Author Note: Well, it's been over a year since I've gotten another chapter out and I'm sorry for the lack of updating on all stories. Truthfully I'm losing inspiration and having problems updating a story. It's more so just not feeling it like I used to when it came to updating stories like I did 5-6 years ago, during that time I would constantly update unlike how I am now. I have ideas for stories but the lack of wanting to type it out, felt easier when their was a co-Author to type parts out and combine our two scenes but I don't have that really anymore. Anyways, I hope to hear what you all think and to see if this story still has the fans who want to see it continue or not.

WORDS STYLE:

Thinking

(Words of past)

[Tv/Intercom]

SHOUTING

TwIsTeD

Chapter 23

LAST TIME

"Well," Muttered the new king, King Arthur who lay on a bunch of rubble, looking up at Hendrickson that stared down at him with disappointment. "this certainly looks bad."

"Are you still planning on holding back till you're dead?" Hendrickson points the tip of his blade at the young King who looks up at him, still showing that childlike personality with his smile, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Then why don't you try harder to draw it out of me?" His words mixed with a laugh very much triggered Hendrickson who wasn't having any of it, angered at how weak his opponent was.

"Very well." As he spoke, Black flames poured out from the sword he raised high, shocking the King. "In that case, DIE! HELLBLAZE SCREAM!"

Was the words that were spoken, the flames enlarging to become massive as it towered over Arthur before heading upwards and converging on a single point to form a massive black flame orb that headed directly for Arthur, yet in an instant an equal no greater force slammed into it, a whirlwind of wind that blew it away, right at Hendrickson who watched as it grew in size from the wind added, shocking him as he was consumed by his attack and more, being sent flying back as he crashed into a wall, completely confused while he sat on rubble with dust everywhere and his clothing as well as armor singed.

"Did he deflect my attack? No wait, that was wind but—" He stopped the moment he recognized the magic, freezing as he was trying to deny the fact of what he felt such as it is different but much larger than before and stronger in sensing it.

"It's been some time," Almost immediately Hendrickson's eyes widen in disbelief at the voice. "hasn't it?"

As those words were spoken, the dust began to clear to show a single individual standing in front of Arthur who was just as taken aback by his arrival.

"Impossible, it can't be you! You shouldn't have been able to deflect that moreover able to send me back!" His words of denial were met with truth, seeing his adopted son in front of the surprised Hendrickson.

"Well, you better 'believe it', " His swords held in both hands were gripped as his right one was raised to point at the Great Holy Knight. "Dad."

CURRENT

As father and son stared at one another, the fellow next to him could only sit in the same spot, just looking at Naruto with surprise before the two started approaching the other, their gazes not leaving the eyes of the other.

"It's been a long time, my worthless Son." Hendrickson's words got no visible response from Naruto, unlike Arthur whose eyes widen at their relationship.

(Leave, you are no longer able to carry even the title of a Holy Knight's Apprentice, and therefore you are no longer worthy of being my son.)

"Weird, last I checked I was banned from being a Holy Knight and your son on the same day." His words caused his father's eyes to narrow at him being talked back to yet he was more focused on the visible change he went through.

"I heard the reports and saw what you had become, seems you were a monster in human flesh, a member of the Demon Clan perhaps." His words caused his eyes to narrow as he recalled how he lost control, this reaction now amusing Hendrickson.

"You were foolish to come here alone." His words met a reaction of Naruto stretching out his neck, gaining a few cracks.

"Who says I can't beat you by myself, after all, I beat Dreyfus and Gilthunder at the same time." In an instant, the man's eyes widen in complete shock at his words yet his eyes narrow.

"Whether or not what you speak of is true doesn't matter, you having fought them means you drained yourself in a fight with them." Silence once again while Arthur just watched without a word.

"Dreyfus, isn't that one of the Great Holy Knights?" He just stayed quiet and watched.

"With Meliodas protecting Lady Elizabeth, I doubt you'll get near her." The man grits his teeth in annoyance.

"Why—" As Hendrickson spoke, his words came to a halt as they were stuck in his throat from finding the fist of the hand that held one of the two blades slamming right into his face, sending him skidding back while Arthur's eyes widen at the speed he displayed just as the man counters by dashing forwards with a single swing that pushed back a few feet just as Hendrickson leaped forwards with the two beginning a close combat fight.

"Amazing." Was all the King could say as he watched the rain do sparks from the three blades before the speed of their strikes begin to increase to the point their hands were becoming blurs yet slowly small cuts started to appear on Hendrickson's body before the man jumps back while extending his left arm.

"ACID DOWN!"

Immediately from above comes down a wave of acid yet Naruto raised his sword.

"WIND WALL!" From the green wind forming, it began to block the acid that was sent in all directions, a mere drop corroding and disintegrating whatever it touched yet at that moment his eyes widen to see Hendrickson in front of him with his sword covered in black flames pulled back.

"HE—" Hendrickson was cut off by a kick from the King himself, sending the man skidding back in anger while Naruto watched him stand in front of himself, sword at the ready.

"I'll help you out—" He was stopped by Naruto getting in front of him, much to his surprise.

"No thanks," Arthur tried to speak yet was silenced. "this fight is personal, so don't interfere." The King tried to speak yet the aura he gave off silenced him and sighed.

"I understand, oh yeah I forgot to introduce myself. My names Arthur Pendragon." Naruto's eyes widen in an instant as turns to the guy was around his age.

"Wha—" He was stopped by his hand resting on the King's shoulder, much to his surprise.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Naruto." As he said his name, the King's eyes widen.

"Wait, were you born in Camelot?" That question got a surprised look from him. "That name, you share the same name as—" He was silenced by Naruto turning his back to him while raising his arm.

"Can't talk now, gotta focus." That was all he said the King watched him leap towards his adoptive father as his two blades clashed with Hendrickson's single one, sparks flying everywhere as Arthur just stood, watching the sight of the two fightings.

"HELLBLAZE!" He once again unleashed black flames that were sent at the red-head get he pulls back his left arm, his hand gripping the weapon as he thrusts it forwards.

"TYPHOON FIST!" With his shout, the flames were blown right back at Hendrickson who blocks it yet was sent skidding back this time yet realized he was gone, only to realize and turn just as the two blades struck, one against his sword and the other against his cheek, near his eye.

"When will you realize—" Hendrickson was cut off by his son jumping in the air to slam his knee into his face, gaining a stumble before all three blades connected in a power struggle before Hendrickson jumps back with his sword once again covered in black flames.

"HELLBLAZE!" He shouted while unleashing his flames at Naruto who brought his arm back yet all of a sudden it warps and moves around the shocked Ex-Apprentice with an explosion happening upon contact. Seeing this, Hendrickson glances to see the arrival of the sorceress, the one who kidnapped Elizabeth with Meliodas.

"Freeze Coffin—" She was cut off by the sudden attack from Arthur.

"Why you little!"

"Don't interfere!"

As the two fought, Naruto and Hendrickson continued to clash with the other as sparks flew everywhere yet there was something very obvious, the one taking actual damage was Hendrickson compared to Naruto.

"ENCHANT HELLBLAZE!"

"DESTROY FOUR ELEMENTS!"

She unleashed her attack before Arthur could stop her just as Hendrickson did the same towards Naruto much to the King's worry as he was about to shout until he saw it, Naruto drawing back both swords as a green aura enveloped him while the two attacks head towards Naruto.

[Combined Magic: Spirit Sylph's Typhoon Rising Slash.]

He swung the two blades at once, upwards towards the sky as Hendrickson and the Sorceress's eyes widen upon an Eruption taking place in the form of sword of wind, slashing through the attacks as they bent and swerved in the direction of the two foes who were shocked at what they were seeing as Hendrickson was stabbed through his chest, causing his eyes to widen as he vomits out blood, flying back and crashing into a nearby wall that collapses on him while the Sorceress immediately teleports away to dodge the blade that all but vanishes upon the enemy disappearing.

Upon seeing all this, Naruto just stood there and stares at all the rubble upon his father.

(From this day forwards, I'll be your father.)

He slowly looks down at his right hand which was shaking but more so at the fact it was still covered in white reptilian scales along with the fingernails being sharp claw-like.

"What is—"

"That was amazing!" Arthur began to approach the man until he saw him starting to shake until he fell to his knee.

"Naruto!" Arthur runs to his side to see he was breathing hard while his hands tightly gripped the blades.

[You overdid it, your body isn't used to the full.]

Spoke the wind spirit to the blonde whose vision was somewhat blurry before he felt himself being picked up and turns to find Arthur at his side, helping him stand up.

"We should get to the others—" He stopped at hearing footsteps and immediately brought his blade out and pointed towards the enemy to find none other than Gilthunder standing there with wide eyes next to an equally shocked Princess Margaret while floating next to them was a cloaked figure that Arthur smiles towards.

"Gilthunder?" As he said his name, the Holy Knight who wasn't even armed turned to look at the spot where Hendrickson was buried.

"So, you've defeated Hendrickson…" As he spoke that, Naruto stares at the man who stares back at him before his gaze moved to the Princess that was at his side, and noticing the cold demeanor he had was all but gone.

"Naruto, I—" The Holy Knight was cut off by the red-head.

"We need to get to the Castle now, I don't know where Elizabeth is being held but we should check there first." His eyes focus on the tallest structure in the kingdom before all of a sudden the Sorceress appeared before them in anger.

"I won't let you!" Immediately the area starts to change, again and again, and they found themselves in a different location.

"Which world would you—" She was instantly silenced by the fact she was almost eaten by a giant snake that seemed pretty hungry until everything froze and returned to normal.

"What?" He looks to Arthur who was smiling as he saw his comrade floating in front of the confused Sorceress.

"You pathetic excuse for a Ma—" From her words gained a reply as the cloak the being wore began to swirl away along with 'her' voice being heard.

"You're always losing your head and getting into a rage, I told you to kick that habit. Vivian my apprentice…" As they heard those words, it was at that point he saw a red boar tattoo on the woman's neck with his eyes widening all the way.

"Merlin…of the Seven Deadly Sins?!" As he spoke her name, the mage floats down before the group just as Vivian suddenly appeared to be struggling as her arms spread out upon Merlin sticking her hand out towards her.

"Vivian, tell me where Princess Elizabeth is." That simple order had gotten an immediate response from the struggling magic-user.

"She's…in…the King's room!" That response had shocked Naruto yet relieved him at knowing she was with her father while Merlin turns to them with Vivian falling to the ground and running in fear.

"Hey, she's running off!" Arthur turns to the redhead who was already turning away. "Shouldn't we go after her?"

"No point, it would just waste our time." As he told him that a chuckle came from Merlin as she stares at Naruto who glances back at her.

"Agreed, let's get right to the point." With a snap of her fingers, they found themselves now in front of the King's Royal bedroom.

"Father Bedroom?" Spoke the surprised Princess next to Gilthunder while Merlin just smirks.

"I was deflected when I tried entering it. It must be the handy work of my disgraced apprentice." As he heard that, Naruto's eyes narrowed as he walked forwards and gripped his blades.

"Hold on Naruto, no matter how powerful you are you can't break through it. Perfect Cube, it's a spell from the Demon World that can deflect any kind of power, regardless of—" Merlin's eyes widen as she saw darkness leaking from Naruto's hands upon putting his swords away.

"I want to see Elizabeth!" That was all he said upon making contact with the door, only seeing a split flash of light which confused Arthur yet Merlin couldn't help but smile, not out of being proven wrong but at nostalgia at seeing something she hadn't seen since she was but a child. With a pull, the doors opened wide to the group who were surprised at what they just saw with Naruto running in fast, turning his attention to the bed, and finally seeing the one person he's been trying to see since the start of the rescue.

"Naruto…" Spoke the wide-eyed Princess who stood at the side of Meliodas while there laying in bed was the King himself.

Not one word was said as the two ran towards each other to embrace, this sight causing Merlin's eyes to widen in surprise before she glances at Meliodas to see he was looking away with a sad smile, this sight shocked her.

"What has happened, this doesn't seem right with the curse?" Merlin's eyes narrow as she places a hand on her chin which gained Arthur's attention.

"Is everything ok?"

"Yes, just…thinking…"

While this was happening, the tearful Princess hugged her Knight even more.

"Naruto, I've missed you so much…I could hardly stand it." As he heard those words, his eyes widen, and look at Meliodas who made eye contact with him, smiling at the red-head.

"Meliodas…" As he muttered his name the Sin looks at the King himself and the sight of the man-caused Naruto's throat to become dry while Elizabeth finally let's go of him, allowing the Ex-Knight to approach the King who lay in his bed.

"It's been quite a while, hasn't it Naruto." His words got no response as he appeared to be in thought on what he should say after the mission he was given, the look causing Elizabeth to worry as she recalled his rampage yet immediately their attention was drawn towards the door to find Dreyfus of all people had arrived.

"Dreyfus…" This caused Naruto to glare at the man, standing in front of the King and Elizabeth while Meliodas stood next to Naruto.

"Been awhile Dreyfus, how was the ass-kicking you got?" His words bothered the Great Holy Knight.

"The hell is going on here?" This annoyed the redhead yet he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Meliodas shaking his head.

"Hendrickson has been killed in battle." His words caused the man's eyes to widen in shock. "He died without repenting for the list of sins he's committed against the Kingdom and his son." As he heard those words, the man appeared to be even more on edge.

"I saw it happen, at the dawn of the Anniversary Festival Ten Years ago. You and Hendrickson plotted and murdered Zaratras." Upon hearing this, Naruto's eyes widen in disbelief.

"I was consumed with overwhelming Fear so I told Gil about it. Unknown to us, Vivian was watching. She placed each of us under guard and were forced to do her bidding." As she revealed the truth, Merlin smirks her all-knowing smirk.

"Is that so, seeing that Vivian was head over heels for Gilthunder, I suppose it adds up." The son of the previous Great nods.

"It was thanks to Naruto and Meliodas, that the curses we had were finally lifted." His words further shocked the man who fell to his knees and placed his sword before himself.

"I have lost everything…just as they told you, I conspired with Hendrickson and murdered Grand Master Zaratras. At first, I only envied my brother but so where along the way it turned to hatred." His gaze falls to the ground. "I am so sorry…" Naruto's hands turn to fists before Sin spoke up.

"But what does that have to do with what's happening now?"

"It was to start a Holy War." This answer puzzled a few of them.

"A what?" Arthur didn't understand what a Holy War was and against who.

"It's a phrase found long ago in Camelot's History and his majesty predicted such a war would take place sometime shortly." Yet her words gained Naruto's confused expression just as Dreyfus continued.

"But his Majesty ordered us to put down our swords, I was planning to use the War to pay to rest the events that transpired Ten Years ago, by annihilating the Seven Deadly Sins as our mortal enemies. No one alive would know the truth behind the incident. However, Hendrickson had other plans. After what happened, Hendrickson wasn't the same…" He looks up to see Naruto look away.

"He was colder, more distant, and always appeared to have something on his mind." His words caused Dreyfus to look down again.

"Never did I expect he was mad enough to be plotting the Demon Races resurrection. How did it come to this, all I ever wanted was to be a father my son could be proud of." As he closed his eyes filled with hurt, Elizabeth spoke.

"Griamore is alive…he was told to guard the remains of my Sister Veronica. He still is, I'm certain of it." Upon hearing that, slowly the man was reduced to a crying father just as they stepped out to the way for the King himself, Bartra to approach the man.

"Dreyfus…" He spoke while his daughters stood at his side.

"Sire…"

"In light of the severe transgression…I'm relieving you of the post as Great Holy Knight and await your sentencing in the Dungeon." With a nod and word of understanding, he was placed in cuffs.

"I will take him down myself." With a nod, the two leave the room with the others looking at each other until the King finally turned his attention to Naruto.

FATE/APOCRYPHA OST-SAVIOR

"Naruto…" As he spoke his name, his eyes widen as the King towered over him, their eyes meeting until he broke it and looks down at his feet.

(There is no one else more capable for this job, Apprentice or not...I can only trust you.)

(Now take my daughter and leave here at once!)

(Go, Naruto will be your protector from this day forth. Never leave his side and always trust him...)

(I don't know what he saw in me, but we need to hurry!)

"I—" Immediately he bows to the King and in turn his head.

"YOUR MAJESTY, I'M SORRY!" As he shouted those words, he grits his teeth.

"I failed… I have failed…" As he spoke, the King's eyes seemed to narrow as his head was bowed. "I… I lost myself… I let my anger, my wrath take hold of me and turned against everyone. I almost tried to kill Elizabeth…I failed you in the one mission you trusted to be out of everyone in this Kingdom…I'm a fail—" He was silenced by the abrupt hand of the King's that lay on his head, causing him to look up in confusion to see the King now kneeling.

"I know what happened, Meliodas told me everything." His words caused his eyes to widen as he looks at the Sin who turns away.

"To stop yourself, you tried ending your own life….yet before that you have done everything you possibly could to keep my daughter safe, time and time again you risked your own life to protect her and nearly died at times in the process." He removes his hand and placed it on his shoulder.

"There is no one else more capable of this job than you because I could see how much you cared for my daughter. I knew you were the only one I could trust with my daughter's safety and in turn, the only one Elizabeth could ever trust being watched over by." His gaze became serious. "You are no failure, you never were, to begin with. My daughter has been returned to me safely along with bringing the Sins to help free the kingdom against the true traitors. Naruto, not as a King but as a Father…thank you…thank you…for protecting my daughter. You, have done a splendid job as my daughter's Knight." As he spoke those words, Naruto's eyes widen as he recalled all the hardships he's been through up till now coming rushing back and in turn, tears started flowing down his face while closed his eyes, unable to stop them. At this point, Elizabeth approached Naruto to pull him into a hug as he let it all out. While this was happening, Meliodas just watched this whole scene taking place until it finally happened as the King coughs out blood, causing all their attention to focus on the king with his daughters at his side and helping him sit.

END OST

"I'll take a look." With those words she approaches the King, placing a hand over him. "He's weakened severely, he must be treated right away." Her words caused Naruto's eyes to widen while the princesses beg for her help.

"You have my word I'll do my best. But his Majesty won't be able to rest easy here, if it's alright with you I'll take him to Camelot for treatment." A nod came from Bartra.

"There is no need to worry my darlings." His gaze moves to Elizabeth. "Do you remember the Vision I was telling you about earlier?" As he told her that, her eyes widen at seeing Merlin's tattoo the result was believing in Merlin.

"Well with that taken care of, we—" Meliodas was cut off by Arthur who approaches the man and takes his hands.

"Sir Meliodas, I've always wanted to meet you since I was but a child. After hearing what happened, I knew something wasn't right so I want to ask you, would you consider lending me your strength as Camelot's Great Holy Knight!" His words surprised Meliodas yet he smiled.

"Sure, if you fine with a Criminal." His words immediately caused Naruto and Elizabeth's eyes to widen in shock.

"R-Really?!"

"Yeah, we rescued Elizabeth and saved the Kingdom from the control of the Great Holy Knights. Plus we've got a guy here that's most definitely ready to take our place." His gaze meets the shocked Naruto's.

"Then let's make our way—"

"Not yet," He pulls his hand away. "we still got to clean up the Kingdom after what's happened." His words disappointed the King yet he understands which Merlin laughs.

"Classic fake-out." This caused the Sin to smile until they heard a new voice.

"Merlin, huh…" As they heard that voice, appearing on Naruto's shoulder was Sylph who had narrowed eyes, the sight of her shocking Merlin.

"Hmmmmmm, last time I saw you you were short." Her words seemed to confuse the King who looks between them.

"Wait, that's a spirit but you two know each other?" His words gained an annoyed look on Merlin's face.

"Just mere acquaintances, nothing more." This seems to get a reaction from the spirit whose eyes narrowed evilly.

"Whatever you say, Daddy's little girl." When Sylph said that with a smugged expression, Naruto was puzzled before he starts to sweat along with Meliodas and Arthur at seeing Merlin's expression slightly changing and that was her left eye starting to twitch…a lot. To the point that it unnerved them.

"I'll add you to my list of experiments later." That was all she said before a snap and they were gone with King Arthur leaving only silence.

"Uh…what was that about?" Meliodas asked the smiling spirit who smiles.

"What do you think, that's not even her name she took her father's name despite all the times saying she hated the guy, he was daddy's little princess." This caused Meliodas to smile at saving that for later use before he saw her gaze hardened.

"But I'm glad to see that you've changed and so will the other spirits but it doesn't change what you've done." That was all she said before disappearing with Meliodas looking down at his feet.

"Sir Meliodas, your not—" Naruto's eyes widened as he felt it just as Meliodas reacted just as parts of the castle had collapsed with them in it yet moving fast enough they evaded the damage, Naruto standing next to Meliodas who had Elizabeth in his arms while the red-head held his swords.

"Are you ok Elizabeth?"

"Yes I'm fine, thank you."

With their exchange, Meliodas lets Elizabeth down while Naruto appeared to be focused on a direction.

"Are you three alright?" Margaret asked as she was being carried by Gilthunder who puts her down.

"Dreyfus went missing when the castle was hit." Gilthunder said yet saw Naruto's eyes widening.

"Something isn't right, we need to move now!" His shout was followed by Meliodas's nod as they all ran in one direction where they got quite the sight of a demon with Jericho stuck in its chest fighting with Diane with King, Gowther, Howzer, and Guila along with her brother.

"I would guess that the demon blood inside the new generation knights is going out of control." When they heard that, Meliodas got serious.

"No, it was forced to." Immediately he leaps and kicks the demon away as it did a roll. His appearance made Diane smile in happiness at their leader's back while the others approached the group.

"Gil—Naruto?!" Howzer was surprised to see his once student.

"No time to explain, I'll fill you in later." His reply had, even more, surprised the Holy Knight as his demeanor seems more relaxed.

"Forced?" King looks towards Meliodas who nodded.

"Guila and Jericho are among the group of new generations it's happening to. Doesn't it seem kinda strange that all the new generation nights would go crazy at the same time?" Even so, King still couldn't believe it until he saw a Knight transform just as the demon Jericho changed yet once again Diane held it back.

"Perceptive as always." As they heard that voice the group turns just as they felt a magic power that was in hiding.

"To be honest, the new generation was just worthless apprentices just like you Naruto, if you hadn't run away with the Princess you could have been one of them. Like you, they hated being weak and held more hatred towards themselves than those stronger. This ancient curse only intensifies these feelings and in time it would consume them." As they heard that, the group was shocked but none more than Naruto who had wide eyes at the sight of his adoptive father who now had gray skin on his upper body with black skin on his lower body. He had demonic features such as horns having sprouted out of his head, and a pair of wings out of his back. His eyes were now yellow and red, with black veins above and below them.

"So your still alive, Hendrickson!" Meliodas glared at the demonic Holy Knight much to the shock of the others.

"He's got the Gray demon blood in him." His words just cause the man to smile.

"It's but an incredible blessing when one is truly compatible with Demon blood for its arguments their strength and amplified their magic. All that research and experimentation was worth it. Now, as your Father you just hand over Elizabeth." As he heard that, Elizabeth turns to see Naruto was glaring at the man.

"Everyone, I'll deal with this so save the kingdom." His words shocked the others yet Elizabeth shook her head.

"No, you don't have to—" She was silenced when she saw Naruto look at her with a reassuring smile yet that didn't make her feel any better.

"Don't worry, I'll deal with this." His words caused Hendrickson's eyes to narrow while Naruto took a deep breath and lets it out before in an instant he launched right at Hendrickson who stretched out his hands, grabbing his blades until he was forced to let go from the headbutt that caused him to flinch before he was kicked in a further direction which Naruto goes after him, creating distance between the group and their yet Meliodas's eyes narrow while Elizabeth's hands turn into fists before she felt it and looks to see his fist giving off a glow, causing her eyes to widen before looking in Naruto's direction with determination.

"Naruto…!"

xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx

NEXT TIME, FINAL CHAPTER OF ARC 1. NARUTO VS. HENDRICKSON PART 2; THE BLOOD OF A DRAGON.