Don't worry, Naruto and Sasuke won't be deadlocked with the dragons for long, guys. Not having fought anyone at a high level for 4000+ years can definitely diminish one's skill, after all! I'll also be skipping a lot of unnecessary information gathering, I'm sure most of you don't want to have to hear the DxD story told for the millionth tine.

Chapter 4: Establishing Godhood

Naruto and Sasuke had made it to the nearest city from whatever part of the ocean they were on. The place was called Kyoto, and it was apparently where that nine tailed vixen named Yasaka lived, Naruto had come to find out (much to Kurama's delight). It had been a year since they got there, and they had found out many things about the history of the world and it's inhabitants. Dragons, devils, angels, fallen angels, yokai, etc. They were currently in route to Yasaka's shrine, since it was the only place they could communicate with Amaterasu frequently (Sasuke had to be careful saying her name aloud, funnily enough, since his technique shared the same name and activated mentally).

"Ah, Asura-san, Indra-san!" Yasaka greeted them. She had come to enjoy their company, since their never ending bickering and occasional roughness amused her and the yokai under her command. She was even able to charge for a special comedy show just by recording them once when they had somehow gotten their hands stuck together in a giant wad of gum. She especially enjoyed Naruto's company ever since she found he could wield senjutsu, a potent version at that.

(flashback)

"I like the spiritual pressure around here, it makes the place feel so welcoming". Naruto loved Kyoto, since it was a place rife with spiritual energy. Sasuke had gone off to investigate more about the world, so it was just currently him and Yasaka since Lady Amaterasu had instructed her to show him around when she received word that they had arrived.

"I understand what you mean. There's definitely no place like home, though that might just be because I'm literally connected to this place", Yasaka said with a hint of mirth in her voice. Naruto flashed a wide grin at her comment, and she smiled back. He was... different. When they first met, she had no intention of even speaking to him. Men were all the same, they were run by their lust and greed. Those who didn't lust after her body lusted after her power, her position, her influence. It never failed.

Until she got to know him. He was one of the most gentle people she had ever met. Nothing he did was ever too rough or rushed, he took great care of everything. She could feel the power rolling off him in waves, and wandered if his technique was as gentle as his other skills. They had bonded at the insistence of the yokai locked away in his stomach, and she felt all the better for it. Not quite love, but definitely something resembling affection.

"Say, Asura-san, I know that you're pretty powerful", she turned back from her gait in front of him. "Are there any techniques you can use that aren't destructive, by any chance?"

Naruto, scratching his chin, couldn't come up with anything.

"Show her your senjutsu, kid". Kurama spoke up. Naruto smacked his fist into his hand, knowing what he meant. Senjutsu itself could be used to devastating effect, but the actual technique of gathering it was very peaceful. He stood completely still, closing his eyes and accumulating the energy.

"Is this... senjutsu!?" Yasaka was shocked. Senjutsu was a very rare ability only known to the yokai, even she couldn't pull it off perfectly, yet here this new god was, gathering it as if it was the most common place technique in the world. The energy he was pulling wasn't being forcibly drawn into his body, either. Rather, it was if everything was naturally attracted to him to begin with.

Yasaka felt a strange feeling of shock go down her spine. Her body started to shiver, and her face became flushed. The energy inside of her felt as if it was being... massaged. She was connected to the leylines here, so anything that happened to the environment, she could feel. Destruction, removal, even the very growth of the plants. What Naruto was doing, though, was a different matter altogether.

"He's... purifying... EVERYTHING". Yasaka struggled to stay standing. Naruto wasn't taking nature's power, like so many who practice senjutsu do, he was becoming one with it. Which also meant that he was becoming one with her. He was a true sage, not only taking and balancing all the malice in the ether, but removing the taint altogether.

Yasaka fell to her knees, her yukata starting to slip off her shoulders slightly. Her breathing became labored, and she started to sweat lightly as her tails stood up on end. He was forcing her into heat!

"Done. How's that Yasaka-chan... YASAKA CHAN!?" Naruto opened his toad-themed eyes to the sight of Yasaka kneeling and panting. That was odd, since he couldn't feel anyone doing anything to her, even in sage mode. He panicked slightly, not knowing what to do.

"I.m... f-fine, Asura-san. I just... need a break". She struggled to speak, clearly still feeling the effects of Naruto's transformation. "Take me back to the palace".

"R-right!", Naruto bellowed out, picking her up in his arms and running as fast but as gently as he could. The one thing about Naruto that didn't change was his attitude. He was loud, boisterous, annoying, and rude, but he could never leave someone that needed his help alone. It didn't matter what phobias he had, Naruto Uzumaki would never leave a comrade behind.

(end flashback)

"I bet you're thinking of that time you made her wet herself at your senjutsu", Kurama teased.

"Shut up, ero-fox! She just needed to rest", Naruto fired back as he came into the shrine with Sasuke.

"(I'm quite sure it was your power that did that to her, myself)", Albion spoke candidly.

"Not you too!"

"Are you idiots done fantasizing or what", Sasuke asked. They had to get a move on or else they'd miss Amaterasu.

Yasaka knelt at the shrine altar, clasping her hands together in silent prayer. Naruto couldn't help but notice that she was wearing a shrine maiden outfit that accentuated her curves, He lamented only ever getting Hinata to wear that once, thinking of how good it'd look on her. Sasuke was... not all that impressed. He liked his women to have a bit more fire than looks (not that Sakura ever looked bad to him). A golden light interrupted their thoughts, signifying the arrival of the great sun goddess.

"Ara, Asura-san, Indra-san, nice to see you. Have you finally come to join my pantheon?" Amaterasu was excited. Was today finally the day she'd get her two power players added to her group?

"Um, not exactly", Naruto wheezed out.

"To be blunt, we had no intention of accepting any offer from the start. We want to start our own, separate religion, in fact", Sasuke said, seeing no point in beating around the bush. Amaterasu gave them a graceful smile.

"Oh dear, I expected something like this to happen. You two are strong enough to defeat several established gods as you are, I just had to try my hand at recruiting you. Very well, I will also inform Michael-san of this decision". She turned around, getting ready to leave.

"Wait! We, um, don't know exactly how to do that, though..." Naruto trailed off, hoping she understood the unasked question. Amaterasu turned back around, mirth evident in her eyes. Then... she laughed. She laughed long and hard, joyously and with giddiness. Naruto was blushing, and Sasuke was sweat-dropping. After a while, she ceased her laughter.

"To think, the two of you who are powerful enough to defeat Zeus or Ares without much trouble would be so clueless! How I wish I could have you as my very own children, but alas, I will tell you of how to do so." Naruto and Sasuke stood there not saying anything, uncertain if she had just insulted them or praised them, and not willing to take the risk of assuming one or the other either way. The goddess continued, sending a passing glance at Yasaka filled with deviousness. Yasaka flinched, her tails recoiling in terror.

"There are four ways to establish a pantheon", she spoke.

"The first is to gain the worship of many humans. Humans, believe it or not, are the most important species in all the realms. The pantheons across the world feed off the energy that's generated by the humans' worship. This is probably the easiest way since humans are so easily swayed. You can subjugate them, make deals with them, or unite them against a common enemy. There are many ways that many deities have gone about it. The christian God that Michael speaks of united them against a common enemy himself". Her face suddenly became serious.

"The second... is to overthrow the current pantheon of an established god". Sasuke grew more interested. He had heard that there was another Indra in this reality, and he was supposedly very strong. Maybe he could test himself against him?

"This one is the most frowned upon, as it tends to throw the balance of the world out of wack. However, should the replacement prove themselves competent, the world shan't weep for who he or she replaced. This is the case with Zeus and his father, Chronos". Her face went back to being jolly.

"The third is to be granted godhood by a chief deity. Zeus granted his half-son, Heracles, this". Naruto could swear he had heard that from somewhere, but didn't remember where exactly.

"The fourth and final method is to partake of an ancient relic. There are many weapons, forms of jewelry, and other objects that grant status. King Arthur was not a god, but was a knight-king by proxy of being able to wield the sword stuck in the stone".

"So what would you recommend", Sasuke asked. Naruto nodded his head, wanting to know which way she thought was best for them.

"Well, you two don't have to anything. You've already been granted godhood. Did Michael not tell you?" She relished in the dumbfounded expressions that came to their faces.

"(Yeah, you guys have been official gods since you got here)".

"[Could you not feel your own divinity?]"

"Kurama, did you know too!?"

"... Yeah..."

"But how", Sasuke asked, interrupting Naruto before he could take his complaining up a notch. They were powerful, more so than even Amaterasu herself if they were being honest, but they had not felt any different.

"Why do you think you were being asked to be the christian God, boys? Michael-san does not have the power to bestow divinity, as he himself is not a god. You were already divine, is the answer. Tell me, did you meet someone with overly shiny armor when you got here?"

Naruto racked his brain, and saw an image.

"Yeah, we did", he said. "The guy was really tall and covered from head to toe in golden armor. We thought he was going to attack us, but just said something about us... being... two new gods... How did we forget that?"

"...Hn."

"That's right, you boys were recognized by the chief deity of Christianity. You simply have to gain a following, now. Divinity is a funny thing, isn't it?" She giggled demurely.

"Where is shiny armor gramps anyway?" Naruto fell back into the habit of naming people names that were extremely literal. Sasuke seconded his question.

"Well, this is classified information to most, but since you are fellow deities, I can tell you without things getting blown out of proportion. The being you saw in the war... is dead".

"So, why is that a big deal? People die in war all the time", Naruto said.

"Are you really that daft, Asura", Sasuke questioned. "Not only does the head of a faction being dead create a power vacuum, if word got out, rival factions could attack that faction since it would be tremendously weakened", Sasuke explained. He thought Naruto had known this since he was a leader at various points in his life, but he had always been one to make decisions based on his gut and not his brain.

"Indra-san is correct. Losing the chief deity of one's religion is a major blow any way you look at it. It'd be like the leader of a village dying". At this, Naruto took a short trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the times he'd spent with old man Third. Snapping out of it, he spoke up.

"Ok, so all we have to do is gain followers. What does that mean? Gain people who will obey us? People who worship us? People who pray to us?" He shot off rapid fire questions.

"Gaining a follower, Asura-san, is as simple as getting someone to have faith. Faith in you or what you do. Faith is the cornerstone of every religion throughout the ages".

"... That sounds a bit hard". Naruto hung his head. Faith? He was no charismatic leader in his opinion, he loved people but didn't exactly know how to rally them to his cause. He had done so on a few occasions, but getting enough people to constitute a religion? That sounded like work for someone like his father or Kakashi sensei.

Everyone in the room just stood there and looked at Naruto incredulously.

"... You always have been an idiot, huh, kid?"

"(I concur. Your power is colossal but your intellect is like a drop in an ocean)".

"[If I had to choose between you and a sack of hammers, I'm taking the hammers]".

"Oi! Why is everyone insulting me now-ttebayo!"

"Because, Usuratonkachi, you are probably the most charismatic person in this room. I can attest to that", Sasuke spoke clearly and precisely. This was the same guy, the only guy, who hadn't given up on him when he went insane. The same guy who forgave those who had a hand in making his life a living hell when he was young. The same guy that showed him how to feel again. He wasn't a general, an advisor, or a strategist. He was a leader, and others followed him even as they died.

"You really mean it, Indra?"

"Of course, dobe".

"I agree", Amaterasu spoke up. "In fact, you've already got one pretty devout follower yourself, Asura-san". She turned to Yasaka, making her turn a deep shade of red. Naruto had learned a thing or two about girls turning red, since Hinata was a repeat offender in that department.

"I... understand. Isn't that poaching, though? Isn't she tied to your religion, Amaterasu-sama?"

"Perish the thought. My children are not tied down by such frivolous conditions. If she believes in you, she may follow you as she wishes. Didn't I tell you that you'd be first in line to wed her?" This caused Naruto to blush his own shade of red. He didn't think he could handle marriage right now, but that wasn't the thing that weighed most heavily on his mind.

"Are you ok with this, Yasaka-chan", he asked. He'd never force someone to follow him.

"... I don't hate it. I think you're an honorable man, at the least. Your senjutsu doesn't take, it heals, and you are not a ruffian. I don't think marriage is viable yet, but I am willing to follow whatever missions you have set for yourselves". She left out that his senjutsu had the added effect of bringing her to her knees, and nearly driving her wild with lust. Sasuke almost snorted, this was like the beginning of some arc where the harem protagonist had to woo his first member.

"Gee, Yasaka-chan, thanks". Naruto had learned to open up to her, just a little. Amaterasu was a goddess with a goddess's stature. He couldn't really relate to her, having never been worshiped. Yasaka, on the other hand, was more relatable. She laughed, she cried, she pouted, she got nervous, excited, and everything in between. She was a lot more human than fox, and Naruto found himself appreciating her presence after a while (not that he minded foxes, even ones like Kurama).

Suddenly, an explosion was heard near the shrine. Yasaka's eyes grew wide, the sound came from the direction of-

"The palace", Naruto and Sasuke said simultaneously. "Grab onto me, it's the fastest way there", Sasuke commanded. Shifting dimensions was better than running on foot.

"And here I thought we weren't gonna get to kick any ass today". Naruto, in spite of the situation, found himself smirking. There was nothing but low level thugs around for the past year, but someone able to get under his senses like this (even if he wasn't exactly trying to sense them) was an opponent he could sharpen his fangs on.

"Oh dear, I'd better get back to my domain". Amaterasu was not worried. These boys, no, men were more than capable of protecting her precious land of Japan. The dragons themselves could bring about natural disaster-levels of destruction, but the men who wielded them were the true threats.

This will be the event where the New Gods burst onto the scene.

-Annnnnnnnnnd cut. This chapter sets up a lot of what's to come, so I hope you all enjoyed it. Oh, and just so there won't be too mcuh speculation, there WILL be a harem. Naruto's harem, to be exact. Sasuke will have someone, but I'm not telling who just yet. Hint though, she's a vampire and from another anime.

Naruto Harem members so far:

-Yasaka

-Kuroka (those of you who know my other story, Dragon God Emperor, know I'm a huge fan of Kuroka).

-Xenovia (she just wants to have his kids, you'll see why). Gabriel won't be in a harem, since she's an angel and all, but she still plays a role.