The morning light bathed the park in a soft golden glow, highlighting the serene beauty of nature. The wind nymphs had gathered close to Naruto after his piercing scream had shattered the quiet night. Their delicate, ethereal forms floated around him, their eyes filled with concern. Among them, Alice, the regal leader of the nymphs, approached with measured steps, her expression calm yet watchful.
"Is everything all right?" she asked, her voice soft but firm, as her sharp gaze studied Naruto's face.
Naruto, still catching his breath, managed a reassuring smile. "Sorry for making a ruckus, but it's okay now," he replied, feeling a warmth return to his chest as Ella nestled closer, and Gaia perched lightly on his shoulder, her comforting presence steadying him.
Alice observed him for a moment longer, her piercing gaze softening as she nodded and stepped back to give him space. Though she said nothing further, her demeanor suggested she had more to discuss when the time was right. The smaller wind nymphs hovered around Naruto, their tiny hands brushing against his skin, radiating soothing energy. They could sense the fear he'd felt and sought to comfort him in the only way they knew.
"Thanks, everyone," Naruto murmured, his voice filled with gratitude. Despite the hardships he'd faced, moments like this—where others cared for him—reminded him of the beauty in the connections he forged.
As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Naruto stretched his limbs, the tension easing from his body. He moved to an open space and began his daily exercises, his movements fluid and precise. Afterward, he picked up the massive axe he had recently acquired. Its weight and size made it cumbersome, and each swing felt awkward compared to the finesse he was used to.
Gaia, ever observant, spoke up. "Naruto, you're doing better than you think. Your discomfort comes from unfamiliarity, not inability. Keep at it, and it'll feel natural in time."
Naruto nodded, her encouragement bolstering his determination. He practiced relentlessly, testing different grips and stances. He experimented with single-handed strikes and double-handed swings, aiming to mask his inexperience with feints and misdirection. Despite his frustration, he could see progress with each attempt.
When he finally paused to rest, the leaders of the nymphs—Alice, a stately dryad, and a serene water nymph—gathered before him. Alice, ever composed, spoke first. "I apologize for disturbing your rest, Champion."
Naruto waved off her formalities, sensing the weight behind her words. "It's fine. Do you need help?"
Alice hesitated briefly before nodding. "Yes. We face a dire situation, one we cannot resolve without sacrifices." Her voice faltered, the pain of the admission evident.
Naruto leaned forward, his expression serious. "How bad is it?"
Alice hesitated again, then spoke with grim resolve. "A dragon."
Naruto blinked. "How big are we talking?"
Alice looked surprised by his calm reaction. Hope flickered in her eyes as she explained, "It's young, not fully grown. Its body is around 15 meters long, with a tail extending another 5 meters. It has already claimed this area as part of its territory."
Naruto furrowed his brow, analyzing her words. Before he could respond, Gaia's voice cut through his thoughts. "Naruto, you can't defeat it. Not as you are now."
Her words were a cold splash of reality. Naruto took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Then what should I do? I can't just let them suffer." He turned to Gaia, his tone pleading.
Gaia sighed, her tiny hands resting on his cheek. "With your current strength and equipment, it's highly likely you'll die. Ella, too, would be at risk. Even if the nymphs fought alongside you, many would perish."
The blunt assessment left a heavy silence in the air. Naruto and the nymphs absorbed her words, their hope dimming. But Gaia wasn't finished. "There's another way. You can grow stronger. Hunt weaker monsters, gather resources, and acquire better equipment. With preparation, you'll stand a chance."
Naruto nodded, her plan making sense. "How much time do we have, Alice?" he asked, his voice firm.
Alice's expression brightened slightly. "Two weeks. But even if we wanted to flee, the city is overrun with monsters. Escaping unscathed is impossible."
Naruto stood, exuding confidence despite the weight of the task ahead. "Then we'll prepare. I'll get stronger, and when the time comes, we'll face the dragon together."
Alice's eyes widened at his determination. The dryad and water nymph embraced each other, relief and joy washing over them. "Even if you can't accomplish it without losses," Alice said, her voice steady, "we'll be forever grateful. We'll do everything in our power to assist you."
Naruto reached out and lightly touched Alice's hand. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine." His touch was warm, and for the first time in her life, Alice didn't recoil from a man's hand.
As he walked away, Alice looked down at her hand, marveling at the absence of discomfort. A quiet hope blossomed within her heart. Maybe, just maybe, this human was different.
Naruto walked out of the park with Ella perched comfortably on his shoulder, her wings fluttering lazily in the morning air. His steps were purposeful as he scanned the streets for a clothing shop, wanting to better prepare himself for the challenges ahead. Gaia sat lightly on his head, her calming presence balancing the weight of the conversation.
"So, what's the verdict?" Naruto asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.
Gaia's tone was blunt as she replied, "The effect of consuming lower-level beings lessens over time. You'll need to hunt stronger monsters to maintain your growth, or you'll plateau. Unless you plan to massacre hordes of weaklings, progress will be slow. And even then, it won't be enough to take down the dragon."
Naruto frowned but refused to let her words dampen his spirit. "Then I'll hunt stronger ones and rely on my skills to bridge the gap. A dumb monster shouldn't be too much trouble."
Gaia sighed, her tiny hands resting on her hips. "The dragon can fly and breathe fire. That makes it far from dumb."
Naruto smirked. "Then we clip its wings. Ella can go airborne with the axe, take out its wings, and I'll blast it from the ground."
"It's a solid plan," Gaia admitted. "But it's risky. Most likely, you or the nymphs will end up charred. Fire will rain down on your position the moment the dragon feels threatened."
Naruto's confidence wavered slightly. "So, what should I do? How do I win without sacrificing anyone?"
Gaia's expression softened as she patted his head reassuringly. "Calm down. There's a way to tip the odds in your favor: poison."
"Poison?" Naruto echoed, intrigued but skeptical. "Where would I find something potent enough to work on a dragon?"
Gaia smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "The Gorgon Sisters."
Naruto blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback. "The Gorgon Sisters? I thought they were long gone."
"Not quite," Gaia said, her tone laced with amusement. "They've adapted to the modern world. You'll find them at a... rather unconventional place."
"Where?" Naruto asked, his curiosity piqued.
Gaia's grin widened. "At the convenience store."
Naruto stopped in his tracks, staring at her in disbelief. "A convenience store? Seriously?"
"They're smarter than most give them credit for," Gaia said with a chuckle. "They've found a better way to hunt. Humans wander in unaware, and their needs are met."
Naruto shook his head, half-impressed and half-bemused. "That's not what I expected, but I'll give it to them—it's genius. Though it makes you wonder about the people shopping there."
As they continued walking, Gaia's voice took on a curious edge. "What will you do when you meet them? Will you kill them?"
Naruto considered her question carefully. "I'll try talking to them first. If they're willing to help, there's no need for violence. But if they refuse..." His expression hardened. "They've crossed the line into villainy. I'll get justice for what Athena did to them, but they're not innocent anymore. Killing children, even Olympian ones, isn't something I can overlook."
Gaia nodded approvingly, sensing his resolve. "Good. I like your bleeding heart, but sometimes it can get in the way. Don't let it cost you your life."
Naruto chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Gaia. I'll do my best to strike the right balance. I've heard that advice more times than I can count."
The trio continued down the street, their path now clear as Naruto prepared himself for an unexpected encounter with the legendary Gorgons, his determination as unyielding as ever.
Naruto's journey to the clothing shop had turned into a battlefield as he encountered and defeated several monsters along the way. Each victory yielded more pills, which he fed to Ella. Though the effects were minimal, with each pill having diminishing returns, Naruto still took solace in the small improvements. His own gains were similarly limited, but progress, however slight, was still progress.
During the battles, Naruto managed to scavenge a pair of daggers and a round shield from the fallen creatures. He marveled at the randomness of the loot, shaking his head as he examined the shield.
"What does a dog-like beast have to do with shields?" he mused, carrying his spoils of war.
When they finally found a clothing shop, Naruto helped Ella try on a sports bra and shorts to give her some modesty. However, the tight fit of the shorts made it impossible for her to remove them without his assistance, so they reluctantly decided to forgo the clothing entirely.
"I really wish for a pair of shorts that worked mentally," Naruto muttered, feeling frustrated that Ella's lower half was still exposed, barely protected by her feathers.
Ella smiled warmly at him. "Don't worry, Naruto. I'm happy with just this."
"No, we'll find a solution," Naruto insisted, averting his gaze from her body. "For now, let's focus on the real problem."
As they walked, Naruto's mind wandered, and his suppressed hormones began to stir. He cursed under his breath, annoyed at the sudden onslaught of emotions. Gaia, sensing his turmoil, patted his head and focused her powers to suppress his desires. Naruto felt the tension lift almost immediately and sighed in relief.
"Thanks, Gaia."
"You're welcome," she replied, though there was a hint of exasperation in her tone.
As they continued through the ruined city, Naruto's senses picked up the overwhelming damage humanity had inflicted on nature. The polluted air, the scarred earth, and the apathy of the people stirred a deep anger within him. His Sage Mode, combined with his connection to Gaia, amplified his awareness of the planet's suffering. The will of nature began to flood into him, threatening to overwhelm his thoughts.
"Stop," Gaia commanded, her voice sharp. She could feel him succumbing to the rage of nature. "Don't let it consume you."
Naruto's eyes glowed red, filled with the fury of the earth. "What is this?" he growled, struggling to control the primal force within him.
"This," Gaia said softly, "is what humanity has become. You said you'd be my Champion. Do you understand what that means? Saving the world is not just about healing the land—it's about changing the hearts of mortals. Otherwise, it will all be for nothing."
Naruto clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "We'll talk about this later. I need to stay focused."
Gaia nodded approvingly. "Good. One step at a time."
After battling more monsters along the way, Naruto finally arrived at the convenience store Gaia had mentioned. Inside, he was greeted by two stunning women standing behind the counter, their welcoming smiles almost disarming.
"Welcome," one said.
Naruto returned their smile and approached, but he heard one of them whisper to the other.
"Sister, another monster who wants to court us."
"Don't mind it," the other replied haughtily. "Let's enjoy the experience, Stheno."
Naruto ignored their commentary and introduced himself politely. "Hello. I'd like to talk with you about something important."
The sisters, Stheno and Euryale, exchanged surprised glances. Unlike most visitors, this stranger wasn't captivated by their beauty or driven by lust. Euryale stepped forward, intrigued. "We're listening."
Naruto met their gaze steadily. "I can help you get revenge on those two Olympians who wronged you and heal your curses."
Stheno's eyes widened in hope. She grabbed his collar, bringing her face close to his. "Can you really do that?"
"Yes," Naruto said simply.
"What do you want in return?" Euryale asked, cautious but willing to listen.
"Your blood—both the poisonous and healing properties."
Euryale raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting more. "That's it? Don't be shy—what else?"
Naruto's expression turned serious. "Live by my rule: no killing innocents. That's all I ask."
The sisters exchanged a long look, astonished by the request.
"What kind of monster is this?" Stheno muttered under her breath.
Euryale finally nodded. "That's a simple request. We have no reason to harm innocents. But when can you grant our wish?"
Naruto hesitated, wary of their reaction. "I'll need a year at most."
To his surprise, the sisters burst into laughter.
"That's all?" Euryale asked between chuckles. "We're immortals. A year is nothing. I expected you to say a hundred years at least!"
She slithered closer, studying him intently. "You're something else. Pure-hearted and strong. Tell me, do you want this big sister to give you a good time?" she teased.
Naruto flushed slightly but shook his head. "No, thank you. I'd rather wait for someone I love. I don't take these things lightly."
Euryale smiled, though there was sadness in her eyes. "Such a nice guy. My sister would have been happy to meet someone like you instead of that seaweed bastard."
Her expression darkened as she slammed her hand against the counter, shattering it. "Sorry," she muttered, embarrassed. "Thinking about how our suffering was all because of him…"
Naruto gently touched her face, wiping away the tears she didn't realize she'd shed. "I understand your pain."
Euryale's gaze softened. "You really are something special. We'll trust you. But let's make it official—swear on the River Styx."
Naruto nodded. "Agreed."
This was a crucial moment. The bond they formed here would determine the course of their future, and Naruto was determined to make it count.