narutouchiha
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Chap-61 No Regrets
🕑 Added 2022-03-18 15:17:27 +0000 UTCTsunade sat in the open field atop the soft grass observing the shining moon in the sky. If she looked below the walls, she could see the residents of the Capital were trying to restart their lives. Thanks to Lord Tajima's command, the capital had not been breached by the Otsutsuki and the damage to the city was minimal. It was also the last bastion for the survivors to take shelter in because of the availability of food, shelter and the protection of thousands of soldiers.
She had not been a part of the battle that happened here, to be honest a part of her felt glad for it because many good warriors died for the victory achieved here and another part felt angry for she could have saved many of those warriors if she had been present.
But that choice was never hers to make and her husband had deemed it fit to not include her in the battle.
Just as he had decided not to include her in his Mission to destroy the Land of Water.
She understood why he was doing that, but it didn't make it any easier for her to stay behind while he risked his life. They had argued over it for so long that they stopped talking to each other for the past few days, even Tajima's attempt to make them reconcile failed.
Instead Naruto had kept himself busy with the preparations for his mission while Tsunade diverted her focus on taking care of the wounded, including Hashirama and Madara who were making a slow but definite recovery from their grave wounds suffered in battle.
The distance created between them was not something either of them liked but both were stubborn enough not to concede and attempt for an understanding. In that manner, their Uchiha and Senju blood made them act even more opposite.
She froze when she felt another presence enter the garden she was currently sitting in, and that familiar aura only served to remind her that she had married in this very same place.
Tsunade watched as her husband came beside her to gain a seat but not long after he sprawled himself comfortably across the soft grass. A small luxury the overworked king could afford at the moment.
"You okay?" he asked, with a gentle smile that only served to make her even more confused with her emotions.
"Have you thought about my suggestion of sending someone else to lead this mission? You are our King, we need you here" insisted Tsunade, her hazel eyes burning with worry and hidden anger.
He sighed and got up to face her and cupped her cheeks tenderly.
"I wish I could but there is no one else strong enough. I cannot wait for Madara and Hashirama to get back to full strength because by that time the Otsutsuki will come back for vengeance" he explained, never once losing his cool.
"What of this child then?" she asked solemnly, and he couldn't stop the guilt flooding through his heart on seeing her hand placed upon her growing belly.
If only he could tell her how much he wanted to be by her side, to watch their child be born and grow, but for that to happen he had to fight. He had to be strong no matter how much it hurt.
"Have you thought of a name?" she asked in a soft voice, her hopes and dreams bear for him to see.
"I haven't...yet. But if I can suggest something else..." he said hesitantly, but was relieved when she gave him an encouraging smile as she took his hand and placed it upon her belly.
"You're his Father. You can tell him anything" she said kindly with a smile, earning a surprised look from him for that statement.
"His? Are you sure?" he asked uncertainly, making her chuckle.
"If the strong kicks I usually receive are any indication...then yes" she confirmed happily, which brought a warm smile on his face which greatly pleased her as well.
Tsunade watched him intensely stare at her belly with such happiness in his eyes which made her own worries about his upcoming mission fade just for now.
"I haven't thought of a name for you yet...but I will do everything in my power to give you the world which your mother and I never had. You will never have to take up arms as soon as you can stand..." whispered Naruto,
"You will never fight meaningless battles and endure the horrors that we went through..."
Tsunade clutched his own hand over belly as memories of the clan wars era came rushing back in her heart. She looked into his eyes and saw he too remembered that time.
They both remembered their first battle, of facing each other, of the fear that had threatened to consume them, the horror and agony of watching their siblings be cut down before their very eyes, the pointless of that bloodshed.
"You will never have to suffer the way we did..."
She lost a brother that day...he lost three.
"You will never have to fear being alone in this world because you will always have people who would do anything for you" he pledged,
She felt his loneliness and could only imagine the burdens he carried his entire life. As a Kinslayer...and then as a King.
"You will grow up with friends in times of peace and enjoy a life free of terror. And I know it deep in my heart that one day you shall surpass me, that you will be a far better man than I could ever hope to be and no matter what...know this..."
He looked right into her eyes and this time there was no doubt in his gaze.
"I love you"
Tsunade froze even as her eyes widened in shock on hearing him say the words she had wanted to hear from him for so long. She waited for him to waver but he never did and continued looking into her eyes and even smiled.
She kissed him fiercely even as tears slipped from her eyes and he returned the gesture with equal passion.
"You...mean...it?" she asked breathlessly between kisses, and swelled with even more happiness when he sighed in defeat.
"Not at first. But you are quite stubborn, if I may say..." he said with a slight chuckle, and blushed when she narrowed her eyes at him dangerously. Still, he didn't falter because he wanted her to know the whole truth instead of saying only what she wanted to hear.
He owed her that honesty.
"What changed the way you thought about me?" she asked hesitantly, afraid and eager at the same time for his answer.
"You fight for what you believe in with all your heart, I came to respect that strength. You stood by me despite all the trials we faced, you accepted me for the person I am but most importantly never allowed that to stop you from giving me the right advice. When I was a new king full of hesitation, you became the friend I needed. You proved yourself a better person than me when you accepted the existence of my unborn children with Shizuka, you saved my friendship with Kurama by giving me the right advice even if it meant becoming the attention of my misguided anger. You are carrying my child and even now I see a desire to protect my life in your eyes...even before I confessed my love for you. You are the most frustrating, stubborn woman I have ever known...and I love you for that" he confessed shyly with a faint blush tinting his fair cheeks.
"I never thought you'd feel what I feel for you..." she confessed hesitantly, but her tearful smile negated any doubts from arising in her husband's heart.
"I'm hard to please" he whispered,
"What was that?" she asked sharply, earning a nervous chuckle from him as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Nothing. It just takes me sometime to get to know people...a childhood habit" he said with a nervous laugh, which made her sigh.
"You really think we have no other choice?" she asked worriedly, and saw his smile disappear to be replaced by an iron gaze full of determination and conviction. It always amazed her how quickly he could go from being her friend to being her king.
"We have to"
She bit her lip in worry even as her hands found his and she looked him right in the eye.
"Then do what must be done"
He gave her a grave but determined nod in return.
Tajima sat in the vast room alongside the bed where his eldest son was currently sleeping. Watching Madara's erratic breathing and painful groans made the lord clench his fist. It pained him to see his strongest son be reduced to this pitiful state and his only solace was the fact that Madara suffered so much pain in the defense of his people.
Tsunade and the other medical ninjas had somehow managed to save the Hokage's life but it would be weeks, if not months before Madara recovered from his grave wounds. Naruto might have saved his brother by sacrificing one of his eyes, but even before that Madara had suffered critical wounds that would take time to heal.
Tajima observed his only other living son also present in the room observing the vast city beneath them from the lone window. Snow fell like heavy rains from the skies blanketing the crimson lands in a strange but distinct beauty, but for the Uchiha family it only created another set of problems.
"It's finally here..." whispered Naruto, as he caught a few snow flakes in his gloved hand.
"How fares the city?" asked Tajima, and if the grim expression on his son's face was any indicator then the answer would not be to Tajima's liking.
"We're holding for now. However, we are falling short of every critical resources, when the Otsutsuki lost the battle they fled but not before pillaging the remaining of our farmlands, granaries, water lakes and even destroying whole villages. I've got more than a 100,000 humans spread across these lands...but not enough food, water, and most importantly shelter to protect them from the cruel winter" said Naruto bitterly, his worry open for Tajima to see.
"You must send riders to search for resources, no matter how far or we'll face a riot very soon" warned Tajima, even as Naruto clenched his fists.
"The Land of Wind never had much resources to begin with and due to this war it's almost a wasteland now, The Land of Whirlpools is still under enemy occupation and in ruins, I have sent search parties to seize every resource available from the Land of Earth and Land of Lightning but it will be weeks before they return. Till then, we have to keep the peace" explained Naruto,
"Then can't you wait to restore order to your subjects before marching towards the Land of Water?" asked Tajima, but deep down he already knew the answer much to his disappointment.
"I can't. Right now the Otsutsuki are believing that they'll face an invasion and are preparing for the same. If we delay, they might see through our ruse and come back again to our lands. And this time...we don't have the strength to stop them. I have to do this if humanity is to survive past this winter" emphasized Naruto,
"Then let me come with you. I may not be as powerful as the Otsutsuki queen, but I can lead your men" insisted Tajima, which earned him a soft look from his son.
"I wish I could take you, Father. But with Madara, Hashirama, Sakumo and Daen gravely injured, you are my last capable supporter who can look after these people. Protect our people, no matter what" commanded Naruto,
Tajima lowered his head accepting the command but also relenting to his son's wish.
He saw Naruto step away from the window and walk towards his sleeping brother's bed. The King stood at the edge observing his only living brother fight for his life. It was hard for him to see Madara in this state but never once could he doubt that Madara would not pull through. It would take a lot more than the Otsutsuki to put Madara down.
He could already imagine his brother getting back on his feet and still be eager for a good fight against the Otsutsuki. It brought a smile to his face, something which Tajima didn't miss.
He sat on the bed and gently grasped Madara's hand. For a few moments, he waited as if expecting Madara would recognize his touch and wake up from his sleep but the bitter truth was that the Hokage had broken most of his bones, his internal organs were a mess that Tsunade was trying to heal, but most of all the severe loss of blood had directly hit his brain rendering him in this state.
The fact that even Hashirama was in a similar state did not ease Naruto's worries, for if the Otsutsuki queen could do something like that to Hashirama Senju...then she was a force to be feared.
And he had to kill her.
She had done this to Madara, to Hashirama, and to all of mankind.
Gently caressing his brother's hand, he looked at him with conviction in his eyes.
"I will kill them all, Nii-san. I promise"
Tajima was surprised when Naruto grabbed Madara's personal gunbai from the corner of the man's bed as he got up and turned to face Tajima.
The Uchiha lord was surprised when the king took out a sealed parchment from his pocket and presented it to him. Wordlessly, Tajima took it and as he read through the contents of the royal decree he was left shocked.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Tajima hesitantly, the rational side of him knew it was a wise move but the part of his heart that worried for his son knew exactly under what circumstances would this decree be carried out.
"Fight for the best. Hope for the worst" advised Naruto with his usual cocky smirk, but Tajima saw right through him.
"You are our King, our people chose you" reminded Tajima,
"And I will serve them with all my power. This makes sure that they are still cared for no matter what" insisted Naruto without hesitation, earning a resigned nod from his Father.
"Then let's pray that I don't have to enforce this decree under any circumstances" said Tajima, his unspoken command easily recognized by his son who hugged him.
Tajima placed his hands around his son's back and hugged him back.
They slowly parted ways after a few moments but not before looking each other in the eye and nodding.
Tajima watched the king march out of the room and never look back once.
(Land of Water)
"Tell your queen...Fire and Blood will come to her lands when 15,000 humans will invade her home to see if its really impenetrable"
No sooner were those words said did the entire courtroom erupt into chaos. It was important to note that the two dozen men and women in this room were the last remaining Otsutsuki and were ones who were far older than any human alive today...and yet after that declaration they just heard, many were angry, some were nervous and only a few were silent just like the woman sitting at the center of the room on a simple throne.
She surprised her people with her smile.
"My queen..." said one of her subordinates in surprise, unable to believe she was taking this threat lightly.
"Fear not, Keiji. I am well aware of the threat but it simply amuses me that the boy king thinks he can defeat us with his pitiful army" said Hinata Otsutsuki calmly,
"We may outnumber him but we must not forget that he is dangerous" warned Shinzo Otsutsuki, he was one of the few of his kind to survive an encounter with the Young Dragon. Shinzo had followed Lord Kimimaro and their victory had been all but assured with their gigantic army but when Naruto Uchiha slaughtered Kimimaro...the battle was over.
Thousands of their dead thralls were slaughtered, hundreds more from the Kaguya, Hagoromo and Otsutsuki also fell that day.
And that was not taking into account the thousands more they had lost during their most recent defeat.
"Naruto Uchiha is just a child with some luck" dismissed Hotaru Otsutsuki in her rich but soft feminine voice, earning a nod from their queen.
"He maybe a child but it does not change the fact that he has won almost every battle he has fought" argued Hiro Otsutsuki, he was the only one of his kind that was taken prisoner after the battle at the Fire capital...and was the only one who had directly looked into Naruto Uchiha's eyes when the king had promised vengeance for what was done to his people.
Hinata Otsutsuki was surprised to see her clansmen divided for the first time in their history. Even in their war with Indra and Ashura, they had not lost faith until they were utterly crushed. She got up from her seat making the rest of them stand up as well out of respect.
In silence, she walked towards the balcony of her palace from where she could clearly observe the sprawling city beneath her. It had taken her a long time and effort to rebuild the Land of Water after their defeat in the last war but she had never given up.
It had taken even more effort to persuade the other minor human clans to follow her leadership by citing the unstoppable threat that would arrive on Earth in the near future.
It had taken so many years to build the army of dead...so much hard work, so much patience...all of that undone by one man.
More than a year ago, she had marched out with her entire army to conquer the human race and in time make them ready to face the entire Otsutsuki clan when they came to destroy Earth. She had everything in her power to achieve victory, yet the humans had resisted her fiercely.
She had thought them to be weak and divided until the Uzumaki proved them wrong. Just when she was about to annihilate them for their insolence, the Dragon King defying all her expectations...came to their aid.
Hinata had watched him fight valiantly on the battlefield, no matter the foe he faced he never gave up and fought with everything he had. It was his bravery and fierceness that inspired all those humans to keep on fighting. In that aspect, he was a very good military commander whose battle tactics had resulted into the deaths of thousands of Otsutsuki armed forces.
More terrifyingly, Naruto Uchiha had managed to unite the human race under one banner...a task deemed impossible to achieve.
He had defeated Kimimaro in single combat...another feat deemed impossible.
Despite everything, Hinata found herself becoming more curious about this human to the extent that she now wanted to face him herself and see if he really was the man people thought that he was.
Her clansmen had gathered around her and together they watched their own army residing in the city.
"I want to win this war and the way I see...it can only be achieved if we kill The Young Dragon. Tell me how we can make it happen" instructed Hinata firmly, earning nods from her people.
"My queen, he has already lost one of his Mangekyo which has weakened him" informed Hiro, having already seen the one eyed king in person. He was pleased when that bit of information relived some of the tension his clansmen were feeling.
"Don't be so complacent. Not counting the Kyuubi, he still has four tailed beasts in his control...we made a terrible mistake when we lost them" warned Shinzo bitterly,
Even their queen acknowledged that threat with a nod, it had been a terrible blow when Naruto captured those tailed beasts in his space time dimension. Hinata could not deny the man's bravery of facing four of those monsters at once and his ingenious when he captured them with a smart move further weakening the Otsutsuki army's strength.
She looked at two of her subordinates specifically. Kimimaro had strength but he was arrogant enough to underestimate the boy-king and as a result he lost his head. But the same could not be said for the man's followers, Shinzo and Hayate.
Both men were veterans of countless battles, Shinzo's self awareness and ability to understand the enemy was an invaluable trait...while Hayate was a silent man, a proof being his stony silence during this entire conversation but on the battlefield he was a different person...one who had no fear.
"Shinzo, what do you think the Young Dragon really intends to do?" asked Hinata curiously, earning a thoughtful look from her clansmen.
"I think he's partially bluffing, my queen. He may have 15,000 men but those are the last fighters of his race...if he takes them all to assault the Land of Water and loses...then his race is doomed. If I know the Young Dragon, he would not be so foolish to leave his people defenseless in case of his defeat" advised Shinzo honestly,
"So he's even a bigger fool if he's bringing an even smaller force to attack us" mocked Hotaru, but froze when Hayate gave her a stony glare.
"What is it, Hayate?" demanded Hinata, as she saw the man had something on his mind.
"Shinzo is right, the Young Dragon is upto something nasty. He is smart enough to understand that he cannot conquer these lands even if he had a massive army at his back...so what options does that leave him with if he wants to win this war?" asked Hayate calmly, as he looked at his queen and fellow clansmen.
Hinata's eyes slightly widened in surprise before a soft smile came on her lips.
"He's really bold" she thought with hidden admiration,
"He wants to kill me" answered Hinata, earning a grave nod from Hayate and surprised looks from the others.
"We'll kill him before he even reaches anywhere near you, my queen" promised Hotaru murderously, but was surprised when her queen shook her head.
"If I know him...then he has already planned his move for such a counteraction from us. I will have to face him" answered Hinata,
"My queen..."
Any other protests died instantly when those icy white eyes glared at them all.
"I will face him, and I will look him in the eyes...and then I'll take his head myself"
She was satisfied when all her clansmen silently accepted her decision with nods until she looked directly at Shinzo and Hayate.
"Shinzo, I leave the command of our forces to you. Hayate shall lead them in the field with the others supporting you both. Do not fail me" commanded Hinata coldly, as both men knelt in front of her respectively.
"I'll take command of our forces and reinforce our coasts just in case if the Young Dragon is foolish enough to follow through with his threat of an invasion. We will crush his army before they even set foot on our lands" promised Hayate mercilessly,
"See that you do" ordered Hinata,
"I will oversee the deployment of hidden forces across our territory to prevent any infiltration bids. Hotaru, Hiro and the others shall command the respective squads. Together, we will stop the Young Dragon from reaching you my queen" promised Shinzo confidently,
"He will reach me despite your best attempts" countered Hinata with a knowing smile, as she remembered the Uchiha's teleportation ability.
"We will stop-"
She dismissed any false promises with a sharp look at her clansmen.
"I will deal with him personally. Just make sure to stop any of the other human forces from interfering. Am I clear?" she demanded,
"Hai" they all chorused in unison,
She gave a final nod which was enough for her clansmen as they quickly left to carry out their assigned tasks leaving her alone to observe the city beneath her.
If she was being honest, Hinata found herself actually anticipating the upcoming battle. Naruto Uchiha had defied all her expectations and was an extremely unpredictable military commander which only made it more enticing for her.
Let's see what you can do...Young Dragon.
(Land of Fire)
Tsunade heard the monstrous city bells ring loudly even as the morning rays of the sun slowly started to grace the snow covered lands. Around her, she saw almost the entire city was awake with almost every human presently watching the small army waiting at the city gates.
On the other side, a small fleet of ships full of warriors were also leaving the docks under the command of one veteran samurai leader.
She saw Lord Tajima calmly staring at the 245 men and women currently dressed in battle armor and mounted upon the few wooden horses take positions behind the young one eyed boy sitting atop a massive fox with numerous tails.
Tajima watched Shisui approach the king...
"My King, Mifune has departed with the fleet" informed Shisui, earning a nod from the king.
"It's time then, Shisui" was all the king said, before he looked at the squads guarding the gate who instantly nodded and went to work.
As the massive city gates started to be opened, Naruto allowed his lone Mangekyo to activate and create a massive dark portal right outside the gates.
"GET READY!"
Shisui's bellowing battlecry was heard not just by the troops following him but also half the city as the King's Army commander looked at the 245 men and women.
They were a mixed group of people, starting from young boys and girls to veterans of war, from noble Samurai of the North to the Fierce fighters of the Land of Fire and so many more. It was a strange but beautiful picture of humanity being united, ignoring the clans or nations or ideologies these people belonged to.
Shisui looked at his own two friends, Itachi and Mikoto who nodded their approval as he unleashed his sword making their small army do the same.
"Let us show the true power of humanity to the Otsutsuki bastards!"
The deafening roars of approval and victory given by the fighters echoed throughout the entire city bringing small smiles and faint hopes in the defeated hearts of the people. Maybe these warriors would succeed where all of mankind had failed...it was all anyone could hope for.
Naruto caught sight of Nagato Uzumaki placing a hand on his sister's shoulder in comfort and whisper something that made the worried Uzumaki female smile.
That sight alone brought back painful memories for the king as he was reminded of a boy lost long ago. It also reminded him of another older boy whom the king dearly wished to be present here...but couldn't.
But then he looked at his three friends who smiled at him which brought back some of his lost confidence. He then looked at Kurama who gave him a feral grin earning a slight chuckle from the king in return.
Finally, Naruto glanced at his father followed by his wife; both of whom gave him proud smiles.
He looked at his wife's belly where his unborn son was resting. He remembered the promise he had given and it gave him the strength to unleash his sword and turn to face his men.
His lone eye caught sight of the royal palace where Madara was resting before he turned back towards his men.
He found himself at a loss of words, so he chose to say the only thing that felt right to him.
"For Humanity"
A thundering battlecry was unleashed by each and every warrior as the king mounted atop the fox turned forward towards the gates and the awaiting dark portal that would take them to a place from where no man had ever returned.
Yet the king fiercely raised his sword as the fox started galloping towards the space portal without fear.
"CHARGE!"
