Summary:The Goddess of Salt Havria was betrayed by her own people and was forced to retreat further into her domain. Heartbroken, she could do nothing but watch in despair. When all hopes were lost, he appeared and saved her life. Indebted to him, she taught him more about the world and together they went into a journey that ended in one's forgotten hometown and revealed an unpleasant reality that the Gods used to punish his people.

Author Note: Heads up! This is the only author note that starts at the beginning of the chapter, the rest will come after the end of each chapter; so, don't miss out! Before we start, I'd like to mention the fact that this is a crossover between Naruto and Genshin Impact, another crossover story that will be added to the collection under my pen name, and I hope people will like it. The story will take place within the Archon War timeline, and I will try my best to make it lore accurate. Some changes will occur within the story even before and after the time skip. I'm still undecided about which character to pair Naruto with, so stop by for a review and some food for thought on whether I should include more girls besides Havria. Without further ado, let's start the chapter, and oh, one more thing; don't forget to give a favorite, a follow, and a review!

CHAPTER 1

Goddess of Salt Havria

Why?

Just why did it end up like this?

The people she formerly sought to protect, her worshipers, and her believers all turned their backs on her when the king of Sal Terrae's attempted to have her executed because of her benevolence, which is a vulnerability shared by his subjects who have listened to the king. When the cruelty and bloodshed from the wars of the Gods were occurring outside of her realm, they all retreated in her land and dwellings since their Goddess was weak and a coward.

She could have killed the King, she could have killed those who had turned against her, but she couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to kill them no matter how hard she tried. The king was correct in his assessment of her. Tevyat sees her as nothing more than a small, frail Goddess. She is what he told her before she fled from her former home.

"That's right! Bitch, run! You run like a coward! You're always running away from problems! You're no Goddess! You were never!'

As she felt the tiredness engulfing her with each second that went into minutes, she was compelled to pause between her steps, getting a few seconds of respite before resuming her escape from her pursuers. Her rigid breathing echoes through the dark and drafty tunnel. In the pitch black, her silver eyes glistened, distorting one's eyesight. She gritted her teeth and endured the pain as her feeble feet stumbled once and twice, injuring her shins and elbow.

Although she was very exhausted and could only see a field of darkness in front of her, she continued walking and was soon encompassed by the nothingness. Her heart didn't waver or dread it. She was engulfed in the darkness, which seemed unexpectedly cordial and welcoming. With each passing minute, she became increasingly entrapped by its covering, which would not leave her side.

She was gradually but surely getting corrupted by it. Unbeknownst to even herself, the abyss envelops her thoughts and guides her body toward its center, ultimately leading her to a shrine. The shrine had a symbol, but she was unable to decipher its significance because it was written in an ancient script that predated her period.

The greatest savior of humanity's soul rests at this place.

A tombstone that she was unfamiliar with caused her head to slant to the side as she pondered it. However, she prayed for him and bowed her head in respect to a mortal about whom she knew nothing.

One thing is certain: the Goddess of Salt Havria is a compassionate and merciful Deity. It's possible that her act of kindness inspired her to take this particular deed.

But the only thing that got her into this situation was her kindness.

Everything seemed to be a vivid dream, one in which she suffered the greatest and had her heart seriously wounded by the treachery of her own worshiper. She did not use force in response to their act of treachery; instead, she retreated further into her territory. With her people, she desired to live in a peaceful environment, yet it was so easily destroyed.

Havria could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, but she refrained from crying and instead gave herself a soft smile while wiping them away with her palm. A part of her thought that Rex Lapis or possibly Guizhong would rescue her if she waited any longer, but this was very ridiculous thinking considering that a war is still raging outside at the moment.

In order to remove the filth and dust from the tombstone, the Goddess of Salt sighed and gently rubbed her palm across it. She used her own sweat as a cleaning agent to do this. Once she was satisfied with her job, she gave it one more look before hurrying off. A few minutes later, a silhouetted figure emerged.

His blonde hair was unruly and unkempt, and he was wearing a soiled white robe. He watched her vanishing shape with amusement before flicking his right palm, which caused the darkness around her to dissipate.

Havria was jogging, but it seems like a lifetime has passed since she completed a marathon. Her stamina has also been spent, and she collapses to the ground while sitting with her head turned upward. The cave's inside was enormous, but she could make out a small breach that led outside as she gazed at the night sky, which blurred her vision, deep within the mountain.

That evening, the moonlight shone gloriously, and she took her time to take it all in.

She remained quiet on the ground for hours. Eventually, the dead silence was replaced by raucous noise, and she was encircled by her own men.

Their war cry of agony and hatred quickly silenced her ears as she watched them rush toward her, spear aiming at her heart and arrows raining down on her. In contrast to her, they were gravely wounded, and she could see that they were suffering from serious wounds. She could also see that they were surprised and disbelieving, as evidenced by the expression on their faces.

Havria closed her eyes and showed no signs of resistance as she accepted death.

That's it.

It's an appropriate conclusion for a pitiful God like herself.

She provided them with protection, compassion, and kindness, yet these individuals ruined her kindness by merely betraying her.

Was loving humanity the wrong decision?

Of course not, never.

She chose the wrong men to defend, which was a mistake on her part.

Ah, how she envies Rex Lapis. He wasn't a dictator or evil, but he was strong, and people looked up to him for it. She was weak, and her weakness led to her betrayal.

It's pitiful.

However, she is solely responsible for her actions.

Havria, the Goddess of Salt, had her eyes closed as she awaited her own death, but as the seconds stretched into minutes, she felt no pain at all; even the raucous mobs of murderous men had become silent. She took a brief glimpse after another minute had gone and found him standing on top of a group of dead warriors. He was covered in their blood, which stained every inch of his body and turned the color of his battle cloak scarlet. Despite this, he seemed unaware of it as he cast a glance her way.

"It took you five minutes and 35 seconds to realized." He spoke in a peaceful, composed tone that included no resentment at all, only a hint of humour. She was being observed by the man, who was standing far away and observing her from above. Havria was a stunning young lady with long silver hair that fell beyond her shoulders and bangs that rested on her ample breasts. Her golden eyes were wide with amazement, and her mouth was tightly shut. He could see the small tear in the lovely white garment because it was stained with muck and blood, which seeped into its margins.

"W-what…w-who?"

She was startled when she felt a hand gently tap her shoulder after the blonde-haired man smirked and vanished from view.

Havria screamed and suddenly rose to her feet, stepping back from him to give herself some breathing room.

"Please don't do that." She begged, which made him chuckle before the goddess could protest again. She felt the exhaustion that had once engulfed her body leave, and all of her wounds were instantly healed.

"You know I saved you?"

She soon understands the fact that it wasn't a question but rather a statement and lowers her head in appreciation.

"I'm grateful,"

The man circled around her with his hands behind his back and nodded.

"Did Rex Lapis send you?"

"Rex Lapis? Is that a dinosaur of some kind? T-Rex, anyone?"

She was perplexed and surprised by his response as he honestly questioned the figure she had just mentioned.

If not Rex Lapis, then Guizhong, perhaps? Cloud Retainer, perhaps, or perhaps...

Her train of thoughts was interrupted as she turned to look at the person circling her. He was a person of intelligence, and even his energy seemed warm and welcoming, which surprised her and made her feel at ease.

"You shouldn't trust on someone you've just met so quickly; you know?"

Havria winced as she realized she had gotten herself into the same predicament as previously. This man was correct, and she shouldn't have let anyone get this near to her without thinking, but he was the only one here who came to save her.

He had saved her.

She acknowledged that portion, thus she partially disregarded his statement.

"I would have perished with them if you had intended me harm." She said, pointing her index finger towards the bodies that were piling up all around them. The blonde-haired man hummed in thought as she observed him sit on the ground, his eyes only fleetingly gazing at her before she joined him.

The two were seated across from one another, with one racking his head and the other perplexed by his actions.

"So, just where are we really?"

She arched an eyebrow as she considered the significance of his query. It's hard to believe he wasn't sent here by anyone; she was dubious of him, but his question seems sincere, and it appears he has no information on any of her companions. She found him to be a mystery, an undiscovered element in all possible outcomes. Perhaps he was a traveling God searching for a tranquil home like her?

"Sal Terrae; within the Bishui Plain of Liyue, here is my sanctuary."

"..?"

His lack of knowledge about the location she had stated shocked her once more as she could see it on his face. She watched him listening intently and silently absorbing the information she presented as she cleared her throat and began to explain some things about Teyvat. He then continued to ask her questions.

Since he had actually saved her life and she was thankful to him, she saw no danger in responding to any of his questions. The only thing she could provide was knowledge.

When she turned to ask him a question after he had finished asking more, he did so without showing any hesitancy.

In less than an hour, she received a wealth of information, including a startling truth that not even Rex Lapis was aware of.

He is neither a god nor an adeptus.

But an ordinary mortal that transcends above the Godhood—possibly one deserving of the title of Primordial Deity; beings akin to those in the Celestials. He was older than they were, though, so perhaps the Gods of old sealed him for an evil deity, using the shrine where she had earlier stumbled as a means of keeping him in place.

Havria turned her head away as she suddenly felt queasy.

She may have found him by chance.

Does she need to worry?

As she listened intently to him speak, the subject matter changed, and she learned more about his country, his hometown, and his people. So far, none of them had come to mind, but perhaps just perhaps a specific Goddess would.

"Elemental Nation? Konoha? They are all unknown to me " She made a sincere admission after pausing to consider her next sentence. "Rukkhadevata might know something about those forgotten lands you mentioned," she suggested.

He made a hum.

"Is she a different God from you?"

"She is referred to be the Goddess of Wisdom, indeed." Havria gave a nod.

"I see."

After a little frown, Havria stood up and walked up to him after noticing the sadness written all over his face. She then used her power to create a crystallized flower made of salt and let it to hover near him before he received it and gazed at it.

"Like how you saved me, maybe there's a miracle and your hometown is still there somewhere in Teyvat."

He understood her, albeit it doesn't give him the slightest bit of comfort.

How long ago was he sealed, exactly?

Now that he has recently emerged from a deep slumber, he recognizes that these changes are unavoidable, but like she said, he could only wish that something outside of his control continued to exist.

Even if they are no longer there, all he wanted to know was what had transpired since that day. Was his sacrifice in vain or did it improve the world of Shinobi?

"I am Naruto."

She introduced herself as "Havria," and he took her hand as she extended it. "What are your current plans, then?"

"I want to have my own two eyes to observe the world and looks for the answer to my past." He responded in response to her query. Havria turned her gaze downward, her golden eyes shimmering with melancholy. After a little pause, she smiled and nodded.

"Good, let's go now!"

"T-together?" He was stopped in his tracks when she pulled his hand and swiftly shook her head as she choked in shock and dread. She nodded her head in reply, reassuring herself once more, "I-I'm staying here."

She runs away from battle because she abhors violence and because war destroys everything.

"But I know nothing of this world. So goddess, be my guide "He smiled at her and extended his right hand, inviting her to join him, while waiting for her to reciprocate by taking his hand.

Havria inhaled deeply.

She slowly muttered, "I-I-I would be nothing but a deadweight," as he could see that her anxiety was holding her back.

"Yet you have made it this far." Before she could object, he continued after making his point. "You can't keep running forever, eventually... You'll be sucked up by it. Who knows—maybe the next time some evil gods may arrive and either kill or, worse, enslave you."

She also understood that it was a warning.

He had saved her from death; had it been someone else, she would not even be alive or enjoy the same freedom as previously. Her people deserted her because of her weakness in the face of conflict and bloodshed, but she lived to tell the tale.

"I…"

The goddess with silver hair bit her lip.

"I understand…"

"Don't worry; I'll keep you safe."

"O-okay." She smiled hopeful as she nodded.

It was the start of a voyage that would take them beyond the horizon; a journey she would enjoy for the rest of her life and one that would change her forever.

They left later, and as the hours passed, the moonlight that shone brightly at night began to dim. Its light was replaced by the color of golden, illuminating every square inch of Liyue in its brilliant colors. At the same time, two figures entered the sanctuary that the Goddess of Salt had abandoned. One was covering her mouth with her long sleeve haori as her eyes widened in shock, and the other stood motionless next to her, quietly grieving to oneself.

Havria appear to have fall in battle.

They arrived late.

Before he could turn around and leave, she halted him in his tracks.

"Hold on, we can't just declare her dead yet!"

Rex Lapis inhaled deeply and nodded, watching as she took her time inside the chamber. While he watched her from a distance, he conducted his own observations. He used his power to arrange the corpses' bodies next to one another; the wounds on their bodies were virtually non-existent, making it appear as though they had died naturally.

"Did you also notice it?"

He gives her a sharp glance.

Someone else decided to intervene to save Havria.

He was glad to know she hadn't died yet, whether it's an ally or a foe. Maybe only time will tell whether her saviour will emerge and chose which side he was in. After all, neither the Gods themselves nor mortals have experienced the world's kindness.

"Let's head back Guizhong"

Author Note: The first chapter is done. The pairing for now will be Naruto x Havria, the pairing might increase later on but we will see for now I want to focus on writing the events going on in the Archon War, the timeskip won't occur any time soon, so if you wish to see Naruto with some girls like Guizhong or anyone else from the Archon War timeline, let me know. Make sure to drop by a like, a follow, and I hope everyone enjoys reading the first chapter of my latest work. So make sure to drop a review to let me know your opinion regarding the first chapter. If you like this story, make sure to visit my profile and see whether you like my other story collection. Next up is a new update for Written Future. Cya!