And then there were lights.

  I was in a bright room, confused and hollow, and I started crying.

  “Why? Why did this happen to me?”

  I slumped to my knees. No… I knew where I was. Some heaven, or whatever passed for it. After everything I’d done, it ended the same way as last time. I couldn’t keep my promise.

  “I can never keep a promise.”

  “That is not true—and you know it.”

  Startled, I looked up.

  Kurama stood right in front of me, so close our noses nearly touched. She wiped away my tears and helped me to my feet.

  “I finally understand who you are,” she said softly. “I saw your memories.”

  I couldn’t speak. Had she died too? If we were both here, then judgment must be waiting.

  “So… he killed you too?” I asked with a weak chuckle.

  She smiled, sharp and foxlike, and shook her head. “No. Well… not exactly. I’m giving my life to you. Garp is dealing with Kalman right now. He can handle him—at least, I hope so. That armor…” Her expression darkened. “It can turn even great men into monsters.”

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  “You’re… giving your life for me?” I asked.

  “For you to live, yes. I’ll give you my chakra to heal you. My will and consciousness will fade, but the power will stay with you. My soul will move on. Probably to the Soul Society.”

  “So where are we?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

  “A mindscape. Between things.”

  Only then did I truly see her, the fog in my thoughts lifting. She stood before me without formality or shame, and somehow it felt natural. Maternal. Sacred. This wasn’t life, or death—it was something quieter.

  “I never asked for this,” I said. “Why would you do this for someone like me? I don’t even belong in this world.”

  She sighed, thoughtful. Then her voice hardened.

  “Listen carefully. The armor hasn’t stopped. It will keep destroying Goa until nothing remains. I’ve seen it before. It took me, your family, and the Pirate King himself to bring it down. This time it’s weaker—and careless. The Holy King Dragon Sword is still outside the armor. That sword is the key.”

  Her body began to steam.

  “With my chakra, you’ll be able to strike it—hard enough for Garp to finish this.”

  “But I absorb magic, not chakra,” I said quickly. “And why are you—”

  “Energy is energy,” she interrupted gently. “Chakra is simply more potent. The sword doesn’t care what fuels it.”

  She began to rise, her form blurring.

  “I can’t accept this,” I said, reaching for her. “I need you. I want you to see who I become.”

  She smiled, sad and warm. “I do too. But life has other plans for you.” Her voice softened. “I never thought I’d die for a human. Funny how fate works.”

  She faded from my grasp.

  The room grew blindingly bright, and as her presence vanished, voices rushed in to replace the silence.

  “Naruto!”