Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

Amaya quickly composed herself, brushing away the remnants of her tears and taking a deep breath. "Help me stand," she said, her voice steadier now, though still faint.

Kenshin offered her his arm, helping her rise to her feet. She wavered for a moment before finding her balance, clutching the blanket tightly around herself. Her gaze lingered on Kenshin, studying him. "You're from the Hidden Leaf, aren't you?"

Kenshin tilted his head slightly. "Why do you think that?"

Amaya adjusted the blanket over her shoulders, her voice gaining strength. "After the coup, one of my trusted subordinates managed to send word of my capture to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. I assumed the Hidden Leaf would send someone. I didn't expect it to take this long…" Her voice faltered briefly, but she brushed it off. "Still, it's good you're here—even if late."

Kenshin's expression remained neutral behind his mask, but he nodded curtly. "Let's get you out of here first."

Amaya followed him through the ruined corridors, but as they stepped outside, her breath caught. She froze, staring at the wreckage before her.

The once-beautiful palace, nestled in nature's embrace, was now nothing but rubble and ash. The air still carried the acrid scent of destruction.

"What… what happened here?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Kenshin turned to her without a word, his left eye glowing faintly as he activated his ability.

He transitioned into the usual empty mindscape with a single computer in the center. Kenshin stepped forward, conjuring another computer—his own mind.

He began compiling the events of the battle, carefully omitting personal details and information she didn't need to know. Once complete, he initiated the transfer, watching as the data flowed into Amaya's system.

When he deactivated the ability, Amaya staggered slightly, clutching her head as her mind processed the sudden influx of foreign memories. A moment later, she fell to her knees, retching violently.

Kenshin waited silently, his gaze unreadable.

Amaya wiped her mouth with the blanket, looking up at him with wide, horrified eyes. "How… how can you be so calm? After all that?" Her voice broke as she spoke, her disbelief evident.

Kenshin glanced at the destruction around them, his tone as composed as ever. "Been through worse. And I had a reliable ally."

Amaya turned her gaze away, the images still fresh in her mind. "And Tetsuya… he was willing to sacrifice his own daughter?" She looked down at her trembling hands. "That monster… he wasn't even human anymore."

Her thoughts shifted abruptly. "Hana," she whispered, her tone softening. "The daughter's name is Hana. Where is she?"

Kenshin didn't respond immediately. Instead, he telepathically contacted Kira. 'Bring the kid to the palace.'

"She's safe. Follow me," Kenshin said aloud, turning back toward the ruins.

Amaya tried to keep up, but her steps faltered, her bare feet catching on the jagged debris. She winced as a shard of stone nicked her sole, drawing blood.

Kenshin stopped and turned. Without a word, he retrieved a storage scroll, unsealing a simple set of clothes. He handed them to Amaya.

She hesitated before speaking. "Turn around."

He obliged, facing away as she quickly discarded the blanket and dressed in the clean garments. Once finished, she cleared her throat. "You can look now."

Kenshin helped her over the rough terrain until they reached the palace grounds. There, Kira approached with Hana cradled in her arms, the child still sound asleep.

Amaya stopped, her gaze fixed on the small girl. Her fingers tightened into fists as she noticed the faint red marks on Hana's skin—remnants of Tetsuya's tendrils.

"Does she… know?" Amaya asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with fear.

Kenshin shook his head. "She doesn't."

"Good," Amaya interjected quickly, her tone firm. "She shouldn't. That part of her life is over now." She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I'll adopt her. Hana doesn't deserve to carry the weight of her father's sins. He's gone, and that's enough."

Kenshin studied her for a moment before nodding. "As you wish."

Amaya stepped closer to Hana, gently brushing the girl's hair back. "I'll protect you from now on," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You'll never have to face something like this again."

Kenshin regarded Amaya thoughtfully. "I'll take you and Hana to the Land of Fire's daimyo. He'll ensure your safety and help you reestablish your rule. Alternatively, I can take you to the Hidden Leaf Village. The choice is yours."

Amaya took a moment to consider. "The daimyo," she said firmly. "It's better to settle this matter directly. I'll be able to reassume my position quicker that way."

Kenshin nodded in agreement. "Understood." He turned and gestured for her to follow as they navigated away from the devastated palace grounds.

The group reached a nearby clearing surrounded by dense forest, away from the carnage. Kenshin began setting up a temporary camp, using his storage scroll to unseal supplies.

As he worked, he unsealed a small pot of prepared food and handed a bowl to Amaya. "It's not exactly fine cuisine," he said, a hint of humor in his tone. "But I made it myself, so it should be decent."

Amaya smirked as she accepted the bowl. "Trust me, compared to bread with maggots in it, this feels like a royal feast." She took a bite, her expression softening with genuine appreciation.

Kenshin raised an eyebrow, surprised at her composure. "You're awfully calm, considering everything you've been through."

Her smirk deepened. "Kid, don't underestimate a daimyo. Staying composed is part of the job. And besides, I'm not like most daimyos. I'm tougher than I look."

Kenshin chuckled softly. "I'll admit, I'm impressed. Even more so with your decision to adopt Hana, despite her father being the reason you endured so much."

Amaya's expression turned serious. "Hana is innocent. What her father did doesn't define her. Besides," she added, her smirk returning, "adopting the child of the one who rebelled against me? It's a strategic move. It'll send a strong message to the people and help rebuild their trust. Popularity matters for a leader—if this coup taught me anything, it's that."

Kenshin nodded, his respect for her growing.

Konan watched from a short distance as she carefully set Hana down inside the tent, ensuring the child remained warm and comfortable.

Kira and Kaede had already returned to the Shikkotsu Forest through reverse summoning, leaving only the three of them. Konan's gaze lingered on Kenshin, observing how naturally he handled the situation.

He had changed—grown stronger and more composed. It wasn't just his physical power but the quiet confidence and maturity he exuded. For the first time, Konan felt proper hope. Maybe Kenshin wouldn't die when he inevitably faced Pain. Maybe he was strong enough now to endure it.

Her thoughts turned inward, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she considered her own feelings. Perhaps, just perhaps, she could try again—not to push her emotions onto him like before, but to take her time.

Slowly, patiently, she could try to carve a place for herself beside him and Akane, without disrupting what they shared.

Konan glanced away, resolving to focus on the present. The journey wasn't over yet, and they still had a long road ahead.

As the fire crackled softly between them, Kenshin leaned back, resting his arms on his knees as he turned to Amaya. "Amaya-sama, if you're comfortable with it, I'd like to know—what exactly happened? Why did Tetsuya stage the coup? And why did you turn to the Land of Fire for help? Why not the other lands?"

Amaya took a deep breath, her gaze distant as she gathered her thoughts. "It's... a long story," she began, her voice steady despite the weight of her words.

"My father was the brother of the Land of Fire's daimyo. He married into the Land of Grass's royal family and became the daimyo here after my grandfather passed away. At the time, Tetsuya had already risen to prominence in the Hidden Grass Village.

In exchange for granting the village complete autonomy, Tetsuya assisted my father in governing the Land of Grass. For years, that arrangement worked... or so we thought."

She paused, her expression hardening. "A year ago, my parents died. They died of natural causes—passed away in their sleep. After their deaths, I became daimyo, the first woman to hold the title in this land. At first, Tetsuya seemed supportive, even helpful, as I adjusted to my new role. But something felt wrong."

Kenshin remained silent, his crimson eyes fixed on her as she continued.

"I started investigating the Hidden Grass Village," she said, her tone sharpening. "What I found sickened me. Tetsuya had sold a kunoichi—a child—from the Hidden Grass, Karin Uzumaki, to the criminal Orochimaru in exchange for some kind of jutsu. That was the first thread I pulled, and it led me to far darker revelations.

I uncovered evidence of murders, sexual assaults, smuggling... crimes committed all over the Land of Grass, and Tetsuya not only covered them up but profited from them. He accepted bribes, silenced witnesses, and even assisted the perpetrators."

Her fists clenched around her bowl. "When I confronted him, he didn't even deny it. He just smiled and told me I was stepping into dangerous waters. Before I could act further, he struck first.

With his influence, he orchestrated my overthrow, installing a puppet daimyo in my place. I don't even know the name of that puppet. They told the land I had died under mysterious circumstances and threw me into that hellish cell."

Amaya's voice lowered, a bitter edge creeping in. "The puppet daimyo and Tetsuya would visit me often. They tortured me—both physically and mentally. They wanted me to beg, to ask for death so they could deny me even that. They said if I pleaded enough, they might 'reunite me with my parents.' But I never gave them the satisfaction."

She leaned back, her smirk faint but resolute. "And now, thanks to you, they're the ones who are gone. I survived, and that's what matters."

Kenshin nodded slowly, his respect for her growing with every word. "You've endured so much," he said, his tone sincere. "And you didn't break. That's really cool."

Amaya met his gaze, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Strength isn't a choice when you're born into power. It's a necessity. But... thank you, young man. I appreciate the compliment. And I suppose, judging by that ANBU mask, you cannot tell me your name. So I won't bother asking."

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