The sudden scream drew everyone's attention, cutting off Ophis's response, much to Shiva's anger, as he wanted to know who had been manipulating him without his knowledge—literally everyone.
Parvati appeared in a flash of light next to Shiva, stopping any action on his part, and looked cautiously at Naruto and Ophis.
Shiva stared at his wife in surprise; she was exhausted and visibly injured.
Parvati: We have arrived. The deal is done. The Hindu faction supports the demon faction. It will not interfere in the human world, and we accept your marriage proposal… – she said seriously, still watching Naruto, confused.
Shiva frowned.
Naruto wondered what the hell was going on. He had literally only been back for a month. Even though more time had passed here and his plans had continued without him—the manipulator who originally set everything in motion because of that bastard Susano'o—he still hadn't arranged any general attacks or assaults on other factions. He had just been testing the area, and yet everything seemed to be unfolding exactly as planned, even with his presence.
Parvati and Shiva both noticed the confusion on Naruto's face and looked confused themselves.
Parvati: We spoke with Azula and Gaia… – she explained gently.
Ophis hummed, so that demon hadn't destroyed them.
Naruto: Oh… – he exclaimed quickly, connecting the dots. No one but his beloved sister knew his plans and actions. Only she could carry out his schemes in his absence with surgical coldness, using everyone without scruples, even their mother Gaia.
Naruto finally understood why Sirzechs and his group hadn't acted or taken advantage of the situation during his disappearance, why Rias and her group didn't speak about what happened in the human world, why Gabriel remained unstable until his return, the conquest of the fallen faction unifying the Underworld, the chaos in the human world… All of their plans had continued without his participation because of one person.
A sudden magic circle appeared not far away, putting the quartet on alert, as it revealed the devil Naruto had been thinking about—the one who had superficially informed him of everything—the true manipulator of the situation… Azula Phoenix.
Azula smiled coldly, looking at Naruto, who stared back in silence, his gaze saying he already understood everything.
Azula walked calmly through the air, with bursts of flame supporting her steps instead of unfurling her wings.
Parvati swallowed. That demon… She hadn't even fought, but controlled everything. In the long run, she was the one who had given them the opportunity to survive that god of calamity, Yato, and Adam, by telling the other monsters that they were far too well prepared for them and their faction.
Shiva looked at the stranger while his wife explained that Azula had been the one who stopped everything before they could completely destroy his faction, although they had suffered damage and some gods had died.
Azula slowly extended her hands.
Azula: How does it feel to have been playing in the palm of my hand, brother?… – she asked with a malicious smile, her amber eyes glinting.
Naruto nodded, wiping away a dark tear that had slid from one of his eyes.
Naruto: You've surprised me… I really didn't expect it, and you make me proud… The fact you took over as the manipulator must have a reason, right?… – he asked curiously, to which Azula snorted.
Azula: The situation requires it. I can't lose my best card—you. Your name helped me a lot, and now, for you to die in front of so many people would be bad… – she explained calmly.
Naruto grimaced and touched his heart.
Azula: As if you even had one… – she muttered simply, but still nodded respectfully. Even though she had used her brother/husband, she knew she couldn't lose him. Without him, she couldn't continue her fun little schemes, even if she was the one enjoying them the most. No one had told her idiot husband to let himself be sealed in a separate dimension by that god, leaving chaos rolling on without him. Time waits for no one.
Naruto smiled and sighed somewhat "sadly" about his fun, his thousands of deaths, his role as a god of judgment… He lost everything in a few simple weeks in that dimension, although he did gain beauties like Kushina and the others, who would comfort him. And there was also that group that had Kaguya and her "son" on edge; he would get his revenge on them later.
Naruto turned his attention back to Shiva and the woman beside him, who was watching him cautiously.
Naruto: Do you promise? You won't get involved? – he asked calmly. He knew his question might seem stupid, but among powerful beings, his word and voice carried weight, just as his promises did; no contracts were needed.
Parvati: We promise… – she replied quickly, with Shiva sighing and nodding. He had to control his faction rather than make everything worse, and besides, he wasn't sure he could handle Ophis. Maybe he could handle the demon, since Naruto had shown a variety of strange abilities, but against his destruction energy, like everyone else, the demon would simply be powerless… Only the Primordials could withstand it, and they were few. Besides, this boy had one or two Primordials as mothers; he would be a real threat in the future.
Shiva: I promise. As long as you do nothing to harm or attack the Hindu faction and my people… – he said seriously, with Naruto nodding.
That declaration froze Indra and a newly arrived Azazel, who had come to support them in the field, only to feel his strength crumble at the realization that the most powerful being in the supernatural world and his faction had just allied themselves with none other than demons—the current rabble of the supernatural world.
"Nooooooo… I don't accept it, do you hear me, Shiva?!"
Indra roared. His faction shared a symbolic alliance with Shiva's and although they wanted to kill each other, this decision would affect them both. After so many humiliations, allying themselves with demons was simply unthinkable.
Shiva: I've already decided, Indra… – he replied coldly, looking at the wounded, badly injured god who was now useless as support. To think he had considered himself his rival, and if it hadn't been for Shiva, this Naruto could easily have killed him without any help.
Indra froze in place, clutching his bleeding shoulder where the demon had bitten him, disbelief written across his face.
Naruto looked mockingly at the god before turning back to Shiva and the woman beside him.
Naruto: You can leave. We'll take care of things here… We'll contact you later… – he said calmly, looking at the two gods.
Parvati took Shiva by the arm and pulled him closer to her.
Shiva stared silently at Naruto before disappearing along with his wife.
Naruto turned around and saw that Indra had also vanished.
Azula stepped to Naruto's side.
Azula: We now have half of the strong resistance on the field—the heroes, the experiments, and some rebel leaders from other factions… – she stated impassively.
Naruto: I was the bait, wasn't I?… – he asked curiously.
Azula: Yes. I monitored you when you left the Underworld with the Gremory girl… I leaked certain information about a youkai weapon and drew the main forces out of Kyoto's territory to allow any supernatural being to enter… I didn't expect the Acnologia experiment to be released… an ultimate enemy with no existing weaknesses. But you brought capable people… – she said calmly, watching from afar as that same weapon was forcibly sealed inside the girl.
Naruto hummed, observing Kushina's seal; she was dangerous as well.
Azula: Try not to anger her… – she told her brother seriously. This sealing business was beyond her and made her a little nervous. Susano'o had already shown how dangerous seals could be by sending her brother flying far away—Susano'o, a lesser god… If it weren't for her being a possible wife for her brother…
Naruto: I'll keep that in mind… – he replied, not really committing to anything.
Ophis sweatdropped as she watched the two of them talking, literally ignoring her.
Azula: Should I stop the fighting?… – she asked her brother curiously, turning to look at him.
Naruto shook his head.
Naruto: Let them sharpen their claws. If they can't, they're useless… – he said, now more influenced by outer forces than by his wives and daughters.
Azula nodded, her eyes glowing, reflecting the flames of Amaterasu, which were effortlessly destroying Thor; the difference in power was painfully clear.
"I got bored."
Azula and Ophis blinked at that statement, only to see Naruto descending.
Sirzechs backed away from Serafall. He could hold his own against her and her group, but they were solid enough that he couldn't eliminate them; he would have to take them out one by one.
Sirzechs began to unleash his destruction energy, only to sense a presence behind him. He whirled around, only to see Naruto's mocking eyes as the demon grabbed him by the neck and shoulder.
SLAAAASH…
"Sirzechs!"
"Son, noooo!"
Zeoticus watched in disbelief as his son, in his supreme form, was sliced in half with terrifying ease.
Naruto pointed a finger at Zeoticus while charging his energy.
Naruto: I'll take care of Venelana and Rias… and your mother too… – he said, remembering the last one was still alive.
Zeoticus couldn't even react before several spears of light pierced him, pinning him in place.
Gabriel smiled, blocking Naruto's path. He left Zeoticus to her and charged toward the other enemy forces, tearing them apart carelessly as the light dimmed and the rain poured harder.
The hero group, unable to cope with the versatility of Uncle and the other demons, gasped as they saw the Demon King no longer being held back… Their chance was gone.
Not far away, watching everything unfold, Mephistopheles could be seen clenching his teeth tightly.
Mephisto: There's no hope left… – he whispered. The loss of the hero group would be a devastating blow, and Azazel had fled like a coward. The demons had gained Shiva and Ophis as allies—the worst possible scenario… The powers that could subdue them were now on their side, and it wasn't as if the other factions were going to do anything, since this didn't affect them.
Mephisto clicked his tongue. If he tried to initiate negotiations, they would undoubtedly prefer to sell him out and gain something more tangible rather than attack the Underworld over a demon's words alone. A war for the testimony of a demon.
Mephisto shook his head, watching the Demon King's daughters. Perhaps he couldn't defeat the King, but his daughters carried his sin… His new experiment might serve to keep demons in check in the future… Project Avenger.
"THUNDER!"
A thunderclap resounded and Mephisto disappeared, not realizing how derailed his thoughts had become.
Underworld – Edge of the End – Lucifer Castle – Rooftop.
Having dispelled the magic circle that had shown him what was happening in the Underworld, Rizevim could be seen lost in thought.
Euclid blinked.
Euclid: I expected a more brutal fight, given Naruto-sama's transformation… – he commented, confused.
Rizevim: That wasn't his true form… He broke the demonic and angelic boundaries to test whether he could endure Shiva's power. He combined demonic and angelic energy into one, but seemed to realize it was useless… If he had continued, you would have seen his full demonic power, without angelic interference… – he explained calmly after analyzing him. Clearly, Naruto wasn't an idiot, and he knew he had faced Shiva before. That was the reasoning behind his move, but it was also foolish. Naruto embodied a pure demon. Allowing angelic energy inside, after weakening him, suppressed his higher darkness so it could coexist and merge, but he wasn't an original Lucifer. He had gone far enough to no longer be one, but that move was still risky.
Euclid frowned.
Euclid: I don't understand… – he admitted honestly.
Rizevim smiled.
Rizevim: You won't. Naruto is egocentric, arrogant, vile, manipulative, among other things, but without a doubt, he's a damn mastermind, hard to keep up with… In this exchange, that bastard definitely won't miss on the third try… Shiva is already dead… – he declared. He wasn't stupid either… Whether it was instinct or simply what he wanted to believe, he was sure Shiva wouldn't escape a third time. Naruto got what he wanted.
Rizevim: Although Naruto's fight wasn't as brutal, the battle of his followers and family, without a doubt, continues to amaze me with its monstrous development; they make the name of demons legendary… – he added with an amused smile, leaning back in his seat. He couldn't expose himself now, especially after Ophis's betrayal.
Euclid sighed. He still had a long way to go before he could follow the higher thoughts of the true supreme demons.
Euclid: What will we do about Lady Azula? She currently rules the Underworld with an iron fist. She's ruthless, vile, and a perfectionist… Everything happens within her line of sight, and at the slightest suspicion, she kills without hesitation… We need some supplies from the Underworld… – he explained to his lord. He truly hadn't expected that half-breed to become such a troublesome thorn in his side and wield such chaotic power in the darker sectors.
Rizevim hummed.
Rizevim: It doesn't matter. She can be bought with appearances… She doesn't act like a hero in the Underworld; she needs it functioning, so she won't have you captured. Mercenaries are easy to deal with anyway… – he replied simply.
Euclid nodded, trusting his master, though doubt lingered. These Phoenixes had proved more dominant than Lord Lucifer himself; they had monopolized everything—nothing escaped them.
Rizevim understood the situation but didn't care; winning or losing was simply normal. As for Azula, Naruto had entrusted that half-breed and her mother with enormous power. He was far too carefree… someone worthy—so why worry? Absolute power is everything.
Rizevim smiled; he would have to accelerate his plans. Naruto and his group were interfering too much, and seizing certain sectors from them could be suicidal.
"Hmm…"
Hours later – Underworld – Capital of Fire – Phoenix Castle.
Just arriving there, Naruto could be seen covered in blood.
Naruto ran a hand through his hair, slicking it back as he walked calmly down the hallway toward the baths.
He hummed quietly, his eyes having just stopped burning and feeling stronger now that he had recovered the Jūbi, who had literally turned Kyoto to sand—a city already 70% in ruins, which the Jūbi and Acnologia finished off in their battle before finally being forced into sealing.
Naruto stroked his chin. He now had two options: seal Shiva or rip out his soul with his new Rinnegan ability. Eliminating Hagoromo had removed certain spiritual restrictions that he himself had placed on the Gedo Mazo statue… If he had continued fighting Shiva, he would finally have had a chance, but now things were safer.
Naruto turned down a corridor and reached a door, which he opened without stopping, greeted by steam and multiple voices.
"Father!"
"Naruto!"
"Darling!"
Naruto smiled as he opened his arms to catch one of his daughters who had launched herself at him, none other than a completely naked Kilmaria.
Naruto moved his hands to hold his daughter's soft, plump, pleasantly squishy rear.
Kilmaria smiled, pressing her father's bloodstained face between her breasts.
Kilmaria: Father, you were so amazing. You easily defeated those guys. I'll admit those heroes surpassed the Ultimate-class… together they were a real headache… – she told her father casually as he carried her toward the showers.
Naruto pulled his face out from between his daughter's large breasts and nodded.
Naruto: Those Sacred Gears are annoying. They have unique abilities, and many of them together are a problem for us. But don't worry about those heroes; they're in the dungeon now, awaiting judgment… – he replied calmly as he set Kilmaria down. She let him go while Naruto's pants vanished in a glow and he stepped into the shower to wash the blood from his body before entering the baths.
Kilmaria raised an eyebrow with interest as she looked at her father's impressive naked body.
"Darliiiiing!"
Kilmaria sweatdropped as she was pushed aside by one of her mothers—the most naive one, or so she seemed.
Naruto smiled, welcoming Eva with a warm hug before his gaze drifted to her chest. Undoubtedly, the mother of humanity was very well endowed, rivaling Lilith.
"That's not fair…"
"Tio-sama, put some clothes on…"
Kilmaria pouted but still entered the shower when she saw her mothers monopolizing her father.
Human World – Southern Europe – Forest of Dreams.
Leaning against a tree after finishing communication with his allies, none other than Cao Cao, bearer of the True Longinus and one of the leaders of the resistance, could be seen.
Cao Cao clenched his fists. The damned Sekiryuutei had led the hero group into a trap where they had encountered none other than the Demon King. Not only that, but the bastard had captured them along with the experiment and killed the others—a massive blow broadcast worldwide.
"Damn it!"
Cao Cao struck the tree beside him. It wasn't enough that this Empress of Humanity, with a stupidly powerful Sacred Gear, was trying to ally herself with demons; now her forces had been reduced and humiliated. Other Sacred Gear wielders clearly wouldn't flock to her side after such a disaster; they would bet on that traitor instead.
"Where were those damned fallen angels when they were needed?!"
Cao Cao roared in overflowing anger. After such a military loss, they no longer had enough strength to resist the demons, and the damned sword hero hadn't escaped either; he had been an asset on par with Acnologia and allowed himself to be captured.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH…"
Cao Cao screamed into the desolate forest to vent the anger threatening to overwhelm him. So much work, so much effort, so much time—and his main assets were now captured.
"To hell with it all!"
Unknown location.
In a completely dark place, a groan could be heard.
"Hnn…"
.
.
.
.
TO BE CONTINUED.