Naruto: Paradox

by coronaprimo

Naruto is the prince of a once great empire, who becomes aware of his lineage at an early age. Naruto will use the gifts left to him by his parents and his ancestors, to become stronger. To become a king. To be a Paradox. This is the story of his ascension AU/ OOC Naruto/ OP Naruto First Story

10. Warmth

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other works that I use for inspiration.

"Speaking"- Speech

"Thinking" - Thoughts

"Speaking" - Non-Mortal Speech

"Thinking" - Non-Mortal Thoughts

Please read the Author's notes at the end.

Chapter Ten: Warmth

"Hell yea! We just filmed the most spectacular scene!"

Shouted Makino as he and some crew members watched back some of the battle footage.

The flashes! The explosions! It was as magnificent of a battle as a rewatch, as it was witnessing it in person.

Within a common area of the ship sat Team 7, Sandayū, Makino, and a few crew members including Makino's assistant. After sailing away from the battle site deeper into the Snow, an unconscious Yukie was put to bed as the team went to attend to the rest of the passengers. No one sustained an injury, so Makino decided it would be best to check what they recorded.

"Yes, much transpired worthy of recording. Those armors were something else. . ."

Naruto made sure to capture all the footage from their confrontation with the foreign shinobi to present to Bando and Umi. If they were able to reverse engineer such a technological feat, his empire would be that much stronger and safer.

"So, the actress is a princess?"

Sasuke's gaze shifted back and forth between Kakashi and Sandayū.

"Y-yes. . ."

The manager was nervous.

This wasn't the mission these shinobi had signed on for and if they wanted to abandon them at their first chance then the princess would be lost.

"There's no way. She's just some stuck-up diva who plays a princess."

Despite all that happened, Sakura still had her doubts.

"It's true. Yukie Fujikaze is a fake name. She is really Koyuki Kazahana, princess and heiress to Yuki no Kuni."

Kakashi's words rang true.

"I used to serve at the side of this country's previous king, Lord Sōsetsu Kazahana. He was a kind man and a loving father as well as a benevolent ruler. So much so that many other citizens of the Snow remain loyal to him to this day. Because of the type of ruler he was, regardless of how cold it was, the Snow was always warm. . . And his daughter, the princess, was just like her father. "

"Then, ten years ago. . . It happened. The king's brother, Dotō, had caught wind of a "treasure" my lord had discovered. He had told me that it would help him achieve his dream for our land. I'm not too sure what it is, but I know that he was pouring much of the country's funds into its discovery."

"Dotō's greed drove him to commit unspeakable atrocities upon our land to satiate his hunger. He raised villages, attack all with no discrimination, and stole much including his brother's life and this land's hope for any kind of future. . ."

"And what role did you play in all this Hatake?"

Sasuke inquired.

"Koyuki's father hired Konoha to first and foremost ensure the safety of his daughter. I helped the land's forces in defense, but defeat was imminent. With no other choice, I followed the lord's orders to escort the princess to the safety of the Fire Daimyō in the Fire capitol. As we fled, she watched as her home burned. . ."

"I was away on business for my lord when Dotō launched his attack. I returned to the royal palace, Kazahana Castle to see it set ablaze. My men and I fought off the revolting shinobi as much as we could to no avail. I pushed through with all I had to get in the castle only to find my king slain and no sign of the princess."

Asama slumped his head in shame.

"With nothing left for us here, many left this land. It was one day years ago that I had stumbled upon the princess acting on stage. I could tell it was her by the hexagonal, purple pendant she wore. It was a keepsake she had received from her father a couple of months before her uncle's attack. I was overjoyed. . . Beside myself honestly. She managed to survive, someway, somehow. . ."

Even the memory of that day was enough to compromise the man's composure. It was the day his prayers were answered. The day where he was able to hope again after so long.

"My lord was correct in his earlier assumption of you, Sir Asama. You're a Knight of the highest caliber."

It was an acknowledgment from one knight to another.

"It doesn't matter. . ."

They all turned to see the now awakened princess.

"My life. . . It doesn't matter. I should've died that day. . ."

"Please don't speak such terrible words, princess! To your people, the fact that you are alive is our hope!"

"What's the point of living when my heart's already dead. Dotō and his thugs burned away more than my home, they burned away all the tears I had left. . ."

"Please, your highness. . . I and so many others have been waiting for this chance. One to finally bring you back home."

"Eh? So all this time, you were using us to get the girl back here?"

Makino seemed none too pleased. He sympathized with them, but this was his life's work let alone his life they were putting in danger.

"It was a lie I was disheartened to tell. I apologize for fooling all of you, but this is for our country. A chance to save our home."

It was then that Sandayū knelt before his princess with head down and arm across his chest.

"I, Sandayū Asama, swear on my life that we will overthrow Dotō and his band of miscreants and seat you in your rightful place as queen! So please stand beside us and lead you people, princess Koyuki!"

"No. . ."

"What. . ?"

"We were all lucky to escape with our lives last time. Now that Dotō knows I have this stupid crystal, he'll kill all of us to get what he wants! There's no stopping him!"

The blood rushing throughout her body boiled over with her skin's tint burning bright as a result.

"Why would a bunch of stupid people through their lives away for me!? Why would I want that!?"

"Princess. . . You must believe in your people. Believe in your-"

"SHUT THE HELL UP! Don't you think my father believed in himself!? And he still got killed, so the only thing I believe is that I'm better off away from this stupid country!"

The princess stormed out of the room to reach the railing of their ship as she palmed her father's gift.

"AND I'M BETTER OFF WITHOUT THIS!"

Koyuki's emotions became her power, fueling strength as she threw the necklace as far as she possibly could into the chilling sea.

"I know it's not my place. . ."

Naruto spoke as he rose from his seat, and made his way towards the princess.

"And I can understand you must be feeling plenty of emotions. Anger, fear, anxiety. . ."

His eyes locked with hers. The blue orbs she stared into were bottomless, the longer she looked the deeper she sank.

"You're home, people, even family. All torn away from you before you could've done anything about it. . ."

The boy never broke eye contact with the young heiress. He simply extended out his open right hand towards the sea. From the doorway, everyone watched their exchange.

"Regardless, you are royalty. . . You have a duty to your people. To yourself. . . I know it may not seem like it now but if you believe then you'll be able to see your dreams. And if you're able to see it. . ."

Something popped out of the water and landed in Naruto's open hand.

"You'll be able to achieve it. . ."

In the boy's palm, was the shimmering purple crystal she had thrown into the sea just a moment ago.

"W-wait. . . H-how did y-you?"

The princess wasn't the only one shocked.

Everyone was floored by what they had seen. The boy retrieved an item from the ocean without doing anything.

"When you oversee a realm, it oversees you as well. All you need to do is ask it for help when you need it."

He took a couple of steps closer to the princess who backed away in response.

"You're not some sad actress or another scared little girl."

The blonde that was once before her was gone. Now before her, was a younger version of herself.

"You are a Queen, and your realm is waiting for you! It's time for you to take it with your own hands!"

Her mind reeled as she tried to process everything she was experiencing. She rubbed her eye roughly as if trying to clear her vision to see the blonde yet again.

"Argh!"

Frustration heated her so rapidly that even with the cold brisk ocean air, she broke out in a small sweat. The princess snatched the necklace out of the young lord's hand and stormed off back to her room.

"Koyuki!"

She stopped and turned to see the blonde with that damned smile on his face.

"If you need it, I'll be there to help you. That's a promise. . . From one monarch to another."

She gazed in a daze at the boy and his declaration. The princess felt a cold bead roll down her cheek.

A single tear.

It had come from her eyes.

"Princess!"

Koyuki took off in a full sprint for her room.

Sandayū went to continue the effort of convincing the heiress but was persuaded otherwise by the blonde as he re-entered the room.

"Give her some time, Sir Asama. She might end up surprising all of us."

All the old knight could do was try and quell his rage. He hated that his princess had endured any of what she had, and hated it even more that he was too weak to fix it.

"You must relax. A knight must keep their composure at all times." After hearing his fellow knight's words, Sandayū came to his senses. He looked down and saw that he had clenched his hand hard enough to cause him to bleed.

"You've made an oath to see this through, but she must find her resolve. The best thing you can do is stand by her."

"You are right. . . Uzumaki-sama."

"Please, Sir Asama, there is no need for such formalities."

"Mission or not, you've been respectful and kind to me in a manner I've only experienced with my late lord. You've protected our princess and her father's gift. The least I can do is address a monarch of your prestige by his proper title."

Despite not knowing what Naruto's claim to a throne was, Sandayū saw the boy for the monarch he was.

"HAHA! This is astonishing! The young king helps the princess take back her homeland from the clutches of the evil tyrant! That's a story only the cinema could tell and a perfect theme for the final chapter of The Unlucky Princess."

His passionate flames had been fanned. The director was dedicated to having this final project be on to make history.

"Director, don't tell me that you are going to continue filming."

The silver-haired shinobi thought it best they stop.

Their enemy was strong, and splitting focus between attacking them and defending the civilians on their side could cause more harm than good.

"If my people are willing to take the risk with me, then of course! Having a real princess in a movie, It's something that happens once in a lifetime. Not only will It be a great success, but we'd also be stinkin' rich!"

"If we do this, we'll be making a real hit!"

Makino's assistant cheered, matching his boss' energy.

"I think you guys are forgetting something. . . The uncle of the princess and his shinobi will kill anyone to get what he wants. Also, protecting you isn't our mission. No offense, but if Koyuki's life is in danger, she becomes our priority."

Sakura provided some sound reasoning. This caused whispers and murmurs to spread like wildfire amongst the members of the crew in the room.

"Then allow we'll provide our services to you all. Let's just say you'll owe us a favor later, in return your safety will be guaranteed."

Naruto gestured to himself and his knight before offering their protection to the crew.

"Naruto, you aren't in the position-"

"Deal! You keep me and my folks safe and you can call me whenever you need something!"

Makino interrupted Kakashi by running up and vigorously shook the boy's hand, sealing the deal. He would've gladly paid the price to finish his life's work and protect the people that made it possible.

"Excellent! Then there's nothing you'll need to worry about. All I ask is that you follow our orders to help us better ensure your safety."

The crew members nodded to convey their understanding and acceptance of the whiskered one's condition.

"Then we'll continue onward into the Snow."

"Alright. . . Naruto, Sasuke can you please come with me?"

Kakashi made his way to the doorway, gesturing for the boys to follow him, which they accepted.

They made their way to the lower part of the ship to have a private location to talk. They stumbled upon a storage room in the lower level of the ship and used the boxes and packages as makeshift chairs.

"I'll get right to the point. . . What are you two trying to accomplish?"

"What do you mean Kakashi?"

"C'mon. If you think I'm stupid then you'll be sorely disappointed. It's clear that you have advanced training and your skills far surpass the standards of genin so why be genin? You could easily obtain a less restrictive position. One where you don't need a Jōnin supervising you."

"Skill is useless without experience. Being a genin is more than just the mundane tasks. It's about gaining experience in all relevant aspects of being a shinobi, down to the smallest interaction. You never know what could save your life one day."

"I can understand that. . . But this isn't a game. This is a political matter as well, so one screw-up could reflect badly on the village."

"We are very well aware of the political implications that this mission entails. If we are successful, Konoha could have a powerful ally, but if we fail it might end up with an enemy."

"Exactly. . . Listen, it's obvious that you guys can look out for yourself, but you are still part of something bigger."

"I couldn't agree more, Hatake. . ."

The copycat was right about something. They were part of something bigger.

"Good. I get you guys are entitled to your secrets. Still, there is no need to hide things from your comrades."

"So, if we are comrades as you say, is there anything you'd like to tell Sasuke and me?"

It was obvious what the boy was fishing for, yet Kakashi felt it wasn't his place. Naruto was technically left in the care of the third. If reveals were to be made, he should be the one to do so.

"Not at the moment. . ."

There wasn't a shift in demeanor or posture. Simply a miasma of indifference.

"Get some rest, Hatake. . . You'll need it."

The two excused themselves from the storage room to make their way to the sleeping quarters of the ship.

"So Sasuke, what do you think we should do? There's no doubt that they have us outnumbered by a considerable amount, which could make things much more difficult. I could have the Atlanteans help us."

Naruto had summoned Chīsana, Mekajiki, and Unagi to swim along with the ship until they reached their destination. It was Chīsana that had caught and returned the princess' necklace.

"Their appearance could cause panic. It might be better for us to bring in some other reinforcements. We'll have to call in and see who might be available. Malice-sensei is with Hinata and Kagura is still out."

"Same with Zabuza and Haku. Which means there's only one man for the job."

"Agreed. We'll get in contact as soon as we reach the room. Hopefully, Bando will be able to observe the technology used in this land, maybe even get a couple of samples to help with the empire's technological advancements. The chakra armor they used was no less than a feat of tech genius."

"Perfect. The people of this land have been scared and hurt for far too long. It's time we give it back to someone who will provide it with the warmth it needs."

Naruto said a well-crafted line as they passed the young princess' room.

"Warmth. . ."

Memories of her past flashed in short snippets. Her father's words, his dream, how he treated everyone, how everyone in their country smiled in their presence. Sandayū was right, the snow never stopped their country from being warm under the leadership of her father.

As she sat on her bed in a fetal position, she looked down to see the luminescent crystal glistening more so than usual. The crystal had never conducted any heat, but she swore she could feel it deep within.

"Father. . . If you couldn't stop him, what hope do I have?"

The weight of her fears sunk her head further into her knees. The heiress was so engrossed in her thoughts she hadn't noticed her face had been drenched in tears for the first time in a long time.

"What hope do I have to bring warmth to them. . ?"

She feared for the fate of her people.

She believed that the country had been remade in her uncle's image, now she knew that there were many out there who were still loyal to her father.

Still loyal to her.

No matter how much pain she had gone through, how much she tried to separate from her feelings, how much fear ran through her being, she felt she couldn't let her people suffer. The princess knew they would've given the shirts off their very backs to keep her warm.

Yuki no Kuni

(Land of Snow)

"Thank you for answering my call, Bando. I understand you have much going on back in the village."

"Think nothing of it, my lord. I'm always happy to assist when I can. . . I've reviewed the info you've provided and thought it best to bring along a small team to assist with the mission. Equipped with some of the best we have to offer right now including our new multi-purpose breathing apparatus I've dubbed, Fangs. Installed within is an air purifier, emergency air tablets, and a function that allows for assisted breathing while submerged for up to 2 hours. They are also adorned with goggles that function similarly to your visor. They've been designated as Viewers. "

Before the young lord was his lead scientist clad in a black hooded robe with maroon lining. He had been told prior to avoid wearing any garbs that could reveal an association between the two.

Behind the giant were 10 individuals, 5 males and 5 females of various builds. They all dressed in long-sleeved, black hooded outfits with armor reminiscent of the warring period. Their mouths were hidden with a red iron mask and black goggles that seemed to have bright red pupils peering through. They looked like a band of demons awaiting their moment to cause absolute mayhem.

"Your Majesty! Allow me to introduce you to your elite strike force. We are Shin'en (Abyss). We are your supreme majesty's elite task force composed of Taisa (Captain) class and above operatives. Hand-picked by our Shōgun and your 4th Knight of the round, goddess Kagura!"

One of the ten stepped forward and gave quite the enthusiastic greeting to their king with the others bowing overzealously. The choice of words expressed how effective Kagura's methods were.

They were dedicated, loyal, and ran on their belief!

Kagura had scoured to find the most damaged and destitute throughout the elemental nations over the years and provide them with all they had ever wanted or needed. For many of them, that was love, care, and affection. All she asked for in return was their faith, their devotion to her and her lord resulting in the creation of her masterpiece.

Kagura had created functioning zealots focusing on nothing else, but to prove themselves, to prove they were faithful, and to prove they truly believed In their god and goddess. Equipped with unique abilities that made each individual a force to be reckoned with, this was the gift he presented to her and thus they were also her gift to him. Her way of showing her complete fealty to her lord.

"I have been blessed by our goddess with the designation of Ruwa and lead this group as their Buntaichō (Squad leader). My lord! My god! All you desire we will present at your feet. All who oppose you will be swallowed whole, into the abyss."

"Thank Ruwa. . . Thank you Rutsū, Rusurī, Rufō, Faibu, Shikkusu, Risebun, Eito, Runain, Rute. . . Each and every one of you. . . I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am, for all you've endured both in your previous lives and for my sake. I can only hope that as your king I can make this world one where you can find happiness."

His audience was left stunned by his words.

He knew their names. . .

Of course he would know his subject's names!

He was their lord as promised by their goddess. Regardless of his form, he was a being to revere. One that would care for all within his reach, including each of them as they were his own.

No. They were his. Now and forever.

"My Lord. . . My King. . . I can't stay silent. I believe I speak for all of us when I say we are gracious that we fell under your watchful eyes. All we have endured was to bring us closer to you. Please forgive me for speaking out of turn but please continue to accept our continued fealty. Please, my lord!"

Rusurī, one of the females, dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by the bliss she felt being recognized by her lord.

"Please raise your head. . . Rusurī. If you'll all continue to have me, then I'll gladly continue to be your king. We will take this world. Together, into our abyss!"

They all prostrated themselves to demonstrate their devotion. He was their light, for he cared to be. They followed his order and shot up with the utmost urgency, and fell into line.

"You never cease to amaze me, my lord. Please tell us, what are your orders?"

Bando asked from the side.

"From Sir Asama's description, this Dotō character is far too impatient and greedy to wait long. He knows we're here and will make his move soon. . . He'll lead us to his stronghold, and to whatever treasures he's hiding within. You'll wait for my signal to strike and infiltrate. Once inside, scour every nook and cranny for anything valuable to the empire. Anyone willing to surrender becomes our prisoners, all others our meal. Also, this land is prosperous in the ways of technology. All forms of tech that are unknown to us are priority one. As well as the scientist. Whether Dotō has forced them to work under him or they're following him willingly is no matter, they are to be captured alive and evaluated at our convenience."

His benevolence knew no bounds. Their faces were hidden under a veil of darkness under the hoods of their outfits with only the crimson pupils and the maroon glow of their fangs peering through. Despite that, their jubilation wisped through the air.

The chance to serve him. . . What more could they ask for?

"Your will be done, your Grace!"

They saluted in tandem, perfectly choreographed down to the breath they took.

"Excellent! When you've located their base, report back and await my signal. . . All of you, make it back to me!"

His words resonated in their souls.

They were not puppets or tools to be discarded after use. They were his loved ones, willing to do what was needed, out of their love for him.

"Of course, your Grace!"

And he would do what was needed for them. That was his love.

"It's time for me to head back, and for you all to head out. I've taken a long enough "bathroom break". Bando, thank you once again for the hard work you and Umi. I can't wait to see what you all can do. For the Empire!" He had bolstered the esteem of his troops to the point they felt invincible. It wasn't arrogance, they just felt it impossible to do anything that could disappoint their lord.

They reciprocated his cry and vanished in a manner that would scare even the most seasoned. No trace of their presence remained, as if they were specters blowing in the snowy breeze as it carried them along the mountains.

The serrated mountains loomed in the distance as Team 7 and crew made their way towards them for their next bit of shooting. They were bone-white and brooded over the land. The sky-piercing apex of the mountain was drenched in dazzling glow as the snow fell. The white powder danced in the light, a stunning ballet conducted by the gentle breeze.

When they touched down in the land, they switched to special all-terrain vehicles and drove in a caravan to make their travels through the hazardous mountainous land easier.

"At the other side of this large cave, there is a village where those who have joined our cause have gathered."

Sandayū informed the group as they entered a massive cave, with the interior being mostly ice.

The caravan had begun moving again after a brief bathroom break. Team 7 along with Sandayū, Makino, and his assistant were sitting in the cabin of the vehicle while Koyuki rested in one of the sleeper compartments.

"This place is breathtaking, Sir Asama. There's so much beauty. So much majesty. . ."

Kakashi looked over to Naruto, observing how much the boy fawned over the scenery of this land.

He'd wish that this was the Naruto he got to see more often, rather than the sneaky secretive sovereign with the snide shots he'd usually have to contend with.

"Yes, Naruto-sama! This land is fitting the best of monarchs. Its beautiful terrain coupled with its unique weather patterns makes the Snow one of the world's wonders."

Between the days of sailing and their day of caravan travel, the travelers had been able to take in much of the beauty the county had to offer.

"And Lord Kazahana devoted much of his efforts into making this land an easy place to live, despite the weather conditions. There is a railroad buried underneath the floor's ice. Even when his father ruled, the lord suggested its construction and focused efforts on other technological advancements to help the people. Even the chakra armors his shinobi used were brought about due to my lord's efforts."

As the man continued in his recount of his homeland, the monarch sitting across from him was counting his blessings. This land was yet another fruitful conquest waiting to be wrapped in his clutches.

"It would seem in Dotō's control, the amenities established by the late lord have gone unattended. What a shame, to have the hard work of so many spat on."

The young knight was none too pleased by what he saw, or more accurately, what he didn't see.

There were no women, no children, no life in such a beautiful land. This tyrant had taken away the very life of this great nation with his selfish decisions.

"I agree it is truly unfortunate. But with the princess obtaining her rightful place on the throne, will come the restoration of those amenities and the establishment of more!"

"I'm glad to see you so cheerful, Sandayū. Usually, you're a stressed old busybody."

Makino poked fun at the old. They had known each other for a while from working with Koyuki and Makino swore that he had never seen him as happy as he was now.

"Wait, don't you and your people still have a problem. The princess doesn't even want to be here. How will you get her to take the throne and run this place?"

The pinkette's question shifted the mood of the room.

She wasn't trying, but with her romantic prospects being nothing more than the fantasies of a younger naive version of herself, she chose to be more analytical, or pessimistic some would say.

"You all need not worry. . . She is of the right pedigree. We of such a breed are meant to rule and will find our way to do so. She will sit on a throne when this is all over."

His words weren't wishful thinking. They escaped his lips as if a decree to be obeyed by all.

"You are absolutely right, Naruto-sama! I'm glad you're able to see the princess as I do."

The old knight thanked the cosmos above that they crossed paths.

"Hey now, let's not forget we've got a masterpiece to film here! After we film this shot, you're free to handle your business."

Makino reminded the group as they exited the other end of the cave and came to a stop.

Everyone went on to perform their tasks, setting up for the scene, when Makino's assistant came running.

"GUYS! YUKIE'S MISSING!"

This caused quick panic amongst the group but it was quickly squashed by Naruto's response.

"I'll go find the princess. She couldn't have gotten too far. Sasuke you watch over everyone and Sir Asama if the village you spoke of is close it might be best that you rendezvous with them while we still have the chance."

Naruto received a swift nod from the two knights and took off in search of the princess before any opposition could be presented.

"Figures. . . Sakura, please accompany Sandayū to the village. Sasuke and I will watch over the crew until everyone gets back."

With the two taking off, Sasuke went to help the crew with set up, Leaving Kakashi to gaze upon the land. Naruto was right, this land was majestic.

It was through this very majesty that Koyuki was trudging. Each step froze her marrow more and more as each step was one deeper into the arctic, and closer to her goal.

The princess had used the impromptu rest stop as her chance to escape the caravan. She had been running for a good deal of time and while she had a purpose, she could only do so much.

"If only I were stronger. . ."

She thought as she huffed and engulfed more of the frigid air. Her body finally gave up on her as she collapsed in the chilling blanket encompassing the mountainside. In her frustration, she slammed her fist into the ground. Over and over without rest.

"If only I were stronger!"

Koyuki was able to slam her fist with all her might when she felt it come to an abrupt halt.

"I get it. . ."

She looked up to see the hooded face of her fellow monarch.

"My kingdom was taken from me. . . I was pursued and attacked. My parents were killed before I could truly engrain them in my memory."

She looked up at him to see a single tear streaming down his face.

"They were able to sacrifice everything. . . Leave this world knowing full well the danger it held, all because they believed in me and what I could do. Your father did the same Koyuki, and so did your people. Even now they sacrifice because they believe in what you can do. . . In who you are."

"DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT!?"

Her words echoed throughout the land. A chute of snow tumbled down the mountain sides as if trying to flee the might of her voice.

"Why do you think I'm out here. . ? I'm going to handle my uncle alone. . . No one else has to get hurt."

He picked the princess up from the snow and began to walk until they entered the ice cave yet again, holding her in a bridal pose the whole time. Koyuki tried her best to resist, yet the warmth he radiated seemed to quell her after a bit.

"You didn't have to go at it alone. No one person makes a kingdom. And I understand you had no idea that your people were waiting for your return. Some people are willing to help you, plus. . ."

Maybe he saw it from the beginning, the person she was trying to bury. It seemed like all his actions, all he'd said to her was for her sake. Never to disrespect, but to encourage. He had even performed what Koyuki would consider a miracle before her very eyes when he retrieved her necklace from the sea.

"I told you back on the ship, didn't I? If you need help all you have to do is ask. From one monarch. . ."

She looked up to meet his gaze to see that damned smile, except this time it wasn't so bad. She appeared to find it infectious as she adopted a smile of her own.

"To another. . ."

A gentle snicker escaped his maw.

"You know. . . You're super weird."

"Every ruler has their quirks. I bet your father was a peculiar man."

"Yep! Father was quite strange. Always talking in riddles. . . He was always straightforward with his people though."

This was heavenly.

Being able to think back on her beloved father without sacrificing her composure.

"He loved his empire, as any emperor should. I'm sure you and he have that in common."

To think back on the land that held her heart without it stopping.

"I missed it. . . No matter how long it's been, it's my home. It's never been cold here, not until Dotō got his filthy mitts on it. If I could I would kill him."

"Vengeance is a fool's effort, but justice is a ruler's duty."

"I understand. . . My uncle has killed and tortured this land and its people for ten long years. If I am to govern these people, I'll give them their justice first. If you're willing to help me, Naruto-sama?"

The blonde deadpanned.

"Not you too. . . There's no need to address me so formally."

"You called me by my title even beforehand. Not like it was a part in a movie. . . You said it as if you recognized me from the beginning. I feel it is right to do the same. And if we can actually stop my uncle. . . Maybe I can help you?"

She felt a strange sensation as she offered him her assistance.

The thought that the monarch might oppose didn't sit well at all.

"Of course! The Uzumaki empire will be the greatest ever and having the resilient people of the Snow among our ranks would be an honor! I'm sure Sir Asama would be happy to be commanding a mighty army, that knight has many battles left in him!"

Koyuki had never seen her manager as anything more, nor had she ever thought of anything other than getting through the next day.

Now, she had a chance. Now, she had hope and if her father and all these people would go as far as to believe her, she owed them to try and see things through. Maybe with some help she could.

They continued talking as they walked through the cave until it began shaking violently.

"Train tracks?"

Naruto looked down to see the rails the old man had informed him about on their first trip through the cave. They had chakra running through them, thawing them out of the ice. The boy quickly turned to see a massive locomotive heading their way.

"Koyuki, I'm going to need you to hold on and don't let go."

One toss had the princess airborne. He jumped up, allowing her to latch on to his back and once his feet touched the ground, he took off in a sprint.

The locomotive chased furiously after them. Its monstrous grill coming ever closer, ready to shred them in its maw. Koyuki's heart raced with her being able to feel it against her rescuer's back as the roar of the exhaust exploded ever so often.

"Are you scared, princess?"

Just the tone of his voice was enough for her to guess the look on his face.

"What do you think, you idiot!?"

She couldn't help but bop him on the head earning her a hearty laugh. The princess gripped his coat with all the strength she could muster.

"Just believe."

The young Lord slapped down his visors as he leaped into the air.

At the same time chains emerged from his abdomen and wrapped around his passenger's waist for added safety. The train caught up to them with Naruto placing his feet on the windshield of the train's lead car. The violent winds that his boots expanded rocked the metal monstrosity, shattering its glass guard as he and his charge took off.

They quickly flew out of the cave and elevated high in the sky if only for a brief moment. And at that moment there was everything that ever mattered to her. The naturally woven tapestry of the forests and mountains far closer than any of them ever knew. It is a world without frontiers up above the land, water, and clouds, yet it was all part of her kingdom, of her home.

Once they descended back to earth near the exit of the cave, the boy took off to meet back with his teammates. On a microphone speaker, they could hear a man as the enraged group of assailants rose from a platform from the lead train car.

"HOW DARE YOU! I WOULD HAVE BEEN BENEVOLENT ENOUGH TO LET YOU LEAVE WITH YOUR PATHETIC LIVES, BUT NOW I'LL REAP ALL YOUR LIVES!"

"YOU'LL DO NO SUCH THING!"

Everyone looked over to the tip of a snow-encrusted hill to see the old knight with katana in hand. Alongside him were his brethren in arms dressed in similar black and green samurai armor with red accents. Some held spears while others carried blades similar to Sandayū's.

"It seems my guards aren't as thorough as I would have hoped. No matter, I'll exterminate every last one of you and pull my treasure from you corpses!"

The sides of the train cars opened up with several shinobi dashing to stationed cranks.

"Naruto, you have to stop them! He'll kill them all!"

The princess panicked as she got off his back for him to intervene.

"Now, we will avenge the death of our lord from a decade ago! I, Sandayū Asama, and the people of this proud country will put a stop to your wickedness! FOR OUR HOME! FOR OUR PEOPLE! FOR OUR PRINCESS!"

Their roar was enough to upset the snow on the hill they stood on. It began to slide and with it the group rushed forward, intent on ending this tyrant's reign.

"FIRE!"

On Dotō's order, his shinobi began to crank, sending an unfathomable number of kunai towards the band of rebels.

"SANDAYŪ!"

"SASUKE! T1!"

That was their code.

Established years prior as a limit remover of sorts.

Their training required them to regulate their power at all times to promote control, meaning they would impose restrictions upon themselves. They established situational tiers that would allow them to use more of their power regardless of what consequences may come. Naruto knew this would be adding fuel to Kakashi's pestering, but he couldn't let these brave men fall here. Not when they were so close to being his.

Both Naruto and Sasuke vanished, a feat noticed immediately by their Jōnin sensei. His speed was comparable, maybe even greater than his own. He appeared in between the cloud of kunai and the swarm of soldiers with his Sharingan splayed proudly like a coat of arms.

"Mist Wall!"

It spread far and wide in an instant, darkening the land as if it were devouring the light itself. A massive indigo wall blocked the entirety of the onslaught that would've torn the soldiers asunder.

"What the hell is that jutsu!? Hurry up and-"

Before the tyrant could finish his order, blustering winds dominated the land causing those there to search for its source.

Everyone's attention was pulled to above the train so they found Naruto hovering. In his hand was a peculiar-looking weapon. In his left hand, the young lord held a large, obsidian bow with vibrant vermilion eye-like features at its upper and lower curves.

In his right, whipping winds weaved into an arrow-like shape though the tip was more curved. He turned his grip horizontally to himself, allowing the group behind the wall to see the eye features shift as if to make an angry expression.

No. It was more like an elated look.

He pulled the string back in an underhand fashion, and on the winds themselves, his words slid along and whispered in the ears of his onlookers.

"Ten No Yumi: Heaven's Rain."

He fired his arrow and immediately an unfathomable number of arrows rained down with no signs of wavering.

The train, except for its lead car, was devoured in an array of wind-based explosions that tore through all in their wake. What was left of the machine was pushed off its rails and began to descend the mountainside.

Naruto landed, reverting his weapon to its wakizashi form and sheathing it. In turn, his knight canceled his Mist Wall.

The two made their way to each other.

"I apologize. I've asked a lot of you lately. . ."

"Nonsense. I'm a knight performing his duties. I'd find it insulting if it was any other way."

They came together and collapsed their hands, mimicking an arm-wrestling pose. To them, it was a show of comradery after a job well done.

"Kakashi-sensei. . ."

The gap was widening. She watched it stretch and it made her sick to her stomach.

"I know. . . I promise we'll do something about it when we get back, but for now we have a mission."

Though he tried his best to ease her worries, Kakashi felt it too.

Yes, he could've gotten in between the soldiers and the projectiles. Yes, he could've used a technique to save them, but it would've been costly power-wise. The boys though were fine as always. One wouldn't think they had any hand in knocking a mechanical monstrosity off a cliffside.

"There's a gap. . ."

"Naruto-sama!"

"Naruto-sama!"

The old man and the princess ran to their side as the people remained awestricken.

"Naruto-sama?! Her too!? They were gone for like 15 minutes. . . 30 tops!"

The feeling in Sakura's belly deepened.

"Maybe the villagers are right. . . He does the phony act every time we leave home but is a total ass back there. Causing trouble constantly. . . And Sasuke. *Sigh*"

Her sensei was right. These were matters for a different time.

"You-you saved my men. . . You stopped them. You-"

"I'm sorry, but it's still too early to thank us."

"He's right! My uncle won't be stopped so easily. My people, listen to me! These brave shinobi have given us an opportunity. Let us not waste it. Please, let us retreat while we can!"

The princess screamed out for her people, much to their joy, especially the old man. He had no idea what happened and he wouldn't question it.

"My lord. . . Do you see her?"

He quickly turned to wipe his tears. He didn't want to appear weak in front of the nobility.

"Princess-"

Sandayū was cut off yet again, this time by the roar of a massive engine from the cliffside. The massive airship that emerged was the lead car of the locomotive. It appeared to have sprouted a balloon from its roof and wings in each of its corners.

From the side of the ship, a door opened revealing the large frame of Mizore. He aimed carefully, firing his new mech gauntlet and grabbing Koyuki.

She was quickly yanked from the group as Fubuki flew by on her replaced glider and littered the cliffside with kunai that had blue crystal orbs tied to their end. Upon contact, a torrent of ice spikes rose from each bomb, tearing the land apart with its disastrous power.

"Earth Style: Rock Shelter!"

"Earth Style: Rock Wall!"

Sakura and Kakashi dashed to the closest group of people they each could reach before performing defensive jutsus to defend them.

As a dome formed around Sakura and her group, a decent-sized wall with 2 dog heads. Their makeshift barricades did a good enough job withstanding the brunt of the assault with some only suffering scrapes and bruises. Meanwhile, the rest of the soldiers, cast, and crew were protected yet again by the strange mist. They all watched as the airship sped off, but at its tail end was Naruto hanging on by a chain.

"Damnit. . . What does he think he's doing?"

"The king is fully aware of his actions. Now come. . . It will take us some time to make our way to the castle. We have a princess to save. Right, Sir Asama?"

They were knights on the same mission. Their monarchs were waiting for them to return to their sides.

"Of course, Sir Uchiha! Men, our princess has finally been returned to us. Let us march forward and present her with a castle worthy of her splendor! And let us not forget the young lord who's put everything on the line for her sake. For Princess Koyuki! And for Naruto-sama!"

The troops rallied behind their leader. Their time had finally come, and with it, they would seize their home and their freedom from the bastards that stole it away.

"You have become quite a beautiful thing, Koyuki."

She was revolted by the smell of his breath. On the airship, she sat tied up, with her putrid uncle looming over her.

"I'll make you pay."

"What was that little girl? Did you have something to say?"

The tyrant rubbed his grimy hands along her face.

*Spit*

"Hmm?"

Dotō wiped the saliva from his brow as he looked at the snarl his niece had adopted.

"If any of my people are hurt. . . And for all the ones you have harmed. I'LL MAKE YOU PAY!"

She wanted back all he had stolen from her. From her people. He did all of this for greed and greed alone and needed to pay.

She hadn't felt much in so long, but now she felt all her anger, all her hate, all her spite. Despite her situation, the princess was determined to end him no matter the cost, for that's what her people would do for her.

"You insolent pleb! I'll teach you to disrespect a king!"

She winced, awaiting the brutal backhand the man would've delivered if not for the chain ensnaring his wrist. It was Dotō's turn to be pulled as he went careening into Naruto's fist and uppercut into the ceiling, with the man bouncing off like a rubber ball.

"Well said, my princess."

"Naruto-sama!"

She was still furious, though a girl was allowed to feel two feelings. Koyuki had to wonder at that moment when and why she felt that way in his presence.

"I'm glad to see that you're safe, princess. I'll have you free-Arrrggghhh!"

The boy prepared to take on the three shinobi before him. This allowed a hiding clone Rōga had placed prior, to get the drop on naruto and placed a strange device on his back. It looked like a gear cog with a red and blue yin-yang symbol in the center.

"What the hell?-ugh!"

His strength was sapped from him, bringing him to his knees. His assailants then took this opportunity to literally kick him while he was done, brutally bargaining him with the brunt of their boots.

"STOP! STOP!"

Koyuki screamed, her anger reaching new heights.

"That device drains the chakra of its victim. It will leave anyone weak. Continue to show that pathetic cockroach what happens when you put your filthy hands on nobility."

"STOP! If you don't, you'll never get your hands on the treasure!"

The tyrant was busy dusting himself off, watching his subordinates beat on the boy when his niece caught his attention.

"What are you yapping about?"

"I'm sure my father told you before you killed him. . . That only I could uncover the treasure of this land. . ."

It was something the late lord would often tell his daughter.

"Hmm? The fool did mention that you would be able to unlock it. . ."

He had the scientist that had remained after his insurrection, examine the site of the treasure's location.

It looked like much of the land except for the hexagon shape carved into the ground. At each of its points, there was what appeared to be a massive mirror and at its center, a hexagonal well. All the tests came back inconclusive and he assumed that the crystal was the only thing that would be able to provide him with the treasure he sought, but his brother's constant prattle about her being the key to the country's future might mean she was indeed tied into uncovering the treasure.

"Fine. . . I think the welp has had enough. When we get back we'll lock them in the dungeon while we deal with the remnants of the rebellion."

The man gestured for his guards to seize their beating of the boy who seemed to have been knocked unconscious.

Dotō's Mansion

"Stop all your damn squirming, princess, or I'll make ya stop!"

Mizore continued forward through the dungeon with both Naruto and Koyuki under his arm. By the time they had arrived at her uncle's mansion, it had long since been nightfall.

"I'm serious! Cut your shit!" T

he feeling inside matched the weather outside, cold and harsh.

"Or would you rather I take it out on your little boyfriend here?"

The princess hated this cold. She didn't want any of her people to have to feel it anymore. She didn't want him to get too cold either.

"Good girl. . . Now get in there!"

The grunt tossed the princess inside a cell, but not before tearing the necklace off her neck.

"Probably best I take this. Don't want you getting any smart ideas."

Mizore walked away, locking the cell. He continued to the opposite cell, where he hung Naruto by his handcuffs, jacket unzipped as they had searched him earlier. To their surprise, the boy had nothing on him but some weird armorpiece around his abdomen. The brute delivered a swift punch to the young man's face before laughing and leaving them both.

"I'm so sorry. . ."

She watched as he dangled there, unable to help him when he had gone so far for her.

"I never thought I'd meet someone like you. . ."

She was just a job, so why did he go so far for her? This wasn't a fairy tale.

"I never wanted anyone to get hurt. . ."

Now he was in this sorry state, all because of her.

"I'm. . . I'm sorry."

She wished she could help. The princess cursed herself for her weakness.

"You're going to make the poor girl cry."

"I didn't expect her to feel so bad. We haven't known each other for that long."

"Yes, well you have that effect on maidans, my lord."

"I'll try my best to keep that in mind. By the way, Kurama-san, do you mind getting this thing off me? Though I could, it's pretty effective and I'd love to get it back to Bando in one piece."

"Honestly, Naruto-sama. Why you choose to handle things in such a manner I'll never understand...Give me a moment and I'll remove the gadget."

It was moments like these where Kurama wished she was free of the seal. She would've never let his plans get him thrown in a dungeon.

"I'm sorry. . ."

Koyuki continued.

"I'm the one who's sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry, my lady."

She hopped to the bars of her cell when she heard his voice.

"Naruto-sama! Are you hurt?"

"Rest assured, I'm more than alright. Did they harm you at all?"

"No. . . But they have the crystal and once my uncle sees through my bluff, he'll kill us both."

"Trust me, princess. You have nothing to worry about."

She could make out that smile of his even from this far away.

"How could you smile at a time like this!?"

"You haven't stopped believing in me have you, princess?"

"No. . . Of course not-"

Koyuki would've continued if she wasn't mesmerized by the king's sudden change.

The coat Naruto wore ignited in a vermilion flame that wafted about as if sentient, with the hood on his head adopting what resembled fox ears. From the mystical garb grew two arm-like appendages of the same color, except for an obsidian line running down the middle. The chain suspending him was a nonfactor as one hand performed a chopping motion, going through it like a hot knife. It moved and severed the remaining bindings, Its fluidity, and speed at full display. The other appendage formed a hand around the device on his back and once his bindings were free, presented the gift to its lord.

"Thank you!"

The hands moved as if to motion a bow. Then, like the fickle flame, with a passing breeze, his coat returned to normal with a few wicks riding the wind and kissing her cheek.

"Warm. . ."

She winced as it neared her but was pleasantly surprised by its touch.

"See, nothing to worry about my lady."

He was right. Despite the onslaught of blows and the negligible scuffs on his outerwear, he was unscathed.

"Stop with that damn smile!

Things are still bad. We're locked in here and the villagers and your friends are most likely on their way to rescue us. They could get seriously hurt, or worse!"

"Oh yea, that reminds me. . . This is Crown Zero. I'm giving authorization to start the mission. I'm in the dungeon area which seems to be underground with the princess so please be sure to bring some sort of refreshment for her."

He pulled from his coat's inner lining the visor she had seen him wear earlier along with the small blade he then affixed to his side. He placed it atop his head and began speaking.

"What are you-"

"I'm sorry, princess. Please allow me one second."

"This is Knight Five commencing part one of the operation."

Bando's voice came through loud and clear.

"Excellent! Lady Koyuki, you might want to step back, as a precaution."

"Alright. . . Can I ask, who were you talking to?"

"That would be one of my knights."

"One of them? You mean there are others besides your friend?"

"Oh yes, Lady Koyuki! He's one of the smartest people I've ever come across. And well. . . Let's just say he's good with his hands."

The knight he was referring to stood atop a distant mountainside.

"Everyone be prepared for infiltration. I'll try my best to make a big enough opening."

Bando signaled to everyone via CTC pods.

"Let it rip! Show me the power of the empire's arms dealer!"

His king called for a show, so that's what he would get!

The giant's chakra danced around shrouding his left hand up to his forearm, where the metal nozzle wrapped around it.

This section of Bando's arm shifted its shape until it formed a long rectangular cannon with a teeth-like design running down its body. The muzzle of the cannon was a bright orange hue with the barrel being a metallic dark grey that glistened in the moonlight. The butt of the cannon connecting to his arm was wider than the barrel and had a matte black finish with a rectangular scope on top.

"Arms Dealer!"

This was the Hatsu that he had developed. It manifested as the left arm he had lost to Shinno and with further development, gained other forms to fit its user's needs.

"Full artillery!"

This form in particular improved his combat capabilities immensely. In the past, he would use his chakra cannons and his superior strength to gain an advantage and finish off his opponents.

Now, Bando had more than just a cannon and no equipment time to worry about, meaning he could get the drop on an opponent in an instant. He aimed his cannon at the fortress as it began to charge, glowing brighter with each passing moment.

"Clearance sale!"

When its shine reached its apex, the knight released his attack. A massive condensed orb of chakra shot through the night sky until it was halfway to its destination. At that point, from the larger sphere spat out numerous smaller orbs that raced towards the mansion.

*BOOOOOOOM*

Explosions followed explosions which rocked the structure as the exterior wall was devastated.

"What's that?"

Sakura pointed out as everyone took notice of the dazzling light show.

Team 7, minus their resident blonde, were about to sneak into the enemy fortress to rescue their teammate and the princess while a Sasuke clone, Sandayū, and his men were to serve as a distraction, but with the now multiple massive holes now on the wall, they'd be able to walk right through.

"Whatever it was, it's made our jobs much easier. Let's hurry!"

Kakashi was in too much of a time crunch to stress what the cause of the explosions was, signaling for the team to continue forward.

The sounds of metal clanging littered the area like snowflakes. One after another unique in its own right, yet indistinguishable from the rest. As they drew closer to their destination, the sounds intensified with the mixing in of cries and screams.

They stumbled upon butchery. . . Utter savagery as the frozen ground shifted into a warm running river of crimson leading to the entrance. Bodies, torn apart and littered about without thought. The work of ravenous beasts no doubt, and what a beast it must've been to etch the degree of terror on each face they had seen.

Sakura might've been able to hold back the bile quickly rushing towards its release, but her stomach clenched in pain. Sweat dripped down his brow through her pick hair as she continued to look upon the horror of this scene.

"I would never have pegged you Konoha shinobi to be so. . . Excessive."

Rōga chirped as he landed on some nearby rubble.

"Maybe this just fits your M.O. better? Blitz who you can and run enough before any trouble arrives. The coward's way does seem to suit you."

"You guys go along and rescue the others."

Kakashi ordered, prepping for battle by grabbing a kunai out of his pouch.

"But sensei. . ?"

"You better listen, kiddie before you end up like the rest of the fodder."

"Make a choice, Haruno. Either way, I won't keep the king waiting. Hatake should be able to handle this third-rate combatant with little issue."

"Fine! We'll be back sensei."

By the time Sakura turned to leave she had noticed she had already been deserted by the black-haired boy. With no other choice, she took off to catch up to him.

"Mouthy little brat you got there, Kakashi."

The grunt assumed a fighting stance of his own.

"You have no idea. You're about to help me work through some of the frustration that one puts me through. So thank you, Rōga."

Nadare struck first with a stiff left, which Kakashi easily deflected. This began their close quarters' bout.

Their fists clashed repeatedly, as the cries of war raged on beside them.

Dust rose from their garments, parting in the air with each violent action. A wince from a strike to the ribs. A grunt from a knee to the abdomen. They traded blow for blow, but the snow ninja found himself being painfully overpowered.

Kakashi threw his opponent off with a faint stab. He then yanked him forward and slammed his forehead protector right into the man's nose, pushing Rōga back and earning a satisfying crunch.

"YOU FILTHY BASTARD!"

All the man could taste now was copper and fury, the latter he used to push down the pain as he clutched his broken nose.

"Maybe the boy was right? Third rate seems about right."

Kakashi added insult to injury.

"I'll show your coward ass whose third rate! Ice Style: Wolf Fang Avalanche!"

The technique summoned forth an avalanche that poured down towards Kakashi. As it neared the copy ninja, the falling snow took shape into a pack of wolves.

"Sad showing, honestly."

Sharp daggers dazzled with light as Kakashi infused them with lighting chakra.

The snarling ice hounds neared their prey but were easily subdued and dispersed as the razor-sharp blades flew through them and towards their creator. Most of them bounced off the chakra barrier the armor produced, yet one was able to hit the battery pack on his left shoulder.

"Now that your trinkets are taken care of, what will you do?"

One eye was all he needed to see the man's pride flare in his eye. Charging like an animal at his opponent was his worst move, for said opponent was well versed in taking down all manner of beast. The simpler the easier.

"Seems about right. . . I'll end this quickly then."

It was unfortunate. The last couple of months hadn't been the easiest for Kakashi, especially since he couldn't do anything to the sources of his negative feelings. The taunting, the snide comments, and the constant ridicule. . . He just needed a few moments to let go and recompose.

"Umph!"

"Oomph!"

"Gawwwkkk"

Scarlet essence was spat about, contrasting against the pearl white snow.

Every breath through his lungs was a torrent of razor blades that caused Rōga to expel more bile and blood. His bones had been shattered and pain ran through him more so than his ichor. This furious beatdown was unlike anything the snow ninja had ever experienced, and the frigid winds only made it worse. His knees bent against his will but he managed to block Kakashi's next punch with his right forearm only for the Konoha shinobi to deliver a jaw-shattering uppercut.

"Gurgh!"

Rōga was sent sailing for a short time.

Unfortunately, his opponent wasn't finished for a quick pull and some maneuvering had the man experiencing a new world of hurt. His face was slammed into the frigid floor, rocking what little vision he had left. The searing agony eclipsed all other sensations, even that of his opponent grabbing him in a head hold.

"I take no pleasure in taking you down. None. It's just necessary."

Kakashi tightened his grip around Rōga's neck, but the man was suffering too much trauma to do anything about it. He barely had the strength to grab Kakashi's arm.

*KWRICK!*

A soft thud could be heard after the bone-cracking echo as Rōga's lifeless form slumped in the snow. A swift twist displaced bones and splattered blood, leaving only Kakashi to view his handiwork. He didn't think anyone could recognize the mangled man as if he was another amongst the other casualties.

"*Sigh* I guess I was wrong. . ."

His thoughts were clear, and his movements were light.

Kakashi felt better than before he had fought. He took one more look before turning to catch up with his team.

Mansion Dungeon

"What's going on outside!?"

The princess began to panic as the building began to violently tremble.

"That would be the knight I was talking about, princess. More of my friends should be along soon."

"Hey! What's going on?!"

One of the guards asked as several flooded into the dungeon.

"The prisoner's escaped his shackles! Help me retrain the brat!"

They surrounded the king's cell as one of the guards went to open his cell.

*Grrrrrr*

The click-clack of something sharp could be heard from down one of the hallways.

A wolf appeared as its muzzle curled back to expose pearl-white fangs. Ears shoved forward, tail held high. Shadowy black fur waved back and forth as if it had a mind of its own.

Its piercing red eyes darted around, sizing up its prey.

"What the fuck is going on? Someone go handle that."

The guard fumbling with the keys to the cell called out. Another guard carefully approached the wolf. A quick snap of its jaw struck a chord of fear in the shinobi as he fumbled back.

Its moves were that of nature itself as a strong breeze blew in and the beast took off with it nearly vanishing. As the wind blew by the man's brow, a snap rang deep in his head. The predator tore through his jugular, creating a fountain of such beauty and misery.

It walked over to the freshly made corpse and sniffed it curiously.

*Oooooooooooooooowhoo*

Its hideous howl ripped through the dungeon and the resolve of all before it. The corpse beside it adopted a glow reminiscent of the wolf's fur. Aura danced around the body before growing and forming an identical wolf.

*Oooooooooooooooowhoo*

*Oooooooooooooooowhoo*

"Princess, what's about to happen isn't for the faint of heart. If you'd like you can look away and I'll let you know when it's over."

Despite his words, Koyuki's vision remained soley on the events to unfold.

The beasts took off in tandem to began the bloodiest ballet she had ever witnessed.

Bites lead to blood and bones, but what truly surprised her was all the sights and sounds that came with strength. Every effort from the guards was useless as the beasts dominated and grew in number with each new corpse. The princess could practically taste the bloodlust as they continued frantically killing until their surroundings were littered with carnage, suits, and destruction.

"Truly beautiful. . . We'll call this one 'Initiation'."

The Lord commented on the scene left before them. Koyuki was dazed in her thoughts, but she saw them.

The wolf pack bowed before his majesty.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, my lord."

"No need to worry at all. You've all done such a wonderful job!"

The princess watched as four identically dressed individuals stepped over the carnage to greet their king.

Two more of the newcomers, one of which had a large box on their back approached her cell and opened it, gesturing for her to exit.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess. We are a part of our grace's elite task force and are here by his orders. Please come, our Lord has instructed us to bring you some refreshments and more to satisfy your royal pallet."

It was a female's voice she heard even though all she could make out was red piercing pupils staring back at her.

The other individual put down the box and opened it, revealing it to be a massive multilayered bento box with a smorgasbord of delicacies. There were even cups and several beverage choices.

"We hope that these are to your liking, princess. If there is something you'd rather that isn't here, please let us know and we will fetch it for you."

The other individual was a male with somewhat of a deep voice.

"Yes, princess. Please enjoy as much as you'd like. I know this might not be the ideal setting for a meal, but I'm sure you're famished."

Naruto called from the other side of the room as he handed one of them the strange device that he was struck with earlier.

She realized as she looked around that they were never in any danger. Whether it was due to the backup he had or the power he possessed, she knew the young monarch was never concerned. When he offered her his help, it wasn't because he believed, it was because he already knew that it was a problem within his power to fix.

"You've all done such an amazing job! You've served your realm and ruler remarkably!"

"Thank you, your majesty!"

"We live to serve you, your grace!"

The elation in their voice was a clear indication of how much weight his word held.

"And I live to serve you all. After all, an emperor is nothing without his empire."

The words this king spoke made swords redundant.

He was a true keeper of the realm, one who is fair and shows equal love to all, and equal emotional indifference to all. The greatness of the king came from the way he loved. Naruto showed her he was a monarch who truly listened, with his heart and soul as well as the ears and eyes.

He saw the whole person in a way that others refused to as if he alone was somewhere calm while the rest could only attempt to see in the haze. The most vexed of souls would become tranquil and those from places far away would seek his company and counsel.

She saw so much in just a moment as she continued to gaze upon him.

Koyuki felt she had been empty for so long. She had felt that many had been like her, desperate to fill the aching void within, yet it was as if the warmth he exuded was enough. That's what she wanted to be for her people. She wanted to be able to keep them safe and satisfied with strength. She wanted to be like the ruler she recognized.

"Naruto-sama. . . Please help me take my home back. Help me take my throne back!"

She approached him with no fear or hesitation, regardless of the carnage surrounding her or the pack of wolves responsible for it all.

"Of course, princess! There was never any question about that."

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Koyuki did her best to hold back her tears.

"No need to thank me, princess. I told you I'm more than happy to help. Your people need you and I owe your uncle for his earlier treatment of me. Besides, I'd love for Snow to join our family. This nation embodies the core values of the Uzumaki empire!"

That welcoming smile had worked its charm for somehow it snuck its way right into her heart.

"Of course, Naruto-sama! I want to gain the power to make sure my people never have to go through this again. I'll gladly join your empire if it means gaining that strength."

"Perfect. . . Then let's go handle your uncle and lead this country and its people to a new age of prosperity. It's time for the people to be warm once again!"

"Well said, your grace!"

"Yes! Our lord is truly magnificent!"

It was hard for the blonde to keep a stoic demeanor with his gallery's somewhat embarrassing praise.

"*Ahem* Alright, the princess and I will be going to confront the fool occupying the throne. You all know your mission, correct?"

"Of course, my lord! We will carry out your will to the letter."

"Perfect, I leave things in your capable hands. Oh Ruwa, this ability of yours is quite impressive."

The boy praised his subordinate as he petted one of the wolves, with it nuzzling close to him in response.

"Thank you for your praise, my lord. Ever since I discovered it, I've trained relentlessly to get it to this point."

"Wait, all these wolves are some kind of ninja technique?"

The princess inquired.

"Yes and no. It's a unique ability one can obtain through a special type of training the Uzumaki empire offers. Once this ordeal is over, you and your men will be undergoing said training. If you make it through, you'll have the power you need to protect those you care about."

"It is as our lord says. This ability of mine is referred to as The Wolves. It allows me to create one of these hounds that will hunt and kill any target I give it. Once dead another hound can be made of what remains of its victims. This is only one of the abilities our devoted followers have obtained for the sake of our emperor and our empire."

This was the might only one of his people possessed and five other enigmas were surrounding him. He was a paradox, but she didn't care.

"That's amazing. . ."

This was the might behind him. Naruto was what she wanted to be for her people, so where else to learn but from the master.

"Perfect Lady Koyuki. You and I will be reclaiming your land."

He strode over to the princess, draping her in his coat.

"Wouldn't it be better for them to come with us?"

"They have a mission of their own to take care of. Dotō isn't the only problem here."

There was a lot of dirty work to be done, and they were the best to do it. Once he had finished with his sentence, the Umi members took their leaves in a thin puff of smoke. Even the pack of wolves vanished with them.

"Then, shall we, my lady?"

She accepted the invitation the moment it was extended. His embrace was cozy, his hold strong and snug. Adorning his visors, Naruto whisked the princess off her feet. His boots screamed to life as they took off into the air towards the nearest exit.

They zipped and zoomed through narrow hallways and high ceilings before flying into the biggest room they had come across. Within the darkness of the room, they could make out the form of Koyuki's unsavory uncle seated on a throne.

"You must be embarrassed sitting on a throne when you are so unfit, filth."

Naruto spat out at the fraud, and he landed with the princess.

"The only embarrassment I've suffered is the one from not exterminating all of you troublesome pests, but now I have a chance to fix that."

The tyrant rose from the throne and tossed aside his robe to reveal his own set of black-colored chakra armor.

"You've taken much from the people of this land and it's time for you to pay!"

Koyuki's rage was front and center. She had a duty to her people and she would see it through.

"Now that you have a bit of help you've become quite the bold wench, haven't you?"

"Go ahead and hurl as many insults as you want. You will pay! For this land! For my father!"

"It's as I said before, you are unfit to hold a throne. You're nothing more than a greedy little monster. If you're not too much of a coward as well, I'd love to see how you'd fare against an opponent you haven't tricked or ambushed."

The young man started to stretch, getting ready to dole out this man's well-deserved punishment.

"This land, it's people and that pathetic brother of mine. . . They were all steppingstones to obtaining what's rightfully mine. Now that I know all I need is the crystal, you and your mouthy monkey can die here!"

Suddenly the ceiling erupted, sending down an avalanche of debris atop their heads, but a dome of chains swiftly formed around them while a cable descended, pulling Dotō to safety.

"Are you alright, princess?"

The young lord asked as his chains cleared the debris around them.

"Yes, thank you so much Naruto-sama. If it wasn't for your chains, we might've died. Is that your ability?"

"Mhm. . . They've protected me for longer than I can remember. They are the chains that hold me together, and I can't wait to show you what they can do once I get my hands on that cowardly uncle of yours. Do you have any idea where he's going?"

Naruto asked as he could see Dotō's armor sprout wings as he glided away.

"He's going to "beyond the rainbow". A special valley deep in the forest where rainbows can be seen. My father used to take me there all the time, saying that it held one of the true beauties. That must be where the treasure is."

"I wouldn't worry about it, boy. You'll be dead soon. . ."

The voice came from above them as Fubuki could be seen floating overhead while Mizore was sitting on the edge of a broken wall.

"More pointless threats. . . Honestly, I'm starting to lose my patience."

The air thinned as its weight increased.

With a crack of his knuckle so did the structures surrounding them. He was about to go on the offensive if it wasn't for the series of kunai-tipped wires flying through the air and wrapping around the female shinobi and yanking her to the ground.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Naruto-sama."

Sasuke and Sakura arrived on the scene with the latter being responsible for grounding the airborne kunoichi.

"You didn't Sasuke. Unfortunately, we must take our leave. That snake ran before I was able to handle him. I'll leave this to your capable hands."

Naruto had once again grabbed onto the princess and took to the skies.

"I'm here too, you know!"

How it frustrated her when they appeared to go out of their way to ignore them.

"You little bitch! Mizore, go after the other brat!"

Fubuki rose from the debris she was slammed into with her wings mangled.

"Yea yea, I'm on it!"

The large grunt leaped from his perch and landed on his board before shredding down the mountainside.

"Haruno, I'll be going to make sure the other one doesn't get in the king's way. I'll leave you to deal with her. Catch up with us when you're done, and Haruno?"

"Yea. . . Sasuke?"

She waited on the battered breath for what the knight was going to say next.

"Don't lose."

"Of course, Sasuke-Kun!"

Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe he was the knight in shining armor Sakura always envisioned him to be.

"Good. . . It would reflect badly on the king."

That was all he said before he vanished.

"Of course. . . All for his stupid king."

Sakura felt idiotic, thinking that for a moment she had been recognized as more than just the filler member of this team.

"Now it's just you and me, girly. You fucked up my wings so now I'm going to do the same to you stupid little face!"

The snow kunoichi was upon Sakura in mere moments, slashing and hacking away with a kunai in hand.

"We'll see about that!"

Sakura was handling herself well, blocking and deflecting with a kunai of her own.

Sakura found herself grateful for the grueling training she had received from her sensei. There were many times the pinkette wanted to throw in the towel, but seeing how she fared against her opponent, how easily she could predict and deal with her maneuvers made her see the point of it all. Despite never being a dancer, Sakura pirouetted left and right, finessing Fubuki more as their exchange continued.

"I'm not just some girl!"

Sakura was able to land a chakra-enhanced left hook on her opponent, sending the kunoichi tumbling a distance away.

"You little bitch! Die! Ice Style: Tsubame Blizzard!"

From the heavens above, a barrage of swallow-shaped ice rained down.

A quick roll out of the way saved Sakura from being skewered by the swallow storm.

"What should I do? That stupid barrier makes it so I can't damage her directly and I don't have anything sharp or strong enough to pierce it. . . But maybe I can push it to its limits!"

The Konoha kunoichi turned to make her move when a downpour of swallows fell upon her, kicking up a sizable dust cloud.

"I guess I shouldn't have expected anything more from-"

The sounds of projectiles bouncing off her barrier behind her caught Fubuki's attention.

"Should've known. . . Cockroaches are annoying to kill."

She turned to see the genin armed to the teeth with Kunai. Each one with a small pink bag at the end.

Off the pinkette went, circling her opponent and pelting her with kunai after kunai, but to no avail. The barrier knocked away every dagger that came into its vicinity, popping the bags at the end and causing a flurry of confetti to rain down on Fubuki.

"I don't know what you're up to, but I don't appreciate being covered in garbage!"

Sick of the games, Fubuki decided to give the girl a taste of her own medicine.

The snow kunoichi pulled out kunai of her own, customized with a blue orb accessory at their ends.

This began the game and cat and mouse as the two bounced all over the demolished throne room, trying to tag the other. Massive ice spikes emerged from all collision points of Fubuki's projectiles, while Sakura's continued to litter shredded pieces of paper everywhere but mostly on her opponent. Fubuki was practically covered in the stuff by now, with patches of her armor coming through here and there.

"I'M SICK OF THIS!"

Fubuki threw every last bit of her ammunition in an attempt to finish off the pesky pinkette. Ice exploded relentlessly like a rapidly growing tree, tearing through what was left of the room.

Fubuki watched with anticipation as she saw the genin frantically weave out of the way of the ever-expanding ice branches, until. . .

"GAWWK!"

The cry of agony was music to Fubuki's ears. She observed gleefully from the surface as Sakura's lifeless body laid skewered in the highest branches of the ice structure.

"Little bitch. Got what she-ARGH!"

Fubuki felt a crushing pain in both her legs, so much so that she could barely remain standing.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not that weak. I can't afford to be with teammates like mine. . ."

Sakura's voice could be heard from a distance as some large chunks of debris began to move. She emerged from the rubble unscathed besides being covered in dirt.

"You. . . I thought I killed you!"

"It was a clone that took the attack. I'm starting to see the appeal of them. Letting someone else take all the damage sounds good to me."

It was then that the skewered Sakura crumbled into chunks of dirt.

"As for what's holding you. That would be my earth golems."

Out from the ground popped out two golems no bigger than knee height.

The strange thing was that they were covered in small pieces of paper, the same as Fubuki.

"I took a bit of doing and a good deal of chakra, but I was able to set my trap. You're covered in tiny explosive tags. So are the golems. Oh, wait!"

Sakura made a hand sign and three more mini-golems popped out from different locations in the room. They then ran over and jumped on the snow kunoichi, with one latching on each of her arms and the last jumping on her back.

"You think this will be enough!? My chakra armor will keep me safe and then I will kill you!"

Fubuki tried her best to be intimidating, alas it was for not as her kneeling form made Sakura feel on top of the world.

"I do. . . Bye bye now!"

Drawing a kunai with a full-sized paper tag, Sakura set it alight and tossed it before her foe. She then flashed through some hand signs before slamming her palms on the ground.

"Stop! STOP!"

Fubuki cried out as a dome began to form around her. Her fear mounting as she couldn't move, the dome continued closing and with the fuse of the tag growing ever shorter she wasn't too confident of her chances.

*DOOOOOOOOM*

The ground cracked and crumbled under the force of the explosion. It was even enough to send a spiderweb of cracks throughout the entire dome.

"*Sigh* That should be it. . ."

Sakura opted out of dropping the dome. She'd seen enough carnage for one day.

Instead, she waited a couple of minutes to see if there'd be any movement. When there wasn't she took off to regroup with her team.

With Sasuke

*VREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW*

Soaring above the troubles of the land, an owl flies free, eyes trained on the path ahead.

The soft gust of wind brushing against his face, the tranquil splendor in its infinite expanse. It was once the source of great anxiety and fear. It reminded him of his weakness, and its return every night began cementing the notion that he would always be weak.

It wasn't until his time in the Forest of Silence that his opinion would change. The sky was locked in an eternal veil of darkness, and the sound was near non-existent. To survive one must grow stronger. One must grow accustomed, and so the young owlet did, to the point where it became where he felt the safest. Flying through the night sky proud and free, that was the right his trials have earned him.

Now, Sasuke was headed in the direction of his lord.

He decided to give his boots a try, channeling his flame chakra while the intricate matrices focused it into boosters. Though he favored stealthier movements, Sasuke was having a great deal of fun jetting through the air.

"What the hell's that sound!?"

Mizore was shredding through the forest when he heard a loud roar above him.

"It's that bastard who cut my face! I'll skin the kid alive!"

Mizore aimed and fired his grappling hand from the gauntlet.

As it neared, a quick draw and flourish of the knight's blade severed the wire from the gauntlet yet again.

"They never learn. . . You'd think that after what happened on the glacier would be a clear indication that you are outmatched."

The black hair boy quickly descended, landing in front of the large man.

"You're just like that other brat, huh? He was an arrogant little shit too before we kicked the shit out of him. He kept that annoying mouth quiet after."

"Yet he appeared completely unscathed not too long ago when we saw him last. I was right when I assumed you were nothing to worry about."

This further aggravated the large man.

"Though, for the crime of laying your disgusting hands on his majesty, I'm afraid I can't allow you to live."

His delivery was gold and sharp with a stare to match.

"I'll show you! I'll cleave your sorry ass in half!"

Mizore tossed his gauntlet aside and kicked up his snowboard.

A pulse of chakra could be felt as the board straightened out and split in half with the former foot mounts now becoming the handles for two long purple blades with a red-accented design going around its frame.

"Then when I'm done with you, I'll dice your boyfriend up into chunks!"

"Don't make me laugh, oaf. You're one of the farthest things from a swordsman there can be."

"Shut your damn mouth!"

Mizore stampeded forward, swinging his makeshift blades wildly.

"You've no finesse. . ."

A twist from the boy led to a large tree coming down.

"No control. . ."

A sidestep left both blades lodged in a large boulder.

The frustration on the grunts' face became prominent, Mizore resembled a rampaging bear more and more.

"And certainly no patience."

The kick to the gut was more akin to an explosion, one powerful enough to unlodge Mizore's swords and send him and all his luggage careening into an evergreen.

"You might have a weapon, but you are not a predator."

Getting his bearings, Mizore scanned the area around him to find his opponent had disappeared.

"Ah!"

A sharp sting to his neck led to the snow shinobi striking more trees and shrubbery.

"A predator doesn't need to be bigger than its prey. . ."

"QUIT YOUR DAMN GAMES!"

Mizore was back on his feet, eyes circling to find where the boy was hiding.

"To knock it down."

He moved if clad in the night itself.

"AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!"

Down into the snow went the brute.

He found it the only relief for the searing and agonizing pain he felt that now devoured his leg. Putting weight on it made him wish it had been severed.

"A predator doesn't have to be stronger either."

The only sound that could be heard was the sizzling of the skin on Mizore's upper left arm. A horizontal gash blistered as his arm fell limp, the vestiges of his sleeve melding together with the flesh.

"That one shouldn't hurt as much. I hound the king for his nasty habits, but I'm guilty of playing with my prey far more than I should on occasion."

The voice echoed through the land, while the snow helped muffle Mizore's cries.

"Are you in too much pain to continue, or are you too afraid?"

Honestly, it was a combination of both that forced Mizore on his foot. Hopping and thumping about, he tried frantically to flee for safety.

"Do you remember what I told you last we met, prey?"

His one good leg was no more as the brute found both his lower extremities to feel like they were engulfed in the hottest of flames. His pain was so much so his vision felt like it was bouncing all over.

"PLEASE! PLEASE! SPARE ME! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

"That answers my first question. The answer to the second is that with my Mugen, I'd take your head."

The man looked up to see Sasuke adorning an indigo cloak flowing in the frigid breeze, though seeing it was the only way to know it was there. It made no zero sounds. In his right hand, the blade waited to fulfill its master's promise, eagerly burning a bright azure.

"I've worked very hard on these techniques, you know. This shroud that encompasses me, it's a veil of darkness that keeps me safe . . . That is what I've become, the dark all see but ignore. Though all I encompass I'll protect absolutely. And the blade is. . . Well if I'm being honest, I wasn't that into the knight thing from the beginning. Now, I can't see myself being anything else. . . That being said, a great knight needs a partner to match. A blade that can cut down all that in my path."

The culmination of his time in the dark and the meanings it held helped give birth to his Hatsu, Night's Shroud. The skill took the form of a mist that helped dampen noise and conceal his presence, but with dedication and diligence, Sasuke realized its applications were infinite.

While the sharp talons of his avian companions and the lore of the knight inspired him further to master the sword. His king blessed Sasuke with an heirloom of his family. A blade rumored to be able to cut anything as long as its wielder believed it could. He felt the only name appropriate for it was Mugen (Infinite) for that was his lord's faith in him and the potential he held as a knight.

He pushed his unique skill, his sword ability, and anything else in his arsenal to whatever limit at the time before shattering it to stride forward, his sword's transformation being an example of that. The result of his experimentation with mixing his fire and lightning chakra nature, and adding as much wind chakra he could control he discovered the Kekkei Tōta of Plasma style.

For now, he could only apply it through a medium, but the power this added to his blade was truly terrifying.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS! PLEASE!"

Was the pain intensifying the fear, or was the fear fueling the searing flames that burned away at him internally? Whatever it was Mizore did his best not to let it take his sanity like it had his dignity.

"That's where you're wrong. . . I told you multiple times. I couldn't let you live after your crimes and this sword will take your head. A knight's word is absolute, like their resolve."

Sasuke kicked Mizore, lifting him off the ground a few feet over the boy.

"Plus, Kuīnsairento will be upset if she catches me playing with my food."

Sasuke's form remained still, but one could see a faint blue strike run vertically through Mizore's neck to the ground.

His world began to twist and roll, the edges of darkness edging ever closer to his overall vision. He tried his best to fight, though he felt he couldn't force his eyes open. Mizore didn't feel anything anymore. No more fear or pain, just tired as he let the darkness win.

*THUD*

It was loud enough to echo somewhat.

Laying before him were the cauterized pieces of his opponent.

"This is Knight One calling for two agents to meet me at my location immediately. I have a promising sample to bring back."

With Finesse, control, and patience Sasuke had finished off Mizore while keeping the core of his suit intact to bring back with them. He was a knight of the empire, and all he did was for its sake.

With Naruto

"I hope you're not too cold, Lady Koyuki."

"I'm doing fine, but how are you alright without your coat?"

She was perplexed at how Naruto was able to soar through the air in just a navy blue shirt, his orange abdomen armor, and baggy Hakama pants. Even more so on how someone his age had developed such defined muscles.

"There's no need to worry about me. . . One could say I've been blessed with an internal warmth. Even at the worst times, the cold isn't something I'm concerned with."

"Is he sharing that warmth? Is this what you meant father?"

Koyuki knew what she was headed towards, yet she found herself unencumbered by many of her earlier fears and doubts. Her people stood by her just like her father always said they would, and now they had a beacon of hope in Naruto and his comrades.

"Wait, Naruto-sama your friends that saved us from the dungeons referred to you by your title yet Kakashi and the girl don't. Why's that?"

"Well let's say my relationship with my village is complicated. Unlike you, my kingdom was taken long before my birth. I happened to be born in an unfortunate place and given a role to play there. One that they projected their fears on. Those with the power have done nothing, but ultimately it worked in my favor. If they hadn't been so negligent I wouldn't have gotten away with nearly half of what I've done."

Even the winds seemed to bend at the words of the king for she heard him crystal clear. This boy had put his life on the line for her in a moment, yet his own home treated him like a pariah.

"Disgusting. . . Like something uncle would do."

"We're gonna build an empire behind the world's back. . . And then take the entire thing from under their noses. But before that, I'll make a home for the oddities, the enigmas, and the paradoxes of the world. I'll be the king of monsters!"

Who knew one could shine so bright, even at night?

Perhaps this is what he meant by monster. . . What normal human was capable of these feats?

"Hehehe, That sounds fun! My life was pretty bland even as an actress and even more so as a person. Maybe I'll enjoy life as a monster!"

"You became one the moment you agreed to my help!"

"HUH? Is this what it means to make a deal with the devil?"

"Trust me princess, it's the deal of a lifetime!"

The two then shared a heartwarming laugh.

Maybe too heartwarming as the temperature appeared to increase quite a bit.

"Something's different. . . A bunch of the snow here has melted even though this place is mostly ice."

The princess's memory of the valley where the giant mirror lied was of it holding some of the nicest and most solid natural ice formations in the land yet it looked like someone turned up the heat. Small patches of grass and running streams could be seen and heard, though they couldn't drown out the screams of a certain tyrant.

"HEAT GENERATORS?! IS THIS THE SO-CALLED KAZAHANA'S TREASURE?!"

"This serves you right, you know!?"

Dotō's face contorted into a look of pure irritation as he watched them fall from the sky for the second time today.

"HAHA, I agree! This has got to be one of the most karmic events I've witnessed so far. You went out of your way and committed all these atrocities, just to learn that this entire time your brother had beaten you and accomplished his dream at the same time. With these generators, Lady Koyuki will do what her father wished and melt the snow!"

"I'M SICK OF YOU BOY! You and that damn bitch niece of mine. . . YOU'VE BOTH AWAKENED A BEAST THAT WILL DEVOUR YOU WHOLE!"

The man flexed his chakra as a show of strength but found himself even more pissed to see neither of them reacted to him.

"Lady Koyuki, this clone will watch over you while I handle this. . . But before he takes you away I want to show you and that pathetic beast over there. . . What a monster really looks like!"

Pressure.

It held the man in place to watch his opponent.

It was more than weight, there was power behind it as if it was the tightest grip.

"King's Guard: Asura!"

*SCRRRRREEEEEEEEEE*

They cried out as his onyx chains spewed from his back, twisting and turning into each other while from the top part of his shoulder, chains slithered down, wrapping all over his arms. The icy surface cracked as the chains did, but with a few passing moments, they assumed their mighty form.

Including his own, the king now stood with four mechanical-looking arms with two on his upper back and two on his lower. Their obsidian sheen resembled the night sky itself.

"Are you scared yet?"

The clone grabbed the princess and moved a safe distance, as she was still stunned. This was unlike anything she had ever witnessed.

"Your little tricks won't work on me boy! My chakra armor is second to none. Your pathetic arms won't hurt me."

Dotō puffed his chest in jest, but if he was being honest just the sight of the arms were setting off an internal alarm.

"Good. . . It would've been boring otherwise. Though, you do have a point, jester. I wonder whose armor is better though, yours. . . Or mine!"

The upper and lower sets of hands started going through hand signs completely foreign to the man, so he responded with a set of his own.

"Ice Style: Black Dragon Blizzard!"

From a furious thrust of his fist, Dotō summoned a black ether-like dragon with red fangs that went hurling towards the boy.

The beast collided with passionate winds that surrounded Naruto while a second torrent of gusts started to encircle the area around the valley, just outside the massive mirrors.

"WIND STYLE: WIND LORD'S GREAT GARB!"

The wind blew and dispersed the dragon to reveal Naruto garbed in the pride and joy of his ninjutsu training.

It was a high-speed gale that continuously revolved around him, fitting Naruto like a living suit of armor. The only thing to make out through the veil was a dark silhouette with brilliant empty eyes. Freezing winds blew past the man's resolve as the four armed wind monstrosity began maniacally laughing.

If it wasn't for the chakra barrier, the tyrant would've been pelted by the chunks of ice sent flying everywhere.

"I hope you're ready, Dotō. I'm going to show you the power of a true. . . KING!"

Before Dotō could process, he was launched skyward by a devastating uppercut.

The tearing force of his fist was even to shred some of the man's face.

He composed himself with his best effort, then Dotō released his gliders to try and gain the aerial advantage. He found himself kept afloat by the upward draft the twister surrounding them created.

"There's no running, usurper. I'm going to break you apart!"

His threat rode the winds right to Dotō's ears before Naruto rocketed towards him.

"MONSTER! I'LL KILL YOU! TWIN DRAGON BLIZZARD!"

Ice dragons roared to life as soon slammed into the boy pushing him back to the ground.

"Naruto-sama!"

"Lady Koyuki, I assure you there's nothing to worry about. His majesty won't be done in that easily. So please watch, for this is the strength of the empire."

She turned back to the action as a loud cry ripped through the area.

"Asura: Hailstorm!"

His arms blurred from existence and a series of explosions went off, yet there were no flames. They were produced by the volley of condensed air pockets being fired from his fists.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

The barrage easily dealt with the dragons and sent the man flying as it collided with his armor's barrier.

"What the hell kind of creature did Koyuki bring with her!?"

He wasn't allowed time to recover as his opponent vanished from view.

"Beast Wave Gale Palm."

Behind him Dotō heard the eerie bellow.

On instinct, he hit the centerpiece of his armor, a defense mechanism that increased the power of the chakra barrier by tenfold. It may have been his saving grace for all he recalled was the collision to the ground, and his vision being sent for a ride of its own.

It took the man a few moments to get his vision back. He looked up to see that Naruto's right middle arm had tendrils of its wind armor extending up towards his hand, forming a massive demonic-like claw.

"The barrier was strong enough to block the gale palm? That's quite impressive. Then let's try Beast Wave Palm!"

With a swing of his arm, the claw morphed into a slicing wave of wind chakra that raced down, clashing with the barrier, but it held firm.

"You're going to have to have to attack if you plan on keeping this interesting, usurper!"

"I am the great Dotō Kazahana! You are some mere child who knows nothing. So what that treasure was a generator?! I'll tear it down and sell the parts, then I'll do the same with this damn country and make my own treasure!"

The barrier kept him safe to perform his last-ditch effort. The guard was strong but costly when it came to chakra, so if he wanted to kill the boy he would have to pull out all the stops.

"Ice Style: Arctic Golem!"

Snow shifted and ice merged, making its way to and swallowing Dotō whole.

It then grew into a monstrous giant roughly chiseled from the land's arctic features. It stood over ten feet tall, a hulking behemoth with ice shards to act like claws.

"You make me sick. . . After all the sacrifices, after seeing how far everyone, especially your brother, would go for their brethren! Yet you continue to desecrate everything they stand for. . . So, I'm going to make it so you never stand again!"

It was utter madness.

Koyuki thought she had been whisked away to a different world.

One where fantasy was reality and monsters roamed free for she was dropped in between a clash of titans. The atmosphere was in a chaotic state as winds whipped and snow flurried each time their fists met.

"Good! Keep up your guard! Throw your punches! Try your best and fall before the king! Burst Wind!"

Naruto blurred in and out of existence like the winds themselves. Each exit evaded an ice behemoth's strike while each reentry followed up with a powerful blow in the creature.

Faster.

Stronger.

The blows turned into a fullout onslaught.

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

Shards of ice erupted from the ice golem's body, firing off in all directions.

"Was that your best? If so then this won't last for very long."

The extremities dealt with the ice projects with little each, chopping through them like a fine blade. Dotō knew his opponent was correct...he wasn't going to last long, his chakra reaching its limits.

"Ice Prison Jutsu!"

The beast's mouth roared out as its hand pierced the frozen floor sending glacial spikes after Naruto.

"Impact Wind!"

All broke and shattered under the massive pressure and power he produced when he propelled into the beast.

Ice shards, snow, and frigid waters scattered everywhere as they rocketed into the wind wall.

"Can I tell you something, Dotō?"

The wall behind him was shredding through the golems' defenses, and without the chakra to fuel his barrier, it would soon do the same with him.

"I've spent far more chakra than was necessary to take you out. . . I thought putting on a fancy little show would help the cause along. I have to thank you actually. . . "

The whipping winds of the wall picked them up and took them for a ride as Naruto kept forcing the golem against it.

"Such a beautiful and prosperous nation with such amazing advancements would've been fine if left alone. . . There would've been no need for them to form any alliances, especially with my empire. Powerful as we might be, we wouldn't have had much to offer them if they were allowed to grow unhindered."

What was he on about? Dotō's head was spinning in more ways than one.

Back and forth, round and round as they neared the top of the twister. Only small vestiges of the golem armor remained with the man focusing on what he had left to defend against the wind monstrosity pinning him to the gale-force wall.

"And the damage you caused to the princess. . . You broke her. But I'll be able to rebuild her and this land in my image. Though I find it somewhat ironic. You spent all this time looking for a treasure when your land was filled with it. . . I mean the scientific minds alone could have made you a force to be reckoned with. . . *Sigh* Oh well, I guess one man's trash truly is another man's treasure. Now play along for a little while longer and watch me devour it all."

As they neared the apex of the twister they were flung into the sky at high speeds while the sun rose over the horizon.

"NARUTO-SAMA!"

She couldn't make them out that well, but she could feel him.

Even that far away, even with the winds whipping wildly, Koyuki felt his presence upon his like the sun's ray shining down.

The king opened his right palm as a small luminescent sky blue orb started to form, then the other two arms on his right cupped around the orb.

"I WILL BELIEVE IN YOU!"

The gale garb began to diminish, seemingly merging with the orb and changing its appearance. It now had four small fin-like features revolving around it and emitted a high-pitched whistle.

"You see Dotō. . . With this I'll be one step closer to my dream, so will you be so kind as to perish?"

If the wicked grin on the boy's face wasn't enough to shake the man's core, the orb was.

Its whistle was more like an alarm sounding off and Dotō wished he could flee for safety, but he could hardly move as they began to descend back to earth.

"YOU ARE THE GREATEST KING I'VE EVER KNOWN!"

Tears streamed down the princess's as she watched on.

"Of course I am!"

The barrier crumbled under the devastating might of the king's attack.

"Wind Style: Rasengan!"

Violent screams were heard the entire time as Dotō was sent spiraling down, being torn apart by the miniature twister the orb produced.

*KRAKKRAKKRAKKRAKKRAK*

*DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

It was as if the land itself had been freed. The early morning sunlight gave way to the first strong rays of the day, the ones that brought true warmth. The land shifted to commemorate the new day and its new freedom.

The spring washed in like a tide, flowing confidently with warmth and sunshine throughout the area. New vibrant hues of the various flowers were bathed in a cool air that encouraged them gently. Chaotic streams flowed while precarious mountainsides began canvases for nature's tapestries.

The Snow had transitioned to a state of spring-like bliss the moment this captor slammed into the ground.

"Naruto-sama! Naruto-sama!"

She ran as fast as she could to him as she watched Naruto land near the man. Naruto's clone faded once she was within a safe distance of the boy.

"Hello, Lady Koyuki. I hope you enjoyed the show."

The embrace was the tightest she had ever delivered.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"K-Koy-Koyuki. . ."

"It seems it's still too early to thank me."

Dotō laid there, armor and body shattered.

"I can't believe it. . ."

She broke the hug and turned to see her broken uncle.

How it filled her with such satisfaction.

"That armor is quite impressive. . . "

It was, but Naruto had eased up on his final attack by a lot with hopes the man would be able to survive.

"Princess. . . I believe it's best if you finish him off."

"What!? I've. . . I've never done anything like that!"

She was becoming overwrought though Naruto offered his hand to her.

"You are a monster now, as well as a queen. Despite how terrifying this might be, you have a duty to your people. It's your responsibility to vanquish all dangers to them."

As she took his hand, the young lord pulled her in close to him.

Naruto unzipped his coat on her a bit and reached in, causing the princess's face to adopt quite the crimson hue.

"And if it matters. . . I believe in you."

Koyuki felt emboldened like never before.

Whether it was his welcoming smile or hearing those words come from his lips, she could not say.

How did he do all this? How did he melt the shell around her heart? How was he able to see through the frigid exterior of the ice queen?

"Thank you. . . Naruto-sama. . . Thank you . . ."

Naruto pulled out a scroll. From it, he summoned a cleaver with a black handle.

"No need to thank me, my lady. This is the result of your strength and your decisions. You made the right choice for you people. Now, take your rightful place as queen of this land!"

The princess grabbed it with conviction.

She took a few steps before kneeling to the broken man.

"You've done so much wrong for so long, Uncle. . ."

Her blood rushed, fueling her body's explosive movements as her arm shot sky-high.

"K-Koyuki n-no!"

Not a fiber of his being responded to him besides his mouth, and even then Dotō could only gargle words to the surface.

He feared for his life, yes, but that fiendish silhouette that loomed over his niece, with its sinister smirk. This boy...This monster...it had to have been a messenger from the deepest depths of the underworld, here to greet him for the rest of his existence. Fear like this...it could make a sinner wish with all their might they were a saint.

"I told you, didn't I? That I would be the one to make you pay!"

Heat surged through her being as she brought the cleaver down.

A splash of something hit her cheek.

It was warm.

Warmer than what she'd expected.

"You did an amazing job, Queen. Now, we will have an audience soon and we have to prepare a little."

As if heading a call, an audience flocked to the valley.

Citizens of the land and foreigners gathered to see the aftermath of a devastating bout, but around them was a paradoxical sight. They had taken a step and crossed into a new land, one filled with warmth and sunshine.

"What happened here?"

Where's Princess Koyuki?"

She couldn't make out much of what they said from atop one of the heat generators, but she saw the crowd.

It reminded her of the past. How they would gather in front of the castle to hear the words of her father.

Her father was an artisan with words and while she could act, Koyuki didn't know if she would be able to reach them as their king did. She turned to the only person she could at the moment.

"It's your turn, Queen Koyuki. . . You know what your people need. Speak your words and know that I'll be here to help your words reach them."

Yes. He had done so much for her.

He had helped heal her, if only a small amount. And with that, should could beging to heal her land.

"It will be alright! I'll get strong for my people. . . I'll get strong to stand beside him when he needs me. I'll be there for them. I'll always be there for. . ."

Koyuki understood her father's words.

"MY PEOPLE!"

The voice of a ruler rode the airwaves, reaching the ears of all.

"Princess. . ?"

The old knight looked up with the rest following suit to see their heiress and her guardian.

"FOR TOO LONG YOU HAVE HAD TO SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF A GREEDY USURPER WHO STOLE TEN YEARS OF YOUR LIVES FROM YOU! BUT FRET NO LONGER FOR I, WITH THE HELP OF LORD NARUTO UZUMAKI, HAVE SLAIN THE TREACHEROUS DOG, DOTŌ KAZAHANA!"

Koyuki then lifted her arm for all to see what she held.

"No way. . ."

"It's. . ."

"THEY'VE KILLED HIM! WE'RE FREE!"

The cheers erupted forth at the revelation of their freedom. No more blight, no more pain, and no more living in fear.

"I AM TRULY SORRY THAT YOU'VE SUFFERED FOR SO LONG! I'M SORRY I DIDN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO HELP, BUT I PROMISE YOU ALL THAT I WILL EARN THE RIGHT TO BE YOUR QUEEN!"

She and her land were saved on this day, which she would never forget. Koyuki would use this day, this chance to become the queen her father, her people, and she wanted to be. A queen that a true king would recognize.

"I WILL BECOME A QUEEN WHO'S STRONG AND KIND. A QUEEN WHO BELIEVES IN JUSTICE! SO PLEASE FOLLOW ME AS WE ENTER A NEW WORLD! A WORLD THAT FOR ALL OF YOU, I WILL FILL WITH WARMTH!"

Chapter Ten End

Author's Notes: Hello everyone thanks for reading the 10th Chapter of Naruto: Paradox!

I'm so sorry that this chapter took a week longer than it should've, but a few things came up. I had some life stuff and won't bore you all with the details and I noticed that this story was close to the 100k mark so I wanted to strive to make it with this chapter.

This chapter will mark the end of the Land of Snow arc that I wanted to try my hand at and I'm pretty pleased with the work I put out.

For visuals, the arms Naruto formed are based on Asura's arms from Asura's Wrath.

Bando's Full artillery is based on William's cannon from Persona 5.

The Ice golem remembered a more monstrous visual of marshmallow the snow monster from frozen(This was the best visual I could find).

The Fangs are based on Tatara's mask from Tokyo Ghoul.

The bow form of Paradox Edge is based on Yoichi Saotome's Gekkouin, meaning all 5 forms of the weapon have been revealed, but there is still a good deal of mystery behind how all the forms work so stay tuned.

Going forward, if it seems that I won't be able to meet my weekly update quota, then I will be changing it to bi-weekly. As for OCs, technically I introduced 10 in this chapter, but I find it hard to follow a story with a bunch of people I can't imagine the appearance of so if or when I introduce OCs, I'll try to make sure they have a visual reference to make it easier for the reader. These characters were given a generic look that I think can be easy to visualize, with you choosing the male or female prominence as you read.

Also, I want to try adding a list of original moves and the hatsu I put in the story. I hope that this helps people with keeping track of stuff. It won't be the most detailed list because I feel it'd take away from their use when you read it in the story. The list might not show up on every chapter, but I plan to have it show up enough to help keep track of things. I thought I would also put a small spoiler that I hope some of you will enjoy. The next arc will be the Chunin exams so expect the next chapter to begin with a time skip.

If you enjoyed it, Please follow and or favorite the story. Please leave a review if you'd like and until next time, have a Paradoxical day!

Hatsu List

Naruto Uzumaki- King's Guard: Seemingly sentient onyx chains that Naruto can control and will defend him automatically. They can meld and morph into different forms.

Sasuke Uchiha- Night's Shroud: Sasuke creates an indigo/violet mist he can manipulate and shift to form simple objects. Has a silencing effect.

Shizune- Authority's Assistant: By emitting her chakra through the vibrations in the atmosphere, Shizune forms a link with another person's brain and controls their actions.

Malice Rinha-Godmother: Taking the form of a large woman with puppet-like features, this ability allows malice to make "perfect" clones of those whose chakra she possesses.

Kagura-?

Bando- Arms Dealer: While dormant, it acts as Bando's left hand. It can transform into one of several forms to fit the needs of the situation.

Zabuza Momochi-?

Haku Momochi-?

Hinata Hyuga-?

Koyuki Kazahana-?

Karin Uzumaki-?

Tayuya Uzumaki-?