Disclaimer: I certainly don't own Naruto, Disney or any of its affiliated properties. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this now would I?
"The connection of our hearts…" : Speech (Bold for yelling ,Bijuu, or massive creatures)
'The connection of our hearts…' : Thought
The forests around Nottingham, England…
"Uncle, I can explain! This isn't what it looks like – we just wanted to explore the forest and we just so happened to notice your troops…we were just curious!" Marian stammered, more than a little cowed by her uncle's serious face (she had never seen her otherwise jovial relative in such a mood before…he was always smiling and guffawing so seeing him so aggressive scared her).
Of course, Richard was no idiot but he could clearly see that his niece was nigh on shaking in her shoes. Deciding to ease off on his hostile aura, the lion only sighed quietly before fixing the strange fox in front of him with a calculating gaze, especially since the ruffian looked to be a mere child, despite his misleading bodily proportions (he was a full head taller than he was…he certainly didn't want to see him as a fully grown adult…). Interestingly, the fox had dropped his aggressive mien as soon as Alan (the town's resident bard) had approached him and seemingly calmed him down – the two seemed to have quite the friendship despite having never met before (Richard was no snoop but he was aware of the company his subjects kept as it came with the territory of being a ruler).
Naruto, for his part, was busy calming Alan down, since the rooster was extremely flustered by the violent escalation of events he had witnessed. After noticing that Naruto's wounds had all but disappeared almost as soon as they were inflicted, he relaxed a little(Naruto did still threaten royalty so he felt he had to intervene and make sure Naruto didn't go and get himself a prison sentence so early in life) before scolding the amused teen.
"Naruto! While the rhino guard was in the wrong with what he did, if you knew you could heal so fast then why did you respond in such a dramatic fashion?!" Alan said as Naruto huffed in annoyance, turning his face away, his expression gaining the attention of Robin and John – the children quickly noticing a kindred spirit in the scary giant who threw adult rhinos around like down pillows.
"Well yeah…that's true but just because I have the ability to recover from wounds like that doesn't mean that they don't hurt! I mean come on! The freaking rhino got off easy with what I did to him – he literally stabbed me in the back with a spear! The blade would have run me through if I didn't have this phenomenal body!" Naruto said, flexing his muscles in the end (yeah, the process of returning to his teenage years meant that he also had the hormonal storms that came with them…oh joy!).
While Naruto and Alan began a minor squabble, Robin, seeing as how Marian was unjustly taking the blame for their little outing when it was his idea to do, decided to speak up and defend her. He was going to do that as soon as Marian spoke but the children were too taken aback by Naruto's antics to even speak. However, now that Naruto seemed to have calmed down(along with the king), Robin could speak freely(he had to do it fast too – Kluck's furious eyes were burning holes in the back of his head).
"Ehm, your majesty – it was my idea to explore the forest with Marian and Kluck! She's just trying to protect us from your anger – me and John scout through this forest regularly you see and we thought that investigating the source of all the commotion wouldn't be too dangerous! Don't punish Marian…it's my fault everyone's out here…" Robin said, mumbling the last parts out as his courage petered out under the king's imperious gaze. The king then walked over to the children while the Sheriff stood stiffly in place, unsure on what to do – he wasn't going to talk to the brats but he also didn't want to check up on the rhinos since he didn't want to provoke Naruto (granted, the fox looked like he had clamed down but he wasn't taking any chances).
Meanwhile, breaking away from the conversation with Alan, Naruto shifted his attention to the cowering children as Richard approached them before he crouched before Robin and Marian, the male standing in front of Marian, as if he could protect her from her uncle. A misguided attempt for sure but it was the thought that counted and Richard could appreciate a person who could own up to their own mistakes.
"Fret not child – I will not punish any of you. It is only natural for children to be curious after all. However, in the future do stop to consider that certain things in this world can and will end your lives at the slightest provocation. No one is exempt from this as even I, an adult lion and a king to boot came here to investigate with a good force of men to back me up if necessary." Richard said as the children looked up at him with wide eyes, more than a little surprised with his response (they were expecting him to spitting proverbial fire and brimstone but his understanding speech had left them stumped on how to proceed).
Deciding that it was time that he got his own two cents in, Naruto walked over to the group before clapping Richard on the back with an appreciative grin.
"Well said! I couldn't have put it any better. Speaking of danger however, I wanted to apologize for all the hullabaloo I have caused. I was traveling through this forest and miscalculated the strength needed for a jump I was making at the time – I basically launched myself into a bunch of trees and hurt myself a little which was why I roared…I didn't expect it to get so much attention though…" Naruto said, sheepishly scratching the back of his head as the people around him all had a collective sweatdrop at his bashful expression.
'He caused all this chaos just because he jumped with too much strength?! Truly, this child here must not be all there in the head…and to be blessed with such monstrous strength and combat ability! I must learn more…' Richard thought, standing to his full height as Naruto schooled his expression when he sensed the shift in atmosphere.
"And why were you travelling in the forest alone might I ask? Surely a child like you must have a father or mother with you correct? You aren't from this part of England to be certain so you must have traversed great distances to even stand here before us." Richard said as the Sheriff decided to pop in the conversation.
"Yes – we need to ask them if they will reimburse the crown for all the damages to the kingdom – you my boy have destroyed prime lumber material here!" The sheriff said as Alan tugged at the wolf's doublet before shaking his head with a sad look. Now a little confused, the sheriff turned to Naruto, who simply heaved a quiet sigh.
"Well, you'll have a hard time looking for anyone to pester with that stuff…I am an orphan. My parents were killed in a hunting incident not too long ago and I spent most of my time in the wilds with not a shilling to my name. All I carry in my pockets are grains and herbs - I live off the land and sleep under a curtain of stars every night. Life could be worse but I can't really complain y'know?" Naruto said, his placid expression soothing everyone around him(yes, even the rhinos who were just now coming to their senses after the walloping Naruto put them through…that earnest display of simple satisfaction with life's base pleasures really spoke to them).
Robin and the other children looked taken aback at this sudden reveal and felt sympathetic for their fellow child (if only they knew), with Little John feeling especially empathetic given his background as an orphan himself (not much was known about Robin's best friend but it was more than evident that he had no real home given how he followed Robin everywhere). The girls were charmed by his optimistic outlook on life, with Marian appreciating his sunny disposition while Kluck admired his robust body and approach to life(he was a real man in her eyes – prior to this, she only saw Richard as a proper man…Robin was a clever little guy but as a Scottish gal, she liked a man with some meat on his bones).
Richard was sad to hear that such a strapping young man had no place to call home – surely the child could have asked for refuge at a relative's home? Whatever the case, he couldn't in good conscience let the boy live like this when he could help him.
"I am sorry to hear of your plight dear boy – I have failed you as your king. Allow me to remedy this issue posthaste – you will be a recognized citizen of Nottingham as soon as I can put quill to paper!" Richard said, walking over to Naruto before placing his hands on his shoulders.
Naruto for his part, felt a little ashamed that he behaved the way he did with such a magnanimous personage earlier so he simply bowed to Richard before speaking.
"I-I thank you your Majesty. I will move my camp to the town immediately. If you ever need my strength, you have but to ask. Your enemies will shatter beneath the force of my fists and scatter before my might!" Naruto said, thumping his chest with a closed fist, the meaty thud shaking a few leaves loose from the trees around them.
"And you can count on me your Majesty, to keep this troublemaker in line – Naruto won't be breaking anything in the town on my watch!" Alan said as he flapped his wings before landing on one of Naruto's shoulders, the fox in question simply smiling at the rooster as they had struck up quite the friendship already. While Alan might be his de facto guardian, the truth was that theirs was a relationship of equals – it just so happened that one of them was underage.
"Haha! I will remember that- Naruto was it? Strange name, certainly not English by any stretch and perhaps why you have no relatives in this foreign land. You do not have to go so far on my account although the offer is appreciated. I just want you to live the life you want and use your skills to better the lives of those around you. Your power can be used for more than just destruction after all!" Richard said as Naruto and Alan shared small smiles while the children decided to pipe up(the Sheriff was keeping his trap shut – he would bide his time and wait for instructions from Prince John and Hiss before proceeding with any plans).
"Yeah! John and I could use some more help with our adventures! Don't you agree John?" Robin said as John looked up to Naruto before nodding with a good natured smile.
"That's right Robin. We could, uh, use some more friends! The forest is big after all and it will take more than two fellas to comb through it all!" He said, chuckling at Kluck who walked over to Naruto before tapping his thigh(the only part she could reach properly) as Marian simply squeaked at her friend's audacity before walking over to him and offering a shy smile (she knew Naruto was friendly but something about his eyes and teeth sent shivers through her…she had yet to decide whether she liked this feeling though).
"Don't be a stranger dear! Come and visit us in the castle too! I am sure you could find some work there too – perhaps you could whip our local army into shape? A strapping fellow like you could really put those lugs through their paces and I'd help too!" Kluck said as the rhino guards looked a little peaky at the prospect of dealing with Naruto's freakish strength again.
"Y-yes, please keep in touch. Everyone can always use some more friends after all…" Marian said, demurely twisting the fabric of her dress as Naruto gave a deep belly laugh before nodding.
"Thank you everyone! You are all too kind. Now, shall we return to civilization? I would like to see what Nottingham is like since Alan has been talking my ear off about it all afternoon." Naruto said, the group laughing at the red faced rooster as they made their way back to town.
And so, Naruto found himself in a new world – one where the main threat had yet to reveal itself. However, if his adventures had taught Naruto anything, it was that evil knew no respite and that it would rear its head soon enough…
And that was chapter 54! I couldn't enter the movie's plot before the poll is ended after all (this Friday is the deadline if I am not mistaken- this chapter was written on 9/9/2024). Naruto is going to live with Alan and will remain a citizen of Nottingham, even when Robin becomes an outlaw…that's going to be interesting to explain…
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