Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, just the ideas!

Naruto looked unflinchingly at the various golden "portals", as he dubbed them. "I can use Shadow Clones to take the hits for me, but I'd rather hide that ability as a trump card, of sorts. Hirashin is also out of the question, but seals, on the other hand… Maybe something with gravity could work." Before Naruto could even attempt to dodge the threatening projectiles, a handsome man with tanned skin and eyes as golden as the sun itself stepped by her side.

"Now, now, my fellow king!" A white cloak was draped around his otherwise bare torso. His arms were encircled by several gold bracelets, and his waist was covered with the same luster. "It is, of course, natural to punish such impunity, but it is much more convenient to do so later, no?" He spread his hands out, attempting to mediate his fellow ruler. Like many others, he preferred his dining hall unblemished.

"Are you telling me, who stands among the heavens, what to do?" Her cold cruel eyes turned its gaze to her fellow "king". "I, the King of all Heroes? The slayer of Humbaba the Terrible and the Bull of Heaven? The first to step in the Throne of Heroes? Hold your tongue, if you have the slightest wish to live, Ozymandias!"

"Thanks for buying me time…" Naruto smirked on the inside, noting that Gilgamesh's overwhelming arrogance. "There's no denying her power, but I learned anything in my life, it's that everything has a weakness. Even someone as strong as you is susceptible to something."

Gilgamesh focused back on Naruto once again. Clearly, she has not forgotten his selective word choice. Her lips curled at the sight of the lowly "hero" beneath her. "Do not be so impudent as to believe that I have forgotten of your punishment. Let us see how fast you are, mongrel." The blooming portals warped slightly, giving way for several golden blades that whizzed through the air, being handled like mere projectiles.

The shining marble and the ornate floor were instantly cracked by the impact of such weapons. Plumes of dust began to rise, covering the sight of the shinobi. Pebbles and fragments of rocks began to hail down, thankfully, somehow avoiding the diners near the front. The spectators, a majority of which detested the King of Uruk's attitude, were just as interested in the strength of the newcomer. They too observed the hero.

"Strong… But no more than smoke screens if they're used as such." Naruto lazily emerged from the mini-explosions, rotating his head side to side. "Probably just her arrogance… Honestly, she could kill me as of now if she really tried. But that's just how she is, I guess…"

Gilgamesh sneered at his defiance. "You only delay the inevitable. Let us see how long your pitiful skills will keep you alive, mongrel!" At her beck and call was her seemingly endless aureate rings, littering the very air, not unlike the stars would do to the night sky. "Entertain me, mongrel!" The shining tips of weapons of great variety emerged from the circles, all pointing right at Naruto's body.

"I can't stop her onslaught like this! Just dodging them isn't going to cut it…" Flashing through some hand seals with ease, Naruto molded his chakra with little effort, shaping it and transmuting it into something else. "Danzo… Your techniques were impressive, but right now, I need pure strength!" His chest ballooned and out of his mouth came a vicious tempest.

"Futon: Daitoppa (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough)!"

Though Gilgamesh had thrown the weapons at great speed, the temporary wall of wind slowed them down, even throwing some off course. "Just long enough for me to dodge them…" Naruto flipped and danced through the hail of weaponry, avoiding them with grace.

"Ho?" One of her eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Elemental magic?" She shook her head. "Your parlor tricks are nothing compared to my treasures. Behold!" Gilgamesh scoffed at the notion of going all-out, still looking down on the figure below her. To even entertain the notion of using her full capabilities was a folly. Still, she refused to tamper her fury, instead of drawing out more weapons to slaughter the little bug scuttling around on the ground.

A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Naruto's head. It was essential for him to hide as many of his tricks as he could, but there was just something appealing about showing his power and beating the arrogant king - Queen? - down to the earth. He smirked. "Screw being careful." Throwing away caution, Naruto unsealed the storage seal imprinted on his right wrist. "That's right… You have treasures of your own, but don't think for a second that I don't have a sword of my own!"

In his right hand was a sword with pure lightning constituting the blade from hilt up. Sparks flickered all around the fearsome weapon as Naruto slid into a sword stance.

Several spectators smiled at the sight, some with the barest hint of bloodlust.

It was the sight of a weapon that was feared amongst men, one that was crystallized throughout history.

The sight of a Noble Phantasm.

Naruto inhaled softly, charging his arm with all the viable energy he and his sword could provide. The blade flickered momentarily, transferring its electrical chakra into Naruto. "The Sword of the Thunder God… Can you avoid this, Gilgamesh?" The air thrummed with power and tension, many of the entities far back watching with anticipation. Here was a new hero, one who had arisen to their status long after the Age of Gods.

Gilgamesh, too, watched with curiosity, wondering what kind of Noble Phantasm he was charging up. "Go on, mongrel. Unleash your power! Your king commands you." She leaned back, not at all worried at the sight.

His arm was now glowing, throwing rays of pure white throughout the hall. Naruto grinned devilishly at the so-called King. In response, Gilgamesh flicked her wrist, sending her treasures out for all to see. Swords, axes, daggers, spears… If it had a name, it was within her grasp. And now, the King of Uruk used her gathered treasures to impale the annoyance.

Only, a certain man wasn't having any of it.

Naruto faltered, the energy in his right arm waning and restoring to its original color upon catching the sight of a greyish-haired man jumping to his aid. Without a word, the man clad in silver deflected several of the weapons with his sword while letting others bounce off his body as if they were no more than bug bites. "They just… What's his skin made of? Those aren't just normal weapons…"

"You…" Gilgamesh snarled, slamming her hand down on the arm of her throne. "You dare? To interfere in a King's duties is punishable by death, you writhing worm!" Her tone dropped several decibels. "You must wish for a painful demise… Very well. Die."

Naruto shivered. The warning sirens would always blare in his head when an enemy would speak in a quiet tone, never a loud, angry one. The way she talked made it seem as if every word that escaped her mouth was a fact. So it was natural for him to feel fear when she said: "die".

"Gilgamesh!" Once more, a man stepped up to defend him, only this time, it was one with red hair and massive bulk. "What does his mom feed him?" Naruto sweatdropped at the body that nearly blotted out Naruto's vision just by standing in front of him. "Let's take a breather, shall we? Perhaps some wine to talk this over?"

"Mind your words, King of Conquerors," Gilgamesh spoke mockingly, her inhuman, red eyes flashing murderously in his direction as well. "Unless you too wish for the same fate that will befall upon these fools."

"The great brute, unfortunately, speaks some modicum of truth." Ozymandias butted in. "It is not…" He struggled to find some other word than "wise" that would still convey his inner feelings. After all, it would be insulting to call a fellow king unwise. "The best idea to start a major event in such a setting. Perhaps the battlefield later would be suited to your needs?"

"Yes!" The so-called "brute" agreed whole-heartedly, ignoring the verbal jab with ease. "It will be grand, to see a hero of the old and a hero of the new to fight it out!"

"Hmph!" Gilgamesh's cold cruel eyes bore into Naruto, but he refused to back down. To back down meant to show weakness, and although he was in an unfamiliar setting, he would never do such a thing. Thus, his cerulean eyes stared right back at the golden-clad king. "Be grateful, as I have spared you for the time being… But do not think for a moment that I have forgiven you, for your punishment will be as painful as it will get…" Scoffing one last time, her floating throne whirred into motion, carrying her away from Naruto.

The tension dropped immediately, as the golden king made her exit. "That went well…" Naruto mumbled to himself, still unwilling to drop his guard. "Ah…" He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head as he faced the other man that had defended him. "Thanks for helping me out, but I think I could've handled it."

The armored man turned to face the shinobi. "Is that so? Very well. In your future fights, I shall not interfere. However to reveal your Noble Phantasm so early is unwise… And besides, I thought it was the right thing to do." With his short justification finished, he motioned for Naruto to follow him.

Follow him he did.

Walking past the many entities was a surreal experience. There was no doubt that Naruto had attracted lots of attention with the buildup of his powers, though he wondered what exactly a Noble Phantasm was. "All of these people…" Naruto shook his head. The aura they gave off was not unlike that of a leader's. And yet, even amongst them, there were several that stood out. A pale man with a thin, wiry frame and white hair. A green-haired man staring at him with interest. A black-haired female - Was she a girl? - with pigtails and red eyes.

"Here." His guide stopped at a circular table with four members, all of whom were female. One, in Naruto's opinion, was particularly distracting, especially with her long, creamy legs that- Naruto shook his head, silently berating himself to let his guard down for such a trivial reason. "If Jiraiya could see me now…" The one with the bewitching - and lovely! - legs winked at him, her blue eyes twinkling with mirth.

Naruto turned to the swordsman, hoping to distract himself. "So… I don't suppose you can answer my questions? Wait, actually… Do you mind telling me your name?" He asked.

"My name is Siegfried." He answered curtly, gesturing for Naruto to sit down. "Very well… We shall quell your curiosity to the best of our abilities."

"Well hello there~ You can call me Mata Hari." The young woman smiled at him beautifully, prompting Naruto to force down his blush as hard as he could. Honestly, it wasn't his fault he had such little experience with romance! Nor was it his fault that her jugs were practically about to burst out from the thin straps around- "Focus… She can be a killer for all I know. Don't let your guard down…" Naruto smiled back, now a bit more on edge. "Hello to you too." He responded politely, making sure to maintain eye contact.

"Hey there!" A red-haired woman with stunning green eyes waved at him and winked. "I know you're probably really confused right now, but things'll get better, I promise. And if they don't, your big sister Boudica will be here! Isn't that right, Jack?"

"Mm…" A petite girl with pure white hair didn't bother to give a full answer, instead, focusing all of her attention on the one who called herself Boudica.

Naruto sat down, ready to unseal his sword at any given moment. He didn't pick up on any negative emotions from his companions, but it was always better to make sure. "Right… My name is Naruto Uzumaki!" He said fearlessly. "I like ramen in general… I hate the three minutes it takes to cook up ramen and…" His voice faltered. "A certain person in particular."

"A grudge?" Siegfried asked, his voice laced with slight hints of wariness. Some people would do anything to do for their revenge, and others were just… volatile when it came to their objects of hate. A certain Amazon Queen came to his mind…

"Something like that." Naruto's smile thinned. "But I don't think he's here, so we should be fine…"

"Hmm…" Boudica studied him for a minute. "Well, even if he was here, you wouldn't be able to kill him."

Naruto blinked.

"You have died," Siegfried added bluntly. "You are now in the Throne of Heroes."

His mind rebooted, restarting its function so it could process what he had just heard. It wasn't the fact that he had died. He had known that from the start. It was the word Siegfried had used when describing the place he was residing in. Never, for a single moment of his life, did Naruto think of himself as a hero. It was unfortunate, now that he thought about it, but he was a killer.

One that was unable to fulfill his sensei's dreams.

"The Throne of Heroes, huh," Naruto mumbled. "Then how is it that I got here?"

Boudica shrugged. "You must've been a pretty important person in your world. I mean, all of us have left our mark on history, so we just assume you have to be pretty famous to get in here. It doesn't mean you have to be a hero. It's pretty weird, huh?" She looked at Naruto's relatively apathetic face. "Are you okay?" She asked worriedly. "If there's anything-"

"I'm fine," Naruto said. "It's just…"

"Oh, my~ Are you alright?" Her visage never diminished in its beauty, even as her brow creased in worry. "I'm sure we can do something to help you."

Naruto closed his eyes. It was nice to know that everyone wasn't as arrogant or unwelcoming as Gilgamesh but his priority was information. "Thank you for asking." He folded his hands and sat up, straightening his lackadaisical posture. "But you can help me by answering more of my questions. Like what a Noble Phantasm. Or explaining what exactly the Throne of Heroes is."

Boudica sighed. "Think of it as an afterlife of a sort. Like I said before, people of great importance die and come here to rest here forever. But don't ask who decides whether you're worthy or not." She wagged her finger at Naruto. " We don't have any idea. It'd make sense if it was Gilgamesh. After all, she is the oldest hero…"

Naruto nodded in agreement, finishing her statement. "But if that was the case, there'd be no one in this hall, except herself."

"Weeeeell…" Boudica tapped her chin. "It'd be fair to assume that she'd let her friend into the Throne of Heroes."

Naruto's jaw dropped, the shinobi unable to mask his surprise. "She has a friend?"

"I know, right?" Boudica laughed. "She doesn't seem like the one to have friends, but yeah. Enkidu. A soulless entity from dirt. I don't know what she - he, whatever - sees in her…"

Her statements caught Naruto's attention. How was it that a person without a soul made it into the afterlife? Usually, it was your soul that was transported to the land of the dead, so how was it possible that this Enkidu was here? And if she was Gilgamesh's friend, where was she in the first place?

Siegfried interrupted Naruto's thoughts, as the blonde shinobi had, without awareness, voiced these thoughts. "The Throne of Heroes isn't your typical afterlife. What resides here is your spiritual core, the sum of your strengths, weapons, personality… It is your legend given form."

Naruto blinked.

"As for where Enkidu is…" Siegfried continued. "She is most likely on a… mission. The Throne of Heroes has gathered figures of great power for a reason. Major threats are constantly unfolding, and we are to stop the worst among the worst. Because we have been blessed with great power, it is only sensible that the duty falls upon us."

Naruto nodded. "I see… So is it possible that I will be sent on one of these missions soon?"

"Perhaps. Until then, it is wise to enjoy your stay and keep your skills sharp."

Naruto agreed. Besides, he never was one to laze around. Although the years and numerous deaths have jaded and forced him to mature, it was too much to ask him to sit down for hours. "And Siegfried mentioned my revealing of a Noble Phantasm. What did he mean by that?"

"A Noble Phantasm is a trump card of sorts…" Siegfried answered quietly. "They can be weapons or abilities that act as foundations for legends. I stopped you earlier because a newcomer like yourself will be tested by the others." He left it at that, allowing Naruto to figure out the rest.

And he wasn't wrong. Naruto had painted a target on his back by provoking Gilgamesh and now, countless warriors would seek him out to see if he could back up his talk. Naruto nodded at the challenge, remaining calm on the outside, but a sliver of his mind awaited in anticipation.

"Enough of that!" Boudica warmly smiled at him, waving off any worries with her bright grin. "For now, just eat up. Don't worry about being backstabbed or killed. If anyone tries anything, I'll be there, okay?"

Naruto looked around the table, finding only bronze plates. "Thanks for that, but I'm not exactly seeing… food…" In an instant, food covered the tops, appearing in great variety and quantity. "Ah!" Boudica laughed bashfully. "I keep forgetting that this is your first time here. Just think of what you want to eat and it'll appear."

"Really? Then…"

His bronze plate morphed, twisting into a bowl filled with noodles and vegetables marinated in the warm, salty broth. "And if I'm here forever…" Naruto nearly fell back, eyes gazing blankly at the ceiling. "That means I can have ramen… forever."

"Yes…" He sighed, taking in a deep breath of the ramen smell. "This is it…"

"You must really like that, huh…" Boudica joked, looking curiously at the unusual dish. Naruto, however, tuned everything out, calmly, but efficiently, slurping up the noodles. It was extremely odd for one to watch the ninja eat his favorite food. He was meticulous, making sure to not spill even the barest of drops, but the sounds he made suggested otherwise. His face remained the normal monotone mask he wore at all times, but the satisfied noises were incompatible.

It wasn't before long before Naruto finally sat back, nodding in satisfaction. "This must be heaven… Eating ramen every day without limit or pay? No further proof is needed…" For a moment, he relaxed, sinking into the rambunctious background, the sounds of laughing and talking blending into what he considered everyday life.

"If you would like, I can take you to your room," Siegfried muttered, having finished his meal as well. "That is, of course, assuming that you will stick with us. You are free to make your choice."

Naruto smirked. "Thanks for the offer. I think I'll stick with you guys..." It was a simple decision, in his opinion. They were friendly, helpful, and powerful (At least Siegfried was). Of course, the never-diminishing beauty of his two female companions - barring Jack, since she was most definitely underage - didn't hurt at all.

Siegfried nodded, though the barest hints of a smile crept onto his face. "Very well. I shall take you to where we reside if we are all finished with our food?" He posed the question, the ever-heroic knight keeping his other companions in mind.

"I think we're good!" Boudica said. "Right, Jackie?" She gently nudged the girl in her lap, caressing the smooth hair as a mother would do to her child.

"Mm..." Jack nodded, nestled cutely in Boudica's frame. To anyone else, the soft smile on the girl's face would've melted their hearts, but Naruto narrowed his eyes. There was just something off about the "girl" in front of him. She looked normal enough, but he, of all people, knew best how deceiving appearances could be, not to mention the underlying stench of blood that drifted from her. Still... the girl clearly loved Boudica, so he should be fine. "Let's go, mommy."

"Very well." The five, grouped, began to walk out of the grand hall with its still feasting diners. Siegfried, leading them, pushed the doors, swinging on its hinges.

"Are you sure we can't help you?" Naruto inwardly sighed as the sweet, musical voice prompted him to stop before quickly resuming his walk. Mata Hari... Every conversation with her was laborious, as he was convinced that there was some outside force - most likely a part of her powers - tampered with his judgment. She was, without a doubt, beautiful, but when has that stopped him from his mission as a shinobi? Nevertheless, Naruto could tell that her feelings of concern were genuine.

"It's nothing you should worry over." Naruto waved her off. "I'm just... getting used to this whole thing, that's all... What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Well..." Naruto scratched his head. "I don't know much about any of you and well... you're here now, aren't you?"

Mata Hari smiled. "I'm afraid there's not too much interesting about me. Though, you should know I'm not very strong, so don't depend on me in fights..." Her eyes looked away mournfully. It was funny to her, that a person like her was considered "good" enough to live in the Throne of Heroes. Compared to some of the exalted figures that resided here, she was nothing more than a woman who used her body to her advantage.

Naruto stopped her, placing a firm grip on her shoulder. Mata Hari let out a soft gasp, turning around quickly and getting ready to scream for help. Though it was called the Throne of Heroes, it was not exclusive to people that embodied the attributes of heroes. Already, she had encountered several beings that were not at all what she considered to be a "good" person, never mind a hero. She was wary, at first, of Naruto but she had sensed nothing bad from him. Were her intuitions wrong? Had he tricked Siegfried and played them like-

"You shouldn't be ashamed," Naruto said, looking at her with a strange intensity, one not filled with lust. "Strength is more than just being able to beat your enemies down or kill a bunch of people. Don't think for a second that you're a nobody. If you're here, you must've been a brave person back when you were alive." He smiled. "I still don't fully understand what I'm dealing with here and what this place is, but I know that for certain."

Mata Hari looked away, a slight blush blossoming on her face, though it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Though she had never regretted her actions, she had always been secretly ashamed of her impurity. Having slept with so many men as a dancer and a prostitute, she often felt dirty when sitting near the heroes of the old. It was reassuring, that a hero with such power would say something like that to her. "Thank you, Naruto..."

Naruto gently steered her back into motion, having noticed that they had fallen back. "Don't ever forget that, okay? And-" His carefully molded instincts screeched at him in warning, forcing him to yank his feminine companion into his arms and jumping to the side, barely avoiding a sweep of a spear. The air whistled past his ear, the backlash of the swing flicking his skin and tousling his hair. "Are you okay?" He asked quickly, not setting down Mata Hari and keeping her in his arms instead. Of course, it was simply just him ensuring her safety. It had nothing - really! - to do with her smooth, unblemished skin that felt so soft against his arms... He shook his head, his eyes focusing on the spearman before him.

Though she had taken his words to heart, what had just transpired merely reinforced what she knew. Mata Hari silently sighed before feeling the muscular chest her head leaned against. "Are you trying to seduce me, Naruto~"

"Huh?" Naruto dumbly looked down before yelping in shock. Apologizing over and over, he set her down as gently as he could but refused to take his eyes off of their attacker. "I was just making sure you were safe!"

Mata Hari giggled. A pleasant sound, Naruto thought. "Aww... I didn't think you cared so much about me. I did feel your hand rest on my legs a little longer than it should have. My, my, aren't you bold~"

"Stop saying things like that! A guy just tried to kill us and you're worried about that?" Naruto didn't know whether to continue "arguing" or confront the man and take him down. "And I was just making sure you were safe!"

"Heh." The man in a tight blue bodysuit spun his spear rapidly before jamming its butt on the ground, sending the slightest tremors. "That's nice... Flirting and all, but you don't need to worry about death, newbie. We're already dead, so it doesn't matter if you 'die' here or not." His crimson eyes were eerily similar to that of Gilgamesh's, though it lacked her usual haughtiness. In its place burned a playful yet feral fire that seemed to challenge Naruto.

"Cu Chulainn..." Siegfried muttered. Naruto's eyes swept to the side, noting that his other companions had joined his side, though they mostly looked calm. Boudica, though, looked ready to unsheath her sword and start swinging.

"Calm down..." He pointed at Naruto. "He's the only guy I have business with, so the rest of you can go do whatever." He smiled devilishly. "Unless you all want to fight as well. That's fine by me too!"

"What are you saying!" Boudica burst in. "He just came here today! Don't you think-"

"Sure." Naruto accepted, ignoring Boudica's glare. "But I'd prefer to fight somewhere else. This," He gestured at the hallway. "Doesn't seem like an ideal battlefield, does it?"

"Ha!" The spearman barked in laughter. "Now that's more like it! I like that kind of spirit. There's a training room down the hallway and a couple of turns left. Siegfried should know the way, so don't worry about getting lost." He rested his blood-red spear on his shoulder. "I'll meet you there." In a flash, Cu sped away, air bursting from his position as the hero made his way to the so-called training room.

"Naruto."

He looked up. "Yeah?"

"Be careful," Siegfried warned. "I am not denying your power, but you are no longer dueling mere men. These are people that have risen to the same status as you, with Noble Phantasms of their own."

He understood. There were no physical repercussions if you lost but as a fellow fighter, Naruto understood. He may have cast aside his pride as a shinobi but he knew how bad it would be if he were to partake in a one-sided fight as the losing side. At the very least, he should be able to force the fight into a close match.

"Just lead the way, Siegfried."

~o~

Naruto smirked at the sight. A group of people - it could not be called a crowd - had gathered around the two, eager to see what kind of powers Naruto possessed. "It's been a while since I've gone up against someone with powers I've never even heard of..." He glanced at the spear. "And whatever that thing is... I better avoid it at all costs." Naruto smacked his fist into a palm. "You ready?"

Cu Chulain laughed. "That's it! I'm fine with people that get straight down to business." He crouched low, like a vicious wolf prowling out for blood. "That Noble Phantasm you were just about to release back there? Let's see if I can force you to bring it back out! You better be ready, 'cause I'm not gonna hold back!"

"Right back at ya." Naruto bent his knees and slid into his fighting stance. "Here I come!"

Cu Chulain was a Lancer-class, not only because he utilized a spear, but also because his agility was inhuman. Like a wild beast, his unbridled speed was a threat to any warrior that dared to challenge him. So it shocked him when his challenger threw a punch right at his head that he barely dodged. A smile crept onto his face.

Naruto threw several blows, all aimed at the upper body of Cu, but they were blocked by the red spear of his. With his punches proving to be ineffective, the shinobi switched it up, stretching his right leg and explosively kicking Cu's side. His eyes widened as Cu's body merely slid a foot to the side. "Unbelievable... Siegfried wasn't kidding when he said these guys are on another level." Naruto flipped back, avoiding several strikes that threatened to decapitate and bisect him at the waist while flicking several kunai.

Cu Chulain stood there, refusing to give any ground. His spear spun at a ridiculous speed, appearing as a blurred red circle as it deflected all the projectiles with ease. "Are you afraid to get in close? Stop backing off!" Unsatisfied with the temporary retreat, he rushed towards Naruto, leaving a small crater in the ground.

Naruto gritted his teeth, deflecting the man's blows but not without a cost. His kunai appeared to be fragile against the spear, as they shattered after several stabs. It was extremely frustrating for his weapons to break into microscopic fragments, forcing him to quickly reach into his pouch. "I can't keep doing this forever! Eventually, he'll land a blow-'' As if on cue, the crimson weapon grazed the lower part of his left arm. Naruto growled though it was less because of the pain and more because of the realization that first blood went to Cu Chulainn.

"First blood goes to me." The spearman stated as if he was reading Naruto's mind. "Hurry up and bring out that sword of yours!"

To the side, Siegfried and the others watched with anticipation, feeling the impatience and frustration of Cu Chulainn growing by the second. "What do you think, Sieg?" Boudica tapped his arm in question. "His movements are pretty good but he won't beat Cu at the rate he's fighting." She sighed. "Honestly, it would be far better if he had just refused the challenge. You men and your pride..."

"It is dishonorable for one to refuse a challenge," Siegfried said, standing with his arms crossed. "While Naruto does not seem to be a knight, he too recognizes this."

"Hurry up and beat him down, Naruto!" Boudica shouted, waving her arms in fervent support, eliciting a slight whine from Jack, who had her attention taken away from her. "C'mon guys." She nudged her companions. "Show some support!"

"... You can do this."

"Put some more emotion in it!"

"... I'm sorry."

Mata Hari bit her lip in worry. She was no fighter but even she knew the kind of fighter Cu Chulain was. As the son of Lugh, the Irish demigod was tenacious and unpredictable, having been trained by Scathatch herself. To make it worse, his spear Gae Bolg was not to be trifled. She shook her head in worry, even though she knew for a certainty that Naruto would not "die". At the very least, however, she could show some support. "I believe in you, Naruto!" She called out.

"Ho?" Cu Chulain couldn't help but grin at the scene. "Not even a day here and you've already picked up a woman? Not bad..." He twirled his spear and pointed it right at Naruto's heart. "But it's not gonna save you from me."

"You're right," Naruto replied coolly. "I guess I'm just going to have to pick it up a notch."

Clashes rang throughout the room as the two warriors began to pick up speed. "Are you insulting me?" Cu growled. Dodging another blow, he ducked and slammed the butt of his spear into Naruto's ribs, eliciting a slight grunt. "You're holding back, aren't cha? if you don't step it up, you'll lose. I won't ask you again. Bring out that sword of yours."

"Tch!" Naruto wiped the blood off his arm, smearing the crimson liquid on his skin. "I hate to admit it, but he's right. I can't compete with him in my base state. I have to reveal one of my tricks... Eh, might as well." Just like earlier, he placed his hand over the seal, pulsing his chakra throughout the area. In response, the same gleaming blade of lightning appeared in his hands, crackles of voltage frying the air near him. "You asked for it!" Once more, lightning streamed through his very blood, filling his tenketsu with its intense power. His familiar tanned skin gave way to the pure white that was familiar to all.

"That's it!" Cu Chulainn's smile stretched to its utmost limits. He too jumped back and red flickers of aura caressed the edge of his spear, setting everyone on edge with its vile energy. Like a true beast, he crouched on all fours. "Let's see you handle this!" Cu leaped into the air, his muscles and veins bulging while arching his back.

"Get behind me!" Siegfried lept in front of Boudica, Jack, and Mata Hari. Similarly, the other occupants of the room threw their bodies backward, anticipating the backlash of the Noble Phantasms clashing.

"Gae-" Cu's grin grew even more feral if it was possible at this point.

"Overcharge-" Naruto's arm shined brightly with the amount of lightning chakra being condensed in that area.

"Bolg!" The spear was sent hurtling through the air, ready to pierce Naruto's heart.

"Deathpecker!" A current of swirling lightning and a vortex of harsh winds curved round and round, hurtling at the spearman.

The tempest slammed into Cu, throwing him against the far side of the wall while small bolts of lightning struck at his body. "What a technique! Numerous consecutive thrusts powered by that lightning of his? Incredible!" Still, he doggedly raised his neck, even as the gales whipped and lashed at his skin. There was no doubt that he wanted to see how Naruto would fare against one of his Noble Phantasms. "Let's see you dodge that!"

Naruto's eyes widened as the spear flew through his Noble Phantasm unhampered. "That throw! It just passed through all those winds and lightning without even slowing down? So this is a Noble Phantasm... I can't believe this... Forcing me to reveal another one of my tricks... Sure, I could just let myself be killed, but I wouldn't be Naruto Uzumaki if I did!" Quickly sealing the Sword of the Thunder God, Naruto bit his thumb in a hurry before slamming his hands to the ground. "Kuchiyose: Goju Rashomon (Summoning: Quintuple Rashomon)!"

Cu Chulainn's jaw dropped to the ground as five towering, demonic gates shot up from the ground, leering at him with their monstrous faces. "A defensive technique as well? I've never heard of a swordsman that can summon such shields. I guess you weren't all just talk..." Naruto smirked on the other side of the temporary walls he had constructed.

The spear's tip slammed into the first gate, carving a hole straight through. The spear roared through the air, seeking for Naruto's blood, with the remaining four gates being the only thing stopping him from getting skewered. It slowed slightly upon meeting the second gate, but only for a moment's notice, as the Noble Phantasm slogged through the second gate. Naruto's eyes widened. "That easily?"

The third gate stood strong before collapsing before the Gae Bolg's might. Red energy flickered all along the spear's edge, leaving behind crimson trails as it clashed with the fourth gate. This time, the spear stopped, attempting to pierce through the wall but unable to do so, it stayed there. After being stuck in a seemingly endless stalemate, Gae Bolg finally pushed through. Cu Chulain grinned at the sight.

The rings of wind would have bowled Mata Hari over if it wasn't for Boudica, the ever-loving sister. The red-haired queen had grabbed her as Siegfried shielded them all to the best of his ability. "Hold tight! The end is near!" He shouted back, forced to talk at a volume much higher than what he was used to. It couldn't be helped. The clashing of two Noble Phantasms had whipped up a storm on its own, never mind the miniature swirl of winds Naruto had unleashed with his sword.

Finally, the cursed spear met the last gate. A bright red shined, nearly blinding anybody who dared to look upon the sight instead of shielding themselves. Cracks began to spread throughout the last gate. But at the same time, the speed and energy of Gae Bolg were noticeably dying down. Thus began a paradoxical struggle between the two. A spear and its owner inhumanly tenacious against a shinobi that was unwilling to back down.

Naruto gritted his teeth, feeding more chakra to the summon. "Dammit! If I lose here, I'll have to reveal another one of my Jutsu. I have to stop his spear right now." After what seemed to be centuries, the spear finally shattered the wall and howled for Naruto's blood, homing in on his chest. It stabbed him right through his heart, eliciting a widening of the eyes from Naruto and the spectators.

Only, when it pierced his body, he vanished in a puff of smoke. "What!" Cu slammed his fist on the wall. "What kind of trick is that? No matter…" His expression of outrage and shock died down, as he was well aware of his spear's properties. "Gae Bolg… No matter how many times you try and dodge it, it'll find you and strike you. Where are you hiding?"

In midair, the trajectory of the spear changed, swerving down to the ground. Naruto, in a shower of rubble, erupted from the floor, his eyes narrowed and his mouth was drawn in an angry line. "It broke through the Rashomon and it popped my Shadow Clone… Still, they're not sure what my Shadow Clones are. For all they know-" His eyes widened as the spear passed through his body. Again, Gae Bolg speared him right through his chest, only this time, he was unable to avoid the damage. There on the ground, he laid, the cursed spear pinning him to the floor and preventing him from standing up. Blood spurted from his wound and his mouth, dribbling down his chin and chest. "Damn..."

"You..." Boudica fumed.

"Boudica," Siegfried gently reminded. "This is their business. Naruto has fought valiantly and proved himself to be a worthy combatant." He turned back to the scene. "Do not dishonor his defeat."

Mata Hari looked away, unable to watch her companion's loss and "death". She was no warrior and thus, was unused to the notion of blood and gore. She was certainly no stranger to violence and pain, but if someone had told her, back when she was alive, that she would be living alongside fighters with unblockable spears and world-breaking techniques after her death, she would've laughed. But here she was.

Cu stepped up, his body cut from the slicing winds and slightly smoldering from the lightning. "Tch." He slowly walked forward and stood before Naruto's fallen body. Cu grabbed onto the spear and pulled it out. "Who the hell are you? I've never met a swordsman that can summon walls from the ground like it's nothing. Not to mention that you nearly blocked my Noble Phantasm." He rested his trusty spear over his shoulder. "Heh. Whatever. I'll get those answers out of you later. Good fight though… You almost had me."

Only, the side of Naruto's foot slammed straight into Cu's face, sending him right back to the floor. As he tumbled across the floor, Cu used one hand to propel himself upright before stabbing his spear into the ground, quickly halting himself. "What the hell was that? His speed picked up like it was nothing... How is he even standing?" It was only reflexes that saved him from eating dirt - or rather concrete - once more. Cu spun around, deftly parrying another punch with his spear.

Cu caught sight of Naruto and narrowed his feral, crimson eyes. A significant change had taken place concerning his strength. It was a no-brainer, really. Naruto's eyes were now solely white and his skin had taken on a reddish tint. His gaping wound was still there, but he had somehow straightened himself and landed a blow. "You're something, aren't 'cha?" Cu shook his head in slight disbelief. "You've definitely got guts, but you're on your last legs. It's-"

Siegfried whirled his head. "She's here!"

It was too late. Siegfried's warning was a second short. A hail of weapons fell upon the Irish hero, an aura surrounding each and every one of them. Though his spear deflected numerous projectiles and batted them to the side where they exploded on contact with the floor, he was eventually overwhelmed, buried, and pinned by swords. "You... I'll have... your heart for this..." His blood spilled over to the now-ruined floor before he began to vanish in a shimmer of particles.

"You dare lay your hands on my possession? He is mine to punish." A smooth regal town drifted down to the now-kneeling Naruto. It wouldn't be long before he too, would disappear. "Of course, it is a given that a rabid dog such as him fails to grasp such a concept. No matter." A familiar, haughty - admittedly beautiful - face filled the blurring vision of Naruto. Her futuristic throne whirred into motion, enclosing the distance between her and Naruto. "The time had come, mongrel."

A/N: I understand that none of this is "canon". Obviously, I've changed a couple of things because my fanfic is... odd. I think I did a terrible job explaining all of this but just think of the "Throne of Heroes" as Valhalla. I mean, that's where I drew the inspiration from in the first place. Again, I know that's not what it really is (maybe it is, I have no clue), but I just wanted to try something new.

I'm not too familiar with everyone's character, so some characters might say or act out of character. If that happens, please PM me or put it in the reviews so I can fix it.

So yeah. That's it. Hope you guys are staying safe amidst this pandemic. Have a happy Thanksgiving (I know it's still the 25th). Peace out!