A Week Later
Mount Olympus – Meeting Hall
Seated on his throne as the undisputed leader of Olympus was the great Zeus, victor of the Titanomachy and the undisputed ruler of Olympus.
Zeus frowned in annoyance. Gaia had slipped off his radar, and he had no idea where she was. He was fully aware of the vast difference in power between them, yet he wanted to control her, lest she cause trouble for Olympus. But for two weeks now, he had literally lost track of her.
Zeus clicked his tongue in irritation but left the matter for later. He had his own plans, and in times of danger, the Moirai and Themis were there to handle it. It was unfortunate that he couldn't venture into the human world due to the monsters lurking there.
Zeus nodded and vanished in a flash of lightning, problems postponed for another time.
Underworld – Phoenix Territory – Phoenix Castle – Porch
Returning home after a week away, Naruto was seen entering.
He dispelled his fire clone wherever it had been. A shame they couldn't share memories.
"So you just got back."
Naruto sighed, looking at Azula, who approached from the other side of the hall with her usual proud, haughty demeanor.
Naruto: "Why wouldn't I? Today's the party…" he replied calmly.
Azula: "Well, you didn't write…" she said, observing him from head to toe as she approached.
Naruto smiled.
Naruto: "You didn't write either, you know…" he said with a smile, stepping forward to wrap Azula in a hug around her waist.
Azula froze for a moment but allowed herself to be hugged. He was the only one who truly showed her these rare moments of affection outside conspiracies and common aristocratic formalities.
Azula buried her face in Naruto's chest, a soft blush spreading across her cheeks.
After a few seconds, Naruto released the hug and looked directly into Azula's flushed eyes.
Naruto: "Tell me, any news while I was away?" he asked, curiosity in his voice. Azula shook her head nervously under his firm, commanding gaze.
Naruto nodded and let her go.
Naruto: "I see…" he said, heading toward the living room, Azula following beside him.
Azula: "Did you expect anything? Lady Marianne hasn't returned yet, though she talks to you every night… but most of the time, it's just the two of us…" she explained. Naruto nodded, calmly appreciating the luxurious surroundings, which he had begun to value after several nights sleeping outdoors with his second mother on missions he wasn't ready for.
Naruto: "Well, setting that aside…" he said as he entered the living room and took a seat on one of the sofas, Azula following and sitting beside him, as both were active conspirators.
Naruto: "Finished refining your fire?" he asked curiously. Azula raised one hand, blue flames flickering from her palm.
Naruto nodded.
Naruto: "After gaining power, everything else is just trivial tasks…" he said calmly, making Azula smile.
They both scanned their surroundings.
Naruto leaned close to Azula's ear.
Naruto: "Starting today, create your faction, and I'll create mine… you know what to do…" he whispered, giving her approval. Azula smiled with genuine malice as Naruto ignited his hand in fire and pressed it into hers, sealing a pact that neither of them knew would shake the Underworld to its very foundations.
"Naru-chaaaaannnn…"
A genuinely excited and happy scream echoed, accompanied by running footsteps.
Azula turned blue with speed and disappeared in a blaze of fire.
Naruto laughed. When the blue flames vanished, Marianne appeared, having sensed the little troublemaker moments earlier—it was good she left.
Marianne smiled warmly at her child, quickly walking over and lifting him into a deep embrace.
Naruto sweated; he was already tired of hugs—hell, yes, he was.
Marianne twirled him with a smile, holding him close to her chest.
Marianne: "Come on, take a bath, and we'll get ready for the party…" she said softly, carrying him upstairs.
Some time later
Ready for the party, the Phoenix family gathered in the living room. Marianne wore a beautiful dark dress, while little Azula wore a bright red one. Naruto and a tense Lord Phoenix were dressed in black tuxedos.
Lord Phoenix cursed the day he betrayed his wife. Drinks, friends, and his demonic nature had led him to commit an unforgivable act, straining his relationship with her. He couldn't just dominate her at will—she was truly the head of the Phoenix family, and he had been someone she chose. Her influence was far greater.
Lord Phoenix sighed. Other wives might have let it slide, but the innate Phoenix pride hadn't vanished, and it remained present. She hated him for the daughter she bore, refusing to let him get close. At least his relationship with his son was intact, and he got along with Azula.
Lord Phoenix dismissed the lingering discomfort in his mind.
Lord Phoenix: "I see we're ready. Let's go…" he said with a smile shared by his children, except Marianne.
A magical circle lit up on the floor, and the quartet vanished.
Lilith City – Lucifer Castle.
The castle was alive with multiple demon families and their heirs, lining up to enter the birthday party of Lucifer's firstborn. A long-anticipated event, it secretly served as a venue to discuss alliances and the upcoming war. Though unspoken, tensions were high.
Among the crowd, the Phoenix family arrived, followed by several other noble families.
Marianne: "Stay close, darling…" she said softly to her child, Naruto nodding. Azula approached cautiously, aware that being near Naruto meant safety.
Lord Phoenix, noticing everything, sighed, his usual smile returning as he greeted some friends.
Naruto observed silently as his father distanced himself from the family and shook his head, scanning the sea of unfamiliar faces with curiosity.
"Lady Phoenix, this way, please."
A servant guided them into the castle, where the event unfolded under the watchful eyes and whispers of heirs noticing the immortal bird emblem on Naruto's and his family's attire.
Inside, Naruto looked with mild surprise at the extravagant decorations and infrastructure, very different from Phoenix Castle.
Azula, too, was slightly stunned, having never truly left Phoenix Territory.
Marianne: "I'll go check around…" she said, quickly leaving Naruto alone. Naruto sweated; he didn't really know anyone.
He sighed, time to return to his "good boy" persona.
Naruto walked calmly to the buffet, deliberately ignoring groups of forming heirs.
He examined the vibrant dishes with curiosity, strolling around the table.
"Hey…"
A boy, no taller than Naruto, stepped in his way, ready to speak, but their eyes met, and unconsciously, the boy stepped aside.
Naruto continued inspecting the buffet, leaving a surprised heir behind, whose legs trembled imperceptibly, a chill racing through him, heat rising unexpectedly.
Naruto noticed a small girl dressed as a servant, maybe seven years old, in his path. She noticed him and turned to face him.
Naruto smiled. Her chubby cheeks were cute, and her hair had a lovely color.
Naruto extended his hand.
Naruto: "I'm Naruto Phoenix…" he introduced himself, eyes shining.
The girl was startled; a noble heir offering a handshake to a low-class servant? She tried to bow, confusing Naruto, who stopped her, puzzled.
Naruto: "No need. I just want to be… your… friend…" he said, a faint blush on his cheeks.
"I-I'm… just a servant," she stammered, both confused and excited, never expecting anyone to speak to her.
Naruto smiled.
Naruto: "It doesn't matter. Making friends isn't easy for me either…" he said, starting a conversation.
"Oh… I'm Grayfia Lucifuge."
The girl introduced herself, beaming like any ordinary child.
Naruto: "Lucifuge… the Lucifer branch…" he noted, and Grayfia nodded.
Naruto: "That's fine. Serving Lord Lucifer directly must be an honor…" he commented calmly.
Grayfia: "It is. My parents and brother serve, too, though my mother serves Lady Lilith-sama…" she revealed. Naruto nodded, contemplating.
Naruto: "And you? Who do you serve?" he asked.
Grayfia: "No one yet. I just clean, but when I grow up, I'll serve Lord Rizevim-sama…" she said. Naruto nodded, and they began talking.
Nearby, a beautiful brunette alongside Lady Phoenix watched the two children. The brunette was none other than the matriarch of the Gremory clan.
Venelana Gremory – ex-Bael
Venelana Gremory was extraordinarily beautiful, radiating grace, authority, and sophistication. Her long, straight light brown hair fell elegantly across her back and shoulders. Her deep purple eyes were serene and cunning, her skin pale and flawless like porcelain. Her figure was slender yet voluptuous, a perfect reflection of her demonic lineage. She wore an elegant white outfit befitting her noble status.
Her gaze fixed on the charming child of her friend speaking with a low-class servant, not out of interest in the girl, but impressed by the boy building his influence through charity. The Phoenixes already had power comparable to the Bael family, thanks to this boy's vision.
Venelana smiled, still considering having a daughter, but also seeing value in forming early alliances.
Grayfia smiled at jokes from her new first friend, unable to resist the fun, unlike members of her family, including Euclides, who were always serious.
Naruto smiled, noticing a group of four approaching: three boys and one girl.
"Hello…"
A red-haired boy stepped forward, greeting Naruto, who watched curiously before his mother signaled from afar.
"I'm Sirzechs Gremory…"
The boy introduced himself, a near-permanent smile on his face.
"Ajuka Astaroth…"
The green-haired boy introduced himself calmly.
"Serafall Sitri…"
The black-haired girl introduced herself, bubbly and cheerful.
"Fallbium Glasya-Labolas…"
The last boy? Black-haired.
Naruto smiled.
Naruto: "Pleased to meet you. I'm Naruto Phoenix, and this is my friend Grayfia Lucifuge…"
Serafall: "Nice to meet you, Naru-tan…" she said, excited, knowing he was respected by her father behind closed doors.
Naruto smiled and nodded. Sirzechs took the lead in his group, clearly signaling to integrate Serafall, while Ajuka, Fallbium, and Grayfia stayed on the sidelines. Grayfia frowned slightly, sensing someone trying to steal her first friend.
The party continued as the first Maou, Beelzebub, appeared with his wife, followed by others, until Lucifer himself arrived. His mere presence sent chills through all attendees and awe in many, being the pinnacle of demons—the only one able to face the biblical God.
Naruto watched silently. He wanted to be like him—the best, above all, commanding respect, fear, and admiration. His presence alone induced chills; imagine facing his active gaze of hatred.
Naruto's eyes then fell on the woman beside Lucifer, Lilith Satan, the first woman, Adam's first wife, the apex of demonesses. His mother was beautiful, but Lilith was on another level.
She moved with an elegant, unsettling silence, as if time paused to observe her.
Her black hair, like moonless night, fell in smooth waves to her waist, reflecting light unnaturally. Her crimson eyes were hypnotic, capable of igniting the soul or freezing blood. A subtle, alluring smile played on her lips, her fangs barely visible—a reminder of her deadly lineage.
Her skin was pale and smooth, contrasting her dark hair and red eyes. Every curve of her body perfectly balanced elegance and desire. She wore a black velvet corset adorned with crimson lace, long sleeves brushing her fingers like shadows, and a floor-length skirt flowing like dense fog. Around her neck was an inverted silver cross, a testament to her dominion, not mockery.
She was pure beauty, yet deadly. A beauty that enslaves, drags into the abyss… with a sweet, poisonous smile.
Even amid the crowd, Naruto couldn't look away. For a moment, their eyes met, his breath catching.
"Let the celebration begin!"
The declaration made the crowd cheer, yet Naruto's gaze remained fixed on Lilith until she turned to her throne.
Naruto: "I… I will make it happen, no matter the cost."
The party commenced with demons socializing and drinking, heirs networking, forming bonds, and arranging marriages.
Naruto observed silently. Grayfia had already left to be with her mother. Sirzechs and the others were engaged with their own ideas, leaving Naruto alone.
He exhaled in relief, finally able to think… relax from the situation with his mother Gaia.
"So the Benevolent Phoenix… I am Zekram…"
TO BE CONTINUED