Author Note: Hey People. I'm back! Kind of. I am going to continue this story just a little for now. There is a particular set of events I want to flesh out. So there is a big time-skip. Also, I am changing the perspective to third-person, instead of first person. I might update every few weeks. I suspect there will be maybe 4 or 5 more chapters until I am officially done with this story. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 14

"All Hail the ruler of the five great Shinobi Countries, Emperor Naruto Uzumaki, and his wife, Empress Hinata Uzumaki."

As that announcement was made, a troop of masked shinobi walked in unison, forming two long lines. They stopped and turned to face each other synchonously. Naruto walked in the middle of them with his wife at his side.

Naruto walked through the large hall with a cool swagger, a carefree smirk on his face.

"It's a lot warmer in here. I can't believe people actually live in a place so cold."

Naruto sweeped some snow off of his fur collar. Hinata let out a tiny giggle.

"Maybe we can make some improvements, Naruto-kun."

Naruto looked down at her with a bright grin.

"I plan on it."

The couple strode forward, leaving their escort of shinobi behind as they walked towards the thone on the other end of the grand hall. An older man sat on the throne, adorned in a fanciful kimono and crown.

While Naruto and Hinata left their troop of Shinobi behind, only four shinobi followed them, their personal bodyguards led by a dark haired man with pitch black pupils.

"The one ruler of the Land of Iron, Shogun Itsumiki, welcomes Emperor Naruto and his empress," A man standing beside the shogun's throne announced.

"We weren't expecting such a royal visit, Emperor Naruto."

"Clearly not. You don't even know to bow before your emperor," Naruto stated in amusement.

Naruto cocked his head to the side, noting their formal demeanor.

"Our emperor?" The Shogun replied with a raise of his brow.

"Everyone's emperor."

This declaration came from the black haired man who's eyes shifted into red.

Sasuke walked forward and glared harshly at the Shogun.

"Please forgive my father, Emperor Naruto."

A young woman sitting on a smaller throne at the Shogun's side stood up and hurriedly walked down the stairs in front of the throne.

Despite her youth, she had long, flowing white hair which matched the paleness of her skin. The fabric of her decorated white kimono dragged along the ground as she walked. She lifted the front slightly as she moved. .

Once she arrived at the bottom of the stairs, she immediately fell to her knees and bowed her head low, resting her forehead atop her hands.

"Princess Mizu, this is unbecoming."

The man who stood next to the Shogun frowned in disapproval of her actions. The princess ignored him.

"As you can see Emperor Naruto, few here are truly aware of your greatness. If you will, we will execute my father's advisor for his incompetence."

"Princess Mizu, what is the meaning of…"

The man never finished his sentence as his head fell to the ground, followed by the rest of his body. Besides him appeared a man with bandages wrapped around his face. He kneeled in a low pose, holding a gigantic sword in one hand. A drop of blood fell from the edge.

"Consider it taken care of. I don't like wasting time."

Naruto rested his hands behind his head while wearing a bright grin.

"How dare you attack the royal advisor! Samurai prepare yourselves!"

A man adorned in heavy white Samarui armor shouted while unsheathing two swords. Him and several other samurai guards stood below the Shogun's throne, unsheathing their swords.

"Stop! Sheath your swords!"

The shogun finally spoke up, rising from his seat.

"But Shogun…"

Blood erupted from the man's mouth. He turned around to stare into intense Hyuuga eyes.

An eruption of chakra shot out from his back as the woman's palm collided with his chest. He fell to the ground, lifeless.

"There is no use in the empire for a dog that questions its master," the woman spoke heartlessly.

Hinabi turned her back on the man before making her way back to Naruto. When she turned her back to the man, two Guards charged towards Hinabi.

"Captain!"

They were able to take one step before suddenly grabbing their throats. Several needles pierced the skin, killing them instantly.

A person standing next to Hinata in a white mask with red swirled design lowered their arm, having thrown those needles with deadly precision.

"Stand down! You will obey me!"

The shogun barked at his subjects. Everyone in the throne room suddenly kneeled upon his command. All except for Naruto's entourage.

The Shogun made his way down the stairs and kneeled next to his daughter, bowing his head towards the ground.

"Thank you Emperor Naruto, for delivering swift justice. We welcome you and are ready to serve."

The smile along Naruto's face slowly disappeared as he looked down at the Shogun with a serious expression.

"That remains to be seen. Let's talk."

A white later…

Naruto and Hinata sat next to each other at the edge of a long table. The Shogun sat on the opposite end. Next to him sat his daughter and several other important members of his council and military.

"Emperor Naruto, I want to formally apologize for the outburst that you witnessed earlier. I have only recently ascended to the throne in the last year and as you can see, it will take some time before our country is back to order. I am embarrassed about what you saw today. The rebellion has really taken its toll on our people."

Naruto gauged the man closely as he bowed his head.

"Tell me about this rebellion."

"It is a faction that stems from a group of people that have long been at odds with the throne's rule. The recent death of the previous Shogun has only made them more bold."

Naruto grew an annoyed expression.

"Have you read my doctrine?"

The Shogan went wide eyed.

"This is my first time hearing of such a thing."

A long pause followed that confession. The silence was interrupted by an eruption of laughter.

Naruto held his stomach and cackled madly.

"Really?" Naruto questioned in astonishment.

The person wearing a white and red mask walked forward next to Naruto. They took off their mask to reveal the mature and pretty face of Haku.

"In only two years, Emperor Naruto has conquered each of the Five Great Shinobi Countries almost single-handedly. He has brought them all under his singular rule. It is hard to believe that the ruler of a neigboring country as large as the Land of Iron has not read the Emperor's doctrine. In fact, you haven't even heard of it? It is an inconceivable incompetency."

Haku spoke incredulously.

"Naruto, I would recommend that we start fresh here."

"Wait!"

All attention was drawn to the princess who suddenly bowed her head on the table and closed her eyes.

"Emperor Naruto please understand. Fighting the rebels has been all encompassing. Even my father being available to meet you was a hardship. He was on the front lines and he rushed back to the capital to prepare for your arrival. My father is a leader that fights with his soldiers on the battlefield. He is engrossed in the direct effort to protect our way of life. The responsibility of leadership was dropped on him suddenly with his brother's death. He is a warrior, not a politician. Please forgive his ignorance in this matter."

The princess kept her head down as she spoke desperately, a tear trickling down her cheek. The Shogun stared at her with a conflicted gaze. He then bowed his head as well.

Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What do you think, Hinata-chan? You've been eerily silent."

Naruto looked towards Hinata in interest.

"You know I always support your decisions, Naruto-kun."

Naruto placed a finger under Hinata's chin, directing her to look up at him. Hinata's cheeks flushed red.

"You know I value highly the opinion of my Empress."

All eyes settled on Hinata. It was obvious that the fate of the Shogun rested on her words. Hinata looked from the Princess to the Shogun. She could see the desperation in their gaze.

"Maybe we should give them some time to read the doctrine. The rebellion makes the integration of the country into the empire more complicated. After they read the doctrine and have an idea of what is expected of them, we can work with them to solve the rebellion and bring order more easily."

Naruto listened attentively and nodded his head when she finished speaking. Before he removed his finger from her chin, Naruto engaged her in a passionate kiss, causing the Shogun's people to look away. Naruto's entourage were unphased by the display.

Naruto pulled back after several long moments, licking up the string of saliva that connected their lips and leaving Hinata panting.

"I like it."

Naruto turned his attention to the Shogun, a chipper smile plastered on his face.

"Three days. That should give you enough time to read the doctrine and give us a report on the state of your country, the rebellion, and the path towards integration into the empire. We need to know every obstacle that will delay integration, and your suggestions on how to best handle those obstacles."

"Yes Emperor Naruto. Thank you."

The Shogun kept his head bowed respectfully. Naruto narrowed his gaze.

"You're forgetting someone."

The Shogun went wide eyed and turned his attention towards Hinata, bowing his head towards her as well.

"And thank you for your compassion, Empress Hinata."

"Yes, it seems the rumors about you are true," the princess spoke.

Naruto frowned.

"You had time to listen to rumors about my Empress but still didn't bother reading my doctrine?"

The shogun looked in panic from Naruto to his daughter. He was about to speak up, but she spoke first while lifting her head and wiping her tears away. She maintained a sweet smile.

"That is a fair assumption, Emperor Naruto. To be clear, I have read your doctrine, and I try my best to monitor the activities of you and your empire, including any and all related rumors. However, I am not my father's direct advisor. I am merely the princess, so I have not been in the position to directly inform him on these matters."

Naruto rested his hand behind his head and stared up at the ceiling in thought.

"Well, it looks like the spot opened up recently."

The princess bowed her head with a humble smile.

"That is not my decision to make, although I am humbled by your recommendation."

Hinata quietly watched the interaction between the princess and Naruto.

"Welp, I'm beat. I assume you have some guest rooms."

"Yes of course Emperor Naruto. My guards can show you to the rooms we have prepared."

The Shogun gestured towards a man, who bowed obediently.

"Actually, father, I was hoping you would allow me to escort the emperor. I can even give him a proper tour of the premises," the princess spoke up hopefully.

The Shogun nodded in approval.

"Thank you father."

The princess rose and bowed towards Naruto.

"Please follow me."

As Naruto moved, Hinata made sure to be at his side. Hinata noticed that the princess took Naruto's otherside as she began to describe the different aspects of the Shogun's villa.

Hinata narrowed her gaze.

"I won't let anyone take my Naruto-kun."

That's the end of the Chapter. Thanks for reading. Please review