Read advance chapters of all my works or want to support me.
https/www.p.a.t.r.e.on/Adamo_Amet
Join us on discord:
https://di..scord.gg/h3kDw7ma
••••••••••••••••••
Chapter 202 Goodbye to the Wave
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
With the chaos of the Nine-Tails incident finally behind them, everyone found themselves standing among the gathered crowd before the great bridge.
"Damn, that's a lot of people," Kiba muttered, eyes wide. It really did look like the entire nation had shown up.
Team 7 and Team 8 couldn't help but admire the sight before them. The bridge stretched across the misty waters like a silver ribbon, gleaming under the early morning sun.
"Pat yourselves on the back, everyone," Kakashi said, his single visible eye creasing with pride. "Both you and the workers had a hand in making sure the bridge was completed."
Jiraiya teased, leaning lazily against the railing. "So, what do you think? You kids gonna name this bridge after one of yourselves?"
"Hey! No cheating from you two!" Kiba barked, pointing at Sasuke and Hinata.
Shino tilted his head slightly. "Cheating? In what way?"
Kiba jabbed his thumb toward the cloth-covered sign at the bridge's entrance. "Those two can probably see the name already with their fancy eyes!"
Hinata flushed, waving her hands. "I-I would never...!"
Sasuke's smirk was instant. "Hn. Don't need to look. Everyone already knows whose name is on it."
Everyone's eyes drifted to Naruto. The boy, however, seemed to be lost in thought. He couldn't stop wondering if the Nine-Tails would somehow reform back in that cursed Northern Undead Asylum.
Maybe I should go back someday… visit the Asylum, pay my respects at Oscar's grave. But how? He'd been brought to Lordran by that giant crow that didn't exactly take requests for return trips.
Naruto sighed quietly, his hand brushing the edge of his bow. Guess I'll have to figure that out later.
The sight of Oscar, the tiny crystal lizard, sleeping peacefully on top of Naruto's long hair while the boy wore such a serious expression, drew a quiet laugh from the genins.
"Okay, but maybe they'll name it after the Archer," Sakura said playfully, and soon enough the genin were all arguing over whether the bridge should be named after Naruto or his alter ego, Archer of Providence.
Their chatter fell silent when several workers stepped forward onto the small stage. At the center stood Tazuna, and beside him, guarded by samurai, was the Daimyo of the Land of Waves himself.
It didn't take a genius to see that the crowd wasn't exactly thrilled to see their ruler.
"I would like to invite bridge builder Tazuna to say a few words."
That announcement alone earned a ripple of relieved laughter through the crowd. At least they wouldn't have to sit through a long political speech from a man they didn't respect.
Tazuna stepped forward, clearing his throat before pulling out a small canteen whose contents were unmistakably alcoholic. He took a swig to steady himself.
Tsunami groaned and covered her face. "Dad…" she whispered.
"I'm just an old man," Tazuna began, his voice gravelly but full of heart. "An old man who lost his son to a tyrant… who watched his nation crumble under fear… and who nearly lost himself to despair."
The crowd quieted, every eye fixed on him.
"This bridge was my dream," Tazuna continued. "A dream to give the people of this land a path... one that breaks the chains of tyranny."
He gestured to the workers standing behind him. "My dream was shared by these brave men who gave everything to see it finished."
The crowd erupted into cheers, the workers smiling through tears and exhaustion.
"And," Tazuna said, turning to face the shinobi, "our dream was protected by these young heroes."
He pointed to the Konoha shinobi standing together in the crowd.
The applause that followed was deafening.
"And through the unseen help of the daimyo."
The crowd went quiet. No one clapped. No one cheered. The silence that followed spoke louder than any words could.
Tazuna cleared his throat, pretending not to notice the tension. "Now!" he shouted, voice booming across the bridge. "A bridge this grand deserves a name that'll stand the test of time!"
With a sharp tug, Tazuna and the workers grabbed the ropes and pulled.
The cloth fell away in a sweeping motion, revealing the very top of the entrance hung with a large rectangular signboard, bold black kanji painted in broad, confident strokes.
The characters stood out sharply against the pale stone, impossible to miss even from afar. Below it, the bridge stretched forward like a gleaming ribbon, vanishing into the soft veil of morning mist. A pathway that seemed to lead not only to another shore, but toward a better future.
The Great Naruto Bridge.
A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Civilians and even the daimyo looked confused, whispering among themselves at the unusual name.
Then Tazuna let out a loud belch that echoed across the bridge, catching everyone's attention. The crowd sweatdropped in collective disbelief, and even the daimyo's expression twisted into disgust. Tazuna, of course, didn't care in the slightest.
"I know, I know," Tazuna began, voice rough but steady. "A lot of you wanted the bridge named after the Archer of Providence. And honestly, I was tempted to call it the Quiver of the Archer myself." He paused, taking another swig from his canteen before continuing. "But to me, that archer was one of many heroes who stood for this nation. This bridge, though... this bridge was the start of it all. If it hadn't been started, Gato wouldn't have acted, and none of those heroes would've stepped up. This bridge became the maelstrom that changed everything."
He raised his arm dramatically, his face flushed with pride. "So, we'll call it the Great Naruto Bridge!"
There was a brief silence before murmurs of approval spread through the crowd. Many began nodding, agreeing that the name carried a poetic sense of meaning.
From where he stood, Naruto caught Tazuna's eye. The old man winked at him, a smirk tugging on his lips. Naruto grinned in return, realizing that the entire explanation was a clever lie as Tazuna had named the bridge after him all along.
Wow, that drunk old man's kinda smart.
Meanwhile, the daimyo started motioning to the samurai beside him. One of them produced a sealing scroll, unfurled it, and placed it near the bridge's entrance.
With a sharp release of chakra, a puff of white smoke erupted, silencing the crowd.
Naruto blinked as the smoke cleared and took a deep breath.
A twelve-foot statue of the Archer of Providence towered over the bridge's entrance, carved from pale stone that shimmered faintly in the mist. Every chiseled line radiated purpose from the tension in the drawn bow, the fierce determination in the archer's stance, the wind-carved cloak that seemed ready to flutter at any moment.
The crowd fell silent.
For the people of Wave, this was no mere monument. It was a reminder of the night they took back their freedom, of the hero who defied despair and turned their hopelessness into strength.
Some wept openly. Others bowed their heads in reverence.
It was a solemn, powerful moment… until Naruto broke it.
"They got my jawline wrong," he said flatly.
Everyone turned to stare at him.
"Really?" Sakura said, exasperated. "That's what you're focusing on right now?"
Naruto crossed his arms, frowning at the statue. "I mean, yeah. What else am I supposed to focus on when they gave me such a pointy chin?"
Sakura groaned and rubbed her temples, reminding herself for the hundredth time that her teammate was not normal.
"You guys are just jealous you don't get a statue after your first mission."
"It's not your statue," Kiba muttered. "It's your persona's."
"Tomato, tomato. They still gotta sculpt my buttcheeks."
Hinata looked at the statue.
"They also made your biceps bigger than they actually are."
Naruto blinked, then grinned and threw an arm over Sasuke's shoulder. "Oh, that's fine. That part's accurate enough."
Off to the side, Jiraiya said. "Looks like Naruto's quite the handful." His eyes lingered on the towering statue, a rare look of pride softening his features. "Still… the daimyo commissioning something this big, this detailed, in such a short time... that's no small thing."
"You don't know the half of it, Jiraiya-sama."
Before either could say more, the daimyo stepped up once again, the samurai standing at attention behind him. The crowd hushed as he prepared to speak.
"The Archer," Hondo began, "is a man that needs no introduction."
He paused, letting the words linger in the air as hundreds of eyes turned toward him. "He saved my wife and son's lives," he continued, "and gave Gato the end he deserved."
For a brief moment, the daimyo's composure cracked. He could still hear the man's screams as he was tortured. He closed his eyes, exhaling through the memory.
"He is the hero who changed this nation in more ways than one."
The people listened, though their faces were mixed. They weren't listening to their daimyo out of respect, but because of the name he invoked. Still, Hondo pressed on.
"The Land of Waves," he said quietly, "is just a small island nation. A humble place, surrounded by endless sea. And yet, despite its simplicity, we were brought to our knees by a single man with coin and cruelty in his hands. A merchant; nothing more, nothing less. A man named Gato."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, memories of hunger and fear flashing in their minds.
"I often wondered," Hondo continued, voice trembling, "if I was ever truly worthy of being called a noble. What is nobility, when a man like me allowed a tyrant to live and prosper beneath my very nose? What pride is there in a title when I could not protect my own people?"
He took a slow breath, gaze falling to the planks beneath his feet. "I spoke with the Archer before he left. We spoke not of heroism or war, but of duty. Of responsibility. His words… cut deeper than any blade."
The crowd grew still again.
"I realized that I had worn my crown as an ornament, not as a burden. I called myself a daimyo but never bore the weight that title demanded. Perhaps a true leader," he said, looking out toward the sea, "would have abandoned his family for the sake of his people. Perhaps such a man exists somewhere. But that man… is not me."
He placed a hand over his heart, his voice breaking slightly. "I am not a ruler forged from steel and sacrifice. I am a man. A husband. A father. And I have failed both my family and my people."
The samurai shifted uneasily, glancing at each other. Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, and Jiraiya straightened, recognizing the tone in the man's voice. The kind of tone that came when someone was about to burn bridges behind them.
Hondo raised his head. "The people of the Wave deserve a leader who will not cower behind gold or status. You deserve a leader who walks among you, who knows your pain and your struggle. And I," he said firmly, "am not that leader."
He took a single step forward, his robe trailing in the wind.
"With the Archer of Providence as my witness," he declared, "I, Hondo of the Wave, renounce my title as daimyo. From this day forth, the Tadakatsu family relinquishes its claim to rule. The power of this nation will return to where it belongs... to its people!"
Gasps erupted from every corner of the crowd. The samurai froze, unsure what to do. The shinobi exchanged glances, stunned.
Jiraiya pressed a hand to his forehead, muttering under his breath, "That's a first… even for me."
"What did you do now?" Kakashi whispered sharply.
Naruto blinked, holding up his hands. "Hey, don't look at me. I didn't tell him to give up being king. I'm innocent!"
Hondo raised his hand again, commanding silence. "Do not fear," he said, his tone softening. "Even without my title, I will not abandon you. My final act as your lord will be to build something greater than a man or a throne. Together, we will create a government by the people, for the people. One where no tyrant, no noble, no merchant can ever again claim dominion over your lives."
He paused, his voice trembling just slightly as he finished. "This is my atonement. It will not undo what I had allowed. But perhaps… it can be the first step toward a better tomorrow."
For a heartbeat, there was only silence.
Then the crowd erupted. Applause thundered across the bridge, echoing against the sea.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
After lunch, Tazuna's family gathered one last time to say goodbye to the shinobi teams.
Tazuna made a point to shake each of their hands, lingering a little longer with Naruto. The old man handed him a dark glass bottle sealed with red wax. "This is the finest wine in my collection," Tazuna said. "Thanks for… everything."
"Hopefully it's better than the first time you tried to poison me."
Tazuna let out a snort and ruffled Naruto's long hair. "You never let me live that down, huh?"
Tsunami stepped in next, wrapping Naruto in a warm hug and placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Eat well. Sleep well. And stay safe, Naruto."
"I will," he said softly.
Then came Inari, eyes red but fighting back fresh tears. "I… I don't want to say goodbye."
Naruto crouched down and smiled. "It's not goodbye. It's see you later." He ruffled the boy's hair. "That's what my friend Solaire says."
"When will I see you again?"
"Probably when we have to go to Konoha to pay the shinobi," Tazuna grumbled from behind him.
"Well, when you come to Konoha, I'll show you around. And you have to try the best ramen in the world."
"Looking forward to it," Tazuna said as he waved them off.
The two teams stood at the base of the Great Naruto Bridge, the sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and wood as waves gently lapped against the stone supports.
"Alright, everyone," Kurenai said. "This is where we split off. Team 8 will head back to Konoha to report in, while Team 7 joins Jiraiya-sama on his trip to the Land of Whirlpools."
Kiba frowned. "Wait...why here? Isn't the Land of Whirlpools closer to the Fire Nation? Shouldn't we be leaving from there?"
Everyone gave him a look.
"What? I can't be good at geography now?"
Jiraiya snorted, waving a hand. "There's actually a direct sea route from the Land of Waves to the Land of Whirlpools. Shorter and safer. And," he grinned, pointing his thumb toward the docks, "I got us a boat."
Naruto and Oscar immediately pumped their fists. "Woo! Boat trip!"
Oscar squeaked happily in agreement from Naruto's shoulder.
Kakashi closed his book with a lazy snap. "Before that, say your goodbyes. Once we leave port, there won't be another stop for a while."
Sasuke and Shino exchanged a nod. It was their version of "take care."
Sakura and Hinata hugged tightly. "So… You didn't confess, huh? You told me you were ready this time."
Hinata flushed, looking down at the Hornet Ring on her finger. "I thought I was," she said quietly. "But then I realized… I still want to grow more before I do."
"At least you and Naruto have something special," Sakura teased, nudging her shoulder. "If Ino hears about that ring, she's going to die of jealousy."
"It's not like that… but thank you."
Nearby, Akamaru sniffed at Oscar curiously, giving a playful bark before the little crystal lizard tilted his head and gently booped the pup's nose.
"Would you look at that? Even the pets are saying goodbye."
"Guess they get along better than we do."
"Hey!" Kiba said, pointing at him. "I'm perfectly likable!"
"Sure, dogbreath," Naruto shot back, smirking. "You keep telling yourself that."
"Hard to believe it's over, huh? My sister always says your first real mission changes you. Guess she was right. Feels like we've been gone for months."
Naruto nodded. "Yeah… It's weird. Feels like we started this as kids and came back a little older. Guess seeing people fight for freedom does that to you."
"Listen to you. Getting all philosophical on me now."
Naruto laughed. "I'm full of surprises."
"Yeah, like how you went and got yourself a bridge named after you," Kiba said, smirking. "You think the people of Wave are gonna start worshiping you, Dragon Boy?"
"Nah, that sounds like a headache waiting to happen. I don't want people bowing every time I visit. I just want them to live free. That's enough for me."
Kiba snorted. "You say that now, but wait till they start carving statues of you in every town square."
"They already made one, remember?" Naruto said, crossing his arms. "If they make another one with that ugly chin again, I might destroy it myself."
Kiba burst out laughing. "You're hopeless."
"Yeah, but at least I'm funny," Naruto said with a grin.
Kiba shook his head, smiling as they bumped fists. "Stay alive, you dumb lizard."
"You too, mutt."
Meanwhile, Kurenai looked at Kakashi with a grave expression, her tone lower now that the genin were out of earshot. "What exactly am I supposed to tell the Hokage? Especially after what happened with the daimyo publicly abdicating his title?"
Kakashi sighed and rubbed his temple. "Just tell the truth. The Hokage's no fool. He'll understand how delicate this situation is. The old man's been walking the line between the Fire Court and the shinobi council for decades. He'll know how to play it."
"Play it? This isn't a game, Kakashi. A feudal lord giving up his rule voluntarily? That hasn't happened... ever. Every daimyo across the mainland is going to hear about this within the week. They'll all start wondering if their own people are going to rise up next."
Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "She's right. The Land of Fire might act composed, but its noble structure is built on precedent and fear of instability. If one of the lesser nations proves they can survive without a daimyo, the rest might start thinking they can do the same. The Fire Daimyo won't sit quietly and risk that kind of contagion."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. "Exactly. That's why we need to get ahead of it. Wave owes Konoha. The Hokage can frame this as a stabilization effort... that Konoha's shinobi stepped in to prevent foreign intervention after Gato's fall. It gives the Fire Daimyo the illusion of control. He'll see it as an opportunity to extend his influence through Konoha's presence rather than an outright rebellion to suppress."
"So we turn the Wave's independence into a diplomatic shield."
"Precisely. Make it look like cooperation, not defiance."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "That might buy time, but it's not a permanent solution. The Fire Daimyo has advisors from the nobles whispering in his ear. Men who think shinobi have too much power already. They'll see this as proof that ninja are manipulating smaller nations for their own gain."
Kurenai's gaze hardened. "And that could spiral into a recall order on majority missions from the Land of Fire. Or worse, funding cuts to Konoha."
Kakashi nodded. "Which is why the Hokage needs to remind the Fire Daimyo that the Wave situation prevented economic instability. Gato's company had trade routes tied directly to the Fire ports. The Land of Fire benefits from Wave's new trade freedom."
"You've been thinking like a spymaster lately, Kakashi."
"I just pay attention," Kakashi said dryly. "And right now, the real danger isn't politics rather it's Naruto."
"Naruto?"
Kakashi gave a small nod. "He operates by his own moral code. It's not complicated as he does what he thinks is right. That's admirable, but it's also unpredictable. If he finds out that the Fire Court tries to exploit the Wave's new government or interfere with its freedom, he might act."
Jiraiya frowned. "You're saying he'd go against the Fire Daimyo?"
"I'm saying," Kakashi said quietly, "that if Naruto believes the Wave is being oppressed again, he won't ask permission to fix it. And I don't want to imagine what that would look like. The boy's not malicious but he's powerful, and he's got a temper when it comes to injustice."
Jiraiya ran a hand through his hair, muttering, "I can't believe we're having this conversation. The idea that one genin could be a political concern to a daimyo… that's new."
Suddenly, all three adults turned sharply, their senses flaring in unison. Something had shifted in the air as a presence unlike anything they had ever felt before.
It came from Naruto.
He had taken out a small, crystal vial filled with golden liquid.
The aura that radiated from it was indescribable. A wave of warmth and serenity rippled outward, washing over them. For a brief moment, their minds quieted, their breathing steadied, and every ache in their bodies eased.
The Divine Blessing's presence alone soothed their very souls.
Jiraiya blinked. "What in the name of the Sage is that…"
Naruto, completely oblivious to the effect he was causing, smiled as he held it out to Hinata.
"And this is for you."
"What is it?"
"It's called a Divine Blessing," Naruto said with his usual cheer. "One of the strongest healing items I've got. I know I promised I'd heal your mom myself, but since I'll be heading to Uzushiogakure, maybe you can use this to help her sooner."
Hinata hesitated, glancing at the golden light swirling inside the bottle. "Thank you, Naruto… but I'm not sure I should use something like this without you there."
"But it's going to take at least a week or more before I'm back. I just want you to have options."
Hinata took a slow breath. "I've waited years for my mom to wake up," she said quietly, but there was steel in her tone. "I can wait a few more weeks."
"You're really brave, Hinata."
"Thank you."
For a moment, everything felt calm again.
Then Kurenai exhaled, her gaze flicking toward Jiraiya. "I think that's all the proof you need, Jiraiya-sama," she said quietly. "You shouldn't underestimate that boy. You trained Minato-sama. You of all people should know how one man can reshape nations. The father had the power to change world, what makes you think the son can't."
Jiraiya didn't respond at first. His eyes were fixed on the glowing vial in Naruto's hand, reflecting in his pupils like sunlight on gold.
He finally let out a quiet chuckle that sounded more like a sigh. "Fair point," he said.
But the faint unease in his voice told the others that, deep down, he understood exactly what that meant.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
While Team 7 made their way toward the docks, the sun hung low over the ocean, painting the water gold.
"Hey, Naruto," Kakashi said lazily, though there was a curious edge to his tone. "Mind explaining what that Divine Blessing was back there?"
"Oh, that? It's holy water from the goddess Gwynevere."
Everyone stopped walking.
"…"
Sakura blinked. "I'm sorry, did you just say goddess?"
"Yup," Naruto said cheerfully.
"Holy water?" Kakashi repeated slowly, as if he were making sure he heard correctly.
"Uh-huh."
"From an actual goddess?"
"Pretty much."
"How did you even get it?"
"Oh, I bought it from this cute girl in a cult," Naruto said casually.
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Of course you did."
Jiraiya's eyebrow twitched. "Wait, wait, wait. Back up a second. A goddess, you said? Who is this Gwynevere?"
Naruto looked up at the sky, thoughtful. "She's the daughter of the Lord of Sunlight. And she's gorgeous."
He said it so flatly and honestly that it made Sakura blink. No blush. No hesitation. Just a statement of fact.
Jiraiya immediately perked up, eyes gleaming. "Hold on. Gorgeous, you say? How gorgeous? Describe."
"She's… really pretty?"
"Be specific," Jiraiya said, already fishing a notebook and pen from his sleeve. "How tall? How curvy? How big were her..."
"Stop," Sakura snapped. "Finish that sentence and I'll throw you in the sea myself."
Jiraiya ignored her, leaning dangerously close to Naruto. "Come on, kid! For research purposes!"
Naruto took a step back, eyes narrowing. "You're way too close, Pervy Sage."
"Come on! Be a good brat. Give me a visual. Round or perky? Proportional or..."
"I regret talking to you."
"Come on, I've got a brilliant idea! Transform into her using the Transformation Jutsu!"
Naruto stared at him. "…No."
"Come on! Just once! For art! For study! For—"
"I'd rather die."
Jiraiya clasped his hands together pleadingly. "Please, Naruto! Let this old man witness the goddess's glory!"
Naruto's eye twitched. "…Tell you what. If the boat you got us is actually impressive, I'll consider it."
That shut Jiraiya up instantly.
They rounded the corner, and Naruto's face lit up. Docked beside the pier was a massive, sleek ship with white sails catching the sunlight, polished wood gleaming like gold.
"Whoa! You actually did it, Pervy Sage! This is..."
"Turn around," Jiraiya interrupted quickly.
Naruto blinked and looked behind him… only to find a small, creaky fishing boat rocking gently in the water, missing half its paint.
"…This is it?"
"Yep!" Jiraiya said cheerfully. "Just a temporary mode of transportation. Buying a big ship is a waste of money!"
Kakashi interjected. "A waste of money? You literally have stacks of it from all your books!"
Jiraiya ignored him, rubbing his hands together mischievously. "Anyway! Now that we've settled that... Transformation Jutsu time!"
"You know what? Sure," Naruto said with a grin.
A puff of smoke exploded around him as everyone leaned forward, waiting to see what kind of divine beauty he'd turn into. Instead, a hand shot out of the smoke, grabbed Jiraiya by the collar, and hurled him clean off the dock.
Splash!
The ripples echoed across the harbor.
"Take that, Pervy Sage!"
Oscar chirped triumphantly from his shoulder.
Jiraiya surfaced, sputtering and drenched, hair plastered to his face. "That was cheating, you damn brat! We had a deal!"
"Yeah," Naruto called back, smirking, "and your boat sucked."
A sphere of golden lightning sparked to life in his palm, crackling and humming with power.
"How about you do the transforming, old man? Let's see you turn into a croaked toad!"
Jiraiya immediately began to sink back into the water. "On second thought, maybe I'll… stay down here and cool off a bit."
Team 7 collectively sweatdropped.
Sakura shook her head. "Every day with you all is like an acid trip."
Sasuke's eyes, however, stayed on the spear in Naruto's hand. "When did you learn to use lightning jutsu?"
Naruto looked down at his hand like he'd forgotten it was there. "Oh yeah! Picked it up after joining my Sun Bro's covenant."
"…Your what?"
"My Sun Bro! Solaire," Naruto said, doing the praise the sun gesture with Oscar. "He's awesome. Really wise guy, loves the sun, kind of glows all the time. We praise the sun together."
"You joined a cult with another guy?"
"It's not a cult," Naruto protested. "It's a brotherhood. Totally different. He's my number-one bro."
Sakura teased. "Jealous, Sasuke?"
"No," Sasuke said quickly.
"Yeah, you are," Sakura teased. "You can't stand that Naruto's got a number bro."
Naruto laughed and slung an arm around Sasuke's shoulder. "Don't worry, teme. Solaire might be my number-one bro, but you'll always be my number-two bro. My emo bro."
Sasuke stared at him with deadpan eyes. "I should have let you drown in Wave."
"Aw, come on," Naruto said with a grin. "You love me."
"Hn."
Jiraiya, still dripping wet, floated nearby muttering, "I should've taken up drinking instead…"
Kakashi sighed, pulling out his orange book. "Just another normal day with Team 7."
As they boarded the creaky little boat, Oscar chirped one last time at the horizon. Naruto smiled, already leaning into the ocean breeze.
"Next stop," he said, "Uzushiogakure."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
[ Personal Note: First off, thanks a ton to all of you for sticking with this story. Seriously, you guys are awesome. Now, if you're interested in supporting me on P@treon, let me just say that over there, I post these massive 5k-word chapters. But heads up, if you're jumping to P@treon, you'll need to start from Chapter 94, since that's where this chapter lines up with the content there.
To everyone here just reading along, please don't forget to leave a comment! Honestly, your comments make my day, and they let me know you're as invested in this story as I am. So yeah, thanks again, and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day!