CELESTIALS/HALFWAY TO HEAVEN
November, Year One
November 10, Year One
"Is this a hickey?" Ino asked Yoisen, with her expression deliberately neutral.
Yoisen avoided Ino's probing eyes, subtly lifting her collar higher. In that silent gesture, her answer was clear. The skin under was red and tender, and it was Naruto's fault for sucking on it.
Surprisingly enough, although perhaps it was only surprising only to Yoisen, the trial month had passed without a single real incident.
Unless you counted the time she had mistakenly borrowed some of Ino's clothes, believing them to be Hanabi's. She had already apologized for that, however. Even to Hanabi, who seemed more annoyed that anyone could doubt the uniqueness of her fashion sense.
Then there was the incident when Yoisen took it upon herself to cook before Sakura, on a day when it was supposed to be her turn. Ino had gone on a lengthy rant about the importance of sticking to the schedule and how mere weaponized incompetence shouldn't be a reason for Sakura to never do anything at all in the house.
There was the matter of the decoration and personalization of the shared spaces, but that was an incident no one liked to mention.
There was the fact that Ino's mother, Noriko, had taken a liking to the latest… addition to their agreement — which was looking more and more like an entire circus rotation. No one was quite sure what to make of it — except Yoisen herself, who said nothing of the fact she found it rather easy to bond with the older generations. But Noriko had stayed overnight a few more times than she normally would have, which was something Naruto bore with a tired smile.
Then there were the disagreements about communication styles, particularly between Yoisen and Ino, as well as debates about preferred indoor temperatures for a fire-wielder, pet policies concerning Yūgao the Jūbi, Sakura's indoor smoking habits, and the definition of quiet hours. Responsibilities were also a point of contention.
Yoisen pursed her lips, reflecting on the past month. Maybe things hadn't gone as smoothly as she'd hoped, but she had genuinely tried her best to accommodate everyone's unique styles without pretending to be someone she wasn't. She had the distinct feeling that to Ino, this, in particular, would have been enough reason to break the trial early. Just like trying to charm her, likely.
What more could she have done? What more could she have said—
"Whatever. You're in." Ino simply said, as she passed through the doorway. "Congrats."
November 13, Year One
"Attention, please! May I have your attention?" Gama's voice rang out. "Some attention? Anyone — Please don't throw things, we're here to rescue — Okay, that's it!"
From the shadowed fringe of the square, Hebi observed the scene with a blend of amusement and disdain. The sight of Gama, floundering for attention in the sea of disinterest, drew from her a scoff, rich with derision. "This is absolutely pathetic."
Gama, undeterred by the heckling, turned to face the source of the comment. "If I ever wanted your opinion about anything, I'd stab a kunai through the roof of my mouth and summon a Rasengan through it."
An unexpected laugh cut through the air. It was Izuna's, seemingly in spite of himself, and Hebi's glare fell upon him. Gama, taken aback by the laughter, glanced towards Izuna, his surprise evident.
In spite of Hebi's complaining about it, it was the start of a beautiful friendship between the two very different men.
November 27, Year One
Some days you woke up and everything felt perfect.
A bright celebration day found Hinata and Sasuke under an endless blue sky, unmarred by clouds.
At the lake shore, many of their friends showed up. Toru was carrying a large case of beer, the old-fashioned way, over his shoulder, and Shisui sighed as he saw him coming.
Hiashi moaned about Hanabi's very justified avoidance of him, as well as her absence today, and her latest stunt.
Naruto and his other wives didn't come either, but that was because they were trying their best not to find a reason to kick Hiashi out of the Ring. Even Toru seemed to avoid looking in Hiashi's general direction — Sasuke saw him clench and release his fist the one time he did.
None of that managed to make the day any less beautiful, however.
December, Year One
December 6, Year One
Uzumaki Naruto stood defiant, a look of fierce determination etched upon his face.
His face clenched tightly, and with a roar of helpless fury, he threw himself forward, and into a series of rapid, yet seemingly ineffective strikes at his opponent. He was a formidable one, who withstood every blow without even flinching.
With each punch, Naruto's frustration grew, his brows knitting together as his voice rose. His enemy remained an unyielding force.
Then, impossibly, the air cracked with laughter. Naruto's fists kept slamming into his midsection, but his adversary laughed.
A giggle that grew in delight at Naruto's helpless efforts.
"Impossible." The Emperor panted. "That even my Lightning Fists cannot reach you…?" He gave a grim smile. "I suppose I'll have to go all out, then."
Yūshirō clapped his hands in delight, and he continued to sit cheerfully, to giggle through it.
Naruto's face narrowed in concentration, and he delivered another useless series of punches at his son's belly, harmless sparks of blue light flying in every direction.
"How are you doing this?!" Naruto exclaimed.
Yūshirō's laughter filled the room, his bright eyes sparkling with joy as he rolled around the plush couch. Each burst of light seemed like magic to him.
Naruto scooped up Yūshirō, spinning him in the air, their laughter mingling in the warm air of the room.
"Got you." Naruto murmured, as Yūshirō nestled against his father's chest, his giggles subsiding into contented sighs. "I told you I would get you."
January, Year One
January 6, Year Two
The first iteration of the Thunder Armor was unveiled.
It was lighter than air, stronger than chakra-reinforced steel. Designed to enhance the wearer's natural abilities, its sleek, form-fitting design was a rather impressive sight, and it shimmered with a subtle glow that seemed to echo its wielder's chakra — or their pulse, if they didn't have chakra.
There was a fair amount of complaining about the name, but Naruto pettily pulled rank on the others, and so the name stuck — whenever he was there to hear it, at least.
January 9, Year Two
The air felt cool tonight. Beneath the silver glow of the twin moons, Naruto and Ino walked through the gardens, their steps in sync. The world around them felt still, and the air, filled with the scent of blooming flowers. The Gardens of the Moons were a place she had helped build, and one she truly enjoyed.
"Sometimes." Ino murmured. "I worry. After everything we've been through... That kami. This time, I…"
Naruto stopped, taking her hand. "We'll manage. Together."
Ino leaned into him, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. "Together."
January 21, Year Two
The launch of the revamped Empirical Library, a colossal digital repository fully accessible to all citizens, marked the beginning of the year.
It contained the accumulated knowledge of thousands of worlds, preserving their histories, sciences, and arts; promised even more in the future. Perhaps it would spark an unprecedented era of enlightenment and innovation; perhaps most people's lives would not change. But it was there.
February, Year Two
February 17, Year Two
In February, soon after the Empirical Library's overhaul, the educational system underwent a significant reform with the introduction of personalized learning AI.
These systems tailored educational content, catering to the unique learning style and pace of every student, every Adept. It would soon prove to be highly effective, enjoyable, even as the process continued to be refined over time.
February 23, Year Two
In the once-again expanded Shade's Realm, Sakura and Naruto were training alone, today.
Sweat dripped from their brows as they exchanged swift strikes. She wouldn't use Kamui, and he wouldn't use his strongest Lightning Armor variants, for the moment.
"Stronger every day, right?" Sakura grunted, landing a solid kick.
Naruto grinned, blocking her next move. "Who said that?"
"Not me." She said. "I hate this place."
Their laughter echoed in the hall, and theirs was an unbreakable bond.
March, Year Two
March 2, Year Two
A landmark achievement combining Ninshū, chakra, and technology was unveiled, and perhaps calling it virtual reality would be an injustice.
Immersive realms, accessible to anyone, offered experiences indistinguishable from reality. People could explore mythical worlds, alone or together, live out fantastical adventures, or simply escape to tranquil, idyllic landscapes. It was a leap in escapism, and a tool for both empathy and understanding.
Also, Toru called it too similar to Infinite Tsukuyomi, which nearly made Naruto discard it, before Sasuke pointed out it was very much something which people could choose to indulge in or abstain from.
Happy not to be compared to a certain man, Naruto decided to have even more trees planted, throughout the worlds they would encounter, in Sasuke's honor.
He idly wondered if the man had planned for it.
March 9, Year Two
As Haruto walked through the newly constructed hydroponics bay, he marveled at the endless rows of lush greenery. A year away from the Ring, in remote worlds, was a long time. It had been needed however, in order to chart data for all of them.
"Ah, I see your fascination. You realize, then, that we're standing in the largest vertical farm in the Rings?" Rina, the chief botanist, asked, her voice tinged with pride.
Gazing at the architectural wonder, Haruto couldn't fathom its rapid construction. Rina, sensing his awe, plucked a ripe tomato, her smile a mirror to his amazement. "That's Advanced AI construction for you. This bay alone can feed a hundred twenty million people. But there are more mouths to feed beyond these walls."
Haruto's eyes widened in realization. "In just a year... our capacity has quadrupled?"
"Yes." Rina affirmed, her pride echoing in her voice. "And we're only scaling up."
April, Year Two
Early April, Year Two
Newcomers were always terrified about the Lightning Emperor.
They would think him a cold, distant, all-powerful sovereign who commanded when and where the Ring's suns rose and fell. Their apprehensions, though steeped in exaggeration, weren't entirely misplaced, either.
Embarking on a life in this new realm necessitated starting from scratch.
The first order of business, in any new place, was securing accommodation. A task surprisingly resolved within an hour.
Next was employment, but here, the approach deviated from the norm. The guides for the newcomers encouraged them to pause, to breathe in the essence of this society before rushing into commitments. They were advised to spend days, weeks, months, or more exploring their surroundings, to find a Path that resonated with their passions. That this was not a realm desperate for labor but one that valued purpose and fulfillment above all.
Integrating into what slowly started to feel like the strangest version of a utopia meant delving into the local customs and laws, an essential step toward becoming a part of this society. This process of assimilation revealed the essence of living under the Lightning Emperor's rule. There was a balance between understanding the power held by the throne and recognizing the individual freedoms and opportunities afforded to each resident.
The Golden Rule appeared to prevail, suggesting that as long as one refrained from infringing upon others, there were few things deemed truly forbidden.
And then, eventually, it dawned upon any newcomer, long before the Ring's rather peculiar relationship with aging, sickness, and mortality set in. Usually, some time after they realized that the Emperor wasn't going to come and cut them down in their home if they didn't do anything productive.
This wasn't merely a place of refuge envisioned by a man of war. It was a society that cherished individual purpose and societal harmony.
And eventually, the initial fears of newcomers were quelled by the realization that they had entered a realm where the development of one's Path was as celebrated as the rising and setting of the suns themselves.
April 11, Year Two
"Why does a robot need such a shapely posterior?" Mitsuki asked.
Gama, who was in charge of the design of some of them, simply rolled his eyes. "Because it makes them look more approachable."
"Does it truly?"
Gama sighed. "Fine, I like women's asses."
Mitsuki nodded. "I see. I enjoy them as well."
May, Year Two
May 2, Year Two
Strolling through the bustling marketplace, Yukina voiced her wonder to her friend.
"There are so many people now." She said slowly. It never felt claustrophobic, but it was noticeable all the same. The Ring was expanding, and they apparently were close to half a billion people, these days. "…Are they going to keep a similar pace forever?"
Mawashi shrugged, his gaze lost in the many trinkets. He, of course, didn't mind. "Who's to say?"
May 6, Year Two
"Did you find it?" Karin asked.
"Not yet." Ino muttered.
"We have to find it—"
"I know." Ino said, as she went through another cushion. She found nothing in it, even as she ripped it apart.
"Yugito is going to kill us."
"Bah." Ino mumbled. "If I wanted to hear anxious yapping, I'd just call my mom."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, I love you."
"Me too — How can it have disappeared?" Karin asked again. "What if—"
That was the moment Yūshirō chose to appear, giggling. Both Karin and Ino turned to face him. The ring was in his mouth. Matatabi seemed in no rush to intervene. Karin stood up briskly, and the child simply decided to run away, followed by the Bijū.
"Oh, you little donkey—"
"Karin, what the fuck?"
June, Year Two
June 16, Year Two
After rigorous field testing and feedback from the Path of the Warrior Adepts, the Thunder Armor underwent its first major upgrade.
Its chakra conductivity was enhanced, allowing for even greater amplification of jutsu. Additionally, the armor now featured improved environmental adaptation capabilities, providing comfort in any climate without compromising protection.
And other minor things, such as preventing illusory techniques from taking, the ability to slow down falls, breathing in water or the void.
June 20, Year Two
Karin was handed a beautifully decorated cake first. Behind the lit candles, her lovers, and her friends were smiling, grinning almost. Yoisen as well, even though she didn't seem particularly familiar with this sort of "modern" celebration.
"Happy Birthday!"
Karin smiled and crushed all of them in grateful hugs in succession.
"Well, blow out the candle." Ino's voice broke through the moment, her grin infectious. "Make a wish."
"And then, the gifts." Sakura chimed in. "I think you'll like them."
"Yours is not a live man-eating plant again, right?" Karin asked.
"No." Sakura shook her head. "It's—"
Naruto frowned. "Don't spoil it, please."
Karin blew the candles.
"So, what did you wish for?" Hanabi's curiosity was evident in her voice, her eyes gleaming with interest. She could never resist prying into this sort of matter.
Karin only continued to grin.
"I can't tell."
June 22, Year Two
Kage eventually realized that a quadruple date with Sasuke and his Hinata, Toru and Akemi, Jinsuke and Sakura... was still easier than just a 'double' date with Naruto and his partners.
There was also much less of a chance for the evening to go entirely sideways.
It was a cozy setting for the evening: a lantern-lit garden in a city near Iwa — in their homeworld. Also, Hinata let him have beer.
"Boruto is growing up so fast." His wife said demurely, softly. "And perhaps it is very selfish of me, but I sometimes miss the time where he needed me so."
"It's not selfish at all." The other Hinata said demurely, reaching out for her hand, holding it gently between her own. "It's a feeling born of love. And he'll always need you, just in different ways as he grows."
"I was nowhere near as composed at your age." Hinata laughed softly.
"Having twins ages people rather fast." Sasuke said wryly.
Both Hinata laughed. Demurely.
"Why don't you make some more, then?" Akemi asked. "Once Toru's done with that kami thing, we might too." Toru gave a thumbs up.
Kage's beer went down the wrong way. More kids?
His wife nodded gently, a contemplative expression on her face. "Yes, perhaps it's something for us to think about."
Sakura, catching the mood, glanced at Jinsuke lovingly. "Maybe that's in the cards for us too?"
Kage privately thought that there was a decent chance that Boruto was going to make things complicated enough on the Uchiha front.
July, Year Two
July 7, Year Two
Hanabi and Naruto stood on a balcony in Kinugawa, overlooking the bustling city.
The stars twinkled above, casting a serene light over the azure domes below. The night was warm, the kind that draped over one's skin like silk, and Hanabi, embracing the embrace of the summer air, dressed accordingly in minimal attire.
"It's not so bad here." Hanabi murmured, glancing at the domes below.
Naruto wrapped an arm around her. "You can say beautiful, you know." He teased gently, his voice a soft rumble in the quiet of the night.
A smile played on Hanabi's lips as she leaned back into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. "I could." She conceded, her gaze still fixed on the view before them. "But I reserve that word for other things."
"People, you mean?"
Hanabi grinned, but didn't answer.
July 28, Year Two
Karin, selecting an universe upon the projected star-map of the expanding territories, discussed strategies with Naruto. Her eyes were alight with fire, he thought.
"We can extend our influence here, and here." She pointed, her finger tracing lines across the map. "And Takaba's division went… here, already."
Naruto nodded, impressed. "Want to go and see how things are there for ourselves?"
Karin met his gaze, grinning up at him. "Are you reading my mind?"
He laughed and kissed her. "I don't need to."
They felt like parts of one large soul, all of them.
Karin nodded, very seriously. "Then, I accept." A small grin threatened to break through, however. "For the eternal empire, for our future."
Naruto nodded sagely. "For our tyranny."
August, Year Two
August 26, Year Two
Yugito and Naruto, perched atop a large tree, gazed out at the training grounds. The sound of clashing weapons filled the air.
Matatabi and Yūshirō had wandered away, as they occasionally did. It was good for their son to have his own little adventures.
"Remember when we were down there?" Yugito asked, nostalgia coloring her voice.
"I am, every day." Naruto chuckled.
She smiled, too. "That is slightly different."
"Not that much." But he knew what she meant. "Feels like another lifetime."
They stood in silence, lovers and comrades, watching the new generation rise.
September, Year Two
September 2, Year Two
In the heart of the Ring's newest imported city, Naruto and Yoisen walked in the crowd. They didn't go unnoticed, but although there was some amazement in some eyes, they kept their greetings very casual.
Yoisen looked around, her eyes taking in the renewed hope, the laughter and joy. "You've created something extraordinary." She decided.
Naruto glanced at her, a soft smile on his lips. "We did. All of us."
"That is who I meant."
"Then include yourself in it." Naruto grinned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.
"…Ah." She smiled happily. "Yes, of course."
Late September, Year Two
Living with two musicians apparently meant a lot of playing going on, Ino realized, once Yoisen slowly settled in their home life.
It also meant more dancing and singing than she had expected, which was something she knew Hanabi did not mind, far from it. Even if Ino did not always feel like dancing or singing, Hanabi had a way of wrapping her arms around her (or their lovers) to pull her into a dance, serenading a giggling Ino.
She did that very casually, and could make a song of nearly anything. Whether it made sense or not, whether it should have been allowed in the first place, didn't quite matter to Hanabi.
Yoisen occasionally harmonized with her, and Ino could admit that the two of them, together, were rather easy on the ears. The way she could still turn red and simply walk away from the room whenever Hanabi went for more raunchy songs or improvisations was funny, too. Same went for the same way Karin slapped her thigh in laughter as it happened.
"So." Ino asked Yoisen, on one of these days. She wasn't in a bad mood, far from it, but there were unspoken things in the air, all the same. "It's been a little while now. Should we think about expanding the bed, at some point?"
The other woman slept alone, and Ino had never questioned it. Matters such as sex or intimacy, Ino herself viewed in a rather peculiar light, she knew. But well, her life had made it so. That Yoisen didn't seem to indulge in the former and preferred to sleep on her own, aside from the nights Naruto spent with her, was her own problem.
"Ah." Yoisen said, looking genuinely taken aback. "That... is not a pressing matter."
Ino couldn't help but find a sliver of amusement in Yoisen's reaction. Perhaps she should have realized earlier that there was some fun to be found in teasing reactions out of the supposedly composed woman by being blunt. No wonder Hanabi (or worse, Sakura) took such pleasure in it. "No?"
Shaking her head, Yoisen clarified. "That is the marital bed. And as such, it is a matter for when we get married." She must have seen the expression upon Ino's face, because she added a few words hurriedly. "I mean, specifically me and Naruto — at least."
There was more of the same traitorous amusement in Ino's voice. "Good catch."
Yoisen nodded quickly.
"So, when's it happening?" Ino asked neutrally. She didn't really care, in the end. Not really really. It almost felt like a formality, at this point. Maybe. "Later this year?"
"No." Yoisen replied, a flush creeping into her cheeks. "I… will ask Naruto. After we defeat Susanoo-Arashi."
Ino said nothing at all, for a long moment. "…Really?"
Firmly, Yoisen said. "I need to focus on the battle. Other... distractions can wait."
"Distractions?" Ino asked, slowly.
Yeah, the other woman was definitely blushing. "Yes. Besides..." She trailed off, hesitating, before murmuring something inaudible.
"What was that?" Ino prompted.
Yoisen spoke up. "It... makes for a good incentive."
This time, and in spite of herself, Ino laughed for real. It wasn't the first thing she found she liked about Yoisen, but it was one.
October, Year Two
October 10, Year Two
By now, Toru's vintage jukebox, given to him by some man he had called Spike the Spiegel, had repeated the same damn song more times than Naruto could count.
Worst of all, Kage sang over it. And the man could be loud. Sitting proudly in Toru's much bright red couch, his wife Hinata was the only one who seemed happy to have to hear the impromptu karaoke. Shared birthday or not, they should never have given Kage anything to drink, this much was clear. Hell, even Gama was less of a mess, tonight. In spite of Hebi's brief appearance.
Oh.
It seemed that an equally drunk Jinsuke, bandana wrapped around his forehead, wanted to seize the microphone, now. Perhaps it was time to intervene. Sarada seemed to want to crawl in a hole and die — and the fact that both versions of Sakura were laughing about it, although for different reasons, helped none.
Or perhaps they should let him, Naruto mused. The dour man was rarely in such a festive mood, especially when an equally bemused Itachi was around. Yes, perhaps Naruto should also encourage his best administrative soldier to drink. Itachi seemed to get it, because he glared at him.
Toru continued to spin across the wooden floor, faster and faster, with the perfect grace of someone who had used his Sharingan to learn how to do so. Hanabi seemed to want to teach him how to do it 'properly,' however. She stood up to do so.
The music continued to blare, louder and louder. Kage's voice rose, too.
"Baby, you're so cuuute~"
December, Year Two
December 25, Year Two
"Christmas gifts?" Naruto asked Gama.
"Yes." The man nodded. "It's one of Tokyo's most important consumerist events, in which people spend a lot of money to offer—"
"I know what Christmas is, Gama." Naruto said. "There are enough people from such worlds living here and abroad. My question was, why?"
Gama shifted slightly, meeting the Emperor's gaze. "Well." He shrugged. "I kinda got into the habit, during my time in Tokyo, of offering all my friends something."
"Oh." Naruto had nothing to offer him back. But he would find something later on.
Gama laughed lightly. "No need to worry, I didn't expect a return gift. I know it's not your usual style." He paused, noticing Naruto's slight frown. "Anyway, I've created small toad sculptures for almost everyone."
In spite of himself, Naruto found himself slightly touched. "Almost?"
With a slight scowl, Gama replied. "Well, I tried. But… I couldn't bring myself to make one for Sakura."
January, Year Three
Early January, Year Three
Amidst the deep blue, and not too far from Umi, the underwater city of Sui was unveiled. Lights flickered on in the transparent domes of chakra, revealing a world where technology and ocean life coexisted in harmony.
It wasn't simply yet another one of Orochimaru or Yoisen's relatively strange pet projects, in which they did something, seemingly just to see whether it was doable or not.
No, the truth was far simpler: the inhabitants of this new city breathed water.
February, Year Three
February 1, Year Three
"Oh, wow." Naruto said from the doorway.
"It's just a dress, Naruto." Sakura mumbled, cheeks burning.
"Perhaps. But there's something about your gaze, too." He observed, locking eyes with her briefly. And didn't mention it was also just very rare for her to wear something that most people would consider nice — her flame-patterned pants, for one, usually didn't qualify.
"...Why are you being so cheesy now?" She asked, but didn't meet his eyes.
His smile widened. "Isn't that part of my charm?"
Sakura smiled, too, as she took his hand. "Somewhat, yes."
"Shall we go?"
"Take me away from this." She said grandly. Behind her, Hanabi and Yoisen's objections faded into the background. "I can't sit through another Karin movie tonight."
February 20, Year Three
Sasuke felt Naruto sitting atop the World Tree by chance.
Perhaps it was because he shared a special connection with it — the Tree. He was there nearly every morning, feeding it chakra to help its growth, like many, many others. But well, he had been there on the day the seed was planted, and maybe the Tree had a will of its own. It wouldn't be too surprising, considering how Orochimaru had created it in the first place…
Naruto was alone, this time. Which meant Sakura had already managed to find sleep tonight.
In a flash of flames, Sasuke disappeared from Konoha, reappearing atop a large branch. The evening chill was very much present, but he was a strong fire user.
"Can't sleep?"
Naruto didn't move from where he sat. He continued to stare into the night, shrugging noncommittally. "Guess not."
"Does this happen often?" Sasuke asked, coming to stand next to him.
He thought he knew it did, but in Naruto's case, it was likely not because of Yūshirō, who was one of the fastest, deepest sleeper Sasuke had ever seen. But there were days in which there were heavy bags under Naruto's eyes, and that meant something, given how little sleep he actually required.
They had made Shade's Realm's conditions harsher for training purposes, and even then, Naruto likely spent too much time in it — like all of them. How old did that make him…? And how old did that make Sasuke? No one knew, and no one was counting: it wasn't as though they aged any.
"Not as often as it happens to Sakura." Naruto finally said.
Sasuke shook his head. "You'd be the first one to tell me it's not a contest, were our roles reversed."
Naruto snorted. "Yeah, I know."
There were many things either could have said, but something about the vast dark sky made every single word that came to Sasuke's mind trivial.
"Well, we don't have to talk, then." Sasuke said, simply sitting next to him.
"As long as you don't try to hug me."
Sasuke laughed, and they sat there in comfortable silence for a long while.
March, Year Three
March 14, Year Three
"Such a good girl…"
The voice sounded like Hanabi's, and it sounded full of praise. Luscious, too. And breathy, as though she were lying on her back, or very, very tired—
It was a long, difficult year, Yoisen could readily admit. They were expanding faster than usual, certainly, thanks to the latest advancements. And all of them coped with the stress in different ways. This, however…
Yoisen hurried away from the living room, from which the sounds came.
March 17, Year Three
In the Integration Hall, Kaito welcomed newcomers from a distant world. "Welcome to the Ring, a community now housing over a billion souls."
A new arrival looked around in awe. "That many? Everything seems so… orderly."
Kaito smiled. "Both efficiency and harmony are our core principles."
June, Year Three
June 1, Year Three
The Thunder Armor, which had now become entirely adaptable to its wielder's style, and could adjust in real-time to either offensive or defensive capabilities… became entirely self-repairable — using both chakra and nanotechnology to mend damage in real time.
The Armors also became extremely easy to summon through the chakra beads any of the Ring's inhabitants carried within their souls.
The Emperor chose to have them redesigned to be more imposing, too. The Armors, that was, not the people. Although this redesign was rather less important, it did make them more imposing, and there were many war-torn worlds who began talking about the legendary Ring Knights, who appeared in a flash of dark light, and ended battles seemingly just as fast.
The Emperor grunted. They were ninja, not knights.
June 13, Year Three
"They have been throwing barbs at each other for hours." Yoisen said worriedly. "This cannot be good. Last time, they nearly leveled—"
Naruto only shrugged. "It's different."
"How so?"
"For Sakura and Ino, it's also foreplay." Like Sakura and Hanabi. Or Sakura and Karin. Or Sakura and Yugito. Or Sakura and Naruto. "It just sounds a bit more aggressive than usual."
"...Foreplay?" Yoisen repeated, very slowly.
"It's always been foreplay." Naruto nodded.
"Yes, well..." Yoisen trailed off. "...Is it just that, really?"
"Are you turning red?"
"Absolutely not."
"I could show you how they do it, if you want." He tilted his head, trying to hide his amusement at her expression. "Unless that's too much, too?"
"Ah — That is..."
His laughter filled the air before he drew her into a kiss. "I'm joking, Yoisen."
"...Oh."
August, Year Three
August 5, Year Three
Rain pattered against the windows of the Uzumaki household, setting a somber rhythm on this dreary afternoon.
Inside, a veil of lethargy had seemingly fallen upon everyone, the windows fogging up from their collective warmth. If not for their shared exhaustion, perhaps someone would have cleared the condensation, perhaps even found a lasting solution.
Toru, the only one who hadn't been sent on that dreadful mission to this war-torn realm, hummed from the kitchen. He casually lobbed dirty pots into the fully automatic washing seal with a practiced underhand throw. In the adjacent room, Sakura and a half-dozing Akemi were engrossed in something on the screen, probably another one of those bizarre movies, judging by the disjointed sounds that reached Toru's ears.
"Here." He announced, floating ten bowls of soup to the next room. "Someone give this a try, please. And if it's too salty, well… tough luck."
Then came the muttered, exhausted thanks.
He set the bowls, which would retain their warmth, on the table, and then, with a flick of his fingers, summoned a fresh blanket from their reserves. He nestled down next to Hanabi, who responded with a grunt that might have been gratitude and moved to give him a little space.
August 14, Year Three
"Can you believe it, Ino?" Noriko's voice came through the chakra core. "Her first question to me was: have you been drinking?"
Ino only shook her head, knowing her mother could see it. "I can't believe it."
Ino glanced at Karin, who watched her with a sparkle in her eyes. She didn't seem to mind that their date had been interrupted by Noriko's call. Today too.
"Can you believe it?" Karin mouthed to her, and Ino had to stifle a chuckle.
August 26, Year Three
Hanabi and Sakura tumbled through the bedroom door in a frenzy, hands grasping at clothing and hair alike. Their lips met in a fierce clash, alternating between biting and sucking.
Sakura's hand ventured beneath Hanabi's hakama, her touch skilled and deliberate, her kisses muffling the sounds of their ardor, seeking her heat...
Caught off guard, Yoisen finally found her voice. "This isn't your room anymore!"
With amused laughter, the pair hastily retreated. It barely slowed them down, however.
October, Year Three
October 3, Year Three
"Are you alright, little girl?" The voice rumbled behind the helmet.
Scorched earth, singed fur—the field lay wrecked, dotted with beast carcasses. A girl, small and trembling, clung to the ashes of a once tranquil grove. Terror pulsed through her; her eyes wide with fear.
She was alone, save for the towering figure in armor of a sort she had never seen before. He had cut through the beasts with a superheated sword and deadly winds; he was a force of destruction against the nightmarish onslaught.
Now, he knelt, removing his helmet. Beneath, a gentle smile softened his battle-worn face.
"It's over now." The scarred, bearded blond man said, his voice no longer a rumble but a soft, soothing thing, like the balms her mother used to make. Before. "You're safe."
Tentatively, the girl nodded — the beasts were gone, extinguished by the man's hand.
"Who are you…?" She asked, and her voice was a whisper that was nearly lost in the wind that shrouded him.
"Just a helper." He replied, standing and offering her a hand. "And I can bring you somewhere safe."
The girl, hesitating, finally saw past the warrior to the protector.
November, Year Three
November 8, Year Three
"Did no one ever tell you why the roof of the palace is open, nowadays…?"
Kage frowned, thinking of the strange material that was both physical and not, depending. "I can't say they did."
A tired Naruto grinned and stood up. "Come. I'll show you."
Soon, they were standing into the palace's uppermost room, under this very roof. There, Naruto gathered lightning in his hand as Kage watched. Then, more of it, until a true thunderstorm hung in his hand. With his left hand, he made a very slight swiping motion.
He threw the lightning bolt, which arched through the sky… before disappearing into a rift.
"See?" Naruto smiled. "From here, I can reach any world if needed. I just have to answer the summons."
"Fantastic." Kage said, very neutrally.
November 15, Year Three
"Tell me, Toru." Naruto said.
"I wasn't the one to publish that article about our supposed bromance, man." Toru said.
"...What are you even talking about?"
"I think it's Itachi fucking with us again — He didn't forget about that joke I made three weeks ago—"
"Toru, what the fuck are you talking about?
December, Year Three
December 3, Year Three
Orochimaru yawned for the fourth time in a row. His mouth stretched unnaturally wide. Instinctively, he brought his hand up to cover it, a gesture born from human decorum rather than necessity. The dilemma of artificially accelerating one's age loomed in his mind. He had deliberately drawn out the process over three years, as opposed to the initial two-day plan. This elongated timeframe allowed him the luxury of experimenting with additional modifications, using himself as the subject. It was a thrilling, if somewhat exhausting, endeavor.
"Shouldn't you sleep, Orochimaru?"
He yawned again before answering Kaguya. There were more reports to be read, more data to be processed, more plans to be made. That Kabuto, from World Seven, had rather intriguing solutions.
"I will have all the pleasure of sleeping once all this is done."
He allowed his hair to be caressed by her soft, pale hands, however. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.
December 9, Year Three
'Please stay silent when you come home.' Yoisen sent through thought. 'Ino and Naruto fell asleep in the living room.'
Sakura frowned. 'So I should be punished for them sleeping in public spaces, now?'
'That is not what I meant. Only not to wake them up.'
'Who's going to wake Their Royal Highnesses?' Sakura asked.
'No one.' Karin hissed. 'Just let them sleep.'
January, Year Four
January 9, Year Four
Yūshirō channeled Lightning chakra for the first time, at the tender age of three and something.
Yugito saw bright blue light, and her smile was a bit watery as she hugged her son. This was young, all too young, and in Kumo, it would have meant different things for him. Difficult things. But they weren't in Kumo, and they weren't in the Elemental Nations at all.
Yūshirō simply thought that he liked sparks.
"You're a lot like your mother." Naruto murmured to Yūshirō, who beamed in answer — he was starting to understand these things, likely. Or he was simply an easy child, perhaps.
Yugito laughed. "I never had this sort of instinct. No, this must be from your side."
Naruto said nothing, but he remembered he had been about twice as old when he finally managed to channel chakra properly, and that it took him three more years to even channel Lightning.
February, Year Four
Early February, Year Four
As a child, Mitarashi Yui was such a shit-stirrer that rules became very important to Shisui.
She was loud, rambunctious, and the sort of mess that seemed to follow her anywhere she went would have made him wonder if Toru had somehow reincarnated.
Just like that bastard (not because of his blood) Uzumaki and his son, or Sasuke with his own twins, Shisui loved Yui with all his heart.
March, Year Four
Early to Late March, Year Four
It was a rather busy year.
June, Year Four
June 19, Year Four
Naruto dropped by to leave Karin her lunch at work.
It was not part of the routine, and there were plenty of ways she could have gotten herself something to eat. She had simply forgotten to take her lunch from home this morning. Yet, there he was, the Emperor himself, causing a stir among her colleagues and even catching her off guard. With a grin and a swift kiss, Naruto handed her the lunch. It was a short meeting, as brief as it was heartwarming.
Karin noticed he was wearing battle fatigues but chose not to ask, confident that he would share the details later that evening. Instead, she returned his grin and waved him off.
July, Year Four
Early July, Year Four
The sun shone brightly over the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and it was abuzz with excitement, as well as the kind of magic that had nothing to do with spells.
Hermione, donned in her Gryffindor robes, stood amidst her classmates. She had just successfully passed her N.E.W.T.S, marking what she thought might be the conclusion of an era. The Wizarding World was undoubtedly improving, although she couldn't discern how much credit belonged to Boruto's uncle. There were, after all, other factors at play.
As her name was called, Hermione made her way to the front, her steps echoing in the ancient hall. She was expecting the usual applause, the proud nods from professors, and perhaps a few congratulatory words from her peers. But as she looked out into the crowd, her heart skipped a beat.
Among the sea of faces, not too distant from Ron, Harry, and Sirius, sat Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki, and Nacchan. They had managed to find a spot right at the front, and they all seemed full of pride.
(She wasn't sure about Mitsuki, in truth. His emotions were hard to read, although he glanced at Daphne Greengrass, who stared back, with something that looked like interest for an instant.)
It was an unexpected, heartwarming sight. Sarada's bright smile, Boruto's enthusiastic clapping, Mitsuki's calm nod, and Nacchan's eyes sparkling with joy – it was more than Hermione could have hoped for. And… was this Fleur Delacour? Yes. Yes, it was.
Hermione thought she glimpsed a hint of pink but dismissed it as inconsequential.
In any case, Dumbledore winked at her as he proceeded with the ceremony.
August, Year Four
August 28 , Year Four
"Where's the map?"
"We're not lost, Karin." Sakura said. "We don't need a fucking map. I know exactly where we are."
"Chill the fuck out, pink." Karin said. "Don't curse at me."
"It's called a detour, don't blame me for it."
Karin sighed. "If Hanabi was here—"
"Then she'd be bitching, as usual."
Behind them, and as lost as they were, right into the middle of nowhere, Toru could only sigh.
September, Year Four
September 7, Year Four
"Zero point twenty-two left to six billion, to be exact."
Naomi, the latest Path of Service adept to have joined up with them, absorbed the staggering growth with a bit of wonder. "…That soon?"
"Yes."
"Just last year we…" She trailed off. Then again, they were building smarter, not just larger.
"Well…" Hiro shrugged. "If you want the exact calculations, I think that Nishii can help…"
December, Year Four
December 1, Year Four
In the grand hall, Naruto stood before the gathering of leaders from what seemed to be a thousand different realms.
The air was thick with anticipation as discussions about the latest changes in inter-dimensional diplomacy began.
It was a landmark event, uniting ever-distant worlds in a common pursuit of peace and prosperity.
And it was going to be a rather busy year.
January, Year Five
Early January, Year Five
The inter-dimensional games began in Northern Winter, connecting athletes from disparate worlds. It was a spectacle of skill, a show of unity, during which worlds collided, during which participants engaged in friendly competition. There were many events, and convening upon which would make the cut had been a long discussion. Still, even Sakura cheered alongside millions.
February, Year Five
February 13, Year Five
A leap into the past marked February of Year Five, with the launch of Projected Reality Historical Experiences. This groundbreaking initiative allowed people to witness crucial moments in the histories of various worlds, from recorded or recreated perspectives. More than an educational tool, it was a journey into empathy, allowing anyone to walk in the shoes of those who shaped history, as well as those who hadn't. It was not solely meant to be enlightening; the goal was to foster understanding in between interconnected realms.
Late February, Year Five
In the quiet of the workshop, a young engineer pored over blueprints, illuminated by the soft glow of a desk lamp.
Each line, each calculation, was a step towards realizing the Emperor's request: a way to connect worlds that didn't depend solely on his ability. That wouldn't depend on chakra.
To have been requested as much was, to him at least, a show of unquestionable truth. And he wouldn't let the man down.
March, Year Five
Early March, Year Five
The Cosmic Art Exhibition opened, showcasing art from across the various worlds. There were many unique pieces, whether that was in the blend of materials used, in style, genre or type. Some could be said to reflect the diversity of the empire's cultures, and some were simply impossible to understand for most. Still, it was a very successful event.
April, Year Five
Early April, Year Five
The festival celebrating the five elements was a spectacular display. A thing of beauty and power. Fire dancers, earth shapers, lightning benders; water displays, and wind performances captivated the audience.
April 15, Year Five
Tsunade's hands glowed with a gentle chakra as she approached the alien being.
Its form was strange, certainly, and yet familiar in its suffering. There was still so much to learn, even now. She was a woman who had found her dream again.
With a touch, Tsunade bridged worlds.
The creature stirred as it healed, and each day felt like it brought new understanding to Tsunade.
May, Year Five
Mid May, Year Five
A radiant morning dawned, around the middle of May, casting a golden hue over a bustling city.
Humans and their AI companions mingled seamlessly on the streets, and it was an era where technology had evolved into something more personal, more intimate.
They passed each other without a second glance. Some chose to blend in completely, while others wore their artificial nature with pride, appearances ranging from subtly enhanced to strikingly non-human.
It was a world where constructs were helpers and friends, and for some, lovers.
June, Year Five
June 3, Year Five
"Daddy." Yūshirō held up his toy, a forlorn expression on his face. "The wheel came off."
Naruto glanced at it. "You're right. I'll get you baby toys."
Yūshirō's lower lip began to tremble. "Baby toys?" He echoed, his voice tinged with dismay.
"What's wrong?" Naruto asked softly. "You said the wheel came off. Baby toys are safer — they don't have wheels that can break."
Yūshirō paused, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Maybe... maybe I can fix it?"
"Can you?" Naruto's tone was curious, encouraging.
"I'll try!" Determination sparked in Yūshirō's eyes.
Fueled by his resolve not to be seen as a baby, Yūshirō concentrated on the toy. After a few moments, the wheel was back in place.
"Amazing." Naruto breathed, his eyes wide with pride. "How did you do that? It's incredible."
"See?" Yūshirō beamed. "I'm not a baby!"
"You're right!" Naruto agreed. "A baby couldn't do that. You have to tell me. How did you do it?"
"Uh… You see the piece of wood? Here?" Yūshirō asked, seating himself upon his father's knees. "I put it in the wheel and I pushed it…"
As his son narrated his process, Naruto listened, his smile never fading. "That's really impressive."
July, Year Five
July 19, Year Five
Uzumaki Naruto realized that it was possible, even for him, to fall asleep and wake up sixteen hours later.
Things were running pretty well, by then, and so the meeting went on without him.
August, Year Five
Early August, Year Five
Not having found anything new in the Ring's expansive archives, even through the use of systems which could parse through all the libraries Relayed to the network, Karin and Yoisen went to find worlds which might hold more information about Susanoo-Arashi.
They mostly found ruin.
September, Year Five
September 14, Year Five
On the 14th of September, the Uzumaki Naruto dubbed "Gama" began a relationship with an AI named Ryūko. Things went rather well, because she was not the possessive sort. That suited Gama just well, because he considered himself a free man, thank you very much. In fact, he redoubled on that freedom.
October, Year Five
Early October, Year Five
A few weeks later, in an entirely unrelated context, the Uzumaki Naruko once known as Mitsuki, but now going by Hebi for the most part, found herself on an uneventful date with a man whose name she had forgotten.
He had a background in accounting or perhaps economics, one of those mundane civilian professions she had never really bothered to remember.
That night, when she brought him over to her place, the nameless man stormed out upon hearing her utter the wrong name.
November, Year Five
November 6, Year Five
Back in his homeworld for a few weeks, Uchiha Madara, under a serene twilight, sighed.
He watched the couple in the beautiful tree garden, created by Hashirama's skilled efforts, which were clearly better in taste than the Emperor's Sasuke's.
Izuna, his brother, looked resplendent in traditional attire, his eyes mirroring the same fierce loyalty and warmth he had always shown Madara.
Beside him, Senju Tōka, adorned in a kimono that fluttered like spring blossoms, held Izuna's hand with a gentle strength that spoke of a shared dream.
Madara let out a sigh, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand unspoken thoughts. It was a sound that mirrored the history of their clans, perhaps, a history marred by conflict and bloodshed. Or perhaps it was just the fact that he had known it was coming. Illusionists had a penchant for finding the weirdest of matches, he thought.
As Madara turned, his eyes met those of Senju Tobirama, who stood across the garden. Unlike Hashirama, Gama, or the young Skywalker, the younger Senju brother echoed Madara's own feelings.
In that moment, a silent understanding passed between Madara and Tobirama.
They were warriors, leaders who had weathered storms and stood steadfast in their beliefs. Brothers in suffering, even. Perhaps.
Madara walked over to Tobirama, his steps measured but sure. Without a word, he extended his hand, a cup of sake in his grasp. Tobirama accepted the gesture, his hand reaching for a second cup.
"To the future." Madara said, resignation and a fair amount of fondness for his lunatic of a brother blending in his voice.
"To the future." Tobirama echoed grimly.
Their cups clinked, a crisp, clear sound. They downed them together.
Izuna and Tōka, as though they had known their thoughts, were now laughing as they set the first trees on fire, with Hashirama's help.
It was a pure sound, and entirely unburdened.
December, Year Five
December 14, Year Five
In the humming heart of the energy control center, Yumi stood, her gaze fixed on the glowing screens that displayed the vast energy grid — a web of power lines, chakra cores and energy nodes. "The last tests are conclusive." She said. "Our grid can now support over twenty billion. Warn Kensuke. It's soon going to be time for expansion again."
"Which Orochimaru do we inform?" A colleague joked.
Yumi smiled slightly. "Either should work."
January, Year Six
Early January, Year Six
Much like the previous one, this one was a particularly busy year.
June, Year Six
Late June, Year Six
By that time, leisure trips to distant worlds had become an everyday occurrence on the Rings. Though still regulated, the constant comings and goings through the Warping Gates had effectively shrunk the vast distances between worlds. It meant that this newfound proximity wasn't just for those gifted with the Emperor's favor, bearing his Rinnegan. It touched the lives of everyone.
In June, the manufacturing of versatile vehicles reignited. These marvels of engineering were designed to traverse all terrains – from the depths of the seas to the vastness of space – seamlessly adapting to every world's unique environment.
July, Year Six
Late July, Year Six
To expand on this, the month of July witnessed the completion of the Intergalactic Railway System. Pale, sleek trains capable of instantaneous travel now connected both the familiar rails of old and the uncharted cosmic routes, gliding, ferrying passengers to their destinations with unprecedented ease. This marvel of engineering not only revolutionized travel but also promoted interplanetary commerce and tourism on an unprecedented scale. It bestowed the gift of true connectivity to any world host to one of the Ring's Core Spheres.
Of course, among the throngs of travelers, there were those who simply enjoyed the view.
August, Year Six
Early August, Year Six
As the year neared its middle, the scientific community celebrated a quantum leap in energy efficiency. The introduction of zero-point energy modules meant that power, seemingly limitless and clean, could be shared easily with remote worlds. A stark contrast to the resource-draining methods that were common in most of them.
Cities sparkled brighter, machines ran smoother, and the Empire's footprint on the universe became both gentler and heavier than ever before. It was fitting for the middle of the summer in Umi, Naruto perhaps thought.
September, Year Six
Late September, Year Six
The interstellar travel industry soared, and there arose the need for the development of personal shields – for non-chakra users in non-chakra worlds. Shields which offered individuals protection against physical harm and dramatically reduced injury rates outside of the Ring.
It gave some people a new appreciation for its safety, as well.
October, Year Six
October 21, Year Six
"Of course there's an art to it!" In the environmental control center, Akane briefed her team. "Maintaining balanced climates is going to be a little bit more than science."
"…Is this meant to be reassuring?"
There were still more than thirty billion people in the Ring.
"Not particularly, no." Akane said. "That's just how it is."
Senju Hashirama, who had decided that his interest for medicine was sated for the time being and joined up with the Demographics and Expansion sector, nodded enthusiastically.
Akane's team nodded, as well.
They were the custodians of countless ecosystems, and their commitment was unwavering.
November, Year Six
November 4, Year Six
Umi's sister city, one Uzu, was unveiled.
Uzu was not an abbreviation for anything, it was its full name, and although it was an obvious tribute to the long since gone Uzushio, Ino did not protest when Yoisen hesitantly suggested it. What she did object on, however, was to the idea of excessive uniformity — there was no need for that everywhere.
They hadn't chosen to work together on the project just because Naruto had more or less ordered all of them to slow down on everything before they managed to burn out…
But it was their first true joint effort that didn't involve battle.
It wouldn't be the last.
December, Year Six
December 9, Year Six
"No." Ino said to Sakura. "I'm not letting you build a 'Guiltknife.'"
"It's just a little knife…" Sakura frowned. "How else am I supposed to make people like Toru feel bad when they talk shit about my book?"
"Maybe you should put your focus on finishing the book first."
Sakura groaned. "…Oh, not you, too."
"Who else said so?"
"Yoisen."
"…"
December 13, Year Six
Naruto nearly crawled out of their room, in which the air still felt oppressively warm, even after all the others had fallen asleep.
He stretched his arms over his head, and he relished the night's cool breeze against his bare skin. Truly, there was no rest for the wicked, he thought amusedly. Tiredly.
The sound of a cup hitting the floor followed by a soft exclamation broke the silence.
"Ah, Yoisen." He greeted, his laughter tinged with warmth. "Couldn't sleep either? Ah...? Right. Pants, first."
January, Year Seven
Early January, Year Seven
In the heart of Uzu, a garden was taking shape.
Ino and Yoisen worked side by side, meticulously choosing plants not solely for appearance, but also for their relevance to the diverse cultures of Uzu's inhabitants. It proved to be an arduous endeavor, given the multitude of worlds from which these plants, these people originated. Ino had anticipated Yoisen giving up on numerous occasions, but to her surprise, that moment never came.
Together, they planted intertwining vines.
January 23, Year Seven
"You can't win this!" Toru's voice thundered across the training field. "Just admit defeat already!"
"You're lagging behind, Toru!" Naruto's laughter filled the air. "You won't be catching up any time soon!"
"Shut up, both of you." Sasuke simply said.
"Maybe focus on not finishing last for once!"
Sasuke scoffed dismissively. "Stop trying to get me to quit."
February, Year Seven
February 2, Year Seven
In the ornate meeting room of the imperial palace, where ceilings stretched high with the weight of power, the doors burst open.
Omaeda Kazuo, followed by his trusted men, strode in with a storm in his eyes, a weapon in his hand. None of the council members turned toward him. Only Uzumaki Naruto did.
"Emperor Naruto." Kazuo declared, his voice tight with anger. And conviction. "Your reign suppresses the true potential of our people. I can no longer stand by as you mold this world into your vision alone. I demand change! We demand change."
A man with bright green eyes bristled. "You demand—"
"It's fine." The Emperor said, and motioned for the meeting to go on.
Unflustered, he met Kazuo's gaze.
"It has been a while since we've had an uprising. I was wondering when you'd come." The Emperor said. "You started your little project months ago, didn't you?"
Kazuo's hardened expression faltered slightly. "You knew?" His hand went to his sword, and his men, behind him, did the same. Their Thunder Armors, of the sixth-generation, rose instantly. This was what made men invincible, and all of them bore it—
"Please don't do that." The Emperor said, freezing him with a single, neutral look. "I'd rather not cake the walls with your blood."
There was an otherworldly pressure, something that shouldn't be but was constrained within the body of a mortal. Supposedly. Why had he thought that armor and a few fancy high-frequency swords would be enough…?
Kazuo and his men fell to their knees.
"Ah. Well, whatever." The Emperor said, shrugging. "If you had intended to harm anybody, it would have been a different story."
So the legends about the impossibly precise wards throughout the land were true, then? No wonder Kazuo himself had never even heard of a rebellion. They were doomed, all of them.
The Emperor continued. "If you feel so constrained by this world, I offer you an alternative."
"…What?" Kazuo asked tightly. "The is nothing we can offer you—"
"Instead of rebellion." Naruto continued. "I will give you something. The opportunity to live in another world. I can open a path to realities beyond your imagination. Find one where your ideals can take root without the cost of conflict."
Kazuo and his men held their breath. And not solely because they felt as though they would be watched closely.
"…Or stay here but chill the fuck out. Go vote and I'll take a look at the consensus." The Emperor said, shrugging to himself. "I don't really care about this if you don't cause trouble." He seemed to think about it. "Well, as long as you don't even try to cause trouble."
Kazuo, after a moment of contemplation with his men, nodded slowly, his resolve sharpening. "I accept, Emperor. Show me these worlds."
An assistant did, and soon, they left.
Less than three months later, Kazuo and his men would return, tails between their legs. The Emperor didn't comment on it.
March, Year Seven
March 14, Year Seven
"How do you like my warm little hole?" Yoisen heard Ino ask as she passed the doorway.
She hurried away from the room, and didn't hear the rest of it.
"…Phrasing." Karin commented, her amusement clear as she reviewed Ino's design for a swiftly deployable shelter. One intended for subterranean environments — the sort that were found in harsh worlds, not for the Ring's underground cities. "But it looks good to me."
"To me, too." Ino nodded in satisfaction. "I'll ask Yoisen later — seems like she just turned around and left."
Sakura gave Hanabi a puzzled look, as she tried to stifle a laugh. "…Why are you laughing, Hanabi?"
"No reason at all."
April, Year Seven
April 5, Year Seven
Chapter 34
Distant Tides
I had seen some grisly murder scenes in my life, but rarely like [that]. But I was lucky enough, that day. Boss Matsumoto, after all, was a pedophile.
"Who's in charge here?" I asked him, as my knife burrowed deeper in his neck. "Because it can't be you, clearly."
He gurgled something that I didn't quite hear — his ruined throat made him rather unintelligible.
Sakura read the words on the projected screen, then read them again. She scowled and crossed her arms. She had gotten started with a few different books, and none were completed — or about to be.
The words on the screen represented the latest of them, or perhaps some elaborate form of torture. Sixty eight words, including the chapter title. And they had been written three days ago, too.
What was she supposed to do, delve into her own feelings…? Wait. Sakako. Sakako's feelings.
Nah.
She continued to scowl at the screen, before dismissing it entirely. Then she let out a silent scream of frustration.
"…Writer's block again?" That was Karin's voice.
Alright, perhaps it hadn't been as silent as she thought.
"…Whatever." Sakura moaned. "I'm done with this writing shit."
"You said it yesterday, too." Karin pointed out.
"I know."
"Can I read the previous chapter?"
"It's not done yet."
"Please please please—"
"…Yeah." Sakura sighed, motioning for the door to open. "You can come in."
"Great!" Karin grinned at her as she sat on her lap — and she was heavier than she looked.
Yeah. Her wife definitely was lucky that Sakura was so strong.
"I don't get why you'd want to read this, though." Sakura said. "It's all shit."
Karin tilted her head up to kiss her. "Nothing you do is shit."
"You said that the orphan-collecting machine was a shit idea."
"…The idea needs tweaking, Sakura."
Sakura sighed. "…Sarada said so, too. But did anyone complain when Yugito was stealing some, though..?"
Karin kissed the top of her head, then spoke into her hair. "Let's focus on your novel."
June, Year Seven
June 1, Year Seven
Aiko, perched at her vantage point high within the command center, gazed out over the projection displaying the current expansion projects. "One hundred twenty-two point eighty-eight billion. Within the Ring today, that is."
Jun nodded. "And outside of it?" Then he shook his head. "No, ever mind. It's irrelevant right now. Tell me about the latest biomes?"
"Each habitat integrates as if it was meant to." Aiko said. "So far."
Jun nodded, fulfilled duty in his eyes. "Perfect."
July, Year Seven
July 23, Year Seven
"Neither Boruto nor Himawari's were quite like this." Kage began tentatively, staring into little Jiraiya, little Hitoshi's eyes. Kurama, who napped on the couch, briefly, lazily opened an eye to see what was going on. "Their activated Byakugan look a little bit…"
"Strong!" Hitoshi supplied.
"Stronger!" Jiraiya added, too enthusiastically.
"Fucked up?" Hanabi asked, tilting her head and trying to regain her right ear's hearing. Even as Hinata glared at her, Hanabi's little nephews widened their pale, pink-red eyes in amazement.
"Swear jar!" They screamed as one, trying to outdo the other. "Swear jar!"
Boruto winced from his nearby spot. He idly wondered if he had ever been so loud, and knew that he had.
"Please do not swear in front of my sons, Hanabi." Hinata admonished her sister.
"It just slipped out." Hanabi said easily. "I did tell you, however, that–"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I did not corrupt a perfectly good bloodline, thank you."
Hanabi blinked. "You do realize I meant that as a compliment, right?"
"Did you?"
Hanabi shrugged before playfully patting his back. "Well, you can't be worse than generations of inbreeding, can you?"
"Thank you, Hanabi." He said dryly.
"You're welcome, brother." Hanabi retorted with a mischievous grin.
August, Year Seven
August 2, Year Seven
Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Naruto, now well into their teenage years, came to find That Man in their home world.
They came wearing Thunder Armors. And high-frequency blades, too. One for Sasuke, and three for Naruto. As well as a particularly heavy hammer that the latter carried over his shoulder. In case.
But they had trained well over the past few years, and eaten their fair share of Cubes, as well. They could take it. Naruto's Kurama followed them from a distance. In case.
They stopped in Konoha, first. Because Naruto said he wanted to find Gama-chan in his old apartment. The toad wallet, that was. Not Gama the Toad Sage, who was easy to find if you knew where women were going to be on a particular night.
They didn't find it, because a new renter had settled into the apartment years ago. He glared at Naruto, too, which prompted Sasuke to make him piss himself.
After that, things went rather fast. An aged Sarutobi tried to prevent them from leaving the village, and Danzō got his right arm bitten off by the fox. Then the other, once Kurama figured out that the man had tricked him into making him swallow Sharingan.
Both Sasuke and Naruto were rather angry when they left the village through a gateway Kurama opened for them.
Their encounter with That Man unfolded under the shadow of their towering Perfect Susanoo; orange and purple looming over sickly red.
They prevailed.
Disbelief pierced through the charged silence, right after, as Uchiha Itachi lay bleeding on the stony floor. Kurama was sitting somewhere further away, to give them something like privacy.
"…What was that?" Sasuke ended up asking That Man, because he couldn't believe the defeated man's words. "For… honor?" He repeated.
It was a concept so foreign in the face of such carnage. Itachi only coughed blood in answer.
Naruto's face was uncharacteristically hard. "You killed our…— Sasuke's clan for honor?"
"That's why you slaughtered them all?!" Sasuke's voice rose with dark fury. "Ryo was younger than I was. Kaede was a civilian! Nozomi — Nozomi was expecting a child—"
His fist rose to slam That Man in the face again. Naruto didn't stop him. "And that old Danzō was the mastermind, too…? If he wasn't already dead…"
He simply shook his head, choosing to ignore what looked like a pang of cold satisfaction in That Man's eyes. Kurama watched over them with a somber gaze. The fox's silence spoke volumes.
In the end, they decided that letting That Man live out the rest of his short life, along with his regrets, was the best punishment.
They went home to their family and never looked back.
October, Year Seven
October 9, Year Seven
Yoisen stepped through the threshold, her arms laden with gifts from worlds afar.
As her gaze found Ino's, she noticed a flicker of something unexpected in the latter's eyes — something that, for just a moment, seemed almost like fondness. Ino quickly masked it with her usual composed demeanor. Likely because Naruto grinned at it.
Karin and Hanabi were already coming down the stairs, with the usual cheer. And even a few years in, there was some large part of her that had trouble believing that anyone at all was waiting for her now.
Naruto pulled Yoisen in for a kiss. She almost managed to drop the gifts, too.
December, Year Seven
December 11, Year Seven
Sakura stood on the porch and smoked. Only Toru's little ball of fire illuminated the night.
"Star shower." Sakura mumbled. "What sort of cheesy event is this going to be, now?"
"Keep frowning and your face is going to be stuck like that." Toru said.
"As if!" Sakura laughed. "You know we'd each still have a squinty eye if things worked that way."
"…Wow." Toru said, after a long pause. "Since when do you make some sort of sense?"
Sakura huffed. "Just because I don't feel as though I have to pretend to be reasonable anymore—"
The first "stars" began streaking through the sky, and the two of them hurried inside, with the others.
January, Year Eight
January 6, Year Eight
Naruto raised an eyebrow when both Toru, Sasuke and Shisui showed up for the winter matsuri… dressed exactly like him.
An imitation so precise that it bordered on eerie. Whether through wigs or dye, they had transformed their hair into blond locks, styled unmistakably in his fashion.
"…What the fuck." He said, eloquently.
"What the fuck." Toru mirrored his speech with precision: same tones, same cadence.
"Oh, I get it." Naruto grunted. "Very funny."
"Oh, I get it." Shisui echoed. It was just as close as Toru's mimicking.
Naruto stopped speaking and just folded his arms. Sasuke did the same. Down to the flaring nostrils.
"…How old are you?" Naruto finally asked.
Another voice came in. "Is this the winter matsuri?" Hanabi asked.
Naruto turned toward her. In the distance, he saw Orochimaru and Kaguya. Both dressed like him. Itachi and Mei. Dressed like him.
Hanabi and her entourage…
"…Okay." Naruto grunted, his patience frayed. "What do you idiots want?"
"What I want?" That was Sakura's voice, and it came out lower, deeper than usual. She then smirked, eyes gleaming with purple light. "Nothing you won't be willing to give."
All of them had dressed like him, from the cape to the hair to the whisker marks. And shoulder pads, for the women, apparently. Yūshirō beamed at him; Yugito gave him a mocking glance; Yoisen had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed for participating.
Naruto growled.
February, Year Eight
February 11, Year Eight
"Lady Kaguya did nothing wrong." Mitsuki said, shaking his head.
Boruto frowned. "You're always quick to defend her, aren't you…?"
"She never tried to take over humanity." Mitsuki said. "That was just back home."
"Because Dad stopped her here too!"
Mitsuki shook his head again. "Uncle Orochimaru and she were already good friends, by then. She wouldn't truly have joined with the Otsutsuki conquerors from outer space."
"…Who says?"
Mitsuki tilted his head. "Uncle Orochimaru."
"Of course."
March, Year Eight
March 1, Year Eight
"Ah… could you be The Lightning Emperor?" His voice wavered slightly with uncertainty.
The man in question lifted his gaze, piercing through the veil of steam that cloaked the hot spring. As Jinichi navigated the warm waters, threading between water lilies that dotted the surface, the identity of the man before him crystallized with undeniable clarity.
A muscular arm lay casually on a nearby rock, while a mane of wild blond hair cascaded over broad shoulders, framing a face known across realms. Around him, a cadre of women lounged. Rumor had it they had been with him before he became the Shōgun, before he became the Emperor.
What would such a group, however, be doing in the public hot springs…?
"Well, my name's Naruto." The man said. "…But I guess that's me, yeah."
April, Year Eight
April 1, Year Eight
"You say you're sorry, Yūshirō." Naruto said to his son.
Yūshirō winced and kicked at the floor softly.
"Please, my Lord." The instructor tried. "There is no need for this. He was just—"
"No." Naruto interrupted firmly. "He knew what he was doing when he threw it into the room. Say you're sorry, Yūshirō."
"Please, it's okay—"
"…I'm sorry for making trouble." Yūshirō muttered. "I won't do it again. Matatabi won't, either."
"That's better." Naruto said.
The last thing his son needed was to turn into someone like him.
May, Year Eight
Early May, Year Eight
Several years following Umi's Orochimaru's declaration that gene editing was safe, secure, and tested upon himself already, and a few months after consensus among more cautious experts, the technology became broadly accessible to the public. However, it remained very much in a developmental phase, primarily focusing on the elimination of specific traits individuals wished to alter. The modifications were, at this stage, relatively straightforward.
June, Year Eight
June 2, Year Eight
"Faster — Faster!" Sakura's voice was more of a command than a request. "Turn left! Turn left!"
Ino grunted and made a sharp turn to the left. "I think you're too used to me reading your—"
"Never mind — Turn to the right!" The urgency in Sakura's voice escalated, nearing a scream. "To the right!"
Ino growled as she did. "This is the last time I pilot this thing."
"You wanted to do it!" Sakura retorted. "We could have done things the normal way."
"Whatever!"
In the rear of the zero-gravity vehicle, chaos reigned. Karin was in the throes of sickness, her body apparently rejecting the tumultuous ride. Yoisen, who had never managed to get used to such travel methods, looked on the verge of joining her, a bag preemptively clutched in her hands. No girls' trip was worth this.
Meanwhile, Hanabi seemed untouched by the commotion, asleep with her head resting gently against the window, a picture of peace.
"…Isn't it supposed to be on the left, now?" Sakura asked dubiously.
Ino made another sharp turn. "Fuck!"
June, Year Eight
June 18, Year Eight
Karin kicked off her sandals and hurried out into the shallow waves. The salty sea licked at her suntanned legs.
"When did you get so fast?" She asked Yūshirō, who only ran faster in answer.
Of course, she was only pretending to have trouble following him, but it was the sort of game both enjoyed.
Akemi, on the other hand, was lagging behind, and there was no pretending in that.
The boy was rather quick, after all.
July, Year Eight
July 7, Year Eight
"I don't know how Yugito does it." Sakura confessed, with a hint of awe in her voice. "…How any of you do it. I can joke around some with him, sure, but…"
Yoisen gave her a questioning look, before following her eyes, to where Yūshirō played among the children. Her expression turned thoughtful. "Ah, Yūshirō?"
"Or any child." Sakura nodded, before briefly glancing at her hands. "Sarada and her friends were easy — they already wanted to become shinobi."
"It's different, isn't it? When they're so innocent." Yoisen gently prodded, her voice soft but encouraging, inviting Sakura to go on.
Sakura let out a sigh. "It's nothing so deep. I've done pretty messed up stuff. Seen too much, done too much. How am I supposed not to feel terrible when around something so small…?"
Yoisen moved closer. "That is something all of us have to learn to cope with, at some point."
"You did already."
"I simply had more time."
"I guess so."
"Your hands have also healed, protected and nurtured. They're not just the hands of a killer."
Sakura met Yoisen's gaze, searching. "…You think that's enough?"
A slight smile grew on Yoisen's face. "I suppose it has to be."
August, Year Eight
August 3, Year Eight
"So, you wanted to talk with me?" Naruto's first question hung in the air as Mitsuki entered the room.
"Yes." Mitsuki said, and his voice carried reverence.
"…Please, Mitsuki, you don't have to bow." Mitsuki raised his head. "…And please, rise from your knees."
"As ever, your wish is my command, Emperor."
"How many times did I—" Naruto let out a weary sigh. "What's on your mind? Literature again? Romance, perhaps?"
"Today's query lies elsewhere, though I value our previous discussions highly."
"Please don't be so formal."
"Very well, my Lord." Mitsuki said. "I wanted to ask about goal-setting."
"…Goals, you say?"
"Yes." Mitsuki nodded. "How would you go about setting them?"
Naruto had never really thought about it too hard. He was kind of goal-oriented, and rarely had to think about the process. After a minute's thought, in which he was almost certain Mitsuki's eyes were gleaming, Naruto opened his mouth again.
"Start with clarity. Grab a digital slate. Write down your goals, and today's date. Write ten goals you would like to achieve during the twelve months. Write them in the present tense: 'I accomplish...', 'I master...', 'I unveil...'"
Mitsuki's eagerness was palpable, his nods vigorous.
Naruto paused, before resuming. "…From these ten, out of them all… If you could have any of them the next day, which one would that be?"
Mitsuki's eyes widened. Then he nodded again, once.
"It will likely jump out at you, yes." Naruto said. "That's the goal you want to go after. Your priority. Write it on a new page. Define a deadline. Make a list of everything you have to do to accomplish it, organize it into a checklist. That's your step-by-step plan. Take action. Do it daily."
For a moment, Mitsuki said nothing at all.
"Incredible." He finally breathed out, after having absorbed the words in silent awe. "Throughout Heavens and the Earths… Your Wisdom truly is unmatched, Emperor."
Naruto paused. "…You're welcome?"
"One more inquiry, if I may, before we delve into our Lightning manipulation training."
"Please do not call me…" Naruto sighed. "What is your question?"
"How do 'precious people' fit in that?"
"Ah. You have talked to Boruto about this, then." Naruto nodded, rubbing his chin in thought. "Well. They are a large part of what motivates me."
"I see. They are your drive. The core of your strength, then." Mitsuki nodded. "Is it the will to protect the many that forges such power?"
"I guess?"
Mitsuki's understanding deepened. "I see."
September, Year Eight
September 10, Year Eight
"Hey!" Toru greeted Akemi excitedly, meeting her outside the building with a big basket he carried offhandedly. "How was your first day of school?"
From the excited mutters and giggles from her fellow students, he had been recognized. Embarrassed, Akemi hid her face in her hands, moaning. "It's not school school — You're screaming again, Toru."
"I'm not." He countered, the grin evident in his voice. "I just was very eager to see you."
His words, so freely expressed, brought a blush to Akemi's cheeks. "You saw me this morning." She protested. "How can you say this sort of stuff out loud and still have trouble with PDA...?"
"Well, that's entirely different, now." He laughed, offering her his arm. "Come here."
October, Year Eight
October 9, Year Eight
There was a thunderstorm, and it had been raining for a full week before that.
This sort of downpour was apparently frequent in this world. Absent-mindedly, Jinsuke remembered that Kage's birthday would come soon. Every year, he took great care in selecting the perfect item for the anonymous gift.
Perhaps he should ask Sarada for advice.
If she was even half as good at picking gifts as she was when it came to killing Ōtsutsuki, then it would definitely beat last year's friendship scrapbook, which might have revealed his identity. Or maybe he could ask his wife.
Yes, perhaps he should do that: she worried a lot when they were both out on mission. Jinsuke prepared to reach within himself, to make a long-distance call, before he heard his daughter's voice.
Ah. Apparently she was making a call of her own. He didn't mean to pry, of course, but he still held his ear out a bit.
"…Of course. Well, my father is weird, as usual." He overheard her saying, the sound of her laughter — a rare melody he cherished — threading through her words. Then, softly, with a tenderness he seldom witnessed."…Yes. I miss you, too, Boruto."
Jinsuke cursed his stars, not for the first time.
November, Year Eight
November 18, Year Eight
Behind the Rising Sun Lounge, there lay a forest of trees.
Most people never bothered visiting the empty woods, preferring the cozy bar itself or the nearby mountains, which were less than five kilometers away, of course. However, Ino was a forest girl.
Concealed behind one tree, mostly obscured from view, Ino's corset was unlaced, and her dress was hiked up; Naruto's greedy hands were on her breasts that spilled out from the top of the very same dress, Naruto's lips were sucking at her neck, Naruto's presence filled her senses.
Ino loved the forest.
December, Year Eight
December 22, Year Eight
Their kisses oscillated between frantic urgency and simmering passion. Tonight, as Karin's lips met Naruto's, there was a tenderness, a lingering sweetness that enveloped them. Each touch was deliberate, each moment savored as if time itself has slowed down for them.
Karin melted into the kiss with a soft sigh. "I love you." Naruto whispered against her mouth, his fingers tangling in her hair.
Her stomach fluttered. All this time, and she was still getting butterflies. "Love you too." She murmured back.
December 23, Year Eight
The bell's chime rang, prompting Naruto and Yugito to exchange a look.
Yugito, perched comfortably on Naruto's lap, paused her charming antics — she could be sweet, he knew. An unexpected visitor was not part of their plans, especially since their evening was reserved for friends, set to gather after their son drifted into sleep.
If that ever happened.
Yūshirō, however, couldn't resist the pull of curiosity and sprinted to the door.
His son was a product of a peaceful era. Naruto watched, a bemused smile dancing on his lips, recognizing the presence on the other side.
Swinging the door open, Yūshirō's face lit up with a radiant beam, greeting the duo from Kage's realm. "Uncle Bee!" His voice was a mix of excitement and affection. "Uncle Ay!"
"Yūshi, Yūshi, what's good?" Killer Bee rhymed with a grin so twin. "It's ya boy Da Bee, in the groove, just swinging by to see how you been."
Naruto laughed and invited both to sit at the table. Yūshirō was likely not falling asleep anytime soon, then.
January, Year Nine
January 2, Year Nine
"Because I have searched the universe and found myself within your eyes." The words slipped from her lips.
The grass was a soft bed underneath them, holding them close as they lay there, side by side, under the starry heavens.
"Yoisen…" Naruto smiled, all too aware of the warmth in his stomach, of the affection, the wonder he held for her. She always had a talent for leaving him slightly stunned.
Then, with an impish grin that seemed to light up the night itself, Yoisen added. "I simply thought you might like to know."
He did. And he loved her too. He was about to express just that, perhaps with words or perhaps by bridging the distance between them with a kiss…
"My, my… You guys are so cute." Hanabi's voice, laced with amusement, floated over from nearby.
Hanabi and Ino, who had been too busy with each other's mouth just an instant before, had apparently chosen this very moment to listen in.
Yoisen's cheeks flushed with a delicate shade of pink. "Ah…"
"Don't listen to her." Ino said. "Just keep on keeping the tyrant busy, please."
"I would." Yoisen began, frowning slightly. "If I knew you had no intention of telling Sakura what it was that I said exactly."
"Who said anything about that…?"
February, Year Nine
Early February, Year Nine
At times, to Sakura, wives meant kisses in the morning without caring for bad breath, husband meant watching him cook, because she now admitted she wasn't always the greatest at that.
Wives meant cups of tea that some people were too disorganized to even put into the sink that would do the cleaning and putting for them, husband meant insomnia, tired conversations as the sun came up.
Wives meant a myriad of strange social outings, husband meant making herself believe she could be around children without corrupting them.
Wives meant too many clothes to even understand what the hell it was two of them in particular did with them, husband meant books in weird places.
Wives meant long mornings in bed and whispered words and whispered kisses, husband meant strange adventures in dangerous worlds.
Either word meant much more, something all-encompassing that had nothing to do with marital status, more to do with people willing to overlook her flaws and love her anyway the same way she did with all six of them, and seemed to rhyme with forever.
Early February, Year Nine
To Hanabi, either of the words meant the same thing: something that would make her give everything of herself, always.
Early February, Year Nine
Love was, in short, rather simple for Karin.
Male or female, massive or shorter than herself, blond or pink or brown or white.
The same heart beat within them all, and they all carried the same fragile souls. It was just all rather simple, she thought.
They loved her; she loved them.
Early February, Year Nine
Ino had spent so much time doing a more academic version of what Sakura called mental masturbation over the entire concept that she was not willing to get into the details of how she saw all of it, by now.
She knew the people involved understood her anyway.
Early February, Year Nine
Yugito's heart was full of love for her son and her friends, Karin and Ino, each affection distinct in its essence.
Or, and Naruto too, she supposed.
Early February, Year Nine
Yoisen never knew she could love anyone that much.
Early February, Year Nine
Neither Kage, nor Toru, nor Sasuke, nor their relatives, felt as though they had anything in particular to say about the subject.
Theirs was a perfectly normal sort of love, and one would likely find a better explanation for it in a good book.
Orochimaru said something similar about the matter.
There was nothing Naruto wouldn't do for the people he loved. Except for letting Sakura cook.
March, Year Nine
March 2, Year Nine
"Dad?" Boruto asked, slightly hesitantly.
Kage only grinned in answer. Boruto was his pride and joy, just like Himawari was. Or Hinata was. Or Konoha was.
"What is it, Boruto?"
"I think I got my girlfriend pregnant."
Kage dropped his beer, and wondered if it was too late to stop Indruto from imparting certain morals upon his son.
And, more importantly…
"…Which one?"
March 3, Year Nine
"You said it was my turn to choose a movie, auntie." The boy tried.
"Well, I changed my mind, then, Yūshirō." Hanabi said. "I cannot bear to watch another of these 'car' movies."
The large, plush sofa they all shared was a sea of cushions of many colors, of soft blankets, floating snacks and beverages. The perfect nest, in fact. A gentle flicker from the fireplace added a warm glow, casting dancing shadows across their faces. On the large screen in front of them, the movie was about to start.
If they could agree on a movie.
Karin, seated at the center, had Ino snuggled up to her left and Sakura to her right, both leaning against her comfortably. Hanabi, Yugito and Yoisen had claimed the spaces next to Karin and Ino, respectively; Naruto stayed with his son, ensuring that everyone had a prime view of the screen.
If they could agree on it.
"Are you for real?" Ino asked.
Sakura nodded. "I agree with her, actually."
"You don't break a promise." Karin said.
Sakura snorted. "What are you? Kage?"
"They're not that hard to break, anyway." Hanabi added.
Yugito frowned. "While I do not particularly want to see Speed Kings again—" Yūshirō shot her a betrayed look. "…Perhaps you should find something everyone can agree on, Yū."
"But… no one but auntie likes car movies!" Yūshirō contested. He meant Karin.
"Maybe there's a reason for that." Sakura offered.
Yoisen, who had been quiet, chimed in with a smile. "Why don't we let Yūshirō pick the genre, at least? That way, it's still his choice, but we can avoid the cars."
Her suggestion was met with nods of agreement.
"…No cars?" He asked slowly. Then, he brightened.
"No motorcycles either." Naruto said.
Yūshirō's face fell again, his lower lip jutting out in a pout that was too genuine to ignore.
Sakura laughed. "Nice try, you little—"
Hanabi relented. "I suppose we can watch one with motorcycles."
"Are you fucking kidding me—"
"Language." Yugito said, scowling.
"Oh, fu—"
"Language." Karin said, scowling.
It was a stupid night, like many others before. And the movie Yūshirō picked was somehow worse than even Speed Kings.
Still, as Naruto glanced around at his family, all he could feel was a profound sense of gratitude. And he wasn't the only one in that.
Then the balance was broken once more when the Uchiha clan and the other Uzumaki came over, with their own… peculiar taste.
There were soap operas to watch tonight, they declared.
March 5, Year Nine
Elder Kazuo spoke to the children. "…You are right. It is a big world." Five hundred billion souls. "Each one has their story, a life of their own, plays a part in this endless universe."
The children listened, captivated by tales of a Ring that grew faster than any star in the sky.
March 8, Year Nine
"Yes!" Hanabi said, slightly louder this time. Stronger. "Yes!"
In the dwindling daylight, drenched in sweat, she stood poised in the Moon Grounds. Naruto watched her, equal parts pride and disbelief. Hanabi could do anything she set her mind, too, certainly, but... Well, that changed things.
Her eyes were a mirror to her soul: they burned with her unyielding spirit. He had seen her struggle with this for years, never seeming to slow down despite the setbacks, never once asking for an easier path. Hanabi's breaths came fast, her chest heaving, sweat glistening on her brow and trickling down her face, even as her hands trembled. But her eyes shone with a triumph that outshone the fatigue, an inner light that banished the night away.
"I was the last." She panted, before turning to face him. "But I think it's done."
Naruto's face broke into a wide, proud smile, his heart swelling at her achievement. "You did it, Hanabi."
In an instant, Hanabi was across the distance that separated them, driven by a joy too vast to contain. She threw her arms around him, her momentum bringing them both to a stumbling halt. Her lips found his in a fierce kiss.
"If anyone could do it, it was you." He said.
"I wish I had been so sure of it myself!" She admitted, laughing, still catching her breath.
Naruto had more to say, but didn't get the occasion. She threw herself onto him, bearing him to the ground and landing astride him. Before long, she was kissing his chest, his neck. Her tongue was hot against his skin, her skin felt hotter under his own.
"Sorry, I'm a little sweaty." She was. He didn't mind much.
"Hanabi—"
"Hush, dear."
March 9, Year Nine
"Orochimaru." Naruto said with a smile. "What do you think of the concept of fixing one's mistakes?"
Orochimaru glanced at him. "I wouldn't know much about that, honestly."
"I thought so." Naruto said, sitting in midair next to the other man, who now only looked slightly younger than he himself did. "Before. Now I believe that this is just a lot of nothing, coming from you."
Orochimaru did not answer him, content to simply read through a few different documents at once. To think it was the same man who had said something about the drawbacks of multitasking, once.
"Kaguya won't be able to join us, in any form." Orochimaru said. "I am nearly sure of it."
It wasn't as though she had a human soul. Naruto snorted. "I never really counted on that, to be honest."
"I thought so."
"Tell her that her place in the Ring is safe, no matter what happens to me."
Orochimaru's ear perked up. "I thought that, too. I shall tell her." He said approvingly. "Well, I suppose Sarutobi-sensei and I didn't do quite that bad of a job, when it comes to your morals."
"Please." Naruto said. "You know damn well I never listened to anything I didn't want to hear."
"Especially not coming from either of us." Orochimaru said. "I suppose you get that from me, too."
Naruto made a derisive noise.
"An army strong of ten thousand of the Ring's very best, then?" Orochimaru asked. "Considering the time it takes to find and train such warriors, I am rather impressed, I will admit." He looked at Naruto. "Although I did believe that you had no intention of risking anyone's life but your own."
"And my friends', my wives'. Your own." Naruto said with distaste. "But these… can't be helped. They have warned me about trying to sneak off into the night to go face Susanoo-Arashi on my own."
"That goes without saying." Orochimaru nodded. "I was talking about the others. All ten thousands of them. Are you fine with potentially sending them out to their deaths? For something we started, although unknowingly?"
"Who's to say I'm going to do that?"
Orochimaru laughed, then stopped when he noticed Naruto's expression.
"…Are you joking?"
"That's a good question." Naruto said, looking him calmly in the eye. "Am I?"
Mid to Late March, Year Nine
The month, much like January and February before it and April after, would be spent making the last preparations for battle.
April, Year Nine
Early to Late April, Year Nine
The eve of battle dawned with a hush, as though the universe held its breath.
Across the sprawling empire, under the watchful gaze of countless stars, the air was thick with the electricity of the impending conflict. This very same Empire, the standing proof to the humans' vision, stood united.
Warriors and scholars and visionaries gathered in the war room. They had come from worlds apart, and were united under a single banner.
"As tomorrow's dawn breaks." The Emperor said. "So does the storm."
And then he dismissed them all, encouraging them to go and enjoy their day.
Days like these, months like these, flowed seamlessly into each other.
Throughout these years, a single name echoed in everyone's heart. An emblem of hope, a symbol of the limitless future.
There was a single name upon every lip, even as time, in its relentless glory, continued its ceaseless advance.
"Amatsu." They called. "Amatsu."
lensdump:
i/KwIBHx : Nii Yūshirō and the Thunder Tyrant
(At the wise age of six, or perhaps it was seven, Yūshirō's hair began to curl for no particular reason or importance.)
Next chapter: Before the Dawn