AFFLICTIONS AND ROYALS – MARCH ON THE BUNKER
North-East Seblix
"It is good to see you again Emilie," Minato says.
"It is good to see you too Minato. I see that your child is faring well, but when the battle comes we will need your strength."
"I will leave Mito with a clone."
"That is good. I hope that this works out. If Naruto fulfils his promise it will be the start of significant change, not just for us but for future generations of beasts. I will make sure that we let go of our hatred for humanity."
"Will Duke Laurent's followers want revenge?" Kushina asks.
"They will. Even if we are successful here today it will be many years before the old grudges are gone completely. But you can rest assured that I will be doing everything in my power to end those grudges. I will tell new beasts how they can live safely thanks to the generosity of a new generation of humans. I will make sure they all know how a brave group of rebels infiltrated Fauna City, risking their lives to help us. When Laurent tries to convince people of how bad humans are, I will remind them that Uzumaki Naruto is our clan's greatest champion."
This is a humbling day for Michel the Horse. He spent much of his life dreaming for unity between humans and beasts. Since the war between the two groups he has sided not with his own kind, but with the humans. He never expected that he would be accepted among his own kind again, much less that any of his human allies would be. Circumstances have changed dramatically. He walks side-by-side with the daughters of Endou Akashi, the leader of humanity, and he is walking with an army of beasts.
The beast army is enormous. The forward line consists of faster beasts like himself, Princess Emilie and King Didier, they are all ready to charge into battle at a moment's notice, to strike before the enemy can react. The core of the army is made up by smaller beasts with less power to call upon, these smaller beasts make up the bulk of their forces; what they lack in power they will make up for in numbers. The largest beasts bring up the rear, ready to both attack and defend, when they charge into battle they will quickly thin the enemy's numbers. The skies above are patrolled by the birds, howling and screeching to scare off any would-be attackers, regularly diving down to give reports to their land-walking counterparts. This is the army of the Beasts.
The humans are just as significant to Michel. Of course he has known Hinata and Mana most of their lives, he is immensely proud to fight alongside them. Naruto is the unexpected agent of change in this world, the reason that this peace is possible, something that Michel thought would never happen. Hannah and Claude have both worked hard to improve the world despite fate having done them no favours, they are fundamentally good people at heart. Sasuke is a man moving forward despite his personal losses, an honourable man. Minato, Kushina and Mito are a family who in spite of everything still hold on to hope. Marching with these people, and with this army, is one of the greatest honours of his life.
"I should be carrying you," Michel tells Hinata.
"Why?"
"I am the Imperial Steed. It is the job I volunteered for when I left the Beast Kingdom to join the empire. It would be improper of me not to carry you into battle."
"Nobody is carrying anyone today," Hinata says confidently. "Today we will march to the battlefield as equals Michel."
"But princess—"
"I have made my decision Michel. It is important that today we are not princess and steed, we are friends, marching towards a new world together. We need to show the Beast Kingdom that we can respect one another, otherwise we may never find the peace we desire."
"… yes princess."
Mana smiles. She had shared Hinata's convictions about the Beast Kingdom being a lost cause. Now as she looks at this army walking alongside humans she has changed her mind. Naruto was right, old hatreds must be set aside to create a better future together. She hopes that Akashi is watching what they do here today, that when Fauna Blight is reversed by his daughters he gets the resolution he wanted.
Indeed, nobody will be carrying anyone today, with one notable exception.
"Do you really need to carry her?" King Didier asks Naruto.
Naruto moves about awkwardly as Queen Nadia remains on his back. She still has no powers and her role as their tactician makes her vital for the battle to come. He wishes that she were better at keeping still though. Carrying the Queen of Seblix into battle was not what he had pictured when he agreed to try curing the Beast Clan.
"I have no powers, there is no way I could walk so far," Nadia says.
"I don't suppose you want to swap?" Naruto asks.
"A king does not carry his subordinates to a battle."
"A Hokage doesn't usually do it either. How many of your warriors are in this army; it looks like a lot of people are marching with us?"
"This is the entire population of Fauna City," Didier reveals.
"Everyone?"
"Beasts are not like humans. We all understand divine energy. We have no concern for our families because they are all animals. We forge bonds with one another in battle and to do that we must fight together. This will be the battle that decides this great clan's destiny. We will either emerge from the darkest phase in our history as champions of Homeworld, or we will meet our end."
"We will win," Naruto insists.
"We must, there is no other choice."
Naruto and Didier continue their discussions. As they march on the bunker, the Hokage and the Beast King begin to understand each other, their motivations, their hopes, their ambitions. Nadia is sure that in their mind these discussions will shape the future of Homeworld for years to come, but she respects the facts; even this alliance is extremely unlikely to defeat Emperor Furst Jonas. It will be an uphill struggle to face the obstacles that are to be placed in front of them.
Nadia reaches into her pocket where she squeezes her royal-grade communication stone.
"Hello. Hello. Hello! Is this thing working?" she jokes, "Message for her highness the Queen of Ewoa. Mauer Sabine are you listening? Is our deal still on? If so head to the bunker in north-east Seblix, you know the one. If you wait there, I will deliver Uzumaki Naruto to you in the next few hours."
North-East Cheqitori
Enri is doing good work in Cheqitori. This kingdom is the dominion of King Hertz Erik, the newest and weakest of the six royals. Enri knows that she cannot defeat the king, but no matter where the Imperial Guard travel in this nation she is ready to defeat them. Her efforts are why this country is the closest of any to being liberated from the empire.
She is pleasantly surprised when she sees two familiar faces approaching through the group of rebels that fought with her. It is Boruto and Himawari, her grandchildren. She wishes that she had seem them more often, that they had enjoyed peace all along and had been a family from the beginning. Unfortunately when they meet it is usually because something bad has happened. She should be expecting the same logic to apply here, it may save her from a shock.
"Hello grandmother," Boruto says.
"Hello Boruto. Hello Himawari. I thought the two of you had reunited with your parents in Aturia."
"We did. Imperial propaganda says that King Max killed us, I hope that the rebellion doesn't believe that. The truth is that together with our parents we defeated King Max."
"Yes I heard as much. It is a remarkable accomplishment, defeating a royal. The two of you should be very proud of yourselves, I know that I am. Now if you can only hold on until you reach class 9 my brother's prediction will be proven correct. He thought that one day the people of the pocket-world would take back this world, that you would fight the royals. When he saw the other side of your mother, and when he met Naruto he knew what you could become. Jonas made a mistake letting them meet."
"We're here about the Empress of the Dark Dimension," Himawari says.
"Her? Why would you ask about someone like that?"
"We need you to tell us where she is sealed."
"She was not sealed! We killed her!" Enri claims. "She was without a doubt the most dangerous person in the world, and even with Jonas' suggestions, Sora's training and my coaching, Akashi was barely able to defeat her. Sabine is the most dangerous royal, someone I encourage you to avoid even when you reach class 9, but the empress was a different kind of person.
"When Akashi fought her the first time after reaching class 9 he was defeated. She didn't even make it seem difficult. Her Crown as she called it allowed her to use every power we had, the only exceptions being the double-transcendent elements. Her bio-hardening made hitting her feel like running into a block of steel. She was intelligent as well; she prioritised the Dark Dimension over her own personal desires with every action. She had a good picture of the consequences of her actions, she may not have been a genius but she was a pragmatist. Jonas made one of his 'destruction' breakthroughs when he saw the havoc she brought to Homeworld.
"We knew that someone like her could not be allowed to live. She was too dangerous, even for Akashi. Subduing her a second time would likely have been even more challenging, it was not something we could afford to bet on."
"We already know that she was sealed," Himawari says. "Please, please tell us where. We need her help, otherwise the Hive Mind may have control of me forever."
"We can find a way to help you with that," Enri says. "Homeworld has many great scientists who will remain after the war. You will be the Blaze Princess of a free Homeworld. Finding a cure for your condition will be one of the top priorities."
"Has any scientist other than Jonas ever truly understood the Dark Dimension's technology?" Boruto asks.
"Not yet but—"
"Then the empress is the lesser of two evils isn't she? If the choices are between letting her go free and asking Jonas for help, I know which one I prefer."
"We didn't seal her," Enri repeats.
"Grandmother, we know that she was sealed, and I know why you are lying, because you're scared," Himawari says. "But I am frightened as well. I dread the day that my brother will be sleeping and the Hive Mind will take control and make me kill him. I have already felt what it is like to live with the guilt of Sakura's death and my conscience cannot take another. I saw what it did to Hannah, how crazy she was driven by the death of her mother. What if that is me? What if there is no way to save me like there was with her?"
"There will be a way," Enri says.
"Can you guarantee that?" Boruto asks. "Grandmother, you are holding back because you are afraid. You are afraid that we will not be strong enough to defeat the empress, to protect Homeworld. But, if the time comes and we are too weak, then Homeworld is doomed with Jonas anyway. We need to take a leap of faith."
Enri sighs. "Very well, I admit it, we sealed her. I believe the day will come when the two of you are strong enough to defeat her and protect Homeworld. You are right, we cannot be held back by fear. That is why I will tell you where she is sealed, but only after you prove you are strong enough to defeat me."
"When we can defeat you?" Himawari laughs hysterically. "That's a cruel joke. You're going to make me wait? How could you?"
"Himawari, it's for your own safety."
"She didn't say anything about waiting," Boruto says.
Himawari looks to her brother, seeing a familiar look of determination on his face. He adjusts his head protector with his left hand before reaching down and gripping a kunai. He also makes a tight fist with his right hand. After that energy begins to appear around him, forming into his golden 'death' cloak. He activates his most powerful form and draws upon his full class 8 power.
"You don't have to wait, Himawari," Boruto says. "We just need to prove that we can defeat her today."
The Bunker, Seblix
The bunker is finally in sight for Naruto and his beast comrades. However, one of the birds drops down from above and hovers just beside King Didier. The bird reports to the Beast King that there is a terrifying opponent defending the bunker. The most powerful royal, Queen Mauer Sabine herself is here to protect it. That means that curing Fauna Blight involves going through the rebel's most powerful adversary yet.
"How did she know we were coming?" Didier asks.
Naruto keeps quiet as his eyes meet Hannah's. Their exchange of glances tells him all he needs to know; Hannah's instincts tell her that Nadia informed Sabine they were coming. However, the humans can't reveal that Nadia brought Sabine here, otherwise it would jeopardize their alliance with the Beast Kingdom who would take it as a great offence. They cannot speak against Nadia, nor ask her why she told Sabine what they were doing. In this situation they can only follow Nadia's plans and hope that she leads them to victory.
"Just knock her out," Kurama tells Naruto. "You can tell Didier that she is a traitor. The alliance will still be on if you can get to the bunker."
"We can't do that. Bringing Sabine here might have been part of her plan to free the hostages."
"Then ask her."
"If I ask her why Sabine is here and she says it is her fault the Beast Kingdom will be furious. Nadia can say that she brought Sabine here to help with our hostage situation. Didier would be furious that we didn't tell him we had a second motive."
"Then what are you going to do? Are you going to trust that she is still on our side and follow her plan?"
"We have no choice Kurama. We have to believe in her."
Nadia gets off Naruto's back before thanking him pretentiously. She then begins to scribble elaborate drawings in the dirt, explaining her plan to Didier, Naruto and each of the army's key members. Naruto is forced to admit that Nadia's plan seems genuine and well thought-through. If she is betraying them she is doing a very good job at hiding it. However, this situation is exactly what Hinata warned him about, Nadia's plans are beyond what he can keep up with. There is no way to know what her intentions are at this point.
"And that will get him into the bunker?" Didier asks.
"My plans usually work," Nadia answers.
"Sir, that is the Queen of Ewoa," Duke Laurent explains. "She is a powerful human who rivalled Endou Akashi. You cannot fight her; it is too great a risk. If you die then what hope does the Beast Kingdom have for the future?"
"I have no intention of running away," Didier says.
"But my king—"
"If I fall then Emilie will rise to take my place! If she falls you will rise to take hers. But no matter what happens today, we are curing Fauna Blight, is that clear Duke Laurent!?"
"… Yes sir."
Wuying, acting as Sabine's scout, reports back to her. Nadia's information was correct, she has delivered Uzumaki Naruto as promised. What Nadia failed to mention in her report to the Queen of Ewoa was the army of beasts lead by King Didier that accompany him. Most people would be furious that Nadia left out such a crucial peace of information, but Sabine just laughs. This is going to be a tremendous battle, and from the chaos only the strongest will emerge victorious. King Didier is not as strong as her. She believes this will be a glorious day for the empire, a triumph for her personally, and the end of Uzumaki Naruto.
At the head of the beast army, Beast King Didier the Lion activates his golden cloak. Unlike last time Naruto feels tremendous comfort and relief upon the activation of the cloak. This is beyond reassurance, he is gifted a sense of confidence and purpose, he is made to feel important to this army. This is not the power of an inspiring champion; this is a true leader.
"He is a king after all," Nadia tells Naruto. "That's what he understands best. You understand the value of life in all beings. He understands the importance of someone who can lead the beasts into battle. Your element is 'life'. His element is 'leadership', that is why you feel this way."
Naruto looks back to Didier. His feelings make sense now. Didier will lead them into this battle.
Didier turns to face his army.
"Everyone! You know what we must do to shape our future here today! We will never have a chance like this again! There is no price we shall not pay for victory! There will be losses! This battle is like none you have ever fought before!
"This is the first time we are not fighting against the humans! Today is different! Today we are fighting for something! We are fighting for a future, a future for our species, a future for those who will come after us! Today is the day we change! Today is the day we become something else!
"We must get Naruto to that bunker no matter the cost! Protect him with your lives! Do not let them lay a finger on him!
"And if this is to be our last day, let us remind the empire what the Beast Kingdom can do! Fauna Blight tried to force a quiet end upon us. If this is our end, let us end like good beasts should. They will not hear a murmur. They will hear our roar!"
Didier roars. The other beasts join him. It is a wall of deafening sound designed to intimidate the enemy. Nadia covers her ears, wishing she still had divine energy to help dull the pain. Sabine smiles, relishing the battle to come.
Didier charges into the battle at the head of his army!
Naruto power-transfers to both legs but Nadia grabs him by the back of his shirt, pulling backwards feebly.
"Remember, you are in the 2nd wave."
"Nadia, why did you?"
"Trust me, if you follow this plan I guarantee Sabine will be defeated."
Naruto waits impatiently for Nadia to order the second wave forward. He stands with Princess Emilie and Duke Laurent at his side. They watch as Didier runs straight to Sabine and begins to fight her. Didier is strong, but even he falls short of Sabine. In the first clash of their divine energy the lion is forced to retreat back a few steps. All the while Sabine's golden 'chaos' energy sends debris flying in all directions, she takes out a continuous stream of the beast army.
However, a power disadvantage alone is not enough to hold back the Beast King. He made it clear that he is prepared to die in this battle. He uses fallout from Sabine's golden 'chaos' energy as a shield, disguising his approach to her. He leaps at her, opening his mouth and mimicking the shape of it on a larger scale with golden 'leadership' energy. When he shuts his jaw, the energy condenses around the projected teeth, exploding in Sabine's face and knocking her from her feet.
Sabine has a few broken bones, but she simply shakes her arm and all the damage is fixed by her divine ability.
"No super-speed running," Nadia tells Naruto.
Naruto looks at her.
Nadia points forward, "Charge," she yells.
Naruto runs forward flanked by a large part of the beast army. He is running into a truly chaotic battlefield thanks to Sabine's powers. If this is allowed to continue it will mean death on a scale not yet seen in this war. Thankfully he is just the person to prevent that happening. He charges to the fallen beasts. If Didier doesn't want the enemy to lay a hand on him he shouldn't be fighting, but he can live up to his reputation as Homeworld's greatest healer. He uses 'life' energy to get the fallen beasts back on their feet, back into the fight.
Sabine covers her hands in golden 'chaos' energy and claps, sending it in Naruto's direction. The Hokage power-transfers to both legs and leaps to the side to avoid her attack. King Didier leaps at Sabine and attempts to bite her again, but the Queen of Ewoa stamps on the ground, splitting a stone in half. Half of the split stone strikes Didier in the face, knocking him aside, the other hits Sabine in the arm, a wound that she recovers from instantly.
Nothing between Sabine and her target.
Sabine dives towards Naruto at full speed. She gathers golden 'chaos' energy on her fist excitedly and delivers her strike. She is convinced that this is it, this is the moment she takes the credit for the greatest moment of chaos since the coup.
Someone intercepts the attack.
It is Duke Laurent.
He is using his golden 'intimidation' cloak, accessing his full class 8 powers. However, even the class 8 gorilla feels significant pain as he takes the queen's attack. He feels his body giving way to Sabine's fist and worries that the end has come for him.
But Naruto is on Duke Laurent's side. Naruto puts his hands-on Laurent's back and funnels 'life' energy into his unlikely protector. Sabine may be dealing significant damage, but he can heal it almost as quick. Combining recovery powers with Laurent's incredible natural defence they are able to painfully repel Sabine. The unlikely team are able to hold off the most powerful royal for at least a few moments.
Laurent somehow takes a deep breath and shouts to his subordinates through the pain.
"Remember, not one finger on Uzumaki! Protect him with your lives!"
Didier is back to his feet. He jumps at Sabine clumsily. He tackles her away from Naruto and his subordinate. He wrestles her to the ground with a complete lack of finesse, desperately trying to keep alive the hope for his Kingdom.
Naruto continues to heal Laurent until the feels the gorilla regain his footing. When Laurent's considerable strength returns to him he pushes Naruto away, rushing back into the fray with no regard for his own safety.
Sabine raises a hand and prepares to blast Naruto with golden 'chaos' energy. Didier bites her arm and obscures her aim. Sabine kicks him away and aims for Naruto, unleashing the blast of energy in his direction. Didier leaps into the path of the attack, knocking it away at the cost of his own wellbeing.
"Go!" Didier says.
"But you are—"
"Just get to the bunker! That is all that matters! GO!"
Naruto nods and begins to run.
Battle Classes in this Chapter
Uzumaki Naruto (8) - Life (3) + Transcendent (2) + Shinobi (3)
Also has Fate (2)
Divine Oddity: Detonation Martial Arts
Uzumaki Boruto (8) - Death (3) + Transcendent (2) + Shinobi (3)
Also has Fate (2)
Divine Oddity: Death Mask
Mauer Sabine (9) - Chaos (3) + Transcendent (2) + Manual (3) + Divine Ability (1)
Divine Ability: Super Healing
Hirsch Nadia (9) - Mind (3) + Transcendent (2) + Manual (3) + Divine Ability (1)
Divine Ability: 3rd Party Sight
Muto Enri (9) - Fate (3) + Transcendent (2) + Manual (3) + Divine Ability (1)
Divine Ability: 3rd Party Summon
[Chang] Wuying (2) - Ice (1) + Divine Ability (1)
Divine Ability: Energy Sealing
Duke Laurent the Gorilla (8) - Intimidation (3) + Transcendent (1) + Manual (3) + Divine Ability (1)
Divine Ability: Not revealed
Princess Emilie the Leopard (8) - Speed (3) + Transcendent (1) + Manual (3) + Divine Ability (1)
Divine Ability: Not revealed
King Didier the Lion (9) - Leadership (3) + Transcendent (2) + Manual (3) + Divine Ability (1)
Divine Ability: Not revealed
In Response to S
Who asks if every beast breakthrough kills another beast
Only a very specific breakthrough.
Animals have no divine energy and are class 0.
When animals understand an element they become a beast and class 1.
It is only when moving from class 0 to class 1 that another beast dies.
Thanks for reading.
In Response to Sarada chan san
Who asks about artificial weapons
To be honest I've never recorded the process by which they are made.
I have no answer for how they raise one's class either.
Fauna Blight transmitting from beasts to humans in CheoCho was a coincidence.
It could have happened in any human city.
Also, don't worry about asking questions, I enjoy them.
They often make me think about the story and lead me to develop the world more.
Thanks for reading.
In Response to Guest
Who asks how the beasts have access to divine abilities
Most beasts don't have divine abilities, but some obtained them during the war with the Dark Dimension.
Others find their divine abilities as Clyde did.
Thanks for reading.