YOO!
Been a while lads!
I hope you've all been doing good! I've been doing good… mostly, just been busy with stuff here and there.
But never mind that, last time we left off at interesting end.
Let's see what happens from there!
Start:
A mere twelve hours had passed since the Underworld was left reeling from Lord Bael's surprise broadcast. His stipulation—that Naruto Phenex face entire peerages alone to prove his worth as a leader—was still the sole topic of conversation across the realms of devil society.
But what followed after by a handful of hours was even more stunning.
A piece of news that now electrified every corner of the Underworld
Naruto Phenex had accepted the conditions!
The declaration was swift, made through an official statement released by the Phenex clan in the early hours of the morning. It was a simple but resolute message, echoing across every news network and magical communication device in the Underworld:
"I, Naruto Phenex, accept Lord Bael's condition. Alone, I will face the challenges laid before me, and I will triumph. For my family. For my friends. And for the future of the underworld and its citizens."
This unambiguous statement sent shockwaves throughout society. By mid-morning, the Underworld was alive with fervent discussion and debate.
Among the lower and middle classes, especially reincarnated devils, Naruto's acceptance was met with a mix of admiration and concern. For many, he had become a symbol of hope, a revolutionary figure challenging a centuries-old hierarchy. Yet, the conditions of the challenge—facing entire peerages alone—seemed insurmountable.
His courage was undeniable, but could even the strongest devil prevail against such overwhelming odds?
Having never witnessed his strength and only hearing tales of his might, many were not so sure of his chances despite wanting him to prevail.
They respected Naruto's boldness and viewed his actions as a potential path to systemic reform. However, his decision to face the challenge alone, without the backing of a peerage, left even his most ardent supporters from the middle and lower class devils nervous.
Even some of the upper echelons of devil society whom were supportive of his stance were divided. Some openly criticized Naruto's decision, dismissing it as reckless arrogance. Because though they saw him as a legitimate contender to the throne, a rising power who might just change the very fabric of their world…
That possibility could only be certain if he were to win.
And two hundred years of him no longer being around, dulled the memories of those who had a rare glimpse of his power
Only those who had repeatedly witnessed him fighting knew of his might and were not worried.
Rather, some of them were even excited to see that might on display once again.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that this topic was all the citizens of the underworld could talk about.
Across marketplaces, in the grand halls of estates, and even in the secluded chambers of nobles, the topic was the same: Lord Naruto Phenex.
Would his strength, courage, and unyielding resolve be enough to succeed? Or had he sealed his fate by accepting Lord Bael's near-impossible challenge?
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The tension in the Gremory household was palpable. Rias, seated in her private chambers, had spent the entire morning consumed by a whirlpool of emotions—anger, fear, and frustration. The moment she learned of Naruto's acceptance of Bael's condition, she knew she couldn't sit idly by.
She had to talk to someone who understood what this meant, someone who cared for Naruto.
Her destination was clear: Selah's office.
The door to the office swung open with a force that startled the queen within. Rias stepped in, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders, her expression a storm of barely restrained emotions. "Selah!" she called, her voice a mixture of urgency and distress.
Selah, seated behind her elegant mahogany desk, looked up from the documents she'd been reviewing. Her amethyst eyes softened at the sight of her younger sister but immediately narrowed with concern upon seeing Rias's flushed face and trembling hands.
"Rias," Selah said, rising to her feet. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Rias echoed, her voice shaking with anger. She marched toward the desk, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "You've seen the news, haven't you? He… he accepted it, Selah! He's going to fight entire peerages alone!"
Selah sighed, "I've seen it," she said evenly, her voice measured. "And yes, I know what it means."
Rias stopped in front of the desk, her hands balling into fists. "Then you know how insane this is! Lord Bael set this up to destroy him, and Naruto… he just walked right into it. Alone! How can anyone survive that?"
Standing up from her seat, Selah moved around the desk, standing a few feet from her sister. She didn't immediately respond, instead taking a slow breath, trying to quell the anger threatening to spill over.
The queen could understand her littler sister's anger as she felt it too, but on a more intense level.
She was furious—furious at Lord Bael for manipulating the situation, furious at the Underworld's system that allowed such power plays, and, in part, furious at Naruto for his unyielding sense of responsibility.
But as much as she wanted to rage, Selah was still able to rein in her temper because she knew what Naruto was capable of back then.
And knowing him, he was without a doubt stronger now than ever before.
"You're right to be upset, Rias," Selah finally said, her voice quieter but firm. "I won't deny it. This condition was designed to isolate him, to make him fail spectacularly in front of the entire Underworld. Lord Bael wants to humiliate him, to make him seem reckless and incapable. And yes," her voice dipped slightly, a trace of bitterness lacing her words, "it enrages me."
The younger redhead crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly as her anger shifted to concern. "Then why did he accept it? Doesn't he see what Bael is trying to do?"
"Of course he does." Selah sighed, brushing a hand through her crimson locks as she paced slowly. "But he would still go through with it because that's who Naruto is. He's not someone who avoids a challenge, no matter how impossible it seems. He accepted because he knows this fight isn't just about him—it's about everyone who believes in the change he represents."
Rias's expression faltered, her voice quieter now. "But what if he loses? What if Bael's plan works, and everyone loses faith in him?"
Stopping in her tracks, the queen turned to face Rias directly, her eyes fierce with conviction. "He won't lose."
Of that, she had no doubt.
Rias blinked, caught off guard by the certainty in her sister's tone. "You can't know that," she said softly. "No one can."
Selah stepped closer, her presence towering but not intimidating. "I can. Because I've seen his strength, Rias. I've seen what he's capable of, what he's endured, and what he's overcome. He's not just strong—he's the strongest devil alive."
"Let it sink in Rias, he's known as the strongest devil alive." Selah repeated gently, a small reassuring smile tugging at her lips. "As strong as I am, he's even stronger… much stronger."
Those words hung in the air, heavy with significance. Rias's amethyst eyes widened as she stared at her sister, disbelief and awe mingling in her expression. "Much Stronger?" she whispered in disbelief, her voice barely audible.
Selah nodded firmly. "That's right, much stronger than me. And it's not just his raw power, Rias—it's his will. His ability to rise above, no matter the odds. That's what makes him different."
Rias looked down, her thoughts swirling. She had never spoken to Naruto, yet she felt an undeniable connection to him, a deep gratitude for the man who had so selflessly placed her under his protection. A man she had never spoken to personally, but who had changed her life in ways she couldn't put into words.
"I care about him," she admitted softly, her voice trembling slightly. "Even though I don't know him. He saved me from Lord Bael's control, stood up for me when no one else could. I don't want him to be hurt."
Selah's gaze softened, and she placed a comforting hand on Rias's shoulder. "Naruto's doing what he's doing because it's the right thing to do. That's who he is."
"But it doesn't make it any easier to watch him go through this," Rias murmured, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Knowing he's walking into something so dangerous… alone…"
Selah's grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, grounding her sister. "I understand," she said, her voice low but steady. "Believe me, I understand. But if anyone can do this, it's Naruto. He's not walking into this blind—he knows what's at stake, and he's ready to face it."
Rias's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. Slowly, she nodded, a spark of hope flickering in her gaze. "You really believe that, don't you?"
"I do," Selah said firmly. "I've seen him fight, Rias. I've seen him overcome challenges that would crush anyone else. This won't be easy, and I won't pretend it will be. But Naruto isn't just strong—he's extraordinary. And if anyone can turn Bael's plan against him, it's him."
Rias took a deep breath, her shoulders straightening slightly as she absorbed Selah's words. "I'll trust your judgment," she said quietly. "And I'll believe in him too."
Such a response produced a beam from the queen. She nodded, immensely pleased. "Good."
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But while Selah was able to rein in her temper despite being romantically involved with Naruto, another women that was romantically involved wasn't as calm.
The Phenex estate was unusually quiet—a deceptive calm that seemed to hang heavily over its sprawling halls.
Naruto stood at the center of the grand meeting room, his arms crossed, exuding a relaxed demeanor that belied the storm brewing in the minds of the two women seated before him. Yasaka and Amaterasu, both radiating an aura of authority and frustration, had arrived half an hour ago after hearing the news of his acceptance of Lord Bael's condition.
Though it was the first time that either woman had graced the halls of the Phenex manor, neither woman were here to appreciate it.
Both agitated beyond belief due to Naruto's sudden acceptance of Lord Bael's condition.
It was around half an hour ago that they've arrived, and after a small but somewhat long shouting match, him versus his wife and his sister figure, they agreed to talk again once they let the silence fester so they could calm down.
Many minutes later, and that silence still persisted as the three sat awkwardly in the office. Though at the very least, it allowed Naruto to regain his composure.
…
Yasaka finally broke the heavy silence as she stood up.
'Here we go again.' Naruto inwardly murmured to himself.
"Are you out of your mind?" she hissed angrily, her voice low but charged with emotion. "How could you, Naruto? How could you just... agree to this without even telling us? How could you not think about us—about Kunou?"
At the mention of their daughter, Naruto's expression softened, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Yasaka…"
"No," she interrupted, her voice trembling. "Do you have any idea how I felt when I heard the news? That you—my husband, Kunou's father—accepted a challenge designed to destroy you? I was terrified, Naruto. I still am."
Naruto took a step toward her, his voice quiet but firm. "Yasaka, you know me. You know what I'm capable of."
"That's not the point!" she fired back, her golden eyes brimming with tears she refused to shed. "Of course, I know you're strong. I've seen it with my own eyes, more times than I can count. But strength doesn't make you invincible, Naruto. And it doesn't make it any easier to watch the man I love walk into a trap like this."
Amaterasu, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, her voice soft but no less firm. "Naruto, we're not questioning your strength. We know better than anyone how extraordinary you are. But Yasaka's right. You didn't just accept a fight; you accepted a stage for humiliation, for manipulation. Bael's plan isn't just to beat you but to break you in front of the entire Underworld"
Naruto held her gaze, his voice softening but remaining resolute. "And what kind of leader would I be if I shied away from his challenge? If I let Bael manipulate me into looking weak? This isn't just about me—it's about everyone who believes in what I stand for."
"That's exactly why it's reckless!" Yasaka shot back, her voice thick with emotion. "Do you think the people you're fighting for want to see you broken, humiliated, or worse?"
He sighed, his temper beginning to flare before he forced it down. "Of course not, but I had no choice Yasaka! Like it or not, I had to play his game." He took a moment to steady his nerves before he continued softly. "But I will be fine, arrogant it may sound but even if they combine the five best peerages in all of the underworld, I would still win."
To sound like an Uchiha…
It wasn't exactly part of the bucket list but Naruto supposed he could cross it off if he ever decided to add it to said list.
Amaterasu exhaled tiredly. "Explain yourself. What do you mean that you had no choice?"
Seeing as she wanted an answer, he was happy to provide her with one.
"Look, I get why you both are upset, but this isn't about my ego or proving something for the sake of it. Bael's condition was meant to undermine everything I'm trying to accomplish. If I'd refused, it would've been painted as cowardice. If I accepted but brought a peerage, it would've been spun as relying on others to carry me."
"And this is better?" his wife countered, her voice softer now but no less intense. "Facing this alone, with the odds stacked against you?"
"Yes," Naruto said firmly. "Because when I win, it won't just be a victory. It'll be undeniable proof that change is possible. That their power games don't work on me."
Yasaka took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "I don't want you to get hurt." She admitted softly.
The admittance of her feelings was not something that the shinobi planned on overlooking.
Naruto closed the minuscule distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her into his frame while lovingly kissing the top of her head.
"I know. And I will be fine, I promise." Naruto pulled back so that Yasaka could gaze into his eyes, a mischievous grin tugging at his features. "After all, I did secretly promise Kunou to take her to the amusement park once every ten days. And I plan on keeping that promise."
Yasaka huffed and looked away to hide the smile that instantly sprung on her lips, though both Naruto and Amaterasu had caught it and were amused. "Don't start making me stress on that."
"But in all seriousness, I am extremely strong, you both already know that and you know that I wasn't even giving it half my strength." He pointed out knowingly, causing both woman to huff at the reminder of how he defeated them together with such ease on the first day they had met.
Still… that reminder was nothing but comforting.
The tension, if there was any that was left, dissipated at the remembrance of Naruto's might.
Amaterasu regarded him with a long, assessing look before sighing. "What's done is done," the goddess finally said, her tone neutral but still carrying an edge. "You've committed to this, and there's no turning back now. But if you expect us to sit idly by, you're mistaken."
Yasaka nodded, her voice steadier now. "We need details, Naruto. Who are your opponents? When is the first match? What do you know about the peerages you'll face?"
Naruto relaxed slightly, relieved to see the conversation shift. "The first match is in three weeks. I'll be facing Lord Furcas' peerage."
Amaterasu frowned. "Lord Furcas? He's no minor player. His peerage is known for their discipline and tactical precision."
Ever since they had talked about how to go about dethroning Lord Bael, Amaterasu had dived deep into devil politics and society, had watched numerous recordings of these peerage battles, all to better understand what they were potentially up against.
And it paid off.
"Exactly," Naruto replied. "It's why Bael picked them to go first. He's testing me—seeing if I can handle a methodical, coordinated team."
"And what about their composition?" Yasaka asked, her tone clipped. "What are you up against?"
Naruto smirked. "Standard sixteen-member peerage. A King, a Queen, two Rooks, two Bishops, two Knights, and eight Pawns. But don't worry, I've been keeping tabs on their abilities."
Yasaka exchanged a glance with Amaterasu, her worry evident despite Naruto's reassurances. "And after Furcas?" she pressed. "Who comes next?"
"Lord Zepar," Naruto answered. "Then Lord Sallos, and if I clear those rounds, I face the current champion of the rating game Diehauser Belial, and when I win, Lord Bael and his peerage."
The heavy discussion was interrupted by a loud crash as the door to the meeting room swung open with force, slamming against the wall. Naruto barely had time to glance toward the noise when a familiar voice thundered through the room.
"MY LORD!" Raven bellowed, storming in without so much as a knock. His golden armor gleamed under the light, his cape billowing dramatically as if he had summoned a wind just for the entrance. "You won't believe the—"
He froze mid-step, his eyes locking onto Yasaka and Amaterasu. Both women had turned sharply toward him, their regal expressions morphing into startled ones, their golden and amethyst eyes narrowing in unison as the room's tension skyrocketed.
"WHO ARE—" Raven's voice cracked, rising in pitch as he pointed rudely and alternatively between the two women. "WHO ARE YOU?!"
Yasaka and Amaterasu, startled by Raven's loud exclamation, almost jumped from their seats. The air around Amaterasu shimmered with divine light as her aura surged reflexively, while Yasaka's tails bristled in irritation.
"Who am I?" Yasaka shot back, her tone cool and authoritative. "Who are you to burst in here unannounced?"
"Is this how you announce yourself in important matters?" Amaterasu added, her amethyst eyes narrowing slightly.
Raven, suddenly aware of the predicament he was in, froze like a deer caught in headlights. "I—I—" His voice cracked again as he pointed a trembling finger at Naruto. "My Lord! Help me!"
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath, "This guy…"
Still, he did need to save his loyal subordinate.
The shinobi stepped between them, his hands raised as if physically holding back the escalating tension. "Alright, alright, everybody calm down." He shot Raven a pointed look. "First of all, Raven, what have I said about barging into private meetings?"
Raven winced, his golden armor clinking as he awkwardly shifted his stance. "You said not to... but, uh, this felt urgent."
"It always feels urgent," Naruto said, exasperated. He turned back to Yasaka and Amaterasu, both of whom were still eyeing Raven like they might incinerate him with a glance. "Ladies, allow me to introduce Raven, my most loyal subordinate and someone who held the title of Phenex clan head in my absence."
The former clan head straightened immediately, his nervousness replaced by a surge of pride. "Indeed! I served as steward of the Phenex clan for two centuries, ensuring that my lord's name and legacy remained intact during his absence."
Yasaka tilted her head, her golden eyes appraising him more critically now, though less hostile. "You held the title of clan head?"
"I did," Raven said, his voice steady. "It was my honor and duty. Everything I did was for the benefit of Lord Naruto and his family."
Amaterasu, her divine aura dimming slightly, regarded him with a softened expression. "Loyalty like that is rare."
Raven beamed. "Thank you, Lady... uh..." He glanced nervously at Naruto.
"This," Naruto said with a smirk, "is Yasaka, my wife and the mother of my daughter, Kunou."
Raven's eyes widened further. "Your wife?" He quickly dipped into a bow so deep it looked like he might topple over. "An honor to meet you, Lady Yasaka!"
"And this," Naruto continued, "is Amaterasu. She's not just a friend—she's family."
Raven froze mid-bow, his head snapping up. "Amaterasu? As in the goddess Amaterasu?" He immediately dropped into another bow, this one so abrupt it nearly rattled his armor. "A thousand apologies for my earlier conduct, Lady Amaterasu. I had no idea—"
Amaterasu cut him off with a wave of her hand, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You're forgiven, Raven. Your loyalty to Naruto speaks volumes. It's... endearing."
Yasaka, who had been thoroughly unimpressed earlier, now found herself smiling faintly. "Yes, I can see why Naruto keeps you around."
The former clan head straightened, his chest puffing out slightly. "I live to serve my lord and his family."
And knowing Raven as well as he did, Naruto knew that to be the truth.
He shook his head, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his expression. "Alright, now that we've established introductions, can we focus on the matter at hand? Raven, what was so urgent?"
Raven's expression shifted to one of seriousness as he addressed the room. "The underworld is in chaos over your announcement, my lord. The news of your acceptance has reached far beyond our borders. Even the other pantheons are watching with interest."
"The pantheons?" Yasaka's eyes narrowed. "What do they want with this?"
"They're intrigued," Raven explained. "Many see this as more than a challenge to Bael. They see it as a test of the Underworld's leadership—and of you, my lord."
Amaterasu frowned, leaning forward slightly. "That complicates things. If other pantheons are paying attention, it could shift the balance of power, especially if they believe Naruto has the potential to change the underworld."
"And it could provoke intervention," Yasaka added, her voice laced with worry. "Not all pantheons will see change as a good thing."
"Which is why I need to win," Naruto said firmly. "Decisively. This isn't just about proving myself—it's about proving that reform is possible without destabilizing everything."
Yasaka crossed her arms, her golden eyes narrowing as she leaned back slightly in her seat. "If the pantheons are watching, this situation has more layers than we initially thought. The last thing we need is external interference. But first…" She trailed off, looking at Naruto with a firm but softer expression. "We need to talk strategy. If you're going to face Furcas first, we should focus on how to dismantle his peerage."
Naruto raised a hand to pause her, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Yasaka, I appreciate the concern, but Furcas isn't who I'm worried about."
"What?" Yasaka tilted her head slightly, her tails swishing in mild agitation. "You're not concerned about Furcas, a devil known for his disciplined peerage?"
"Not really," Naruto admitted with a shrug, his tone casual but not dismissive. "Don't get me wrong, Furcas and his peerage are impressive, but they're predictable. Defeating them won't be an issue."
Amaterasu's gaze sharpened, her amethyst eyes glinting with curiosity. "If not Furcas, then who worries you, even if a little?"
Naruto's expression sobered, his playful demeanor giving way to a seriousness that filled the room. "Lord Bael and his peerage. That's the real unknown. No one knows the full extent of their capabilities."
Raven, who had been listening intently, nodded, his golden armor clinking softly as he shifted his weight. "My lord is right. Bael's peerage is a mystery. They rarely compete in Rating Games, I can count the number of times they did with one hand and still have fingers to spare, and the few times they did…"
He grimaced as he continued. "It's always against opponents significantly weaker. It's as if Bael deliberately keeps their abilities under wraps."
"That's unsettling," Yasaka murmured, her lips pressing into a thin line. "If no one knows their strengths, how can we prepare?"
"We can't," Naruto said plainly. "Which is why I'm not going to waste energy overthinking it. When the time comes, I'll adapt."
Amaterasu's brows knitted together, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the armrest of her chair. "You're confident, but even you can't prepare for what you don't know."
"Exactly," Naruto replied, a small smirk forming. "And that goes both ways. Bael doesn't know what I'm truly capable of either, he has no proper idea beyond what happened two hundred years ago. And much has changed for me since then."
Considering what Naruto had told them, his travel to the elemental nation and his second life as Naruto Uzumaki, the ladies in the room did not doubt that.
Raven cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "If I may my lord, I believe there's another opponent we should discuss: Diehauser Belial."
Amaterasu's posture straightened at the name, her divine aura pulsing faintly. "The undefeated champion of the Rating Games," she said, her voice tinged with respect. "He's no ordinary adversary."
"No, he's not," Raven agreed, his expression grim. "Belial isn't just strong—he's intelligent. He's known for his ability to read his opponents like an open book. Every move, every strategy—he anticipates it."
"And he has a peerage just as formidable," Naruto added. "They're not just powerful individually; they're cohesive. Fighting them will be like fighting one entity."
"That is also without mentioning his ability, worthlessness." Raven reminded with a thoughtful frown.
Yasaka's tails swayed, the golden tips catching the light. "So you're walking into a gauntlet. Furcas to test your endurance and precision, Zepar to overwhelm you with brute force, Sallos with psychological games, Belial with unmatched skill and a powerful clan ability, and finally, Bael with an unknown but potentially devastating peerage."
Naruto nodded, his blue eyes steady. "That about sums it up."
The room fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of the challenges ahead settling over them. Amaterasu broke the quiet, her voice softer but resolute. "Then we focus on what we can control. Raven, you've been in the underworld's political circles for centuries. What insights can you offer?"
Raven straightened, his expression thoughtful but somewhat sheepish. "While I do have a lot to offer in terms of information, it would take a while to disclose it all."
"Then it's going to be a long meeting." The Shinto Goddess announced decisively with Yasaka nodding in agreement.
'Wonderful.' Naruto thought inwardly with a sigh.
End.
I hope you all enjoyed this.
It was fun to write.
Next chapter is when we finally start. Muahahahhaahahaha.
Anyway, ignoring my madness… take care lads.
Peace.