Review answers:
Shy911 - Congrats on catching up! I'm glad to hear you've been enjoying this. We're finally getting into the thick of things now and it's great fun. And honestly, I'm so lucky that someone mentioned the jinchuriki and I realised I'd forgotten them previously. And the world absolutely shifted in response to their meeting up.
TigrezzTail - We love people being able to find new homes, especially when their past ones were awful. And maps are so helpful! Most of my original works have one because you need to keep track of their progress somehow when they move about. And as Uzushio and Uzu no Kuni doesn't really have anything to base it off, I created one as a result. Has it seen much use beyond the chapters around this point? Not really, but it was helpful back when I was writing this section (arc?).
LadyMidnightBat - Toru's reaction to being Uzukage, I feel, is a treat. I remember what happens but I don't remember the scenes around it, but it should be a bit humorous? Maybe? Toru gets all the people! He just collects them. Accidentally. Out of love.
Day 25
Toru's discussing the last of the new outpost placements when a group of clan kids come bounding up to him. The others around him smile, seal the maps away, and they turn their attention to the kids who all seem excited by something. "What's up?" Toru asks, dropping down to crouch in front of them.
"There's a fleet coming!" One of the kids says loudly.
(Toru's heart pounds and he forgets how to breathe.)
"It's the Nanami Clan," says the teenager who appears in a body flicker next to the kids. "We've checked and had a report back."
"The Nanami?" Toru breathes out, barely stumbling over the words as relief sweeps over him. They only have a few members of the Nanami Clan currently. It makes sense that there'd be a force of them out there.
"A fleet?" He echoes, the words finally breaking past the block in his head. Rising to his feet, he exchanges surprised looks with the others around him.
However, thinking about it, it makes sense. Uzushio hadn't boasted a ship force previously. They'd only had ships for civilians and traders. It was easier to run on the sea to navigate the whirlpools, and the other islands were close enough that no one ever struggled to reach them by water walking. When people had fled Uzushio, though, they'd left by boat for the most part. And the Nanami Clan were well suited to ships considering their affinity for water chakra.
It's easy, to let a grin grow on his face, as he races towards the bay. The wind dances alongside him, and he comes to a halt on the edge of one dock. Uzushio's chakra, still weak but growing stronger every passing day as people give chakra through the seals, flickers against his senses.
(Bring our people back, Uzushio had told him once when he was dying or dead or in-between. Together, they'd reached out across the world and called their people back together.)
Toru laughs and beneath him, Uzushio seems to sing. This is a promise fulfilled. This is their village complete. This is their people back at long last.
Ahead, on the deep blue of the sea, ships are approaching. It's a fleet, but nothing like Kirigakure's. Not all of them are warships. Most of them aren't, in fact. However, it's tricky to tell from a distance and Toru's never claimed to know much about boats.
Still, he stands and waits for the last of his people to reach Uzushio's shores. There may be more people to come in the future, but he knows that this will be the last massive group of refugees. They are all home now.
Hiroto Nanami was born after the fall of Uzushio. In fact, he'd been born after the war—technically. The announcement for the war's official ending had come only days earlier. His parents like to joke that he had brought peace when he was born. It was funny, in a painful, kind of ironic way. Because no Uzushio descendent was born to peace. They were all born in a war—until now, it seems.
(War left those from Uzushio, descended and otherwise, scattered and always in hiding, refugees with names they couldn't claim out of fear. Hiroto was born to this war and another kind of war. Born to the Nanami Clan, those who survived and found lives on the sea; because they wanted the sea and no port town could hold all of them. They lived on the sea, fought on the sea, causing chaos for Kirigakure in revenge for everything they couldn't do.)
As Uzushio comes into sight, Hiroto rolls one shoulder and nods at his second mate. "Prepare for disembarking!" He calls out, raising a hand to gesture at the ships beside his. The orders are transmitted across the division and, in front of them, the other divisions are doing the same. The bay is protected that they don't need to leave anyone on board—and Hiroto doesn't want to either. This is Uzushio, the village out of stories, and he knows everyone wants to see it.
Hiroto's division is made up of Nanami, (and it doesn't matter if neither of their parents had been Nanani originally; they are all Nanami), who can all water-walk, so they don't worry about getting any of the rowboats out. Instead, they drop onto the ocean's surface and run to the shore where it looks like the vast majority of Uzushio is preparing to greet them.
By the time he reaches the shore, the other two division commanders have joined the fleet commander and a few other unknown faces. Mami—first division commander—meets his eyes and gestures for him to join them when he can. Hiroto nods in return and then turns to his second mate.
"I'll keep an eye on all of them," they agree immediately, before Hiroto can even say anything. "You join the meeting."
"Thanks," Hiroto says before jogging between people to join the other leaders.
"This is Hiroto," Toshiko says as he reaches them. "Commander of the third division, Ripputaido, stealth orientated."
"Good afternoon, Hiroto-san," one of the strangers says. "I'm Toru. It's a pleasure to meet you."
(Toru is small, young. Definitely not eighteen Hiroto would bet. Yet he stands like a seasoned ninja, like a younger version of the oldest, strongest Nanamis who had once been more than a fighter on a fleet of ships. He stands like he's used to authority and power and strength. The strangest bit, Hiroto finds, is that he stands like he's at ease with the others around him. Hiroto's the youngest of the division commanders at twenty-two and often doesn't feel at ease. He doesn't know how Toru manages it.)
Just avoiding glancing at the fleet commander, Hiroto dips his head. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well," he says, grateful that it doesn't sound like a question.
Toru smiles at them, and Hiroto wonders what's going to happen now. He knows for a fact that the fleet won't disband—can't disband. It's in their blood, (his blood; he would refuse to abandon it forever, and he knows his crew and most of his division feel the same way). "The Nanami Clan Compound is open to all of you," Toru says. "If you wish to discuss it in further detail, Hachirō is currently serving as Clan Head, I believe. And Uzushio, of course, welcomes all of you home." The younger shinobi, (because he clearly is, Hiroto can see that), pauses and looks past them, gazing at their ships, before his gaze flashes to them and seems to see right through them. Hiroto fights the sudden urge to shiver. "You're not going to be required to stay here if you don't want to. But you're always welcome here."
"Some of our people will be happy to no longer live on the sea," Toshiko says. She glances at the three division commanders. "The divisions themselves, though, I couldn't speak for."
Yoshirō, loose and looking more relaxed than he has in eons, tips his head sideways, eyes following a group of her division as they mingle with the crowds. "Kachū is a defensive division," she says, mainly to Toru—who appears to be speaking for everyone at the moment, (and who he is, Hiroto wants to ask, and why does it seem like he's heard the shinobi speak before?). "For the most part, we've been guarding the ships filled with those who aren't part of the fighting forces. I can't speak for everyone, but many of us would prefer to be close to Uzushio's shores yet don't want to give up our current ways of living."
"I think that can be arranged," Toru replies easily. "Uzu no Kuni's seas would need to be patrolled, and I think Kachū would serve that purpose perfectly well, don't you agree? And I'm sure we can find other purposes in our seas as well."
"Thank you, Toru-sama," Yoshirō says, bowing, and Hiroto wonders if Yoshirō feels like she's finally returned home, (she was six when Uzushio fell and Hiroto can't remember her ever speaking of memories of the village that fell long ago).
"Most of my division will want to stay on," Hiroto adds. "It's likely we'll stick with the first division for the most part. I imagine there'll be missions where we could be helpful though, especially if it's somewhere not close to Uzu no Kuni."
Toru nods. "I think we'll have to trial a few things and see how they go," he says, glancing at the older woman next to him. "But yes, that's probably a good founding idea."
"There'll be quite a few ships from Harō that'll be willing to settle here," Mami says. Considering she leads the largest division, Hiroto isn't too surprised. Most people join the defence or attack divisions, but given the choice of peace? A lot of people would abandon ship for that opportunity. "But many of us are set in our current lifestyle."
The words sound like a warning, and they are. Hiroto knows this. If anyone from Uzushio tries to stop them, the fleet will rain down fire and thunder and show exactly why 'pirates' merit high bounties.
Nonetheless, Toru doesn't seem to feel threatened by Mami's words. Instead, he hums. "Uzushio's never had a fleet," he says, "but things are always in flux. Do try to come home to here on occasion though." His gaze moves away from them, sweeping over the crowds and the sounds of celebration, (and Hiroto can almost see what it'll be like once everything's sorted; can see a celebration and laughter and wonder—the basics are there for something great and beautiful). "I think we'd all appreciate it." Turning back to them, he smiles. "For now, however, we can deal with all the details later. Go out and enjoy yourselves, yeah? Explore if you want. Uzushio's open to all of you."
Hiroto breathes in. Breathes out. And he thinks this is likely to be the start of something new.
(It's the end of a war he's been born to. He doesn't quite know how to feel about that yet.)
Day 27
"Unknown ninja approaching from the bay!"
The shout sends the world around Toru erupting into chaos; organised chaos, at the very least. People are preparing to move and protect civilians along with major buildings. Toru turns away from his discussion with a few others and towards the bay. A ninja body flickers, landing in front of him on silent feet.
"S-ranked missing-nin," they report, (to him). "They match descriptions of Konoha's missing-nin Orochimaru, but we can't confirm that."
Adrenaline's starting to kick in and Toru carefully controls his breathing. "Anything else?" He says, preparing to head towards Uzushio's bay.
"A nearby sensor identified a further three ninjas," the ninja says. "No identification for them as far as we can tell. They all appear to be wearing a hitai-ate for Otogakure."
That makes sense. As far as Toru knows, Orochimaru is the Kage for Otogakure, (but he hasn't learnt as much as he wants to about Otogakure's formation). A moment is also Toru gives himself to mourn the lack of a cohesive team, before throwing himself into a body flicker.
A group of ninjas are clustered on the beach. When he arrives, a few of them turn to him and approach, leaving their colleagues to remain on watch. "Reina-san," Toru says, turning to the Uzumaki who approaches. They haven't worked together closely, but Toru's aware of her, (and aware that her file marks her as a potential ANBU; he has an idea for a position for her already). "Can you organise a defence here in case they try to attack us and we fail to stop them?"
Reina frowns, but nods. "Do you want me to see if we can get some medics here?"
Despite the tense situation, Toru smiles. "Yes, and keep anyone below jōnin ranking away. Orochimaru is dangerous and we don't know the level of those he brings with him."
"Got it. Are you planning to face them out there?"
"I'd prefer it to here," Toru says with a sharp nod. "I'm aiming to catch him after the boats to avoid damaging them though." He glances around the group, trying to pick out who to bring with him, (he doesn't want any of them to die at his side). In the end, he races out onto the water with nine ninjas at his back.
The sea is calm beneath his feet when he comes to a slow stop, (he doesn't know if it's a blessing or not). Ahead, Orochimaru and his ninjas approach. The fact that they're not appearing hostile is the only thing that has Toru gesturing to the others to hold. They fan out, pairing together without discussion, (he's proud of them for this; they don't know each other and they're not teammates, but they're Uzushio so they stick together without question); one even at his back.
Orochimaru stepped forward, away from his ninjas, (and they were all young, but—more importantly—they were all Uzushio's). Before he can talk, however, Toru speaks. "Orochimaru-san, Uzumaki-san, Hayashi-san, Kaguya-san, I can't say we were expecting you, so forgive us if our hospitality isn't what it's expected to be."
Whilst Orochimaru doesn't pause, it seems like Toru has forced him to change his initial plan. And yet Toru doesn't focus on that, instead looking at the ninjas Orochimaru had brought. At least one of them was obviously impacted by Toru's greeting, (a name given freely; an acknowledgement of family; some things will always undermine someone and shift the world beneath their feet).
"I can't say I'd heard of anything to expect." Orochimaru's tone is mild; his words less so. Toru doesn't refuses to let the words impact him. If Orochimaru thinks that the world not knowing of Uzushio is something to be ashamed of, that's not Toru's problem. Toru is proud of no one having heard of Uzushio's return.
"And yet here you are, on our shores," Toru returns.
"Your shores?" Orochimaru raises an eyebrow, tone just shy of mocking. "I thought you called Konoha your home, Toru Uchiha. I had not heard that Konoha had banished you. And yet, it does not surprise me. Konoha does so dearly love to sweep things out of the light and hidden at the roots of the tree. Do they not?"
Toru's shoulders rise, body language becoming tense, (there is much more to a conversation than simply words, and he knows this well). "What would you know of it?" He spits out, hostile and angry, (and acting). Orochimaru thinks him to be a ninja betrayed by Konoha, thinks him a child, thinks him a Uchiha. He is none of those things.
(He is all of those things.)
In response, Orochimaru's body language appears to come more relaxed, looser, (dangerous). "You do not think you are the only ninja Konoha has left, do you? There have been many of us throughout the years."
"Us?" Toru echoes, (and he wonders if Orochimaru realises that he isn't controlling the conversation so much as Toru is letting him do so).
"You're not the only one Konoha has vilified and cast out, Toru," Orochimaru responds, seemingly steady, (but something tells Toru that Orochimaru is not as alright with this as he seems). "They didn't support my goals and so they thought it better to push me aside and betray me, and then pretend that I was the one in the wrong."
"Your goals?" Toru echoes, trying to figure out if there's any way he can avoid getting into a fight with Orochimaru without appearing to give in to the man's words.
"All I wished to do was survive to see my parents reborn," Orochimaru says and the words certainly aren't well-worn. It makes Toru pay attention—because that's not a lie. Every ninja worth their chakra knows that a good lie has part of the truth, but if you really want to gain someone's sympathy, you tell the whole truth in a way that the other person will likely feel sad upon hearing. And Toru doesn't know Orochimaru well. Doesn't actually know him at all, but he knows that's not a lie. That's a truth. And-
And the world doesn't work like that. Yes, their souls reincarnate, but Toru only remembers his past life due to Uzushio's interference. His chakra had been different this time. How would Orochimaru know whether his parents had been reborn or not?
(Uzushio is at Toru's back and he cannot fall here. Will not fall. So maybe it's time to throw off the façade and try to speak sense into the older ninja. Because maybe there is a way that this doesn't end in a battle to the death.)
A shift of posture gains everyone's attention and Toru let go off any anger Orochimaru's words had caused, (he doesn't quite know why he's angry, but there's something hateful and hurting deep in his chest—it's not important though, and it certainly won't guide his actions). "There's something you're missing, Orochimaru-san," Toru says, stressing the suffix.
This time Orochimaru's pause is slightly more obvious, enough that some of the other ninjas pick up on it. "Oh?" He says. "Do tell."
Toru grins, fierce and wild and proud. "Konoha did not cast me out. I did not abandon one village for another. I stayed when Uzushio asked if I would. I returned when I felt that it was time for our village to stand again. And then I called my people home to a place of refuge so they no longer had to run and hide like they have done for decades." Toru meets Orochimaru's gaze, reads the sudden understanding there, reads the danger there too.
"How come you get to come back?" Orochimaru throws out, the words anger. Toru's ninjas prepare for a fight and so do the Oto-nins. "What made you worth it?"
"Nothing," Toru says flatly. "Uzushio helped me remember but without her? I'd be nothing. Souls aren't made to remember. When your parents are reborn they'll be kids." The word's spat out. It'll anger Orochimaru Toru knows, but that's not the point. The point is to drive forward the truth—Orochimaru is too dangerous to live in a delusion, destroying people's lives just to find the ones he calls 'parents'.
(Toru does not scream that he has been missing his parents for decades. He does not scream that there are tons of children out there who have no families and no love and no parents and need help. These are not the words he wants Orochimaru to hear.)
Orochimaru darts forward, sword high and seemingly appearing from nowhere. He's fast and gives no sign of moving before he does.
But Toru's speed is one of the few things he's proud to call his own, (a legacy to Shisui in every way that matters and a few ways that it doesn't). So he shifts out of the way, kunai deflecting the attack that comes from low rather than high. His strength isn't something to compare to Orochimaru's, especially not with a kunai. Darting around instead, he sends water flying upwards with a surge of chakra that isn't part of any jutsu.
However, Orochimaru doesn't need sight to attack, and there's no reprieve to be found. Toru's driven backward under the onslaught, surviving by the skin of his teeth. The major issue is that he doesn't have his sword on him, thought he didn't need it for the day, and Orochimaru's got extended reach as a result. He doesn't want to use ninjutsu either, since that might lead to Orochimaru using ninjutsu and Orochimaru isn't crippled by trying to contain the damage like Toru is.
Taijutsu isn't Toru's strong point though. It never has been, (teams are meant to cover each other's weaknesses and he doesn't have his team). Still, he does his best. Ducks beneath blows, flips around others. Deflects and deflects. He can't keep it up forever though.
A few seconds before he stumbles, a group of senbons flick past him, that Orochimaru whirls away to avoid. It's not much breathing space, but it's enough. He gathers himself, coiled strength and chakra, and bursts forward. Takes to the offence and forces Orochimaru to remain on the defensive.
What lets him keep on the attack, though, isn't his skills. It's the kunoichi behind him, throwing handfuls of weapons with pin-point accuracy; missing Toru and forcing Orochimaru to keep a wary eye out.
A staggered chakra burst has him leaping backwards, and before Orochimaru can capitalise on it, two others leap forward together to attack him.
"The Hayashi-nin is causing problems," says a ninja beside him. Toru nods, leaps forward, slipping between two chakra chains.
The Hayashi Clan were known in Uzushio for their affinity for natural chakra and the danger that rose from it. More than anything, they were known for the seals that helped them control the natural chakra. The Hayashi-nin that Orochimaru had brought along lacked such seals.
Pausing to take stock of the situation, Toru considers the best way to deal with it. Because the Kaguya is defending the Hayashi—and that's important. They care about each other, but it also means that taking down one will make the other fight harder.
Toru grins.
(Uzushio was forgotten, legends becoming myths, stories going untold. And people liked to forget about the fear Uzushio brought to battlefields. Ninjas don't have to fight seal masters now. They have forgotten the danger.)
(Uzushio has not.)
The Uzu-nins fighting with Toru might not be seal masters, but Toru is. Calling the seals to mind, he leaps forward, flipping between blows and twisting. One hand grazes the Hayashi and, with a forward roll, he tags the Kaguya with the same seal. Both go down, eyes wide; paralysed and chakra-bound.
Two hand signs to two of the Uzu-nins sends them back to shore. Then, Toru joins in the attack on Orochimaru, who's snarling something fierce. He doesn't target Toru, slams through two ninjas in the span of ten seconds and Toru watches them go down. Forces himself to continue.
Toru leans into a punch, rolls when he misses, comes up behind Orochimaru, striking out with a kunai that cuts through clothing but does nothing else. "Your parents would be kids if they're reborn," he hisses out, (and he's angry for all of them). "Reborn into this cruel, fucked up world."
Darting backwards, he catches a kick against his sternum, uses it to flip in the air and land back on his feet. "Shouldn't you try to make the world better for them?" He accuses, and a split lip stings. He's not sure how—or when—he got it. It doesn't matter anyway. "They won't be the same as they were. But-"
Orochimaru's chakra flares, dark and heavy and dense. He lashes out, and it lands heavy against Toru's cheek. And Toru rocks backward, feels something break, and spits out blood. The battlefield pauses and he grins with blood-flecked teeth.
(It would be easy to be cruel. It's easy to see the words he could take. It is harder to not say them, but he's never taken the easy path and he's not about to start now.)
In the end, Toru doesn't have to say anything as the poison finally hits Orochimaru's system, and he lunges forward to prevent the paralysed shinobi from drowning. A pair of cockroaches land on his shoulder. "Dosage?" He asks the Ishimoto one.
"High," the cockroach says, shuffling on Toru's shoulder. "But he seems able to fight it, so I reckon he'll be on his feet sooner than he should be."
"Thanks," Toru tells his summons before they disappear.
(They are all ninjas. It is clear in how every defence of Orochimaru hides an attack, how every obvious attack turns into a sly sidestep, how every action hides another. And Toru is a ninja. Orochimaru had expected him to be flashy, to be fire, but Toru is not. From the beginning, he had plans in mind; a surge of uncontrolled chakra to hide his summons; a few words to push Orochimaru off-balance; forcing himself to deflect first before attacking. He forced the situation to work for him.)
The Uzumaki-nin gives in when Orochimaru stops fighting, following slowly with an escort of wary ninjas around her. She pays them no attention, however, instead her gaze flickers between Orochimaru and the world around her.
Upon reaching the shore, Toru's ninjas quickly swarm them. Medic-nins see to their remaining injuries and Toru knows he's probably going to be lectured about avoidable injuries later, but right now there's more important things to be done.
Reina had clearly thought ahead, as there are two seal-masters with already drawn seals that are standard for ninja prisoners in Uzushio. Toru's not entirely sure how he wants to play this yet. Still, Orochimaru is already stirring so Toru wastes no more time deliberating, simply placing the seals down.
Orochimaru jerks upright, barely stumbling, but Toru sees how unbalanced the shinobi is. "What did you do to me?" Orochimaru hisses, eyes narrowed.
Toru stares back. "You came to our shores and attacked," he throws back. Refusing to fold his arms, he adds, "You'll stay here until we come to an understanding with Otogakure or we decide that you're no longer a major threat to Uzushio. Your ninjas can take messages to Uzushio, but we will also offer them to stay here with you so long as they remained sealed."
Orochimaru snarls. "I will not be a prisoner!"
Swallowing, Toru considers his words. Orochimaru's mind is kunai-sharp, in intellect, but it trembles on the edge of a kunai too. It's like there's a sharp contrast between what Orochimaru believes and what he does.
There's no kindness to be offered here. Toru's a ninja and he can't afford to be kind all the time, (he would set the world on fire for Uzushio; people like to ignore that fact). "It could be worse," he says instead.
"What? Will my prison be bigger? That doesn't change the fact you will chain me here." The words are acid. They are not wrong.
"No, it doesn't," Toru agrees. Nothing would change that fact, but already he could see Orochimaru's body language changing—preparing for a new conversation to gain some control over the situation. Toru doesn't let him, though, stepping back and disengaging. Turning to the escorting group, he says, "See whether any of the Oto-nins want to know more about their clans. Offer the Hayashi-nin access to the seals that will help him control his kekkei genkai."
"You got it, Toru-sama," Reina answers with a nod.
Toru smiles, turns away, (doesn't think about regret).
Day 26
On the shores of the mainland, they debated what was calling them. Uzu no Kuni was in front of them, they knew—but Uzushiogakure had been dead for eons. Still, something was over there. Something strange, (and safe, they hoped). Whatever it was, they agreed to keep the fact that they were jinchūriki quiet for now.
Together, they cross the ocean quickly, Fū cheerfully leading them onwards, (appearances matter; they are all ninjas, they know this). They hit the shores of Uzu no Kuni and then keep going.
(The urge in their bones doesn't get stronger, but somehow fiercer, like it knows they are at the end of their journey.)
They run into a group of ninjas on their way. None of them have any village identifying marks, but they're moving quickly. However, upon seeing them the group of jinchūriki they pause. Almost immediately, Rōshi feels himself tense.
However, against all the odds, the ninjas don't attack or anything; instead, the one who seems to act as the leader calls a halt. "Did you guys get the call as well?" She asks.
Han steps forward, (he seems to be acting leader for their small group, and Rōshi doesn't mind, can't mind when it's Han). "Do you know anything about it?" He asks.
The ninja grins, fierce and wild and happy, (a story that there that Rōshi doesn't yet know). "Decades after Kirigakure's invasion, Uzushio has finally called all of us home again. The village welcomes you inside no matter who you are or what you can do, whether you be a ninja or a civilian."
"Uzushio?" Fū echoes, eyes wide. Han and Rōshi exchange glances. "But…"
The kunoichi seems to know what Fū is getting at, and their grin becomes something a bit blood-thirsty. "Uzushio did not fall quietly, and didn't fall at all for the most part. Our people scattered, and now we all come. Everyone comes home."
In the end, the trio of jinchūriki follow the ninjas across Uzu no Kuni and into Uzushio. They're abandoned in Uzushio to someone else. The person they're given to doesn't seem very busy at the time, but he's young—Fū's age, Rōshi reckons.
"I'm Toru," he says, smiling at them. "Welcome to Uzushio. Give me one second please." Han nods, and the younger shinobi gestures at someone nearby—a civilian, Rōshi assumes, (it's weird). "Alright, that's dealt with. What are your names?"
"I'm Han, with me are Rōshi and Fū."
"Nice to meet you," Toru says, still somehow smiling. "This is Uzushio. We're still finding our feet for the most part, but you will definitely have somewhere to stay. There's free food for helping out with anything, but it can also be bought—we've starting getting a fish market going since some of the civilians have been fishing." He pauses, and Rōshi- Rōshi remembers how to breathe.
(This is so much. Too much. A debt will be owed, surely. Yet, at the same time, anything free offered is quickly given a reason. It's not like anything Rōshi has ever experienced, but it's not like the village—Uzushio—can do anything else.)
"You don't have to make a decision now," Toru says quietly, (and it's almost like he knows how thye all feel; the fear, the hope, their various worries). "And Uzushio is always open if you come to us."
Someone steps up to his side—another civilian, this one a child even younger than Fū. She whispers something to Toru, who nods his head, says "Thanks," and then turns his gaze to the three jinchūriki, (his gaze seems almost heavy and yet he is so young; but something in Rōshi rails against considering this shinobi as someone who he could take down with ease—there's something dangerous there). "You'll be safe here," he says and Rōshi knows that Toru knows that they are jinchūriki. He doesn't know how, but…
But he thinks he might be willing to find out if Toru's words hold true.
(Fū learnt she could fly by flinging herself into the air and finding out whether she did have wings. She'd told them on the way over. Rōshi has a feeling that this might just be their turn to try and fly.)
Day 28
It's not quite a celebration—or it didn't start as one, at the very least. Still, Toru can't quite bring himself to mind the outcome as he observes the revelry going on below. There are two bonfires on the beach itself and more flames dance as torches to keep everything well-lit. Foods being handed out and consumed at an astonishing rate and there are people dancing, chaotic and somehow graceful at the same time.
None of it had been planned for. They're all still far too ready for everything to go wrong, to return to the running lifestyles they're trying to leave behind. In the end, it had all worked out though.
The very thought of it sends a thrill rushing through Toru's body. It had worked! Their seal had been massive and required so much chakra and had been so much work—but it was all worth it. Will always be worth it. Shifting Uzu no Kuni would only benefit them.
What they've done feels like something out of a story. Toru knows the other seal masters who worked on the project with him feel the same high; feel like they're legends now that it's done, (and they are—but they don't know that).
Toru's sitting near a few other ninjas on a roof simply watching the festivities. He's starting to consider retiring when an Uzumaki he's briefly spoken to—Nori—drops down to sit beside him. "Hey," he says, voice soft.
"Hey, Toru-sama," Nori says, smiling. She pauses, eyes flicking away from him and then back. Meeting his eyes, she continues, "On behalf of the Uzumaki Clan, I am here to let you know that we consider you ally, friend, and family—whatever label you decide to take. We offer you a home and safety, if you decide to take it."
(The words don't quite follow tradition. But Nori had spoken with her clan elders and those of other clans, because Toru is family but didn't seem to realise he could claim them.)
On the palm of her hand rests an Uzumaki red glass bead and a dark blue thin ribbon; the word kin and variations thereof stitched onto it. Swallowing, Nori continues, "The ribbon can be used as a chakra conduct, allowing you to activate any seals that are bound by Uzumaki blood if they don't initially work for you."
(There are rumours that say Toru is an Uchiha, an Uzumaki, that he is the Toru of old. Toru who claims no surname, but looks like he might be an Uzumaki or an Uchiha, and matches what the stories claim Toru of old has done. And whether he is or isn't doesn't matter. He's family and Uzumaki and that's enough for her clan.)
Toru gently takes the bead and ribbon. "It's an honour," he says, words just shy of choked. In response, Nori grins, and-
And she can see the way Toru doesn't quite know how to respond, but she's not close enough to comfort him. She's a chūnin, an Uzumaki, and he is their leader, (their Uzukage).
Behind him, a kunoichi meets Nori's gaze and inclines her head, stepping closer. Barely avoiding breathing a sigh of relief, Nori nods back and disappears into the crowds below.
Meanwhile, Toru stares down at the items in his hand, heart pounding. Because they've labelled him as an Uzumaki, as family, (like Toru didn't abandon his family the moment it suited him).
"Breathe," someone says, voice low and soft and gentle, (he doesn't deserve to have a family anymore). Toru forces himself to breathe. In. Hold. Out. "That's it."
The voice is familiar and Toru drags his eyes away from the items in his hand, towards the kunoichi crouching beside him, (an echo of a memory; another kunoichi beside him; a dream that was a memory; a realisation that shaped him). She's the one who'd helped him in the fight with Orochimaru the other day.
(They hadn't clicked in the fight, hadn't instantly fought back-to-back, but they had fought together well despite having no experience with one another prior to the fight. It's not much more than potential, but it's a starting point. It could be more. If they wanted it.)
Toru blinks. His eyelids feel heavy. "I'm alright," he says, the words thick on his tongue.
Dai Nishikawa looks at him evenly with brown eyes. "If you say so," she says.
There's no one left to call Toru out on his words. Dai's words are mildly criticising but… but there's nothing there but an offer to listen or an offer to believe him. He swallows, considers. Unclenches his hand.
Dai simply waits for him to respond and seems perfectly willing to wait as long as he needs. Somehow, it's getting easier and easier to breathe, (a weight taken from his shoulders).
"Maybe I'm not," Toru breathes out, slow; steadying. He glances at the items in his hand once again, raises his hand in offering to Dai. "But I will be. Could you help?"
(And there is more to his words. Could Dai help with his hair? Could Dai help him as a friend, as a person? Would Dai be willing to stick by him? Was Dai willing to try?)
Gently, Dai takes the items and situates herself properly on the roof, fingers starting to run through Toru's hair; gentle and sure. Toru remains danger-still, trusting but not that trusting.
(Yes, she says without words. I will help with this and I will stand by your side and I will be your friend. I would be your teammate, if you would let me. I see you here alone and I will not let you stay that way—if you will let me help.)
Together, as twilight ventures into evening, they continue to breathe. It gets easier.
At long last, all of Uzushio's clans reside within her walls, whether they want to or not. The Nanami Clan returns in triumph and in strength. Orochimaru attempts to manipulate and gain power, but Toru stands strong and Uzushio stands with him.