NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30: ch 26
Chapter 26: A Trust Beyond Time
Shinsui's POV
Deep within Uzushiogakure, in the heart of the sacred temple, I stood before my greatest creation—the Lock of Absolutism. The candlelit chamber, lined with walls covered in ancient Uzumaki scripts, felt heavier than usual, as if the very foundation of our history was bearing witness to this moment.
The Lock of Absolutism lay before me, inscribed upon a thick, reinforced scroll infused with countless layers of sealing formulas. The final result of years of research, testing, and refinement. This was not a simple seal—it was the pinnacle of Uzumaki fūinjutsu, an absolute binding that could trap anything into anything. A technique so powerful it defied common sense.
Yet, for all its strength, it had a singular weakness.
"What is sealed must be contained."
No matter how unbreakable the seal was, if the vessel itself was not strong enough, it would be useless. A container too weak would shatter, and what lay within would be unleashed once more. The Lock of Absolutism was only as powerful as the prison it created.
I exhaled slowly. This wasn't something I could keep. Not forever.
A soft but firm voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"You called for me, brother?"
I turned to see Mito enter the chamber. The warm candlelight flickered against her crimson hair, her presence commanding yet composed. Despite her youth, she carried herself with the grace and strength of a leader.
"Mito," I said, gesturing toward the scroll. "This is it. The culmination of everything I've worked for."
She stepped closer, eyes narrowing as she studied the seal-covered parchment. "So this is the technique you've been perfecting." Her fingers traced the intricate ink markings, recognizing some of the most advanced fūinjutsu formulas woven into its structure. "This is beyond anything I've seen before, Shinsui. What exactly does it do?"
I folded my arms. "It is a seal that can bind anything—no matter how powerful—into a chosen vessel. A one-time use, but absolute. However, the vessel must be capable of withstanding what is sealed inside."
Her gaze sharpened. "And why are you giving this to me?"
I let out a slow breath. "Because I trust you, Mito. I need someone to safeguard it—someone who understands the responsibility it carries. If I hold onto it, there will always be the temptation to use it carelessly. This isn't just a weapon. It's a last resort."
She studied me for a long moment before nodding. "You've already thought this through."
"Of course," I said. "Peace is fragile. Konoha and Uzushiogakure may stand strong now, but wars don't truly end. They pause. And when the next storm comes, this seal may be the difference between survival and annihilation."
Mito took the scroll into her hands, her expression unreadable as she ran her fingers over the sealing formulas. "You know what you're asking of me, don't you?"
"I do," I said. "I'm asking you to bear this responsibility. To hold onto something that should never be used unless there is no other choice."
She looked down at the scroll, then back at me. "And if that time comes?"
"Then you'll know what to do."
Silence stretched between us. The weight of the moment pressed down, as if the very air recognized the gravity of this decision. Then, Mito nodded, tucking the scroll carefully into her sleeve.
"I'll keep it safe," she said, her voice steady. "No matter what."
Relief flooded me, but I didn't let it show. I had made my choice. The Lock of Absolutism was no longer mine. It belonged to the future.
And Mito Uzumaki would be its guardian.
To Be Continued…