Naruto: Reborn in His Younger Self

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"Jōgan!"

Naruto's eyes widened in shock.

The Sage of Six Paths nodded. "Yes, the Jogan Eye. Through a forbidden technique of the Ōtsutsuki clan and the divine artifact plough, a person's soul can be sent through time and space—returning to the past and reviving in their original body."

Naruto listened intently as the Sage continued,

"But this forbidden technique has strict conditions:

1. The user must possess a vast amount of chakra.

2. The caster must sacrifice their life.

3. The Jogan Eye can only be activated once—losing its light immediately after use."

Naruto furrowed his brows. This technique sounded similar to the Six Paths: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, but with one major difference—this one resurrected the soul through time and space, restoring it to the original body.

Something didn't add up.

If Boruto only had one Pure Eye and could only use the technique once, why didn't he just send Naruto directly to the past? Why make him meet the Sage first?

Noticing Naruto's confusion, the Sage of Six Paths explained,

"The Jōgan that Boruto awakened is actually the power left behind by my brother, Hamura.

Once Boruto fully developed his Pure Eye, the chakra my brother left behind was activated—just like how my chakra manifested within you and Sasuke. Hamura's spirit appeared within Boruto's soul, just as I am appearing before you now."

Naruto's eyes widened in realization.

"My brother Hamura told Boruto everything. That's why Boruto intentionally lost and became a vessel—to gain an immense amount of chakra. He had already inscribed the technique into his eye, ensuring its activation.

Furthermore, he had obtained Plough beforehand, which allowed him to send you here to me."

The Sage sighed.

"Sending you directly to the past would have been too dangerous. Time-traveling can damage the soul, erase memories, or even strip away your will. That's why I am here—to prepare you and ensure you remember your mission."

A trace of regret flickered in the Sage's expression. "I already lost one gamble before. I cannot afford to lose another."

Naruto clenched his fists, his emotions churning.

So that's how it was. Boruto had become the key to his resurrection—fulfilling the Great Toad Sage's prophecy of the one who would change the ninja world.

And to ensure that he wouldn't lose his memories after resurrection, the Sage had arranged this final meeting.

Naruto took a deep breath and asked,

"But Boruto's Jōgan was used up to send me here. Even if I resurrect, how can I be sure I won't lose my memories?"

The Sage of Six Paths smiled. "How many eyes do you think my brother Hamura had?"

Naruto blinked in confusion before gasping as an eye materialized in the Sage's left hand.

"This is… the Jōgan!!"

The Sage nodded. "Hamura awakened both of his eyes. One was inherited by Boruto. The other was left with me as a backup plan."

Naruto stared at him in disbelief.

This man was both a reckless gambler and a meticulous strategist. He bet on fate but still had Plans A, B, and C in place.

"Then what do I do now?" Naruto asked, determination burning in his gaze.

The Sage's expression grew serious.

"The Jogan Eye Technique can send you to the past, but the exact time period is uncertain. Right now, you're seeing me in this particular space-time by chance."

He raised two fingers.

"You have two choices:

1. I can use the technique to revive you in this exact time period—where the Fourth Great Ninja War is still ongoing.

2. You can travel further into the past. However, I cannot control how far back you will go."

The Sage reassured him, "No matter what, I will use my Yin-Yang Release to protect your soul and memories—ensuring they merge with your past self without any loss."

Naruto's mind raced.

"But Boruto didn't have Yin-Yang Release, yet my soul still arrived here intact," he pointed out.

The Sage chuckled. "That's because Boruto's Jōgan and the eye in my hand both belonged to Hamura. They are connected."

"Your soul entered through Boruto's eye and exited through mine. That was Hamura's plan all along."

Naruto exhaled slowly. "Then… what is the exact timeline of 1st option ?"

The Sage of Six Paths replied, "The Fourth Ninja War. You and Sasuke are leading the Allied Shinobi Forces against Uchiha Madara and Obito."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat.

Then that means…!

His expression turned grim. "Is Neji dead?"

The Sage's eyes softened.

"Yes. He has already fallen in battle."

A sharp pain stabbed Naruto's chest.

Neji's final words echoed in his mind.

"Because you called me a genius."

Naruto clenched his fists.

Even after all this time, Neji's death haunted him.

But now—he had a second chance.

"I can travel back further than this moment, right?" Naruto asked, his voice resolute.

The Sage nodded.

It was impossible to control exactly how far back he would go, but as long as it was before this war…

He could save Neji.

Naruto inhaled deeply, his decision clear.

"I choose the second option," he declared.

The Sage of Six Paths looked at him for a long moment before nodding.

Without another word, he raised his left hand, pressing the Pure Eye into his palm without removing his original Rinnegan.

Naruto blinked. "Wait, you can just install it like that?"

The Sage smiled. "This is the soul's form. There is no need to remove anything."

He then formed intricate hand seals, chakra surging around him as he chanted,

"Jogan Eye Technique!"

A brilliant white light burst from his palm, enveloping Naruto in warmth.

The light grew stronger and stronger, its intensity nearly blinding.

Naruto turned to the Sage, his vision flickering.

The Sage's form was fading—his body growing more transparent.

Then it hit Naruto.

One of the conditions of the technique… was a life sacrifice.

But the Sage was already dead.

Then… what exactly was being sacrificed?

Realization dawned on Naruto's face. His mouth opened, but the Sage simply smiled.

"Goodbye, Naruto. This time, for real. The future of the ninja world… is in your hands."

And with that, the Sage of Six Paths vanished.

Naruto's heart ached, but there was no time to dwell.

The white light around him reached its peak, wrapping around his body like a cocoon—ripping through time and space.

In the final moments before everything faded to white, he saw plough, the divine artifact, crumble into dust.

Then—

Everything went dark.

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