New Devil of The Gremory House

Life 24: Effort

Twice in nearly a month? I'm a glutton I suppose.

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"I dare you to say that again you uppity bitch!"

"Don't bare your teeth. I'm simply noting the reason this meeting had to start so much later than originally planned was because you were late. So asking when it will be over is very obnoxious of you."

"I hate the sound of your voice. Sitting up in your chair like you're all prim and proper. Guess the Archduchess has to play the boss bitch persona as best as she can." The harsh, gruff voice patronized before the sharp-eared young man snarled, "You actually think you're better than me don't you?"

"I don't think I'm better than anyone." The lovely blonde young woman fixed the glasses up her bridge and opened her pink eyes. She crossed her arms beneath her considerable buxom, "But with how you're acting right now it can be argued that you are objectively worse than everyone else at the moment."

"You know you're really mouthy for a bitch that probably ain't popped the cherry yet." The dark-skinned Devil sneered and derided the regal beauty that narrowed her eyes at his statement, "Is that by design, or far more likely all the boys and girls run off from the sheer pressure of that stick up your ass. Probably the only one you'll ever get anyway."

"My, you are as vulgar as ever." Seekvaira sighed, "Do your paid consorts actually enjoy that part of spending the evening with you, or do they have to stomach it like the rest of their time around you?"

"Oooooohhhhhh." Zephyrdor scoffed and gave something between a chuckle and giggle as he shook his head, "I might get in serious trouble after this, because I think I'm gonna kill this bitch right where her fatass sits."

"I think you mean try." Seekvaria spoke in her stoic voice despite her goading, "You're going to try and kill me. And certainly fail."

Rias sighed into her hand as Zephyrdor nearly leapt over the table to maul the Archduchess. Thankfully Sairaorg was there in time to snatch the irritable Glaysa-Labolas out of the air before he could reach his pouncing target. Seekvaira simply adjusted her glasses casually as Sairaorg chuckled, "Now now, no reason to resort to such violence with just some playful goading. We all take a moment to breathe and I'm sure cooler heads will prevail."

"Fuck you Sairaorg! If I wanted the advice from a goody-goody, I'd shoot myself in the head before I came to you." Zephyrdor flailed around in Sairaorg's grasp like a wild cat, "Don't think just because you're a little stronger than me that I won't-"

"Nap time!"

"H-Hey!" The sharp-eared Devil gagged as Sairaorg wrapped an arm around his neck and started to apply pressure. His face turned purple from the lack of air as he slapped a hand against the Bael's massive bicep, "F-Fuck, your arm is too big."

"Yes it's very meaty don't fight it."

Arguing and bickering and Sairaorg choking someone out by restricting their airflow.

Yep, it was a meeting between the young Devils alright.

The lovely redhead's seafoam eyes slowly roamed over the room and took in all the familiar faces she hadn't seen in nearly a year.

Seekvaira Agares was still as composed and regal as ever despite the close threat to her life moments ago. Her blonde hair was tinged with a tone of green and her sharp face accentuated her beauty. She was dressed in more respectable garbs for a lady of her position. Looks like the title of archduchess wasn't going to be wasted on her.

Sairaorg was still dressed in his battle outfit. The one he seemed to wear now as his casual clothing. With his big smile and joyful demeanor, Rias wouldn't have imagined he had just choked another Devil into unconsciousness just moments ago.

And of course the twitchy Devil in question was still as brash and loudmouth as ever. Honestly, Zelphador had always tried to match his bite with his bark for as long as Rias had known him. Boy or man, he was eager to pick fights and goad anyone who would listen. And that was a trait that hadn't changed even after he had become the head of his family.

And finally sitting at the side of the table with a pleasant smile on his face was Diodora. While the commotion with Zelphador was going on and Seekvaira pointing out the strangeness of choking him out to a chuckling Sairaorg, he simply sat by with a good-natured smile and a nervous laughter. As the next head of the Astaroth clan and with an elder sibling taking the position of Maou, Rias should have felt a type of camaraderie with the boy similar to the one she had with Sona.

Unfortunately she could never shake the strange unnerving feeling when around him.

"You look so subdued." Rias' eyes fluttered up and saw Sona coming around the table to sit by her. Usually the attendants had an unspoken agreement to sit away from each other with equal space between them. But seeing as the meeting had basically devolved this far it looked like no one would care if two friends sat together, "Upset you didn't get to join in on the dispute?"

"Not at all." Rias responded with a coy smile, "I think I'm content not jumping into the middle of an argument that would end with me being put in a chokehold."

"Would Sairaorg do that to his own cousin?"

"I'm not willing to risk it."

"Fair enough, but it's clear there's something on your mind." Sona tilted her head and let one of her short black bangs cross over her piercing violet eyes, "So what is it?"

Rias let out a tired sigh and leaned on her hand, "I guess I'm just bored of sitting around. I remember doing this last year on summer vacation and I didn't find this so…mundane." Rias' face scrunched up with annoyance, "So what changed exactly?"

Sona let out a small laugh behind her hand before shaking her head and wiping her eye, "Do you really not know what's different this time compared to last year?"

Rias blinked, "No…but by the look on your face I don't think I'll like the answer."

"Why Rias…I believe you're experiencing the symptoms of a lonely lover."

"I was right."

"Just applying logic." Her friend responded with a wry smile on her usually stoic face, no doubt from the subtle enjoyment she was getting at seeing Rias' expression deepen with every passing second, "The only things to change since last year were the additions of your new servants to your peerage. One of those servants happens to be your boyfriend – a prospect you didn't even think about entertaining one year ago. But now here you are, in the same meeting with the same people and without Uzumaki-kun to spend time with, so now you're bored. And here I find you, pining after your lover."

"I hardly think I'm the pining type."

"That's not true, because here you are doing it right now."

Rias rolled her eyes and forced out a laugh to appease Sona's ego, hoping every last drop of condescension was evident in her tone. But while she would never voice her thoughts, she had to admit there was a small part of her that wanted to talk with Naruto again and spend some time with him. Not to the forlorn lover status Sona had suggested but…well contact was normal for teenagers in a relationship, wasn't it? Sue her!

But seriously one moment he had gone off to a classroom with her mother and Millicas, and the next he was gone. Apparently somewhere in the day he had switched with a clone to slip out while the clone took all the classes. And apparently it could only take so much before resorting to popping itself.

Needless to say her mother was not amused.

"So how is your peerage doing here?" Sona spoke up again and Rias was happy to follow the change in subject, "They all went off to train didn't they?"

"Most of them." Rias nodded, "Asia is training her Twilight Healing on some injured we have here in the household while Akeno supervises. Gasper mostly keeps to his own room and Koneko is pushing herself to try and train more, which has me worried. Xenovia is getting some tips for training from Azazel so she can better wield Durandal. And Yuuto went off to get some more instruction from Souji."

"Well they certainly sound busy? And what of Hyoudou-kun during all this?"

"Issei? Well-"

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"DYING! I'M DYING! SOMEONE HELP ME BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO DIE! HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPPP!"

"My, Ddraig, this new vessel of yours has quite the set of lungs on him." Tannin, the massive purple dragon, floated in the air while Issei's helpless scream died in the flurry of snow and mountain range. His wings flapped behind him as his voice carried over the deafening snowstorm, "You've been teaching him how to project or is that all just natural talent?"

[Yes, his best skills seem to rest in the areas not dealing with fighting.]

"I'M SORRY THERE ISN'T A SKILL TREE I CAN DUMP ALL MY POINTS INTO, OKAY DDRAIG! SO HELP ME!"

"Ddraig can't help you like this." The Dragon King warned with his arms folded over in a patient stance, "Boosted Gear can double your power every ten seconds in the state it is now, but you'll have to keep using that power to help you move and make sure you don't fall off. The only way you'll safely make it off here is if you can activate your Balance Breaker."

"So I have to keep climbing this mountain until I find my Scale Mail?!"

"No," Tannin shook his head, "You don't have to climb the mountain."

Tears filled Issei's eyes as he hung his head, "Oh thank you. Thank you merciful-"

A fireball impacted the mountainside just left of Issei. It exploded and the perverted brunette stared at the spot as flames wafted over him for an instant before disappearing. He looked back and up at his instructor.

"You're climbing and evading." Flames pooled in Tannin's mighty jaw, "Ready?"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"

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"-he should be fine." Rias answered, "He's sturdier than he looks and I trust that he's working on getting stronger."

"Our new [Pawns] are quite energetic, don't you think?" Both girls shared a nod of agreement as the room went back into its manic state when Zehpydor regained consciousness and threatened to skin the happily chuckling Sairaorg alive, "So where do you think your current paramour is up to?"

"You're enjoying yourself more than I thought you would." Sona gave a wry smile in response as Rias crossed her arms with frustration, "Whatever it is, I can't imagine it's more dangerous than what Okaa-sama has in store for him."

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"HYAH!"

Beowulf lurched backwards and dropped down to avoid the path of Naruto's fist. He spun on the ground and aimed to sweep out the blond's leg. But Naruto leapt over it and quickly raised his guard as the older [Pawn] snapped up and landed a kick against his arms. Naruto went flying through the air and flipped a few times before landing on the ground across from his opponent, perched to respond to the next attack.

"That was amazing, young master! Your power is astounding and your movement is phenomenal! I should expect nothing less from someone Hime has chosen to be by her side and who Sirzechs-sama has so much faith in."

"I appreciate the praise." Naruto nodded with a slight smile, making sure his defense didn't fall for a second against the surprisingly quick and nimble fighter.

When he was sectioned off to spar against this man, he was planning to take it easy on him. And when the older gentleman started to boast that he was one of the 5 strongest [Pawns] in the Underworld, Naruto didn't really understand the weight and brevity of the acclaim. The only [Pawns] he knew were himself, Issei, and the sandy blond from the StuCo.

When the older [Pawn] demanded he get ready for a fight, after some encouragement from Sirzechs he finally obliged and entered Sage Mode. Their sparring match began and immediately the more experienced [Pawn] kept his distant and avoided Naruto's reach by a wide margin. He had probably heard about how his punches could still hit even when they missed and decided that avoiding them completely was the best course of action.

It was actually kinda annoying that all these people were learning about his skills and developing countermeasures before even meeting him. It just was not fair!

"Well, I think that's enough complimenting in the middle of our spar." He smirked and raised his guard again, "Let's go, kid!"

"Got it, guy!"

They stood across from each other in silence before the older [Pawn] wavered and lowered his guard, "W-Wait, hang on. You - y-you know my name, right? You remember it. You have to. Sirzechs-sama told you my name! R-Remember?!"

"I-I'm sorry, really. I was a little preoccupied by all the people suddenly showing up, so..."

"Beowulf. It's Beowulf. This Beowulf is an actual existence and he is right here." The formerly proud and noble warrior was now hunched over the ground like an empty husk. He kept running his fingers through the ground and spelling out his name multiple times in different languages. Looks like it didn't take much to destroy the descendent of an ancient hero. He would have considered this a win...but it made him feel guilty.

Oddly enough despite the awkwardness, this Naruto couldn't help but feel like he got the luckiest draw.

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Naruto's jerked his head aside to avoid the tip of the blade from poking through his head. Even an cut on the cheek would pop him and end the exercise. Fortunately his Sage Mode was helping him avoid it. Unfortunately, the guy swinging the sword was apparently the best to ever hold a blade and was sparring with him with the intent to cut.

"Your ability to dodge is phenomenal. I come within millimeters of cutting you and you evade it with deft agility and movement." The older swordsman swung his katana around with impeccable control and precision. The whiskered blond continued to duck and dodge as the space around him was weaved with flashes of silver from the speed of the blade. The katana blurred to such extents that when Okita finally made it stop there were gusts of wind kicked up by the sudden halt, the hakama-wearing [Knight] showing a shrewd smile as he raised his sword back into his stance, "But you do not seem to be taking the initiative and attacking in return?"

"Because every time I feel like there's an opening, you close it with another swing!" The clone complained with a huff and angry tone as he threw his hand out, "I mean were you born with a sword in your hand?! Is this more of that crazy speed that comes with being a [Knight]?!"

"Well that does play a part in it I suppose." Okita shrugged, "But to be fair I have been swinging swords most of my life and I was still quite adept with them even before I was reincarnated."

"Yeah, of course. And if I was a normal [Pawn] I could do that Promotion thing and have that speed on top of my Sage power. But I don't because apparently the Maou get bored and don't finish their shit before it's done." Naruto muttered before glaring at their audience, "Does that seem fair to you?!"

"Well your Sage Mode already encompasses the aspects of increasing your strength, speed, and energy usage. Plus you can use it whenever you want; while a normal [Pawn] can only do it in enemy zones. Technically, your technique has the advantage, as well as the added benefit of sensing others movement."

"Hm, I guess." The blond frowned but conceded the point before tilting his head, "Why are you watching us again?"

"Master offered me the chance to sit down and observe your spar for myself." Yuuto answered, seated patiently by the trees with his sword placed to the side like a kendo student watching a match, "I'm supposed to be training with him right now but since he already had plans to train with you the least I can do is watch and learn from your fight. Study your movements and comprehend your techniques."

"Oh, I guess that okay." Naruto shrugged before he frowned, "But lately I feel like everybody's getting the chance to watch me fight and analyze my techniques. How the hell am I gonna surprise people when I'm fighting if they already know everything I can do?!"

"We live in an age where everything is recorded and can be viewed by others at any time. Sorry Naruto-San, but if you're looking for privacy and secrecy, then this is not the right place for you to be fighting."

"Oh for fuck sake."

"I suppose it truly is not a prime place for someone of the shadows such as you to be fighting in, but the ideal time for ones such as us has passed. If we do not adapt, we will find ourselves left behind by everyone else." Okita spoke up, an amused smile on his face with his sword lying over his shoulder, "You once followed the way of the ninja, while long ago I walked the path of a samurai."

"You're a samurai?" Naruto asked, a laugh slipping out as he crossed his arms with amusement, "I should have figured from the way you swing that thing. I didn't fight alongside the samurai for long but I remember them being great with blades."

"And I remember shinobi and members of the Oniwaban being quite adept in their field of espionage. I remember crossing steel with them a number of times while I was on duty."

Yuuto chuckled, "You're not usually this reminiscent, Master."

"I know, this is quite different for me." Okita said as he chuckled and lifted the blade off his shoulder, "Being here, training with this lad and wielding this sword has made me feel quite nostalgic." With a last moment of wistful remembering, the former Shinsengumi captain took his sword in hand and raised it into his fighting stance, "Let us fight once more, young shinobi. But how about now, you stop holding back so we can actually start having fun?"

"Oh, you noticed that?" Naruto smirked before raising his fists, "Well how about you do the same?"

"Very well, if you insist." Okita smirked and held the blade out to his side. He turned the katana around and allowed it to shine under the light from the colorful sky.

Naruto wasn't sure if it was instinct, reflex, his Sage Mode, the sparks he saw coming off the blade, or how Yuuto ducked his head in preparation for the swing. But Naruto kicked off his feet and fell backwards in time to see a blindingly fast slash fly over his face and cleave through several rows of trees behind him. The moment he hit the ground he leapt back up on his feet and stared at his opponent.

A large monster started to come into view behind Okita and snarled at the whiskered blond. The creature was an amalgamation of several different animals all mixed together; a monkey for the face and a tiger for the body with a snake head for the tail. The Youkai let out a low growl as sparks started to dance over the body of the blade again, "I have shown you my hand, young shinobi. Now will you answer in kind?"

"He always like this?" Yuuto gave an ambiguous shrug as Naruto smirked and created a blue orb in the palm of his hand, "Well since you insist-"

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"Rasengan! 5x!"

[Loop!]

Naruto lunged across the clearing and slammed his jutsu against the body of his foe. The spiraling sphere glowed at the moment of impact and released a massive blast of air and sound when it burst. The young Sage jumped back after his attack had finished and stared the repeated blasts happening over and over against his foe. They finally stopped to reveal the nasty grind mark upon the rough, hairy skin that it had landed against.

The massive man whistled, "Oh shit kid, that was pretty impressive! I felt that one to the bone!" Surtr exclaimed with a hearty laugh and grin. The orange-haired man whipped out the arm he used to block with and flexed, staring at the wound that marked his bicep, "Quite the impressive technique, young master! I felt the grinding of the energy against my skin even before it popped. And the religion was pretty sick too. That you special technique or something?"

"Yeah, something like that." Naruto wiped his forehead of sweat, "Hey, can we maybe move this spar to somewhere a little less heated?"

"Oh what, a little sparring with me already got you tired?"

"Okay, first off there's nothing little about this spar." Naruto gestured to the numerous holes and landfills their training had left in the landscape, "And second, I was being literal!" He then pointed to the numerous trees and foliage currently being used as kindle for the wildfire Surtr had released while they fought, "Maybe you could use just a little more control when shooting those flames?!"

"Never could before, shouldn't bother now."

"T-That's - that's not a healthy way of looking at power like this!" Naruto threw his arms up in exasperation, "You're a walking volcano, and you burn up everything around you without even trying!"

"Aw shucks, you're too kind."

"THAT WASN'T MEANT TO BE A COMPLIMENT!"

Surtr let out one last booming laugh that shook the ground before he started sprinting forward. Naruto raised his guard at the giant figure barreling towards him and dove out of the way at the last second. But the moment he avoided the mutated [Rook's] path, Surtr slammed his foot into the ground and uprooted an entire section of the forest.

Naruto focused his chakra into his soles and kept straight even as the chunk of rock he stood on flipped into the air and stood perpendicular to the ground. Surtr leapt up and charged up the rocky surface, his footsteps cracking the ground as he threw his hand out to grab Naruto's head. The whiskered blond leapt off the rock and over Surtr's meaty hand to fall through the air. His wings sprouted form his back and stopped his fall down as he turned around and looked at the slab of rock that suddenly exploded in a rain of rubble and stone.

"UP HERE, KIDDO!" The large [Rook] was dropping down towards Naruto's head, leaping off the rock slab with enough force to decimate it and correcting himself with his wings before pulling them back and falling towards the blond. Naruto clicked his teeth and started forming a blue orb as Surtr smirked and coated his hands in flames. The jutsu and fire-clad punch collided and created a powerful rush of air in the resulting blast. Surtr went rocketing up through the sky and Naruto was sent barreling towards the ground. The blond straightened his wings moments before he could hit the ground hard and glided over it before he rolled over the dirt to a stop.

He hissed a few curses and couldn't decide whether to marvel or cower at the sheer ferocity this crazy man had. The young ninja lifted himself up and dusted off his clothes before looking up to the sky. He spotted his sparring partner's form falling back through the sky. The moment he landed, he'd probably start waving around the ridiculous strength again and Naruto would be forced to evade. And if he brought out his flames then things would just get harder.

Surtr came diving back towards the ground as Naruto lowered his body and took a sprinting position. The moment the large [Rook] landed and cratered the ground was the moment Naruto launched himself across the clearing. The blond blur flew over the ground and when Surtr spotted it coming his way he slammed his hand down to squash it. But Naruto grabbed the ground just short of being made into a pancake, losing all of his momentum and tearing out a large piece of rock that he then used to break against Surtr's head. The [Rook] took it in stride and reached for the young blond only to grasp at thin air as Naruto avoided his reach once again.

Naruto flipped over the large man's head and landed behind him in a crouch, a Rasengan already formed in his hand. He slammed the jutsu into the back of Surtr's leg and unlike the thick bicep he attacked before, this time the results were immediate. Surtr let out a groan of pain as he dropped to one knee when his leg was nearly blown out from under him. He swung his arms out wildly to try and catch the speedy blond but Naruto flipped over his clothesline and avoided his wrath. The moment Naruto landed in front of the Norse clone he chambered his fist and swung up into Surtr's chin for an uppercut. The large [Rook] leaned his head back and narrowly avoided the attack from connecting.

Naruto smirked as his sturdy opponent let out a surprised yelp when the strike to his chin came anyway and knocked him flat on his back. Natural energy manipulation at its finest.

"Hahahahahaha!" Surtr chortled and pounded his stomach with exuberant joy before he lifted himself up and ran a hand through his spiky hair, "I think someone told me you could still hit people even if your attack misses. I wasn't really paying attention so I sorta missed the whole thing."

"I manipulate the natural energy around me so when I throw a punch, even if I miss the target, I can still hit them." Naruto scratched his head with a quizzical look, "Usually that was enough to knock down most people back where I come from but the people I use it against here are made of some really sturdy stuff."

"Cool stuff." Surtr rubbed his neck, "And there ain't no way to block it?"

"Not that I know of. Though that bastard Azazel figured out a way to combat against it, and more assholes are figuring out each time." His memories went back to the unpleasant sight of a sickeningly pale Fallen Angel and a smug Heavenly Dragon he'd like nothing more than to bitchslap across the sky.

"Well then that's something you need to look out for." Surtr warned with a challenging smirk, "There's more than one way to skin a cat."

Surtr sprinted forward and Naruto raised his guard. He waited to sense the [Rook's] oncoming attack but felt no movement at all, the massive clone only seeming to be charging his opponent. The blond stayed wary and weighed his options before throwing out a punch.

With a loud echo the fist buried itself into Surtr's cheek and reverberated through his whole body. For a moment it was completely silent except for the faint sound of flames flickering around them.

"HAAA!"

Surtr suddenly yelled and a flood of flames ejected from his body in every direction. They filled the area instantly and reduced the ground and trees around the [Rook] to ash. The ginger stood back up tall and looked where the clone he had fought had popped from the intense wave of fire. He smirked, "Kid's gotta wish his clones were as sturdy as me."

The Norse fire giant flinched when he smiled and rubbed his cheek softly. In the middle of the field and forest reduced to flames and smoldering ash, the [Rook] slipped his finger into his mouth. When he pulled it out he saw it covered in blood.

"Hoho, Hime picked a good one."

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"Oh what the hell?" Naruto lowered his hands and frowned, "That crazy big dude just barbecued me like fat meat." The young blond scowled before tentatively looking to the side, "Um, Sir, can I-"

"Did I say you could stop?"

"Sorry!" The young [Pawn] immediately placed his hands together and concentrated to create a small ball of fire between his hands. He focused his Demonic Power and made sure to gradually oscillate the size of the orb as best he could. Slowly and still making sure he was doing his practice he looked up at his supervisor, "S-So, like I was trying to say Sir, the clone fighting off Sirzechs' [Rook] just got roasted like a whiskered marshmallow. Can I summon another one so he can keep fighting-"

"Are you still facing the other members of the training session?"

"Um, yes?"

"Then don't bother. If it popped then you know there was something about that fight you were unprepared for. Put your focus back on learning to better control your Demonic Power. Developing a skill you have yet to master instead of simply learning to punch someone else in ways you already fight seems like a much better use of your time."

"Yeah-"

"-But-"

"-Ajuka-San-"

"WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR DAYS!" The dozen identical Naruto clones cried out in anguish to the strict Maou who simply stared over them sternly. Each clone had an orb in their hands made from a different element; fire, water, wind, lightning, and earth. When Naruto started this practice of using his Demonic Power and Rias asked what he could most easily visualize the first thing to come to mind were the five elements. Since then he had been practicing with his new power and trying to create not just a ball of wind but a concentrated version of each element. His ability had truly jumped considerably since he started training like this, but, "We create all these clones and we've been doing this nonstop! If we don't get a break then the original is probably gonna pass out from the strain!"

"Growing in ability comes at a cost." Ajuka coldly responded as he walked by each clone and inspected their power closely, "I'm sure you are already well aware of that fact."

Ever since he found out that the [Evil Piece] inside his body was an old prototype Ajuka made, the Maou had been closely monitoring his progress and development. He supposed that he should be honored that someone of such high rank like Rias' brother was so interested in him, but he couldn't find it in himself for how much of a cold slave-driver this monster of a man could be.

Honestly he really shouldn't be complaining. He wanted to get out here and train so that's what he got. He is steadily gaining more power and should be able to face most of the challenges better from now on. So what if whenever his clones disappeared the main body got a headache? And who cared that his muscles were screaming in agony from all the sparring and fighting he was doing with these super powerful fighters? And sure he might not be sleeping comfortably in a bed but he came here to train! Not to cuddle up with Rias and enjoy the feeling of her warmth against his body and feeling that sense of relief when she smiled at him and maybe finally experience one of those idyllic summers regular teenagers and that idiot Issei dream of daily! He came to train dammit!

"Are you all crying?"

All the Naruto clones had tears forming in their eyes and sniffled before one built up the strength to speak, "W-Well, we're all the same guy, so I'm sure we're lamenting about the same thing right now."

"Yep."

"Uh-huh."

"Totally."

"I think I'm gonna pop if I have to hold it in any longer."

"Okay maybe not all of us."

"I certainly hope he isn't thinking about the same thing."

"Is this a normal occurrence between clones?" Ajuka questioned curiously with a tilt of his head, "Do you share a hive mind away from the prime body?"

"W-What?" One clone shook his head, "No, but we're the same guy so of course it's gonna be similar thoughts."

"So real-time events aren't shared between all you, but when one of you dispels then your memories return to the original body. Which means that even if you are separated, then there is still a connection lingering between you that connects the main body to the cloned ones. Still a fascinating technique even after I've had all this time to examine it."

"Would you like some more time to examine it then?" Naruto inquired, a hint of hope in his voice at the chance he might have found for a breather, "If you'd like we could stop and use some techniques and let you better understand how we-"

"No need. I already figured it out." Ajuka interrupted, "You use this technique rather frequently. Even if I wasn't focusing on it, with how much I've seen it I've already figured out how it works. The molding of your energy to create a new body identical to yours that returns information immediately upon destruction." The green-haired Devil waved his hand with a bored acceptance, "I've already figured out how to dispel it anyway."

"Y-You have?"

"Yes, with a wave of my hand." Ajuka lifted his hand as it flowed with intricate magic circles, "Behold."

"No no that's okay you don't-"

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"You alright, Naruto-kun?"

"F-Fine." Naruto said with a weary shake of his head, "Ajuka-San just popped all the clones he had with him to show me he could."

"Sounds like something he'd do." Sirzechs nodded, understanding his oldest friend's action, "He's quite eccentric like that. Very hard to get a handle on his train of thought."

"Well ain't you two the cutest pot and kettle set imaginable."

Sirzechs chuckled lightly before shifting his body to face Naruto in a sideway stance. The older redhead smiled confidently and beckoned for him to come. Naruto sneered but remained in his crouched position as he looked around and inspected the ground around him. There were trenches and craters and all sorts of damage marring the rocky area they had ended up fighting in. He looked back at the wooded landscape they had already fought through and the sheer destruction from their path. Several trees were broken and toppled over while a few had clear and clean holes in them like they had been drilled through. And of course somewhere in the thicket of trees, McGregor continued to creepily work on his projects while they trained.

Naruto narrowed his eyes and lifted his hand to his side. He imagined light running down the veins of his arm before reaching his palm. He felt a powerful warmth settle in his hand as it started to flicker in his grasp.

"Oh, you're able to make one much faster than you could before." Sirzechs remarked, "I guess Ajuka's focused mindset really did you some wonders, huh?"

"Yeah keep talking." Naruto's other hand came over the fire and constricted it into a ball before lifting his hand up. The fireball followed his lifted hand while several more balls of fire created from his Demonic Power followed its path. Between Naruto's hands were several balls of concentrated flames that floated before him for a moment before he threw his hands forward and launched them out. The balls of fire flew but instead of hitting Sirzechs they pelted the ground in front of him and blinded the Maou in dust.

With several of his other clones destroyed in their fights that let Naruto summon two more to his side to help him fight. They leapt through the air and pounced on the cloud of dust to attack their foe while he was blind. Naruto clicked his teeth as memories quickly flooded his head with their destruction.

Several small spheres came flying out of the cloud of dust and made holes when they did. They circled around the entire cloud and erased any particles that were in its way in moments. The cloud of dust was vaporized and revealed a nonplussed Sirzechs in its center. The three orbs of red and black hovered by his side as Sirzechs smiled cheekily, "I'm glad you weren't brazenly jumping into the fight without any thought."

"Yeah, already tried that." Naruto threw his thumb over his shoulder and towards the destruction behind them, "Didn't work out so well."

"Learning from your battles. You'd be surprised how many people still have to figure stuff like that out even at my age."

"Well considering the people I'm fighting and the state I'm in, it would be in my best interest." Naruto remarked as he held out his palm again and converted his Demonic Power to rock. With a yell he slammed his palm into the ground and with a mighty crack watched as a split formed in the earth by his feet, "Of course that doesn't mean I still can't play bigger too." He forced his fingers into the cracks and with the strength bolstered by his Sage Mode he flipped several massive chunks out of the rocky landscape. The slabs of rock were lifted up into the air and fell over on top of Sirzechs.

The Lucifer narrowed his eyes and sent his Ruin of Destruction orbs out to defend himself. The orbs of Demonic Power barreled through the slabs of rock falling down on top of him. The orbs flew through and then returned through the chunk of rock several times until it broke apart into several large piles of rubble. It rained down rocks and debris around the quiet redhead as he stood while the dust settled.

Naruto leapt over a rock and came down at Sirzechs with a Rasengan in hand. He buried it into the spot Sirzechs had stood a moment earlier, the Maou sidestepping the oncoming danger that cratered the ground with a splintering web. Naruto clicked his teeth and glared at the retreating crimson-haired Devil before chasing after him.

Sirzechs kept a comfortable space between them and avoided being in Naruto's reach. He flicked his hand out as the black orbs went flying away from his side and flew for the whiskered blond. Naruto cartwheeled away as the black orbs barreled through the boulder that had been behind him and left distinct fissures in it wake.

The blond slid over the ground and looked up to see the orbs training back on him. He gathered his Demonic Power in his hand again and with his next dodge he whipped his arm out and tossed another orb at Sirzechs. The redhead Maou leapt aside and avoided the fiery explosion coming his way. He grew his wings and flew up as an orb of water and wind exploded against each other.

"GET BACK HERE!" Naruto charged after Sirzechs while screaming at the top of his lungs. He weaved side to side as two black orbs came flying for his head and flew straight into the ground when he dodged. His hand reached behind him and yanked out his fighting knife as he jumped through the air and flew at Sirzechs. The redhead lurched back as Naruto thrusted his knife for his body-

A Ruin of Destruction came flying up from the ground right through the knife, disintegrating the blade and leaving only the handle in the younger man's grasp.

"OH COME ON!" Naruto lamented as he dropped back to the ground and stared at the ruined knife in disbelief, "I PAID ¥4,000 FOR THIS THING! DAMMIT ALL!"

"No need to be so upset," Sirzechs said as he lowered himself to the ground and stood beside the downtrodden blond. He retracted his wings and patted his back, "The loss of a knife is not enough to be so depressed about."

"Says you! I don't have money to burn! Plus I haven't exactly been putting in the extra hours at the ramen shop and Gramps is just barely letting me hang on by a thread!" Naruto waved the broken weapon around aimlessly before letting it drop from his hand, "Son of a bitch."

"Well in fairness I'm not sure how much damage a ¥4,000 knife would have done against your future enemies." He tried to alleviate the pain but Naruto still looked miffed by the loss of his weapon. Sirzechs sighed and scratched his cheek, "But if it's really bothering you so much. McGregor!" He called out, "If you have some spare time later I have a project for you!"

"Is it fun?!"

"Probably!"

"Happily then!"

Sirzechs nodded and looked down at Naruto, "There, all cleared up. Now should we call it a match?"

"Huh?" Naruto tilted his head before standing up, "Oh this wasn't the end of the match." The blond stood across from the redhead and smirked, "It's a distraction."

Sirzechs heard something cutting through the air and looked back to see a Rasenshuriken being thrown his way. Another Naruto stood far away at the edge of the clearing and popped the moment he threw the attack. Sirzechs felt the presence behind him vanish as Naruto leapt away from his side to avoid the blast. The crimson-haired Devil smiled, "Well if you want to try it again."

His hand snapped out and a Ruin of Destruction formed in his palm before flying towards the oncoming jutsu. The black and red orb slammed into the larger white and blue one and breached its center. The jutsu exploded in a deafening burst of sound and air. Sirzechs protected his eyes and the force of air caused his hair to whip like crazy behind him. After a few seconds the premature blast finally came to an end and revealed the gargantuan crater created in its wake.

Sirzechs dusted himself off and looked over at the whiskered teen that slowly emerged back into the battlefield. The orange coloring that covered Naruto's eyes and the strange change to his eyes had disappeared with the last of his energy expelled in the attack. The blond wiped the sweat off his cheek as he stood across from the redhead and asked, "Will Rias be able to do that too? Because right now if we crossed attacks I doubt her Destruction would be able to hold out against my attack."

"Well I have had a few centuries of experience over her." The Lucifer answered with a fond smile, "But that doesn't mean she won't one day hold power that could match or even surpass my own. You'll have your hands full in the years to come." Sirzechs commented with a chuckle before tilting his head, "So now what? What comes next?"

"What do you mean?"

"This is another distraction, isn't it? Because your eyes...they haven't given up yet."

There was a cacophony of popping and explosions as everything around them erupted in a cloud of white smoke. Sirzechs let the smoke wash over him before he realized that the battle field had changed considerably.

Surrounded by a horde of blond, whiskered young Devils in tattered clothes.

Ah yes, while his Senjutsu granted him great boosts in his stats, it robbed him of creating a multitude of clones like this. And with his form vanishing with the use of that last big attack, he created all these clones in the confusion and made them change into rocks. And then slipped them in all around to match the remains and rubble that peppered the field.

He knew he'd destroy the Rasenshuriken again, and prepared for it by laying an ambush.

As Sirzechs was swarmed on all sides by the mob of clones, he smirked to himself. He was proud to know his future brother-in-law could play bigger and smarter than most others his age.

Unfortunately, Sirzechs just played better.

The clone inches away from hitting him popped when two of his black orbs came flying up through the ground. The entire horde of Narutos stopped in their tracks in surprise, not realizing that the technique from earlier hadn't dissipated but simply waited in the ground for its time to shine. They tried to slip in and attack but it was too late.

The balls circled Sirzechs and quickly started to expand their perimeter outwards. The orbs of Destruction made quick work of the mass group of clones and destroyed them in seconds. The clones tried to create their elemental orbs to attack again but a Ruin of Destruction would fly in through their head before continuing in the sweep.

"I've had fun, but I'll ask again." Sirzechs walked forward and through the cloud of white smoke before emerging from the other side with a curious grin, "Shall we call it a match?"

"Really pissing me off right now." Naruto muttered from his spot on the ground, seated in his meditation pose to gather more power but stopped by the orbs of Destruction on either side of his head, "How did you know I would pull that move?"

"Because despite what you might think, I've been desperate and overwhelmed in fights before too. I know a few last ditch opportunities when I see them."

"I wasn't desperate."

[Well...]

Sirzechs gave a hearty laugh and dispelled his attacks before offering the younger Devil his hand. Naruto seemed reluctant but quickly accepted and was pulled to his feet. The former Gremory wished to strike a conversation with his young friend but noticed a magic circle on his hand indicating a call coming through. He held out his hand and a hologram of Grayfia was formed, "Grayfia, what's the matter?"

"I am simply providing you with an update, Sirzechs-sama." The maid responded in her respectful tone, "Rias-sama wished to inform you that there were no dire problems and she should make a full recovery with some rest."

"Oh good, I'm glad to hear that." Sirzechs sounded relieved but when he looked up and saw the look of confusion and concern on Naruto's face, he fretted. He tried to disarm him with a smile, "I forgot I needed to tell you something, h-hehehe."

Naruto's eyebrow twitched violently.

[Hey, you might just win now.]

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

Koneko woke up with a faint stir and shuffled the covers off her with some effort. She let out a tiny whine and flinched from the ache in her body but forced it down. The little [Rook] pulled herself out of bed and sat at its edge before looking up and around the room. She spotted her reflection in the mirror and realized it wasn't just her body that felt tired. Her eyes had bags and there was some sweat on her brow that caused her hair to stick to her skin. If she had the energy she'd try to clean herself up but she honestly couldn't be bothered.

The freshman carefully stood out of her bed and slowly took steps forward as her bare feet ran through the carpet of the room. The large shirt she wore was hanging off her tiny form and Koneko couldn't spot any other clothes put out for her to change into. Although if Akeno was still here she'd tell her that she needed to rest now and not try to change.

Akeno must have left to take a break after looking after her for so long. Apparently Yuuto , Xenovia, and Gasper had come to visit her while she had been resting, and Asia had come to give her some basic healing. Unfortunately her problems stemmed from exhaustion, and Asia could only heal physical wounds. It felt odd for the freshman to try and console the saddened nun for her inability to help. Buchou had been a constant present through the day, and Issei had come to visit as well to see how she was doing.

The naked concern in their eyes and the urgency in which they came to see her made a flutter fill her belly. And it did well to ease her mind if only a little.

Koneko pulled the balcony doors open and stepped out to the perch to look out over the Gremory estate. It was already night, obvious from the change in the sky that now was filled with different colors and stars. It always mesmerized her just how beautiful it could look so late. Koneko felt so relaxed that she didn't realize until then that her ears and tail had unfolded from her body.

"Oh. Um..."

Koneko's eyes widened in shock and she turned to see Naruto seated on the edge of the balcony. The disheveled blond looked surprised by the sudden appearance of her extra appendages as he awkwardly waved, "H-Hey, Sleeping Beauty."

Koneko immediately darted into the room and slammed the doors shut behind her as her face started to heat up. She rubbed her cheeks and froze when she heard the doors open and close again behind her. The white-haired girl lowered her head, her heartbeat filling her ears as fear caused her limbs to shake. With a deep breath she shuffled around, gripping the edge of her shirt tightly as she looked up at the tall blond.

"I didn't know you had those."

"I-I wasn't a human before Buchou reincarnated me." Koneko muttered softly, "I was a Nekoshou. A special type of Nekomata, a-a Youkai."

"Guess they aren't just for decoration." Naruto took a step forward but stopped when he saw Koneko flinch at his approach. He kept his distance but knelt down so he could look up into her eyes, "What happened?"

"I just pushed myself a little too far." The young teen sounded guilty as she said that and lifted her eyes to look into Naruto's. She still looked ashamed for whatever reason but kept her gaze on him while she spoke, "I was trying to get stronger but no matter how hard I push myself there isn't a change. Except when I...I..."

Koneko's voice went silent but the ears on her head twitched and the tail sprouting from her back swayed.

"You're stronger when you're like this." Naruto finished her sentence, earning a small nod from the younger girl. The blond shrugged, "If you're stronger like this, then why don't you use it?"

Koneko didn't give him an answer, but instead extended her hand towards him. He stared at the offered hand for a moment before looking up to see the timid expression on her face. Carefully Naruto settled his hand in hers, her small hand resting in his palm before it curled up.

He felt a strange sensation wash over him as he held her hand. One he was extremely familiar with, but not one he was expecting. He felt the same feeling of his eyes changing when he gathered natural energy, but then felt the natural energy be drained from him and his eyes return to normal. The exhaustion and fatigue he had carried with him hadn't disappeared, but had lessened with her trick. He looked at his young friend in surprise as she pulled back her hand and rested it against her side.

"I'm a Sage too. Nekomata can manipulate natural energy and we can channel Touki and utilize Youjutsu and become stronger and heal people. I knew what your power was the moment you used it in the Rating Game...and that's why I was scared of you after it." Koneko muttered shamefully as her eyes started to water, "D-Do you remember when we talked about Senjutsu, a-and the adverse effects it can have on people?"

"Madness."

"I-I wasn't talking about it as just any warning. I-I've seen it for myself." Koneko stuttered as she started to shake from fear. She looked up and saw Naruto motion for the bed, Koneko nodding in agreement and sitting on the edge of it before her legs gave out remembering the traumatic memory, "I can't really remember my mother and father, but I still see every moment I had with my sister as clear as day. For as long as I can remember she raised and watched over me my entire life. Wherever we went, however cold or hungry we might have been, at least we were together. But if we hadn't found some place to finally settle down, we would have ended up dead."

"So we met a Devil who saw the potential of our strength and how it could grow. He offered by sister a position in his peerage, and in return we would finally have a place to call home. She took it, and we were finally safe. My sister grew stronger and didn't have to constantly watch over me, and the Devil who took us in was kind and sweet. Things finally seemed alright."

Naruto noticed the tear running down her cheek as she took a shallow breath.

"She trained so much that her skill in Senjutsu became second nature, but so did its drawbacks. When I walked in I saw him in pieces and she...she was bathed in his blood. She was branded as a Stray Devil, a-and she was just gone. And I was left alone...with everyone seeing me as a monster to be punished for what happened." Tears started to stream down her red cheeks as Koneko sobbed, "I-I never wanted to use this form again after that. I didn't want to lose myself o-or remember everything that happened. But I can't get stronger without it. I-I-I don't know what to do. I-I-"

A hand settled over the ones resting in her lap and caused Koneko to gasp. She looked up and saw Naruto had knelt down in front of her with a soft smile on his face, "Koneko...you said you can heal people, right?"

"Y-Yes."

"It was you, wasn't it? You were the one who healed me and gave me back my chakra."

Koneko hiccuped and hid her face.

"You said you don't like this form, so why did you do that?"

"B-Because of what you said. And that we were worth risking your life for. H-How could I not do what I could to help you when you would go so far for us? For me?" Koneko cried as her puffy red eyes closed, "I was scared and terrified beyond all belief, but I just wanted to try and help you. I know this power can help us, and I know if I tried I could use it, b-but if I lost control...if I did the same thing to Buchou or any of you like what Onee-sama did-"

"You wouldn't-"

"But just thinking about it makes me sick. Imagining my hands covered in blood, or even the moment when you all would have to fight me off or put me down is-"

"Koneko." Naruto's hand grasped Koneko's tightly as she looked into his eyes, "You can use that power or not, that's your choice. You will get stronger, and we will help you do that. But don't be ashamed of yourself. Don't hate who you are."

"B-But what if I'm a monster?"

"I find that hard to believe." Koneko looked up at him and saw the smile on his face, "No matter what happens, I can't see you being anything else but the cool little Devil we all know and love. The girl who loves her friends and family enough to put their well-being over her own. You realize that, right?"

Koneko's tears continued to fall and she whimpered before lowering her head. She felt her body being pulled into Naruto's for a gentle hug as his hand gentle stroked her hair. Her quiet sobs were muffled by his chest as he whispered into her ear that it would be okay.

Memories of a similar state where her sister calmed her down came to mind, and the tears fell even harder.

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

Naruto closed the door behind him after putting Koneko to sleep. The little Nekomata had tired herself out from her crying and Naruto tucked her in before stepping outside.

"Sounded like you took a lot out of her."

He looked to the side and saw Akeno standing by the wall with a tray of tea that had gone cold while she waited. The blond faced her, "She's probably gonna be asleep for a little longer."

"That's a good thing. Poor girl needed her rest." The ponytailed [Queen] agreed before eyeing him suspiciously, "But I'm not sure how I feel about an older man in a state of undress sneaking into Koneko-chan's room while she was in that state."

"Can't help what I'm wearing, I came here right from my training." Naruto complained, "If you want someone to blame, try Rias' crazy brother and his team of unrelenting monsters."

"You don't have to make excuses with me. Come running along in any state of undress that you like. Just expect some kind of reaction when you do." Akeno said as she walked past him and for the door, "But if you are coming by here, maybe stop in and check with Buchou. You know how she worries when you disappear."

"Wait." Naruto called out before Akeno could slip through the door and disappear. The violet-eyed girl looked towards him as the whiskered teen stared back, "Why have you always been so wary about me?"

"That's a bit forward to just be asking me."

"Well I've been trying to figure it out and I haven't gotten anywhere so here I am, using the direct approach."

"Did you ever consider it might have been when you barged into the girl's locker room and manhandled my bra?"

"I could understand if that made you angry, but not why it would make you so cautious."

Akeno let out a small laugh, "You're right. Honestly I just forget about it because it doesn't matter anymore. But what does matter was when I first saw you." Naruto raised his eyebrow as Akeno laid down her tray and turned to face him directly, "I remember your first day at our school, when you introduced yourself. Everyone in the room started to pass rumors and fallacies and everything imaginable to try and piece you together somehow. But I could see something in your eyes when you introduced yourself; just a total resignation from everything around you. That there was nothing you could do or anything someone could say that would change your mind."

"How would you-"

"And then Rias saved your life and made you a part of the peerage. I was hesitant around you because despite how hard I knew she would try, I really didn't believe that she could bring that light you needed back into your eyes. But lo and behold she did it, and your spark reignited. And in the process I found out you were a man to recklessly jump into the most dangerous situations with little regard for your life." Akeno's tone grew harsher as her eyes narrowed, "I can completely understand the desire to protect the people you love; I would do whatever I could for them as well. But never die. Because if I gave my life for them, then they won't be able to honor my sacrifice, only live with the pain of me being gone and the gap that leaves in them. Because that's the truth about sacrifices like that; you don't protect them so they can see the next day, you leave them with a hole in their heart, and now that Rias has fallen for you, actions like running into battles you can't fight anymore or disappearing off somewhere hurt her more than ever."

Despite the energy in Akeno's tone, Naruto never once looked away in shame or guilt. He only stared in silence as the energy in her violet eyes disappeared and she collected herself. After a moment of silence between the two Naruto finally spoke in a quiet tone, "People can't say something like that without experience."

Akeno took a deep breath and fixed her hair out of her eye. She turned back around and bent down to pick up her tray, "I think more than anyone else in our peerage, I can empathize with Koneko-chan the most. Being left behind. Being afraid of what you really are. How awful and suffocating it can feel. I've been where she is, and it is hell."

Once upon a time Naruto believed there was nothing worse in this world than having no one to call your own. But as he grew up he realized there was a pain even worse than loneliness.

Loss.

One he had only recently been alleviated of thanks to the ORC and Kurama's return, but most people weren't so fortunate.

"I'd ask why you don't like me either but it probably stems from a number of reasons. I'm sure everything I just said is just another reason on a list." Akeno smiled beautifully and stepped inside the room as she left, "Goodbye, Naruto-San. If your training ends up causing you serious pain be sure to spare no detail."

The door closed behind her as Naruto sighed and turned around. There was a reason he didn't trust Akeno, but it really wasn't anything complicated or hard to understand.

How could he trust someone who faked their smile so easily?

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

Naruto felt a hand grip his shoulder and jostle him awake from his drowsy stupor. He moaned and sunk further into the pillow his arms provided him, "No, go away. Need sleep."

"Naruto, now is not the time to be taking power naps." Rias warned while nudging him a little harder.

"Those psychos can wait for training. I need to rest a little longer."

"You're not training. We're at a gala and you're snoring."

Naruto's eyes creeped open and he lifted his head to see he was seated at a table at the edge of a large ballroom. There were many distinguished looking men and women of every size walking around the room, and some spared looks his way at his uncouth behavior. Of course most others were more focused on speaking with each other. Naruto sat back in his chair and looked down at the suit he was wearing, "I don't even remember putting this on."

"Onii-sama and Ajuka-sama must have really put you through the ringer." Rias drew a chair to sit by his side and placed her hand on his lap as he yawned, "Will you be alright with staying at this party?"

"Just need to fill my gut and walk around a bit. I'll be fine."

"Alright." Rias softly said before her eyes traveled over him and laughed, "My my, you clean up very nicely. What do you think about me?"

"Do I even need to say it? Feels like you already knew the answer." Naruto opened his eye and saw Rias giving him a subtle pout. The childish response was really the only thing about her that could even be remotely considered as childish. Her lips had been glossed with lipstick and her cheeks blushed with makeup, with her long red hair tied up behind her head in a bun. And her gorgeous figure was displayed with the dark red dress that hugged her form. He didn't want to look because then he would just be staring, but he pulled his eyes away long enough to mutter, "You look fine."

"Oh?" Rias playfully stretched her word, no doubt noticing the slight color change in his cheeks when he looked. That seemed to be enough as she touched his arm, "There are a few people I need to talk to, so please make sure not to fall asleep again, okay?"

He hummed and watched her walk off to engage in conversation with others. After a moment Naruto pushed himself up and started walking around the ballroom with the catering and drinks in mind. While he walked he looked around the room and spotted some particular figures that drew his eye. There was Gasper, wearing a little dress of his own because of course he would. Issei and Asia appeared to be having a discussion with the little sister of the Phenex guy they fought a few months back. And the Maous were all gathered together speaking with Azazel, a taller man standing by his back, and the oddest duo he had ever seen.

"Odin-sama, you can't say something so inappropriate to Leviathan-sama!"

"What? All I said is that she's filled in nicely. It's a compliment."

"I-It's rude!"

"I really don't mind. Can't hide the truth of it, Levi-chan has got it going on!"

"B-But-"

"See, you're the only one forcing your conceptions of etiquette on us. This is why no one wants to go out with you."

"W-W-Why did you have to bring that up?!"

Naruto tried to drown out the whimpering and consoling from the other adults as he spotted the buffet. He grabbed himself a glass of champagne and stated digging in.

"Naruto, there you are." Xenovia walked up to him and folded her arms under her chest as she joined his side, "I haven't seen you at all since coming back."

"Hey Xenovia. You're looking nice." He motioned to the blue dress she wore and then offered her a glass of the same thing he was drinking, "I was busy training with Rias' brother this whole time."

"You trained with a Maou?" The former Church warrior questioned in surprise, "That must have been quite the experience."

"That's a more than generous way of looking at it." Naruto commented with a hearty gulp of his drink. He looked to the blue-haired woman, "What about you? How was your training?"

"Lucrative. Azazel permitted me to a training center at the Grigori headquarters so I could push myself. It was very trying, but I was able to sharpen my skills even more which is always welcome." The green streak in her hair swayed as the [Knight] looked around, "What time I didn't spend training, I explored more of the Underworld."

"And what did you think?"

"I think it's beautiful." Xenovia softly admitted while looking down at her glass and swirling its contents, "The people here are considerate and the landscape is so peaceful and beautiful. I always expected the worst of this realm because of the stories, but in truth it is such a wonderful place."

Naruto smiled as he took another sip, "Glad to hear."

"I also masturbated for the first time which was a lot of fun."

Many eyes traveled their way at the sudden spray that left Naruto's mouth and the horrid gagging that followed as he gasped for air.

"I had always avoided it when I was a human but since I'm a Devil it's part and parcel to delve into worldly desires, as I'm sure you remember." Xenovia continued with an excited look on her face, "It was such an experience, and some people at the Grigori institute were surprised it was my first time. Most of the males said that an experience with them would have been more fulfilling, but many of the females laughed at that. In fact some took me aside and propositioned-"

"Xenovia." Naruto placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes, doing his best to look commanding despite the dribble and redness in his eyes, "Don't tell anyone what you just told me. Ever. At all."

"Why not?"

"Because we keep things like that secret. Just to ourselves. Hush hush, okay?"

"Is that what you do when you masturbate?"

"Don't say the-" Naruto bit his lip, "Yep, that's what I do."

"Ah, I understand." She nodded and downed her drink in one go. With a sharp gasp she put her glass down and nodded, "I'm going to mingle a little bit more. I'll talk with you later, okay."

Please let their next conversation be easier on his heart.

The blond took a deep breath and looked around the room. He saw the members of the ORC spaced out around the room talking with many other people. They all looked to be having fun...

But someone was missing.

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

Walking through the darkness of the forest in the night was unsettling. The animals chirping and squeaking as they ran. Koneko had traded out the fancy dress Rias and Akeno had spent so long picking out for her to instead change into her school uniform. The outfit she didn't mind getting ripped up or damaged.

It was for a split second while she looked out the window. In a room filled with people of unimaginable power and skill, she sensed something far away she hadn't felt in ages. Something that drew her outside and away from everyone else.

She really wished she had just imagined it. Just her memories and feelings resurfacing after the recent trouble she had.

"Awwwww~, you noticed~. That was sweet of you."

Koneko looked up and felt a strange feeling grip her heart. Fear. Anxiety. Relief. Disbelief. Hesitation.

Nostalgia.

"Onee-sama."

"Hey Shirone. You got bigger, nya."

||||||||Omake: Culture Shock - Superheroes||||||||

"I'm here to talk to you about the Avenger Initiative."

The TV screen went black and the lights flicked back on over the room. The ORC members stood out of their seats as Issei stretched his arms, "Man, I forgot how fun that first one was. How did you like It Asia?"

"I thought it was amazing, Issei-San!" The blonde nun said with excitement in her voice after witnessing the feature for the first time, "I thought the struggle Iron Man-San went through after his ordeal was inspiring! And his friendship with his secretary friend was so sweet and heartwarming!"

"I liked the fighting and power that suit had." Xenovia added with a sparkle in her eye, "I never knew science could create something so powerful and amazing as a full-powered armored suit. Science is certainly not an aspect we should overlook."

"H-Hehe, we might be a few years off from reaching suits like that."

"That was so much fun." Xenovia said again as Asia nodded enthusiastically beside her, "I heard about these movies but I never bothered to see them while I was working for the Church. I was missing out. When I see Irina again I should get her to watch them with me."

"That would be fun. I'm sure it would be good for our dynamic we had movie nights like this every now and then." Rias offered. Her peerage was quick to nod and agree with the idea of a movie night with everyone. The redhead smiled and looked down at the boy seated beside her, "And what did you think?"

"..."

"Naruto?"

"Huh?" The whiskered blond blinked and came back to reality after staring at the television in complete silence. When he saw the amused smile Rias was showing him he coughed and sat up in his chair, "Yeah it was good. Nice film."

"Is that all?"

"Well what else is there to say?"

"How about all your jittery movements or gasps of shock or cheers when something good happened?" Akeno offered with a coy laugh, "You'd almost think you've never seen a movie."

"I like movies, so what? B-But no movie back where I came from looked like that."

"Well I guess our movies have a few things ninjas can't so easily replicate."

"Tell me about it. And that armored guy has books and shows and action figures?"

Rias giggled at the clear excitement Naruto was trying to hide, "Yes he does. We have quite a lot of superheroes like that who are very popular around the world. Remember that movie starring Batman I showed you?"

"The one with the gadgets, right? Oh he was so cool!" The blond grinned and smiled at the menu for the movie showing the superhero, "And people in this world watch these guys all the time? These are the heroes everyone looks up to?"

"Yep. A lot of people are inspired by what they do and what they overcome. That's why there are so many outlets for us to see them though."

"Yeah Senpai, they're all really cool! I need to show you a guy called Spider-Man. I bet you'd like him."

The door to the club room opened up and Azazel walked in, "Oh, what's going on here? What are you all doing this late?"

"Watching movies."

"Hey Azazel," Naruto sat up, "Did you know about these superheroes? They're freaking awesome!"

"Of course I know. I haven't been living under a rock or coming from a different dimension like some folks. They're pretty common knowledge in this world."

"Unfortunately heroes and characters like this aren't so widely known in the Underworld." Rias said as she ejected the disc to add back into the collection, "Most forms of entertainment come more from old stories and legends. The Devils don't have original heroes like that."

"Then we should bring them over. Let the children of the Underworld have some superheroes of their own."

While the novel idea was being passed around between the peerage, Azazel stood aside and stroked his chin.

He stared at the young Devils before a sly grin formed.

Now that could be interesting.

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

Done

I just had to. Infinity War came out this week. And no offense to the sweet chakra skills the Naruto universe movies could use, but I think our movies kinda have them beat. Watch it right now. Seriously.

And so Kuroka has been introduced. Welcome the sultry kitty queen to the foyer. Take a moment to look over this series as a whole and you realize something...

Some of the hottest and most gorgeous characters in anime, male and female, come from DxD.

~All the pretty people, all the pretty people~

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