Chapter 14

June 10th

It's been almost a year since the Quest to retrieve Zeus's lightning bolt and the end of civil war on Olympus. The months that followed were tough as many of the campers were still up in arms about some the other campers, mostly Are's children, but Chiron managed to resolve the issue in a matter of days. This also affected Naruto's business as most of his orders were for armor and repair work but were canceled at the last minute, so his income took a big hit. The biggest change affected him personally as he now had a girlfriend, secretly his fiancée, acting as his secretary/bodyguard. The business has also become more popular as news of Naruto's appearance in New York and Los Angeles had reached the ears of various fashion designers from Italy and France. Now Naruto's business was starting to ship their packages to other countries, instead of staying domestic and shipping only in the States. This worked out wonderfully as the camp could now afford new equipment and, for some reason, a hot tub for Mr. D's enjoyment, no one asked any questions under the threat of becoming animals.

That peace only lasted for about six months when things took a nose dive. Thalia's tree, the catalyst for the camp barrier, began to weaken. At first it wasn't noticeable, and then two months ago two Cyclopes got through and damaged the archery range and volleyball court.

"Welcome back Melinoe" said Naruto as he continued to sew, "How was the Underworld?"

"Dark, Depressing, and a little damp you know the usual." said Melinoe, "Any positive news?"

"Unfortunately, no" said Naruto as he prepped his ironing board, "it's only seems to be getting worse, just yesterday two stray hellhounds managed to get through and terrorize Demeter's cabin."

"Anyone hurt?" said Melinoe as she walked to her desk

"Only two people." said Naruto, "and to make matter worse Chiron is getting fired."

"Why?" asked Melinoe, "it's not his fault the tree got poisoned."

"Someone had to take the blame and unfortunately Mr. D can't be punished." said Naruto as he ironed, "He's selecting someone to replace him."

"Mr. D is selecting the replacement?" said Melinoe.

"Yes, so expect the worse as he hates the camp and rather be anywhere else." said Naruto

"It's probably going to be someone from the Underworld." said Melinoe

"And your father will be ok with that?" said Naruto

"Mr. D has Zeus's approval so my father has no choice but to comply." said Melinoe

"I know Zeus is the King of the Gods, but isn't taking someone from the Underworld a violation of authority." said Naruto as he walked back to his sewing machine.

"It normally would be, but the rest of the gods voted on it and allowed with exception" said Melinoe, "to make sure the camp stays safe and what not."

"Well hopefully this won't backfire on us." said Naruto

June 20th

The situation at the camp went from bad to worse as monster attacks became more frequent and violent, so they decided to deploy their last resort. By doing so they decreased their income, but it also made the camp near impenetrable. So, according to Mr. D's orders, Naruto was to activate the klouví or the bird cage. A technique that surrounds the camp in a cage made from very thin, very strong string that slices anything that comes in contact with it, leaving plenty of time for the camp defenders to recover. The only down side is the economic impact and the fact that Naruto can only hold the technique for two hours. So, for the past ten days Naruto has sat on the roof of his workshop trying to maintain the cage and only taking breaks to eat and use the bathroom.

"Naruto, you need to come down," said Melinoe, "its past your two-hour limit, you're going to pass out again."

"No, I can stay can maintain for another ten minutes." said a strained and sweaty Naruto.

"You said the same thing two days ago, and you passed out in four minutes and left the camp defenseless for a day." countered Melinoe

"This time I can." said Naruto

"Stubborn fool" mumbled Melinoe as she walked towards Apollo's cabin to get the stretcher.

Just as Melinoe had predicted Naruto did pass out and the new barrier began to fade away. He was again knocked out for the day and left the defenses to Are's cabin, but the timing couldn't be worse as a herd of mechanized bulls came charging into the camp. This was the scene that greeted Annabeth, Percy, and Tyson when they entered the camp, Are's children fighting various monsters. Percy joined in and saved Clarisse from being impaled by one of the bulls, which she didn't appreciate. Tyson decided to join in but the barrier prevented him from entering. Annabeth allowed Tyson to enter and to Percy's surprise Tyson was fireproof. With the two new warriors, they managed to defeat the remaining bulls and look at the state of the camp.

Back at the infirmary Naruto was resting while Melinoe was sitting by his side mumbling.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?"

It was in the late afternoon when things began to calm down and Percy was finally able to understand the situation. Percy was surprised to find out that one of the older campers was turned into a tree and was basically the barrier that kept all the monsters outside the camp.

"We were able to survive this far with a combination of Are's children and Naruto's Birdcage." said Chiron as he escorted Annabeth, Percy, and Tyson to the Big House.

"Naruto's Birdcage?" asked Percy

"It's one of Naruto's defensive techniques" said Chiron, "It allows him to put a cage around the camp and any monster that try to go through it is destroyed."

"Then why isn't it up now?" asked Percy

"It takes a toll on Naruto's body as he has to remain completely focused on the barrier." replied Chiron, "at most he can only hold it for two hours."

"Oh." said Percy, "but what about Argus, isn't he head of security?"

"He was fired and I am being replaced" said Chiron, "Things have changed since you've left."

"But why?" asked Percy

"Thalia's tree is dying" said Chiron as he pointed towards the tree, "and someone had to take responsibility. I must leave by the end of the day or else.

"But why one?" asked Percy, "why not Mr. D"

"Mr. D is a god and can outlast any punishment," said Chiron as he picked up his saddlebags, "and he's already being punished for a previous crime."

"Right the forest Nymph." said Percy, "but who will replace you?"

"That is Mr. D's choice to make." said Chiron

"We're doomed" thought Percy, "he's bound to choose someone bad for the camp."

The time of Chiron was upon the camp and the arrival of the new councilor would come.

"Do you know who the new councilor is?" asked a freshly recovered Naruto

"Unfortunately no" replied Melinoe, "Mr. was very tight lipped about it."

"Knowing him he'll just pick someone at random" said Naruto, "that way he can spend more time in his hot tub."

"Why did he get that thing?" asked Melinoe, "if anything it just makes him lazier."

"He replied with, 'I have to relieve the various aches and pains I get from babysitting you brats', we seem to trigger his 'arthritis'" said Naruto

"Apparently, Hermes isn't the only one with a silver tongue" said Melinoe

As the two were finishing their conversation, a gothic style door starting rising from the ground, its chains rattles and the two skeletons holding the knobs seem to glare at the campers.

'and they say Zeus is dramatic." thought Naruto

The arms of the skeletons began to pull the doors and out came a harpy holding a chain that connected to the handcuffs of Tantalus, the man who can eat or drink anything. He wore an orange jumpsuit with white slip-on shoes, his hair was a tangled mess, his skin looked pale and his eyes were saggy and his irises were bright red.

"Out of all the people he could have chosen, he chose the person most likely to turn the campers into soup." said Naruto

"Trust me that won't happen" said Melinoe as Tantalus was getting uncuffed, "especially with me around."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." said Naruto as the two began the walk back the workshop, "Be the way why wasn't Mr. D where to greet the new councilor?"

"I'll give you one guess." said Melinoe

Meanwhile Dionysus is currently resting in his hot tub sipping his diet coke.

"Ah, this is the life."

His current thoughts were focused on how to torture the campers and enjoy doing it.