REBIRTH OF THE LEAF – THE ANSWER
Outside Jashin's Temple
A silence has possessed the area outside the temple of Jashin. This has been the sight of a great battle. A battle between the Leaf and the Sand. A battle between Shinki's friends and Shinki's demons. A battle between good and evil. A battle between shinobi and a power they don't understand. This place has seen a battle between friends. A battle between cousins. A battle between Kage. It is here that people with powers that transcend the Kage have done battle.
The landscape has been scarred by the tremendous power that it has had to contend with. Shinki has been possessed by Jashin and his evil powers to manipulate blood. Dan has understood the invaders' powers, he has achieved a new level through understanding the nature of fire. Shikadai has done the same. The Nara clansmen who this whole incident has revolved around, the man who the Kage made feel small and useless. Not only did Shikadai understand the nature of an element, he understood the nature of a transcendent element, he understood darkness.
Lastly, there is Senju Hashirama.
What has happened here speaks volumes about the 1st Hokage's power, more than anybody else's.
Hashirama didn't win here using the invaders power nor using Jashin's power. He won with his own strength. He is simply that strong.
"Dan" Hashirama breaks the silence as he turns to face his granddaughter's lover. "Free Shinki".
Dan snaps out of his stupor. Until just now, he had been in a trance. This power that had been displayed before him. Previously he had seen it only for a few moments in a battle against a Colonel. That first time, Hashirama had been unaccustomed to the power and had passed out as a result. The only other time he saw it was on a TV monitor. This time he had seen it in person, not only that but he could feel the nature chakra flowing towards the 1st Hokage. In person, this sensation would be enough to shock anyone.
In his last moment before acting, Kato Dan is finally convinced. Without the invaders' power, Hashirama is every bit Naruto's equal.
Despite his injured state, he activates the spirt transformation technique and enters Shinki's unconscious body. He begins to attack from the inside out. Eroding away all the unwelcome chakra from the Kazekage's blood. Erasing the unwanted existence of Jashin in the shinobi world.
Jashin's glowing ball still floats above Shinki's shoulder, only now it is glowing more intensely than ever. Rage. The intensity with which it burns is connected with the bloody deity's rage.
"What will you do now, Senju Hashirama?" Jashin roars as his existence starts to diminish. "Without my power, will it be possible for you to defeat these other-world invaders?".
Shikadai grinds his teeth and wonders if this is going to go poorly. Much like his cousin, the 1st Hokage has been a believer that the invaders should be killed. He believes that during their dying moments, it was the wishes of Mito, Konohamaru and all the others that the invaders should be killed. He has made it his personal mission to see that happen. If he were to combine powers with this evil god, how grave could the consequences bee.
"Take my power for yourself" Jashin implores, "You could be unstoppable, together we could crush them".
Hashirama grins smugly.
"It's true that I aim to kill the invaders. I aim to kill Clyde and his followers to fulfil the dying wishes of my wife".
He continues, "As you are suggesting, I may not have the power to accomplish my goal alone…".
As Hashirama says this, he looks away from the glowing orb before him. He looks instead to the inhabited body of Shinki. Someone who agrees with him. Influenced by a spirit or not, the Kazekage is someone who believes the correct decision is to kill the invaders'. Next, he thinks to Boruto asking for instruction, about how their shared philosophy makes them an ideal pair.
"But, there is something that makes me different from those who have failed in the past". Particularly, Hashirama has his close childhood friend Madara in mind. There are others too, from the Uchiha clan, Obito and Sasuke.
"I'm going to succeed with the help of my friends" he declares with a genuine smile, a smile the old Hashirama would share, "I'm not alone".
"You are making a big mistake!" the orb shouts before vanishing completely.
Jashin is gone.
Dan's spirit returns to his own body, having achieved what he set out to do. The nearby Senju clansmen is quick to react to this. He creates a wood clone that leaps over to Dan and begins healing him.
"Lord 1st" the fire-user mutters quietly, "I hope you don't find this to be too rude but I'm going to need to rest now". Having said that, he closes his eyes and gently falls asleep.
Shikadai smiles at this conclusion, as things have calm down, he starts to feel the horrendous injuries that he has sustained throughout this battle. Regardless, he doesn't take the treatment that Hashirama offers him, instead he limps over to his cousin. The two of them have been the centremost figures in this whole incident, he feels it is only right that things conclude with them talking to one another.
"Shinki" Shikadai calls as he shakes his cousin gently by the arms, "Hey, Shinki, wake up!".
The Kazekage's eyelids open gently. Open opening them he feels an immediate sense of relief. The screaming in his head has gone, the lack of control over his own actions also seems to be gone. Also, his blood feels a lot cleaner. "Shikadai… I'm free… aren't I?".
"Yeah, you're free Shinki" declares the founder of The Circle, "You need never be controlled by Jashin again".
Once again, Shinki feels relief, this time he expresses it with a great sigh. For what feels like the first time in years, he truly relaxes. "That's a relief. Tell me, Shikadai, did I kill anyone?".
"A few people may have been injured but everyone is mostly OK". Shikadai glances over at Dan for a moment. The people who have been hurt by this fight the most, are himself, Dan and Shinki. The only other people who suffered are those in the Hidden Leaf Village, affected by the jolt of chakra into the amulets. "Shinki, we've done it together this time, we've overcome Jashin".
The Kazekage smiles. "Thank you, Shikadai. On behalf of the Hidden Sand, thank you".
Shikadai nods gently before switching to look at Hashirama's back. The 1st Hokage is facing the temple of Jashin and seems to be preparing for something.
"What are you going to do?".
"Nature has already begun its battle against this temple" Hashirama explains, nodding to the years of wear and tear caused by the sandstorms in the Land of Wind. The temple looked old when Shikadai arrived here. Now that it has been next to an explosive battle, it is no longer fit to be called a temple. Now the term ruin is more appropriate. "I'm going to finish the job".
The 1st Hokage weaves signs in a continual stream. Individual jutsu are only distinguished from one another by quick bodily gestures that Hashirama makes to activate them. As various sources of wood overcome and smash the remnants of the temple to pieces, the incident comes to a close. Jashin will never bother a shinobi again.
"It's gone Shinki, the temple that you found, it has gone".
"Yeah" his cousin replies with a barely noticeable smile. It is quickly done as he changes the conversation, he realises a serious issue is still present. "What will you do now, Shikadai? I am a criminal after all, a traitor to our world, to our cause?".
"I don't know what will happen in the long run" Shikadai admits before grinning, "But I think the first thing we should do is go back, don't you?".
"Yes".
Nearby
Two people have observed this whole battle, unnoticed despite their enormous presence and fame for each and every living shinobi. This duo makes up the strongest combination amongst the invaders'. It is General Clyde and Colonel Peterson.
They have also been shocked by what they have seen in this battle. For someone to unlock a power like darkness is incredibly rare. It is a power that allows you to fight above your own level, that is something that Clyde himself boasts about. That is not the only thing that shocked them. To Peterson it feels like only yesterday he was able to use his abilities to make Hashirama look foolish, now, with every passing moment, the 1st Hokage seems to come closer and closer to the next level. Clyde's level, Naruto's level.
What truly shocks them is something else.
"General, was that really a divine ability?" Peterson asks.
"It was like a divine ability but not identical" Clyde answers after a moments consideration. "Perhaps it was a failed divine ability".
"What is it doing here?" Peterson shouts as turns to face his leader. Clearly, the presence of this failed divine ability is not something he can understand. It is like it goes against all the laws of reality. "There shouldn't be something like that in this world".
"Who know" Clyde mutters. "But, aren't you astonished, they're learning our strength, their power is increasing so rapidly".
"It's not just them General" the scar-faced Colonel proudly declares, "I've felt it too, the improvement in my training speed. The rate at which I am gaining strength is much greater than before".
"Is that so?" Clyde asks cheerfully, "In that case, there may be hope for us yet".
3 Weeks Later, Outside the Circle
Three people are waiting outside what has become the governmental building of the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand Villages. Inside this building await the most elite group in this world's history. Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Namikaze Minato, Senju Tsunade, Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sarada and Uzumaki Boruto. Any of these names would have made histories criminals shake in their boots. While many of them are forgiving and understand the importance of destroying the cycle of hatred, that is not the same as allowing a criminal to go free.
The criminal awaiting his fate is the Kazekage.
It is Shinki.
Waiting with him are his Aunt and Uncle, Temari and Shikamaru.
"Will it really be OK?" Shinki nervously asks.
"Of course it will" Temari snaps like it's obvious.
"But after all the terrible things I did…".
"Your father did terrible things too" Temari admits, thinking back to Gaara's younger days. "He also had to ask for forgiveness, after doing that, he went to become the Kazekage".
Shinki's circumstances are different to Gaara's. "I was already Kazekage and my father was a lot younger than I when he made the mistake. I betrayed the very people I represent, all for my petty revenge".
"But nobody died, did they?".
"Aunt Temari…".
Temari interrupts her nephew, "You've heard the stories of Uchiha Sasuke, haven't you?".
Shinki nods. "Yes. His deeds are legendary. As the first person to hold the position of shadow Hokage, he did a great service to the Hidden Leaf. No, not just the Hidden Leaf. He protected the whole world from terrifying foes, he is remembered as a true hero".
"And the difference between you and Sasuke is that he actually killed people" Temari explains. She remembers the day Sasuke attacked the Five Kage summit. It was a dark day when the villages realised they had such a powerful enemy who had so much room to grow. "He went on to greatness. His daughter even became the Hokage who worked with you. You will be fine".
A comforting hand lands on the Kazekage's shoulder, Shikamaru's hand. "Relax a bit Shinki, I was the one who you hurt the most and I have forgiven you".
Shinki nods sincerely. Following Jashin's instructions and attempting to kill this man is possibly his life's foremost regret. "Thank you, Uncle, it's just a question of whether the Circle will forgive me too".
The door to the Circle opens and out steps Shinki's cousin. The Circle's administrator, Shikadai. "Shinki, they have come to a decision and will see you now".
Together they enter the building.
The Circle
This is a day of great importance in the history of not just the Hidden Leaf but the Hidden Sand too. These two great villages make up all that is left of this world's natives. For this important decision, all of the Circle members attended. Hashirama. Tobirama. Hiruzen. Minato. A returning Tsunade. Kakashi. Naruto. Sarada. Boruto.
As Shikadai returns to his position in the middle of the Circle, Shinki is left wondering what to do. "Where would you like me to stand for this decision?".
Hashirama gestures to his right. "How about you sit in this chair?".
That chair is marked Kazekage.
Shinki starts, "But…".
Hashirama says nothing further. With a smile and a wink, he turns back to face the centre of the table. Business as usual.
"What are you saying" Shinki is flustered as he asks.
"You were being controlled by Jashin, Lord Kazekage. You have done nothing wrong" the administrator explains with a wide smile on his face, "The verdict is that you are innocent, thus, we request that you return to your chair".
"Are you all sure about this?".
Tobirama sits back in his chair and folds his arms. "Even if we did remove you, it would cause unrest among the citizens of the Hidden Sand".
Naruto is more pleasant about his explanation. "We've forgiven you Shinki, forgiveness is always the best decision when you are faced with someone who truly regrets what they have done".
"Sit down, Lord Kazekage" Kakashi requests with his usual unenthusiastic voice, "We have plenty to get on with".
Shinki's old colleague, Sarada is the next to speak. "You're not going to turn us, down are you?".
The Kazekage is embarrassed as he is forced to rub a tear away from his check. "Of course not, Lord 9th. I will return to The Circle". He does just that, he sits in the chair he thought he left behind forever. To his left is the 1st Hokage. To his right is the 9th Hokage. This is the seat occupied by the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village. This is his home.
"Thank you, everyone".
Outside
"Well, how do you think it went?" Temari eagerly asks her husband, not showing any of the confidence she displayed in front of her nephew.
"Naruto is in there. There is no way they will arrest him. They'll find him innocent, he was under Jashin's control after all".
"Is there a way to be sure?".
"I think there is" Shikamaru chuckles as he notices something. He points over Temari's shoulder to an open window.
From the open window, a ball of iron sand is starting to form. Slowly, that ball accumulates more and more iron sand until it has enough to morph into the shape Shinki chooses. He chooses a life-size human hand. He gives one simple gesture.
The iron sand hand raises a thumb to Temari and Shikamaru.
Temari screams in delight for a moment before realising what she looks like and calming down. "What a relief" she declares as she tightly embraces her husband, "It's OK Shikamaru, he's going to be OK".
"Honestly" Shikamaru smiles but shakes his head at his wife's euphoria, "Let's not have too much excitement, it's not good for my heart".
They pause for a moment and simply rest in each other's arms.
"Would you like to go and get some ramen, Temari?".
"Yes".
Later that Evening
After the Circle finish their meeting, the various members pour out. Two of them have arranged to meet, once again, to discuss how to go forward from here. Boruto and Sarada were having an important conversation before Shinki ruined it for them. He knocked Boruto out during perhaps the least convenient moment he could.
"You wanted to see me" Sarada says as she intertwines her fingers in various patterns.
"Yeah" Boruto nods, "I have finally worked up the nerve".
"The nerve?".
"Yes" the blonde shinobi says, "The night of the Jashin incident, I have worked up the nerve to respond to what you said".
"Oh" Sarada mutters as if she hadn't known. "That…". It has been like torture for her to know that she said what she said. It has been three weeks and Boruto has been spending all this time working up the nerve to talk to her about it? Imagine then, what it has been like for her.
He takes a deep breath.
"Sarada I…".
"BORUTO!" a screaming voice interrupts him.
A hand is placed on the shadow Hokage's shoulder. Naruto's hand.
'My damn old man' Boruto curses in his head. 'He still hasn't learnt how to read the mood yet…'. The sole wielder of the Tenseigan is tempted to use his powers at this moment. The moment has been interrupted twice now, once by an evil deity and the other time by his own father.
"I found it" Naruto announces, "You have to come with me".
Boruto suddenly starts and his anger fades away. He knows what Naruto is referring to.
The portal.
Naruto has found the portal.
"Now of all times" he curses, "Sarada, I'm sorry but I…".
"I know" she interrupts with a smile. The Hokage understands this issue better than anybody.
Naruto begins to run away from his son, "Come on Boruto" he says as he gestures with his arm.
Boruto clenches his hands for a moment as he thinks of what to do. After a moment he thinks of something. He reaches into his pocket and searches around for a metallic feel. Eventually, he grabs them. He pulls his hand out of his pocket and throws something to Sarada.
The 9th Hokage looks at the object.
"House keys…".
Boruto explains his actions. "If you let yourself in, I promise we will talk about it when I get back".
The last Uchiha smiles as she gently wraps her fingers around the keys. "Yes".
As the two Uzumaki shinobi run into the distance she smiles. The two of them are working together to form a truly deadly force. Their backs shrink as they get further into the distance, even when using the rinnegan, they quickly escape from Sarada's sight. She is convinced that together, the two of them will overcome all the obstacles the Leaf is faced with. She is convinced that together, this father-son duo is the answer to all of the village's difficulties.
One thought runs through her mind.
'Hurry back, Boruto'.
Two Hours Later
A long distance from the Hidden Leaf is where Boruto has found himself. This is the place he followed his father to and just before him is the shining spectacle from his memories. The pair have been here for some time, staring, such is the aura of the portal.
"This is what my clones found" Naruto finally explains as he looks at his son.
Boruto is transfixed on the portal and has been for some time. There is something special about it, he is sure of that. It is not just the terrible memories he has from being near it, it has an aura about it.
"It sure gives me a weird feeling" Naruto says, mirroring his son's thoughts. Then he goes one step further. "It's giving off some strange energy, do you feel it?".
Boruto inspects the portal with his Tenseigan before shaking his head, "You're imagining things".
"Still, it's exactly as you described it" the 7th Hokage continues as he inspects this dimensional travel device. This is the thing that allowed the invaders to come here, this is the road to Clyde's world. "Well, is this it?".
Boruto hesitates for a moment before saying it. "Yes, this is it".
"This is the portal to their world".
Naruto nods to his son before activating the peak of his chakra based powers. He enters six paths sage mode.
Boruto takes this as his cue to get well back, he has seen first-hand just how powerful his father's attacks can be.
Naruto first draws upon the chakra provided to him by Kurama. He combines that with nature chakra to create the strongest tailed beast bomb he can. He has more than chakra to contribute though. Using the life power he unlocked while fighting Clyde, he slowly pulses the ball so that it flashes with his power. He coats the tailed beast bomb in life energy. Then, he unleashes his attack, he hits the portal with the tailed beast bomb.
An enormous explosion covers the surrounding area, likely killing all but the two people with the power to survive.
Naruto and Boruto calmly stand next to one another as the explosion dies down.
The portal has been destroyed.
"So it's finally gone" Boruto notes as he sighs with relief.
"It's gone" Naruto confirms.
"Thanks for your hard work, father".
"With this you can forget about killing Clyde's group, right?" Naruto is happy as he points this out. This solution signifies the end. There is nobody amongst Clyde's group who has the power to threaten them with Naruto's new-found strength. There is no way that they can call for reinforcements, the Leaf is no longer under threat. "Now that the portal has been shut, they have no way of getting reinforcements from their world".
"It's over" Naruto continues, "We can have peace at long last".
Boruto turns his back on the crater his father his left.
He starts back home. He has an important guest waiting for him after all.
He does, however, say something before departing.
"I hope you are right dad…".
"I hope you are right…".
Author Note:
Hi Everyone.
That is the end of Part 4: Rebirth of the Leaf.
I hope you have all enjoyed this part of the story. I never planned to do it originally but was inspired to by the suggestions in the reviews that I mentioned previously.
I have yet to script part 5 but if my estimates are correct it will be much longer than part 4. It may be a while before I finish scripting it and therefore may also be a while before you get the first chapter in part 5. As always, I will try to work as fast as I can.
I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed, you have said some really kind things and it continues to provide me with motivation to keep writing. The entirety of part 4 (Chapters 60 - 75) has been inspired by your suggestions, so thank you for that.
Hopefully I will see you soon.
Thanks for reading,
Cbehrills
Notice:
Hi Everyone,
I realize it has been a long time since I have updated but I would like to make it clear. This story has NOT been abandoned.
It is taking me longer than normal to write out part 5 for a number of reasons. The first of these is this part is more complicated to write than any of its predecessors. The second is that this is the longest part I have written so far and a lot will happen in it. The last is that I have recently taken up studying again and it is taking up a lot of my time.
I know that this reduced speed is not fair to you given the promises I have made in the past but I would like to assure everyone that I will finish this story, no matter how long it takes.
Thanks for your understanding, I hope to be uploading soon,
Cbehrills