Charpter 23

A cab rolled in in the middle of nowhere. There were picket fences with signs of PICK YOUR OWN STRAWBERRIES plastered on it.

"Are you sure about this, kids?" The cab driver asked.

The two of them nodded.

"We get that a lot…" A blonde haired girl said.

"So, you own this place?" The cab driver tried to make small talk.

"Yeah you could say that." A satyr said. Of course, the driver didn't know that.

"Well, if you say so…" The cab driver relented.

The two kids in the back seat paid the driver and got off the cab. They walked through the fences and climbed up a hill, revealing a summer camp, with Greek Architecture all around. The campers greeted them as they walked through. They walked up to a sky blue farmhouse where two men were playing cards in its porch.

"Ah Annabeth and Grover." The man on a wheel chair greeted. "You're back."

"Hey Chiron, Hey Mr. D." The two answered.

The other porky man (Don't tell him I called him that.) who was Mr. D didn't even look up from his cards. "I assume the quest is a success?"

The two nodded.

"That's a relief." Chiron said. "But where are Naruto and Percy?"

"Well…"

MOUNT OLYMPUS

"I have spared him once already!" The King of the Gods complained. "Daring to fly through my domain… Pah! I should have blasted him out of the sky for his impudence."

"And risk destroying your own Master Bolt and unleash IT unto this world?" Poseidon asked calmly.

Percy looked confused not knowing what IT was?

"Not to mention the other innocent people in the plane with us." Naruto grumbled to himself making sure the gods won't hear him.

"Let us at least hear him and his friend here out, brother." The gods of the seas said to his brother.

Zeus grumbled some more. "I shall listen." He decided. "Then, I shall make up my mind whether or not to cast this boy down from Olympus."

"Perseus and Naruto was it, address Lord Zeus. Tell him you story."

The two demigods recounted their whole ordeal, from the Fury revealing itself in the museum to the battle with Ares. Percy took out the Bolt from the bag Ares had given them way back in Denver. In the presence of its owner, the cylinder started sparking.

There was a deafening silence after they recounted their story with only the crackling of the hearth to fill in the silence.

Zeus opened his palm. The lightning bolt flew into it. As he closed his fist, the metallic points flared with electricity, until he was holding a twenty-foot long javelin hissing with energy.

"I sense that the boy is telling the truth." Zeus muttered. "But that Ares would do such a thing… it is most unlike him."

"He is proud and impulsive," Poseidon said. "It runs in the family."

Zeus flashed him an irritated look.

Percy and Naruto looked at each other. The latter signalled him to say it.

"Uhh Lord?" Percy asked.

"Yes?" Both gods said.

"Ares didn't act alone." Percy said.

"Someone, no no something came up with the idea." Naruto continued.

Percy described his dreams. Honestly, this was the first time he was hearing of this two since he was asleep when Percy told his dreams to Annabeth and Grover. Naruto even told them the momentarily breath of evil that seemed to stop the world and made Ares back off from the fight.

"In the dreams," Percy said. "The voice told me to bring the Bolt in the Underworld. Ares kind of told us that he'd been having dreams too. I think it was using Ares to start a war."

"So, you are accusing Hades after all." Zeus asked.

"Uhhh…" Percy didn't know what to say.

"No sir," Naruto explained. "Lord Zeus, we have been in the presence of Lord Hades. The feeling on the beach and the presence trying to pull us to the pit in the Underworld felt extremely different. We suspect it's something is stirring down there, something older than the gods. Plus, Percy mentioned someone called 'The Crooked One' from his dreams."

Zeus and Poseidon looked at each other. They had a quick and intense discussion in Ancient Greek. The two demigods in front of them didn't understand most of the words, but they caught one that they did understand. 'Father'

"Could it be?" Naruto thought. That word alone confirmed his and Annabeth's suspicions.

Poseidon tried to give some kind of suggestion, but Zeus raised his hand cutting him off. "We shall speak of this no more," Zeus said. "I must go personally to purify this thunderbolt in the waters of Lemnos to remove the human taint."

He rose. "Godlings, you have done me a service. Few heroes could have accomplished as much."

"We had help, sir." Percy said. "Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood–"

"To show my thanks, I shall spare your life. I do not trust you, Persues Jackson. I do not like what your arrival means to Olympus, but for the sake of peace in the family, I shall let you live."

"Th-thank you sir," Percy answered.

Then the God of Lightning turned to Naruto, "As for you, I shall let you continue staying in this world. I sense you have the wind affinity and the potential to learn the lightning affinity in the future. I must admit, I hate to have a demigod of your standards in this world, but for the sake of my daughter, you are free to stay, provided you use your talents for the good of Olympus, but if you fail to reel in your powers and misuse them against Olympus, I shall send you back to your world."

"Yes sir," Naruto said.

"And, Do not presume to fly again, Perseus Jackson. Do not let me find you two here when I return" He warned. "Otherwise, you shall taste this bolt, and it shall be your last sensation."

Percy gulped.

Thunder shook the palace. With a blinding flash of lightning, Zeus was gone.

"I see where Lord Dionysus gets his flair for dramatic exits." Naruto commented.

"Yes, well, he is Zeus' son after all." Poseidon said.

Naruto could sense that Poseidon wanted to speak with Percy in private, so he said, "Percy, certainly now I can go hit that ramen stand. I'm just dying to check it out. It's a pleasure to meet you Lord Poseidon. And Percy, meet me at the ramen stand later, I might not be done by then."

Poseidon nodded, then Naruto left.

"So that's Artemis' son." Poseidon said. "He's certainly different."

"Yeah, you can say that again."

Different teenagers approached Naruto as he wandered the streets of Olympus searching for the ramen stall he saw earlier. They must have been minor gods and goddesses.

After a while of walking and greeting, Naruto had made it to the Olympian branch of Ichiraku Ramen.

"One big bowl of miso ramen with every topping you have." Naruto ordered.

"Do you have drachma to pay for it?" the attendant asked.

"Of cou–" The blonde patted his pockets and the smile on his face disappeared.

"Oh yeah… I gave my pouch of drachma to Charon. Damn it!" Naruto grumbled aloud

"I'll take care of it." A child's voice said.

Naruto turned his head to see who said that. It was a nine year old girl with mousy brown hair and fiery red eyes which reminded him of Ares, except it was warm and comforting. She was dressed simply, but her beauty was evident. This is Hestia, goddess of the Hearth.

"L-lady Hestia?" Naruto asked.

"And make that two, please." Hestia told the attendant.

"Yes ma'am. Coming right up." The attendant said.

The goddess then turned to Naruto and greeted him. "Hello Naruto."

"To what do I owe this meeting?" The blonde asked.

"Oh I just came to see my niece's son." She answered. "You know, you have made quite the impression up here in Olympus after your quest."

Naruto smiled. "Well, I just did what had to be done to prevent your family from tearing each other apart. Plus, those kids were new to this quest thing. I just wanted to keep them safe."

"I see. That is admirable, protecting your friends like they're your own. And I thank you for looking out for my brothers. They can be hard-headed."

Naruto nodded as he took a sip on the ramen that the attendant placed on their table. "Family, it was something that I never had, but I don't want yours to fall apart just because of Zeus' Toy of Mass Destruction."

Thunder boomed, making Naruto frown.

"The Will of Fire, I sense it burns brightly in you." Hestia told him.

Naruto's eyes widened in realization. "B-but that's what Jiji said."

"Yes Naruto. " Hestia explained. "It was I who bequeathed the Will of Fire to the Hashirama seeing his drive and burning desire to protect the people even from his dear friend. The Fire in its name doesn't only come from the name of the Land where you are from, you know."

A sad smile crept to Naruto's face, All the memories of Sarutobi coming to visit him flooded back.

Hestia placed a hand on his shoulder. Naruto felt the warmth of the touch.

"Enough of the history lesson. This isn't the time for that. Your mother wanted me to see how you are doing."

"She did?" Naruto's eyes brightened. "Where is she, by the way?"

"Oh Naruto. Her domain keeps her busier than any of us here."

"I can't see her anytime soon, can I?"

Hestia shook her head. "You just have to be patient, Naruto. The time will come soon."

"At least I have something to look forward to, right?" The blonde grinned.

"Speaking of which, I was waiting for you to come and bring Zeus his Bolt. I wanted to ask you a favour." Hestia said.

"What is it, Lady Hestia?" Naruto asked.

"As you know, I am a virgin goddess. I do not have children of my own spread my domain. I would like you to be my champion."

"Me? Why me?"

"You never compromise when it comes to your friends. In fact, you see them as family. You also never stop fighting in what you believe in. Those qualities are what make you perfect to be my champion, so what you say?"

"I will make you proud." Naruto replied.

"I know you will Naruto." Hestia said.

Hestia was finished with her meal so she stood up prompting Naruto to stand up too. "That was an interesting meal. I am beginning to see why you see this as the food of the gods."

Naruto chuckled and scratched the back of his head.

"It's time for me to go, Naruto. Thank you for accepting my offer. From now on, you will have my blessing." Hestia said.

An orange aura enveloped Naruto and disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"No, thank you Lady Hestia." Naruto said.

"You can have as much ramen as you want. Let Percy have some when he comes over." Hestia offered.

Naruto literally had stars in his eyes. "Really?! You're the Best!"

Hestia nodded. "I have to go now Naruto. I'll see you back at camp."

OLYMPIAN ICHIRAKU

"I figured you were still here." Percy told the still eating blonde with a mountain of bowls on his table.

"Hey Percy. Want some ramen?" Naruto offered.

"Nah, I'm good." Percy declined. "Geez, where do you put all these stuff?"

Naruto grinned in between slurps.

"So how'd that talk with your dad go?" Naruto inquired.

"I don't know good, I guess." Percy shrugged and told Naruto the details. "Mom's at home now."

"Lord Hades kept his promise?"

Percy nodded.

"Then, what are we waiting for?"

"You?"

"Ohh sorry, let me finish this last one first."

BACK IN THE MORTAL WORLD

Percy hailed a cab so he could get back to the apartment. He almost forgot that he didn't have money on him. It was a good thing Naruto reminded him and lent him some. He was about to board the taxi when he noticed the blonde was hanging back.

"You coming?" Percy asked.

Naruto shook his head. "I think you got this, man. Besides, Gabe won't be happy to see me. And I got to see if Annabeth and Grover are okay."

Percy chuckled. "He'll be angrier with me. I basically offered the whole nation free appliances."

"Oh yeah! That," Naruto laughed as well.

"Well, I'll see you back at camp!"

Percy, then, went on his way to see his mother again, and Naruto hailed another cab to get to back to Camp.

HALF BLOOD HILL

"Naruto!" Annabeth and Grover shouted as soon as they saw the blonde at the hill.

"We were so worried that Zeus would smite you." Grover said.

"Well, I kept Percy in line for that one." Naruto chuckled.

"Speaking of him, where is the Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth asked.

"He went to see his mom. They're having their reunion as we speak." Naruto answered.

"Are you sure Percy would be okay? Gabe's gonna kill him." Grover sounded worried.

"He'll be fine. If this quest proves anything, it's that the Water Boy can handle anything that's thrown at him." Naruto answered.

Annabeth and Grover nodded.

"Ahhh. You're back Naruto." A voice said from behind them.

"Hey Chiron!" Naruto greeted. "It's good to be back."

"Come now, then, the camp would like to see you." Chiron said and gestured the three to follow him.

"Naruto." A voice whispered from somewhere.

The blonde whipped his head back as soon as he heard his name called. The odd thing was nobody was there. All he saw were the trees that surrounded the woods.

"Naruto! You coming?" Annabeth called him when he noticed that Naruto was lagging behind.

"I'll find out later." The blonde shinobi thought, then ran to catch up.

One by one, the campers came to greet Naruto as soon as they saw him. If he didn't have a lot of fans before, then he definitely had more now. It was like he won some kind of reality TV contest, which was closer to the truth than they thought because of Hephaestus TV.

An hour later, Percy arrived at camp. His friends greeted him at the borders of the camp. Just like with Naruto, the other campers came to greet him, but the difference now was the real party was beginning, if you could call this a party.

They were the first heroes since Luke to return alive from a quest, so it was a long time since they did this, but it was camp tradition for the returning heroes to wear laurel wreaths on their heads and have a big feast to honour them. They even led a procession to the bonfire, where they burned their burial shrouds their cabin mates made in their absence.

Annabeth's shroud was a beautiful grey silk with embroidered owls with the symbol of Athena in the middle. Percy said that it was a shame not to bury anyone in it. Annabeth punched him in the arm and told him to shut up. Naruto added that it was a good thing for it to be unused.

Since Percy didn't have any cabin mates, the Ares cabin had volunteered to make his shroud. They'd taken an old bedsheet and painted smiley faces with X'ed-out eyes around the border, and the word LOSER plastered in the middle of the shroud. Oh, Percy had fun burning his shroud.

Naruto's shroud was made by the Aphrodite cabin. Originally, the Apollo cabin wanted to make the shroud since they were his cousins, but a few bets and a capture the flag game when they were away, the Aphrodite cabin somehow won it. I guess they were that motivated. The children of the Love Goddess made a silver shroud with different animals embroidered on it and the symbol of Artemis in the middle. Naruto thought it was beautiful, so he reluctantly burned his shroud.

The Apollo cabin led a sing along in the Amphitheatre. As a special treat for tonight, there was dancing unlike the other times they did it. The campers had a blast as they danced to the different songs that the children of Apollo sang, even Grover who got awarded with his long desired searchers license. Well everyone except for one cabin counsellor of the Hermes Cabin.

Everyone was caught off guard when the music suddenly slowed.

The campers watched as Naruto walked up to Annabeth to ask her for a dance, which made the daughter of Athena blush like a tomato, but she accepted Naruto's offer in the end. Grover danced with a wood nymph, Juniper I think her name was. Katie from the Demeter cabin was offered a dance by Travis. And, Percy ended up dancing with Clarisse. At first, the daughter of Ares threatened to kill anyone who would ask her to. Naruto suggested that the Water Boy dance with her to make up for the unfortunate first impressions the two had.

"They kinda look good together." Naruto commented.

"Yeah, they both look so cute with the massive blushes on their faces." Annabeth added.

"Like you were any better earlier." Naruto snickered.

"Shut up blondie." Annabeth punched him in the arm.

"But, you're blonde too, so you can't use that."

"B-but, oh never mind."

When curfew struck, Mr. D clapped his hands and everyone went quiet. He made a half-hearted welcome back speech before the campers went to their cabins.

"Yes, yes, so the Bolt is returned and the brats didn't get themselves killed. Hoorah and all that. In other announcements, there will be no canoe races this Saturday…"

That night, Naruto moved back to Cabin Eight. Just like the Apollo Cabin in the morning, the Cabin was glowing silver in the the night.

"Odd, the cabin looks smaller than I remember." Naruto wondered aloud.

He quickly got settled in the room. On the headboard of his bed, there was another note.

Dear Naruto,

Congratulations on completing your quest. You have made me proud. The hunters have told me of your meeting in the Water Bed Store. I am glad you are safe and keeping your friends safe.

I felt the Kyubi's power leak out from the seal. Fair warning, son, Refrain from using the Fox's power too much as it takes a toll on you, especially the higher stages. I suggest you train hard, so you won't rely on it too much. There are different jutsus in the scrolls in your room. Why don't you try one of them?

Lastly, I heard from Hestia that you accepted her offer to be her champion. I know you will do her and me proud.

I hope I could have seen you when you were last in Olympus, but my domain keeps me away. Soon, my son, we will see each other. Become strong. I will always be watching you just as the moon watches over the night sky.

Love,

Mom

A tear ran down Naruto's cheeks as he read the note. It told him that wherever his mom is or whatever she is doing, she is still thinking of him.

"You got it, mom." He said aloud.

One week later, a letter arrived in the Big House addressed to Naruto and Percy. She wrote in the letter that Gabe had mysteriously disappeared off the planet. She had filed a missing persons report, but she had a funny feeling that he would never be found.

She also wrote about a life sized concrete sculpture to a collector in an art gallery in Soho. She named it 'The Poker Player.' She got so much money because of it that she was able to put a deposit down on a new apartment and made a payment on her first semester tuition at NYU. The gallery was clamouring for more of her work saying that it was "a huge step forward in super ugly neorealism" or so they say. She declined the offer saying that it was a one-time thing. She said that she disposed of the 'tools' that Percy gave. She would turn to writing completely.

She asked about Naruto, and why he didn't come to the apartment when the quest was finished. She told Naruto to not beat himself up about failing her. The important thing was she was back now. She also told him that Naruto is welcome to live with them so he wouldn't live alone anymore.

At the bottom, there was a PS for Percy. It said that Percy was signed up for a new private school. It said that there was a deposit down to hold his spot in case he wanted to enroll for seventh grade. It said that he could live at home, but if he wanted to stay year-round, it was okay.

The two decided that Percy should keep it.

Naruto told himself to scrape in extra offerings for Hades to place Gabe in the Fields of Punishment and to Athena for her blessing on Sally's education.

On the Fourth of July, the whole camp gathered at the beach to watch the fireworks display by Cabin Nine. The Hephaestus kids anchored a barge offshore and loaded it with rockets the size of Patriot missiles. Annabeth explained that the blasts would be sequenced so tightly that they'd look like frames of animation across the sky. The finale was supposed to be a couple of hundred-foot-tall Spartan warriors who would crackle to life above the ocean, fight a battle, and then explode into a million colours.

The three from the Lightning Bolt quest set a picnic blanket. While they were doing that, Grover showed up to say goodbye to his friends. He was dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt and sneakers, only this time he looked older, almost high school age. His goatee had gotten thicker. He'd put on weight. His horns had grown at least an inch, so he now had to wear his rasta cap all the time to pass as human.

"I'm off," Grover said. "I came to… you know…"

His friends tried to sound upbeat. After all, this was a stepping stone for Grover's dream. They should be happy for him. They were his closest friends after all.

"So, Grover, where're you going to look first?" Percy asked.

"Kind of a secret," Grover answered, looking embarrassed. "I wish you could come with me, guys, but humans and Pan..."

"It's okay, man. We understand." Naruto clapped him on the shoulder.

"Always keep your fake feet on." Annabeth started to fuss over him.

"Yes Annabeth."

"You have enough cans for your trip?"

"Yeah."

"And you remembered your reed pipes?"

"I got it right here." Grover patted his pockets. "Geez Annabeth, you sound like my old mama goat."

He wasn't really annoyed.

"Well then, wish me luck."

He hugged his friends, and then headed back through the dunes.

Fireworks exploded to life overhead: Hercules killing the Nemean lion, Artemis chasing the boar, George Washington (who, by the way, was a son of Athena) cross-ing the Delaware, Naruto's whirlpool symbol at the back of his custom made camp shirts which was looking like a real whirlpool, a silver bow and arrow firing a shot to commemorate the first son Artemis, Poseidon raising the waves in the ocean.

"Hey Grover!" Percy called out.

He was at the edge of the woods, but he turned to look.

"Wherever you're going-I hope they make good enchiladas." Percy shouted.

"And smack those bullies with that stick of yours." Naruto added.

Grover grinned, and then he was gone, the trees closing around him.

"We'll see him again," Annabeth said.

The two boys nodded. Even though no searcher was able to return in 2000 years, they had to believe that Grover would be the first.

July passed.

The boys began planning strategies to keep the flag out of the Ares cabin's hands. On some occasions, Percy and Naruto would separate teams as a sort of friendly rivalry. On those times, Naruto's team proved to be better.

To keep things interesting, Naruto suggested a free for all against all the cabins to steal scrolls from the other teams just like in the Chunin Exam that Naruto attended. The other campers loved the idea, so they alternated between the two games.

As days gone by, Naruto tried to find the source of the voice, but he couldn't find it, or sometimes he didn't have the time. Things went on just like that until the last night of the summer session came all too quickly.

The campers had one more meal with each other. They burned part of their dinner for the gods. Naruto was sure to scrape in extra for his patron, and two other gods he asked favours from. At the bonfire, the senior counsellors awarded the end of summer beads.

Percy and Naruto each got their own leather necklace. The bead was pitch black and with a sea-green trident on one side and a silver bow on the other side.

"The choice was unanimous," Luke announced. "This bead commemorates the first Son of the Sea God and the first ever Son of the Huntress at this camp, and the quest they undertook into the darkest part of the Underworld to stop a war!"

The entire camp got to their feet and cheered. Even Ares's cabin felt obliged to stand.

Naruto was so happy. This was the first time he felt that he was part of a real family. The sad thing was, most of them would be leaving for the year. At least, they had a lot to look forward to.

A/N: Geez. This Corona thing had me stranded in the provinces so I didn't have my laptop with me. After two months, I finally got home. During those two months, I had time to think about the direction of my story.

Now that I'm home, I can consistently continue writing. So, stay tuned.

Also I put up a poll, please answer so I know what to do.

Until the next time I post

Ja Ne!