Wednesday, 25 December 2019

8:30 PM AEST – Australian Eastern Standard Time GMT+10

A Naruto and Shingeki no Kyojin/進撃の巨人 Crossover

Disclaimer: "Naruto" is a property of Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, and Studio Pierrot; "Shingeki no Kyojin" is a property of Hajime Isayama, Kodansha, and Wit Studio. I do not own any of them.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, historical events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Romance, Politics, Drama, Post-apocalyptic

Warnings: Extreme Fantasy Violence, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Lots of dialogue and long speeches

Universe: Animeverse, Mangaverse

Series: The Chronicles of the Eternal Sage - Naruto Uzumaki

"Jutsus/Time change/Place change"

"Otherworldly Beings Talking"

"Otherworldly Beings Thinking"

'Flashback'

"Talking"

"Thinking/Telepathy speaking"

"I'm strong because I have people to protect."

-Naruto Uzumaki

Volume 02 - Humanity's Comeback

Chapter 3: Forward

Previously from Naruto Uzumaki: Hope of Humanity…

"From this day onward, you are no longer a warrior of Marley, nor a lone soldier. Today, you are what you want yourself to be, you have truly become Annie Leonhart, a unique young woman that should dream big for her future and not the weapon you were made to be," Naruto said before placing his right hand atop her soft hair.

"Remember this day Annie Leonhart, today, you have become one of my precious students." He patted her head before giving her a friendly push on her back towards the training field.

"Now go, your official training starts today," he said to her with a smile as she walked away, unknowingly having a small smile on her face, a rare show of emotion from her.

"I'll try my best, Naruto-sensei… I'm Annie Leonhart after all…"

Story Start.

"I never thought I would see you again, Naruto-san," said Carla Yeager as Naruto helped her sit down on a chair, as she still has some difficulties with her legs being crushed a few years ago, but as far as Naruto can see, she is making a good recovery.

"Don't count me out yet Carla-san, I still have years ahead of me," he replied with a smile as he sat opposite of her with a cup of tea on his hands.

"Besides, I promised Grisha I would protect you all, no matter how utterly stupid he is after that stunt he pulled," he whispered the last part on his head before he continued.

"And now, I'm teaching them at the military camp. By the way, how the hell did Eren convinced you to allow him, Mikasa-chan, and Armin to join the military?" He asked while Carla sighed loudly after she took a sip from her teacup.

"I talked to them several times over since we arrived here in Trost, but as usual, Eren never listened," she sighed again, before she continued, "Even Armin wanted to join after Shiganshina, and Mikasa is the only one that keeps them in line, barring you of course."

Naruto nodded in agreement, and it did sound Eren-like and boy, he was lucky to have companions like Armin and Mikasa.

"Sounds like Eren," he quipped, and he saw the small glare Carla gave towards him.

"You're the one at fault," she retorted. "Ever since you saved us from that titan, he even became even more hellbent on joining the military!"

Naruto couldn't fault her there, all she said was true, and Eren is a person driven by emotions and in that fateful day, emotions were running high, but he knows Eren's heart is on the right track.

"Well, that's true," he admitted as he leaned back to his chair. "I can't deny that my actions that day even pushed Eren more to join the military, but I couldn't help myself because I care about you and your family…" he said as Carla's gaze softened and she looked down her cup as pondered on his words.

"Those three wanted to have a home to return to, and with you alive, they have that home to return to and they have something to look forward to when returning from their missions, and that's you, Carla," stated Naruto and couldn't help but agree.

"Do you know why I am strong?" He asked, and Carla did not answer.

"I am strong because I have people to protect," he then met her gaze and spoke with utmost sincerity. "And you are one of them."

-Evening: Forest behind the Training Camp-

"Most of them are here to protect their social status," said Bertolt as he walked under the cover of the night as he held lamp while Reiner, Armin, and Eren followed him. "In these times, choosing to work in a factory when you reach the age of 12 is considered cowardly, so many enlist in the Training Corps instead.

"Not that I'm much different from them," he continued as they walked up a hill covered by trees. I enrolled to join the Military Police so that I could live safely in the Inner Wall. If that goal proves unattainable, I may just resign."

"I don't have a strong spirit," he finished in a sombre tone.

"There's no shame in valuing your own life," said Armin as they continued to walk and passed a barbed fence.

"I'm going back to my abandoned homeland. That's all I care about," voiced Reiner while the two from Shiganshina listened to him.

"I'll do it, no matter what," he said as his eyes narrowed.

"And you?" Bertolt asked as he turned towards Eren.

"?"

"Why did you choose to enlist?"

Eren looked down as they walked. "I… I thought that I had to kill them all…"

Reiner and Bertolt glanced back at him while Armin remained silent.

"That I must exterminate all the Titans myself. That's what I believed until Naruto reminded me that I cannot be alone on that," he answered as they continued and climb up above a boulder.

"So your heart never wavered, even after encountering a Titan?" Asked Reiner as he helped Eren up and Armin followed him.

"No. For now, I'm just worried about becoming a soldier, but with this new power Naruto graciously granted me, I'll make sure to do him proud," he replied as they continued to walk towards a cliff, and soon, they stopped as the clouds parted to reveal a beautiful sight.

A valley covered in trees with a clear lake that shone beneath the moonlight.

"Start by re-adjusting the belts," said Reiner while Eren listened. "You'll be just fine tomorrow."

Then he turned towards Eren who stood straight. "I have faith in you."

"Eren Yeager, was it?" He smiled at him.

"Yeah. Thanks," said Eren with a smile on his face. "You're Reiner Braun, right?"

-104th Training Corps: Southern Division, Wall Rose: Morning-

"You seem to be even more bloodthirsty than usual today, Eren," voice Reiner as all the recruits ate breakfast, and the subject in question remained silent as he ate his bread.

"Well, he's still thinking about the training yesterday," mocked Jean after he swallowed his food. "What a pathetic sight that was… even if powered by Naruto-sensei's chakra, you looked like you were going to die out there after going and getting tangled in your wires," he continued but Eren didn't react and instead remained quiet for a few moments.

"… not as pathetic as the sight of you practising how to turn tail and run against a titan, even with chakra…" he paused, his eyes narrowed before he continued. "You horse-faced coward."

"… yeah, you go charge right up to a titan and die in a web of your wires," he drawled. "The titans will get a real laugh out of that. That's how you die… I wonder if Naruto-sensei was mistaken in choosing you…"

Reiner's eyes observed the two, ready to interfere when needed, and that he did, when he heard their chairs skid on the floor, he stood up and immediately separated the two from clashing.

"As I keep on telling you guys, knock it off!" He shouted as he tried to separate the two apart.

"It's morning! Keep it down!" A cadet shouted as Reiner forced the two cadets to break apart and while doing so, he and Bertolt on the back noticed Annie's exhausted look with her face looked more sullen than usual.

"Alright, both of you! Enough!" Naruto's voice thundered in the Mess Hall from the door and the room was silenced as he walked slowly towards the two as he glanced subtly to Annie before he went forward to the three.

"You two… what the fuck do you think you are doing this early?" The two cadets gulped loudly, and Reiner shared a look with Bertolt that did not go unnoticed by Naruto.

-Line Break-

"Eren Yeager, are you ready?" Keith asked as Eren stood in front of him, prepared to do the basic aptitude test which he failed yesterday, and the only one left to do so.

"Yes, sir!" He answered with full determination and everyone saw it on his face. "I'll do it… I must do it, or else, I won't be able to look at Naruto's eyes straight again. I may not have the talent, but Naruto gave me the path to becoming something greater."

"Begin!" Keith ordered and Thomas Wagner spun the lever and the wires that were connected to Eren's belt began to rise, and slowly, he was lifted to the air.

"I don't know the theory, but I know the basics. But it's all I've got! This is my weapon!" His face hardened as he managed to balance himself, much to the surprise of many.

"WHOA!"

"I did it!"

He balanced himself successfully for a few moments until Naruto appeared behind him. "Boo!"

"GAH!" And Eren fell back to the ground just like yesterday. "N-No… I can still…"

"Let him down," ordered Naruto while the others got their bearings straight at the shock of Naruto who appeared out of thin air.

Eren fell to his knees while the others watched silently. "I can still…"

"Wagner, lend your belt to Yeager," Keith ordered and Thomas answered.

"Huh? Yes, sir!"

While Thomas removed his belt and gave it to Eren, Naruto watched Eren's belt carefully as he removed from his waist and replaced it with Thomas' belt.

"Now, again!" Barked Naruto and Eren were hooked back to the wires with another belt while he held Eren's belt. Every cadet was shocked when Eren was raised and remained still, and this time, he did not fall back.

"I knew it," said Naruto as they all looked at him as he inspected the belt before he handed it to Keith. "Your belt was damaged, and I've noticed it since yesterday."

"The metal fittings on your belt were damaged," said the Chief Instructor as he looked at it. "I've never seen the damage to these parts before. I suppose we'll need to update the maintenance checklist."

"So he succeeded… even with faulty equipment," said one cadet in surprise, followed by another. "Wow!"

"S-So… what's your decision?" Eren asked Keith.

"You're good to go. Stay resolute and train hard!"

"I did it! I actually did it!" He exclaimed on his mind in joy, then, he looked towards Mikasa who stood with Armin and the other cadets in shock. "See that, Mikasa? I can do it! I can fight the Titans! I don't need to depend on you anymore!"

But his celebration was cut short.

"Get that stupid look off your face, Yeager," said Naruto as his face turned stoic and everyone turned to him.

"The nightmare hasn't started yet."

The only thing all the cadets did when they heard Naruto's voice and saw the look on his face, was gulped loudly.

-Forest Clearing: Two Years Later-

Now, indeed, for all cadets, not just the seven he chose, but to all of them, it truly was a hellish nightmare, not what they expected at all. He pushed them to their utmost limits, and some nearly quit the 104th Training Corps, yet, they were drawn by his leadership no matter how much pain he put them through.

Keith Shadis enjoyed it because he knew that this batch will be the finest since a long time, and he added more pressure above what Naruto concocted as training, and with that, he can finally see who will be the Top 10, and everyone knew the seven Naruto chose will be the Top 7 and the last 3 rankings will either be on the Military Police or the Garrison, so he and Naruto made a directive to the Capital to allow the ranking be up to Top 20, to make up for the first seven positions with additional rankings which add up to 20, as it is given that those first 7 will be immediately enrolled to the Survey Corps after this current Training Corps officially disbands. Thus, there will be either 13 new recruits to the Military Corps or less, once they are finished.

Also, in those 2 years, the Chief Instructor was able to create his concrete observations of his every student, including Naruto's because they work together, and Naruto wanted an outside opinion.

Now, it rained hard and several cadets, covered with their coats as they carried their backpacks ran up the muddy road while Keith rode alongside them.

"Pick up the pace, you blockheads!" He barked to them before he turned to Armin. "What's wrong, Arlert? You're falling behind! Can't handle the weight without using Chakra? Should you alone be unburdened?"

Armin continued to run as he cursed Naruto from his mind, because there will be times that he restricts their Chakra use, to test their normal stamina, and it turned out nicely, as Keith puts it because he can grade them without their additional powers. "If this were the real deal, you'd be meat for the Titans without your Chakra."

"Damn it," he muttered as Keith rode forward, then, he noticed Reiner fell back towards him.

"Hand it over," said Reiner as he took Armin's bag and slung it over his other shoulder. "At this rate, you'll be joining the dropouts. Today's training is being graded, and Instructor Naruto is up there on the trees watching us."

"But if you do that, your score will get drop down to, Reiner," said Armin between laboured breaths.

"Make an effort not to get caught," growled Reiner. "Don't make me change my mind."

"Reiner Braun. He has both a robust physique and mental strength. His comrades also have great trust in him," observed Keith as he glanced behind and watched the large teen.

"I'd rather die than be a burden," muttered Armin as he ran towards Reiner and grabbed his bag, much to the taller teen's surprise, and with a renewed vigour, he ran forward ahead of the other cadets.

"Armin Arlert. He lacks physical strength however; he demonstrates a prodigious aptitude in academics from what I hear. The Survey Corps will be delighted to have this one in their Titan Research Team"

Sometime later, Keith stood above a tall branch and watched as three cadets moved towards a wooden Titan model, and he saw as the three cuts through the back of the model's nape, though, one cut was noticeably not as deep as the first two.

"Annie Leonhart. The angle of approach of her slashing attack is impeccable… she carves deeply into the target. Personality-wise, she's a lone wolf that has difficulty working with others, even with her special team. Chakra-wise, she lasts longer than most, compared even to her team, but Naruto still have to handle her himself," he observed before he turned to the second one.

"Bertolt Hoover. He has mastered every single skill that's been taught… and I believe he has a lot of potentials… but he lacks drive and tends to leave decisions to others. An elite soldier but never a leader."

Then, his gaze turned to one of Naruto's other student beside Annie. "Jean Kirstein. He has a deep understanding of the vertical manoeuvring equipment and excels at exploiting that skill with and without Chakra… he can also take in a situation at a moment's glance, but his hot-headed nature tends to cause discord, and with his use of Chakra, he gets too lax. Naruto still needs to temper this one."

"I'm no match for their slashing ability," he muttered as he looked back to the model. "I'll just have to spot the Titans first."

"I'm going to make that blond prick pay for all this pain!" He traversed forward across many trees until he came upon a lone model, which made him smile.

"Thanks, Jean!" A voice interrupted his thoughts and saw Connie Springer dash forward and to try and take the model down for himself. "Following you was a good call!"

Though, it was not meant to be, as a whimsical Sasha Blouse suddenly appeared and cut through the model. "I got it!"

"Sasha Blouse. Though she has unusually good instincts, even without using her Chakra, her character is unsuited for cooperative action, and her using Chakra makes this even more prevalent. Naruto needs to work on this one as well, just like Leonhart."

"Connie Springer. He's skilled at handling tight turn manoeuvres. However, he's got a slow mind and often makes strategic mistakes."

"Here they come," one instructor said to his partner and they adjusted two models near one another as they saw Mikasa and Eren dashed forward to the models, and Mikasa struck deep, while Eren didn't, just like Jean.

"Damn it, I still couldn't cut deeply as Mikasa," cursed Eren in his thoughts.

"Mikasa Ackerman. She's completely proficient in every aspect, deserving nothing less than an unprecedented evaluation of generations past, making her the most valuable of them all. Chakra-wise, she's better than the rest, seconded only by Leonhart. Of all Naruto's seven, she's his best pick."

Keith watched them all as they swung and dashed around the forest.

"Eren Yeager. He doesn't possess any talent, but he doesn't seem to have any other stills… but he possesses a sense of purpose that's twice as strong as anyone else's, and through constant effort and Naruto's push, his grades have improved steadily. With and without Chakra, he's just as good as Kirstein. All he needs to do is to continue his effort and I believe Naruto will provide the continuous push for him and the others."

"Krista Lenz. Completely average, but she gets along with many even though she has an uncertain attitude. Though, that Ymir always watches her back. With Chakra, she is better than most, but if ranked out of seven, she's seventh. Naruto will have plenty of work on this one, especially after what he told me about her," he observed as watched Krista dashed forward and swung around branch as she struck one model deep, then, he saw Mina went for another and struck well just like Krista.

"Mina Carolina. Just like Lenz, she's average, but what she makes up for it is her excellent performance with a team, because she cares for her team especially on combat. With Chakra, she's as proficient as Lenz with Naruto's explanation of how they train, and she's sixth out of Naruto's seven."

"All in all, Naruto has a lot to work on, and with his special team, he'll have to be careful."

-Later that night-

Another day of training came and pass by, outside of the training grounds, three shadows were created by a campfire by the logs used by the Southern Division.

"While you two were tuckered out playing like idiots… I was crawling around the Royal Capital's sewers…" said Annie as she sat on a log while her two 'allies' listened with their heads down.

"The man in the black coat was different from the rest of them," she narrowed her eyes at the remembrance of a certain someone, "He was skilled but not as skilled as Naruto, and I narrowly avoided capture."

"He might have seen my face if I join the Interior MPs and he's there…" her voice sullen while the others went through their thoughts on the matter. "I can't risk myself anymore…"

"So that's it?" Rhetorically asked by Reiner while Bertolt remained silent.

"Let's go back to Marley with the information we've gathered so far," said Annie, but she continued in her thoughts.

"And to spy on them for Naruto…"

"Almost five years have already passed since Shiganshina, they'll be happy to hear anything at all," she finished, but Reiner disagreed with her.

"… do you really believe that?" He asked, but Annie remained silent.

"I'm sure Marley will be very disappointed if these five years of results are all we bring to them…" All three remained silent as they let Reiner's words sink deep.

"… then what? What else can we do?" Annie broke the silence and Reiner's face hardened as he stood up and towered over the other two.

"We destroy Wall Rose. Whether or not the King has vowed to renounce war, that's the only way left for us to smoke out the Founding Titan," stated Reiner while Bertolt remained quiet and Annie contemplated on his words while she included her new teacher into her thoughts, as she thought of what he is going to do for the future, with their newfound powers.

"The day after our training class ends, is the same day the Scouting Legion will be going beyond the walls, including Naruto, so, the main threat to our mission would be gone," paused Reiner, not noticing the small smirk of amusement on Annie's face.

"If we could create as much as chaos as possible, even the Training Corps will be forced into action, and hopefully, the other 6 special students of Naruto can perish, I mean, what can they do to that many Titans even if they have those strange powers?" No one answered.

"We can disappear then. Even if they never find our corpses, no one, not even Naruto with his powers, will suspect we're still alive, and after we finish everything, we return to Marley with the Founding Titan, and your powers Annie, could help Marley tremendously," explained Reiner while Annie remained silent with Bertolt, but Annie was not convinced, not anymore, and she knew that these two do not know how Naruto's power works.

She found someone to truly trust in Naruto, someone that will return her home one day, for that is her only true goal and she knew Naruto will help her when the time comes. She will admit it loudly that she is selfish and still is, but her worldview was shattered when she witnessed Naruto's power, and everything that it can use for, whether for good or ill, her cynical and realist views of everything was just destroyed by Naruto, the one she called the only answer into the world's problems.

"We can slip into the huge crowd of refugees heading for the Capital, or… depending on the situation, we can still be soldiers if it looks like we'll be in the top ten, we can wait to graduate and become MPs in the interior, but I believe the first seven will be the students of Naruto, including you Annie, which puts us into a major block."

Bertolt looked towards Reiner in confusion, while Annie knew exactly what that block is.

"What?"

"Naruto's students after graduating will immediately be part of the Scouting Legion and Annie, you are one of those seven, so, putting you in the MPs is not an option… but maybe, you can spy on them while the two of us become MPs," explained Reiner, while Bertolt raised an eyebrow, while Annie remained silent.

"Then, once we've finished our job in the interior, you can regroup with us with the excuse of taking a rest, then we can all go return," finished Reiner.

"…"

"A lot of your friends will die," said Annie, "Maybe all of them," she finished, and Reiner's mood turned sour.

"How many times have I told you? They are not our friends," he kneeled on one knee before her as he whispered. "They're Eldian Devils. They aren't like us, and that Naruto is the worst of them all. But it doesn't hurt for us to gain their trust, especially you Annie, he gave you his powers! You can train with him and use it later against them," he paused to try and make eye contact with Annie, but her gaze remained to the ground.

"If anything, your attitude of isolating yourself, unless Naruto is there, is way more flagrantly-"

"I'm going to puke," interrupted Annie. "Could you, please, not put your face so close to mine?" Her tone nearly slipped into anger, but she managed to remain in her usual cold tone.

Reiner stood back and nodded. "You must be tired, I feel bad for always putting all the burden on your shoulders…" he said before he walked away, back towards the encampment.

"Let's leave it at that for today…"

Annie remained on her seat, as well as Bertolt, but he stood soon and followed Reiner.

"I've been seeing, the same dream over and over again…" said Bertolt, and Reiner stopped and looked back, while Annie remained seated.

"I dream of the old man who hanged himself in that settlement," continued Bertolt. "I wonder why he told us that story before he put the noose around his neck…" wondered the boy while the other listened quietly, then Reiner looked forward and sighed.

"How can you… even understand that?" He asked.

"He probably wanted someone to forgive him," voiced Annie and the two looked back at her as she continued to seat in a piece of log.

"He had no way of knowing we couldn't…" she looked up towards the night sky and continued. "After all, we left Marcel behind and ran," she finished.

"For some reason," started Bertolt as he contemplated. "I can't help but think… that the old man… wanted… someone to judge him."

Bertolt's conclusion stunned them into silence, and Reiner walked away in contemplation, while Annie remained on her seat, as if she waited for something.

"Annie, are you coming with us?" asked Bertolt and Annie shook her head.

"I'll stay here for much longer…" the boy nodded and left with Reiner, leaving her alone with the campfire and silent night.

She remained seated in the same place for a few moments, as she made sure Reiner and Bertolt are gone, before she stood up and walked towards the forest near her, and after she passed a few trees, she found Naruto as he leaned on one trunk with eyes closed.

"Naruto."

A pair of blue eyes opened and glanced lazily towards the young woman who called him.

"Annie," he replied with a small smile on his face.

"You heard everything," she stated, not that she needed any answer as she knew already that he did, and so she sat on down on the grass, with her back on the same trunk as Naruto's.

It has a been a few years since the 104th Training Corps began as well as since the seven cadets received their powers, and thus, not only they have their normal training, they also received Naruto's special and rather torturous training that the rest of cadets saw and was afraid of, thus vowed to never piss off Naruto, and also most likely added to the exhaustion of Annie as she had shown earlier.

"Hmm… so, Marcel was the one that Ymir ate huh?" wondered Naruto as he sat beside Annie.

"Ymir?" Annie raised an eyebrow in question.

"Freckles."

"Oh, you know her?" She asked, her voice emotionless like the usual.

"Yeah, I found her naked outside the Walls when she became human again…"

"Naked huh…" Naruto raised an eyebrow at what Annie insinuated and chuckled.

"Oh, dear Annie, she was naked, and I clothed her," he said with a small smile. "We haven't talked since I left her behind the walls, maybe I should probably talk to her one of these days, besides, we have a long time get to know each other well, considering she'd be in the Survey Corps as well."

After that, the two remained silent, and just enjoyed each other's presence in silence, then, Annie broke it, albeit very quietly.

"… I've been wondering…" she began.

"Hmm?"

"If you've lived for as long as you've said you did, how do you cope on it? All the things you've seen, you've experienced, and everything you've done?" She asked as she looked slightly upwards towards Naruto who glanced down towards her with a small smile.

"Well… as I live and breathe, I fight for those who are in need."

"Why?" she asked, confused thoroughly. "Why bother?"

"Why indeed, maybe it's just in my nature to be selfless," he said, and she looked down to her knees. "In this long life of mine, I've saved many without truly thinking about it, and you, you just want to go home, don't you?"

She nodded silently. "Because I am selfish."

"I know, but sometimes, we must make sacrifices for the war that is to come, and one day, I promise that you will return home to your father, safe and sound," he stated with utmost conviction, and that night is one of the rarest moments Annie ever truly showed emotion, and her rare genuine smile made Naruto happy.

"Thank you," she whispered as she leaned her head on Naruto's right shoulders, then, Naruto put his right arm around her small yet physically fit body and pulled her closer to him before he kissed her forehead.

"You're one of my students, whatever happens, I will be there."

-Trost: Sometime later-

"So, Jean, where do you live?" Armin asked Jean as their group walked through the streets of Trost under the midday sun.

"Does it matter?" Jean replied, his face was anxious as he continued to walk briskly.

"You're going to visit your home, right?" Marco asked, ignorant of Jean's current attitude.

"Thomas said he was going home," continued Marco while Jean glared back at him.

Then, Armin added to that. "I'm sure your mom would be happy!" And Jean snapped.

"Shut up, will you? It's none of your business!" He shouted at them, and the group remained silent for the rest of their walk, while Jean remembered the purpose of their trip.

'During tomorrow's training for the upcoming attack on Trost, Commander Pixis, who oversees the Southern Territories, will be present. Show him how much closer you vermin are to becoming soldiers after these two years!"

The 104th Training Corps stood in groups of 3 at the roofs of Trost, in one group Jean stood with Armin and Annie as they waited for the bells that warned the people to evacuate towards the Inner Wall, and for their attack to the begin.

"Jean, is it okay to move this ahead?" Armin shouted as the three of them ran ahead from their posts. "Our orders were to hang back and deal with the Titans that broke through-"

"We can't afford to be so laid back! Soldiers are meant to cut down Titans!" He shouted back as the three of them jumped off a roof, though, Annie was not amused.

"Aren't you just more concerned with getting a high score?" She said as they propelled forward with smoke behind them.

From atop the walls, one soldier watched through her telescope. "Commander, Team 21 has abandoned their post."

"Zzzzz…" she received as a reply, then she looked up. "Commander?"

She saw her commander dozed off as he stood, but that did not shock her at all. He was a bald man with a structured build, with a distinguished moustache, a light skin and notable wrinkles under his eyes. He was intoxicated, as noted by his reddened cheeks. She then stood up and went close to his ear and shouted. "Commander!"

That woke him up from his nap, and he was slightly confused. "It is eating time?"

"You just ate a little while ago," she said as she grabbed a flask that he took up from his pocket and walked away, though, he just took another flash from beneath his coat.

"He's far too relaxed," said the woman to her comrade.

"He hasn't been able to let loose lately, just leave him be," he said as they watched him drink from his other flask.

"I wonder what we're having for dinner," he muttered.

Back with Jean's group, they all noticed a wooden model nearby, and he was about to dash forward until Mikasa went forward faster than anyone and sliced her blades through the nape of the model.

"Awesome, as always," smirked Jean as he watched her secret crush. "You are the only one who can pass me."

"You guys, this way!" He ordered to his team and they went left, towards other models, and they found three, though, it was not meant to be.

"Thanks a bunch, Jean!" A voice said, and Jean turned up and saw Connie. "Gotcha!" Connie shouted as he sliced off the nape of one of the models.

"Damn you!" Shouted Jean as he maneuvered back towards another model, though, it really wasn't his day, as the remaining two were sliced off, one by Reiner, and the other by Sasha.

"Sorry, Jean," shouted Reiner from a distance.

"Yahoo! Yahoo!" Exclaimed Sasha.

Jean landed to the ground as he heard the others talk.

"You've improved!" Said Connie to Sasha.

"I've always been this good," she said back to him, but Connie wasn't the one to back down.

"You're still no match for me, though."

-Line Break-

"That's cheating, you thieving scum!" Exclaimed Jean towards Connie who ate a potato.

"Huh?" Connie raised an eyebrow.

"I found those targets first!"

"Cheating!" Sasha asked. "I didn't expect you to sound so petty, Jean. There are no rules when it comes to hunting."

"Tch!" Jean glared her as she bit down her potato. "Keep your hunter logic to yourself, Potato Girl!"

"Potato?" Sasha said in a shocked tone, "I thought everyone had forgotten about that!"

"That's cruel!" She shouted towards him, very much offended, while Reiner walked towards them.

"She's right! Apologize to her!" Connie butted in.

"We were assigned to that area, not you," he said.

"That's right!" Connie said, and being as dimwitted as he is, he did not read the atmosphere and continued. "You know, you're acting strange today. All this shouting and everything. Are you that anxious to see your mommy?"

"Oh, is that it?" Sasha, even after Naruto trained her much, still retained her eccentric personality, and absent-mindedly backed up Connie.

"Hell no!" Jean aimed to punch, while Connie formed a crane stance, though no one expected Sasha to form a hand sign, Tiger specifically.

"Stop that, you two!" Reiner shouted, while Armin looked shocked and was afraid where this would escalate, meanwhile, Annie palmed her face.

"You too, Jean," said Reiner as he turned to Jean, "Or you'll embarrass Naruto with your performance."

"Tch!" Jean removed his fist but remained angry. "Let's settle this at training tomorrow! We'll see who takes out the most targets! And you Sasha, no jutsu."

"That sounds like fun!" Pixis' voice bellowed from a distance as he walked towards the cadets, and they all saluted.

"Commander Pixis!" One exclaimed.

"Allow me to put that on hold," he said and was still slightly intoxicated. "Your tireless spirit is wonderful indeed but settling scores during training is outrageous!" He shouted before he took a drink from his flask.

"Do your fighting in the kitchen," he ordered, and everyone looked towards him like he was insane.

"Sir?"

"You will compete to see who the better chef is!"

Jean was frozen, though, Sasha was rather delighted by the looks on her eyes that shone brightly. "Cooking?"

"Yes, cooking," said Pixis, before he took a deep breath and exclaimed. "We will have a cooking competition!"

His voice was heard by everyone, and his men were shocked, and the same can be said for the rest of the cadets who heard him.

"Cooking?"

"Did he say cooking?"

"We should have confiscated all of his alcohol," one of his men said and his comrade nodded her head.

"My apologies, Commander Pixis," said Jean in confusion of what just happened. "We are soldiers, not chefs-"

Then, Sasha interrupted him as she put her arm forward towards Jean while she held the potato near his face. "Jean, what do you know about cooking?"

"That's right! I bet your mum always cooked all of your meals!" Taunted Connie, which was followed up by Sasha.

"I will teach you what cooking is really like, little Jean!" She challenged before she bit hard on her potato and ate it, then, the two entered a contest of eye-to-eye staring match while Jean's hands clenched tight.

"Bring it on!" He shouted back with his eyes darkened. "Whether it's cooking or cleaning, it doesn't matter. If I win, you stay out of my way from now on! Potato Girl!"

"Ara, ara, what's this? A cooking competition?" Naruto's voice thundered quietly from behind, and they all looked to see him walk towards them as he held a white bottle.

Annie raised an eyebrow at his appearance, as he said to her earlier that he would be doing something important, yet now, he was here.

"Oh! My old friend!" Pixis exclaimed to him as he walked past Annie and Armin without any acknowledgement. "You haven't aged since I met you 35 years ago!"

"Oh God, he's drunk," he thought as he felt a spike on the cadets emotions, because all they know, is that he grew up with Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, and he noticed they were all there, as well as Annie, and he'd be pressed hard to not tell them something about that, thought Annie will be the easiest, as she knew more about Naruto than most of the cadets.

"Why are you taking the name of the Lord in vain?" Jested Kurama as he referred to someone from afar.

"Let's not talk about that now, Pixis is drunk and loose-lipped at the moment, better shut him up."

He tossed the white bottle towards Pixis who caught it successfully. "Oh! My favourite!"

Naruto palmed his face, as the two of Pixis' subordinates shook their heads.

"It's settled!" They heard Pixis shouted in glee. "The showdown will take place tonight. Each of you will prepare a course for dinner. Bring your best dishes to the table! And this drink, brewed by my friend Naruto here, shall be its partner!"

With that, most of the cadets went into frenzy, with notable exceptions of course, which included the two competitors of Pixis' challenge, Armin who remained silent in shock, Annie who couldn't care less, Reiner who was stunned, Eren who held a basket near the wall, and Mikasa who just stared at the rest of her classmates like they are idiots.

"A cooking showdown between Sasha and Jean!"

"We can't miss this!"

"I won't be able to sleep tonight!"

Eren's eyes were wide as he watched the rest of his cohorts. "What's that all about?"

"No idea," said Mikasa in her usual tone.

"That's Pixis being drunk," said Naruto as he walked past the two and went towards somewhere.

"Eh?" Mikasa said as she turned her gaze towards Naruto.

"Wait."

He turned around and looked towards her with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, Mikasa?"

"Can… we talk after sunset?"

He nodded and left them in silence.

Hours later, the sun was still up, as it was only early in the afternoon, and the exercises started just after sunrise. He saw Annie alone in a bench near the infirmary as he walked nearby, and as he thought he won't meet with Mikasa until after sunset, and that the competition won't be until the evening, he went towards her.

"What happened?" He asked as Annie glanced towards him before she stared at nothing until he sat beside her. "Where's your team?"

"Armin slipped and his left tibia hit the edge of a step, and Jean is wandering who knows where probably trying to steal some beef from the officers," she answered quietly so that no one heard them.

"Huh, that's rather careless," he replied, and Annie nodded.

"Yeah, that's why I left them."

Naruto laughed loud while Annie smiled, and when the blond reigned in his laughter, he shook his head and said. "You really should go back to them, hit them with some sense."

Mikasa sat inside a hall, alone while everyone else left for the cooking contest Jean did manage to find something for his dish, after Sasha's team dragged that dead monstrous boar from the forest, Jean felt hopeless, until something happened and now the contest was on, but she cared not. Instead, she prepared herself to train, to be stronger than ever, stronger than what she could imagine.

"Ahem." She looked at the source and saw Naruto who leaned by the door to her side. "Can I come in?"

She nodded silently and Naruto walked in, and almost immediately, he noticed that she was in the middle of training, by the sweat that poured from her very fit body.

"So, what's up?" Naruto asked as he sat on the bench where Mikasa sat.

But she did not give him an answer immediately, instead, she took a towel and wiped off the sweat from her torso while Naruto waited for her.

"It's just I've been wondering," she started after she put down the towel beside her, then she turned to him.

"What are you?"

Naruto could only look at her in surprise.

A/N: Well, hello there, haven't updated this one for a while.

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Merry Christmas and may God bless you all, see you next year.