Chapter 18-Ruling Well
Naruto was in a private courtyard outside of the Red Keep. It was designed to be one of seclusion, where one could reflect on things, enjoy the silence, and tranquility one rarely enjoyed within the active workings of King's Landing. Of course in this case, Naruto did not find such things here because the area was packed more then usual for a purpose other than reflecting on life as whole.
Today it was a place where a death would take place. It was the place where Cersei of House Lannister was to be executed.
As Naruto had promised Lord Tywin, this affair would be kept private. Witnessed only by those involved in Cersei's plotting and planning to take control of the Iron Throne. Meaning only those of high standing with the Tyrells, Baratheons, Starks, Tullys, and Martell would be witnessing end of only daughter of Tywin of House Lannister. Tywin himself would witnesses it, but Tyrion nor Jaime would do it, as they took no form of pleasure, or comfort in the sight of their sister's life ending. Tywin only did it out of the traditional necessity since his daughter was guilty of the crime and as her Father, he had to see it through to the end.
Never let it be said that a Lannister didn't pay their debts. All debts were paid. No matter the price of the debt. A Lannister who didn't pay their debts was not a Lannister in his eyes.
As he stood with the other High Lords and Ladies from the major Houses of the Seven Kingdoms attending, Tywin stared at the woman who he called his daughter. In truth, she didn't look like a Lannister. Not anymore. Her hair had been cut short following the trial and how it ended.
Cut incredibly short and Tywin found the look was surprisingly not ugly on her like he had first assumed it would when the time came for the execution. If anything, Cersei still held a form of attractiveness with such extremely short hair with the dress, as dark as it was, to match it.
The real problem lay with the actual face of his daughter looking the way it did to further prove she was no longer a Lannister to him. The eyes were bloodshot to the point where you couldn't almost see any white within her eyes. They were so red you would think it was something only his House could do and was half expecting a rude remark by one of the others like Renly saying "Even in death, she sports her Lannister colors Lord Tywin. Blood red eyes and golden hair." just to upset the old lion. But glancing over at the rather "charismatic" man sitting beside his Margery Baratheon, Tywin saw the man was more serious then usual, and realized Robert's death hit Renly harder then even Tywin thought despite everything. It was no secret Robert held no love for his brothers. Ned Stark was more of a brother to Robert during their time growing up together under Jon Arryn. But Robert had given Renly leeway in terms of things when the Rebellion started since the man was just a boy when Robert and Stannis went off to war. Even when it came time to fight the Greyjoys, the youngest of the three Baratheon brothers was too young to really do anything deemed "worthy" of House Baratheon in terms of combat. Renly had focused on the power of knowledge and the mind to make things happen over the use of a sword. It had irked Robert and Stannis a bit that their brother didn't favor combat like they did, but neither one could refute the man's intelligence was indeed a formable weapon in its own right.
Hence one of the reasons why he was made Master of Law.
Tywin removed his eyes from the Baratheon male and refocused on his daughter, who was on her knees, head placed on a log, and all the while glaring at him. She had such a hatred in her eyes that a lesser man would feel a sense of dread or fear at the idea of what would happen Cersei got free and had to ability to lash out at him unopposed. But Tywin Lannister was not a lesser man. He had seen death far to many times in many brutal ways and fashions to know fear from such things, much less from his own child. As things now stood, Cersei was glaring at him with all the rage and hatred her body could command short of somehow shooting it from her eyes if the Gods decided to give the woman such a power.
To the side of Cersei was Ned Stark. His sword Ice was in his hands. His face was grim and set in stone. As it should be given what he was about to do. Tywin respected Ned for doing this and even more seeing the man didn't enjoy what he was about to do. Anyone else in his position would be sneering, making verbal jabs, and making Cersei's last few moments of life miserable.
But not Ned Stark. The man knew his duty. Ending the life of the person currently on her knees in front of him. To make quick, clean, painless, and feel no joy in the process.
"If you have anything left to say Cersei Lannister, now is the time," said Ned while he waited for the woman to say her last words before severing the woman's head from her body.
"You think my death will bring peace to the Seven Kingdoms? It won't. I won't allow this world to know peace following my death. This world will burn and so will everyone in it for denying me what is rightfully mine. If I cannot rule this world as its Queen, then the world itself shall die, and all of you will die with it. Even if I have rise again as a member of the undead under the command of the White Walkers. I will find a way to kill you all. Even if I have to will my spirit to manifest itself to haunt you all for eternity. One way or another, I will be the end!" stated Cersei with all the madness in her eyes and face now manifesting itself through her words.
Glancing over at Tywin for a second, the two men shared a look before Ned nodded, and without any further words...brought the sword down on Cersei's neck.
And just like that...Cersei of House Lannister was no more.
"Do you want me to arrange some form of transport for the body to go to your family crypt at Casterly Rock?" asked Naruto from behind Tywin by a few steps.
"No. Feed it to some animals. Burn the body. I don't care. Cersei dishonored my House with her actions. To bury her in the crypt would mean I approve of her actions," replied Tywin while Naruto stayed silent for a moment.
"Even after everything she has done, Cersei is still your daughter. Despite everything, I know deep down you do love her. Or at the very least...loved who she was before all of this," said Naruto with Tywin letting out a long sigh of frustration.
"Fine! Prepare something for her body. At the very least, I can see her buried with some dignity worthy of a Lannister," remarked Tywin before he left the area.
No doubt the sight of his beheaded daughter turned and twisted knot in his old stomach.
"Great Sage, I bring news from my little birds surrounding the East of the Kingdom along the Vale that requires the attention of the Lord Regent and the Small Council," said Varys moments later while seemingly gliding when he walked.
"About Lysa Tully," commented Naruto with Varys nodding.
"The very same Great Sage. As I said, it requires a meeting with the Lord Regent, and the Small Council immediately," answered Varys with Naruto nodding.
"I'll let them know. Has Ser Davos, his son, and Shireen arrived yet?" asked Naruto with Varys nodding.
"They just arrived at the gates only a few minutes ago. I have informed Ser Davos of the situation regarding his titles and that a Small Council meeting will soon be happening. His son and Lady Shireen will be heading for the Red Keep to get situated. I felt having the prepared room for the three of them should be near the rooms of the Baratheon/Tyrell alliance," said Varys with Naruto nodding.
"Agreed. Lady Shireen is Renly's niece after all and will be given custody of her as she is family. Thank you Lord Varys. I will see you again shortly," replied Naruto with Varys bowing his head politely and walked off.
(Red Keep-Small Council Room)
"Before we begin, I would like to welcome Ser and now Lord Davos Seaworth to the Small Council as the Master of Ships. His skills and knowledge with them will no doubt prove invaluable to the kingdom as a whole," said Ned Stark while rising and so did the others to the man who helped Stannis in his time of need.
"Thank you Lord Regent. Not only for this honor, but giving me the respect these titles demands of me. I came from nothing. I thought I would die with nothing. But Stannis rewarded me for my loyal service with a knighthood and my station here as the Master of Ships a Lordship. I intend to do the same here in proving my worth while serving on the Small Council. I will do everything I can to prove I'm the right man for the job. At the very least, I can keep the seat warm until someone else more fitting can take my place on it," said Davos while the other members of the Small Council let out a small laugh at the end.
"Stannis talked many times of your skills as a smuggler during the war Lord Davos. If it was not for you, my brother, and his men would have perished. To starve to death during the siege is not something anyone would want to happen, even to an enemy. You saved him from a great deal of dishonor and shame on my House. When my brother gives out praise to someone, it was not to be taken lightly," said Renly while Davos nodded.
"I just wish I could have saved him from himself," remarked Davos with many in the room nodding.
"We all do Lord Davos. Come! Sit with us. Lord Varys has information regarding the Vale that requires our attention," replied Ned Stark with the older man nodding and taking his seat.
"Thank you Lord Regent. As you know, with the end of this recent war, peace has at last reached our precious kingdom, and we can all have a sense of stability. Or rather...we would have such stability if not for the Vale," replied Varys with many in the room now nodding.
"The problem is not the Vale itself, but rather Lysa Arryn," said Naruto to narrow down the exact problem at hand.
"You are correct Great Sage. The problem is indeed Lady Lysa Arryn. Her Lords and Knights have finally taken down the enemies within her own domain. Though not without heavy losses on many occasions. However, now that they are vanquished, Lady Arryn is demanding the head of the man who 'murdered' Petyr Baelish, and has sworn revenge against the one responsible. She apparently claims the accusations against the late Lord Baelish are false and he was innocent of all crimes claimed against him. The deluded woman has even claimed the Vale will secede from the Seven Kingdoms and become its own kingdom with young Robin being the 'King of the Vale' before the month is over," said Varys with the other Small Council members not liking that one bit.
"Is she truly that mad? I know from my own experience with the woman that she clearly did not think properly, but to threaten such a thing now? The Vale has its own greatness to be sure, but it cannot stand alone on its own. It has no true economic value to possibly keep it independent from the other territories," replied Tyrion with Ned nodding since he had been there many times with Robert when Jon Arryn took them in as wards.
"Where do the Lords of the Vale stand on this?" asked Ned knowing she could only pull off a threat if all the Lords and Knights of the Vale side with her.
Which he doubted.
"My birds tell me the Vale is divided. Even after fighting to repel the Hilltribes, they will not unite on the issue. Some believe Lady Lysa should have justice, if only to appease her clearly troubled mind, and make their own lives easier in the process. As for the other half, they believe the woman is too mad to serve, and will not commit their forces against the Great Sage, who Lady Lysa has openly declared the murderer of Lord Baelish," said Varys while Naruto sighed.
"That woman is becoming a pain in the ass. An old lazy friend of mine would have called her 'troublesome', but I won't since it would insult his memory," remarked Naruto with a few people smirking.
"How do we handle this? Sending an army to quell this 'rebellion' of Lady Lysa would only lead to disaster. I would rather not send men to their deaths when this could all be handled more peacefully," said Ned Stark while the Small Council nodded.
"A peace envoy perhaps?" offered Tyrion though he wouldn't volunteer for it due to how Lysa Arryn hated him from the moment they met.
And he didn't even do anything to her!
"She would sooner see it as an insult to her or weakness by us. Using force in the form of an army is out too. The Bloody Gate makes the path impossible for an army, no matter the size, from getting through into the Vale," said Naruto since he knew the damn trench they used as a road and the Bloody Gate they created for such a thing.
He made the damn trench for a road years ago in a time long forgotten.
"Getting her to bend the knee and listen to the laws made by Gods and Men are out too. If she is too far gone in her madness like Cersei was during the trial, and later before being executed...Lysa Arryn will not yield to such things," said Renly while everyone nodded in full agreement.
"And here I thought Lord Stannis was the only person I knew who had gone completely mad. I'm almost glad to know he wasn't the only one to fall to such things," commented Davos calmly with some form of amusement sprouting from the joke.
Despite it being a poor one.
"So diplomacy, force, and laws are out. I suppose the only thing we can do now, is make it where Lysa's plans implode on themselves. Fortunately, I know how they can, and will implode with just the right push," said Naruto while getting everyone's attention.
"How?" asked Renly curiously.
"There is a truth regarding Lysa Arryn, Petyr Baelish, and Robin Arryn few know about with even fewer wishing it to get out. One that if it did, would remove Lysa from her seat of power, and forcing young Robin right out in shame too. I'm speaking of course of the boy NOT being Jon Arryn's child in any sense of the word. He is in fact, Petyr Baelish's bastard and dimwitted son," answered Naruto calmly with many in the room looking very shocked by this.
"Not to question you on this Great Sage, but do you have proof to backup your claims?" asked Davos knowing such words demanded a great deal of proof on the masked man's part.
So Naruto explained what he knew, how he knew it with his powers, and the fact when 'questioned' by Naruto personally, Petyr Baelish openly admitted to it. In fact, Littlefinger also admitted he didn't care about his son in the slightest. The dimwitted boy was a tool like his Mother. A means to control her. A means to an end. Someone he didn't love, but pretended to love for the sake of appearance to keep Lysa Arryn under his thumb. She was so confident in him returning it and Robin was proof of it that she did everything he asked of her. Even the death of Jon himself was made successful thanks to her personally putting the poison in his food or drink. Petyr had told her that if Jon had revealed the true parentage of Cersei's children to Robert, who was to say someone might question Robin's parentage as the boy grew up. Petyr knew Jon Arryn when he was a much younger man. Robert and Ned Stark both knew him growing up. When Robin started growing and his body began to develop, it would be painfully clear the boy looked nothing like Jon. Not even close. It would only be a matter of time before two and two were put together by sharp enough eyes and minds to know the real Father was Lord Baelish.
"So as you can see my Lords, the evidence is there. If you want further proof, I'm sure Varys can find more with his little birds should we need more of it," replied Naruto with the members of the Small Council nodding.
"This is all well and good, but presenting this evidence to the general public, much less get this information to the Lords of the Vale will be another matter entirely. Even if we could provide more proof to give to the Lords of the Vale, this Lysa Arryn is clearly off her nut. I know a thing or two about crazy women. Never give them power or let them use it. But if they do have it, you need to take such power away, but ensure they can't get one last hit in before things go down the crapper," remarked Davos knowing Lysa would be a trapped wild animal if backed into a corner.
And a trapped animal is the most dangerous animal there is. Especially if she is just crazy enough to do something both dangerous and equally stupid to kill her enemies.
"Which is why I propose an idea, if you are interested?" offered Naruto with the Small Council listening.
"What did you have mind?" asked Ned since he didn't want his wife to suffer knowing her own sister had gone crazy and done something unspeakable that shamed the Tully name as a whole.
"I offer myself up to Lysa Arryn and become her prisoner," said Naruto with the group around him looking shocked.
"What?! Why would you want to do that?!" asked Davos after the shock wore off like it did everyone else.
"I agree. Giving yourself up only makes her position become stronger and make others believe the crimes committed by Lord Baelish are not true," said Renly while Naruto waved his hand in front of him to calm the two men down.
"Not if I offer to willingly surrender myself to her on the grounds that a trial be held in front of her, Robin, and the Lords of the Vale," replied Naruto with the Small Council still not convinced.
"She may just have you executed on the spot and make up any claim following your death. Not that she could kill you of course if the powers I've seen are anything to go by," countered Tyrion.
"True, but I can sweeten the deal by stating I wish to make a full confession and want to have my words on record so everything is legitimate. If there is no actual record of my confession during a trial, then we can conclude there wasn't one, and Lysa Arryn is a woman in dishonor of House Arryn. She will shame the House she married into, the House she was born into, and by current legal standing, her son will inherit that shame simply by being the woman's son. Lysa Arryn won't dare allow such a thing to happen and will agree to having what I say on record at my 'trial'. And yes I am well aware that she will want me dead no matter what I say or do," replied Naruto calmly while he went on to explain things to them.
"It is a gutsy move to be sure. Lysa's one weakness here, despite the deep level of her own madness, is young Robin. She wouldn't dare risk the stain of dishonor caused by herself in this to move onto him if a trial were not honored when asked. It could work," offered Tyrion optimistically.
"There is still the issue of convincing the Lords of the Vale at this trial of Lysa's own infidelity with Lord Baelish. Not to mention Lady Lysa will order your death before you can provide proof behind your words Great Sage. She or the boy will interrupt you the first change they get and demand your head for what they will call lies," countered Davos with concern.
"The Lords of the Vale will want to hear my words before making any attempt to end my life despite what Lady Lysa thinks. Her own madness and actions will make them further question the woman's ability to rule over the Vale. As for the Knights of the Vale, they will want to know the truth too since their honor as Knights will want them to know if who they serve is indeed the rightful ruler they were sword through their Lords to serve. Once the truth is revealed, Lysa Arryn's power, and Robin's power by that point will be no more," replied Naruto with Ned frowning.
"An Arryn has always ruled over the Vale. Without an heir, the Lords of the Vale will fight over each other. It will be a blood mess," remarked Ned grimly.
"You could send Sansa or Arya there," offered Naruto with Ned looking surprised.
"Arya or Sansa in the Vale?" questioned Ned in confusion.
"Think about it. Lysa married into the House and thus bound to it in a sense. As such, a Tully has a right to rule over it just as much as an Arryn would. Regardless if said Tully was unfaithful to her husband, someone related to her, or with Tully blood on her side of the family could rule over the Vale. Robb has the North, Jon can't because he is not of Tully blood, Brandon, and Rickon are more interested in being in the North for now. I don't think Sansa or Arya will mind. Sansa can learn to how to rule over the Vale and maybe find a nice Knight there to marry. Arya could go too and learn how to fight since she has always been like her Aunt Lyanna and wanted to use a sword. We both know some of the best sword fighters in all of the Seven Kingdoms are from the Vale and the North. Plus it could be a very good way to help them grow up and see more of the world around them," offered Naruto with Ned thinking it over.
"He does have a point Lord Regent," said Varys with Ned glaring at him slightly.
"I think Arya is the better choice Lord Regent. Sansa was looking forward to spending time in the South and with my Grandmother," added Margery while sitting beside her husband Renly.
"I'm inclined to agree with you my Lady. I'll talk to my daughter about seeing the Vale and possibly 'learning' the needed skills there. Provided things within the Vale can be resolved in a semi-peaceful manner," said Ned calmly, but was wondering if Arya would truly enjoy the Vale like Sansa would enjoy the Reach.
Only time would tell.
(Essos-City of Meereen)
"You would think they would do the smart thing and surrender with some measure of dignity," commented Daenerys while seeing the Wise Masters of Meereen watching them behind their walls with slaves also looking at them curiously.
"They don't know any better Khaleesi. No one has ever had the nerve much less the army capable of marching on the great cities of Essos and conquered them. Just like Qarth and Yunkai, they do not believe they are reachable beyond their walls," replied Jorah while he saw the city was by far the largest one among the three Daenerys had conquered.
"Until now," commented Naruto while he looked at the giant city and the pyramid they made with the blood, sweat, tears, and bodies of the slaves used to make it.
Even now, Naruto would wager that there was a few bones from dead slaves still in the structure yet to be found from the days building it.
"Until now. Are the catapults ready?" questioned Daenerys with Jorah nodding.
"Ready to fire on your command," answered Jorah while finding what she planned to fire into the city would do far more damage then boulders ever could.
"Wait until Daenerys says her piece and gives the order. Nothing makes a better impact from a speech like hers then what is loaded in the catapults to get said message across," said Naruto to Grey Worm, who nodded before giving the order to the others arming the catapults.
"I am Daenerys Targaryen Stormborn. Your Masters have to you lies about me, or they have told you nothing. It does not matter. I have nothing to say to them. I speak only to you. First, I went to Astapor. Those who were slaves in Astapor, now stand behind me, free. Next, I went to Yunkai. Those who were slaves in Yunkai. now stand behind me, free. Now I have come to Meereen. I am not your enemy. Your enemy is standing beside you. Your enemy steals and murders your children. Your enemy has nothing for you but chains and suffering and commands. I do not bring you commands. I bring you a choice. And I bring your enemies what they deserve," said Daenerys in Valerian before she looked over at Naruto and nodded.
"All catapults, forward!" commanded Naruto before motioning them to push the siege weapons closer to the walls before they were in proper firing range.
"Fire!" commanded Daenerys and the catapults fired one after the other.
But it was not boulders, bodies, or fecal matter to possibly spread a plague within the city. No. What the catapults fired was something much different. Something far more potent and leaving a much stronger impact.
It was the collars of the freed slaves. It was an impact statement about the former slaves if Yunkai, who had their slave collars removed. More so to the slaves of Meereen. To them, these slaves were no longer slaves. They were free. Free to choose. Free to live without fear of the whip that would scar their skin when in the hands of the Wise Masters.
To these slaves of Meereen, it was a message they all heard loud and clear regarding the intent behind the army here. It was also clear to all of the slave owners too and unlike the slaves, they did not like the message sent when the conclusion on what the message was exactly had been processed.
This army was here to free slaves and kill the Wise Masters of Meereen like it had done at Yunkai.
(North of the Wall-Elsewhere)
"So...did you all agree to what I'm offering? Or are you going to stay here to become the undead pawns and puppets of the White Walkers?" asked Naruto when he entered the tent of Mance Rayder with the other Wildlings he trusted were waiting for him.
"We talked it over. We don't like it, given our own pride on the issue of bending the knee to the Lords South of here. But I promised these people a chance to live without fear of the White Walkers coming for them. I can't abandon them. I won't betray their trust in me," replied Mance while Naruto nodded.
"I understand. When I make promises to people, I keep them. It's my way as a Sage. My honor is on the line when I do that. If I don't honor my promises when I make them, I'm basically saying I am an untrustworthy sack of shit. Who here would want to be called or even consider themselves such a thing by others?" said Naruto with the Wildlings in the room understood what he was talking about.
"If we agree to do this, I want your promise as the Sage of the Seven Kingdoms that the free folk won't be harmed by the Night's Watch, or the Lords ruling South of here," said Mance with Naruto nodding.
"I do and will make that promise to you. But why are you speaking as if you won't be joining them?" questioned Naruto with a frown.
"Because so long as I'm alive, the Night's Watch will hunt me the moment I'm over the Wall, and take things out on the free folk. I won't allow it," answered Mance while the other Wildlings in the tent didn't like the idea of leaving Mance behind.
"Mance, you don't owe those Crows anything!" exclaimed Tormund Giantsbane quickly while Mance raised a hand.
"When you become a Crow, you swear an oath to keep people on this side of the Wall from getting over. I broke that oath when I joined the free folk. The only way the Crow's will tolerate your existence over the Wall is either with me here or with me dead. There is no third option," replied Mance while Naruto made a noise.
"That is...not entirely accurate. I know there is a...third option available, but I'm not sure if it should even be used to give you a needed clean slate," said Naruto with Mance and the others looking at him.
"What do you mean?" asked Mance curiously with sighing.
"There is...special technique I know. A skill or power I can use if you will. One I can use, where upon your death, with a window of a few hours, I can...bring you back to life, and thus remove you from your oath," replied Naruto with Mance and the Wildlings in the room looking shocked by this.
"That is your answer here? And turn him into an undead Wight? Or possibly even one of those fucking White Walkers?" demanded Tormund with Naruto shaking his head.
"Nothing of the sort. This power captures the soul shortly after it leaves the body and puts it back into the body," replied Naruto while Tormund didn't look convinced.
"And what happens if the Crows take his head off?" demanded another Wildling since he knew the Night's Watch did that too.
"The power I would use also repairs the body of any and all injuries sustained prior to and the moment of death. Losing your head included," answered Naruto with Mance smirking at him.
"So I die at the hands of the Crows, pay my debt for breaking my oath, and you bring me back to life with your power. I basically get a fresh start," concluded Mance with Naruto nodding.
"Do you agree to go through with it after I get the others to Dragonstone?" asked Naruto while Mance looked at the others in the tent and saw them nodding.
"I don't like the idea of Mance dying. Especially at the hands of a Crow, but if you can guarantee his return, and not as fucking undead Wight...I say go for it," said Tormund with the others nodding.
"Good. And I want you all to know this is a one time thing. I'm not going to go around bringing people back to life like this. The price of me using this power costs me a piece of my own life force. So I'm giving up a piece of my life so Mance can live again after he is killed," replied Naruto while seeing them looked even more shocked.
"You must really have faith in me to give up a piece of your own life so I can keep mine," commented Mance while Naruto nodded.
"I do have faith in your ability to lead them. You care about the free folk. I see it in your eyes. That's what a leader does. That is what a leader should do. Which is why you and the free folk will live in Dragonstone with those already there. It will take time, effort, and quite a bit of patience on your part...but I know you can make it work. Being a good leader means knowing when to give and take. I know you will make the smart choices," replied Naruto before extending his hand toward Mance.
And the man took it.
"We have an accord. When can you begin the process of getting people ready for moving toward Dragonstone?" asked Mance with Naruto smirking behind his mask after they let go.
"I was already doing it before our first meeting. Every free folk settlement has already been visited by me and the people are marked by the seals I secretly put on them. The seals are temporary for a one time transportation to Dragonstone so once there, all of the seals will be gone. They will become disoriented and probably puke soon after arriving, but I think its worth the effort to get them a safer, warmer, and overall better climate," said Naruto with Mance letting out an amused chuckle.
"They puke enough as it is from the food they have to eat here beyond the Wall in order to survive. I think they can handle doing it for a much better reason," remarked Mance calmly.
"Agreed. I'll square your death and return to live first. If the free folk don't see you on the island after they do...well I can imagine things well get nasty," said Naruto with Mance nodding since he had spent 20 years getting the free folk to unite together under him.
Without him holding all the clans together, things would go to shit real quickly, and no doubt all of the free folk would be death within the year. One way or another.
And Mance didn't want that to happen.
"I'm ready. Shall we go?" asked Mance while getting up from his seat in the tent.
"Might as well. Don't worry about the White Walkers while we're gone. I have a seal all around this camp and the others I visited for miles to go off if the White Walkers and their Wight army cross over them. If they do, the seals will trigger, and all of you here will instantly be transported right to Dragonstone," added Naruto to the others before he walked out of the tent with Mance.
"I don't know if I should be happy he marked us or angry as shit that he did and I never saw it happen," remarked Tormund while seeing his right hand had the seals Naruto had mentioned.
"Considering how far he's going to give us a life South of the Wall, I would think it was the former," said a female Wildling with long reddish brown hair.
"She's right Tormund. And if what he said is true, the Sage is giving up a piece of his own life energy to help bring back Mance alive after the Crows do their thing without becoming a Wight. That can't be bad in my head," said another Wildling with scars and bone piercings on his face.
Now all they could do was wait.
(Essos-City of Meereen)
It was dark out when they snuck into the city through a secretly drainage pipe beneath the rocky base. It was during Naruto's time in "liquidating" the Second Sons that he had been able to extract information about this little hidden passage into Meereen. Apparently, the Second Sons used it to get into Meereen when the Wise Masters needed a few of them to be in the city discreetly, or if the mercenaries wanted to get into the place to sample the various slaves late at night without making a fuss at the front gate. None of the Wise Masters ever considered this piece of information would be revealed to a possible enemy and it turn into a big risk to their security.
But then what would expect from people so use to wielding the whip and feeling a sense of superiority for well over a couple centuries.
Normally, Naruto could have easily used Kamui to enter the city, but after speaking with Daenerys on the overall plan, they felt a more...influential plan was required to motivate the slaves within the walls of Meereen to turn on their Masters. By having the Unsullied sneak in along with some brave former slaves from Yunkai, the slaves within the city would rise up against the Wise Masters, and be free from the whips and chains they were bound to since birth.
Completing the circle Naruto had called it. He felt it was fitting that the slaves kill the Wise Masters in order to taste freedom.
Freedom isn't free. Even a slave must pay the price. Whether by their death or the death of their owner. Blood is shed. Whether or not it is a slave or the Master is irrelevant. It is all about who is willing to pay the price to be free. The slave by killing the Master o the Master killing the slave for his rebellion. Either way, the slave is freed from serving the Master.
Those had been Naruto's words. Painful words to be sure. Daenerys was of course fearful of the fact the slaves within Meereen could possibly die if what Meereen had for an army fought them. This was strictly a "covert mission", as Naruto had called it. A big gamble for Daenerys in terms of sending a small handful of her men into the city. All to cause the necessary uprising against the Wise Masters by the slaves before they let her into the city. If they were caught, the group would be tortured, killed, and ultimately paraded around like they were trophies or examples to be made against opposing the Wise Masters.
But the reward was equally great. With the Wise Masters removed from power, the newly freed people of Meereen would open the city, and welcome her with open arms. A Queen of Essos and Meereen from which she would rule for a time before heading to Westeros to claim the Iron Throne.
Naruto had of course felt the ugly thing should be removed once she became Queen of Westeros, but that was his opinion, and whatever Daenerys did was at her choice.
"Remember, stick to the shadows at all times like I taught you. Don't make any sudden movements or noises. And don't fight any guards unless you have no choice. You are not there to fight, but to arm those who will fight, and make things easier for her Grace to take the city," whispered Naruto while he silently raised the grate for the Unsullied Head Captain Grey Worm with several of his brothers in arms and former slaves all in the disguise of being slaves.
Naruto hated putting the collars on them and apologized for it since he knew how much they hated these things. In fact, Naruto had said once this was over, they put them all in a pile, and set said pile on fire large enough for all of Essos to see.
"I understand," whispered Grey Worm knowing stealth was needed here.
Using a sword, spear, or knife to kill someone would come much later in the night.
"See you soon," whispered Naruto before closing the gate quietly after everyone entered.
(With Daenerys-Sometime Later)
"Do you think they were successful in reaching the many slaves within the city?" asked Daenerys while seeing Naruto had come back after reporting his efforts to get the men into the city undetected.
"I'm sure of it. It's quiet in the city. Everyone is asleep. The Wise Masters have no idea what is happening right now. By tomorrow, you will have the city, and the slaves within will no longer be slaves. But rather your loyal subjects," replied Naruto with Daenerys smiling before she frowned again.
"I still fear for their safety. And that of the slaves. The Wise Master did not become Wise Masters simply by being born into such a life," remarked Daenerys while Naruto smirked at her though she didn't see it.
"Actually, most of them do get born into it. They don't know what it means to work a day in their life. Its why they have so many slaves to wait on them hand and foot. Why do something you believe is pointless to do yourself when you can have someone else do it for you? Slaves make their food. Bring them their drink. Wipe their ass. If these so called Wise Masters had a say, these slaves would even do all the breathing for them while they just sat in their cushy chairs doing absolutely nothing but bark orders. The Wise Masters make everyone they consider beneath them feel lowly. They force all these people into slavery because there is nothing else they can do. These Wise Masters have no skills, no brains, and most importantly no survivor instincts. Take away their wealth, their servants, slaves, and so called authority over others before throwing them out of the city. What do you think would happen within the hour?" said Naruto with Daenerys thinking his words over.
"They would be dead," answered Daenerys with Naruto nodding.
"Exactly. Take away what makes them 'strong' and what you have is a pathetic form of human life," said Naruto with Daenerys nodding.
"They still have guards. Men who are trained to protect them," countered Daenerys with Naruto scoffing.
"Please. One member of your Unsullied is worth more then all of the 'guards' these Wise Masters have under their employ. Not to mention there are more slaves in Meereen then there are slave owners. All that is needed now, is for these slaves to see this, and have the means if not desire to break their chains when given the opportunity," replied Naruto, as he saw Daenerys nod, and looked more confident on the issue.
And soon enough...she had every right to be confident.
For unknown to the Wise Masters until early into the morning, Meereen had fallen to the slaves they once owned that very night.
(City of Meereen-The Next Day)
"The people love you Khaleesi," commented Jorah while the former slaves of Meereen were called her "Mother" in their own tongue and wishing to hug the woman who had broken their chains.
"Agreed. Whoever said it is better to be feared then loved was clearly an idiot," added Naruto while looking at the people around him and noticed the Wise Masters were in a separate, yet still noticeable group, and surrounded by the Unsullied.
"I couldn't agree more. But I also feel I can be both here," commented Daenerys before she signaled to Grey Worm to begin what she had talked about with him regarding the fate of the Wise Masters once Meereen was taken.
"Khaleesi?" asked Jorah while seeing the Wise Masters being taken away.
"All those poor children and slaves who were crucified at various post on the way here Ser Jorah. You said it was over a hundred, correct? As a warning to anyone who would threaten the Wise Masters rule over Essos? I will use this method, but against all those who would threaten the freed people of Meereen, and Yunkai with the belief slavery in this world is tolerated. As the new Queen of Essos and future Queen of Westeros, I will NOT tolerate such things," replied Daenerys firmly while the Wise Masters were one by one crucified alive to the posts where slaves and children had once been placed for all to see.
"Khaleesi, I will support you. No matter what. But for the sake of ruling, sometimes it is better to answer injustice with mercy," offered Jorah knowing not everyone will approve of the Wise Masters dying this way.
Some may even think Daenerys is unfit to rule for such a harsh measure.
"Sometimes it is Ser Jorah. Sometimes. But not this time. Where was the mercy for those poor innocent people the Wise Masters killed at these posts we past by on the way here? Those they enslaved? Humiliated everyday since wearing those slave collars? Forced to do their bidding and building this city against their will? No! I will answer injustice with justice!" declared Daenerys while watching the Wise Master being crucified at each post and had no regrets in her eyes.
'She's not wrong. How would things been different if the old man had put his foot down with Konoha in regards to me when I was growing up in Konoha sooner? Instead of just letting them walk all over him after becoming Hokage and me by extension, he should have put his own boot to their throat,' thought Naruto while remembering how Konoha thought the old man was a pushover when it came to running the village.
It was only later on when Naruto had learned the truth and called Hiruzen out on things did the people realize they weren't going to get their way with either of them.
It was shortly after Itachi had killed his clan save for Sasuke. Many in the village thought to blame Naruto for Itachi going psycho. Claiming the fox had somehow whispered into the Uchiha's ear and made the Prodigy go clan killing crazy. So they decided to lash out at Naruto the week the old Hokage went to the Fire Daimyo at the Capital to explain the situation to the man. Naruto had been tortured the entire week in the middle of the village square. He was hidden by the children and sympathizers via Genjutsu by some of Konoha most skilled users who hated his guts. They would torture him at night to keep suspicion, and their cruelty from the younger generation. But at the same time, they would all leave him alone during the day and starved him during that time.
What they didn't know was the moment his abuse started, the seal would weaken further with each attack. Each hit, punch, stabbing, poisoning at night, and the day spent starving his body...the seal weakened.
Until finally, Kyuubi let his displeasure known to the populace of Konoha on the very last night before the Sandaime was expected to return. They had just about finished using his body as target practice with their weapons and Jutsus. Telling him that if he told the Hokage about this upon the old man's return, they would finish him, and the Sandaime would do nothing because the people would revolt. How the old man was too weak, too kind hearted, and too powerless to stop the entire village he loved from doing what they wanted to village's demon/punching bag.
By that point, Kurama had possessed Naruto's body, smiled behind the bloodied face of the boy, laughed a cruel, dark laugh, and unleashed his fury upon the startled masses that were there. Civilian and Shinobi alike were slaughtered. Massacred. Butchered. All the words one could think up to describe a large group of people dying painful horrific deaths were best used to illustrate this moment in time.
When Hiruzen had returned to the village that morning in a hurry following his sensing the Biju's power, he saw the mountain of corpses left behind by the possessed Jinchuriki with said Jinchuriki on top of the mountain of flesh with cold blue eyes reserved for war veterans. The blonde haired boy was surrounded on all sides by Konoha Shinobi, armed with weapons, but didn't attack. Most likely because they feared causing another attack by Naruto. When Hiruzen demanded an explanation, Naruto gave him one in a cold dark voice about the attacks, the torture he endure during the entire week, and how the Biju in his stomach told him everything before possessing his vessel to teach those wretched humans what it means to challenge something stronger then them.
Hiruzen had tried to justify their anger, saying they were blind, hate filled idiots, who did not know any better. But his explanation for the village's crimes were ultimately silenced by the killing intent of both Naruto, and Kurama to get the old man to wake up. Naruto told him how the people didn't care about the truth. They already knew the truth about who his parents were long ago. They admitted it to him on the third night of his torture. How they knew he wasn't the fox, but the vessel. The warden. The jail. The assigned protector in keeping the Biju at bay. Did they care? NO! They thought it was okay to hurt the son of their hero. They had to hurt someone so who better? Certainly not themselves. And certainly not their own friends or loved ones they still had left.
And who was going to stop them? The Shinobi of the village? Over half of them were on the side of the village that hated the boy. The Clan Heads? They had their own problems to deal with so taking on the extra baggage of protecting the village Jinchuriki was too much for them. The Hokage? As far as they were concerned, the Hokage was a kind old man who didn't have the guts, the balls, or the brains to see the truth, much less put a stop to them from doing whatever they wanted to Naruto.
So Naruto gave the old man an ultimatum. He either get this village in line and put his foot to the throat of Konoha in terms of showing authority over them or Naruto himself would free the Biju from the seal and let the fox get his long desired revenge. Even if it meant the boy himself died in the process. Naruto wasn't afraid to die. Such fears had been literally beaten and tortured right out of him. Hell, Naruto would laugh in the face of death. Saying "what took you so long?" and even go so far as to punch that very deity if it meant pissing the entity off just to speed things up quicker.
Seeing no alternative to Naruto's demands and swallowing the bitter pill that is reality regarding the situation, the Sandaime Hokage agreed to do what the boy demanded of him.
And reluctantly, Hiruzen would later admit on his death bed to Jiraiya that doing so was the best decision he had made since coming out of retirement in being Hokage.
Once Hiruzen showed more of a military based authority toward Konoha's populace over his kind Grandfatherly approach, the village became stronger. No longer did the people whine or complain about the smallest and stupidest things in the belief the Hokage would take care of it. No longer were the village's Shinobi weak or spineless in the face of the people protesting the change government structuring. The Shinobi Advisors Koharu and Homura were put in their place despite their own obvious protests when it came to not punishing Naruto for his actions despite how justified they were in the first place. To them, the Jinchuriki was to be molded into a weapon, and had to be broken of all things making him human before being made into one. Their protests were silenced violently when Hiruzen had beaten them both bloody in his office and threw them out the door literally into the hallway. The Sandaime ordered his ANBU to take them both to Ibiki and Anko for immediate interrogation and to hold nothing back, even if it meant the methods used killed his old teammates.
As for Danzo, the man was bed ridden with his harvested Sharingan Eyes, and Mokuton arm when Hiruzen stormed his place of residence with an army of Konoha Shinobi. The Root Nin around the complex had been butchered and Hiruzen was in no mood to deal with the surprised man who was once his rival. Homura and Koharu had confessed much to Ibiki and Anko before their deaths, even the plan Danzo had concocted to use the eyes of the Uchiha Clan following the failed coup to be wielded by him to control the Kyuubi should it get free or its container pull off a violent attack like he did following the boy's torture. A torture that Danzo had also planned with his Shinobi providing the Genjutsu to keep the boy out of the eyes of others so he would feel helpless while starving slowly to near death during the day.
Danzo had tried of course to simply talk to Hiruzen, justify his actions, and mostly done in order to stall for time. To use the one eye in his head to get the Sandaime to let him go. Sadly for him, the old Hokage wouldn't give him the chance due to the kunai stabbing it, and proceeding to take the sword from a nearby ANBU Captain to slice off the mutated arm off the war hawk's body.
Danzo would have all his dirty secrets revealed soon after this before being put to the sword by Hiruzen himself. Danzo of course called Hiruzen a fool for not following the dark path he did, but Hiruzen countered saying the path Danzo walked was one where Hell itself would open up a whole new level just for people like him.
And Hiruzen wanted no part in living there once dead.
Konoha had prospered, Naruto became stronger, and the people were no longer shunning him for what he held. Not the younger generation at any rate after they were properly educated in class about what a Jinchuriki is and what it meant to be one. Its old enemies, all who had thrived under Hiruzen being weak, were on the receiving end of his renewed Will of Fire, and were slaughtered without mercy when the time came to face them. He had brought back Jiraiya, Tsunade, had them train Naruto to become strong, and make Konoha strong again. All the negative aspects of Naruto's life that could have happened to him if not for this change of events failed to happen.
But that was a tale for another time and in the past.
Now Naruto had to focus on the future. A future preparing Daenerys Targaryen for ruling over Essos and later...Westeros.
"Loved by the people. Feared by your enemies," commented Jorah.
"Interesting House Motto, but effective nonetheless," added Naruto with amusement in his voice.
"It will be the Motto that will follow my bloodline to the end of time," said Daenerys, as she looked over at the people now, smiling at them, and looking at each person with love in her eyes.
"Love live the Dragon Queen," added Naruto just because he could and it felt right to say.
"And long may she reign," finished Jorah.
The lands of Essos had been conquered ruled over by the Mother of Dragons or as she would later be called...the Dragon Queen.
And in years to come, Westeros would soon meet the same fate.
(A/N: YAY! Another chapter. Hope you liked it. We are nearing the end of things with this fic. Yes I know, its a long time coming, but the end is near. Either the next chapter or the chapter following it. I'm not sure. The point is, we are nearing the end. Once this fic is done, I am moving to work on my other fics. They are long overdue for an update, but I can't work on them until this is done. Until next time...PEACE!)