All the Uzumaki siblings, whenever they were in a public setting, always addressed Shanks as "Onii-sama." They never used "Onii-san" or "Onii-chan" there—those were reserved for more private spaces, such as the Uzumaki clan compound. In public, Shanks was not just their elder brother; he was the Uzukage, the leader of their village, and a figure who commanded respect.
Because of that, they consciously chose to call him "Onii-sama" in front of others. Only in private did they allow themselves the familiarity of "Onii-san" or "Onii-chan," depending on personal habit and closeness. Shanks himself had tried more than once to persuade them not to use such a formal address, asking them to just call him "Onii-san" or "Onii-chan" as they normally did. But the Uzumaki siblings had refused, stating firmly that as the Uzukage, he deserved that level of respect—whether he liked it or not.
After Shanks finished addressing everyone, he spoke again.
"Now all of you are tired. Let's return to the village and get some proper rest."
Then his gaze shifted briefly across the battlefield.
"As for the bodies of the ninjas from Kirigakure and Kumogakure," he continued, "most of them are frozen by Todoroki. Leave them as they are for now. The few bodies on the shores of the Land of Uzumaki can remain there—Makima's summons will protect them."
He looked toward Makima as he said this. Makima gave a slight nod, silently acknowledging his words.
"For now," Shanks concluded, "let's go and rest."
Everyone present nodded in agreement. After the long and brutal battle they had fought, rest was something they all desperately needed.
Shanks, along with the Uzumaki siblings and the graduates, began moving back toward Uzushiogakure. Meanwhile, the news of their victory had already been sent ahead just minutes earlier. The members of the Uzumaki police force wasted no time, spreading the announcement throughout the village with great fanfare. From street to street, the message echoed—that Uzushiogakure had emerged victorious in the war against the combined forces of Kirigakure and Kumogakure.
The news filled the villagers of Uzushiogakure with joy. It spread like wildfire, racing through the streets and homes, until it finally reached the ears of Kurenai and Shinku as well.
Both father and daughter were left stunned after hearing the news.
Shinku broke the silence first. "The war ended in just one day… or more precisely, in less than twelve hours."
Kurenai looked at him in disbelief. "But Father, didn't wars usually last for years—if not months? How did it end so quickly?"
Shinku let out a slow breath before replying. "It was to be expected, Kurenai. A war only truly happens when two sides are somewhat equal. But when one side stands far above the other in terms of strength, that is no longer a war." His eyes narrowed slightly. "That becomes pure abuse. Pure slaughter. And if I'm not mistaken, that is exactly what happened here."
He paused briefly, memories resurfacing.
"And honestly, I'm not surprised," he continued. "That overwhelming pressure I felt at the very beginning of the battle—it could only have come from the Uzukage, Shanks Uzumaki. We've heard of that ability of his, the one where he can essentially nullify anyone below the level of a Jonin. If conditions are right—if someone's willpower is weak—they simply cannot withstand his spiritual pressure."
Shinku clenched his fist slightly.
"That pressure… even though it wasn't directed at us, it was still humongous. I can only imagine what the ninjas of Kirigakure and Kumogakure must have felt at the centre of it. At best, only a handful of elite Chunins, special Jonins, and Elite Jonins would have remained standing. Everyone else?" He shook his head slowly. "I doubt they could even move after that release of the Uzukage's spiritual will."
He looked back at Kurenai, his expression firm.
"And that's the key. An army's true numbers come from its Chunins and Genins. Jonins and special Jonins are elites, yes—but they are few. If the bulk of the force is wiped out at the very start, then the battle is already decided." He gave a faint, grim smile. "Under those circumstances, how could Uzushiogakure not win?"
…
Shanks entered the main gates of Uzushiogakure alongside the Uzumaki siblings and the graduates. A large crowd had already gathered, filling the streets on both sides. Lamps burned brightly, lined along the road, their warm light illuminating the night and casting long shadows across the stone paths. Cheers rose the moment they appeared, voices echoing through the gates as the people celebrated the victorious Uzumaki forces, the brave Uzumaki siblings, and their Uzukage.
This kind of reception was nothing new to Shanks or the Uzumaki siblings. They accepted it calmly, wearing composed, harmonious smiles as they acknowledged the villagers' praise with quiet nods and subtle gestures. There was no arrogance in their expressions—only steady confidence and reassurance.
The graduates, however, were different.
They were overflowing with happiness, their chests filled with pride they could barely contain. This was new to them. The feeling of being praised by the people of Uzushiogakure—by the very people they had fought to protect—was something entirely different from anything they had experienced before. Fighting with everything they had, risking their lives without hesitation, and now hearing those same people cheer for them… it made their hearts feel strangely full.
So this is what it means, some of them thought, walking a little taller as the cheers washed over them.
Although Shanks and the Uzumaki siblings did not turn back to look at the graduates, they could sense it clearly—the rising emotions of pride and happiness flowing from them. The Uzumaki siblings exchanged brief glances and smiled at one another. They remembered that feeling well. It had been the same for them once. The same was true for Shanks.
Before long, the group began to separate. The graduates needed to escort the injured to the hospital, and the medical ninjas among them moved quickly to tend to the wounded. The Uzumaki siblings also had their own responsibilities waiting for them.
Even so, Shanks had already given strict instructions. No one was to overwork themselves tonight. Only the most essential tasks were to be handled—nothing that would disturb the night further. Proper work could resume from the next morning.
For now, they needed rest.
After everything they had endured, the night belonged to recovery.
…
Shanks returned to his room, where Mikoto was already waiting for him. The moment she saw him, she stood up and walked over, gently holding his hands.
"Congratulations on returning victorious," she said softly.
Shanks leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "Of course I would return victorious," he replied with a faint smile. "After all, I'm going to be the father of two children. How could I ever abandon you—or them? Losing was never in my dictionary once I married you."
Mikoto smiled sweetly at his words. "As soon as I heard about your victory and that you were all returning, I prepared a hot bath for you. I'll help you—come."
The moment Shanks heard that, he shook his head lightly. "No need. You stay here. I'll take my bath on my own," he said firmly but gently. "You shouldn't be moving around too much during this pregnancy, okay?"
Mikoto nodded, accepting his words without argument. Shanks then headed off to take his hot bath.
Across Uzushiogakure, the village slowly began to calm down. The chaos and tension of war faded into the background, replaced by a quieter, steadier atmosphere. Even so, people could still be seen moving through the streets—the curfew had been lifted. Groups gathered under lantern light, talking animatedly about Uzushiogakure's victory, its overwhelming superiority, and the sheer might it had displayed. Laughter and excited voices filled the night air.
At the hospital, the graduates were being treated, medical ninjas working tirelessly to tend to their wounds. One by one, the Uzumaki siblings finished the minimal tasks that still needed to be handled and returned to their rooms to rest. The graduates followed suit, finally heading back to their homes, bodies aching but hearts full.
Uzushiogakure stood victorious under the banner of the Uzumaki clan.
And this victory was proof to the world of just how powerful the Uzumaki clan had become.