Yo,
It's been a while.
I won't bore you with too many details as to where I've been. Just know that it's been a whirlwind of illnesses, burning myself out repeatedly, mental/emotional distress, and trying to stay afloat amidst it all.
While going through it all fanfics were the last thing on my mind. Hell, even with Genshin, I have only recently gotten past the final quest chains for Inazuma and made my way through Sumeru. In the middle of Fontaine by now.
But right, onwards to the point. I'll be rebooting this story, plan and simple. It's a decision I fought myself on, but considering that I've been trying to salvage this fic since December, this is the most practical route. I'm not going to bore you with the details. If you want a more thorough breakdown as to why. My PMs are open.
I'll leave this story up for posterity's sake or until I get sick of it lingering around. If someone wants to adopt this version of the story then feel free to PM me about it. The new version will be enough of a divergence that the two versions can exist simultaneously.
I'm not going to set a hard and fast date on when the new version will be out. I put this notice up just to inform anyone still hoping for an update (if such a person exists, lol) that I haven't forgotten about this story, but also that any update will come in the form of a new different, yet similar story. Just didn't feel right leaving anyone in suspense any longer.
I'll also make a minor edit to chapter 1, so anyone that stumbles onto this doesn't read this thinking its an active story.
000TD000
His story told, he looked on at the patient faces of his rescuers. The blonde one held a look of genuine curiosity. He had been listening to him throughout, with no bias evident. Only jotting down a quick note in that book of his on occasion, but otherwise was content with his rambling.
The woman – bearing pale skin and wine-colored hair – was not as pleasant. She hadn't said anything yet, but her eyes bore down on his with unspoken contempt and suspicion. She did not so much as look at him as she did look through him. His every word was taken in by her wholesale, not because she found his tale enthralling. Nothing so giving granted to him. Instead, she seemed to be looking for a lie, even a single slip up to give her cause. She wanted justification for whatever slaughter may follow. He had no reason to give her such a reason though.
Some stray part of him wanted to let loose an obvious fabrication. Drawing forth her wrath might reveal a glimpse of what these people were capable of. Still, he held that part down. In these frigid lands, they wore clothes more befitting of spring. A storm of frost and hail raged beyond them. Nothing laid between them beyond a small machine-crafted fire. He'd taken up a gifted blanket, but no such accommodations concealed either of them. The robe's of a scholar for the man and a sort of battle nun getup for the woman, yet neither quivered. Living him the duty to shiver and quiver for them all.
There was definitely some type of mysticism going about with these two. Considering that and how he was lacking at current, he did not dare to cause a fuss where he could avoid it.
So he'd been honest and upfront. And for such a virtuous deed he received:
"Do you expect us to believe that?" It was the woman that spoke upon, taking but a moment to ensure he had no more words to utter.
Rather than be irate at her doubt, Naruto returned with: "I-I know y-you do."
"And how do you figure that?"
"Your h-hand kept b-brushing against t-that knife." he pointed to the concealed knife at the woman's hip. "H-had you thou-thought I was lying, you w-would have tried to end me, right?"
The woman bit her lip, to hold back a curse, as the blond fellow let lose the faintest of laughs. "Yes, I had to pay care to keep an eye on that as well. Spilling of blood in my base camp is something I'd like to avoid."
"I d-didn't no-notice at first, but 'c-cause she ke-kept up the intimidating my focus kept st-straying to her."
"Subtlety is not Rosaria's strong suit-"
"Hush, both of you!" The revealed Rosaria hissed, glaring daggers sharper than the ones she kept concealed. "My methods are effective enough, that's all that matters." Her words targeted the yet unnamed blond before she rounded on Naruto. "And looking for ways someone may attack you does nothing to absolve you of suspicion!"
W-what can I s-say?" Naruto tried to shrug, to play it casual, but his shivering body and jittering teeth made that hard. "T-thank you," he spoke, taking the steaming drink his fellow blond offered. He basked in a long sip, letting the creamy, chocolaty confection warm its way down to his belly. "But yea, I told you I'm a ninja, so don't you think I'm used to people I meet being prone to going all stabby-stabby?"
"And how am I to understand what a ninja is?" Rosaria asked, arming crossing over her impressive bust. Naruto dared not let his eyes stray to them. Years with Jiraiya did give him some appreciation for certain assets, but he valued his life.
"Pick up a book mayhaps?" The blond scholar spoke. That did seem to jostle her feathers, a spear manifesting in her grips from nothingness.
'Why the knives then!?' Naruto couldn't help but think. If he could summon weapons without so much as a Fūin needed, he wouldn't arm himself to the teeth as this woman was.
"Say again?" Rosaria growled, spear, tone, and posture in tandem to form a vicious threat.
"You should remember who's the knight and who's the clergy here." The blond's words came out calm and even, unfazed by her weapon's present. "And I was not questioning your intelligence as you believe. The tale of Ninjas, though. They are quite popular in literature these days. The children of Mondstadt seem to even take up fondness of them. Epics on warriors of Inazuma... how they fight in the shadows... using trickery, espionage, and assassinations as tools to best serve their lords. Though our new acquaintance seems to be from parts unfamiliar to Inazuman soil."
"So you're an assassin?" Rosaria asked, her spear drifting towards Naruto.
"I'm not that under-qualified!" Naruto pouted. "I'm good for plenty of stuff!"
"Point being…" The tip of Rosaria's spear edged precariously closer to his neck. It took a deal of constraint not to immediately bat it away. "… You're someone that I cannot trust. That's an absolute fact."
"And why's that?" The blond asked, drawing Rosaria's eye long enough for Naruto to scoot back. Relaxing once far enough that the spear would not pierce him in the woman so much as sneezed. "It would have to be some manner of forward-thinking on his part. To reveal that assassination was in his repertoire to those whose lives he wishes to reap."
"All the same, I've dealt with the sort of people who would take a life for money," Rosaria said refocusing on Naruto. "And you don't leave them unwatched."
"Then watch him as you would like, but I would ask that you not be so vagrant. Threatening a guess in a dwelling not your own is beneath you." The way the man spoke reminded him a bit of Sasuke. Blunt, to the point he was, and sharp-tongued. Still, there was some Shikamaru there, casual, almost reluctant, yet firm. It did the trick, nonetheless.
The woman's bladed polearm vanished. And she took up a post a bit further away from them, allowing the blonds to now talk amongst each other.
"Thank you." He nodded his appreciation, before turning to Naruto. "Now then, I should say, that I am sorry for rushing you to explain yourself without introductions. You may call me Albedo."
"No problem." Naruto tipped his cup towards him. "This hot chocolate makes up for it!"
"A fan of warm confections, I see?"
"Not much, Konoha only saw a few cold days every year, so there'd never been much a reason to try them. The last time I had a cup must have been years back? Yea, when I was visiting Yuki no Kuni! Your brew's only a different level from that shopkeep!"
Paying little heed to his compliment, Albedo hummed. "Konoha and Yuki no Kuni, such places evade my knowledge. I would suppose that you have a colorful imagination... or that you're indeed from another dimension?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
"No, not at all. In my own travels, I have discovered worlds tucked off from our own... Yet nothing so vast as the whole of a different world. You are, dare I say, a unique entity."
"Even back home Uzumaki Naruto is one of one, ya know!" Naruto declared. "But there's a buddy of mine that came with… in the fall he split off from me… I need to make sure he's good."
"Would he not be? When we found you, your body lay unfazed, not even a sign of hypothermia." Albedo's question was on of curiosity, rather than doubting. Naruto appreciated that out of the man.
"Well, he's like a… um… spirit. A fox spirit, he uses this sort of energy... chakra... to move around. But when we ended up here my chakra… like... vanished and he shot out of my body along with it." Naruto pointed in the rough direction Kurama flew. Southwards from them, but the problem laid in something more. "He vanished inta the distance, too far away to be in this mountain range."
"I see." Albedo paused to ponder. "This mountain range is the furthest jurisdiction controlled by Mondstadt."
"So he's in Liyue?" Rosaria asked, rejoining the conversation.
"If not Liyue or the seas near it, then… Inazuma." Albedo spoke in a way that left Naruto unnerved.
"… Why do I get the feeling that that's a bad thing?"
"Liyue is a nation where contracts and mora rule the day. Not the coldest to newcomers. Even so, questioning the upper echelon - who are most in the know - about your friend is beyond a mere wanderer. Inazuma has locked her harbors away from travelers. The only exceptions granted are for a few trusted fleets."
"So not as easy as walking in to ask if anyone's seen a talking fox walking around?"
"Not so, I fear," Albedo had an ultimatum to offer. "But if we return to Mondstadt we may be able to discuss options with the Grand Master."
"You want to take a self-claiming assassin into Mondstadt!?" Rosaria stepped between them, aggression back full tilt.
"Is that so different from how you found yourself in service to the Church of Favonius?" Albedo asked. His words revealed more about Rosaria than she otherwise willed. The woman's jaw went taut. There were words that she may spill, but Albedo spoke in mere fact. No hint of contempt or malice to it, so she held herself at bay as well.
"… I still question if that was a wise decision…" Rosaria spoke after a moment. "... those people, they're too giving… too trusting… I won't stand by and allow a fox to cozy up amongst them."
"Do you think so ill of me to believe that I would allow a threat to take grip amongst them?"
"I'm not sure what to think of you."
"All the same, I am taking him to Master Varka. Does your suspicion stray even towards his competence and judgment?"
"... That backs me into a no-win situation. And you're aware of that."
"That is my intent, yes."
"Fine, but I will join you on your way."
"I wouldn't think you to do any less. Now, we should all rest. Let's make for Mondstadt at dawn."
"Very well." Rosaria's version of 'resting' was to recline against one of the walls of the renovated cave. Her eyes locked on Naruto's form. He could only return her a weak smile as he made to use the blanket and a pillow – blessed to him by Albedo – to try and relax. But with a homicidal nun eying him down, sleep did not come easy.
000TD000
Naruto relaxed into the chair, never understanding how nice a warm breeze could be until now. Mondstadt and her territory of Dragonspine rested on two sides of a spectrum. Dragonspine's unyielding harsh snows were a direct contrast with Mondstadt's welcoming winds.
"Er… hey kid, this isn't an Inn!"
"Ah, sorry!" Naruto pulled himself straight, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. Varka was doing much the same, though in exasperation.
With Rosaria back towards doing vigilant nun activities, Naruto could finally know peace. Entering Grand Master Varka's office gave him his first chance of rest.
Though speaking of the man they called 'Grand Master' he was, indeed, a man. Such was amongst Naruto's idle thought. Even sitting down as they were, Naruto could tell that the man would be towering over him if they were to walk in tandem. He counted himself amongst the tallest of his comrades with few exceptions. Varka bested them all. To say that the bronze-skinned man was muscle-bound may prove erroneous. All the same to call him anything else would be as wrong if not more so. Compact, might be the best word for him. His body built for the like of blitzkriegs, but with every single muscle on that frame trained to the zenith. His crimson hair, bushy sideburns, and sharp features put upon the visage of a beast – like a wolf or a lion. This was the intention more than likely. He remembered back to the quick rundown Albedo gave him on the Knights of Favonius. They're me to embody the Wolf of the North and the Lion of the South, it made sense for their leader to most exemplify that. Yet for as masculine as Varka was, he radiated a fierce, burning aura… of kindness. Naruto likened it to how the Sandaime. There was a similar presence there. A demand for respect and admiration whilst granting comfort and empathy. Equaled out in perfect measure.
"It's fine, kid," Varka said, waving away his concern. "So another world?" Naruto needn't answer. The question meant for Albedo. From Naruto's side, the Alchemist granted a response.
"This is the story he told me and I'm prone to believe him." Albedo nodded.
"Oh." Varka leaned forward at that. "And why's that. Ran some experiments have ya!?" The way Varka spoke gave the impression that Albedo wasn't one to believe things without proof. It made Naruto all the happier that the man believed him without the need of-
"Nothing invasive or too noticeable." Naruto went through whiplash, his eyes mimicking an owl's as he stared down Albedo. The aloof man instead favored keeping his eyes leveled with Varka. "A diagnostic scan, done from a distance, and a lie detector, ran in the background as he spoke. Results spot his physical composition as different from a layman as my own. Beyond that, he's honest, to an alarming degree."
"Not a bad thing," Varka announced, a toothy grin sent towards Naruto. For his part, he could only smile back with half a heart. His mind processing notions of having been subjected to survey. Tests run without his notice or permission. "So you think that if he's not from another world-"
"Then he's at least not what the people of Teyvat would describe as human."
"Ah, so benefit of the doubt at play, eh?"
"Something along that line. Whilst I could run more tests to try to reveal more about his origins. That's unneeded. There are things that I cannot confirm through research alone."
"Who are you and what have you done with Albedo!?" There was a too-long pause as Varka and Albedo stared at each other "… It was a joke."
"Ah," Albedo's nod was the only acknowledgment Varka got for his humor. The man sighed, rumbling under a breath about 'Alice's kids'.
"So you had special powers in your world?" Varka finally turned back to Naruto.
"Yelp." Naruto preened with pride.
"One's not based on yer vision?"
"What dat?" Confusion took hold of Naruto, this being the first he heard of a 'vision'.
"Nevermind. Can you give a show of these abilities of yours?"
"I… no." The young Uzumaki completely deflated. "That takes chakra and I've lost mine. Which I didn't even know was possible! It's supposed to be a part of me…" His voice drifted from there. Words left unsaid only because he could not understand which to string together. He discontent still proved evident, even if he could not vocalize it.
"I may have a suspicion of what occurred," Albedo spoke out, all eyes shifting him. Taking up his queue, he explained: "There are certain laws of the universe. Take gravity for instance. It keeps us all grounded. Even instances where this is opposed... such as when humans jump... or when a bird flies... or when a Geo vision wielder causes earthen substances to become weightless. That all occurs due to those beings applying force against gravity. Those humans use the strength of their legs to kick themselves into the air. The bird flaps their wings with enough force at quick enough intervals to take flight. The Geo Vision wielder uses elemental energy to will the earthen material to rise up. It all requires an application of force. In these ways, the law of 'Gravity is absolute without some expression of force' is expressed."
"Thanks for the science lesson." Varka huffed. "But how does this round back to the kid losing his chakra whatsit."
"Well, this is one of many universal laws, for which everyone in our universe must abide by. But in theory, not all universes abide by the laws of our universe." Albedo let that hang.
"I get it!" Naruto slammed his fist into his open palm. "In my universe, there must exist a law like 'people can use chakra' or something, but here-"
"Chakra is not a factor," Varka added on.
Albedo nodded. "Because our universe doesn't acknowledge the existence of chakra, this must be abided. As such when Naruto entered our space he was not expelled outright. But rather the energy known as chakra was expelled from his body. Further course corrections may have taken place... alterations to his form to avoid any deficiencies that a lack chakra could incur."
"That's bad though," Naruto said, rubbing his chin. "Kurama is all chakra and a spirit, without it-"
"I wouldn't worry about that." Varka leaned forward. "Dying isn't the end for folks around these parts. I've been around the pond a few times, so I'd know. When a person passes they do become spirits... Unable to interact with the normal masses and all. And those spirits will either ascend to Celestia or become one with the leylines.. but only when they find themselves ready. As long as they're holding on to a reason to live or have some form of unfulfilled desire they can wander these lands. Limited as they be."
"So Kurama-"
"… He ain't a lost cause… as long as he doesn't give up the ghost, that is."
"He won't!" Naruto was sure of that, his pride in his companion brimming. "The only person more stubborn than that old fox is… well me!" He grinned in a way that was contagious, one that had Varka grinning and barking out a laugh.
"But on about actually tracking him down. I have a few associates that can help, but they're not around right now. Could take some time to get a missive to them, longer still for a reply."
"Right," Naruto calmed himself, plotting out his limited course of actions. "While I want to see Kurama safe as soon as possible, I don't have the lay of the land. Without my chakra, I have a few tricks and my fist to help, more than enough. But with nothing but a vague direction on where to look…"
"Don't think too hard on it," Varka said. "If this 'old fox' is as tough as you make him, then he'll be fine even if ya don't set out right away. It's best to build up a base before rushing to yer death. All comers are free to make Mondstadt their home as long as they need... but don't get mistaken, that doesn't mean rent is free."
"Ah…" Naruto leaned back in his chair, sighing. "… Know anyone that hiring?"
"Err… the Adventurer's Guild is always accepting applicants," was Varka off-handed admittance. He began to flip through papers on his desk. With how haphazardly he sorted, Naruto could tell that the man wasn't the one keeping his office orderly. He sent a wordless prayer up to whichever subordinate would have to clean up afterward.
"If I may interject." Albedo said, raising a hand to Varka.
"Eh?" Albedo took the rowdy grandmaster's grunt as permission.
"The Adventurer's Guild and My Investigations Team often work hand in hand. That's normal considering how recruits favor joining other companies. But the rates they charge are, indeed, higher than what we would be paying our own for a similar amount of time spent…"
"You want the boy to join my Knights!?"
"Eh!?" Naruto and Varka looked as confused as each other.
"Even if short term, another world's hero seems as much an invaluable asset as a fabled knight, no?"
Varka looked over to Naruto, who looked between the Chief Alchemist and Grandmaster. "I would say I have to ask my superiors, but… well you know." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking off into the distance. "Kakashi-sensei would say something like... um... an ideal Shinobi understands how to adapt to their environment or something. And we are a world apart at the end of the day." Naruto looked to Varka, the resolve behind his gaze growing firm. "If you're willing to take me on, I-"
"Hold up!" Varka barked, before reclining in his chair, a huff of indignation escaping his maw as he crossed his arms. "Don't go thinking being a knight is all simply-like. Most train from childhood to take up the mantle. And to take the trials to become a knight requires years of squirehood. And if not that a direct recommendation from a Knight of the rank of Captain or higher."
"He can have my recommendation." Albedo offered.
"And he would have my own as well!" Varka roared.
"Err." Naruto and Albedo, this time, shared their dumbfoundment. "What's the problem then?" The rowdier of the two asked.
"Bah! Weren't you listening!? You still must take the trials!"
"Oh! Easy, if it's a fight then-"
"It's a sequenced written exam, combat trial, and field expedition. There's an accompanying essay based on what was discovered on that expedition... also a resume and cover letter are both required before all that."
"Ah, that's… a lot." Naruto deflated.
"You have a month to prepare. After that will be a six-month wait before the recruitment window opens again."
"You needn't worry." Albedo let his hand lay on Naruto's shoulder. "You'll have access to my study material as well as my aide."
"Most people would fend off Storm Terror for that opportunity," Varka admitted. "The would-be recruits regard you as a miracle worker after you got little Klee past the trials, after all. Yet not one seems to be able to pin you down." An inspective eye gazed at Albedo.
For his part, Albedo only chuckled. "I much prefer the climate of Dragonspine than anywhere else."
"Right, well I'll leave it to Albedo!" Varka said grinned at Naruto, the blond Shinobi nodding with a grin of his own. "But you'll need a place to stay in the meantime unless you would like to take up a post at Dragonspine!"
"I'm good on that!" Naruto decried. "If you have a pillow and a blanket, I can find an alleyway!" An alleyway in the idyllic Mondstadt would be the nice keep Dragonspine might offer.
"That's hardly needed," All eyes turned towards the open window of the Grandmaster's office. From which a young maiden slipped through, though vixen might be a term more fitting. Skin light the dusk of evening and a hair as blue as midnight's sky greeted them as she entered. Dressed in such a flamboyant way, that eyepatch she wore was almost novel to the rest of her. Though she'd become the center of attention, her gaze was only for Naruto. That lone vibrant, cool blue eye met his own eyes for a moment before his own gaze drifted down.
'N-no bra,' Her blouse did nothing for her modesty, not least helped by how she seemed to not care to button it up past midway.
"An eye for the finer things?" She grinned, turning over to Varka. "Can we really keep him!?"
"So you can make a fool of him and throw him to the wolves once your tire of him?"
"Ara, you can trust me to take care of him, Master. I wouldn't steer him into danger… at least not any that he doesn't want." Her gaze trialed a course along Naruto's... everything... as he tried his best to blend in with the chair.
"Don't call me that!" Varka demanded, his simple title having a different cadence on the woman's tongue. "But have at him."
"Wha-!" Naruto held his hand out to Varka, a reflection of horror and betrayal pleading for the man to reconsider.
"Sorry, kid. We can't spare the cash to house ya for a month, not Kaeya here is offering with rooms to spare at the Dawn Winery. 'Sides she's the Cavalry Captain. Better to know her sooner than later, if ya still want to be a Knight."
Naruto felt as a sheep as the woman – Kaeya – gave him a sweet smile.
Perhaps the last smile he'd ever see.
000TD000
Author's Notes:
Been stewing on ideas for this story for a while. I knew that I wanted to do a Naruto and Genshin Impact Story, but didn't know what to make it about, but after a while, I just started to write and plan without a clear path of doing anything unique or never before seen just yet, but the end result is something that will – in all hope – be entertaining at the very least. Through planning, I have come up with a lot of cool ideas and some that will likely wow the readers (that's you guys/gals).
I knew from conception that I wanted Naruto to be forced to develop a new power set that blends well with the world but doesn't lock him down to just one element. That's to say that he won't get a Vision or that when/if he does, it won't be his only source of power. What I have planned will hopefully offset the annoyance felt by those that dislike that he's without his chakra-based abilities here. The next two or so chapters will heavily focus on him developing the foundations for said abilities with chapters further along gradually developing more of this power set. I wanted to set up a real belief that the threats of Genshin's world would be a threat to Naruto. And hey, at least this is better than Boruto's method of handling Naruto's powers, where so many of his abilities seem to go forgotten for plot convenience without explanation, right?
Also, just as a mention, Naruto will have a plethora of weapons, some from Genshin and some from Genshin's sister series, Honkai Impact. That's about as much as I'll say so as not to spoil anything too severely.
Beyond that, if you have the free time, go read some stories by my good buddies: PlaguedAmbition and AngryOwl. They have gotten back into the swing of writing and any added encouragement via review will be welcomed(possibly).
There's a poll on my profile for the harem, so vote so your voice is heard. The final decision will be up to me, but your weighing in will heavily skew my decision in the audience's favor.
Also, do leave a review, people so often wait until after events have come and passed to speak up. Make your thoughts known, if there's something you want to see or to NOT see, speak now or forever dread the fact that you didn't once it's too late. I can change plans in the midst of writing, but I have no intention of going back and altering chapters once they're published on this site.
Also, also, more reviews inspire me to update quicker.
Ja Ne~!