Zero: Part Two
…A dream? Perhaps not. Naruto's eyes slowly open, welcoming the light brought out by the new day. Despite his many reservations about returning to the capital, yesterday had been lauds of fun for him. He had much enjoyment in the previous day that he'd never had before in his whole 19 years of living. The thought that it may be a dream first popped up when the memories replayed inside the dream theater in his mind.
Turning to his left on the bed, Naruto smiled. It wasn't a dream. The laughter's he'd shared with Miya were real. If he was stingy with money, he would've been complaining all day yesterday and frowning at this moment, but he wasn't. Miya had torn deep holes in his pockets just so she could make him happy, and he truly had enjoyed his time with her yesterday.
Smiling once more, Naruto moved closer to Miya and brought his right hand about her, he just felt like holding her. She'd shared the same bed with him many times before, but they were always wearing their clothes. The woman was very stingy when it came to putting out. He may have slept in the same bed with her many times, but the woman never gave anything other than a kiss.
There was always an electrical cage between her legs, and it always shocked him each time he attempted to take his hands down there.
Miya smiled when she felt Naruto's hand pull her closer to him. The warmth of his body was refreshing and filled her body with calmness; it acted like a muscle relaxer. She always preferred this warm side of him other than the warrior in him. In this way, he was much more loving, kind and a good person.
She knew though that going to the palace later on would shift his mood, that is why she'd made sure he had much fun yesterday. If something bad happens, he could always look back on their wonderful day of bliss.
For his happiness, Miya was willing to do anything for him. She knew that there were dangers within the capital. She knew Naruto would worry about her since Akane was killed within this place. But she'd come back here because she knew that if she wasn't here, things wouldn't be well for everyone. She could at least manage him and insure that he deals with his stress in a proper manner.
Because of the dangers that knew would eventually arise once Naruto settles, she was going to use every moment she could to make happy memories with him, memories that would be imprinted within his heart. He didn't have those many happy memories since he's been involved with the military his whole life. At least she could the happiness in his life.
''I wish we could stay like this forever,'' Naruto murmured softly as he pulled Miya even closer to him - he didn't want to let her go. He knew that she was already awake.
''It is a wish, but at this day, place and situation, it remain as such,'' Miya responded calmly. She wasn't trying to crush his happy mood. No, she knew he wouldn't be downed by that. Naruto was a big boy after all.
''I know,'' he said. ''I've to say I had much fun yesterday. I just hope that vermin doesn't suck it all away in one glance...''
Today he would see the man he planned to kill one day. That thing would eventually die before him, and he would make sure that its death was painful. It he had to be a sadist to insure that thing suffers before it dies, he would become one. Plans were already in motion, the things he's seen in capital disgusted him. The people he'd vowed to protect were suffering because of that piece of meat.
He'd sworn to protect them, and so he would. Time and right conditions only mattered at this time.
For now, he would continue to hold on until he could find the right allies. But holding on would mean that thing would be sucking out his happiness each time its eyes fall on him. If Miya wasn't going to be there with him, he surely was going to be empty inside because that thing would take everything and there would be no one to refill the wells of happiness inside of him.
''Don't worry, I won't leave you. I am your ''heart'' after all,'' to emphasize this, Miya brought out her hand from the sheets and placed it on top of Naruto's. She wouldn't leave him, no matter what. Even if he decided to run rampant within the capital, she would stand by him.
The only thing that would separate her from him was death and death only.
''I wouldn't allow you to leave me even if you wanted,'' Naruto said smiling. ''Can you believe this, this is the first time I've cuddled with a woman I've slept with,'' he said quietly.
''Why is that? Najenda doesn't seem to be kind to leave while you're still sleeping. It would fit Esdeath perfectly,'' Miya said.
''I haven't slept with either of those women.'' Naruto responded calmly. He could understand why she wouldn't know about that. She wasn't very well in friendly means with Esdeath, and he always kept her away from the Ice Queen each time he went to join her company. Najenda was another story, but by all means they could look like they'd hit it off. It wasn't the case though.
''What? Really?'' Miya was surprised, definitely. ''But after Esdeath joined the army, you were always with her. I mean, that woman cooked for you and you often shared the same tent, especially when you were given orders that concerned both of you.'' The black haired woman stated.
''I may have slept in the same bed with Esdeath back then, but at that time, I wasn't interested in women, neither was Esdeath interested in men. We didn't even have thoughts of experimenting. But if we had those thoughts, we would've.'' It was unbelievable, but it was the truth. Perhaps it was because he was focused on purging the enemies of the Empire and Esdeath was focused on her sadism. He didn't really have a heart back then.
''What about when you became interested in women? I think that is about the time Akane was teaching you how to live as a person other than a soldier...''
''Nothing happened. No kisses, I've not even touched her breasts because she allowed me. She won't let me get that close to her, and since then I made advances, she's never slept in the same room with me.'' Naruto responded. Esdeath was stingy and he disliked her for never allowing him to defile her ''pure'' body.
Miya nodded, ''Well, I shouldn't be surprised, knowing the woman.''' She said. ''So tell me, if you were offered the chance, would you sleep with her?''
''Yes,'' Naruto responded without a second thought, ''or not. I'm not much of a pervert as I act. It would be a lie if I said I've never thought of doing her.''
His response earned him an elbow on his gut from Miya. ''You say no, when a woman you are sleeping with asks you something like that,'' she said sternly. ''What of Najenda then? Don't deny it, I've seen you two kissing, passionately might I add.''
''I won't deny it. But that is all there is to it.'' Naruto said quietly. ''Najenda is a pleasant person, but I never put much effort into sleeping with her and she didn't seem much into sleeping with me. I just fool around with her to ease my mind, and her smile is rather sweet.''
Well, there was one time he woke up next to her, naked, after a drunk night. But Najenda had said nothing happened and he believed. He still didn't have memories of that night. Perhaps it was why Miya and Esdeath always limited his drinking.
''What about mine?''
''Yours is the best, it's unique and there is no one who can replace you or replicate your smile.'' A soft tone was used when he responded. ''And besides, you are my 'heart', when you smile, I smile, when you cry, I cry. To be honest, if I ever see another man touching you, heads would drop down and new puddles of blood would be formed.''
Somehow, Miya didn't doubt that he was being honest. ''I will do the same if I see you touching another woman. As long as I am alive and sleeping with you, you are not permitted to sleep with anyone. If you do, I will cut it, is that understood?''
The woman grabbed exactly she meant to cut rather firmly showing her intent. Naruto was quick to nod. ''Yes, Ma'am!''
''Good,'' Miya said smiling. ''We should prepare ourselves and head to the Palace to deal with everything quickly. If we talk to the Prime Minister soon, we can get away from his face and retreat to your quarters.''
Naruto sighed, ''I guess it can't be helped,'' he said, but still made no attempt to get out of bed, neither did Miya.
Later that day
Naruto's quarters
Najenda looked at Naruto carefully as he ate his meal. The man looked rather calm while inside his quarters, but of course once he steps outside everything changes. It was just like a flip of a page. This next page you are reading something good, and then you get something. His quarters were quite different from the other places she'd seen already, and all the walls were painted pure white.
The woman thought it was done on purpose just so he could see any stain, he had said that the rest of the palace was tainted by evil and only his quarters weren't since he'd bathed them with Amaterasu's flames.
On the other aside of the small dinner table, was his 'caretaker', Miya. The woman was glowing more than ever. She could only guess something good had happened with Naruto. The only man in her life was Naruto; almost everything she did was for Naruto. What Najenda did know was that she truly cared for his wellbeing more than anyone.
Remarkably, even though she could call herself a friend of Naruto, his caretaker was almost like a stranger to her. She'd never had any lasting conversations with her. She also noticed that it was the same with Esdeath; Miya wasn't familiar with the General. Could it be that she loved Naruto? It was a possibility, when she started to befriend him, the woman was already at his shadow. Najenda was also positive that there was no one else Naruto valued more than Miya.
''What really brought you here, Najenda? I thought you'd be with Liver finishing Esdeath's work in the Western regions since she is now being moved to the Northern regions,'' Naruto started, not even sparring the woman a glance.
It was a question that even Miya was asking. According to the report she read, the woman was supposed to be leading her army towards battle. She was here at the Capital last week, with other Generals, so what could have brought her back?
''There has been a change of orders,'' Najenda started calmly. ''There rebels in some of the villages in the Southern Regions have grown louder and normal soldiers aren't doing enough. I heard they'd sent a Colonel, there, but he was defeated. Naturally, the big guns were sent there.''
Naruto nodded. ''So instead of going to the Northern regions, Esdeath will be going to the South. However, moving to the south for Esdeath will be a risk since she has to move a large army. I'd imagine she will only take a few a leave the rest in the western. That means that Liver won't need you anymore, leaving you free.''
Najenda nodded, appreciating Naruto's ability to analyze things and come to a conclusion. He wasn't just a powerful general, he was had the mind to back his power up. His mind only let him down when he was facing Honest.
''That still doesn't explain everything though. I'm sure you must've had a reason to come here other than that you have some free time,'' Naruto added, this time his eyes locked with the woman's.
''I needed to talk to you, in private.''
Naruto cocked his head a little before smiling. ''The conversation you had with me last week and something I caught you saying to someone, something that could be define as treachery; your thought about a certain vermin and the fact that you are good person leads me to one conclusion; rebellion, no, a revolution is more precise.'' Judging by Najenda's expression, the blond guessed he was spot on. ''I have nothing to say to you, not yet at least.''
Najenda showed surprise. ''Considering that you hate the Prime Minister more than anything, I thought you'd have much to say to me.'' Miya thought the same too. Naruto had told her after all, he told her he would kill Honest and his allies if it meant protecting the people of the Empire from the sufferings Honest was bringing to them.
''I have nothing to say, not yet at least,''' Naruto repeated. ''Meaning, in due time we will talk. I'm still working through possible scenarios of this matter. Contact me about this matter when I return to the battlefield and we will...'' the blond didn't finish speaking; he just trailed off and froze, his body trembling slightly.
Miya was quick to act, ''Are you okay, Naruto?''
The question was answered when Miya heard the voice of the Prime Minister within the quarters, no, so close. He finally reached them. Miya knew it was just blasphemy for this man to enter into this place.
''Ah, it looks like I came at the right time,'' Honest said taking an empty chair around the dinner table. The Prime smiled a bit gleefully when he saw the food put on the table. ''General Najenda, I wasn't expecting you to be back in the capital.''
Of course he already knew that she back, he had his eyes almost everywhere. Still, he couldn't help but feel suspicious about this. Though he knew that Naruto and Najenda got along, he was certain that the woman didn't like him one bits and wasn't the one to be bribed. This of course posed problems with to him. Najenda wasn't much of a problem as Naruto was. The blond had close ties with the previous Emperor and with Budo's family; everyone in the political circle new of this.
If the blond was to rebel, then he could take many with him. Not to mention his army, this was one of the best if not the best group within the Imperial Military Force.
''I just returned today since I had some free time,'' Najenda responded while both Naruto and Miya remained quiet.
Honest didn't bother to respond. He pulled a plate towards him, despite the atmosphere becoming deathly tense because of this little action, the man dug in before speaking to Naruto. ''I apologize for not being able to see you earlier today, General. I had some important matters to deal with...''
Naruto's face twisted into pure disgust when Honest started chewing his food, the food Miya had cooked. Vermin on the side of his table and inside his quarters! Unacceptable, he couldn't accept that. He felt violated that with this filthy piece of meat and that it was eating his food. Blasphemy! That was just like the angel Michael eating the Holy Communion with Lucifer!
This was real. It was happening; he could feel the air around him catching a dark feeling. It sickened him. This place was tainted and no longer pure. Evil had tainted it. The reality sucked his joy in the blink of an eye. He'd worked in purging this place of all evil and it was his pure place.
Naruto felt like driving his hand straight into his throat and take his guts out. His insides were rebelling against his health and causing havoc. To think that he was eating the same food with trash he'd vowed to purge. Unthinkable! He may as well laugh with it while sharing some red wine. Blasphemy!
Naruto hastily put his right hand on his mouth as insides were rejecting the violated food they'd been offered. He quickly stood up and ran towards the toilet. ''Naruto!'' Miya called out, rushing towards him.
Honest looked at Najenda and spoke like nothing had happened. ''So Najenda, what do you think of Naruto?''
Najenda blinked, thoughts racked her mind without care. She shook her head to give them some dizziness so that they could calm down a bit. Naturally, she responded wisely, ''He is a good General.''
Honest merely smiled at the response before continuing to eat. A few moments later, Naruto returned with Miya walking a little behind him. Honest was first to speak. ''I feel rather wounded you feel so disgusted by eating with me that you'd go and throw up.''
''Get out!'' Naruto said coldly. ''Leave now before I do something, and never return to my quarters again. I will murder you if you do something like this again!'' Naruto was spitting out bullets of black flames when he spoke.
Honest was smart, and he knew now that if he stayed further here, he would only welcome nasty things. ''I'll advise that you don't wonder outside the palace. We don't want you causing unnecessary trouble,'' the prime minister took his plate and walked away. The death threat was worth coming here, he'd gotten what he wanted.
As soon as the vermin stood up from his table, Naruto set it ablaze making Najenda jump away. ''Call the fumigators, Miya.'' He ordered. ''Najenda please stay with her, I'm going to get some air.'' He disappeared after those words left his mouth.
Najenda shook her head. Honest was surely going to use this against Naruto if he wasn't careful.
A week later
Honest frowned as his eyes scanned through the latest report he was given by one of his people. Bringing Naruto back here to the capital was giving him much more trouble than he had anticipated. The blond was cutting through crime, like a grass cutter cutting through grass. It was dangerous to do any form of crime or illegal activity within the capital these days.
Honest had not thought that Naruto would give himself time to wonder around the capital searching for those people he labeled as vermin, but the general was doing it. Anyone would rejoice at his actions since he was making the capital much safer for the people, but it wasn't good business for him, or those in his payroll.
The blond had so far put in prison and executed three of his minions who were head of departments and he'd personally taken care of the selection process for the vacant posts he'd created. The blond wasn't time to clean the Capital.
It was fine though, after he deals with him, Honest could work again to get more people into his pocket. It was a bit frustrating though. Now he couldn't pay anyone because people now feared Naruto more than they used to fear him.
The department that was hit the most was the Imperial Police Force. The commander of the police had been removed by Naruto for incompetence and driven out of the capital. The blond had even said he would kill him if he ever stepped into the capital again. Honest hated it when the Police Force was actually doing their jobs, and those who were loyal to the previous king were actually happy with all that was happening.
Why wouldn't they? Naruto was doing what they wanted.
The good thing about this was that Honest could now see those he could pay and those he couldn't. Once Naruto was dealt with, he would have then removed since they would only be a bother to his plans.
"You wanted to see me…" Syura said walking into the kitchen where his father was busy feeding his gut.
Honest nodded and waited for his son to sit down. "I have a job for you, one that you must not fail."
"What is it?" Syura wouldn't miss the chance to make his father proud by completing anything that his father was requesting of him. He would do anything to see his father smile at him after all.
A month later
Despite the cheap perfume the Prime Minister was spraying all over the Palace, Naruto could at least focus on the image of Miya within his mind and at least keep his bloody thoughts of the vermin at an acceptable level. Removing all the thoughts about that thing was just impossible, especially when he was living inside these walls. Even now, he could feel its breath diluting the air around the palace.
At least he had his quarters sealed so that thing didn't crawl inside his quarters and infect him. He would certainly catch a disease this time if something of that vermin managed to crawl into his quarters, and the only way to cue it would be destroying the Prime Minister with the flames of Purgatory. Naruto could even feel Amaterasu offering him a nod at the thought.
Another thought that cooled his brains from overheating was the fact that he would eventually purge Honest. He couldn't allow that thing to live forever, especially with what he's been seeing around the Capital. It was certainly despicable. At least with his presence inside the Capital, the filthy vermin's did their activities in the dark where he couldn't see them.
Yes, he'd bathed many with the heated flames of purgatory, in public, for acts such as abuse of power and over anything that he deemed evil. He wasn't going to have Imperial Officers abusing the people they were sworn to protect. It was just truly unacceptable. Punishment for an Imperial Officer doing evil to the people they were sworn to protect was agonizing death.
He had no problems in cooking vermin from within until their skin melted from the inside. He'd set a good example of those who committed evil under his gaze. At least with being in the capital, he was able to keep true to his oath and protect the people of the Empire. He would eventually leave for the battle lines again, and Honest would continue to spread more evil.
Perhaps he would've gathered some allies of justice to work with him in maintaining Order once Honest was purged, and by the time he has to leave for the battlefield again.
Going... Naruto sighed as he realized he'd gone off-track again. He was currently walking within the bright passages of the Imperial Palace, walking towards his quarters. He'd left Miya sleeping when he left early while it was still dark for his morning exercises. He never trained within the grounds in the palace, not with that thing watching him.
If he did that, it would be like he was putting on a show for that thing to watch.
He was sure that he would find the woman still sleeping, especially with the fact that they'd slept at around midnight. Naruto felt that he was blessed by the Gods who brought him to this world to have given him such a woman to care for him and ease his mind whenever things went awry.
Miya was a blessing.
As soon as Naruto opened the doors to his quarters, he felt the stench of blood invading his senses, and everything went off. He never quite panicked regardless of the situation. Even if 10 Ultra-class danger beasts stood before him, he'd never panic, but this smell of warm blood flooded his mind with panic he couldn't quite fully grasp.
He didn't think of anything, even if he could feel that the blood was Miya's. She was the only one he allowed entry inside his quarters aside from the staff workers. At this time, they shouldn't be in here, not when he was out. It could only be Miya, but his mind refused to accept such a conclusion. He told himself it wasn't her blood.
Perhaps she'd just fell down and cut herself.
Naruto bust through the door of his large bedroom and froze at the sight of the bloody body that lying on the bed. The white walls now seemed to have become crimson all of the sudden and the air that was supplied the nature seemed to be the breath of a furious danger beast.
Miya was lying on the bed; legs spread wide, no clothes whatsoever, multiple cuts around her body. It seemed that whoever did this enjoyed inflicting great amount of pain to her body. The only reason that could explain why he legs were spread was that she was raped before murdered. The entrance between her legs seemed to have bled a considerable amount of blood. The white sheets that covered the bed were no longer white; they'd been clothed in a crimson liquid of fresh blood.
That was his precious Miya, no, her corpse. That was the woman who'd slept peacefully beside on the very same bed since he returned to the capital. That was the blood of the woman who was everything to him, she mattered to him more than anything, she'd actually held him on her shoulders when he was down. Her smiled had saved him in countless moments.
Miya; his savior, the one who held his sanity between her hands, the one who cared for him so dearly.
Evil had defiled her, it had defiled him. To think that some third leg of a vermin, a scum, trash, demon, despicable thing had entered her body forcefully, violating that body he so cherished. The body he liked, the body he'd cuddled with in depressing moments, the body that gave him warmth when he was cold, the body he'd held like it was his own, had been defiled by filthy demons who were dressing up as humans.
The thought sickened Naruto to no end. Touching her was blasphemy to begin with. Entering his rest place was a sin punishable by a baptismal of black flames of Amaterasu. Forcing the freaking fifthly third wheel between her legs was cursing, spiting at the gods and telling them that they couldn't do anything.
To think that filthy humans touched her and violated that body...it made Naruto feel like he too had been defiled. His skin shrunk and became itchy, so much disgusted with himself that Naruto felt like he needed to be bathed in the holly waters of heavens.
Looking at the corpse, Naruto could only imagine her screams when pain gripped her...when filthy humans dared touch her, when they violated her. He relived those moments; he could see what had happened, in slow motion. It was as if the gods had given the ability to exist when it all happened, the ability to feel the kind of pain she felt when slash after slash cut through her flesh, he could feel the horror she felt when her legs were forcefully spread out.
The image was enough to make his insides reject everything he'd fed it with. He fell on the violated floor and puked out everything that was inside his stomach. His stomach still hurt like the intestines themselves wanted to leave his body.
His knees were trembling so joyfully, he couldn't stand no more. Despite his mobility abandoning him to fend for himself, his gaze still matched towards the bed. He couldn't even touch her now, or he would feel sick more than he felt now.
Time slowed down when everything suddenly stilled down and the reality stood naked before his eyes; Miya was dead, she'd been defiled by vermin he swore to purge!
No tears left his eyes, they were just dry. How could he cry? He'd lost his 'heart', without his heart, he was just a husk of his former self. From his position, everything looked bleak, rage mounted his mind, and noises started to screech inside his head. It felt like the voice of an 850 horsepower engine was singing inside his head. The melody was neither good nor bad.
The blood inside him bubbled with enough heat to cause steam to escape through his ears and nose. Flames of Purgatory roared furiously, coming to live within the room. They stood like a wall before Naruto before a large mouth of a beast opened and they swallowed the bed as well as the corpse, only spitting our black ash.
A ring of fire surrounded him in his kneeling position and Amaterasu danced in joyful fury on his right hand. The heat inside his body was so much intoxicating that since his tear wells were dry, blood escaped through the eyes without even looking back. It was though there was a great fire inside his body and all living organism wanted nothing but to escape so that the cold grip of death didn't touch them.
Naruto's clouded mind started to wipe all the smoke that was blurring its view, and the power grid was turned on. The only thing he could feel was cold underrated fury. He couldn't even feel any part of his body, nor the fact that he was holding Amaterasu. It was as if all senses in him had shut down, or diverted their power to fury.
Naruto stood up like a programed robot, the thick black ring of flames grew with him and he turned his heels. The room began to silently burn as he made his way out of the quarters.
A predetermined destiny was set; his nose had picked up a scent from hell, he would follow it until he found it. Yes, the target was the demon spawn, Syura.
Naruto's body weighed tons; the evidence of this was left behind because each footstep he took left a stamp on the floor. This was a clear sign on that even the gods were not the slightest happy. As he walked, it was though he was on auto-pilot, no thought dared to fill the blank space within his head.
Each filthy meat he came across while matching towards the pit of the vermin merely tucked its tail between its legs and ran away. Some were calling for General Budo or Esdeath-sama to help them. Some meat that weren't lucky when burned to ash because aside from the ring that surrounded Naruto, there was a wave of flames that was in the rear and back side. They flames acted as guards and consumed anything that stood in the way, human or walls of the palace.
He finally reached the pit he was looking for, he didn't register the amount of time it took for him to get here. The double doors melted in the heat of the rear guard before Naruto silently walked inside the room. The mere fact that he was standing on the floor of a filthy vermin made the flames burst out once more in disgust.
The very air of this quarter acted like gasoline that empowered Amaterasu's flames, setting the place ablaze.
The trash and its minions fell before his black gaze, a large smirk was painted across its face, but sweat was joyfully running rampant around its face.
''You don't look too happy, Black. Is there something wrong? Do you need my help?'' The slaves behind it had taken out their blades as though they wanted to really ''help''. ''Never mind that, you've caused a stir around the Palace, it is only a matter of time before Budo arrives.''
Syura was confident that Budo would be quick to get here before Naruto destroyed the palace. His father had also told him that if Naruto did damage to the palace, the lightning fast old bastard would tear Naruto's body if he had to. His father had worked well in planning this; he'd waited until Budo could return so he could set it up.
He'd tortured and raped Miya until she died. She was a pretty piece of flesh that Naruto never allowed to be touched. But he had the last say in everything; her screams had so much soothed his soul and offered him sacrifices of pure bliss. He'd never had so much fun violating a woman before.
Although his father had said to wait for Budo, Syura was tempted to fight the blond and take him down. Since his father obviously feared the man, he would make his old man proud if he killed the man himself. He could do it with his Teigu!
Contrary to Syura's thoughts, and despite holding their blades, his minions didn't feel so confident. Just a glimpse of those black eyes brought bloody image of their horrifying deaths. Looking at those eyes, they felt like they were staring at the death god himself!
Naruto tilted his head a little, still words refused to leave his mouth. He took steps towards the vermin in the middle.
''Get him you fools! Don't just stand there!'' Syura shouted to his lackeys.
Before the fools could do anything, Naruto suddenly just appeared in front of Syura. The second he was there and still the same second he was here. The son of the Prime Minister didn't have time to use his Teigu as Naruto's blade pierced through his chest. Flames engulfed his entire body after Naruto removed the blade and burned him with unbearable heat forcing him to drop his Teigu and roll about the floor screaming in agony.
''You are not worth the effort,'' although his tone wasn't menacing, they minions could feel that it was just pure anger that was speaking and before they could do anything, flaming hands bust out from the floor and grabbed their feet.
More shrills of pain at the contact.
More flames began to spread across their body, slowly. Naruto didn't spare them a single glance as they joined in the party of rolling on the ground. The flames were controlled so that they didn't turn to ash upon being set ablaze.
Naruto then turn to Syura who was now shouting curses at him, the blond then stomped his right foot on the man's chest. The foot carried enough power to break bones and cause the man to spit out blood. Despite his foot catching the flames, it didn't seem affect him.
''Budo is currently fighting to free himself from his binds; he won't be here to save you. This palace is also surrounded by a wall of flames. Aside from Budo, the fools inside here will only run away from me.'' Despite all his anger, Naruto spoke in a calm tone while his right foot was still pinning the vermin down on the floor.
''Y-you bastard. My father will K-kill yo-'' before Syura could finish speaking, Naruto's left foot crashed into his mouth with such force that it tired through all his teeth and left his face a mess. Naruto pressed down on the vermin's mouth with more force that he separated the lower lip from the upper lip. In simple words, he broke Syura's jaw and left it hanging with the few muscles that held it.
''I'm going to punish you in front of your father, after which, I will kill you both. I made sure that you don't speak because Honest will wish you could at least scream when I punish you, but you won't be able to. There is nothing that is more dreadful than losing your voice when you want to scream out in pain.''
Syura's eyes widened, his body was going through some unbearable pain right now. By all means he should have already lost consciousness, but something was keeping him awake. The flames that were burning around him were eating his body little by little. It felt like he was being pierced by a thousand needles all over his body all at once.
Naruto snapped his fingers and flames bust out beneath Syura. They consumed the remains of his clothes, leaving him butt naked. That was just stripping away his dignity. ''I feel disgusted just to touch you,'' Naruto said, before his right foot crashed onto the man's shin with so much force that his leg broke.
Naruto grabbed the broken leg and started pulling the vermin towards its father by the broken leg while it was still naked. He dragged it until he found the filthy pig in its quarters surrounded by its hounds.
A wall of black flames surrounded both Naruto and Syura so that no one could interfere.
''You must be wondering why Budo isn't here or why the some of the Guards who are loyal to you aren't doing anything at this time.'' Naruto said in a tone devoid of any emotion. Despite his angry state, his mind has never been clear than this. Perhaps it was the shock of seeing Miya dead.
Honest narrowed his eyes behind his lackeys. He couldn't figure out why Budo wasn't here to deal with this. He'd expected the man to be at Naruto's face the moment he went into a furious state. Budo never allowed anyone to put the Palace into danger, not anyone. So why wasn't he doing anything at this moment. Where was Esdeath when you need her anyway?
Honestly, the Prime Minister had never been so scared like this in his life. His rib cage was barely holding his heart together as it was kicking and tossing trying to break free. He wouldn't be too much worried if Naruto was using a Teigu, but he wasn't and he couldn't counter against his flames. He'd banked on Esdeath and Budo to be good generals and appear quickly, but none of that was happening and it made him feel like shooting himself through the head.
''To able to answer that, I must first tell you this; I can control them, my flames I mean, like I control my hand, I can do anything I want them, I can make them seek you like a hound. What I have done, is plant them around this palace - I did that some time ago. I knew that they would come in handy one day.
Planting them isn't that difficult, I merely need direct contact with the target. You in the case have been lucky because I cannot stand too close to you while you're in that condition.
What I've done is that this whole palace is surrounded by a wall of flames that will kill anyone who touches them. Budo is also sealed within his quarters, but knowing him, he will find a way to escape. Well, while he is still struggling to escape from his prison, I will have my bitter sweet time with you.''
The words broke Honest's effective thought process to the point where he wanted to kneel down and beg for mercy. Without Budo, his hounds would be butchered; he didn't underestimate the blond one bit. Calming his trembling nerves, Honest forced a smile. ''I recalled Esdeath back to the capital a few days ago. Any time now, she will be here, and Budo will eventually free himself. If you value your life, you won't do anything stupid and I assure you, I will speak to the Emperor so that he can forgive this matter.''
It was a good bargain, one that Honest would take gladly if it was offered to him. He would take it so he could plot things more efficiently. With Budo and Esdeath in the capital, Naruto couldn't escape with his life. He'd recalled the Ice Queen for this purpose as he knew she was a match for Naruto and Budo would only make things impossible for the blond. Still, he was starting to worry why the woman had yet to appear; she was supposed to have arrived last night.
''Esdeath...'' Naruto sheathed his blade on his back, ''She is already within the Capital. I knew that I'd sensed her while I was out. However, the flames outside will give me more than enough time. I will punish you with haste though.''
Honest decided to play Innocent in order to buy time. Esdeath and Budo had to get here quickly, or he would be killed. He didn't want any of that. ''Punish me, what have I done to be punished?''
Despite knowing what Honest doing, Naruto answered nonetheless, ''You came from hell, have brought pain to the people of the Empire, and your son violated Miya and killed her.' I had planned to do this after I had gained allies, but it can't be helped since your sins have become unbearable even to purgatory.''
''Do you have any evidence of what you speak off? What makes you accuse my son of such actions? If someone was able to sneak into the palace and kill Miya isn't it because of your own carelessness? Aren't you and Budo in charge of the security inside here? Shouldn't you blame yourself?''
The atmosphere became tense in the blink of an eye, and Honest hounds took an unconscious step back, leaving the fat pig open to attack. Naruto's whole appearance just became scary, the look on his face twisted like a man who'd lost all his sanity. The deviously malicious smile formed slowly on his face as black flames came to life around his body, yet didn't seem to consume him, nor his clothes.
His head was cocked to the right; Honest could see imaginary fangs like those of a vampire peering through that twisted grin. It was like he was looking at a demon vampire. Perhaps he shouldn't have posed his questions. If anything, he seemed to have cut down his time instead of extending it.
A malicious laughter of a mad man, no, a man who had nothing to lose roared through the room. The laughter was enough to make Honest feel his skin tighten and intestines grind, he suddenly felt like he couldn't stomach his precious meat at this time.
Naruto's mirth died down slowly and he spoke in a joyfully voice filled with nothing but pure anger and malicious intent. The tone was just like a match stick that lit up the fire inside his body; his blood begun to boil and sweat, not from him only, but also his cowards for guards. The sweat was pouring out of their bodies in heavy currents that wet their clothing.
''I see, I see. How amusing! He says it is my fault that Miya was killed! He said it! He said it was my fault for not protecting her! He said it! He said it!''
Yes, all chains had broken.
A hand rested on his chin, and Naruto began to pace around the ring of flames that surrounded him and Syura, muttering a few words. ''He blames me and now I'm questioning myself if he is right or not. If I had been there it would've not happened, if I had not made the oath, I would not have questioned things, I would have done my duty as a soldier without questions, and then Miya would be alive. Did I kill her? No, that couldn't be it. It is that pseudo-human's fault. That filthy piece of rotten meat did it, he sent his spawn to do it! It is his fault for being evil, it is his fault. Everything is his fault! I'm not to blame, they are to blame, everyone is to be killed. Yes, I should purge them all.''
After those words left his mouth, he came to an abrupt halt and turned slowly towards Honest. Time moved slowly and the eyes of the Prime minister and his guards followed the turn carefully without so much as blinking.
The grin extended to all ears, ''It is your fault,'' he said before turning to face the downed Syura. He hit the ground with his right foot. After that, a wave of flames carried Syura into a standing position, before they formed a cross, and bind the clothe less man. The cross was literally burning Syura, and worse of all, no matter how he tried to scream, his voice couldn't come out, he could only make some sounds like that of a worn out soldier after a heavy battle.
''Don't do anything General! Think about what you are doing. Do you think you can go against the Empire on your own?!'' Honest shouted in fear seeing that his son couldn't do anything in his situation. The likely case was that he was going to be tortured.
''It is your fault! I will purge this vermin! See, I will make it feel pain and send it to hell, after this, you are next you piece of meat!'' Naruto shouted back with so much ferocity that Honest took a step back to be shielded by his goons again.
A fire blade formed on Naruto's right hand, and the blond gripped it firmly. ''Now then, this little thing violated Miya. It did despicable things to her, and I will remove it,'' Naruto's eyes glowed a bit as he grinned more to the nailed man.
Without a single moment to waste, Naruto cut off Syura's precious jewel. The piece of meat fell on the ground and danced around a bit. Blood joyful gushed out of the cut meat. Unconsciously, Honest placed both his hands on his jewels to protect them. Naruto wasn't done; he drove the fire blade straight into Syura's right eye socket.
It wasn't Syura who screamed, no, it was the Prime Minister. ''Ahhhhhh!'' His hands placed on both his eyes so he could see, yet he left a gaping hole between his fingers just in case.
Naruto wrote ''I am a filthy disgusting piece of meat!'' on the chest of Syura. He did so using the fire sword. He'd decided he wasn't going to kill the vermin, yet. The message would last forever since it was imprinted by fire on his flesh.
Naruto pinned the piece of meat on the floor with his fire blade and madly smiled before twisting to face Honest, ''I just thought of something great!'' he exclaimed happily. ''I'm going to feed this meat to you. Now come on you trash, I'm going to be feeding you. You should come here with haste because this is an honor.''
'The fuck!' one of the guards thought. Feeding a man his son's genital was just madness, and nothing short of what Esdeath would do. But then again, this man had a reputation of being a cold-hearted man when his flames came to life.
''Do something you idiots!'' Honest yelled because now Naruto had opened a path for him to enter his little ring of flames. The sick grin planted on his face and hand motions calling him almost made him wet himself.
Before the goons could do anything, Budo appeared looking beyond furious. ''You foolish child!'' He roared before bypassing Naruto's flames and punched the blond straight on his face with brutal punch. That was followed by a shock of electricity and a knee to the gut. The great general then finished with a powerful punch on the blond's chest that sent him crashing into the walls of Honest's quarters.
The flames around the room disappeared, as well as around the palace, freeing everyone. Naruto stood up, cocked his head a little, he was denied the chance to feed Honest the flesh of his son, what should he do now?
''Budo, I'm glad you finally came. I was starting to think that I was going to die. Now, arrest that fool for this treachery, and someone get medical help for my son,'' Honest said sighing in relief. His legs gave out and he fell on the ground. He would probably kiss Budo just about now.
''Shut up Honest!'' Budo snarled back at the Prime Minister. ''Do you think I don't know what you did? You will pay for what you've done, I promise you. But first thing first,'' he looked back at Naruto who still seemed to be thinking. ''Get out of here before I execute you with my own hands!''
Naruto's body burst into black flames and he was gone. Honest nearly smiled hoping that perhaps he'd been killed by his own flames. It was worth hoping for. ''Is he dead?''
Budo's answer shattered all happy thoughts inside Honest's mind.
''No, he just ''excused'' himself, probably because Esdeath is near and because the people outside the Palace have started to panic because of the flames that killed some people.''
''Well, aren't you going after him?'' To Honest, it should be obvious that the blond shouldn't be allowed to live anymore. With him still alive, his life would be in danger and he wasn't waiting for the blond to come and finish him.
''No,'' Budo shook his head. ''I must restore order first before seeking orders from His ''Majesty'''
Honest was already on his feet in a second. ''You restore order in the palace, and I will speak to His Majesty,'' he said, already walking out of the room. His lackeys would see that his son was given the medical attention he needed.
''You are attacking me. Do you wish to kill me, Esdeath?'' His eyes grew red because of the crimson liquid that was burning inside of him. The air around him caught the heat, dispelling anything that might try to fly towards him.
For now, he ignored the presence of the man beside Esdeath. Talking to the fool would only put more fire under the pot that was cooking him. He liked this forest too much to see it crumble into a heap of black dust. For now, he would deal with the blue haired woman whose grinned sickened him.
''Not at all,'' Esdeath responded quietly. However, her next action was a contradiction to her words. She got hold of her weapon and grabbed it firmly with her right hand. For a moment she allowed it to dance about the air. She could barely hold her excitement at this level. ''But if it can't be helped, you'll die, painfully.''
The tone of her voice and that blood lust that escorted the words out of her mouth was only a confirmation that this was real. Those two forsaken fools were turning their backs on him. Betrayal! Utterly unacceptable.
''Have you forgotten what I've done for this empire, you old fool?'' Saying that to Esdeath wasn't going to return him any dividends. The woman was only going to rejoice further recounting all the villages he'd burnt, all the people he'd killed and all the time he made his enemies kneel before him like well trained dogs.
''Your efforts for the Kingdom have not been forgotten. I highly respect you for what you've done over the past years; you've only made this kingdom stronger and defeated her enemies with ease. However, you've become uncontrollable. You refuse to listen to orders and your ideals have become a threat to the peace of the kingdom. More importantly you drew your blade in the palace and killed many Imperial Guards in your anger. You destroyed some parts of the palace while you attempted to kill Honest,'' Budo responded calmly, but quite guarded.
Naruto may be a strong General, but his attitude has recently become ill-fated. He's been doing nothing but refuse orders of the Prime Minister. Even when he is told to do something, he does it the way he pleases. There was also the fact that he shows him no respect. To Budo it wasn't just about the respect, but thoughts of rebellion have been birthed into his mind.
That was not all, with the kind of thoughts that were ringing in his mind, and his recent actions towards the Prime Minister and his son have done nothing but confirm that he could no longer be controlled and this was the last straw. If not dealt with now, he would return to the Capital and cause more destruction.
The Emperor, more precisely, Honest had ordered to extinguish his flames.
The thought of the Prime Minister painted Naruto's head with bloody images. He hated that demon dressed in human meat. He despised that thing with all his might and wouldn't mind sending it to the 9th hell so it could bath in the black flames of the 9th realm for all its eternity. He wouldn't even mind watching it as it screams in agony, calling out for help.
The thing that disturbed him was that he couldn't kill that rotten piece of meat that taints the Imperial Palace with its stink without causing panic and disorder. The current Emperor was a mere child who was still learning how to read and write, without his beloved meat bag, he would become lost child. Budo was there though.
That thing that paraded around the capital like a human and had many followers; followers that made his intestines cringe. If it were to be killed now, a revolt would surely start and it would only drive the kingdom into chaos. As much as he disliked that thing, he couldn't have that, not now at least. He had no allies who could put things in order, he was just one man and there so much that one man could do.
''You bloody fool,'' Naruto responded in a low growl. ''Do you think that makes it alright? I'm not a humble dog that only follows its master binding without question. I may have sworn my loyalty to the Kingdom, if anyone seeks to disturb its peace, I will crush them, either be the prime minister or the Emperor.''
The Emperor was not the kingdom; he was only a human that led the kingdom. Without the people, there was no kingdom and the king was just a human who had big dreams. He understood that the king and prime minister didn't make a kingdom, but the people made the kingdom. What was a king without subjects?
Granted that reasoning, if the emperor or the prime minister were tainting the empire with a rotten stink that make it hard for the people to breath, he would seek to cleanse it. He had joined the army to protect the empire; hence he crushed any enemy of the kingdom without pity or compassion.
Enemies were to be destroyed and their ashes sent to fill out the gaping holes in purgatory.
''This doesn't have to happen if you change your ways and be an obedient solider of the kingdom. You power is valuable, but if in this road, you'll only become a threat to the kingdom and you may take many with you. For this reason, we must deal with this now before your foolish thoughts of rebellion attract other soldiers,'' Esdeath responded in a booming voice that tore through the deathly silent forest. ''Your recent actions have attracted a lot of attention.''
She was more than willing to allow this to slide as long as the blond was willing to adjust his attitude. She wasn't even against the idea of beating some sense into the general. With his current strength, Naruto was bound to be the strongest general the kingdom has ever seen. His attitude and disobedience left little to be desired though.
Yes, Esdeath was willing to forgive Naruto for what he did to Syura and threatening to kill Honest. Syura was weak, and got what he deserved for defiling Miya. She knew well that Naruto wouldn't forgive any harm to that woman. The thought that the blond cared for that woman more than her made her a little happy she was dead.
Threatening Honest was something that Naruto always did. It was a bit different since he'd gone rampant after finding his caretaker dead. Even though he'd killed some Guards within the Imperial Palace, she was willing to overlook it, As long as he promised to change.
Budo knew that Honest only wanted Naruto eliminated because the blond had nearly killed him and as long as Naruto was alive, he would have to be watching his back. That man valued his life like he was a saint and would sacrifice anything to preserve it. With Naruto alive and growing powerful, the prime minister's days were numbered. He didn't give a damn about the man, but he wouldn't allow any act of rebellion from someone like Naruto.
Moreover, Budo knew Naruto wasn't going to relax until Honest was dead. He wasn't going to forgive what happened to Miya.
Naruto snorted distastefully. ''The only one who needs his attitude adjusted is you, Esdeath,'' he responded. He was slowly losing his calmness; it wouldn't do well for earth if he got angry at this time. He tried calming himself so that he could think a bit rationally and cleared. it had taken great effort to calm himself after all that happened. If he flipped again, he may not be able to return to normal again. ''I will not change for anyone, especially when I know I'm right and the likes of you are wrong.''
''It appears that it can't be helped,'' Budo sighed, and then shook his head. ''Prepare yourself then. You will face judgment for your actions within the Imperial Palace. You of all people know that the palace should never be defiled.''
''Defiled? By me?'' Naruto looked bewildered before chuckling rather dryly. His mirth quickly vanished without a trace though. ''I was merely attempting to remove the rotten piece of meat which is the one that is defiling the once pure palace. You shouldn't have stopped me from killing that thing.'' He stated. ''I also cannot forgive it for having Miya killed.''
''The prime minister will pay for spilling blood in the Palace. However, you seem beyond help at this stage. I was thinking that perhaps both Esdeath and I would negotiate a deal for you, but it appears that you're about to eventually rebel,'' Budo stated. ''I'll say it again, prepare yourself!''
''Finally!'' Esdeath breathed out grinning in all corners. ''All these boring talks were starting to sulk away my excitement!''
Naruto looked at the sadist with a straight face. If came out that this woman came from one of the pits of hell where she tortured the bloody souls before her mercy, he wouldn't have trouble believing it. But then again, he wasn't the one to say. ''What is your reason for doing this, Esdeath?''
''I just want to finally have that battle of death with you. I want to cut your skin as much as I can and make you beg for mercy.'' Esdeath responded so casually you wouldn't believe that he was once her partner. Yes, they worked well together and once given the name of ''Black's Death.''
Naruto used black flames and turned everything he disliked into black ash. Thus he was given the name of Black Death. The name was so familiar that many didn't even know his real name. Normally, even from his own army, they called him General Black. He was as fearsome as both Esdeath and Budo. The ''S Death'' part came from Esdeath's own name.
Aside from the battlefield, the two were good friends and got along pretty well. If there was anyone closer to Esdeath, it was Naruto. The same couldn't be said for Naruto; Esdeath wasn't the one who was closest to him, but she was close. Yet, this woman was willing to throw their friendship away all in the name of a good battle.
The reason she wanted him to beg for mercy was because he was a strong willed bastard who refused to bow to anyone other than the previous Emperor. He was by no means weak and could be considered her ''equal''. What could be more thrilling and soothing to her soul than having the man who could rival her in power to beg for mercy under her heel?
There was no feeling that was better than that. The strong survived and the weak were devoured. Naruto was seen as her equal, then she would confirm her superiority over him. If he was weak then he would beg for mercy, not that she would offer any. No, she just enjoyed the sensation of seeing strong men like Naruto begging for mercy.
Another reason she was doing was that Honest had ordered her to do so. Orders were orders, if her friend was becoming weak minded by sympathizing with the weak, then she would not shy away from beating him down. With what happened to Miya, it was obvious that Naruto would not lie down. Hence this had to be done before he drew soldiers of the Empire with him.
''Will you simply throw away our friendship because that piece of meat told you so? Esdeath, how far will go just to satisfy your corrupted soul with the ''sweet'' melody of my agony?'' A rather large frown marred across his face and his eyes flickered a bit dangerously.
''I told you before that if you continued to think of eliminating the Prime Minister, you would've me to deal with. A personal matter aside, an order is an order,'' Esdeath responded calmly. ''Because you are a friend, I must be the one to kill you if it can't be helped.''
Naruto stared into her eyes for a good minute. Her excitement was clearly visible and he could hear her heart beating furiously from his position. He'd tried changing her, but failed miserably. Her ideal way of thinking made her brush off anything that piece of meat did. All she cared for was swinging her blade.
Still, he couldn't...he wasn't allowed to finish his thoughts as the woman swing her blade towards him, a train of ice marched towards him. Naruto had seen this attack so many times and knew that it was sharp enough to slice a human in half.
He drew his secondary blade and cut through the ice in a single swing. Esdeath was behind him in a matter of seconds. That sick grin planted firmly across her face, and her swing was just powerful. Naruto took out the other blade and parried a vertical slash from the woman. Stalemate. Esdeath tried to push him with raw power, but he was more than a match for her. He didn't even move an inch. Black flames bust to life at the tip of his blade forcing Esdeath jumped away from him.
Naruto put away his secondary blade, and held his other blade on his right hand. ''Esdeath, I've grown tired of you. This betrayal cannot go unpunished even if it is an order. You know I'd refuse to carry such order if it was given to me.'' Naruto started holding out his blade to his right side. ''You do not know fear; neither do you Budo, but more importantly, you Esdeath. Death is acceptable to you, and you fear it not. But I will teach you what it means to fear!''
Esdeath merely grinned widely. Those words didn't drive fear into her cold heart; no they only made her body tremble in sheer excitement. She had no fears, would gladly accept death if Naruto was the stronger man.
Naruto continued. ''Whether I live or die, when you remember me, you will have unpleasant memories of this day. Esdeath, I will make you fear me!'' His tone grew cold, and his eyes turned into a void of black emptiness. ''Paint the moon black, and illuminate the earth in a heap of black flames, ignite, Amaterasu!''
No second passed as the ground spat out waves of pure black flames around the blond. The flames danced around the forest turning all the greens into a memory of black ashes. Naruto stood still with the flames joyfully dancing around him.
''Do not interfere; this is my fun!'' Esdeath said to Budo with that insane grin possessing her entire face.
''Now then,'' Naruto's tone was frighteningly calm as he spoke. ''Dance for me, Esdeath.''
Budo didn't say anything. He merely watched as Esdeath lunged straight at Naruto. He'd only come to insure that things went in the way that both he and Esdeath wished for the blond. The orders to kill came from Honest; Budo had no doubt about that. However, if both he and Esdeath were to vouch for Naruto after beating some senses into him, then the man would be forced to reconsider.
With what he'd seen of the blond, it did not appear like he was going to change, and so the given response from both of them was given…
I thank the reviews from the last chapter.
I've yet to decide on pairings, but I highly doubt it will be another Naruto/Esdeath fiction. I will have much to say in the first chapter of the story, which will follow next. I did say that the prologue of this story would span into two chapters.