New Devil of The Gremory House

by Master Attlon

He was thrown into something new. He gave up, he didn't want to be a part of anything like this anymore. But maybe these people could become something new for him to care for. Something new to fight for.

12. Renegade

New Devil of The Gremory House

Life 12: Renegade

How long has it been! And I've still been getting review and alerts from you guys.

Half the reviews were people telling me this story sucked after the first chapter but I'm used to that now.

N-not...not gonna cry! Not gonna cry!

||||||||Devil||||||||

"Ugghhhhhhhhhh~. Fucking...stupid gas. Stupid asshole Fallen Angel and his stupid gas." Naruto groggily moaned as he lifted his head and felt his cheek start to spread out again after being pressed against the floor for the whole time he was out. He shook his head before looking up at the clock to see how much time passed by during this sleep session.

17:53

Hey, that was at least sooner than usual. Maybe he was getting used to the gas? That stupid, shitty gas.

"One, two..." He prepared himself before he pressed the large locks that encompassed his arms and hands together against the ground. He really wanted to use his hands to push himself up, but these locks-while bonded together-separated his hands and arms from the other. The same for the ones around his legs. He couldn't unlock them from the inside. He couldn't even do a hand seal. Not like they did much to help him nowadays anyway but still.

With some extra effort he pushed up, using his chest to keep him steady before quickly jerking sideways and resting against the bed before he fell over. He sighed and looked down at the locks again in thought. He could barely move with these things on. No one could hear him in here. No one knew where he was. In most cases he would have just used Sage Mode, broken out of here before that Fallen Angel guy knew he was gone, get back to Rias, get some food, and come back here ready to rain fucking hellfire down on him.

But...it didn't work.

Naruto closed his eyes again and steadied his breathing. He let every muscle and fiber in his body relax and fall into a rhythm. He could feel the energy and power of the surrounding atmosphere start to filter into him. It was still a strange sensation of taking in this world's natural energy compared to his home.

Back then it was like his body was taking in a steady wave of warm water, like a calming shower or bath. But here it felt like hot air, encompassing him in a torrent as if he were standing on the edge of a volcano. Either way, the power slowly started to build-

*BZZT*

"AH!" Naruto yelled when he felt something like an electric shock run through his whole nervous system. His body shook uncontrollably before he fell back on the bed while the spasm continued to shake him. The sensation died down and Naruto took a deep breath before he opened one eye and looked down at the locks that bound him. The red lights that illuminated from the locks turned back into a steady green color to signal that no energy was being built up inside them.

Somehow...this bastard knew he had Senjutsu abilities before they met. And he made a pair of cuffs that stop him from gathering up enough natural energy to change into Sage Mode! This guy sucked all kinds of ass but even Naruto had to admit he was well prepared.

Still pissed him off though!

The whiskered blond sighed and laid back in the bed before he just stared at the ceiling. His mind started turning back time and he recollected how he had ended up here in the first place. With that smug jackass and his smug jackass smile.

||||||||Devil||||||||

"Mind if I take some time to talk with you?" The mixed-haired older man said as he kept his confident smile while standing on the railing of the upper floor.

The strange Fallen Angel's question hung in the air with a stagnant tension as he and the new Devil continued to stare each other down. The twelve black wings that came out of the man's back steadily extended and retracted unconsciously as he awaited an answer.

Naruto kept his eyes firmly locked with the other man's...until he slowly opened the door to his apartment and shuffled inside. He quietly shut the door behind him and left the older man standing outside without an answer.

...

The Fallen Angel unlocked his arms before letting them hang by his sides, "Really? You're just going to leave without saying anything? I mean I get the situation was kinda weird but...that's just bad manners."

He got no reply.

He tapped his foot on the railing impatiently, "Should I knock this time?"

...

Something is his pocket started beeping to alert the man to the surrounding energies. He sighed and scratched the back of his head, "Kid, I've met a lot of people that can use abilities like that. I've figured out ways to tell when you're gathering up energy. So you might as well-"

*BAM*

The door blasted off its hinges towards the Fallen Angel as he leapt off the railing at the last moment as the bent door flew through the air and bounced off the ground below. The older man floated in the air for a moment before he looked over at the doorway that was now absent a door. An eager smile came over his face as the boy stepped out into the light of the moon.

Naruto glared up at the composed man that floated in the air without any fear or fret after the sudden attack came at him. Naruto already knew from the way this guy held himself and the sheer indifference he had at the first attack, as well as the power he could sense coming off him this moment...this guy was strong. Stronger than any other Fallen Angel he had met by a mile. Stronger than that Phenex asshole Riser by a long shot.

He was on a completely different level.

But with Sage Mode, now so was he.

The older man gave a small nod, "Okay, so it wasn't a trick or illusion, you really can use Senjutsu. That's cool. Makes you that more interesting."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "How do you even know me? And how do you know I can use Sage Mode?"

"You'd be surprised what videos can be leaked really fast if you just look hard enough." The strange man replied before he raised his eyebrow, "Would you believe me if I said I totally came in peace and don't wanna fight at all?"

Naruto furrowed his strange eyes, "Would you believe I have a hard time believing that considering every Fallen Angel I've met so far has killed first, asked questions later? Plus you don't exactly inspire confidence when you sneak up in the middle of the night in front of someone's house like this."

"Well what else was I supposed to do considering when I arrived no one was home and you came back so late." The older man raised his eyebrows jokingly, "Plus 'house'? Really? I've woken up in gutters from week long binges in better places than this. You might want to consider relocating, especially now that you just blew the door off your own home like that."

Naruto looked back at the doorway just in time to see the last screw fall out of place from its empty slot. Yeah...he sorta jumped the gun on that one. He shook his head to focus back on his encounter with the powerful individual above him, "All right, Mr. Peaceful Stalker, you wanna come down here and show you don't wanna fight?"

The older man tilted his head and looked up in slight thought before a cocky smirk came over his face. He slowly started to lower himself to just a few feet above the ground but stopping and unfolding his arms. He held up his hand and a small Light Spear formed in his hand, "Well...I'd be absolutely lying if the scientist in me wasn't pleading to test this form out. So considering you still aren't gonna trust me at the moment, I might as well test you out."

The Fallen Angel flicked his hand and the Light Spear came flying down at Naruto. The whiskered blond stood his ground and appeared as if he was entirely ready to take the weapon head-on before he just slightly turned his body at the last possible moment and let the weapon explode a portion of the ground.

The older man watched with genuine intrigue before he noticed the blond with the strange eyes start to step forward. He created a handful of Light Spears before sending them soaring down at the boy who simply leaned at the last possible moment and avoided the attacks completely. The spears shattered the ground before Naruto grit his teeth and leapt up at the Fallen Angel with the desire to send him hurdling somewhere else.

The mix-haired man raised an eyebrow at the blond's sudden assault before immediately lowering himself while the kick flew over his head. He landed gently on the ground and looked up in time to see Naruto correct himself in the air and come dropping down on him. The Fallen Angel took a huge step back as the whiskered man landed and charged after him to attack.

"HA!"

Naruto threw a jab at his enemy who leaned his body out of the way to dodge as he let the fist break into a lamppost. The Fallen Angel smirked at the man beside him before suddenly grunting as he felt like he failed and the fist was lodged in his ribs. He looked down and saw that he definitely did dodge the attack before his eyes met with the blond's unwavering glare.

"Well well." The Fallen Angel's wings stretched out and flapped quickly to lift him up into the air and create a small gust of wind around Naruto. The blond's hair whipped back and forth as the bent lamppost tipped over and fell into the street. The gust finally died down and Naruto looked up to see the Fallen Angel hover a dozen meters above him like a feather as he examined his side with curiosity.

"Tch." Naruto clicked his tongue before bending his knees and jumping up towards the older man, the extra power from Sage Mode carrying him up without any difficulty.

The mix-haired man chuckled a little before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small pellet he firmly held onto.

"You won't get away!" Naruto came flying at the Fallen Angel and the older being held out his left hand in preparation to block. Naruto roared and threw out his fist, the strange man turning in the air and grabbing his fist with his hand even as a loud crack echoed from it.

The blond knew he had injured the man but he then realized that he couldn't escape from the grip on his fist. He was pulled inward by the broken hand and the Fallen Angel slammed the pellet down on Naruto's head, causing a quick burst of purple gas to pop out before Naruto went tumbling down towards the earth. He fell through the air before landing on a dumpster so hard it warped to his shape.

The Fallen Angel slowly descended down to Naruto's side as the gas started to settle in and his vision started to blacken. The mix-haired man scratched his stubble with his working hand and joked, "Sorry about that kiddo. I got a little carried away and got sucked up to the fight. When you've been missing out on a good fight as long as I have you sorta lose yourself in it." He looked around their surrounding before asking, "Uh...we might have caused a bit of a scene. You think we can sit down and have a nice chat when you wake up?"

His consciousness fading. His natural energy abandoning him as the gas started to work its magic. What could he say just before he slipped into sleep?

"I'm...gonna...fucking kick your ass when I get up."

"Okay well that doesn't inspire confidence." The man sighed before Naruto's eyes finally started to close, "Well when you wake up...hopefully I would have found a way for us to have a nice little chat in peace."

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Naruto reopened his eyes with sardonic amusement as he looked back down at his restraints. Yep. Nice little chat.

Since he had passed out all that had happened was he woke up, got angry, started swearing so much that he would have put street thugs to shame with his words, and get knocked out a few times with more of those gas pellets. He was not enjoying this experience.

Plus he really needed the bathroom.

The blond relaxed against the side of his bed and he contemplated what this situation meant for him.

Fallen Angels and Devils despised each other. At least that was the impression he got from that Raynare woman and her posse when they attacked. Rias said they had been fighting for millennia and her brother stated he fought in a war some time ago. Probably against them as well.

By that logic it seemed like they would want to capture him because he is the newest member of Rias' peerage. She said her brother was someone very important in the Underworld, so any leverage they could gain on him would be useful.

Which meant they would probably torture him for information...which was going to suck because he knew fuck all about anything they would want to know.

But Naruto had a gut feeling that's not why that guy came to him.

Speaking of that guy...he was strong. Like...way stronger than anybody else he had met so far. He put those other Fallen Angels to shame. He exuded confidence and power. He was calm and collected even when he was under attack. Those spears he made were fast and more powerful than the others he had seen. And he freakin' sacrificed his hand to block a punch from him in Sage Mode and didn't even flinch.

Hated to admit it...but that was awesome.

But why would someone like that want to meet with him? And how did he know about him anyway?

He said something about leaked videos. And Kaichou said something about having a recording of the Rating Game they fought in recently too. Did the video reach that Fallen Angel guy and he got interested in his Sage Mode? Well what could he possibly want from him?

And how was he gonna get himself out of here?

As Naruto was mulling this crisis over in his head, the door to the room clicked and slowly swung open. The blond sat up in place and stared down the new arrival...

The blond's blue eyes met a silver-haired boy's yellow as the young man walked in with a tray in his hands. The two strangers just kept up their staring match in silence as the noise and light from the TV started to filter into the room. Naruto wasn't sure how well his unnerving stare was working considering this other guy had the most bored, uninterested gaze he had seen in a long time.

"If it's any consolation, I detest this situation more than you." Naruto raised an eyebrow skeptically, "This was my room and I quite enjoyed the silence it provides away from that moron and his incessant gaming. But now he's put you in here and kicked me out onto the couch. I would have taken his bed but I'm very much aware of the things he does in there. Now he's gone off somewhere and making me feed his pet."

Naruto furrowed his eyes, "Pet?"

"You're locked away in a cage and kept silent because you're annoying. In no uncertain terms can you not be called a pet." The silver-haired youth bent down and placed the tray down to reveal a bowl of instant ramen steaming in its contents.

...

There was a big conflict debating in the blond's head at the moment. 1)It was ramen and he was hungry. 2)This guy delivered it and he couldn't be sure it wasn't filled with something. But...it was ramen.

While Naruto argued with the right course of action to take, the youth sat down in the bed and picked up the tray before snapping the chopsticks. He started heartily digging into the prepared meal as the prisoner protested, "Hey, what the fuck?! Don't eat my meal!"

"It's not your meal. I bought it so it's mine." The silver-haired boy pointed out, "If you wanted food then you should have asked him to set some aside for you."

Naruto seethed and growled in anger before reluctantly sitting back against the bed. He stared forward before motioning with a jerk of his head, "Why exactly doesn't that window open? What happens when you need to air a fart or something?"

The young man spared the window a look before putting aside the tray and stepping over to the windowsill. He knocked on the window and scoffed, "If you're trying to escape through the window then you would be wasting your time. It's made of some of the strongest material he could find and reinforced with enough magic and seals to withstand a surprise attack, in case any of the other factions tried to ambush while we were sleeping. So does the wall." He stood back up and turned around, "So you aren't escaping through a window and..."

He paused when he noticed something about his meal...

The bowl was empty.

He spared the man sitting beside it a look as the blond looked back innocently. He smiled and shook his head before raising his gauntlets up, "I'm locked up. It wasn't me."

It was probably him getting back by being snarky. Because the very obvious ramen statins around his mouth was a completely different story.

Despite the loss of his meal, the young man could do nothing but chuckle lightly in amusement. He shook his head and stepped over to the bed, "Well I suppose that's what I get for ridiculing you. I guess I deserve that." He reached down to take the tray-

Naruto shifted his legs as best he could and jumped up without the use of his feet. Pushing off his knees and heading straight for the young man's head, he brought his locked arms down to try and crack his skull. The boy jerked his head aside at the last moment and avoided the ambush before grabbing Naruto's neck and slamming him down into the floor, getting a groan from the blond before pinning his neck to the carpet and looming over him.

The blond growled through his teeth and continued to glare at the man over him as he furrowed his eyes in return. He scowled and held his hand over Naruto's face like he was prepared to pluck out his eyes, "Whether you're his guest or pet doesn't matter to me. I am hardly the type to stand by and let someone attack me without any retribution in return. A few extra scars. Maybe a missing eye. What's the worse that could happen?"

He slowly started to lower his hand towards Naruto's face, his fingers wavering over the cerulean orbs as the blond kept his scowl on tight. The fingers stopped just an inch over his head...

...

"Yes. What about it?" The boy suddenly asked to no one as he raised an eyebrow, "Really? Are you sure?"

...

"You're certain of that? You've had a lot prior to me. You could just be jumbling up all of their faces into one big blur."

...

"No. I suppose you couldn't forget someone that did something like that." The silver-haired man's fingers curled and he retracted his hand as he tilted his head in thought. He hummed, "Hmm, now that I've gotten the chance to look...he does bear a striking resemblance to the other one. That can't be a coincidence."

"Umm..." Naruto moaned in confusion as he was suddenly very uncomfortable being stuck with this crazy person, "I'm not sure what you're talking about...but can you please let go now? I'm not sure I like a crazy guy holding my neck down like this."

The silver stranger contemplated what he said before releasing his hold on Naruto's neck and standing up. He fixed the ruffle in his black jacket, "Apologies. I'm sure for a normal person, it must seem weird for someone to start talking to himself out of the blue like that."

"..." Naruto's shrugged, "Actually...I get where you're coming from. I'm pretty much used to that."

The silver-haired man ignored his comment and looked down at him inquisitively, "You are a new Devil for one of the peerages stationed in this town. Which means you must know of a man named Issei Hyoudou, correct?"

Naruto's didn't answer except for a quirk in his eyebrow.

That was enough of an answer as he stood over the blond and glared down sternly at him, "Tell me...in your own opinion...what kind of man do you believe him to be?"

"A psychotic, boob-loving, clothes-ripping horn dog who'd rather forfeit his own life if that meant there was any chance he would have sex with someone."

...

...

...

"You're not lying?"

"No. I'm not lying."

The silver-haired youth turned around and titled his head in wonder before whispering, "Has that happened with any of the ones before? No, I'm not asking about whether they had mistresses or concubines. I'm asking whether you would have used a description like that for any of his predecessors." He waited for a moment before chuckling, "No? Oh really. Well...this is sure to be interesting."

"Hey."

The strange youth looked back when he heard the blond speak as Naruto's dryly spoke from the floor, "I'm gonna get you back for the neck slam. Count on that."

The silver-haired teen gave a lopsided smirk as he walked out the door and closed it behind him, "I'll be waiting for the day that happens."

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"And you're saying you have no clue where Naruto-kun may have run off to?"

"I told you I don't." Rias replied to the hologram of her brother in a pointed, impatient, and rather peeved tone. It wasn't actually annoyance or anger directed at her brother. It was just this was another time she was explaining the situation to someone and more time wasted without knowing where her servant was.

"Well I certainly haven't seen him around here recently. I would have told you if I was borrowing him for something." The crimson-haired man cupped his chin in thought before asking, "Who else have you notified?"

"I've told Sona and requested her and her peerage for assistance." Rias replied, "They'll notify me when they find him or if they find any clues."

"All right. Well then I can ask around. Maybe we can request someone to come to the town and sense for him." The Maou suggested before he noticed the worried look on her face. He sighed and lowered his arms to his side, "Rias, I know you don't want to hear this...but is there a chance-"

"He didn't stray." Rias interrupted while furrowing her eyes at her brother's suggestion, "Naruto wouldn't do that. He agreed to be a part of my peerage now. He promised."

"I know it's a horrible thing to consider, but we have to be certain Rias. It might be inconceivable to some, but strays still continue to pop up because they don't honor their words." Sirzechs explained calmly as he tried to keep his sister from releasing her pent up anger towards him. His eyes softened sadly, "For some people, an oath is a contract and a vow to follow someone and complete their duty for however long they must. But for some...they can be just words, repeated but never holding true weight."

Rias' angered gaze slowly turned into one of resignation and fear. It was true and she hated to admit that. Some people regretted the decision to become a Devil as quickly as they had made it. And for some, it was a life choice forced upon them without their consent. Most people were glad that they would get a second chance to live, in a stronger and more capable body.

But some are mortified and only desire to pass on to the next plane of existence. Those that couldn't adjust would go rogue or attack their masters out of retaliation. It was an unfortunate possibility they were all far too familiar with. And they still dealt with strays like that even now. By all means, it was entirely possible that Naruto could have chosen to stray and run off.

But...

"But I guess now I have a reason to fight...now that I have something to protect. I can fight for you and the others, Rias. Because you're worth fighting for."

"That's not it, Onii-sama." The buxom girl shook her head, "He wouldn't become a Stray. Believe me."

The influential Devil looked up at his little sister for a silent moment before nodding his head, "Very well. I will keeping a search up on my end and see if there is anything we can come up with." He looked at his sister with an apologetic gaze, "Be careful, Rias."

The transmission cut off and Rias was left staring at her table. She sat back into her couch and gently rubbed the bridge of her nose. It alleviated a fraction of her accumulated stress as she lowered her hand to peek back at the empty room.

"Buchou?"

The crimson-haired beauty looked over to the door as Akeno, Koneko, Issei, and Asia returned after her finished call. They all waited for her to give them any news before she gave a small shake, "Nothing."

Koneko and Asia seemed especially saddened by this news as Akeno lowered her head. Issei mashed his teeth together in anger, "What the hell is going on? Where did that jerk disappear to?"

"I'm not sure." She muttered to herself, "But we can't give up on him so quickly."

"Absolutely not!" Asia proclaimed with a shake of her head.

"No way." Issei agreed, "Wherever he is and whatever he might be doing, we'll find him and bring him back." Issei grinned and pumped his fist, "And maybe we'll hit him a little for making us worry so much."

A thankful smile came over Rias' face as she nodded in agreement. She rubbed her eyes and felt a wave of exhaustion finally catch back up to her as she struggled to stifle a yawn. She looked back tiredly at the brunette and blonde, "Why don't you two head home for now? It's no good if we're all exhausted and tired." She gave a small smile to the juniors, "We'll contact you if there's anything else to hear."

Issei and Asia looked at each other with uncertainty before turning back to their [King], "Are you sure, Buchou?"

Rias simply nodded, "Go home and get some rest. I'll see you both tomorrow."

The new members of the peerage looked hesitant and uncertain before they reluctantly agreed. They grabbed their bags and waved their friends goodbye before closing the door behind them.

Rias leaned back in her seat comfortably and tried to relieve some of the tension she was building. She looked down with a somber expression before looking over to see Akeno and Koneko still waiting to the side. She leaned her head back to address them, "You aren't going too?"

The busty, pony-tailed woman shook her head, "I'll stay by your side as long as you need, Buchou." That was her duty as the [Queen] and she followed through to the letter.

Koneko was not as vocal with her decision but instead walked around the couch and up to Rias. The petite girl sat beside her master and gently leaned in to rest her head on the older woman's shoulder. Rias spared the [Rook] a glance and noticed the sad gleam in her soft eyes. Her usually still face turned down in a sad frown as she settled further into Rias' shoulder.

The redhead looked down at her sadly, understanding her worry and fear. She gently rubbed Koneko's hair, conveying a warmth of comfort and strength to the little girl that was filled with insecurity. She gently whispered, "He'll come back. I promise."

Koneko didn't say anything. She just found comfort in Rias' actions and hoped that they would get an answer on where their friend could be soon.

Rias continued to stroke her friend's hair before asking her oldest companion, "Akeno?"

"Yes Buchou?"

"Do you know where Yuuto is? You said he texted you earlier, right?"

"That's right." Akeno pulled out her phone, "Yuuto-kun said that there was a matter he had to deal with so he wouldn't be able to make it in today. I followed up but that was the last I heard from him."

"Matter?" She questioned to herself before scrunching up her brow, "What's so important that he can't even tell us about it?"

"I'm not sure. But I'm worried that something might be wrong."

That was an understatement.

One of their own was missing. Another was busy doing something else. And that wasn't all...she could feel it...in the air.

Tension.

Something was wrong in Kuoh Town.

||||||||Devil||||||||

"Issei-San?" Asia looked up at her friend as they made their way back to their house in the evening air, "Do you think Naruto-San is okay? You don't think he's hurt or possibly..." The nun was worried and paled at the idea going through her head before she felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"No worries. That guy's too annoying and stubborn to get hurt too bad." Issei could confidently vouch for their senior. He didn't know a lot about Naruto Uzumaki, because the blond never said much about himself, and the most interaction Issei had with him were snarky jabs and insults to each other. But he did know a few things for certain. He was annoying. And he was tough. He comforted his friend, "Plus, don't forget that weird super move thing he used in the Rating Game. He can handle himself. I bet he's just napping somewhere and forgot to come to school or something."

Asia gained a small smile and looked amused by his joking manner, "I-I'm not sure even Naruto-San is that lazy."

"Well we'll ask him when we see him again." Issei smiled as they arrived at their home and made their way to the door, "But let's not think about that for now. Mom and Dad probably have dinner ready and-"

Asia looked up at the brown-haired boy as he froze in spot and just stared at the door in silence. She tilted her head, "Issei-San?"

[You feel it, don't you, Partner?]

Issei felt a strange chill go down his back as he furrowed his eyes at the doorway, "What's this feeling?"

Asia looked confused by his question, "W-what feeling?"

[It's energy. Holy power.]

"Holy power?"

"Holy power?" Asia repeated with surprise in her voice, "Where? Where do you sense Holy power, Issei-San?"

Issei looked down at her for clarification, "Do you know about that stuff, Asia?"

She nodded, "I'm very familiar with it. When I was raised in the church, I would sit in and watch multiple sessions with priests and sisters gathering Holy power and channeling it for different uses."

"The church?" Issei repeated before glaring at the house door again, "That means the Angel faction."

[I am accustomed to this energy because I have met great opposition over my existence from people from the church who use it. But you can sense it because you are a Devil now. This power is foil to your Demonic power. Tread lightly, Partner. Whatever stands behind this door...may be too strong for you at this moment.]

Mom. Dad.

Issei took a deep breath and slid his bag off his shoulder and dropped it by his side. He gently nudged Asia to stay directly behind him as he felt the tension in her small form. He turned the lock and breached the door, swinging it open slowly to face whatever stood beyond it.

Two figures facing away from them.

Clad in white cloaks with their hoods down, revealing blue for one and light brown in twin-tails for the other.

The opening door alerted them both and the two girls turned to face him. They were beautiful, he knew that after just a moment.

But in an instant he realized...they were dangerous.

His throat dried up. His muscles tensed. He took a deep breath and prepared to summon his Boosted Gear to fight-

"Issei-kun!" The twin-tailed girl exclaimed with excitement and joy in her voice. She gave him a bright smile and looked at him eagerly, "It is you, isn't it Issei-kun?! Do you remember me? Irina Shidou? Do you?"

He could do nothing but blink at the sudden change of atmosphere, "Wh-huh?"

"Issei? Is that you? You and Asia-chan got home later than usual." His mother said as she emerged from the corner and smiled, "Look who popped over to visit. Irina Shidou-chan. It was such an unexpected surprise to see her again."

The strange girl smiled warmly at his mom and he just scratched his head in confusion, "You...know this girl, Mom?"

"Of course I do! And you do too."

"I do?"

"Yes." His mother nodded with a disappointed look in her eyes, "Don't you remember at all? She used to live right next door to us before she moved away years ago. You and her used to play together all the time. You were practically joined at the hip, you two were so close."

"I-I thought that was a boy?"

Irina looked perturbed by the statement as his mother gasped and smacked his head, "What is wrong with you?! How did we ever raise a boy as rude and inconsiderate as you?!"

"S-sorry, I'm just trying to make sense of this whole thing!" He rubbed the red spot on his head and spared the twin-tailed girl a look, "I think I remember the person you were talking about, but I could have sworn that was a boy. But if it was her...wow, I really had no idea."

HIs mother sighed and shook her head, "You can be so dense sometimes." She decided to move past the discomfort and smile at the young lady again, "Anyway, Irina-chan is stopping over in town for a few days and wanted to say hello. And she brought her new friend-um-Zenobia-San?"

"Xenovia." She corrected.

"Oh!" She bowed her head to the blue-haired foreigner, "I'm terribly sorry!"

"It's fine. Some people mispronounce my name more often than not." The other girl responded, sounding to him like a girl perfectly adjusted to the language, but most likely sounding like someone who struggled with the words to anyone that didn't have automatic translation like Devils did. It was the same with Asia when they first met. She looked towards Irina, "We should get going."

"Yeah. You're probably right." The more plucky girl agreed as she and her compatriot headed towards the door as she waved goodbye, "See ya, Auntie! I'll try to come over again to say goodbye before I leave!"

"Hold on!" They stopped when Issei called out to them as he was on edge. He spared a look over at Asia before he stood up tall and followed after them, "Let me at least walk you two home."

The two cloaked girls stayed silent as his mother clapped, "Oh! Issei, I'm so proud of you! You're not a total lost cause after all!"

Thanks Mom.

He and Asia followed behind the white-cloaked duo as they closed the door behind them. They took a few more steps down the street, away from the house and any prying eyes before the two girls came to a stop. They slowly turned around to face Issei and Asia as they shared a look. Asia nodded and spoke up with some worry in her voice, "Y-you two are from the church forces, correct?"

The blue-haired girl nodded, "That is correct. I am Xenovia, a representative for the Catholic Church and the Vatican." Asia looked surprised to know the girl was from the same sect of Christianity as her, "And this, as you already know, is Irina Shidou, a representative for the Protestant Church." The bubbly girl smiled and waved to them, "And you both are Devils, correct?"

Issei and Asia looked between each other before he asked, "Did you not know that?"

"This really was just a quick little visit to pop over and say hi." Irina pointed out before a look of sadness overwhelmed her features and she nearly cried, "But I had no idea my dear childhood friend had been converted into a Devil since I had last seen him. Oh, how cruel this is!"

'Weird girl.'

"But this is most beneficial." Xenovia stated, Irina wiping her eyes before nodding in reluctant agreement, "You two are members of one of the Devil peerages that occupy this town, correct?"

Issei narrowed his eyes and asked with hostility, "Why do you want to know?" He had never met a member of the Angel faction before, predominantly dealing with the Devil and Fallen Angel faction. But this was the same side that excommunicated Asia and called her a witch. So needless to say that he wasn't a big fan.

"Relax." Xenovia stated with a small chuckle at his hostile stance, "We haven't come to fight you or any of your Devil companions." Her eyes focused with intent, "But we must speak with your master as soon as possible."

"Why?"

"Because it is entirely possible that this town may become the center of a battlefield soon enough."

||||||||Devil||||||||

He could feel it.

Through his skin. Through his muscles. Down to his very bones he could feel it.

They were here.

He didn't think this chance would present itself to him so soon. He thought he would have to wait for some point in his very long lifespan as a Devil for the perfect opportunity to hunt and destroy them to present itself.

But this was it.

So many pieces were being brought together and gathered right here, right now.

Freed Sellzen had a piece of the blade here, and he was planning to do something with it. That man was already a target of theirs, but this just gave him more reason to search and attack.

Whatever reason they were in this town...whatever purpose they were planned for...didn't matter.

"Excalibur."

Kiba growled out through clenched teeth as he felt those blessed blades resonant with some deep, buried part of him.

He would avenge those that he had lost.

He would destroy the holy blade. No matter what he had to give up or do to do it.

||||||||Devil||||||||

"So...to what do I owe the pleasure of an unexpected and unannounced visit from representatives of the Catholic Church and Protestant Church in my territory?" Rias questioned with a very firm, intimidating, almost frightening tone in her voice while her subordinates stood behind her seat. She raised a thin eyebrow to her visitors expectantly, "I certainly hope you didn't risk the trip just for some sightseeing."

"Not at all." Xenovia returned the banter in kind, not affected by Rias' stern look or tone at all, "Certainly this country is beautiful, but we were sent here on a mission. And that mission is what we have come to discuss with you."

"Sorry to inform you, but your missions to spread your word and influence really don't interest me."

"That's not our objective." Irina shook her head, "And this mission concerns every person, Devil or human, in this town."

"The Fallen Angel known as Kokabiel has made a base here in this town."

Rias' eyes widened as she looked back, seeing her peerage having similar reactions with a particularly angry scowl on Akeno's usually soft face. Rias' eyes narrowed again before she turned back to the church girls, "What would one of the Grigori be doing here?"

"Experimentation."

"Experimentation?"

"Kokabiel and his followers have procured the remnant pieces of Excalibur from several factions of the church around the world. We believe he plans to reunite them into a single holy sword once more and attack with it." Xenovia answered, "If he can find someone with a suitable compatibility to Excalibur, then he'll have a veritable one-man army on his side to attack."

Rias asked the question that had been on her mind, "And why would he be here?"

"By our estimation...because you and Sona Sitri are based here." Irina answered politely, "We believe that he plans to attack or even kill you here to send a message to your siblings, the Maou. Attacking the leaders of the Devils' closest family is undoubtedly a solid way to instigate conflict."

She was a target? And Sona too? Rias' eyes focused in thought before she questioned, "If he has the chance to recreate one of the strongest blades in the world, why hasn't he done so yet?"

"Our guess? Time. Effort. Suitable fighters. But the greatest reason..." Xenovia tapped on the massive wrapped package she had rested by the couch, "Is because we are carrying the last two pieces of the Excalibur with us at all times."

Asia gasped and Issei felt an unnerving chill return through him as he finally realized why these two sent such a creeping fear through him. Koneko's arms tensed slightly in preparation for anything but Rias and Akeno kept their composure. The redhead inquired, "Are you sure that in a mission where pieces of Excalibur are being hunted and collected, it was wise to bring the last two pieces so close to them?"

"If we can not recover the pieces of Excalibur, then we are to destroy them so no one may use them again. And in order to break a holy sword like that, we need a holy sword with capabilities like these." Xenovia patted the giant weapon again before looking back to her hosts, "That is why we were sent here. Collect the blades, or destroy them. And in case we fail, the final piece is being kept stored far away from here, under constant lock and protection. They will not allow the holy sword to be completed on our watch."

"That's all well and good, but what does it have to do with us?" Rias asked as she crossed her legs and folded her arms beneath her chest, "Going by the situation you explained and the direness of this threat, I would dare say you are opting for a collaboration between us until this matter is solved. A sort of 'enemy of my enemy' solution."

Xenovia smirked, "No such plan, actually."

"Good." Rias returned with her own smirk, "Because as much as I hold no love for the Fallen Angels, I still have a hard time standing by the church in a battlefield."

"We understand. And we are not asking for yours or Sitri-San's assistance." Irina stated, "We merely ask that you allow us to handle this matter ourselves until it is settled."

"This is an internal affair." Xenovia spoke with a serious edge in her voice, "As such, this is the church's duty to settle it ourselves. We will locate the fragments, deal with them as instructed, and leave this town before we overstay our welcome. Or at least...before we become a daily hindrance for you and your group."

Rias sat on the idea for a moment, closing her eyes. It didn't sit well with her that there was a dispute between two different factions on her turf. And that one side had literally come to her base to tell her 'this will happen, don't get involved'. It was enough to make her pull out her hair. But...if the sister of a Maou made a deal to work alongside the church...naysayers and critics would have a field day with it. So...despite her incredible reluctance...

"Very well." She agreed through her barely contained frown before nodding, "I shall relay the same terms to the Sitri peerage as well. We will not interfere in this matter. But you better be able to solve this quickly. Agreeing to stand aside does not equate to me condoning further disputes like this on my grounds. If the church has problems like this again...make sure to solve them somewhere else."

"Noted." Xenovia nodded before she and Irina stood up, "Well now that we have that matter settled we need to get going back to our base of operations. Thank you for having us, Rias Gremory-"

"Wait." The two church representatives stopped in place and looked back to see the contemplative expression on Rias' face. She closed her eyes for a moment before asking, "Have either of you two had any run-ins with another Devil since you arrived here? Tall. Blond. Blue eyes. Goes by the name Naruto?"

The two females looked between each other in confusion before shaking their heads, "We are not familiar with the man you are describing. Our apologies."

Rias was silent before nodding, "Very well. Issei, can you and Asia please escort our guests out." The two girls looked ready to decline, "This is my territory, and I am allowing you to engage with the enemy here. I would at least appreciate that you do not deny my hospitality while you are here as well."

They seemed reluctant before nodding and heading out the door with Issei and Asia following as well.

Once the group was gone, Rias stood out of her seat and stepped over to her desk. She placed her hands against the desktop and tensed them in anger as her shoulders shook. Akeno and Koneko were worried by her behavior and asked, "Buchou?"

Naruto was missing. Yuuto was busy elsewhere. The church had initialized a secret mission here without warning. And a member of the Grigori was preparing something big to cause a ruckus.

Things were getting out of hand. And she did not like that one bit.

||||||||Devil||||||||

"So...you were always a girl?" Issei asked, bewildered at this revelation he was still trying to wrap his head around, "You weren't a boy that discovered he was a girl, are you? I don't care if you are but I swore that was a boy I used to hang out with as a kid."

Irina blushed in embarrassment and stammered, "N-no! I've always been a girl! I-I was just a big tomboy when we used to play as kids. S-so I suppose I can see where your confusion comes from but still Issei-kun, this is ridiculous."

"Really?" Issei questioned while he walked beside his supposed childhood friend as Asia trailed behind him by a foot and Xenovia led several feet ahead. He tilted his head, "So we skipped rocks?"

"Yes."

"And watched Super Sentai and Kamen Rider together?"

"Yep."

"And you were the one I peed into a pond with?" Issei scratched his head, "Because I swear you were a boy because we were standing up when that happened."

Irina's face mixed between pale and flushed as Asia looked surprise and Xenovia had to stop to look at her partner strangely, "Really, Irina?"

"I-I was young! A-a-and I was playing with my friend!" Irina stuttered with mortification in her voice, "And it's not like I do anything like that anymore! I swear!"

"No, it's all right. You don't have to be so defensive." Xenovia returned, a hint of playful teasing in her usually stern voice, "You can do whatever you are comfortable with."

"Ah! Xenovia!" Irina whined, "Why are you making fun of me?! You're always so bull-headed and idiotic! Why is it you're all jokey now at my expense?!"

Issei gulped and slowed down so that he gave the unusual partners a wide berth. He trailed back before walking beside Asia as he noticed the shorter girl had lowered her head and seemed more reserved than usual, "Asia, are you okay?"

The short blonde looked up to her friend and he got a better view of the sadness she was trying to hide. She soberly lowered her eyes and tried to hide it behind an unconvincing smile, "I'm sorry to make you worry, Issei-San. I'm...I'm just a little conflicted about what's happening."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I love being here with you and everyone else. Issei-San, Buchou-San, Akeno-San, Kiba-San, Naruto-San, and Koneko-chan...I'm happy I got to meet all of you. And the ORC is such a wonderful place. But..." Her eyelids became a little heavier and Issei could spot minuscule drops of tears forming in her eyes, "But seeing members of the church again, and coming here to help save it. There's...a small part of me that wants to do something to help the church again, but I know that would be against everything it means to be a Devil and a member of Buchou-San's peerage. Yet even so..."

She felt compelled to help the church. Why wouldn't she? She had been raised by the church and its facilities her entire life. Even if she was a Devil now-even if she was excommunicated and treated like a pariah-he knew how much she loved God and his message. And she wanted to help the church somehow.

The church's concerns weren't his problem, but Asia's worries were something he would always try to take care of. He looked up to the special team, "Hey-"

"You two."

Another voice interjected from the side and all four teens looked over to see a figure emerge from the shadows. From the shadows, walking out into the light of the night sky and street lamps down the streets, Kiba strode forward with a bleak look on his face.

"Kiba-San?"

"Kiba!" Issei called out, "There you are! Where have you been all day, man? We've already got one person missing we don't need two."

"I'm sorry." Xenovia spoke up and got their attention, "Is this the Devil you had lost track of?"

"What? No. This is..." Issei looked Kiba over before signing, "Another tall, blond guy with blue eyes."

"Rias Gremory seems to have a type." The blue-haired girl with the green highlight noted to her partner quietly, Irina nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, this is Kiba." The brunette stated before shrugging, "The guy we're looking for is similar but he has whiskers."

"Whiskers? I haven't met anyone with facial hair since we arrived here in Japan."

"N-no." Asia tried to clear up the misunderstanding, "When he means whiskers, Naruto-San actually has whiskers. L-like little whisker marks on his cheeks."

Issei nodded, "Basically he looks like a cat with a big frown on his face."

Irina smiled, "Oh, I love those pictures! They're so cute and funny!"

"Excuse me." Kiba spoke up with more bass in his voice, immediately grabbing all their attention again as the blond aimed his glare towards the church representatives. He asked with a harsh tone, "So you two are the other representatives sent by the church, correct?"

"Other?" Irina and Xenovia shared a look before their eyes narrowed dangerously, "There was a priest sent here as reconnaissance for this mission. But we lost contact with him before we arrived here. Did you-"

"I found him. And he was killed. By a man named Freed Sellzen who was wielding a fragment of Excalibur himself. I fended him off and escaped but he still has a piece of that sword."

Asia gasped and Issei cursed in anger while the cloaked girls kept their focused demeanor intact. Irina shook her head, "If they already have someone whose compatible with the swords-"

"Then we can't waste anymore time." Xenovia nodded, "We have to go-"

"Wait."

Kiba stepped forward again, getting the two girls' attention as his eyes measured them up, "Your pieces of Excalibur. Give them to me."

Looks of surprise and suspicion quickly covered their faces as the [Knight] kept his furious glare. Xenovia stepped forward, "What do you mean by that, exactly?"

"Exactly what you heard. I can sense you're carrying pieces of Excalibur with you." Kiba's eyes narrowed, "You don't need to worry about your mission either. I'll find those other pieces and destroy them completely as well."

Issei grabbed his shoulder and roared, "What the hell are you talking about?! What's this about, Kiba?!"

"Sorry." The usually polite and kind boy grabbed his friend's hand and forced it off his shoulder as he kept his eyes locked with the girls, "But this is something I must do."

"Oh really? And does this duty come from a vindictive Devil [King] or-"

"No." He denied fervently, "This desire is mine and mine alone." He held out his hand, "Now, either hand over your pieces of Excalibur..." A black sword formed in his palm, "Or I shall take it by force."

Issei and Asia looked at Kiba in shock as Xenovia sent Irina a quick look. The twin-tailed girl sighed and took several steps back before the blue-haired girl hefted her giant weapon off her back entirely. She ripped off her cloak, revealing the tight black battle garment beneath it as she smiled challengingly, "Well then...come and take it."

"Kiba don't-"

"HA!"

The speedy [Knight] dashed forward in a blur of black as his blade impacted against Xenovia's, forcing its wrapping to fly off and reveal the massive, elegant gold blade that laid beneath it. The force of Kiba's attack drove her back and they skidded along the street for a dozen meters before they stopped in a open, more rural spot.

Asia, Issei, and Irina jogged after them as the perverted student looked on in shock, "Holy shit. I-is that-"

"Yep. One of the Excalibur fragments passed onto us. Excalibur Destruction." Irina answered with a small smile, "Should be pretty easy to guess how it got a name like that."

Kiba's and Xenovia's blades scrapped against each other as they vied for dominance, the girl edging out with the help of her much larger weapon. Kiba grit his teeth and groaned in an effort to push her back as Xenovia kept a calmer expression. Her face scrunched up before she pushed him back and swung through his sword, "WRAH!"

*CRACK*

Kiba's sword shattered like glass against Excalibur Destruction. The handsome young man immediately reacted and jumped back to gain distance from her. She took a moment to reposition herself in a battle stance as he frowned and created two blades with Sword Birth. They released waves of cold and heat before he dashed forward and swung the swords wildly in blurs of red and blue.

The waves of contrasting powers bounced and swirled around them as Xenovia blocked each strike with her massive weapon. Kiba was hoping that the immediate changes in extreme temperatures would hinder or even chip Excalibur, but fire and ice just dissipated against it uselessly. She swung the huge sword out and shattered both blades before bringing it down towards him, forcing the [Knight] to leap back and avoid any danger.

Xenovia strolled forward, dragging her sword at her side before effortlessly lifting it up at her side. She stated with a firm edge in her voice, "Is that all you have to offer? Because never mind destroying Excalibur or defeating Kokabiel's forces...you'll fall to me long before you try anything else."

"ENOUGH!"

Kiba created several more blades from the ground, each with different affinities and powers as he pulled them out to attack. He sent wave after wave of elemental attacks towards the blue-haired girl that guarded against them with her blade.

"Kiba! Stop it!" Issei yelled desperately to the other teen who just ignored him and continued attacking. He grit his teeth and summoned his Boosted Gear to intervene, "Dammit-"

"Hold on, Issei-kun." Irina blocked him before he could interfere and shook her head, "Whatever this is, I don't think it's a good idea to get involved with it. Xenovia is a bit of a hard head. Even if you call out and tell her to stop, she's so focused on the fight right now she'll ignore us. And if you get caught in a slash from Excalibur Destruction, you'll be killed instantly."

"Well what about Kiba?!"

"..." Irina lowered her arm, "If you want you can keep trying, but we should stay on the sides and make sure this fight stays contained."

"Why?"

"Because otherwise, this fight will spiral out and get people's houses involved as well. We need to be ready to stop either one of them at the perfect moment. And we'll just get killed getting involved right now."

"AHHHHH!"

Kiba roared as his hands blurred while waving the blades. He grabbed one that released a wave of wind towards the girl before quickly grabbing another that created fire. He swung one that sent waves of darkness out. And another that made light. Kiba's arms disappeared in a burst of speed as he swung swords and lodged them into the ground again at amazing speeds. His barrage continued-

"Now is enough."

Kiba felt a strange shockwave run through his body before a massive blast cratered the ground in front of him. The force of the crater shattered every blade close to him and blasted away the smoke and Kiba altogether. Xenovia was down on one knee, her hands gripping the handle of the sword after she had slammed it down to form the massive crater. She lifted her head and sprinted up the wall of the crater to pursue her enemy.

Kiba immediately recovered, letting out a groan of discomfort before quickly using his Sword Birth. He pulled it out and prepared to defend-

*CRACK*

The pieces of his sword flew up in front of him as the handle broke into dust. His eyes widened in shock as the massive holy sword then came up just under his neck and stopped him from making any retaliating movement. The blond boy froze and his hands lowered to his side as the tip of the massive sword rose, making him rise up as well with the threat that it would cut his neck with one wrong move. He stood up and stared down the length of the blade and into Xenovia's eyes as she easily held the massive Excalibur with one hand. His eyes remained still as hers narrowed, "Do you yield?"

His brow furrowed, "Never."

"Then will you stand out of our way?"

"Not as long as those swords exist."

"So even if you die, which you most certainly will with your skill set against a foe of greater caliber, you will not stop your mission to destroy these blades?"

"Even if I break and shatter in this life..." His cerulean eyes sharpened, "My hatred for Excalibur will carry on. And I will force myself to live until I can use my last breath...to wipe every remnant of Excalibur out of existence."

...

"I see."

Xenovia lowered her sword and struck Kiba across the face with a fist, knocking him down on his back before she turned around. Irina met her halfway and returned her cloak as Xenovia secured it to her shoulders and hefted the massive sword on her back. She sent one last look to the downed blond before announcing, "Your drive is commendable...but the rest of you is foolish. You have a desire...but if you try as you are, you shall die. Plan and simple. Stay out of our way, Devil. And hope someday in the future, you'll be strong enough to have a chance."

Kiba sat up with a bruised face and panting in anger as he watched the church girls walk out of sight. Issei and Asia watched them before running over to his side. He grit his teeth and clenched his fist hard enough that blood came down his palm.

All these years and all this anger. All this time he was fighting to avenge the people he lost...

But it only got him this far?

||||||||Devil||||||||

Azazel walked into his apartment with a bag of snacks and goods in hand. He chewed on a pocky stick before looking around the empty complex, "Vali! You in here? Brought dinner! Or at least the thing that will substitute our dinner until we either get delivery or instant ramen again! Kid?"

The older man looked around before noticing a note resting on the couch. He read it...

Your guest annoys me

Going out

Well, looks like his charge lost the battle of patience with their guest/unwilling hostage. He...totally expected that. The fact that the note alluded to the guest still being alive was a marvel in itself.

He was probably hungry. Knowing Vali he called it quits hours ago and just fucked off.

Azazel shrugged and decided to finally face his little anomaly himself. He'll bring the snacks too. That'll totally mend bridges.

He walked around the corner and opened the soundproof door to enter and found...

Nothing.

...

How-

"GOTCHA BITCH!"

Naruto dropped down from overhead and landed on Azazel's head, "AGHHH!" The Fallen Angel grunted as he struggled to maintain the weight that bucked back and forth on his shoulders. He dropped the bag of snacks as the whiskered Devil started slamming his sturdy shackles against the crown of Azazel's head, "OW!*THWACK*FUCK!*THWACK*FUCKING!*THWACK*IF YOU-*THWACK*LITTLE CUNT!"

Naruto quickly repositioned himself and moved his arms so that they slid over the older man's head before pulling back and choking the man with the restraints on his arms. Azazel gasped and heaved uselessly with the force applied on his neck as Naruto kept choking him.

'Fuck it.'

Six pairs of black wings unfolded from his back, knocking Natuto's position off until he was just hanging off Azazel's back like a child. The Fallen Angel pounced forward and started slamming them both into everything he could find. Naruto and the Fallen Angel collided into the wall, the ceiling, the bed, the floor, the door, the walls, the bookcase, and everything else even remotely sticking out of the room. Azazel finally slipped his head out and Naruto went falling off until he landed roughly on the ground.

Azazel slammed into the wall as his wings retracted in and he slid to the floor as well. The two men stayed lying on the floor and moaning, panting for air after the wild but unwelcome experience of pile-driving into everything. Azazel rubbed his burning throat and asked, "How-gak-how did you climb up over the doorway?"

Naruto struggled to open up one eye and said through the panting, "I-I'm very persistent."

"Huff-huff-hahaha." The Fallen Angel couldn't help but laugh at the answer as he sat up properly while leaning against the wall. He took a moment to get his bearings before crawling over towards the blond. Naruto seemed cautious at first but when the Fallen Angel gently grabbed his shoulders and sat him up, he relaxed more as he was propped against the side of the bed again.

The Fallen Angel smiled and stepped over to the wall before just sliding down and enjoying the cool sensation of the floor. He spotted the bag of dropped goodies and picked them up before offering them to the blond, "Hungry?"

"Who are you?"

"You can call me Azazel."

"Okay. And is that supposed to mean something or what?"

The Fallen Angel chuckled, "I guess not. Doesn't really matter who I am."

"Sorta does!" Naruto countered with a furious frown, "Because with waking up in a strange room, getting gassed several times with those stupid pellets, no contact, having a quick fit with that white-haired prick, and the fact that I really need to piss, I'm looking for something that matters!" He yelled before waving his locks around wildly, "Also let me go to the bathroom! I refuse to piss my pants!"

Azazel stayed silent as he and the young man across from him continued staring. He looked down for a moment before breaking the silence, "Your name is Naruto Uzumaki-kun, correct?" Naruto didn't make an effort to respond, "I'll take that as a yes. That name...can't be a coincidence."

Naruto felt his interest pique, "What does that mean?"

"Tell me, Naruto..." The older man ignored his inquiry and settled back in his spot for comfort, "Do you know what the Dimensional Gap is?"

Naruto peaked an eyebrow, as if relaying to the other man why he even bothered to ask the question.

"Right. Well the Dimensional Gap is-in the most simplest term-space. The space found between each of our worlds. And when I say that I don't mean Earth and Mars and Venus and stuff. I mean our separate realms." Azazel raised his hands and started bordering off space in front of him, "Human Realm. Underworld-where yours and my people live. We don't like to intermingle. And Heaven, for the Angels and lost souls. Three separate worlds with an empty void between all of them. This is a known fact."

A coy smile came to Azazel's face, "But it can't just be those three, right?"

Naruto just blinked in boredom.

"The Dimensional Gap is infinite. There are a scarce few things in this world that can move through the void without dying. And beyond our three worlds, we don't know what else lies out there." A big, childish grin formed on his face and he bounced with excitement, "Doesn't that just scream the great unknown? Uncharted territory! The final frontier! It's all so mysterious and crazy but it seems so amazing!"

"Okay~." Naruto rolled with the madman's yammering, "And why are you telling me this?"

"Well this is all just theory mind you, considering I can't find someone with enough magical power to create a barrier and travel with me out through the Dimensional Gap until we find something, but I think there is an entire meta-universe accessible through the void. Or, better called a multiverse. Now do you know what a multiverse is?"

"I'm just gonna save you the time now and tell you I really don't care-"

"You see the multiverse-"

"Oh for fuck's sake."

"-is the theory that there are an infinite number of other possible universes branching off from our own. Some people believe that the differences between these universes can be infinitesimal, like the differing outcome of a coin flip. Others think it's a vast change that separates us, like an extinction event occurring that wipes out mankind and reinvigorates the reign of dinosaurs." Naruto seemed surprised by that example as Azazel smiled, "The best thing about multiverse theory is that both of those ideas are possible! Infinite realities!"

"Well...that's cool and everything...but why are you bringing this up?" Naruto inquired uncertainly.

Azazel's grin settled back into a smile, "Well, with multiverse, every imaginable scenario or dream could be a reality. You could be a pirate. Or a grim reaper. Or a detective. Or an astronaut. Or a Mage. Or an alien. Or a dog. Or a cat. You could be the strongest, most invincible entity that rules an entire plane of existence. Or the weakest, most fragile creature ever to walk the earth. Worlds where all your wildest dreams come true. Or worlds where you were denied everything you ever hoped for. You could have existed on other planets millennia ago. Or never even existed in those realities in the first place. There are probably even some worlds where we merely exist as fictional characters. In books or TV shows and manga."

Naruto felt a strange sense of...smallness-he supposed-comprehending an idea like that. He shook his head before focusing on the here and now again, "You're stalling. Does this science lesson have a purpose or do you just like to hear yourself talk?"

"Meh. Little bit of both." Azazel stated unabashedly before nodding, "But this science lesson would be more substantial if it wasn't just a theory. Except...it might not be anymore." Azazel sat up, "You see I had been thinking about something for quite a while now. There are so many other possible worlds and universes out there that what if it was possible...that the Dimensional Gap had different properties connecting all of them?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow in thought.

"I mean connecting our worlds it is destructive and a kaleidoscope of colors. But what if the void was white for other worlds? Or black? Or pink? What if it was just totally ludicrous and the vast void of several worlds was plaid?" He smirked, "What if it had structures inside it? What if some people from these other universes were capable of moving through the void without dying? I mean I know for a fact some things can live in it. Granted they're antisocial and keep to themselves but they're both rather sturdy to exist in it all the time. That was a theory of mine that I kept to myself...until..."

Naruto asked, "Until what?"

"Until over a year ago we discovered a shockwave of energy pass through the Dimensional Gap from the force of an explosion that could only be described as impossible. And then...around the same time...a boy appeared in this town and went into a coma with no name, no record, no identification, and was covered with residual energy matching the one from that same explosion. For someone that believes there is something out there in the Dimensional Gap...I was understandably intrigued by this news."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he sat up.

Azazel did the same and smiled, "So tell me...what was your universe like, Naruto Uzumaki?"

||||||||Devil||||||||

Done

So...you guys mad? You're mad aren't you? I swear I didn't mean to upset you. It was just easier getting to write for Hunter and Hunting and I lost track of time and I was falling behind and...

You mad?

I understand.

Let's...divert to something else.

Hey! So I hear Boku no Hero Academia is going to get an anime series soon! That's fucking awesome!

If you told me a year ago that the series that succeeded Naruto was getting an anime while the Naruto anime was still fucking around in filler at the same time...I would have totally believed you.

I mean I get you wanna showcase Itachi, one of your most popular and intriguing characters, but you left to show the Infinite Tsukuyomi for several characters for nearly a whole year. And now straight into basically another filler.

The fact that we were gonna have to watch Ms. Out-of-Nowhere to Finish the Plot Kaguya fight at all was gonna suck enough already but you put it on hiatus too! Just let Naruto and Sasuke do their weird blood finger, hands-holding, how the fuck did they not bleed out over a whole night-fight already and let it end on a high note! This series, while flawed, means the world to thousands-even millions of people! I haven't watched the show in years but I'll drop what I'm doing to watch the finale! I was so fucking pumped as a kid when I watched Naruto and Sasuke fight the first time in an AMV over some sick rock music on YouTube in 2006! I would happily watch them fight and end their bitter rivalry in 2016! Not only because it would be awesome but because it's my duty to watch them finish as a fan! You already ended the storylines with The Last movie and Boruto but you haven't finished the series! I get it's a cash cow but you've done so much with this fucking beef that it has to have mad cow's disease at this point!

Sigh. That sucks. I have to imagine this is what you guys feel about me in much the same way right now. Hiatus and procrastinating.

Weird how I can vent with this story. I like to be more controlled with notes in my other stories but I swear so much and cut loose in this one so fuck it.

Maybe it's because I get so many polarizing reviews about the start of this story that I can relax and unwind a little. What's the worst that can happen? More people tell me I made an OC and that I should abandon everything I do because I suck? I'm okay with that. You guys get to vent some frustration and I get a higher review count. I love that. Everyone wins.

I lost track of what I was doing.

Anyway-

Hope you liked.

Maybe I won't take basically a year to write the next one this time. We can hope.

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Thank You and Bye