Meeting of the Multiversal Council
April 28th, Year Nine of the Unification
Project Set in Path of Command Chamber Zero
Safe, RE-Encrypted Copy
[…]
Nine Path of Command Adepts Missing
[…]
Mai: Signal vanished entirely!
Aruni: Deploy the emergency response fleets toward Takamagahara; we can't afford to be caught off-guard.
Ren: Systems check shows all tags, both theirs and those left within the Inner domain, are non-responsive!
Nozomi: The access to Takamagahara's Outer Realm has been cut off as well!
Na: Is this still within the standby order parameters? Is this all part of the singularity contingency?
Haruto: Update the war councils; this situation may require a full mobilization.
Sarai: Ward World EN443 reports that the link to their kami has been strongly diminished!
YU2: Ward World T234X is safe, in spite of similar happenings.
Shikamaru: Launch the reconnaissance drones; we need eyes on every quadrant now.
Nagato: The number of estimated kami realms split from their minds is in the millions.
Riko: Should we execute the plan to rescue the sun-kami-influenced worlds?
Masa: A void! A literal void!
Yuto: Where is the Emperor?
Misaki: Ino-sama is out of reach!
Sarada: They are still in there! — All of them are! Use whatever's available to reach across!
Kyo: Can anyone confirm the status of the inner sanctums?
Jinsuke: The kami Tomoshishi hasn't lost access to his.
Jian: Anomalies sprouting in sectors never before disturbed.
Su: Temporal distortions reported across multiple zones.
Hao: Spectral analysis shows unfamiliar patterns.
Yuji: Rally the Wardens; every second counts.
Ori: Realms stable?
Xqrzpltk: Stable enough!
Fumiko: Someone get me a status on the reality anchors!
Hina: Can we manually reboot the star bridges?
Min-jun: Local kami are… rallying to our cause?
Mitsuki: The Emperor's strength is unmatched. He must have subjugated the other gods of gods already.
Kage: He's right. Indruto has pulled through — he convinced them.
Q: New communication lines are being established as we speak.
Boruto: Uncle, what the hell did you do this time…?
HOME
At around noon on a late April day, in Year Nine, the Celestial Ring's leadership gathered for their first, but not last, post-event meeting about the battle of Takamagahara.
It was only half-formal, as those meetings tended to be. It also lasted for a shorter duration than most did. In terms of sheer numbers, the assault could be considered a victory. Nine men and women had been dispatched to enter Takamagahara, all of them being among the strongest of the Ring's warriors. They were gone, now, and although The Emperor himself had been one of them, the objective had been accomplished. Susanoo-Arashi, strongest of kami, had perished in the battle. This much, they knew.
And the realm of the divine itself was apparently gone too, according to the last reports, as well as the kami Tomoshishi.
It meant that many of the enemy kami were either dead or so severely weakened the Ring's strongest warriors would be able to take care of them, particularly if they moved fast to press the advantage. Though all nine humans were out of reach, and very possibly dead, trading them for the head of the kami was considered a good decision.
Particularly because The Emperor had set up contingencies upon contingencies in the event of his death or disappearance. The kami had been shown to not be invincible, and the Ring had triumphed.
And still, it didn't feel like true victory.
Many of the Ring's leadership had been familiar with the nine — who'd soon become the Nine. Not because of nepotism, not truly, but because most had ended up spending a fair amount of time in close quarters with them over the years. Today, ten thousand warriors had also been allowed to listen in on the meeting, even those who were not Path of Command adepts. They had earned themselves that much, it was said.
The nine were unreachable, the same way Takamagahara was. There was no shortage of men and women, from either of the Ring's many Paths on the case already. Thousands upon thousands of them.
Thus, the meeting turned to the next most important topic.
Making sure the kami would be no threat in the foreseeable future.
"I will go." Uzumaki Boruto said. He was pale, and his eyes slightly frantic. "Neji's Tenseigan is better than mine when it comes to seeing in between things — if anyone can find my uncles, find all of them, it's him. I can help better by locating the headless realms."
Mitsuki thought that in truth, his best friend needed something to do right now. Boruto was like that.
"I'll go with you." Sarada nodded, her face marked by traces of dried tears — a rare sight, but one that went unmentioned by those around her. Hermione, their partner, stood between them, offering soothing words. But no words could alleviate their deep-seated worry.
Mitsuki noticed the same fear and anxiety etched on the faces of Yugito and others, though Anko looked ready to lash out violently. This same unease was visible in Shisui and Itachi, Kage and Jinsuke, and many others, including Kaitaro.
But when Kaitaro spoke, his voice was measured.
"Gather the strike teams." He said, realizing Boruto was a contained hurricane. The same way, Kaitaro's voice didn't hold the sort of quiet that spoke of true calm. As long as The Emperor was gone, he was the Lord Regent, coordinating the Celestial Ring's response, and he handled all of this with impressive swiftness. Another man would have been hollowed out — yet another testament to The Emperor's prowess, Mitsuki thought. "The kami realms, the ones split from the spectators up on Takamagahara, should be noticeable now, with your eyes. We'll maintain direct contact. Destroy the enemy ones from within."
Boruto nodded silently, walking alongside Mitsuki toward their meeting with Itachi to discuss team compositions. Although Mitsuki wished to join the strike teams himself, his presence was essential here.
He was as versed in the Emperor's techniques as any of them, likely more, and the same held true when it came to his uncle Orochimaru's methods. The other Command adepts believed that Mitsuki's knowledge, along with that of several chosen others, could help decipher and understand the jutsu the nine had use during the battle — because some of these techniques, they had created on the spot.
They had improvised them.
Mitsuki doubted how such a feat was achievable, given that most of these techniques surpassed his current capabilities, but he was committed to giving his utmost effort. The most challenging were the Emperor's Lightning-based techniques, which, ironically, should have been within Mitsuki's grasp due to their shared elemental nature.
As expected of Him.
Even then, the sooner they found out how to adapt them to something the remaining warriors could use, the sooner the Ring would be entirely safe. From any threat.
"Boruto…" Mitsuki began, his tone carrying a mix of concern and authority. "Be careful."
Boruto responded with a thumbs up. Beside him, Sarada and Hermione exchanged smiles, and the former was ready to depart.
But Boruto's expression suddenly shifted, and his eyes narrowed. "Something is coming."
"Yes." Mitsuki nodded patiently. "The world is bound to be a very different place, once the remaining kami are dealt with, one way or another—"
"Not this." Boruto growled, his brilliant sky-blue eyes scanning the Ring's skies. "I mean, something real just passed through. It left a trail that I can see, although it is disappearing fast. A meteor…?"
Misuki looked up. "I see nothing."
"I don't see it either." Hermione frowned. "And that means…"
"We'd need the Tenseigan for that." Sarada finished quietly. "What do you see, Boruto?"
But Boruto didn't answer immediately. A flicker of recognition crossed his face.
"What the hell…" He finally muttered, then suddenly took off at an incredible speed. "Go on without me, Sarada! Mitsuki — someone! Tell Kaitaro — tell someone that Homusubi was just triggered!"
SOLE SURVIVOR
Uchiha Sasuke woke from what felt like an eternity wrapped in shadows.
His eyelids fluttered open to soft light. A haze clouded his memories — flashes of a blinding light and the roar of thunder echoed—
Thunder!
He inhaled sharply, the air filling his lungs like the breath of life — or his first.
His hands patted his body, nearly frenetically. No injuries, of course. He was in Konoha, in their garden — or it seemed like it at least. He forced himself up, wondering why he felt so weak, extended his physical senses, wondered why they all felt so muddled. His eyes went wide. Because this was reality, he was nearly sure of it.
In their house's doorway stood Hinata, her lavender eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and sheer relief. Behind her, their two sons' faces peeked outside of the house.
"Sasuke!"
Hinata's voice shattered the heavy silence, carrying a quiver of raw emotion. She moved swiftly, almost stumbling in her haste to reach his side. Her hands reached out, trembling slightly, as if she needed to touch him to believe he was truly there, truly alive. "You were — you were..."
Her words faltered, swallowed by the surge of emotions that tightened her throat.
She didn't need to finish the sentence; he understood immediately.
He had died, and in spite of protocol, someone had told her already — wait, what time was it…? He realized that, saw it in the haunted depths of her eyes, and it tightened his chest with a pang of sorrow. Her face, usually composed, was etched with vulnerability and a flicker of true fear — fear of having almost lost him forever.
Sasuke's own heart ached in response, overwhelmed by the intensity of her relief and the terrible, unspoken dread that had gripped her.
Their boys followed, their expressions lighting up as they crowded around them.
"What…" Sasuke croaked. "How did I…?"
"Dad, you're back!" Hitoshi exclaimed.
"Daddy!"
Sasuke wasn't sure what to think at all. His gaze softened as he looked at them, as he embraced them all, but confusion and incredulity still primed. "…I'm here, boys. Hinata." His voice was hoarse, the words unfamiliar yet comforting as they rolled off his tongue. "I think I'm fine—"
Memories poured into him with a fury. Takamagahara. Susanoo-Arashi. The others!
If he closed his eyes, Sasuke was nearly sure he could feel the Heavenly Storm Blade piercing him again, the pain searing through his body just as his own flames had.
"Are they…?" He asked hurriedly.
Hinata could only give him a hesitant shrug. She didn't know.
Sasuke took his decision then.
"I… I have to go then, but I'll be back soon. It's a promise." The words fell from his lips with deceptive ease, as if he had never grappled with the reality that he might never return, never see them again.
"Now?" Hinata's voice was filled with disbelief. "But you just..."
His response was soft but firm. "Command needs to know what's going on. I need to know what's going on. If…"
Her eyes widened slightly, a hesitant nod following as understanding dawned upon her.
Sasuke released them. He turned and concentrated, attempting to summon his chakra to move towards the command center…
But nothing happened.
'Ah.' He thought, with growing dread. Of course it wouldn't work. Why had he thought it would? His chakra system was likely irreparably damaged.
Homusubi could activate passively, enduring through nearly anything, even death. But then again, that one was fully automatic. Chakra control, on the other hand, wasn't.
He had died. Sasuke had found himself in this strange, eerily familiar place, almost able to smell silvergrass. He was certain that Susanoo-Arashi had absorbed him, and upon its shattering, his own technique had somehow reactivated, propelling him back to the Celestial Ring, towards his third and final charge. At least, that's what he believed.
Why had he listened to Naruto after all? He wondered if he should have used all instances of Homusubi in battle instead of saving one for an emergency—
No, that would not have been wise. The kami might have completely neutralized his technique then. His last saving grace likely stemmed from the fact that the remaining charge had been out of the kami's reach. Sasuke, along with a few others, could grudgingly admit that Naruto was occasionally right.
But time was not on his side. He needed to go to the tower; he might still be able to utilize the Ring Core embedded within him, much like the non-chakra users did, to do so.
Someone appeared in a flash of power near him, and Sasuke reacted far slower than he would have liked. A firm hand landed gently on his shoulder.
"Boruto-kun?" Hinata addressed the son of her alternate self, puzzled. "Aren't you supposed to be—"
"Sorry, Hinata!" Boruto interrupted. "We don't have much time! I'll bring him back."
Her brow furrowed slightly. "Well, I think I understand that—"
The environment shifted abruptly around Sasuke, and he found himself in a familiar, expansive room with towering white ceilings.
"…You are being rather pushy, Boruto." Sasuke remarked.
"Sorry." Boruto muttered. "But I think you know how important this is, right now."
Contrary to Sasuke's expectations, the room contained only a dozen people. Instead of the leading figures of the Path of Command, it was filled with familiar faces. The room was never this empty, so it had to be a deliberate choice. A smaller, easier meeting for him to deal with while the big event went on somewhere else. Then again, that one may or may not be relayed in real time to them too.
"Brother…" In Itachi's eyes, Sasuke could read such emotion that he nearly froze — his brother's gaze cracked his heart. Beside Itachi, Shisui's darker eyes also conveyed a sense of partial, yet very real, relief.
"I'm here, Itachi. Shisui." Sasuke said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The disbelief at seeing him alive was palpable among those present. As Sasuke wondered how much of the battle they had witnessed, the meeting proceeded with remarkable efficiency.
"Sasuke — I am glad to see you." Kaitaro said. "However… We didn't manage to observe what happened before we lost contact entirely. Are the others alive as well?" He asked, and Sasuke noticed he seemed as drained as he himself was. "You may have seen things we haven't been able to."
Sasuke paused, weighed his words, then sighed. "I don't know either."
The tentative hope in the room seemed to dissipate.
Kaitaro grunted in response, and Boruto turned to him. "They must be." The latter said, but the hint of fragility in his voice didn't really lend credence to his words.
"…Not necessarily." Yugito interjected quietly, and Boruto's eyes narrowed. Sasuke knew he could read her emotions well, taught as he was by Hanabi, but then again, it didn't take the Byakugan or its evolved version to notice the hint of dried tears on her face. Even then, Boruto didn't appreciate the intervention.
"How can you say that?" He demanded, frustration evident in his pacing and gestures, clearly his father's son — he paced and gestured. "There's no way they haven't planned for a way out — just — just ask Mitsuki."
"Mitsuki is not… the most reliable of sources when it comes to Naruto." Yugito replied faintly, eliciting an almost chuckle from Sasuke despite the gravity of the situation.
"What of it?" Boruto snapped. "He—"
"Boruto." Mitsuki called out, finally lifting his head from the notes he was jotting down for all of the Ring to read. And he was listening to the entire discussion, too. Somehow.
Boruto glanced at him. Whatever was exchanged between them next through thought, it seemed to quell Boruto's fire, at least momentarily. And that was a rare talent, Sasuke knew. Boruto could be stubborn. How could he not be, considering who had trained him?
Kaitaro sighed again, before leaning forward, hands folded in front of his face. "Why don't we start from the beginning?"
"I don't know what 'beginning' you mean — how much of the battle did you see?" Sasuke asked, his tone more composed but still heavy with uncertainty.
"Everything up until we were dismissed." Boruto replied, his eyes never leaving Sasuke's. "The rest is not fully clear to us."
Sasuke took in Boruto's reply, nodding slowly. "If that's the case, then you missed the final moments, as I did. After you were dismissed, the chaos escalated quickly. Most of our plans went entirely sideways."
"We thought so." Yugito said.
Shisui tensed. "We have seen Naruto and Toru's fight against Susanoo-Arashi—"
"You have?" Sasuke whirled around. "And only the two of them?"
"They went within him."
For a moment, Sasuke said nothing at all. "…Willingly? They went in willingly?"
Boruto shrugged, frowning minutely. "Are you really surprised?"
Sasuke sighed. "…No. I suppose not." He took a moment to gather himself — these fucking idiots. "And they succeeded too, I presume. If I'm here…"
"They did." Yugito said, not without some vicarious pride.
"Uncle shattered the kami." Boruto nodded.
"…Which of them did?"
"Naruto."
"Ah."
"So you knew little more than we did." Kaitaro said, not without some disappointment.
Murmurs of concern swept through the room as they discussed the troubling radio silence from Takamagahara, which Sasuke picked up on. "I know a few things you don't, and the opposite is true as well. Combine that with what we can guess." Sasuke countered. "What else did you see?"
"Not much more." Itachi admitted. "Ino briefly made contact, passing on Naruto's directive — to lend them our strength."
"To what end?"
"…We didn't fully know." Boruto said. "The connection was kept minimal to lower the risk of infiltration."
There was some amusement in Sasuke's expression, in spite of himself. "And you'd give Naruto your strength without knowing exactly what he's going to use it for?"
There was something slightly touching in that — faith, he supposed. About ten years ago, back when Naruto had been the world's second most dangerous missing ninja, the notion would have seemed absurd. That Naruto had managed to steer that ship back, that they had all steered that ship back together… Well, it was something. Pride flickered in Sasuke for his soul brother.
"Of course." Boruto muttered, frowning. "Don't pretend you wouldn't."
"Point taken." Sasuke conceded with a smile. Between Kage and Hanabi, Boruto was proving more than adept at reading people.
"Does this information help?" Itachi probed. "I do have a few theories myself, but…"
Mitsuki was still writing down notes through thought transmission, but his golden eyes, eerily like his father's, were upon them, calculating silently.
Sasuke rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a gesture eerily reminiscent of Jiraiya. "Considering they're not here, the sudden disappearance of Takamagahara, and the black hole Orochimaru conjured — you weren't aware of this?" He sighed, noticing their reaction. "I believe they might have used that amassed power to collapse the realm itself."
Silence enveloped the room. Kaitaro leaned in, his expression grave.
"It is what we surmised. With the swords, you'd say?" He asked softly.
Sasuke nodded slowly. "It's possible, at least. And knowing them, it's almost likely."
Kaitaro's jaw clenched. That was fair, Sasuke thought. Out of their grand plans, this was among the most sacrificial.
Perhaps there had been a need for such a thing, however. Who knew what had happened when Susanoo-Arashi was destroyed. There was no way all of the other kami would have taken well to that.
They had had escape plans, but what if those had been compromised?
"They might have split the divine realms instead." Yugito suggested, sounding as though she was trying not to be too hopeful. "Lady Kaguya thought it possible."
"Where is she now?" Kaitaro asked, checking the systems again. "She is not definitely on the Ring."
"She left to try and find Orochimaru herself." Boruto said, and Yugito simply nodded. "Splitting the realms? In several parts, to make it collapse?"
Yugito considered it. "That was not how I meant it, but who knows…? I meant separating the human realms from the kami ones from there — if it turned out to be possible, in the end."
"It is a possibility." Sasuke agreed. "It wasn't the plan, back when I died, but… Perhaps they did that. Although it would have been a difficult task, even for them."
"Is that likely?" Shisui asked.
"Hard to say." Sasuke said after a moment's consideration. "For anyone else, it would be impossible. But the word isn't one we can comfortably apply to any of them anymore, is it…?"
He wasn't just talking about that particular plan, and it was clear to the others.
Boruto let out a breath he was the only one not to realize he had been holding. The thought that the eight of them might still be out there, somewhere beyond their reach or comprehension, wasn't entirely comforting, but it was better than the alternative. "So, we continue looking?"
"Of course we keep looking." Sasuke confirmed, standing up straighter. "Kaitaro wouldn't have stopped either. And we owe them that much. If there's even a sliver of a chance they made it..."
"They'd have taken it." Kaitaro finished for him, nodding in agreement. Then he seemingly hesitated. "However…"
Boruto's eyes narrowed. "However…? The strike teams are already en route to confront the destabilized kami. Neji replaced me. We can manage a search concurrently—"
"Yes. But there are still many questions." Sasuke admitted. "To achieve what we suspect they did, shinsei would be necessary. And although the twin swords might channel it, taking it by force would not suffice—"
"Some kami have reached out to us already." Itachi interjected. "They wish to coexist with humanity. They've heard echoes of what transpired in Takamagahara and spoke of a great change. Of following its ripples. Like some already did in the Heavenly Abode."
Sasuke paused, absorbing the news and what Itachi implied. He halted, his breath caught in his chest.
Naruto, Toru, and the others might have received help from the inside, then—enough faith from the kami within Takamagahara to utilize shinsei.
Then, unexpectedly, a tranquil serenity enveloped him, like a sudden breeze in the midst of a storm. It was eerie, this abrupt shift from turmoil to tranquility, as if the universe itself whispered assurances of peace. His doubts began to dissolve, replaced by a quiet certainty that all would eventually find its rightful place. He stood there, feeling strangely uplifted.
"That's a pleasant surprise." He finally responded. "They… must have done something right, then. Are we welcoming these kami?"
"We will." Kaitaro nodded. "The precautions are in place, and more are to come."
"Binding oaths?" Sasuke asked neutrally.
"No." Kaitaro snorted. "I get the feeling these never were enough — aside from the ethics of it. We'll make sure everyone is safe… but that's not the way we do things."
"Good." Sasuke nodded in approval.
As for the problem…
"The eight of them haven't appeared anywhere in the charted universe." Shisui said, and his eyes were as dark as they had been ever since Sasuke had returned alone. "And if they couldn't make it back on their own… Who knows where they might be? It could be a long, long time before we even find them."
Of course, the other possibility was that they simply couldn't make it back, for a reason or another.
Sasuke only gave him a weary shrug. "…It seems so."
Something about his tone must have triggered his cousin.
"Why do you seem so calm?" Shisui asked, his tone bordering on accusatory.
It was as if he believed he was the only one who had suffered a loss that day, and Sasuke couldn't help but feel slightly bitter. Shisui's gaze fixed on Sasuke, scrutinizing him with unsettling accuracy. Although Toru had long surpassed his brother in many ways, the elder still possessed an unnerving ability to make others feel deeply examined. After all, someone had to have taught Toru those skills.
"You know something we don't." Shisui said, and it was clear that at least Boruto agreed with him. "Out with it."
Sasuke sighed, then glanced at the sky through the window. It held no answer.
"I don't." He finally said, and Shisui's expression darkened even more. "We'll gather our memories, comb through them for any clue we might have overlooked. But I don't know anything."
"Then what's with you?" Boruto probed, his voice tinged with frustration and more than a touch of curiosity. "They're outside of everything we know and understand."
Sasuke shrugged again, his expression unreadable. "I can't quite explain it."
Maybe it was some remnant of the Sage's ability, his preternatural instinct that was impossible to put into words. Perhaps such a thing was intrinsic to him now, the same way the Jūbi's strength still pooled in his veins, even though he could not consciously channel it anymore.
"I'm pretty sure they'll come back, though. At some point. Or we'll find them." Sasuke said. "That's… kinda how they do things."
"That's it? A mere hunch?" Shisui challenged, his disappointment palpable.
"I knew you wouldn't find it very satisfactory." Sasuke said. "Which is why I said nothing."
Shisui sighed deeply, the helpless frustration seeping from his posture. It was still his brother out there, and he had lost him again. Sasuke felt a pang of regret for earlier irritations.
"…What are we going to do in the meantime, then?" Shisui asked tiredly. "As we look for them."
"What are we going to do…?" Kaitaro sighed. He glanced through the window at the noon sky, the same way Sasuke had.
"Enjoy the peace before they inevitably come back, I suppose. It will be over in a blink."
After confirmation, the remaining eight were declared missing in action two hours later.
"So they're gone… gone?" Nacchan asked.
He had lingered in the Ring for the past few days, a gesture of solidarity for Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki, who were to fight against the kami Susanoo-Arashi. The Ring was not an unpleasant place, (far from it — there were no places that could objectively compare, in truth) nor did he harbor any ill feelings for the Emperor or his court anymore. But he was busy: his life with Fleur was filled with explorations and adventures, and visits here were infrequent.
"It seems so." Fleur said, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
To think that man was gone… Huh. It was really jarring.
"They are." Hermione nodded slowly, with a sad little sigh. "And I don't know if they kept you in the loop, with all the rush… Boruto is helping to search for them, and Sarada is with the strike teams. Mitsuki…" She trailed off.
"What of Mitsuki?" Nacchan asked. "He's been pretty busy, recently." And suspiciously silent, too.
"Well. Mitsuki is working on something else, but he has full faith they'll come back. He says that they've faced impossible odds before. That disappearance doesn't always mean death, especially not in their case. That even oblivion is just a temporary thing for 'Him,' or an informed choice."
There was only silence.
"…Right." Fleur said. "That's about what I expected from him."
"You realize they'll deify him?" Nacchan finally asked.
"Mitsuki?" Hermione inquired, her brow furrowing in thought.
"No." Nacchan chuckled. "That man — Naruto. Whether he's gone or…"
"Ah." Hermione's lips curled into a slight smile. "Well, there has always been a fair chance of that, hasn't there?"
"You've come to terms with it?" Nacchan asked, perfectly neutral.
Hermione gave a small, thoughtful shrug, a gesture that Nacchan found somewhat atypical. "He's never exactly encouraged it."
"Never exactly?" Nacchan pressed, her tone light yet probing.
Hermione winced slightly. "I suppose it's all about perspective — it was always a rather peculiar situation."
"Wow." Nacchan leaned backward, balancing himself upon nothing but rippling air. "Mitsuki really must be convincing."
"He can be." Hermione sighed, reluctant but unwilling to lie. "But Boruto's uncle's really not…"
"A merciless bastard?" Nacchan offered.
"Ah, no. That, he can definitely be." Hermione said. "Petty, too. And Sakura… Her baby shower gift…" She hesitated but then shook her head. "Well. Even then. They're not nearly as bad as I thought they were at first."
"That's not saying much." Fleur said with a chuckle.
Hermione smiled too. "I guess not."
"So you think they will be back, then?"
Hermione smiled sadly, caressing her belly. "For Boruto and Sarada's sake, I hope so, yes."
"Not for Mitsuki's sake?" Fleur asked.
There was something about the way she phrased it that made Hermione chuckle, slightly nervously.
Uzumaki Gama, formerly known as one Uzumaki Naruto, sat very still.
He looked over his house's pond and absentmindedly threw some bread crumbs to the fish. He wasn't quite sure what to think, frankly. The first strike teams had left to destroy the headless enemy kami already, and as soon as more were located, he would be called upon to join the fight — if the Ring's armaments didn't suffice.
He stared at the green grass, at the high bamboo trees and wondered why he felt a bit off. There was a tear in his eye, and he wasn't sure why it was there.
Losses were not new to him; friends and comrades had come and gone. Yet, the ache was unfamiliar, a ghost of emotions past. Toru might still be out there; the uncertainty lingered like a stubborn fog. Hanabi… was usually a lot of fun, right before she turned threatening, so he wasn't quite sure what to think there, frankly. Naruto, well…
He heard the footsteps and knew it wasn't likely to be his AI companion Ryūko — who had her hands full with the ongoing missing Emperor crisis.
"Hebi?"
No reply came, as was her way. Without turning, Gama sensed her presence, free of malice or hidden intent — a rare quietude from her usually turbulent emotions. He supposed facing a true monster might have done that.
"Mind if I sit?" She asked.
"That's twice today, but sure." Gama responded with a half-smile. "Lucky for you, Ryūko isn't the jealous type."
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that."
Hebi settled beside him, careful to maintain a respectful distance. Her eyes, too, were drawn to the reflective surface of the pond. They sat in companionable silence, the rustle of bamboo and the distant thrum of chakra their only company.
"Are we not needed yet?" Gama broke the quiet with a low voice.
"No." Hebi replied, her gaze still fixed on the water. "Though Madara's impatience might suggest otherwise. One would think he wasn't about to vomit from facing the kami, just moments before."
There was a lull in the conversation.
"Why come here?" Gama's gaze shifted towards her, trying to read her stoic expression.
"To see you." The admission came after a pause, her tone softening slightly. "It didn't feel right, letting you brood alone. They were your friends, after all."
"Some of them were." His voice sounded a bit rougher than he would have liked.
"That's enough."
"I'm fine, really." Gama's sigh carried a weight of unspoken words. "Their families, however — I'll drop by them later on."
"Would you mind if I came with you?" Her question lingered in the air, unexpected.
"…What's up with you?" Gama eyed her suspiciously.
"You helped me, out there." Hebi's gaze finally met his. "So I'm helping you now."
"It's my job."
"Oh?" Hebi asked tartly. "Are you getting paid for it?"
In spite of this weird, new tension, a chuckle escaped Gama.
Hebi hesitated before extending a hand, her gesture stiff. "I'm sorry." She said, her voice strained. "For back then."
Gama took her hand, his grip firm. "Apology accepted. I'm sorry too."
"Ridiculous." Hebi's lips curled into a reluctant smile. "You've never truly managed to hurt me." Her tone held a mix of amusement and challenge, like an olive branch wrapped in thorns.
"Of course, of course." Gama held her gaze, their hands still joined. "Nor you I."
A comfortable silence settled between them, the kind reserved for those who knew each other well. But the air was charged, as if each quiet moment pulled them closer and closer to a line neither dared cross.
"…You can let go of my hand, now." Hebi's voice was softer.
"I know." Gama's voice was a low rumble. "What if I'd prefer not to?"
There was no taking the words back. Gama half-expected a snappish answer.
Instead, Hebi studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable, her body language reserved.
"I..." She paused, searching for the right words. There were none, and her voice faltered slightly. "You...?"
Gama leaned in slightly, his confession whispered. "I'd like us to be… closer. Perhaps it's foolish." His voice was even more vulnerable than hers, his gaze intense.
Hebi took a moment to respond, and there were many unspoken thoughts in her silence. She finally sighed. It was a mix of resignation and something softer, maybe regret. "I don't care to end this little moment, and… I don't mind the idea, either. But you have—"
"Ryūko...?" Gama interrupted gently, his head tilting slightly. "I've said it just before — it's not what you might think. Very simple. Very free. But if that troubles you, I understand."
It probably wasn't the smartest thing to say, for many reasons, including Hebi's own guardedness. Or the implications.
Her eyes flashed with irritation. "Who do you take me for?" She snapped, her defensive tone sharp. Her walls, back up. "Do you think I even care about you that way?"
He could have answered in kind. He could have done the smart thing and disengaged.
Gama shrugged instead, his expression unchanging. "I just know you dislike terms and conditions, that's all. So do I."
Hebi frowned deeply. "Whatever you think is probably wrong anyway, as usual." She retorted briskly. A moment of silence and she snapped again. "That typical, mundane… warm, happy relationship? Don't get your hopes up for that. I can't stand these things." Her scowl deepened. "It makes me sick. Don't expect anything different from me. In fact, don't expect anything from me at all—"
"Yup." Gama nodded, in easy and uncomplicated agreement. "That's fine by me. You do you. I do me. Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle."
She clenched her fists. "What is wrong with you?!"
Gama laughed, and it was a honest, disarming sound. "Where do I start…?" He leaned forward, letting her decide. "That's the you I like, that's it. I wouldn't change anything — it must be some of my toxic traits."
Hebi stiffened.
Their faces were inches apart now, the tension palpable. Hebi's next words were a hiss, laced with a dangerous edge. "You can't just say that."
"Why not?" Gama's reply was tinged with amusement. "That's my offer. It's on the table. Take it or leave it. We'll both be fine either way."
Hebi pushed him back abruptly, then pulled him close again, her actions contradictory. Her breath was hot against his face, her eyes burning with a mix of anger and something else, harder to define.
"I'll make you regret your words, frog-boy." She promised, her tone heated yet somehow promising. The offer was accepted, it seemed.
"Good." Gama's voice was steady, playful even. "But not now."
"I..." Hebi's frustration was evident in her sigh. "What the fuck do you want from me?!"
He chuckled briefly. "I'm sorry, it's just…"
"Ah." Realization dawned in Hebi's eyes, a flicker of understanding. "You are right, it is terrible timing—"
"That's not just it." Gama said, his tone turning serious. "There's something I have to do."
"Right now? We have to—"
"Right now. Before we leave to kill some gods." Gama confirmed, a ghost of a grin on his lips. "But come over for dinner today — or tomorrow, whenever we are done with our mission. We'll cook something nice for you. If you're not too scared of my partner, we can discuss all this together—"
"Afraid…?" Hebi's response was a sharp hiss. "Who do you take me for? I'll be there at six. Sharp."
Nii Yūshirō sometimes wondered if he was a bother to his grandma.
Not truly, of course. He knew that Mikoto was a kind, patient woman, who had more than enough love in her heart to offer to watch over him when there was no true need for it.
And between clones and Shadows — both of which, Yūshirō was growing to dislike more by the day — she really didn't need to. Still, she took him in, oftentimes with the twins, smoothing their hair and smiling as though they were not taking up more of her remaining free time.
Of the twins, although none of them had the Uchiha dark eyes, Hitoshi had her soft smile. They were identical twins, although Jiraiya didn't seem to have pupils, and his eyes were one shade lighter than even his brother's. Yūshirō, of course, was not related to them at all. All three of them were Mikoto's grandsons, however.
She said so, and although she loved them the same, feelings could be highly irrational. So sometimes, Yūshirō wondered.
In any case, he spent the day with grandma Mikoto, waiting for his invincible father or his incredible mother to come pick him up. His staff was propped against the wall of the house, and Yūshirō glanced at it again, as though it could make time pass any faster. Grandma Mikoto hummed a tune he thought was that one moon song she often sang.
A silhouette appeared at the house's gate, broad and familiar. For a moment, he hoped that it was his father.
"Sasuke!"
The cry came from his grandma, full of a feeling he already knew to be relief. Yūshirō watched as his uncle approached, the crunch of gravel underfoot momentarily disturbing the peace of the evening.
A single look from him, and grandma Mikoto became suddenly quiet. She gently nudged Yūshirō. "Go on, he… might want to see you first."
Yūshirō hesitated, then grabbed his staff, holding on to it tightly as he walked towards Sasuke. He could almost feel sad eyes upon him as he did so — whether it was for the staff or else, he couldn't say, however. He wasn't that good at emotion sensing yet.
"Hello Uncle!" He called out, trying to read the expression on his face.
Sasuke managed a small smile as he knelt down to Yūshirō's level. It seemed a bit tense, as though he suddenly had realized that there was a difficult exercise ahead of him. "Hey there. Did you have a nice day?"
"Yeah, but..." Yūshirō's voice trailed off as he glanced back towards the house, where Mikoto stood watching, her expression unreadable. If Mom was still away, it meant she was working. Turning back to Sasuke, his voice was somewhat low. "You're here because of Dad, aren't you?"
Sasuke's eyes softened, and he placed a hand on Yūshirō's shoulder. "Yes, I am. We need to talk about Naruto. About your aunts — and your other uncle."
"They'll be back soon." Yūshirō interjected quickly, his fingers tightening around his staff. "We can talk about Dad then, too."
Sasuke sighed, and as his face darkened, he seemed older than he looked. "Yūshirō, sometimes there are… things even your father can't control. He would be here soon if he could, but…" He trailed off. "…It might take him longer to come than he would like. And—"
Yūshirō knew where that was headed.
"He is coming back." He said, with something that felt hard, even to him, in his voice. "They all will."
Sasuke's eyes softened.
"He promised he would." Yūshirō continued. "He doesn't lie."
Yūshirō would know, because he could usually tell a truth from a lie.
"I know." Sasuke's voice was gentle but firm. "And if anyone can find a way back, it has to be them. But we need to prepare ourselves for all possibilities."
Yūshirō's eyes, wide and defiant, searched Sasuke's face for any sign of doubt. "But he's — he's Dad." His voice broke a little, betraying his growing uncertainty.
Sasuke's gaze drifted to the horizon, where the last hues of daylight lingered.
"Do you think he's not going to come back?" Yūshirō's voice was barely a whisper. "You're wrong, then—"
"No." Sasuke said, pulling Yūshirō and his slightly too big staff into a hug. "I believe he's going to come back, but I don't know it."
The words hung heavy in the air. Yūshirō looked down, biting his lip, fighting back the tears that now threatened to spill.
"And I don't know when, either." Sasuke admitted softly.
"I don't care." Yūshirō said, resolute again. "I'll wait."
Because that was his father, and he would make everything alright. So Yūshirō shut his eyes slowly, sinking into Uncle Sasuke's embrace, saying nothing else, trying to soothe the worst of his fears.
"You don't know…?" Akemi's voice trembled slightly as she turned to face him.
"I wish I had a clearer answer for you." Sasuke's voice was low, almost a whisper. Telling Shisui had been the easier part of the day. Ino's mother had been inconsolable, and although they had been shinobi, Sakura's parents didn't take to the news much better than Yamanaka Noriko did.
Yūshirō… held on to the notion of their eventual coming home too tightly, but Sasuke didn't have it in him to tell him otherwise. Besides, he felt similarly as the intuitive boy did.
And of course, Sasuke was yet to tell Hinata that her sister was missing.
Akemi bit her lip, her eyes searching Sasuke's for any sign of hope. "…Tell me when you get any news."
Sasuke looked away. "We will."
Silence enveloped them, a deep quiet. Akemi shifted, her gaze falling to the ground, her mind racing with thoughts of Toru — brave, reckless Toru. Near her, the Jūbi, Yūgao, watched on silently.
Suddenly, Akemi laughed, a short, harsh sound that was more sob than amusement. "He's a fool." She said bitterly. "A damn idiot — but he's my idiot — He just made me a cat lady — Always charging off to save everyone else, convinced he's invincible and… and…" She was beginning to blubber.
Sasuke's arms wrapped around her, pulling her in, and she only started crying then.
It seemed to be a pattern, today.
He was tall now.
Taller than him, and just as broad.
The park where he found him was quiet, as though the rustle of leaves whispered secrets to the wind. He found him seated on a floating bench, book in hand. He must have noticed his presence, too, because his impossibly beautiful partner eyed him warily, before nodding and leaving the two of them alone.
With a deep breath to steady himself, he crossed the distance and greeted him.
"Hello, Naruto." Gama's voice was more composed than his nerves.
Nacchan didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on his leather-bound book.
"Can I sit down?"
"Go ahead." Nacchan's voice was neutral, revealing nothing.
Gama approached him like a man on death row, and took a seat beside him, leaving a respectful distance between them.
There was a long moment of silence, the pretty awkward sort. Awkward on Gama's end, at least. Nacchan continued to read. An impossibly small fraction of Ring Three stretched out below and in front of them, breathtaking. Hundreds of beautiful buildings pulsing with the faint essence of chakra, blending in seamlessly with immense trees and mountains alike.
He had never been particularly good with silences.
"…How have you been?" Gama eventually asked. Nacchan didn't even look up.
Gama continued to watch him. He didn't seem particularly tense.
"Why are you here?" Nacchan finally asked, and the words almost mirrored the ones he had addressed Hebi before.
Gama didn't answer the question immediately. He eventually decided that bluntness, honesty was the best policy.
"I came here to apologize."
A snort escaped Nacchan, followed by a disbelieving chuckle. "Is that it…? Do you think I still care about that…?"
There was still a hint of bitterness in his voice, in spite of his words. It made Gama wince.
"I don't know if you care or not, actually." Gama admitted. "I do, though. It's haunted me for a long time."
Naruto closed his book with deliberate slowness and faced Gama, his expression unreadable. "And because you feel bad, you decided to make it my problem. That's what I could never stand about you. Along with the rest."
Gama sighed. "…That's not it. There are plenty of things I fucked up. I was a coward then — I suppose I still am. I hurt people — hurt you — and likely, your friend. Because I was too busy doing what I wanted without thinking about the consequences. I'm sorry for that. Truly."
Nacchan's eyes narrowed slightly. Gama had to give him that, he had an amazing poker face. If he couldn't sense the veiled emotions lurking in his gut, he would even believe him.
"I don't really see much of a point in rehashing the past, Gama." Nacchan said. "It was years ago. Sakura has already filled me in on everything. I can't even tell who seemed drunker that night."
"I'm not looking for your forgiveness." Gama said with conviction.
This time, Nacchan frowned.
Before he could react, Gama shifted off the bench and knelt on the grass, bowing his head. He must still have been somwhat prideful, for the gesture felt slightly humiliating. Gama's heart pounded against his ribcage, betraying the calm he tried to project.
"Get up." Nacchan grunted.
"I apologize." Gama said. Although the words flowed freely, they felt heavy; his voice, thick with emotion.
"Get up!" Nacchan hissed.
Gama remained kneeling. "I'm sorry for being such an ass. I'm sorry for dragging you through all the shit with Hebi and me."
"Get up, you piece of shit!"
"I'm sorry for fucking your life up. I'm sorry for sleeping with Sakura. I'm sorry for never owning up to any of this. I'm sorry for all of this, for never apologizing properly in the years after." He thought about it. "I'm not sorry for beating these pieces of shit, though — they deserved it."
Something slammed into Gama.
He had felt it coming, could have dodged it, but it didn't mean it didn't hurt. There was something hovering near Nacchan, a small orb that he didn't recognize. And some sort of energy, radiating around him. He couldn't put a name on that either.
Gama lowered his head again.
"What the fuck do you want from me?"
"Nothing." Gama replied sincerely. "I just needed you to know that I regret my actions. That's all."
"You think this changes anything?" Nacchan asked, gritting his teeth. He was growing more and more furious. Along with his disdain, there was something else there, an almost forgotten hurt. "You're looking for validation. I'm not giving you shit."
Gama nodded, accepting the rebuke.
"I saw that you've found happiness." Gama continued. "That you have someone to care for. I am glad to see that—"
"I want you to leave." Nacchan's voice was cold. "You've said your piece, gone through the motions. You are forgiven, or a good person or whatever else you hoped to get here. You can go now."
Gama stood slowly. He nodded, a simple gesture that carried the weight of years, understanding the finality in Nacchan's tone. "I understand." He replied, his voice a mere whisper against the rustling leaves. That's probably how he would have felt, if the guy who had transformed his first love affair into a steaming pile of shit had tried to apologize.
Nacchan didn't reply, his gaze returning to the horizon, his expression unreadable.
Years ago, Gama couldn't have accepted that. Right now, he took a deep breath, turned, and walked away.
As Gama's steps receded, the ambient sounds of the park resumed their low murmur, the whispering wind resuming its quiet dialogue with the rustling leaves.
Nacchan slowly reopened his book, his slightly trembling fingers lingering on the cover before finding the right page again. But his eyes didn't follow the words; instead, they looked beyond the book, fixated on some unseen point in the distance.
The departure did not bring him joy, nor did it ease the burdens of the past he thought he had left behind him already. It didn't make the year right after Gama's sudden appearance into his life any easier.
But without that asshole, his life would likely have been far less interesting. And he wouldn't have met any of the people he had come to love. Nacchan sat there alone, waiting for Fleur to return, and a strange sense of relief began to seep into his heart.
It was not forgiveness, nor forgetfulness. It was release.
Fleur would notice it, and only smile gently because of it: Nacchan's heart, inexplicably, felt much lighter.
Kaguya and Jinsuke stood right outside of a swirling vortex, the fabric of reality bending and twisting around them.
With a nod to each other, they stepped into the chaos again, and the world around them dissolved into a blur of colors and shapes.
As they emerged on the other side, the landscape was starkly different — an alien world with crimson skies and silver foliage rustling in an unseen breeze. Kaguya scanned the horizon, her eyes narrowing. "That young mixed blood was right. A kami was here recently. I can feel the remnants of their shinsei."
Jinsuke's Rinne-Sharingan spun as he surveyed the area. "They're not making tracking them easy. Surprisingly."
But they found nothing of value here. Nor did they later on, when they confronted that kami.
Despite their efforts, Kage and Kurama could not confirm if Indruto's group had traversed these linked realms at all.
They moved through several more worlds, each more bizarre than the last.
One was a serene place where mountains floated under an endless sea; another, a city of towering crystals that sang in the wind. In each, they found traces of another kami, a trail left carelessly, as if taunting them. Finally, standing on a fragmented world where the ground was nothing but floating islands in a vast void, Kaguya paused.
The way they were going at it, it was a hopeless quest.
Her thoughts drifted to Karin's promise, the alliance she hoped to forge before the Otsutsuki returned. A hint of melancholy tinged her voice. "Tsuki." Kaguya said, her voice carrying a new edge tinged with resolve and a faint sorrow. "Let us depart toward Tsuki first. Our previous world's first. To speak with my foolish kin. It is said you are familiar with them, are you not?"
Jinsuke's eyes gleamed with a cold fire, reflecting both determination and a subtle tenseness at the potential conflicts to come. "I suppose so."
"Bah." Kurama grunted. "It will be an easy conversation."
"Then that's where we go next." Kage nodded. "If you don't mind—"
"We shall let the fool— Kage do the talking." Kaguya conceded. "Should that prove not to be enough, I—"
"We know." Jinsuke said. "But he will be enough."
"As you say."
With a surge of power and a shared sense of urgency, they prepared to leap once more into the unknown.
"Orochimaru is gone." Aruni announced, his voice crackling over the direct communication line to Hidan. There were more important tasks, but Orochimaru's loved ones had already been warned, and he wasn't sure Hidan would learn it from anyone else.
The latter let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief. "Fucking finally."
Aruni's eyebrow twitched slightly, a wave of irritation threatening to break his usual composure. "Perhaps you shouldn't be so gleeful about this." He managed to say neutrally, his voice as dry as the desert winds of planet A'khanesh. "I think you will find yourself rather alone. Kaguya is currently occupied as well. Finding him. Or possibly rallying Tsuki, if she has managed to get permission. Perhaps both."
Hidan paused, his mind working through the implications. "...Will you let me go, then?"
"No."
"I imagined." Hidan groaned. "Stuck in limbo with no body and not even the snake-creep to hold me company. Unless…?"
"I'm not giving you a body either."
Hidan began cursing then.
"Grandma!" Konohamaru entered her house without knocking, once more.
Biwako's eyes did not meet Konohamaru's as she turned back to the window overlooking her well-tended garden. The calm scene outside contrasted with her tumultuous thoughts.
And she thought she could almost guess what he was about to say, just from his tone.
"Naruto has… Naruto's gone — Again!" Konohamaru breathed out, nearly choking on the words. "He — No one knows what happened."
In a way, she really should have expected it.
She didn't question her grandson's words, didn't think about them too hard. Part of her, the dry cynic, thought that by the time he inevitably dragged himself back this time, Naruto would be crowned king of gods or something equally ridiculous.
The other part of her, whenever she thought of Naruto, only saw a boy with a terrible habit of poking things better left alone, a teenager burdened with heavy secrets, and a man who carried the world on his shoulders. Looking at any of the three twisted her heart painfully.
"…Grandma?" Konohamaru's voice cut through her reverie, softer this time. "Are you crying?"
Kurama, the one who had been with the Emperor Naruto, a long time ago, lounged across the warm sand, his large — but not massive, right now — form casting a long shadow under the warm light of one the Ring's boundless expanses.
Gathered around him were nearly all of his siblings, as well a partial shade of the King of Hell, Enma.
"So, the brat's gone, huh?" Kurama's voice rumbled like distant thunder, his fiery eyes flickering with a hint of interest. "Sucked into a black hole of all things. Quite the dramatic exit."
Yugito crossed her arms, and simply stared. Her heart was full of many emotions, but such things came later. For now, she simply pushed them away, to be dealt with in the future. Then, she nodded.
Matatabi twirled her blue flames over Yugito's shoulder, her voice smooth as silk. "It does sound like the sort of trouble he would get himself into, doesn't it?"
"Matababi." Yugito said softly. "Please, not now."
Her partner quieted down, with a hint of regret for her words.
Shukaku chuckled, sending grains of sand dancing around him. "Finally, some good news—" His voice trailed off as he caught Yugito's sharp glance. "Well, it's just not what we're used to, is all. Not… good or bad per se."
Isobu shifted, his shell scraping against the sand with a raspy sound. "What Yugito means is, we should perhaps show a bit more tact. Young Naruto was many things to many people, and to the worlds beyond. Not just Father's son."
The gathered Beasts exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement while others remained silent, their internal squabbles temporarily set aside. Yugito simply nodded, her thoughts swirling with emotions she couldn't yet voice.
It was a world at peace. As secure as it could be, more than even the realm of gods, and it would only continue to grow for the better.
'Is this your gift to us, Naruto…?' She wondered, as she thought of them all. 'A final one?'
Yugito gazed at the evening sky, aware it was time to talk to their son — if Sasuke hadn't already, knowing him. As she looked up at the stars, she could almost feel their absence already.
She had found a family, and although several of them had just… left, hopefully temporarily, Yūshirō hadn't grown up alone — wouldn't grow up alone. She was one of the Ring's most important figures and masters. She had her students, both old and new. And she had her life.
In spite of everything, gratitude filled her for all that she had.
Still, it felt as though her story had been split between before meeting Uzumaki Naruto and after meeting Uzumaki Naruto. She cherished the time with him, with them all, knowing full well the world didn't end with their latest departure.
Even then, where many saw a god, she remembered the young man who had kissed her, the adult who had decided he could save everyone, and the man she had chosen to raise their son with.
Fresh tears spilled down from her eyes, and she allowed them to fall unchecked.
Indeed, the celebrations for the Nine commenced on that very day.
Artists, perhaps in one of the timeless chambers, completed a magnificent painting.
Framed in glittering gold was the portrait of Uzumaki Naruto, First Emperor of the Celestial Ring. Although he wasn't smiling, there was something almost mischievous in his eyes; a knowing glint, as though he was in on a secret. Side by side with eight illustrious others, one of whom watched from the audience with a groan, his regal bearing matched the high expectations of those unfamiliar with his playful nature.
Naruto was depicted in resplendent traditional attire, complete with two swords positioned prominently in the painting's foreground. Despite the divine aura that seemed to envelop the canvas, Naruto's essence was captured with a touch of humanity, echoing Mitsuki's reassurances that the Emperor always insisted on being seen not as a deity, but as a man.
Unfortunately, the glorification wouldn't stop here.
With his triumph, followed by his tragic disappearance, the adulation of Naruto, First Emperor of the Celestial Ring, transcended mere portraiture, permeating every facet of society with near divine reverence.
His now mythic stature was carved into the very stones of the Ring's architecture. Grand towers and sweeping bridges, christened with his name, bore designs that echoed his formidable powers. Among these, the Spiral Spires stood tallest, their concentric circles aglow each night, a beacon of his eternal vigilance.
The Ring's calendar brimmed with days dedicated to the Emperor and the Nine's memory. Each year, the populace celebrated the Festival of Shadows, where bright streets filled with cloaked figures, their faces hidden under masks that mirrored the Uzumaki clan's symbol.
Some would reenact his legendary battles: from defeating the malevolent Kakuzu with his six hearts in the burning Waterfall, to the tragic duel with his mentor atop a snow-capped mountain in a battle of Raijū, to thwarting the deadliest of his kin high in the sky, sacrificing both himself and the last vestiges of his heritage.
These stories also echoed in his union of worlds, his confrontation with twin dragons that split the heavens and earth, and his brave rescue of Earth's denizens even while battling the god of decay. Defeating the shinigami in one single strike, the King of Hell in three. And his victory over the storm itself was legendary already.
Scholars and teachers alike drew from his life's narrative. Extensive treatises on his strategies and governance depicted him not just as a ruler, but as a visionary who reshaped the world through indomitable will and determination.
Despite efforts to contain it, devotees still sought his blessings for strength and wisdom, viewing his actions as parables of divine intervention — a mortal transcending the pantheon of gods through valor and virtue.
Thus, through diverse acts of devotion and remembrance, the legacy of the Emperor and the Nine was immortalized, intertwining the realms of man and myth.
Many believed everything they had, everything they cherished, from this beautiful existence upon the Celestial Ring to their very lives, they owed to him.
But all these other celebrations would come later.
Tonight, the people simply lit pyres in the Nine's honor with reverent hands.
"A walk…?" Sasuke asked Tanabe Mai, who nodded in answer.
"If you prefer not to, it is no issue." She said simply.
"A walk is fine, as long as you don't mind us walking toward my home. Far away from this… this…" He meant the pyres. "You understood me." Sasuke shifted his gaze towards her, his eyes sharpening with a hint of curiosity. "Besides…" He paused, giving her a pointed glance. "I get the feeling there are things you want to discuss."
Mai's response was a small smile, and nodded again. She never really had seen much of a point in beating around the bush, which was something he could appreciate. Especially now that the Ring's people were temporarily lost in awe at their exploits, both imagined and real. He really couldn't wait to go home to his family.
And so they began to walk.
"How are you feeling, Sasuke-sama?"
"Sasuke is fine." He answered, almost mechanically. "I feel…" He thought about it, and then deflated slightly. Hollow. "…Okay."
"That's all I could hope for, considering the circumstances." Mai nodded, her voice gentle yet carrying an edge of concern. "Have the medics cleared you?"
"They have." Then he paused. "Well... More or less. I will be kept under observation — soul damage. No use of chakra allowed, even if I could manage, right now." Sasuke said succinctly. "…But that's all very unlike you, Mai. What is it you want to ask?"
The question hung between them, along with a palpable shift in the air.
Sasuke's gaze was probing, aware that whatever Mai was about to say might be very important.
Mai slowed her pace, hesitating. "It's just..." Her voice faltered, uncharacteristically uncertain. "Your role in all this... It's crucial, Sasuke-sama. We need to understand your position now more than ever."
She fixed her eyes on him, searching for an answer. And suddenly, he understood exactly what she was probing for.
'…Ah, fuck.'
Sasuke shrugged, a bit despondently. Now he was the one trying to buy time. "…Well, you already know — as he did — that I've never been that fond of the concept of being a tyrant. In spite of everything. "
Mai's gaze did not shift.
"Is that your definitive answer, then?"
He thought about it for a while longer, and then decided to speak bluntly.
"I have to be honest with you. I don't want to rule — not in the way Naruto did. Leading as an emperor, ruling, is not something I think I am well suited for. Unless it is absolutely necessary for stability… the prosperity of our people."
Mai just waited for him to continue, a knowing glint in her eyes.
"What I truly want is to support what we have built, to see this vision continue to flourish without the need for more conquest or dominance. To only fight when our help is truly needed, when it is just. To be a guardian, the same way the Ring itself is." Then he paused. "That is… If I can fight at all. Then again, I know there are more than enough people willing to do the fighting for us."
Naruto had been an exception, as always — there was no need to be even a tenth as powerful as he had become. Sasuke shook his head.
"I hope that the need for me to ascend as replacement emperor won't arise. Somehow. Maybe it's premature of me to think so, just a decade in, but…" He stilled again, eyes sweeping across the vast horizon. "Yes. Maybe it is naive, but I believe that accepting a throne handed to me would be a disservice to this world we've built. The Celestial Ring is strong. It is capable. I… trust in our future."
Silence followed.
"…Sorry." Sasuke muttered. "That was more verbose… long-winded than I thought it would be. I will help. Any way I can. But I don't think I'm the man for the job. Even then, if needed, I will do it, of course—"
"Naruto-sama thought you would refuse." Mai said with a gentle smile, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and fondness. "He always knew the heart of his brother."
Sasuke blinked. Then he offered a small smile in return, a silent acknowledgment of the bond he shared with Naruto.
"Now…" Mai continued, her voice dropping slightly as if she were unsure whether to proceed. "I'm not sure how I should say this…"
"What is it?" Sasuke prompted, his interest piqued.
"Well…" She hesitated, searching for the right words. "I think it's best if I just show you. Naruto-sama authorized me to share it with you."
Sasuke's frown deepened slightly. "What are you talking about?"
"It's easier if I show you."
So began the holographic projection.
"If you're hearing this, I'm probably gone, or dead. Honestly, considering everything, it could go either way. Maybe it was a revolt that did me in, even. I can't see into the unknown that far. Regardless of the circumstances, please know that my heart always remained with you, wherever I might have ventured, and I trust that you will continue to uphold the principles of our realm with diligence and honor.
I have entrusted our legacy to capable hands. Respect the protocols we've established. I've organized a seamless transition of power to ensure stability. The council has built a team specifically for this purpose, and all of you will find a complete dossier on all ongoing projects and initiatives.
To the wonderful citizens of our empire, your spirit and resilience have inspired me continuously. Support each other, cherish the community we have nurtured together. Your collective spirit is the true powerhouse of our realm; the power I held pales in comparison.
To the gods, kami, humans, and other beings likely plotting my demise: you might be a bit late. Otherwise, if you're considering joining the Celestial Ring, forget that part and please reach out to the appropriate authorities. We welcome anyone who respects the golden rule.
Most importantly, to my friends and family — you are my heart. You should have received more personal messages directly from me, as well. Never doubt the depth of my love, even if I sometimes struggled to express it in all the ways that mattered.
Yūshirō, my son, every moment spent with you was a gift that filled my world. Carry our stories and dreams forward. Be brave, be kind, and remember, no distance or fate can ever diminish my love for you.
As I say goodbye, I thank you all for the dedication and loyalty you have shown to our vision during my tenure. Keep looking forward, and remember that the strength of our empire lies within each of you. Should my path lead me back to you, let it be to a world as beautiful as the one we dreamed of together.
Well… See you.
P.S. Please find attached the detailed modalities of the succession process."
Sasuke absorbed the entirety of the message.
"He recorded several of those because he said making a composite would feel slightly rude. This is the public version — A11." Mai said. "The one that will likely be sent to the Rings."
She continued to explain a few things: Version A11, which accounted for all of them vanishing or dying in the battle, didn't account for Sasuke being the sole survivor. Version A12 did, but was further removed from their current situation, because Toru was included in that one. As well as more technical details that Sasuke didn't find in him to listen to.
"…Yes." Mai affirmed, her voice solemn, once she realized he wasn't paying any attention to this part. "Naruto-sama decreed that should you refuse, as he knew you likely would, the next Ring Head would be chosen democratically."
A hushed moment passed.
Democratically.
And then, unable to contain himself, Sasuke burst into laughter, his mirth echoing in the wide open skies.
"Are you alright, Sasuke-sama?" Mai asked, giving him a quizzical look.
Sasuke wiped away a tear and shook his head. "Yes." His steps slow but firm, he resumed his walk home, and she matched his pace.
"Actually, I believe everything will be alright."
lensdump
i/HvghRK : "Dad" — [Even though Hitoshi would later become a renowned artist, his earlier masterpiece had always been Hinata's favorite drawing of his.
AN: Here we go again. Let's pretend it was two shorter chapters put together.
No table needed today, I believe. I could be wrong, of course...
Next chapter: Home/Legacy