Chapter 56

The atmosphere in the VIP area was thick with the lingering echoes of the battle. While the others were still processing the aftermath of Naruto's overwhelming display of power, a group of figures stood out among the immortals, their attention fully fixed on the arena below.

One of them, a beautiful woman with long, flowing brown hair, sat with a notebook and pen in hand, her expression one of disdain as she observed the final moments of the battle. She muttered to herself, "That simpleton needs to stop letting others charge their attacks for no reason." Her words were sharp, a clear indication of her frustration with Ares's defeat.

Sitting beside her, another woman with a more calm demeanor gently petted her mystical dear while offering a more balanced perspective. "It is in his nature to test out the limits of his foes, so it was expected. And, even we didn't expect the human king to bring out such power." This woman seemed to understand Ares's arrogance, though she was not without sympathy for his downfall.

The dear woman, still focusing on the scene, added with a touch of irritation, "I doubt any of us would allow the enemy to harm them with such an avoidable attack. With his arrogance, he has made it hard to see what other abilities this man holds."

The tension in the air grew as another voice joined the conversation. A woman leaned over the balcony, her eyes locked on Naruto, the man who had captivated the attention of all in the arena. She was a red-haired woman with a gentle persona, and she seemed to regard him with more interest than the others had anticipated.

"Aunt," the dear woman spoke again, her gaze drifting toward the red-haired woman. "You seem interested in his offer."

The attention of the others quickly shifted to the red-haired woman, whose smile remained soft yet knowing. She didn't flinch under their gaze as she replied gently, "I am. This young man is filled with affection for everyone, and for his family, it is increased to another realm. I believe we are suited to each other. Though, he also suits you three as well. I don't mind if any one of you would like to contract him."

Her words caused a ripple of reaction among the women. It was clear that the dear woman, who had an innate connection to nature, was already well aware of the reasons she mentioned—Naruto's deep love for those close to him, and how that affection could potentially resonate with their bonds. Yet, there was an air of disinterest on her part when it came to Naruto himself.

"I am not interested in the males. I like the girl named Hinata, as she is talented in archery. So, you can go ahead and take this guy," she responded with a nonchalant tone, dismissing the idea of forming a bond with Naruto.

The black-haired woman, whose eyes were dark and filled with a quiet intensity, spoke next. Her name was Nemesis, and she represented vengeance and retribution. Her voice was calm but carried an edge of amusement. "I am interested. I feel like he needs my guidance."

"I feel the same," echoed the woman with brown hair, Athena, her voice as calm as Nemesis's but with a touch of strategic calculation.

The room grew still for a moment as the women exchanged glances, each understanding the implications of what was being said. They were powerful in their own right, each with their own domain, but Hestia, the one who represented familial bonds, had remained largely silent through this exchange.

Finally, Athena spoke with quiet resolve, "But, I think you should take the lead this time, Aunt Hestia."

The others nodded in agreement, their own chances to make a move now overshadowed by the understanding that Hestia, who had not yet made her approach, should take the initiative.

Hestia, sensing the unanimous decision, smiled warmly at the younger women around her, wrapping her arms around them in a hug. "You are such precious children." Her words were full of affection as she looked toward Naruto, who was still the focal point of their attention.

As the conversation continued, Artemis, who had been observing quietly, suddenly spoke, her sharp eyes catching a new presence in the distance. "I think you should hurry. Uncle Hades is approaching him."

The presence of Hades was unmistakable. His aura, dark and foreboding, could be felt even from afar. The man appeared in dark armor, his presence alone commanding respect and fear. As he began his approach toward Naruto, a ripple of tension spread across the group of immortals. What would Hades want with the human king? Would this be a chance for Naruto to prove himself further, or had he already caught the attention of one of the underworld's most formidable figures?

Hestia's eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile remained gentle as she prepared to make her own move. Her heart, connected to family and bonds, knew that this was an important moment—for both her and Naruto. The question now wasn't if they would form a bond, but rather, what type of bond would be formed and what it would mean for the future of the realms.

The scene in the arena had grown tense, the air thick with the presence of powerful immortals as they stepped forward, each one a potential ally or threat. As the first person answered Naruto's call, it was clear that the individual was of extraordinary power, potentially rivaling the Great Immortals. But Naruto wasn't the only one to catch the attention of these figures, as four others followed, each bringing their own aura of strength and mystery.

The first figure, Apophis, stood out with his snake-like features and double-pupil golden eyes. His very presence was enough to send a chill down Naruto's spine, a reminder of the ancient forces of chaos that roamed the world. With a snake-like tongue and an air of superiority, he was unmistakably the sun-eating serpent who could plunge the world into eternal darkness. He was a being of pure chaos, the opposite to Ra, the embodiment of order.

Apophis ignored the disapproval of Hades, who regarded him with a cool expression. "Apophis, you are wasting your time here. This child isn't blind to your nature to accept your offer," Hades remarked, his gaze sharp as he assessed the situation.

Apophis chuckled, dismissing Hades's words with an almost bored tone, "Did you hear anything, Hela, Inari? I think I heard a dog bark some nonsense again." His mocking words didn't faze Hades, who merely turned away from Apophis to address the situation at hand.

Hades was undeterred, and with a calm but insistent tone, he turned to Hestia, "Big sister, please allow me this chance. I believe our bond is really important."

Hestia, however, wasn't as easily swayed. "I don't know what you have seen, brother. But, I believe it is quite rude to ask me of this. This is the young man's decision, not mine to make."

Hades didn't argue further, and turned to Naruto with a solemn look. "Child, are you aware of us, or do you need an explanation?" His voice was calm, but there was a depth of history and power behind it.

Naruto, ever patient, nodded. "I believe an explanation will be necessary, since all I know about you people are folktales, legends."

Hades acknowledged this and turned to Inari, a striking woman wearing a fox mask, who represented foxes, smithing, general prosperity, and warriors. "Inari, could you help our guest?"

Inari, without hesitation, nodded and began explaining the powers of the immortals present. She began with the dark-themed individuals—Apophis, Izanami, and others—skipping over herself, as if she knew that Naruto's focus would not be on her. Apophis, being the strongest among them, was also the most suspicious, reminding Naruto of Orochimaru with his obsession for power and control.

In contrast, Izanami was the second strongest. Hestia, aware of the dangerous nature of some of these beings, took the opportunity to warn Naruto directly. "I will advise you to avoid making contact with that woman, Naruto. She has unhealthy obsessions and is very possessive."

Naruto nodded in appreciation, grateful for the insider knowledge. "Thank you for your warning," he said, his trust in Hestia growing deeper. She had been the most cooperative and understanding, standing out to him among the crowd of immortals. However, she lacked the raw power that some of the others possessed, except for Hela.

Turning to Hades, Naruto weighed his words carefully. "I don't wish to hide my intentions and lie to you… I have received a similar offer from your leaders, but they rejected me once I asked for more. I wish for a contract with many of you, as much as my body can handle."

His words were bold, but Naruto knew that to survive and grow stronger, he needed to expand his power. Just one contract wouldn't be enough. Multiple contracts would give him access to more abilities, and Naruto was confident in his ability to fuse with multiple entities.

Inari, sensing the tension in the air, made her exit. It was clear that Izanami didn't wish for such a contract with Naruto, her desires perhaps more focused on personal power rather than the mutual gain Naruto sought.

Hades, with a thoughtful expression, gazed down at the young man before him. His voice was calm, yet filled with a weight of understanding as he addressed Naruto's bold request.

"I understand your wish, child," Hades began, his tone soft but laced with concern. "But are you sure about risking your life like this? Isn't it better to go about things more cautiously, rather than acting so recklessly? Think about it for a moment. We are all in this situation together, and none of us has chosen this method for a reason."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, there was no coldness in Hades' voice. Instead, his gaze reflected a deeper empathy, the expression of someone who had seen countless lives and made similar tough choices. It was clear to him that Naruto wasn't acting out of arrogance or impatience but was simply trying his best, putting everything on the line to protect those he cared about. Hades, in many ways, saw his own past reflected in Naruto's resolve. When faced with insurmountable odds, they all had turned to risky methods, and many of their friends had paid the ultimate price.

Naruto, however, wasn't dissuaded by Hades' concern. Instead, he responded with calm clarity, relieved to find someone who understood the gravity of his decision. "That's why I only wish for one at the moment, and the rest once my body has adjusted to it." Naruto's voice held a hint of determination, as he clarified his request. He had no intention of overloading himself but instead hoped to proceed cautiously—at his own pace, making sure his body could handle the immense power he was seeking.

Hades listened without interruption, his gaze unwavering as he took in Naruto's words. It was a request he could respect.

"I have no issue with it, Naruto," Apophis interjected, his tone light and confident. He flashed Naruto a wide grin, then casually placed an arm around the young man's neck as if they were close friends. Apophis' demeanor was carefree, almost playful, in stark contrast to the serious expressions of the others around them. "And my power could definitely make it easy for multiple contracts to work," he added with a smug chuckle, clearly confident in his abilities.

Naruto could feel the weight of the situation, but Apophis' casual manner almost put him at ease. He seemed approachable, unlike the others, who carried a more imposing aura. Still, there was something about the sun-eating serpent that didn't sit right with Naruto. Suspicion lingered in the back of his mind.

Hela, who had been standing quietly nearby, now spoke up. She looked directly at Naruto with a fiery intensity in her eyes. "I like your ambition, boy. Let's work together toward it." Her excitement was palpable, but so was her desire for domination. Her gaze was almost predatory as she sized him up, and Naruto felt a tinge of unease at the hunger he saw in her eyes. Despite her strong leadership potential, there was something about her aggressive nature that didn't align with his own values.

As if sensing the rising tension, Hades, who had been quietly observing, interjected, his voice commanding and calm. "Look away from the child, Hela. They don't suit you." His eyes then shifted back to Naruto, filled with understanding and wisdom. "I am willing to help you in your goal, and I will suggest having my sister as your second contract."

Hades had no objections to Naruto's request, and he saw through Naruto's intentions—he wasn't someone to rush into things recklessly. He could tell that the boy would not attempt to fuse multiple contracts unless absolutely necessary. There was a quiet respect in his eyes as he considered Naruto's resilience and persistence.

Naruto's mind raced. His options were numerous, but it seemed the leaders had already rejected him for testing their boundaries. Hades had seen through the test and understood that Naruto was acting not out of arrogance, but out of necessity. He had proven himself as someone willing to walk his own path, honest and fair in his decision-making.

"Why did they deny him?" Hades mused privately, his mind reflecting on the decision of the leaders. It became clear to him that they had been watching Naruto, not to gauge his power, but to see if he would act out of desperation or pride. They wanted to see if he would simply give in to their influence.

Naruto, however, remained steadfast. He wasn't about to be swayed by power or position alone; he was in this for something greater—an opportunity to grow and secure his future.

As the others observed, Naruto felt a sense of relief wash over him. The tension that had built up since the beginning of the conversation began to dissolve. The path before him was still uncertain, but at least he had made a decision that felt true to his core.

Naruto's gaze then shifted to the candidates gathered around him. His eyes first lingered on Apophis, the strongest among them, but Naruto sensed something was off. Apophis lacked any real leadership skills, and his suspicious nature made him a risky choice.

Hela, though fierce and capable of leading, exuded an aggressive energy that didn't sit well with him. Her desire to dominate conflicted with Naruto's more collaborative nature.

Then there was Hestia, who had an affectionate personality and a deep power over bonds. She was the most suited to him in terms of personality, but she lacked the raw power and leadership skills that some of the others possessed.

Hades, however, was the perfect choice. He was a leader, filled with wisdom and experience. His immense power and wide array of skills would be invaluable to Naruto's growth. It was clear to Naruto that if he were to continue on this path, Hades was the ally who could guide him forward, not just in terms of strength but in wisdom and leadership as well.

"I apologize," Naruto began, meeting the eyes of the gathered immortals with a steady gaze, "but for now, I will accept the proposal from Mister Hades."

The decision was made.

Apophis, ever playful, seemed to have expected the outcome. He shrugged nonchalantly, a grin spreading across his face. "I guess I expected this outcome," he said with a wink. "So, I hope you can choose me next time." With a playful punch to Naruto's shoulder, he vanished, leaving the arena with a casual ease that contrasted with the gravity of the moment.

Hela's voice lingered in Naruto's mind as she whispered her words of rivalry and temptation. "Not a bad decision, but we won't be able to form a contract since I am in direct rivalry with him. If you decide to break the contract, then we can work together, and I will help you rule the world, young king." Her hand brushed softly across his face, sending a chill down his spine, before her form dissolved into a dark mist that enveloped the area, leaving Naruto alone with his thoughts. Her departure felt final, as though she left a lingering promise of power that could one day be his if he chose the path of betrayal.

Hestia's presence, on the other hand, was gentler. She stood beside Naruto, her warm and compassionate energy radiating as she offered him encouragement. "I can understand your decision, and I believe it is for the best," she said softly. "My brother will not let you down. Please, do not let his harshness blind you to his noble spirit." Her words held a deep sense of conviction and love for her family, and though she didn't speak further, it was clear she trusted Naruto to see the goodness in Hades. With a gentle smile, she turned and left, her presence slowly fading from the arena.

Now, the atmosphere was quieter, more solemn. Only Hades and Naruto remained. The towering figure of Hades extended his hand toward Naruto, signaling for him to follow. "Come, child. You've made your choice, and now it is time for us to forge this bond properly."

With that, Hades led Naruto to his personal dimension, Elysium. As they walked through the ethereal gates, Naruto could feel the vastness of the realm—a place of peace, serenity, and quiet strength, but also one that hinted at the immense power held within.