Chapter 4 — The Emperor: "Does She Like Me? I'm Just Too Outstanding."
(Note: The Land of Ancestors in this ff doesn't follow cannon, and we made sure the emperor personality is unlikable.)
The Land of Ancestors.
At present, it stood as the strongest nation in the world. Even the neighboring Other Nation, along with many other great countries, could not shake its position.
Without question, it was unrivaled.
Whether in military strength, territorial expanse, or the abundance of its resources, no other country could compare.
And he—the current Emperor of the Land of Ancestors—held absolute authority.
His influence extended across the entire nation, and even beyond it, reaching into the broader world.
Countless princesses and noblewomen admired him. He was simply too outstanding—so outstanding that not a single woman had ever truly entered his heart.
His standards, his power, and his status did not allow him to casually choose some ordinary woman to accompany him for life.
The Emperor thought to himself: I really am just too exceptional.
Yet today—this very morning…
The exceptional him had encountered someone worthy of standing beside him for the rest of his life. She was flawless, like a piece of jade already polished to perfection.
A beauty beyond description.
In that instant, she pierced straight through to his heart.
Mother… I've fallen in love.
"Your Majesty, we are shinobi from Konohagakure of the Land of Fire. I am their team leader, Hatake Kakashi, and these are my subordinates…" Kakashi said, maintaining a polite and measured tone.
After all, they were standing within another nation's territory. Showing proper respect to its ruler was only natural.
First impressions mattered.
The Emperor, still lost in his thoughts, was pulled back to reality. He cast a casual glance at them.
The Land of Fire? Never heard of it. Probably some remote, insignificant country.
Shinobi? What kind of title was that?
He had never heard of it either.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I'm a genin from Konoha, and my dream is…" Naruto said, hands behind his head, speaking with unrestrained enthusiasm.
"My name is Sakura Haruno. I'm a member of Team 7," Sakura said, her posture composed and polite.
"Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke remained as indifferent as ever.
Kaguya tilted her head slightly. So this was… how they introduced themselves?
After a brief pause, she spoke as well. "My name is Kaguya-hime… Mm… I come from the Ōtsutsuki…"
At the end, she hesitated, her voice trailing off into silence.
"Kaguya-hime… even her name is beautiful. Ah… this must be the one heaven has sent down, the woman destined to stand beside me, the Emperor…" The Emperor once again sank into his fantasies.
"That girl called Sakura isn't bad either—well-mannered and composed. As for that one named Sasuke… though his appearance isn't even one ten-thousandth of mine, he's still passable…"
At last, his gaze fell upon Naruto Uzumaki. His brows immediately furrowed, and a trace of disdain flickered across his eyes.
"Blond hair, blue eyes, those strange whisker-like marks on his cheeks, and dressed in that garish orange outfit… how unsightly. Not only is his appearance peculiar, but even the way he speaks—completely lacking in etiquette. No respect whatsoever for me, the Emperor. That alone is enough to warrant death."
The moment Naruto noticed the Emperor staring at him like that, his instincts flared. A sharp unease rose in his chest—he could feel the hostility behind that gaze. Without hesitation, he pointed at the Emperor and shouted, "What are you looking at? Keep staring and I'll knock your head off!"
"Naruto, watch your manners!" Kakashi reprimanded immediately. Then, turning toward the Emperor, he added, "Please forgive him, Your Majesty. He's always like this."
"It's fine," the Emperor said calmly.
But inwardly, he sneered: As expected—no manners at all.
...
Afterward, Kakashi explained their situation and how they had arrived. The Emperor listened briefly before arranging accommodations for them.
At the residence—
"Naruto, you almost got us thrown out!" Sakura snapped, smacking him on the head.
He was far too reckless.
"What? I'm telling you, I wasn't wrong! The way that guy was looking at me—he was definitely thinking something bad!" Naruto said, clearly displeased.
That look in the Emperor's eyes…
Naruto knew it all too well.
That kind of disgust—like he was something worthless—it was a gaze he had endured for twelve long years.
Sure enough, in this world, only Iruka-sensei, old man Teuchi, and Grandpa Third had never looked at him that way.
Just then, a warm hand gently rested on his head.
Naruto instantly reacted, bristling as he slapped it away.
"What are you doing?!"
He turned, only to see Kaguya standing behind him. He paused for a moment, then narrowed his eyes slightly, taking a cautious step back.
"What are you trying to do?"
"You seem upset," she said softly, her gaze steady as she looked at him.
"I'm not upset at all! I'm always happy!" Naruto shot back, but under her calm gaze, his eyes still shifted away.
"But your mood seems poor. Did I do something wrong?"
"It has nothing to do with you. I just don't like that Emperor, hmph! That's all!" Naruto's sulking expression immediately drew laughter from the others.
"Naruto, your face is hilarious, hahaha!" Sakura said, unable to hold back her smile.
Naruto's face flushed red.
These guys were going too far—they were always making fun of the great Naruto Uzumaki!
"I'm not talking to any of you anymore!!" Naruto shouted.
...
Night fell.
Countless stars glittered across the sky, scattered like silver dust.
But strangely, high above, the brightest silver moon was nowhere to be seen.
It simply wasn't there.
"That's weird… why isn't there a moon?" Naruto sat on the rooftop, staring up at the sky, his face filled with curiosity.
Why would there be no moon? No one had ever taught him that.
Could it be that sometimes… the moon just didn't appear at night?
In the courtyard below stood a figure dressed in white. There was no need to guess—of course it was Kaguya.
She stood quietly, gazing up at the empty sky. From time to time, a trace of worry flickered through her eyes, as though she were anxious… or perhaps silently praying for something.
Suddenly, a broad robe was draped gently over her shoulders.
When she turned, she saw the Emperor of the Land of Ancestors standing behind her.
"The nights are cold. You'll catch a chill dressed like that," the Emperor said, his tone warm and considerate.
Kaguya said nothing. Her gaze returned to the sky.
But at that moment, the Emperor was stunned.
Too perfect.
Like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens—flawless, untouched.
Only someone like her could possibly be worthy of me.
"So, what do you think? The stars are beautiful tonight, aren't they? I also enjoy looking at the stars. Of course… they pale in comparison to you standing before me," the Emperor said with a faint smile.
Kaguya looked at him as if he were a fool.
Did he really think she was looking at the stars?
How boring.
Yet when her gaze briefly shifted back to him, the Emperor's heart leapt.
She looked at me… does she like me?
That must be it—she definitely likes me!
Ah… you really are quite shy.
Up on the rooftop, Naruto watched the two of them below. His eyes flickered, and a mischievous idea suddenly formed in his mind.
He narrowed his eyes and grinned, his expression resembling that of a cunning little fox.
"Judging by your expression, you seem troubled. Is something weighing on your mind? If you're willing to tell me, perhaps I can help," the Emperor said, his tone soft as he narrowed his eyes slightly.
With such a beauty before him, he naturally wanted to present himself as gentle, considerate… and worthy.