CHAPTER 52

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Evening settled over Uzushiogakure like a warm embrace, the sky painted in hues of purple and orange as twilight descended.

The village streets were lively, filled with Uzumaki villagers going about their business, the gentle buzz of their voices mingling with the faint scent of the nearby sea.

Hiruzen, having accepted the Uzukage's invitation to stay, decided to take this rare opportunity to explore Uzushiogakure on his own.

For a lifelong shinobi dedicated to the Hidden Leaf, venturing into another village was a novelty that sparked both his curiosity and a desire to understand the culture of his allies more deeply.

Sending his disciples off to enjoy themselves, he wandered the winding paths of Uzushiogakure, occasionally drawing curious glances.

His dark hair marked him as an outsider among the predominantly red-haired villagers.

He noted the unusual blend of strength and warmth in the Uzumaki villagers' demeanor.

Strolling through the bustling streets, he sampled traditional Uzumaki food, trying his first taste of the famed Uzumaki fish soup—rich and spiced, like nothing he'd tasted before.

He chuckled to himself, realizing how much he'd missed out on by staying within Konoha all his life. 

Drawn to a quiet path that led up a gentle slope, he soon found himself standing atop a cliff overlooking the village.

The view from the cliff was breathtaking—the entire village lay spread below him, its winding streets aglow with the soft, golden light of lanterns.

The village's buildings, adorned with protective spirals and charms, had a mystic, almost enchanting appearance in the evening glow.

He sat down on a smooth rock near the edge of the cliff, enjoying the view and the peaceful sound of the waves crashing against the shore in the distance.

The serene scene brought an unexpected sense of calm to his heart, and he began to hum a quiet tune, lost in the tranquility.

As he gazed at the beauty before him, Hiruzen sensed a faint presence approaching.

He instinctively masked his own chakra, keeping his presence hidden, curious as to who would be coming to this secluded spot.

He remained seated, his eyes fixed on the horizon, as the footsteps grew nearer.

The sound of light, soft steps brought with it an almost ethereal aura, a presence that felt different, magnetic in a way he hadn't experienced before.

Soon, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her—a young woman with the most stunning red hair he'd ever seen, like liquid fire cascading over her shoulders.

Her hair was deeper, more intense in color than any other Uzumaki he'd encountered, glowing in the fading light with a mesmerizing crimson hue.

Her figure was graceful, her skin pale and luminous in the moonlight. Her beauty was almost otherworldly, and she possessed an elegance that made Hiruzen's heart skip a beat.

He'd seen beautiful women in Konoha, even in his previous life, but this young woman had a presence that was unlike any other.

Being a 16 year old body, transmigrated into Naruto world, Hiruzen never had a chance to meet a girl in his previous life. So, he decided to fulfil it here.

Her features were sharp, yet soft—a perfect harmony that felt almost surreal.

She walked to the edge of the cliff, seemingly unaware of his presence, and gazed out over the village, her eyes filled with a distant sadness.

There was a faint pout on her lips, and she huffed softly, brushing a few strands of her fiery hair behind her ear.

Her expression was a mix of longing and frustration, as if she were carrying the weight of an invisible burden.

With a delicate sigh, she muttered to herself, her voice soft and melodic, yet tinged with irritation.

"Why do they insist on this nonsense… 'marry someone for the good of the clan,'" she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"I'll marry someone when I feel he's truly worthy of me—not before." Her voice held a surprising strength, yet her face softened as if she were envisioning something she yearned for.

Hiruzen's heart stirred at her words, resonating with the fiery spirit he sensed within her.

Silently, he watched her, feeling a strange longing of his own—a desire to understand her, to know more about this girl whose spirit burned as brightly as her hair.

He hadn't intended to eavesdrop, yet he found himself captivated, drawn in by her candid words.

The girl continued, speaking with a dreamy look in her eyes, as though she were sharing her thoughts with the stars above.

"I want someone who'll see me… who'll value me beyond the Uzumaki name. Someone who will truly, value me." She sighed, her cheeks puffing slightly in a childlike pout, and muttered, "Why is that so hard for them to understand?"

Hiruzen felt a small smile tug at his lips as he watched her. She had a fierce pride and a sense of independence that felt as rare as it was beautiful.

Her words lingered in the air, filled with a mixture of hope and frustration, a young woman's yearning for a love that was genuine, unburdened by politics or duty.

He remained silent, letting her words wash over him, enchanted by the passion and sincerity in her voice.

Her longing, so openly expressed, tugged at something deep within him.

As a shinobi—and even more so as a Hokage—Hiruzen had learned to hide his own desires beneath layers of duty and obligation.

Yet, here she was, openly defying those same expectations, declaring that she would follow her heart rather than the rigid customs of the clan.

At last, she sighed, looking up at the stars with a small, wistful smile. "Someday," she murmured softly, "I'll find someone who makes me feel like I belong. Someone who understands me, who'll let me be… me."

The gentle vulnerability in her voice left Hiruzen momentarily speechless. He hadn't expected to feel this way; he was a shinobi first and foremost, dedicated to his village.

But now, sitting invisibly just a few feet away from this radiant young woman, he felt a spark within him that he couldn't ignore.

Just then, she straightened, as though sensing something nearby. Her gaze swept the cliffside, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she murmured, "Is someone there?"

Realizing he'd been lingering in her presence for too long, Hiruzen considered revealing himself. But something held him back. It wasn't the right moment, not yet.

Instead, he watched as she shook her head slightly, seeming to dismiss the idea, and returned her gaze to the horizon.

"Rias," she muttered to herself with a determined smile, clenching her fist in resolve. "One day, you'll find someone who sees you for who you truly are. Just wait."

The name echoed in Hiruzen's mind, as though it had carved itself into his memory. *Rias.* Her spirit was as fierce and passionate as her name suggested. 

As she stood there, still gazing over the village, a gust of wind swept through, carrying the scent of the sea and lifting her hair in a crimson wave that framed her face.

Hiruzen watched her silently, absorbing every detail. In that moment, beneath the silver light of the moon and the quiet strength of the Uzumaki cliffs, Hiruzen realized that this was a memory he would carry with him forever. 

Quietly, he rose from where he sat and, keeping his presence masked, began to retreat back down the path, unwilling to intrude any further.

But even as he left, his heart felt inexplicably drawn to the beautiful red-haired girl who stood atop the cliff, lost in her own thoughts.

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