Chapter 49

It was rather anticlimactic and was as one sided as he'd suspected, but having a fight be ended swiftly wasn't something he was going to complain about. It was the purpose of strength after all, to defeat one's foe as quickly and utterly as possible whilst protecting those he loves. 

Naruto breathed out and along with the wind that escaped his lungs, his senjutsu released from within and dissipated into the air. 

Mei gasped, feeling like she could breathe again. She took a moment to gather herself before speaking. 

"Is it over?" She asked hesitantly. 

Naruto knew this tone well, and did not need his empath abilities to know that she feared him. He would prove that she needn't to, once he established the practice of ninshu here. 

He nodded anyway. "Yes, yes it is."

Mei fell to her knees, overwhelmed with emotion. 

She felt Zabuza in her shadow once more. It seemed that even with Ao, Naruto was right. 

Mei wanted to sob. It was over. They'd done it. The nightmare was eradicated. The tyranny ended today. 

Yet she felt like she'd done nothing to accomplish it. 

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder, his hand, the one who was comparable to kami. 

She tensed and gazed up. He wore an expression of understanding, and patience. 

"Close your eyes," He said gently. 

Mei did as she was told…and she felt the world flow into her. She felt connected to emotions she knew belonged to him. 

They were immense. 

She felt, truly felt, his understanding, his peace, his love for humanity and his very nature. She knew, too, that he was understanding her beyond the surface emotions she displayed. Was this the extent of his empath abilities?

No, she felt like she'd read of this somewhere before. In a book of fantasy and dreams, of what was once good turned evil. 

Ninshu. That was what Naruto said he wanted to spread. 

She could see why as with but a brief contact, she somehow knew the very essence of the person in front of her. She also knew that she could trust it not to be a manipulation of her mind in the highest order. She still felt control and could end this connection at any instant she so wished. 

Yet she didn't. 

She let it flow, and she found that he knew more of her than she expected. He knew what she intended Kiri to be and that her intentions were pure. How? 

Was it another of his abilities to have such foresight?

She didn't know. 

She…didn't really care. Not truly. 

For at this moment, she could trust him in his entirety, that he was not a being who did all of what he did today just to use it against them, to form another reign of a tyrannical ruler. 

When Naruto drew his hand away, she almost leapt to keep it where it was. Yet, like a fickle dream, she could only watch as it brought her back to reality. 

She breathed, this time peaceful and at ease. 

She smiled up at him. 

"Thank you," she said, saying the only words that could describe the immensity of her gratitude. 

"Don't thank me just yet," Naruto chuckled. 

Like he showcased two weeks ago, he began to float upwards to the sky. 

Mei only watched with hands clutched to her chest. 

Kushina landed beside her to watch, too. 

"He's incredible," Mei breathed. 

"I know," Kushina smiled. 

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Naruto held onto the innocent souls with an iron fist, as well as the ones belonging to Mei's forces. None escaped him.

Naruto projected his voice over the battlefield, where small skirmishes were still ongoing. 

"Cease," he said, his voice emanating throughout the entirety of Kirigakure. 

All did, even the deaf, even the blind, even the dying. 

"It is over," he simply stated, "Yagura is dead. Kiri has won."

With that, Yagura's forces lost control of their bodily functions, like statues. If those of Mei's forces were disbelieving of the tale of Naruto's abilities they'd heard two weeks ago, they were anything but now. 

"Capture them and bind them with Chakra-seals," Naruto commanded. 

Mei's forces did as they were told, executing his orders so quickly that it may as well have come from their own Kage. 

Naruto closed his eyes and concentrated. 

And yet another otherworldly thing happened before their eyes. 

The dying and dead, rose as Naruto did, into the air like they were ascending to the very skies. 

Then they stopped just 10 feet off of the ground. With stunned silence, the forces of Mei watched as the bodies began to heal. 

Dead, dying bodies that had no right to do so. 

Surely he wouldn't do what they were all thinking. 

But he did. 

As with a hand motion upwards, Naruto summoned them all back to life, reattaching their souls to their now healed bodies, reuniting them once more. 

Making the forces of Kiri stop in their place with but a glance was one thing. 

Bringing the dead back to life was another thing entirely. 

The sight of such a miracle escaped no one, citizens and ninja alike. 

Naruto's name would be etched into the history of Kiri forever. 

Later on, he would be known by many names yet to all in Kiri, he would forever be known as:

Kiri no Kami.

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"This is unbelievable," Pinkett whispered into her ear. 

Sakura could only nod, jaw hanging open. 

When the formerly deceased people who she'd forsaken as a lost cause descended back to earth, she did her best to make her way to Naruto, jumping from building to building as she did. 

He descended too and it only took her a second to leap into his arms. 

"Oof," Naruto said, absorbing the impact before he chuckled and returned her gesture. 

"I was worried," she said into his chest. 

"I know," he replied, amusement still in his voice. 

"Ahem," Kushina coughed and Sakura separated immediately, showing only a faint embarrassment over the display of affection. 

Mei Terumi watched with surprised eyebrows. "...Does she know about the conditions of the treaty?"

Sakura blinked. "Conditions? Treaty?"

She was left in the dark about this as it wasn't necessary for her to know as a field medic. 

Mei had mistakenly assumed that Sakura was Naruto's girlfriend and it was her right to know that her partner was to have an offspring growing up here in Kiri. 

Kushina glared at Mei who realised her mistake in assumption. 

"Ah, it's nothing then," She simply stated. 

Sakura's eyes flicked back to Naruto, who looked slightly embarrassed. 

"I'll explain later," he told her. 

She would be fine with that, though her teal orbs narrowed with suspicion. 

"Anyhow," Naruto began, "You can gather your forces now Mei. Celebrate your victory."

Mei could only nod and smile. 

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Sakura was understandably miffed when she was informed of Naruto's situation here, though she took it easier than he thought. 

"I still can't believe I have to share you with some woman from Kiri," She muttered under her breath. 

Naruto couldn't wait until she found out that she wasn't the first woman he laid with in this world. 

"Our guest of honour," Mei said to the hall filled with shinobi and citizens alike, "Is the ally that came to us in our darkest hour and assisted us for nothing but friendship in return. It was by his grace that we have won, with zero casualties no less. Please honour his name and give him the pride he deserves. Thank you, Naruto Hagoromo."

Naruto blushed a bit at the praise but when the claps and nervous smiles came, he put on his calm and collected expression. The one he used to address the masses as a hero and leader during the war of his old world. 

"Thank you, Mei-sama," he stated using the honorific to give her the respect her title now granted her. He gazed at the crowd, and even blindfolded, he met the eyes of those who stared back at him. Some shuddered, some gave a small nod of respect. 

He cleared his throat before he spoke. "It is an honour to be praised by our new Mizukage, but I did not win this war today. It is to the resilience of Kiri's free spirit, to never submit to tyranny and injustice that victory was brought to us. It is to the blood, sweat and tears that you all gave for this country that Kiri is free once again."

He gestured to Mei. "It is to Mei Terumi, your steadfast leader that has been with you through thick and thin, that you prospered and held hope for a better future."

He paused, letting out a breath of air, to calm his emotions. "It is to us all, to uphold the duty that we swore by, to protect our homeland and grow stronger together. You can raise your glass today with your brothers and sisters and smile for you have honoured your predecessor's dream. Today, we stand as one for a dream fulfilled and the start of a better future."

Naruto raised his glass and for a moment no one answered his call. 

Then, Mei, Kushina, Sakura, Haku, and Miyu, who was in the crowd, raised their own. "We stand as one."

And the rest followed as a cacophony of voices rang through the hall. The voices of triumph and celebration. 

Throughout it all, Mei Terumi looked towards the blond-haired man with admiration. 

When it all died down, Mei stood up once more from her seat. 

Everyone quieted. 

"Thank you all, and you Naruto for your words," Mei said, "I did not want to hold you from your fun any longer but I saw it prudent to announce a few things you have all already suspected. We have signed a new treaty with Konoha, one of equality and integration unlike any other you've heard off. I will post the charter tomorrow for you all to see but know that it is a treaty with pure intentions. I have made sure of it."

The shinobi's who tensed up at the announcement eased at her words but most of their eyes flickered to Naruto for a second. 

Mei knew what those gazes meant. 

"In regards to Naruto Hagoromo, a powerful presence and a friend to our country," she said, emphasising that last part, "I have taken further steps to ensure his alliance with us."

At this, everyone leaned forwards on their seats. 

"He has agreed to sire an offspring with a Kiri kunoichi, who will then be raised here," Mei continued. "He has rejected the proposed list of candidates presented to him and elected to choose a partner of his own accord. A time limit of 5 years for the conception of the child is agreed upon."

Another wave of silence rang throughout the hall. 

Then a kunoichi in the crowd stood up from the seat. 

She was pretty, as all kunoichi's were though she held no candle to the women Naruto usually mingled with. 

"I do not mind bearing his child for the sake of Kiri," she said. 

Then chaos. 

Most, if not all, single, unpartnered Kunoichis also stood to elect their services. Mostly in the same words as the first one who was quicker on the uptake as others. 

Kiri shinobi respected strength. Their Kunoichi's were no exception. The moment they heard that the one who was close to god was up for grabs, they were relentless. 

It took Mei firing one of her lava jutsu in the air to quiet them down. 

"Enough," She stated as the voices died down. "As I've stated, he will choose of his own accord. None of you are making a great impression. Sit. Down."

They all did as they were told though their eyes were defiant. The prize was too big for them to fully ignore. 

To sire an offspring from one as strong as Naruto would make their entire life an honoured one as they have brought a great gift to Kiri. 

Mei sighed. 

"Without further ado, let the celebration begin."

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'So this is what Sasuke felt like,' Naruto thought as he spoke to the 74th Kunoichi tonight who couldn't help but make introductions. 'I feel like a prized pig.'

Sakura growled at another who approached, making them turn away before they could earn her ire. Her reputation had skyrocketed with the praising of her services from those she'd healed. She'd gained the title of 'The Cherry Blossomed Angel,' which Naruto admitted had a nice ring to it. 

Only the bravest or the more foolish would ignore the threat that she posed. Plus there was also the fact that she was far more gorgeous than any of them combined which made her more intimidating to them than her deadliness. In some cases, jealousy and envy was an emotion stronger than fear, and those who were more daring came up to him. 

Should she have not been there, Naruto suspected he would have needed to introduce himself to a lot more than 74. 

"Thanks, Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered. 

Sakura huffed. "A week ago, they didn't even dare approach you, nor ever look at you. Now, they're like flies to a light."

Naruto chuckled and pulled her close by the waist. 

She let out a pleasant gasp before she giggled and leaned into him. It was also a message to the kunoichi's around them. A message stating that Naruto's chosen kunoichi would have to match her and that was an impossible task for practically all kunoichi's in the entire Elemental Nations save a select few. 

"Naruto-kun," a voice said from behind him.

Speaking of said select few. 

Mei Terumi, who looked amused at his predicament, was one of them. Her wavy auburn hair which went all the way to her calves, her Azure light blue eyes, her fair skin, her beautiful face that was sadly partially covered by the locks of hair, made her one of the most beautiful women in the entire Elemental Nations. Naruto always wondered of the reason behind the stylistic choice of her hair but never had the opportunity to question it. He made a note to ask about it later if the time came. 

"Mei-sama," Naruto addressed, smiling. 

It was with a familiar closeness one could only gain from the sharing of Ninshu that they spoke. 

"Would I be able to talk with you privately?" She asked. 

Naruto only bowed, showing those who overheard his submission to the now ruler of Kirigakure. It would do well to ease their worries further. 

"Of course, Mei-sama," he responded, gently squeezing Sakura's arm to signal her. 

She huffed once more and left to where Haku was talking with Miyu.

Mei smiled and gestured to a room. 

He followed. 

They'd just had their announcement at Kiri's town hall, which was comparable to the chuunin exam stadium for Konoha. Mei had arranged many of the food vendors and chefs of Kiri to organise a feast for the new leadership and management. 

It was to one of the many small rooms that Naruto entered and found Mei facing a window towards a view of Kiri. 

Naruto smiled and joined her at her side. 

"I didn't think I'd ever see this view from up here again," Mei whispered. 

Naruto smiled at her. "Now you have, and it is well deserved."

Mei returned that smile with one of her own. "I'm sorry for making you put up with the female population of Kiri."

Her smile was genuine but Naruto could catch a small hint of a teasing glint in her eyes. 

"It's no problem," Naruto said dryly, though he couldn't help the corners of his lips from twitching in amusement. 

"Has anyone managed to impress you?" Mei asked. 

Naruto shrugged. "Kiri Kunoichi's are…rather forward, but it's like they only see me for my strength and not me…as a person."

Mei gave an understanding nod. "I see. It's truly a shame that none knows the kind-hearted person you are." 

Naruto chuckled. "You didn't just a day ago."

Mei chuckled, too. "Your use of this…ninshu, I've only read about it in legends. Are you going to do that with everyone here?"

"That's the goal," Naruto almost whispered, "It's why I've asked you to build a shrine here. One day, I hope to unite all nations of the Elemental Nations, in the name of shared understanding."

He gave a sad smile. "It is a foolish dream, but one I have nonetheless."

Mei was watching Naruto's expressions the entire time and gave him a squeeze on his shoulder. "I think you can do it."

Naruto's sad smile turned into a bright one. "Thank you."

They both returned to staring into the visage that was Kirigakure. It was so different from Konoha yet so beautiful in its own way. Naruto hoped that he could view all the hidden villages peacefully like this in his lifetime. 

After a few moments of silence, Mei spoke up. 

"I should let you get back to the celebrations," She said, "I don't want to hold you off for too long."

Naruto nodded. "I will…however, I wanted to ask something of you if you don't mind."

"Anything," Mei responded. 

"First of all, why do you wear your hair like that? It covers what I believe is one of the most beautiful faces in the entire Elemental Nations," Naruto asked. 

Mei froze, not from any jutsu nor the feeling of his presence, but by the suddenness of his comment. 

To think that this young man could be so…forward to someone of her age…

Then his question registered and a bit of shame washed through her. 

She reached up and gently lifted the bangs that covered her face revealing…

Naruto gasped. 

Burn scars, ugly and large, stretching from her forehead to the side of her ear.

"I'm so sorry," Naruto said reflexively. 

Mei recovered her scars and shook her head. "Don't be. It was a long time ago when I received them."

Instead of backing away, feeling uncomfortable as Mei expected him to do, to her surprise, he came closer. Not close enough to intrude on her personal space, but close enough for her to lean her head on his shoulder should she reciprocate the gesture. 

"Would you…tell me about it? Would you tell me your story?" He asked. 

The genuine question left her blushing. Goodness, it was like she was a teen again, chasing after boys with the innocence of a child untainted by war. 

"You would want to know about me?" Mei asked. 

"Of course I do, you are Mei Terumi, fifth Hokage and one of the most incredible women in the entire Elemental Nations," Naruto replied, "I would sit here all day listening to you."

For some odd reason, Mei's heart was hammering in her chest. "I–I see…"

Then Naruto offered her a hand as they both made their way to sit on a nearby pair of chairs. 

She looked at the hand, and unlike the other, it wasn't bandaged, but normal. It was human. He was human. She needed to remind herself of that at times. 

She reached for it and placed her own hand in his. 

The connection of Ninshu flowed into her once more. 

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