A Mentor's Legacy


Summary:

Lost and left astray, Kiana Kaslana realized she was truly alone. With a lost sense of hope, she gave up on her pursuit of finding her missing father. But then she me teacher who guided her, a beacon of hope that brought her into the light. He helped nurture and train her to control her powers better, becoming her reason to beco When he left, she was determined to see him again, not just as a Valkyrie, but also as a woman who could stand by his side as equals.

Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331


AUTHOR NOTES:

I must admit one thing: I wasn't supposed to publish the second chapter this much earlier. However, for some reason, after reading the reviews, I ended up writing the second chapter. Your reviews and positive feedback made me update this. If you have any questions about the flow of the story, drop a review, and I will try to answer them in the next update.

Before the chapter starts, there are a few things I would like to address and answer some questions that have been asked. Also, there's something I wanted to point out. The pairing will consist of Naruto, Elysia, Kiana, Mei, Misteln, Yae Sakura, and maybe adding Eden to the harem as well. Regardless, if there are more women you want me to add to the harem, let me know who they are and why you want them to be with Naruto. Please note that this harem won't hinder the progress of the story, as I dislike anime/manga/games with the girls flocking around the MC and throwing themselves at the MC while the MC acts rather ignorant and oblivious to their feelings.

zenchi a zen'n no kamii: You should give the game a chance; its lore is deeper than the likes of Genshin Impact and HSR itself, a top tier in terms of lore and gameplay, I must say.

Randomguy0110100100110: No, I will not be killing Himeko.

Rick12: I believe this chapter will answer your question. However, the relationship between Naruto and Cecilia will be answered as the story continues to progress.

NatsuErzaDragneelSusanoo: Yes, I read the manhwa, and I dropped it because I was busy at the time. From my POV, the past Himeko is a playful type of woman, I must say. She even lacks responsibility, as this was shown at times. But I believe she became more mature as the story progresses, hence she sacrificed herself for the beauty of the world and became Kiana's salvation. About the other part of your review, I honestly do not care about those lesbian/LGBTQ fans. Since this is my story, if they want to have those kinds of pairings, they can go make their own stories. If they decide to bash on me and this story, then I can only say one thing: we're all adults here; be mature and stop acting like a child. Those people need to stop forcing others on their ideology whatsoever. Hehe, sorry about that. Glad you gave this feedback and thank you for your support.

Qrious writ3r: He is living in the current era and witnessed the end of the previous era, meaning he knows everyone from the FIRE MOTH, and the FLAMECHASER certainly knows him. I will explain more regarding this later on in the story.

Flarewolf (GUEST): I have Jingliu in mind. either I go with a harem or stay with a single pairing; but yeah, if it's a single pairing, it will be Naruto x Jingliu only.


. Chapter 2:

Mister Hero!


"Ich liebe dich…"

A vein of a hauntingly feminine voice, almost like a fleeting whisper, lingered in the air. The bittersweet and alluring tone, akin to a melancholic melody, reverberated in her ears. It didn't just soothe her mind; it wrapped around her like a mourning shroud, suppressing her worries, and casting away her sadness. Everything around her morphed into a desolate sea of tranquility.

She felt a fragile peace, perhaps the second time since she had left her so-called home. The desolation of the Siberian tundra had etched nothing but tragedies in her mind. The incident that still clawed at her soul was the moment she hurt her father. The memory clung to her like a ghost—the agonizing expression on his face. Yet, as a father, he shrugged it off, offering a frail smile, telling her it was fine, assuring her it was never her fault.

Siegfried departed a couple of days later, leaving her abandoned without a warning. She blamed herself for his departure. But what was she blaming when the fragments of that time eluded her grasp?

A phantom hand brushed through her hair, gently caressing her head. She tightened her eyelids, afraid that opening them would dissolve the dream. A warm voice echoed as the clock ticked, promising everything would be alright.

"It's okay. You can trust him. So, don't dwell too much on the past, Sirin."

Sirin...?

The young girl opened her eyes, encountering the fleeting smile of a beautiful woman. It lasted but a moment, yet in that moment, she saw the woman's features—a cascade of long white hair adorned with a horn-like hairpin, oceanic blue eyes filled with adoration and love. Her lips hummed a mournful tune of tenderness.

Unbeknownst to the young Kiana, her hands unconsciously reached upward, longing to touch the woman's soft face, grasp her warmth, and seek her love. When she noticed her yearning, the girl retracted her hand, lips now trembling, frowning as she listened to her heart, extending her little arm once more toward the woman.

Then, the world before her disintegrated as everything tilted. The abrupt shift in space widened her eyes in shock, the churning in her stomach intensifying, as if she wished to purge the pain within. The sound of shattering glass pierced her ears, causing them to bleed. Blood trickled down as gravity seized her body, and she found herself tumbling.

Helpless, weak, the rush of wind battered her, tossing her hair in disarray. Attempting to move in midair, she failed, forced to witness her descent. Plunging into a pit of darkness that felt like an eternal abyss, her screams for help echoed, unanswered by the heavens. She comprehended her own fragility, deeming her pleas useless. The girl surrendered, closing her eyes, hoping for a painless end.

The suspended time between her fall and prayers lingered, and from the shadows, a figure observed in silence, smirking and uttering,

"How pathetic."

Kiana snapped her eyes open, hoping the voice held salvation. Yet, all she perceived was an engulfing darkness, ensnaring her, consuming her, while the unknown voice asserted its cruel presence.

"Nice to meet you, my beloved other half."

Kiana was petrified, her limbs trembling as she desperately attempted to push the being off her. Yet, her efforts were futile; the other was an overwhelming force. Her eyes widened in terror, and she closed them, biting her lower lip, desperately hoping it was nothing but a nightmare. However, she winced in pain, realizing this wasn't a dream.

"I am real, I am you; you can trust me. I will be your savior. Without me, you're nothing but an empty vessel."

The voice was insidious, almost venomous, snaking through her mind and trapping her consciousness within each tone. Her eyes lost their light, becoming hollow, as she felt herself slipping into unconsciousness. Her body lost control as the clock continued to tick, succumbing to the encroaching darkness. The cold emitted from it banished the warmth that had coated her body like a comforting blanket. Her will began to be consumed until a golden light suddenly filled her entire vision.

The light, while radiant, did little to dispel the terror that had gripped her. It eradicated the abyss within her heart, but the fear lingered. Regaining control, she pushed the unknown figure aside without a second thought, rushing towards the light that bathed her entirely. Tears streamed down her face, a mixture of relief and lingering fear. She cried, not just for the newfound warmth but also from the haunting fear that still clung to her.

"Thank you, Mister. Hero," the words were uttered with a trembling voice, almost like a frightened whisper. The light turned its wrath towards the abyss, rushing into it, obliterating everything. It pushed the figure hidden in her consciousness into a corner. The figure's lips twitched into annoyance as she swept her hand, struggling for dominance.

This power!

No!

She was so close to taking over!

How could she allow a single presence to overwhelm her!

An audible whisper filled the figure's ears before her eyes turned to horror. They widened, and with a gasp, she turned and disappeared, escaping into the depths of the young Kaslana's heart, realizing her opponent wasn't something she could handle.

Despite her fear, a sense of curiosity struck her as she glanced one last time before she heard a warning and hurriedly retreated to the darkness.

"What are you looking at?"

A simple question sent a chill racing down her spine, sweat dripping heavily as she found herself ensnared under his viscous gaze, a pair of eyes that overcame her authority; one that is above all.

"Know your place, Honkai."


Eyelids twitching, mouth trembling, tears trickling down as she screamed in fright, waking up from her deep slumber. The air hung heavy with the acrid scent of smoke, assaulting her senses as she blinked away the remnants of her nightmare. Her blue eyes roamed her surroundings, seeking clarity in the dimly lit night. A sinister orange glow danced across the dense trees, casting eerie shadows that seemed to flicker with every crackle of burning firewood.

The night was painted in shades of obsidian, a vast canvas punctuated by the ghostly silhouettes of towering trees that stood sentinel-like around her. The embers of the fire painted the trunks with a warm, ethereal glow, creating a stark contrast against the inky backdrop of the forest. Stars glittered above, scattered across the velvet sky like celestial diamonds, their light struggling against the oppressive darkness.

Her eyes then glanced down to see the orange jacket on her. Slowly, she reached down and held it firmly, feeling the fabric's warmth radiating from it like a protective embrace. The jacket bore witness to the chilly night, a vibrant contrast against the somber hues of the wilderness. She pulled it tighter around herself, finding solace in its familiar touch as she cuddled into its comforting cocoon.

Then she remembered the woman words, clenching her dried lips, the young Kiana Kaslana muffled out.

"Ich liebe dich…" she whispered to the cold night, her voice a fragile echo amidst the haunting symphony of the nocturnal forest. Hugging the jacket tightly, she clung to it as if it were a lifeline, refusing to let go.

Tears continued to trickle down her cheeks, glistening like dewdrops on fragile leaves.

With each repeated whisper, the words became a desperate mantra, a plea for reassurance during the unsettling wilderness. The sound of her own voice became a fragile melody, seeking harmony with the distant rustling leaves and the nocturnal symphony of unseen creatures. As she poured her emotions into the silent night, the cool breeze carried away her fears, leaving only the rhythmic crackling of the fire and the mysterious whispers of the forest in response.

And then, as if in response to her vulnerability, the sound of footsteps startled her.

The night held its breath, and she, wrapped in the jacket's warmth, felt exposed under the scrutiny of the unknown presence.

"You finally woke up."

The young Kiana could feel her face reddened, embarrassed at the fact that she let her guard down in front of a stranger. Throughout the journey of searching for her father, she learned never to show emotions toward anyone, not even her family.

She made that promise to be a strong girl, to stop weeping, and to repay everything they had given her.

Kiana nodded with a soft smile, still burying her face underneath the oversized jacket.

She used the opportunity to rub the tears from her eyes before peeking out her face, and the young girl saw the man sitting on a wooden log. His eyes stared at her with relief. As she glanced at him, the light from the fire illuminated the features of his face. With widening eyes filled with curiosity, she asked cutely.

"Who are you, mister...?"

"The name's Naruto…Naruto Uzumaki; nice to meet you, kid." He introduced, and then with a smile he asked back. "And you're?"

Kiana gently slapped her cheeks before she jolted off from the ground, standing on her feet, and exclaiming enthusiastically, ignoring the fact she was still in pain.

"Kiana Kaslana!"

Naruto snorted in amusement, recalling he was once a brash and loud kid like her before he rushed to the young girl's side out of concern, stopping the girl from falling to the ground.

"Careful, you're not fully recovered yet."

"Oh umm…thank you, Mister Hero." The white-haired girl giggled, hiding her amazement at the sheer of speed he displayed, using his hand, she leaned her head onto his broad shoulder for support and silently watched as the man carried her towards the log.

She was then placed gently as he settled beside her, eyes drifting towards the vast expanse of the night sky. A melancholic sigh escaped him, carrying the weight of unspoken burdens.

"Call me anything but that…I was never a hero."

His words hung in the air, tinged with a profound sadness, as if he longing for something, perhaps an answer as to why she considered him as her hero? Or perhaps searching for something that can filled his hollow heart…?

Naruto's gaze remained fixed on the celestial canvas, refusing to look at the young girl confused gaze as the night seemed to mirror his sorrow, with the stars flickering like distant tears in the cosmic tapestry above.

Neither side said anything as she decided to remain silent and joined him to gazed at the heavens. The silence however was broken by the sound of rumbling, which came from her big stomach.

Naruto hummed for a moment before smiling at her.

"I kinda forgot you haven't eaten anything for days," he said, rubbing the back of his head apologetically at her.

"D-days...?" she tilted her head, keen to know more.

"It's almost a week…ahh, forget the details, let me cook something for you, kiddo…any preferences?"

Kiana stared at the crackling firewood, eyes immersed towards the flame, trying to come up with an answer. She then looked at him and replied.

"Instant noodles!"

Naruto shook his head; that isn't healthy.

"Anything but that?"

The young Kaslana pouted, then a couple seconds later replied with enthusiasm.

"Chicken wings!"

"Alright, alright!" Naruto nodded, clasping his hands together as the girl watched the man stand on his feet. He then grinned at her. "You stay there and watch me cook, yeah!?"

Kiana nodded, sitting on the wooden log.

Under the moonlight's reflection, she watched the blonde-haired hero cook in silence.

She didn't know how long it was, but she waited patiently, observing as the man took out his kitchen set from… a black space? What? Oh, she had no clue what it was! But he took them out, then put them back in, preparing the food and ingredients, setting out the temperature in the right order, boiling down the chicken wings and vegetables. Yuck, she despised vegetables.

Regardless, she sat with her legs crossed, watching as the man cooked her food, humming a tune to himself—an unknown melody that made her reminisce about the past.

As if going back in time, she recalled the scene where her father cooked dinner while wearing an apron. The dish was horrible, the meat was overcooked, and it tasted like trash…too!

'Papa…' She rubbed her eyes to quickly wipe the tears away, her lips twitching as she couldn't control her emotions.

It had been weeks since she departed from home, perhaps a month had passed since then, but the separation between herself and her father was another matter. It felt like an eternity since the last time she saw her father and seeing Naruto—seeing how caring he was towards her—brought back some wonderful memories.

"I will leave the food here, so eat to your heart's content. Don't worry about me; I will be on the watchout this evening."

The young Kiana nodded as she silently walked towards the table he provided and sat on the chair. Her eyes stare at the dish in silent, silently taking notes of its appearance which consisted of fried chicken wings mixed with perfectly cooked mash potatoes and carrots, the later acted more like a decoration than anything, as the middle was filled with a bowl of rice. The girl took her time, as she could feel her eyes watered as her hand rushed towards the spoon and fork, lifting the food to her mouth, crying silently to herself.

Savoring the food slowly, as the tastes exploded in her mouth, it was delicious…perhaps the only delicious food she has ever tasted in her entire life living in the tundra.

Above the tree, Naruto watched in silence.

The shinobi could feel a tug in his heart as he crossed his hands and gazed at the evening sky.

He was supposed to leave her after he rescued her; however, he just couldn't bear the thought of seeing a young child like her by herself, especially with those injuries. In the end, he let his feelings take control over him. Bringing her with him on this journey was risky, but what choice does he have?

Thus, a memory from the past resurfaced, recalling how he was confronted by her and asked a question.

"You possess the power to save our world from its calamity, but…if between this world and yours' and the price was your most precious person, would you bear that weight, Naruto? What would you do if that was your only choice?"

Demanding the sacrifice of one for the salvation of many...?

His lips twitched as he closed his eyes and answered the question silently to himself.


The blizzard thickened as the wind bristled through her, each gust carrying a biting cold that seemed to cut through her layers of clothing. She trudged through the thickening snow, her vision obscured by swirling flurries that danced in the air like icy spirits. The very atmosphere around her seemed to freeze, the frigid wind howling in her ears as she followed the determined steps of her savior.

Her eyes averted from the blinding white landscape, searching for any sign of shelter or respite from the relentless storm. The world around her was transformed into a monochrome masterpiece of snow-covered trees and frozen landscapes. The branches of nearby pines sagged under the weight of the accumulating snow, and the ground beneath her feet crunched with each step, announcing the arrival of winter's firm grip.

As she pressed forward, she couldn't help but sense a looming presence approaching—an otherworldly force that seemed to amplify the chill in the air. The very ground beneath her trembled with each step of this unseen entity. Its feet were humongous, leaving an indelible mark on the snow-covered terrain.

She felt the vibrations, a palpable reminder of the colossal force making its way through the blizzard.

"N-Naruto…!" she stammered to alert him from the incoming danger; her voice barely audible above the howling wind.

"Keep going," the stoic shinobi responded, his words carried away by the gusts.

Despite the biting cold and the approaching threat, she closed her eyes and forged ahead. Her little feet struggled against the accumulating snow, leaving small imprints behind over his huge footsteps.

As the Honkai beast lunged towards her, the air crackled with energy. A blue flame erupted, an ethereal shield forming around her. The beast howled in pain as it collided with the unbreakable barrier, its monstrous form burning with each passing second before succumbing to the engulfing flames.

The wind swept away the ashes, leaving behind an eerie calm.

Kiana witnessed the spectacle, her wide eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and fear. 'Who is he... truly?' she pondered; her gaze fixated on the shinobi's back. Rushing her steps, the young Kiana ran towards the blonde-haired man's side, seeking refuge in his enigmatic presence.

The landscape, now painted in hues of blue and white, seemed to echo the mystical nature of their journey. The snowstorm, though relentless, couldn't deter the determined pair. The very air around them crackled with an unspoken magic, as if nature itself was both ally and adversary in their quest.

The shinobi, a lone figure against the frozen tableau, saw her pout as he resumed his steps into the unknown. The wind intensified, weaving intricate patterns with the falling snow. Patiently, he guided her through the wintry maze, his presence a reassuring anchor in the midst of the storm.

"We should be close by now," the blonde-haired shinobi uttered, his voice cutting through the wind.

"Y-you've been telling me that for the past ten minutes!" Kiana retorted; her annoyance evident. The shinobi's hand moved towards her head, gently caressing her hair. The simple gesture brought a smile to the young girl's face, finding solace in the midst of the tempest.

"Patience, kid," he murmured, his steady pace unwavering.

The blizzard stopped, and the howling wind became a distant memory. Before them, a serene scene unfolded—a small hut nestled beneath the protective canopy of a massive tree. The trunk overshadowed the humble shelter, shielding it from the sun's rays. The sky, now clear, revealed a world transformed, a sanctuary in the heart of the winter's grasp.

As Kiana pointed towards the small hut, a figure emerged from the distance. A woman with white hair and blue eyes smiled and waved in greeting.

Yet, Kiana remained silent, her gaze filled with profound sadness and confusion.

"Mama…?" the young Kaslana uttered softly.

Naruto halted, silently placing her on the ground. The young Kaslana rushed towards the woman, embracing her in a tight hug, startling the older white-haired figure.

"Umm… what's this, Naruto?"

"Her name is Kiana Kaslana… a child of Cecilia and Siegfried," the shinobi replied, observing the woman's dumbfounded expression with mild amusement. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Misteln?"

The woman named Mistelns revealed to be a beautiful woman, her appearance was nothing short of ethereal—a portrait painted with celestial hues. Cascading down her back like a waterfall of spun silk, her long, pristine white hair shimmered with an otherworldly luster. Embedded within the radiant strands, a horn-like hairpiece adorned her crown.

Her eyes, the color of regal amethyst. Mistelns attire spoke of a refined yet daring taste. Clad in a form-fitting white bodysuit, the fabric embraced her lithe frame, accentuating every curve. Light gold accents adorned the ensemble, reminiscent of celestial constellations adorning the night sky. The bodysuit seamlessly transitioned into thigh-high boots, a statement of both fashion and functionality.

Misteln's heart quickened as she nodded, a smile gracing her features.

"Welcome home, Naruto."


End of the chapter. I will probably continue writing this for a while before resuming on God of Shinobi and posting a new crossover story. Stay tune for more, till next time!

Chapter 3: Misteln Schariac