Here's another one! Got caught up in two festival so one of us couldn't write.
Disclaimer: We do not own any Franchise. We just love being imaginative.
Chapter - 23
The room was tucked away like a whispered secret at the end of a long, polished corridor on the Belobog Administrative Building's highest floor. No nameplate graced its door, yet everyone within the building knew it was a place of consequence, reserved for someone of immense significance. Inside, bathed in the muted afternoon light filtering through the panoramic window overlooking the Great Cleft, sat a young woman who looked barely old enough to navigate the city streets alone. Vibrant blond hair cascaded past her shoulders, framing a face currently etched with a fierce concentration.
Her brow furrowed as she meticulously reviewed the document before her, each line and figure seemingly weighing heavily on her young shoulders. Opposite her stood a man, middle-aged, his face slick with perspiration. His posture was rigid, motionless as a statue, all attention fixed upon the girl's expression. The paper clutched in her hand was evidently a matter of grave import. He dared not even shift his weight as the silence in the room stretched taut, broken only by the soft rustle of paper and the gentle scratching of her pen.
Suddenly, the hushed atmosphere shattered. The door, which hadn't been opened once since she'd taken occupancy, swung inwards with unexpected force. Standing in the doorway were two men, their faces flushed and agitated. They were older, their hair greying at the temples, and their tailored coats spoke of wealth and power. They were figures well-known in the city, heads of prominent government departments.
The young girl didn't startle, didn't even flinch. She calmly placed her pen down, her sharp violet eyes, visible above the high collar of her dress, fixing on the intruders. "Hmm…" she began, her voice surprisingly composed and steady for someone of her age. Then, with a practiced motion, she reached for a delicate, sheer veil resting beside her documents and draped it over the lower half of her face, obscuring her mouth and chin. It was a formality, a vestige of old customs. Only the highest of authority in Belobog knew exactly who she was, the veil offered a layer of separation, a symbol of the office she now held when unexpected eyes, like these, intruded.
"I hope the two of you can explain this sudden, and quite frankly, disruptive visit?" she asked, her tone laced with a polite coolness that belied the steel in her gaze.
The elder of the two men, his face a mask of barely contained irritation, stepped forward. He was easily identified as the Head of Horticulture, his florid complexion a stark contrast to the other man's pale, drawn features. "Don't patronize us, girl," he snapped, his voice gratingly harsh. "We know what you're doing. I believe the documents you're so meticulously pouring over are the evidence to be presented to the Architects?"
The second man, the Head of Transportation, chimed in, his voice smoother, but no less demanding. "If so, hand them over to us. Such an important matter shouldn't be handled by… a girl barely of age. We will ensure it is dealt with properly."
The girl in the veil finally looked up from the folder, her pen having paused its scratching moments before. She had finished what was needed, the final strokes sealing the fate of someone, or perhaps many. She closed the folder, its leather cover smooth and cool beneath her fingers, and with a flick of her wrist, handed it to the peon. "Ensure this reaches the Architects with utmost haste," she instructed, her voice firm but low. The peon bowed his head deeply and clutched the folder as if it were a lifeline, backing away towards the door with a newfound urgency.
Turning her attention back to the officials, her veiled eyes narrowed slightly. "Head of Horticulture and Transportation, I do wonder," she began, her tone dangerously soft, "Do the both of you perhaps might have also colluded with these…othercorrupted officials?" Her words hung in the air, sharp and accusatory.
Before they could sputter a response, she continued, her voice taking on a mocking edge, "I apologize, for my choice of words, of course. But aren't the two of you supposed to be attending to the… grief? The profound loss? Of the many who fought and… perished… on the battlefield of Frostweave Hill?" She knew their grief was as hollow as their promises to serve the city. They cared for the soldiers, the personnel, the great figures, only insofar as their deaths impacted their own agendas, their own pockets.
The memory of the chilling betrayal, the icy fear that had gripped her that day, flickered at the edge of her mind. When the Architects of Belobog, those enigmatic guardians of the city, had been away on an outskirt observation mission, the officials and nobles, those very men in positions of power, had seen an opportunity. They had moved against her, attempted to extinguish her before she could even truly begin. Only the swift intervention of her friend Serval and a heroic Naruto, her steadfast new companions, had saved her. They had pulled her from the jaws of that orchestrated chaos and delivered her to the Architects' sanctuary. She wouldn't be here, in this room, in this position, if not for them. And she would not forget it, nor forgive those who had sought to harm her.
"Such insolence!" The Head of Horticulture roared, his face turning an alarming shade of purple.
"Enough of your accusations! You, girl, hand those documents over, now!" The Head of Transportation, though less outwardly volatile, was equally enraged. Both men were visibly flustered, their carefully constructed composure cracking, revealing the panic simmering beneath. They wanted that folder. They needed it. And the fact that the peon was now making his way out of the room, folder in hand, heading directly to the Architects, according to the file movement chart displayed on the girl's desk moments ago, only amplified their desperation.
"I would very much insist the both of you leave," the girl stated, rising to her feet. She was still small, still young, but as she stood before them, her posture was ramrod straight, emanating an unexpected aura of command. Her demeanor was calm, almost serene, yet the air around her seemed to thicken, to chill. The room, moments ago filled with heated tension, now felt frigidly cold.
"Hmph!" The Head of Horticulture, in a fit of pique, snapped his fingers. Instantly, as if materializing from the very shadows that clung to the corners of the room, five figures emerged. They were clad in stark black garb, their faces obscured by hoods, their movements fluid and predatory. Individuals hired for silencing obstacles, for rendering inconvenient truths… silent.
"Hold on, why are there only five of you!?" the Head of Transportation hissed in a furious whisper, his eyes darting around as if expecting more. The black-clad figures themselves exchanged confused glances, a silent question passing between them. Where was the rest of their contingent?
"So, silencing me now? Within the administrative building? Despite the Architects' presence in the city? How… bold," the young girl murmured, a faint amusement lacing her tone. She was far from intimidated.
"The five of them will do," the Head of Horticulture hissed, dismissing the missing reinforcements. Five highly trained assassins were more than enough, especially considering their target. A girl, alone, with nothing but a trembling social worker by her side struck with fear but ready. "Get her!" he commanded, his voice cracking with desperation.
"…" The men in black moved, not with a clumsy rush, but with practiced precision, their movements a lethal ballet of intent. They were there to capture her, or, more likely, to end her threat permanently, right here in this room.
"Honestly," the girl in the veil said softly, almost to herself, as she raised a hand, palm open, towards the approaching assassins. "I have changed since then." In the center of her outstretched palm, ice coalesced, shimmering into the delicate, intricate shape of a snowflake. Then, with a sudden rush of frigid air, icicles erupted around her, pointing outwards like a deadly crystalline array, aimed directly at the advancing assassins.
The office air filled with the hiss of displaced air as the icicles streaked outwards. The Silencers, trained for far more lethal projectiles than ice, reacted instinctively. They twisted, flipped, and drew their short, blackened blades, deflecting the icy shards with practiced ease.
"Is that all?" The girl's voice dripped with disappointment, even as she effortlessly blocked the retaliatory strikes from the assassins who had closed the distance. Icicles sprung forth in a constant, defensive ballet, forming shields around her and the trembling figure huddled behind her – a young man clutching a worn leather satchel, the 'peon' they had so derisively dismissed.
One of the old men eyes widened, a flicker of understanding dawning within their rheumy depths. "I see… You've awakened powers too." His hostility sharpened, laced with a hint of fear now. "But I heard it takes a toll on newly awakened Path-striders. So, I believe sooner or later you would…!"
He trailed off mid-sentence, a strangled gasp escaping his lips. He glanced down, his eyes widening in disbelief. Ice, crystalline and unforgiving, was creeping up his legs, encasing him like a macabre statue. He looked around in panicked confusion. The officials, and even the seemingly unfazed assassins, were suffering the same fate. A silent, glacial tide was rising from the floor, swallowing them whole.
Realization dawned. The girl had been playing them from the start. Subtly, almost imperceptibly, she must have been chilling the room, lowering the temperature, laying the groundwork. Then, with her outburst of power, she had amplified the cold, turning the very air against them, freezing them in place from the feet upwards with shocking speed.
"Ice, huh?" A voice, low and gritty, sliced through the frigid air. A figure stepped out of the shadows near the far wall, where a large oil painting hung. This one was different. He was taller, broader, and as he clenched his fist, a flickering corona of heat erupted around it, the air shimmering with displaced energy. "Mine's, fire!"
The girl reacted instantly, a blur of motion. She sidestepped, dodging the sudden burst of flames that scorched the air where she had just stood. She was powerful, yes, but even her alerted state hadn't picked up this sixth assassin hiding so cleverly. The distraction, however slight, was enough. The icy tendrils began to loosen their grip on the original five Silencers. They were starting to break free.
"Go, now. Do not stop until you arrive at the Architects' place of work," the veiled girl commanded the peon, her gaze fixed on the fire-wielding assassin.
"Ma'am!" The 'peon', the social worker, the fragile man, suddenly moved with surprising agility. He bolted towards the heavy oak door of the office. Before anyone could react, the girl flicked her hand concentration most of her power towards the doorway. A blinding flash of white light erupted, and the door was instantly encased in a thick, shimmering layer of ice, sealing it shut with an unnatural finality.
"Shit, it might take a while to even melt this ice," the fire assassin cursed, reaching out to touch the frozen barrier, his fiery aura sputtering uselessly against the impenetrable cold.
"Forget the door. Where are the others? Inform them to give chase instead!" one of the freed assassins, now flexing his numbed limbs, barked. They turned back towards the veiled girl, their earlier confidence replaced by a wary respect.
Just then, the fire assassin recoiled, his face pale despite the heat radiating from his hand. "Sorry, but that's not possible," he stammered, backing away from the frozen door. "That… monster fought us. Caught the others. The reason there are only six of us here," he finished, his voice barely a whisper. He hadn't been proud of running, but facing that blond-haired behemoth again was a death wish he wasn't willing to sign. He much preferred dealing with ice-wielding girls and angry old men.
"Don't just stand there!" The old man, now panicking as the ice crept higher, shouted, his voice tight with desperation. He couldn't let those documents reach the Architect. His entire carefully constructed world, built on lies and illicit dealings behind the Architect's back, would crumble.
"Wow!" The fire assassin's eyes widened, staring past the veiled girl.
"…" The girl's gaze hardened. She hadn't sensed another attacker. What was the fire assassin talking about?
Suddenly, a spear of pure, piercing cold shot past her, aimed directly at the fire assassin. He barely managed to raise his flaming fist in time, the molten fire meeting the icy projectile in a violent clash of opposing forces. Steam hissed outwards, momentarily obscuring the office as the ice shattered and dissipated.
It was then she understood. The 'monster' the fire assassin spoke of. It wasn't an enemy. She then let luck determined her fate.
In that split second, she made a decision. Focusing all her power, she unleashed a wave of icy energy, a sudden, brutal pulse that slammed into everyone in the room, pushing them backwards, scattering the assassins and the old men like bowling pins. Using their momentary disorientation, she spun, leaped towards the tall arched window, and crashed through the glass with a shower of glittering shards.
The cold night air rushed to meet her as she plummeted downwards, the city lights blurring below. Landing strategy? She'd figure that out later. Right now, a faint smirk played on her lips. She glanced back up at the shattered window, picturing the stunned faces of the men inside, their carefully laid plans dissolving into icy chaos. The game, it seemed, had just begun.
The chill Belobog air was a distant memory as Naruto, cloaked in the sweltering, recycled breath of the Administration's ventilation system, padded softly forward. His transformation jutsu hummed, painting his form in the shimmering, golden hues of a fox with nine majestic tails that swayed rhythmically with his movements. He was a clandestine splash of vibrant color in the monotonous grey ducts, a stark contrast to his previous hurried escape through these very same passages. This time, however, fear wasn't his motivator. Responsibility was.
"Naruto, I thought that stupid fox lied when you do dumb things. Hahaha!" A high-pitched, grating voice echoed from the gloom ahead. A tiny, plush-toy version of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, bounced ahead of Naruto, his single eye gleaming with mischievous amusement.
"Shukaku, don't doddle," Matabi, the Two-Tailed Beast, called out, her voice gentle even in its miniature form. She too was a diminutive plush, her blue flames dormant, her two tails swaying softly behind her. "We are here to help Naruto, not mock him."
Chomei, the Seven-Tailed Beast but in a chibi state, a vibrant green plush with his six wings folded neatly, fluttered impatiently. "The others must've already done by now. So, let's hurry too."
Their unusual forms were a consequence of the strange reality they found themselves in. Awakening in this world, outside the comforting embrace of the Sage of Six Paths' chakra, had weakened them. Unlike Kurama, who had been brought to this reality alongside Naruto in his full glory, the other Tailed Beasts were mere echoes, sparks of their chakra remaining within Naruto and Kurama. Their current, diminished forms were a surprise, a side effect of Kurama's actions before he left Naruto to heal Penya and change her fate that links to the world's future deep within the Frostweave Hills. It was Kurama's concern for Naruto, ironically, that had spurred these lesser echoes of the Tailed Beasts into a rudimentary existence.
"I think we're almost there," Naruto whispered, peering through a small opening in the vent wall. Below, a room materialized – spacious, opulent, undeniably the office of a high-ranking official. "This is it!" He felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. He was about to confront the messy consequences of his own power, or rather, his clones'.
With a silent jump, Naruto dropped from the vent, dispelling the fox transformation. The eight golden tails, however, remained, swaying gently behind him. He quickly focused, channeling chakra and weaving hand signs. A subtle shimmer enveloped his tails, then faded, leaving them effectively invisible, a trick of light manipulation he'd learned years ago for less… official covert operations. Shukaku, Matabi, and Chomei tumbled down after him, landing softly on the plush carpet of the office.
The room was luxurious, all polished wood and soft lighting. A large desk dominated the space, flanked by bookshelves overflowing with documents and ornate decorations. Just as Naruto was about to take stock, the door handle turned.
!Panic flared. They scattered. Shukaku, Matabi, and Chomei, in their plush forms, could easily vanish behind furniture or within the folds of heavy curtains. Naruto, however, needed something more. Resorting to basic shinobi training, he expertly molded his chakra, creating a thin, almost invisible cloak that bent light around him. He became a ghost in the room, his outline blurring, his presence vanishing into the background.
The door swung open, revealing a tall man in a crisp, dark suit. A meticulously styled blonde wig was partially concealed by a dark hat. He carried a cane, placing it with a soft click into a stand near the door. Lord Landau. Or rather, what everyone in Belobog believed to be Lord Landau. Naruto knew better. This was one of his shadow clones.
His clones. While Naruto had been braving the treacherous landscapes beyond Belobog on an expedition for the outdoor explorers guild, his shadow clones, left to handle matters in the city, had taken drastic, unauthorized action. They had stumbled upon whispers, then concrete evidence, of a conspiracy brewing within the higher echelons of Belobog's government. A plot to undermine the Architects, the very beings who maintained the fragile balance of their world, and to destabilize the underworld, a place Naruto had surprisingly found a strange kinship with. And, disturbingly, these plans hinted at targeting Naruto himself, deemed an unpredictable element.
Unable to reach the original Naruto, and driven by a fierce protectiveness ingrained in their very being, the clones had acted. Kidnapping five key officials, including the real Lord Landau, and seamlessly replacing them with transformations, they had been subtly rewriting directives, stalling agendas, and cleaning up messes for months. They believed they were protecting Belobog, protecting Naruto. They became independent even release them was impossible by Naruto. An unknown effect of a reality where there was something instead of chakra.
Now, the real Naruto was back, and he had a mountain of clone-induced chaos to clean up. It was a testament to the clones' loyalty, but their methods… It became a similar event to past when his clones indeed perform a strike/protest movement against him.
"Get him!" Naruto hissed, erupting from his invisibility as the fake Lord Landau settled into the plush office chair behind the expansive desk.
The plush toys sprung into action. A miniature sandstorm erupted from Shukaku, swirling around the fake Lord Landau and quickly hardening into a sandy prison, immobilizing him. Matabi and Chomei positioned themselves defensively, their tiny forms radiating a surprising amount of energy, ready to react to any sudden movements.
"Now," Naruto growled, grabbing the hem of the fake Lord Landau's expensive shirt, pulling him forward with a surprising lack of finesse. "Did you go rogue!?" It felt absurd, interrogating a copy of himself, but these clones had taken things too far.
The fake Lord Landau, despite being encased in sand, shook his head vehemently. Naruto, despite his anger, could sense the truth in the clone's denial. These clones, even when misguided, operated with a core of sincerity. He still didn't let go.
"Dad, I got the new reports. What do you…"
The office door swung open again, and the world seemed to tilt. Standing in the doorway, holding a thick folder, was Serval Landau.
Serval froze, her eyes widening in shock and her face was a canvas of emotions. Her father, the aloof, distant figure she had always known, suddenly… different. In recent months, the real Lord Landau, replaced by the clone, had become strangely… approachable. Less consumed by the Landau family legacy, more present, almost responsible. Serval had initially been suspicious, but a part of her, a hopeful part, had started to cautiously accept this change. And now, this 'changed' father was being physically manhandled by… Naruto.
"What is…?" Serval finally managed to articulate, her voice thin with disbelief.
"Ah- wait! Serval! I can explain!" Naruto yelped, instantly releasing his hold on his clone's robe.
The moment Naruto relinquished his grip, the fake Lord Landau shimmered and dissolved into a puff of smoke, revealing the tell-tale wisp of chakra that marked a shadow clone's demise. Simultaneously, a tightly rolled scroll, previously hidden within the folds of the clone's robes, tumbled out and unfurled slightly as it hit the floor. The familiar kanji for 'Seal' was clearly visible.
"…" Silence descended upon the study, heavy and thick. Naruto's gaze locked onto Serval's. He braced himself for the inevitable explosion, the slap, the torrent of angry questions. He waited for the storm to break. But it didn't.
After a long, drawn-out silence, Serval simply sighed, a weary sound that seemed too heavy for someone her age. She calmly walked further into the room, pulled a chair from beside the desk, and slumped into it, rubbing her temple with her fingers.
"Naruto… you know," she began, her voice quiet but steady, "We actually thought… we thought dad had finally changed. We thought things might actually get better now. I even reluctantly volunteered to join the workplace, to get some experience like he's been nagging me about for years. But now…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "Now, it seems it was all for nothing."
Naruto shuffled closer, his earlier bravado evaporating. He felt a pang of guilt twist in his stomach. He hadn't considered the emotional impact his actions would have on Serval. "Serval…" he began, his voice laced with apology.
"It's fine," she interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. She looked up at him, her gaze surprisingly clear, her eyes sharp.
"…" A few seconds of silence prelude the room.
"Actually, I think I get the gist of it." She fixed him with an unnervingly perceptive stare. "My dad and his… certain colleagues were planning something. Something you didn't like. Something that could have hurt you, or someone you care about. I knew bits and pieces, whispers of… arrangements. And it started around the same time you… went exploring, right? So, your clones… they decided to intervene?"
Serval's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of understanding in their depths. "Kidnapping them. Without hurting them, if that scroll is anything to go by. Replacing them with clones until you returned to… sort things out. To fix the problem discreetly, without anyone noticing. Is that about right?" She raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Am I right?"
"Y-Yeah…" Naruto stammered, completely thrown off balance by her quick deduction. He'd underestimated Serval's intelligence, drastically. She wasn't just smart, she wasintuitive.
"Naruto, is everything okay?" A tiny, blue figure leaped from behind Naruto's shoulder, landing gracefully on the floor. Chibi Matabi looked up at Serval with curious, golden eyes.
Serval's eyes widened, completely forgetting her earlier stress. She straightened up in her chair, leaning forward with undisguised fascination. "Oh, cool…" she breathed, her attention completely diverted to the miniature tailed beast. "You can explain later, Naruto." She moved closer, her gaze fixed on Matabi. "Hi," she said, her voice soft and gentle. "I'm Serval."
Despite everything, Serval was genuinely kind, and remarkably adaptable. Her intelligence had always been her shield, and now, it seemed, her greatest asset.
As if summoned by the mention of explanations, Shukaku and Chomei unceremoniously popped into existence beside Matabi, their chibi forms also radiating a subdued glow in the dimly lit room. They sized Serval up with their bijuu senses, but their usual prickly or boisterous demeanors were absent. They, too, seemed intrigued by the young woman's remarkably calm reaction.
"Pleasure to meet you, Serval," Chomei rumbled, his voice surprisingly deep for his small form.
Shukaku, ever the blunt one, simply grunted in acknowledgement. Matabi, however, was already rubbing against Serval's offered hand, purring like a miniature engine.
"Wow," Serval murmured, gently stroking Matabi's flame fur. "You guys are… amazing." She glanced up at Naruto, a question forming in her eyes, but she held back, clearly prioritizing the introductions for now.
After a few minutes of introductions and whispered questions about fluffy tails and glowing beetle wings, Serval finally turned back to Naruto, a playful pout forming on her lips. "Now," she said, her earlier calmness giving way to a teasing tone. "You just dropped a bombshell of an emotional wreck on me, Naruto Uzumaki. So, you better let me in on this 'little operation' of yours."
"Didn't you say, you were working now? Something about getting work experience?" Naruto asked, slightly surprised but secretly pleased by her sudden shift in mood. He hadn't minded her coming along earlier, and now, he definitely didn't mind.
"I can quit whenever I want. I only did it because of what I said earlier, thank you very much," she retorted sarcastically, flicking his nose with her finger, making him flinch back. "Besides, if you're going to be running secret operations under my own roof, I deserve to know what's going on!"
"Naruto, let her come," Matabi chimed in, perched on Serval's shoulder, nuzzling against her cheek. "She is such a nice and smart girl. You can learn from her."
"Okay, okay, geez, it wasn't like I said no," Naruto protested, though a smile was creeping onto his face. He carefully picked up the still-sealed scroll containing the real, kidnapped Lord Landau and awkwardly placed it back in the lord's chair. They had, after all, taken considerable effort – or rather, his clones had – to ensure the kidnapped men were kept clean and presentable throughout their months of captivity, just in case. The thought of his clones meticulously bathing and grooming unconscious, kidnapped nobles sent a shiver down his spine, but he pushed the image aside. He had a feeling this was just the beginning of a very complicated and potentially very interesting situation, with Serval now unexpectedly on his team. And somehow, that didn't seem so bad at all.
"Great!" Serval clapped her hands together, her eyes bright once more. "Let me change first." She declared, then turned away, rummaging in a satchel she had slung across her chest. Naruto watched with amusement. Serval was a whirlwind of curiosity and ingenuity, always tinkering and inventing. She called herself a 'noob inventor', but Naruto suspected she was far more capable than she let on.
With a flourish, she pulled out what looked like a large, dark veil. As she unfurled it and draped it around herself, her clothing shimmered and shifted, the vibrant colours of her everyday wear dissolving and reforming into sleek black and pale blue attire. It was practical, functional, and undeniably… spy-like. Miles away from Naruto's ever-present orange jacket.
"Like it?" She asked, striking a pose with a proud smile. "It's something I cooked up for… situations." She announced, her voice laced with barely-contained excitement. "The colours tend to blend in, too, unlike some…" She subtly glanced at Naruto's jacket.
"I heard that," Naruto grumbled, his enhanced hearing picking up even the subtle dig. He liked his orange jacket! And okay, maybe it wasn't ideal for stealth missions, but it washim. He was about to retort when Serval nervously changed the subject, clearly sensing his annoyance.
"Haha… anyway." She cleared her throat, avoiding Naruto's gaze. "I still got one more question." She tilted her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. "How will the victims react waking up suddenly after months of being… isolated somewhere?" The word 'victim' hung in the air, making Naruto sweatdrop. Technically, itwashis clone's fault that these high-ranking officials had been 'isolated'.
"Oh, that…" Naruto scratched his head again, feigning a casual air. "It's like this. When the quack doctor, Doctor Vache, found out about this whole… situation… a few days ago. He kinda went into overdrive." Naruto shuddered remembering the doctor's manic energy. "He… concocted something. Said it'll make them forget the kidnapping experience. Make it feel like a bad dream. Don't know how it works, some mumbo jumbo about suppressing traumatic memories or something, but he swore it solves the issue." He could still picture Doctor Vache's unsettlingly gleeful grin as he talked about 'experimenting' on the officials to perfect his memory-altering concoction. The doctor had still given Naruto a severe dressing down for the reckless endangerment of important figures, even if hehadinadvertently solved a major political crisis.
"Okay," Serval replied, her tone surprisingly calm despite the slightly concerning details. A cute, determined lilt entered her voice as she grabbed Naruto's arm, pulling him towards the door. "Then let's go! I've been bored since morning and this suddenly sounds way more fun than work." Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. Naruto grinned, letting himself be dragged along. He might have just accidentally recruited the most enthusiastic, and surprisingly level-headed, partner in crime he could ask for. This was going to be… interesting.
…
The fluorescent hum of Belobog's government office hallways was a stark contrast to the hushed urgency that vibrated between Naruto and Serval. They moved like shadows, Serval's lithe form a whisper of fur against the polished walls, Naruto's slightly more boisterous energy contained in a bubble of focused stealth. "Are you sure about this, Naruto?" Serval murmured, her keen eyes scanning the corridor ahead. "Those guards… they're trained Silvermane. If one of them sound the alarm."
Naruto confident shines. "Relax, Serval! We got the best backup squad ever!" He gestured behind them where five miniature puffs of multi-colored smoke trailed, each resolving into a chibi version of a tailed beast. Shukaku the tanuki, Matatabi the two-tailed cat, Isobu the three-tailed turtle, Son Gokū the four-tailed ape, and Kokuō the five-tailed horse-dolphin – all scaled down to the size of house cats, but radiating an aura of potent chakra. The other tailed beast were elsewhere doing their own part of the job.
"They are just as amazing as you are but," Serval said skeptically, though a small twitch of amusement played at the corner of her mouth. "House cat-sized destruction. Just what Belobog needs."
They reached the main office wing. Guards in gleaming silver armor patrolled, their movements precise and unwavering. Serval raised an eyebrow at Naruto and her tone a little playful. "Your turn, strategist."
Naruto winked. He formed a hand seal."Shadow Clone Jutsu!"Two more Narutos popped into existence beside him, but these were different. They were… flatter? Less substantial?
"Paper clones?" Serval whispered, her gaze narrowed in confusion.
"Yep!" Naruto grinned. "These guys are for distraction. Chibi-beasts, you ready?"
The miniature tailed beasts puffed out their chests, or what passed for chests in their chibi forms. Shukaku, despite his size, managed a surprisingly grumpy glare at the guards.
The paper clones, on Naruto's signal, launched themselves forward with surprisingly loud yells of "Believe it!" The Silvermane guards, trained for threats both human and mechanical, reacted instantly. Turning towards the sudden commotion, they drew their energy pistols.
"Now!" Naruto hissed.
With a blur of motion, Serval moved. She's a quick one, weaving through the corners and shadows, her movements fluid and silent as a predator. Naruto was surprised at her sudden fitness, he could've sworn she was not this agile when he was saving her from a bunch of thugs a few days ago.
While the guards were momentarily distracted by the flimsy paper clones and the surprisingly agile Serval, the chibi tailed beasts sprang into action.
Shukaku, tiny as he was, unleashed a miniature sandstorm that buffeted the guards, disorienting them. Matatabi, with a flick of her miniature twin tails, sent out blasts of blue fire that weren't truly hot, but intensely startling and vibrantly distracting. Isobu, in a surprisingly nimble hop, sprayed a stream of sticky, chakra-infused water, turning the polished floor into a treacherous skidpad. Son Gokū leaped onto a table, beating his tiny chest and letting out a surprisingly loud, albeit high-pitched, roar that shattered the focused concentration of the guards. Kokuō, with a flick of his dorsal fin, released a wave of pure energy that wasn't destructive, but felt like a sudden, disorienting pressure wave.
It was utter chaos, but controlled chaos. The Silvermane guards, overwhelmed by the bizarre and unexpected miniature onslaught, stumbled and fell. Serval, taking advantage of the confusion, moved with practiced efficiency. A swift strike of an electrified baton, a well-placed tap there, and one by one, the guards crumpled, unconscious but unharmed. The chibi tailed beasts, having completed their distraction, retreated back to Naruto, tails wagging (or in Shukaku's case, puffing).
"Nice work, guys!" Naruto whispered, giving each of his chibi companions a quick head pat. Serval gave him a nod of approval, brushing a stray strand of blonde hair from her face. "Efficient. Let's find those officials."
They moved deeper into the office, guided by Serval's knowledge of the building's layout. They reached a nondescript door tucked away at the end of a quiet corridor. Inside, as they'd expected, were one of the kidnapped Belobog officials. Sitting in the office working and doing surprising well for a clone of Naruto's.
"Clones," Serval muttered, her nose wrinkling. "Are you sure, I can't learn to use chakra?"
"Yes," Naruto answered bluntly. He approached the officials, a stern-looking man with a severe haircut. He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "These clones always doing something stupid when I'm not around."
He reached out and poked the clone.
Suddenly, the clone's head snapped up, its eyes, previously normal, now glowing with a sharp glint. It opened its mouth, and a distorted, echoing voice emanated from it. "!?"
Before the clone could move, Shukaku, with surprising speed, launched a tiny sand binding technique, wrapping the clone in a cocoon of sand. The other chibi beasts followed suit, each targeting a different clone. Matatabi's blue flames dissolved the clay-like bodies, Isobu's water eroded them, Son Gokū's miniature lava scorches them, and Kokuō's energy blasts shattered them into dust.
"Whoa, guys! Bit overkill, don't ya think?" Naruto said, slightly taken aback by the ferocity of his chibi companions, "It's still my clone."
Matatabi puffed out his chest, or rather, his chibi chest."Imposters must be eliminated!"Its voice, telepathic and surprisingly deep for its size, echoed in Naruto's mind.
Naruto nervously chuckled. "Right, right. Message received."
With the clone dealth with, Naruto pulls out a sealing scroll before a poof of white smoke emerge where an uncurious man that the clone had impersonated appeared before they placed him on the seat.
"Now for the second part," Naruto said, reaching into his pouch. He produced five small, unmarked vials filled with a clear liquid. "Doctor Vache's special brew."
Serval raised an eyebrow. "You're sure about this? Memory manipulation… it's not exactly… clean."
"The quack doctor assured me it's harmless, and most importantly untrawlable." Naruto said, though even he sounded slightly hesitant. "Just… gentle amnesia. They'll think the last few months were just a bad dream. Better than them remembering being kidnapped, right?"
"And, if I got accused again." Naruto gave his friend a stern look, "I'm leaving and living outside the city."
Serval sighed. "I suppose so. But if they start talking about sleepwalking through government meetings…"
Naruto didn't care; his new social freedom life was at stake. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Working quickly, they carefully administered the clear liquid from the vials to each of the unconscious officials. As the liquid was administered, a faint, almost imperceptible shimmer washed over the officials, and their breathing evened out.
"And… done," Naruto declared, wiping his brow. "Let's get out of here before anyone else wakes up."
They slipped out of the office as quietly as they had entered, the chibi tailed beasts trailing after them, their mission accomplished. Back out in the hushed hallways, Serval paused. "You know," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice, "We still have three more to go, right?"
Naruto declared. "I know, we're going to the next building!"
…
Working together, Naruto and Serval, aided by the adorably miniature yet surprisingly effective chibi Tailed Beasts, moved like shadows through the ventilation system. Their targets: the offices of the remaining kidnapped high officials – the Head of Infrastructure, the Minister of Public Services, and the Chief of Resource Management. Each location mirrored the first. A disconcertingly pleasant clone, undeniably bearing the hallmark sunny disposition of Naruto, sat enthroned, diligently issuing directives and churning out surprisingly efficient bureaucratic decisions. It was almost… unsettling howgoodthe fake administration was. But clones they were, and replacements they had to become. With silent teamwork honed through countless (albeit bizarre) missions, they neutralized the Naruto-esque imposters and replaced them with the genuine articles, tucked safely away in sealing scrolls until needed.
Later that noon, in the quiet government office wings, a wave of bewildered awakenings rippled through the corridors. The stern-faced Head of Infrastructure, a man known for his unwavering composure, blinked slowly, his severe haircut somehow looking even more rigid against the backdrop of his disoriented expression. He rubbed his temples, a low groan escaping his lips. "Did… did I have a weird dream last night?"
Nearby, the Minister of Public Services, a woman whose spectacles usually perched perfectly on her nose, squinted, her normally sharp gaze unfocused. "Dream…" she echoed, the word tasting strange on her tongue.
"Ma'am, are you alright? You were sleeping at your desk again." Her young, perpetually flustered secretary rushed in, concern etched on her face.
The Minister straightened up, adjusting her glasses. "Elara, was I? More like… a nightmare. Something about… being thrown in and… locked up for who knows how long." A shiver ran down her spine despite the warm office air.
From down the hall, a nervous chuckle drifted. The Chief of Resource Management, a man perpetually on edge, emerged from his office, a hand reaching up to touch his throat. "I swear I saw a man… gagging me before throwing me inside a small paper scroll. It was all so bizarre."
They had confused glances, a silent agreement passing between themselves and their subordinates. They shook their heads, collectively dismissing the unsettling fog clinging to their memories. They felt strangely… refreshed. Like they had finally slept properly after weeks of… well, it was hazy. Just a vague sense of relentless stress and exhaustion.
They straightened their clothes, smoothed their hair, and stepped out into the midday bustle, attributing the lingering unease and the bizarre dreams to simple overwork. Belobog, after all, was a city of wonders and oddities. Perhaps the unique atmosphere was finally getting to them.
Unseen, perched on a ventilation shaft overlooking the hallway, Naruto and Serval watched the Head of Infrastructure stride purposefully towards a meeting room, oblivious to the clandestine operation that had restored him to his rightful place.
"See?" Naruto whispered, a wide, relieved grin spreading across his face. He felt a warm glow of satisfaction. "No harm, no foul. Just a little… dream adjustment."
Serval rolled her eyes, but a genuine smile softened her lips. "Just… try not to make a habit of it, okay? Belobog already has enough weirdness without adding chibi tailed beast induced amnesia to the mix."
"No promises," Naruto chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. He knew his luck; things rarely stayed simple for long. They began to move further down the vent, intending to exit the building and finally grab some ramen.
"Huh?" Naruto suddenly stopped, his head cocked to the side, listening.
"Naruto, why did you stop?" Serval murmured from behind him, bumping lightly into his back.
Peeking through the ventilation grate, Naruto's eyes widened slightly. Along the narrow shaft, illuminated by faint maintenance lights, another figure was moving towards them. Dressed in all black, face obscured by a high collar and shadowed cowl, they were clearly not maintenance personnel. And they were definitely in the vents.
"Naruto? The golden threat!" The figure in black hissed, their voice muffled but laced with venom. They reached inside their coat, a glint of metal flashing in the dim light.
"Threat?!" Naruto's instincts kicked in. No time for questions. He reacted instantly, channeling chakra into his hand and delivering a swift, chakra-enhanced slap to the side of the figure's head. The person crumpled silently.
"Damn it," Naruto muttered, rubbing his knuckles. He hadn't meant to hit so hard, but the word "threat" had thrown him off. He couldn't risk this clandestine operation being discovered. This guy was clearly up to no good. "Hope this doesn't bite me in the back." With a sigh, Naruto unsealed a blank scroll and carefully sealed the unconscious figure within.
Serval peered over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "I'm going to put my finger and say that guy was an intruder, just like us, maybe not… friendly?" She wasn't surprised by Naruto's reflexive action, but another person infiltrating the government building through the vents was definitely unexpected. "You think there are more?"
And true to Serval's question, as they continued navigating the ventilation system, they encountered more. And more. Each figure dressed identically in black, each reacting with hostility towards Naruto – the apparent "golden threat." Naruto, with increasing exasperation and a growing sense of guilt, efficiently dispatched each one with precise, non-lethal strikes, adding them to his ever-expanding collection of sealed unconscious figures.
Finally, reaching a ventilation shaft exit near an alleyway, they dropped down to street level. Serval followed Naruto as he unsealed the growing pile of black-clad figures and unceremoniously dumped them into a nearby trash receptacle. "Well," Serval said, brushing dust off her jumpsuit, "that was… eventful."
The chibi Tailed Beasts, who had observed the escalating chaos from the comparative safety of Naruto's jacket pockets, now peeked out, their tiny forms even smaller than before, easily disguised amongst the folds of fabric. They seemed unfazed, accustomed to Naruto's… unconventional approach to problem-solving.
For now, at least, Belobog's government was back in the hands of its original officials. And surprisingly, things had improved. The clones, with their Naruto-infused kindness and genuine desire to help, had inadvertently fixed several long-standing bureaucratic snarls and even improved public perception of the officials they'd impersonated. The kidnapped officials returned to work to find glowing (if slightly confused) praise and a surprisingly lighter workload thanks to the 'phantom' efficiency of their clones.
"Wait, where are you going?" Serval asked as they emerged from the alleyway and onto a bustling street. She had thought the day was finally winding down, imagining the taste of warm ramen. But Naruto was walking not towards the tram station that led to the Underworld, but back towards the imposing government building.
"Just checking on something," Naruto answered, his tone quick and a little secretive. He had a nagging feeling something was still off.
"Tell me," Serval insisted, falling into step beside him. Her curiosity, especially when it came to Naruto's sudden shifts in direction, was boundless. And after the vent-dwelling ninja showdown, she wasn't about to be left out of whatever was next.
They re-entered the government building, this time through the front doors, blending in with the midday foot traffic. Naruto led her to a less frequented wing, finally stopping before a large, brightly lit notice board plastered with posters and announcements.
"That's a registration board, wait, no…" Serval's playful voice trailed off, her usual energy momentarily subdued by surprise. As Naruto continued to study the board, she caught up to him, finally understanding what held his attention. It was indeed a registration board, but not just any board. This one displayed the requirements, departments, and crucial dates for entry into Belobog's prestigious academy.
"Punch" Serval's fist landed squarely, though not forcefully, on Naruto's bicep.
"What?" Naruto blinked, turning to her, a question mark etched on his face. The sudden, playful jab was unexpected, breaking his concentration.
Serval's grin was wide, Cheshire-cat mischievous. "School? Seriously? What's this all about, Mr. Savior of Belobog?" She leaned closer, her tone teasing. "Always thought you'd be the type to avoid the system, especially someone with your…uniqueskill set and freedom. You could buy yourself a comfy apartment right now with the money you must have."
"I…" Naruto paused, his gaze shifting to the side, a slight blush rising on his cheeks. "How do you even know I have a lot of money?"
Serval chuckled, bumping her shoulder against his. "It was a hunch, alright? But look at you! Front lines, monster fights, saving the city… someone's gotta be paying you for all that heroic work." She winked. "Turns out my hunch was right."
Naruto sighed, running a hand through his spiky blonde hair. "I… have a reason," he admitted quietly, his usual boisterousness replaced by a hint of melancholy. "I… I realized going back to my home, it's… probably impossible." He looked back at the registration board, his gaze distant. "So, I was just wondering about… you know, making a career here. Settle in Belobog, get my life started here."
The truth was heavier than those simple words. He had spent days battling the Bronya Wolf and the frost, fighting alongside Serval and Gepard. He had seen the harsh beauty of Belobog, felt the resilience of its people. But with every passing day, the reality of his situation solidified. He was stranded. Kurama, his powerful partner, was currently outside the city, near the Frostweave Hill, pouring his life force into Penya, who was clinging to life after the Frost Wolf's attack. The other tailed beasts, Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Gokū, Kokuō, Saiken, and Chōmei, were with him, their mental links a constant source of comfort, yet Kurama's absence was a gaping hole in his spirit. And then there was the promise he'd made to Penya, a whispered vow to protect Belobog, to help those who needed it. Starting a life here, it wasn't just a vague idea; it was becoming a necessity.
Serval smirked, her earlier surprise replaced by her usual confident swagger. "Don't worry your head about it, newbie. As the second-ranked student of Belobog Academy's third year, I'll make this whole 'school' thing easy for you." She puffed out her chest, a playful boast. At sixteen, she was already in her third year, a testament to her sharp intellect and rapid progression through the lower levels of education. The academy had a five-year maximum, and even for Serval, it was more a formality than a necessity, given her natural genius and the limited scope of their curriculum that often felt like repetition for her. "And by the way, about a 'sudden entrance' of yours…" she paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. A question sparked in her mind.
"How old are you again?" Serval tilted her head, examining him with newfound curiosity.
"Eighteen." Naruto had to mentally backtrack for a moment. The whirlwind of events since arriving in this world had blurred the passage of time. Birthdays and celebrations felt like relics of a distant past, especially amidst constant battles and life-or-death situations back in his world during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"That's… strange," Serval circled him slowly, studying him from different angles, her eyes narrowed in faux-scrutiny. "From your appearance, and you know, your…maturevibes," she emphasized the word with a playful smirk, "I thought you might be around twenty years old. Not exactly handsome in a pretty-boy way, but undeniably… helpful," she conceded, then boldly reached out and squeezed his bicep again. "And definitely with that strong stature. You're built like a tank."
Unseen by Serval, within the swirling chaos of Naruto's inner mindscape, a chorus of tiny voices erupted.
"You think she's a good one for Naruto?" Shukaku, the One-Tail, slurred slightly, his sand-raspy voice echoing in the mental link.
"A mate like her could be good for him. If he's planning to stay here, that is," Matatabi, the Two-Tails, purred with a feline grace, her voice a soft counterpoint to Shukaku's gruffness.
"I suggest he gets more than one," Chōmei, the Seven-Tails, chirped enthusiastically, a bizarre image of multiple Servals dancing in Naruto's mind, causing him to internally groan.
Naruto felt a flush creep up his neck. He could hear every word, every playful suggestion from his miniature companions. Serval was a fantastic friend, someone he trusted and admired. But the ideas swirling in the tailed beasts' collective mind felt… awkward. He still carried the sting of Natasha's polite but firm rejection echoing in his memory. The thought of navigating romantic relationships in this new world, especially with Serval, felt daunting.
"Are you even listening, Naruto?" Serval's voice snapped him back to reality. She had been explaining something, her brow furrowed slightly in concern.
"Sorry, I zoned out. What was the question?" Naruto asked with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sure, sure," Serval teased, clapping him on the shoulder, her playful demeanor instantly returning. "Come on, let's get you registered then. They have different departments, you know. Arms, History, uh… Technical, obviously. Any of those catching your eye?" Serval repeated, wanting to gauge his interest. The Arms Department was the path for aspiring Silvermane Guards, soldiers ready to defend Belobog. History leaned towards the politically inclined, those who sought office and governance within the city. The Technical Department, however, was notoriously exclusive, demanding a strong grasp of mechanics and engineering to even be considered.
"Ah…" Naruto hesitated. The Arms Department sounded like a natural fit for his strengths, but the History Department, with its city-based postings, appealed to his desire to understand and protect Belobog from within. Books and paperwork, however… that was a whole different battlefield he wasn't sure he was ready to face.
"Okay, Arms it is," Serval declared decisively, already reaching for a registration form clipped to the board and a pen from her pocket.
"Hey, hey, I haven't decided yet," Naruto stammered, slightly overwhelmed by her initiative.
"Well, whatdoyou want?" Serval looked up at him, her pen poised above the form. She couldn't picture him buried in dusty tomes or tinkering with complex machinery. "You can't possibly be…"
"I don't know…"
Both casually walking while thinking about his situation.
His indecision was cut short by a sharp yelp. Not Serval's, but a high-pitched cry of alarm, followed by a gasp.
Simultaneously, a blur of motion flashed in his peripheral vision, high above and to their right. Naruto's honed reflexes, honed by years of relentless training and life-threatening battles, kicked in instantly. He registered a figure plummeting from the edge of the academy building's roof, hurtling earthward with terrifying velocity. Instinct alone took over. He lunged forward, arms outstretched, moving with a speed that would have been invisible to an ordinary person.
Thump!
The impact, when it came, was surprisingly soft, almost yielding, considering the height and speed. The weight settled in his arms, a sudden, unexpected load that made his knees buckle slightly. But he stood firm, bracing himself, managing to catch the falling figure squarely.
Looking down, he found himself cradling a girl in his arms. A familiar figure, veiled and silent. Veil. Serval's quiet friend, the judge who had spoken only in whispers to Serval, yet whose words had held the decisive power to save him from the sham trial. The judge who hid her face behind a delicate veil.
"Veil?" Naruto asked, confusion clouding his features. "Hey, why did you fall from the sky?"
"…" The girl in his arms, 'Veil' as Serval affectionately called her, remained silent, her hidden eyes wide and startled. Words seemed to fail her, but her small, subtle tremors spoke volumes. Saved again. By pure, dumb luck, she thought dazedly. Or perhaps, not luck, but something more. She had been so close. So close to getting the evidence to the Architects, evidence that would expose the rot that festered beneath Belobog's seemingly pristine surface. Evidence against the very nobles and officials who now hunted her like a common criminal.
It had started in her office, a sudden, violent intrusion. They had barged in, a trio of thugs, reeking of desperation and expensive perfume, with orders screamed from panicked voices on comms. They weren't there for negotiation; they were there to silence her permanently. She could have handled them. Veil was more than just a judge; she possessed a power, a borrowed strength from the Path of Preservation, a chilling control over ice. But thenhehad appeared. A path-strider assassin, just like her, but his path was one of blazing destruction – fire. His awakening had created a chaotic imbalance, his fiery powers a direct counter to her ice, turning her normally controlled office into a battleground of conflicting energies. Forced to retreat, hoping to salvage the precious data chips, she had made for the rooftop, a desperate gamble for escape. The edge of the building had been closer than the stairs.
Hop! Serval, displaying her own impressive agility, landed neatly on Naruto's back, her weight barely registering. Ignoring Naruto's bewildered question, her vibrant blue eyes focused on Veil. "Are you being chased again?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and exasperation.
"…" Veil nodded, a frantic bob of her head, blonde hair swaying with the motion, confirming Serval's suspicions without uttering a single sound.
"What's going on?" Naruto repeated, louder this time, still cradling Veil but looking over his shoulder at Serval. "Didn't we already resolve that problem? You know, with the… Architect's old men doing something about it?"
"Yes, and no," Serval answered, her gaze hardening slightly. She understood Veil's situation all too well. Her friend was an incredibly important figure, a bulwark against the encroaching corruption. But with the Supreme Guardian absent, a void of true authority had opened up in Belobog. And in that void, the nobles, emboldened and unchecked, were running rampant, undermining the Architects' efforts to maintain order. This constant state of clandestine escape and evasion had become a grim reality for Veil, and Serval was always there, a loyal ally in her friend's silent war. "Just jump off some roof again, Naruto, and away from here! Quickly!"
"…" Naruto blinked, thoroughly lost but accustomed to Serval's abruptness. He trusted her instincts implicitly. Without further question, he nodded, channeling chakra to his legs. He launched himself upwards, a burst of raw power propelling him skyward, not fallingoffthe roof this time, butontoit. He landed lightly on the flat rooftop of the administration building, his body flickering momentarily as he utilized a rudimentary form of the Body Flicker Technique, a ninja skill designed for rapid short-to-medium distance movement. He set Veil gently on her feet, then turned to face her squarely.
"So, what's the big idea falling out of nowhere?" He asked Veil directly, his blue eyes searching hers, though the veil obscured most of her face.
Veil, still slightly breathless, turned to Serval, her lips moving silently as she whispered into her friend's ear.
"She said she was being attacked," Serval translated, her voice tight with worry.
"…" Naruto sighed, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "Haven't we gone past the point of talking to each other through Serval? Come on, speak to me. It's not like I'm not trustworthy. I just saved you from splattering on the pavement!" He gave her a genuinely annoyed look, though underneath it was a flicker of concern. This silent treatment was starting to get to him. Every time they interacted, it was through Serval. Did he need to becomeherfriend too, just to have a direct conversation?
"Naruto, I've already told you her situation," Serval interjected, stepping slightly closer to Veil, a protective stance. "Besides, we have other problems. Listen!"
From below, muffled shouts began to rise.
"She's here!"
"Golden threat is there too! Seal them off!"
A cadre of men, clad in dark, uniform clothing, materialized from the street level, surrounding the base of the building. They brandished weapons, energy carbines and pulsating melee blades, their movements alert and aggressive. They were clearly expecting a fight, and they knew who they were after. They had been briefed on Naruto's capabilities, Belobog's leaks, as always, being infuriatingly efficient when it came to spreading potentially harmful information about him.
"Again?" Naruto's demeanor shifted instantly. The easy-going, slightly goofy expression vanished, replaced by a sharp, focused intensity. "I've actually been trying to ignore you guys, giving you the benefit of the doubt, butthis…"
With a burst of smoke and a faintpop, hundreds of Naruto clones erupted into existence, instantly overwhelming the rooftop. The hunters became the hunted. Before the assassins could even react, the clones swarmed them, expertly disarming and immobilizing them with practiced efficiency. The fight was over before it truly began.
"Now, I got you!" A sudden shout pierced the air, a voice laced with desperate anger. From behind a ventilation unit, a figure emerged, hair the color of burning embers – the fire path-strider. He had timed his attack perfectly, waiting for the opportune moment. His fist crackled with intense heat, flames swirling around his knuckles, a miniature inferno aimed directly at Naruto's blind side.
Serval and Veil's eyes widened in alarm, a silent scream of warning catching in their throats. The fiery fist was mere inches from Naruto's head.
Grab.
Before the flames could scorch him, Naruto's hand shot out, intercepting the blazing fist with casual ease. He didn't use chakra augmentation, no special techniques, just raw, instinctive speed and strength. His expression was serious, his blue eyes fixed on the fire path-strider. "I'm protecting these two," he stated, his voice low and dangerous, "and by extension, I'm protectingyou allfrom yourselves."
Naruto's voice wasn't just words; it was a wave of pressure. Chakra, not the familiar fiery power of Kurama, but something colder, denser, more primal. He was drawing on the power of one of theothertailed beasts residing within him. Though his connection wasn't as deep, as trusting, as it had been with his lost partner, the sheer oppressive nature of tailed beast chakra remained. The effect was immediate and devastating. The surrounding assassins, even the fire path-strider, buckled, their knees hitting the rooftop with a resounding thud. They could barely breathe, crushed by the sheer weight of Naruto's raw power.
"So, back off," Naruto growled, the pressure intensifying.
He gathered chakra, two clones appearing instantly beside him, already weaving hand seals. He hadn't mastered the intricate nature affinities of all the tailed beasts yet, not like he had with the Nine-Tails, but he was learning. He was adapting.
"Lava Release - Rasenshuriken!"
A swirling vortex of chakra materialized in his hand, not the usual blue sphere, but a molten, incandescent orange. It was raw, volatile, imbued with the scorching lava release of the Four-Tails, Son Gokū. The heat radiating from the unique Rasenshuriken was intense, even from a distance, making everyone on the rooftop shudder in a mixture of fear and awe.
A gasp escaped one of the hidden assassins as they caught sight of the churning, incandescent sphere. Even through their enhanced visors, the sheer heat radiating from it was almost unbearable. Panic flickered in their comms. "What… what is that?"
"!" With a flick of his wrist, Naruto hurled the Lava Release Rasenshuriken upwards, not directly at the downed assassins, but deliberately angled. It soared into the air, almost clipping the edge of the rooftop, before impacting a small, innocuous-looking automaton drone hovering discreetly a distance away.
The intended target. Hovering silently above the alley, almost invisible against the darkening sky, was a sleek, black automaton drone. Its single, multifaceted eye – the camera – was trained directly on Veil, relaying every detail to hidden observers. Naruto had detected its presence moments before it could fully analyze and transmit its report. He knew exactly who was watching from the other side of that lens.
Belobog's high-ranking officials. The same officials who, from the sterile comfort of their base, had deemed Veil a threat, a variable too unpredictable to control, despite the Architects themselves holding Veil in high regard. They, in their shortsighted paranoia, had sent these assassins, and this drone was their eyes and ears.
The Lava Release Rasenshuriken detonated in mid-air, erupting into a dome of fire and molten lava, a miniature, contained volcanic explosion hanging against the skyline.
The Rasenshuriken didn't just destroy the drone; it detonated. An expanding dome of pure fire and molten lava erupted outwards, bathing the alley in blinding light and searing heat. The assassins were thrown back like ragdolls, their protective suits failing completely against the overwhelming force. The dome of fire reached its zenith, threatening to engulf the rooftops and spread through the city.
Before the fiery residue could rain down on the city, a sudden burst of water materialized from the air. A small, chibi-sized figure, a miniature blue turtle with a shell adorned with tiny spikes, hovered nearby, extinguishing the lava dome with a controlled blast of water. It was Isobu, the Three-Tails, in his diminutive, less overtly threatening form.
Panic rippled through the streets below. People gasped, pointed, and for a brief moment, chaos threatened to erupt at the sight of the spinning ball of fire in the sky. Realizing the potential for widespread panic, Naruto quickly assessed his options. He grabbed and picked up Serval under his arm, gently taking Veil's as well. "Let's go," he said, his voice firm.
He led them across the rooftops, his clones efficiently herding the captured assassins along. They arrived at a nearby Silvermane guard station within the administration district, the familiar grey and silver uniforms a welcome sight. Naruto deposited the bound and gagged assassins at the station entrance, his clones dispersing with a final puff of smoke.
"Hello, we have some… guests," Naruto announced, gesturing to the pile of subdued attackers.
The captain of the station, a stern-faced man with a surprisingly gentle demeanor, stepped forward, his eyes widening slightly as he recognized Veil. He immediately snapped to attention, a flicker of respect in his gaze. "Of course, we will take care of this, Miss," he said, addressing her directly, his voice respectful. He issued brisk orders to his guards, ensuring the assassins were securely detained, and then turned back to Veil, engaging her in quiet conversation.
Naruto watched from a slight distance, a bemused expression on his face as Veil, Veil, was talking to the Silvermane captain, albeit softly, while still pointedly not talking to him directly. He grumbled quietly to himself.
Serval, meanwhile, chuckled softly, a tiny, sandy-colored creature perched precariously on her shoulder. It was a miniature Shukaku, the One-Tail, looking remarkably like a plush toy despite its sharp, intelligent eyes. "Did you get even stronger, Naruto?" Serval asked, her blue eyes sparkling with genuine surprise.
"Ha! Without that grumpy fox, Naruto ain't all that strong now! He's only average because we're here!" Shukaku piped up, his tiny voice surprisingly loud and arrogant, boasting about his own power and that of his fellow tailed beasts.
"Right, right. Thanks, Shukaku…" Naruto sighed, pulling out a stack of papers from his pocket. Registration forms for the Belobog Academy. He'd picked them up earlier, excited about finally taking the next step in building a life here, before the assassin trouble had erupted. He glanced at Serval, then Veil, and then back at the forms. "Well, uh, I should get going. Got some… things to do." He offered a quick, awkward nod to both girls and began to walk away. "See ya around."
He expected them to wave goodbye, maybe Serval to shout something cheeky. Instead, he heard the soft patter of footsteps behind him. He turned, surprised to find both Serval and Veil following. Veil remained silent as always, but Serval grinned.
"Why are you two following me?" Naruto asked, quickening his pace. The girls mirrored his speed effortlessly.
"Just curious," Serval chirped, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Veil leaned closer to Serval and whispered something in her ear. Serval's grin widened. "Oh, and Veil said she wants to treat you for saving her life again. Apparently, that's becoming a regular thing."
Naruto's eyebrows shot up. "Treat me? But… I only did what anyone would do." He picked up his pace further, almost jogging now. The girls, surprisingly, kept up, their strides long and graceful. He was starting to realize that these girls were faster than they looked, faster than most people he'd encountered in Belobog, in fact. He pushed himself to a full run, weaving through the station crowds, hoping to lose them. He risked a quick glance back – they were still there, a determined glint in Serval's eyes and an unreadable stillness in Veil's masked gaze.
Deciding on a different tactic, Naruto veered sharply into a side alley, ducking behind a stack of crates. He muttered a quick incantation under his breath, his body shimmering and phasing out of sight, activating a subtle cloaking technique. He held his breath, listening as the footsteps of the girls approached, then passed by. He waited a moment longer, then slowly stepped out from his hiding spot, confident he'd lost them.
As he emerged from the alley, a young boy, no older than ten, stood wide-eyed, staring directly at him. "Wow…" the kid breathed, awe coloring his face.
Naruto, momentarily forgetting his camouflage, blinked in confusion. Then he realized the kid had seen him decloak. He grinned, understanding dawning on him. He winked and threw up a peace sign, circling round the building. The kid's jaw hung open for a moment longer, before a wide smile broke across his face. He excitedly jabbed a finger at the sky, adding something new and fantastical to the list of things he wanted to be when he grew up.
Naruto, however, was focused on his destination. He turned around the corner of a building, his pace slowing. He was in front of a familiar, unassuming building: Belobog's orphanage. This was it. He had wanted to come here alone, without the curious eyes of Serval and Veil.
He entered the quiet building. From the pockets of his jacket, miniature forms detached themselves and scampered off. The chibi Tailed Beasts, Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Gokū, Kokuō, Saiken, Chōmei, and Gyūki – a collection of miniature chaotic energy, now surprisingly well-behaved in their miniature forms. They dispersed to explore, to nap in sunbeams, to simply exist without causing trouble, their innate camouflage keeping them hidden from human eyes.
"Naruto? Is that you?" A soft voice called out.
Naruto turned to see Amy, a documentor and photographer of the Belobog's outdoor exploration team, holding a small, bundled form in her arms. Amy, who had once been the unflappable assistant to Officer Penya Sergayevna, now looked perpetually tired, but her eyes lit up with warmth when she saw him. Amy had also seen Naruto many times as his parole officer was her boss during his initial, turbulent arrival in this world. Now, she was more than just a former office worker; she now working in the orphanage and at the same time looking out for the tragically separated baby Pela from her mother Penya.
"Hi, Amy. Is that Pela?" Naruto asked, his usual boisterous energy softening, replaced by a gentle tenderness. He stepped closer, his gaze drawn to the bundle in Amy's arms. His voice took on a sad, calm tone.
"Yeah," Amy replied, her voice catching slightly. "She looks just like her mother. Every time I look at her…" Her voice trailed off, the unspoken grief for Penya hanging in the air between them. Penya, who had spearheaded the expedition to Frostweave Hill, Penya, who had fought and given birth amidst chaos, Penya presumed dead after falling into the chasm. Only Naruto and Natasha knew the truth of her survival, a secret they guarded closely.
Since Penya had no known family, Pela, barely a month old, was destined for the orphanage. Amy desperately wanted to adopt her, but the weight of responsibility and her own limited resources held her back. Instead, she'd resigned from her old job and taken a position at the orphanage, ensuring she could at least be near Penya's daughter.
"It's stupid that I have to get an education degree and a stable job to adopt her," Naruto grumbled, his earlier calm dissipating into frustration. He'd initially wanted to take Pela, to give her a home, a family – something he himself had lacked. But the adoption requirements were stringent. "It's not like I don't have money." He didn't elaborate much since he himself didn't know the exact amount.
Amy offered a sad smile. "Haha… Naruto, the caretakers just want what's best for the baby. They want stable homes, especially for newborns." She knew Naruto meant well, but rules were rules. "Besides…" She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, rectangular card. "After Penya pushed through your probation before… well, she was supposed to give you this."
Naruto stared at the card. His Belobog citizenship ID. He'd been so caught up in missions, in helping others, in simply surviving in this new world, he'd almost forgotten about it. Penya had mentioned it, multiple times in fact, but now, receiving it under these circumstances, it felt infinitely more precious. A tangible link to Penya, to a promise made and kept even beyond the presumed end.
"Pass the academy and come for Pela," Amy said softly, her words carrying a heartfelt hope. Naruto nodded, his gaze fixed on the sleeping baby in her arms. He would. He would pass the academy, get a job, jump through every bureaucratic hoop. He would become the stable family Pela deserved. He would not let her become another orphan, not if he had anything to say about it.
Naruto, you are planning on settling in this world?
Isobu's calm, telepathic voice echoed in his mind, a question born from their shared consciousness.
"Yeah," he replied silently, his eyes still on Pela. Two years he'd been running, drifting, exploring this world. But seeing Pela, hearing Amy's quiet grief, a new resolve solidified within him. He would stay. He would build a life here, a life for Pela. He would raise the child of his friend.
Your two friends are here.Gyūki's rumbling voice joined the mental chorus, a hint of amusement in its tone.
"!?" Naruto's eyes widened, snapping back to reality. He spun around, and there they were. Serval, leaning against the doorframe with that signature proud smirk, and Veil, standing silently beside her.
"How did you—?" He started to ask, genuinely bewildered. He'd used a powerful cloaking technique!
Serval's smirk widened. She reached inside his shirt, between the layers of his jacket, and pulled out a tiny, almost invisible device. "Hidden tag," she explained, holding it up for him to see. "Just a little something I… borrowed from the station's security tech. Figured you might try to pull one of your ninja vanishing acts again."
Naruto stared at the tag, then back at Serval and Veil. He couldn't help but chuckle. They were persistent, he had to give them that. He shook his head, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
The rest of the day unfolded unexpectedly, yet somehow perfectly. Serval and Veil insisted on staying, volunteering to help out around the orphanage. They cooed over sleeping Pela, asked Amy about Penya with gentle curiosity, and played with the other children, Serval's boisterous energy balanced by Veil's quiet attentiveness. Serval peppered Naruto with questions about his past, his powers, his… 'fox' as she called Kurama, while Veil observed everything with intelligent, masked eyes. Naruto, initially reluctant, found himself opening up, sharing carefully curated fragments of his story. Surprising Veil and Serval at his stories but eventually laughter echoed through the orphanage that afternoon, a sound that had been rare in the weeks following the Frostweave Hill disaster. Amidst the quiet grief and the uncertain future, a fragile seed of hope, of friendship, had taken root, nurtured by the presence of three unlikely companions and the innocent slumber of a newborn child.
And done!
Age:
Naruto: ?
Serval: 16 (Landau gene's but unlike Gepard her little brother, she's more of a mechanical genius. Still she could hold her own against a normal soldier due to her training since her childhood.)
Gepard: 14 (Okay, Gepard is strong due to his Landau genes. Training since childhood as a Landau making his stature taller and stronger.)
Lynx: 6
Natasha: 20
Penya: 24 (No, she will not be interested in Naruto)
Naruto Abilities:
Rasengan, Odama Rasengan, Tailed beast bomb(unavailable), Rasen-shuriken, Sage art: Cosmic Rasengan, Multiple release-rasengan.
Multi-Shadow clones
Fire manipulation and ignition
Transformation technique (How he hid his fox features.)
Substitution jutsu
Perfect Kurama yin yang chakra mode(unavailable)
Cosmic Sage mode (He's still learning the ups and downs despite the accessibility)
Yes, due to Naruto's involvement in the world of HSR leading to a planet being gaze down by multiple Aeons. Some people within Jiralo-VI awakened to the power of a path-strider some more potent than others.
Bye!