To the Whirlpool

Check out my new novels! "Reincarnated as A's Heir!" (Naruto-Haku), "Reincarnated As Shiba Clan's Heir!" (Bleach-Gin), and "Reincarnated As Young King of Meteor City" (Meruem-HxH). Come on people! I need your help! Add them to your library!

--

There is an overlapping part with the previous chapter, and I had only noticed now. I would have fix it but due to Patreon, I cannot add more text to the chapter. I ask for your understanding. Thank you and I hope you have fun. Thank you Asura160 for letting me know.

---

Kai studied the wall as the illusion faded, the distorted reality he'd created giving way to the unchanging truth. The room returned to its original state, every misplaced object settling back into its proper place. The silence that had followed his demonstration still lingered, the echo of his achievement reverberating in the quiet space.

The silence was broken as Kai turned his attention back to Mikoto and Sasuke, his gaze steady and undisturbed. "Now we can go," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion or triumph, only laced with resolve and firm determination. There was no need for celebration or self-congratulation. What he'd done was merely a necessary measure, a strategic maneuver in the grand scheme of their survival.

"Mikoto," he addressed her, his tone unchanging, "don't use your powers unless it's necessary. I will use them as I don't have any drawback." The implications of his words were profound. Not only had Kai replicated Mikoto's abilities, but he'd also managed to circumvent the detrimental side-effects she suffered, the physical toll that came with the Mangekyō Sharingan.

His words held a reassurance, a promise to bear the brunt of their battle. Mikoto, who had always been wary of her powers and their consequences, felt a quiet relief at his words. This man, this stranger who had entered their lives so unexpectedly, was offering to shoulder their burdens, to protect them without any sign of hesitation.

"I will also teach you how to master them better," he continued, his gaze holding hers. It wasn't a request or a suggestion; it was a plan, a promise. He was offering her guidance, a chance to better understand her own powers, to harness them more effectively. It was an offer she never thought she'd receive, especially from a non-Uchiha.

Mikoto nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over her. Despite the uncertainties surrounding Kai and his motives, she couldn't deny the genuine intention behind his words. There was no deceit in his eyes, no hidden agenda. He was here to help them, to protect them.

Across the room, Sasuke watched the exchange in silence, his thoughts swirling with a mix of awe, confusion, and a newfound respect for Kai. The man had replicated his mother's unique abilities without possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan, without even a hint of struggle. And now, he was offering to teach Mikoto how to better control her powers, to minimize the risks she had to face.

With his instructions clear and concise, Kai started to lead the way. Mikoto and Sasuke fell into step behind him, their minds busy processing the recent display of power and the promise of what lay ahead. Their journey would take them across the elemental nations to a land steeped in legend and mystery: the Whirlpool Country, ancestral homeland of the Uzumaki clan.

The path from Earth to Whirlpool was long and winding, fraught with uncertainty and the lack of information. Their way stretched across several countries, encompassing vast plains and dense forests, over towering mountains and along serpentine rivers. Despite the potential for physical threats, Kai's formidable abilities ensured their passage remained unimpeded. His focus was singular - he was intent on researching the lost Uzumaki techniques, and their journey was merely a means to that end.

Fields Country was their first stop, a small land with no hidden village to speak of. Nestled between great nations, it managed to maintain a peaceful existence in times of turmoil, its residents leading simple lives, away from the machinations of shinobi politics. The serene landscape was an array of golden wheat fields swaying gently under the warm afternoon sun, a quiet river running its course along the borders, small houses dotting the rural landscape. The people seemed carefree, their laughter floating in the wind, unaware of the world outside their tranquil haven.

The quaint capital of the Fields Country was a colorful mix of tiny shops and bustling markets, the rhythmic melody of haggling echoing in the streets. Their journey brought them to a small dango shop nestled in a corner, its traditional wooden facade adding a nostalgic charm to the surrounding modern buildings. The sweet aroma of the skewered dumplings wafted through the air, inviting them in.

Sasuke's eyes drifted to the neatly arranged trays of dango, his chest constricting at the sight. They were his brother Itachi's favorite. The memory washed over him like a tidal wave, the echoes of shared laughter and simple moments of sibling bonding centered around the sweet treat. His eyes welled up, unshed tears blurring his vision, a quiet sob stuck in his throat.

Kai observed the change in Sasuke's demeanor, his keen gaze picking up the subtle hints of emotion that the young Uchiha tried so hard to suppress. He wasn't adept at navigating emotions, let alone comforting someone. His life had been one of solitary existence, detached from the sentiments that formed the fabric of interpersonal relationships. As Sasuke's shaky breath echoed in the shop, all Kai could do was maintain his silence, an unspoken agreement to let the boy have his moment of remembrance.

Beside him, Mikoto bit her lower lip, her heart aching at the sight of her youngest son on the verge of tears. Every instinct in her screamed to comfort him, to wrap him in her arms and assure him that it was okay to grieve. But she understood Sasuke too well. He hated appearing weak, especially in front of others, and her overt display of affection would only upset him more.

Her gaze drifted away, landing on the simple folks of Fields Country, their smiles genuine, their lives untouched by the shadows of shinobi life. They were families, mothers, fathers, children, all bound by love and affection, a tight-knit community that thrived on shared happiness and mutual support. A pang of longing stirred within her, a desire to let go of the suffocating shinobi existence, to just be a woman, a mother, not an Uchiha, not a shinobi.

"When was the last time we could enjoy a simple meal like this?" Mikoto mused aloud, her eyes still locked on the bustling life outside the shop. "When was the last time I could just... be?" The words were heavy, laden with unshed tears and unspoken longings. She missed the normalcy of life, the simple pleasures that she'd forsaken for the sake of duty, honor, and clan.

----

Read 45(15 chapters for each novel) advanced chapters in my Patreon!

patreon.com/IWriteFanfic