Chapter Forty-Three - The Foreshadowing of a Nation
Naruto walked through the streets of his city. He gazed at the damage, at the few bodies that were in the street that had yet to be taken care of by the Visored, and felt a sorrow eat at his chest. He knew that there would be casualties in a surprise invasion such as this, that was inevitable no matter how powerful he or his people are, but it is thanks to his Visored and other military - and his undead Souls - that the death was not much more. In all sense, it was a major victory for Uzushio.
"But it didn't have to be this way."
Naruto agreed with Khahrahk's disgusted statement. It did not have to be. He has ten officers of Level Four and Five capabilities, six of which were inside the village! Where were they? What were they doing? He knew that the Peace Dome was erected shortly after the invaders made their escape, so he knew that some of them had to power that specific seal. But that did not excuse the absence his people faced when being slaughtered. If not for the arrival of Aizen and his Fourth Division…
Naruto narrowed his eyes at that thought, feeling the man's stare on his back as they walked in silence. The Fourth Division was the saving grace in a terrible situation. While he is still pissed at what they did in Gaal, he will not deny what they did. It is all of this that brought him to the headquarters of his Enforcers.
The building was not in good shape. It was damaged incredibly and would most likely need to be torn down and rebuilt.
"Prince-sama," Ichigo bowed as the blonde Divine marched up and past him.
He was supposed to be heading back to Konoha to watch after Rin and to continue his ambassadorial duties given by the Prince, but that changed when he was told to stay put until the Captains and Lieutenants could get things under control. He would have ignored the order in favour of continuing what his Prince told him to do, but because the command was given by Ginrei directly he had no choice but to listen to the elderly man.
"Why are you still here Ichigo? Your duties are to protect Rin and to serve as Uzushio's ambassador in Konoha." Naruto's voice came out harsher than it should have and he must have been glaring because the orange-haired man seemed to wilt under his gaze.
"I was told by Captain Kuchiki to stay here until everything goes back to normal," Ichigo scratched the back of his head, avoiding the blonde man's gaze. "I apologise."
Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath before waving his hand. "Go back to Konoha and continue my command. I will handle things from here."
"Of course, Naruto," Ichigo responded and bowed before leaving.
Naruto did not acknowledge the boy and instead finished his walk into the headquarters building. He had a lot on his mind and so long as people listened to him the first time he said something there was no reason for him to waste any time standing around.
"Prince-sama," the Visored bowed to him upon his entry, pausing in their duty to greet him.
"Continue what you are doing," Naruto told them with a wave of his hand and made his way toward the stairs leading further into the facility.
It wasn't long before Naruto made it to the destroyed office doors still barely hanging on their hinges, and he had to lift them up to push them forward. The scraping alerted the room of his entry and everyone stopped what they were doing to turn to him.
"Good to see the Fourth Captain and his Division has arrived," Ginrei stated with a restrained voice as he peered up from his chair looking over various scrolls. "I'm glad that our Prince is unharmed as well."
"I can't say the same for everyone else," Naruto stated roughly as he walked to his personal chair at the head of the table.
He glanced around the room and he noticed that Retsu was missing. "What happened to Lieutenant Unohana?"
"She has been declared safe with the rest of the royal family," Shunsui informed him softly. "Lieutenant Ichimaru and his squad are currently watching over them as everything gets under control."
Naruto nodded his head and began grabbing some of the reports being looked over by his Captains. The death toll, on paper, looked a lot better compared to how it seems seeing it in person. Over one hundred deaths, and triple that is injuries. For every civilian that died, there were three military deaths whether they were Onmitsukido, Visored, Mage, or shinobi.
For a population of a few thousand, it was a fantastic outcome and unheard of by any other nation. But when you walk through the streets and see the numerous bodies that were cleared and prepared for proper burials. It affected you differently. There is no emotion, no reality when looking at a report. They're just a statistic in this room.
Naruto gripped the scroll tighter before setting it roughly on the table. He looked up and glanced at everyone in the room, each one slowly turning their attention to him when they felt his stare. But when he got to Aizen, the man's gaze had never left him.
The Fourth Captain's eyes were masked with an unknown emotion but his typical relaxed smile is still on his face. He had been watching his Prince the entire time, not once letting him out of his sight since they left the memorial. He had a growing suspicion that there was a lot more going on in his Prince's mind than he let on but he wasn't sure what.
"Stop what you're doing," Naruto told everyone. "I want all of your attention."
"Prince-sama, there is a lot we need to get through," Ginrei was speaking calmly but he didn't get further.
"Other than reading reports, none of you are doing much else." Naruto rebutted the man with a sideways stare. "The streets are being cleaned of our dead. After that, the construction seals will start being created and applied to fix infrastructure damage. So what I want everyone to do is pay attention to me."
Naruto's voice is cold and commanding and no one dared to speak up as their Prince, who is normally so relaxed and understanding, spoke so harshly to the man he sees as a grandfather.
Ginrei deepened his frown but he nodded his head and rolled up the scroll he was reading. "I understand, my Prince. You have our attention."
Naruto inhaled deeply before exhaling, allowing time for his Captains and Lieutenants to sit and face him. "Where were all of you during the invasion?"
It is quiet as no one knew exactly how to answer the question, and if anything they said in response may make the Prince more upset.
"We were trying to coordinate the Visored in the sudden invasion," Ginrei told the blonde calmly. "We had also had to pool chakra into the Peace Dome, although we decided to do so too late as it allowed the survivors to escape."
"The Peace Dome has been unfinished since I first began conceptualising it at the age of thirteen. The chakra required is Jinchuuriki level at minimum, and that's just for the city." Naruto looked at Ginrei as he recounted to the man his own thoughts on his unique seal. "You even agreed that to utilise it in any setting, beyond preparing for a siege, is impossible and useless. So why, I ask, did all of you sit in this office coordinating from safety and then weaken yourselves for a seal that should not have been enacted in the first place?"
Naruto's hand clenched as he looked at each of the men and women in the room and stared into their eyes. Most refused to look back at him, and those who did were not in this room to make that decision. "I say this as someone who fought out there. You should have been leading from the front instead of staying safe in this room. All that has been shown to me is that I need to reform and restructure the Enforcers."
"What do you mean by that, Prince-sama?"
"We no longer need a police force out of the Visored," Naruto told Nanao as she looked pale at the wrong implications of his statement. "Too long have I had the Visored of the first three Divisions acting like the Onmitsukido for the village. I will be reforming you all back into what my grandfather and my ancestors had you in the first place. Some of you and your Visored will be moved around or, with no disrespect, persuaded into retirement."
Naruto looked at Ginrei as the man stared back at him and the room grew tense for a moment.
"This type of loss, and this type of leadership, will not happen again." Naruto tapped his knuckles on the table. "I need my top officers, my command staff, to be as strong and as resilient as me. If they cannot lead from the front, they will rest in the back."
"As you command," Ginrei bowed his head.
Everyone repeated the elder man and bowed their heads as well. Naruto nodded his head and got to his feet, hesitating by the table before turning to everyone. "Get some rest, everyone. Recover from the Peace Dome and I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning."
With that, Naruto turned and left.
Aizen was smiling as he watched his Prince leave without looking back and a part of him felt excited. He could see the Prince he always envisioned, ever since he first met the boy and he had yet to create his zanpakuto. He can feel the drive and the malice.
"Captain Aizen."
The brunette man turned to look at Ginrei and raised an eyebrow at the man's rigid stare. "Yes, Captain Kuchiki?"
"What happened in Prince Uzumaki's fight? He's different somehow and I want to know why."
Aizen understood the man's underlying, how he cannot accept that their Prince's ideals are being tested against the world and is having to change to protect his people. The blonde leader may not have outright voiced it, but he can see the look of someone who has accepted that they were wrong. Their ideals were idyllic and not aligned with reality.
But for a god… Aizen did not have to think further on that as he knew the blonde will be able to create an Uzushio future. An Empire that brings everyone to equal heights and does away with the unjust and perverse lifestyles of the many clans and royals of the world.
"Prince-sama has a lot on his mind from his fight and it is not my place to make assumptions on what is going on in his mind," Aizen respectfully answered the elder. "However, I believe that the destruction and nearly disastrous outcome that could have happened has changed the thoughts of our god."
While many in the room showed distaste or exasperation at the man calling their Prince a god, they did not say anything simply because he was not wrong anymore. While it is tiring simply because Aizen has believed in Naruto being a Divine since first meeting him, holding the same sentiments for the entire Royal line, he was not wrong in his statement.
"I understand," Ginrei sighed and slowly opened the scroll he was reading but everyone could see the distracted look in the elder's eyes.
"Naruto-sama."
Naruto cracked a smile and turned to see a familiar one-eyed woman approaching him. He held his arms open and lovingly embraced the woman. "Hecate-chan! Where is Zoya-chan?"
Hecate accepted the hug with a small smile before answering, "Zoya-sama is with some important guests. She says that you will want to meet them, one of which you already know."
"I know one already," Naruto repeated with a small tone of amusement. "Do you know their name?"
"They said their name is Ameyuri Ringo, a former Kiri Seven Swordsmen. But it's her boss that wants to meet you."
Naruto tilted his head slightly and looked confused but he smiled and patted her head. "Okay. Tell Zoya to use one of the seals she should be carrying and allow our two guests into one of our cleaner reception rooms. I will be there in a bit to greet them."
Hecate nodded her head obediently before walking away.
Naruto watched her go before turning around to stare at the empty street. This part of the neighbourhood is deserted as all of the damage and bodies have been fixed and moved, but the inhabitants have yet to move back in. However, he can feel the presence of someone in one of the alleys but they did not have the aura of someone with ill intentions. If anything they were… hesitant. There was a ready guard from whoever it was, as if they were expecting a fight, but they did not have the intent to cause the fight first.
"Come out and you will have nothing to fear," Naruto spoke out loud while still scanning for any movements. "But if you keep hiding yourself, I will assume you are hostile."
It was a few moments of dead silence before a figure slowly exited an alley to Naruto's left. The first thing about the figure he noticed were the Future Cult symbols adorning their outfit and spear. The next thing is the pointed ears of an elf, a race not native to this continent, but the glowing blue eyes of this woman and electricity crackling around her told him that she was also skilled with magic.
"An elven warrior of the Future Cult," Naruto stated, getting the woman's attention. "I should have expected one of you by now. So what makes Shion send you here?"
"My name is Deliana," the woman told him with a slight bow. "I come with a message from Her Holiness."
Naruto's eyes narrowed as the woman reached into her satchel and produced a note with a foreign mark on it. "I would like to say I mean no offence but, truthfully, I mean every bit of distrust and hesitance when I say I don't trust anything your master sends in communication. Frankly, it has been very bothersome that I've had to worry about the Future Cult for the last month or so and the damage it has caused to my continent."
Deliana pursed her lips into a stain light, her blue void eyes showing none of the ordinary signs of emotions he is used to. "Her Holiness has expressed her regret of such actions, but she has deigned it utmost important that you receive this note. She wants to speak with you before the possibility of war."
Naruto snapped his fingers suddenly, setting the elven woman on edge, and pointed a finger at her with a crooked grin. "That's what it is! Your Priestess has seen something with her farsight after my Fourth Division carved their way towards her nation!"
Naruto found this new revelation rich! Could it be possible that Aizen and his Division alone could topple the entire continent? Maybe not in the future as it was likely an unexpected occurrence and the nations will have their World Beasts prepared next time. But because Naruto had Demons' World Beast, it could be likely that Shion had the briefest moment of vision seeing the destruction of her home.
"I cannot speak for Her Holiness' revelations," Deliana stated and raised the letter again. "Please, take the letter and send your response. I must go back to my duties."
Naruto sighed and waved his hand dismissively. "Toss the letter on the ground in front of you and leave. I will not approach you for safety reasons."
"Understandable," Deliana leaned to toss the letter on the sidewalk. "I hope you think about what Her Holiness writes to you about. She will await your response."
Naruto watched as the woman disappeared with incredible speed that was enhanced with magic, leaving his wide sensor range within a few moments. He summoned the letter to his hand with his divine power and he glanced over the cover holding the Future Cult wax seal. The seal is triangular with the inside holding an eye, but instead of an iris it instead has the infinity symbol.
I just can't have a moment of peace, can I?
When Naruto arrived at the reception room he could sense Zoya and Hecate with their two guests and opened the door before stepping inside. He made sure to close the door behind him and lock the door, but his eyes immediately searched for Zoya to make sure she was okay. He was relieved to see that she was indeed alright.
"Zoya," Naruto smiled as he said her name and brought her into an embrace the moment he was close enough. "I'm glad to see you're okay."
"I'm relieved you're safe as well," she smiled into the hug before stepping back. "Naruto, meet Nobunaga Oda of Owari and her personal guard Ameyuri Ringo."
Naruto blinked upon seeing the redhead and he pointed a finger at her. "You were hard as fuck to try and find after leaving your letter in Konoha years ago. I'm glad to see you're doing alright, at least."
His eyes then turned to the next woman that was shorter than the former Kirigakura kunoichi but held herself with more royalty, if Naruto had to give a word to the type of aura some leaders could exude. "So you are the Lord of the Oda. It is good to meet you."
Naruto bowed to the woman respectfully and Nobunaga decided to do the same - although she didn't want this meeting to be so stiff and professional.
"Let's end the professionalism here, Prince Uzumaki," Nobunaga told the man with a wave of her hand. "At this point, I can tell by Zoya-san that you aren't a stickler for traditional etiquette as well."
Naruto cracked a smirk at the woman's attitude and nodded his head. "I understand. I apologise if I seem too stiff, I've had a lot to deal with and insulting another lord is the least of my desires. Please, let's sit down and talk. I have a clone grabbing drinks for us."
Naruto sat in his chair opposite of Nobunaga with Zoya on his left and Hecate standing behind them. Ameyuri decided to stay standing behind her lord much like Hecate did.
"Would you like to start, or shall I?" Nobunaga asked the blonde Prince.
"You may start, you did request this meeting yourself so I will answer all of your questions and desires first," Naruto gave a charming smile.
"First, I wanted to tell you that I am no longer part of the Fire Daimyo's court." Nobunaga resisted insulting her former Daimyo but she clenched her hand tightly. "The man is not someone I could see myself or my people following. The Ichijo family is not like it used to be in my father or grandfather's time. For that, I cannot send my people to war in his name, especially against a former clan ally."
Naruto tilted his head slightly and his eyes narrowed at the last statement. "Daimyo Ichijo is planning a war against me?"
Nobunaga nodded her head. "He is also allying with Amegakure and the Wandenreich, the ones who invaded you, but because the invasion has failed I'm sure that any action against you will not be blatant."
Naruto nodded his head slowly. "Interesting."
"That's why I was bringing my small force to try to help you and establish communications in the hopes we can ally. I ran into Zoya on the way here and she tagged along with her own small force as they found out what was happening as well." Nobunaga nodded her head to the blonde Syndicate leader. "We came a little late as they already sent their first few waves through the magic circles but we were able to decimate their war camp."
"And you have my thanks for that," Naruto told the woman honestly. "I would have had to fight more if they did not feel the need to retreat, and in that battle even more lives would have been lost."
Nobunaga grinned at the appreciation and her eyes roamed over the man's face and body. "Your words are appreciated. I want to know what you plan to do about Ichijo and his plans against you."
Naruto is quiet at the question and was about to answer when the door opened and his clone walked in with five glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. "What do you know of the rest of the lands and continents, Nobunaga-san?"
"I know all of the major nations, their culture, their families, and their allies."
"Outside of the elemental nations?"
Nobunaga narrowed her eyes in confusion as Naruto met her eyes and she shook her head. "Not as much as the shinobi nations. I know a bit about Iron but that's it."
"The first to note is that the continent of Gaal is rich with cultures and powers that can rival the major nations. I have a foothold with many of them and have plans on alliances and such the moment I meet with their leaders. Marsh is a swamp-riddled landscape with a numerous number of humans, lizardmen, and others that worship the Witch Queen Anat. Wolf and Claw are two rival nations of similar cultures and relative size. They are filled with humans, beastmen, and dwarves. Demons is the only place I have a very strained relationship with, which can be summed up as being hunted by their Future Cult. They are inhabited by humans, high elves, and demonspawn and most of them follow the Priestess Shion."
"Those are a lot of races I'm unfamiliar with," Nobunaga muttered to herself but Naruto heard her and cracked a grin.
"Humans are us, obviously. Lizardmen are lizards that have evolved like humans and can vary from crocodiles, chameleons, or others. Beastmen can vary from being humans with animal traits or as animals that are human-like, the animal hybridization is the only shared trait to know they are beastmen. Dwarves are stunted humans that stand no taller than three to four feet but are exceptionally strong in both men and women. Elves are tall and slim humans with pointed ears. High elves have a pale complexion with light hair and eyes, and dark elves have grey or somethings a pale purple skin tone and their hair is either white or black or grey. Demonspawn take on earthly forms but they are corrupted in some way that can be an early telling sign."
"Are demonspawn exclusively evil creatures," Nobunaga asked curiously.
Naruto shook his head. "While most of them are as they follow their own gods, and I call them that term very loosely, but not all of them are evil. It's hard to tell what one's true motive is but I guess it's the same for humans, eh?"
Nobunaga nodded her head absently.
"Gaal is my main focus currently as I've already spent a few years there. This invasion has shown nothing but my own lack of preparation and therefore I will be consolidating reforms and more defences before even turning my head to face my enemies in the elemental nations."
"I don't think that'll be possible anymore," Zoya spoke up before Naruto could continue.
"Why not?"
"The people grow restless under the careless control of Daimyo Ichijo and there are already rebel groups forming and are being labelled as bandits," Zoya told her husband. "I have contact with many of them because while the Daimyo falls out of favour, your exploits and kindness seems to grow ever more clear in their minds. They know that Konoha would side with you if there was ever a choice between the Daimyo and you, so they have decided that you will be their new ruler if you choose to help them. Or they will choose their own government but you are their main choice."
"How long has this been happening," Nobunaga questioned as she had never heard of this before.
"Since spring," Zoya answered.
"Five whole months of rebellion and it has been covered as an increase in banditry." Naruto rubbed his chin in thought. "And they want a foreign ruler?"
"Or at least someone close to you," Zoya told him and her eyes met his. "They even said that I and the Syndicate would replace the current court if you did not accept their request for annexation."
"That would still put it in my control," Naruto rubbed his face tiredly. "They do realise that this will cause tension with the other nations?"
"You were prepared for this when you first left Konoha years ago. Now, you must go through with it."
Naruto did not say anything in response to Zoya and instead leaned back in his seat. He had thought through this before. The idea of being allied closely to him was a growing trend for many nations. He had been approached by Kakashi about a legitimised agreement for marriage between him and a Konoha kunoichi that would recreate the Konoha branch of the Uzumaki clan. On top of that, he was also asked by Ay for a similar alliance but that he would have to try courting a selection of Kumo women and the kunoichi would have to make the choice to be with him.
Then there was Kurotsuchi, who he has been keeping contact with and his own spies monitoring. Onoki was still very against him but not so much anymore after the border incident where his top kunoichi was killed and then resurrected. That was three lines to the Kage seats, as any child of his would be the strongest ninja and therefore the best to wear the hat.
"I think it would be best to keep a native clan in power," Nobunaga told Zoya and Naruto while thinking about what she has learned. Her eyes gained a glint in them as she looked at Naruto. "The Oda clan could sit in the seat with you, and to satisfy the populace that wishes to ally with you we can marry and have children~!"
Naruto's eyes bulged at the woman's words and his face started beating up and he glanced at his wife next to him. However, she looked thoughtful of the other woman's statement. "Zoya?"
"Hm?" The woman looked at him from the corner of her eye with a light smirk. "Nobunaga-San does have a point. This way it doesn't seem like you are making a grab for more territory and more power, while satisfying the people. Alliances through marriages are not uncommon, and no one would blame a nation fresh out of civil war to make a move to ally with the strongest nation in the world."
"I mean," Naruto paused in that moment and he narrowed his eyes in thought before slumping in his chair. "Is this how I will take over the world? My children will become rulers, and why would an Uzumaki of any background want to wage war on their family?"
But they would still be raised by their mother. He would have to make sure that they were instilled with the same beliefs that he and his clan always had. That would seem like the best job for Aizen, since the man is utterly devoted to him.
No, Naruto told himself and bit his nail. A new Division will have to be created to keep the peace among the family. Eliminate the ones choosing to not follow the Clan Laws, but also have the ability to repurpose any Uzumaki back to the clan. Sounds like a secret police that keep the royal heirs of various nations in line.
"Okay," Naruto said slowly before focusing on his guest and wife. "We will decide when we get the rebels to win the civil war. Zoya, I trust you to keep the rebels in the fight and lend them a hand. I cannot outright do anything or it will look bad on me. Nobunaga, you should have some support with the people so I trust you to fight in the civil war and win."
Nobunaga smirked and crossed her arms confidently. "Nothing to fear with the Oda in line! Our artillery and guns will take down anyone that decides to stand in our way!"
Naruto smiled and nodded at the woman's confidence. "Fine, let's draw up the marriage alliance. I have a few requirements for my blood holding any line to power…"
That Night
Naruto sat on the patio of his home, perfectly rebuilt with the help of his clones and construction seals, and looked over his sleeping wives and children. They had finally settled enough to sleep but only so long he was nearby, his own children having cried and laid in his arms until they drifted to sleep. His wives were much easier to calm, his mere aura being enough to lower the stress on their consciences, and they fell asleep in their rooms half an hour ago.
Retsu sat beside him, her eyes distracted with exhaustion and worry, but her appearance is different from how he remembered. Her hair is no longer braided to cover the scar on her neck and instead is falling like liquid obsidian over her shoulders and chest. Her eyes are sharp but distracted, her hands gripping each other tightly as she waits for the blonde to speak.
"So you know who this group is?"
Retsu nodded her head and clenched her hands once more. "During my time under your grandfather as the Captain of the Fourth Division, he was exploring Gaal and we had reached as far east as Key. We were fighting and capturing various mystical beasts, some of which are part of your clan's Summoning Contract, and otherworldly entities that are now contained in the Masks."
Naruto understood that much as that is a typical occurrence with his clan, being the nomad scholars they were long ago. His grandfather was different in many ways from the previous Princes, not just in his officer choices but ethics as well. He used whatever means needed to protect his clan and expand it's growth, even employing criminals and using them as expendable soldiers in his pursuits. While some cried out that what he did was wrong, no one foresaw the most loyal fighting force close to the Prince being composed of the most heinous criminals.
"But in our activities, we drew the attention of an empire known as Lightreich. They followed a demigod they simply referred to as Emperor, but we found out that they were on a type of crusade against these demons we were capturing. They saw and viewed what we were doing as the same and invited us to their capital."
Retsu grimaced as she recounted her memories of those days. "It didn't take long in our stay for something to happen, and it happened because of me and Furofushi."
That got Naruto's attention and he turned his sight on her. He did not interrupt, however, and continued listening intently.
"We had let it out that we were not killing the demons but trapping their soul and power to study and use for our benefit. The Lightreich considered that heresy and as one thing led to another, Furofushi and I had to defend ourselves and ended up killing at least twenty of them in their pursuit to confiscate any items they deemed tainted with demons. After that, it was an even speedier descent into destruction as other Lightreich thought we attacked first."
"And that caused a war," Naruto said softly to himself and got a nod from the woman.
"Within two hours we had burned most of the citadel, in five hours we had destroyed most of the city in our pursuit to leave." Retsu paused as she stared at the floor. "We didn't think that they would follow us all the way back to Whirlpool. We ended up defending ourselves from an invasion and Ashina, Yamamoto, and Ginrei were able to kill the Emperor. We were just catching our breath when we also faced the elemental invasion from the Second Shinobi War."
Naruto understood the whole picture and silently stared at the wall as he thought on what he learned. So the Emperor still lives and he was rebuilding his empire before facing us. That explains their attack on us and why they kept calling us heretics.
Naruto rubbed his face tiredly and sighed softly. He didn't react as Retsu pulled him into an embrace, cuddling him close to her chest like a mother would do with her child, and rested her chin on his head. He accepted the hold and kept his eyes closed as he leaned into her chest.
"I'm too weak." Retsu's voice quivered as she stated her feelings. "I almost could not kill my opponent and if it wasn't for Ichimaru-san arriving I don't think I could have protected all of us. I have gotten too relaxed since giving up the title Kenpachi to Zaraki. Even if I am the strongest among the Captains and Lieutenants, even if I have the experience, it did not make a difference."
"You are past your prime, obaa-chan," Naruto told the woman softly and wrapped his arms around her. "But you can gain that back. You know the village and I have the means to whip ourselves back into shape. It is a matter of who is serious about it."
"After this attack, I won't be surprised if we see more people stepping up," Retsu stated as she stared at the wall in thought. "Most of the people here have not faced an invasion before. It's a rude awakening for those old enough that survived the invasion nearly forty years ago."
"To think you're seventy," Naruto cracked a grin as he joked but it earned a hard punch in his ribs. "Owwww!"
"I know this doesn't hurt a divine like you so hush," Retsu huffed but cracked a smile at the blonde. "So what will you do now? I know from Ginrei that you left quite an impression on them earlier."
Naruto leaned forward and scratched his chin, staring at nothing in particular. "I'm going to reorganise the military and the advisory council. The biggest change will be with the Enforcers. This invasion has shown that I was not as prepared or ready for such an attack as I thought I was. For a second, the thought that under my watch our country will be destroyed once more haunted my mind."
Retsu nodded her head in understanding. She understood that for the leader the failure to protect one's people would impact them the most and for someone like Naruto who has all this power it would be even worse. She wanted to be able to understand him so she could help him heal but she would never be able to anymore. The most she can do now is be there for him.
"I will need more out of my divisions. I will need them to be more powerful, and for that I will be having them train to greater heights. For every Captain and Lieutenant, they should be able to handle two of those Wandenreich officers." Naruto gripped his hand and looked to the sky. "We are going back to our savage ways. We will remind the forces that cling to the world's shadows that the Uzumaki were feared for a reason. There is a reason I hold the divine title, the Prince Who Mantles the Wills of the Heavens."
This was the first declaration of what will become a long-lived empire, one that will span the world.
Merry Christmas, and every other holiday celebrated around this beautiful world! I hope you guys are enjoying time with family and friends or your pets. I got this one out today (it was not easy I tell you what!) and the writers block did not last as long. Either way, I hope you guys enjoy the read and enjoy your days until the next update. Love y'all :D
Primarx: Cheers :)
Soul Sendant: Kushina was a full-blooded Uzumaki of the royal line, and Minato is a Namikaze which is a branch of the Senju clan. So even considering the fact Naruto would have been half Uzumaki to normal standards, the Uzumaki blood is unique and it adapts the blood of the other parent to match the Uzumaki blood. So no matter what, the children of the Royal Uzumaki will be full-blooded. The reason we have clans like the ones loyal to the Uzumaki (Kuchiki, Belsarion, etc) is that there are limits imposed upon the marriage rights. In the case of the Terumi and other clans around the world, the Uzumaki stolen were not of the Royal blood as those people were impossible to get to. As for your second comment, you're a loser if you want to be acknowledged from something like that :D
YaegerMeister31: I am glad you are enjoying the story. Kakashi recognized Kurotsuchi at the end, it was more of an error when writing it I made it seem like that when I didn't name Kurotsuchi outright for his pov. Whoops. Sadly, a LOT of Konoha girls do not show up as we are mostly in Uzushio. However, no actual pairing has been made but it can go any way it really depends. Naruto has a connection to Hinata in this story and while they flirt and Hinata does love him, their stations are now different and it is likely they won't work out. Temari is not off the table anymore. Tbh the prospective pairings changes as we go because with the way the story goes some pairing won't actually work out. I do try my best to keep everyone in the loop and up to date tho. As for the teasing Sasuke, it was meant to be disturbing as Naruto wanted to get under his teammate's skin (playfully, of course). I understand the loathing Sasuke, I very much do not like him a lot, but I also like a good Sasuke story once in a while so having him tolerable and in Naruto's pocket is nice.
DarkHunter10: Jinchuuriki are used as "the big stick" and the person with the biggest stick is seen as the baddest person in the room. However, the point is to show your big stick and at the end of the day they are still ninja of their village and they have the right to participate in the exams. The problem is that in canon, only Jiraiya was there to handle any Jinchuuriki threats so it was ideal to only have one Jinchuuriki participating. But Naruto is there, and there are others capable of handing a Biju threat, so the idea of collateral damage was always there. Also, Konoha is seen as autonomous to the rest of the Fire Nation but they get funding and are hired by the Daimyo for missions. As such, only in the village does one have to follow the Hokage's laws, but once they are outside (at least as a civilian) do you follow the Daimyo's laws. Shinobi are granted special privileges to operate within the nation. Fire is also not landlocked, it has a coast to it's east (which is where it has the land bridge connecting to Wave) and to the south (where it borders with Tea). Then northeast of Wave you have the archipelago lands of Uzushio, and to the east of that you have Water. Also the reason Kaguya was called the "Rabbit Goddess" was because of the shadow she gave made her look like a hare. The idea is that she stood so tall above those she saw as a threat to her family that she would give a shadow of a demonic rabbit.
