Naruto Multiverse

Naruto finally returned to his true body, leaving the clones to disperse. Over the past few days, those clones had been incredibly productive—spending time with Pamela, bonding with Raven, aiding the Suicide Squad, conversing with Gaia, and even catching up with Kara, who had been actively searching for him. Now, it was time for the original to handle things himself.

As he entered the house, he was immediately confronted by Hima, her arms crossed and an expression of mock irritation on her face.

"If you were pissed off about the way I took off last night, why didn't you just say so?" Naruto asked casually, sensing her pent-up energy.

Hima's lips quirked in a mischievous grin. "I prefer docudrama."

Naruto blinked. "I can't believe anybody could be so damned immature!"

"Oh, I could've been a lot more immature," she said with a smirk. "Emptying marshmallows into your underwear drawer, for example. But I believe revenge should be subtle."

Naruto's jaw dropped as his gaze flicked toward the kitchen, where several suspiciously empty cereal boxes were piled on the counter. "Subtle? You ruined five perfectly good boxes of Lucky Charms and spoiled my whole day in the process!"

"What a pity," she replied sweetly, utterly unrepentant.

Naruto groaned and rubbed his temples. "I ought to… I swear I'm…" His frustration boiled over, and before he knew it, he had scooped her up effortlessly, carrying her upstairs despite her squealing protests.

"Don't mess with me, Daddy," Hima teased, a gleam of challenge in her eyes. "You'll only get hurt."

He regarded her through narrowed eyes as they reached the second floor. "Maybe you'd better explain why you got upset enough to do this. It's not like anything really important happened last night, is it? You yourself said it was—how did you put it? Oh, yeah. You said it was 'quite pleasant.' Now, to my way of thinking, pleasant doesn't add up to mutilated cereal boxes."

Hima's face flushed slightly, but she kept her chin high. "Don't be ridiculous. It's your lack of courtesy I found offensive. It would've been good manners to stay instead of running off like a teenager hurrying to tell his buddies."

"Manners? Is that what five boxes of mutilated Lucky Charms is all about?" Naruto asked incredulously, his voice rising.

"Yes," she replied firmly, daring him to challenge her.

Naruto stared at her, utterly exasperated. He shook his head, his expression a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "You're about the lowest breed of human being there is."

Hima gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "What?!"

"Right up there with the Boston Strangler and the Son of Sam," he declared.

"Don't you think that's a little extreme?" she retorted, her tone indignant but playful.

"Not hardly," Naruto shot back. He crossed his arms and fixed her with a glare. "My daughter is a damned cereal killer."

For a moment, there was utter silence as they stared at each other. Then Hima burst out laughing, the sound bright and musical. Naruto's scowl cracked, and soon, he was laughing too, shaking his head at the ridiculousness of it all.

"Fine, you win this round," Naruto said with a grin, setting her down. "But don't think I'm letting you off the hook for those Lucky Charms."

"Oh, Daddy," Hima said, her grin as mischievous as ever. "Admit it—you love having me around to keep you on your toes."

Naruto sighed, ruffling her hair. "Yeah, yeah. You're lucky you're my princess."

Naruto was in an unusually good mood. Life was slowly falling into place, and the changes he had made to himself were paying off. Trusted allies had confirmed his progress, and his relationships with those around him were flourishing. He found himself smiling more often, genuinely enjoying these peaceful moments.

As he lay in bed, the warmth of his daughter Hima nestled against him after a long night, he felt a ripple in the fabric of reality. Someone was attempting to breach his world. His expression darkened.

Trigon? No, it's someone else… someone familiar. But why?

Careful not to disturb Hima, Naruto gently slipped out of bed and cloaked himself in energy. With a thought, he intercepted the intruder, stepping into the void between dimensions.

There, waiting patiently, stood a man who bore a striking resemblance to him. Dressed in regal attire, his aura radiated authority and control. This was the Emperor—a version of Naruto from an alternate universe.

"Greetings, Emperor," Naruto said, his voice calm but laced with irritation. He stood before the figure dressed in casual clothes, his appearance deceptively relaxed. "It's not exactly nice seeing you here."

The Emperor smiled faintly, an air of superiority in his demeanor. "Why would you say that? I am the nicest person there is."

Naruto's gaze hardened. "I dislike your kind because of that. You manipulate everything, holding control in the name of kindness. It's disgusting."

The Emperor's smile didn't falter. "Is it so wrong to guide people? I give them a choice—a path to avoid pain and suffering. Is that truly such a bad thing?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "You force those choices on them. Don't pretend otherwise. Now, stop wasting my time. Get to the point."

The Emperor's expression shifted, his voice sharp. "This coming from a man who has killed trillions. A mass murderer lecturing me on morality?"

Naruto didn't flinch, his voice steady. "I don't care what you think of me. Say what you came to say, or leave."

For a moment, the Emperor studied him with a mix of contempt and curiosity. "Even if it meant she would break down, would you erase her memories of what happened? Would you still take such drastic measures?"

Naruto's fists clenched at the implication, but he held his ground.

The Emperor took a deep breath, shifting his tone. "I need your help. There's a greater threat—the Otsutsuki King. The one you fought before was merely a servant."

Naruto froze, his mind reeling. Rage surged within him, and in a blink, his hand was around the Emperor's throat.

"Don't play games with me!" he growled, his energy flaring dangerously. "I'll make your life a living hell if this is a lie."

The Emperor didn't flinch, though his voice carried warning. "I'm not lying. But don't overestimate yourself. Know your place."

The pressure in the void shifted, and Naruto's arm snapped under an unseen force. Gritting his teeth, he let go and stepped back.

"Fine," he said evenly, his tone icy. "I'll be there when you call me."

As Naruto turned to leave, the Emperor called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You could have at least offered some tea, you asshole."

Naruto ignored the remark, returning to his world. He found himself in his study, his nerves frayed. The revelation of the Otsutsuki King's true power stirred thoughts of revenge and unresolved anger.

As he sat in silence, the door creaked open. Mea appeared, her sleepy eyes widening as she saw him.

"Father, are you alright?" she asked softly, her concern evident.

Naruto looked at Mea, his smile warm but touched with a hint of melancholy. "I'm okay, just some things on my mind," he said gently. He didn't want to burden his little girl with the weight of his troubles.

But Mea wasn't fooled. She had been with her father long enough to read his expressions, even the ones he tried to hide. If Naruto was sitting alone like this, something serious was bothering him.

"Father, we are here for you. Don't forget us," Mea said softly, wrapping her arms around his back in a comforting hug.

Naruto's heart softened at her words, and a genuine smile broke through his troubled thoughts. "How could I ever forget my adorable little daughters?" He turned slightly, catching her in his arms and lifting her effortlessly onto his lap. Hugging her tightly as if she were a cherished teddy bear, he added, "Come, sit with me. Let's have a good talk since you don't seem sleepy either."

Mea's face lit up at his gesture. It wasn't often that he opened up like this, and she cherished these moments. "I'll always be happy to talk to you, Father," she said, her voice brimming with joy. She paused for a moment, then ventured cautiously, "So... is it about your past?"

Naruto hesitated, his gaze distant for a second before he nodded. "Yes, something unpleasant popped up. But don't worry—we'll talk about it together until I've worked through it. How does that sound?"

"Okay!" Mea replied enthusiastically, her smile brighter than ever.

As they sat together, Naruto found himself sharing fragments of his thoughts—carefully filtered for her young ears but enough to give her a sense of his struggles. Mea listened intently, occasionally asking questions or offering her simple, heartfelt insights.

With every word, the heaviness in Naruto's heart began to lift. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly supported, reminded that his family wasn't just a responsibility but a source of strength and comfort.

And for Mea, it was a precious moment of connection—one that deepened her bond with the father she admired more than anyone else in the world.

The next morning, the atmosphere in Naruto's home was vibrant and cheerful. The girls were in high spirits, and their collective mood reflected the positive changes happening in their lives. Naruto's transformation into a more approachable and kind-hearted figure had softened the household, allowing warmth and camaraderie to grow naturally. Even the girls, who once seemed aloof and intimidating, had become more open and friendly, fostering new friendships and connections.

Pamela arrived unexpectedly, her presence lighting up the house further. She had been away for a while, spending time in Gaia's domain and honing her powers. Her return brought a mix of curiosity and excitement.

"This is indeed a great surprise. I'm so happy for you," Pam said as Naruto welcomed her inside.

"Thanks," Naruto replied warmly, gesturing her in. "How have you been?"

"Great," Pam answered with a confident smile. "I'm looking forward to the battle ahead. I've grown stronger, and I won't be a weak spot for you anymore." She stepped closer, wrapping him in a hug that lingered as she inhaled his familiar scent.

Naruto smiled softly but gently separated from her, maintaining a polite distance. "I've never thought of you as a weak spot, Pam."

Her brow furrowed slightly at his demeanor. It felt different—less familiar, less intimate than before. A twinge of doubt crept into her mind. Did he find someone else while I was gone?

Pam pushed aside her unease and held up a bottle of vodka she'd brought with her. "I brought this—let's drink to celebrate. I'd love to hear more about this new mindset of yours."

Naruto chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm still the same, Pam. Nothing's changed that much."

"Oh, there's definitely something different about you," Pam said with a playful smirk. "Your manners are sharper. It's intriguing."

Naruto shrugged with a smile. "If you say so. Come on, let's have lunch. The girls will be happy to see you again."

Pam's grin widened as she passed him, heading toward the living room. "Of course, we're like family already."

The girls welcomed her warmly, appreciating the thoughtful gifts she'd brought for each of them. Even Hima, who was usually reserved, was polite, though Naruto noticed a subtle air of superiority in her demeanor as she interacted with Pam.

That girl... always so troublesome, Naruto thought with a small sigh, watching the silent power dynamics unfold.

Pamela, however, seemed unfazed, diving into conversation with the girls and seamlessly integrating herself into the lively household. Despite her earlier misgivings, she enjoyed being there, sensing the strong bonds that were forming and eager to claim her place within this evolving family dynamic.

In the depths of his dark throne room, Trigon brooded over the growing threat that Naruto represented. The force that Naruto exuded was an unknown variable, an ever-expanding presence of order that rippled through the very fabric of the world. As Naruto's strength grew, so too did the pressure on the Lords of Chaos, who had begun to feel the weight of his influence.

Trigon, ever the manipulator, had agreed to form an alliance with the Lords of Chaos in a desperate bid to counter this threat. Despite his immense power, even Trigon could sense that Naruto was becoming too powerful to ignore. His aura, so vibrant and full of life, was steadily stripping away the influence of Chaos, forcing it to weaken, to lose its hold over the world. And this was only the beginning.

The moment Nyx fell, Trigon had been struck by a dark premonition, an inkling that the balance was shifting. Naruto had not only defeated her but had emerged stronger from the battle, his growth unstoppable. This was a bitter pill for Trigon to swallow—he had once been the master of chaos, but now he found himself fighting against something he could not control, something far more dangerous than the forces he had once sought to manipulate.

"What is the situation?" Trigon's voice thundered across the room as he sat on his obsidian throne, his red eyes glowing with barely-contained fury.

One of his advisors, a skeletal figure with glowing eyes, stepped forward. "They are prepared for you from many angles. Your daughter, the Justice League, and the target are all on high alert."

Trigon's lips curled into a wicked sneer. "They think they can stand in my way? They think they can defy Trigon?" He bellowed, flames flickering and dancing in the air around him. The throne room trembled with the intensity of his anger.

"They are prepared, but they will be expecting a direct assault," the advisor continued. "Perhaps we should strike from the shadows, take them by surprise before they have time to consolidate their forces."

Trigon clenched his fists, flames dancing around his form in anticipation. "A direct attack? No, we can't afford that. With Naruto's presence affecting the entire solar system, we would be risking everything. His barrier has made direct entry impossible."

The advisor bowed low. "What is your plan then, my lord?"

Trigon's eyes narrowed. "We strike when they least expect it. We weaken them from within, dismantling their morale, their unity, before the final blow is struck. And when the time comes, we will tear Naruto apart. We will make him regret ever challenging Trigon the Mighty."

"But, my lord, are you confident in your ability to defeat him? The man has grown—"

"Silence!" Trigon roared, his fury spilling over, fire erupting from his body. "Scum, you better know your place. No one can stop Trigon! Not Naruto, not the Justice League, not even the immortals themselves!"

The room shook with the intensity of his declaration, and the advisor quickly stepped back, bowing in deference. "Of course, my lord. We will begin preparations immediately."

The Lords of Chaos, sensing their leader's anger, scattered to their tasks. They understood the magnitude of what was at stake—the battle between Trigon and Naruto was not just a conflict of power, but a clash of entire philosophies, of order versus chaos.

As they left, Trigon's throne room fell silent, save for the crackling of flames. His mind, however, was far from calm. In the depths of his soul, a shadow stirred—an inexplicable, growing fear that he could not shake. It wasn't the fear of death, not exactly. No, it was something deeper, something more insidious.

The shadow in his mind, a presence that had remained dormant for so long, was beginning to grow. It was the shadow of doubt, of uncertainty. For the first time in his existence, Trigon felt his invincibility waver. His soul, once invulnerable to such emotions, was now trembling in the face of Naruto's rise.

The very idea that Naruto, the one who had once been just another pawn in his view, had become so formidable filled him with an unfamiliar sense of dread. If Trigon couldn't destroy him, if Naruto continued to grow unchecked, then this shadow would never leave him.

He had to destroy Naruto—now, before it was too late.

With renewed determination, Trigon's fiery gaze turned to the horizon. The battle would come soon, and when it did, he would not fail. The Lords of Chaos would not fail. He would reclaim his place at the top, and the shadow in his soul would be banished forever.

Naruto would be his.