Within the Land of Fire, on the wide main road leading to Konoha.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire's convoy was slowly advancing.
Inside the carriage.
Arashi leaned against the soft couch, eyes closed, resting.
His trip to the Land of Hot Springs had been quite fruitful.
The plan had also been successfully implemented.
Now, it was just a matter of waiting.
Just then.
The long-unheard-of prompt from the Strongest Legacy System suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Detection of significant progress in Host's Bloodline Legacy.]
[Side Mission: Eternal Foundation—Expand the Lineage, Strengthen the Fire's Future.]
Arashi's eyes snapped open.
With a thought, a light blue interface unfolded before his eyes.
Two pieces of information refreshed almost simultaneously, filling the entire screen.
[Hint: Terumī Mei of Kirigakure has been confirmed to be carrying the Host's Bloodline.]
[Bloodline Rating: Excellent (An outstanding descendant who has fused the Host's and the Land of Water's top Bloodline Limits. High probability of inheriting Boil Release or Lava Release, with a certain probability of awakening a new Water-natured Bloodline Limit.)]
[Hint: Uchiha Ragyō of Konoha has been confirmed to be carrying the Host's Bloodline.]
[Bloodline Rating: Exceptional (Perfect fusion of the Host's Six Paths Power with the Uchiha Clan's Sage Eyes. This child will possess extraordinary Dōjutsu talent and immense potential, far surpassing their clansmen.)]
Arashi was stunned for a moment.
A strange emotion surged in his chest, a mixture of surprise, joy, and an indescribable anticipation.
The smile on his face wasn't his usual playful smirk, but a rare, heartfelt expression of genuine happiness.
"Father?"
That word, once distant in his past life and nearly forgotten in this one, appeared in his mind so vividly for the first time.
They were his children.
They were the closest continuation of his Bloodline in this world.
Images of Ragyō's shy yet joyful smile, and Mei's complex gaze filled with both reluctance and resignation, flashed through his mind.
Two completely different women, who would one day give birth to his children.
The feeling was wonderful. Intoxicating.
The Strongest Legacy System's reward notification soon followed, adding fuel to his joy.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to Host for successfully continuing two excellent Bloodlines. Mission rewards are being settled...]
Before the notification could finish, a warm current surged through Arashi's entire body, washing over his limbs and bones.
"Ugh...!"
He let out a muffled groan.
It felt as though every cell in his body was cheering, his life force expanding explosively. His entire being felt incomparably clear and invigorated.
[Reward One: Lifespan extended by 200 years.]
[Reward Two: Comprehensive enhancement of physique. Host's physical strength, cellular vitality, and Chakra recovery speed increased by 50%.]
Feeling the immense power coursing through him, Arashi's gaze shifted to the next line of rewards, his breath catching slightly.
[Reward Three: Successfully unlocked the template [Royal Education: Dōjutsu Specialization].]
[Template Description: This template can be directly imprinted into the child's soul, allowing them to automatically comprehend and master all techniques related to Dōjutsu development and usage, similar to Bloodline memory inheritance.]
[All side effects will be perfectly bypassed, allowing the child to fully develop their Dōjutsu potential at the fastest rate.]
[Reward Four: Successfully unlocked the template [Royal Education: Bloodline Specialization].]
[Template Description: This template will systematically analyze the child's Bloodline potential and guide its development in the most optimal way.]
[The child will, during growth, naturally master Boil Release and Lava Release compound Chakra nature transformations, and the probability of awakening a brand new Bloodline Limit will be greatly increased.]
Compared to the physical enhancements, the two Royal Education templates were even more shocking.
The education of one's descendants had always been a matter of great importance.
And now, with these templates, he no longer needed to worry about his children's strength.
"Hahahaha..."
Arashi could no longer suppress his laughter. A low chuckle echoed within the carriage, filled with a father's pride.
Winning at the starting line?
No.
His children's starting point was other people's finish line.
This was the ultimate expression of fatherly love Arashi could give—removing all struggles, clearing all obstacles.
Strengthen the Fire's Future. Truly a Divine-rank mission.
He slowly sat up straight and lifted the carriage curtain.
Outside, the fertile lands of the Land of Fire stretched endlessly. Farmers worked diligently in the fields, and wisps of smoke rose in the distance.
A scene of peace and stability.
This was his empire. And it would one day be his children's empire.
The warmth in his heart deepened.
Mei was pregnant. That woman, who had once offered him everything in despair, now carried his flesh and blood.
Indeed, throwing out the news of the Kirigakure Resistance Army back then had been the right move.
It was better for his women to focus on bearing his children.
Withdrawing his gaze, Arashi spoke toward the outside of the carriage.
"Speed up."
"Yes, Daimyo-sama!"
The coachman's voice was firm.
The convoy instantly picked up speed, racing toward Konoha.
Arashi leaned back again, eager to meet the Uchiha woman who was carrying his child.
As for Mei, it seemed he needed to quicken the pace.
Once she gave birth, he would gift her a new Kirigakure, one free of the Blood Mist, fully her own...
Meanwhile.
On the seas of the Land of Water, waves surged.
A figure dashed across the rolling waters, feet skimming the surface, splashing waves behind.
He was a Kirigakure messenger. A Shinobi without even a name.
At this moment, his lungs felt like they were burning. Each breath was accompanied by sharp pain.
His Chakra was nearly depleted. He was now relying solely on sheer willpower, desperately squeezing out the last of his life force.
He couldn't stop. Absolutely couldn't stop!
Images flashed constantly in his mind.
His father, his clanmates, companions who had lost everything during the Blood Mist reign. All of them now huddled on an isolated island, placing all their hopes on the future.
They were the last embers of the Kirigakure Resistance Army. The final hope against tyranny.
And he, was the wind. The one who would buy time for those embers.
"Faster... even faster!"
He roared internally, forcefully pushing his body to move faster, drawing out every last bit of strength.
But behind him on the distant horizon, the silhouette of a massive fleet was already visible, cutting through the waves.
A thousand Kirigakure pursuit troops were closing in.
At the head was none other than Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage.
A force terrifying enough to wipe a small country off the map.
Despair was creeping in.
Half an hour.
In half an hour, they would reach Reef Island.
He, who had set out earlier and ran at full speed for two hours, was already at his absolute limit.
The sea chart unfolded in his mind. Reef Island was not far.
But that final stretch of distance felt like an insurmountable chasm.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)