Chapter 6
"Fox Knight"
[5 years later. Cintra.]
A shadow was jumping from roof to roof in the Kingdom of Cintra. Not even the guards in watchtowers could keep an eye on it. Despite moving so fast, everyone could hear a distorted laugh. A laugh that belonged to that of a little girl. A very hyperactive girl with grey hair and emerald eyes. There was nothing that could stop her from enjoying doing what she loved. She left like a bird. Free of its cage and limited space. Luckily, she was able to task her guardian by finding a book about monsters in one of the markets.
Upon landing, Ciri didn't notice that there was a piece of brick that was sticking out. She stumbled on it and had to balance herself on one foot. Seeing that she was on edge of a roof and being on one of the tallest buildings didn't help. She was losing her balance and fear suddenly filled her body. She was about to fall, but then something, or rather someone, grabbed by a collar of her jacket. A shiver went down her spine upon turning her head around.
"Hey...Uncle Naruto." -Ciri said with a sheepish smile."Did you found that book I've asked for?"
"Of course I did." -Naruto, who didn't age a day since the wedding, said with a tired expression."Wanna know what else did I find?"
"S-Sure..." -She said, stuttering, while being pulled back by Naruto. She gave a sigh of relief when she was away from the edge."What did you find?"
"A naughty little girl who didn't listen to her guardian to stay in her room." -Naruto, while crossing his arms. He looked down at Ciri who averted her eyes from him."What do you think you're doing, Ciri?"
"Well...I wanted to train! That's right! Sharpen my skills." -Ciri suddenly got more confident and she responded while looking him in the eyes.
"Is that so?" -Naruto mused while raining his eyebrow."Training is fine and all, but...what did I tell before you can train?" -He added while giving her a disappointing look.
Sudden confidence was gone and Ciri looked down at her feet. Naruto was waiting and then kneeled to her level."T-To train under your s-supervision..."
Naruto could hear that her voice was cracking. Ciri wasn't scared of being yelled at. The only thing she didn't want to do is to disappoint people that he cared about. Naruto quickly noticed tears dripping from her cheeks down on her butts. She was holding onto the bottom of her jacket while clenching her lips.
"Do you remember why am I teaching you this stuff?" -Naruto asked calmly and Ciri slowly nodded her head."So that you can be able to run away if I'm not around. Maybe even so that one day you can save someone you care about. Not to play around and hurt yourself by accident."
"I-I know..." -She mumbled quietly."I'm sorry, Uncle Naruto..."
"It's alright." -Naruto said with a small smile and gave a big hug. She immediately returned it and cried into his shoulder."I'm glad that nothing happened to you, but you can't do a thing like that. Especially when I'm not around. Do you understand?" -She nodded fiercely into hi shoulder. He chuckled and lifted her up."Alright! We both know what today is so let's go back to the castle."
Ciri lifted her head looked at Naruto with puffy eyes."Picnic...?
Naruto smiled and nodded. Ciri wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled back at him. Naruto turned around and within seconds, he reached Ciri's balcony. Ciri still couldn't stop gawking at how much Naruto was much faster than her.
"Well, go wash your face and change your clothes." -Naruto said while putting Ciri on the floor."I'll wait for you outside." -With that Naruto walked to the doors and exist the room.
For the past five years, Naruto's life changed again. He became a guardian of Ciri and a well-known figure in Cintra. He was also knighted by Calanthe after Ciri was born.
His memories returned and he finally felt whole again. He could finally focus on honing his skills as well as mastering the Rinnegan. But he only mastered a few abilities as some were a bit more difficult. So, he decided to focus on learning other bloodline limits. So far, he could use the lave style and vapor style.
Hagoromo left him with more than one gift. He passed his own knowledge about every ninjutsu. There was also the fact that he was barely aging. Naturally, Naruto and Kurama thought it was due to him being an Uzumaki, but they were wrong. Even if he's an Uzumaki, Naruto was only a half-breed. They theorized that Hagoromo slowed his aging on purpose. To give a lot of time to prepare himself to fight with Kaguya.
In his time in Citra, he grew attached to the Royal family. They pretty much became his family. Calanthe was like Granma Tsunade, while Eist was a bit like Jiraiya. Pavetta was kind like Hinata, while Duny was as smart as Shikamaru. Mousesack was wise like the Third Hokage. While Ciri reminded him of himself when he was her age. But he hasn't seen Geralt or Jaskier in a while. About three years. They came to check on him and left shortly after. He missed hunting monsters. Especially when Jaskier was around. His expressions always made him laugh. It was a shame that they stopped visiting, but maybe there was a reason? Geralt obviously, but Jaskier? What he would do other than singing ballads? Probably being chased by cuckolds.
"I'm ready, Uncle Naruto." -Ciri said as she left her room. She looked no different than a common little girl."Why do I have to wear this?"
"You don't like wearing dresses." -Naruto stated and shrug."Besides, for once Your parents want to go into a festival as a normal family. You know, like being treated like they deserve everything."
"They're going to Skellige tomorrow?" -Ciri asked and Naruto gave a sigh.
"Yeah...Some important stuff, they said." -Naruto said and shrugged."They did everything they needed to do, so they could spend some time with you."
"Um...is it far?" -Ciri asked while grabbing Naruto's hand. They both were heading to Duny and Pavetta chambers."Mom said that I was born there...But I don't remember what's it like there."
"Of course you don't remember." -Naruto said with a big grin."You're too little to remember such a thing. We're back home within two weeks."
"Really? What's Skellige like?" -Ciri asked curiously, her emerald eyes shining.
"It's an archipelago, which means a group of islands." -Naruto explained and Ciri noded."It's cold out there, that's for sure. But it has some pros like vast forests and big mountains."
"Sounds nice, but I don't like the cold." -Ciri said while faking shivers."Can We go there one day?"
"Maybe when you're a little older." -Naruto said with a small wink."But! For now, let's go and enjoy the festival and picnic." -He added with a big grin.
Eventually, they reached the chambers and knocked on the doors. After hearing 'Come in', Naruto and Ciri entered the chamber. Duny and Pavetta were ready. They smiled when seeing him and Ciri.
Duny was wearing a simply long-sleeve red shirt with simply gray pants. He had a painted tiger on his face. Pavetta was wearing a simple blue shirt and black apron hiding her everything from waist to feet. She had blue markings on her face. Pavetta was also hiding her hair beneath a straw hat.
"Pavetta, my dear...Do you think this is gonna work?" -Duny asked unsurely.
"Of course, darling." -Pavetta said with a warm smile."If I could sneak during the day time to look for you, then I'm sure we can pull this off." -She added with a confident smile."Ciri, come here...I need to paint your face."
"Do I have to?" -Ciri whined and Pavetta gave her a look."It's itchy..."
"I need you to be a big girl." -Pavetta said and grabbed her hand."It's not gonna be that bad." -Ciri whined again but followed her mother anyway.
"I'm still not sure. What if the people find out it's us." -Duny said and sat on a bed."I feel a bit stupid with this paint..."
"I heard that!" -Pavetta called and Duny cringed.
"Don't worry, Duny. Everything gonna is fine." -Naruto said and crossed his fingers. Three shadow clones pop into existence."I have an idea..."
"I'm all ears..." -Duny said, still in awe for seeing four Naruto's It's been five years, but he just couldn't get used to it. Suddenly, the clones transformed into Duny, Pavetta and Ciri. All in their royal suits."Oh...I see that could work. Well, now I feel a bit more confident. But what about you? People know you quite well." -In a poof of smoke, Naruto turned into a female version of himself. But without whiskers. "Uhhh...Well, that's alright."
Suddenly, Pavetta and Ciri came back and their jaws hit the ground.
"Naruto...? Is that you?" -Pavetta carefully asked, while staring at a 'woman' and copies of herself and her family."What is this...?"
"Uncle Naruto is now my Aunt?" -Ciri asked in disbelief."How did you do it? Can you teach me that?!"
"Maybe one day." -'Naruto' said with a gentle and sweet female voice."Sorry for surprising you like that. But I wanted to make that Duny won't blow your cover."
"So, that's how you do it." -Duny said, clearly amazed."No wonder why you never fail a mission..."
"Now...Let's talk about my other duties." -Naruto said with a convincing giggle."We should go and enjoy the day."
"Naruto..." -Pavetta said and Naruto raised his hand.
"When I'm like that call me Emilia." -'Emilia' said with a small wink. Pavetta shook her head in disbelief, but chuckle anyway.
"Is this illusion or did you really, you know..." -Pavetta said and Duny coughed.
"Both, I would say...In reality, I'm a man, but I can transform into anything I can imagine." -Emilia said with a grin."You know, like a doppler."
"It sounds like fun!" -Ciri said excitedly and hugged Emilia."Even your chest feels real!"
"Alright, that's enough." -Emilia said and gently pushed Ciri away."I'll send my clones to the Queen, while We sneak out and have fun." -With that, the clones left the room.
"Come on, Duny. Let's go and have fun." -Pavetta said with a warm smile. That smile has always worked on him.
[Festival. Outside of the Kingdom.]
Their disguises worked perfectly. No one pays any attention to them. Although some men did stare at Emilia, she gave them cold eyes. They quickly averted their eyes, causing Ciri and Pavetta to giggle. They went through all booths with food, eating all kinds of sweets like donuts, cream-cookies, and cotton candy.
Pavetta and Duny were happy to spend the time with her daughter. Due to their duties, the rarely had time for her. Once she had a fever, Naruto was by her the entire time. When Duny came to check on her, Ciri didn't realize that he was there. She tugged Naruto sleeve and called him 'Dad'. That made him feel terrible. Ever since then, Duny was trying to finish his duties early so he could spend time with Ciri. But his duties as the prince didn't seem to end. He had to make it up to her. Which is why he decided to find a prize for her at one of the booths. Duny saw how Ciri was staring at a stuffed unicorn.
"Hey, you want that unicorn." -Duny whispered to Ciri ear and his daughter noded."I'll get it for you. Excuse me, I'd like to take part in a challenge." -The challenge itself was easy. All you had to do was to hit and knock the pictures of trolls.
"5 coins." -A bald man said with a chuckle. After paying, Duny got 5 small balls."Good luck."
Despite his archery skills, he missed the first two times. Pavetta and Ciri giggled at Duny mumbling something beneath his nose. Emilia couldn't help but snicker. The next one hit the picture, but it didn't even budge.
"Hey, I did hit it this time." -Duny said in an annoyed tone.
"You have to hit harder, kind sir." -The bald man said with a laugh.
Duny hit another picture, but it didn't budge either. He threw another ball, but he missed it. Now he had just one ball. Duny glanced at Ciri, who looks worried. He couldn't let her down like that. Taking a deep breath, Duny locked his eyes on the troll. With all his might he tossed the ball. In a split second, something fast hit the troll at the same time. It knocked the picture of troll out of the shelf.
The bald man jaw hit the ground, while Ciri and Pavetta cheered. Duny turned around with a big grin on his face. He saw that Emilia gave him a wink and a thumb up. Duny gave her a thankful nod, while Ciri rushed to her father and hugged him. He lifted her up and turn to a bald man.
"I think, I won..." -Duny said with confidence. The bald man gave a long sigh and the gave them a stuffed unicorn."There you go. Do you like it?"
"Of course, Dad! Thank you!" -Ciri exclaimed and hugged her stuffed unicorn.
"Well, how about We get something to drink?" -Pavetta offered. Everyone nodded and started to walk.
Suddenly, Emilia stopped. She felt something. Something that was getting closer and closer. It was coming from the woods. Four different beings. Not humans.
"Did something happen?" -Duny asked, noticing that Emilia stopped.
"No, no it's not." -She said seriously. Then in a poof of smoke, Emilia turned back to Naruto. Everyone around him was a surprise, shock but overall pretty happy."Everyone! Do not panic, but I need to head back to the Kingdom borders." -He paused to see that everyone was confused.
Then four creatures jumped from the woods. Everyone turned to see roaring monsters. They screamed and in panic started to run away. Duny, Pavetta, and Ciri were pushed to the ground. Naruto quickly recognized the creatures fro the bestiary. These were creatures known as Fiends.
Fiends are walking mountains of muscle capped with horned, tooth-filled heads. Like their rarer cousins, bumbakvetches, they live in thick forests, swamps, and bogs. When possible they avoid humans, but when not possible, they kill them, and without much difficulty. So what made them charge at the Festival?
Right now was not the time for that. Naruto created three shadow clones and appointed them to three other Fiends. Naruto charged the one who seems to be leading the group. This one was different than the others. Its eyes were glowing in yellowish color. Something was wrong.
Naruto stopped in front of the leading Fiend. He could feel anger and violence coming from the beast. Jinchuriki grinned at the beast which charged at him. The beast wanted to shove its antlers through Naruto's body. Unexpectedly for Fiend, Naruto grabbed its antlers and stop it from moving. His hands were glowing in bright orange light. With a confident smile, Naruto lifted Fiend and tossed the beast to the side. The fiend was quick to get up, it's anger-fueled. The beast charged at him again, But Naruto did a flip and landed on Fiends back. Despite it's trying to shake Naruto off, the jinchuriki was standing still. Naruto snapped on the smaller antlers and then shove into Fiends' eye. A roar of pain and fury came out of the beast. Naruto jumped down as Fiend was shaking violently.
He opens the palm of his right hand and a blue sphere appeared.
"Rasengan!" -Naruto called while slamming his Jutsu to the side of the frantic Fiend.
Rasengan sends the creature flying and crashing on a tree. Thinking it was dead, Naruto smirked. But to his surprise, Fiend slowly got up. There was some purple light emitting from its neck. The Fiend was changing. Something was moving beneath his skin, like a crawling snake. Fiend was suddenly standing on two and its talons became more human. Naruto's eyes widen upon seeing mutated Fiend.
"Fuck...That didn't happen before." -Naruto sighs and charges at the mutated beast. There was no point to continue the meaningless fight.
Naruto avoided getting smashed by Fiend giant fist. He climbed on it's back again and charged his Chidori. He shoves it right through Fiend's heart and jumped down on the grass. After a second, the mutated beast fell to the ground, dead for good. Naruto glanced at his clones who were down with their Fiends. Then, Duny came running toward him. Pavetta and Ciri were nowhere to be found.
"What was that?" -He asked while staring at the beasts that Naruto killed.
"Fiends...Dangerous creatures if they get too close to humans." -Naruto explained and kneeled in front of the fell beast."But, this one...different. This wasn't an accident... Someone was responsible for this."
"How so?" -Duny asked and Naruto gave a sigh.
"Because this Fiend mutated right in front of my eyes." -Naruto said while pointing at the creature."Something that doesn't happen...This was done by someone who knows a lot about mutagens."
"You mean...like a Witcher?" -Duny asked carefully.
"No, because Witchers use mutagens on themselves. Not creatures that they kill." -Naruto replied while shaking his head."Long before Witchers use to do it themself, they needed help of sorcerers."
"Do you think that the Brotherhood of Sorcerers is responsible?" -Duny asked with visible anger.
"No, but maybe a Rogue Sorcerer?" -Naruto mused while taking a good look at the place where purple glow came from. He noticed a magical rune. „I should take it to Mousesack. He can help me examine it."
"I'll go and inform Queen Calanthe and King Eist." -Duny said with a nod.
"Where are Pavetta and Ciri?" -Naruto asked.
"Don't worry, I told the guards to escort them to the castle." -Duny replied and Naruto got worried."Easy, they're my personal guards. I told them to watch us from afar before We came here."
"You sure they can be trusted?" -Naruto asked."Considering what happened, they could be part of this mess."
"Everything is fine, don't worry." -Duny assured him with a smile."For now, let's focus on getting that thing to Mousesack."
[One hour later.]
"This...is fascinating!" -Mousesack exclaimed, causing Calanthe to sigh in annoyance."I've never seen anything like this before."
"I don't care if you didn't." -Calanthe said in a tired voice."If it wasn't for Naruto, many people would have died. Can you tell me something else?"
"Ah, forgive me, Your Majesty." -Mousesack apologized."This Fiend was the leader of the pack. Whoever did this knew a lot about mutagens. But I myself cannot identify it."
"Same here." -Naruto said, while crossing his arms."But We know that that rune on its neck was the activator for the mutagen. And a rune-like that was done by an expert."
"Brotherhood of Sorcerers?" -Eist asked while glancing that the body of the beast.
"I'm not sure." -Mousesack said while examining the rune."Why would they want to attack us?"
"Perhaps something I did in the past..." -Calanthe said with shrug."Maybe I pissed someone on their side."
"Maybe someone wants to scare us?" -Duny offered and Calanthe laughed.
"Who would dare to scare the Kingdom of Cintra?" -She wondered.
"Someone did." -Naruto said seriously."Duny, listen maybe We should postpone your departure tomorrow?"
"No..." -Duny said and Naruto groaned."Let's use this to our advantage. Naruto, you can use your clones to take our place. While I and Pavetta go later in a different ship."
"So that I can find out if the person responsible for this shows up." -Naruto concluded."That's not a bad idea. You can take a bit longer route."
"Are you out of your minds?!" -Calanthe yelled at them."Someone wanted to attack us and you act as if nothing happened. Tomorrow departure isn't that important!"
"But We can't lock ourselves in the castle." -Eist said seriously."If We do that, other kingdoms might think that Lioness of Cintra is getting old. Normally, you wouldn't want to act like that."
"Oh, don't play that card against me..." -Calanthe said dangerously to her husband."I'm just being cautious."
"But We might not get another chance like this." -Naruto said and noded to Duny.
"I agree with them." -Eist said with a smile."With Naruto pretending to be Duny and Pavetta, there is no way that the Perpetrator can escape."
"I can't believe you want to play me like that..." -Calanthe said with a tired sigh."Fine, I'll assign another ship for this plan of yours. But, if something happens...I'll blame you, Urcheon." -She finished seriously.
"And I will take responsibility." -Duny said with a serious expression.
"So, We have a plan." -Naruto said with a smile."But...It's getting late and We need to be ready tomorrow."
"Right..." -Eist agreed and slowly followed Calanthe to the exit."Goodnight, boys..."
"I think, I'll stay for a while." -Mousesack said while looking at the corpse."I want to check a few more things."
"Thank you, for today." -Duny said to Naruto who grinned.
"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything." -Naruto said with a playful smirk.
"Right, I should thank Emilia." -Duny said with a knowing look.
"Did, I missed something?" -Mousesack asked and they both laughed.
"Nothing!" -They said together.
[Next day. Port.]
After sending fake Duny and Pavetta, it was time for the real ones to depart. Ciri couldn't let go of her mother, who was sobbing with her daughter. Naruto and Duny smiled at them sadly. Ciri didn't like them leaving, even for a few days.
"Please, come back soon." -Ciri sobbed into Pavetta's shoulder.
"We will, sweetheart." -Pavetta promised with a small smile. She pulled her out of the hug and gave her daughter a big warm smile."You have to be strong, my little princess. Can you do that for Mom and Dad?" -Ciri noded, while wiping her tears.
"Can you give a hug too?" -Duny asked and open his arms. Ciri quickly rushed to her father and gave him bone crashing hug."Don't worry, We'll be back before you know it."
"I want to go with you..." -Ciri said after breaking a hug.
"You'll...When you're older." -Duny promised with a smile and a wink. Ciri pouted and Duny patted her head."Don't worry...Everything will be fine."
"I still think I should send a clone with you." -Naruto said and Duny waved him off.
"Don't worry Naruto, you're doing more than enough." -Duny said with a smile."Thank you for doing this for us."
"Drop it, We're pretty much like a family." -Naruto said with a grin. He gave Duny and Pavetta a big hug."I wish you luck..."
"Bye Mom...bye Dad!" -Ciri said, as her parents entered the ship. With that, they sailed away. Even after they were far away, Ciri couldn't stop waving her hand."I hope nothing happens..."
"Don't worry, Ciri...Everything will be okay." -Naruto promised with a big grin.