Patronus Maximus

Chapter LIII: Unexpected Developments

The former hostages were filled with relieved happiness as they were escorted back home. Filled with joy, Lara continued to lead them through the Vale. She does hear murmurs and chatter of fear about their experience encountering the infamous Baba Yaga.

"I don't blame them because she was horrifying."

Lara was terrified about the witch's appearance, which the legends had right actually. She saw that they were approaching the river where the Baba Yaga hallucination made a lasting impression in her mind.

"Lara."

Lara looked behind her shoulder upon hearing Naruto's voice, only to see him not there. He was behind the group, acting as the rearguard. "That's weird." She faced forward before his voice called her again, causing Lara to look back with Naruto still far away. "What?"

"Lara."

"Wait…" Lara thought as she stepped to the side, allowing the Remnants to pass by her. "Naruto?" She whispered reluctantly.

"Yes."

Lara almost flinched when Naruto spoke again. He was the rearguard yet she could hear his voice right next to her. "What the hell?"

"I'm using a Furinji Style technique to speak to you like this," Naruto explained from the rearguard. "Babe, Jocasta detected an electronic signal just now."

"From where? The Winter Guard?"

Somehow, he heard her when Naruto shook his head as he slowly crept up behind one of the Remnant. "Here in the group. In fact—" He placed his hand over the man's mouth, stifling his startled gasp to prevent alerting the others. "This guy right here."

"What are you going to do?" Lara whispered as she stepped to the side, letting the Remnants walk past her.

"To find out what he knows."

"How?"

"I have my ways."

"… Be careful," Lara said after hesitating.

Patronus nodded before seemingly merging with the trees. Lara assumed the rearguard position as a puzzled Ivan waited for her.

"Where is Patronus?" Ivan asked, looking for him.

"He… went back to set traps for the Winter Guard in case they come searching for us," Lara lied to him. "Speaking of that, we need to tell Sofia about this."

"I agree with you, young lady."

With that said, Lara and Ivan walked together after the rest of the Remnant group.

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A nonchalant Patronus held the Russian spy over the cliff's edge, stifling his screams as his hand had covered the mouth.

"Who sent you?" He asked after shifting his hand from the mouth to the spy's neck.

The spy said nothing and Patronus used his free hand to pull out the watch from his sleeve. He crushed it as Jocasta emerged from the wrist computer and began to scan the spy's face with a harmless laser.

"Jocasta?"

"Scan complete." Jocasta stated as the laser ceased. "Accessing database now." The spy's efforts doubled to break free from Patronus's grip. Yet he failed and his limbs lagged when the AI told Patronus. "Sorry, but I'm not finding any matches, Patronus, but it is strange."

"That's unfortunate," Patronus said understandably when Jocasta retreated into his wrist computer. "Wait, what is strange?"

"My scans tell me that this is a female, not male."

"Eh?"

Taking that into account, Patronus now felt something different about the spy's skin. The ninja narrowed his eyes as he placed his grip on her shoulder before gripping the face and tearing it off. "A mask." A Mission Impossible-type mask. "Creepy… feels like Michael Moore's mask." He tossed it away before asking the female, "And who might you be?"

Like Jocasta said, it is a woman. She has soft skin with brown eyes and hair tied in a braided knot.

"…"

"Still not talking, huh?"

"…"

"You know, you remind me of someone with that look."

The stoic, no-nonsense look that contrast the physical beauty. Eyes that can turn a man into jelly yet deadly in the other.

"Oh, you remind me of Black Widow," Patronus realized. It was brief, but he noticed the woman's lips tensed a little. "Physical torture isn't going to work for two reasons." The spy tried kicking herself out of Patronus's grip, but the god felt nothing. "One: I'm not trained in it and I think you are well-versed in resistance." His free hand formed the tiger seal, readying a jutsu he has in mind. "Two: the more time I spend with you, the greater the chance of the Winter Guard's approaching."

"Patronus, I've jammed their frequencies, but you should hear this."

"Let's hear it."

-[*Static*… Now, my slaves, proceed to the village where my sacrifices await me.]-

"Kuso (Damn it)! She took control of the Winter Guard, which is even worse." Patronus back-stepped from the ledge, removing the threat of dropping the spy to her death. "As much as I want to deal with you and find out more, Baba Yaga and the Winter Guard must be stopped."

As soon as he let go of her, the woman attacked with her forearms, intending to disorient him. She's fast… by normal human standards. But to a god, she's as slow as a slug if not slower.

"Shogekiha no Fogettofuruness (Shockwave of Forgetfulness)!"

The woman's eyes widened in shock before falling to the ground. Naruto lowered his outstretched arms after using the Furinji technique. He had to be extremely careful since being a god. The ninja pulled out a tarp and hoisted the spy over his shoulder before walking along the cliffside as if it was the vertical ground. After a few minutes, Naruto floated away from the spot where he hid the spy; she was held by a mesh of kunai and wires while the tarp hid her from the wondering eyes as it blended seamlessly with the rocky formation.

"Got to head back to the others."

Patronus faced the direction of the valley and soared through the sky with urgency.

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Hangar Bay, S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion

Washington, D.C., Virginia, United States of America

If there was one thing Hill hated besides vigilantes, it was maintenance of the Helicarrier. Every four months, the airborne vehicles of S.H.I.E.L.D. undergo lengthy maintenance: thirty-six hours for structural inspection, mainframe updates, and/or weapons installation. The Iliad started the process two hours ago.

"Can't the eggheads speed this along?"

Hill was not happy at all.

Approaching footsteps alerted her as Coulson arrived with files in his hand. "Science is improving every day, but it's still a slow process." He handed her the files and Hill took them. "A.R.M.O.R. and T.I.M.E. detected another breach. Same kind of energy used to open it."

"Where?" She asked hastily.

"Siberia."

Hill looked at Coulson puzzlingly. "Siberia? Why?"

"We do not know."

"Well, find out!" Hill ordered curtly as Coulson left to do just that. "What is he up to?" She wondered to herself.

"Coulson?"

The director did not have to look to know whom was speaking to her. It is one of the bill's supporters: Senator McNeal. "Someone I want to be under S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Which hero?" The man inquired, only to get Hill's stoic expression in return. "Very well, you don't have to tell me."

"Is there a reason why you are here?"

"Careful, director, because you need us to pass your bill." Hill said nothing else as she turned her gaze to the Iliad. "I've come to inform you about Congress passing a different bill regarding superhumans." The senator informed Hill. "Apparently, it is the anti-registration bill."

"What?"

"There are those in Congress who believe some elements in our bill is extreme."

"Then do something about it," Hill said indignantly.

McNeal remained unfazed by Hill's words, "We are, but I have to warn you this bill is gaining traction just as ours."

"Damn it…"

"I'll leave you be."

This was not what she wanted to hear. Why can't people see that this is for the betterment of everyone's safety? Superhumans are volatile, unpredictable, and dangerous. They must be under government control.

Her fight to do that is only going to get harder from this point and it is not even ten in the morning yet.

"*Heavy sigh* I need a drink."

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Geothermal Valley

Kitezh, Siberia, Russia

Once Patronus returned to the valley, the situation remained on high alert. And when he and Lara told Sofia and her people about what transpired beyond the Wicked Vale, the atmosphere filled with fear. Sofia ordered her men to arm themselves and looked at her allies who appeared to be in a disagreement about something.

"No."

"Yes."

"Lara, the Remnants and Kitezh are about to be discovered by a superhero team… who answers to Central Command, the Russian S.H.I.E.L.D." Naruto explained to her, "I can cover this valley with tags, but I think we need something more complex."

"But bringing her here?" Lara asked incredulously, "Patronus, the Remnants won't like this. They're already fearful what with the Winter Guard and Baba Yaga. Besides isn't she busy with you-know-who?"

"It's her naptime right now."

For some reason, a surprised Lara was taken aback. "How do you know that?"

"What do you mean 'how do you know that?'" Naruto asked back indignantly, "She's my kid too."

"But still…"

"What?"

"Can't you do it?" Lara asked him and Naruto shook his head.

"Ninjutsu is different. Chakra is different." The god emphasized with a flourish of his arms. "I felt it when I met the Ancient One and became certain after that grimoire scenario. Plus, she uses magic." In conjunction with her species' kind of spell-craft and the demonic variant.

"But didn't you say the Ancient One called your Ninjutsu as a form of magic?"

Patronus shrugged his shoulders, "She did but even so, I do not know how to use the spell I'm talking about. But she does."

"Naruto, I still don't know about this."

"Do you have other ideas 'cause I'm waiting."

The Croft heiress said nothing when a tense Sofia approached them. "Is there a problem?"

"No." Lara answered quickly.

Patronus's head moved side-to-side as a 'maybe' gesture. "Depends."

"On what?"

The secret couple exchanged glances before answering together, "Do you like cats?"

"What?"

"I have an idea," Patronus paused and looked at Lara briefly before shifting back at Sofia, "But we'll need to bring someone we know who can do what I have in mind to Kitezh."

As Lara expected it, Sofia bristled at his words. "What?" She said in a confronting tone.

"Sofia, we know this is asking a lot," Lara remarked empathically, "But this idea he have guards his home from outside eyes. No one can find him… ever." She finished strongly with the last word.

Though livid, Sofia's face gradually softened as she realized one thing is utmost important: the survival of her people. Patronus and Lara are her allies who saved them from the treacherous Trinity as well as taking them down. Her father taught to recognize enemies but also friends and trust them.

"Are you sure we trust her?" Sofia asked Patronus hesitatingly.

Patronus nodded confidently, "You can trust her."

"…Contact her."

"All right." Patronus stepped away some distance away from Lara and Sofia. A small magic circle appeared on his right ear though no one could see it. His wife casted it so he may talk to her and the others. All he had to was think about her and them. "Pick up, pick up."

{"Hubby!"}

The ladies watched Patronus's head lurch to the side by the unexpected loud response. "Kuroka, inside voice."

{"What position should we do this time?"}

Cue angry vein on Naruto's forehead. "Keep it in your pants, woman!" He whispered harshly.

{"Aw… you don't like my boobies anymore~"}

Blushing while snorting aloud, Patronus stuttered before quietly whispering, "Kitty, you know I love your boobies; I always use them as pillows." He looked back to make sure he wasn't speaking out loud. "Listen, I need you to come to my location and cast a spell."

{"…"}

"Kitty?"

{"Which one?"}

"One that provides the same protection for our lovely home."

{"…"}

"Sweetie…"

{"Fine, but I want to do it over there."}

A deadpan Naruto replied, "No. Listen, the Remnants and Kitezh are to be about discovered by the Winter Guard."

{"… Who?"}

"I'll explain later, but get here now."

{"But what about Fujimai?"}

"It's her naptime now."

{"How do you know that?"}

Patronus groaned at Kuroka's stunned question just like Lara. "She's my kid too!" He whispered exasperatingly

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(A Minute Later)

"A what now?" A stunned Sofia asked while failing to avert her gaze from the new outsider. "And how the heck did she get those?!"

It was needless to say that Kuroka, in her human form, garnered attention from the Remnants because of her foreign beauty. The men in particular were drawn to the outsider's unbelievable bust.

"A charm or charms to be exact," Kuroka explained all serious. Patronus and Lara stood behind the secret nekomata to show support. "The one I'm going to cast is called the Shield Charm and the Unplottable."

"And what does this 'charm' do exactly?" One of the female Remnant asked, envious of Kuroka's physique.

Inwardly smiling at the looks she's been receiving, Kuroka explained the spell. "The second one makes you invisible to the naked eye. No one can find you. The Remnants as you are called and your home, Kitezh, are a secret. No one can see, touch, hear, or locate you… ever. Then I'll cast the Shield Charm to ward off any intruders and I'll enhance it with two other spells."

"How long does it take to set up?" Sofia asked the allied outsider.

"I've been casting the spell shortly after I arrived," Kuroka glanced between the Remnants, their village, and the eagle-view pictures of Kitezh ruins and the valley. "I'm almost done."

*Thump-Thump-Thump*

All eyes faced east where the quakes continued to shake the valley. "Work faster," Patronus said when he walked past her, heading towards the south-east direction.

"Hubby…" Kuroka whispered since Naruto could hear her from far away. "The charm won't work completely."

Naruto hesitate mid-stride, but continued walking towards the direction. "What do you mean?" He asked back, using the Furinji technique, Obstructive Lung Voice. He is able to lower his voice in a shockwave form, forbidding anyone to hear him unless Naruto speaks to them directly.

"I'm sure this Baba Yaga person knows about this village already. But still, I think the Winter Guard can't find it. Just in case, I'll put up an additional barrier around the village."

"Do what you can and then get out of here; go back to home."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive!" Patronus answered cheerily, smiling inside his hood.

Infected by his ever-present confidence, Kuroka smiled proudly. "Come back to us, Hubby." She raised her hands while channeling her demonic energy as a valley-sized magic circle encompassed the surroundings, surprising the Remnants and Lara who hasn't seen the nekomata use one this big. "Protego Maxima." Three of the small circles in the magical design shot out white wispy energy. "Fianto Duri." Three blueish-white energies soar to the sky at the center as well. "Repello Inimicum." The last three energies were blueish-white as well and flew to the sky like the others.

The three sets of spells met at the highest point in the valley and combined before expanding omnidirectionally. Lara, Patronus, Sofia, and the Remnants all watched with wonder, awe, or shock. The edges reached the ground and the glowing light of each spell merged with nature.

Though the Remnants could not see it, they felt relieved about the protection granted by one of their allies. Lara was impressed and thought about possibly learning magic herself. Naruto on the other hand assumed that Kuroka was going to use the Fidelius Charm, the spell he had in mind.

"Maybe it's too complex for her," Naruto thought after recalling the spell's level of difficulty from the Codex. "Oh shoot, the Codex. I need to update that bad boy soon."

"Hubby, I'm leaving now. Stay safe… both of you." Kuroka said from afar. "I love you."

"Love you too."

And Kuroka's ki disappeared as her valley-sized magic circle ceased its glow.

Once armed, Sofia and her men took position around the village at different vantage points. Lara was with Sofia atop the Remnant hall, their bows lowered with ready arrows. Patronus seemingly merged with the environment upon using the Toton Jutsu (Transparent Escape Technique). The elderly and children were safely holed up in the basement of the main hall with fortified walls and door.

A silent tension surrounded the village and its defenders. Like the calm before the storm-type deal except heightened by super individuals and two gods. Sofia looked around and saw nothing but the dark enveloping the valley. Time and time again, her people defended their home since her father's generation. She thought it was done after the Divine Source's destruction, but fate had other plans in mind.

"Are you two a couple?" Sofia asked lowly, noting Lara's supporting arm tense for a moment.

"No… no, we are not," Lara replied after hesitating, holding her bow ready.

"I've seen how both of you act around each other." Sofia pointed out knowingly, "Sometimes your fingers touch each other every thirty seconds or so."

"She timed us?"

"… I'm happy you two found each other," Sofia smiled at Lara. "If I'm being honest, I actually had a little crush on Patronus long ago."

The surprised Lara glanced at her before she hummed in triumph, "Well, we're not together, but I'll be sure to tell him that." She tried to play it off.

"You wouldn't…"

"Shouldn't have said anything."

The amusement between the women was broken when the magical shield lit up like a Christmas in the east direction… the entrance to the Wicked Vale. Lara and Sofia felt the ground quake when strong blows hit against the shield endlessly. "Will the shield hold?" Sofia asked her friend concerningly.

"It will, but knowing Patronus, he's probably on his way to them."

"You mentioned Perun is among them," Sofia questioned the archeologist, "Do you mean THE Perun from mythology?" Lara nodded reluctantly. "Can Patronus beat him?"

That was the question Lara asked herself when she first saw the Deiva deity. Can Naruto beat him? This is his first bout against a god post-ascension after Esdeath.

"I'm sure he will."

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Entrance to Wicked Vale

Baba Yaga was not pleased by the obstacle in front of her. Whomever casted this shield knew what they were doing. Her horde of Undead were instantly vaporized when they touched the shield. She lost hundreds in the first run and her subjects were slow to regenerate. So, she had sent her strongest one to destroy the obstacle and yet it even stands against Perun's axe.

"Impressive that it can stand against Perun's might…"

A small crack appeared after Perun dislodged his axe and brought it over his head for another downward strike.

"But that is only brief."

And did the sun's color turned into a really bright blue?

The witch goddess, along with her Undead and the Winter Guard, looked up as a gigantic sphere of swirling energy fell upon them. Said construct emitted an unusual, almost mystical sound. It was loud enough to dwarf out the words…

"Cho Odama Rasengan (Ultra-Big Ball Spiralling Sphere)!"

The possessed Perun instantly leaped and swung his lightning-coated axe at the opposing energy attack. Baba Yaga were taken aback when the axe did not cut through the construct. The weapon and energy construct struggled for a few moments before the latter exploded, shaking the earth while the shockwave sent Baba Yaga's forces and the Winter Guard flying away.

Only Perun and the witch's houses remained standing, but their feet had dug in the ground to prevent being blown away. After collecting herself, Baba Yaga searched for the one battling them. She only saw her Undead being swallowed by the earth itself and her Winter Guard being taken out at the same time despite their experience as a team.

"Show yourself, cowaaarrrrdddd!" Baba Yaga yelled out in surprise and fell off after her house's legs were sliced off by an unseen blade. She snarled upon getting back on her feet. "Where are you?!" She got her answer when a pair of palms slammed against both sides of her head. "H-how…"

The pair of hands turned visible along with the rest of Patronus's body as the witch fell to the ground in front of him. Naruto noticed that the Undead turned to skeletons, then dust before wind blew them away. The necromantic spell has been undone. "She may be a witch, but magic or ninjutsu is useless if the caster is physically taken down."

"Naruto, turn invisible now!"

"Oh shit!" Patronus kicked Baba Yaga aside as Perun swung his axe downward. He slid underneath between the taller god's legs and quickly stood back on his feet while Perun swiftly spun around with added momentum into his weapon. "Ogun Furiisu (Golden Fleece)!" The armlet glowed its golden color before Patronus parried the axe as it hit against the metal. Perun staggered, leaving him open as Patronus's body emitted the same glow like the armlet and doubled-punched the Dieva's stomach while shifting his left foot forward. "Yamazuki (Mountain Punch)!"

A Karate move doubled with the force from Perun's attack because of the Golden Fleece's magic. The armlet reflects attacks, either physical or magical, back to their origins i.e. opponents.

The still-possessed Perun soared across the sky as Patronus turned invisible once more and bounded the witch with chakra chains before going after the thunder god. It did not take long to find him as a wet Perun got himself out of the waterfall's base.

"Are you good now?" Naruto dodged to the side and avoided a lightning bolt as he landed softly atop the canopy. More but invisible clones appeared around different parts of the area. "You awake?"

"Face me, interloper!"

The clone sitting opposite from the original southward hummed audibly. "Looks like it." He responded before being zapped by a lightning bolt.

"Ooh~" The chorused of impressed clones rang around the thunder god, "Not bad, considering he's more precise than Thor." Thunder boomed suddenly as arcs of lightning shot from Perun's body and struck down five clones.

"Do not compare myself to the Asgardian; I am the superior thunder god!" Perun roared as he swung his axe again, sending a lightning attack in wave form this time. "I am Perun, son of Svarog!" Some clones got out of the way and relocated to different trees. "Face me!"

"…No, we don't want to."

Incensed by the answer, Perun responded in kind by launching lightning waves and arc simultaneously, destroying parts of the environment and the ruins. "Everything belongs to me! I will destroy this whole land until you fight me!"

And Naruto complied with a Rasengan to the back as Perun stumbled forward by the power behind the jutsu.

"Fine then!"

The clones turned visible once Perun stood up again and pressed their attack. In response, the Dieva swung his axe and cleaved the ones in front of him while the others climbed onto his back. Punches and kicks landed on their differing targets on the body while grunts came from Perun.

"I do not feel anything but taps," Perun taunted smugly. Wide eyes came from the clones as they were destroyed by the arcs of lightning, courtesy of the thunder god. "I want the original!" He heard several hisses and looked to see his armor and limbs covered with rectangular tags before they lit up.

Still invisible as the tags exploded, Naruto waited in place while the smoke cleared and revealed an unfazed Perun. "I did not expect that to work, but old habits I guess." He admitted, but his origin is of stealth and deception with added salt of power.

"Deception and explosives? Tools of a coward." Patronus stayed silent, ignoring the god's insults. Perun then sniffed the air like a dog and grunted as if he just learned something of interest. "You are a god as well." His face assumed disgust. "You are not of my pantheon; the smell of the far east permeates from you like mead. The Xian perhaps?"

No answer came from his eastern counterpart.

"The Diwatas?"

Again, no answer.

"The Tenger?"

Naruto rolled his eyes as none of the thunder god's guesses were on the mark. Though he did get new questions about the mentioned pantheons. "Note to self, learn about the pantheons."

"The Amatsu-Kami perhaps?" Perun sniffed the air and nodded, agreeing with himself. "You carry has a certain aroma I've encountered once before."

Patronus faux-gagged in his mouth. "Hannibal much?" He shuddered a bit before blinking intermittingly. "Wait, he can smell Kogitsunemaru? My armor? Or me?"

The answer came in the form of a powerful lightning bolt that intended to strike him. Patronus deflected the bolt with the armlet back to the caster, but Perun was already close in range as he swiped through the lightning and rushed his invisible opponent. It was brief, but the Dieva saw the point of impact between Patronus and his bolt before the reflection.

And to make it more appealing for him, Patronus turned visible.

The surprised ninja gawked before flipping forward as Perun's axe missed while it swiped the peak of the tree. Using the momentum while channeling power into his leg, Naruto delivered an axe-kick. The attack landed not on the god's face as he intended, but his shoulder. Still, Perun was slammed into the ground as the impact shook the trees and cascading water that veered from their routine trajectory for a moment.

Naruto formed a hand-sign to turn invisible once more, but halted as he deflected another bolt with the golden armlet. More lightning bolts continued to attack him, forcing the ninja to dodge them. "Son of a gun, he's trying to keep me from turning invisible." He observed before creating more clones as Perun rose from the crater his body made moments early.

"More duplicates? Does the pride of a god mean nothing to you?"

The nonchalant horde of Patronus clones raised their right hands and extended the middle finger in response.

"How dare you make light of the thunder god?!"

Uncaring snorts from the masses of his opponents incensed the Dieva to attack them. Perun lowered his shoulders and bulldozed through the clones, creating a smokescreen that clouded his vision. His axe crackled with lightning as the god threw it at a nearby clone and cleaved through him. The crackling weapon did not stop and spun around Perun while cutting down the remaining clones.

Clasping the weapon's shaft after it returned, Perun was alerted by the metal clang and the ground shake behind him. "Having trouble?" He asked tauntingly once turning around.

A grunting Patronus was struggling to lift his weapon from the ground. He had ignored the taunt in favor of trying to get the blade out and finally did… barely pointing the sword's tip at Perun.

"Why is this happening?!" He panicked after his instinctual action to draw Kogitsunemaru for a sneak attack. "I train and train yet the sword got heavier?!" Naruto was forced to drop the weapon and brought his Hidden Blades, holding them like daggers because of their pivot mechanism. The right bracer was upgraded to be a Pivot Blade recently.

Kogitsunemaru kicked up debris and said cloud got dispelled when Perun's lightning axe and Patronus's wind-coated blades clashed for the first time.

"Problem with your weapon?" Perun asked tauntingly. His right eye looked puzzled when Patronus did not buckle underneath his strength. "Looks like you're stronger despite your puny size." The Dieva did not see the angry vein on his opponent's head nor the sweeping leg.

As Perun was in mid-air after the leg sweep, Patronus retracted his blades in favor of tensing his left arm before punching the god in his chest. It looked like a tap at first, but it was anything instead of that as Perun's armor cracked then shattered in some parts. "Ugokanai Sunakumo Dama (Motionless Sand Cloud Bomb)!"

A gawk of pain escaped from Perun's lips as he flew for moments before rolling on the ground, leaving behind big body indentations in the process. Patronus created a clone and sent him to go after the god while he turns to his attention on the sword. "Okay, Kogitsunemaru, I do not know what is going with you, but I need your help here." This is bad since the weapon could have cost him a limb or so by Perun's axe. "Maybe if I transform, it'll become lighter."

Just as he was about to transform, both the sheath and Kogitsunemaru got the hell out of dodge, leaving behind a flabbergasted Naruto.

"… What the damn hell, man?!" Patronus cried exasperatedly with his arms stretched out at the sword. "Unbelievable." He groaned loudly while pinching the nose of his bridge tightly to vent his frustration. "I need to talk to Inari about this." Heavy stomps shook the ground as they rapidly approached him. "Man, he's even louder than Hulk and Thor."

The sky boomed thunderously as an incensed Perun shouted of his superiority to Thor.

"Geez, inferiority-complex much?" Patronus deadpanned before merging into the ground, dodging the axe that looked to cleave him in half. Perun looked around before Naruto burst out right in front of him with a cocked fist close to his waist. "Apapunch!" He threw an uppercut of the Muay Thai form.

A stunned Perun's head shot up to the sky as his knees buckled from the concentrated attack. "This is definitely an Amatsu-Kami." He gritted his teeth before kicking Patronus, but the latter caught the limb and flipped him over to be slammed into the ground again. "These Eastern buffoons rely on technique rather than brute force."

And they are physically weaker than his people, the Olympians, and Asgardians sans a few. He must be one of those few as Perun can feel the power in each of his attacks, both physically and magically.

His controlled lightning soared from the clouds and Patronus swiped his right armlet, using the Golden Fleece to reflect the bolt away from him. Perun took that moment and freed his leg while he swiped the axe diagonally to slash Patronus's chest. Naruto swayed out of the way, but he got caught by a lightning wave.

"Ha!" Perun shouted triumphantly when his opponent crashed next to the waterfall. "Feel the power of Perun, foreigner!"

No answer came from his opponent, causing the god to smirk in arrogant smugness. Then it changed when he felt the feather of something touching his left shoulder.

"Definitely on Thor's level, but you did use a sneak attack," Patronus observed casually. No marks of being hit with lightning at all. "That makes you different from him." He tapped the fuming god's head as if he did a good thing. "Thank God for the Kawarimi no Jutsu (Substitution Technique)." Naruto didn't have to look back when pieces of a nearby log fell from the hole near the waterfall.

"A parlor trick?" Perun asked lividly before Patronus heel-kicked his face.

"Ninjutsu, you oversized crossdresser," Patronus corrected in an insult as he landed on the ground. "Remember it."

Perun dug his axe and feet into the earth, creating trailing trenches to slow down himself. Patronus was already in close range, so he could not swing with full power. The Deiva lashed out with a backhand, only for Patronus to sway his body and grabbed the limb as the ninja flipped him over, a classic and flawless Jujutsu there.

"Enough!" Avoiding the axe swing, Patronus roundhouse-kicked the weapon out of Perun's hand, but he got blasted by lightning bolts in the chest. Once he stood up, the thunder god did not cease throwing elemental attacks. "Fall to my superiority!"

"No," Patronus answered simply like a child.

Never has anyone annoyed Perun than this man. He wants to skin him and be done with it. Except that could not happen when they stopped their charge upon a massive dark red pillar landed between them.

"What is this!?"

Naruto searched for the owner of the pillar until said object shrunk as instantly as it appeared out of nowhere. "Where is he?" His perimeter that comprised the Seikuken alerted him of a presence from behind. Naruto leaned forward as he kicked backwards with his heel, but hit nothing. "Where are you?" His eyes widened when the intruder's ki felt familiar to him, but more potent. "No… You got to be kidding me."

"Oh, I assure that I'm not kidding you."

"YOU!"

Both Perun's outburst and the monkey-like chuckle drew Naruto's attention as the ninja stood up fully from his back heel-kick. The stranger that intruded in their unwanted bout emitted divine power comparable to theirs. He wears a bright red armor with green pants and a tiger cloth wrapped around the waist. A headband with two lines of falcon feathers and his cross-shaped irises are blue with a black spot in the center. In his right hand is the dark red bo staff with a gold band on each end.

Despite the minor physical differences and costume change, Naruto recognized him.

"Mori?" Naruto whispered in utter surprise.

Said person in question chuckled as he sent the costumed Naruto a finger salute from his forehead, "Hello there, Mister God of Hope~"

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Uzumaki Homestead

Forested Massachusetts, United States of America

After returning home from wherever Naruto and Lara are at, the nekomata went to her most favorite person in the entire multiverse.

"Say 'mama'." The mother repeated this mantra to her daughter. "Fujimai~" Fujimai responded in kind by raspberrying her baby food at Kuroka. "Okay, you just gave mama another reason to take a shower… again."

Enter Rhea as she sat on the couch, nursing a content Hagumi. "I didn't see you shower this morning."

"You didn't see us in the bed when you and the others woke up either," Kuroka slyly responded with a brief lusty look.

Rhea deadpanned at the nekomata before noticing something different. "Um, Kuroka, you have something dried on your cheek and bosom." The bashful Kuroka used her free hand to wipe her cheek and hid it from an oblivious Fujimai playing. "Really?"

"I like morning wood," Kuroka replied as if it was the obvious thing to say. The flabbergasted Rhea gave a pointed look between her and Fujimai. "Oh, forget I said that, sweetie." Fujimai stopped playing as she looked at her mother quizzically. "Thank goodness for your baby cuteness." She blinked after hearing what she just said, "I think that was a rhyme."

Rolling her eyes, Rhea left the room to put Hagumi for her nap but not before pecking Fujimai's cheek. Kuroka chuckled as she gazed upon Fujimai before a soft solemn expression took over. "Shirone. Mother." She purred lowly at the thought of her mother and sister never meeting her daughter. "I wish you both could see her." Fujimai raised her arms, wanting to be picked up and Kuroka complied as she brought the child close to her bosom. "She has the shape of your eyes, mother. And the cute naivety of yours, Shirone."

Her thoughts shifted to Fujimai's future. Since she is the offspring of a god and a nekomata-turned-devil, does her potential dwarf theirs? That is how it goes: the next generation always surpasses the current.

"You know what?" Kuroka shook her head, "Don't think about it; just enjoy these moments." She smiled fondly before kissing the sleepy Fujimai's head and walking to her room. "Sleep well." The nekomata said after placing her treasure in the crib. As she walked down the stairs, Kuroka was startled by an unknown presence and raised her right hand as her magic circle materialized in front of it. "You…"

"Hello, nekomata. It has been a while."

The leader of the Masters of the Mystic Arts. Here. In their home… their unseen, undetectable home where kids are present.

"How the hell are you here?" Kuroka asked almost hostile, her cat ears and split tail frizzled.

The Ancient One had a casual smile on her face, "I've been on this Earth for many years." She walked from the staircase to the living room with Kuroka behind her, arm and magic circle still raised. "You tend to learn a lot about the world; its flaws and developments; people working in the shadows…" She faced Kuroka knowingly, "…and giving them the means to hide from the world."

"Oh shit…"

"Judging the look on your face, I think you know," the Ancient One replied. "I'm the one who casted the Fidelius Charm on this location."

"…"

"To answer your earlier question, I'm here for you."

Snorting indignantly, Kuroka summoned more magic circles as they appeared around the Ancient One. "And what makes you think I'll go with you?" Why can't she shake this feeling of unease?

"I don't," The magician replied back. "But your potential for the mystic arts are tremendous. I must admit that." She glanced at the purple flames close to her person, completely unfazed by them. "Yojutsu, the yokai's form of spellcraft."

"Okay, you admitted it, but I can't simply let you leave my house now."

"If you fear for the safety of your family, I can assure you that I have no intention to put them in any danger after my departure."

"That doesn't make me feel less anxious."

"I know." The Ancient One's finger circled in the air as a small Eldtrich portal appeared in front of the startled Kuroka. "Give this to your husband; a gift and a sign of trust."

Catching the object, Kuroka glanced at it. A mistake as the Ancient One left in another, but bigger portal. "Shit." She cursed before dispelling her technique. "A scroll?"

A very old looking scroll with dried-up but surprisingly present kanji.

"Kuroka, is everything all right?" Rhea asked after coming back down from the room. She saw the tense expression and instantly went to her side, seeing the object in Kuroka's hand. "What is that?"

"Hubby. Hubby needs to see this."

Kuroka then proceeded to tell Rhea about their unwanted visitor. By the time she was done, the entire Homestead shook as if a earthquake.

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Geothermal Valley

Kitezh, Siberia

They thought it was over. For centuries, their people had guarded this land from outsiders and paid the price in blood or memory. Then the Remnants had to contend with the apparent real Baba Yaga and her Undead. If that was not bad enough, their land is at risk of being discovered by the Russian government squad known as the Winter Guard.

And one of their members is supposedly Perun from the Slavic pantheon akin to Thor of Asgard.

Which is why they were stunned upon hearing their ally Patronus went to confront all three forces by himself. Then the earthquakes and strong winds from the direction where the Wicked Vale is located. Some within the Remnant population thought that this is what the outsiders must feel with heroes and villains.

The able-bodied defenders were put on alert when the earthquakes and winds ceased. Their tensions were alleviated when a somewhat tattered Patronus flew back to them, landing after entering through the barrier. Said barrier does not disintegrate any that the designated collective—the Remnants—do not see as an enemy.

As he landed, Naruto got ambushed by grateful Remnants as he disappeared into the mass, "Please give me some room!" He exclaimed exasperatedly after his head popped out animatedly.

"You heard him, everyone; give the man room." A relieved Sofia said as she and Lara approached the gathering after they had climbed down from their vantage point. "Are they gone?" Patronus nodded. "Did you—" This time, he shook his head. "Why?"

"Don't worry, Sofia, I erased their memories and sent them out of here before they woke up," Patronus said to ease their anxiety. "Your home is safe."

"And Baba Yaga?" asked Nadia, her grandmother standing behind the girl. Just hearing the name made her people shudder in fear.

"She won't be bothering you again." Patronus affirmed confidently with a nod.

Nadia cheered with her arms, joined by the rest of the Remnants, "Party tonight!" The people gently scattered to prepare meals to celebrate their home's defense and secrecy. Sofia nodded at Patronus and left to join them, leaving behind a relieved Lara as she approached Naruto.

"I'm glad you're okay," Lara told him before placing a gentle hand on his cheek.

Naruto grabbed her hand and rubbed it softly, "And I you." He couldn't help but sigh heavily.

"What is it?"

"…We're in trouble."

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Beneath Honshu

Japan

Izanagi. Izanami. The creator gods of Japan's islands, the second-generation gods, and supposedly the first inhabitants. Their story is known and familiarized among the Japanese and global population. What they and the gods themselves do not know is an area where souls sometimes get lost on their way to Yomi. A purgatory of sorts. It is said to be inescapable even for a god.

But a yokai? Completely different story. And it is why he has taken refuge in this place. How none of the god's agents—messengers—had been unable to find him and his reluctant acquaintances and the necessary keys to their release. Only one whose remains are in the earthly realm while both of them were taken here to hide from the gods and the nigitama.

Stepping through the dark purple and black portal was the stranger. He did not pay any mind of the dead trees or the ominous red sky. Any being, whether they a god, human, or yokai, would tremble before this power. And yet he was defeated by a mortal many centuries ago and lost his life.

Well, not all of it as he sent a small portion of his power and cast far away amidst the chaos. Its main mission was to revive itself and the others to wreak havoc on the mortal realm once more. Originally its main body would be enough, but humans developed strange but powerful abilities and even gods are walking among the mortal realm.

To wreak chaos across Japan, his originator will need the other two as their power is comparable to him.

After all, they are his kin in spirit and infamy.

"The body has been delivered to her with the shards."

Stopping in front of his chosen destination, the avatar stared at its originator encased in the prison. A huge crystal that shined like obsidian and riddled with vein-like cracks. Its power pulsed as the crystal was colored dark purplish-black, the same as the portal used by the avatar.

"Yes, I have retrieved the other—" He stopped when the bag next to his feet mumbled angrily from inside, leading a kick and ceasing the outburst. "—and he is eternally grateful for his release." The avatar said pointedly at the bag. "The gods suspect nothing, but the mortal heroes are picking up at the missing cases faster than we thought."

The crystal-like cocoon pulsed three times as its reponse.

"You still want to wait?"

Another pulse followed by three rapid ones.

"I do not like it, bit you are the one with the plan." The stranger turned around to leave. "Though there is one aspect of the plan I like…" He stopped before his portal and glanced at the cocoon, "is that future generations will remember this day forever."

The cocoon pulsated again, this time a pattern reminiscent to an evil chuckle as his avatar left the realm of his imprisonment.

END OF CHAPTER