[Quick note:
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Thank you very much to everyone who has followed along so far. The ending is now available there!]
Naruto's POV
I was locked up in my room, contrary to all my expectations that I would be thrown into the dungeons. Deep down, I knew I had to face the consequences of my actions, but my conscience remained clear. I was right. There was no one to tell me that, so I would have to take my own word for it.
The door opened with a bang. My grandmother practically knocked it down with a shove.
- HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? - She screamed, completely out of her mind. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes wide, and her clothes crumpled. She had never looked so furious.
Behind her, Karin stood silently, ready to hold her if she collapsed on me. I mentally thanked her for this, even though I knew I could handle the situation on my own. Suigetsu was the last to enter the room and, unlike the others, he seemed to be the only peaceful soul in the place.
- Where are the funds for the low caste dinners? - My voice came out firm, without hesitation. - Why has the Border Village never received its share of the contribution? - My grandmother paled, but I continued. - Why are the rebels fighting each other in the Southern Colonies while we stand idly by? And why is the misery of the Eight, Seven and Six castes never taken into account in any damn assembly? This country is rich. We have mines, fertile land. So where's the money?
Suigetsu, who had been quiet until then, approached and stood next to my grandmother.
- Your grandmother has been betting millions of yen on horse races and card games," he revealed with cutting calm. - And she's been losing... miserably.
My grandmother turned to him, her eyes full of shock and betrayal.
- Na-Naruto, I... I... - She stammered.
I crossed my arms, feeling the weight of the revelation settle on my mind.
- So my people's money and my father's kingdom are drowning in debt because of your whims?
She opened her mouth, but hesitated before speaking.
- Naruto, everything will work out when you marry Hinata, my son. The Hyuuga will collaborate with the kingdom. They will provide us with precious stones, money, everything we need. They'll do anything to make Hinata queen. What's more, we can sell them some titles of nobility. Since they're Hinata's family, no one will dare question it. They've always wanted to be Caste One anyway.
She looked at me as if she were offering me the perfect solution. As if I were just a piece on her board.
I let out a humorless laugh.
- I'm not going to marry Hinata.
Her eyes widened, but before she could say anything, I continued:
- And if the legacy you talk so much about comes down to this misery we're living in, then I'd rather it perished.
Hinata was gentle, kind, generous. Beautiful. Her angelic face could certainly inspire entire armies. But I didn't love her. Of all the options left to me by the Elite, she was the last on my list.
I would only marry her if I had to.
And, because of what happened tonight, no one else could force me into anything.
- Hinata is the best choice, Naruto. She'll save us. - Karin interceded, her voice laden with insistence.
I took a deep breath.
- No. Neither Hinata nor any Hyuuga can save us. - My voice came out firmly, without hesitation. - Grandma won't stop betting. Marrying me to the Hyuuga will only give her another family to ruin.
The slap came swift and sure. The slap echoed in the room, and the left side of my face began to burn.
My grandmother had never touched me before.
- YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE HINATA!
I closed my eyes for a second, feeling my skin throb.
I didn't want a marriage of convenience. I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life with someone I couldn't talk to. Or worse: with someone with whom I couldn't share silence.
- I couldn't. - My voice came out low, but definitive.
She raised her left hand to hit me again, but this time I held her wrist in the air.
- The ruler I want to be is the opposite of what you are. - I let go of her hand slowly. - And there's only one woman in the whole country who could be my queen.
I saw the impact of my words on his face.
- You won't... you won't! I won't let you!
I let out a cold laugh.
- You don't have to allow anything. It's my Selection. And soon I'll be king.
***
I spent the whole day locked in.
The only people in my room were the maids who brought me my meals. When I tried to leave, Obito appeared at the door and, with the politeness of a refined executioner, invited me back to my chambers.
I was alone. So alone that it hurt.
"You don't know how brave you are until you have to be."
Sakura's words came back to me. They became my foundation, something to hold on to in order not to lose myself.
When the clock struck eight, a brunette maid came in to remove the afternoon tray and put another one in its place. The warm, comforting smell of dinner filled the room.
- Thank you. - I murmured, forcing a smile.
She smiled back, took two steps towards the door, but then hesitated and looked at me again.
- Thank you, your grace. - Her voice carried something different... a sincere tone. - It's an honor to serve a man like you.
I frowned slightly.
- I saw yesterday's official newspaper. - She continued, hesitant but determined. - You were brave. Very brave. No one ever defends that cause.
There was something in her eyes. Hope.
For a moment, the guilt of pushing my grandmother to the limit seemed a little less suffocating.
- You gave me hope yesterday. - She bowed her head in reverence. - I know you'll be a good king.
She turned to leave, but before she did, she bowed again.
- If you need anything, just ring the bell.
I needed something. I needed to think.
The walls.
The November cold would get into my bones, but I didn't care. The frosty air would help clear my mind.
There was a guard at the door, but none at the window.
I looked down. Falling from the third floor didn't seem like a good idea. But climbing?
I could do that.
I opened the window. The biting wind whipped my face at the same moment. I took a deep breath and carefully threw my body out, grabbing onto the decorative railings covered in flowers. My fingers gripped the metal and I began the descent in silence.