The day had been a whirlwind—fights, crisis, kidnapping, and the negotiation. Each event stacked upon the other, leaving them all exhausted. The weight of everything was palpable, but the knowledge of the child—the new twist in their already tangled fate—hung in the air like an unspoken burden. It wasn't that they were crushed by the news, but it wasn't something they could ignore either. Being played like this, in the name of some greater cause or unknown agenda, didn't sit well with them. It wasn't funny. It wasn't a joke. It was a challenge, one that would need to be faced sooner or later, and they weren't sure what it would bring.
When the meeting ended, everyone dispersed, but the emotional toll still clung to them. Naruto, drained from the day's events, collapsed onto the bed, the weight of his thoughts pressing down. He was a ruler—one who carried the burdens of his people and loved ones alike. But at the end of the day, it was his closest ones who carried him, physically and emotionally.
Kara, ever his pillar, fell onto his chest, sinking into him as though she needed him as much as he needed her. Raven, more subdued, settled beside him, resting her head against his arm. The room was still for a while, a gentle quiet, interrupted only by the weight of their thoughts. They each processed the events in their own way—each of them trying to make sense of the political decision that had brought them to this point.
It wasn't long before Veritas entered, the familiar scent of coffee trailing behind her as she moved gracefully into the room. She had been in the lounge, relaxing when she got the notification that Naruto had returned. The moment she stepped inside, she could feel the shift in the air—the quiet tension between them, the weight of a decision made, and the unsaid words. After a year of being together, she had come to understand Naruto's every gesture, every small shift in his expression. And right now, he was troubled.
Veritas was the eldest among them, her long-lived species giving her an immortal beauty, one that would remain for centuries. Though she was not the strongest, her intellect and wisdom were her strength, and in her own way, she felt her presence was valued. Yet, there were times when she couldn't be by his side, not as often as Kara or Raven, but that didn't mean Naruto didn't make sure to make time for all of them. In fact, she had always felt his patience, especially when she would go on long tirades about things he didn't find all that interesting. She could see it in his eyes—he listened because he cared.
In the past year, Veritas had realized that there was no one who could replace Naruto in her heart. He had stolen it from the moment they met, and only he could break it.
Silently, she joined the others, lying beside Naruto, and took his hand in hers. There was comfort in the simple gesture, a quiet solidarity between them all, as if they were saying "We are here for you", and in turn, he was here for them.
When Naruto finally spoke, it was in the softest of tones, as though the weight of his words were too much to bear:
"I just want to apologize for what took place," he began, his voice steady, but with an edge of regret. "You girls have always been the best gift I've received in my life, but you've had to endure these things because of me. You gave me your loyalty, but I could never promise it in return. And still, you allowed me to accept others..."
Naruto's voice trailed off, and for a moment, it seemed like the room held its breath, waiting for the next part.
"But today… I was forced to accept someone beyond the girls we had talked about. Someone I know you don't like. And I know you'll forgive me and accept my decision, but I want you to know how I feel about it."
The silence that followed was thick—an understanding that Naruto didn't need to explain everything, but a deep desire for him to express himself was present. His words, though simple, were everything they needed to hear. It reaffirmed that his love for them hadn't changed.
The frustration they had felt, the discontent that lingered because of Blackfire, began to dissolve, little by little, as they listened. Naruto's concern for their well-being, for their emotions, was not lost on them. It made the situation easier to bear, even if the concept of alliances through relationships frustrated them. They had known all along that this was not a fairy tale—Naruto wasn't just a hero, he was the ruler of a future empire. And his decisions were not always going to be easy to accept. There would be more moments like this, more girls to come, and likely more difficult choices.
But Naruto was always there for them, and that mattered more than anything. Clones helped him manage everything. They kept things balanced, ensured no one felt neglected. And that, in itself, helped diffuse the negative emotions before they could take root.
The atmosphere in the room was warm and filled with affection, the weight of the world momentarily forgotten. Kara's gentle kiss was a balm for Naruto's restless thoughts. She had always been his steadfast supporter, his foundation when everything felt uncertain. Her words reassured him, but her actions always spoke louder. She was his anchor, and he knew just how much she had given him over the years.
As her lips lingered on his, Naruto smiled in gratitude, his heart swelling with love for her. But just as the moment began to deepen, his bond with Kurama kicked in—reminding him that even in the quietest of moments, the fox was always lurking nearby.
'Most likely dead, did you forget about the clone future?'
Naruto chuckled inwardly. "Geez, bro, I'm having a moment here," he muttered silently, trying to keep the intimacy alive.
'Oh sorry, go back to being soapy. I was feeling real drowsy there watching this boring romance show. Need to change the channel to some action now before I enter a coma.' Kurama's voice had a bored edge to it, his tone clearly unimpressed with the romantic moment.
Naruto let out a soft sigh as he heard Kurama turning on the TV, the heavy rock music blaring through the background as the fox moved to a more familiar channel. "Slit the throat of reason and reality..." the lyrics screamed, and Naruto allowed it to fade into the background as his thoughts returned to the girls.
It wasn't long before Veritas spoke, her voice rich with emotion, every word a declaration of love and admiration. Her kiss on his cheek felt like an eternal promise, and when she nestled closer, it was as if she was becoming a part of him.
"Just like you think of us the best gift, you are the best gift I have received. Without you by my side, I would still be stuck down there. You made this life colorful and made me experience things I never thought possible. No matter what happens, I will never let go of you. You promised that we will always be together, remember that and never forget."
Naruto's heart swelled at her words, the weight of his responsibilities lightened by the depth of her devotion. She wasn't just speaking of love—she was speaking of a life shared, of a bond that transcended the ordinary, something timeless.
And then Raven spoke, her voice soft but dripping with affection, almost honeyed in the way she expressed herself. Her words were powerful and reassuring, offering him the same devotion but with a quiet strength that Naruto knew he could never take for granted.
"This life would have ended without you. This life would have only known darkness without you. You are the one who brought life in this darkness for me. I would never trust others to continue loving and even their love but you my love, your love is boundless. I don't need to hear your words to know how much love you have for us. Every beat of your heart cries for our affection and presence. My powers are witness to your love and it has never grown less but continued to grow with time. No matter how many girls you add to your side, I believe that we will always be the priority and you will never allow sadness to overtake us. Listen to our words and let such thoughts disappear, we will always be there to support you."
Raven's words were a balm, a reassurance that no matter the future, no matter the challenges, they would always be together. His heart raced at the depth of the connection they shared, the eternal bond that had formed over time, no matter the outside forces or challenges.
With their words, Naruto felt the familiar love that had once filled the empty spaces in his heart, and it only grew stronger as they spoke. The burden of the day's events, the frustrations of dealing with everything, all of it disappeared. The clarity he had been searching for washed over him, and in this moment, he felt a sense of peace.
He looked at the three women by his side—Kara, Veritas, and Raven—and felt the overwhelming tide of love and gratitude. They had never wavered, never faltered in their commitment to him. And now, it was his turn to reaffirm his devotion.
"I love you all! I shall always be yours for eternity!" Naruto declared with a fierce passion in his voice, his eyes filled with determination and love.
The weight of his words hung in the air, powerful and eternal.
They all gathered closer to him, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. Time seemed to stretch, and all that mattered was the love they shared in this room. No matter the challenges ahead, no matter how complicated things might become, they had each other. And in that moment, they were content, happy, and at peace.
As the night wore on, Naruto and the girls spent their time together, playing games, talking, and sharing laughter. It was a rare time of relaxation—a moment where they could just be themselves without the weight of responsibilities bearing down on them. They cherished every second of it.
For a while, the world outside didn't matter. What mattered was the present, and the love that bound them all together. Eternity could wait, for they were living their forever, right here, right now.
The sunlight poured through the windows as Naruto stirred from his sleep. It had been a peaceful night, his rest uninterrupted by the usual chaos that filled his life. He glanced at the sleeping figures beside him, the soft breathing of the girls still echoing in the room. Kara, Veritas, and Raven were curled up close to him, their presence a comforting reassurance. With a quiet sigh, Naruto gently slipped from under the covers, making sure not to disturb them. He carefully dressed in his armor, the familiar weight of it settling comfortably on his shoulders as he prepared for what awaited him that day.
As he moved silently toward the door, his mind was focused. His footsteps were light but purposeful as he exited the room, heading toward the training field. The day had barely begun, but already, the winds of fate seemed to be calling him.
Just as he reached the field, he felt a familiar presence within his mind. Nyx's voice echoed, cool and almost teasing.
"Where is my kid?" Naruto demanded, his tone steady, though the worry lingered beneath the surface. He had no doubt that Nyx had something planned, as she always did.
The response came swiftly, laden with a hint of amusement. "Why so cold, we are friends now."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, the weight of Nyx's words settling in. "Return the child, and I will consider it."
Nyx's voice danced with playful sarcasm. "Now, now, that is not so chill of you. Remember I said that you would get trials, and those seem more important now. Trials provide a challenge and help you grow, don't you think?"
Naruto's eyes hardened as Nyx continued, her words dripping with a subtle malice he could feel deep within his bones. "This time, I have prepared a better test than the one with Hercules. The kid was too simple and boring, but served his purpose as food. This time, no limitations—you have to win against my avatar in the mortal world alone. Just defeat her. No need to kill."
A brief silence stretched between them as Naruto's mind raced. His heart skipped a beat—an avatar of Nyx? This was no simple test; this was a trap, of that he was certain. But he couldn't allow fear to dictate his actions. He needed to get the child back.
He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "Promise you will give my child back, or I am not doing it."
Nyx's voice took on a more serious tone, and for a moment, Naruto could feel the weight of the words. "I promise on the name of Chaos, my father, that I will give you your child. Now, do you need time to prepare, or are you ready?"
Naruto fell silent, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. Nyx had played these games before, and he could feel the undercurrent of trickery in her offer. This wasn't going to be easy. The stakes were high—he couldn't afford to fail.
As he stood there, the cool breeze brushing against his face, his thoughts flashed to the people who depended on him. Kurama, who had always been by his side, offering both wisdom and strength. Gaea, watching over him from the shadows, her silent support a constant reassurance. And the others—the girls who had become his family. He couldn't drag them into this; the risks were far too great.
'I will put my trust in you, Gaea. I know you are watching me.'
With those words echoing in his mind, Naruto made up his mind. "I am ready," he muttered softly, his voice filled with resolve.
The decision was made. It was time to face this challenge alone.
Within moments, Naruto was fully equipped. His armor gleamed in the morning light, a reflection of the power that now flowed through him. His chakra, boosted by his previous experiences and recent growth, had transformed in ways he had never imagined. The energy he had absorbed from Hercules had elevated his base strength from a star level to a solar system level—a tremendous leap forward in his power. He was far from the man he had been when he first began this journey. With the help of Raven, who had taught him the compression method—a way to condense chakra into a higher quality, smaller form—Naruto had increased his power even further.
His chakra had become a higher quality, and Kurama's energy, too, had transformed along with his. They were now bonded in a way that amplified both of their powers.
As he prepared for the fight, his mind wandered briefly to the Big Bang technique he had perfected with Veritas. It was a move he had originally created for massive invasions, a devastating technique based on the principles of the universe's creation. Naruto had always reserved it for dire situations, especially when combined with Kara. But now, in his current state, he knew he could harness the full force of the technique on his own. He was stronger than he had ever been.
The battlefield ahead would be one of his greatest challenges, but Naruto was no stranger to fighting for what mattered most. He knew this test would push him to his limits—but that was the point. Every trial was a chance for growth.
'This is the moment. I am the strongest hero of Earth,' Naruto thought, steeling himself for the battle ahead.
With a final glance at the horizon, he set off, prepared for whatever Nyx's avatar would throw at him.