Mystique had always prided herself on her ability to adapt, to survive, to outthink and outmaneuver. But this… this was something she couldn't comprehend.
The battle before her had long since transcended anything she could consider possible. Forces beyond her understanding clashed, rewriting the very laws of existence with every attack. It wasn't a fight. It was creation and destruction manifesting in real-time.
And yet—
Naruto stood at the heart of it, unshaken.
Someone they had feared for so long—someone who had reshaped history itself with his power—was nothing more than a sparring partner to him.
Mystique clenched her fists, her usually unreadable expression betraying the turmoil within. If Magneto had been here, he would have called this blasphemy. He would have refused to believe that anything or anyone could reduce them to mere spectators.
But Magneto wasn't here.
He had been erased. Wiped from existence in an instant, as if his decades of struggle, his unwavering will, his dreams—had meant nothing at all.
Just like that.
And then—
Naruto spoke a single word.
And Magneto returned.
Mystique gasped, her breath hitching as she saw him reappear, his form materializing as if he had never been erased in the first place.
Magneto himself looked disoriented, as if he had just touched the void and been pulled back by an unseen force. His eyes, filled with a rare flicker of uncertainty, darted toward Naruto—the one who had unmade him and remade him at will.
Then Naruto turned to them.
His expression was calm, unbothered, as if he had done nothing more than restore a misplaced chess piece on a board he controlled.
"How do you feel about it?" he asked.
His words were simple. Unassuming.
But the weight behind them crushed Mystique's spirit.
How did she feel?
She wanted to say angry. She wanted to say defiant.
But deep down, she felt helpless.
Because she understood what he was telling them.
"This is the reality of the world," Naruto continued, his voice carrying an authority that demanded obedience. "Your existence is nothing in the vast multiverse. You are not special. You are not irreplaceable. You assign importance to yourselves, but the truth is—you are insignificant."
His eyes burned with something beyond mere power.
"This is the last chance I will give you. If you cannot follow the rules, then you will die—just like that."
Mystique shuddered.
There was no anger in his tone. No hatred. No wrath.
Just fact.
Just judgment.
She looked at Magneto, expecting to see fury, defiance—anything.
But instead, she saw a man who had just glimpsed something greater than himself.
Magneto had fought against oppression his entire life. He had always believed himself to be fighting for the survival of his kind, for the future of mutantkind. He had defied immortals, nations, and empires.
But now, standing before Naruto, he understood.
This was not a war he could win.
This was not a battle he could fight.
Because Naruto wasn't a man.
He was something beyond comprehension.
And now—
He was their Emperor.
Naruto's gaze swept over them.
"You are now my citizens," he declared. "Under my rule. You will live by my laws. You will die by my laws. That is the destiny of all living beings in the multiverse."
The words echoed in Mystique's mind, suffocating, inescapable.
This wasn't just conquest.
This wasn't just dominance.
This was absolute rule.
And for the first time in her life—
Mystique truly understood what it meant to submit.
The battle between Sentry and Kurama raged on, each clash of power sending shockwaves that could destabilize a solar system. Their sheer strength alone was terrifying, but in terms of skill, the fight was one-sided.
Sentry, for all his immense power, was an amateur when it came to battle. His raw potential was undeniable—his punches could collapse stars, his energy could rewrite reality—but fighting was an art he had yet to master.
Kurama, on the other hand, was a monster in combat. His experience, instinct, and control over space itself made him an impossible opponent to pin down. Every time Sentry attempted a decisive strike, Kurama would simply phase out of reach, letting his attacks pass through as if they never existed.
It was like watching a predator toying with its prey.
Naruto leaned back, watching with interest. To him, this wasn't just a battle—it was a lesson.
The Avengers stood beside him, silent spectators to their friend's struggle. They had been reluctant to believe Naruto's words about Sentry's weaknesses, but now that they were witnessing it firsthand, the reality was undeniable.
Sentry was powerful. But power alone was not enough.
Not against an opponent who knew how to use their power effectively.
Just as the battle intensified, Rogue arrived.
Naruto, ever thoughtful, had brought her to the floating platform where they watched the battle unfold. It wasn't fair to let her feel isolated, not when he understood that loneliness better than most.
As she arrived, Rogue instinctively tensed at the height but quickly calmed. The platform wasn't transparent, and more importantly, Naruto was there.
Something about his presence eased her worries. Even after gaining new abilities that made her practically invincible, she still wasn't used to this kind of environment. Flight, high altitudes, the freedom that came with such power—it was all new.
Rogue's sharp eyes scanned the area. Mystique and Magneto stood in the corner, avoiding her gaze. It was clear that tension still lingered between them, but she ignored them for now. Her attention was drawn to Naruto and Hinata, comfortably seated on a sofa in the middle of this chaos.
Naruto sat with an air of complete ease, while Hinata leaned against him, just as unbothered. The sight was surreal.
Naruto noticed her and smirked.
"How have you been, Rogue?" Hinata asked gently, her lavender eyes warm as she greeted the new arrival.
"It's been good," Rogue replied, still trying to process the situation. "But what exactly is going on?"
Naruto turned his head lazily and grinned. "We're on a date, watching a movie. Want to join?"
Rogue blinked. A date?
She followed his gaze to the massive screen-like projection before them, displaying the battle between Kurama and Sentry.
Sentry was panting, bloodied, and growing increasingly desperate, while Kurama's amused expression hadn't changed.
"…Are we in trouble?" Rogue asked, her instincts kicking in as she assessed the situation.
"Nah," Naruto said with a shrug. "It's just a friendly spar."
Rogue stared at him before glancing back at the fight. Sentry looked like he was done with this and ready to rip Kurama apart.
"Doesn't look very friendly to me," she muttered. "He looks like he's about to tear Kurama to pieces."
"That's the beauty of battle," Naruto replied, stretching his arms. "So, anything fun happen?"
Rogue exhaled, shaking her head. Only Naruto could turn a life-or-death fight into casual entertainment.
She wasn't sure whether to feel amused or terrified.
Rogue crossed her arms and smirked with pride. "Naruto, I fought some villains and won," she muttered, puffing out her chest confidently.
Naruto turned his head, his golden eyes shining with warmth as he smiled. "Wonderful. I hope you didn't get hurt."
Rogue's chest swelled with pride at his response. Compliments weren't something she had expected from him—Naruto wasn't the type to hand them out easily.
"No," she said with a grin. "They were so slow they couldn't even hit me."
She was happy, even more so because Naruto acknowledged her efforts. He was always so composed, so impossible to impress, and yet… he had given her praise.
'Maybe he's in a good mood or… no, let's not go there.'
Naruto leaned back and observed her. "I see. You must be itching for action now that you've gotten stronger." He motioned for her to sit beside him. "How would you like it if I designed missions for you, like I do for my other students?"
Rogue's heart skipped a beat.
He was offering to train her?
She looked at his expression, searching for anything that might suggest hesitation, but there was none. His gaze was steady, his words genuine.
Her hands clenched into fists as joy filled her chest. He was treating her seriously—like she mattered, like she belonged here. It was something she had never felt before.
"I'd love to," Rogue said, though she quickly glanced away. "Of course… if it doesn't disturb you."
She fought back the warmth spreading across her face. Why was she feeling like this? It was embarrassing, awkward even. She wasn't used to emotions like these—wasn't used to letting them show.
'Maybe he thinks I'm a weirdo? I hope I don't look like a mess.'
A chuckle escaped Naruto as he reached out and patted her head. The gesture was so casual, so natural, yet it sent a rush of warmth through her body.
"Heh," he said. "I'd never see it as a burden. Teaching is something I actually enjoy."
The touch was light, reassuring. He was acting the same way he had with Moegi—his first female student back in Konoha. But to Rogue, it was something new.
She wasn't used to this kind of attention. It was… nice.
'Are you intending to play with her, dear?' Hinata's voice echoed in Naruto's mind, her words tinged with amusement and warning. 'You should be careful unless you plan on taking her in.'
Naruto's gaze didn't shift, but a mental sigh followed. 'You know I'd never think of things like that.'
'I know. That's why I'm reminding you how your words and actions affect others. Just because I'm here doesn't mean some courageous girls won't try to make a move. You're too vague sometimes, Naruto.'
'But I'm just acting naturally. You know how much I hate being anything else.'
'If you go on like this, she'll fall for you.'
'Meh, I don't mind. Everyone gets a crush once or twice. They move on. That's life.'
Hinata sighed, knowing Naruto was oblivious in this regard. It wasn't intentional—he wasn't a playboy. If anything, he preferred companionship over romance. But because of his overwhelming presence, because of who he was, people were drawn to him in ways he often didn't realize.
And the reality was, spending time with Naruto was intoxicating. Even a simple touch from him could send warmth and energy into someone's body, making them feel alive in a way they never had before.
A whole day spent with him? It was like standing under the sun itself.
"I won't disappoint!" Rogue declared, enjoying the comforting sensation of his presence.
The air around them felt lighter, almost as if the space itself was bending to Naruto's happiness. His emotions had a way of shaping everything around him—when he was happy, so was the world.
Rogue bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before she spoke again.
She wanted to ask him.
Had he trained female students before?
Had he… been with them before?
She had no doubt that someone like Naruto—who looked that good, who was that strong, and who had lived for so long—must have been with countless women.
But in the end, she kept the question to herself.
Some things were better left unsaid.