The battlegrounds shake with each jutsu that misses, and quivers when bodies tumble onto it. The earth growing darker with blood, sweat, and tears with each passing day. What was supposed to be a mission to capture the nine-tails jinchūriki somehow escalated into the fourth Shinobi war- the most gruesome war yet. With higher death than the other three combined along with how many shinobi forces were put together, only to get obliterated- hope was slowly being lost as the numbers dwindled rapidly.

The many Kages have been starting to fear that they're past the recuperating phase, that all the damage is far too done to do anything. There's no building from nothing- you can't build with supplies that aren't there, that's what they've started thinking. And although unwilling to admit it, the candidate for seventh Hokage- the Nanadaime; is also starting to loose hope. The war having started when he was sixteen, Naruto Uzumaki at twenty one is tired. The endless fighting against mysterious foes that started as the Akatsuki and eventually became the Otsūsuki was weighing heavily on him.

When the Akatsuki were defeated, they thought the war was done with, they thought all the death was over. Just like everyone else, he celebrated the end of needless death and mourned heavily as his comrades were part of the loss count. He was eighteen at the time, a fresh adult, and a father of the unborn child Hinata is carrying. He might've vented his sorrows in an unusual way but the end result was a fiance with the most beautiful smile telling him Naruto, we're gonna be parents! And the joy she felt when he would talk to the unborn child and tell them don't worry, peanut! I'll give you the best damn childhood I can ever give. Don't worry your pretty little head about the small stuff, daddy'll do that! And how he'd tenderly kiss her stomach after that declaration.

But a month later, the Otsūsuki came along claiming that the war wasn't over, that they snatched the Jūbi from Madara and wanted to use it to cleanse the earth from shinobi scum that taint the earth everytime they breathe.

_

"N-Naruto-" Hinata gasps out from her fiancees arms, sobbing, "Th-e village!"

After the declaration from the Otsūsuki, the Jūbi obliterated the village in one swoop. Only a small group of ninja that were quick enough to sense the danger escaped, but only few unscathed. Naruto was able to pick up his Hinata and Hiraishin outside in time, but the survivors guilt was already eating at him. His village, his home, his family! All gone in the blink of an eye!

He stays strong for his Hinata, and smiles at her, "Don't worry, love, I'll fix everything. For now, just stay as long-range. Don't want little peanut getting injured, now do we."

He sets her down gently before giving her a kiss, savoring it just in case, before joining the few that survived and the other villages that got immediate notice as their villages were also attacked by Otsūsuki members.

_

By eighteen, Naruto started a family in the war torn lands, fighting every moment for even a chance that he'll stay alive to see his first child grow healthy.

He'd lost so many of those close to him that he'd become afraid to befriend anyone in fear of losing them too. The rookie nine almost completely decimated and their deaths weighing heavily on his corrupted heart. Kurama, Hinata, peanut, and anyone else of his friends that were still alive were kept close to him.

Knowing that the end only grows closer the longer he fights in the war, he started a journal for peanut with a blood seal that'll only open for him and anyone else in his future family. He wanted him to know that just in case I die, I want to start off with saying I love you. I love any flaws you might discover about yourself, I love any personality you've developed, I love everything. Don't think for one second that your dad ever abandoned you, because you are my diamond in the rough.

By nineteen, Naruto became a father to Boruto, his name in commemoration to Neji Hyuuga- Hinatas late cousin. Seeing his son born on a bloody battlefield tore at Narutos heartstrings so much he sobbed hysterically. The first time I saw your face so similar to mine, I sobbed. Not only because you're the most amazing gift I've been given by anyone, but also because of the circumstances. I'm sorry you were born in this cruel world, but I hope one day you can do what I've never been able to do and live.

Because of the circumstances, Hinata Hyuuga-Uzumaki died whilst in child labor. Not only did it affect those close to her, but the long-range fighters suffered greatly without the advantage of decent battle plans. The day Boruto Uzumaki was born, five hundred shinobi died. They dropped faster than cannon fodder and unbalanced the war towards the Otsūsuki's favor.

To occupy himself on the short breaks he got with his infant son, he would turn clones into photographs and placed seals on them to make them permanent. It's amazing what you can achieve with seals, my little warrior. Maybe one day I can teach you about the arts and your bloodlines. Naruto would always carry his child on him- dangerous or not, he didn't trust anyone now. All his friends except Kurama were gone, and he didn't want to risk the off chance that the clone babysitting Boruto would fail him.

He'd managed to create a large-scale seal to detain the Jūbi for a few years, but he doubts it'll even last one. With all the chakra at it's disposal, the only way to get rid of it was to seal it in someone- as normal objects would break within seconds. The forces that're left still haven't decided who'd be strong enough to handle that power and not go bat shit crazy, or even survive for that matter.

Naruto knows for sure that he's on that list somewhere.

By twenty, Naruto was able to completely fill a journal with praise, love, sorrows, apologizes, etc, for his one year old son Boruto. His son, while not a quiet child, was smart enough to know when to stay silent. And although the thought of a one year old knowing when he was in immediate danger broke his heart in a million pieces, Naruto knew he wouldn't be able to do anything about it. When Boruto would get hungry, he'd make a faint whining sound and tap his dads chest with his tiny fist; and when he was tired, he'd grown accustomed to sleeping upright with his small head against Narutos chest, listening to his steady heartbeat like a lullaby.

When Boruto would sleep, Naruto would wrap his son is a protective cocoon of chakra- both his and Kuramas, the healing factor quickly becoming embedded in his genetic code- and softly hum if he was away from immediate danger. He'd stroke Borutos' head to relieve the stresses of living because physical contact reminds him that he still has someone to fight for.

_

"Naruto," A commander from squad 15 called out. He's one of the ones to help make a decision on who'll make the ultimate sacrifice for the world, basically. And seeing as he's here confronting him, Naruto knows who it is. "We- I want to apologize for forcing this on you."

The commanders face is apathetic, as well as his tone of voice, but being a high kage-level ninja had its perks.

Naruto strokes Borutos soft head, "I understand."

Sighing sorrowfully, he whispers, "I'll get everything ready, and I'll tell you when to evacuate- as best as you can in this wasteland, at least." Narutos laugh is dry as he tells this to the commander.

The commander looks down slightly- a sign of respect to leaders of a village. "Thank you for your sacrifice, and everything else you've done for us, Lord Hokage. You'll be remembered as the savior of the world and nothing less." He bows.

Naruto looks at him with a strange coldness in his cerulean eyes that's been there since his late fiancee died. He croaks, "who's gonna be there for my Boruto and raise him with love."

His question slightly startles the commander, since feelings other war-induced ones weren't shown anymore. More so since the war has been going on for five years straight already. Not that long by normal standards, but considering who they're up against, it's been too long.

He shifts slightly, then bows a good right angle, "I would be honored to take care of your son, Lord Hokage. I'll remind him everyday till the day I die that his father is a hero!"

Naruto observes the man, his white hair- that Naruto has only seen on his precious sensei and old people- is tied in a low ponytail, billowing softly in the cries of the wind. His blue eyes, though not as beautiful as Borutos, are filled with a determination that Naruto thought was erased in the Jūbi's first initial attack on Konohagakure. His figure is strong- definitely was a front liner before his promotion to commander.

Naruto prides himself on reading peoples characters- that's one good thing the war gave him. He's made up his mind.

"Rise, commander. What is your name?"

The commander looks his superior in the eyes, "Saron Strauss."

_

At twenty one, Naruto Uzumaki was done. With him as the last hope for the future, Naruto is ready to throw his life away for the betterment of everyone. Although depression and various other nuisances eat away at him the longer he's alive, he's still afraid to go. Not knowing what'll happen with a seal that could very well be a fluke- even if he did make it, there was a high chance of death.

Wanting to leave this wasteland is one thing, but doing it knowing that you'll be leaving your child without a father, as you had been once, is heartbreaking. His light, Boruto Uzumaki, will grow up without anyone. Although that Commander Strauss offered to take him in when the- when the deed is done, it won't be the same.

Already knowing this would somehow come into fruition, Naruto placed the bloodseal on his son filled with photo albums, his journals written just for him, Hinatas engagement ring, his Hokage cloak, and a book on Uzumaki and Hyūuga clan techniques. Everything his pride and joy will ever need.

Naruto added a special trait to the seal- it'll open on Borutos 16th birthday, because Naruto knows he'll live that long- and all of Borutos offspring will be born with the same bloodseal since you can do anything with seals.

But excusing those thoughts, it was time to say- to say bye to his son for the first and last time.

_

I don't want to do this.

My thoughts repeating faster than I can cope with. My cute, little pride and joy is staring at me probably wondering why I'm crying.

I was able to create a new type of seal that keeps memories on repeat, so you can watch them like a movie but without the accessibility to a camera, so without further thought, I summon a clone- gotta love those things- and draw the seal on the back of the neck in quick strokes. When I'm done, I sit down with my son in my lap.

Boruto plays with my long hair- it's a hassle to keep cutting it with kunai- as I stare into my clones eyes.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and you are my son, Boruto Uzumaki-Hyūuga. And I'm about to tell you my whole life story, who your mom is in more detail, and how much you mean to me." I subtly wipe a tear and watch as Boruto rubs his hands on my whiskers.

"Please," I start to sob. "Don't grow up hating me, son. I love you so, so much. More than you could ever know." Boruto makes a sound and pats my cheek.

"Daddy, cry?" He asks. He offers me the toad plushy I managed to make him out of my old orange jacket. "Sorry, baby boy. Your daddy is being silly."

Boruto wipes my cheek again and smiles, "daddy funny!" He laughs.

I smile, before continuing on with the recording. "When you turn sixteen, you'll be able to open a seal placed under your armpit- I know you're looking at me weird right now, young man. It's there because the armpit is one of the most guarded places on your body- and hard to get blood on since its always protected by your arm."

After storing the memories in a crystal I found, I turned it into a necklace and- guess what- placed a seal on it so no one except him could take it off AND it can't get lost if it IS taken off somehow.

I walk to Commander Strauss and hand him Boruto. "Daddy?" He asks softly.

I ruffle his hair as I put the Crystal necklace on him, "Daddy has to go away for a while, okay? Make sure you keep that necklace on you everyday- never take it off, do you hear?"

"Okay, daddy! I will!" Boruto beams.

"That's my boy." I whisper with tears coming out my my eyes. I lean down and kiss his head before putting him to sleep with my chakra.

I step away with physical hesitation and effort, "everything is prepared, please evacuate immediately."

Saron nods solemnly before dashing away in a cloud of dust.

I smirk before going tailed-beast mode, "ready for our last battle together, Kurama?"

A rumble sounds within my mind, "way ahead of you, kit. Let's enjoy this."

_