"What shall it be, Mein Kaiser?''
Hachimon waited as the young emperor remained still. His head lowered towards the ground, shoulders slumped, his hands trembling as he not only was about to make a decision that would alter his life but entire mankind's fate as well.
These past few minutes had changed his life forever, and placed him in a situation he wouldn't wish even on someone like Danzo.
Yet he was the one who chose to be the self claimed leader of humanity, he made thousands die or sacrifice themselves for his dream of peace. His friends died for that dream, believing he would see it to the end. And he had done so almost, but now standing on the edge...
The mere thought about the cost of such revolution was enough to shatter his heart.
Hachimon lowered his displayed hands when Naruto got up from his seat. The Kaiser walked towards him, shoulders straight, eyes burning with determination and something else.
"What an extraordinary human..." thought Hachimon proudly,
Naruto's long, unbearable march stopped as he stepped before the Intelligence. His eyes flickering between the two beams of light...
"I have made my choice..." answered Naruto, his voice cold yet a little choked.
"Then I hope you have made the right one. And for what little it's worth, Kaiser. You will be remembered for what you are doing for the world..." promised Hachimon,
Naruto didn't reply at first, simply gazing at the strange picture of various little colored dots revolving around a bright yellow colored object in a ringed pattern.
"I just hope the future that follows from this point remembers the past. That the next generatons remember that we gave our today, to give them a tomorrow. That's all I want, that's all Sasuke, Tsunade, Gaara, and everyone that has died for this day ever wanted..." said Naruto emotionally,
"You can always chose the other path..." suggested Hachimon,
"Then I wouldn't be able to face those who gave their lives believing that I would fulfill our final goal. And it's like you said, I am just an avatar. I never had a purpose for a good part of my life, always wondering my reason for existence waiting to die for something good in order to give my unfortunate story an honorable ending. This was never about me, or my sufferings, I am just the face of all those countless humans who have suffered in the shinobi world...and I must give them justice" explained Naruto honorably,
With those words, the Kaiser stepped forward towards the red colored beam. What he didn't know was the fact that Hachimon was giving him a full bow of respect and admiration.
Naruto's eyes glanced over the diamond and platinum rings, the symbol of his love for his two wives. The eye that was a gift given to him by Sasuke, the Reich Armband which Gaara had personally made for him, the face mask given to him by Kakashi that he placed on his face, and finally the necklace which Tsunade left for him.
"I guess I really suck at goodbyes..."
Then he walked in...
Kurama, the fox.
The Biju got a serene smile on his face, despite the uproar spreading across the battlefield he remained calm even smirked a little. Innumerable amount of tendrils were released by the Jubi. No matter how much the remaining Reich forces tried to run, or resist they were eventually entrapped in those tendrils.
He himself being no such exception to the rule.
Below him, he saw Shin and Sai smile knowingly.
"The idiot came through..." said Sai calmly,
"I guess this is best for everyone. Don't you think, fox?" asked Shin with a smirk,
"Heh, never thought a dead human would say that. Guess, you two aren't that bad..." teased the fox,
"We might just surprise you..." replied the boys,
Kurama saw energy started being absorbed from every human, dead or alive. Neither the Zetsu's or Kurama himself was spared.
Shin and Sai arched their eyebrows in surprise, as the power forcing them to live vanished. With that, the boys turned around to spare one last glance towards the Jubi where their best friend was making history.
"Meet us at the bar, Naruto..." said Sai,
"Drinks are on us this time..." said Shin, both boys smiling.
Kurama closed his eyes when the two Edo Tensei released themselves, their souls fading away into the distant dark sky.
The Biju closed its eyes, waiting for the final moment. When he heard something...
Turning around he saw Hinata desperately trying to push Rei forward, the little girl struggling badly to reach the place where her father was.
"The things I do for you, brat..." said Kurama tiredly,
The Biju grabbed the little girl with its massive tails, and started sending all its chakra to her. The girl was still struggling to not just fade away, but with this help Kurama hoped that he could do atleast one good thing for ruining the boy's life from the start.
He slowly started to shrink in size, his giant form of energy being sucked away and some being channeled to Rei.
And then a bright flash of red happened...
Itachi calmly observed as a an endless red colored wave, stretching across the entire land and skies approached his way. Being caught up in those weird tendrils, he sensed what was happening.
Beside him, he saw Kurenai desperately trying to move through the endless forest of tendrils. Desperately trying to reach her husband and comrades...
"Stop, Kurenai. You have to let go..." requested Itachi, his voice quite somber for a surprise.
Tears fell from the former Hokage's eyes, as she felt her chakra being taken away to be replaced by a new kind of power. A very familiar one...
"Naruto..."
Haku remained standing on top of the royal palace, her baby son sleeping peacefully inside her arms. Contrary to many of her subordinates, she was at peace for she knew what was happening.
The Kaiserin never resisted as tendrils grasped her and Yang, albeit much gently.
She heard her son cry a little, as energy started to be sucked away from both of them.
And them came the unending red wave, which was all she needed to know as a lone tear fell from her eyes.
"Moron"
(Few Hours Later)
"He yet lives!''
Several pair of footsteps rushed in his direction, as a familiar, beautiful female loomed over him. Her soft, delicate hands roaming circles over his chest even as tears fell from her eyes.
Kakashi saw his adoptive son giving him a weak grin, which was the last straw as his eyes teared up.
Shino and Mifune were supporting each other, but even their gaze was numb.
The Kaiser lay on the ground, safely and gently being cradled in Kurenai's lap. His once shining golden hair now turned white, the dangerous Mangekyo eyes vanishing leaving only his dark orbs, his body having lost most of its weight leaving only a shell of a once mighty warrior behind.
Naruto's face still looked as handsome as ever, yet there was a strange tiredness radiating from the man.
Itachi slowly pushed someone ahead, making Naruto's eyes tear up.
"F-Father..." said Rei tearfully,
She instantly leapt in Naruto's arms, the Kaiser making a great effort to welcome her. With Kurenai helping in the process...
The others watched as Naruto tearfully caressed his first child, one who was glowing brightly in yellow colored light.
"The fox said you would see me soon..." said Rei worriedly,
Naruto's eyes teared up, as he understand just what invaluable gift his partner had given him. His gaze shifted toward the sky where he knew the beast was right now, and where those who weren't here would be going.
"Rei...I'm...sorry...I...really...tried..." said Naruto sadly,
The vanishing child slowly raised her hands to wipe the tears falling from the Kaiser's eyes, and gave him a small smile.
"I am happy that you loved me and tried to be there for me..." replied Rei happily,
"I couldn't keep my promise to you. I..." said Naruto miserably, Kurenai gently rubbing his back to offer comfort.
"It's okay, I understand..." replied Rei,
Her soul started to leave the occupied body, and Kurenai had to shoulder Naruto's entire weight as the Kaiser lost all his will.
"You'll come to see me someday, right?"
And with those last words, the child vanished into darkness. Taking with her what was left of the Kaiser's heart...
For the first time in years, Naruto lost all composure. Kurenai wrapped her arms around him, as he cried hysterically.
The remaining free former Reich soldiers started coming forward, Kakashi and Itachi quickly took defensive positions to protect their group against any aggression. To their surprise, nobody attacked. Wordlessly, the soldiers joined them and remained still.
Their sympathetic eyes fixed on the man who had sacrificed everything to give all of them a chance to start anew. Respectfully, all of them knelt down beside him.
Shino and Mifune marveled at the sight, the choice made by free humans. To take a different path regardless of the past...
The two of them stared in silence, with only one thought lingering in their hearts...
One Man's Suffering became entire Humanity's second chance...
(Several Months Later)
Dark clouds hovered across the sky, yet there was no rumbling or bolts of lightning.
The atmosphere across the Reich Capital was quiet and numb. Months of civil war had weakened the once mighty empire to a certain extent, yet in an extremely surprising move the now free human race didn't revert back to their old ways.
Only a small portion of people rebelled against the Uchiha dynasty, wanting to re-establish the Shinobi World.
Several attempts were made on the ailing Kaiser's life, and that of his family.
Yet never once did they succeeded.
It was partly due to the entire Reich Army made up of former ninjas and samurai's deciding to place their faith in the new world led by the Kaiser and his comrades. Their hearts completely changed by the sacrifice made by the Kaiser and all their comrades who died in the war.
Combine that with the crude thinking of Chief of Military Affairs, Aburame Shino. The Rebels met a severe response.
Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha, Mifune led the Imperial Campaign. After months of gruesome civil war that resulted into loss of several thousand lives, the rebels were finally isolated.
Shino wanted to hunt them down to the last man, woman, and child. But the Kaiser showed mercy, allowing the rebel leaders only to be executed and the remaining cannon fodder to be banished away from the Reich. The emperor simply not wishing to be responsible for any more massacres...
It took a lot of effort, but the empire was safe and in the process of rebuilding. The Kaiser had officially married Kurenai Yuhi thereby pacifying several silent rebels who had not yet rose up in arms but were keenly waiting for the Kaiser to betray their trust. Fortunately, their young leader remained true to his promise, thereby putting their fears to rest as they too accepted his ruler-ship.
The fact that a little princess was born to Kurenai and Naruto just a few months later was enough to send the entire Reich into joy.
The strange fact was that nobody except for the Kaiser knew where chakra vanished or whether it got destroyed? Although, after experiencing the effects of a world war nobody wanted that kind of evil power to be even near them.
A huge funeral had been held for all the war dead, and every Reich and Resistance soldiers were given honorable burials. The key ones being those of Sasuke Uchiha, Sabuka no Gaara, Tsunade Senju, Shin, Sai and Princess Rei Uchiha
All of them receiving the highest honor in the Reich. And the love of all those left behind...
Yuhi Kurenai had been promoted to the position of Imperial Prime Minster, and together with Kaiserin Haku she started rebuilding their glorious empire. The once arch rivals slowly becoming best friends due to their mutual love for the Kaiser and what they had been through in their lives.
And for another grave reason...
There was minimum silence prevailing across the room disturbed only by the occasional sound of medical machines working.
Several people stood inside the large, lavish room.
Hanare stood near the window with Hinata, observing the dark clouds hovering across the sky.
"It's Spring, and yet there is no light..." said Hinata sadly,
"It's as if..." whispered Hanare defeatedly,
Mifune and Itachi silently stood in a corner, their gazes fixed on the sleeping man in the bed.
"The magnificent Kaiser who conquered the entire world is now confined like this, subjugated to this bed..." said Mifune painfully,
"It's lamentable..." agreed Itachi silently,
Kakashi stood in another corner, his hand placed on a fuming Tayuya's shoulder, the girl was trying her best to prevent a single tear to fall from her eyes.
"I'm gonna kill these motherfucking doctors! These useless pieces of shit..." hissed Tayuya bitterly,
"Tayuya, they are doing everything they can. Try to be strong, atleast for the Kaiser's sake..." advised Kakashi sagely,
Before Tayuya could rant further, the door to the room opened again as Kurenai stepped inside. Dressed in a professional suit, she still was an epitome of grace and beauty. The little infant in her arms another symbol of her elegance. One that she made with the Kaiser...
''TSU!"
An excited high pitched voice rang through the previously dull room, Haku who was previously sitting beside the Kaiser watched in satisfaction as her toddler son shakily started walking towards his little sister.
Prince Yang had grown quite quickly over the past year, looking more and more like his mother yet retaining a few distinct features from his father.
On the other hand, Princess Tsunade was a completely different story. Blessed with beautiful blonde hair, an extremely fair skin and mesmerizing ruby eyes; she was the star of everyone's eyes from the day of her birth. And responsible for filling a part of the hole in the Kaiser's heart, the one which was created on that unfortunate day when he lost Rei.
Kurenai knelt down smiling, as Yang came forward laying a sloppy kiss on her cheek. He had yet to master reciting mother or father, but the first word he had said was the name of his sister. Tsu, now that she thought about it; that nickname was more easy to recite for the bubbling boy.
Even as Yang kissed Tsunade's cheek, she simply cooed and clung to her mother shyly with the help of her little hands.
"Took you a while..." said Haku calmly, exchanging a small embrace with her best friend.
"Just finished the conference with the trade merchants. I came as fast as I could..." said Kurenai honestly,
The Kaiserin gently took little Tsunade in her arms, Kurenai doing the same with Yang. Both mothers looking at the two children happily, the mere sight of watching them smile and slowly grow up in peace made everything worth it.
Their gazes ended up on the sleeping form of Naruto, who had made the highest sacrifice for this day to become a reality.
These past few months had been difficult for everyone, right from stabilizing the Reich, to rebuilding what was lost, to remembering and grieving for the dead, and to watch their beloved Kaiser slowly sink further and further into darkness.
The Kaiser had put up a brave fight, performing his duties till his body allowed him to do so. Everyone's love and respect for the man had rose to godly levels, not only for what he had sacrificed but for allowing them to live, at the expense of his own long life.
As a testament to the magnificent power of the Kaiser, not a single person died when chakra vanished in a blaze of glory from their world.
Their lives being saved by the Kaiser who gave his own blood and power for all of them...
Despite his failing health and broken heart, Naruto continued to lead from the front. Encouraging his people to not give up, to create a better future for the next generation, the sheer will power, determination and passion of one man enough to motivate the depressed and worried humanity.
Yet even as time progressed through its journey and the Reich regained its former glory, with heavy hearts its people prepared themselves.
Kurenai slowly placed Yang back on the ground and walked towards the bed, a team of doctors stationed on its head keeping a sharp watch on the Kaiser's health.
She placed a tender kiss on his forehead, and a few moments later he slowly opened his eyes.
"I had a dream, Kurenai..." said Naruto calmly,
Kurenai's breath stopped as she saw a gentle, soft light swaying in Naruto's eyes that she'd never seen before. That convinced Kurenai of her lover's impending death.
Hadn't Naruto been burning his own flesh all his life in order to satisfy his unfilled heart?
Naruto's gentleness was like the warmth of the white ash remaining after his heart and body are all burned out...
"Still, you've haven't had your fill of dreams, Naruto?" asked Kurenai in a loving, yet tearful voice.
The Kaiser looked away for a moment, his lonely eyes glancing at the ceiling of the room.
"No, I had plenty. The dreams that no one had ever seen before...all too many of them" whispered Naruto silently,
Kurenai felt as though she heard the rupture of her own heart. Her trembling tearful gaze staring at him, as an imminent conclusion tore her soul...
Naruto would die when his intensity and ardor had subsided...
A sword had no reason to exist but as a sword!
She knew that much, even so...
"Kurenai, thank you for everything..." said Naruto with a contended smile, as she shook her head sadly.
The ruby eyed beauty didn't want to hear such words of gratitude, instead she wanted him to spread his large wings to fly across the sea of stars showering the entire universe with his bright light.
That was what she had always wanted with all her heart!
She nearly panicked when his eyes closed, the head doctor quickly arriving beside the man instantly checking his pulse.
"It's okay, he's just fallen asleep, Kurenai-sama..."
Everyone sighed in relief...
Sakura Haruno slowly stepped inside the room. The former medic gave a polite smile to the others, the infant boy in her arms trying very hard to make his hand reach towards a smiling Kaiser who was sitting elegantly on the bed.
"I'm glad you came, Sakura..." said Naruto gratefully,
Itachi stepped forward, a happy smile visible on his face as he stared at Sakura and his nephew, Reinhard. The tiny child had inherited several features from his father making him a little clone of the man, with the only exception that he had his mother's emerald eyes.
Sakura greeted Itachi politely, as both of them stepped beside the Kaiser and his wives.
At the same time, Hanare also came forward with little Obito dashing forward to greet Yang and Reinhard. Being the oldest among the three boys, the Hatake junior received bright smiles from the other two boys. Although it was hard to determine if Reinhard was actually smiling or not, since he was too small.
"Aside from something like the reign of the empire, I wanted to leave my children with friends on an equal footing. It's a selfish request, but I wonder if you'll accept it..." said Naruto politely,
Hanare happily nodded as Obito and she stepped beside Kurenai, little Tsunade quite happy to receive the sudden attention.
"Reinhard, pledge your loyalty to Prince Yang...no, His Majesty, Kaiser Yang" instructed Itachi,
The small black haired boy extended his tiny hand forward touching Yang's head. A moment later he gave the prince a small bop...
Naruto couldn't help but laugh out-loud even as his surprised son gently took the younger boy's hand. Despite the atmosphere relaxing, Sakura saw the small sadness in Naruto's eyes as the scene only reminded him of the absence of his own best friend, Sasuke Uchiha.
"How impolite of you, Reinhard..." said Itachi worriedly, as he quickly tried to take his nephew's hand away from touching the prince again. And risk creating another scandal.
To his embarrassment, the two boys started crying never letting go off each other's hand despite Itachi's insistence.
"It's okay, Itachi..." said Naruto finally, a fond smile visible on the Kaiser's face.
"You're good boys, Reinhard, Obito. Please be good friends with Yang and Tsunade..." requested Naruto,
The older children gave him firm nods, the younger ones simply smiled shyly.
Haku gently stepped forward on seeing the fatigue on Naruto's face, wiping the sweat from his face she helped him in comfortably lying back on the bed. Kurenai covering his body with a warm, soft woolen sheet.
"It seems the Chief of Military Affairs is not here, where is he?" asked Naruto seriously, his thoughts focusing towards the silent Aburame who had became an important part of his empire. And one of the few from the Konoha 12 to survive the war.
"The Chief of Military Affairs is absent due to compelling reasons..." said Haku calmly, as she gently caressed his cheek. Naruto slowly nodded.
"I see...whatever that man does always has compelling reasons..." relented Naruto,
Kurenai and Haku tried to get back to their seats in order to allow him some rest, only to be stopped when he gently grabbed their hands. Curious they sat beside him, as he stared at them.
"Kaiserin, Prime Minster...I'm sure that you'll govern the empire more wisely than I could. If you want to bring some reforms in our empire, that's fine too. Either way, as long as the ones holding power are wise and most powerful in the universe all will be well'' suggested Naruto, receiving gentle smiles from his wives.
The smiling father then placed each of his hands on his son and daughter, both staring at him curiously.
"If either Yang or Tsunade do not have the capability to rule wisely, there's no need to sustain the Uchiha dynasty..." said Naruto kindly, gently ruffling his son's hair and caressing his daughter's cheek.
Rei's smiling face flashed between his two children, making the Kaiser close his eyes momentarily.
"If the two of you do everything as you wish, then I have nothing more to hope for..." said Naruto honestly,
Moments later the Kaiser went back to sleep again. His friends and family patiently waited by his side, and nearly three hours later Kurenai alongwith Haku went beside him on hearing him call for them.
Haku and Kurenai leaned extremely close to him, his voice barely above a whisper now...
"Once we seize the world, we'll all..."
It happened on 18:36 hours on November 26, Imperial Year 6.
Kaiser Naruto Uchiha was 21 years old.
His reign lasted just over 5 years.
Haku tried to comfort Tsunade who started crying, the Kaiserin herself had tears falling from her eyes on seeing Yang try to shake his silent father hoping to wake him up.
Kurenai stepped before the others, many of whom were openly crying. Steeling herself, she controlled her choked voice.
"The Kaiser didn't die of illness, he simply passed away having used up all of his lifetime to save our lives and give us a bright future. Everyone, please...don't forget that..." said Kurenai, her tears finally unable to be stopped.
Kurenai silently stared at the dark sky above her, a rueful smile came on her face as she saw a star fall from the sky. It might just be her imagination, but it seemed that the entire universe was mourning the demise of the magnificent Kaiser.
Nearly two months had passed since the Kaiser's national funeral, and her heart was full of pride alongwith sadness when she saw the entire world mourn for her lover.
Her eyes watched Anko playing with little Tsunade, while Obito and Yang played in the peaceful garden. As much as heartwarming this sight was, she couldn't forget the unbearable price they all had paid. The War had given them a new future, a peaceful one at that but had also taken nearly everything they held dear.
"If you were to write a story with me in the lead role, it would certainly be a...tragedy"
Kurenai stared at her side and saw Haku finishing writing in her book, the one which she had started a few years ago when all of this began. A memoir of what actually happened, and what Naruto and his comrades had been through. Whaty the fought for, what they sacrificed, all their joys and sorrows.
Despite Naruto's unwillingness to be memorized like this, in her eyes it was the most beautiful gift they could give to the Kaiser, and all their martyred comrades.
Even so, it was not enough.
"How do they do it?'' asked Kurenai pensively, remembering Sasuke, Gaara, Tsunade, Shin, Sai, Rei and most of all Naruto.
"Naruto told me those words when I told him that I wanted to write a book on our journey. I think, deep down they all knew what they wanted to achieve and what they would have to sacrifice to accomplish that..." said Haku sadly,
"You mean, Naruto..." said Kurenai in shock and despair, making Haku stare at the sky too.
"Deep down he always knew, but never said that out-loud. I was not that sure, but I had hoped that with his miraculous luck and willpower to overcome all odds he would be able to successfully achieve his goal without..." replied Haku hesitantly,
"I always imagined him growing old, the three of us living a long, peaceful life after everything we have been through. Then one day when he would be peacefully reading his newspaper and one of his grandchildren would come to meet him, only to receive silence. I wanted that kind of life for him, to let him truly understand what it meant to live with the ones you loved without the burden of the entire world on his shoulders...
He was entrusted with the future, yet he followed after Sasuke, Gaara, Shin, Sai, Rei and Tsunade even before a year had passed. Why did he do this? Why did he have to sacrifice himself for saving the lives of selfish humanity when all they gave him his entire life was misery and hatred?" asked Kurenai devastatedly,
Haku quickly came forward and wrapped her arms around the woman, both of them trembling with loss and anger. The only difference was that Kurenai expressed it openly, and Haku tried to suppress it and suffered alone.
"He had the power to save humanity even after chakra was taken back from them. If he had only saved a handful people selfishly, he wouldn't have been able to live with himself. His guilt would have destroyed him and all of us, including the Reich which he worked so hard to build. For many of us he was a hero, for others he was a devil. I guess it depends from where a person is coming from if one wants to understand Kaiser Naruto..." expressed Haku soothingly,
"You're admirable, Haku..." said Kurenai, and saw the anger in the Kaiserin's eyes.
"I'm not. I don't care if entire humanity had burned, if only he was alive right now. If he hadn't suffered so much for us. I hate that bastard and love him at the same time. I..." said Haku sadly,
Kurenai leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Haku's forehead, she then slowly wiped out the Kaiserin's tears and gave her a small encouraging smile.
"Naruto never neglected his duties and admirably performed his responsibility towards his people till his last breath. If we truly want to honor him, then we must make sure his legacy survives..." suggested Kurenai,
"How?" asked Haku, some hope arriving back in her eyes.
The Kaiserin then saw Kurenai point her finger towards the playing children who were currently dancing around a laughing Anko.
"By making sure that they grow up in peace. By making sure that this Reich becomes an eternal symbol for the unity of the human race. It won't be easy, but if you are with me then we can accomplish this task which Naruto left for us..." said Kurenai courageously, determination burning in her ruby colored eyes.
Haku nodded decisively.
"I'm with you, Kurenai. Together we can ensure proper governance across all states..." said Haku seriously,
"Yes. I have already drafted the former shinobi and samurai warriors to undergo a new kind of military training. Anko and Rock Lee would be training them, along with inputs from Itachi, Mifune and Shino. Kakashi has been appointed as the Finance Minister. Together we have already invested a large sum of the treasury into starting industries and encouraging businesses. It should be able to generate sufficient employment opportunities for all the former shinobi..." explained Kurenai briefly,
"You really want to wipe out all knowledge of the ninja arts from this world, don't you?" asked Haku knowingly, Kurenai nodded.
"I will make sure that Naruto's dream meets its desired result and humanity can make a fresh start. Sakura is already starting various experiments to devise new technological tools for medical and a few other critical fields..." said Kurenai,
"I'm most worried about the few thousand rebels whom we have banished to that island in the south?" asked Haku worriedly,
"Karin has assured me that that all available measures have been taken to ensure that they stay confined there. Maybe a few years later, and depending upon how they feel about their actions we might try to think about pardoning them. But right now, they shall remain in captivity..." instructed Kurenai,
"We should just kill them all..." said Haku bitterly, after everything that had happened some fools were still hell bent on recreating the ninja world.
"Then we would be destroying Naruto's wish. Already enormous amounts of blood has been shed, if we continue to kill each other then we cannot be at peace. It is better to banish them and focus on our empire. Still I have Shino maintaining vigilance 24/7, and appropriate task forces ready to respond in case of an emergency" clarified Kurenai,
"I shall be made Regent soon..." said Haku hesitantly,
"It is the right thing to do. You know more about this empire and the people trust you..." encouraged Kurenai,
"You are also becoming a favorite among our people. You have slowly started to change the hearts of those who used to doubt your loyalties..." said Haku with a smile,
Kurenai's gaze shifted towards the vast sky full of stars, she smiled happily on seeing an image of Naruto being chased by a furious Tsunade Senju, while Sasuke, Gaara, Shin and Sai cheering for the blonde woman. With Rei being the only one rooting for her poor father...
"When the night settles in, it'll get busy. It's better to be busy, to full this sense of loss..." thought Kurenai,
The world had changed too, the violent human race had started to settle down, children would now grow up to have one day families of their own, people looked at each other as countrymen instead of holding out centuries old grudges.
Chakra was gone...
The Killing culture of Ninjas had been abolished...
No more child soldiers were being created anymore...
Resources were being distributed to everyone regardless of race, identity, and gender.
The world was shifting towards power of diplomacy rather than the power of a sword...
Books being favored more above weapons...
Entertainment and love being favored over misery and hatred...
All of this was made possible because of one man's dream...
"F-Father..."
The three females blinked. Haku, Kurenai and Anko looked at each other in shock as Prince Yang stared at the sky.
"F-Father..."
At that moment, they felt the Kaiser's spirit entering into this child and made him utter his name for the first time.
Smiling, Kurenai went forward and scooped the little boy in her arms. Haku doing the same for Obito, as Anko joined them holding little Tsunade in her arms.
The ruby eyed beauty placed Yang on top of her shoulder, and pointed her fingers to the sky.
"Do you see those stars, Yang?" asked Kurenai gently,
The boy eagerly nodded making her smile.
"I wonder if you'll go on a journey through those stars someday..."
Her gaze shifted towards her daughter, Tsunade and Kakashi's son, Obito.
"And at that time, I wonder if you'll go alone, or..."
"Seems the little brat finally learned something other than the name of his sister..." teased Anko, receiving a challenging look from the young boy in return.
"My little boy..." said Haku happily, as Yang leapt in her arms.
After a laying a few kisses on his cheek, Haku tried to place her son on the ground. At that moment something happened, which made Kurenai's eyes go wide...
Yang protested the move, and simply raised his hand towards the sky. As if catching the entire universe in his grasp...
"You too, Yang?" thought Kurenai nostalgically,
That might be an action that has been repeated endlessly in any era, in any world.
Humans always pursue things that they can't reach...
Doesn't it single-heartedly symbolize such yearnings?
"Let's go inside, everyone..." suggested Haku,
"Yeah..." replied Kurenai, giving one last glance towards Naruto's smiling form in the sky.
The Legend Ends, and History Begins...