Chapter 26: Rising From The Ashes

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A person could be seen sitting idly in a small dark room, his eyes were fixed on the dead bodies perfectly placed in front of him. The atmosphere in the room was gloomy and dark and the occasional sounds of his breathing would make him aware that he was the only person alive in the room.

It was true that morgue was one of the few places that could break even the toughest human beings. Seeing the dead bodies of your loved ones can take a great toll on a person's heart.

However the person currently sitting in the morgue just silently observed the face of a young boy in front of him. He had fair skin and dark brown hair, his body was still wrapped in his Blacklight uniform and the Weasel mask was still on his face.

"It's my turn to protect my village, just like my parents and grandparents did"

His words still echoed in his mind as his dark red sharingan looked at the face of his deceased friend.

No, he had not lost a friend tonight.

He had lost a brother.

A brother with whom he had laughed, cried, trained, fought and been through hell together...and now he was gone. In a blink of an eye, he had lost his best friend.

Naruto silently observed the 25 dead bodies around him as a tired sigh escaped from his dry lips. They had emerged victorious and had captured Shuri Castle, but 25 young troopers had to lay down their lives for this victory.

Armin and Kotetsu were one of those 25 young kids who would never go back home. Their bodies won't have the privilege of being laid to rest in their motherland.

His friends would never be remembered and their names would vanish with the sands of time.

No benefits would be paid to their families...because they didn't even exist.

"I'll never accept this...I won't let you die in vain, Armin" said Naruto tearfully, as he gently grasped his deceased friend's hand.

His young mind could not understand just how could a country disavow her soldiers after they gave their bodies, their blood and their very souls for her.

Armin, Kotetsu, Aoba, and the other 22 soldiers who died in the battle of Shuri Castle were declared MIA (Missing in action) so that their families won't be eligible for any benefits. Their bodies would be burnt to ashes as per the Blacklight code, so there would be no evidence of their existence.

All records had been wiped out too.

Armin Arlert, Kotetsu Hagane, Aoba Yamashiro never existed...and he would never accept such a grave injustice done to his friends.

"How dare they...How dare they!" thought Naruto furiously, as his fists clenched tightly.

"Naruto...it's time," said Izumo quietly, he watched calmly as Naruto gave him a harsh glare. His friend was furious and he had every damn right to be mad.

"This is bullshit Izumo...I won't let my brothers sacrifice go in vain," said Naruto sternly, and he heard a tired sigh escaping from his friend's mouth.

"Naruto, we can't do anything. The command has already taken the decision...they are gone." said Izumo sadly, but the next instant he was thrashed roughly to the wall as Naruto grabbed his collar.

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