NARUTO: The Saga of Crimson Monarch

Meiji's breath was ragged as he ran, Every step forward felt like a thousand battles fought as swords clashed and screams filled the air. But his resolve was unshaken. He had to reach Ken—to end this madness.

"Meiji-sama! Behind you!"

The warning came just in time. Meiji turned to see Zeno's blade hurtling toward him, the deadly arc aimed to cut him in half. He barely had time to raise his sword before—

Clang!

The strike was intercepted.

Yuusei stood between Meiji and Zeno, his blade locking against the younger man's.

"Go, my lord!" Yuusei said firmly, his gaze never leaving Zeno. "This is where I stand. Your path lies ahead."

Meiji hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Yuusei, I—"

"No arguments!" Yuusei barked, his tone brooking no debate. "Go! I'll handle this!"

With a reluctant nod, Meiji turned and resumed his charge.

As Meiji disappeared into the fray, Yuusei and Zeno stared each other down.

"How are you, my disciple?" Yuusei asked, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Zeno's face contorted with guilt, his grip tightening on his sword. "I'm sorry, sensei... I pledged my loyalty to Ken. I can't betray him now, even for you."

Yuusei's smirk widened, though his eyes glinted with sadness. "A pledge, huh? Loyalty is admirable, Zeno. But let's see if it's enough to stop me."

Zeno gritted his teeth, his guilt transforming into determination. "I'll do what I must!"

The two samurai's clashed, their blades ringing out in sharp, brutal arcs. Zeno fought with desperation, while Yuusei moved with the grace and precision of a seasoned master.

"You've grown stronger," Yuusei remarked, sidestepping an aggressive swing. "But strength without clarity will only drag you down."

"I don't need clarity!" Zeno shouted, lunging forward. "I need to stop you!"

Meanwhile, Meiji pushed forward, his companions sacrificing themselves to clear his path.

"Protect our lord!" one of them yelled. "Block their attacks, even if it costs us our lives!"

Meiji's heart clenched as he watched his comrades fall, one by one. His vision blurred with unshed tears, his resolve hardening.

"I won't fail you," he muttered, gripping his katana tighter. "I swear it."

.....

Meiji shouted, "Ken!" His voice cut through the chaos.

Ken turned sharply, his eyes burning with rage. "Meiji!"

Their swords met in a violent clash, sparks flying as metal ground against metal. The force of their blows sent shockwaves through the air, drawing the attention of nearby warriors who paused their fighting to watch the dramatic encounter.

"Why are you doing this, Ken?!" Meiji shouted, deflecting a brutal strike.

Ken's face twisted with rage. "You took everything from me!" he bellowed. "My dream, my goal, our father! You destroyed it all!"

"I didn't!" Meiji protested, his voice cracking. "I never wanted to take anything from you!"

"LIAR!" Ken roared, swinging his blade.

The battle between them was merciless. Ken fought like a savage and unrelenting. Meiji, on the other hand, was defensive, trying desperately to reach his brother's heart even as his body was battered and bruised.

Ken "You've always been a burden, Meiji. Weak and useless! That's all you've ever been!"

Meiji's heart clenched at the words,"Maybe you're right," he admitted, "Maybe I am weak. But I can't let you keep doing this! I have to stop you, even if it costs me everything!"

Ken's blade found its mark, slashing across Meiji's chest. His younger brother stumbled, his vision dimming as pain wracked his body.

Ken sneered. "Pathetic."

Despite the injury, Meiji refused to fall. He raised his sword, " I must stop you ken, because you're my elder brother! " he said through gritted teeth, "And I love you too much to let you destroy yourself like this!"

Ken's laughter faltered, "Love?" he spat. "Don't talk to me about love, Meiji. If you loved me, you wouldn't have taken everything from me!"

The two clashed again, their swords barely holding under the force of their strikes. Meiji, despite his injuries, pushed forward with everything he had.

In one final, desperate move, Meiji surged toward Ken, his blade aimed for his brother's heart. But Ken caught the blade with his bare hand, blood dripping from his clenched fist.

"You'll never win," Ken growled, his other hand striking Meiji's stomach with a brutal punch that sent him sprawling.

Ken grabbed Meiji by the collar, lifting him off the ground, Meiji's body hung limply, battered and broken, his strength nearly gone.

"That's enough, Ken!" Meiji his voice shaking. "Stop this madness! You've already won!"

Ken's eyes narrowed. "Won? You think this is about winning? This is war, Meiji. There's no mercy in war, Your ideals, your people, your foolish resistance—all ends here! I'll crush you and everything you stand for!"

Meiji's blood trickled down his face, "Ken," he gasped tears streaked his face. "This war... its all about us. the innocent people caught in the crossfire. Please, Ken... let them live! Let them return to their families!"

Ken's expression twisted into a cruel grin. "No!. After I kill you, I'll hunt them down and slaughter them all. I'll burn their homes and salt their lands. I'll make them regret standing against me!"

The villagers around them froze, their weapons clutched tightly, unable to look away from the scene unfolding before them, shouted in desperation, "My lord! Stand strong! We're with you!"

Kiko screamed, "Aniki!" her voice choked with tears, her sobs echoing through the air.

Exhausted, Souta saw his lord falter and shouted with all his strength, "My lord! You must not back down! I am still here, guarding your back!" he cried, tears streaming down his face. "Even if I die, I will not let you give up! Please, my lord—don't!"

Yuusei yelled, "Meiji-sama! Fight with everything!"

Meiji turned his head, watching his samurai and villagers give their lives to clear his path, their bodies shielding him from the enemy. His heart twisted in pain. He fought back a sob. Meeting Ken's gaze, his voice trembled with regret, "I'm sorry, everyone. I've failed you all," before closing his eyes, bracing for the end.

Ken raised his katana. "Goodbye, my little brother," he whispered, then drove the blade forward.

And suddenly.