Sarada | The Colors of Dawn (Saruto Prologue)

Chapter 8: The Colors Of Dawn

Suddenly, Kakashi's eyes light up in happiness as Lord Seventh smiled at him. They acknowledged what one another was feeling. It was unspoken words as they acknowledged there history and understanding.

I looked onto Lord Seventh with sadness as he spoke weakly to my son. Watching my son take his words to heart, I couldn't help but see how much he had grown. He was now a man

"Saruto," he pondered, "this universe is a lot bigger than it looks and at the center of it is you. Remember, as long as you keep your friends close and allow love into your life, you ."

Seeing my son wipe a tear from my face, I couldn't help but remember the tears that streamed down his face when he first came in. this world. How much happiness he had brought both me and Boruto. He then nodded and then placed his hand on his grandfather's. Lord Seventh nervously smiled as we all realized his eyes were drifting. Immediately he turned to me. My eyes widened at the sight of Lord Seventh trying to part with me as well.

"Sarada..."

"Yes, Lord Seventh," I spoke from where I held my father's body in my arms, tears welling up in my eyes.

"You have done more than you can ever know for my family, this village. I want you to be the next Hokage when I am gone. I wouldn't entrust it into any other hands but your own. When I die you must take your father's and Boruto's eyes from me and use it as your own. It's powerful but you with your Byakugou power can wield it. I have no doubt. Can I entrust this to you?"

My eyes widened in shock. I then looked down at my father and pondered on him. Then immediately looking back to my Lord Seventh, I nodded.

"Yes, Lord Seventh."

He smiled like everything for the future was set and safe. Like it was in good hands. It seemed to comfort him.

"Oh, and Sarada..."

"Yes," I responded anxiously awaiting his response.

"Your father," he pondered, "He told me to tell you that 'No matter what happens to you from here on out. He will always love you'."

Lord Seventh then raised two fingers and tapped it on my forehead. My eyes then widened once more before wiping my tears and then turned back to my father in my arms. I smiled before crying. But these weren't tears of sadness but of immense happiness. I had closure and I was happy.

I smiled at my father wondering if only he could've seen the day. From the corner of my eye I saw Hima start to cry. Turning to her in sadness, I saw her head dug into Lord Seventh's chest. As she clenched his hand, she turned to face the rest of us.

"He's gone," she spoke with sadness.

We all looked upon Naruto, each of our hands placed on him. He sat there with his eyes zoned at the ground and body slumped over.

Two heroes died today. Usually the rising sun was a sign of rebirth. To most that would seem ironic, but to me it was still right. It was the beauty of the colors of dawn. It has brought me heartbreak, love, and purpose. The Fifth Shinobi War was over. Our enemies were gone. My father and Naruto Uzumaki may have died but in their place, many more grew. Peace grew.

It was the end of an era.

As I emerged from the top of the Hokage's office, I passed Lord Sixth who nodded in assurance. I smiled as I stood above all of the citizens of Konoha.

"The Eighth Hokage!" Lord Sixth proclaimed, "Sarada Uzumaki-Uchiha!"

Immediately cheers rained across the villages as everyone threw their hands in the air. I smiled as I threw my fist in the air, vowing to protect the village till the day I die. My black hokage cloak waved in the wind. I felt the soft cloth as it fell just below my shoulders on my arms. My long hair stretched down to my upper thighs. And around my neck was a corked necklace. Boruto's necklace. My eyes scanned the crowd to see Saruto standing next to Shikadami with their daughter Kiyomi between their legs. I saw myself in her as she looked up to the Hokage office where I stood nearly thirty years ago.

Saruto then gave me a smile as out his hand on Kiyomi's shoulder and I returned it proudly.

I began to wonder if my ancestors could see me now.  Daughter of Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, heir and now leader to the new Uzumaki-Uchiha clan. Widow of Boruto Uzumaki and mother of Saruto Uzumaki-Uchiha, hero of the Fifth Shinobi War. The Crimson Sharingan Princess. Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage's, heir. This first Uchiha Hokage. 

Sarada Uzumaki-Uchiha.

Ending the cycle of hatred that has span centuries within my clan. I had overcome this cycle of hatred from the objects of love ones that I had lost. 

I felt as my emotions grew into my chakra and I felt the power of the Byakugou keeping the power of the Sagennegan at bay. I felt its power grow dormant as I pondered on whether I would have to ever use to this power.

Suddenly, I remembered everyone that we had lost. My mother, my father, Mitski, Lord Seventh. I wanted my granddaughter, Kiyomi, to grow up in a world of peace. I softly smiled as I saw her blue eyes light up as she looked up to me. I had to keep them safe. I then looked over to Kawaki who stood by his daughter, Kyurei, my student. She stood by my other student, Kimono Inuzuka. My eyes then drifted as they held their infant son, Kawaki's grandson. Glancing to my side, I saw Hima smiled softly as she saw me in my attire, reminding her of who she has lost. Aunt Hinata was by her side and gave me a reassuring nod. Looking back to Kawaki, he smiled as we exchanged a look. We both understood what the other was thinking. Everyone was together and united as one from the sacrifice that my father and Lord Seventh had done. My ninja way was there way. The village Will of Fire.

Looking up the sky, I imagined Boruto was looking down at me.

Even in death, he was my shadow.

Always by my side.

Forever.