Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto

Co-Author and Beta: Ethereal-23

Chapter 68: Hold onto the past and embrace the future

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Tachio Mokoto has served in the royal army for five years now. Though the days of fighting in wars were long since over due to the shinobi villages, it didn't mean the imperial forces sat on their hands all day. Fighting bandits, securing their borders, hunting demons and other monsters. Theirs was a dangerous world. They still needed to protect their homeland.

Tachio was not an ambitious man; he was content with his position as a rank-and-file soldier. Spear in his hand, he followed the orders of his superiors without question or complaint. He figured he'd serve until his middle years without anything too exciting in his career.

The last months proved him and everyone wrong.

First, the Invasion of Konoha, the capital, was placed on alert. Konoha destroyed the Blood Leash, a monumental victory for the Land of Fire. Then, the Fall of the Land of Trees, the fight against the terrible demons he sadly had not been present for, did not have the honor of fighting alongside his comrades that day. He had not witnessed Princess Maiyuri's legendary speech, which he regretted terribly. His comrades spoke of that day with such awe.

He did, however, hear their Shogun's determination as the unification campaign started.

And so they marched to bring forth the new era.

The Land of Lions resisted, their soldiers strong but not numerous enough to contend with the might of the Asahi Army. Many of their auxiliaries were recruits given the minimum training and gear, and peasants were taken from their homes and told to fight and die or suffer the consequences. When many surrendered, they were given the proper treatment as prisoners of war, a status that would change once the campaign was over.

There'd be no prisoners or enemies but new citizens of the Empire.

First, they had to remove the last bastions of resistance.

After over a week of battle, the fighting had reached the Land of Lion's capital, with the sounds of weapons clashing and guns firing continuing even if they dwindled over time. Tachio and his companions followed their Commander through the castle's steps, downed enemies littering their path.

Their Commander, a man in his forties, wearing the haori and armor denoting his rank, marched with a hand resting on the inside of his yukata while another rested on the hilt of his sword. His usual calm and, dare he say it, goofy demeanor was replaced with a stern air befitting the situation. He scratched his stubbled chin. "Any word from my son?"

"Sergeant Ichigo has subdued the western front."

"Good. I'm glad I don't need to hold his hand."

Tachio droned, "I don't think you've done that in a long while, Commander Shiba."

By Amaterasu, the sergeant was already twenty and married (to a Kuchiki, no less). Where did the time go? Speaking of the Commander's family, "Lieutenant Kaien secured the Eastern front."

"This just leaves us and the North, and our three-pronged attack worked like a charm. Got to hand it to those Naras. They know how to plan."

The Land of Lions had a strong natural defense built at the base of a mountain with only three ways to get into the capital city of Raion. Strongly fortified walls would prevent most people from trying to cause trouble. However, that would be the case if this nation's military was like it was a hundred years ago.

Unlike the disgraceful current ruler, Daimyo Kaito knew how to make a proper army.

"Commander Isshin!" A female soldier called out, running.

"Report!"

The armored-clad woman came to a stop, catching her breath. "The Raion troops at the Northern gates are surrendering in droves. Only a small few are putting up an actual fight. The Northern Gate is ours, sir."

Tachio gazed ahead beside his Commander; sure enough, the enemy forces lowered their weapons or dropped to their knees in defeat. A dozen, if at that, were putting up a meager defense. They were likely loyalists to Daimyo Kanako. Isshin grunted, looking to his people, "Advance!"

They moved as a united force, a far cry from the remaining enemy forces in disarray. Their morale was low, and their numbers dwindled by desertion and surrender. Tachio's spear parried away a blade and pierced into a shoulder, pinning the enemy to the ground with a cry. His Commander moved between the Lion soldiers with extreme agility and speed, almost a blur. His blade cut through armor and skin, drawing blood into geysers.

On and on, they advanced, unstoppable, unrelenting like a tidal wave.

A wave of change.

Charging in, they advanced inside the castle at the city's heart, going further through the many halls and stairs. Opposition varied from point to point; some soldiers surrendered and bowed, and others stood their ground and fought. The result was the same. The Asahi forces were not deterred in the least.

They stood by the great gates of the throne room. Commander Isshin took point and held his blade firmly in his hands. A blur of movement from his arms, and the gate was cut into pieces.

They advanced and were met with at least two dozen soldiers, the first row kneeling with firearms in hand, the second row with spears and blades. Then, at the center back sat the Daimyo on her throne. Daimyo Kanako was a woman in her fifties, her hair done in a flashy style, decorated to the brim with jewels and other adornments. She had a look of utter fury and indignity to her.

Isshin looked on fearlessly but did not advance yet. "Kanako Toshino, the Asahi Empire has seized your lands. Your citizens have bowed in surrender and become citizens of the Empire. Surrender, and you will be spared."

"You miserable curs, you dare attack MY lands. Take what is MINE by RIGHT!" She hollered. "You think you can get away with it? You think I'll BOW in defeat to some little girl with delusions of grandeur!?" She stood from her throne in rage. "Every last soldier here will die for me because I command it!"

With how nervous and frightened the soldiers looked, he greatly doubted that.

Well, calling them soldiers was generous. These were farmers, business owners, and any other profession but one being the battlefield. None of them held their respective weapons properly. They all radiated terror at the sight of real warriors before them. Yet here they stood, likely through threats of death of themselves or their loved ones. Or to be stripped of all they held dear to them.

Whatever the reason was, it was shameful and cowardly of this land's Daimyo using her people like fodder.

"People of Raion," Isshin spoke with calm authority. "Unlike this vile, poor excuse of a human being who forced you into a battle that was never yours, I am giving you a choice. You can surrender and live."

"What are you waiting for, you worthless ingrates!" The Daimyo screamed.

Isshin continued ignoring the woman, "The Asahi Empire Does not wish you to be forced onto the frontlines of war. You will not have to fear stepping out of your homes and being taken by a greedy, selfish hag for her armies. Or be forced as a servant and be maltreated by her at every turn."

"KILL THESE FOOLS! KILL THEM ALL!"

"You can live in actual peace. Enjoy your life and be with your families. Wouldn't that be better than being her slave?"

Kanako's voice was almost horse as she kept screaming louder and louder, "IF NONE OF YOU KILL THESE INVADERS, I WILL BUTCHER YOUR FAMILIES IN FRONT OF YOU! THEN I WILL SKIN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOR DEFYING ME!" Her screeching echoed throughout the room and halls.

But not a single shot was fired, and no weapon moved to strike the Asahi Commander and his troops. Instead, the Raion soldiers gazed at Isshin with a look not of fear. But hope, "We can go home?" A female officer in shoddy armor questioned with tears in her eyes.

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

Isshin ignored the hollering Daimyo and looked at the female soldier, "You can all go home."

The woman trembled, and she wasn't alone. "P-Please, we never wanted to fight. T-They told me they'd kill us if we didn't."

"I understand," He said as gently as he could. "Just lower your weapons. I promise you'll be safe."

The 'soldiers' all stared in silence, even as the Daimyo kept shouting at them to throw away their lives for her. Tachio was certain that any other time they would have, for fear of the woman, of her soldiers, was enough to force anyone to pick a weapon and fight. Taking their chances on the battlefield rather than face certain execution.

But what did they have to fear now? A woman who wielded no power or authority without the very soldiers she oppressed her people with? She had sent them all to fight and surrounded herself with a last vestige of defense from forced conscripts, expecting her word to be absolute still.

One by one, the soldiers dropped their weapons.

"What? No. NO!" The Daimyo shouted; she grabbed one of the man's arms and shoved him forward. "Fight for me, you fools! Fight me for me!" She approached another, yet they all backed away from her. "I'm the Daimyo! My lineage has ruled this land for generations! Your lives are sworn to me! So you must give them for my sake because I DEMAND it!"

The frightened conscripts moved away from her, fearing she might pick up one of the discarded weapons and use it against them.

But it seemed it did not even cross their minds. Kanako looked around desperately, hoping to find anyone who would fight for her.

And upon finding none, she truly looked lost.

"I'm...!" Her breathing came out ragged. "I'm the lord of this nation! You can't...!" She stumbled back, overwhelmed by this sense of... powerlessness. "I order you! Why aren't you- Why aren't you obeying me!?" She cried out in hysterics. Unable to understand 'why' her orders weren't working. Why was this happening despite all the power she wielded?

Tachio saw something break in her eyes, realizing she had no power. Her land was being taken from her, and no one could obey her. There was absolutely nothing she could do.

"Obey me..." She muttered, falling back on her throne as her voice cracked. "Don't let them... take my lands from me." At this point, she was begging brokenly.

Tachio clicked her tongue. What a pitiful sight. A woman of supreme pride, so secured of her superiority for so long, had no way of comprehending a reality in which she was no longer in control.

Isshin looked at the woman who kept muttering to herself with an unreadable look and decided he had enough. "Take her away," He ordered his soldiers, so they did; she didn't even fight.

A fairly tall, lean man with short, spiky black hair and aqua-green eyes was wiggling a finger in his right ear as he entered the throne room. Adorned in samurai garms stylized to his liking, he observed as the now catatonic Daimyo was escorted out by several of his uncle's men. "I could hear that damn woman from the first floor."

Isshin chuckled while a Raion man glared from where Kanako was dragged away, "She deserves her head cut off." The Commander sharply looked at the man.

"I don't blame any of you for being angry or wanting revenge. But don't let your heart be fueled by hate. Or you end up like Kanako or worse. From here on out, live free and love with all your heart." While a few wanted to protest, every one of Raion nodded with a look of exhaustion and elation. "Attend to your families. And tell every citizen of the Land of Lions, they are free."

With those words, the people began to leave the throne room. Leaving only the Asahi Commander, his men, and his smirking Lieutenant, "You stole that quote from Aunt Masaki," Kaien snorted out a chuckle.

"Hey, my wife is the eloquent one." Isshin's more normal smile had finally returned before gesturing for Kaien and Tachio to follow. "Let the rest of Raion know they are free."

Opening a glass door that led to a large balcony, the trio came out to see nearly every citizen of Raion standing out in the courtyard alongside Asahi soldiers. The smirk never left Kaien's lips while Tachio cocked a brow and grabbed the newly made Asahi flag held by one of the flagmen that followed them. It was rather simplistic but got the point across with a brown lower center, an orange semi-circle symbolizing the sun rising over the land, with various thick lines being its rays.

Letting out a victorious roar, Isshin brought up the flag of their new Empire to wave for all to see. The Asahi soldiers and Land of Lions people loudly cheered. It was like night and day compared to an hour ago as Tachio watched with awe. From the depths of despair and fear, now ovation and merriment glowed from now-free citizens of the land. Tachio could see nearly every person of Raison with joyful tears in their eyes.

For the budding newly made Asahi Empire, this was their first victory. Their first conquest brought the freedom of a nation from a tyrannical ruler. The sun crested upon the horizon as the Commander waved the flag fervently.

Tachio Mokoto was a simple rank-and-file soldier. But on this day, he felt something moved from the depths of his heart and soul as he took in all before him. He did not even realize he was cheering beside his Commander and Lieutenant as his mind was sure of one thing. 'No one will forget this day...'

XxX ~ the following morning ~ XxX

Kuroreimei would be the first to admit the sights were very novel to her. An entire city celebrated like an impromptu festival, with cheers and yells of joy, people throwing confetti made out of hastily torn-up paper, and even more than a few plates were broken in a fit of euphoria. The streets of Amotsu were filled with merriment from a sense of victory and pride.

After over a week, the Rising Sun Empire had achieved its first victory, and now its borders had expanded.

Her childhood days in old Lanka were a blur at times, and the days of chaos that had swept over the world drowned in tragedy and pain. The celebrations in their ancient kingdom were now religious affairs or remembering accounts of important events, which took a lot of work as their people struggled to survive.

She looked upon these people and wished she could see such joy in her own. To see them more than just surviving, the queen of Lanka wanted them to thrive.

...And that's why she had come today. Naruto's message to her son Kyoka had been an unexpected development. The boys talked occasionally, catching up on recent events since their battle against the slavers. Naruto had been rather busy lately and could not communicate properly.

He summarized events with just a few words, 'So I committed treason but then got promoted. It's a whole thing.'

There were questions, of course, but Naruto had brushed them aside in favor of a message from his lord. The newly minted Shogun of the Empire.

A proposition to the people of Lanka.

The council had debated for hours, but Kuroreimei held firm in her position. She would visit the Shogun and hear what she had to say.

She felt it was fate after all; she was summoned not by one but two Heirs of Rama.

Of course, she would not be traveling alone.

Her entourage, with their demonic traits carefully hidden under illusion and shapeshifting, consisted of her son, whose armored looks did not stand out much from celebrations. Her daughter, who looked at everything and anything with barely concealed disgust, most likely grumbling internally at how easy the humans had it. Mitsuko merely followed with a calm gait and eyes closed in concentration. (or maybe she had advanced to a form of walk-based narcolepsy). And the last member of their party who insisted on coming, Etsuko.

Now, they all stood out in their way. Kyoka's wild brown mane and armor. Maikako's bright yellow hair and clothes. Mitsuko's lovely looks and highly stylish attire. Her majesty's pale skin, red eyes, and deep black hair were eye-catching. But the people around them were too caught up in their celebration to pay them much mind, honestly.

But Etsuko, even while hiding those red horns with shapeshifting, the girl stood out. Or, more fittingly, she stood above everyone else. Etsuko was a massive oni-lady, at 8'8 and with very prominent muscles. She had long, white hair bound between orange rods into a ponytail at the back, which faded into aqua green and then blue the further it went, ending in rectangular. She had large, orange eyes that stared wonderfully at everything around her, and she wore gold hoop earrings on both ears. Her outfit was a sleeveless white garment with a diamond-shaped design on both sides and an indigo, wisp-patterned bottom half. She wore red hakama pants, sandals, and a large purple and white nio-dasuki behind her back.

"Ahhhhh!" She made a sound of utmost cheer and wonderment. "There's so much food here!"

Maikako deadpanned, observing her longtime friend nearly bouncing on the balls of her feet while her endowed bosom jostled in every direction. Besides, Etsuko's height alone garnered much attention from the humans as is. Her pleasing feminine form and lean, toned muscles made many men and some women slightly lustful.

"You're acting like a kid," Kuro's daughter grumbles.

"Oh, come on!" The towering woman beamed with a bright smile, "This has got to be the coolest thing we've seen in years, and you're not impressed?" The smaller Oni rolled her eyes, "And this is why you are still a virgin."

"SHUT UP!" Nobody listened much to the loud, flustering yell from the tiny, blushing Oni woman.

Kuro sighed, rubbing her temples. "Awesome! You guys are here!" Her head shot up, seeing Naruto standing on a street lamp above them, beaming. "Hold on, I'll tell the boss, and he'll be here!"

The raven-haired demon queen blinked beside her children, Mitsuko and Etsuko, at the sight of the blond exploding into smoke. Only the towering Oni looked confused, "He exploded?"

Maikako facepalmed, "That's his Shadow Clone trick I told you about."

"OH."

"I swear all your brains went into your muscles and boobs."

Mitsuko glanced at her Highness, "His aura seems brighter than before."

"Notice he wasn't wearing his Leaf Handband?" Kyoka questioned everyone. "Something's changed in him."

A scoffed snort came from Maikako, "He's still a brat."

"Missed you too." The blond demon girl nearly leaped out of her skin as everyone saw Naruto dryly standing behind his fellow blond. "Did you get more surly than before, or is it just me?" He looked to everyone else with a big wave and smile, "Hey!"

Kuro giggled, waving back, "Hello, Naruto." She looked him over, seeing his new attire, "Those new clothes suit you quite well, my young friend."

The blond Uzumaki chuckled, scratching his head, "Perks being a Dainin now." He blinked as he noticed Maikako coming right up to him. "What?"

Instead of replying, the Oni female walked around the Uzu boy before standing in front of him again. Putting her hand at the top of her head, she moved it towards the other blond, where it came to his just at the base of his neck. "...No way! You got taller?!"

"Well, it's called growing up. All kids do that eventually. Though it might have skipped you?"

Knowing her child, Kuro merely put a hand on her shoulder and applied the right amount of frost magic to keep Maikako from bursting into flames. It would not do for her to create a bonfire on a busy street like this.

"It is good to see you again," The queen of demons smiled gently while at the same time directing a 'look' at her daughter. Making her grumble and shake off her grip before petulantly crossing her arms. "I believe you are taking us to the shogun, correct?"

"Oh, right!" He brightened up with a beaming smile. "Come on. I'll take you right to her!" He motioned for them to follow him, and so they did. "Man, you won't believe everything happening around here."

"More so than when we took down the Leash?" Kyoka said mirthfully, talking to Naruto with the same air of familiarity one held for those who become fire-forged comrades. Their assault on Blood Leash was a moment they remembered very well, after all.

"As hard as that was, I think I've gotten into even worse things..." Naruto said with a drawl.

"Awww, you guys got all the fun!" Etsuko grumbled, "I had to stay in Lanka at the time, guard the fort and all that."

"You missed out a lot, uh..." He trailed off, realizing he didn't know the enormous woman's name.

"I'm Etsuko!" She said brightly with a large smile. "I would have wrecked some serious slaver shit had I been with you guys."

"I bet!" Naruto excitedly said, having to crank up his neck as he looked at the imposing oni-lady. "You're huge!"

"Damn right!" Etsuko closed her eyes as she lifted her arms, flexing her prominent muscles with no small amount of pride. "I'm one of Lanka's strongest!" The moment she gave her proclamation, she hit her head with a store sign. "ACK!"

"But not the brightest." Maikako grinned, enjoying her friend's now red and bruised nose.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

"People are very high spirits," Kyoka mentioned as they strolled through the celebrating Amotsu following Naruto. "Obtaining the Land of Lions is your new Empire's first step."

The blond Uzumaki nodded, beaming, "Brought down a tyrant and saved their people."

"And how will those 'people' be treated in your Empire?" Maikako spoke up with a scowl.

"To live their lives freely to do as they wish."

"Uh-huh, I'll just bet-" Maikako grunted painfully, being smacked on the head by her dryly glaring mother.

Naruto deadpans at Kyoka, "How are you two siblings again?"

The demon prince chuckled good-naturally. "I'd like to say our respected fathers were very different people. But at any rate. A Dainin?"

"A rank to those who officially serve the Sasaki royal family. It's a special rank outside the normal Shinobi ones."

Mitsuko brought herself into the conversation, "You attained it through treason?" A nervous chuckle escaped the young adolescent, "An explanation would be helpful."

"...Well, a mission to a place called Han'ei opened my eyes to a lot," Naruto went over the events that led him and his team to go against their orders in aiding a vile Daimyo with the rebel faction against the said leader. Which also led to reuniting with a member of the Uzumaki clan and facing down a monstrous Oni in service to the Cult of Jashin.

Kuro's eyes glared at the mention of the Cult, "I had prayed to Shiva in hoping those beasts had died out long ago." She glanced at the boy, "And you allowed the rebels to kill the Daimyo?"

"Yeah... He had it coming for all he did," there was no regret in his voice. Nor did he have any when it came to that bastard.

You broke your promise! I'll kill you, Uzumaki!

A sharp pang came to the blond's heart, recalling Aiko's rage at him. He quickly shook off the memory of the past before grinning at the others, "Things changed after that. But I've been talking about me all day. How have you guys been?"

"We have recovered from Blood Leash's raid." Kuro said, "It was a wake-up call; we had been too complacent, trusting in the distant nature of our island from the mainland. I've been organizing a portion of my people into a proper fighting force," She explained, "I'll admit, military matters are not my forte. But it is a good thing many Tengu are living with us." The bird yokai were sages in war, martial arts, and strategy. They were shaping Lanka's people into something that could protect their homes should the need arise.

"We've all been doing my part making sure our home is safe this time," Kyoka added. "The world is changing again, and we're not gonna get caught unaware like last time."

"Not if the Cult is still around..." Maikako said with a low growl. Her words still had a noticeable worry to them aside from the anger.

The Cult had been as much their enemy as they were the rest of the world. "That time in the Land of Trees... there were so many demons, but they weren't like you..."

"Hellborn and earthborn," Kuro says lowly. "Earthborn demons are part of the world, and we are its wrath. We are its hunger. Our kind comes from the volatile yet necessary functions of this planet. We can be people, or we can be monsters. Hellborn demons, though... are born from malice, darkness, and destruction. Some are cunning beings; others are wild forces of voracity. We are alike, yet very different as well."

"Not like your people can tell the difference," Her daughter quipped, which earned a glare from her mother.

"Maikako!" She hissed.

"Nah, she's right," Naruto shrugged. "I don't think many humans know or even care to know. They'd see all demons as dangerous."

"We are dangerous," Mitsuko said, her voice calm yet insightful. "There are wild demons after all, but the difference there depends on sapience, who among us are animals and who are people. Back when I turned, I was a rampant creature."

Her companions gave gentle, understanding gazes, "It wasn't your fault." Etsuko softly said.

"It wasn't," She acknowledged. "But I was still dangerous."

There was much more to it, but Naruto felt he shouldn't pry. Thankfully, the castle was in sight, "I hope you and Maiyuri can reach an understanding then. We're all going to need to work together now," he had no doubt.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

A grumble came from the towering Oni woman who had to bend down quite a bit to not hit her head on the doorframe and blessed Ravana; the meeting chamber was massive as they were asked to enter once they entered the castle. Once inside, they were greeted by a vassal who escorted them with Naruto to the new Shogun.

The woman Kuro and the others came to meet stood behind a chabudai in the room's center. Behind Maiyuri was a smiling Yuma who arrived back in the capital upon hearing the news of her best friend's victory. Both ladies wore formal yukata to honor the celebration, with Miharu and Namika behind them in their armor.

"Welcome to Amotsu, Queen Kuroreimei," the young Shogun addressed with a formal bow and respectful smile.

Her greeting was returned, "It is an honor to be welcomed here." Kuro bowed herself with her children and guards following suit. "Congratulations on your flawless victory over the Land of Lions."

"Thank you."

Maikako kept her gaze on the armored guards standing vigil at each corner of the room while she held her tongue. Her mind made up for that with her thoughts. 'Don't want us to eat your precious Shogun?'

As Naruto came over to stand beside Yuma, the buxom swordswoman stared in awe at Etsuko, "Bucket list!" the white-haired young woman declared loudly.

The blond Uzumaki and the guards nearly facepalmed while Etsuko beamed, "Well, you're a hottie, aren't you!"

The formal atmosphere faltered with a dry deadpan coming from Maiyuri, who glanced back to her childhood friend. Kyoka lightly chuckled, "Well, your eccentric reputation does proceed you, Spirit-Blade Yuma."

"OH, you're that hot prince that went to Konoha months ago. How about you, me, and that beautiful tall goddess get to know each other~."

"Yuma..."

The buxom swordswoman blinked, noticing the glaring from Maiyuri directed her way. "Oops, Sorry. Supposed to be business time. We can talk later!"

Running her hand down head faces, the pinkette Shogun heaved a sigh, looking back to Kuro, "Apologies."

However, the demon queen only giggled in amusement, "Oh, it is quite alright."

"Please, join us." The princess waved a hand at the low table, waiting for her guest to kneel first cushions before following suit, with Naruto and Yuma, along with her guards Namika and Miharu, at her sides. Kuro and her entourage sat comfortably on the other side, the chabudai being spacious enough to accommodate them all. "Now, I believe the best way to proceed is to be honest and upfront about my intentions." Maiyuri began, hands on her knees as her back straightened with regal posture. "I am embarking on a campaign of unification. I have made more enemies than people four times my age have made in a lifetime. I need allies, so I invited you here to propose you just that."

Though Kuro kept a calm expression, her company (except for Mitsuko) could not keep the surprise off their faces. "I see," She mused. "It is no small thing to ask, for a country that has stayed away from conflict for so long, to help another fight their battles."

"I seek every advantage I can get," Maiyuri stated before pausing momentarily. "No, that is a lie. I seek any advantage I can get while staying true to my morals. There are compromises to achieve my goals, but there are lines I will not cross." She said sincerely. "Any lasting alliance can only survive on the foundations of mutual benefits."

"If I were to entertain the notion, I'd first need to hear everything about what my people would be getting into." Kuroreimei kept her tone ambiguous. Now, this was how it was supposed to go in politics. Even if she was interested, she had to keep it to herself. She acted on her nation's interests and their future with the world. "You speak of mutual benefits. My people have history, magic, craftmanship, old knowledge, and abilities that would be a boon to you. But what would they get in turn?"

"Any commerce can be distributed across the Empire, with full recognition of the skills of their occupation. The Land of Fire's scholars and archivists would be eager to learn about your land's boundless histories, cultures, and traditions."

Maikako held a look of skepticism, "You'd willingly have demons around doing things amongst your humans?"

"A person is still a person regardless of their species," Maiyuri declared with resolve. Naruto faintly chuckled while Namika playfully ran a hand through his hair. "And your people follow the teaching of..."

"Vibhishana, an ancestor of mine. Lord Rama entrusted him upon the defeat and death of my other ancestor, Ravana, to lead our demonic kin into a path of dharma. We held to that oath." The demon queen closed her eyes, "Even when the world was plunged into darkness and was shattered."

"The Sundering."

Kuro sharply looked at the young pinkette with degrees of shock from those around her. The queen gazed sternly into her eyes and, in the eyes of Naruto and Yuma, shared a look very few have. Understanding and knowing, "You saw... How?"

"We met with the White Lotus; they told and showed us much of the lost past of our world."

So, the White Lotus was rebuilding after so long. That was a relief to the raven-haired demoness.

Maiyuri sighed, "While knowing of the past is greatly important. We must focus on the present to make something brighter for the future. As my dear new Dainin had explained, your people desperately need one thing that we can give to you. Land."

Etsuko let out a sharp gasp. Maikako frowned in suspicion. Kyoka was hesitantly contemplative, while Mitsuko's expression betrayed nothing as usual. Kuroreimei shifted her gaze momentarily as she processed what the Shogun offered them.

Lanka was overpopulated, and their resources allowed them to scrap by. Expansion of their city is becoming impossible. They had no other nearby islands with rich enough soil to increase food production. To settle in more land, even if it was a percentage of their people... that would benefit them all so greatly.

And yet therein laid the issue...

"This land, it would be on the mainland?"

"Yes. Preferably on the coast, your people can contact your island properly."

Kuroreimei let out a soft breath as she slowly nodded, her straight black bangs shadowing her red eyes momentarily. "But what assurance would I have of my people's safety?" She looked straight into the Shogun's green eyes. "How do I know your people will not come for mine with violent intent? After what happened in the Land of Trees, with the enemies you face now, will your people understand the difference between them and us?"

"They will," Maiyuri promised, "once I show them my enemies are yours as well."

"And do people around here see the brat there as a human or a fake demon?" Outrage glowed in the eyes of many who glared at Maikako and her biting words. "Cause I'd imagine that regardless of his actions, some people will only see him as a monster." A deep, resonating, inhuman growl from her mother caught her attention. Kuro's eyes glowed brightly with anger, making the blond Oni woman shrink, bowing her head.

"I apologize for my daughter's words," the Demon Queen calmed herself before looking to Naruto and Maiyuri. "She overstepped herself and is rude for her words."

"...She's not wrong," gazes now went to Naruto, whose eyes looked in no discernable direction. "Some people will only see me as a weapon or monster to be used for the nation. Nothing I can do or say will change those people's minds, no matter how hard I try." The blond Uzumaki wasn't blind in not seeing more than a few people in Amotsu were uncomfortable having the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki around.

Even more so being so close to Maiyuri.

Naruto continued now with his eyes fixed on the petite Oni, who looked back at him, "But you know what? I don't care about them because others allowed me to show them I'm not a monster. For my family, my friends, and the people who see me as me is who I fight for."

A wince came from Maikako, who looked to the ground, "...I'm sorry..."

"It's okay."

Yuma looked over with surprise to the teenager, "You're not upset?"

"She has no trust in humanity. And I don't blame her for it; her only concern is for her people. I respect her for that." Naruto addressed, looking at the swordswoman and the Shogun, "I want to earn her trust. Show her humans can be her friends and to her people."

Maiyuri kept her eyes on her young guard, who stared back. While she saw pain from the harsh words about him, his resolution outshined that pain. She closed her eyes and sighed before returning her glance to Maikako, "I concur with my young Dainin. Yes, there will be naysayers. Some people will only see what they want regardless of the truth. Let us show you that far more humans do not share such narrow-minded sentiments."

Kuro's lips pursed slightly. "You will face backlash for this."

"I'm aware," Maiyuri turned her gaze back to the queen.

"And you would still do this?"

"Yes"

For a moment, nobody spoke.

This young woman... there was true conviction in her words. A steely resolve forged in the fires of battle. She spoke with decisiveness yet held unto her words a sense of hope and promise to help others regardless of how it might affect her. Kuro's eyes shifted to Naruto for a moment, remembering the kindness in his voice when he promised that fellow jinchuuriki, lost in his grief and rage, to save him by offering the hand of friendship.

She could see this power of spirit, this sheer will in their eyes...

They had embarked on a turbulent path and were dead set on braving that storm with a smile on their faces.

It was just like him. They were true Heirs of Rama.

Just like the seer had said, the fate of Lanka was intrinsically tied to the actions of these heroes.

"...Where exactly is this patch land you speak of?"

Maiyuri smiled, a gesture joined in kind but with much greater exuberance from Naruto. She heard Kyoka sigh in relief and felt the joy from Etsuko and calm happiness from Mitsuko. She would trust her mother even if her daughter held her... reservations.

Kuroreimei would do everything for her people, even if...

"If you go down this path, my queen, you will meet your end."

'But my people will thrive.'

That was a price she would never hesitate to pay.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Per Maiyuri's orders, Naruto left the meeting at the castle to 'enjoy the celebrations and be a kid.' Not that Blond would have criticized that order. He's been in a dozen meetings for a week and a half since returning to Amotsu. Seeing and speaking with dignitaries and commanders of the army, learning battle strategies for places where talks would not be viable, and peace negotiations for others, and everything else along with it.

For a twelve-year-old, going to be thirteen in a few months. It was so much crammed into Naruto's head. Yeah, the Blond needed a brake to blow off steam. And what better way than the celebration of their Empire's first victory?

Akiha-sama spared no expense for the festivities, from food stalls to performers showing their talents in dancing or music.

Buying a few treats with a discount being one of the Shogun's Dainin, the blond found a rooftop to sit and watch everyone around the capital. He had to admit he had been learning more than expected from everyone here. Maiyuri-hime, Miharu, Namika, and anyone else willing to teach him anything to be better was awesome in his books.

Well, the constant meetings were boring. And the Blond tried not to fall asleep in them. But on the plus side, he got to meet and spar with the troops at their barracks. 'That Abarai dude was so cool!'

A low grunt came from Kurama, who had been silent for most of the week save a snarky comment here and there. "At least you're paying more attention than you did during the academy."

'...Your right... I slacked off when I should have been paying attention more...'

"Good. Keep that head straight, and you might impress me yet, brat."

It was a backhanded compliment, but still a compliment. Which was weird getting from the fox these days. He knows letting him roam around via a small clone has cooled much of his anger. But something else had the surly old fox being less antagonist than usual. How he acted in Han'ei was still vivid to the blond.

'Are you alright?' His question was met with silence, making Naruto sigh. He supposed the old Bijuu would eventually talk when he felt like it.

Well, he was sure whatever was up with Kurama would come to a head eventually. In the meantime, he focused on his current experiences. In his attempts to understand the world better, his place in it, and his goal to be a sage, there were many things he needed to familiarise himself with. Much as he wanted to find a bad guy to beat up, sometimes it wasn't that simple. Naruto needed to understand the larger picture of what people went through and what their leaders had to do to keep the country running. There were tyrants, petty monarchs, benevolent rulers, and leaders, and in between were those who just needed to do whatever they could to keep their nation afloat.

Then there were the people. In Han'ei, some suffered under the grip of a cruel monarch, victims of all of them. Then, some people lead ordinary lives, going about their business. What shaped a nation was the ideals and culture they held, and Naruto could honestly say that, for the most part, the people of the Land of Fire just wanted to be left alone. After decades of on-and-off conflicts, Shinobi Wars, where it was hard to pin down who had won, it wasn't hard to see the Land of Fire just wanted to live in peace, but circumstances and mistakes from many parties had often dragged them into conflict.

Maiyuri had confided in him a fear she held, that her promise to create a future where their people wouldn't have to suffer through the struggles of a blood-soaked system would create a feeling of... imperialism, she called it. That her people would come to believe in their superiority over other nations, she strived to foster a sentiment of mutual progress with the lands that would come under the Empire's banner, that it was a greater mix of people, of collaboration, that would truly make their Empire great.

It was only a matter of time to see if that would work.

After all, people were people. They had hopes and dreams, as well as grudges and fears.

Naruto was honestly worried for Kuroreimei's people. It'd have to be publicly announced when their alliance into the Empire was finalized. And people were bound to react in different ways. Some of them poorly…

"Oh, Naruto-kun!" A sensual and sultry feminine voice called out from the crowd.

The young Dainin grunted as he turned his gaze downward to the sight of the stunningly gorgeous Special Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto. While part of the military, her duties were centered here in the capital. She is a voluptuous woman of average height in her late twenties, flawless creamy white skin with very long wavy blond hair, sapphire eyes, and a beauty mark under the right side of the mouth of her full lips. Dressed in a black kimono top with hakama pants and sandals, the Amotsu military's standard uniform when not dressed in armor. In Rangiku's case wore it a bit loose on the top to show off her ample breasts. Around her neck, she wore a thin gold necklace that was tucked in between her bosom. Over her shoulders was a long pink scarf dangling with her katana tied to her waist whenever needed.

"Y-yeah!" Naruto said in a flustered tone as the older blond waved at him, making her breasts jostle. He shook off the blush, seeing Rangiku waving for him to come down. Taking a small leap off the build, he landed safely on the ground. "What's up?"

A dramatic sigh came from the buxom blond, "I can be that agile, but these would just fly out for everyone to see." She groped herself, causing the younger blond and a few people around them to blush wildly.

Once more, Naruto made himself focus but could not get the blush of his cheeks to fade; he spoke, "Did you need something, Rangiku-neechan?" The nickname being his fellow blond's declaration to call her his self-appointed older sister...

Miharu did say/warn Matsumoto was a very eccentric lady.

Rangiku looked more seriously to answer Uzumaki's question, "Your mother called. Said she wanted you back home as quickly as you could. It was really important, she said, and Maiyuri-hime already said you can return now."

XxX ~ a few hours earlier ~ XxX

In one of the many Konoha training grounds, Homura stood still and focused as she summoned her Tamashiiken. In front of her stood Yugao, out of her ANBU gear and into regular Konoha attire with her sword drawn. "Alright, kouhai, show me all you can do."

"Hai, senpai."

Close by stood Kushina and Kosuke, with Kuma napping on the ground.

The once more minted sensei crossed her arms, watching Homura's every move with rapt attention. The emotions are flowing on her face, the brief glint of eagerness in her eyes followed by steely focus. She spread her legs in a stance, not too far but properly balanced, as she held her blade of chakra perpendicular to her face. Kushina honestly could spot no flaws in her posture. She already had the basics down to a science.

Her eyes were once more drawn to the sword, the Tamashiiken technique she called it. Manifesting blades of pure chakra. Energy constructs were extremely difficult to mold; turning chakra into solid energy, into a pure state like that, and keeping it firmly locked in shape was uncommon. Her chakra chains came as a bloodline ability, and Homura possessed something similar, rather than a bloodline limit, an affinity for molding chakra in such a way.

Or perhaps she was just that good. She was picked up from the academy into the ANBU right away.

"Begin!" Kushina called out.

Yugao first moved to taste the waters and feel Homura's ability. Her talented pupil had always been a superb swordswoman, her circumstances identical to Homura's, taken from the academy to join the elite ranks, so she was eager to help her teacher and fellow student. Her physical blade met Homura's with a shower of sparks. The chakra construct remained as firm and solid as ever, like it was made of pure metal.

She launched a series of non-lethal strikes, lacking any intent to do real harm but still very fast. An offensive is meant to overwhelm the opponent, make them panic, and make them prone to make mistakes. And yet Homura remained calm, her gaze narrowed and focused. Good, very good.

She parried each strike, remaining on the defensive for the time being, allowing a few steps back and waiting for an opening. The moment she found one, she countered, attacking with an upwards slash and making Yugao back away. The purple-haired woman smiled at her junior. "Good. Now show me more." She beckoned her to go on the offensive.

And so she did.

And Kushina's eyes widened because it was honestly... beautiful.

A swordman's moves should be fast, direct, and precise; unnecessary movements were wasteful and even dangerous. Only those who applied certain philosophies of swordsmanship would add flourish to their attacks because they had meaning; they made it work because it resonated with the user.

The philosophy of the Uzumaki sword style was to flow like water, keep constant movements, don't let up.

Homura applied a philosophy where swordsmanship had to be truly an art.

The way she made her slashes arc, how her body bent and twirled to deliver swift-flowing strikes. She had spun three times, and her sword connected to Yugao, who deflected on two and dodged the last one. Homura did not stop her movements, holding her sword up after a flourish to deliver a downward swing, making Yugao hold up her hand to the flat of her blade to deflect the strike before parrying it away and striking with her elbow to force Homura back, even as she dodged, Homura's form flowed with the same of a theater dancer. Her older pupil, too, seemed impressed and taken by the flourish, with the way her robes flowed with those sleeve patterns that seemed to pay homage to their village with the way they danced with the wind.

Mentally, her sparing partner couldn't hide a tiny upturn of her lips, 'Oh, this girl is fantastic!' Yugao parried and countered Homura's chakra blade, which the fifteen-year-old had flawlessly re-countered. 'Her instincts are razor sharp.'

Rubbing his chin, Kosuke nodded approvingly at the spar, "My only real exposure to swordsmanship is you, Takeda, and Shibata. So, in my amateur opinion, the kiddo here has some skill."

"Trying to sound professional?" Kushina snickered while her hulking cousin bashfully looked away. "But, you're right 'ttebane. Homura-chan is damn sure good with a blade. But while she has tremendous skill and talent, she lacks one crucial thing."

Homura leaped into the air with her body and blade spinning towards Yugao, who smirked. Her young opponent nearly tripped upon seeing the ANBU woman disappearing as she brought her blade down to strike. The blue-haired teen surveyed her area before freezing up, feeling a blade to her neck. Behind her stood a smirking Yugao, "I win, kouhai."

"H-how did you do that?"

A wink came from the purplette, "Years of actual combat experience."

"Okay!" Kushina garnered both ladies' attention, "That's been an hour of sparring and training. You two rest up now!"

"Hai sensei," both chorused as Yugao sheathed her sword and Homura's chakra blade vanished.

Making their way to the two Uzumaki, Kosuke gave both a thumbs up, "Pretty good."

"Thank you, Kosuke-san," Kushina's new student formally bowed.

Much to the towering man's displeasure, "You don't need to bow to me."

"But it's respectful to do so with one's elders, as my mother taught me." The teen girl lightly jumped, glancing down at Kuma, who snorted in his sleep. Despite being told by both Uzumakis that the bear wouldn't harm her, she was still wary. "He's very cute," She admitted, hiding her mouth behind her sleeve. "I want to pet him, but I don't want to overstep."

"You can pet him, you know." Kosuke shrugged.

Homura gasped, "Am I too obvious?"

"N-No, you said that out loud."

"Oh"

"My goodness, girl," Kushina sighed, placing her arms akimbo. "I'm gonna have to take you to missions where secrecy is not a parameter... failing that, you'll have to wear a silence seal sometimes."

"Forgive me!" She bowed stiffly at the waist, "I'm already failing you as a student!"

"Yeesh, take it easy!" The redheaded woman raised her hands, "You just became my pupil. You're doing fine!"

Then she did a complete 180°, once more standing calm and collected. "Thank you, teacher."

"You calmed down that easily?!"

Yugao couldn't help but chuckle; seeing her mentor's antics from a different angle was amusing. Growing up as Kushina's student, she bore witness to the woman's colorful personality in all its facets, so it was interesting to see her sensei deal with another student who had quirks that threw her for a loop for a change.

The ANBU looked at her fellow apprentice. She almost aimed to look at her weapon before remembering she didn't carry one. "You know, back when you were brought into the ANBU, I never would have thought the two of us would end up having the same teacher one day."

"Mostly because I wasn't really 'around' back then," Kushina quipped.

"True," Yugao admitted, "You always showed outstanding talent with the blade, Homura. You not only took in the ANBU's teachings extremely fast, but you also expanded upon them with ease."

"You honor me, senpai," The younger sword mistress said, feeling humbled.

"So, where did you learn that sword style? Certainly not from the ANBU."

"I learned it by watching my mother's friends work."

The three adults looked at her with varying degrees of shock and mortification.

"Ca..." Kushina swallowed the lump in her throat, "Can you clarify that, sweetie?"

"It was the ceremonial dances,"

A collective and explosive sigh of relief was shared by the three. "Oh, thank the gods..." Kosuke muttered.

"They all looked so... majestic when they danced on the stage, their movements flowing and perfectly honed with practice." She said with remembrance. "I wanted to see what would happen if I put that into the blade." Homura continued, "I started kendo when watching Sawakuro films when I was little."

...

"Wait, wait, wait," Kushina waved her arms in front of her, "You got the first steps of swordsmanship by watching, admittedly accurate, samurai movies?"

"Yes, Sawakuro-sama is amazing."

Kosuke cocked a brow, "Who's that guy? Is he a master?"

"He's a film director from the Land of Iron. How can you not know that?" Homura questioned the towering Uzu.

"Bear upbringing. The last movie I saw was in Uzu. 'Sentai Force Neo vs. Gomerah.'"

The bluenette's eyes glowed with recognition, "Oh, I remember that one. Classic."

Kushina and Yugao ignored the conversation as they processed that Homura crafted such a unique sword style by watching films and dance routines! The fact she picked up on the fundamentals of swordsmanship at such a young age was beyond remarkable!

"But I know I still have so much to learn in skills," Homura omitted bashfully, turning her gaze to her new sensei, "I am grateful you returned home after your long secret mission."

A wince came from the redhead matriarch, who slumped with a sigh, "...I was never on any mission, Homura-chan." Surprised came from the teenager's eyes.

"But... The reports say you were..." The young girl stopped as Kushina raised her hand.

"That report... It was falsified to not draw unwanted attention to my clan's talent in Fuinjutsu. The truth is, I was in stasis locked within a unique seal scroll for twelve years."

Shock soon rose in Homura's eyes while relief shone in her sensei's. The redhead had begun to tire of covering up why she had returned. Baachan's scroll was destroyed once she was freed, and its secrets were lost. There was 'nothing' to look for when the item in question was no longer there. Moreover, Kushina was getting tired of lying about it.

"Homura-chan," the bluenette perked up, "As my new student, there are things you should know. And things I will get to tell your mother when seeing her again." Along with the rest of the whole damn village now thinking about it. "I better go back to the beginning. I was the second Kyuubi Jinchurriki of our village."

From there, the Uzumaki went into every detail of past events, to her essentially leap-frogging through time to save herself after having the Nine-tails ripped out of her after she had just given birth to Naruto. The masked man who was responsible for unleashing Kurama and nearly devastating Konoha. Her late husband's sacrifice forced them to make their newborn son into the next Jinchurriki.

Homura took it all in silence, carefully listening to everything her teacher told her. Trusting her with this information about her clan and her history. She did not react except for subtle crinkles around her eyes and slight purses of her lips. Then Kushina was done explaining; she looked no more relieved than when she first started. "I... see," The young swordswoman said softly. "I knew about Naruto-kun's position, but the rest..."

"You were in training," Kushina shrugged. "Still not in a position to have clearance for all that information. This information is really 'only higher-ups know' kind of deal."

Homura merely looked at her momentarily before nodding, "I understand. I promise your trust is not misplaced, teacher. I will keep this secret."

"Oh, I don't care; you can tell whoever you like."

Both new and old apprentices looked at her with surprise. "But teacher..." Yugao started, "That is all still classified."

"One," Kushina tiredly said as she lifted a finger. "The scroll is gone. There is nothing to protect. Two;" Another finger, "anything that could have been taken from my clan already was. Three;" Yet another. "I'm not the Jinchuuriki anymore; any information about that is irrelevant and won't change anything. And four!" She stressed the number with irritation, "Everyone already knows my son is the current jinchuuriki, both in and OUT of the country, so what exactly is the point of all this then?"

Well... when she put it like that.

"There are still protocols," Homura added, sounding unsure.

"Oh please, the only reason we haven't declassified it is that everyone here is running around like maniacs adapting to Maiyuri's reforms, plus drafting enough forces to join the war effort," Kushina droned, "Bit of a busy time for everyone is all I'm saying."

Again, they could not refute that.

"So no, I don't care about a pointless secret. I'm tired of pretending my life didn't change from literally one night to the next; I don't want people to keep looking at me like I left my child alone all his childhood, and I'd like to stop acting like I lost my husband more than a decade ago when to me it was just one year, if at that."

Homura was silent, looking to the ground and processing her new sensei's words. The eyes of Kosuke and Yugao stayed on Kushina as they heard the faint, strained, and trembling crack in her voice as she kept speaking. The ANBU woman was grateful; at least the towering Uzu seemed to pick up on the fact that the Uzu matriarch had been trying to suppress numerous emotions within her.

Only in short moments like this did they start crawling upwards but were swiftly brought down as if Kushina was barely holding on despite the mask of her smiles and cheerful attitude.

'Jiraiya-sama and Hokage-sama saw it before too.' However, as Yugao has heard, The Toad Sage was not exactly the type to offer the right words for comfort. And her sensei's adopted mother was likely figuring out just when to bring it up. "Sensei," The redhead glanced at her older student, "Are you alright?"

It was such a stupid question, but Kushina had been such a large part of her life to become the woman she was. Yugao could not help but be concerned.

Kushina cocked a brow at the question before smiling, "Oh, I'm alright."

"Kushi," Kosuke spoke seriously, "you are far from alright. I noticed it in Han'ei. Something felt off about you."

"Oh, you think? Defying orders over morality and questioning everything I've ever known and done put you off for a while. But I'm okay now."

The hulking man deadpanned, "You're deflecting."

"What the hell do you want me to say?" Kushina's voice rose in tone.

"Exactly, you are trying not to say anything." Kosuke did not raise his voice in return. "Something has been eating at you; frankly, I'm starting to worry. It is one of the few things I remember about your habits since we were brats." It took her father, Baachan, or Aunt Kaida to pry things out that his cousin kept bottled in sometimes. At the same time, Kushina was always a vocal person, a very loud vocal person. At other times, she buried some things in herself and acted out when she couldn't hold it back anymore.

Or until certain members of their family spoke to her.

"I said I'm fine," Kushina stressed, her tone almost threatening to make the others back off.

But it wouldn't work, particularly not on her oldest student. "You're not, sensei," Yugao said gently. And her gaze said it all, the understanding of what she was going through. The grief she was still processing.

Both of them mourned for the men they loved still. Their losses are too recent for both of them.

Kushina never hid the fact she was mourning but never really expressed all she had been feeling before. She had lashed out, broken down, cried, and blamed the unfairness of it all on the universe. Opened up to her mother, to Jiraiya. But it was like opening a valve and only letting a few drops of water when there was still a whole dam to empty.

And Kushina did what she always had done when she felt pain: smothered it with anger.

Mito-baachan... she had told her what it was to carry a powerful Bijuu. There was more to it than just a powerful seal or a strong life force. A bijuu's overwhelming power and malicious killing intent would wear down the individual until it consumed them. Having strong willpower was also key to being the Nine Tail's host. It was partly why only half of his power had been sealed into Naruto as a baby. The Eight Trigrams Seal would ensure that half would be harmless to him.

Mito tried to teach that love, joy for life, and happiness were the things that would allow her to survive as the new Jinchuuriki... But it wasn't love Kushina had filled her heart with.

It was anger.

Anger at the loss of her homeland, anger at the people responsible. At Iwa, Kumo, the Kurokiba...

That had been the source of her drive, what allowed her to shoulder Kurama's power for so long that it would not overwhelm her. That furious drive motivated her path as a kunoichi, leading her to fight in the war to confront the countries responsible for Uzumaki's destruction. That led to her joining the ANBU and... to her slowly becoming just a ruthless killing machine.

Kurama had always praised her capacity for anger. Perhaps it was the one thing he had respected about her.

Anger had initially saved her from grief, but then the people in her life truly made it all worth living. Sakumo, her mentor, was a father to her. Hiruzen is always a wise counsel to her. Tsunade, her adoptive mother, gave her a home. Jiraiya took a parental role with her as well. Mikoto, her dearest friend and one of the great loves of her life. And Minato, the person who had saved her from living like that, whom she would settle down for and marry, starting a family in the end.

And now... with so many of those precious people gone, the ones who gave her so much love, all she could feel was... that anger again, squashing down that grief so she could move on again.

But how could she move on? The last time Sakumo talked to her was moments before his suicide. The last time she saw Mikoto, she had been used as an undead pawn.

And when her precious Minato's soul was still trapped within the Shinigami's gullet.

She felt terrified that she could slip back to who she hated most without him.

The Red Death... The monster she almost became.

That was not to say her son wasn't an important person in her life. Naruto, and by extension, Karin, had become a core foundation of her life. But that foundation was far from sturdy with the immense guilt Kushina felt not being there for her son as he grew up. Not being there for him when he needed his mother the most.

Despite Naruto being so happy, she was there to be in his life now. Kushina felt shame and anger at herself while her little boy had to fend for himself for twelve years.

Years the redhead could never get back.

If her husband were here, she wouldn't feel like the world was crushing down upon her. Her anger wouldn't feel like this volcano threatening to erupt, and she fearfully did not know if she could contain it alone. 'Minato...'

Kushina froze with a realization soon glowing in her eyes that slowly went wide. That was it. That's what she needed to do. Something she had been avoiding because honestly… the only way to do it was morally reprehensible at best. The redhead looked down at her new student, "Homura-chan, I'm going to be busy for about a day or maybe two. I need to do something, and I should have done it months ago." She growled to herself before shaking it off, "But I will have you and Yugao spar, and you learn what you can with her till then, okay?"

"Hai." The bluenette merely nodded in response.

Yugao and Kosuke kept a concerned gaze on Kushina, who seemed mentally going through several thoughts in her head. "Kushi," the towering Uzumaki muttered.

"I need to speak with Mother, Jiraiya, too, and get Naruto back home as fast as he can." Before anyone could say anything to the redhead, she vanished via shunshin.

The two adults turned their gaze to one another while Homura asked both, "What could Sensei be up to?"

Neither answered as they did not know either.

XxX ~ next morning ~ XxX

The wind howled around Naruto as he rode on Jian's back with Hui Zhong beside them and Hien securely wrapped around his summoner's neck. "Traveling like this is awesome!" A chuckle came from the older dragons from the blond cheer. Though said cheer lightly mellowed, "Can we guess why mom wants me home so fast?"

"Your guess is as good as ours, Naruto-san," the tiny ruby dragon said, "We heard Kushina-Sama sent a message to Maihui-sama just before you summoned us."

Mom called Maw-Maw? Huh, ah, well. He'll find out once he gets back, only briefly before they all see the familiar walls of the Leaf Village. As they drew closer, a mischievous glint came to his eyes, and he whispered something to all three dragons.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The blond Uzumaki snickered, now standing and walking on the ground beside his dragon summons, who shared in his amusement. Well, save Hien, who did not seem to get the humor now floating around, "I do believe Kotetsu-san and Izumo-san were going to vow revenge for scaring them like that."

A snort came from the blond, "Not the kind you're thinking of." If he knew those two, as they were the few adults who treated him well, he came to learn. They have a pension for pranks like he does. They will get back at him for this, but for now, the mental image of seeing those two screaming like girls falling out of their seats at the sight of two dragons swooping down at them would be a funny memory to keep.

"It must be very important for Meihui-sama to be here," Jian commented.

"Or perhaps she felt like spooking humans," Hui Zhong replied. The fact he wasn't joking said a lot.

"It cannot be. The humans seem remarkably calm," Their youngest brother pointed out from his spot around Naruto's neck.

Well, whatever it was, it sounded urgent. The group made their way to his house; he opened the door with his usual exuberance and cheer. "I'm home!"

There, he found his mother and Karin. His cousin smiled at him like she always did, always aware he was approaching before anyone else. His mother just smiled at him, and that already felt strange. Usually, his mom would greet him with just as much joy and enthusiasm, asking how his trip had been, what sort of stuff he did, if he had any fun, and if the blond had been careful if he had eaten properly. She would fuss so much in a way he found endearing and annoying at the same time, the things that came with having a mom, as he had learned.

But her just looking at him with a gentle smile, it was... like she was struggling with something.

"Welcome back,"

"Hey..." He entered and looked at the two, sitting on the same couch; the ambient felt rather tense. "Something wrong? Looking a bit blue there," He pointed out as he furrowed his brow in concern.

Kushina dropped her smile and let out a heavy sigh. She walked up to him and knelt, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Naruto," Okay, now she was worrying him. That wasn't a tone she used lightly. "I want us... to do something important as a family." She looked at him and then at Karin for a moment, whose lips pursed as she grew pensive like she knew what this was about.

He slowly nodded. "Okay?"

"This is something we should have done a while ago, but... I've held back because I didn't think neither of us was ready in... multiple ways." She paused for a moment. "We're going to the Uzumaki Mask Shrine on the village outskirts."

The shrine... he had heard about it a few times. Supposedly, the masks were Uzumaki creations entrusted to Konoha for safekeeping. They were meant to possess powers and abilities that people shouldn't mess with easily. So why would they be going there now?

"Is it a clan thing?"

"It's a family thing, something our family must do."

Then, her next words sent him into a stupor.

"We're going to free your father."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Kushina was grateful the dragon brothers excused themselves and returned home. Once gone, the mother, son, and daughter went to the Uzumaki Mask Shrine. The Uzu matriarch glanced down at her son, whose eyes remained unfocused after his mother explained what they would do. Karin, on her part, stayed close to her cousin/brother before looking up, "Are you sure you want me there? Wouldn't this be more important to you, Naruto, and the others?"

"You are my daughter now. So yes, you have every damn right to be there."

Karin felt a warm pang in her chest upon hearing that. Yet she looked back to Naruto with concern. His emotions were all over the place, unable to stick to a certain point to anchor him. Saying nothing, the redhead interlocked her hands with her brother, who finally reacted, looking at her. She offered a kind smile for comfort.

The blond weakly returned the gesture before looking up to his mother, "W-We can free Dad from the Shinigami?"

"Yes," Kushina's usual upbeat tone was more melancholic as she spoke. "The masks at that shrine can do amazing and horrifying things. The Shinigami Mask was meant to be used by our elders to sacrifice themselves to free souls sealed within the Shinigami's stomach."

Naruto and Karin quickly connected the dots and grew horrified by the notion. "...Are you going to sacrifice someone?"

Kushina did not even hesitate when she replied. "Yes"

"Mom!" Naruto called out, horrified.

"They are right to be appalled," A familiar voice called out, and they found the road finally ended, and they reached their destination. A small clearing in the middle of the woods, upon which stood an old structure. Well, 'stood' was a strong word. The whole place hadn't looked over in a long time; the arch was crooked, the support pillars twisted, patches of its roof needed to be included, and the wood had long since fallen to wear and tear. Even the clan symbol was barely visible on the carvings of the structure.

Konoha had yet to do a single thing to maintain this building. And from what Naruto and Karin understood, the Uzumaki preferred it that way. Less of a risk for someone to decide there was anything valuable there. The nature of the masks made them 'cursed.' They would give people nightmares if anyone were to live nearby, and they attracted the bad kind of spirits.

In the middle of the clearing were six people. The one who had spoken was Tomoe. The white-haired woman was crossing her arms, red eyes locked in a frown of disapproval. Then, next to her was Meihui in her human form; the dragon woman, by contrast, looked very unconcerned. Then, at the other side stood Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Tsunade, the first two looking extremely anxious, and Naruto could not blame them, given why they had all gathered here.

The last person, however, was a stranger, one Naruto couldn't recognize because of the bag covering his head. His clothes were almost colorless, ragged, and dirty, a prisoner's attire. He knelt on the ground without making a single movement, and it was clear to the youths this man was under some genjutsu or possibly drugged.

"Your grandmother would protest to this," Tomoe said with a cutting edge to her voice. "This is a human sacrifice."

"The man was on death row," Meihui said uncaringly. "He did terrible things. He deserves this."

"It doesn't matter if he deserves it!" Her eyes blazed momentarily, "We shouldn't stoop to this kind of foul witchcraft!"

"And yet here you are," The dragon matriarch pointed out, "to ensure our ritual goes smoothly."

"...Because I have a debt to shishou and her family," The Sage of the Flame said with resignation. She was not happy about this but... "Your husband deserves peace," She muttered with empathy to Kushina, who could only nod in gratitude, knowing this was a moral sacrifice for the woman.

"Sensei deserves to be free," Kakashi said softly; he wasn't wearing his mask today. "This needs to happen."

"With my power and Tomoe's," Meihui said, "we can anchor Minato's soul for a time upon release. You all deserve a proper goodbye."

Jiraiya's fists clenched, and he swallowed the lump in his throat.

"While that is the most important part, there is another thing that must be dealt with," Tsunade added as she looked at her grandson. "The challenges ahead will only get more dangerous, and we need every advantage we can take. It would help if you had every tool at your disposal. Meihui and Tomoe are also here to help Jiraiya and your mom seal the rest of Kurama's chakra back into you."

"...Wha..." The blond blinked.

"You only have half of the fox's chakra within you, Naruto," Tsunade explained, "Had you been given Kurama's full power as an infant, your body would have been torn to pieces."

Kakashi continued, "And the seal on your stomach balances the Kyuubi's chakra. The Eight Trigrams Seal was the safest method to use on you because it regulated Kurama's chakra to flow into you and become one gradually."

Naruto vaguely recalled Jiji explaining that to him after the incident with the sacred scroll and Mizuki. "What about Kurama's other half?"

"Sealed within Minato-chan," Meihui answered casually. "He made damn certain the other half of that fake kitsune would be sealed within his spirit even after death."

Okay, that explained a few things...

"What happens now, then?"

Tomoe took a slow breath, revealing a wicked Hannya Mask and a ceremonial dagger in her hands, "We perform The Reaper Death Seal: Release."

"I want everyone to take a few steps back," the ancient dragon commanded, "This summons the Shinigami himself upon use." Naruto paled along with Karin but did as Meihui said and backed up while the ancient woman glared at the bound man, "Take the mask and the dagger, thrall."

A chill went down the spines of everyone but Tomoe as Meihui's voice became so inhuman and unearthly, but every word she spoke held unimaginable power that compelled the prisoner to obey once his hands were freed. The bag over his face was removed, but to the blond's tiny relief, his back was turned, taking the items in the Sage of Fire's hands. "Put the mask upon your face, now." Once more, Meihui spoke in that terrifying tone of unearthly authority.

Doing as commanded, the prisoner placed the mask on his head. A tiny gasp escaped his lip as his body went rigid. Turning himself around to face the others with the dagger in hand. Behind the man was the translucent specter told in scary tales Naruto remembered. The real thing was far more horrifying than any story as the Shinigami towered over everyone draped in a white kimono with prayer beads in one purple-skinned claw hand. In his demonic-looking, horned face with long, shaggy white hair was a tanto in his jagged maul.

Despite all he had learned about the situation with the gods, Naruto almost thought this was the Death God truly manifesting upon the world. But it was merely an avatar of its power. Techniques transcending the mortal realm could reach into the divine and summon pieces, fractions, of the gods' powers. And even with a sliver of its real self, the Shinigami felt completely and utterly monstrous, beyond human comprehension.

"Thrall," Meihui commanded once more, and Naruto was reminded this woman was an ancient dragon whose views and morals differed vastly from that of humans; she had no issue commanding a man's mind, particularly if the man was a monster she was doing something for her family with his sacrifice. "Slit your stomach."

And the prisoner did. He barely made a sound as the blade cut through flesh and organs, so far away was his mind.

Then the apparition of the Shinigami did the same, and from its otherworldly gullet emerged something. Light blue with hints of green around the edges, moving almost like... liquid fire.

A soul. His father's soul.

"Now," Tomoe quickly took action, her hands going through several seals before stomping her feet on the ground repeatedly in a ceremonial manner. Meihui did the same, and through their combined efforts, a seal of great complexity formed around the area, shining brightly before dwindling and disappearing from view. The two chanted old prayers to the gods and the Buddha. Ritual chants are meant to appease and anchor spirits to the earth.

The soul floated down, and it began to take shape. The vague silhouette of a man came first, then the details, hands, feet, and hair. His clothing, a billowing cloak over a flak jacket, his entire form looked almost solid, if not for the still flowing edges sometimes flickering at the outlines of his figure.

Naruto's heart felt like it was in his throat; he breathed out raggedly as he stared at the form of his father, Minato Namikaze.

The man gasped, looking around wildly as he could barely understand what was happening. "What... Where am I? I don't-"

He was silenced by his wife hugging him with all her strength.

"...I-It worked?" The semi-caporal spirit of the Yondaime muttered breathlessly. His hands unconsciously wrapped around Kushina, who shook in his arms. "The seal worked," his now hoarse voice was full of emotion, holding his wife with all his strength with tears falling from his cheeks.

Kushina did not respond; she couldn't, as tears poured from her eyes. The dam she had built inside herself shattered when she saw the man she loved so much appear. The man who loved her since they first met in the academy all those years ago. Who saved her from Kumo's kidnappers but also from herself.

Who brought her so much happiness and joy. Turning her away from the rage that had boiled inside her like a firestorm that held no end.

Who wanted to share a life as husband and wife.

Who blessed her with a son.

Who made the world whole and brought light to her life.

The redhead woman tearfully quavered as relief, pain, and joy coursed through her being.

"...Dad..."

Despite his voice being a broken whisper, his father heard it perfectly as his eyes opened to look down at a blond boy with whiskers on his damp-covered cheeks. Kushina shakily detached herself as she turned to her son, who stood stock still. His tearful eyes were wide as he stared at his dad.

Father and son stared at one another for the longest of moments before the teenage boy ran forward. Minato knelt in seconds before wrapping his boy in his arms and easily picking him up, with Kushina now hugging both with renewed tears.

As empathic as she was, Karin felt everything from her adopted mother and brother, who held so tightly to the spirit of the man they lost. All the pain, joy, sorrow, and love poured through her mother and brother more than any words could express. Tears fell from her eyes, along with all the others beside her. The faintest mournful smile formed upon Hatake's lip, wetness dripping off his cheeks. Jiraiya stood rigid with his gaze on the ground as he wept. Maw-Maw quietly sobbed with a smile on her lips. Tsunade's lower lips quivered, wiping away the stray tears that refused to stop falling. Even the Sage of flames could not help but shed a tear at the sight.

"I'm sorry," Minato sobbed with remorse with spectral tears, hugging him all the tighter. The fact his boy, his son, was a young man on the cusp of entering his teenage years pained him all the more. He missed all those times a father should be there for his son, all the important moments when Naruto would have needed him the most. And most of all, he left him with such a heavy burden. "I'm so sorry."

Naruto smiled brokenly through his tears. The fact that he was in his father's arms was more than he could have hoped for. "It's okay, Dad," He breathed out, "I'm okay..."

The words did little to comfort Minato's guilt, but he still felt great, alone by his son's voice. He let out a ragged sigh as Kushina tenderly placed her forehead against his, basking in the proximity of his family's embrace. For Minato, this was heaven after the utter blackness and nothingness of the Shinigami's stomach.

Even though they deserved all the time they wanted, there were still important matters to address before they could enjoy these few moments. Meihui dried off her tears and took on a serious, somewhat remorseful expression. "Minato-chan," She called out to the man, her voice clear yet still guilty for breaking this moment. "You deserve this, but you know this moment is only temporary. We have to get the other half of Kurama from you. Then you can unburden yourself properly."

The man looked at the dragon woman alongside his family, and as much as it pained them, they had to break off the embrace. Minato put Naruto down but still placed his hands on his shoulders one last time, marveling at the sight of his son, the features that looked so much like him, with Kushina's face mixed in. "I want to hear everything, okay?"

Naruto sniffed, smiling oh so widely. "Okay!"

Minato stood straight and looked at his beloved wife, who sighed. "I'm sorry it took this long to release you; I-"

"I know what the release involves, Kushina. You don't have to apologize for anything." He glanced back at the unknown man bearing the Shinigami Mask. He noted the clothes on him were those of a prisoner, already deducing this was someone who would be executed for his crimes anyway. "Even if this man is evil... human sacrifice is an ugly profane thing. I honestly don't know how I would have handled it." He smiled at her, "If it helps, time had no meaning there. I didn't suffer. It was just... darkness, cold. There are worse things."

Kushina looked at her husband incredulously, "Trying to make me feel good after YOU were the one whose soul laid inside the damn reaper..." Not even death could change her beloved fool.

They were distracted by the Shinigami winking out of existence. Meihui snatched the mask away from the now-deceased man and ignited his body with just a snap of her fingers. The body burned so fast that it was honestly impressive. Only ashes remained. She dusted the mask off before taking notice of everyone's looks. "What? I wasn't going to let a corpse stick around. It ruins the moment."

At that, the people present could chuckle nervously at her callousness. Minato scratched his cheek and leaned towards Kushina, muttering, "Meihui-sama's still scary..."

"She can be..."

"We should get this out of the way," Tomoe conveyed as she stepped forward. "The joining of Kurama's two chakras."

"Right," Minato nodded before staring, "Um... I'm sorry, who are you?"

The white-haired woman bowed, "Tomoe Gozen, Sage and apprentice to Tsukiko Uzumaki. A pleasure to meet you, Namikaze-dono."

The mostly solid specter nodded, "A... pleasure." He looked at his wife and son for an explanation.

"Looooong story," Naruto drawled.

"We'll get you the summary later," Jiraiya finally spoke up, summoning an enormous scroll that Kushina and Minato recognized. The key to the Eight Trigram Seals. He put a hand on the scroll before looking guiltily at his student. "I uh..." By the Gods, even now, his tongue was all tied up.

Minato's smiles just made his heart hurt all the matter. "Later," He looked down at his son. "The Nine-Tails chakra was too much to seal into a baby. The only people who could withstand it have had exceptional life force and chakras, like Mito-sama and your mother. Naruto," He said with a serious tone. "It's going to be intense; we're all going to ensure the process goes smoothly. Between so many sealing masters, the fox can't escape, but he'll still fight, so it'll be... well, uncomfortable doesn't cover it."

"Whatever," Kurama droned from within Naruto's mind. "Just get it over with."

'Um, shouldn't you be more excited about the whole thing? You know, get your full power back?'

Minato balked, "I… can hear him."

"You have the other half," Kushina pointed out. "As for me, I hear him too. Our bond remains.

Speaking of said half…

"What is with that pathetic display?!" Kurama's Yin half roared from within Minato's soul. "You're just going to lay down and forsake your freedom?!"

"What would I even do with it? I'm not going anywhere."

'Wait, you want to remain caged?'

"I don't care anymore."

Gods, he... honestly sounded so depressed.

The Yin Kurama growled in fury: "HOW DID I BECOME THIS PATHETIC?!

The Yang Kurama didn't even bother to reply.

Bringing the scroll over and unfurling it, Minato quickly noticed the tall man with spiky silver hair with a headband covering his one eye, "Kakashi..." He could not recall the last time he saw Hatake without his mask.

"...Hai... Sensei, we can talk after this," The late Yondaime could hear the deep pain in his old student's voice.

His blue eyes also showed a teenage redhead standing far away, wiping away her tears, "Who are you?"

Karin squeaked, being noticed with Kushina filling in the details, "That's Karin, my late cousin's daughter. I adopted her, and now she's my daughter."

The Yondaime blinked before shaking his head and giving the bifocal girl a friendly wave, "Any family of Kushina is my family as well. A pleasure to meet you, Karin."

"L-Likewise, sir."

Then, another figure caught his gaze. "Tsunade-Sama!?" Minato did a double take, seeing the Senju woman, who nodded tearfully.

"Thank my daughter and grandchildren for dragging me back home." Karin's eyes went wide upon hearing 'grandchildren.'

A slight chuckle came from the spirit while Jiraiya set up the seal from the scroll to be ready for use. "We can go at any time."

Without another word, Minato went through several hand seals before slamming his hand on the scroll and the other on Naruto's stomach as he lifted his shirt to expose it. The seal that held the Bijuu appeared with the swirl at the center beginning to open. The Yondaime's body glowed with the crimson chakra of the Yin-half of Kurama, which began to enter into Naruto's being.

For the young blond in question, his body grew stiff. His mouth opened, but nothing came out as he felt sheer raw power pouring into him. Kushina was quick to hold her son steady as he shook. His skin grew pale while his stomach churned; Naruto almost felt like he would throw up. So this was Kurama's full power!?

How the hell did his mom and Mito-Baachan-

Deep within Naruto's soul appeared the Yin-half of Kurama, who glanced at his surroundings. "Suppose this is better than being stuck in a void or having spikes through me." He blinked and saw his Yang-Half lying on the illusionary ground, his head on his crossed clawed-like fingers. He did not even look at his other self but stared ahead with a blank, mournful expression. It only took a moment as the Yin-half began to reconnect with his other self, did the memories flooded into him.

The Yin half looks at his sad other self with wide eyes before he leans on the imaginary ground. "Ah..."

"Yeah..."

"It's almost done, Naruto," Minato spoke with calm resolution. But as he finished speaking, his eyes rose as he felt the sliver of chakra he placed inside his son as a precaution link to him and fade. The earliest memories of his son flashed into his mind up to the present moment. Naruto gasped, falling to his knees once the transfer was completed. Kushina and Minato knelt beside their son, who heaved in every breath he could in his lungs.

Renewed tears came to Minato with a shuddering breath before he sent an intense, furious glare toward his former teacher, who could not look back in shame, while Kakashi gazed back with an apologetic countenance.

By the Gods, nothing was as it was meant to be…

"Twelve years..." He muttered with reproach at the people who should have been there for his son. Kakashi, no doubt, was a complete mess over his and Kushina's loss, who would first have had to deal with his demons. Tsunade had little excuse for her actions, and Jiraiya chose to bury himself in his duties, which, while directed to protect Naruto from his enemies, made no attempt to contact him before. People who should have been there for their son just... did nothing, and eventually, fate had to intervene.

"I'm sorry," Jiraiya muttered with great remorse.

"...Nothing you can say will change the past; it's over and done with, so at least I can appreciate it. You are at least making up for it. You owe us all that much." Minato spoke steely, which brokered no room for argument.

And none would.

"I do," The toad sage said with a heavy voice.

"Good... I'm still proud to have been your student," The Fourth Hokage gently expressed to his teacher. Despite his mistakes, Jiraiya was still an admirable man whose ideals were worth believing in: "You taught me all I know; you showed me the world needs people to work for peace. I will always be grateful to you for that."

"I didn't do shit," The man muttered in self-loathing. "I talked a lot and took down slavers, bandits, and other scum, but in the end, I never figured out how to fix things. And now we have an enemy who wants to destroy us all, while a brave young woman decided enough was enough and embarked to unify the nations."

He had seen the enemies he spoke of from what his chakra could perceive from within the seals. An ancient evil of such scope he could scarcely believe. And at the forefront to fight for their future, brave young heroes like his son charge against the shadow. "Then support her and all these brave kids with the drive and the skill to do what we failed to accomplish. Even if you feel you aren't the Sage you were meant to be, you're still a mentor, a guide, and many people need that guidance."

Jiraiya looked at the young man who had loved like a son, touched that after everything, he still thought so highly of him despite all his failures. His quest for peace reached a dead end, and all the old fools like himself could do was make sure the next generation could be ready; he would fight for those who truly carried this dream alive. He would be the man Minato thought he was. "I will," He promised.

Minato nodded before turning his gaze to Kakashi; the fact he wasn't wearing his mask right now... just meant so much. But there was still no mistaking the sadness in his eyes, the burden of guilt that weighed so heavily on his shoulders. Minato admired how far he'd come, choosing the people he loved over his reputation in the village over his family name. "No shame anymore?" He asked with a gentle smile.

"None," Kakashi said firmly.

But there was still the guilt. "How long were you at the memorial today?"

"...Hour and a half,"

"Well, at least I'm glad it's no longer three," Minato said, blowing out the mix of a sad sigh and a short laugh. "As a teacher, it is my responsibility to bear Kakashi, not yours. Rin and Obito were not your fault,"

Kakashi said nothing.

"I know I can't ask you to stop feeling guilt, but... can you at least promise me you will try to live for yourself?"

"I will," His student smiled softly, "Your family is my family too."

Minato smiled with warmth and pride. "It always was."

He glanced toward Tsunade; by the pain in her eyes, she was beating her own self up for her past mistakes. Not being there for the grandson who needed her. "Do at least learn to forgive yourself once in a while, Tsunade-sama, okay?"

A humorless snort came from the Senju woman, "I'll get there. Eventually."

That was all Minato could ask for, turning his attention back to his wife and son. Naruto's skin was returning to color as he looked less sick, with Kushina holding him gently. As his son took a long, shuddered breath and stood back up, he felt his father's hand resting on his head. "I am sorry, Naruto. You were meant to be seen as the hero who saved Konoha... Not-"

"Dad..." Minato stopped and looked into his son's eyes, "Doesn't matter..." The young blond Uzumaki tried not to let his voice sound so horse as he spoke, "No matter how things may or may not have happened. Look how things are now," Naruto's voice was shaky. "Mom's alive, and we get to see you..." The young blond bit his lip as he looked to the ground, fighting his tears from coming again. He looked up sharply, "It's more than I could have ever dreamed of. I love you, Dad. I'll be alright now, okay."

Kushina bit her lower lip as she rested her head on her son's. The Fourth only gazed at his boy with a look of tearful pride. Despite how so much went wrong in his son's life. How alone he felt, how much anger he held deep in his heart, how much it had hurt being so alone and treated like a pariah in the village.

He refused to succumb to his hatred.

He refused to give in to his despair.

He pushed forward and kept trying no matter how hard he failed initially.

Minato could only feel pride in his heart, knowing his son never gave up. He rested a hand on his boy's cheek, "I am so proud of you. I will always be proud of the man you are becoming. I love you with every fiber of my being; keep walking with your head held high." Once more, his son hugged him, and he returned it warmly.

Soon, his eyes met again with the woman he had loved since first seeing her. Kushina was fighting not to burst into tears once more. But failed miserably as her body shook.

"I wish things could have been different," Minato expressed. "We could have raised Naruto together and done many things as a family. I'm... sorry I couldn't give you the life I promised you."

"Stop it," She sobbed, "You have nothing to apologize for when... you've given me so much. Our son. You, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Sakumo gave me a life to rebuild from all I lost."

Tsunade held a hand in front of her chest, feeling underserving of her daughter's love.

"When Uzu fell, I felt I... I had nothing," Kushina sniffed. "But you all became my family. This village became my home. And yet I... I let anger fester in my heart for so long. You saved me from that, Minato," She sobbed brokenly. "You saved me from the person becoming 'The Red Death,' someone who could only kill and just wanted to make others pay for what was taken from her." Kushina shook her head as the tears flowed freely. "And now, without you, all I can feel again is that anger. I keep raging at the unfairness of this world that took my clan from me and-!"

Meihui looked sadly at her great-granddaughter. She knew anger and rage, and it took many voices to remind her she should not unleash the terrifying destruction as revenge for the clan's loss. Kushina had found solace in believing she was avenging their family... but at one point, that endless retaliation became poison. At one point, the blood became too much.

"...I'm afraid I'll be the Red Death again without you."

And there it was, her greatest fear. That once more tragedy would turn her into a monster who only sought blood. She could not shoulder the grief without letting out her pain through anger and violence.

Minato remained silent momentarily, with his wife's soft sobbing filling the silence. "Do you know why I strongly believed in our quest for peace?" Kushina looked at him tearfully, "Beyond the desire for children to grow up safe, to stop losing so many people like my parents, my teammates... there was you. The thought of making a world where you could be happy, where the tragedy of Uzushio wouldn't happen again, filled me with all the courage I needed." He gently held her hands.

Lives that could have been saved, tragedy after tragedy they all endured, the toad sage thought, mourningly. Jiraiya had tried, he tried so very hard, they all did...

"It was not easy; I killed so many people when war came. You were there to comfort me when the nightmares kept me from sleeping. You were there to greet me with a smile and tell me everything would be okay. When we lost so many friends, we lost Obito and Rin. You were the strong one, not me. I leaned on you because you've always been the strongest of us. You were the one who stood tall when others would have collapsed."

Their foreheads leaned against each other.

Kakashi squeezed his fists so tightly that they shook, remembering the hugs Kushina would give him as the two shared their tears. Tears that were now escaping his eyes once more.

"You survived the loss of your home, your family, and so many friends, not because it was anger and a desire for vengeance that kept you strong... but because you're you, Kushina." He let out a choked laugh. "You're the Red Habanero, after all; there's not a single thing that can douse your fire."

Kushina smiled and let out a chuckle mixed in with a sob.

"So don't go saying you'll lose yourself without me here. You're not the Red Death. You're Kushina Uzumaki. The woman with the strongest spirit in all the lands."

Naruto cried as his father professed how much he loved her.

Her violet eyes stared into his blues. "Minato..."

He smiled at her. "Remember me, keep me as close as you want... but don't let my memory drag you down. Don't think for a moment you can't go forward without me. You've done it so many times already," He cried out, "Kushina... don't let me be your chains."

She gasped, crying out as she poured out all the grief and pain she was carrying, letting Minato's love fill the empty holes they left behind.

Naruto ran up to them, hugging the two as tightly as he could, wanting to drag this moment for as long as he could. His parents strongly held him and each other, "My life wasn't long, but..." He smiled widely through the tears. "Thanks to you, all of you... it was the best!"

He could feel his spirit slipping, beckoned by the beyond.

"I love you...!" Kushina cried out.

Naruto sobbed, "Dad!"

Minato gave them one last smile, his arms holding onto them for as long as they could, even as his form dissipated into motes of light.

"I love you... so much."

Their arms grasped the air as, in the end, there was no longer anything. Minato's tearful visage remained locked in a smile as the last echoes of his spirit vanished with the wind, carried to the heavens.

Minato Namikaze left this world at last, his final not one of legendary prowess or iconic sacrifice.

But letting his family know how much he loved them.

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