DragonKingNatsu – To each his own pace, I have a dream but it will take time. I think you update your stories faster, so you may have me beat there. Thanks for the interest; I particularly enjoyed writing Raiser in both chapters. When in doubt, channel Draco Malfoy.

Guest(sona/asia) – Well thought out arguments, though I'm leaning towards keeping Asia and denying Sona. While the reasons are certainly attractive enough, I'm not comfortable writing a character attraction that really hasn't been developed one-on-one in any of the novels, therefore I really don't have a firm grasp on the would-be relationship for Sona. And yes, while Asia is deterrent for more ecchi moments, she means well and is one of the few non-violent types in the series. Removing her would unbalance the possible moral choices that present themselves later. You're still in luck though; you've gotten me doubting myself on dismissing Sona outright.

Zeus501 – I can't wait either.

War historian – Glad you enjoy it! Personally, I was listening to Fairy Tail's Dragon Force.

Animefortin95(ch3) – If you've read this far then you'll know that isn't the case.

Heroman626 – Artemis is one of the virgin goddesses for a reason. While I said I won't write OC's, I won't make mythical figures so ooc that she ignores one of her defining traits, even for the sake of repentance.

the unsung antihero – guess randomly, you never know

The Ultimate Balance Chaos – Glad you enjoyed it, yes, pity Issei

titanium8p – Glad to hear it, and while I don't know if squealing is what I'd do, I'm glad to hear I can elicit that outcome!

Hadrian371 – Thanks, will keep them coming!

RSlayer99 – Message me and we'll talk.

BANZAIKEN – THANKS!

JMK2 – I'm optimistic about their future, but it's still on the fence. All I can say is that I'm well aware that flames are inbound after introductions are made.

SeerKing – Glad to see you around, input is noted. Thanks again!

Kirinthor – You and me both, Ophis in a harem while as a child just makes my skin crawl

Kenshin12 – glad to hear that people understand my limits. Thanks!

Notasavior – glad to hear from you again! Hhmm, Tiamat. Most certainly not. I'm trying to keep the age difference between everyone involved realistic. Just like real relationships, it's kinda creepy when someone really old is dating someone really young. I've already written that the Legendary Dragons exited before creation, that would be cradle robbing at its finest.

Uchiha Rai – Nice to know that I'm exceeding expectations!

Reemikz – Vali doesn't have Divine Dividing, but read again. I hope I made it clear that he has the Boosted Gear instead, and has had time to master it, unlike Issei while he was imprisoned.

Conquest95 – Happy to hear you liked it. As for the girls, I think my writing supports when I say that I favor Akeno and Rias most.

IronWolfe – I've been placing hints and subtle ideas since chapter 1! Glad to see that people have been paying attention! And we'll see the results real soon.

NAFNAF509 – Thanks again as always!

Guest – Thank you, and yes, Vali and Issei have switched Sacred Gears.

Patriota1993 – STILL WRITING!

firestarter09 – thanks, will do!

Thunder dragon – read on

LordxSesshomaru – Thank you and understood milord. However, that is an order that I may not be able to follow…

DasChinButton – Oh, there will be a father-son moment. Several in fact. Good luck on your finals too!

Torturer-of-souls – Yes, she's a Legendary but for many reasons I'm shying away from using her as a love interest. In this story she'll be more of a little sister like in canon.

Liars-by-Red – Thank you for being reasonably and understanding!

Valv – Thanks a lot! Glad to see that people appreciate my choices!

Xerozzuro – My writing process is part of the reason why I take so long haha. So much detail lengthens update delays.

Kidstandout – Rant or no rant, I read and respond to all reviews. I'm glad that I've somehow redeemed the AU concept for you in anyway. I also have never been a fan of self-inserts (hence why I won't use OCs), but will use several mythical figures, doing my best to portray their myths and legends into personality as best I can. I did say it starts as AU before canon timeline, there will be changes to characters and events in my own fashion, but I don't see that as an excuse to 180 personalities or significant happenings. Thank you again for reading, hope you continue to enjoy!

DragonLordZipti – Ophis will not be in the harem. Rest assured, the thought doesn't sit well with me. Glad you enjoyed the last chapter, here's hoping you enjoy this one as well.

Draco7347 – Just wait a little longer!

xXBlackDragonXx – ROFL

betafish123 – No, keeping an age difference of 2-3 years between Issei and any of his interests. So no one older than Kuroka or Rossweisse.

Epicweaver – Will do my best to write as to the best of my ability and fulfill that tsundere expectation

Belamy20 – Glad to see you've caught up, and did he really give away anything? Promotion, Divide, Holy Fire, all things that one could expect from a PAWN, wielder of Divine DIVIDING, and a DRAGON. His Tartarus backstory aside, nothing's really been exposed.

Sorry guys, but as you're hopefully aware, this isn't an update. Well, not the one that you really want. But as much as it pains me, there're some things I need to say.

67

Let that number sink in. Now, while it doesn't really have any meaning to you, to me it's quite different. Since uploading the last chapter (week and a half), I've received 67 different messages, mostly PMs and a handful of reviews, specifically requesting for me to write my story in a way that complies with what they've suggested. Most are rather polite, others not so much. And that isn't even counting the other similar notifications from all the previous updates.

Now, I know I've been asking for feedback from you guys. In a way, I'm flattered. As of writing this, I've got 560 favs, 660 follows, and I don't know where to begin with how many total hits this story has gotten since I first started back in June. However, and I know this is bad form for FF chapter policy, I need to get something off my chest and posting this in a chapter seems to be the best way to get everyone's attention.

I started writing this story as a way for me to think, how COULD the story be if some things changed. I never intended to write a story of how I demand things MUST BE. I do not mean to rant, but this story was and still is something for me to be creative with the glorious ecchi toy box we've been provided.

Anyone can find a story where Issei has both Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing, where Issei is one of the Strongest 10 beings, where he's perverted or not, trained by Great Red, self-inserts, OCs aplenty, harem or not, lover of Ophis, King of the underworld, and so on. There are plenty, and while I haven't spent much time perusing crossover sections there could be even more. Scratch that, Naruto x-overs are a given so it's a certainty there's more.

I won't take the standard, textbook, cookie-cutter mold and apply it here. I admit it would be so much easier. You'd get larger chapters, almost weekly updates; I'd get higher review counts and increased hits. But if I did that, then I'd be walking away from the standards and eventual goals I set for myself when I first started drafting this concept. I don't want that, and I have to hope that you don't either.

Knowing this, I have to clarify a few things. I've always responded to your reviews/PMs, which will never change. It's the only way I've got to figure out whether my writing is getting better or not, interaction with my admittedly limited audience. That being said, review, comment away, but please don't ask me to leave the road less taken by sending me major plot suggestions. I'm asking for honest feedback on what I've written, not forced dictation for what I haven't even started. I've got this outlined to volume 12, and some of your suggestions overlap nicely with what I've got planned already. Make no mistake, I've taken time to think about where this is going and many of you are spot on with what I have in mind, but the sad reality is that more often than not the idea doesn't work well with my outline.

On a less cathartic note, I've gotten a lot of input since revealing what Isse's love life looks like. I've gotten a lot of suggestions and well-thought out explanations for why I should add/remove any character. While this kind of feedback I appreciate, I feel I need to set some ground rules:

First, age limit. You don't see toddlers dating senior citizens. As absurd as the equivalent comparison might sound, asking me to pair Ophis, Tiamat, Gabriel, Venelana, Serafall, Penemue, and/or Grayfia with Issei is equally ridiculous. I've already written that the Legendary's have been around since before creation, and the others are at least several centuries old, possibly millenia. Plus Grayfia's married to Sirzechs Lucifer, so I'm not gonna go anywhere near that. And while Ophis appears and acts like a child, she is anything but. With such an age difference, what would Issei have in common with them? Love of Oppai? Get real, that won't fly here. I've even gotten a request to revive Shuri. For those who wondered why I kept the romantic outlook hidden until ch13, this is one of the major reasons why.

In short, Kuroka and Rossweisse and maybe Raynare would be the oldest characters I'd accept; Kunou would be the youngest I'd ever consider, and that's a big if. That relationship if I ever visit it would require maybe a few years time skip. Beyond that, any girl within that age range is fair game with acceptable reason.

Second, ancient mythology. Open a history book and understand that Artemis and Athena are Virgin Goddesses. There's no love life for them, period. I'm not going to warp mythically-accepted personalities for the purpose of giving Issei an even larger harem, not even for the reason 'to make it up to him'. While I might add/alter significant events to suit DxD history and backstory, don't expect gods and goddesses to act ooc.

To wrap this up, while I appreciate every one of you that reads my work or takes the time to leave a thoughtful comment, I have to take a stance on this. I don't mean to rant, I sincerely don't mean to, but I've put too much time into researching mythology and outlining a meaningful story, complete with realistic scenarios, to jump ship. Will I lose some of you guys after you read this, most likely. I'd be surprised if some didn't drop the story now because they don't like my message, or its tone. But for those who've faithfully kept up so far, please... Many of you have told me time and again that you enjoy my story because it feels real, feels unique. Please trust me to maintain that quality, trust me to finish my own work.

Thank you for your patience, till next time

G1Splicer