Chapter 56
The art of Shinobi warfare was a complicated, yet elegant thing. The ways in which wars are fought differ, and a Shinobi's fighting style often heavily depends on their country. In these styles, there was one thing that was common amongst them all.
Chakra.
The very source of both life and power for the Shinobi, Chakra was the main ingredient needed to perform all forms of Jutsu. Be it Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, or even Genjutsu, one had to know how to harness their Chakra to better their skills on the battlefield. Even something as simple as chakra enhancement held significant importance to combat, often making much smaller Shinobi capable of challenging, if not equaling, a much bigger opposition.
Now, what you may be asking yourself right now: why is any of that important?
Mainly, it is to show the importance of chakra in combat.
It is what allows Shinobi to be as versatile as they are and, in turn, make them masters of war. Their prowess, their knowledge, and their sheer tenacity for battle gave them an advantage no other country had while utilizing life's greatest gift to man. It is what made them one of the most dominating forces of nature on the planet.
And now that you understand chakra's importance, what do you think would happen if you took that away from them?
In a few cases, there would be little difference. Those who delve mainly in Taijutsu, Kenjutsu, Shurikenjutsu, and any other form of close quarters combat or weaponry would find a dip in their overall movement but would find ways to complement their lack of enhancement in minimum, if no time at all.
But those who depended on the art of ninjutsu would suffer a catastrophic descent in their overall usefulness in battle.
Any Shinobi highly dependent on their jutsu arsenal often find it severely limiting without the use of their chakra. Without the energy they could harness from their core, their range of abilities becomes nonexistent, and their usefulness in battle drops significantly.
It's why Naruto found the Chakra-sealing barrier to be so useful.
He had trained for years both with and without chakra. Be it kenjutsu or taijutsu, he had trained his body to depend on both muscle and chakra, a skill hammered into him by Sothis and Rhea during their daily training back before he was even a Genin. It gave him a significant edge in fights like this, a lesson his former sensei was finding out firsthand.
Just yards away from him, the masked woman breathed heavily, cuts marring her body and her armor cracked in several places. The blade in her hand was chipped and riddled with cracks, and her mask, once plain, now held four long cracks connecting at a point just above the left eye hole.
In comparison, Naruto's state was far more favorable. His own body showed a few small cuts but was otherwise unharmed. It was obvious which one of them was winning, but Naruto wasn't cocky enough to believe it was due to skill alone.
Though they both were actively trying not to kill each other, head-on fights weren't Kagero's specialty. She specialized in silent killing and espionage, and though she was a capable kenjutsu practitioner, going straight for the kill in hit-and-run tactics was her bread and butter. Naruto knew the fact that she couldn't kill him was the only reason this fight was so one-sided.
"Ready to talk now?" He asked, raising his sword to her level.
Her response was to throw two kunai at his face.
He rolled his eyes, sidestepping the projectiles and making his way towards her.
She jumped back, two more kunai flying from her to be dodged and lost in the greenery.
"You're running out of kunai," Naruto casually remarked.
Her response was a shuriken that was swatted out of the air as easily as the kunai.
"...Correction, you're running out of weapons."
His words still did not get through.
Naruto sighed as he watched Kagero draw another kunai, her stance lower than before, her breath heavier. He admired her resolve, but this was getting exhausting.
"Alright," he muttered. "You wanna keep going? Fine."
He dashed forward, swinging his blade in a precise arc. Kagero barely managed to parry, but the force of the impact sent her stumbling back. She adjusted, flipping midair, and threw a smoke bomb to cover her retreat.
Not this time.
With a flick of his wrist, a gust of compressed wind erupted from his sword, dispersing the smoke before it could fully form. His eyes locked onto Kagero, who had already started moving. Even without chakra, her instincts were razor-sharp. She was already twisting away, trying to create distance.
But Naruto was faster.
He appeared before her in an instant, his blade held low. As expected from his speed, the only thing Kagero could logically do in time was block or deflect. She went for the latter, yet there was no right answer to the scenario.
Naruto's blade flicked upward, both breaking her sword in two and knocking it free from her hand.
If she was surprised, it was only momentary before she drew a kunai and immediately went for his jugular—a killing move he knew was instinctual.
He grabbed her wrist, forcing the blade away from his neck, and yanked her forward. He brought his fist to her gut, sending her staggering back.
She wasn't given the chance to recover. A knee smashed into her mask, followed by an uppercut and a spinning kick to her abdomen. As she staggered, the whip sword wrapped around her fully, binding her arms to her sides before being yanked into the air and slammed into a nearby tree.
He thought that would have been the end of her struggles, but like his sensei proved time and time again, she was not so easily defeated.
So he slammed her into another tree.
And then the ground.
A tree again.
The ground.
Tree.
Ground.
Tree.
Ground.
Despite his brutally efficient method, it got results. All movement had ceased by the fourth throw, yet he had to make sure there would be no further resistance.
The barrier around them fell. Two clones immediately made their way over to the prone form of the kunoichi, adding to her bindings by wrapping their whip swords around her legs until she was practically a cocoon with nothing but her head sticking out.
Only when she was safely restrained did Naruto join his clones over the woman. With a simple gesture towards the clone on her left, it kneeled down, taking hold of the mask and slowly peeling it back. A face was revealed, one he had been familiar with for years.
Only, there was something that felt...different.
Kagero was never known for being expressive. The only time she had ever shown anything remotely emotional was whenever he or Tenten had done something she deemed reprehensible, which had been quite often. Other than that, she had what people called a 'resting bitch face', which fit perfectly with her dry personality.
But now, there was nothing. Not the slightest twitch of an eye or the smallest curl of her lips. Her mouth was neutral, her brows relaxed, and her expression as blank as the mask that had covered her face. He'd go as far as to say she mirrored his younger self, yet even as a toddler, Naruto at the very least had life in his eyes.
Kagero had none. It was like the soul had been sucked from her, leaving behind an empty vessel. It made Naruto feel confused, as well as slightly concerned. Say what he wanted about her morals, she had still been a very important part of his growth and cared for him and his team in her own twisted way. He didn't think she deserved...this.
"What...happened to you?" His voice was a whisper, the words spoken out loud not necessarily meant for the woman before him.
"What is it you need from me, Uzumaki." Her voice made his eyes widen. There was no inflection in her tone, no hint of exhaustion, annoyance, or even recognition. It was flat, emotionless—almost mechanical.
There was something wrong here. Something. Terribly wrong.
"Who did this to you," he whispered in anger, his hands tightening on the hilt of his blade. His anger only grew upon receiving silence as an answer. "Answer me."
Nothing.
"Why won't you answer me?"
Nothing.
"I'm trying to help you. I can't help you if you don't let me."
Still nothing.
Question after ponderous question was asked, but to his frustration, none were answered. The silence was deafening, heavier than any they had shared together in the past. His former sensei, once sharp and biting with her words, now sat there like a hollow shell, her presence almost eerie in its stillness.
Naruto took a slow breath, trying to temper the frustration burning in his chest. This wasn't normal. This wasn't the Kagero he knew. Something had happened to her—something unnatural.
"Sothis." The Goddess appeared before him almost immediately upon invoking her name.
"I know what you're going to ask, and no, it is not magical in nature. You would have known." She said, destroying a hope that his senses could be wrong.
Whatever had happened to her, it wasn't magical, or chakra related. If it were some sort of Genjutsu, he would have known, and even if he didn't, Sothis was far more energy sensitive than he and had only grown in the years. If she didn't sense anything, then Kagero's problem didn't stem from manipulation of her chakra.
Which only led to a more grim conclusion, one he could confirm almost immediately.
Looking to his hand, he reached for the dormant power given to him by the old man. Looking back at Kagero, right into those empty brown orbs, all but strengthened his resolve. He reached the hand out to the woman, who immediately leaned back. The movement had him pause momentarily, but the reminder of her state was enough for him to continue.
His hand touched her head, and he concentrated. Space distorted around them, and cracks began to spread around the Shimura heir.
"What are you doing," came Kagero's flat voice, yet the blonde didn't stop.
He didn't know the exact time period at which her change came, but he did know when he last saw her 'normal'. More cracks appeared on the woman as he poured more and more chakra into her.
"S-Stop!" Once again, she was ignored. If Naruto hadn't been so focused on her recovery, on returning her to normal, he would have noticed the shifts in her facial expression—the unmistakable tone of panic in her voice.
With one final push, the cracks around the woman shattered. Glass fragments fell to the ground, fading into motes of light on impact. Naruto removed his hand from the kunoichi's face and immediately smiled.
She looked disoriented, blinking rapidly while constantly scanning her surroundings. Her gaze finally landed on him, the confusion in her eyes a clear indicator that he had been successful in his technique.
"Uzumaki?" She spoke, her voice already a significant improvement to her earlier monotone. "Where are we? "Why am I," she looked down to herself, recognition and confusion plain to see as she observed the tattered remains of her armor.
"It's OK, Sensei," Naruto did his best to sound reassuring as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You weren't yourself. But it's OK now because I fixed everything."
"You're, not making any sense." Kagero said, not able to piece together their current situation with the seemingly nonsensical words of her student. "We were just leaving the tower, and then…" Her face scrunched in concentration as she tried remembering what followed after, but nothing was coming to mind.
Naruto fought within himself, trying to decide whether or not it was right, or safe, for him to ask the questions he needed answered. Unlike Eddy, his sensei wasn't as fragile, yet he still needed key information to start his investigation into what exactly had happened to her.
In the end, he decided to explain everything leading up to this moment. Her stocking, their confrontation, her state—he told her everything. The more he went, the more she seemed to have pieced everything together, yet the expression that followed was all but expected.
Kagero looked dumbfounded—a stark contrast to her former state. Her mouth was agape, and her eyes were wide and shaking. It was a sign, if any, that she knew exactly what had happened to her.
"W-What have you done?"
Not...exactly the words he was expecting. But then again, he'd be lying if he said he expected a 'thank you' from her of all people.
"I fixed you," Naruto smiled triumphantly, yet the woman didn't at all look thankful.
"Fixed? Fixed?!" Her voice raised, her eyes glaring daggers into his own. "Do you have any idea what you've done!"
Naruto blinked. The feeling of accomplishment was slowly leaving, being replaced by uncertainty.
"I...fixed you. I helped you. You can think clearly-"
"Stop speaking your idealistic nonsense, you ignorant child!" She roared, the look of utter wrath on her face looking completely out of place on her normally stoic features. "There was nothing that needed to be fixed! I was perfect! The epitome of a Shinobi! I could serve without question—without hesitation or regret! I was LOYAL! USEFUL! And now... Now..." She closed her eyes, her head bowed as her whole body shook. "I...was useful to him. Finally useful. You...had no right to take that from me."
Naruto watched her in silence, his thoughts jumbled. He tried thinking back on his words—his actions—what exactly he had done wrong. He even tried sympathizing with her, but there was no situation in which he wouldn't want help if their roles were reversed. It left him mute—unable to say anything more in defense of his actions.
One by one, his clones disappeared as well as the swords binding her, feeling as though releasing her binding eased her mood, if only a little. It shifted her slightly, but she remained on her rear, staring vacantly into the distance.
The silence that followed was uncomfortable. Kagero didn't speak, and Naruto no longer felt it logical to dig deeper into exactly who 'him' when the woman perceived his well-intentioned actions as a slight. The only reason he hadn't left her in her state of somberness was due to the vein hope that she would at least talk to him about the problem—give an explanation as to why what he did was wrong.
She didn't.
"What do you want, Uzumaki...?" Her voice was tired, dragged even. It didn't sound as if she really cared for his answer, which made him less willing to ask.
"...I wanted your help on something. For the war." He got out, to which the woman slowly peered up at him.
"I cannot think of any reason why you would ever seek me out for guidance—not when you've all but surpassed me. What could I possibly teach you?"
"...Before I answer that, will you first tell me why you've been following me for the last few months?"
"Why is that of any importance?"
"I want to know if I can really trust you before I ask my favor."
A small, bemused chuckle left the woman. "You have never trusted me, Uzumaki. You wish to trust me, but you know you can't. You've tried to change me, to hold false hope that I could be molded into whatever idealistic image you have of people. And yet I have not changed, nor will I ever." Her amusement swiftly left and was replaced with coldness, one she aimed right at the blonde. "I am loyal to Konoha's best interest, and it is best that you finally realize that not everyone will change, nor will anyone kneel to your idealistic fantasy."
For once, Naruto did not feel as though he should defend himself. Whether her words came from logic or anger, he didn't know. He just...didn't want to—like something in him had simply stopped caring.
"...Leave," Kagero muttered, turning her gaze back to the grass. "There is nothing for you here, Uzumaki. If you still wish to show me kindness, then leave."
Naruto stood there for a long moment, watching her. The hollowness of her words, the sheer finality in her tone, made it clear that no matter what he said, no matter what he did, it would be unwanted.
The wind rustled the trees as he walked away. Sothis spoke in his ear, trying to reassure him that his actions were just, yet it did nothing to brighten his mood.
Location: ?
Byleth opened her eyes to a familiar titanic cage. As always, the abyss stared back at her, silent and ominous. The beast cloaked within was as quiet as always, his suffocating chakra the only sign that he was there.
Walking forward, she easily slipped through the massive bars as she ventured into the darkness. Every step drew her closer to her destination, and the closer she got, the more the air around her turned frigid. Her breath clouded before her face, and goosebumps crawled over her skin, but it was a discomfort she was used to.
She finally came to a stop before orange fur and soft breathing. Despite the fox's posture, she knew it wasn't sleeping, just like she knew he knew she was coming. He wanted her to speak first, to think twice about waking him from his nap. He was just that petty.
Unfortunately for him, so was she.
Getting closer, she stopped just short of arm's length. Not needing to rethink her actions, she reeled her leg back...and buried it right into its human-like hand—as hard as her minuscule form could muster.
The reaction was not immediate.
Slowly, the fox opened an eye, peering down at his jailer, her arms crossed and foot tapping rhythmically against the cobblestone.
"I grow tired of your disrespect, Fleshbag." It spoke, oddly calm despite the clear annoyance in its voice.
"And I'm tired of your stubbornness," Byleth bit back, not giving the fox the pleasure of seeing her intimidated.
"You have no idea what you ask of me." The fox stated.
"And you have no idea what is at stake." She paused. "I take that back, you do know what's at stake, and yet you still refuse to put your stupid pride aside and work together."
"Have I not already done that?" The fox queried. "I give unfiltered power whenever you wish—no side effects, and as much as you could ever want to fell your enemies, and yet that is still not enough? You wish to take even more from me? That which is already not yours?"
Byleth winced at his words, seeing how her demands could be portrayed. Nevertheless, she pushed forward, thoughts of the incoming storm weighing on her mind. "We, have not had the best relationship, and I know I'm asking for a lot. But this affects both of us. Our lives are at stake here. If they get me, then they take you."
"From one jail to another," the fox indicated, much to Byleth's annoyance. "Whether I'm with you or within another, it matters not. A prison is a prison, no matter the accommodations."
"Have we not already been through this? I need you, you need me. It's a partnership."
"It's an 'understanding'. Or were those not your words?" Byleth did her best to refrain from wincing. She had, in fact, used those exact words. Bringing that up, she could now see how her demands could come off as hypocritical. "I have willingly given you power to slay your enemies for nearly a decade. Ask, and you receive. For not using me to further your own selfish ambitions, you've earned a modicum of my respect."
It surprised Byleth how genuine the statement felt, certainly weird considering the beast had never been particularly cordial in their relationship. Unfortunately, there was a 'but' coming, and she had a feeling she wasn't going to like the words that followed.
"But," she inwardly groaned. "That does not mean I have any trust in you to keep those morals. Humans have proven time and time again to be untrustworthy. Though you may not seek power now, a time will come where you shall fall into despair, and history has proven that no mortal is exempt from the desperation that comes with desire."
"I think it's pretty unfair to punish me for something I might do." Byleth argued with a frown.
The fox let out a slow, rumbling chuckle, deep and knowing. "Unfair? Perhaps. But necessary." It shifted its massive form, stretching its limbs lazily before curling its tails around itself once more. "You call it punishment, but I call it foresight. I have seen humans break under the weight of their own ambitions. You, for all your strengths, are no exception."
Byleth clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Then tell me, what would it take for you to trust me?"
The fox's eye narrowed slightly, its crimson gaze studying her. "That is the wrong question."
"Oh? And what's the right one, then?"
The beast shifted again, leaning closer, its breath warm against the cold air between them. "Ask yourself this—do you trust me?"
Byleth's lips parted, but no immediate answer came.
She could speak, but she knew instinctively that the beast would know her next words would be a lie. Despite their relationship, despite how he had helped her, willing or not, deep down, she wasn't sure.
She hated that. Hated that he had flipped the conversation so easily.
The fox took her silence as an answer enough. "You hesitate. Why is that?" It grinned, its massive fanged teeth bare. "Is it because of what I am? A beast, a prisoner, a weapon to be wielded at your command?"
"It's not that," Byleth growled, which only made the fox's grin grow.
"You forget that my power feeds off emotion, Fleshbag. I know what you're feeling, and it is far from trust. So tell me: do you trust me?"
Byleth's expression remained taut, her eyes never leaving the fox as several protracted seconds of silence passed. It wasn't until the bluenette let out a long, drawn sigh that it was broken.
"You want to go there? Fine, let's go there." She said, her voice even. "I watched an ally, someone I could call family, die right in front of me. I watched as half of the people I knew either walked away or died. I watched my father nearly lose his life countless times. I watched him lose a limb, and all I could say was 'I'm sorry'. I lived in isolation, away from the world and the one person I trusted in this world, solely so he could live a normal life away from the danger I posed... And it's all because of you."
She glared up at the fox.
"Because of you, I lost people important to me. Because of you, my father has been hurt time and time again. Because of you, the people I love were in constant danger. Because of you, I can never have a normal life." Her voice was cold and unforgiving, the anger and frustration she felt evident. "While I was out there keeping us alive, you sat here on your furry ass, judging me for breathing, and nearly killed me to free yourself—so forgive me if I'm not exactly feeling 'trustful'."
A heavy breath left Byleth upon bearing her soul so openly. She hadn't planned on saying all that—not in the way it spilled out, raw and unfiltered. It wasn't like her to vent, to let her emotions take over, but this... This was years of resentment, frustration, and exhaustion finally boiling over. It was therapeutic, in a way.
The fox remained eerily still, its crimson eyes unblinking. If it was angered by her accusations, it didn't show it. If it was amused, it was hiding it well. Instead, it simply watched her, its expression unreadable. If she weren't intimately familiar with his nature, she'd think his silence to be contemplative.
"Still you blame me for deaths out of my control. Truly, your hypocrisy knows no bounds." The disappointment in the fox's tone nearly made Byleth ignite into another ramble. "I shall take responsibility for nearly ending your life. I shall also take responsibility for any and all threats I've made. What I will not take the blame for is the direction your life took. I am no more responsible for integrating myself in your life than you can choose your parents."
He leaned in, his teeth bared again as his voice echoed through his maw.
"Despite my threats, I have not once influenced your decisions. Your loss of control may be due to my chakra, but that was your lack of control. You blame me for the direction your life has taken, when in fact, half your problems were never influenced directly by me. I have not made you the 'Scourge'. You embraced that title. You are the product of your own reputation. You chose to become the killer, the monster you accuse me of. And since our 'understanding', I have not once been responsible for your actions, so don't you dare stand there and blame me for your life choices."
Byleth's nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, her breathing shallow and uneven. The fox's words hit deep, slicing through her like a well-honed blade.
Was he wrong?
She wanted to deny it, to push back with righteous fury, but the weight of his accusations settled over her like a leaden cloak.
She had made those choices.
She had embraced the title.
She had become exactly what they feared she would be.
And she could blame none of that on the fox.
Even if she tried bringing up the fact he omitted vital information concerning his power, it would sound petty. He was right. He was right—plain and simple. Even if she still believed she had a genuine reason to be distrustful of him, it was nothing compared to the truth he laid out. The fact their lives were still at stake did not help.
Huffing, the fox returned to his resting position, his maw closed and his eyes slipping shut. "Your pride is a cancer. Truly, you humans are undeserving of your gifts."
The words were said without heat, but the statement was no less harsh. Byleth was forced to avert her gaze, unable to hold the fox's knowing stare.
"We are done here." The words made Byleth's eyes go wide. Before she could speak in protest, a strong force sent her flying through the darkness, her mind slipping away along with the fox's parting words. "Come back with better resolve, and I just may entertain the idea of working together."
...
When her eyes opened, she was sitting directly across from a familiar blonde, her frown telling.
"I'm guessing you were unsuccessful," came Yugito's expectant voice.
Byleth sighed as she leaned back, one hand keeping her up while the other ran through her hair. "...I was right." She grimaced as the fox's parting words echoed in her head. "We're both stubborn."
Yugito mirrored her, a tired sigh leaving her as well. "Well, it's not like we don't have time, but it's been a week. You're gonna have to get him to cooperate if you want to stand a chance against Iwa's Jinchuuriki."
Byleth closed her eyes, letting out a slow, deep breath. When her eyes reopened, her gaze was steel.
"I'll figure something out."
Yugito observed the bluenette for a long moment before she stood, "Alright kid, get up." Byleth looked up to her in confusion. "Since the fox isn't cooperating, we're gonna spar. It's better than sitting here doing nothing."
Byleth stood, yet there was hesitation on her face. "You know I can't beat you without the fox." She said.
"All the more reason you need you need to get use to fighting Shinobi. I don't buy the whole 'other world' shtick, but I can see a novice when I see one. And luckily for you, I'm good at forging lost causes."
The frown Byleth gave made her smirk widen. She had reason, now she needed motivation.
"Tell you what, every successful blow you get through, I'll take something off. Sound like a deal?"
The bluenette raised a brow at that. "Do you really think sex is the only thing I think about?"
Yugito raised an equally incredulous brow, the smug smirk not leaving her lips. "Are you complaining? I can take it back, y'know." Much to the blonde's amusement, the teen drew her sword almost immediately and charged.
She was so simple minded.
Next Day: Konoha Hot Springs
"So, you decided that you could learn a thing or two from me after all." Jiraiya smirked down at the blonde, unable to hide his smugness even if he tried. "Well, I'm honored. You may not need the toad contract, but I'm sure there are other techniques I could teach you."
He could see it now, Naruto standing proud and tall on the battlefield, his technique a marvelous work of art that would surely have the ladies swooning. He would become a hero, a legend—a true Shinobi—and Jiraiya would have the honor of saying he had a hand in the boy's training. It was a vision he had only seen in his dreams and fantasies, ones where they were side by side, master and student, taking the world by storm and fulfilling a prophecy he'd once thought unattainable.
"I don't need to learn any jutsu from you, Pervy Sage."
Jiraiya blinked. Surely, he heard that wrong, right?
"Uh, then how about my fighting style! It's quite unique. Though you may not be a summoner of the toad contract, there's no rule against-"
"I don't need to learn how to fight like you either. I like how I fight already."
"...Then what do you want from me, kid?" Jiraiya crossed his arms, awaiting whatever training the boy had in mind.
"I need you to come at me with the intent to kill. And I need you to succeed if you find me lacking. If you can't do that, then I'll ask someone else."
Despite the outrageous request and the startling way the blood said it with a straight face, Jiraiya's expression remained taut.
"So, you're asking me to kill you. Do I have that right?" Naruto nodded immediately at the question, which did nothing to ease his worries. "Maybe I missed a few things in my absence from the village, but last I checked, death is permanent."
"Not for me it isn't." Naruto reassured, to which Jiraiya raised an inquisitive brow. "I can do things that no other human can do in this world. Things that people would love to take advantage of. I'm coming to you because the Hokage trusts you, and you're the only one in the village close in strength to the old man. So, are you gonna help me or not?"
Jiraiya exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
The kid wasn't joking. His eyes held no hesitation, no doubt—only certainty. It was the kind of look that made Jiraiya's gut twist with unease every time he noticed the lack of humanity the boy should have.
"You're asking for a lot, kid," Jiraiya said, trying to wrap his head around the sheer insanity of the request. "If you think I'm just gonna cut you down on a whim, you're crazier than I thought."
Naruto didn't flinch. He didn't get defensive or lash out. He simply stared at Jiraiya with an unnerving calmness, as if this was a simple exchange of favors rather than a request for a death match.
"I understand why you'd think that, and I can reassure you if that is your worry. But I'm not asking for blind aggression. I need to be tested, really tested, in a way that only a real fight to the death can provide. No holding back, no pulling punches. Simple as that. If I die, I'll come back, and if I don't, then either you're pulling your punches or you're not as good as they say you are."
It was only when Jiraiya's brow creased into a frown that he realized his final statement wasn't particularly...kind.
"How about you 'reassure' me first. Do that, and I'll think about helping you out, kid."
Ask and you shall receive.
In a blink, the world stood still. The people passing by them came to a halt, the water in the fountain was frozen in place, the wind was no longer blowing, and even the clouds were frozen. He had seen a lot of strange things in his life, but this? This was on a different level. Jiraiya had felt nothing—no shift in chakra, no Genjutsu, nothing to indicate an illusion. And yet, everything around them was utterly frozen, locked in a stasis beyond anything he had encountered.
He observed all of this through his periphery because a much more interesting sight floated just above the blonde.
Naruto instinctively followed the Sannin's gaze and immediately understood the reason for his fixation.
Sothis blinked back at the Sannin, a chip halfway in her mouth while she lay on her side, propped up by an arm. Jiraiya brought his hand up into a sign, and a rush of chakra escaped him. Nothing happened, and the only thing that followed was a moment of silence.
"…I take it you're the cause of this?" Jiraiya asked, his tone even but his muscles tense.
Sothis remained silent for a moment longer before the chip halfway in her mouth disappeared within, her crunching the only sound in the world.
"This is Sothis. She's my best friend." Naruto spoke in her stead. "This is her world. In here, death doesn't exist. You can kill me as many times as you want, and I'll be fine."
Jiraiya glanced at him, then back to the girl, his expression neutral. Whether or not he was shocked or flabbergasted by either the blonde's statement or the floating Goddess, nobody knew.
"Kid, has anyone ever told you that you are the luckiest bastard to ever live?" Jiraiya asked plainly. Naruto did not deem him with a reply, and Sothis continued digging into the bag of illusionary chips. "So, how long can she hold this?"
"Forever, technically. But my limit is a few hours."
The Sannin nodded as he processed the information.
"So, you want us to fight in this place to the death daily?" Naruto nodded. "Why?" Jiraiya had to ask. There was certainly much experience to gain under such a harsh training regimen, but Jiraiya couldn't for the life of him think as to why the boy would make such a request.
Well, he could. He just hoped it wasn't for what he thought it was for.
"I have a tendency to spare my enemies during the heat of combat. I want to change that habit. For the war."
Jiraiya inhaled sharply, his expression darkening at Naruto's words.
For the war. It wasn't a hopeful declaration, nor an exaggerated statement of a naïve boy playing ninja. It was a fact, spoken with certainty. War was coming in just a month, and whether either of them was prepared for it or not, they couldn't afford to be merciful.
"Preparing to kill," Jiraiya said, voice quieter now, the weight of understanding settling over him.
Naruto met his gaze head-on. "Yes."
Jiraiya studied him, searching for any flicker of hesitation, any sign that this was just bravado.
He found none.
The kid was dead serious. For a moment, an ever so brief moment, he saw his former student standing before him.
"...Fine," Jiraiya relented, much to the blonde's surprise. His voice lacked its usual teasing tone, replaced instead with something heavier—something more solemn. "But if we're doing this, we're doing it right. We're gonna train every aspect of combat until your only instinct is to take my life. But," Jiraiya made sure to be more stern in his next words. It was important if he didn't want the boy falling into a hole he could never climb out of. "Never forget that mercy and restraint are the very traits that make us human. They're our strengths. If you lose those, then you are just a weapon. Weapons have no feelings or morals. They only obey. Never stop feeling. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
Naruto gave a silent nod, actually surprised by the man's speech. Seems even the pervert could be serious.
"Thanks. Really. When do you-"
Naruto suddenly felt the air leave his lungs. One moment, he was standing a fair distance away from the Sannin, and the next, the man's fist was buried in his gut. So mighty was the punch that his feet left the ground. He didn't even have time to reorient himself as the man's geta crashed into his stomach next.
The kick sent him flying back, yet his impact with the did not stop the assault. If anything, him bouncing off the stone only gave the Sannin access to a wider set of combinations.
Naruto barely had time to register the pain before Jiraiya was on him again. The Sannin's movements were relentless, each strike carrying the full weight of his years of battle experience. A fist crashed into Naruto's ribs, sending him skidding across the frozen battlefield.
He tried to flip himself upright, but Jiraiya was already above him, heel descending in a brutal axe kick. Naruto twisted midair, narrowly avoiding his skull being crushed. The moment his feet touched the ground, he lunged forward, aiming a palm strike toward Jiraiya's chest.
It never landed.
Jiraiya caught Naruto's wrist with one hand and wrenched him off balance before delivering a devastating elbow to his sternum. Naruto choked on the impact, pain exploding in his lungs. Before he could recover, Jiraiya twisted, hurling him through the air like a ragdoll.
Naruto crashed into the ground, rolling several feet before coming to a stop. He coughed, feeling his ribs protest, but there was no time to wallow. He had asked for this.
He forced himself up and immediately held out a hand. Going hand to hand with the Sannin was suicide, so he needed an equalizer. The Sword of the Creator was that equalizer.
The moment Naruto's fingers curled around the hilt, the air crackled with power. The weapon extended in an instant, its whip-like blade lashing out toward Jiraiya with unnatural speed.
The Sannin's sharp eyes widened briefly before he twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the deadly arc of the sword. The air whistled where the weapon had passed, the sheer force of its swing creating a vacuum.
Jiraiya didn't hesitate. His hands moved in a blur, forming seals faster than Naruto could track.
'Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!'
The ground beneath Naruto's feet liquefied in an instant, turning into a thick, sinking mire. His movement slowed, his legs sinking into the swamp before he could leap away.
'Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!'
A torrent of fire roared toward Naruto, its heat scorching his skin and singeing his clothes. The fire was hot enough that the liquid mud began to bubble, and the smell of burning rock permeated the air.
It consumed him completely, leaving behind nothing but ash.
Despite seeing the kill, Jiraiya did not relax. The boy had proven that he was far from a standard opponent, and the man did not for a second believe it was that easy.
His instincts were right.
His hand came until a single sign before his long hair began to stretch, the strands encasing him fully in a cocoon. A split second later, multiple blasts of light slammed into the hair shield before bouncing off harmlessly and fizzling out into nothing.
A second later, Naruto's sword coiled around the cocoon of hair like a living snake. The air crackled with energy as the blade's segments pulsed with power, tightening further and forcing Jiraiya into a moment of stillness.
That moment was all Naruto needed.
A pulse of lightning was sent through the blade, the energy surging along its length and into Jiraiya's body. A grunt of pain escaped the Sannin's lips as his muscles spasmed involuntarily. The cocoon going up in a puff of smoke told him his efforts had not been successful, and he paid for it. A devastating axe kick crashed into the back of the blonde's head, bouncing his face into the ground.
And then he exploded.
Jiraiya leapt free of the blast in time to avoid the brunt of the explosion, but the shockwave was enough to send him slightly off balance through the air. Shadows looming over him had him looking up at a group of blondes descending, each with a sword poised to run him through.
In a show of ingenuity and reflex, Jiraiya twisted mid-air, flipping through the descending clones with fluid grace as they each sought to take off key limbs. His hands then blurred through hand seals at a speed that even the trained eye would struggle to follow.
'Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!'
A powerful burst of wind erupted from his palms, scattering the clones like leaves in a storm. They were sent flying, their forms breaking apart into wisps of smoke before they could land a single blow.
Yet, amidst the chaos, one remained.
Naruto, the real one, twisted his body in midair, used the force of his own wind spell to propel himself downward with frightening speed. His sword pulsed with power, its whip-like segments snapping taut as he prepared to bring it down in a devastating arc.
Instead of dodging, Jiraiya planted his feet before slamming a hand to the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
In a puff of smoke, a massive toad materialized beneath Jiraiya, its thick, armored forearms absorbing the brunt of the Jonin's strike. The force of the impact cracked the ground beneath them, sending debris flying in all directions, yet the armor of the Toad proved to be made of sturdier material.
Kicking off of the toad's arm, Naruto landed a short distance away, his sword losing its glow as he surveyed the battlefield. Jiraiya stood atop the toad, arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"Not bad, kid. But if you wanna kill me," he cracked his knuckles, killing intent flaring around him like a violent storm. "You're gonna have to try a whole lot harder than that."
Naruto gripped two hands onto his sword as he got into a stance, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"That's the plan."
One day before the finals...
"...Are you sure about this?" Naruto asked for what felt like the hundredth time to the woman stretching on the other side of the makeshift ring.
"I believe I've made my resolve quite clear," Edelgard said pointedly, not bothering to look back at him.
Looking down, he observed the makeshift circle she had drawn in the dirt with a rather disturbing axe... One she was currently using the pole end to stretch out her back.
The axe was...unique. It features a massive, jagged blade with a dark, almost organic appearance, resembling a fusion of metal and bone. The axe's head was asymmetrical, with one side having a large, curved blade while the other held claw-like protrusions, giving it a brutal and menacing look. The weapon's color scheme resembled that of his own sword, but whereas his sword remained menacing in aura, her axe took it a step further by moving back and forward rhythmically as if it were breathing.
Yep, definitely don't want to ever be on the receiving end of that thing.
"Can't we find another way to settle this?" Naruto tried again.
Edelgard responded first by twirling her axe with effortless precision before slamming its pole end into the ground, sending a small shockwave through the dirt beneath her feet while her white cape billowed. She finally turned her gaze toward Naruto, her violet eyes sharp with unwavering determination.
"This is a matter of conviction," she said, her voice still firm. "You think me weak, and from your perspective, I can understand."
"I don't-"
"You do," the Adrestian air cut him off with a simple fact. "And you wouldn't be wrong in that assessment. You are correct in believing my strength is not enough to challenge the dangers of this world, nor am I foolish enough to believe that I can. I may have the true Crest of Flames now coursing through my veins, but the difference in our power is clear. However."
She lifted the axe to point at the blonde.
"What I will not have you think is that I am incapable. I vowed to one day have you stand at my side, and it would be injurious to not temper my skills to match the one I wish to stand beside. A ruler who relies solely on others to carry them forward is no ruler at all."
Naruto sighed, crossing his arms as he studied her. There was no doubt in his mind that she was serious—dead serious. Edelgard wasn't the type to say things for the sake of hearing herself talk. He could see it in her eyes: she had come to a decision, one she wouldn't back down from—and regardless of if he liked it or not, there was nothing he could do about it.
"So, what are the rules?" He asked, to which she smiled. Probably because he was no longer protesting her decision.
"My axe against your blade. A point is granted upon delivering a debilitating or killing blow or if you step out of the ring. No magic, and no weapons outside what is currently in our hands. The winner is declared when one side reaches their match point or yields. Agreed?"
Naruto nodded his assent, his fingers curling around the hilt of his blessed sword.
"What are the match points?" He asked.
"Two and ten." She supplied, to which the blonde gave a flat stare of incredulity.
"That doesn't seem fair at all."
Edelgard raised an amused brow. "You have far more battle experience than I and possess a sword skill only seconded to Lady Rhea. Swords also have a natural advantage against axes, and I have banned the use of mana. With my own handicaps, I think this is more than fair."
Naruto frowned, seeing the validity behind the argument even if he was still skeptical of the reasoning.
"Fine, you're still gonna lose."
"Oh? I don't believe I expected such a confident boast." She smirked as she got into a stance. "Ready?"
"Whenever you are."
Sothis chose that moment to appear outside the ring, looking between the two with an arm raised.
"Alright you two, you know the rules! I want a clean bout! No mana, no chakra, and no cheap tricks! I'm talking to you, Naruto!" The blonde, understandably, ignored the comment. "Ready? Aaaaaaand, GO!" The moment Sothis' arm dropped, Edelgard shot forward.
Naruto barely had time to raise his sword before Edelgard was upon him, her axe a blur as it arced vertically with shocking speed. His instinctive action was to parry it, matching her strength with his own.
That was a mistake. A big one.
The shockwave of the blow first made his hands vibrate before it traveled through his arms and the rest of his body for the split second it had connected. His arms then shot upward, and much to his shame, he lost grip of his sword. The weapon shot into the air, whistling as it spun uncontrollably until it disappeared into the tree line.
Naruto blinked. Then he blinked again.
"...Huh?"
Edelgard wasted no time capitalizing on his surprise, evident by how her axe found its way to the still surprised blonde's neck.
"Point to me," Edelgard announced, a smirk tugging at her lips. Naruto simply stared at her, observing her as if he'd never seen her before. "Surprised?" She said, her smirk growing. "Need I remind you, I had to face Fodlan's greatest adversary while keeping the illusion that I was capable?"
She removed the axe from his neck, returning the pole end to the ground.
"I don't remember you having that kind of strength whenever we trained." He said. It was her silence and the way the smirk wouldn't leave her face that made him draw a conclusion. One that immediately had him frowning. "You used a crest."
Edelgard hummed noncommittally, her smirk growing.
"You used a crest," Naruto said again, this time much more accusingly.
"Yes," she admitted without missing a beat, and his frown deepened.
"You cheated."
"I did no such thing," she argued, a hint of mirth in her tone. "A crest is not something you can simply turn off. The same goes for those who have been bestowed with one. I can no more control it than you can control the sun."
Despite the defense, Naruto looked to their self-elected referee, waiting for a verdict.
"Crests are a part of your being. No rules have been broken."
Naruto frowned deeper, but he did not complain further. Holding out a hand, his sword returned in a puff of smoke. Rolling his shoulders, he cracked his neck and refocused. He still had his advantage in speed and agility—he just couldn't afford to brute force this. That axe was no joke. Edelgard's strength wasn't either.
"I won't fall for that again," he promised.
Edelgard simply lifted her axe again.
Sothis, clearly enjoying the spectacle, clapped her hands. "Round two! Begin!"
This time, Naruto didn't wait for Edelgard to charge. He shot forward, faster than before, dipping low to sweep her legs out from under her. But she was ready. She slammed the pole of her axe down like a staff, vaulting herself over his attack and flipping behind him with surprising agility. Naruto twisted on his heel to face her, but Edelgard was already swinging her axe in a brutal arc toward his side.
Reacting on instinct, Naruto ducked and sidestepped in one fluid motion, feeling the wind from her swing pass just inches from his face. He countered swiftly, his sword flickering forward in a precise thrust aimed at her exposed shoulder.
Edelgard twisted her axe, using the flat side to deflect the blow. The force of the parry sent a vibration up Naruto's arm, but he pushed forward, pressing the attack. He lashed out with a quick series of slashes, forcing Edelgard onto the defensive.
She blocked and deflected each strike, but Naruto was relentless. His sword moved like a blur, slipping through the smallest openings. Edelgard barely managed to twist away from a strike aimed at her ribs, only for Naruto to pivot and catch her off guard with a quick tap of his blade against her side.
"Point to me," Naruto announced with a grin, stepping back.
Edelgard exhaled, rolling her shoulder. "Tch. I should have expected that."
Sothis clapped. "One and one!"
Edelgard smirked, gripping her axe tighter. "I won't let that happen again."
Naruto's grin widened. "Funny, I was just thinking the same thing."
Sothis raised her hand once more.
This time, both combatants surged forward simultaneously, their weapons clashing with a deafening clang. Grass and dirt kicked up around them as they met in the center of the ring, each pushing against the other with sheer force of will.
Neither was willing to back down, yet only a few exchanges later, Sothis was calling out yet again.
"One and two!"
Edelgard had fallen for a feint that left her side open for an instant, allowing Naruto to slip past her defenses and tap her ribs once more. Her reaction was a bit too slow, and her frustration showed as she gritted her teeth.
The next bout was no different , with Naruto's agility proving to be a decisive factor. Every time Edelgard attempted to match his speed, he would pivot, redirect, or feint, forcing her to react rather than dictate the fight.
Sothis called out the third point after Naruto deftly sidestepped a downward strike and lightly tapped the back of her shoulder with the flat of his blade.
"One and three!"
Edelgard exhaled sharply, adjusting her grip on her axe. The frustration in her violet eyes was evident, but so was the burning determination.
Dashing forward, Edelgard abandoned her previous measured approach, opting instead for sheer aggression. Her axe carved a ruthless arc through the air, forcing Naruto to hop backward to evade the blow. But this time, she didn't let up.
Rather than commit to another wide swing, she twisted her grip and thrust the pole end of her weapon forward like a spear, forcing Naruto to sidestep. Before he could counter, she seamlessly transitioned into a brutal upward swing, the jagged blade of her axe aiming for his chest.
Naruto barely had time to twist his body, avoiding the main edge, but the sheer force of the motion sent a powerful gust that staggered him. He planted his foot firmly in the dirt to regain balance, but Edelgard was already closing in, pressing the advantage.
She's adapting.
Naruto smirked. He liked a challenge.
Their weapons clashed again, steel meeting steel in a furious exchange. Naruto's sword moved like a streak of silver, darting between openings, while Edelgard's axe swung with relentless power, each strike forcing him to respect her strength.
But it was becoming painfully obvious that his speed was outmatching her only advantage.
"One and four!"
Naruto removed the sword from Edelgard's neck. She barely even saw the sword move, but she did feel the parry that knocked her axe high and left her front completely exposed.
"One and five!"
Another point was declared when a quick feint sent the pole of her axe careening downward. Her follow-up had her swinging at a ghost, leaving her entire back wide open for an easy tap.
"One and six!"
He had slipped past her guard, a simple thrust was all it took, and the point was his.
"One and seven!"
She didn't even see his attack. She had lunged forward, only for him to spin under her weapon and tap her exposed side. It was swift and decisive. The fact he barely looked winded while she was practically gulping air every chance she got made her pride sting, but not nearly as much as her ego.
While her momentum peaked at her opening point, his only grew as time went on. The weight of her weapon was inconsequential, but the constant moving around the ring while desperately trying to keep up with his speed was exhausting.
She needed a new strategy. If she could get him to the edge...
Taking in one full breath, she let it out in a quick exhale to reset. She did not wait for the next round to be called.
Edelgard surged forward, her axe carving a vicious path through the air towards the blonde's head. But this time, instead of following through completely, she took a page out of his book and stopped the swing short. Naruto had already readied himself to sidestep, but her sudden shift in momentum caught him off guard. Instead of completing the arc, Edelgard twisted, spinning her axe before shooting the pole end out towards his abdomen.
He was able to block the strike with the flat of his blade in time, but the strength behind the blow made him stumble back. Edelgard did not let up, advancing while spinning her axe to mask her next attack. It came in the form of an upward arc, the blonde twisting to dodge the tip by a hair and was forced to do it once again, this time to the other side. Before he could counter, Edelgard transitioned into another wide swing, her axe sweeping around to his right. Ducking under the arc, Naruto made to counter by swinging at her now-exposed midsection.
His sword met air, and Edelgard momentarily disappeared from sight. A slight shift of his gaze upwards revealed her location. What it did not reveal was the descending leg that brutally crashed into the top of his head, snapping his head down. Dazed, he was just quick enough to block the wide swing of her axe but not stable enough to keep from being flung to the side and off his feet to land right next to Sothis. He stood up, Sothis floating higher as to no-
Wait, why was he so close to-
It was only when Edelgard was right in front of him, axe raised, and poised to strike that he realized the situation he was in. Dodging that attack would mean he'd have to sidestep, which meant he'd step out of the ring. Blocking that attack would send him out of the ring, no question. He couldn't go right, he couldn't go left, and he certainly couldn't go back.
Ah, that was her plan.
She truly was a clever woman.
Watching her axe descend almost in slow motion, Naruto made the only move he could. He released his sword from his grip, it disappearing in a puff of smoke as he stepped forward. His right hand went to the middle of the staff while the other went to the back of her head. He stepped into her guard, pulling her head down with her momentum while holding out a leg, specifically at the back one. Her leg instinctively tried righting herself, which caused her downfall. The leg tripped over his, and she was suddenly off her feet—a perfect sweep.
Her back slammed into the ground once before she stopped on her front.
"One and eight!"
Groaning, she pushed herself up to a knee and was greeted by a shadow looming over her. Naruto stood in the ring she had just been standing in, her axe now securely in one hand and his other held out towards her.
"You were close," he said, amusement clear to see on his face.
"Not close enough, it seems," Edelgard sighed, taking his hand into her own and allowing him to pull her up and back into the ring. "What exactly did you do?" She asked, curious as to how her momentum was used against her so thoroughly.
"A simple sweep. Grabbing your axe controlled your momentum, while pulling your head allowed me to direct your momentum. After that, I just dropped you." Naruto explained.
"Interesting," Edelgard mused.
There was no sign of her next action, nor could Naruto have ever guessed in a thousand years that she of all people would attempt such a brazen move.
She pulled him toward her, causing him to stumble slightly forward, his arms coming up in response to the unexpected action. In the second before he could grab her, her free hand snaked around his neck and pulled him closer, much like he had done only a minute prior. What should have followed after that was the trip, which Naruto had already planted his foot to prevent.
Never, in any scenario, would he have ever expected her lips to crash into his.
For a fleeting moment, Naruto's mind blanked. His body tensed as the unexpected sensation of Edelgard's lips against his sent a jolt of something foreign through him. His hands, which had instinctively risen to counter whatever trick she had planned, hovered uselessly in the air. The wind, the birds, even Sothis' shocked gasp—all of it faded into a dull haze as he processed what was happening.
The moment stretched between them, frozen in time, until she finally pulled back just enough to meet his gaze.
Reality came back fast and harsh as he felt her pull, and much like he had done to her, he found himself airborne before his back hit the dirt.
Naruto lay there for a second, staring up at the cloudy sky, his mind still struggling to catch up with reality. Edelgard had just—no, that couldn't be right. His thoughts scrambled as he blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The lingering warmth of her lips still tingled against his own, a stark contrast to the cold air biting at his skin.
A sudden burst of laughter shattered the silence. Sothis floated above, clutching her sides in mirth, her ethereal form shaking with amusement.
"Oh, that was brilliant! Utterly brilliant!" she cackled, pointing at Naruto's stunned face. "He's still lost! Truly, you have earned this victory, Child!"
The blonde said nothing in the wake of the Goddess's mockery—not that there was anything to be said. His mind was still on the kiss, particularly the suddenness and the warmth that filled him immediately.
A shadow blocking out the sun was the only thing that broke him free from his trance, looking up to find the girl currently dominating his thoughts squatting over him.
"I would apologize, but I remember a certain someone telling me to always 'expect the unexpected'." Her words came off innocent, a stark contrast to the smirk playing on her face. And he couldn't even call her out on it because she was 100% right. Despite that, he couldn't stop the small pang of disappointment from her statement.
There was a hand being held out towards him.
He took it and spun around until he was kneeling before Fodlan's archbishop.
"I believe victory is mine," she said, which made Naruto grimace at remembering their bet. Seeing his expression made her face relax and her tone soften. "There is no need to worry over my well-being. I have no intention of following you to this war."
That made him blink multiple times, which made her chuckle.
"As I said, this is a matter of pride. My wish is for you to put your trust in me—for you to see me as an equal. Combat-wise, we are not equals, but I will not sit by and be protected. If ever you are in danger, I will stand by your side. I will fight. I will protect what is important to you if only you ask."
Her soft hand came up to his cheek, its warmth spreading through him like a soothing balm. And...she was moving closer.
"That, is what I wished to prove."
Once again, their lips met, this time slower, more deliberate. There was no shock, no trickery—just a quiet, mutual understanding passing between them. Naruto seized up once again, the foreign feeling inside of him welling up again as well as thoughts he couldn't control. He didn't know if it was instinct or someone, likely Sothis, yelling at him to do something, but he did. He leaned into her touch, deepening the kiss. There was no tongue, nor did either of them try to move it along. They simply lingered in the moment, letting the warmth between them speak louder than words ever could.
The Adrestian heir was the one to pull away, her eyes half-lit. It was the same for Naruto, who found himself looking at her as if she were the most important thing in the world at that moment. It made her flush, even if she would never admit it. Blessedly, Sothis had dismissed herself, a gesture of thoughtfulness both teens would later appreciate.
"Forgive me," a hand went up to a stray bang as Edelgard secured it behind an ear. "I, didn't want our duel to be what you remembered of our first shared moment. And…sorry if I'm not particularly good at kissing."
"N-no," Naruto said almost desperately, shaking his head. "You were, um, that is, it was pretty good. Really good." Something akin to embarrassment flared up as he instinctively kicked himself for adding that final bit.
"Thank you," the smile she gave him made the heat inside burn hotter. He didn't know what possessed him to ask his next question, but he would later thank the stars that he did.
"Can we...do it again?"
Edelgard's eyes widened momentarily before a laugh escaped her. "Now who is the bold one." Though there was no outward show of embarrassment on the blonde's face, the way he looked away said enough. Thankfully, Edelgard wasn't one for teasing. Her hand found its way back to his cheek once more, bringing his eyes back to her and his lips back to hers.
This time, his hands found themselves around her waist, her hand cupping his neck. Their second kiss was much the same as the first, with neither pushing the boundaries of the other. There was a certain hesitancy, an uncertainty about where this would go, but they didn't care.
Right here, in this moment, all that mattered was each other, making them blind to the world around them. If they weren't, one of them would have possibly realized that they were being watched.
Location ?
In a swirl of distorted space, an orange masked figure appeared in a cave next to another, his purple ripple patterned eyes distinctive in the group gather. Normally, meetings like this would be filled with holographic copies of the individuals present, but today was different.
For the first time in years, every member was present, including the addition of a former member of the order.
"Is it done," the deep intimidating voice of the ripple pattern-eyed leader spoke to the slit eyed member to his right.
"Kukuku, our path is secured." The individual confirmed.
The room immediately grew tense with anticipation as their leader addressed them all.
"Then it is time."
A/N: I swear, fight scenes will be the death of me. The fact the next 10 chapters are nothing but combat makes me was to pull my non-existent hair out just thinking about it!
Well, as you can see, teenage awkwardness and our first intimate scene. They will be possibly more in a later chapter, but will not give you false hope for lemons. Never wrote any, probably never will if I'm not comfortable.
Next chapter starts the big arc, and the following chapter is where everything changes. Just be warned that those chapters will be long, and I mean LONG. One may even be over 20k, which I am greatly dreading to edit...
As always, thanks for the likes, favs, reviews and have a DAMN good day!