(Chapter 17: B-Day Party)
It was soon coming up on Naruto's birthday as he would soon be going on 17 and when reflecting on how things have been going so far the young Norsemen could happily say that things had been going his way without doubt. With him having no doubt in his mind that soon the dream of an empire would soon come to a head, for he couldn't wait for the day that it would come to fruition since to him this empire would serve far better than the current system and order of things.
But until then he would simply enjoy partying and living it up with his friends, since without them he knew that he wouldn't be close to his dream or as strong without them therefore he very much welcomed having them at his birthday.
(October 5th 996 S.E, Naruto's House, 2:10 Pm)
It was 5 days before his birthday as Naruto and Sasuke were at his house since the young Viking decided that it was time for him to put things to bed with his mother since he felt that as he was entering adulthood that he needed to put a few things to bed and some of them pertained to Kushina.
"Naruto are you sure you want to do this?" Sasuke questioned him as he nodded in response
"Yes I'm absolutely positive that I want to, as after all I'm becoming a man soon which means that as one I need to put things behind me in the past. With one of them being the issues that I have with Kushina." Naruto replied knowing that if he was to grow and become a man that he needed to resolve the issues left by his adolescence
"Huh never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth, as you really are growing up." Sasuke said with a snide smile on his otherwise iron like mast of a face
"Yes I am Sasuke and it seems as though that silver tongue of yours hasn't lost any of its bite." Naruto countered after all as if one thing that never changed about Sasuke was that his words still cut like a long knife even when trying to be nice
"Remember I don't do nice as I do what gets us results and will get us to what's needed to quickest way possible, so remember that since I'm only being the mediator to make sure nothing gets out of hand. Especially since the both of you are strong willed people, so as you asked I will make sure that this doesn't get out of hand like I know it would if I weren't here." Sasuke replied considering he knew that both Naruto and Kushina were very strong willed and therefore in something like this a mediator was nothing but needed
"Tell me about it, but nevertheless this is something that's needed to be done and still I appreciate you doing this for me." Naruto spoke knowing that a 3rd party was needed for this occasion
"No problem at all and I think she's here." Sasuke told him as a knocking was heard at the door
"Well its now or never for this, as by Odin's beard is this gonna be something else and no doubt give me a massive headache to deal with afterwards." Naruto thought to himself knowing that this was going to be quite an ordeal as Sasuke went to let her in
"Hello Kushina its been awhile since we've talked hasn't it." Naruto spoke as the redhead approached the table
With the two staring at each other as tension could be heavily felt in the room as Naruto still held his overwhelming charismatic appearance however, instead of it being friendly and highly optimistic as it always was instead it was intimidating as though standing before a living behemoth whose blue eyes stared her down. While Kushina was looking at her eldest with trepidation as while she was happy that she would be able to actually talk to him since his disowning himself from the family her now giant for a son intimidated her since there wasn't any kindness in his voice whatsoever and instead an intimidating and forceful presence.
"Have a seat, since there is much needed to be talked about." Naruto told her as she took a seat
"Naruto I…" Kushina tried to say however, Naruto's now stalwart expression silenced her
"Now then as it stands there is some unresolved matters that need to be taken care of, because as it stands now they're impeding my way of becoming a man. Therefore its come to me having to resolve these issues so I can grow up." Naruto told her before taking a deep breath
"So then let's start with the issue of family, since this is something that I know has started everything up until this point." Naruto added knowing that this is how it all started
"Naruto please your father and I are sorry for what's happened to cause you to leave the family and that if we could we would change it all in an instant." Kushina said as she was truly sorry for her actions that led to this
"I know the two of you are as Asura has long since informed me of the regrets you two have had and the genuine intent behind them. However, despite all of this I can never ever be apart of the family and we both know why it can't ever be." Naruto replied as Kushina let out a weary sigh
"Jiraiya." Kushina spoke as the name to her felt like drinking month of cat piss and vinegar
"Yes the lecherous toad. As the two of you chose to listen him over taking care of your own son and your firstborn at that. But make no mistake that I have no problem with you training the twins and far from it, since I understand the struggles and trials that will be facing as jinchuuriki and actively want them to get stronger. However, the moment you decided to let him invade our family and practically have him slowly cut me out of the picture until I wasn't even there; well that to me was a personal betrayal to me." Naruto told her his blue eyes looking at her with a deep hurt beyond them
Since the mere fact was that he had no problem with the twins getting stronger as he fully knew that it was needed especially with all the threats that would come against them, but for them to let a man who could only find the comfort of women in brothels and streets advise on how to run a family and become the source of what would soon tear it apart. Then Naruto even to this day saw the fact that they heeded Jiraiya's words as a betrayal since for them to have listened to a man that no doubt had an army of bastard children; tell them how they should raise their children because of some stupid prophecy that may not even come to pass wounded him worse than any sword strike or blow from axe.
"Therefore understand that while I can't be angry at the two of you I just feel disappointment that you two who excel in being some of the greatest ninjas to date; fail as parents and all for what listening to some perverted toad. A toad who I might add has a small army of bastards out there in the world because he can't keep it in his pants and listened to the words of a toad far past its prime." Naruto stated since he found that he truly couldn't be angry at his parents since he knew that it would be misplaced
"I understand and even as much as it pains me to finally admit this since as a mother and parent you never really want to ever say these words. But its time I finally said it so here it goes; I Kushina Uzumaki have failed you as a mother." Kushina admitted as it was a bitter and hard pill to choke down and swallow but she knew it was something that had to be said
"Well at least your willing to admit that much and because of that my respect for you has gone up some, but don't get carried away as we are nowhere near amicable enough for us to be all friendly with each other." Naruto told her since just because she was ready to admit her faults doesn't mean they were gonna be instant friend
"I understand that its just that….could you blame me as this is the 1st time we've talked in almost a year." Kushina replied considering that they rarely even spoke nowadays
"Fair enough and another thing that should be addressed is Rangiku, because for one even though things have been quiet with her as of late. I still don't trust her at all anywhere near me because there's something that's been ignored about her for too long that even you should recognize, as after all you should know more about this than anyone." Naruto spoke knowing that something was up with Rangiku and had to do with her half of the 9 tails
Because for awhile now Rangiku had been quiet in her attempts to try and get him back into the family which was good at first until Asura let him in on some news; that being of her conspiring with her half of the 9 tails to plan something with him since Asura informed him that she would spend nights late conversing with it on a way to get him back.
"You mean the 9 tails don't you?" Kushina asked as Naruto nodded in agreement
"Yes as I don't know what you and Minato or doing but you need to do something and quick, because I've got it on good authority from Asura that she's planning something with it in order to get me back. For you know how much of a deciever it can be after all the times you lost control during the last war should be proof enough." Naruto answered back as he knew that something was going on with her and the 9 tails he just didn't know what
"We've been taking her to the Yamanaka's regularly every month now and everytime they've told me that Rangiku has passed soundly." Kushina told him since they'd took Jiraiya's advice and had taken her to a Yamanaka to make sure nothing was up
"That's because they aren't looking hard enough, because think about it Kushina if she's conspiring with that monster for an extended period of time. So there would have to be somewhere inside her mind to where she's making sure none of you suspect; after all it wouldn't do well for her to be caught red handed and all of that power she has be restricted." Naruto responded knowing that their would have to be a corner of Rangiku's mind where she's keeping the Yamanaka away from
"Because after all if you don't do something about it then with all that she's hiding from you. The child of prophecy you two and that toad have been training is gonna become more of a blight and terror than a savior. Which is why I have to ask do you really want that on your conscience?" Naruto questioned her as her violet eyes hardened at that
"No I don't since as someone who was host to that thrice damned fox I refuse to let my own daughter become a monster, so I will take your advice and get her better looked at. Since I've been letting my worrying about trying to reclaim our family distract me from the fractures that are already happening in it. But that stops now." Kushina spoke with resolve to not let her family further fall apart
"Excellent to hear and that's really all that I have to say and clear up on and please understand that everything that's happened was never that I hated you guys. It's just that I had to do what was best for me." Naruto told the Uzumaki matriarch who nodded at that
"I understand and thank you for the time and I'm still sorry I failed you as a parent." Kushina apologized for her failures as a parent
"That's been the first step in you getting me to respect you now the next step is me seeing you try to make sure that your family not mine stays together and stop listening to Jiraiya. Since the more you listen to that toad the more your family is gonna fracture apart." Naruto told her as she nodded in ironclad will
"Don't worry I will." Kushina spoke as she soon left as Naruto let out a weary sigh
"Well at least I got that off my chest and gotta say it felt good now all that's left to worry about is me focusing on being a better man and making my empire a reality." Naruto thought to himself as now his focus upon his empire was redoubled
(3 days later, Training Ground 7, 3:45 Pm, October 8th 996 S.E)
It was a quarter till 4 as Asura sat in silence meditating in silence away from anyone or anything as he focused upon the world around him and letting his sense extend further and further until his concentration was disrupted by the irate presence of Rangiku who no doubt was told she was banned from Naruto's birthday party for good reason.
"Its no surprise that this would happen, but someone needed to rip off that band-aid." Asura thought as her presence grew closer
"Well I can assume by your anger that you got the news of the fact you aren't allowed at Naruto's birthday." Asura stated as he gripped his quarterstaff to face his irate twin sister
"How could you let them forbid me to not go there I'm his sister; I deserve to go?!" Rangiku demanded furiously after being denied that opportunity
"No Rangiku you deserve nothing since it is Naruto's birthday not mine or yours, but his and its his decision on who comes it just so happens that he explicitly didn't want you to come." Asura answered back knowing that this was going to happen
"Besides the last I checked he is no longer our brother, since he emancipated himself from our family a couple years ago therefore the fact that you think you deserve to go is rendered moot." Asura told her yet Rangiku's temper remained inflamed
"You're wrong I am his sister and he may have left the family, but I refuse to be told he's no longer our brother as he is still my brother by blood and I will not be denied what I deserve." Rangiku growled in anger as her chakra surged
"Rangiku get ahold of yourself and take a moment to calm down, because you are being out of line here since not everything has to be your way. So stop and go home and cool off because neither of us are Naruto's siblings anymore since he's made that clear that we aren't so just leave it alone. Because chasing after Naruto and trying to force him to be something he doesn't want is going to end in disaster." Asura told her since she needed to cool off and go home and stop trying to get Naruto involved in something he doesn't want
"So if you value what little there is with him you will just let this go and move onwards, because you have to realize that there are just times when people don't want you in their lives. And for Naruto this is such a time that concerns you." Asura stated as her fury increased at being told this as she refused to be denied
"Your wrong Asura as Naruto will always be my big brother whether he wants to or not and nothing is going to get in my way. Because I will see too it one way or the other that we're together again as a family!" Rangiku swore as the faintest bits of red came to life in her eyes as her voice took on a slight deranged tone to it
"Look alright I'm telling you this for your own good that Naruto doesn't want anything to do with you, since what do you think is gonna happen if you force this on him? Because I'm telling you this so you don't get crushed in the end that no matter what you do concerning him it will fail, for he doesn't want any part of the family. And if you can't accept that and let Naruto go on about his own life and stop constantly pressuring and pestering him then you are proving to be rather selfish." Asura told her since he was merely telling her this because he knew that the more she pressed on about this the more it was gonna go up in flames
"Shut up! As who are you to tell me about family when you haven't even done a damn thing to keep it together as you let it fall apart by letting him leave!" Rangiku wailed as her eyes turned crimson and slitted however, Asura remained stoic
"As all you ever do is meditate and hide your emotions like you're one one of those ROOT Anbu that were ran off years ago. As you don't feel anything because you don't care about our family like I do because at least I care enough to want our family back together!" Rangiku bellowed out in anger
However, the moment she said that the natural energy surged into Asura as the markings of his sage mode formed around him within moments as his face remained stoic and neutral, yet the pressure centralized around them was so great that it cracked the ground like cheap pottery as he stared her down with somber eyes.
"You know what you're right as I let it fall apart because it was something that was meant to happen from the start and quite frankly needed to. Because our family was rotting from the inside out as Naruto was in a place he never wanted to be, but as always your so caught up in your world you can't see it from his point of view." Asura scolded her as the potency of the natural energy radiating from him was enough to make her knees buckle
"But I deserve…." Rangiku said however, she was silenced as Asura continued to stare her down
"No you don't deserve anything Rangiku because I'm only seeing a spoiled child that refuses to let go and grow up. But more importantly you are wrong about one thing in particular." Asura said before taking another breath
"Is that I do have emotions alright as I cry, feel happiness and joy like everyone else in this village but unlike them I can't afford to show it or let it get to me all that much. Because of what I got inside of me is nothing but a curse because I have to watch every waking moment of my emotional state, since I know that if I get to caught up in my anger then I risk letting the monster sealed inside me run rampant. And if that happens then I have all of comrades blood on my hands and that Rangiku is something I refuse to let happen. So yes I may not express my emotions all of like I should like a normal person, but you forget that with all of what's thrust upon me I can't afford to be reckless with my emotions, so don't you dare say I don't have any." Asura reprimanded her in a voice that had a melancholic and distressed edge to it since unlike everyone else he knew he had to keep an ironclad leash on his emotions as that was the burden of Jinchuuriki
"So I would advise you to at this moment get out of my sight and leave Naruto alone because both at the fact that you have hurt my feelings at the moment; not to mention for your own sake that further bothering him will only lead to further strife and possible harm." Asura advised her as the grip on his quarterstaff tightened to the point of his knuckles popping
"I will repair our family back to what it was…..no matter what and damn the consequences." Rangiku swore before staggering to walk away from Asura
"My foolish sister she fails to realize that her want to have our family back to what it was will only lead to strife and ruin." Asura thought to himself as he went to meditate in order to calm his now frayed nerves
(2 days later, October 10th 996 S.E, Naruto's House, 2:10 Pm)
It was soon Naruto's birthday which had gotten into full swing with Naruto at the center of it all finding it to be a joyous occasion with those who he's befriended over the years and suffice to say Naruto was feeling pretty great about life right now
"Well Naruto happy birthday." Tenten wished him with a kiss on the cheek
"Ah thanks Tenten." Naruto replied having enjoyed his birthday today
"Hey its your big day after all its your 18th birthday so enjoy it." Tenten told him after it was his birthday
"And I am enjoying it; I just feel so happy spending it with all of you guys." Naruto replied as he saw a birthday cake being brought in by Kiba and Sasuke
"Well here's your birthday cake my dude." Kiba told him as they sat down the birthday
"As I just want to say that this is a great day in general since its the day that the guy who brought all of us together here was born!" Kiba said as he sat down at the large table
"Agreed as happy birthday to you Naruto since I've enjoyed having you not only as my rival, but as a comrade." Sasuke spoke with Naruto smiling as he cut the cake
"Yeah happy birthday Naruto and thanks for giving me a 2nd chance." Asura spoke raising a mug of ale to his brother
"Yes so from all of us we extend a happy birthday to you, for you've done a good deal for us all." Haku agreed since thanks to his kindness she was given an official clean slate here in Konoha
"Ah stop it you guys now your trying to make me blush and thanks for coming I appreciate it. Because without you guys well I don't think I'd grow into being anywhere near the person I am today, so to all of you guys thanks for coming." Naruto thanked the small company of people who'd come to his birthday with joy written all over him
"Now then with that being said; let us eat cake!" Naruto exclaimed in good cheer with a large smile on his face
With that in mind they all took their piece of the half lemon and half fudge birthday cake with the atmosphere of everything being filled with joy and good cheer at the occasion of Naruto's birthday; with everyone within his house being in good spirits. Since as far as Naruto could see things were going well as everyone was conversing and joking around, for even Sasuke's harsh steel like demeanor cracked to show a smile yet there was one thing that did catch Naruto's eye throughout all of this that made him smile.
That being of Kiba and Haku together sharing laughs as Kiba did his best to maintain his composure in trying to talk to her; which led to a semi flustered and red faced Kiba that made Naruto snicker at his attempts with the ice user but still found it good on him that his longtime friend was trying to get with somebody. With this all eventually leading up to everyone departing for a brief bit to get the presents they'd gotten for Naruto, who was mainly just happy that everyone showed up back with their gifts although Kiba was still nowhere to be seen saying that his would take awhile.
"Alright let's start with mine because this was something that took me a good amount of time to work on, but I'd like to think that it turned out well." Tenten spoke as she handed Naruto her gift that he began to unwrap it
"Ok now this looks awesome and you made this Tenten?" Naruto spoke as he lifted the item out of the package
"Yeah as I thought that since you go on all these missions now that you could use some additional protection since I care about you. So I want to make sure that you come back in one piece for me alright, because this village just isn't the same without you here." Tenten told him as Naruto held in his hands a darksteel helm with dark pumpkin crossed axe designs on the sides and coming out of the sides were twin rams horns
"And its a perfect fit as well; this is gonna be great to have out on missions Tenten thanks as you truly are a godsend as come here." Naruto thanked her as he wrapped her in a big ol hug
"Thanks Naruto and it was no problem as all I want is for your safety." Tenten responded as she returned the hug before he soon sat her down
"Well I guess its my turn." Asura spoke hefting up his present which was a foot and a half tall
"Well since seemed to be so into these Norse Legends of yours I thought that it wouldn't hurt to try my hand and make one of them, so here it is and I think you'd rather like it." Asura spoke as he undid the wrapping on it to reveal a well designed statuette of Odin in full battle armor in a chariot with Gungnir at the ready all done in full color no less
"Well holy shit how did you find the time to make this, as this just too fucking cool?!" Naruto questioned his mouth slightly agape impressed by the detail and time it would've took to make it
"Simple really I just spent two months straight making this for you, because I know we may not be brothers anymore but you still deserve a well made birthday present. So for me this is the best I did for you as a present so once again happy birthday Naruto and just in general happy to have you as a friend." Asura told Naruto who grinned at the present
"Hey I'm happy to have you as a friend as well since you've been an pretty cool guy to be with Asura and this just further cements it so thanks for the gift as this going somewhere real special." Naruto said back to Asura since he found that in his time with Asura that he was a pretty cool guy to be around
"Thanks I'm glad you liked it and happy that we're able to have a friendship with one another." Asura responded with a smile
"Same here Asura as once again thanks for the presents guys." Naruto thanked as Sasuke handed Naruto 4 books
"Look it may not be much but here as for what's to come I thought it would help if you had some material to read over for battle and tactics. After all if we're gonna make an empire together then it wouldn't help for our general to know all there is to know about war itself." Sasuke spoke handing Naruto to books that cost him nearly everything he had considering he had these special ordered from the west
"Dude I know how expensive shit is to get in from the western lands, as you didn't have to do this for me." Naruto responded with surprise that Sasuke went all out for Naruto like this
"What can I say you're our leader now and as such I want you to be prepared for anything that comes our way, besides your a fine warrior and better than anyone I know so you deserve these Naruto so please take them." Sasuke spoke since within their current generation Naruto was the best among them and as such he wanted the best for him
"Thank you Sasuke and you can trust that by the All-Father that I'll be reading these from front to cover, as thanks man I appreciate this a lot!" Naruto cheered since he would be reading over these
"Please do as I didn't run myself financially down to the red just for them to ideally sit by; so your reading these and applying them would mean a lot to me." Sasuke said as he brought these so that their leader would become more and more capable and besides it would make their duels much more fun
"Believe I will since with these I'll be able to beat the shit out you whenever we have our sword fights." Naruto said with a smug grin on his face that made Sasuke crack a smile of his own
"Trust me even with what you learn from those books you still are gonna lose I guarantee that." Sasuke retorted with complete confidence in his voice
"Oh bring it on, but afterwards as we still have Haku and Kiba wherever he is." Naruto responded as he wondered where Kiba was at
"I'm sure he'll get here in no time." Haku spoke as she reached out of her pocket and pulled out a stainless steel chain necklace and hanging from it was a great-axe made of ice that looked like crystalline opal that had bits of rubies covering it
"As I may not have enough money to get you anything cool like Sasuke did I thought that I should make use with what I got. So I used my bloodline to make you this along with some gemstones I found from the jewelry store in the village and made you this." Haku said as she put the necklace around Naruto's thick neck
"Haku this looks amazing as long as you put the thought and effort enough to make it decent then its all good to me." Naruto replied as Haku smiled at that
"Thank you Naruto I appreciate the compliment since it took a lot of tries to make." Haku spoke thankful that Naruto liked her gift
"Well your hard work is most definitely appreciated Haku." Naruto spoke giving her a playful slap on the shoulder that due to his immense strength almost knocked her over
"Now the remaining question is where is Kiba at?" Naruto spoke before Kiba came in having large thuds come a meter behind him
"Oh there you are Kiba as what took you so long?"Naruto asked his friend who dusted himself off
"Simple really as I had to go get your present out of where I hid him as if you come outside your present would like to actually meet you." Kiba told Naruto as everyone raised their heads at that
"What exactly do you mean Kiba, as what exactly did you get Naruto?" Asura asked wondering what he got him
"You'll just have to wait and see." Kiba spoke motioning everyone to come outside with him
With that everyone followed Kiba who led them outdoors until they saw before them a young dire bear from the Forest of Death with it being a grizzly that came up to Naruto's chest with shaggy brown fur, 8 inch long hooked claws that could shred a man's face like paper and bright chestnut brown fur as it let out a bellow like roar.
"As I thought that since I had Akamaru that you could use someone to keep you company as well, so I've been spending some time out in the Forest of Death taming this big guy who doesn't have a family no more. And feeding him so he'll grow up strong and now he's all yours." Kiba told him as he motioned for the bear to go up to Naruto
"Huh of all things a dire-bear is not what I imagined." Sasuke spoke as everyone backed up as the 4 year old bear went up to Naruto
"Hey there big guy nice to meet you my name is Naruto, you wanna be friends?" Naruto questioned before the bear bellowed out a roar once again and soon enough pinned him down and began licking his face affectionately
"I'll take that as yes, as who's a good boy as you're gonna like it here with me." Naruto said as he petted the bear behind the ears who bellowed out as he continued to lick Naruto's face
"Well looks like Naruto really likes his present." Tenten spoke as Naruto stood up as he got the bear to give him a high five
"I knew he would as hey they say dogs are man's best friend, but apparently they haven't met Naruto and put him with bears." Kiba spoke as Naruto looked really content with life right now
"You got that right as good for you Kiba for doing this for him." Tenten responded seeing the large smile on Naruto's face
"Thanks I try." Kiba said to Tenten
"Come on boy let's go find Jiraiya so you bite him in the dick!" Naruto told the bear who roared as it followed after Naruto to find Jiraiya
(Several Hours later, 10:44 Pm, Naruto's Mindscape)
It was soon enough 16 minutes till 11 at night as Naruto had soon fell fast asleep with a wide smile upon his face elated at the events of his birthday part considering that he not only got to spend it with his friends, but also get a dire bear whom he named Yasha out of it. Therefore suffice to say Naruto was feeling really good about life right now as he was within his mindscape which took the form of a cross between Konoha and the Norse villages of old.
"Huh I wonder what I'm doing here of all places?" Naruto questioned wondering as to why he was in his mindscape
"Maybe I can answer that." A voice spoke across the way that Naruto widened his eyes too see
"Lord Thor what are you doing here?" Naruto asked in vast surprise and shock to see the war god who approached him with a smile on his face
"Simple can't I wish you a happy birthday." Thor spoke with a sharp bark of laughter
"Wow I didn't think that you'd go out of your way to wish me a happy birthday, I mean after all I'm just a mortal and you're freaking god." Naruto spoke surprised that Thor would wish him of all people a happy birthday when he was just a mortal man
"Of course I'd come to do so after all I happen to like you quite a bit Naruto as out of all who follow the path of the Norsemen, you've done an exceptional job. Both as a warrior and as a man coming into his own." Thor spoke clasping Naruto on the back with a stark white smile
For Thor was impressed to see Naruto's skill and tenacity as where most people would've called it quits and given up in their thinking they couldn't have amounted to anything else; Naruto never did such a thing and in fact did quite the exact opposite. And instead of that pushed himself through hard work and dedication became one of the best genin their was within his generation; soon afterwards would acquire his own empire through battle and conquest just like his Viking predecessors had done before him in order to gain what they once had as their own.
"Thank you I appreciate as I only do the absolute best I can and then give it even more." Naruto replied at the small amount of praise from the storm god
"Well what you are setting out to accomplish is no small feat as creating an empire from the ground up, now that takes real ambition and fortitude to accomplish." Thor said as what Naruto set out to do was by no means nothing to scoff at
"I appreciate the confidence and all but I'm far from having our empire all set and ready to go, because heck I haven't even conquered any of the lands in the Elemental Nations. So I still have such and incredibly long ways to go before I can really make you and the All-Father proud of me." Naruto spoke knowing that he had a very long ways to go before he could accomplish his dreams for an empire
"Oh you already have made me proud at least considering you are going beyond and above what anyone else would your age, as reminds me of the times when our people still flourished. So trust me when I say that you've made me proud in what you've been doing as the accomplishments you've made so far. Show that you are living up to our legacy and your potential." Thor told Naruto in confidence as so far Naruto had met consistently of the storm gods expectations time and time again and had to an extent reminded him of the times when the mighty Norse were proud and flourishing as a people
"Thank you I appreciate it and don't worry as I swear to you that our people will rise up again and become stronger and better than ever; much more than they were in the days of old. This I promise to you, because if there's one thing I never go back on its my word." Naruto said to the storm god flashing a wide smile at him
"That's the type of spirit I like to see, as you keep that up and soon the lands of not just these nations but of those western lands will soon be yours for the taking." Thor told Naruto who looked up at him
"Do you really think so?" Naruto asked
"Of course I do after all you're the legacy to our people, so I've full confidence in you and your capabilities to propel our legacy into a whole new future of battle and conquest." Thor assured him with a confident and charismatic smile on his face
"Thanks for the confidence because sometimes even I need it." Naruto said as even he needed a bout of reassurance every now and again
"No problem which reminds me I've gifts to bestow upon you." Thor told Naruto who's face lit up like a shooting star
"Oh really as can tell me what they are?!" Naruto asked in excitement as Thor smirked
"Well first off I'll be upgrading the original boon I gave you to allow you to have access to more of its full capabilities, since when I first gave you it I only gave you the first part of it because I knew you weren't ready for its full capabilities. However, since you will be facing powerful adversaries along the way I feel it necessary to unlock the other half of it." Thor told him before continuing
"As for the other gift I feel as though you gain the other power of the domain I lord over that of war so prepare yourself as this is a good deal of power you will be imparted with." Thor told him as his hand crackled with lightning and blood red divine energy
"Whatever it is I'm ready for it, so bring it on already!" Naruto exclaimed as Thor nodded
For with that in mind Naruto felt divine energies surge through and over him, with it being like a personal storm inside himself being released into existence as he felt every nerve in his body fire with a power that made him feel ready to take on Kakashi and Might Guy using one of the 8 gates. With the process taking a few minutes to have happen and settle before subsiding as Naruto felt incredible, as though he were an unstoppable juggernaut of his pantheon ready to destroy and overtake anyone foolish enough to get in his line of fire.
With Naruto looking himself over in a glass window to look over the changes wrought into his person with the lightning bolt shaped marking on his left eye that went down his jaw bow spread going down to his neck and touching his collarbone and spreading to where it arced across right temple and cheekbone. Yet the newest addition was upon his left shoulder it was a blood red celtic circle and within it pulsing like a brand his trademarked symbol of Mjolnir that pulsed in electric blue as Naruto then looked at Thor.
"Trust me Naruto your gonna like all of what you can do, because trust me Naruto now that your a man and will be facing much more powerful trials; I feel it necessary that you have the strength to face it all head on." Thor told him as Naruto grinned at all the new possibilities he had
"Not to mention that you look cool as well now." Thor added
"Thank you for the gifts and I promise that I'll use them to the absolute best of my ability, as so far I've been blessed to have such fantastic friends at my side. And thanks to them and all of what I will gain there won't be nothing that can get in the way of my having an empire, since the way things are needs to be rewritten and I will especially since said things are because of the Sage of 6 paths." Naruto spoke with bold ambition in his voice
"Oh yes the Sage of 6 Paths its nice to see that someone agrees that what he did was utterly foolish, for things were much simpler before humanity gained the use of chakra. For men fought with steel and martial might instead of the convoluted nonsense he unleashed onto the world. Because of that the fool has made it to where men become monsters far worse than when our people were alive." Thor spoke as a war god he had a particular distaste for the sage due to the fact that he utterly disrupted combat's natural evolution
"I know considering that while I'm alright with chakra all that thanks to him we've got the tailed beasts to worry about and more importantly their jinchuuriki running around. Which makes them a flight risk since one unstable jinchuuriki who decides to say fuck it and unleash their tailed beast onto the empire I'm trying to build would prove to be utter disaster. Because its people like him and the 1st Hokage that give me such a migraine headache; because its thanks to them that I've got to make contingency plans up to my waist. Because especially that idealist sage forgot to see the implications of his actions would have that peaceful idiot." Naruto spoke in a somewhat aggravated tone of voice since he particularly didn't like the Sage of 6 paths in his grand idea to give chakra to everyone
"For the jackass failed to see that humanity is by nature violent murderous and by giving us something as dangerous as chakra; he practically sped up the death toll of every man, woman and child to an insane degree. So suffice to say I'm not what you'd call his biggest fan." Naruto added in general disdain for the Sage of 6 paths because to him he practically sent the death toll into overdrive for every person on the planet who had chakra
"Yes however, Naruto one thing remains clear." Thor told Naruto who looked at the god of war
"What is it Lord Thor?" Naruto questioned the Norse god beside
"It's that you have the power to correct the mistakes brought on by him and those who followed his ways, for the continued path of what he started will only lead to ruin. So I think that this empire you and your friends are working towards is just what is needed to get humanity back on track. Because the thing is Naruto that people may not see it at first and some will resist but this empire is the only way the nations in your land will work together." Thor spoke since in his personal view the only way any of what was going on was if everyone was unified under a single banner as a empire
"Don't worry I will as I've full faith in your empire and that it'll succeed completely." Naruto replied with a wide smile on his face that his empire would work without fail
"Excellent to here and it seems as though I must go, since even gods have their duties attend to and as a war god mine are quite important to the overall state of things." Thor told Naruto since even he had to still attend to matters of being a god
"Ok and thanks for wishing me a Happy Birthday and the new gifts you've given me." Naruto thanked Thor for his presence
"No problem and good luck Naruto." Thor spoke before disappearing in a bolt of lightning
"Thank you and soon enough my empire shall happen." Naruto thought to himself knowing that his dreams for an empire will soon be reality
So then with the celebration of Naruto's birthday made we now see resolutions and conflicts rising with both Kushina and Rangiku respectively, as well as things continually looking up for Naruto so what will continue to happen to everyone in the near future. Well find all of that out in the new chapters of Revival of the Mighty Norsemen.
Hey guys I know its been a hot minute since I've made updates but I'd like to explain the reason for that before we go any further. And that being because recently I've been struggling with my depression which had been getting so bad to the point where I've struggled with thoughts and near attempts at suicide something of which I'm not proud of. Therefore while I'll still be making new stuff for you guys to read no doubt about that its going to be a bit sporadic considering that even now I still struggle with all of this, but to continue on a happier note let's get down to it now shall we.
First up we've got Naruto and Kushina resolving things between them which to me felt nice to do since all of this had to come to a head at some point so I felt now would be a reasonable time to do so, because now it allows for everyone to move on in their lives for the better.
Next up we've got the bit between Asura and Rangiku with Rangiku being pissed at the fact that she isn't allowed at Naruto's birthday which to me makes a lot of sense and allowed me to show more of Rangiku who I will admit with everything I've been building up I've nearly forgotten about, but don't worry as next chapter is gonna have more of her involved I guarantee that.
Following that up we've got Naruto birthday and his being given his presents which I tried to do as best I could since this is my first time writing this type of thing so I hope I did good with the best I did.
Finally we've got the whole bit between Naruto and Thor which I thought would be cool to write out in him wishing Naruto his birthday and giving him some new upgrades. As well as talking to him about his empire and a bit about the Sage of 6 Paths which I thought would be neat to do since its something that I'd like to in the 2nd part of the story address more and more.
With all that being said please favorite, follow, review and share this out as much as possible as thanks you guys for supporting the story during my inactivity and please continue to do so, by getting this out there as much as possible since I do appreciate it all. Also remember that flames will be ignored and that criticism so long as its reasonable and well thought out is welcome.
That being said this is Pravus666 signing off until next time as next chapter is gonna be revealed what exactly Rangiku and the 9 tails have been planning with Naruto as her and Team Badass go on a mission together, so stay tuned for that.
Part 1 Theme Song: Twilight of the Thunder God by Amon Amarth
Random End Song: Skalds and Shadows by Blind Guardian