Disclaimer: never I will own Naruto and Tales of Vesperia they are the rightful property of Kishimoto-san, Namco Bandai and Namco Tales studio but a guy can dream.
Italics are thoughts
Bold and Italics are flashbacks
Bold Kurama speaking
(Kurama speaking through Naruto)
Chapter 10 Caer Bocram
(Location: Field outside of Capua Torim Tolbyccia continent Terca Lumireis)
The party has new plans and a new destination in mind as they left Torim Harbor. They were heading to the city northwest of the Tolbyccia continent that according to Karol's information was destroyed by an earthquake ten years ago. Their reasons for going was information learned from the shady Raven that he saw mysterious members from a guild heading to said abandoned city. Though whether to trust the older man was still in debate, after what happened at Ragou's palace among them Rita was the first who didn't trust him one bit. It has been a long journey since they left the port town and the only thing they have found during their journey, is more of the same with monster encounters and thieves. By now they have gotten used to traveling outside a city with a barrier, they have accustomed to the frequent fights. Traveling further northwest they noticed that soon it was going to grow dark, they were going to camp for the night.
(Skit title: Rita cranky?)
Everyone was present except Naruto looking like they were trying to keep their distance away from Rita.
Rita:…
Karol: that look in her face, what is wrong with her?
Yuri: I don't know, maybe she's in a bad mood.
Estelle: something must be bothering her. Maybe we should ask her what's wrong and see if there's something we can do to make her feel better.
Karol: *trembling* you want to talk her…But she looks so angry. I don't want to get hurt.
Yuri: Karol is right, maybe it's for the best if we leave her be.
Estelle: but we're her friends, we should be trying to cheer her up.
Karol: I don't want to die….
Yuri: let's just give her some time off, she might feel better later.
Naruto arrives.
Naruto: hey guys what's up?
Estelle: Naruto thank goodness you're here. Could you check on Rita? She doesn't look too happy.
Naruto: since when Rita is happy? *smirking*.
Yuri: you should be careful what you say, she might hear you.
Naruto: seriously I'll go talk to her, it's that simple.
Karol: *muttering* easy for you to say.
Naruto: Rita! Hey Rita!
Rita: what?! *glares*
Naruto: hm…Heh heh you okay?
Rita: do I look like I'm okay to you?!
Naruto: I just think there's something wrong with you. Are you angry at something?
Rita: just leave me alone!
The group gasped leaving after hearing her loud yell.
Rita: *sighs* Naruto you…Why did you….
(Time skip)
The party has decided to camp for the night in an open spot from a field that was in the direction to the earthquake city. They have set a camp fire as Estelle volunteered to cook for everyone they chowed down before decided to rest. It became because they were enjoying the food, except a certain mage wasn't eating. Rita stood in deep thought staring down at her plate it frustrating to think about the dragon rider and she couldn't take the image of the weather blastia being destroyed by his hand. She didn't wanted another blastia to become victim to him, her green eyes turned to her whiskered assistant. Something that has been bothering since they left Capua Nor and it was hard to get it out of her head. It seems thinking about it has pretty much taken away her appetite, just when she wanted to give a chance in eating the pink haired teen's cooking. The Mordio was only staring at the blond while the other didn't notice especially the Uzumaki he was enjoying the food very much.
"Estelle, you should give me the recipe for this later" said the whiskered blond once he swallowed his food.
"No problem. I'll be happy to teach you" the pink haired healer smiled.
"It's a good thing we're always buying ingredients or we won't be eating healthy. It's tough to hunt down monsters, especially when it's dark" said Karol.
"Not bad Estelle" followed the former knight.
"Thank you Yuri"
"So Yuri, what are you planning to do once you get the aque blastia core back?" said the guild member.
"Hm…Never give it too much thought. Finding the core has taken longer than I expected. I guess I'll return to the lower quarter."
"That's not fun, what about going around the world?"
"Don't remember saying I wanted to travel around the world."
"Well that's what I have in mind for a while. I want to travel every inch of this world. I want to see every city and ruin there is" said the Uzumaki.
"I…I want to see more of this world too. It's completely different seeing it with your own eyes than reading it from a book" said the pink haired princess.
"I guess Estelle will be joining me in my journey. What about you Karol?"
"I guess…I can continue traveling with you guys. I don't see a problem."
"Yuri please say yes" said Estelle.
"She's right, come on I know you've been enjoying yourself ever since we left the capital."
"Depends how you define" enjoying yourself". I can't consider being chased by the knights and those red eye guys the kind of enjoying you would refer to. Now we're going after the Blood Alliance, yep it's going to become" more enjoyable" from here on. "
"That must mean a yes" smiled the blond.
"It sure looks that way" followed the pink haired teen.
"We haven't forgotten about you Rita, I know you want to continue traveling with us" Naruto turned to her.
"Rita….?"
"Hey you okay? You haven't touched your food" Karol got worried.
"Rita, you all right?" followed Estelle.
"I'm fine" her eyes were on her blond assistant.
"Naruto I need to talk to you, alone."
"Oh…Sure…." He got up worried after hearing her serious tone, he silently followed her away from the camp fire.
"Going to confess, huh?" Yuri gave a grin while Estelle giggled.
The long haired swordsman had to dodge a fire ball courtesy of a flustered Mordio.
(Scene change)
It was making Naruto worried the fact Rita hasn't said a word to him when they left the camp site. Now he knew something was really wrong with her because she wasn't the type to stay quiet. He wondered when they were talking she didn't said a word, what could be bothering her to make her stay quiet and not even take a bite from her dish? For how he has come to understand the Mordio there were various reasons to explain her behavior. Either one, she was so angry no word will come out of her mouth, or two she depressed about something on the personal level. As her friend he knew he had to make things right and help her, now if it was his fault she was like this then of course he will apologize. Now if she beats him up because he screwed in some other way then he won't hesitate to take the blame. Once they were pretty far from the camp site the teen mage turned to her assistant looking annoyed with a mix of anger.
"You okay Rita?"
"No, I'm not feeling fine. There's something I've been thinking since we left Nor Harbor."
"You can tell me if you like. I'll try to help and make you feel better."
"That's great to know, because my problem it's about you."
"What….? Me? I don't get what you're saying…."
"Fine I'll make it clear so you can understand. Why did you protected that dragon freak?!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Don't give me that! I saw you! At Ragou's palace you made Witcher's attack to missed his target, you did that on purpose. Because he wasn't aiming at the blastia! Care to explain to me what you were thinking?"
"I thought he was aiming at the weather blastia-"
"He wasn't aiming at the blastia! Stop bringing excuses! His only target was the dragon freak, and that makes me think. We're you trying to protect him?"
"No…Of course I would never…."
"That dragon freak is out there destroying blastia, that's something I will never forgive. And you're trying to protect someone like him!"
"Rita I don't like that sh-he's destroying blastia, but don't you think he has a good reason for doing it?"
"And what reason might that be?" she frowned putting her hands on her waist.
"I…I don't know, maybe it's a good enough reason to judge his actions."
"Listen Naruto, there is no good reason for traveling around the world destroying blastia. Our lives, no this world-depends on blastia and without it we can't survive. That dragon freak is going against the survival of our world because of his actions. He is nothing but a criminal, I would prefer if the Knights gave up chasing you and Yuri and focus only on him."
"I agree what he's doing is wrong. But you haven't thought why he's doing this?"
"Because he's a freak and he only wants to destroy blastia for his own enjoyment, what else could there be?"
"Rita you're a genius you're smarter than this. He destroyed the weather blastia, remember Ragou was using it so fishermen couldn't fish and have payment for their taxes. That blastia was being used by someone evil, maybe the dragon rider-"
"Don't you dare say it? That dragon freak wasn't doing us a favor by destroying it. The weather blastia wasn't evil it was being used in the wrong hands, that's completely different."
"….."
"Why are you defending him so much?" she got closer to him making eye contact.
"I'm not defending I'm-"
"You're trying to find a good reason to justify his actions, that's defending someone all right. Why Naruto? How can you even defend someone who is destroying something as precious as blastia?"
"Rita I-"
"No you listen. You know how much blastia means to me, and here you are trying to defend that freak that is destroying the one thing that is part of my life. It's also my research, tell me how can you try to convince me by claiming he's some kind of hero by destroying blastia."
"I never said he was a hero, I have a feeling she's good because I…."
"She…." She got closer to him as the blond took a step back.
"I…."
"How do you know he's a woman?"
"Okay he, my bad."
"No, your tone when you said he's a she sounded you're certain of it."
"…." the Uzumaki was getting nervous by the minute.
"How do you know that?"
"I don't, it was a mistake. I'm pretty sure he's a man."
"There's something you're not telling me, is it?"
"It's nothing…."
"Fine" her tone was harsh she was obviously upset.
The teen mage left looking angry, she could tell he was lying and he was obviously hiding something from her. Naruto sighed he almost let it slip, and worse he made her angry in addition she already suspected him when it comes to the dragon rider. This topic was very delicate to the Mordio because of how precious blastia is to her, someone destroying it will have the teen mage as an enemy for life. It was still strange he was using his instincts to judge the white armor stranger remembering the times he has met her, it was just a strong hunch that it was telling him she's not evil. As for the reason why she was doing what she was doing, he didn't have a clue but he would love to know. Giving another sigh he was about to return to the camp and try if he can talk to the mage, but he had a feeling he wasn't going to succeed knowing how stubborn she can be.
"She's right you know…."
"What?!" the jinchurikki gasped at the voice.
The blond shinobi gasped gazing above he saw the dragon ride standing on top of a tree. His eyes widened if she was there all along, then she'd probably heard his conversation with Rita. The white armor stranger jumped from the tree landing next to him. Of course she has heard him trying to find a reason to defend her actions and the more she heard him, the more she was confused about him. Now why would he bother to defend her when what she was doing was considered wrong by everyone in this world? It was a crime that could cost her, her life. There was actually one person who considered her to be good, even after she has destroyed a blastia right in front of him and instead he tried to protect her from a fire ball spell. Maybe that was the reason she has taken an interest on the blond, he was a strange person it made him unique from the rest.
"What are you doing here? How long have you've been there?" Naruto tried not to panic.
"Long enough to hear your conversation, your friend is right. What good reason you have to think I'm good because I destroyed blastia?"
"I don't know, I can't explain it."
"Think of me as an enemy then."
"I can't, not after you've helped me. You didn't have a reason to help me in the past."
"I have a reason to pay you back now. For trying to protect me back there. It still doesn't make sense why you would bother to help me?"
"Why would you bother helping me from the red eye goons?" he countered with a smirk.
"You have a point dear I still owe you for next time."
"You're going to destroy another blastia aren't you?"
"Yes, it's not that far. If you're going to try and protect me again, then maybe you should join me."
"Join you? Are you serious?" he was shocked at her comment.
"You never know" she jumped back to the top of the tree ready to depart.
"Wait!" he stopped her at the last minute.
"Something on your mind….?"
"Did the weather blastia you destroyed, did it have an apatheia for a core?"
"…."
"I really need to know…."
"Maybe, maybe not" she finally left flying into the skies.
"Why does she has to be so confusing?"
The whiskered blond watched as she left riding her dragon into the skies. He sighed decided to go back to the camp not wanting to make everyone worried for taking too long to return. Thinking about her words no it was impossible, he would never join her becoming a destroyer of blastia for a couple of reasons. One because he was already a wanted criminal with a heavy bounty on him, and he also punched a member of the Council breaking his nose making him in even more trouble, and second because he knew Rita was going to kill him if she finds out he was now destroying blastia. He needed to get some rest not believing someone he barely knows has given him such an offer, but it was an offer he can't accept. But it made him wonder her actions towards him, she didn't sound like she being sarcastic and she wasn't kidding either.
(Skit title: Trust)
Naruto: did she really mean what she said? She wants me to join her….?
Kurama: you shouldn't trust her so easily.
Naruto: I know, but what other reason could she have to want me helping her? She knows I'm against what she's doing.
Kurama: don't trust her she's not your ally. She's probably trying to earn your trust and then she'll stab you in the back.
Naruto: I don't know why she will help me and she keeps meeting up with me. What does she want from me?
Kurama: you're too trusting Naruto, maybe that same trust is your strength from the people that have become your friends. But that same trust can be your weakness, if you take her offer are you certain you won't regret it?
Naruto: I won't know until I accept it, but I can't. I'll be betraying everyone, and also…I'll be betraying Rita too. Destroying blastia is wrong, but I want to know her reasons. People might see her as a criminal who is committing a great criminal, but deep inside she's not person everyone thinks she is.
Kurama: you're going to think about her offer, aren't you?
Naruto: maybe, until she tells me why she's doing this I can't fully agree with her offer.
Kurama: too trusting and too naïve. It's no wonder why you have gotten in so much trouble.
Naruto: have to keep my reputation right?!
Kurama: heh….
(Time skip: the next day)
(Location: The Fallen City Caer Bocram Tolbyccia continent)
As soon as they entered the region, it started raining not the best time for it. The party felt like they were back at Capua Nor when it was rainy and gloomy because of the weather blastia. But this rain was just a regular one not caused by such, but everything was different from the port town once they arrived. Their eyes widened arriving at the city that was destroyed by the earthquake. It was a complete wasteland, there was rubble all over the area it didn't even looked that there was once a city here. Naruto could've imagined all the people that died, the sight reminded him when Pain use shinra tensei on Konoha leaving the leaf village into a big crater. But this was very different, all the villagers died when the earthquake struck on contrary to the leaf villagers who were brought back by the former Akatsuki leader. Taking a long look at the ruined sight it was impossible to why people would bother coming here.
"Man, this place is a total wreck."
"You sure the Blood Alliance is here?" asked the whiskered blond.
"I'm just like you following the old man's information."
"This is crazy, who would seriously think coming to a place like this?" followed Rita.
"I wonder if we've been fed some false information" the former knight stood in thought.
"That might be. Pops did have the wrong information when he went to Ragou's palace. Maybe he got the wrong information about here too" said the jinchurikki.
"Again" replied Karol.
"So we came here for nothing" the Mordio didn't sound happy.
"That's far enough! This area is under the jurisdiction of the Hunting Blades."
"That voice?!" the youth gasped recognizing the female tone.
They spotted the person on top of a tall piece of rubble. It was a girl looking a few years older than Karol with short brown hair reaching to her shoulders emerald eyes wearing a, black and orange attire with a large yellow ribbon in the middle of her waist acting if it was a belt. The one thing very noticeable of the young girl was the big boomerang she had strapped on her back it was even bigger than her. The party didn't had an idea who she but the young guild member stood shocked finally seeing her after so long since he left the guild to go on his mission to hunt the eggbear. He felt his heart beat faster feeling nervous, of course those were the usual signs he will show whenever she was near. He knew if he continues traveling with Yuri and everyone that he will eventually meet up with her, he wondered if she has missed him since he was gone.
"These measures have been taken to prevent the injury of innocent bystanders" said the boomerang girl.
"Nan!" he happily shouted.
"All right! I finally found you!"
"…." she frowned staring at him.
"Are the chief and Tison with you? Have you guys getting along without me?"
"Don't take that buddy-buddy tone with me" she scolded him.
"Aw, don't be like that. I only got a little lost."
"A little lost? That's a good one! You know you just ran away! "
"I didn't run away, I swear!"
"Still making excuses, huh?"
"It's not an excuse! I beat the eggbear, just like I said I would!"
"More lies" she wasn't surprised he will be this desperate to try and impress her.
"I-I mean it!"
"Is this how you repay being taken by the Hunting Blades?"
"Remind me who it was that said" I swear I won't run away this time"."
"That's…." the youth lowered his head.
"Karol, you're obviously not getting through to her. Let me have a shot at it" Naruto stepped in facing her.
"Hey miss! I was there, we all fought the eggbear together and Karol here showed some impressive moves. He did a great job, you should've seen him."
"Really….? Not surprised you didn't fight it alone like you said you would. You had to get help outside of our guild."
"Don't be sarcastic! I'm telling the truth!" the blond shinobi gave a frown.
"I'm done with your lies and excuses. You always run and hide at the first sign of trouble. You've been kicked out of every guild in the book.
"…."Naruto was tightened his fists in anger this girl was treating him so harshly it wasn't funny.
"Shut up! You shut your mouth!"
"Hah! Even we've already fired you!"
"W-wait!"
"You have been warned by the Hunting Blades! Leave this area at once! If you fail to heed this warning, you do so at the risk of your own lives."
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" the Uzumaki gazed seriously at the teen catching before she was leaving.
"There's no need to stay here anymore, you've been warned now leave this place."
"I don't care about that. I just don't like the way you talked to Karol, you have no right to disrespect him like that."
"It's not disrespect everything I have said about him is true!"
"Okay it's true. He has proven to be a coward and running away was his special ability….."
"Naruto" the youth was crying comical tears, though it was true.
"But not anymore, he has matured and he has become stronger. He has proven to be a reliable companion and brave too" he smiled at the young guild member.
"Nothing but lies, the only thing he has proven that he's nothing but a coward."
"You're wrong I've seen it, we all seen it. We all believe in him and he's truly worth being a companion" everyone smiled at the youth.
"I still see him as a coward."
"Okay, everyone except Rita" the blond sweat dropped at her comment along with Karol.
"…." Nan only shook her head.
"If you consider him a great companion, then you're welcome to take him with you. He's not welcome to the Hunting Blades anymore, we don't tolerate cowards."
"Nan…." Karol's eyes softened.
"You haven't acknowledged him yet. But that's okay people aren't born being the best. They have to work hard and never quit to achieve their goals and dreams. Those who are considered to be failures can become the best if they work hard enough for it. I know that better than anyone. Someday you will see his growth and when that happens, I'm expecting you will apologize to him."
Nan didn't said another word as she left, taking one last look at the former Hunting Blade member.
"Karol…." Estelle spoke feeling sorry for him.
"This still doesn't explain what the Hunting Blades are doing here" Yuri finally spoke.
"Isn't this place their hideout or something?" added the Uzumaki.
"No, this isn't it" said the youth feeling down.
"Good point" said the teen mage as she proceeded to investigate the place further.
"Rita, wait. Are you forgetting about the warning?" asked the pink haired teen.
"She never said we were allowed to enter."
"That's a good point" the blond jinchurikki before turning back to Karol.
"But what about the" risking our lives" part?"
"Like that's going to scare us, we're here already so let's check it out."
"Naruto's right might as well find out why the Hunting Blades are here. I find it too suspicious for people coming to a complete wasteland like this one. The Blood Alliance may not be here but we're not going to waste the trip for nothing" added the long haired swordsman.
"I'm still going whether any of you like it or not. I'm not going to listen to that brat, don't make me laugh."
"Come on Karol don't want to be left behind" the Uzumaki called him.
(Skit title: Karol, Fired)
Everyone was present.
Karol: man, why did it have to end up like this. They said…they said I was fired.
Naruto: I'm sorry Karol that it had to end up like that.
Karol: it's hard *muttering* of all the guilds I've joined the Hunting Blades is the one I wanted to stay, because of Nan.
Estelle: Karol, keep your spirits up.
Karol: I can't be happy anymore. It's like her words are a dagger in my heart.
Yuri: she was just worried it'd be too dangerous for you there's still hope.
Naruto: I think it will be better if I have a private talk with him….
Karol: huh? You think so?! Uh, whatever I don't care about what she thinks!
Yuri: the problem is your guild, right? I get it.
Karol: a right, yeah I don't care about Nan.
Rita: this hurts to watch.
Estelle: I'm rooting for you, Karol!
Everyone left leaving Karol and Naruto alone.
Naruto: you like Nan don't you?
Karol: what?! N-no I don't, it's nothing like that. Why do you and Estelle have to think that way?
Naruto: I can tell you do no need to deny it.
Karol: *blushing*…
Naruto: the way she treats you I've seen it before. It's obvious deep inside Nan really cares for you and she worries about you.
Karol: you're wrong she could care less about me. You heard what she said.
Naruto: I know from personal experience about girls like her. They actually hide their concern for the person they care about the most through anger.
Karol: hm…So Nan gets angry at me because she's really worried about me.
Naruto: that's right!
Karol: *sweat dropped* that does not make sense at all! How can she be worried about me when she's really angry?
Naruto: I told you I know from experience. You see, there this girl I like…No I used to like. She was mean to me at first saying I was annoying, and I couldn't blame her. I was pretty annoying when I was a few years younger. She will get angry and act mean towards me but I eventually found out, that all this time she was worried about me. She really cares for me….
Rita was present eavesdropping from a corner.
Karol: I don't know if Nan is really like that, but it does sounds like someone familiar. Being angry because she secretly worries about the person she cares about the most, that sounds like Ri….
Naruto: like who?
Karol: it's nothing!
Rita:…..
(Time skip)
They have move on ahead of the ruined city and had a few encounters with monsters. It wasn't surprising a city that became a ghost town will be inhabiting creatures. The monster we're still weak they didn't broke a sweat they were most surprised to see so many monsters here. It was cleared people hasn't come here for a long time to be inhabited by so many creatures. Walking further they spotted a something that caught their eye, next to a broken stairway. A very rare looking device, the sight was enough to bring Rita into full interest and curiosity because it was different from the blastia she has seen at the Shaikos Ruins. Now she was pretty sure this area was going to be of much interest, it was no longer some ruined city. This is where she thought that they weren't wasting their time by coming here after all. The former Hunting Blade member got near it taking a better look at it.
"What sort of blastia is this?" asked Karol.
"Hey, get your grubby mitts off it!" she walked over to the blastia.
"Step away from the blastia Karol, you know how touchy Rita can get when we meet a new type of blastia" replied the jinchurikki.
"Sorry…."
"Of course. It's slightly different from the norm but it looks like a type of warp blastia."
"That means it can take us to anywhere in this place?" asked the Uzumaki.
"Maybe, we won't know until we activate it…It's activating mechanism is. Let's see huh?"
"What's the matter?" asked Yuri.
"There's no activation switch" said the disappointed Mordio.
"You got to be kidding me" sweat dropped the blond shinobi.
"It's probably equipped with a core, and it doesn't look like it's the type where you can activate it by removing the core.
"So maybe there's an activation switch located somewhere else?" asked Estelle.
"Perhaps. If there were another blastia like this one in this town. It wouldn't be too unusual for there to be some device to manage all of them at once" said the teen mage.
"I think we should continue looking around this city. We might find what you say" replied Naruto.
"I agree looks like we have a reason to be here after all" said the mage.
"Oh, so we can't activate it, then? Too bad" said the former knight.
"Huh? Why's it too bad?" asked Karol.
"I think he's being sarcastic" sweat dropped the blond.
"No I'm not, I just had a hunch it would've led to something interesting."
"I still think you're being sarcastic."
"Blastia aren't toys, you know?" scolded the Mordio.
"We're going to find the device to manage it?" asked the pink haired teen.
"Yes."
"Sure, maybe we can find it" said the long haired swordsman.
(Skit title: Curiosity or something else….)
Naruto and Rita were present.
Rita: hm….
Naruto: what's wrong?
Rita: *eyeing him with a small frown*.
Naruto: Rita what is it?
Rita: so who is this girl you used to like?
Naruto: what? Girl I used to like *blushing*.
Rita: I overheard you telling Karol about you used to like this girl.
Naruto: *chuckling nervously* ohhh heh heh…That I…I….
Rita: who is she?
Naruto:…
Rita: *glaring* tell me who is she?!
Naruto: Rita what's with you? Why are you angry?
Rita: because you're not telling me. What is her name?
Naruto: well I…I….
Rita: tell me now!
Naruto: I…you see about that…it's a little personal. I don't know if I should tell you yet Rita.
Rita: Naruto!
He runs off.
Rita: come back here!
She runs off after him.
(Time skip)
The party has taken a long path while more monsters have come to annoy them everywhere they will it will always be like this. Places outside the barrier will be filled with them there won't be a single area monster free. The former city of Caer Boccram had quite the amount of the creatures and it has taken a bit of a toll to the group. Sometimes they had to take a small break, though the monsters were weak their large numbers have made them take frequent stops to rest or even grab a small bite. The positive of things they have seen more of the war type blastia, but like the first they met they weren't working. They seemed to have reached a dead end when there were no more paths to take the only thing before them were a secret door on the ground. The secret door was obviously closed so they knew they had to open it if they wanted to continue ahead. It looks like things couldn't get more complicated to the party.
"It looks like a dead end" said Estelle.
"I hope we don't have to turn back the way we came" Naruto gave a sigh.
"That's my opinion too" replied Yuri.
"Hold on, let me check" Karol went over to the door on the ground.
"Weird, there's not a keyhole or anything."
"Really….?" Spoke the curious swordsman.
"That means it can be open easily" added the blond shinobi.
"Yuri, an amateur like you would never be able to open a door like-"
The former Hunting Blade member gaped as the long haired swordsman opened the door with such ease, with just a kick.
"What the….?"
"I wouldn't want Captain Karol to dirty his hand on such a filthy door!"
"R-right, ah hah hah" he chuckled nervously.
"I guess Yuri's strength was too much for the poor door" the jinchurikki gave a grin.
"Drop the sarcasm."
"He really is an idiot" Rita gave a sigh.
"Take it easy with Karol" said the whiskered blond.
"I was talking to both of you."
"Oh…."
"Well, shall we?" said the excited youth wanting to explore ahead, he looked down at the underground entrance.
"Wouldn't it be crazy if a monster just gobbled up your foot right now? Just a giant munch, and oops, no more foot."
"Aaahh!" he fell on his bottom.
"Don't listen to him Karol. He's just messing with you" replied the blond.
"Why can't they behave like mature people?" the Mordio sighed.
"Heh, looks fine to me. Let's go inside" he went ahead.
"See, I told you. You don't have to believe everything Yuri says."
"What am I, your test dummy?"
"Dummy all right" thought the teen mage with a grin.
They went down taking the staircase and as soon they were in, they only saw nothing but pitch darkness. Karol spotted something similar to the warp blastia it was barely visible, the others probably saw it too.
"What's this do?"
"Karol" warned the Uzumaki not to touch it.
Get your grubby mitts of it!"
"Told you, try not to touch any blastia while we're here."
"Right...Sorry…."
"Some sort of switch" said Yuri.
Rita pressed it but the room was still dark, she sighed it wasn't working like the other blastia they saw before coming here.
"Nothing's happening" said Estelle.
"It doesn't have enough aer" the Mordio smiled that it was different from the other types of blastia.
"Not enough…aer…." The former knight stood in thought.
"Hey what that ring Yuri has that we found at the Shaikos Ruins?" said the Uzumaki.
"Ah, the Sorcerer's Ring. I'm not sure….But might as well give it a try" said the mage.
The long haired swordsman used the ring releasing a small amount of aer into the slot to fill it near the switch. As a result a couple of light have lit up illuminating the room, but not enough to see completely.
"It worked…but…."
"What's this?" asked Karol.
"I should have just gone ahead and activated it before, then?"
"Yeah…What if it was a trap or something….?" asked the pink haired teen.
"We can go back the way we came. I think we already know which way to go, right?" asked the whiskered blond.
"Yuri, you should point things like that out as soon as you notice!" said an unhappy Mordio.
"No, I only realized just now, actually."
"Maybe if we go upstairs we might figure something out?" said the youth.
"I say we check on the warp blastia we passed before getting here. The Sorcerer's Ring is probably the key to making them work" said Naruto.
"Yes. I think this device Yuri activated should have activated the other blastia too" said the teen mage.
(Time skip)
Thanks to Yuri for activating the device the party went back to the way they came. They got surprised as the blastia eventually were working now, allowing them to being transported to different places of the ruined city. That wasn't all of it, it looked like they were able to entered to a couple of rooms which they were locked by some sort of aer locking system. The locked was released the moment the long haired swordsman activated the main blastia with the sorcerer's ring. Among the things they found at the locked rooms were chests, some had gald and others item. The group didn't complained and took it with them because it going to be very necessary in the future. After a couple of encounters from monsters and traveling to another warp blastia, they seemed to have reached a dead end leading to a view of a waterfall. By now they were pretty clear the members of the guild they were looking for, weren't here.
"So it looks like the Blood Alliance…." Estelle started.
"Aren't here after all" Yuri finished for her.
"Guess pops couldn't tell the difference between the Hunting Blades and the Blood Alliance" said Naruto.
"Those guys are the Hunting Blades" Karol spotted the familiar people that belonged to the guild.
"Hey that guy…." The Uzumaki paused looking at a familiar tall man with a long sword.
"Th-That man…we saw him in Deidon Hold" said the pink haired healer.
"Yeah I remember him. He was present with this other person hooded guy arguing that they wanted to fight the monster outside of the Hold" said the blond shinobi.
"Ah, now that you two mention it, we did see him. So he's the leader of your guild, then" said the long haired swordsman.
"Yeah, he's Clint, the leader of the Hunting Blades."
"He's gonna fight that monster all by himself" Yuri was impressed seeing him about to take on a Gasutto type creature.
"He must be that strong to take on that monster on his own. I can beat it easily with sage mode."
"Last I remember, you were almost owned by that kind of monster."
"That's because I was poisoned, if it weren't for you I wouldn't have make it."
"Giving me credit doesn't change the fact you were almost over powered by it."
Clint has made a quick vertical strike slicing the Gasutto as it was killed instantly. The group was shocked at the sight one attack is all that it took to take it down when they had their hands full when they fought it.
"Whoa!" said the jinchurikki at a loss for words.
"What?! No way, man!" Rita was as shocked as her assistant.
"He took it out in one hit…." said the former knight in awe.
"That was a fatal strike" said Karol.
"A fate strike….?"
"It's a crazy powerful technique that extremely skilled swordsmen can use."
"Fatal strike…sounds interesting" thought the blond shinobi.
"Hmmm…So how do you do it?"
"How do you do it...? H-how should I know?!"
"Honestly Karol" Naruto gave a sigh.
"Fatal strike—A strong attack which throws your opponent off balance...Followed by a single, well timed strike to finish the enemy" explained Estelle.
"Is that something you read in a book?" asked Rita.
"Y-yes, it is…."
"I see…It sounds like it's easier said than done."
"Can I learn the fatal strike too?" asked the whiskered blond.
"You don't use a sword Naruto" said the former guild member.
"But I use kunais, they're a short version of a sword. So it should work the same, right?"
"Hm…I-I guess" the youth turned to the guild members his eyes have softened Nan's words went back to haunt him.
"Even we've already fired you…."
"You always run and hide at the first sign of trouble. You've been kicked out of every guild in the book…."
"Nan…."
"You really want to get back into the guild, don't you?" the Mordio could see it in his eyes.
"Wh-what makes you say that?" he taken back.
"What….? Karol, are you going back into the guild?" asked a worried Estelle.
"I won't go back...I'm sick and tired of monster hunting."
"Didn't Nan said you got fired from the guild?" reminded Naruto.
"Oh right…." He cried comical tears reminding him of the bad news.
"Like Naruto said. You can't go back because you got fired, there is no going back to the Hunting Blades for you" the teen mage crossed her arms.
"N-no, I had been planning in leaving for a while."
"Oh, really? Well whatever you say" said Yuri.
"So, uh, let's get going."
"Well, I'm glad you're staying with us, Karol" said the pink haired teen.
"That goes double for me" added the blond jinchurikki.
"Anyway, what do you think they're going with such a large contingent?" asked the former knight.
"Yeah, if they wanted to take out that monster we saw, one person would've been enough" followed Estelle.
"This could mean there's something else ahead that will need a large group for whatever they're after" said the Uzumaki.
"This is actually the first time I've ever seen so many guild members gathered in one place."
"Really?" asked the princess.
"Yeah, a lot of members are loners they tend not to travel in groups. And the chief being here is out of the ordinary, too."
"Curiouser and curiouser…." said the Mordio.
"Want to…follow them and see what they're up to?"
"Since we're here we should take the chance" said the blond shinobi.
"Nah, that sounds interesting but I'm going to keep going" said the long haired swordsman.
"You and Naruto are looking for members of the Blood Alliance, after all. Right….?" said the pink haired healer.
"If the Hunting Blades are here too, then maybe…They're after a monster. An even stronger monster that can't be taken down with the fatal strike, that will explain why they're so many guild members in the same place" the blond knew this couldn't be ignore even if they were looking for another guild that wasn't here.
"Yeah, I don't want to worry about two guilds. One is more than enough!"
They left the area going back to the way they came, wanting to check others places they have been to. Naruto made sure they weren't watching as he summoned a shadow clone.
"I want you to check on those guild members and find out what they're looking for. But don't let them see you."
"Right!" the cloned gave a nod as he jumped towards the guild's direction running through the water.
"Yuri won't be happy if he finds out I decided to keep tabs on them. Better that he doesn't find out…."
(Skit title: Sibling Relationship)
Naruto, Estelle and Rita are present.
Estelle: Rita why are you always mean to Karol?
Rita: because he's a little runt. Trying to touch blastia like they were toys, they're not!
Naruto: heh heh….
Rita: what are you laughing at?
Naruto: I'm just wondering at the way you treat him. It kinda looks like you act as an older sister to Karol.
Rita: older sister….? What are you talking about?
Estelle: I think Naruto means that you see Karol like a little brother.
Rita: tch yeah right. He is not my brother and I don't see him nothing like that. He's just a scary brat, childish and stupid.
Naruto: there you go again, you talk as the nagging older sister.
Rita: we're not related damn it!
Naruto: I know that but the way you guys act around the other is the same as a relationship between little brother and older sister.
Estelle: a sibling relationship, that's so cute.
Naruto: yep, Rita scolds him, hits him, annoy him and call him names. But in the end she cares for him like an older sibling will care for his younger sibling.
Rita: enough with the whole I care for Karol like a brother.
Karol arrives.
Karol: guys what's up?
Rita: nothing that concerns you! You little runt!
She leaves.
Karol: um…did I say something wrong?
Naruto: nah, Rita is being Rita.
Karol: sure whatever that means. She treats me mean and always bothers me, but I wonder. Maybe this is what a younger sibling feels like when being bag by his older sibling.
Estelle: *giggles* it sure is a good thing Rita isn't here to hear you.
Naruto: right!
(Time skip)
The party traveled to more rooms finding more gald and other necessary items. They reached new locations thanks to the warp blastia, which it was kind of fun to be traveling in an invisible bubble. The monster beating was getting easy, especially when Yuri learned the fatal strike after a couple of battles. Eventually Naruto managed to learn the deadly move using a kunai the others were really impressive that it took both of their companions a couple of fights to learn it. It was proof they were very skilled using their weapons, Yuri as a swordsman and the Uzumaki as a handler of the projectile weapon. After traveling down a spiral like stairway they took entered a chamber, that's when things became bad. The party has suddenly stopped as they felt their bodies were in a terrible shape, they felt all kinds of conditions. The felt dizzy, like they were running out of air to breathe, nauseous it's like they were under of some horrible sickness.
"Wh-what's up?! I feel kind of sick all of the sudden."
"You're not the only one Karol, there's something about this place" said Naruto failing to breathe properly.
"Kurama what's going on?"
"This is cause of the aer in this area. It's quite strong. Looks like your mage mate was correct about high dense aer being effective on people…."
"Why are you calling Rita mate?"
"Even someone as dense as you can feel it" said the teen mage trying to breathe.
"Who are you calling…Wait, does this mean you can feel it, too?"
"Ugh, what a feeling" Yuri was in the same boat just like Estelle and even Repede.
"Yuri…Estelle, too?"
"We all can feel it. This place here has high dense aer. That's why we're feeling sick."
"Yes, that's true. High concentration of aer is very harmful to people and monsters alike. But if it was dense enough…We should be able to see it" replied the Mordio.
"See aer? Is that true?" asked the pink haired healer.
"If the aer is very strong, yes we can see it. The stronger it is the more harmful it will be on us."
"If a monster attacked us right now, I don't think I'd be up to it" said the former Hunting Blade member.
"Saying stuff like that is the best way to attract monsters, you know" said the former knight.
Estelle has had about enough as she collapsed on her knees but Yuri caught her in time, gently placing his arm around her waist. She smiled at him trying to catch her breath but the dense aer was really affecting her.
"Yuri….!"
"If you're going to keel over, couldn't you do it in the middle of a crowded city street? I can't be expected to be there to catch you every time."
"Yeah, you can't always be her knight in shining armor" Naruto gave a grin wanting to tease him.
"Nope, that's Flynn's job."
"Flynn…." the pink haired princess wondered why he will bring the blond knight in this situation, she got up facing everyone.
"Y-yes, thank you. I'm still doing okay."
"What is that?" the blond jinchurikki gasped.
The entire room was now being filled with small light green colored spheres coming from the ground.
"It is aer!" Rita was surprised though she expected her assistant was correct.
"You were right we can actually see it!" Estelle was as shocked as the mage.
"No way! We can see aer!" Karol followed thinking aer was always invisible to the naked eye.
"I read it on a book too. Like Rita said high dense aer can be bad for the human body, and it depends on the high level of density it has very negative effects on the body" said the pink haired teen.
"That's why we're feeling sick" said the whiskered blond.
"It made you pass out at the Quoi Woods, too" said Yuri.
"Really? Wow" the Mordio didn't expected to hear high density of aer at such place.
"Maybe we should get out of here."
"But we still haven't made sure if the mercenaries are here or not" said Estelle.
"I guess that's true, but…."
"I don't think they're here. But I think we can risk leaving, who knows how worse we'll get if we continue staying here" said the blond shinobi.
"Let's keep moving."
"Rita what are you doing?" Naruto went to the mage who was checking some kind of control panel.
"It looks like this blastia is linked to the door."
"Really? Then it's the key to opening it."
"How do we open it?" asked the former guild member.
"It seems we have to carefully put together the symbols to form the right phrase."
"Wouldn't it be faster to break it?" asked the former knight.
"That's not a good idea. What if the door stops working?"
"You will also anger Rita, and that's not wise" said the blond.
"That too" she eyed the swordsman but gave a smile when she gazed over at her assistant.
"Hey, something's coming out of it."
So should we just put some letters in here?" the Mordio was in thought.
"Hey, didn't we pick up some odd pieces of paper?"
"Actually, come to think of it…Could this be a clue to the passcode?" said Estelle.
"That's it! Karol you're a genius the clues we found while exploring the city. I have them all" he handed the strange pieces of paper to the mage.
"Worth a shot to try" she gave a nod.
"Seems we need to use our mind to get an answer. Let's look at the paper again" said the swordsman.
"Naruto help me with the paper."
"Got it…."
"What about me?"
"Yuri, I don't trust you. You suggested destroying the control blastia, who knows what else you might have in mind.
"Sorry Yuri" said the Uzumaki.
"Okay, you two get to work. I hope we don't collapse from the dense aer by the time you two are done."
Naruto and Rita were concentrating on deciphering the clues they found. Slowly each work was revealing a letter until they managed to make the word" Light" as the first pass code. Minutes later they uncovered the second passcode" Sky" and finally it didn't took them that long to decipher the third and final passcode" Sphere". Soon they started putting the codes in order they found the passcodes. Rita has taken a moment to gaze at her blond assistant he looked so focus and concentrated. He was doing a good job and these were the moments she was happy to have named him the position. Her cheeks have heat up a little and her heart beating faster, the feeling of butterflies in her stomach soon followed. She has stopped herself as they input the codes in the correct order it was success when the large door before them opened.
They entered and their eyes widened feeling the strong aer, no doubt this is where the high dense of aer was coming from. Above the large room stood a blastia core it was quite big compared to its regular size, it was colored light green and it was covered by a spinning spike ornament. The core was releasing a strong barrier and above it looked like liquid was being suspended from the air. The party was in awe at the sight especially Rita, but it was the first time she has seen a core of this size. She remembered the damaged core she has checked back at Ehmead Hill and Nor Harbor no doubt both were the same structure.
"That water is…floating?" Karol believed it was really water.
"It looks like that blastia is causing it" said Yuri.
"I wonder if that core is what pops mentioned. An apatheia…." Naruto couldn't get his eyes off the oversize core.
"And probably this strange feeling as well…." said Estelle.
"Huh? He's similar to the ones at Ehmead Hill and Capua Nor."
"Is it broken….?" asked the youth.
"When a blastia breaks, it loses its ability to take in aer. There's no way it would get like this" explained the Mordio.
"So…What's going on?" asked the pink haired healer.
"I don't know…What could he be trying to do?"
"Well you better think of something Rita. I don't know how long we can remain here, the feelings seems to be getting worst" said the Uzumaki.
"W-was that a monster?" the princess saw something below.
"M-m…monster….!" Karol gasped seeing the giant creature below the barrier the core was forming.
"Take it easy…You're not feeling well. And there aren't any doctors around here" Yuri wanted to calm down the former guild member hearing his panicking tone.
"This is a different type of barrier blastia" said the blond shinobi noticing the design.
"Huh….? But…But…Uaaah….!"
"Karol take it easy! The monster isn't a threat it's trapped because of the barrier."
"The barrier's gonna fail….?"
"Don't worry Naruto's right. This is a reverse barrier blastia" said the mage.
"Reverse barrier….?" The long haired swordsman has obviously never heard of it.
"It's a powerful type of blastia for holding monsters. He won't get out there any time soon. But the aer here, this isn't normal."
"A reverse barrier shouldn't be releasing this much dense aer" followed the jinchurikki.
They heard a loud bang the monster was trying to get out from its prison.
"I've got a bad feeling about this…." said the former knight.
"It's starting to disappear….!" now Karol was really panicking.
"Rita?!" Estelle saw her running towards a blastia.
"Right I'm coming too!" Naruto followed her.
"Calm down…I'll have it fixed in no time…."
"I'll help…."
Repede started barking and Naruto knew why. Just when he and the teen mage were about to get to the blastia's controls mechanism, they had some unwanted company waiting for them. The whiskered blond glared at the three members of the Hunting Blades Clint, Tison and Nan. The Uzumaki figured out that things might get complicated for them they might end up fighting Karol's former guild members if they wanted to get through and fix the barrier. If they didn't, the barrier will dissolve leaving for the giant monster below to escape and that will be real bad.
"Now who're the numbskulls that decided to go and ignore our friendly warning?" said Tison.
"Sorry. None of us here are nice enough to take your" friendly" warning seriously" said Yuri.
"Humph…You don't say…Well now, if it isn't that run Karol who got his sorry butt cut from the team. The aer must be affecting 'em. It looks like pretty thick over there."
"Damn it, we can't stay here for too long" Naruto turned to the group they looked like they could collapse especially the youth and Estelle.
"That's just what we want. You all just sit tight and behave yourselves. We're only interested in taking out this big brute" said Clint.
"That's your reason….? Don't be stupid! You're going to risk everyone's lives just so you can fight that monster!" the blond shinobi glared at the Hunting Blades leader.
"It doesn't stand a chance against the Hunting Blades" said the leader of the guild.
"You sure talk big. Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility, you know. Don't go abandoning him for someone else to take care of" said the long haired swordsman.
Suddenly the dragon rider arrived and attacked the blastia with her spear. The attack has eventually destroyed it, Rita wasn't happy seeing the armor stranger again as well as destroying the precious blastia core.
"Him again!"
"So it was this blastia core the one she mentioned to go after next" thought the blond.
With the destruction of the core the barrier along with the dense aer disappeared.
"Phew…Hey…I feel better…." said the happy princess.
"No blastia, no dense aer" said the Uzumaki.
"Th-the barrier's down!" shouted Karol.
"Okay, now you can panic" sweat dropped the blond.
"Of course! That dragon freak broke the blastia! You're dead freak! Dead!"
The dragon rider decided to stay as she has gazed over at Naruto she wanted to aid him but also to defend the monster. With the barrier downed the giant monster was free, it emerged wanting to attack the first people that were in its sight, in this case the Hunting Blades. Clint was the first to attack unleashing a barrage of attacks with his long sword he enjoyed it watching the creature get hurt.
"Yeah, that's it. Show me some anger. Show me what a monster's like! Now I'm gonna mop the floor with you!"
Her dragon charged an attack firing it at the guild.
"Looks like he wants the first piece of the action Clint, well come and get some, then?!" said Tison.
Nan threw her boomerang but the dragon rider dodged it Tison ran to the wall getting high enough to get on the dragon and attacked her.
"Don't you dare!" Naruto shouted as he used a flying kick hitting the guild member sending him back to the ground.
"Naruto…." Rita stood in shock as she witnessed her assistant defend her enemy.
"What the hell are you doing?!" she followed getting angry.
The Dreaded giant made a strong move that shook the entire place making the party to fall. Naruto jumped back from the dragon rider after protecting her. He could've sworn he heard her say" thank you" or maybe he couldn't hear clearly because of the loud growl from the giant monster.
"Damn, if we lose our balance."
"Yuri I'm with you!" the Uzumaki got next to him ready to him against the giant creature.
"I've never seen anything like it before" said Estelle getting up.
"Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh!" pretty clear Karol was too scared to fight the monster.
"I guess we gotta take care of someone else's pet" the former knight has unsheathed his sword.
Naruto used another of his magic lens looking at the information of the dreaded giant. He took notice it was mainly weak against fire and wind, aside that he was strong on the other elements. The monster unleashed its tails attack as the two dodged it Yuri charged at it ready to attack.
"Fang strike, shining fang!"
"My turn!" the Uzumaki charged his friend's attacks made contact with the creature.
"Shadow clone jutsu!" he grinned as the ten clones went for the attack.
"Palm strike, spin kick!"
"Palm strike, beast!"
"Here's my rasengan!"
The attacks landed on their target and more attacks followed. Yuri grinned spotting Repede ready to fight, he used crescent strike and sonic dog, he followed it up with punishing fang before joining both males.
"That's a good dog Repede."
"You think he will miss a fight?"
"I'll fight too" Estelle arrived she gasped as the dreaded giant used another tail attack.
"Time for some quick defense, cavalry!"
Everyone got the defense boost for a short period of time they were able to take attack without receiving too much damage. They resumed their attacks as fire balls hit the creature growling in pain it was one of the elements considered its weakness. The blond shinobi turned to Rita who has joined them the teen mage started casting for another spell.
"You're not going anywhere, stalagmite!"
Dreaded giant was stabbed by the sharp rock pick from below. Though it wasn't that effective since earth was one of its strength elemental attributes, it will take something stronger than that to stop it.
"Hey guys! My foot is stuck on a hole! I can't get it off!" Karol was having problems trying to join the fight.
"Then stay there!" said the annoyed Mordio.
"Come on help me!"
"Sorry Captain, looks like you will have to wait until we're done dealing with the little pet."
"No fair!"
As they continued to fight the dreaded giant, something was awakening in Naruto. The blond shinobi felt a strong power coming from his bohdi blastia, it was the same feeling when he equipped it and when he fought for the first using it at Halure. It meant a new power was being brought, or more precise he was about to learn a new arte. He used spin kick one more time and that's when it the bohdi blastia reacted.
"Triple kick!"
The three consecutive kicks the giant creature as he lunge another attack which his blastia reacted again.
"Sonic fist!"
The dreaded giant was sent away by the strong arte as the group stood in awe at the blonds new learned artes. The others resumed their assault on the creature while Yuri got serious in the matter.
"I'll blow you away!" he activated over limit.
"Look out its attacking!" shouted the blond.
The dreaded used it's bite attack and strong arms, the party were quick enough to avoid them. Luckily his moves were slow given them enough time to dodge them.
"All out now!" said the former knight.
"Star stroke!"
"Fire ball!"
"Palm strike, triple kick and beast!"
"Azure edge, Cerberus strike, crushing eagle, fang strike, shining fang!"
"Woof woof!"
"It's not fair, I want to fight too" the stuck Karol was crying comical tears.
They resumed followed with his shadow clones once more. Naruto's attacks were getting faster and for some reason he felt a tremendous power that it was being build up from the inside. Then he remembered Rita's explanation on the over limit and Yuri's stoo, this power building in him was happening because the more he was attacking. This was his fighting spirit and he felt it, it has reached its peak he concentrated trying to tap into that power that it was being given by the blastia he was using. As he dodged another attack, his cerulean eyes widened feeling he knew how to release it.
"This is it! No holding back!"
The party was in awe as the Uzumaki's body was being covered by strong currents of wind. They had no idea what just happened but it was good news for them and bad for the dreaded giant.
"Naruto he's…." started Estelle.
"It must be his over limit. He finally unlocked it" followed Yuri.
"It's different from the usual look" Rita took notice immediately.
"Wind aer is coming out of his body it must be his special element."
The whiskered blond went full force attacking the giant creature endlessly. It gave a painful cry since wind was another element it's weak to, Yuri and the others joined in wanting to aid the blond shinobi. The dreaded giant has been sent knocked to the ground before it got back up. They were ready to continue fighting it until it stood still he gazed at Estelle and the others. They were shocked as it turned its back and started walking away leaving. Yuri's over limit was gone just like the jinchurikki they stood a little shocked that the monster was actually running away from the fight.
"Should we go after it….?"
"Naruto let him go. He's giving up. He says the dense aer from this place drove him mad. That was the reason why he started attacking. The beating you and your companions gave him brought him back to his senses…He also says he doesn't want to be affected by the poison."
"Poison….? What poison?"
"Don't know, he wasn't being specific…."
"We made it" Estelle gave a sigh of relief.
"What about Karol?" asked Rita.
"Yeah what about me?!" shouted the annoyed youth his foot was still stuck in the hole.
"You're pitiful" Nan came and helped the former guild member from his small predicament.
"Nan…you saved me" his eyes were shining.
"You're life wasn't in any danger. You're wrong" she walked away before taking a glance at him.
"Looks like I was right after, she really cares for Karol"
Suddenly a dead monster fell behind them.
"There ain't a monster alive that wasn't born to be my punching bag" said Tison.
"Master! It's too dangerous" Nan returned to Clint's side.
The leader of the Hunting Blades glared at the dragon rider who was gazing over at Yuri's group. He wasn't happy with the fact that she managed to fend himself against him and his guild. This was the perfect chance to have payback, even if his grudge isn't with humans but with the monsters. However the dragon rider crossed the line when he attacked his guild, sticking his noses where they don't belong. Now that he has lowered his guard he couldn't refuse such opportunity to take him down, he already knew which attack to use to finish him. He raised his long sword ready to use the fata strike on the stranger clad in white armor. Naruto's eyes widened spotting the guild leader about to attack his friend.
"Watch out!"
The dragon rider gazed at the strong waved Clint has released but it was too late, she won't be able to dodge it on time. Then it looked like time has stood still until the harsh reality came, her eyes widened in pure shock. Yuri and everyone from the group was as shock, even Nan who has seen everything. Naruto has jumped as high as he could and he was successful to take the fatal strike, saving the life of the female in white armor. Rita gasped in horror watching her blond assistant's body was in blood from the attack. Then time went back to normal as the Uzumaki's body started falling about to hit the solid ground.
"Naruto!" shouted the worried sick Mordio.
"Oh no Naruto!" followed Estelle.
"He won't survive the fall!" Yuri ran towards him, attempting to catch him.
Nobody expected that the dragon rider has flied to his rescue. She caught the blond and just like that she took off from the underground chamber, flying away with the whiskered jinchurikki. The party stood in shock at what just happened, thinking it was all a dream, that's what they were all thinking. But once they realized it wasn't their whiskered blond companion wasn't here, he was rescued by the dragon rider but he was also kidnaped by the same person whom he has saved her life. By now the Hunting Blades we're gone not wanting to stay another minute. Rita was the first to react watching the direction the dragon rider took off with her blond assistant she has fallen on her knees not wanting to admit he was gone.
"Naruto…No…." she felt anger but she also felt grief tightening her fists.
"Naruto!"
The ceiling started shaking meaning it was going to collapse, they didn't had time to stay here and think about what to do next.
"The ceiling is not gonna hold" said the pink haired teen.
"The Hunting Blades are gone. We should leave too" said Yuri.
"What about Naruto?! We can't just leave him!" said the worried mage.
"Nobody said anything about leaving him and besides, it looks like he was taken out of here. We won't be able to worry about him if we get crushed when this place collapses."
"Naruto…." she glared thinking about the dragon rider.
(Skit title: Naruto… Kidnapped?)
Rita is only present.
Rita: first he destroys blastia, and then he kidnaps my assistant. Argh! That dragon freak is going to pay dearly for this! I will never forgive him for as long as I leave!
Yuri arrives.
Yuri: whoa, calm down. You have to let out some steam.
Rita: I can't calm down I am so angry with that dragon freak! How the hell does he think he is capturing my assistant like that?!
Yuri: I don't think he kidnaped Naruto. It's more like he saved his life there was no way he was going to survive that fall unconscious. If he hadn't caught him in time he would've been dead right now.
Rita: stop saying stupid things! *eyes softening* Don't you think…That dragon freak might try something like that?
Yuri: I don't think so. You have to think clearly if he wanted Naruto dead don't you think he wouldn't have bothered saving him?
Rita: what if he's planning to sell him out to the Knights? Naruto is a wanted criminal and his bounty is as high as yours!
Yuri: I also think that won't happen. You're forgetting the dragon rider is being hunted by the Knights it's not just the Hunting Blades. Why would he bring Naruto to Flynn if he's eventually going to get arrested? It doesn't add up.
Rita: damn it! I hated him I hated that dragon freak so much. How dare he take Naruto from me?!
Estelle arrived.
Estelle: Rita please you have to try and calm down. Don't worry we'll search for Naruto, we're not going to abandon him.
Rita: never…I would never abandon him….
Yuri: even if we don't have a clue where to start searching. The dragon rider could be anywhere by now.
Rita: we'll search everywhere if it means we'll find him!"
(Time skip)
They party was about to leave the ruined city and neither of them looked well. For starters Naruto's abduction at the hands of the dragon rider has taken a big toll on the group. Yuri wasn't that bothered but it did worried him for the blonds sake, he was more annoyed he will have to waste time searching for him instead of searching for the Blood Alliance and the aque blastia core. In addition he was frustrated the guild of mercenaries wasn't in Caer Bocram, meaning they pretty wasted their time here. Estelle was worried for the blond but she tried to keep a positive that everything will be fine and they'll be able to find him, while Karol was in the same boat too. The only one who has taken it very hard was Rita the teen mage looked so worried while she was boiling in anger on the inside at the dragon rider. As they were reaching the entrance where they first came, it was being blocked by Cumore and two knights making Repede growl at the person who arrested Yuri and Naruto at the capital.
"Ah, the common rabble. So I've finally found you. That's far enough."
"You lackeys must have had a lot of time on your hands if you crossed the ocean just to see us" said the former knight.
"Humph…You're in no position to talk down to the likes of me" replied the upper class knight.
"Now Princess, right this way."
"….." Estelle took a step back not wanting to go with him.
"Huh? What does he mean" princess"?" asked a confused Karol.
"The princess standing right here in front of us" said Yuri.
"Y-Yuri…But how did you….?"
"What? Estelle's a princess?" the youth didn't had a clue of her identity.
"As suspected as much myself" replied Rita obviously still feeling angry with a certain person for kidnaping her assistant.
"And I'm sure Naruto figured it out too" added the long haired swordsman.
"Rita…You…too?"
"W-wait, you gotta be kidding…."
The pink haired teen gave a sigh, now that the secret was out she didn't had to pretend to be a regular noble. She walked over to Cumore if she does agree to return to Zaphias she wanted the safety of her friends, not to mention there was still Naruto who was missing.
"And what will happen to my friends?"
"Why? They'll be drawn and quartered for abducting a member of the royal family, of course."
"Please wait, I wasn't abduct—"
"Ah, what a mouthy young lady you are. This way, please!"
"We don't have time to deal with this guy. We have to find Naruto" Rita was getting inpatient.
Cumore unsheathed his sword pointing to the rest of the group.
"Now die like the flies you are!"
"Arrest the culprit Yuri Lowell, Naruto Uzumaki and his accomplices."
Cumore gave a frown spotting Leblanc, Boccos and Adecor arriving while Yuri sighed, this is the last thing they needed more trouble.
"Gah you. The Schwann Brigade….!"
"Just a minute! This prize catch is mine! I won't let you take him from me that easily!"
"Catch? Our duties are not to be carried out in the fashion of a hunt" replied the Brigade leader.
"Humph…."
"Did I not also hear someone mention" dying" earlier?
You did…What is wrong with condemning criminals to their deaths?" said the noble.
Should not criminals be captured and judged in accordance with the laws?"
"Humph…I suppose I can let you have these little worms" he sheathed his sword walking away with his knights following him.
"If it isn't Schwann, it's Flynn these upstart commoners are so full of themselves. Even the Commandant…."
"He's one to talk" thought the long haired swordsman.
"This way, Your Highness. Do watch your step" said Leblanc.
"Um, but I…."
"Yes, right this way!" said Boccos.
"Arrest them in the name of Captain Schwann!"
"Okay, Yuri Lowell gang. It's curtains for you, I say. Hmm…Sir I do say, Naruto Uzumaki seems to be missing" said Adecor.
"What? Uzumaki is missing?" he went to the group.
"Where's Naruto Uzumaki?"
"You won't find him here" said the former knight.
"….." Rita was tightening her fists at the mentioned of the blonds name she was so worried it was killing her.
"B-but I haven't done anything!" said Karol.
"Don't hurt them! I beg you…."
Estelle don't worry."
"Yuri" she got worried.
Eventually they didn't fight back and instead they surrendered to the Knights. They have all be handcuffed while Rita was cursing demanding to let her go because of her status, hiding her reason to search for her blond assistant. Yuri just sighed this couldn't get any worse, first they lost the lead of the Blood Alliance, then their whiskered companion goes missing because of the dragon rider and now this. Once again his cursed bad luck has strike again. However it wasn't that bad after the long trip they took they weren't going to take them back to the capital, but probably somewhere else in the Tolbycia continent. Leblance was ready to take the prisoners as he looked above.
"Sir Schwann well shall take these undesirables to Heliord."
High above stood Captain Schwann he only raised his hand at him ordering him to proceed.
"All members, fall out!"
To be continued
Yay! The first chapter of the New Year has been finished and on my birthday too. Current status of the story 14,436 hits, 155 reviews, 143 favorites, 116 follows and 2 C2 communities. Thank you so much for all the reviews and adding the story to follows and favorites. On a side note poor Naruto what terrible time to get separated from Yuri and the gang, what will happen next? I will see you all next time farewell!
The artes Naruto learned are: sonic fist, triple kick and over limit (wind barrier).
Next time: a new adventure in search for blastia