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.

13. Dwelling

New Devil of The Gremory House

Life 13: Dwelling

See! Wasn't basically a year this time!

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Naruto and Azazel were silent as they stared at each other. The mix-haired man had a lively smile plastered over his face with anticipation as Naruto kept his stone-faced glare.

...

Azazel's gaze shifted around the room before he shrugged, "So~, you gonna say anything about that or-"

"That sounds stupid."

"Sure it sounds stupid," Azazel rebuffed, "But that's only because you aren't smart enough to appreciate it." This earned a spiteful glare from the whiskered boy in return. The Fallen Angel scratched his stubble and raised an eyebrow, "Okay, if you think this idea is stupid then that's fine. But let me ask you this...where do you think you ended up?"

Naruto's glare slowly turned into a frown as he looked aside in thought. That was the question. One he had been trying to figure out for over a year now. He had spent time in libraries researching. He had checked history books and bibliographies. But nothing even brought him close to finding that answer.

"Do you think you're stuck in some kind of illusion? Or that big explosion blew you through time or whatever?" Azazel questioned, getting closer than he knew to hitting Naruto's prime theories before the older man laughed, "Let me shoot those down for you. First off, I'm real. I have been through more shit and done more shit than you or your ancestors have probably been alive so that theory is shot. Also, you weren't blown through time. As easy and convenient an explanation that would be, bombs and time/space don't work like that."

Naruto took a sharp inhale through his nose before grumbling, "Yeah, figured as much."

"What about history? Does this world's past match up with anything from yours? Culture? What's familiar and what's different? Geography? Because if this place is different in any way from yours, you should know it would take tens and hundreds of millions of years for land mass-"

"Okay! I get it! Stop throwing words and explanations at me, dammit!" Naruto snapped back at the Fallen Angel, "If what you're saying is true then none of my ideas work. And even though I'm having a hard time believing anything you say considering," He waved his locks around for emphasis, "What you say makes sense. None of them hold up thinking like that. So..."

"So~?" Azazel repeated.

"So," Naruto's shoulders slumped, "I might be on another world."

"Knew it."

"Stop bragging asshole." Did he not understand just how shitty a situation this was for him? He hiked up his shoulders, "So what am I supposed to do? What does that mean? Can I ever get back to my world?"

"Don't know." Azazel just shrugged, "The Dimensional Gap and the infinite space around it are a pretty unknown subject to be speculating about. Most suggestions could be entirely theoretical on how to move through it. The force behind that explosion you followed was probably so immense it pushed you so far away from your realm that you might never make it back there. And that's not even taking into account the possibility that these spaces could be acting under a completely different set of physics or limitations. Perhaps movement is possible through the release of energy, and only when it's as powerful as that explosion you encountered. Or maybe movement is based around the passage of time, shifting space with every passing moment-"

"Stop! Stop!" Naruto grimaced and groaned, "Ugh, I think I taste coins." He glared at the man across from him, "I didn't understand most of what you just said."

Azazel just smirked and chuckled wholeheartedly, "Hahahaha, yeah, I figured as much. Just wanted to see what I could babble off before I was told to shut up. You have no idea how long it's been since I last had an audience, especially one as captivated as this one." The blond Devil didn't appreciate the poor pun at his expense and just glared at the older man, "To be honest, I have no idea what to tell you about if you'll ever get back to your own world. But I'm inclined to say that your chances aren't great."

"Fuck."

"My thoughts exactly. Going to a complete different and foreign world beyond our knowledge? Man that would be awesome." Azazel dreamily looked off and smiled, "Oh well. I guess I'll have to settle for the second best option."

"What would that be?"

"Sitting here and wait for you to tell me everything about where you came from and how you think you got here."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, "No god damn way."

"Doesn't it hurt to say that?"

"And that should tell just how much I am not willing to touch the subject with you." He still hadn't worked up the nerve to tell Rias and the others who he was before coming to Kuoh, and he liked them a thousand times more than this prick, "You kidnapped me. You locked me up. You've gassed my unconscious several times. I'm filled up with so much of that stuff it comes out with my coughs and farts! There's no way I should tell you anything! Plus I have to pee!"

"Oh that's right." Azazel suddenly realized the situation he was in and nodded, "We gotta figure out a way to fix that. If I put a cup under your crotch, would you pee in that?"

"I'd piss on you." Naruto deadpanned, "Get anywhere near my penis and I will do whatever I can to piss on you."

"Testy but fair." Azazel shrugged as he climbed up to his feet and rotated his shoulders, getting the soreness out of his body after their little ricochet session. He walked out the door, "I'll focus on finding a way to convince you to tell me your past while you keeping holding in the golden flood. If your kidneys start to fail, give me a call."

He said as he closed the soundproof door behind him. Freaking bastard.

...

"Shit, should've taken him up on the cup offer."

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"You wanna tell us what the fuck that was about, jackass?" Yuuto regarded Issei from the corner of his eyes as Asia focused on healing his wounds. He tried to deter her, saying his injuries were minor and that he would be fine with some rest. However Issei kept a hand on his shoulder and forced him down while the nun went to work healing him, Issei glaring down at him from just a foot away.

Yuuto felt the numbness and pain start to lessen under the relief of the emerald glow. However his rage from being so painstakingly close to the Excalibur blades and his disdain at the fact that he had failed to destroy even one of them in confrontation still caused a fire to burn in his stomach. He buried it down and attempted to feign disinterest, "I'm not sure any of that garners an explanation. They were members of the Church wielding holy blades. I believe I acted quite predictably given the situation."

"Except we called a truce with those people! Which you would have known if you bothered to show up at the club today!" Issei chewed him out with a growl as even Asia flinched at the rise in his voice. The brunette Devil glared at the [Knight] accusingly, "Do you even know what the hell is going on right now?! Fallen Angels in the the town! A bunch of these crazy swords all over the place-"

"I know about the swords."

"Well do you know that Naruto-senpai has been missing for the last two days?! And we still don't know anything about where his is or what happened to him!"

"I..." Yuuto failed to comply and just lowered his head, "No, I didn't know that." His eyes conveyed a look of shame and guilt for having to hear this news secondhand. He opted to ask Asia for clarification in order to avoid enraging Issei any further, "What happened?"

"We don't know." Asia sadly shook her head and looked down at the area she was healing, "Buchou-San called and informed us that Naruto-San had suddenly disappeared and his apartment seemed to be in shambles. Buchou-San initially suspected that Naruto-San got into a fight with someone, but he hasn't made any contact at all to inform us. She says she isn't able to pinpoint his location because something is wrong with his [Evil Piece]. And without any leads or knowledge..." Asia's face fell into a gloomy expression as she tried to stifle her worry and appear strong.

Yuuto could notice little tears fill the sides of her eyes. She must be so desperately trying to hope for the best...and try to ignore the obvious signs that points towards the worst possible outcome.

"What's your deal with those swords?"

The blond [Knight] looked up at the [Pawn] that had steered the conversation elsewhere with a frustrated frown, "The crazy stuff you were saying about going after those holy swords even if you die. It sounds like the kinda shit one of those characters from a really dark manga talk about. The ones that get themselves killed." Issei narrowed his eyes, "So what the hell?"

Yuuto lowered his eyes in shame, "It doesn't matter."

"Oh you little fucking-"

"Yuuto!"

The [Knight] felt a worrisome pit fill his stomach at the stern, angered tone of his [King]'s voice calling his name. He looked back and saw Rias making her way over with a stomp in her walk, Akeno and Koneko following behind and taking notice of the massive crater in the field. Yuuto sighed as he stood up, "Buchou-"

His head snapped back as the firm slap echoed in the silence of the night. He felt his cheek sting and noticed the others looking at them in surprise. He turned his head back around to face the glare on Rias' face. The redhead spoke in a short, tempered tone, "What in the world were you thinking?"

Yuuto merely stood there in silence as the red sting on his cheek started to become more prominent. He didn't have much to say. He didn't tell his [King], his master - his savior, anything about this because...he didn't know why. He just couldn't. The idea never even crossed his mind once.

What this was...was his burden. His duty. His cross to bear and drag along for however long it may take.

The ramifications it might create. The problems he would face finding the job. Whatever might happen because of his crusade was a sin he should bear by himself.

He wouldn't force the people that had saved him to bear it as well.

"I was thinking that this was my chance to get my revenge. To finally fulfill the mission I promised I would fulfill to everyone I lost. To give meaning to the whole reason I was resurrected in the first place."

"The reason you were resurrected was so that you would join my side! So you can keep living!" Rias protested, furious at her servant's blasé attitude and cold words as she shook her head, "You're supposed to be by my side, not turning your back on us completely for your personal crusade. A crusade that will put you in opposition against not only the Church, but the Fallen Angels as well! A crusade that will bring you nothing but pain and despair! One you'll die from!"

"That may be," His face didn't change from its mask as he looked at Rias with his vacant eyes, "But it's still one I need to make."

Rias was unsatisfied with that response, her shoulders shaking and her sea-foam eyes filled with irritation. She held her breath before it came out as a sigh of disappointment. The lovely Gremory heiress looked back up at her [Knight] sadly, "I know how much this means to you, Yuuto. How much this drives you. And remember I told you once that I would be there to help you fight your cause when you were ready." She shook her head, "But now is not that time. When all three factions can be involved in this. When one wrong move could very well spark the second coming of war. I can't let that happen."

"I know you can't, Buchou. And I'll make sure by every means possible that you and the others can't be blamed for this. Whatever is happening with these swords, I can put a stop to it now." The blond's eyes lowered in shame seeing the expression on Rias' face before he spoke, "I'm sorry if I'm coming off as ungrateful. I...I can't begin to express my gratitude for what you've done for me. The home you gave me. The love you've all shown me. Being the family I never believed I would have again." His cerulean eyes glinted with sadness, "But I have to do this. This was what keeps me forward. The only thing I can do to respect my comrades' deaths and give them peace. The peace they've been denied."

Yuuto looked around the clearing at the people that had been his new life for so long. They all had different expressions looking at him, varying between concern and disappointment and even...understanding. He didn't want to leave them, the thought of maybe never seeing them again terrified him to his core. But when he looked back around...

His old friends. The ones he grew up with. The ones that had been with him through his very first life. The ones that allowed him to run free and escape while they were killed. Unjustly. Unceremoniously. Like cattle. Like nothing. Used for an experiment that was probably never going to work, and when it became clear, they were merely just a mess to clean up. He couldn't let that be their legacy. That they would die uselessly for a sword like that.

No way. Not when those blades were so close. He had spent so much time researching and tracking, trying to find out where Excalibur could be. But now they were here, right now, and this might be his best chance to do it.

The handsome blond teen started walking off the field in silence. He stopped at the edge of the street, looking back to see them just watch him leave. Issei looked like he was just barely containing the desire to punch him as Buchou watched him leave sadly.

He preferred the slap. He preferred a hundred thousand slaps. That would be less painful then leaving them.

But he had to.

"I'm sorry."

And Yuuto walked out of their sight.

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Sona walked through the halls of the old school building late at night. Her eyes panned around the hallway before landing at the door she was coming upon. The door was slightly ajar and a bright light slipped through the crack to give the dark hallway some light.

When she pushed the door open, she saw the ORC club room almost completely empty. Save for Rias sitting at her desk with a forlorn expression on her face. The redhead didn't even lift her head to address her arrival as Sona crossed her arms, "You're alone?"

Rias finally seemed to register her oldest friend but answered with a sigh. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, "We aren't taking requests at the moment. I told Akeno to help Issei and Asia back home and for Koneko to call it a night." She rubbed the bridge of her nose like it was her only answer to the headache developing in her lobes, "It's been a very hectic day."

"I heard." Sona mentioned while walking into the room and sitting down on the couch with a huff. She crossed her legs and leaned back, "So Uzumaki-kun goes missing, the Church sends a vanguard into the territory illegally, there's a Fallen Angel experimenting with an ancient weapon somewhere in town-"

"And Yuuto has decided to take it upon himself to hunt for the pieces of Excalibur by himself."

"Kiba-kun?" Sona was surprised at that revelation as Rias gave a solemn nod. She blinked and sighed in disbelief, "I didn't believe he of all people would do that."

"I did." Rias mumbled while getting out of her spot and walking over to sit beside her friend. She plopped down by Sona unceremoniously and groaned, not even bothering to keep up the image of a respectable, civil lady in the sole presence of her best friend. Rias covered her eyes, "I always suspected that if something involving Excalibur came up, he'd become obsessed again with trying to find and eliminate them. I just thought I'd have more time to prepare and help him when it did. By the time I saw him again, he was already past the point where I could convince him to calm down."

Sona let out a little chuckle and reached over to pat Rias' head, "You certainly picked a rather rowdy group of people to find interest in, didn't you?"

"Yes." Rias said with no humor as she ran her hand down her face, "I certainly did."

...

"It's not just that." Rias sat up a little and looked down at the table, "Naruto's disappearance..."

"We used our available resources to look into Uzumaki-kun's sudden disappearance," Sona knew where Rias was taking the conversation, "But with the news that there are Fallen Angels in the territory..."

"I thought he might have gone to do something." Rias said, the last bit of hope in her voice bleeding through, "He had some personal business he had to take care of or something only he could do. Onii-sama suggested that there was even a possibility that he could have gone astray and abandoned us, but I wouldn't believe it. After what he said to me, I knew he meant it." Rias paused before she let out a very heavy, loaded sigh, "I just...I couldn't believe there was a chance he could have fought someone and lost. After what happened in the Rating Game...I thought he might be stronger than anything we would ever face. At least at our level."

Sona understood her train of thought. In a time of relative peace like this, and in a territory the Devils had claimed for their own, there wasn't much immediate danger they would expect to face. A Stray Devil every now and then. Some sorcerer or crackpot sneaking in to see what they could get away with. The most pressing issue they had faced recently was that fiasco with the rogue Fallen Angel cell that had made Issei, Naruto, and Asia join Rias' peerage in the first place. Hell, they weren't even expected to fight in Rating Games until they were eighteen.

But this wasn't a usual danger. This was big. Menacing. Fierce.

"But this isn't at our level." Sona said simply beside her silent best friend, "With an enemy of Kokabiel's scale on the loose here...and his strength..."

"What if he had went to Naruto to interrogate him? Captured him, and all this time we've been looking, just torturing him. Hurting him because he wanted information about us. Things Naruto couldn't possibly know."

"Rias...if that's what happened..."

"If he captured Naruto and hurt him...and if he's toying with the weapons that caused Yuuto so much pain..." Rias' head had lowered and her shoulders were shaking with gritted teeth, "If he's doing all these things to my peerage, then I can't just sit here-"

"I've already informed our families of the situation going on here with the Church and the Fallen Angels." Sona quickly interrupted her with a level voice before it took on a tinge of worry, "They told us to stand down and not interfere with this operation until further notice. Rias...I can't let you jeopardize this truce-"

"I know what it means." The Gremory heiress muttered softly, "I understand what I should do. The proper actions I should take as an emissary of the Devils and the next head of the Gremory House. I know..." She looked back up at Sona and showed her the sadness in her eyes as the Sitri heiress' eyes softened as well, "But I don't care."

...

Sona just reached an arm around Rias's shoulders, bringing the girl in closer to rest her head on Sona's shoulder as she comforted Rias, "I know."

Rias just closed her eyes and accepted Sona's comfort, despite how little it did to actually calm her uncontrollable thoughts. She hoped she could see Yuuto back with them again, the same kind smile he showed them before he took up his sword and stood proudly like the [Knight] he was always destined to be.

And Naruto...

She didn't know where he was...or what was happening to him...but she just hoped he would be okay until they found him.

Please be okay.

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"Saru, Tatsu, Ne, Tori, Mi, Ushi, Inu, Uma, Tora, I, Hitsuji, U! Saru, Tatsu, Ne, Tori, Mi, Ushi, Inu, Uma, Tora, I, Hitsuji, U! Saru, Tatsu, Ne, Tori, Mi, Ushi, Inu, Uma, Tora, I, Hitsuji, U! SaruTatsuNeToriMiUshiInuUmaToriIHitsujiU - AHHHHH! It's not working!"

Naruto's entire body was shaking, his legs bouncing around despite the fact they were confined in their locks as he struggled to keep his mind preoccupied with other matters. Something mindless. Something distracting. Something other than running water. Or trickling streams. Or dripping faucets. Or magnificent rain that weirdly turned golden halfway down-

"AHHHHHH!" Naruto slammed his head against the bed to distract himself as he started huffing for air, "Okay! Okay! U-ummm - oh! That - uh - song from that thing Issei showed me! How'd it go?" He closed his eyes and craned his head back, "S-Sha la, enchilada, meh meh meehhhh, bla-la-la-la-la-le-la-la-la, he saying eye eye eye eye eye! SHOCKING - OH GOD, IT'S NOT WORKING!"

Just as Naruto started fretting that one of his kidneys may burst, the door slowly opened to reveal Azazel with a lazy, bored expression. The blond quickly stifled his moan and halted all jittery movement that may show he was about to burst. But despite his attempt to keep a cool expression, his eye twitched and his face twisted in discomfort as the Fallen Angel stopped and leaned against the wall in front of him. They just stood there in silence as Naruto waited for the man to say something. And after a moment, he thought the older man had just walked in to stare at him. But after a minute, the Fallen Angel finally spoke...

"The Gremory girl gave her the name Yuuma Amano, correct?" The Fallen Angel saw the young blond look at him oddly as Azazel smirked and nodded, "Yeah, that was the name Dohnaseek and the others told me she was going by after her run-in with you lot."

Naruto's mind went back to the trenchcoat-clad Fallen Angel prick that he had the misfortune of facing off against when he had first gotten involved with Rias and the Devils. The same jerk that threatened to kill him, blowing up a hydrant while he was next to it and leaving the shrapnel scars that ran up his arms. Naruto's face twisted in a scowl at the memory.

But then his thoughts went to the Fallen Angel woman that had started all of this. The woman that attacked Issei, and when he chose to intervene she killed them both, leading to Rias resurrecting them as members of her peerage. The same woman that tormented Issei, used Asia, got the sweet nun killed, and nearly killed Issei.

But then he remembered when Issei took back Asia's Sacred Gear by force, ripping it out of Raynare's grasp and the agonizing wail that followed as her wings exploded and her eyes rolled back in her head.

When she awoke, the psychopath that had killed, tortured, and tormented them was no longer in her eyes. It was just a scared, confused, and terrified woman who had no idea who she was anymore.

"When a human has their Sacred Gear removed, they slowly start to shut down and die. When Raynare took that girl's Sacred Gear, she hadn't had enough time for it to completely fuse with her. That's why that dragon boy was able to rip it off her. But even then, it was too much for her. In that moment, she must have felt like every cell in her body was being torn apart in different directions." He scoffed, "It was so bad her powers were obliterated and her wings disappeared down to the stumps. And her mind...in an attempt to protect itself from the agony it experienced, sectioned off so many of her memories that she was left as basically an empty shell."

"Rias said that everything that used to be a Fallen Angel in that girl was gone." Naruto said while remembering what Rias had told them, "That her memories were permanently gone."

"Oh, nothing has to be permanent. Not if you try hard enough and have the right materials." Azazel leaned against the wall and lowered himself to the ground to sit across from Naruto. The Fallen Angel scratched his head, "I went to go see her. See where she had gone after your friends had let her go. What she was doing. What happened to her. Dohnaseek, Kalawarner, and Mittelt had begged me to find some way to fix her. And I thought about it...until I saw her."

The older Fallen Angel stared forward, not even regarding Naruto as a fond smile came over his face, "She got a job as a waitress in this cozy little restaurant owned by this kind old man and his wife. She become so popular that business is booming because of the pretty new girl that smiles so often." He scratched the back of his head, "I even set up an anonymous scholarship program to help her pay her way through school. She wants to be a social worker."

Azazel's light smile turned into an exhausted sigh as he shook his head, "I won't say I condone what she did to you and your lot. Nor will I say I quite appreciate what your friends did to her to make her stop. But...she's happy. More than that girl has ever been happy in a long, long time. Experiencing an agony far worse than any person should go through...has done more to help her than staying on our side and waiting for this so-called 'peace' to fall through."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "'So-called'?"

"Yep." Azazel nodded, "All three sides have stopped fighting. Not for the benefit of our people. Not because peace is better than war. Because we're at a standstill. Because we can't afford to fight anymore. We're teetering on the edge of extinction, and one more full-out war will spell out the end for all three sides. And we know it. But even so...there are people on all sides that grew up in this war. Survived in this war. Thrived in this war. Even knowing what might happen if we all start fighting again," Azazel just shrugged, "They can't imagine doing anything else in this war besides fighting."

The two men were silent for a moment before Azazel's hand outstretched and a small Spear of Light formed in his hand. Naruto instinctively tensed up near the weapon he knew hurt like a bitch as the older man examined his construct, "Y'know, I've done more things in this war than I can even begin to count. The number of Angels and Devils I've killed. The number of people I've tortured for the greater good. The number of graves I've dug and filled with my kin." The Fallen Angel's eyes became filled with the light of his weapon before it disappeared into a swarm of particles when he crushed it, "I look back and...I realize the pile of bodies behind me stack really high."

Naruto's eyes changed hearing the man speak so devoid of the smarm and cocky tone he had expected from the other times they had spoken. The mixed-haired man chuckled and looked back at Natuto, "After everything I've done, I don't think I have the right to say that war doesn't serve a purpose. To end a feud between forces that have no other way to settle matters. To prove your ideals and ideas can persevere and defeat all other concepts that may oppose them. I suppose as long as you fight for a reason...you can find a purpose in war. But that was the problem," Azazel shrugged, "I couldn't remember what we were fighting for anymore. I thought I might be fighting for freedom. That we don't have to repress or restrain ourselves. And they fought back because their ideals and philosophies detracted mine. But at this point I'm pretty sure we just fight and show such animosity for each other because our opponents are different from us. Ask the last several generations of any faction why we're fighting and I'd bet they would say because we always have. And what defense could I make to deny that claim?"

The Fallen Angel's thoughts went back to his brothers and sisters that were immortalized in the paintings of the Grigori main building. The Angels he had once called family now gone from this world by his own hand. And the young Devils, trained and raised to fight since birth to kill him, and the looks in their eyes as he struck them down.

How many bodies were there in the wake of this endless war? And even if his side won, what would they have to cheer and celebrate about anymore?

He let out a long sigh that turned into a whistle as he looked around the room. His eyes finally landed on Naruto and saw something strange in the boys eyes. For the first time, the blue eyes that looked at him weren't on edge like he was expecting a fight or some trickery to catch him off guard. Nor was it anger or irritation at having to listen to him talk.

The blond was looking at him with something else in his eyes. Sympathy? Empathy? Whatever it was...it was understanding.

"I know it might seem hard to believe, but I want this fight to be over. All of these fights to be over." The older man smirked and looked off with a dreamy expression, "I'd rather be on the beachside. A good book in one hand. A cold beer in the other. And a sexy, young, and willing beauty in my lap ready to take me on a never-ending journey."

Naruto groaned, "Did you have to tell me about that last part?"

"Have to? No," Azazel gave a hearty laugh at Naruto's grimace, "But I just love the idea of bragging to other people about the sex I'm gonna have when this is over."

"Ugh." He groaned and shivered at the thought. He opened his eyes again and saw Azazel slowly approaching him. He sat up in response, shying away as Azazel knelt down in front of him, "What are you doing?"

"Not a lot happened, but I can't say this experience wasn't fun." The Fallen Angel said with his voice filled with mirth as his hands landed on the locks around Naruto's legs. The points beneath his fingers clicked like buttons as he pressed a certain pattern into the locks. After a few more seconds, Azazel finished pressing the pattern and the locks around his feet unlocked with a mechanical hiss.

When the locks fell, Naruto looked down at them in surprise as his legs spread out, the immense soreness from being confined like that for so long finally taking their affect. Azazel did the same thing to the ones around his arms, and once those fell Naruto was freed.

He opened and closed his hands a few times before looking up to see Azazel pocket his hands and shrug, "You can go now if you want. If you want to tell your Devil friends about me and what happened, you can. With what's about to happen, I'm pretty sure it's just a drop in the bucket at this point."

Naruto quickly scampered off the floor and dashed out the door. Azazel let a hefty sigh as he waited for the ringing of the door slamming open as the boy ran for freedom. But after a moment he never heard the door slam...

Instead he heard the sound of a very long stream hitting water, a content moan, and the flushing of the toilet.

A moment later Naruto came back in with a relieved sigh and sat down on the so quickly he bounced a bit. He actually smiled with joy, "That had to be one of the best experiences I've had in my whole life."

"Well when it's a good one, it has that kind of affect." Azazel pointed out while looking down at the young man lounging over the bed. He tilted his head, "Why didn't you run out the moment I let you go?"

Naruto opened one of his eyes to regard the Fallen Angel before he gave an unconcerned shrug, "What you said...I can't try to imagine that I understand what it's like fighting a war so long that I can't even remember why I'm fighting. But from what I've seen of war...what it's like and what it does to people...I can definitely empathize with you on wanting to see it end."

Azazel didn't outwardly react to what Naruto said but after a moment in silence he scoffed and chuckled. He looked down at the blond with a smirk and raised one of his brows, "You know considering the situation, you shouldn't believe what I say so easily. What makes you think I didn't just make up that sob story to trick you and make you lower your guard?"

"If that was your plan then you should do a better job at telling lies." Naruto countered, "From what I saw and heard, you meant every word you said."

"..." Azazel shrugged, "Touché."

"So let me ask you something instead." Naruto sat up, enjoying the free mobility in his limbs after their extended confinement and looked up at the older man, "Why are you so interested in knowing about where I come from? And what happened to me?"

"The possibility of their being endless other worlds that we could explore? Imparting on them our wisdom and even the possibility that they may be able to help us? Infinite possibilities in which to explore?" The older man repeated what he had explained to Naruto earlier with an amused grin, "How could I not be curious? Plus doesn't that sound like a much more intriguing use of time than waiting for a war to start up again?"

The blond gave a small nod before asking again, "But why do you want to know how I got here? And what happened to me?"

"Because I've seen your expression before." The old Fallen Angel answered as he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms in wait, "I saw that look on the faces of my old soldiers years back when they came back from the worst kinds of fights." The older man noticed the young Devil's face go still but his eyes turned for just a moment. Enough for Azazel to understand that he had probably hit the nail on the head, "Must've been one hell of a fight."

"..."

Naruto's eyes lowered for a moment before nodding, "Yeah...must've been."

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

"FUCKING DIE!"

Naruto tried to keep his grip on the invisible enemy he had been left to deal with while Sasuke chased after the physical Madara. Whatever this thing was, it was squirmy and unruly as hell. Even with the combination of the seal pattern and black lightning around its body, it refused to stop moving and fighting. At least the seal pattern that covered its body had covered it enough for Naruto to finally get a good look at it.

This power-up or upgrade or increase or whatever the Super Old Sage had given him was super helpful! He wasn't able to see this thing but he was able to sense and guess where it was coming from. It was like Sage Mode - but - even stronger! He still couldn't see it like Sasuke, but he wasn't complaining at the moment.

Was this a permanent thing, or did he have to return it after they kicked Madara's ass?

"Are you seriously worrying about how long you'll have this power?!" Kurama screamed in the recesses of his mind as the Bijū yelled in exasperation, "Focus on killing this bastard!"

'Right! Sorry Kurama!' Naruto apologized as he focused on pinning the invisible duplicate for as long as he could. He went back into his head, 'Any suggestions on how I do this?'

"We can try melting him. After everything he's done to us, I'd love to turn this smug bastard into a bubbly liquid!" Son yelled proudly in his head.

"If it's melting him," Saiken chimed in with a mumbled voice, "I'm more than happy to help."

"No! Rip him to shreds!" Shukaku's high-pitched encouragement and crazed laughter persisted over everyone else as he tried to get his point across, "Peel him apart! Disembowel him! Make him suffer! Make him wail! Have fun with it!"

'Hey!' Naruto hollered and stopped the overlapping in his head as he yelled at his powerful visitors, 'If you guys are gonna be staying in my head, then speak one at a time!'

"Naruto." Gyuki spoke up when given the chance as he said calmly and helpfully, "Those black orbs behind you? Imagine them as spires and stick them through the clone to pin it to the ground."

"Oh, good idea." Naruto held out his hand and pictured the weapon, and in an moment one of the spheres slipped into his hand with a different shape. Damn, these things were practical. They still had weaknesses, as his earlier fight with Obito and when Madara cut through one of them with a laser had proved, but still they looked useful.

Naruto grunted as he stabbed the weapon through the invisible enemy and watched it extend into the ground. He did it a few more times and his prey was caught. He nodded and created a Shadow Clone to watch over it while he charged in the same direction Sasuke went. Sasuke might have gotten an upgrade from the old man too, but this was Madara. The slippery bastard had pulled out several hidden aces over the course of this fight and they couldn't risk him doing it again now that he absorbed the tree.

He came up over the vast broken battlefield and saw Sasuke standing beside an kneeling Kakashi. He dropped down by their side, "Sasuke, what happened? Where's Madara?"

Sasuke barely even seemed to acknowledge his presence as he just focused on glaring at the same spot. He finally did speak, "I was coming after him but he teleported away before I could finish him off."

"Dammit!" Naruto cursed before asking, "Well did you get anything off him?"

"I thought cutting him in half would be enough, but his legs got pulled in with the teleportation. Apparently his body doesn't adhere to the regular affect of being bisected anymore." Sasuke said with the smallest bit of irritation in his stoic voice as he clenched his fists, "I'll make sure the next one goes for his head."

Naruto leaned away from his complicated friend and nodded, "R-right, you do that. Just - um- focus on cutting him, okay?" Sasuke didn't even seem to laugh at Naruto's attempt to lighten the dreary mood before the blond finally noticed that his teacher was in pain. He bent down to his side, "Kakashi-sensei, what's wrong?"

"It was Madara." Kakashi said weakly as his hand lowered to show a small stream of blood coming from his left eye. He was extremely tired and weakened by the events of this fight as he looked up, "Madara ripped it out and used it to travel to the other dimension."

"He did?!" Naruto reeled back in shock as horror gripped his heart, "But Sakura-chan and Obito are still over there, aren't they?!"

"I think so." Kakashi muttered as his eye flinched, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be of any more use in the remainder of this fight."

Something clicked in Naruto. While looking at Kakashi's injured eye, something inside him said that he could do something about it. He wasn't sure what or how, but he could. He just had to...touch it. He raised a hand, "Kakashi-sensei, can you stay still for a sec? I think I might-"

"Naruto!" Kurama roared in his mind, "There's something coming!"

Naruto felt something like an alarm go off in his head as he turned back to stand beside Sasuke. They watched a familiar spiral formation ripple through the air and got ready for a fight.

However when the spiral finished, an injured and unconscious Sakura was carried under the arm of Obito, who had a black rod sticking through his right bicep while Black Zetsu remained secured around his left side. The older Uchiha gasped for air, his arm going numb and Sakura slipping from his grasp and onto the ground.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto went to help the pink-haired girl who moaned in pain.

"Obito," Kakashi struggled to speak but continued, "What happened?"

"S-she tried to fight Madara. T-to keep him away from the Rinnegan as long as she could, but Madara was too much." His body froze and he buckled to his knees, "I-I can't move anymore. I can't feel my arms or legs."

"Hold on." Sasuke stepped forward, "I can get that out-"

"No! Don't come any closer-"

Obito's body lurched forward and the black goop around his body extended and stretched out. It knocked Sasuke, Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura away several meters before he started standing up in a disjointed and shaky fashion. Obito gasped, "I-I can't control it any longer!"

"That's right. You can't."

Madara's deep voice permeated the tense and silent battlefield as a second spiral formed behind Obito and Madara popped out of it. His arms wrapped around Obito and sucked him into the spiral gate to bring him into the other dimension.

"NO!" Naruto laid Sakura down and sprinted forward to catch them before they were gone. Naruto reached out his hand but the end of Obito's leg started to disappear in the spiral. They were getting away.

Just as Naruto thought he had failed, Sasuke suddenly appeared between him and the spiral tear. He thrust one hand in, catching himself in the teleport and reaching out with the other to grab Naruto's arm. The young Uzumaki felt his entire body start to get sucked in by the powerful suction of the teleportation as his perception started to turn and spin as well. He caught one last glimpse of Kakashi and Sakura behind him before he disappeared into the hole completely.

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

When Naruto's vision cleared, he had landed in Obito's personal dimension of empty void and square-like structures. He heard Sasuke grumble beside him as they forced themselves back up to their feet to fight. But-

"AHHH! A-AHHHHHHH!"

The sound of something squelching and Obito's scream got their attention and they looked over to see Obito stumbling on his feet. His body slouched over and the black gunk on his left side was the only thing keeping him standing as Madara covered his own face. The eldest Uchiha's lower body was already reconnecting as Madara lowered his hand.

The horns around his head started to grow out and a black rod slipped into his hand. The Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki turned and faced the two of them with a growing smirk.

His eyes were both Rinnegan now.

His mission was complete.

He had achieved his full power.

"You can't begin to imagine just how enlightening this power feels." He closed his fist a few times and nodded, "With this, I'll be able to imprint the Infinite Tsukuyomi onto the surface of the moon. But I can't help but feel..." He looked back up at them, "Like you two will be thorns in my side while I try and do it."

"There's more of them."

"I know."

Naruto could feel another group of those strange clones come into existence around Madara as he reached up to his head. He grabbed the horned decoration over his forehead and tore it off violently, pieces of it falling to the ground around his feet. Once it was gone, it revealed a small slit down his forehead while he closed his eyes, "Zetsu, step back. I don't need you getting caught in this."

"Of course sir." Black Zetsu's nasty voice agreed as he carried himself and Obito away.

The slit over Madara's forehead slowly opened to reveal a strange combination of Rinnegan ripples and Sharingan red and commas. Madara's eyes opened again, his piercing purple orbs focusing on them as he smiled, "I think I'll finish you off in here before I return."

Naruto narrowed his eyes and tensed his muscles. He felt Sasuke do the same beside him, his left hand glowing with electricity that slowly extended to shade a blade around his fist.

Madara just smiled, the black rod extending out into a complete shakujō. He spun it into his hand before slamming its end down hard enough to crack the white ground beneath him.

...

Sasuke and Naruto charged forward, Sasuke pulling his lighting blade back as Naruto extended his hands and let two black balls change into staffs in his grasp. He charged in, swinging at Madara's smug expression before he felt his weapons stop against a solid, powerful surface. Naruto clicked his teeth in anger as he knew that Madara's shadows were protecting him. With immense power, Naruto was flung backwards and forced to skid along the ground before he raised his weapons up to block the follow-up attacks.

Madara smirked before he leaned back to avoid the swipe of the lightning blade coming for his head. He turned and faced Sasuke directly as he spun his weapon around and charged the younger Uchiha. The two Uchiha exchanged attacks at blinding speeds, their weapons disappearing in flashes of black and blue as they parried and avoided each attack. Sasuke dodged and danced around the attacks Madara threw at him as the Jinchūriki swayed around the ones aimed at him.

Naruto tried to hold off all four of Madara's shadows but found himself quickly overwhelmed by their speed and ferocity. He swiped out at where he believed their heads were, throwing one of the rods to force them back as Naruto gained some distance and crossed the index and middle fingers on each hand.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

A mass of clones appeared and fought the Madaras back as best they could. Naruto could feel the experiences come back to him as a dozen of his clones were already destroyed in a manner of seconds. But still his numbers persisted, and after a few tries he overwhelmed the shadows and led his clones to attack to primary enemy, "MADARA!"

The bastard smirked, throwing his weapon up in the air as he clapped his hands together and covered them with Lightning. He extended his arms, creating two lines of electricity from both hands that connected to his shadows on the other side of the Naruto horde. They crossed over, slicing apart all of Naruto's clones and reducing them to smoke.

Naruto took the chance to leap off the back of one clone and into the air for safety. When he noticed Madara grinning up at him, he roared at the top of his lungs as the aura around him extended and shaped itself into a giant fox. The giant fox let out a deafening roar as it brought its paw down on Madara, cracking the white surface and sending a powerful shockwave out from the impact.

Naruto's eyes widened when he felt the paw struggle against something and looked through his translucence to see Madara completely unharmed. He hadn't even raised his arms as his shadows had come to defend him, holding the massive claw up while Madara lowered his shakujō before raising it up against the paw.

The giant fox was knocked back onto its hind legs but Naruto roared as a Tailed Beast Bomb formed in front of him and fired down at Madara. The Jinchūriki returned his shadows into himself and flew away, dodging the massive explosion that vaporized the ground where the attack struck. Madara floated over Naruto's head and smugly grinned down at the boy that failed to hit him.

The oldest Uchiha had to quickly turn in the air to avoid the ethereal purple blade that stabbed towards him. He looked over to see Sasuke floating in the head of his complete Susanoo. The young raven-haired boy narrowed his eyes as he made his giant body swing its sword, creating a powerful shockwave but Madara evading it by flying over the sword.

Naruto and Sasuke started to combine their efforts, waving their blades and tails around widely to catch the powerful Jinchūriki as he continued to invade them. He released his shadows, the invisible clones shooting out to intercept the titans with enough force to know them off their foundations. Naruto roared, dissolving the orange and gold fox construct.

He landed on his feet, a rod appearing in his hand as he threw a hand out with a black orb flying at Madara's head. The Uchiha swung his shakujō into the ball and knocked it aside as he intercepted Naruto's strike. The two exchanged quick attacks, their weapons blurring into lines of black as Naruto grit his teeth tightly.

Forcing Madara to take a step back, Naruto raised his hand and created a Rasenshuriken that he quickly threw at his opponent. Madara charged into the attack, jumping over it before it could reach him. Naruto yelled and expanded his technique but Madara simply flew over it before it could reach him. Naruto created several more and threw them out to catch the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki but missing as Madara flew away.

Naruto looked back to see Sasuke holding back the invisible shadows, leaving him to handle Madara. That was just fine.

He created two clones, each one reaching back as he extended two ethereal orange arms for them to grab. They yelled and propelled him forward, Naruto pulling his hand back as a Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan formed from his palm. His chakra extended out, holding the massive attack out as it inched closer to enveloping Madara.

The Uchiha cackled and threw out his hand, bolts of plasma firing from his palm that danced over the Rasengan and blew it up before it could reach him.

Naruto barreled through the explosion of their attacks and came at Madara with ferocity. Black and White came together in his hand to form a Beast Ball, and he molded the chakra to form a ring. Madara saw this happen and held out his hand as a small black ball formed over his palm.

Naruto yelled, "BEAST BALL RASENSHURIKEN!"

Madara roared, "CHIBAKU TENSEI!"

The two attacks collided and created a massive explosion that rocked the entire area. Madara was propelled up into the air as Naruto was blasted down into the ground so hard his body made a trench along the way. But Madara quickly caught himself, stopping his rapid ascension and remaining in the air for a moment before looking down at his opponent. The elder Uchiha smirked as he floated down by Naruto's injured form, the blond resting in the furrow he made in the ground as he gasped and caught his breath.

Madara lowered himself and slowly started to walk over to Naruto's side. He took pleasure and pride in every step he took to stand over his downed enemy. Once he was dealt with, and Sasuke was killed, there would be no one left to stand in his way.

They were admirable. They had put up more of a fight than he ever expected to face when completing this task. He would always remember these young men as powerful foes that had pushed him so far.

But they would not interfere with his plan.

Naruto lifted himself up on his hands, the Orbs floating behind him as he looked up at Madara. The Ten-Tail's Jinchūriki smirked, "You've done well, Naruto Uzumaki. But in the end you could only make it this far." The blond struggled, pushing through his pain to look up at Madara, "No matter who you fought for or why, my desire to complete this task was just stronger than yours."

Madara raised his hand with Naruto's head in its path as the blond looked up at him. He gasped for air...met Madara's eyes...

And smiled.

Why-

Madara's eyes widened and he looked over his shoulder to see Naruto rocketing towards him with his hand outstretched!

W-was it a clone?!

No!

The one on the ground was a clone! He passed the Truth-Seeking Orbs onto it while he hid in the smoke of their combined attacks!

He tricked him!

Naruto let out a desperate roar as he flew down at him with his right hand out, the sun pattern around his palm becoming clear as day. Madara turned to intercept him-

But the clone behind him extended his hand and fired an Orb at his back! Madara turned on reflex, holding out his hand to knock the projectile back before it could reach him-

But the orb disappeared...and Sasuke appeared in its place.

He had teleported in place of the Orb.

L-Limbo!

Where were his shadows?!

Sasuke had immobilized them all. And had waited for this opportunity.

Madara swung his arms out to block the two boys as Lightning shot out from his palm. Sasuke barely avoided its path while Naruto took the attack but barreled through it. They both yelled-

And made contact. Naruto on Madara's right shoulder, and Sasuke on his left.

The Jinchūriki's eyes trembled in horror.

SIX PATHS - CHIBAKU TENSEI.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Madara let out a ghastly roar with enough force to knock Naruto and Sasuke back a few meters. The elder Uchiha cried out in pain as his body started to warp, ballon, constrict, and stretch in every possible manner. From his pale body, the forms of the Bijū started to mold from his skin and pull from him in every direction. With a yell, Madara pulled them back in with sheer will as his eyes started to dart around, "N-NOOOOO! N-NOT THIS CLOSE! NOT COMING THIS FAR! I-I CAN'T BE STOPPED NOW!"

His body distorted and he lost his mind in the chaos. The eye in the middle of his forehead was slowly eclipsed by a white ball as his defeat had been finished.

He lost.

"NOOOOOO!" With the last of his strength, Madara created a black bar in one hand and a Chibaku Tensei in the other. He held the little ball out towards Naruto and the blond suddenly felt himself get pulled in.

Naruto flew towards Madara's warped body, "W-What the-"

"IF I DIE," Madara turned and thrusted the black bar towards his prey, "YOU DIE WITH ME!"

Naruto held his hand out for the balls to turn into a weapon but they were too slow in getting back to him. Naruto just narrowed his eyes, pulling his fist back to attack Madara one last time-

And throwing it at thin air as he suddenly appeared somewhere else.

Naruto heard the sound of pierced flesh and looked back as his eyes widened in shock.

He looked over to see Sasuke had taken his place. And even with the black bar sticking in his chest, Sasuke's eyes never changed as his hand was covered in Lightning. He pulled back and stabbed Madara through the head, where his third eye had once been. Sasuke focused his gaze, Amaterasu blazing out where he had skewered Madara through the head.

Blood dripped down Sasuke's chin as he coldly growled, "That's for my family used used. And my brother. Now die."

"GYAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The white ground around them started to break and rip apart as it came flying in towards Madara's burning body. Naruto lost his footing as the ground beneath him started to lift up. He felt an immense, ungodly pull start to come from Madara's body as debris and rock flew at him. Naruto tried to escape the oncoming rocks before he looked back.

Sasuke was still impaled by the black bar. Naruto turned back and prepared to charge in-

"Don't."

Even amidst the pandemonium and noise, Naruto heard Sasuke's words as clear as day. The young Uchiha looked at him, his eyes finally changing out of their Sharingan and Rinnegan forms. More blood dripped from his lips as the rocks came in to conceal them. Just before they reached, Sasuke shook his head, "Just run, idiot."

Sasuke and Madara were completely overwhelmed by the growing debris. Naruto's eyes widened and he started running towards the growing sphere, "SASUKE!"

"NARUTO, DON'T!" He hesitated hearing Kurama yell in his head with desperation, "You need to get out of here! Before you're caught in that thing!"

"Sasuke's in there!" Naruto yelled as he looked up at the growing ball of white rock, "You guys are in there too! You didn't get out in time!"

"We know! But if you stay here any longer, you'll be crushed!" Gyūki warned him, "You need to get out of here!"

"B-but-"

"Yes, Naruto-kun!" Matabi added, "This will be for nothing if you get caught in it as well!"

Son roared, "Run you fool!"

"Find that Obito guy and head back home." Kurama tried to reason with him, "Once we're back, we'll get as much help as we can and see if we can talk with the Old Man! We'll get our bodies and Sasuke back! But you need to go-"

"GAH!" Naruto grunted as he was punched across the face and sent tumbling into the broken ground. He flinched at the pain in his cheek and looked up to see Obito standing over him with blood coming down from his right eye, "O-Obito-"

"You!" Zetsu's rough voice yelled as he made Obito's body move and grab Naruto's neck. The blond grabbed the wrists strangling him as Zetsu spoke, "You ruined it! All of it! All my work! All my effort! Everything I did to bring her back and you rendered it into nothing!"

"W-what are you talking about?"

"I've been trying to bring Mother back! I wanted to bring her back and let her have the world again!" The grip around Naruto's neck tightened, "But you ruined it! You damned my only chance forever! Well I hope it was worth it, because you're going to die alongside them!"

"O-Obito," Naruto choked out, "Fight this thing! If you can hear me-"

"He's dead!" Naruto's eyes widened as Zetsu laughed, "W-what, wasn't he the only way for you to go home! Well I killed him! Cut through his skin and pierced his heart completely! He's gone! And I crushed his Sharingan!" The blood coming from Obito's eye dripped out a little more, "Now you can never go home! You're stuck with us for all eternity!"

B-but how was he supposed to get back now?

How was he gonna free Sasuke and Kurama and the others?

He couldn't do it alone.

If this guy killed Obito, how could they do anything now stuck in this bleak place?

H-he could break into the ball and get them out!

But what about Madara?! Would that work?! Could he keep him sealed and get his friends back?! He-

"Naruto..." Kurama's voice rang out, so solemn and reserved, "There's nothing we can do now. He's gone. I think we're all gone. But don't fall to this guy."

'But-'

"Obito is dead. Don't let this bastard puppet him around anymore."

...

Naruto's grip on the wrists strangling him tightened until he felt the choke weaken. Zetsu looked down in shock as two orange arms came off Naruto's back. Naruto growled out with watery eyes, "I don't know what you are. Or what you're talking about. But if your plan was to use us, you failed!"

"You bastard!"

"I'm done with you." The orange hands grabbed Zetsu and Obito's corpse, "Die."

Naruto threw them up into the air. He opened his palm and created a Beast Ball Rasenshuriken. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and accepting this fate as he threw his attack up at Zetsu, "D-DAMN YOUUUUUU-"

Zetsu and Obito were obliterated in the blast from his attack. Naruto watched the explosion burst out above him before the flames and smoke started to get pulled in by the winds of the gravitational pull.

Naruto looked up at the giant ball of stone and debris before he noticed black fire start to seep out of the cracks. His eyes widened, "What the hell?!"

"Naruto, that thing isn't stable!" Kurama roared as Naruto started backing up, "Madara's body was in flux when this thing formed around him, with all of our energies tearing him apart! And he was being burned by Amaterasu too! That was the core of this rock! An unstable, immense fire and all our energy!"

"You can't stick around!"

"You have to get out of here before it collapses and blows up!"

"Don't waste your chance!"

"RUN KID!"

Naruto quickly turned around and dashed away from the burning, growing moon as fast as he possibly could. He had to run over floating slabs of white rock and avoid the pieces that flew towards him by the gravitational pull. It was so mighty that the orbs on his back even started to shake but he persisted forward as long as he could.

He wasn't sure how long or far he ran, but it never seemed to be enough to get away from the burning rock. He ran and ran until finally he came to the end of the line. The white stone spires just stopped, and there was nothing but black space as far as the eye could see.

Naruto looked back at the unstable moon, "Guys! I can't go anywhere else!" He saw the body start to glow and shake, "I think it's gonna blow!"

"The Orbs! Use the Orbs to protect you! Do it now!"

Naruto willed the balls around him to stretched and expand, connecting together and forming a tight orb around him as he braced himself.

It was unbelievable.

The power and force he felt push against him as that giant ball of stone and fire finally erupted was like nothing he had ever felt before. Even through the shell he could feel the explosion wash over him like a tsunami over a seashell.

It was terrifying.

It was too much.

He couldn't hold it anymore.

"Hold it, Naruto!" Kurama yelled, "Don't let up for even a second! We won't be able to stand it otherwise!"

"K-Kurama!" Naruto said through grit teeth as he tried to focus and protect himself against the explosion, "I need help! G-get the others-"

"I can't! They're gone!"

"Gone?!"

"They disappeared with the blast! Their bodies were at the center of this thing went it went off! We lost them! It's just us!"

"I-I can't hold out much longer!"

"You have to!"

Naruto noticed cracks along the shell, "Kurama!"

"Just a bit longer!"

"I-I'm not gonna die!"

"We'll live through this! And find a way to fix it!"

"I'll get back and we can help everyone!"

"Just hold out!"

"I'm not-"

The crack finally gave, the shell shattered and Naruto felt an immense pressure blast against the center of his forehead.

And it all went black.

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He wasn't sure how long he had been here...

...

It was just dark...

...

Was he still alive?

He...was sure...he couldn't tell if he was in pain or not...he couldn't tell if his eyes were open or not...

It was all...just so black.

He wasn't sure when it happened...maybe between one of the times he was drifting between consciousness and sleep...but the darkness had changed...

It was now a myriad of different colors and combinations...

Was he alive now? Or maybe this was just the next step before reaching Nirvana or Heaven or whatever.

Then he saw something...an image move like a blur in front of his eyes.

It was big.

And it flew.

It was...red...the most glorious red he had ever seen...

It let out some kind of roar...one so powerful that Naruto felt it reverberate through every cell in his body, even while he couldn't move.

His eyes started to water as the massive figure disappeared out of his limited vision.

But then something else appeared...another blur...

This one was closer...but he still couldn't make out what it was.

It looked human...but he couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman...or if they were old or young...

His eyes began to drift shut as he felt the stranger's hand on his forehead...

"Leave."

"AH - UOFF!"

Naruto gasped as his eyes suddenly opened and he found himself lying beneath some trees and the blue sky. His vision darted back and forth, his eyes sensitive to the sudden sunlight before he took a moment to readjust to it. When he could see clearly again, he realized he was lying in the grass and gasping for air.

He attempted to sit up but every inch of his body tinged with agony at the smallest movement. He toppled back over the ground, panting heavily as he grit his teeth to stop a moan or cry from leaving his lips. After a moment he started to crawl, pushing through the pain as he propped himself up against a tree.

His eyes slowly opened as he looked over himself. His orange jacket was burnt up to the ribs and the rest of it was in tatters. There were cuts and slits all over the pants and in his legs as well. His sandals had fallen off at some point too. And the mesh undershirt was broken into pieces as well, revealing some spots along his chest that were bruised and lacerated. Naruto slowly reached up and touched his forehead, feeling a small cut and a thin line of blood dripping down to his eyebrow.

Naruto lowered his hands and leaned back into the tree for full support. He tried to catch his breath, "K..." His throat was so dry he coughed just trying to speak, "Kurama..."

He closed his eyes and tried to enter the space he and Kurama shared deep in his mind...but no matter how hard he tried or how long he did it, it didn't seem to work.

His eyes opened, "K-Kurama?" He hoarsely repeated, "Kurama, answer me! Say something dammit!"

No reply.

Naruto took a deep breath and just crossed his fingers to create a clone to help him look around, but the moment he tried to mold his chakra, if felt like his insides were being shredded by a rusty knife. He screamed in pain and stopped trying before the pain got any worse.

Naruto bent over and puked over the grass as everything started to come back to him. The tree. Madara. The other dimension. Sasuke saving him. Zetsu trying to kill him. The explosion. Kurama and the others...

...

They were gone.

Everyone was gone.

And he was...was...

Tears started coming down his cheeks and he stifled his cries as he struggled up to his feet. Once he had found his footing, Naruto slowly started to walk forward while using the trees for support.

He failed to stop that explosion...and he couldn't get home with Obito's Sharingan...he was stranded in that place...

So how did he get here?

When Naruto finally left the trees, he spotted a city along a long stretch of black pavement. But it looked like a much different place than any he had seen before.

Limping forward and cradling a possibly broken arm, Naruto made his way towards that place before he could pass out. And while he walked, he took notice of the sign that welcomed him...

Now entering Kuoh

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"I walked down that road, came up to that town, and walked through it before I passed out." Naruto's eyes lowered at the memory, "I woke up several months later in a hospital in an unfamiliar place surrounded by strange people in a world I didn't recognize. I could barely mold enough chakra to create a clone before my entire body started writhing in pain and it disappeared. I couldn't gather up natural energy from this new world. Trying to Summon anything was useless and Kurama wasn't responding. I wanted to get back but after a while I realized...I couldn't. I don't know how I got here and I had no way of getting back."

Azazel looked down at the boy silently after he had told his story. To be totally honest he wasn't expecting it to be so grand and adventurous and weird and...impossible. If he wasn't for certain this boy was from another world he would have disregarded that story as the fantasies of a really messed up kid.

But he was from another world...maybe...

Azazel just chuckled, "Well, I guess I should say sorry that the first things you met when coming to our world were those two anti-social weirdos. Although considering you were floating around their home, you should be glad they just threw you here and didn't just disintegrate you."

"Wait what?"

"Never mind." Azazel pushed off against the wall and walked over to the bed, "So you lost your energies. I guess that would explain why no one thought you seemed any different when your chakra was about the same as any normal persons'."

"Ever since that explosion, I haven't been able to form my chakra properly." Naruto held his chest, "When Rias put that [Evil Piece] thing in me, I could slowly feel myself getting accustomed to the natural energy in this world. My body is starting to recover properly but I still can't get to my chakra."

"Well of course you can't. Not after getting caught in an explosion of energy like that." Azazel pointed out as his tone took on that of a teacher trying to educate a less-than-apt student, "After suffering such injuries and floating around the Dimensional Gap after being bombarded by different chakras and energies, your system in completely out of sync. It's like...imagine your body is like a river or a sewer," He shook his head, "No wait that's gross."

"Actually...a sewer is a pretty good comparison."

The Fallen Angel looked at him strangely before shrugging, "Well after everything that happened, the sewer has broken down. It collapsed on itself and nothing is getting through except for a few leaks, the chakra you have been able to use before the pain starts acting up. For the last year you haven't been able to do anything with it. But...then that little lady gave you an [Evil Piece] and your system started to repair itself."

Naruto looked over himself before a glint of hope came to his eyes, "Does that mean if I wait a little longer-"

"It fixed the structure of your system," Azazel interrupted, "But the energy and flow and shit inside is still messed up. You can't use any more of it until it's fixed."

"Fixed?" Naruto thought for a moment before standing up, "There's a healer in our group! Could she do it?"

"Twilight Healing deals with physical injuries. It ain't gonna be much help fixing the mess inside you." Azazel shot his suggestion down, "No, if you wanna get fixed, you're gonna need someone who can sort through and fix your energy."

"Well how do I find someone who can do that?"

"Oh, I'm sure there's someone around who can do that." Azazel said with a knowing, almost teasing smirk that made Naruto's eyes narrow in irritation. But before he could voice his displeasure, "But I should probably warn you now...you might not get the chance to fix yourself."

"What?" Naruto questioned as Azazel regard him with a serious glare.

The Fallen Angel spoke again, "Let me ask you something kid...do you think you'll be able to defeat everyone in this world with that Senjutsu?" Naruto looked at him strangely before his eyes turned in thought, "I'm not sure if that ability was commonplace or as rare as winning the lottery where you get the TV, the car, the game console, and the pretty showcase girl all in one go-"

"That comparison was way too rare. No one gets that lucky. It sounds like you're just showing off."

"-but here people know all about Senjutsu and natural energy. Not everyone can use it, but people can develop ways to fight against it. Look at me." He flexed his left hand and Naruto finally noticed that it wasn't wrapped up anymore, "I'm already healed from our fight the other day. That was a strong hit you landed but it wasn't anything new. And even though we fought for only a minute, I'm pretty sure I know how fight with it." Azazel crossed his arms and smirked, "Heightened perception and reflexes. Increase in power, durability, and speed. You can sense things around you. And you mold the energy around your fist so that even if you miss a punch, the energy around it can still hit your opponent. I'm sure there are some other things, but that's the gist of it, right?"

Naruto scowled at the man's haughty smirk, "You're just trying to show off."

"Maybe." He shrugged, "Point is after that confrontation with you, I've come up with some ways to counterattack. And considering the group you're associated with, I'm sure you'll get no small amount of action and fights coming your way. And you can't be certain you'll get your chakra or other abilities back some day. Sooner or later that trump card will be your only play, and people will start developing ways to beat you. You need to grow and expand your skills." Azazel looked down at the locks that had bound Naruto, "And this test has proven that more than ever."

"Test?" Naruto repeated, "What test?"

"I designed these locks to negate natural energy so people couldn't use Senjutsu. And they can't be broken by sheer physical strength." Azazel raised a finger, "But they are totally weak to Devil Power, Magic, and Ki."

Naruto went silent, his blinks being the only actual noise before he muttered, "What?"

"You know the Destruction thing your Gremory girl does? Or the magic they preform where they summon lightning and fire? That's Devil Power. Every Devil can do that with a little training." He looked at the blond disappointingly, "You could have opened those locks up with even a small burst of fire in your hands. So why didn't you?"

Naruto's eyes went hollow and his entire body went ashen in shock and horror. All this time and there was a way for him to break out?! Remembering the special attacks and abilities Rias, Akeno, and Issei preformed during the Rating Game, Naruto lowered his head and mumbled under his breath, "I - um - I don't know how to do that stuff."

The Fallen Angel didn't even say anything. He just sighed and scratched the back of his head, "You're definitely gonna have to fix that." He noticed Naruto's face burn with mortification. He enjoyed the sight of getting under the blond's skin before he decided to drop the bomb on him, "Your friends are getting themselves into a pretty big mess at the moment." Naruto's face lost all sense of humiliation and looked up at him, "An old friend of mine is currently trying to hatch a plan somewhere in the city. If he's successful, he might restart the war between the factions. He's already roped in the Church, and unfortunately the way he's planning to do it has irked that swordsman in your group pretty badly. Looks like he's after blood and your friends can't control him."

"What?!"

"It's okay," Azazel attempted to calm him down, "I'm monitoring the situation. I won't let it get out of hand-"

"Too late you jackass!" Naruto walked past him and stormed for the door, "If they're in trouble, I have to help them!"

"Kokabiel has been fighting a war for as long as he has been alive, and that's a very long time. If you go out there now, people will die."

Naruto stopped with that warning as Azazel walked out of the room and continued, "You could put up a great battle against him, but if you asked me to put my wager down, with him as determined as he is and you as you are now...I'd have to give it to Kokabiel."

"Then you'd lose that bet." Naruto informed him in a sharp tone.

"Maybe. Maybe you and your group of ragtag friends will triumph. Maybe you'll fall and burn under Kokobiel's burning flag." The older man seemed to shrug nonchalantly at the thought, "We wouldn't know until you're all out there putting your lives on the line. Call me a coward or pragmatic...but I like to walk into a situation knowing what I'm up against first."

"If you're suggesting I leave this alone because I don't know I'll win then just shut up." Naruto growled through his grit teeth, "I won't leave them alone again. I promised."

"I'm not saying you should abandon the fight...I'm offering to give you a little something extra."

"..."

Naruto turned back to Azazel as the Fallen Angel smiled, "I dabble in creating these things called Artificial Sacred Gears. They're basically like the Sacred Gears, but I make and design their abilities personally. I won't go into the details of explaining to you just how I came upon the craft of painstakingly creating abilities that rival the ones created by The Lord himself but I can tell you it's impressive."

"Are you trying to help, or just taking some time to stroke your ego?"

"What I'm saying is that if you want I can give you one of those Sacred Gears." Azazel grinned, "I'm sure you've seen how useful those things have been in helping your friends fight in battle so far. Until you've found a way to fix yourself and learned how to properly control your new powers, you should take every advantage you can get."

Naruto looked down in thoughtful silence as he mulled over the prospect of the man's offer, "Would yours give me abilities like boosting my strength or healing others?"

"Sorry, no can do." Azazel denied with a shake of his head, "Boosted Gear is too powerful an ability for me to try and copy. The ones I do have are pretty good, but with it being Artificially made they only last so long. But they can do some pretty awesome things." Azazel pitch took a cautionary turn as he smirked, "But fair warning...even if this new fight is stopped and things calm down I can promise you that it'll only get more hectic and harder from here on out. After that last fight you told me about...are you ready to get into something like that again?"

Naruto was silent for a moment, contemplating the older man's warning. If he was feeling swayed or worried by the warning, then it didn't show up on his face. The younger blond turned to him with a firm look in his blue eyes, "There are people that I want to stay and fight alongside," Rias and the others flashed in his mind as he steeled himself, "I thought I couldn't find it in myself to fight anymore...but I just forgot the same thing you did."

"And what's that?"

"My purpose to fight. But I have mine now. So I'm ready for anything."

The Fallen Angel grinned, "Well said." He stepped forward and patted Naruto's shoulder, "Now I didn't bring a whole lot with me, but there are some gems from my Gears selection. And I think I got one you can have fun with."

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

Rias' eyes were heavy as she looked down blankly at her desk. Her eyes drearily looked up from the mahogany and over the room. Akeno stood over to the side, presenting herself like a proper young lady but the tension and emptiness of the room clearly affecting her. Koneko sat on the couch, her eyes more glum and saddened than usually as she didn't take a bite of the snacks in front of her. She probably felt so down she couldn't find her appetite anymore.

Rias understood the feeling. Just like the two of them, she hadn't been in the best condition either. She hadn't properly slept for days. The bags under her eyes must have been terrible, but she really didn't care. She couldn't find Naruto. Yuuto still hadn't come back. And she felt like a leashed mutt being watched by all the Devils in charge to make sure they didn't do anything against the temporary truce.

She felt powerless like this.

Pathetic.

She raised her head when she heard the door swing open and the steps following in. She and the others looked over to see Issei steeping in. The brown-haired boy walked in with a firm glare over his face as Asia followed behind him, the young girl looking worried and panicked about something. Issei stood up at attention and bowed his head, "Buchou! I'm sorry! But I have come here to tell you that I'm going out to find and help Kiba!"

"What?" Rias stood up, "Excuse me?"

"I didn't want to worry you so I thought I'd come and tell you what I plan to do." Issei raised his head, "I'm going to go looking for Kiba, help him with his fight, and then kick his ass back here."

"Issei!" Rias walked around her desk to face the boy directly, "I told you we weren't supposed to interfere with the Church's operation."

"I know you did, Buchou! And I'm so, so sorry but I've gotta go against your wishes!"

"Oh no! Not you too!" Rias was fed up with this! She stepped up to the younger man and faced him down, Issei leaning back under her intimidating gaze but not retreating, "You will not walk in here and tell me you are going to disobey my orders!"

"I know how it might sound Buchou," Issei's face twisted with guilt but he pushed on, "But I have to go out there and fight!"

"What do you not understand about this?! What do you and Yuuto not understand?!" Rias lost her patience and shook her head, "I just want to keep you all safe! I don't want any of you to get hurt!"

"But it's too late for that!" Issei shook his head, "Naruto-senpai might have been hurt by these guys! And Kiba was tortured by those Excalibur people! I know it might seem stupid but if he's gonna get into this fight anyway, I'd rather fight alongside him and get some payback for what they've done!"

"I know it might seem like that Issei, but this can only end badly!" Rias shook her head, "If a family as influential as the Gremory House gets involved in this conflict, our group would receive the ire of the oldest Devils and families in the Underworld! This would only end poorly for us!"

"I figured that too," Issei nodded, "But..."

"But what?"

"But I know what kind of group we are! After that Rating Game! You were supposed to get married but you didn't want to, even though all those other families and influential people demanded it! And we followed you anyway! Because that's what kind of group Rias Gremory's peerage is!" Issei gripped his fist and exclaimed around the room, "We do what we think is right when our friends are on the line, no matter how much trouble we'll be in! That's what I think the ORC is about!"

...

Rias and the others blinked in silence at Issei's strange exclamation before they noticed Asia raise her hand hesitantly. The blonde nun felt very conscious under their eyes but stated firmly, "I-I agree with Issei-San, Buchou-San. It is really scary to think about what might happen if we do something like this," She affirmed herself and nodded, "But I want to help Kiba-San and save Naruto-San too!"

It was silent in the room after their declaration before Rias heard a pair of footsteps come up to her side. She looked both ways and saw Akeno and Koneko were standing beside her. Akeno had that pleasant smile on her face that said she was up for anything Rias decided. Koneko's face had shifted into a more serious version of her usual stoic expression, saying she was back and ready for war. Rias turned back forward and sighed heavily.

And then she remembered what Naruto had told her before she decided to issue that challenge for their Rating Game.

That even if a choice is hard and painful and might not succeed...only she should be the one to make it. Not anyone else.

Rias sighed again before stepping forward and catching Issei in a tight hug.

The pervert froze in her embrace and stuttered, "B-B-B-B-Buchou?!"

"Thank you, Issei, for reminding me what I should be doing." She pulled back from the hug, noticing Issei's eyes swirling in his head and Asia fretting over the fact that he might have overloaded, "Sorry about that."

"No! No problems at all!" Issei smiled, "Your huge boobs pressed up against me which I am totally cool with!"

"Disgusting." Koneko muttered.

"The only problem is that we made a promise not to interfere with this fight." Rias said with a cupped chin before she smiled, "But one of our own seems to be off by himself misbehaving."

"Well that just won't do." Akeno giggled and finished her thought.

"No it won't." Rias walked through everyone else and up to the door before opening it, "I suppose we'll just have to go out there and get him back. And if there are any fights going on at the same time..." She turned back to her group and smiled, "We'll just have to deal with them ourselves."

Her peerage answered her with their own nods, cheers, and laughs as they readied themselves for whatever they would face.

Rias nodded and headed out the door, "ORC! Let's move out!"

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

"I thought I told you not to get in our way!"

"Sorry," Yuuto's apology was half-assed at best as he parried a speedy strike from their enemy before disappearing around the trees. The blond [Knight] raised his chipped sword and narrowed his eyes, "I didn't think I'd meet you both here. Just a coincidence."

"You know," Irina pouted as she and Xenovia stood with their backs together and their weapons in hand, "It's really hard to believe you when you say it with such an insincere tone like that!"

Yuuto didn't answer as his eyes darted around in an attempt to spot their quick foe. This guy was moving so fast that even his [Knight] properties wouldn't allow him to keep up. He need to keep on guard at all times.

"Hahahahaha!" Freed Sellzen's psychotic laughter echoed around the forest as he dashed around them. His body was only a blur thanks to the increase from Excalibur Rapidly as he ran circles around them, "Not only do I finally get to skin Sexy Handsome Devil-San alive, but I also get to skewer two scantily dressed beauties with my big, menacing saber!"

Irina's Excalibur Mimic stretched out and curved around corners, cutting where she thought she heard their attacker's taunt. The blade returned to its katana form as she yelled with a furious, disgusted blush, "D-don't say we're scantily dressed! This is the traditional Church battle outfit! It has been for generations!"

"And more importantly," Xenovia raised Excalibur Destruction over her head and with a yell brought it down on the ground, cracking it before a massive blast of power rendered the ground and trees in front of her into dust. The sudden attack forced Freed to stop running before he got caught in the blast as she glared, "What makes you think we'll give you the chance to skewer us with anything?"

"Uohhhhh~." Freed giggled, "Feisty."

Yuuto charged forward, his cracked blade slicing up against Freed's blade in a shower of sparks. The mad exorcist cackled and matched the [Knight's] strikes swing-for-swing as their bodies blurred around the trees. Yuuto focused completely on trying to overwhelm the man but found it difficult when his sword was so fast.

He heard Irina and Xenovia call out behind him with warning to not interfere but he ignored them. If Freed knew where the other pieces of Excalibur were, then he was Yuuto's mark.

"Man~, don't know what I did to get your blood boiling, but ya really want to make me bleed, huh?!" Yuuto just grit his teeth and refused to humor the deranged man's banter before the white-haired priest smirked, "Well, whatever~."

Freed pushed back against the blade and Yuuto's sword shattered to pieces. The priest reeled his blade back as Yuuto jumped back. He reached back to pull out a new sword as Freed swung forward-

"Dragon Shot!"

Freed looked aside and immediately jumped back as a powerful green blast shot by him and obliterated the trees. Freed looked over to see Issei with an outstretched hand and a scowl on his face, "Shit, I missed."

"That's okay, Issei-kun," There was a powerful crack above them and Akeno had bathed her hands in Lightning as she gave a devious smile, "Allow me."

Freed panicked and dashed away as a bolt of lightning struck the ground he stood on. He sped around the trees before an uprooted tree came flying at him through the trunks of a dozen others. He sliced through the tree before a blast of black energy came flying at him and he dodged as it destroyed everything in its path.

Xenovia and Irina ran over when they saw Rias and her peerage arrive to their fight. The blue-haired girl questioned, "I thought you weren't going to interfere? And that you'd never work with the Church?"

"Sorry," Rias focused her eyes on the white-haired swordsman, "But I decided that if this fight is happening on my lawn, it's my responsibility. If that's a problem for your superiors or mine...I'm sure it doesn't need to be said where they can shove their complaints."

Xenovia looked at the heiress in silence before nodding, "Very well." She raised her Destruction with both hands, "If Devils are involved in this fight, I rather they fight alongside than against."

"Yeah! Way to go Xenovia!" Irina raised her sword, "That's the spirit!"

"Buchou!" Yuuto came running up to her as Xenovia and Irina ran out to join the battle. The [Knight] came up to his [King], "W-what are you doing? I said-"

"I know what you said and I don't care." She glared Yuuto down and poked his chest, "As much as you think this is your crusade alone, you are my responsibility. You have been since the day I met you. If this is the time to fight, so be it. But it's a fight we fight together." Rias pushed past him as her Destruction covered her hands, "Now stop standing there and get back to what you were doing."

Freed was being overwhelmed. Issei came charging in with his fist but Freed was able to easily dodge it with Rapidly. But every step he took was being observed overhead by Akeno, who attacked with lightning strikes whenever she could. Koneko pulled tress out by their roots and threw them as Rias released blasts of Destruction that nearly took off his head. Yuuto came charging in with multiple swims as Irina and Xenovia did the same.

Even with Excalibur Rapidly, Freed couldn't handle this many people advancing on him.

The priest's feet caught and he stumbled back into a tree as Irina, Xenoiva, and Yuuto all charged at him. They yelled, "This is it!"

"Silly human. Even with that weapon, you find yourself overwhelmed, hmm?"

"Yuuto, move!"

Yuuto's senses screamed and he jumped back while he still could. Xenovia and Irina watched his sudden reaction and did the same as a long Spear of Light came flying down and pierced the ground in front of Freed. The construct glowed before exploding violently in every direction.

"AHHHHHHH!" Irina was caught in the blast and blown back into a tree. The bark cracked beneath her impact as her battle garment was reduced to tatters as Xenovia ran over to her side.

"Irina!" Xenovia assisted her friend up, the twin-tailed girl gasping in pain as smoke raised from the burns over her body. Xenovia looked over her partner in a panic as she shook, "W-Where did your sword go?"

"Are you looking for this?"

The others looked up to see a pale man with ten black wings floating in the air, Freed hanging from his collar in one hand and the ribbon form of Excalibur Mimic in his other. His cheeks were sullen and his eyes were blood-red as he gave a toothy grin down at the gathered Devils and Church goers.

Rias narrowed her eyes, "Kokabiel."

"What?" Issei questioned before looking back up at the man and feeling his immense presence over them, "T-that's Kokabiel?"

"It's an honor to meet the next head of the Gremory House, Maou Satan's Little Sister." He swung the man hanging from his hand, "I see you've been taking care of my little subordinate while we've been waiting."

Rias could feel the tension behind her being emanated from her servants. Akeno and Yuuto especially. Rias stepped forward and crossed her arms while glaring up at the old Fallen Angel, "So you've finally appeared yourself...what does that entail exactly?"

"It's quite simple..." Kokabiel gave a wide, mocking smirk with half-lidded eyes, "Now we don't have to wait anymore. We're ready to proceed with the plan. We may only have five of the seven pieces of Excalibur, but that's more than enough to start. We're going to attack this town. And then the next one. And the next one. And so on and so on."

"Massacres?" Rias asked, "That's your grand plan?"

"That's just the start. I kill everyone in this town in the Devil territory and then I attack another one. Then I attack a Church territory. And once I'm done with this little genocide...the factions will go back to war."

Rias' eyes widened, "War? You actually want to restart the war?"

"Of course I do." Kokabiel made a deranged chuckle as he grinned, "I'm so bored with this pseudo-peace bullshit. I have to hunt and torture Devils and Angels in secret. And I'm sick of it. So I decided I was finished with waiting." He raised his arms challengingly, earning an annoyed grunt from Freed as he was lifted as well, "I'm a Fallen Angel, using a stolen Chruch weapon, to kill the direct families of two Maou. How would that not start a war?"

"You sick bastard." Issei muttered under his breath.

"It won't work." Rias proclaimed, "Your silly tactic will have no hope of initiating war."

"Oh won't it?" Kokabiel questioned, "We're all on edge. We're all ready for that one moment that breaks the stillness and starts the war again." He smiled, "Why don't I be that moment?"

Rias was disgusted by this man's mindset. From what he said, it sounded like the Fallen Angel faction wasn't sanctioning this mission. This was all just the demented actions of one deranged monster and a handful of fools that followed him.

Rias swallowed the bile in her stomach having to look at this man again before she asked, "What did you do with Naruto?"

"Who?" Kokabiel inquired. Rias and the others went silent at his answer as his wings flapped and he flew in the darkening sky, "This will be your last day. I hope you find some way to enjoy it before it all ends."

"Bastard!" Xenovia jumped to her feet while Asia focused on healing Irina. The blue-haired girl ran after the flying Fallen Angel and yelled at his retreating back, "Get back here!"

"Wait-"

"Yuuto, don't!"

The swordsman stopped and looked back to see the stern look on Rias' face as she watched him. She shook her head, "I know where he is going. And I doubt running into that fight will do any good."

Yuuto looked displeased at what his [King] said but the swordsman lowered his blade and waited patiently for what she suggested next. Rias looked over at her [Bishop], "Asia, can you stabilize her?"

Asia gave a shaky nod, "S-she's badly hurt but if I try a little longer she will be alright."

"Good. Akeno," Rias looked back at her [Queen], "I want you to call Sona and notify her about what is happening. We'll need her help. I'm going to call my brother."

"Of course, Buchou."

"I want you all to be ready. We're going to war."

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

Azazel walked out of the bathroom after washing his hands and looked up to see Vali standing at the end of the corridor with an impatient expression. The older man smiled at his frown, "Well hello Sunshine-kun, how was your day? Make any new friends?"

Vali didn't even crack a smile, "How were things with your new pet project?"

"Oh they were wonderful." Azazel exaggerated with glee, "He threatened to pee on me, then he peed, then he told me how he arrived here from a parallel world, and then I alluded to all the crazy sex I like to have," Azazel finished drying his hands, "And then...I gave him one of my Sacred Gears. And then I washed my hands."

"Riveting." The younger man deadpanned, "So how did it go?"

"Oh it went off without a hitch! I opened stuff up, I put the Gear in, there were some parts left over, and coincidentally some parts missing."

"That's not a coincidence. The stuff that was left over might be what goes in the parts that were missing."

"Too late now. In the garbage they went."

"Well if that's not malpractice I'm not sure what is." The silver-haired boy pushed off the wall and slid his hands into his pockets, "Kokabiel is on the move."

The smile slowly left Azazel's face before he shook his head, "Of course he is." The General-Governor sighed, "Well I guess we should keep an eye out to make sure he doesn't get too out of hand."

Vali stepped over and headed for the bedroom door, "Do you want to wake up your new friend?"

"No need," Azazel shook his head with some mirth, "He'll be out of it for a while. The operation will do that to you. He'll probably be pissed waking up and finding out that the battle already happened but I'm sure he'll understand."

"You're sure?"

"Absolutely. I can probably calm him down when he wakes up."

"Hmm. Hey, Azazel?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I found a flaw in having a soundproof room."

The Fallen Angel walked over to the boy's side and looked into the room. He was met with the sight of a giant hole in the floor where the bed had been, and broken all the way down into the apartment beneath them. The wizened old lady still had a slack-jawed expression at what happened as she looked up at them for some clarity.

"Hi there!" He greeted with the same smarmy pleasantness he always exuded when greeting new people he required assistance from, "Did you happen to see a young man come through here? Blond hair? Bandages over his right arm?"

She nodded and pointed towards her door.

"Well...I didn't see this coming."

"I did."

"Shut up Vali."

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

Done

Next chapter...soon.

So there you go. That's where Naruto came from. The Madara fight. Before Kaguya was even introduced. Didn't wanna touch that hot mess.

And before anyone starts asking/inquiring/complaining about the Biju and what happened to them and Kurama and if I am aware that even if they die they should come back in some time...

I have a plan.

Might not seem like it...but I have one.

Next time! The climax that took fucking forever to get to!

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Thank You and Bye