THE FOUNDRY – THE KEY

Marshlands, Cheqitori

"Do you think that's it?" Himawari asks her brother.

There isn't much to interest anyone in the marshes. Just miles of land inhabited only by wild animals, walked by the occasional member of the Beast Clan and the odd Imperial Guard patrol. Normally one would only come to this area for one reason, to hide, as Tao Ma did previously. Boruto and Himawari have come here on a mission from the rebellion though. They have come to retrieve the key.

In the middle of the marshes is the only man-made construct they have seen for miles. A small stony structure, consisting of a base with a couple of staircases leading to a raised platform. Atop the raised platform is a small red stone, shining so brightly that it can be seen from miles away.

"I would imagine so," Boruto answers.

The brother-sister duo approach the stone structure, moving at a relatively slow and steady pace for warriors so powerful. This pace is partly methodical, to avoid the worst of the marshes, but it is partly because Boruto has something he wants to say. Himawari can sense her brother's tension, but she is willing to wait for him to say what's on his mind.

"They don't trust me yet, do they?" he asks.

"Mom will take a while to come around," Himawari admits. "Dad trusts you."

"Yeah, of course he does."

"You just need to give her some time. The first time she learned she had a son do you know what we had to tell her? We had to tell her that her son was led astray by a charismatic villain. We had to tell her that your mission was to destroy Homeworld, her home. She will warm up to you in time, but you've got to give her a chance."

They arrive at the stone structure and inspect the red shining gemstone.

Himawari reaches for the gem when her brother holds his hand out, signalling her to stop. He activates his Tenseigan, giving him visual prowess beyond his sister's. After doing that he knows that he was right to do so. Everything here is not as it seemed.

Boruto destroys the stone pedestal, revealing an identical gemstone hidden within it. The one on top had no divine energy about it, but this one very much does. He can only conclude that the one on top was a fake.

"Perhaps this will help to change mother's mind," Boruto says.

Boruto offers the gemstone to Himawari. When she takes the stone, he holds onto her hand.

"You believe that I've changed, don't you?" he asks.

Himawari smiles. "You're my brother, and you always will be. I believe that you have changed, and I'm going to help the others see that as well."

Boruto smiles. He doesn't believe he deserves a family like this. A mother who can even think of forgiving him considering the things he has done. A father who acts as if he has done nothing to forgive. A sister who stands by him through everything, good and bad. From now on, he is determined he will stay with Himawari. His sister seems to have a good habit of always being on the right side of history. He hopes that he can learn something from her, just as he has from his parents.

A Small Room, the Hertz Compound

"There you are!"

Sakura shuts the door behind her as she enters. She has been looking for Hinata for some time now. At first, she thought the princess would be with her followers after their great victory earlier, she is surprised to find her alone like this. It is like Hinata is hiding, but Sakura can't understand what she must be hiding from.

The truth is that Hinata is struggling to process the prophecy given to her by the Seer Twins. She hadn't wanted to hear of her own future from Theresa and Philip, but they spoke without her asking. Her destiny is that she will never defeat Furst Jonas. No matter what from now on, she will need to depend on someone else to do that for her. Perhaps one of her children, but most likely Naruto. She has stopped trying to prevent the pocket-worlders from involving themselves in the war, but the fact that she is depending on them causes her great shame. Endou Hinata, daughter of this world's hero, is destined to fail in her most important task.

"I've found the thing you were looking for," Sakura says, "but I still don't really get how this thing works."

Sakura hands Hinata an orb with a glowing golden aura around it. Hinata takes it gently and looks at it with a smile. She has known that she would need to use this for a long time now. She has always known that she would need to give the others a sense of confidence following her, that she would need to inspire them.

Hinata reaches inside the orb and pulls out a tiny orb from within, holding it between her thumb and index finger. A miniaturised version of the same item.

"You just pinch the middle of the orb," Hinata explains.

Sakura nods. "Are you sure it's a good idea to use that. You can't go back can you?"

Hinata looks to the ground for a moment before telling Sakura a story.

"When my parents won the war, they understood that what people needed from them going forward would be different. They didn't need to be warriors anymore, they needed to look wise and comforting. That's why Furst Jonas created this thing, it can artificially change your age.

"Furst wanted to use it to reach a perfect fighting age, but my parents didn't use it for themselves, they used it for others. That's why my mother looks like an old woman. She was much younger when she broke through, but she understood that she needed to look wise. She needed the people of the empire to feel comfortable when they looked at her.

"I understood there would be a time when the empire needed me, and I was prepared for it. The empire may have needed another stable leader to guide it through turbulent times. The empire may have needed a younger ruler, someone with exciting ideas to guide them through. Right now the empire needs a hero, someone with experience but not someone who is old. They need someone who looks like they belong at the head of an army. That's why I need to use this, so I can look the part."

Sakura averts her eyes for a minute before awkwardly returning her gaze to Hinata. She admires the princesses' drive, but she has some bad news to give her. Given Hinata's recent changes, she's not sure how the princess will take this news, or how she wants her to take this news. It's bad news tactically, news that Hyuuga Hinata would be devastated by and a problem that Endou Hinata should want to resolve.

"I also found this thing," Sakura says, holding what looks like a white stick.

Hinata puts the orb away.

"Oh that old thing," Hinata smiles before taking the stick. "I knew you'd like this, it's a medical device, see."

Hinata presses a button on the bottom of the stick and runs it over her leg. As she does so a projection appears above the stick, showing the bones inside the princess' leg. Hinata runs it back and forward to show a point, before adjusting a little slider on the side of the stick. As Hinata changes the position of the slider, the depth of the projection changes, from muscles, to bones, to the marrow within the bones.

"You should keep that," Hinata says, handing back the device.

"Yeah. The thing is Hinata, when you spend as much time as I have in medicine, you learn a few things about the structure of the human body. I've seen so many fighters with broken bones, after a while you start to notice things about those bones. One of my teachers taught me that you could determine someone's age from certain features of their skeleton."

"The medics of your pocket-world sound very impressive," Hinata says.

"Yeah. After the last battle I thought I better take a look at Naruto. Who knows if he missed anything with that 'life' energy of his? When I looked at his bones, I made an alarming discovery."

"Has he been fixing himself incorrectly?"

Sakura shakes her head. "No, he's been fixing himself properly. I noticed that his bones have changed since the last time I saw him. Specifically, they have been developing as normal."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Hinata says.

"When we understand divine energy, we are supposed to gain eternal life," Sakura says. "At least that's what I understand from what you have told me. Naruto never gained eternal life; he's still ageing like a normal human being. If things keep going like this eventually, he will grow old and he will die."

Hinata holds her head with her hand. She needs Naruto. He is their best bet of defeating the emperor someday, however unlikely that may seem. It's quite likely that any war with the empire would turn into a battle of attrition. If the war could be going for years, eternal life will be important. If Naruto dies before they are able to get to the Imperial Palace in Okarin, that's their best chance of defeating the emperor gone. It's a tactical disaster for the rebellion. How is she supposed to stop this, for someone with divine energy it shouldn't be happening?

"Are there any diseases that can cause this?" Sakura asks. "Has anyone ever grown old in your world despite having divine energy?"

Hinata nods. "My uncle, Headmaster Sora. He looked old towards the end, or so I'm told. The last time I saw him before departing to your world he had a full head of dark hair. He didn't look that much older than I do. He never used this orb to age himself. Michel told me that Furst investigated his ageing and found another reason for it."

"What was that reason?"

"My uncle aged because of extreme mental anguish. The pain of losing my father and my mother's subsequent disappearance, he was betrayed by a man he thought was his friend. The toll that took on his mind, that is what caused him to age. Apparently, it took years for him to find peace again."

Sakura sighs. "Then that is it, extreme mental anguish."

Hinata pauses. She just showed Sakura parts of her own bone structure and the shinobi didn't say that she was ageing. If this really is the case, then the mental pressure on Naruto must be far greater than on her. Doing this is the whole purpose of her life, countless people depend on her. If Naruto is feeling an even greater pressure than she is, she cannot imagine how he must be feeling.

"Perhaps it's a good thing," Hinata says optimistically. "Perhaps it shows how seriously he is taking the rebellion."

"Hinata, we all have limits, you know that. There is only so much pressure we can take before we explode. I'm sure you have realised by now that Naruto is a freak. He can take more than ten times what a normal person can take. But even our Hokage can't power through everything. He has been bottling up the pressure ever since he came to the future, and it is hurting him."

"But if he can save Homeworld—"

"Naruto can save Homeworld, trust me. He needs to be free of worries though. He can't worry about that captained-six contest, about General Clyde breaking his promise and attacking, he can't worry about Lara's invasion, or fighting the Imperial Guard. He needs to release all the built-up pressure, then he can save your world."

"How does he release pressure?" Hinata asks.

"Only you know the answer to that Hinata. You need to find a way, some old memory that can help us. If you don't then someone is going to die."

Hinata hesitates. She doesn't mind working with Naruto, and perhaps one day the two of them may become close once again. What Sakura is asking her to do though involves her being a different person. The one who can help Naruto is not Endou Hinata the Empress of Homeworld, but Hyuuga Hinata of the Hidden Leaf. Now of all times, Hinata doesn't believe that she can divert her attention to her other self. Right now she needs to concentrate completely on her duties as the exiled leader of this world.

"If I think it is necessary, I will stop Naruto going too far," Hinata says.

"Hinata…"

"I think it would be best if we kept this conversation between us for the moment. Telling Naruto this would only add more pressure to him, and I don't want anyone else knowing that he is ill. The rebellion needs to have confidence in him right now."

Sakura shakes her head. "I hope you know what you're doing Hinata."

"I have to know what I'm doing. I'm the true empress after all."

Rara City, Cheqitori

Although he often prefers the Hertz Compound, the palace is a more than adequate second choice for King Hertz Erik. Unfortunately, his being here wasn't a choice. He has come here because he knows that the compound is currently in enemy hands. No rebels have ever forced the empire's hand like this, not since he has been King of Cheqitori. That is why he has called for the expert opinion of his most hated rival.

Queen Nadia is here, and she has brought King Swen with her.

Nadia throws open the doors to the throne room without invitation, walking inside with a grin on her face. She has shared information with Erik before, often at a price, but the King of Cheqitori has never been so lacking in pride that he has outright asked for her help before.

"Nadia. Swen," Erik says as he rises from his throne to greet them.

"Oh go on, I know you can do better," Nadia teases him. "Go on, do it properly, titles and everything. Remember, Swen can hear your thoughts, so don't go thinking anything nasty."

Erik sighs. "I receive Her Majesty Queen Hirsch Nadia of Seblix and His Majesty King Hoffman Swen of Gavaria. On behalf of the people I represent, welcome to Rara, the Capital City of the great nation Cheqitori."

"Well, he certainly got all the words right," Nadia scratches her chin. "Swen, was he really sincere about all that?"

"Of course not," Swen groans. "He resents our presence here in his country, yep. He wants to get rid of us as quickly as possible."

"Perhaps I should make him say it again until he's sincere."

"Do we have to Nadia? That would get boring very quickly."

"Oh come on Swen, it's not very often you get to make fun of a king so openly."

"You make fun of all the royals openly."

"Yes, but I don't get to do it half as often as I want to."

"Can we get to the point!" Erik shouts.

Nadia tuts, "temper-temper. Very well, if you have something to say to us perhaps, we should get it over with. I wouldn't want to interrupt Swen's very important nap."

Erik glares at Nadia. She has always been like this. The only time she has ever held back her thoughts is when it comes to the emperor. Nobody knows why she does this, if she genuinely believes in his cause, if she knows exactly when to stop to avoid his breaking point, or if there is some greater thought at work. Either way, he takes it more personally than any of the other royals. He took this job expecting great status, and nobody is so discourteous towards him as Queen Nadia.

"Are your nations both safe with you here?" Erik asks.

"The rebels aren't planning attacks in either of our countries."

"Good. That being the case I would like you to remain here in Cheqitori, I would consider it a personal favour. Since I know you are going to ask, I have to go and defend an important key position."

Nadia smiles. Working out the royals has always been one of her favourite challenges. How boundless is Petra's loyalty to the emperor? Does Sabine have an objective or is chaos really all she cares about? As he is an inferior scientist to Furst, what is Max's goal? Unlike the others, Erik is a completely open book. His goals are shallow, wealth, fame, and status. Though his need to defend a key position is an interesting development, even though it is within her expectations.

"Could this key position be in that thin sliver of land the emperor won't let me take from you?" Nadia asks.

"I obviously couldn't say if—"

"That's where the Foundry is, right?"

"How do you know that!?"

Nadia laughs. "Give me a day watching people walk past the city centre, I'll tell you how many crimes will be committed. Let me examine a king's throne, and I will tell you the manner in which he rules. Show me a single imperial intervention and I will know both it's cause and it's ramifications."

"Ignore her big speech," Swen yawns. "I've tried listening to how she works it out. Thinking that fast about that much is tiring, yep. I wouldn't bother if I were you Erik."

"Are you calling me stupid!?" Erik asks.

"Yes," Nadia answers.

The king's face turns crimson red, his fists tighten so much that Nadia can hear them. It's all laughable to her; Erik is demanding a favour from her so what can he possibly do to her? He has to let her say whatever she wants.

"While I am gone, would you retake the Hertz Compound for me?"

Nadia glances at Swen before smiling. "I'm not making any promises. I will see what we can do."

Erik supposes that will have to do. He storms out of the room, knocking the door from its hinges as he does so. Nadia really gets inside his head. He knows that he shouldn't let her, but he can't help it. If there is one compliment he will never refuse to pay, it's that Nadia is smart, smarter than any royal. He can try to outdo her on the field of battle, but what he absolutely cannot do is develop a superior strategy. Since Furst won't let the royals fight each other, this means Nadia beats him every time.

"Nadia, is he in the compound?" Swen asks.

"Don't worry Swen, we'll go and pay him a visit."

Later that Day, The Hertz Compound

News has gone around that Boruto and Himawari have returned with the key.

Hinata makes her way to the pre-arranged meeting point. She enters the main building of the Hertz Compound, walking past several salutes from rebellion members, salutes she is not yet familiar with receiving. As she walks to the conference table in this building, she sees the people she spoke with before. She sees the twins, Theresa, and Philip, still dressed immaculately. She sees Yuuki Terukatsu, with his lists of rebellion members and his maps. Lastly, she sees Uzumaki Naruto.

When Hinata reaches the conference table she gazes at Naruto. The news is still fresh to her and for the first time she really looks at him. She hasn't got enough memories of him to determine if he really is ageing or not, but she tries to guess, nonetheless. It must be thanks to his 'life' energy that nobody has noticed. Even when her father chose to become older, he looked youthful thanks to the excellent health his element granted him.

"Hinata, why are you staring at me?"

"It's nothing, don't worry about it. I understand that my children have returned with the key."

"No," the twins declare.

"No? I was told that they were back."

"So was I," Naruto says.

"That was the message we sent," Theresa admits. "We thought that would be easier for people to process than the truth."

"We have foreseen their imminent return with the key," Philip says. "Since we have seen it, we know that it will happen. Now we are able to provide you with the location of the Foundry."

"It is to the east," the twins declare in unison. "Pass through the jungles. Go over the peaks. Reach the place with both rainforests and hills. You are near the border with Seblix now. Just out of sight from Seblix, that is where you will find the portal. Open the portal with the key and it will take you into the depths of the void. There you will find the Foundry."

Terukatsu is annoyed by the twins insistence on speaking in unison. As far as he is concerned, they should start acting their age. Looking into their brains, he can see that they are having a lot of fun talking in riddles. The rebels are probably more cooperative and friendly than the Imperial Guard who they are used to dealing with.

"Naruto, you and your son are the most powerful warriors among us," Terukatsu admits. "The two of you should definitely be on the team that raids the Foundry. We need to decide who will go with you though."

"I will be going with them," Hinata says. "I have a greater steak in this than anybody else. And, I will not have it said in the future that the empress held down the fort while we were attacking the Foundry."

Terukatsu agrees that Hinata should go. Not only is the Endou clanswomen a powerful warrior, she also has heard more rumours about the Foundry than anyone else in their group, being the daughter of the first emperor to set foot on it.

After discussion they agree on a larger team to attack the Foundry. It is a familiar team for them. Naruto, Hinata, Boruto, Sakura, Mana and Michel. This is the team of six who will attack the place where divine abilities are made. They also agree that Sasuke will assist them in a supporting role, and that his 'spacetime' abilities will have tremendous value given that they are heading through a portal.

"This mission is going to be dangerous. I know you're familiar with danger at this point, but normally I wouldn't consider sending such a small team at the Foundry. Are you absolutely certain you're happy to do this?" Terukatsu asks.

Naruto is about to answer.
But he is interrupted by the voice of a newcomer.

"If it's that dangerous you're going to need help," the newcomer says. "I am willing to lay down my life to protect the Hidden Leaf. And if it helps you to trust me, I will lay down my life to protect Homeworld as well."

Hinata and Terukatsu don't know who this is. But Naruto knows. He has been wondering for a long time when he would next meet his friend turned rival. Now of all times.

"You've picked an interesting moment to visit.

"Senju Hashirama."

In Response to griffinhunter74's Question
About if there will be an equivalent of the 8 gates for divine energy

Well nothing like that has been revealed yet.
And if something like that were going to be revealed, I couldn't say without spoiling it.

It's an interesting idea though.
I have included ideas from reviewers in the past and I am going to include some in the future.

Thanks for reading.