Disclaimer: This is pure fanfiction. The characters and locations of the Naruto franchise are the sole property of Shonen Jump and the series's creator, Masashi Kishimoto. The characters and locations of the Star Wars franchise and all its spin-offs, etc are the sole property of Disney and the varied creators. At no time is this fiction an intent to infringe upon neither their rights nor properties.

A/N: I was remiss on a point. This story will incorporate events from Ep 1-6, The Mandalorian, and the Book of Boba Fett. I know the first chapter made that obvious but I felt the need to be clear.

Now then, The response to the first chapter was… "interesting". I realized readers are probably waiting to see how this chapter plays out before they let me have it, both good and bad. So here goes.

Beta'd by WriterfromShadows

ABY: After the Battle of Yavin IV

BBY: Before the Battle of Yavin IV

Chapter 2

Conversation ground to a halt at the question. A pause if you will, as though everyone was letting the previous swapped stories sink in. Or how best to answer the pointed query.

Boba leaned back in his seat as he pondered just how much to tell. Giving his adopted "son" a look. ~Typical Fennec. No wasted thought or subtleties.~ he thought as he got a slight shrug from the young man sitting across the table. Organizing his thoughts, he idly noted that his guests had seated themselves perfectly opposite of himself and Fennec, who sat at his right side. ~Naruto is their Center. Yugito to his right and Hinata on his left followed by Ino. Huh, interesting.~ Taking another sip of the Coruscant Red in his glass he took a final moment before speaking.

"How I initially met his birth parents is a tale for another time. I considered them both to be… friends. I left a communicator with Naruto's father in case he needed some help and I was nearby. Imagine my surprise when I get a message that he wants me to be present at the birth of his first child. I was in between jobs so I figured 'why not?' Went into hyper and headed that way." A look of sadness crossed his face, "I get there, hide my ship, and make my way to his village, Konoha. I find the place at war with a giant nine-tailed fox." He sees the look on Fennec's face at that revelation. "I'm not joking. It was enormous. Makes a Krayt Dragon look like a Massiff. It was that big." he said seriously with the accompanying hand gestures.

Fennec shut down her expression as she took in not only Boba's insistence but the emotion shown by the others. Naruto's was one of pain and a hint of bitterness. All three girls ~No, young women.~ she mentally corrected, bore various levels of sympathy as the two closest to the blonde male reached out to take a hand, an instinctive gesture of support. ~They already know this story. All of it.~ Boba's voice redirected her attention once more as he resumed.

"I used the comms to track them down. The beastie had up and disappeared. Found them dying. Talking to a baby boy on an altar. I made sure to record every word. Naruto has it." He lifted his glass, "Absent Friends." he toasted and sipped. "I walked over… "

Flashback- 11 yrs BBY

Kneeling by the dying pair, Boba took off his helmet and smiled at their pleased expressions. "I'm sorry I'm late to the party." he joked somberly after he switched on his translator. "You made a mess here mate. What can I do? I'm no medic… "

Minato shook his head as he cradled his wife's back to his chest while she in turn held their son in her arms. He felt his tears falling and knew Kushina was crying as well. "There is nothing you can do for us, Fett-san. No… Boba. Our wounds are fatal. This is our only chance to be together as a family. I'm glad you came." His deep blue eyes were focused and intent. No matter the sadness they showed. "I want them… the villagers to see him as a hero. Our son, Naruto. He has the Fox sealed inside him just as Kushina once did."

Kushina interrupted, "We know they won't though. People like us, our boy and me,… we're called Jinchurriki. We're always despised because of our burdens. Ostracized. Take Naruto." she said suddenly as she freed a hand to grab the bounty hunter's arm in desperation as blood began to dribble from her mouth. She ignored her husband's weakening disagreement. "Take him away from here. Raise him to be a good man. Please."

Minato gathered his waning strength to speak, "My motormouth wife is right. Human nature is not idealistic. When he turns six, let him choose to either be a ninja as we were. Or… or to travel the stars as you do."

The new parents chuckled at the shocked expression they received. "We knew, Boba," Kushina said slowly. "We always knew. Be good to our baby boy. He's all we have left." her eyes fluttered shut just as her husband's breathing ceased.

Boba was in a state of shock at their request. He barely registered taking the wrapped bundle into his arms. Saying softly, "I will, Kushina. Minato… he'll have that choice. And more." he stood up and donned his helmet. "Don't you two worry. I'll raise Naruto here to be a man strong enough to make his way in the galaxy." He turned as others arrived on the scene and took aggressive stances as they surrounded the scene.

An older man with a pained expression stepped ahead of the others, "I am Hiruzen Sarutobi. Minato-Kun's predecessor as Hokage. Hand over the babe, and no harm will come to you." he added firmly as he held out his hands. "He belongs here in Konoha. I cannot let you take him."

Boba Fett's eyes narrowed behind his helmet's T visor. "It was their last request for me to raise this little tyke. I dare you to try and stop me."

End flashback

Boba drained his goblet and said, "I took off before they could do anything. I can still hear that old man shouting for me to "Return the Fourth's Legacy!" he shook his head, "Blasted off as soon as I got to my ship. Never looked back." he chuckled, softly, "I remember hearing that old man's voice on the comms. I forgot the damn thing. He must have known about it from Minato. I told him we'd be back in five years. No sooner." he finished the story and stood up. "I'm going to bed. The 8D8 will have rooms ready for you four by now. See you tomorrow." he said in farewell before leaving the dining room to them.

Digesting everything she had learned took a few minutes. And several sips of wine. "Tha… that's some story." Fennec began.

Naruto spoke up, "All of it is true." he confirmed as he leaned back in his chair and reassured the others. "Namikaze Minato was the village's Fourth Hokage. Their fourth leader. My mother was Uzumaki Kushina. I took her last name as my own. I didn't want to live under his shadow." he explained. "He raised me on Kamino. The same place he grew up right before the Clone Wars kicked off." he smiled in remembrance, "An odd place. All science-y and sterile. They wanted to get a genetic sample while I was a baby, but he forbade it. Glad he did. The galaxy had a hard enough time with just me running around. Can you imagine the chaos if they had made more?" he joked and sipped from his glass. "Damn, this is good stuff. Coruscant knows how to make wine."

Fennec nodded in agreement. Her sharp eyes noted that the two girls were still worried for him though calmer. She turned her attention to the platinum blond. "Ino, you don't seem as concerned?" she inquired.

Ino waved her hand slightly, "I'm not as close to Naruto." she replied as finished her meal. "I'm going to get the Kurama and bring her into the shuttle bay." a look at Fennec, "If that's okay?"

Fennec snorted and gave a nod. "You're family. So definitely. Don't want Jawas finding your ship unattended. Have it stripped to the frame in minutes." she said half-jokingly.

Ino nodded and left, settling her helmet.

Fennec watched her leave before returning her attention to the remaining three. "What did she…?"

This time Hinata spoke up softly, "Shand-san. You are the Daimyo's Right Hand. We understand your concern for his safety and well-being. However," she paused as her tone firmed, "this is beginning to feel like an interrogation." she gave a minimalistic smile, "No matter how pleasant the atmosphere."

Surprised anew, Fennec shook her head, "I'm genuinely curious. This is not an interrogation by any means. My apologies if it appeared to be." She drank more wine, "I know Boba mostly by reputation. Until he saved my life in the Dune Sea."

Now it was Yugito that was curious, "A life debt then?" she nodded to herself, "I can appreciate that."

Fennec stood up and chuckled ever so quietly, "Dropping little teases like that. You would drive an interrogator insane." her eyes narrowed then, "You've been trained how to deal with them. All of you. What you just did was intentional. Now I'm impressed."

The trio gave no denial at the charge as they rose in unison and bowed. "See you tomorrow," Naruto replied with a smirk.

-Next Morning-

Boba walked into the room set aside for his son as he was tying the belt of his robe. He lifted his head and anything he was to say got stuck in his throat. He blinked a couple of times, tilted his head ever so slightly, and then left the room. Out in the hall, he felt his chest puff up and a smile grew on his face. "That's my boy," he said to no one as he semi-strutted down the hall. Sure to lightly pinch his nose to prevent the threat of a nosebleed. After all, he had walked into scenes far more intense and disturbing in the past.

Naruto closed his barely open eyes as his Dad left the room. However; not before glancing to either side, ensuring the two women were still fast asleep as they cuddled up to him. His arms tightened a little as he slowly drifted back to sleep.

A couple of hours later, Naruto walked through the Palace and out onto a balcony where he found Boba staring out over the vast desert surrounding the place. He accepted the cold seeming drink from a serving droid before acknowledging the man. "Morning, Pops. Get an eyeful earlier?" he inquired innocently and chuckled as the man almost spilled his drink.

Boba Fett wasn't one prone to blushing by any means. Even so, he felt his cheeks warm. "Unintentional, son. One or more being your woman hadn't crossed my mind. Should have considered it." he said in apology. "How'd that happen anyway?" he asked. "They must be very special for you to go to the trouble to outfit them as you have."

Naruto leaned forward, bracing his now crossed forearms on the balcony railing. "Believe it or not, Hinata was first," he said, not looking for reactions. "You had left on that job to go after Solo. A message came in. Sarutobi called in one of his three markers. He thought something was going on and he wanted our kind of backup. Just in case. Grabbed the transport we had been working on, loaded up, and hyper'd out." he paused slightly after taking a sip of the juice. "Seems the old man was right. They were being invaded."

Boba listened silently, taking in every word. Every gesture and shift. He could tell this story was more complicated. It always was. "Okay, enough of the build-up…"

Naruto's shoulders slumped, "Fine, skip all the good stuff." he sighed and drained the drink. "We ran into one another while I was stocking up some supplies to take to my ship. She learned I was getting ready to leave again. She snuck herself into the wagon. I had no idea she was on board until we were a few hours into hyper." he grinned softly yet with genuine warmth. "She's been at my side ever since. Six years now."

Turning his attention back out towards the desert, Boba asked quietly, " Any regrets?"

"About my girls? Not a one." Naruto answered with a broad smile. "Later Pops."

Boba Fett watched him walk away, a small smile forming this time. "Good for you."

A/N: Man, this chapter was hard to write. Parts of it didn't flow or come together well, so I ended up rewriting it more than a couple of times. My beta is ill at the moment so I'm using a couple of online editors and posting as best I can. Hope folks enjoy it!