For Storm that Follows
Chapter II: Wind, Fire and Water
Uzumaki Household, Isolated Island
North of Pentos, Essos
Year 300 AC
Four years passed since Naruto saved Lady Elia Martell and princess Rhaenys from an assassination attempt orchestrated by a band of Westerosi mercenaries who hoped to instigate war between House Martell and House Lannister.
During the past four years, the proposal set by the Uzumaki heir was processed and discussed by the three Mentors of the Brotherhood. Three months came and went but they reached an agreement for the proposal and sent a raven to the Uzumaki Clan in Essos.
They approved it along with the message to promote both Minato and Kushina as the Mentors for the Essos branch of the Brotherhood. Obviously, Naruto was ecstatic of his parents being the leaders of their branch with the remaining Assassins underneath their leadership in Essos. The clan went to work to establish a more concrete Assassin presence throughout all of Essos and Westeros.
At first, it didn't go well for the Essos Brotherhood due to the terrified people who suffered under the slavers' oppression. And that was not including traitors and back-stabbers who'd do anything for gold and themselves. Eventually, it was Minato's charisma and Naruto's kept promises to the people that their proposal gained track as their spy network was built up from the ground. They would train would-be Assassins in each of the Free Cities and establish a guild in each city but they all answer to the Mentors.
Their spies included prominent people who were part of trades throughout Essos such as a sellsword company like Windblown, merchants who travel frequently between the two countries and people in Tyrosh and even some people who work for the slavers.
Although Minato's offer to the Captain-General about recruitment into the Order was refused, Blackheart did inform his retired Lieutenant-General that whatever he or his family needed, he and the Golden Company would be there for them as long it didn't put them on opposing sides.
Recruitment throughout the Free Cities was astonishing high as the oppressed want to build better lives and escape from their masters. However, this led to a problem as to how the recruits may use their martial knowledge of stealth and combat to take vengeance on those who wronged them so Minato, Kushina and Naruto instigated a very vigorous training regimen on the recruits both mentally and physically.
For those who passed and complete the training showed signs of loyalty, trustworthiness, creativity and empathy towards the smallfolk while others who didn't showed disconcerting traits that could harm the Brotherhood and its cause. Minato used a spell to erase their memories of the Order, their training and the names and faces of everyone and sent them on their merry way.
As both Minato and Kushina expected, none of the Essos recruits can use Ninshu but that didn't mean they were not capable of becoming Assassins. Naruto remained optimistic about the Brotherhood's presence in Essos as they helped compassionate people rise in politics and power throughout the Free Cities.
Then the unbelievable event occurred in Westeros as one of their barely-recruited spies informed the Uzumaki Clan in the year 298. Robert Baratheon died and his son, Joffrey succeeded him as king. The news grew worse when they learned that Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, was arrested for treason and executed but before his head was taken, he announced to everyone that the Baratheon children were not of Cersei and Robert's union, but of the queen and her twin brother, Jaime Lannister.
Thus, the War of the Five Kings engulfed Westeros with the noble Houses and Great Houses involved except House Tyrell, House Martell and House Tully. Notable battles reached the ears of everyone in Essos such as the Battle of Blackwater Bay near King's Landing between Joffrey's forces and Stannis Baratheon of House Baratheon of Dragonstone.
And it grew harder to establish an Assassin presence and even harder to establish a spy network in the warring country as their spies would either be killed in battle or as casualty of war between the warring Houses.
There came a dilemma for the Mentors as husband and wife sat seiza in front of each other with written reports from their spies throughout the Free Cities regarding Westeros. Most of them regarded about the casualties reports between House Lannister's army led by Tywin Lannister and House Stark's King in the North and son of Eddard Stark, Robb Stark.
"This is very troubling, Minato." Kushina voiced her honest opinion.
Minato nodded as he pondered what to do next. Should either he or Kushina themselves go to Westeros to establish a base? "I don't know, Kushina." He sighed while rubbing his forehead. "We can't go to House Stark or any of the Northern Houses. They don't trust strangers or foreigners, especially after that mess with that Stannis and the Red Priestess."
"Baka." Kushina muttered contemptuously. "He used dark magic to kill his own brother to consolidate his position as heir to his House."
"Which leaves one House to have as an ally…" Minato stated as he pointed at the lower part of Westeros map. "House Martell of Dorne." He looked at Kushina who smirked at him. "Do you think they'll aid us with Westeros?"
"Naruto did say they're grateful to him and myself for saving Elia and her daughter." Kushina mused with a finger on her lip. "I haven't really talked to Lady Elia or her daughter since that night."
"Perhaps we can take this time to go talk to them ourselves." Minato urged her wife who looked unsure. "Honey, if we're going to enlist the Martells as our allies, we as Mentors of the branch here must go ourselves to show our credibility."
Kushina sighed as she sent him a sassy look, which confused Minato. "Sweetheart, Naruto is in Westeros right now for a spy recruitment." Cue a sheepish look from her husband. "We'll send a raven to him about our plans. Whatever the Martells' answer is, we'll have to move on with our plan."
"Sound idea, Kushina."
The Uzumaki matriarch smiled at him before their lips connected in a slow embrace and separated moments later.
"I know."
TTIIPMxTTIIPMxTTIIPM
Oldtown
The Reach, Westeros
A man in dirtied clothing with a shortsword wielded by his hand ran through the busy streets. Worry and fear plastered on his face as he pushed aside a woman and a food cart out of his way to escape the horror that followed him the entire stay here in the city.
It started a few days ago when he assaulted a family after they failed to pay for their rent for the month. They pleaded for him to give them a week at best since half of their crops were taken into the grain stores for the war effort even though the Reach is aligned with King's Landing
He didn't care and sent his men to give the family a beating to remind them about the consequences. Then it began after that day. Each of his men and associates who were part of the group that would remind other farmer families of the consequences would turn up dead either in their houses, the brothels or in isolated parts of the city.
Fear gripped him when the numbers dropped to him and he ran out of his home to escape whoever's hunting him down. The man reached the nearest stables where his horse was stationed as he hurried to get the saddle but a noise stopped him.
He frantically looked around for the person hunting him as the noise echoed all over the dark stables that was blocked by a towering building. A couple swings of his sword in a pathetic attempt to scare the pursuer off silenced the sounds, making him even more frantic.
Having enough, he shouted "Where are you?!"
The last words he heard came from behind him in the shadows.
"Right here."
"Ah-" The man was silenced as he was pulled into the shadows.
Minutes later, the hooded Naruto casually walked out of the stables through another exit as he soon heard stunned screams and continued onward. His path led him to an inn where the men of the farmer families waited for him in one of the rooms.
"He is dead." Naruto reached inside his robes and took three very large pouches that clinked with every movement. "Your money is here, gentlemen." He gave the pouches to the men. "Neither he nor his men will ever bother you and your families ever again."
"But there should be—"
"The rest of the money are being returned to the other families by my men." Naruto answered as his clones had done the deed not too long ago while he played out his chase with the man. He received their memories a few minutes ago.
One of the men offered a hand which Naruto took as the farmer shook it gratefully. "Thank you so much. Ever since this war started, things haven't been looking good for us."
"…" Naruto smiled within his hood. "It's about time it did." The farmers were about to leave but he raised a hand to stop them. "If you can wait a moment more please…"
The farmers did as the Assassin went to the window and whistled in a different way with his arm out. A small red eagle landed on his arm as he faced the farmers and presented the avian creature.
"I ask you to do one thing for me. If you don't feel comfortable regarding your families and refuse, I won't hold it you. You may leave." Naruto paused as the farmers nodded albeit unsurely. "This war…this war is taking a toll on Westeros and the smallfolk. I want to help these lands but I cannot do alone. I need eyes and ears here to relay every bit of intel whether significant or insignificant to better aid me in my goal. Will you help me?"
The farmers looked at each other as they discussed amongst themselves. It didn't take long as they looked back at him. "You done my family good, lad. I'll never forget it but I feel it is too risky for such action. I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Naruto assured the farmer with a smile. The second farmer gave the same reason and followed his friend out of the room. That left the last farmer who stayed there. "Are you sure about this?" He asked the man.
He nodded stiffly. "My father once told me if you cannot return a good deed to a man who had done so to you, then you are a coward." Naruto shook his head at the life philosophy.
"You are a not coward, sir. Your friends are looking out for their families. I wouldn't hold a grudge against you nor them."
"But I accept. Please let me aid you. My family owned a farm here in the Reach ever since the Kingdom of the Reach before the Conquest. If you think you can help with the war, then I will aid you."
Naruto sighed but nodded. "Thank you." He whispered something to the eagle before it flew to the farmer's shoulder. "Her name's Shizuzu. When you have important intel, write it on a small parchment and attach it on its legs. Then say Yoru y Day. Say it."
After a few minutes of pronouncing the words, Naruto parted ways with the farmer and walked to another inn where he was staying for his mission which was to recruit more spies. So far, he got one in the Reach and another in the North, two in the Stormlands, three in the Riverlands and four in the Crownlands with two of them stationed in King's Landing which was a big win for the Uzumaki.
The hooded Naruto took his seat on a vacant table as one of the inn waitress came to take his order. "Is there anything you like?"
"Few pieces of bacon and a cup of water please." The waitress nodded as Naruto looked around to pass the time. It wasn't long until he got his order and thanked the waitress with some gold dragon coins. "Keep the change for yourself."
The waitress was stunned before she smiled with a nod and left to resume her job. Naruto enjoyed his meal and left the inn as he reached another stable where his horse was tied to and mounted it to leave Oldtown. As he reached the gate of the city, a screech attracted his attention and Naruto looked up to see his father's personal eagle flying to him.
Despite calling them 'ravens', eagles are more reliable to pass messages and intel to Assassins throughout Essos's lands and across the Narrow Sea to Westeros like the Reach. They have better stamina and longer wingspan as their eagles were specially bred for such tasks. Minato's personal eagle can make two trips between Essos and Westeros as he was the first one of the breed to achieve such prowess. Three more were being trained by Kushina back at their island.
"Hello, Ken." Naruto greeted as he rubbed his finger against the eagle's head when it landed on his arm. He took the message out from the talons and unrolled it before he read it. "Huh, looks like I'm going to Dorne. I was planning to head there anyway to recruit spies."
Naruto tore a piece of parchment from his pouch and write a message of his own as he tied it to the eagle before sending the avian creature to House Martell to inform them of his arrival. With a tsk, Naruto urged his horse on the way to Dorne to enlist the Martells for their aid.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
Sunspear
Dorne, Westeros
Five days of traveling over with, Naruto reached the castle settlement that is the seat of House Martell and reached one of their stables as a few of the Guard approached him.
"Naruto of the Uzumaki Clan?" Said person nodded at the question. "Come with us. Lord Doran is expecting you."
"Very well." Naruto greeted with a small bow as he walked with his escorts.
They passed through the scenic beauty of the Water Gardens, the interconnecting mazes and the fruit trees until they reached the luxury room where Doran, Oberyn and Elia waited for him. The Guard left with a bow to the Martells as Naruto gave a small bow to the present nobles.
"Greetings, my lords and lady." Naruto greeted as he took off his hood. He had grown taller since the last time they met with him and his hair was cut shorter as his violet eyes turned a shade lighter. His attire hasn't changed except for the Uzumaki Clan's swirl symbol was present in the middle of his robes as it was colored red and blue together.
"Naruto." Elia greeted warmly while Oberyn sent him a playful smile.
Doran nodded stiffly before he got straight to the point. "In your message, you spoke of an alliance between our families." Naruto nodded. "For all you and your mother have done, I would be inclined but I must ask why."
"I see you are reluctant, Lord Doran." Naruto said. "I can understand that given with the war." Oberyn scoffed lowly. "My family want to stop this war but our efforts to install…certain resources have been slow for the past seven years. Now with the war, it has gotten even harder but not impossible. My parents are the leaders of an organization who helps the oppressed and are stationed in Essos. We have a good network over there but we ask for an ally in Westeros to aid us and we will reciprocate in return."
"I've heard people in positions of power at the Free Cities were either ousted by a rising party or mysteriously killed by unknown circumstances." Doran answered as Naruto remained silent while Elia was surprised. "Who the organization you're talking about have any hand in those incidents?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny such words, my lord." Naruto replied respectfully.
Doran sighed deeply since his guest didn't verbally confirm the rumors. "…Whether your order isn't directly or indirectly connected to those incidents, House Martell cannot be associated with people who overthrow the people in power."
"Even if the smallfolk in each of Free Cities are living peacefully with rulers who are actually doing good for them and their cities." Naruto pointed out. "Is there something else that troubles you, Lord Doran?"
Doran stayed silent but Oberyn stepped in and answered his question. "My dear brother is more concerned with our armed forces." He ignored the glare from his older brother. "Dorne as you know is one of the largest regions in Westeros but we have a small fighting force. He doesn't feel the odds will be our favor if we're allied with you."
"I see." Naruto pondered before he spoke. "Will you feel reassure, my lord, if another House makes a secret alliance with your House? Will that ease the unsure feelings?"
Oberyn and Doran looked at each other weirdly before the former looked at Naruto. "But what House will make an alliance with us? The North Houses are supporting Robb Stark and the Westerlands along with most of the regions are with King's Landing. There is no one to ally with." Doran said firmly.
The room was silent between the men until a fourth voice spoke amongst them.
"There is one House we could ally with. And she would most likely want the Iron Throne back from Joffrey and Cersei." Elia informed rather strongly.
Naruto spoke for her brothers. "And who would that be, Lady Elia?" He had a sinking feeling of whom she was talking about.
"My deceased husband's House."
That's when the atmosphere suddenly turned intense and cold as Doran had asked his Guard to bring Naruto out of the room for private discussion between the siblings.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
"Well, that was intense."
Naruto crouched atop the Spear Tower as he looked around the entire settlement and its surrounding markets. He loved climbing since early age even before his training. The first time he climbed either a mountain, it was like he saw a new world for the first time.
It was also fun to watch the Guard lose their shit when he gave them the slip and they searched for him.
It had been quite some time since he last heard the debate between the Martell siblings about Elia's suggestion about House Targaryen. He was surprised that Elia even mentioned the House especially after what her deceased husband did to her and her children. On the other hand, and like Rhaegar, her sister-in-law was nothing like her father.
With all the rumors and intel they heard since Assassin presence in the Dothraki Sea, Slaver's Bay and Qorth was lackluster despite their best attempts at recruitments. The slave masters' influence is too strong and struck fear into the oppressed and slaves.
The last location Daenerys Targaryen was in Qorth and he heard something about warlocks being burned into the sky.
"Naruto? Is that you?" A voice called out to him.
Naruto looked down and saw someone he hasn't seen since his first and last visit in Dorne. "I'll be right down!" He called out as he spotted a cart of hay near the person. "In an instant…" Naruto jumped off the top as he fell straight into the cart and landed safely in the hay, much to the person's chagrin.
"What is the matter with you?!"
Naruto's head popped out of the hay as he looked at the one who was clearly flabbergasted. It was princess Rhaenys who had grown beautiful during the last four years. Her hair grew shoulder-length and braided as it rested on her shoulders as her skin lightly reflected the sunlight. She wore a conservative dress that didn't show her body.
"It's no big deal, Princess Rhaenys. I jumped off taller monuments than that." Naruto chuckled as he got off the cart and patted away the hay strands.
"R-really?" A stunned Rhaenys asked. A nod came from Naruto. "W-wow. It's been a while since I last saw you."
"Four years." Naruto said specifically. He gestured his arm for a walk and Rhaenys accepted as they strolled side-by-side. "How have you been, princess?"
"Oh tedious. Between studies with uncle Oberyn and ladyship with my mother plus being cooped inside the castle all day, I barely have time for myself." Rhaenys complained sarcastically, much to Naruto's amusement. "That's funny to you apparently."
Naruto waved his hands in a playful manner. "No, not at all…Okay a little bit." He chuckled, much to Rhaenys's teasing chagrin. "Anyway, studying hard and working from the start is never easy but the knowledge we receive will aid us in future obstacles whether intellectually, militarily or politically."
"I…I never thought of it like that."
"I'm sure you would have sooner rather than later."
"…"
Naruto slightly winced since he may have just insulted the princess. "Forgive me if I insulted you. That was not my intention at all."
"Thank you." Rhaenys answered softly.
The Uzumaki and Martell adults continued to walk in uncomfortable silence until Rhaenys noticed his sword's handle. "Is that a new weapon?" She couldn't take her eyes off it. "I haven't seen that when you last visited."
"Yeah." Naruto answered with relief since the silence was broken. "My father found this sword in Old Valyria and kept it hidden. Shortly after I returned home from Dorne four years ago, he gave it to me." He drew Blackfyre from its sheath, revealing the Valyrian steel blade to Rhaenys.
The daughter of Rhaegar stared at the blade when it hummed for few seconds after being drawn. "May I?" Naruto nodded as he safely handed the sword to her. "Wow~" She muttered in awe about the sword's light weight. "I heard of Valyrian steel and their weight but hearing is different from actually wielding one."
"That I agree."
"What's its name?"
"…" Naruto paused since it was her father's House ancestral weapon.
Should he tell her or keep it a secret until it was the right time?
Fortunately for him, they were interrupted by a young boy who looked to be around seventeen summers. He had loose scraggy hair, tanned skin and black eyes as he wore the signature Dornish loose-fitting clothes with an intricate sword attached to his belt.
"Am I interrupting by any chance?"
Rhaenys giggled as she stepped between the boy and Naruto. "Not at all, dear cousin." She looked at her guest. "This is Trystane Martell, Uncle Doran's son and heir to our House." She switched her gaze on her cousin. "Cousin, this is Ser Naruto."
"I'm actually not a knight, princess." Naruto politely corrected before he bowed to the prince. "It's a pleasure to meet you, prince Trystane."
Trystane gave a small smile as he offered a hand to Naruto who shook it a few times. "The pleasure is mine…" He paused as he tried to call him by another word of respect.
"Just call me Naruto, prince. I'm neither a knight, a prince nor a lord." The Uzumaki said reassuringly.
The prince processed his request before he nodded as his eyes noticed the Valyrian steel sword in Rhaenys's hands. "Yours I presume." Naruto gave a 'yes'. "May I?"
"I don't see why not." Naruto respectfully replied with a shrug.
With a nod, Rhaenys handed the sword to Trystane who gave a couple swings with it before he returned it to Naruto. "Valyrian steel really is amazing. You are very luck to wield one."
"Thank you for your kind words, prince Trystane." Naruto answered softly.
The trio joined together for a stroll where they heard laughter coming from the Water Gardens. They approached the origin at the gate where the Sand Snakes, Oberyn's daughters, were relaxing and playing in the pool with another girl whom Naruto did not see last time.
She was about few summers younger as her fair skin, long blond hair and blue eyes were flashed on her fun-having face. Her arm hit the water, splashing her playful companions although Oberra didn't look too pleased with the foreigner.
Naruto blinked at the scene before he covered his eyes and turned around to leave the scene before him. Oberyn and Rhaenys looked at each other with weird expressions before they followed their guest who stopped some distance from the pool.
"Sorry about that." Naruto apologized after taking his eyes off as he faced the Martell cousins. "In my homeland, it is forbidden for a woman's skin to be exposed to a man who isn't her husband. For said man to see such skin, he is usually castrated."
"Oh my." Rhaenys reacted as she was stunned.
"Which homeland is this? I've never heard of such custom in Essos or anywhere in Westeros."
Naruto tilted his head slightly. "Oh right, I didn't tell your parents about this. I'm from Essos but my parents hail from the Faraway Lands."
"The Faraway Lands?" Trystane asked with surprise. "I heard it takes a year of travel to even reach Slaver's Bay of Essos, but I never thought I would meet someone of that continent. What's it like?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I've never been there myself."
"Why not?" Rhaenys asked, her surprise reaction being further by his response.
"Life." Naruto answered. "I was busy training with my parents, but my childhood home is one of the Faraway Lands designs. My father wanted me to be closer to our homeland and my mother to our culture."
"I would like to visit your homeland, Naruto." Trystane spoke rather excited.
Rhaenys nodded with a smile not unlike her mother. "I also want to see the Faraway Lands. To think another world—another culture still exist out there. Something Westerosi never encountered before."
"When I have the opportunity, I will escort you there myself, prince and princess." Naruto almost stuttered with the last three words. "I really like to see it myself." He said with a smile that was returned by the Martells.
The trio continued their walk for a bit more time until the Guard approached them and informed them the elder Martells requested Naruto's presence for they have their answer. It was the one Naruto half-expected but also the other he didn't at all.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
(Four Months Later)
Dock of Astapor
Slaver's Bay, Essos
Year 300 AC
One of the recently arrived ships had docked from the Free City of Lys as merchants began to off-load their cargo of produce for gold. Two hooded people emerged from the bow of the ship and slipped within the crowd like a wave would into the sea. They searched throughout the city of the slave city whose masters are ruthless and like to show off their power and wealth to all foreigners.
Naruto and his charge walked up to a local blacksmith before he asked, "Has a foreigner with silver hair with a man that carries a sword pass through here?"
"Yeah but what's it to you?" A jingle of fifteen gold coins clinked when the hooded man held up a pouch in front of him. "I do remember her arriving not too long ago. Last I heard she requested an audience with the master of the Unsullied."
Naruto let out a 'hmnh' before he gave the pouch to him. "Thanks." He left with his companion for the past four months. "The Unsullied huh. Rumors are they are one of the greatest soldiers on this Earth. Highly disciplined and never break in the face of the overwhelming odds…Sounds like my type of guys."
"So, you want to be a eunuch?" His charge teased. Naruto almost lost his step when he heard that but glared at the hooded one.
"Haha, very funny." Naruto sarcastically mocked. "Although you shouldn't be talking since you almost screwed things up by showing up here."
"What? You don't like little old me?"
Naruto stayed silent since the original plan between his Order and House Martell was to send an envoy to Daenerys Targaryen and propose a secret alliance between them. The Assassin would escort the Martell representative to the last Targaryen whilst Naruto uses the opportunity to finally establish an Assassin presence in Slaver's Bay.
It was going to be either Oberyn or Trystane since the latter's father wanted him to gain experience in politics and re-establish the alliance between House Martell and House Targaryen. Three days later in the voyage, Naruto soon discovered it was not Trystane who came aboard with him but they could not turn back.
Although his charge did get a written version of verbal reprimand from her father, Naruto knew that she was now under his protection.
"I don't actually." Naruto answered bluntly as he turned around to continue onward.
His companion caught up to him as she walked next to the Assassin. "You don't mean that. I've seen your glances every night."
"Tsk, keep dreaming."
The duo stayed in silent as they followed the words from several locals and eventually made it back to another part of the docks where they found their person of interest. Naruto told his charge to wait after he noticed a young girl with a ball and she appeared to be distracting his person of interest.
Neither she nor her guard noticed the black-cloaked person who followed them with a dagger concealed in his long sleeves. Naruto used his gift and saw the cloaked person's glow to be blue that seem to dictate allies or friends like Daenerys's guard except the Targaryen's color was slight gold with silver outlines.
The only one red glow nearby was surprisingly the young girl.
"A contract killer?" Naruto asked before he was ready to move. However, he sprang to action when a manticore emerged from the ball as it looked menacingly at the downed Daenerys.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
(Moments Earlier)
Daenerys smiled at the young girl as she rolled the ball at her. She picked the object up as she looked at the girl who made a twisting motion with her hands, telling Daenerys to open it.
As the last Targaryen was about to do it, it was knocked out of her hands by the cloaked man who was soon held back by Jorah. During the scuffle, the worried Daenerys had fallen to the ground and stared at the ball as the op part popped off to reveal a scorpion-like creature.
The creature and Daenerys stared at each other before the manticore sped towards her but it was stabbed in the back by the cloaked man with his dagger. The cloaked man looked at the girl who revealed blue lips and reptilian features as she hissed before he charged at her.
The girl turned around to escape but she was cut off by another cloaked man who quickly stabbed her head with a wrist blade. "Warlocks." Naruto muttered with a scoff before he withdrew his Hidden Blade and kicked the body into the water.
He and the cloaked man stared at each other before they put away their weapons to show they are on the same side. They looked back at Daenerys and Jorah who helped her up. "The Warlocks." She exchanged concerned looks with Jorah before she turned her attention to the two cloaked men. "I owe you my life, Ser. Both of us."
"The honor is mine, my Queen." The man took off his hood. He had blue eyes, white hair as his aged face doesn't exhibit the frailty of men in his age. In fact, he looked strong and graceful like any young men in Westeros.
Daenerys was surprised by his respectful tone as a stunned Jorah stared at the man. "Do you know this man?"
"I know him." Jorah replied with a small nod. "He's one of the greatest fighters the Seven Kingdoms have ever seen. And as the Lord Commander of Robert Baratheon's Kingsguard." He said with contempt.
The elderly man approached them a few feet. "King Robert is dead. I've been searching for you, Daenerys Stormborn. To ask for your forgiveness. I was sworn to protect your family. I failed them." He spoke solemnly before kneeling to Daenerys. "I am Barristan Selmy, Kingsguard to your father. Allow me to join your Queensguard and I will not fail you again." He ended with his head bowed for forgiveness.
Daenerys didn't know what to say as she was touched by the genuine loyalty Barristan just displayed for her and her family.
It didn't last long since her attention was steered to the second hooded man. "And this person? Is he with you, Ser Barristan?"
"No, Your Grace." Barristan rose and readied his dagger while Jorah had his hand on his sword's handle.
Naruto raised his hands defensively to show his non-intent to fight. "Easy, easy, Ser Barristan. I'm here as an escort for the representative of House Martell from Dorne."
"Dorne?" Jorah asked with surprise as Barristan relaxed a little.
Daenerys stepped forward until she was beside her recently-joined Queensguard member. "Remove your hood, Ser."
"*chuckle* With respect, Your Grace, I am not a knight." Naruto pulled back his hood to reveal his blonde hair and violet eyes. "But I am a fighter."
Jorah suddenly moved in front of Daenerys as he drew his weapon. "Kiiroi Senko!"
The atmosphere suddenly changed as the people nearby looked at Naruto before they ran away to escape the blade that is the legendary killer of Essos.
"Well, it seems we have a lot to talk about, Your Grace." Naruto said with a small chuckle.
Daenerys stared at the man who saved her life along with Selmy but she was alarmed by Jorah and the public's reaction when the name Kiiroi Senko was uttered by the Mormont. But perhaps fear was needed to get what she wants.
"Yes, let's."
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
(The Next Day)
Daenerys stood on the bow of her ship, Balerion, as she processed the information that Uzumaki Naruto passed to her. House Martell and Dorne will be her allies in her conquest to take back the Iron Throne from House Baratheon.
They will be ready for her when she returns to Westeros but only if she's ready. Otherwise, they will withdraw their support since there were two people whom Doran and Oberyn mentioned vaguely in their representative's message that they will protect at all costs.
She glanced at Naruto who was chatting with the Dorne representative whose name was Tyene of House Martell, although her bastard status was left out during the meeting by the Assassin. At first when she saw him, she thought he was a Lannister due to his blonde hair and voiced her concern but Naruto explicitly explained that he has no Lannister blood whatsoever.
Naruto chatted with Tyene who was wearing a Dornish dress that had a backless halter top and side cutouts with leather boots that have curled tips as an x-shaped leather armor in the front of her dress while her uncurled turban and scarf were hung behind her hand. Four serrated daggers that had snake motif around the pommel were sheathed around her belt.
The Targaryen heir stared at the orange cloak man who shook his head when Tyene flashed her modest breast at a passing man. "Khaleesi?" Daenerys looked at Jorah who waited for her at the bridge. "Are you ready?"
She took in his features once more. He was taller than her with a balding brownish hair as his appearance was middle-aged but still looked strong and fit for his age. He wore a brown tunic with matching pants as a black chest plate adorned his upper body while his sword was clipped to his belt.
"Yes."
Meanwhile Naruto took a couple of glances at the Targaryen heir. He only heard rumors about her but they didn't do justice. She has pale skin, violet eyes like his and his mother although a darker shade, and long pale silver-gold hair as her slender frame was hugged by her modified blue riding dress with leather trousers. Some parts of her hair were tied in very small braids as a sign of Dothraki might.
Tyene giggled at Naruto as they followed Daenerys who was guarded by Jorah and Ser Barristan Selmy. "Come on, Naruto. You know you want some."
"Quit it." Naruto answered curtly. He was caught off-guard as Barristan gestured him to come forward to speak with him. "Yes?"
"Are you really the Kiiroi Senko?" Selmy asked as his queen and swordsman slowed their pace on the path towards a sea wall. "So young for an infamous reputation."
Naruto chuckled lightly. "It seems my father's name still holds throughout Essos even now."
"'Father?'" Selmy asked with surprise. "You're his son?"
"The one and only I recall." Naruto joked as he put on his hood to hide his hair. "Although I never thought I'd meet the legendary Barristan the Bold." He heard stories about the Westerosi knight who had been described as a true knight.
Selmy had a soft smile as his attire was free of his cloak; he wore dark brown tunic, pants and boots as black leather pads covered his shoulders and parts of his chest. His sword was attached to his belt with a hidden dagger in his right boot for back up.
"My name reaches Essos as well I see."
Naruto chuckled slightly heartily. "Kinda hard to miss it when you went on a tourney against one of the Targaryen back in the day." He gave a quick glance. "I wish you were younger so I can fight you full strength."
"I can still fight and knock you to the ground."
"Oh~" Naruto hummed with lit up eyes. "Is that so?" Tyene rolled her eyes at the blonde and his apparent fighting-fetish.
The quartet walked along on the sea wall where they noticed bloodied people crucified against stakes.
"The Walk of Punishment is a warning, Your Grace." Selmy informed gravely as Daenerys was horrified by the display.
"To whom?"
"For any slave who contemplates whatever these slaves do."
They stopped when Daenerys did so first as she reached to Jorah with her hand. "Give me your water." She gently asked.
"This man has been sentenced to death." Jorah answered as he complied, trying to persuade her otherwise.
Daenerys ignored his words as she walked up the small stairs and tried to offer the water to the man. To her surprise, he refused the kind offer of water.
"Leave this place, Your Grace." Selmy urged his queen. "Leave tonight I beg you."
Jorah on the other hand didn't agree with him. "What is she to do for soldiers?"
"We can find sellswords in Pentos if be." Selmy reasoned, much to Jorah's skepticism.
"Is it 'we' already, Ser Barristan?" Jorah looked at the descending queen. "If you want to sit on the throne your ancestors built, you must win it. And that will mean blood on your hands when it's done." He received his water pouch from his queen.
"The blood of my enemies, not the blood of innocents." Daenerys corrected firmly as she walked ahead with her followers and guests behind.
Naruto hummed in silence. "She sure knows what she wants." Tyene shrugged her shoulders as she walked next to him.
"How many wars have you fought in, Ser Barristan?" Jorah asked.
Barristan answered, "Three."
"Have you ever seen a war where the innocent didn't die by the thousands?" Jorah asked to prove a point. The former Lord Commander didn't give him an answer, proving his point to their queen. "I was in King's Landing after the Sack, Khaleesi. You know what I saw? Butchered babies, old men, more women raped than you can count. There's a beast in every man and it stirs when you put a sword in his hand."
Naruto put his input. "That may be true, Ser Jorah…" Jorah and Barristan looked at him while Daenerys continued onward but her ears remained open. "But not every man succumbs to the beast. There are men who suppress the beast and sometimes the two become one to be an even greater being."
"You speak as if it were true." Jorah said stoically.
Naruto sighed. "In my homeland, there was a story. My father told me during my childhood of the Nine Beast Gods."
"The Nine Beast Gods?" Tyene asked curiously.
"Yeah. According to the story, the Nine Beast Gods—." Naruto stopped as he turned around to look for something or someone.
The group stopped when they saw his action as he continued to search with his gift. The people glowed around him as his eyes searched for the danger and he found it to be pointing an arrow at one of them. More specifically, at Daenerys.
"Daenerys, get down!" Naruto cried out as he tackled her to the ground when an arrow flew over them. "You okay?" The Targaryen beauty nodded when she was pulled to her feet by the Assassin. "You guys protect her!"
Barristan and Jorah looked at each other and at Naruto who took off somewhere. "Where are you going?"
"To find the archer!"
The Targaryen Queensguard watched the scene before them as Naruto chased someone in a purple garb through a series of market stalls but the archer escaped through a narrow tunnel inside a building. They were caught off-guard when Naruto expertly scaled up the same building with utmost precision and speed and continued his chase on the roof until his figure was gone from their sight.
"Well that's not something you see every day." Barristan said after a while. "Should we wait for him, Your Grace?"
Daenerys contemplated about this but she needed the Unsullied. The meeting with the master was due very soon. "No time. He will meet us when he's done." She said confidently as she walked onwards to the meeting spot with her entourage.
To pass the time, Barristan began to talk about Daenerys's older brother, Rhaegar the last great champion of House Targaryen. He spoke about how the men under his command fought for him because of loyalty, love and compassion. Daenerys stayed silent while Jorah mentioned about Rhaegar's inevitable death and his status as the last Dragon.
"I wish I could've met him but he is not the last dragon." Daenerys stated confidently and prideful. However, her mind also pondered about the hooded man who was two summers her senior.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
(Meanwhile)
The archer gasped as he hid within one of the houses to escape his pursuer. "How the fuck did he know where I was? I was far away from them." He gasped for air as he waited for a long time. "Maybe he's gone?"
His answer came in the form of a fist bursting through the wall behind him, much to his shock before he was pulled by the hand and through the wall.
Naruto smirked at the terrified man as he picked the man up and pinned him against another wall. "Now you and I are going to have a little talk." He emphasized this by extending his right Hidden Blade and holding it near the man's left eye.
"L-like what?!"
"Like who hired you to kill Daenerys Targaryen? Let's start there."
The archer-assassin shook his head. "I can't! They'll kill me!"
"I'm going to kill you if you don't tell me who in three…two…one…" His Hidden Blade moved closer with each count towards his eye.
"Okay, okay!" The archer relented and just in time since the blade's tip was very close. "It was—"
Naruto retracted his hand when three needles dug into the archer's neck as blood seeped out of it and the marksman fell to the ground. He checked for a pulse but found none as he quickly gauged the distance between them and the other killer.
He managed to find the spot but not the killer. Naruto used his gift and saw two prints that led to the edge of the roof but there were no more tracks after that. "He knows how to disappear. That's troubling." He looked at one of the needles he picked from the body and inspected it closely. "These aren't ordinary needles; Senbon."
With that in mind and the threat temporarily disposed of, Naruto ran across rooftops to find the Targaryen group.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
"Khaleesi, that dragon is worth more than any army." Was Naruto heard as he saw Daenerys, Jorah, Barristan and Tyene emerge from the meeting.
Barristan pleaded more to his queen. "Aegon Targaryen proved that." He referred to her ancestor who conquered the Seven Kingdoms.
An upset Daenerys turned around to face the two men. "You're both here to advise me. I value your advisement but if you ever question me in front of strangers again, you'll be advising someone else." She chastised the swordsmen. "Is that understood?"
Barristan and Jorah reluctantly nodded as Daenerys turned around and noticed Naruto leaning against the wall, waiting for them. "I take it went well, Your Grace." Naruto asked as he walked alongside her with Tyene behind trailing next to him.
"What happened with the archer?"
"Getting to the point, I see." Naruto mused before he smiled. "Good. Sometimes that's needed in a ruler. He's dead but not by my hand."
Daenerys's features softened but remained determined. "Explain."
"A little 'Thank you' would go a long way." Naruto muttered under breath before he spoke aloud. "He was hired to kill you but before he could tell me, someone else killed him…" He pulled out the senbon out of his pocket and showed it to Daenerys. "With this."
"A needle?"
"Not just a needle. In the hands of a skilled killer, precise strikes can pierce the blood vessels in a person's body, either incapacitating or killing them." Naruto explained before he placed the needle in his pockets. "Someone kept their identity secret and targeted you."
"Who?"
"I don't know but it isn't a coincidence you were targeted after your first meeting with the Unsullied master." Naruto mused aloud as Daenerys registered his words.
"Is there proof?"
"Is he despicable?" Both Naruto and Daenerys looked at each other at the former's words.
"Quite."
Naruto hummed a bit. "If you want, I can kill him and you can take the Unsullied as your army from there."
"…" Daenerys pondered about his suggestion but she had something else in mind. "I have a better plan to deal with him and the Good Masters in the city."
"Interesting." Naruto said until he noticed another person who walked on Daenerys's right side. "Oh hello. Who are you?"
"Missandei, Ser."
Missandei was a youthful woman with dusky skin, a round face and brown eyes as her hair was frizzy and round. Her attire was dusty dress that had an X-shaped cross on the front and black sandals.
"Uzumaki Naruto and I am not a knight, Missandei."
Tyene didn't seem to like that as she walked next to him and nudged his ribs. "Hey, what's the plan?"
"I think Her Grace wishes to keep that a secret. Right?" Naruto asked as Daenerys nodded. "Can't wait to see it."
Daenerys then stopped as the others stopped behind when she looked at Naruto with a glare. "Also, what gave you the right to call me by my name?"
"Uh-oh." Naruto muttered as Jorah and Barristan bristled while Tyene smirked mischievously at his misfortune.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
(Four Days Later)
Golden Company Headquarters
Isle of Tyrosh, Essos
Year 300 AC
Minato had a solemn face as he adorned in his Assassin robes stood next to his former brothers in formation. It was four years ago sometime after his son's return from Dorne when he received one of the most unfortunate news.
Blackheart had died of a deadly illness.
It was not uncommon for those in Essos to be killed by diseases that scour the continent. You are either lucky or not. Still it was very difficult to lose someone to a disease, especially if you served with that someone for years.
When he heard the news, the Uzumaki Clan sailed to Pento from their isolated home and rode to Tyrosh nonstop with their specially-bred horses. That day was the first time Minato's brothers-in-arms met his family and they hit quite well, especially with Naruto since his skills intrigued them.
They even tried to recruit the young Uzumaki into the Golden Company but he politely declined the offer. Afterwards they spent the day mourning their leader and as custom, dipped his skull into molten gold and placed it alongside the previous captain-generals' skulls.
Every year, the Golden Company and all its current and former members come to the headquarters to pay their respects to the deceased leaders.
It was that time once again.
Minato was brought out of his thinking by one of his brothers who place his hand on his shoulder.
"Minato, it is good to see you." A voice spoke in a regal and polite manner.
The Assassin looked over and saw a white-haired man with skin that was dark as soot; a Summer Islander. Like all the high-ranking officers in the brotherhood, he wears his worldly wealth on his person with a feathered cloak of green and orange as his eight golden arm rings adorned his right arm. On his back was a bright green quiver with yellowish-green arrows along with a bow strapped to it.
This is Balaq; the commander of the company's archers. He was also known by his brothers as Black Balaq.
"Balaq, it's good to see you too." Minato greeted his old friend with a handshake. "How have you been?"
"Well. You?"
"Fine."
Balaq looked around as if he was searching for someone. "Where is your wife and son?" Minato pointed behind him and Balaq saw Kushina just beat Jon Connington in a throwing knife duel, much to the amusement of the brothers and Jon's playful chagrin.
"Your son didn't come?"
Minato sighed deeply. "Not this time. An assignment has him in eastern Essos but he sends his regards and condolences to you all."
"I see." Balaq answered softly as he inspected his friend's clothing.
Minato's clothes were the same as his wife and son. His robes were a dark blue long-sleeved tunic and black loose pants as his tri-bladed knives and custom-made longsword were attached to his belt. A long white cloak with a high collar and hood was worn over the clothes as the opening was held close by a small orange string while his two Hidden Blades were hidden inside his sleeves like his wife and son.
"I never thought an illness would take someone of Blackheart's caliber." Minato admitted honestly as Balaq nodded.
"Neither of us did."
Kushina walked over to them, laughing the whole time until she reached her husband. "OH! I never get tired of your brothers, Minato! This is so fun!" She cheered as Minato chuckled at her attitude.
"I see you're taking in the fun." Minato said before he gave her a quick peck on her cheek.
Balaq smiled at the love the couple exhibited for each other. They were not like the Dornish but their love was greater than any couple he'd met either married or unmarried. He was even happier when he learned about their having a son and when he first met Naruto, Balaq thought the young Uzumaki was Minato reincarnate despite him being alive.
"Black Balaq, help!"
The archer commander sighed since he knew the reason. One of his men was most likely in trouble for spilling his wine on a serjeant or sleeping with another man's girl. "Duty calls I suppose."
"Have fun." Minato bid luck to his friend who left to resolve the issue. "So…" He paused to grab Kushina's attention as she looked at him. "What do you want to do next?"
"Besides we haven't seen our son for four months, I can think of one thing." Kushina teased as she leaned into his ear. "Let's get out of here."
The Uzumaki patriarch and matriarch sneaked out of the main hall as they were heading to their guest room. Once they reached outside, however, a screech came from above alerting them as an eagle descended to his arm.
"Hello, Fuka." Minato greeted the creature as it rubbed her head against his head.
Fuka is one of the fifteen eagles the Uzumaki Clan raised and trained as their messengers and communication between their allies and spies during the past four years with Naruto as her owner. Fuka was an adult as her feathers were uniquely light blue and her sharp eyes a shade of dark shade of blue.
Kushina squealed with glee. "Yay, our son's message. Poor baby, I miss him."
"I miss him too, dear." Minato answered softly as he took the small parchment from Fuka's talon. Fuka moved to Kushina's shoulders as she petted the avian creature while he read the contents in the letter. "He says he misses us…Everything is okay…Tyene Sand stole Trystane's representative position…"
Kushina startled Fuka by her sudden reaction. "What?!" She and Minato knows of the Sand Snakes and their lineage to Oberyn the Red Viper when Naruto told them of his first visit in Dorne four years ago. "She could risk the alliance between them. I knew she was impulsive but…Gosh!"
Kushina herself visited Dorne two years ago and reunited with Elia and Rhaenys. Afterwards they spent time getting to know each other for a few days until she returned to the Uzumaki Household to focus on the Free Cities and Essos. It was also that time she met the Sand Snakes and Oberyn's paramour, Ellaria Sand.
"Sweetie, sweetie, relax." Minato said as he tried to calm her down. "Maybe there was a reason?" He defended weakly.
"Like what?" Kushina asked for an explanation.
"Uh…"
"Exactly."
Fuuka screeched along with Kushina as she and Minato reached their guest room where Ken the white eagle and Kushina's eagle stood on a long perch. Kushina's eagle was smaller compared to Ken and Fuuka but he was just as capable as them. His small stature gave him a greater advantage at turns and speed as its white yellow feathers tinged with spots of brown fluttered slightly through the small breeze.
Kushina named him Kogatagarasu.
Both Ken and Kogatagarasu chirped happily when they saw Fuuka as the latter flew to their perch and cuddled each other. Minato and Kushina sat on the bed as the former continued to read the letter aloud.
"He met Daenerys Targaryen along with Jorah Mormont and…Barristan Selmy?" Minato read the name with great surprise as Kushina expressed the emotion. "That's a surprise. The last I heard about Selmy, he was dismissed from the Kingsguard by Joffrey. Looks like we know his location."
Kushina nodded. "And his loyalty."
"He's staying with her as she attempts to buy Unsullied soldiers…with one of her dragons." Minato said off-handedly. "Doesn't mention he's seen one. Naruto encountered someone who tried to kill Daenerys but he was silenced by an unknown party."
"Should we be concerned?"
"About our son or the mission?"
Kushina gave him the stink-eye. "Our son of course."
"Naruto is fine, dear. We trained him since childhood." Minato tried to calm his worried wife. He left out the part of the senbon being the murder weapon which worried him. There are only few Assassins who uses senbon as their primary weapons. He recalls only one during the last month of his training about a young trainee from an island of Faraway Lands' coastline.
"Okay but since Naruto's working with the Targaryen girl in Slaver's Bay, what should we do?" Kushina asked. She was drawn to Minato who began to undress her. "Minato dear~"
"Right now, I want to be with my wife." Minato answered huskily as he kissed Kushina while they laid on the bed.
Behind closed doors were the sounds of repeated flesh hitting each other and Kushina's pleasured moans.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
Stormbreakers Mobile Camp
Libbeth, Slaver's Bay, Essos
Year 300 AC
His duty was taking a lot since he and his teacher left. Since their departure, they bounced from job to job, company to company until they found the Stormbreakers, a sellsword mercenary organization. They took a few jobs with the company until his teacher decided to make himself leader of the company and killed all the high-ranking commanders.
After that day, the Stormbreakers have built a fearsome reputation of being bloodthirsty and savage not unlike the Dothraki all thanks to their new leader and for the better in the opinion of the sellswords. They never liked their previous commanders in the first place and their new leader and his right-hand man was unlike any warriors they'd ever encountered.
Their names were also unusual to them and their weapons as well but they got the jobs done.
Upon dismounting his horse as his servant took it to a stable, the silent killer trekked towards the tent that housed his teacher and leader. It was a pale grey bordering white as their sigil, a dark cloud with lightning broken in half by a spear and a very odd and wide broadsword, etched on it.
"Master." He called out after entering the tent.
His master was covered in the shadows despite the two flame lamps posted near the entrance. It was bright enough to show most of the tent as there was a medium-sized rug made from cougar's skin with four spikes that still had the rotting heads of the previous commanders. At the left side of the tent was his table adorned with stacks of maps and sacks of gold from previous contracts and loot of villages through Essos. They even fought against a Dothraki khalasar and won their slaves, women and children.
"What is it?" His master asked in an annoyed tone. "Those Good Masters better pay us for ridding that Targaryen girl and they'll be sorry." His narrow eyes pierced through the darkness at his student. "I hope you finished the job."
"…I was going to but someone stopped my archer." The masked student answered as his master's eyes narrowed for an explanation. "An Assassin." His master growled at the mention of the disguised member. "Our brother is in Astapor with Daenerys Targaryen. Apparently, they're allies."
Another growl escaped from the Stormbreaker leader until he swung something that was powerful enough to snuff out the flames that lighted the room. "They must've realized we killed their lesser men long ago and sent an experienced one to deal with us."
"I don't think so. He didn't see my face or my left hand."
"Still we can't let him report back to Minato about our presence here. He dies along with the Targaryen girl and her Dothraki savages. Prepare the men. We leave for Astapor at the break of dawn."
"Hai."
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
(The Next Day—Peak of Noon)
Astapor
Slaver's Bay, Essos
Year 300 AC
The Targaryen entourage waited in front of the gates before they opened. They entered the large courtyard where the full 8,000 Unsullied soldiers along with an additional 2,000 Unsullied-in-training were in formation of six by five.
Daenerys wore a blue cloak around her neck as it covered her back while Missandei wore similar clothing to her new friend's attire and a scarf that acted as a cloak as well. Barristan and Jorah were at Daenerys's sides while Naruto and Tyene guarded the rear. Behind them were a few Dothraki guarding the cage that housed one of the legendary dragons that was offered as payment for the Unsullied as it carried by two members.
As they approached the other side of the massive plaza, Naruto and Tyene listened to Missandei's words to Daenerys as she explained about the Unsullied's prowess, how some of them have not seen battle and any slaves she captures would be sold and trained as new Unsullied soldiers in ten years' time.
They reached the end of the plaza and the Assassin and Sand Snake saw the representative of the Good Masters for the first time. He looked like a smug man dressed in lavish clothing to display his wealth with a cats-o-nine tails with the hilt shaped of a Harpy.
From what Missandei explained, it signifies ownership of the Unsullied.
Daenerys looked uneasy at the man known as Kraznys before she turned around and approached the cage as she opened the cage and held the long chain leash as her child screeched out before it hovered in the air.
Both Naruto and Tyene along with Kraznys stared in awe at the previously-extinct creature. It was reptilian with slender neck as its skin and scales were black with tinges of red throughout its body. It had bat-like wings and two legs with developing claws.
"It's true. Dragons are back." Tyene said with wonder.
Naruto nodded, still stunned by what's he seeing. "My folks are never going to let me live this day."
"Neither my family." Tyene answered back.
Daenerys approached the eager Good Master as she handed him the leash while Kraznys gave her the Harpy hilt. "Is it done then?" She asked. "They belong to me?"
Missandei translated for her as Kraznys answered in Valyrian. "It is done. She holds the whip." He struggled to rein the dragon in as the airborne creature resisted him. "The bitch has her army."
Daenerys glared at the Master before she turned around and approached her newly-acquired army as Jorah looked worried about losing one of the dragons. She stared at them while the slave masters walked along to keep them in order before speaking in a language neither Missandei nor Kraznys expected.
"Unsullied!" Daenerys called out in Valryian, calling her army to attention.
Missandei, Jorah and Barristan were stunned by her knowledge of the extinct language. Kraznys didn't hear her speak as he was too busy to rein in the very resistant dragon who snarled at him.
"Forward march!" The Unsullied followed her order as they marched. "Halt!" She ordered once more and her army complied with perfection.
An impatient Kraznys had enough with the dragon and called for Missandei to translate. "Tell the bitch her beast won't come."
Daenerys turned around and spoke once again in Valyrian. "A dragon is not a slave." Krazys looked at her with great shock as he was dumbfounded by her speaking Valyrian.
"You speak Valyrian?"
"I am Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, of the blood of Old Valyria." Daenerys spoke with pride as Jorah and Missandei watched in excitement. "Valyrian is my mother tongue." She turned around to face her Unsullied army. "Unsullied! Slay the masters, slay the soldiers, slay every man who holds a whip, but harm no child. Strike the chains off every slave you see!"
Naruto and Tyene watched the Unsullied carry out her commands as every slave master, non-Unsullied soldiers and those with a whip are speared, slashed and brutalized by the eunuch soldiers.
"I am your master!" Kraznys desperately ordered but none complied as they continued to kill. "Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!"
Daenerys turned around and calmly said, "Dracarys." She smiled as her dragon let loose a fire stream at Kraznys, burning him alive.
From that point on, the entire Unsullied went to work to carry out their new master's orders throughout the entire city of Astapor.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
(Dusk)
Jorah and Barristan looked at the destruction set loose by their queen's dragons and Unsullied army as smoking flames floated to the sky, blocking out part of the sun. Naruto and Tyene walked with the two older men as Daenerys mounted a horse before she addressed her army.
"Unsullied!" Daenerys spoke in Valyrian. "You have been slaves all your life. Today you are free. Any man who wishes to leave may leave, and no one will harm him. I give you my word. Will you fight for me? As free men?"
Silence met her words as the Unsullied couldn't ponder what to do. Naruto thought they wouldn't follow her since slavery was their livelihood but a noise attracted his attention as it also blew away his previous thoughts.
It was the sound of a spear hitting the ground as it was a sign of support. Soon thousands of Unsullied spears followed suit to show their support for the Targaryen heir. Daenerys felt happy as she had accomplished what her brother wanted for the past seventeen years and got an army to support her claim to the Iron Throne.
"Well I'll be. She did it." Naruto said impressively. "It looks like her right for the throne will be without a cinch huh?"
Barristan looked at the hooded Assassin. "I would not say that yet, Naruto. The queen still has many challenges ahead."
"Oh I don't doubt that, Ser Barristan. In fact—" Naruto suddenly turned silent which draw the attention of the quartet while Daenerys was busy relishing her army's support for her.
Jorah stepped forward while Tyene spoke to him. "Naruto, what is it?" Naruto turned his head to the western entrance of Astapor.
"Trouble." Naruto answered before he suddenly ran west and climbed over the wall to his destination.
A dumbfounded Barristan and Jorah looked at each other worryingly as their queen approached them. "Where is Naruto?" Daenerys asked.
FSTFxFSTFxFSTF
Jumping off the west spire entrance and rolling on the ground to soften the impact, Naruto stayed in his crouching position before he slowly stood up and saw the foreign body that caught his clone's attention. After what happened with the archer the previous day, he created and set four clones around the four entrances that point the directional areas.
One of them served their purpose as sentry albeit involuntarily since he dispersed by a strike to his vein.
Naruto watched as the sounds of synchronized footsteps drummed in his ears. His eyes stared at the flag that bear the sigil of the Stormbreakers. By his estimated guess, they stood 500 strong with the horses numbered to 150 and that was just the front of the formation.
But it was the two figures who caught his attention as they stood out the most with their attire. The shorter one wore a mask to cover facial features as the mask was white with curvy eye-holes and a red wavy design in place of the mouth as long brown hair was curled in a bun while two strands framed both sides of the face. The clothes were a sleeveless light green tunic with matching skirt-like pants as the belt was adorned with several needles for weapons.
The taller one was pale with a strong muscular frame, short spiky hair, brown eyes and small eyebrows as bandages formed a mask around his mouth. A dark brown bordering black sleeveless tunic with chain mail underneath protects his chest with baggy pants as his belt carried five gems of varying colors that represented his leadership of the Stormbreakers. On his back was a massive broadsword that had two cut-out holes in the blade; one near the tip and a semi-circular one near the hilt.
However, the detail that was most alarming to him was their left hands. They were missing their left index fingers.
"Traitors." Naruto muttered silently as he formed a sign with his index finger to disperse his remaining clones.
It was once a rite of passage for Assassins who completed their training and earned the right to wield a Hidden Blade long ago. It was to show the Assassin's dedication to the Order but as time evolved so did too the Hidden Blade. Now it was a mark of traitors and rogues who destroyed their Hidden Blades to sever their connections to the Brotherhood. Traitors are usually killed by Master Assassins almost immediately once their betrayal is known.
If these two are still alive, that means their skills are impeccable.
"Zabuza." The student called his master's name as the latter cracked his knuckles in anticipation.
"Go ahead, Haku. Enjoy."
Haku nodded as he charged towards their brother who also met him in the middle of their designated battlefield. He swung with his senbon as Naruto countered it with his tri-bladed kunai. They entered clash of blades as their weapons tried to penetrate each other's defense but both combatants stood vigilant with their counters.
"He's almost as fast as me." Haku mused as he managed to nick Naruto's arms. "Almost."
Naruto grunted in response before he released his kunai and grabbed Haku's arm tightly, forcing him to release the needle as he flipped him over his shoulder to the ground hard. He raised his right arm with the extended Hidden Blade and stabbed his enemy who rolled out of the way as the ground was his unintended target.
Haku grabbed several senbon and threw them with great speed not unlike an arrow. Naruto countered this with his shuriken as the opposing projectiles clashed in mid-air before he entered hand-to-hand combat with the masked traitor.
"Holy shit! That hooded fucker is matching Haku!" One of the Stormbreakers cried out in shock before he was beheaded by Zabuza's massive broadsword.
"Anyone else want to speak?" Zabuza warned ominously as his men shook their heads. "Haku better hurry up."
Haku's head snapped to the side by Naruto's fierce counter-elbow attack but held his ground as he grabbed a senbon. "Confirmato Glacialis!" Haku chanted a spell.
To his surprise when he blocked the weapon with his bracer, Naruto saw ice begin to form around it albeit slowly. He spun around and channeled chakra into his fist as his mind focused on a specific spell in mind. "Fuka Hoken!" Naruto shouted the spell's name as he smashed his fist into Haku's stomach.
Haku grunted in pain as wind magical missiles sent him up in the air before he landed on the ground where Naruto approached him with his secondary Hidden Blade extended to end his life.
"Uzumaki! Behind you!"
The Assassin looked up to see the Targaryen entourage come out of the entrance with their army as Barristan had his arm pointed beyond him as a warning. Naruto turned around and saw the broadsword heaved at him. "Oh shit!"
The Targaryen army and its upper circle watched a small dust cloud enveloped the three combatants. "Your Grace, should we order the Unsullied to intervene?" Jorah asked in case the opposing Stormbreakers would participate in the fight.
"…No. For some reason, this is his fight." Daenerys said calmly. "But we'll intervene if they do. After this if he's still alive, he has a lot of explaining."
Jorah nodded. "Of course, Khaleesi."
A wide swing from Zabuza blew away the last remaining cloud as he clashed with Naruto's kunai. They clashed a few times until the kunai was flung out of his hands. "Come on!"
"No choice!" Naruto grabbed his sword's hilt and drew Blackfyre to block the massive broadsword.
The audience were shocked to see the broadsword's blade cut in half by the smaller sword. Naruto did a reverse kick to knock the stunned Zabuza back away before he assumed a ready stance with his Valyrian steel weapon whose blade was seen by all.
"Valyrian steel. How did he acquire a weapon like that?" Jorah asked with wonder.
Barristan urged his horse closer to Daenerys as he spoke to her. "Your Grace, having a skilled warrior is already beneficial to your claim but one with a Valyrian steel weapon is even more valuable." Daenerys seem to understand but her eyes never left the battlefield.
Tyene stared at Naruto's form while he traded blades with Zabuza despite the latter's broken sword. She saw his prowess four years in Westeros when they annihilated the sellswords but that was only a glimpse. Here she was seeing his entire martial prowess with sword and fists. "I want to see more."
Naruto traded blows with Zabuza a few times until both weapons were flung from their hands. They cocked their fists before their faces received blows from each other. The both of them were strong but only one staggered in their footing.
"Gah!"
Seeing his chance, Naruto hooked the inside of his arm against Zabuza's throat as they fell on the ground and put pressure around his neck. A triangle chokehold it was called and a very nasty grappling move in the Taijutsu arsenal of the Assassins.
Zabuza, gasping for air, hit Naruto's side repeatedly with his elbow to get him to release his grip. He was strong himself but this Assassin was unexpectedly physically stronger. But as they all learned in the Faraway Lands, teamwork can trump physical superiority.
Sensing danger from behind, Naruto released his grip and rolled out of the way as Haku landed an axe-kick near Zabuza. Both traitors didn't let up as they pushed him backwards with swift punches and kicks but Naruto was not a slouch himself.
Expertly redirecting or blocking each attack, Naruto swept their legs as Zabuza jumped over it but Haku didn't and fell on the ground. Still in the momentum, Naruto kept swinging around with his leg hitting Zabuza's chest as he was sent away from them.
Both the Targaryen household and the Stormbreakers grimaced at the action but the latter group were getting more and more intrigued by the battle as it dragged on.
Haku tried to get up but Naruto grabbed his arm before he punched him with enough force to knock him out. "Sleep tight." He said hoarsely as he picked up Blackfyre.
"Ex somno exsistat exudans Undina inimicum immergat in alveum…" Naruto gasped as water formed in a cylindrical formation around him. "Vinctus Aquarius!" The water surrounded him and cut off any escape.
The Stormbreakers cheered while the Targaryen entourage were worried while awed by the display of water magic. Naruto tried to move but the pressure and density was too great for him as the air in his lungs were seeping out by every second.
Zabuza picked up his broken blade and slowly walked to the imprisoned Assassin. "Don't feel too bad, kid. You lasted longer than the weaklings sent here by Kiiroi Senko and his whore of a wife." He didn't notice Naruto's glare at him intensified. "Still I hope you know this isn't personal… Well maybe a little bit."
A swing with his sword cut through the water prison and bisected Naruto in half.
Haku had recovered before the bisection and stood next to his mentor with his bloodied sword.
Jorah bristled while Barristan looked away from the brutal carnage. Tyene stood there motionless as she stared at the blood-infused prison while Missandei covered her mouth with her hand as Daenerys closed her eyes in sadness.
Just as she opened them again, Daenerys and her household saw the ground burst from behind the two as a completely un-bisected Naruto slammed two spheres of energy into their heads while his Hidden Blades thrust into their necks. "Tsuin Rasengan!"
Blood splattered from the exploded heads while the headless bodies fell to the ground. The Stormbreakers' cheers ceased while the Targaryen household including Tyene stared at the display of power from the Assassin as they were stunned.
Panting slightly before he drew Blackfyre and held the blade down in front of them, Naruto prayed for them. Despite they were traitors, they were still brothers who once united under a common goal. No doubt both his father and mother instilled in him a great respect for the dead and even their enemies no matter who or what they were before their lives ended.
After a long prayer, Naruto let loose a moderate fireball that engulfed the bodies as it was custom for rogue Assassins: leave no trace of them at all. He raised his head to see the Stormbreakers running away with their dicks in their asses but they left their weapons and carts behind after seeing his father's magic sphere. "Yeah, you better run."
"I certainly hope that comment is not meant for me." Daenerys stated rather than ask as she approached him on her white horse. Her entourage were behind her on their mounts with Barristan holding the reins of an unmounted horse.
Naruto shook his head as he took off his hood. "Of course not, Your Grace." He answered while sheathing Blackfyre into its scabbard. "I assume you want an explanation." Daenerys nodded stiffly as he sighed. "Very well then. But first, I need a drink."
Daenerys watched him mount the horse and thanked Barristan as he reined his horse next to hers. "Well?" She asked.
"What do you know about magic?" Naruto asked rhetorically.
As they talked between them, the Unsullied followed their leader and her entourage as three dragons chirped and screeched in the air while the burning bodies of the rogue Assassins were left behind. The sign as the beginning of a Targaryen conqueror taking her destiny. And she was not alone as a maelstrom will aid her claim.
END OF CHAPTER
Another chapter done! I was surprised by the amount of reviews this story and the favorites and follows. Honestly, I thought this wouldn't get a lot of attention but I was wrong. I hope this chapter was up to expectations. In case you were wondering about Naruto's physical appearance, he's the same physical age in the Last: Naruto movie. Please review after you are done reading.
FYI: school will start for me soon so I will not be able to update any of my stories for some time. I will try my best but I won't have a lot of time.
Chapter 1 Q&A's:
Jebest4781 (Aug 12): Thanks a lot. I wish the same for your NarutoxGOT story.
Matthewdeal25 (Aug 12): Thanks. I hope this chapter was enjoyable.
Guest (Aug 12): I read the reviews about the Seven Kingdoms, the Great Houses and the characters. I appreciate the lore and I hope you enjoyed it.
Seraph (Aug 12): I'm glad you enjoyed it. The next chapter I hope was as enjoyable as the previous one.
Daniel 29 (Aug 12): Thank you for that. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it and I hope you like the newest chapter.
Jamex159 (Aug 12): I'm happy you like the story and I hope you'll continue to read it.
Naruto (August 12): Thank you. Do you have any ideas or suggestions you have in mind for the story?
Layperson (Aug 12): Okay, there is no need for that tone. If you do not like it, then you do not have to read it. I understand you have your opinions but still that was uncalled for.
Hflp (Aug 12): How do you like the meeting between Daenerys and Naruto? Also Tyene with the Targaryen Household is something different.
Perseus12 (Aug 12): How do you like the new chapter? I hope it was as exciting as the first chapter.
Evil-pain (Aug 12): I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the story. How do you think this chapter fares? Any ideas for the story? I'm open to suggestions.
Hazard (Aug 12): Thanks for the heads-up. I fixed the chapter after you mentioned it. It took me a little while to tie in chakra and Ninshu but it was worthwhile. It will be…a secret although I'm positive you'll figure it out.
Foxyalienmonkey (Aug 12): Do you like the new chapter? The battle scene and such?
Fox sage123 (Aug 12): I would say likewise about your own story in the category. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.
Keyblade master cole (Aug 12): I like to keep it a secret for now but I have a feeling you'll figure it out. Did you like the new chapter?
RfoxOkat (Aug 12): How does the second chapter fare against the first chapter? Do you have any ideas or suggestions for the story?
ChunkyFunkyMunky (Aug 12): I appreciate your honesty and I respect it. That is your right and I hope you'll continue to read until your interest wanes although I hope it doesn't.
Hiei-Uchiha (Aug 12): I'm glad you like it. How do you like the second chapter?
Ejammer (Aug 13): I don't know if he'll get one. We'll have to wait and see from here.
Ghost Protocol (Aug 13): You're welcome. I hope the new chapter kept the excitement going.
12345 (Aug 13): I'm very pleased to hear that. I hope you'll continue reading my story in the future. Did you like the new chapter?
KuronoDono12 (Aug 13): The pairing I'm positive you'll figure it out as I'll drop clear hints here and there.
Ms Spooky1 (Aug 14): Thanks for the heads-up but I do have it right since I wrote Gregor in the first narrative flashback but I mistakenly wrote Sandor in the second mention when Kushina defeated him in combat. Yeah, that never sat well with me so I thought to change it.
R-king 93 (Aug 14): Thank you. How was the second chapter?
Insanemaelstrom (Aug 16): I'm glad you liked all the characters and first chapter. I hope you liked the second chapter. I read a Skyrim/GOT story and it was amazing at how fluid it was with all characters and the lore. I just wish the author would update the sequel story.
JustumFex (Aug 17): I know that but I checked it out anyway in a Japanes-English romaji website and it's one of the words for maelstrom. I know it's short for narutomaki but still. I hope you like the new chapter.
Rycott (Aug 17): Thanks and I hope you like the second chapter.