A/N: Can anyone see this chapter? Site glitches are running amok, and I could've sworn we updated this three months ago, but apparently it never appeared? Apologies.
I am also very sick. Cough, fever, the works. Basically slept the last three days and had to stagger into work today because I can't afford to miss any more.
In any case, if you can find it in your heart to review, my team and I would appreciate it.
Dark helped write this chapter and many, wonderful co-writer that he is; he has a discord server if you'd like to chat with him. Its called Writer's Union. Fanfiction doesn't like links, so I can't post it here, but he's asked me to mention it.
I...don't really do discord myself, not my scene, he's on there quite a bit, though.
Sorry for the delay, long story short, my sister has been terribly ill and I've been taking care of her in the interim. But while she's down for the count, someone else -Dark- has stepped in to fill the gap and help me write. He's responsible for the Double Update Fridays, the surge in Elden Ring Updates, and the reason I've been able to update. Slifer, Dylan and Advent have also been a godsend, this quartet has been keeping me afloat in more ways than one.
No long author's note this time! Once more, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. Nope.
They're simply tributes to legends far, far, faaar greater than little 'ol me.
May this chapter put a smile on your face~!
"What is a man? A miserable pile of secrets?
No! A man is a father! A husband!
A PROTECTOR!"
~?
Just a Speech
Naruto had faced many challenges in his life.
Bloodthirsty warlords. Genocidal alien gods. Madmen who thought breaking the world was the only way to save it. He had survived them all, beaten them back, and come out stronger every time.
But public speaking?
This was a whole different kind of hell.
He stood at the podium, staring out at the roaring mass of the Meta Liberation Army. Hundreds—no, thousands—of eager faces stretched out before him, their eyes alight with something dangerously close to reverence. They clung to his every breath, waiting for his words like they were scripture. Which, to be fair… they might have been.
By accident.
Right, no putting this off any longer.
He scratched the back of his head, his nerves twisting like a nest of angry snakes. How the hell did he get here?
"People of the Meta Liberation Army!" he started, his voice carrying across the open expanse.
A massive cheer erupted.
He winced. "Ugh, keep it down a little, would ya? I get enough headaches trying to keep my kids from tearing the house apart."
A few chuckles rippled through the crowd, the tension easing just a fraction. He took a deep breath. Alright. Just fake it till you make it, Naruto.
He'd been doing that so far and it had...well, he wouldn't say it had worked wonders so much as failing upward, but he'd take what he could at this point. All these people thought he was some master tactician, a schemer for the ages, a legendary genius, his brilliance unparellened.
Bitch, please. He'd been making things up as he went, from the moment he first stumbled upon Tenko.
"...Freedom," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. His fingers trembled, but he clenched them into a fist. This was important. "That's why you're here, right?"
Another cheer.
He fought the urge to groan. This was so cringe. So, so cringe. He could already hear Sasuke's unimpressed "hn" if he ever found out about this.
Still, he pushed through. These people were listening. They needed to hear something real.
"People talk a lot about heroes," he continued, his voice growing steadier, stronger. "But I don't see a lot of people asking what that actually means. A real hero doesn't stand behind a badge or a title. They don't throw their status around like an excuse to control people. A real hero protects. They defend. They fight for the ones who can't fight for themselves."
The murmurs of agreement spread like wildfire.
"They fight for something bigger than themselves," Naruto went on, stepping forward, fire beating in his chest. The weight of their attention pressed against him, but he didn't falter. "Not for power. Not for personal gain. Not for some dumb idea of superiority. They fight because they believe in people. They believe that even when the world is broken—especially when the world is broken—someone has to stand up and start putting it back together."
His words hung in the air, a raw and honest truth that settled deep into the crowd.
He exhaled. That… didn't sound half bad.
Then, after a beat, he added, "Also, if any of you try calling me 'Great Leader' or some crap like that, I will personally Rasengan you through a wall!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd, but beneath it was something else—respect.
Naruto exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. How did I get roped into this?
"I'm not one for big speeches, so I'll keep it simple," he continued, voice steady. "I'm not here to tell you what to do. I'm not here to rule over you. All I care about… is keeping the people I love safe. And if that means standing in the way of whatever broken system is running this world?"
His fists clenched. His eyes burned.
"Then bring it."
A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd.
Dammit. They were really eating right out of his hand, weren't they?
Naruto sighed, rubbing his temples as he stepped off the stage. The cheers followed him like an unwelcome shadow, their energy pressing down on him like a weight he hadn't asked to carry. This was supposed to be a quiet, slow life. What the hell happened?
He palmed his face and muttered under his breath, "Ugh. That was horrible. So cringe. What happened to just kicking back and eating ramen? Where did my lazy days go?
He barely made it ten steps before a soft, familiar voice cut through the noise.
"That was a good speech."
Naruto scoffed, glancing at Rei. She stood off the to the side, arms crossed beneath her full bosom, amusement flickering in her eyes, visible even through her disguise. She looked...good. Livelier than she'd been in days. Happy, even. One could argue it was the fresh air that did her good, but in truth he knew better.
I did that. I helped her. I saved her.
"No," he sighed," it wasn't."
She smiled knowingly and fell into step with him. "They believe in you."
Naruto snorted, idly lowering his hand. "Yeah? Guess that makes one of us."
Toya's mother smiled softly and latched onto his right arm, eyes sparkling. "You should believe in yourself more."
Belief, huh?
He looked down at her, mildly bemused. He did believe; that he was wholly out of his depth here, literally and figuratively. Of course they'd never believe that; everyone thought it was all part of his plan, and no amount of effort on his part would ever make them believe otherwise.
"I saw that!" Rei pinched his arm, drawing a grunt from him. "Where did all that fearless bravado of yours go, hmm?"
Into my pillow." he yawned into a hand. "I'm tired, I just gave a cringey speech and I'm ready to take a nap-
Rei yanked his face down to hers midsentence and kissed him deeply, steeling his words away.
She pulled away, face rosy. "And now...?"
Before he could say more, a new voice cut through the lingering noise of the crowd.
"Well, look at you, playing revolutionary. Never thought I'd see the day."
Nagant's voice was thick with amusement as she leaned lazily against a pillar, arms crossed, watching him with that ever-present sharpness in her gaze.
Behind her, the unmistakable sound of rushing footsteps reached Naruto's ears before he could react.
A stampede was coming.
No escape.
"DAD!"
Tenko got to him first, practically crashing into his side, eyes shining with excitement. "That was so cool! You sounded just like one of those old war generals from the movies!"
Naruto blinked, taken aback. "Uh… thanks, I guess?"
Toya, ever the contrarian, stood a few feet back, arms folded, an unimpressed look on his face. "Could've been cooler."
Naruto shot him a flat look. "Gee, thanks, kid. Real confidence boost."
Toya just smirked.
Nagant snickered at the exchange, pushing off the pillar and strolling closer. "C'mon, Boss. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy it at least a little."
He groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "I did not."
"You did."
"Nope."
Nagant arched a brow. "Oh, really? 'Then bring it?' You felt that line."
Heat burned up the back of his neck, and there was nothing he could do to stifle it.
Naruto scowled. "Alright, fine! Maybe just a little. But if you ever tell anyone, I will deny it with my dying breath."
Nagant grinned. "Noted. Won't stop me from telling the kids, though."
Naruto groaned even louder, much to the delight of his so-called allies. Tenko practically bounced on his feet, Toya rolled his eyes, and Rei just smiled as if she had expected this exact outcome.
Before he could complain more, a small tug on his sleeve caught his attention. He looked down to see Fuyumi, peeking up at him with wide, expectant eyes.
She really was too quiet sometimes; it was easy to forget she was there.
"Did you mean it?" she asked softly.
Naruto crouched down to her level. "Mean what, kiddo?"
Natsuo tugged on his other sleeve. "That you'd stand up against the bad guys… no matter what?"
The question hit harder than it should have.
For a brief second, he saw it again—the scars they still carried, the shadows of fear that sometimes flickered behind their smiles. Endeavor had done more damaged with his deeds than his flames ever would. For that alone, he had to atone, but for hurting Rei? Yeah, no forgiveness there. Not from him. Perhaps never.
Naruto's expression softened. He placed a warm hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "Always," he said, voice steady. "No matter what."
Fuyumi smiled, relief and something deeper settling into her tiny frame.
Nagant watched the scene with a knowing expression. "See? You might not like speeches, but you're damn good at giving people something to believe in."
Naruto sighed, standing up and stretching his arms over his head. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect me to make a habit out of it."
Nagant smirked, cocking an eyebrow. "Sure, Boss. Whatever you say."
But as the distant cheers of the crowd still echoed in the air, and as his kids clung to his side, Naruto had a sinking feeling that this was far from over.
The laughter that followed was warm. Real. For a moment, just a moment, Naruto allowed himself to breathe.
Then his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, bemused. The caller ID shouldn't have surprised him; yet it did. He'd thought it would be Curious, but no, she was out there stirring up the crowd for him. Nope, had to the other pain-in-the-ass he knew with a vindictive streak a mile wide.
It was Mirko, of course.
Naruto groaned, already dreading whatever chaos she was about to drop on him.
Waving a hand at Rei and Nagant to shepherd the kids, he turned to the side, placing said phone against his ear.
"Rabbit-legs," he greeted lazily. "What's up?"
Her voice practically grinned through the receiver. "Oh, you know. Just calling to let you know you're about to get your ass kicked."
His blood ran cold. "Uh. What?"
"Word is," Mirko continued, a distinct note of amusement in her tone, "the Hero Safety Commission is pissed. And I don't mean 'sternly-worded letter' pissed. I mean 'throwing chairs out of windows' pissed."
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh, for fu— What now?"
"Well, apparently, your little public dismantling of Endeavor ruffled some feathers. That, and beating me. Who would've thought?"
Naruto scoffed. "Uh, anyone with common sense?"
Mirko snorted. "Yeah, well, turns out the Commission ain't too keen on a walking demigod embarrassing their Number Two on national television. So they're sending someone after you. And from what I hear… it's someone big."
Bigger than her?
A long sigh left his lips. "Great. Any idea who?"
Mirko didn't even hesitate. "Ohhhhh, yeah."
"You gonna be a good girl and tell me?
"Maybe if you ask me nicely, daddy.
Kurama cackled madly. "Ha!"
Naruto choked. "Do not!"
She laughed anew and let the moment stretch, milking the suspense. Then, with a grin Naruto could practically hear, she said,
"They're considering Ryukyu… or All Might himself."
Silence.
Then—
Naruto laughed. A deep, genuine, belly-shaking laugh. A deep, amused chuckle that built and built until it turned into full-bodied laughter.
Because, of course.
Of course this was happening.
Nagant gave him a side-eye. "You good there, Boss?"
Still chuckling, Naruto wiped a nonexistent tear from the corner of his eye. "Oh, I'm great. Just fantastic. Turns out I don't have to go looking for trouble—trouble finds me just fine. Let me get this straight," he said, still chuckling, shaking his head in disbelief. "They wanna send a freakin' dragon lady after me, maybe even the freaking Symbol of Peace. All because I made a flaming moron eat dirt?"
"Pretty much." Mirko didn't even try to hold back her snickering. "Figured you'd say that. So, what's the plan?"
Naruto cracked his neck, a slow, wicked smirk creeping onto his face. "Plan? Simple. If they wanna come knocking..."
He flexed his fingers, chakra thrumming beneath his skin, raw power humming in his veins as he chuckled anew.
"...Then I'll be more than happy to answer the door."
Not a nervous laugh. Not even a sarcastic one.
No—he laughed like someone who had been waiting for this.
The kind that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
"Yep."
Naruto snorted, shaking his head. "Alright, then. Bring it on."
Mirko's laughter joined his, wild and untamed, like the crack of thunder before a storm.
"That's what I like to hear!" she cackled. "Kick their asses for me, would ya?"
"You got it, Bunnygirl."
The call ended on his part before she could get the last word in.
Naruto exhaled, pocketing his phone.
This was his life now.
Protecting his family.
Kicking the asses of corrupt bureaucrats.
Possibly punching All Might in the face.
Hoo boy.
He rolled his shoulders, then clapped his hands together. "Alright, kiddos. Who wants ice cream before I go brawl a dragon?"
Tenko's eyes lit up. "Ooh! Me!"
Toya raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Are you seriously that confident?"
Naruto grinned. "Nope. But it's gonna be funny."
The kids cheered, their laughter filling the air, and for a moment—just a moment—things felt normal.
But beyond them, beyond this fleeting moment of peace, the world was already shifting. Bracing itself.
Because whether it was a dragon, the Hero Commission, or even the Symbol of Peace himself—
Naruto Uzumaki stood tall, ready and willing to face it all.
For his family. For the people who believed in him.
Come what may.
A/N: Aaaaand scene~!
Would you like weekly updates? Do let me know! I've finally cleared out some space. TWO slots remain.
Well? Whaddya think? Should this continue? Should it be a story? I await your feedback. As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story...well...I'll not be able to continue it. With two jobs and rent to pay, my free time is...at an all time low. I can't afford to write stories that no one enjoys. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
Here, have some juicy previews.
Well, future ones at least.
Potential ones, too..
(Preview(s)
All for One leaned back in his chair with...dare he say a frown?
He'd not anticipated this. No, not at all.
Perhaps it was time he intervened.
A fist slammed into his face. He didn't budge.
...is that all you've got? Alright. Guess its my turn."
His fist cracked out in an open-palm strike...and his foe flew into a building.
"Aiiiieeee! She's precious! We're taking her with us, right? No way we're leaving her here!"
The child she'd inadvertently saved laughed and clapped their hands. "Giant mommy!"
Mount Lady balked. "Eh?!"
The she saw him. HIM. Her heart leaped into her throat.
"Wait, wait, wait! I wasn't trying to start anything! Honest!"
Naruto slapped his forehead. "Here we go again...
...good job, Izuku. Why don't you go play with Fuyumi for a bit?"
"M'kay!"
"You're good with him...
"Go on, then." they smiled at him as he dragged himself upright. "Pretend to be everything you are not. Teacher. Husband. Father. You cannot change. "I see the real you, the beast inside." that soulless smile became a mad grin now as they stabbed a finger his way. "You act all high and mighty, but you're not! You're just an animal. Passing on your cruelty and rage. You will never change. You will always be a monster.
...then you don't know me."
"I know enough. You weaken yourself with this "family" of yours.
"And who are you to say that? Everything I do, I do for my family. For those I swore to protect."
Dusting himself off, he whirled.
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Congrats! Thanks for taking the time to read this!
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story...well...I'll not be able to continue it. With two jobs and rent to pay, my free time is...at an all time low. I can't afford to write stories that no one enjoys. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback, big or small, matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
~Nz.
R ~!