It was dark

Cold.

Familiar

Like sinking in a black ocean, the brittle chill slapping his skin with a rugged tug…rough, like rope.

And yet, it slithered like wind, raking skeletal claws through his blonde hair.

Farther…farther…

he just kept falling…

And then, he ran out of rope.

He was snapped back the way he came, with such force colors seemed to explode into being.

And then, he was awake.

Naruto lurched upward from his pad of grass, eyes wide as the chocking sensation left him, gasping quietly as he heaved, cold sweat twinkling like lost stars.

Peleus hummed awake, sort of, and curled around him tighter, ensuring his safety, before losing the battle of vigilance as he fell to slumber. Naruto took heavy breathes to calm himself, before resting back against his pad of grass, propping his head and feet on Peleus's scales

The presence, it felt familiar…but not. It commanded an almost ancient authority…it almost reminded him of Kakashi when he was angry, but not…it was sinister, violent, vengeful.

It reminded him of Obito when he stood with Madara…

He shivered for a moment, his blonde hair swaying side to side, "I'm dreaming…I'm dreaming…"

And then he fell back, but this time, not into a dream.

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Naruto's eyes blinked open, surprised to see Shukaku's large eye directly in front of him.

"Um…hello?" Naruto said in slight surprised, and also concern…Shukaku couldn't hold the silence for more than a few moments…and he was almost unmoving.

"Brat…listen."

Oh shit.

"I used to get around my seal through dreams…so I've got some experience with Human Dreams…and that wasn't it."

"What?"

"Someone bypassed our mental fortifications, breached your own, and almost managed to pull your mind from your body to a different place."

Naruto's gaze instantly hardened, "Who?"

Shukaku just giggled, "No clue! But they were evil! So cold! No match for me though!"

Naruto smiled, "So it was you that pulled me back."

He giggled some more, "Nobody gets you…without me!"

Naruto just rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Thanks…can we stop them from coming again?"

Shukaku actually frowned, before shaking his head, "They keep getting in…so no! But! They will never pull YOU out!...heeehehe."

Naruto's eyebrow creased slightly, before he flicked Shukaku in the forehead. "Thanks…Next time he comes in…can you slow him down? I want to have a…face to face."

Shukaku looked at the blonde for a long moment, before the largest grin he had ever seen spread its way onto his face.

"hehe…he..HEHAHAHAH! HE WONT KNOW WHAT DUKED HIM!" he roared gleefully.

"SHUKAKU! SILENCE YOU MUD PIT!" Son Goku roared through the tunnels. Naruto and Shukaku stood stock still for a long moment, before Naruto just smirked and rubbed the Tanuki on his chin.

"So, has Matatabi made it to the top yet?"

Shukaku just snickered mutely, "Nah! Chains to slippery!"

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Hmm.

A mental invader.

That's a new one.

Naruto sat up in Peleus's coils, staring at his palms, rubbing his fingers across them.

'That's always been my weakness…genjutsu, illusions, mental worlds…and there is someone that can even bypass Shukaku…a bijuu. Of course it isn't long…but it wouldn't take long to damage me…would it?'

Naruto dragged his legs underneath him, sitting cross-legged, and stared at the stars.

What to do…

Not to mention what was recently on his mind…

His Ninth gate…and what Kurama had to say about it…

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"Uzumaki Ninth Gate? Preposterous."

Naruto's and Gyuki's eyes were the size of fishbowls.

"What?"

Kurama snorted, "Of all my previous hosts, Uzumaki Mito and your mother, neither of them had more than Eight Gates…are you sure it is a gate?"

Gyuki frowned, "It's not of the Sealing room, it's a manifestation within his chakra coils."

Kurama frowned, "My presence has not created this…unless it was a reaction at his birth, which is unlikely. It must have been a recent addition."

Naruto frowned, before looking at his left hand…no, the Sage had taken that power back…right?

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"School?"

"Yeah…you don't know what a school is?"

Naruto just shivered by Chiron's side, "Of course I do…it's where everyone goes to suffer."

Chiron just laughed as he walked through the camp with Pan's Champion. It was a sunny day, like always, with spirits actually leaving the forest to come wander about the camp. They still traveled in groups however…but progress was progress.

Campers moved about their business, though today, all of them had the same objective.

School release forms.

Some demi-gods stayed all year round, but those who could, did…whether by force or choice.

Which always confused Naruto…as it was similar to throwing them out into the monsters den with no pay…but hey, there were gods kids…he was pretty sure they had this.

"Did you want to attend?"

Naruto frowned, "I feel like this entire conversation has been a trap."

Chiron looked surprised, before sighing…"Yes, I suppose. I'd like you to attend school, specifically with Percy Jackson."

Naruto jerked his head to the side, "Is he really that high of a target?"

Chiron's shoulders sank. "If we were to compare demigods to food. The Olympian twelve would be lunch…but a child of the Big Three? Ramen…with extra toppings."

Naruto's eyes immediately lit with understanding, "So every monster in the book is gonna be looking for his broth-*ahem* blood."

Chiron just nodded, mentally priding himself on getting his point across. "Yes…and I'm afraid the issues don't stop there."

Naruto just looked away, "It's because of Zeus…isn't it?"

Chiron visibly saddened…again, "Yes. Percy's continued survival literally guarantees war…his existence is a declaration against time. Zeus is a…paranoid king…and something like this, he is right to …be wary."

Naruto frowned, "I was only given the basics of the Titans as they weren't really…relevant…but what do I not know? I know that Zeus's father is a Titan…along with Zeus and Hera…but that's kinda it. Are they really that powerful?"

Chiron looked around, before herding him away from the crowd.

"The Titans are Gods in their own right…with more experience. They were the "gods" of their time, but crueler, it's why we do not know them as Gods ourselves."

Well…shit.

Naruto's mind flashed back to Artemis, Zeus, Hades…every god and goddess he had seen…and none of them were in their "Divine Forms"…meaning that when they exchanged blows, they weren't at full power to even start with…He was confident he could take one or two…maybe three depending on the match-up…but there was a reason Kakashi-sensei was such a strong opponent, even against kage-level ninja.

Experience.

"How many?"

"More than twelve."

Yep, that's bad.

"The Lord of Time is the largest issue. He contains the most power, and with it, he can control the flow of time in a single space."

Woah!

Naruto started to wonder why it was always the bad-guys that had the cool powers…with a few notable exceptions…

"Time huh? Interesting." Naruto said, before nodding, "Fine, I'll follow him, but I got some terms of my own."

Chiron's eyebrow rose up, before sighing. "And?"

Naruto grinned, "Well, let's start from the top."

Chiron sighed, before pulling out a pencil and paper from his saddle bag.

"I need weapons, celestial bronze, monster killing stuff. I can't deal with them physically, because then their physical form remains much longer. I need celestial bronze dust…a lot of it."

Chiron looked confused, before remembering the stories of his battle in the desert.

Was he really going to just crush everything?

Whatever.

"Second, I need an identity, and everything that comes with it. I'm not actually "a member" of this world, and as such I am literally an alien. Whatever counts as citizenship and membership as a human for this country, I need it."

Nod. Scribble.

"Third, I want a base. A house basically, outside of camp."

Chiron's jaw dropped, "What? Why?"

Naruto looked confused, "This place is the enemy's main target. When this place gets raided and or attacked…or both, I don't want to keep my valuables here. That's like storing your life savings in a loaded gas tank."

"That's a harsh way of putting it."

"Colorful too."

"Quiet! He needs to focus! It's hard enough for him already!"

Naruto twitched as Chiron kept writing things down, mentally restraining himself from going in there and giving Chōmei a piece of his mind.

"Anything else?"

"Yeah, three questions…to which you will answer honestly…no matter what."

Chiron's eyes narrowed, "And if I can't?"

Naruto's eyes matched his, "Then I can't trust you…and can't help you."

They stared at each other for a long time, before he sighed, "only three."

Naruto nodded, "This coming war…are you with the gods…or the Titans?"

Chiron looked offended, "Gods…the Titans are not beneficial, not by a long shot."

"Truth"

Naruto nodded, "Do you answer to anyone else? Is there someone other than the gods and such in power that can give you orders, and you follow them?"

"No."

"Truth"

Naruto grinned, "Can I trust you?"

Chiron looked surprised, before smiling brightly, "Without a doubt."

"Ugh, this is so sickening."

'Kurama! Don't ruin this!'

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"So…You're going to the same school as me?"

Naruto nodded, sighing sadly, "Yeah, as of now, I am your unofficial overseer. Meaning that when I'm around, I'll be your first line of defense….but I have a few warnings for you."

Percy suddenly gulped, and Grover, who was nearby, quivered slightly.

Naruto raised a finger, "One, I'm not doing your homework."

Flinch.

"Two, I'm not buying you food.'

Twitch.

"Three, in the presence of Fangirls, I will evacuate you, but you must run on your own."

What?

"Four, you must carry this at all times." Naruto said, before tossing him a familiar ritualistic kunai.

"Five, I'm meeting every friend, family member, and person of significance in your life. I don't care if it's an ex-girlfriend, neighbor, twice removed nephew, or your cat. From what I know, monsters can use the mist, and illusions that can fool you for even a second can be lethal."

Percy nodded…he knew all of this, but it looked like he was one a role.

"Six, I'm your friend, don't forget that, but I am also your boss during these next few years. If I say run, you better get your ass in gear, because if I catch you I'm using my strong foot to punt you farther ahead. If you disobey me in a combat situation, I will send Aphrodite your personal phone number…saying its mine."

Percy just looked at him in horror.

Naruto nodded sagely, "You're probably concerned about what Ares would do…just wait…hehehe."

Percy shivered

Naruto smirked, "Anyway, those kunai are basically teleport portals for me. Throw it, and the moment it lands, I will appear there….oh, and one more thing."

Naruto suddenly gained a terrifying look, "If you think it would be funny to throw one of these where it shouldn't be, I will be sure to teleport you in place of me…we clear?"

"Crystal!"

"Cool, glad that's straight….actually, one more thing."

"Yeah?"

"What happened to Bessie?"

Percy looked confused, before blinking, "That's…um…hmm…I'm sure dad has it."

"He doesn't have a clue"

'I really hope his dad has it.'

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Dinner, one of the last as everyone packed up to leave for their new schools. Most seemed determined for a good year, while there were the occasional excited and depressed campers; the general feel was the will to fight.

"Are you really sure the prophecy is over?" Gyuki muttered.

Naruto sighed, before sitting and entering his mindscape to have this chat.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure. Wanna review?"

Four of the Bijuu were present, Kukuo, Chomei, Isobu, and Gyuki.

Five shall go west to the goddess in chains

Accompanying the Conqueror of Pein

Champion of the Wild shall stand at the dawn of day

But the Giant of Bronze will stand in his way.

The Bane of Olympus shall show the trail,

Maidens and Campers combined Prevail.

The Titan's Curse must one withstand,

But against all, the Sage will lend a helping hand.

Naruto sighed, before starting, "The first line, that was Artemis, imprisoned by Atlas…the second was obviously me coming to help. The Third and Fourth were of my battle with Talos, but the fifth was in the presence of Pan. I couldn't fight; only participate in a minimal capacity."

"And you wonder why the concept of Fate even works?" Isobu muttered, making Naruto grin, but continue.

"The Titan's curse must one withstand, that was me, under the sky…and the last line, I stood up for Percy at the meeting with the Gods at the Council. As Zeus was about to destroy him, I belayed it, and in a sense, turned the tide of his fate."

Gyuki padded back and forth, "And the other?"

Naruto frowned, "that hasn't happened yet…but I have an idea."

Naruto sighed, "My prophecy…isn't for a while.

Carrier of Nine, Death only awaits

The Land of Fire, saved by your fate.

A final choice will be your own,

To doom this world or return home.

You will aid the half-blood of the eldest gods,

To change this world and create a new law.

The home of the gods will be saved, but will fall

But only you can bare the weight of all.

Naruto sighed again, heavily, before looking up.

"Death only awaits…I don't think that means I'm going to die. It means that the Shinigami is waiting for me. Hades confirmed my suspicions the last we met by severing ties. We already know that my absence spared Konoha from some calamity…we don't know what exactly, but there isn't any point wondering. My choice to stay, my agreement with Hades, that was my choice. I thought that this prophecy wouldn't be fulfilled for a few years, but hey, Percy seems to be doing that just fine…if it's even him. It's not Thalia, she is a Hunter, same as Bianca…Nico is still too young, so it has to be Percy…I really hope. But whoever they are will create a new law, or a policy…and I will for some reason back him up, and assure it passes….oh, and I'll save the world along the way, nothing new there."

Snort.

"What bothers me…is the last line. The home of the gods, Olympus…it will be saved, but will fall? And for some reason, I am the only one who can "Bear the weight of all"."

"It could stand for change. An "old" Olympus will fall, be born anew."Isobu offered, but Kukuo shook her head.

"I doubt that. With Zeus as King, any change would be deemed as "undermining him" and he would strike it down. I doubt it's a reform…or at least a willing one."

"Is that it then? Am I the "only one" because I can defeat him?"

"It's possible that this final battle…is a battle to dethrone Zeus."

Hmm. That isn't promising. He would have to fight after fighting a war? That sounds a lot with his bout with Sasuke…and he lost an arm.

Of course he got it back, but his kickass grandma wasn't here this time.

"It does make sense, but would that really constitute as "bare the weight of all?"" Gyuki frowned.

"Hopes and Dreams, they tend to ride on the last man standing." Naruto said with a sigh.

"It could also be a crime." Isobu said suddenly.

They all turned.

"Let's be honest, in this world, your everyday life was a crime in a spree. It could be possible that you would cross some lines in this coming war without knowing, and be held responsible…and Olympus's fall is you, fighting against it."

That was a sour take on it.

Naruto coughed, "It's all up for discussion I guess, for all we know, the whole place might actually fall out of the sky."

The Bijuu laughed emptily at his joke, before Naruto just smiled at them.

"Hey, Kukuo"

She turned.

"Wanna learn how to walk?"

"I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE! ITS JUST I AM NOT USED TO USING TO LEGS!"

He laughed, all of them did.

'I wonder if school here is any different from the Academy.'

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