Chapter 3: Beyond Tempest

-o-o-o-

"Naruto-sama!" Gobta yelled, his raiders fanning out the streets of Rimuru City as they search for their elusive young master. It had been three years since Naruto was born. He grew and evolved rapidly owing to the name given to him and the magicules he received while in his egg. The goblin riders were instructed to track, locate and retrieve their master who has ran amok once more.

It had now been three years since Naruto hatched from his egg and he grew similar to how his father, the master of Tempest used to look like at its founding stage. Much like how Rimuru looked like when he first acquired Shizu's body, back when Rimuru city and the Tempest Independent Region was but a ramshackle of tents and wooden huts cobbled together from sticks and stones by inexperienced hobgoblins under the apprenticeship of the famous Kaijin who was then recently exiled from Dwargon; Naruto looked like a much younger version of their master, albeit with a golden hair and sapphire eyes that's unique and striking.

Having to track a small, child-like version of their master had Gobta feeling nostalgic. He remembered how much simpler it used to be, before the skyscrapers that towered over their simple village came. But now isn't the time to reminisce on bygone histories. A simpler past, or a glorious present, Rimuru city remained their home, a proud gift from their Master Rimuru, offering a place for monsters to coexist with humans.

And in this giant maze, their master's voice taunted at them from the distance.

"Hehe… Catch me if you can… Brother Gobta!"

Gobta groaned as his tempest wolf stopped on a corner. Another rider approached him.

"Gobchi, report!"

"Yes sir! The marketplace is secured, sir. Gobto and Gobwa should be scouting ahead the commercial district. Our searching is getting more and more narrow."

"Well done. Everyone should be in position by now. Remember, Master Milim should be around here, too so don't be fooled by her aura."

They heard a snicker at that and Gobta rolled his eyes. While they still fear the demon lord greatly, they knew that once she joins her cousin in his pranks, it's practically impossible to find him. They can't just track his aura signature due to Lady Milim's aura covering the place.

Still, they were tasked by Master Benimaru himself to bring the young master to the guild hall as quickly as possible for his send off ceremony this afternoon. So there's added pressure for the rising Goblin captain.

"Understood sir."

"Did any of your tempest wolves track his scent?"

"Negative sir."

Gobta slumped against his wolf. How is he supposed to bring Naruto-sama on time? The young master has mastered the skill mimic to such a degree that not even Ranga's second in command can track and detect him. What can he do?

Seemingly as an answer to his silent prayer, he felt a powerful presence approaching their position. Oh dear… It appears that even Lord Veldora has joined the hunt now.

"Oi… Hobgoblin… Having trouble finding my little dragon eh?" Gobta gulped as he felt Lord Veldora's crushing presence on approach. "Why don't I lend you a hand?"

"Please, sir."

"Ahh that's it… grovel before me, the great Storm Dragon, Veldora Tempest. If I cannot find my own hatchling, am I even fit to be a parent?"

-o-o-o-

"You think we lost them, Milim-neesama?" Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead as he peeked from his cousin's back.

Milim laughed proudly. "I'm sure of it Naru, this hiding spot is only known to me, I'm sure of it. Now even silly little Rimuru will have to join the hunt when not one of his weak little lackeys can track us."

"That's good, nee-sama. Now maybe he'll actually join this time… He never plays with me… only daddy Rara does and he's no fun because he knows all my hiding spots."

At the mention of her uncle Milim's smile faltered.

"Well— I'm sure even that old man will have trouble finding us."

"Do you think if I become Demon Lord papa Riri will spend more time with me?"

"Oh Naru-chan… I'm sure Rimuru meant to play with you lots."

Milim's eyes softened as she gazed at her cousin. While she understood the responsibilities that Rimuru had for his city, owing to Frey's coaching and spending enough time in Tempest which showed her the gargantuan effort it took to run it, even she is getting annoyed that her best friend is always too busy to play with his own son.

When she visited the city one day and learned that her uncle and best friend both have separate trips outside the kingdom, she took it upon herself to play with her cousin as often as she could, teaching him how to tone down his pranks and make it less easy for the common monsters to detect and repair, sowing more mischief whenever they could.

Well, playing with Naruto reminded her a lot of her days playing with Rimuru before his ascent to demon lord so she was having plenty of fun herself.

Though at times, she really just want to give her best friend a stern talking over work-life balance. Becoming demon lord is supposed to bring the freedom to do what you wanted. Not being stuck in an office with insignificant mortals having to skirt around their silly little politics and irrelevant mind games. Milim always thought those were beneath her, even the Walpurgis and the demon lord stuff bored her to death.

But there is a part of her that understood, too. Demon Lords are not just for show after all. They are there to maintain balance and order in their world, to ensure the prosperity of not just their realm and dominion but in maintaining harmony with other domains.

That was why she was so hesitant to accept Frey and Carrion's allegiances after Warl. She's not just cut out for the boring stuff.

Her musings were interrupted with a familiar aura landing behind her and her cousin surprising them both.

"Daddy Rara!" Naruto exclaimed, he remained behind Milim but his eyes were defiant as he puffed his cheeks in annoyance; she already knew who approached them.

"Don't daddy Rara me, young man. You worried your papa Riri sick! You should be at the guild hall by now. Must we always turn this city inside out every time we require your attention? And you young lady…" He turned to Milim who does not look guilty at all.

But before he can say his piece to his niece, he was met with his son's determined blue eyes.

"Don't bring her into this dad. If Papa Riri is really worried he can just get me myself. And you talk about attention? What about my attention? When did Papa Riri ever play with me?"

Veldora softened at his son's words.

"Now don't be like that, Ruru-chan. Your papa plays with us all the time. He's always there for your birthdays, isn't he? And we went to Dwargo and Engrassia plenty of times already. You even got to see those beast men at Eurazania just a week ago. We had fun with, what was their name? Phobio and Grucius? Rimuru has a lot of responsibilities. Much like how you'll soon be."
Veldora bent down to scent his son, Naruto gladly rubbed his cheeks all over Veldora's palm and wrist.

"I know I know… I guess I just want more time with him." Veldora smiled and hugged his son.

"Well, your Papa will send you off today, at the guild. I heard he has a present waiting just for you."

At this, Naruto instantly brightened.

"Is that so? What is it?"

"Now that's a surprise. Now come on…" Veldora pointed to his shoulder with his thumb signaling his son to jump on. "Let's not keep your Papa waiting any longer, alright?"

"Alright!" Naruto said as he hopped on his father's bent form, placing both his legs on the dragon's broad shoulders and burying his face on the man's nest of golden hair. He sighed happily as his father's scent surrounds him.

"You can come too, Milim." Veldora smiled as Milim relaxed. Seeing her cousin happily nuzzling his dad's hair warmed her heart, and whatever grievances she may have had before melted at the sight.

-o-o-o-

The tall stone structure greeted them as they landed. A modest function was already waiting for them, with representatives from the Free Guild at the side and Rimuru at the center, along with Benimaru and Rigurd.

A small mix of humans and monsters were gathered before them.

"Ahhh… there's my little Naru…" Rimuru smiled as Veldora ushered his son to the front. The sight of Milim trailing behind did not went unnoticed. As hushed whispers of her presence was uttered among the audience. Some humans of weaker countenance even fainted at the mere sight of her, their limp bodies being carried by Diablo's underlings to a first aid tent nearby.

Milim just smiled as she trailed proudly behind her cousin and her uncle.

Rimuru on the other hand, internally facepalmed at Milim's presence. It's bad enough that many were having strong reactions to Veldora's presence, but Milim has to come along too. But he knew it couldn't be helped. When Naruto wants to run away, only Veldora can find him.

He coughed awkwardly and began the ceremony.

"So… as you all know the Free Guild has started a branch for adventurers here in our city. Thanks to them, more and more humans stop by and even some monsters have started taking jobs and requests from all over the continent. To affirm our commitment to this joint effort and to show our appreciation to those who helped make this possible, a few things, I want to present, my son Naruto Tempest who will be joining this branch as an adventurer…"

Applause roared through the audience as a mix of "Rimuru-sama" and "Naruto-sama" rang through the crowd. It is clear that among the humans and monsters in the crowd, Naruto has some fans of his own.

"He will be going on his first mission, along with his partner." Naruto looked at his papa with questioning eyes, that is until he saw a beautiful golden Fox Cryptid, nine tails proudly in display.

"Greetings, Naruto." The fox said, his voice that familiar voice that's always in his head since he was young. He recognized it instantly.

"Kurama!" Naruto hugged the fox on stage, earning awws and coos from the crowd.

"Naruto… my mother Kumara permitted me to join you in your travels. Lord Rimuru has given me this vessel so I may join you in the flesh. Ready to kick some butt?" The fox grinned as Naruto nodded enthusiastically. He had been begging for Kurama since his birthday. Is this the surprise that his dad mentioned?

"I told you I'd give Kurama his body, didn't I? And Papa has never broken a promise before." Rimuru proudly said as he soaked in the joy from his son's face.

"Papa Riri! Ohh thank you… thank you!" Naruto then hugged Rimuru, still on stage, earning more applause and awws from the audience at the blatant display in attention. Some goblins in attendance were even crying at how cute their young master was at the stage.

-o-o-o-

The ceremony continued outside, with Rimuru presenting more adventurers, both humans and monsters. Meanwhile Naruto entered the guild hall to pick his first mission for today.

"You're free to choose from the bulletin board Naruto-sama. But I would advice picking the D or C rank missions first. It is after all your first time." A human attendant smiled at him, a representative from the Free Guild at Engrassia, beside him is a member of Gobta's goblin riders, most likely being shown the ropes in running the guild.

Naruto's eyes flicked to his Aunt Shuna and Shion who smiled encouragingly as they stood by the giant bulletin board.

"Go on Master Naruto. Feel free to pick anything that catches your fancy."

Naruto's eyes landed on one particular mission, something about it resonated with him… something in the deepest part of his soul was calling, wanting him to pick it.

Plus, its location was near their borders at a neglected area in Eurazania, one that wasn't repaired but besieged by bandits and monsters alike. There's something in his gut that tells him to pick it.

It said,

-Help wanted. Oni Village, Eurazania Outskirts-

"This one. I pick this one."

-o-o-o-

The ceremony has died down and Naruto was ready to set out on his first mission.

"Ready to go, little man?" Veldora had his hand on his hair, scenting his son before he sets out to the world.

"Yeah! I'm so ready for this, Daddy Rara!"
"That's the spirit. Show the world what the great family Tempest is made of! And always remember that you are a Storm Dragon much like me."

"I will!"

Rimuru knelt down beside him, giving him a kiss on the cheek before hugging his little boy tight, causing Naruto to blush at the sudden attention.

"Be careful Ruru-chan. Be safe out there."

"I will papa… Geez you're embarrassing me." Naruto turned to leave, trying not to meet Shion and other's faces as they smiled at him, cheeks warm at his papa and daddy's concern. Although he may not show it, but he loves getting pampered by them. Though at his age, he's embarrassed to admit it publicly.

Once Naruto left, with Kurama trailing behind him, Rimuru turned to his servants.

"Ranga…. Souei…. Gabiru."

"Yes sir…"

His servants kneeled before him.

"Trail him. Watch out for him out there."

"Understood."

"Hey… why do they get to go but I don't? So not fair, Rimuru!" Milim protested. Rimuru sweatdropped. He knew that no matter how much she has grown, Milim doesn't do subtle and stealth. And he wanted those who can watch out for his son without it being too obvious.

"Awww… I'm hurt Milim. And here I thought you want to spend some time with me, your best friend."

"I do, I do! Awww it's been so long since we played together, Rimuru! What are we doing? What are we doing?"

Rimuru sighed as Milim clung to him. But at least he got the demon lord distracted enough from following his son, too. Veldora just laughed, his nose already buried in a manga. He has been interested in this book for a while now. After all, this is why he named his son Naruto. Ninjas are so cool.

Thus, Naruto's first mission outside Tempest began.

-o-o-o-

A/N: Hmm is Naruto too young to go off on his own? Maybe, but Rimuru is around two when he exited Veldora's cave I believe and became demon lord soon, so I hope this timeline is acceptable. But if that's wrong feel free to correct me. Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed this update.