Kapitel 92: Chapter-92
After the storm comes calm, just as it does in war. Following a battle, there's a moment of respite when everyone can pause and witness the dawn of a new day.
Naruto leaned on crutches, fully aware that despite his remarkable stamina and vitality, his body required more than a day to recover from the severe chakra exhaustion.
In somber silence, he watched as hundreds of lifeless bodies were respectfully laid side by side along the icy shore of the sea. In the background, the soft melody of a harp played by a young girl's hands filled the air.
Those who had survived from the tribe had gathered to bid farewell to those who hadn't made it through the brutal clash of the previous night.
Parents who had lost their children.
Children who had lost their parents.
Warriors who had lost their comrades, ending a lifetime of training and camaraderie with their final farewells to their brothers in arms.
The pain was palpable in the atmosphere.
"Are you holding up?" Naruto's question was directed at a child who was saying his last goodbye to his two parents, who now rested in ice beds.
"No, and you?" The boy returned the question to Niisa, whose expression remained solemn as she shrugged.
"Losses were expected; it's inevitable," she muttered dryly. In every battle, casualties were an unfortunate reality, even if it was an expected outcome.
In silence, Niisa clutched the half-moon necklace that had once belonged to her younger sister between her fingers.
"That doesn't make it any less painful," Naruto replied calmly. His gaze remained fixed on the waterbender, who looked back at him. Slowly, he reached out to grasp Niisa's hand, and she reciprocated the firm grip.
Breathing slowly, Niisa summoned all her inner strength not to break down at this moment. She couldn't afford to, not when she had now assumed the role of the tribe's general and leader. Her parents had secluded themselves in their home upon learning of Yue's death, and nobody could predict when they would recover from such an emotional blow.
"No, it doesn't make it any less painful," she murmured, appreciating Naruto's gesture of holding her hand. "You know the most painful part of this? The last time we spoke, I acted like a fool, when all she wanted was for me to take care of her..."
Their final conversation had been an insignificant argument fueled by the resentment she couldn't let go of.
Niisa was now a respected waterbender in her village.
The throne was within her grasp as the sole heir.
She had everything and nothing at the same time.
Naruto detected the turmoil in the waterbender's eyes and, after a moment of contemplation, he decided to speak his mind.
"I... I think you can never predict when it might be the last time we talk to someone we love. But maybe it's unnecessary, because, in the end, their love for each other is what truly matters."
"..." Smiling weakly, the waterbender nodded as she delicately placed the half-moon necklace around her neck. "What are you both going to do now?"
"I suppose we'll continue our journey." Aang had become quite skilled in waterbending, and with Katara as a full-fledged master, there was no longer a reason to stay. "Putting an end to this war... that's the top priority," he mumbled, making sure the waterbender could hear.
She glanced down at the boy for a moment, a multitude of thoughts racing through her mind. Yet, she could only express one sentiment that encompassed everything she was thinking.
"You're a good person, Naruto."
"Hmmm? What's that supposed to mean?" He was puzzled by the abrupt shift in conversation, but Nissa looked him in the eyes.
"This war isn't your responsibility, and yet you're here, assisting and protecting the Avatar, accompanying him on this lengthy journey. You defended my people even though they almost took your life. You stood up and kept fighting... just like the classic and cliché hero in a fairy tale."
Nissa had never encountered the prince charming her mother used to tell her about in childhood stories, and she had never been a fan of such tales, especially not the prince himself. She had never believed that individuals like that actually existed. In all her years of traveling, she had never encountered anyone who even came close to her own concept of a 'hero,' at least not until now...
"Is it really that basic and cliché?"
Naruto, on the other hand, was on a completely different page. Oblivious to Nissa's thoughts, it took him a while to process the two words he interpreted as somewhat of an insult. However, before he could respond with an insult of his own, he felt something warm on his forehead.
"Never change, Naruto..."
Naruto blushed when he realized that the waterbender had just kissed his forehead. Her warm smile made his confusion all the more profound.
"Well, a little more height and learning to keep your mouth shut wouldn't hurt either."
"Hey!"
…..
Somewhere in the Earth Kingdom, along a lengthy road, hundreds of people were traveling. They sought refuge in the largest cities, protected by the Earth King of Ba Sing Se.
Of course, in a crowd that large, not everyone was a refugee searching for a better life.
"My backpack!" A young man on crutches shouted in fury as a homeless man snatched his backpack containing his meager belongings. Some people attempted to intervene, but the thief proved to be faster than he appeared.
However, he didn't get far before a hand gripped his neck and forcefully slammed him to the ground.
"Ahg..." The thief, disoriented and in pain, quickly got to his feet, brandishing a knife he had hidden in his tattered clothes. "You want to play the hero, huh? You picked the wrong day!" He yelled in anger as a black-cloaked woman took him down.
"You were about to collide with me... and I'd rather not be touched by someone like you," she said without even bothering to make eye contact. She continued walking, ignoring the commotion around her. But she came to an abrupt stop when the thief's hand reached for the red scarf hanging around her neck.
"Don't ignore me, you bitc-"
Onlookers watched in shock as the thief received a brutal blow to his throat, likely breaking his trachea, as blood spewed from his mouth.
He couldn't defend himself as the girl grabbed his face, digging her nails into his skin, and used her legs to knock him to the ground, forcefully smashing his head onto the pavement.
He was down and likely wouldn't be getting up again.
"Thank you," the young man on crutches approached the fallen thief to retrieve his backpack.
Azula adjusted her scarf, shaking it as though the mere touch of the unfortunate soul had stained it. She didn't take the time to look at the young man on crutches.
"..." Yet, something caught her attention. Her gaze shifted to the stranger's right leg, which was wrapped in bandages. A severe burn, likely third-degree, covered his foot, extending up his leg.
She pulled her hood down, concealing her face once more, and without a word, resumed her journey. Unbeknownst to her, two people among the crowd of refugees had been watching her closely and continued to keep an eye on her.
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PAT REON I'D:- Alzero ]
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein