New Devil of The Gremory House
Life 26: Greeting
Happy Belated Birthday gift from me to you. I would've gotten these out yesterday on the day but damn it takes a long time to revise this stuff.
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"There was an attack on Devil territory from the enemies we've been preparing to face! They simply strolled in miles away from our banquet and could have engaged in an ambush if they decided to go just a little bit further!" The man in the elegant robes announced, "The Khaos Brigade is clearly ready to make their move whenever they wish! And their members are more fearsome than we anticipated! So can you all please! Not look! So bored!"
The Fallen Angel emissary looked around at some of the bored and uninterested members accompanying the meeting. Michael and the Maous that showed up were struggling to keep focus while he recounted the events of the attack the night before. Some of the leaders from other Mythologies that graced them with their presence looked down right bored. One of them in particular was napping, his attendant trying to awaken him as urgently as possible as she blushed from the looks being aimed their way. And of course, even his leader wasn't exempt from this behavior.
"Azazel!"
"Oh, pull out the stick firmly stuck up your butt, Shemhazai. We already have the testimonies from the duo that met the insurgents, and it was clear this infiltration was for personal reasons." The Governor-General quickly raised his hands defensively, "Now I'm not saying we shouldn't take this as a very serious matter of raising our own defenses and securities in case something like this happens again, but I don't think we have to have an extensive meeting about everything that happened again."
"Second."
"I agree." A booming voice said from a large, well-built, "Plus I was privy to the confrontation as soon as they started to exchange blows. I think quite a few of us were."
"Y-You were?! Zeus-sama, why didn't-"
"It seemed like a personal affair! Plus it was quite intriguing to see how these new young Devils fought. I look forward to seeing more of their efforts in the near future."
"See? Part of it was just some dumb old farts getting too into the entertainment. I think we'd get a lot more done if we simply focused on how we can be better prepared for this kind of problem in the future." Azazel stretched and scooted his chair out, "And on that matter, mind tying everything up with a nice little bow? I'm the advisor for Rias Gremory's peerage and the match is gonna start soon, so..."
Shemhazai sighed, "Yes, you can leave. Just please don't forget that we need to discuss this at length later-"
"Got it remembering it memorizing it forgetting what we were talking about and gone! See ya later!"
"Wish Ria-tan luck from me! Also my condolences for losing against So-tan!"
"Give Rias my regards as well. And tell her it's fine to hurt Sona-kun's feelings by utterly stomping her in the Rating Game."
"Oh Sirzechs-chan, I think you might be delusional~."
"Same to you, Serafall. Imagining for even a moment that my sister would lose. Have you been getting enough sleep lately?"
"And with that I am out!"
"Huh?" The old man stirred asleep, "Is the Baby Crow running off? If he is then I'm calling it quits too."
"Me too. My posterior is aching in these uncomfortable chairs. No lumbar support whatsoever!"
"W-Wait, hang on Odin-sama!"
"The meeting isn't-"
Azazel closed the door behind him and let out a sigh of relief at his escape. Thank goodness he had those kids to use as an excuse or else he would have had to keep wasting his time in that stuffy room. At least now he was going to get the chance to see something entertaining.
Yep, watching teenage Devils fight each other to prove who was superior for the angry old Devils that liked to pull the strings from behind the curtain. Truly the sport of champions.
"Well, there they are! Just the group I was hoping to find!" The Fallen Angel announced as he spotted the teens standing outside the room they agreed to use as their base before the fight, "Hope you all weren't feeling lonely with me being gone."
Rias kept her harsh glare on the mix-haired man, turning to regard him with crossed arms, "Tell me again how you ended up as our advisor before our Rating Game? Seems impractical for someone so tardy and unaccustomed to the games to be advising us."
"I may not be a Devil but I'm hardly unaccustomed. I've seen enough of them in my time to be somewhat of an expert. And in no small part to my genius either." He not-so-subtly bragged, "Plus the only reason I'm so late is because all the higher-ups were discussing the infiltration yesterday. You should be glad I helped these two walk out safely without being hounded."
Naruto leaned against the wall and frowned while Koneko lowered her head shamefully.
"Oh don't look so dejected." Azazel laughed, "Your fight actually got you some clout with some of the other leaders and Gods. Apparently hearing that our new dangerous foes were held off valiantly by a pair of plucky, wide-eyed kids really put a kick in their step!" The two 'plucky, wide-eyed' kids in question glared him down hatefully, "But let's not focus on the past. You all have a match in less than an hour! Let's get back to focusing on that, huh?"
"He's right, unfortunately." Rias turned to her peerage, "We need to focus on the match ahead. Sona's peerage isn't going to sit back and let us win, and we have to go in ready for a fight."
"That's the spirit!" Azazel cheered, "Now before we jump in, there's one aspect of this team that could very well decide our victory before we even step into the match. Issei…" The Fallen Angel turned to the brunette with a quizzical look, "Have you found a way to unlock you Balance Breaker?"
"Nope."
"Well fuck." Azazel shrugged, "Most of my plans revolved around having the Red Dragon Emperor's power on our side. Guess we'll have to take that into consideration."
"I-I already told you all of this before." Issei muttered, "You're just twisting in the knife at this point."
"Azazel." Rias threatened as Asia consoled Issei's battered self-esteem, "Don't make a game of hurting his feelings."
"Oh, I was just playing." He waved it off, "Issei, you might not have your Balance Breaker, but I refuse to believe an imaginative guy like you didn't think up of something."
Issei's tears vanished as an excited smile took his face, "Oh you know I did! I haven't quite gotten the chance to test it out, but if it works then there will be nothing the girls on Kaichou's team can hide from us!"
"The way he said that sends a nervous chill down my back." Naruto droned, "Anyone else get a sense of serious foreboding from what the pervert said?" Koneko nodded and raised her hand, "See! Should we be worried about what he might do?!"
"No worries, Senpai! My new technique isn't going to hurt anyone! They just won't be able to hide anything from me!" Issei grinned with a perverted expression, "Their intentions, along with everything else, will be laid out bare for me to see!"
…
Yuuto slowly raised his hand along with a nervous chuckle.
"Alright, Issei thinks he's ready to fight." Azazel turned to the other problem child, "And what about you, Koneko? Think you're ready to pull out your Senjutsu for a friendly match?"
Koneko looked down nervously, "I…I think so."
Akeno held her shoulder, "You don't have to push yourself, Koneko-chan."
"A-Akeno-San is right! You're strong enough as you already are, Koneko-chan!" Gasper piped up from his box.
"Thank you, Gya-kun. And thanks, Akeno-senpai. I know I don't have to force myself," Koneko looked down and closed her fist, "But I don't want to force…I want this to be natural for me to use. This is just another part of who I am…so I will use it however I can to help us fight."
The other members of the peerage looked at the [Rook] proudly. Azazel nodded, "Good, glad to hear it. And finally, Naruto." Azazel turned to the blond in a grandstanding matter, "Are you ready, kid? With your experience, skills, and technique, you now have the most important job out of everyone during the match!"
"You remember I'm not allowed to participate, right?"
"Of course! But that doesn't mean you can't cheer them on! You are a one-man cheer squad after all! If I don't see you with a pair of pompoms spelling out all their names in song with all your clones then I'll be disappointed."
"Don't. He's not worth it." Rias placed a hand against her boyfriend's chest before he could attack out of frustration. Azazel just laughed and then motioned for the participating members to follow him into the strategy room. Rias stayed behind and looked back apologetically at the annoyed blond, "I'm sorry you won't be able to participate with us. If the old Devils in charge weren't so stingy-"
He waved it off, "Forget about it. What about you? Nervous to be fighting Kaichou in front of everyone?"
"Fighting in front of everyone isn't really a problem for me. The problem is trying to beat Sona." The redhead sighed, "She beats me in pure tactical skill, but we outmatch her in strength and she knows it. So that means she is going to incorporate strategies and tactics around our power and pick us off. So I'll have to plan around that, but I'm certain she's already prepared for that as well-"
"Sounds like you're psyching yourself out."
"Just imagine how much Sona has been thinking about this as well, hehe." She fixed a strand of hair out of her eyes and smiled, "What about you? What will you be doing during the match?"
"Probably just making my way around and see what I can find. I'm in a castle after all."
"How about watching our match?"
"How about watching the match from your room?"
"Don't go in my room." Rias pouted, "You're only allowed to go in there when I'm around."
"Yes ma'am."
The couple chuckled before a soft cough interrupted their conversation. They looked over and saw Koneko standing to the side. The white-haired [Rook] had a small hint of color on her cheeks as she stepped up and looked at the whiskered man, "Senpai, do you think I'll be alright using Senjutsu?"
"Absolutely." He instantly responded, "You said you were going to use your power to help everyone, right? Well this is your chance and you'll do great."
Koneko gave a small nod, "You'll make sure to watch us, right?"
Rias chuckled as he nodded, "Yeah, I'll be watching."
"Good." She held up her fist, "Wish me luck."
"You don't need it." He said as he knocked his fist against hers. Koneko gave a small smile and then ran into the room. He then looked to Rias, "Go kick ass."
"Absolutely." Rias smiled, waving him off and stepping into the room to begin their strategy meeting.
He was a little annoyed he wasn't allowed to participate in these games because he was technically an [Extra Piece]. Once he fully understood what the [Evil Pieces] were and how they worked he was a little shocked how closely the Devils kept to its principles.
Hell he trained with the guy who made them and it looked like he didn't give two shits about him violating the system.
But no, apparently the rules for chess were super strict and so were the Devils that kept them. Looking back he accepted the Rating Game ban very easily, since he had already helped Rias out of the Riser predicament, but now that he was a full member of the peerage and everyone else got to play while he stayed behind...
It left him feeling a little unwanted...
...
"Oh well," Naruto shrugged, "Time to poke around and see what I find."
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It was only hitting him now that his girlfriend's family lived in a castle. And just how freaking big it was. Rooms upon rooms upon rooms filled with everything imaginable; from ballrooms to entertainment rooms to music rooms to extravagant bathrooms to regular bedrooms. It was like they were prepared to suddenly accommodate a thousand guests at once and do so without any difficulties.
Every few rooms he peeked in he spotted some of the Gremory staff sitting around viewings of the Rating Game. Apparently even the other servants were interested in seeing their young lady preform admirably in their favorite pastime. Did they have this much interest when they fought Riser's group the first time? That was Rias' first Rating Game if he remembered correctly.
He heard some of the maids gasp and men cheer with joy as Rias' peerage made contact with Sona's and gained the first advantage.
"The young lady they've been watching over and raising since birth is finally starting to take her first steps into adulthood and follow in the tradition of many Devils before her. So their excitement is to be expected of course."
He turned around to find Sirzechs standing behind him in a suit and his son, Millicas, standing by his side. The older crimson-haired Devil smiled, "I would have thought that after your intense battle, you'd like a little time to relax."
"Well they aren't so I don't think I should get the luxury." Naruto looked back at the match for a moment before closing the door and facing the Maou properly, "Do you think they'll win?"
"Well I have faith in Rias and her peerage, so I believe they will pull through. And I have so much faith that I've already made a bet with Serafall that the winner can dump all of their paperwork on the loser for a week."
"Glad to see you have such pure faith in your sister."
"There's no reason to worry so much, Naruto-San!" Millicas enthusiastically stated from his father's side. The young redhead pumped his arms as his eyes sparkled with wonder, "Rias-neesama has been planning for this fight for a very long time! Sona-neesama may be very strong as well, but she won't be disheartened so easily. Just trust them a little and I'm sure they will pull through with a victory!"
"Oh I have trust in spades, but it's their nerves that I'm more worried about. But I guess they didn't just jump into this without considering how difficult it would be. So I guess you're right." Naruto shrugged with a chuckle, "You're really excited about seeing Rias fight, aren't you Millicas?"
"Absolutely! It's my dream to one day participate in the Rating Game as well and climb up the ranks to become the champion!" The young Gremory smiled, "But I have to take that position from Rias-neesama first when I finally get there! It's her dream to reach that position first, and I know I'll have to fight her for it when the time comes!"
It was her dream to be the champion of the Rating Game? She never told him that. Although considering the fact he apparently wasn't allowed to participate in them, telling him she wanted to be the best player would just make him feel bad. Shit he was just thinking about it and it made him feel a little guilty.
Sirzechs laughed wholeheartedly and patted his son's head, "You two want to be the best at the Rating Game, but you'll have quite a lot of competition to reach the top. The top 5 participants in the Rating Game are just as strong as a Maou, and the champion is so strong that it's believed impossible for anyone to take the position away from him."
Naruto's eyebrow quirked in intrigue as Millicas nodded, "Of course I know that, Otou-sama, but even Daihuaser-sama will not be enough to suede me from taking the throne!"
"I like that spirit, but Daihauser-San isn't the only obstacle. I'm sure for either you or Rias, the most immediate obstacle you have to face is Sairaorg."
"Sairaorg is participating in these things as well?"
"Of course. Every young Devil in your generation is finally starting to make waves and enter the Rating Game. There are so many young fighters with such startling potential that it's started garnering the attention of beings from other Mythologies as well. Here," Sirzechs opened the door again, "Let me-"
"YES! GO HIME-SAMA!"
"YOU CAN DO IT RIAS-SAMA!"
All of the servants started to erupt into cheers and boasts as Rias' team forced a member of Sona's peerage to retire. Naruto and Millicas were taken aback by the sudden boisterous cheering while Sirzechs simply chuckled. He coughed and got their attention, "Excuse me?"
"L-Lucifer-sama!"
"Great Maou-sama, forgive us for our misbehavior!"
"We did not know you were there, Lucifer-sama!"
"It's quite alright. I'm glad to see you all are so enthusiastic to see Rias preform so well." Sirzechs walked up to the screen, "I just wanted to show our young guest something very quickly. I promise we will return to the match as soon as possible."
The screen changed and the sight shifted from the interior of a mall to an empty coliseum instead. Naruto blinked in confusion at the lack of action or noise. Rias' match had the display of everyone fighting against Sona's peerage, and commentary during the whole thing. But this image was just an empty field without anyone saying a word.
It took a moment for him to realize the reason for that was because of all the people lying across the ground and the one man standing in the middle of it all.
Sairaorg grinned and cracked his knuckles, standing tall without a scratch or bruise on him while the unconscious form of Zephyrdor Glaysa-Labolas lay at his feet.
An entire peerage defeated by himself without a scratch? Now he could see why this guy was so revered by Rias and the other Devils.
"You might not be able to help her just yet in these Rating Games, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to at all."
The Maou reached back behind him and pulled out a knife in a new sheath. He placed it in Naruto's hand before patting the young blond's shoulder, "Maybe one day you'll have the chance to fight by their side on that field, but until then I just ask you to watch over them and keep them safe." The Lucifer smiled, "There will be many more dire and threatening battles she and your friends will face soon enough, and it feels cruel of me to place this burden on you…but you better than the rest of them understand what can be lost in battle, and what that can do to someone. So please…protect them."
He stood silently before smiling and nodding while flipping the new knife sheath in his hand, "You didn't even need to ask me. Why do you think I went out and picked a fight with Koneko's sister and the flea-picker? Not gonna let them take or hurt anyone I care about." Naruto smirked, "No worries. We're all ready for the fight ahead."
"-Pailingual!"
The screen changed back to the match in time to see Issei create a field around them and boast.
"That's right! I can hear the voices of your breasts! And they're telling me every move and attack you've got up your sleeve! Speaking to me oh wise and bountiful bosoms! Reveal onto me all my enemies' secrets!"
"Ah! You're the worst!"
"Just disgusting!"
"There are special places in the underworld just for men like you!"
"Truly you are the worst Sekiryuutei in existence."
"Nevermind. We might be more screwed than I thought."
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"Otou-sama, I'm going to find Okaa-sama. I'm sure she's watching the match as well."
"Just be careful." Sirzechs waved his son off with a smile before chuckling towards the whiskered [Pawn], "Would you believe that Rias was just as energetic as he is when she was a child?"
"Oh was she now?" He chuckled mischievously, "I'll have to remember that."
"Naruto-kun," Sirzechs spoke warmly as he turned to the younger man with a pleasant expression, "I never thought the day would come where I would walk alongside Rias' love. For the longest time I thought that girl would avoid boys and relationships for most of her youth, but I suppose I was wrong. You have her complete love and trust, which makes me happy to see you two together."
Naruto started blushing, "O-Oh, thanks Sirzechs."
"And since you are the closest person in her life now, I have a duty I have to pass on to you, and it must be completed."
"Okay...what duty?"
"This." Sirzechs pulled out his phone and showed the blond an image of Rias sleeping as a younger girl. The little redhead napped peacefully, curled up in her bed and resting her head on her pillow with a teddy bear, "You see I used to make a collection of every moment I could get with Rias as she grew up. And one of my most treasured possessions is the record I have of her peaceful sleeping expression. But I haven't been able to continue my collection because she's gotten so much colder and moved to Japan. So I wanted to ask since you sleep in the same bed if you could - Naruto-kun?"
Just keep running. Focus on the running. Actually sprinting sounded much more fun. Yep, sprinting through these halls as quickly as possible and away from the horrifying misconception that one of the strongest Devils in the world was a siscon asking him to tape his sleeping sister. Yeah, just a delusion he must be having due to some crazy unforeseen side effect of fighting Kuroka and Bikou.
But what would definitely help him right now is a distraction! Anything! Anything in the world! He would take anything possible to put Sirzechs in the back of his-
"Eyack!"
Naruto stopped short of rounding the next corner as a figure came running around it as well and tripped over their feet when he nearly collided with them.
The woman on the ground moaned and grumbled as she started picking herself up. Naruto's eyes were drawn to the nearly ethereal beauty of her long silver hair. In that hair was an odd pair of ornaments that looked like wings. As she picked herself up he noticed that she was adorned in a strange set of armor and battle clothing that he had never seen before. In that bulky outfit he imagined it must have been hard to move, but she seemed to move with ease, the prior trip notwithstanding. She lifted herself up, standing just as tall as or even a little bit taller than him. Naruto's first impression was that she was a composed, elegant beauty.
"Oh!" Her eyes widened before she nearly jumped at him with a frantic, terrified fear in her eyes, "I-I'm sorry for nearly running into you but I've lost someone and I'm trying to find them! Have you seen a man – yea big, very long beard, quite old, with an eyepatch, and a distinguished air around him?! Please tell me you've seen him!"
On second thought, this lady might just be one big mass of nerves ready to explode.
"Sorry, I haven't seen him."
Naruto was sure he had found the picture perfect definition of crestfallen as her expression fell and she dropped to her knees. The color drained from her body as she sullenly muttered, "I've failed. I'm supposed to be Odin-sama's personal guard, but I've managed to lose him in a foreign land right under my nose. I'll be shamed for this. I was the most accomplished Valkyrie in my class but now here I am - a lonely failure who can't even keep an eye on an old man."
He stood by silently as the neurotic woman lowered her head and started to weep. The [Pawn] took a cautionary step back as she continued to fall deeper and deeper into depression.
He hesitated and bit his lip, shaking his fist as he wrestled with the decision.
[Walk away. Walk away and you will free us from this burden.]
"But she's-"
[Don't argue. Naruto, usually I can admire your empathy towards others, but right now I'm gonna teach you how to be apathetic. Cover your ears, sing a song, turn the other way-]
"She's actually curling up into a ball."
[So an old guy got lost! That's not our fault! We shouldn't have to suffer for this! We should just find a screen and watch Rias' match-]
"Excuse me, miss?"
[Damn you fool! You've forsaken us both!]
The silver-haired beauty sniffed and rubbed her nose as she looked up at him with teary eyes. The respected image she naturally gave off was now completely negated by the sad, almost pitiful look she had in her eyes. He scratched his head before offering his hand, "I don't know who this guy you're looking for is, but if he's here then I'm sure we can find him. I mean it's just a...castle...but he's gotta be close by, right?"
The beauty wiped her nose and whined, her big blue eyes shaking and watering before she nodded, "Y-Yes. I-I'm sure he's still around here somewhere. I just need to keep looking. P-Perhaps in an area with many impressionable young ladies in one concentrated place?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." He nodded to the side, "I'll help you look for a little bit, okay?"
"T-Thank you." She took his hand and was pulled up to her feet, "You're very kind, young man."
"Call me Naruto." He said, "So, let's get back to the hunt."
"Y-Yes!" The woman nodded her head, her energy and drive reinvigorated as she sprinted down the hall, "Odin-sama! Where are you?! Please don't run away in an unfamiliar, foreign land! It's most unbecoming for a man of your position to be running amuck in a place like this!"
Naruto followed her in a slow walk, "What a weird lady."
[She's different.]
"You're telling me."
[I am telling you. She's different from the others.]
Naruto pulled his sleeve and looked at his Sacred Gear, "What is it, Kurama?"
[I'm not sure, but that woman had a different air to her than the others. I've grown accustomed to human presence, being with them and you for so long. But I felt something was different when I reawakened, and I realized what it was when you told me you were a Devil now. Then there was that meeting with the Angel. And now we're around that jabbering raven so much that I notice that you all have different airs around you. Even that lecherous boy in your group has a tinge of something different in him. As did that little silver-haired bastard]
"I didn't know you could feel all of that." Naruto blinked and looked at the back of the running woman, "And all those have different auras and feelings to them, huh? And this lady isn't like the rest of us?"
[I don't know what it is but it's different. It's very odd.]
"Odin-sama!" The armored woman continued to call out, "Where are you?! Excuse me have you seen a bearded man around here somewhere? He has an eyepatch! Perhaps you noticed someone flip your skirt or cup your butt in a hurry? Please, I'll never live this disgrace down if I can't find him!"
[Makes you wonder why he decided to run off.]
Naruto rolled his eyes and nodded apologetically to all the Gremory household servants they passed that looked bewildered. At this rate they were going to have to apologize to everyone in the castle before they ever found this person she was looking for. It was just one old man. How hard could it be to-
Naruto paused at an intersection of hallways when he spotted something in his peripheral. It was an odd-looking hat peeking around a corner as the silver-haired woman's calls echoed through the hall. The blonde Devil dipped aside and peeked around the corner to see a short, old man carefully sneak away in the opposite direction. Naruto made a sharp whistle that caused the old man to freeze in place.
He looked over his shoulder with a nervous, wrinkly smile. One of his eyes covered with a metal patch. He whispered, "Um, stay quiet and I shall grant you your wildest dreams?"
"Hey! He's over here!"
"Oh fuck you kid."
"Odin-sama!" The Valkyrie came dashing around the corner and nearly cried out in relief when she spotted the robed old man. She got on her knees and grabbed his hand, "Oh thank you, I found you! I thought you had run off somewhere and caused another awful scandal with some young Devil woman who didn't know any better and it would be a huge international accident and it would be blamed on me because I didn't keep an eye on you!"
"I would have if you weren't so persistent." The old man known as Odin groused as he pulled his hand out of her grasp, "How am I supposed to enjoy my vacation when you hound and pester me all the time?"
"V-Vaca – Odin-sama, this is not a vacation! You came here as a political dignitary! You are a representative for the entire Northern Pantheon so that we may open up peaceful negotiations and treaties with the Christianity faction!"
"Meh, potayto, potahto."
"This is not a situation to be compared to potatoes in any way!"
Well, he could understand why she was fretting and nervous all the time. When Naruto first spotted the man he thought he was a respectable, sagely old fellow like the Third Hokage. But apparently he was just a lecherous, procrastinating old fool that ran off and left his troubles with his subordinates while he succumbed to his perverted desires.
So he was like Jiraiya.
Well, looks like there are people like that in any world or realm. But since she found who she was looking for, then he was glad to help.
[Naruto.]
"Hmm?" The whiskered man delved into his subconscious and emerged in the space he and Kurama shared. He looked up at the conflicted fox, "What's up Kurama?"
"I don't know, but that man is just like that woman. He's different than the rest of you but it's on a completely different scale. Like…like it's something much grander and heavier to comprehend."
"Seriously?" Naruto tiled his head, "How can this old guy be that much different?"
"Probably for a few reasons I'm sure."
Naruto's eyes opened in shock and he turned to the old man in disbelief. The wrinkled old man had stopped arguing with his bodyguard and smirked mischievously. Naruto blinked, "Did…did you hear my conversation with Kurama?"
"Yes I did." He stroked his beard, "I noticed you were focusing pretty hard and decided to take a look at what was going on in there. That fox of yours is quite a big fellow, isn't he? But he has quite a skill being able to feel my difference in presence from others."
"B-But that's just a place in my head for us to communicate. It doesn't actually exist!'
"And you think I haven't dipped into metaphysical spaces before? Please boy, something like that isn't going to stop me." The old man chuckled, "Gods have to have some tricks up their sleeves after all."
"G…Gods?"
"I-I suppose I should properly introduce you." The Valkyrie stepped up, "Naruto-kun, this is Odin-sama, Chief God of the Norse Pantheon. King of the Aesir and Chieftain of the North. Enemy of the Wolf. The Found. The Gallows' Burden. The Spearman. Lord of the Earth. First husband of-"
"Alright, that's enough, we're gonna be here all day." Odin scratched his head, "Geez Rossweisse I know you want to impress but at some point it's just gonna be brownnosing."
"S-Sorry." The woman now introduced as Rossweisse blushed and bowed her head, "I just thought you'd like your titles listed off."
"Well I'm old enough, we don't need to waste another century doing that." Odin slipped his hands into his sleeves, "That's right young man; I am Odin, God of the Norse and King of the North. And before you say anything – no, I don't look like that Hannibal guy, and if you ask me if I want any fava beans I'll strike you down."
"I…I don't know what any of that means."
"And like that I already enjoy your company more than most of your age group."
Naruto just stared at the short old man and examined him closely. He just blinked in silence, "Are you really a God? Like an honest to…well, God?"
"Well of course he is, Naruto-kun." Rossweisse answered, "Haven't you heard of the Norse Gods before?"
"I doubt he would have, considering where he comes from." Odin chuckled, "You know the bats and the doves and crows kept telling me about some special kid that came from beyond the Dimensional Gap, but I didn't bother listening to everything they said. But it's you, isn't it boy; the lad that came here from a different world."
The Valkyrie gasped, "R-Really? I-I had no idea it was you Azazel-San and Lucifer-sama were informing us about." Rossweisse looked the boy over curiously, "Do you really come from a different world? One without Gods or Mythologies?"
"Well I mean there were religions back where I come from, but I never actually met any of the Gods of them like this. The closest thing we had was the God of Shinobi, but I think that was more of a title than actual godhood." Naruto answered before looking at Odin, "I heard there was other Mythologies besides the one Rias brought me into, but I didn't think there were other actual physical Gods."
"There are frankly a shit tons of us still walking around, actually." Odin chuckled, "There are us Chief Gods, the Gods under us in our Pantheons which can number in the hundreds or even thousands depending on the Mythology. Plus there are Demigods like Rosseweisse here that have been blessed with partial divinity. Needless to say we get around." Odin proudly stroked his beard, "I had quite a big hand in that myself in my younger days when I was virial and still had the energy to break a hundred beds. Why I had so many lovers-"
"O-Odin-sama, I don't think either of us want to hear these things."
"Well, suffice to say, I am many things but a God of Pulling Out ain't one of them." Naruto and Rossweisee grimaced, "Oh don't pull that look. I'm more tame than Zeus, at the very least."
"T-That's not much of an accomplishment at all! Rabbits injected with hormones are more tame than Zeus-sama."
"Ha! Ain't that the truth!"
[So this is a God?]
"Apparently."
[I don't know what to say.]
Naruto blinked, "Wait, hold on. You keep saying you're a God and she keeps saying your name, but I don't have a reaction. I get a headache when a God is mentioned so why isn't anyting happening now?"
"Oh wow, that's funny." Odin laughed wholeheartedly before shaking his head, "No my boy, that only applies to your Mythology. All Mythologies have different rules and cultures they adhere to. And other Mythologies don't have to follow those rules as strictly. Since you're a Devil, you can't step into a church without some serious problems occurring. I however – being of a different Mythology – can walk into one. It'd be frowned upon, but I can still do it. And since I'm of a different Mythology outside of your own, you can hear the names Odin or Freya or Baldur or Vidar and you'd be fine. But if you heard Jesus Christ of Nazareth-"
"Ow!"
"Since he's a religious figure in your Mythology, the name affects you. But since I am of the Norse Pantheon I can read off all those bigwig names and just laugh it off! Cause I'm still standing you losers! Ahahahahaha!"
"Odin-sama, that's in very poor taste."
"Yeah, and I have to ask that you not read the names of people that give me a migraine." Naruto groaned and he rubbed his forehead, "You keep saying this Norse Mythology thing, but why haven't I heard it before?"
"You might just be an idiot?"
"Odin-sama, that's rude!" The Valkyrie reprimanded before turning to the new Devil, "You see Naruto-kun, until only recently most Mythologies and Pantheons kept to themselves. Until this alliance started, it was unheard of for different factions like this to be conversing and meeting with each other. And besides that, well…" Rossweisse bashfully looked down, "Much of the Norse following has diminished over the years."
Odin frowned, "Much of your religion has overtaken the areas that used to worship us in the past few centuries. However with all these changes in the population's consciousness, Norse have gotten quite the resurgence in popularity, among some other Pantheons. All these movies and programs based on us have brought us back into the public eye. But of course it comes with a cost." The old codger stifled a chuckle, "I did find it amusing when someone noted that Loki looked nothing like that Hiddleston fellow from all the movies. Oh, nearly had a heart attack from how hard I was laughing."
He had no idea what he meant, but didn't want to risk the attention. He'd ask Rias later to clear some of these things up for him.
Rossweisse didn't seem to approve of Odin's maniacal laughter and looked up at him, "Anyway, thank you very much for helping me find Odin-sama, Naruto-kun." She bowed her head respectfully, "I am in your debt." She then offered her hand which he took, "I hope we may meet again in the future, now that our groups are working in tandem."
"Yeah, me too."
"Wow!" Odin looked shocked, "I can't believe it Rossweisse! You were actually able to leave a good impression on a male around your age! Quickly! Ensnare him! This will be your only chance!"
"O-Odin-sama!" Rossweisse blushed and stomped her foot, "T-That is entirely inappropriate! He is just an acquaintance! A-And besides, I must focus on my work as your bodyguard first and foremost!"
"You're right Rossweisse." The elder God nodded and looked at the young blond, "Sorry for teasing, my boy. But she does need to stay by my side. She was the top of her class in Valkyrie school, and as such she has the distinguished honor of being by my side."
The silver-haired woman looked so happy she could cry, "O-Odin-sama, I didn't know-"
"Of course it all comes with a cost. I mean here she is my by side but what else does she have to show for it? A life with very few friends, very little life experience, and the only person in her entire class to not have a lover, let alone get laid. I mean with a body that fine and an ass that thick you'd think she'd have suitors lined up for miles at the chance to be with her, but nope. All of it wasted on a strict, pesky girl with no social life, no love life, and two fingers that have had such a workout they could probably bend steel."
A harsh thud landed to the side as Rossweisse dropped to her knees, "W-Why? Why do all my bad points outweigh my good ones? Is that who I am? Does all my hard work only amount to failures to riddle the tapestry of my life? I-It may be true that while all my fellow Valkyries were having relationships with their boyfriends and girlfriends, I was studying and training, but I was at the top of my class. Is that my only achievement? Will that be the only thing in my life with any meaning?" Tears started dropping on the floor, "But I wanted a boyfriend too! Do you think I'm happy like this?! Still being a virgin while the rest of my classmates already punched their V-Cards?! Working for an old man while I never get to experience the feeling of a man tenderly embracing me so that we can lie together in bed?! I'm sexually frustrated too! But what am I supposed to do?! WAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Naruto looked down at the weeping woman after she had divulged more personal details than she probably would have done with a sound frame of mind. He looked up and saw Odin scurrying away and rounding the corner, away from his fragile and emotional subordinate.
[I think I figured out how he escaped the first time.]
Naruto wanted to help her up to her feet, but the silver-haired Valkyrie had resorted to curling up on the ground. He could empathize, but there was only so much he could do in one day.
And so ended the first meeting Naruto had with the Melancholic Valkyrie and the Hentaigami.
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So Issei's combination of listening to his opponent's breasts and using Dress Break had been surprisingly effective, as horrible as it was for him to admit that. Considering many of Sona's peerage were made up of females, he now understood the pervert's confidence before he went into the fight.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the president's peerage was a girl, and the one boy in it had been prepared to face Issei specifically. And Issei's technique appeared to only work on girls. When one of them asked why he didn't just read Saji's movements by asking his breasts, the great Sekiryuutei responded heatedly by asking why he would want to hear a man's breasts.
…
It made some kind of sense…but it was still really fucking stupid.
And with that stance taken, Saji had activated his Sacred Gear and used it against his fellow [Pawn]. Apparently he had a dragon in him as well, and it was some kind of renowned Dragon King that was nearly as famous as the Heavenly Dragons. It shot some kind of line into Issei that connected to large jar that slowly filled up with blood. He tried to fight Issei off for as long as he possibly could, using his Sacred Gear to siphon off some of the power the pervert had built up with his Boosted Gear to power himself up and make the fight fairer. However Issei's superior fighting experience proved too much and he handily beat the president's [Pawn] into submission.
Only to retire due to blood loss not long after.
[Some of these fights and techniques completely surpass what I want to understand, but they are still pretty interesting.]
"I think so too." Naruto sat up on the couch, "Kaichou knows she can't beat Rias' team in strength, so she's opting for other techniques instead. They eliminated Gasper using garlic, retired Issei by draining his energy and blood, and took out Xenovia by redirecting her own attack at her.
But Koneko seemed to be handling the fight with her Senjutsu just fine. And Yuuto got to wield a Holy Sword with the blessing Xenovia temporarily gave him.
It looked like Rias' team was on the road to victory. That got him to smirk with joy.
He snapped up to attention when he felt a soft hand settle on his leg. Naruto blinked in shock and looked aside at the person that had taken the seat by his side while he was distracted. His mind went immediately to the fact Rias had come by his side and put a hand on his leg.
Then he realized it was just a woman who looked exactly like his girlfriend who was still on screen fighting her match.
Oh shit.
[Hey Naruto, I think it's unfair for us both to have to suffer for you poking the bear, so I'm gonna go.]
No! Don't leave!
"Naruto-San?"
"Yes!" Naruto snapped to attention with a tinge of fear in his voice.
Venelana seemed to put most of her attention on the screen, watching her youngest child and only daughter corner the last members of Sona's peerage and being moments away from claiming victory. A proud look filled her eyes as she showed a small smile, "I'm so proud to see her claiming her victory like this. I always knew this day would come, but I was not ready for it to be here already."
He looked back at the screen and saw Rias being congratulated by the remaining members of her peerage. She looked embarrassed but mustered a smile despite the color in her cheeks. It was one of the few times she wasn't trying to act mature and behaved like she had been taught to for so much of her life. Right now Rias just looked like a girl who had won the lottery.
"I never see her smile like that anymore. She's so focused on following the image she's made in this world that sometimes she loses track of how she really wants to act." The mother whispered in a soft voice, "If she can have more of those moments with the ones she cares about, that would make me happy. And I wanted to thank you for fighting to keep that expression on her face."
Venelana turned to the young man, "Thank you for fighting to keep Koneko-San safe from those invaders. I'm sure Rias would have been devastated by that loss. And I know that young lady must also be relieved that she can finally face the demons of her past and move beyond them...with some much needed help. Thank you, Naruto-San."
"Um - you're welcome ma'am."
"I hope you'll be able to watch over Rias for the foreseeable future."
"No problem there." Naruto nervously laughed before trying to sit up, "Well if that's all I should probably go meet every-"
"Not so fast." Venelana's grip on his kneecap tightened wildly, making him gasp and fall back into the chair, "There's something else I wished to discuss with you first. Sirzechs told me that you possess a very unique cloning technique that allows your clones' memories to return to you, is that right?" He wordlessly nodded, "That is extraordinary. He theorized that you can make training sessions far more useful by creating numerous clones to train at once. You should have told me this sooner, Naruto-San."
"W-Why is that?"
"Because I would have devised a more specialized form of tutoring for you sooner. With the use of your clones, you can learn more of the material much faster than most others. It's wonderful."
"But ma'am-"
"Sirzechs also told me that your clones exploded when damaged. So that means since you haven't popped yet," Venelana released her grip, "That you really are the real Naruto-San. That's good to hear. Listen Naruto-San, I understand why you ran away during our first lesson, and I'm glad to see your training was fruitful in the end..."
A dark aura started to appear around the motherly Devil as her Destruction formed around her being. Naruto clammed up as she looked at him with a glare Rias couldn't begin to muster in a century, "But if you try to escape like that again during my lesson, I will be very cross with you. Are we clear?"
"Crystal, Venelana-San."
"Good." Venelana stood up and fixed her dress, "Now follow me and prepare to create a hundred clones. We have a lot of material to get through in a short amount of time. Oh, and please walk by my side if you can. I trust you not to try and slip away...but I like to be careful."
Yeah, Naruto really wished he could have left like Kurama.
||||||||Devil||||||||
"Celebrate!" Azazel popped the cork of the champagne bottle and laughed as it shot out like a geyser, "Hahaha! Alright, glasses ready! Come to the counter and get your treat everybody!"
"Once again, most of us are underage! We can't drink!"
"Devils that follow the rules! Man, never thought I'd live to see the day!" The Governor-General cackled before taking a swig straight from the bottle, "Ha, this is just disappointing. You all won your first official Rating Game and you won't even celebrate in the proper way."
"Well most of us are tired, Azazel-sensei." Issei said, lying back in Asia's lap as he recovered from his severe blood loss. Most of the ORC members were teetering on consciousness and just barely staying awake by reading or playing games, "We can't exactly bring ourselves to party right now. Maybe we can celebrate more when we get home?"
"Oh, that sounds like a better idea. And we just made a nice place which will be a lot of fun to party-"
"Don't!" Rias snapped and glared at the Fallen Angel, "You are not holding a party at that hotel right as we get back! I don't trust you or whatever you consider to be a good time." The redhead frowned when he just waved off her demand before she turned back to the man at her side. She rubbed his head, "Are you okay?"
"Nooooo!" The whiskered man whined as he rubbed his eyes, "Your mother is a slave driver! One hundred fucking clones studying Devil history all at the same time! There's only so much room in my head! I know the names of all the Pillar houses now but I'm pretty sure I lost a ton of other shit!"
Yuuto laughed, "Well, at least you'll have impressed Venelana-sama with your knowledge now, Naruto-San."
"That's right, whoever you are! I'm gonna impress what's her name when we go back to wherever we came from! Oh boy it's gonna be fun, or my name isn't something or other!" He rubbed his head, "Ugh, I have such a headache."
Naruto nearly felt his pulse through his brain as his whole head ached. But suddenly the exhaustion and pain started to alleviate with a pair of small hands settled on his temple. His eyes opened and he saw Koneko with her ears out silently focusing on curing his fatigue. When she was done Naruto held his head and realized the pain was gone.
"Better?"
"Yeah, so much better."
"That was very nice of you Koneko." Rias thanked, "Thank you for helping him."
"No problem Buchou."
Koneko turned around and then sat back on Naruto's lap.
...
...
...
"Um...Koneko?"
"Hmm?"
"That's not a seat. That's my lap."
"It's my seat now."
"K-Koneko?" Rias stammered in surprise, "What are your doing?!"
"I fought the whole Rating Game with my Senjutsu, and I just helped Naruto-senpai with his migraine. I think I deserve a reward." Koneko's ears flicked up, "Violà."
"Sitting on his lap is not a reward, young lady!"
"I think it is."
"Whoa," Xenovia stared in amazement, "I didn't know Koneko was so take charge."
"AAAAAAHHH, that is so not fair!"
"Ara Ara, Koneko-chan. You've grown up a little bit."
Gasper raised his thumb in support from his box.
Naruto just sat there and blinked in confusion as his girlfriend argued with Koneko about her seating arrangement.
"Hehe," Azazel chuckled as he raised the bottle of champagne again, "Definitely found something to celebrate for."
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