Chapter 4: Sasuke Tempest

-o-o-o-

Note: Just as a clarification, Kurama hasn't fully awakened here. He will take on Kitsune Sage's personality. But over time, he will evolve and will slowly act like his old self. So him being out of character here is intentional.

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Rimuru looked at the direction that Naruto left, a frown marring his usually carefree expression. He felt Veldora's arms around him.

"Don't worry too much, Ri-chan. He'll be fine. He's our little dragon after all." Rimuru leaned against his omega's chest, letting wild scent of the forest surround him.

"Yeah, I guess you're right, love. Plus he'll have Souei and the others in the shadows watching him."

"There's that too." Veldora grinned at him. Though there's understanding in his face too. It is nature for alpha to be overprotective. Veldora felt it himself. But he has pride in his heritage too. And he knew that Naruto will be fine.

They stayed in each other's arms for a while, and Milim just rolled her eyes.

"You two are disgusting! And this is getting boring. I'm going after Naru!"

Veldora just laughed at his niece.

"Oi Milim… just don't intervene okay? This is Naruto's mission he'll be sad if you do it for him. Promise me."

"I know Rimuru. I won't. I just want to see him. I wouldn't make my cute little cousin sad."

-o-o-o-

Naruto breezed through the path as fast as he could, leaving golden lightning in his trail, Kurama has hidden himself under his shadow, just like how his papa Rimuru does with Ranga, letting him travel at the speed he wants without worrying about leaving his familiar behind. If one from the ninja world would look at him now, he would be mistaken for a younger flash of Konoha.

His powers as a storm dragon has grown considerably. And while he enjoys playing tag with the Goblin Riders, it is good to finally let loose some of his full powers. He felt lightning cackled around him as he sped through the trees, laughing to himself as he enjoyed the wind brushing through his face.

"Awesome…" he whispered to himself as he flipped, twirled and even did tricks on the air, his lightning drawing patterns and circles as he moved through the clouds and through the trees. This sense of freedom and power is exhilarating, a high he never experienced when he was a ninja. Though much of his memories of that old life is gone, flashes of pain and sadness still come to him from time to time. He pushed the thoughts at the back of his mind and enjoyed his journey.

After all this would be the first time he left Tempest.

He looked back behind him and marveled at how beautiful Rimuru City was. "Let's see how it looks from up in the air."

The city behind him is the amethyst of the forest, its purple triple barrier system visible to a creature as powerful as him and it bathed the city in an ethereal purple glow.

"Ahhh never knew the city could be this beautiful." He marveled at the thrum of magicules brimming through its streets. Truly, he was lucky to have been born here.

"Well, I'm going… Papa, Daddy, everyone." He said to himself as he sped to Eurazania.

-o-o-o-

Gabiru sweatdropped as he and his Dragonewts followed their young master. From a distance, it looks like the young dragon is just playing. Flying in patterns around the air as golden lightning followed him.

There is no denying that the young lord is fast for his age. But then again, being named by both Lord Veldora and Master Rimuru and incubated in an egg so lovingly infused by their magicules, it is expected that their Lord Naruto will someday exceed both their guardian deity and the Alpha of the Jura Forest.

Gabiru can't help but shudder at the potential the young dragon possessed. In him burns a power that can change the shape of their world. And he will serve him forever, much like how he served their Lord Rimuru.

Truly, to see this side of their young lord is an honor. Not even their best flyers can perform the complicated tricks that Naruto-sama is performing and it doesn't look like he's trying, he's just playing and trying out his powers away from the city.

Gabiru wondered what it would be like to see it if Lord Naruto truly tries his best. Imagine the spectacle it would bring.

"Gabiru-sama…" One of his lackeys broke him from his thoughts. "We're lagging."

"Of course not my dear follower." Gabiru coughed. "Lord Rimuru ordered us to trail him. It is natural for us to lag behind."

"Ahhh.. is that so! Gabiru-sama is truly the best."

As echoes of his name spread through his followers, he sweatdropped yet again. "Alright everyone pick up the pace! Consider this part of our training, too."

"Yes sir!"

-o-o-o-

"Souei-sama…." Souka said concerned as they hopped from tree to tree.

"I know, we're losing him. We can still track his magicules though. And we calculated his most likely path. Continue as usual."

"Yes sir."

Souei frowned. He considered himself and the Kurayami Intelligence members fast, they were still having trouble keeping up. And it appeared that their young lord has become excited at the prospect of being alone outside Rimuru City and has been testing his own powers and strength. A flash of yellow and gold cackled in the distance. He wasn't too worried. This mission is a nice change of pace from their usual tasks.

He'd be proud to serve this young lord as well. Lord Naruto is a well loved figure in their village. His tendency for pranks offered entertainment that a lot of their citizens have looked forward to and even Souei himself had to admit that they are creative.

Maybe if he recruits the young master under his wing he can hone those skills to the fullest. Though he suspects that Hakouro and Benimaru are already plotting to take him as their next protege. But he'd fight tooth and nail to be able to teach the young master, too.

It displeases him to admit that Diablo has been the first to train the young master.

"We should pick up the pace. We can't observe the young master if we're anymore behind."
"Understood sir." Souka looked worried. Though Dragonewts are fast flyers, it appears that there is a vast difference between them and the young master. How are they suppose to trail him at this rate?

Souka and Souei shuddered when they felt a familiar aura behind them. It grew in intensity until a flash of purple blitzed through them.

"Oh dear… it seems even Lady Milim is interested. We must get ready to intervene. After all, this is Lord Naruto's mission. Lord Rimuru intended for him to complete it alone.

-o-o-o-

Ranga is nearly out of his breath. He couldn't believe the young master is this fast. He saw Lord Gabiru's team and Lord Souei's group passed him by. Even Lady Milim seemed to have caught up and now he is the last of the escorts to catch up. He must speed up… more power… more speed.

He must… catch up.

He'll consider this training… a show of loyalty to his Master Rimuru.

-o-o-o-

Milim observed her cousin flew through the sky with pride. She can't wait to fight him when he's older. While she may have sparred with him a bit, those were just play fights. But the potential, she couldn't deny. That was proven when Naruto effortlessly glides through the sky. It hasn't been half a day and he's already halfway to Eurazania, a feat that only demon lords can accomplish.

But of course she knew that he was spawned from Veldora and Rimuru. She knew the latent powers just waiting to awaken. And she will be there guiding him every step of the way. On her name as demon lord and his dearest cousin she will help forge him into a powerful fighting force, the most terrifying fighting force throughout the land.

And all of monsters and humans will quake upon hearing the name Naruto Tempest. Milim will make sure of it.

-o-o-o-

"Naruto, we're being followed." Kurama informed him. "I'm reading a team of four energy signatures.

"Oh don't be such a worry-wart Kurama. That's just Souei and the others. Hmm.. even Milim-neesama is coming. But I won't let them interfere in my mission. Not when I can finally unleash my powers and try it on actual enemies.

"Understood." Kurama said as he ran beside the dragon.

"Reporting. We're arriving at Destination, Edge of Eurazania-Tempest border. I'm reading a hostile energy signature at the Oni Village."

"Ahh so that must be why we're being sent here to dispatch. We should stay alert, Kurama. Initiate scan."

"Reporting. Oni village wiped out. One Ogre survivor detected. Recommendation for investigation. Caution is advised."

Naruto frowned, his body now on alert. What was supposed to be a defense mission has turned into a rescue mission. As he entered the Oni Village he cringed at the destruction that greeted him. Huts and houses were in tatters. A dark malignant energy hung in the air. Sounds of battle rang in the distance.

"Foolish Ogre, you cannot hide from me forever. You put up a fight but I have wiped out your kin. It is time for you to become my meal." Naruto growled at this. This is his make or break mission. If this Ogre survives he passes his first task.

"Kurama battle mode."

"Battle mode engaged."

Lightning enveloped Naruto and he parried a scythe just in time before it hit a trembling Ogre… Naruto took the time to study his target. It's definitely human in shape. But its color is purple. It wields a purple scythe made from pure magic.

"Report. This is a greater demon. Speed, strength and resistances are inferior. Threat minimal. Recommend distraction before subjugation. No special strategies required."

"A greater demon. You won't prove a challenge to me." Naruto smirked as he placed a shield around the Ogre.

The demon before him growled. "How dare you insult me! I wiped out this pathetic Oni Village without batting an eye. You would do well not to underestimate me little dragon. I might just take you for my next meal."

Naruto grinned, forearms transforming into dragon claws.

"Your magicule is weak. Way weaker than big bro Diablo."

"Diabo? Kuro?" The demon froze in recognition. Surely this… hatchling couldn't be a sibling or any way related to the infamous primordial. Must be just a coincidence. He laughed. Many creatures would use deceit to bolster their strength and intimidate their way out of trouble. Hah, not this demon. He won't be intimidated. He will teach this youngling a lesson.

"Do you think I'd believe you know such a being? A youngling like you? You're not even in the same league as the primordials. Prepare yourself."

Naruto's eyes glowed red, eyes analyzing his best possible path through his unique Skill: Kitsune Sage. He sent fort a bolt of lightning, a mere distraction that the demon fell for as he used his scythe to deflect it. Naruto veered to the hard right, surprising the demon with his speed.

"What?" The demon marveled at the speed of the hatchling. "Impossible." But his eyes doesn't deceive him. He couldn't see but trails of yellow and golden lightning.

Naruto grinned to himself. "Told you…you won't win against me." He said as he sliced the demon with his claw.

"Gluttony!" Naruto absorbed the demon's body.

"Not even a warm up." He turned to the scared Ogre watching the fight, who promptly knelt before him. The Ogre has blue midnight hair and wore a gray kimono. The Ogre reminds him of someone… someone from his dreams. A distant past that clawed at the back of his mind.

"Your power is vast. I humbly pledge myself to your service."

"Me? Sorry… I don't take servants. How about friends? I'm Naruto, Naruto Tempest." Naruto grinned as he held out a hand.

The Ogre smiled. "Friends? It would be an honor." He took Naruto's hand and shook it. As their hands made contact, they felt a static.

"You feel familiar…" Naruto began. "I just can't put my finger on it. Do you have a name?"

"I don't, monsters like me have no need of it."

"Well if we're going to be friends, you'll need one."

"Really? You'll give me one?" The ogre looked hopeful, happy at the promise of a name.

"Of course. Hmm…" Naruto felt a surge of familiarity with this Ogre.

"How about Sasuke… Sasuke Tempest." Naruto felt himself weaken for a bit, staggering as he held himself.

"Report. Naming nameless monsters drain magicules. Please be careful Naruto."

"I know that Kurama."

"So what happened here Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"This demon appeared out of nowhere. He… killed everyone. He took us by surprise."

"I'm sorry… that must have been hard."

"Don't be. It is survival of the fittest here. Ever since Eurazania was weakened, our village has been targeted by pilllagers and bandits. To the point where we were too exhausted to fight. That was why our elder, a powerful Oni, called to Tempest for aid, despite his pride. I'm glad you're here. You are from Tempest, right?"

"Yeah.. that's correct. Why don't you come with me? There's no other survivors here I'm afraid. Kurama, have you double checked?"

"Reporting. Yes, Naruto. There is no one else."

"Me? To Tempest?" The Ogre asked.

"I'm sure papa would welcome you. He's awesome that way. He's not called the Lord of Jura Forest for no reason."

"Okay. Then I am in your hands."

-o-o-o-

Thus the threads of destiny begins to unravel. Who knows what the meeting of these two would mean for this world. May they be a force for good, or a force for destruction? Will memories locked be unraveled? Only time will well.

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A/N: And that's a wrap. Until the next update!