Chapter 12: prelude to Ass kicking
"Yo!" Naruto said.
The blond-haired woman jumped a little at the sudden arrival and looked back with hostility only to find the smiling face of Naruto. She calmed herself down a little but the tenseness remained.
"You!?"
"Me!" Naruto said with a smile.
Seeing its none other than Naruto the blonde girl sighed in relief but didn't put her guard down entirely. She had an inkling suspicion that may be this boy knew about her interference.
"What do you want?" she asked with her apathetic voice.
"So! How is our group?" Naruto asked.
"…!?"
"Please don't play dumb! I know why you interfered in the match" Naruto said.
"You knew as I thought" the girl sighed.
"So! How will you assess the girls?" Naruto asked.
"They are really good! And they also have promising gifts but they are too weak right now" she said with brutal honest tone.
"Ha Ha… I knew that but you are really brutal about the truth" Naruto said.
"..!..."
"So! You are the former demon lord" Naruto asked out of blue surprising the loli.
"How did you know?" she asked with a hint of surprise in her apathetic voice.
"Hmm! I asked a certain rabbit" he said.
"I see! So Kuro Usagi said you" she said.
"Hmm you can say that. But man I really admire you, for the sake of your comrades you have gone as far as selling your powers and body" Naruto said while looking very serious.
"…" the loli remain silent.
"I have no other choice" finally the loli said as she began telling about the night three years ago. She didn't know why but she could fell a certain kind of emotion inside her heart.
After listening to the story Naruto couldn't help but frown in disgust. These people really didn't know the meaning of shame just because they have a bit of strength. But from what he heard these existences called Demon kings are not only powerful but also tricky to core. If one has to charge blindly then it will surely spell their disaster. So in order to defeat these so called demon lords both power and wits are necessary.
"Ano! Eto…" the loli squirmed.
Seeing the girl squirming Naruto took the initiative to ask the reason.
"What is it?"
"Can I perhaps talk to your team once?" the girl asked.
"Hmm! Of course you can, why once why not forever?" Naruto replayed.
"Thank you! But I already sold my future so that would be a pipe dream for me" the girl said sorrowfully.
Hearing that Naruto couldn't help but frown a bit. This girl has already given up on the hope of ever getting free.
"Are you really okay with that?" Naruto asked ambiguously.
"What do you mean?" she asked not understanding what he meant.
"I mean your freedom, are really okay with giving up on that? Are really okay with being someone else property without your consent? Are really okay with tormenting your friends like this?" Naruto asked while shifting his weight a little with his stick.
Hearing this, the loli couldn't help but shed an unseen tear, Naruto's speech had opened a dam that she forcibly closed in order to protect herself.
"Okay with it? Of course I am not okay with it. Who in their right mind would be okay becoming someone else property without any say in it? I am not okay with it at all. I am clearly aware of the condition my friends are in but what can I do about it? Even my life isn't my own any long. Say me what should I do then?" she said with a loud voice but still it was quite compared to others.
"Then why don't ask me for help? We are summoned by Kuro Usagi to fight with those demon lords so sooner or later we will face one. Hearing your sacrifice for your friends and community whom you thought of as a family I really admired you. I personally want to become your friend and know more about you and I saw the sadness that idiot rabbit tried to conceal from me when I asked her about you. All you guys are really idiots. Do you guys really think I am that weak? Izayoi is that weak?" Naruto ranted.
Hearing Naruto's rant, the girl couldn't help but shed tears that she tried to not shed for past years. She as a former proud demon lord after losing her power and status and being sold like some object felt a great lot of humiliation but she endured all of it for her friends. But never once did she expect that someone will stand up for her and that someone is a stranger to boot.
"T-tha-k Y-ou. But why are you going so far for me a stranger?" she said while desperately trying to conceal her tears. But the cracking of her voice said volume of how much she is successful.
"Strangers? To me strangers are just friends that I don't met yet" Naruto said with a very foxy smile.
Something exploded in her heart after listening to Naruto's speech. The black clouds that are within her sub-consciousness cleared showing a very clear sky enlightened by a very bright sun. Tears stared to freely flow from her eyes as she stared at Naruto unable to control it any longer.
Seeing this Naruto smile and extended his hand and the girl flew towards him. He hugged the girl and let her cry for the first time after the tragedy in her life. He didn't care if her shirt become moist he just wanted to give this girl a shoulder to cry on.
Scene Change
It wasn't long after the end of the Game that [Fores Garo] was issued the command to disband. The people who had left the residential area to avoid the Game had gathered in a crowd before the doorway after noticing the disappearance of the Demonified forest.
"Is that true... Galdo has been defeated by ...?"
"Yes. Regarding the case of the hostages, we have already contacted the [Floor Master]. So there shouldn't be the problem of [666 Beasts] coming after those who were of [Fores Garo] members, out of stubborn pride."
The muttering and whispering crowd continued to grow around them, but whoops of joy were few and soft. There were even those that broke down on the spot after learning of the fate of the hostages from the mouths of the others. In addition to the fact that [Fores Garo] was the largest Community in the region, its sudden disappearance would also be a cause for uneasiness.
A guy representing the crowd stood up to clarify their cause of unease, albeit approaching the matter gingerly.
"There's something important that I would like to clarify."
"What is it? If something's the matter, feel free to speak up for I will see if I can help..."
"No... Um... About us... do we have to join you guys— be controlled by the [No Name] Community?"
Jin's expression froze up at those words, for those weren't words of appreciation nor did it communicate joy of having been rescued.
But those words were to express the sense of loss that came from the thoughts of 'We will be forced to support this [No Name] Community that has literally no name to it?'.
Compared to the thankfulness to their benefactors, their worry of their futures had caused them to put the words in that sort of manner.
'As I thought...[No Name] still doesn't command the trust and confidence of others...'
Jin was momentarily stumped and was at a loss on what to reply to the question posed to him. Just then, Izayoi came from behind to wrap his arm around Jin's shoulder while pulling him close to his body. Looking around at the crowd, he made a loud announcement:
"Starting from now, Jin Russel here will be returning your pride that [Fores Garo] had stolen from you! Please send your representatives forward to form a line!"
With that, Jin and Izayoi had instantly become the centre of focus of the crowd that had already grown to almost a thousand strong. Izayoi nudged Jin on the back to give him a little push to the front before using a condescending attitude, that didn't fit his usual style, to address the crowd.
"Haven't you heard it the first time? We're planning to return your stolen prides to you guys— your [Name]s and [Flag]s! Representatives of each Community are to step forward now! Jin Russel who has defeated [Fores Garo] will be handing it over to you personally!"
"Is... Is that for real..."
"Our flags will be returned to us?"
Exchanging glances with their comrades, the crowd then decided to rush together in a stampede towards Jin. Seeing that the young Jin was about to be stomped on by the wave of people, Izayoi stomped on the ground hard enough to make a web of fractures run through the ground around him and roared to stop them in their tracks:
"Form a line you idiots! This unruly mob is even worse than the beasts of [Fores Garo]!"
"Eeek...Eeek!"
Using the voice and authority that one wouldn't have imagined to be possessed by such a young teen, Izayoi made the crowd halt in their steps and obediently form a line. And as Jin took the name list that was acquired from the [Floor Master] in advance, Izayoi then resumed his normal tone as he whispered to Jin:
"I've set the mood up for you. So be sure to promote yourself when returning the items to them, got it?"
"I...I got it."
That whisper was completely different from the tone and authority commanded by him just a moment ago. Asuka who just stood at the side as a spectator had also noticed their suspicious actions and was aware that they were up to something as she smiled and whispered to Izayoi:
"Looks like you guys are up to something interesting, am I right?"
"Hm? I don't know what you are talking about, Ojou-sama."
The both of them exchanged a mischievous smile that seemed like children who have succeeded at a devious prank. Although this was supposed to be a Game that had no benefits to be reaped, the duo intended to use it to obtain something that shouldn't have been possible with just a simple victory.
Back to Naruto
After the loli named Leticia calmed down from her emotional high she took some time to collect herself. After calming down she saw the spectacle that Izayoi created and could not help but ask.
"What is he doing?"
"Hmm he is trying to make things interesting for us" Naruto replied curtly.
"Interesting you say?"
"Yes! Wanna ask him about it?"
"No! Not now I will come in a later time. Now it's time for you guys to celebrate" she said before moving away leaving only Naruto on the tree. Now that Naruto had seen her crying she felt really awkward and embarrassed near him.
"Hmmm! Interesting reaction" Naruto muttered before going his way towards the spectacle that Izayoi created intended on being a part of fun.
THAT NIGHT
"What's the situation like for the Game you talked about the other time?" Izayoi, Naruto and Kuro Usagi were alone in the lounge on the third level of the Headquarters and they were discussing the Game where their comrade had been offered up as the Game reward.
Upon learning of Izayoi and Naruto's willingness to participate in the Game, Kuro Usagi had happily gone to submit an application, but her expression upon her return was one that looked close to crying.
"The Game was delayed?!"
"Yes…Kuro Usagi had only learnt of it when she tried to apply for it. Looking at the way things are faring, it would seem that there's a possibility that it will be delayed indefinitely."
The rabbit ears on Kuro Usagi's head drooped while her face seemed to look disheartened and regretful as she pulled a long face. Having propped himself up a little while earlier, Izayoi now fell back to the sofa seeming to regret having worked up his anticipation for nothing.
"To actually do such a silly thing as that, can't we just talk to Shiroyasha about it and ask her for some other way?" Naruto asked. He already knew which comrade this silly rabbit is talking about.
"There shouldn't be any way by now, for it's the talk of the town that there's been a buyer who has taken interest and has made a generous offer."
Izayoi scowled at that, clearly displeased by what he heard. But this unhappiness wasn't caused by the sale of individuals. Instead, the unhappiness was due to the notion of the Host redrawing the offer of the Game reward due to the appearance of a buyer with a generous offer.
Naruto clicked his tongue in irritation and completely opposite reason of Izayoi.
"Tch! In the end it's just an organization of traders?! From the perspective of what Hosts should actually do, that kind of act can only be called a despicable act! Isn't [Thousand Eyes] a large group of Communities? How can they stoop that low?" Naruto asked.
"There's nothing we can do about it. After all [Thousand Eyes] IS A LARGE GROUP OF COMMUNITIES. With more than half of the Organization being directly under Shiroyasha-sama, but there's still another portion that is under the control of the Communities under that Flag. And the Community that's supposed to be in charge of hosting the Game is a cadre under the Flag, a Community by the name of [Perseus]. So long as the sum of the offer or Gift offered up to exchange for it is attractive enough, they wouldn't bat an eye about putting a stain on the flag of the Twin Goddess, such as being bold enough to redraw the Gift Game." The rabbit muttered.
Although Kuro Usagi's words may have sounded like a reluctant acceptance of fate, her regret and hate were definitely many times greater than what Izayoi or Naruto felt. Even so, the reason for her composure was due to the fact that Gift Games were the absolute law of Little Garden. To retrieve one's comrades who had been taken as trophies from the loss of a Gift Game was definitely a difficult task. But Kuro Usagi was also clear that the only way to regain her former comrades would be through the winning of Gift Games. Hence, it could only be counted as an unfortunate event where luck wasn't on their side and obediently give up on the thought.
"Forget it, let's just wait for the next time then. Come to think about it, what kind of person is that comrade?" Izayoi asked.
"Well…To put it in one line, she's a gorgeous woman with beautiful silky golden hair that feels just like flowing silk if you use your fingers to run through them while combing. And when she takes a bath, the wet hair glistens like the light of the stars as it sparkles."
"Oh? I don't really get it, but it sounds like something that's a worth a look."
"Of course! Plus she's very thoughtful about others, having taken a role as a Guardian for Kuro Usagi. If only she were nearby, Kuro Usagi would really want to talk to her a little…"
"Ara, those words really make me happy."
The both of them were shocked as they immediately turned to look at the windows to see a golden haired teenage girl smiling while standing in mid-air outside the windows that were rattling quite noisily. Naruto didn't surprised as he already knew about her arrival.
"Le…Leticia-sama!" Kuro Usagi who jumped up in surprise immediately rushed over to the windows.
"Don't call me sama anymore, I'm now just a possession of another person. As a [Highborn of Little Garden], if you were to regard a [possession] with respect, you would be mocked, you know?"
Having opened the windows, the golden haired teenage girl who was named Leticia wore a bitter smile as she entered the lounge. Her beautiful golden hair had a special custom-made ribbon fastened behind her head while a red leather jacket was pulled over the long dress. Although it was said that she's an elder to Kuro Usagi, she appeared to look quite young.
"Excuse my rudeness for entering through the windows, but I just wanted to see you, Kuro Usagi without letting Jin know about my visit."
"Is…Is that so? Ah! Kuro Usagi will get tea for you, please wait a moment!"
Perhaps it was the happiness from seeing a former comrade who had been lost for a long time, Kuro Usagi skipped lightly to the tea preparation room. Noticing that Izayoi was also present and the fact that he was using a strange look to stare at her face, Leticia tilted her head as she returned the gaze. She completely ignored the presence of Naruto in the room.
"Is something the matter? Or is there something on my face?"
"No, I just felt that you really fit the description that I've heard of you. A gorgeous woman…No, a bishoujo. So I just thought that I would just admire you as a way to soothe my eyes."
Izayoi's reply sounded really serious and Leticia gave a hearty laugh in reply. Suppressing the rest of the urge to laugh, she gave an aristocratic air of sitting on the chair.
"Hehe, I see. So you are Izayoi? Just like how Shiroyasha had described, a guy who is outspoken. But if you want to admire, Kuro Usagi shouldn't lose to me right? After all, she does possess a lovely appearance that is of a different type of charm."
"But because I count her as a pet, compared to admiring, I would say that it's more meaningful to tease it right?" Izayoi replied.
"Hm, I won't disagree." Naruto and Leticia replied at the same time.
"Please disagree with that, can you?!" Just then, Kuro Usagi who had returned with a tray of red tea pouted her lips in annoyance. Her expression when pouring the tea into the teacups, which were given the once over scalding with hot water, was still that of a sulking face.
"When compared to you, Leticia-sama, most females in the world would not possess the worthiness to be admired. It isn't only Kuro Usagi who looks inferior."
"Nope, you didn't completely lose you know? I do not deny that you are a bishoujo who has a different charm from her but if you were to ask about my personal preference, you are definitely my type, Kuro Usagi." Naruto said and Izayoi agreed to him.
"…Is…Is that so?"
Hearing that sudden confession that came so unexpectedly, Kuro Usagi's couldn't help but blush on her cheeks and rabbit ears. And though to date, the number of praises and confessions of love to her had been as many as the stars in the skies, the words of Izayoi just seemed to be imprinted on her mind and it hovered at her ears to an unnatural extent.
"…Kuro Usagi, could I have perhaps interrupted something? Like for example you guys had been having a nice little tryst before I …"
"No, there's no such thing! Well then, what is it that brings you here today?" she asked eagerly.
"Hmm! Today I am here to make a request to you as a comrade" she said with an unusual air of decisiveness.
"Ha…Hai" the rabbit stuttered.
"Kuro Usagi, Izayoi please help me" she said finally dropping the bomb.
"Eh!" the rabbit shouted at the sudden declaration.
"What about me?" Naruto pouted when his name isn't called.
Leticia blushed a little but replied nonetheless
"You said you would help earlier don't you?"
"Heh!" Naruto smirked.
"Izayoi! How do you feel about crushing a community?" Naruto asked without looking at him.
"Is that a question that even need an answer?" Izayoi replied with his own smirk.
An oppressing aura started emitting from their body as both of them started laughing crazily.
Kuro Usagi and Leticia started to show a frightened face at the madly smirking boys.
In a castle a certain disgusting playboy started to feel cold sweat forming on his body for some reason.
END
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