Underworld – City of Lilith – Lucifer Castle – Lucifer's Office.
Gathered in this place were those who currently held the greatest power and influence in the Underworld.
Marianne Phoenix stood alongside Naruto and Azula.
Grayfia and her mother, Mylene Lucifuge, current matriarch of the Lucifuge clan, were also present.
Mylene was a woman with long silver hair, bright blue eyes, and fair skin. She wore a white dress with black accents that highlighted her figure, a black bow on her chest, and a necklace with a turquoise gem. Her expression radiated serenity and elegance.
Leviathan, the original ex-Maou, stood quietly.
Matsui, a maid of the Lucifer house, awaited orders.
And Ajuka Astaroth sat chained to a chair in the center of the office.
Naruto leaned against the desk, sighing, and turned his gaze toward Matsui.
Naruto: "Any trace of Rizevim?" – he asked curiously.
The young maid shook her head.
Matsui: "None, my lord. Together with the other servants, I searched and inspected every corner of the castle as you ordered, but there is not a single trace of Rizevim-sama…" – she answered softly. It was clear who held absolute power in the room. She knew she was standing here only because of the small bond she once had with him that never blossomed into more. It was an honor. Younger and less experienced than many of the other maids, yet Naruto-sama had chosen her personally. She would not disappoint him.
Azula: "It's a clear confirmation that he simply fled…" – she said calmly to her brother.
Naruto hummed, slouching slightly.
The others unconsciously swallowed. Even Leviathan blinked in surprise. She had not expected the young man who had successfully cursed her to radiate such presence and authority. It was strange, unsettling even.
Naruto: "Well then… I am assuming leadership of the Underworld as its sole ruler, at least until I decide otherwise." – he declared, his eyes sweeping over those present.
Marianne smiled with pride. She didn't need to add words. The full might of the Phoenix line supported him to the death.
Azula also smiled.
The rest nodded silently.
Ajuka: "The Astaroth clan will support you, and so will I…" – he declared in a low voice. His statement caught Naruto's attention. He had brought Ajuka here, interrogated him a little, but it hadn't been necessary—Ajuka had confessed willingly, with genuine remorse.
Mylene stepped forward.
Mylene: "Even if we support you because of your strength and status, the Demonic Council will not waste this opportunity to interfere…" – she said seriously, voicing her concern.
Naruto: "Do not worry about them. In two days, I will summon everyone to a meeting to confirm my power. What I want to know now is whether other species or races have made any movements or shown signs of it." – he said calmly.
Matsui stepped forward and shook her head. She had already contacted Lucifer's deployed forces, who reported no unusual activity.
Naruto hummed, amused at how the Lucifer legions had submitted. It must have been Rizevim's doing—but no matter.
Naruto: "Azula." – he called.
His sister stepped forward with a proud smile.
For once, Marianne did not glare at her.
Naruto: "You will go to the Gremory and Sitri territories and order the deployment of their legions to the borders, in case the Fallen entertain any clever ideas. This is my order. If they refuse, they will be declared enemies of the Underworld. Take whatever force you deem necessary for your safety. Word of my rise to power must already be spreading, and some might attempt foolish moves."
Azula: "Don't worry, I will fulfill my task." – she answered seriously.
Naruto nodded and turned back to Ajuka.
Naruto: "Do you believe you can lead the remaining forces of the Astaroth clan as well?" – he asked curiously.
Ajuka: "I can. They respect me for my title as Super Devil. I will do better, Naruto. I even have new ideas to improve the lives of demons and the Underworld in general." – he said firmly, pledging loyalty.
Naruto: "Excellent. If you succeed, I may reduce your punishment and that of your clan. I will raise your taxes and impose some measures later, but I will not kill you. That would be a waste. Remember—you live only because I allow it. Your betrayal was grave. Had your rebellion spread, countless demons would have died, clans extinguished, and we would now be slaves to the Fallen or Angels. No one would have won. So I must make an example." – he said calmly.
Ajuka nodded with understanding. He would never again raise a hand against his home. The vision Naruto had just shown him shook his very soul. And he was not the only one.
Grayfia clicked her tongue—damned traitors.
Mylene nodded. He had the makings of a leader. For now, that was perfect.
Naruto: "Mylene, you will supervise the reconstruction of the city alongside your clan." – he ordered.
She nodded.
Naruto: "Very well, you may all leave. Let me process this for a while." – he said calmly, snapping his fingers. The chains binding Ajuka shattered, and he felt his strength and magic slowly return.
Marianne and Mylene both smiled. Capable young man… not cold, but wise enough to understand the weight of the position he had just taken. The elder devilesses were pleased.
Naruto: "Matsui, bring me something to eat." – he ordered.
The maid nodded and was the first to leave, followed by Ajuka, who gave Naruto a respectful nod.
Leviathan remained.
Leviathan (thoughts):Damn you. Let me go and stop controlling me… – she growled in her mind. The original Leviathan was locked inside her own body, able to see and hear everything outside but unable to act, her body controlled by another entity she had yet to locate.
Naruto smirked faintly, amused.
Grayfia: "With your permission…" – she said respectfully, winking at Naruto before leaving with her mother.
Azula: "I'll go fulfill my task, brother." – she said, leaving quickly, clearly excited.
In the office, only Naruto, Marianne, and Leviathan remained.
Marianne approached her beloved son quickly, embracing him before pressing a deep, hot kiss to his lips. Naruto responded, savoring the unique, feminine scent of his mother.
He slid his hands down to her waist, pulled her closer, and then gripped her generous rear firmly.
Marianne moaned, and Naruto took advantage, dominating her with his tongue.
Heat shimmered in the air as saliva dripped from their joined mouths until, after several long seconds, they broke apart, a string of saliva still connecting them.
Marianne licked her lips, her bright eyes locked on her son.
Naruto: "Did Olga do a good job?" – he asked curiously, staring into her beautiful eyes, their lips brushing from how close they were.
Marianne: "A very good job. That bastard will no longer be a problem…" – she whispered softly. Naruto understood—his father had not been able to contain himself in the end.
Naruto raised his hand and stroked his mother's silky hair.
Naruto: "Do you know the baby's sex?" – he asked curiously.
Marianne blinked, not expecting such an abrupt shift in topic, though it was welcome.
Marianne: "It will be a girl, and she is developing well…" – she answered softly.
Naruto nodded, though he hummed inwardly, already pondering the unborn child in Lilith as well. Now he had to maintain the Satan territory too—his unborn child must inherit something, after all.
Naruto: "Excellent. Then why don't you help me learn more about controlling the Underworld—its economy, territories, and so on? We'll get an idea, and later see which demons are capable of filling certain positions." – he said gently.
His mother agreed without hesitation. Of course she would help him.
Leviathan felt utterly ignored, even though she was right there.
Naruto: "Ah, right. Leviathan, help us." – he ordered.
She stepped closer, but the reluctance in her eyes was clear.
Naruto smirked mockingly.
Maximum Security Prison – First Circle.
Inside the prison created by Lucifer himself in the city of Lilith—shaped after the nine circles—sat the main leaders of the rebellion. They were shackled, sitting on stone benches, separated by dark bars and dripping water. Light was scarce.
Zekram sighed.
Lord Agares: "Had I known you wouldn't convince the boy, I wouldn't have supported you. You knew he was the greatest threat along with Lady Phoenix. You should've tried talking to her and making promises instead of siding with that idiot Lord Phoenix, who had no power, no bloodline… He fancied himself a Lord when he was nothing but a stray. And look at us now—in a dungeon." – he growled bitterly.
Lord Sitri: "I'm more worried about my clan. We were all captured… now they must be in chaos about who will lead, since my mother remains in her deep slumber and cannot awaken to guide them. I have no siblings…" – he muttered.
Lord Gremory grimaced.
Lord Vassago: "In the end, the boy seized everything. I should've bet on the Phoenixes, but my greed got the better of me…" – he sighed. At least his wife knew nothing of his madness, so she would not be dragged into this. With her alive, the Vassago clan would endure.
Other lords regretted supporting the Bael and Gremory in their folly. Super Devils or not, the Phoenix boy destroyed them with a single strike. Now their rebellion meant nothing. Surely, they would swear loyalty to him, and the Phoenixes would become unstoppable.
Zekram: "Don't worry too much. For the boy to sit on the Lucifer throne, he must first deal with the Demonic Council…" – he said seriously.
Some scoffed.
Lord Botis: "Idiot. This rebellion was also meant to boost the Demonic Council. They have no power, no vote. They only administrate. In Lucifer-sama's era, they had no power. In Rizevim's era, neither. They never even showed themselves or opposed the throne. Do you think they'll oppose Naruto Phoenix? If he were alone, maybe. But he has Marianne Phoenix beside him—sharp, cunning. She is the mind, and he is the power. There will be no opposition, least of all from us, locked away with our clans in chaos. We will be forced to swear loyalty again before release, no doubt. That Marianne—outside of her beauty, her mind is wicked." – he spat.
Zekram frowned. That was not good for his plans. Perhaps he had surrendered too quickly.
Lord Agares: "Well… there's nothing we can do now but wait. Let's stop throwing blame around. We all knew the risks. We simply lost, that's all." – he declared, falling silent.
Some lords glared at each other with hatred, then looked away.
Zeoticus sighed deeply. Sirzechs, even as a Super Devil—an evolution beyond the normal devil—had not been enough. He could not overcome the machinations and fiery might of the Phoenix clan. Zeoticus wondered where his son was now, since he was not among the prisoners.
The guards outside overheard the entire exchange. They sweated nervously but chose to ignore it. Their positions were safe—their jobs unchanged. Only the master had changed. And the new one was known for his benevolence and generosity. Naruto Phoenix was someone worth serving.
Underworld Borders – Grigori Frontier.
Across the massive chasm that separated both lands stood demons on one side and Fallen Angels on the other.
Leading the Fallen was none other than Azazel, current governor of Grigori.
Azazel was a tall man with violet eyes and black hair, save for a golden streak in the front. He wore a light brown suit and bore six pairs of black wings, the mark of his fall from angelhood.
He gazed seriously at the vast demonic force stationed on the borders. Had he not received a strange letter with the Gremory seal, he would have assumed they were preparing for an imminent attack. But it seemed the demons had descended into civil war. Predictable, after centuries of Lucifer ruling without opposition or democracy. With his fall, some had gone mad. In any case, it benefitted the Fallen, granting them time to recover.
Azazel: "Keep watching. Stay alert, but don't engage." – he ordered.
His forces nodded. Though some had lost respect for their leader regarding the war, they still knew he was undoubtedly the strongest among the Fallen—their shield against the other factions.
Azazel nodded once more, vanishing in a flurry of dark feathers.
Gremory Territory – Gremory Castle – Living Room.
As Azula and her guards disappeared, Venelana erupted.
"AAAAAHHHHHH…"
She screamed, flipping the table violently.
Her eyes glowed red with the Power of Destruction as her chest heaved with fury.
Venelana: "So… close…" – she hissed. So close to having it all, only for it to vanish. All were captured, subdued by Naruto Phoenix's arrival. The Phoenixes had cleared their path, seizing the Underworld with dominance, strength, and now legitimacy—acknowledged by none other than Leviathan, the last surviving demon goddess.
Venelana cursed. Worse yet, Azula had betrayed them. And to make matters worse, she seemed to now command the Underworld's military forces—a role once meant for Fallbium of the Glasya-Labolas, as agreed with Zekram. But now, nothing remained. Those forces would inevitably submit to the Phoenixes, just as she had moments ago.
Venelana: "Why must everything be so difficult? They were just an immortal clan… The Bael power should have been enough. But that damned boy had to be born. Without him, everything would've fallen into place. Even Marianne couldn't have stopped us… If only I had borne another son—anyone but Naruto. No ideas, no popularity, no power…" – she spat bitterly, pacing in circles.
The nearby maids quietly withdrew, terrified of provoking their mistress further.
Venelana: "All because of that idiot Lord Phoenix. I should have known his plans would amount to nothing. Even weakened, Marianne had Naruto's strength and support. And once he awakened, he was never truly weak. He mocked us… If I see him again, I'll kill him…" – she growled, storming off toward her office. She needed to think of a way to recover her husband and son. Losing them would be a grave blow to the clan.
She bit her lip. It seemed she would have to humiliate herself further before Marianne, who always looked down on her.
Unknown Location.
Amid the shadows of a dead forest, a lone figure walked. For a moment, it paused before resuming its steps.
"They lost. Our contract is null."
…
TO BE CONTINUED.
I will continue developing, showing the treaties, alliances, and conspiracies that fueled the civil war—where some lost, others gained, houses and pillars disappeared, yet everything turned out differently than expected. Because I wonder: why was there a civil war, and yet the Fallen did not intervene? Pillars fell, opposers to Sirzechs' faction collapsed. Those who won, and those who didn't…