Chapter 2: The Daimyo Guard
As Naruto left Konoha, he didn't know how to feel. His father didn't take away control from the civilian council. While it did lower to a point where shinobi are respected again, they still make a lot of heavy decisions on everything.
He was wearing a black kimono, a dark orange with yellow flame patterns haori and a straw kasa and sandals. He sighed. He can always go back to the land of iron but then what? He learned from the best and now... what else is for him?
As he arrived to the road and made his way to the frontier, he saw a carriage stopped in front of him and some bandits trying to break in.
He rushed to help, took out Masamune and without any trouble, he defeated and slain the bandits. He turned to see the door of the carriage open and the fire daimyo looked at him.
"If it isn't little Naruto all grow up." The fire daimyo, Yujiro Shibukawa said as Naruto bowed his head "Thank you for aiding me and my family here. I will look for new guards as soon I arrive to the palace."
Naruto smiled "It was nothing my Lord, I was just helping."
Yujiro chuckled "Well, now that you did such a great job protecting me right now, why don't you come with us? It seems your trip to the land of Iron did great things for you."
Naruto smiled and nodded "If that is what you desire." He said as he got in the carriage. As they rode, and Naruto answered questions to the infant daughter of Yujiro, Mika, the Fire Daimyo asked.
"Weren't you headed to Konoha?" Naruto frowned and nodded.
"I was, but when I arrived there... nothing really changed." Naruto explained and Yujiro nodded.
"Ah yes, I heard how shinobis are treated there. So, what are you going to do now?"
Naruto hummed as he looked out the window "I... I don't know."
Mika hummed "Father, don't you need a new bodyguard?"
Yujiro chuckled as he patted his daughter's head "I do. And General Mifune recommended me one."
Naruto smiled "Well, General Mifune does have a great eye for samurai. Maybe I know him too."
Yujiro laughed as he nodded "You do. After all, he recommended you."
Naruto blinked "Me?"
Yujiro nodded "Your name came a lot in his letter, saying that if I have to choose, I should pick you."
Naruto was perplexed "I... I don't know what to say."
Yujiro chuckled as he placed a hand on his shoulder "While you think, I invite you to my home for you to rest as you deserve."
Naruto smiled and bowed his head "Thank you my Lord."
*The Daimyo Palace*
Naruto hadn't been in a room like this in ages. So used to sleep in the woods or cramped rooms, so many luxuries are... overwhelming.
He sat on the bed as he thought on the offer of Yujiro. Be the personal bodyguard of the Daimyo... it sounds too good to be true. But in reality... what else is for him to do?
He can always go back to the land of iron, but then what? Join the special force of Mifune? Keep training and learning? He sighed as someone knocked on his door.
He opened to meet an old friend he didn't expect to see here "Asuma?"
Asuma Sarutobi, son of the third hokage nodded "The one and only. How is the room?"
Naruto smiled "It is too much for me."
Asuma laughed "Figures. Let's go out for a walk, what you say?"
As they walked across the gardens of the palace, Asuma hummed after hearing the story of Naruto "Yeah, things in the village improved enough for shinobis to live well again, but the respect that there once was, is gone."
Naruto nodded "I know. I saw it first handed."
Asuma grimaced "Yeah... so, Lord Yujiro wants you to become his personal bodyguard, eh?"
Naruto nodded with a thoughtful face "I still can't believe it. I mean, why me between all people?"
Asuma smirked and patted his back "Yujiro can see talent y'know? That's how he stayed in power for so long. Besides, this is a great chance for you."
Naruto raised a brow "How so?"
"The bodyguard of the daimyo stays in that position until; he retires, dies or get fired. The last one, is something that brings an incredible amount of shame. So, if you accept this position, a position that if you keep will show that your skills are one of the best, while still perfecting them, being the guard until you can't continue; I don't know, seems like a great way to see how much you improved."
Naruto nodded and then smiled to Asuma, "Thank you. That's the answer I need it."
*Throne Room*
"Naruto Namikaze, do you swear to protect the Fire Daimyo, Yujiro Shibukawa and the royal family, putting your life to do it?" Naruto who was bowed on one knee nodded.
"I do."
"Do you swear to swing your blade to the enemies of this nation and to protect the members of it, no matter the cost?"
Naruto nodded "I do."
Yujiro nodded as he stood up from his throne and placed his slim hand on top of the samurai head "Then I, Yujiro Shibukawa, Fire Daimyo, accept you, Naruto Namikaze as my guard. From now on, I will depend on you as my sword and as my shield. Rise."
Naruto Namikaze, Guard of the Royal Fire Family stood up. This... this is what he trained for. This is the moment he is going to show, what he is made for.
Next Chapter: The Prodigy