When Guy returned to the village, Todoroki had already finished sealing the remaining cultists' bodies. Without wasting a moment, Guy stepped toward the cluster of villagers still trapped under hypnosis—everyone except the lone man he had freed earlier.
Kneeling beside them, Guy placed his hands over the nearest villager, channeling a soothing energy. One after another, he cleansed their bodies of the hallucinogen's lingering effects.
His versatility in battle and recovery stemmed from his ultimate skill—Lucifer, Lord of Pride—an ability that allowed him to replicate any technique he had witnessed. The clawed strike that felled the cult leader had been inspired by Antares' dragon transformation, while this healing technique was one he had learned from watching Erza.
The villagers, now freed from the toxin's grip, remained unconscious but no longer in danger.
Todoroki turned to the sole villager still awake. His tone was steady but respectful.
"My condolences for your loss. We have done what we could. Help these people regain consciousness… and bury your dead with honor."
With that, both Guy and Todoroki vanished, leaving only the whisper of displaced air behind.
The villager remained where he was for a moment, staring at the spot they had occupied. Then, with gratitude swelling in his chest, he bowed deeply toward the empty space—toward the saviors who had given his people a chance to live.
----
A week later, in the Daimyō's mansion of the Land of Hot Water, the Daimyō sat in his study, reviewing a stack of mission reports. They detailed the work of ten Uzumaki clan members—siblings of Shanks Uzumaki—who had served as the mansion's commissioned guardians for nearly two and a half years.
Setting the final report aside, the Daimyō leaned back and addressed his assistant.
"They are truly remarkable. When Shanks-san first brought these ten siblings here—children, really, between twelve and eighteen years old—I doubted their strength. I questioned whether they could shoulder such responsibility. But they have proven me wrong time and again. Nearly ten S-rank missions completed… not a single casualty, and not one of them ever returned seriously injured. Their skill is undeniable. Each one could match the strength of an elite Jōnin from any of the great villages."
The assistant gave a respectful nod.
"You are correct, Lord Daimyō. They are indeed worthy of being the clan brothers and sisters of someone like Shanks Uzumaki—already a legend here in the Land of Hot Water… and in the wider shinobi world. But…" He hesitated briefly. "If you will allow me, my lord, I have a grave concern."
The Daimyō fixed his gaze on his assistant.
"You are my aide. It is your duty to speak your mind and offer me sound counsel. Go ahead."
The assistant bowed slightly before replying.
"My lord, by assigning most of our S-rank missions to the Uzumaki clan members, are we not sidelining Konoha? In the past, these high-paying commissions went to them, allowing their village to profit greatly. If, in the future, we require Konoha's assistance, they may delay their response—or demand far greater payment. That could place us in a difficult position."
The Daimyō slowly shook his head.
"You are mistaken. Three years ago, Shanks singlehandedly killed one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and drove the other two to flee, all in a single three-on-one battle. And after that exhausting clash, he still fought off an attack from multiple mysterious shinobi—inflicting heavy casualties upon them.
Now, consider this—if that was his power then, what do you think his strength has become after three more years of experience? As for his clan siblings, even now they possess the skill of elite Jōnin—some approaching S-rank ability—and they are still young. Do I truly need to spell out what their power will be in the years to come?"
The assistant paused in thought before nodding.
"You are absolutely correct, my lord. I was short-sighted."
The Daimyō leaned forward slightly, his tone measured.
"From the way they've been earning and saving, it's clear they intend to reestablish their Uzumaki village. If we support them now, in their time of need, do you not see the value? They will remember our aid. The Land of Hot Water will hold their favor… and they will hold ours. Such bonds can shape the future."
The assistant bowed deeply.
"Your wisdom knows no bounds, my lord."
Pleased with the acknowledgment, the Daimyō allowed a small smile before his voice shifted back to business.
"Summon all ten of the Uzumaki siblings. I have a major mission for them."
The assistant straightened, his expression resolute.
"At once, my lord. I will bring them to the meeting hall immediately."
-----
The Daimyō gave a brief nod, and the assistant left the study. After speaking with the servants in the mansion, he learned that the Uzumaki siblings were not on the grounds. Instead, they were gathered at a nearby restaurant.
When he arrived, the sound of lively conversation and laughter reached him before he even stepped inside. At four separate tables, the ten Uzumaki siblings sat in groups, sharing food and stories, their bond obvious in the easy smiles between them.
Noticing his approach, Erza rose to her feet. She cupped her hands politely and said, "Greetings to the assistant." Her tone was cordial—not overly formal, but offering the respect due to someone in the Daimyō's service.
The assistant returned the gesture with a warm smile and a nod, matching her manner in kind.
(A/N: I know people in Japan don't greet this way, but in the Naruto world, different villages have different cultures and customs, so I'm including it.)
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