A/N - Thank you, Ty Tuttle, Fuyge, Alexander White and Ta-Seti for supporting Azure Awakening!

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“The Takime Clan comes from a different continent,” Suiren began with a steady voice. “I don’t know exactly when or why our ancestors left, but they settled in the Land of Water and slowly gained influence.

“At the time, great villages were being established one after another. The strongest clans in the Land of Water came together and created Kirigakure. Our clan was one of the seven ruling clans… but individually, we were the weakest. The Takime Clan was always the smallest, our chakra reserves were lacking and we had no ties nor strong allies, but we had our Clan Head…”

She paused, studying Kaoru’s face, waiting for any questions.

Kaoru already knew most of what she had said, but some things were new.

“There was nothing about other continents in the library…” Kaoru muttered. Whenever Kaoru had chakra to spare he’d send shadow clones into the library to absorb as much knowledge as possible, so at this point, he had already read countless books.

Suiren nodded. “Information about other continents is rare. It’s difficult to even reach them.”

She pointed at Kaoru’s eyes as a small smile formed on her wrinkled face.

“The reason our clan managed to travel across the vast ocean between continents is simple, we had a Suijingan.”

Kaoru blinked, he remembered his voyage to sunny islands and involuntarily shivered.

“That’s also why we were considered one of the strongest clans,” she continued. “There wasn’t a single shinobi in the Land of Water who could defeat our clan head. Our position was untouchable back then.”

Her expression darkened slightly.

“Until his death.”

She exhaled and her gaze became distant as if she was recalling something.

“When he died, our clan’s position became fragile. No one after him could awaken Suijingan.

“That period lasted for generations until I finally inherited our clan’s dojutsu.”

Kaoru noticed the shift in her tone.

“But even then… my Suijingan was nowhere close to his.”

For the first time, her regret showed clearly.

Kaoru felt sorry for Suiren.

‘She probably blames herself for what happened to our clan… but in reality, she saved us.’

If even Suiren had failed to awaken Suijingan, the Takime would have ceased to exist.

A sudden wave of gratitude washed over him.

Not just because she had saved their clan or protected them for all these years, but because she was his grandma. And she had always been the best.

Even if Suiren’s decision to not force Kaoru to train was a mistake, she had Kaoru’s best interest in mind. And for that, Kaoru was infinitely grateful.

“Grandma,” Kaoru said suddenly, looking up. “You say your Suijingan wasn’t strong, but you still became our leader. You still protected us.”

Suiren sighed, but there was warmth in her expression.

“I did what I could.”

Kaoru hesitated, then added, “Then what about me? My Suijingan… is it the same as yours?”

Suiren shook her head.

“No, Kaoru,” she said softly. “Yours is different.”

Kaoru blinked.

“What do you mean?”

Suiren’s gaze met his, there was a hint of pride in her eyes.

“Your eyes are fully awakened.”

Kaoru felt his breath catch.

That wasn’t just something she thought. That was something she knew.

Suiren placed a hand on his shoulder.

“And before I explain what that truly means…”

Her expression darkened slightly.

“I will tell you why my son, your father, was killed.”

“Unlike you, Kaoru, I cannot see water or manipulate it the way you do,” Suiren began. “But I can extract it from anything.”

She reached for an apple that had been sitting idly on the table. With a subtle pull of chakra, the fruit shriveled instantly, squeezed dry until nothing remained but a husk.

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“This is how my Suijingan manifested,” she continued. “I inherited only this ability.”

Kaoru watched closely.

“Your father could do the same,” Suiren went on. “But unlike me, he had high-level chakra reserves.”

She paused, her gaze became unfocused as she recalled precious memories. Then she continued,

“Our clan’s low chakra reserves had been slowly improving over generations… but at the cost of losing our connection to water.” She glanced at him. “Maki is the perfect example. Water isn’t even her primary element, it’s Lightning.”

Maki was the only Takime whose main element wasn’t Water, but that hadn’t hindered her progress.

If anything, it had made her stronger.

“That trend was broken when you were born, Kaoru.”

Suiren’s voice softened.

“Your mother died at childbirth.”

Kaoru stiffened.

“You were born with your Suijingan already active,” she said gently. “We were worried you wouldn’t be able to handle the backlash, but… you did.”

Kaoru barely heard her last words.

His thoughts latched onto one thing.

‘Did I kill my mother?’

The words left his lips in a whisper. His breath felt shallow.

‘Was I born a monster? Did I kill her the moment I entered this world?’

Suiren’s heart ached at the look in his eyes.

“This wasn’t your fault, Kaoru.”

Her voice was steady, but she struggled to find the right words.

“Your mother wasn’t a shinobi. She was an ordinary woman. When your Suijingan awakened, her body… couldn’t handle it.”

She exhaled, trying to ease the weight of the truth.

“That is not your fault.”

Kaoru clenched his fists.

He didn’t remember his mother. She was just a name, a story he had never truly known. And yet, the truth hit him, it hit him harder than he expected.

His voice came out cold.

“What about my father? How did he die?”

Suiren’s expression changed.

She had known this moment would come.

And she would rather be the one to tell him than leave it to Maki. Kaoru had the right to know how his mother died.

“Your father,” she began, her voice laced with pride, “had high chakra reserves and the ability to extract water from living beings.”

Kaoru listened in silence.

“And… he was acknowledged by Samehada.”

“He was perfectly balanced as a shinobi, even before awakening Suijingan. But once he did… he became so strong that even the Mizukage felt threatened.”

Her fingers curled slightly.

“When Fuguki Suikazan presented ‘evidence’ that the Takime Clan was plotting against Kiri, the Mizukage didn’t hesitate. He immediately ordered our elimination.”

Kaoru’s jaw tightened.

“The evidence was forged,” Suiren continued bitterly. “But Mizukage didn’t care. It almost seemed like he was… happy to have a reason.”

Her voice wavered slightly, but she kept going.

“They sent the Mizukage himself, several of the Seven Swordsmen, and Hunter-nin to wipe us out.

“Your father… and many shinobi from our clan… fought to the death to secure our escape.”

Suiren’s eyes became watery as the memories surfaced, the worst day of her life.

“We had to run from Kiri,” Suiren continued. “Until we found this valley, where I finally had access to enough water to overcome my innate weakness.”

Kaoru was confused, he failed to connect the dots.

‘If Grandma can’t manipulate water, how does this valley help her?’

The thought nagged at him, but Suiren clearly had no intention of explaining.

“Even after we came here, we still had to hide. We were too weak.”

Kaoru stayed silent, listening.

“Things started to improve when Yagura became Mizukage. For a while, we even considered returning. But the snake who forged the evidence against your father had become one of the Seven Swordsmen and not just any swordsman. He wielded Samehada.”

Her fingers curled slightly at the mention of Fuguki Suikazan.

“We couldn’t trust Kiri anymore. So we stayed and decided to focus on survival, forgetting our ties with Kirigakure.”

Kaoru could hear the weight of regret in her voice. He could tell, she was realizing just how many mistakes the Takime Clan had made.

But there was no going back.

Suiren’s expression softened slightly as she looked at him.

“Kaoru, even though neither of your parents were able to raise you… they both left something behind for you.”

Kaoru straightened.

“Your mother gave you your name. It was her last words before she died.”

His chest tightened slightly, but he didn’t know how to feel. He had never known her. It was just a fact, not a memory.

Suiren continued, her voice carrying a different weight now.

“And your father left you a scroll. I’m going to give it to you… but on one condition.”

She held up a hand and studied Kaoru’s gaze.

“Do not open it until you turn fifteen.”

Kaoru could tell, this wasn’t just some lesson or training manual. The scroll held something important. Maybe even dangerous.

Suiren’s words were filled with love and concern.

“Can you promise me that, Kaoru?”

He was grateful to his parents. But there was no emotional connection strong enough to make him want to risk his life for them. Not like he would for Maki, for Suiren, for his friends.

Before he could answer, a cold realization crept over him.

‘This… feels like a goodbye conversation.’

His stomach twisted. He had been feeling uneasy for a while now, but only now did he understand why.

Kaoru clenched his fists.

“Grandma, I’ll promise, but only if you promise me something.”

Suiren blinked.

“You have to promise that you’ll win against the Mizukage. And that you’ll survive this battle.”

He stared straight into her eyes, searching for even the smallest hint of deceit.

Suiren held his gaze for a moment.

Then, she smiled and said, “I promise, Kaoru.”

But he knew.

She was lying.

His chest felt tight, but he didn’t call her out on it. Suiren reached out and placed a hand on his cheek.

“And one more thing,” she said gently. “No matter what happens in this war - prioritize your safety. You are the hope of our clan, Kaoru.”

She leaned in, kissing his forehead before wrapping him in a tight embrace.

For the first time in his life, Kaoru felt uncomfortable hugging her.

It felt like she was holding onto him one last time, like she was trying to take in the last happy moment before walking into something she knew she wouldn’t return from.

A lump formed in his throat.

Desperate to push away the heaviness in the air, he asked, “Grandma… what about the continent our clan came from? Do you know anything about it?”

Suiren chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m not that old, Kaoru. I wasn’t around when they left.”

Her tone was light, but Kaoru wasn’t convinced.

‘How does the clan head not know anything about where we come from? It hasn’t even been that long.’

But he didn’t press her.

Suiren sighed, then handed him the sealed scroll.

“Go now. Prepare.”

Kaoru took it, holding it tightly.

“And keep this scroll a secret.”

He nodded, but said nothing.

There were so many things he wanted to say. That he loved her. That he was glad she was his grandmother. But saying those words out loud felt like admitting that this was their last conversation.

Instead, he simply turned and left, holding the scroll close to his chest.

As he stepped out of the tent, his heart felt heavy.

Suiren watched him go, her gaze soft and warm.

‘Live a happy and full life, child.’

Her expression slowly hardened. The warmth in her eyes faded, replaced by something colder.

Determination.

Fury.

‘I won’t let you take anything else from me, Kiri.’ Throughout her whole life, Suiren had to watch how Kiri destroyed people who were the most precious to her, but no more! She was not going to let the history repeat!