Mist clung to the sea, but it could not silence the roar that rose from the island the instant the spiral banners were sighted. Bells rang from the towers. Sealing pylons flared softly, welcoming their own home.
At the front of the formation walked Princess Malenia of Uzushio.
She stepped onto the dock first, unyielding. The Uzumaki shinobi followed behind her in perfect order warriors who had marched into war and returned victorious.
For a single heartbeat, the harbour fell silent.
Then—
"PRINCESS MALENIA!"
"PRINCESS MALENIA!
"UZUSHIO'S PRINCESS!"
"LONG LIVE THE PRINCESS!"
The city erupted.
The sound rolled through Uzushio like a living thing—raw, powerful, proud. Civilians flooded the streets, children shouting her name at the top of their lungs. Crimson banners unfurled from towers, the spiral crest blazing against the sky.
Flowers rained down from balconies and rooftops.
Malenia stopped at the centre of the harbour.
She turned slowly, facing her people—her island, her clan, her home. There was no smile, only calm authority and quiet pride. She raised her blade just enough for it to catch the morning light, then lowered it and placed her fist over her heart.
A promise.
The cheers doubled.
Uzushiogakure had repelled one of the five great ninja villages with their own strength.
They now have the power to stand tall in front of five great ninja villages.
Malenia stood before her father, who looked at her with a proud smile on his face. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and he wiped it away before speaking.
"Malenia, I can't thank you enough for saving the clan. It was my responsibility as the clan head to protect our people, but I must now pass this burden to you, a 15-year-old child. Therefore, I have decided," he said, his voice strong, "that you will be the new clan head of the Uzumaki clan and the leader of Uzushio from this day forward."
Malenia's eyes widened.
For a long moment, she said nothing. The hall felt suddenly quieter.
Slowly, she went down on one knee before him—not as a daughter, but as an Uzumaki.
"Father," she said, her voice steady, "I never sought your seat… nor your burdens. But I understand what responsibility you want to entrust to me."
She lifted her head, her violet eyes unwavering.
"If this is the path the clan must walk, then I will walk it at the front." Her hand pressed to her chest. "I swear on my name, my blood,—I will protect our people, our land, and our future.
She rose to her full height, standing before him with quiet authority.
"But as Clan Head."
Her gaze softened just slightly as she looked at her father again.
"You carried Uzushio through fire; now it's time for you to rest," she said. "I will not let your trust be wasted.
Her father nodded and called a shinobi. He whispered something in the ninja's ear, and then he vanished.
.....
Council chamber
Malenia sat at the clan head chair, and her father now sat on one of the elder chairs.
Her figure was tall, so the chair was reconstructed to her size.
Malenia then said, "Let's discuss what we should ask in return for the Mizukage."
An elder spoke up, "Kirigakure has two tail beasts, so they wouldn't mind trading it for mizukage life."
All the other elders also nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Malenia nodded and said, "So we will ask for three tails in return for Mizukage.
As the winning side, they are the ones who demand, and as the losing side, Kirigakure couldn't do anything except grit their teeth and agree with their demands.
............
hmm it seems i can't resist myself to release more chapters