Just Once More

The finished Rasengan hurls Kabuto backward, yet he rises again while Naruto crumples, because in the final instant Kabuto managed to injure the boy's heart. Certain his own medical skill has spared him the worst, Kabuto soon discovers the wounds run deeper than he thought and drops as well.

Tsunade races to Naruto and pours her healing into him, swearing she will not watch him fall chasing the title of Hokage the way Dan and Nawaki once did. Kabuto keeps insisting the boy is beyond saving, but the revived Naruto closes his hand around the First Hokage's Necklace he has fairly won before slipping out of consciousness. Choosing once more to believe in someone else's dream, Tsunade fastens the pendant around his neck.

Orochimaru, viewing Naruto's triumph over Kabuto as a danger yet to come, moves to end him. Tsunade throws herself in the way and takes the strike with her own body.

Naruto's perfected Rasengan defeats Kabuto, though a last-second counter nearly kills Naruto in turn. Tsunade heals him and, honoring the wager, gives him the First Hokage's Necklace.

Orochimaru attempts to kill Naruto, and Tsunade shields him by absorbing the attack herself, cementing her renewed resolve.

The chapter falls within the Search for Tsunade arc and was collected in volume 19. It resolves Tsunade's arc of grief and marks Naruto's inheritance of the necklace tied to past dreamers.