I don't own Shield Hero or Naruto…

Chapter 6 – Return and a new companion….

Naruto and Jiraiya began the trek to the camp with the girls. Naruto asked, "So what does the Queen have to say?"

Jiraiya sighed and replied, "She is quite angry with her husband the King. He was not supposed to be in charge, and he especially was not supposed to summon all of the heroes. They were supposed to be summoned in a country one by one. You might have been summoned in either Shieldfreeden or Siltvelt. Now she has to play damage control and avert a war with other nations. I would also note that slavery is common in this kingdom, and the nobles love it especially with demi-humans."

"Except those like Reichnott?" Naruto asked.

Jiraiya nodded and replied, "Yes, he and the former noble from Seyaette region. His daughter is missing too."

Naruto took a thinking pose with his hand on his chin while the pair were running quickly along. He then said, "I may have a line on her. I think she may be a prisoner in the castle dungeon in the capital."

Jiraiya exclaimed, "We need to save her."

Naruto smiled and said, "I plan too. Even if it gets the king mad." He chuckled.

Jiraiya shook his head and sighed. "You're just a troublemaker," Jiraiya said with a chuckle.

The pair continued to talk and laugh as they headed back to the camp. They entered the camp to find Sylvie on guard duty. She quickly ran and hugged Naruto. He chuckled and blushed. He then asked, "Did you miss me?"

Sylvie smiled and kissed him on the cheek. She then replied, "Of course, we missed you. Especially me, Naruto-koi. Did something exciting happen?"

The trio sat down by the fire and Naruto replied, "I've been promoted and have something to tell Raphtalia when she gets up. I won't spill the beans until then. We will be heading back to the Capital tomorrow. It should take a couple days and we will have a week to prepare."

Sylvie snuggled close to Naruto. She noticed that he only became slightly uncomfortable with the affection from her. She smiled at this. Jiraiya smiled at the pair. He then said, "I'll take a watch and let you guys sleep."

Naruto said, "Thanks, Erosenin." The pair got up and walked over to the other two girls. Naruto laid down and the girls curled up to Naruto. Sylvie laid down next to Naruto and curled up to his other side and quickly fell asleep.

The group woke up and quickly got ready for the day. Naruto fixed breakfast. As he served breakfast Naruto explained, "Raphtalia, I have something to tell you." This got the girl's attention. He continued, "Last night I went on a mission. I was able to save a friend of yours, Rifana." This caused her to tear up and smile widely. He continued, "I also found five others in the dungeon and was able to free them also. Now, none of you must ever tell anyone about what I'm about to tell you." He watched each of the girls' nod before he continued, "I ended Idol Rabier. Meaning I killed him, but if you're asked, I was here with you leveling up. Do you understand?" He looked at each and they all nodded in turn. He then smiled, "While killing another person isn't something to be proud of, it isn't the first time I've done it. Also, this was a mission and got me a commendation in my village. I'm now a chuunin. The next level in my shinobi career. Next will be my jounin test."

Jiraiya then spoke up, "Given his showing in the invasion of our village nearly three years ago, his capture of rogue shinobi, Sasuke Uchiha, his training, with me and here on this planet, and this last mission. He has proven that he is ready to become chuunin in both my opinion and the Fifth Hokage's opinion. We will give you a vest later if you want it. Until then we will keep that information secret. Now let's go through the list of levels. Raphtalia, 31, Sylvie 32, Milly, 25, Naruto, 21, and myself, 28. Only Raphtalia and myself don't have spells, but I have elemental jutsu. Have you girls mastered the basic three jutsu?"

All three girls answer at the same time, "Yes sir!"

He then handed out paper to each and said, "Push a little chakra into the paper. This will be for training after the wave since I expect none of you to perish in the wave. Naruto has pushed you into teamwork and how to work together. Now show me your chakra affinities." Raphtalia pushed chakra into the paper and it split in half, Jiraiya said, "Wind." Sylvie pushed chakra into the paper and it became soaked, he said, "Water." Milly pushed chakra into the paper and it began to turn into ash, Jiraiya said, "Fire. This is a good mix of elements. With mine Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, Yin and Yang."

Naruto cocked his head and asked, "Yin and Yang chakra?"

Jiraiya replied, "Eat while I explain. Yin is creation chakra. I could create something. Say I have no water and I want to use a water jutsu. I would create it with my chakra using Yin release. If I want to give life or energy to an object or a jutsu that would be Yang. I would say that making the Kyuubi would have been both a Yin and Yang feat by the Sage of Six Paths."

Naruto nodded his head, while the girls wore a look of confusion. Naruto replied, "I get it… not really."

Jiraiya chuckled and replied, "You'll understand more in your Sage training, but that will be after the wave. So will be the elemental training for the girls. Now finish up breakfast. We have a week until the wave and I want you guys to get supplies and the extra goods sold off. We also want you to get check up on the other heroes. You will also need to work on some new spells. Since we're going to buy some more books. I just be reading the one you have on fire magic and Milly will be training me on it on the way."

Milly got a look on her face and said, "So the student becomes the master."

Jiraiya chuckles and replies, "In this case, yes. You are more versed in magic and I need to learn. We need to learn about Raphtalia and get her trained up on magic."

The girls in unison exclaim, "Yes sir."

Naruto has already broken down the tent and folded up the sleeping bags. The girls have noticed that he is already working and begin to clean the dishes and finish cleaning camp. It takes the better part of the day to get to the capital. Naruto uses henge to change into a non-descript person and Jiraiya follows behind at a distance. The girls act quiet around Naruto as they enter the castle wall, so as to not attract attention. They find several merchants and sell off their wares. Naruto transforms into himself and enters the apothecary. He sells some of his herbs and medicines. Naruto asks, "So what will sell better? The herbs or the finished medicines?"

The apothecary replies, "Because of the waves, the medicines will sell better. I will buy them off of you." Since Naruto had gotten along well with this man before he knew that he would be treated fairly and left with some new instruments and more money than he expected. He did save some for his party to be sure.

The next stop was to the witch's magic shop. She was still happy to see Naruto and his party as before. They tested Raphtalia. Witch said, "Deary, you're half-racoon, hm… It looks like you are both light and dark magic-user. I would specialize in illusion magic, because of your heritage. As for the books. It will be two gold pieces."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why so little for three books and two of them are second level?" He put the coins on the counter and put the books into his backpack.

She blushed and replied, "You are friends with that handsome Jiraiya, aren't you?"

Naruto nodded and said, "Yeah, but what does that have to do with it?"

She smiled and said, "I knew that was why he asked all those questions and is in my store right now."

Jiraiya appeared in a corner and said, "Listen Witch."

She blushed and said, "You say the kindest things Jiraiya-kun."

Jiraiya sighed and asked, "What do you want from me?"

She replied, "I would like you to take me out on a date."

Jiraiya looked at Naruto and asked, "You hold the purse strings."

Naruto pulled out several silver coins and tossed them to Jiraiya and said, "Have a good time." He then chuckled and said, "Don't do anything I wouldn't."

Jiraiya scowled and said, "I'm older than you. I'm an adult and so is she."

Naruto looked at the shopkeeper and asked, "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

She smiled and replied, "If he's a pervert then hopefully, yes. If not, then at least a pleasant night with a gentleman."

Naruto shook his head and Sylvie said as the four kids left the shop, "Have fun. We're going to get a room at the inn." Jiraiya waved at them and began to talk to the shopkeeper.

Naruto saw Motoyasu and his party coming back into the castle-wall. He noticed that one of the girls wasn't happy and seemed to be annoyed at the group. He pulled Sylvie's arm and said, "Looks like there is trouble in paradise."

She asked, "What do you mean?"

He said, "The fourth girl, the blonde. She doesn't seem happy to be in the group with the Spear Hero. Also, watch out for the redhead. She is the one I told you about."

The other girls had been listening in and Raphtalia asked, "Should we follow them?"

Naruto nodded and said, "That woman is always up to no good, so that girl might be in trouble."

Sylvie kissed him on the cheek and said, "My hero, but will there be enough of you to go around?"

Naruto blushed at the implications. The group followed the Spear Hero's group and they entered a building. About ten minutes later three of the girls left with the fourth tied up and dragging her along.

Naruto's eyes flashed purple and his canines grew. Sylvie looked on worriedly but followed along with her master. She had a feeling that one more would be added tonight. Naruto engaged a henge and changed into what looked like a noble and said, "Wait here." The girls nodded and knew this district to be the 'Red light'. He was able to enter the building just before the women from the Spear Hero's group.

Naruto was talking to the master of the brothel and asked to buy a girl, just as Myne and the girls from the Spear Hero entered. Myne said, "She is a slave and I can sell her to you for a gold coin."

Naruto looked at the woman who was tied up and she looked frightened. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes and showed an instant of sympathy. Only enough for her to catch it. She seemed to catch on and slacked. He looked her up and down and said, "She will do fine as a concubine for me. I lack the ink for doing the exchange."

Myne smiled and said, "Andre, you can do it for him. Can you make sure that this woman will disappear?"

Naruto nodded and replied, "She will not be seen again for a long time. So, one gold to you and twenty silvers for the transfer?"

Andre nodded and greedily rubbed his hands. He then replied, "That would be fine sir."

Naruto pricked his finger and dripped it into the dish with the ink. Andre dipped the brush and then ran it along the existing slave crest on her breast. She screamed through the gag. She fell to her knees and panted. Naruto handed Andre twenty silvers and gave Myne a gold coin. Myne and her friends left happily. Naruto picked the girl up bridal style and left the building. The girl had passed out. He made it to the girls and they cut the ropes. Naruto transformed back to himself. He carried his new slave back to the inn and asked the Innkeeper, "I would like a room with two beds please."

The man smiled lecherously and said, "Of course sir. That will be one silver and ten copper per night. Food not included."

Naruto nodded and looked at Sylvie, who said, "Yes master. We will be staying for the week." She got out seven silver and seventy copper. The girls then bowed and Sylvie said, "Thank you, sir."

The innkeeper just handed a key to Sylvie. The girls surrounded Naruto as they went to the room. It was a clean room with two beds. Naruto set the new girl on the bed and turned to the girls. He then said, "Time for haircuts for all of us. How would you like your hair to look?"

Sylvie replied, "I would like it to be short somewhat like yours, but a girl's style." Naruto nodded.

Raphtalia replied, "I want it a little shorter than it is now, but still somewhat longer than the other girls." Naruto nodded.

Milly replied, "I want it at the shoulders or so if you could, master." Naruto nodded.

Naruto started with Raphtalia, since hers would be the quickest to do. She smiled after looking in the mirror. She asked, "Do I look beautiful, Master Naruto?"

Naruto smiled and replied, "Of course."

Milly was next. She was ecstatic about her hair. She didn't even ask. She just wrapped her arms around Naruto and kissed him on the lips. Naruto smiled and said, "I guess you like it." She nodded.

Naruto worked on Sylvie's hair and it took quite a while. Sylvie looked at the finished job Naruto had done and said, "If I reward you the way I want to. I would get in trouble with Jiraiya. So, this will have to do." She kissed him and it lasted longer than it did with Milly. She then said, "Remember, I want to marry you."

Naruto scratched his neck and said, "Well about that… Raphtalia's friend, Rifana also wants to marry me. She like Raphtalia is ten."

Sylvie sighed and said, "We will be fully grown soon, or at least have eighteen-year-old bodies soon."

Naruto asked, "But have your minds grown-up enough from ten and eleven to make those decisions? Or are do you just 'think' they have?"

Sylvie sighed and replied, "I'm not sure. I guess we play this by ear."

The girl on the bed began to wake up and her eyes went wide open. She exclaimed, "Please don't sell me into sex slavery!"

Naruto chuckled and said, "I just said that to confuse that bitch. She tried to screw up my life too. You're safe. We need to hide your identity. So, what is your name?"

The girl looked around and saw three girls in the room and a young blonde man. She tentatively replied, "Rino, I'm a fighter with some magic."

Naruto smiled and walked over to the woman. He extended his hand and said, "Welcome to the Shield Hero's party. You've got me, Naruto Uzumaki, fifteen, chuunin shinobi and Shield Hero, falsely accused of rape and still a virgin." This caused Rino to giggle. Naruto then points to Sylvie and continues the introduction, "Sylvie, bunny warrior, fire and water mage." He pointed at Raphtalia and said, "Raphtalia, raccoon warrior, illusionist in the making." And finally pointing at Milly, he said, "and finally. Milly, fire mage, and illusionist in the making. Welcome, Rino. To the band of misfits. Our missing comrade is Jiraiya the ultimate pervert and teacher of all things shinobi."

Rino looked at the group. They seemed competent. She looked at their levels and they all had higher levels than she did. She then asked, "Am I to become your sex slave?"

Naruto paled and replied, "No! I just said that to get you away from that woman. She is the one who accused me of raping her."

Sylvie giggled and said, "There will be no sex in this group for quite a while. I want to with Naruto-koi, but know it would impede our growth. The other girls feel strongly about master too."

Rino blushed and said, "I'm sorry for assuming."

Naruto chuckled and replied, "It is alright, but we need to change your look. You are a beautiful woman, but the quickest way to change your look is to cut your hair. The second would be to change the color, but that would be hard. I would also not want to try to start up your chakra. It might be dangerous."

Rino looked at Naruto questioningly and asked, "Chakra?"

Naruto smiled and replied, "Chakra is like mana, but different. I can use it to make other techniques." He held up his left hand and a blue sphere appeared. He then explained, "This is the Rasengan. An assassination technique. This will grind the target and destroy the target's insides. A very devastating attack. I can show you more types tomorrow, but I hate to say it, but I need to know how old you are."

Rino replied, "I'm twenty."

Naruto smiled and said, "I would have to check with Granny to see if it would work with you or if it would even be safe for you. Milly was about the dividing line for how old you could be to have your chakra activated. Do you notice the bar on the girls that is missing from your status?"

Rino nodded and replied, "It is a different color."

Naruto nodded and replied, "Yes that is chakra. Milly has the least, while Sylvie has the third most. Jiraiya has second and I have the most. This week we will work on team training with you and get ready for the wave. You will not be in the way, but we need to figure out where you will fit into the team. I figure that you will help guard Milly and I will back up Sylvie and Raphtalia. We will work on large groups of balloons and then work on a large creature as a group, so we can feel out how each of us works together. I have weakened attacks."

Rino looked surprised and asked, "So you girls aren't going to just root him on and not do anything?"

Milly giggled and replied, "He's the Shield Hero. His defense is outstanding, but his offense is rather weak, especially compared to what it should be. So, no. We work as a team and help each other to complete the work. He may run off to do something by himself, but he will make sure that we are safe enough. We are tough, but he makes sure that we don't bite off more than we can chew."

Raphtalia smiled and said, "He also loves us and would never endanger us if he could help it, but his job is to save the world and we're going to help him."

Sylvie slipped her arm into Naruto's and said, "He will save us and we will save him. So, do we color your hair, or do we cut it?"

Rino sighed and replied, "I guess we should do both, but what about my clothes? I need new clothes."

Naruto smiled and replied, "We can shop for new clothes tomorrow. We need new armor and weapons anyway."

Rino got up and hugged Naruto. She noticed him going rigid to her touch. She looked at him and saw the worry in his eyes. Sylvie replied, "He isn't used to affection. It has taken a month to get him this far. He almost runs scared if we are standing naked in front of him. He is afraid we will hit him."

Rino wore a wondering look and asked, "Are you afraid of women?"

Naruto replied, "Women can be scary."

Sylvie guided Rino to the chair and Naruto began to cut the woman's hair. Sylvie whispered into her ear, "Do not hurt him. For he has loosened the slave settings. Jiraiya will not hesitate to kill you if you hurt his godson. Given time, Naruto will come to love you. If not as a lover then as a sister." Rino began to sweat and nodded. Naruto didn't notice the conversation between the two women. He ended up giving her a wavy baby doll hime cut. The hair framed her face, giving her a different look. It didn't detract from her beauty but was different then before. Sylvie trimmed Naruto's hair. Naruto collected up all the hair and fed it to his shield.

Sylvie and Milly took the bed with Naruto that night, while Raphtalia and Rino took the other. Naruto woke first which was a first, but he found Sylvie on top of him. He smiled at the bunny ears shading his eyes from the early rays of the sun. Her head lifted and her green eyes looked into his blue. She whispered, "We could have some fun before the others wake?"

Naruto smirked and reached around and grabbed her fluffy tail. He replied, "You would be too noisy." He gently squeezed her tail and her face turned beat red. She then moaned loudly. He smiled and said, "I'm sure that you would be louder if we went further."

Her beet red face nodded and she buried her head in his chest. Milly looked at him and said, "She is asking for sex again isn't she?"

Naruto replied, "Yep, and we all know that we can't do that yet. I can't get you girls pregnant or hurt from sex just before the wave. Sure, it would be fun, but it would be disastrous in the long run." He looked at Sylvie and asked, "Had enough yet?"

She shook her head and grabbed his other hand. She then slid it in her top and said, "Please squeeze gently."

Naruto by this time had already gotten a rise from the girl, but she wanted him to feel her up. So, he obliged. She bit into his shirt and moaned loudly. After a few minutes, she gasped and Naruto looked at the girl, who seemed satisfied. He pulled his hands away from her and asked, "You really need to figure out how old you really are. I feel like I'm playing with a kid and…"

Sylvie kissed him passionately and then said, "I declare that I'm eighteen. We can wed when you reach sixteen." She then got up shakily from on top of Naruto.

Milly giggled and said, "I really think that she is going to get you after this wave sometime and before the next one."

Naruto shook his head and replied, "You may be right… you may be right in that. I can't figure if it is the hormones or lust. Which would also be hormones of a different sort."

Milly kissed him lightly on the lips and replied, "You're just too irresistible. Also, when did you get so smart?"

Naruto blushed and pleaded, "Stop teasing me."

Milly giggled and replied, "Sylvie is teasing, but serious. Me, I'm serious, but teasing. I would love to be yours, but we have too much to do."

Raphtalia was wiping her eyes and said, "Did Sylvie try to get you again Naruto-kun?"

Naruto nodded and replied, "I couldn't really get too much attention from the girls in my world, but here…"

Raphtalia giggled and said, "They either accuse you of raping them or want to rape you."

Naruto said as he got up, "I would settle for somewhere in between."

Rino got up and asked, "Girl trouble?"

Naruto chuckled and replied, "Something like that. In my world girls ignored me over another guy."

Rino look down and said, "I thought the Spear Hero was a great guy. He asked me out and I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world."

"His type always does. The company he keeps tells you more about him," Naruto explained.

Rino nodded and said, "That redhead tricked me and had someone put a slave seal on me after our adventure outside. You came along and saved me. Well, you bought me. I don't have to have sex with you do I?"

Sylvie returned in her adventure gear and replied, "Only if you want to. He won't force you to. It's not in his nature. He has a kind heart and while I want him, he has the willpower to keep me inline and not use the slave crest. This makes me love him even more. He and I do need to mature, but I do like to play with him and like it when he plays with me. Milly would be next in line and Raphtalia would be last. She would be either lover or sister and can't figure out where she would want to be."

Raphtalia blushed as she put on her adventure gear and said, "I have time to decide. He is cool and did save all of us."

Naruto had taken off his shirt and his pants. He sealed them away. Rino watched intently and only understood that this young man was fifteen, when Milly said, "His body is amazing for a fifteen-year-old. Isn't it?"

Rino blushed and said, "I'm… not sure what to say…"

The girls giggled and Naruto quickly dressed in a new outfit. He then said, "Sorry, I forgot you're new, and… well we sort of know each other's bodies rather intimately."

Rino eyes went wide and asked, "What do you mean?"

Raphtalia replied, "We've seen each other in the nude for the last month. He's seen us grow from ten and eleven in mine and Sylvie's case and fourteen in Milly's case."

Naruto explained, "At first, it was more an accident, but the girls made it more of a thing. Especially in the last week, since they reached their eighteen-year-old bodies. More like they wanted to show off." He whispered the last part.

Milly handed a dress to Rino to put on and said, "Admit it you enjoyed it. I know we did."

Naruto replied, "Most of the girls in my world would have beaten me to a pulp if I even tried to take a peek. These girls showed it off to me. On purpose. I tried to avoid it, but eventually, I decided to not fight it since it might hurt me if I said no to them."

Sylvie ran a finger under his chin and asked, "So you did like it."

Naruto nodded and replied, "What guy wouldn't? I'm just glad Erosenin didn't see it."

Rino had just put on the dress given to her by Milly and a voice came from the door. "You girls are still too young for me, but this one, is on the borderline," Jiraiya said.

Naruto said, "This is Jiraiya, our other party member. Until we get info back from granny Tsunade we will not activate her chakra. I don't want to risk it."

Jiraiya nodded and said, "Your call. Now we need to get some new equipment. What are our finances?"

Naruto pulled out a scroll and a bag appeared. Naruto then pulled out a smaller bag. He then quickly went through both bags and replied, "Eight gold, about three-hundred silver and twenty copper."

"I'll travel to the weapon shop first and then you guys follow me," Jiraiya said.

Naruto then said, "First we need to get an outfit for Rino and change her hair color. Myne might recognize her without the hair change. Without chakra there is no way to change her appearance, unless we want to use a seal, but that could have drawbacks."

Jiraiya took a thinking pose and said, "You're right. She's a blonde… a brunette would be enough of a change. I'm off" He left the room.

The group left the room and Naruto changed his appearance again. Rino pulled the hood over her head and walked in the middle of the group. They came upon a hairdresser who did the hair coloring for two silvers. They then found the dress shop and the woman was enthusiastic about making an elegant dress for Rino. Naruto sighed and just asked for a utilitarian dress and would ask for three dress like that later after the wave. The woman had a dress done in about ten minutes that was both functional and looked good for Rino. Naruto paid the ten silvers and said that they would be back.

The group made it to Erhard's shop and found him in a deep conversation with Jiraiya. "I don't know if you confront him it will do any good. Only his daughters or the Queen could reign him in. Ah the group is here… not another girl…" Erhard complained.

Naruto chuckled and replied, "What can I say. I'm a sucker for saving those in need. We need to equip her from the bottom up and some new weapons and some new equipment for the girls. I also need a new armor outfit, but one that isn't constraining."

Erhard took a thinking pose and asked, "How flexible are you?"

Naruto bent back and kicked his leg straight up. He then demonstrated a kata that would show his flexibility. Naruto then asked, "Does that tell you what you want?"

Erhard nodded and replied, "And the girls?"

Naruto replied, "They are not quite as flexible as I am, but are working on it. Girls, please let him know your preferences."

Raphtalia blushed and replied, "I would prefer to have skirt, since I don't do those kata and mine are more fist than less leg movements." Erhard nodded.

Milly replied, "Being a mage and following master Naruto's kata, I would prefer shorts or pants that afford me protection. A breastplate would also be helpful." Erhard nodded.

Sylvie blushed and said, "I need both protection and flexibility. I am a blend of what Raphtalia and Milly." Erhard nodded.

Rino looked at Naruto who nodded and hesitantly said, "I'm mostly a fighter who uses magic. A cuirass would work with a battle dress." She then blushed and turned to Naruto and exclaimed, "I'm sorry Naruto-sama."

Naruto cocked his head and asked, "Why are you sorry. You need to be protected. The girls are higher level than you, so it is understandable that you get better protection."

Rino bowed and exclaimed, "But it costs so much, Naruto-sama."

Naruto waved her off and said, "We also need three magic steel swords and another kunai kit."

Erhard chuckled and said, "You treat your girls right and do your best to keep them safe. The cuirass I have, but can custom make to fit her better, if you want. No extra cost. And you master Jiraiya?"

"The magic chain suit I asked for would be fine. The kunai set will be spread between the girls, Naruto, and I," Jiraiya replied.

Erhard was counting on his fingers and said, "That will be five-hundred and fifty-seven silvers."

Naruto pulled out five golds and fifty-seven silvers. Rino began to tear up and Sylvie hugged her. She whispered, "You see. He does care and will make sure that you're taken care of."

Rino nodded and replied quietly, "I see now. He isn't like that woman or the Spear Hero."

Erhard explained, "I'll have the custom stuff ready later today. We should fit her with a standby cuirass until you come back. I also need some supplies. Here is the list. I was hoping to make what I called Barbarian Armor, but it would be restrictive to your movements. I will edit some and make it so that it will be more to your style."

Naruto chuckled and said, "Barbarian Armor? Sounds awesome! We can call it that anyway. Since the King wants to make me a criminal then I will oblige him." He began to laugh and the others began to laugh with him at the king's folly.

After Rino was fitted with the temporary cuirass the team went outside the castle-wall. They found a large group of balloons and Naruto began to give orders. The first run didn't go well, because the team wasn't used to having either Jiraiya or Rino there. Rino expected to be reprimanded, but Naruto said, "This is why I decided to go against a group of balloons. I wanted to find out where our teamwork was lacking. It is my fault as team leader for not compensating for a new person and reintegrating Erosenin. Now collect the pieces and we will do it again. This time I want Rino on the center-right with Raphtalia on the right. I want Jiraiya on the center-left with Sylvie on the left with Milly right behind me in the center. This will be alpha formation. The beta will be Milly, in the center with Rino. Sylvie will be on point with Jiraiya on the left flank and Raphtalia on the right and me in the back. Charlie formation will be me up front with Sylvie paired with me in the center. Five meters to the right will be Jiraiya with Milly. While Raphtalia and Rino are five meters to the left," Naruto explained.

Rino held her head down and said, "Do you not trust me?"

Naruto shook his head and replied, "No, we work in teams or groups of two. I put experience with experience. The reason you're not with Jiraiya is that he doesn't have magic, but is very experienced, but not in our group. He does a lot of solo things before the wave. I want him with one of the members of the group who are with me all the time."

Jiraiya chuckled and said, "It says a lot that he trusts you with Raphtalia. She has no magic right now but will be learning over the week. Just like I will. So, you have magic and Raphtalia doesn't that is why you're paired with her. Naruto isn't picking favorites with Sylvie. Their styles mesh well together. Now let's get back to training."

The group went through five more balloon groups before Naruto seemed happy. They then moved to larger monsters. They ran into a group of bears and quickly took care of them. Naruto praised the group. The group headed back to the town and sold off their goods. They got about sixty silver for their troubles. They then stopped by Erhard's and the cuirass looked incredible on Rino. She broke down and cried at the sight of it. The fitting wasn't a problem and the group went to a tavern. They wore their new armor. Naruto now had a green and burnt orange outfit. It had plates of leather and steel over his vital locations, but not enough to interfere with his movements. It also gave him added protection.

The next day Sylvie and Naruto paid the church a visit. He wanted to show her the hourglass. As he was leaving Motoyasu showed up. "Is that Naruto? And who is this lovely girl? She can't be with you," he chided.

Naruto raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why not? I prefer strawberry blondes to redheads now. Less hassle."

"Shut up, you criminal!" Myne exclaimed.

Motoyasu went to kiss Sylvie's hand and she pulled it away and said, "Not interested."

He was surprised but decided to barb Naruto. He then said, "I would watch out for him he might try something."

Myne grinded her teeth and growled, "Damn demi."

Sylvie smirked and replied in a sultry voice, "It's not him to be worried about."

Naruto chuckled and asked, "Shall we leave? It's getting a little stuffy about here. Oh, hi Ren, Itsuki. You guys ready for the wave?"

Itsuki waved and asked in a confused tone, "How are you doing Naruto?"

Naruto shrugged and replied, "Leveling and with my partner here. We are going to have protect everyone!"

Itsuki still seemed confused, but replied, "That's good."

Ren scowled and said, "Don't get in my way."

Naruto replied happily, "Okay, Sasuke-chan."

Ren angrily asked, "What did you say?"

Naruto turned and replied in a serious tone, "You act just like the traitor to my village. I was always in his way. So, I will TRY to stay out of your way, but remember to stay out of mine and we can be happy rivals."

Ren scowled and said, "You're level twenty-five and I'm over forty how can we be rivals?"

Naruto waved as he was leaving and said, "Never underestimate someone especially one you think is weaker than yourself."

Sylvie giggled at the exchange and waited until they were outside. She then asked, "So do we get 'in their way' or not?"

Naruto chuckled and replied, "We will see. If lives are in danger then, yes. If not let them figure out how to work together. I see a group that doesn't know the idea of teamwork."

The pair met the rest of the group in the forest near the town and they continued to train up until the day of the wave coming.

Elsewhere a dark figure slinked around the castle while the Heroes were getting ready for the Wave unnoticed by the King and his Knights.

A/N: Note to reader let me know if there is too much between Sylvie and Naruto in this chapter. Raging hormones and the like. Nothing happens other than groping. I hope you liked the chapter. Also, in next chapter I will have a somewhat wrap up of the shields that Naruto has. At the beginning of the chapter.

Have a little Feith: Agreed and I added yet another character from the LN, a human.

Sable Dawn: We shall see. Now worries yet. Nothing to anger Naruto to that level at this point.

Shokugeki: I'll see what I can do. I do have a beta reader now.

Darkstel: We shall see if he can get back to the elemental lands.

Leaf Ranger: Always good to see you, old friend. He got one before and might get more after. We'll just have to wait and see.

Guest: Thanks and true. It is a hard crossover to do. Stray too far from canon and you get in weird territory and follow canon too closely and the fans eat you for breakfast. :P

Thanks to everyone else who commented.

Here are the affinities and levels of those in the party:

Naruto= Magic: Support and healing; Chakra: All basic except earth; Lvl: 25

Milly = Magic: fire + light + darkness (illusion); Chakra: fire; Lvl: 28

Raphtalia= Magic: light + darkness (illusion); Chakra: wind; Lvl: 32

Sylvie = Magic: fire + water; Chakra: water; Lvl: 32

Jiraiya = Magic: fire + wind; Chakra: all basic except lightning; Lvl: 26

Rino = Magic: lightning + fire; Chakra: none; Lvl: 24