Chapter 77

The moment Naruto stepped through the portal, he was met with the unmistakable scent of lavender, steam filling the air. His surroundings quickly registered in his mind—the royal bath of Themyscira.

His blue eyes settled on Queen Hippolyta, who was reclining in the steaming water, her golden-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. The Queen of the Amazons, a legendary warrior and ruler, was entirely nude in front of him.

She didn't flinch.

She merely turned her golden gaze toward him, brushing her damp hair behind her ear as though his sudden appearance was nothing more than an unexpected but trivial visit.

To most men, this would be a dream—or a trap. The sheer presence of Hippolyta, regal and radiant, would have left lesser men stammering and looking for a rock to hide behind.

But Naruto?

He simply crossed his arms and ignored the visuals, his mind already focused on the actual reason for his arrival.

Hippolyta's lips curled into a slight smirk. "What can I help you with?" she asked, voice smooth and unbothered, as though she was conducting royal court while bathing.

"Aresia," Naruto said, already turning his back to give her privacy—not that she cared. "One of your Amazons. She stole a flower that poisons men."

At that, Hippolyta's face lost all amusement.

The Queen immediately stood up, revealing all her glory, but Naruto remained unfazed. Not because he wasn't a man—but because he'd been around so many shameless women by this point that this was just another Tuesday.

Still, he did turn his head slightly to the side, giving her at least the pretense of privacy.

Hippolyta strode out of the bath, her wet skin glistening under the torchlight, and grabbed a nearby silk robe, wrapping it around herself with the efficiency of a battle-hardened warrior rather than a pampered queen.

"Show me," she commanded.

Naruto transformed into Aresia, shifting his shape with a burst of golden chakra. The moment she laid eyes on the familiar form, Hippolyta's golden eyes narrowed dangerously.

Without another word, she rushed out of the chamber, her wet hair whipping behind her.

Naruto followed as she moved with unmatched urgency, her bare feet slapping against the stone floor as she moved like a storm through the palace. Any Amazons in their path immediately stepped aside, sensing the Queen's fury.

Soon, they reached a grand chamber at the west end of the castle. Hippolyta threw open a pair of massive stone doors, and the two of them entered a sacred hall lined with weapons, artifacts, and relics of Amazonian history.

Naruto's eyes immediately noticed an empty stone pedestal.

A deep groove in the rock suggested that a sword had once rested there.

Another section of the chamber was disturbed—a space where a set of armor once stood was now empty.

Hippolyta's face darkened in absolute fury.

"That disobedient child!" she seethed, her normally regal presence shaken by fury. "She stole two artifacts of great power!"

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And these artifacts—items that corrupt the mind, you say—were just sitting here, completely unguarded, waiting for someone to walk in and take them?"

The sarcasm in his voice dripped like venom.

Hippolyta snapped her gaze to him. "Do not use that tone with me, boy. Do you think we are so incompetent?"

Naruto didn't back down from the challenge. His blue eyes locked onto hers. "Do you really want to go there?"

For a brief second, power crackled in the air between them.

Then, Hippolyta took a slow breath, controlling her temper.

"We learned from our past mistakes," she said, regaining her royal poise. "These items were under a powerful enchantment, one woven by Lord Zeus himself. Not even I could take them unless I had the proper authority. Someone else must have broken the spell."

Naruto frowned. "So, Aresia isn't the real problem here. She couldn't have taken them on her own."

"Exactly."

Naruto sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright… Who do we know that could break an enchantment from Zeus?"

Hippolyta's expression turned serious. "Only a handful of beings could do this. Dr. Fate could have… if Lord Nabu pushed his powers beyond their normal limits."

Naruto groaned. "Every time I speak too much, the universe finds a way to make me regret it."

Hippolyta ignored his muttering and continued, "There are other ways as well. Certain artifacts or forbidden magic could have neutralized the spell."

Naruto took a deep breath, processing the information. "So, bottom line—we're dealing with something big, and we don't know who's behind it yet."

Hippolyta nodded gravely.

Naruto extended his hand, creating a hazy illusion of the stolen flower—a delicate yet ominous bloom with deep violet petals that seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy.

Hippolyta's eyes darkened the moment she recognized it.

"Man-Killer," she murmured, her voice heavy with a mix of anger and regret.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "That's a little on the nose, don't you think?"

Hippolyta didn't smile. "I know Aresia's mind well enough to guess her plan. If she stole that flower, she's following one of my old strategies—one I devised to make the world a better place."

Naruto's expression flattened. "You guys really need to stop making trouble for the future generations."

Hippolyta's golden eyes flashed. "Mistakes happen, boy. Even your actions will come back to bite you one day and affect someone else."

Naruto sighed. "I know. But we're different. At least, I hope we are."

She studied him in silence, taking in his calm, unwavering gaze.

For the life of her, she still couldn't believe that Gaia, of all beings, had chosen him.

Gaia—who had destroyed entire civilizations out of vengeance. Gaia—who had seen immortals and men alike as playthings in her grand vision of balance.

She had expected someone like Hestia to take an interest in Naruto. That would have made sense. But Gaia?

And yet, here he was, standing in her halls, influencing her people in ways she never thought possible.

Slowly but surely, the Amazons' hatred for men was weakening.

She could see it. Feel it.

The younger generation was drawn to him—his kindness, his patience, his unwavering spirit.

It was subtle, but undeniable. The world was changing.

And yet, despite everything, he was dangerous.

Not in the way men had been dangerous to Amazons in the past—cruel, oppressive, violent.

No, he was a different kind of danger.

Just like Superman and Supergirl. Just like Raven.

Naruto was a threat to the natural order.

His power grew too quickly. His influence spread too easily.

If he ever went rogue…

No one knew how much damage he could do.

She had lived for centuries, training relentlessly, honing her skills—yet this boy improved faster than she had in lifetimes. It was humbling.

And terrifying.

But…

Hippolyta let out a breath, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"We have done so much damage over the years."

"It isn't my place to decide what the future holds."

"Maybe a little hope and positivity is necessary."

"You have done more than enough," she admitted, her voice softer than before. "And I can assure you—it has had an effect."

Naruto tilted his head, waiting.

"As for Aresia… she plans to spread the poison across the world using an artifact—one that enhances toxins to catastrophic levels."

Naruto crossed his arms. "And do you have any idea how she plans to spread it?"

Hippolyta shook her head. "No. I never thought that far ahead."

Naruto snorted. "Figures."

A brief silence.

Then—

"Any idea where I can find her?" he asked. "Or a way to track her? Because I can't find her life signature."

Hippolyta raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Naruto blinked. Then, realizing what he had just said, he chuckled. "Right. That was a stupid question."

She smirked. "You do have a way with things. In the old days, we would be stressing about this."

Naruto grinned. "Isn't it better to just tackle things with confidence?"

Hippolyta hummed in thought. "Perhaps. We'll only know for certain if this mindset survives the test of time."

"Studies show that positive thinkers live longer, healthier lives," Naruto teased. "More fulfilling, too, even with less."

Hippolyta scoffed. "Sometimes, being too positive makes people overlook the finer details—details a more cautious mind would catch."

Naruto shrugged. "Caution and positivity aren't mutually exclusive. Just because you're hopeful doesn't mean you stop paying attention."

Hippolyta stared at him for a long moment, then shook her head in amusement. "I would love to continue this debate, but I won't keep you from your work."

Naruto smirked. "I'll see you later once I'm done."

He prepared to teleport, but—

"Wait!"

Hippolyta grabbed his arm before he could vanish.

"What happened to Cassandra?"

Naruto blinked. "She's fine now. Actually, she's moved on to a new relationship."

Hippolyta's golden eyes narrowed. "With who?"

Naruto grinned. "Aqua guy."

Hippolyta's expression turned murderous.

Naruto chuckled. "Kidding. She's with Impulse now. They're… testing the waters."

For a moment, Hippolyta looked like she wanted to chase after Cass immediately.

Naruto understood why.

Cassie was the daughter of Zeus, which meant Hippolyta still held an immense amount of pride in her lineage. The idea of her being with some lesser suitor probably didn't sit well with her.

She had always been overprotective of her daughters, and it had taken years for her to fully accept Diana's and Donna's relationships.

She probably didn't even know about some of them.

Naruto smirked.

"Will she be okay?" Hippolyta finally asked, her voice softer—genuine concern shining through.

Naruto's expression softened.

"I'll make sure this one goes well."

Then, in a golden flash, he was gone.

Naruto sat comfortably in his seat at the Hero Association's headquarters, his fingers drumming lightly against the armrest as he finished his report.

"That's all." His voice was calm, yet firm, as he addressed the few key members present.

Not all top heroes contributed to the management of the organization, but among those who did, Aquaman, Hal Jordan, Red Arrow, and Batman were the most consistent. They weren't just fighters—they were the backbone of the association's operations, overseeing strategy, logistics, and governance.

Around the room, multiple screens displayed various live operations. Naruto's sharp eyes caught sight of a small tactical unit neutralizing a kidnapper with precise efficiency. The team moved in, identified the culprit, and, after a single warning, eliminated the threat. Another screen showed a coordinated aerial assault—heroes busting through windows, overwhelming their targets within minutes.

The Hero Association was no longer just a collection of vigilantes. It had become a legal entity, fully integrated into the world's governments. With that legitimacy came power—power that allowed heroes and operatives to act with unprecedented authority, even lethal force when deemed necessary.

Yet, despite this newfound freedom, most heroes refrained from taking lives. The temptation was always there. One slip, one moment of taking the easier path, and it would become a habit. The body would remember. The mind would adapt. Decisions would begin to lean toward death as the simplest solution.

Naruto had spoken about this with world leaders. He hadn't outright opposed the law—after all, governments needed ways to maintain order—but he had ensured that it wouldn't spiral out of control. Change wasn't instant, and the path to a better world required patience, discipline, and restraint.

For him, that discipline had been honed through countless experiences, his influence growing with each passing day. Clones allowed him to be everywhere, and his presence was undeniable. He was, without a doubt, the most active hero on the planet. People adored him. People despised him. It was inevitable.

Not everyone wanted to listen. To some, he was privileged, an untouchable figure who couldn't possibly understand their struggles. But Naruto had learned to be patient. In just a year, he had done more than he ever imagined, shaping a world that was on the brink of real, lasting change.

And still, his heart craved more.

There were two goals left. Two objectives that defined his personal mission.

Finding the path home.

Bringing back the dead.

They were no longer distant dreams—they were within reach. He only needed time.

Naruto leaned back, a faint smile on his lips, his golden eyes gleaming with purpose. He had never felt so complete. Happiness filled every part of him, knowing that the dream he had once only heard described by his master was now so close.

"Good work," Batman's voice broke through his thoughts. The Dark Knight didn't look up from his console as he added the new intel into the system. "But avoid making the same mistake again. Cover all bases next time."

Naruto chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his head.

"I know."

He didn't deny it—he had underestimated the enemy's ability to escape through teleportation. A mistake, but one that wouldn't happen again.

Naruto frowned slightly as he pieced together his mistake. His mind hadn't been in the right place earlier—lust had clouded his judgment. If he had been thinking properly, he would have sent a clone to check in with Raven, Zatanna, Black Adam, or Shazam before proceeding.

Pushing aside the thought, he turned his attention back to the meeting.

"Do we have systems in place to combat aerial virus infections?" Kaldur, the new Aquaman, asked. His expression was serious as he analyzed the intelligence they had gathered on the enemy's plans.

It was a valid concern. With magical methods being ineffective—thanks to Zatanna and the other mages reinforcing global protections—the enemy would likely attempt a more conventional approach. If they planned to spread across the globe, an airborne virus was a strong possibility.

"Yes," Bruce responded, his hands moving rapidly across the console, inputting the latest data into their system. "We have enough machines in place to counter it, but the real problem is the water supply. Our system can shut down water distribution in affected regions, but we have no idea how this poison interacts with water. We need to find the enemy's base and shut this operation down before it begins."

"There's also the enemy in the shadows," Red Arrow muttered, his keen eyes scanning the intelligence. He could already think of several possible culprits—individuals who had both the means and motivation to pull something like this off.

"We'll plan for every possibility," Naruto said confidently, his gaze shifting to Batman. "No matter who's behind this, they're getting a fistful of justice to the face."

Bruce didn't react outwardly, but Naruto could tell he agreed. The man always had contingencies in place. There was undoubtedly a thick file somewhere detailing responses to threats just like this.

Hal Jordan, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke up. "I might have a way to get ahead of them. Last month, I met a fortune teller—her predictions were spot on. I talked to her afterward and found out she's actually a magician. She goes by Madame Xanadu."

Batman considered this for a moment before nodding. "I'm not sure about the extent of her abilities, but it's worth checking out. Hal, go speak with her. Naruto, go with him—you're the only one here who has firsthand experience with the enemy."

Naruto stretched as he got up from his seat. "Well, let's get moving." He glanced at Hal, who nodded and rose to join him.

The duo walked out of the office, making their way toward the exit. As they moved, Naruto turned to Hal with a curious expression.

"Why were you asking a fortune teller for advice?"

Hal exhaled slowly before answering. "I was feeling uncertain about my relationship. Everything seems to be going well, but deep down, there's always this lingering fear. I just wanted something to reassure me."

Naruto listened attentively. Hal wasn't the type to dwell on fear, so this confession was unusual. "Do you know the source of your fears?"

Hal's jaw tensed slightly. "It's the thought of losing my loved ones… and the fact that we've been apart before because of my job."

Naruto frowned. "Didn't she come back because she understood your position and accepted it?"

"She did," Hal admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But people change. I'm afraid something could cause another rift between us… or worse, that death might take her from me."

Naruto observed him carefully. Hal was acting fine, but his words painted a different picture.

'There's something off about this,' Kurama's deep voice echoed in Naruto's mind.

'Yeah… Now that I think about it, back when we took down Cyborg Superman, Hal had the strongest reaction out of all of us. It didn't make sense then, but now…' Naruto's thoughts trailed as he analyzed the situation. Hal was one of the bravest men he knew. He faced death, destruction, and cosmic threats head-on. He was never one to let fear rule him.

Something was wrong.

"You can relax now," Naruto said, placing a hand on Hal's shoulder. "Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. Don't let it control you."

As he spoke, golden energy radiated from his palm, surrounding Hal in a warm aura. It wasn't just a physical light—it carried Naruto's emotions, his confidence, his belief in a brighter future. The energy burned away the lingering fear creeping into Hal's heart, restoring his usual clarity.

Hal blinked, then let out a breath, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. He smiled. "Thanks… I feel better now."

Naruto smirked. "Good. Now let's go find this fortune teller."

Without another word, the two heroes took flight, heading toward Washington, where Madame Xanadu's small shop awaited. A place where she sought redemption for past sins—and where, perhaps, they could find the guidance they needed.