Just a question... to those writers or anyone who has an idea why some of the story summaries in fanfiction use exclamation marks. For example if the fanfic is a naruto fic...
Example Summary: Blah blah blah. Dark!Naruto Intelligent!Naruto Sharingan!Naruto Mokuton!Naruto Sennin!Naruto
That. So, the question is, why? Why use exclamation marks? I for one find reading summaries confusing sometimes when there are too many exclamation marks. I started writing in 2016. So I have no clue about the use of exclamation marks. There are stories dating back to 2008 that uses the mark. I guess it was a fad back then.
Anyway, here's the final chapter for The Lost Maelstrom. After this I'm going back to the early chapters to edit them. I've done a re-reading and I found myself cringing. Comparing my writing style now back to my first chapters, it's different. I find myself now with a colder personality compared to my happy happy 2016 self.
Anyway, I need your help by re-reading the early chapters as well and pointing out the errors I made or have overlooked. I await your reviews. Thanks.
Credit to (Mikey) StrikerTheFallen for the Avatar-Aang-Removing-Fire-Lord-Ozai's-Bending-Powers idea. I did it on Obito here by removing his gift of chakra, and allowing him to live a cursed immortal life.
I apologize for vanishing without a warning. I was in and out of the hospital and just got stable last week. Good news is I'll live longer so I'll be able to finish my stories.
Officially, this story is finished. This is the last chapter. But I'm kind of thinking of writing a sort of eulogy or epilogue-like thing. So, that's that. Also, even though this is completed, I'm rewriting earlier chapters.
Chapter Twenty Four: Samsara
The Elemental Nations
The people who were watching the Chuunin Exams-turned-into-actual war only heard crackles of lightning, howls of wind, and roars of fire. The screen on their televisions only showed orange, purple, and black flashes for fifteen minutes. They were beyond terrified.
When the storm finally died out, the screen showed a vast blackened wasteland. There were patches of earth here and there, but nobody would think there had been any kind of civilization before.
And then they saw movement. As the camera zoomed in, they recognized Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto. He was once again forming hand seals and were on it for a while. Finally, he finished and clasped his hands together.
"Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique"
And then the feed on that area finally ended. For a moment there was a black screen and showed a different place when it returned.
Naruto's POV
Naruto watched as the area around him rumbled for a moment before dust particles rose to the air. Moments later huge clouds formed above the former village and then began to pour down rain.
It will be three days before the rain stopped and the ashes cleansed. New trees will begin to sprout on the fourth day, until the area is back to its forest state, without the village standing atop it.
"You've done well."
Naruto nodded calmly as a projection of the Sage appeared.
"However, you still have one thing left to do. I've come to make that task doable to you." The Sage of Six paths then walked towards Naruto and tapped his forehead with his two fingers.
Naruto closed his eyes as he felt power rush through him. After almost a minute he once again opened his eyes. Gone were his purple eyes. They were now red. The other addition was the nine tomoes. There were three on each ring making a triangular pattern like the Sharingan.
"Now, go forth, and fulfil that task. And there shall be peace."
"But how long would it last?"
"A wonderful question! But alas, I myself do not know either. Could be ten, a hundred, or a thousand years after your death. And you wouldn't die just yet, for you shall live at least a hundred years. When war breaks out again, your clan shall be there. After all, it is the Uzumakis' destiny. And oh, you shall be the one to speak with the Third reincarnation, not me. After all, you're the Second and I was the one to speak to you. It's just a matter of succession, really."
"Yeah. One thing for sure though, I'll speak straight and not in riddles."
The Sage merely chuckled as his projection dissolved.
"You'll never know though… After a few years, you might start speaking like a hermit." Kurama joked.
"Whatever. I'm technically your father now, right? Give me some respect."
The fox howled in laughter as Naruto Hiraishined back to Uzushio.
Normal POV
Uzushiogakure
In a large open space, the armies of Whirlpool, Sand, Sound, and the Zetsu Clones were gathered. On a staged platform were Kushina and Minato dragging a defeated and restrained Obito.
"Minato-sensei… I'm so sorry… Kushina-san… you once saw me as a son… Please, I –" Obito stopped as he realized neither Minato nor Kushina were listening to him. "I see. So my execution will be public?" He asked as he noticed the cameras glaring at him.
"Your fate will be televised live, yes. But you will not be executed." Naruto said as he appeared on stage.
"You plan to make a mockery out of me, then." The Uchiha spat.
"No. I plan to make an example out of you." Replied Naruto as the cameras focused on him.
"People of the Elemental Nations. Shinobi and civilians alike. As you already know, the Uzumakis have been given the task to give deliver peace to the world. And it will continue to do so until the end of time…
Here, in front of you, is Obito Uchiha. A man who sought to destroy the Great Five Nations by plunging them into war. I need not to elaborate all his deeds. But his actions have caused great and many deaths.
I admit, yes, the Uzumaki Clan have participated in the war too. Some of you may see it as an act of vengeance. Some will think we were simply doing our task. It's both. We have destroyed Konoha, Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa. While at the same time uniting a lot of smaller nations and making alliances.
Black and White. Yin and Yang. Light and Dark. One cannot exist without the other. But there also has to be Balance. This world has gone into four wars after the First Sage's passing. And counting from that time to present, it has been too long. There has to be balance. Peace. This long war will end today."
Naruto walked forward and placed his hands on Obito's head.
"I, Naruto of the Uzumaki Clan, punish you, Obito Uchiha for your crimes against the nature of Balance. You should have died that day when the earth crushed you. But you didn't. You lived to create more chaos. Your punishment isn't death. You planned on enslaving and entrapping the world with your Infinite Moon Eye Plan. You shall then be placed in an undisclosed location while you view and experience all the pain and suffering everyone caused of your actions. Beginning with the time you unleashed the Nine Tailed Fox and almost murdered an infant. You will watch and experience these memories in an unending loop until old age consumes you. You will not be able to break it, because you will have no chakra."
Obito's eyes widened in fear at the thought. "You couldn't! You wouldn't!"
"I can and I will." Naruto replied as his blue eyes changed into red ringed ones. "I am the Second coming of the Sage, He who brought the teachings of Ninshu. And like him, I know how to take it away."
"But my chakra?! My Sharingan…! No, please! Stop!"
"Seven Paths: Removal"
Obito's cries of anguish were drowned out as he and Naruto became covered by white light. After a few moments the light died out. There was Obito lying on the stage with his mouth slightly agape, mumbling incoherent words. Naruto released his hold on the captive's head and nodded to Kaede, who in turn nodded to a pair of STORM and dragged Obito away.
"This shall serve as a warning and a reminder to anyone who wishes to disrupt the balance that the Uzumakis are trying to achieve. It will be prudent if the Elemental Nations moved on forward in peace."
The live feed finally ended as Naruto's eyes returned to normal.
Time Skip
Eighteen months later
Elemental Nations
After the short Fourth Shinobi War, the people of the Elemental Nations moved on. The citizens of Iwa and Kumo made a pact. The two former Hidden Villages were now simply two trading cities, as there were very few shinobi left when the Obito Uchiha's Army invaded, there were only fresh graduates of genin. However, the two cities no longer planned on pursuing to once again become a village for shinobi. There were still shinobi, but they now worked as police forces protecting the now trading cities.
The civilians of Kirigakure have also made their peace with the Uzumaki. The former Mist Village was now a part of the Fourth City.
Sunagakure remained a shinobi village and had good ties with the other shinobi factions; Spring and Sound.
Sound Village relocated to where Konohagakure formerly stood six months after its destruction.
Uzushiogakure continued to progress and advance. It produced machineries and weaponries. Some minor villages say they were preparing for war. They were true about it though, as it was the Uzumakis' obligation to keep the Balance. While it won't be permanent, they expected the peace to last long the same as the time covered by the wars since the Sage's death.
One village, however, were bitter and were not willing to cooperate.
Takigakure
Ever since the loss of their jinchurikii and Hero's Water, the villagers were all feeling resentful towards the Uzumaki. They were convinced that they were right to treat Fu unfairly, as she was only their weapon. The village councilors convened one week after Konoha's destruction. What the Uzumakis didn't know, all Clan Heads and Councilors have a liter's amount of Hero's Water each. They pooled it up together and had their scientists work to reproduce it.
"Today is the day we attack the Fourth City. We will show those Uzumaki scum Takigakure is not to be trifled with. Our scientists are successful at reproducing the Hero's Water as well as changing its effects. The drinker will no longer die after taking it. The drinker will only feel drained for a whole day instead. It's a lot better than dying." Said the leader. "Here's what we're going to do… Since our supply is enough for three thousand individuals, we will attack thrice. On the first day we attack the former Snow, now Spring Country, and recuperate there. On the third day, we invade the Fourth City and cut the Uzumakis off. We attack the First City on the seventh day."
The people of Takigakure all cheered after hearing the plan. Their cheers died out, however, when a calm yet loud voice interrupted. "A good plan. However, I cannot allow that to happen. You plan to kill lots of innocents and civilians. You've been warned before. So I'm not going to talk you out of your plan…. I am, however, giving a chance to those who are not into the plan."
Naruto crossed his arms and began to float to the air. "Those who wish peace and not want to attack, please step up. I give you my word, I will protect you. You won't need to fear your fellow villagers."
All the villagers grew silent and looked up at him. After a minute nobody stepped up.
"We're not following you!" Said one.
"We do not take orders from outsiders!" Said another.
"You claim to be the Second Sage? I call bullshit! For all we know, you could have used some trick to light up the stage and placed some Uzumaki Seal on that Uchiha!" Said the leader.
"Yeah! You're a fake!" Said another one.
"Go shove up your so called peace up your arse!" Said another villager, causing everyone to laugh.
"I've no time for this…" Naruto muttered to himself.
"Get on with it, Naruto. These people obviously have death wishes."
"Right you are, Kurama."
"So what you gonna do now, eh?" Taunted the leader. "There are a thousand of us here and equipped with a bottle of the Hero's Water each. You're only one!"
"Fucking shitheads." Muttered Naruto.
"You're sounding like your cousin Tayuya. That's not fitting for a Sage." Snickered Kurama.
"Whatever. I'm done here… TENGAI SHINSEI."
Six Months Later
The nine meteors that struck down the former Takigakure Village was visible even from the highest towers in Lightning Village. After that incident all doubts regarding Naruto Uzumaki's being the Sage's Second Coming was gone. Village civilian and shinobi alike have all come to a peaceful agreement. Sure, there were minor scuffles such as robberies or street fights, but not enough to cause an all-out war.
It will be a hundred years or more before another great war breaks out. However, there is a very small chance for it to happen sooner.
Chapter Twenty-Four End
The Lost Maelstrom
I would like to thank everyone who patiently went with me from the start. I thank you for not losing interest even when I stopped doing the weekly update and became once every two weeks and then once a month.
Many thanks as well to those who reviewed. Your reviews help a lot because I get feedback and know if I suck or if the chapter sucked.
And of course, thanks to everyone who read my first ever story, The Lost Maelstrom.
Lastly, I know you missed these two... Tobi and Deidera.
Tobi: Yeah! We missed you too senpai!
Deidera: It's been a blast, hmm!
Tobi and Deidera: Congratulations for completing a story!