When Shanks and the Uzumaki siblings were still a few hundred meters away from the village, they began to see scattered body parts along their path. Bits of flesh and torn limbs lay across the ground, thrown far by the violent detonation of the countless explosive tags buried beneath the soil. From the shredded remnants of clothing clinging to those pieces, it was unmistakably clear whom they belonged to.
None of the Uzumaki siblings showed even a trace of pity as they looked over the gruesome scene. Their eyes were steady, their steps unwavering. If we had lost today, some of them thought, then instead of these Kirigakure ninjas, it would have been our own people lying here. That truth settled over them like a cold wind, sharpening their resolve as they continued toward their village.
Shanks continued forward, and after a few more meters they finally stepped into the true blast zone. The earth here was utterly devastated. Jagged potholes marred the ground in uneven patterns, and a wide circular clearing had been carved out where the explosive tags had detonated with overwhelming force around the Uzushiogakure. The air still carried a faint scorch and the lingering tang of smoke.
Shanks swept his gaze across the ruined expanse, then spoke in a firm, steady voice.
"Yoko, Todoroki—both of you work with the Uzumaki Police Force. Gather every body you can find and burn them."
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly as he surveyed the distant treeline.
"Makima," he continued, "take your summons and spread out across the entire Land of Uzumaki. Search for any corpses that were scattered farther out and haven't been recovered yet. Make sure every last one is collected and burned properly."
Makima, Todoroki, and Yoko nodded at Shanks's command and replied in unison, "Yes, Onii-san, we will do so."
Soon, Shanks and the Uzumaki siblings stepped through the shattered perimeter and made their way toward the heart of the village. The moment they entered, they were met with a wall of sound—cheers rising from both sides of the road. The villagers stood packed together, lining the entire path, their faces lit with relief and triumph as they welcomed their heroes home. Some raised their fists, others clapped, and many simply shouted their joy into the air.
The sight made every Uzumaki sibling straighten with pride, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Shanks felt it too—a warm, solid weight settling in his chest. Who wouldn't feel proud, he thought, when thousands are cheering for your victory? Their people were safe, their home still standing, and this applause was the proof of it.
With a wave and a few nods, Shanks acknowledged the crowd's overwhelming enthusiasm. The other Uzumaki siblings did the same, each offering a respectful gesture toward the villagers who had stood with them—working, fighting, and defending their home from yesterday until now. Seeing the gratitude and admiration in their people's eyes, they felt that every drop of effort, every wound, every risk had been worth it.
This victory meant more than surviving an attack. With this single decisive triumph, the Uzumaki clan had erased the last shadow of doubt lingering in the hearts of their people. Many villagers had come here inspired by the legends of Shanks and his siblings, yet deep inside, they had wondered if the Uzumaki clan could truly stand against so many enemy forces. Today's battle was the answer—clear, absolute, undeniable. The Uzumaki could protect their village with their strength alone.
When Shanks and the siblings finally reached the Uzumaki Clan compound, Shanks turned toward Erza. His expression softened, touched by both relief and anticipation.
"Erza," he said, "go and spread the news throughout the entire village. Today, we'll have a double celebration. First, the celebration of my marriage with Mikoto… and second, the celebration of our victory."
Erza nodded at Shanks's words and immediately left to make the necessary arrangements. Makima, Todoroki, and Yoko also departed, moving swiftly to carry out the earlier instructions Shanks had given—to oversee the recovery and disposal of the Kirigakure dead.
Before long, the Uzumaki Police Force surged into action. Word of the double celebration—Shanks's marriage to Mikoto and their overwhelming victory—spread quickly through the village, lifting spirits everywhere. At the same time, almost half of the Police Force was redirected by Todoroki and Yoko to the outskirts to begin gathering the scattered bodies of the Kirigakure ninjas.
Every member was warned to stay alert and not fall for any potential traps left by survivors. Even though the possibility was extremely low, caution was drilled into them. Makima, after all, was already sweeping across the land with her summons. Any place where a Kirigakure ninja was still alive or attempting to flee would be marked instantly. She would either eliminate them herself or signal the others to finish the job.
Under this coordinated effort, the cleanup and security of the Uzumaki territory began in full force.
…
After the others had dispersed, Shanks stepped deeper into the Uzumaki Clan compound. The quiet of the corridors contrasted sharply with the noise outside, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors. As Guy walked beside him, Shanks spoke without slowing.
"Guy, you remember the route we took when we were coming here, right? Go immediately and escort Uncle Shoto. Bring him—and all the gifts given by the Uzumaki Clan—back here using teleportation. I know it'll consume a lot of your chakra, but for now, it's the safest and most reliable option."
Guy paused for a heartbeat, absorbing the instructions. Once again, he felt that subtle layer of caution beneath Shanks's words—a careful edge that hadn't always been there. That tone… it held concern, vigilance, and something unspoken. What exactly happened in Onii-san's battle with the Third Mizukage, Guy wondered, that made him this wary again?
Shanks could sense the confusion in his siblings, the unasked questions lingering behind their eyes. But there was nothing he could do to ease it—not yet. When the threat was Uchiha Madara, caution wasn't optional; it was survival. Madara operated on a different level entirely. His plans were meticulous, multi-layered, and if one failed, he always had another waiting—sharper, more dangerous than the first.
For now, Shanks told himself, being overly cautious is the only path. Not for his own sake, but for the safety of every Uzumaki sibling who walked beside him.
Guy nodded firmly and vanished a moment later, using space–teleportation to leave the compound in a flicker of warped air. As soon as he departed, the remaining Uzumaki siblings also dispersed, each heading off to handle their respective duties.
Shanks continued down the quiet corridor until he reached his room. Inside, Mikoto was pacing back and forth, her brows drawn tight with worry. As an Uchiha, she had sharply sensed the massive chakra fluctuations from Shanks's clash with the Three-Tails. The sheer scale of that commotion—its pressure, its intensity—had been enough to make her heart clench. She feared what state he might return in.
The moment the door slid open and Shanks stepped inside, Mikoto froze. Her breath escaped in a soft, trembling sigh of relief. Seeing him standing there—unharmed except for a few bruises—allowed the tension in her shoulders to finally loosen.
For the first time since the battle's overwhelming chakra waves had reached her, she felt her heartbeat steady again.
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