Chapter 9
„Merigold"
[Cintra. One year later.]
"Again!" -Naruto said with crossed arms. He was standing on a bridge, while Ciri was standing on
the lake.
"But I did it already!" -Ciri snapped and quickly shut up when Naruto gave her the look. She groaned and went through a series of hand seals: Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger."Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
Ciri spat a medium-size fireball toward the center of the lake. Naruto let out a silent sigh. Ciri glanced at him before washing her mouth. She had small burn marks around her lips.
"Can We stop for today?" -She whined at him."I burned my lips!"
"Ah...fine." -Naruto said and called to come over. He took out a small container with ointment and gave it t o Ciri. She gladly took it and put an ointment around her lips."You know, We've been doing this for almost two weeks..."
"I'm trying! It's my fault it's difficult." -She said and puffed her cheeks.
"Believe me, Rasengan will be a lot harder than this." -Naruto said with a chuckle. Memories of time as a genin flooded his mind."You know what today's exercise, right?"
"Surviving in the woods?" -Ciri asked and Naruto nodded.
"But! Today, you'll all by yourself." -Naruto said and Ciri's eyes widen.
"Alone...?" -She asked again, unsure if she heard him right."You're sure about it?"
"Of course I am." -He replied with a grin."You know more than enough to survive for one night. But don't worry, I'll be close by..."
"Does Grandmother know about it?" -She asked and Naruto almost laugh."What's so funny?"
"That was her idea." -He said and she dropped her head. Of course, she was behind it."Be glad it's only for a night."
"Um, alright." -Ciri said with a sigh. Naruto patted her head causing her to blush."I'm not a little girl..."
"I will when you reach my shoulder." -Naruto said with a huge grin."Alright, here what you can take with you."
"A pocket knife." -She stated with a gloomy expression."Really?"
"You wouldn't say that if you didn't have anything on you. Any survivor would be happy to have a pocket knife." -Naruto said sagely."I thought you everything you need to in order to survive. Today you'll use that knowledge."
"Do you have to go tomorrow?" -Ciri asked, looking up to him.
"Well, it seems like my friend needs help." -Naruto said with a smile."What kind of person would I be if I didn't want to help my friend?"
"Worse than scum?" -Ciri said with a small smile.
"' Those who break the rules are scum, that's true, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum.'." -Naruto said with a serious tone."Those were the words my teacher told me and even today I live by them. I want you to live by them too..."
"I will, Uncle..." -Ciri said with a big grin.
"That's great." -Naruto pointed at the forest in front of them."We're starting now. Go on."
"What?! It's not evening yet!" -She exclaimed and Jinchuuriki simply chuckle.
"I'm giving you more time to prepare." -He said and patted her on the back."Go on. Like I said, I'll be nearby."
After letting out a loud sigh, Ciri got up and jumped down the surface of the lake. She then sprinted toward the trees that Naruto was pointing. He smiled while watching her vanishing from his eyes. He then opens one of his pockets and picked up a letter. There was still a faint smell of gooseberry and lilac.
''Dear Friend...
As You may know, I am not the type who asks for help. But...Well, this is something that might be beyond me. Which is the main reason why I'm writing this letter to you? I would ask the Witcher, but We both know what he's like. Not that he'd be any help with the problem. Regardless...There is also another problem, in which you'd be perfect for. By the time this letter arrives, I expect you to be Vengerberg by 31st July. This is important.
Yennfer of Vergenberg''
Naruto was very surprised by the letter. The last time he saw Yennefer was during his secret mission in Novigrad. To keep it short, they help each other out. Even though it was a short meeting, He got to understand Yennefer a bit more. The meaning behind her often acting cold. She didn't tell him her backstory, but he did use to act differently than he felt before. Yennefer seems to notice that too. They formed mutual respect for each other.
After putting the letter back in the pocket, Naruto got up and vanish in the swirl of leaves. It was time to see how Ciri was doing.
If anyone was walking through the forest, they would see four girls who looked the same. They would also notice that they were preparing a small camp. One was bringing wood, while the second one was making a tent with sticks and branches with leaves. The third made a bow and wooden arrows, while the last one was in the bushes relieving herself.
Ciri smiled to herself. It was much easier with clones to do most of the work. Luckily, Naruto didn't say anything about using them or not. Making a fire would be a piece of cake!
Suddenly, she felt something hit her hard. But there was nothing around her. She got up and look back at the camp. One of her clones was nowhere to be seen. The one who finished making a bow. She carefully walks up to the place where her clone was sitting. There was a small rock wrap in paper. Ciri picks it up and unwraps the paper. She read it and let out a sigh.
''No Clones and no chakra. Just the skill I taught you.''
The remaining clones pop out of existence. She examines the camp her clones made and gave a shrug. He didn't say to start again. With small reluctance, she picks the wood and puts them down near a tent. After a while, she finally starts a fire. With a smile, she picks up a bow and few arrows. Sneakily, she moved around the bushes and look for paw prints. After what seems to be an hour, she found rabbit prints. She followed them and found a rabbit a few feet away. Luckily for her, the rabbit didn't seem to notice her. With a cocky grin, she took an arrow and pull the string. After locking her eye on the target, Ciri let go an the arrow flew through the air. The arrow pierces the rabbit head, killing it on the spot. Once picked up, Ciri went back to the camp and skin it. The cooked rabbit wasn't that tasty but it was enough to satisfy her hunger.
Watching from afar, Naruto felt proud of how well was she doing. Even if she cheated at first. Soon enough, She won't need him anymore. It did make him sad and happy at the same time. He let out a small sigh and stared at the night sky.
[Vergenberg. The next day.]
Vengerberg is the capital city of Aedirn and was one of the richest and most populous metropolises in the Northern Kingdoms. A long-distance trade center crossed by many routes and trails, it has a well-developed industry and education institutions. As well as numerous dye-works manufactures of wool and textiles, malt mills and distilleries. Vengerberg was surrounded by high mountains in the west, north, and east, its northern road leads to Ellander (northwest) and Dol Blathanna (northeast), while its southern route is directed to Rivia.
A hooded figure was silently moving through the crowd. Never bumping into anyone, while on it's the way. The figure was looking for a very specific place. A shop that sells magical beauty creams and oils, which was run by a sorceress named Yennefer.
After arriving, the hooded figure surprised to see how modest the shop was. He knocks on the doors and plans to open them. But halfway through he stopped. He closes his hand and put it down. There was a magical spell on the door handle. With a sigh, the hooded figure looked around. There was an alley next to the shop. He walks into it and lookup. There was an open window. Making sure no one was looking, the figure pulls down the hood.
Naruto was surprised that Yennefer left an open window. He jumped to the roof to get a better look. Another protective spell, Naruto mused. Well, magic wasn't Naruto's forte. He didn't want to force his chakra through, not knowing what might happen. For all, he knew the whole place could explode. But there was something that could work. He notices that there was an empty bottle in the room. After lifting his headband, his Rinnegan glowed. Within a second, he switched places with the bottle.
His eyes widen upon sensing someone behind. He swiftly turned around, while pulling kunai from his sleeve. He felt cold steel on his neck as he pressed his kunai was inches from his possible enemy neck. They were both surprised to see each other faces.
"Geralt?" -Naruto asked while taking his kunai back.
"Naruto...it's you." -Geralt said and put his sword down. Naruto notices that Geralt was naked and wet. There was a bath behind him. Geralt quickly grab a towel and cover himself."What are you doing here?"
"I'm surprised to see you here as well." -Naruto replied with a smile."Where is Yennefer?"
"Said there something she needs to do." -Geralt replied with a sigh."Why do you need from her?"
"She wrote a letter to me." -He explained and pull out a letter from his pocket."Yennefer said she needs help, so here I am." -Naruto gave Geralt the letter.
"Lilac and gooseberry...That's her perfume." -Geralt said, smelling it gently."Hmm, She didn't say anything about it to me. Any idea why?"
"If I did, I'd told you." -Naruto said with shrug."So...Since when did you start to live with Yennefer?"
"For like...Hmm, two months?" -Geralt replied unsurely. Naruto chuckled at Geralt scratching the back of his head."Anyway...Yennefer might be out for a while. Want something to drink?"
"If you happen to have a cold beer on this hot day...Yeah." -Naruto said with a big grin. After dressing up, Geralt brought two bottles of cold beer. After taking a sip, they both let out a big sigh."So...how are things between you two?"
"Hmm..." -Geralt mused and took another sip. Naruto raised his eyebrow."We're doing...fine. As much as a witcher and sorceress can." -He paused and let out a tired sigh."How's your little princess doing?"
"Really great. She does have problems from time to time, but overall she's doing great." -Naruto said with a smile."I was thinking about teaching her sword fight. But..." -He gave him a look and Geralt let out a loud sigh.
"You want me to train her in Witcher sword style." -Geralt stated and Naruto nodded."But you know it pretty well...Unless you don't practice anymore."
"I do! But...learning from me it's not like learning from a master." -Naruto said smoothly, causing Geralt to chuckle.
"Then ask Vesemir." -Geralt said and Naruto groaned.
"But you're way closer compare to Vesemir." -Naruto said and took another sip."And don't even talk about Lambert or Eskel. I have no idea where they are!"
"Why don't you want to train yourself?" -Geralt asked and Naruto didn't say a thing."Don't tell it's the same crap like before. Naruto, it's been over a decade. Maybe it's time to accept the reality around you?"
"You never know, Geralt. You never know." -Naruto said with a sad smile. Despite its flaws, he grew to enjoy this reality. But that might not last forever."When that happens...I want to make sure that Ciri is prepared for anything. That's the only thing I have on my mind right now."
"I think you wanted to say 'if' not when." -Geralt said and Naruto rolled his eyes."Fine...If it makes you sleep any better, then I will think about it."
"Thanks...I mean it." -Naruto said with a smile. Then they both footsteps."I sense Yennefer and someone else...A friend?"
"We are about to find out." -Geralt said and they both got up. They turned toward the source of footsteps.
The first to come into the living room was Yennefer. In her typical fashion, she was wearing a black and white dress. She smiled upon seeing them.
"Ah, I see you're already drinking." -She said with a tired sigh."Naruto, couldn't you wait? I don't like it when people break into my home..."
"The letter you sent me to seem to be urgent." -Naruto said with shrug."I wanted to make sure you're okay! Besides, what's the point of locking the doors when you have a Witcher protecting your home?"
"Excuses, excuses and excuses..." -Yennefer said with a smile."I thought better of you..."
"Sorry..." -Naruto apologized with a sheepish smile."So, what do you need help with? How bad is it?"
"Pretty bad..." -She said seriously."The one who needs help is with me. Come on, no need to be shy."
"I'm not shy..." -Said a gentle, almost melodic voice.
Naruto eyes winden upon seeing young women entering the room. She was about his age in appearance, but Naruto could tell she was sorceress as well. She had chestnut hair, fair skin, and cornflower blue eyes. Her emerald dress was shining and her smile could melt anyones heart. She wore an amulet - sapphire overlaid with silver. Naruto couldn't help but blush while staring at the woman before him.
"This is my dear friend, Triss Merigold." -Yennefer introduce her friend. She notices how Naruto stared at her friend and couldn't help but smile. Geralt smiled as well."A member of King Foltest's royal council and very powerful sorceress, might I add."
"Ah, stop it." -Triss said with a tired sigh."It's been a while, isn't Witcher?"
"Indeed." -Geralt agreed and Naruto glanced at him. Since when Geralt is so popular with sorceresses?"How's little prince doing?"
"Better than at first." -Triss said with a small smile."I see you're popular as ever, Yen. White Wolf and Fox of Cintra? Color me impressed." -She then walk to Naruto and extended her hand to him."I'm honor to meet you, Naruto."
"The honor is all mine." -Naruto said smoothly and shook her hand."I'm happy to meet you, Ms. Merigold."
"You can call me Triss." -She said with a giggle."I heard a lot about you. Tell me, all of those things they tell are real?"
"That depends. What did you hear?" -Naruto asked, puffing his chest a little. He had to make sure no one notice how his heart his beating. Well, not from Geralt of course. He probably wanted to laugh.
"That you can summon a skeleton warrior, walk on any surface or multiply." -Triss listed and Naruto couldn't help but smile."Is that true?"
"Naruto will answer all your questions on todays meeting on Thanedd." -Yennefer said and magically, she pulled out two elegant courtier's doublets. Both Geralt and Naruto groaned."Now, don't act like little kids. You need to look decent enough."
"Why didn't you say sooner?" -Naruto asked while shaking his head."At least I'd have brought my own. It's not even a bit of orange." -He grabs the doublet and checked if it'll fit him."Is that the problem you wrote about?"
"That's the 'other' problem." -Yennefer corrected."Triss over here doesn't have a partner, so You're the obvious choice."
"And the main problem?" -Naruto asked and Yennefer shrugged it.
"Nothing bad is happening right now." -Yennefer replied."We'll take care of it tomorrow. So no drinking tonight..."
"What seems to be a problem?" -Geralt asked."You didn't say anything about it."
"This is something that might be too much for you." -Yennefer said seriously."This case will need Naruto's skills. If it was anything else, I'd ask you for help."
"Telling me about it wouldn't hurt." -Geralt mused and let out a sigh."Anyway, how long till the meeting?"
"We have at least two hours before We have to teleport." -Triss replied and Geralt cursed under his nose. He hates teleports."If you don't mind, I and Yennefer need to prepare."
"You two can go and take a walk." -Yennefer said and pointed at the doors."Shush, shush boys..."
After what seems to be an eternity, Yennefer and Triss were finally ready. Naruto and Geralt were waiting in their tight doublets hoping the suffering will end soon enough. Naruto forgot about it momentarily. When he saw her, Naruto could feel how hard his heart was pounding. It was the first time he felt like that. Triss was wearing a long lime green v-neck dress, while her hair was tied in a bun. Yennefer's look didn't really change. But for Geralt, she was beautiful in anything.
"Are you ready, boys?" -Yennefer said with a smile.
"I hate portals." -Geralt said as Yennefer took his hand.
"Now. Be a big boy and bare with it." -Yennefer said with a wink.
Triss got closer to Naruto and they both blushed. They smile at each other, while Triss took Naruto's hand.
"Don't worry, teleports are not that bad." -She said with a playful smile.
"It's okay, I can quickly teleport on short distances." -Naruto said with a wink.
"Really? What spell do you use?" -Triss asked curiously. After hearing all those rumors and even Yen confiming them, Triss wanted to know everything! So many new possible spells could be created. And so much more. She felt a bit ashamed acting like an excited little girl."Is it hard to use?"
"Well, it's not a spell." -Naruto start to explain."And I'd hardly call it teleportation when I think about it. I'm simply moving at a very high speed, which creates the illusion of teleportation. But I can use a technique that allows me to switch places with anything."
"Really? Can you show it to me?" -She asked, her eyes shining brilliantly.
"Hey!" -Yennfer called adn they both glance at her."We have places to be."
"Don't make Yen angry, you two..." -Geralt said with a sigh.
"Right...Shall We go?" -Triss asked and Naruto smiled at her.
"Yeah..." -He said and in a blink, they were gone.