The Shinobi Visitor

Chapter 15 - Champions Clash...!

Tension reached an all time high if there is one as Naruto along with his aid, the Hippocampi, engaged in a silent stare-down with their opponents: Kabuto and Cerberus. Kariya and the Eagle. The three legendary creatures of the Olympians brothers fighting each other is something you don't see everyday.

"Let do this," said Naruto confidently as the Hippocampi squealed in agreement. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" He shouted after inhaling air in his mouth before exhaling a great force of air at Kabuto and Kariya who commanded their creatures to dodge, signaling the start of the battle.

"He performed a Wind Style Jutsu without hand-signs… This should be interesting indeed." Kabuto smirked as Cerberus stopped dodging before its three heads fired several lava-molten rocks in rapid fire at the sea creature and its liberator.

Seeing the incoming attacks, the Hippocampi unleashed a large stream of pressurized water from its mouth slowing the momentum of the rocks until they fell into the water. A whistle reached its ears and knew it was the blonde teenager. "Nice counterattack, Sui." The horse tiled its head in confusion. "What? You don't like the name?" Naruto smiled when Sui let out an approved snort before he heard the names of two incoming attacks.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

"Windestanz!"

"Oh no, you don't." Naruto muttered while channeling his Chakra as Sui swerved backwards to put some distance from the water-shaped dragon and the large lightning-amplified tornados. "Sui! How about some water?" Sui snorted confidently. They waited until Sui felt connected with Naruto. "Now! Wind Style: Divine Down Current!"

Kariya's eyes widen when Naruto unleashed a vortex from his hands at the same time the water horse sprouted water from its mouth. The pressurized water mixed with the wind vortex, the water growing bigger and wider before it easily broke through his tornados and Kabuto's water technique. "Dodge it!"

The Eagle did that and pulled in its wings to dive into the Hippocampi.

However Sui had another thing in mind; it decided to meet the dive head on by grabbing the eagle's head with its main arthropod limbs, and gave a nasty head-butt that released a small shockwave in the ocean. But it was not done yet as it wrapped its serpent-like tail around the Eagle's left wing and spun around in a 360-degree spin before it let go… crashing right into Cerberus and Kabuto. The impact caused them to tumble against the cliff-side, causing large rocks to crash on top of them.

"Wahoo! Nice Sui. Now I'll just-" A loud rumble shook across the ocean, startling him and Sui who whinnied in response. "What the hell? Sui, turn us around." The creature complied and when they did turn around, Naruto was surprised to see a pillar of yellow light on the edge of the horizon. "What is that? Am I supposed to go there?"

"Naruto, look out!"

However Kurama's warning came too late as both Cerberus and the Eagle tackled Sui down with their combined weight, the impact causing another shockwave that sent multiple waves crashing in all directions. After slamming their weight against the Hippocampi's back several times, Kariya and Kabuto checked to see the sea horse and Naruto unconscious.

"Let's go get our prize," Kabuto smirking along with Kariya.

With one command, the Eagle grabbed Cerberus with its claws across its torso and flew to the beaming light with their owners believing victory is theirs to behold.

What they failed to notice was the both beings opened their blue eyes and orange eyes respectively just minutes after.

-Urahara's Shop-

"Oh, man. They're going at it," said Renji surprised along with everyone else in the room.

Ichigo nodded in agreement. "But what is that water horse thing? I've never seen anything like that?"

"That creature is the Hippocampi, Poseidon's personal creature since the Ancient Greek times. Poseidon created the creature to help serve the Olympians and maintain balance through the seas since his enemies were constantly attacking him."

"Like who?" asked Orihime with a cute concerned look.

"Like the Titan that ruled the seas before him: Oceanus. Back then, the Titan didn't participate in the Titanomachy that declared Poseidon's people, the Olympians, as rulers of the Earth."

"The Hippocampi proved to be one of the strongest and most powerful creatures in the service of the Olympians during their reign alongside with Zeus's Eagle and Hades' Cerberus," Yoruichi explained further as Urahara drank his tea. "But there was also something that troubled Poseidon."

"Which was…" said Chad in the same awareness as his friends.

The two elder Shinigami looked at each other and both said "… We don't know." The teens fell on their backs with their feet up in the air.

-Throne of Heaven-

"Incredible… he can manipulate the wind to perform attacks at will." Michael said with interest while watching the downed Naruto and Hippocampi. "And that lightning clone he utilized against the Nemean Lion was unique. How can someone like him and that hooded figure keep their existence hidden for so long?"

Gabriel shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know brother, but he looks strong." She pointed at Naruto's body, "Do you really think he'll be targeted?"

"Most likely… but there is something else that's troubling me," admitted Michael as his sister looked at him. Since the end of the Great War, the Arch-Angel had been working tirelessly to maintain the Heavens systems and keeping the people's faith. That also means keeping an eye on the other factions who might attempt to attack them and the other two Factions because of their decreased numbers of their brethren.

"What is it?" Gabriel said all serious now. Whenever something troubles her brother, her bubbly persona changes in that moment.

"The Olympians reveals to us their Champions and allows us to watch the Wager. It could only mean one thing…"

"What?"

Michael didn't answer immediately as he watched Naruto lay on the ground before his eyes suddenly opened. "Poseidon told me of the one who would inherit it all. Now watching the Wager… I believe he's found the one."

"You mean…?" Gabriel asked in shock as her brother nodded before focusing on the match. "Well… things will certainly get excited from here on!" She said with her child-like attitude in motion again. Michael silently laughed at his sister while watching the match.

From that moment, the blonde Shinobi will unknowingly be bestowed new responsibilities by the end of the Wager.

-Underworld-

"That was awesome! Right dad?" said a young boy with short crimson hair and blue-green eyes. He was wearing light green short-sleeved jacket over a dark red long-sleeved T-shirt with matching pants. He was sitting on his father's lap as they were watching the projection screen that showed the fight on the couch.

"Yeah, it's awesome Millicas. Especially when the Hippocampi grabbed the Eagle with its tail and crash it into the Cerberus. Want some more popcorn?" asked Sirzechs holding out a bowl in front of his son with Grayfia standing behind them.

That is until his wife and Millicas' mother pinched his cheek while pulling it, causing him to whine. "Seriously, Sirzechs, in front of your parents? I apologize for my husband's behavior, Lord Gremory and Lady Venelana." Grayfia said at her in-laws sitting in the other couch next to her husband and son.

Lord Gremory was a man in his early 30's in a white suit with a black shirt and crimson red hair like his children, Sirzechs and Rias. His wife, Venelana, was a woman of great beauty with short brown hair

Her son went to visit his grandparents for the weekend to learn more about the Gremory Clan's history and spend more time with them, especially with his grandmother. Grayfia knew her son and mother-in-law adore each other, thus strengthening their relationship. However she didn't expect them to return so soon and now they're watching the Wager as well.

"It's fine, Grayfia dear. Sirzechs was always like that," said Lord Gremory with a chuckle as he watched the screen. "Poseidon's Champion is giving a good fight against two people plus his teamwork with the Hippocampi is surprisingly well despite only meeting each other for the first time."

His wife on the other hand did not find it funny in no small way. "Sirzechs…" The said Devil tensed from his mother's tone. "You should know better than to behave like a child. What are you teaching your son in manners?"

"Umm…" Was all the crimson Devil could say at the time with his wife holding his right cheek. Eventually she let go when a loud crash caught all of the family members' attention and they saw the two other creatures slamming on the water creature with their combined weight until it and its rider were put into the arms of unconsciousness.

"Well that's disappointing. Of course that is expected of a Human," said Venelana harshly.

Millicas quickly pointed his finger at the screen. "Look, look, look." The adults then watched the blonde boy and the creature open their eyes at the same time. "You spoke too soon, Grandmother." Venelana gave a small smile along at her smiling grandson as did the rest of the adults.

-Azazel's Apartment-

"Impressive. Despite just meeting each other, that boy and the Hippocampi work together quite well."

"Hmph." Vali noticed the glance from his superior. "He doesn't look strong and just showed no promise to me whatsoever. You might as well give up on him and focus on the other two."

"The Soul Vampire looks like he has potential, but he is obviously outclassed by the other two. Plus they're young… I like them young."

A pronounced sweat-drop slid down on Vali's head. "You do realize what you just said right?" Azazel's shoulders and head slung down with a depressed aura around him. More pronounced sweat-drops slid down the Devil's head as he sighed irritably. "How do I put up with this guy?" He then placed his gaze back on the screen that showed Naruto opening his eyes that were full of determination. "Show me you got blondie."

-Pacific Ocean-

Minutes later out at the ocean the two Champions saw the light originating on an island that didn't seem to be occupied by the population. Suddenly something clicked in the Shinobi's mind. "Hmph," said Kabuto as he looked back to find something on the water that could be barely seen. A smirk appeared on his face, "You should tell your Eagle to speed up."

Kariya scoffed, "Why should I?" Before he felt a familiar Spiritual Pressure coming in behind them… fast. "How could he get here so fast?" Water sprouted from the ocean surface to reveal the Hippocampi surfing through it like nothing and Naruto flipping them off as they pass them by. "Okay, this guy is starting to annoy me."

"That's Naruto for ya. He never knows when to give up." A smug grin replaced the smirk, "However that won't be for long when I defeat him." Kariya simply exhaled his frustration before he commanded his creature to fly faster.

"So this is what surfing is like!" Naruto said to him-self as he observes the approaching island. "Great job, Sui." He patted the Hippocampi's head as it nuzzled it against his touch.

It's to be expected since the Hippocampi was created by Poseidon and its full might is connected to the sea itself plus it is regarded as the fastest sea creature in Greek Mythology and one of the very few that can go head-to-head with the Kraken and the Hydra in a battle.

"At this rate, we'll be there in no ti-" Suddenly Sui glowed green as its entire form disappeared, causing Naruto to be launched forward into the water. "What the hell?! Sui where are you?" asked a concerned Naruto as he searched the waters for his companion. Then he felt something slithering around his left arm, causing him to find a miniature Sui. "What happened to you?"

"The stone…"

"What?" asked Naruto as he sprinted to the island's shore. "What are you talking about?"

"The stone must've been some sort of sealing jutsu and it sapped the Hippocampi's energy since then. This must be its weakened state."

Naruto briefly nodded before securing Sui into his jacket. "Stay in here until you recover your energy, okay." A tiny squeal was his answer. He smiled a little before zipping up his jacket and looked up at the mountain that houses the light. As he took one step forward, two loud thumps suddenly shook the ground with a whooshing sound. "Earth Style: Mud Wall!" A large wall with the Uzumaki swirl crest emerged in front of the kneeling Naruto with his palms on the ground after he turned around and formed the necessary hand-signs to block the incoming red fire balls.

The Jinchuriki lowered the wall after its deed was done, revealing smug grin bearing Kabuto and Kariya standing next to their creatures. "Are you guys ready to get serious?" asked Naruto as his Chakra flared back to full strength with a dark blue aura surrounding his body. He then created a Rasengan in his right hand.

"Amazing…" Kabuto muttered with a crazed grin plastered on his face as a purple aura with a menacing black outline surrounded his body, signifying his Chakra level at full strength. Kariya was briefly surprised before he flared his Spirit Energy, summoning forth a red aura and transforming his blade of wind into a blade of solidified yellow lightning.

"Cerberus, don't interfere in this battle… at all." The underworld creature snorted as it laid down on its limbs while the Eagle lowered its body to relax since Kariya told it to do the same.

A minute later, the three Champions charged at each other and launched their attacks when they reached in close-range of each other. A brief pillar of light shot up to the sky as the island shook from the impact.

The climax of the Wager has begun.

-Throne of Heaven-

"Incredible."

Gabriel had to agree with her brother as the screen shows Naruto countering Kariya's lightning slash with a Wind Jutsu. "The boy is strong to hold his own against two people. Do you really believe Poseidon found the one he was looking for?"

"Yes, Gabriel. I do believe indeed. The young man's powers are proving just that. Watch." Michael said as the screen showed Naruto manipulating the ocean after doing something with his hands to attack the other Champions. "He's shown the ability to manipulate the elements in a way we don't understand."

"But it looks like he's most proficient with wind attacks and the energy sphere." Gabriel pointed out when Naruto created two clones and sent Kariya crashing through trees with a barrage of Rasengans before summoning a vortex-like attack at Kabuto.

"It appears so." Michael said before pondering on what to do next. No doubt Azazel and Sirzechs is watching the Wager and probably have their minds set on the three Champions. Most likely they'll attempt to persuade them to join their Factions, but the blonde teenager seems to have an allegiance to the Shinigami since it was mentioned by Zeus' Champion earlier. "Gabriel…"

"Yes Michael," Gabriel said with confidence and reserved once again, "I will prepare one of our finest scouts to do surveillance on him." She saw the smile on her brother's face.

"Thank you Gabriel. I can always count on you," Michael said happily as his sister returned his smile with her own.

The two Seraphs then placed their gaze back on the screen.

-Underworld-

"The boy's mastery of wind powers exceeds that other guy by a margin."

"I agree, Father."

"He's strong… for a Human."

"I agree, Lady Venelana."

Millicas sighed as he knew his parents and grandparents would definitely have to keep their eyes on the boy as well on the other Champions. "Father?"

"Yes son?" Sirzechs looked away from the screen to his son.

"Are you going to reincarnate him into a Devil?"

This got perplexed and wondering looks from the adults. "Grayfia..."

"Yes Lord Sirzechs," said Grayfia when she noticed the change in her husband's voice, seeing he's being serious.

"… Send for Rias and her Queen. I have a mission for them," said Sirzechs calmly as Grayfia nodded before disappearing in a white Gremory Clan Magic Circle.

-Azazel's Apartment-

"Hahahahaha!"

Vali groaned from the outburst of the Fallen Angel as he rubbed his ears to make sure they're working. "Do you have to be so loud?" He got a pat on the back as a response.

"Come on! Those three are interesting but I know that the blonde kid has attention. I saw the look in your eyes when he released his power to full strength." Azazel slyly commented with Vali shrugging his shoulders. He knows about Vali's battle hungry appetite and his constant search for very strong opponents, but he also knows that he waits for the day to take the head of the 'Red Dragon Emperor.'

"So what?" Vali said before watching Naruto blocked attacks from his opponents and countering with his own attack. "He might be worth battling." He heard Azazel summoning a fellow Fallen Angel and ordered him to do surveillance on the blonde.

-Naruto vs. Kabuto and Kariya-Unknown Island-

Several shockwaves and explosions shook the mysterious island as Naruto fights the team-up of Kariya and Kabuto. But Naruto knows that only one of them will win the Wager and he also knows that Kabuto is planning to betray Kariya as soon as possible. It's just the matter of time when and how. But for now, he's dominating the duo despite of their equal power.

Shunshining on a branch, Naruto leaned his body back to dodge Kariya's lightning sword and countered with a leg-sweep, knocking the Bount's balance before launching a right hook that connected to the man's face. Kariya crashed into the ground and skidded until he finally stopped… next to a standing Kabuto.

The three Champions had been going at it at full strength and their appearances show for it.

For Naruto, his dark jeans had several ripped sections around the leg sections, scuff marks around his impenetrable jacket and lastly a small bruise on his right cheek from the haymaker he got from Kabuto. Kariya has several bruises over his torso including three spirals marks from the three Rasengans that he caught off guard… three times and his jeans had started to wear down from the intense fight. As for Kabuto, he had several open holes in his robe that showed parts of his skin and a few cut marks from a Wind Jutsu Naruto cast earlier.

With swift movement after landing from the air, Naruto formed hand-signs and slammed his hands on the ground again. "Earth Style: Swamp Trap Jutsu!" Kabuto and Kariya took the trees to dodge a large mud swamp that appeared out of nowhere and ensnared the Eagle and Cerberus with its incredibly thick and strong mud.

"Impressive, Naruto. You trapped our creatures to prevent them helping us… Now my turn!" Kabuto channeled Chakra in his mouth. "Water Style: Stream!" A strong stream of water rapidly charged towards the Jinchuriki who dodged it by leaping and hovering on the air. A smug smirk came to life on Kabuto's face, "Watch your back~"

Instincts flaring, Naruto swiftly drew a Hirashin Kunai infused with Wind Chakra and spun around to block a lightning slash from Kariya. "You didn't forget about me did you?" asked Kariya with a smug grin.

"No, I would ne- Actually I would forget you," Naruto remarked before he pulled in his legs and double-kicked Kariya in the stomach, sending him skidding across the sky. But he wasn't done yet as Naruto disappeared in a yellow flash and reappeared behind the flying and surprised Kariya with a Rasengan that's the size of a basketball in his right hand. "Take this! Giant Rasengan!"

A loud explosion shook the air from the impact of the technique as Kariya was sent spinning towards the ground. "Ugh!" cried out Kariya as he crashed into the ground, creating a big crater as a result. Pain ran throughout his body especially on the middle of his back to the point it feels like it's melting. He felt a presence landing near him . "Uzumaki… you will pay for that severely."

Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "No you won't." He suddenly slammed his left hand on the ground near the edge of the crater. "Uzumaki Sealing Style: Five Point Contract Barrier." Five glowing points appeared around the crater before five beams emerged from them and connected at the top, forming a blue translucent barrier with the Uzumaki Clan swirl crest at the top of the energies. "You won't be able to get out of there, Kariya. This means you're out of the Wager…" He turned away from the barrier, choosing to ignore the Bount's curses and attempts to break the trap. What he didn't see was Kariya disappearing in a weird circle under him, gone. "Hopefully things will be a little easy."

"I don't think so." A huge spike of Spiritual Pressure rattled his senses, surprising Naruto as he turn his head around in time to see a fist in his personal space.

Naruto's eyes widen as his face felt a crushing pain before feeling the sensation of flight. "Ah!" He cried out as he flipped and bounced across a multitude of trees until he crashed into the side of the mountain, strong enough to make a body-indented crater. Naruto slid down the wall and sat on the base of the mountain, taking a deep breath while pondering what just happened. "Oh… How did I not see that coming?"

"Don't tell me that's all you got Naruto."

Naruto looked up, expecting to see the slithering bastard of a Shinobi in his black robe but he was surprised. No, not surprised… disgusted. Standing before him was Kabuto without his robe; his skin is pale white like a white snake, fangs protruding from his lips, a snake the size of his torso seems connected to his abdominal and lastly slit pupils of a snake with a darker pigmentation that reaches to his ears with horn-like protrudes extending out of his head.

"What the hell…?"

-Urahara's Shop-

"Ouch! That was a nasty punch," Renji cringed when the replay of Naruto crashing through the trees and into the side of the mountain. "The guy's tough… really tough."

"What's that weird pigmentation around that snake guy's eyes?" asked Orihime with Rukia shrugging her shoulders.

"That's somewhat similar to Naruto back at Soul Society." Everyone looked from the screen to Yoruichi for further explanation "When Soi-Fon and arrived at Sokyouku Hill, I saw Naruto's eyes resembling that of a toad's with orange-reddish pigmentation around his eyes and his Spiritual Pressure was unbelievably strong."

Ichigo nodded in agreement. "That's right. But is it what allowed Naruto to go head-to-head with the old man at that time?"

"Most likely." All eyes rested on Urahara who was waving his fan, "From what Naruto told me after much persistence on my part, the transformation is called Sage Mode."

"Sage Mode? Asked a curious Uryuu. "How does he enter it?" Perhaps he could use the transformation as an alternative power for his lost powers.

"Sorry!" Urahara said cheerily, closing his fan. "Naruto made me promised not to tell anyone about his transformation. Only he will tell you since he knows the mechanism of utilizing Sage Mode."

So much for that plan.

"So if this Kabuto can use a similar transformation, does Naruto have a shot to winning this Wager?" asked Rukia concerned about her friend. During her time in the World of the Living, she and Renji wanted to get to know more about the enigma that is Naruto Uzumaki who saved the former without hesitation and he didn't even know her at the time.

"Yep!" Urahara said without a beat. "With no problem!"

Feeling that is enough to ease their anxiety, the teenagers returned their gaze to the screen and silently cheered on their friend.

-Naruto vs. Kabuto-Unknown Island-

"The moment his punch connected… I felt Natural Energy in it… Could he have…?" Naruto pondered as he rose up to his full height while rubbing his back. "This feeling I'm sensing right now… Did you learn Senjutsu, Kabuto?" A smile was his answer. "Where did you learn it from?"

"… I learned it from the Great White Snake from Mount Ryuchi… after my modifications."

"Modifications… You really are like that traitor Orochimaru." Naruto snarled while gathering Natural Energy as he stares at Kabuto, "I don't know whose blood or abilities you stole, but I'm not going down. You want a real fight…" The familiar toad pupils, yellow eyes and orange pigmentation came to life in and around Naruto's eyes, signifying the use of his Sage Mode. "You got it, Kabuto. Besides you always did say that you wanted to settle this once and for all."

Kabuto smirked smugly as Naruto slipped into a fightingstance, ready to fight. "That's right, Naruto. Show the power you used to defeat me all those years ago."

Moments passed as both Sages stares down at each other. Then it happened.

Both Shinobi Shunshined to different areas of the skies above and launched barrages of punches and kicks at each other with untraceable speed. Small shockwaves echoed and shook the air when punch met punch, kick met kick and so forth with neither one letting the other get the upper hand.

That is until Naruto used Frog Kata and slipped through Kabuto's defense and thrusted a swift open palm attack on the latter's chest. "Frog Strike!" Another small shockwave emerged from the impact as Kabuto was sent spiraling down towards the ground before crashing into it. Using the Shinigami's technique, Naruto stood in the air with his arms folded, waiting for his opponent to return. "Come on Kabuto! I know that can't be it for you. I thought you wanted to beat me!"

"Oh I do." Kabuto Shunshined in front of the surprised Naruto as he exhaled a ethereal dragon carrying a orb with its left claw. "Sage Art: White Rage Jutsu!"

"AH!" Naruto closed his eyes to protect them from the sudden bright light, but he didn't expect the burst of loud noise. Clutching his ears, the Shinobi quickly Shunshined to the ground to put some distance between him and his opponent. "What kind of technique was that?! My ears won't ringing and my eyes burns a little."

Kabuto took advantage of Naruto's temporary incapacitated state with a series of punches after a Shunshine. "You see Uzumaki?! I will surpass you and your Senjutsu! I will take back my pride along with your defeat!" Kabuto gleefully said as he sent Naruto flying up the mountain with a high kick to the chin. A smirk appeared on the Snake Sage's face when his opponent bounced off the ground a few times until the latter regained his composure in mid-air and landed on the ground with his two feet. "I'm glad you're still standing because I'm not done with you yet."

"Neither am I." Kabuto's eyes widen when Naruto disappeared in a yellow flash before a strong fist connected to his torso, widening his eyes further from the pain. Naruto remained stoic in his position with his right fist stretched out as Kabuto stumbled back from him, wheezing out the air in his lungs from the contact. "Your Sage Mode is impressive, Kabuto. Although… I learned and mastered Senjutsu a very long time ago. To be honest…" Naruto trailed off his train of thought as he stood upright before taking several steps back. "Your punches kind of tickled like a little feather."

"…"

"Well say something."

Kabuto snapped his head up with fury present in his eyes. "You say your Sage Mode surpasses my own?! Let's see how you say about this!" Kabuto Shunshined and threw a left hook, but Naruto sidestepped it easily. Then Naruto grabbed the outstretched hand, pivoted on the balls of his feet and slammed Kabuto on the ground over his shoulder. A large crater cracked the surrounding area from Naruto's Sage Mode-enhanced strength and counterattack.

Naruto stepped back from the sudden attack of the snake connected to Kabuto before catching its head with his hands. He watched the snake lurching in his grip for a moment before he spun in a 360-degree circle and let go of it in the sky… up to the top of the mountain. Naruto cracked his shoulders as he muttered, "Flying Raijin Jutsu." Instantly he found him-self beside the airborne Kabuto before striking with a spinning kick right in between the glasses, hurtling him through the mountainside where the light is located.

"Was the Flying Raijin Jutsu; the signature technique of the Fourth Hokage?!" Kabuto said moments before he crashed through the mountainside.

Another Hirashin later, Naruto appeared next to the panting Kabuto who was bleeding from his forehead before turning his attention to the pillar of light that drew him and the other Champions. In the center of the mountaintop lay a chest with a golden Olympus symbol emblazoned on it. Surrounding it stood three pillars and on top of the pillars were statues of Poseidon, Zeus and Hades pointing their signature weapons at the chest.

"That must be it," thought Naruto with Sui poking its head out of his jacket for a brief moment before it went back inside. He started walking towards the chest, leaving behind a seething Kabuto. "Why do I have a feeling th-" He heard a bellowing yell coming from behind him and turned around to see Kabuto going through hand-seals so rapidly it looked like his hands were about to turn fire. "Usually I counter your attack with my Rasenshuriken, but this is the perfect opportunity for me to use my new Wind Jutsu I just created." He inhaled a huge amount of air that looked like he was eating it given by his puffed cheeks.

"Sage Art:" Both combatants waited a moment before unleashing their attacks.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

"Storm God's Roar!"

Naruto exhaled a large pressurized tornado-like blast of Wind Chakra with a blue outline just as Kabuto unleashed a water-shaped dragon, much larger than the ones before. Kabuto was stunned when the Wind Jutsu tore through his Water Jutsu, but he should've known better regarding the unparallel cutting power of Wind Chakra possesses.

He was about to dodge out of the way but found out that his feet wouldn't move at all. "Why can't I move?!" demanded Kabuto as he tried to perform the Shunshin but realized his Chakra is being depleted rapidly to the point of his Sage Mode deactivating. He kept trying to move when he noticed symbols in the center of his stomach… Fuinjutsu symbols. "When did he…?" His eyes widen at the time when Naruto attacked him with that open palm strike earlier. That explains that and how the blonde Shinobi managed to teleport him-self instantly that one time with Kariya.

The tornado-like blast engulfed the weakened Kabuto as it tore through the mountain wall behind him and continued blasting towards the open sea and skies until it finally stopped.

Naruto panted heavily as he stares at the huge hole created by his Storm God's Roar and the unconscious Kabuto with his eyes rolled back into his head. "Well… I guess the new technique worked great on its first use." He said as he commanded his Sage Mode and the Hirashin formula on Kabuto's chest to deactivate and disappearing respectively from further use. "Although it does take a lot of Senjutsu Chakra, but I'll work on that." He turned around to the chest's direction and Shunshined to it instead of walking. "Okay…" Naruto grabbed the chest's lid and opened it to find… nothing? "Nothing?! There's nothing in here!" He said before he disappeared in a mist of water again.

-Mount Olympus-

The Jinchuriki calmed down when he found him-self back in the Hall of the Gods and Poseidon standing in front of him. "Poseidon? What's going on? There wasn't anything in there! Where's the prize?" asked Naruto a little miffed about no prize.

Poseidon sighed contentedly, confusing his Champion. "Close your eyes and lift up your right hand, Naruto."

"Okay?" Naruto closed his eyes as he raised his open hand. A moment later, a weight touched his palm and when he opened his eyes to look at it, Naruto was stunned to see the golden weapon that the Sea God wielded on his person. "Your Trident? Lord Poseidon, this is-I can't accept this. This is your weapon!" He tried to return the weapon to the Olympian, but the latter stopped him by placing his hands on the Shinobi's shoulders.

"Naruto, there was a reason why my brothers and I had the Wager," said Poseidon calming down his young Champion. "Centuries ago when the mortals stopped believing in us, we started to lose our strength but very slowly. My family and I knew the world will be thrown out of balance once we were gone, but Zeus came up with an idea."

"Which is?"

"He suggested that each of us choose a mortal to be our successor." Naruto was shocked as Poseidon continued speaking, "Frankly I was surprised when he suggested it, but we all agreed to it. Since then we've been living among your people, waiting for our successors to appear. Unfortunately a single mortal had neither the potential nor worthiness to succeed us as the centuries passed by. Then the War happened and it was just me, Hestia and my brothers." Poseidon had a solemn face as he took a deep breath but a smile quickly replaced it, "Fortunately, my sister is happy with her children being her legacy and inheriting her powers."

"So when you saw me battle the Hollows…" Naruto trailed off after realizing it.

Poseidon nodded vehemently. "I knew you would be the one to succeed me, but I had to prove if you were worthy to succeed me and you did just that."

"So… I'll be a god?" asked Naruto curiously as he held the Trident correctly by its leather grip. "No offense, but I'm not really looking forward to be a god."

"No, no." Poseidon waved his hands, "My immortality stays with me like the majority of my powers. But you…" He pointed at the confused blinking Naruto, "… you too will develop your own powers as well."

"Huh? But Lord Poseidon, I can already manipulate water, earth and wind with the last element being my best and favorite one."

Poseidon nodded but he explained further. "That's true. But, as time goes by, the Trident will begin to adopt your traits power-wise. That means since wind is your best element, it too will control all wind enhancing your mastery over the element, but it also has default traits."

"Like what?"

"It's like you said earlier: you can already manipulate water and earth with good proficiency. The Trident will help you develop your mastery in a faster rate." The Olympian chuckled at Naruto's outburst of "Hell yeah!" before continuing, "The other traits is you can breathe underwater and withstand any water pressure at all times plus you can even stay dry."

Naruto's eyes had stars in them as he looked at the Trident. "Awesome!" He shouted before realizing something else, "Wait, are you really sure about me being your successor? We only met just… today actually."

"I'm very positive, Naruto. You will do great things in my place."

"So what do I have to do?"

"Just the usual: keep the seas calm for the humans to relax, make sure that all of the sea creatures are accounted for and held back my enemies who may want to take over the seas. No biggie." Poseidon said casually with a content smile, ignoring the sweat-drop on Naruto's head.

"Sure, easy for you to say." Naruto deadpanned with a dry look. "Just so you know, I'm not going to be here for long. I'm leaving in four months to cross to the next dimension. Speaking of which… do you and your brothers know about the Shinju? And his men?"

Poseidon nodded with a serious face. "Yes. I told them after your victory and you should know that we will back you up when you return to your world." He smiled when a grateful look came from his Champion. "Are you ready?"

"One more thing; if I'm your successor; then what about Kariya and Kabuto? Do Kariya get the Master Bolt and Kabuto the Claws of Hades?" A nod was his answer. "Great."

"But…"

"But?"

"Zeus and Hades will be keeping an eye on them to make sure they don't abuse their authority. Plus you three will representing in the Games."

Naruto raised a suspicious brow. "What Games?" He asked suspiciously.

"Don't worry about it. It won't happen for five months, so you have plenty of time to master the Trident," Poseidon said nervously from the narrowing eyes of Naruto. "Now is that all?" Naruto nodded as he held the Trident. "Now I bestow upon you, Naruto Uzumaki, the titles of Poseidon and Olympian!"

Thunder roared with lightning ran across the ceilings in response by the declaration as the Trident glowed bright in Naruto's right hand.

"Things just got more interesting."

"You got that right."