Chapter 47

Gaea's presence seemed to calm the air around them, her immense power radiating a serene aura that was both reassuring and intimidating. As she spoke, her voice echoed like the whisper of ancient winds, carrying a weight of wisdom and experience that stretched beyond mortal comprehension.

"Greetings, children," she said, her tone warm yet laced with authority. "It is a pleasure to meet you so soon. I have heard everything that has been discussed and agree with it partially."

Her eyes shifted from Naruto to the others, a subtle glint of amusement in them, as if she had been expecting this kind of conversation. Her hands moved gracefully, and with a simple gesture, seats of rich, intertwined vines and leaves sprouted from the ground, offering comfort to the group. They were seats forged from the earth itself, growing with the natural grace that only a being like Gaea could command.

"Your desire for multiple contracts is a difficult task when considering the personalities of the Immortals. However, it isn't impossible... But, you will have a difficult time convincing them. Especially since the top aren't weaker than you." Gaea's words carried a gentle warning, her voice tinged with the gravity of the task that lay ahead. While she didn't outright dismiss Naruto's ambitions, the challenge was clearly significant.

Naruto took a moment to absorb the implications of what she had said. "Do you mean Izanagi is stronger than me?" he asked, his voice calm, though the weight of her words hung in the air. His calm demeanor only highlighted his incredible resilience—an attribute forged through countless battles and the depths of his own inner strength.

Gaea's response was deliberate and unwavering. "Yes, even Izanami, Ra, and Odin are stronger than you. And, there are some that are on your realm of power." Her gaze softened slightly as she regarded Naruto, sensing the determination that emanated from him. "It is fortunate that all of us are in the know of the real situation, so none of them will act like they did in the past."

Hinata and Ino exchanged uneasy glances, struggling to fathom the sheer scale of what Gaea was saying. Naruto's power had always been a subject of awe, and yet now they were learning that there were beings whose might surpassed even his own. It was a revelation that opened a floodgate of questions, especially since Naruto's true potential had yet to be fully understood, even by those closest to him.

Naruto, however, didn't flinch. His mind worked in silence, processing the information with remarkable calmness. He was no stranger to powerful foes and the challenges of facing overwhelming odds. The idea of Immortals stronger than him didn't seem to faze him—if anything, it only fueled his determination to grow even more.

Ino, on the other hand, wasn't as composed. Her eyes widened in concern, her thoughts racing. "Are you sure about that?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. "Wouldn't they hate us more after being trapped for so long? I assume someone like Loki, Ares, and Apep would be up to something nasty." She spoke with knowledge of the various Immortals' personalities, her tone betraying her anxiety over the potential fallout.

"I agree," Hinata added softly. "The Otsutsuki have already been a significant problem, but now… now we have these beings to worry about, too. Creatures that don't care about mortals. How are we supposed to handle that?"

Gaea's expression shifted slightly, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Loki, Ares, and Apep... yes, they would not be pleased with the change in their circumstances. They are tricksters, warriors, and forces of chaos. They are beings that thrive on conflict, and their desires often align with destruction. But…" Her voice softened, as if weighing her words carefully. "The situation has changed. The seal that once held us in place is broken, yes, but there are rules now. There are understandings among the Immortals, and the fact that we are aware of the true situation gives us an edge. Not all of the Immortals will seek to sow discord. Some, like Ra, Izanagi, and Odin, are guardians in their own right. Their goals may not align with your own, but they have their own interests to protect."

Gaea's face softened again as she spoke, the warmth of her expression returning after the grim revelation. Her eyes, however, held a weight of sorrow and regret that couldn't be hidden. It was clear that she was deeply connected to the pain of her past, the memories of a world lost to the Otsutsuki. The atmosphere shifted as the group processed the new information, their minds racing to grasp the full scale of the situation.

"They have settled down after understanding the gravity of our situation. The Otsutsuki are vile creatures that we hate more than anything... You see, it is quite personal," Gaea continued, her voice thick with emotion. The love and care she had for them was evident, yet the bitterness she felt toward the Otsutsuki showed through in the sharpness of her words.

Naruto, always keen on understanding the nature of threats, asked the obvious question. "Did you have a fight with Kaguya and Ishiki?"

Gaea's expression darkened immediately at the mention of those two names. It was more than just anger—it was a deep, gnawing pain. She nodded slowly, her gaze distant as if she were reliving old memories. "We did," she confirmed, her voice becoming even quieter. "But there was an encounter before those two ever arrived on this planet..."

The room seemed to grow colder as Gaea continued. "I know it will be a surprise, but we are not from here. We are survivors of another world that was devastated by the Otsutsuki. Just like you, we have been preparing in our own way to handle this issue."

Her words hung in the air, a bombshell that completely altered everything they had thought they knew. The Earth, as they knew it, was just a fragment of a much larger story—one in which the Otsutsuki had left their destructive mark long before their arrival on this world. The truth of Gaea's origins painted a much darker history than they could have imagined.

Naruto and the group were momentarily stunned, each of them processing the gravity of her words. The Otsutsuki's reign of terror extended far beyond their immediate knowledge, leaving entire worlds broken in their wake. The weight of Gaea's experiences, her losses, was something they couldn't easily understand, and it was clear she wasn't ready to dive deeper into the pain of those memories.

Despite the devastating truth, the group held their silence. There were no further questions, not because they weren't curious, but because they respected the sorrow that Gaea carried with her. It was a burden they couldn't truly comprehend, and right now, it felt wrong to press for more details.

"Don't worry, we will definitely succeed."

Hinata's voice, soft yet full of conviction, broke the silence. She tried to lift Gaea's spirits, offering a quiet reassurance, though she knew this was far from over. Her words were kind and heartfelt, and they seemed to reach Gaea, who smiled gently in response.

"Thank you for your kind words, and I also believe so," Gaea replied, her tone softer now, but still carrying a deep sadness. "I know you must be curious about our kind and what we are, but that is a long topic, so we will continue about it later. It is something I can only share once I have permission from the others. For now, let me take you to our world."

Her expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Before that, I want you to avoid antagonizing them and also avoid reacting to their jabs. People get jaded when they have lived for too long."

Naruto nodded, understanding the gravity of her advice. Gaea's presence alone seemed to carry a quiet authority that was hard to ignore, and her words had a way of settling deep within him. He had always carried the weight of his role as a protector, as someone who would face any challenge head-on, but there was wisdom in Gaea's suggestion. Patience and restraint would be just as important as strength when dealing with beings of such ancient power.

Speaking to Gaea, Naruto felt an overwhelming desire to follow her words. Her natural presence exuded an undeniable charisma, her beauty and soft voice only added to the weight of her counsel. There was something magnetic about her, something that made it hard to ignore her wisdom, even if it required a level of patience Naruto wasn't accustomed to.

Naruto, however, was no longer the young, impulsive child he once was. He had grown, not just in power, but in his understanding of the world. He had experienced enough to know that there were times when silence and calm were more powerful than any reaction. He would follow Gaea's advice, not because it was easy, but because he understood its necessity.

"I won't make promises, but I won't react to taunts," Naruto said, his voice steady and honest. He wasn't going to lie or give false assurances, but he was confident in his resolve.

Gaea smiled, though it was a bittersweet expression. She had expected his answer, knowing that Naruto's path was one of growth and understanding. She had watched him from the moment he was born, intrigued by the child that had captured the attention of so many beings. His potential had always been clear to her, even when he had been nothing more than a young boy.

"That is good enough," Gaea said, her voice filled with approval. "It is unfortunate, but only you and Hinata can enter the realm. It is a place overflowing with heavy energy that is harmful to those of the lower realm."

Her words were filled with finality, and it became clear that not everyone could accompany them into this new, unknown world.

Ino's heart sank as Gaea's words settled in. Her feelings of exclusion, born from her own limitations, were difficult to ignore. It wasn't something she could simply change; her power was tied to her genetics, a force beyond her control. The thought of being left out, especially from something so important, made her feel small.

As her gaze lingered on Hinata, she couldn't suppress the pang of jealousy that gripped her chest. Hinata had received a sudden and massive power boost—an opportunity that Ino could only dream of. It seemed like fate had favored Hinata, while Ino remained stagnant, unable to move past the barriers that confined her.

But as quickly as the envy rose, Ino forced it down. She was no stranger to hiding her feelings, and she knew that indulging in jealousy wouldn't help anyone. What she had to remind herself was that Hinata's power hadn't come without a price. Hinata had nearly died in the process of gaining it, and that sacrifice wasn't lost on Ino. Still, it was hard to shake the feeling that she was left behind, watching others step forward into roles she wasn't strong enough to take on.

She shook her head, clearing her negative thoughts. When she turned back to face the others, she wore a practiced smile, one that hid the turmoil inside her. Her role was to support, even when she felt invisible.

Hinata, ever perceptive to the fluctuations in her friends' emotions, noticed the subtle change in Ino's demeanor. Her hand gently rested on Ino's back, offering silent support. There was no need for words, as Hinata's understanding gaze spoke volumes. She could see the struggle within Ino, the sense of being left behind, and she wanted to offer comfort in the only way she knew how—by being present.

Naruto, observing the exchange between the two women, felt a deep sense of responsibility wash over him. His thoughts wandered back to the previous conversation with Gaea. He had agreed with her advice, but now, seeing his friends' emotions laid bare, he realized how isolating the path ahead might be.

The weight of his decisions pressed on him. Hinata, as much as she had proven her strength, was not the only one who had been with him through thick and thin. Ino, though struggling with her own feelings of inadequacy, had always been a part of his journey. To leave her behind, especially after everything they had been through, felt like a betrayal.

Naruto's mind was already racing through possibilities. His instincts told him that he couldn't go down this path alone. The strength of his bonds was what had carried him this far, and to abandon that would be a mistake he couldn't afford to make.

He looked at both of them, the weight of the responsibility in his eyes as he spoke. "Let's bring them along. We will protect them together."

The words came from his heart, the resolve firming in his chest. He could no longer afford to let his journey be one of isolation. He had already walked the path of loneliness too many times in his past, and the thought of walking alone again was something he could not face. His friends—his allies—were his greatest strength. They had proven themselves time and time again. Now, it was his turn to prove that he would never leave them behind.