Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; Masashi Kishimoto and Shonen Jump own it. Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire are owned by George R.R Martin, Dan Weiss, and David Benioff, HBO MAX, and Warner Bros Discovery respectively. I own nothing. I am just a humble fan. This story is for fun and nothing else. This story does not represent me or my beliefs. This story is not meant to promote or propagate anything.

Author's Note: Hello, everyone. Here we are with another chapter. I have a cold and I am busy with doctor's appointments. Please read and review generously. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. We are going to learn some more things. Without further ado, let us begin.

Chapter Six- Unfathomable Strength and Power

Within Winterfell's courtyard, a small group of spectators were viewing the sparring match from above and from the yard itself. Robb was armed with a blunt practice spear and Jon was armed with a blunt practice sword and shield. In front of them was the Maelstrom himself… who was also armed with a blunt sword.

Jon and Rob stood a few feet away from him, eager to test their mettle against the man who was capable of making such powerful weapons. Naruto had decided to entertain them and show these people a little bit of what he could do. He saw Sansa looking at him from above, keenly observing him, wondering what he was capable of in actual sparring. Little did she know… her entire world was about to be shaken up.

Arya and Brandon were quite eager to see how Naruto fought in combat. She had listened to his words and behaved more. Catelyn saw a remarkable difference in her daughter and she was sure that Naruto was responsible for that… something she was grateful for. Arya hoped to learn how to fight and to have her weapon unique to her. She would never give up on this. As for Brandon… he wished to learn what it meant to be a fighter and a warrior. This sparring session would give him some insight in what he would have to do.

Naruto looked up and gave Sansa a smile and a wave with his hand. She was caught off guard as she turned her head away. Robb and Jon chuckled while Arya and Brandon laughed. Catelyn and Ned worked hard to hold back their own laughter as they enjoyed Sansa's reaction. Sansa glared at Arya who simply shrugged. Naruto could see in Sansa's eyes a faint glimmer of amusement.

Ned cleared his throat and spoke. "If all the participants are ready… you know the rules. No brutality and no looking to inflict injuries or humiliation. This is simply sparring and nothing more. Are we all clear?"

The participants nodded. "Very well… begin."

There was silence as the onlookers watched with bated breath as to who would make the first move. Out of the corner of his eye… Naruto saw Kurama and the Lady of the Forge watching the proceedings as well.

Naruto noticed that Robb was the one to strike first with his spear. Naruto casually dodged the telegraphed strike, simply grabbed his foot, and launched him in the air as he fell on hay. Jon was transfixed as Naruto moved as fast as the wind… even faster than that. Jon gulped for a moment before he gathered his courage and rushed forward, unleashing a series of feints. Naruto smiled as he simply sidestepped and drove his foot into Jon's side, eliciting a yelp of pain.

"Just because your foe has a weapon… it does not mean he will always use it immediately. You need to adapt to the situation instead of simply trying to be flashy and read your opponent."

Before Jon could even ponder what he meant… Naruto appeared right in front of him and launched the flat of the wooden blade at his shield, sending Jon crashing into the dirt. Jon and Robb got up gingerly as they tried to catch their breath. They had no idea how he moved so fast and attacked with such monstrous strength.

Above, there was pin-drop silence. Ned and Catelyn were too shocked to say anything as Arya and Brandon looked on with excitement. Sansa's eyes narrowed as she too observed all this with keen interest. So far, she realized that there was no one alive or who had lived in the past that could match this Uzumaki Naruto in combat.

Naruto stood in the center as Robb and Jon tried to catch their breath. They looked at one another and nodded as they decided to attack together. They bad both rushed forward as they tried to strike Naruto. It proved to be all for naught. He caught their weapon in each hand and crushed it. A simple kick to the sternum sent Robb crashing into the dirt… while Naruto shattered Jon's shield and sent him flying into hay. That act had made everyone's eyes bulge and they had questions.

Ned had seen enough of the fight to end the match and declare the winner. "This session is over. Naruto is the winner."

Naruto had helped both Jon and Robb to his feet. They did their best to catch their breath as they smiled. Though they had lost spectacularly… they did not hold it against Naruto.

Robb was the first to speak. "You move fast, as fast as the wind itself. I have never seen someone move that fast."

Jon added his two cents afterward. "You are also physically very strong, stronger than anything I have ever seen. Is it possible where we went wrong?"

Naruto nodded. "First of all… unless you are like me, you would never be able to beat me. There are only two people in Westeros, maybe three that can beat me in battle. You will never be able to reach their level."

Jon was confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"It's a secret."

"And the rest?"

Naruto thought for a moment before speaking. "First, it was good that you attacked together as a team in the end; teamwork is vital in a battle as well. However, you need to plan out your strategies and think before striking. If you are faced with a stronger opponent, bring him to you."

Jon and Robb seemed to ponder this as he put his weapons away and left the courtyard. As he was leaving, Sansa observed him further as she smiled slightly. "Uzumaki Naruto… you continue to amaze."

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The Stark family… including Jon Snow had all come together for the mid-day meal, which was light before the actual dinner. Of course, Catelyn Stark had vehemently protested Jon's presence at the table. Ned had gently told her that Jon was a part of the family and he had the right to eat with the family. Naruto had privately told Ned that Jon's existence was not his own fault… and if he was family, he was to eat with the family. Already, Naruto's influence was starting to show in some way.

Jon did feel quite uncomfortable with Catelyn's stare lingering upon him… but with a smile from his siblings, he paid no attention to it. As they were all enjoying their meal… Ned had a question for Jon.

"Tell me, Jon, now that you sparred with Naruto… what do you think of the man's capabilities?"

Jon gathered his thoughts before he spoke. "I do not believe there is a man alive or in the past that could beat him in battle."

"Hmm, expand."

"Well, there is no rhythm or style to how he fights. It is wild and unchained like a predator… and yet, there seems to be some coherence to how he fights. It is very confusing and difficult to understand until you engage the man in battle. He has raw, unmatched physical strength, and I do not believe for a second, he used even a quarter of his strength; I only felt a fraction of that quarter. No one can match that man in combat, not the Mountain, Symeon Star-Eyes, Brandon the Builder, or Arthur Dayne. I believe he held back greatly. His true power is an unknown quantity."

Robb was the one who spoke next. "He moves fast father, faster than the wind itself. Perhaps, I daresay, he might even be able to move faster than lightning. His defensive ability is second to none. His reflexes are amazing and it seems like each strike is precise and powerful. I have to agree with Jon, he really is that impressive. Even if we trained for like a 100 years… we could not win."

There was silence as they all pondered what this meant. Naruto was evidently not normal… and there was no one alive in Westeros or in the past who could do what he did. Maybe mermaids, maybe this so-called Elenei, but what was even more mysterious was Kurama and the lady of the Forge. Kurama was full of rage and power… and had no interest in bowing to nobody. However, the Lady of the Forge barely spoke to anyone, except for the two of them. And when she did speak… her voice felt melodious and harmonious. One day, he saw her near Winterfell's Godswood, and she was singing. What amazed him was to how beautiful it sounded. It reminded him of better days and better times. What amazed him more was that when she sang… animals would flock near her. Some days, it was the Direwolf, and some days, it was a stag. When she noticed him, she simply walked away. He swore the next day… he saw different creatures prowling the forests. They would disappear whenever human eyes saw them. They were not White Walkers or the evil creatures from Old Nan's tales; it was like the local wildlife was returning to the North.

Arya was the one who spoke next. "He seems kind. He does not tease me for wanting to be a warrior. He taught me to look at both sides of life… and says that being a Lady and a Warrior is possible."

Ned smiled. "With time… that might be a possibility."

Arya smiled at her father as Catelyn lightly frowned.

Brandon spoke next. "Naruto seems wise. He told me that wielding a sword is like wielding a weapon for murder. He told me that if I ever wielded a weapon in life… I have to bear all the responsibilities regarding it and I cannot push blame or glory upon another."

Ned had nodded in response to Brandon's words. "These are wise words indeed."

Sansa was the one who spoke next. "I think Naruto is haunted by his past. I spoke to him in Mikken's forge… he never celebrated his name days that much. I don't think he had lots of friends or people to care for him. I believe he is haunted by war… and what he saw during the war. Now, I understand why you wish for me to marry him, father. He crafts beautiful things to make his loved ones happy. He just wants to help people."

Ned cleared his throat as he spoke. "I do not want any of you to ask him about his past. When he feels comfortable… he will talk to us about it. No man wishes to think about the lives he had to take… or the lives he could not save. I will not have anyone of my blood give him grief. Is that clear? We are now to return to our meal. Exciting things are coming and Mikken has said that he will have news for us tomorrow."

As they all returned to their meal, Sansa noticed the Direwolf padding over to her as it buried her head in her lap. Her belly was heavily swollen… and soon enough, she would give birth. As she rubbed the wolf's head… her thoughts went back to her future husband.

"Uzumaki Naruto… I wonder what it is you think of this world?"

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Chapter End

That is the chapter everyone. Please read and review generously. I hope you all enjoy it. Once again, much gratitude to Dragonrise' Celestial Forge story for being the inspiration.

I apologize for the shorter story. I am ill right now with a bad cold. I will try to write more in February… before I take March off for a needed break. The next chapter is about the factory that Naruto is going to make and new weapons and armor will be made. Please do share ideas and thoughts for that.

I would also like to thank all those who have reviewed… and Thor94 for his ideas. If I have forgot to thank anybody, I am sick and low on protein and carbs and fats. When you are sick… you do not have an appetite.

Stay safe and well wishes. See you all in the next update.