Chapter 2
Camp of Half Blood and Prophecy!
[Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto Manga or Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book series. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto and Rick Riordan respectively. This fiction is just for fun and definitely not-for-profit.]
"Character Talking"
Character Thinking
Telepathic Conversation
Prophecy
"Jutsu/Magic!"
"Demon/Summon/Angry God or Goddess"
"What?" Artemis asked. "Could you repeat that again?"
"What is this Greek?" Naruto said. He had no idea who she really was.
Artemis stared at the boy for a moment. His clueless face told her that the boy truly didn't know anything about Greek History or Greek gods. "Where are you from again?"
"I'm from the Elemental Nations."
A surprised look appeared on Artemis' face, but as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. That's explained it, she thought.
"Where is that place?" Zoe asked as she had no clue about it.
"I will tell you about it later, Zoe," Artemis said before looking at Naruto. She hardened her voice. "Now tell me, how did you get here and what is your purpose in coming here?"
If Naruto was surprised by her question, he didn't show it on his face. "Truthfully, I don't know what I am doing here," he said. "My mother, who I thought was dead, told me, 'You do not belong to the Ninja world.' and then sent me here."
"Did she tell you anything else?"
"Yeah, she gave me the advice to read books on Greek god and goddess."
She also said your father also from this world, Hagoromo said through their mental link.
Should I tell her that? Naruto asked.
It will be better if you withhold some information about yourself.
Why should I do that?
You've already given her too much information about yourself; no need to tell her about your father also. We don't know how she will react on this.
So his mother is a Greek Goddess, Artemis thought, eyeing the blond carefully to find any clue about his mother's identity. A blonde hair... Athena? No. I don't think she is his mother. As far as I know she doesn't like that place much. Aphrodite? His aura is too strong for her or any minor goddesses' child. Hestia and Hera are out of options.
"There is something on my face?" Naruto said as he noticed Artemis looking strangely at him.
"Nothing." Artemis turned around and began to walk. "Come with me. I will tell someone to explain everything to you."
Zoe glared at the blond boy before she followed her goddess.
Weird, Naruto thought as he went after the goddess.
But at least, she didn't try to kill you like a certain goddess I know—Hagoromo said.
Naruto shivered thinking about Kaguya.
...oOo...
Naruto sweat dropped as he watched Zoe and other girl named Thalia giving death glares to each other. "They don't seem to like each other very much," he said.
Artemis signed before saying, "Zoe, that's enough. We will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests' belongings from the school."
Zoe said, "Yes, my lady."
"And, Bianca, come with me. I would like to speak with you."
"What about me?" Nico asked.
"Don't worry. I'll give you company until your sister comes back," Naruto said, smiling.
Nico looked up at Naruto. "Really?" he asked.
Naruto ruffled the boy's dark hair. "Yes."
Nico's broke into a wide, beaming smile. "Cool! Maybe you can show me your super cool moves," he said.
Artemis gave Naruto a grateful nod. She turned to Grover. "Could you answer some of his question," She pointed at Naruto, "...as a favor to me?"
Grover nearly tripped over himself. "Y-Yes, sure, Lady Artemis."
"Fan of yours?" Naruto said in a low tone so only Artemis could hear him.
"He is a Satyr. They are often drawn toward nature," Artemis said.
"That's interesting." Naruto stared at Grover with a fixed gaze. A sage marking—a small red rhombus mark on forehead and red pigmentations around his eyes through to his ears—materialized on his face when he entered the Sage Mode. "The natural energy around you is so pure," he told Grover.
But compare to the Elemental Nations, the Natural energy of this world is so weak and populated with foul energy—Hagoromo pointed out.
Grover's mouth opened and closed a few times. "How?" he asked finally. He could sense the blond was full in nature just like Lady Artemis.
"I am a sage," Naruto said. He released all natural energy he had collected earlier, causing the sage markings to disappear.
Artemis had a surprised expression on her face. The rest of the children, excluding Zoe, had confused expression on their faces.
"A real sage, really?" Grover said.
"Aren't you too young to be a Sage?" Thalia asked.
"I don't know what you think about being a Sage, but it has nothing to do with age," Naruto said, crossing his arms across his chest. "A true sage means being one with nature."
"Come on," Grover said to Naruto, excitement rising in his voice.
Grover and Naruto, followed by Nico, walked off toward the woods, talking about random topics. Most topics were focused on the nature, something Nico's child's mind couldn't understand. Artemis signed and led a confused-looking Bianca along the cliff. Zoe gave Thalia another death glare and followed Artemis.
As soon as Zoe were gone, Thalia stamped her foot in frustration. "The nerve of those Hunters! They think they're so… Argh!"
"I'm with you," Percy said. "I don't trust—"
"Oh, you're with me?" Thalia cut in as she turned on him furiously. "What were you thinking back there in the gym, Percy? You'd take on Dr. Thorn all by yourself? You knew he was a monster! If we'd stuck together, we could've taken him without the hunters getting involved. Annabeth might still be here... Did you think of that?"
Percy's jaw clenched. He couldn't believe Annabeth was gone. He was angry at Thalia for implying it was his fault, but deep down, he knew she was right. It was his fault. He looked down and saw something navy blue lying in the snow at his feet. York Yankees baseball cap. He picked it up.
"Anni's cap," Thalia said.
"What?" Grover's voice rang out into the woods.
Percy and Thalia immediately grabbed their respective weapons, thinking that there might be another monster's attack, and ran toward the woods.
"Grover! Are you ok?" Percy asked as soon as he got there. He looked around quickly, trying to find the monster, but he found no trace of it. "Grover, where is it?"
Grover asked, "What?"
"Monster."
Grover looked at him with a confused expression. "What are you talking about? There is no monster here."
"Then why did you scream?" Thalia asked as she was annoyed by the fact that she had ran for nothing.
"Well, I just asked him a simple question," Naruto said.
Thalia turned toward him. "What did you ask?"
"What is this Greek?"
"What?" Thalia and Percy shouted together, causing Naruto to cover his sensitive ears again.
"Percy, he is more clueless than you are," Grover said.
Percy nodded dumbly before realizing what he had said. "Hey!"
"Instead of screamin, why don't you strat to tell me everything about this Greek?" Naruto said, rubbing his ears. Being a ninja and former jinchuuriki, he possessed heightened senses, making his hearing much more sensitive than a normal human's.
...oOo...
"My lady," Zoe said. "Where is this Elemental Nations place? I've never heard about it before."
Artemis watched her hunters unpacking their knapsacks and making camp. She turned the head to her second command. "I am not surprised, Zoe." she said. "The Elemental Nations is not on Earth. It is name of one of the closest dimensions Earth has."
"Are those real?" Bianca asked.
She was probably having one of the weirdest days of her life. First, she had learned front the bunch of kids that Greek mythology was not really a mythology, the Greek gods were very much real—There was no doubt in that because the Greek goddess Artemis, goddess of the moon and the hunt, herself, was standing next her—and her and Nico's father was possibly one of them. As if that wasn't enough, the moon goddess was now saying there was an another dimension, something had been mentioned many times in the several comics.
Now, what? Gods have multiple personality disorder, she thought.
"Yes," Artemis said.
Bianca said, "Huh?"
"Multiple dimensions do exist. The Elemental Nations is one of them. That place is most beautiful place I've ever seen."
"Really?" Zoe asked. If that place could impress her mistress then it must be quite beautiful.
"Yes, it is filled with large untouched forest and various wild lives, and has almost no pollution... But," Artemis' face became serious,"despite being technologically backward than Earth, the mortal in the Elemental Nations have something that makes them very dangerous. They've mythical energy named chakra. Using it, they can execute feats that regular beings, even most of the demigods, are unable to do. They can increase their strength, speed, durability, they can control the elements, they can cast illusions... and many more."
"Then that boy is dangerous. Not only is he from that world but also a demigod," Zoe said immediately.
"Which is quite surprising."
"Why?"
"The Elemental Nations doesn't come under Olympians' rule. It has separate deities and they have set some rules for us."
"Rules?" Bianca asked.
"Yes, rules." Artemis said. "We, Greek gods, can entered their dimension, but can't interact with any mortals of that dimension. The mortals can't hear us, they can't see us, they can't touch us. To them, we gods are like a ghost. "
Zoe asked, "Then how did that born?"
"Only one way it's possible to interact with mortals. It is in our mortal form with having all our power sealed."
"Why did deities of that place make such rule, my lady?"
"For that, we have to thank Ares and trouble he caused two thousand years ago."
...oOo...
"Do they even know what a condom is?" Naruto asked when Grover finished telling him about Greek gods and how many demigod children they had in each century.
Everyone, except Nico, sweat dropped at his question. "Condom? What is it?" the young boy asked, confusion written all over his face.
"Well... does anyone explain you about Birds and the Bees stuff?" Naruto asked, tilting his head toward the boy.
"The Birds and the Bees?"
"Okay." Nico's clueless face told him everything. He turned to Percy. "Give Nico 'The Talk', Percy."
Percy was taken aback by this. "Why me?"
"You are the leader of your group," Naruto said, folding his arm, "so it is your job."
"He is right. You are the leader, Percy," Thalia said, smirking inside. She was going to enjoy it. Grover also nodded his head yes, agreeing with her because he himself didn't want to do that.
Traitor, Percy thought. He looked down at Nico. The boy had a curious expression on his face, which was making him feel awkward. "Well..." He was lost for words as he didn't know how to start, but then, surprisingly, Zoe Nightshade came to his rescue.
"Percy Jackson. Come with me," she said. "Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."
Percy breathed a sigh of relief. It was his chance to get off this embracing situation. He nodded immediately.
"Hey! What's about me?" Nico asked.
"Ask Grover, he'll explain you everything," Percy said, causing Grover's face to become pale white.
Nico looked at Grover. His steady gaze seemed to make half-goat uncomfortable.
"Ask Ch-iron," The satyr said. The color of his face returned back to normal. "Yes, Chiron... He will tell you."
"Chiron? the Horse-man?"
"Yes, he is the activities director at Camp Half- Blood."
"But..." Nico was about to complain, but before he could open his mouth, he heard a loud rumbling noise. "Huh?"
"Sorry, I haven't eaten anything in last two days," Naruto said, rubbing back of his head. "Do you know where I can find a good Ramen Stand?"
"Ramen? What is it?" Grover asked.
"Food of the gods."
"Eh? But Ambrosia is the food of gods,"
"I don't know what am-ambro... Arr, whatever it is is, but Ramen... Ramen is a gift that God has given to all humankind." The next hour, two demigods and one satyr spent with Naruto listening his talk about his favorite food Ramen.
Is he nuts? Thalia thought.
"Is Ramen really that delicious?" Grover asked. His mouth was watering just thinking about it.
Naruto answered, "Yeah."
Nico asked, "Will it make me strong like you?"
Naruto nodded his head.
"Cool, I'm in."
Thalia had enough of this. "It is only a noodle soup," she shouted.
"Yes, Ramen is a noodle soup," Naruto admitted. "But it tastes so heavenly!"
"Huh? What's going on here?" Very confused Percy asked.
Thalia turned her head toward her cousin. "You don't want to know. Just trust me on this," she told him.
Grover asked, "Percy, what did Lady Artemis talk to you?"
Percy took a breath and then he glanced at Nico before saying, "Bianca has joined in them."
"What?" Thalia shouted. Her expression turned from shocked surprise to outrage anger. "It's all Zoe's fault. That stuck-up, no good—"
"Who can blame her?" Grover said. "Eternity with Artemis?" He heaved a big sigh.
Thalia rolled her eyes. "You satyrs. You're all in love with Artemis. Don't you get that she'll never love you back?"
"But she's so… into nature," Grover swooned.
"You're nuts," Thalia said.
"Nuts and berries," Grover said dreamily. "Yeah."
"Could any of you please explain this in detail to us... both of us?" Naruto asked, referring to himself and Nico, who had a puzzled look on his face.
Percy opened his mouth and said, "I'm sorry, Nico, but—"
"Nico," Bianca said as she came there with Zoe. "I want to talk with you alone."
Nico nodded and he left with his sister.
"Naruto Uzumaki," Zoe said. "Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."
"Okay," Naruto said. He walked over her and grabbed her shoulders. He didn't give her a chance to protest as he disappeared with her without leaving any trace behind.
"That was so cool!" Grover said.
Percy nodded his head in agreement. I wish I could do that.
...oOo...
Naruto and Zoe appeared outside a large tent, which looked no different from the other tents—all of them had silver silk, curved in a crescent around one side of a bonfire. Zoe felt a little bit dizzy but it seemed to fade. She turned and looked at Naruto with so much anger radiating in her eyes.
"How dare thou touch me?"
"Zoe!" Artemis came out of her tent with a white rabbit in her hand.
"My lady," Zoe said, getting on her knees.
"Stand up, Zoe," Artemis said before turning to Naruto. "Naruto Uzumaki, follow me."
Naruto followed her and entered the tent. Inside of the tent was warm and comfortable. Silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the center, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. There was polished oak display stand. On it was a huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns. The walls were hung with animal pelts: black bear, tiger, and several other animals.
"Hmm, nice," he said, looking at animal pelts he didn't recognize.
"Thank you for the compliment," the Goddess said. She sat down on the tent floor putting the rabbit in her lap. "Join me, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto sat across from her on the tent floor. "What do you want to talk about?"
Zoe sat down at Artemis's right. She glared at him as if he had done something wrong.
"Okay, seriously, what have I ever done to you?" Naruto asked Zoe.
"You must forgive her," Artemis said. "It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters."
Naruto asked, "Really?"
"Yes."
Naruto turned to Zoe. "Then I forgive you," he said.
Zoe gritted her teeth in anger. "I didn't ask for thy forgiveness, Uzumaki!"
"Whatever."
Artemis didn't want to hear any argument, so she immediately changed the subject. "Naruto Uzumaki," she said. "Did Grover explain everything to you?"
"Yes. He is a great guy."
"So I can assume that he has told you about Camp Half-Blood."
Naruto gave a nod.
"Good, my twin brother will soon be here to take demigods and my hunters to the camp. Go with him."
"You've a brother?"
"Yes, my irresponsible and annoying twin, Apollo."
Naruto nodded his head again. He got to his feet and thanked her. "What is so special being one of your hunters?" he asked Artemis before leaving, something he had wanted to ask.
"Immortality," Artemis said. "My hunters are immortal… well, unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely."
"What's the catch?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something like immortality cannot come without any price... so what is it?"
"They can't fall in love. 'To foreswear romantic love forever. To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally.' They have to take this oath to join my hunt."
"And Bianca agreed on this?"
"Yes... she wanted to free of all her responsibility."
"What about her brother?"
"What about him?" Zoe said. "He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that's the best he can do."
"She can see him from time to time," Artemis added. "And when Nico will reach the camp, he will have the camp counselors to take care of him. It'll benefit to both of them."
Naruto shook his head. "It's not easy to break the bond between the people important to you ever since birth. Nico and Bianca, they are siblings. The string that binds them is thick and strong," he said, eyeing the Moon Goddess. "Bianca hasn't realized that yet. But you'll never realize the importance of something until it's gone from you."
He turned around and began to walk. "I just hope you have made the right decision because your wrong decision will not only affect Bianca, but Nico as well."
Artemis wasn't sure what to say. She watched Naruto leave.
"My Lady," Zoe said.
"Dawn is approaching. Zoe, break camp."
"Yes, my lady."
...oOo...
"Cold," Grover said as he stood shivering in the snow.
"Are you okay?" Naruto asked. The cold did not seem to bother him.
"Y-Yes."
Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. The sky slowly began to lighten. She muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."
Naruto asked, "So, Grover, who is this Apollo?"
"Lord Apollo... He is the god of light and the s-sun," Grover said. He wrapped his arms around himself , shaking like someone with typhoid fever. "He is also the god of t-truth and prophecy... healing, plague, mu-usic, and poetry."
Artemis warned, "Don't look! Not until he parks."
Parks? Naruto thought. He averted his eyes, and saw that everyone, except Artemis, were doing the same. The light and warmth intensified before suddenly dying out.
Naruto turned. What is that thing?
It is a car, Naruto, Hagoromo said.
A car? Naruto asked, eyes fixed on the car. Unknown to him, it was red convertible Maserati Spyder. Its metal was very hot, so it was glowing.
Humans use those thing to travel — and No, they cannot glow. It is a godly thing, Hagoromo explained before the blond could ask him another question.
The driver got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen. The guy had sandy hair and good looks. He was tall and wore jeans and loafers and a sleeveless T-shirt.
"Little Sister!" Apollo called. He smiled brightly, showing his blinding white teeth. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"
Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."
"Hey, I was born first."
"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue—"
"So what's up?" Apollo interrupted. "Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?"
Artemis gritted her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."
"Sure, sis!" The Sun god raised his hands in a stop everything gesture. "I feel a haiku coming on."
The Hunters all groaned.
He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically. "Green grass breaks through snow..."
Artemis didn't really want to hear one more poem.
"... I am so cool."
He grinned, waiting for applause.
"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis said.
Apollo frowned. "Was it?"
"Yes. What about I am so big-headed?"
"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm." He started muttering to himself.
Man, the Sun God is weird, but at least he is not as weird as Bushy-Brow and his sensei, Naruto thought, not really listening to Zoe Nightshade's expiation.
Zoe had turned to demigods and was saying, "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, there once was a goddess from Sparta—"
"I've got it!" Apollo announced. "I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking very pleased with himself. "And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."
"These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said. "Some of Chiron's campers."
"No problem!" Apollo checked them out. His eyes fell on Naruto. "Hmm, who are you?"
"Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto said, smiled.
"Brother," Artemis said. "He is from the Elemental Nations."
"Whoa! the Elemental Nations," Apollo said. He snapped his head toward Naruto. "You are a ninja?"
Naruto said, "Yeah."
"Cool!"
"Ninja?" Percy said.
"Yeah, that place is filled with super powerful ninjas," Apollo explained.
"Never heard about it," Thalia said.
"Because it is in another dimension," Apollo said.
Thalia gave him 'Are you serious' look.
"Brother," Artemis said finally. "You should get going."
"Oh, right," Apollo said. "We'd better load up, huh? Ride only goes one way — west. And if you miss it, you miss it." He turned to his the Maserati, which would seat two people max. There were about twenty of them.
"Cool car," Nico said.
"Thanks, kid," Apollo said.
"But how will we all fit?"
"Oh." Apollo seemed to notice the problem for the first time. "Well, yeah. I hate to change out of sports-car mode, but I suppose…"
He took out his car keys and beeped the security alarm button. Chirp, chirp. For a moment, the car glowed brightly again. When the glare died, the Maserati had been replaced by one of those Turtle Top shuttle buses which used for school basketball games.
"Right," he said. "Everybody in."
Zoe ordered the Hunters to start loading. She picked up her camping pack, and Apollo said, "Here, sweetheart. Let me get that."
Zoe recoiled. Her eyes flashed murderously.
"Brother," Artemis chided. "You do not help my hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart."
Apollo spread his hands. "Sorry. I forgot. Hey, sis, where are you off to, anyway?"
"Hunting," Artemis said. "It's none of your business."
"I'll find out. I see all. Know all."
Artemis snorted. "Just drop them off, Apollo. And no messing around!"
"No, no! I never mess around."
Artemis rolled her eyes, and then looked at her hunters. "I will see you by winter solstice. Zoe, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well. Do as I would do."
Zoe straightened. "Yes, my lady."
Artemis knelt and touched the ground as if looking for tracks. When she rose, she looked troubled. "So much danger. The beast must be found."
She sprinted toward the woods and melted into the snow and shadows.
Apollo turned and grinned, jangling the car keys on his finger. "So," he said. "Who wants to drive?"
...oOo...
"That was one hell of a ride," Naruto said, stepping out of the sun bus.
"Yeah," Apollo said, agreeing with other blond.
Apollo had let Thalia to drive his sun bus, which was a big mistake. The daughter of Zeus had driven the bus at a thousand miles an hour speed, scaring mostly all passengers. On the way to the camp, she melted snow off the trees and the roofs and the lawns before setting them on fire. Finally, that ride ended with Thalia slamming the bus into the Camp Half-Blood canoe lake making a huge FLOOOOOOSH! and sending several frightened naiads scrambling out of the water with half-woven wicker baskets.
"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called after the Hunters who were heading off toward the cabins. He winked at Percy. "Watch out for those prophecies, Percy. I'll see you soon."
"What do you mean?" Percy said, confused as usual.
Instead of answering, Apollo hopped back in the bus. "Later, Thalia," he called. "And you too, Ninja-Man."
He closed the doors and revved the engine. The bus turned back into the red Maserati and took off in a blast of heat. It soared over the woods, glowing brighter and climbing higher until it disappeared in a ray of sunlight.
"Naruto," Thalia called. "Come on. I'll introduce you to Chiron."
Naruto began to follow her. On the way, he saw many fancy cabins decorated with tiny flickering lights. He also noticed how empty the camp was looked.
"This is the Big House," Thalia said. She had led him toward a large house that was decorated with strings of red and yellow fireballs, which warmed the porch but didn't seem to catch anything on fire. "It serves as the main administrative building at Camp Half-Blood."
Inside, flames crackled in the hearth. Two men, one of them was in a wheelchair, were playing a quiet game of cards in the parlor. The man on the wheelchair smiled when he saw the demigods. He had brown hair, bushy eyebrows, intense brown eyes and a scruffy beard. He wore a fuzzy sweater with a hoof print design on it, and had a blanket on his lap that almost hid his wheelchair completely.
He said, "Percy! Thalia! Ah, and they are—"
"Nico di Angelo," Percy said. "He and his sister are half-bloods."
"And Chiron," Thalia pointed at Naruto. "This is Naruto Uzumaki."
Chiron breathed a sigh of relief. "You succeeded, then." He looked at Naruto. "And you even got another one."
"Technically, I got them," Naruto said.
"How?"
"Well," Naruto said. He began to tell his story in short.
When he was done, the man next to Chiron spoke first time, "So you are from the Elemental Nations."
Naruto turned to the man, who worn a neon orange leopard-skin warm-up suit and purple running shoes. "Hmm, you are—"
"Mr. D, the camp director," Chiron said.
Mr. D or Dionysus was the Greek god of grape-harvest, wine, madness, parties, and ecstasy as well as theater. He had a chubby face, a red nose, and curly hair so black, it looks purple, and watery, blue, bloodshot eyes.
"Nice to meet you," Naruto said. "And by the way, nice suit. Orange is my favorite color."
Mr. D looked at Percy. "You should learn something from him, Peter Johnson," he said.
Percy said, "It is Percy Jackson, Sir." He hated this man. He always called him by the wrong names.
"Where can I get more information on the Greek gods?" Naruto asked.
Just then, Grover trotted into the room, grinning like crazy. He had a black eye and red lines on his face that looked like a slap mark. "The Hunters are all moved in!"
Chiron frowned. "The Hunters, eh? I see we have much to talk about" He thought about something before looking back at Grover. "Grover, please show Mr. Uzumaki the way of our library," He glanced at Nico, "and take our young friend, Nico, to the den and show him our orientation film."
"But… oh, right. Yes, sir."
"Orientation film?" Nico asked. "Is it G or PG? 'Cause Bianca is kinda strict—"
"It's PG-13," Grover said.
"Cool!" Nico happily followed him out of the room.
Naruto smiled as the kid reminded him of Konohamaru. He went after them.
Chiron's smile melted as he noted something wrong. "What's wrong? Where is Annabeth?"
"Oh, dear," Mr. D said in a bored voice, "Not another one lost."
"What do you mean?" Thalia asked. "Who else is lost?"
...oOo...
"This is our library, Naruto," Grover said. "You can find all information about Greek gods here."
"Thank, Grover," Naruto said as he walked into the Library.
The library was huge—with marble, wood and book-filled shelves everywhere. There were a few tables, but that wasn't what he was looking at. He took a deep breath. He could smell books, new and old go through the library. It was stuffy and incredibly warm in the Library, to the point of if you wore a jacket you felt like you had to take it off or you would suffocate, this didn't bother him at all though.
"I hate reading," he muttered himself.
Yes, but this is the only thing that I know will help you to learn more about this world, Hagoromo said.
Yeah, yeah, Naruto replied. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind, causing him to smile. He formed a familiar t-shaped hand seal.
No, you can't use your clones for this.
Why?
There was a long pause before Hagoromo spoke telepathically again, Naruto, the easiest way is not always the best way.
But it will save my time.
Yes, it will, but I want see how much patience you have.
Why?
If you complete this task, I'll teach you how to wield a sword.
You know kenjutsu, Old man!
Yes, who you think taught Indra and Asura?
Then you're on. I will complete this task in no time.
With so much confidence, Naruto walked toward the bookshelves. He took one of the books out and opened it only to find it was written in a different language. "Huh? I can read this language, but how?" he said. Confusion was written all over his face.
...oOo...
Grover walked into the library carrying a large tray of food on it. He looked around and saw Naruto sitting on the floor while his back leaning against one of the bookshelves. He had a huge, black book, which cover faded with age on his hand.
"Naruto," the satyr said. "I brought you food."
Naruto looked up. He closed the book and put it aside. "Thanks," he said, taking the tray from his hand.
"Wow, so many books!" Grover said, looking at the heaps of books scattered around Naruto. "You must be tired after reading all those books, right?"
"Not really."
Your new anatomy and Hashirama's cells that Obito implanted into your body to save your life have been responsible for your newly increased stamina, Hagoromo said.
"What is this?" Naruto said, picking up the glass filled with a strange golden colored liquid.
"Ambrosia," Grover said, smiled. "It will refresh your energy. Just drink it."
Naruto took a sip of the golden liquid. "It... It tastes like Ichikura's Ramen!" he said with stars in his eyes. He immediately drank the remaining Ambrosia in one gulp and let out a long, satisfied sigh. "Oh, man... that was tasty!"
Grover sweat dropped. "I knew you'd like it."
"Thanks for the meal, Grover," Naruto said. Taking a bite of apple, he savored the sweetness in his mouth.
"Hmm, Naruto, have you found any clue about your mother's identity?"
"Huh?" Naruto said with a look of confusion on his face. "What are you talking about? I know my mother is Kushina Uzumaki."
"I'm talking about your mother's godly identity."
"I'm not really looking for it." Naruto took another bite of the apple.
"Then why are you reading all those books?" Grover asked, motioning toward the books.
"I just want to know more about Greek gods and this world."
"Oh."
There was a moment of silence before Naruto spoke, "So how is Nico?"
"He is fine," Grover said. "But why did you ask that?"
"Because I can sense his emotions from here. From outside, he looks fine, but from the inside, he is sad, angry. He is deeply hurt by Bianca's decision of joining Artemis' hunters."
"What's wrong in her division?" Grover said. Then a dreamy, far-away look appeared in his eyes. "I can only imagine Eternity with Artemis."
"I have no comment on that," Naruto deadpanned. "Anyway, what's that noise outside?"
"Oh, right, you don't know about it," Grover said. "The campers are getting ready for the tomorrow night's capture-the-flag game between Camp Half-Blood and Hunters."
"The capture-the-flag game?"
"It is a long-time tradition in Camp Half-Blood..."
When Grover was done, Naruto said, "Interesting." He finished off the rest of the apple. "I wish I could participate in the game, but I'm kind of busy right now." He picked up the book, opened and turned to the page he had been reading.
"Okay." Grover picked up the tray and left.
"Now, where was I?" Naruto said to himself. He found the line he had been reading. "Zeus is the king of the gods, the god of sky and weather, law, order, and justice."
He has at least half dozen kids in each century, Hagoromo said.
Yeah. If Pervy Sage was still alive today, Zeus would have been his most favorite god.
...oOo...
Grover and Percy sat in the meadow watching the satyrs chase the wood nymphs through the snow and discussing about the dream that Percy had seen the last night. The dream was about their missing friend Annabeth and traitorous demigod son of Hermes, Luke Castellan.
Grover started twirling his finger in his shaggy leg fur. "A cave ceiling collapsed on her?" he asked.
"Yeah. What the heck does that mean?" Percy asked.
Grover shook his head. "I don't know. But after what Zoe dreamed—"
"Whoa. What do you mean? Zoe had a dream like that?"
"I... I don't know, exactly. About three in the morning she came to the Big House and demanded to talk to Chiron. She looked really panicked."
"Wait, how do you know this?"
Grover blushed. "I was sort of camped outside the Artemis cabin."
"What for?"
"Just to be, you know, near them."
"You're a stalker with hooves."
"I am not! Anyway, I followed her to the Big House and hid in a bush and watched the whole thing. She got real upset when Argus wouldn't let her in. It was kind of dangerous scene."
Argus was the head of security for camp—a big blond man with eyes all over his body. He rarely showed himself unless something serious was going on.
"What did she say?" Percy asked.
Grover grimaced. "Well, she starts talking really old-fashioned when she gets upset, so it was kind of hard to understand. But something about Artemis being in trouble and needing the Hunters. And then she called Argus a boil-brained lout… I think that's a bad thing. And then he called her—"
"Whoa, wait. How could Artemis be in trouble?"
"I… well, finally Chiron came out in his pajamas and his horse tail in curlers and—"
"He wears curlers in his tail?"
Grover covered his mouth.
"Sorry," Percy apologized. "Go on."
"Well, Zoe said she needed permission to leave camp immediately. Chiron refused. He reminded Zoe that the Hunters were supposed to stay here until they received orders from Artemis. And she said…" Grover gulped. "She said 'How are we to get orders from Artemis if Artemis is lost?'"
"What do you mean lost? Like she needs directions?"
"No. I think she meant gone. Taken. Kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" Percy tried to get his mind around that idea. "How would you kidnap an immortal goddess? Is that even possible?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, it happened to Persephone."
"But she was like, the goddess of flowers."
Grover looked offended. "Springtime."
"Whatever. Artemis is a lot more powerful than that. Who could kidnap her? And why?"
Grover shook his head miserably. "I don't know. Kronos?"
"He can't be that powerful already. Can he?"
The last time they had seen Kronos, he'd been in tiny pieces. Thousands of years ago, after the big Titan-God war, the gods had sliced him to bits with his own scythe and scattered his remains in Tartarus. They didn't see how he could physically overcome Artemis if he was still like a pile of evil bark mulch.
"I don't know," Grover said. "I think somebody would know if Kronos had re-formed. The gods would be more nervous. But still, it's weird, you having a nightmare the same night as Zoe. It's almost like—"
"They're connected," Percy said.
Over in the frozen meadow, a satyr skidded on his hooves as he chased after a redheaded tree nymph. She giggled and held out her arms as he ran toward her. At the last second, she turned into a Scotch pine and he kissed the trunk at top speed.
"Ah, love," Grover said dreamily.
Percy thought about Zoe's nightmare, which she'd had only a few hours after him. "I've got to talk to Zoe."
"Um, before you do…" Grover took something out of his coat pocket. It was a three-fold display like a travel brochure. "You remember what you said—about how it was weird the Hunters just happened to show up at Westover Hall? I think they might've been scouting us."
"Scouting us? What do you mean?"
He gave Percy the brochure. It was about the Hunters of Artemis. The front read, A WISE CHOICE FOR YOUR FUTURE! Inside were pictures of young maidens doing hunter stuff, chasing monsters, shooting bows. There were captions like: HEALTH BENEFITS: IMMORTALITY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU! and A BOY-FREE TOMORROW!
"I found that in Annabeth's backpack," Grover said.
Percy stared at him curelessly. "I don't understand."
"Well, it seems to me… maybe Annabeth was thinking about joining."
Before they could continue their conversation, they heard some girly giggles. They turned their heads to see some girls from Aphrodite cabin walking toward a particular direction. Their ears caught some words like 'Hottie', 'New hottie in the camp'.
"Where are they going?" Grover asked.
...oOo...
Naruto was using the small break he had gotten after reading a few dozen books to do his daily workout. His orange jacket was lying on the ground with the Ninja pouches lying beside it. The weather was freezing cold, but didn't bother him at all. In the black sleeveless t-shirt, he was performing the frog kata that Fukasaku had taught him in the Sage Training. This style had a good range of different katas, with many involving speed, power and balance.
"Girls, can you see his muscles?" one of the girls asked with a dreamy look in her eyes as she and her sisters watched Naruto's hard workout.
"Yeah."
Naruto threw a few volleys of rapid-fire punches and kicks into the empty air.
"I can watch him train a whole day, night."
"He is hot!"
"But who is he?"
"Naruto," a male voice said. The voice was quite familiar to them.
They looked back and saw Grover and Percy.
"His name is Naruto Uzumaki," Grover said.
"Girls, I think he's done," one girl said.
Naruto bend down to strap his last Ninja pouch to his right thigh, then stood up and put on the jacket. He turned to leave, but found himself surrounded by half dozen beautiful girls.
"Hmm, what can I do for you, girls?" he said. Hungry look in their eyes was making him feel uneasy. I've got a bad feeling about this.
Then all hell broke loose as he was bombarded with various questions.
"How old are you?"
"Where are you from?
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Naruto thought, Now I know how Sasuke felt. Being surrounded by horny girls who are stripping you with their eyes is truly terrifying. Maybe, the real reason he ran away from the leaf was his fangirls. Before the girls could move further than they already had, he acted like a real Ninja that he was.
"A lucky guy," Grover said.
Percy nodded his head.
A cloud of smoke suddenly enveloped Grover. As it cleared, Naruto stood in place of him. "Yo!"
"Naruto?How? Where is Grover?" Percy asked. Just a few moments ago, his best friend was there.
Naruto pointed at the girls.
Percy turned and a large sweat drop appeared on the back of his head. He saw six beautiful girls tightly hugging very blushing Grover without realizing they weren't hugging Naruto, but a stayer.
Lucky, he thought with a small jealousy.
"Sorry, gotta go before they know," Naruto said, and he body flickered out from there.
"Grover, what are you doing here?" One girl asked when she saw the stayer, not blond haired hottie.
"Where is that hottie?"
"Yeah, where is he, Grover?"
They left him lying on the snow covered ground dazed and walked away to find the blond hottie.
"Are you okay, G-man?" Percy asked, walking over his best friend.
"I was in heaven," Grover said. He laid back down on the snowy ground.
...oOo...
Naruto groaned as he pushed books away from himself. He crossed his arms before dropping his head onto the table.
Are you alright? Hagoromo asked.
"My head is spinning after reading all about Greek gods and those old Titans," Naruto muttered under his breath.
Good.
"Huh?"
Good, you prove me wrong. I thought your patience would run out soon after reading two three book. Now, get ready for your first sword lesson.
Naruto's eyes widened. Do you mean...
Yes.
Naruto stood up with a huge smile and yelled, "Yes!" He cheered happily.
Now, make a clone and leave him here to continue read about the Greek gods and Titans, Hagoromo said, smiling.
Naruto formed his hands into a T- shaped seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A single clone popped into existence. "Read the books about Greek Gods and Titans," he commanded.
The clone folded his arms. "And why'd I do that?"
"Because I'm the original," Naruto said, pointing the thumb at himself.
Naruto's clone grumbled something under his breath before he picked up the book Naruto had been reading. Naruto shook his head at his clone's behavior and then flickered out of there.
Naruto's clone put the book back on the table. He smirked and made a single hand seal. "Boss didn't say I couldn't get a clone's help." Another clone appeared beside him in a puff of smile. "Go and read the books on Greek gods and Titans."
"Do it yourself. You're not the boss," the newly made clone said.
"But I am senior, so listen to your senior, junior."
"Whatever."
...oOo...
Chiron's hoof thundered on the pavilion floor. "Heroes!" he called. "You know the rules! The creek is the boundary line. Blue team—Camp Half-Blood—shall take the west woods. Hunters of Artemis—red team—shall take the east woods. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. No intentional maiming, please! All magic items are allowed. To your positions!" He watched as Blue and Red Teams went to guard their respective flags.
"So you need your opponent team's flag to win the game."
The voice caught Chiron off-guard. He jerked his head around to glance back over his shoulder. Naruto was standing next to him.
"Ahh, Mr. Uzumaki, did you come here to participate in the game?"
Naruto shook his head. "Nah, I just came here to watch the game," he said. He eyes were on the game. A clone has a small lifespan. He also deserves a small time for himselves. I just hope Boss will not find about my action too soon.
...oOo...
"Don't know why, but... I suddenly have the urge to smack my clone," Naruto muttered while he performed some basic sword kata.
The style Sage had instructed him was an elegant style, and blazing fast. It focused on speed and centrifugal force to deal damage.
Good. You've speed and power, Hagoromo said.
Naruto moved swiftly through the moves and smoothly like water gliding off the leaves of a tree. With a black sword in his hand, he practiced tirelessly. One swing after another.
But you need to work on your footing and balance, but most importantly, you need a real sword.
Naruto finished the sword kata and stood up straight, sticking the tip of the sword into the ground. "Where can I get a real sword that will fit perfectly into my hand?" he asked, probably himself, shifting the sword, he had used to practice, back into the truth seeking balls that slowly disintegrated into nothingness.
He looked left, sensing a presence of somebody being there, and saw an eight-year-old girl. She had long mousy-brown hair and warm and cozy eyes of red fire. She wore a simple brown robe with a scarf wrapped around her head.
She pointed at the pouch that strapped around his right thigh and said, "Your answer is in your Ninja pouch."
"Who are you?"
"Hestia, the goddess of the hearth."
He looked her up and down consideringly before asking, "Do all goddess like to take the form of young girls?"
The goddess of Heart raised her eyebrow. "Your personality is much different than your both parents'."
He was a bit taken aback by her statement. "How did you know about my both parents?" he asked. Because I've never told anyone about my dad.
"I'm the only person other than your parents know about your true parentage."
"So who are my parents?"
"It's not my place to tell you that, but I'm pretty sure you will meet them soon."
"Ok," he said, slight disappointment in the voice. How much he told himself or others that he was happy with knowing the identities of his parents mortal forms, it wasn't meant he didn't want to know about their immortal identities. "But what does it mean my personality is much different than my parents?"
"Personality that your parents had in their mortal form is not as same as in their immortal form."
"Why is that?"
"Ask your parents, when you meet them."
There was a brief silence between them after that. Then Hestia spoke up again. "You are unique."
"Huh?"
"You've a selfless heart, which seems to be so rare nowadays, especially in gods like us. Don't ever change, stay as you are."
Naruto didn't know what to say on this. "Hmm, thanks."
Hestia gave a nod before she faded out from there.
Another weird goddess, Naruto thought. He dug his hand into the pouch. "Huh? What is this?" He pulled out a scroll and rolled open. "It is from Itachi." He silently read it.
You will need this in the future.
— Uchiha Itachi
End of the scroll had a storage seal. Naruto channeled his chakra through the seal. Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light and a puff of smoke. When the smoke cleared, there was a familiar sword lying on the ground.
"It's Snake-freak's sword," Naruto said as he recognized the sword of the most infamous criminal, Orochimaru.
The legendary sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, Hagoromo said. He was also quite familiar with the sword.
Kusanagi no Tsurugi was a double-edged jian with a golden hilt. Her blade was sharp and coated in the poison of unmatched potency. Kusanagi was said to be able to cleave through almost anything. With all of this, she was truly a beautiful, deadly piece of art.
Naruto stepped forward and picked up Kusanagi with the hilt. He examined her closer. She was light in his hand, perfectly balanced. He took several practice swings. "Hmm, good. Now I only need to find a way to carry her unnoticed."
As if Kusanagi heard Naruto, she changed into small white snake form and curled around his wrist. The sake felt cold but neither damp nor slimy. Then he felt nothing at all. The snake melted into his skin. The serpent became a ferocious, multicolored tattoo with her grimly fanged business end on the back of his right hand.
"I love this sword."
...oOo...
The Hunters cheered as both teams converged on the creek. Chiron and Naruto appeared out of the woods.
"The Hunters win!" Chiron announced without pleasure. Then he muttered, "For the fifty-sixth time in a row."
"Perseus Jackson!" Thalia yelled, storming toward Percy.
Naruto pinched his nose. She smelled like rotten eggs. He turned to Zoe "Where can I buy fart arrows?"
The hunter gave him her famous heated glare before she turned her head in the other direction.
She needs to loosen up a little, he thought.
Thalia was so mad that blue sparks flickered on her armor. Everybody cringed and backed up because of her shield Aegis. Percy took all his willpower not to cower.
"What in the name of the gods were you THINKING?" she bellowed.
Percy clenched his fists. "I got the flag, Thalia!" He shook the Hunter's flag in her face. "I saw a chance and I took it!"
"I WAS AT THEIR BASE!" Thalia yelled. "But the flag was gone. If you hadn't butted in, we would've won."
"You had too many on you!"
"Oh, so it's my fault?"
"I didn't say that."
"Argh!" Thalia pushed Percy, and a shock went through his body that blew him backward ten feet into the water. Some of the campers gasped. A couple of the Hunters stifled laughs.
"Sorry!" Thalia said, turning pale. "I didn't mean to—"
Percy roared in anger. A wave was erupted from the creek, blasting into Thalia's face and dousing her from head to toe.
Percy stood up. "Yeah," he growled. "I didn't mean to, either."
Thalia was breathing heavily.
"Enough!" Chiron ordered.
But Thalia held out her spear. "You want some, Seaweed Brain?"
Percy returned, "Bring it on, Pinecone Face!" He raised his sword Riptide.
Both demigods were only strides away, their weapons raised ready to clash. Before they could act, they found themselves lying face down on the snowy ground. They tried to get up, but couldn't.
"No wonder you lost," Naruto said while holding down Percy and Thalia to the ground. "You've shitty teamwork."
"Whoa! I didn't even see him move!" One camper said. Then mummers broke out amongst the campers and hunters.
"Mr. Uzumaki, thank you for stopping this unnecessary fight," Chiron said, approaching toward them.
"You're welcome." Naruto got to his feet, releasing both demigods from his strong grip.
Thalia glared at Naruto before she went to pick up her sphere. Percy just stood there silently as he saw something in the woods. He lost his anger. Thalia turned to see what he was looking at. Someone… something was approaching toward them. It was shrouded in a murky green mist, but as it got closer, the campers and Hunters gasped.
"This is impossible," Chiron said, sounding nervous. "It… she has never left the attic. Never."
The Oracle of Delphi shuffled forward until she stood in the center of the group. She was the withered mummy—Not the wrapped-in-cloth kind, but a human female body shriveled to a husk—who had the spirit of Delphi inside her. She wore a tie-dyed sundress, lots of beaded necklaces, and a headband over long black hair. The skin of her face was thin and leathery over her skull, and her eyes were glassy white slits, as if the real eyes had been replaced by marbles.
Mist curled around everyone's feet, turning the snow a sickly shade of green. None of one dared move. Then her voice hissed inside their heads.
I am the spirit of Delphi, the voice said. Speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. The Oracle turned unmistakably toward Zoe Nightshade. Approach, Seeker, and ask.
Zoe swallowed. "What must I do to help my goddess?"
The Oracle's mouth opened, and green mist poured out. Everyone saw the vague image of a mountain, and a girl standing at the barren peak. It was Artemis, but she was wrapped in chains, fettered to the rocks. She was kneeling, her hands raised as if to fend off an attacker, and it looked like she was in pain.
The Oracle spoke:
Six shall be choosen for the quest.
But one shall join them late,
They shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
United as one, Hunters and Campers shall prevail,
The Titan's curse must one withstand,
One shall perish by a parent's hand,
Lost son shall rise to break the ties of fate,
And he shall save others before too late.
The mist swirled and retreated like a great green serpent into the oracle's mouth. She sat down on a rock and became as still as she'd been in the attic.
I'll have to inform Boss of this, Naruto's clone through. He looked around and saw that everyone's eyes were focused on the Oracle. This is my chance. He moved back slightly away from the campers and hunters and popped out of existence without anyone noticing.
(TBC)
Hey, it is me, YamiNaruto!
I want to say thanks for reading "The Blood of Gods" story.
If you have to say anything relating my story, then send me PM or Left review. I will do my best to reply you.
See you later!