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Valdr couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Naruto crash into the ground, shaking the entire area with a shockwave as he realized his Aunt Shana defeated him. He heard tales of Naruto's battles against his sister, but the thought of his own father losing was like shattering a dream. But Naraku, his father's Yin half that sired him, told him not to think like that. For even the most powerful can be defeated. But now seeing this before him, he was force to admit that his father was correct on that term as he set his gaze upon the runeblade he wielded; the blade's inner flames hungering for more souls to devour as he heard his mother Azula clicking her tongue in disappointment.
He knew why too, he knew that she would have told Naraku that if she was the Master, Naruto would be even stronger from her experience and knowledge, while Yāo Jing, who was an outsider to this world, was not worthy of that position. But times like these, he hated his mother's twisted pride and ego. He had suffered hundreds of mental torture from his sadistic mother even though she loved him. She was insane, inhumane, and the kind that if this was a normal world, would have her killed via electric chair a hundred times over.
Yet he still loved his mother. Azula's love when she isn't sadistic brought warmth to his heart that made him want to see her smile like a proud, happy mother. But ever since Naruko and Yāo Jing came to this world, his mother rarely smiled, and her aura darkened even further.
From the crater, Naruto got up and dusted himself as he cracked his joints. His whole artificial body was damaged greatly from that battle and now he needed to find a vessel to anchor his soul onto if he did not want to leave this plane of existence. For now, he'll play the part as a symbiotic entity until he acquired a more…durable vessel. Cursed flesh was considered a glass cannon form, while powerful, is easily fragile. This was the reason why he had used Susanoo so early, his body would have been destroyed by another powerful blow after Shana got him with a Rasengan. But that fall from the heavens was just as bad and he felt his unstable body beginning to waver.
Shana and her Yin-Yang Aspects descended as well as Naruto's empty golden eyes looked at them as he smirked. While he had no heart at the moment, he could still at least look like he could express something, no? "Well done Shana," he praised her, "The damage to this body is without a doubt beyond repair. I'll have no choice now, but to find a new one when the time comes." He admitted as he clapped his hands as if it was one big performance he was enjoying. "Just wait brother, I'll reclaim your soul, and when I do, I'll make sure Naraku pays for what he's done to you." Shana vowed as she reabsorbed Kushi and Shina into herself.
Naruto chuckled, "Be sure to do so…I've lost connection to the main body of my soul so I can't update what's going on here to him thanks to the corruption. In return, I have no clue what he's up to as well. For now, I bid you adieu sister." He bowed as his body melted away into black mud as his soul escaped the decaying body and flew off towards Yāo Jing. The soul coiled around her right arm like a snake as it took on the form of blue flames, she was caught off guard at this development as Azula growled in envy at the level of 'closeness' those two now shared. To bind his soul to hers caused her very blood to boil as Valdr cautiously took several steps back from his mother as he noticed the faint hints of steam emitting from her body as he realized she was boiling with rage, pun unintended.
Naraku only chuckled at how possessive his Prime Consort is, and he'll amuse her with a test to see if she can get Naruto. But he turned his attention to Shana, he knew she was weakened from the extraction of the soul fragment he took from her, and yet she was able to defeat Naruto and destroy his fake body. But she wasn't down yet, and didn't go all out. Plus, he could tell that she's pissed at what he did to the soul fragment and will transform into Iris Soul.
That thought alone stole any courage he could even muster as he felt his pulse go down drastically as he saw Shana glaring at him from 13 miles away. He felt like the dawn of true terror was after him. "We're retreating. With Shana here, and in a very pissed off state, I'd rather not be around for Iris Soul's entry." He announced in a shaky tone as Valdr nodded his head in fast agreement as Azula bitterly agreed. She had seen for herself of how Naruto was defeated, and it didn't sit well with her. Especially since they're poorly equipped, too many civilians in danger, and the fact the Avatar and the survivors of Naruto's onslaught were marching in. Plus, the factor that Shana is on a warpath, it's wise to flee and live to fight another day.
With a swipe of his hand, Naraku created a dust storm as he began to make the evacuation begin. But he saw deep in the dust storm, the glowing eyes of rage belonging to Shana from within. "Red Devil indeed…" he mused dryly.
By the time the surviving army charged into the town, it was deserted. Not one sign of life, looking like everyone there just instantly disappeared off the face of the planet. Sokka was supporting Shana with his shoulder as he and Aang went towards the medic bay. "It's not over yet…" Shana spoke up, gaining the two boy's attention. "He will return. I just temporarily subdued him. When he acquires a new body, it'll be much harder the next time we fight." She explained as the two boys gulped nervously. "That's why I have to increase your training once I'm done healing. For now, double of everything in your routine; I want results if we want a fighting chance against them in their current state."
"Why? Why her…!?" Azula swore as she slammed her fist into the wall of the Fire Nation Palace as Naraku had his arms crossed. "They are compatible with each other, and are connected by similarities that you do not possess." Was his straight reply without even blinking. He knew Azula's tendencies of being possessive were legendary, even among the many consorts he had over the years. But he knew she had a lust for power, and even inheriting a legacy for it. He knew Azula had been proud of her own potential when she bore Valdr, their son and carried it with pride. But it didn't help her when she was still cruel, even mentally torturing their son with psychological attacks just to make him fear her. That part Naraku didn't like. She thought he wouldn't know of those times, but she was horribly wrong. He left her be due to his own selfish desire, to rid himself of the 'wish' called All the World's Evil. But he would leave Azula's fate to be a karmic justice, for once she dies, when her soul escapes the body, she will be taken into the Heaven's Fall and her soul will be devoured by Avenger, or should he say, Angra Mainyu?
"Naraku, give me a chance." Azula spoke up, snapping Naraku out of his thoughts as he looked at her. "Let me prove that I am a more suitable candidate to be the Master of Naruto than that worthless 'prize' you won."
Ah—so she wanted that. "Very well then," Naraku smiled, as if an idea inspired him. "You and Yāo Jing will face each other in Agni Kai. A month from now to allow the both of you to hone your skills." He told her as he turned to walk away. "Oh, and do be careful, if you knew who she truly is, then she will be the one you should fear." He warned her as he left. That left Azula confused, was this Yāo Jing girl really that dangerous?
Meanwhile in a different room, said woman sneezed. "Are you okay Momma? Are you getting sick?" Chun asked as Yāo Jing smiled gently. "No, it's nothing. I'm just getting ready for some training." She replied, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face as Chun smiled. "Good luck Momma, I wish you luck against that mean lady!" she beamed as her mother inwardly laughed at the nickname of this world's Azula. "Don't worry, I won't lose. Not when I have someone important to me to protect." She reassured her as she hugged her daughter. The warmth that was in her heart whenever she was with her daughter was irreplaceable.
"…Love, you love your daughter very much. Please, as a loving mother, protect that child with all of your heart." A voice echoed in her head. Yāo Jing knew that voice, the voice of Naruto, whose soul was bound to her own as a symbiotic weapon, a reaver of souls. His words spoke truth to them, a comforting truth that made her embrace her daughter the more tightly. "Love…is this feeling that my mother had when I was still with her…?" she thought, getting no reply from Naruto as his voice was silent. She didn't care now, this feeling for Chun was more comforting, and one she would not lose. "When the war is over, how about we go somewhere on the countryside?" she asked Chun who smiled innocently at such a prospect.
"…Not to be rude or to ruin the atmosphere Master, but every second is important. This Azula is much more dangerous than the one you've fought in your world. I must pull off the gloves, and teach you advanced levels of combat." Naruto spoke up; now that had gained Yāo Jing's attention-a challenge with a deadline, because to her, there was more at stake here in this world than ever before. Chun's safety was a top priority, and the fact that this world's Azula was more vicious and aggressive, not to mention insane and hostile to the both of them, she needed every bit of knowledge and power she can get to protect her daughter. "One month to train, one month to confront Azula, and one month before one of us probably dies." She thought bitterly. For some reason, she could trust this Naruto. Something about him just…had a warmth and kindness within him that he hides under a cold exterior. She was…drawn to it.
Valdr walked towards the fleet assigned to him with Naruko and Colonel Sanders at his side as he paused for something. "Naruko, even though you don't have kids, how does a mother raise one?" he asked. Naruko looked like a deer in headlights, "What?" she questioned in surprise, "That's well...um, give me a second to think," her brow knitted in thought.
"Hehehe...What makes you ask her something like that Valdr?" Sanders asked in an amused voice. "...it's personal." the Crown Prince replied.
Naruko tilted her head, "I've never had a mother, Nimue was the closest thing I could call a mother." she stated, "She loved me, taught me things, right from wrong and such; and gave me love when I didn't have it while growing up. With love is my answer, but it could be different for other people." she shrugged.
"I see..." Valdr replied, somewhat understanding as he looked away. "My Prince, did your mother do something to you again?" Sanders asked a tone of concern in his voice. "...No, she's just-never mind." Valdr shook his head. The relationship the prince and the colonel was something akin to brotherhood, but there are times they have to keep things to themselves, and respect those choices. "We're heading towards the North Pole." Valdr spoke up, "We're confronting that demon there and reclaim the Scourge for father; and to keep the people safe." He announced as the fleet in front of them saluted the Prince's choice and prepared to make their long trip to the cold north, where only death awaits them.
