Sai gave a rare, honest observation. “You’re afraid of Sasuke’s fate. That’s enough.”

“This is the Rasengan of Resolution!”

The fog congealed into shapes. Not clones— manifestations . Naruto saw Sasuke, but not the Sasuke he knew. This one had bleeding eyes, a shattered Kusanagi blade, and he laughed. “You failed me, Naruto. You were too slow. Too weak. I died because of you.”