Chapter 68

Hotaru Uzumaki sat alone in her chamber, the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. As the host of the Phoenix, the primordial force that represented the very life force of the universe, she possessed power beyond comprehension. Yet, despite her vast knowledge and strength, her body had reached its limits. She could feel it—the Phoenix had only granted her a fraction of its true power, and in order to ascend further, she had to prove her worthiness. The tests were unforgiving, and failure was not an option.

Her first trial, at the tender age of 10, had been to defeat one of the Uzumaki clan's strongest summons. The challenge had nearly cost her life, but she had succeeded. And though she died from her injuries, she was revived, for the task was completed. At 14, she was tasked with facing her father and his elite squad. Her victory had been complete—except for her father, who she begged the Phoenix to spare. Surprisingly, the Phoenix had granted her request, recognizing her strength and determination.

Now, at 18, she faced another trial: to leave her world and travel to another universe in search of a being called Freeza. The existence of other races and worlds beyond humanity had long been suspected, but discovering the threat of beings like Beerus and Darkseid was a revelation. The future was uncertain, and she knew that humanity's survival hinged on her ability to navigate this new, larger world.

But in the depths of her contemplation, Hotaru found herself at a crossroads. Her ultimate goal had always been the peace and protection of her family and the world they inhabited. But Naruto Uzumaki, her closest ally and the man whose power could tip the balance of the world, had become a frustrating obstacle. Despite his immense potential, he had refused to embrace the idea of domination and control. Instead, he sought to let everyone live freely, to avoid interfering with the natural flow of things.

"Haah, what a pickle..." Hotaru muttered, her voice tinged with frustration as she leaned back against the stone wall. She knew Naruto's heart was in the right place, but his reluctance to assert his authority over the world was a significant problem. The mission they had embarked upon was supposed to be simple: after the battle with the Otsutsuki and other threats, she and Naruto would take control of the world, ushering in a new era. But Naruto's resistance to the idea of conquest was a roadblock she couldn't ignore.

She couldn't just kill their enemies—doing so would only make Naruto her enemy. That wasn't the ideal ending. Naruto was crucial to their survival. His potential was unmatched, and though his philosophy conflicted with her own, she couldn't afford to let him fall into opposition. If he became a threat, the entire world would suffer.

Hotaru's thoughts grew darker as she considered her options. What is the ideal path? she wondered. Should I kill all of our enemies and make Naruto our enemy? That isn't an ideal ending. He is important for the survival of our world.

A new thought sparked in her mind, one that would push her plans forward without directly confronting Naruto. She would use his own path against him. She would lead him to the truth, forcing him to see the futility of his ideals. The key to unlocking this would be the Leader of Star City, a position of power that could offer Naruto the understanding he needed to break free from his delusions.

Hotaru's plan began to take shape. She would guide Naruto toward the real world, snapping him out of his idealistic stupor. Once he understood the true nature of the world they lived in, he would realize that there was no other option but to take control. With Naruto on her side and the full might of the Uzumaki clan behind them, their dominance would be assured. There would be no more hesitation, no more second-guessing. When she returned, the world would be in her hands, and no amount of struggle would matter in the face of the Phoenix's overwhelming power.

She stood from her seat, her eyes narrowing as the gravity of her decision weighed heavily on her. "I am sorry for what you will have to face, Naruto," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with resolve. "But this is the only way." She didn't want to hurt him, not truly. But the stakes were too high. The future of the world rested on this path, and she would see it through, no matter the cost.

Though her heart ached at the thought, Hotaru knew that sometimes, the price of peace was a heavy one. And if it meant using Naruto's own beliefs against him, so be it. She would do whatever it took to secure the future of her family—and the world.

The tension in the air grew thick, a heaviness that seemed to suffocate the very essence of the palace as John Sabah, also known as Starlord or Apocalypse, sat in his throne, contemplating the next step in his journey for dominance. The weight of his empire rested on his shoulders, and yet, one name—Uzumaki Naruto—loomed over him like a dark shadow, an obstacle too large to ignore.

For all his power, Apocalypse had come to a bitter realization: no matter how much he expanded his dominion or acquired advanced technologies, Naruto's strength was an insurmountable wall. He had witnessed the power of the star fragment embedded in his chest, its vast potential and the deep knowledge it provided, but it was clear now that it wasn't enough. The fragment's bond gave him an advantage, directing him toward other pieces of the elusive Star Heart, but each new fragment he found only revealed more of the challenges ahead.

The universe was vast, and Apocalypse had seen the horrors of an era where the weak ruled the strong. A time when the true potential of beings like himself was squandered in favor of mediocrity. It disgusted him. He had witnessed the downfall of powerful figures, the collapse of entire civilizations, and the rise of those who lacked the fortitude to defend themselves. He couldn't allow it to happen again. He couldn't wait. Not when the world around him was stagnating, not when enemies like Naruto grew stronger each day.

The celestial being Ishiki's knowledge had granted Apocalypse insight into the vastness of the universe—secrets that would have otherwise been beyond his reach. Without Ishiki's technology, he would never have survived the process of merging with the star fragment. But even with these revelations, the problem remained: how could he conquer a universe where figures like Naruto were not only powerful but morally driven to defend the weak and resist the inevitable march of evolution?

Apocalypse's mind wrestled with these thoughts as his fingers danced lightly across the armrest of his throne. He could feel the growing pressure of time, the desire to act before his enemies found new ways to challenge him. The method that now presented itself, however, was risky. Extremely risky. The possibility of taking matters into his own hands and striking at Naruto, using his knowledge of poison and celestial techniques, might give him the upper hand—but at what cost?

Naruto's ideals were well-known to Apocalypse. He was not a killer, not in the traditional sense. He spared those who most would have executed or abandoned. But Naruto's principles had a limit, didn't they? If forced to choose between saving the world and killing a man like Apocalypse, would Naruto break his code? Apocalypse found that question a difficult one to answer, for while Naruto had shown mercy before, there was no guarantee that he would again.

A wicked smile crept onto Apocalypse's face as he considered this. "He wouldn't kill me," he murmured to himself with a hint of certainty, bolstered by the information flowing from Shino, one of his most trusted agents. "He hasn't killed those responsible for far worse atrocities. He's weak in that regard—his mercy will be his downfall."

With that thought, Apocalypse's gaze fell on his loyal followers. Their discussions had only led to one conclusion: they needed to trap Naruto, use the dark dimension to cage him, and then deal the final blow. But just as they were about to execute their plans, the air in the room suddenly thickened, the temperature dropping as the oppressive force of Apocalypse's psychic powers surged outward.

"Silence," he commanded in a voice cold and authoritative, his words cutting through the chatter. The metallic tendrils that had been lying dormant beneath the roof of the palace unfurled, swaying as they latched onto the walls, preparing for an inevitable confrontation. But just as quickly as they moved, everything shifted.

A force—an unmistakable, overwhelming presence—dropped into the room, silencing all noise, stilling the air. Apocalypse's senses flared, but before he could react, his body was abruptly grounded, pinned by an unseen weight. His psychic powers failed to respond. The very molecules of the air seemed to freeze around him, rejecting his commands.

Through the haze of his disbelief, Apocalypse saw his followers collapse one by one, knocked unconscious by a power so immense that it drained the air from his lungs. The force was undeniable, and as Apocalypse tried to reach for the molecules around him, to deconstruct his enemy at the atomic level, his powers refused to obey. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend what was happening.

And then, he felt it—his connection to the universe, to the vast reaches of space and time, was being severed. The invisible chains that bound him seemed to tighten, constricting with every passing second. A presence that wasn't of this world, wasn't of any world he had encountered, was locking him in place. He tried to break free, but his efforts were futile.

"Who dares—?" Apocalypse began, his voice hoarse and strained, but the words died in his throat as the room's oppressive weight intensified.

Apocalypse's body trembled with frustration as he pushed himself up from the floor, his blood burning with the shame of being bested so easily. His mind raced, his thoughts clouded by the overpowering sensation of helplessness. Every molecule in the air, every grain of dust around him, felt out of reach as his powers failed to respond to his commands. His enemies were often lesser, weak, easily manipulated—but this was different. The force standing before him, a being of energy and raw power, had rendered him powerless with a mere thought.

His eyes shot daggers at the purple energy form hovering above him. The audacity of this intruder, this... thing, was beyond comprehension. The mocking voice that followed only deepened the sting of his defeat.

"That was cute. Did your boyfriend teach you that?" Hotaru's voice cut through the air like a blade. There was no malice in her tone—only playful derision, as though she were taunting an insect beneath her heel.

Apocalypse's teeth clenched, fury seething inside him, but he forced it down. Raging like an animal wouldn't help. He was a leader, a conqueror, and his pride—though bruised—could not blind him to the reality of the situation. He watched as Hotaru, the being of immense energy, nonchalantly pushed him aside like a toy and took a seat on his throne.

He was sprawled on the cold floor, his body unceremoniously discarded. The humiliation stung like fire, but he kept his cool. His hands clenched into fists, the blood in his veins seething, but his mind stayed sharp. This wasn't over. His powers might have been nullified for the moment, but he would not be defeated so easily.

"Get up," he muttered to himself, forcing his muscles to cooperate. The pain of having his powers blocked was unbearable, but he couldn't let it control him. He was Apocalypse. And Apocalypse didn't submit to anyone.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he pushed himself back onto his feet. His gaze never left Hotaru, who remained perched on his throne like she owned everything around her. She hadn't killed him, and she hadn't even fully restrained him. She had merely... played with him. A surge of anger burned within him, but he kept it contained, knowing he needed to approach this carefully.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice low, controlled, but edged with the simmering fury he was barely containing. The question wasn't one of curiosity—it was one of calculation. He was far from being intimidated, but he wanted to understand his opponent. He needed to know why she had spared him. What was her game?

Hotaru's lips curved into a smile, a smile that was both enigmatic and unsettling. "I like that. You are definitely worthy of being a follower of mine," she said with an air of approval, her form flickering in and out as she glided closer to him.

Before Apocalypse could react, she flowed through him, her energy entering his very being like a pulse of electricity. His body tensed, but he couldn't move, still trapped in the paralysis she had inflicted upon him. Her presence was overwhelming, a force that both filled and emptied him, leaving him feeling... small. It was a sensation he hadn't felt in ages. A sensation he refused to acknowledge.

"I've been watching you," Hotaru whispered, her voice now a soft echo that seemed to reverberate inside his mind. "I know your problems. I know your desires. And so, I have a gift for you. Use it wisely." Her form shimmered, dissipating like smoke, and with a final, cryptic smile, she was gone.

Apocalypse stood there, frozen for a moment, still feeling the remnants of her energy coursing through his body. His chest heaved, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. He had been used—manipulated, humiliated—but there was something else at play here. She had left him with something. Something tangible.

He looked down at his hand, and there it was. A stone. Simple. Unassuming. But as he held it, he could feel the power radiating from it, seeping into his skin, twisting the air around him. The stone was unlike anything he had encountered before, and the knowledge of its potential made his heart race with both excitement and trepidation.

It was a bomb. A weapon of unimaginable destruction. It was a device that could cause a dimensional collapse, annihilating entire worlds in its wake. His world. His enemies. His problems. All of it could be wiped out in an instant.

He felt the weight of the stone in his palm, its power tempting him, whispering to him that this was the key to his conquest. With this, he could be rid of Naruto, of the Uzumaki clan, of every obstacle standing in his way. The universe would fall beneath him, and he would stand at its apex, as he was always meant to.

But the question lingered. Could he trust her? Hotaru. Who was she? What was she? How could a being like her be so confident, so assured, in giving him such a powerful weapon? And why had she spared him? Was she playing him, or was this her way of setting him up for something greater?

Apocalypse's mind churned as he stared at the stone. The temptation to use it was overwhelming, but he knew he had to be patient. He had learned long ago that patience was a necessary tool for power. He couldn't be rash. He needed to understand the full extent of what he was holding before using it.

But one thing was certain: Hotaru had made a mistake. She had given him this weapon. And he would use it—wisely.

"I will conquer you," Apocalypse muttered to himself, his voice cold, determined. "I will conquer everything."