A Sage's Mission

by EventualFallOut

The Shinobi world is finally at peace. But an attack from the unknown has put the Shinobi world on edge. Now Naruto and his friends need to get to the bottom on who these beings are, and where they came from. He's not going to let another war plague his home after finally achieving peace: Multi-Cross over. "No copyright infringement is intended."

14. Chapter 14

A Sage's Mission

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Ya'know I've come to agree with what people have been saying about my none-elemental Rasenshuriken idea...I am making it more complicated and unnecessary than it has to be. So from this point on, I've scrapped the none-elemental Rasenshuriken idea. And instead, have it so Naruto can decide whether or not his Rasenshuriken (Any Element) will detonate or not after it hits a target. Naruto can make it blow up at will or just slice through a target.

Quick, simple and easy to understand.

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"Speaking"

"Thinking/ conversation with Tailed beast/Sacred Gear within the mind, Scape."

"Tailed Beast/Sacred gear Dragon speaking."

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Chapter 14: Interrogation.

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It's been nearly half an hour since Naruto and his friends returned to Urakyoto, to say Naruto was in a rush to get things sorted was an understatement. There's a lot to talk about. Once they got back, Naruto nearly kicked in the doors of the palace and called for Yasaka and Gaara. His shouting got not just them, but Shikamaru and Benimaru as well. They all came rushing over to find out what's going on. Seeing the two exorcists tagging along with him, Yasaka wanted to know what's happened, and why he brought them with him.

Naruto was able to get her to hold off on her questions as Irina needed to be seen too. Yasaka and Gaara could tell something was amiss, Naruto wasn't giving anyone else a word in; his asking was almost demanding.

Both leaders understood. Something has happened...something big.

Yasaka arranged a room and her medical staff to tend to Irina, her injuries were none-fatal, and Hinata saw to the worst of it. But it's better safe than sorry. Xenovia asked to stay with her, and Naruto spoke on her behalf, she can be trusted. Naturally, Yasaka allowed it, but under the agreement that a guard accompanies her at all times. Xenovia agreed and thanked Yasaka, showing a much more humble and meek side of her; either because she had no issues with the Youkai faction and understood this was Yasaka's home, or because of what she's recently learned about her God. Naruto figured it was both.

Naruto asked Gaara to call Sun Wukong back; what he's learned is something Sun needs to know as well. Gaara saw to it, and Yasaka would arrange a meeting place for them to brief Naruto and his team.

Kuroka tried to hide away from Yasaka's gaze, but it was a fruitless effort. If the leader of the Youkai wasn't talking to Naruto, she was looking at her runaway cat. Yasaka's gaze carried her emotions that few in the room could see and understand, and Kuroka faced the brunt of it. Yasaka was relieved that Kuroka was brought back safely, but this didn't stop her displeasure of Kuroka's stunt.

Naruto stopped himself from speaking up; this was not for him to get involved, as much as he wanted to. Yasaka and Kuroka will need to talk in private, and Naruto can only hope the trust between them hasn't been shaken.

Yasaka and Benimaru left to arrange a room. While Gaara, followed by Shikamaru, went to get in contact with Sun Wukong.

Right now, Naruto, his team and Kuroka were hanging out in the hallway of the room Irina and Xenovia are in. It was a small medical wing of the palace, reserved only for the guests of the palace. Through the one-sided window, Naruto could see Irina was still asleep, with a doctor tending to her. Xenovia was sitting in the chair beside her bed, closely watching over her friend.

But Naruto knew that's not the only thing going on with Xenovia. It's that reason why Naruto and everyone else stayed in the hallway, merely watching over them and not intruding on them. Xenovia needed some space from them, to think over...well, everything that's happened.

Doubt she ever imagined her mission would end like this. Naruto shared that doubt. "You've got to wonder how the others will react..." Naruto said quietly, but open for anyone else to respond.

"The same way we've reacted...but from an outside's view." Raphtalia was the one to respond. She kept her new sword in hand, rarely taking her eyes off it. "Naruto...I don't want to make things difficult...but I...I can't hand this over to them." Even if she wanted too, Raphtalia still wouldn't be able to give up the sword.

Naruto understood why. "I know. That sword is your ticket to getting answers...but you're still going to have to sort this out with them." Naruto nodded over to the room with Xenovia and Irina. He understood why Raphtalia needs the sword, but he also knows about Xenovia and Irina's mission. He was sympathetic to both sides.

Naruto leaned against the wall, looking up to the ceiling. "Things could've gone better."

"What's done is done Naruto-Kun. All we can do now is make the best of the situation at hand, and hopefully get some much-needed answers." Hinata aimed to ease the tension; everyone was a bit stressed out.

"God is dead, he punched the leader of the Devils, and I lost my sister...in what world is there a bright side to that nya." Kuroka had a curt response, poking holes in Hinata's attempt to ease everyone.

"Maybe so, Kuroka...But we also stopped a war that could have killed billions, that includes your sister, and none of us were seriously hurt; we all returned home. I'd call that a bright side." Hinata spoke softly, she was not annoyed by Kuroka's attitude; Hinata was sympathetic to the Neko's point of view and state of mind.

Kuroka said nothing, not having the energy or interest to continue this conversation. The others joined in on the silence, patiently waiting to be summoned. Naruto took this time to arrange his thoughts, trying to think of the best way to explain everything.

"Best to tell it from the beginning, have the full mission brief." Kurama was helping him along.

"Easiest way to do it, I guess. But will they believe what I have to say?"

"They'll believe that's what you've seen and heard. Then it's merely finding evidence to back it up."

"We've got a prisoner for evidence." A grand total of three prisoners.

"What do you plan to do with them?"

"It's not up to me...but questioning Kokabiel is a must."

"Questioning him is a waste of time. Having the Yamanaka clan members read his mind is a faster approach."

"Here I thought you would want a crack at him."

"And give him a heart attack the moment he sees me."

Naruto chuckled a little. "Being considerate, are we?"

"The crow's a resource that's no good to us dead."

"But he's also another side to this world. It's not just the Old Satan Faction, but there are others who we'll meet that contain such anger and hatred." It may be a different world...but the cycle of hatred is ever-present no matter where you go. "How did he end up like that? I'm not excusing his actions...I'm just wondering..."

"Being kicked out of your home would be a good start."

"And here I was hoping I'd get the chance to ask why the Biblical God picked that over any other potential options."

"If he's really dead then that ship has sailed."

Naruto would need to talk to the one who's now running the show in Haven. According to Kokabiel, it sounds like its Michael.

After waiting a bit longer, a few Youkai guards came marching down the hall. "Lady Yasaka has called for you."

Naruto pushed himself off the wall. "Is Sun back?"

"Yes. Sun Wukong, along with Lady Yasaka and Lord Gaara are waiting in the meeting room for you. Please follow me."

Naruto approached the guard. "Alright, but what about them?" He pointed to the room where Xenovia and Irina are.

"They'll be called over after the initial proceedings of the meeting." That was short for, information that mustn't be leaked to the Angel and Church factions.

Naruto nodded and got his team to follow. Kuroka was not invited to join the meeting. This was expected since Kuroka skipped out on the meeting beforehand and did a runaway. One of the Youkai guards lead Naruto and his team away, while the remaining ones stuck close to Kuroka, to make sure she doesn't try something again.

The Neko Devil has put herself in a difficult position. Before Kuroka can earn the Shinobi world's trust, Kuroka has to make sure she didn't damage Yasaka's.

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Naruto and his team made their way to the meeting room. They didn't really need an escort; they've been to this room several times now. In some weird way, this palace felt like home.

As they approached the sliding doors to the meeting room, Naruto felt an ominous presence coming from behind those doors. A think black fog seeped underneath and nearly reached Naruto's feet.

Naruto wasn't scared, no he found this amusing. "Well now, that's some killer intent."

"What did you do to him?" They haven't seen him for a few days now, and Kurama doesn't remember Naruto saying anything to him that would piss him off.

"Kurama...it's not what I did. It's what I didn't do." Naruto never warned him of the fate that awaited him. "Let's get this over with." Naruto moved to open the doors. As soon as Naruto moved the door so much as an inch, something slammed through it, shattering the door into pieces.

"I GOT YOU NOW SUNNY BOY!" Sun Wukong grabbed Naruto by his black zipped jacket and pinned him to the ground.

"Oh what's wrong chimp, you seem to be a little ticked off?" Naruto asked smugly.

"YOU KNEW...YOU KNEW, AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!"

"Knew...Knew what?" Naruto was enjoying this.

Sun got closer to Naruto's face, their foreheads nearly touching. "The Toad's cooking...I had to eat slugs, snails, worms and about twenty other kinds of bugs I didn't recognise." He said in a much quieter yet deadlier tone.

"Oh, thaaaaat right, I see what's going on here. I mean, I would've told you..." Naruto then sat up a bit, matching Sun Wukong's angry look. "If you didn't take advantage of my hospitality and make me buy every meal at Ichiraku for you!" That was Naruto's hard-earned cash and Sun basically swindled him out of it.

"I was a guest, don't you know that guests get preferential treatment!"

"And you got free food from the Toads so stop complaining."

"Okay then, next time we can both enjoy the Toad's fine dining." Sun's calling him out.

"Can't, I'm allergic to bugs."

"Bullshit! You live in a village, inside a massive forest filled with bugs. And there's a clan in your village that use bugs for their Jutsus!" If you were allergic to bugs, you could never live in such a place.

"Gentlemen," Yasaka spoke calmly from the meeting room, getting the two Sage Mode users to stop shouting. "We have more pressing matters than your petty squabbles. Sort it out on your own time and not ours if you wouldn't mind."

Naruto and Sun looked around, seeing the faces of everyone present...yeah only Konohamaru found this amusing. Giving each other a nod, they both silently agreed this is not the right time. Sun released Naruto and helped him up. They both patted themselves off.

"I need help with my Toukai training. You can vent your anger out on me then if you'd like?"

"It sounds therapeutic. I'm going to make it hurt." Wow, they've both settled it already.

Yasaka was thankful they've already sorted themselves out, but she's still a little annoyed Sun took down one of her doors...again. "Please come in and let's proceed with things, and stop damaging my palace." Yasaka waved for them to enter the room. They joined the others in the room and sat down in a circle. Naruto, Sun, Yasaka and his team are joined by Benimaru, Gaara, Shikamaru and Temari.

The briefing will now commence.

Gaara got things started. "Naruto, you brought Kuroka back, we can say the retrieval mission was a success. But I was informed by Yasaka about a change of objectives during your time in Kuoh."

"We encountered exorcists of the church, Xenovia and Irina, at the place we were using as a home base."

"And from there you ended up getting involved with them, and the Devils of the town, on Yasaka's request?" Gaara knows Yasaka's reasoning for it, but Gaara wishes a recount of all the events.

"We got involved after we learned of the other players in that town." If Naruto didn't encounter Azazel, he might've stayed out of it.

"Then, from the beginning, retell all the events that transpired in Kuoh town."

Naruto leaned forward and looked back to when things started changing for them at that town. "When we made the abandoned Church our base and lied in wait for Kuroka, Xenovia and Irina showed up. But they didn't come for us; they didn't even know we were there..." Naruto summarised the events of his mission as simple as possible.

Xenovia and Irina were exorcists and Excalibur wielders of the Church. They were sent to Kuoh to track down Kokabiel and retrieve the Excalibur fragments that he stole. Yasaka found this both disturbing and unsettling, for both factions. Kokabiel is a vicious, sick-minded man and one of the many she believed had no right to survive the Great War. Stealing the Excalibur fragments in this time of uneasy peace, what is wrong with him? But for the Church to send only two young exorcists after him...

With or without the Excaliburs they had no chance of victory. The Church was sending them to their deaths. What is going on with the higher-ups of the Church and Angel Factions? Yes, she agreed you can't send Seraphs...but just sending two young Excalibur wielders...are you kidding.

Naruto also located Azazel in the town when all of this was happening. This is why Yasaka asked him to get involved, to found out what is happening, and to prevent the worst possible outcome. Naruto convinced the exorcists to an alliance. Because what happens with Kokabiel affects them all.

This brought Gaara concerns. "What do Xenovia and Irina know about you?" Do they know anything they shouldn't know?

"They know our names, and that we are working with Yasaka. For the alliance between our two groups to work, we needed to set a solid foundation. They told us their reason for being there, and we told them ours."

"They know about Kuroka?"

"I had to level with them, they did tell us about Kokabiel. They know we were sent to retrieve her. Now Xenovia doesn't like Devils...at all. But as long as Kuroka didn't try anything with her, she didn't care." Xenovia and Irina never gave Kuroka much thought, just wasn't necessary to them.

"I see...but what about you Naruto, do they know about Chakra?"

Naruto shook his head. "They don't know about Chakra, Shinobi or who we really are. They just think we're a group of humans working for the Youkai. Now she did see me use a couple of Jutsus, but Xenovia and Irina will believe it's Youjutsu, not Ninjutsu." They don't even know Ninjutsu is a thing.

"Can we use that for an alibi, for what our powers are?" Gaara looked to Yasaka for her input.

Yasaka nodded, albeit hesitantly. "Yes, but only for a short while. The more they see your people fight, the less they'll think its Youjutsu you're using." It'll take time, but this world will figure out it's something else.

Gaara turned back to Naruto for him to continue, which he did. With their two groups working together, they went to meet the Devils of the town, in the hopes of coming to an agreement. One where the Devils stay out of the affair. Naruto got to see how the Devils and members of the Church interact. Their meeting jumped between disdain to open hostility. A duel ended up happening that Naruto got involved in. He did so to stop an accidental death and to see what a Sacred Gear user can do, as well as see what kind of bonds that Peerage had.

From that meeting, they were able to agree to keep out of each other's way, and the Devils didn't learn anything about Naruto and his group other than their names. Naruto fed the lie of being close friends with the Church and learning about the stuff going on in Kuoh through them. Rias didn't buy it, but she didn't have anything else to go on.

Sadly the agreement to 'Stay out of each other's way' was as useful as trying to use the Sexy Jutsu on Sasuke. A few of Rias's Peerage members wanted to get involved. Naruto turned them down...but Shirone...

"Shirone knows about your Senjutsu?" Said Yasaka with worry edged in her voice, she had a good idea how that girl might've reacted. Gaara was troubled about this because if Shirone found that out, then it's possible she noticed other things.

"Just like with Kuroka, Shirone could tell our energy if different to what the Youkai have. But that hardly mattered, the moment she figured out I had Senjutsu, she ran like death was on her heels." The fearful look Shirone gave Naruto still unsettles him.

From there, things only got more complicated. Naruto spied on Azazel again...and saw someone that had the spitting image of Rizevim Lucifer if he was younger. A human Devil hybrid and a Sacred Gear user to boot...a guy called Vali. Neither Sun nor Yasaka could recoil the name. But a human Devil hybrid is unheard off. Nearly all Devils believe such an offspring would sully their house and bloodline. Yasaka will look into this Vali. If he does have some kind of connection to Rizevim Lucifer that goes beyond looks, then they need to find out.

Eventually, a fight happened at the Church and the surrounding forest. Former, now rogue members of the Church who were following Kokabiel attacked them. During that skirmish, Shirone and Rias's Knight Kiba got involved in the fighting. However, this fight turned out to be oddly fortuitous because Raphtalia was finally able to unlock her cross.

Raphtalia pulled out her new sword and placed it down in front of her for all to see. Yasaka, Sun and Benimaru could feel the significant Holy Power that's held within that blade.

"What is that sword?" Yasaka found the sword to be of an elegant design.

"It's a Fused Excalibur of six of the seven fragments," Raphtalia answered.

Yasaka blinked with surprise. "A Fused...how?"

"When I battled the priest, my cross was absorbing his Excalibur's Holy Power. After taking enough of it, the cross opened up, and the sword Excalibur Blessing appeared in my hand." Even if it's only been a few hours since it happened, Raphtalia still has a hard time believing that it actually happened. "When that happened, I could start doing this." Raphtalia held up her hand, and Holy Power danced between her fingers.

Sun took a puff from his pipe. "So that's why you suddenly have Holy Power within you. I was scratching my head on that one." The cross and the Holy Swords gave it to her.

Benimaru voiced his apprehensions. "The Church might come to believe we stole Excalibur Blessing all those years ago. Add to that we now have six of the seven."

"We still don't know how Raphtalia's mother came into possession of the sword. This wasn't the act of our government." Said Yasaka.

"With respect Lady Yasaka, that might not matter in their eyes. Because at the end of the day, we now possess six of the seven. And one of the two missing Excalibur swords they've been searching for, for a long time."

Yasaka found truth in Benimaru's words. First Kokabiel stole them, now the Youkai have all the ones the Church used to own. An easy way to solve this would be to hand the Fused Excalibur over to them. But Yasaka can see how closely Raphtalia holds that blade. Yasaka's caught between doing the smart thing and doing the kind thing.

Yasaka called a guard. "Please bring Xenovia to this meeting. But have her wait outside at the end of the hall until I permit her to enter." They still have things to go through before getting to her.

The guard bowed with respect and left to fetch Xenovia. Yasaka returned to questing Raphtalia. "Just to be clear, Excalibur Blessing was sealed inside your mother's cross, correct?"

"Yes, Lady Yasaka."

"Then how did you obtain this sword, this Fused Excalibur?" It baffled Yasaka.

Raphtalia lifted the blade, to show them her cross engraved into the blade. "It's because of the cross. After I unsealed Excalibur Blessing the cross still had a function and kept draining the Holy Swords of their power. After I drained all the Holy Power from the Fused Excalibur, the cross and the swords came together and turned into this."

Yasaka raised an eyebrow, a bit lost with this telling of events. "I'm confused you said this sword is a Fused Excalibur? But you only got it after draining the power of a...another one?" Wait was there one or two of these blades?

Naruto jumped in to take over for Raphtalia. "One of Kokabiel's lackeys was a fat man called Valper Galilei. An expert on anything Holy sword related I guess." He's also a nut job. "He got his hands on five of the six swords and crated a Fused Excalibur. Me and Xenovia took on the guy swinging it, some crazy tongue guy, went by the name of Freed, and we won. A little bit later, Raphtalia got her hands on their Fused Excalibur...then...tada." A brand new Fused Excalibur, made with six instead of five swords.

Yasaka leaned back a little. "And Raphtalia became the first Youkai to ever obtain Holy Power." This must be the reason why Rizevim Lucifer came after her village. He somehow found out about this. But what did he intend to use her for? Yasaka will think about it later. "When did Kuroka get involved?"

"I detected Kuroka enter the town when I was watching over Azazel. I came back to the abandoned Church and went after her. We fought a little, but I was able to restrain her..." Naruto went silent at the end, he kind of trailed off. Gaara noticed.

"What happened next Naruto?

"Shirone saw us. She must have noticed Kuroka's Senjutsu and she just..." Naruto shrugged his shoulders.

"If Shirone saw you two together then the Devils will suspect you came from Urakyoto."

"I'm sorry, Gaara; I take full responsibility for this."

Gaara remained silent, and so Yasaka took over. "How did it go?"

"About as well as you can expect. Kuroka tried to convince Shirone to come with her. Tried to tell her what really happened that day. But Shirone didn't believe her, or just couldn't believe her." Shirone went through so much in that one day, one night that he couldn't blame her from wanting to just get away from it all.

Yasaka said nothing more about it, but she resolved herself to speak with Kuroka about this.

Naruto decided to finish retelling the fight at the forest. "Later, Kokabiel showed up."

"How did that end?"

Naruto took out a scroll from his belt and placed it on the ground. "I kicked his ass and took him prisoner. We also took two of his men captive, Valper and Terra. The other two were killed."

The Youkai weren't too surprised that Naruto beat him, but they didn't expect Naruto to take him, prisoner. Having him as a prisoner would draw the eye of the Fallen Angel Faction. "I take it you have a good reason for doing this?" Yasaka sincerely hoped he did.

"Kokabiel...everything that happened, all that he did...it was so he could start a war."

Yasaka squeezed her hand tight, a faint blur aura emitted from her fingers, as her anger and frustrations slowly grew. "That warmongering lunatic. The whole world knew what he desired, but none of us ever believed he would try to go through with it."

"There's more to this isn't there Naruto?" Said Shikamaru. "His aim was to start a war, which you stopped. So what truly pushed you to take him prisoner, instead of giving him to Azazel, who you knew was in town?"

Naruto became silent and uneasy; this was shared by the other members of his team. Yes...there was a big reason to take him with them. "Yasaka, Sun, Benimaru I..." Naruto huffed. "Kokabiel told us something you might have difficulty believing."

This got their attention as the Youkai leaders in the room leaned forward, each impatiently waiting to hear what they've learned.

Naruto had to say it. "During the Great War...the Biblical God was killed."

Nothing was or could be said when Naruto uttered those words, as the words and meaning behind them slowly entered their thoughts. The Youkai's reactions mirrored there's when they first learned it.

Benimaru was in disbelief, shutting his eyes and shaking his head like he was trying to wake up from this dream. It was no dream, this is reality. Sun dropped his pipe; his shades concealed his surprised, shrunken eyes.

Yasaka was the first to rejoin the land of the living. But she was barely able to keep herself professional, as her emotions were nearly impossible to be held in check. "Impossible..." She said in an incredulous voice, breathing out all the air in her lungs. How can 'he' be dead? "The Biblical God is...there's..." Yasaka stopped herself to regain control, to compose herself. "There was, and still is, no Devil or Fallen Angel that can kill him, no matter how many you throw at him. Is Kokabiel...?"

Naruto beat her to it. "No, he's isn't lying. Maybe what he thinks is the truth isn't what really happened. But that's why I took him because he said the strongest of the Angels and Fallen Angels all know about this." This means they have the means of confirming if this is true or not.

Shikamaru knew what to do. "Lord Gaara, we should summon the Interrogation Core over. They can search his mind, and we can found out if there's any truth to this, and if there's anything else we should know."

Gaara agree with Shikamaru's suggestion and turned to Yasaka. "With your permission Lady Yasaka, I would like to summon members of our Interrogation Core."

"Of course, Lord Kazekage, but you'll men will have a hard time dealing with Kokabiel."

"We don't need him awake. His mind is good enough."

Yasaka held her chin by the tips of her fingers. "If what Kokabiel said is true...this would explain why the Angels have avoided getting in contact with other factions." Why they've stayed up in Heaven all this time.

"If there leader is really dead, how much would this affect the rest of your world?" Naruto needed to know.

"More than you would think Naruto. Angels fall when they have intercourse since they would experience lust, a sin in their eyes. There is a ritual they can perform, but for the time it takes, and how successful the end result is, it doesn't work in their favour. All Angels were created by the Biblical God, but with him gone...the Angels can no longer replenish their numbers." They're on track to extinction.

"He was the third strongest being of our world. No one would dare attack Heaven with him around. But should those who despise the Angels, learn about his absence...nothing is stopping them from attacking. Every Angel death is a loss for them. If I'm honest here...the Angels are in a worst position than the Fallen Angels." Sun could hardly believe it, a complete role reversal. While the Fallen Angels have the lowest numbers, they can fill them through breeding or causing Angels to fall. "Out of the Three Factions, the Devils are the strongest."

"Who do ya 'think killed him?"

"Not a clue. Only the Dragon Gods were stronger than him, but they weren't involved in the Great War, and we would have known if they were on the move against him." Stealth was not in their skills set; double that for Great Red.

This left an unsettling atmosphere in the room...and everyone shared the same thought. "Who was strong enough to kill him?" But no one had an answer.

Gaara moved to get them back on task. He, like the other Shinobi, weren't affected by the news of the Biblical God's death to the same degree as the Youkais. "After you learned about this you returned to Urakyoto with Kokabiel as your prisoner?"

Naruto looked to the side with a drop of sweat travailing down his cheek. "Yep that we did..."

"Anything we should know about Naruto?" Gaara caught on. Gaara could read Naruto like a book.

Naruto nervously chucked a little, which didn't help his case; it only made the others more worried. "We had a couple of interruptions."

"What kind of interruptions?" This didn't sound good.

Knowing he was screwed either way, Naruto tried to bull rush his way through an explanation. "First, Vali showed and tried to pick a fight with me and wanted me to hand over Kokabiel, and I said I ain't gonna. Then he ran off when Rias, Akeno, Sona and Sirzechs showed up..."

"Sirzechs was there?!" Did Yasaka hear that right?

Naruto didn't stop and continued with full speed, pretending he didn't hear her. "...They saw me with Kuroka, and Raphtalia with the Excalibur and they knew we had Kokabiel. They wanted us to come with them, but I turned them down. A debate happened, insults were thrown. Then Sirzechs went for my neck, so I punched him in the face and then we got out of there." After his long and rushed explanation, Naruto gasped for air. And with that, the mission details have all been told.

After hearing his speedy, long summarisation of his mission's final events, Yasaka had a few things to say, for clarification.

"Sirzechs was there?"

"He was."

"He saw you and Kuroka?"

"He did."

"He attempted to capture you?"

"He did attempt that."

"And you punch him?"

"Yes, I did."

Naruto got about two seconds worth of silence before the reactions were set loose. Sun Wukong burst into laughter, holding on to his belly and fell on his back. He was laughing so hard he nearly suffocated. "I WOULD'VE PAID TO SEE THAT!" Sun was rolling around like a toddler.

Naruto didn't know if he just died or not, but Benimaru hasn't moved a centimetre...'Benimaru .exe has stopped working'

Shikamaru and Temari said in unison. "Idiot."

But for Naruto, Gaara was the worst...he just stared at him with that perfect poker face. Naruto had no idea if Gaara was angry or just simple surprised. Not knowing what Gaara thought was so much worse...it was driving Naruto crazy. "Blink, twitch, do something!" Stop looking at Naruto like that.

Yasaka nearly slapped her forehead and covered her eyes with her hand; she cannot believe Naruto did that. "You have no idea the trouble you've brought on yourself Naruto."

"Sirzechs sounded like he'd be a good sport about it." At least Naruto hoped he would be.

"Naruto...you're going to get split reactions from punching him. Those; mostly noble Devils, would consider your action a great insult and must be punished; and some will aim to get you a part of their Peerage, team and faction. Once word gets out about what you did to the strongest Devil and lived to tell about it, you will become a wanted man." Congratulation Naruto, you now have a massive target on your back.

Naruto held his head low. "Shit."

"Things just got interesting."

"Really, how's that!"

"Perhaps someone worth my time will show up." Sirzechs was one, but for diplomatic reasons fighting him wasn't a good idea...for now.

Naruto nearly slammed his head off the floor. This attention was the opposite of what he wanted.

"It's best that you avoid contact with Devils for a short time."

"Agreed."

"Seconded."

The leaders in the room all unanimously agreed for Naruto to stay away from Devils until things calm down.

"Yeah, I guess I deserve that," Naruto mumbled to himself while Hinata patted his back. "Gaara, Yasaka, that's the mission report."

"I'll need to inform my fellow Kage." Said Gaara; First contact with the New Satan Faction was...unique. "Naruto, as far as your mission went, I can say you succeeded. But this has caused us a few hindrances. Now the Three Factions will be keeping an eye on Urakyoto and the Youkai. I wouldn't call this a victory for us, more like a draw."

"But this outcome has opened up a few opportunities for us," Yasaka said with a glint in her eye. "We will get information from Kokabiel. But with him as our captive, we now have a bargaining chip with the Fallen Angels and Azazel. If the information about God's death is true, then Azazel will want Kokabiel back before we learn about it."

Sun Wukong followed her line of thinking. "Thrown in the Fused Excalibur and a few prisoners, we also have leverage with the Angel and Church factions." If they play their cards right, the alliance can greatly benefit from these opportunities.

"Azazel has been in contact with me before; I can set a meeting between us in good time. But with how closed off the Church and Angels have been, it would take longer with them, sword or no sword." They need a good introduction, someone to lay the groundwork. "Since that's the case, we should speak to our guests now." Said Yasaka.

"Then we will vacate the room. Naruto, since you and your team already know each other, you will stay and act on our behalf. However, she is not to know about us. You are a team of humans that are friends with, and working for Yasaka."

Naruto did a salute. "You got it Gaara." Before they left, Naruto took something out of his ninja pouch. "Oh and this is for Tsunade."

Gaara took it off Naruto's hands and inspected it between his fingers. "What is it?"

"Phoenix Tears, I sang it from Valper. Drop a tear on you, and it heals your wounds."

The Kazekage will make sure Tsunade gets it.

Gaara, Shikamaru and Temari left the room through a back entrance, leaving only Naruto, his team and the Youkai leaders in the room.

Time to have a chat with Xenovia.

.

---

Xenovia waited patiently outside the meeting room, waiting to be called in. A Youkai guard escorted her over, and while she didn't want to leave Irina's side, she still needs to discuss with Raphtalia about the Fused Excalibur.

The Youkai guard approached her. "Lady Yasaka has called for you. Please follow me."

Xenovia followed closely and was led to the meeting room. It looked like it was missing its door? When she stepped through, she saw some familiar faces. Naruto, Hinata, Raphtalia and Konohamaru, but she also saw three new faces. A Kijin Youkai, a monkey wearing shades...and lady Yasaka; Xenovia knew who she was, the leader of all Youkai.

"Please join us Xenovia, we wish to speak with you," Yasaka said with a smile, she spoke in a friendly tone to help Xenovia's nerves.

Xenovia took a few more steps and sat down on the wooden floor, taking a spot near Naruto. "Thank you for having me...um...Lady Yasaka."

"There's no need to be concerned. You are a guest here."

"Sorry...I am grateful for your help. If it wasn't for your people, me and Irina wouldn't be alive right now."

Yasaka nodded. "It was by pure chance, but I am glad to see you and your friend came out of it alive. Though I image, the news has troubled you." The news of God's demise.

Xenovia flinched when she was reminded about it but slowly nodded to confirm Yasaka's guess. "I am...but I can't afford to think about it right this second. I need to address an issue for us." Xenovia glanced at Raphtalia and her new sword.

Yasaka said nothing. Instead, she looked at Raphtalia; this was her case to make.

Seeing the looks she's getting, Raphtalia spoke her mind to Xenovia and was honest about her feelings. "I know what your mission is...and I know I'm not being fair to you...but I can't give this up Xenovia, I need it to find answers."

Xenovia paused for a moment. The exorcist remembers the request Raphtalia asked her back at the abandoned church. She desperately wanted the cross unlocked. She can only assume there is a story behind this.

Xenovia needs to confirm something, and that will decide her answer. "May I hold on to your Excalibur for just a moment? I assure you I will not run off with it." Xenovia held out her hand for the blade.

Raphtalia glanced at her sword and then looked at Naruto for his opinion. Naruto nodded to her to give it to Xenovia. It took a moment, but Raphtalia did give it to Xenovia.

Xenovia held the blade tight and waited to see if it would happen.

Without warning, Holy Power emitted from the blade's handle and started to burn Xenovia's hand. Yelping from the pain, Xenovia dropped the sword. Everyone in the room could see smoke coming from her hand.

"So it's true..." Ignoring the stinging, she faced Raphtalia. "You are a natural Holy Sword user...that cross must have unlocked your potential."

Raphtalia's eyes widened with shock. "I...I was always capable of this?"

A Youkai guard came and cast a healing Youjutsu on Xenovia's injured hand. "I don't understand how and why, but your latent potential must have been locked away, and that cross was the key." Unbelievable.

"But you're a natural Holy Sword user too. Why did it burn your hand?"

"The True Holy Swords have a will of their own. It's difficult for me to explain, but you see even if natural Holy Sword users are capable of using any Holy Sword. There are times when the swords find the perfect host and will reject all others." Excalibur has chosen Raphtalia; no one else can use those swords now. "It's a little similar to me and my Durandal; it took a liking to me, and now I'm the one who carries it." But it doesn't always listen to her.

"What will you do then?" Asked Yasaka.

"My personal feelings aside, want to or not, I'm incapable of taking that sword from you."

Raphtalia's eyes grew hopeful "Then does that mean...?"

"I have no choice but to leave it with you until I speak with my superiors about this. For now, the sword is yours...But I can't promise it will remain with you after I speak with those of the church." It's out of her hands now. Xenovia had one last thing to say to Raphtalia. "Do right by that blade, make Excalibur proud."

"I will, and thank you." Raphtalia shared her sentiment; she will do right by this sword that desires to stay with her. This sword is now a part of her, a part that she'll never relinquish. "But what about your mission?"

"I have failed at my mission." This wouldn't be good for her; Xenovia got the raw end of this deal.

"Then I wish to offer you a deal Xenovia." Yasaka got her attention. Yasaka's eyes were shut, and she had a cunning smile. "To help you and your friend, I am willing to hand over two of our prisoners to you, Valper and Terra, whom I'm sure will be punished for their crimes."

"And what would you like in return Lady Yasaka?" Xenovia hoped it wasn't something impossible. Two wanted traitors of the church will help her and Irina; taking them back with her is something she won't turn down.

"I ask that you speak on our behalf to your superiors. I wish to get in contact with Michal, and all I ask is you simply let them know this." Yasaka's not asking her to succeed, but to just lay it out on the table for the Angels.

Xenovia released a breath she didn't know she held. This is something she can do. Xenovia knows she had no chance to speak or even see an Angel. But she can inform those who sent her on this mission, and they can tell the Angels about Yasaka's request. Since it's the Leader of the Youkai who asked, they would be hard-pressed to ignore it, after what's happened with the swords and Kokabiel.

"I will do that for you, lady Yasaka."

"Thank you very much, my dear."

.

---

The meeting has ended, and the occupants left to get some much-needed sleep. Shikamaru should have sent off for the Interrogation Core by now. They would arrive later today and would set up in the underground area of the Shinobi's embassy, ready for Kokabiel's interrogation tomorrow. It would take that long for the room to be prepared. Yasaka said she's going to see Kuroka for a private and much-needed talk.

Naruto told Hinata he would meet her at their room in a bit. He felt like he needed to speak to Xenovia, she still seems so lost about what happened with her God. Naruto volunteered to escort her back to Irina. Xenovia turned down the offer of her own room and would instead spend the night next to Irina. Xenovia wanted to stick close to her friend, even if it meant sleeping in a chair.

Neither Naruto nor Xenovia talked while making their way back to Irina. Naruto spent that time trying to come up with things to say to help the lost exorcist.

In a short time, they made it back to Irina. Xenovia entered the room, and Naruto joined her. "Ya 'sure you're going to be alright in here?"

"I'd feel at ease if I stayed close to her." Xenovia checked up on Irina; she's completely out of it, must have been giving something to endues sleep and help her body recover. At least she'll get a good night sleep. "I'll see you in the morning then." Xenovia tried to get Naruto to leave.

Naruto wanted to wait around longer. "Wanna talk about it?" Xenovia's recoiled the events sure but has never really expressed her feelings about it.

Xenovia open her mouth to say something...but stopped just short. Her eyes fluttered about not knowing what to do...until finally settling on the window to the outside. She approached the window to look up at the stars. "I just don't know what to think...about all this. Is my God dead...or was Kokabiel only lying to throw us off." But Kokabiel's words carried so much conviction; as crazy as it sounded, Xenovia found it challenging not to believe him.

Naruto walked up and joined her side, looking up at the stars too. "I know Kokabiel wasn't lying about what he said. But it's possible what he thinks is the truth isn't really what happened."

"But there's no way to prove that is there?"

"No...Not until we question him." Xenovia and Irina won't be here for that. Even if they were, they wouldn't be allowed to witness it due to the Shinobi's Interrogation Core taking the lead on it.

"Then I'll have to find out once I return home." Xenovia glanced at her sleeping friend. "But I must do it alone. I can't drag Irina into it."

Xenovia may be one of the most stubborn girls Naruto has ever met, and that's saying something. But her dedication to her allies was something to be admired. Xenovia's suffering from this knowledge, the mere idea of her God no longer being around. If she confided in Irina it would help lessen her burden, Xenovia would have someone to turn to, someone to help her through it. But she chooses not to tell Irina about it, to save her friend from such a burden. Naruto has come to understand there is more to Xenovia than her devotion to her religion.

But Xenovia's quest would still come with significant personal cost. "What will you do if Kokabiel's words turn out to be the truth?" If her God is still alive, then Xenovia can rest easy. But if he's not...

"I...I never thought about it?" She seeks an answer but never thought about the outcome. "For a long time now, I've convinced myself he was absolute. That he will always be with us. His absence was an impossibility." To think he's gone is nothing more than a bad joke...that's what Xenovia use to believe anyway. "Now he might truly be gone...killed in the Great War, a world without God...it feels so unreal."

"War inflicts pain on everyone." Xenovia state of mind reminded Naruto of what he went through a few years ago...when he lost Jiraiya, his sensei that meant the world to him, and how a fellow student told him something that has stuck with Naruto to this very day. "When we hold something so close to us, it's nearly impossible to think they or it would ever leave us...would ever die." Xenovia turned to look at Naruto, hearing him speaking with such presence was drawing her in. "And at times we convince ourselves they'll never die, and that can't really be helped; especially if you've never experienced such loss before." Be it war, childhood trauma or something else.

Xenovia looked away. "I believed in God...more than anything. He was my life...what am I supposed to do if he's no longer a part of it." Xenovia was asking the world for an answer, a sign.

"Just because he's dead doesn't mean he's gone." Naruto was quick to answer, not giving Xenovia time to wallow with such sorrows. "You still remember him don'tcha, his teachings and his way of life. Even if you weren't alive during his time doesn't make it any less significant."

"What are you trying to tell me Naruto?" Xenovia found something in his words, some kind of strength and meaning. As if lessons he's learned are being carried over to her.

Naruto gave her a smile, trying to lift her spirits. "Where I come from we have something we believe in too. It's called the Will of Fire."

"Will of Fire?" That term was new to Xenovia.

The Will of Fire carried many beliefs with it, but one of them was most important to Xenovia at this moment. "It's about those who came before us, and the lessons and dreams they passed down onto us. We embody what they passed on. Carrying it further, until it's our turn to pass on the torch, or achieve their dreams."

"This Will of Fire sounds important to you?"

"We all have dreams, don't we? I have my own dreams too. As well as the hopes and dreams of others that I need to make a reality. And if I can't do it myself, then I'll pass in it on to the next generation." Naruto then made eye contact with Xenovia. "If you think about it, you've inherited your God's Will of Fire."

Xenovia's eyes widened in surprise. "I've inherited God's Will?"

Naruto had a light-hearted chuckle. "Hey now, remember that you're the one who always went on about God's Will, right?"

She tried but failed to stop herself from smiling. "I did let you know about that...all the time."

"What he meant and taught you doesn't end with his death. If he's even half the man, you say he is then it would've gone on and surpassed him. So if you want to, you can carry on his will and teachings, or go out and find your own."

"But I don't like Devils, and neither did God. You did all you could to stop me from inciting conflict with the Devils. Even defended Asia...why would you ask me to continue such a path?"

Naruto smirked. "Well, personally, I hope you stop doing that. But I don't really have the right to tell you how to live your life. All I can really do is speak my mind and help you the best I can. And at the end of it, it's up to you on who you want to become."

"Yet your Will of Fire is about completing other people's dreams and goals, not your own?" The Will of Fire contradicts Naruto's belief.

"And that's the other side of the Will of Fire. You add your own dreams and goals to it too, and work to achieve them as well." You're not just another number or a faceless warrior; you're a person with a life of your own. "Yes, your God is important, but don't forget about you Xenovia. Because living in a world where you, yourself has no purpose, is the same as being dead."

Xenovia was speechless after hearing Naruto's words...because of how true they are. Xenovia was orphaned at birth, and was brought into the Church, became an exorcist. She always fought and served her God...but never had anything to call her own. Xenovia never had a dream or a goal to strive for, just servitude for her betters. She will always believe in her God...but she's denied a big part of herself...for so long.

Who was Xenovia Quarta?

That began to echo in her mind over and over.

She squeezed her fist tight, and Xenovia answered this, the best way she could, by punching herself in the face. The sound of the hit rang throughout the room, leaving a mark on her cheek.

"What the hell was that?"

"Just knocking some sense into me." Xenovia continued to smile even if it stung. "Thank you Naruto, you've given me a lot to think about." Xenovia was coming out of her depth of sorrow.

Naruto could feel her fortitude and determination. She's coming out of it. "Hey you deserve half the credit, you listened to me ramble after all." Naruto laughed to himself with his bad joke.

Naruto turned to leave the room, knowing Xenovia needed space to think over what they've talked about. But before Naruto left her to her thoughts, he had one more thing to say. "One last thing Xenovia. The more precious someone is to us, the stronger and more powerful that bond becomes. To a point, it becomes unbreakable. Even if they leave us, even if they die and we'll never hear their voices again..." Naruto pointed to his chest, his heart. "As long as we never forget them or what they meant to us in here, then we'll never be apart or alone." Strangely enough, Naruto found strength in his own words as he left the room. His parents, Jiraiya, Neji and many more; Naruto will never forget them or what they meant to him.

Naruto's words left a powerful impression on Xenovia. He just keeps surprising her. This Naruto was so different than the one that held a knife to her throat when they first met. If Naruto wasn't a human, she'd believe he's much older than he looks. "I thought this mission would've ended with our deaths. But we survived...and I got to meet someone like you, so I guess it evens out."

Xenovia was starting to wonder...just who exactly did she meet in that abandoned church.

And now there's this 'Will of Fire'...she liked the sound of it.

.

---

Yasaka walked through the halls of her palace alone, but not to her room even if it's late. She vowed she would and now she must. Yasaka and Kuroka need to speak. She heard what happened from Naruto, but that only confirmed the particulars of the situation. This is one of those times where Yasaka doesn't know what she can say. Does she give her false hope just to make her feel better, or does she tell the brutal truth? No matter which way she goes about it, it doesn't end with a clear answer or path for her to take.

Yasaka arrived to Kuroka's room; she could sense the Neko was in there.

Yasaka knocked on the door. "May I come in Kuroka?"

"..." No answer, but Yasaka waited, she gave Kuroka a moment.

"Sure...nya..."

Yasaka slid the door open and entered the room, to find Kuroka lying on her balcony; her right leg was hanging off the side and was gently swinging back and forth. Kuroka didn't acknowledge Yasaka's presence and continued to look off into the distance.

"I figured I'd find you here Kuroka."

"Surprising this is still my room nya."

"It will always be your room, and Urakyoto will always be your home."

Kuroka had a weak chuckled. "Then why does this place feel like a prison?" Kuroka lazily turned to face Yasaka. "I don't say it often, but I am grateful for what you've done for me nya. But staying here was never my plan."

Yasaka walked closer to Kuroka. "I'm aware of your plans. It's that reason why I kept you here."

"Even if you told me I wouldn't have listened. I would've still run off to get my little Shirone back nya."

"Deep down a part of her still loves you, Kuroka."

"How Shirone looked at me and what she said beg to differ nya. She fears me, she hates me and doesn't believe me...I failed her." Kuroka's eyes dropped down, looking at the grounds of the palace courtyards. Her ears also flopped down in sadness. "I couldn't protect her."

"Kuroka...you saved her life."

"And she ended up a Devil puppet, just like how I use to be. And she had to face the blame that was meant for me nya...she's changed from how I remember her." Shirone was so much brighter when she was a little kid and openly used and loved her Neko features. Now she hates them and fears them...she doesn't even say nya anymore. "All I did I did for her...and now look at us. A Stray Neko and a broken Neko...some big sister I was."

"You're not being fair on yourselves Kuroka. What could you have done differently, it was your word against his, and no Devil would've taken your side over a High-Class Devil." Sirzechs might of...but the Bael Clan, the true leaders of the Underworld...wouldn't dream of it. "And if you did say anything, he would've removed you from the picture, and your sister would've had no chance. You did what you could with the hand fate dealt you, and none of that is your fault."

Kuroka said nothing; her hair covered her eyes. "I don't care Yasaka." Kuroka lifted her head with watery eyes. "I was supposed to be better."

"Better? Better than who?"

"My mother...she was...when she had us, she never truly cared about us. She spent every hour of every day trying to win over dear old dad who didn't care about her either, and they both forgot about us nya. They died...I don't know how but they did...and I didn't care, I still don't. They never cared about us; me and Shirone were always alone. I had to keep her safe; I had to provide for her. I promised myself I would do what our mother never did!" Kuroka's fist tightened and swelled with Senjutsu, and tears ran down her face. "And I couldn't even do that...we're a broken family."

Before Yasaka could say anything, Kuroka pounced off her perch and looked at Yasaka with disdain...disdain for herself. "You, Naruto, and others can come and say all these nice things to try and help me." And while she is grateful for that...in her own way. "But you can all say those things because you're proud of who and what you are. Guess what Yasaka..." Kuroka's Devils wings shot out. "I'm not!" Kuroka cried even more and was showing a vulnerable side. "See these wings, I hate them. They're a reminder of what I've become, and what I've lost! I don't want to be a Devil, I never did! I would give anything to be a Neko again, but that's never going to happen!"

Kuroka then started laughing as she wept. "And I learned something when I saw Shirone again. No matter what I do, we will never be together again. Naruto said 'work to improve my reputation with other factions', to prove the Devils wrong. One problem with that nya, I'm a Stray Devil! It doesn't matter what my reputation is, no one else would want anything to do with me...and the Devils will never let me go! Even if I get my sister back, they'll never stop hunting us, and that's not living! My sister deserves better than that!" Kuroka's trapped in a world that doesn't want her.

Throughout her life, nothing she ever did worked. Her choices only made things worse.

Kuroka wanted to protect her sister, only to get her caught up with a Devil that was going to kill her. To look after her like their mother never did; Kuroka had to leave her sister behind. To go and get her sister back, but find out her sister has changed and hates her Neko side, and doesn't believe Kuroka.

Kuroka was a woman who had nothing but regrets.

"Shirone and me, we're a bunch of doomed Nekos swept up in this world!" Kuroka fell on her bed and let it all out, soaking her pillow. Yasaka is the only one the Stray Devil Neko would ever show this side to.

Yasaka sat next to her, gently stroking Kuroka's hair. She would stay by her side until she stops crying. Just like Yasaka feared, she had no answer. Taking Shirone won't work, and Rias will not allow that to slide. War nearly happened with Kokabiel, who's to say it won't happen again with someone else. Yasaka can't promise her Urakyoto will always be a safe haven for her and her sister.

All the leader of the Youkais can do is stay by her side and give her strength.

.

---

Underworld, Devil's Territory:

---

.

When Rias called him and told him about Kokabiel, Sirzechs expected many things. First, he would hug his dear Rias after being apart from her, even if it's only been a few days. Then he would find out what that crow planned on doing in her territory, and why he stole the Excalibur fragments. But not once, not at any point did he expect to meet such a human being...this Naruto Uzumaki; who has surpassed any expectations Sirzechs had.

The more Sirzechs tried to learn about him, the more fascinating he became; but also more troubling. The weight of the circumstances surrounding this young man was too considerable to ignore.

He needed to inform his fellow Maous.

The strongest Devil summoned them to an immediate meeting. This cannot wait.

He was sitting at a circular table within his own castle, and the three other Maous joined him. Ajuka Beelzebub, Sirzechs's best friend, the second strongest Devil and creator of the Evil Pieces. Serafall Leviathan, Sona's older sister and considered the strongest female Devil; who is also a magical girl...don't ask. And finally, Falbium Asmodeus who has the greatest tactical mind of the Four Great Devil Kings, but he is also the laziest Devil, preferring to sleep than work. He would find a friend in Shikamaru.

"I'll understand if you're all annoyed with me for calling you at this last hour." Said Sirzechs with a smile; trying to ease into the meeting.

Falbium yawned. "Don't know about everyone else, but I was in the middle of sleeping."

"What time did you go to sleep?"

"I don't know...eight or nine hours ago."

"So you've already had a full night's sleep." Sirzechs chuckled at his friend's sleeping habits.

"Then why have you called for us, Sirzechs? I hope it's not a social call." Ajuka kept a stoic expression. He would like to get through this with haste and return to his lab.

"Yeah, tell us, tell us!" Serafall hopped up and down from her seat and was brimming with excitement. She was the only one who wanted to be here.

Sirzechs coughed into his hand to clear his throat. "My dear Rias contacted me a few hours ago to inform me about a sudden intrusion in Kuoh town."

"Is it Stray Devils again?" They better not come near her Sona.

"Well...yes there was a Stray Devil, but the immediate issue was Kokabiel. He was there at Kuoh." The mention of his name changed the atmosphere of the room. Now all of Devil Kings were interested, even Falbium was trying to stay awake. "He stole the Excalibur fragments from the Church and came to Kuoh."

"Did Rias find out his intentions, or did you confront him yourself?" Ajuka asked with intrigue.

Sirzechs shook his head. "Neither. What Rias did learn was two exorcists of the church were sent after him. Their objective was to recover the stolen fragments. Unfortunately, I didn't learn what Kokabiel's intentions with the fragments were."

Serafall tilted her head in confusion. "Wait, he got away. I mean you two duking it out wouldn't be a good idea for peace and all. But I didn't think you'd just let him go."

"I never got the chance to make that choice. He was already defeated and is with him now."

"Him, him who?"

"That's why I called this meeting because, and you may not believe me here, a human named Naruto Uzumaki defeated and captured him."

The other Great Devil Kings shared glances between one another. They didn't know the name.

"If a human defeated a ten-winged Fallen Angel then he must have a powerful Sacred Gear, a Longinus most likely." It was the most logical conclusion to Ajuka.

"And that's why he's so interesting because I didn't feel any power from him. No Sacred Gear, no magic, zero, zip, zilch, nada. I'd have trouble noticing if Naruto was behind me right now." Naruto just didn't register on Sirzechs's radar.

Ajuka leaned back in his seat, fully believing what Sirzechs said. His analytical mind ran through any possible answer for how a human with no powers could defeat a Fallen Angel...let alone a ten-winged one.

"Me, Rias and Sona sensed a strong presence of Holy Power coming from the forest, that's how I met him. He had Kokabiel somewhere on his person, so I can only assume he also has sealing magic." This only impressed Sirzechs even more. "I had a little talk with him, and I found him quite the character. He spoke and looked at me with no respect for my position."

The other Maous couldn't follow Sirzechs's line of thinking. Why was that impressive?

"By that, I mean my position didn't stop him from speaking his mind. He knows about our world, and I could tell he knew who I was. But that didn't stop him from talking to me like he would talk to anyone else. It was a refreshing experience for me." Sirzechs would like to be more casual in his position. But his wife won't let him.

Judging by the way Sirzechs spoke about this Naruto, they all assumed he wanted to find him and get him to join his Peerage, or maybe his sister's. But Sirzechs's smile turned into a frown. Not of anger but of suspicion and caution. "However, there are certain particulars about him and his company that are a cause for concern." Sirzechs's fingers interlocked and held his chin up as he leaned on the table.

"Is this human a threat to us?" Falbium asked with half-opened eyes.

"I don't know...actually I don't know anything about him?"

"That's not a big deal, just Google his name or something." Serafall didn't understand.

"Rias already did, and she looked over the Devil-Net and books she owned as well, and found nothing on him. I also looked him up with the resources I have...and found nothing." It's like he doesn't even exist. "Serafall, Ajuka, Falbium...I found nothing on Naruto. His face and name, his family name...nothing. In our long line of history to look at and the resources we have at our disposal, I have learned nothing about him. But what makes this even more concerning is that two other humans followed this trend. A young boy called Konohamaru and a girl by the name of Hinata." They too were complete unknowns.

This was no longer a laughing matter, even Serafall stopped kidding around. This was most troubling. Information is power, to be without it invites disaster. The idea of three humans whose identities are complete unknowns is impossible. Even their family names were non-existent.

Sirzechs had more to say "To make things more troubling, he's friends with the SS-Class Stray Devil Kuroka. She was there and attempted to convince Koneko to go with her."

An SS-Class Stray Devil too! Serafall could hardly believe it. "Are they working together? Did they threaten my Sona!?" That would make Naruto a wanted man to the Devils if he helps a stray, and would invite the wrath of an over loving elder sister.

"No, Sona was only there at the end Serafall, she's perfectly fine." Sirzechs needed to make sure she doesn't go into a rage. "And from Rias and Koneko's testimonies, it's unclear if their goals align. Koneko saw those two holding hands, and I saw them acting with familiarity. They're clearly friends...but I didn't get the impression Naruto was there to kidnap Koneko." Any chance of confirming that was lost when he escaped. But speaking of Koneko...

"But Koneko also had a...unsettling find." It was perplexing. "She confirmed; Naruto has Senjutsu."

"That can't be true. Only Youkai have that ability and few at that. How can a human possess the power? When even Dragons, Devils and both kinds of Angels cant." This was something Ajuka just couldn't believe. He admits he knows very little about Senjutsu, as those who lack it can't detect it. But common knowledge tells him Nature energy is so chaotic and overwhelming that nearly all go mad with power. That's what happened with Kuroka. A human with no power can't possibly handle it. "Did Koneko mistake Kuroka's Senjutsu for the human's?" He had to be sure.

"Koneko detected it when she touched him, there was no mistake. And based on how Koneko is scared of him. He must have powerful Senjutsu." Whenever she hears that name, poor Koneko flinches and even shakes in her seat. "My last thing to say about Naruto..." Sirzechs chuckled before saying it. "He got a good right hook on me before escaping." An escape Sirzechs didn't see. Naruto just did a disappearing act.

"He what?!" Serafall was flabbergasted. A human tagged Sirzechs! "Hooooow?" Seriously...how?

"I tried to convince him to hand over Kokabiel and come with me for questioning, but he was having none of it. I had no choice but to take him by force. But amazingly he got me right in the jaw before I got a hold of his neck."

Ajuka heard enough. "If this is true, then we can safely say his power must be on the level of an Ultimate Class Devil, maybe even more." Now he sees it. "This is why you're troubled. This Naruto could be at such a level but is a complete unknown. Somehow a human has reached such a level under all our noses." And has a power he shouldn't be able to have.

Sirzechs shared Ajuka's thoughts. "Yes...Koneko detected Senjutsu and a power similar to what Youkai have, but I couldn't sense it. Alongside Kuroka and the other two humans, a Youkai was with him. A girl called Raphtalia, who could wield an Excalibur." This just added to the confusion and worry. The Four Great Satans had no answer...only questions. If two Youkai are with him, then he must have some connection with the Youkai Faction. Maybe even Yasaka herself. But they knew Yasaka would never let Kuroka leave Urakyoto; its possible Kuroka has left her and met these humans after?

And how could these humans have a power similar to what the Youkai have? A child between a human and a Youkai will always be a Youkai, who inherted some of the huamn's traits. But Sirzechs knew Naruto and his two human friends were one hundred percent human .

The Satans could sit here all night and can come up with a hundred theories. The Maous need to come to a decision.

Sirzechs had one. "For now we will tighten security around Kuoh town, but it's unlikely they'll come back. We'll put their names and faces into the system. Give Naruto SSS Class strength; give the other's A-Class just to be safe. Instruct all Pillar clans; should they encounter any of them, they are to immediately report their locations. It's paramount we find them and learn who they are and what abilities they have." For all they know, there could be even more humans like them; unlikely...but within the realm of possibilities.

This was the consensus. The Maous will keep what happened to Kokabiel from the general Devil population. Still, they will inform the Pillar clans of this. They need to understand; should they find him, Naruto is not to be underestimated.

Contacting Yasaka is a possibility. But if they are with her, it's unlikely she would admit to it. And if they do call her out on it, she would keep them in Urakyoto, and the Devils would never find them again and learn anything about them.

The Maous need them to come out into the world.

For the time being, they'll be patient; and will continue to look into these humans and this Youkai with Holy Power.

But there's another avenue that needs to be explored; Kokabiel's intentions.

Why did he take the swords and what did he intend to use them for.

Perhaps they should get in contact with Azazel.

.

---

The morning sun shined bright over Urakyoto, Naruto, Hinata and Yasaka were standing next to the Summoning Circle used by the general Youkai population to go to and from the city.

It was a pleasant morning for a send-off.

Closer to the Summoning Circle, Irina and a few Youkai escorts were ready to go. They would escort them to the borders of the Church faction. Both the prisoners, Terra and Valper, were in chains and gagged. They were smart enough to make sure Terra was incapable of speaking, thus preventing him from using his magic. As per the agreement, since Terra and Valper are former members of the Church, they will be handed over to them for judgment. Xenovia was confident that their crimes will earn them either life imprisonment or execution.

Xenovia and Naruto were saying their goodbyes. "It was a pleasure working with you Naruto Uzumaki, as well as you Hinata."

Hinata bowed her head a little, while Naruto shrugged and smiled. "It was completely by chance that we met...but I'd say it was a welcomed one. We may have not seen eye to eye on everything, but it was fun fighting alongside you." Naruto held out his hand for her to shake.

Xenovia accepted the gesture and shook his hand. "Perhaps, but we were still able to work alongside one another effectively when the time came."

"You're right about that." When Naruto finally showed up, that is.

"Hey Xenovia, we should get going now!" Irina called out to her partner while keeping a tight grip on Valper. Irina carried the same cheerfulness and easy-going nature since their first meeting. The only reason she still had that is because...

"You're still not going to tell her?" Naruto felt like he had to ask again.

"If I did...the effect it would have on her would be so much worse than what happened to me. We don't even know for sure if Kokabiel was telling the truth." Xenovia had some glimmer of hope that her God was still alive.

"Except that we do know he wasn't lying." Kurama knew, Naruto knew...not that he could tell her about this proof.

"So I'm going to confront my leaders about it." Xenovia was determined to find out the truth.

"Do you think they'll tell you?" Naruto was sceptical.

"If not, then I'll keep asking. They'll have to talk to me eventually."

Naruto smirked, remembering the good old days. "It worked for me in the past. Make enough noise and someone will come over to see what's what." Though the 'good' part was subjective.

"And as agreed I will speak on your behalf once they ask about you and what happened with Excalibur."

"Thanks for letting Raphtalia keep it," Naruto said sincerely

"It wasn't up to me; the sword has chosen to stay with her. Once I tell my leaders about this, it still won't be up to me. I won't be surprised if they demand it back."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Let's hope its one sturdy bridge.

Xenovia turned to join her partner but stopped just as she entered the Summoning Circle. "Does that offer still stand?"

Naruto looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Which one?"

"That it would be okay if I come back here at some point?"

Naruto casually waved her off. "Of course, drop by anytime." And showed his trademark cheesy grin.

Oddly enough, Xenovia found some charm in that big smile of his. At first, Xenovia thought it was odd, but seeing Naruto always wearing his heart on his sleeve, showing his emotions so openly and confidently...seemed so fitting for him. If anything, she was a little jealous that Naruto could show his emotions so easily when compared to her. Not being ashamed or embarrassed of his inner self.

"Bye everyone, our time here as been a treat, and I'll have so many things to tell my fellow exorcists back home!" Irina also gave her goodbyes with a cheerful expression.

"You too Irina, get well soon."

"See ya!"

"Farewell."

Just like that, in a bright light, the exorcists, Youkai guards and the prisoners vanished from sight. They would have been summoned to Kyoto, and would now be making their way to the Church faction.

"A strange duo those two."

"Irina's an open book, while Xenovia is a closed one. But she seems to be opening up a little, certainly shows way more emotions than she did before."

"Here's waiting to see what effect that'll have on her."

Naruto shrugged, he didn't know how things will turn out for them. But he does hope Xenovia, and Irina can speak on their behalf to the Church and the Heaven factions respectively. It would be good to have a friend over there before they get in contact with them. Naruto will follow Gaara and Yasaka's idea, wait for the Angel side to contact them, give time for Xenovia and Irina to make a case on their behalf. While that's happening, they can be proactive on the Fallen Angel's side.

"Seems your popularity is spreading outside of our alliance now." Yasaka joined his side, her arms crossed under her bust. "But I ask that you check with me first before inviting others to come over to my city."

"I wasn't trying to...I just figured building some trust with Xenovia and Irina would be a good first step when it comes to meeting the Angels."

"Yes, I understand your aim and the logic behind it. But my palace is not a hotel, as you know. Please reframe from inviting everyone you befriend, and please inform me beforehand." This isn't even his place, it's hers. That and a lot of secret stuff is going on here right now, you can't just inviting anyone over and risk the chance of vital information leaking.

"Alright, I get it Yasaka." Naruto knows he can be an idiot at times, but he has his moments of brilliance. "Oh, I meant to ask you...how is Kuroka? I haven't seen her today?" She didn't come down for breakfast.

Yasaka became a little glum. "See's hold up in her room, but give her some space...Kuroka needs to come to terms with a few things."

"She's not going to run away again is she?" Naruto gave her space before and look what happened.

"No...Kuroka doesn't even know what to do with herself anymore." The real question is; would Kuroka ever leave her room again.

Naruto nodded with empathy; he knew what that was once like. "When she comes out of it, please let me know, I'll speak to her and help her out." Naruto would like to do it now, but he'll heed Yasaka's advice.

"Thank you, Naruto."

Naruto smiled at Yasaka and was about to walk away.

"Oh by the way..."

When Yasaka said that, Naruto stopped in his tracks and fell silent, Yasaka's face just took a scary turn. She leaned over to him, a shadow covering her eyes which she kept shut, and somehow was still able to see him? The Kyubi Youkai carried a smile that can only be described as true intimidation.

Naruto could barely see it, but there was a faint blue aura covering her, and the temperature in their vicinity started rising.

"...What's this about you training my daughter to use shuriken?" Yasaka bent further down, and got closer to Naruto; her large breasts bounced and nearly fell out of her yellow kimono.

Naruto gulped before making his case. "Well, she was... enthusiastic about learning something...new. So I just figured it would be best she learned under a...a master of throwing shuriken. It's a very...useful skill to learn, I promise." When he saw Yasaka's aura didn't change in the slightest, Naruto started sweating bullets and held up his hands in surrender. "It's useful for many reasons."

"Oh please, I'd very much like to hear all about it Naruto Uzumaki. Everyone. Single. Detail." With each word, she took a step closer. No matter where and how Naruto looked at her, those giant bouncing orbs could not escape his sight.

"I need an adult."

"I am an adult."

.

---

Deep underground, in one of the many rooms connected to the Shinobi embassy; Shikamaru, Gaara and Benimaru looked through a protective window and watched the Interrogation Core at work. They arrived last night and started seating things up. The room's walls and floor were all green-tiled. It looked identical to the Interrogation rooms in Konoha. At the back of the room was Kokabiel, asleep and encased in a small steel structure, only his head could be seen. The structure was covered in seals with several Shinobi performing the same Jutsu on him. This was the Mind Reading Amplification Machine, designed to aid and speed up the mind-reading process.

These Shinobi were members of the Yamanaka clan. This clan is well known for their mind related Jutsus. Whether it's reading one's mind or switching bodies, what's in your head isn't safe when they're around.

One of the Shinobi was directly performing the Psycho Mind Transmission Jutsu on Kokabiel. She was fair-skinned with light blue eyes and had long blond hair. She had a ponytail that reached her upper back, and her bangs covered one side of her face. Her attire was a long purple skirt with a gap in the middle to expose her midriff, her skirt reached all the way to her ankles; finishing up with high-heeled sandals.

Her name was Ino Yamanaka. When she's not running her flower shop; she's adding Konoha with her mind Jutsus, proving an asset to the likes of the Interrogation Core, as did her late father.

Ino and her other clan members were currently searching Kokabiel's mind, each one having a different part to play. Due to Kokabiel's long life, it would take a long time to thoroughly explore his mind...they'd run out of Chakra before they'd make a dent. So the tasks were divided. Ino would focus on his most recent memories, looking for anything related to his attempted attack on the Devils. While the other members would record all other points of memory and information, which will be looked at later; the recording of his memories would go tremendously faster than personally sifting through his mind one by one.

Behind the window are several computers and TV screens linked up to the Mind Reading Amplification Machine. Each screen showed data and vital signs of each individual in the room; the prisoner and the Jutsu casters were being closely monitored for any sign of irregularities.

Overseeing all of this was Konoha's commanding officer of the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Core, Ibiki Morino. He wore a darker version of the Shinobi Intelligence Division, sporting a black trench coat. He is a strict man who knows how to get people to talk.

And one that Kokabiel's lucky not to be personally interrogated by.

He knew the situation and his job. By the end of today, he'll get answers from Kokabiel's scorched skull if need be.

The occupants of the room heard the door open, and Naruto, Hinata, and Yasaka have just joined them.

Shikamaru noticed Naruto was walking with a stiffer step. "You okay Naruto?"

"I was giving a grim reminder." Naruto creepily turned to face Shikamaru with shrunken cheeks. "Mothers are scary."

"Huh...I...I don't...whatever." He didn't know what it's about, but Shikamaru's not getting involved. It'd be a real drag.

Yasaka stood next to Ibiki to see how things are going. "This is quite an impressive setup. Are you confident we'll learn something?"

Ibiki kept his hands in his pockets when answering her question. "We're searching Kokabiel's most recent, and downloading his oldest memories. By nightfall, we'll have one-fourth of his life on record." And within a few days, they'll have all of it, and a lot of useful information will be gleaned from him.

With his capture, they now have samples from a Fallen Angel, and the Holy Power they possess, and Holy Power from a True Holy Sword. The scientists back home are going to be busy.

Yasaka was very impressed by the Yamanaka clan's ability. An entire clan with Jutsus to read and manipulate the minds of others, Interrogation and Intelligence was the perfect place for them. The group watched for several more minutes, waiting for Ino to discover anything vital.

"Ibiki sir, you need to see this." One of the Shinobi on the computer monitoring Kokabiel called his boss over. It sounded urgent.

Ibiki came over and looked at his monitor...what he saw didn't make sense. "This can't be right." He sees it but doesn't believe it. He grabbed a microphone that connects to the Interrogation room. "Ino go back thirty seconds and search that memory again." He gave Ino her orders.

Retracing her steps, Ino went back thirty seconds.

After thirty seconds, Ibiki rechecked the screen...it was the same result. He asked Ino to do it one more time, and just like before, the outcome was the same.

"What's wrong, what'd you find?" Shikamaru asked.

Ibiki pressed a few buttons, and a much large TV screen above their heads turned on for all to see. It showed what Ibiki has been seeing. It was a type of graph, with a single line going through it; the line went up and down a few times, but never went below a certain point.

Ibiki pointed at the screen. "This is his brain activity throughout his memories. The changes in spikes indicate the strength of his emotions and the significance of that memory. A high spike could mean he's terrified or ecstatic. A low spike could mean he's feeling bored and it's an uneventful day."

Yasaka understood he's explanation. But the line was doing its job. "Then what's the issue?"

Pressing a few more buttons, Ibiki jumped to the memory that he got Ino to recheck two times. The line was...gone? It plummeted straight down and off the screen. It wasn't a slow decline, it was a deadfall. One moment the line is there, the next it's gone. After a while the line came back, it shot back up in an instant, and the lack of spiking after the line returned showed Kokabiel wasn't in any distress. There was no reaction to this gap in memory.

This stumped everyone in the room.

"Maybe he was asleep?" Naruto took a guess.

Shikamaru sighed; Naruto doesn't get it. "Even if you're asleep, your brain would still have activity. You dream when you're asleep, remember."

"Oooooh...ok I get it now." Now Naruto sees the problem here.

"Your assessment?" Gaara asked Ibiki, wanting answers to this development.

"My normal assessment Lord Kazekage is Kokabiel died." This clearly isn't the case here. Ibiki took hold of the microphone again. "Ino, focus in on that dead memory. See what you can find but be careful."

"You got it." Ino nodded and pushed deeper into that part of his head. As she was doing that, Ibiki checked other areas in Kokabiel's memory. There wasn't just one, he's found a few dead memories. This can't be natural.

Ino upped her Chakra and pushed deeper into Kokabiel's mind, to find something, anything that can shed some light on this. Until she hit a wall...a literal wall in his mind, she could not go deeper, something was stopping her. This must be it, what is causing this dead zone in the crow's head.

Ino pushed her technique further and attempt to force her way past this wall. All she needed was a glance, and she'll see something. Using up a lot of her Chakra, Ino forced her way in, and for a split second, she saw a small part of the memory.

Before being caught off guard and had to face the consequences.

Ino's mind fell under assault, and she screamed in pain, before being forced out of Kokabiel's head and thrown across the room. Impacting the wall near the window, her eyes closed shut.

Naruto shouted her name and was just about to run out there with Hinata. Until sparks and stokes of electricity shot out from the device. Zapping and scorching the walls and floor, nearly hitting a few Shinobi.

"Get out of there!" Naruto shouted.

"Shut it down! Shut it all down!" Ibiki order his subordinate.

"The interface isn't responding." He tried several times to initiate shut down, but nothing worked. The stokes of electricity grew in intensity; one stroke hit the window and cracked it. Alarms rang in the room.

Ibiki didn't waste any time and ran to the side of the console; Ibiki pressed a few buttons and turned a wheel. He initiated a manual shutdown. The strokes of lighting ceased, and some of the lights went out. But the device was successful turned off and the alarams ceased.

Most of the lights were off, and the room was near pitch black. Until emergency lights kicked in and the room was a faint reddish glow.

What just happened?

"Give me a damage report!"

"Main power is down, backups in ten seconds."

"What happened, what caused this?"

The room was flooded with questions.

"Naruto is Ino okay?!"

"She's okay, Shikamaru. Just had the daylights knocked out of her." Naruto and Hinata ran out to check on her; they were both crouched by her side.

The backup power kicked in an all the lights, cameras and screens came back online. The Shinobi and Youkai nearly fell over each other as they tried to figure out what happened.

All the while, none of them noticing someone was waking up.

.

---

Kokabiel's eyes fluttered, nearly completely lacking the strength to open. His head was thumping in pain as he slowly woke up. He couldn't move his body, nor call upon his power...where was he?

He looked around to found himself in some room, strapped to a device he's never seen before. The Fallen Angel could see several figures around him, but his sight was too blurry, he could not make them out.

As his vision slowly started to clear, he looked in front and saw a girl. She had long blond hair and wore a purple outfit. But then he saw who was by her side...that face...those...he...he remembers those...

.

---

Naruto gave Ino anther look over, she had a nasty bump on the head, but otherwise, she should okay. He was about to ask Hinata how Ino's doing; she's got the medical training here. But a screeching scream stopped him.

Naruto shot around and saw Kokabiel, awake...and in excruciating pain. The crow flung his head side to side, veins appearing all along his face. Blood was seeping out from his ears and eyes.

"The hell's wrong with him?!"

"Naruto, his forehead, look!"

"Is that a magical circle?!" A magical circle inscribed on Kokabiel's very skin could be seen. Is that what's doing this to him?

One of the Shinobi monitoring Kokabiel's vitals called out the situation. "Sir, Kokabiel's mind is under extreme stress and pressure. If this keeps up, he'll suffer brain haemorrhaging!" And then death.

Naruto jumped to the screaming crow and coated him with Kurama's Chakra to heal the damage. "Save him, Kurama!"

"It's not just physical damage; his mind is also under attack!"

"Then what do we do?!"

"Knock him out!"

"Do what?!"

"Render him unconscious!"

"Hinata! Send him back to dreamland!"

Hinata didn't waste any time and sprinted to the crow. Gathering Charka around her fingertips, using the gentle fist, she struck Kokabiel's forehead. Kokabiel's head was thrown back from the force and then became motionless.

Did it work?

Sure enough, the magical circle inscribed on the crow's forehead disappeared. Did they save him?

Ibiki went to found out "Vitals?" He asked his subordinate.

He breathed a sigh of relief. "He's alive...but a few seconds later and..." Kokabiel would be dead right now.

All the occupants of the room stared at Kokabiel in shocked and unsettling silence...what is going on here?

.

---

A few minutes later:

---

.

"How's Ino?" Ibiki asked Hinata.

Ino was brought into the main room, she hasn't woken up yet. "I've healed her wounds; she should wake up any moment now."

"I've checked her mental state. Didn't see anything wrong, so she didn't take the same hit Kokabiel got." Naruto added, he had Kurama check Ino's mind.

Ibiki wanted answers now, but his training and experience as an Interrogate taught him patience. After what happened with Kokabiel he ordered all members of the Yamanaka clan to record the crow's memories and avoid these dead, now locked ones. Ibiki knows the locked memories must have the most sensitive Intel. Some believed Kokabiel did this to himself at first, but those that knew him quickly shut that down. Kokabiel would never kill himself like that. Naruto agreed as well since Kokabiel's goal is to start the Great War again, him dying like that wouldn't aid that goal. And why do it in a way that tortures you as it kills you?

Ibiki also agreed, the memory chart shows a lack of spikes after the locked memories. Suggesting Kokabiel isn't even aware of his own amnesia, aware that he can't remember things.

Shikamaru left and drag Benimaru with him, said he needed to confirm something. That was a few minutes ago, and they haven't heard from them.

Now they're left with their own guesses.

"Naruto, are you positive you saw a magical circle?" Yasaka asked.

"I know what I saw, Kurama saw it too."

"But what caused it to happen Naruto-Kun?" Hinata didn't see it.

Naruto shrugged. "I don't know, but nothing like that happened when I took him on." This only made it more confusing. All they could do was tick off potential reasons.

Ibiki went to the console and checked the camera recordings. "The power outage happened after Kokabiel was mentally attacked. So we should have camera footage." The big screen turned on again, showing a recording just as the magical circle activated, it was white in colour. "Naruto's testimony aside, we can confirm it was magic. Perhaps a timed delay technique or a booby-trap." The camera angle was showing Kokabiel's front.

Ibiki noticed something. "Hmm..."

"Do you see something?" Gaara asked.

"I think so. Kokabiel was looking around the room, but then watch this." Ibiki fast-forward to the point just before the magical circle activated. "He stopped dead in his tracks, and he looks afraid. He saw something...and then it activated." Ibiki brought up the memory graph to see his emotional state went it happened. It spike, far more than any other point of memory they've recorded. The spike occurred within the locked memory.

So there is something there.

Yasaka took a closer look at the footage. "What did he see?"

"I'll switch cameras." The screen switched to the right side camera, and they could tell Kokabiel was looking forward, but close to the ground. So it couldn't have been any of them who were behind the glass when it happened.

Switching to another camera, this was behind him. They could see the back of Kokabiel's head, as well as Naruto, Hinata and Ino.

"Now what were you looking at?" Using his finger, Ibiki traced Kokabiel's line of sight across the screen.

He was looking at Naruto, Hinata and Ino.

Hold up...he was directly looking at...

Ibiki turned to face her. "Hinata...he was looking at you?" They could all see it, Kokabiel stopped on her and started freaking out, and that's when the magical circle activated. Switching back to the front camera, Ibiki study the crow's emotional state based on the facial expressions. "Not just looking at you. He was terrified by you."

Hinata was stumped, why her? "Why would it be me?"

"Did you assist Naruto with fighting him?"

"No Naruto's clone defeated him on his own. I never looked or talked to him in the forest."

Naruto's eyes widened with realisation. "Hinata's right. My clone got Kokabiel on his own before fighting, and beating him, knocked him out and brought him back to us. Kokabiel did wake up later, but he was only talking to me, and Xenovia...while Hinata was busy tending to Irina..." Kokabiel...never saw Hinata, and Hinata never looked his way. Would this have happened if he saw her back in the forest?

"If Hinata and Kokabiel never interacted then why would he be scared of her?" Yasaka was just as confused as the others. "Does nothing come to mind Hinata?"

"We never found anyone when we searched the town, and the only one I battled was Terra." Hinata tried to come up with something, but nothing came to mind. She cannot explain why Kokabiel was freaked out by her.

"Hey Yasaka, does Kokabiel have a scary ex-girlfriend that looks like Hinata." Naruto joked.

"Naruto!" And Hinata did not find it funny, and Naruto held up his hands in playful surrender.

"Jokes aside, he did not. And I highly doubt any women with taste would settle with a man like that. Or even admit they did." The idea repulsed Yasaka.

"Then why did Kokabiel...?"

"We don't know why, but we now know how."

Everyone looked at the door to see Shikamaru and Benimaru are back.

"Where'd you guys disappear too?" Naruto asked with a disgruntled face. "You just up and bailed on us."

"I did so to confirm a theory."

"Where'd you go anyway?"

"Konoha."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Back to the leaf, why?"

"This." Shikamaru looked at Benimaru, it's his cue. The Kijin general opened his right hand, displaying a hologram of a white magical circle.

"What are we looking at exactly?" Gaara knew what it was, but how was it significant?

"That Lord Kazekage is what's affecting the Devils you have captive in Konoha." Benimaru clarified.

"The ones who are stuck on life support? Those Devils started dying after they were captured, and the leaf was only able to save a few," Gaara remembers about that.

Shikamaru continued where Benimaru left off. "We knew it had to be a timed-delay technique, but since it's not a Jutsu we didn't know what to look for. But with the help of the Youkai and the information you've provided, we've now found it."

"And you believed the same thing has happened with Kokabiel?" Yasaka asked.

"This is the second time we've captured someone only to have them die, or nearly die, so why don't we find out if I'm right." Shikamaru left it to Benimaru, who approached the sleeping crow. Using the same method as before, he searched Kokabiel for the magical circle inscribed on him. It took some time, but as a testament to his skill and knowledge, Benimaru found it, displaying it in his left hand, now both can be seen.

That's when Benimaru saw it. "There core structure and foundation are identical." There was a change in symbols, but the constructions was the same.

Yasaka understood what this meant. "Then it must have been cast by the same individual." It was a fingerprint, a magical circle fingerprint. "The same person or people that are involved with the attack on your home, are also involved with Kokabiel's attack on the Devils?"

"They're connected..." Naruto whispered in pure shock, he was bewildered by this. "War...was that their goal? Start a conflict which can lead to war between the Devils and the Shinobi. Then kick start The Great War again...what could they possibly gain from that?" Everyone would die from such a conflict. There would be no gain. "Do you have any idea who did this?"

Benimaru shook his head. "No, I can't even tell if it was a Devil, Angel or Fallen Angel who did this. These spells used the host's own power as fuel. But what I do know is the differences in symbols change the properties of the spell."

Benimaru held out his right hand. "The ones the Devils have are tied to the heart and would rupture it upon capture." He then switched to his left. "The one Kokabiel has is tied to his mind, should the locked memories be breached, it would rupture his brain to prevent intel from being extracted." A heart rupture isn't sure enough to them? Which only proves the significance of these locked memories. "But I still don't know how these memories were locked; it's not due to the spell."

Things just got real. The guys behind all of this are playing at war.

"Ok but I've still got a question." Naruto held his hands behind his head.

"What's your question?"

Naruto tilted his head to the side and closed his eyes. "Why does Kokabiel's have an extra layer?"

Blinked surprises all around, no one knew what Naruto was going on about. "Extra layer...? Where do you see that?" Benimaru looked closer at the magical circle to find it.

Naruto pointed at the outer edge of it, where the white light was slightly brighter. "Right there, see it's brighter; double coloured, ya'know two layers of white stacked on each other."

"Huh, I think I see it now. Well spotted Naruto." Benimaru smiled with praise for the Shinobi.

"I've been training a lot with seals. I'm good at noticed things like this." Naruto didn't stop himself from indulging in the praise and grew a cocky smirk.

Now that he sees it, Benimaru used his power to separate the layers to see what's underneath. The top layer disappeared, and another white magical circle took its place.

Yasaka's eyes widened in surprise until she huffed and smirked, they've been played. "Cleaver."

"Yasaka?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"That's a spell used during The Great War."

"What does it do?"

"They were placed on POWs who were released back to their people. It allowed someone to track and watch them from afar; to gather Intel within the enemy's borders at a safe distance. You could be on the other side of the world and would be able to observe those you cast it on."

Gaara became un-easy. "Are you saying we're being watched right now?"

Yasaka shook her head. "No the barriers around Urakyoto would prevent them from tracking and seeing us with this spell. But this does mean..." Yasaka and everyone else turned to Naruto, who also caught on.

"They saw me huh...me Hinata, Konohamaru and Raphtalia. They know we're here." Two steps forward, two steps back. With every new advantage they get, they lose ones they already had.

Yasaka shared his concern. "Up until the point you came back to Urakyoto, you were being watched." This spell wasn't used anymore because the barriers surrounding the main cities of the other factions would block it. But Kuoh had no such barrier. They wanted to watch and confirm the war started, only to see Naruto stop them. They wouldn't use this on the Devils who attacked the Shinobi world, since the observes would be literately worlds apart.

"Benimaru increase security around our territory."

"Yes, lady Yasaka."

Their battle against this unknown threat took a new turn. Because now they may know the Shinobi and the Youkai are working together.

"Shikamaru do you have any idea how we should approach this?" Hinata asked.

"Azazel; if he knew Kokabiel was going to start a war; then he must have been following his movements. He may know who did this to Kokabiel?"

"Khaos...Brigade..."

"Ino!" Shikamaru came to her side when he heard her voice. Ino was waking up, but she was still a bit dizzy. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Shikamaru, don't worry about me." Ino tried to stand up, but Shikamaru had to help her. "When you talk with this Azazel guy, ask him about the Khaos Brigade."

"Who are they?"

"I don't know...but Kokabiel met someone. I didn't see who it was. But the name of an organisation was dropped...a group called the Khaos Brigade..."

"Isn't that name, a bit ominous? Lady Yasaka, do you know this group?"

"No...This is the first time I've heard that name. But a name like that is telling for their agenda. These could be the people we're looking for." And they could have ties with the Old Satan Faction.

Naruto smacked his fists together. "Then we need to have a little sit down with Azazel. If he knows where they are then, we can finally take the fight to them for once."

"I will be working on that, but I ask for patience. After what happened in Kuoh, tension between the factions would have risen, we can't make any sudden moves, or the others will get the wrong idea, and we'll start a war ourselves." They need to play their hand carefully.

Naruto would wait as long as he had to because now they've finally got some headway. "Khaos Brigade huh, I might kick their asses for just that stupid name alone. But if these are the guys behind all of our troubles, then I'm going to make sure this group ends up just like the Akatsuki; defeated, disbanded and broken."

And if Rizevim Lucifer is with them, then all the better.

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Tsunade had just finished analysing the last test performed on the captured Stay Devil; what was once a human, now a giant mutated spider. Using the new data provided by her new helper, things were looking promising. While her new 'helper' was proving to be an invaluable asset with figuring out a way to reverse the effects of the Evil Pieces...she was still not happy to have him around. Not once did she let her guard down around him. "I've finished the analysis, and it looks promising. Looks like you were on the money." His theory proved correct. Tsunade betted he would be wrong out of spite...she's always been bad a gambling.

"Come now Tsunade dear, you asked for my help did you not."

"Because you're the only scientist I know that's delved in this kind of experimentation and body modification." This wasn't Tsunade's area of expertise.

He found Tsunade's words of description inadequate for these Evil Pieces. "This is more than just modification. This is complete gene manipulation. Truly a fellow minded individual I can have a real conversation with."

"If his mind's just as sick as yours."

He's only response was a chuckle. "But with this recent breakthrough, we can move on to the next step. But we'll need their help." There's a Jutsu those two should be able to perform together that can make all the difference. "I'll go contacted them."

Tsunade didn't even humour him and called out to him. "You will remain here under guard. I will contact them." Tsunade wasn't taking any chances with him.

"Still don't trust me, not that I expected any different from you Tsunade dear. But is that why your Chakra has constantly been channelled into your fists?" Her super strength was at the ready.

Tsunade only frowned at him.

"Worried I might attack you?"

"Prepared if you tried."

He chuckled again and stood to one side to let Tsunade past. She'll be contacting them. "It'll be interesting, seeing that Naruto and dear old Sasuke again." There was an ever-present hiss at the end of that sentence.

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Chapter 14: Interrogation. Complete

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Magical circles are tied to your faction and clan. So if you had one that's neither, then it must mean you've constructed it on your own, and it is unique to you the caster. That's where I'm going with it anyway.

Naruto will tell Gaara the significance of the top 10 in the next chapter. I feel this chapter has gone on long enough to include it here.

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Question for you guys:

Now when it comes to power scaling, the one guy that gives you the 'real' trouble is Great Red. Now he and Ophis are said to be even in power, but based on the context of High School DxD, it does sound like to me that he's the stronger one. Like if these two fight, Great Red would win.

To me, it's like if Naruto and Sasuke fought for real. Naruto would win, but Sasuke would put up a fight.

So I'm approaching this, with the idea that Great Red is the Strongest Character in the DxD world. But his ability is hard to pin down at times..., and he has next to zero feats which makes it even harder.

The only things we know are, he's powers are all about dreams, he can outright ignore guys as strong as Tannin. He can create bodies, which also means he has a healing factor. If he loses a claw, he can create a new one.

The dreams power is where it gets tricky. Great Red can look into people's dreams, gain power from them, etc...It kind of sounds a little bit like what the God Tree does. Traps people in their dreams and drains power from them.

Anyway, the main problem is most people, myself included, would say if you hurt or kill Great Red, he can use his dreams powers to undo it.

But...in the light novels, Great Red died, killed in battle by a God from another world.

So this now begs the question. Why didn't Great Red undo his death with dream powers? Now, this could be one of those times where you found out much later that he did survive because of such and such. But I have to use the information I have now, not what may or may not come out later.

And Heads up! If I get to a point in the story where I've already got Great Red's powers set, but something new about him comes out, it might be too let for me to implement it.

Which is why I'm happy a new power for Naruto is showing up in Boruto soon.

Okay so if Great Red is genuinely dead, this could mean a few things about the limits of his abilities. Now we know these top guys are not invincible, both the Dragon Gods are susceptible to Samuel's blood. Ophis does not have infinity power because her power was cut in half...that's not have infinity works.

Look anime logic aside, with a crossover I need to make sense of the power scaling between characters, or I'm not going to get anyway.

So here are my theories for Great Red's powers so far:

One: He still needs power to fuel his dream abilities. If he runs low, then he can't use them or can't use them to their fullest potential, which is how this God killed him. Think Boosted Gear, it doubles Issei's power but drains his stamina.

Two: The God could block or resist Great Red's dream power, which means other guys who have shown to resist dream powers, can do this too. Those with Rinnegan are immune to the effect of the Infinite Tuskahoma.

Three: Great Red can use it on others, but can't use his dream powers on himself. He can't undo the damage he takes with his dream powers, which includes his own death. The reverse of the Izanagi, you can use it on yourself but not on your enemies. We don't have any feats of Great Red fighting, so there's no way to prove...or disprove this. I mean he is dead, so you've got to wonder.

And if Ophis was getting people to help her fight him, then they must make some difference. Overwise Great Red would just get stronger by feeding on their dreams.

So which theory do you lean towards, or do you think all three are applicable?

Or do you have a theory of your own?

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Next: Chapter 15: A Snake's genius.

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