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Chapter 37

A New Dawn

Standing atop the hospital's rooftop, Naruto silently glanced at the moon shining in the night sky. After a few moments, his gaze shifted towards the Mist village spread all around him as the conversation with Madara came back in his heart.

He had decided to team up with that man and had even used his powers to free Kushina from the curse mark bestowed by the Uzukage in order to keep an eye on him by controlling her.

But could he really trust that Uchiha to hold up his end of the bargain?

He had his doubts as to whether Madara could truly bring his deceased loved ones back to life and only time would tell if the man spoke the truth.

He still didn't like the way in which most people saw him.

A great General.

He may have proven his prowess on the battlefield leading armies but that only showed his capability to destroy his enemies in armed conflict. As far as politics and the art of ruling went, he had a lot to learn if he hoped to succeed in his efforts.

He blinked when Kushina appeared beside him with a quick shunshin and grabbed a seat wordlessly.

"They want me to be the Fourth Mizukage" he admitted to her,

"Figured as much, they would be foolish not to offer you this after the way you won and your past deeds. Word has also arrived that Mangetsu and his army triumphed. The Capital and this country is now yours" she congratulated him with a bright smile,

Kushina frowned when it only made him silently stare at the vast landscape in front of him.

"Why not name you Third Mizukage as was your original role and one designated by Lord Gengetsu?" she asked in order to bring his attention back to the important topic.

"Something about letting Yagura's shortlived reign as the Third Mizukage be etched into the village's history as a reminder to future generations. The man also killed or tortured quite a few from the village who tried to oppose him, would be strange if people are forced to call me 'Sandaime' the same as that man. I guess people really need a fresh start" answered Naruto honestly,

"Yondaime, huh? Anybody who will challenge this?" questioned his friend,

"Just Mangetsu. The rest don't have the courage or strength. I'll handle him" replied Naruto straightforwardly,

She paused and watched him glance at the moon in the night sky with a longing gaze.

"What are you thinking?" she asked him gently,

"Do you think someday we'll be able to glance beyond our petty issues? There is a whole galaxy out there waiting to be explored and here we are fighting for petty things while the Otsutsuki- if they exist are out conquering entire planets and solar systems" he whispered thoughtfully,

"Maybe it's because humanity hasn't found a leader yet who could show them their real destiny is out there in the stars. I agree with you, we are always fighting for this piece or that piece of land or resources or grudges...there is plenty for everyone of us in this universe. We just don't know how to get it even if we have the power. I think you can do it" she encouraged him, making him chuckle.

"Me? Who couldn't even protect his family, friends or unborn child?" he argued, some despair evident in his voice which made her sigh.

"You are a good man and a great leader, but your fatal flaw is your lack of belief in yourself. Never hesitate- that's what we were taught as Spartans. Have you forgotten that?" reminded Kushina,

He remained silent and it was then she saw the scars left on his very psyche by the events of his painful life. Despite how hard he had tried or sacrificed, he always ended up losing what was dear to him which affected his belief in his own abilities.

"Giving up is worse than defeat. What is that you truly fear?" she asked seriously,

"I don't want to end up creating a system far worse than the current one. The battlefield I understand-much more than I would like. It's what comes after those victories that worries me and whether I'll do the right thing or end up just like the leaders of today whom I despise" he admitted, earning an understanding nod from his friend.

Kushina glanced at the vast village surrounding the two of them and then glanced back at the handsome man she loved dearly.

"If you help end the current war in Kiri and Konoha's favor, you can stay here in Kirigakure. You'll most probably find a good woman to marry, have a family of your own. In the end, you'll probably die a celebrated man-the finest this nation would ever see in a long time. But sooner or later, your wishes will be forgotten and your descendants probably will continue enduring the current vicious cycle.

And if you follow Madara's plan, an uncertain path awaits you. One full of hardship and even pain, yet one that will help you actually change the world and bring back the ones you lost to life. Victory and eternal glory would be yours, your name will live on in the hearts of men long after you are gone from this world. Your reforms-great or terrible will impact the future generations of humanity for centuries but you'll not be able to live a peaceful life"

Naruto looked up to glance at his friend who in turn was now looking at the village before them with a hopeful smile.

"The glory and memory of mankind shall always belong to the ones who followed their great visions. Like the Sage of Six Paths, Hashirama Senju...and the greatest of them all that united this world-The Black Flash" whispered Kushina hopefully,

"The greatest shinobi of the world"

She looked at him and he was rendered speechless by the sheer level of confidence in her eyes. It was almost the same as the one he saw in Madara, maybe these people saw something in him which he himself couldn't.

For better or worse, he knew which path was the one his heart truly desired despite his fears as he looked at the stars in the nightsky after getting back on his feet.

"Imperium of Man" he whispered thoughtfully with a smile,

Kushina blinked in surprise on hearing his declaration and was about to chuckle until she saw the determination burning in his eyes as his right hand voluntarily reached for the stars.

"I'll conquer it all. My enemies, my fears, the five great nations and this world. You're right, I'll follow my vision with the support of my comrades and let mankind and history be my judge" declared Naruto with absolute determination,

She nodded and watched as he took his first steps towards a dream that would probably change everyone's fate.

(Imperial Capital)

Mangetsu sat alone in the Daimyo's royal courtroom, its once magnificent carpets stained with copious amount of blood and right from the entrance towards the royal throne lay a series of pikes upon which were the severed heads of the former feudal lord, all his consorts, each of his relatives, and all his children including the youngest one aged seven.

The royal family was extinct now.

And yet it didn't satisfy the hole in his heart and the undying rage within his very soul as he glanced at the decorated casket near the throne holding the mortal remains of his beloved father.

He could still not forget the sight of seeing his tortured corpse lying there in the dungeons, his wounds and scars a clear indication he had suffered terribly in his final hours.

He looked outside the window to see dozens of fire raging across the city as he had not stopped his men from extracting their vengeance upon the Daimyo's advisers alongside their entire clans for their crimes.

He for one simply didn't care as the reason for which he had fought, the reason for which he had stained his hands with the blood of hundreds of innocents...lied in a box right beside him.

He won the battle yet lost everything.

He had rebuffed Haku's attempts at consolation and had locked himself in this room for the past two days after slaughtering the Daimyo and his entire family with his own hands.

"Mangetsu"

He looked up from the depths of his despair to see the one person he wanted to avoid for as long as possible but couldn't as Naruto Namikaze now stood before him.

"Teleportation, you used the kunai you gave to Ameyuri earlier to transport yourself here the moment you heard about the Capital's fall" whispered the young Hozuki heir lifelessly,

The blonde looked at the grotesque display all around him followed by the coffin resting near to the boy. With a heavy sigh he walked towards it and knelt respectfully.

"I heard about what they did to Lord Second. He didn't deserve any of it" whispered Naruto sadly, as he gently placed his hand upon the coffin.

"Still doesn't change what happened, does it?" asked Mangetsu bitterly,

"No" replied the blonde honestly,

"Why is it that good men like him meet such fate while monsters like us continue to survive?" asked the younger boy hatefully,

"Because this world is cruel"

He looked at the blonde as he arrived by his side and silently took a seat.

"Did you feel the same rage and pain that I feel now after what had happened to your wife and child?" he asked hesitantly,

"Worse" whispered Naruto truthfully,

"I couldn't follow your orders, not after what happened to my father. I even encouraged the men to do what they did for revenge...do what you want to do with me" confessed Mangetsu truthfully,

"I hardly have any right to chastise you after murdering half of Osaka. I only wanted you to not experience this pain alongside protecting innocents...revenge never does fully heal the hole in one's heart" admitted Naruto,

"Then what does?" asked Mangetsu honestly,

"Fighting for something we can truly believe in. Lord Gengetsu is gone...but his dream of this nation is not. A dream which we have to fulfill no matter the cost" answered Naruto,

For the first time in days, tears welled up in the broken younger's boys as the blonde beside him placed a firm yet comforting hand upon his shoulder.

"It's this system, Mangetsu. We shinobi are used by Daimyo's all across the world for their self interests...I intend to break that system" revealed Naruto,

"He loved you. He never said it outloud but I could see it in his eyes...the way he looked at you, you were the son he wanted" whispered Mangetsu miserably, making the blonde shake his head.

"I was a follower, somebody who shared his will for this nation. You were his flesh and blood, the sole legacy left by his beloved wife. There was nobody he loved more than you...deep down you know it to be true" encouraged Naruto with a faint smile,

Mangetsu didn't say anything as both men remained seated in comfortable silence for nearly half an hour.

"What will you do now?" asked the Hozuki clan heir after a while,

"The village wants me to be the Fourth Mizukage" replied the blonde,

"You were my father's chosen successor, and there is nobody better suited than you in the village currently" agreed Mangetsu with a nod,

"Is that something you would be okay with?" questioned Naruto seriously, and looked straight into the younger boy's eyes.

"It's what father wanted and I also feel that you will be a good choice. But I do need something from you in return" stated Mangetsu without hesitation,

"You want Yagura and Reika Kaguya's head for executing Lord Second?" asked Naruto frankly,

The dark and merciless smile he received from Mangetsu would have unnerved many who knew the boy, but Naruto could understand there was nothing but pain and revenge burning inside the boy's heart right now just like it had consumed him for a decade and even now after what had happened to his own family.

"Death will be mercy. They made my father suffer horribly...it's only justice that I return the act ten fold. Same goes for their clans, I decide their fate. Give me that" demanded Mangetsu murderously,

"What will you do with them? I was hoping to use them as useful pawns for our invasion of the Land of Lightning" said Naruto seriously,

"All the better. Blood for blood has always been the way of Kirigakure...you'll have your pawns" replied Mangetsu coldly,

He watched as Naruto got back on his feet and gave him a firm nod which made him get up and offer a respectful salute.

"A world of peace and truth...a world of victors, let us create such a dream" said Naruto fiercely, as he offered his right hand towards the younger boy.

A firm handshake was his answer.

(Kirigakure: Two Days Later)

Naruto and the Seven Ninja swordsmen alongside nearly every ninja of their village somberly stood at attention as the burial ceremony of the Second Mizukage was completed.

The man was put to rest beside the grave of his beloved wife who had died well before him with their only son now standing near his parents resting place in silence.

Naruto wanted to make it a grand ceremony but Mangetsu had forbidden it since his late father was never fond of such fanfare. There were no speeches either as each of the ninja present here held some part of the blame for their Kage meeting an early and disgraceful end.

No shinobi should die such a way.

Personally, Naruto himself would prefer to go out fighting if it ever came to that. Just like his parents, his brother, the Spartans and his beloved wife had done.

Her empty grave lying in another corner of the very same cemetery, her real body resting peacefully in her own village alongside their unborn child.

The ones responsible for Gengetsu's death: the Karatachi, Hagoromo and Kaguya clans were imprisoned alongside their respective leaders except for Lord Hiro Hagoromo who had perished by Naruto's own hand. While they were vital to the village's strength, their open rebellion could not go unpunished.

He doubted simply executing the clan heads would be enough for Mangetsu and his suspicions were proven correct as when the ceremony ended, the now Hozuki clan head approached him.

The rest of the Seven Ninja swordsmen joined them moments later and looked at him expectantly.

"What do we do with the prisoners?" asked Haku coldly, for once her soft heart devoid of any mercy after seeing the way they had executed their previous Kage and abused her own father alongside members of her clan.

Naruto nodded at the question as the group watched a beautiful redhead approach them, it was another one of his gambles but one which both of them had agreed to in order to have someone watch his back and keep his cover from any in Kiri trying to blow it.

"Her name's Kaori Uzumaki. A mercenary who has offered her services to us" introduced Naruto calmly, making the redhead kunoichi give an acknowledging nod towards the other swordsmen who looked at her suspiciously.

"A rogue ninja?" asked Zabuza with a frown,

"I do know how to fight but was never a ninja to be honest. I was part of Uzu's Fuinjutsu research team until I learned freelancing my services to more prospective parties offered much better pay. Yagura summoned me for a meeting but by the time I reached here your General had taken over. So I gave him my offer instead" answered Kushina with a confidence and calm that even surprised her former Spartan comrade. But then again, she had spent a decade as a spy in the Land of Lightning Daimyo's court. Something which would come in handy during the planned invasion.

"Can we really trust someone like her?" questioned Ameyuri, distaste evident in her harsh tone.

"I only work with those who offer me what I deserve, otherwise I walk away. If you don't trust me, there is no deal and I go" replied Kushina without a flinch,

"Or we can just force you to give up your secrets?" threatened Jinpachi, leaking some of his killing intent to intimidate the redhead which only made her give him an ice cold smile.

"Oh? Care to act on your threat?" she challenged,

The swordsmen moved swiftly but before he could even get close, he simply disappeared in a puff of smoke as a green colored scroll emerged on the ground-one which the redhead summoned into her hand swiftly while looking at the swords pointed at her by the other swordsmen.

"Is that enough of a display? You don't want your comrade to suffocate do you?" asked Kushina icily,

"Release him or die!" barked Ameyuri furiously,

The other swordsmen looked at Naruto who had not yet raised his weapon as had Mangetsu who was looking at the redhead with a curious glint in his eyes. What they all didn't know was that both Kushina and their current leader had planned this entire little ordeal and it was going exactly as per their plan.

"Release Jinpachi and maybe we can talk business" offered Mangetsu calmly, while looking at Naruto at the same time who also nodded his consent making the others look at the two of them as if they had lost their mind.

Kushina instantly released the trapped swordsmen and before any further questions could be asked or protests made or before Jinpachi could enact his vengeance, he was stopped by none other than Mangetsu himself.

"You have made your point. We'll consider hiring your services on one condition" proposed Mangetsu, the others stopped from voicing their protests by a harsh look from Naruto himself.

"Name it" said Kushina,

The Hozuki clan head looked at the future Mizukage for a second before glancing back at the redhead.

"Can you help us give our enemies a fate worse than death?" he asked,

Kushina subtly glanced at Naruto who had already told her about Mangetsu's desires and together they had come up with a plan that would not just satisfy the boy but also help their future war strategy. With the Hagoromo, Kaguya and Karatachi clans imprisoned...it left the Hozuki clan as the strongest ninja clan of Kirigakure.

Their support alongwith those of the remaining clans like the Terumi and Yuki were of great importance for Naruto to formally establish his rule.

Other factions namely the Anbu Blackops firmly supported him since he was one of their own while the Hunter Corps also was on his side thanks to the sacrifice of Ino who had been a member in their ranks. Most of the common ninja already liked him.

The Hozuki's wanted revenge, the Terumi's wanted him to marry their heiress to forge a political alliance-an offer their current clan head had made personally once the Capital fell, the Yuki's would be satisfied with more power and prestige.

With the mass execution of the Daimyo alongside his advisors and all their families, the remaining feudal nobility was scared to death of the ninjas doing the same to their factions should they rebel. With General Abe-the finest of the feudal military leaders currently imprisoned and the Imperial Guard broken- any form of resistance was effectively crushed.

If they played their cards right, then his next victory to achieve his true dream could soon become a reality.

"I can" promised Kushina without hesitation,

"What do you say, Naruto?" asked Mangetsu seriously,

"The Karatachi clan led the rebellion with their clan head acting as the defacto leader of the rebels. All members except Yagura are to be executed right before his eyes. When that's done, Kaori-you shall subdue his will with your sealing techniques. He'll wish for death but he'll continue to suffer as he made Lord Gengetsu suffer. We shall use him and his Jinchuuriki prowess in an upcoming suicidal mission in the Land of Lightning" declared Naruto mercilessly, earning a nod from Kushina.

Not one of his comrades raised any objection or looked conflicted with that brutal decision, with Mangetsu even looking extremely pleased.

"What about the other rebel clans?" asked Haku after a few moments, referring to the Hagoromo and Kaguya clans.

"Their children and non-combatants will be kept hostage within the village. Their fighters can take part in the suicide mission we shall launch from Osaka alongside Yagura if they wish to save their clans and ever hope to regain any semblance of respect in this village. Most of them would likely perish in battle if the Land of Lightning falls for our ruse and sends most of their military might to stop what they will perceive to be a deep incursion while our true forces will secretly attack their dear village and feudal capital when their forces are depleted"

"Have the remnants of the Imperial Guard also join this suicide mission, I heard they liked to fight lost battles. General Abe shall lead this expendable force if he wants to save his own family. If he's good as you say Mangetsu, then maybe he'll just save this army of traitors from getting completely annihilated" ordered Naruto with a cold smile,

When he had proposed this military action to Konoha, he had wondered just which troops he would have to risk for such a maneuver. For once destiny had worked in his favor, combining the remaining survivors from the Kaguya, Hagoromo, few ninjas that supported them and the Imperial Guard- he would just have close enough to 7,000 fighters. More than the exact number he needed for this diversion.

"And if they actually survive this suicide mission?" asked Kisame curiously,

"They'll continue running high risk missions until we win the war- that is if they want to protect their families. Still have each of them be branded with curse marks. Should they try to rebel once again, they can be put down like the vermin they are" proposed Mangetsu,

"I can arrange for that" assured Kushina,

"I suppose it's better than simply executing them. Atleast this way they can still be useful to our cause and to the village they betrayed" agreed Haku,

"They won't forget it, especially their children who may become a threat in the future. I say we kill them all" protested Ameyuri, earning a nod from Kisame and a nonchalant shrug from Zabuza and Jinpachi.

They all looked at the man who would be making that decision as their leader and the future ruler of their nation.

To their surprise, Naruto simply smiled.

"We are not savages. Let the children live, if they develop a vengeful heart and grow up to take revenge-let them try. Those consequences shall be theirs and mine to deal with" answered Naruto simply,

When he didn't receive any opposition to his proposal, he confirmed Kushina's services before starting to walk away until he stopped halfway and looked at the remaining swordsmen with a dark and challenging smirk over his lips.

"The same goes for all of you. If you ever feel the same way-come and face me"

"You're joking, General" whispered Haku, earning a brief chuckle from the blonde before he walked away.

The sound of his retreating footsteps keeping the remaining swordsmen frozen in their place as they clearly understood the unsaid threat left by their new leader.

(October 10th, Twenty Years After Kirigakure's Formation)

Mei Terumi found herself standing among the thousands upon thousands of people not just from her own village but also from all parts of the country that had arrived here only for this occasion.

Having been recently discharged from the hospital and being freed from the Sealing Jutsu used by Yagura to control her by an Uzumaki mercenary of all people, she had barely reunited with her freed father and learnt just how the rebels had been crushed before another development surprised her even more.

She had not yet got a chance to talk to the man who had saved her life, or even catch a glimpse of him this past entire month since he had been busy dealing with the traitors, restoring order within Kirigakure and the rest of the country.

Now that those tasks were completed, the moment had finally come.

The Fourth Mizukage.

For the first time in their nation's history and even in that of this world, a shinobi had taken complete control of an entire nation and overthrown the feudal leadership. It was a feat unheard of especially for a nation as large as their own. She could only imagine the shockwave it would have caused across the rest of the world and the remaining great nations.

It was the dawn of a new era.

Even before formally assuming office, the new leader of their nation had done what his predecessors and previous feudal masters had failed to accomplish. After having united the ninja and civilian forces under his command by crushing out remaining pockets of rebellion, he stripped the remaining civilian nobility previously loyal to the Daimyo from all their assets and titles. Any that tried to oppose this decision were never heard from again. Instead of keeping the newfound wealth alongwith the royal treasury of the previous Daimyo for himself, the new leadership actually used nearly half the funds for the welfare of the impoverished people of their nation.

The ninja clans from Kirigakure like the Terumi, Hozuki, and Yuki actually spread across the entire nation bearing these gifts from the new ruler for the people. It didn't end there as all the ninjas were ordered to complete providing all the basic amenities their new Kage felt were necessary for the welfare of their people.

Food Storage, Trade Routes, Road Development, Water Reservoirs, Education Centers, Hospitals and Local Clinics, Establishment of Local Garrison centers in each key cluster, Setting up police forces and so much more.

In the one month since the Daimyo's fall, their nation had undergone a change nobody had ever dreamed of. A change led by shinobi themselves which was enough to make the common masses forgive the innocents lost in the Capital's fall and the brutal execution of the Daimyo and his aides who had hoarded all the power and wealth only for themselves.

Their new Kage had displayed great insight by actually working for the people first before formally assuming office. He had even used the time before his coronation to actually reorganize the military for the next phase of the war.

Instead of having the non-shinobi and shinobi acting as different armies, the Fourth Mizukage combined their might.

The immense might of their reformed army was divided into four legions.

The 212th Legion led by Mangetsu Hozuki with his close friend Haku Yuki as his second in command.

The 99th Legion led by the Anbu Commander with Jinpachi acting as second in command.

The 47th Legion led by Zabuza Momoichi with Ameyuri acting as his respective second in command.

And finally, the 501st led by the new Mizukage himself with Kisame Hoshigaki acting as his second in command.

There was a Reserve force that would be permanently stationed inside their nation to act in its defense while their four legions launched an all out offensive against their enemies to win the war in their favor. It was risky but a strategy their new leader seemed confident upon.

Mei stopped herself from thinking further about the war as she was again reminded of how there were nearly a dozen things she wanted to talk about with their new Kage, one of them being a brazen offer proposed by her own father of all...

He had joked about it once with her when the man had been swiftly rising through the ranks under the previous Mizukage, but Mei had never imagined her old man would go ahead with such a proposal before even discussing with her seriously even once.

"Mei, he's the last of the Namikaze clan. Even if he rules this nation now, there is no way the people or the nobility including the ninja clans supporting him would risk his bloodline going extinct. He has proved himself too powerful a warrior for that" her father, Lord Minase Terumi had advised.

"He just lost his wife and child. How could you be so insensitive?" she remembered blasting him furiously,

"If he's smart and adapts to the politics behind running a nation, which I think he will-then he needs the unwavering support of the ninja clans. The clans in turn see the benefit of actually being related to the most powerful ruler this nation has ever seen. Sooner or later, they will all try to offer him their daughters in marriage in order to further advance themselves" explained Lord Minase patiently,

"Just like you did for the Terumi clan and yourself?" she asked bitterly, making the older man sigh as he walked towards her.

"Yes. I did it for our clan's future but also for your own" admitted her father, as he gently placed his hands upon her shoulders.

"Mine?" she questioned him with a frown,

"You're a beautiful and kind woman, my daughter. Under normal circumstances, there would have been an army of suitors waiting for you. But you are a Jinchuuriki, and after the events of the civil war...the people of this village distrust you even more despite the fact that Yagura controlled your actions. I'll protect you for as long as I live but someday I will be gone and while I would like to believe that our clan will no doubt look after you as one of their own and their new leader...I just don't want to take any chances with your safety. Also, not many men would be interested in marrying you given the situation you are in except to gain power within our clan or over you" said Lord Minase Terumi patiently,

For the first time, Mei understood her father's actions had been to protect and secure her own future, more than that of their clan or his own alone.

It had severely diminished the anger she had felt for him...

"And you think he won't?" she had asked him hesitantly, making him smile.

"A man who has never lost any battle and one who conquered this nation has no need to resort to such desperate measures. More than me, you know it to be true" Lord Minase had told her gently,

Mei did not want to admit that he was right but then she also remembered how Naruto had treated her like a normal human being and fellow ninja. For all the times he stood up for, all the times he encouraged her to believe in herself despite the village's rejection.

She fondly remembered the day she had helped him with shopping after the death of his wife. It had been one of the best days of her life as he had proudly walked by her side as a friend and silenced any one who tried to discourage her presence near him. He had even taken her out for eating afterwards...something which no man had ever done genuinely out of the goodness of their heart.

"I know you like him and he is fond of you as well to an extent. It is why I made a marriage proposal to him without informing you first, besides you were in the hospital at that time" whispered Lord Minase with a smile,

"How do you know he is fond of me?" asked Mei, was her father reading too much into something that didn't exist?

"You nearly killed him during the last battle, Mei. Even then, he didn't kill you or even cause any permanent injury. He went out of his way to save your life while risking his own gravely. I'm not saying he is in love with you...but he wouldn't go so far if you were not dear to him"

The guilt came back to haunt her again but her father lifted her chin to make her look into his eyes.

"He personally assured me that he does not hold that against you and knows you were being controlled by Yagura and his men. Don't blame yourself too much, if you hadn't done what you had to...I would be dead. It's I should who be apologizing to you" whispered her father sadly,

"We're family"

He had hugged her affectionately upon hearing those simple yet powerful words that explained everything they both were to each other.

"Does he really need me by his side, Father? He has everything now" she had whispered, as her father gently broke the hug to look straight in her eyes.

"For a man who has everything...he does not have the most important thing of all" he had whispered sadly,

"What is that?" she had asked curiously,

"Family"

Those words had dispelled her remaining resistance towards this arranged political marriage even if their clan was yet to receive a formal answer from Naruto himself. She wanted to think that she knew him to an extent and truly cared about him, was even attracted to him...but if he didn't want her to be a part of his life then she was prepared to walk away even if it would disappoint her father greatly.

She heard the excitement among the crowd grow more and more with deafening cheering erupting moments later as she looked up to find the man she had been thinking about walk towards the rooftop of the Hokage tower.

He was wearing a black flak jacket matched by pants and boots of similar color. On top of that, he wore a stark white haori with the word "Fourth" etched in deep red across his back. Lastly, he had a traditional Kirigakure headband wrapped around his right arm with the four symbols across it made of actual gold instead of bronze.

It was simple, yet an attire that also made him look more appealing apart from his natural handsome face.

Mei saw many women and even few men were blushing while the rest of the majority were simply happy. She clearly saw their hopes for the new Kage in their wide smiles and respectful gazes.

A feeling which she herself felt as she looked at the same man which made her smile as well.

(Mizukage's Tower)

As he walked towards the edge of the rooftop, Naruto Namikaze was left speechless by the sheer amount of people that had arrived from all over the country to watch his coronation.

He knew his recent reforms had made him immensely popular among the people...but this was just...

He was at a loss of words, yet he didn't waver in his steps and confidently kept marching forward as the roaring and cheering started increasing even more and more...and as he reached the edge, the people's roar of approval nearly echoed across entire Kirigakure.

This was probably the greatest moment of his life with the love and respect of an entire nation staring at him through its overjoyed people.

An acknowledgement even his own motherland had not given him...

But the people he wanted to be present the most in this moment were not here. His eyes futilely searching for phantom ghosts of his adoptive father and mother, Tobirama, Nagato, his Spartan comrades...and most of all Ino.

His eyes widened for a second when in a fleeting moment he saw a blonde woman similar looking to his wife be present in the crowd below only to quickly realize it was someone else and he was just seeing things.

A deep sadness arose in his heart which he suppressed when he watched many familiar faces in the crowd.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the Anbu Commander, even Kushina-his oldest friend standing nearby to Mei Terumi.

Their presence somewhat healed the hole in his heart and made him steel himself once again to raise his right hand in acknowledgement towards the sea of people whose cheers made him smile once again.

October 10th, Twenty Years after the Five Great Nation's creation.

The Fourth Mizukage was born.

And the world was never the same again.

Author's Notes: End of chapter.

Hope you guys liked it.

In other news, I managed to get a new job. Not too decently paid as before, but given the state of the economy and markets-it'll do for now. Thank you to all those who motivated me during the tough phase.

I've actually waited a long time to write this chapter and I'm glad it has came to pass.

The journey only gets more tougher and dangerous from here on out.

Feel free to review.

Until Next Time,

Blackwolf501