Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 96: 18 Years Old
20 June - Konoha Year 46
Uzumaki Residence - Raiken house.
Five days had passed since Raiken teach elite Uzumaki shinobi on the training yard.
Today, is the day that he Uzumaki Raiken turned 18 years old.
In another time, another world, this day would have been filled with laughter, gifts, and teasing. But in Konoha, under the rumour of war, even birthdays felt quiet and restrained.
Mikoto had been born on the first of June. Raiken followed soon after, on the twentieth. Two years ago, Raiken had promised that he will marry when both of them reached eighteen.
Now, not just Mikoto even Raiken had reached adult age, so the wedding is around the corner.
"Brother," Kushina said suddenly, her eyes shining with excitement she could barely contain. "When are you going to marry Sister Mikoto?"
Raiken looked up from the documents he was reviewing and answered without hesitation.
"Tomorrow."
Kushina froze. "Tomorrow?" she repeated. "That's too fast! I thought at least next week!"
Raiken smiled faintly, but the smile did not reach his eyes. "I can't help it. The war is close. If I'm going to the battlefield, I want to leave something behind which is my descendant, it will be a future of Uzumaki Clan."
Kushina mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Before she could respond, a translucent notification suddenly appeared in front of Raiken vision.
[DING! REAL MAN donated 2000 stars]
[Message: Please open livestreaming when you making a baby]
Raiken stared at the message, completely stunned with the 'no common sense comment' from the audience.
His mind blanked.
"…Brother?" Kushina waved a hand in front of his face. "Brother?"
BAM!
Pain exploded across his cheek.
"Ouch! Kushina!" Raiken yelped. "Why did you slap me?!"
"I called you three times!" Kushina snapped, arms crossed defensively. "You suddenly froze and stared at nothing. I thought something happened to you!"
Raiken rubbed his face, wincing. "You didn't need to hit me that hard…"
"You scared me!" she shot back, then paused, studying his expression. "What were you thinking about?"
Raiken swallowed. How could he explain the existence of a livestream system? Or the audacity of that message? Kushina is the native here while he can be called player or host not from this place.
Furthermore the message is so obscene that if he knows who is this REAL MAN, he swear would punch him really hard.
He felt anger simmer beneath his calm exterior.
That bastard… asking for a livestream when both of them got intimate.
There is a lot of people like this, when you are young you are busy watching adult video that make you addicted and even become someone who didn't have common sense.
Adult video would destroy your live, it is better to get married then watching that type of shit.
Raiken forced the irritation down and he decided to block perverted man from his channel, so he can no longer comment on it. But he couldn't do right now because Kushina is infront of him.
"Nothing," he said quickly. "I was just thinking about the war… and the marriage."
He exhaled slowly. "It's ironic, isn't it? Getting married while preparing to go to war."
Kushina excitement faded immediately.
Her shoulders drooped.
The room grew quiet when both of them didn't speak anything.
"…Brother," she said softly. "Do you really have to go?"
She slammed her palm onto the table, unable to contain herself. "Do you really have to?!"
"Kushina," Raiken said gently, standing up. "I don't want to go."
"Then don't!" she cried. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she wiped them away angrily. "You're my only family left! Father, Mother… they're gone! If something happens to you—"
Raiken stepped forward and held her shoulders firmly.
"Look at me," he said.
Kushina raised her tear-filled eyes.
"I am the clan leader," Raiken said quietly. "If I refuse, the Uzumaki Clan becomes isolated. Worse, Konoha civillian may see us as disloyal and eventually our people would be forced to join the war."
His voice softened. "I won't let our clan walk that path."
Kushina clenched her fists. "Why does everything have to fall on you?"
"Because someone has to carry it," Raiken replied. "And because I can and I have take this position from ther for mer Uzukage."
She shook her head violently. "I heard about the jutsu," she said. "The one that lets you disappear instantly. Is it true?"
Raiken opened his mouth to answer.
"Yes," he said to Kushina. "It's true, I do possess that Jutsu."
She gripped his clothes. "Then promise me," she whispered. "Promise me you'll run away if it gets dangerous."
Raiken chuckled softly. "Run away? I was planning to."
She hit his chest weakly. "Don't joke!"
"I'm not," he replied. "I promise, Kushina. I will run away when I am in danger. I still need to see your wedding someday."
She sniffed, then laughed weakly. "You better."
Raiken rested his chin on her head. "Now come," he said gently. "Let me show you something."
Kushina blinked. "Show me what?"
Raiken smiled, calm and confident.
"A reason you don't need to worry."
Raiken placed his hand gently on Kushina shoulder.
In the blink of an eye, the world twisted and they both Vanished.
They arrived at unfamiliar places surrounded by shattered stone and collapsed buildings. Broken walls lay scattered.
This is Uzushiogakure, the destruction of this place make both of them didn't recognize this place, only after a long time they feel familiar.
Kushina breath caught in her throat.
"Brother… this is…" Her voice trembled, the words refusing to come.
Raiken gaze swept across the devastation. "Yes. This is Uzushiogakure."
The homeland of the Uzumaki Clan.
Nothing remained but rubble.
The houses had collapsed into dust. The streets were cracked and not a single sign of life remained on the island.
"When the village was destroyed, I didn't want our clan to die here," Raiken continued quietly. "We were lucky. We escaped using reverse summoning jutsu before the final attack."
He clenched his fist. "That is why I won't let anything happen to the Uzumaki again."
Kushina eyes burned as tears welled up. Slowly, she nodded.
"…Brother," she whispered. "I understand now."
She finally understood why he insisted on standing at the front, why he refused to hide behind others.
Raiken turned to her and placed a reassuring hand on her head. "Don't worry, Kushina. You've seen it yourself now."
He smiled faintly. "I can teleport back to Konoha anytime. Even if I'm badly wounded, I can return to the village or straight to a medical unit. This jutsu is difficult, but in an emergency, it will always bring me home."
Kushina wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.
Then she suddenly extended her little finger. "Pinky promise."
Raiken blinked, then chuckled softly.
"I promise."
Their fingers hooked together.
....
There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 122: Too Late
Chapter 123: Hatake Sakumo
Chapter 124: Awkward Meeting
Chapter 125: Danzo Punishment
Chapter 126: Daimyo Betrayal
-patreon.com/zorojurown