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Chapter 8
Naruto and the group had just reached the gate to the Valley of Corrupted Gravity.
Naruto went to the side and sat down. "We'll rest up here. Something tells me, we'll need it."
They all looked at him. "What makes you say that?"
"I don't know... This place is giving me the creeps, and my Chakra and Mana senses are going haywire. I couldn't sense a Fully powered Virage if it were standing right on top of me right now." He paused. "And that's why Mappy got away. He went through here, a place where my senses couldn't track him."
"Couldn't you use the Wind Pulse Tracking?" Albert asked.
Naruto shook his head. "Already tried it. Too much interference. I can't get anything beyond the gate."
They all sighed and sat down, while Sasuke made a Campfire. "Alright, so what's the plan?" Shana asked.
They all looked at Naruto. "I'm afraid I don't have one." Sasuke sighed.
"I believe counting on him for a plan won't work here."
"It will... Just give me maybe 30 minutes. If I don't have a plan by then, it would probably be best to play it by ear, and think on the fly." Naruto said, earning raised eyebrows, and nods all around.
The next 30 minutes went by in silence. "That's 30 minutes." Naruto said. "And I'm afraid there is no plan for the Valley. After it, though, that's where the plan can kick in."
Haschel raised an eyebrow. "Alright, I'll buy. How do you expect us to get through here?"
"The valley, we'll have to play by ear. Stay on guard the entire time, and be ready to draw a weapon at a moment's notice. With my senses out of the picture, that's the best we've got right now."
"What about my Sharingan?" Sasuke pointed. "Surely it can..."
"Won't work." Naruto cut him off, making him scowl. "This valley isn't just thick with Mana. It's also got Chakra, and a few others. If you use the Sharingan: You'll probably go blind."
He stopped scowling for a moment and blinked. "How do you know?"
"If not for the fact there's at least 7 different energies, not including Chakra and Mana, the amount of energy in this valley would be visible. In a way, it already is." Naruto looked at the Valley. "The corrupted gravity is one way to figure out there's a lot of it. Unless I'm mistaken, this was one of the battlefields during the first Dragon Campaign."
"He's right. Nature has gone bat shit insane, to put it bluntly." Rose stated. "And it's because of the clash of energies that does it. 3 or 4 are fine. Anything above 6 is asking for trouble. But what's the Seventh?"
"I can only recognize 4 of them: Human Chakra, Dragoon Mana, Wingly Mana, and Nature Chakra. The rest I have no idea. I only know of the Nature Chakra because of Ero-sennin. He uses it in what he calls Hermit Mode. If I had it, I'd call it Sage Mode. For now, eat up and get some rest. We'll need it, because this is the last stop before we take out the Gehrich Gang." Naruto ended, earning a few nods.
After they ate, Meru tapped Naruto on the shoulder. "Can we talk?" She looked a little troubled, but only Naruto could tell. Rose looked, but didn't realize what it was.
Naruto looked at Rose and gave her a face she understood, and nodded. "Alright." He got up and walked off out of ear-shot.
"What's troubling you?" Naruto asked.
"That obvious?"
"Remember when we established that you and I think alike?" Naruto asked, earning a nod. "Your face said it all."
"Oh..."
"So, what up?" He asked, softly.
"Well... Why haven't you told anyone else in the group? Sasuke and Rose know, but none of the others, as far as I know."
"The aren't really used to your presence. We all have our secrets. Rose knows most of mine, but what she doesn't know, no one but me does. I would easily say Haschel suspects you have a secret, but hasn't asked. He knows that people have their secrets. Dart seems to have a bit of bad blood with people that threaten him, and they all know the history of Winglies and Dragoons. Not a pretty one. They accept me, because before I even found out, I was helping them. They've accepted me before I knew what I was."
"But its different with me."
"Rose and Sasuke are the only ones that know, because they were there, and I actually trust them to know that it shouldn't get out without your permission. Sasuke wouldn't care either way, and probably would only say anything if he were asked, and even then he might blow them off. He's an Emo Duckbutt. 'nuff said. Anything else?" Naruto asked.
"What's an Emo Duckbutt?" Meru asked.
Naruto chuckled a bit. "You see his hair?" She looked. "It's in the shape of a Duck's butt. He's Emo, but I haven't seen him cut himself. Hence, Emo Duckbutt."
"You know, I actually see it." Meru stated. "It fits."
"I know, right?"
They both laughed at that. When they stopped Meru spoke. "Thanks."
"For what?"
"Lightening the mood. It's gotten pretty tense around here."
"You can thank Mappy for that one."
"Oh... right. I don't know how to thank you for that."
"Don't worry about it." Naruto held out a hand. "Friends and family stick together. We're all friends, and in your case, we're cousins. We support and help each other out... No matter how annoying we can get."
"Other Winglies just don't see it that way. Too arrogant for their own good, trying to think in the past."
"That's gonna get them killed, you know?" Naruto pointed out.
"It is?"
"When you think you're in the world of the past, you forget about the present and that things change. Arrogance because of the past, means weakened states. That's what would kill them." Naruto stated. "We'd have to change that mindset, or Winglies will really be extinct."
"Good luck with that. I don't see how that can happen."
"And that means I have another goal. I just hope I'm right, and you're a Dragoon. That'll get them thinking different for a while."
"Yeah, that would be Ironic."
"I know, right?" She nodded with a smile.
"Let's get back to the others." He nodded, and they walked back.
"So, what was wrong?" Sasuke asked.
"Just a few questions. Nothing really big right now. More for later, when it actually applies." Naruto shrugged.
They then put it off, but Sasuke knew he was covering something up. And he had a feeling he knew what it was.
They rested up, with 2 people taking watches at a time. After everyone had gotten 6 hours of rest, they all woke up... to Sasuke and Meru cooking a few eggs on a rock. Naruto looked at them. "Meru? Sasuke?"
They both looked at him, and then back at each other, before backing up a little from each other. "Sorry..." She said, quietly.
Sasuke ignored it, and looked at Naruto. "Scrambled or sunny side up?"
"I'm not that picky. Any way is good with me." he replied, the others shrugged, not caring either way.
After they ate the eggs, though Naruto didn't eat as much as usual, looking at the gate every now and then, they got up and Naruto spoke once again. "In this valley, I won't be able to sense anything that's coming our way, so be on guard, and ready to strike at a moments notice, but don't attack needlessly. That'll get us killed faster than being off guard."
They all nodded, except for Sasuke who sighed. Meru glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, but he didn't give any sign that he noticed. Naruto walked up to the nearby guard, and said a few things, before he called up, and the gate opened. Naruto turned the others and nodded, before they walked as a group into the valley.
XxX
The moment they found floating rocks, was the moment they all had the same thought. 'Okay, Insanity doesn't cover this trip.'
Naruto and Meru were the only difference. 'Floating rocks... Nice.' was Meru's thought.
Naruto just sighed. 'Insanity isn't what I'm worried about. I'm more concerned about me not being surprised at this.'
As they jumped from rock to rock, waiting when the way across was to small for all of them, though Sasuke and Naruto didn't wait. They just jumped onto other rocks to get across. They slowly made their way to the top, taking out 2 Giant Eagle-like birds on the way.
XxX
The group had finally made it to the top, but Shana started shivering. "No... Not again." Naruto and Rose immediately knew what that meant.
"And my Danger Senses are going haywire, too." Naruto stated.
Dart, Rose, Sasuke, Naruto and Shana all nodded, knowing what this meant, and said one word. "Virage." Haschel, Albert and Meru were surprised at that.
"What do you mean?"
"It happened before we met up with you, Haschel." Naruto said, pointing Dragon Horn out towards the Exit. "Volcano Villude, to be exact."
They nodded, knowing it was something that would be better off left alone for the time being. They walked, weapons drawn. They came up to the Virage, which was blocking the path out, and woke up. "Looks like getting past this guy isn't going to come by easily." Naruto said, unsheathing Dragon Horn.
"Looks that way." Dart said, preparing for an attack. "But this one has legs."
"Of course. That means this is one is bound to be a bit tougher." Naruto said. "But remember Dart. We've gotten better since then, and I think it's time we hit pay dirt!"
"Right!" They all shouted, as they charged the legs.
Naruto started by cutting off an arm, Sasuke doing the same with the other one. Meru jumped higher than the others originally thought impossible, but Rose noticed the small wings on her back helping her out. She landed on the shoulder and sent one smack to the back of the head, sending it forward a bit, as Haschel managed to hit the leg to make the Virage hit the ground. Naruto then jumped back, followed quickly by Sasuke. "Rose! Sasuke! Dart! Slice and Dice!"
"Right!"
They landed quite a few cuts in rapid succession, but Naruto backed up a bit, before channeling a Lot of Chakra into his arm, before swinging Dragon Horn once. Cuts appeared all across the Virage's Body, legs, and head. If you were looking closely, you'd see that, from the elbow down, Naruto's arm was moving at speeds beyond 65 MPH.
Shana had an arrow drawn, but hadn't let it go yet. "What are you waiting for, Shana?" Dart shouted.
"It's not dead yet, and I'm still charging up for this one. It won't get rid of it like this! We have to..."
Naruto landed next to her. "Shana, we've got about 12 seconds before it gets back up. It may be weakened now, but the moment it gets back up, The rest of us should try to get it near the edge. That's when you let it fly as a Knock back arrow."
"It's taking a little too long to charge it up."
Naruto thought about it for a minute. "Dragoon the strike. It should help channel it better." she nodded and turned into the White Silver Dragoon. She channeled the Magic into the bow, and didn't even try to use an actual arrow. She readied it as a Knockback shot, charged with the power of the moon.
The Virage managed to get back up, and screeched. "Let's do this!"
Naruto charged a pair of Rasengan, and charged. Rose took to the skies as the Dark Dragoon and landed a hit to send the Virage reeling a bit. Dart launched a Flameshot spell at it, sending it back even further.
Naruto then got in front of the Virage and landed 2 hits right on the torso, sending it back, and jumping off, putting it right at the edge. "Shana! NOW!" He shouted.
"Alright! Moon Shattering Shot!" She released the arrow, which then multiplied into 300 before it started hitting the Virage, which was knocked back a few inches with each hit, before it fell off. They all looked at her in surprise at the arrow that split.
"That was... wow." Haschel stated, in awe.
Shana turned back to normal, and took a few breaths. "That was... tiring..."
Naruto and Dart were right next to her. "Are you ok?" Naruto asked, earning a nod. "Are you sure? We can stop for a bit. Something like that is bound to cause exhaustion."
"I'm fine, really. Just not used to using that much Mana at once. That was the same amount for 20 Moonlight Spells."
Naruto looked at her in the eyes with worry in his own. She noticed. "What are you worried for?"
"You're a friend. Do I need another reason?" he asked softly. She shook her head with a small smile, as he held out a hand, which she grabbed, before he put her arm over his shoulders and walked her to a rock and sat her down. "After something like that, some of us are gonna need a breather. I was hoping to not have to rest until after the Gehrich Gang is gone, but it looks like we'll need to." He looked at the others. "And I hope there are no objections?" he sounded like he was asking a question, so everyone else shook their heads. "Then we'll rest up here. Shana." He handed her a Yellow Pill.
"Is that..."
"Not a soldier pill. Those things taste disgusting. This is one of the Naruto Style Plasma Pills, which was based off of the Akimichi Food pills. They usually have a set of 3 Colored Pills, I never did get those, but this one, believe it or not, tastes somewhat like Miso Ramen. It was the closest thing I could get." He looked at Shana. "It usually speeds up Chakra recovery, and I don't use them often. I only have 3 of them, and they're hard as hell to make right. If it works for Mana as well, you'll be ready in about 4 minutes."
She nodded, and ate it. "This... this is actually pretty good." She looked at him. "I could actually taste spaghetti noodles, a half-Chicken, half-beef liquid soup, a few pieces of Sushi..."
"Not Miso ramen." Naruto said. "That... that was Ichiraku's Surprise Ramen. I taste tested that one."
"Wait... You know the ingredients for it?"
"I know what each one tastes like. When it comes to Ramen, or noodle Soup in general, I can pick out each ingredient, even if everyone else can't pick up 1 or 2. I've had Ramen so much thanks to the villagers... That's just sad that I could do that."
"No kidding." Dart pointed out.
"What's really sad is that your own home pushed you to do that." Rose pointed out. "Why do you want to go back there, again?"
"I'll tell you the same thing I told Baa-chan: To be Hokage, the leader of my village, that is my dream. Doing that, I will have finally proved I'm me, and not a demon like they think I am." Naruto replied, as he sat down and closed his eyes, his back to a wall. "Any more questions?"
"Why would they think you're a demon?"
"Humanity, believe it or not, is ruled by their emotions, not their mind. Those that listen to their mind first, emotions second, forget a part of who they are. There are a select few that listen to their heart, and act on that, rather than logic or emotions. Out of everyone I've ever heard of... 4 people listened to their heart first, and placed Logic and Emotions second. The Sandaime, Yondaime, a man named Kaiza who died without regrets... and Dart." They all looked at him, Dart had a shocked look.
"Why me?"
"It's the way you are. I can see it in your eyes, I can feel it in your actions. It seemed clouded a while back, but now that the skies have cleared, so to speak, you listen to your heart. If you do that, you'll live a live without regrets." Naruto raised his head, and opened his eyes. "I've been trying to do that myself. It's hard to do when you can't understand what it's saying. Quick question... Am I looking at the sky, or are we on the bottom of a rock, and I'm looking at the ground?"
Everyone blinked a few times, and bust out laughing. "Hey, I'm serious here! I lost count how many times we switched gravitation pulls!" They laughed harder, and Naruto started chuckling, before joining in on the laughter. After a while, they all stopped. "So... I lost my train of thought..."
"It's like they say, Laughter is the best medicine." Haschel stated. "Back as for the question earlier.. Why would they think you're a demon?"
'Damn, I was hoping to get out of that one.' Naruto thought, as everyone looked at him. He then sighed. "You don't realize what someone wants when they change the subject, do you?"
"Oh, I know. But the more you change it, the more I want to know." Haschel replied.
He sighed again. "I'll put it to you this way. A demon attacked. I was born. This happened the same day. You do the math."
"They thought you were that demon?" Albert asked. "Your home is screwed in the head, Naruto."
"Now, picture someone that becomes the best leader they've had, after going through a childhood like that. What do you think would happen, if all he ever did was protect the ones that wanted him dead?"
"He'd kill them at a moment's notice."
Naruto shook his head. "This is what I'd do: First: Get rid of the Civilian Council. They don't realize the life Shinobi lead. Second: Get the standards up. Trust me, the village needs it. Third, and most important: Continue to protect them, like I have been, because they finally accepted me for who I am." He looked at Dart. "I have the sinking feeling that Dart and Rose both see what I'm saying."
They both nodded. Sasuke shrugged. "One of the reasons I respect you... but you're still a dobe."
"Shut up, Teme." Naruto shot back, before they looked at each other for a few seconds and laughed. "Okay, looking back now, that's probably the only thing that hasn't changed between us."
"I believe this is something you'd say: Found a name, and it stuck."
"Oh yeah, it stuck alright."
-Somewhere in Millie Seseau-
A girl with Strawberry pink hair looked at the animals surrounding her in a forest clearing. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes. We have received word that someone is looking for you." One of the wolves stated.
"No one would be looking for me... I have no one left that will look for me."
"Are you sure? They gave your name, and that you could have survived the..."
"Please... don't mention that. It's not my home any longer."
"The rumors among the birds say that he goes by the name Haschel." She tensed up at this. "Do you know him?"
"I... I don't know... I think I do, but..."
"Your memory problems?"
"Yeah... Thanks for letting me know."
"Do you want us to let them know?"
"No... if they come near, just lead them to me. If this can get me to remember, then by Soa, I will. But... if they're looking for me, then I doubt they'd find me easily." She said, before a bird landed on her shoulder. "What's up?"
"One of them can talk to birds. I came as fast as I could, thinking you may want to hear it."
"Hear what?" She asked, curious.
"There is one looking for you, and he got some help. That one used to carry a fox sealed in his gut, as he said. He can speak all canine languages, meaning he could understand the wolves, he can talk with several species of birds, mice, and the like. Not felines, though. The one named Haschel says he's looking for his daughter, and has been for 20 years, now. The one that's helping him..." The girl dropped to her knees clutching her head. "Are you okay?"
"Haschel... Master... He was... dad..." She passed out.
The wolf looked at the bird. "Don't look at me! I didn't expect this to happen! But that wasn't all. There was another one, one that he really hopes she would know. Dart Feld. If she recognizes the name, and he's right, that means her father and her son are traveling together as Dragoons, now."
"Did you just say Dragoons?"
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
"The one helping them... is he a dragoon too?"
"No, he's not even from this dimension... At least, he wasn't born here. His father was, from what I know."
the wolf in the lead nodded. "Don't let them know about her just yet. Let them come to Neet first. We will wait for the 3 of them to appear there. That is all there is to know, we shall meet them there, and guide them."
The bird nodded, and flew off.
-Gigantos Home-
Naruto and the group were right outside looking at the run down palace. "This seems to be the place." He stated.
"Yeah this is it. The Home of Gigantos. The Gehrich Gang sticks around here. As to how much they have here, there's not much I can say." Meru admitted.
"There's a lot of people in here, but they're mostly tensed up." Naruto admitted. "There are 2 in here that I think we might have to worry about, but they're further in than most." He then tensed up. "Mappy... I hope you're ready."
"Looks like he found him." Sasuke stated.
They all walked in, to find 3 members there. "So, which one of you is the Recruit boss was talking about?" One of them said, before Naruto shoved a Rasengan into his gut, which sent him flying in a spiral towards a pillar that just fell. "Where is he?" He questioned the other 2, as he held their collars. "I was originally thinking on joining, but after what he did? The only way I'd ever join: is if he's dead." Naruto's voice was downright sinister.
"Boss... He's in the Throne room."
"Which one? Gehrich Gang Boss, or Mappy?"
"Both..." One squeaked out. Naruto then let go of their collars, and crushed in their faces... with his bare hands. Rose knew just how bad they pissed him off, since Naruto didn't even flinch one bit.
Haschel was a little saddened by the display. "The poor bandit didn't even stand a chance."
"Let's move on." Naruto said, coldly, before he flicked the blood off of his hands.
XxX
They walked up to a door, where there were more bandits on the wall around it. "What happened to the ones that were supposed to escort you in?" One of them asked, an arrow notched. Naruto didn't waste any time, and threw a Kunai, that went the his skull.
"I'm pissed, I'm bored, and neither of those are good for anyone around me. Any other stupid questions?"
"Why did kill him if you're trying to join?" One them asked, before a third shot an arrow, which Naruto caught without looking. He then snapped the arrow in half with his bare hand, making the side with the tip fall, before he grabbed it and tossed at the one that asked the question. "Stupid question. You got another one?" He asked the other 2.
They shook their heads quickly. "Then open the fucking gate, and let me see Mappy." The bandits both nodded in fear, and opened the gate, as other bandits came up behind them. Those two found a pair of Kunai in between their eyes. "Don't get in my way." Another set of bandits came up to them, one of them in a stance that Haschel recognized.
"How do you know that stance?" Haschel questioned.
"The boss taught it to me."
"Haschel, I assume that the stance is from your home, correct?" Naruto asked. Earning a nod. "That means three of us have a second reason to be here."
"Come again?"
Naruto pulled out Dragon Horn, and cut the other two in half. "Haschel, you take that one on. I'll find the throne Room. Rose, you're with me. Sasuke, take Albert, Dart, and Shana and eliminate the rest. Haschel, when you're done with him... find me. I have a feeling Mappy is with the big boss here. Something tells me you want to take him down."
"For once, I'm not surprised, or shocked that you know what I'm thinking."
"Then take care of this bastard. We'll handle the others." Haschel nodded, and then took out the person in less than 7 hits. Haschel quickly found Naruto, who was meeting with Mappy and a familiar face to him, in what seemed to resemble a throne room.
"Gehrich... I should've known you'd survive this long."
"It's your own fault for pushing me away." The man on the throne replied, as he stood up. Naruto, Rose, and Haschel looked at Gehrich and Mappy. The others entered the Throne Room before they started anything. "Naruto we..." Sasuke started talking, but stopped, as he found what was about to happen... and Mappy was in good condition.
"You haven't done anything yet?"
"Oh, I have." Naruto said, as everyone, even Gehrich and Mappy, looked at him. "Your Sharingan would see it. That's about it." Sasuke then knew what he was talking about.
"You mean that..."
"Twice the strength of Tsukuyomi. And now that everyone is here, no one is going to know what's going to happen." Naruto stated, as the entire area changed to look like in was complete darkness. "Welcome to the Infinite Darkness Realm. Any and all fighting here will have no consequences on the terrain we were just at. And we have an infinite amount of space to fight."
Everyone looked around. "Rose, as agreed, you and I are taking Mappy. Don't kill him outright. Gehrich, on the other hand... Everyone else just do what you want to him. But Mappy is ours, and he's going to experience what I call TRUE TERROR!" Naruto shouted out with a demonic like voice, and unleashed a massive amount of Chakra, causing everyone to cover their eyes with their arms. Rose instantly turned into a Dragoon, and tried to bear the wind, that was threatening to throw everyone off of their feet.
Sasuke said the logical thing. "Gehrich... Mappy is doomed."
"What makes you think a light show can stop him?"
"Because if he's emitting that much power... Well, I'll put it to you this way: I barely survived fighting him when he used a quarter of what he's using now, and then, it was more corrosive. Dart, Shana... That's 4 tails."
They both widened their eyes, knowing exactly what that meant, and they both looked at each other, and then Gehrich. "Mappy is fucked." Dart said.
"I may not like the language, but I have to agree."
"Gehrich... where is the stone he took from the blonde."
"Why should I tell you?"
"Because the fact that he took that stone is the reason, Mappy is fucked." Haschel replied. "For now, I think we should put our fight on hold, and watch as Naruto lets his anger out." They all turned to Naruto, who was currently, cutting Mappy up with hundreds of Knives coming from paper bombs.
"What did I do wrong?" Mappy questioned, on his last legs.
"You took my friend, my father, and one more thing... You took a precious person from me. Death is far too easy for you." Naruto stated, in a cold voice, before gripping Mappy, and chanting out a few words no one recognized.
Mappy glowed a deep blue, before Naruto continued pounding the shit out of him, with several lethal blows, but Mappy never truly died with any of them.
"Why hasn't he died yet?" Albert asked. "I mean, this many fatal blows had to have killed him by now."
"The glow." Shana stated. "I know that glow... I can't place it, though."
"Damn bastard can't die." Sasuke stated. "Kami, he's far beyond pissed."
Rose went back them, not wanting to be there anymore. "Soa... I hope you give Mappy some kind of mercy. Naruto won't bother to."
"No kidding." Meru stated. "I would be upset too if someone did the same to me. Still... I wouldn't go this far for a friend, or family member."
"Try living in a place where everyone around you hates you, when you don't even know why until you're 12, and you still don't blame them, or even try to kill them. What I'm wondering is... Where does he put all his rage?" Sasuke stated.
Just then, Naruto backed off, and made a pair of wings, that everyone noticed. He went into the air, and put his hands up high, his legs spread shoulder width apart. An orange ball of fire appeared above him, as a small red glow appeared over Mappy, and Shana noticed. When the glow broke off of his body, Shana knew he was vulnerable, and looked at Naruto, as the ball of fire continued to grow. She sensed a lot more hatred than she's ever felt. "Sasuke... I think I found the answer to your question."
"That giant ball?" He asked, earning a nod. "Well then... That's the finishing move."
"RRAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Naruto shouted, as he bent over, as if through the ball over his head. The ball itself was a whopping 32 feet in Diameter, and made entirely of fire. "MEGGIDO!" Mappy groaned in pain, not realizing the incoming ball of flames that was his end.
It was a direct hit, and Shana glowed, making a barrier around all of them. "Spirit Barrier!" She shouted. Her arms spread wide, feet just beyond shoulder width apart, back straight, and chin up, the barrier was in between the group of spectators, and the blast, which Naruto seemed unaffected by.
Naruto then landed next to Rose. "Alright, I'm good."
"How can you still be standing after using something like that?" Gehrich shouted.
"I stood up to a Dragon singlehandedly. You think I can't handle something like that, which is slightly less dangerous?" Naruto asked.
Rose walked up to him and slapped him. "What were you thinking?"
"Exactly what happened." He looked at Shana. "I have a feeling she knows what I'm talking about."
"You mean you knew that I would..."
"I knew you'd see the danger and try to help out with a barrier of sorts." Naruto stated. "Although, there was one thing I didn't count on." He looked at Gehrich. "Where is the stone that he took?"
"Just get us back, and I'll take you there." Gehrich was scared shitless of Naruto after what he did to Mappy. "Just don't kill me!"
They all appeared in the throne room, and found Kongol standing there. "Kongol... I was hoping we'd have the Golden Dragoon Spirit before we met again."
"Kongol surprised you here. What happen?" He asked.
"Gehrich?" Naruto looked at him.
Gehrich was at the throne, and pressed a button, making it go down. "It's down here. I know what it looks like." Gehrich went down, and came back up. "This is it right?"
Naruto grinned like a fox. "Korallo... I missed ya, furball." He said as he held it up. "This is what I'm here for. And Lynn?"
"You mean the guy that came here?"
"That's him!" Meru shouted.
"Bring him here, and I won't have any complaints." Naruto stated, as he went back in, and flew up the stairs.
Another one came up the stairs, looking pissed. "Lynn!" Meru shouted.
"Meru? What are you doing here? And how did you manage to get him to let me out?" The man asked.
"That would be me." Naruto stated. "His right hand is now dead. Though at this point... I'm almost running on fumes." He fell back and let out a breath. "Meggido isn't something I should use often, and only as a last resort. But what would be better? That or the Rasenshuriken?"
Rose and Sasuke looked at him, blinked a few times. Sasuke looked at Gehrich. "If you ask me, Mappy got a slight amount of mercy. There isn't anything I can think of that can be worse than being torn apart, cell by cell, until nothing is left."
"How about 8 of them?" Rose suggested.
"Point. That is worse."
"I have a feeling he can make at least 50 of them on a full tank."
"122 to be exact." Naruto pointed out. "We counted, my mom and me."
"That's just wrong." Dart stated.
"Gehrich." Haschel stated, as he looked at the unconscious body. "You were a fool to leave. My daughter is the only reason I left my home, and its because I have to make up for what I did to her. I feel like I failed you both. It is my fault you both left. And to think she actually liked you for a few months."
"She... she did...?" He croaked out.
"Yes, she did. Is that so surprising?"
"Yeah... Just... I won't make it... end it."
"Oh? You really want to die here?"
"Just... find her... she's alive. I saw her... 4 years ago. She didn't recognize me. I think... it's memory loss. She can't remember anything. Get her memory back. That... that is my last request."
"Thank you. But where is she?"
"I don't know... I was in Millie Seseau... I remember wolves... birds... and her. Nothing more." He croaked out. "I was doomed to die today. Looks like the War god wanted me dead, anyway. If you don't, that hit from him will kill me."
Haschel nodded, as he looked at the others, who left the room. "Are you sure about this?"
"Is it not better to die by someone you betrayed, rather than by someone you don't even know?"
"Alright." Haschel landed one hit on his chest, causing a hole to appear in Gehrich's back... right where the heart would be. Haschel removed his hand, and shed a single tear. "It is too bad you had to die, but at least it's the way you wanted to go. I only regret I didn't show you what was wrong before you left."
He looked at his hand, and realized that he didn't have a single drop of blood on it. "I can't believe it actually worked the first time around. Thank you Kushina." he walked out of there, and met with the others. "Alright, we're done here. The Gehrich gang is gone."
"There were more members." Naruto pointed out. "Considering the fact that we have about a week before the ceremony, I think we should get back to Fletz. Lynn, we'll lead you to the Barrens, but we'll have to split paths there. The sooner we get back to Fletz, the better off we'll be. Kongol, will you come?"
"Dart spared Kongol. Kongol owes debt. Kongol come with you." he replied.
"Meru?"
"This is getting interesting! Why would I leave you?"
"I expected that answer. Alright, let's get going." A toad poofed in on top of Naruto's head. "Gamakichi?"
"Bro, good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"
"Good news."
"Jiraiya found the real Emille. Kushina and Lisa know, Zior does not."
"What's the bad news?"
"The ceremony is happening a day early. You've got 5 days to get back."
Naruto sighed. "See what I mean Lynn?" He asked, earning a nod. "It'll take at least 4 days to get to Fletz without a mode of transportation."
Naruto looked at him and nodded, before extending his senses around the Valley nearby. He found Jiraiya and Kushina... along with a straight path that didn't cross the Valley. "Alright, here's the plan. Kongol, Meru, get Lynn to the Barrens, and split from him there, and head south to Fletz. Lynn, head to your fiance. She'll want you there as soon as possible." Lynn, Meru and Kongol nodded.
"What about you?" Meru asked, earning a foxy grin from Naruto, before he glowed, and became the Golden Fox. Sasuke, and the Dragoons knew what this meant, and went into their Dragoon form, while Sasuke went into his Flying Snake form. "You're all Dragoons?"
"They are. Sasuke and I aren't. The Water and Earth Dragoons... are likely to be you two. Golden Dragoon is Earth, Blue Sea is Water. Kongol, you seem aligned with Earth, which would make sense to put you as Golden Dragoon. Meru, you're water, and your Hammer puts you as Blue Sea Dragoon. Just thought you should know before we take off. Meet at the palace. I'll let the guard know."
They all took off, Naruto in the lead, the rest following. Meru and Kongol looked at each other, then at Lynn. "We should get going. I hope they kept you fed, because I'm not good at hunting."
"Kongol can hunt." Kongol stated. "We move now." They all walked out, and went through the Valley.
-Fletz, 3 days later-
Meru and Kongol entered the town, and were immediately greeted by Kushina. "Good job getting here so quickly."
"We could've been here faster if Kongol could fly."
"Kongol knows this. Kongol also see that you're pretty."
"Sorry, Kongol, but right now, I'm not looking for romance. I have 13 years to make up for regarding my son."
Meru nodded, as did Kongol. "Meru told Kongol about that. Kongol also understand." Kushina nodded. "Know that offer is open if you want it."
"I'll keep that in mind Kongol. Now let's go. Meru, Naruto has been a little worried about you."
"He was?"
"You're family right? That's grounds for it according to him. I know you're good enough to get around, and you've obviously got some muscle on your side." Kushina said, looking at Kongol. "He'd probably give Tsunade a run for her money in strength."
They started walking, and the guard let them through.
XxX
Naruto, Rose, Dart and Shana were sitting on a balcony. Naruto looked at Dart. "Wondering when the other two will get here?"
"Yeah... It's not like you to leave a friend behind, though."
"I know they can make it. Besides..." He turned his head. "They just arrived, and are walking up the steps to the castle Plaza."
Dart and Shana looked over the railing, and saw Kongol. They didn't see Meru or Kushina, and looking at Naruto. "Meru is on Kongol's back. Mom went back to shopping. Which reminds me..." He pulled out a small box. "Rose, I got this one for you." He tossed it to her. "And no, it's not a ring. I'm not going to make the same mistake Zieg made and propose before a final battle in a war. And this war has just begun. That's just something I thought you'd like."
She looked at him and he spoke again. "Open it, and you'll see." She did, and found a necklace with a stone that resembled her Dragoon Spirit in shape and color. There was only one difference. Her Dragon Micheal, was in the middle of it.
She looked at him in shock. "Why?"
He took it and put in around her neck. "Because I thought you would like it, and I had it enchanted. The enchantments would help protect you from physical and Magical attacks up to level 3, but I enhanced that to go up to level 9. Basically, if it's not on the level of Meggido, spells won't harm you that much as long as you wear it. I almost bit off more than I can chew with that one, though."
"No kidding. There were no remains of it." Dart stated. "Any way you can teach me that one?"
"When you can bring out your dragon... 7 times in a row without resting. Only then would I think you could handle it. I could barely handle it. Wind Storm is a lot easier. Then again, I am a Wind Element. Wind spells are my area of best shots." Naruto stated.
Meru came up to them, though Kongol wasn't there. "So, what'cha been doing since I was gone?"
"Mainly talking. We found her, and she's awake, but she's hidden right now. We're waiting for the right time to reveal her. We have to catch her in the act, or we'll be blamed for a fake." Naruto admitted. "And Lynn?"
"He got home safely. Wedding is today. It's just too bad I couldn't be there. So, how long were you out when you got here?"
"15 hours. That would be about right, too with my regeneration."
"And Sasuke?" she asked, earning a raised eyebrow.
"I'm fine, thank you very much." A voice said from a higher spot. They looked and Sasuke jumped down and landed next to her. "I'm not the one that made a giant ball of fire. I didn't even use a single Jutsu the entire time."
"I'm glad." She said, softly, while thinking. 'Whats going on with me? Why does my body feel like it's racing?'
Naruto noticed a slight tinge of red on Sasuke's ears. "Sasuke, are you blushing?"
"No, I'm not!" he shouted back.
"A little louder than usual. Then again... if I'm right, and that red spot on both ears means you were..."
"What are you talking about?" He shouted.
"Dart, did you notice?"
"Yeah, I did."
"Did you also notice it back at the gate to the valley?"
"I didn't see it then."
"I did." Shana admitted. "Part of being an archer means you see more than others."
Naruto and Rose nodded at that. "She's right. Archers have to see more than most, because they have to fight at longer ranges and still be accurate." Naruto pointed out. "Now that I think on it, Hinata might be a little better if she had a bow. Her Byakugan would help out with targeting at long ranges. She can use it highly well if she could train with a real archer."
Sasuke nodded. "That's a good idea. Her entire clan could use the lessons."
"No. Hinata is the only one that will take them."
"Why not?" Meru asked, curiosity on her face.
"Meru... They're far too arrogant for their own good. Hinata is the only one that isn't arrogant... Neji was improving since I kicked his ass, but I have no idea where he stands at this point." Naruto said.
"I see." she said. "You know... That would mean you could probably convince my family to lose their arrogance."
Naruto shrugged. "We'd have to get there first. Remember, we have other things to do before we can. 2 days left. Be ready for a good surprise."
They all nodded.
-2 days later, Throne Room in the Twin Castle-
Jiraiya was with Lisa, and Kushina was escorting Zior, who was already in the know about the fake, but hadn't told anyone at Kushina's request. "Emille, you have reached the tender age of 21, and as such, bear the responsibility to carry the Moon Dagger."
"I accept this responsibility."
"I'm afraid, you won't be able to." A female voice said, causing the fake Emille to tense up, and turn around. There was Naruto, Sasuke, Lisa and the REAL Emille. "Father, I have returned from my trip."
"I thank you for returning so quickly." Zior replied, before the fake Emille took the Moon Dagger from Zior's hands.
"You're too late! I already have the Moon Dagger."
The Dragoons, Kongol, and Meru were in the room, along with Jiraiya. Naruto walked towards her. "So, Lenus... How's Lloyd?"
The female looked at him and narrowed her eyes, before losing the dress. "What do you know about it?"
"He's got half of my blood, after all." Naruto replied, walking towards her. "The same half I had no idea on for the first 13 years of my fucking life."
Lenus widened her eyes. "Why side with the Humans?"
"Who the hell do you think raised me? Who do think saved me from a pit of despair where I'm hated, not because of my blood, but because of their fucking ignorance and stupidity? Humans may be conceited, arrogant, and ruled by their emotions, but at least I saw the flip side of the coin."
"Talking will get us nowhere. I am only doing this for my love."
"Who doesn't love you back." Naruto replied.
"YOU LIE!"
Naruto looked at Sasuke. "Remember when I said partial fangirl?"
"I believe it now." Sasuke stated. "Looks like even a Wingly can be a Fangirl. And Fangirls are useless."
She charged Naruto in rage, but he countered with a backhand sending her into a pillar. "You are a fool to think you can go up against a Jinchuuriki. Or in my case, EX-Jinchuuriki."
She looked at him eyes wide, before she ran off to the balcony and flew off as fast as she could. Naruto stopped the others by holding out an arm. "Why are you..."
"You think I would stop you from going after her without a damn good reason?" Naruto asked.
"But she has the Moon Dagger!" Lisa shouted.
Naruto looked at Zior. "If I may ask for a favor, your majesty?"
"If you tell us why you let her go, yes."
Naruto nodded. "I placed a tracking seal on her, for one. I have a feeling she has a powerful ally, and I'm not talking about her so called love. She leads us to her powerhouse, since she obviously knows she can't beat me alone, and we knock out 3 birds with one stone."
"Oh? And what are they?"
"One, the Sea monster in Illisia Bay will be gone. Judging from the direction she went, that's where she's heading. Two, we take her down even harder, not having to worry about innocent bystanders, such as the civilians downstairs."
"And the third?"
"That ties into my request. I'm afraid I cannot reveal it, until the request has been made." Naruto admitted.
Zior thought for a moment. "Very well. What is your request?"
"When we have the Moon Dagger, I request permission to take care of it myself. It will serve better in my hands than here. While I am constantly on the move, therefore, harder to track, it will be harder to pinpoint my location. If it stays here, they can target it again and get it from you, when we aren't around to stop it." Naruto explained.
Zior thought for a moment longer. "Emille?"
"I agree with him. After all, it was him who found out she was a fake first." Princess Emille replied.
Lisa nodded. "His heart is pure. And his words are true. I believe we should let him take care of it."
"Then you shall be allowed to handle the Moon Dagger."
"Thank you, your majesty." Naruto said, bowing his head. "Is there a way for you to get us a boat to travel in the Illisia Bay? We may need some kind of transportation."
"Of course. The Queen fury shall be ready for you in Donau. Anything else?" Zior asked.
"No sir. That is all I ask." Naruto replied.
"Then you should rest up, and get going tomorrow. Kushina, I believe you will go with him?"
"Of course."
"I see. Take care of him. And get the dagger back. Make sure it is safe."
"We will. That much is certain." The Dragoons and Shinobi left the castle, though Naruto stayed behind. "Lord Zior, I will be sending a bird from the Illisia bay with a message on whether or not we succeeded in retrieving the Moon Dagger. Wait for it."
Zior nodded, and Naruto left the room. He met up with the others in the city Plaza. Rose, Kushina, Sasuke, and Jiraiya looked at him, wanting to talk.
He sighed, and motioned them to come with him.
-Forest Clearing-
Naruto sighed. "I'm sure you all want to know what that third bird was, don't you?"
They all nodded. "Alright then. Lenus doesn't have the Moon Dagger." this shocked them all.
"But how..."
"It can't get out that she doesn't have it. Not yet. If anyone else finds out, then all hell will break loose. Illisia Bay and the ports there will be trashed to all hell if it does."
"If she doesn't have it, then who does?"
Naruto pulled up his left sleeve. "You don't think I'd let her take something that easily, did you? I took it when I back handed her. She needed that one." He revealed what seemed to be a Tattoo similar to the Moon Dagger. "That's the third reason I let her go. And that's also why I asked that I hold onto it. I wasn't kidding about the reasons, as they are true, but that is not all of them, and all of you know that."
They all looked at him in surprise, but that left their faces quickly. "I knew you were good, but I didn't think you were that good." Jiraiya stated. "The village may have tried fucking you over, but they only got you better in ways that would fuck them over even more. They really are stupid."
Kushina and Sasuke nodded, while Rose sighed. "I should've known you would've done something like that." She stated.
"Yeah, you probably should've." Naruto smiled at her. "I can't say I'm surprised you didn't though. I mean, my reputation does have its merits."
"No kidding. And that's why after the initial surprise we aren't shocked. Just another thing to expect from you." Sasuke admitted. "Anything else?"
"Yeah, we'll be going after Lenus. I did place a Tracker seal, so when she gets close to Lloyd, I'll know, because they're in the same area."
They all nodded. "Anything else?"
"Just let us know when you're going to do something like that." Kushina stated.
"Noted, but if I do, more likely than not, I won't know I will until after I do so. Fair warning."
"What about the Uzumaki callsigns?" Kushina asked. Everyone raised a confused eyebrow, so she brought out a book. "It's all in here." Before she knew it, Naruto had it in his hand, and was going through each and every page quickly. "Sochi..."
He looked up for a second, but then returned his attention to the book. "Don't think I'm doing this to mimic Kakashi. I did this with a few other books, that I no longer have. Damn village burned the house down, and the books went with. This is before I even met him." Naruto walked off, reading the book, but not looking where he was going. He weaved through crowds when he reached town, which amazed Kushina and surprised Sasuke a little that he could do so with such ease.
He even sidestepped when someone was running and didn't see him. "Sorry for getting in your way!" Naruto shouted, without looking up from his book.
This shocked everyone, who didn't realize who he was. Meru saw it, and shook her head. She was on top of the Inn. "Should've seen that one coming." She went inside, to let the others know they were back.
XxX
The group had just left the intersection at the Barrens, and headed towards Donau. "Hey, Naruto?" Albert started.
"What's up?"
"About the way back to Fletz. How did you know they would make it?"
Naruto shrugged. "Meru is strong. Using that hammer of hers is a good indication, though her build doesn't say it. She's fast, and can think on her feet. Plus, she knew Lynn. Kongol knew the area, and could provide food for them if needed. You've got a fast heavy hitter, and an insane heavy hitter. If that's not enough, I had faith in them to make it through. They know where they stand, where they're good, and where they're not. They can each act on them, too... Though Meru was an unknown, I do know she would pull off something insane if something stopped them."
"Meru did that. Got us there faster." Kongol admitted. "Kongol glad he don't get headaches."
"I told you you wouldn't!" Meru shouted back, causing everyone else to sweatdrop.
"See what I mean?" Naruto asked.
"I think it's just insane that insanity can bring good things. Oh great. Now I'm going insane."
Naruto put a hand on Albert's shoulder. "Join the club. Happens to the best of us."
"I don't know..."
"He's right." Jiraiya stated. "A lot of the more powerful people that I know have been called epically insane."
"I only recall one. That was Gai." Naruto admitted.
"No, Gai is worse than Epically Insane." Jiraiya pointed out. Naruto opened his mouth, but closed it.
"That's just wrong." Dart stated.
"Actually, he's right. He makes me seem sane." Naruto stated, causing everyone to pale at the implications... except Rose. She knew it, and was expecting him to say that.
Shana shook her head. "I also have a question. Why are we going into a place with a Sea Monster?"
"Remember when I said we'd be getting rid of the Sea Monster in Illisia Bay? That... Is actually the Dragon named Regole. That makes it a target for us." Naruto looked at his right shoulder. "Feyrbrand wants me to help her too. I think he has the hots for her."
"I do not!"
'Then why do you mention her by name?'
"We're just good friends. Besides, it would never work out between us, even if I did."
'alright then... if we kill her...'
"NO!"
'Told you so. You love her!'
"Shut up... fine, I love her. Is that good enough for you?"
'Yes.' Naruto looked at the others, as they left the Barrens. Naruto looked around, and felt something was off. "Somethings different." They walked to the dock and found a giant boat with metal plating. "Okay, that's a weird ass boat."
"Oh come off it. You've seen stranger boats than that." Sasuke stated.
"None of them had Steel plating like this one." Naruto pointed out. "This is above and beyond what the Elemental Nations have... Iron country may be able to make it if they have the resources, but they won't since they are a landlocked country."
They walked up to the girl at the edge, and a man in a cape, and pirate's hat. "Are you the ones that Lord Zior asked to watch for?"
"If we are?" Naruto asked.
"My name is Commodore Puler. The captain of the Queen Fury."
Naruto looked at the boat. "That's the Queen Fury?" He nodded. "I must say I'm impressed." he held out a hand. "Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze." he introduced the others. "Zior said it would be ready soon, but I didn't think it would be this quickly."
"She hasn't been on the sea for a while. That Sea Monster has been scaring everyone, but the most Hardened sailors. It was relatively simply to get her ready." Puler stated.
"Alright, if I have my Geography right, Fueno is the best place to dock." Naruto stated. "Is there any questions?"
"Yeah, why there?"
"We're not going there for a tourist stop, if that's what you're thinking." Naruto stated, as he turned towards the others. "Fueno is about the center of the bay, if I'm not mistaken?" Rose and Albert nodded. "Then if there's any place I could pick up Regole, that's where it'll be."
"Pick up?"
"I can sense anything powerful for miles. For example..." Naruto pointed at Jiraiya. "I picked up his presence when he landed right outside Fletz, and I was on the Northeast side of Volcano Villude. I think I can pick up Regole's position from the center of the Illisia Bay, so that's why Fueno would be the best bet."
"WAIT!" A female voice that Naruto and Jiraiya recognized shouted, as she ran up to them, panting. "I just ran... here from Lohan."
Naruto looked at her. "What did they find?" Naruto asked, as Yugito pulled out a stone, which started glowing, and left her hand, only to stop in front of Kongol.
"Golden Dragoon Spirit?" Naruto asked, earning a nod from Yugito. "That's really good. How much did you get it for?"
"10 gold. The guy didn't know what he had. I managed to dupe him to get it." She replied, her breath even. "So, where you headed?"
"After a Dragon. Care to join us?" Naruto asked, causing Yugito to shake her head.
"Sorry, but I was a little busy, and I have a Job in Lohan. Some of the Merchants have been paying me to find things they lose, and even more so... I found a man named Dabas that allows me to travel with him on his expeditions. They're quite informative, as is Olivia. We're going to head towards the Home of Gigantos soon."
"It's empty. We were already there." Naruto pointed out. "Nothing of value there, and nothing of Legend. I would've known."
"Korallo?"
"Bingo."
"Oh well. I'll go with him. I get paid by the day. The longer we're out, the more I get paid." Yugito shrugged. "Around here, I need it. He's crazy, but not Shinobi crazy."
The shinobi nodded getting the meaning. Rose nodded as well. The rest were confused, but didn't comment. "Alright, get aboard everyone. We set sail soon." Puler stated. The group boarded, and went to any position they could. Yugito saw them off, and Dabas came up to her.
"Friends of yours?" He asked.
"Yeah. Remember that stone I told you I got for 10 Gold?"
"Yes."
"That's one of the reasons why I wanted to talk to them. It was a Dragoon spirit of Legend. The Golden Dragoon to be exact."
"I never thought they'd be so small."
"You get used to insane things around them. I know I did." Yugito admitted. "So, I think we should rest up. I really need it from the trip and running after them."
"Sure thing. I got us a room at the Inn."
"I'll be fine on the roof." She said, as the ship left view.
-on the ship-
Naruto and Rose were in the Crow's next. "So, what did you want to talk about?" She asked him.
"You remember when I said I wasn't going to make the same mistake Zieg made back at the castle?"
"Yes, and I understand what you mean. Why do you think you won't survive?"
"I'm not sure if I will. I'm missing a lot of information on our target. If it comes down to it... we may have to destroy the Moon That Never Sets to stop them. I'd need to see him to figure it out. Oh, and it was confirmed. Zieg from back then is Diaz. And I'm also sure that he's Dart's father. That means he married someone else, and lived in Neet. When you attacked, he wasn't there, but Dart openly stated that he went back to help out. Dart hasn't met any of the other survivors. But we still have to confirm that his mother is still alive. I'm still convinced that Haschel's daughter, Claire, is Dart's mother."
"But wouldn't that mean Haschel is Dart's Grandfather?" Rose asked, earning a nod. "Why haven't you said anything?"
"Because it isn't solid yet. I have to go to Neet with both of them to gain the proof." He replied. "I wish it were otherwise, but I didn't think it would be easy. I only hope she recognizes them."
"Me too. That means that There are truly 4 survivors." Rose replied.
In the shadows, Meru was listening in. 'What do they mean survivors?'
Naruto sighed. "Meru, go away. This is a private conversation." He didn't even look at her, and she tensed up. "Don't think I can't sense you either. You're currently trying to hide in the shadows of the post behind me."
"Aw... How do you always know?"
Naruto looked at her. "What did you want Meru? And please don't say you're bored."
"Okay, I'm not bored." She replied. Naruto groaned. "What did you do?"
"What makes you think I did something?" She huffed out.
"Because you're bored, you'd do something that someone else won't like in the least."
"Okay, I haven't done anything yet, and I don't have the supplies to do so." She admitted. "Can you help out?"
Naruto thought for a moment, before tossing her a scroll. "Read that for a bit, then think on what it says."
"But that's boring!"
"Trust me. You'll like that one. But if someone snaps in front of your face to get yoru attention, that's grounds for an 'I told you so'." He stated.
"Okay, you got my attention. What's in it?"
"You'll have to read it to find out. Oh, and there's a small grid at the end. Wipe some blood on it after you read everything else." Naruto stated.
She immediately went down the ladder. Rose looked at him. "what's really in it?"
"A list of every prank I pulled off, and how many chased me, their ranks, and how I lost them."
"And the grid?"
"If we hear a scream... Now that I think about it, I should probably warn the others."
"About what?"
"Why Meru is likely to scream her head off when she opens it." Naruto pointed out, before 8 Kage Bunshin appeared and spread out to tell everyone but Meru not to worry about her upcoming scream.
Jiraiya is the only one that questioned how he knew it would happen. "Remember that scroll of pranks I have?"
"Yeah."
"She's reading it."
Jiraiya nodded and let it go after that.
-with Meru-
Meru was sitting on the top bunk in the rooms.
She had wide eyes as she neared the halfway mark of the scroll. 'Oh my god! Some of these are far more elaborate than battle strategies I've read about in the Dragon Campaign!' Kongol entered the room.
"Meru?" He asked, trying to get her attention. She didn't even look at him, preferring the scroll in her hands. "Meru?" He said again. No response. He took out his axe and put it on her bunk, which jolted her to look at him. "What?"
"Kongol wanted to talk about friends." He stated. "What is a friend?" So she told him. She answered every question he asked, like what friends do for each other, why they help out, even if the other doesn't ask, and other things. "Thank you. Kongol was confused."
"No problem, big guy. Now I really want to finish reading this thing." Meru stated, before tossing a small bag to Kongol. "And can you give that to Naruto? That is for proving me wrong."
"Okay, Kongol do." He went to the bridge and found Naruto with Dart looking at the controls. "Naruto, Meru asked me to give this to you." He handed him the bag.
"Let me guess... you had to get her attention from the scroll I handed her?" he asked, earning a nod. "I'll give it back to her. I told her she would like it. Just... be careful of when she screams."
"Kongol knows." Kongol said, as he went back to his place in the cargo hold. Dart looked at Naruto. "You know you'll probably regret doing that."
"Trust me. It'll liven up her spirits. After reading everything in that pranking scroll, I said she should wipe some blood on the grid at the end. Once she does, another one would be added, and a message."
It was a few more hours, in which rose was wandering the ship, while Naruto learned as much as he could about the ship's workings from Puler. "And that's how it works. Any more questions?" Puler asked.
Naruto shook his head. "No, thank you for the information. Now I know what to do if I get bored."
"What do you mean?"
"Naruto... Remember what happened last time you got bored?"
"Yeah, of course. I went diving."
"It was a volcano!" Dart shouted back.
"So what? I wasn't singed in the slightest. What's the big deal?"
"That should be impossible." Puler stated.
"So is making this boat fly. But I'm sure I could do just that." Naruto stated, shrugging his shoulders. "Anyway, I should probably look for Rose, and avoid Meru. So if someone asks about me, let them know that's what I'm doing."
Naruto walked off as they nodded. He found Haschel at the bottom of the stairs to the bridge. "Hey, Naruto." He said, breaking his trance. "Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Sure thing. What do you want to know?"
"I've been thinking lately, and I realize that you may have held back information."
"I told you what is certain. Anything that I'm not sure of, or there is no proof, I haven't said, because I don't want to lead you on a wild Goose chase." Naruto replied. "That would mean more trouble than it's worth. I do have a lead though, and I figure you and Dart should both be told this at the same time, as it deals with both of you."
"What do you mean?"
"I got an invitation. I am to bring you and Dart to the ruins of Neet, and meet up with some wolves, that would take us there. I got the message from a bird, but that would give us a solid yes or no. believe it or not, I think that Dart's your grandson."
"You've got to be joking."
"I wish I were. But that's what I think. And if I'm right, and Clarice is Dart's mother, then I wouldn't be surprised. After all, his mother went by Claire Feld."
"And Rose?"
"She sensed one person in the area when it happened, but didn't strike, knowing that it wasn't the target at hand."
"I see. That could've been her."
"Exactly. And that's what I'm hoping. Dart's mother could've survived this long, but I don't think she would've abandoned her son just like that."
"That makes Gehrich's last words true. She probably has memory loss. Wolves, Birds, and her are the only thing he remembers. That was four years ago. She didn't recognize him, unfortunately. He wants me to get her memory back. That's a sign that my daughter is alive, and she's in Millie Seseau, as of 4 years ago." Haschel stated.
"Memory Loss... That could be why, and the fact that she's alive give Dart a chance to be with his mother. Just like coming to Endiness brought me to my mother." Naruto stated. "The only difference is, my mom thought I was dead. I had already gotten the full story from Dart himself, she told him to stay in a cave until the fires died out. He never found either of them. He probably thinks they're dead, but now seems to have hope that his mother is alive."
"I see. Well, thank you for that. I'll be sure to let him know."
"Alright. I'll go look for..." it was at that point an ear-piercing screech ran through the air. "On second thought, I'm gonna hide." Naruto disappeared immediately. Meru was there within 5 seconds. "Where's Naruto?"
"I don't know. He was standing right here, we heard a scream, which I believe is you... when did you dye your hair blue?" it was true. Meru's hair was a deep blue, while Orange paint was on her arms, legs, and outfit.
"Doesn't matter! Where is he now?" Meru questioned.
"I don't know. We heard the scream and said he was going to hide. He disappeared immediately." Sasuke landed next to her and there was a flash. "This will be great to show." He then left quickly.
"SASUKE!" She went after him.
The chase went all around the boat, and Meru never caught him.
Naruto was hiding in the boiler room, as a worker. He was shoveling coal into the boiler to keep it going. "I don't recognize you." One of the others stated.
"Don't worry. I'm not getting paid to do this. I'm just hiding from Meru, right now. Trust me, it's better off that no one else knows." Naruto stated, as he shoveled more coal into the furnace.
"Why?"
"She read my list of pranks and fell for the one at the end. It works every time." Naruto admitted. "She's probably running around the ship right now..."
"Hey, has anyone seen Naruto?" A girl asked. They all shook their heads. "Damn. Meru is not happy... but I am." she showed a picture of Meru in the paint. The workers laughed, still shoveling. "I know, funny right?"
"Oh yeah." Naruto stated. "By the way, I think I remember him being on the bow. Knowing him, he could be anywhere, and still blend in perfectly."
She nodded and ran off.
"You're not gonna tell her?"
"If she doesn't figure it out from that, she doesn't deserve to be told." Naruto replied, shoveling another load.
"True. You basically told her where he is." The worker replied.
"I'm a prankster at heart. Just be glad I haven't gotten bored yet." Naruto admitted. "I'll be honest, some people got jealous that others got hit by my pranks... the majority of them that did wish they hadn't."
"That's just sad."
"I know, right?" Naruto said, as he paused. "They just entered range. Looks like I can't hide much longer... and something else is coming. I guess hiding time is over." Naruto dropped the henge, and shunshin'ed out of the room.
-Bridge-
Naruto ended up next to Puler, with Dart and Rose there. "Puler, turn hard to starboard. We've got an incoming vessel, and it's triggering my Danger Senses."
"Pirates?"
"No... worse." Naruto stated, before looking at Rose, who was reading the Uzumaki Callsign book. "Rose, I believe you would recognize this one. It's a Code G-17, my terms." she looked at him and nodded. "Any sign of Regole?"
"She hit my range before I picked up the incoming Vessel. Just appearing on my radar that far in is not good." Naruto stated. She nodded.
"Puler, I suggest you listen to him. It's a..."
"GHOST SHIP!" A crewman shouted.
"That." Rose deadpanned.
"Turn hard to Starboard!" Puler shouted out. "Hang on!"
They didn't make it clear of the Ghost Ship's path, and crashed at the bow. The group, including rose and Naruto walked up to it. "Yeah, this thing definitely falls under G-17."
Sasuke walked up to them. "What's a G-17?"
"Incoming Ghost transport. That's the simplified version." Naruto stated earning a shrug from Sasuke.
Dart looked around. "where is Shana?"
Naruto widened his eyes, as he searched for her. He then cursed in a language only Rose and Meru understood. Rose knocked him on the head, causing him to shake it and jump onto the Ghost Ship.
XxX
Shana woke up on the deck with several wisps floating around, before a pink ghost came up to her. 3 more ghosts appeared. "You will not touch our princess!" the pink ghost fled, and Naruto appeared, to find the 3 ghosts nodding at Shana, before realizing that Naruto was there, and glaring at him.
"What do you want with Shana?"
"This is our princess Louvia." Shana didn't understand, but Naruto did.
"What do you mean? Louvia is dead, just like you are." Naruto stated. "Her name is Shana. Louvia died at the hands of the Black Monster, because she was born on the day the Moon Child was born."
"You know the Black Monster?"
The rest of the group appeared, and the ghosts saw Rose. "You..."
"I know you... You were in the way."
"Princess, stand back." The ghost charged, but Rose just let him bounce back.
"There is no need to attack me, knight."
"Do not try to talk to us devil!"
"Then listen to me." Naruto stated. "The Black Monster is dead. All that is left is the Dark Dragoon."
"I cannot let that Monster attack our princess, sir. And the monster stands right there."
"Wait!" Shana called out, and the ghosts looked at her. "She's alright. She's a friend. Where is the captain of the ship?"
"In his cabin, Princess. Why do you ask?"
"The Black Monster is dead. He only targets the Moon Child to prevent the God of Destruction's rebirth. I found the truth out from her. The Moon Child was born on the same day I was. Please, don't attack us, and lead us to whatever is controlling this ship, making it so you can't pass on."
"but Princess..."
"She didn't kill me. I'm still alive. You're not. Your attachment to me is touching, I'll admit, but I can't live on, while you can't pass on." Shana stated. The ghost Knights put up their swords. Two disappeared, while the third led them below decks. Rose was on guard the entire time, and Naruto looked around the interior. "Something about this hall is giving me the chills."
They entered a room, where there was a closed chest. Naruto jumped up to it and opened it, revealing a pink ghost, who left the room quickly through the wall. 3 skeletons came to life in the room. The Knights took a defensive position around Shana, who drew her bow. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I didn't grow up on my own without some kind of training, after all."
"Princess, we must respectfully decline." One of the Knights stated. Shana charged her Moon Power into an arrow which she released into the skull of one of the skeletons instantly making it fall to the ground in pieces. "See what I mean?" Shana asked. "I'll be fine. Trust me."
Rose cut the second one in half, while Naruto cut the last one. Rose scored a one-hit death shot. Naruto hit the skeleton 34 times in 3 seconds, instantly making it fall to the ground in more pieces than it was when it formed. Naruto then looked at Shana. "Looks like it went into the next room. Let's go. That pink thing is what's keeping them here. We get rid of it, and we can finally put these Knights to rest. But not until then." she nodded, and they went to the next room, Rose in front, as they saw another closed chest, which Shana opened this time.
The ghost made 2 skeletons appear, and went between them. "Wow. To think it wouldn't run this time."
Rose stuck a skeleton, and killed it instantly. Naruto sent a small fireball that made a category 3 explosion. (Burn Out Level 3 in game) Shana launched a Moonlight Shot at the Pink ghost, who reeled from the hit and ran. The Knights were impressed. "Princess, have you been training with those two?"
"No, but we have traveled together for a while. I trust them." Shana stated, as she climbed down the ladder, and walked up to the others. Dart ran into the room. "A Pink Blob entered the room at the end of the hall. Albert, Kongol, Haschel, and Meru have it cornered in a chest." The 3 of them looked at Dart and nodded, before they all ran towards the end of the hall, where they found Dart, and the others near a chest. Naruto was instantly there, and opened it, before the ghost jumped out, with 2 friends.
"3 pink blobs? Why am I suddenly reminded of some manga?" Naruto questioned, which drew everyone's attention.
"Dragon Ball Z?" Sasuke asked, earning a nod. "You know, you have a point. He is pink like him."
"You think he stretches like him?" Naruto asked.
"Shall we find out?" Sasuke asked, drawing his Shadow Cutter.
"Sasuke, don't use that one. Light Element works best on Undead such as these. That thing has a Dark element." Naruto warned.
"Fine. Looks like I'm sitting this one out."
"Undead are weak to Light Element, unaffected by Dark Element, but is indifferent to the other 5. Jutsu of those 5 elements can do wonders here." Naruto stated, as he pointed Dragon Horn at one of them.
Rose pointed her sword at another. Shana had her bow ready, and fired a Moonlight Shot, that split into 5, hitting her target all 5 times, and making it disappear instantly. "that's one. Anyone else want the others?" she asked.
Rose took the second, while Naruto pointed his free hand at the third. "Beam of Holiness!" It fired a beam of white light completely obliterating the ghost, but not damaging the boat at all. "That's what I love about that one. Level 6 Light Element spell that won't work against anything but the Undead. Can't even be used to destroy buildings, but will eradicate any Undead being that touches it. Fully living creatures? No effect. Wandering souls? It will send them to pass on."
The Knights looked at him. "I see. Is it possible to use that on us?"
"I can, but I don't think I should just yet." Just then another ghost appeared, and the knights looked at him. "Captain. What are you doing down here?"
"It's okay, Knight of Princess Louvia. The Princess is dead."
"The princess is right here."
"That is not the princess, you idiots. However, she and her friends have helped out our fair ship. Lead them to my cabin, please. I wish for them to see something I left behind."
Naruto looked at the captain. "You're the captain of this vessel?" He asked, earning a nod from the captain. "I'm sorry for the mix up regarding the Princess and my friend, but they just won't listen to us."
"I see. You are honest. That is good. I thank you and your friends."
Naruto studied the captain and nodded. Kushina then entered the room. "Naruto, I actually found something and I think I could use your help in opening it."
"Is it a chest in the front cabin?" The captain asked, earning a nod. "Then take what is inside as a thanks. Also, be sure to head to the captain's cabin. I have another reward for you all." Naruto nodded. "Lead the way, mom. I'll meet up with you guys later. Shana, we can thank you for not letting them go after Rose."
Shana nodded. "It's the least I can do. She saved Dart twice, after all."
The ghost Knights came up to them and led them towards the Captain's chambers, while Kushina led Naruto to the front, where Jiraiya was racking his brain on the lock. "Need some help?"
Jiraiya looked at him and sighed. "i can't get this lock. They don't use it in the elemental Nations."
Naruto inspected it. "No wonder. You're not the one that managed to get the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage's secret vault. I am." It was a bar combination lock. "This lock is on the case that held it at the time. Jiji changed the code, but that didn't stop me from getting in." Naruto fiddled around with the lock a bit, before it clicked open. "Done." He opened it up, and whistled. "That's a good loot."
Kushina and Jiraiya looked at him, and then inside of the chest. "What are these?" She picked up the rings.
"Stun Guard." Naruto pointed at one of them. He then pointed out each of the others. "That's a Panic Guard, that'll help quite a bit. Some say it helps boost your courage. Magic Ego Bell, Korallo only heard about those, so I can't really explain it. This Talisman... that would be a good thing if we end up facing off with Lloyd. As long as it's on, the Dragon Buster can't one shot a Dragoon with it." He held up another ring. "This is an Ultimate Wargod. Extremely rare, even in the old days. Haschel would like it, I can almost guarantee it. And a good 100 Gold. All in all, a great loot."
They looked at him and nodded. "Sell these in Fueno?" Kushina asked.
"Everything but the Talisman and Ultimate Wargod. We could use the Talisman, and it's Haschel's call about the Ultimate Wargod." Naruto replied. "The others is a go. I still haven't spent 5.6 Million gold that I got from Lohan. I'm set."
They nodded and went towards the Captain's Cabin. They found Dart and the others. "So, what did he want to give you guys?"
Dart looked at Naruto. "He showed us one of his memories, and asked us to put the Knight Commander to rest. We agreed."
"Alright, where is he?"
"This way." Rose stated, as she walked out. They went into another room, where 4 Knights charged her immediately. 3 Knights stopped them. "Stop. This is a friend of the Princess."
"She is the one that killed us!"
"No, the Black Monster Killed us. She has not. She is also here to put us to rest, at the request of the Captain."
The Knight Commander appeared and the four Knights that appeared in the room gathered around him. "You knights are traitors."
"There is no need for that." Rose stated. "I did not come here to fight. I am only here because Shana is here." she pointed a thumb at Shana, which the knights looked at.
"Princess? Is that you?"
"No, but I am her twin." Shana admitted. "that's probably why the Knights thought I was her."
"We told you, traitors!"
"Wait, please!" Shana pleaded. "Let us see her crib. We're only here to help you pass on right now. The Black Monster is dead. We're on a journey to stop another Moon child from being born. If that happens the Black Monster won't have a reason to return. If that happens, the Black Monster is effectively dead, and gone for good. Let us help you ease Louvia's soul. As she continues in the after life, she probably worries for you since you didn't pass on. Let us help you. Please."
The knights all looked at her. "I hope you are right, miss. Because if you aren't, then you will pay."
"Thank you." shana replied, before looking at Naruto.
"Sorry, but I'm not used to Light Element Spells yet. I start at Level 6, and then work my way down. Then I head to level 7 and up. I can't really help out here."
"Rose?"
"They wouldn't want me to. Remember what happened in the past?" She asked, earning a nod.
"Your sword could help though."
"Then I believe Naruto should use it to help out. They don't want me helping them pass on. I'm not a fool." Rose stated, as Naruto took the blade.
"Protect the Princess's twin. That is all I ask."
"We plan on it." Naruto said, as he stabbed that Knight, causing him to dissolve into a glitter of light. He looked sad as he did so. He did the same with the others, releasing a tear at each one, before coming up to the Commander. "Anything to say before you pass on?"
"Nothing that hasn't been said."
Naruto nodded and stabbed him, causing him to turn into a glitter of light, that formed a piece of Stardust. "Stardust... Thank you." He picked up the Stardust. "Let's go in, and help whoever is there. They're all that's left." He said, looking at the door. They entered the room, which had a crib, and 2 beds that seemed destroyed.
"Rose?"
"Louvia was right here in this crib." Rose stated. A female ghost appeared. It was the midwife, and Caretaker.
"Princess Louvia... Thank goodness."
"I'm sorry miss. But she's dead, and probably worried for you. Please, allow us to help out."
The female nodded, and Naruto walked up to her, Rose's sword in hand. "Anything to say before you go?"
"Just make sure this one, who even looks like Princess Louvia, is safe. She may not be the real Louvia, but she could pass as her." the woman replied, as Naruto nodded.
"As I told the guards outside, we plan to make sure Shana is safe." Naruto said, earning a nod. He stabbed her in the stomach, causing her to turn into sparkles. The boat started shaking. Naruto knew what this meant. "Get back to the Queen Fury! This ship is going down!" They all looked at him. "It's no longer tied to the souls! It's going underwater!" He clarified, which widened their eyes. On the outside, The shinobi made it, followed by the others. Naruto watched and mentally counted them. Rose and Dart were about to make it, but the boat fell down, causing Dart to fall, Rose grabbing his hand.
"Rose, let go! You'll fall!" Dart shouted.
"Not this time! I'm not about to let a friend go down because I couldn't help out!"
Rose ended up falling with Dart, before Naruto could reach her. "ROSE!" She was swept out, but Kushina, Jiraiya and Sasuke held him back. "ROSE!" He shouted out again.
"You want to go down like they are? You'll know if she dies!" Sasuke shouted. "Let them go! They're not children!"
"Naruto! Calm the fuck down! They'll be fine and you know it!" Jiraiya shouted out.
He calmed down, but was still pissed. The moment they let him go, thinking he was calm, he jumped overboard and dove into the sea. "NARUTO!" Kushina shouted, before falling to her knees, crying.
Meru and Kongol tried to comfort her, with words, but they only succeeded in making her fall asleep. "Well head into Fueno, and wait for them there." Albert stated. "that's the port that Naruto said we should go to. Once the ship's engine is repaired, we should get going and head there. He'll be expecting us to head there." Commodore Puler nodded in agreement.
"Get the engine running, and set course for Fueno. We'll make the rest of the repairs there, while we wait for Naruto, Rose, and Dart."
"Yes sir!" The workers replied, before getting back to work. "Let's hope they survive long enough to make it." Puler stated.
Jiraiya nodded, before he walked over to watch over Kushina. 'Minato... He is so your son along with Kushina. I just hope his recklessness doesn't get him killed.'
00000x00000
Naruto plunges into the deep! Will Rose and Dart survive? Am I that much of a bitch?
Who knows on that last one... I don't have a clue.
THE END!
… or is it?
