Chapter 135: The Echo of the Sunny Shore
While the rest of the world looked at the calendar and saw the rising body counts of the Second Great Ninja War, the citizens of Uzushiogakure looked at the same date and saw a milestone. It was the First Anniversary of the Restoration.
One year ago, the whirlpools had parted not for a fleet of invaders, but for a single, strange ship with a lion's head. One year ago, a boy with a straw hat had laughed in the face of the Three-Nation Alliance, and a "Lazy Genius" named Rimon had officially declared that the Uzumaki would no longer be victims.
Inside the glass-and-silver walls of the city, the atmosphere was a jarring contrast to the mud and blood of Amegakure. There were no black-clad mourning parties or frantic war councils. Instead, the streets were alive with the hum of preparation.
Rimon Uzumaki stood on the observation deck of the Aegis Spire, watching the city below. He pulled up his System interface, his eyes scanning the "Cultural Integration" logs.
"One year," he murmured. "And the footprints are still fresh."
He looked toward the harbor. The docks had been completely overhauled. Using the blueprints and inspiration he had "salvaged" from his time with the Straw Hat Pirates' shipwright, the Uzumaki had developed the Soldier Dock System: Whirlpool Edition. Massive, circular bays hummed with geothermal energy, housing the first generation of "Coup de Burst" cutters—vessels that could travel underwater or jump over waves using pressurized chakra.
In the market districts, the smell was intoxicating. The Uzumaki chefs, trained by the notes left by a certain blonde "King of Cooks," were busy preparing the anniversary feast. They weren't just making ramen; they were crafting "Attack Cuisine"—dishes designed to naturally replenish chakra and strengthen the immune system.
"The Straw Hats didn't just give us a victory," Rimon thought, checking his SP reserves. "They gave us a spirit that didn't know how to bow."
Down in the central plaza, a group of young Uzumaki and a few early Uchiha arrivals were gathered around a massive, bronze statue of a smiling sun. This was the "Sunny Memorial."
Instead of traditional sparring, the children were playing a game developed by the city's new medical wing—inspired by a blue-nosed reindeer's knowledge of anatomy. They used localized "Diagnosis Seals" to find the pressure points on training dummies, turning the art of the medic into a playground sport.
"Rimon-sama," a voice called out.
Rimon turned to see Ren, the Head of National Security. The man looked remarkably relaxed for someone whose job involved keeping a hidden nation secret during a global war.
"The anniversary lanterns are being calibrated," Ren reported. "The Uchiha blacksmiths have infused them with a low-grade Yin-Yang flame. When they release tonight, they won't just float; they'll create a localized barrier that mimics the night sky. Even if a Kumo hawk flies directly over the island, all they'll see is empty ocean and the moon's reflection."
"Good," Rimon nodded. "The world is currently tearing itself apart for a few miles of mud in the Rain. They don't deserve to see our light yet."
The festival wasn't just about fun; it was the final test of Uzushio's internal infrastructure. While the Five Nations were exhausting their resources to keep their villages alive, Uzushiogakure was using its resources to throw a party. It was the ultimate display of Sovereign efficiency.
Rimon looked the Uzushio, he knew that even as the city celebrated, the past was catching up. It's not like anyone can reach Uzushio now but the spatial ripples he had set up were working, and someone was coming. Someone who shared his blood, his grief, and his stubbornness.
"The lanterns go up at midnight," Rimon commanded. "Let the people celebrate. They've earned a year of peace in a world at war."
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the silver towers in shades of gold and violet, a strange tranquility settled over the island. There were no kunai being sharpened, only instruments being tuned.
The Second Great Ninja War was raging outside, and it would continue to rage for many years to come, acting as the perfect smokescreen for Rimon's long game. But tonight, the Whirlpool was still.
Rimon closed his System screen. The first year was a success. Now, it was time to welcome a guest who would change everything.
Author's Note:
Chapter 135 serves as the "Quiet before the Storm." It highlights how different Uzushio is from the Five Great Villages. While Konoha is a village of soldiers, Uzushio is becoming a nation of life. The influence of the Straw Hat Pirates isn't just in the tech; it's in the joy.