THE IMPERIAL PALACE – THE WEDDING

The Uzumaki Family Tent

Himawari sits alone in the central area of the unusually large tent rubbing her hands together as she stares into the space in front of her. There has been a lot on her mind recently, even without Hashirama's recent attack. They are now facing the prospect of going into their last battle without her brother on their side. She always believed that when she died it would be at the side of her brother, but now, facing almost certain death, she sits here alone.

There have been many battles now that have been above her level, battles against countless enemies. Against Clyde and his colonels. Against Lara and her generals. Against Carmen. Against Hashirama and Boruto. Each time her father and a small group of the village's most powerful shinobi have somehow emerged victorious, each time against increasingly long odds. Furst Jonas is beyond any of that though, he's on a plane that she can't begin to imagine. Himawari, like everyone else, has resigned herself to the likely truth, that they will lose this final battle.

Interrupting her thoughts, the door from the outside to the central partition peels back and an elderly gentleman sticks his head inside.

"Yo," the gentleman said.

Himawari quickly realises that this is Kiba. "Hi Uncle Kiba," she says, "It's good to see you, but I assume that you want to speak with my parents."

"Yes, is that convenient Himawari?"

"They're in there making sure Sarada is comfortable, I'll just call them." Himawari walks over to the partition in question, mimicking a knock with the back of her middle and index fingers. "Mom, dad, Uncle Kiba is here to see you."

Returning to her seat, Himawari shakes her head at her own foolishness, trying to knock on canvas was never going to work. It feels like such a long time since they've had the luxury of doors and walls. For doors to feel like a luxury reminds her how far life has fallen from the utopian reality that her father created in their pocket world. Even if the odds are long, they owe it to everyone from back home to fight against Furst Jonas, and to win.

Naruto and Hinata exit from behind the canvas and enter the central partition, seeing the elderly Kiba along with an equally elderly Akamaru.

"Yo Kiba," Naruto greets his old friend with a grin, "You don't often visit us, is something wrong?"

"Yes, well it was but…" Kiba trails off, "I'm here to apologise to you Naruto. All the damage that was caused by Hashirama's attack, I must be the one to take the blame for it."

"Huh, why?"

"It's because what's left of our old class told Sarada to do this. We were the ones who told her to push you over the edge. We've watched you your entire life Naruto, we knew all along that there was something missing, a tiny little spark. I'm not sure we could truly say what that spark was, but we knew that you were just a small push away from getting it back and we-"

"I see," Naruto cuts off his old friend.

Kiba casts his eyes downward, rubbing his brow with his hand. "We saw the difference between you now and the you that defeated Sasuke during the war," he continues, "We decided that we had to get that Naruto back at all costs, and the cost was almost fatal."

Naruto groans, crossing his arms. "You're right, that plan probably wasn't such a good idea."

"I wish you had consulted me first," Hinata adds.

"If there was one person among us who couldn't keep a secret from Naruto," Kiba explains with shrugged shoulders, "That person would definitely have been you Hinata. You love him after all."

Silence grips the tent for a few moments as Himawari's head moves back and forward between Kiba and Naruto. She remains uncertain of how to feel about this development. Given what happened to Sarada and how many of their allies came so close to death it is a heavy price to pay for any one person. However, when she considers her father from her youth, there was something about him from then that was missing from the Naruto in front of her now. Even ridiculous plans can pay off.

"It's fine," Naruto eventually decides, "Hashirama spoke some truth when he was here, amongst his lies and smokescreens. A shinobi's life is one of sacrifice, we're already risking our lives here to protect the villagers. That's our duty as shinobi, and I was failing in my duty by not being the best I could be. You saw that and thought that pushing me over the edge was the best way to change our fortunes, and you were right."

"It worked didn't it?" Kiba asks.

"Yeah, it worked. I defeated Hashirama after all. Now I feel like I can do anything. That spark which you thought I had lost is back, and nothing is going to stop me anymore."

Himawari sees the smiles on the faces of Kiba and her mother. She mirrors those smiles, he's talking like he used to during her childhood. That spark hidden deep within his soul is a superpower, a gift from the gods. Now he has it back their enemies don't stand a chance, no matter how powerful they are nor what they are willing to do. Uzumaki Naruto is on, that means nothing can stand in his way.

Another person pushes in through the entrance, though this time not bothering with a friendly introduction. It is Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru," Naruto greets him with a nod.

"Naruto, I'm glad to overhear that you have got your reason for fighting back," he begins, "However, we can only hope that your resolve is enough to help us defeat Furst."

"Shikamaru, have you finished your plan?"

"I have," the circle's new administrator answers, "I have the perfect plan, an assassination with no flaws to it whatsoever. The Circle are getting ready to meet now, you had better come with me."

"I'm coming too," a voice comes from behind the partition. Sarada steps out into the open, still significantly bruised from her battle against Boruto.

"You should really be resting Sarada," Hinata says.

"You couldn't keep me away from this," Sarada responds with determination, "Master, Shikamaru, let's get ready to finish this."

With a nod, Naruto leaves the tent with Shikamaru and Sarada, ready to learn the most important plan that he will ever be part of. Is this to be his final battle?

Elsewhere, different plans are being made.
Elsewhere, they know that this story is far from over.

Hashirama's Hideout

Boruto walks slowly back towards the hideout that he and his master had settled upon days ago. Right now everything stings. His senses tell him everything that he needs to know about what happened after he lost consciousness previously. His father had battled against his master and his father had won. The attempt to finally rid the pocket-worlders of the homeworlders had failed. Now, he is certain that it is only a matter of time before Lara and Clyde betray his father and the whole Hidden Leaf Village suffers for it.

Boruto realises now that what Sarada was trying to do had worked. She had orchestrated everything so that Naruto would have to battle against hopeless odds to try and save Tsunade, and he had succeeded. Not only had he succeeded, but as Sarada was hoping, he found the reason for his determination once again. He knew the moment he emerged from Sarada's labyrinth that his father had changed, he just didn't want to admit it to himself. The look in Naruto's eye should have been enough to tell him that fate was against him. Now there is no way they will ever change his mind. There is no way they can open the eyes of a blind man who wants to be blind.

As Boruto gets within a few hundred meters of the hideout, he recognises that people seem to have circled around something. He doesn't bother to rush, instead activating his byakugan to give himself a better view of what is happening. Once he sees it, he suddenly begins to run as he realises what is going on. In the middle of this circle of their subordinates, Hashirama is lying, beaten and broken.

"Master!" Boruto calls as he runs to the middle of the circle.

Hashirama groans, "It's good that you're still alive Boruto, we don't seem to be getting much good news at the moment. I assume Sarada didn't do any permanent damage to you?"

For a man in such bad condition, Boruto notes that his master is very calm. "No, we couldn't find the heart to truly fight one another. Neither of us thought with the intent to kill. After all was said and done, it was Tsunade who ended the battle. I'm sorry for failing you."

"It seems like we're also going to suffer betrayals as part of this conflict, I guess that much is inevitable," Hashirama concludes.

"What is going on here?" Boruto asks, "Your injuries are too fresh to be from the battle against my father. Just what happened to you master?"

Hashirama answers immediately, "We came under attack this time, and weren't ready for it. We can under attack from a most terrifying man."

"Who? Was it Furst?"

"No, an aristocrat. He was wearing a purple garment like Carmen. For whatever reason he let us live, he told us to prepare ourselves for a much longer conflict."

A longer conflict? Boruto is uncertain of what that could mean initially. This hasn't really been a conflict so far as much as it has been a series of skirmishes. An aristocrat has approached them to effectively warn about an impending war. Does that mean that his father's assassination attempt will fail? Does it mean that a war will break out once it succeeds? Either way, why would an aristocrat want to give them a warning. Boruto decides upon a new interpretation of the words, that wasn't merely a warning, it was a threat.

"Larger conflict… This aristocrat must have recognised that the war between our worlds would continue after Furst's death," Boruto explains his theory.

"Is that what you believe?" Hashirama asks.

"I'm fine with such a war," Boruto reluctantly admits, "If such a war were to happen my father would know the truth. He would be on our side of Clyde betrayed him. If we were to fight with him rather than against him I would be a lot more confident in our chances."

Hashirama shakes his head. "No, that's not going to happen. The assassination is doomed to fail."

"What makes you think that?"

"This aristocrat wasn't talking about a war between our worlds, he was talking about a war against Furst Jonas," Hashirama explains, "The truth is that Furst must be even stronger than that aristocrat was. You know what that means?"

Boruto nods. "It means that my father doesn't stand a chance."

"We must become stronger Boruto. Otherwise the Hidden Leaf is doomed."

The Hidden Entrance to the Imperial Palace

Carmen sits cross-legged with her eyes closed, her back to the secret entrance that she has protected for many years. She is aware of what has been happening on the inside but laments how she is powerless to make any difference to things. This is not the end though. Now the real forces of this world are starting to move to make a difference. Now what once seemed impossible is starting to look just a little bit more realistic.

An aristocrat exits through the secret entrance behind her, stopping only to bow to someone stood next to her. This is the aristocrat who fought with Senju Hashirama just a short while ago. With his duties performed, he pays respect to his senior and dashes away to a safe location.

"You have decided against further inaction then?" Carmen asks.

"The risk of leaving them in there is too great," the senior explains to Carmen, "They must be protected, because they are this world's future."

"You said that it would be too risky to stop them. There is no way that Furst would miss your presence if you went into the Imperial Palace."

"That is why you must go in Carmen."

Carmen gets to her feet, turning to face her senior in spite of her blindness. "Lara and Clyde are the ones that may have trusted me, but they won't listen to me anymore. The citizens of the pocket world definitely won't trust me, not after I fought them so recently."

"You need not worry, I know how to make them pay attention."

The Circle

Shikamaru finishes the explanation of his plan and begins to canvas the various members of the Circle. Initially he gains approval from the weaker members, but that is not going to be enough for this plan to be set in stone. What he really needs is the approval of the strongest members of the Circle, for it is they who are going to risk their lives by executing this plan. If everything goes wrong, they will be the first to die.

"General Clyde, you are the only one amongst us who has met Furst," Shikamaru recalls, "Do you think that this plan is good enough to work?"

"I will commend you Nara Shikamaru," he answers, "This plan is the best assassination plan I have ever heard of. If this doesn't work I don't know what will."

"And what do you think Lara?" Shikamaru asks.

"It's a good plan, I have no problems with it," Lara replies with her usual level of attitude. "This team is perfect for this sort of mission, nothing should go wrong."

"Then it's settled, how soon can we be ready?"

Naruto suggests that the only person who can answer this question is Sarada. The remainder of them have had time to recover from their gruelling battles previously. Miraculously, thanks to Naruto's 'life' energy, even the 7th Hokage has been able to fully recover from the wounds inflicted on him by his son and the 1st Hokage. That leaves only the 9th's recovery left, once that is ready, they will be all set to undertake the most dangerous mission they have done.

"If you want me at one-hundred percent you need to spend two minutes of 'life' energy on me," Sarada answers, "With that I should be ready to go in the morning."

'Life' energy once again proves to be just what they need. Clyde knows of a few double-transcendent elements. He knows of 'life', of 'creation', of 'death' and of others. Thankfully though, Naruto has been blessed with the ability to heal people. His powers of healing now surpass most people in all of homeworld's history, with only one exception, the previous emperor. Thanks to this, they have a miraculous recovery rate that makes them one of the most manoeuvrable military forces ever to have lived.

"It's settled then," Clyde declares, "When the sun sets tomorrow, homeworld will be free at last."

Returning to the Tent

Naruto and Sarada waited after the Circle had finished for a short while. Together the two of them made a pact with Lara and Clyde. Although Lara hesitated and grumbled about the flowery words spoken, Clyde insisted it was something that they could proudly tell future generations about. It was his determination that homeworld would be free. It was Lara's determination that she would not be looked down upon anymore. It was Naruto's determination to never give up. It was Sarada's determination to save the pocket world. It was a solemn oath that the four of them would get back everything that had been taken from them.

As Naruto and Sarada walk back towards the Uzumaki family tent, Naruto stops in silence. Before signalling to Sarada that he wanted her to stop as well. There are plenty of words that could be exchanged between the master and pupil. They have been through more together than they could ever have imagined. If Naruto were ever to have learned that he would become such a mentor to Sasuke's daughter he would have been delighted. However, Sarada thinks she knows that it's not what they've stopped.

"Sarada, could we just stop for a moment? There is something I need to talk to you about."

"I know what this is about and I know that I probably made a mistake," Sarada responds, "But the truth is that I believed the most important part of this mission is that you are at your best. The method may have been contrived, but it was the best way to get you back to your old self so-"

"Sarada…"

"I may have made an error of judgement, but I want you to know that I am really sorry. I hope that you will continue to accept me as your student-"

"Sarada," Naruto interrupts again, this time more loudly, "You made the right decision."

"I did?"

"You knew it back then when you saw me, that I had found something I lost a long time ago," Naruto continues, "You smiled in that moment because you knew that I had been reborn. You knew that I was ready to kill Furst. For that, I want to thank you."

Sarada smiles, averting her eyes in embarrassment. Pleasing one's mentor is what one always strives to do, but to do it when the stakes are so great makes it all the more euphoric. This may be the last time it ever happens though; the odds are that even if Shikamaru's plan is executed perfectly that Furst will be too much for them. She is glad that she can spend her last day like this though, fighting alongside the master that she idolized as a child.

"I'm not going to attack you again, I can promise you that much."

Naruto grins, "I didn't actually want to talk to you about this."

"Huh, then what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I wanted you to do me a favour, a couple of favours really. As my pupil and as Sasuke and Sakura's daughter. It would mean a lot to me."

"What kind of favour?" Sarada asks.

"Something… personal."

The Uzumaki Family Tent

Considering the prospect of facing there last night together, Hinata watches Naruto's every move. She considers just what an amazing experience it has been to come so far with him. How could anyone have imagined that the strange boy she met all those years ago would be the one who fate chose? How could anyone have imagined just how far he would come and that both homeworld and the pocket-world would come to depend upon his every action? Seeing him do everything that he has in both worlds makes her tremendously proud. She wouldn't have missed a moment of it.

After a few minutes, she hears a noise outside the tent. She has heard at least five now and has become convinced that there is a group of people outside. Reaching over to her fiancé, she tugs on his sleeve to ask him a question.

"Naruto, I think that there are people outside."

"Ah good," he says, "Everyone, could we head outside for a moment, it looks like our guests are here."

"Guests, we're expecting guests?" Kushina asks as she steps outside.

Once outside, the Uzumaki family are indeed greeted by their guests. Outside, Sarada is waiting for them along with those who have watched Naruto and Hinata throughout their time together. Kiba and Akamaru, Shino, Shikamaru, Temari, Choji, Ino, Tenten and Kakashi. A reminder of the past they came from to be here.

"What's going on Naruto?" Hinata asks.

Sarada walks over to Naruto and hands him a pair of golden rings. Her favour to him.

"Hinata, when I was listening to Shikamaru's plan, I noticed that some people looked sad. It's because this could be the last day we ever spend together. That made me think about things we still have to do," he explains, "We got engaged on the day that Boruto was taken from us and since then well… since this is the last chance, I want to bring our wedding forward if you will uh-"

"Yes," Hinata answers.

"Yes?"

"Yes," Hinata repeats, "Yes, this is the last chance we have so yes. We haven't exactly got much of a ceremony so-"

"Hang on," Kakashi interrupts, "I know that it's not the most official ceremony ever, but I feel that I know the two of you both rather well. As the 6th Hokage and your friend, I feel I could say a few words for a ceremony."

"Thank you, Kakashi sensei."

The various guests begin to move into a semi-circle. There is no time for formalities here. They have simply come to see the wedding of two people who they believe deserve it more than anyone else.

"I'm sure I'm going to miss out on some official requirements, but it can probably be forgiven this once," the 6th Hokage declares.

Minato and Kushina feel an immense pride from within them as they look on. That lonely kid with the white hair managed to become the 6th Hokage, he managed to turn his life around. Now he is going to officiate the wedding of their son. Their son is marrying a woman from the Hyuuga clan, a kind woman who loves him so genuinely and has stuck with him through thick and thin. What more could they have asked for?

"Uzumaki Naruto, do you promise in front of your witnesses to cherish Hyuuga Hinata as your wife?"

"I do."

"Hyuuga Hinata, do you promise in front of your witnesses to cherish Uzumaki Naruto as your husband?"

"I do."

"Then according to my right as the 6th Hokage, I pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations."

Naruto and Hinata are showered in applause as they share a kiss and a loving embrace. For the two of them the world seems to stand still. So much has gone wrong since they were brought forward in time. They have lost friends, they have lost family, they have been betrayed by their own son. This moment is perfect though, and the congratulations fall on deaf ears as they fall into a world of their own.

If this is their last day together, they couldn't have ended it better. However, they could never foresee what will come tomorrow.

Author Note:

Sorry for disappearing for quite so long. I have now re-scripted the story until the end of part 7.

I have also taken on feedback and hopefully corrected the grammar for dialogue.
I didn't even realise I was getting it wrong before so if I still am please let me know.

I'll try and get the next chapter done as soon as possible.

Thanks for your patience all,
Cbehrills