Azureking: Hello everyone as always I was hoping to bring this up, work has been tough after the vacation and I hope I can update regular still. anyway this is the next chapter and i hope you like it. Please review when you can for quicker reviews and If you want this story to continue.
CHAPTER START!
Naruto and Artemis walked on the streets of Orario as the group of her familia were also tagging along. The young black clad man seems uncomfortable at what Artemis stated earlier on the way here. She needs him to speak at the deities meeting other god's...he met a few that demanded the young man to join their familia.
The boy wasn't really looking for a place to stay permanently not until Phantom is dead and he can then rest without dragging others into his problems. "Maria…" Naruto whispered not realizing Artemis looked back about to sternly tell him off...to stop at his forlorn look.
The woman/goddess stopped as she saw someone standing in front of a building, Naruto saw it was a red haired woman. Her stoic look on her face as she then spotted them, her demeanor did not change in the slightest before walking towards them. "Artemis familia?" She politely asked as the Goddess nod with a small smile. Naruto didn't need to guess that she was anything but the guild worker given how polite she was polite with them.
"We have arrived, I believe the letter I sent explains why we had to come a month later and cancel the usual timeline?" The Goddess of the moon stated as the woman nodded, as Naruto just realized the top of her head was a cute pair of werewolf ears! Red haired was something he was always a bit of attractive to...that and pink oddly enough, maybe it was just a lighter version of red?
Artemis, as Naruto watched from the side, as the woman nodded, "We have alerted the others and it has been handled. Due to your long time patronage here, we won't take unnecessary funds from the accident you had. Still we need your written word so we can make a warning for others heading to your area."
The goddess nodded before looking back at the women, "Very well, everyone unload the magic stones and do what you want. Today is special. We will stay for a few nights for both the meeting and also the shopping, take priorities first off. Weapons, items, armor first on the list! Food and other luxuries will be on the last day or on the way of our leaving."
"Right, Lady Artemis!" They all stated without pause before the goddess turned back to the Guild representative.
"I need-" She quickly and without any problems grabbed the young man who helped her, pulled him in front of the red haired woman, "him to get license."
The red haired woman looked a bit stunned given her slightly alarm eyes, "Are you permitting him to join your familia?"
Soon others adventurers, new or experienced, all stop in their tracks to hear this, they all heard on the social distant Artemis Familia, given some males often tried to join for the possible harem they often think they will get. To see one, at least not cover in arrows, was something rather interesting. As many who did were so traumatized by the events they often never mess with women again.
The blue haired woman let out a soft sigh, "No...he did save us though. The man who almost killed our whole Familia was ended by this young man. Normally I would just let him live and be done with him, but he risked his life as they were after him and ever far as to try to lure the man away." She stated making sure to let the others hear of his exploits, Anri- Angra would have done the same thing possible like this.
"Listen this kid possibly can murderlized allllll of y'all in an instant! Wanna know why? Cause I Beep say so~!" A chibi version of Angra Mainyu said with snake-like tongue slither out and with kanji for 'evil' behind her.
Truly...she had a way with words…
Ignoring her low blow to her deceased friend, who she knew would be okay with the joke in death, Artemis conitune no doubt the next words will shake the town. "I would like to sponsor him as a Non-Familia License Adventurer, I would have no qualms on any crimes or mistakes he will make on behalf of my word."
Everyone, besides Naruto and her familia, all became stunned at the words that left her mouth.
The reason for this was because, only few ever have the courtesy of such a rare way to join the adventuring world.
Non-Familia Adventurer was something once in a blue moon, as Familia grew more in size and often wanted the best they were any Adventurer's that have that license. It doesn't grant any special perk or anything good, in fact some might say it was worse!
As Non-Familia they are alone, having no backing of allies or even a God, to check their status is only done once by the guild as per requirement to see their stats. Limited everything to be honest…
Which is why many Familia's want them, ignoring the reason why they were given Non-Familia licenses only to prove their worth. Many were legends often going alone in dungeons and not only surviving, but thriving in a place many would consider hell. Many try to do this without proving their mettle the usual way, getting a Guild member to allow this...sadly the end result was lots of nameless adventurers dying.
The fact that the usual way is now banned shows how rare the feat is, but for top Familia such as Artemis whose girls are stronger than most of the usual adventurers in the city rang bells. She and her familia were saved by a stranger who not only took on the challenge, but even got the usual man hater Goddess to vouch for him as well. Many already left to inform their God's about this, the last two Non-Familia adventurers died rather young and sadly didn't join even though some were given tremendous offerings to entice them. No doubt this was going to be something fun in the next few hours.
However the red haired woman nodded, "Very well, please come inside." She declared moving towards the building. The young man and goddess followed her inside, as Naruto took a quick glance to look at the area. It is a wide space with counters for adventurers to talk with their advisors and also has an exchange area. There are also small meeting boxes where adventurers can talk one on one with their advisor without anyone else hearing them. Aside from that, there is a library area. "The Non-Familia Guild member will be the one helping you, I shall help the others count the amount of money we shall give your Familia, Lady Artemis." She bowed kindly leaving the two at the counter where the two were alone...ignoring all the constant talking and looks the two receive.
"After this we need to head for the God's meeting hall, it's somewhere we usually don't let humans in…" Artemis started nudging Naruto to see the coffin they were hauling was also being taken into the guild. "However I need you there to show credibility, in case some like Apollo would challenge my standing."
Naruto nodded understanding but at the same time his mind was wondering, it wasn't like him to dwell on such things. "Excuse me," The young mind was snapped back to reality to see a lovely woman in front of him, behind the counter. She was a dark-skinned young woman with green eyes. She wore very formal attire consisting of a long-sleeved, high-collared dress shirt and skirt, along with a pair of long earrings and high-heel sandals. She wore her light grey hair pulled back into a bun with two bangs that fall on either side of her face.
A lovely yet professional look on her face, "Hello, are you the one I am supposed to help license?" Giving a look to Artemis she gave a small nod to confirm his thoughts. After watching the two, the woman spoke her tone friendly but also polite, "Good, I am Mabui. I handle the tasks for Non-Familia licenses, although it's my first time."
That made Artemis raise an eyebrow, "Hmm? Is that true? Wasn't there others?"
"Yes, but that when I was at school." The ebony woman states with a frown that only showed her worries if she said something wrong. "My predecessor recently left for her calling, something about he loved returning." Her words muttered before shaking her head and being reminded that work comes first. "Yes, the last Non-Familia license to be distributed was fifteen years ago. My predecessor only left their second names, Vermillion Nova and Sun Wrath."
Both didn't notice a small smile on Naruto's face, "So how do we do this?"
The woman picked up a small bottle and small papers next to it, "All we need is some blood along with this." She pointed to the stack of papers, "Due to some criminals using this to hide, we just need to see if the papers from other cities have bounties on you."
"So a blood pact." Naruto surmised. Of course, he wasn't surprised by it.
The woman shook her head, "Just a precaution, still…" she had already nicked Naruto's finger to let some blood droplets stain the papers to smile at the result. They all stayed red, "You're clear, we can do the paperwork. Name?"
"Naruto Uzumaki…" He refrain using his other last name in case some people might connect things that shouldn't be out yet.
The woman nodded before quickly almost like lightning itself, was writing the rest as if the writing was already there to begin with. "Alright, I need you to expose your… oh my…" Mabui said with a blush coming over her face as Naruto already took off his armor and upper clothing to show his muscles.
Artemis' eyes widened as he had a few scars nearly all over his body, but his muscles were so well-toned in all the right places. But the fact some of the scars were unique, some like a sunburst one on his chest, another with a curved yet jagged one near his left side made her slightly concerned. Those weren't monster attacks as only few can do that to a person. Naruto exposed his back as Mabui shook her head out of her stupor.
Moving her hands she placed a small drop of God's blood to see his status, eyes widening as his stats were impressive. But still unlike normal Familia Licenses, he would still have to start out like everyone else. "Stats noted, License for Non-Familia Adventurer…" She said taking out another piece of blank paper before stamping it with a seal of the guild. "...Approve." She said as the parchment soon shrank down to size to show a small card, showing Naruto's face. She lifted it off and presented it to the young man.
"Congratulations, you are my first adventurer when it comes to Non-Familiar Adventurers!" She stated with a slightly large smile, "I hope you and I would work well together."
"Thank you." Naruto bowed slightly as he gratefully accepted the card. Nothing else needed to be said.
Mabui looked confusingly, "Don't you need-" She started about to give him the starter adventure items only for him to flash her his two odd twin blades.
"I already got it covered." He said as the young man already donned his armor and clothing once more. Artemis nodded to Mabui no doubt once again telling her that he was worthy enough to start his journey without his help.
Leaving the building the two watched as the others also walked out, all smiles came out as the two gave each other dubious looks at their friends/familia smirking faces. "Something amiss?" The Goddess said before Emma practically skipped to her leader and presented her a piece of paper that showed how much they made…
It took a few moments for Artemis to register the amount, "Is this correct?"
Emma's eyes lost their joy for a bit as she looked confused. "Yes, I believe so. Why?"
"This… this seems a little much."
Naruto looked over the girls' shoulders to see the number was about nearly two million valis… the young man had to keep his mouth shut or else it would fall to the ground.
"I guess, we need to spend as many as we can, the treasury only holds so much and we can't afford to bring more than we need for emergency funds or else being targets for bandits." Artemis said missing the girls hopeful smiles for extra shopping funds.
"That's fine by me." Naruto shrugged. "It's not like we're gonna spend it all in one day."
The goddess nodded, before looking at the sky, "I believe it's enough time that I sent to the guild to alert the other God's near and far to hear this meeting. Naruto, you must come with me." She declared taking his hand towards the tower that held the special rooms for War Games that God's can watch from.
The young pulled her hand away so he could make the stares stop...it didn't. "Well, well…" Naruto's ears perked up when he heard a female voice from his side. He turn-
"Oof!" The young man grunted in pain when he was slammed into a wall- "Whoa bad touch!" he shouted while turning red when a knee was between his legs...and his groin along with the effect of the part slowly grinding in place did NOT help! "Okay, seriously, who's touching me- Oooh… shit."
The girl standing before him made him blush and pale at the same time, was a fair-skinned girl with a slender build. She had brown eyes that were accentuated by her eyelashes extending into the corners of her eyes and was usually sporting an impassive expression on her face although this one was full of wanton desire for… something. The most distinctive feature was her long, untamed, dark pink red hair that fell past her shoulders with long parted bangs framing either side of her face and one between her eyes.
Naruto gluped loudly as the girl leaned in close, "T-Tayuya…" He whispered both from fear and slight relief. She was one of the children that also lived nearby Hinata's mansion, and sadly also burned to the ground thanks to Phantom. On top of which… She was his childhood bully.
Artemis looked at the two unsure, to interrupt or not giving Naruto weak smiles and Tayuya's lustful one, "Long time no see, Naruto. I knew you were still kicking..." she declared lifting her hand to caress his cheek.
"Y-Yeah, been a while." Naruto laughed nervously, "And I'm also, gah~!" Naruto whimpered when the girl licked his cheek. "Awawawa~!" The poor boy sadly looked like Hinata when she and him saw each other naked when he entered the bath when she was also using it. Being raised by tradionalist like Hyuga's made him also quite weak to the opposite sex when being so…
Chu~
Boldly, like how Tayuya kissed his cheek and lightly blew on his ear, clearly in some twisted way of enjoyment of his reactions. "Stop!" Naruto shouted, pushing the girl away from him, trying to stop his heart from imploding yet again!
"Typical Naruto, you're so easily tease-able." The red haired girl declared still amused on his frown and clearly amourose blush.
"You… You are relentless…" Naruto breathed heavily, trying to catch his breath. "You haven't changed at all…"
"Like the time I tried to make you kiss me to get back your snacks that Lady Hyuga made for you?" She smiled as the young pouted, he hated how she kept bullying him like that. Always taking his snacks to get it back for kissing, she always wrestles him down to the ground and won't let him go until he calls her cute or something. Still it wasn't like it was all mean, she did have a good side here and there. She walked towards him, her body and breast on his own using her left hand to circle around his strong broad chest. "Hey, wanna go on a date? You kinda owe me for thinking you were dead for this long."
"I don't-" Before Naruto was going to stop her, once again he met his friend… wall. It was good that Wall had his back… bad jokes aside Naruto blushed as the woman leaned in slowly. "Uh Tayuya, I don't… can't… please don't."
"Er-hem!" Artemis cleared her throat, gaining their attention. "Naruto, care to explain who this is?"
Secret Passage way out!
Naruto hurried to her side, as he lightly chuckled, "Heheh, sorry Tayuya-san! But Lady Artemis needs me. C'mon let's go~!" He said obviously far too eager to leave as the girl stood by. Her eyes flashed pink for a moment.
Tayuya sighed knowing her leader was going to be pissed off, "Fuck, bitch took my manmeat away. Lady is going to be happy with this," She declared walking away in hopes to get the other objective besides getting Naruto to do it.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Mind telling-" "NOPE!" Artemis took a double take when Naruto suddenly said that in embarrassment, as the girl shrugged it off. Although she felt a dark feeling on how that woman was acting so… disgraceful. Soon they arrived in a large tower, Babel Tower, they saw a man standing in front of them.
"...Naruto, mind helping me bury a body later?" The way she asked made Naruto feel a bit scared as she was asking sweetly like he was her friend...and completely forgetting the fact he has a tool in his pants. The man before them was something Naruto admitted was a very handsome individual. Artemis sighed out before slightly nodding her head to acknowledge the man before them, "Honor to see you again, Hermes."
Hermes has blonde hair and orange eyes. He wears a feathered hat, red cloak above his orange jacket and blue leather armor around his waist was leather belt done in diagonal style. Naruto took his body type closer to being slender and of medium height with skinny arms. He also has a sort of effeminate look and overwhelming charm.
"Why hello there Artemis," Hermes greeted with a smile. "A pleasure to see you too, and- oh, who's this?" He said, looking at Naruto.
"This is the young man who helped my Familia when the crisis happened. I wish to have him attend the meeting or the least have him wait in a room when I need him." The Goddess demanded as her eyes glared into Hermes' own. "Or I can tell the very few Goddesses and Gods about a certain man who treid peeping on me and Angra Mainyu when we bathed…"
The man lifted his arms with a weak smile, trying no doubt to keep her calm "Now, now, no need to be hasty." Hermes placated the goddess. True enough, it wasn't his smartest decision in his life… but come one the walking nudist Angra Mainyu, and the Virgin Goddess Artemis in the same watering hole bathing? Many God's and other mortals all joined in that effort only to lose so many to Angra's traps and then only got teased when all they saw were illusions of the two when both hogs tied them. Along with leaving them strung up where wild boars were trying to knock them down by attempting to break their trees.
Man that was a horrible time to sherk off work, golden rule: Never do something like peeping where you can pay for it in the Red Light District.
"Er-hem, well… I suppose it's not a problem." Hermes cleared his throat in order to compose himself and forget about the incident. "Also…" His eyes slightly turned serious as he looked at her, "That coffin… had something I could not believe."
Artemis nodded, leading Naruto to the tower as she made sure to tightly hold his hand, "I want you to keep your mouth shut. Many would hound you for this, as much as you joining a Familia is tempting. I don't want them to tear yours to pieces when learning what you did to that man."
Naruto could only nod silently, as the two entered a large open aired room, it was the place for only Gods to enter in Babel Tower, the part where you only see pillars is where the Deities of the city gather for War Game matches and meetings. Naruto already saw many of the God's already here, some raising eyebrows or looking shocked to see him or possibly the likely reason, Artemis.
Artemis looked at the seat at the lowest floor, Naruto knew it was her telling him to take the seat as Moon Goddess went to the center. Looking around if the majority have arrived yet…
"Is this seat taken yet?" A young voice asked from his side, Naruto turned his head to see a cloak girl but got a glimpse of red. He didn't speak as to his friends wishes before letting her know his answer from a nod. "Thanks, Onii-sama." Odd… besides Hanabi only one other girl called him that but he was sure that she lived at-
"My fellow Gods and Goddesses." Artemis started addressing when the full amount of deities have arrived at the meeting. "I will be first to say my gratitude for taking the time to come here." She bowed kindly before lifting her back up, "We have some dire news."
"Ooh? Maybe the fact you have a boytoy at last Virgin Goddess?" A woman who has brown skin and is well endowed. She wears revealing attire similar to that of Amazonesses, consisting of a single red-orange piece of cloth around her neck that barely covers her breasts and a matching pareo around her waist that reaches down to her ankles. Also, like all Amazons, she always goes barefoot. For jewelry, she wears golden bracelets, anklets and necklaces, along with a crown at the top of her head, with several jewels in the center. The goddess of the red light district, Ishtar.
"Angra Mainyu is deceased and has been killed by someone." The woman started slowly as many God's eyes widened at the declaration. Even some like Ishtar, a woman who usually never attends these boorish meetings, looked shaken at the core.
To kill a God was something beyond the normal levels of idiocy. To be a God Killer was something that didn't affect you, it affected the whole world and race of deities. Even to a God who spent her life wandering from one place to the next was just as bad as killing one who was the pillar of a city.
"Preposterous! Impossible!" One god shouted in rage. "How could this be!?"
"A man known as Phantom has done the deed, not only killing my friend Angra Mainyu. A god who specializes in killing humans no less, but also made an attempt on my life and my Familia!" She stated as the others began to murmur from the woman's words. "This man who belongs to Phantom's little group, has easily taken down my Familia in mere hours."
A hand raised across from her, Artemis had to bite down on her own tongue to not send a scalding sneer at the God who stopped her. A tall handsome man with red hair and wavy locks gliding over one another and a smile described as equally brilliant. He also wears a green laurel wreath on his head. "Are you pulling our legs, I do admit that my Familia might be the strongest in the land… but your Familia are born from the land that spits out monsters daily. Surely one man wasn't that hard for you to beat."
"I assure you Apollo, this is no joke." Artemis glared at him. "This shakes the very foundation of what we Gods and Goddesses have established since the beginning, and I refuse to let this person be the end of it!"
"Again, I believe you are just-"
*THUD!*
Apollo nearly threw up his lunch that his adorable children made for him, as he stared into the top half of the man Naruto cut many weeks ago. Peta, the one who nearly ended Artemis Familia, the pale man's eyes darted around until landing at Naruto who was just visibly shaken at the sight. He stopped, his eyes went dead and lost its color. Hermes was next as he was the one who unceremoniously showed them the horrid sight, no doubt stopping him in mid rant was going to be the only way he would take notice.
"What in Heaven's name was that!" The normally prideful man demanded as Artemis spoke with a dark calmness to it.
"What you see is something even I haven't seen in centuries… a vampire, an immortal one at that." She said, pulling up the robe to see the red flesh that the man had, "Despite being slashed in half by this young man weeks before coming here." The hunting goddess said gesturing towards Naruto as the god's stared at him. "He is still alive, partial that is, I learned that Naruto used a powerful curse unknowingly to suppress this power of regeneration… otherwise we would have died the night we rested up considering that his lower body was nearly a foot away from trying to join the main one."
Some who were like Apollo, only thinking it was a joke, now fully listen to this woman's tale. "A man who killed a goddess, a secret group trying to indoctrinate strong members into this god killer's team, and even taking in a vampire one of the most deadliest of the races shows they want a war!" Artemis declared with anger in her words, from the heinous crimes that have been done. "We cannot overlook this and let one or the other die, if you think avoiding this will spare you. It will not, this man told me that he was going to help exterminate all the Gods with the help of..." She stopped knowing that he wanted Naruto and Emma to be part of this group. "Of more power warriors. We all need to be vigilant, we all share information no matter how small or even rumors that is what we get."
The words of the Goddess resonated in the room as she saw the looks of the God's no doubt shaken that someone would be so brazen as to target the very
…
…
…
"If any of my girls learns of this Phantom… I shall tell the guild to relay to you all." Ishtar tiredy said, "As much as I do not want to be involved, the fact that this man is willing to exterminate Angra Mainyu shows me enough to at least speak if something is up."
This made everyone look at the one who was most likely to not lend a finger to help! This causes Apollo to look away with some shame, before trying to smile proudly. He couldn't allow himself to be stained with not also lending his almighty hands.
"W-Well… if what you say is true, Artemis," Apollo began, as he tried to compose himself. "It can't be helped. If this person is threatening our very existence, then I shall endorse the effort to have this threat be neutralized immediately."
"No!" Artemis stated eyes turning wide at the suggestion, "Do not engage the enemy, Peta had this odd power to recover himself easily. I have no doubt that it was something that belonged to him exclusively, the ability to drain people's blood was something that the legend of vampires were easily figured out. But the fact we killed him, even if technically, thirty times."
Hermes was the one to speak, "Home turf only, if you find anybody who works for this 'Phantom' let us know. Attack only to defend yourselves, and if that does happen send a few members to any close by Familia and so on and so forth. Even if they have ten members all at once, I doubt facing hundreds won't be enough to capture them."
The god's all spoke and soone they all became slightly happy no doubt Artemis smile also came from the unity of her-
"What if...the child is working with Phantom?"
!
Artemis' eyes tried to locate the person who said that...and there behind her was no other than a mysterious smirking beauty. "Freya…" Artemis scowled at the sight of the woman, she and Anri never like this one. Anri barely hated the god's but for some reason always distrusted the woman before her. The woman in question was no doubt about that is superior and outstanding even among the gods. She has long silver hair, purple eyes, and white skin like that of fresh snow. She has a perfect golden ratio, enough to think that the golden ratio originated from her. Her clothes are in large part black and red, they expose most of her stomach and breasts. She also wears two flowerlike ornaments in her hair.
"I dare not try to slander the young man's name, but… what if he was indeed working for them?" She cooly stated as some God's started to look at Naruto with distrust. "I mean using a Curse, one that seems to work while most spells couldn't, seems very suspicious."
"He is not!" Artemis denied her unable to understand any reason she would even insinuate that suggestion.
However she stopped as the only human slowly getting up at the meeting, "I don't care what you say." Naruto said glaring at the woman standing up proudly, "If it makes you happy, hang me by the neck til I am dead." The dark clad man stated as the God's all looked stunned at his words. "Cause I want that bastard Phantom dead."
"Naruto, I told you to keep your mouth shut!" Artemis scolded the young man.
But his eyes darted to Artemis made her step back… there was nothing but raw hate and vengeance in those pupils… as if the abyss was staring at her. She involuntarily swallowed her saliva as her throat felt dry.
Those eyes were like Anri when someone thought she would one day make a Familia in her hearing range, not knowing her rage towards humans. "I will not stand by and let someone dare think I am with that bastard Phantom! Not after what he did to Anri… or my hometown." Lifting a shaking fist in hopes to quell his anger if only slightly.
Freya smiled at his words no doubt starting to see him as intriguing, before she spoke Hermes step in, "Why don't we see his memories? That should clear up any suspicions on him."
The dark dressed woman nodded to that idea graciously, "Yes, I can accept that."
The handsome god looked at Naruto lowering his raised hand, "Alright? Might I have your permission to do so?" He asked as his eyes showed he was trying to help Naruto clear his name. Naruto sighed to nod, "Alight sit down and I shall use my powers… First off, Uranus! Might I have the permission to use my powers?"
"Permission granted."
"Naruto remember the night you-" Hermes didn't finish as the whole room looked up to see the ceiling show that it was the sight of watching Peta smiling. "That's new…" He muttered as the sight usual was a portal or sphere.
"Dammit, this guy is so strong! Almost as strong as Sensei when I fought her!" Naruto's voice, mostly likely his thoughts, echoed in the area. "Still…" The view rushed in when Naruto first made contact with Peta's jaw, "I won't let others die because of you or Phantom!" His thoughts yelled out his inner emotions.
They all watched the battle listening to Naruto memories of when he fought against Peta no way such anger and hate would allow him to join them. Soon they watched the view of Naruto, "I will protect them this time!"
Freya's eyes widened as she saw it… it was something that made her heart tremble.
"Okay… I think… what the hell!?" Hermes said trying to stop the memory as the things started to rewind back, soon passing the battle with Peta. Showing how Naruto was spending time with Artemis Familia, meeting Emma and even before that. "Stop!"
It now shows Naruto nearly shirtless as he was covered in his battle wounds and blood, before looking at a monster! Raising his hand before with incredible speed and power, SLAP, SLAP, SLAP~!
Proceeded to slap the living hell out of the beast so fast at times it looked like it was in slow mo! "Are you sorry yet?!" He said after slapping the twentieth time in a row!
"I… I think I peed a little!" The beast weakly said from the amount of pain he was in.
Hermes again lifted his hands trying to shut it off, showing more funny moments that the gods couldn't help but laugh. But someone said something as Naruto's memories kept juggling about, "Show him… at his lowest…"
Artemis looked towards where Naruto was sitting and saw no one there, wasn't there a God who sat there with Naruto?
…
How many sunrises does that make it? Everyone watched and saw the eyes of Naruto became blurry as it soon regained focus as dozens of men and women were on the floor defeated. 'Seven…' he whispered to himself...at least seven days have passed since the onslaught of enemies have come at them. "We did it." He said looking into the distance where silver smoke signals were being shot into the sky to show that the victory was-
"I'm afraid it's not over quite yet!"
Eyes soon darted to the sound where the voice came as sand gathered around the area as three people came into view. A man, who was most likely Peta whose face was covered in his mask, stood next to Peta. A female given her attire and body, her appearance consists of a strapless leotard, one-legged grey tights, a grey stocking, combat boots, stockinged gauntlets. and a military cap. Like Peta she wore a mask that only had two dark holes for her to see out of and red marks on the upper right side and lower left side.
But standing before them was...him…
Thomas or rather better known as Phantom, the man who killed Anri…!
The man looked the same as the day he burned his home to the ground. Phantom was a tall, lean young man with lavender hair and lilac-colored eyes; his bang grew past his face and covered his right side of his face. The killer wore a blue sleeveless fitted shirt and pants with a white sash that wrapped around his waist and flared out like a half skirt. The sash would slung across his chest and cover his entire left arm in a form of cast. However his eyes are now a hazy blue/purple-ish color now then just red.
A smile graced his face, "My word, they were just candidates to join my little group...but you took them out no less in a few days with little to no rest. In just a year since killing Angra Mainyu you've grown strong." He took a step back, turned his head as the other two were going to follow, to stand there with a calm smile. The young god slayer returns his gaze at Naruto lifting his unbound hand, "So what do you say? It's not the most ideal place I wanted to start this off…" Phantom's eyes narrowed down with obvious interest clear on his face. "Why don't we have a little sparring practice here now?"
The vision of Naruto's soon became drench in red, his rage filling up his memories with his utter hate for that man who killed Anri.
'There he is the person who started this nightmare of mine! Thomas!' Naruto's mind yelled in the remainder of the man who caused his happiness and world to shattered.
…
…
…
Phantom only tilted his head cutely as he spoke his next words, a bit of a mixture between mischievousness and excitement. "Come on~, Naruto~kun!" He played with the younger man's name like he was his family member, casual and no need for politeness.
There was the bell!
Naruto's view rushed forward as the sight of Phantom was coming close in mere seconds despite the yards distance between them! "Yaaaaaah!" The avenger shouted thrusting his right hand with a bloody and chip katana towards at- scratch that where Phantom was previously at! Naruto's eyes blink as if to correctly register that!
He turn slightly to see the man waving sweetly at him, before swing his body and arm to the other side where he-
He missed again!
Every time Naruto attacked, it was as if Phantom knew ahead of time! Side, backstep, even eyes closing or barely able to lean back when Naruto's reach just couldn't make it. The lavender haired man simply hummed and chuckled with each attempt Naruto did to attack him, while the man showed no attempts of his own to try to retaliate back. Amusement faded as he continued to dodge and then spoke, "The week-long battle seems to have taken its toll on you." He sadly declared when Naruto went for broke and grabbed a lance while spinning around in hopes an incredible longer range can at least hurt Phantom...to his shame it didn't matter as the man leaped over him.
When Naruto stopped to take a breath, the older(?) man spoke once again, "Your attacks today are unfocus and weak. At this rate, you're just a pathetic, exhausted beast." A chortle grace from Phantom's last words, then noticing Naruto's anger raises a hand to him, lowering down...it was the gesture known as 'Calm down'. "Naruto, please relax a bit~" He said sincerely but the expression on his face was like a member watching a kid trying not to pout or trying his best not to cry. It was almost a mature family member trying his best to not insult the younger, immature member by laughing.
They stood there until-
"Just kill him!"
"Yeah end his life so we can get his hot teacher!"
"Forgot that runt!"
Phantom eyes lost all jokes and entertainment when he heard the survivors of his little army speak up, "..." A single word was utter as all were petrified with fear when his eyes showed displeasure at their suggestions. Even to Naruto it was scary to think all of them were this dedicated to his words that a single glance was all it took to silence them.
He regained his smile as it was now an odd look...it was too beautiful to call it a smirk...but still cruel to call it a smile. This unique facial expression only grew as he spoke, "I'm afraid that even if I wanted too...I can't gentlemen~" he chuckled in his usual Considering tone. "This child is a worthy enemy, he defeated you all despite the numerous allies and experiences you had on him!" He shouted, making the rest look down in shame at their failures. "However~ he's exhausted~" his tone was that of an over exaggerated concern for Naruto's tiredness. The odd look vanishes as a normal smile returns, "No...he needs to join us to cultivate that potential into true power. But also that I want to see how strong he is at his best, this battle…?"
He looked around before shrugging his soldiers on trying to find the best words, "Was just for 'fun-sies'! Ahahahah," He his short yet whimsical laughter only made Naruto lose his cool.
Taking a man's broadsword and jumping towards Phantom, "it's not funny!"
The god slayer took a step back almost like he was phasing out of the way, "Sweet Ea…" He whispered for once to stun at the young man's rage. But it was returned to his normal sweet smile, "Really Naruto-kun, it's not really worth it. Revenge for a God who was going to outlive us all." He stated no remorse in his tone or respect for the dead. "You should join us, and live a life outside of their sinful whims."
Naruto stomped on the floor as he spoke, "You think I'm that soft in the head?! I was doing just fine until you took Anri from me!" However his words did nothing to deter the man's looks, if fact the man's gaze now shows a hint of pity.
"Why...I just don't understand." Phantoms started as he shook his head softly, "Why would you embrace those monsters instead with us? Besides Angra Mainyu, it doesn't make much sense to me." He said lifting his bounded arm as if to show Naruto his curiosity. "Why them, then over us?"
"It's because so far, people like you are the ones that are evil!" Naruto declared taking out a bow and arrow, dozens of quivers ready and loaded with tons of ammunition. "Maybe it's just some are good and some are bad. And you're one of the bad ones! Unlike you, I try to know what others really are before judging them." With that said Naruto shot arrow after arrow at the man who lifted his hands to create a blue barrier to deflect them. "I'll never become someone like you, so you can just kill me instead of convincing me!"
As all the arrows were shot Phantom's barrier faded as his hand was still in the air, "Perhaps I was too late to save you from the Hyuga's influence? This sad outcome must be only due to their twisted environment on raising you. But I know one day you will accept it, and for that I swear Naruto on the lives of the two people who meant the world to me...I shall save you from despair." A look of determination showed majestical on his face...a pity that Naruto only found it revolting that his 'savior' was at the same time the man he called the devil.
"What?" Naruto voiced echo trying to make sense of his words only for Phantom to look around the area.
"And if you did manage to get your revenge? What then? What is the outcome or gain from my death?" He pondered as the killer, placing his normal hand on his hip trying to hear Naruto answer. "Why fight for God-"
"IT ISN'T ABOUT THEM OR GAINING ANYTHING!"
Once more Phantom eyes widened to see Naruto...and from what the gods could tell now was crying as the sight/vision of Phantom became watery. "...You took someone I love...burn down my home and my friends and family are forever gone." Naruto harshly said in a low voice as his sadness was coming out in his words. Using his forearm to wipe the tears he resumed, "It's what I want to do. You wouldn't understand losing someone you love from a man who thinks he is right."
…
…
…
Phantom's face was unreadable, a shadow took over his looks as a single glowing yellow orb was coming from his overshadow features. "You have no idea how wrong you are. I'm sorry, Naruto but it seems you aren't ready to join us nor understand the weight of the words you just said. I have to give you a small time out of sorts."
His raised hand now glowed a demonic red aura, flames soon spurred into life as Phantom lifted his hand over his shoulders. The fire grew into the size of a fire, with an eerie smile etched into it, yellow flames for cruel looking eyes and purple fire for a crazed smile. "Hell's TerraFlame!" With that name declared he simply lop it to where Naruto was, as if passing a ball to him.
"Dark Firaga!" With a small attempt to see if he can stop it, Naruto shot three black flame orbs into the bigger one...only to gasp as he only made it much larger…the flame opened its mouth to devour the young man! "Anri-" Soon a shadowy figure came to-
BOOOOOOOOM~!
…
The sight now was looking at a small control explosion as it soon faded where a woman was on top of...Naruto?
The god's watching this wonder how is this possible as the person who was walking forward looked down to see a reflection of vision they saw… Phantom, winking as if he knew they were watching him. Continuing his walk he saw the woman back was totally charred back, no doubt in his mind and to the God's that she was dead. But her hands were what the vision took notice...she was clutching onto the child. She sacrificed her life to save him, "Even though the flame wasn't going to kill him…" Phantom's voice breathed out sadly, "Damn fool didn't realize it before it was too late."
Looking down it was Naruto knockout, but otherwise unharmed save for a few dark spots of the blast residue. But a chuckle was heard when he saw the chest was definitely burnt to a severe burn from his attack.
"It's over!" "Kill 'em~!" "The young man deserves death for his words!" "Gut him!"
Phantom watched as these vultures dare hover over his friend's defeated frame, "Stop! If any of you so much as touch a hair on his head. I will spend the next few months torturing the idiots who did so."
*Drip...Drip...Drip*
A single hand came into his view having azure blue liquid dripping from between his fingers, "It's amazing how he grew in such a year. Even at your weakest, you manage to harm me when so many can't even try. Granted I was hiding for decades since they're deaths...but Naruto is the only one at such an age to actually wound me." He muttered slightly happy but at the same time proud. "Alright, we're living, we got the death we're looking for and now this was just icing on the cake. Tell the others to go back into hiding once more," He turns to see the members all nodding before one last look towards the sleeping child. "Naruto~"
"Next time...I will kill you so you can be saved… I swear it."
Soon he walked away until his footsteps stopped, reaching a good pace away from the child before a clear crystal appeared before him. Showing his face as he tilted his smiling head at them, "I know you're listening...Hermes...Apollo...Artemis and the others in your little city." Phantom smiled kindly, "So listen…" Waiting as if letting the stun take a moment to register his words on how accurate he was…
It became something from a horror novel, his face distorted into a mad beast like smile, his single eye growing wide as his red eyes show how crazy it made him. "I HATE YOUR KIND AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! You're disgusting, it reeks, I can barely breath! Even the flowers, the trees, the earth, the water, the animals, the villages, the cities, the mountains… you infected them all with your existence! But you know what makes me absolutely sick to my core?" His face twisted more into madness as the answer came out, "Is all of you! You dare place yourselves in the center of the universe, every last one of you monsters! Prideful like Loki, malicious like Freya, envious as Apollo, slothful like Soma, deceitful as Hermes, ignorant as Ganasha, wrathful like Kali...and even after all that truth, you still believe you're in the right!"
The smile turned into a sneering look as he continued, "The fact you are the reason to blame us for becoming like you all! Jealousy, hatred, arrogance, betrayal, insolence, deception! Those are what you gave us for letting you in our world! Those are the true nature of Gods! It's a sickening thought, even at this moment I feel violently ill just talking about it~!" A shudder came around his body to show how true his words were from the disgust he held for them. Soon his charming looks reign back in his darkness, "You're all hypocritical fakes every~ last~ one of you~, and that's why I decided to kill Angra Mainyu. To send a message to prepare for a war that has been long coming! And believe me, not even your so-called 'children' will be spare~!"
He winked one more time as the crystal faded and his eyes closed...not before one thing, "I should mention something...someone is working for me as a spy in your so-called city of Gods. Have fun with that~!"
The group of God's all felt their bodies froze as the ceiling went back to normal, "Ah… it… stopped?" Hermes said as the ceiling went back to normal and looked at Naruto who yawned out loud. The fact that the same usual after effects from the ending of his memory seeing powers.
"You done?" Naruto asked them, "Was the fight enough to prove my worth?"
"Just the fight not a slapping frenzy or… a princess?" Hermes asked as the other gods wonder why he didn't remember the other moments.
The young man shook his head, "No I just saw, or rather remember the battle with Peta. Annoying as it was." He scratches the back of his head before looking at Freya. "Did I prove my innocence by not working with scum?"
"Of course…" She said almost a bit too sweetly before tilting her head. "I apologize to you for my bad judgment." The Goddess of the strongest Familia offers her sincerest condolences.
"Hmph…" Naruto merely scoffed as he looked away. "Thanks for at least keeping an open mind."
Hermes looked at the woman for a moment before dramatically sighing, "Well~! Phew, it was a tough day, once again thanks for addressing the situation for us. We'll send you constant messages as we can on any updates." He stated as the other gods afreed before smiling at Naruto. "Now, Naruto-kun was it? Do you have time tomorrow?"
"Why do you ask?" Naruto looked at the messenger with a quizzical expression.
The man gave a wide smile, since he owes Naruto a bit of fun given his family was with his Familia. "Why, I'm going to ask you to possibly join my Familia~!"
And now the floodgates open…
"Hey, I want him too!" Another god shouted
"No, I have dibs on him first!"
"He's mine!"
"No, I'm taking him!"
"Over my dead body! Oh that's right! That's quite possible right now!"
…
Freya watches in enjoyment as the others continue to fight over an adventurer who has already left. She had an eye for another young adventurer but this one seems to be more interesting…
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OUTSIDE
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"I'm going to kill him…" Naruto panted as he lost his breath easily from him and Artemis ran before the gods tried to rip him apart.
Artemis nodded, "I'll help, I already got the shovels we need."
Naruto chuckled… before looking to see she was indeed telling the truth, "...Maybe." He said as this might be more annoying come tomorrow. They looked at each other before smirking widely as they chuckled at the general hate on Hermes. "C'mon I wanna eat somewhere…"
Artemis nodded as she walked beside him, not realizing that she was smiling kindly all the way to their meal and back to the inn her familia were waiting for.
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LOKI'S FAMILIA BASE
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Sitting on their throne was a Goddess with light red hair and red eyes. She wore a tight blue shirt on her body thankfully her lack of *urppp*-I MEAN, PETITE BODY~! Made the shirt clung to her body perfectly… oww. And odd black top that only covers her arms and neck with a blue hood that was attached to it, and black short shorts that clung to her butt that's at least big compare to her *GAAAK~!* HELP~!
…
Owww...
…
She was a bit miffed, she was going to try to get at that Non-Familia adventurer due to her Familia telling her about it just before she left. "Dammit, why the hell does Artemis have him?! No matter, I just gotta play it sexy and he'll join me~! Still, that man..." For the few times of her life, Loki's eyes opened slightly before her smile grew. "Ahh, now I understand. So he's that hunter… Sorry Hermes… he's my target now."
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ISHTAR'S FAMILIA BASE
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The woman smiled as she waved her hand to make her Vice-Captain away… although he was just a fake in name. Her true Vice-Captain was getting her lust on with some nice new arrivals… despite the small god slayer on the loose, it wasn't a total wash. She got something to make her girls get… the Blood Hunter of South.
Any adventurer worth their salt would no doubt learn the south of the world, where the worst kind of monster lived and barely anyone lived in that area.
"Hmhmhm, I'm going to make you mine… whether you like it or not…" Ishtar licked her lips seductively.
She heard that the Hunter of Blood bathed in war for a week straight… imagine the stamina he must have in bed...
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APOLLO'S FAMILIA BASE
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"Hmhmhm… this boy is so cute…" The man said with an utter dark blush on his face as he already had a painting of Naruto hanging up in his room along with the others from Familia's that either he could not take from or ran away from him. Soon he will take the painting down when he will get the real one in his hands.
He wouldn't try to take him away from Artemis as both she was too strong even with his vast numbers given their experience with war game locations and their lack of numbers being covered by their teamwork and skills. But this poor, sweet child is all alone… of course as a kindly and just man, he would take pity and welcome this boy with his big warm arms~!
People outside his room sighed, "Poor dude has it real bad…" As the person next to him nodded...either for Naruto or Apollo both were going to have it rough for a long time~!
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TAKEMIKAZUCHI FAMILIA BASE
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A man with black hair and black eyes. His hair is in a style that was common in old Japan. Takemikazuchi wears clothes that were simply white robes with a red sash around his waist, he heard someone knocking on his door. "You may come in." He gently said turning around from his view from the night to see a young woman entering. "Thank you for coming, Lady Hinata."
The girl before him was a long haired woman with almost light lavender colored eyes, wearing a purple jacket over her body and blue loose pants. "I should be the one thanking you Takemikazuchi-sama. You let us in despite having barely anything to offer to you for letting us live here, even when some of the children join other familias you allow them to stay with their new homes without."
The man smiled, it was fortunate he and his Familia were out one day and came across a village of people who lost their home in a single night. "Of course, but I have better news to tell you… your brother… Naruto is alive."
Hinata's eyes widen as tears gather around her eyes, "T-Truly…?" She said as she and Naruto were the closest of friends growing up, despite him living with them from her father taking him in. She always viewed him as family when protecting her and Hanabi from harm, it was something that killed her when the adults wouldn't allow her to check if he was okay or was possibly injured during the fire that happened.
Watching her God nod kindly, made her finally let loose her tears...he was alive...her best friend and brother figure was alive! She had to tell everyone, not just here! Everyone including the ones who are with different Familia's!
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HERMES'S FAMILIA BASE
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Hermes smiled as he was playing shogi with an old friend, "Well you were right… both you and Zeus…" He said before frowning as he lost another piece.
The man playing before him chuckled as his white spiky hair was undone, "Of course, not sure about that old man. But I do keep tabs on the boy, his father was my best student and like a son to me… though I don't appreciate you making the other Gods want him. The girls save for Ishtar and Freya are fine, but the others like Apollo are going to be something of an annoyance for me to watch out for him."
Hermes gave a rare frown that he knew his mistake for slight fun was a bad idea, "Sorry… Jiraiya." The man before him was a rather handsome man despite his advanced age, wearing a green kimono for nighttime considering he just got back from his monthly recon on their spy network. "Any news?"
"I just got back, but no even with the Phantom guy you just told me… no one has disappeared from any attacks. In fact many graves were desecrated from the recent places." The white haired man said as Hermes eyes turned into slight anger. "Including the woman I asked to help teach Naruto to fight."
"So he wants to start a war, huh?" Hermes declared before regaining his smile, "Despite the chaos we God's cause one another… we have the ungodly flaw to care about our survival more than pettiness. Especially when all are affected by this."
Jiraiya snorts at that, "Knowing you, that makes a lot of sense… Still, tomorrow is my day off and I should get Hime to also see him. God knows I'm going to shake hands with Kami when I tell her I knew he was alive all this time." Jiraiya sighed wistfully as Hermes comically paled and shook from the frightful yet accurate assumption.
Who would have thought that an old man like him could be this scary? Certainly not him.
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WITH NARUTO
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"..." Something was wrong… Naruto kept thinking, something that almost opened up his mind. "Why me?" He answered when he realized Phantom wanted only him… Why does Phantom want to have him with his side? He stood tall and saw his chest from the mirror the room he was staying at showing his chest...as he touched the sunburst scar. That battle a year after Thomas… Phantom killed Anri and found Naruto causing them to fight and gave him a scar from showing his potential to him.
He went to his bed hoping to awaken to a new day and forgot about this trouble… but unknowingly the scar soon had a tattoo appearing on the spot, as it slowly crawled around his body stopping only a few inches… but if you look closely… it slowly continued to do so centimeter by centimeter.
The scar of the man who gave Naruto a unholy blessing… the gift of eternity.
CHAPTER END
Azureking: I hope you alike it, next chapter we're going to see Bell, Hestia, and Naruto meeting some 'old' friends. and some gods trying to convince to join them, review if you want to see more and also other stories. have a good day or night.