The time had come.
After years of preparation, America finally joined the war.
Hitler had consolidated his power, turning Germany into a fortress of military genius—and whatever supernatural advantage his strategist possessed only made him more dangerous. The Allied forces had been holding the line, but without American intervention, the tide could not have turned.
Now, with Roosevelt in command of a nation—and with me as his shadow strategist—everything shifted.
We had a secret edge.
Demigods.
Skilled warriors hidden among soldiers, commanders disguised as ordinary men, and scouts capable of feats no mortal could comprehend. Some were children of Athena, whose tactical brilliance rivaled mine. Others were children of Ares, bringing ferocity to the battlefield. And the subtle but lethal talents of Hermes and Aphrodite's children allowed intelligence operations that completely bypassed Hitler's defenses.
Roosevelt and I sat together in a war council tent, maps spread out in front of us. Soldiers and demigods alike had already been assigned to key positions. Reports flowed in via messengers, spies, and yes, some of my serpentine messengers who had infiltrated deep behind enemy lines.
Hitler, predictably, had anticipated much of the Allied strategy. His movements were bold, his defenses shrewd. I could see the pattern forming almost immediately. He was smart. Calculating. Even ruthless—but he was still human, still limited by mortal perspective.
I pointed to a cluster of troop placements on the map.
"His armored divisions are advancing here," I said. "But he's left the northern flank slightly underdefended. He expects our focus on the center because he knows Roosevelt will lead the main forces. That's why we'll have demigods leading the northern charge."
Roosevelt leaned forward, his brow furrowed in concentration. "You're suggesting we use the northern flank as a decoy?"
I shook my head. "No. The northern flank will be our spearhead. The center is the distraction. He'll commit resources to what he thinks is the main attack, leaving the real strike force free to penetrate and disrupt command lines."
Roosevelt's eyes lit up. "I like it. That could work. Athena would approve."
I smirked slightly. "She'd have to. It's perfectly logical. Efficient. Precise."
He laughed softly. "And if I impress Zeus in this? Maybe he'll send me a lightning bolt or two in thanks."
"Don't get distracted," I said. "We aren't fighting to impress the gods. We're fighting to win. But yes… making them proud is a nice bonus."
I glanced at the demigods assigned to key roles: children of Hermes carrying intelligence, Ares children leading attacks, and subtle manipulation of enemy morale by Aphrodite's children. Each had been trained for years under my guidance. Each understood the battlefield as I had taught them.
Hitler would not expect this level of coordination. Not from America. Not from mortals. And certainly not from demigods who were trained to anticipate every possible outcome.
I traced a path on the map with my finger. "Our objective is simple: destabilize his command, isolate him, and strike decisively. His generals may think they're in control, but we're already three steps ahead."
Roosevelt nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I trust your judgment. Lead us, as always."
I allowed myself a small smile. My body may have been that of a twelve-year-old Orochimaru reincarnated, but my mind… my mind was untouchable.
I was a strategist in the purest sense—just as my mother Athena had been.
And now, the ultimate test lay before us.
The battlefields of Europe would soon become the stage where gods, demigods, and mortals would clash.
And we would win.
Because I had already planned every move.
Because I had already prepared every advantage.
Because I had already thought three steps ahead of Hitler, his generals, and his strategist.
And because no one—not even a demigod of Zeus's power—could match the combination of centuries of experience, divine abilities, and mortal manipulation that I now wielded.
The war had begun.
And I was ready.