Chapter 0. The Last Shinobi
"Hi Grandpa, I brought you some water!"
"Oh, thanks."
"Don't you want anything else? You want to eat or something?"
"Well, I'd like to eat some tomatoes"
"That again? Grandpa really likes tomatoes. Okay, I'll get you some!"
Watching his great-grandson run to the kitchen, he sips a glass full of cold water.
As he felt his tongue moisten his dry throat, Sasuke paid attention to the sound of the television that came to his ears.
Today is the 100th anniversary of the end of the Fourth Shinobi War. A memorial ceremony to remember and commemorate everyone who was killed in war was held in the village of Yugakure, the site of the war.
A whole row of flowers on the TV screen. Sasuke would have placed a flower there, too, if he hadn't caught a cold a few days ago
Soon the screen switches to show the village heads of each country looking straight ahead, one by one. He recognized some of them, and squinted at the faces of those he had met in the past.
They were all shinobi, including their teachers, best friends, wives, daughters, and peers. Many shinobi had passed away, and Sasuke was the only one left who knew about the war.
The only trace of the old days in this Konoha village is a face-rock. Outside, skyscrapers stand in a row, and trains and Shinkansen run between them.
There's food, there's a bed, there's clothes, even if it's just superficial things that can take care of each other. Children can laugh and play in peace. They don't get killed unreasonably.
At least in this Land of Fire, in the village of Konoha, it was indeed a peaceful world.
However, he still cannot get used to the new world brought to him by scientific ninjutsu.
Probably because he is "Shinobi"
In a peaceful world, there is no need to exchange lives anymore.
In a peaceful world, "shinobi" are no longer needed.
...
"I'm sorry, Grandpa! We seem to be out of tomatoes right now. Mom just went shopping at ...! Hey, Grandpa, what's going on? What's wrong?"
He looked through an open door and heard the impatient voice of a great-grandchild who looked just like him
He tried to ask what the matter was and realized that he couldn't speak. His hands are wet, too. He must have dropped the glass.
It was only when his great-grandson hand was wrapped around his waist that he lay there and realized his time had come.
"'Grandpa...., mom, I- I have to tell my mom!"
He gently held back his crying great-grandson arm with a trembling, wrinkled hand. There is no more time to call his granddaughter.
He let out a laugh at his sobbing great-grandson, and brush his golden hair with one hand.
It's like a runaway light, or perhaps it's just a warm memory that comes back to him vividly.
Meals with his family - he had been lavished with so much love that he had not even noticed.
The mission with the Team 7 - the warmth of the team seeped into his cold heart.
A chance encounter with his dead brother - he had forgiven him for everything.
Reconciliation with his best friend - the fate that had continued from his previous life was over and he was free from everything.
The day he married his wife.
The day he heard she was pregnant.
The day his daughter was born, and married.
The day his grandchildren were born and married.
And the day he was born.
He was happy. He wanted to cry
"Actually, there's one more thing that i want"
"What? What? I'll get it right away!"
"I want to see your ... smile."
The great-grandson face contorted for a moment, and then he smiled a smile like the sun, just like that guy.
Then he smiled a smile like the sun, just like him.
"Well Then usuratonkachi."
"...Good night, Grandpa."
With a final peck on the forehead, he slowly closed his eye.
In the white light, Sasuke consciousness faded away.
The next day, the news that the last Shinobi, the hero of the Great War, had breathed his last, was very much on the news
Uchiha Sasuke was 118 years old.
He died in his sleep, and his funeral was attended by many people.
His corpse was said to have a peaceful, gentle smile on its face.
Thus, one man life came to an end.
──── should have been the end.