Naruto slowly opened his eyes to see white bright sky. He tried to remember where he was and what happened when the memories of his last actions filled his mind and with them the pain recurred throughout his body. He felt weak and fatigued and tried to speak but no sound came from him. His mouth was dry and body aching.
A hand offered him a wooden canteen full of water to drink. He looked up to see Devi as the owner of said hand. She was smiling at him with her beautiful smile and Naruto returned it with all his heart. It took some time but everything is in order again.
He remembers what has happened recently, how he fulfilled both the promises he made to his family and how no longer any of his family is caged. He remembers why his body was aching but why he felt so full of energy and happiness.
Lord Aizen is standing right above him as he is laid in the lap of Devi. Kurama is sitting a short distance from him while slowly swinging his tails. All three of them are looking at him with expressions full of affection and eyes full of pride.
Naruto felt shy all of sudden but couldn't stop himself from smiling ear to ear. "How long was I out?" He asked while looking at his hands. There is some pain in his body but laying in Devi's lap is far more comfortable than any discomfort in the world.
"One full Day my Prince" Devi replies and his eyes go wide with the information. To think he was unconscious for the whole day is scary but he is lucky to even be alive after what he has done.
Anyone who has a Biju sealed inside them dies immediately after the Biju is removed but not the Uzumaki because they are just that awesome. But even without this information he would have done exactly what he had done to fulfill his promise to Kurama.
Suddenly he realised something didn't make sense. Devi is still here and so is Lord Aizen. While he is happy to see them both but he thought she would have passed on to the afterlife after being freed from the curse to meet her family. But before he could question his thoughts Lord Aizen spoke as if reading his mind.
"We couldn't leave without saying a proper goodbye Young Uzumaki and Devi would never forgive me if i didn't gave her the chance to say her parting words to you"
Devi is brushing her hand through his hairs which are the same colour as her with watery eyes. Naruto looked at her with all the love he felt for her. She held his hand in her as she spoke.
"All of my time while I was trapped inside that Mask I waited for the one that was promised and then you came that day running straight towards me. From the moment when I saw you I was in absolutely love with you. You were my own blood and my family.
All those years that I spent alone and in agony were nothing against the happiness I felt when I was with you. You not only filled every moment I spent with you with love and smiles but with hope too. Because of you I was able to hope again for a better future where I would be able to meet the love of my life and be free from God's curse.
You promised me something impossible and yet you fulfilled it even though it was heartbreaking for you and for all that I thank you my young prince. I thank you for meeting me and for loving me. I thank you for freeing my brother Kurama and making him whole again and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to be with the one I love.
So Naruto Uzumaki Prince of the Storm and whirlpool I Devi Uzumaki, the founder of Uzushio thank you for everything you have done for me."
By the time she stopped speaking both Naruto and Devi were crying freely. He got up and took her into a big hug. Lord Aizen and Kurama watched the scene in front of them with affectionate eyes yet no one uttered a word to disturb them.
They don't know how long they cried or hugged each other but when he let go of her it still felt a little too soon. Maybe it was because the inevitable moment is coming. Naruto has been ignoring this feeling ever since he laid his eyes on her but he knows very soon she is going to say goodbye and that would be it.
The next time he will be able to see her would be in the afterlife and that just makes him sad. She would no longer be there just waiting for him to put the mask on and welcome her into his life. To help his worries and encourage his achievements. Naruto will wake up tomorrow and every other day after that and there would be no Devi to greet him.
And there would be no kurama either he thought as he looked at the giant nine tailed fox. He is so used to seeing the fox inside him that looking at him while he is just sitting is weird. No longer will there be a voice in his head talking to him or guiding him through his day.
He knows he won't be alone again and he can visit Kurama whenever he wants but it wouldn't be the same again. Maybe his thoughts surfaced on his face again because both Devi and Kurama looked at him with eyes saying they felt the same.
Devi looked at the child in her arms and felt immense pride and love. The thought of regaining her freedom again seemed so impossible to her that she lost all of her hope for the future but this child of hers had promised that he would free her and he did.
His love for her was so great that he even overpowered God's will and freed both her and her brother. She knows that now that she is free she needs to leave this mortal plane for the other world but she just couldn't bring her heart to let go of her prince. How could she leave him again to be just by himself while she goes to meet her family and be with the ones she loves.
His eyes spoke of the same story. Both held each other tightly and neither wanted to let go of the other even though they know that it was an futile attempt on their part. This was the sacrifice that they needed to make for her freedom and she didn't like it.
Whenever the topic of her freedom came in the past Naruto assured her again and again that although he will miss her but he still will do it because that's what he wants so Devi respected his wishes and now she just couldn't bear the thought of leaving her child. She looked at Aizen, to convey her emotions through her eyes and he gave her a sad smile.
Even he cannot change the laws of nature. Whether she wants to or not , she has to leave Naruto now that she is a free soul. She tightened her grip on Naruto a little and kissed his hair. She wanted to convey how much love she had for him in just this small amount of time and judging by the grateful smile he gave her Naruto understood it all.
Kurama looked at the scene and thought of the day Devi died and left him alone and once again he felt great sadness in his heart thinking that again his sister is going to leave him but this time he won't be alone because he has Naruto this time.
He looked at the boy with wonder. When he first met the boy he knew that he was special but to think that this little boy has not only given him his freedom but freed his sister too from the curse and now they both are free thanks to Naruto.
Kurama loves Naruto. It is a fact that he has never said aloud but something that both him and Naruto knows but now not only does he love him but respect him too.
He respects that Naruto always keeps his word no matter what and he respects the indomitable will that the boy possesses. Naruto still has a hard road ahead of him if he wants to rebuild Uzushio but if anyone can do it surely it will be Naruto.
The time is near when Devi will leave and he cannot go back to Konoha to be with Naruto like he was before leaving the seal. Naruto can visit him whenever he wants but it won't be the same and as his eyes meet that of the boys he knows that Naruto is thinking the same thing.
"It is time Devi. We already overstayed our time here but now we must go. I know this is hard for you and it is hard for me too to leave Naruto but we cannot stay here. Say you farewell my love and then we can move to the afterlife" Aizen finished with a heavy heart. He has to leave his family again but this time at least he knows that it won't be as bad as the last time.
Devi looked at the boy in her arms and thought of the first day she met him. How small and scared he was of her and how very soon he accepted her and loved her without asking anything in return.
She stood up slowly with Naruto still in her embrace and walked upto Kurama. The giant fox seems unaffected by all this but she can clearly see in his eyes the sadness he tries to hide. With a small sad smile on her face she spoke her final words to her family.
"It pains my heart to leave you two but I cannot stay. I cannot express how much I am thankful to you both. I am going to meet my family again all because of you two so thank you for giving me the opportunity to be free again. Thank you for loving me without asking anything in return." Devi said with as much emotion as she can put into words. She then turned to face Kurama and spoke.
"Just like last time I am leaving you again and I am sorry for that but I want you to know that I'll miss you and that you always were and will be my family. Promise me that you will take care of yourself and my family, promise that you'll help Naruto in everything that he needs and promise me that you'll always love me"
Her voice hitched with every word she spoke. Tears were flowing freely from her eyes. Kurama looked at her little sister and spoke with a heavy yet loved filled heart "I promise".
Devi smiled and turned her eyes to Naruto one more time. "Now it is time for me to leave but before I go there is something all three of us want to give you my dear child so please step back a little".
Naruto stepped back a little and watched with confused eyes as Devi , Lord Aizen and Kurama all came forward to join their fists. They all had a small smile on their faces as a silver light started emerging from Lord Aizen's hand and soon it was met with the red chakra of Devi and orange chakra of Kurama.
Slowly and steadily all three energies mixed together to form the shape of something like a sword but Naruto couldn't be sure because all of the brightness from the energy. After Waiting for a few minutes the energies stopped mixing and the brightness ceased and now Naruto could clearly see the gift they had prepared for him.
It was a beautiful long sword with a dark black blade. There is also a big black and red Uzumaki swirl which is connecting the blade with the handle which is silver coloured but with lining running across it in gold colour. The blade guard is in the shape of two fox heads, one blood red and one dark orange, just like Kurama facing the opposite direction. Some red coloured symbols just like fuinjutsu are written on the middle of the blade on both sides.
The moment the sword materialized in front of Naruto he was in love with it. It was almost absolutely perfect. He looked at Devi , Lord Azien and Kurama still joining their fists and smiled a grateful smile with watery eyes.
"I was the one who first taught the Uzumaki how to wield swords. This blade has the very essence of me engraved in it. This can only be wielded by those who share your blood and chakra. I hope that it serves you well, young Uzumaki." Aizen explained the wonder that Naruto is looking at. He gave a moment so that Naruto could observe the sword before continuing.
"Now it is time for me to leave so this is goodbye from me dear child. I bless you to be able to achieve your dreams. I bless you to live a long life worthy of an Uzumaki. I bless you Naruto Uzumaki to always be happy."
And with those parting words Lord Aizen disappeared from his eyes and went back to where he belonged. Naruto just bowed his head as the All father gave him his blessings and a gift worthy for an Uzumaki. Naruto will never use this blade only for his personal gain but to help others defend those who cannot defend themselves.
"It was me who the sage of six paths himself created when he divided the ten tails. I am a being made up completely of chakra and nothing else. Now that I am no longer sealed inside you I will not be able to help you like I did before and while you go back to konoha I will be here all alone and so to make things more comfortable and easy for both us with the help of Aizen and Devi I have imbued the blade with my Chakra. As long as you hold the blade you'll be able to communicate with me no matter where you are.
Since you are familiar with my chakra it will be easy to flow your own chakra through the blade and it will also help you absorb and store any chakra that the blade comes in contact with."
Kurama spoke next and to know that even after being freed from his seal Naruto will be able to talk to the nine tails is better than even the blade. Naruto is so happy after hearing that he couldn't stop himself smiling from ear to ear while looking at Kurama who just gave him a smile mirroring his own and backs away to give the last one remaining some space
Naruto looked at Devi who was the last one out of the three to speak. She asked him to come forward and he did. Devi handed him the sword and Naruto realised that the sword is much heavier than what he previously thought and a little long for his current height but it didn't matter, all that mattered was that it was a gift from the people he loves and he will cherish it more than anything in his life.
"I was the one who founded Uzushio with Aizen and taught our followers and children fuinjutsu. This blade contains not only my chakra but all my love for you and my family. I have inscribed this blade with my own fuinjutsu creations. You will be able to summon the blade from anywhere you are and teleport yourself to the blade no matter the distance.
On the suggestion of big brother Kurama I have connected the blade directly to his chakra so as long as it absorbs the right amount of chakra needed you will be able to call him."
Naruto looked in complete awe at the blade in his hands. The more he listens the more amazing this thing becomes. He understood everything explained to him by Devi and Kurama but what does she mean by saying that he will be able to call him with the right amount of chakra. He asks her his confusion which makes her smile a little playfully.
"It means that whenever you want you are able to summon Kurama. We both know that the future is filled with danger even for a normal shinobi but even more for someone like you. I won't be here any longer and even though we both want for you to be the strongest shinobi ever there is nothing wrong with taking help from someone to achieve your goals and specially when that someone is your own family"
This is too much. Naruto has gotten the best present anyone has ever gotten. This blade
Is the most perfect thing in the world. Naruto will never be alone now as long as he has the blade. He can talk to Kurama whenever he wants and he'll be able to summon him whenever he needs and that's just awesome. Naruto can't wait to try it out.
He is so happy looking at the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given him that he almost forgets that Devi is leaving. Almost.
He looks up and sees Devi's soul is surrounded by a bright white energy. She gave him a smile which tells him that a time has come. Even Kurama stood up from where he was sitting but didn't speak and Naruto didn't know what to do. Devi is leaving him and he doesn't know what to say. There were so many things he needed to say but words failed to come out of his mouth and all that came was the sound of his tears.
Devi smiled as she looked at the boy who is the future of her home and her family. This is hard for her too but she didn't want her last moments with Naruto to be filled with only tears. She braced herself and gave Naruto a smile full of all the love she could muster.
"Don't worry Naruto. There is no need for words because I already know what you want to say. Once again I thank you for freeing me and my brother. I thank you for loving me, my prince. As I am about to leave this world there are thousands of things I want to say to you but we don't have time. So I want you to know the most important thing before I leave my child."
Naruto watched as she slowly started flowing in the air. He ran to catch her hoping to stop her but his hands passed right through. As Devi spoke her last words to him he clung to every one of them.
"I want you to know that I have always loved you and believed in you, dear Naruto. I believe in your dreams and in your goals. I believe that you will rebuild Uzushio and bring the clan together. I believe that you will defend those who need your protection and help all those who need your help.
I believe that one day you will grow up to be a strong but kind Shinobi. I believe that one day you will be a just and firm leader but also full of compassion for those who you lead. I believe in you Naruto Uzumaki and as I leave I want you to know that no matter what happens and no matter what you do in life I will always love you."
Tears were trying to escape her eyes but she held them back with all the force she could muster. The last thing she wants them to see is her smiling face with eyes full of love not tears. She looked at Kurama from Naruto and continued.
"I left you last time and I am leaving you again but this time I Have the opportunity to say my farewell to you. You have always been my big brother and will always be. When I was little you were the most amazing thing in the world and that hasn't changed a bit.
I wish I had more time with you but I don't have even that luxury now so as I leave I want you to know how much your love meant to me. After my father died I always looked up to you not only as my big brother but also as the elder of the family."
Kurama couldn't hold back the tears. The little girl who used to ride him has grown so much before his very eyes and at last she is free to move on from her cursed life all thanks to Naruto. He wanted to say something too but she interrupted him before he could even open his mouth.
Devi now looked at both Kurama and Naruto. She could feel that in only a few moments she would leave for the afterlife. She looked at the giant fox who was her family and a child who she loved more than anything else in the world.
Her body glowed with a golden hue and she started disappearing from their eyes but before she left there were still some words to be said.Her final words to Naruto and Kurama.
"Thank you Naruto, Kurama for loving me. This is a farewell, my child. I pray you both live a life full of warmth, happiness and love. Always remember that I love you both and I believe in you. Goodbye."
She left. Both Naruto and Kurama watched with teary eyes as Devi left the mortal realm as a free soul and went to the afterlife to be with her family and the one she loves.
Naruto and Kurama are again alone but this time they have each other and soon they will have more. Now that Naruto has freed both of his family it was time to bring his remaining family together and rebuild their home but that can wait a few more days because Naruto doesn't have the heart to do anything now that Devi has left. He thought he could handle her leaving but it was just too hard to think that she is no longer here.
He looked at the sword that was given to him as a gift and left it with Kurama. Without speaking a word, he went back to Konoha through the Uzumaki shrine.
Kurama looked at the retreating form of Naruto and didn't stop him. He too needed some alone time now that his sister has left him again but this time he will not leave Uzushio and Uzumaki again. This time he helps however he can whenever Naruto needs his help but he is just waiting to see what Naruto decides to do now that Devi is gone.
One Week later : Uzushio
It has been a week since Devi has left them. To say she left sounds a little harsh like she abandoned them which is not the case. A week since she moved to a new word, hmm that sounds much better.
Naruto mused these thoughts as he laid on top of kurama. His sword lay beside him. After he left Uzushio a week ago he locked himself inside his apartment and cried and cried until sleep took over him. He hasn't gone to the academy, hasn't trained or even visited Kurama.
He was sad that she is gone now but also happy to think that she will be with her family enjoying the time she has missed and it made Naruto smile. Naruto needed to do many things now that Devi is gone and nothing will be accomplished if he just sulks inside his apartment. Devi will be very disappointed to find out that all he did after she left was cry and act like a crybaby.
So the first thing he did after a week spent inside his apartment was to visit Kurama and see how he was doing which was much better than he anticipated. When asked his simple answer was that yes he is sad that she is gone now but much much happy for her and that also helped Naruto cope with her sudden loss.
Naruto never lost anyone because he didn't have anyone to lose. His parents died even before he could understand what parents are. But Devi is the first loss he felt and it is not easy to be comfortable with her absence but with the help of Kurama and his wise words he is feeling much much better.
He will always miss her that is for sure but he will not let it get in the way of his goals and dreams because that is exactly what she would want if she was here.
And now Naruto is thinking what to do next. For the previous year or two all of his time went into either training or thinking how to free these two and now that that has been accomplished the next thing he want to do is rebuild Uzushio and find his family but he doesn't know how to do any of those things and so he came to the only knowledge person he knows, Kurama.
"Kurama now that Devi is free and you are alsi free we can move to the next important thing which is to rebuild our home and bring our family back. But how will we accomplish these goals? I have no idea what to do next and it is very frustrating. Please help."
Kurama listened to the ramblings of the child laid on top of him. He has asked some genuine questions but to the wrong person. If he wants to know about chakra or how to destroy things than Kurama is you guy but things like rebuilding villages and searching lost people are not his cup of tea but he is not a bit troubled by this because Naruto already has the answers to these questions all he needs is someone reminding him of those answers because he is dense that way.
"You already have the answers to both of those questions and so why are you so troubled over this?" Kurama answered and that left Naruto even more confused. He voiced his confusion to which Kurama replied.
"What are the things you need to rebuild Uzushio?" Kurama asked him. Naruto didn't reply immediately but thought about it. He needs to rebuild Uzushio. He thought hard for a few minutes before answering to the best of his knowledge.
"I need money to build and buy things for my village. I need to construct various buildings for things like homes, academies, markets etc etc. I will also need to protect against all those who will try to harm my village." He replied.
He has studied economics and construction in the hopes of one day using those skills to rebuild Uzushio. He is already training to be a Shinobi to protect his home and those three things are the most important things to rebuild Uzushio.
Kurama listened to the answers and thought they were satisfactory but there is still the most important thing missing and that's why he is here to help and guide Naruto because although special he is still a child and a child needs a elder to guide them.
"You are correct. These are the three things you need to rebuild Uzushio but you forget the most important thing." Kurama stopped to stand up which caused Naruto to jump from his top to stand in front of him. Kurama said he missed the most important thing and what would that be. Instead of thinking for an answer he waited for Kurama to explain.
Kurama took a deep breath before starting speaking again, " People Naruto you need people. As a Shinobi you can earn money by doing missions or earning through collecting bounty but that won't be enough. What will be the meaning of different constructions if there are no people using them and what will you do to protect those empty homes?
You need people who will help you earn more money to rebuild your home. You need people who will help you protect not only your but their home as well. Before rebuilding Uzushio you need to find it because Uzushio is not a place but its people and you cannot do everything alone as Devi used to say.
The most important thing you need to rebuild Uzushio is your Family the Uzumaki clan, which is scattered throughout the elemental nations."
Naruto listened to every word that Kurama had said and it made much more sense than what he said. No one can do everything by themselves and that's why they have friends and family to help them and that's what Naruto needs.
The sooner he finds the Uzumaki the sooner he can rebuild his home. Finally he understood what he needed to do next and as soon as that realisation occurred to him the mark on his arm vibrated with acceptance. He brought his arm and looked at the now fully coloured symbol of his clan humming with power on the palm of his hand. Ever Since he has freed both Kurama and Devi the mark has found him worthy of protecting and rebuilding Uzushio and it gained his full colours.. Soon he thought he would soon be with his family and they would together rebuild Uzushio.
"That's why you are the best , Kurama. Thanks for clearing my confusion. I know now that before doing anything I need to find the lost Uzumaki and I know what to do to find them. You just wait and see it won't be much wait before we all come back together"
And with that he said his goodbye to Kurama and returned to konoha. He needs to do some planning for his next steps.