AFFLICTIONS AND ROYALS – AN ALLIANCE

Fauna City

Above the entrance to the Beast Kingdom's palace is a balcony often used for public announcements. This is where King Didier finds himself standing at the moment, standing alongside people who he never thought would be his allies. He stands with a band of human rebels, a collection of humans who will now be remembered among the Beast Kingdom's greatest heroes.

Didier nods to both Naruto and Hinata before walking forward to make his announcement.

"In the time since our victory there have been no deaths as a result of Fauna Blight!" he announces cheerfully. "I have spoken to the best minds in the kingdom and they have confirmed this puts it beyond any doubt. We have been cured!"

The Beast Kingdom roars their approval. This is undoubtedly the greatest day in their illustrious history. After so many years of spending each second worrying their fears have been alleviated by a human. They have made a most valuable ally and they have been cured.

"We are free!"

Once again they roar their approval.

"Relations between the Beast Kingdom and the human kingdoms have never been good. Our mutual hatred has caused us nothing but pain. That is why from today I am asking you to look at the humans again, look not at who they have been to us in the past but who they are too us now.

"I want you to remember that today we were joined in battle by those we considered our worst enemies. We were joined by Michel the Horse who once betrayed us and sided with humanity. We were joined Endou Akashi's adopted daughter, who owes her life to him yet had the courage to admit he made a mistake. Lastly we were joined by the former Princess of Homeworld, who also had that same courage; once set to inherit the throne of our most hated enemy she has fought valiantly for us today.

"We must also remember that the humans of the pocket-worlds have never had any animosity with us. They have arrived in this world with no exposure to the Beast Kingdom and decided that what the empire did to us was wrong. They helped us when it might have been easier to run and hide. When Uzumaki Naruto was confronted with almost certain death he did not run away, he fought for us!

"That is why I decree that from this day forward our policy will change. We will put aside our past differences with the humans and work together with the rebellion. We will dedicate our might to the cause of justice and to the rightful leaders of this world. We will join the war for Homeworld and our kingdom shall not rest until Endou Hinata sits upon the throne of Homeworld.

"This war will be difficult, more challenging than curing Fauna Blight, tougher than our war with the humans, more trying than the war against the Dark Dimension. But we will find a way to prevail. We have always fought well against our enemies. Let us show them what we can do when we fight with our new human allies; let's show them what we can do when we're not alone!"

A third roar of approval.

Didier turns and walks inside with his new allies.

"Thank you, King Didier," Hinata says.

"I expect that the battle will be toughest here in Seblix. This is the largest nation in Homeworld after all. She may have lost today but Nadia is tactically brilliant, and she will avoid confrontation with Naruto now that she recognises his new powers. For the moment we shall remain here. If Nadia is going to hold Seblix she will be forced to defeat the Beast Kingdom in order to do it."

"A lot of beasts have specialist skills," Minato points out. "I know those skills could make the difference in battles on the other side of Homeworld. There is a challenging history to overcome, but there is no better time to start working together than now. I suggest you exchange personnel."

"People may not enjoy working with their new allies," Laurent says.

"Then you shall remind them that the king has ordered them to cooperate," Didier says.

Hinata adds. "And if there are any humans refuse to cooperate with beasts you can remind them that I have ordered cooperation as well, Duke Laurent."

"I shall not hesitate to do so."

"How will you coordinate with the human portion of the rebellion?" Sasuke asks.

"Setting up lines of communication will be our top priority. The first step will be to send a message to Yuuki Terukatsu informing him of this new alliance between the Beast Kingdom and the rebellion," Didier says. "As a friend of the Imperial Family, Princess Emilie will meet with the Leader of the War Council and begin to organise our strategy."

"Yes my king," Emilie says.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Naruto asks.

"There is plenty that you could do. There are things that you can now do that I have never seen anyone do before. But Uzumaki, you are now the rebellion's mightiest warrior, and look how much you have already achieved. Before we were separated factions with only a dislike of the empire uniting us. Now the Beast Kingdom, the War Council and the former Empress Consort of Homeworld will fight together. Nobody else could have done that. You must continue to act independently. We can win battles, but only you can win the war."

"When this is over, you will be the King of Aturia," Hinata tells Didier. "Days ago I was concerned about an alliance with the Beast Kingdom. Now I see that I was wrong. I should have worked with you from the beginning. I am certain that you will be a great king, Didier."

"I will princess, you can count on it."

Hinata steps back and lowers her head to Didier. The Beast King does the same in reply. It is a sight that will forever be burned into Michel's brain. His dream of peace between two great factions has finally come to pass. Now only the empire stands in the way of the world he and Akashi envisioned.

The Crystal Caves

Himawari holds onto Boruto's shoulder as he moves them at full speed towards the Crystal Caves. Now that he is both a class 9 warrior and can use the Flying Thunder God technique, he may have the greatest travel speed of anyone in Homeworld. They move across Cheqitori at lightning speed, at speed even the king would need a portal to match. Eventually they arrive at what they recognise as their grandmother's home above the Crystal Caves.

They are surprised to see four people waiting for them above those crystal caves. Communication has always been difficult for the rebellion. Anyone who could work out where the Crystal Caves would be using that unreliable network would have to be a genius. However, one man has recently had a lot of pressure put on him, pressure to fill his father's boots and become that genius. Of course it is Nara Shikadai.

Shikadai, Inojin, ChouChou and Temari wait above the caves.

"Shikadai," Boruto says.

"Boruto."

They pause for a moment before laughing and embracing one another. The last time they say each other was after Boruto left Tao Ma's group. Since then so much has happened to the Uzumaki clansman. Since then the latest generation of Ino-Shika-Cho have learned of their parents demise. Separating was a difficult but necessary decision, and they are more than happy to be working together again.

Himawari is also happy to meet with old friends again. She welcomes them all individually. They are happy to learn that she is alive. Other than Mirai they have not learned the fate of any other shinobi. It is good to see that another has survived. It gives them hope that there may be others out there, still fighting against the empire. There is one person they have in mind, one person they particularly wish for news about.

The Gavaria-Ewoa Border

Clyde's generals and the Hokage stand under the cover of one of Sarada's latest creations. Clyde draws out a map of Homeworld for them and they plan what their next move will be. This is the closest they have come to reforming the Circle since the day the Military Academy was destroyed. One of Clyde's subordinates General Blackburn returns from his surveillance mission to a nearby village. He has exciting news for his allies.

"Clyde! Clyde! I have important news!" he says, running under the cover with them.

"Calm down Blackburn. What is this news?"

"There was a battle in Seblix. The Beast Kingdom marched north and battled against three of the royals. The royals all survived but they were defeated, the Beast Kingdom won the battle because—"

"Hold on," Sheer says. "I've studied the Beast Kingdom before. Didier is strong but he is not that strong."

"Didier didn't defeat the royals."

Everyone leans away from the map on the table, their backs straighten and their minds are all filled with the same hope. They have wanted the same piece of news ever since that day the Military Academy was destroyed and now they may really be about to receive that news. They all try not to fill themselves with false hope, but they cannot help it, the anticipation is killing them.

Clyde asks calmly, "Blackburn, who defeated the royals?"

Blackburn smiles.

"A pocket-worlder of the name Uzumaki Naruto."

There is unusually loud cheer from the usually calm group. A lot of embracing and hand shaking, a rare moment of true joy between comrades and friends. As she is surrounded by this joy, Sarada is forced to lean back on the table to stop herself from collapsing. The relief washing over her is immense, more so than any she has ever experienced before. She thanks whomever is answering her prayers, this is exactly the news they have all wanted to hear. After thinking they were alone for so long they finally know that this is not the case. He is still fighting for them. He is strong enough to defeat the royals. The war is not a lost cause.

Uzumaki Naruto is alive.

The Crystal Caves

"Boruto, Himawari," Temari begins. "Please, we need to know. Is he alive? Is Naruto alive?"

"A few days ago it was agreed the rest of our group would travel to Seblix to form an alliance with the Beast Kingdom," Boruto reveals. "When I spoke with him then our father was very much alive."

Shikadai throws his head back and laughs. Inojin and ChouChou embrace joyfully. Temari falls to her knees and looks to the sky. This has not been for nothing, all this time, all their struggles, their greatest hope is still alive. Uzumaki Naruto is still there, looking out for them, their 7th Hokage.

The Gavaria-Ewoa Border

Sarada speaks to the assembled people of the Hidden Leaf Village. She has gathered them, shinobi and civilian alike to make the happiest announcement of the war. She stands before them; atop a small platform she has created and shouts out her joyous news. She tells them that they have news from the north. She tells them that there has been a battle in which three royals were defeated. She tells them that this defeat was at the hands of a lost shinobi. She tells them that Uzumaki Naruto is still alive.

She watches happily with the other Hokage as the citizens of her village cheer. She watches families celebrate together; she sees faces that have carried frowns for months finally smile again. This is the best day for the village since they came to this world. Before now they have not dared to look to the future for fear of what darkness it might hold, but now for the first time that is changing. They look to the future and believe that things will change for a better. The Hokage who brought peace to their world is still fighting for them.

The Crystal Caves

"It is good luck that we have encountered you Shikadai," Boruto says. "We are about to do something dangerous and I could use your tactical advice."

"Something dangerous?"

"When we were attacking the place where divine abilities were created Himawari died. My father brought her back to life again, but for a brief moment the Hive Mind controlled her. We need to find a way to free her from the effects of the Hive Mind. We're going to ask the only person left who we think can help her."

"What is dangerous about that?"

"The woman we intend to ask once came close to eliminating all life in Homeworld, now we are going to bring her back. If Himawari is going to be free we have no choice.

"It's time to wake the Empress of the Dark Dimension."

Author Note

Hi All,

Sorry this is a slightly shorter chapter than usual.
However, this is the final chapter of Part 13 - Afflictions and Royals.

I hope you have enjoyed reading Part 13, I have certainly enjoyed writing it.

I will be taking either one or two day's break to make some minor adjustments to the plan.
Unless something goes wrong the next chapter will be released on Wednesday at the latest.

Part 14 will be titled "Imperials".

Thanks for reading,
Me.

In Response to S
Who asks if Boruto's Past Knowledge lets him use the Battle Principles

Yes in theory.
However, they would be the Battle Principles as adapted by Enri/Akashi, so they might not be quite as effective for him.

Thanks for reading.

In Response to Engineer
Who asks various questions

Q1: Is this the crowning moment revealed by the twins?
A1: I couldn't answer that without giving away spoilers. Sorry.

Q2: Can Naruto defeat any royal?
A2: Nadia's theory is that he still can't defeat Sabine.

Q3: What is happening with Boruto?
A3: Boruto's 'fate' breakthrough gave him a power called Path Light. He hears his predecessors voices giving him advice. He benefits from all their experiences, even learning all their techniques that his current abilities are compatible with. He also occasionally sees an actual path lit before him that only he can see; this path shows him what to do. The reason he can't use Naruto's Energy Projection is that Naruto learned that after/while Boruto learned Path Light. Boruto also won't be able to use any techniques his predecessors learn from this point forward, unless he learns them conventionally.

Q4: Without activating any cloak would Naruto be the strongest class 7?
A4: He would be by far the most powerful class 7.

Q5: Why did Nadia allow Naruto to cure Fauna Blight?
A5: I couldn't answer that without giving away spoilers. Sorry.

Q6: Can Naruto use class 9 energy with Energy Projection?
A6: No, Nadia was right, he can only use class 8 energy with Energy Projection. However, class 8 golden 'life' energy is still very good at healing.

Q7: Can Swen read every segment of a divided mind simultaneously?
A7: Yes, however with one portion of Naruto's mind thinking more than the other, the 'noise' from one distracted Swen from the other.

Q8: What is the benefit of Naruto's tier 3 'fate' energy.
A8: Energy Projection, which is made possible by combining 'fate' energy with his incredible willpower.

Thank you for reading.