Chapter 12
„Old wounds"
When sure that he's far enough, Naruto stops by a large tree. He pants and slightly bent over. Shanking, he grabs his chest and then falls on his knees. Within him, Kurama looks on with worry.
[…Naruto, calm down! Breathe slowly!...]
It didn't look like Naruto was listening. He completely falls to the ground and his breathing gets worse. This was a panic attack. Something that Naruto didn't have to go through in a long time. The last time it happened was when he recovered all of his memories. Feelings buried deep down due to his amnesia came back with full force. And now, it was starting all over again.
[...I know that you're not yourself back there! I understand why you feel responsible for not trying harder! But deep down We both were not prepared for this. We gave up the thoughts of going back or facing Kaguya. I understand everything! But now is not the time for this! You have to get back to Cintra and inform Calanthe! We have to find whoever is responsible for all this...]
It worked. Naruto's breathing was gradually slowing down. Slowly getting up, Naruto leans on the tree. He looks up to watch the sun trying to break through the tops of trees. Looking at the place he was in, Naruto remembers the grave he made for Jiraiya. He could see himself praying in front of it.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry for not trying harder." -Naruto said slowly. For a moment there was silence.
[...I know. Like I said, I understand. It's alright...]
"We'll find them and set them free. I promise." -Naruto said and gets up.
[...We will, Naruto. But for now, let's go home...]
"You are right..." -Naruto agrees and lets out a sigh.
"This must be a joke!" -Calanthe snaps, slamming her fist on the arm of the throne."Are you telling me that those 'Tail Beasts' are here? That they can attack us at any time?!"
Surprisingly, Calanthe was taking it all in far better than Naruto have expected. But that didn't change the fact that the throne room was completely quiet. Ciri and Eist were sitting by the Calanthe side. While Ciri seems to be worrying about what she just heard, Eist was calm and quiet. Mostly to not piss off his queen even more. On the other hand, Mousesack was fascinated by what he was hearing. The way Naruto explaining everything made Mousesack shiver.
"I understand how you may feel, your Majesty." -Naruto said calmly but with a serious tone."But right now there is only one thing We can do. Or rather what 'I can do'."
"Let me guess. You're going to leave and look for them." -Calanthe said with a sigh. Naruto nods as Ciri looks down. She never liked Naruto leaving, even if it was important."I understand. I also understand how dangerous the situation is."
"Which is why We'll support you." -Eist finally said and Calanthe glances at him. He simply winks at her."As well as giving you everything you need as well. Just say a word."
"I can tag along if you want." -Mousesack said with a big smile.
"Don't forget your place!" -Calanthe snaps at him."You are my advisor after all."
"Of course, your Majesty." -Mousesack said with a wry face. Naruto gave him an apologizing look.
"When are you leaving?" -Eist asks and Naruto ponders for a moment.
"Tomorrow morning." -He replies and Eist nods. Ciri quietly leaves the throne room. No one besides him notices. Just like I trained her, Naruto muses in his mind."I just need a few things. I have a list with me." -He hands it to one of the servants and looks at Calanthe."Forgive me, Your Majesty. I need to do something right now." -Calanthe nods, finally noticing that her granddaughter was gone.
Ciri was sitting on the edge of the tallest tower in the Kingdom. She was twiddling her thumbs and looking down. From here everyone looks like an ant, Ciri muses to herself. Bitting his lips, Ciri feels a familiar presence.
"Sitting on the edge like that isn't safe." -Naruto said and sits down next to her.
"I'm not like back then." -She puffs her cheeks and blush."I'm not scared of heights."
"I know that." -He replies and ruffles Ciri hair."But somehow I'm still forgetting it."
"So...Um..." -Ciri was trying to say anything, but couldn't.
"I have to go." -He replies and Ciri looks at him."A long time ago, I made a promise. A promise I have to keep."
"What will you do if you save them?" -Ciri asks and Naruto looks at the kingdom."I know that you're not from this world. Will you go back to it...?"
"I don't know..." -Naruto replies honestly. He glances at Ciri and then at his palms. Moon-crest and Sun. Seals gave by the Sage of Six Paths. Something that was meant to seal away Kaguya."I don't even know if there's anything to go back to...I have no idea how much time has passed." -Ciri notices the look on his face and quickly hugs. He smiles at her sadly and hugs her back."The least I can do is to set them free and stop whoever is controlling them."
"I understand." -She said quietly and hugs harder."But that doesn't mean I won't be worrying about you..."
"I'll be alright." -Naruto promises and chuckles. After breaking their hug, Naruto looks at her with a grin."Hey, how about I teach you something new after I come back?" -Her mood changes almost instantly.
"Really? What's gonna be?" -She asks curiously.
"Something that my teacher taught me many years ago." -Naruto and opens the palm of the right hand. A blue spinning orbs forms above it."This Jutsu was created by my father. He passes it to my teacher, who pass it to me. Eventually, I will pass it to you."
"What is it called?" -Ciri asks without taking her eyes off the Jutsu.
"Rasengan." -Naruto replies with a smile. Suddenly, the Jutsu vanishes."But for now, I have something else for you."
"What is it?" -Ciri asks as Naruto gives her a scroll. She rolls out the scrolls and a big smile appears on her face."New techniques?! Thank you!"
"It'll keep you busy when I'm gone." -Naruto said and her smile slightly vanishes."Hey, you have to know that I won't always be around. Even if I stay in this world."
"I know...But it doesn't make it any easier." -Ciri said and hugs Naruto arm. He didn't say anything. Instead, they stare at the sunset together.
[8 months later]
Skellige, commonly referred to as the Skellige Isles or the Isles of Skellige, is an archipelago and one of the Northern Kingdoms. The group of six islands is situated in the Great Sea, off the coast of Cintra and southwest of Cidaris and Verden. Its people are united under the King of the Skellige Isles, who is elected by the jarls of the seven major clans during traditional moots. In practice, however, the kings are from the same clan or at least related. Skellige is divided into seven clans, each seated on one of the archipelago's larger islands. At the base of each clan are kins led by so-called bonds. Bonds, in turn, are then led by the clan chieftain called a jarl.
One of them was called Crach an Craite, also known as Sea Boar and the Wild Boar of the Sea. He was a nephew of King Bran Tuirseach of Skellige and was mentored by Eist Tuirseach, his other uncle.
Naruto couldn't help but grin upon seeing him again. Crach gave him a big bone-crushing hug after his arrival on Ard Skellig.
"Ah! I'm so glad to see you again, Naruto." -Crach exclaims with a big smile."How was your journey?"
"I'm happy to see you too, Crach." -Naruto replies with the smile."It was alright, thank you."
"How about We head to Kaer Trolde and have something to eat?" -Crach offers and points at his fortress."You must be hungry."
"I'm fine...You know why I'm here." -His tone suddenly changes. It lacks happiness or any other positive emotion.
"Straight to the business, eh?" -Crach looks at him with his hawk-like eyes."That's alright. But let's go to Kear Trolde anyway." -Naruto nods and follows Crach an Craite to his keep.
For the past 8 months, Naruto was out of luck. Despite looking far and beyond, he was unable to find any Tail Beast. Even Geralt, Yennefer and Triss had no luck. At first, he didn't know what causes him to no to sense the Biju. But after traveling, Naruto came up with a theory. Considering the state Naruto found Isobu in, it was possible that the mark, as well as the spell, were 'shielding' the Biju. A 'protective' shield that works on large distances. But due to the potency of the chakra, it didn't work on short distances. But that was just the theory. It was also possible, that whoever was responsible for this, made sure that finding bijus would be much harder. Either way, Naruto finally got a word from Skellige. About how giant octopus-like creature attack and destroyed one of the villages on Spikeroog. Apparently there were only a few survivors.
Upon reaching Kear Trolde, Crach and Naruto went straight to the balcony. Crach points at the nearest island.
"Spikeroog. That's the name of it." -Crach explains and Naruto nods. He could feel the chakra coming from it."The creature attacked a few days ago. Only a few survivors to tell the tale." -He pauses as memories of that day fill his mind."After hearing what the survivors had to say, I send a ship to Spikeroog. As you can see, I have a great view from here. To my shock, a giant tentacle shoots out of the water and grabs the ship. With a tight grip, the tentacle goes back to the bottom of the ocean along with the ship."
"It's quite close...Do you have any place where your people could hide?" -Naruto asks and Crach ponders for a moment.
"Yes, We are always prepared for this kind of situation." -He replies and looks at Naruto's serious expression."How bad is it...?"
"You can compare it to Ragh Nar Roog on a smaller scale." -Crach eyes widen as he takes the step back."How will it take your people to hide?"
"Um...Em...Well..." -Crach stutters for a moment."Maybe an hour..."
"Then get going." -Naruto said without looking at him."I can secure Ard Skellig in the meantime. Let's not waste any more time. I still have to go back to Cintra."
"Does this mean...?" -Crach trails off and Naruto nods.
"Nilfgaard is coming." -Naruto said and clenches his fists."They will reach the borders any day now."
"So the rumors are true." -Crach murmurs and sighs."Then I shall prepare my best warrior and send them to Cintra."
"I'm more than enough to deal with them." -Naruto replies and glances at Crach. He sighs when noticing the look on his face. His hawk-like eyes look sharp at him."But you'll send them anyway. In the Queen's name, thank you. Now go!"
Just like Crach has said, everyone moved to secret bunkers within the mountains. On his way toward Spikeroog, Naruto made one group of shadow clones. He has ordered them to perform Four Red Yang Formation around Spikeroog in order to contain the battle there.
[...This is gonna be your first time-fighting Gyuki...]
"You're right. He's was the only tail beast that I haven't fought." -Naruto nods and stops. He could feel Gyuki chakra coming from the island. Taking a deep breath, Naruto enters his chakra mode. He waits until Gyuki decides to show up.
Naruto Shippuden OST II - Kakuzu
Suddenly, Naruto felt chakra building up. He knew what was coming. Seeing the mountain explode, he jumps away and narrowly avoids a biju dama that came out of the explosion. Before landing, Naruto summons Kurama avatar. Naruto sees as the Eight-Tails jumps out of the smoke. With a roar, Gyuki charges at Kurama. Without hesitating, Kurama punches Gyuki and stuns him for a moment. Without giving him any chances, Kurama pummels Gyuki.
Gyuki wasn't fighting with any strategy. He was fighting like a senseless animal. He just wanted to murder him. The pure rage was almost intoxicating. That wasn't the Tail beast he once knew. It hurt him to watch his friend in such away.
As if noticing a moment of break, Gyuki wraps one of his tails around Kurama's neck. With a swift move, Gyuki pulls them both into the ocean. For a moment, everything seems to calm down on the surface. But what was happening underwater was a different story.
Kurama was at a disadvantage in here. This was Gyuki turf. He was much faster than him underwater. It was almost impossible to get a hit. He couldn't stay underwater, so naturally, he tried to swim back to the surface. But Gyuki wouldn't allow that. Every time he was getting closer, Gyuki would show up out of nowhere and pulls him back. Then, Kurama crosses his fingers and another avatar pop into existence. Simultaneously, they fire a blast at incoming Tail Beast. Gyuki dodges them both, but he was hit with another one that was fired right after. Using that moment, the original avatar of Kurama vanishes, leaving Naruto exposed. If he's right, Gyuki will go after the clone. He looks at the surface and sees a floating piece of wood. As he's about switch places, Naruto sensed that Gyuki was coming toward him. Why didn't he went after the clone?
Right before he could reach him, Naruto was able to switch place with the piece of wood. Because of his full charge, Gyuki hits the ground hard. On the other hand, the clone simply vanishes, fulfilling his part of the plan.
Landing on the beach, Naruto looks at the devastated village. Or rather, what remained of it. With a sigh, he turns around and prepares himself. He should waste time like that. If he won't execute his plan, then Gyuki will be taken as well. Suddenly, Gyuki rises from the ocean with a mighty roar. Clenching his fists, Naruto summons Kurama avatar once again. They charge at each other and slam their fist together causing a massive shockwave.
Naruto forms a single shadow clone beside him. As the fight progresses forward, the clone examines Gyuki body. After a bit of wrestling with the tail beast, the clone finds the mark on his left shoulder blade. He throws a kunai that lands right next to the mark. With his Rinnegan glowing, the clone switches places with the kunai. Looking at the sun mark on his right hand, he summons the remaining chakra of Shukaku. If you look at sun mark, you would see black markings spreading and entangling themself around Clone's hand. Noticing that the mark on Gyuki's body was starting to glow, Clone slams his hand on top of the mark. His own markings glow and start spreading around the unknown mark.
Truth to be told, Naruto had no idea if it's going to work. After all the properties of Shukaku cursed seals and the unknown mark were completely different. There was a chance that it might not work. Especially since it was Shukaku's power, the one tail beast. But that was all he could think of. Naruto, despite being an Uzumaki, was not gifted with sealing talents. He wishes he had enough of Gyuki's own chakra to use his sealing abilities. But unfortunately, he didn't.
It was done. After taking his hand off, Clone notices that the unknown mark didn't glow. It was still there though. Now it was time to try and break the spell. Naruto notices his clone giving him thumbs up. With a nod, Kurama avatar wraps his tails around the Gyuki body. Since his hands were locked with Gyukis, Kurama uses his jaw to hold Eight tail necks. Despite Gyuki's attempts of escaping, the clone manages to land on his nose. Locking his Rinnegan with Gyuki eyes, Naruto focuses on breaking the spell. At first, nothing happens. But then, his Rinnegan reflects itself in Gyuki's eyes. The Eight tails seem to calm down as he blinks. He stops wriggling and looks at his surroundings. Gyuki finally stops his eyes on Naruto.
"Naruto?" -Gyuki asks in slight disbelief. After all, Naruto did look different when he last saw him."Is that you...?"
"It's been a long time, old friend." -Naruto said with a smile on his face. His clone vanishes in a poof of smoke. Kurama releases his grip on Gyuki and looks at his brother with a smile.
"I'm happy to see you, brother." -Kurama said with a big grin.
"What happened? Where are We?" -Gyuki asks and looks at the island. When looking at the destruction, his heart sunken. He did something terrible here. Naruto sees it in his eyes."What did I do?"
"It's a long story. It might take a while." -Naruto explains and looks at the sky.
A hooded figure moves silently through the forest. The figure appears to be looking for something. Finally stopping, the figure looks at the cave right in front of him. Making sure no one was watching, he enters the cave. After whispering a few words, a bright orb appears above the figure's hand. He walks through the narrow cave while listening to faint droplets of water. He finally reaches an open area. You could see that it wasn't just another part of the cave. There were rubbles and remains of what seems to be an elven architecture.
Looking down, the hooded figures see a white circle made with chalk. In the circle, there were many different and quite complex runes and symbols that would confuse anyone. But not him. He knew them all too well. After all, it wasn't his first time seeing it. Touching the circle, the hooded figure whispers, and incantation. As he's saying it, the circle starts to glow with white light. Then, an orb floated out of the middle. At first, light stops midair. After a moment, the light starts taking form. Unfortunately, the only thing you could see was the contours figure. The figure was tall and armored.
[...Care to explain as to why I cannot sense the Eight Tail beast?...]
"It seems like the Fox of Cintra got to him..." -The hooded figure said, bowing his head.
[...You have failed me. Your marking was supposed to work...]
"A slight miscalculation." -Hooded figure said with a calm voice."I can fix that."
[...And what makes you think I'll give you another chance? I can find you and kill you...]
"I suppose you're right." -Hooded figure agrees with a chuckle."But without you won't get the Elder blood."
[...Do you honestly believe you can hide them from me? Don't be foolish. You're only part of this operation due to your capabilities. Have you located the Elder blood?...]
"Not yet, but I have some clues." -The hooded figure replies."It won't take too long. I'll find it in no time."
[...For your own sake, don't fail me again...]
"This is a lot to take in." -Gyuki said with a sad expression. He glances at the ruined village and felt guilty."I killed these people..."
"That wasn't you, Gyuki." -Naruto states firmly."Someone brainwashed you. I understand why you feel like this. But you had no control over your actions." -He pauses and looks down."If anything, it's my fault. Maybe if I were stronger then Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan and Obito would be still alive."
[...Naruto, you cannot blame yourself for this. You were just seventeen-year-old boy. You're fighting against a god-like being...]
"I know that." -Naruto said with a sad expression."But that doesn't make it any easier."
"You shouldn't blame yourself, Naruto." -Gyuki said with a serious tone."When I was part of Kaguya I saw everything. You did everything you possibly could. What's done is done. We have more important issues right now."
"You're right, We have bigger problems right now." -Naruto agrees with a firm nod."That reminds me...Do you remember anything from before?"
"No, not really." -Gyuki admits with a sigh."It's all fuzzy and painful. Maybe in time, I will remember..."
"I see. Well, I need to go and talk with Crach." -Naruto said and looks at Gyuki."Could you wait here for a bit?"
"No problem." -Gyuki replies with shrug.
"Just one more thing." -Naruto said and looks up at Gyuki."I don't suppose you can change your shape?"
"Actually, I can." -Gyuki snickers and suddenly he starts shrinking. After he was done, Gyuki was no larger than a small dog."How about that?"
"Since when can you do that?" -Naruto asks with surprise.
"Like, from the beginning?" -Gyuki shrugs off."Anyway, don't worry. I'll be alright here."
[...Yeah, I can do that too. Didn't I tell you that?...]
"Nevermind." -Naruto sighs and turns around.' At least something good happened today.'
"So you didn't kill the beast?" -Crach asks.
"Did I ever said I would?" -Naruto replies with a question. He was slightly angry about what Crach said."I explained the situation to you. You know that he was not in control of his actions. Don't you understand?"
"I do, but my people won't." -Crach said with a tired sigh."They're simple folks... They won't understand and will want to get revenge."
"Just tell them that I did what I was supposed to." -Naruto said and Crach looks down at his people from Kear Trolde.
"Fine. But I want your 'friend' gone." -Crach said and locks his eyes with Naruto's."I don't want him anywhere near Skellige. Take him as far away as possible."
"I was about to anyway." -Naruto said and looks at Spikeroog."I only came here to explain the situation, so I'm going back to Cintra."
"I see. It'll take my men a bit of time to get everything ready." -Crach and looks at the docks."They should arrive by tomorrow."
"Thank you, Crach." -Naruto said and bows his head slightly."It's time for me to go. Goodbye, Crach. See you another time."
"Goodbye and good luck, Naruto." -Crach said as Naruto turns around and jumps from the balcony.