In the end, Naruto ended up living in Heiter’s home.
During this time, he also learned everything about this world.
This continent is divided into three regions: the South, the Center, and the North, where different countries exist.
This world has no Chakra or Ninja, only a completely different ability called ‘Magic’.
Although Naruto and Fern quickly mastered Magic under Heiter’s tutelage.
However, Naruto always felt that it was just as stumbling and difficult as when he learned Chakra.
Although he learned it at the same time as Fern, Naruto felt that it was largely because he already had the experience of learning Chakra.
This world has no Ninja, but it has many other professions.
For example, Hero, Mage, Priest, Monk, and so on.
There are also no Daimyo; instead, there are Kings.
Of course, both worlds have nobles.
…
Time passed quickly.
Year 20 of the Era of the Hero’s Passing.
Naruto had been in this ‘new’ world for about 5 years, learning to control Mana every day with Fern, under Heiter’s guidance.
The two of them had become like ‘family’.
Heiter was not a Mage; he served as a Priest in the Hero Party.
Although he also used Mana and Magic, he primarily used the magic of the Goddess, which required holding a Holy Scripture.
Furthermore, it required qualifications independent of magical talent, so neither Naruto nor Fern could become Priests.
Memories of the Hokage and Konoha were becoming increasingly blurred.
At the same time, after listening to the Hero’s stories day after day, Naruto had a new idol.
That was Heiter’s former companion.
Hero Himmel.
Over these years, with Heiter’s inquiries, one thing had been confirmed.
There was no Land of Fire, no Konoha Village, and certainly no Ninja in this world.
Naruto had also spent several years accepting this fact.
In the world before this, Naruto could barely refine Chakra, but he hadn’t learned a single Ninjutsu.
Although Heiter had expressed great curiosity about the strange Jutsu on Naruto’s stomach and the energy called Chakra, after years of research and consulting many well-known Mages, nothing had been found.
After confirming there was no danger, the matter was left unsettled.
Naruto also knew that Heiter had a Mage companion named Frieren who might know the reason.
However, after Himmel passed away, she embarked on a new journey and her whereabouts remained unknown.
Heiter had also mentioned that Frieren would show up on her own one day.
Naruto looked forward to that day.
He wanted to meet the legendary Elf, and…
A member of the Hero Party, just like Heiter.
Days went by.
On a perfectly ordinary day, just like any other, Naruto and Fern were out in the wild gathering ingredients for the day.
“Sister Fern, let’s go practice Magic together this afternoon.” Naruto said, carrying a bamboo basket full of mushrooms, turning his head with a happy expression.
Since living with Grandpa Heiter and Sister Fern, Naruto had experienced the feeling of family for the first time in a long while and had learned a lot of knowledge.
Fern didn’t respond, instead focusing her gaze not far away.
A ‘young girl’ with white twin-tails, wearing white Mage robes and brown boots, and carrying a suitcase, was muttering to a large tree: “I always get lost every time I come to this forest; where am I…”
Fern walked up slowly and asked: “Are you looking for something?”
Hearing this, the girl turned around, and Naruto and Fern immediately saw her long, pointed ears.
It was an Elf.
The girl replied calmly: “I am looking for the home of a person named Heiter.”
“Could it be…
you are the legendary Frieren!” Naruto said, a bit excited.
The other party was not only an Elf but also here to find Grandpa Heiter.
Then it was very likely the legendary Mage Frieren!
Frieren nodded slightly: “I didn’t expect anyone to know me.
That’s right, I am Frieren.”
Compared to Naruto’s excitement, Fern was much calmer and said: “Then you are a guest; please follow me.”
…
At Heiter’s home.
Naruto placed the food gathered today on the table and then quietly sized up this legendary Mage.
To him, it was no exaggeration to say that anyone from the Hero Party was a legend.
However, soon, Naruto felt a ‘killing intent’ behind him.
Fern was looking at Naruto with puffed-up cheeks.
Naruto could only scratch his head awkwardly and then silently entered the kitchen to start preparing today’s meal.
At this time, the conversation between Frieren and Heiter began.
“You’re still alive, you gluttonous monk.”
This was the first sentence Frieren said after sitting down.
Heiter didn’t mind and smiled faintly: “Dying in a carefree manner isn’t exactly easy, either.”
As the two were exchanging pleasantries, Naruto brought tea to the table, placed it in front of them, and then sized up Frieren with his sapphire-like eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Heiter said softly: “Thank you.”
Frieren didn’t pay attention to Naruto, but after he left, she asked: “Who are these two children?”
Heiter turned his head to look at the two children busy in the kitchen and said: “Fern and Uzumaki Naruto.
One lost her parents in the war in the southern nations, and the other suddenly appeared near my home—a child with a mysterious background.”
“A mysterious background?”
Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Frieren’s cold face.
Heiter then said solemnly: “Yes, it is said that he comes from the Land of Fire’s Konoha Village, but this continent does not have that country or Village.”
“Furthermore, there is an energy in his body that is completely different from Magic, and there is a strange Jutsu on his stomach.
Neither the Goddess’s magic nor the Mages I have consulted know what it is.”
“Oh?
So you want to ask me to help research it?”
Heiter nodded, then asked: “Speaking of which, why did you come to the Holy Capital?”
“Just buying some things.
Also, since I owe you quite a few favors, I wanted to pay them all back before you die.” Frieren took a sip of tea, explaining while also pondering the information she had just heard.
Heiter was thoughtful: “Then I have two things I would like to ask of you: take Naruto and Fern as apprentices, and help find Naruto’s origins and unravel the secret on him.”
Frieren held her tea, pondered slightly, and said: “I can consider the latter, but I refuse the former.
You should know that the mortality rate for Mage apprentices in actual combat is very high.
I cannot let children entrusted to me by a friend fall into a desperate situation.”
Heiter didn’t force the issue, just showing a relieved expression: “I see.
Then first help me find Naruto’s origins.
You have lived for over a thousand years; you must have heard of the Land of Fire and Konoha Village, right?”
“Sorry, Heiter, I have never heard of the names of that country or Village.
As for the Jutsu and special energy on Naruto, I will help take a look and analyze them later.” Frieren shook her head.
Regarding the age issue, the current setting for Naruto is three years old, using the Konoha 51 timeline.
The plot where Hinata was bullied in The Last: Naruto the Movie hasn’t happened yet, so he hasn’t even mastered the’Shadow Clone Jutsu’.
As for the timeline of Frieren’s world, I read online that Fern was taken in by Heiter in Year 11 of the Era of the Hero’s Passing, but she is 9 years old in Year 20, which is when she officially meets Frieren.
This timeline is contradictory because Fern was at least four or five years old when she met Heiter.
After reading the manga, it seems it didn’t specify exactly when or at what age Fern and Heiter met.
Therefore, I set the ages as Naruto at three and Fern at four, meeting around Year 15 of the Era of the Hero’s Passing, and then meeting Frieren in Year 20.
This way, five years have passed, and it won’t change too much.
If any experts know, please share, and I will immediately correct the erroneous settings.