The 6th Great Ninja War
Chapter 40: Out of the Storm
Chapter 40: Out of the Storm
This is the Conclusion of the series and the second part to the 3 part Finale. Be on the lookout for a new chapter later this week or so.
Link to the Previous Chapter:
Link to the Previous Chapter:
You must be registered for see links
Several days had passed since the end of the 6th Great Ninja War. The countries and the villages came together in a joint effort to help one another rebuild. Brotherhood reigned for a time, if only temporarily. Once again, it was an overcast and stormy morning, but oddly enough, there was a subtle lack of lightning in the skies of the Land of Fire.
At the edge of the Land of Fire, where many nations converged, there was a great cemetery, and multitudes had gathered, dressed in black, for a single purpose. A veneration of the fallen was underway and hundreds of men and women, shinobi and citizens alike, stood together on that day to bow their heads in honor of their fallen brothers and sisters. The rain fell lightly, prompting many to leave as soon as they had paid their brief respects to the fallen. All were honored in this day, friend and enemy alike, of all nations and all villages, for in this procession, unity ruled. Several shinobi remained nearly an hour after the procession, including the remaining Sages minus Hellsbadass, who had opted not to attend the ceremony. Madara took his leave after speaking with Ragnaroc and bid him farewell, disappearing in the thin mist some one-hundred meters away. Those that remained had noticeable injuries due to the battle they had fought several days ago. Ragnaroc wore a protective cast around his right arm and several bandage wrap layers around his forehead which were covered mostly by his hair. Roku passed by several graves at the forefront of the cemetery, for these honored dead had died with great merit. He left flowers on several graves, including Kaito, Ali, and Mugiwara. Ragnaroc stood near Nero’s grave and looked coldly upon it as he dropped a lily of the valley near his gravestone. He muttered.
Ragnaroc: You little fool…
Roku waited for Liliana to depart from Izuna’s grave. He then looked upon Izuna’s grave and remembered their last battle. Izuna’s gravestone read “Here lies Izuna Uchiha, Honored Admiral of Kirigakure.” Roku shed a single tear before wiping his face.
Roku: Izuna…I think I understand now…we may have led different lives, but fate did not dictate our roles. We did ourselves. I couldn’t say goodbye then, but now…the time is right. Farewell, my friend.
Roku moved to Bishamon’s and Elias’ graves, which had been placed side by side, and stood straight. He looked at the inscription on Bishamon’s gravestone closely. It read “Here lies Bishamon, father and cornerstone of Our history and Our heritage. May he Rest in Peace and watch over us.” Roku began to sob, unable to restrain his sadness any longer. Nevertheless, he smiled, for his sorrow was met with joy that was paramount to his gloom. He need not hold back his tears any longer, for he was truly happy. He looked around him, still smiling, and took in the larger world that surrounded him, embracing the idea of a new era.
Roku: Bisha …it’s just as you said…a new world might not be so bad after all.
A few hours passed and Roku found himself in one of the Kiyoshi settlements. He stood in one of his large Japanese gardens, watching koi fish swim as he rested on the edge of a small bridge that ran over a stream from the pond. From a distance, Kento noticed Roku and rushed to meet him frantically. Roku was pleasantly surprised to see Kento, who was carrying with him a few bags.
Roku: Kento! Wow. You’ve recovered so quickly.
Kento: Yeah, Roku-dono, my recovery went better than I expected.
Roku: So…judging by your bags, I take it you’re off.
Kento: *sighs* Yeah…that’s how it is, I suppose. I’ve got a wife and kids waiting for a husband and a father to come home.
Roku: So I guess this is goodbye.
Kento: I guess it is.
Roku smiled and shook Kento’s hand and then stood to bow modestly.
Roku: It was an honor!
Kento was at a loss for words, humbled that Roku Kiyoshi had acknowledged him. He nearly broke into tears in a comical fashion, but he managed to negate his sappy feelings with an awkward smile.
Kento: The honor was all mine, sir!!
Kento ran off and saluted Roku one last time. Roku smiled and returned to watching the fish in his pond.
Elsewhere, just beyond the cemetery, Liliana had made for herself a training area. She had just finished several reps of kicks to several ravaged wood blocks. As she wiped her forehead, she saw to her right Goro in the distance, who was training even harder. He had destroyed several blocks of steel and had been punching holes in sheets of other metals. Goro’s concentration was such that he did not notice Liliana at all. When she spoke to him, Goro became startled and fell over in a comical fashion. He turned to see Liliana and was a bit surprised.
Goro: Sorry…I didn’t see you there. *laughs* You scared me.
Liliana: I noticed you training. What for?
Goro: *looks down somberly* I lost two people who were precious to me. You see, I wasn’t strong enough to protect them, so I’ll keep training. Hopefully, one day, they can forgive me…wherever they are.
Liliana: Hmm…I’ve lost someone precious to me, too. It’s very noble of you to want to get stronger for their sake.
Goro: Yeah…you know…you’re alright. How would you like to train with me?
Liliana: Me?!
Goro: Yeah! I’m going to travel the world like my teacher did, and I could use some company.
Liliana: …we’ll go together then.
Goro: It’s a deal!
Goro smiled, and Liliana reactively smiled. Her smile was cut short when she saw Ace walking by with his bags in hand. Goro looked over at Ace and waved.
Ace: Yo!
Goro: Ace! Where’re you headed?
Ace: Sunagakure…I’m going to help them rebuild! I’ll be settling there in a few days…you know. I might even stay.
Goro: Maybe I’ll see you on the road!
Ace: Maybe, Goro-san. I’ll see you around!
Ace walked off, waving as he did until he was out of sight.
Liliana: You didn’t even say goodbye…
Goro: I didn’t have to. We’re friends. We’ll meet again soon…I know it.
Back at the Kiyoshi settlement, Roku, Ragnaroc, and Akira had gathered around the pond to talk. Roku was sitting down on a bench near the water. Zanji was approaching from the south with his hands in his pockets.
Akira: Well, we’ve all talked, Roku, and it’s pretty obvious that this war has crippled the Order.
Roku: You don’t say…
Ragnaroc: Nevertheless, we’re missing an Earth Sage and a Fire Sage, and most importantly, a Grandmaster Sage.
Akira: We’ve already got our replacement in mind for the title of Earth Sage.
Roku: The obvious choice, of course, is Goro.
Ragnaroc: Exactly. But there’s still the problem of the Grandmaster Sage. The Order of the Sages has never been without a Grandmaster Sage. He or she holds a most important position by acting as a balancing agent—a mediator—between all of us Sages. Without a Grandmaster Sage to have the final say on matters, the Order would be in disarray, and we’d be beset with gridlock. With B-sama gone, we need a proper replacement—someone who is not only strong willed but has the wisdom to guide the rest of us.
Roku: (sips tea) Yes, go on...
Ragnaroc: Well, we all talked. We thought long about this decision, and it was really difficult for us to come to a verdict, but we eventually decided that—
Roku: I decline.
Ragnaroc and Akira both widened their eyes and looked at Roku like he was crazy.
Ragnaroc: What?
Roku: I appreciate the gesture…truly I do. But a man like me, who couldn’t even save his subordinate, does not deserve the mantle of Grandmaster Sage.
Akira: Roku, listen to yourself. You’re—
Roku: It’s alright. Bisha told me that it’s up to me to help usher in a new spirit for the people of the new ninja world. I realize that I cannot lead it; that isn’t where my role lies. I just have to guide the new generation on the right path and hope that out of it will come a new era of peace. That is why I founded the Kiyoshi Clan…and I have resolved to stand by that purpose.
Ragnaroc: But the choice isn’t up to you. It’s up to the other Sages.
Roku: Then you’d do well to give the position to Zanji. He’d be a better leader than I ever would. Any objections?
Akira: …
Ragnaroc: *sighs*
Akira: Hah. I guess it’s settled then.
Roku: Akira…where are you headed?
Akira: North. To Kamiriku (God Lands).
Ragnaroc: That place is dangerous. You sure you’ll be okay?
Roku: Rag has a point. I almost died several times the last time I went up there.
Akira: Yeah, I’ll be fine. I hear there’s a new spirit up there…something that can help me see more clearly, and hopefully, I can return that insight to the many nations as I travel the world.
Roku: A journey for enlightenment? That’s noble. *smiles*
Zanji: Hey, guys. What’s happening?
Ragnaroc, Roku, and Akira looked awkwardly at Zanji as he blankly smiled, waiting for a response.
Roku: Keeping well, Grandmaster Sage-san?
Zanji winced and looked confused.
Zanji: Huh?
Akira immediately locked his arm around Zanji’s neck, nearly choking him, and he nonchalantly waved goodbye with his free hand.
Akira: Well, that’s enough talking for today. We’ll see you guys around, then!
Zanji: H—hey! Wait!!
Akira and Zanji disappeared, leaving only Roku and Ragnaroc. Ragnaroc decided to take his leave as well, and Roku nodded as Ragnaroc bid him farewell.
Ragnaroc: Ah…I almost forgot. With Goro becoming the Earth Sage and all, there’s one thing we have to teach him.
Roku: Oh…you’re right.
Ragnaroc immediately summoned the Amenonuhoko into his right hand and it sealed itself on his back in white cloth.
Ragnaroc: With Elias and B-sama gone, two of the Amenonuhoko masters are dead. Think you can find Goro and let him know about this?
Roku: Hmph…I’ll see what I can do.
Ragnaroc: Thanks. Goodbye Roku.
Roku: Goodbye, Rag.
Ragnaroc disappeared, and Roku promptly turned to one of his houses to go inside. He walked up the small set of stairs slowly, contemplating many things as he did. Before he reached the end of the stairs, however, he sensed a presence behind him and calmly stopped. He turned to find a young man on the floor, on his knees as though he was begging. He had tears in his eyes and his fists were shaking.
Roku: Kiwii…fancy seeing you here.
Kiwii: Captain………please forgive me!
Roku: *sighs heavily*
Kiwii: I……I…
Roku: Kiwii…I was never truly angry at you. I wanted you to walk your own path. I realized that you would not find the acknowledgement you sought with us. You had to find it on your own.
Kiwii: *sniffs* Yeah.
Roku: And whether that path had a good or bad outcome, it was up to you to make something of it. Now…I hear you’re a hero in the Hidden Leaf Village. You saved them from Gatsndshanks.
Kiwii: I didn’t do much, really. I just arrived at the right time.
Roku: But you arrived nonetheless, and that’s what truly matters. The people of Konoha acknowledged you; you mean something to them, and they believe in you The people of Konoha need something to believe in again. .
Kiwii: *sniff* They want me to be their Hokage.
Roku: Do you see now why it was better for you to—
Kiwii: And that’s why I refused.
Roku raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Kiwii: *sigh* The people of Konohagakure need a Hokage, but I don’t deserve to be him. I’ve made far too many mistakes to be so easily forgiven. I’m going to travel to the Wild South so that I may learn the value of life. Then, only once I’ve returned a stronger man, maybe I will be worthy of the honor of Hokage.
Roku smiled and continued walking toward the door to his house.
Roku: You’ve grown, Kiwii. I’m proud of you.
Kiwii: ……
Roku: You’ll make a fine leader one day.
Kiwii: *sniffs* It was an honor, Captain Roku!!!!!
Roku chuckled and turned around, bidding Kiwii farewell with a wave before walking into his home.
END OF CHAPTER
