Chapter 80

Naruto held Artoria's gaze, his expression unreadable, yet his eyes gleamed with unspoken thoughts. Her words, her unwavering conviction—it was the essence of a true king, one who lived not for themselves but for their people.

And yet, it was precisely that unwavering nature that made him hesitate.

"Thank you for accepting our request, Your Majesty. And I am truly honored by your gratitude."

Artoria's lips curved into a small yet radiant smile, one that carried the weight of a thousand years of devotion to her people. "Splendid. And what do you feel about our kingdom? Is it to your liking?"

Her voice was steady, warm yet composed. Even without words, she could see through Naruto—his burdens, his struggles, the relentless battle he fought within himself. She recognized it immediately, because it was the same struggle she carried within her own soul.

Naruto exhaled lightly. "I liked it." His words were sincere, and his gaze swept across the throne room before returning to her. "It feels like a utopia, filled with happiness and hope. Your Majesty's leadership stands out in the history of mankind as an ideal."

And he meant it.

This was the kind of leadership he had always longed to see—the kind that made people believe. A ruler who led not through fear, but through love. If someone like Artoria had been the Fire Lord or even the Hokage, then perhaps… just perhaps… his life would have been entirely different.

She had charmed him without any grand speeches, without any persuasion. Her presence alone was enough.

But even as admiration filled his heart, Naruto knew one thing with certainty—he could not kneel.

For the ideal future he sought, he had to stand beside her, not beneath her.

Artoria's gaze softened, as if she already understood his thoughts before he even spoke them.

"Your words bring us great joy, Sir Naruto." She stepped closer, standing just a few feet away from him. Her presence was overwhelming, yet calming at the same time.

"If you do not mind our rule, would you allow us to lead this world?"

Silence fell upon the room.

Even Gaara and Kakashi, who had been standing resolutely behind Naruto, felt the weight of those words.

"We wish to unite humanity under a single banner, for we cannot survive if we continue to remain divided by nationality and leadership."

Her words rang with truth. Undeniable, absolute truth.

"We have waited for your arrival and do not wish for conflict with you, Sir Naruto."

That statement alone spoke volumes.

She had known about him. About his role. About his rise.

This was not a simple meeting. This was a pivotal moment in history.

"We have the same objective in mind, and with our leadership, this world shall prosper."

Artoria extended her hand toward Naruto—an offer. A choice.

"All our plans will go smoothly, and all wars shall disappear from this world."

Her emerald eyes, filled with conviction, locked onto his own.

"What is your answer, Sir Naruto?"

Naruto didn't immediately answer.

He had expected this. It was inevitable.

Artoria was the chosen one.

The future king of humanity—destined to rule, destined to guide, destined to fall in the name of the future.

His mind whirled with possibilities, but then, his voice cut through the silence.

"Do you know that you will die if we take this path? The path where you are the king, and I am your knight?"

A lesser ruler would have been shaken. Would have questioned. Would have faltered.

But Artoria Pendragon did not falter.

She remained still, her expression unreadable. But in her silence, Naruto knew—she hadn't known.

A flicker of understanding passed through her gaze.

"I see."

She closed her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them, her conviction unchanged.

"But does the world continue to prosper? Or does it fall with our demise?"

Her voice was steady, unfazed—as if death itself was nothing but a passing moment.

She truly did not care for her own life.

Her duty was what mattered. Her purpose was what defined her.

Naruto clenched his fists at his sides.

She wouldn't hesitate.

Even knowing the fate that awaited her, even knowing that she was being sacrificed for humanity, she would still march forward without complaint, without regret.

Naruto's words echoed through the grand halls of Camelot's throne room, lingering in the air like an unshaken truth.

"It falls along with us. There is no future in this path. Though, there is a path for victory, and I am still trying to decipher it."

Artoria remained silent for a moment, absorbing his answer. Her emerald eyes did not waver, but a subtle shift in her posture spoke of contemplation.

"This information is alarming… but not unexpected." Her voice, steady as ever, carried the weight of one who had faced countless crises before. "Our future is unknown and volatile, but we shall continue to struggle as we always have."

She studied him carefully before continuing.

"We shall ponder this information and seek a remedy for this problem. Until then, please enjoy your stay and work alongside Merlin to ensure the future of humanity."

With those words, they were dismissed.

As the grand doors of the throne room closed behind them, Naruto felt Artoria's gaze on his back. She was thinking—analyzing, perhaps questioning the weight of what had just been said.

"It seems you have seen further than what I have achieved, Sir Naruto."

Beside him, Merlin's voice cut through the silence, his usual mirth replaced with a thoughtful curiosity. He walked with his hands behind his back, his flowing robes trailing elegantly as they moved down the grand hallways of Camelot's inner sanctum.

"It would help greatly if you could share even the smallest clues, so that we may grasp the opportunities that might slip us by."

They were being led to Merlin's laboratory, a sacred place of research where the most powerful magical artifacts were studied and preserved.

Naruto exhaled, mulling over his words carefully. He understood the urgency of Merlin's question—there was no time for hesitation when the fate of the world was at stake.

And yet…

What if I make a mistake?

The future was still uncertain. If he shared too much, or worse, misinterpreted what he had seen, he could doom them all.

But there was one thing he was certain of.

He was never meant to kneel.

"I only saw that I should make a bond with the King… but not serve under her." Naruto finally spoke, his tone serious. "I believe I am meant to always keep myself on the same rank—never beneath someone. Does that give you any idea of what it means?"

Merlin stopped for a moment.

And then… he smiled.

A slow, knowing smile.

One filled with realization.

"That helps a lot." The magician mused, his voice light with amusement yet carrying a depth of understanding.

"I think we shall have an answer to that question very soon."

After the tour of Camelot, the team was led to the guest quarters, where they were finally able to settle down and process everything that had transpired.

The rooms were grand, but they carried the same simplicity and refinement that reflected Artoria's leadership. Everything was built for efficiency and function, with no unnecessary extravagance, yet it was clear that no expense had been spared in ensuring their comfort.

As soon as the doors closed, Kakashi let out a breath and sank into a plush chair, stretching his legs as he observed Naruto.

"This was easier than I assumed." He muttered, his single visible eye glancing toward the young sage.

Naruto, who had taken a seat near the window, gave a small nod. "I meant what I said." His voice carried a certainty that left no room for doubt. "She is the real king. She's not someone who took the throne for selfish or disgusting reasons."

Kakashi hummed at that, but before he could speak again, Shikamaru interjected, his sharp mind already piecing together something else entirely.

"I see. But why did you give them that clue?" His expression was unreadable, but his next words made Naruto freeze.

"Are you planning to marry her, Naruto?"

Naruto blinked, completely caught off guard. "What? I never said anything like that!"

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his temple. "That's why you should have consulted us first. Your clue only leads to one interpretation—that she should marry you for the proper future. What else could 'standing at the same rank as the King of Humanity' mean?"

Naruto opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, Gaara spoke up.

"Don't blame him, Shikamaru. You know Naruto doesn't think like that. We are unfamiliar with their culture, and Naruto likely saw it as friendship, as usual. Since he hasn't stated it in words, he can correct the misunderstanding."

There was a brief pause before Shikamaru leaned forward, locking eyes with Naruto.

"But is it a misunderstanding?" His voice was calm, but there was a knowing edge to it. "Tell us, Naruto. Is it friendship… or is it marriage? Don't be afraid, your fiancées will understand. Isn't that right, Sakura?"

His words made Sakura tense, her fingers clenching slightly at her sides.

Sakura wasn't against Naruto falling in love—but marrying without love? That was something she couldn't accept.

Over the past three months, since Sasuke's death, she and Naruto had become inseparable.

She had grown attached to him, not just as a teammate, but as someone who had always been there for her. In these months, she had learned more about him than she had in years of being on the same team.

He was her best friend, her pillar of strength, and the only one who had truly helped her move on from the pain of her loss.

Even now, there was trauma—the ache of losing Sasuke was still there—but with Naruto by her side, she could keep going. He made the world feel normal.

And he was precious to her.

Which is why the idea of Naruto being forced into something didn't sit right with her.

She reached forward, taking his hand gently, offering the warmth she knew he had always longed for from her.

"If you're uncomfortable with it, you don't have to do it." Her voice was soft but firm. "You should only do this if it's what you want, not because it's expected of you."

Naruto met her gaze, and for a moment, his heart wavered.

She was finally seeing him.

But at the cost of Sasuke.

If Sasuke had been alive, would she have ever looked at him like this?

Would she have ever reached for his hand like this?

It didn't matter. The past was gone.

And he refused to let bitterness or petty emotions cloud his judgment.

He gave her a small smile, grateful for her words.

Then, he turned to the group, his expression turning serious once more.

"I don't know." He admitted. "If I had seen us together, I would have told you. But you might be right—they might assume that from my words. Regardless of whether I saw it or not… what do you guys think is the best path? Should we consider this union or not?"

A heavy silence settled over the room.

For once, even Shikamaru didn't have a clear response.

It was Kakashi who spoke first, his tone carrying the wisdom of someone who had seen the world longer than the rest of them.

"I don't think anyone can truly understand this situation." He said, leaning back against his seat. "We don't have the knowledge to determine what is necessary or not when it comes to something this volatile."

Shikamaru nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.

"The only thing that could come from this marriage is a child." Kakashi continued. "And the question is—would that child be important for the future? We don't know."

There was another pause before he added,

"Hinata is biologically a better choice." His voice was blunt, but not unkind. "A child between you and her would have stronger genetics due to her bloodline."

The statement hung in the air, heavy with implications.

Kakashi sighed, shaking his head. "So… none of us can give an appropriate answer. This is beyond our understanding."

Shikamaru nodded once more, the realization settling in.

"Maybe the future events will show us the answer."