Naruto let out a groan as he woke up. He tried to sit up, but his body was still sore. The excruciating pain he felt yesterday had faded into a distinct soreness that seemed to encompass his entire body.
He rubbed his eyes and rolled to his side. He was surprised at the sight in front of him.
The old man from before was lying down on a hastily assembled make-shift bed cushion on the floor. He was asleep. Below the nightstand, a bucket of water half-empty was placed. A damp towel was on the nightstand.
'He took care of me? Just who is this old man? I should find a way to thank him later, but I need to get out of here.' Naruto shakily stood up, his sore muscles screaming at him to just lay down on the bed, but he pushed on and walked towards the door. 'I never did find out where I landed on. I need to plan out what I should do from here.'
He looked down and was saw that he was wearing a different set of clothes. 'The old man must've changed me out of those ruined clothes.'
He looked over the old man for a moment, debating on whether to wake him up and show his gratitude or not and turned to the door. As he reached for the knob, he was startled by a voice from behind him.
"Leaving already? Man, kids these days. Didn't even thank me for taking care of him these past few days." The old man grumbled as he made to stand up from the floor, scratching his back.
Owen woke up when he felt the shifting of the air in the room. He always was a light sleeper, waking up from even the slightest movement in his room. He was surprised that the kid was already trying to leave. He had taken care of him for 5 days and fully expected the kid to be bedridden for a couple more days. It seems he was wrong, as the kid didn't even look injured in the slightest. Owen assumed that he must have had a couple of broken bones judging from the bruises he saw on his body a few days ago, but now those bruises were nowhere to be found. 'Interesting. It must've been my imagination. God, I'm old.'
Naruto and the old man stared at each other for a few seconds before the old man sighed and nodded.
"If you feel like you're fine already, then go ahead. Just be careful." The old man walked to the nightstand and from it, he took out a folded piece of what appeared to be paper.
He handed it to Naruto and said, "This is a map. I hope you know how to use it." He clutched the knob and turned it, opening the door for Naruto.
"I'm not sure if you can understand anything written on it, but you seem to be determined to get out of here. If you ever need my help, just go to that red mark on the map. I'll be there."
Naruto couldn't understand what the old man was saying, but he was given something that looked like a map. He unfolded the map and looked over it once.
Naruto thought to himself, 'I kind of figured we were not in the Elemental Nations anymore, but this just confirms that theory.'
Naruto then stood straight and looked into the eyes of the old man. He bowed in gratitude and said, "Thanks, old man! I'll pay you back someday for this."
He then went out of the door. Owen sighed for what seemed to be the umpteenth time. Damn him and his bleeding heart. He didn't know why but he couldn't resist taking care of the kid after seeing him in pain. The kid reminded him of his son, god rest his soul. He just hoped the kid was going to be okay.
'I guess I've done all I could. Now, what do I say to the police when they arrive?' He sighed and closed the door. 'Take care, kid.'
As soon as Naruto had left the room, he was surprised at his surroundings. The place seemed to be a hotel of some sort and in front of it was a lake. It was still early in the morning and only a few people were walking around. Still, he was thankful that the old man had given him a change of clothing. It helped him attract less attention than he would have if he was still wearing his torn orange jumpsuit.
Naruto stretched his muscles as he walked and as he neared the lake, he took out the map that he had received from the old man.
'Let's see.' Naruto hummed and tried to figure out where he was on the map. 'The shape of this lake here matches the one in front of me, so I guess I'm right here.'
He pointed at the spot of the map he assumed he was in and carefully let out a small burst of chakra. He prepared for a bit of pain, but it didn't come. A mark appeared on the spot he was touching.
'Huh. No pain? I guess I'm recovering already. Better not push myself too much, though.' He thought, surprised at the lack of pain when he channeled a small amount of chakra.
'I need to find out more information about this place. If I had my shadow clones, this would've been easy.' Naruto sighed. It seems he would have to gather information the hard way. 'Let's get started, then.'
Naruto ran towards the forest in the direction of the city. He couldn't move as fast as he could have with chakra, but he was still moving faster than most bikes. He leaped from tree to tree, an act that reminded him of the forests surrounding Konohagakure.
'Focus, Naruto. You'll find your way back. Believe it!' Naruto thought, determination clear in his eyes. He never gave up. He'll find a way out of this world and get back home to Sakura and the others. 'I just hope they were able to free everyone from the Infinite Tsukuyomi.'
He'd find out more about this world and find a way to get back home. He promised this to himself. He never breaks his promises.
Naruto was an excitable child. He was easily amazed by the feats of greatness performed by great shinobi. He was not prepared for what he saw when he reached the city.
Giant metal towers not unlike the ones in Amegakure no Sato filled his sights. Moving mechanical contraptions sped about on roads at speeds faster than most Shinobi on a light jog. There were so many people walking on the sidewalks that it made Konoha seem like a small town instead of a city.
Naruto was speechless. This world was vastly different from his. Since he couldn't use much of his abilities, he didn't know if the people had chakra like he did. He looked around as he walked, occasionally bumping on a few people accidentally. He was quick to offer his apologies, but he doubted they understood him. He should really get out of the streets.
He entered a building that looked like a temple right across the street he was in. He couldn't read what the building was, but judging by the amount of people old and young entering the building with books, he assumed it was a library.
As he entered, he gasped. He was correct on his assumption of the building being a library, but the scale of this was impressive. He had been to the Konoha Library a few times, but that paled in comparison to this.
He grinned. 'Just my luck. This is exactly what I needed!' He had accidentally found a big source of information. His grin fell when it dawned on him that he had to read books without his shadow clones. 'Ugh. This is going to be painful.'
Only an hour of reading in and Naruto was ready to stab himself. He hated reading. He was a man of action, not words, and sitting still wasn't his style. Even so, Naruto had learned a few things from the children's books about the English alphabet. It was a sophisticated book with small buttons that played the pronunciation of the letter it was assigned to. He was focusing on learning the language of the strange land he was in and decided to start at the very beginning.
"Ah. Eh. Ih. Oh. Ooh. Vowels." Naruto muttered. "Bee. See. Dee…"
He had been repeating the letters for a while now, ensuring that he got it down properly before moving on to more complex subjects. He would press a button, listen to the sound, and repeat after it as accurately as he can.
Another hour had passed and he was on the verge of calling it quits. 'I can't take this anymore! I need my shadow clones!' He mentally shouted.
Naruto sat up and looked around. He couldn't try the Shadow Clone Technique with so many people around, so he stood up and searched for a place away from the eyes of others. He found a door that led to a restroom and entered it. He sighed in relief when he saw that there were no people inside.
He double-checked the cubicles for people and when it seemed that the restroom was truly empty, he readied himself to mold chakra for the technique.
He crossed his fingers and called out, "Shadow Clone Technique!"
Two puffs of smoke on both sides of Naruto signaled the success of the technique and two clones were formed. Naruto smiled, "Yatta! I did it!" He jumped for joy, happy that he was able to make the technique work.
Naruto faced his clones and said, "Alright, guys. You know the drill. Learn the language, gather information, and dispel." He then looked thoughtful for a moment before adding, "And Transform into different people. We wouldn't want people to see three of us now, would we?" They laughed and the two clones performed the Transformation Technique, transforming into two forgettable people. They then proceeded to return to the Library, with Naruto going back to his seat.
'Now that I have shadow clones to do my job for me, I'll just take a short nap.'
After the emergency meeting in Olympus, Artemis had returned to the hunt to finish tracking the Laistrygonians. Her hunters had asked her about her sudden disappearance, but she refrained from telling them about it.
'It would do them no good if they found out that a threat which might be bigger than Typhon has appeared right at Olympus' doorsteps.' She sighed. Even she was a bit concerned. If this incident proved to be more than just Zeus' paranoia, then the Greek world in all its entirety will be involved no matter what.
After their hunt in South Dakota, Artemis had ordered her hunters to prepare for a new hunt in New York. They were confused as to what might need hunting in the city with the most concentration of Olympus' influence but followed nonetheless.
As soon as the Hunt arrived in New York City, Zeus informed Artemis on the details of the incident, specifically where he had felt it and where it might have landed. Artemis led her hunters to Adirondack Park, where they found multiple police units in front of a hotel by the lake. 'I see. So even the locals had felt or seen whatever it was. This makes it easier.'
She turned to face her hunters and said, "Everyone, go and ask around if anything suspicious has happened recently." Artemis motioned towards the police officers scattered around the hotel grounds, "The people around here might know something about what we're hunting."
"Will all due respect My Lady, but what exactly are we hunting?" Zoë Nightshade, a long-time member of the Hunt, asked the question on everyone's minds, "You can't expect us to track down something we're not even aware of."
Artemis sighed and pinched her forehead, "We are hunting something that entered Lord Zeus' domain above New York a few days ago. I know not what it is, but it is our duty to find out." She looked at each of her hunters before steeling her eyes and saying, "Be careful. If any male tries anything to you, you have my permission to deal with them as you see fit."
The hunters nodded and began their hunt. Zoë stayed behind her mistress and asked, "The one we're hunting, My Lady. Are you the only one on its heels?"
A thin smile appeared on Artemis' face. 'Zoë always was better than most.'
"No, Zoë. All the Gods have been ordered by Zeus to be on the lookout for this intruder." She turned to face Zoë and placed her hand on her shoulder, "You need not worry, Zoë. If this proves to be more than the hunt can handle, I will not endanger your lives."
Zoë stared at Artemis' eyes for a few seconds before nodding and saying, "Thank you, My Lady. I shall begin my hunt now."
"Be careful, Zoë. Watch your back." Artemis said, watching as Zoë nodded before jogging towards the others.
"Fates, please let this be a quick hunt." Artemis muttered a prayer, she had a bad feeling about this. Now that she had thought about it, her father was unusually restless when he had appeared to her back in the city. She had no idea why, but if something as small as an intrusion would bother her father that much, then it must be extremely dangerous for Olympus. Her father only cared about his reign and Olympus' influence over the world after all.
She approached a police officer and asked as innocently as she could, "Excuse me, sir. Did something happen here?"
She winced at her pathetic attempt to sound like a child when the officer just stared at her. She shifted awkwardly and was about to say something when the officer spoke.
"It's nothing big. Some locals reported an explosion in the forest a few days ago." He took a drag on his cigarette before crushing the butt beneath his boots, "More importantly, what's a kid like you doing alone out in the middle of the night?"
Artemis restrained herself from turning him into a jackalope. 'Calm down, Artemis. You need information.'
Artemis looked apologetically at the officer and said, "Don't worry, officer. My parents said they would just be taking pictures by the lake."
The officer sighed and shook his head, "This place isn't safe, kid. A local reported a boy found inside the forest when the explosion occurred. Said the boy was wounded all over." The officer reached into his pockets and pulled out another cigarette. He placed it between his lips before saying, "Now the boy is missing, the guest who found him says he left without saying anything. Be careful, okay?" He patted Artemis' head and began walking towards the hotel.
Artemis reined in her emotions before waving her hands in the direction of the officer. She manipulated the Mist to make him forget they ever had the conversation before walking towards the forest. 'An explosion inside the forest and a boy found by a guest? Interesting.'
Artemis looked around and found a bench facing the lake. 'I should wait for my hunters to come back before deciding on a course of action.'
As she sat on the bench, she felt something that made her shake in fear. 'Natural energy? And this pure?!' She jolted upwards and backed away. 'This is bad. Only Gaea can produce such purity in nature.'
She narrowed her eyes and muttered, "This is bad. The council must be informed of this as soon as possible."
Before she could flash to Olympus, he saw her hunters coming back from their investigation. She frowned and thought, 'On second thought, maybe my hunters have found more information on the hunt.'
Zoë bowed and said, "My Lady, we've finished asking around for information."
Artemis sighed and nodded. "Good. Share your information one by one. Zoë, you go first."
"Of course, My Lady." Zoe nodded and stepped forward.
"I went and asked the hotel's guest and staff for anything suspicious in the past few days," Zoë said, before pointing at the forest.
"They said an explosion occurred inside the forest 5 days ago. It was sudden and strong. They even said it caused a minor earthquake around the area."
Artemis nodded. This lined up perfectly with what the officer had said to her awhile ago.
"They also said that a hotel guest brought a boy inside the hotel. The guest told them he had found the boy in a clearing inside the forest." Zoë looked to Artemis before continuing, "He was filled with wounds and bruises. They reported it to the authorities as soon as possible. That is all I found, My Lady."
Artemis narrowed her eyes and asked, "Did they tell you what had caused such a thing to the boy?"
Zoë shook her head and replied, "No, My Lady. The tenant thinks it was abuse, but no evidence can prove it." Zoë bit her lip as if debating on whether to continue, before saying, "They did say that the guest found him in a crater inside the forest."
'A crater inside the forest? Probably the result of falling from the sky hard. The boy must have been the intruder of Zeus' domains.' Artemis pondered, but something didn't sit right with her.
She turned to her hunters and directed a question to them, "Does Zoë's report match with your reports?"
Most of her hunters nodded except for a chestnut-haired hunter who stepped forward and said, "I also learned something else, My Lady. Permission to share?"
Artemis stared at her before nodding, "Go on, Sophie."
"Thank you, My Lady." Sophie bowed her head before turning around for all of them to see her, "I spoke with the guest who occupied the room beside the male who brought the boy to the hotel."
"Was the guest who brought the boy not present in the hotel?" Artemis cut in. If they asked that male, they would have more information than they currently do.
"No, My Lady. The staff says he had left the hotel at around noon. I couldn't manipulate the Mist well enough to order them to tell me, but I was able to make them point me towards the next best thing." Sophie replied as she bowed her head.
"It's fine. You'll learn to do so eventually. Continue." Artemis smiled at her and patted her back.
"Thank you, My Lady." She smiled back at her and continued, "The guest said he heard screams of pain from the room next to his. Said the guest occupying that room would occasionally come out with a bucket of water and some towels."
"He must've been taking care of the boy that he found. My Lady, we must find that guest." Zoë said, as she looked at Artemis and added, "Permission to hunt for the guest, My Lady?"
Artemis shook her head and said, "In time, Zoë. We must investigate the forest first. All your reports mentioned an explosion inside the forest, and you said the boy was found in a crater."
Artemis looked to the forest before saying, "We'll be going inside the forest. Be careful and watch your surroundings." She then walked towards the forest.
Her hunters nodded and followed her. They followed the police investigating the area, sneakily bypassing their patrols and line of sight. The Hunt moved stealthily across the forest floor with practiced grace. They were trained for this, after all.
As they passed by more and more parked police vehicles, Artemis concluded that they were getting close. A few moments later and they finally reached the area where the explosion occurred.
With a few manipulations of the Mist, the police officers and detectives around the site all fell asleep. Artemis and her hunters moved slowly towards the crater, scrutinizing every detail around the area as much as they can.
As Artemis approached the crater, she froze. Her very being shook as an unholy amount of natural energy assaulted her. 'Fates be damned! this power… Gaea?!'
She shook her head and thought about it more clearly, 'No. It's similar, but not the same. I have to report this to the council.'
Her hunters noticed her movements stopping and turned to her. Zoë walked to her and with eyes filled with worry, she asked, "My Lady, are you alright?"
Zoë was just about to reach her hand out to her mistress when suddenly she spoke in a grave voice.
"Zoë, listen to me. Take the hunters to Camp Half-Blood." Artemis ordered, leaving no room for complaint. "You are to stay there until I come back. Is that clear?"
Zoë had never seen her mistress like this. It was like she was afraid. All she could show was a nod to her mistress and say, "By your command, My Lady. Will you be going to Olympus?" She was confused. She wanted to know what was bothering her mistress.
"I am. I will see you back at camp, huntress. Be careful." Artemis said before flashing to Olympus, presumably to another council meeting.
Zoë sighed and looked to her fellow hunters. "Well? Let's get going, girls."
Phoebe, another long-time huntress of Artemis, approached her and asked, "What was that about?"
"Our Lady will be attending another council meeting to report our findings here." Zoë said, before scratching her head and adding, "She has also ordered us to return to Camp Half-Blood until she returns. Let's go."
Phoebe just stared at Zoë's back for a brief moment before sighing and following her.
Apollo had just finished riding his sun chariot across the sky and was planning on inviting Hermes out to go clubbing. Fates know the guy needed it and maybe a few drinks might help him cope with the unending workload he was going through daily.
He was going through the possible places they might go to later as he walked towards the throne room. 'Now, where to go? Los Angeles? New York? Or maybe-' His thoughts were cut off by the sudden appearance of Artemis.
"Woah, sis! Watch where you're flashing, please?" Apollo exclaimed, waving his hands on his sides exaggeratedly.
Artemis ignored Apollo's complaint and glared at him, "Apollo, call the council. I have some terrible news that I must share."
Apollo straightened up when he saw the seriousness in his sister's eyes. 'Something's wrong. Sis is always serious but this? This is on a different level.'
He nodded and closed his eyes before saying, "Let's go. I've informed them of what you said." And walked through the doors of the throne room.
One by one the Olympians appeared on their thrones, each with varying degrees of annoyance on their faces.
Zeus looked at Artemis and Apollo before nodding, "Go ahead, daughter. Tell us what you found."
Artemis bit her lip and looked down. This action did not go unnoticed by the council members and they all sat straighter and listened intently.
Artemis sighed before matching her father's gaze, "Father. We have a problem."
Zeus' eyes hardened and he motioned for Artemis to continue, "Well? Go on."
"I found the crater caused by the intruder when he crash-landed in New York." She paused for a bit, not knowing how to tell her father what she felt, before continuing, "I felt the Earth Mother. Or at least something similar to her." She whispered.
Artemis waited for Zeus' reaction, but it didn't come. Instead, she saw his grip on his Master Bolt tighten, causing his knuckles to go white under the pressure.
"I see. Then this is worse than we thought." Zeus muttered before standing up from his throne, "Everyone! The Earth Mother is rising. Prepare for war." Zeus shouted, his voice ringing across the entire room.
The Olympians looked at each other, some holding mental conversations with the other before each of them stood and voice their compliance.
"Wait! We shouldn't be hasty. There's more, father." Artemis stood up and looked at her father pleadingly. "A boy was found in the crater. I believe we must find him if we are to ascertain the cause of the incident."
Poseidon raised an eyebrow and spoke up, "A boy you say? You think he's the intruder, niece?" He stroked his beard and eyed Artemis.
'Poseidon is doubting me.' Artemis withheld a retort and nodded. "A local from the area found him in the crater and nursed him to health. This was 5 days ago."
Apollo groaned, "You can't be serious, sis. You're planning on tracking a boy who might have the power to rival the Earth herself?" He was worried about her sister. Her investigation had all but confirmed that the intrusion of a powerful being was true, but she didn't have to go any further. "Please think twice about this. Please!"
Artemis shook her head and said, "No. I have to do this. We can't risk preparing for war only to find out that the Earth is not rising." She then turned her gaze to her father, "Please, father. Allow me to track that boy. I will not fail."
Zeus thought about her suggestion before sighing, "Are you sure you can do this? What if it truly is the Earth that is rising?" He stared at Artemis as if unsure whether to trust her or not, "Will you accept responsibility if that happens?"
Artemis paused for a moment before nodding resolutely. "Yes, Lord Zeus. I will take responsibility should I fail in my task," She looked down before adding, "Or if it truly is the Earth rising."
Zeus observed her for a moment before pinching his nose and saying, "You have until the next solstice to find this boy. Until then, no council meetings will be held." He proceeded to look over the members of the council, "And everyone will be preparing. We must be vigilant!" Zeus thundered.
Artemis released a breath she didn't know she was holding. As Zeus dismissed the council, she began to plan her next course of action. She didn't notice Apollo walking to her.
"That was stupid, sis. You've already proven that an intruder existed. You don't have to go out looking for it anymore. You've done your job!" Apollo tried to convince Artemis to rethink about going on a hunt for the boy she mentioned, but Artemis glared at him.
"Why are you so adamant about trying to stop me from doing this? I can take care of myself, Apollo." She spat out. 'How dare he think I'm something to be protected and coddled? I am an Olympian!'
"I'm worried about you, Artemis! This is the biggest threat Olympus has faced in the past millennia, so please don't go out on your own." Apollo was all but begging Artemis to not go through her plan, but this only served to make Artemis angrier.
"Do not worry about me. I am an Olympian Goddess, and I can take care of myself." Artemis coldly glared at Apollo before moving to flash out of the throne room.
"I can't see it," Apollo whispered so softly that it was a miracle Artemis even heard it.
"What?"
"I'm all-seeing, Artemis. Or at least I'm supposed to be. But I can't see anything that relates to this threat."
Her eyes widened and she quickly turned to face Apollo. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. I thought it was just my powers acting up, but after hearing your report, I think it has something to do with that boy you found." Apollo did not want anyone to know about this. Such an unprecedented threat had appeared, and he could do naught but twiddle his thumbs. "That's why I can't let you do this alone. If you will still tread this path, then I will come with you."
Artemis wanted to refuse his help but paused. If Apollo couldn't see the culprit of this incident, then it meant she'd have to go after it blindly. 'Another set of eyes to watch my back wouldn't hurt, I suppose.'
Her eyes softened and she nodded, "Fine. But you will do as I say when I say. Is that clear?"
Apollo raised his head in surprise. He hadn't expected his sister to agree, but he would take it. "Crystal." He nodded, "So when do we start?"
Artemis grinned lightly at him, "Now."
She flashed out of the throne room. Apollo sighed and chuckled softly before following her. "You never change, sis."
"Ares."
"Yes, father?" Ares bowed.
"Follow Artemis. When she finds that boy, kill him. That is my task for you."
Ares grinned wickedly before he drew his blade and placed it in front of him, "Your will, Father."
"You are dismissed." Zeus watched as Ares flashed out of his temple before he propped his cheeks and muttered, "Who are you, Protogenoi?"
AN: Hello everyone. I don't really like making author's notes, but I feel I should address a few things.
1. Nerfing Naruto: I want to make it clear that I DIDN'T nerf Naruto. He battled Kaguya, a Primordial Goddess of their world, and defeated her, albeit with the help of Team 7. I would put his power level above Typhon, the Titans, and all the Gods, but below Gaea, seeing as how Gaea is Earth itself.
Regarding the injuries Naruto sustained, people might think him getting battered so much is a nerf, but HE LITERALLY SURVIVED CHAOS FOR HOURS. Nothing survives Chaos and yet Naruto did. Is that a nerf? No.
2. Updates: I will NOT leave this story unfinished. I've mapped out everything and will only need to write the actual chapters now. I will be posting a chapter every 3rd Monday of the month.
3. Pairing: Strictly Naruto x Artemis.
4. Kurama: Kurama is alive and recovering. He's tagged as a main character for a reason.
5. Percy Jackson and friends: They exist as they are in the books, but the events might differ due to Naruto's existence in their world.
6. Canon Timeline: As soon as Naruto punched a hole through Chaos itself, the canon timeline went out the window, but some plans like Kronos' revival are already in motion, and will still happen. Only it will happen differently, with or without Naruto.
7. Will Naruto be involved?: Not always. The world does not revolve around him, but the story does. Naruto will not show up in every important event happening but he is the focus of the story which means important events will happen behind the scenes.
8: Story Pacing: This will be a slow story because I want to write Naruto's experience in learning more about the world.
9. Owen: Owen is an important character, but not a main character. He owns a bar. This story is about Naruto tending to a bar. You make the connection.
Hopefully this will be the last AN of this story, but if a few things need to be cleared up, I will make another one in the future.
Thanks for reading!