Chapter 99 Departure

Chapter 99 - Departure

Summary of the previous chapter:

All the Uchiha had gathered for the day of the territory transfer. Max and Mikoto grew closer in their relationship, often sleeping together. Makoto supported their relationship but issued a warning to Max. During one meeting, Max asked Makoto to investigate all the deaths that had occurred recently, leading to the discovery that many were murders. Mikoto didn't take the news well, but Makoto began to trust Max completely, seeing a glimmer of hope. Additionally, Max met with Kushina at their special spot, where she shared details of her life at the academy. Kushina revealed that nobody bothered her anymore since she used her technique to defeat the men who harassed her. Mikoto found Max lost in thought, and after he confided in her, they planned their escape and managed to create a plan. Max, Mikoto, and Yemon went to the meeting point where all the Uchiha were gathered, and Makoto began making an announcement. Ultimately, the Uchiha clan relocated peacefully, and later that evening, Max went to meet with Kushina. Max told Kushina he was leaving Konoha, and she began to cry, on the verge of leaving. Max told Kushina he would wait for her in their special spot for five days, and Kushina apologized before leaving.

[November 13, 14 A.N.N.]

I lay on the bed, holding her close. Her slow, gentle breathing against my chest was comforting. I glanced at her; she was still asleep.

Turning my gaze towards the window, I noticed that the sky was still dark, shrouded in mist as winter drew nearer. Returning my attention to her, I pulled her closer to me, finding solace in her presence.

Over the past four days, Mikoto had accompanied me around the village, showing me every corner as we prepared to leave for good. People were surprised to see us together, considering my deteriorating appearance and sluggish movements, but they respected my insistence that I was fine and simply needed rest, attributing it to the toll of the mission where most Uchiha perished.

These walks had provided valuable insights into escape routes, and I had devised multiple plans to ensure our departure went smoothly. However, Kushina had not shown up since our last meeting, and I hadn't received any news from her, which troubled me deeply.

Today marked the beginning of our plan to leave Konoha without attracting attention. I had to ensure that no one would investigate the disappearance of Uchiha Ryu and Uchiha Mikoto.

As I lay there lost in thought, I felt movement in my arms. Mikoto had just woken up, and when she looked at me, her eyes lit up with joy, and she gave me her brightest smile.

"Good morning, husband," she said softly and happily, hugging me tightly.

"Good morning, wife," I replied, giving her a morning kiss, which she returned.

We began to converse in bed, holding each other close. I explained the details of our plan to Mikoto, who listened thoughtfully.

"Are you okay?" I asked when I noticed her uncertainty about the plan's success.

"Do you think the plan will work?" she replied, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"Yes, don't worry. Trust me," I reassured her, though I kept my Mangekyou Sharingan abilities a secret for now. "I trust you," she responded with determination, snuggling closer to me. "I want to stay in your arms a little while longer," she added, holding me tight.

Her words touched me deeply, and instead of replying, I simply held her tighter, letting my actions speak for themselves.

Mikoto nestled her ear against my chest, listening to the steady rhythm of my heartbeat. After a while of silence, I heard her soft voice.

"The beats of your heart, they will set the pace for my life," Mikoto said softly, still listening to my heartbeat.

Her words filled me with joy, as I felt her true feelings. "Then I will never stop my heartbeats, so you'll always be by my side," I replied, hugging her tighter to show my feelings.

"I would have liked to be the only woman in your life and not have to share you with anyone," Mikoto said with pain, tears staining her cheeks as she buried her face in my chest, trying to hide her appearance.

Hearing her words and feeling her tears on my chest, I didn't hesitate. With my right hand, I lifted her face, making her look at me, and spoke with a serious tone. "I won't abandon anyone. I made a promise to take care of them, and you're included. No matter who comes, I won't abandon anyone. For one woman, I won't abandon all my women. That would be betrayal."

"Then you won't leave me? What if a more beautiful woman comes and asks you to abandon me?" Mikoto asked through her tears.

"That won't happen. No matter how beautiful a woman is, I won't abandon anyone," I replied, thinking that love is shown more in actions than in words.

"In a kiss, you'll know all my feelings for you," I said, pulling her closer and kissing her while holding her tightly.

Mikoto returned the kiss, and we kissed for a long time. When we pulled away, I looked at her face. She had stopped crying, and I could see a small smile of relief. I started wiping away the tears from her eyes, thinking that in that kiss, I had shown her how much she meant to me.

"Wife, promise me one thing," Mikoto said, looking into my eyes with a serious expression.

"Yes, tell me," I replied calmly, caressing her face.

"You'll never leave me," Mikoto said, continuing to look into my eyes.

"I promise, I'll never leave you," I replied sincerely. When Mikoto heard my words, she smiled at me and kissed me, and I kissed her back.

After a while, we got out of bed and prepared to leave the house. Before leaving, I created a Wood Clone and hid it.

As we walked towards Makoto's house, Mikoto and I wanted to have one last meeting with him. We didn't know when we would see him again.

When we arrived at Makoto's house, Yemon was waiting for us outside and ushered us in. The three of us headed to where Makoto was.

After a while, we entered a completely secure room where we could talk without being spied on.

"Hello! It seems the time has come," Makoto said calmly, knowing about the plan.

"Yes, Old man! This could be our last meeting with you. I don't know how long it will be until we meet again. But you have to be strong and patient until we return," I spoke calmly, thinking that he had earned my respect.

"Alright," Makoto said calmly, aware of the immense responsibility on his shoulders, knowing that any mistake could condemn his clan.

Yemon remained silent, understanding that his clan was on thin ice because any mistake could lead to its destruction.

Mikoto just looked at me, then at her father, and let out a sigh.

The atmosphere became silent, and nobody spoke for a while. I broke the silence when I spoke up.

"Old man, take this and open it when a significant event happens in the world," I spoke calmly, taking out a scroll from my pocket and tossing it to Makoto.

As I watched the scroll fly towards Makoto, I pondered, "I was responsible for paving my own path when I started my journey, and now I can be sure. Now I understand why I didn't feel much danger at the time, as the Uchiha Clan diverted Konoha's attention."

When Makoto caught the scroll, he looked at it for a moment and then put it away, knowing that he would fulfill my words because it wasn't the time to know what information was in the scroll.

"Promise me one last thing," Makoto said with a serious tone, looking at me.

"Protect my daughter," Makoto said, his voice tone expressing the seriousness of his words.

"You don't need to ask me that. From the beginning, I was going to protect her," I spoke calmly, determined not to let Mikoto get hurt.

"I feel at ease now. Let's proceed with the ceremony, as I am entrusting my daughter to you... and I don't intend for my daughter to leave without a commitment," Makoto said calmly.

Mikoto blushed at his words, realizing what that meant for our relationship.

Yemon smiled silently, knowing he would be the witness.

"Alright," I spoke, and we began the traditional ceremony.

Makoto took care of everything, making Mikoto and I drink Sake together, explaining that this ritual would make us spouses, formalizing our marriage.

When the ceremony was over, Mikoto stood by my side, looking happy now that we were engaged.

Makoto nodded in approval, satisfied that he had married off his daughter and left her in good hands. He was relieved because his daughter would survive, not knowing what the future might hold, which was his greatest fear.

During this ceremony, Makoto had given me something very important, which could be considered the ultimate technique but was regarded as trash because not everyone could reach its full potential. It required determination to achieve, and it was: Hachimon!!

During this time, the reason I hadn't taken the next step with Mikoto was out of respect for her, and I thought, 'Even though we skipped many steps by sleeping together, now I have full permission.'

The ceremony ended, and as we got up, it was time to leave this place. Mikoto nodded in approval when she finished talking to her father.

At that moment, I was about to leave with Mikoto when she confirmed, signaling that I wouldn't see Makoto again.

"Old man, remember... never underestimate anyone... especially not the Nara Clan... That's my advice. Take care, and... Don't die," I spoke calmly as we started to leave.

"Likewise, take care of my daughter, and don't die," Makoto said calmly.

When Makoto finished speaking, I began to leave with Mikoto, and we started walking through Konoha, knowing it would be the last time we could walk peacefully.

In the evening, I went with Mikoto to Teuchi's Ichiraku Ramen restaurant, and we ate while chatting.

Mikoto was happy to know I had made an acquaintance in Konoha, but we would soon be leaving, and she wouldn't see him again for a long time.

After we finished eating, I paid a large sum of money since I wouldn't see them again, and I was worried about Teuchi's wife, Aya. Teuchi and Aya were very different from the rest of the people, and that's why I was helping them.

"Goodbye," I bid farewell to them, and so did Mikoto.

As we walked out and continued walking, Mikoto moved closer to my side, knowing that the plan would soon be set in motion.

After a while, when we were near the new Uchiha Clan territory, and many people were looking in our direction, I made my body walk with difficulty and suddenly stopped, causing my body to collapse to the ground.

Bang!

[Point of View, Mikoto]

Minutes before...

Today was wonderful because my father got me engaged to my husband, and he approved of our relationship.

Since I was very young, I always wondered who my future husband would be, and now that I had found him, it made me remember how I met him.

When my father went on the mission and I wanted to go with him, but he refused, saying he had a bad feeling, and I couldn't accompany him.

As the days passed and my father didn't return, I felt a growing anxiety because it reminded me of my father's words.

After several days, someone approached my house and informed me that my father had returned. I immediately felt relieved, but when I saw the person's face, he looked sad, as if he were holding back pain. I didn't say anything and went to the meeting place.

The two of us went to greet my father, and when we arrived, I waited for him with everyone else. Everyone in the Clan seemed upbeat because their families were returning.

After a while, I saw my father, but there were only two more people with him, and everyone else who had accompanied him wasn't there.

Immediately, I was able to draw a conclusion, and as I looked around, I knew that everyone had come to the same conclusion. When everyone began to speak, my father ordered them to remain silent.

We were gathered, and my father told us everything that had happened. I felt saddened by the great loss of lives, as I knew many of the people who had died, and some were close to me.

When everything was over, my father sent everyone to rest, and only the four of us remained. The strangest thing was Uchiha Ryu's (Max's) behavior, as it was not his usual demeanor.

After a while, I couldn't bear it any longer and asked, not understanding what was happening. My father confirmed to Ryu (Max) that I was trustworthy, and I was left with doubts about those words. Max deactivated the transformation technique, and I could see his true face.

My first impression was that he was very handsome, and I immediately felt reassured by what was happening. After they told the whole truth, I felt sad and betrayed, wondering how the village had done this to us.

While everyone was talking, my father told me that Max's identity could not be known by anyone, and that I was in charge of his stay.

Upon leaving the room, Max was very gentlemanly and treated me kindly, something I appreciated a lot. He was very different from the other men I had dealt with.

As we walked, Max offered me his jacket. At first, I thought he wanted to touch me and I backed away, but then I realized that he simply wanted to give it to me so I wouldn't be cold. I apologized for my behavior.

I have always liked to see the stars at night, and when I spoke quietly thinking that Max wouldn't hear me, I was happy to discover that he liked them too.

When we arrived home, I offered to prepare dinner for Max, and he accepted, which made me very happy. I was nervous because, all my life, I had dedicated myself to training and neglected household chores. Unfortunately, the food burned and filled the house with smoke. I felt very embarrassed when Max appeared, but he was very kind and helped me clean up and taught me how to cook.

The next day, Max praised the dress I was wearing, which made me very happy because I had made it myself. It was the first time someone noticed it, and I unconsciously approached him. When I was next to him and heard his confirmation that I looked beautiful, I got lost in his eyes and started to get closer to him. Just as we were about to kiss, we were interrupted, which made me feel very embarrassed.

After that, Max invited me to accompany him to a meeting, as he also wanted me to participate, which made me very happy. I felt flattered that he thought of me.

At the meeting with my father, we participated in planning the future of the Clan, and Max made sure I was involved in the discussion, ensuring that I was not excluded. During the meeting, I looked at Max and was glad that he allowed me to participate, and I realized that my father also respected him a lot.

When the meeting ended, my father asked me to speak with him, and Max was very attentive in allowing me to do so. I told my father what I thought of Max, and he told me not to try to spy on him or search for information about him. I was surprised that my father told me that if I felt something for Max, he wouldn't interfere. When I asked why, he explained that Max was a trustworthy person who would put his family first, and during this time, he had come to understand a little of his personality.

When I heard my father's words, I found myself thinking about Max, the little interaction I had with him, and the more I thought about him, the more I felt something in my heart, and my pulse began to quicken.

I told my father that I would be myself and take responsibility for Max's stay, and my father told me to go.

When I went outside, I saw Max waiting for me calmly, and I was glad. I could only imagine his appearance, and I showed him my best smile.

Days passed, and my relationship with Max began to grow. It all started with simple caresses, then hugs, and finally with kisses on the forehead. When Max hugged me, I felt safe, and I wanted to stay in his arms because he made me feel secure.

It all started when Max told me that he didn't just see me as a friend. I was surprised by his frankness and audacity, but I was glad because I knew Max liked me, but I wanted to get to know him more.

As time passed, I realized that I was falling more and more in love with Max every day. Being close to him was very pleasant, and I felt something I couldn't explain. Besides, he always made me feel valued and listened to my stories.

I told my father that I had fallen in love with Max. I thought he would be upset, but he only asked if I was sure, and I said yes, because during this time, I had gotten to know him, and his company made me feel good.

My father said he would handle it, and the next day he would talk to Max. The next day, I got ready and put on my best dress, and I told Max that my father wanted to talk to him.

When we met with my father, he told Max that he would marry me, and I looked at Max waiting for his response, as I was very happy.

I saw Max's behavior change, becoming serious, thinking my father had forced me, and I explained that it was my decision. But then Max made me feel sad for what he said.

When Max said he had two wives, it was as if my world had been destroyed, and it was hard for me not to get up and run from this place, but I wanted to hear what Max had to say.

When I heard Max say he didn't want to leave me, I didn't know how to feel, but I felt hurt. When he said he would respect my decision, I left the room, never to see him again, and I sought refuge in my room.

When I arrived at my room in my father's house and closed the door, I threw myself on the bed, hugged the pillow, and started crying silently.

After a while, I didn't know how much time had passed, but I heard the sound of the door, and my father was calling me.

I heard my father's concerned voice, and I began to calm down, and he started talking.

My father told me that I didn't need to go with Max and stay in the Clan.

When I heard his words, I thought and felt afraid of losing Max forever, while remembering Max's last words.

My father spoke again and began to tell me his and my mother's story. He told me that if he had a chance, he wouldn't let my mother go and would always be by her side, as he didn't want to have any regrets.

In the end, my father told me that he would always protect me, and if the decision I had made was to stay in the Clan, he would respect it.

When my father left, and I was alone, I started to think about my father's words and remember every moment I had been with Max.

The more I remembered Max, the more my heart hurt, and it made me suffer. When I thought he was going to leave me, and he was going to go away, I started to sob, and I didn't want that.

After a while, I remembered my father's words, that he didn't want to have any regrets. I didn't want to regret my decision and wanted to talk to Max first. I started to calm down and went to the house where I was staying with him, as I wanted to be sure of my decision.

When I arrived at the house and entered, I couldn't find him, and I started looking for him, but in the end, he wasn't there.

When I sat on the couch, hugging a pillow, and thought that Max had left me, tears started to flow from my eyes without me realizing, and I lay down on the couch, crying.

After a long time, I went to the window, having hope that he would come back, and when I saw him again, I was glad and ran to the couch, bumping into a corner of a piece of furniture.

When Max appeared and saw me, he was surprised and approached, but he kept his distance from me, and I knew I was losing him. Feeling anguish, I threw myself into his arms, hugged him tightly, and started talking, as I didn't want to lose him. After a moment, Max hugged me and kissed me, and it was my first kiss, and I enjoyed it because Max was telling me that he didn't intend to leave me.

From that day on, I started sleeping with Max, and sleeping in his arms was the most beautiful thing I had ever felt because I felt safe and loved.

Days passed, and with each passing day, I didn't regret my decision because being with him made me feel like myself, and he would always be by my side. That's why I told him about the things I liked and disliked.

Max and I had planned a plan to escape from Konoha without drawing attention and to leave safely, and today was the day to start.

When I woke up and looked at Max, I pondered, if another woman more beautiful than me comes and tells Max to abandon me, I didn't know what to do, and I started talking about what I felt.

When Max spoke to me and showed that he loved me, I no longer felt insecure because Max wouldn't leave me.

When we went to talk to my father and performed the ceremonies and traditions to honor the marriage, I felt happy because this day was my best day, as I was marrying the man I love.

When I went out with Max for the last time to walk around the village, I felt happy that he had found good people in the village.

When we were near the new territory of the Uchiha Clan, I knew that the plan was about to start soon, and I had to prepare because I had to act.

Bang!

When I saw Max collapse to the ground, I felt anguish, and I immediately went to his side and checked his breathing.

His breathing gradually weakened, and when I felt his pulse from his wrist, it also began to weaken. When I placed my ear where his heart was, I could feel his heartbeat becoming very slow, and in the end, it stopped.

When I felt his heartbeat stop, I felt a great loss in my heart because I thought Max had truly died, and my eyes filled with tears, and I remembered Max's words:

"Then I will never stop my heartbeats... so that you'll always be by my side!"

When I remembered these words, I started to break down, and I started crying while hugging Max's body, which had transformed into Uchiha Ryu.

(Author: A woman's imagination is very strong.)

I hadn't realized it, but everyone around me had seen the process, how Max had collapsed, and I had immediately gone to his side while checking him, and I started crying.

[Third-person Point of View]

At this moment, several ninjas and Anbu approached and began to surround the area, and as it was near the new territory of the Uchiha Clan, everyone had come to this place.

Makoto had appeared with Yemon's help and approached where his daughter was, and he hugged her while trying to reassure her, as his daughter had thought it was true.

Makoto didn't allow any Konoha ninja to take Uchiha Ryu's body, and the ninjas couldn't do much because this was related to the Uchiha Clan.

At this moment, many ninjas appeared and examined the corpse, and in the end, they concluded that he had died, and everyone said it was the result of poisoning by Sunagakure in the fight they had, by a silent poison.

Makoto ordered the members of the Uchiha Clan to take Uchiha Ryu's body inside the Clan, as they were going to fulfill Ryu's last will, and it was to burn his body inside the Clan.

When everyone entered the Uchiha Clan territory, they proceeded to make funeral preparations to bid farewell to Uchiha Ryu for his effort in the last battle, where he fought and protected the patriarch of the Clan.

When they placed Uchiha Ryu's body in a ceremonial place, they bid him farewell and proceeded to burn the coffin because in his will, he didn't want any ceremony or anything.

During this process, several Anbu appeared, and one of them was a member of the Hyuga Clan, and he confirmed that the body was dead. He followed the cremation process, and in the end, the body was reduced to ashes.

When everything was over, Makoto left his daughter where Mikoto and Max were staying.

Mikoto was calmer and went to the room where she had stayed with Max.

At this moment, a small sound was heard, and Mikoto looked in that direction.

Bang...

To be continued...