The Formula Of Life
Chapter 10: Trials Of The Astaroth
"Greetings Lord Astaroth, I am here on behalf of the Four Great Satans. Your presence has been called upon." Grayfia said keeping her blank expression set on Naruto, "If you would come with me."
"Right, Reinhard, Tatsumi, I'll be back! Don't slack off now." Naruto called out before waving to his Peerage.
Before they could even ask about what was happening Naruto vanished in a teleportation spell made by Grayfia. Sharing looks with one and another, Reinhard shook off his minor confusion before turning to Tatsumi, "Let's get some more training done, I'm sure Lord Naruto will inform us once he returns."
"Oh, ya.. Right." Tatsumi replied setting his blade up in a basic stance.
Naruto soon arrived in a large room lavishly decorated in the finest materials, he stood facing the end of the room where his father, and the three other Satans accompanied he. Seated alongside their large oriental thrones, the varied Satans and partial 'rulers' of the Underworld shared looks between each other. He could spot the small nod he received from Ajuka and the partial smile Sirzechs sent him, Falbium Asmodeus on the other hand remained asleep while to others he seemed awake and attentive the blonde had been around the lazy bastard enough to see otherwise. Serafall, well, she remained bubbly as ever in the circumstance.
"Naruto Astaroth do you know why you are here?" Sirzechs booming voice questioned him.
"No, Lord Lucifer." Naruto responded.
"We have received an account on the situation which occurred in Kuoh, we summoned you here to ask you of your account of the situation." Ajuka said joining in the conversation.
"The Fallen Angels were amassing an army in the abandoned church, I never intended on facing them head on but circumstances forced my hand. Rias' new Pawn, Issei Hyoudou was intending on storming the base by himself. The Fallen Angel Raynare had captured his friend, Asia Argento and he planned on rescuing her."
"Though you acted with well intentions, your actions were not only rash but it could have sparked a second Great War." Falbium continued for the first time releasing a small yawn much to the annoyance of Serafall. Though his eyes still held hints of drowsiness, the lazy Satan had a new intensity in his dark eyes.
Wincing a little at Falbium's harsh stare, the blonde kept his eyes leveled with the Satan unwilling to back down from the exchange, "My actions were completely justified. If they extracted the Sacred Gear from the girl then they would have had another weapon to use against us."
"You already gave them apolitical ammunition." Ajuka said entangling his fingers together.
"And they gave us some as well, they were amassing an army of Exorcists who were completely loyal to Raynare. It would have been full blown war if they proceeded with their plans, why would a Fallen Angel bring so many of her followers to Kuoh to extract a single Sacred Gear? If their were not other intentions behind that then you may punish me."
"What do you think a reasonable punishment would be? Naruto?" Serafall asked a glimmer of interest in her playful eyes.
"Perhaps a month in the dungeons? Or a week in Cocytus?" Sirzechs mused offhandedly a glimmer of amusement in his voice.
Chuckling a little at the suggestions, Naruto gave his father a look before the green haired Satan smiled a little though he could see the hesitation behind it. Frowning at the sudden shift in Ajuka's mood, Naruto opened his mouth to ask the question but Sirzechs as if reading his mind answered.
"Naruto, right now the Astaroth Clan is in a bad position with the other Clans, as of the moment a majority of the remaining Clans have been arguing whether or not the Astaroth name shall remained a member of the 72 Pillars. Diodora's pastime have made has some of the Clans worried about a political disaster with the Angels..." Sirzechs said sighing with a frown adorning his visage, "The Underworld is still rebuilding and we cannot afford another war, our birthrates have been declining for some time now, a large scale war could wipe out the entire population of Devils."
"Even if we declare the attack on the church was within our rights, it does not hide Diodora's crimes. At the moment we and the Clans are going to meet in order to decide his fate, but they could punish you for your actions against the Fallen Angels. A majority of them have decided to recall you to the Underworld in case the Angels demanded justice, since you were the one to capture Diodora you are a key figure in the issue. At the moment, we have scheduled a meeting with the Archangel Michael to discuss the matter at hand." Ajuka said massaging his head before sighing in defeat, "We need you and your Peerage here until the issues have subsided until then, I need you to return home."
"We have a meeting with the other Clans soon to discuss a punishment for Diodora." Falbium said before waving him away, "Go home, Naruto I will send a messenger to bring your Peerage here."
Bowing his head to the Satans, Naruto gave Ajuka a small hesitant smile before walking out.
Strolling into the massive castle he once called home, Naruto was greeted by an army of servants before walking into the luxurious castle. Standing atop the twin stairs leading to the second floor, Kushina glared at Naruto her hands planted on her hips and an angry expression crossing her countenance. Strolling down the stairs Kushina walked through the servants and approached Naruto who smiled nervously at his mother, finally reaching him, the red hair woman studied him carefully.
"You brat what the hell were you thinking!" Kushia bellowed before smacking him cleanly across the head.
Yelping at the sudden attack, Naruto rubbed his stinging head with a wince on his face. However he never got to answer his mother as she wrapped her arms around him and brought him into a comforting hug, "When your father came home and told me about what you did I was so worried. Never do that again, you hear me!"
"I'm sorry mom, I just had to help my Peerage I couldn't let them fight the Exorcists on their own. What sort of King would I be if I let them do it alone." Naruto said before smiling up at his mother, "You don't have to always worry about me so much."
"A mother always worries about her child, no matter what." Kushina replied before releasing her embrace, returning the smile, "Now, are you hungry?"
"I ate breakfast a little while ago." Naruto replied enjoying the time he spent with his mother. Though he never had the opportunity to spend time with his original mother, he enjoyed her company smiling fondly at her worry.
"Go clean yourself off, you smell horrible."
"Alright, alright."
Making his way to the large hallway on the second floor, Naruto got out of sight before teleporting into his room his mother hated people using magic inside of the house. From the numerous amount of times Ajuka and Naruto caused destructive explosions made the woman put her foot down on the matter of magic within the confines of her home. Appearing in his organized room, the blonde walked over to a second door connecting his large room to a luxurious restroom. Turning on the shower and stripping away his clothes, the blonde tossed his dirty clothing in a bin for the maids to clean before entering the shower. Walking out or the warm shower, Naruto walked back into his room and walk straight to the closet on the other end.
Grabbing a simple orange shirt and pants, the blonde quickly put on the clothes before walking out of his room. Teleporting back into the hallway outside of the dining hall, Naruto walked into the massive room filled with voices. Spotting his Peerage all seated by his mother at the head, he waved to them before taking a seat by Hilda.
"Naruto-san, this is amazing!" Tatsumi said as he exclaimed the beauty of the room, having been unexposed to that level of luxury before, the Pawn marveled at the decorations with awe.
"You are all welcome to stay as long as you want." Kushina said before giving the group a smile before turning to Naruto, "I have to visit your father for some business, don't destroy the house while I'm gone."
Giving Naruto a kiss on the cheek, Kushina walked away bidding the group farewell in turn, once she had left, Naruto took the seat his mother previously occupied and looked around at his Peerage. As Falbium promised they were here surprisingly faster than he had predicted but nevertheless, he felt a little relief when they were around.
"Astaroth, why did the Satans summon you here?" Hilda asked.
"They want me present as a witness for Diodora's plan, at the moment he is locked away in a dungeon. I have to accompany the group for the diplomatic meeting with the Angels." Naruto replied before running a hand through his blonde hair, "The political backlash from the incident with Diodora has put the Astaroth in a peculiar situation we may or may not lose our status as one of the 72 Pillars."
"Will the punishment for Diodora extend to the other Astaroths?" Reinhard asked as his blue eyes narrowed a little.
"I have no idea, the Satans are discussing the current issue with the other Clans to find a suitable punishment for Diodora." Naruto replied, he knew his clan had enemies and their sudden image as enemies to the peace the Underworld currently held was preposterous. Nevertheless, the bad end of politics would either send his family into the ranks of the Extra Clans or perhaps retain their status as Dukes, "Let's move onto another topic, how was your training?"
"The messenger did not allow us to finish, Lord Naruto." Reinhard replied albeit disappointed in not having been able to practice further with his bladder.
"How did Tatssumi do, Reinhard?"
"He did well for a newly Reincarnated Devil, he has great potential."
Nodding his head, Naruto turned to Tatsumi and said, "That's great to hear, I'm glad."
Reinhard-san is just a good teacher." Tatsumi replied a bit sheepish at the praise sent his way.
"That reminds me, how about a little spar, Reinhard?" Naruto asked as he rolled his shoulder and smirked, "I haven't fought a proper opponent since Sairaorg. What do you say?"
"Are you ready, Lord Naruto? I will not hold back." Reinhard declared as he unsheathed his blade eyeing the smiling Naruto, watching for any move.
"Yosh!" Naruto shouted before charging straight for his Knight. Glowing in an aura of white, Naruto pushed straight for Reinhard. Sending a punch at his opponent, Naruto felt his shrouded fist clash against the steel blade Reinhard used to stop the attack. Producing more force in his punch, the blonde sent Reinhard back a little before his Knight retaliated with a slash from his blade. However, his blade remained ineffective, once it clashed against Naruto's waiting hands he added enough pressure to shatter the steel blade, sending metallic shards into the ground, "A regular steel sword? I'm insulted."
Punching at Reinhard once more, Naruto found his sudden strike blocked by his Knight's forearm. Having kept his King's punch from connecting, Reinhard struck his master with his own fist. Slamming into Naruto's exposed stomach, Reinhard grunted as his punch remained unmatched by Naruto's protective aura. Using the small moment of distraction, Naruto brought his Knight into a quick body lock. But, as always, Reinhard had a plan, ducking and stretching his arms, he slipped out of Naruto's grasp and jumped backwards before placing a hand on his blade.
"I suppose, I can't hold back against you, my Lord." Reinhard said before pulling his blade free of its scabbard and readied the mighty weapon for another clash against the smiling Naruto. Steadying Reid, the Knight charged swinging his blade in a downwards motion at Naruto's chest. Catching the blade with his left wrist, Naruto winced somewhat at the impact before channeling more of his magic around his body.
"So you decided to use Reid now, eh?" Naruto chuckled as he smashed his fist against Reinhard. His fist once again clashed with Reinhard's blade, yet, Reid remained unwavering against his physical prowess. Drawing his leg backward, Naruto kicked at Reinhard's exposed stomach bit his attack remained blocked by the blade.
Taking in a breath and releasing it, Naruto smiled before releasing the weights he had placed on his body. Feeling the familiar freedom in his limbs, the blonde charged straight for Reinhard this time exceedingly faster than before, appearing behind the established swordsman Naruto punched at his opponent. Jumping away from the attack this time, Reinhard watched as Naruto's fist destroyed the patch of grass he previously stood on. Wincing a little at the power behind Naruto's punch, Reinhard thanked the heavens for his blessings and readied Reid.
Spectators
"What kind of monster is Naruto-san." Tatsumi murmured watching the sudden display of physical strength with amazement. Watching the smiling student creating a crater from a single misdirected punch only made him more curious about the true power of the Devils. Turning to Hilda, the newly Reincarnated Devil the swordsman spotted the blonde woman watching the battle with a calculative gaze.
"Astaroth has always been powerful, from my time with him he always trained himself either physically or with magic." Hilda replied as she watched Reinhard surrounded himself with his own power before charging at Naruto. She knew the blonde ranked as the strongest compared to the many other Young Devils, but to find out the full extent of her King made her much more curious about his hidden secrets.
"Reinhard-san is amazing too, he is keeping up with Naruto-san." Tatsumi said in awe the display of power was remarkable, to think the two would be so strong was simply staggering.
Naruto vs. Reinhard
Digging his feet into the earth, Naruto slowed himself from crashing into the sea of trees only a few inches away. Silently groaning at the condition of his clothing, Naruto walked forward stretching himself slightly before charging right in. Reinhard sent him flying when he sent a slash of magical energy at him, the blade he wielded truly made him possibly the strongest Knight among all of the Reincarnated Devils. Added with his unnatural talent for swordsmanship and his unmatched magical resistance, he could possibly be a Satan if he wanted to. In his current physical state he couldn't take much more contact with the blade, considering it was a Holy Sword made his resistance to it's magic weaker than he wanted. If he was back in his prime, he could have fought Reinhard will everything, even Kurama if the situation called for it.
"I'm not out yet, Reinhard." Naruto said before running at his opponent. He did not take long when he appeared a foot away from his friend, punched with all of his might at his friend forcing the Knight to black the attack with his blade. This time rather than stopping the attack, Reinhard was sent crashing into the ground. The red head was astoundingly powerful, making him bring out his Touki. Having been training alongside Sairarog for years in addition to his own physical conditioning, he had gained access to Touki a Senjutsu technique which required the user to be in life force. Though it was not as powerful as his own form of Senjutsu he it was better than nothing.
Recovering from his collision corse with the ground, Reinhard charged once again but this time Reid channeled the Holy Magic situated within the blade and swung. Sending a powerful wave of magical energy at Naruto, who rather than dodging flared his own magic and punched the attack. Smashing the attack, Naruto's eyes widened when an explosion encompassed him and his surrounding area. The sudden explosive flash of magic then died down a moment after and Reinhard ran toward the crater he had created. Brushing the dust off of his pants, Naruto walked out of the large hole before waving to his Knight.
"Good move." Naruto said as he smiled at his Knight.
"Thank you, my Lord." Reinhard replied accepting the praise with a smile of his own, "You were amazing out there, the fact you managed to get the better of one of my blessings..."
"We sure did some damage on the field huh?" Naruto chuckled before channeling his magic once again restoring some of the craters with dirt. It would take an hours of work to fully return the field to it's former glory.
"Lord Naruto, you have a guest." A maid quickly said as she bowed before Naruto and his Peerage her flustered voice did not escape Naruto before the young Lord smiled in thanks.
"Who may my guest be?" Naruto asked.
"It's uh- L-Lord Zekram, my lord." She stuttered out still flustered by seeing the most influential Devil in existence waiting patiently for the young lord of the castle.
"Where is he now?"
"In your study."
Nodding his head and quickly thanking the maid, Naruto turned to Hilda who understood immediately. Vanishing in a teleportation spell, the maid turned Queen returned a moment later fresh clothing in hand, greeting the original Bael in battle torn clothing wasn't exactly a good idea. Putting the clothes on, Naruto used a quick teleportation spell to his study before taking a deep breath.
"Here we go." Naruto murmured to himself pushing the polished doors open revealing his large study with a tall man studying the books resting in his bookcase. Catching the man's attention by his sudden arrival, Naruto approached the aging man before offering a hand, "Lord Bael, a pleasure."
"You must be Naruto then, the pleasure is mine." Zekram greeted with a polite smile. Taking a seat on the offered chair, the old Bael studied the boy seated before him very carefully, "I have come to speak with you on the issue regarding your family's current predicament."
Allowing the older man to speak, Naruto remained quiet beckoning for Zekram to speak, "During the meeting with the heads of remaining Pillar Clans we received a very interesting piece of information from the warden of the Prison of Lucifaad, apparently they discovered Diodora had ties to the Khoas Brigade. A very peculiar piece of information is it not?"
"What do you want, Lord Bael?" Naruto asked his eyes now hardened.
"Peace, the situation involving Diodora has divided alliances and clans alike, if the bad blood continues it could lead to much harsher consequences." Zekram said, "That is why I need to finish Diodora's trial and punish him without causing more tension between your clan's supporters and enemies. Before then, I wish for you to distract the public and align the Astaroth name in positive light."
"Mend the Astaroth name?"
"Correct, and if you do I shall publicly support the Astaroth clan."
"Why help us, Lord Bael?"
"I wish to mend the civil disputes before any harm can come to the Underworld."
"How would you have me fix the issue?"
"Take a position among the Top 10 in the Rating Games."
Chapter End
A/N: This a new chapter as always read and review.
Guest: First and foremost Tatsumi does not have a surname so I might give him one later. Evileye is an interesting suggestion there is potential in the entire situation so it is a definite possibility I am juggling a few options here to see what I will do.
Kirin: Issei was worth 8 Pawns because of his Longinus so I decided Tatsumi can fill the potential with Incursio and a better physical condition as well as a swordsman in his own right. Oh and good to he back bud ;)
CRUDEN: Hmm comics that is a very interesting idea so I will need to write a backstory or maybe rearrange one for the heroes but it is a very interesting idea.
Hachiman Hikkigya: I love Escanor he is such a cool dude and his most powerful state is just badass, it is amazing how powerful he is.
Mythic Imagination: Merry late Christmas.
cruzcartoon: I haven't done much with Black Clover so it might be worth a try you have some good suggestions so I will overlook them.
The Great Dullahan: I am glad to be back hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.
PersonaNinja Lux: He did I totally forgot to add that thanks lol.
King: Naruto Uzumaki
Queen: Hilda (Beelzebub)
Knight x2: Reinhard van Astrea (Re: Zero)
Bishop x2: ?
Pawn x5: Tatsumi (Akame ga Kill)
Pawn x3: ?