Groaning, mouth dry, TenTen sat up from her position not even realizing she was laying down on the ground. Opening her eyes, she saw Naruto and Fawkes sitting on either side of her in the path that led to a tree in the middle of a wide area. "Ugh, does anyone have a drink?"

"Thought you might need it." Naruto gave her a soda, which she drank down quickly. Putting the trash in her bag, for now, she stood up. "Feeling better?"

"Actually yeah…" It was strange, but she felt lighter than usual. It was almost as if she was feeling the entirety of the fatigue she accumulated throughout her travels thus far just vanish without her knowing.

Both her large friends stood up and looked her way. Fawkes was smiling. "I am glad to see you are so well-rested. It has been only a few hours."

This was true, as darkness fell and the grove was only lit by the high and full moon. "Wow… This place is incredible."

"Yeah, and I think I know why…" Looking towards the tree, everyone noticed what he did. TenTen was shocked to see that it was exactly as suggested, a living breathing tree. It had human features and even arms that were gesturing them over now that she was awake.

"Is it really a god of trees?"

"Nah… I have another theory. Let's go find out if it's right." The blonde walked forward in his armor, leading the trio to the tree. Getting close, he gave a wave. "Hey there big guy. Don't suppose you're going to call me blasphemous for not giving you a worshipping kneel?"

"Hah, not in the slightest." The tree talked, its ghoulish-like face was looking somewhat in pain as well, as his speech sounded strained. "I swear, those Treeminders can get on one's nerve sometimes…"

The fact it was a living being made of flesh and wood, was mind-blowing for the young woman. Fawkes hummed in wonder. "You are… not irradiated, but also not human. You smell much like I do, a Meta-Human."

"We Mutants can tell, can't we? Heh heh, you'd be right. I'm a Super Mutant, been one for almost as long as the bombs fell." The tree, Harold, looked towards the blonde in the suit. "You're the anomaly, smellin' like us but lookin' all human."

"Yeah, turns out the FEV had several different strains with several different variables. Basically, I got the light end of the deal. You were at Mariposa, weren't you?"

"Ahhhh, that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. Don't go sayin' anything more about it, Herbert hates that place as much as I do." The fact he was talking about someone else was curious, but he looked up and spoke again. "Yeah, yeah. They know about the west coast, there. Let me tell 'em, Herbert."

"Uhhh…" Looking around, TenTen couldn't see anyone else but them. "Who's Herbert?"

"The tree growin' out of my head. Ah, but his name ain't really Herbert. It's Bob!" The man tried to laugh a little, but it was very pained and the wood around him groaned in strain from his body moving from such violent spasms of laughter and pain. Getting back to some sense of peace from that outburst, he continued. "Bob's been with me for as long as I had the FEV turn me into this freak of nature." As if to assume the tree had its own hearing, he whispered gently. "He gets real antsy when he's called a tree…"

"How the hell did you make it from California all the way here in your condition?" That was the pressing question for Naruto. Though he had a sneaking suspicion. "Wait… you weren't mostly wood from the beginning, were you? No way you were transplanted without some major news coming around from that type of thing."

Barely able to move his head, it was clear he was trying to nod though. Harold cleared his throat a bit. "You'd be surprised how ugly I was before this. Bob did me a favor by turning my wrinkled and spotty behind smooth as it is now. I was a freak of nature before this, somehow I was a Mutant who looked more like a Ghoul. I was part of some human team going into Mariposa, got myself knocked into some FEV pool. The next thing I remember, I was waking up in the wasteland with a small plant rooted into my skull. Been growin' ever since."

"That had to be a painful experience… You are sure this Bob isn't a parasite?" TenTen was still in awe seeing now where the tree's starting roots were at the head. She noticed it had grown so much in the side of the head that Harold only had one working eye.

"Now don't be rude, Bob and I have been friends forever. Sure, it's not exactly as beneficial as it used to be. But he's not a bad guy…" Groaning a little to move, failing, Harold could only move the conversation along. "I came from the west coast after some time, every year getting stiffer and stiffer. I made it here and went to sleep one day… Found myself rooted at the feet a mile out. When I got into this open cave, I had fully rooted to the point I couldn't move anymore. Can't tell how long since then before those weirdos found me, but Bob sprouted seeds everywhere and the place was already starting to look like this."

"Project China." Getting Harold's attention, Naruto nodded. "The FEV you fell into. It was a strain called Project China. Designed to mutate plant life to survive in irradiated soil and water. Bob here is doing exactly what he was made for, giving life to the Wasteland again even against all odds."

"Well, whatever Bob is he has been giving this place a new mount of green every year. But, we shouldn't talk too much about that." Harold looked to be pretty tired, which surprised them as he was breathing steadily but deeply.

"Right…" Looking to TenTen, they both nodded. Fawkes giving his nod to them as well. The soldier took a deep breath. "You wanted to see us through, so what's got you bringing us in?"

They could see him smile, regaining himself to have the strength to talk. "Ahhhh, that's the question. Yes, I had you brought in to ask you for a favor. You see, the Treeminders out there listen to me, but they don't really hear me. I've been stuck in this spot for so long, and with them going crazy and worshipping me even when I tell them they shouldn't, I can't stand it anymore…" His voice elevating with every word, strong feelings for someone in his position no doubt. "I need someone not from this group to hear what I say… For once. Would you please kill me?"

That got all three of them looking surprised as can be. "You want us to what?" Shaking her head, the bun's still holding from such a forceful shake, TenTen was almost flabbergasted. "That's why you wanted us here? To Murder you?"

"No, no! Not murder, not really. It wouldn't be ill intent against my will. You'd be doing me a favor, it's what I want."

"Not going to happen. We don't just kill on command here, besides you're important to these people and the Wasteland at large. You and Bob could turn things around for this place." Naruto was unsure why this was even being considered. "What's wrong with being alive?"

"You don't get it." Grunting, Harold looked at his hand which barely twitched. "I've been rooted for over two decades, and the only ones that I talk to are Bob, who doesn't talk back… And those crazies out there who worship me as some sort of God and don't even listen to what I have to say without twisting it for some bizarre gospel! Birch already had you do that dumb ritual with the sleeping sap, it doesn't even do as he suggests it does."

Huffing, his emotions making him very tired but also very twitchy. "I can't stand it anymore! When I ask for some form of conversation that isn't about how I am some God of Nature, they just think I'm testing their faith! When I want them to buy some books from traders that rarely come around, they believe I'm asking them to be educated enough to take care of me! The only one besides Bob who listens is that young girl with them, she's the only one who doesn't take what I say as some form of divine providence! It's driving me mad! I'd rather die in peace than be tormented by these religious weirdos!"

His fellow Mutant, standing there hearing such things, Fawkes was feeling kinship with the tree being. "I know how it is to be tormented with nothing to occupy your mind… My fellow Meta-humans took away every book I could read, and locked me inside a room with nothing to keep me company." Turning to his friends, he chose to plead for Harold's case. "Friends, we must grant him his wish. It may be regrettable, but I will do it so neither of you have to regret a thing."

"That's not how regret works… I'd regret letting you do it." Naruto crossed his arms, which was a little tough in his giant armor. "But I see where this is coming from." He didn't like this type of thing. He either ignored the problem and leave someone to be driven mad from mental torture, or kill someone who was suicidal because they wanted the peace of not being alive anymore.

Knowing full well the regret of wanting to die, from her own experiences, she decided to say her piece too. However little might matter in her mind. "You're going through a hard time. But that doesn't mean things cannot be better, for everyone. Maybe you don't have to die, after all, you seem to suggest enjoying the company of someone here. A young girl you said?"

"That's right. Yew's her name. A child. But she's been a great pal, not twisting my words around for anything. She listens, laughs, and it's always a good time… But they've been making sure she doesn't 'bother' me as much."

That sounded like the situation with Fawkes, and they all knew it. Knowing they had to make a choice, Naruto had to have all options and how they worked on the table. "Before we even think about it, how do we even accomplish that? We'd need a chainsaw or flamethrower to get through your wooden exterior, and that's a painful death we won't even consider."

Hearing that was both a shock and happy circumstance. "Thank you for choosing not to try those things. Though, you'd be right. I doubt you'd get far trying to dig my heart out from my chest, or what is left of it. Bob's grown through me, and I've been so very tired. I can feel a little thin as if I'm 'spread out' more than I should be. I think Bob's pushed my vitals underground, and I can still feel with the branches. There's a cave system under me, if you can get to them, you can find my heart and just cut it out. That would be the end of me without too much pain."

Hearing that, the blonde nodded. "Gotcha… But we aren't doing that." Seeing Harold look confused, he sighed. "Not yet. Look, we only have your side of things. Yes, it is your life, and yes, you have every right to ask for a quick death. But maybe we can find a better solution if we can find out what we can do to make your situation a lot more bearable. If we can get the Treeminders to stop being so against you, would you prefer living with actual friends and conversations?"

Thinking about it, Harold groaned. "You can try, but I already did. For years. Give it a shot, but I think you'll find Birch set in his ways. When that idea comes up short, I hope you'll make my end quick."

"And if I can get things to be better for you?"

Seeing he was being asked for an answer to an alternative, the big tree sighed. Too tired, he chose to give the answer he felt best. "Won't change me thinking it's my time to go… But it would be nice to have some friendly company till I do finally kick the bucket. Whenever that may be."

"Alright then." Naruto turned around. "We'll see you about our choice again soon. Let us talk to the others and get some rest. You'll have your solution and answer within the next two moons. Will that work?"

"Sure thing. Just don't keep me waiting too much longer…" He sighed and started closing his eye. "I'll just get some rest whilst I can."

Following the blonde out, the other two were wondering what their next move was. Coming back to the pavilion, they were met with Birch. "You've been to see him. Tell me, what was his wisdom to you?"

Not really thinking about what she was saying, the brunette had little tact. "His wisdom? He told us how you drive him crazy and take his word like it's a twisted gospel."

That had the elder man chuckle a little. "Oh he's testing you too, we all have had to work out the truth to his words when they become so cryptic. I am sure you will understand what he truly means in time."

Seeing his partner want to rant at the guy, Naruto spoke up instead. "Whatever the case is, we need time to think about what we need to do now. You are right, what he is telling us is a little cryptic to what we believe. Does everyone go see him from time to time?"

Having a suspicion, the armored individual kept his attention as Birch hummed. "I don't quite know why you ask. The only ones who go in to see Him are me, my wife Leaf Mother Laurel, and our child Sapling Yew. Though she tends to irritate Him from time to time, we've been trying to help her understand he needs his strength for spreading his miracle."

"I see. Thank you, Birch. We'll talk about what he asked of us in a little while. We need to figure it out ourselves." With that, he pulled TenTen along to a place they could talk without being heard.

"Hey, what's the big idea? He's got it all wrong! He's twisting things around and making Yew feel like she's a pest." She could pout more, but before she could she noticed Naruto had a look about him.

"We're in a group's camp, that's been around for at least a decade. I can't tell you how to behave here, but I suggest we use caution. Telling them they are idiots or wrong may go over very horribly. We need to play this smart." Looking around, he sighed. "Alright. We know what Harold wants, and why he wants it. Thing is, he only sees three people here. This means we have to talk with everyone who isn't Birch, Laurel, and Yew. Then we talk to them, and find out exactly what kind of response we can give."

With a slow nod, understanding things were very delicate here, TenTen looked around. "Let's find someone to talk to then."

"Hold it." Looking back to the blonde, the woman could only wonder why. "You've not noticed Birch was the only one awake? You were out for a few hours, everyone started getting some shut-eye. I think we should too. Sleep on it, and get rested. As much as I would love to get this done, we've been actively running our asses off for a whole day. Fawkes and I, with Itachi of course, ran to Raven Rock in two moons almost non-stop. You've been knocked out for longer than that, and then running through a base that was exploding, and then we ran around to get here. Whether or not you had some good rest, I'll need it. And Fawkes might too."

"I could use some sleep, but I still have strength enough to keep watch."

"No need, we're safe here for now." He smiled though. "Thanks for the offer. I'll plant the armor off to the side and we'll get some rest. Tomorrow is information time."

Seeing he was right, TenTen groaned a little before accepting it. He was right, she noticed the place was sleeping like the dead, with Brich heading off to his own sleeping space. "First thing in the morning."

"Agreed." With that, he went to put the suit off to the side, took the core out after he did, and they found a spot to rest together.

XxX Adams Air Force Base XxX

The Colonel was looking over every report and every project status they had. Seeing what his troops were seeing, he was almost grateful for things playing out this way. Though it still was not enough. "Task the in-flight birds to report in. They've done their job well. Get me Uchiha."

With salutes all around, he waited as his team left and the armored Major stood before him. "You called, Sir?"

"Yes, I did. Looks like things are working on the schedule here, as long as we maintain a good supply of equipment, we'll have this mobile command structure fully operational within two weeks. As long as the Brotherhood doesn't try anything funny until then, we'll have the upper hand the moment they activate Liberty Prime."

That was indeed very good news. "Our forces seem light. The base blowing up took us out that much?"

Reading the prints so far, handing them over, Autumn nodded. "We've got about half the base forces, and any remaining chokepoints recalled. As of now, the only forces we have left are either buffering the Purifier's defenses or here helping with the Command Base. I'd say the odds are about even in a straight-up fight."

"I see…"

"You'll also be happy to know that the retrovirus is inert. Or, at least, not activated yet. There's no sign of it, in any form, around Raven Rock. This means you're safe to conduct your missions there without being killed. This is where we find if it was destroyed by the base exploding, or it was taken by that girl from the Vault, who managed to get to Eden thanks to Shikamaru." More reports shuffled around him. "We've passed around the old Fort, a few settlements, and more. There's no sign of the girl anywhere, so we're of the hope that she, and the virus, were buried with the base."

Knowing who was there, the Uchiha huffed. "Doubtful… My brother was inside the base, which means Naruto was too. He'd not die that easily. They've got to be alive somewhere. I'll go look for them."

Seeing his next in command ready to fight, Autumn hummed a bit in thought. "If he is still on the board, we're looking at a chance to get him before he finds his way back near the Brotherhood. But we've seen nothing around the base with our two scouting Vertibirds. What makes you think you'll find him?"

"Easy, I know where he'd run…" Sasuke smirked. "He'd try and skirt past underpasses and through anything to not be seen by our birds. Like a cowardly little roach."

"I see…" Knowing the Major was just reeling from his experience and was bloodthirsty now, the commander could only wonder what the options were. Seeing the best thing to do, Autumn shook his head. "Sorry, son. Time is against you. We've not been able to find him, and the more time he spent running in any direction, the more area we'll need to search. If we don't find him, we'd just waste our fuel. We let them be for now. In two weeks, we'll pin the Brotherhood down and force them to hand over Project Greenland. We'll get him, and then we purge the wasteland of the Brotherhood once and for all."

Not exactly fond of waiting even more right now, as his eye started to bleed again under his helmet, Sasuke could only hope his patience would be rewarded. "Yes, Sir. We'll be ready to mobilize at a moment's notice."

With that, Sasuke went to take care of his problem, his vision getting blurry again. Autumn stared at the soldier. "We'll get you your cure, son… We just need to make sure we have the power to demand it."

XxX Noon XxX

To say talks with everyone but the major three who knew Harold was fruitful, would be a massive overstatement. "So, we have Birch and Laurel helping people left and right and bringing them in with safety and providing for them regardless, and are very kind and well mannered. Then they bring the gospel of their god and everyone believes it instantly thanks to the generous nature of things. It's a miracle alright, but to blindly follow Birch and Laurel without seeing or talking to him yourself?"

TenTen was not very happy with the situation. It was an amazing group of people, kind and generous, respectful. Even someone who had been a part of the Outcasts till recent years was being nice to them. Naruto was shocked to learn that, but also gave TenTen some idea about how the Outcasts acted. Liden himself even agreed to the accusation of being harsh to everyone like it was their right to be above the 'tribal' nature of the wasteland.

Humming loudly, their Meta-human companion was confused. "They do not realize what Harold says. It is not his words, but Birch. We must clarify to them the truth of the matter."

In agreement, the blonde and brunette were wondering how to do so. "We can't just assume Laurel agrees. Also, we need to speak to Yew about her time with Harold. Maybe see what kind of person she is right now. Seems she's not as on the kneeling worship side of things as everyone else. Kids can be brutally honest."

"Alright, then Yew it is. Then Laurel." With a smile, the young woman turned. "I'll talk to Yew. You talk to Laurel."

As she left, she found that Fawkes was following her. "I will also meet with her, with you. I'd like to know what she thinks of me…"

Valid, mostly. Seeing as so far the Treeminders, whilst nice so far, are still worried about the Mutant in their midst. Not knowing that technically they worshipped one already.

Finding the young girl making something a little off to the side, TenTen smiled and spoke to her. "Hey there. You must be Sapling Yew."

Turning to them, quickly hiding the project in her hand, the girl gasped and looked shocked. "OH! Sorry, I'm just all by my lonesome!"

"It's fine. What are you making?" Seeing the girl nervously try to figure out a way to lie, only made the woman giggle a bit. "It'll be our secret, alright? Promise."

Seeing the genuine smile from the woman before her, Yew hummed a tad. "Well… Alright, but only cause you made a promise." Showing it, the girl had halfway made a carved wooden charm. It was in the shape of a bear, mostly, and the twisted vines for rope. "It's a good luck charm, I was making it for Harold."

Hearing the girl call him Harold was a different take alright, most everyone called him majesty or just a pronoun. "I think it's a lovely gift for him. He'd love it, I'd bet. Say, Yew… Harold wanted to speak to us, and when we were talking he mentioned how much he enjoys your company."

"He did?" The light in the girls' eyes was bright. "I knew it! Daddy doesn't think it means what he says, but he wouldn't lie to us. He said when Harold tells me he's happy I am around, it means he's happy I am alive to spread the joy of his gift, not that I talk to him. But that can't be true, Daddy says it's all tests and cryptic messages, but Harold speaks so simple that he can't be playing tricks on us."

"I see, you know you're the first to say that type of thing." That got the little girl looking around a little. "Don't worry, no one cares. Not really, anyway, they still think you're too childish to really understand them. But you've been the only one to visit Harold besides Birch and Laurel. I was wondering if you could tell me what you thought of him."

The talk was a little weird for Yew, who never had someone talk to her with respect and kindness like this as if she was grown up. "Well, I think he's a very nice person, he's also really funny. He tells me these stories about how he walked across the country, a distance I can't even think about. I asked him to explain why, and he told me that if I looked outside, that whatever my eyes could see, he walked a thousand times as much in a single month! He's always so nice to me, and I always want to make him happy. He gives us such a great place to live, we have food and water without worrying about it tasting all yucky, and it makes us all feel warm inside. He doesn't like being called a god, but daddy has to be right, it's a miracle only gods can perform."

That was everything she needed to know. With a warm smile and hand to offer, TenTen said goodbye for now. "Thank you, Yew. I'll see you later, alright? I have to go see about helping Harold with what he asked us about."

"Alright, and remember, you promised." Yew went back to trying to carve the wooden idol, she was doing so with a small stone in her hands that looked pretty beat up from the act.

Coming back to the center of the pavilion, Fawkes hummed in thought. "She was not very scared of me being there. Maybe it is just those who know of my kind being hostile."

"Agreed. Don't worry, I know one day you'll find where you belong." They noticed their partner hadn't come back to the middle of the area yet. Walking around, they noticed him talking to both Birch and Laurel, and both were having a minor spat.

"You cannot be serious! We can't let others exploit His great miracle! He wants us to kill the growth of his seeds, not quicken it!" It was obvious the two were of opposing minds on the subject.

Speaking of that, Laurel countered. "Kill our isolation, you mean! He doesn't like being in a single spot! He's expressed this many times, we cannot stagnate this miracle! It is not our way to be selfish and greedy! We, as Treeminders, are to give this blessing and such gifts to others. That is our way!"

Seeing the two behind him, Naruto groaned and walked to them. "Laurel here was giving me the run down when Birch came up, overheard us, and started a rant about what their god means. 'He talks in riddles to test us' and all that. The moment I mentioned his words were exactly 'Kill me' was the moment it devolved into what he meant, instead of what he said. Do you have any news on Yew?"

"Yeah, she's quite the smart one. She sees this as a miracle as everyone does, but she listens to him. When he talks, she takes it literally, and he's expressed happiness over it before. Turns out, Birch tells her its frustration masked as happiness to guide her down a road of giving of herself to make others happy. Confuses her to no end."

"Gotcha."

Though they had little time before Birch came to him. "As our honored guests, and the ones to be chosen by His Majesty, you were told to help him fulfill his desire. I still believe he means to stop this miracle from being found out by so many, but he chose you to interpret and deliver the message. Please do not be swayed by trickery, if you agree with me, then please… go to his heart, and apply this sap to it, the same sap you all drank. It has the proper hardening to slow the growth of the seeds he spreads."

He left at that. As he did, they saw Laurel in waiting. Coming to see her, Naruto hummed. "You were saying you also interpret his words as something to do with the spread of his miracle… Why? Why do you think 'kill me' means 'make the world green'?"

"Because it is what he is here for, a god to spread the miracle of this green and growing life. We've been isolated, though not unknown. We have regular trades with caravans, though they do not show very often. And you all found this place as well on your very own. We will eventually be found out, and when we are it will be a sanctuary people will kill for. If we can give more to the Wasteland, to grow further and even more, no one will be without it. And if everyone has this miracle, then no one will care where it comes from or kill us and His Majesty for it."

That was a way to see things. Naruto could almost agree it would be best this place grew out and spread further. And faster, if Three Dog kept talking about it. "Your God wants me to kill him, striking at his heart. Birch want's me to put some sap on it to harden the heart to be restricting."

Nodding, and knowing exactly that this was going to be this way, Laurel produced another option, giving another jar. "I suspected this would be an outcome. Here, this is a Liniment. If applied to His heart, it will increase the speed of the growth, instead of stunting it. Think about it, instead of centuries for the surrounding wasteland to become green and lush, it would only take decades for the Capital Wasteland to be its own Oasis! With the entire area green, no one will think twice to bully us for the miracle that already is given freely to them in abundance!"

Taking the jar, Naruto had several thoughts in his head. "But what if this god of yours isn't speaking in riddles? What if he means what he says and wants to just not be alive anymore?"

Sensing this question was coming, Laurel put her hands together in prayer. "If it is indeed his very true wish to perish, and Oasis dies with him, then all we can do is hope one day he can reincarnate and live again through the seeds he has already planted. This miracle should not die off, it is a blessing that should be shared. We will mourn if he perishes, but… If it is truly his wish. The interpretation, and implementation, are your choice. Please, do not choose carelessly." She bowed a bit and then walked off to pray.

The brunette with buns was pleasantly surprised by that. "She's open to the idea he's not speaking in riddles, unlike her husband."

Fawkes looked to his fellow Meta-Human. "You are given many options. I never knew such choices existed."

"Yeah, some choice…" Naruto frowned heavily. "Kill him, make this miracle stagnate and keep him alive with just these crazy idiots, or make the spread go so far it helps everyone, but he still lives with crazy people. A peaceful death, agonizing life continuing choice A and agonizing life continuing choice B."

That was a rather rude, and brutally honest way, of putting it. He was right, too. If they applied either solution to his heart instead of killing him, it would be the same as it had been. "And if we kill him, it'll be a disaster for everyone here, including Yew, and the wasteland doesn't get this thriving green… If we kill him it's over, if we apply these things then all we do is shape the future of Oasis and the Wasteland without changing how he lives here."

The choice was cruel in every capacity. Naruto put the two jars in his bag and turned to talk to his friends. "Or, we make them choose." That got their attention. "Harold wants to die because he is being ignored, being worshipped against his will. Only Laurel and Birch speak to him, and both believe he is talking in riddles to test their conviction as Treeminders. We make it so everyone hears what he has to say, and then we have the choice given to them all. Harold's wish for death, or their wish to shape Oasis. And if they do shape it, either by isolating further or spreading the green around, they change their treatment of him. We give him reasons to continue."

Liking that idea, Fawkes was smiling as best he could. "This is excellent! The best idea I've heard so far! If we give him something like the terminal I had, in metaphorical means, it would benefit him and everyone around him. Great idea!"

"Huh, that is a brilliant plan." Her smirk was present, the young woman nodded firmly. "We have our course of action."

In agreement, Naruto explained his plan. "We go see Harold, give him the news. Then we get everyone gathered with him and have the entire situation explained and the place will make a choice together. Whatever happens, we did the best we could."

"If they do not listen to Harold, are we still going to help with the other choices?"

Having a point that it may still go wrong, Fawkes had his answer. "If Harold will continue to be miserable? We end him peacefully. That's his choice, as much as we'd probably prefer having this green grow and take back the land for everyone to prosper and thrive."

Agreement all around, and the trio went back to see Harold. Coming up to him, TenTen had asked to be the one to talk to him about all this. "Harold, you alright? Bob giving you trouble?"

Seeing the returning trio, Harold hummed. "I hope you all rested well. I haven't felt anything since you left last night, so I suspect you haven't talked to Birch or Laurel just yet. They have some ideas about what I meant by killing me."

"We know. They gave us each concoction of liquid to pour on your heart… And we're going to choose what to do if you can't choose it with the others."

"Now, what's that supposed to mean? I already choose death, not like you can convince anyone to actually listen to me here." Groaning, it was all the big man could do to keep himself from getting frustrated. "Let me guess, you think you can make things better for me without killing me, and without them being annoyingly crazy about worshipping me."

"If that doesn't work…" TenTen produced her shotgun. "I'll blast your heart myself. But only if you try to reason with the entire group, and ask for better treatment. Cooperate, find a way for everyone to be happier. If you try, really try, to live happier lives with these people, and Yew? I'll kill you myself the moment they refuse and your life continues to be miserable."

Hearing that, Harold hummed in thought. To seal the deal, Naruto shrugged. "Think about it. With you dead, so will Bob die. And Yew will be a child losing her greatest and only true friend. Don't you owe it to yourself and them to try making things work out?"

"You have a point… I wager you'd not be here talking to me about this if you thought it wouldn't work."

"I do. I doubt we have very many alternatives."

The young woman nodded. "Unless Bob can survive without you, and spread his seeds as you rest in peace. He can't produce anything that can continue your legacy can he?"

"Naw, Bob's his own uncle in that regard. Only he can spread the seeds, nothing he produces can reproduce as he can. And we are two peas in a pod, together until the end." After a moment of thought about all that, Harold tried nodding his head. "Alright, if you can get them to listen, actually hear what I say, and things can become a better life worth living in a single spot? I'll gladly keep living on until Bob fully matures. I doubt my natural death will mean his death. At least he won't kill me painfully, just slow."

With that said, TenTen giggled in joy. "Perfect. So, we'll just bring everyone in and see exactly how things progress. Birch shuts up so you can say your peace, nice and clear. If everyone hears what you have to say, then they will listen. I just have a good feeling about this."

XxX Five Hours Later XxX

To say things went well? It was a shock to the system. Of course, the moment everyone piled in, they began their worship like he was a god just waiting for attention. It didn't last long when he roared out a command to stop it.

Birch tried to take the popularity of the area into account as to why the anger showed, but Harold stopped him and told him to be quiet, which then gave Laurel a shock to try and figure out why it was so hostile today. The quiet came, and Harold spoke, telling them everything, and that Birch was always messing up what he meant.

Accepting his position as the heart of the green, and the reason for the miracle of flourishing plant life, he still begged of them to stop worshipping him as someone so reverent. It took a good few hours, but everyone had finally told Birch to stop talking long enough to understand the truth.

Liden was the first to stand and say something. "This group of people, all of you are so kind to each other, and the people outside. It's a great feeling to help others, something I thought was a waste of time before. Without Laurel, I'd have died out there. Without Harold, this place wouldn't exist. Forgive us, Harold, we should have been more mindful of your needs."

The group all started seeing he was right. Birch saw his flock, and a tear came from his eye. They still considered this being amazing as was true, but they did not disrespect him. They wanted his happiness, and theirs, to continue. And he felt he had been mistaken for a long time. Turning to Harold, he bowed. "Forgive me for my insanity. I should not have been so strict, and so willing to disregard your true intent. I do not deserve to lead this group." Turning to his wife, he smiled. "My wife will, from now on until she chooses one worthy of the role."

The group mostly started out, though Laurel and Yew stayed behind for the moment. Coming up to them, TenTen had to ask. "So, what do we do now? Things should get better right? You'll accept more trade, and get something like books or such and some form of entertainment. Everyone will talk to Harold now. Is this it?"

"I would still like to ask that you apply the Liniment. If Harold is alright with such a thing."

After everything that happened, the tree man was happier knowing things would finally settle down a bit, and Yew had free reign to visit him more often. With this, he didn't care anymore about what happened to his heart. "As long as you need me, and as long as things change to what we agreed on, you can make Bob go nuts all you want."

"I analyzed the stuff she gave me, by the way." That got their attention, as the blonde explained. "The liniment will accelerate the process, meaning whatever Bob does to you will be faster, and it will strengthen the plant life around here. If my calculations are correct? You'll have about fifty years left before Bob overtakes you and he finally takes you over to where you no longer are Harold. It'll just be Bob, driving the green from here to the entire world eventually. He'll keep going, and you'll find your peace one day."

Yew had heard the thing about Harold dying eventually and frowned. "NO! Don't kill Harold!"

"Oh, come now, Yew. I ain't dyin' yet. They are just letting me know what will happen to me if we spread this miracle of trees and plants to the entire world. By the time I die, you'll be a grown woman and will have had me as your best friend for years to come. Laurel and I agree." Looking to the group before them, he smiled. "Give my heart a lather with that stuff, and let's make the world better."

The choice was made. TenTen came and hugged the tree. "It'll be the best for everyone. If Fawkes and I can get over our torment, so can you. We make our lives better."

Turning to her child, the elder woman gave the okay for Yew to play with Harold. She walked the trio over to a puddle in the far end of the grove. "There are two entrances to the tunnels that hold Harold's heart. The quickest way is through the deep water here, we had closed it off before the flooding overtook the door. Whilst the fruit and vegetables we grow here are free of radiation thanks to the growth Harold brings, the water here is still irradiated. Though it is much less than outside this place. There may be Mirelurks still inside the caves, you will need to fight them off if that is the case."

Seeing the water, the three were wondering about their next move. TenTen, the only one currently not immune to radiation, wondered if there was another way. "Any dry land ways in?"

"There is a cave back in the pavilion area, but I cannot guarantee you'll stay dry. As I said, the caves have been flooded since we were last there."

"I'll head in alone. I'm immune to radiation, and I can handle Mirelurks." Naruto got himself ready to go in. "You two stay here. Won't be but a few minutes."

"At least bring Fawkes with you too," TenTen suggested. "He's immune, and it would be easier with two of you."

Looking to the Meta-Human, the blonde asked. "Can you swim, big guy?"

"I do not know. I can try, at least."

"Then follow me in. If you can't, I get you out of there and then go alone. That work?"

With TenTen much happier about the situation, the two started into the water. Fawkes happened to be a natural and the two had not come back in fear of the large companion drowning. After a minute or so, they heard Harold make a noise. "What's wrong? You hurt?"

Looking at the bun-haired woman, Harold was feeling a little strange. His skin grew a bit darker and grew rougher like bark, and his leaves turned even more green. "I guess they managed to coat my heart in that stuff. I feel pretty energetic, for now. I feel like a new tree. How's that feel, huh Herbert? Heh heh heh heh."

After a while longer, Naruto came through the water with Fawkes in tow, both wet as can be but none the worse for wear. "Well, that wasn't too bad. Two Mirelurks, one King. his organs are oversized and covered by so many strong branches and webbing from the saplings and vines, it's hard to make out how much time he's got as a talking tree. But he's safe, and that heart lit up with some activity. Seemed like it went into overdrive."

Nodding, Laurel was very happy to hear that. "Then our gift can spread to even more people. This is happy news. Now, we just do what we should have done before. Respect Harold. Thank you, outsiders. You have been a blessing on us all."

"We were happy to help, Laurel." Grinning, TenTen was feeling accomplished. It was finally turning out good for her and her choices.

Naruto wiped his hair out a bit to dry. "If it's the same to you, mind if we stay one more night? I need to get dry and we need to make sure we're not on anyone's radar."

"Stay as long as you like, and visit again anytime. You are welcome to Oasis for as long as you live." The elder woman walked off, and the trio was back together as Yew and Harold were laughing and having a good time.

"And that takes care of that. We get ready and go in the morning. Dawn. Sound good to you two?" Seeing his companions nod in agreement, Naruto went to go find a place to get dry fast. "Good. We have a long road back to the Citadel."I