ɴᴀʀᴜᴛᴏ ʙᴀᴇʟ:- ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇꜱᴛ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ!

Chapter 6

He had created This secluded place for himself to meditate undisturbed. Of course, few knew about this location. But he knew no one would ever visit him unless it were necessary. No one...

"Shiva!"

Except him. Shiva broke his meditation resignedly, but Naruto did not miss the slight smile on Shiva's face. Still, he pouted. "Your best friend came to meet you, and this is the face you make? I am hurt."

Shiva gave him a blank look, "I felt you when you entered the Hindu faction's domain. There was no need to shout. I am sure even the Asgardians now know where you are."

"You don't have to be so dramatic." Naruto snorted. "If I want others to know about my location, trust me, I have a flashier way of doing that."

"Of that, I have no doubt." Shiva smiled and then closed his eyes. As he released his breath, his form started to change.

Usually, Shiva would appear like a twelve-year-old handsome boy with green and black hair. It made him more approachable and, at the same time, less noticeable. But with Naruto, he would always take his natural form. Six and five feet tall, lean build, with longer hair. His light blue skin would stand out the most to others, but to Naruto, it was his eyes. Shiva's eyes had no unique pattern but failed to hide the bottomless divinity and the infinite knowledge that Shiva possessed.

"So, my best friend, what do you want now?"

Naruto took a step back, his hands going over his chest. "How dare you! After all, I have done, after all the ramen we shared! Is this how..." Shiva continued his flat stare, making Naruto fold his hands and click his tongue. "Fine~ You sound like I only visit you when I need something."

"I wish it were something as simple as that," Shiva chuckled. "Instead of pulling me into troubles."

"Hey!" Naruto protested. "You enjoyed every bit of those. Heck, after all our fiasco, I am the one who cleans up our mess." Shiva raised an eyebrow at Naruto's comment, making him blink. A second later, he let out a sheepish smile.

"Well, most of the time."

With a bright smile, Naruto came forward and bumped his fist with Shiva's. At first, Shiva was not overly fond of this greeting. But it was either this or a bear hug.

"So, what kind of brilliant idea you came up with this time." The sarcasm was not lost to Naruto, but Shiva stopped him before he could retort. "Look, we know each other quite well. It is true that whenever you have time, you would visit me for a cup of Chaay or ramen. Now, if it is just for chitchat or catching up, you would not have barged into the Hindu faction's territory like that. Usually, you would have sent a formal notification before visiting me."

Naruto sighed, then sat on the ground, Shiva following the action. "I have a rather crazy idea, but not the harebrained scheme I usually devise." Shiva tilted his head in curiosity. Sighing again, Naruto answered Shiva's unasked question. "I'm thinking of returning to the Underworld soon."

Shiva smiled one of his most genuine smiles. "I think that's a great idea. You've healed and grown, both mentally and emotionally. You've also grown in power and skill. You also miss your family in the underworld, so I think it's been long enough."

Shiva remembered the first time he met Naruto.

Flashback start

Shiva sat on his mountain as usual, but he wasn't meditating this time.

He felt someone enter the territory belonging to the Hindu faction. He found that a strange notion because the Hindu faction was so feared. The Trimurti was one of the top ten greatest beings in creation, so fear is somewhat warranted even though none did anything to earn such fear.