'The wars were so long ago, nobody even remembers. Darkness and fear ruled until the time of the barons, seven men and women who forged order out of chaos. People flocked to them for protection. That protection became servitude. They banished guns and trained armies of lethal fighters they called Clippers. This world is built on blood. Nobody is innocent here. Welcome to the Badlands.'

An old Mustang drove down the road, with a spiky blonde blue eyed man behind the wheel. This man was Naruto the most feared Clipper throughout the Badlands, no one knows where he came from, not even himself as he suffered from amnesia from a blow to the head he suffered as a child

Pulling to the side of the road, Naruto got out the car, and walked to the overturned truck before he noticed the man dead with a hatchet in his skull

"Nomads." Naruto sighed before he walked over to the line of children that had been shackled and executed, before he noticed a shackle undone meaning one of them was still alive.

Standing, Naruto used his telescope and surveyed the surrounding area and narrowed his eyes as he spotted smoke in the distance

Minutes Later

11 Nomads were rest in up for their upcoming journey when they all stopped what they were doing as Naruto pulled up, they all watched as he got out of the car and headed for them, "You lost, stranger?" the leader asked

"Nomads ambushed a transport a couple miles back. Killed all the cogs except one." Naruto said looking at the men

"We don't deal in human cargo here. What's your interest?" the leader asked

"The transport belonged to my baron." Naruto said watching as the man laughed

"Check it out, boys. We got a real live Clipper here." the leader said as his men chuckled, "Don't you dogs usually travel in packs?"

Naruto smirked, "What's in the trunk?" he asked

"That's none of your damn business." the leader frowned before he looked to on of his men and nodded but soon as the man tried to get up a kunai found its way to his head, as Naruto was now holding up the leader by his throat as all the men collapsed dead

The leader looked into the soulless blacked out eyes of Naruto before the black abyss subsided and his normal blue eyes reappeared, "Who are you working for?"

"T-the Widow." the leader stammered before his neck was snapped and his body was tossed onto the boar he and his men had been roasting

Naruto leaned down and ripped the reinforced lock off the trunk when suddenly it burst open as a kid stood up looking at him in fear before he ran off, smiling slightly, Naruto picked up the lock and tossed it at the kids head sending him to the ground uncounsious

Later

Naruto had dug a large hole and our the cogs into it with the exception of a young girl who had her throat slit. The kid woke up his face scrunched hp as he held his head before he saw Naruto with his back turned and silently tried to sneak away

"There's nowhere to go, kid." Naruto said causing the kid to turn as Naruto looked at him, "You want to tell me how you ended up in that trunk and not dead like the rest?"

"Lucky, I guess." the kid said

"Lying to me is a bad idea." Naruto advised

"Someone named the Widow paid those nomads to find me." the kid said getting a nod before he pointed to the girl, "That one's yours."

Naruto returned to digging as the kid walked over to the girl and sighed, "Her name was Sarah. She didn't deserve to die this way." he said as Naruto glanced to him and continued digging

With a grunt the kid grabbed the corpse by its legs and dragged it to the hole where the other corpses were being buried, "So now what happens to me?"

"I'm taking you back to the fort." Naruto said

"Or you could let me go. What difference would it make to you?" the kid asked

"You'll survive a lot longer working in my baron's poppy fields than you will out here." Naruto said

"I'll take my chances." the kid said only for Naruto to hand him the shovel and walk over to his car

The kid grunted and began to dig, "You got a name? Or do you just show up, kill people, and leave?"

"I have a name, do you?" Naruto asked

"M.K."

"Naruto." Naruto said causing M.K. to look at him,

"Thats a weird name."

"So is M.K. its only 2 letters forced together." Naruto said with a eyebrow twitch, "Dig."

M.K. sighed and continued to dig, and once he was done, he climbed into Naruto's car and the blonde drove away to The Fort,

(Play Rag'n'Bone Man - Human)

M.K looked out the window of the car as it tore down the road, before he glanced at the radio, "Who is that?" M.K asked

"Hell if I know. When I found this car, I fixed her up, and found tons of discs that held music on them." Naruto said turning the music down he pulled up to the fort as M.K looked out to the poppy fields and saw a boy the same age as him

When the door was opened, Naruto drove down to the large mansion in the distance and pulled in front of the house and the clippers that were training, "Welcome to the fort, kid." he said

Getting out, Naruto allowed for his sword to be taken and his jacket, "Regent present!" a clipper yelled and everyone saluted Naruto who nodded and the went back to their training

"Come on." Naruto said looking at M.K who followed taking note of the fact that the entirety of Naruto's biceps and shoulders were covered in Kill Tats

Naruto lead M.K to a small cliff where down below boys were fighting, "What is this?" M.K asked

"They're Colts. Clippers in training. Every boy gets the chance to join our ranks." Naruto said

"No, thanks." M.K frowned

"Then you'll spend the rest of your life working in the fields." Naruto said before a siren began wailing, "Come on. You're about to meet the baron. He's welcoming the new recruits."

Naruto lead M.K to the barracks, and stood against the wall as his Baron Quinn, who held up a Bible, "People once thought this a holy book. They believed it held the answers from a god that would save them. Boys, there is no god in the Badlands. How do I know? A god does not feed you or clothe you or protect you. I do. Most of you are orphans. Your parents died after a life of servitude and left you to pay off their debt. But I'm offering you a different path. The strongest among you will have the opportunity to train as one of my Clippers. Some see Clippers as cold, heartless killers. Out the men that fill this fort are more than that. They're my family. Once you're accepted into my family, there is no other family. Boys, I'm not asking you to be monks. You can wick whatever you want. But a Clipper's loyalty is to his baron. That's the first rule of our code. In return, you get the best of everything Food, weapons, women." Quinn ranted causing the boys to chuckle, before Quinn looked to Naruto, "Come here, Naruto."

Naruto walked forward, "Remove the vest." Quinn said and Narito took off the vest showing his back that was littered with Kill Tats, causing the boys to look at the sight in shock, "Quite a sight, isn't it? Each mark represents a life, a life that Naruto has taken without remorse, without regret. Because he kills for one reason, and what is that, Naruto?"

"To protect your interests, Baron." Naruto said

"That's right. To protect my interests, Baron. 977 souls, all taken for me. No Clipper in the Badlands is more feared or more loyal. This man standing here is a far cry from the miserable whelp I laid eyes on all those years ago. Naruto was found in rags and shivering down by the Rabbit River, no parents, no past, just his name. I figured if the Badlands hadn't killed him, there must be a strength inside him, so I took him in, forged him into the man you see today. Maybe the boy who will follow in his footsteps is in this room. Is it you? Or you? Or you? Now, I ask, do you want to be part of my family?"

"Yes, sir!" the boys said as M.K looked around

"Do you want the best of everything?"

"Yes, Baron." all the boys yelled

"Do you want to kill in my name?"

"Yes, Baron." all the boys yelled

"Then your future has begun." Quinn said causing the boys to stand cheering as M.K slowly stood up looking at Quinn

Later

Naruto was eating an apple, as Quinn admired a coin the nomads had a crate full of, "Tell me why the Widow's so interested in you." Quinn demanded looking to M.K

"I don't know, Baron." M.K lied causing Quinn to narrow his eyes

"You know what happens to people who keep secrets from me? Get him in the pit." Quinn said 'Let's see what you're made of."

A clipper grabbed M.K and dragged him away, "Keep an eye on the boy."

"You got it." Naruto said before the two looked over as a young man walked up,

"Father, I was handling the nomad problem. Why did you send in Naruto without telling me?" the boy asked Quinn while glaring at Naruto who smirked

"Turns out nomads weren't the real problem. The Widow was paying them to do her dirty work." Quinn said handing his son the coin.

"Another baron is moving against us." the boy said taking the coin

"Just because she murdered her husband does not make her a baron." Quinn replied

"Call her what you want. Our poppy can't be processed without her oil to run the factory. You want to wait for her to choke us off?" the boy asked

"If we strike, we'll be starting a war with the other five barons." Naruto said

"If we do nothing, we'll look weak and they'll come after us anyway."

"No they won't, The Barons are fully committed to the peace that has been established after the War. We attack for any reason, that will start a war. The other Barons love their peace more than they hate your father. We attack we are on our own. Poppy isn't an necessity in the Badlands, not like oil, cogs, metal, or fruits and vegetables." Naruto said

"He's right, Ryder." Quinn said looking to his son, We do not move on the Widow. Thank you, Naruto."

Naruto walked away as Quinn, and Ryder watched, "Why do you let him act so disrespectfully?' Ryder asked

"Naruto he always been like that. You want respect from him, take it." Quinn said walking off

The Pit

M.K, was walking to the pit slowly, as his shirt had been taken from him, suddenly his pendant was snatched from his neck, "What's this?" a colt asked

"Give it back." M.K demanded

"It's mine now." the cog smirked and immediately M.K punched him sending the cog to the ground, and quickly he got ontop of him and tried to throw another punch but the colt rolled over again so he was on top

"You little shit." the colt said about to punch M.K but his arm was grabbed and he was yanked off of M.K, and the colt looked to see Naruto had him by the arm

"That's mine!" M.K yelled about to attack the colt again, but Naruto pushed him back lightly

"Back off." Naruto said before he saw the pendant, "Give me that."

Naruto looked at the pendant and his eyes widened slightly at the design, before he looked to the colt, "Get out of here. I catch you starting another fight, I'll kill you myself."

Naruto walked off, as Ryder watched him from his perch on the cliff, while M.K frowned before another colt walked over to him, "Be careful. Guys like Ajax start fights to show off for the Clippers. They want to be picked as Colts. I'm Bale."

"M.K."

"You watch my back, I'll watch yours." Bale said getting a nod from M.K.

Elsewhere

Naruto walked to his cottage, and opened a drawer to a compass, and a necklace both bearing the same design of M.K's pendant

Flashback

A young girl handed a young Naruto the compass, "Keep it safe." the girl said

End Flashback

Naruto sighed and closed the dresser, "What do you want?" he asked suddenly turning around to face Ryder

"What did you take from that boy?" Ryder asked only for Naruto to toss the pendant at him, which he caught, "You ever seen this before?"

"No." Naruto said leaning against the drawer, "What do you want?"

"You need to reconsider your position. We have to move against the Widow." Ryder said causing Naruto to sigh

"Your father made his decision." Naruto replied

"No, you made the decision. He agreed, like always. He's not himself. I know you see it, too. The headaches. We have to protect him."

"I have always protected him." Naruto glared

"By doing nothing, you're digging his grave."

"My job is to make sure he stays Baron until he decides to give it up, and protect this territory. I don't need some handicapped weakling trying to tell me what my job is. Now hobble out of here." Naruto said pointing to the door

Ryder glared at Naruto and made to draw his sword, but a kunai was held at his throat, "Draw it, you die."

"So would you."

"Your father can't afford to lose me, for the failure of a son who hasn't done the only thing the old man wants of him." Naruto smirked

Ryder glared before he backed away, and made to leave, but paused and held up the pendant, "I'll hold on to this."

"I don't give a fuck." Naruto scoffed before Ryder stormed off

Nightfall

Naruto walked out of the fort, to a small town nearby, and entered a shop where a beautiful caramel skinned woman was outfitting a man with a prosthetic hand, "It will never be the real thing, but you'll get used to it." the woman said before she noticed her patient looking toward the door fidgeting, before she looked and saw Naruto

"Don't worry. He's not here for you." the woman smiled

Later

nude Veil sat up with a moan, as she arched her back while riding Naruto who was groping her ass, before she leaned down and the two shared a kiss, as Naruto caressed her back "You're amazing." Veil moaned panting as she slammed her hips up and down atop of Naruto before grinding her hips against him

"You're the one doing all the work." Naruto replied, as he sat up and took one of her nipples in his mouth

"You're doing plenty." Veil moaned holding Naruto's head close to her body, as she continued to bounce on top of him, before Naruto kissed up to her neck, and sucked on it, as Veil started to grind against him, Naruto smirked and lightly bit her, causing her to throw her head back and release a loud moan, as her orgasm ripped through her body causing her to shake, as Naruto came with a grunt, before they kissed each other, as Naruto slapped her ass loudly causing her to moan

Ending their tounge wrestling match, Veil laid her head on Naruto's chest, "I figured you'd be with Lydia tonight. Or one of your others."

"I told you, Quinn and everyone else needs to believe I have no one important to me. I have the reputation of a heartless killer, who loves to wick every beautiful woman I meet. It's better that way." Naruto said

"Not for long. I'm pregnant." Veil revealed causing Naruto to look at her, and slowly backed away from her, as she watched hesitantly

"How long?" Naruto asked

"Long enough to be sure." Veil said as Naruto looked away at nothing, "Say something."

"You can't keep it." Naruto stated causing Veil to frown

"Is that the only way you solve a problem? Kill it?"

"Veil, the punishment is death. You understand that, right?" Naruto asked looking at Veil

"I know the consequences. That's not what I'm talking about. Do you even want to keep it?" Veil asked

Naruto closed his eyes as he looked down, while Veil moved closer to him, "We need to leave the Badlands."

"And go where?" Naruto scoffed looking to his lover

"I've heard stories." Veil said

"The ones who've tried to escape, Quinn has hunted them down and killed them." Naruto replied

"I've heard stories, Sunny. There are places beyond these borders."

"Where people ran away from to come here." Naruto said, shaking his head,

"This is a life you helped create. Does that mean something to you? I know buried under all this ink is a good man." Veil replied touching Naruto's back

"I can't have a family Veil. You can't keep this baby, no matter how much you want to. You could die, and I can't have that on my conscious." Naruto said standing up, and getting dress before leaving

Tattoo Shop

Naruto had immediately headed over to the tattoo shop, and was in the chair lying on his back as his chest was tattooed, "Thought you told Veil you was giving that stuff up." Ringo asked as Naruto drunk from his flask

"Apparently, I lied." Naruto sighed

"You know, there used to be a time when you were, uh, excited about coming in here and getting your next mark." Ringo said

"Don't take it personally, Ringo." Naruto replied

"I don't. Just seen it before. Killing that many people takes a toll on a man. Even you, Naruto."

"I guess." Naruto sighed

Fort

M.K was walking toward the washroom when Ajax suddenly appeared and pushed him into a wall, before punching him in the face, and with a hip toss slammed M.K into the ground

Ajax allowed M.K to get off the ground, "We have unfinished business. You embarrassed me in front of the regent." Ajax said as M.K lifted a hand to his bloody nose

Ajax moved forward before his eyes widened as M.K.'s eyes turned white before going completely black. Trying a high kick, M.K dodge to the side, lying on the ground, before in a blur of speed he jumped up and kicked Ajax in the chest sending him flying back

Naruto arrived to see Ajax fly back into the mirror, causing it to shatter. A shard of the mirror flew at M.K who caught it before tossing it at Ajax's eyes

Ajax gasped before he cradled his eye and screamed at the top of his lungs,

Naruto watched as MK's eyes returned to normal, and he collapsed

Naruto's Cottage

M.K was still asleep as Naruto poured him lself some alcahol, when M.K suddenly shot up, "What happened in that bathroom? That's why the Widow was looking for you, right? If I told Quinn what I saw, he would turn you into something you don't want to be. I need the truth." Naruto said sitting down

"I don't know what that is. It happens when I bleed. Ever since I was little, it's been this way. It's like something takes control of me. When I wake up, someone's been hurt or worse. It's my fault my mother and I had to leave our home. My mother had heard about a healer who could fix me. When we went to find him, we were caught by nomads and separated. I've been looking for her ever since."

Naruto frowned, as he was hoping it would give him answers about himself, he could always control whatever it was, and had hid it from everyone, with a sigh Naruto held up the compass, and opened it showing the design

"That's my home. That's Azra." M.K said excitedly

"Azra?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow

"Yes, it's beyond the Badlands." M.K answered, "Where did you get that?"

"Do you remember how to get there?" Naruto asked hopefully

"No, I I don't. It was a long time ago." M.K said causing Naruto to sigh, "Look, can I please just get my pendant back? It's the last thing I have to remember my mother."

"The baron's son took it." Naruto replied

"Well, I'm getting it back." M.K said making to srand but Naruto stood up and pushed him down

"Don't be stupid. Go back to the barracks and keep your head down. Understood?" Naruto asked watching as M.K got up and left, with a sigh Naruto sat on his bed

Next Morning

After looking at the horizon in the morning and doing his duty, Naruto headed for Veil's place, as it was now pouring rain,

Naruto paused at the door and sighed before he began to leave but paused while crossing the street as a car he was familiar with sat across from him, before 4 men armed with swords appeared

"Really?!" Naruto asked over the rain looking at the car, before the men attacked,

Man1 came and slashed at Naruto's head, but he dodged back, and kneed the man away, turning to Man3, the blonde regent ducked forward while punching the dual sword wielding man in the ribcage, before man3 with a grunt tried a backslash at Naruto who grabbed his forearm, and slammed the back of his own forearm into the mama elbow

Man3 swung his other sword at Naruto who caught that arm as well and slammed him forearm into the elbow of the man and tossed the mans arm away before he elbowed the man in the neck crushing his Adams apple

Man4 tried to stab Naruto in he heart, but the blonde slapped the arm away, and quickly ducked back as the man began to spin trying to cut Naruto, before the blonde caught man4's sword arm and broke it at the elbow and usee his own sword to stab the man in the chest

Man2 trembled watching Naruto kill his comrades, before he glanced at the car and with determination he charged for Naruto who pulled out 2 kunai, and he ducked and slashed the man at the belly and came back up to slash the man's throat from ear to ear

Hearing a car door open, Naruto looked to see a beautiful red head with an umbrella get out of the car, "Valentine, be a peach and wait in the car." the woman said as the young girl she was with got in the car

"Minerva, what's this about?' Naruto asked walking forward

"My, it has been a while." Minerva smiled walking up to Naruto

"Since I killed your husband, and we slept together while he bleed out." Naruto said

"Good memories." Minerva smiled

"Why did you have your men attack me?" Naruto asked frowning

"To see if your still as good as I remembered." Minerva smirked as Naruto grunted

"What do you want?"

"There's a boy in the fort. He has a pendant with this symbol on it. Bring him to me." Minerva said holding up a card with Azra on it

"For what?" Naruto asked

"Thats my business. I gave you the option of siding with me, you refused. I can't trust you, since you've chosen to live as Quinn's killer." Minerva said as Naruto narrowed his eyes, "Bring me the boy, and I'll help you."

"I don't need you help with anything." Naruto said before he walked off, as Minerva watched,

Dungeons

Upon returning to the fort, Naruto was told that M.K had snuck into Ryder's room and was caught leading him to be sentenced to death. Walking to dungeons, Naruto saw the boy sitting down in shackles

"Go away." M.K said as Naruto walked in,

"I told you to stay in the barracks." Naruto hissed

"Who gave you that compass?" M.K asked

"It doesn't matter." Naruto said

"You kept it for a reason. You're hoping Azra's out there, too." M.K replied

"You're going to die in the morning. You know that, don't you?" Naruto asked watching as tears welled up in M.K's eyes

"Naruto, could you promise me something? Somehow, could you find my mom? Tell her that I'm sorry? I tried to find her. I never gave up. And that I love her."

"I'll never be able to keep that promise, kid." Naruto said watching as M.K began to sniffle, before he stood up, "Find your mom and tell her yourself."

Naruto cut the lock, and grabbed M.K, "Be quiet, and just follow me." he said leading the boy away to the field next to a small sewer cover that he opened and dropped a torch into, "This is your way out. If you get caught, you will be killed."

"Why are you helping me?" M.K asked before watching in shock as Naruto's eyes blacked out

"Because we're the same, and I never had a chance to be something else besides this. Now you do." Naruto said as his eyes returned to normal

"Y-,"

"Go." Naruto interrupted nd with a nod M.K jumped down and immediately Naruto closed the tunnel

Naruto returned home, with a grunt and began to think about what he was going to do with Veil, and their unborn child.

Finished