Original Posted On Oct. 16, 2022

Beta Read by: Darklord331

Review Response:

Nathair1: Yeah, Onimaru could be jealous, or an older Tenko so he feels like Naruto is too childish. Funnier than Hinata? What? Yeah, Koneko will acknowledge her heritage, eventually.

Calderoneric758: Oh, hm… That would be interesting. HEY, DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT MITSUKI, OROCHIMARU'S SON, TO BE IN THE STORY?

PauloPT90: Coming up with insults is hard, especially ones of a specific target. Oh, you get an answer for Justin this chapter, pay close attention. Yeah, a Guillotine makes sense to become a devil. LOL, that is funny. I'll keep up the good work.

Guest: Thank you, I'll keep it up.

WhateverPlus: I am happy you do.

Borello: Thank you.

Nicholas: Interesting.

ShadowBloodedge9396: They are ten, so, not really teens yet. Oh, fuck yeah, Riser was not going to get away unscathed for the shit he pulled. Koneko is taking initiative and taking steps to help her, because Rias helped save Koneko. It is the correct thing to do. Yes, Loona loves Naruto and wants his attention. She is a very affectionate pup. Onimaru, as stated above, could be an older Tenko and sees Naruto as childish or is jealous. Either or, take your pick. No need to worry about Justin bro.

Harem:

OKAY, LETS READ THIS SHIT! I DON'T OWN NARUTO, ONE PIECE, HIGHSCHOOL DXD OR ANY OTHER ANIME I MAY REFERENCE!

"Hey" = Speaking

'Hey' = Thinking

'Hey' = Memory

"Hey"= Sacred Gear/ Communication link

Chapter 22: Travels and Rivals

France…

Sabo whistled as Justin stood before him, fully dressed.

"Well, aren't you a fancy dresser." Kisara said as she took in Justin's appearance.

Justin's outfit consisted of a white shawl that encompasses all of his upper body, extending from his neck to elbows. He bore a deacon's cross with the Phenex clan symbol on it over the shawl. Under the shawl is a black, ecclesiastical robe. The sleeves of the robe have white crosses on them. The front of the robe also has a portion made of grey fabric that almost makes the robe look like a double-breasted overcoat. This section of the robe has six visible black buttons on it with cross designs that are symmetrically separated on opposite sides of the grey center of the robe. Finally, he wears a pair of black pants, loafers, and a white Zucchetto for a hat.

"Thank you, Kisara." Justin said with a polite tone, but suddenly touched his ears, his cheeks tinting red.

"Something wrong?" Sabo asked in concern, approaching his Knight.

"I… I am unsure. I hear screaming…" Justin anxiously replied. "I… it may be the people I killed during the Revolution. I can hear Louis the 16th's voice…"

Music filled Justin's ears.

"Huh?"

Sabo smiled as he pulled his hands down from Justin's head, his earbuds in Justin's ears, music playing in his ears.

"Does that help?" Sabo asked.

Justin had a confused face, but he grabbed Sabo's phone and turned the volume up… completely.

It was loud enough for Kisara and Sabo to hear the music from said earbuds.

"Yes… yes it does, my King." Justin said with a bow.

"Well, then I guess we shall buy you a pair of headphones and a phone when we get home." Sabo chuckled as he turned, fist in the air. "But first, WE GET SOME LOCAL CUISINE!"

Kisara face palmed with a snide smirk as Justin smiled, unable to hear his king.

'Maybe I should learn how to read lips.' Justin thought as Sabo lead the way to a restaurant.

Meanwhile, Phenex Mansion…

"…It can't tango, it's got a broken back…" Herbert West spoke to his costar as a fake looking cat that had been torn in half with its spine poorly restructure started to move.

Naruto clung to Koneko, screaming with tears in his eyes as the cat hissed before it was killed a third time.

"PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!" Naruto begged Koneko.

Koneko, Ravel, Naruto, Danjuro, and Manami were watching Reanimator, and Naruto was the only one terrified.

"Naruto, it isn't scar…"

"I DON'T LIKE ZOMBIES OR GHOSTS!" Naruto squealed as he shook against Koneko, his tiny fox body shivering as he looked into Koneko's eyes. "Please… make it stop…"

Koneko's heart sped up.

'Cute~' She thought as she paused the movie.

"Okay, we will stop here." She said reassuring him by picking Naruto up, and hugging him.

Ravel scowled, earning a few chuckles from Danjuro and Manami.

'She is jealous.' Manami thought as Ravel pouted.

"It's going to be okay, Naruto." Koneko whispered, running her hands through his fur, making Naruto lull.

'Hmm…' Naruto snuggled into Koneko's warmth.

"I guess it is time for bed." Danjuro said as he stood up and turned the TV off.

Guest Room…

"You know you don't have to be here, Teriyaki." Koneko said as she lay in bed.

Next to her was Naruto, having lulled off to sleep minutes prior in his fox form.

Beside Naruto was Ravel with her hair down.

Ravel turned to Koneko.

"Well, you were not invited her to begin with, Third Wheel." Ravel replied, her arm draping across Naruto and pulling him closer to her as she glared at Koneko.

"Naruto is my friend," Koneko snipped softly, putting her hand on Naruto and pulling him toward her. "And I am keeping him from being hurt, Teriyaki."

Sparks flew between both girls as they glared at each other.

"Hmmm…"

Both looked at Naruto, his sleeping face easing the tension before both girls decided to ignore the other and go to sleep.

Meanwhile, Bael Mansion…

"Mom, I don't know what to do." Sairaorg said to Misla, who didn't respond, and he didn't expect her too. "I… I told Naruto it was his fault you are comatose… and now he doesn't want to talk to me to let me apologize."

Sairaorg face palmed, wiping his eyes.

"I am a failure of a King…"

"I wouldn't say that."

Sairaorg looked up.

"Guts?"

"Sup, Sairaorg." Guts said as he waved at his peer.

"What are you doing here?" Sairaorg asked as he stood up, motioning for Guts to follow him.

"Nothing much, just wanting to see how you are doing." Guts said as they left Misla's room.

"I am fine, so no need to worry."

Guts smirked.

"But weren't you just saying you want to apologize to the kitsune?"

Sairaorg's face became red at this statement.

"If push comes to shove," Guts said as he put his false arm around Sairaorg's shoulders. "Just punch him until he is willing to listen."

Sairaorg stared blankly at his friend.

"That is such a you solution, Guts."

Guts gave a hearty laugh.

Next Morning, Phenex Mansion…

"That was delicious, thank you." Naruto thanked Manami as he finished eating breakfast.

"My pleasure, Naruto." She said with a bright smile.

Naruto left his seat, not seeing Koneko and Ravel glaring at each other as he exited the dining room.

'I should go pack my stuff to return…' Naruto thought, faltering and hesitant to call the Bael Mansion 'Home' at the moment.

He hadn't really talked to Sairaorg since the incident in Misla's room.

He sighed.

'I guess I have to…' Naruto started to think before he bumped into someone.

"Huh?"

Naruto blinked as he backed up, about to apologize, but his face soured.

"Phenex." Naruto grumbled, not really having any intention of talking to him.

Riser scoffed.

"Bael."

"What are you doing?" Naruto asked as he noticed Riser wasn't wearing his normal attire of a classy suit.

He was actually wearing sweatpants and a muscle shirt.

"Riser will have you know Riser is training." Riser stated as he stared down at the child.

His body felt like it was in massive pain.

His arms and chest, where he had been cut with Homura Saki were aching like crazy as he stared at Naruto.

The humiliation he felt caused them to burn with ice.

"Riser won't allow you to defeat Riser again." Riser said venomously.

Naruto tilted his head to the side, his ears following gravity.

'Wait, he is training? I thought he would get depressed like a bitch.' Naruto thought as Riser turned and started walking down the hall.

"Riser will never forget this humiliation, Bael." Riser stated.

Naruto quirked an eyebrow.

Flashback…

"RAGHHHH!" Naruto (Age 8) cried out as he failed to complete the Rasengan for the umpteenth time that day. "GOD DAMN IT!"

Jiraiya laughed as he wrote his manuscript.

"PERVY SAGE THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!" Naruto screamed, overwhelming sense of failure flooding every part of his body. "I CAN'T DO THIS!"

Jiraiya put his pen down and walked toward the small child, taking a knee.

"Naruto, I am going to give you a piece of Wisdom that I want you to keep." Jiraiya said as Naruto lifted his head.

Flashback End…

"Failure is not the end, but the opportunity to reflect and examine what went wrong, Riser." Naruto stated loud enough for Riser to hear him.

Riser… stopped.

"So, you are telling Riser that Riser needs to take a look at the fight and analyze what happened?" Riser asked as he turned to the Kitsune.

Naruto's eyes widened.

Riser's face had softened and it looked like he was content with listening.

"Naruto, where… Brother?"

"Good morning, Ravel." Riser greeted as Ravel and Koneko appeared behind Naruto. "But back to…"

"Yeah, that is what I am saying, because you can see something you may have missed. But don't let it get you down, look at it from multiple perspectives." Naruto said as he was basically winging what to say.

"Hm," Riser hummed as he scratched his head in thought. "Not a bad idea. Thanks, Bael."

With that, Riser turned and headed to the Training grounds with his peerage waiting for him.

"What was that about?" Ravel asked as she stepped up and looked at Naruto with concern.

"Oh, nothing, he said he was training and wanted a rematch, and I gave him some tips." Naruto replied, stating exactly what he had did.

"And where, pray tell, did you learn that nugget of wisdom, Naruto?" Koneko asked Naruto.

"Pervy Sage told me that long ago." Naruto replied.

"Oh, that makes sense." Koneko said as she started to walk, Naruto following her with Ravel.

"Pervy Sage?" Ravel said in repulsion, such a horrible name. "Who is this Pervy Sage?"

"Jiraiya the Toad Sage." Naruto explained as they found the guest room, entering single file.

"THE TOAD SAGE!" was heard through out the mansion.

"Uh, yeah…"

"Oh lord, what was he like!" Ravel screamed with large stars twinkling brightly in her eyes.

"Uh, a pervert…" Naruto answered as he had seen this reaction from Ravel. "Wait, why are you a fan? Weren't his books perverted?"

"Well, the Icha-Icha series, yes, but I like this book." Ravel said as she reached for a book… only to blush when she realized she wasn't in her room. "I'll be right back."

She rushed out of the room, leaving Naruto and Koneko alone.

"She is weird." Koneko stated bluntly as she and Naruto started to pack.

"Be nice, Koneko." Naruto said as he finished packing. "Ravel is a nice friend."

Koneko pouted.

"Naru."

"Yeah…"

Koneko's hands grabbed Naruto's head and pulled him into her chest via a hug.

"What…" Naruto was silenced as Koneko pulled him tighter into her chest.

'I won't let her take you.' Koneko thought as she held him close.

"Aha, found it…" Ravel said as she re-entered the room, holding a small book. "Oh…"

Her excitement became irritation as she saw Naruto's face in Koneko's chest.

Koneko turned in a way so Naruto wouldn't see her flip Ravel off.

"Ravel, you're back?" Naruto asked as he heard stomping get closer before he was pulled out of Koneko's embrace.

"This is the book I was talking about," Ravel said as she put Naruto down, holding out the book.

"Tales of a Gutsy Ninja." Naruto said as he looked at the English Edition of the book.

"Yes, it is the first book Jiraiya published, and my father loved it, and he would read parts of it to me growing up." Ravel said as Naruto opened it the wrong way, use to Japanese style books, seeing an image of Jiraiya.

'He was so young.' Naruto thought as he saw Jiraiya's image.

His hair was shorter, no pony tail, and the red marks on his cheeks were more in the middle of his cheeks instead of all the way to his chin.

"Can I borrow this?" Naruto asked Ravel.

"Uhm, it is my dad's book…"

"Well, can I ask him?" Naruto asked her somewhat desperately.

Koneko's fist bopped Naruto in the head, making him drop the book.

"That is a first edition!" Ravel squealed in a panic as she grabbed the book and checked it over for damage as Naruto held his aching head.

"We can buy a copy at the bookstore." Koneko stated calmly.

"Oh, that's right." Naruto said as he gained his welt.

"Can I come with you to the bookstore?"

"Sure/No."

Skip, Nearby town, Barnes and Nobles…

"…Have a good day you three." The cashier said as he waved good bye as Naruto, Koneko, and Ravel walked to the door.

"We should hurry, Gentle is probably getting anxious." Ravel said as she headed toward the small car that Danjuro had used to drive them to town.

Naruto smiled as he shifted the bag holding his book onto his wrist.

"I had a fun time." Naruto said as he took Ravel and Koneko's hand.

"Me too." Koneko smiled as she blushed slightly.

"I did as well, Naruto." Ravel told him with her cheeks flushing red.

Getting in the car, Danjuro adjusted the rearview mirror.

"Next stop, Gremory Mansion." He said as he turned on the car.

"I can't wait to read this." Naruto said with barely restrained excitement.

"Hey… Can we exchange numbers?" Ravel asked as she held out her phone.

"Sure." Naruto said as he pulled his out.

"Same." Koneko pushed her own in the mix.

Numbers were exchanged and shortly, Koneko was getting out of the car.

"I can't wait to see you again, Koneko." Naruto said as he leaned out of the open window.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Koneko said with a sweet smile, leaning up and kissing Naruto's cheek.

Naruto became as red as a tomato as Koneko's cheeks became pink while she turned to run into the mansion.

"Seat belts on." Danjuro urged as Naruto got back in.

Ravel was biting her thumb nail as Naruto continued to look out the window toward the mansion as Danjuro drove away.

Ravel sat next to Naruto, Danjuro smiling as he drove to the Bael mansion.

"So… you trained with the Toad Sage?"

"Yeah, I also trained at…" Naruto started before he stopped. 'Woah, I caught myself. Kamabakka is a secret village, so I can't reveal it too just anyone.'

Ravel leaned in, waiting for him to continue.

"… at many locations over the world, seeing many cultures, that sort of thing." Naruto laughed it off, hoping she believed him.

"Oh, like where?"

"We went all over Japan, and then we visited America and Britain." Naruto said as he remembered traveling with Jiraiya.

A nostalgic smile gracing his face, mixing with sadness.

"But, the Satan's just revealed Jiraiya died." Ravel said in confusion.

Ravel instantly knew she fucked up when she saw Naruto visibly flinch.

"Yeah, he… he died. Protecting me." Naruto said as his back stung as he remembered that day. "It is the same day I met Sabo too."

"Really, you met Brother that same day? Impossible."

"No, it's true." Naruto said as he recovered emotionally. "If it wasn't for Sabo, I would have died that day too. It is because of him, that Pervy Sage and I got to the Underworld and met Sairaorg. You could say that I owe Sabo a debt of gratitude."

"Well," Ravel said as she pulled out a fan, opening it and covering her face. "I can help you fulfill that debt right now."

She moved to hide her face.

'Oh, lord I am actually planning this?' She thought as her face once again became red.

"Really? How?" Naruto asked childishly.

"Well, close your eyes."

Confused, Naruto closed his eyes.

Swallowing her fear, Ravel leaned in.

Naruto's eyes snapped open when he felt a something soft press against his lips.

He saw Ravel's face… really close to his.

He also noticed her lips were touching his.

Steam erupted from Naruto's face as he shot back, hitting the car door, touching his lips.

'My… my first kiss…' Naruto and Ravel thought as they could not look each other in the eye.

They stayed silent for the rest of the trip to the Bael Mansion.

Skip, Bael Mansion…

"Hey, Naruto, how was your sleep over?" Regulus asked his buddy with a smile.

Naruto just stared blankly ahead with disbelief as he staggered past the Nemean Lion.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Naruto didn't respond as he walked down the hall like a hollow shell of his past self before entering his room.

The door clicked shut as Regulus scratched his head.

Within his room, Naruto stripped into a pair of shorts and a tank top before jumping on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

The feeling of Koneko's peck on his cheek followed by the sensation of Ravel's gentle kiss replayed on his body and memories.

Naruto grabbed a pillow and pushed his face into it, letting out a loud, heavy confused whimper as he curled up, tail between his legs and ears flat on his head.

Next day, Gremory Mansion…

Koneko stood before a large fire pit, holding up a piece of paper with instructions on it.

On her hip was her tanto.

'Okay, since I have Fire as my chakra nature, this should probably be easier than it was for Naruto.' Koneko thought as she remembered Naruto telling her how much trouble he had with it.

Drawing her blade, Koneko closed her eyes to focus.

Phenex Mansion…

"Mom, Dad, Riser, Ravel, this is Justin. He is my Knight." Sabo introduced Justin to his family.

"Nice to meet you, but Riser has to go back to his training. His rival surely isn't slacking." Riser said as he passed by his brother and the new member of the family.

"Rival?"

"Naruto." Ravel informed him before she greeted Justin. "Nice to meet you, I am Ravel. But I too must be off. I have some training of my own to do."

As she turned and walked away, Loona and Onimaru appeared at her side.

'I won't let that third wheel of a cat take my place.' Ravel thought confidently, thinking of ways how to get stronger.

Guts's House…

"HYA!" Guts screamed as he swung his giant sword, the Dragon Slayer, clashing against Kuroka's sword.

Her haki kept Wado Ichimonji from bending, warping, breaking, etc. as her feet created craters under the immense power Guts used to swing his sword.

"Woah, that haki of yours is strong." Guts said as Kuroka pushed him back, smirking at the compliment before pushing her speed advantage.

Or at least she would have if not for a crossbow bolt appeared before her, making her stop to step backwards before jumping up to avoid more cross bow fire from Guts's artificial arm.

With magic, the bow auto-fired the bolts like a machine gun.

Kuroka closed her eyes.

'Feel out the future.' She thought.

Two more bolts were fired, and with what was light lightning reflexes, Kuroka swung with minimum effort to cut the bolts in two.

"Alright, I think that is enough for today, Kuroka." Guts said as he put his arm down, smiling.

Kuroka landed on the ground, gasping for air soaked in sweat with a massive smile.

"Sure, but I still got stuff to do." She said as she sheathed Wado Ichimonji.

"Stalking Naruto and your sister?" Guts asked jokingly as he put Dragon Slayer on his back.

"Yeah, stalking Shi… SHUT UP!"

Phenex Forest…

"OH SHIT, OH SHIT, OH SHIT!" Kisara screamed as she avoided bladed weapons with her powerful legs.

"JUSTIN!"

Justin gasped, his head snapping upward from Sabo's weapon smashing into his head, a helmet of magic shattering, leaving him speechless as he hit the ground.

"My King?" Justin gasped in pain. "I am…"

"It's okay, it was an accident." Sabo said as his arm regenerated, his tone forgiving, but his face showing anger and seriousness.

"Sabo, don't…"

"I am not going to punish him." Sabo said as he flexed his new arm. "I said it earlier, it was an accident."

Justin lay on the ground.

In tears.

"I promise…" He choked out. "I promise too never…"

"No, that is not necessary. We might need that power, Justin." Sabo said as he sat next to his Knight, causing the Guillotine to go silent. "We may meet powerful enemies that will force us to use it. Let's just take time to master it, okay?"

Justin's hand covered his eyes, tears swelling under them.

"y-Yes, my King…"

Sabo laughed as Kisara let out a sigh of relief, collapsing herself.

"Just call me Sabo."

Bael Mansion…

Liban and Naruto clashed blades several times, one sword each.

"RANKYAKU!"

Naruto kicked an air blade toward his opponent as he jumped back.

Liban cut the attack in half, before his eyes glowed.

Naruto was affected by his sacred gear, Gravity Jail, slamming into the ground from the intense gravity.

"DAMN IT!" Naruto screamed as Liban laughed, sheathing his sword, but NOT releasing his power.

"Anyway, Naruto, there is someone here to see you." Liban said as he used his hands to motion for them to come out, not looking away from Naruto or else his power would end.

"Who?" Naruto asked as he struggled to move his head to look up.

He deadpanned as he saw Sairaorg.

'Mother fucker.' Naruto thought as he put together WHY Sairaorg was there.

Liban ended the effect of his Gravity Jail.

Naruto got up, his muscles aching as he sheathed Yubashiri.

"What is it, Sairaorg." Naruto asked as he wobbled over to a nearby rock and sat down.

Sairaorg smiled at the acknowledgement.

"Well, I want to apologize…"

"Forgiven."

"Huh?"

"I forgive you, Sairaorg." Naruto said as he looked at his king. "But I won't forget it."

Naruto clenched his hand, his eyes watering.

"You hurt me… just because… I didn't… I didn't mean to put Misla in a coma… so hearing you yell at me made it worse…" Naruto told his King. "I am willing to move forward, but I can't just drop it."

"That is mature of you, Naruto." Sairaorg said as he sat next to his Pawn, putting his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I do not deserve your forgiveness, and I will earn it. Someday, I will help mom wake up, and you can hear her scold me for being stupid."

He laughed, causing Naruto to laugh.

"Make that 'I' into 'We' and it will happen." Naruto stated.

With apologizes and forgiveness given, Naruto and Sairaorg with the rest of the Peerage bonded.

Three Years Later…

"YOU'RE LEAVING ME!" Naruto (Age 13) screamed at Koneko.

Koneko (Age 13) Covered her ears as they rang.

"No, I am not leaving you, stupid." Koneko said in annoyance as her ears rang. "Rias was able to strike a deal with her parents and Teriyaki's parents. 'Until Rias Gremory graduates from University, she will not be forced to marry Riser Phenex'."

Naruto grumbled.

"Stupid red head…" Naruto said with a scowl, before his expression lightened up as a lightbulb appeared over his head. "Wait, I can just come with you guys to where ever you guys are going."

Chapter 22, DONE!

Well, we are now one step closer to Canon.

Everyone is getting stronger, even those I didn't mention.

Ravel and Koneko are now proper rivals, along with Naruto and Riser.

Yeah, I am surprised as well.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, if you did, please leave a review. If you disliked, send a review anyway as it does help me become a better author.