Yo, I'm back with another update, as these chapters just keep flowing off of my fingers. It's crazy! No, but seriously, I cannot stop writing chapters for this fic until I probably reach the beginning of canon, which is in a few chapters. Now I wanted to address some important things. One being the pairing for this fic. I already had a girl in mind to be his partner and the whole dynamic of how it would play out, and I have ultimately decided with staying with her. Maybe, just maybe, there might be the probability of a harem, but that is a slim chance. Second thing is Naruto's weapon of choice. I will tell you this, it is not a sword, or any type of sword. His weapon is one that I have only seen him use in a fic around three time at most. I truly believe that you will be surprised at my choice of weaponry, and I do believe that it fits this Naruto well. Anyways that's it for me look out for the next chapter heading your way soon, and I hope to see you guys there. It's going to be electrifying. If you can SMELL what COOLNESS121 IS COOKING, then leave a review, favorite, and follow for ya boy.
Shout outs to the rock for his pure awesomeness.
Kage88- thanks for checking this out man, and I hope you stick around.
Ejammer- thanks for the kind words man, and I'll give your ideas some thought.
Black Wolf of Hueco Mundo- Yo, I thank you for the kind words on that brief fight scene, and I promise you they will only get better. I'm glad I surprised you with Lupa. I tried to bring out her attitude towards arriving kids to the Roman camp and how it said she tested them, and deemed them worthy or not. That won't happen fully in this chapter, but you get a promise of what's to come. Poseidon does not mess around when it comes to the Jackson's, and in my fic I'll actually give a legit reason.
"For Rome!"-Speech
Things are going exactly to plan. - Thoughts
Ch.4 So I'm at this camp right…
When Naruto awoke, he immediately had to shut his eyes and wince. Dammit, who turned on the sun? Naruto covered his eyes and slowly opened them, as to get adjusted to the light that was in the room. As his eyes became adjusted, his senses came to the forefront and he started to analyze the room he was in.
First thing he noticed was that the room was white.
So. Much. White.
The only place he could recall having so much white in one place was a hospital room, and that's where he guessed he was. This hospital room wasn't that different but for one thing. On the wall was golden wreath with the letters SPQR placed inside of it in all caps. Above the design were the words, 'Camp Jupiter' also. So I guess I've made it then. He laid his head back against the surprisingly comfortable pillow and breathed out a sigh of relief. That wolf he fought was the toughest challenge he had fought yet. He literally ripped his body apart to defeat it, and even then he wasn't able to put it down for good. Granted he was only ten, but if he couldn't even defeat a wolf, then what good would he be against an actual giant, hellhound, or gods forbid a Titan?
His reflective thoughts were interrupted by the door slamming open and impacting against the wall. The sudden intrusion and noise startled him, and reflexively he grabbed the nearest weapon he could think of.
A pillow.
Naruto readied the pillow in front of his face like a shield, but ultimately did not need it.
"…ammit Ramirez. Watch where you're going," A golden blonde haired kid said as he struggled to rise up from the tile flooring.
"Well I would watch where I was going if I could, Grace, but your big head got in my way," The girl with deep brown hair fired back. She was in the same predicament as the blonde kid, as Naruto could tell, as they were both tangled up on the floor.
"What did you say, Ramirez!? I couldn't hear it. It might be because of that giant forehead of yours," the blonde kid fired back as he was finally able to stand up.
"I do not have a big forehead, Grace. Maybe since your head is so big, it's blocking out your ear's ability to hear correctly," She said heatedly as she also stood up, red in the face with rage.
The blonde haired kid didn't take that one sitting down, as he immediately got into the tanned girl's face. Now that Naruto got a good look at them he could see that they were stark opposites. On one hand you had the slightly pale, blue eyed, blonde haired kid. On the other you had a girl with perfectly tanned skin, deep chocolate brown eyes, and dark brown hair with mixing shades of brown ranging from medium to almost black. It was like looking at night and day.
"Oh is that right, Ramirez? Well, I hope you are ready to get your butt kicked tonight during the War Game. Cuz the Fifth Cohort is going to shove those sticks the First has farther up their stuck up asses," He told her with a confident smile on his face. He crossed his arms across his leather purple shirt and leaned more on one side of his hips.
The girl was highly amused by his claim, and scoffed at it," You think the 'Failure Fifth' Cohort will be able to beat us? The First has yet to lose a War Game since I joined it, and I don't see it losing one now," She shot with a similar smug grin on her face that knocked the boy's off.
The blonde haired boy growled in frustration," What are you doing here anyways Ramirez? Do I look like I enjoy you following me around everywhere I go?"
Ramirez frowned," Why would I want to follow you, you blonde haired dolt. I have way better things to do than to follow you around," She replied.
"Oh yeah, then why are you here?" He prodded further with a raised brow.
The girl rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip," None of your business, Grace," She bit out," Why are you here?"
"None of your business, Ramirez. Now why don't you skedaddle on along? I do believe the First's designated team training session is going on right now, and I don't think little Ms. Perfect would want to miss it," He teased sarcastically. He then put both hands on his cheeks in a bad imitation of a horrified face," Oh, the horror. Little Ms. Perfect's perfectness will be ruined. What a shame," He sarcastically fired.
Naruto saw the look on the girl's face, and swore he saw her eyes flash red before she screamed," That's it Grace! I can't stand you for any longer than I already have! Uggh!" She groaned out as she ran both hands through her long curly hair. She curtly turned around and began to walk out of the room," You better hope I don't see you tonight Grace," She hissed out angrily as she gripped the door handle so tight Naruto could hear the groans of metal it gave out," Because if I do I am going to skewer you and mount your head on my wall!" With that she opened and slammed the door shut with a SLAM.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard it a thousand times already," The blonde haired boy murmured to himself. Naruto saw him turn his way and flash a sparkling, friendly smile as if what just happened was normal. He stepped towards Naruto, who still had the pillow ion his clutches, and held out a hand to shake.
Naruto looked to the hand and back to the friendly face before slowly gripping it firmly. Naruto smirked at the wince the boy gave as they gripped each other's hands. Naruto noticed the tattooed SPQR in the boys forearm, but didn't speak up about it. They shook hands once, before letting go at the same time.
Naruto smirked a little and spoke up first," So, who are you and what was that all about? That girl looked ready to carry out her threat right then and there," Naruto pointed out. He put the pillow back down on the bed before swinging his legs around and over the bed.
"I'm Jason Grace, son of Jupiter," The newly introduced Jason said before throwing a thumb in the direction of the door," and that was Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, daughter of Bellona. Don't worry too much about her, she's a part of the 'Perfect First' Cohort," He made air signs with his fingers," And they don't associate too much with anyone else outside of maybe the Second or Third Cohort," he told him.
Naruto ooh'd," Ooooh, okay. So I'm guessing you're part of the Fifth Cohort from what I heard. The, uh, 'Failure Fifth' Cohort," He pointed out with an amused smile on his face.
Jason winced at the use of the infamous nickname," Yeah, hit the nail on the head. I'm a part of the Fifth Cohort. The black sheep, if you will, in the entire Camp Jupiter. We're the cohort where all the rejects, undecided, or 'useless' demigods go," He revealed.
Naruto was shocked that they would have such a thing. That was downright mean," What do you mean useless demigods. Who are they to call anyone useless," He said outraged. He clenched his fists in anger at the blatant way they told kids, children, that they were worthless in the grand scheme of things. That they were more or less cannon fodder.
Jason picked up on the anger wafting off of Naruto, and drew a hidden smirk across his face before speaking up," That is exactly how I reacted too when I first heard the reputation. That's why I decided to join them instead of those stuck up pricks in the First or Second Cohort," He said casually. He pushed the blonde bang out of his hair," The same reputation I have been trying hard to get rid of since I got here. It's been a tough challenge, but I'm getting there. The thing is I could use some help," He offered.
Naruto visibly looked taken aback at the offer. He leaned in questioningly with narrowed eyes," Why would you want my help. I just got here. You barely even know me. How do you know I can help you?" Naruto asked, trying to get to the root of the reason.
Under Naruto scrutinizing look, Jason crumbled, those violet eyes were too intense, and revealed his reasoning," It's because I can use all the help I can get. Most kids when they get here don't want to join the Fifth and that hinders the pool we can pull from, ya know? The Fifth has had the same reputation of being a band of failures since before I even got here. I just want to help them, and show those pricks," Naruto swore he heard a mumbled Octavion in there," that the Fifth Cohort is not weak. That we are not a band of failures. I want to show them that we will not be looked down upon any longer."
His mini speech was filled with passion, and Naruto could feel the strong feeling Jason had towards his Cohort. It seemed like something he could get behind fully. Plus, it would give him a perfect opportunity to begin his pranking spree. An evil smirk splayed itself across his lips for a half a second before it disappeared so quickly one would question if it was there in the first place/
Naruto stood out of his bed, cracking all of the stiff joints feeling them pop back into place, and gave Jason his signature smile," Where do I sign up?"
Jason smiled so widely that his face threated to tear in half," Great, great. I'll bring you to the two Praetors of the camp so we can fully get you enlisted into the Fifth Cohort," Naruto and him smiled before Jason looked down and noticed something," But uh, I think you should put some clothes on first," He said pointing at Naruto's boxer clad figure.
Naruto looked down before shrugging it off. It wasn't the first time he was caught in his boxers, and he knew it wouldn't be the last. He surveyed the room quickly before finding his armor and clothes hung up on the wall.
Quickly he strapped on all of his gear. Chest plate, pants, laced with Kevlar, shin and forearm guards, made from some ore his dad gave him, said it was out of this world or something, and finally laced up his weighted sandals so they could provide that extra damage when he kicked. What most people didn't know about his clothing was that, one, it magically repaired itself, and so unless it was vaporized he wouldn't need a new set. Two, it was self-cleaning, also due to magic, so he didn't have to wash it. Finally the chest plate was a combination of Kevlar woven under interlocking metal plates that moved with his body, allowing complete 3-d movement with no restrictions. Granted it was still a prototype, it was a damn good one and he was proud of it.
Another hidden feature were his forearm guards and shin guards. They were figuratively indestructible. Meaning that nothing short of a blast from Jupiter's Master Bolt, or a smash from his dad's hammer would destroy these bad boys. The metal was also reflective, meaning he could deflect bullets or other projectiles away. He got that idea from reading this cool comic about this one comic book character. He forgets her name, but it sounded something like Wonderful Lady or something like that. And there was this cool function he installed into his forearm guards that doubled as a secondary weapon should his main one somehow be away from his body.
Anyways, he was finishing up strapping on, and checking his gear and went over to grab his fingerless combat gloves. These were his main weapon. As he gazed upon the gloves, he slowly slid them on, as to not irritate the function that made them turn into his main weapon. Once he had those on nice and firmly, he was ready to go and told Jason the same," I'm ready Jason. Let's get outta here," He and Jason began walking out of the hospital room," I don't want to stay in here any longer than I have to," He said.
Jason nodded and laughed aloud as he could relate to the feeling of being trapped inside these gods damned rooms.
"…o yeah. That's it man. You are now officially a part of the Fifth Cohort," Jason summed up with a shrug of his shoulder, as he and Naruto began walking away from the Senate House.
"Really?" Naruto asked in surprise," That's it? I don't have to go through some initiation ritual or something like that?" He asked curiously.
Jason just shook his head," Nah, well at least not today. You got lucky. Everybody is preparing for the War Game tonight, Siege, so they don't have much time for anything else," He informed.
Naruto nodded his head in understanding before the two fell into a comfortable silence. That silence was broken for Naruto and Jason as a shoulder roughly bumped into Naruto's. Due to years of training, Naruto did not fall like was expected, but the shoulder did have a considerable amount of force behind which caused him to take a step back. That was intended. Jason was quick to saddle up to the side of his newest friend, and gazed upon the person who committed the disrespectful act.
Octavian.
"Well, well, well boys," An utterly slimy voice mocked," It would seem as if our dearest friend Jason has gotten himself another reject for his cohort," He said with a sharp smug grin on his face as his two lumbering companions, legacies of Mars, laughed," Well what's he, Jason? What is his legacy?" He sneered.
Jason gritted his teeth and bit put the reply," He's undecided."
This was absolutely too funny for Octavian as he laughed before speaking," Or rather unwanted like some of the riff raff that makes up the Fifth Cohort."
That was it for Jason. He lunged at Octavian's smug face and wiped that grin off with a mean sucker punch. The blow connected with a wham and stumbled Octavian as he had not expected it at all. His two 'friends' stepped forward with intentions of retaliation, but were thwarted by the look in Jason's eyes.
Naruto curiously looked up into the sky, and saw the dark clouds that spawned over their position. He tilted his head back down, and saw the reason why those clouds were in the air.
Jason was downright furious. You could insult him all you wanted, but once it came to his friends, to his family…you were dead meat. That's why when Octavian said those words he threw all civility out of the window and punched the prick in the face. He hoped it hurt too. Jason glared at the two legacies of Mars with blazing blue eyes that seemed to spark with blue electricity. The scowl on his face looked like it was etched there when he was born, and his frown looked downright cold.
He stepped past the two frozen teens and gripped Octavian by the color of his purple Camp Jupiter T-Shirt. With seeming ease, Jason lifted Octavian into the air with both hands, and stared at him. Octavian, as stubborn as he was, did not flinch either. Granted he did now have a purpling bruise on his face, he knew Jason would not doing anything further than that. Violence and brawls were prohibited outside of the Coliseum, and the punishment depended on the severity. Today was the day everybody had been looking forward too ever since those two came to camp.
The daughter of Bellona and a son of Jupiter, the two youngest members to ever join.
Today was a special day, and if anyone got in trouble…Well just don't get in trouble as simple as that. Octavian stared down into the electric blue eyes of the Grace, and scoffed before slapping his hands away from his shirt. Jason wasn't expecting such a technique and was caught flat footed. As a result Octavian was able to land back on his feet, but this time he wasn't smiling.
He spat to the side and Jason and Naruto could see the red coloring to it. Octavian looked to the two of them before speaking in a dangerous tone to Jason," You better hope I do not see you during the War Game, Grace," He hissed out," because if I do, I will make sure you never cross me again," He threatened.
Jason's eyes narrowed even more, and if it was possible, thunder would have boomed. He settled for giving Octavian his most dangerous glare possible.
Octavian scoffed at the silent treatment he was given and beckoned his two companions it was time to go. He started walking and bumped shoulders with the both of them hard with his two companions doing the same, and to greater effect.
Naruto spoke up for the first time since that little encounter started," Well, can I just say that I will probably end up hating that guy's guts. Just looking at him makes me want to punch his lights out. Nice punch by the way," Naruto added.
Jason gave a grunt before turning around curtly, and began walking to the Fifth Cohort barracks," Thanks, and I promise you. You aren't the only one who wants to knock that prick down a notch, or several notches," He said.
Naruto nodded and joined his companion with walking. He was about to ask a question, but Jason beat him to it.
"If you are wondering who that was, that was Octavian. Resident prick of the First Cohort. I haven't liked him since I got here, and I don't see myself becoming at least not hostile with him anytime soon," Jason said.
Naruto just nodded as the tone of voice Jason said that name with seemed to be filled with anger. He didn't pry further and risk dredging up any memories stuffed down for a reason. The two just continued to walk in silence until they got to the Fifth Cohort barracks.
Naruto looked at the old looking building, and whistled at the size of it.
Jason noticed the reaction and smirked," Yeah, since we get the most people, we also need the most room. So, as a result, we got this place," He spoke," Come on, let me introduce you to everyone."
Naruto followed him inside until Jason stopped in the middle of the wide opening. Naruto looked up and around the wide enclosure, and gave an impressed look. The place looked rather well. Naruto's attention was taken from the place, as Jason put two finger into his mouth and whistled loudly.
Naruto wondered why he would do such a silly thing, but then heard the multitude of footsteps coming their way. Within seconds a countless amount of heads were piled in front of Naruto and he was half tempted to take a step back to gain some space.
Jason stepped up and cleared his throat," Guys, I got some good news. Today, I got us a new recruit," He heard groans and added," willingly."
This surprised many of them before a girl with slightly tan skin, light brown hair tied up into a ponytail, with green eyes stepped up and spoke up," What is he then, Jason?" She asked.
Jason saw the curious look in multiple people's eyes before answering," Uh, I don't really know. I forgot to ask," He said with a sheepish smile. He turned to Naruto and beckoned him to introduce himself.
Naruto gulped, never having been in front of this many people before, and said," W-well I'm a child of Vulcan," He said.
Several more groans came from the boys and girls of the Fifth Cohort which caused Naruto to frown.
The same girl spoke up again," Ya see Jason. He's a child of Vulcan. We both know that they want to be b their precious forge than in the field," She told him.
Jason nodded and was about to speak up, but Naruto beat him to it.
Naruto was offended and mildly angry at the meaning she had put behind her words. Granted she was frustrated, but that didn't meant that she got to bag on his step brothers and sisters like that. He resolved to fix the issue right there. He looked around for a certain something before finding a stone head. It looked old and unimportant, so Naruto went over and put his hand on the top of its stony cranium. Jason, and the boys and girls of the Fifth Cohort watched him do this with curious eyes.
Naruto, with his hand atop the head of the bust, began to squeeze. All they saw was that one second ago there was a bust of Julius Caesar there, and the next they heard a dull WHOOSH. Once the dust cleared everybody's jaws dropped to the floor with the remains of the bust.
Naruto blew off the dust on the palm of his hand, and dusted it off like he didn't just pulverize a stone head.
He looked to the girl and smirked," Well, I'm not like any of my siblings."
Pure silence.
All that there was, was pure silence. No one said a word after witnessing a display of unreal strength! They never knew a legacy of Vulcan could do that! The only demigod ever rumored to be able to accomplish feats of strength like that was Heracles, but he was a son of Jupiter.
Naruto saw the girl who said the things about his family walk to where he was, and pick up a piece of what once was Julius Caesar. She examined it before letting it drop from her hands. She looked from Jason to Naruto and held her hand out for him to shake.
Naruto looked at the hand for a moment before gripping it.
"You're okay in my book…" She trailed off, and made Naruto realize he never gave his name.
"Ehehe, I'm Naruto Uzumaki," He told her.
"Okay then Naruto," She said with a smile," Welcome to the Fifth Cohort."
Cheers erupted from the remaining teens as they mobbed Naruto with praises and questions.
Jason saddled up beside the girl, and asked," So, do you think we can actually turn our reputation around with him Gwen?"
Gwen answered back," I don't know Jason," She paused as she saw the glittering happiness within every person's eyes. It wasn't just happiness it was something else in there too.
It was hope.
She gave a sideways glance to Jason before moving away from the group," I hope he can live up to the picture he just painted of himself. He just improved that hope and happiness that was beginning to form here since you came here. I hope he knows that he was something to prove tonight during the War Game," She added.
Jason nodded with a small smile, as he saw Naruto answer questions and receive praises with a beaming smile on his face," Yeah, I see what you're talking about, but I have faith in him," Gwen looked at her companion with a surprised look on her face. Jason saw it and laughed," Oh, don't give me that look. I really do believe in him. I don't know what it is, but when I first saw him I gained this feeling that he was stronger than most of the people here. I might even say he could give me or Reyna a run for our money," this caused Gwen to choke a bit," I just gotta wait until tonight to see all of what he has to bring to the table."
With his words said and done, Jason put two fingers in his mouth and whistled once again. This caught everybody's attention, and caused them to pause in what they were doing.
Jason smiled," Guys, you all know what's happening tonight right?" At several nod he continued," Then I hope you know the importance of it too. Today is the day we prove ourselves to them, no, to the gods themselves, that we are just as Roman as one of the guy's from the First, Second, or Third Cohort. Tonight is the night we prove our strength. It is the day when we shock the entire camp to its core. Tonight is the night when we disregard the shame the Michael brought upon this Cohort. Tonight is a night of rebirth! We have trained for a moment like this for months, some of you years, and I say enough is enough!" He raised his voice," I'm tired of being looked down upon just because of what Cohort I'm form, because of what flag I stand behind. I don't know about you, but the only flag I stand behind is the one of Rome! The flag that for generations has been a means to represent strength, courage, and victory. Are we not Romans? Are we not worthy of the title of being called a Roman? Are we only worthy of being labeled failures or rejects or trash that had no reason being in the Roman Army?" He paused and took a breath. He looked across each every face he familiarized himself with, and could see expressions ranging from small smiles, to looks of determination," I ask again, are we not worthy?!" This time cheers came and Jason smiled," Well then let's plan on how we're going to win this thing!"
With that the barracks descended into mindless chatter, and whoever would walk past it would be none the wiser of the monumental plans that were forming in there.
"Good job my grandson."
The teen stopped what he was doing at the moment, and that was playing X-box, and smiled to himself. It is no problem grandfather. They were none the wiser, and I can tell that he doesn't suspect a thing.
"Good, good. Everything is going according to plan. In no time my two idiotic son will be at each other's throats, and that will give us a prime opportunity to continue my plans."
The teen was about to answer once more, but was interrupted by a blonde haired girl. He listened to her plight, and was about to tell her that no, he couldn't help.
"No, you foolish boy. Give her the shoes and bag."
Don't you think that would be a bad idea with the entirety of Olympus put on high alert?
Hid head shook involuntarily in pain," Do not question me boy! Just do as I say. If I must explain it, with the entirety of Olympus paranoid, they will not question it should one of their demigods be found with it.
The sent his grandfather a silent oohh, and smiled. To anyone else it was a genuine smile, but his thoughts couldn't have been any darker.
"Sure I think I have something in here that can help you Annabeth," He said and smiled a pearly white smile.
The girls sighed in relief," Oh, Luke thank you so much," She thanked with a slight red tinge to her cheeks.
Luke decided to add on just a little bit more to make sure she wouldn't question anything," It's no problem Annabeth. You know I'd do anything for you."
He had to hold himself back from laughing as he saw the dumb love struck look appear on her face, as he handed the bag that would spell her and her friends doom. Love was a stupid emotion that had no place anywhere. He resolved to strip that air head Aphrodite of the title once all of Olympus was under their control. Love did not bring anything, but disappointment and heartbreak. It made people do stupid things for no reason at all.
He bid her goodbye and closed his door back. Stupid things like turning the girl I loved into a gods damned tree. His fist shook in anger, and his eyes flashed gold for half a second. He curtly turned around, away from the Xbox.
He suddenly didn't feel like playing it anymore.
Ch. 4 End
