How Our Story Began

When Naruko was alerted about the Ten-Tails bomb heading toward HQ, she prayed with all her heart that Ko-chan would be able to use the seal tag she gave her to absorb the bomb, but it proved to be too much for the chibi as the seal tag couldn't absorb a bomb of that magnitude.

"B-Boss, I'm sorry, but…. I think this may be the end." Naruko's heart plummeted. Sharing a brief look at Ino and Shikamaru, she could see grief in the two eyes.

Guilt hit her chest like a train. When Naruko thought of Iruka, who was anxiously awaiting for her and Kakashi-sensei to return home, she thought about the other shinobi on the battlefield, who also had people who cared for them. She wanted to bring everyone back to their loved ones. But she had failed, and she hated it.

Her blood boiled as Obito mocked her by saying how she was useless and how it was futile to believe she could save everyone. Only for Ko-chan's voice to break through her head.

"Don't listen to him! Boss, you have big dreams and a big heart! Your kindness makes you who you are! We fought too hard to get here. I know it hurts to lose loved ones, but this is war, and sadly we can't save everyone. But never… never let their resolve and dreams die!"

Ko-chan's tiny shadow was an ant compared to the Ten-Tail bomb crashing down on top of her, but she refused to give in just yet. She used every last ounce of strength in her body to ensure that the damage was minimal.

When Ru sensed her sister's chakra disappear, the chibi clone's eyes grew teary, but she refused to cry.

"You did good, Ko-chan! Now leave the rest to me!"

When the Ten-Tail attacked again, Neji sensed the ill attempt on Naruko's life and was ready to defend the girl who showed him the errors of his way and stole a piece of his heart. But before the wooden stake could take his life, a blur of orange pushed him out of the way.

"Move your ass, Neji!"

He heard a familiar voice shout, but it did not come from Naruko. Hearing the pigtail blonde scream the name of her chibi clone, Neji looked back and saw the tiny clone had taken his place.

"Didn't I say it was my job to protect the boss?" It was hard for Ru to talk as Naruko dropped to her knees in front of her tiny clone. "Boss, looks like this is the end of the rope for me." Ru's voice was weak, but she refused to leave until she said the words her boss needed to hear.

"Don't listen to that bastard. Your dreams are not stupid! Lift your head up, boss! We are not weaklings. We are kickass kunoichis! So…." Ru had tears streaming down her chubby cheeks as she stared at the girl who had come a long way from the lonely person they once were. "Go out there and kick their asses real good!"

Ru knew her body would disappear any second and shot a look at the Hyuugas. Neji was still shocked at how he narrowly escaped death, and Ru seemed to have picked up on that.

"I wasn't about to let you die in this life, Neji. You two, I'm leaving the boss in your hands now!" Ru told them as her strength ran out and the little chibi puffed out of existence.

'That little chibi. She's definitely the embodiment of the brat's more spunky side.' The great nine-tail beast didn't know why the actions of a mere clone touched his untouchable heart.

Back at the village, after ordering the genins to check the perimeter outside the village, Na-chan, who was left in charge of the village, experienced a douse of pain that made her crash to her knees, and wet tears landed on the ground.

"Ru...?! Ko...?!" Her small hands dug into the dirt, but she refused to cry. Shaking her head, she picked herself back up and looked towards the sky.

"You did good, you two. Now rest."

On the battlefield, Naruko got to her feet and wiped her tears.

"They're right. This is war, and there is no time for tears. I've kicked ass and taken the name of every person who's looked down on me and you, jackass!" Naruko pointed her finger at Obito.

"Is just another name on that list. Shika-chan! Ino!" Hearing Naruko call their names, both looked at the girl and saw regret etched on her face.

"I'm sorry!"

Naruko truly meant those words, recalling an old memory of meeting Shikamaru's father when she was young and strolling the streets with Iruka. Unlike others, the man didn't look at her with hate and wished Iruka, who was young then, support if she needed it.

"There's more I wish to say, but let's save that chat for another time. Right now, I need everyone's help!" Naruko's voice rang clear throughout the battlefield.

"You all have loved ones waiting for you, right?" Naruko asked, and many of the shinobi shared looks as they reflected on the wives, children, and friends waiting for them.

"So stay alive and get your asses back home! We'll mourn our losses later, but right now, I need everyone with me! So please, believe in me!"

Naruko begged with determined eyes as she clasped the hands of both Hinata and Neji as gold chakra surrounded her once again, bestowing a piece of her chakra onto them and everyone present.

—

Standing inside the Naka Shrine, Sasuke recalled the last words that Itachi had said before his soul was returned to the netherworld.

"No matter your choice, I'll always love you, Sasuke. Besides, I left you in good hands." Itachi knew the mental scars his cherished little brother now wore were mainly because of him, and for that, he would happily burn in the underworld to relieve his sins.

But at least he knew his little brother wasn't alone, that he had someone ready to face the world to protect him and give him the love and happiness he deserved.

"Treat her right, Sasuke. You both deserve endless happiness," Itachi added before poking Sasuke's forehead and departing. Sasuke stood in the room, seeking answers, consulting the very people who built this village and had a hand in his clan's downfall.

"So, you're Ma-chan's brat, eh? I see the Uchiha genes are still strong."

The one addressing him was the First Lady Hokage, Hashirama Senju, who was once held as the strongest woman in the world. After getting over her shock and happiness that her granddaughter had followed in her footsteps, she walked up to Sasuke with graceful footsteps.

Suigetsu, who stood in the background, began to understand why this woman was held as the strongest and most beautiful. The Senju Matriarch had tan skin that was off-putting due to the reanimation jutsu.

Her hair was a chocolate brown color and extended down to her waist, with long bangs framing her perfectly structured face. Just like her granddaughter, the woman was gifted with wonderful curves and an ample bust. She was a vision of beauty and power as confidence and grace oozed off her.

"Before I answer your question, mini Izuna-chan. Tell me, why am I sensing that 'old fool' chakra?" A flare of chakra issued from her as cracks appeared on the walls and debris chipped from the ceiling. The ground trembled as if it was under the attack of a small earthquake. Suigetsu wanted to be anywhere but here, having almost turned into a puddle of water.

Juugo moved to protect Sasuke as the third and fourth could only stare in awe and sweat at the intense pressure that filled the room. Orochimaru had his guard up, aware that standing before them wasn't just any woman; this was the first Goddess of Shinobi.

Despite his best attempt at remaining unbothered, Sasuke felt needles prickle his skin as those narrowed brown eyes screamed death onto those who dared trespass on her bottom line.

"I thought only the second had sensory skills?" Orochimaru managed to talk as Hashirma calmed down, and the room returned to normal.

"I don't. But me and that old fool are soul bound. It's a curse. One of which has transpired onto you, mini Izuna-chan. Your eyes tell me you have questions, so listen to the story I'm about to tell you."

"I haven't stated my question," said Sasuke

"You see, it started long ago when I was still a young maiden serving my family." Hashirama did not hear Sasuke, as this made the young Uchiha annoyed.

"Neesama, please don't take all day," warned Tobirama

"Shush, Tobi-chan! Now as I was saying…."

'Our story began in summer…'

A young Hashi was born the eldest and only daughter of the main head of the Senju Clan with three younger brothers. Since she could walk, she was taken under her mother's guidance, who taught her everything about house management and being a dutiful wife. She learned that the word of her father and brothers was law, and it was her duty to obey them.

After her mother's death, who sadly passed from a grave illness, a voice of rebellion began to yell in her ear. At first, she ignored the voice. At a young age, Hashi had to fill in the void left behind by her mother. She took control of the servants and ensured her brothers and father were well-fed and clothed, especially during winter.

Hand sewing garments and shoes despite the frostbite her hands suffered, the well-being of her family had always come first. She only had a little oasis of happiness that didn't concern her family, and it was her garden of herbs she began to grow back when her mother was still alive.

"Hashi, stop spending all your time on those weeds. When you marry in the future, you'll devote your time to your husband and future children." Her father would scold her, but never demanded that she get rid of them. Hashi had heard these words all her life and sometimes, in rare private times, mourned the misfortune of being born a woman.

It wasn't that women were banned from taking up the sword and entering the battlefield, but it wasn't encouraged either. The Senju was a clan dominated by men who saw women as tools to give birth to future shinobi. Those who went against their ideal were usually frowned upon, like their cousin Touka.

Touka was different from her; she refused to be an accessory for their clan to use, but Hashi had learned to accept her fate a long time ago.

"Hashi, you must not cry. Your brother fought for this clan's sake and died a true shinobi." Her father's scolding words fell upon deaf ears. Hashi's sorrowful cries echoed inside the empty room. Cradling yet again a dead body of her family member, but this time it was her sweet Itama.

Never again would she treat his wounds or hear his sweet words of praise.

"Nee-chan, I got this flower for you as it reminded me of you!" He once presented her with a bunch of flowers he pulled out of the yard with smudges of dirt plastered on his blushing face. Hashi had felt so touched by his actions that she pulled him into a tight hug and kissed his forehead.

She had to clean and feed all her precious brothers as if she was their mother, and in a way, she was, which was why her heart ached so badly. But because of this stupid war, she again had to bury another brother. She cursed the hands of fate which had bestowed her this cruel curse.

"Neesama, you can't stay here all night. You gotta let him go," Tobirama told his big sister, having stayed by her side until night had fallen outside. Like his sister, Tobirama's heart throbbed with pain at the thought of having buried another brother, but he understood this was a part of their life.

But he hated seeing his eldest sister so torn apart, crying until she could only scream her throat hoarse as she still held Itama's cold body in her arms. It was painful to watch, ripping Tobirama's heart to shreds, but he was a loyal brother and swore to protect her.

After they buried Itama, something in Hashi changed as the voice grew louder. Silently with eyes void of their usual warmth and kindness, Hashi felt dead inside as she personally prepared Itama's funeral arrangements. Standing beside Tobirama as she watched the men of their clan lower Itama's casket, Hashi made a vow.

"Never will I bury another child."

The first time Hashi defied her father, she received a harsh slap to her cheek that left a mark as her face whipped to the side.

"What… What did you say?" Her father's chest heaved. His fierce eyes and strictness used to frighten Hashi, but now she felt none of that. Not even the pain in her cheek bothered her.

Tobirama, sitting on the sideline, was shocked at what he had just witnessed, recalling his sister's words and their father's reaction. Tobirama knew his father was a man who did not shower his children with affection as his love was buried deep, but he never physically abused them, especially their neesama, who he secretly valued more than his sons.

"I want to join the battlefield," Hashi said with determined eyes, and Butsuma had to hold himself back from physically assaulting his daughter yet again.

"Are you crazy, girl?! You are not meant for the battlefield!" Her father screamed in her face.

"You let Touka fight! Why can't I? Even the Uchihas allow their women to fight, yet you keep me behind closed doors like I'm a precious doll, but I don't want to be an accessory used for marriage! Please, tousama, let me protect my family!"

Hashi screamed the words buried in her heart for a long time.

"Silence! How dare you speak back to your father! Unlike Touka, you are this clan's heiress. Meaning you are more important. I need you to find a decent husband and live a good life. I refuse for my daughter to step foot on the battlefield!" Butsuma left the room in a hurry, leaving Hashi no chance to refute his decision.

"Though father's words were a little harsh, Neesama, you can only use chakra to heal others. The battlefield is not meant for healers. At your current level, you'll only be useless."

Tobirama knew his words were harsh and uncalled for, but he believed his sister needed to hear them. Heart breaking when he watched her run out of the room with tears in her eyes.

"This is for the best," he told himself.

'In a fit of madness and betrayal, I ran and ran! I hated the words my father and brother had said to me! I hated that I partly knew that what Tobirama had said about me being weak was true. I hated that fate gave me the body of a woman and not a man. Believing that if I were a man, things would surely be different.'

'I was so consumed in my anger that my fist swung toward the tree. A loud crack echoed and I was shocked to see the tree topple over with just one hit when a voice screamed out.'

"What the hell? What are you, a she-demon?!"

In the middle of summer, I saw a boy with spiked black hair dressed in all black. It wasn't until much later that I found out the boy was an Uchiha. The Senju Clan's sworn enemy... and the ones who took away my little brothers.

—

Omake:

"Wait! We have a fourth?! And he's a pretty boy! Come here, you!" The First Lady pranced her way over to Minato and cut off whatever he was about to say, smothering his head in her ample bosom, which was the same size as or even bigger than Tsunade's.

"Aww, you're so adorable~! What's your name, Fourth?"

Tobirama stoically watched his sister suffocate the Fourth Hokage as she hugged his head to her chest and patted his hair, ignoring the poor man struggling to answer her question.

"Neesama, let the man breathe."

Suigetsu, in the background, felt jealous of the Fourth Hokage.