Merry (official) Christmas!
Anyways, with Part II Chapter 7B being worked on while planning a finale chapter, I figure I give a FINAL preview. But not just ANY preview, it's a preview for PART III of FIREBRAND. It's Christmas after all.
Regarding Part III, Naofumi and his party will be exclusive to Part III, until another plot requires their appearance. That way things don't get too over-encumbered.
In this short preview of what's to come, Naruto Namikaze, aka Firebrand, has a short talk with Naofumi Iwatani of the FIREBRANDverse before Akeno takes the blond off his hands. Nero also makes an appearance at the end.
If you read or watched the series, Naofumi was an otaku before he became a badass Shield Hero. I figured their circumstances regarding how they got to where they are now are kind of similar, the only difference is that Naruto was not betrayed by anyone.
Gremory Family Estate
Grand Hall
"Naofumi, are you okay?" Asked a worried Raphtalia. With an assuring smile, he told her he was, saying he just wasn't a fan of parties where they had to dress nice and eat with etiquette. "That's understandable. I'm not really a fan of dressing up either."
"I don't mind. You pulled that dress off really well." Raphtalia couldn't help but turn red from the compliment her King gave her. "Naofumi, you're making me blush..."
"It's true. Trust me, I'm having a good time. You don't need to worry," he said, smiling at her for extra measure. Now feeling assured, Raphtalia told him she was going to check out the large fondue fountain Sirzechs' cooks brought out with Filo, leaving her King to be by himself by the wall.
"Not going to mingle?" Turning his head to the right, Naofumi found himself approached by Naruto.
"No, at least not for a good while." When asked if Raphtalia was his girlfriend, Naofumi said no. "Really...You're missing out on someone genuine."
"What?"
"Nothing just mumbling to myself...I watched your Rating Game on the train ride here. Despite having a peerage consisting of yourself, your Queen, your Rook, and a Familiar, you took down Zephyrdor and his Peerage with no trouble, and with no losses on your end, and you got promoted to High-Class Devil. Congrats."
"Thanks...Though that was only part of my real peerage."
"That so...Naruto Namikaze, Rook of the House of Agares," said the blond, offering a handshake. Though a bit hesitant, Naofumi shakes his hand. "Naofumi Iwatani, King." As they watch their friends have fun, Naruto asked himself why he had to be at a party when he could be home playing video games. "I know it's important for all peerage members to attend but come on..."
"I hear you. I'd rather be doing that than being at a party," Naofumi admits.
"Right?"
"And I just got to the goof part of Jedi Fallen Order before Sirzechs called me."
"Wait, you have Jedi Fallen Order?"
"Yeah, I got it a few days ago," said the Rook.
"You did!?" yelled Naofumi, sounding interested. "How is it? Is it good as most of the reviewers online say?" Naruto tells Naofumi the game did not disappoint him and the combat was fantastic. "You have to tell me more about it!" With a smile, Naruto said he'd be glad to tell him the things that made the game good. Before he could speak, Akeno interrupts with, "Ara Ara, so this is where you were, Namikaze."
"Himejima-senpai, good evening. I like your kimono."
"Thank you. Iwatani-san, do you mind if I steal Namikaze from you?" With a shrug, Naofumi gave her permission to take the blond, though not before telling Naruto they could talk about it some other time.
"I was wondering when you'd show up with Gremory-senpai and the others. Thought you guys would be here early." Akeno says it couldn't be helped since they were occupied with training. When asked how his training went, he told her he didn't do any training, having just summoned his Servant today. "You summoned a Servant?"
"Yeah, and she...is...well-"
"Praetor!" Turning to the right, they see Nero making her way to them, lovingly wrapping her arms around the Rook, telling him how glad she was she found him, having found herself a bit lost on the way to the Grand Hall after she found a dress to her liking. "Who is this woman, Praetor?"
"Akeno Himejima, Nero Claudius." Upon further inspection of the Gremory Queen, Nero praises her beauty, telling Akeno, "Umu, truly Venus has blessed you with beauty fit for a Queen." Red in the face, a grateful and embarrassed Akeno thanked her.
