A gloomy silence surrounded the basement beneath Yasaka's temple, but that didn't matter to the two resistance members—no, no, no.
His gaze was fixed on the third person, clearly neither his partner nor an ally of the resistance.
Cecilia felt a strange sensation she couldn't name, but her body perceived it and displayed it outwardly.
It's as if the world stops, and yet everything inside you overflows.
The air becomes thick, impossible to breathe. A chill runs from the back of your neck to your stomach—an emptiness twisting and digging into your gut like a clenched fist. Your throat dries, your muscles tense, your heart beats so violently it feels like it might burst out of your chest.
There is no thought—only instinct.
The body recognizes him before the mind does: he is there.
That soul-crushing presence that steals the air, that turns every second into torment. Her hands trembled, not from weakness, but from the overwhelming weight of fear. Every fiber of your being screams to flee, yet your legs refuse to obey.
The blood accelerates, heats, and rises to your head in a high-pitched buzzing.
Your vision narrows; the world becomes a blurred band of shadows and light. Everything that once made you feel safe dissolves. There is no refuge. There is no hope. Only that figure that should not exist—that shadow dragging all your failures, your guilt, your oldest fears behind it.
Your stomach churns, a suffocating knot that mixes nausea with despair.
Teeth clench, lungs forget how to breathe.
The soul, that fragile thing you always took for granted, shrinks as if it wanted to hide within the body.
And then you understand.
It's not just fear.
It is the recognition of the abyss.
The certainty that before you stands everything you hate, everything you fear becoming, everything you will never be able to overcome.
And he knows it.
"Naruto Phoenix…"
Naruto smiled, savoring the fear in the air; it was so… exquisite.
Issei was no better than Cecilia; his courage and heroic instincts evaporated before the cruel reality that he could never triumph against this monster. He was the final boss of all monsters—the one who brought Leviathan itself into the human world, destroyed the Fallen, mocked the angels… the one who had ancient leaders as beggars and desperate men.
Hot tears began to spill down Cecilia's face as she confirmed it. It was… it was… Him. She had never imagined meeting him would be so terrifying.
Issei: H… run… let's run… —he said through clenched teeth, his legs trembling. He turned to leap away, only to collapse as his legs gave out. He quickly realized his entire body was shaking. Not even before Azazel, Michael, or the others had he felt this way. He had the courage to look them in the eyes—but before this demon… the King…
Cecilia didn't move, but her heavy breathing echoed through the room, along with soft, exhausted whimpers.
Draig denied it; those other leaders weren't truly terrifying. They seemed desperate because of the situation, but the Demon King was different. He started all of this and was known as evil incarnate. His mere presence caused his host to lose all sense of defiance… a monster.
Draig scoffed. His host had thought that because he got along with other leaders, they would all be similar, but he was wrong. He had run straight into a real one. This was the true essence of a leader: imposing.
Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Naruto: I'm sure I'm not scary. Though I don't know what impression they have of me—maybe that's why they're like this… —he said calmly as he slowly approached the altar, until he heard a sound.
Naruto stopped and looked again.
Naruto: Did you really pee yourself?… —he asked Cecilia with a drop of sweat on his brow, watching something run down her skirt and leg as she stared at him in horror, face deathly pale.
Naruto instantly appeared before Cecilia and grabbed her by the neck, observing her with red eyes marked by a black dot at the center.
Naruto: At least you're good for something with your Sacred Gear… —he pulled her closer— You'll never be able to get rid of me… —he whispered in a deep voice before sending the traumatized human into one of his underworld basements. She had fainted at the mere touch.
Naruto turned his attention to the human child with a Sacred Gear strong enough to defeat his son with traps and face his daughters, but who now shrank before him like trash.
Naruto: So, dragon? What shall we do? Will I devour you, or will you serve me…? —he asked calmly, approaching the boy who tried weakly to crawl away. The fear in him surpassed the adrenaline rush he should have felt—but it was expected. He had been surrounded by pathetic leaders, but facing a real one—this was the proper reaction.
Draig: I bow. I am a supernatural being… My place is not with humans… —he said sincerely. He had seen enough hypocrisy and didn't want to tarnish his title; he was done.
Issei didn't even hear what Draig said; a magic circle appeared near his tear-streaked face, twisted in horror and dread.
Issei: e… e… migo… —he managed before his eyes rolled back as his body could no longer withstand the unreal fear, burning through all his calories as if preparing for an attack that never came.
Naruto smiled.
Naruto: Alright, I'll separate the Sacred Gear and keep him alive. I still need him to know hell for what he did to my son and all the trouble he caused… —he said calmly as he grabbed the red gauntlet, which began to emit a crimson light.
Draig: I'm sorry about that. I was present when your son was murdered… —he apologized, though he hadn't acted—after all, he was a weapon.
Naruto: Don't worry… —he dismissed it as a book appeared and he began the rite to separate Draig's soul. These dark arts suited him perfectly… they were a fundamental pillar demons had forgotten. Fools.
Some time later.
Having resurfaced, Naruto could be seen calmly whistling as he walked out of the ruins of Yasaka Temple, hands in the pockets of his dark tuxedo.
Naruto hummed, observing his surroundings. This was as far as the rebellion of the Shinto gods who rejected Amaterasu's changes had advanced, but it was fine. The yokai were a great contribution to the underworld and were spared from constant bombardment in the human world. At least Amaterasu had eliminated future trouble.
Naruto blinked and froze when, not far away, atop a dilapidated building, he noticed a human figure beginning to glow.
"GRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHH…!"
A thunderous roar echoed across the area, creating gusts of wind that shook rocks and debris.
Naruto blinked at the strange dragon rising into the sky and charging an attack in his direction—making him sweat slightly. He was the one who performed surprise attacks.
Naruto raised his hand, extending his palm as he gathered energy into a sphere that began to emit sparks.
Rinnnffff…
FLUSSSSSS…
BOOOOOMMMMM!
A powerful light flashed across the sky, illuminating the city below.
Naruto vanished and appeared above the dragon, pointing a charged sphere at it.
"Heheheh…"
Naruto frowned as he heard the dragon laugh and easily dodged its tail, but the creature suddenly turned—surprisingly fast for its size.
Flussss…
BOOOOOMMMM!
A massive crater formed with Naruto at its center.
"Light t…
Super New!"
BOOOOOMMMM!
Another explosion rang out as Naruto took flight, two pairs of dark wings emerging from his back. His tuxedo was torn, but his calm expression remained.
Acnologia: Hmhmhmhm… It seems you are not weak, Demon King. Allow me to introduce myself… I am… Acnologia. Hmhmhmhm!
Through the explosion, the strange dragon laughed, prompting a snort from Naruto.
Acnologia beat his wings, dispersing the smoke as his imposing form loomed over Naruto, who began radiating heat.
Both instantly vanished from sight, clashing in a barrage of claws vs. bare fists.
Naruto was genuinely surprised by the creature's agility—keeping up with him despite its size, and with strength no less impressive.
Naruto stepped back as a glow enveloped him; his Demon King armor formed around him. He looked at Acnologia—only to feel a blow strike his back.
Naruto: What?! —he shouted as he fell, turning in disbelief that someone strong had positioned himself behind him—the only logical explanation.
Indra, clad in golden armor, smiled as he charged.
Naruto recovered mid-fall and intercepted him, landing a powerful blow to Indra's stomach, denting the armor and making him spit saliva. Naruto turned to finish him—only to be hit by a tail.
"You've forgotten me!"
Flussss…
BOOOOOMMMM!
Naruto was launched through collapsing buildings.
He stood only to shield himself.
BOOOOOOMMMMM!
A mushroom-shaped explosion ascended into the sky.
Acnologia and Indra watched impassively. That tough guy wouldn't die from this—though most gods would.
Indra felt eyes on his back and turned, only to have his jaw crushed in a powerful grip.
Naruto appeared with smoke rising from his body.
Naruto: They almost got me… —he mocked, blasting Indra away.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Acnologia took flight only to sense intense heat, watching the sun itself descend toward him.
BOOOOOMMMM!
A blinding light illuminated everything.
Naruto took a breath and raised his arm, trying to stop the incoming object.
Guahhhhgg…
Naruto coughed blood as a hammer struck him, cracking his ribcage as he staggered back.
He watched the hammer retreat before dodging a lightning bolt.
"THUNDER!"
"By Asgard!"
Naruto blinked. What the hell?
He looked and saw Odin helping Indra, making him clench his jaw… that damn cockroach.
A torrent of yellow, intense power burst from Naruto's body.
GRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
A roar from Acnologia interrupted his power buildup, making him frown. He could kill these bastards one by one—but together…
Naruto snapped his fingers, evading the hammer and charging at Thor, who recalled it. Naruto didn't avoid the blow—he landed a brutal punch to Thor's throat. Thor flew back as the hammer smashed Naruto's head. Naruto blacked out for a second but recovered.
"Damn bastard!"
Dracula appeared behind him with a spiked mace, bringing it down, but it melted instantly.
Naruto pointed a finger at Dracula's chest.
FLISSSSSS…
A torrent of dark energy pierced the vampire lord, sending him flying and coughing black blood.
Acnologia used the distraction, appearing behind Naruto and attacking with his tail.
Naruto grabbed it but was struck by lightning from behind.
He cursed—before Acnologia launched a point-blank blast.
BOOOOOMMMM!
A dazzling light filled the sky.
Human media still active exploded with reports broadcasting the battle in Kyoto—against none other than the Demon King himself.
His appearance was unmistakable.
Across the night, radio and every device filled with frantic voices; some prayed, others begged God, but all wanted one thing: the tyrant's death.
The human resistance leader and the human empress watched in shock; they hadn't expected this tonight. They knew everything would change—but they hesitated to send their forces.
Naruto emerged again, smoke rising from him, as Odin hurled several glowing runes his way.
One of Naruto's eyes began bleeding before bursting—much to his surprise.
He covered the rapidly regenerating eye and took off, only to be struck midair by the hammer—its lack of presence making it even more dangerous.
Naruto doubled over, spitting blood—as a figure appeared behind him with a dagger.
Indra smiled.
Indra: Goodbye, Demon King… —he mocked, ready to finish him.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A shout echoed, and Indra was flung back by a repulsive force.
BOOOOOMMMM!
Naruto recovered, opening his eye again—it had hurt.
He blinked upon seeing a beautiful white-haired woman with horns lunging at Indra, bones emerging from her palms.
Naruto: Kaguya?… —he muttered, also noticing Madara summoning Susano'o to charge Acnologia, followed by… Kushina? Using her Kyūbi power.
Naruto frowned—they were supposed to be on other tasks, but considering time flowed differently in their dimension…
Naruto descended slowly; it seemed he had been caught in someone else's larger plan.
BOOOOOMMMM!
GRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
A powerful roar echoed as Naruto saw a gigantic blood-red fox approaching, nine tails whipping behind it.
The ground shook.
Naruto: What the hell?… —he said, genuinely confused by how the situation had escalated.
The Kyūbi barreled toward Naruto—who flared his power.
Water-like droplets began falling as the earth shook and a massive snake emerged, intercepting the Kyūbi.
GRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHH…
"Father!"
Naruto turned, only to see Odin inches from him—a rune glowing in his hand—before being rammed by Amaterasu.
FLISSSSSS…
BOOOOOMMMM!
Odin skidded across the ground as Amaterasu moved toward him.
Naruto raised his hand, stopping a spear aimed at his head—even the Ten Strongest Heroes were here.
"Fatheeeer!"
Kilmaria roared, transforming—followed by her sisters—upon seeing the cowardly heroes who always fled. Now it was fifteen vs. ten.
Naruto spun the spear and hurled it back; its owner tried to catch it—only to be sent flying.
"Kyaaa!"
Naruto turned his back on the heroes as his daughters' platoon intercepted them.
"No…"
Naruto leapt aside, dodging the sneak attack. He saw Sirzechs and his group gathered; the countless presences were affecting his perception.
"Damn you, Naruto!"
Sirzechs roared, transforming. To hell with everything—since this bastard's mother accused them of treason, they had to abandon the underworld; nowhere was safe.
Zekram clenched his fists. Even though they communicated with Azazel's group, these Phoenix bastards were the problem… Today they would be eradicated.
"Naruto-sama, we'll handle it…"
Mylene, Misla, and Serafall appeared before Naruto, charging Sirzechs and his group.
Now Naruto truly believed he was the one who had fallen into a grander trap.
He noticed Lilith facing Dracula—but he expected his wife, Dracula's daughter Carmilla, or Yue, to fight him. A filial battle.
Rain intensified as explosions echoed everywhere.
"THUNDER!"
A powerful beam flashed as Naruto slowly turned his attention to the figure revealed within the light—a figure with four arms, staring at him.
Naruto: Shiva… —he said solemnly, rain matting his hair to his forehead.
Shiva: Naruto… —he replied calmly, the rain evaporating before reaching him.
"THUNDER!"
BOOOOOMMMM!
…
TO BE CONTINUED.