted past him, focusing on the edge of the forest. She stared at the dark shapes of the trees for a moment before speaking again. "I really don't want to do this."
Kami stepped closer, holding the medallion in his hand. "Naruto was right, you know."
She looked back at him, confused. "About what?"
He held her gaze. "Micheru… she's a kind soul. The very definition of a pure heart." His words mirrored what Naruto had once said to Itachi..
Micheru gave a small, bitter smile. "If only that were true…" She reached into her pocket and grabbed a folded envelope, opening it carefully. Inside were the pictures taken during the war, something she had been reaching for often in the past few days. "You have no idea how close I was…"
The first photo slipped into her hand, and Micheru's breath hitched. It was the Drowned Man Inn, crowded and warm, the scene frozen in time. She recognized every face around the table. Rome's warm smile, Hawke's wide grin and Uesari's laughter as he clutched a drink in his hand. At the end of the table, she could see Hitoshi, Kia, and Robatsu waving cheerfully at the one taking the picture.
She remembered the night clearly. It had been years before the Reavers came, a moment before the war. Laughter had filled the inn, with Hawke at the center of it all, cracking jokes so ridiculous that even Uesari struggled to catch his breath between laughs.
She moved to the second picture. It was taken during Naruto's long-term assignment, infiltrating the Reavers. In the photo, she stood with Ino, Hinata, Sakura, and Tenten, the Konoha market bustling in the background.
Ino had invited her out, saying she needed to get a feel of Konoha. They had wandered through the stalls, sampling snacks and pointing out trinkets, when they ran into Sakura, Tenten, and Hinata near the food stands. The group had fallen into an easy rhythm, walking together as they explored the market.
In the photo, Ino stood beside her, holding up a small trinket she had just haggled for, grinning like she had won a great battle. Tenten was next to her, biting into a skewer of dango, while Sakura gestured toward a vendor behind them. Hinata lingered at the edge of the group, her hands folded neatly in front of her, offering a quiet, warm smile.
She held the photo a moment longer before setting it aside. Only two remained.
The third photo was one she recognized immediately. It was the same picture Naruto had kept on his desk, taken during their battle at Sunagakure. She studied each face in turn: Kisame, Kakashi, Itachi, Raipa, Naruto, Kitase, and herself. Their faces were marked by exhaustion. Despite it all, there was a sense of camaraderie in the way they stood together.
Micheru's lips started to quiver as the memory surfaced, the momentary relief they had shared during the chaos. She could almost hear their voices, the banter playing clearly in her mind. Her thumb ran along the edge of the photo as her vision blurred before she placed it aside and reached for the final one.
The Gardener regarded her, his expression calm yet heavy with understanding. "When you're ready."
Micheru glanced around one last time, taking in the dark shadows and broken ruins surrounding them. She never imagined, when they had left Konoha, that it would end like this. Swallowing hard, she whispered, "This is for everyone we lost along the way." The words lingered, a distant echo of what Naruto had said during their last battle.
Her hand moved slowly toward the medallion, brushing against its surface before stopping. Her gaze dropped to the last picture she held. It was of her and Naruto. They stood close, his arm draped around her shoulder while hers rested around his waist. She was smiling up at him, and he was looking at her with an expression that said everything.
They hadn't said the words back then, but they didn't need to. It was there in the way he held her, the way they looked at each other. They hadn't realized it yet, but it had been clear how they felt for one another.
'I'm glad you're here with me, Micheru-chan.'
'If I had the chance to go back in time, and do it all over again, knowing where I'd end up… I would.'
Kami's voice faded into the background as Micheru sank to her knees, clutching the picture tightly. An anguished cry broke from her lips, as tears fell onto the picture. The image blurred, but her eyes never left it, clinging desperately to that moment.
She couldn't look away, even as the photograph began to shift in her hands. Naruto's face softened, the details fading little by little. She blinked, her breath hitching as she desperately tried to hold onto the image. Colors bled together and changed, just as it was slipping from her memory, piece by piece.
Her chest tightened, her heartbeat quickening. She tried desperately to recall everything about him. She thought of their first mission in Konoha, the way he smirked just before she threw the chopsticks that hit his face. She thought of them lying on the walls of Suna, staring at the stars and saying nothing at all, or how, at the New Year's festival, he had pushed through the crowd to reach her as the countdown ended, wrapping her in his arms. She could still feel her hands cupping his face as she kissed him, a moment that had said more than words ever could.
The sunlight warmed her face, while a light breeze carried the faint scent of salt. Grass brushed against the back of her hand, cool and damp from the morning air. The steady sound of waves reached her from below, broken only by the occasional cry of a seagull. Everything around her felt still, quiet, and real.
"Michi? Are you okay?" Susie's voice was soft beside her.
Micheru didn't look up, her eyes fixed on the photo in her hands. "I'm fine, Susie. why?"
"You're crying."
She lifted a hand, letting go of the picture, her fingers brushing against the wetness on her cheek. Slowly, she looked up, only now realizing the sharp ache in her chest. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was there, a sadness she couldn't quite place.
Micheru glanced at the photo as she stood up, her thumb brushing its bent edges. The sunlight caught the glossy surface, making the picture harder to see. She blinked, the ache in her chest deepening. "I don't really know…" she murmured, her voice barely audible. Her gaze drifted back to the photo. "I feel… like I really miss someone? I just don't really know who or why."
Her fingers tightened around the photo she had been holding. It was of her dad, laughing as he dramatically pointed at her mom's bathing suit, while her mom scolded him, clearly annoyed. In the corner, Susie's face beamed with laughter, her eyes squinting against the bright sun. The picture showed a perfect day at the beach.
"Micheru! Susie! Lunch is ready!" Their mother's voice called out from behind them, cheerful and warm. Micheru blinked and turned, seeing her mom waving at them from the house.
Susie tilted her head slightly, studying her sister for a moment. "Come on, Micheru. It's your birthday." Her smile returned as she looped her arm through Micheru's, her touch warm and gentle. "Everyone's coming over. Let's go before Mom calls us again."
"Right… my birthday," Micheru murmured, glancing down at the picture again. She hesitated, her grip tightening slightly. "Do you see anything wrong with this?" she asked, holding the photo out for her sister to see.
Susie frowned briefly, then shook her head. "That's the photo you made on the beach, years ago, remember? Are you sure you're okay?" She crouched beside her, brushing a stray blade of grass from Micheru's shoulder. Her gaze lingered on the photo, as if trying to see what Micheru saw.
Micheru didn't answer. The ache in her chest deepened, like it was pulling her down. Her thoughts felt tangled, and for a moment, she only stared at the photo.
Susie squeezed her arm gently, her voice shifting to a playful tone. "You'll feel better once the party starts. "Everyone's coming over. Niko, Lianna, Zara, Jade, and Kai. I bet Kai's going to ask you out tonight; he's been waiting for your birthday, you know."
Micheru studied her sister's face. Susie's bright smile had always made things seem simpler, lighter, but now it felt strange, almost distant. "Kai? No…" Micheru hesitated, shaking her head. "I don't… think that's what I want."
Susie's eyebrows rose, her smile widening. "Oh? So there's someone else?"
Micheru looked away, her eyes once more drifted back to the photo in her hand. She let out a shaky breath. "I don't know," she murmured. "I just… I feel… I don't know."
Her voice trailed off as she slowly pulled her arm free from Susie's grasp. Lowering herself onto the grass, she let her fingers brush through it absently as she sat down, the pain in her chest refusing to leave.
"Can't we just… cancel the party?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't really feel like it."
Susie's smile faded, her concern deepening. "Michi, you're starting to worry me. Are you sure you're okay?"
Micheru didn't answer right away. Instead, she glanced over her shoulder at the house she grew up in. She saw her mother scolding her father about something silly, children running through the yard. It was a familiar and wonderful sight, yet it gave her no comfort now. A weight settled in her chest, pressing down with each breath, though she couldn't explain why.
"No," she finally said, her voice quiet and strained with emotion. "Not re-" She faltered, the words catching in her throat.
Susie studied her carefully, worry etched across her face. "I'm…I'm going to get mom, okay? Just wait here." Susie planted a kiss on the top of her sister's head before hurrying back towards the house.
Micheru turned her eyes to the ocean, the waves rolling endlessly before her. Her voice was quiet, as if meant for no one at all. "No… I'm not okay."
The voice of her sister, the laughter from the house- it all felt distant as one last tear slid down her face. She continued to watch the horizon. Maybe tomorrow would be different. Maybe, somehow, tomorrow she'd feel better.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, hitting Naruto's face in flickering flashes as they walked through the dense forest. "Why do we have to go this way?"
"Because I have a contact to meet," Jiraiya replied, without looking back. "Besides, you've been holed up in Yuki no Kuni for too long."
Naruto nodded, his thoughts drifting as they walked. The quiet of the forest had become something he was used to over the years. He didn't mind the silence, it gave him time to think and let his mind wander.
"You've changed quite a bit over the years, brat," Jiraiya said, his voice light. "Usually, you can't stay quiet for longer than a minute."
Naruto gave him a sideways glance. "It's been ten years…Did you really expect me to stay the same?"
Jiraiya chuckled, clapping him on the back. "Good point."
"Where did you say we were going, again?" Naruto asked, steering the conversation in a new direction.
"The Drowned Mann Inn."
"The Drowned Man Inn..." Naruto let the name roll off his tongue. It felt faintly familiar, but he couldn't place it. "I doubt I've ever been there before."
They reached the village of Tova shortly after, walking through the gates. Naruto let his eyes roam the surroundings, taking in the busy streets and bustling stalls. His gaze settled on a group of children playing by one of the vendors, their laughter ringing out across the square.
Jiraiya noticed and spoke up. "Do you ever miss Konoha?"
Naruto slowly tore his gaze away from the kids and looked at Jiraiya. "I did at one point…Honestly. But I moved on. There isn't a place for me back there."
"You know things have changed. Tsunade kicked the old farts from the council. You're no longer a missing-nin...You could go back."
Naruto shook his head. "It's far too late for that now."
Jiraiya's eyes remained on him, a quietness hanging between them. "Sarutobi-sensei would-"
"I know what he wants," Naruto interrupted, his voice sharper than intended. "It's not happening, Jiraiya."
"Fine…fine!" Jiraiya muttered, returning his gaze to the main road they were walking on. "You know, he's getting old."
Naruto steeled his gaze and locked it on his godfather. "don't guilt trip me."
With a sigh, Jiraiya fell silent, letting the quiet stretch between them until they reached their destination. "There it is."
They arrived at the village square. Naruto's eyes immediately found the inn, the wooden sign hanging above the entrance. He looked around but didn't see anyone. "Where's the guy?"
"Inside, waiting." Jiraiya took the lead, holding the door open for Naruto.
Naruto stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind him. The space was dim, a corridor stretching out before them, leading to either the stairs or the inn itself. The bar sat to the right.
"So, what are you planning on doing next?" Jiraiya asked him as he led them towards the bar.
"I don't know really. It's been quiet…peaceful for a few years now."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Ever thought of settling down?"
Naruto gave a small smile, the kind that suggested the thought had crossed his mind but never stayed. "Not yet."
As they passed the bar, Naruto's eyes swept the room. The air was thick with the scent of cigarettes and alcohol, the clink of mugs and hum of conversation filling the space. It was loud, chaotic, yet somehow comforting.
"You've been wandering for years now, brat, why?" Jiraiya asked, glancing over his shoulder.
Naruto shrugged, his gaze drifting, unfocused for a moment. "I guess I'm not done yet." He said, shaking his head slightly. "I don't think I've found the right place yet.
"The world's a large place," Jiraiya said. "and I'm not just talking about the shinobi world."
Naruto nodded slowly as he considered Jiraiya's words. His gaze drifted, and his steps faltered when his eyes settled on the large center table. Its surface was deeply scratched and worn from years of use. The chairs around it were empty, slightly askew, as if whoever had been sitting there had left in a hurry.
He came to a slow stop beside it. At a glance, there was nothing unusual, just an empty table. Yet something held him there. His hand brushed over the back of one of the chairs, his brow furrowing slightly as hesitation flickered across his face.
"Naruto?"
His eyes didn't shift away, but he responded with a vague hum. "Hmm?"
"What are you doing?" Jiraya asked, turning to look at his old student.
Naruto's hand slid over the surface of the table, feeling the well-worn wood beneath his fingers. "I don't know."
Jiraiya joined his side. "Have you been here before?"
Naruto paused, considering the question before shaking his head. "No." he said quietly, a pang of melancholy bubbling. "I haven't." Shaking his head, his hand fell to his side.
Jiraiya looked toward the corner where their contact waited. "Come on, let's sit down."
He followed Jiraiya to the booth, the sound of chatter that had dulled for a moment, came back. Reluctantly he turned his back on the table, giving it one last glance before tearing his eyes away from it entirely.
And as he did so, the table and its faint melancholy faded with each step. By the time he sat down beside Jiraiya, it had vanished into the depths of things never known.
And that's it—the end of the story. I know this ending may divide opinions, and that's okay. The major theme throughout this story has been sacrifice, and I wanted the conclusion to reflect that. A bittersweet note to close on.
I truly considered a happier ending where Kami would bring Naruto back or even restore everyone who had been lost. But as much as I wanted that, I felt it would undo a lot of the journey and meaning built along the way. Sacrifice, after all, is about making the hard choices, and this story wouldn't have felt as honest without that. I'll delve deeper into my thoughts on this in an extended author's note that I'll post within the next two weeks.
If you have any questions that you feel weren't addressed here, please feel free to ask them now. I'll do my best to answer them in the upcoming author's note.
I'm also considering posting an epilogue that explains the changes brought about by the 'reset.' This would be more of an overview rather than from a specific character's POV. I intentionally avoided putting this in Naruto's perspective because I wanted his story to feel open-ended, leaving some things unsaid.
For those not interested in the A/N, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your continued support throughout these years. It's been a wild ride, an incredibly long and memorable one!
Here's to hoping I'll see you in future projects. Until then, take care and happy reading. If not, then this is goodbye!