Original Posted On: April. 21, 2021
Beta Read by:
Review Response:
Darkmaster10000000: Strictly Naruto X Road.
Dlowe2651: Thank you, and this chapter is hopefully entertaining.
A10riddick: I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Samuel Santillan: I hope this chapter is to your liking.
OKAY, LETS READ THIS SHIT! I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR D. GRAY MAN!
"Hey" = Speaking
'Hey' = Thinking
'Hey' = Memory
"Hey"= Noah Memory
Chapter 5: Importance
Edo, Japan, The Ark…
Road was… surprised to say the least.
She and Naruto had returned from Rewind Town, and she offered him a reward for his good work.
Only Road had thought he would ask for something material or a favor.
She did not expect Naruto to passionately kiss her.
"AAAAAAAAAAGH!" Lero screamed.
"Lero, what's wrong? And where have you been?"
Naruto went stiff, eyes wide in fear as he broke into a cold sweat as the Millennium Earl appeared, holding a small bag as he
The Earl looked over and saw Naruto making sweet lip love to Road.
…
…
…
The Earl walked over, put his bag on the ground, put his hands between Naruto and Road before separating them, a string of saliva connecting them before they broke.
"Naruto…" The Earl growled.
Naruto shuddered as his name was spoken.
"y-Yes… Lord Millennium?" Naruto stammered.
The Earl loomed over Naruto… before he patted Naruto's head.
"Hm?"
Naruto looked up at the much taller being, seeing a nice shine in the Earls eyes.
Before he was crushed under the Earl's power, collapsing to his knees, his lungs contracting as he gasped for oxygen.
"If you forced yourself onto Road, then you better start begging forgiveness, boy." The Earl stated as he grabbed Lero, starting to turn his trusty golem into his trusty broadsword.
"No, Duke Millennium." Road said childishly as she jumped onto his back, wrapping her arms around him to cling to his body. "I asked for the kiss, so don't hurt Naruto at all."
All malice vanished, allowing Naruto to breath again.
"Oh, okay, I don't mind then." The Earl stated in a chipper tone as Lero returned to being a normal umbrella. "But Road, you shouldn't take Lero without my permission. He is my umbrella. Also, you acted against the exorcists against my wishes."
Road laughed as she proceeded to tickle the Earl, making him laugh before she jumped off his back and gracefully landed on the floor.
"Well, you need to go do your homework, which you ignored due to skipping school." The Earl reprimanded. "Naruto, you aren't allowed to help her."
"Aw, alright." Road pouted as she left Naruto with the Earl.
"Lord Millennium…"
Naruto gasped when Lero was used to smack Naruto outside the head.
"What have I told you?" The Earl stated.
Naruto groaned.
"Do I have to?" He questioned, feeling uncomfortable with what the Earl wanted.
"Yes, its just us, Naruto." The Earl urged, acting childishly as he got close to Naruto's face, tears forming at the edge of his glasses.
Naruto sighed with a disturbed face.
"Dad Millennium…" Naruto stated begrudgingly.
"Oh, Yes, my dear son?" The Earl flamboyantly replied, spinning around Naruto before stopping. "Is there something you need?"
"Well, Lero brought something to my attention." Naruto pointed out, the golem nodding, remembering what Naruto was talking about. "Why don't I dream? And if its possible, could you make it so I could dream?"
The Earl went still.
"Oh, that." He said as he stroked his chin in thought. "I'll see what I can do, but for now, go to Road, and remember, you can't help her with her homework."
"Of course, Dad Millennium." Naruto replied as he bowed, walking off with a bit of pep in his step.
"You aren't going to tell him, aren't you, lero?" Lero asked sadly as he floated into the Earl's hand.
"No, not yet." The Earl said as he walked in the opposite direction, having business elsewhere on the arc. "He isn't ready to remember the truth of his former master and the incident."
Road's Room…
Road sat in her room, textbook, paper, and pencil before her, but her mind was elsewhere.
'That kiss.' She thought with her cheeks tinting red a bit. 'I never thought about entering a relationship before, but maybe I could consider it.'
She started to look over the homework before her.
'Naruto deserves love, so I should give him a chance.' She thought as she started to catch up on her uncomplete homework.
Next Morning…
Naruto stood before a large crowd of Level One Akuma in their human forms.
"Alright everyone, Line up." Naruto ordered as he walked among them with a clip board.
The Akuma obeyed Naruto's order, allowing him to observe them all.
"Hm…" Naruto thought as he tapped his chin. "Okay, you all seem to be in good order, just be sure to eat well, and to not get caught by any pesky exorcists."
"Under…" The Akuma said in a dull unison. "Stood… Sheph…erd…"
The Akuma vanished, returning to their homes.
Naruto sighed.
"Sup, Naruto."
Naruto turned around and smiled.
"Uncle Mikk." Naruto said as he hugged Tyki Mikk.
Mikk was a tall man, with shaggy dark hair with a light amount of stubble. He normally wore a black suit and top had with his hair up, but today he wore casual clothing and a pair of glasses, giving him a disheveled look.
"Just wanted to say goodbye before I left for my small vacation." Mikk told Naruto.
"Oh. Really?" Naruto pouted. "You just got back from your mission though."
Mikk laughed as he patted Naruto's head.
"Don't worry, I'll be back in a few days." Mikk assured.
"Fine." Naruto replied with a pout, crossing his arms.
Mikk laughed and pulled out a deck of cards and a pack of poker chips.
"But before I go, let's play a few games." Mikk said as he sat down at a small table.
Naruto smiled as he sat down while Mikk shuffled the cards before placing them on the table.
Naruto took the cards and cut the deck before handing it back to Mikk.
"So, I heard from a good resource that you kissed Road." Mikk stated with a chuckle as he dealt the cards as Naruto took the poker chips and divided them evenly.
Naruto's cheeks became red as he took the cards in his hand.
"From that response, I can say you did." Mikk chuckled as he lit a cigarette before looking at his cards.
"Aren't you angry?" Naruto asked as he put two cards on the table, Mikk dealing two more.
"No, why would I be angry?" Mikk asked as he exhaled the smoke, putting four cards down before drawing four more. "I'll raise."
He took four chips and put them between himself and Naruto.
"I'll raise as well." Naruto replied as he put five chips in. "Because I kissed a Noah. I may be more than an Akuma, but I am less than a Noah. I am the Shepherd while you are the Apostles of God."
Mikk and Naruto revealed their hands.
Naruto had two aces and two sevens.
Mikk had three nines.
Naruto sighed as Mikk smirked as he took the chips and cards, reshuffling the deck and dealt their hands again.
"I don't mind." Mikk continued as he put ten chips into the center, not bothering to change his hand. "I actually think you and Road would make a cute couple."
Naruto blushed at the encouragement as he discarded his entire hand and drew five new cards.
"I'll raise another ten." Naruto said as he pushed in ten more chips for a total of twenty. "But why though? I mean, Cheryl doesn't like it when anyone messes with Road, so he won't approve of it if our relationship goes further…"
The two revealed their hands.
Naruto had a full house. Three two's and two fives.
Mikk had flush. Five different numbers all under the Spade.
"Seems I win." Naruto said as he smirked, taking the chips, now ahead of Mikk.
Mikk smiled at the challenge as he reshuffled the deck.
"Cheryl is an obsessive jackass. I don't mind because you are an important part of our family, Naruto." Mikk explained as he dealt their new hands. "You deserve happiness, especially after what happened with the 14th."
Naruto's smile faltered.
"Master 14th…" He whispered sadly. "It was sad that he betrayed us, betrayed me."
'Oh, shit…' Mikk thought calmly as he realized he messed up. "Sorry, kiddo. I didn't mean to bring up your old master and ruin the mood."
Naruto shook his head as he tried to remember his former master.
"It's okay, but it's just… frustrating." Naruto said as he looked at his hand and discarded two to draw two more, raising the pot to fifteen chips. "I just can't remember much about him. I don't remember his name or face, I just remember that after Lord Millennium deemed me 'ready', I served Master 14th before he betrayed us and I started working for Lady Road."
Mikk remembered what Naruto could not as he took three cards after discarding three, raising the pot by ten chips for a total of twenty-five.
The 14th Noah, the one who could move The Ark, attempted a coup d'etat, attacking the Earl.
While Mikk and the other Noah were forced to stay away while they fought, Mikk remembered the fear and worry that drowned his senses as they battled with Naruto staying with them.
'I might not know what really happened, but Lord Millennium knows what he is doing if he is keeping this from Naruto.' Mikk thought as he dowsed his cigarette while he and Naruto revealed their hands.
Naruto had two pair. Fours and Jacks.
Mikk had two pair. Queens and Eights.
"Shit, guess we split the pot." Mikk stated with a smile as he split the chips, giving Naruto thirteen chips, taking twelve for himself.
"Hm…" Naruto replied sadly with a nod as he waited for Mikk to reshuffle and deal.
'I am an asshole.' Mikk thought as he dealt their hands again. "Hey, kiddo, how about we make this our last wager, winner takes all and the winner gets a favor from the loser?"
Naruto smiled at Mikk's attempt to cheer him up.
"Okay, Uncle Mikk." Naruto said as he pushed all his chips in, followed by Mikk doing the same.
Naruto threw out his entire hand and drew five new cards as Mikk took three.
Mikk and Naruto waited four seconds before showing off their hands.
Naruto had a Royal Flush of Diamonds. Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
Mikk had a pair. Two Fours.
Mikk sighed as he leaned back.
"Damn, Lady Luck wasn't on my side." He stated in false defeat making Naruto laugh a bit before they cleaned up their mess. "Guess I owe you a favor, Naruto."
"Yes, yes you do." Naruto stated with a bright smile. "But let's put it on the shelf until further notice."
"Alright." Mikk said as he put his cards and chips away. "Anyway, I am going on my vacation. See you when I get back, Naruto."
"Later, Uncle Mikk." Naruto said with a wave as they two went their separate ways.
Four days later…
Naruto walked through the Ark, tray of sweets and tea in hand as he headed to Road's room.
"Lady Road." Naruto called out as he entered her room, seeing her busy with homework. "I have brought your afternoon snacks."
Road nodded as she labored over her work, motioning for him to put the tray beside her.
Naruto obeyed, putting the tray on a small cart beside her, pouring her tea for her before preparing a small plate of her favorite snack before silently leaving.
He stopped outside her door, looking at it before walking down the hall.
'I wish I could help Lady Road, but Lord Millennium made it clear I was not allowed to help her.' Naruto thought as he entered one of the many living room areas, seeing the Earl sitting on a couch knitting with Lero beside him.
"Oh, Naruto, I was just about to summon you." The Earl said as he tapped the spot next to him. "Come, have a seat next to me, my son."
"Of course…*Sigh* Dad Millennium." Naruto said in a reluctant tone as he bowed.
The Earl smiled brightly, tears of happiness streaming down his large comical cheeks as Naruto called him 'Dad'.
Naruto sat down next to his leader.
"So, you met Allen Walker a few days ago, didn't you?" the Earl asked as he continued to knit the scarf.
"Yes, Dad Millennium." Naruto replied respectfully.
"Well, what did you think of him?" The Earl inquired with a questioning look in his eyes.
"Allen Walker is an exorcist, so his skills are polished and Innocence is powerful. His ability to see the souls of my Sheep is an annoyance, because it makes it harder for them to feed and evolve. But I feel like there is a lot of potential being wasted." Naruto replied honestly. "His unnamed Innocence doesn't seem to know what it wants to be, or rather, it is responding to Allen's weak feelings and desires to protect humans and save Akuma, limiting its output."
"Hm, interesting take, Naruto." The Earl said in sincere awe. "But do you think he would stand a chance against you, or the other members of our family?"
Naruto stayed quiet for several minutes, the only sounds in the room came from the ticking clock on the wall and the knitting needles clicking together.
"As Allen is now: He would loose to you, the Noah, or me." Naruto stated clearly with no arrogance or bravado. "If given the chance, I would kill Allen Walker."
The Earl laughed at how serious Naruto was, not in an insulting laugh. He found it humorous.
"I believe you, Naruto." The Earl stated as he sat up, putting his knitting on pause to look out a window. "Allen Walker is a thorn in our side, but like all thorns before him, we shall remove him soon."
"Dad Millennium?" Naruto asked as he heard the tone the Earl had used.
"Soon, Naruto. A new Ark shall be complete, and this old Ark will be destroyed." The Earl stated. "Due to your old master destroying the controls, neither Road, myself or you can move it. Including that damn Cross Marian's snooping around, we are going to have a new Ark."
Naruto felt saddened as his head.
"However, Naruto…" The Earl stated as he turned to face the Shepherd of Akuma. "I have an important job for you."
Naruto became serious, becoming attentive to the Earls words.
The Earl started to leave the room, making Lero float into his hand, and prompting Naruto to follow him into the depths of the Ark.
They arrived in the desired room, the Earl letting Naruto walk before him.
"You are to protect the Akuma Egg, my device that creates our precious akuma." The Earl stated as he gestured with Lero in his hand towards the structure.
The Akuma Egg was a giant blue, translucent, egg-shaped hunk of Dark Matter. It was mounted on a great, golden pedestal, hanging from a flower-shaped attachment on the top.
Naruto could feel the concentrated Dark Matter inside of it, stretching his hand upward, though he knew he would not be able to touch it from how high it was.
'I can feel it.' Naruto thought as he looked at the Akuma Egg, enthralled by its beauty. 'It has a pulse… its breathing with energy…'
"You want me to protect something this important?" Naruto asked as he turned to the Earl in disbelief. "But… shouldn't one of the Noah protect it? I am not worthy…"
The Earl put his hand on Naruto's head.
"I believe in you, Naruto." He said as he rubbed Naruto's hair, much to his irritation. "Besides, this mission won't be important for a while. So don't get worked up."
Naruto teared up and nodded.
"I accept this mission, Lord Millennium." Naruto said as he bowed to his creator.
The Earl smirked as he and Naruto left the Egg.
Chapter 5, DONE!
I decided to have Naruto bond with the other two people who he cares most about.
The Earl, Road, and Tyki Mikk.
He does care about the other Noah, but these three are the ones he cares most about.
Besides that, what did you guys think of the chapter? I would like to know what you thought, so please, leave a review. And if there was something you didn't like, please let me know.