Chapter 6: Aftermath

"Naruto…", Sakura trailed.

It's been a long time since the blonde's 'demise' but it seems it just happened yesterday. The wounds it brought forth towards the remaining shinobi did not heal. Sakura is at Naruto's grave with some white lilies on it.

"I have been practicing with Tsunade-sama and she's very strict". She then smiled.

"Do you remember when you used to pester me a lot? I didn't think a lot about it. All I know is that you're an idiot…It's difficult…With you gone, everyone were not the same as before. Gaara has been training harshly, and…"

Tears are now falling into her eyes as she spoke. "And it's his way to cope up for the loss. Kakashi-sensei on the other hand…Has been extremely serious. Do you remember that little runt you used to train? Konohamaru? He's been focusing on the Academy lately. He stays up late at night, training and training nonstop until Jiraiya-sama took an interest on him".

She then looked towards the sky where the chilly wind blew. "You've been so dear to us that Hinata…Hinata has been dedicated to become stronger so she can avenge you. Everyone has been training fruitlessly. We gave up on Sasuke. Naruto, it's my fault that you died".

She put her hand on her chest in a clenching manner. "It hurts so much…You died because of me. If I didn't force you to go into that mission, you won't end up dead. You'll still be alive and screaming your ambition to be Hokage. You're one of my closest friends. I…I will never forget you. Forgive me for everything I've done into you. All those insults…All those nonsense words I spoke…". She covered her face then wept.

"I'm sorry. The heaviness in my chest is still there. The guilt is still here. I'm sorry for crying once again. I can't just help it". She then let out a forced smile.

"Sakura"

"Tsunade-sama!". Sakura turned on her back.

"Stop wallowing in self-pity. It's not your fault that he died". Sakura just sighed. "Let's get going now. I'll wait for you in the hospital to further your training".

Sakura just nodded. She then looked on towards Naruto's grave. "I believe I should get going. I need to train now. Don't worry, I'll still visit you again whenever I'm free". She then walked off, following the female Hokage to continue her medical practice.

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"The Kyuubi jinchuuriki is dead". The rain is so heavy in the Hidden Village of the Rain, never ceasing to stop.

"All we need to do is wait for a few years before the Kyuubi would be resurrected", the man with the orange mask continued.

"What would be of Konoha?", Pein asked.

"Our business with them is over. What we must focus on is our plan".

~!~!~!~!~

Konohamaru would always go to Naruto's place. He would sweep it, clean it, maintaining its appearance as if the blonde is still living there. He would be in the place that he actually lived in it for several months, never going home, albeit occasionally. He was so saddened by the death of his rival. It seems fate has been cruel to him. All the ones that he loved are now buried.

He looked on towards the portrait of Team 7. Anger welled up inside him as he saw Sasuke's scowling face. He threw the picture frame where the sound of glass broke the eerie silence temporarily. He ripped off Sasuke's face from the picture then crumpled it in anger. Lately, he has been frustrated, angry and lonely. To cope up with Naruto's death, he would train relentlessly. Never stopping until he'll fall unconscious due to too much fatigue.

While Lee and Guy are still in their upbeat personality, they still feel the sadness that is inside of them. They feel sorry for Konohamaru, seeing as how close he is to the deceased blonde. Konohamaru never smiled, always scowling and becomes obsessed with taking down Sasuke that he was always reprimanded by his actions. He doesn't talk to anyone else, becoming indifferent. He has isolated himself from his own uncle, Sarutobi Asuma and even his friends Moegi and Udon. He'll seek Jiraiya of the Sannin to train and Jiraiya, seeing the youth's potential taught him the Rasengan. Konohamaru would become the top student of the Academy. Just like Sasuke before him, he had a massive following of girls but he ignored them. Moegi was worried at Konohamaru's situation that oftentimes she would try to talk to him but the Hiruzen's grandson would only speak a few words when the situation is important or not speaking at all. He would also go to the Ichiraku Ramen to eat his meal, just how Naruto would always do.

The blonde's death was devastating that even Gaara was no longer smiling and become extremely serious once and for all. It would become a common occurrence that he would go to Konoha just to visit the blonde's grave; talking to him and referring to him as his one and only friend, in other words a true friend. Even Jiraiya himself, missed the days that he spent with Minato's son. Naruto was greatly missed, and the Shinobis are unaware that he was alive in another world, becoming the second incarnation of the god of life and death himself.

~!~!~!~!~

It's been another day for Zeus as he felt stressed as lots of people would borrow forbidden books which are common to study in Pergrande Kingdom. He sighed as another person came.

"Hey, young one. I'll borrow this one".

"You already know the rules". Zeus replied. "8 Xoia for overdue".

"Yeah, yeah". The man then signed his name and Zeus looked on towards the book that the man has borrowed.

'How to Make Potions'. Zeus read in his mind. He then banged his head on his desk due to stress. The clock turned into 12 Noon which means a break. Zeus was glad at this as he could at least be free from his work until 2:30. He stretched his arms, put a sign on the library that its break time then he went out. His allowance every day is 800 Xoia. One of the benefits of being a librarian in Vorlam is that they could have a place of their own for free. Zeus's allowance would then be spent on his food and many other necessities.

Despite having a hectic schedule, he's glad that he found a great job. He's now strolling the streets, staring at children playing. Zeus was happy as he could see the citizens having peace themselves. After buying lunch, which mostly consisted of chocolates, he read the books he has carried with him.

"Let's see. How to Make a Demon. To make a demon, one must have a physical matter to work on. The best way is to write demonic runes in a book, the description of the appearance of a demon, their personality and what type of magic or any power they're going to use. Some mages do not use books. Some use cursed objects to make the spell fully effective. One of these examples is a key. The mage inscribes a demonic rune in a key, chant the necessary words whichever that comes into their instinct then the demon would be formed". He then scratched his head.

"It's a bit complicated". He closed the book, put it inside his bag then headed towards a store that sells magic items.

"Young man, what I can do for you?". The seller smiled.

"I was looking for a perfect object to create a demon with".

"Oh. What a journey into the realms of deeper magic. I'll help ya with that". The seller then proceeded to scurry the magic items in his store until he plucked out a 6 feet tall staff with the head of a dragon.

"This staff is created 200 years ago by the Cyneley. It was sold here by one of the members of the family as they no longer need it".

"Cyneley?"

"Oh young man. You seem to be ignorant. The Cyneley family is the ruler of this country for several centuries. Too bad the current king, His Royal Highness Dusan Cyneley-Pergrande doesn't have an heir of his own".

"Dusan Cyneley? Hey, I met the guy. I even talked to him. He told me that I'm free to use his last name".

"He gave you the permission to use the name Cyneley?" The seller then shook his head in disbelief.

"I'm honored to meet his adopted child". He then bowed.

"W-Wait. I don't understand.". Zeus stammered.

"Your Highness, seeing as his Highness Dusan gave you his last name, and then you are automatically his adopted son. You'll be the heir to the Pergrande Kingdom. Talking with the prince makes me feel honored. Take this staff with you and do not pay anything for this. It's your heirloom, use it well and do not disappoint your father". The seller then smiled as he began to turn on Zeus. Before Zeus could speak, a man entered the store.

"Victor, how's the day?". The newcomer then looked on at Zeus. "My son, how are you?"

"Your Highness Dusan, I was only tending to the goods and I haven't recognized your son the moment I laid eyes on him."

"Vander, you're here. You seem to be extremely busy that you do not have time for you father.", Dusan then smiled.

Zeus just sweat dropped at this as he was drag along by Dusan out of the store.

"I don't get it. Zeus is my name, not Vander".

"You're intending to use the name Acnologia has given you?"

"W-Wait…How did you know?" Zeus then gasped at this.

"I can read your thoughts. I can't see a hint of your former identity, only the god Ankhseram inside of you, plus the time you've spent with that bastard dragon slayer", Dusan replied as he looked seriously on Zeus.

"The reason I chose you is your latent magical power. You have overwhelming amounts of it, and it will continue to grow the more you use your Take Over. As I've told you the first time we've met, you are in control of your own fate. I believe in your capabilities. I believe that you're the only one who can defeat Acnologia. That's why I adopted you as my son. What makes you the right heir for my throne is your extreme willpower to survive, to be acknowledged and not to be underestimated. Plus, the potential of you being the second incarnation of the god of life and death would make you able to defend this country from Acnologia in case he knows of the dragons living here".

"This is so sudden…", Zeus whispered in a low tone.

"If I were you, you should accept this. This is a rare opportunity to be the king of Pergrande in case I die. I have no heirs as I can't produce a child. Consider it done. From now on, you're the son of Dusan Cyneley Pergrande and I hereby name you Vander Cyneley Pergrande. That will be the name you're using from now on". Dusan said as he turned his back on Zeus.

"Don't worry about the library further. I'll let another do the job. Meet me at the Royal Palace later on. No buts. I am the law in this land. Do I make myself clear?". With that, Dusan disappeared.

Zeus, now named as Vander, clenched the staff in his hand.

'If this is a way I can prove myself that I'm not going to die, then I'll do it'.

Note: This is not yaoi.