Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 138: Hatred
After being out for more than two weeks, dealing with war and political matters, Raiken is finally on his way home. The constant meetings, negotiations, and strategic planning had drained him more than any war ever could. For the past few days, he had barely slept and even when he did, his mind refused to rest.
To be honest, he was tired and he really wanted to return home and see his wife. The thought of Mikoto waiting for him brought a rare sense of peace to his mind. Yet his responsibilities as both an advisor and the leader of the Uzumaki Clan had kept him away, forcing him to delay even the simplest personal desires.
Luckily, most of the urgent matters had finally been settled. The tension surrounding the war and the aftermath of it eased slightly, and for the first time in days, Raiken felt like he could breathe. Tonight, he would rest. Tomorrow, however, he would have to face another challenge, a meeting with his clan.
He had a feeling about what some of them would ask.
Why did he let the Third Raikage live?
Many within the Uzumaki Clan still carried deep resentment toward Kumogakure, especially toward the Third Raikage, who had played a significant role during the destruction of Uzushiogakure. To them, letting such a man live was no different than betraying their fallen kin.
Maybe he was overthinking, but only tomorrow would he know if his clan was a bit angry with him.
Raiken let out a quiet sigh, thinking of all this hatred and remembering Pain speech to Naruto about hatred.
Personally, he did not harbour the same level of hatred.
When he first arrived in this world, it was during the time of the Uzumaki massacre. The memories he inherited were fragmented, distant, more like watching someone else tragedy rather than living through it himself. There was sorrow, yes, but it was not enough to ignite the burning vengeance that others felt.
In fact, there had been a time when the original body even resented parts of the Uzumaki Clan.
They had forced his younger sister, Kushina, into a cruel place, sending her to Konoha to become the next vessel of the Nine-Tails. To Raiken, that decision had always lingered on his heart, as if Kushina were nothing more than a tool.
However, everything changed after he began living with the Uzumaki in Konoha.
In this place, he built real bonds. He laughed with them, trained with them and fought alongside them. They were no longer distant figures tied to inherited memories, they became his family. Each member of the clan held a place in his heart and that connection was real.
That was why his decisions now were not driven by hatred, but by responsibility to make sure the peace would continue.
He had let Raikage live and at that time Raiken had the opportunity to kill the Third Raikage. He could have ended him right there on the battlefield, but he chose not to.
Because killing him would create something far worse, a power vacuum in Kumogakure.
Raiken understood how the world worked. If the Raikage were to die during the war, Kumogakure would not simply surrender or collapse peacefully. Instead, internal conflict would erupt, and ambitious individuals would fight for control, plunging the village into chaos. Blood would be spilt not just among shinobi, but among civilians as well.
And when a village becomes unstable, it becomes dangerous.
Other nations would take advantage of the situation. Wars would spread further and what started as revenge would spiral into something far beyond control.
Raiken did not want that.
Instead of killing the Third Raikage, he chose to break him physically and mentally.
He made sure the Raikage experienced a defeat so overwhelming that it would leave a lasting scar. Fear, hesitation and caution would take root in his mind. From now on, every decision the Raikage made would be influenced by that memory.
In a way, it was more effective than death.
A living enemy who fears you is far less dangerous than a dead one who leaves his legacy to take revenge.
Raiken glanced ahead towards the sky.
"This is the better choice…" he muttered softly.
Not everyone would understand his decision, some might even resent him for it but that was the burden of a leader.
He would carry that weight, so that others would not have to.
....
MIKOTO FEELING
To be honest, Mikoto were really happy marrying with Raiken, he is soft spoken, kind, strong and good looking.
Even before their marriage, Mikoto had a feeling that her spouse would be Fugaku, but thanks to Raiken and the alliance between Uzumaki and Uchiha Clan.
She gain a husband who is good looking, romantic and strong, but it all change when Raiken were called for war.
After her husband left for war, her mood was not really that good, sometimes she felt wanted to vomit, not feeling good in her stomach. But little did she know that she actually became pregnant.
Knock Knock!
Suddenly, someone knocked on the front door.
"Okusan (Polite way to say "wife"), I am back," said Raiken.
Mikoto heart stopped beating and unknowingly she ran towards the door and when she open the door. She was very surprised seeing the man resemble her husband, but his figure is much taller than what she knew.
Raiken height was around 179cm, but suddenly his height became 195cm.
"Who... who are you?" said Mikoto, trying to confirm who the man was who resembled her husband.
"This is me, your husband," said Raiken and feel amused, he knew why Mikoto looked unsure.
Mikoto, who heard Raiken voice, is becoming sure that this is her husband. Raiken tone is very unique and very different than others man.
"Husband," said Mikoto and hugged him.
For a moment, both Mikoto and Raiken are in their world, they truly miss each other.
She wiped her tears on her eyes before asking the question.
"Why have you suddenly become taller?" asked Mikoto.
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There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 164: Moon Otsutsuki
Chapter 165: Minato X Kushina
Chapter 166: Her Feeling
Chapter 167: Kushina Feeling
Chapter 168: I Love You Too
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