AFFLICTIONS AND ROYALS – THE SACRED DAGGER
South-East Seblix
Himawari walks alongside her brother towards their target, her walk filled with purpose. Even as she struggles to recover from the trauma of the fallout from the Foundry incident, she remains a prodigy. In recent days she has finally made the required breakthroughs, reaching the second tier in the final of her three elements. She has become the first known warrior to use three divine cloaks simultaneously, 'fire', 'lightning', and 'wind'. In better times Homeworld would rejoice the emergence of a genius, a member of the Imperial Family. Now she receives no such praise, with only her brother to tell her how proud he is.
Boruto walks alongside his sister to the end of a little village. The village is found on the border of two distinct areas, one filled with a multitude of volcanoes, the other a marshy bog. The Shadow 9th Hokage invites his sister to knock on the door and she does so. They immediately hear someone drop something inside and call out for them to wait a minute.
Eventually an elderly woman in a light-red jumper answers the door. She has short grey hair and exceptionally large glasses with a thick dark frame. What surprises the siblings most of all is the parrot flapping its wings on her shoulder, hopping left and right. They do wonder if the bird has anything to say for itself, but it surprises them by remaining silent.
"Are you Ogawa Maki?" Boruto asks.
"Sir, the empire has rules about names. It's just Maki now."
"You were a historian and an advisor to previous Emperor Endou Akashi, right?" Boruto asks. "We've been making enquiries and the experts have pointed us in your direction. Everyone ensured us that you were the best."
"I've already told you people, I have nothing to do with the rebellion," Maki says, gently rubbing her hands. "I just worked with Endou Akashi; I don't know anything about this rebellion. I'm too old for all that fighting and I was never much of a warrior."
"We're not from the Imperial Guard," Himawari says.
"Oh, who are you then? Travellers?"
"Our mother is Endou Hinata. We are the emperor's grandchildren."
Maki falls to the ground clumsily. As she stutters Boruto and Himawari share a glance. Now that they think about it perhaps it is difficult for people to believe it when they claim to be part of the Imperial Family. However, as Boruto helps Maki back to her feet, they both notice the clear look of joy on the historian's face.
"You really do resemble your mother," Maki says. "Yes there is something in both of you. I can tell that you're telling the truth. It has been a long time since I have had a visit from the true Imperial Family."
Maki begins to bow but Himawari stops her, not wanting to risk the elderly lady falling again. The Blaze Princess suggests that the three of them go inside and out of sight, a suggestion the historian gladly accepts. Upon entry she offers them each some food and water which after days of travelling they accept.
"It really is an honour to meet the two of you," Maki says.
"Thanks. We're here on resistance business, you may know something important," Boruto says. "When we found out you were one of our grandfather's advisors we asked about your work. Apparently at one point you were looking into the story of the sacred artifacts."
"That's right," Maki says. "But that was nothing more than a story. In all my years of looking I never found any confirmation that such a thing existed."
"The sacred items exist," Himawari says. "Since the rebellion started two of them have emerged. The Sacred Sword is with our mother."
"They really exist?"
"Yes."
Maki stands and begins to celebrate ecstatically. She jumps around like her life has been validated. Boruto and Himawari share a worried look, the historian hasn't shown herself to have steady feet so far. They watch nervously until the excited Maki finally returns to her seat opposite the two of them, a smile still glued to her face.
"I can't believe it, I was right, I was really right!"
"Do you know where we could find another sacred item?" Boruto asks.
"Another?"
"Please, it is important," Himawari says. "This may make the difference between winning and losing the war."
"I didn't even think that one of the items existed," Maki admits, "But two. All those times I told Akashi I thought they were real he smiled. Everyone else thought I was mad but he listened to me and told me to search for them. I never found anything but Hinata, wow, Hinata found one of them. I'm sorry, but I don't feel I can help. You should speak with your mother; she may know something I don't."
"Our mother doesn't know. Please, anything you can tell us may prove useful."
"I never found anything… but wait. Ah yes, I remember excavating a tomb to the north. Yes we had some unfortunate incidents while we were investigating that tomb. I asked your grandfather if he could spare his science advisor to help me. Of course back then I just thought Jonas was very strong, I didn't know what he was going to do. Jonas refused, he thought it was a waste of time, so Akashi asked me to stop the dig. It was too dangerous and if we kept going somebody would have been seriously hurt."
"This tomb is to the north?" Boruto asks.
"Yes. I will draw you a map, but you must promise me you will be careful. Your grandfather stopped this dig and because he knew it was dangerous. If he knew I sent the two of you to finish my work he would be very upset."
"We will be careful Ms Ogawa," Himawari says.
Maki finishes her map and hands it to the young man she knows to be the true Crown Prince. Boruto takes the paper and thanks her, promising her that somehow they will find a way to end this war. Homeworld will be free once again and they will make it happen.
West Seblix
"Hinata-sis."
"Yes Mana."
"If you ever run off like that again I'm going to hide the crown so that you never become empress. Then I'll tell Enri that you lost it because you're clumsy and I'll make all the Imperial Staff laugh at you and I'll tell them you can't cope unless I'm there to tell you what to do."
Hinata smiles. "It's good to see you too Mana."
The two of them hug tightly. Mana has already spent years without Hinata at her side, enduring a pain she never expected would be required. She has served the Imperial Family loyally despite everything. Hinata appreciates her efforts deeply, Mana had a very hard start to her life but she has always done her duty and helped everyone else because that is the selfless kind of person she is.
"I knew you could do it," Kushina tells her son.
"Thank you," Naruto says. "We're going to head east to Seblix's capital Boni. Nadia is the Queen of Seblix so hiding from her will be tough. Boni is the hardest city to recruit rebels from, that's why important that we go there. Only we can do this, and it will be a very dangerous mission. I hope that is OK with everyone."
Everyone confirms to Naruto that this dangerous mission is OK with them. Now more than ever they are of one mind. With this recent victory over Head General Safura there is a belief that together they can achieve anything. Nobody, not Safura, nor Nadia, not even Jonas can stand in their way.
Boni City
The Imperial Guard has its own headquarters in Boni City. One of the many locations that the portal from the main headquarters in Okarin can lead. There are several guards permanently stationed on this portal, always watching to make sure that it is not taken by the enemy and waiting to receive any important visitors. Usually it is a boring job, but the guards all immediately stand to attention when they receive their latest guest, Head General Safura herself.
"Head General," one captain says.
"You can relax, captain," Safura replies. "Your commander knew that I would be coming through the portal. I am here to see General Dodi. I already know my way so there is no need to accompany me. I appreciate your alertness, good work."
"Thank you Head General."
Safura walks through the corridors of the Boni Headquarters. She visits General Dodi more than the majority of his counterparts because of his divine ability to recall limitless information. Dodi spends most of his time helping Queen Nadia with this power but there are times when Safura, his only other commander, wishes to make use of his talents too.
When Safura finds Dodi in his office he slowly stands to attention with his usual deadpan expression. He knows that certain formalities are expected of him in the face of his superior officer, but he also knows that Safura doesn't care about them.
"Can I help you Head General?" Dodi asks.
"I would like to see the Queen."
Dodi gestures to the door, he exits after Safura and locks it behind him before asking her to follow. They leave through the main door to the Boni Headquarters, a tall and impressive item worthy of the supreme Imperial Guard. They walk a short distance across the main square of the city and into a building with an impressive marble roof, that of course being the royal palace of Seblix. Inside they make a long ascent up neatly maintained stone steps and into a long throne room.
The throne room is empty, just as both of them knew it would be. They walk to the end of the long chamber and behind the throne where there is a small door into a study. They enter the study and find the wall covered in papers, each with a prediction about the future of the war. Safura wonders if Nadia predicted her defeat in this manner.
"Head General Safura," Dodi announces.
"Queen Nadia, I need your help," Safura says.
"Ah Safura, I see you are still in one piece despite your recent confrontation," Nadia says. "Tell me is that wound on your hand new or has that always been there?"
"That is indeed a new scar," Safura says.
"Uzumaki Naruto more competent than you predicted?" Nadia teases. "Don't worry Safura, they are all underestimating him. Even Sabine is overconfident in her ability to defeat him. Thankfully for you, I have plans for how this war will be resolved, and at the end you will still be Head General. He will not defeat the emperor."
"Would you rather he were successful?"
Nadia laughs. "Well if I were to admit to treasonous thoughts that wouldn't make me very clever, would it? So, tell me Safura. What do you want?"
"You already know, don't you?"
"Of course head general, but it will entertain me to hear you ask."
"I need to know how to draw out Uzumaki Naruto now that he is stronger than I am."
Nadia shakes her head. "He may be stronger, but assuming that makes a difference is ridiculous. He may be strong Safura but you shouldn't treat him as a royal, he lacks our skill, cunning and connections. If you want to get to Naruto you draw him out the same way as you always have; you put his allies in danger."
There is a knock at the door and a colonel sheepishly pokes her head in.
"My queen, there has been news of the siblings," the colonel says.
"Ah yes, stay for this Safura, you can probably make better use of this information than I can. The siblings in question are Uzumaki Boruto and Uzumaki Himawari. There is no better target if you want to gain Naruto's attention."
"What news colonel?" Safura asks.
"My queen, head general, the siblings were seen talking to Ogawa Maki."
"The historian?" Safura is surprised.
"The only other Ogawa Maki lives in South Aturia, she is a builder" Dodi says.
Nadia grins. "Thank you general, your input is helpful as always. Well Safura, it looks like you have all the information you need. Find the Uzumaki siblings and soon Naruto will come running to you again. I should warn you though, if you fight that man again this time you will most certainly lose."
"I don't want to fight him," Safura says. "I need his help."
"Yes," Nadia says. "Right now we all do."
Three Days Later, North-East Seblix
Boruto and Himawari look at the excavated tomb Maki told them about. It is just as she described to them while drawing the map. The columns holding up the roof have been carved to resemble people, they are clearly ancient. However, as their grandfather said, this tomb is very dangerous. They use the Tenseigan and Byakugan respectively to inspect the ancient structure and agree that even if there is a sacred item inside getting to it will be very dangerous.
The siblings sigh as they realise someone is approaching from behind. They turn to face their pursuer.
"I am Head General Safura," she says. "I have come here because I need your help to achieve a mutually beneficial goal. If you come with me there is no need for violence."
They each recognise who this is from the descriptions they have heard of her uniform. A gentle-sounding lady with a gold and red uniform. This is indeed Head General Safura just as she claims, someone their mother warned them against crossing if they could help it. What they do not realise is that until recently even their father was not capable of defeating such an opponent. If they were to realise this, they may not make such a foolish mistake.
Boruto activates his 'death' and 'fate' cloaks. Himawari activates her 'fire', 'lightning' and 'wind' cloaks. Boruto uses his Death Mask divine oddity to disappear and Himawari acts the part of a decoy, charging towards Safura.
The Head General is willing to admit that the Crown Prince's divine oddity is just as unique as his father's. Boruto's attack is powerful and it moves at her from a blind spot, she is only just able to defend in time. However, compared to Naruto, Boruto's speed is seriously lacking, stealth is currently his only advantage. When the Blaze Princess attacks countering is much easier, Himawari being only a class 7 warrior. Safura needs only a single golden 'diamond' enhanced punch to deal severe damage to her.
Boruto quickly retreats to his sister's side and the two of them move back. The Shadow 9th Hokage was confident that it would only take one exchange to gauge his opponent, but he didn't foresee how much Safura could do in that single moment. He tells his sister to run away and skip the remainder of this fight. Clearly if Himawari were to continue to fight here, against a warrior who class above her own, she would be at serious risk.
Himawari knows that continuing to fight with him would hold Boruto back, but she is determined that she will not become a burden to him. She charges head-first into danger, running not towards Safura but instead into the tomb. This is the place that her grandfather warned against anyone entering, but it is her greatest hope of becoming stronger, of helping to end this war.
As she rushes through the narrow corridors of the tomb Himawari watches for all sorts of traps. There are several pits she manages to avoid only thanks to her Byakugan. There are old remnants of divine energy which explode in her face, explosions that she only just manages to emerge from unharmed. There are lengthy chasms she crosses by using her shinobi talents to run along the walls and falling debris she barely has time to avoid. For anyone else moving through a tomb like this would likely prove fatal, but for a shinobi of Himawari's talent it is possible to survive.
Meanwhile Boruto continues his battle with Safura. He uses his Death Mask more than he ever has before, masking his presence with greater continuity and intensity. He divides his mind not into two parts like his father, but into many. Yet no matter how many times he attacks Safura she always seems to find a way to defend herself. Even against his 'death' enhanced Rasengan she constructs a wall of golden 'diamond' to protect herself.
Now it is Safura's turn to attack. She charges at Boruto when there is a gap in his Death Mask. She creates a small golden 'diamond' and holds it in her hand, just like she did against Naruto. She pulls back her fist ready to strike Boruto when suddenly there is a whooshing noise. Something takes one of her legs out from under her and causes her punch to miss.
Boruto is quick to react, creating another 'death' enhanced Rasengan and quickly pushing it into Safura's abdomen. He lands a solid strike against the Head General, pushing her back. This leads Safura to wince, she does her best but she is struggling to mask the pain from an injury that Naruto gave her in their recent fight.
She uses the One True Sense to identify what took her leg out from beneath her. She suddenly sees it. A small gold and blue object flying through the air at great speed. It seems to bounce off the air several times before flying back into the tomb. Not two seconds later Himawari emerges with that same object in hand, and a terrifying increase in her power.
This is the Sacred Dagger.
Becoming the wielder of the Sacred Dagger has turned Himawari into a class 8 warrior, just like her brother.
Now Safura realises that she is in trouble.
Himawari releases the Sacred Dagger and it floats in position. She mutters the word "go" and the dagger propels itself forward at top-speed. It flies at Safura with immense power and her last-gasp defences. However, just as it seems she has managed to endure the attack, Himawari swings her arm out and the dagger turns around mid-air striking Safura again, and again, and again. The dagger has a mind of its own and it is attacking the Head General continuously.
Safura is an agile warrior and has spent much time practicing her evasion skills. As she dodges the Sacred Dagger for a third consecutive time, she realises mid-air that she has made a horrible mistake. She completely forgot that Boruto was her opponent as well. With no time to assemble a concentrated defence, she only realises the true magnitude of her error when a 'death' and 'fate' enhanced Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion hits her from point blank range. Boruto has positioned himself perfectly to deliver maximum damage, something that Safura was not ready for.
When the energy finally dies down Safura is forced to face the reality of the situation. It has happened again, not only has Naruto defeated her, but his son and daughter have as well. She looks up to see Boruto with a 'death' enhanced Rasengan in hand, he certainly seems to be less merciful than his father was.
"Wait!" Safura says.
Boruto stops his attack just short.
"You two need to stop. I was serious when I said that violence wasn't necessary. Clearly together you are just as dangerous as your parents."
Boruto maintains his Rasengan, still disinclined to believe her.
"There is a dangerous affliction that has been let loose on Homeworld," Safura continues. "Right now the people of CheoCho are suffering and they desperately need help. The only person who can defeat this affliction is your father. I was sent personally by Emperor Furst Jonas and King Weiss Max to ask for his help."
The siblings' eyes meet. They are both perceptive enough to know that Safura is being honest with them. In that case they need to act. Either this has been done deliberately as a trap to lure Naruto in or it is a genuine accident. In each scenario it poses a serious threat to Naruto if he helps. They can either reveal the situation to him or they can keep quiet. However they have recently felt responsible for the demise of a great medic, it would dishonour her if they did nothing in the face of a deadly affliction. They decide that they must seek their father's help.
"I think I know where dad was going," Himawari says. "We will take you to him."
"No," Boruto says. "If anyone else sees the Head General and convinces him that this is a trap he may not come. You two get him, I will go to CheoCho."
"You would risk exposure to Fauna Blight?" Safura asks.
"Even if he thinks it is a trap, he will come if he thinks he can save me," Boruto explains. "But Head General, I want your assurance. You seem like an honest person. Promise me that until my father has given the help you seek, you will not harm either me or my sister."
"I promise the Imperial Guard shall not harm you, Uzumaki Boruto, Uzumaki Himawari. Until Fauna Blight is gone from CheoCho, you two are under the Imperial Guard's protection."