CHAPTER 85

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As the aftermath of the brutal war settled, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood silently in the command center, overlooking the vast expanse of ruined coastline and scorched battlefields.

The air was still thick with the lingering scent of burning wood and salt from the sea. The waves crashed with relentless rhythm, as if mourning the lives lost.

Moments later, two shadows emerged from the fading mist—Might Dai and the ANBU Vice Commander, Flash.

Their armor was dented and stained with blood, but their postures remained resolute.

"Hokage-sama," Flash began, his tone grave, "the tally has been made. Out of 800 ANBU members, 50 perished, while another 50 were injured but should recover with proper medical care."

Might Dai continued, his expression darkening.

"The Uzumaki village suffered far greater losses. Of their 3,000 ninja defenders, 300 were killed holding the coastline during the first assault, including several elite Jonin. Another 500 fell in the subsequent battles. Additionally, 20 Jonin were assassinated by traitors within the village."

His voice trembled slightly as he added,

"More than 20 percent of the civilian population living outside the village perished in the chaos. Only those sheltered within the fortified inner village survived. Currently, Uzushiogakure has roughly 2,000 active ninja and a civilian population of 5,000."

Hiruzen's pondered. He contemplated the numbers. Another attack… and the Uzumaki will be finished. Even one of the Great Nations, with their reserves of 10,000 ninja or a single Tailed Beast Bomb, could obliterate what was left of the once-mighty village, and this low death toll is when Konoha supporting the Uzumaki.

"Understood," Hiruzen finally said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing within him.

"Arrange the ANBU units to recover our fallen and prepare them for transport back to Konoha. Send formal messages to the three offending villages demanding reparations and the retrieval of their Kages. Dismissed."

With a shared nod, Dai and Flash vanished, leaving Hiruzen alone in the desolate command center.

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Meanwhile, in the Uzukage Council Chamber, the surviving high-ranking officials of Uzushiogakure gathered. '

The vast chamber, once adorned with majestic tapestries of swirling whirlpools symbolizing their indomitable spirit, now felt hollow and subdued.

One of the elders, his voice trembling, broke the heavy silence.

"I can't fathom the losses we've suffered… our people... our legacy." His words echoed, weighed down by sorrow.

Another elder spoke grimly. "The traitorous attack on our Jonin shattered us from within. Over 1,000 of our finest warriors have fallen. What future do we have now?"

All eyes turned toward Ashina Uzumaki, the aged and weary leader of the village. His normally fierce gaze was clouded with regret.

"The warning came from the Hokage before the war," Ashina admitted bitterly.

"But I underestimated the sheer madness and cruelty of the three villages. This devastation rests on my shoulders."

He slowly rose, his knees stiff but his resolve firm.

"I have failed you. As Uzukage and Daimyo of Uzushiogakure, I take full responsibility. I hereby relinquish my title."

The chamber erupted into protests.

"Uzukage-sama, you can't do this!" one elder pleaded.

"You led us through the Warring States period and the First Shinobi War. Your contributions are immeasurable!"

But Ashina's voice remained unyielding. "I was also the leader when the Uzumaki were brought to the brink of extinction. I cannot ignore that. My time is over."

His eyes softened as they rested on his son, Kazuki Uzumaki. "I nominate Kazuki to succeed me."

Kazuki's breath hitched. "Father… we need your wisdom now more than ever. You can't—"

"This is not up for debate," Ashina interrupted firmly. "You must lead them now."

After a heavy silence, the elders reluctantly voiced their agreement.

"Kazuki Uzumaki… we formally recognize you as the new Uzukage," an elder declared.

The chamber bowed in unison. "We greet the Uzukage."

Kazuki clenched his fists but nodded resolutely.

"Thank you… everyone. Now, let's discuss our future. Does anyone have a solution to prevent our annihilation?"

The elders exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent.

Finally, Kazuki spoke again, his voice steady despite the gravity of his words.

"Given our current state, we cannot survive another war. I propose… the dissolution of Uzushiogakure and relocation to Konoha."

The chamber fell into stunned silence.

"Relocation?!" an elder gasped. "What of our ancestors' legacy?"

Another elder, his voice heavy with emotion, countered, "What is more important? Legacy… or survival? If we stay, we'll be wiped out."

Ashina, his gaze distant, whispered, "The Senju became part of Konoha. I once refused this offer from the Third Hokage… but now, there is no other choice."

One by one, the elders solemnly agreed.

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On a distant cliff overlooking the sea, Riasu Uzumaki sat alone, her legs dangling over the edge.

The ocean breeze tugged at her long crimson hair as she gazed at the endless horizon.

She spoke softly, her voice trembling.

"Are you here? Please, speak now... This is the last time I can come here because we are leaving this place."

Silence answered her.

Hiruzen remained hidden, his heart heavy with unspoken words.

After a brief pause, he slid a scroll beside her without making a sound.

Sensing the presence of the scroll, Riasu's eyes widened.

She bent down, picked it up, and carefully broke the seal. As her eyes moved over the words, tears began trickling down her face.

"So... you're leaving me, just as I'm leaving this place," she whispered, her voice cracking.

"Even if you don't want to meet me or speak to me... please, don't leave me. Just stay somewhere close, even if from afar.

I swear I won't ever ask anything from you again... I'll even leave the Uzumaki Clan and remain here till the day I die," she pleaded, sobbing quietly.

Hidden in the shadows, Hiruzen's chest tightened. Her words pierced through him, stirring emotions he had long buried.

Memories of his previous life surged—he had always been an introvert, too afraid to express himself.

Even when he liked someone, he could only manage small conversations or acts of kindness, never having the courage to say, Would you be my friend?

Love... liking someone... those feelings felt unreachable, almost whole another domain.

Seven long years had passed, and still, he hadn't mustered the courage to confess his feelings—fear of rejection shackled him.

Maybe... just like in my last life, I'm destined to be alone, he thought bitterly.

Summoning every ounce of resolve he had, he wrote another message, carefully placing it beside her.

Riasu, her hands trembling, unfolded the scroll and began reading:

"Everyone has their own destiny... you have yours. Think of me as nothing more than a passerby who helped you once. Forget me... and live your life."

His heart pounded as he watched her from afar, struggling against the emotions threatening to overwhelm him.

He wasn't someone who could propose... someone who could ask for love. He was a coward when it came to matters of the heart.

Tears streamed down Riasu's face as she read his words. Her sobs echoed softly in the still air.

"Please... don't leave me," she whispered.

"My mother died in this war... my uncle... his family... everyone is gone. You're all I have left. If you leave too... what will I do? Just tell me where you'll be... and I'll come there. Please... don't leave me... I can't live without you. I... I'll die."

Her words shook Hiruzen to his core. For the first time, someone cared about him... truly cared. She didn't want power, protection, or favors—she wanted him.

Taking a deep breath, he wrote once more, pouring his heart onto the scroll. He hesitated only for a moment before sliding it toward her.

Riasu's eyes widened as she unfolded it, her breath hitching.

"I am... an ugly person. I don't know how to talk to people. I'm a coward by nature. I have no remarkable qualities... no courage... no face worth showing... But if you're willing... even after knowing all this... will you leave everything behind—even your clan—and marry me?"

For the first time in his life, Hiruzen confessed his feelings. His hand trembled, knowing rejection might follow.

But at least... this time, he had tried. If she refused... at least no one would know his face or see his shame.

Riasu gasped, her tear-filled eyes scanning the heartfelt message.

"Yes... I'll marry you," she whispered, her voice resolute despite her sobs.

"I have nothing left here... but even if you're ugly... even if you lack courage... you gave me the strength to fight for my village... and for myself. I don't care about anything else. You'll be mine... from now on."

A wave of emotion surged through Hiruzen as her acceptance shattered his long-held fears. Joy and relief washed over him, breaking the chains of his insecurities.

In that moment, his sage energy cloak released. Transparent Release, Transformation Jutsu, and the Mayfly Technique dissolved, his suppressed presence radiating outward like a beacon.

From where she sat, Riasu felt the unmistakable presence.

With her Mind's Eye of Kagura, she pinpointed his location instantly.

Her head snapped upward, locking onto a tree branch behind her, long flowing hair swayed in the wind like threads of moonlight.

A man lay on the branch, casually laying upside down, his left hand under his head, while his legs were crossed comfortably.

He wore a flowing white kimono and dark sandals, exuding an air of serene power.

Riasu's breath hitched. Her eyes widened in shock as realization dawned upon her.

"You... you... You're... !" she gasped.

To be continued...

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