Alright, here's chapter 26 people, and am I glad to see this come through. Enjoy it.
Shoutout to LuciusWalker for beta work on this doc
Jedi Temple
The morning after the assassination attempt on Senator Amidala was prevented and Zam Wessel ended up dead, security had been put on high alert. With only one assassin exposed, a few others were still in the open.
For this, the Jedi Council had assembled once again and summoned not only Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker but also the presence of Naruto Uzumaki who acted as additional help in this ordeal.
"Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi-Wan," Yoda spoke to the Jedi master. "Two, there are."
"Yes, the autopsy report of this assassin states both the poison dart and the sniper blast came from two different directions," Windu added, having memorized the report. "If the poison did not kill her, the second shot certainly did."
"You think there was more to this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"That we cannot conclude for now. However, one of the snipers was seen fleeing on a speeder bike to the Coruscant Underground," Plo Koon reported, "meaning that he or she may still be here."
"This will be a dead trail if not handled quickly," Obi-Wan concluded. "Who shall go down there to track this person down?"
"I'll go."
The Council and duo of Jedi turned to Naruto. Who was not finished talking.
Crossing his arms, Naruto continued. "I have a feeling I know who it is, but I can only ask. Depends on if the person is willing to talk."
"If you know who the second shooter is, why not inform the Underground Police?" Ki Adi Mundi then suggested.
Naruto shook his head. "Because where that person is hiding is the last place the cops will go."
"Which is?"
"Level 1313."
The mention of that level got the Jedi Council murmuring amongst themselves. It was universally known that the lower the level of Coruscant, the more dangerous it was. Get low enough, and even Jedi were hesitant to poke their heads in there.
"I'll go down there with young Uzumaki," Plo Koon volunteered, causing some to give him some looks. "If we are going to confront this assassin, it may be a good idea for someone to tag along as backup."
"Team of two, yes. No more," Naruto agreed. "And we'll do it on my terms, Master Plo."
Plo Koon agreed. "Of course."
"As for the Bounty Hunter, Master Kenobi will still need to proceed to find him." Windu reminded, "We need answers."
"What about Senator Amidala?" Obi-Wan raised his concerns, "She will still need protecting."
"Handle that, your Padawan will," Yoda answered.
Anakin looked visibly startled at this important responsibility. Granted, he did his best to conceal this surprise and stood a little taller in attention.
"Anakin, escort the senator back to her home planet of Naboo," Windu instructed. "She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport – travel as refugees."
"She'll need some convincing, pardon me," Naruto interjected. "This vote of mobilization isn't something she'll retreat for, even when in danger."
"Agreed, we are. Strong, Senator Amidala's willingness is," Yoda nodded in agreement with the blond. "Mind staying on Coruscant, will you? Discuss we need much."
Naruto reacted by bowing his head. "As you wish."
"This meeting is adjourned," Windu declared. "May the Force be with us."
…
Naruto Uzumaki walked through the hallways of the Jedi Temple with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, who were escorting him to the landing area where the ships were.
"I'll go meet a friend of mine," Obi-Wan spoke while staring at the poison dart he was holding. "Dex might know something about this."
Naruto looked at him in surprise. "Dex? As in Dex's Diner?"
"Yes, him," Obi-Wan answered, growing curious, "You know him?"
"Do I? He's a friend of mine. Helped many of my guys when they escaped slavery," Naruto replied. "Good guy, but the food? …Meh."
Obi-Wan took offense to that as he crossed his arms. "And what's wrong with his food, if I might ask?"
"Well…"
"Uzumaki!"
The three turned to see that Master Plo Koon was waiting with two prepared speeder bikes, where he would join him to the Underground.
"We'll talk about Dex's food some other time," Naruto waved off with a chuckle as he left the two to join the Jedi Master. "Be careful."
The Master and Padawan watched as the blond Uzumaki went along with Plo Koon and left the hangar, leaving as they were being eyed by not only the duo but also some of the mechanics and security staff who were eyeing the famous commander of the renowned militia group.
"I have a bad feeling, Anakin," Obi-Wan told his apprentice while stroking his beard. "A feeling I cannot explain…"
"Is it because he was acquainted with the assassin or that he questioned your friend's cooking skills?" Anakin asked, with a dry chuckle before he left. "I'll see you soon. I'm going to the Chancellor."
Obi-Wan gave a glance at his padawan before he shook his head, choosing to get to his transportation.
Coruscant Underground
Naruto drummed his fingers on his speeder bike. It certainly took a while to get to the lower levels of this overpopulated planet. It certainly didn't help that things looked quite duller as time went on, with the sunlight growing dimmer and the urban settings looking filthier. After what seemed like an eternity, they made it to their destination and slowed down onto the street.
Plo Koon parked his bike first, with the Mandalorian following suit.
"Welcome to Level 1313, Uzumaki."
"Welcome" wouldn't be the word Naruto would've used. This level was just one of many where the law ceased to exist, with this place becoming its separate world. Rundown buildings, burning open crates, and working girls scattered throughout the streets, the only light source came from the barely functioning streetlamps, most of which had been harvested by the locals. The stench and sanitation were also abysmal – the smell of rotten garbage and gas made Naruto crinkle his nose even through his helmet's filters.
Plo Koon turned to Naruto, and even with his helmet on, he saw no visible reaction to this dreary environment.
"You seem so unimpressed, young Uzumaki," Plo noted. "Why so, if I might ask?"
Naruto just glanced around before turning to the Kel Dor Jedi.
"You live in a shithole long enough, and it's all either the same or some are slightly better. Trust me when I say that this is preferable to that god-forsaken mine."
His voice grew choked, heavy with emotions as he chose not to speak of it anymore.
"My apologies for bringing up such unwanted memories, Uzumaki."
"Don't be. Those memories never go away. They'll stick with you no matter how far down the bottle you go," Naruto shook his head. "Still, I appreciate it."
Plo Koon nodded back but then stiffened.
Out of the shadowy corners, several armed men came out from all sides, armed with weapons varying from slugthrowers to blasters. They all wore masks or otherwise concealed their faces with rags and hoods.
The area grew deadly quiet as the locals had already scattered like flies.
One of the men raised a pistol, aimed at the Kel Dor's head. The Jedi's body and face twitched as he calmly asked, "Friends of yours?"
Naruto raised a hand, causing them to lower their arms, save for the one still aiming his weapon at the Jedi.
"He's with me. Stand down."
The man nodded as he holstered his gun. He gestured in a direction with his head before he and the others began to walk.
"Leave the speeder bikes here, the men will look after them," Naruto said as he got off the speeder, proceeding to follow the man. "We're going to meet with someone."
Plo Koon took the young man's advice and complied by getting out of his vehicle and joining the blond with the armed individuals only staring at the two visitors. They watched them enter the block.
As Naruto walked through the streets, he noticed the sheer number of eyes gazing at not just him, but at the Jedi at his side. The many stares and glares came from the windows, a few lookouts, the rooftops, and even from the shadows.
"We're walking into a lion's den, Naruto."
'I know. They're also Ölüm.'
"They're weary of your company, Naruto. I highly doubt that he's the one very welcome."
'I am honestly surprised she decided to set up base here.'
"Right underneath their noses. A bold strategy."
A masked individual stopped right in front of an open establishment, opening the door for the two visitors.
"She's in there."
Naruto glanced at Plo Koon and both nodded, both then entered the establishment as the man closed the door behind them. Unsurprisingly, the establishment happened to be a bar. A hive of the wretched and the villainous, it was full of customers who were all undoubtedly armed to the teeth – the only thing keeping the tense peace within the establishment.
"Follow me to the back room," their escort told them while leading. "She's waiting for you there."
Naruto and Plo Koon continued to walk through the bar, ignoring the many curious looks they'd gathered. This included one that belonged to a Kyuzo bounty hunter and his Anooba companion.
…
The backroom was heavy with smoke. The second the three walked in, the scent of spices, herbals, and even some of the more forbidden narcotics invaded their senses as the three made their way through the hallway.
"AH~"
Walking past a room, one of the Ölüm fights was getting a "surprise" from a Zabrak woman. The trio pretended not to notice – it was none of their business what people did in their free time, after all.
"She's here."
Opening a door, Naruto and Plo walked through and sat at a large round table. Heavy boots moved out of the way, revealing a familiar face under her cloak.
Naruto couldn't help but smile.
"Good to see you too, Tayuya."
Meanwhile
Several dozen levels above, another establishment – one more legitimate, was getting a visit from Obi-Wan, who just happened to enter the place before getting spotted by the droid waitress.
"Someone to see you, honey!" the WA-7 Waitress Droid named 'Flo' shouted out to the kitchen, "Jedi, by the looks of it."
In the kitchen, a large Besalisk cook turned around to see who it was and was surprised to see an old friend of his.
"Obi-Wan!"
Obi-Wan smiled at seeing his large friend and greeted him in turn.
"Hello, Dex."
"Take a seat, I'll be right with ya," Dex said, waving to his waitress droid to go back to work. He began walking over.
Obi-Wan went to take a seat and was able to find an empty spot next to one of the windows. Waiting for his friend to sit down, the Jedi did happen to glance outside the window, spotting something.
A group of men standing next to speeder bikes, mainly humans, all wearing disguises and in the dark corner of the street. The same people he had spotted while chasing the bounty hunter Zam guessed that they had been following him for a good while most likely since he left the Jedi Temple.
"Want a cup of Jawa juice?"
Obi-Wan heard the droid waitress ask and responded, "Oh yes, thank you."
He then turned back to the window. Only to see the group had disappeared.
"Hey! Old buddy!"
Turning back, Obi-Wan stood up and opened his arms for Dex to embrace him in a hug, which the large alien did while also pulling his pants back up with one of his lower arms.
"So my friend," Dex said while both went to sit down. "What can I do for ya?"
"You can tell me what this is," Obi-Wan said before putting the poison dart on the table between them, with Dex's eyes widening, clearly surprised.
"Wow, whattaya know…" Dex said while picking up the dart delicately between his large fingers and taking a closer look at it. "I ain't seen one of these since I was prospecting on Subterrel beyond the Outer Rim."
"Do you know where it came from?" Obi-Wan asked while being served two cups of Jawa Juice by the droid, whom he thanked. "Thank you,"
"This baby belongs to them cloners. What you got here is a Kamino Saberdart." Dex explained upon recognizing the dart that he placed back on the table.
"I wonder why it didn't show up in the analyses archive," Obi-Wan asked.
"It's these funny little cuts on the side that give it away…" Dex pointed out to the sides of the darts, scratched out. "Those analysis droids you've got over there only focus on symbols, you know. I think you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom."
"Well, Dex, if droids could think, we wouldn't be here, would we?" Obi-Wan joked with his friend before taking a closer look at the dart, "Kamino... doesn't sound familiar. Is it part of the Republic?"
"No, it's beyond the Outer Rim. I'd say about twelve parsecs outside the Rishi Maze, toward the south," Dex recalled from his memory, even joking, "It should be easy to find, even for those droids in your archive to find. Like those secret Shinobi and Terrans lately, that was a surprise to find out."
"Of which even us Jedi weren't fully aware, my dear friend."
"Oh I believe you, I don't doubt that," Dex said before getting back to the topic. "Those Kaminoans keep to themselves. They're cloners. Damned good ones, too."
Obi-Wan nodded and asked, "Cloners? Are they friendly?"
"It depends."
"On what, Dex?"
Dex grins, "On how good your manners are...and how big your pocketbook is…"
*Crack!*
Outside a loud sound could be heard that caused both the Jedi and bar owner to turn and see what it was, noticing a biker just getting thrown to the side by that same group that had been tailing Obi-Wan lately, seeing they were roughing up the man before dispersing when the first sign of authorities was present.
"Those Terran boys, a bit of a nuisance lately." Dex sighed at the sight. "I guess that is still preferable over those Shinobi I've been seen snooping around."
Obi-Wan turned to his friend and then decided to ask.
"Dex, I need to ask more."
"About what, my friend?"
"These Shinobi and Terrans – how much of a presence are they on Coruscant lately?"
Dex couldn't help but release a chuckle at that and responded.
"You Jedi are spending too much time in that temple of yours, aren't ya? Well, I'll explain."
Underground
A Jedi Master, two guerilla freedom fighters, and a guard were in the backroom of a bar, having a round of food and drinks.
Most of the food and drinks were left untouched, save by Plo Koon, who politely accepted the meal while quietly observing the silent, cold standoff between the two young warriors. One could cut the tension in the air with a vibroblade, and he couldn't help but wonder if his lightsaber was going to be needed soon.
Finally, Naruto cleared his throat.
"So, how's life going for–"
"Cut the crap, Whiskers. I know why you're here, so let's get to the fucking point," Tayuya snorted as she crossed her arms. "So be honest with me: Why are you here, and why'd you bring a Jedi?"
Plo-Koon tried, "Now hold on, let us–"
"Heard about that explosion of that escort a while back? That was Senator Amidala's entourage that got killed," Naruto responded coldly to his redheaded friend, giving her a cold glare. "And another attempt on her life was just avoided last night."
Tayuya scoffed at the blond. "And why are you coming to me for this?"
"Because you're the one who put a blaster shot into the assailant's head, that's why," Naruto responded, clearly accusing her of something. "And that assailant happened to be Zam. Remember her?"
"I know of Amidala and I knew Zam, yeah," Tayuya emphasized the latter. "She had it coming to her. Taking a hit like that's gonna put me or the other commanders in the spotlight."
"So you do know something," Naruto picked up.
"I knew? Bitch, please, everyone knew," Tayuya huffed. "Come on, shithead. Every two-bit criminal on Coruscant knew of the bounty; take out Senator Amidala before she could voice her opposition to the military bill so that you could be set for life."
"Yet only Zam took the contract," Naruto asked. "Why?"
"Fuck if I know," Tayuya shrugged. "I tried telling the bitch to not do it but she insisted. Maybe she was desperate for work, or maybe she wanted to make a name for herself. Either way, I liked that Amidala girl, so I made her keep her cute ass alive."
"By that, you mean-"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm the other one that popped one in Zam's head."
Naruto and Plo Koon blinked at her blunt honesty. Tayuya sat back in her chair and glared at the two, especially at Naruto.
"...So it was you that killed Zam," Naruto slowly said.
"If you're going to bitch about it, don't forget that we did try to warn her. We did so many times," Tayuya said as she held out four fingers. "Four times, to be exact. Three of them over holocall and once in person, but she still wanted those credits – and whatever else that Tyranus fuck was offering."
"Tyranus?" Plo-Koon butted in, asking, "Who is that?"
"Zam's contractor supposedly, from what I could dig up," Tayuya explained, before turning back to Naruto. "Days before the bombing, we tapped into Zam's comms and heard her speaking with this strange guy who wore a cloak over his head calling himself Lord Tyranus, having even offered double if she could bring back that senator's head."
Plo asked. "Any evidence to back it up?"
"Sure," Tayuya said, pulling up a comm pad, shoving it into the middle, pressing a button, and starting the recorded conversation.
["So that's the amount? Sounds kind of high if you ask me for a senator."]
["Is that a problem? If so, I can find someone else to do the deed."]
It was only an audio recording, but Naruto was able to recognize that it was indeed Zam who decided to accept the contract. The second voice, however, was unrecognizable.
Naruto didn't show it, but his heart sank when he realized that one of his mentors was involved in a conspiracy against the life of a senator and a decent one too. Legally, there wasn't much he could do now, especially now that a Jedi Master had heard this too first hand.
And it only got worse.
["No no, not backing out. Just gotta point out how out of the ordinary this job is. I can pull it off, no worries."]
["Splendid. I have also informed Jango Fett of this job. You will be rewarded a handsome amount of credit if Senator Amidala does not make it to the Senate alive. More so if you can bring me her head. And speaking of, the senator is due to arrive on Coruscant to voice her opposition. Good luck to you both."]
And that's where the transmission ended, leaving the room in deadly silence.
"I shall take this evidence to the Council," Plo Koon finally said as he took the recording device, placing it into his cloak. "I assure you, this will only be shared within a small circle."
The Kel Dor looked between the two youngsters, who were locked in a stare-off.
"Mr. Jedi."
"Yes?"
"Mind leaving us?" Tayuya asked quietly. "Shithead and I got some personal business we'd like to settle."
Plo Koon's eye narrowed at this request and turned to the blond young man, who nodded to him in confirmation.
"No need to worry, I'll be at the Jedi Temple once I'm done here," Naruto reassured him. "I'll see you there."
Hearing that, the Jedi nodded and stood up to take his leave as the room with the door opened up. Before he left through the door, he paused to look back at the duo once more, before shaking his head. Whatever business they had going on belonged to the two of them.
Meanwhile
An AA-9 Freighter-Liner traveled through hyperspace, its first stop being Naboo. The ship was being used to aid in the Refugee Relief Movement, where thousands of people have fled war, poverty, famine, or other disasters that caused them to flee their previous lives to start a new one.
In a line of people waiting for their grub, R2D2 was ahead of the line of immigrants and refugees, waiting for the kitchen staff with empty bowls for the mush.
"Hey, you! No droids!" the service droid told off the astromech. "Get out of here!"
R2 gave a negative sound back to the droid before leaving the line and going through the big room where refugees were seen either eating or sleeping, with him going past them to get to the small box where Anakin and Padme were eating with their disguises on.
"No go, R2?" Padme chuckled. "No worries, thank you anyways." She turned back to Anakin, who looked a little disappointed at the lack of food. "Must be quite difficult, having sworn your life to the Jedi. Not being able to visit or do the places or things you like."
"Or to be with the people that I love," Anakin let out a bittersweet smile. "Like my mother."
"...How is your mother?" Padme asked gently.
Anakin gave her a sad smile. "She's sick, and I don't know if she's going to get better anytime soon."
He looked down at his feet for a moment before looking back at the senator. "I try to talk to her whenever I have time, but I still can't help but worry for her."
"I see…" Padme sounded, then asked, "Is C-3PO still working there?"
"Yes, he is." This caused a small chuckle to escape from Anakin's lips. "I can hear him trying to talk to me every time I speak with my mother before Owen would drag him away to work back in the field."
The mention of the protocol droid caused them to let out a laugh. The three of them huddled together, content with each other's presence.
They were blissfully unaware of their cloaked follower, who quietly observed the Jedi and the senator, a blaster hanging from their belt.
Coruscant
In one of the many warehouses of the underworld, a pair of speeder bikes landed next to one. Tayuya and Naruto hopped off their bikes before they even fully shut off.
"Here it is."
"Oh wow…"
What was waiting for the blond was an Kom'rk-class Mandalorian fighter covered in black, orange, and red paint. One that looked brand new.
"Courtesy of the Nite Owls. Told me to give it to you," Tayuya said to him as she presented the ship looked after. "Treat her right, and she'll treat you good."
Naruto approached the ship and examined it, seeing it was indeed brand new with no rust or even blaster marks visible on it, but what was eye-catching to him was the mark that was painted for public display on the side of the ship:
The whirlpool symbol of the Uzumaki Clan.
'I like the colors, can't deny that.'
'Yeah…Funny you're the one who said it first.'
'What can I say – I've grown to like the orange and red.'
"If you're done daydreaming, I suggest we go visit one more place," Tayuya suggested to him with a shit-eating grin. "It's just around the block."
Naruto raised his eyebrow at this but agreed to follow the redhead. He noted how the man who locked and stood guard of the warehouse nodded at Tayuya as they left.
The walk didn't take long, as they only went around a couple of corners. They passed through open restaurants and bars. Some of the customers noticed the duo, and some waved at them. A few of the women even eyed the blond.
The two eventually walked down some stairs in an alleyway. Down there, they were greeted by a man sitting next to a metal door. Naruto recognized the hidden rifle as a slugthrower instead of your conventional blaster.
"Who goes there?"
"Me, who else?" Tayuya snorted to the guard. "Now open the door."
The guard nodded and pressed the button behind him, opening the door and allowing the two to enter.
Naruto took a glance back at the weapon's barrel, noting how it looked like a weapon he once used.
Driving through the Texan port town of Hurriya were a couple of trucks that belonged to the local National Guard units, as well as several volunteers who drove behind them on jeeps and commandeered speeder bikes. On them were armed men who were driving through the ravished settlement.
"We're here, everyone out!"
The first men jumping out of the trucks were the regular National Guard units with the volunteers and local militia, but also outsiders like Mutani the Tusken, followed by Naruto.
Out of all of the volunteers, those two stood out the most. Naruto held the look of a rugged warrior, with features some people jokingly described as "Aryan." Mutani, as usual, wore his traditional Tusken Raider outfit, along with his necklace which he refused to let anybody touch. Naruto was dressed in the same outfit he came with from Keelia.
"Uzumak, Mutani, follow us," one of the older Urzik American militia ordered. "Tarik is at city hall waiting for our arrival."
"Okay, but what about Jango?" Naruto asked, his large bag on his back and his blade still in his hands.
"Contact him when you can, but our Air Force is taking out anything not friendly. The enemy has advanced passed Bay City and are making their way here now."
Just then, the armed arrivals crossed paths with the thousands of refugees who've poured into the center of the town. Most of them were civilians who fled from their hometowns and were now either under the control of Zygerrian forces or were being fought over.
There were a few noticeable yellow buses that Naruto was told belonged to schools that once served to transport students to their places of education, reminding the young blond of his days in the academy.
"We're going to take a shortcut through the high school – we'll get to the city hall quicker that way."
Hearing that, the volunteers made their way there as they began going to the main entrance of the school which was mostly undamaged.
Upon entering the building the armed men were met with hundreds of people hiding or hanging around inside while waiting for their evacuation up north to the city called Houston. They were met with the stares of mainly teenagers and faculty members of the school, alongside the parents of the students who began shielding their children the moment they spotted the armed men enter.
"Excuse me, this is a school!" a blonde woman with glasses said, addressing the armed group's leader. "You cannot pass through here with weapons!"
The group stopped right in the middle of a hallway where Naruto and Mutani were standing just mere meters away from the students on the sidelines. Some spotted the blond and began to whisper.
"We need to go through the school to get to the city hall, ma'am," the militia's leader said calmly. "Now let us through and we'll leave the premises immediately."
As Naruto watched his temporary commander try to talk down the teacher, he couldn't help but overhear the whispers of the students and parents making comments about him specifically.
"Is that a child?"
"Why is he with these men?"
"He looks kinda hot."
Naruto let out a sigh, choosing to block out these remarks, they were just curious afterall–
"Hey, look at that freak."
Naruto sighed as a punk in a purple and white sports jacket spoke up. A large buffoon with tousled blond hair decided to step up to Mutani, accompanied by two friends of his who wore identical purple jackets. One of them was a blond with curls and the other a young man with ebony skin. They were "jocks" if he understood the term correctly, as Tarik once told him, athletes who were often arrogant popular kids that liked to pick on people.
Near them was a dark-skinned girl with silver-white hair wearing a purple and gold cheerleader outfit, with the top cut short to show off her midriff and the undersides of her breasts. Her purple lips and eyeliner matched her outfit.
Unlike the jocks, however, she kept her distance from the militia, trembling at the sight of their looming forms and guns.
"Brandon, maybe–"
"Check this out, Jessica," the blond buffoon smirked, trying to reach for the head coverings of Mutani. "Must be some kind of freak from out of space–"
But before he could grab Mutani's shrouds, a hand seized the jock's arm, causing Brandon to turn towards Naruto, who, despite being short than him, was holding his arm with a firm grip that surprised some around them.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Naruto glared at him from under his hood. "Touching a Tusken's shroud is considered a death wish."
"Like I'll listen to you–"
*SLAM!*
"URK!" In a blur, the young man named Brandon found himself struggling to breathe as Naruto seized him by his neck, pushing him up against the lockers.
"Hey stop!"
"Stop!"
Naruto ignored the cries, gasps, and protests as he tightened his grip on Brandon's neck. Brandon let out pitiful gurgling noises as he tried to kick and punch his way to freedom, but his blows did nothing against Naruto's beskar armor.
"Stand down, Naruto!"
Everyone turned to see Tarik Karim enter the scene, wearing combat boots, camouflage trousers, and body armor. Jango, of all people, followed behind him.
"That's an order, kid. Now!"
Naruto turned towards his old commander, releasing the jock immediately. Naruto moved to salute his commander when–
"Fuck you!"
*CRACK!*
"AHHH, FUCK!"
Brandon had tried to sucker punch Naruto. The young warrior swiftly retaliated, Brandon dropped to his knees, holding his good arm in pain. His two jock friends swiftly moved to help him up.
"Brandon!"
"He broke it!"
"I twisted it, there's a difference," Naruto sighed. "Try that again, and I WILL break it for real, and the other arm too for good measure."
"Young man!" a teacher stomped up to Naruto and pointed her finger at him. "Give me your name and information. You're in big trouble!"
Naruto couldn't help but sneak a look at the teacher. A blonde with a large bust that hugged at her shirt with a skirt and black heels…
"Uzumaki Naruto, ma'am," Naruto replied to her in a cold tone. "And don't blame me, it was self-defense."
"Violence against students is never acceptable," the teacher sternly scolded. "What are the names of your parents? I'm sure they'll be very disappointed in you."
"They're dead."
This blunt, hollow answer earned him some gasps and stunned looks, including the teacher herself.
"They died saving my life before I could even walk. Now, if you excuse me, my commander needs me." Having enough of this, Naruto brushed past her without another thought, heading towards Tarik and Jango. "We're ready. Sorry for the wait."
"Jango told me just you and Mutani arrived here?"
"For now, I guess. Just the two of us." Naruto pointed his thumb to the Tusken comrade. "We're ready."
"You can still turn back, kid. This is war…"
"I'm not turning my back on my comrades," Naruto told him. "You know that, Tarik."
"...No use convincing you otherwise," Tarik sighed, handing over a weapon. "Here, use this."
Handed over a machine gun with a drum magazine, Naruto got also the ammo thrown at him that he caught in midair, getting already protests from those watching a kid being handed a rifle.
Loud bangs interrupted the conversation as Jango tapped into the coms and shouted, "Zygerrian air assault!"
The explosions rocked the school, earning them a round of screams. They seemed to be growing closer and closer, until–
*BANG!*
"Hey, wake up!"
Naruto's daydream was interrupted by Tayuya as they entered a large area filled with loud explosions coming from one particular part of it.
There was an improvised shooting range in this large, abandoned warehouse. Over a dozen people with a variation of firearms were seen being used on targets. There was also a small bar and trading hub where hundreds of people were congregating, many of whom Naruto recognized having one connection: They were survivors of Ölüm, many of them were humans, some Terrans, and even a few faces like Chewie and Zeb who were seen working on their weapons until they both spotted the blond at the entrance.
"Well look who it is!" Zeb laughed as he stood up and approached him while shouting, "Hey everyone! It's Naruto!"
Dozens of people quickly swarmed the blond in a circle, bombarding him with many greetings and welcomes.
"Hey, kid."
"Good to see you breathing, Naruto."
"You looking good."
Shaking hands and tapping fists, Naruto got a big hug from the Wookie who held him up high and showed his affection to his friend everyone laughed at the scene, knowing the two were good friends and it was a breathtaking scene to behold.
"Good to see you, kid," Zeb said shaking Naruto's shoulder roughly. "If Hera was here, she'd be hugging you on the spot."
"She isn't?" Naruto asked. "Where is she?"
"Visiting Tarik, of course," Zeb said while leading Naruto through the crowd, explaining, "She is seeing him and the other commanders who are still under house arrest."
As the two were making their way through the crowd. They got close to the shooting range where two individuals were having a little competition.
*TRTRTRTRTRTRTR!*
*PEW!* *PEW!* *PEW!* *PEW!*
Naruto turned to the shooting range, where he turned to see the sight of a modified Z-6 rotary cannon blaster and a pair of WESTAR-35 blaster pistols firing at their respective targets. Ah, looks like target practice was over.
The mentor/student duo spoke something to one another before the older woman let out a boisterous laugh.
"Getting better, Wren," Rahab clapped her student's back. She laid down her heavy weapon onto a nearby table, before removing her helmet, allowing her short, brown hair to flow freely. "Good to see you getting better, squirt."
Sabine followed Rahab's example, leaving her weapons onto the table before taking off her helmet, showing off her new hairstyle. Her hair was dyed in lighter, dark-blue with light blue tips, a quiet change from a year ago.
"Well, I need to do better if I ever want to surpass Bo-Katan."
"Sabine!"
Hearing her name, Sabine turned around to see that it was Naruto standing there, a warm smile on his face.
"Took you long enough to get here. I heard you paid a visit to the Jedi Temple."
"Well, yeah, they wanted to talk to me," Naruto replied sheepishly to his approaching girlfriend. "It was just a–"
*MWAH!*
The warehouse was filled with catcalls and whistles as Sabine leaped onto Naruto's arms, slamming her lips onto his.
"Heh, you go girl. Claim your man!" Rahab laughed while crossing her arms underneath her chest.
Sabine's lips finally broke apart from Naruto's as she gasped for breath. "You said something about the Jedi?"
"That can wait," Naruto growled as he recaptured her lips. This earned them another round of catcalls and whistles in the background.
"Naruto-kun…"
Hiding around the corner of an alleyway near the Ölüm hideout, a robed woman observed the warehouse quietly. Hinata turned away, having seen enough.
So downtrodden, she failed to notice that there was another person who had her eyes on the same target. It was another woman, older than the lavender-eyed girl, and was also familiar with the target of interest, having encountered him before.
"We'll be meeting again soon, Uzumaki…be sure of that."
The mysterious woman disappeared into the crowds of Coruscant's busy streets, her crimson outfit and black-heeled boots disappearing into the blend of diverse colors.
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