Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. Here, I'm gonna be showing a bit of a rivalry before Naruto's mission start. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Percy Jackson.

Chapter 22: Rivalry

"Come on you romans! I know you can do better than that!" Naruto roared as watched the roman soldiers fight. "Stop being children playing around and be soldiers fighting to the deaths! Show me what it means to be roman!"

After morning came, and after breakfast, Naruto had the Roman demigods be tested on their skills. It's something he does every time he visits, and this is no different, even though he came for a different reason. Right now, the romans are fighting his clones, all of them henged as enemy soldiers. The demigods' goals are to defeat every clones, and capture the flag, a rather simple task from other training exercises.

Of course, the clones aren't making it easy through their uses of elemental and close combat attacks.

The only ones aren't participating are Jason and Reyna, who are observing their comrades alongside Naruto. Usually, they would be leading their comrades, but they already showed their leadership against the leaf, rock, and cloud shinobis. Plus, Naruto want the Romans to be lead by their cohorts, in case Jason and Reyna aren't available.

Piper, Leo, Thalia, and Anko are also with them as well. "Damn, you're an even stricter instructor, more than back at Camp Half-Blood." Thalia commented.

"Have to be. The romans are more disciplined than Camp Half-Blood." Naruto stated, crossing his arms. "Whether it's training, a quest, or a battle, you need to be a hard ball. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm all scowls 24/7."

Jason chuckled at that. "True. He made sure all of us loosen up and actually live our lives." The whiskered blonde even got a movie into the camp. No one still know how he managed that.

"So, you took a lot of my teachings to heart sochi." Anko commented as she looked at the Romans fighting. "The best training is real experience." Naruto nodded.

"And this will test their strength, as well as strengthen them even more." Naruto stated. As they watched, he snuck a look at Leo and Piper. He smiled a little.

Those two are taking all of this really well. Fighting ninjas and monsters, traveling across the country, and Piper even seen someone getting killed. Granted, it isn't the same as killing a person yourself, but seeing someone die in front of you is just as potentially traumatizing. Those two have very strong will to be barely affected.

"So, about what you have plan," Jason started speaking, looking at him. "Who's going to be at your side when your former village comes here?"

That's the plan Naruto have. Before he went to bed, he sent a note to Tsunade to come over to the Camp Jupiter to negotiate. He told her that he got several of the leaf captured, both in Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood, and will only let them go if she comes to see him personally. He'll let her bring whoever she wants, so long as they don't try to attack anyone in the camp.

He's not going to ambush her. Despite everything that happened, Naruto still cares about her. He's going to negotiate with her, or if needed, blackmail her into letting him go.

"Well, you and Reyna are obvious choices." Naruto commented. "The two of you are Praetors, the leaders of this camp, so it would be best for you two will be at my side. I'm going to bring Anko at my side as well. She's a jonin, a very strong one, and I trust her with my life. She won't let anybody harm me."

"You got that right! And those that try is going to regret the day they did!" Anko exclaimed maliciously, a vicious grin on her face. Jason, Piper, and Leo shivered at the look on her face, even Reyna felt a chill up her spine.

"And finally, Thalia. I fought with her the longest, so I can trust her as well." Naruto continued. Thalia beamed at this, though a small blush is on her cheek. "She's a skilled fighter, along with one of the children of the Big Three. She can hold her own against the shinobi."

Jason smiled at this, glad he's going to be at his sister's side. "Alright. Now, about where we'll set the meet-"

"Excuse me Naruto, but are you sure that Thalia will be strong enough to fight at your side?" Reyna interrupted, looking at Thalia. Jason stiffened a little before sighing in exasperation, knowing why Reyna asked that.

Thalia glared at her. "And what's that suppose to mean?" Thalia questioned in anger.

"I'm just saying, Naruto needs strong fighters by his side, and I don't know how strong you are." Reyna stated with no hesitance in her. "You may be the daughter of Zeus, but that doesn't automatically mean you're stronger than any of us."

Thalia and Reyna glared at one another, with the group watching. Piper couldn't help but roll her eyes at the girl's rivalry while Leo's eyes are gleaming in excitement at a possible catfight. Jason sighed in exasperation once again while Anko narrow her eyes at the girls.

Naruto shifted his eyes between the two girls. He doesn't know the problem between the two girls, and when it originated, but he knows that the two are inches away from fighting with one another. Knowing that they might do this at anytime, he decided to make sure the tension won't explode at the wrong time.

"Reyna, don't worry about it." Naruto stated to the girl, turning towards her. "I trust Thalia, and I know how strong she is. She's capable at fighting on our side, more than capable."

Reyna narrowed her eyes. "Then I want to see for myself." Reyna declared. "I want to have a spar after training, and I'll see for myself how strong she is."

Before Naruto could say anything, Thalia butt in. "Oh, it's on! I'm going to kick your ass!"

"I like to see you try." Reyna stated coldly. The two girls glared at one another, lightning sparking between their eyes.

Naruto couldn't help but sweatdropped. 'I have a feeling why Reyna is like this right now towards Thalia, but I'm praying that I'm wrong.' None of the Olympians are going to answer that prayer.

Jason and Leo also sweatdropped as well while Piper rolled her eyes. "So my sister got a crush on Naruto as well." Jason commented. "Can't say I'm surprise."

"Several more girls got feelings for him back at Camp Half-Blood as well." Piper informed him. Jason chuckled.

"Seeing this, I can't say I envy him. I rather not be caught in a love web."

(Later)

Soon after they finished the exercise, with the roman demigods having only ⅓ of their army knocked out to win, they all heard about the fight between Thalia and Reyna.

Several of them got interest in seeing between the older sister of Jason Grace and their Praetor Reyna, so many are now at the arena. Thalia and Reyna are at the sparring area, the two of them having a spear and a shield. Both of them are glaring at one another.

"So, which one do you think will win?" Anko asked, narrowing her eyes at the girls. This will be good to see if the girls are strong enough to be with her sochi. Then, she'll test both of them out herself.

"I'm thinking Thalia." Piper stated. "I've seen her fight several times, and her lightning attacks are something I don't want to be in front of."

"Well, I'm going to bet on the Reyna. That chick seem scary during the fight against those ninjas." Leo told her. Then he turn to Naruto and Jason. "Who are you gonna bet on blondies?"

Immediately, Naruto and Jason shook their head rapidly. "Oh no, we're not betting!" The two blondes said simultaneously. It would be a nightmare if Thalia and Reyna found out that they betted one against the other. Plus, neither of them could choose who would win, for different reasons of course.

Gwen, who was chosen to be the referee for the match, got between the two girls. "Alright, for this fight, it will be kept around the area. Magical attacks and jutsus can be use, so long as they don't go outside the arena. Ready?"

The two girls nodded, glaring at each other. "Then begin!"

Thalia was the first one to move. In lightning speed, she got right in front of Reyna and sent several stabs at her. But Reyna dodged each one, with little to no effort.

When Thalia took a second to stop, Reyna use this time to start attacking. This time, the roles were reversed, with Reyna attacking while Thalia is dodging, though she had to block more than a couple of times.

When Thalia blocked the next attack, she pushed Reyna's spear and her arm down, leaving her open. She went to hit her head with her shield, but Reyna ducked and then tackled Thalia. Thalia, however, manage flip over the Praetor, leaving Reyna to roll on the ground before landing on her knees, facing the daughter of Zeus.

The two charge at each other once again, sending several spear strikes at one another, with Thalia using her shield to defend or attack occasionally, none of them backing down.

Many of the romans are murmuring in amazement at the display of skill. They all knew how strong Reyna is, but to see someone else, other than Jason, that can hold up against her is impressive.

"Thalia is doing well." Jason commented. "But unfortunately, if you look closely, Reyna is the better weapon user."

Naruto nodded in agreement. "I've trained her to use all kind of weapons, and she's more than proficient with each one of them. No one can match her skills." Then he grinned. "But I'm not gonna count out Thalia. She has the endurance, speed, and power to match against Reyna's skills in battle."

"I would like to see that." Jason stated. He would like to see how strong his big sister is, even though it was his close friend that she's fighting. "But you haven't seen anything from Reyna yet."

The two girls had their spears clashed, trying to overpower one another. "It seems that I underestimate you Thalia Grace." Reyna stated. "Most can't hold up when facing me."

"I'm not most people!" Thalia retorted. Reyna smirked.

"True, but," Without warning, Reyna locked her spears with Thalia and flipped the punk girl sideways, startling the girl. Fortunately, she manage to land on her feet. "I won't let anyone beat me in weapon combat."

Everyone can see that tide of the battle change. Reyna is slowly gaining the upper hand, with Thalia being forced on defense and having to block the attacks more and more often. Reyna's attacks are almost like a blur, something that the others could barely see.

"What the, was she holding back?" Leo questioned, a bit startled at the speed.

Naruto cocked an eyebrow. "She gotten stronger last time I saw her."

"Yeah, she did." Jason agreed with a nod. "Ever since your last evaluation, she worked hard to improve herself. She took your advices to heart, and train herself into a coma. It's so that she can impress you."

Naruto took note of the last part. "But why does she want to impress me? I never thought of her as week, not even when I rescued her and her sister from those pirates."

Jason sweatdropped. "Um, no reason really." Jason said, a bit nervously. No way he's going to tell Naruto that Reyna have feelings for him. If he did, he'll end up as her sparring dummy.

They stopped talking when they heard Thalia slid back at Reyna's last attack. The punk girl stabbed the spear on the ground, stopping the momentum and giving her time to land on her knee. She breathed heavily, a bit bruised up and exhausted from Reyna's onslaught.

Reyna smirked at her. "I was right. You aren't strong enough to be at Naruto's side." Reyna stated.

Thalia growled, slowly getting up. She's is not going to lose. This girl think she isn't strong enough, but she'll show her! She ain't done yet!

Without saying a word, she incased her spear with lightning and before Reyna could do anything, she shot it right at the girl. The roman girl's eyes widen before jumped to the side, rolling on her knees just as the lightning struck where she was standing.

"I may not be able to match you with spears," Thalia growled. "But no one can match my power!"

In lightning fast speed, she got in front of Reyna, an electrified spear right above Reyna. The girl's eyes widen before she jumped back and dodged the electric attack.

The young leader gritted her teeth before performing several hand signs. "Ninja Art: Shadow Spear Jutsu!" Several spears appeared in front of her, and then she sent all of them right at Thalia.

Unfortunately for her, Thalia dodged them swiftly, running towards her with spear at the ready. Reyna was forced to block the attack, gritting her teeth as she felt the electricity run through her.

Knowing she can't stay like this, Reyna pushed her's and Thalia's spears downward before flipping over her. She then put a bit of space from each other, keeping her shield in front of her and her spear above it.

"I underestimated you." Reyna huffed out, breathing heavily. Thalia is breathing just as heavily. "But I'm not gonna lose you."

"I'm not planning to either." Thalia stated fiercely. The two stare at each other, ready to knock out one another.

But before they could, Naruto threw a kunai between the two and then appeared right between them. "So Reyna, do you think Thalia is strong enough to be at my side as well?" Naruto questioned.

Reyna frowned. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, the older girl is definitely stronger than her in terms of magic. She sighed. "I admit, she has been trained well. She is proficient enough to be alongside us."

"Oh admit it, I can kick your ass with my lightning abilities little girl." Thalia mocked. Several of the romans paled a little bit at what Thalia said while Reyna growled.

If there's one thing Reyna didn't like, it's being called a child.

"Even though you're older doesn't give you the right to call me a little girl!" Reyna stated fiercely. "And if I'm little, than you're an old hag!"

"What was that?!" Reyna and Thalia glared daggers at each other, lightning between them once again.

Many of the romans sweatdropped. "I've….never seen Reyna lose her cool like that before." One of them murmured.

"It's definitely foreign to see." Another said back.

Jason gain a deadpanned look. "Never thought I see someone else anger Reyna like this. I thought her older sister was the only one who could do that." And the one who angered her is his own sister no less.

Naruto sighed before hitting the two in the head, causing the two to yelp and hold their head in pain. "Can the two of you stop it right now? We got more important things to do. I know that you're more mature than this Reyna, and Thalia, you're twenty now. Act like it."

The two look away, with Reyna having her cheeks flushed while Thalia is pouting like a child. Several couldn't help but laugh at the scenario they're seeing.

"Alright campers, back to camp!" Jason called out to everyone. "After lunch, we're going back with training!" All of them saluted and went back to the camp.

"By the way," Naruto began as the group walked back behind the other demigods. He turned to Reyna with a proud smile. "I see you've gotten stronger Rey-chan. Your skills with weapons have improved immensely. Glad to see it." Reyna smiled proudly at this, though a small blush is on her cheeks.

He then turned to Thalia. "And Thalia, your training with electricity have paid off. Keep at it, and you'll be strong enough to match a kage in fighting." Thalia grinned proudly at this.

Behind them, Leo moaned in envy. "How did he became such a smooth talker?"

"He's a natural, that's for sure." Anko commented. "Like his old man." Despite not seeing Minato Namikaze much, Anko saw that the Fourth Hokage has always stole the affection of many women. Women that Kushina fought back fiercely.

And Naruto has the affection of many girls both here, the other camp, and the elemental nation. Yep, definitely like his old man.

(Meeting Hall)

"So this is where we're going to meet with Tsunade and anyone else she brings?" Naruto questioned, looking around the room.

Reyna nodded. "If they try to capture you and run, they'll have to deal with several other romans. It's the same if they have to fight. We'll be in our territory when the negotiation happens." Naruto grinned.

"Perfect. Any tricks they try to pull, it won't be easy." Naruto said. He then got serious and turned to the people in the room, which are Thalia, Jason, Reyna, and Anko. Leo and Piper are outside, acting as guards. "But don't underestimate anybody. Be prepared to give it your all."

"Yes sir."

"I will."

"Got it gaki."

Before he could say anything else, Terminus suddenly appeared in front of the group. "The leaf have arrived." Terminus told them all. "The leader is one Lady Tsunade."

Everyone got serious. Especially Naruto. "Alright. Remember, this is an negotiation, but be prepared to fight if you have to."

(With Octavian)

The legacy of Apollo is fuming to himself, stabbing a teddy bear aggressively. Every time the son of Vulcan keeps coming here, Octavian's blood boils.

Because of him, his rise to power has barely happened. Many of the blackmail he gain from others are gone because of that whiskered blonde, and his support became very low. He's forced to take his job completely serious, in order to keep his title as augor. And worse? He's a greek, a greek teaching romans how to fight.

He teared his teddy bear in half at the last thought. He needs to find a way to get rid of that graecus, along with the others graecus that pollutes this camp. But how? He's not a fighter himself, and he barely have any supporters to help him.

Then he remembered the prisoners. He grinned darkly. If this doesn't kill the bastard, it might ruin his reputation, along with Jason's and Reyna's.

And that's the end. I hope all of you liked the chapter, as well as the rivalry between Reyna and Thalia. Next up, the negotation between the demigods and the Leaf Village. Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you later.