New Day – Morning – Lilith City – Satan Castle – Baths
Reclining in a bathtub, Naruto could be seen staring at his palm, where an orange flame flickered, slowly turning into a dull gray, and ultimately, into black.
Naruto: "To think that the Phoenix clan doesn't exploit their full potential and stays in phase 1…" he muttered, disappointed. "At least Azula, a half-breed, managed to push further, and her mother's fire is strong enough not to have limitations… Perhaps her mother's fire did reach a higher phase, but its color never changed."
Naruto extinguished the flame in his hand and began recalling the spells he had plundered from Lilith's library. Very interesting—almost nonexistent, yet powerful. If he could develop a good relationship with her like his mother did, he might gain the chance to observe her and examine her scrolls as well.
Click!
Naruto raised an eyebrow and looked up when he heard the sound of the bathroom door opening. He was in one of the simpler baths—rarely would a demon use this one when all castles had such ostentatious bathing chambers.
Olga: "My lord…"
Naruto calmly glanced at his new dark elf maid, Olga, who entered the bath with her usual semi-permanent stern expression. The cloak covering her dragged slightly before touching the damp floor.
Naruto wasn't disturbed by her presence, nor by the fact that he was naked beneath the bubbles. He had long since lost any embarrassment, being used to the Phoenix castle maids attending to his personal hygiene.
Naruto: "Your cloak…" he pointed, prompting Olga to glance down before making it disappear, revealing her scant garments. She showed no shame either—her master was still just a boy.
Naruto observed her silently. He might have been more captivated if he hadn't already seen those wild girls with that same enticing dark skin color.
Olga: "Lady Lilith invites you to breakfast after your bath, my lord. If you don't mind sharing, I will also have one…" she said calmly, removing her garments one by one.
Naruto: "Go ahead…" he replied, seeing no issue. He had seen several maids naked before—his curiosity about the opposite sex was natural.
Without seeing any refusal from her lord, Olga continued undressing until only her black thong remained. She slipped it off, standing completely naked as nature had made her.
Ignoring her master's gaze, Olga grabbed a stool, turned on the elastic shower hose, and began rinsing herself, sighing in relief. She had stayed up late the previous night, thanks to her master's childish curiosity about learning new spells. Fortunately, his drunk mother had dragged him away, or he would've gone on endlessly. Though, visiting Lady Lilith's library had been interesting, keeping watch so her master didn't accidentally kill himself had been exhausting.
Naruto watched the water trickle down Olga's shapely, voluptuous body.
Naruto: "How old are you?…" he couldn't help but ask.
A vein popped on Olga's forehead.
Phoenix Territory – Phoenix Castle – Garden
Unlike her half-brother, who had woken up half-dazed from an intelligence that surpassed his developing brain's capacity, Azula was calmly eating breakfast while reviewing some documents, flipping page after page.
Azula: "Ugly, pathetic, pitiful… Is this a man or a woman? An incubus? Seriously? They're banned in Phoenix territory…" she spat disdainfully, discarding candidates as she searched for acceptable ones to join her personal legion and plans.
Suddenly, Azula paused on a profile, and her smile grew abruptly—like that of a cat.
Azula: "Hahahahaha…" she burst into manic laughter, unnoticed by the fearful servants observing her from afar.
Lilith City – Satan Castle – Dining Hall
Unaware of his sister's deranged musings, Naruto was seen sitting at a large table, his hair slightly damp from his recent bath. To his right sat Lady Lilith, and to his left, Olga.
A platoon of servants entered the hall, quickly filling the table with delicious dishes before departing.
Lilith: "It seems Marianne hasn't woken up yet…" she said casually, pouring herself some wine.
Naruto: "That's fine. Mother deserves some rest… if you don't mind, of course…" he said, serving himself some meat and salad.
Lilith: "Not at all. We're best friends now…" she replied with a smile.
Naruto: "Great…" he answered calmly.
Lilith raised an eyebrow. Olga remained silent. Lady Lilith had already handed her over to her master—her loyalty now lay with him.
Lilith: "You seem… dimmed, compared to yesterday…" she said softly, gazing at the boy beside her.
Naruto: "My head hurts a little, and I don't know why…" he replied honestly, feeling his senses somewhat dulled.
Olga: "He read the Book of Amon…" she revealed calmly. It was one of the few he read before she caught him, but by far the most dangerous.
Lilith massaged her temple and sighed.
Lilith: "It will pass…" she said nonchalantly.
Olga: "He read it all the way to the end…" she revealed, eating her purée and beast meat.
Now Lilith looked at Naruto intently.
Lilith: "I'm surprised you're even conscious. That book is cursed even by demonic standards… You're very strong…" she said, stroking his damp hair, making Naruto sweat. As sexy as Lady Lilith was, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was insane.
Naruto: "Thank you…" he replied softly.
Lilith: "Leaving that aside, I've sealed an alliance with your mother, but I also want to make one with you in secret. Marianne revealed that you're the true brain behind some very interesting things. I need loyal support by my side, just like Lucifer has. Are you with me?" she asked calmly. If he accepted, everything would flow naturally—no empty words, no sweet lies. She liked these Phoenixes.
Naruto: "Wouldn't you wait until I'm in full faculties?…" he asked curiously, making Lilith laugh.
Lilith: "I must take the chance… Seducing you won't make you loyal. Building a friendship over time is stronger and more beneficial…" she said, pouring him a glass of wine.
Naruto sighed and nodded, clinking his glass with hers before shaking her hand under Olga's attentive gaze. She had suspected it since her former mistress had set her eyes on the Phoenixes—their miraculous tears, their economy, their rising influence. They would become a pillar comparable to the Maous in the future, and if Lady Lilith gained them… interesting.
Naruto drank from his glass—not out of obligation or pressure, but because he knew very well he had to please and move with the current, not against it. Going against it would be foolish—and he wasn't a fool.
7 Years Later
Seven years had passed, bringing many changes to Naruto and the Underworld itself. With the support of none other than Lady Lilith Satan and the Phoenix clan, Naruto's fame had only continued to grow. The Phoenix family had risen from being one of the top 10 pillars of the Underworld to occupying the fifth position, just below the Maou houses.
This fact had shaken the existing pillars, given the Phoenix family's newfound prestige. But nothing could be done—the aristocracy had underestimated them, believing the Phoenixes were recklessly wasting money and would fall into ruin. They had been wrong. Their wealth was immense, and with their popularity, even more so.
Naruto had become a recognized and emblematic figure in the Underworld, opening numerous aid centers, homes, hospitals, and recreational places for the lower classes. In their free time, these people visited such places with their families. Even nobles sometimes snuck in, making the places popular among the upper class too. The lower class didn't mind—they still had plenty of places to enjoy.
Unknown to all but Naruto, Marianne, and Azula, none of this would have been possible without Lilith's support, granting him the necessary permits. The aristocracy had tried to meddle once his ventures prospered, but they had crashed against none other than the demon goddess herself. They could do nothing and were forced to retreat.
Unbeknownst even to Marianne and Azula, Naruto also had the aid of none other than his most infamous friend in the Underworld—Rizevim Livan Lucifer. Their friendship had started with an interrogation during Naruto's many visits to Satan Castle. Surprisingly, they hit it off, ignoring Rizevim's psychotic tendencies. Their relationship was one of mutual benefit: Naruto needed certain people to disappear without damaging his reputation, while Rizevim simply wanted to kill and torture for fun. They fit perfectly.
But Rizevim wasn't Naruto's only friend. He also got along decently with Sirzechs, Serafall, Falbium, and Ajuka, who sought him out days after the party. However, their relationship was moderate at best. They lacked what Naruto sought—except for Serafall, whom he had personally cultivated since their second meeting. She wasn't the only one. Another young deviless, Grayfia Lucifuge, had also entered his orbit. As Lady Lilith's servant, she had gotten close to Naruto, and secretly, the two were lovers.
Present Day – Morning – Phoenix Territory – Phoenix Castle – Balcony
A more grown-up Naruto could be seen standing on the balcony, his hair wilder now, his noble garments befitting his status. He was accompanied by his beautiful childhood "friend," Serafall Sitri.
Naruto lounged on a chair, Serafall sitting on his lap, feeding him small portions of fruit salad she had prepared. But Naruto's golden eyes were more focused on her now more-developed chest. From flat to this—he wasn't surprised. Grayfia had also changed, and even Azula a little.
Naruto chuckled as he chewed a piece of apple, while Serafall looked at him nervously, excited and happy that her secret boyfriend was eating something she made.
Naruto: "How are Sirzechs and the others?…" he asked curiously, meeting her violet-blue eyes.
Serafall met her lover's captivating golden gaze.
Serafall: "They're preparing for war and… and also seeking alliances…" she revealed, unwilling to lie to him. She never had, though Sirzechs had asked her to keep things quiet around Naruto. Still, she felt guilty—Naruto had asked her never to lie to him, and she couldn't.
Naruto hummed, crossing his legs and pulling Serafall closer.
Naruto: "So, Sirzechs continues with his 'secret' moves…" he commented casually. Serafall nodded. Sirzechs was her friend, but Naruto was more important—he was her lover. Sirzechs would have to understand.
Naruto hummed again but paid it no mind. Sirzechs could never compare to him, no matter the whispers in the territory about him being an unusual demon—stronger, different.
Serafall watched her lover sink into thought, gently setting the fruit aside before resting her head on his chest. She could clearly hear his heartbeat, and it brought a smile to her face.
Absentmindedly, Naruto ran his hand through Serafall's hair as he remained lost in thought, unaware she was nestling herself more comfortably against him.
Bael Territory – Bael Castle – Lord Bael's Office
Inside, Zekram Bael, current head of the Bael clan, was the only one capable of guiding his family amid the growing tensions of war.
Zekram huffed, setting aside the war supply reports. His mind was focused on finally connecting with Lord Phoenix. Even if only as a son-in-law, Naruto wielded influence in the Phoenix clan, which had grown strong enough to surpass the Bael family. Worse, the Lucifer house openly supported them. When Zekram had raised his doubts about Phoenix loyalty with Lucifer himself, he had been dismissed and even threatened: touch them, and the Bael dogs would be crushed.
Zekram clenched his fists. He knew how dangerous and reckless it had been to speak so to Lucifer himself, but such disdain toward him, his blood, and his house… One day, they would pay. The Baels would claim the Lucifer seat, one way or another. Their alliance with the Phoenixes would help—he just needed Lady Phoenix's signature. He had never expected her to lead the family. The Phoenix patriarchs had always been men, but this one lacked spine. At least he was useful for now, as was his half-breed daughter, Azula. Rumor had it she didn't get along with Naruto, the heir. Perhaps that could be exploited, especially with war looming.
Zekram: "So many plans…" he sighed. "I need to find a capable heir… before everything collapses." The Baels would dominate the Underworld.
Human World – Nihon
Walking far from her future territory that would one day be known as "Japan," none other than the goddess Amaterasu could be seen.
She carried an air of elegance and seduction, with fair skin and long, silky blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her penetrating amber eyes exuded confidence and a hint of mischief, accompanied by a subtle smile.
She wore partial armor—silver-plated pauldrons with engravings—while leaving much of her figure exposed. Her attire blended white and orange tones, with a daring neckline that revealed much of her bust. Around her neck hung a golden necklace with a triangular pendant, and the golden light radiating from behind her only enhanced her majestic, dominant aura. She exuded authority effortlessly.
Amaterasu calmly admired the surrounding vegetation before bending down to touch a flower.
???: "Hmn… I thought I had found that fugitive, but look what I stumble upon."
Amaterasu heard the arrogant, haughty voice behind her but didn't move or turn around.
???: "You ignore me, woman… Don't you know who I am? I'm the king of the gods, the great Zeus."
The self-proclaimed Zeus snarled, staring at the stranger. He had sensed Gaia nearby, but she had apparently escaped. Instead, he found a beautiful woman—she would be his, whether she wanted it or not.
"Sigh."
Amaterasu slowly stood and turned.
Amaterasu: "What are you doing in my territory?…" she asked calmly, though her voice inexplicably sent shivers down Zeus's spine. He glanced at his arm in surprise before scowling.
Their eyes met, and lightning began to surround Zeus, making him look intimidating and imposing with his towering height. Yet Amaterasu's serene gaze did not change.
Zeus: "You w—Buaghhh!" He didn't finish his sentence before spitting out a mouthful of golden blood. Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him—it was Amaterasu.
Her fist had sunk deep into Zeus's stomach, leaving a disturbing dent as pain engulfed him. It felt as if his insides were burning. Still, with the experience gained from war, he endured and leapt back, instantly forming a lightning spear. He raised it and brought it down with force—or so he tried.
Amaterasu appeared before him again, seizing the lightning spear with her bare hand, shocking Zeus, who didn't know she had already subdued the storm god days earlier.
With one hand, Amaterasu crushed the lightning spear, making it vanish.
Zeus stared at her seriously, uncertain. He had never been in such a situation and didn't know how to respond.
Zeus: "I don't want trouble…" he admitted honestly, emotions overwhelming him.
Amaterasu's eyes flashed with fire, and without hesitation, she unleashed a brutal kick to Zeus's side, the cracking sound echoing as he skidded across the ground. She followed instantly, stomping him down with brutal force into the ground, creating fissures, before slamming her fist into his face—forming a massive crater.
Not far away
Watching from the distance, Gaia smiled as she ate an apple.
Gaia: "This will teach him the world is a dangerous place, and he's not the strongest… Cronus and Uranus were never this foolish. The current human world is filled with monsters. If Zeus survives, he'll never leave Olympus again—at least, not if the sun-crazed one allows it. According to Izanami, she's in her rebellious stage—asserting supremacy and killing indiscriminately until it passes and she grows wiser and calmer. Of course, that's only if more gods don't meddle with her dominion over the sun."
Gaia vanished with a calm smile.
TO BE CONTINUED