The ti slowly flowed forward, and Shamrock and Uta continued to grow safely in Uzushiogakure. Seasons changed quietly over the island, sea winds brushing against the village walls, and Uzushiogakure remained completely peaceful—not involved in any kind of war with any country. No nation even dared to think of raising a hand against it. Because of this, people from other countries, displaced and broken by war, began searching for a safe haven where they could finally breathe without fear.
Uzushiogakure beca a literal heaven for them. It was untouched by battle, its land calm and steady beneath clear skies. The village was guarded by the Uzumaki siblings, whose reputation had spread far and wide across the world, spoken in both awe and caution. Not to ntion, Uzushiogakure itself needed to grow its population—to build a considerate number of people for its long-term developnt—so they relatively allowed those war-displaced families to settle within its borders. Small boats carrying weary families would arrive at the docks, children clutching bundles of cloth, eyes filled with both fear and fragile hope.
Of course, among those families, a few were undoubtedly spies sent by different major villages and countries to keep an eye on the rapid growth of Uzushiogakure. But there was not much for the Uzumaki siblings—or Shanks, the Uzukage—to worry about. Ultimately, they were the heaven of Uzushiogakure. Their words were supre, their authority unquestioned. They could suppress any hostility, any treason, anything that threatened the stability of their land. Let them watch, the unspoken confidence lingered in the air. They did not fear spies, even if they ca hidden among refugees.
Ti continued to move forward, steady and unhurried. With Raphael's assistance, Shanks began implenting different reforms. He introduced practical advancents for the betternt of Uzushiogakure's infrastructure—improving the drainage system so rainwater no longer flooded the lower streets, establishing a more stable electrical system that lit the village in a warm glow after sunset. Gradually, advancent in technology and overall living standards beca visible. The nights grew brighter, workshops busier, and the quiet hum of progress echoed through the village paths.
After almost two years had passed since Mikoto's visit to Konoha, Minato and Kushina finally got married. However, not all the Uzumaki siblings—and especially not the Uzukage—could travel to Konoha due to restrictions and political bans. After all, Uzushiogakure and Konoha were not allies, and appearances carried weight in the world of shinobi.
So Erza and Makima attended Kushina's wedding in their stead, representing the whole Uzumaki Clan. The ceremony was successful, filled with warmth and celebration. Kushina and Minato had been in a relationship for a long ti; this marriage was the final seal on their bond.
The Third Shinobi War had also co to an end and Minato, who had already gained considerable fa on the battlefield, continued to rise. Just a few months after the wedding, as his achievents spread across the nations, Minato beca the new Hokage with the support of Third Hokage and his faction.
…
Ti continued to flow, steady and indifferent.
On one quiet night, Shanks was sleeping beside Mikoto. The room was calm, illuminated faintly by the moonlight slipping through the window. In the next room, Shamrock and Uta slept peacefully.
Then suddenly—knock… knock…
The sharp sound cut through the silence.
Shanks's eyes opened instantly. The knock ca again, firr this ti. Without wasting a second, he rose from the bed and moved toward the door. As he opened it, he found Makima standing there, urgency clearly written across her face. Behind her stood almost all the Uzumaki siblings.
The last trace of sleep vanished from Shanks's eyes.
"What happened, Makima?" he asked imdiately, his voice low but serious. "Why are you so serious and flustered? Not to ntion… all of you are present here."
His gaze swept across their faces. They would not gather like this without reason.
Is there so big danger approaching our village… sothing I failed to notice?
Makima replied at once, barely pausing for breath. "Onii-san, it is like this. As you had instructed , I kept a few of my summons disguised as ordinary animals around the periter of Konoha. Just a few minutes ago, I received a distress signal from them—the sa summons you asked to spread around Konoha to keep an eye on any major event, especially if it is related to the Nine-Tails and Kushina, who is the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails."
Her expression tightened.
"I received the signal that sothing very big has appeared in Konoha. So I imdiately inford Erza Onii-san and Guy Onii-san."
The night air felt heavier.
Guy stepped forward, arms crossed, his usual fiery confidence replaced by seriousness. "After hearing Makima's report, I imdiately thought of teleporting to Konoha to check what was happening. But I wasn't able to teleport there at all."
His brows furrowed.
"It felt as if sothing was blocking my sense of Konoha. I couldn't lock onto it. I could have teleported around Konoha, yes—but not directly inside. As I am on guard duty today so I decided to stay here and sent Benimaru and Yoko instead. They must have teleported into the vicinity of Konoha by now. We should be receiving news from them soon."
Shanks's expression darkened.
"If there is even a chance that the Nine-Tails has appeared in Konoha," he said slowly, "then that most likely ans Kushina's seal has been broken."
His eyes sharpened.
"And I cannot afford to take chances with Kushina's life."
A faint wind rustled the trees outside.
"I will go to Konoha myself," he continued. "And I will see what is obstructing the space teleportation there."
Guy nodded in agreent. No one objected.
The situation was urgent.
Shanks did not waste a single mont. Still dressed in his kimono, he quickly donned a haori over it. He reached for his sword, Gryphon, fastening it securely at his side. Then he picked up a scroll containing tools for sealing techniques—just in case. Even though his strength was enormous, one could never be careless when dealing with a tailed beast.
Without another word—
He disappeared.
In an instant, Shanks appeared nearly one hundred kiloters away from Uzushiogakure. He had used his move, Astral Imprint. As his God's View ability had expanded, its sensing range now extended up to one hundred kiloters. Within that radius, he can create Astral Imprint wherever he wants.
He did not stop there.
Teleportation after teleportation Shanks crossed vast distances in re seconds. The night wind barely had ti to brush against his clothes before he vanished again.
Finally, he appeared just outside the gates of Konoha.
The ground trembled faintly beneath his feet.
In the distance, illuminated by fire and chaos, he saw it—
The Nine-Tails.
The massive beast was wreaking havoc within Konoha, its roars shaking the sky, tails sweeping through buildings as flas rose into the night.
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