Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Fire Emblem
Chapter 3
A Future Calamity
Ylisse (Night)
"…Okay. So, let's go through everything once more, and, by all means, stop me if I get anything wrong." Naruto Uzumaki spoke after what he thought was a good enough period of silence for considering the story that was just thrown on him, bringing a mug to his lips to enjoy the now cold-dark substance within before setting it elegantly back down on the wooden counter top. "So, you," he points at the blue haired 'girl' sitting across from him, mask off and hair now flowing freely. "Are from the future." The girl nods and Naruto takes another sip. "And, from what I've gathered, your 'future' has been destroyed by a giant lizard that has been resurrected by a group of worshipers that believes in 'bringing change to this ungrateful world'." There was a pause, possibly due to the way he so elegantly worded their situation before she nods again and he takes another sip. "So then, it took your world 10 years, for whatever reason, to band together and fight back against the thing that was basically bending you guys over from day one. However, your world was now down to about a third of the original population so you no longer really had the means to combat the army of flesheaters that you call 'Risen'; leading to your eventual extinction anyway. Am I correct so far?"
The recently revealed time-traveler, Lucina, hesitated at the slight change in the shinobi's tone but still nodded in confirmation, prompting him to take another sip of coffee (which she was almost positive was just an empty mug at this point).
"So, the only way for you guys to save your world was to gather the 5 stone thingys for this 'Fire Emblem' and, hopefully, seal the God once again with the help of Naga, Ylisse's deity. Thankfully, you were, somehow, able to get the remaining Gemstones and was ready for the ritual, but unfortunately, Naga had already been killed and her child, Tiki, was also slain before you could use her for your backup plan." Another sip. "Out of plans and out of hope, you can only fight to the last man until your inevitable deaths. But just when you had accepted your death and Grima had finally cornered you, somehow, someway, Naga appears, y'know, the Dragon Goddess that was dead, before you and your friends and gives you this 'second chance' to make everything right. Still on the right track, Princess?"
Lucina nods slowly, sweat beginning to build on her face as the shinobi took another sip of his mug.
"She tells you, and your 'friends', that she has gathered enough 'mana' to send you and your 'friends' back in time to where it all started and you all, understandably, agreed. Before you could leave, Naga stopped you and your 'friends', who I just have to point out are nowhere to be seen coincidentally, and instructed you to find me," he pointed to himself, "Naruto Uzumaki, and help you on this little 'quest' for humanities salvation.
"You all agree, obviously, and Naga 'transports' you all through time by using power she, no doubt, pulled out of someone's ass. Unfortunately, Grima's army wasn't too far off your rear and the evil lizard managed to send some of his flesheaters through the gap before the rift could close. You and your 'friends' try to defend yourselves within the rift and, somehow, got seperated. You were all aiming to appear the day before the Feroxian Tournament, which is in two weeks incidentally, but you ended up here and have no idea when or where your 'friends' are at. Luckily for you, me and your father, who is Chrom if I'm not mistaken, just so happened to be in danger and you 'just so happened' to come through at the right time to save your aunty before she became a zombie buffet. Then, after all the fighting is over, you sneak me a hand sign, one that only one Realm should know, saying 'we need to talk'. Now, we are here-in the comfort of a 2-star Inn in Ylisse, and you are telling me that within a few years this entire realm is going to go to shit... Did I get all that down correctly?"
Lucina once again nodded slowly, relieved that the blonde was seemingly finished with his evaluation. Naruto took another sip from his empty mug before setting it down elegantly and looking up at the future princess with a closed eyed smile.
"I believe you."
Lucina blinked.
She blinked again.
After the third time, her brain finally processed what had been said. "Y-you do?" She spoke hesitantly, the shinobi taking another sip from the coffee mug. "J-just like that?"
Snore*
"Of course," the man laughed. "It's not the most ridiculous story I've ever heard and believe me when I say I've heard some stories. Like, this one time I was at my publisher's office to publish the next issue of my latest book and he told me a story of the time he and his wife did the dirty in their carriage while they were on the way to-"
"I-I'm sure it was an, interesting story sir, but please stick to the matter at hand." Lucina interrupted, a childish pout appearing on the blonde's face.
"...Anyways, there are some things that don't connect with the things I already know, but your story is believable only because of who you're currently speaking to and the shit I've gone through over the last 8 hours. If you'd brought this to Chrom and Lissa as they are now then I'm sure you'd have been laughed out of Ylisse while going down as the best jester in ancient times." Lucina nodded at that. It took everything in her not to run and embrace her father right then and there. She could only thank the Gods she was mentally prepared for the encounter before it happened. "You also filled in some holes that I couldn't fill. I concluded that Morgan was from the future, but I didn't know how." Naruto saw Lucina's brow furrow at his words. "Do you know her?"
Snore*
Lucina shook her head. "Unfortunately not. I've never had the pleasure of meeting your daughter, nor was I even aware you had one. Though it bothers me that I even met you in that forest. As I heard, you weren't even apart of the Plegian and Ylissean war. You were still in Valm by the time of the war and did not interfere in any way. For you to be on this side of the world means the timeline has already changed significantly."
Naruto nodded in understanding. He was now sure the burst of chakra he had felt 3 days ago was Morgan coming from the future. From what he could deduce from the princess's words, she had never met Morgan before and Morgan didn't seem to know the bluenette from the time she first introduced herself. He really needed to talk to the Kurama inside her to find out whe-
SNORE*
The teen and fossil paused their discussion to looke over at the bed where the youngest of their trio peacefully slept. Her normal get gone, she now wore sky blue pajamas decorated with tiny green frogs with a night cap very similar to the one her father wore back in his youth. They'd tried ignoring the girl, but it had become increasingly difficult to ignore the sounds coming from her mouth. So, Naruto did what any parent would do when their child was interrupting grown folk's conversation.
He slapped a suppression seal over her mouth and watched as the seal wrapped around her mouth. You couldn't even hear her breathing thanks to the seal he'd just forced over her mouth. It was good that the seal was also written to numb the feelings one felt when asleep, which was the reason Morgan didn't feel her father literally clapping her in the face.
Now quiet, the former Kage looked back to the bluenette, took another sip from his mug, and resumed the situation at hand. "Did you know me in the future?"
Lucina sweat-dropped at the blonde casually continuing as if he hadn't just forced silence on his sleeping child. Nevertheless, she shook her head, "Not, exactly. I knew of you, and had seen you plenty of times around the garrison. However, I never got the pleasure of speaking to you personally. For the few weeks you were there you seem quite... peeved; as if you were there against your will."
Naruto highly doubted that was the case.
"That was around the time of the final conflict with Plegia. That day, I witnessed you March out along with the Shepherds and my father, but I never saw you or my father again afterwards. You... were said to have died by the Fell Dragon shortly after wounding him greatly; alone, at that." The princess's eyes closed-as if the darkness behind her lids would help better picture the event she was about to put into words. "A battle like no other, many said. A battle heard in every corner of the world. A battle witnessed by few, but spread by every living bard across the seas." Lucina couldn't stop the chuckle that left her lips, "At the time, I was but a child, but I believed every word spoken to me by knights who'd successfully fled the battle. The sounds I heard that day followed by the ruins that was once Plegia only made the story that much more believable over time. I know some of the truth was greatly exaggerated, but I can no longer see it any other way. On that day, you were the height we strived to reach and my friends and I used your name to strengthen our resolves whenever our spirits were shaken."
There was a moment of silence as the bluenette seemed to reminisce in the memories of a better time. Naruto said nothing only because the genuine smile on her face was the first he'd seen in the few hours they'd known each other.
Fortunately/Unfortunately, it didn't last long, but the bonus of seeing her suddenly embarrassed visage made up for his disappointment.
"P-please forgive me," she apologized, a slight hue of red coloring her cheeks as she absentmindedly ran her finger along the butterfly mask on the table. "I tend to get lost whenever this particular topic is the point of discussion." That was fine-especially since his own thoughts were currently clouded.
Grima.
The so called 'God of Annihilation'.
The name had not come up often over his travels, but the first time he'd heard of the deity was in his short visit to the only country that worshipped the Lizard. If he were to go by the time-traveler's words then this 'Fell Dragon' was dangerous; maybe even more dangerous than Kaguya ever was... maybe.
In fact, if the monster she spoke of was truly as terrifying and Godly as she made it out to be then him losing was the most worrying prospect. He was, by no means, out of shape considering he made sure to keep his body toned even to this day, but he'd gladly admit he'd let himself go (combat wise) over the last century. To be fair, it wasn't like he actually had a reason to keep up his training anyways after the first hundred years. All the threats of his nation were dead and even if they weren't it wasn't like anyone could actually kill him, so what was the point of getting stronger? Even in this world he was about at half of his former skill and very little people could hold a candle to just his Sage Mode. Yes, he could possibly fight Kaguya but he had already found a way to deal with her without even resorting to the Nine Tails chakra (which was just a theory since he had nothing to compare to her, but that was semantics until the time came).
Skills nowhere near his prime, no motivation and nowhere near prepared, he might as well have showed up to the fight with a stick and a bath towel. In all intents and purposes, he'd thrown himself to the wolves... what an embarrassing way to go...
"Thankfully, your defeat did not doom us all." Lucina continued, seeing that he'd not commented on her 'moment'. "Though you did not win, you bought us more than enough time to prepare for the inevitable. Grima still lived, but the wounds he suffered were severe enough for him to be forced into hibernation once more to regain the power he'd lost." The bluenette suddenly lowered her eyes, as if greatly ashamed by her next revelation. "Your, body was never found. Though there were stories and theories, most concluded your demise at the hands of Grima."
"But, you were hailed a hero." The blonde's eyes widened at the sudden change in the teens tone. It held so much passion, assurance and care that it was almost as if he was speaking to a completely different person. "Every Ylissean knew your name by the end of the year and many of my friends, myself included, look up to you for the sacrifice you gave that day."
"And for that," Naruto was surprised for the umpteenth time that day as the princess held a hand over her heart and leaned slightly forward in what could only be a bow of the highest respect. "I, Lucina Lowell, First Princess of Ylisse and one of the last survivors of Naga's descendants, sincerely thank you, Naruto Uzumaki, for the sacrifice you made on behalf of my world. There is nothing I can do to repay you, but I swear on my families crest I will continue to fight for humanity as you did for as long as I live."
...
Wow...
Just...
...Wow...
Naruto was... actually speechless, for the first time in maybe a century. The time-traveler had sat up from her bow, but was now giving him a smile so warm it was damn near motherly. Even if he felt as if he did nothing to deserve it, he could not speak to break the moment. He thought he'd long since given up on humanity, but apparently the flame that had fluttered out still burned bright within his future soul...
But he knew that was impossible.
He was done being the hero centuries ago. No matter what this girl said, he was sure his future self did not give his life for the 'greater good'. There just had to be some conspiracy theory there. There... there just had to be.
It also didn't explain Morgan, but he was still 5% sure there was some big conspiracy there as well...
But those eyes.
Those eyes.
They... they do not lie.
...
...
What... exactly was he supposed to say to that?
"Wow," apparently, anything but something intelligible. "I, uh, actually, this is... I don't even... wow."
Yes, anything but intelligible indeed.
Since the girl across from him seemed to be in a mood of her own, Naruto decided there was only one other thing he could do in this situation to break the sudden ice.
He brought his coffee mug to his face.
The sound of glass shattering rung through his ears followed by an absence of imaginary warmth against his lips. A glance to his hand showed only the grip of the mug between his middle and index finger while the remains of it scattered across the room. A slow look up showed the perpetrator still with a smile in place.
Except for the part where Falchion was now in hand and held parallel to the ground. The former Kage could do nothing but slowly lower the cup handle and look at the time-traveler across the table owlishly.
The balls on this girl.
The BALLS on this girl.
Not even Hashirama was dumb enough to poke a Bijuu with a 100 mile stick without the Mokuton so the BALLS ON THIS GIRL!
...He couldn't even be mad either - especially since he was basically asking for it. Instead, pride, oddly enough, rushed through him as if watching his child walk for the first time. It was also that same pride that made the respect for the girl before him rise exponentially above every enemy he'd ever faced in the past.
"...This how you treat all your heroes?"
And the girl had the nerve to chuckle while sheathing the murder weapon? Big points for you, girl. Big points.
"You are, unfortunately, the only one I've had the honor of meeting in person, sir. I'm sure I'd do more than destroy some common kitchenware if it were any of my line's late Exalts. Despite their deeds, some of the laws passed by my ancestors has done more harm to the Halidom than good..."
There was a pause.
"Ah, but that is unimportant. Its best we stay on topic from now on so we can start discussing our next course of action."
Aaaaaaaaaand just like that, his good mood died.
"There's little time to be wasted. If we are to change the future, then we must first discuss what to do about the upcoming-"
"We?"
That one word made Lucina look up to the man that spoke it-confusion evident on her face. "Yes. We. You said you believed me, did you not? If so, the sooner we plan our next move the bet-"
"Wooooooah there, princess. Hold your horses for a sec. I said I believed you. Not once did the words 'I will help you' come out of my mouth."
The time-traveler stilled; not even blinking. If he were to put it into perspective, she looked as if he'd literally just shot her hero; execution style. He could see the exact moment his words processed and the panicked look on her face was almost heartbreaking.
"Y-you have to," she shouted, now on her feet with blood no doubt rushing through her veins. "The world is at stake! The very future hangs in the balance! W-without you, there is NO chance of us winning against the calamity that is to come! You're the only one in the world with the strength to help me change the future! Why wouldn't you help when there is so much to be lost?!"
Naruto gave the time-traveler a long, unreadable stare, Lucina's gaze not falter for even a second as she stared into those cerulean eyes that held no emotion.
Then he laughed. A long, loud, hearty laugh that stretched on and make the princess's mood dip by the seconds. The man laughed so hard that he began slapping his knee as if she'd told the best joke he'd ever heard in his long life. "O-OH, you're funny, princess! Y-you nearly killed me with that damn joke! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"This is no laughing matter!" The time traveler snapped, slamming her hands against the table in fury at the man who dared laugh at their situation. "The very future hangs in the balance! Grima is going to be revived! Your world is going to be destroyed! The innocent are going to suffer because of the wicked! Can't you see that?!"
"O-oh, but it's very funny, princess!" The blonde said, finally calming down while giving the time-traveler a smile that did not reach his eyes. "I just find it funny that you came aaaaaall the way from the future just to basically demand I 'save the world'. If I recall you saying, I had saved the world with my life as a price and what did they do with the time I gave them?" Lucina went to answer, but Naruto was faster. "No! Let me guess! Instead of working together, a war started-leaving innocent people to suffer while those zombie fuckers roamed the lands and picked you off as if it were hunting season! I'm right aren't I!"
Lucina's silence was all the answer he needed. Immediately, his joviality was replaced with a stern glare that could stop a wyvern in place. "So, the future me gave his life to fight the thing NO ONE ELSE in the world had the power to stop, right? So, what. The. Fuck were all of you doing for those ten years? You mean to tell me that it took humans till they were on the brink of extinction to FINALLY swallow their own prides and work together like they SHOULD have been doing from the very beginning?" His iced tone sent shivers down the bluenette's spine with every word and she could do nothing but slowly descend back to her seat in shame.
"Y-You must understand," she stammered, trying to dig up the words to defend her people's actions. "T-the circumstances before Grima's resurrection wasn't, ideal. W-we'd just finished a war with Valm and even after the second war with Plegia, any surviving Plegians wanted nothing to do with Ylisse. Trust was scarce and the world was in too much chaos to gather reliable forces. If, if not for the Outrealms, then, then we would have been…" Lucina didn't even want to think about her time of weakness. The time her country was on the verge of being overrun by hordes and hordes of Risen. Horrors no child or human for that matter, should ever be subjected to.
"...Why am I not surprised." The blonde sighed as he sat back in his chair with folded arms. "War this, war that. No matter what side of the world I'm on, nothing ever changes with humans, does it?" He got no reply, not that he was expecting it. "I don't honestly know what I should have expected when I came to this realm. The only difference between here and the Elemental Nations is the fact you people are behind technologically and your system of power. Other than that, you people are no different from the Nations."
Lucina's hands tightened in her lap as she gritted her teeth. "So, you're not going to help me?" she spat, but over the anger she was feeling, a bigger feeling of... betrayal, rose; as if one of her best friends had just stabbed her in the back. And seeing her 'hero' shrug as if her problems meant nothing to him only drove that knife deeper.
"Honestly, why should I? Why should I continue to save a world that continues to take, but never give? Why do I need to continue risking my life for people who inevitably turn their backs on me when they feel my usefulness has run dry? If anything, I think it would be better for humanity to find the answer on their own instead of depending on me and higher powers to keep saving your asses. I've honestly tried for 400 years to keep the peace within humanity, but if humans are so intent on how life is and continue to point the metaphorical guns at their heads when good people keep pointing it the other way then you honestly deserve whatever comes your way. As the saying goes," Naruto gave a closed-eyed smile to the girl who looked ready to explode, "you reap what you sow."
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!" The inevitable happened and Lucina was back on her feet. The fury on her face could not be rivaled by any living being and the tears threatening to fall down her reddened eyes only seemed to increase the picture of how pissed off she was.
How dare this man! Someone she looked up to! Someone her friends looked up to! This same man that was currently looking down on the people that gave their lives to help others survive! Friends that were no longer here because they had been slain by the abominations this man refused to help her slay simply because, because of human nature! How dare he! How DARE he! "YOU HAVE POWER! POWER THAT FAR EXCEEDS MAN! NO ONE IN THIS WORLD CAN MATCH YOU! NO ONE WILL DARE MATCH YOU! YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND OUR STRUGGLES OR THE THINGS WE HAD TO DO TO SURVIVE! THINGS PARENTS WILL NEVER BE PROUD OF DOING JUST TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN! WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO JUDGE HUMANITY JUST FOR LIVING THE BEST WAY THEY KNEW HOW?! HOW CAN YOU SIT THERE AND JUDGE US WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE HELL WE SUFFERED FOR 12 YEARS?!"
Lucina finished with heavy breaths. How dare this man! How dare he look down on her! Her people! Her friends! How dare he sit there with so much power and watch as the world burn around him when there is so much he can do to save it! If she had that kind of power then she wouldn't hesitate to save the world 10 times over! She would continue to use her life a thousand times over if it meant the people would never have to go through the hell she'd witnessed. She would save all the friends she'd lost on the way. She'd save her parents; others parents! The WORLD!
But aside from her personal views, it only made her angrier that he was completely right about everything! About the fact it took to their extinction to finally unite as one! That they wasted the 10 years his future-self gave for them to think of a counter plan! He was right about EVERYTHING!
But, that did NOT give him the right to speak ill of the dead! EVER!
...
To the Uzumaki's credit, he wasn't even mad. He was as calm as when the girl started her little rant, arms still crossed as he stared down the panting princess with indifference.
"… You finished?" He asked calmly, watching the girl suddenly grow angrier at his nonchalance. "If so, then sit down."
Lucina didn't know what it was about the blonde that made her snap. In the many classes of etiquette she had attended in her youth the number one point that was drilled into her head was to never let your emotions rule you. Those who are easily ruled by their emotions become predictable and often times rash in their actions. To let your enemy see your emotions was to admit defeat. It was a lesson she learned well and held close even when the selfish wished to stray for power than to protect. It had gotten her this far and she swore to uphold the lessons Lady Maribelle bestowed unto her no matter what challenged her.
Those lessons meant nothing at this moment. Watching a hero-no, a human so easily brush off her troubles as if it didn't affect him and millions was too much for even someone as disciplined as her. Her hand reached to her sword and gripped it so hard she could hear her gloves creasing from the pressure. If in her right mind she'd have realize how complete and utterly foolish her actions were, but as clouded by emotions as she was red was all she saw and violence seemed to be the only way through to this man; this, MONSTER!
"Y-YOU SELFISH-"
The feeling of death hanging over her shoulders suddenly stopped her cold. Her knees buckled and it was gradually becoming harder to breathe as she looked into the now slit red-eyes of the Godly being before her. The whisker marks on his face had become more feral and the teeth he showed her had definitely sharpened to rival a manakete.
This, this was Naruto Uzumaki-the strongest being currently walking the Realms. And... and she'd almost foolishly drawn her own divine weapon on him.
"Sit. Down. Now." His voice held no more patience and Lucina felt her buckled knees go weak before giving completely. She flopped back down into her seat, eyes never leaving those crimson orbs with her own terrified chrome.
Soon, the pressure lifted slightly and she was able to breathe correctly once more, but those slit pupils never left hers. They stayed that way for a full minute before, graciously, his eyes went back to cerulean before his arms crossed and eyes closed. Lucina didn't even breathe incorrectly as she waited for the Godly being before her to speak first.
"Listen, and listen well, Princess. Whatever 'fantasy' you have in your head about me or the type of person I am: get rid of it. Yes, as long as I still live I will help those in need when I see it. That is just who I am and there's nothing anyone can ever do to change that. However, what I'm not is this almighty 'selfless hero' you've made me out to be and I'm almost positive neither was the future me. Yes, I've lived the life of a 'hero' long ago in my own world, but those days are over and the only priority I have right now are my own priorities. Yes, I sympathize with you and everything you've gone through and I'm truly sorry. In my opinion, your genuine care is what this world needs and I respect you for continuing the fight despite seeing humanity at it's worse. However, after everything you've told me, you will have to forgive me when I say that I - am - pissed."
Lucina felt her body go numb once more at the fanged snarl he was giving her again. Truly it was the most terrifying glare she'd ever had the displeasure of being the target of.
"Ten. Years. It seriously took you people ten years to get your shit together? Did you people even want to live? Did y'all even care about your future at all 'cause from what I've heard, it sounded like you people cared fuck all! Fuck, your people, your OWN PEOPLE killed off an ENTIRE RACE simply for having FUR and DIFFERENT EARS not even 5 FUCKING YEARS ago and you want ME to have simpathy for humanity! And humans wonder WHY peace is never obtainable! It's because of STUPID SHIT like THIS!"
Lucina didn't even think he was talking to her anymore. His slitted eyes were still staring at her, but she felt as if they were looking at someone or something behind her-as if it was something he'd wanted to tell them his entire life. Unfortunately, she was far too afraid to even breathe incorrectly, much less call him out on it. One wrong move on her end could very well end her life faster than she could even draw her sword.
She wanted this to end.
She prayed for it.
Her heart was beating a mile a minute and the sweat going down her forehead to her neck began to make the turtle neck she was wearing stick to her skin uncomfortably. The heat in the room was now unbearable and she was sure the lightheadedness she was currently feeling was a sign that she was about to pass out. Just a few more seconds of this overwhelming pressure and there was no doubt in her mind she'd be on the floor rather than the wooden stool.
To the praises of Naga's name, the overwhelming pressure once again receded and her body was given back it's motor functions. Her breaths were coming in heavy heaves now and she was finally able to remove the stiff board that was her body, but the fear she felt was still keeping hold of her as those now cerulean eyes still refused to leave hers.
No one will ever understand how relieved she was when his eyes closed and posture became more relaxed as he crossed his arms. That was good. That meant his mood was simmering down. That also meant he was thinking, which meant she now had enough time to berate herself over nearly getting herself killed before she could even attempt to save her future - her death, ironically, coming from the very hero she prayed would save her world.
The silence that followed after the admittedly terrifying 'hero's' eyes left her own was anything but therapeutic. Her mind could not get off the fact that she'd lost her temper so easily; no matter how justified she believed she was. She was so sure he would be the one to help her change the future. In fact, there wasn't a doubt in her mind that he would help her - that the stories she'd heard from both her people and the shinobi were true - that he was the hero this world needed.
And now she sat here, image of her 'hero' utterly crushed by harsh words and even harsher actions. All she could do now was sit there and wait. Wait for him to finish his musing and see what direction the world would be tilting in.
...
"...400 years," Naruto finally spoke. "For four centuries, I kept the peace in the Elemental Nations. For four centuries I fought for what I believed was right. For 400 years I took on being hated, admired, loved, feared and every emotion under the sun just to make sure the next war didn't start. Be it using my words in negotiations, helping imprison the ones simply blinded by their own selfishness, greed or just what they had to do to survive and/or feed their families, to even breaking my code and taking the lives I swore to change or protect. I did that for 400 years and I even put the happiness of my family and myself behind me to achieve the goal my grandfather thought I was destined to oversee... But despite everything I've done for the people, despite the 'peace' I kept for over a century, I came to a realization that took what fight I had left for my dream completely out of me."
The blonde's eyes closed as the memory of the day his ideals clashed came to the forefront of his mind.
"Despite everything I'd done for them, despite keeping most of my promises and making the world an overall better place, it was the people who began to turn their backs on me. The eyes that once looked to me for protection and guidance began to change the longer I lived on. My 'true goals' began to come into question due to the consequences of my idealism and the more people I stopped or... killed, the more the people began to judge and criticize me." Though his eyes were closed, the blonde's face scrunched in a way Lucina could only guess was discomfort at the memories he was bringing to the surface.
"I, am old, kid. Older than any human being currently alive; not by choice, mind you. It is a blessing that soon turned into a curse and it is something I simply live with now until I can find a way to finally end my eternal suffering. I'm sure if I'd died when I was supposed to 400 years ago then I may have never lived to see human's true nature and I'd had died in ignorance... But it doesn't matter 'cause I'm alive, and I've lived long enough to see myself become the 'monster'," the blonde shook his head in a manner that showed so much disappointment Lucina could feel it physically. "The older I got and the weaker shinobi grew over time, the realization that I was the remaining superpower and was, apparently, here to stay only made people begin to grow paranoid."
And to be fair, they had every reason to be. He may not have thought that back then seeing that he believed his good deeds would overwrite his less than appreciated ones, but this was humans he was talking about and fear/paranoia is a powerful motivator.
No one, and he meant no one, could stand up to him after his generation died off. The fact he stayed in Konoha till the death of his own children created a power vacuum that was definitely unintentional and was where all the problems began to surface. Questions began running through the populace and once the paranoia built up to a peak, it built doubt and finally, fear. The longer he walked the Elemental Nations the more the truth was proven to him.
"My continued existence became a crime to people. I did nothing but simply exist and do what I had been doing all my life and it was the people who ended up turning on me. The problem was, even though I decided to become neutral to all including my own village, humanity proved that without someone to keep them in check, peace would never live long. Someone somewhere will stir trouble and by the time you stop them there would be too many people affected by their path that its physically impossible to purge or help them all - and that's just one person. 400 years and I learned that as long as someone has something someone else wants then conflict is inevitable and the world will never truly change. People will still kill each other for petty selfishness and no matter how many people I save or make an example out of, the hate will never stop. I changed the shinobi world for the better, but changing the people was a task that I learned was impossible for one man, or any man, to achieve. That kind of responsibility is not, and should never, be thrusted upon a single soul's shoulders..."
The blonde stopped for but a brief moment to let his most hated thought come to the surface. "...and it was as I took one final life that I realized, the very thing I fought against 400 years prior was the same thing I ended up becoming. I, became the same person I wished to stop and I... really had no one to blame but myself."
The adult finally took a breath before looking to see the princess no longer looking his way, but down at the table.
"For 400 years, I lived for humanity and did everything I could for humanity. I've stuck my neck out multiple times in the past and present to save humanity and it took even longer to bring momentary 'peace' to my world. I've done it for four - hundred - years, and how was I repaid? With the same bullshit that you try to defend just because people had to 'survive' or 'acted out of fear'? With the same bullshit excuse that you claim is 'just human nature'? I may not have been, or will ever, understand what it's like to be in your shoes or in your world, but I've fought for over four centuries to redeem humans and give them the lives they are ungrateful to have, so don't you dare think you can come here and demand or guilt me into anything, brat."
Rant finally over, the blonde sighed and tried to calm himself. A few breaths through the nose and out the mouth and the fire within him had been all but extinguished. A look to the time-traveler showed she was still finding the table very interesting. "I-I didn't know you... your life was so… was so… I didn't... I'm so…"
Naruto just shook his head at the hopelessness he could see in the girl's eyes. "I'm going to be completely honest with you, kid. I'm tired. Very tired. Tired of humans building different ways to kill each other, tired of putting my neck out for humanity when they don't appreciate the value of life, and tired of fighting for peace only for someone new to rise and reanimate the cycle of hatred years later. I'm... just tired." Naruto could snort at his words. Boy Madara must be laughing in hell right now. As much as he hated the man, there were some truths to his madness.
"T-then what am I going to do?" Lucina murmured, defeat clear in both her eyes and tone. "W-without you, the future is sure to be rewritten. Gr-Grima, h-he'll rise once more a-and there's little I can do to stop him. W-what am I supposed to do by myself? I, I don't have the power to... to... Oh Gods, I-I, t-there's no way I can carry this burden on my own. I... I just can't."
'Welcome to the club, kid,' the shinobi, wisely, said only to himself. He felt... conflicted. On one hand, he felt she deserved this. Making excuses for humanity even when she knew she was wrong pissed him off something fierce. She may not have deserved getting blasted with Kurama's chakra, but it did its job and she now understood his point of view.
However, watching the girl fall lower and lower into despair while remaining an air of nonchalance was... an ordeal. He most definitely didn't like what he was seeing and the longer he watched the more he felt like a complete and utter dick for blowing up on someone who, ultimately, did not deserve it...
...Well damn. 500 years and a sad girl still pulled at his heartstrings...
He blamed Hinata and Himawari for this...
A hand came to massage the bridge of his nose. At least this proved he wasn't completely gone yet.
"What I honestly don't understand is why you even need me."
His question didn't move the still shaking teen.
"...I told you. I-its because Grima-"
"Has certain 'circumstances' to his revival, correct?" That got her to freeze. She hesitantly looked up to him and the affirmative she gave went almost unheard. "If that's the case, why do you need me? I'm not an expert on this subject, but isn't the only way for Grima to revive is if there is a 'vessel' to take over and the right amount of souls to consume at a concentrated location? Take away one or both and wouldn't he just be a dead lizard that people pray to?" Hope finally was now returning to her eyes. "Hell, if you want to go all in, just destroy the Dragon's Table along with every Grimleal fanatic when they do their big monthly mandatory gathering thingy. It happens on the 19th of every month and is a nationwide congregation for their religion. I heard that not attending when you are a hierophant or high on the totem pole is sacrilege and punishable by 100 lashes or the removal of a limb. Wait till the right time then blow the place to Kingdom Come with all those bastards in it and that will solve all your problems in one. Without a place of gathering, the energy will never build properly and will continuously scatter with nothing to help keep it steady, while without a vessel, there will never be a host for the dragon to take over. And just like that, POOF! You've killed three birds with one stone... or explosive, and saved the entire world without people even knowing it was you."
Lucina, actually looked astonished at both the blonde's knowledge and the fact he casually mentioned killing possibly thousands like it was as easy as breathing. But more importantly...
"How, w-where did you get all of that information?" As much respect as she'd lost for the man throughout their conversation, she couldn't deny that his knowledge was useful (even if some parts were completely inhumane). Knowing how he came across said knowledge may gain the little respect she still had for him.
"Eh, did some reading back in Plegia a few years back," he replied nonchalantly. "The Grimlean family I stayed with gave the books to me for free in hopes of 'swaying my faith'. I had nothing better to do so I thought I'd pass the time by reading it. Wasn't the best read, but it sure was good information, as you can see." After a pause, the blonde stared intensely back at the bluenette who seemed to be mulling over the new revelations. "So, now that you've got your solution, what will you do, princess? They aren't the best choices, but they are the only one's you have... unless, you're willing to delay his resurrection and have your descendants deal with him instead-"
"NO!" Lucina immediately denied, horror written on her face before it melted back into her contemplative countenance. "No. I, I do not wish this fate upon any more generations. If, I am to deal with him, then it should be now and now only."
...'Gods, its almost like she's intentionally guilt tripping me this time,' he thought as the time-traveler mulled over her own thoughts.
Soon, her face twisted in frustration as the options given to her began weighing heavily on her shoulders. "But, I-I can't go through with any of your... suggestions. The Dragon's Table is holy ground to every citizen of Plegia. It contains history of their ancestors and the formation of their culture along with Grima's birth to the world. Destroying it is the same as stomping on every descendant's grave and eradicating a part of history. Even if there was no proof of a perpetrator, the tensions between our nations are currently too high. Gangrel or someone in his council will no doubt blame us for the lost of their sacred grounds and we'd be in a war that wouldn't stop until one side completely erased the other."
...Huh, seems he can still learn things at this age-even if that outcome was pretty obvious if he'd sat on it a bit longer...
"...And the vessel?"
Going from the way the kid awkwardly refused to meet his eyes while rubbing her arm, she was not very keen on the idea; most likely for personal reasons.
"That, is also not an option... for, personal reasons."
The blonde was getting a headache.
"Kid, you're gonna have to start making some compromises if you're serious about saving this world. Your options aren't exactly numerous if you haven't realized by now."
"I know that," Lucina's fist tightened at the thought. "I just, th-there just has to be another way besides, besides killing her."
"...It wouldn't happen to be the white haired woman we met back in the woods, would it?" The silence to his question was answer enough. He knew something was off about the woman the moment he felt that strange chakra coming from her but he underestimated just how right he was. Not only was she dangerous, but she held the power to end the whole freakin' world if pissed off or controlled.
The headache was growing. The answers to their problems was right in front of them but they were either unattainable or down right unvirtuous. The only other thing he could think of would be to do it himself in front of the entire nation, but that would bring more problems than it was worth. Plus there was no guarantee Archanea would retaliate the same way the Elemental Nations did. Plegia isn't really known for 'joining arms' against a common enemy and the less said about their king the better. Lucina could appease to the Exalt, but then what? They still had Grima to deal with in the end and Lucina was very adamant about killing him this generation instead of putting him asleep.*Sigh* was there really no other way to save this world without dipping his own hands in the ink?
"I'm sorry. I know I should be putting the future above everything else, but my, she, is needed with the Shepherds. There are important events that requires her presence as well and killing her will only hurt Ylisse; if not, the world... If, you are still not willing to help, then the only remaining option I can think of would be to get the Blessing of Power from the Goddess Kaguya. However, the time she appears in this timeline was never told to me and the chances of her giving us the blessing is even low-"
SLAM*
Lucina jolted in fright at the sudden noise. Her eyes immediately settled on the now standing blonde who was looking down on her. She'd like to explain exactly what she was seeing but there were so many emotions flashing across the man's face that it was difficult for her to pinpoint just one. Before she could even blink, he was gripping her tunic and their faces were now only about a foot apart. To her growing fear, the blonde's blue orbs looked almost deranged as they continuously shook in his sockets.
"Kaguya? You said Kaguya, right? As in, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, right? Right?" Scared, Lucina quickly nodded in confirmation, making the blonde's grip on her tighten and his eyes return to slits. "Where is she? Where is she right now? In this timeline? Where IS she? Where is she damn it!"
"I-I, I-I-I-I,"
"SPEAK DAMN IT!"
She was trying; she really was.
"A-A-All I know is th-that L-Lady Tiki took her in s-sometime between now a-and the next 5 years. Gr-Grima absorbed what power she had t-t-t-to regain what he lost in your fight, b-but by the time he'd found her she'd already given her blessing and most of her power t-to someone before Grima slayed her. L-L-Lady Tiki never told me anything r-regarding her exact appearance a-a-and I, I, I-I don't know." Lucina hated how weak she sounded once again. She hated it with every fiber of her being. She had always done her best to better herself and face anything put before her. She had steeled her resolve for years in order to do what was necessary for the people of her world, but this was too much. This overwhelming pressure was just too much.
For the third time that day, she was able to breathe normally as the blonde slowly released her and walked silently behind her. A slow peak over her shoulder showed the blonde had stopped to gaze at the stars from the only window in their admittedly small room.
Said blonde's thoughts were in an uproar. After years and years of waiting, after years of searching, he'd finally found the answers he was looking for. Kaguya was in this world - or better yet, she would be in this world within the next 5 years. He was so close to finally laying down to rest that he could literally feel it in his bones. His long journey was finally about to come to a close and it would happen within the next 5 years...
And he couldn't exactly leave this world the way it is now that he knew what was to come in the future.
"This changes everything."
This world was toxic. As toxic as his own once was. A toxin that seems to continue to spread unchecked until it eventually bleeds this Realm dry or enough blood is spilled to the point that relations are no longer feasible. As long as people like Gangrel continued to reign, fanatic worshipers of the Grimleal continue to go unpunished, bandits continue killing and nobles creating these bandits through their own greed and short mindedness, then this world would never know peace.
This world was in desperate need of a savior.
But this world didn't need him; not the way he was, anyways. He'd given up that life long ago and it was not his place to interfere in the matters of a world that was not his own.
No, what this world needed was a new hero. A hero that was willing and someone he knew would not stray from the path. A hero who did not wish for payment and was more than willing to put the work in to fight for what he/she believed in. A selfless individual who he could trust to use the skills he teaches them for good and good only.
What he needed, was a new hero.
"...I won't save this world," turning around he immediately saw the girl's face dip in resignation. And it was then and there that he knew who the world-no, Realms needed.
There was no need for him to be the hero anymore. Not when there was someone already so eager and willing to put her life on the line for humanity. "I won't, because you will be the hero of this story."
The girls head immediately shot up, hope clear to see on her face.
"Like I said, I have lived a long life, kid. A life longer than any human being in this Realm. I loved what I did as the 'savior' of my Realm and I still believe there is good left to be done in this world. Unfortunately, for all intents and purposes, I am retired. I do not think the same as I did 100 years ago and my skills aren't as sharp as they used to be. I only live for one purpose and one purpose only, but I'll make an acception one last time and put that purpose behind me for now."
"So, here's what's going to happen," Naruto, the former Kage of Konohagakure no Sato and the last shinobi of his generation, walked up till he was standing before the one who would be the savior of the Realms. He wasn't exactly towering over her considering he only had 6 inches on her, but the vast differences in strength made that point mute. "I will not save this world, but you will; with your own hands. I will follow you on your 'journey' to save this world. I will give you advice, I will train you, I will critique you, and I will make sure you live to see this future of yours rewritten. You will not be able to slay Grima with one blow, nor will you be thanked by the people for saving their lives, nor will you receive a reward when this is all over - but I swear, by Kami's name, not a soul in this Realm or any other will be able to hold a candle to you. You will put even your father to shame and nothing more than a mountain falling over your head will be enough to keep you down. You will be the one to save the Realms or you will die trying. That, I swear on my name and nindo."
Naruto made sure to pull on a small portion of Kurama's chakra to put extra emphasis on the importance of his final words.
"But when it is all over, when the world is saved and you send that dragon bastard straight to hell, you are going to dedicate the rest of your life to helping me find Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and put me to rest once and for all. I don't care how we do it or how long it takes to do it, but we will succeed and you will return the favor. Agree to this, and I swear to keep my promise to end this once and for all. You got that or do you got that, princess?"
The shinobi finished by shoving a fist out for the bluenette to bump - his eyes never leaving her even when she broke the stare to look down at his extended hand. This would be the moment that determined the future and he was sure she knew it. She was most likely forfeiting her life at the end of this journey, but he was also sure she knew the overall payoff was bigger than both of them. After all, if he's going to have to put his ultimate goal on hold and waste his time in the process then the least she could do was show how much she was willing to sacrifice for her future.
A smile came to his face, both for the fact a soft hand touched his own not seconds later and the fact she was gripping his fist awkwardly instead of the fistbump he was expecting. A now determined princess gazed back at him with no hesitation to see. "I fight for the future and the many who have died so that I may live. If giving away my future means I can see this world never meets the calamity I've witnessed... then so be it."
Naruto couldn't be any more approving of the girl now. The unwavering determination was real and he couldn't help but to think once more that he'd chosen correctly. She was truly giving her life to save the world and with little to no hesitation. If only the world was filled with more people like the children of Naga then he wouldn't have to feel the pang of guilt he felt at the moment.
Regardless, the world was about to change - for better or worse was still yet to be determined.
A/N: This is my favorite chapter by far of all I've written out. I could literally feel the emotions from the characters and have read it multiple times despite already knowing the outcome.
Something I'd like to clarify seeing that I got a few PM's and reviews on the matter.
When I say Lucina is 'too young' I mean in the sense of both her maturity and age. In cannon, it is never specified how old she is but it does say she was close to the same age as her father's so I'd take a guess somewhere around 17 to 19. However, since cannon never specified I went off of what I believed made more sense so she is 17 years old as of right now while Chrom and most of the other Shepherds are 21 and up.
Yes, I am fully aware that no matter who Naruto ends up with there will be a significant age gap (besides Nowi, Tiki and maybe Panne, obviously). I don't particularly have anything against Lucina but I just can't see the pairing, especially since Naruto would practically be watching the girl grow up. It would be completely different if Naruto was 19 and she was 17. Not legal where I live but cant exactly call him anything either. But not only is Naruto pass his maturity, but Lucina literally just left her pubescent years. It's like a 66 year old man dating a 19 year old girl who doesn't even know what mortgage is yet.
It's like 'Huh, you're too young, and I have absolutely zero sexual or romantic feeling for you' then 2 years later 'Huh, you look exactly the same, but now you're legal. Can I have your number?' I don't know about anybody else but that just feels wrong to me. Maybe other people see it differently but this is how I feel personally and I can't write something I don't feel comfortable writing. Sooooooo for now, Lucina is on the bench until someone changes my mind.
What I can say though is that no matter who Naruto ends up with, the ending of this story doesn't change :)
Also, I already know this might turn people off but nobody, and I do mean NOBODY aside from Naruto and 1 other will magically appear from the Elemental Nations. You probably already know who the other one is seeing that this story revolves around him and her but that's IT! This is Naruto's adventure! I say this specifically because of the next chapter. Lots of people got confused or mad that other characters appeared when in reality they are deader than dead in the original story but remember what I just said above... you will see when you read it.
Last thing: big thanks goes to everyone who liked a commented! Your reviews gives me fuel to write more and the followed hopefully makes the story grow. I will accept all criticism but flames or roast will be ignored.
Next Chapter: August 22nd