AFFLICTIONS AND ROYALS – SUMMONING NARUTO
Boni City, Seblix
It is a dark night in Boni. Hannah stands guard outside the discrete house that the rebels have chosen as their hideout. Their attempts to recruit in this city have been challenging, but this was a team made for such a challenge. Naruto and Hinata are the two people who inspire the citizens of Homeworld. They either join because of the emergence of the pocket-worlder who was able to start a war against the empire, or because of the return of the true heir to the throne of Homeworld.
All is quiet and it appears they have been undiscovered until Hannah spots two women approaching. It is Himawari and Safura. Hannah immediately heads inside to wake her teacher and the princess. Within seconds they are outside, seeing the woman they recently fought walking side-by-side with their daughter.
"Get away from her!" Hinata says.
Safura smiles, "I am here to speak to—"
Naruto rapidly activates his divine oddity, he power-transfers to left-leg and right-arm. He kicks the ground, throwing himself towards Safura with tremendous speed. The 7th Hokage stops just short of the Head General before throwing a punch with his powered-up arm, his fist stopping just an inch before the head general's nose. His fist induces a gust of wind, cleaning the alley of the junk that has polluted it.
It is a clear warning shot, but Safura doesn't flinch.
"Stand away from her, Himawari," Naruto says.
"It's OK dad; I am capable of looking after myself."
Himawari produces the Sacred Dagger, showing it to her father and mother. She releases it mid-air. The dagger rushes around Safura's head ten times in a perfect circle, moving with such speed and power that it could inflict serious injury if the Head General attempted to move, before returning perfectly to the Blaze Princess' hand.
Naruto smiles, it seems like Himawari hasn't stopped her training since she left after the Foundry incident.
"Your power is very impressive," Safura says. "But I am not here to fight. I am here to request your help. An affliction known as Fauna Blight has appeared in CheoCho, a problem that we don't have the power to stop. The emperor has sent me to request your assistance."
"Your 'life' energy is key," Himawari explains.
Michel the Horse walks forward to Naruto's side. He glares at Safura as she continues to maintain a calm smile. He knows that the emperor is the one responsible for the creation of Fauna Blight, and he knows that the affliction has forever changed the course of his life. If it were not for Fauna Blight he would not be the Imperial Steed, nor would he be an exile from the Beast Clan.
"This is a trap," Michel tells Naruto. "Only the Beast Clan is affected by Fauna Blight. Don't let her deceive you Naruto, this is an act of desperation by the Imperial Guard. They realise that they can't stop you anymore so they are trying something more elaborate."
"I don't sense any deception," Hinata admits.
"There must be deception!" Michel shouts back in a moment of rare insolence.
"It doesn't matter if she is lying or not," Himawari says. "Dad, Boruto and I both believe that she is telling the truth. He went to CheoCho to make sure that you would come. I don't know about Fauna Blight, but if you don't go then Boruto will be in trouble."
Shao Chin shakes his head. "Naruto, is your entire family as crazy as you are?"
"How bad is Fauna Blight?" Naruto asks Hinata.
"Fauna Blight is about as bad as it can get for those of us who understand divine energy," Hinata explains. "It limits the number of us that can exist at any one time. As more people understand divine energy for the first time, someone who already understands it must… pay the price. We used it to control the Beast Clan when they rebelled against humanity. That's why you don't see many of them anymore.
"It was a difficult time and there was not much honour to be found during that conflict. Only rare people like Michel were willing to ask for peace. He found his way to my father and they agreed to try to end the fighting. Thanks to the Beast Kingdom's leadership that did not work and Michel was exiled. Science Advisor Furst suggested Fauna Blight as a solution to end the war, an affliction that only affects the Beast Clan. It worked, with effects more devastating than we ever expected."
"It was necessary Hinata," Michel insists. "Otherwise the Beast Kingdom would have taken over Homeworld. The difference between your father and his beast counterpart was that your father was willing to try, and he did. In the end he was given no choice."
"Victory at any cost?" Naruto asks.
"It wasn't like that," Hinata says.
"Sounds like it was to me."
Sasuke cuts them off, "We can discuss this another time. We need to decide how to proceed from here. Naruto, are we going to CheoCho?"
Naruto looks to Himawari and Hinata for agreement on their next step. Both agree, they need to go to CheoCho. Even if there is no affliction that the people need help with, Boruto definitely needs saving.
"I will help you," Naruto tells Safura.
Claude the Owl sighs. "Typical. The Beast Clan has struggled for years to live with Fauna Blight. As soon as it becomes a human problem then it is the most important thing in the world. Why did nobody care when this was affecting us?"
"Claude. I never realised what you were living with," Naruto says. "All this time, you, Michel, Emilie, I never understood how scary life was for you. If I had known I would have done everything I could to save you. Regardless of Hinata's position on the Beast Clan I consider you friends; I will try to help you."
"You must not," Michel says. "I don't enjoy this and I have no sympathy towards Furst Jonas, but Fauna Blight exists for a reason. Without it the world would be in serious danger."
Ming Dai calls Naruto and takes him aside away from the others. They walk for several minutes until Naruto assures Dai that even with the One True Sense there is no chance of Safura overhearing them. Ming Dai checks over the Hokage's shoulder one last time before beginning.
"Even if this is real the empire will try to trap you," Dai says.
"I know, but I have to go anyway."
"You should go, but you should have an escape plan ready. I can help you with that."
"You have an idea?"
"I will go with Shao Chin and we will use his tracking abilities to find Muto Enri. Once we have found her we will monitor your progress in the city from afar. When you are in danger she can use her 3rd Party Summon divine ability to bring you all to safety. With the former empress present, even if there is a royal there to ambush you they will think twice before taking the fight further."
"That's a good idea," Naruto says. "When you return tell Hinata that you and Shao Chin are going to continue recruiting. Safura will probably believe that so it will give you both a cover story."
Ming Dai nods.
Shortly afterwards Naruto and the remainder of his party travel west towards the city of CheoCho in the nation of Aturia.
Two Days Later, CheoCho Outskirts, Aturia
After two days' march they arrive at the outskirts of CheoCho. This reminds Hinata of the days when her father was the emperor. Navigating Homeworld was much easier when they had free passage through Okarin. In modern times the Imperial Guard has access to an intricate network of portals which make travelling from one side of the world to the other even quicker.
Upon arrival Naruto and his comrades see the enormous perimeter the Imperial Guard have setup. Once upon a time these warriors formed an army loyal to the people of Homeworld and fought against the Dark Dimension. That was a great time when there were more allies than adversaries, when even as they fought the people felt much safer than they do today. It is a tribute to the Homeworld of yesterday and the empire of today how many warriors have come to surround CheoCho.
"Are they going to attack me when I save CheoCho?" Naruto asks.
Safura chuckles. "You defeated all the generals of the Imperial Guard by yourself. Don't tell me that you are scared of a few captains and colonels."
Naruto takes Safura's point. Even if everyone forming the perimeter were to attack him at the same time he would still have the upper hand. It is a reminder of the power he wields in this world and how many people are depending on him to use that power to win their freedom. It also makes him realise that Safura is almost certainly telling the truth. There would be no reason to risk all these guards if Fauna Blight were not really in the city.
"You are still a threat to the others," Naruto says.
"I will be departing now," Safura assures him. "You can stay there and wait for me to be out of sight. No matter what assurances you want I'm happy to provide them. If you wish you can incapacitate me here and now."
"The Imperial Guard isn't usually very honest but even when we fought before you told me the truth. Safura, why do you serve the emperor? What has he done that makes you want to follow him?"
"I follow him because it is clear he will defeat you. Even with two elements it is impossible for you to surpass him."
"I don't believe that for a moment," Naruto says. "I will defeat Furst and you are lying. If you were acting out of fear of defeat you wouldn't have come to me alone, you would have brought the other generals like before. What is your name? I would like to hear it."
"My name is Head General Safura."
"Your full name."
"Only royalty has more than one—"
"Please."
"… previously my name was Al-Aziz Safura," the Head General admits.
"Al-Aziz Safura, you are strong and you're not like the rest of the Imperial Guard. You could do something good for the world, for the people who once looked up to you. You can change your mind, why don't you fight for the right reasons? Leave the Imperial Guard, help the rebellion, save Homeworld."
Safura smiles. "I have my loyalties Uzumaki Naruto, just as you have yours."
"That's too bad."
"For now please help us all by saving Homeworld from Fauna Blight. I hope you believe me when I say you are the only one who can do it. While Fauna Blight is present in CheoCho you have my word that the Imperial Guard will protect you. Once this is over we will be enemies again, and I am certain we shall once more share a battlefield. When that day comes no doubt the fate of Homeworld will be decided once and for all."
Safura departs.
Hinata watches Safura depart, partially to make sure she keeps to her word, but mostly to watch for any signs of insincerity. She was surprised when Naruto asked Safura to join the rebellion, not just by Naruto's attempt but by Safura's reaction. From her body language it seemed that Safura really wanted to help them. There has never been any sign of Safura betraying the empire in the past, but for a moment Hinata thought she really might. The Head General is a mystery, even to the woman she formerly vowed to defend.
"You should all stay here," Naruto says.
"With the Flying Thunder God technique I could help you," Minato says.
"That's not a good idea," Hinata says. "If you get within one mile of someone with Fauna Blight there is a risk it will transmit to you. The safest and most practical option is for Naruto to proceed alone."
They all reluctantly accept Hinata's reasoning and wait outside the perimeter. They agree on one final piece of advice for the 7th Hokage, suggesting that he makes his first priority the search for the Mayor of CheoCho. Once Naruto finds the person in charge he can more easily coordinate the effort to fight Fauna Blight. In the meantime the only thing the others can do is wait and hope for his success.
South Cheqitori
Ming Dai and Shao Chin continue their search for Muto Enri. They are running as fast as they ever have, knowing that it won't be long before Naruto reaches CheoCho with Imperial Guard help. They need to get Enri's help, otherwise Naruto will inevitably fall victim to one of the empire's traps.
Their search is interrupted when something flies over the top of them at incredible speed. They are two of Homeworld's more powerful warriors, not much can outpace them. As seconds pass the object descends, falling to the ground in front of them and landing with great force. When the dirt clears they realise that it wasn't an object at all, it was a person.
Ming Dai asks Shao Chin about their current location. They are at least an hour from anywhere with significant medical equipment. It is impossible to deliver this individual to a hospital in time. After suffering a landing like that surely they will have sustained serious injuries. However, as this person stands, they realise that their concern should not have been for this new arrival, but for themselves.
The wounds from the bone-crunching impact disappear before their eyes as if by magic. They have never seen anybody heal so quickly, not even the 'life' using Naruto. When she gets to her feet, Ming Dai and Shao Chin both identify her immediately and they are terrified.
It is the strongest royal, Queen Mauer Sabine.
"The Prince himself!" Sabine says with outstretched arms. "Oh and the hunter from the Royal Conference. It must be my lucky day!"
"Can I help you?" Dai asks.
"Oh yes, you are exactly the one I need Prince Hoffman Dai."
"My name is Ming Dai. If you use it then perhaps I can help you."
"Your name makes no difference to me Mr Prince," Sabine says. "And you are going to help me whether you want to or not."
Shao Chin activates his golden 'gale' cloak, bringing out his full power as a class 7 warrior. He removes the bow from his back and concentrates his energy into a golden 'gale' arrow and string. He looses the arrow, attacking Sabine with all the power he can spare.
Sabine picks up a rock from the crater she made before. She coats it in amber and black energy, a colouration that neither Ming Dai nor Shao Chin have seen before. Sabine tosses the rock forward lazily and watches as it drops perfectly to intercept the arrow. On collision with the rock the 'gale' arrow splits into two perfect halves. One half travels towards Sabine and she dodges to the side without much bother. The other half flies back at Shao Chin, the hunter saved only as his comrade pulls him out of the way at the last second.
A baffled Shao Chin looks at Sabine. 'That shouldn't be possible,' he tells himself. 'That arrow's course was perfect. No matter how she threw that rock, part of the arrow heading back in my direction is impossible. What's more it didn't look like she was even trying to hit it, it just happened.'
Sabine throws her arms out wide and laughs hysterically at the sky. She then activates her golden cloak, mixing particles of gold into her amber-black cloak. She pushes the amber-black energy through her feet into the ground between her and her two opponents. Suddenly dirt launches into the air as if shot from a cannon. There is so much dirt that it becomes impossible for anyone to see anything. Sabine begins to walk through the dirt, waving her hands in the air as if trying to hit a fly.
Shao Chin with golden 'gale' energy and Ming Dai with golden 'strength' energy both use ranged attacks. They fire into the dirt-filled space before them. They only hit their target after several attempts but their attacks are ineffective. Sabine waves her hands at the perfect moment to knock the attacks of her opponents back in their direction, knocking them both to the ground just in time for the dirt to clear.
Ming Dai looks on in disbelief. As far as he can tell Sabine hasn't actually attacked yet, just made half-hearted attempts at self-defence, yet somehow he and Ming Dai are the only ones who have taken damage.
Sabine crouches before the two of them patronisingly. "Never mind prince, you might have become a royal someday. But don't feel bad, only emperors can defeat me."
Ming Dai and Shao Chin have the same idea at the same time. Shao Chin pulls his hand-crafted dagger and strikes at Sabine, a fraction of a second later Ming Dai stands and punches towards the queen with all the golden 'strength' energy he can concentrate on his fist. The timing is extremely unfortunate as Ming Dai ends up hitting Shao Chin in the arm, causing him to drop the dagger and miss the queen altogether.
Sabine laughs before striking both their foreheads with her open palms, putting the two of them back on the ground.
Ming Dai glares at Sabine. 'What is this element? Does it influence luck somehow? I've seen Naruto use 'fate' energy in a fight to influence luck before, and it always makes sense the way he turns the odds in his favour. This is different, these coincidences are unthinkable, nobody could be doing this on purpose, nobody would think like this.'
"Are you wondering what my element is?" Sabine asks, "You've never seen anything like it have you prince?"
"What is it Sabine? What element does this?"
"My element," Sabine answers smugly. "I am the only user of 'chaos' energy."
Sabine knocks both Ming Dai and Shao Chin unconscious. She only has use for the prince, but if the 'chaos' delivered her to Shao Chin she assumes he must be of value as well. She lifts them both onto her shoulders and begins to leap carelessly to the south. It is a long way to Ewoa, but she has what she came for, the most useful prisoner in all of Homeworld.
Now there is nobody to seek Enri's help. Naruto is doing his best to save CheoCho expecting her to rescue him when he is betrayed, but that rescue is not coming. There are no more lifelines for Naruto and his allies. The world's best hunter and the Prince of Gavaria are now in the enemy's hands.