THE END WAR – UZUMAKI NARUTO
The Imperial Palace
Boruto looks at his father and sees what damage he has done to him. Naruto is famed for his recovery abilities, but he has clearly been through a war today. He fought off King Hoffman Swen at the start of it, then battled against Furst Jonas, lastly he finally destroyed the Hive Mind. This has led to the 7th Hokage almost dying several times. These repeated battles have ended up costing Naruto his arm, as well as much of his energy. More than anything Boruto can see that his father is tired, that he wants to sleep, but he has been denied that for such a long time now.
There is an even greater source of guilt for Boruto, something even worse than the terrible state his father is in, that is the state of Homeworld itself. He is the Crown Prince of this world, but thanks to his inability to resist the Hive Mind the world itself is dead. It is a barren wasteland that surely there can be no recovery from. Thanks to him so much has been lost, his mother and his sister, Sarada, all his family, everyone's families.
"Dad, I'm so sorry," Boruto says.
"I know. I know. We did it Boruto. The Hive Mind, Jonas, they're gone. Homeworld isn't in danger anymore."
"But there is nothing left, everyone is dead!"
Naruto nods, "I know. You see, from the beginning I planned to let the Hive Mind do this, because I believed there was a way back from it. I didn't realise how much energy it would take to defeat the Hive Mind though, that's why my plans have changed. I was willing to pretend that everyone else was gone forever to save you, but now the situation isn't good. There is so much 'death' energy all over Homeworld that it will take a lot to push that away.
"You see Boruto, I barely have any of the energy your mother gave me left. I was going to use 'life' energy with the device to do to Homeworld what I did to you. I was going to spread 'life' energy everywhere and bring back the recently deceased. But they have been dead longer than I planned for. The energy requirements to bring them back is increasing each second, increasing faster than I am recovering energy."
"Dad…"
Naruto approaches Jonas's machine and places his hand on it. He rests on it for a second, lowering his head and taking a deep breath. He still feels tired, so tired. He turns his head to the side and forces a smile as he looks at Boruto. Once upon a time Boruto would have chosen this fate for Homeworld, but he changed, he grew. He is proud of the effort that his son made, that he was able to change for the better. Now there is only one thing left to do.
"When this is done promise me that you will destroy the machine," Naruto says.
"When what is done?"
"When I use One-Hundred Percent Detonation all the energy is stored in or on my body, it is no use to anyone there. That energy needs to be brought out, all of it. That is the only way to save everyone from this 'death' energy."
"Don't you dare!"
"Boruto, I'm going to detonate my core and bring everyone back."
"You can't!"
"There is no other way."
"Dad! Please don't! I don't care what I have to do, just please don't do that! We'll find another way. I don't care if its time travel, if we start this whole thing again, if I detonate my core instead, just… just not this way."
"Boruto, calm down. There is no other way. We haven't got time to think about it, I need to do this now or there will be no way back."
"How am I supposed to live with that?" Boruto asks tearfully. "You could have just killed me you stupid old man! By fighting me and doing this all you have done is trade your life for mine. You're the Hero of Homeworld, the one that everyone admires. I made countless mistakes since you came back, but you have always done the right thing. It's not fair that you die instead of me. How am I supposed to live knowing that? How am I supposed to living knowing that your life was the price!?"
"Helping you to come back from those mistakes is my job."
"Why?"
Naruto smiles, "Because I'm your father Boruto."
"No, no, no, no, no. Your story can't end like this, not after everything you have done!"
"Every story needs to end Boruto. A shinobi is not defined by the start or the middle of his story, he is defined by that end. My end will be that I sacrificed myself in order to save you. I couldn't have dreamed of a better ending. Boruto, giving my life for yours, it is my honour."
"You can't. No, you can't. Please don't!"
"If I could ask for something else as well, it's… well… be happy Boruto. Have a happy life, spend every day smiling and laughing with the people you love."
"Dad… please don't!"
"Tell your mother, your sister… tell everyone that I love them. I love all of them."
"Dad!"
"And Boruto, I'm very proud of you. I love you."
Boruto somehow forces himself to his feet and leaps towards his father, but it is too late. He sees the multicoloured glow coming from Naruto's chest. By the time Boruto is halfway to his father Naruto's body disappears and is replaced by a blinding flash of light. The flash of light throws Boruto back to the ground yet somehow it doesn't hurt him. Instead the light makes Boruto feel healthier than he has ever felt before. Seconds later white 'life' energy descends from the sky, falling all over Homeworld.
As the 'life' energy descends it chases the 'death' energy away. Boruto watches his dad's plan work, he watches the grass come back to life and sees the people in the distance breathing and standing once again. It has worked, his father's sacrifice had the desired effect. Homeworld is saved once again, it is now a world free from the threat of the Hive Mind, free from the threat of Furst Jonas. But freedom has come at the ultimate price. In order for this utopia to be born Homeworld's greatest champion has given his life.
Boruto hits his head on the floor before punching the floor many times. When his fist hurts too much to continue he screams, emptying his lungs until his throat is too painful to scream anymore. He then lets all his muscles relax and collapses to the ground. He takes in frequent and deep breaths. This is the price for Homeworld's freedom, for the freedom of all worlds. He thinks back to how he argued against his father's mercy for Clyde and Homeworld, about how when he was young he resented his father. He wishes more than anything that he could take that back now. This is Homeworld's greatest victory, he should be celebrating, but instead it is the worst moment of his life. His father is dead.
Eventually Boruto sits up and sees all that remains of his father. It is the head protector that saved him in the battle against Jonas, and his severed arm. Boruto removes his jacket and uses it to wrap both items. In years to come the head protector will surely be a monument to this world's greatest hero. The burial of a single limb is not what Uzumaki Naruto deserves, but it is the best that his son can offer. These are the remains of his father, of the person who saved his life, they will forever be reminders of his greatest failure.
The Hertz Family Compound
As the people of the Hertz Family rejoice, they are again confused by the reaction of Theresa and Philip. The two of them are leaning against the wall, solemnly reflecting on what has been lost. After half a minute Philip yells at everyone to be silent and informs them of what has happened. He tells them that Naruto is dead.
The silence holds in the Hertz Family Compound for a long time. Nobody dares to break it. Ending this silence seems wrong, for any of them. Uzumaki Naruto is someone who dedicated much of his life to protecting them and freeing them from dictatorship. He risked his life by battling the most powerful man in the world and against the odds he won. He then sacrificed himself to save them anyway. How could anyone be more worthy of respect? How could anyone else be more of a hero to the people of Homeworld?
Theresa and Philip feel great sadness.
Uzumaki Naruto, the hero who sacrificed himself to save those who came after him.
The Imperial Palace
Boruto doesn't use divine energy to move, instead just relying on his shinobi mobility. It takes him ten minutes before he returns to the site of the battle with Jonas. As he walks through the ranks of the army that fought against Jonas people move aside for him. After walking for one minute he reaches the front of those ranks where his mother and sister are waiting for him.
Hinata looks at Boruto.
Boruto shakes his head.
Hinata drops to her knees and sobs uncontrollably. After all this effort she expected some reward for their family, she expected that she and Naruto could be together. He has done more than anyone else and this is the reward he is given, death? As Himawari holds her tightly, crying tears of her own, Hinata cannot think of any ending less fitting. How could this be the end of Naruto's story? How are they supposed to tell this story in the future? It seems that if you become a hero of Homeworld there is only one fate that awaits you.
As Minato and Kushina hold one another tightly, Sarada approaches Boruto and does her best to comfort him. But Sarada struggles for words. What can you possibly say to someone in Boruto's situation, someone who will forever remember the death of his father and blame himself for it? She does the only thing that she can do, she stays with him and tells him that everything will be OK. Tomorrow can only be better than today.
Nadia uses a communication stone to send the news to Homeworld. Furst Jonas is gone and the people are safe, but it has come at a great cost. She requests that before they celebrate their freedom they bow their heads and thank the man who saved them. Upon hearing this request the entirety of Homeworld falls silent, grateful for their late saviour, grateful like they have never been before. Most have never met Naruto, but he will remain in their thoughts forever.
In one day Homeworld has experienced both its greatest happiness and its greatest sadness.
However, there is one person whose voice has a glimpse of optimism in it.
Endou Akashi unrolls Boruto's jacket, revealing Naruto's severed arm and his head protector.
Akashi puffs his cheeks. "The odds aren't very good."
"Akashi…" Enri mutters.
"Bringing someone back to life using just their arm would take a lot of energy," he says.
The Hertz Family Compound
Theresa and Philip smile.
Uzumaki Naruto, the hero who sacrificed himself to save those who came after him.
Thankfully, Homeworld has two such heroes.
The Imperial Palace
"Hinata, you love him don't you?" Akashi asks.
"What… yes… yes of course I do."
"That's good. That's very good. Enri I…"
"I know," Enri says. "We love you too."
Akashi smiles. "Hinata, you will need to create that shield again. It shouldn't require everyone, just those here should be enough."
"Father…"
"Hurry Hinata, time is precious. I am going to detonate my core and use 'life' energy to bring him back."
Enri places her hand on Hinata's back with a smile. Mana quickly follows, as do Himawari, Boruto, Minato, Kushina, Sarada, Michel, and Sasuke. It is a small group watched over by so many others including the souls of those lost on their journey. Hinata creates a dome-shaped shield around her father and Naruto. Not a second later, and with a smile on his face Akashi detonates his core, throwing white 'life' energy in all directions. The dome is filled with this light, making it impossible to see anything. All they can do is close their eyes and pray that they will be greeted with the glorious sight of a returning hero.
The light dies down.
Naruto's body is there, but it is unclear if he is alive or not.
Hinata dissipates the shield and runs to him, lifting his upper body a short way from the floor and listening for his breath.
"Is this the afterlife? If so why does my head hurt?"
Hinata hugs Naruto tightly, her tears only flowing more freely now that he is back. She presses her head into his shoulder and refuses to move. He is alive! He is back!
"You're not allowed to fight ever again!" Hinata says.
"Fine by me," Naruto groans.
Boruto approaches his parents and hugs them both, Himawari does the same.
"You stupid old man," Boruto says, "You're not dying that easily, got it!"
Naruto smiles as he is surrounded by the tight embrace of his family. He closes his eyes and rests in this position for a few minutes. He has had a very busy day, and he couldn't think of a better way to end it than here, in the arms of Hinata and their family. He has given his life for Homeworld, given his life for Boruto and he has been rewarded for it. Homeworld is free of threats at last and he is now free to follow the advice he gave to Boruto. He is free to be happy, to spend every day smiling and laughing with the people he loves.
The Hertz Family Compound
Theresa and Philip begin cheering again, once more drawing the attention of their family members. They announce that Naruto has been brought back to life to the great jubilation of the clan. Tonight will be the greatest celebration in the history of the clan. For the first time in so many years the Seers of the Hertz Clan see no impending disasters, no upcoming threats to Homeworld. They are free at last; prosperity can finally return to this great realm.
The Imperial Palace
Nadia squeezes her communication stone and announces the news with delight.
"Uzumaki Naruto is back! He is alive!"
Farmwell, Fayoth
Farmwell is among the largest cities in Homeworld and is the capital of Fayoth. It has suffered for years under the control of Puppet Queen Huen Petra, the most loyal of all Furst Jonas's followers. Today for the first time in many years people ignite fireworks in celebration. They are free at last! People dance in the streets, throwing torn up paper from the tops of the many high-rise buildings and watching with joy as it falls down below. Now they can expand from this ultra-dense city, now they can start helping people to live better lives, now they can escape from this authoritarian existence!
Boni, Seblix
The people of Boni play their traditional drums and dance their ceremonious dances. These are events that Queen Nadia used to encourage every year before Furst became emperor, it only seems fitting that they return again. The continuous expansion of the land can end at last. The constant industry, the non-stop hard-work and the endless schemes are finally over. Boni is free and it is thanks to the efforts of the rebellion.
Otoriko, Gavaria
The battle to free Gavaria is what started this most remarkable day. The same day that Naruto appeared in Otoriko was the day that he freed Homeworld. People from different backgrounds with years of enmity put it aside to celebrate together. A tradition from years gone past, people bring food into the streets and share it with one another. Now this can become a regular occurrence again. Surely Gavaria will be under new leadership in the new empire, now they can start to heal old wounds and begin to work together. The oppression and hardship is at an end, they walk forward into a future they can all share.
Rara, Cheqitori
The people in Rara have spent their lives doing manual labour on behalf of King Hertz Erik. They have wasted their lives working to satisfy the King's vanity and have received no reward. Now things can finally change. They parade down the streets showing off the gems and jewels that they have found today. For the first time they will be able to keep them. They no longer serve a king who only intends to further his own image, they can serve the people again. Their lives will start to change for the better and it is thanks to Uzumaki Naruto and the rebellion he has lead.
Taigai, Aturia
Taigai was evacuated immediately after the War Council declared war. The people of the city returned as soon as the War Council determined it was safe to do so without suffering imperial retaliation. The streets which once hosted the first battle in the war now host people singing songs together. They are destined for an exciting future at the forefront of ever-improving human-beast relations. Although he is not human, King Didier is due to become their monarch. They can look forward to a caring leader for the first time in many years.
Dunstone, Ewoa
The people of Dunstone fill the remaining streets and celebrate with each other. When Jonas attacked the city many feared that it was over, that the attack was a sign of how the war would transpire. That is not the case. Their king, the hero who they all admire has defeated the tyrannical emperor. They don't need to be afraid of Mauer Sabine any longer, nor Furst Jonas. They can rebuild in peace under the watchful eye of the Pocket Emperor, the Leader of the Rebellion, the 7th Hokage, the King of Ewoa, Uzumaki Naruto.
The Imperial Palace
Surrounded by celebrating people, Naruto starts when he thinks he hears a voice. He doesn't know if it is his imagination, but he is convinced he can he hear the voice of Endou Akashi. That voice has a very simple final message to say to him, words that he wishes he could say back to his father-in-law.
Akashi's voice says these final words.
"Uzumaki Naruto, thank you."
In Response to m'j doom
Who asks who the voice belongs to?
The voice doesn't belong to a person as such.
It is a manifestation of the divine ability.
Thanks for reading.
In Response to Demon90340
Who asks for any advice on universe/world building?
I must have accumulated a few ideas, hopefully these are helpful to you.
First, I would say that it is important to work out a rough map of your world from the very beginning. In this story the pocket-world map was done already, the Homeworld map I created myself. While creating the maps try to think of events that could happen in a place or things that could have happened there in the past, some of them will make their way into your story. The rough map is important, if not done locations could later lead to plotholes in the story.
Second, create characters as far in advance as possible. In this story it helped to foreshadow characters like Lara, Enri, and Hannah. Even if you create a character who has nothing to do with what has happened in the story so far it is useful. Create a random character, give them a backstory, work out a way to foreshadow their inclusion in your story.
Third, character profiles. I use a standard set of notes for every character and I find that very helfpful because it makes you think through all of them. I included battle classes in each part in these notes which made me work out when characters would have to break through. This particularly helped with developing the royals as characters in this story and helped me to work out events in relation to Sakura's death.
That's the best advice I can think of for the moment.
I would be happy to answer any follow-up questions.
Thanks for reading.
In Response to Alexowent
Who asks why this particular pocket-world is able to progress so quickly?
It is because Sora and Enri manipulated it with 'fate' energy.
Thanks for reading.
In Response to Brankinhovich sama
Who asks what would happen if 'life' energy were used on Akashi?
I don't know.
That's probably a question for an expert on the original work.
After this much time it probably couldn't bring back anyone.
Thanks for reading.
In Response to KristinalUzumakiPrime23
Who asks when the final chapter is coming out?
I couldn't reveal that without giving away spoil...
There isn't much left to spoil actually.
The final chapter is tomorrow.
Thanks for reading.
In Response to Guest
Who asks how the portal-based divine ability transfer works?
Nobody in-universe knows except Akashi.
I haven't bothered to create a mechanic behind it because I didn't think it mattered.
I could create one, but it's never going to be brought up again.
Thanks for reading.