The morning mist hung over the reconstructed Great Naruto Bridge, tendrils of silver-Gray fog curling around the massive stone supports. Indra stood at the railing, looking back toward the mainland where Team 7 would be finishing their mission. Beside him, Rias stretched, her crimson hair catching the first golden rays of sunlight breaking through the mist.
Rias: "You know, for a 'simple retrieval mission,' this turned out rather eventful."
Indra: (Chuckles softly) "When does anything involving me stay simple? Though I must admit, watching Kakashi-sensei work was... educational. His precision is remarkable."
Rias: "Educational? Is that what we're calling it when you analyse someone's fighting style while pretending to be a casual observer?" She nudged him playfully. "I saw you making those little hand signs. You were cataloguing every technique, weren't you?"
Indra: "A strategist never stops learning, my dear. Besides..." He turned, leaning against the railing to face her. "We have time. No urgent summons from Kumo. No crises demanding immediate attention. Just... travel time."
A genuine smile spread across Rias's face—the kind that reached her amethyst eyes, making them sparkle.
Rias: "You mean we can actually take the scenic route? Not a lightning-fast chakra-enhanced sprint across three countries in two days?"
Indra: "I was thinking more of a... meandering pace. Perhaps visit some markets along the way. Sample local cuisine. Maybe even find a hot spring or two."
She looped her arm through his, pressing against his side. The early morning chill made her seek warmth, and Indra automatically adjusted his body temperature slightly—a small application of fire-nature chakra he'd perfected for comfort.
Rias: "I'm holding you to that. First, breakfast. Real breakfast, not ration bars. I saw a little tea house in the village that smelled amazing yesterday."
Indra: "Lead the way."
They walked back across the bridge, their footsteps echoing in the quiet morning. The village of Wave was just beginning to stir—fishermen preparing boats, shopkeepers rolling up shades, the scent of baking bread and simmering broth beginning to fill the air.
The tea house was cozy, with polished wooden floors and steam curling from behind a counter where an elderly woman worked. They took a table by the window overlooking the water.
Rias: "Two special breakfast sets, please! And jasmine tea."
The woman nodded, her eyes lingering on their Kumo forehead protectors but showing no fear—only curiosity. Word had spread about the "friendly Kumo shinobi" who'd helped with the bridge incident without demanding payment.
As they waited, Rias unfolded a map on the table.
Rias: "So,... scenic route. Options." She traced a line with her finger. "Direct path along the coast—fastest but boring. Inland through the Valley of Whispers—beautiful but reportedly bandit-prone these days. Or..." She moved her finger to a winding path that dipped through several small nations. "The merchant's circuit. Pass through three minor countries, visit four major markets, see the Whispering Caverns, and end at the Land of Hot Springs before heading home."
Indra: "The merchant's circuit would take... eight days instead of three."
Rias: "Exactly." She grinned. "Plenty of time for 'meandering.'"
Indra: (Smiling) "You've been planning this."
Rias: "I may have studied routes while you were having your clandestine meeting with Kakashi. A girl needs hobbies."
Their breakfast arrived—steaming bowls of miso soup with fresh seaweed, grilled fish still sizzling, pickled vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice. The tea came in heavy ceramic cups that warmed their hands.
As they ate, Indra watched the village come to life outside. Children running to school, fishermen heading out to sea, the rhythmic sound of a hammer somewhere—rebuilding continuing even after the bridge's completion.
Indra: "This place... it's recovering. But slowly. Gato's shadow was long."
Rias: "They're free now. That's what matters." She sipped her tea. "You gave them that, indirectly. Without your interference, Zabuza might have succeeded."
Indra: "I didn't do it for them. I did it because..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Because watching children fight adult battles bothers me. Naruto and Sasuke shouldn't have been there. Neither should Sakura."
Rias: "Yet they were. And they won." She reached across the table, her hand covering his. "Not everyone has a protector like you, Indra. Most people have to fight their own battles, sometimes too young."
He turned his hand, intertwining their fingers.
Indra: "I know. But if I can shift the balance even slightly... create a world where children aren't soldiers..."
Rias: "You're already doing that. Your inventions, your reforms... you're changing what it means to be a shinobi village. Kumo isn't just stronger—it's safer. More prosperous. People have options now."
They finished breakfast in comfortable silence, watching the morning unfold. When Indra went to pay, the tea house owner shook her head.
Owner: "No charge for friends of Wave. You helped our protectors. That makes you family."
Indra: "Thank you. But please." He pressed a generous amount of ryo into her hand anyway. "For the excellent service. And for rebuilding."
Outside, the market was beginning to fill. Stalls displayed fresh fish, woven baskets, pottery glazed in ocean blues and greens.
Rias: "Ooh, look at those!" She darted toward a jewelry stall where hair ornaments made of seashells and polished stones glimmered in the sunlight.
Indra followed, watching as she tried on various pieces, holding them up to her crimson hair. The vendor, a young woman with clever fingers, suggested a comb carved from abalone shell that shimmered with rainbow colors.
Rias: "What do you think?"
Indra: "It suits you. But..." He examined the stall, his eyes analytical. "The setting is weak here. The pin will bend under stress." He pointed to a different piece—a simpler but sturdier hair stick with a single pearl. "This one has better structural integrity."
Rias: (Laughing) "You analyse jewellery like you analyse fortifications."
Indra: "Good design principles apply everywhere. Besides..." He took the abalone comb. "We can improve this." He focused for a moment, his fingers glowing with subtle chakra. The metal reinforcements reshaped themselves, becoming stronger yet more delicate in appearance. "There. Now it's both beautiful and functional."
The vendor's eyes widened.
Vendor: "How did you...?"
Indra: "A little chakra manipulation. Here." He handed her the comb. "The technique is simple—focus on the molecular structure of the metal, not just the shape."
He spent the next ten minutes giving the astonished young woman a basic lesson in chakra-infused craftsmanship, while Rias tried on half the stall's inventory.
In the end, they bought both pieces—the strengthened abalone comb for Rias, and the pearl hair stick for Indra's mother Delia.
Rias: "Your mother will love this. She always says you bring her the most interesting gifts."
Indra: "She deserves beautiful things. After everything..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but Rias understood. Delia's life—fleeing Konoha pregnant, raising a child alone in a foreign village, constantly looking over her shoulder—hadn't allowed for many luxuries.
As they left the stall, Rias slipped her hand into his again.
Rias: "Next market? I want to find something for my parents. And maybe for Samui—she's been hinting about new throwing knives."
They chose the merchant's circuit after all, beginning with the path through the Valley of Whispers—a deep gorge where wind currents created eerie, voice-like sounds that gave the place its name.
The road wound along a cliff face, with a rushing river far below. Waterfalls cascaded from higher cliffs, catching sunlight and creating permanent rainbows in the mist.
Rias: "It's beautiful. And loud!"
Indeed, the wind whistled through rock formations, creating tones that shifted from mournful moans to cheerful chirps depending on the direction.
Indra: "Acoustic phenomenon. The rock here has unusual crystalline structures that amplify and modulate sound waves. Listen." He gestured to a particular formation. "That one produces a perfect fifth interval. And that one over there creates what sounds like laughter."
Rias: "Of course you'd analyse the music of the wind. Can't just enjoy it, can you?"
Indra: "Understanding enhances appreciation." But he smiled as he said it. "Besides, there's tactical value. In certain conditions, the natural sounds could mask approaching footsteps or whispered conversations."
Rias: "Always the strategist." But she was listening differently now, hearing the patterns he'd pointed out.
They walked for hours, sometimes talking, sometimes in comfortable silence. Indra pointed out geological features, explaining how the valley had formed. Rias identified plants and animals, her Uzumaki heritage giving her extensive knowledge of natural remedies and edible flora.
At midday, they stopped at a lookout point where the valley opened into a breathtaking vista of layered cliffs and distant mountains.
Rias: "Picnic?"
Indra: "I thought you'd never ask."
From his storage scroll, Indra produced a blanket and a basket of food he'd secretly purchased in Wave—fresh fruit, cheese, bread still warm from the morning's baking, and a bottle of sparkling juice from Lightning Country.
Rias: "You planned this!"
Indra: "I may have anticipated your picnic desires. Also..." He produced two delicate crystal glasses. "Proper presentation matters."
They sat on the blanket, the sheer drop before them making the meal feel suspended between earth and sky. Far below, eagles circled on thermal currents.
Rias: "This is perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Indra: (Slicing an apple with a kunai) "It's the simple moments that matter most. Between crises, between missions... these quiet times."
Rias: "Do you ever think about what life would be like if... if you weren't who you are? If you were just a regular shinobi?"
Indra: "All the time. But then I remember what 'regular' means in our world. Short life expectancy. Constant danger. Limited options." He handed her a slice of apple. "No, I don't wish for normal. I wish for better. For everyone."
Rias: "That's what I love about you. You don't just want to escape the system—you want to rebuild it."
They ate watching the eagles. After lunch, Rias lay with her head in Indra's lap, looking up at the clouds while he gently braided a section of her hair, incorporating a wildflower he'd picked.
Rias: "You know, when we first met... when you found our clan and brought us to Kumo... I thought you were intimidating. All that power, all that knowledge. And so serious."
Indra: "I was serious. Still am, mostly."
Rias: "But there's warmth underneath. You care so deeply—about your mother, about the Uzumaki, about Kumo, about the Biju... You just show it differently than most people."
Indra: (His fingers stilled in her hair) "I've seen what happens when love isn't protected. When family isn't guarded. I won't make that mistake."
She reached up, touching his cheek.
Rias: "I know. And that's why I feel safe with you. Not just physically safe. Everything-safe."
They stayed like that until the sun began dipping toward the western cliffs, painting the valley in gold and shadow.
The village at the valley's end was known for its artisans. Woodworkers, weavers, glassblowers—all taking advantage of the unique materials found in the surrounding mountains.
The market square buzzed with activity, stalls arranged in colourful rows under brightly coloured awnings.
Rias: "Okay, mission parameters: gifts for everyone back home. Let's strategize."
Indra: (Amused) "You want to tactical-plan gift shopping?"
Rias: "Efficiently! We have many people to buy for and limited carrying capacity unless you want to use more storage scrolls."
Indra: "Fair point. Categorize by recipient type?"
Rias: "Exactly. First category: Family. Your mother, my parents. Second: Close friends and teammates. Third: Leadership and mentors. Fourth: General souvenirs for the clan children."
Indra: "Analytical. I approve."
They started with the weaving stalls. Rias examined bolts of fabric with a critical eye.
Rias: "Mother would love this sea-silk blend. It's lightweight but strong. And the colour reminds me of home."
Indra: "Good choice. And for my mother..." He selected a velvet in deep burgundy. "This will make a beautiful shawl. Warm for winter evenings."
Weaver: "Excellent choices! The sea-silk is from the coastal regions, woven with actual seaweed fibres for sheen. The velvet is lined with fire-fox fur—very warm indeed."
As the weaver wrapped their purchases, Indra asked about her techniques, eventually suggesting a modification to her loom that would increase production speed by twenty percent. The woman stared at him as if he'd performed magic.
Rias: "You can't help yourself, can you? Improving everything you touch."
Indra: "Knowledge should be shared. Especially when it helps artisans thrive."
At a woodworking stall, they found perfect gifts for Darui—an intricately carved strategy board with magnetic pieces that could be used for planning troop movements.
Indra: "Darui will appreciate this. He's been complaining about standard maps being inadequate for complex manoeuvres."
Rias: "You notice everything people need, don't you?"
Next came the glassblower's stall, where delicate figurines caught the light. Rias found a perfect eagle in mid-flight for Garuda—a gesture to their summon.
Indra: "He'll probably complain it's too fragile. Or try to eat it to see if it's actually a bird."
Rias: (Laughing) "Probably. But it's the thought that counts."
For Killer Bee, they found a vendor selling musical instruments from around the world. Indra examined a strange device with buttons and bellows.
Vendor: "That's a beatbox from the western continents! All the rage among innovative musicians."
Indra: "Bee will either love this or destroy it trying to incorporate it into his raps."
He purchased it anyway, along with a set of high-quality ink and brushes for Samui—she'd taken up calligraphy as a meditation practice.
The most challenging find was for Omoi, who was notoriously particular.
Rias: "Something practical but thoughtful... Ah!" She found a stall selling specialized kitchen knives. "He's been getting into cooking since you introduced those recipes from your... previous knowledge."
Indra: "Excellent observation. And these are well-balanced. The steel is folded multiple times—see the pattern?" He pointed to the ripples along the blade. "Good edge retention."
They purchased a set of three knives in a wooden block. For Karui, they found hair care products made from rare mountain herbs—she was vain about her hair, though she'd never admit it.
As afternoon faded to evening, they found themselves at a food stall selling skewers of grilled meat and vegetables. They ate standing up, watching the market's rhythm change as lanterns were lit.
Rias: "We've done well. Still need something for the Raikage though. And for Yugito."
Indra: "The Raikage is difficult. He claims not to want 'trinkets.'"
Rias: "What does he need?"
Indra: (Thinking) "He needs rest. But since we can't gift that... perhaps something for his office. He spends too much time there."
They found it at the last stall they visited—a craftsman who created lamps that projected calming water patterns on walls and ceilings.
Indra: "This simulates flowing water. Studies show the sight and sound of moving water reduces stress. It might help during long planning sessions."
Rias: "Perfect. And scientifically justified."
For Yugito, they found a collar with a small bell for Matatabi's avatar form—the biju had taken to appearing as a large two-tailed cat when not in her full form.
Rias: "She'll pretend to be offended but secretly love it."
Indra: "Most cats do."
Loaded with packages, they found an inn for the night—a cozy place with rooms overlooking the village square. After storing their purchases, they went to the inn's common room, where a fire crackled and other travellers shared stories.
The next day's journey took them to the Whispering Caverns—a network of tunnels said to be home to rare bats and echoing with mysterious sounds.
At the entrance, a guide offered tours, but Indra declined politely.
Indra: "We prefer to explore at our own pace. Shinobi training, you understand."
The guide nodded, eyeing their forehead protectors with respect.
Inside, the caves were cool and damp, glowing moss providing faint illumination. The air smelled of wet stone and something else—something musky and alive.
Rias: "It's beautiful in a eerie way."
As they went deeper, the ceiling became speckled with sleeping bats—thousands of them, hanging like strange fruit. Their breathing created a soft, rhythmic sound.
Indra: "Look at the variety. That cluster there—Cave Whisperers. They navigate through subsonic pulses. And those larger ones with the golden fur—Sunset Darters. They hunt at twilight."
Rias: "You've studied bats?"
Indra: "I've studied everything. But bats are particularly fascinating. Their echolocation is more precise than any sensor technique we've developed. And some species have chakra sensitivities we don't fully understand."
They reached a large chamber where a underground river flowed, creating a pool that reflected the glowing moss in shimmering patterns. The ceiling here was particularly dense with bats, including a species Indra hadn't seen before—small, with wings that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.
Indra: "Interesting. Those shouldn't be here."
Rias: "What are they?"
Indra: "Silent Wing Bats. They're supposed to be extinct. Or mythical." He focused his Sharingan, analysing them. "Their wing structure... it doesn't just muffle sound. It absorbs chakra vibrations. They'd be invisible to sensor-nin."
One bat detached from the cluster, fluttering down to land on a rock near them. It was tiny, with fur the colour of midnight and eyes that gleamed like polished obsidian.
Rias: "Hello there."
The bat cocked its head, making a series of clicks too high-pitched for human hearing. But Rias, with her Uzumaki sensory abilities, winced slightly.
Rias: "That... resonated. In my chakra network."
Indra: "Fascinating. They communicate through chakra pulses, not sound. That's why they went undetected for so long." He knelt, extending a hand slowly. The bat examined him, then fluttered to his finger. "They're intelligent. More than regular bats."
The bat made another series of clicks, and this time Indra felt it too—a vibration in his own chakra.
Indra: "They're assessing us. Our strength, our intentions."
More bats detached, swirling around them in a silent dance. The air hummed with their chakra pulses.
Rias: "It feels like... they're singing. But not with sound."
Indra: (Eyes widening slightly) "They're a summon clan. Or what's left of one."
He focused, reaching out with his own chakra in the pattern he used to communicate with his summons. The response was immediate—a flood of images, emotions, memories.
The bats had once been a great summon clan, allied with sages who valued subtlety over strength. But their last summoner died centuries ago in one of the Shinobi World Wars, and without a contract holder, they'd dwindled, retreating to these deep caves.
Indra: "They're dying. Slowly. Without a summoner to maintain the bond between their dimension and ours, their connection weakens. In a few more generations, they'll fade completely."
Rias: "That's tragic. Can we help?"
Indra: "We could become their summoners. But..." He looked at Rias. "You felt their resonance first. Their communication style matches Uzumaki sensory techniques. I think... I think they're choosing you."
The lead bat fluttered from Indra's hand to Rias's shoulder, nuzzling against her cheek with a soft chirp.
Rias: "Me? But you're the summoner. You have the contracts."
Indra: "I have two already. And my style... it's not subtle. I'm thunder and lightning, creation and destruction. These creatures... they're whispers and shadows, perception without presence." He touched her cheek. "But you... you notice everything. You sense moods before they're spoken. You understand what isn't said. You're perfect for them."
Rias: "What would it mean? To be their summoner?"
Indra: "A pact. You provide chakra to sustain their connection to our world. They provide their unique abilities. And companionship. Summons aren't just tools—they're partners."
The bat on her shoulder chirped again, and more landed around them—on rocks, on the ground, watching with those intelligent dark eyes.
Rias: "How do we do it?"
Indra: "Normally, there would be a scroll. But theirs is lost. So..." He closed his eyes, calling on his Creation ability. "We make a new one."
Chakra gathered around him, visible as amethyst light. The bats stirred, their own dark chakra rising to meet his. Patterns formed in the air—ancient symbols that Indra somehow knew, pulled from the collective memory the bats were sharing.
A scroll materialized from light and shadow, parchment dark as night, seals glowing with silver ink. It floated before Rias.
Indra: "Place your hand on it. Offer your chakra. And if you accept them, they'll accept you."
Rias took a deep breath, then pressed her palm to the scroll. Her chakra—vibrant, Uzumaki-red—flowed into the parchment. The silver seals turned crimson, then settled into a pattern that looked like wings wrapped around a heart.
The bats erupted into motion, not flying but vanishing in puffs of dark smoke, then reappearing, their numbers growing until the cavern seemed filled with swirling shadows. From the largest cluster, a figure formed—a bat the size of a large hawk, with intelligent eyes and wings that seemed to drink the light.
Bat Leader: (Voice like wind through caves) "We have waited long for one who hears the unsaid. Who sees in shadows. Who understands that silence can be louder than thunder."
Rias: "You... you speak?"
Bat Leader: "We always speak. Few listen in the right way. You do. Will you be our bridge? Our voice in the bright world?"
Rias looked at Indra, who nodded encouragingly.
Rias: "Yes. I will."
Bat Leader: "Then the pact is made. I am Echo, first among the Silent Wing Clan. Call us when you need eyes that see without being seen. Ears that hear without making sound. We are your shadows now."
Echo touched his wing to Rias's forehead, and a mark appeared briefly—a delicate bat silhouette that faded but left a connection she could feel.
Indra: "The pact is sealed. They're bonded to your chakra signature now. Try summoning one."
Rias formed the hand signs for summoning—the same basic pattern Indra used, adapted now through her new connection. With a puff of dark smoke, a small bat appeared on her arm.
Rias: "It worked!"
Indra: "Of course it did. Now, learn their names. Their abilities. A summoner must know their clan."
They spent hours in the caves as Rias met various bats and learned their capabilities. Silent Wing Bats could:
Become virtually undetectable to sensors Communicate through chakra pulses over great distances See through obstacles via echolocation refined by chakra enhancement Create "shadow fields" that muddled perception Carry small items between locations silently
Echo: "We are not warriors of great power. We are watchers. Listeners. We were the eyes of the sage who sought to understand, not conquer."
Indra: "Perfect for intelligence gathering. For protection without confrontation."
As evening approached, they prepared to leave the caves.
Rias: "Thank you, Echo. I'll call on you soon."
Echo: "We will answer, summoner. And we will watch over you, even when not called. The pact flows both ways."
With a final flutter, the bats returned to their roosts, and Rias and Indra made their way back to sunlight.
Outside, the world seemed brighter, louder after the caves' silent darkness.
Rias: "I have a summon clan." She sounded dazed, delighted.
Indra: "You do. And they suit you perfectly."
Rias: "You gave this to me."
Indra: "I facilitated. They chose you. Because of who you are." He kissed her forehead. "Now you have shadows of your own to command."
They walked hand-in-hand toward the next village, Rias occasionally summoning a bat just to feel the connection, marvelling at the new extension of her senses.
Two days later, they reached the Land of Hot Springs, famous for its therapeutic waters and luxurious resorts. Indra booked them a private open-air bath at a high-end inn, complete with a view of steaming pools descending a mountainside like stair steps.
The water was milky-white with minerals, hot but not scalding. Indra leaned back against smooth stones, steam rising around him. Rias sank into the water opposite him with a contented sigh.
Rias: "This was an excellent idea. My muscles haven't felt this relaxed since... well, ever."
Indra: "The minerals have healing properties. Calcium, sulfur, magnesium... they absorb through the skin and aid cellular repair. We should bottle this water for the medical corps."
Rias: (Laughing) "Can you ever just enjoy something without analysing how to weaponize or improve it?"
Indra: "I'm enjoying it. And also analysing it. The two aren't mutually exclusive."
He closed his eyes, letting the heat seep into him. The journey had been good—not just the sights and shopping, but the time with Rias. Uninterrupted. No emergencies. No politics.
Rias: "What are you thinking about?"
Indra: "How rare this is. Quiet. Peace. Time that belongs only to us."
Rias: "We'll make more of it. Promise me that. No matter how important you become, no matter how many responsibilities you take on... we'll take time like this."
Indra: "I promise."
They soaked until their fingers pruned, then wrapped themselves in fluffy yukata provided by the inn. Dinner was served in their room—multiple small courses featuring local delicacies.
As they ate, they planned the last leg of their journey.
Rias: "One more market tomorrow in the capital. Then home."
Indra: "We should get something for the Uzumaki children. They'll expect souvenirs."
Rias: "Candy. Always candy. And maybe those little wooden toys that move with chakra."
Indra: "Agreed. And I want to find a proper gift for Venelana and Zeoticus. Your parents have been... more than generous to me."
Rias: "They adore you. Mother says you're the son they never had. Which is technically true since they only had daughters."
Indra: "I'll find something worthy then."
That night, as they lay on futons with the shoji screens open to the starry sky, Rias summoned Echo again. The bat hung upside down from the ceiling beam, observing them with quiet intelligence.
Echo: "Your chakra patterns are complementary. Like harmony in silence."
Indra: "You can see that?"
Echo: "We see the music of chakra. Yours is... complex. Many melodies woven together. Ancient and new. Hers is bright, resilient, with deep roots."
Rias: "You can tell all that from chakra?"
Echo: "Chakra is soul made visible. We see what is, not what is shown."
Indra made a mental note to study bat perception more deeply. If they could analyse chakra at that level, they might be useful for identifying spies, detecting Genjutsu, or even diagnosing chakra-related illnesses.
But for now, he just listened as Echo told stories of ancient times, of sages who walked with bats on their shoulders, of a world less loud but no less complex than today's.
The capital's market was the largest they'd visited, sprawling across multiple plazas with goods from across the continent. They moved through it with purpose now, their time nearly up.
For Venelana and Zeoticus, Indra found a matching set of drinking vessels carved from lightning-struck oak—wood that had been fused with natural chakra during storms. The artisan claimed they enhanced the flavor of anything drunk from them.
Rias: "Father will love these. He's particular about his sake cups."
For the Uzumaki children, they bought barrels of candy from across the nations, plus educational toys that taught basic Fuinjutsu principles through play.
Indra: "Learning should be fun. Especially for children."
At a specialty stall, they found the perfect gift for Airavat and the elephant clan—massive brushes for grooming, made from a rare plant that secreted oils beneficial to thick skin.
Rias: "They'll appreciate the practicality."
For Garuda and the eagles, they purchased polished stones from the valley—the ones that created the musical tones. Indra tuned several to specific frequencies.
Indra: "Communication stones. They'll resonate when matched pairs are activated. Useful for coordination over distance."
Their final purchase was for themselves—matching bracelets woven from a thread that changed colour with chakra flow, created by a weaver who used techniques surprisingly similar to some Uzumaki textile arts.
Rias: "So we can always feel connected. Even when apart."
Indra: "Sentimental. But I like it."
With their shopping complete and storage scrolls full, they began the last day's journey to Kumo. The landscape grew familiar—the specific quality of light, the shape of mountains, the scent of pine and ozone that meant home.
The gates of Kumogakure gleamed in the afternoon sun, the massive stone faces of previous Raikage's looking down with stern benevolence. Guards snapped to attention as they approached.
Guard: "Lord Indra! Lady Rias! Welcome home!"
Indra: "At ease. Anything urgent requiring my attention?"
Guard: "All quiet, sir. The Raikage asked to see you when you returned, but he said it wasn't urgent."
They passed through the gates into the bustling village. Kumo had grown since Indra's reforms—new buildings constructed with his reinforced designs, vertical gardens on walls, chakra-lights already beginning to glow as evening approached.
Children ran past, some stopping to bow respectfully. Uzumaki children waved excitedly at Rias.
Rias: "Home. It always feels... solid. Safe."
Indra: "That's the point. A fortress should feel like a home. A home should feel like a fortress."
They went to Rias's family home first, a large compound in the Uzumaki district. Venelana and Zeoticus were in the garden, practicing a marital kata that wove sealing tags into defensive patterns.
Venelana: (Spotting them) "You're back!" She embraced Rias, then Indra. "We weren't expecting you for two more days!"
Zeoticus: "Trouble on the road?"
Indra: "The opposite. We took our time. And brought gifts."
They presented the lightning-struck oak cups. Zeoticus examined his with the eye of a craftsman.
Zeoticus: "Excellent workmanship. And the chakra conduction is... remarkable. Where did you find these?"
Rias: "A little market in Hot Springs Country. Indra bargained the price down by thirty percent."
Venelana: "Of course he did. Come inside, tell us everything."
Over tea, they shared edited highlights of the journey—the beauty of the Valley of Whispers, the markets, the hot springs. Rias demonstrated her new summon, calling Echo into the room.
Echo: "You have a strong home. Many layers of protection. Ancient seals in the foundations."
Venelana: "It speaks! And it recognizes Uzumaki sealing?"
Echo: "We remember the red-haired ones who worked with our previous summoner. They were allies long ago."
The conversation turned to family matters, clan business, the ongoing integration of the Uzumaki into Kumo's structures. Indra listened, offered advice when asked, but mostly enjoyed the normalcy.
After an hour, they excused themselves to see Indra's mother Delia.
Delia lived in a comfortable house near the Raikage's tower—not extravagant, but well-appointed, with a laboratory annex where she continued her medical research. She was in her garden when they arrived, tending to herbs that glowed with faint medical chakra.
Delia: (Without turning) "You're early. And you brought sea-salt candies from Wave, I hope?"
Indra: "How did you—"
Delia: "A mother knows. Also, your chakra has that particular resonance it gets when you've been near large bodies of water for extended periods." She turned, smiling. Her eyes, the same shape as Indra's but brown instead of Sharingan-red, crinkled at the corners. "Welcome home, my son."
She embraced him, then Rias. At forty-five, Delia was still striking, with silver-streaked dark hair and the upright bearing of someone who'd survived much but not been broken by it.
Indra: "We brought gifts." He presented the velvet for her shawl, the pearl hair stick, and a box of the sea-salt candies he'd indeed purchased.
Delia: "You spoil me. Come inside, I just made tea."
Her home was warm, filled with books and scrolls, with one wall dedicated to pictures—Indra at various ages, Delia with friends from the medical corps, a single faded image of Fujian that Indra had recreated from Delia's memory using his Creation ability.
Delia: "Tell me about the mission. The full version, not the market-shopping version."
Indra gave her a concise report—the retrieval, the encounter with Itachi and Kisame, the observation of Team 7, the meeting with Kakashi.
Delia: "Itachi... that poor boy. Manipulated into destroying his own family. And he still doesn't know the full truth."
Indra: "He knows enough now. Whether that destroys or redeems him remains to be seen."
Delia: "And you're going to Konoha. For the Chunin Exams. To bring your father home."
There was old pain in her voice, carefully controlled.
Indra: "It's time. He should rest here, with us. Not in some unmarked Konoha grave."
Delia: "I should go with you."
Indra: "Mother—"
Delia: "I know, I know. Too dangerous. Political complications." She sipped her tea. "But he was my husband. I should be there to bring him home."
Rias: "We'll bring him home safely, Delia-San. I promise."
Delia: "I know you will." She reached across the table, taking both their hands. "Just... be careful. Konoha may be reforming, but old hatreds die hard. And you, my son, represent everything that challenges their worldview."
Indra: "I'll be cautious. But not fearful. Fear is what they want."
They stayed for dinner—a simple meal Delia prepared, eating on her balcony overlooking the village lights coming on one by one.
After dinner, Indra went to the Raikage's tower while Rias returned to her family to properly unpack and organize their purchases.
Raikage A was in his office, the water-pattern lamp already installed and casting gentle ripples on the ceiling. He looked up from paperwork as Indra entered.
Raikage: "Back early. Trouble?"
Indra: "The opposite. Smooth travel. Mission accomplished—cargo retrieved, additional intelligence gathered."
He gave his formal report, including the encrypted scroll he'd prepared detailing the Akatsuki encounter, Kakashi meeting, and observations about Konoha's new generation.
Raikage: "Hmph. So the Uchiha boy is broken. And the shark-man retreats rather than face serious opposition. Good." He leaned back. "And you're still going to Konoha for these exams."
Indra: "Yes. To retrieve my father's remains. And to assess their new generation firsthand."
Raikage: "Tsunade has confirmed your invitation. She's... pragmatic. Knows having you there is a political coup for Konoha's image—showing they can host even those with grievances. But also, a risk."
Indra: "For both sides. But necessary."
Raikage: "Your team will accompany you. Samui, Karui, Omoi. And Rias, of course. Plus an honour guard. We'll show strength, but not aggression."
Indra: "Understood. I'll begin preparations."
Raikage: "One more thing." He tapped a folder. "Your defines project. The one you've been designing in that brilliant head of yours. I want it operational before you leave. If you're going into potentially hostile territory, I want Kumo locked down tighter than a turtle's shell."
Indra: "The Sovereign Armature project is nearly complete. I was planning to finalize it tonight, actually."
Raikage: "Good. Dismissed."
Indra bowed and left, heading not to his quarters but to his personal laboratory.
Indra's laboratory was deep within the mountain, accessible only through multiple security checks that recognized his chakra signature. The doors slid open silently, revealing a space that was part workshop, part library, part sanctum.
One wall was covered in chalkboards filled with equations and diagrams. Another held shelves of components—chakra crystals, refined metals, Biju samples carefully contained. In the centre stood his main worktable, currently occupied by a detailed model of Kumo and surrounding terrain.
He changed into work clothes—simple dark pants and a shirt, a tool belt, protective goggles. Then he began.
The Sovereign Armature wasn't a single device but a system—layered defences that worked in harmony.
Layer One: Sensory Grid
He activated the main console, calling up a holographic display of Kumo's existing sensor network. Good but not perfect. Using data gathered from Rias's new bat summons—their chakra perception techniques—he refined the algorithms. Now the system could distinguish between benign natural chakra, friendly shinobi, and hostile signatures with 99.8% accuracy.
Indra: (To himself) "Incorporate the harmonic resonance principles from the Valley of Whispers... Yes, that gives us passive acoustic monitoring too. Not just chakra."
Layer Two: Barrier Enhancement
Kumo already had powerful barriers, but Indra had been working on something new—a barrier that learned. Using memory crystals that recorded attack patterns, the defines would adapt, strengthening against repeated assault methods automatically.
He installed the final crystals now, linking them to the village's power grid—which he'd upgraded to draw ambient chakra from the atmosphere, making it theoretically limitless.
Layer Three: Mobile Defences
From storage scrolls, he deployed prototypes of what he called "Storm Sentinels"—automated platforms that could fly, armed with non-lethal suppression techniques. They weren't meant to kill invaders but to contain, disable, and alert.
He spent hours tuning their programming, ensuring they could distinguish between a curious civilian and a genuine threat.
Layer Four: The Armature Itself
This was the centrepiece—a series of pillars around Kumo that, when activated, would create an energy field capable of withstanding tailed beast bomb-level attacks. The principles came from studying both his own Creation ability and the timeless durability of the Biju themselves.
The final component was a control mechanism keyed to specific chakra signatures: his own, the Raikage's, Darui's, Killer Bee's, and—after a moment's consideration—Rias's and his mother's. Family should be able to activate protections too.
As he worked, the laboratory's automated systems brewed tea exactly as he liked it, played soft instrumental music optimized for concentration, and adjusted lighting to prevent eye strain.
Around midnight, Rias entered, having gotten clearance. She carried a tray of food.
Rias: "You missed dinner. Again."
Indra: (Not looking up from his work) "I was close to a breakthrough. The conductivity issue with the seventh pillar..."
Rias: "Eat. Then explain it to me. Sometimes saying it out loud helps."
He smiled, accepting the tray. As he ate, he explained the Sovereign Armature system—how each layer worked, how they integrated, the fail-safes and redundancies.
Rias: "So if activated, nothing gets in or out without permission."
Indra: "Correct. And the system can run indefinitely, powered by atmospheric chakra and geothermal energy. Even if Kumo were besieged for years, the defences wouldn't falter."
Rias: "You're building a fortress that can protect everyone. Even when you're not here."
Indra: "Especially when I'm not here. When I go to Konoha... I need to know Kumo is safe. You're safe. My mother is safe."
She came behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, resting her chin on his head.
Rias: "We will be. Thanks to you."
Indra: "It's not done yet. The final integration..." He gestured to the main console. "It requires a massive chakra input to synchronize all systems. My chakra, specifically keyed."
Rias: "Then do it. I'll monitor from the secondary station."
He finished eating, then took position at the main console. Hands on the control orbs, he focused.
Chakra flowed—immense amounts, glowing amethyst in the dim laboratory. The displays lit up, showing system after system coming online.
Indra: "Sensory grid... active. Barrier matrix... synchronized. Storm Sentinels... deployed to standby positions. Armature pillars... charging."
The model of Kumo on the table began to glow, showing layers of protection wrapping around the village like concentric shells.
Computer Voice: "All systems nominal. Sovereign Armature operational. Défense level: Absolute. Welcome home, Architect."
Indra sagged slightly, the chakra expenditure significant even for him. Rias was there immediately, supporting him.
Rias: "You did it. Kumo is now the most defended place in the world."
Indra: "Not just defended. Protected. There's a difference." He looked at the glowing model. "A fortress keeps threats out. A protection system keeps people safe. This... this is about safety."
They stood together, watching the system run its initial diagnostics. Every citizen of Kumo appeared as a tiny light—green for safe, known signatures. The Uzumaki compound glowed particularly bright, their strong chakra easily tracked.
Rias: "You can see everyone."
Indra: "Not see. Sense. And only at this level of abstraction. It's not surveillance—it's awareness. To protect, you must first know what you're protecting."
He saved the settings, encrypted the control systems, then shut down the main display. The laboratory returned to normal lighting.
Indra: "It's done. Kumo is secure. Now... I can go to Konoha with a clear mind."
Rias: "You were always going to go. But now you go knowing home is safe." She took his hand. "Come to bed. You need rest."
Indra: "In a moment. I just want to... look."
From his laboratory window, he could see the village sleeping. Lights in windows. Guards on walls. The faint shimmer of the newly enhanced barriers, invisible to most but clear to his Sharingan.
Every person down there was under his protection now. Not just as a shinobi of Kumo, but as the architect of their security. The weight of that responsibility should have been crushing. Instead, it felt... right.
This was his purpose. Not conquest. Not revenge. Protection. Creation. Building something that would last.
Rias: "Indra?"
Indra: "Coming."
He took one last look at his village, then let her lead him away. The laboratory doors sealed behind them, multiple locks engaging. The Sovereign Armature hummed quietly in the mountain's heart, waiting, watching, protecting.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges—preparations for Konoha, political manoeuvring, facing ghosts of the past. But tonight, Kumo slept safer than it ever had. And that knowledge let Indra sleep too, wrapped in the arms of the woman he loved, in the home he had fortified, under the stars that watched over them all.
The journey was over. The mission complete. Gifts given, bonds strengthened, new alliances formed, defenses established.
But ahead lay another journey—to Konoha, to his father's remains, to a past he'd never known but which had shaped him nonetheless.
The Storm Sovereign had fortified his home. Now he would venture into foreign lands, calm eye of the hurricane, ready to face whatever storms awaited.
End of chapter – 21