As always, thanks for reading everyone and for the continued support. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Naruto/Percy Jackson Crossover

Dining With Divinity

Part XVl

"Well, this is uncomfortable," Melinoe muttered beneath her breath, staring at the forms of her father and her grandfather as they steadily picked themselves up. At first, the surprise of what just happened was all over their faces. One moment they were in each other's faces, a fight potentially about to break out between the two brothers. Before they knew it, a flash of gold took over their sense of vision and felt a hand push them away with such force that neither had time to prepare for it. The pair remained with their eyes locked on Naruto, even after he threatened to beat them to a pulp if they made Hestia cry, 'Not many would dare say those words to either of them, let alone both.'

He must have had balls made of celestial bronze.

Flashes of rage would dance across the features of the God of the Underworld, and God of the Sky. To Naruto's credit, he didn't back down, nor did he hideaway. He stood there, unflinching in front of Hestia. It was almost as if he was protecting her from what might, or could happen.

"You would dare." Both Gods asked, though glared at one another for copying the other.

"Yes, I would," Naruto replied, not backing down from the pair as the sky outside darkened, and the shadows in the room thickened, "If you two want to fight, do it somewhere else. You don't come here and start tearing everything down. Not to mention, I won't let you upset Hestia. Not on my watch."

Beside him, Hestia let out a sigh and left her chair to stand beside Naruto, who placed a hand on her shoulder. The Goddess of Ghosts couldn't help but notice the irked looks on Hades and Zeus's face from the action. It was certainly surprising to see Hestia allow another man to touch her in such form.

"Are you two done?" Everyone notice the steel in Hestia's voice, and Melinoe could already tell by the rise in temperature in the room that her divine power was leaking out more than usual. The older goddesses eyes lit up into two tiny fireballs, glancing too between her younger siblings as if they'd stolen cookies from a jar that said do not touch, "The pair of you can't make anything simple, can you? Today is not about fighting, nor airing out your dirty laundry with each other!"

Both Gods straightened their jackets, with Zeus fixing his tie and Hades his collar before walking back towards them. Both brothers had their eyes focused on Naruto, who merely glanced back at them in calm. The blonde felt annoyed, though didn't try to convey it too much. He was telling the truth though when he promised to make them sorry if they made Hestia cry. He could tolerate a lot of things, but seeing his dear and cherished friend upset because her idiot brothers were having a hissy fit with each other was not one of them. If they wanted to start a fight, Naruto promised to be the one that finished it.

They were lucky all he did was knock them to the other side of the room. Maybe what it took was sending them on a one way trip to opposite ends of the city. Now, there was an idea.

"You need to explain yourself, Hestia," Zeus told her. His voice was quiet, but the seriousness of his words was evident for all to hear, "Who is this man? Better yet, why is he here with my daughter? Of whom I still want to understand why she is in New York in the first place." Electricity crackled around Zeus's hands. Watching quietly, Melinoe gulped at the action, wishing to be anywhere else but here, "Or perhaps I should ask, What is he? No mortal should have the power to do what he just did."

The Goddess took a deep breath, "Everything will be made clear," Hestia replied, "But first you must promise me that there will be no more outbursts or fighting. I did not bring you here to start a fight." She turned to Hades, who'd remained silent throughout the exchange, "I want the same from you, Hades."

A tsk sound came out from the God, of which Hestia heard, "Excuse me? Do you have something you wish to say to me, Hades?" In a rare act of defiance, Hestia marched up to Hades and looked up at him, caring little for the height difference. Hades, despite his infamy, had the decency to look worried.

Hades glance down at her, then to Naruto, then to Zeus, before resting back on Hestia, "No, I have nothing else to say. I will behave." His expression morphed back into a mask of composure, internally scolding himself for letting Zeus's words get to him, 'Don't act so rash, you fool.'

"Thank you, brother." Hestia said to him, before turning back to their younger brother, "Zeus?"

"For the love I have for you, sister, I will agree. But I want answers." His steely gaze said it all. His love for Hestia was pushing his pride and anger away, though for how long, anyone could guess. All it would take was a flick of a wrist, and everything nearby would become a warzone.

"And you'll get them. That I can promise you." She looked back over to Naruto, "Could you finish the drinks and snacks, Naruto?"

The blonde nodded, "Of course. I'll be back in a few minutes." He gave one last look to the pair of Gods watching him, before slipping back to the kitchen, mumbling something beneath his breath.

"Just so you both know, if you try anything like this again, I'm willing to take extreme measures to bring you both to heel." She showed off a bracelet sitting comfortably on her wrist, with a jewel sitting in the middle. To the horror of both Zeus and Hades, they watched the jewel glow purple, "I will call her if necessary."

In an instant, both Zeus and Hades appeared to settle down at the threat, though threw one last glare their away. Afterwards, the two returned to their seats in silence, trying to look anywhere but at each other.

Feeling the situation had been diffused, for the time being, Hestia sighed and returned to her seat, 'Okay, Hestia. Next time, start with that threat.' If she followed through with it, she was sure neither God would dare pipe up. Being the eldest of six siblings could be such a pain sometimes. Maybe she needed a vacation? 'Some isolated beach somewhere would be nice. And some of those drinks with the little umbrella's.'

They sat in silence for the better part of five minutes, which felt like the longest and most awkward five minutes of Melinoe's life, 'I wonder if Cerberus would jump out of a hole in the ground, swallow me, and then take me back down with him. Anything's better than the tension around this table.' How did Hestia stand it? Then again, Hestia had to place peacekeeper every time members of their family came into conflict. Looking at her from the corner of her eye, the goddess remained composed. A smile rested on her face, though she noted how her eyes were still resembling two fireballs.

Zeus and Hades.

Zeus and Hera

Artemis and Aphrodite

Ares and Hephaestus

Hades and Demeter

They were the most dysfunctional family in the world, and that named a few of the quarrels. People wondered why she kept to herself in the Underworld. Anything was better than being stuck in this mess, 'I'm starting to think I should have left all this alone.'

What felt like the longest five minutes in the world, all four deities heard the door swing open and watched as the blonde owner appeared with a tray in hand. Naruto could sense the tension in the room, but pushed it aside and wore his usual smile appearing next to Hestia, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Tia. One peppermint tea."

"Thank you, Naruto."

Next came Melinoe, "If I remember rightly, it was a coffee with two sugars and cream." He lowered the drink down on the table, with Melinoe quickly cupping it between her hands. She gave him a small nod.

"That's right. Thank you." She said quietly. She watched him move to her father next, and inwardly applauded him for appearing so calm.

"And for Mr Underhill," Naruto said, staring at Hades and hearing the annoyance laced in his hum as he used his alias name. Hestia appeared amused, though Zeus let out a snort, which drew the ire of Hades, who sent him a quick glare, "One amaretto coffee."

"Thank you." Two words were all Hades said, before falling back into silence.

"Finally, for Mr King himself, Zeus," Two pairs of blue eyes looked at one another, "Hestia informed me before today was you liked to drink, so I hope this is too your taste." He lowered the final mug onto the table, and a strong scent of spiced pumpkin went across his sense of smell. The King of Olympus couldn't deny it smelled good. Despite his inner pride feeling wounded from the man's earlier shot on him, he pushed it down as deep as he could as he remembered his promise to Hestia.

Like Hades, he gave a quick thanks before taking the mug into one hand and bringing it up to his lips. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he couldn't deny the second the drink touched his lips, his eyes marginally widened. It was good. Very good. Some cafes tended to make the pumpkin spice too weak, or too strong. Here, it was a perfect balance. He didn't feel the need to scrunch up his face.

'I'll give that to him. He knows how to make a good drink.'

"It's a good thing I made a lot of these now that there's more of us than thought," Naruto told everyone and lowered a large plate of baked delicacies into the middle of the table. Everyone, including Zeus and Hades, leaned over to get a good look. Zeus, in particular, zeroed in on the lemon slices that sat to one sat. Next to them, were slices of angel cake and rolls of battenburg. Each one looked as good as the last.

'It's almost like someone told him how much I enjoy lemon slices.' He thought and looked at his smiling sister from the corner of his eye. Hestia always did know how to butter him up, and keep him happy.

Some movement came from the side and noticed Naruto pulling over a chair and took the spot next to Hestia. A frown wove its way onto his face, as well as Hades. Neither appeared to like the idea of another male sitting so close to their elder sister.

"So, you guys have questions," Naruto replied calmly, looking at everyone sitting around the table, "I'll fill in as many blanks as I can."

It took no longer than a second before Hades managed to beat his brother and daughter to the punch, "How are you alive? You're kind were wiped out years ago during the Great shift? No one could have survived." To the point and blunt. Hades wasn't leaving any room for backtracking. Though irritated he didn't get the first question, Zeus remained silent, wishing for an answer too, while stuffing his face with a lemon cake.

'Hmm, that's good.'

"Yeah, I figured that might be your first question," Naruto replied, scratching the back of his head, and chuckling, "Honestly, I'm not sure myself how I survived it, though I suspect Gaea likely played a part in that too."

The hairs on the arms of the deities stood on end at hearing the Earth Mothers names. Even Hestia, who knew the story, never got over the feeling.

"Gaea?" Zeus stopped himself from grabbing another lemon slice, "What does our Grandmother have to do with you?"

The blonde shinobi stared back at Zeus, a seriousness in his eyes that stood firmer than the ones he showed earlier.

"She has everything to do with me." He reached over to the table next to them and grabbed a knife from the top. Everyone watched as he slowly dragged the edge across his palm, showing no pain at the metal tore the skin apart. Afterwards, he placed it back on the table and held his palm up for everyone to see. What they saw wasn't blood, but instead, the golden ichor of the gods.

Immortality.

Naruto Uzumaki was immortal.

"You're immortal," Zeus stated as a fact, rather than a question, "Are you telling us Gaia made you immortal?"

"I am."

Zeus's nostrils flared. Immortality was a precious privilege. It was a power all Olympians had but rarely used. To make someone who was immortal, the god had to willingly part with a small piece of their divine power, hence why it was a rarity on Olympus. Indeed, the last person made immortal by the gods was millennia ago. It simply wasn't something that happened any more. Zeus was King, and Gaea had no right to create another. Her actions had enough consequences on Olympus. They didn't need to add one more to the mix.

"Why? Why would she give you that gift?"

To his, Hades, and Meilonoe's surprise, the blonde scoffed and leaned back in his chair, "It's not a gift, it's a curse. I didn't choose for eternal life. She gave it to me forcefully." His voice was bitter, "She doesn't care for what others want. Only her own ideals and desires."

"You still haven't told us what you are," Zeus asked, digging further into the mystery that was presenting itself. He got an answer, though it wasn't from Naruto.

"He's a Golden Man, Lord Grandfather," Melinoe said quietly, drawing the attention of everyone else. Zeus's eyebrows shot straight up, looking back and forth between his granddaughter and Naruto, "A shinobi of the old era that pre-dates the Olympians and Olympus. The ones that were given life by Mother Earth." She didn't want to say the Primordials name. Names had power, and she didn't want to draw any attention to herself.

An array of emotions wept over Zeus's face, though his eyes went wide as he looked at Naruto. Of course, he was aware of the Golden Generation, but to think that one was still alive after so many millennia was unthinkable. He tried to put words together, but nothing was coming out of his mouth. His mind was rampant with thoughts, some negative, and fewer positive.

"You shouldn't exist," Zeus told Naruto point-blank, "The time of the Golden Men died before the end of the Titan War, and you should have gone down with it."

"And I agree with that statement, and yet Gaea chose to lump me with immortality whether I wanted it or not," Naruto replied. He felt a hand fall onto his wrist and gave Hestia a smile at her attempt to comfort him.

"You said Gaea gave you immortality by force, and it's something you didn't want," Melinoe asked, seemingly growing in confidence as the talk around the table became less about Zeus and Hades fighting, and more about the mysterious blonde. "Can you tell us how your circumstances came to be?"

The blonde shinobi turned to look at Hestia, who merely smiled at him back and rubbed her thumb against his skin. It was her way of telling him she was here for him, and he was grateful she was.

He sighed, "To understand my circumstances, you have to go back years before the Great Shift happened." He told them, pushing his memory as far back as he could, "Back to when the Titans ruled. Unlike the people of today, my people wielded a power called chakra. A combination of physical energy and spiritual, that when blended, could allow us to perform feats that few could imagine." To prove his point, he put his two hands together, and everyone watched as bluish energy encompassed his body in a flicker of light. "Instead of being warriors, we were known as Shinobi or ninja. Different than the ones today in the east, though not without similarities. Throughout a large portion of our time walking the earth, the clans of different families warred against each other for land, power, wealth. The usual cliche thing, until eventually, they came together and started forming villages. When this happened, the Titans took notice."

Zeus and Hades, and even Hestia straightened in their seats.

"How so?"

"Understand, I wasn't born yet, so everything I know was handed down to me later in life." Naruto explained, "But through history, the Titans kept an eye on us. When my village, Konohagakure, or the Village Hidden in the Leaves came to fruition, Kronos sent his two strongest warriors to investigate, and put a stop to it."

"Hyperion and Atlas," Zeus growled out the names of the two Titans. The two Titans had been a thorn in the Olympians side throughout the war between the two factions. Atlas, the Titan of Endurance and Strength, developed a rivalry of sorts with him. He always sought out the youngest son of Kronos when entering the battlefield, and the pair had some mighty battles throughout it. Hyperion was equally as formidable, and the closest in sadistic tendencies to the Olympians father.

"Yeah, those two." Naruto scratched the back of his head, moving his neck from side to side feeling some kinks building up, "What I do know, is they were defeated and sent running by the founders of the Leaf Village, who stopped there advancement. Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha."

The names meant little to Zeus and Hades. However, they took note that two men of the Golden Age were able to defeat a pair of all-powerful Titans like Hyperion and Atlas. On a good day, they would hard-pressed the likes of themselves and their brother and sisters. They could likely take down some of the younger Olympians, and the rest of the minor gods apart of their pantheon. Atlas was second only to Kronos, with Hyperion not far behind.

"How can mortals have power equivalent to the likes of Titans? The very idea of it is unthinkable." Zeus said aloud. It didn't seem possible in his mind. Mortals could grow, but surely they couldn't get to that height of power.

"Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju were recognised as two of the strongest to exist. Their lineage makes their chakra and bodies stronger. That whole business is another story in itself, so I'll leave that for another time." Naruto told them, before continuing. The stuff with Kaguya and the Sage could wait for another day, "Either way, afterwards Hashirama recognised the threat these entities could possess, and thus made sure that every Hokage that came after him knew of their existence. He didn't want the rest of the world to know, to avoid a panic."

Hestia nodded in agreement, "Smart. I don't think any mortal would want to know that a group of all-powerful immortals are out there, and could try and destroy their homes in a moment notice." It was why the pantheons of the world, including Olympus, didn't come out to humanity. The minds of most mortals wouldn't be able to handle such information, and panic would spread through the world. It would cause more harm than good.

"Then what?" Melinoe asked, urging him to continue. Hades remained silent, listening intently to Naruto's words.

"Life continued after the encounter. Villages across the Elemental Nations, the name we gave the supercontinent, came to be. Konoha was built in the Land of Fire and became known as the strongest of the five major villages. The leader of the Leaf was known as the Hokage. In this case, that was Hashirama Senju. For decades, we were in and out of a war with each village vying for supremacy over the other. By the time of the Fourth Shinobi War, the Five Major Hidden Villages finally put aside their differences to fight a common enemy. Afterwards, we all decided it was time to let old grudges lie." He smiled, thinking back days the Five Kages got together to keep the peace, "Many years after the war ended, it was my time to lead the Leaf Village."

Hades leaned forward, finally speaking after remaining silent since the start, "You were one of these...Hokage?"

Naruto grinned, and patted his chest, "I sure was. I was known as the Seventh Hokage. My teacher, Kakashi-sensei, was the Sixth Hokage, and my Dad was the Fourth." He laughed and rubbed the back of his head, "I guess you could say I was bound to get it eventually."

"That's all well and good," Everyone heard, and turned to look at Zeus, who had his arms crossed over his chest, "But you have yet to explain where the Earth Mother comes into all this."

"I know, I'm getting there," The blond reasoned, putting his hands up.

"Patience is a virtue, brother. There is no need to rush." Hestia added, giving her brother a knowing look, "I think he's getting to the main part of the story." She already knew the story, having learned it all from him millennia ago, but had been some time since she heard it from the shinobi's mouth. Grabbing a lemon slice, and breaking off a piece to put in her mouth, she motioned for Naruto to continue. Her brother could only grunt but remained silent as Naruto continued.

"It was during my fifth year as Hokage when it happened. I remember meeting her to this day." The image of a dark-haired woman appeared in his mind, "I was training when I first saw her. I was there for about an hour when the next thing I know, I hear a woman crying. There shouldn't have been anyone else on the training field, and I would have sensed someone approaching. She just appeared. I walk a little ways off into the tree's a small ways away from the field, and there I find a woman in dark robes sitting under a large tree. She's crouched down with her knee's tucked against her chest, with her hands covering her face. I've never seen her before in my life."

Reaching over the table, Naruto picked up a slice of angel cake, breaking a piece off and threw it in his mouth.

"So, I go over talk to her, and we start talking. It takes a few minutes cause she's in such a state, but eventually she opens up and tells me she's having problems with her family. They're fighting with each other, and she doesn't know what to do." He looked over at Zeus, and then to Hades, "I should point out, I have no idea who she is, or what she is. She hid her energy to appear like a mortal."

"Immortals such as ourselves are known to do that when we traverse through the mortal world." Hades said, with the other deities each nodding in agreement, "Though we typically keep a sliver of our power active in the chance something happens. Mortals around us would begin to be affected by the aura our power gives off."

"Though Gaea is different in that retrospect." Zeus added, "She is a Primordial entity. Her power is next to impossible to read. It's like a sea with no bottom. Her literal body is the very ground we walk on. She's always connected to it. If she chooses to walk the amongst mortals, she can switch the connection off like a light switch in a mortal home, and vice versa. She can hide even from us."

"Then what happened?" Melinoe asked. Pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into place.

"I gave her an ear, and we talked. We spoke for hours underneath that tree. I help her how best I can, and we begin to trading information and stories. I assumed she was from the Leaf Village. A civilian. I can't sense any hint of negative feelings coming from her." He looked back at everyone, "That's something I can do. I can sense the negative feelings coming off someone."

"Useful."

"Very useful. Afterwards, we went our separate ways, and I didn't think much of it. As far as I saw it, I helped someone out." He explained, picturing the memory in his mind, "A week later, she reappears. This time, waiting for me at the edge of the training field. This continues for two months."

"Two months?"

"Yeah." The blonde nodded, "Every time, we talk about all kinds of things. Our families, our goals in life. Konoha. We don't leave any stone unturned. In a way, I think we became friends. At least, that's what I believed." His fist clenched against the table, throwing another piece of angel cake in his mouth, "I tell my wife, Hinata about her, and she thinks she must feel lonely with all the chaos going on. I tell her all about our conversations when I come home. She tells me I should invite her over for dinner one evening. Let her be around a loving family." The novelty of his words wasn't lost on anyone. "The next time I saw her, that when everything changed."

Everyone around the table straightened their backs, paying attention very closely.

"It started like any other day. The sun was out without a cloud in the sky. There was a gentle breeze grazing against your skin. You couldn't have asked for a better day." He remembered that day like the back of his hand. It didn't matter how quickly the years past. That day would forever remain fresh in his memory, "I made my way to my usual training field, knowing I likely wouldn't get anything done. As expected, there she was. The same dark robe with her dark-hair running down her back. This time, though, something was different with her eyes. She looked determined. Almost stone-faced. I asked her if everything was okay, and that's when it happened. She spilt the beans on who she was. On everything."

He took a long drawn out-breath, "I'd never been in the presence of a goddess before. At least, not a real one anyway." His foot tapped beneath the table against the floor, "Gaea, she told me her name was, and that she was the Mother to all. The creator of humanity. The mother to the Titans. The first true god. She explained the family drama was her children were in a war with their children, her grandchildren, and that they were trying to take over and lay claim to the world."

"The Titanomachy." The children of the Titan King looked at one another with Hades speaking up, "This means Gaea was truly awake during it all. I always thought she was in a state of slumber during our war with the Titans. When the Shift happened, I believed it was her creating a new landscape for a new era. A clean slate."

Hestia nodded, "That's what we all believed. Sadly, that was not the case."

Naruto shook his head, "It wasn't."

"What did she want from you?" Zeus asked, his blue eyes staring intently into Naruto, "Why would the Earth Mother go to all that trouble?" The God of the Sky has remained quiet for the most part as he listened to the story. Questions formed in his mind.

"She wanted me to enter the war under the banner of children, and fight off the invaders that sought to take their home from them." Three sets of eyes widened at the declaration, while Hestia merely nodded sadly to his side, "She wanted me to come to fight for the Titans and help destroy the Olympian Gods."

The hairs on the blonde's arms stood on end, a feeling of static in the air as he looked over at Zeus. The King of Olympus didn't appear to like that piece of information.

"And you said no, right?" Melinoe questioned. A piece of lemon cake dangled from the side of her mouth.

The blonde gave a half-smile, "Well, I'll put it this way. You guys won, didn't you? And the Titans are the ones locked away."

This time, Hades asked the question, "Then why did you say no?"

"Why would I bring my people, who have fought four wars up to that point, into a war they have no place in?" Naruto reasoned. The Fourth Shinobi War had been terrible, but it was the event that ultimately led to the Five Great Villages uniting as one and putting aside their differences. Dragging the shinobi world into another war, this time against literal Gods and monsters would have spelt the death of thousands, if not more. The cycle of peace they'd create would be in tatters, and it would fall to him as the one who destroyed it, "So I told her no, and inadvertently sealed the fate of my people."

There was a heavy air around the table, and the blonde felt Hestia's knee beneath the table gently nudge against his own. She knew they were getting to the climax of the story, and wanted her friend to know she was still there with him. The gesture wasn't lost on Naruto and smiled his thanks.

"That's when Gaea showed me who she really was. It was like she'd worn a mask, and my answer caused her to throw that mask away and show her true colours and intent. Turns outs," He looked at Hades and Zeus, "Mother Earth doesn't enjoy being told no."

Zeus snorted, "I could have told you that."

"Where do you think ole Thunder Breath over there gets it from," Hades added, earning a growl and a glare from his younger sibling.

"Boys, you've been doing so well." Hestia sighed, massaging her forehead, "Please don't ruin it."

Hade let out a low hum, but apologised, "Sorry, Hestia." He looked back at Zeus and found the God of the Sky gently itching the side of his eye, his middle finger clearly on display. The elder narrowed his eyes back but didn't react.

"After that, it felt like a cold chill ran up my spine, and the ground beneath me began to shift." Naruto could picture himself on that training field, the Earth Mother standing just feet from him, "I remember this look on her face. It was this mixture of anger, sadness, and resolve. She started shouting at me how ungrateful we were, and that my rejection of her plea cemented that it was a mistake to create us all those years ago. If we wouldn't help the one that made us, then we would be shown how easy it would be to wipe the world clean."

"The Great Shift?" The four deities all said.

"The Great Shift." He confirmed. It was like the whole world was getting turned upside down. As if we were in a snowglobe being shaken around from side to side. I told her to stop what she was doing, and put my hands on her shoulders, only to watch as her body crumbled into dirt and leaves. The screaming came next. Buildings across Konoha started to give way as the tremors got stronger." The blonde's expression turned pained, "I could feel my wife and my children in our home. I could feel their fear."

No one around the table said anything, letting Naruto come to the end of his story.

"The next thing I knew, I felt weightless. The ground beneath me swallowed me up, and all I remember is falling to infinite darkness. I used every drop of power I had to push myself back to the surface, but everything time I thought I saw a needle of light above me, I felt myself being crushed beneath the endless weight of her body, pushing me back down further. I'm not sure how long I was crawling through dirt, but it felt like days. Maybe weeks." He could still feel the walls of dirt and soil pushing against him on all sides, "I begged to die, and I guess Gaea heard me and had different plans for me. Instead, I felt a surge of power like nothing I'd ever felt cacoon around me. Before I knew what was happening, my body got pushed out of the earth, as if reborn from the dirt."

Naruto released a sigh, "I saw the devastation with my own two eyes. In the no time at all my people were gone. My Wife. My Friends. The people I swore to protect. All gone without a trace. I am the last of my kind, and I've wandered the world for millennia. Seen all the ages and come out the other side all the same." He put his hands together, "That's my story. Along the way, I met Hestia." He gently nudged his friend with his elbow, making the dark-haired goddess smile.

"That's a lot of information to take in." Both Zeus and Hades massaged their foreheads. Melinoe, to her credit, took it in her stride, munching away on the final lemon slice. She'd managed to grab it before the God of the Sky could lay claim to it. She was going to need a refill of her drink too.

Luckily for her, she wasn't the only one, and Naruto was quick to notice, "Looks like you guys are out of drinks. Do you all want a refill while you digest everything I told you? I need to check on Thalia too."

Hades and Hestia both nodded their thanks, though Zeus frowned as he watched his cup taken away, "We still need to discuss my daughter after this."

"Of course."

The moment Naruto disappeared, the four gods began to discuss, quickly being led by Zeus.

"I don't like it."

Hades snorted, "There's a shocker." The God of the Underworld would be more surprised if Zeus winked at the blonde and gave him a thumbs up. However, he couldn't deny he was a little unsettled at everything they just learned, "Though, I can't say I'm happy about it too. If he's been alive for as long as he's telling us, why didn't he reveal himself to sooner?"

"That's what I'm saying!" For once, the pair were in agreement with each other. Naruto's presence was unsettling at best. He was strong. Not just anyone could separate them the way he did by forcing them away from one another. Many of the other Olympians would dare get between them, other than Poseidon, or possibly Hera. Zeus's electric blue eyes stared over at his sister, "You two appear friendly with each other. You've known one another for a long time?"

Hestia nodded, "A very long time. We met ten years after the Titanomachy ended, and we've been friends ever since. Outside of our family, my strongest relationship is with Naruto."

"And the two of you are just friends?"

Hestia's eyes narrowed, "What are you insinuating?" Her eyes lit up like fireballs once more. She didn't like what Zeus was trying to imply.

Gulping at Hestia's obvious annoyance from the question, Zeus steeled his nerves, "It's as I said. Your friendship has never evolved past that of friends?" The fire in Hestia's eyes grew brighter, "Don't get angry! It's a fair question!"

"My relationship with Naruto is that of friendship. Do I love him? Yes, I do, but it's strictly platonic, and vice-versa. Naruto knows of my vow to never take a husband. To never sire children, and has always been respectful of that decision." She gave her brothers a pointed look, "I don't need the two of you telling me who I can and can't spend my time with."

Both nodded.

"Are we clear?"

"Crystal, sister."

"You vouch for him then? You can vouch that he does not intend to harm Olympus."

She rolled her eyes, before voicing to Zeus, "If he wanted to harm Olympus, he would have done it millennia ago." The idea that the blonde would wage war with the Olympians was laughable. He didn't care about such things, and he didn't hold the pride, or pettiness to do so. He disliked war in all forms, "He stayed under the radar because he wanted too. Not all of us like being the centre of attention."

The King of Olympus grunted but conceded her to her point.

"Besides, look how many of our family have visited this place, and spoken so highly of him. Apollo, Hermes, Aphrodite, Persephone," She gestured to Hades, "Our brother, Hebe, Triton, and we can't forget Athena and Artemis." It all started with her two nieces, "Even Hera mentioned she wanted to visit at some point."

Melinoe, once again remaining silent felt the need to add, "His family in Elysium also speak of him in the highest regard. Maybe a little biased, but it's worth noting."

"Y-You saw my family?"

Melinoe nearly jumped out of her seat at Naruto's voice. Turning around, she looked up at the blonde only to find the most vulnerable expression she'd seen on the man. Hope and the need to now more shone in his eyes. She nodded her head.

"I did."

"W-Who? Who did you see?"

Melinoe recounted who she met, "Your wife, Hinata, and your two children." The blonde looked ready to crumble then and there, threatening to drop the tray balanced in his hands, "Your parents were there too. Your sensei and Godfather, along with the giant chested Hokage woman with blonde hair. "

A heartfelt chuckle escaped his mouth, "G-Grandma Tsunade."

"Big-chested woman?" Zeus and Hades asked simultaneously.

The Goddess of Ghosts nodded, and made a motion across her chest, "Bigger then Lady Demeter." Both Gods looked surprised, given their sister was known to have the largest bust on Olympus, and enjoyed reminding people of that fact, "Giant Bazzoka's, I'm telling you."

Zeus and Hades looked intrigued and turned to Naruto for confirmation, who merely shrugged back, "Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen someone bigger in this day and age. Naturally, anyway." The bust of the Fifth Hokage was typically a topic forced on him by Jiraiya, who familiarised himself with every part of Tsunade's body, despite never having been with said woman.

"You don't say," Zeus replied, suddenly having the urge to make a trip down to the Underworld. Even Hades, who loved Persephone more than anything, couldn't help but wonder if Melinoe's words were true. A cough brought them out of their thoughts, finding Hestia giving both of them an irritated expression, and tapping one of her index fingers on the table.

"I'm sure Hera and Persephone would be pleased to know the two of you have taken a vested interested in another woman's breasts."

The pair had the good decency to shake their heads, "That won't be necessary, sister." Hades said back.

"What Hera doesn't know won't hurt her."

"Hmm." She didn't appear convinced but would let the matter slide for now. Turning back to Naruto, Hestia asked, "Thalia still napping?"

The blonde nodded, "Yeah, she's out like a light. Cute little snores and all." The shinobi turned to face Zeus, "I guess you'd like to know how Thalia ended up with us now, huh?"

"Yes, I would." The King insisted, "Why is she in New York? And where is her mother?"

"California, I'd imagine," Hestia replied, before the pair took it, in turn, to explain the story to Zeus, and how Thalia ended up with Naruto. To Zeus's credit, he didn't interrupt. He sat and listened to their tale, taking in the information with his daughter's face pictured in his mind.

She appeared nervous around him when he entered the Fox's Den, but then again, she was only four. Children at that age were typically shy around new people, and Thalia was no exception. The last time he'd seen Thalia was little more than a year ago. Despite what the other gods said about him he did care for his children and their mortal mothers and tried to watch out for them whenever necessary and possible. Namely to ensure Hera didn't try anything once she learned of their existence. Though justified in her anger, she could be capriciously cruel to his demigod children and their mortal parent. If she wanted to aim her hate at someone, he'd prefer she took it out on him. His child was innocent when it came to the mechanics of their creation.

As he listened, he was unaware of his right hand holding his mug with a clenched fist. His knuckles steadily turned bone-white as his annoyance grew.

'Damn it, Beryl. What were you thinking!'

"When she walked out, I contacted Hestia, and we came up with the plan to inform you of what happened the day after your renewed vow to your wife," Naruto told him, with his hands were clasped together on the table, "Hestia told me it was the best option given the good mood you'd be in."

Zeus groaned and gave his sister a look. Hestia merely smiled back.

"Though things didn't go to plan." Everyone looked at Hades and Melinoe.

"Oh, sorry for spoiling your top-secret meeting." Hades feigned an apologetic tone, his expression betraying his words.

"Either way, that's everything. How I met Thalia and why she has been with me." The blonde smiled, "She's been a joy to be around. She made my home life a lot more colourful, that's for sure."

"And I've been checking on her regularly. I stop by a few times a week. I've developed a bit of a relationship with my dear niece." Hestia added.

"Stop by? You practically live at my home now. You have a room and everything." Naruto replied, and watched Hestia shrug her shoulders. The pair of brothers narrowed their eyes, though didn't say anything.

"So," Melinoe started looking across the table, "Where do we go from here? What do we do?"

Her elders all looked at one another. They weren't sure either. Even Zeus was at a bit of a loss.

"This whole situation is rather troublesome," Hades admitted, scratching the back of his head, and not noticing Naruto look away to contain a chuckle. The God of the Underworld was sporting some Nara-like tendencies, "We discovered far more then I imagined we would." He looked back over to Hestia, who met his gaze with her own, "You trust this man with your life?"

Hestia didn't hesitate when she answered, "I do."

Hades hummed to himself, half-nodding at the answer and closing his eyes. Everyone just watched him for a moment, wondering what was going through the head of God. The information churned around in his head. After a minute, he sighed and nodded again, "I guess that's enough for me to know."

"It is?" Hestia, Melinoe and Zeus all said, while Naruto looked somewhat surprised. He wasn't sure what to expect from the God of the Underworld, but he wasn't thinking Hades would make that decision so quickly.

"If Hestia trusts him, then I guess that'll be enough. For now, at least." He looked at Naruto, "Could you get us some more of those lemon slices?"

Blinking a couple of times from surprise, the blonde jumped up, "Sure!" Naruto quickly whisked away into the kitchen to get more of the baked goods.

"You would trust him like that?" The God of the Sky had a sceptical look on his face, and couldn't hide his incredulous tone. He had figured his brother would put up more of a fight. How could he be so trusting of a person with all the information they'd just learned?

Hades leaned back in his chair, "It's as I said. Our dear sister is a good judge of character. If she can put her faith in him and trust him, then I shall at least put my trust in her words." The God of the Underworld smirked, "Besides, I won't be leaving him idle to his devices. I will have someone keep an eye on him for a while, to ensure our sister's safety and his intentions are pure."

"I don't need a babysitter, brother." Hestia replied, though leaned forward, "However, what do you mean?" Coming out of the kitchen, Naruto appeared with another tray of lemons slices and angel cake, and placed it in the middle of the table.

"It's a good thing I made extra's!"

"What I mean is," Hades hand rose in the air, and came down to rest on an unsuspecting Melinoe's head, "I will have Melinoe remain in the Human World to keep an eye on him."

"Huh?"

"Huh!?"

The head of said goddess swivelled around to stare at her father, eyes wide, "I am!? What!? No!" The others, including Naruto, appeared surprised, "You can't go around offering my services like that!?"

"Yes, I can. I'm your father, and Lord."

"So what! Offer your own damn services! Not me!"

"I think it's a lovely idea. It will be nice to see more of you, Melinoe." Hestia added, appearing pleased with the idea. She rarely got to see her niece. Seeing her today was a treat.

"For the sake of keeping the peace, I don't mind," Naruto told them, putting his hands behind his head and looking up at the ceiling, "I've been thinking it could be time to hire a waitress, or two. I could focus on the things in the kitchen that way. I wouldn't have to explain why there are multiple versions of myself running around back there."

The three immortals blinked in surprise, while Hestia merely smiled at his words and drank her tea, "There are more of you back there?"

"Four more. It's a technique I use a lot. The Shadow Clone Jutsu."

"Sounds handy," Hades admitted, not appearing too bothered, "Sounds like when we split our essence."

"Can we rewind, please! Do I not get a say in this!" Melinoe shook in her chair with her hands running through her hair. She wasn't pleased in the slightest. Eventually, after another minute of hearing her name getting thrown around, the Goddess of Ghosts sunk in her hair and rested he forehead against the table, 'I've made a huge mistake.'

Smirking at his daughter as she accepted her fate, the rest of the trio looked over at Zeus, who'd remained quiet during the whole ordeal. The God of the Sky was merely toying with his coffee mug and tapping the side with his fingers.

"Any thoughts Zeus?" It was Hestia who asked. It was rare for him to be so silent.

The King of Olympus had plenty of thoughts, but he didn't know where to start. A powerful immortal that pre-dated Olympus was sat in front of him and ran a cafe under his nose. Remaining hidden for millennia until now, Zeus couldn't help but feel trepidatious. Just because Hestia knew him and vouched for him, that didn't rule out the possibility that the blonde could be a grave threat to Olympus. Anyone who had a connection to Gaea was a cause for concern. After all, look at what happened with the Titans and Typhon, and then the giants many years later. He didn't want to invite more problems to Olympus's doorstep.

However, all of the gods that visited the Fox's Den had expressed their delight, namely towards the owner. Impressing the likes of Artemis and Athena was impressive, as the pair were good at discerning when a threat was nearby. Not to mention, his relationship with Hestia.

He just wasn't sure. He wanted to blast the blonde into oblivion and be done with it all, but that wouldn't fly this time.

"Thalia," Zeus mumbled out, "She's been well under your care?"

"She has," The blonde nodded, "The first couple of days were an adjustment, but having Hestia around helped."

"You've developed a soft spot for her?" Zeus looked to his sister, who nodded and his question.

"I have. I kept an eye on her as you asked when I could spare it. Sadly, I wasn't watching when Beryl decided to leave her, but I've been there since."

This time, Zeus nodded, and for a moment, fell silent. Despite what his brethren thought of him, he did care for his half-blood children. Although their lives were fleeting compared to the lives of his godly children, he did want their lives to be somewhat happy, however possible that was. That's why the children of the gods went to stay at Camp Halfblood.

"In truth, I am unsure what to do. On one hand, your very existence could spell trouble for Olympus. An unchained anomaly with power that rivals the Gods." Zeus was upfront, though Naruto did not appear to take offence to his words. It was understandable given his position as leader of his family, "On the other hand, my daughter is in your care, and appears healthy."

Zeus rubbed his brow with his hand, briefly looking Hestia's way and felt her dark brown eyes lingering on him, "As Hades stated, Hestia, vouching for you works in your favour. If it were not that, I would blast you into oblivion."

'Somehow, I don't think that'll work,' Hestia thought but didn't voice it.

"If," Zeus started to say, and looked at everyone around the table, "If I allow this to slide, and continue to allow my daughter to remain under your care with Hestia providing a watchful eye, you can guarantee her safety?"

Naruto didn't hesitate for a moment, before responding with, "I can. A few monsters have already tried, but I sent them packing."

Zeus grunted, "Good. She will need to learn how to defend herself. If she's like my other demigods, some of her powers will start showing up sooner."

"I noticed since whenever she sneezes the electrical appliances at home go off." Zeus sighed, "I'm guessing that's a common one."

"Very common." The King of Olympus sank back in his chair, "If things are to remain as they are, it will mean the other gods of my pantheon will be unable to visit here in the future. Hestia watching over Thalia, while Melinoe keeps an eye on you will draw enough attention. Having gods constantly flocking here is unwise, and will later spell trouble in the long run. The rules I created millennia ago are for a reason."

Naruto and Hestia looked at each other and nodded, "Yeah, Hestia warned me that might be the case."

"Know this," Zeus looked Naruto square in the eye, "I might not be around, but that doesn't mean I won't be keeping a close eye on you as well. Your existence is unnerving, giving how long you've gone unchecked. Your ties to Gaea make that even more prevalent. The first sign of trouble, I'm taking Thalia and sending her to Camp Halblood." Zeus let out a low huff, earning a roll of the eyes from Hades, "I might even have Chiron stop by your home and visit from time to time."

Naruto wasn't looking to argue with the King of Olympus, and shrugged, "If that's what you want, then fine. Just know, I'll protect Thalia from whoever I deem a threat to her life and happiness." This tie, the blonde stared right back at Zeus, "And I do mean, everyone."

"Noted."

A sigh of relief escaped Hestia, happy that overall the meeting succeeded. She tried to ignore the groan and complaints coming from Melinoe, who was still unhappy with being forced into playing the role of Naruto's babysitter for x amount of time.

'Well, it started rocky, but at least everything ended on a good note,' She thought and looked back at the bracelet sitting on her wrist, 'I'm glad I didn't have to resort to the big guns. I fear Mother would have taken the opportunity to make Naruto sweat and critique his food.' The Titaness never failed in making the blonde feel on edge. Her thoughts and everyone's one's conversations were quickly halted as an iris-message started to form next to Zeus. Hestia motioned to Naruto, who was quick to disappear in the back, leaving the deities to deal with whoever was calling.

"Zeus! Zeus! What the hell is going on? Why were there thunder clouds encircling Manhatten, and why was the ground shaking!?"

'Oh, boy,' Everyone thought, as the concerned, yet annoyed visage of Hera appeared through the portal.

"Everythings fine, my love." Zeus reasoned, putting his hands in the air to show everything was fine. The Goddess of Marriage didn't appear convinced. She gave her husband a look while crossing her arms, causing the God of the Sky to point across the table towards his elder brother. Said brother rolled his eyes, mouthing the word, 'coward', as the portal spun around and faced the God of the Underworld.

Instantly, Hera's face soured.

"Oh. You're here."

"Nice to see you too. Thrown any puppies off Olympus recently?" Hades asked, staring at his younger sister with an emotionless gaze. Whether his words had any impact on Hera was debatable, as the woman had mastered the skill of keeping a neutral face. Though, she did turn her nose up at him and swish her hair to one side as the portal turned back to Zeus.

"Never mind. I think I can see what angered you, just don't take it out on the city. I wouldn't want to see Manhatten raised to the ground." She looked to Hestia, "Please, keep them both in check, sister."

"I always do," Hestia replied.

"I'll return to my previous engagement. Do try and have a good time, husband."

"I'll try."

"Oh, Hera, before you go. I have a message for you."

Once again, Hera turned to her elder brother, "What?"

Everyone watched as Hades reached into his pocket, fumbling around for a brief moment, before pulling out his hand. His fist was clenched, though his middle finger was riding high for everyone to see.

"You look fat in that dress."

Before Hera could say anything, Hades snapped his fingers and forced the portal to disappear. The last image he saw was his sister's expression turning murderous before vanishing. Looking smug with himself, he looked to Hestia, who merely shook her head.

"Very mature."

"I hate you so much," Zeus muttered, glaring at Hades. No doubt Hera would be in a foul mood when he returned to Olympus, and he was the one who would have to deal with it.

The God of the Underworld merely smirked to himself, while mentally patting himself on the shoulder. Today turned out more fulfilling then he imagined.

One more chapter, and then we'll be getting a time skip.

Thanks for reading. Stay safe everyone.