Chương 22: Chapter 22: The Fall
The tension in the Uzushikage's office was palpable as Ashina's words hung in the air. The fall of Uzu had arrived and Hayato was not aware of anything he could do to help the situation. Maybe if he was on the same level as Kyoshi or Yangchen, or maybe using the Avatar State, he could hope to assist them.
Kana was the first to break the stunned silence, her voice filled with determination. "Father, let us help defend the village. Hayato and I have been training for this. We can—"
"No." Ashina interrupted, his tone firm but tinged with a sadness that made both young prodigies pause. "That is not why I called you here."
Hayato, who had been mentally preparing strategies for village defense, felt a chill run down his spine at the Uzushikage's words. "What do you mean, Uzushikage-sama?"
Ashina turned to face the window, his gaze sweeping over the village he had sworn to protect. When he spoke again, his voice was heavy with the weight of his decision.
"I'm sending you both away from Uzushiogakure. Tonight."
"What?" Kana exclaimed, shock and disbelief evident in her voice. "Father, you can't be serious! We can't abandon our home when it needs us most!"
Hayato remained silent, his mind racing. This wasn't how the fall of Uzushiogakure was supposed to happen, at least not according to the history he knew. What had changed?
Ashina turned back to face them, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. "Listen to me, both of you. What I'm about to tell you should not leave this room."
He took a deep breath before continuing. "We've known for some time that this attack was coming. The Uzumaki clan has prepared a contingency plan. The main elders and a select few will go into hiding, preserving our most sacred knowledge. Meanwhile, we've arranged for the evacuation of civilians and lower-ranking shinobi to various allied nations."
"But what about everyone else?" Hayato asked, already suspecting the answer.
"They will stay and fight." Ashina replied grimly. "To buy time for the evacuations and to ensure that our enemies believe they have truly destroyed us. To show that our will cannot be broken"
Kana's eyes widened in horror. "No... there has to be another way. What about Konoha? Surely they'll send aid?"
Ashina's expression hardened. "I'm afraid not. We've received word that Konoha will not be offering assistance. They claim their forces are stretched too thin, but..." He left the implication hanging in the air.
The room fell silent as the full weight of the situation settled upon them. Hayato felt a maelstrom of emotions – guilt at the knowledge he possessed but couldn't fully share, anger at Konoha's betrayal, and a deep sadness for the fate that awaited Uzushiogakure.
'This world... it's just wrong.' Hayato thought to himself grimly.
Kana, unable to contain her emotions any longer, burst into tears. "This can't be happening. We can't just leave everyone to die!"
Ashina moved swiftly to his daughter's side, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Kana, my precious daughter, listen to me. You and Hayato must live. As long as you do, the will of Uzushiogakure will survive."
He pulled back, looking into her eyes with fierce intensity. "You two represent the best of our next generation. Your knowledge, and your skills – they are the true legacy of our village. By surviving, by continuing to grow and learn, you ensure that Uzushiogakure will never truly die."
Hayato stepped forward, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart. "Uzushikage-sama, I understand the logic, but... is this really the only way?"
Ashina turned to him, a sad smile on his face. "Hayato, in the short time you've been with us, you've become like a son to me. Your unique abilities, combined with your mastery of our arts, make you uniquely suited to carry on our legacy."
He moved to a hidden panel in the wall, revealing a cache of scrolls. "These contain our most secret techniques, the culmination of generations of knowledge. I'm entrusting them to you both. Learn from them, expand upon them, and one day... one day, use them to rebuild what we're about to lose."
As Ashina handed over the scrolls, the full weight of the responsibility settled on Hayato's shoulders. This was more than just preserving a timeline now – it was about preserving a culture, a way of life.
Kana, having regained some composure, spoke up. "But father, where will we go? How can we just start over somewhere else?"
Ashina's expression softened. "I am sure that Hayato can have you travel to his homeland with him, or you two can venture into a new path. Whatever you decide, I will be giving you enough resources in a few Sealing Scrolls to take care of yourselves for years to come."
He turned to Hayato. "Your path may diverge from Kana's at times, given your... unique circumstances. But I trust you to make the right decisions, to use your knowledge and power wisely."
Hayato nodded solemnly, understanding the unspoken acknowledgment of his true nature and mission.
As the reality of their situation sank in, Kana moved to stand beside Hayato, her hand instinctively finding Hayato's for support, with him allowing her to do so due to the unfortunate situation they were facing. Ashina watched them, a glimmer of hope shining through his sorrow.
"The will of Uzushiogakure lives on in you both." he said, his voice filled with pride and determination. "No matter what happens in the coming days, never forget who you are and where you came from. The whirlpool may disperse, but its energy never truly dies – it merely takes on new forms."
With those words, Ashina began to outline the details of their departure. As he spoke, Hayato's mind raced with the implications of this change in events. He was being given a chance to preserve more of Uzushiogakure's legacy than he had ever thought possible. But at what cost? And how would this affect the future he was meant to protect?
As the sun began to set on what would be their last day in Uzushiogakure, Hayato and Kana stood at the window, looking out over the village they had come to love. The streets below bustled with activity, unaware of the fate that awaited them.
"I'll come back," Kana whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Someday, I'll rebuild. Will you help me do it, Hayato?"
Hayato squeezed her hand, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what was to come. "Yes." he replied, making a silent vow to himself. "Someday, we'll make sure the spirit of Uzushiogakure lives on."
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