Chapter no.93 Goodbye, Land of Waves

With the chaos of the Nine-Tails incident finally behind them, everyone found themselves standing among the gathered crowd before the great bridge.

"Damn, that's a lot of people," Kiba muttered, eyes wide. It really did look like the entire nation had shown up.

Team 7 and Team 8 couldn't help but admire the sight before them. The bridge stretched across the misty waters like a silver ribbon, gleaming under the early morning sun.

"Pat yourselves on the back, everyone," Kakashi said, his single visible eye creasing with pride. "Both you and the workers had a hand in making sure the bridge was completed."

Jiraiya teased, leaning lazily against the railing. "So, what do you think? You kids gonna name this bridge after one of yourselves?"

"Hey! No cheating from you two!" Kiba barked, pointing at Sasuke and Hinata.

Shino tilted his head slightly. "Cheating? In what way?"

Kiba jabbed his thumb toward the cloth-covered sign at the bridge's entrance. "Those two can probably see the name already with their fancy eyes!"

Hinata flushed, waving her hands. "I-I would never...!"

Sasuke's smirk was instant. "Hn. Don't need to look. Everyone already knows whose name is on it."

Everyone's eyes drifted to Naruto. The boy, however, seemed to be lost in thought. He couldn't stop wondering if the Nine-Tails would somehow reform back in that cursed Northern Undead Asylum.

Maybe I should go back someday… visit the Asylum, pay my respects at Oscar's grave. But how? He'd been brought to Lordran by that giant crow that didn't exactly take requests for return trips.

Naruto sighed quietly, his hand brushing the edge of his bow. Guess I'll have to figure that out later.

The sight of Oscar, the tiny crystal lizard, sleeping peacefully on top of Naruto's long hair while the boy wore such a serious expression, drew a quiet laugh from the genins.

"Okay, but maybe they'll name it after the Archer," Sakura said playfully, and soon enough the genin were all arguing over whether the bridge should be named after Naruto or his alter ego, Archer of Providence.

Their chatter fell silent when several workers stepped forward onto the small stage. At the center stood Tazuna, and beside him, guarded by samurai, was the Daimyo of the Land of Waves himself.

It didn't take a genius to see that the crowd wasn't exactly thrilled to see their ruler.

"I would like to invite bridge builder Tazuna to say a few words."

That announcement alone earned a ripple of relieved laughter through the crowd. At least they wouldn't have to sit through a long political speech from a man they didn't respect.

Tazuna stepped forward, clearing his throat before pulling out a small canteen whose contents were unmistakably alcoholic. He took a swig to steady himself.

Tsunami groaned and covered her face. "Dad…" she whispered.

"I'm just an old man," Tazuna began, his voice gravelly but full of heart. "An old man who lost his son to a tyrant… who watched his nation crumble under fear… and who nearly lost himself to despair."

The crowd quieted, every eye fixed on him.

"This bridge was my dream," Tazuna continued. "A dream to give the people of this land a path... one that breaks the chains of tyranny."

He gestured to the workers standing behind him. "My dream was shared by these brave men who gave everything to see it finished."

The crowd erupted into cheers, the workers smiling through tears and exhaustion.

"And," Tazuna said, turning to face the shinobi, "our dream was protected by these young heroes."

He pointed to the Konoha shinobi standing together in the crowd.

The applause that followed was deafening.

"And through the unseen help of the daimyo."

The crowd went quiet. No one clapped. No one cheered. The silence that followed spoke louder than any words could.

Tazuna cleared his throat, pretending not to notice the tension. "Now!" he shouted, voice booming across the bridge. "A bridge this grand deserves a name that'll stand the test of time!"

With a sharp tug, Tazuna and the workers grabbed the ropes and pulled.

The cloth fell away in a sweeping motion, revealing the very top of the entrance hung with a large rectangular signboard, bold black kanji painted in broad, confident strokes.

The characters stood out sharply against the pale stone, impossible to miss even from afar. Below it, the bridge stretched forward like a gleaming ribbon, vanishing into the soft veil of morning mist. A pathway that seemed to lead not only to another shore, but toward a better future.

The Great Naruto Bridge.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Civilians and even the daimyo looked confused, whispering among themselves at the unusual name.

Then Tazuna let out a loud belch that echoed across the bridge, catching everyone's attention. The crowd sweatdropped in collective disbelief, and even the daimyo's expression twisted into disgust. Tazuna, of course, didn't care in the slightest.

"I know, I know," Tazuna began, voice rough but steady. "A lot of you wanted the bridge named after the Archer of Providence. And honestly, I was tempted to call it the Quiver of the Archer myself." He paused, taking another swig from his canteen before continuing. "But to me, that archer was one of many heroes who stood for this nation. This bridge, though... this bridge was the start of it all. If it hadn't been started, Gato wouldn't have acted, and none of those heroes would've stepped up. This bridge became the maelstrom that changed everything."

He raised his arm dramatically, his face flushed with pride. "So, we'll call it the Great Naruto Bridge!"

There was a brief silence before murmurs of approval spread through the crowd. Many began nodding, agreeing that the name carried a poetic sense of meaning.

From where he stood, Naruto caught Tazuna's eye. The old man winked at him, a smirk tugging on his lips. Naruto grinned in return, realizing that the entire explanation was a clever lie as Tazuna had named the bridge after him all along.

Wow, that drunk old man's kinda smart.

Meanwhile, the daimyo started motioning to the samurai beside him. One of them produced a sealing scroll, unfurled it, and placed it near the bridge's entrance.

With a sharp release of chakra, a puff of white smoke erupted, silencing the crowd.

Naruto blinked as the smoke cleared and took a deep breath.

A twelve-foot statue of the Archer of Providence towered over the bridge's entrance, carved from pale stone that shimmered faintly in the mist. Every chiseled line radiated purpose from the tension in the drawn bow, the fierce determination in the archer's stance, the wind-carved cloak that seemed ready to flutter at any moment.

The crowd fell silent.

For the people of Wave, this was no mere monument. It was a reminder of the night they took back their freedom, of the hero who defied despair and turned their hopelessness into strength.

Some wept openly. Others bowed their heads in reverence.

It was a solemn, powerful moment… until Naruto broke it.

"They got my jawline wrong," he said flatly.

Everyone turned to stare at him.

"Really?" Sakura said, exasperated. "That's what you're focusing on right now?"

Naruto crossed his arms, frowning at the statue. "I mean, yeah. What else am I supposed to focus on when they gave me such a pointy chin?"

Sakura groaned and rubbed her temples, reminding herself for the hundredth time that her teammate was not normal.

"You guys are just jealous you don't get a statue after your first mission."

"It's not your statue," Kiba muttered. "It's your persona's."

"Tomato, tomato. They still gotta sculpt my buttcheeks."

Hinata looked at the statue.

"They also made your biceps bigger than they actually are."

Naruto blinked, then grinned and threw an arm over Sasuke's shoulder. "Oh, that's fine. That part's accurate enough."

Off to the side, Jiraiya said. "Looks like Naruto's quite the handful." His eyes lingered on the towering statue, a rare look of pride softening his features. "Still… the daimyo commissioning something this big, this detailed, in such a short time... that's no small thing."

"You don't know the half of it, Jiraiya-sama."

Before either could say more, the daimyo stepped up once again, the samurai standing at attention behind him. The crowd hushed as he prepared to speak.

"The Archer," Hondo began, "is a man that needs no introduction."

He paused, letting the words linger in the air as hundreds of eyes turned toward him. "He saved my wife and son's lives," he continued, "and gave Gato the end he deserved."

For a brief moment, the daimyo's composure cracked. He could still hear the man's screams as he was tortured. He closed his eyes, exhaling through the memory.

"He is the hero who changed this nation in more ways than one."

The people listened, though their faces were mixed. They weren't listening to their daimyo out of respect, but because of the name he invoked. Still, Hondo pressed on.

"The Land of Waves," he said quietly, "is just a small island nation. A humble place, surrounded by endless sea. And yet, despite its simplicity, we were brought to our knees by a single man with coin and cruelty in his hands. A merchant; nothing more, nothing less. A man named Gato."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, memories of hunger and fear flashing in their minds.

"I often wondered," Hondo continued, voice trembling, "if I was ever truly worthy of being called a noble. What is nobility, when a man like me allowed a tyrant to live and prosper beneath my very nose? What pride is there in a title when I could not protect my own people?"

He took a slow breath, gaze falling to the planks beneath his feet. "I spoke with the Archer before he left. We spoke not of heroism or war, but of duty. Of responsibility. His words… cut deeper than any blade."

The crowd grew still again.

"I realized that I had worn my crown as an ornament, not as a burden. I called myself a daimyo but never bore the weight that title demanded. Perhaps a true leader," he said, looking out toward the sea, "would have abandoned his family for the sake of his people. Perhaps such a man exists somewhere. But that man… is not me."

He placed a hand over his heart, his voice breaking slightly. "I am not a ruler forged from steel and sacrifice. I am a man. A husband. A father. And I have failed both my family and my people."

The samurai shifted uneasily, glancing at each other. Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, and Jiraiya straightened, recognizing the tone in the man's voice. The kind of tone that came when someone was about to burn bridges behind them.

Hondo raised his head. "The people of the Wave deserve a leader who will not cower behind gold or status. You deserve a leader who walks among you, who knows your pain and your struggle. And I," he said firmly, "am not that leader."

He took a single step forward, his robe trailing in the wind.

"With the Archer of Providence as my witness," he declared, "I, Hondo of the Wave, renounce my title as daimyo. From this day forth, the Tadakatsu family relinquishes its claim to rule. The power of this nation will return to where it belongs... to its people!"

Gasps erupted from every corner of the crowd. The samurai froze, unsure what to do. The shinobi exchanged glances, stunned.

Jiraiya pressed a hand to his forehead, muttering under his breath, "That's a first… even for me."

"What did you do now?" Kakashi whispered sharply.

Naruto blinked, holding up his hands. "Hey, don't look at me. I didn't tell him to give up being king. I'm innocent!"

Hondo raised his hand again, commanding silence. "Do not fear," he said, his tone softening. "Even without my title, I will not abandon you. My final act as your lord will be to build something greater than a man or a throne. Together, we will create a government by the people, for the people. One where no tyrant, no noble, no merchant can ever again claim dominion over your lives."

He paused, his voice trembling just slightly as he finished. "This is my atonement. It will not undo what I had allowed. But perhaps… it can be the first step toward a better tomorrow."

For a heartbeat, there was only silence.

Then the crowd erupted. Applause thundered across the bridge, echoing against the sea.

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After lunch, Tazuna's family gathered one last time to say goodbye to the shinobi teams.

Tazuna made a point to shake each of their hands, lingering a little longer with Naruto. The old man handed him a dark glass bottle sealed with red wax. "This is the finest wine in my collection," Tazuna said. "Thanks for… everything."

"Hopefully it's better than the first time you tried to poison me."

Tazuna let out a snort and ruffled Naruto's long hair. "You never let me live that down, huh?"

Tsunami stepped in next, wrapping Naruto in a warm hug and placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Eat well. Sleep well. And stay safe, Naruto."

"I will," he said softly.

Then came Inari, eyes red but fighting back fresh tears. "I… I don't want to say goodbye."

Naruto crouched down and smiled. "It's not goodbye. It's see you later." He ruffled the boy's hair. "That's what my friend Solaire says."

"When will I see you again?"

"Probably when we have to go to Konoha to pay the shinobi," Tazuna grumbled from behind him.

"Well, when you come to Konoha, I'll show you around. And you have to try the best ramen in the world."

"Looking forward to it," Tazuna said as he waved them off.

The two teams stood at the base of the Great Naruto Bridge, the sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and wood as waves gently lapped against the stone supports.

"Alright, everyone," Kurenai said. "This is where we split off. Team 8 will head back to Konoha to report in, while Team 7 joins Jiraiya-sama on his trip to the Land of Whirlpools."

Kiba frowned. "Wait...why here? Isn't the Land of Whirlpools closer to the Fire Nation? Shouldn't we be leaving from there?"

Everyone gave him a look.

"What? I can't be good at geography now?"

Jiraiya snorted, waving a hand. "There's actually a direct sea route from the Land of Waves to the Land of Whirlpools. Shorter and safer. And," he grinned, pointing his thumb toward the docks, "I got us a boat."

Naruto and Oscar immediately pumped their fists. "Woo! Boat trip!"

Oscar squeaked happily in agreement from Naruto's shoulder.

Kakashi closed his book with a lazy snap. "Before that, say your goodbyes. Once we leave port, there won't be another stop for a while."

Sasuke and Shino exchanged a nod. It was their version of "take care."

Sakura and Hinata hugged tightly. "So… You didn't confess, huh? You told me you were ready this time."

Hinata flushed, looking down at the Hornet Ring on her finger. "I thought I was," she said quietly. "But then I realized… I still want to grow more before I do."

"At least you and Naruto have something special," Sakura teased, nudging her shoulder. "If Ino hears about that ring, she's going to die of jealousy."

"It's not like that… but thank you."

Nearby, Akamaru sniffed at Oscar curiously, giving a playful bark before the little crystal lizard tilted his head and gently booped the pup's nose.

"Would you look at that? Even the pets are saying goodbye."

"Guess they get along better than we do."

"Hey!" Kiba said, pointing at him. "I'm perfectly likable!"

"Sure, dogbreath," Naruto shot back, smirking. "You keep telling yourself that."

"Hard to believe it's over, huh? My sister always says your first real mission changes you. Guess she was right. Feels like we've been gone for months."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah… It's weird. Feels like we started this as kids and came back a little older. Guess seeing people fight for freedom does that to you."

"Listen to you. Getting all philosophical on me now."

Naruto laughed. "I'm full of surprises."

"Yeah, like how you went and got yourself a bridge named after you," Kiba said, smirking. "You think the people of Wave are gonna start worshiping you, Dragon Boy?"

"Nah, that sounds like a headache waiting to happen. I don't want people bowing every time I visit. I just want them to live free. That's enough for me."

Kiba snorted. "You say that now, but wait till they start carving statues of you in every town square."

"They already made one, remember?" Naruto said, crossing his arms. "If they make another one with that ugly chin again, I might destroy it myself."

Kiba burst out laughing. "You're hopeless."

"Yeah, but at least I'm funny," Naruto said with a grin.

Kiba shook his head, smiling as they bumped fists. "Stay alive, you dumb lizard."

"You too, mutt."

Meanwhile, Kurenai looked at Kakashi with a grave expression, her tone lower now that the genin were out of earshot. "What exactly am I supposed to tell the Hokage? Especially after what happened with the daimyo publicly abdicating his title?"

Kakashi sighed and rubbed his temple. "Just tell the truth. The Hokage's no fool. He'll understand how delicate this situation is. The old man's been walking the line between the Fire Court and the shinobi council for decades. He'll know how to play it."

"Play it? This isn't a game, Kakashi. A feudal lord giving up his rule voluntarily? That hasn't happened... ever. Every daimyo across the mainland is going to hear about this within the week. They'll all start wondering if their own people are going to rise up next."

Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "She's right. The Land of Fire might act composed, but its noble structure is built on precedent and fear of instability. If one of the lesser nations proves they can survive without a daimyo, the rest might start thinking they can do the same. The Fire Daimyo won't sit quietly and risk that kind of contagion."

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. "Exactly. That's why we need to get ahead of it. Wave owes Konoha. The Hokage can frame this as a stabilization effort... that Konoha's shinobi stepped in to prevent foreign intervention after Gato's fall. It gives the Fire Daimyo the illusion of control. He'll see it as an opportunity to extend his influence through Konoha's presence rather than an outright rebellion to suppress."

"So we turn the Wave's independence into a diplomatic shield."

"Precisely. Make it look like cooperation, not defiance."

Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "That might buy time, but it's not a permanent solution. The Fire Daimyo has advisors from the nobles whispering in his ear. Men who think shinobi have too much power already. They'll see this as proof that ninja are manipulating smaller nations for their own gain."

Kurenai's gaze hardened. "And that could spiral into a recall order on majority missions from the Land of Fire. Or worse, funding cuts to Konoha."

Kakashi nodded. "Which is why the Hokage needs to remind the Fire Daimyo that the Wave situation prevented economic instability. Gato's company had trade routes tied directly to the Fire ports. The Land of Fire benefits from Wave's new trade freedom."

"You've been thinking like a spymaster lately, Kakashi."

"I just pay attention," Kakashi said dryly. "And right now, the real danger isn't politics rather it's Naruto."

"Naruto?"

Kakashi gave a small nod. "He operates by his own moral code. It's not complicated as he does what he thinks is right. That's admirable, but it's also unpredictable. If he finds out that the Fire Court tries to exploit the Wave's new government or interfere with its freedom, he might act."

Jiraiya frowned. "You're saying he'd go against the Fire Daimyo?"

"I'm saying," Kakashi said quietly, "that if Naruto believes the Wave is being oppressed again, he won't ask permission to fix it. And I don't want to imagine what that would look like. The boy's not malicious but he's powerful, and he's got a temper when it comes to injustice."

Jiraiya ran a hand through his hair, muttering, "I can't believe we're having this conversation. The idea that one genin could be a political concern to a daimyo… that's new."

Suddenly, all three adults turned sharply, their senses flaring in unison. Something had shifted in the air as a presence unlike anything they had ever felt before.

It came from Naruto.

He had taken out a small, crystal vial filled with golden liquid.

The aura that radiated from it was indescribable. A wave of warmth and serenity rippled outward, washing over them. For a brief moment, their minds quieted, their breathing steadied, and every ache in their bodies eased.

The Divine Blessing's presence alone soothed their very souls.

Jiraiya blinked. "What in the name of the Sage is that…"

Naruto, completely oblivious to the effect he was causing, smiled as he held it out to Hinata.

"And this is for you."

"What is it?"

"It's called a Divine Blessing," Naruto said with his usual cheer. "One of the strongest healing items I've got. I know I promised I'd heal your mom myself, but since I'll be heading to Uzushiogakure, maybe you can use this to help her sooner."

Hinata hesitated, glancing at the golden light swirling inside the bottle. "Thank you, Naruto… but I'm not sure I should use something like this without you there."

"But it's going to take at least a week or more before I'm back. I just want you to have options."

Hinata took a slow breath. "I've waited years for my mom to wake up," she said quietly, but there was steel in her tone. "I can wait a few more weeks."

"You're really brave, Hinata."

"Thank you."

For a moment, everything felt calm again.

Then Kurenai exhaled, her gaze flicking toward Jiraiya. "I think that's all the proof you need, Jiraiya-sama," she said quietly. "You shouldn't underestimate that boy. You trained Minato-sama. You of all people should know how one man can reshape nations. The father had the power to change world, what makes you think the son can't."

Jiraiya didn't respond at first. His eyes were fixed on the glowing vial in Naruto's hand, reflecting in his pupils like sunlight on gold.

He finally let out a quiet chuckle that sounded more like a sigh. "Fair point," he said.

But the faint unease in his voice told the others that, deep down, he understood exactly what that meant.

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While Team 7 made their way toward the docks, the sun hung low over the ocean, painting the water gold.

"Hey, Naruto," Kakashi said lazily, though there was a curious edge to his tone. "Mind explaining what that Divine Blessing was back there?"

"Oh, that? It's holy water from the goddess Gwynevere."

Everyone stopped walking.

"…"

Sakura blinked. "I'm sorry, did you just say goddess?"

"Yup," Naruto said cheerfully.

"Holy water?" Kakashi repeated slowly, as if he were making sure he heard correctly.

"Uh-huh."

"From an actual goddess?"

"Pretty much."

"How did you even get it?"

"Oh, I bought it from this cute girl in a cult," Naruto said casually.

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Of course you did."

Jiraiya's eyebrow twitched. "Wait, wait, wait. Back up a second. A goddess, you said? Who is this Gwynevere?"

Naruto looked up at the sky, thoughtful. "She's the daughter of the Lord of Sunlight. And she's gorgeous."

He said it so flatly and honestly that it made Sakura blink. No blush. No hesitation. Just a statement of fact.

Jiraiya immediately perked up, eyes gleaming. "Hold on. Gorgeous, you say? How gorgeous? Describe."

"She's… really pretty?"

"Be specific," Jiraiya said, already fishing a notebook and pen from his sleeve. "How tall? How curvy? How big were her..."

"Stop," Sakura snapped. "Finish that sentence and I'll throw you in the sea myself."

Jiraiya ignored her, leaning dangerously close to Naruto. "Come on, kid! For research purposes!"

Naruto took a step back, eyes narrowing. "You're way too close, Pervy Sage."

"Come on! Be a good brat. Give me a visual. Round or perky? Proportional or..."

"I regret talking to you."

"Come on, I've got a brilliant idea! Transform into her using the Transformation Jutsu!"

Naruto stared at him. "…No."

"Come on! Just once! For art! For study! For—"

"I'd rather die."

Jiraiya clasped his hands together pleadingly. "Please, Naruto! Let this old man witness the goddess's glory!"

Naruto's eye twitched. "…Tell you what. If the boat you got us is actually impressive, I'll consider it."

That shut Jiraiya up instantly.

They rounded the corner, and Naruto's face lit up. Docked beside the pier was a massive, sleek ship with white sails catching the sunlight, polished wood gleaming like gold.

"Whoa! You actually did it, Pervy Sage! This is..."

"Turn around," Jiraiya interrupted quickly.

Naruto blinked and looked behind him… only to find a small, creaky fishing boat rocking gently in the water, missing half its paint.

"…This is it?"

"Yep!" Jiraiya said cheerfully. "Just a temporary mode of transportation. Buying a big ship is a waste of money!"

Kakashi interjected. "A waste of money? You literally have stacks of it from all your books!"

Jiraiya ignored him, rubbing his hands together mischievously. "Anyway! Now that we've settled that... Transformation Jutsu time!"

"You know what? Sure," Naruto said with a grin.

A puff of smoke exploded around him as everyone leaned forward, waiting to see what kind of divine beauty he'd turn into. Instead, a hand shot out of the smoke, grabbed Jiraiya by the collar, and hurled him clean off the dock.

Splash!

The ripples echoed across the harbor.

"Take that, Pervy Sage!"

Oscar chirped triumphantly from his shoulder.

Jiraiya surfaced, sputtering and drenched, hair plastered to his face. "That was cheating, you damn brat! We had a deal!"

"Yeah," Naruto called back, smirking, "and your boat sucked."

A sphere of golden lightning sparked to life in his palm, crackling and humming with power.

"How about you do the transforming, old man? Let's see you turn into a croaked toad!"

Jiraiya immediately began to sink back into the water. "On second thought, maybe I'll… stay down here and cool off a bit."

Team 7 collectively sweatdropped.

Sakura shook her head. "Every day with you all is like an acid trip."

Sasuke's eyes, however, stayed on the spear in Naruto's hand. "When did you learn to use lightning jutsu?"

Naruto looked down at his hand like he'd forgotten it was there. "Oh yeah! Picked it up after joining my Sun Bro's covenant."

"…Your what?"

"My Sun Bro! Solaire," Naruto said, doing the praise the sun gesture with Oscar. "He's awesome. Really wise guy, loves the sun, kind of glows all the time. We praise the sun together."

"You joined a cult with another guy?"

"It's not a cult," Naruto protested. "It's a brotherhood. Totally different. He's my number-one bro."

Sakura teased. "Jealous, Sasuke?"

"No," Sasuke said quickly.

"Yeah, you are," Sakura teased. "You can't stand that Naruto's got a number bro."

Naruto laughed and slung an arm around Sasuke's shoulder. "Don't worry, teme. Solaire might be my number-one bro, but you'll always be my number-two bro. My emo bro."

Sasuke stared at him with deadpan eyes. "I should have let you drown in Wave."

"Aw, come on," Naruto said with a grin. "You love me."

"Hn."

Jiraiya, still dripping wet, floated nearby muttering, "I should've taken up drinking instead…"

Kakashi sighed, pulling out his orange book. "Just another normal day with Team 7."

As they boarded the creaky little boat, Oscar chirped one last time at the horizon. Naruto smiled, already leaning into the ocean breeze.

"Next stop," he said, "Uzushiogakure."

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It took Team 8 three long days to finally reach the familiar forests surrounding Konoha. The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, casting the gates in a warm, orange glow.

"Man, it feels good to be home. First thing I'm doing is finding a hot meal and a long nap."

Akamaru barked in agreement from Kiba's shoulder.

"A mission that long will require a full debrief. Rest will have to wait."

Hinata smiled softly at the two of them. "It was a good mission. I'm just glad everyone made it back safe."

They didn't even make it to the gate guards before two ANBU appeared out of thin air.

"Team 8," one of them said curtly. "Where is Genin Naruto Uzumaki?"

The group froze.

"Naruto?" Kiba blinked. "Don't you mean Team 7? He's not even part of our team."

The ANBU didn't answer. Their attention shifted to Kurenai, whose calm expression faltered for just a moment. She noticed the chūnin guards nearby watching intently, their faces expectant. It wasn't just curiosity; rather, it was tension. Everyone wanted to know where Naruto was.

"Team 7 is currently traveling with Jiraiya-sama. Their location and status are for the Hokage's ears only."

The ANBU exchanged a quick glance before nodding. "Understood. You are to report to the Hokage's office immediately."

The air shifted as they prepared to use the Body Flicker Technique for the genin, but Kurenai lifted a hand.

"There's no need," she said evenly. "My team has already mastered Shunshin no Jutsu. We can manage on our own."

That earned her a rare reaction. One of the ANBU tilted his head slightly, and the chūnin gate guards exchanged looks of surprise.

Kiba smirked, catching the look. "Heh. You heard her. We're not amateurs."

"Very well," the ANBU replied, his voice clipped but respectful. "Proceed directly to the Hokage Tower."

And with that, both masked figures vanished in a swirl of leaves.

"Alright, you heard them. Let's move."

As they moved through the darkening village, Kurenai couldn't help but notice the way everyone seemed more alert—from shinobi on rooftops to civilians whispering, even the guards more focused than usual.

Something had changed in Konoha.

And she had a feeling it had everything to do with Naruto Uzumaki.

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Leaving her team outside the Hokage's office, Kurenai followed the secretary's polite but firm instructions, as the Hokage had ordered to see her alone.

The door slid open with a soft creak, and the familiar scent of tobacco and parchment filled her senses. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, his robes wrinkled and eyes sunken. The man looked as though he hadn't slept properly in days.

"Kurenai. I'm glad to see you returned safely."

"You might not be so glad once you hear my mission report, Hokage-sama."

He gave a tired chuckle at the joke. "I'll take my chances. Was the mission a success?"

"Yes. But… there were complications."

The Third leaned forward slightly, pipe resting between his fingers. "I've heard that Team 7 has been accompanying Jiraiya. Is that correct?"

Kurenai nodded. "Yes. They are currently en route to the ruins of Uzushiogakure. The Kyūbi is… gone. Naruto also believes that both the Fourth Hokage and the Uzumaki clan have connections to Lordran."

Hiruzen's brows furrowed deeply. "Wait. Wait, slow down." He raised a hand, rubbing his temple. "What exactly is Lordran?"

"It's a summoning realm that is the source of all Naruto's… uniqueness."

Hiruzen froze mid-inhale. The pipe wavered in his grasp. "A summoning realm connected to Minato…?"

"It would seem so," Kurenai replied. "I'd recommend speaking with Kakashi for more context. He's more informed about what transpired before we separated."

The Hokage leaned back heavily in his chair, exhaling smoke through his nose. "Yes. I think… I'll have to."

He snapped his fingers once. "Cat," he called.

A shadow shifted behind him, and an ANBU with purple hair and a cat mask stepped into view, kneeling.

"Tell my secretary to clear the next hour," Hiruzen ordered. "Then activate the sound barrier seal."

The ANBU nodded silently and vanished.

When the hum of the barrier filled the room, Hiruzen turned back toward Kurenai. "What is the status of the Kyūbi?"

"Unknown," she replied honestly. "That's part of the reason Team 7 is heading to Uzushiogakure—to find clues about its condition. Or… if it's even recoverable."

The Hokage's complexion paled slightly, and his jaw tightened. "And Naruto? Is he… alright? Normally, when a bijuu is released, the jinchūriki doesn't survive. I know the Uzumaki have incredible vitality, but even they have limits."

"There's nothing to worry about, Hokage-sama. Naruto is alive and doing well."

"Thank god. I don't think this village could bear another loss like that."

Kurenai hesitated, her mind flickering back to all the strange and unbelievable things she had witnessed, from his hawkeyes to his dragonic physiology.
She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again.

"And I thought the situation couldn't get more complicated."

Kurenai gave Hiruzen a sympathetic smile as she reached into her pouch and pulled out the mission report scroll. She began unrolling it.

And unrolling it.

And unrolling it… until it slid off the desk, rolled across the floor, and curled neatly at the base of a potted plant.

Hiruzen stared at it, his pipe nearly falling from his mouth. "That's not real!"

"It's not," Kurenai replied with a mischievous smirk. "Naruto gave me twenty ryō to prank you. I figured a little levity would do you some good, Hokage-sama."

For a moment, the Third just blinked, then a quiet chuckle escaped him. "That brat," he said, shaking his head. "If he's back to pulling harmless pranks, that means his anger toward me must be fading."

"Seems so."

"I appreciate it nonetheless," Hiruzen said as he took the real mission report from her hands. He began reading it… and within seconds, the color drained from his face.

The first line read: Mission Report: Initial C-rank escort of Tazuna of the Land of Waves, re-evaluated as S-rank by Jonin Kakashi Hatake, Jonin Kurenai Yuhi, and Sannin Jiraiya.

The Hokage opened his mouth, then closed it again. He tried once more, but no words came. His pipe wobbled dangerously in his hand. Finally, he managed to croak out a single word. "How?"

Kurenai sighed, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Let's just say it involved a stupid crime lord, several rogue shinobi, an unexpected revolution, and somehow... don't ask me how... political reform."

She paused, then added dryly, "But if I had to simplify it, Naruto happened."

Hiruzen stared at her in silence for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Naruto happened," he repeated under his breath.

"That's the short version."

"I genuinely do not know if I should laugh… or cry."

Kurenai nodded. "Let's decide after you read the entire report."

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Meanwhile, outside the Hokage office, the air felt… off.

Every shinobi that passed cast them sidelong glances. A few chūnin even paused like they wanted to ask something but then thought better of it and moved on.

Kiba finally snapped. "Okay, what the hell is going on? Why is everyone looking at us like we're about to drop a bombshell?"

The Hokage's secretary adjusted her glasses and leaned forward slightly. "They're not looking at you," she said, voice low. "They're hoping he's with you."

"Who?" Hinata asked, already suspecting the answer.

"Uzumaki Naruto."

Kiba's brows furrowed. "Wait, what? Why? Don't tell me something from the Wave leaked. Please don't tell me the Archer thing made it back here already."

"Not sure what you are talking about," the woman said, reaching into a drawer. "But you should see this."

She handed over a thin leather-bound folder, marked with the black-and-red seal of the Intelligence Division.

The latest Bingo Book.

Kiba opened it slowly and flipped to the marked page. His eyes widened as he read:

[ BINGO BOOK DOSSIER — TARGET #007: "UZUMAKI NARUTO" ]

[ STATUS: ACTIVE CONTRACT ]
[ ISSUED BY: MULTIPLE HIDDEN VILLAGES ]
[ DISTRIBUTION LEVEL: HIGH ]

[ IDENTITY FILE ]
[ NAME: Uzumaki Naruto ]
[ AFFILIATION: Konohagakure no Sato ]
[ SUMMONING AFFILIATION: Unknown – data suggests a nonstandard summon ("Oscar") ]
[ CLASSIFICATION: Confirmed Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox ]

[ LINEAGE RECORD ]
[ FATHER: Minato Namikaze – The Yellow Flash of Konoha ]
[ MOTHER: Kushina Uzumaki – The Crimson Valkyrie of Chains ]
[ NOTES: Direct descendant of two high-priority combat-class assets. Subject possesses abnormal chakra reserves, unknown medical ninjutsu, and hidden jutsu. ]

[ KNOWN ALIASES ]
[ "Son of Calamity" – Iwagakure Designation ]
[ "Knight of Konoha" – Otogakure Designation ]

[ RANK & THREAT ASSESSMENT ]
[ KONOHA RANK: Genin ]
[ IWAGAKURE CLASSIFICATION: B-Rank Threat ]
[ OTOGAKURE CLASSIFICATION: B-Rank Threat ]
[ THREAT SUMMARY: Despite low official rank, displays tactics and combat potential comparable to a jōnin. Subject's use of Nine-Tails chakra elevates potential to S-Rank if controlled. ]

[ ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY: Avoid prolonged contact. Subject demonstrates high adaptability and unknown techniques. If cornered, terminate swiftly or disengage. ]

[ ACTIVE BOUNTIES ]
[ IWAGAKURE: 10,000,000 Ryō – DEAD OR ALIVE ]
[ OTOGAKURE: 5,000,000 Ryō – Uzumaki Naruto ]
[ OTOGAKURE: 5,000,000 Ryō – "Oscar," Crystal Lizard summon (Specimen Retrieval Preferred Alive) ]

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

A small boat skimmed across the churning waters, carried forward by a massive toad swimming just behind it.

The toad's skin was a deep mossy green, covered in black swirling markings that looked almost like tattoos. His arms were thick and muscular, webbed fingers slicing through the waves with the power of a small engine. With each powerful kick of his hind legs, the boat surged forward, cutting through the mist. Every few seconds, his wide golden eyes would flick up toward the humans on board, croaking in rhythm with the waves.

"You're doing great, Gamasui," Jiraiya called out, bracing one hand on the boat's railing as spray hit his face. "Ten more minutes and I'll switch you out!"

The toad croaked in acknowledgement, tailing off into a long rumble that sounded like thunder beneath the sea.

Jiraiya turned back to the group. Sakura looked miserable, pale as chalk and gripping the side of the boat like it was her last lifeline. Sasuke was next to her, steadying her with a hand on her back. Kakashi sat cross-legged under the shade of his orange book, fast asleep or pretending to be.

"Alright, listen up, brats," Jiraiya called out, his voice cutting through the roaring wind. "We're entering Uzushiogakure's waters now, and there's a damn good reason this place is called the Land of Whirlpools. Even experienced sailors refuse to come within miles of this coast. But that's not the worst part."

He looked out across the stormy expanse, his face grim. "The entire coastline is wrapped in layers of fuinjutsu that have been active for centuries. The closer you get to the ruins, the more the water reacts to movement, chakra, even sound. The whirlpools form as a defense mechanism, targeting anything alive that comes too close. Ships vanish here without a trace, sucked into the sea before anyone can even blink."

As if to prove his point, Sasuke's eyes flicked toward the horizon. "Whirlpool forming, a hundred meters to the left."

"Heh. Didn't know the Sharingan could see that far."

Sasuke's expression didn't change. "It can't. Not normally. My eyes can now see at a greater distance due to having the traits of the Byakugan."

"Wait, what? How in the world did that happen?"

Sasuke only tilted his head toward Naruto, who sat silently at the front of the boat. The blond boy was holding Oscar high above him. The little crystal lizard chirped happily, enjoying the salty wind rushing past.

"You've been awfully quiet, brat," Jiraiya said as Gamasui moved the boat sharply to avoid another whirlpool that was forming beneath the surface. "That's not like you."

"It's nothing," Naruto said quietly. His hawk eyes were focused ahead, where the fog began to part. Through the haze, he could just make out the faint outline of broken towers rising from the waves… his ancestral home.

The ruins of Uzushiogakure.

"If a loudmouth like you goes silent," Jiraiya muttered, "it's usually something."

"I guess I'm just thinking. I don't know much about my clan or what this place really means. But seeing it like this… it hits differently."

"Don't hold it in," Kakashi said, lowering his book. "If you want answers, Jiraiya-sama's the man to ask. Despite how he looks, he's one of the greatest spymasters alive. He probably knows more about your clan than anyone still breathing."

"Yeah…" Jiraiya began, scratching the back of his head. Then he froze, glaring at Kakashi. "Hold on. What do you mean 'despite how I look,' huh?"

"Just saying what everyone's thinking, Jiraiya-sama."

Naruto snorted, trying and failing to hold back his laugh.

"East, fifty meters," Sasuke said suddenly. He was sitting upright now, eyes glowing faintly as he mapped the currents.

Jiraiya adjusted the rudder, and without missing a beat, Gamasui moved with the boat, dodging the swirling waters.

"Well, my first question is… how did Uzushiogakure even get destroyed? I mean, if this is what the ocean around it looks like, who could even get close enough to attack it?"

Jiraiya's expression darkened. "During the era of war and unrest, when the power of the jinchūriki began to rise, every major village started fearing the Uzumaki. Their knowledge made them too dangerous to be left alone. So, naturally, they became a target."

Naruto frowned, pointing toward the massive whirlpools that twisted and crashed around them like hungry beasts. "But how? They had defenses like this. These seals could tear apart fleets."

"It wasn't brute force that broke Uzushiogakure. It was betrayal."

Sakura looked up, pale from seasickness but listening intently. "Betrayal?"

"Yeah," Jiraiya said. "The village wasn't like the others. It was built by the Uzumaki, but not everyone there was Uzumaki by blood. There were civilians, refugees, and shinobi from smaller clans who came to the islands seeking protection. Over time, envy started to grow. The Uzumaki could live for decades longer than most, they healed faster, their chakra never seemed to end, and their sealing arts could make or unmake clans. The outsiders felt small in comparison. That envy festered into fear, then hatred. Civil war broke out within the village walls. And when the fighting started, the great villages saw their chance."

The group fell silent. Even the sound of crashing waves seemed distant. Naruto sat quietly, eyes lowered. Sasuke watched him, understanding more than he liked to admit. They were both survivors of dead clans.

"Alright," Jiraiya finally said, his tone sharp again. "Enough history. We're officially in the danger zone. Time to pull your weight."

He pointed at Sakura. "Pinky, I need a chakra barrier. Sphere formation, cover the whole boat like a shell."

Sakura took a shaky breath, wiped her mouth, and nodded. "Right." Glowing paper tags flew into the air, carried by chakra threads as they attached themselves to the hull and sides of the boat as it formed a barrier.

"Sasuke," Jiraiya continued, "you're our eyes. Guide us through this death trap. Use your eyes to spot currents before they form."

Sasuke's tomoe spinning rapidly as he scanned the sea. "There's a vortex forming thirty meters to the right. Another one ahead, smaller but growing fast."

"Got it," Jiraiya said, turning the rudder sharply. "Kakashi, on me!"

Kakashi closed his book with a sigh, already forming hand signs. "Fire Style?"

"Fire Style," Jiraiya confirmed.

They both exhaled twin waves of fire toward the rear of the boat, propelling them forward like a rocket. The little ship leapt over the swirling currents, skimming just above the deadly whirlpools.

"East, fifteen meters!" Sasuke called. "The next current's shifting!"

The team adjusted course instantly. The sea around them glowed faintly, patterns of old Uzumaki seals appearing beneath the water's surface. The glowing symbols pulsed with a rhythm, like a heartbeat.

Naruto stared at the churning sea, his reflection fractured by the violent motion of the water. The whirlpools spun endlessly, like eyes staring back at him from the deep.

A whirlpool holds its shape, unchanging, like a memory etched in stone. But a spiral breathes and grows, shifting with each turn. What begins as a simple swirl transforms, as the vortex gives way to the spiral… ever deeper, ever evolving.

For even if it seems to spin the same, every turn carves a new path. The floor beneath it changes, the air thickens, and the scenery shifts. In each twist lies a new truth, in each descent, a hidden strength. So, too, does life shift and flow, as we are bound not to the flatness of fate but to the living spiral of choice and change.

The Uzumaki walk this spiral, unbroken and ever-reaching.

His thoughts broke when Oscar chirped sharply in a warning.

A monstrous whirlpool was forming ahead of them, dwarfing everything they'd seen before. It stretched across the horizon, a vast circle of black water devouring the light. The roar of the sea grew deafening as the air itself trembled.

"Shit!" Jiraiya barked, gripping the rudder. "We're not getting around that thing! We'll have to destroy it with a powerful jutsu!"

"Leave it to me!" Naruto yelled, already leaping to the bow of the boat. He thrust his hand out, chakra swirling violently in his palm. A rough, unstable sphere of blue light began to form as the Rasengan. The chakra wobbled and sputtered, unable to maintain its shape.

"Tch." Jiraiya clicked his tongue, shouting over the wind. "Naruto, your chakra's not rotating right! You need multiple rotations at once to keep the sphere stable. It's collapsing on one side!"

"How do I fix it?"

"Your chakra rotation depends on your natural flow — clockwise or counterclockwise — it's tied to your hair growth pattern! Sasuke, check it with your eyes!"

"Right rotation! Move your chakra clockwise!"

Naruto adjusted instantly, his energy twisting tighter, denser. The Rasengan steadied but still flickered. Then he looked up, and the answer hit him like lightning.

The whirlpool ahead wasn't spinning in one direction. It was colliding forces of multiple flows crashing together, forcing each other to turn.

That chaos was the spiral.

That was what it meant to be Uzumaki.

He grinned, his blue eyes blazing. "Got it."

Naruto's chakra roared as he jumped while altering his flow, forcing his chakra to move in opposite rotations, currents crashing against each other to form perfect balance. The sphere solidified, a perfect Rasengan glowing like a star in his palm.

Then, midair, he formed a single seal. "

Shadow Clone Jutsu.

In an instant, the sky erupted with smoke as hundreds of Naruto clones appeared around him, each holding a Rasengan of their own. The sight was breathtaking. A storm of blue light suspended over a sea of darkness.

"Now!"

Together, over a hundred Rasengans crashed into the giant whirlpool.

The impact was thunderous. The air exploded with sound as blinding blue light burst across the sea. The water surged upward in colossal waves, the whirlpool screaming as its spiral unraveled under the assault. The surface of the ocean twisted and rippled outward, shockwaves racing across the waves like an echo of power.

The whirlpool shuddered, then collapsed inward as the roaring silence that followed felt like the world holding its breath.

The boy was flung through the air, spinning before crashing onto the sandy shore. His clones vanished in bursts of smoke.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The ocean had gone still. The whirlpools around them began to subside, their furious spirals slowing into calm, rhythmic waves.

Naruto groaned, sitting up on the beach, sand clinging to his clothes. Jiraiya and the others watched from the boat, speechless.

The setting sun bathed everything in gold and red, its light glinting off Naruto's damp hair. In that moment, his blond strands caught the glow of dusk, burning crimson as the same red as the Uzumaki"s hair.

It was as if the island itself was welcoming a young Uzumaki back home.

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Author's Note: And with that, we have finally arrived at Uzushiogakure. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, it was one of my favorites to write. The Q&A section will be short this time, but there are a few interesting points I want to go over.

1. Was the Uzumaki Clan in a Civil War?

Answer: In the manga and anime, there is never any clear confirmation of a civil war in Uzushiogakure. However, in the official Naruto databook, Kushina's entry includes a very interesting line:

"A former kunoichi from the Land of Eddies, she gave birth to Naruto. Having grown up during the turbulent civil war years, Kushina fervently wished for days of peace and calm."

That single mention of a civil war really caught my attention and opened up a lot of creative potential.

So, I decided to expand on that idea. Think about it, the Uzumaki clan had long lifespans, incredible vitality, and some of the most dangerous sealing jutsu in existence. It makes sense that envy and resentment could grow among those who did not share their gifts.

If Uzushiogakure was a proper shinobi village, it could not have been made up entirely of Uzumaki. There must have been civilians and other clans who lived under their rule, and that sort of imbalance often leads to conflict. Envy turns to fear, fear turns to hatred, and hatred turns to rebellion. The civil war within the village gave the great nations the perfect opportunity to strike and finish what internal conflict had already started.

It also ties well into canon. We already know that the Uzumaki were wiped out because their sealing jutsu were feared by the other nations. A divided village would have made that outcome inevitable.

I also plan to explore the Uzumaki in much more depth.

If any of you have ideas about the Uzumaki clan's history, culture, or techniques, feel free to share them. If something fits the tone and direction of the story, I would love to include it.

2. How Will DS Naruto Use the Rasengan?

This one is more of an open question to all of you because it touches on one of the key points of this crossover: the fusion of the Naruto and Dark Souls power systems.

In the Dark Souls world, magic does not simply make something stronger, it changes the very nature of what it touches. For example, when the Transformation Jutsu is amplified by magic, it becomes true shapeshifting. Naruto could literally alter his body into another form, like a hawk or even a woman.

The same idea applies to every jutsu. If chakra techniques are fueled by magic, their effect could evolve beyond what they were originally meant to do.

So here is the question: What would a magic-infused Rasengan look like?

How would elemental Rasengans, such as Wind, Fire, or Lightning, behave when combined with the influence of the Dark Soul, magic, or even chaos itself?

Would a Lightning Rasengan pull the energy of a storm straight from the sky?Would a Fire Rasengan act like a miniature sun, burning everything it touches?Would a Dark Rasengan twist the space around it and swallow the light itself?

Remember, in this world, magic amplifies the concept behind a jutsu. It takes what the technique represents and makes it physically real.

So, I want to hear from you. What do you think the ultimate evolution of the Rasengan would look like in this story?

Share your ideas in the comments, and let's shape the next stage of this crossover together.

That's It… For Now.

As always, I want to thank you all for taking the time to read, comment, and follow along with this story. Your feedback means more than you know, and it helps push me to make each chapter bigger, sharper, and more true to the worlds of Naruto and Dark Souls.

Until next time, Praise the Sun.

—Adam