4 Years Later – Underworld – Phoenix Territory – Royal Training Grounds
Doing push-ups outdoors was a boy no older than four, his skin a pale cream, aristocratic features finely chiseled and flawless, and eyes shining a bright gold.
This was none other than the Phoenix Clan's firstborn: Naruto Phoenix, just four years old, under the supervision of Zark, the Phoenix forces' principal general—who, by some strange twist of fate, had found himself with a rare free moment.
Zark was a mountain of pure muscle, yet also one of the most respected generals among the Phoenix ranks.
Seated cross-legged before Naruto, he silently observed. To think he would be training his future lord—the very boy who had personally aided him with his own sick son despite his young age.
"...200."
Naruto counted before collapsing onto the ground, panting, staring at the multicolored sky as his chest heaved.
Zark: "Excellent, Lord Naruto…" he commented calmly, a glimmer of recognition flickering in his flame-like eyes.
Naruto: "N… not enough…" he murmured between breaths.
Zark chuckled.
Zark: "Though tensions of war loom, nothing is yet certain. Don't trouble yourself too much, my lord. You should be enjoying your childhood. But your ambition to grow stronger is welcomed—not only by me, but by all the Phoenix forces who watch you. It reassures them to know we will have a strong lord in the future."
Naruto listened in silence.
Zark: "Where other heirs still drink from their mothers' breasts, you stepped forward of your own will to train. That alone has earned you recognition in the eyes of adults and soldiers alike."
Naruto met his gaze quietly.
Zark: "And though your body has yet to mature and your magic remains sealed, your conditioning is impressive. Two hundred repetitions in every exercise—remarkable."
He smiled, and Naruto shared the smile.
Naruto: "You know how to motivate."
"Ah… so here you are…"
Both Naruto and Zark turned their heads instantly at the familiar voice.
Zark made to rise and bow, but the newcomer shook his head gently with a smile.
Naruto: "…Father."
At his side stood a girl—neither older nor younger than him, with fine, defined features softened by rounder cheeks, dark hair, and strange golden eyes like his own.
Lord Phoenix's smile was full of pride as he gazed at his firstborn. Where other heirs wasted time in play, his son showed ambition, diligence, and intelligence.
He stepped forward.
Lord Phoenix: "Naruto, come. Meet your sister."
Naruto (thinking): Half-sister… He had overheard his parents' argument nights ago, his mother's fury lashing out at his father until he himself had walked in, changing the atmosphere. But he was no fool.
Naruto rose and approached calmly, scrutinizing the girl as she held her ground under his gaze, though her small fists tightened.
Lord Phoenix: "This is Azula Phoenix, your younger sister. I expect she will one day be your right hand."
Naruto glanced at his father, then at the girl. Extending his hand, he said with a smile:
Naruto: "A pleasure. I'm Naruto, sister."
Azula blinked but accepted the handshake.
Azula (thinking): His hands are rough and strong… This will be a challenge. But that's fine.
Lord Phoenix exhaled softly. His wife had overthought it; they were children. Of course, they would get along better now than if they had met as hardened adults.
Lord Phoenix: "Zark, continue supervising their training, but do not push them too hard. Naruto, don't forget the lunch hour. Your mother awaits you."
With that, he departed through a glowing magic circle.
Azula: "How much longer are you going to hold my hand?" she asked curiously.
Naruto: "You have soft hands," he replied with a smile, releasing her.
Zark broke a sweat. For all their attempts to sound like adults, their small voices betrayed their youth.
Little did he know what this bond would bring in the years to come.
Time passed peacefully in Phoenix Territory, marked by improvement and reform inspired by the young heir. Naruto had begun carving a name for himself by reaching out to the forgotten—the low-class demons abandoned by a system that only remembered them when needed.
Humanitarian aid, work programs, and other initiatives flowed directly from the Phoenix Clan's coffers, inspired by Naruto's will.
Thus, the heir became known among the people as:
"Naruto Phoenix: The Light, The Benevolent, The Sun, The Just."
The first to speak, the first to act, the first to look upon those abandoned by the highborn.
At first, only Lady Phoenix had supported him. But as his popularity grew, the entire clan began investing in his vision.
And yet, amidst politics and reputation, Naruto never neglected his training. A year after Azula joined him, he unlocked his magic.
6 Years Later – Phoenix Territory – Phoenix Castle – Naruto's Chambers
Now ten years old, Naruto was changing clothes after finishing his day's tasks, pulling on his trousers.
From the bed, a figure turned to him with a watchful gaze—Azula.
Azula: "Do you still plan on going to the human world?" she asked curiously.
Naruto arched an eyebrow and smirked.
Naruto: "Worried about me?"
She scoffed.
Azula: "Of course not. If you die, I inherit everything."
Naruto: "That's if you survive Mother…" he countered, wiping her smile away. She knew well—his presence alone had spared her life. Lady Phoenix wanted nothing to do with her, prodigy or not.
Azula huffed and looked aside.
Azula: "You've gotten good with words…" she muttered.
Naruto: "Forget it. I'll leave a clone behind. Just support it to keep appearances. Mother will be away handling clan business, so you won't have much trouble."
Azula hummed.
Azula: "You do know the Primogen of Lucifer is holding a celebration next week? All clans are invited. It will be the first gathering of its kind."
Naruto nodded.
Naruto: "Distrust is natural, but no one would be foolish enough to cause trouble at a Lucifer event. Besides, I've always wanted to meet Lucifer himself."
Azula smirked. Suicidal, but not stupid—she liked that about him.
Azula: "Fine, I'll cover for you. But you owe me a favor."
Naruto sighed as a fiery clone appeared beside him.
Naruto: "My favors aren't easily earned… but since it's you, half a favor."
She clicked her tongue but accepted.
As the Phoenix crest glowed beneath his feet, Naruto vanished from the chamber.
Azula: "Follow me, slave," she ordered with a malicious grin.
Clone Naruto: "You know I have consciousness…" he muttered, but obeyed nonetheless.
Human World – Unknown Location
A strange magic circle flared upon the golden sands, spitting out Naruto in a weakened state.
Naruto (thinking): As Mother said, the rift to the human world has no breathable oxygen. Without magic, I'd already be unconscious… or dead. Truly, God wanted to cut us off from mankind.
He steadied himself, hearing the sound of waves. Lifting his head, his eyes widened—an endless ocean stretched before him.
The light…
For the first time, he beheld a radiance so warm, so unlike the twilight skies of the Underworld. The books hadn't lied.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Naruto froze at the voice, turning slowly. A woman stood nearby.
"Your first time outside, I take it? That glow in your eyes gives you away."
She spoke with a soft, elegant voice, gazing back at the waves.
Naruto stared in silence.
An elf—ethereal, sensual, impossibly beautiful. Long golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, adorned with a crown of leaves. Her green eyes shimmered with melancholy. A light blush softened her cheeks. Pointed ears peeked from her hair, decorated with golden earrings. She wore a revealing white garment, barely covering her, tied with golden rings, exposing her chest, stomach, and legs.
"It embarrasses me when you stare so intently."
She kept her eyes on the sea. Naruto swallowed hard. Something about her unsettled him.
He stepped back.
"No need to retreat. This is an island. Come, sit with me."
She patted the ground softly. Her voice was as soothing as the sea breeze.
Naruto (thinking): My first excursion… cursed luck.
He knew. He was at a disadvantage from the moment he stepped into the human world. His only options: comply, or die.
He approached and sat. At once, her fragrance enveloped him, warm and inviting. His eyelids grew heavy. Against his will, his head dropped into her lap.
"A demon… so lovely."
The woman stroked his hair, eyes shimmering with sadness—yet beneath them lurked endless hatred.
TO BE CONTINUED