Chapter 52: A New Godfather

"How did you get here?" Hercules asked after catching Megara mid-fall when Ladon decided to leave causing Casco to fall as well.

"I used Argus' Visualization ability to not only materialize a duplicate of Aquila-Jovis' Bolt but also transport myself here," Megara answered.

Before Hercules could respond, a maniacal laugh made them look down. On the husk of Ladon's skin that protruded from the water, Typhonragazzo stood along with Casco.

"You've reached your limits, Megara," Typhonragazzo stated, his face partially torn revealing another underneath. "Even old Hercules is clearly worn out."

Hercules glared down at Typhonragazzo. "This isn't over!"

"Indeed, but for now it is," replied Typhonragazzo. "When I come back, I'll destroy the Foglia family (Konoha Village) for sure!"

"But how are you supposed to do that without your arms?" Hercules demanded.

"There is…another way to restore them," Typhonragazzo said cryptically before he and Casco disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Meanwhile, Megara looked away as her skin suddenly started to wither.

"What?" Hercules' eyes widened. "Is this—

"The side-effect of the spell (Jutsu) I used to regenerate," Megara explained. "It doesn't replenish the old cells, and I can only make so many new ones at once. So while I may be invincible in battle, I'm more closer to death each time I use it."

"Will this be permanent?"

Megara shook her head. "If I rest a bit, I'll restore my body to its younger self and then we can go back to the Foglia family territory together."

With this, Hercules nodded and ordered Aquila-Jovis to drop them off on the beach where Gelato and Adessoè were. Afterwards, the golden eagle picked up his sons Potenza-Aquila (Gamakichi) and Piedi-Aquila (Gamatatsu) and the three of them vanished.

###

"The Fifth Godfather (Hokage)!" Gelato exclaimed, after he had recovered. "Since when did Megara become that?"

"Just now," Megara smirked. "While you were out cold. That's what we agreed on, right?"

"Yeah, but I didn't think you'd take it seriously," Gelato said frowning. "Plus, you're not the greatest person I've met."

"How so?"

"Well, you stole Hercules' money, insulted the Godfathers, drugged Hercules which made him unable to fight as well as he could have, and knocked out your own apprentice."

Sighing, Megara reached into her trench-coat and slapped the Eagle Wallet (Frog Wallet) onto the table. "That's one issue taken care of, plus deciding to be the next Godfather takes care of the second. The others I'll make up for on our way back to Foglia family territory. Deal?"

Looking down at Megara's necklace which was still around his neck, Gelato nodded.

While Hercules and Adessoè smiled, Quando (Tonton) oinked happily.

###

Back at the Third Godfather's house a private ceremony was held between the Underboss (Second-in-Command), the Consigliere (Chief Advisor), and the remaining Capos (Captains) that made up the Foglia family to initiate Megara as the official Fifth Godfather.

"Do you swear, Miss Megara, granddaughter of Ponte Avanti (Hashirama Senju), to lead our family with honor, respect, and discipline above all else?" the Underboss recited.

"Yes," Megara said, sitting in a red velvet chair with her head bowed.

"Will you preserve our knowledge of Alchemy (Ninjutsu), Illusion (Genjutsu), and Chemistry (Taijutsu) without revealing it to the public for any reason?"

"Yes."

"If the situation is dire, would you put your life on the line for the sake of the family's preservation?"

"Yes."

"Very well, Miss Megara." The Underboss reached into his pocket, produced a gold ring with a red leaf-shaped insignia, and placed it on Megara's finger. "By the authority vested in me and the other high-ranking members, I hereby pronounce you as the Fifth Godfather of the Foglia family."

A series of polite claps followed, while outside the study where the ceremony took place Fogliaragazzo (Konohamaru) gritted his teeth as tears fell down his face.

Once this was done, Megara made her way out where she ran into Fogliaragazzo who fell into her cleavage.

"Oh, sorry," Megara apologized as the kid glared up at her. "You must be Fogliaragazzo, Mezzogiorno Scimmia's (Hiruzen Sarutobi's) grandson."

Unable to speak, Fogliaragazzo stormed off while Gamberetto (Ebisu) followed after him. Meanwhile, Megara walked into the backyard where all the Soldiers (minor Mafia members) stood including Gelato. Hercules, on the other hand, was leaning against a tree and gave Megara a thumbs-up.

Smiling, Megara turned to the Soldiers as the Capos Underboss and Consigliere stood on either side of her. "I thank you all for coming to this special occasion on behalf of your loyalty to this family and concern for its future. Starting today, I am the new Godfather and will be doing everything in my power to uphold this family's reputation despite the number of losses we've suffered. Therefore, the number of Missions assigned to every Squad will double in order to maintain our influence from before the Third Godfather's unfortunate passing. This may seem unfair to you, but it's all for the sake of protecting the family from scrutiny and greater threats that would tear us apart if they found out how weak we actually are. However, this is only a temporary measure until our true strength is replenished. So please be patient and trust my judgement. If there are any complaints, please take them up with the Underboss or Consigliere."

Then Megara turned away and went back into the house while the Soldiers looked stunned.

###

Sometime later, Megara went to the hospital where Tony (Sasuke) Spauracchio (Kakashi) and Beni Niro (Rock Lee) were being cared for. She was accompanied by two bodyguards, who stood politely outside each room she visited. With her Healing spells (Healing Jutsu), the Fifth Godfather was able to restore Tony and Spauracchio's mental states after they had both been affected by Donnola Fuori's (Itachi Uchiha's) Caleideoscopio Specchio Occhi Luna (Mangekyou Sharingan Tsukuyomi) Illusion. But when she examined Beni Niro, Megara frowned.

"Is something wrong, Miss?" Beni Niro asked.

"Your body is greatly damaged," Megara stated. "It seems to be from a combination of your fractured limbs and the after-effects of powerful Chemistry attacks (techniques)."

"That's right," Beni Niro confirmed. "I used the Blood Pressure Drop (Front Lotus) and the Testosterone Bomb (Reverse Lotus) after activating five of the Eight Centers (Eight Gates) of the human body."

"I see." Megara paused and then said, "There's...an operation I can perform to heal your limbs and torn muscle tissues completely, but the chances of you surviving are very slim. So in my opinion, the best course of action would be to quit being a Soldier permanently."

End of Chapter 52