Chapter 69: The Remnant of the Era
Spring, Year 6 of Konoha.
Uzumaki Clan Cemetery.
Masahiko sighed, patted the shoulder of Kento-kun, who was weeping softly, and turned to leave.
A few days ago, they received news that the former Second Elder of the Uzumaki clan, Uzumaki Masahiro, was critically ill. Masahiko and Kento-kun rushed back to the Uzumaki clan, but they were a step too late.
Having just paid his respects at Uzumaki Masahiro's grave, Masahiko's mood was inevitably low.
Although their relationship had been poor before Masahiko turned 48—bordering on hostile—after the war with the Kaguya clan, and especially after taking Masahiro's grandson Kento as a disciple, Masahiko had long since come to regard Masahiro as an old friend.
It was only upon returning to the clan this time that he realized that during his years in Konoha, the original First and Third Elders of the Uzumaki clan had also passed away one after another. The death of Uzumaki Masahiro meant that Masahiko was the only one left of his generation.
"A remnant of the era, am I?"
Masahiko murmured to himself. Some of the children in the clan could call him Great-Great-Grandfather now. That was a gap of five generations.
Returning to the Clan Head's hall, which had been expanded again and again, Masahiko looked at his "big nephew," who was showing his age. He smiled helplessly and said, "Big nephew, aren't you going to retire yet? I recall you're 59 this year. You've been in the position for almost 30 years. Haven't you had enough?"
The Clan Head looked up and nodded. "Second Uncle, I'm preparing to retire. I'll step down next year."
Masahiko was stunned. He had thought his big nephew intended to be Clan Head until death. He hadn't expected him to be ready to retire.
"Who is the next Clan Head?"
Having been away from the Uzumaki clan for more than five years, Masahiko really didn't know the current situation.
The Clan Head shook his head helplessly. "Originally, I favored Kento, but you took him away, Second Uncle. Now, I can only let Gensuke take the position."
Masahiko rolled his eyes. He really wasn't assured by his nephew's judgment—to think his first choice would be Kento...
"Gensuke..." Masahiko fell silent for a moment before remembering. "Nanako's husband?"
The Clan Head smiled and nodded. "Although Gensuke's talent as a ninja can't compare to Kento's, he is disciplined and follows the rules. Plus, with Nanako assisting him..."
"Wait, wait..." Masahiko interrupted. "I met Gensuke when he was a kid. He was a very ambitious boy; he fought like crazy to take first place in the push-up test... And Nanako assisting him? She..."
The Clan Head smiled and shook his head. "You might not understand their current situation. Nanako, especially, is now a complete copy of Mito. She has become a teacher for the clan's children and is deeply loved by them."
Masahiko scratched his head and sighed. He really hadn't paid much attention to his two female disciples over the years. "What about Yiko-chan?"
"Yiko is the same. She was a teacher for the children before. She got married two years ago and seems to be resting at home due to pregnancy this year..." the Clan Head answered slowly.
Masahiko nodded, murmuring in his heart, "They all have their own families now." He really hadn't cared for these two apprentices enough during his years in Konoha.
"When you retire next year, come to Konoha. I'll hand the Elder position over to you. Consider it your retirement in Konoha... You've been busy with Uzumaki affairs your whole life; it's time to enjoy some blessings."
The Clan Head nodded and agreed.
Bidding farewell to his big nephew, Masahiko went to see his two disciples.
Nanako was no longer that spicy little girl. When Masahiko saw her, she was holding the hand of a six or seven-year-old boy, a gentle smile on her lips. That familiar yet strange smile gave Masahiko a surreal sense of dislocation.
Yiko was no longer that crybaby little girl either. Heavily pregnant, the surging chakra inside her made Masahiko pause slightly. It was probably half of his own chakra volume. Combined with her mastery of Earth, Wind, and Fire natures, she would likely be rated as an S-rank ninja in Konoha... A young man was bustling about in front of her. He was only an Average Jonin, but he looked honest and dutiful. Seeing Yiko's expression of happiness and peace, Masahiko couldn't bear to go over and disturb them.
Leaving the homes of his two disciples, Masahiko felt a rare sense of depression. It lasted until he returned to the cemetery and saw Kento jumping around, swearing that he would train even harder in the future to bring glory to Masahiro in the afterlife.
"As expected, I'm not the only one who is alone. Kento is probably going to be a bachelor for life too..." Even though it was Masahiko who had taught him to be this way, he still felt a bit of schadenfreude. Comparison brings happiness, after all.
"Kento, let's go back..."
"Oh! Sensei!"
Year 6 of Konoha was also an important year for the village.
Most clans underwent a transition from old to new. The Hyuga, Aburame, Inuzuka, Ino-Shika-Cho, and Hatake clans all saw the older generation step down and the younger generation take the stage of history. The group of people Masahiko was familiar with all retreated behind the scenes or went into retirement.
As a result, in the subsequent Council meetings, Masahiko faced a younger generation who were the age of his grandchildren. Although with his thick skin, he didn't feel anything wrong with bullying his juniors, after doing it too many times, people began to whisper behind his back about "relying on old age to sell seniority," which made him very awkward.
"That damn power-hungry big nephew. Retiring a year late... making things so awkward for me..." Masahiko cursed inwardly.
By Year 7 of Konoha, when his big nephew finally retired and took over Masahiko's Elder position, Masahiko felt even worse.
Aside from occasionally teasing Hashirama and Tobirama (or their six disciples), or visiting Mito and Kenji-kun, Masahiko realized he had no acquaintances left when walking the streets of Konoha.
"I truly count as a remnant of the era now. Even the ninjas of my grandchildren's generation are middle-aged. In a few more years..."
Masahiko was lost in thought when the chatter of two villagers on the street woke him up.
"Have you heard? The Fire Daimyo is going to marry his youngest daughter to Lord Hokage's son."
"Really?"
"I'm not lying to you. The whole village is talking about it."
"That's wonderful..."
Masahiko froze for a moment, then a happy smile spread across his face.
"Why be so depressed? One batch of acquaintances has stepped down from the stage of history, but another batch of acquaintances is about to be born..."
Masahiko had been feeling low recently, watching ninjas of his generation and even the generation after him retire one by one. He felt as if he were the only one left alone in the entire ninja world.
But the conversation between the two villagers woke him up. He suddenly realized it was already Year 7 of Konoha. In another two or three years, the Sannin he had always looked forward to seeing would be born one after another. In another ten years or so, the parents of the main plot characters would be born...
"There's no need to be depressed! I am the man who is determined to live until the series finale!"
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you