With Naruto.
This is bad, he said, intercepting the incoming blow with his right arm, which bent at a strange angle.
Naruto: What the… —he didn't finish the thought before a hook connected to his side, the crack of his ribs clear as something unpleasant rose in his throat.
He spat blood.
A barrage of punches and kicks was unleashed against Naruto, overwhelming him from the start. They showed no mercy, and the strength of this girl was unreal… not normal at all.
"Alright, that's enough."
Gaia appeared instantly, stopping the girl's punch aimed at Naruto's face, twisting her arm with a horrendous crack.
The girl's eyes widened as she saw Gaia's impassive gaze —calm, without fear, anguish, or dread… simply looking at her as something inferior.
The girl neither whimpered, struggled, nor pulled away, even with her arm broken and firmly held by Gaia.
Naruto, who had collapsed to his knees and was gasping for air, slowly rose as his wounds vanished at an alarming speed.
He wiped the blood from his lips with his arm. Thanks to his regeneration, he already looked a little better… though the phantom pain still lingered.
Gaia: Hmn… I should have explained this was training… my mistake, she said with a pout, glancing at her son with calm eyes.
Naruto ignored the "bad mother" part and focused on the girl Gaia held.
Naruto: Who is she? —he asked his mother curiously.
Gaia's face lit up, and she answered without hesitation.
Gaia: This is Yoruhime, Princess of the Night, Goddess of Silence, Darkness, and Secrets. It is said her voice can silence the world, and her eyes see through the soul… She is the first and only daughter of flesh and blood, born solely of Izanami when she descended into Yomi. She was also the only one who never betrayed Izanami in her war against Izanagi and the other gods. She stopped Amaterasu and the rest, only for her and her mother to be betrayed by Tsukuyomi, who at first stood with them but later joined the gods in sealing Yoruhime, since they couldn't kill her… they tried, but failed…
Naruto only half understood —he knew little about other factions.
Yoruhime listened silently.
Gaia: And Izanami is my friend… She is still imprisoned in Yomi, and sometimes I keep her company in her prison. I spoke of you, and she told me of her daughter, who could serve you while she searches for a way to free Izanami. Izanagi fused her essence into the gates of Yomi, binding her there completely. If I were to release her, the gods who lost their memories might recover them, and the Great War would begin anew… only for Izanami to be sealed again, since she is seen as the greatest threat. And of course, if she emerged from Yomi, she wouldn't be at full power…
She explained calmly. Gaia could do it and protect her, but the Greeks would surely get involved, the Shinto gods as well, and eventually, a universal war would break out —which Izanami didn't yet want.
Yoruhime now understood why her seal had been broken and didn't mind serving, since it was her mother's will. She would wait until Izanami found a way to be freed fully without alerting the traitors —especially Amaterasu. She was strong… very strong. She had even burned her mother and wounded her.
Naruto stepped forward slowly, beginning to understand.
Naruto: Well, we're not seeking a war just yet, but even so… can she train me? It's not just her divine attribute that makes her superior to me… —he asked curiously.
Surprisingly, Gaia released Yoruhime's hand, and it instantly returned to normal.
Gaia: By demon and Phoenix standards, you're already special, my dear. What you lack is power and training… Don't compare yourself to Yoruhime. She's in another category, another level. She fought in a war against a powerful goddess named Amaterasu. But I'm certain that, in time, you'll be strong enough that gods will be nothing more than dust motes in your path… she said with utter certainty.
Naruto sighed, stepping closer.
Yoruhime studied the one she was meant to serve, then finally spoke.
Yoruhime: You are strong and resilient. For someone who isn't a god, you endured the blows of one. Learning to fight against a god will make you superior to most non-divine beings. In time, you will grow powerful. I can also teach you to make your flames stronger. I will be at your complete disposal if you agree to help me, no matter how long it takes to free my mother…
Her voice was soft, devoid of emotion, yet strange in its own way.
Naruto stepped closer and extended his hand for Yoruhime to take, while Gaia looked on with playful annoyance.
Yoruhime silently accepted. This boy clearly had plans… yet oddly, he had no secrets. Very strange.
Gaia quickly clapped her hands over theirs and hugged Naruto to her chest.
Gaia: Well, darling, what are your plans now? —she asked curiously, glad her son now had a strong servant to manage in the human world.
Naruto: I want two bases built far from any civilization or supernatural faction. They will be my safe refuge here in the human world… he explained calmly.
Gaia snapped her fingers.
Gaia: I've found two islands far from any civilization. There are primitive humans there —prehistoric, unaware of how vast the world is. They live off nature and trade people between clans for food and survival…
Yoruhime raised an eyebrow.
Naruto unconsciously licked his lips before swallowing, a flood of thoughts filling his mind.
Naruto: I want to see them… he said seriously.
Gaia showed no hesitation.
Yoruhime sighed, understanding this mother-son dynamic but choosing not to comment.
The trio vanished in a flash into the shadowed side of the world.
Human World – Unknown Location.
Flying above two large islands, Naruto, Gaia, and Yoruhime remained hidden in the clouds.
Naruto's eyes focused on a clearing where a large crowd emerged from within a cave. They wore loincloths, animal skins, and carried spears. Their skin tone was darker than his, but the women were undeniably attractive —strong, beautiful, some adorned with strange markings on their hands and faces, perhaps leaders.
Gaia: They are savages with their own tongue… and… why are you drooling, dear? she asked curiously, noticing his grin.
Naruto snapped out of it, not entirely sure himself.
Yoruhime: Your demonic side is surfacing before these weak beings —delight, dominance… supremacy, she explained calmly.
Naruto: Leaving that aside… this could be useful. Do they worship any god? —he asked.
Gaia hummed.
Gaia: They worship the sun god… she replied.
Immediately, Naruto spread his demonic wings, two pairs bursting into orange flames as he descended without a word.
Gaia called after him, following.
Yoruhime simply observed.
The primitive Fang Tribe, worshippers of the "sun god," was preparing for a hunt when a child pointed upward with a cry. Warriors looked up, eyes wide, seeing something descend from the sky.
"Huuu… (Look)."
One warrior growled in their tongue, pointing at the flaming figure.
"Hukk guhuhh… (God)."
The tribe gasped, even the fiercest warriors, as they saw what looked like a boy with strange garments, pale skin, and fire sprouting from his back —the Sun God.
Naruto hovered above the tribe, smiling as more savages emerged from the cave, children among them staring in awe.
He raised his hand, flames dancing across it.
Naruto: Kneel… he commanded.
Though they didn't understand the words, the tribe instinctively fell to their knees one by one.
Naruto's smile widened.
Gaia hummed.
Yoruhime sweatdropped. This boy…
______________________________________
Underworld – Phoenix Territory – Eve City – Foreign Affairs Office.
Marianne sat quietly, signing acquisition papers, unaware her son was slipping into a tyrannical stage.
She examined the figures, signed, and sealed. Then she heard commotion outside, raising an eyebrow but continuing.
"Greet Lady Lilith Satan."
Marianne looked up in surprise as the office door opened. Lady Lilith entered, accompanied by two other women.
Marianne rose from her seat.
Marianne: My lady… —she exclaimed, bowing.
Lilith raised her hand, stopping her.
Gracefully, Lilith approached, offering her arm. Without hesitation, Marianne took it, walking with her as the other women and the Phoenix clan supervisor stayed behind.
Lilith: I couldn't speak with you at the party, but I wanted to… she began softly.
Marianne listened in silence.
Lilith: I'm very curious about your recent moves and the popularity you're gaining among the less privileged. I want to be your son's patron…
Marianne faltered for a moment.
Marianne: My son? —she asked, her tone respectful.
Lilith: Yes, your son. I know he's the mastermind, and you the support, but I want to help as well…
Marianne nodded slowly, knowing how extravagant her lady could be.
Marianne: It would be an honor, my lady, but my son is not at the castle right now…
Lilith: I know. But I'd like to speak with him. Bring him tonight to Castle Lucifer. Don't worry, Lucifer and my son are in the human world. It'll just be the three of us…
She handed Marianne a sealed parchment.
Lilith: This will let you bypass security and come straight to me…
Marianne understood and tucked it into her bodice.
The two continued chatting like old friends under the watchful eyes of servants and workers.
The day passed quietly in the Underworld until Naruto returned, just before dinner.
______________________________________
Phoenix Castle – Living Room.
Naruto appeared with a wide smile, pleased with his productive day among the exotic primitive women.
"Naruto."
He snapped out of his thoughts, finding his mother waiting, arms crossed and serious. She was dressed more elegantly than usual. Was she going out?
Naruto smiled, curious.
Naruto: Mother…
Marianne huffed, unimpressed.
Marianne: If we didn't have a meeting with Lady Lilith, I'd interrogate you about your day. Go bathe —the maids left your suit ready. We leave in 20 minutes…
Naruto blinked, confused.
Marianne: No time. I'll explain on the way…
Naruto hurried upstairs. Marianne watched him go, sensing he had matured too quickly, though his cleverness remained. She smiled faintly.
Fifteen minutes later, Naruto returned dressed in noble attire.
Naruto: I'm ready, Mother…
Marianne stood, paper in hand.
Naruto: And Azula?
Marianne frowned.
Marianne: She wasn't invited. Don't worry.
She touched his shoulder, and they vanished.
City of Lilith – Satan Castle – Living Room.
They appeared within a trident emblem wreathed in flames.
Naruto admired the dark, exotic décor —less radiant than Castle Lucifer, filled with gray tones and macabre ornaments.
"My guests, welcome to my castle."
Lilith appeared with a stunning dark elf at her side.
Naruto froze, breath caught, his heart pounding at the sight of the perfect woman. Lady Lilith was beauty incarnate.
A blush crept across his cheeks.
Lilith noticed, recalling how he had stared at her at the party. Interesting…
Her elven attendant frowned, amber eyes narrowing at Naruto's golden gaze.
Marianne coughed, suppressing her jealousy. Her baby, enchanted by Lilith instead of her?
Lilith: Come, I'd like to discuss how I might aid your cause…
Naruto followed, stealing a glance at her alluring figure.
They sat. Lilith explained:
Lilith: This is my private castle. Only the highest ranks know of it. By bringing you here, I am offering you my trust. But enough aristocratic formalities… Tell me the truth, Naruto Phoenix. Why help the lower classes?
Naruto exhaled slowly.
Naruto: To strengthen my clan and my power…
Lilith hummed.
Lilith: You speak truth, but you're hiding something…
Naruto: Can't I have my secrets? Have I harmed you?
The elf bristled at his insolence, but Lilith waved her down.
Lilith: No, you haven't. But I want to invest in your project. I need to know your true focus.
Naruto: We're not looking for investors…
Silence.
Lilith: Do you know the consequences of rejecting me? she asked, leaning forward.
Naruto: I don't.
Lilith: The consequence would be me fucking you to death.
Naruto and Marianne froze.
Lilith burst out laughing, even surprising her servant.
Naruto flushed crimson.
Marianne bit her lip.
Lilith: Forgive me… your faces…
Then, softer:
Lilith: You see, everyone fears or submits to me. No one jokes with me, no one speaks freely. But Marianne impressed me today, and your son… well, he's amusing. Even Lucifer wouldn't dare speak so boldly…
The room fell silent.
Lilith: Truthfully, I invited you because I want you, Marianne, as my friend. I've investigated you and your love for your son. I admire it. The Phoenix clan interests me. You're proud and loyal, unlike most demons…
Marianne was stunned, feeling honored yet conflicted.
Naruto: I accept.
Marianne smacked him, but Lilith only laughed.
Lilith: As a gesture of goodwill, I offer you my servant as your confidante and protector, Naruto. This is Olga Discordia, a powerful dark elf.
Olga stepped forward, kneeling before Naruto.
Naruto: I accept.
Another smack from Marianne.
Lilith: Let her kiss your hand to seal the contract. She'll be loyal and at your disposal. And since you'll be staying, why don't we do friendly things together?
Naruto sealed the contract, sensing the bond. Lilith asked them to stay the night. While she spoke with Marianne, Naruto explored the castle with Olga, discovering its great library of secrets.
Little did they know, this was the beginning of a calamity.
______________________________________
Unknown Location.
A silver-haired man sipped tea on a cliffside while his servants fed traitors to sharks below.
"My lord, word from our spies… The Fallen and Angels are stirring. They've had run-ins with Lord Lucifer in the human world. He's been corrupting believers, turning them into so-called witches."
The silver-haired man smiled darkly.
"These little movements herald something greater… The coming years will be very interesting. Hmhmhmhm…"
TO BE CONTINUED…