New Devil of The Gremory House

Life 36: Gods

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"GYAH!"

"Tannin-sama!" Saji yelled as the Dragon King dropped to the ground and coughed up blood. There were several claw marks across his underbelly that gushed with blood and strained with every ragged breath he took. The young StuCo member ran up to help him, "Hang on-"

"Don't Vritra!" Tannin commanded, "The damn wolf will – GAH!"

A bloody paw stomped down on Tannin's leg and nearly snapped it in half. Fenrir bared his teeth and snarled down on the dragon it had bested as it considered digging in. But before it could start chowing down a pole came in from the side and slammed into its cheek. It didn't leave any damage but it did get the wolf's attention away from Tannin.

"C'mon Spot," Bikou mocked with a chuckle and cold sweat down his cheek, "It's kinda rude to just ignore us when we're standing right here!"

Arthur yelled, drew Caliban, and swinging it while releasing a powerful blast of aura at the monster. Fenrir huffed and barked, causing the wave to shudder and break apart before it could even singe it's fur, "Damn, we are not in an enviable position at the moment."

"Oh I know that!" Bikou barked back at his comrade as they made a stand, "I'd really like Vali's help at a time like-

[RETURN!]

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"Gah!" Irina cried out as the dragon's tail lashed out and knocked her down. The Angel fell back roughly with a gasp and an ache running through her body as she cradled her ribs. She panted and dragged herself back from the dragons that were circling them, "I c-can't breathe."

"Hold on, Tenshi-chan." Kuroka was quickly by her side and throwing her hands out to create a barrier of roots and trees between them and the approaching clones. She then held her hands by Irina's side and started channeling energy through it to ease her pain, "Can't go folding on us just yet, nya."

"I-I'm sorry."

"Valkyrie-chan! Shirone! Tell me you can hold out!"

Rosseweisse gasped as she stumbled and fell back on her butt from exhaustion. Isobu's influence filled her with power and gave her great control of water, but she had yet to properly practice with this new avenue of strength and fighting this extensively with it left her drained.

Koneko had put in more practice with her fire, but the sheer output she was releasing against these serpents was exhausting. Yet she refused to fall, keeping her stance wide and determined not to drop when there was still more she could do.

Everyone was still fighting. He was definitely still fighting. And if he was doing whatever he could to keep them safe like she knew he would, then she couldn't do anything less.

[RETURN!]

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"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Yuuto yelled through his panting as he cut with his Holy Demonic Sword and created a field of blades Midgardsormr had to slither through in order to move. Even though its body rolled over swords and folded metal, none of them seemed to do any damage to the beast. Only his sword and Durandal could hope to cleave through the scales of the dragon.

Gasper kept trying to get a lock on their massive enemy but the dragon's sheer size was stopping him from freezing it. The young [Bishop] refused to stop trying however.

"HYAH!" Xenovia yelled as she swung Durandal down and sliced through a weak patch of scales to reach the meat. A vile, ear-piercing hiss from the beast echoed out around them so loudly it rattled their bones. The blue-haired [Knight] struggled to stay on her feet as she raised her sword to attack again.

"Xenovia-San!" Asia cried out her name with faint tears in her eyes, her palms glowing green as she focused her healing on the beaten Church warrior, "Please stop pushing yourself! If you continue like this-"

"No can do, Asia." Xenovia panted out as she gripped her sword tightly and raised it despite the scream of her aching muscles, "I have to keep going."

She wasn't a smart fighter. She didn't have techniques that could overwhelm or surpass her opponent. She didn't have a connection to a powerful monster or a Sacred Gear. She could only swing her sword.

So she had to push on with her guts and fortitude. It was all she could do, but she refused to believe it wasn't enough to help her fight on! If there was one thing she had in spades it was stubbornness and determination.

Gripping her blade tightly the former Church warrior let out a battle cry and charged in-

[RETURN!]

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"Is this all you have to offer, Red Dragon Emperor!"

"Piss off!" With another swing of the hammer, Issei called down a storm of thunderbolts to strike the arrogant, malicious God. Loki's body disappeared in the overwhelming crash of lightning and Issei couldn't sense his presence or killing intent anywhere. He eased his shoulders-

And gagged on the blood that filled his mouth as a fist buried itself into his ribs and cracked his armor in the process. Loki formed into existence at his side and followed up his cheap attack with a mocking laugh. Power welled up in his hand and he hit the Red Dragon Emperor with a burst of magic.

As Issei screamed and dropped to the ground, Vali rocketed towards the rogue God. Norse magic circles appeared around him and layered over each other as immense, intense magical blasts released towards the God of Mischief. Loki looked irritated as his homeland's magic came careening towards him before he flicked his wrist, causing the magic to distort and twist before discharging in a random direction.

"I commend you for your efforts to learn, boy, but all you're doing is imitating our magic! You should learn not to insult a master of the craft!"

"My apologies, Loki-dono," Vali stated, not actually sounding regretful or apologetic to the God as his aura flared and his wings started to glow, "If you want to take the time to gloat, perhaps you'd be willing to give this aspiring young magician and boost?!"

[Divide!][Divide!][Divide!][Divide!]

The young Lucifer descendent attempted to weaken Loki with his Sacred Gear but the God avoided it by dashing around too quickly to be caught or letting an illusion take the brunt of the effect. Gods were special in the way they were all so strong and durable but each one had a specialty, and Loki's talents for misdirection and illusions were making it extremely difficult to land any lasting damage. All of their attacks and techniques were worthless if they only hit illusions or veered off course at the last second.

Vali grunted in annoyance as he stopped trying to track the God and lowered himself back to the ground. He landed by Issei as the armored pervert lifted himself up and gasped for air, "How are you fairing, Issei Hyoudou?"

"A-Alive, but in a lot of pain." Issei wheezed out, repairing the damage to his armor even if the injury underneath still ached. He glared down at the hammer he wielded, cursing it for being more of a burden than a boon in this fight. The [Pawn] hissed and looked up at his reluctant partner, "How the fuck are we supposed to hit this guy when we aren't even sure if it's him we're hitting?"

"Gods are resilient, powerful creatures, but they aren't completely invincible. At least not all of them. They have a well of power, energy, and stamina they must draw from in order to fight just like anyone."

"You saying we need to tire him out," Issei questioned as he used Mjölnir as a crutch to lift himself up, "And how exactly do we do that? Haven't you already tried dividing his power yet?"

"I've tried, but he's more elusive than anticipated. I can't hit him with it. It'd be easier if I had a hold of him when I did it since it's more draining to do it long-distance."

"Huh, I didn't know that." Although his boosting was easier to use on others when he touched them than just holding out his hand and trying to make it work. Looks like they shared that aspect of their Sacred Gears. Issei pulled out the blue crystal he still held on to from Vali's broken armor, "Are you sure you don't need this to help?"

"I'm pretty sure I already told you it isn't necessary."

"In that case!"

Issei slammed the sliver of blue crystal into the green orb on his gauntlet. A bright burst of light shined out from the split in the crystals before it followed up with Issei's bloodcurdling scream.

"Are you mad?!"

"I-I thought I'd give this a try!" Issei yelled through his screams of agony as every cell in his body cried out in pain. His body convulsed and he tried to weather the pain, "Ddraig, I'm sorry! But just hold out a little longer, okay?!"

[I can't believe I'm feeling pain like this again without a body! A little warning next time! It's terrible, but I'll try to power through!]

"T-That's my partner!"

"Is now really the time for your masochistic endeavors?" Vali looked up in time and threw a wave of aura to intercept the magic attacks from Loki. The White Dragon's wings glowed brightly before he launched off the ground and flew up towards the God. He barreled into Loki's chest but flew through his illusion as he appeared a dozen meters away and released another immense wave of magic. Vali had to dodge and fly around to avoid the overwhelming magic attacks, ducking and weaving through the lightning bolts and streams of fire he released.

"Hahaha!" While Vali was forced to evade, Loki laughed mockingly, "What's wrong Hakuryuukou? I thought you were the strongest White Dragon in history!" Vali yelled and threw his counterattack, weaving his ice and flames through Loki's magic. The God evaded by forcing the magic off course with a wave of his hand, "Although I suppose in front of a God, a descendent of a Maou and the vessel to one of the Heavenly Dragons doesn't quite measure up-"

[Divide!]

"AH!" Loki groaned as he felt his energy suddenly depleted without warning. He wavered and clutched his chest before looking over his shoulder at the Red Dragon Emperor below. And the white gauntlet he was now sporting and aiming up at him, "What-"

"Heh, it was a bit of a risk, and it hurt like shit, but I made this work." Issei clutched his fist and showed off the white gauntlet of his Scale Mail; a hybrid of the Divine Dividing he had appropriated and which gave him limited use of its abilities. It made him experience some of the worst pain he had felt in his entire life, but it was a move so stupid and foolish that even a trickster didn't anticipate it, "How's that you, overrated party clown?"

"You blasted-"

[Divide!]

Vali slammed into Loki's back and divided his energy again while he was distracted. The God careened into the ground and shattered the rock like a cobweb. Vali flew down by Issei's side and looked down at his new gauntlet with amusement, "I suppose imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, no?"

"Don't jerk yourself off too much." Issei snapped, "We were desperate and as you were so keen to point out you didn't need your crystal back. The least you could do is say thanks for hitting him with the divide."

"Loki is a God and a master of trickery, but he's arrogant and vainglorious." Vali and Issei stood besides each other as the rogue God pulled himself out of the ground, "While he's misdirecting our attacks or avoiding us, he likes to mock and shame us. And in that moment he isn't concentrating is our opportunity to strike."

"So our goal is to hit a God while they're being prideful?" The Heavenly Dragons looked at each other and scoffed, "Easy as pie."

"You - you rotten little-"

[RETURN!]

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[RETURN!]

Kurama's voice echoed in his ears and hit a chord through his entire body. It was so explosive that Sköll was blown off from atop of him and sent dropping into the ground.

Naruto wanted to figure out what had caused that but he had more pressing matters to focus on. He turned and looked back as he saw the Midgardsormr's body coil around Rias, Akeno, and the injured Baraqiel as it prepared to strike them. Without thinking Naruto climbed up to his feet and dashed forward.

He got there fast. Even faster than Sage Mode usually was. He hit the neck of the serpentine dragon and shifted that momentum into a slide, grinding along the coiled body of the beast before he spotted Rias huddled over by the others. He jumped down in front of her and punched into the body that was quickly tightening around them. It was enough power to knock the monster away and into the dirt.

Naruto took a moment to catch his breath after the frantic series of events. While he regained his composure he noticed that the stinging pain in his arm and head from Sköll's fangs and claws weren't hurting anymore. All his fatigue and pain had just vanished and left him feeling better than ever.

"Naruto?" He turned back to Rias and Akeno as they looked up at him with expressions he could only consider as shock, "Is…is that you?"

"Of course it is. What are you-"

Naruto felt – actually felt – the surprise and disbelief coming not just from them but from everyone around him. He turned around and saw almost all eyes on the battlefield had turned towards him after he had come to knock the clone away. It appeared that there was a lull of fighting across the entire battlefield just so that they could look his way. He looked over himself…

And was shocked to find he was wreathed in a familiar orange energy he hadn't seen in years.

"K-Kurama?"

"Yeah, it is." The fox answered, not from his arm like he had grown accustom to for the last few months but from inside his mind like the old days, "This is my power to you."

"Wasn't your chakra taken?"

"It was."

"How did we get it back?"

"I don't know. I just felt a huge swell of something powerful while you were pinned by that wolf and now we're here."

"How-"

"I don't know. I have no idea how this is happening or why."

…

"But are you complaining?"

Was he complaining about the power he lost so long ago coming back to him?

"Nope." Naruto smirked and crossed his fingers together, "Because this I know. Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

With a burst of smoke clone after clone jumped out and rushed across the field. Several clones each charged one of the beasts while they were distracted and engaged them in battle. Each squad was joined by at least several Narutos to help them handle their monstrosities.

A group of glowing orange ninjas dashed in and appeared by Koneko's side in a flash of light. They protected Irina, supported Kuroka, helped Rossweisse back to her feet, and stood beside Koneko as the dragon clones hissed and roared at them. The young Neo-Jinchūriki looked up in amazement at her glowing predecessor before he looked down and grinned at her. He seemed so much younger and full of life than the man she knew. But still there was that strength and support by his side that had given her the courage to stand up and face her fears. With a firm nod she raised her flaming fists and as he took a stance as well.

"Xenovia! Kiba!" One Naruto yelled out among the others as they arched through the air and landed beside his friends in their pincer situation, "Glad to see you're holding up! Asia, Gasper, what about you?"

"Naruto-San!"

"Senpai!" Gasper cried out with joy as Asia teared up, "I'm so glad you came to help us! And I'm even happier you've turned Super Saiyan for us!"

"You seem in high spirits, Naruto-San." Yuuto jovially noted, relieved that his friend and comrade had come to assist them, "I'm not sure what happened but should I assume you've reclaimed some of that old strength you've been looking for?"

"You could say that."

"Is that really you?" Xenovia took her attention off the monsters they fought and looked at the glowing ninja beside her, "You seem different."

"Did the glowing orange chakra all over me not convey that well enough?"

"No, it's not just that. It's..." She shook her head and hardened her eyes, "It doesn't matter right now. Can your new form help us fight these dragons?"

"Oh trust me, I'm gonna make their lives a living hell."

Sköll and Hoti regrouped and growled threateningly at Naruto and his clones as they stood before Rias defensively. The redhead looked down at Akeno, made sure she was alright while checking on her father, and slowly stood up. Rias slowly stepped up towards the center Naruto as he watched his clones spread across the field and take the fight back. She spoke to the glowing figure in front of her, "Naruto?"

He immediately turned to her, his eyes softening with worry and concern when he noticed how exhausted and haggard she must have looked. She felt relief seeing he was still himself, even if he was glowing orange and there was something else strange she couldn't quite put her finger on right now. Her shoulders eased, "You're okay?"

"Of course I am. And you?" She nodded affirmatively, "That's good." His shoulders sagged before he looked around and spotted something that grabbed his attention, "I'll have some clones stick around and guard you while you're helping Akeno's dad, okay?"

"Y-Yes, but what about you?"

"I," He lowered his stance, widened the space between his legs, and narrowed his eyes, "Have someone I need to deal with."

He leapt forward, disappearing in a flash of light again and again as he covered the distance in seconds. With a roar he charged in and punched as hard as he could.

Loki's body doubled over from the force of his fist before suddenly dissolving into nothing. Naruto barreled through the illusion and slid to a stop besides the Two Heavenly Dragons.

"N-Naruto-senpai?"

"Naruto Uzumaki," Vali seemed totally unfazed by the change in appearance and power, "I thought you were going to stay on support for this fight?"

"Things changed. Asshole summoned a bunch of new monsters to fight for him. And I got in contact with some old power of mine. So now we're here." Naruto grinned challengingly as Loki reformed and faced the three challengers he now found himself against, "And I'm more than ready to smear the ground with this sack of shit."

"You sound pretty confident, Senpai."

"I did help a lot of my friends during the war when I was in this form." The form he got after taking the power from Kurama but not yet having his full cooperation. He wasn't sure why he had this power back yet but at the moment he didn't have the time to sit down and figure it out. He just knew he was strong like this and that he could do a lot of good, "So now that I've got it back we can win this-"

A flood of new memories rushed into his head of fur and claws. There were a few loud pops across the battlefield that garnered the three young mens' attention. Fenrir stood tall, smoke clouds fading away around him after he was finished slicing through Naruto's Bijū-Mode clones. The wolf looked up and snarled at the whiskered blond it had attacked but not yet killed.

"Okay," The confidence and swagger in Naruto's voice after regaining his power wavered as he nodded, "I might have run off a little too cocky into that one. That wolf is still terrifying and won't go down easy."

"Well considering you have your powers back and Issei Hyoudou has a portion of my power to use, perhaps I'm no longer needed here." Vali turned away from their fight and glared down the God-slaying wolf across the battlefield, "If that's the case then I'll go preoccupy myself with other matters."

"Whoa Vali!" Issei was shocked to feel actual concern for his former enemy, "Don't you think it's a bit of a big step up to fight that fleabag?"

"And I thought I was cocky." Naruto showed less concern and looked at the back of the white armored man they fought beside, "You sure you're gonna be okay?"

"Not at all. That is Fenrir the God-slaying wolf; bane of Gods and mythologies everywhere and herald of Ragnarök. As Issei Hyoudou has shown, this armor we don stands little chance against a swing of that beast's claws." The wings on his back flared in preparation as Vali snickered beneath his helmet, "Doesn't that sound like a battle to remember?"

Vali sped forward in a blinding dash to meet the giant wolf head on in battle. Naruto and Issei watched him disappear before they focused back on Loki. The Norse Trickster was watching them in silence, his attention particularly on the blond Devil now covered in orange energy and black patterns. His eyes roamed over him, "What is this strange power you wield?"

"Too long and complicated to explain." Naruto shrugged, "Also you're dick and trying to kill us so fuck yourself." He and Issei shared a quick fist bump before the whiskered man glowered at his foe, "And why do you care so much? Suddenly scared of the enemy in front of you?"

"I've heard whispers and tales that the Devils had an oddity in their midst; a being from a different realm - unlike any we have seen before - that dragged along monsters and demons from its world that were quickly claimed by Khaos and used as a weapon for their purposes. Might that figure be you?"

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not." With a flick of his wrist Loki started to weave magic and power over his fingertips, "But it does explain your tireless and needless resistance against me. I wondered why amongst all these fools you seemed the least aware of just how outmatched you were but now I think I'm starting to get the idea. You just don't know how terrible this situation really is for you."

"Guess not." The whiskered ninja smirked, "Where I come from there aren't really any Gods or deities or religions that I know of. Just people who believe in themselves and those around them. That's all we needed."

"Ha!" Loki cackled, making Naruto and Issei glare more intensely as the rogue God mocked him, "Then no wonder you are so blind! An entire plane of existence of ignorant, aimless souls lacking guidance and leadership. I can't imagine a more pathetic state of being than a lesser life form that doesn't even realize the wide, beautiful state of existence that looms over them." The two Devils grew more agitated at his haughty declaration, "Believing that only you and those around you are the pinnacle of life...I pity your former people."

"Are you serious?!" Issei snarled as he stomped his foot, "You think you're some kind of guiding light?! The deity they follow and revere?! You?! You're a monster and a fool and a bastard that would just torture and mistreatment them!"

"Of course I would. I'm a God. They're humans. I've given them purpose."

Issei was nearly floored by the blunt, careless response as Naruto just stared the God down with contempt. Loki continued unfazed by their disgust, "Humans are the lowest form of existence. You Devils and Angels and Youkai are pitiful beings as well but humans crawled their way out of mud and never bothered to shake it off themselves. Until we came and intervened in their lives they were aimless, frightened beasts screaming at the dark. It was us that gave them the gifts they cherish today; art, technology, math, love, war, everything! Gods such as myself give them purpose," Loki shrugged, "And killing them, using them, or torturing them is just an extension of that purpose. They are happy that they can give back a little to the ones that gave them everything."

"You-"

"Don't bother, Issei." Naruto stopped his underclassman's tirade before it could start, "I've met people like this before. He's made up his mind and nothing we say could possibly sway him as long as he sees us as inferior. We're just wasting time and breath." The orange ninja stared down the God in silence before smirking to himself, "Besides, when a guy whose ego is as bloated as this just starts talking…"

Naruto twisted on the spot and sent a sharp kick directly behind him. His kick struck hard but it looked like it hit nothing. Issei looked on in surprise as the space behind him started to waver and form into Loki. The rogue God that had been arguing with faded away and the one entangled with Naruto glared daggers at the smirking blond.

"It usually means they have something up their sleeves." Naruto tried to push further with his kick but found little give against the God's guard, "Your illusion is good, but that little slip of bloodlust and joy you let out when you're excited to kill me? That lights you up like a neon sign when I'm like this."

"Well isn't that intriguing?" Loki scoffed, "Tell me can you feel this?"

That little blip of bloodlust he had picked up on became an overwhelming typhoon of hate and killing intent. It startled both Naruto and Kurama with its intensity as he quickly kicked off Loki's arm and gained some distance. Issei took the opportunity that retreat offered and swung Mjölnir down, calling forth a rush of lightning on top of the Norse God. Loki dashed and turned and pushed the lightning off course.

The Norse God jerked his head back to avoid the orange blur that kicked for his jaw. Naruto flew by, dug his hands and feet into the ground, and launched himself back at the Norseman. Loki and Naruto circled around each other before dashing in and exchanging blows. The whiskered blond threw jabs and hooks that the God deftly dodged before resorting to a leap and spinning kick.

Loki knocked him back with a block and flex of his arms. Naruto spun through the air and landed in a crouch before dropping to the ground and avoiding the God's sweeping kick. The chakra around his body formed a hand and shot up to strike Loki in his chin. The God avoided his desperate attack and let his kick swing into the ninja's side.

Naruto blocked the kick and gritted his teeth under the force. The lanky, deceptive God had enough strength that he felt that through the layer of chakra around his body. What the hell?! How did a quick punch and kick from this guy have enough force to match what the Raikage could deal out?

"I guess this is the power of Gods that decrepit old fossil was warning us about."

"So we just have to hit him a few more times, huh?" Naruto smirked, holding out his hand towards Loki, "Set! 10x!"

...

His eyes widened in shock when he felt nothing happen in response. Loki took the momentary lapse in battle to attack, releasing magic that forced Naruto to run before he was destroyed, "Kurama!"

"Don't yell at me! The Sacred Gear didn't respond!"

"Why not?!"

"Naruto if I had any idea what the fuck was going on I'd tell you!"

"HA!" Issei smashed Mjölnir into the ground and summoned bolts of lightning down on Loki to force him into a retreat. As the God gained distance, Issei hefted the mighty hammer back up and ran over to his friend's side, "Senpai, what happened?"

"Can't use my Scared Gear!"

"Why not?!"

"I don't know! Maybe it finally crapped out like Azazel warned it might! Look, doesn't matter," Naruto lifted himself up, summoning a few ethereal hands over his palm to help him make a Rasenshuriken, "We just need to focus on taking this guy out now while we can!"

"No arguments here!" Issei gripped his hammer tightly, "Will the others be okay?"

Naruto could still feel the odd clone being erased and a flood of memories come in with their destruction. He was worried but focused on the dire battle ahead, "Once we beat this bastard, we can clean up the rest of his mess."

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The Norse magic he had learned in just a few days was incredibly powerful. Some of the greatest magic in the world was forged with time and effort. Norse mythology was one of the oldest in existence so they had some of the strongest magic in the world. A simple magic circle conjured up a blast of power that could stagger most foes. So the layers of circles he weaved on top of each other and released should have dealt a devastating blow.

It spoke volumes that Fenrir shrugged it all off - literally. With just a partial shift in its weight it dispelled the magic that should have been paralyzing and subduing him.

"GAAAAAOOOOOOWWWWW!"

The wolf roared and sent a sonic boom echoing through the entire battlefield with most of it directed at Vali. He felt a painful shake and tremor through his armor and impact his body as he bared through it. With a growl through his teeth Vali flared his aura and charged the great wolf.

The speed his Scale Mail offered him was enough to dodge the slashes that would have debilitated or even killed him if they connected. As he buzzed around the wolf like a fly he landed punch after punch over its pelt. Fenrir snarled and howled in fury as it tried to snap and claw the Heavenly Dragon apart.

Vali's attacks weren't leaving any lasting damage but his assault was finally letting them hit the beast. If he just kept going at this rate, he might finally make some headway against the God-slaying wolf.

[We'll be here for quite a while if we're waiting for any immediate results from hitting this monster.]

"If you have any suggestions then I'm all ears."

He was hitting this damn animal with all he had and the effects of his Divine Dividing as well but p wasn't making any progress!

[There's always the nuclear option if you prefer.]

"Which will leave me completely drained after I use it! If I'm going to use it, it'll be a last resort!" Vali concentrated a massive amount of magic and aura into his fist and dug it into the wolf's cheek. Fenrir's head snapped back violently from the impact.

Did...did that actually-

[Vali! No! It's baiting you!]

In an instant Fenrir's head blurred forward and its jaws snapped down on Vali's lower body. The Lucifer descendent let out a bloodcurdling scream as he felt the wolf's teeth dig and grind into his intestines while chewing up his legs. Vali's blood started to overflow and rush out of the wolf's mouth as he chewed on the young man.

"VALI!"

"OH SHIT!"

People all around the battlefield looked on in shock as he was being maimed and eaten. Pain overloaded his entire system and Vali could do nothing to pull the beast's jaw off of him. If he did not do something soon he would certainly die.

...

Now it was time for the nuclear option.

"I, who am about to awaken,

Am the Heavenly Dragon who has taken the principles of supremacy from God

I envy the "infinite" and I pursue the "dream"

I shall become the White Dragon of Supremacy

And I shall take you to the limits of white paradise!"

"Wrrrrggghhhhhhh!" Vali roared as he gripped the edges of Fenrir's snout before it could dig into his flesh. The armor around Vali started to crack and creak under the pressure but soon it started to change shape. Some of the pieces of his armor grew sharper; his grieves and gauntlets becoming more pointed at the ends while his spaulders stretched out unnaturally. The helmet over his head grew larger and split in half.

From those halves grew sharp, terrible teeth.

Saliva and spit connected between the jaws.

Fenrir's eyes widened as it released it was no longer chewing on a teenager in white armor, but a miniature white dragon.

One of Vali's hands slammed down on the snout just above where the wolf bit into his lower body. He squeezed tightly, finally breaking skin and tearing into the flesh of the wolf's mouth.

The God-slaying wolf was up against the Divine Dividing's Juggernaut Mode.

"TOOOO MMMMEEEEEEE!"

The exhausted Bikou and Arthur stopped attacking the bloody, beaten body of the Midgardsormr clone they were faced with and looked back. They saw their leader had activated his Juggernaut mode and was struggling to pull himself out of the wolf's mouth. They shared a quick look and nodded before turning around to rush the wolf.

"Hey!" Saji and Naruto's clone called out as they stood defensively between the dragon clone and the downed Tannin still nursing his injuries, "Where the hell are you going?!"

"Our apologies," Arthur fixed his cracked glasses and drew Caliban to his side, "But our leader requires our help!"

"Sorry man," Bikou waved his hand and showed a bloody smile, "But when our guy gives us the call, we gotta answer it."

"So you're gonna fight the wolf?!"

"It might kill us, but damn if I'm not having fun taking the risk."

Kuroka's ears perked as she heard Vali's yell echo through the battlefield. She looked over to see Vali struggling in Fenrir's mouth. Her eyes narrowed before looking back at her group. Irina and Rossweisse were raining down hell on the body of a dragon clone as a Naruto held it down. Koneko was also cooking its underbelly with a stream of fire before she noticed her sister stop and step away, "Nee-sama, why have you stopped-"

She froze when Kuroka's hand gently ran through her hair, brushed against her ears, and cupped her cheek. Her older sister leaned down and placed a gentle, loving kiss on her forehead. Koneko was so startled by what she had done, and could only look up in silence as Kuroka smiled warmly at her, "You definitely look better with those ears. I'm sure you'll definitely grab that loser's attention if you keep trying, nya. So stay safe, and I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Nee-"

Kuroka dashed across the field with the wolf in her sights, ignoring every urge in her body to look back and reach out to her little sister. The black-haired woman closed her eyes, mashed her teeth, and then opened them as they watered. She leapt off the ground before crashing into the earth by Fenrir's paws. Kuroka slammed her hands down and summoned vines and trunks out of the rock to entangle the wolf.

Bikou followed in after with a swing of his extended staff into the wolf's neck in order to weaken its bite. Arthur followed after, slicing at the air behind the giant wolf and creating a tear in space behind it.

Vali's arms bulged and he pried Fenrir's jaw open, yanking out the fangs that pierced his armor and flesh as blood spurted out of the fresh wounds. The giant wolf struggled to keep its footing as its body was raised up on its hind legs. Every member of Team Vali pushed with all their might as they gave one last cry of effort, "WWWRRRRAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Fenrir dropped back into the portal Arthur created and dragged Vali in with it. Bikou immediately rushed in to follow his leader as Kuroka yelled and did the same. Excalibur Ruler appeared in Arthur's other hand as he rushed in and closed the portal behind him.

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

"Where the fuck did they go?!"

"I don't know!" Rias yelled back at the clone as she swung her Destruction around to keep the wolves at bay, "Shouldn't we be happy they took Fenrir with them?!"

"I'd be happier if we didn't lose three strong fighters and a Heavenly Dragon!" Naruto answered while jumping over Sköll's chomping jaw and kicking off its eye to gain some space, "You're pissing me off!" Naruto raised his hand and formed an orb with several spiraling balls around it before slamming it into the wolf's side, "Planetary Rasengan!"

Sköll let out a bloodcurdling roar as the orbs ground into its flesh before sending the wolf flying back into the barrier. The smaller wolf crashed into the ground and Hoti snarled as it prepared to avenge its brother.

Akeno watched as Naruto engaged with the wolf offspring again in a flash of light before striking all over the beast's body. She would have watched even longer if not for the pained cough she heard from the man in her arms, "Otou-sama!"

Baraqiel gagged and spat up blood that was quickly filling his mouth. He panted for a breath of relief as his skin grew clammy and sweaty from the pain. With another cough the Fallen Angel Cadre opened his eyes and looked up at the bleary figure over him. He narrowed his eyes as the figure became clearer to him. And when he realized who it was his breathing eased...

"Shuri."

Akeno froze.

"Shuri," Her father whispered, "Oh, I've missed you. I never...I never thought I'd see you again." His eyes pricked with tears, "I'm so sorry. I should have been there. I should have been there for you and Akeno."

"Otou-sama."

"I never stop thinking about it. About you." His voice broke, "I know you wouldn't want me to but I considered just ending it to see you again. On the small chance I could see you again I'd take it. B-But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not just because I knew you'd never forgive me," Tears rolled down his cheeks, "But I couldn't leave Akeno alone. Not after she lost you. Even if she hates me, I can't just let her lose another parent. So even though I want to see you," A weak smile struggled to hold on his face, "I can't come back to you yet."

Tears overflowed from Akeno's eyes as horror and shame filled her chest. She shook her head and cried, "NO!" She squeezed him tightly and shook her head, "HELP! ASIA, HELP! PLEASE!"

Rias looked back in shock as she saw all the blood Baraqiel had lost. She turned, "Asia, get over here! We need you!" After a moment of waiting an orange flash appeared at their side, Naruto having dashed over with the young nun in his arms, "Baraqiel-San needs your help!"

Asia nodded and was quickly over to their side. Her hands glowed green and bathed Baraqiel in a healing aura. The gruesome cut over Baraqiel's back slowly started to seal up as Akeno laid him on his back. As she did she stayed by his side and held his hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"Otou-sama."

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

"TAKE THIS!" Naruto tossed his barrage of Mini-Rasenshurikens at the Norse God in hopes of landing one lucky hit. But Loki's magic diverted the jutsu at the last moment, letting them pelt and blow up the ground as he charged forward to meet the whiskered boy head-on.

"Dammit you son of a bitch just stay still and DIE!" Issei roared as he swung Mjölnir and summoned another lightning. It struck Loki but Issei didn't let that fool him this time. He twisted around and lashed out with the back of his fist hoping to catch the God. But even though his instincts were right, Loki ducked under his arm and punched into his gut hard enough to shatter the pervert's armor.

"Get away from him!"

Naruto appeared in a flash and engaged the God in combat again in order to draw him away from Issei. The [Pawn] dropped to a knee and covered his stomach as he tried to power through the pain. With a groan and gag he looked up to see Naruto flashing around and attacking Loki from all sides.

"Fuck!" Issei exclaimed and shook his head, "I'm completely useless in this fight! I can't hit him!"

[Partner, you can't lose faith yet!]

"Ddraig, what am I supposed to do? Ditch this stupid hammer?" It was dragging him down and he knew he'd be able to move better without it, but no Mjölnir meant no power to beat a God. He hissed, "He keeps moving and evading and how am I supposed to catch this guy when he keeps replacing himself with an illusion?!"

[There has to be a way to predict how he attacks and where he's coming from? Partner, don't you have that technique to-]

"No! I can't!"

[What?]

"I can't you Pailingual on Loki!"

[Why not?!]

"Because he's a dude! And I refuse to listen to a dude's breasts speak to me!"

[Seriously?! Now?! When all your lives are threatened?! You refuse to use one of your abilities for its designated purpose?!]

"Its purpose is to listen to female boobies and just that! I draw the line at male nipples!"

[You might as well draw a line in the dirt of where you'd like your grave, because you're going to be killed for this lunacy! You're up against Loki! Time to take some risks!]

Issei grumbled and shut his eyes in despair before reaching out his hand. He activated his power and could hear the faint voices of female breasts around him telling him how they were feeling. They were scared and worried that they wouldn't make it through the fight. Realizing that his friends felt this way was heartbreaking and made him want to do whatever he could to help. So he swallowed his pride - as well as the bile that welled up in his throat - and tried to hear the voice from Loki's chest.

And heard nothing.

"I can't hear him."

[Are you serious? Why not?]

"I'm trying to do what I do with girls but I've got nothing. No matter how hard I try-"

[Do you seriously have a mental block on the idea of hearing men's breasts?!]

"I told you I would never do it!"

[Dammit this isn't time for-]

Ddraig went silent. In fact everything around Issei went silent. The sounds of battle and effort and roars and howls all faded away into nothing. When he looked down he didn't even see his Scale Mail over his body anymore. He looked around the field again...

He saw several womanly figures in the middle of battle - their bodies faded in black except for their boobs that glowed brightly with a light he could only compare to that of suns. Across the field, at the very edge of the space they fought in, Issei could make out the figure of Akeno hunched over someone on the ground. And beside her was...

Another Akeno?

An older-looking Akeno with a soft smile standing besides the one on the ground. The older woman noticed his gaze, looked in his direction, and smiled.

What...what is this?

{It's quite a magical sight, isn't it?}

Issei rounded about in shock at the strange, new, almost enchanted voice he heard by his ear. When he turned around he was faced with a flittering, glowing fairy in his vision, "W-What-"

{You are surrounded by lovely, enchanting breasts. No wonder you are the being in this realm most closely attuned with my master.}

"W-Who are you?"

{I...am the messenger of the Chichigami.}

...

"What?"

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

"Issei!" Naruto called back in the middle of blocking Loki's kick, "What are you doing?! Move!"

[He's not responding! I don't know where his consciousness has gone but I can't reach it!]

"Looks like your ace has retreated into the depths of his mind, ahahaha!" Loki laughed, punching and kicking into Naruto's guard in order to break through. The blond ducked under a kick, leapt over a sweep, and guarded against a high kick that sent him flying backwards, "So what will you do now?"

"Don't get cocky assuming he was our ace!" Naruto landed on his feet and shook his wrist, "I mean I've got my power back and I'm standing right here."

"Well aren't you certain of yourself?"

"And you know, after a little thought, I think I finally figured you out."

"Oh?" Loki scoffed, "And what have you determined of me, you sad little monkey?"

"I know you're desperate for attention and for people to look at you."

Loki's amusement dissolved immediately with a glare to replace it.

"Yeah, you do a bunch of tricks and pranks to get people to look at you. You cause ruckus to get attention. It's on a bit of a bigger scale but I did the exact same thing when I was a kid." Naruto smirked as Loki's expression grew more pinched and his bloodlust lifted off him in waves, "I guess you almighty Gods don't have the benefits of growing and aging like we did; you still act like an annoying, petulant little kid trying to get people to notice him by being loud and wrecking stuff. Man, I'm embarrassed for you."

A massive burst of magic flew his way and Naruto avoided it as it cratered the ground. He avoided again and again as Loki continued his assault. Even though the magic could have torn him apart, Naruto couldn't help but laugh as he dodged, "Oops, did I touch a nerve? Sorry dear deity sir!"

"Man, if there is one thing you are good at, it's getting on people's nerves. I guess that applies to deities as well. Who knew?"

"AAH!"

Issei's sudden cry of panic gained their attention as they paused and looked towards the perverted Heavenly Dragon. Naruto called out, "Issei, what are you doing?!"

"I...I understand everything now."

"Uh man, what are you talking-"

"I have been blessed!" Issei pronounced with wide arms of reverence, "Blessed by the grace and knowledge of the one true God! The deity of mammaries! The Chichigami!"

...

...

...

Issei's yell was so loud that it covered the entire battlefield. And it was so strange that everyone, ally and foe alike, had to stop and stare at the [Pawn] in silence.

Naruto blinked and tilted his head, "Did you...I...what?"

"The advent of the Chichigami came to me, making a connection directly to my mind so that I may know my purpose! I must fight for the sake of breasts everywhere! I - as the Oppai Dragon - have taken this holy task upon myself to see through until the end!"

...

"Oh shit, he's gone crazy in the middle of the fight."

"I haven't gone crazy! I am enlightened!"

"Can someone help Issei-kun please! We're busy with these serpents at the moment!"

"I don't need help!"

"Does anyone have some Phoenix Tears to spare?!"

"They all broke in the fight!"

"Asia, can you fix him?"

"I-I can only heal physical damage! I'm not sure if I can heal psychological damage!"

"Asia!"

"What about Koneko-chan? She can fix people's energies!"

"I don't know if I can fix people's mentalities, and I don't wanna touch him like this."

"Koneko-chan!"

"I believed in you boy! How could you fail at a time like this?!"

"Tannin-ossan!"

[WAAAAHHHHHHH! WHY DOES MY HOST HAVE TO BE THIS BREAST-OBSESSED LUNATIC?!]

"Alright enough! I'm not crazy! I know what I saw! The Chichigami is real and has blessed me with power to overcome this obstacle!"

Loki laughed and Naruto shook his head, "I doubt that."

"Oh yeah?! Then how do you think I learned how to do this?"

Issei kicked Mjölnir up with ease, twirling the once heavy hammer around his hand effortlessly. He changed the size to match his height perfectly and raised it easily over his head. A thunderstorm dropped down on the hammer but instead of bolts lashing out uncontrollably they all focused on the body of the magic hammer. The Norse weapon started to glow brightly with all the pent up energy it had stored inside it before Issei finally released it.

In Loki's direction.

The God of Mischief was so startled by the sight of his homeland's weapon being wielded by a foreigner that he wasn't prepared for it being turned on him. One massive bolt shot out of the hammer and struck Loki in the chest, causing the God to scream in agony and fly off his feet.

With a laugh Issei spun Mjölnir around again and directed the flow of lightning across the battlefield. The remaining Midgardsormr clones that hadn't been killed and Hoti were all struck with lighting. With the monsters now extra crispy the others jumped in and took the time to properly beat them down.

"Well," Issei stopped swinging and stood beside a gobsmacked Naruto, "What do you think about that?"

"How did you do that? You could barely even lift that thing before!"

"It has an enchantment on it where only certain people under certain criteria could wield its full power. Luckily that enchantment was taken off and I can use this baby as much as I want. And all because..."

"Don't you fucking say it-"

"Of the Chichigami - praise be to the Chichigami, long may they rain."

"Ugh."

"YYYYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Naruto and Issei were nearly blown off their feet by the force of Loki's yell. The angry God bellowed and cracked the ground and space around him with sheer fury. Magic rushed off him in an uncontrollable burst as his eyes landed on the two people he wanted to kill most.

Issei sent a wave of lightning to catch him but Loki blurred forward and crossed the distance in an instant. He charged into Issei's chest and sent the [Pawn] flying before lashing out at Naruto with a kick. The ninja felt his bones creak under the force before he was knocked off his feet and sent bouncing across the ground. He rolled along the dirt but quickly found some footing and stopped himself.

"You rats!" He looked up and dodged as Loki punched for his head and cratered the ground, "You curs! Never in all my years of Godhood have I ever met a group of mortals that were so petulant and unruly!" He threw magic Naruto's way and blasted the glowing orange ninja backwards, "Truly I will find no better joy in your defeats!" Loki looked around and saw all of Naruto's clones had turned from their now finished battles and rushed the rogue God.

"See, I knock you around and yet you still persist!" Loki charged in and met the clones in combat, striking one across the face and popping it instantly. The lone God blocked and parried and diverted the attacks of all the clones that tried to swarm him at once, "Even your pathetic illusions and clones waste their efforts against the unbeatable me!" One clone kicked at Loki's head but was grabbed and used as a bat to knock the others out of existence, "That you still believe you have any resemblance of a chance of victory against me is more of an insult than anything else that has happened today!"

"You think so?!" The real Naruto lunged through the air and straight to Loki. Loki took the chance not to defend but counter, the ninja and and the God crossing fists and burying them into the other's cheek. Naruto's vision swam for a moment before he roared and persisted forward, "I think if we can irritate such a great a god like you so easily, we must be on the path to victory!"

"You jest!" Loki slipped aside and let Naruto pass by him, flipping backwards to gain some distance before charging back at the God. He and Loki traded blows and strikes, punching at each other at every possible moment while moving at speeds that made them seem like blurs. Naruto's chakra reached out like hands on each side to grab Loki and keep him from moving, "What part of our battle would possibly give you the idea that you can win?!"

"NOW!"

Loki spun around and raised his arms to block Mjölnir from dropping on his head. Issei yelled through his helmet and channeled more power through the hammer, causing bolts to jump out sporadically as Loki groaned under the force. The ground beneath them cratered and cracked as Issei pushed down, "Just! Let! Me! Hit! You!"

"You think it would be that easy!" Loki pushed back even as the intensity of the lightning started to burn and crack his skin, "You think you'd actually have the honor and privilege of besting a God in battle!"

"Rasenrengan!"

Loki yelled in pain as his sides were pinned with twin spiraling spheres. They ground and tore into his flesh and weakened his stance against the hammer. Issei pulled back and Naruto grabbed Loki before lifting him up over his head. The God struggled and thrashed around before looking up in horror.

As the hammer came down on his face.

The flash of light nearly blinded everyone on the battlefield as the crash of thunder nearly deafened them. Everyone stopped to cover their eyes and ears from the center of the blast as it raged for a full minute. The thunderstorm finally started to die out and everyone looked over to the battle that had raged on so intensely.

Naruto and Issei were seated on the ground panting for breath besides an unconscious Loki with a broken nose and shattered teeth. The two boys looked down at their beaten foe before looking to each other.

They knocked fists and chuckled, "Yeah, I saw we get that honor."

"Puny God."

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

"Don't worry buddy, you're gonna be fine." Azazel said by Baraqiel's side as the Fallen Angel was collected on a stretcher to be carried back with the Grigori, "Asia's already done the lion's share of the healing process. We'll get you the rest of the way."

"Thank you, Azazel." Baraqiel whispered, his voice a little firmer but still weak after all the strength he had lost. As his friend smiled down at him he turned to his other side and saw Akeno and Rias standing there. Baraqiel tried to lift himself but hissed in pain when he felt the strain on his body. They reached to help him but he held up his hand and laid back down, "Sorry for worrying you, Akeno. I know it must have frightened you seeing all that blood, and I'm sorry you had to look out for me that whole time, but I promise I won't bother you-"

Akeno stepped forward and took her father's hand, silencing his apology before he could finish. The normally sophisticated [Queen] looked tired and drained, her hair out of its ponytail and her cheeks covered in bandages. She squeezed her father's hand as her eyes grew moist, "I think about her too. All the time."

Baraqiel went silent before he squeezed back, "It's so difficult not to think about her. To not have her by our side anymore."

"I miss her. I miss her so much." Akeno admitted as she knelt down by her father's stretcher, "But when I saw you hurt and bleeding I realized...I-I didn't want that to happen again. Not to you."

Baraqiel started to cry as well as he reached out and touched his daughter's cheek, Akeno holding his hand so that it wouldn't slip away, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you."

"I'm sorry I stayed away from you."

"Please forgive me."

"I'm sorry."

Rias felt her eyes water as she smiled at the sight of her friend's reconciliation. She felt a hand on her shoulder as Azazel nodded to the side so they could have their space. The Fallen Angel and Devil walked away as the barrier was dispelled and they returned to the hotel roof where they got the support they needed, "What will happen to Loki and the creatures he summoned?"

"They'll be kept in the Norse's highest security prison. I doubt they'll ever be able to break out at least until Ragnarök. But as for Fenrir we're just not sure." Azazel said uncertainly, "Vali and his friends aren't anywhere we can find them and we don't know what happened."

"Are you worried?"

"Nah, if there's one thing that kid can do it's take care of himself." Despite how he was betrayed and how they were more enemies than allies now, she couldn't help but notice the tone of pride in Azazel's voice when talking about his former charge. She supposed no matter what Vali did, Azazel was going to end up proud, "But now that the battle's over we have more pressing concerns. How did Issei break the enchantment on the hammer? What exactly is this Chichigami he's talking about?"

"Don't tell me you believe him."

"Well you can't ignore anything in this crazy world we live in. But most importantly...what happened to him?"

"Woohooo! I'm back! It feels so good!" Naruto cheered as he flashed around the roof of the hotel and jumped around in joy, "I feel so light! I feel so strong! Oh I missed this!" He appeared by his friends and pulled them in with an excited grin on his face, "Hey! Hey! You wanna see me do stuff with my chakra hands? Or make a huge Rasengan? I can do that now! Haha!"

"I think we're okay, Naruto-San." He shrugged and flashed away as Yuuto rubbed his aching shoulders, "And as glad as I am to see you gain your powers back, I am still confused about how you got them back exactly."

"Yeah, how'd you manage that Naruto-San?" Irina tilted her head, "Did you break through your limit in a pinch or something?"

"Um, I'm not sure." Naruto stood around and looked over his glowing orange body again, "I saw Rias, Akeno, and Baraqiel getting surrounded by those snake things and I just got angry. And next thing I know I'm like this."

"But it has to be something else, right? Because something feels strange." Rias said as she rejoined their conversation, "I don't know but when I looked at you the first time like this something felt different."

"Besides the fact I'm covered in chakra?"

"Yes besides that, dummy. I can't tell you how but you just seemed...different."

"She's right, there's something off." Xenovia nodded.

"Yep." Koneko agreed.

"Seriously?" Issei looked between the others before looking at Naruto closely, "I'm not seeing it. I'm mean he looks pretty much the same. The only weird things are the orange energy and black markings. Oh, and the weird spiral on his forehead."

Naruto blinked, "The what?"

"The spiral. On your forehead."

"Yeah, you didn't notice?"

"We thought it was just a part of your design."

"What does the spiral look like exactly?"

"Like...like a snail fell over on its face with its tail and ass in the air."

"That's a leaf! It's not a snail, it's a leaf!" Naruto immediately recognized the description they gave him. He dispelled his chakra and as the orange cloak disappeared he reached up and felt the metal plate on his forehead, "It's my headband! I have my headband back! I thought this was destroyed and taken by that Ophis thing! How'd I...guys?"

No one heard what Naruto said as they all just stared at him in shock. They now understood why it seemed like Naruto was different.

Without his chakra around his body his base form was revealed. And with it the fact that he was a shorter young man now, with a rounder face and brighter blue eyes. He was also in an orange outfit and pants with a black outline on the zipper and over his shoulders.

"N-Naruto," Rias whispered in disbelief, "A-Are you younger?"

"Huh?" Naruto gawked, "What are you talking about?"

"Listen to his voice! He even sounds younger!"

"He's shorter too! He's shorter than Buchou now!"

"Naruto-San has become Naruto-kun!"

"What are you talking about?! Ah, Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A clone popped into existence beside him and he got a good look at himself. His eyes widened as he realized he was faced with a familiar sight he hadn't seen in a long time, "This...this is me back when I was in my world. Me before I came here."

"You look so young." Rias stepped up and realized she had to look down a little to see his eyes. He wasn't much shorter than her, but compared to when she had to speak up to him it was a strange feeling. That must have been what felt so odd to her the first time she'd seen him in his chakra form, "How did this happen?"

"I-I'm not sure. I just wanted to help you and that was it. I-"

"Naruto," Rias whispered breathlessly as she stared at him, "I...I can't sense your Evil Piece. You aren't a Devil anymore."

The others looked at him in shock as the blond touched his chest, "How-"

"Okay, I think I'm starting to out it together." They all turned to Azazel as he stepped up and stroked his chin, "So Naruto had a burning desire to help you all during the heat of battle and focused solely on that idea. Suddenly, his body transforms into a younger version of itself when he had more power and energy to use for the sake of battle. He didn't just regain some of his old power; he became a younger version of himself. Old clothes. Old body. Power he had before but doesn't now. He doesn't even have his Evil Piece anymore to make him a Devil. Doesn't even have his Sacred Gear. You know what that means?"

The rest stared at him patiently.

"I think this is your Balance Breaker. A state where you return to a point in your past when you were young and powerful." The Governor-General chuckled, "There are a lot of people who would like to have power like that."

"S-So what happens to him now?"

"I don't know." Azazel shrugged, "I didn't think one of my Sacred Gears would ever reach Balance Breaker, let alone one so strong."

"But that's not good enough!" Naruto yelled as he stepped forward, "Am I gonna be stuck in this 16-year old body again? Do I have to wait and age to get back to 18? Am I just not a Devil anymore? Do I have to go back to school younger and shorter? I mean if I stay like this forever then-"

[3! 2! 1!]

With Kurama's countdown Naruto's body glowed brightly and changed back to normal. His clothes had returned to the Kuoh uniform with an orange undershirt. He grew back to a height where his friends had to look up to talk to him. His features became leaner and his eyes had returned to the Sage Mode they were in before he changed.

The others gasped and paled as the nasty bloody gash on his head squirted blood. Apparently when he returned to his original body, that meant all the wounds and lacerations and injuries he sustained before changing returned as well.

Naruto sighed as blood seeped down his face, "Yep, that seems about right."

"N-Naruto-San, let me fix that!"

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

"Thanks to you kids I think I'll be able to sleep a little easier without that walking asshat coming after my neck. Maybe the next time I have a threat against my life I'll come to you-"

"No!"

"Please don't!"

"Take your problems away with you!"

Odin wasn't amused as the young supernatural beings of the ORC shooed him away and wished him to leave. The Chief God decided not to take it as an insult but rather just the ramblings of children who didn't know what they were saying. With one last look over the town from the top of the hotel, Odin smiled to himself and took a deep breath in, "Visiting a foreign country did me some good. I might have to come back here some day soon."

"We'll be more than happy to accommodate you when you do, Old Man," Azazel said cheerfully with a smile, "But make sure not to drag any of your life-threatening hazards along with you when you do."

"I make no promises." Odin gripped his staff and looked over the young warriors that had stood in his defense against Loki and his monsters. He stepped forward and gave a small, gracious bow to them, "Thank you for standing by my side during this ordeal. I understand how dangerous it was, but you kids exemplify the new ideal this Crow and the others are so desperate to see fulfilled. Heroes of all races standing up and fighting the evils of the world. You all should be proud of what you've accomplished today."

Some of the ORC took the praise in stride while others blushed in embarrassment. Odin reaches into his robe and pulled out a letter before shuffling forward. He stood in front of Naruto and held it out for him, "Here."

The whiskered blond looked at the blank envelope curiously before taking it, "What is it?"

"I'm trusting you to deliver that."

"To who?"

"You'll know when it's time." Odin turned back and cracked his staff against the ground, summoning a portal in front of him back to his home. The old God looked back once again at the young generation and smiled proudly, "Thank you again, young heroes of our new world."

He stepped through and the portal disappeared. Once he was gone the portal faded away with him, and the ORC were left standing on the roof. Issei chuckled and stretched his arms out in relief, "You know, Odin-sama was a bit crazy, but he's not that bad of a guy."

"The old man is a bit of a pain but his is one of the most reliable Gods you can have." Azazel said.

"I'm glad it's over."

"I'm glad we made it through."

"Although, it feels like something is missing." Xenovia tilted her head, "Didn't this farewell seem to have...fewer people?"

"Odin-sama!" The door to the roof knocked open and Rossweisse stumbled out, the Valkyrie dressed up in her suit and ready to travel back with her master. The silver-haired woman stumbled forward and dropped to her knees before looking up at the horrified, pale faces of the ORC, "I-I can't find Odin-sama anywhere! How are we supposed to go back home without him?!"

...

"What?"

"Um," Naruto stepped forward and held out the envelope, "I think this is for you?"

Rossweisse looked between him and the envelope in confusion before she took it. Carefully pulling it open she retrieved the letter from inside and started to read its contents. Her eyes roamed over the words of the letter before they widened in shock. She dropped to her knees and stared ahead lifelessly, unresponsive and uncaring of how they looked at her.

Azazel stepped over and nabbed the letter she was reading. He flipped it open, "Um, my Norse runic is a bit rusty but I think this says 'You're too much of a pain in my ass. Either get that stick pulled out or get a stick shoved somewhere else so you won't be so uptight. Until then don't come back. Peace out, Odin'."

...

"Oh, I know what to do in this situation." Xenovia tactlessly admitted to the group, "We dress in our nightwear, eat ice cream, complain about men, and cry. That's what usually occurs during a breakup like this, correct?"

"Umuuuuuuuu-"

"No crying! No crying! No crying! No crying! No crying! No crying!"

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

"Paw?"

The paw rested in her hand.

"Shake?"

She shook his arm.

"One bark."

"Woof!"

"Ah, I love him! He's so cute~!" The young Magician wrapped her arms around the neck of the wolf and nuzzled into his fur. The young lady giggled, "I've always wanted a puppy!"

"Le Fay, that's the God-slaying wolf you're nuzzling up against! Please show a little caution."

"But Onii-sama, he's so fluffy! Aren't you Fen-chan?" The deadly wolf gave her a quick lick on the nose and sent the girl into a fit of giggles, "We're gonna get to keep him, right?"

"Yes, we're keeping the wolf with us for now only because of my Excalibur Ruler." Arthur nodded, "But even then I'd rather you not risk it and get close to that wolf. We've drained it of its powers but it still has the instincts of a wolf that hunts Gods."

"Aww, I think he's just a fluffy little bastard whose been declawed. Like the energetic dog at the pound who had his nuts snapped off." Bikou chuckled and waved his finger in the wolf's face, "Ain't that right? Who's a neutered little baby-"

"RAWR!" Fenrir snapped at the offending digits.

"EEP! Okay, still has a temper!"

"Would you all shut up! I'm working here!" Kuroka barked back at her teammates before looking down at her patient, "Geez Vali, it wasn't enough that you were nearly puppy chow? You had to wreck your entire internal system using that Juggernaut Drive?"

"We're alive and we have Fenrir on our side. I say that was worth it." Despite his confidence Vali's voice was low and weak, the Lucifer descendent lying on his back as the last of his injuries were being treated, "Shouldn't you be happy that we were victorious?"

"I'd be happier if I didn't have to abandon Shirone with an angry God, his nasty crotch spawn, and Frogger to protect her."

"They won, remember?"

"I know they won, nya! But I bet she's gonna be pissed at me again for ditching her in the middle of that shit!"

"You said goodbye this time." Vali pointed out, "I bet that'll go a long way for her."

"If Frogger and Heiress-chan don't drag me down in the meantime."

"Then go visit her and try to establish something."

Kuroka looked down at the injured man she was healing and shook her head, 'You gotta be delirious. You're saying I should break into their little home base that's the neutral ground of their alliance and sneak up just to see my sister?"

"Yes."

...

Kuroka pursed her lips and raised her eyebrow in thought.

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"You know staring at it isn't going to change anything."

Naruto looked up from his Sacred Gear and saw Rias dressed in her nightwear with a warm, relieved smile on her face. She crawled over the bed to sit beside him as he shrugged, "I just can't stop thinking about it. I thought it was just some stupid little device that lets me repeat attacks when I need it. But now it seems like so much more." He let it disappear from his arm, "There was that skill where I stopped Shalba from attacking you but I haven't been able to use that again since. And now it turns out I have a Balance Breaker."

"Golden Hour Revival." Rias chuckled, "Azazel certainly likes to name things, doesn't he? What did he call you when you were using Kurama's chakra?"

"He calls me a Prima-Jinchūriki, the predecessor to the Neo-Jinchūriki and the original to those Proto-Jinchūriki the Khaos Brigade created." Naruto paused and then sighed deeply into his hands, "Shit, those names are gonna end up sticking at this rate."

"Aww, it's okay sweetie." Rias pulled his head in to rest against her chest and gently ran her hand through his hair. She felt him grumble into her nightie causing her to giggle, "I'm sure things will work out for the best. Now that you've got some power back things are going to get a lot more hectic now."

"And hopefully I'll be able to meet it a little better." He mumbled into her chest as his eyes grew heavy from the comfort, "I'm glad we made it back here."

"You kept your promise."

"I told you I would. And no matter how bad it might seem I always will."

"You make me a worrywart, you know that?" She leaned down and kissed his head, "But at least I can trust you to follow through."

"Always."

Rias' eyes traveled to the door when she realized someone was on the other side. She pulled Naruto's head off her and stood off the bed to make her way around. Her blond boyfriend rubbed his eye and watched her, "What are you doing?"

"Just realizing that we might not be the only ones who are relived to have made it through this ordeal." Rias smiled knowingly and pulled the door open.

Koneko and Xenovia jumped back in surprise when they realized their snooping had been noticed. Both girls were dressed in their PJs, Koneko in a baggy shirt and Xenovia with her tank top and shorts. They tried to look nonchalant in their embarrassment before looking down at the floor.

Naruto sat at the edge of the bed, "What are you two doing?"

"Well I've still been feeling pretty anxious after our fight with Loki." Xenovia admitted, "So I've been having a hard time sleeping properly by myself."

"And I just don't like how quiet it's gotten." Koneko timidly fixed her foot in the carpet.

Both girls usually had more energy and guts in matters like this, but perhaps because they were in front of Rias that they were wary of what they could say.

Rias watched them critically, "Well I think you two should probably try to fix that on your own time. But for now..." She gave them a small smile and walked back to bed, "Why don't you spend the night here?"

Naruto wasn't the only one surprised by her offer, "Seriously?"

"They fought valiantly against the monsters and Loki. I think we all could use some rest. And if they can get that rest sleeping here then why not?"

Naruto looked over as Koneko and Xenovia carefully stepped up to the bed. The blue-haired girl didn't waste any time crawling in to join as the Nekomata was a little more hesitant. With a sigh he smiled and waved her in.

Her ears perked up as she crawled in to join them.

"There," Rias smiled, "Now isn't this nice?"

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Rias woke up with a sharp pain in her face as she slammed into the ground. She shot up in shock and covered her aching eye as she looked up at the bed. When she did she saw Xenovia sprawled out widely across the bed, bunching up the blankets and kicking her feet wildly as she slept.

"You too?"

She looked over and saw Naruto and Koneko sitting by the wall, nursing tired and black eyes from their sudden wake up kicks as well.

"This...this was a bad idea, wasn't it?" Rias pondered.

"Yeah, she does not sleep still." Naruto agreed.

"You know you were pretty wily as well."

"I was?"

"Why do you think I hug you all the time while we sleep? Otherwise I'd get knocked around."

"This was a mistake." Koneko realized, "I should have stayed in my bed."

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"Students, we have a new teacher to introduce you to today. She's come here from Europe and comes with recommendations from Azazel-sensei. Let me introduce you to Rossweisse-sensei."

"G-Greetings everyone," The silver-haired woman bowed her head with a flush on her face, "I will be your new teacher here at Kuoh Academy. I will be in your care from now on."

"Oh my god she's so hot!"

"She's a foreigner! We got a sexy foreigner as our new teacher!"

"I've never been so happy to be alive."

"Everyone certainly seemed happy to have Rossweisse." Rias said, "Do you think she'll be able to handle all this new attention?"

The whiskered blond shook his head, "Nope, she won't be able to handle all the eyes on her immediately. But maybe she'll get used to it after a while. Do you think it was a good idea to give her your [Rook] piece? I mean she is the bodyguard to the Chief God."

"Former bodyguard, as Odin-sama so pointedly clarified. And as long as she stays here, she might as well join our team. I think it will be good for her."

"Well I trust your judgement. Just get ready to have a very high maintenance [Rook] on your side from now on."

"I will." They walked beside each other a little further before they noticed all the students rushing past them. They looked between each other before following the rush of students to see what was so important. They spotted the rest of their club standing with a group of students and squeezed in beside them, "What's going on?"

They only answered with open mouths and fingers pointed in the same direction.

Walking down the main pathway to school was a girl everyone was staring at. She wasn't doing anything outrageous or noteworthy to grab their attention. Her posture and gait were normal, but it was a far cry from the prim and proper way she usually carried herself when in the presence of others.

And her once long, flowing black ponytail that looked like it could reach the ground had been cut into a bob that reached her shoulders.

Rias stepped out of the awestruck crowd and walked up to face Akeno directly. When the two old friends were in front of each other they just remained silent. Until the redhead reached forward and gently cupped the end of her now short hair, "I liked it long."

"Sorry," Akeno apologized, "I'll grow it back out. It's just I..."She groaned, "I made a promise to these two idiots that I would change things up if we made it through this big event and I'm just keeping my promise."

Rias giggled, "Well I think it looks good on you. Then again you make anything look good."

Akeno blushed, "Thank you B...Rias." She quickly corrected herself and made her best friend brim with joy at her more familiar addressing. The black-haired Devil still looked embarrassed before she looked up and past her best friend. Her embarrassment turned into consternation when she spotted the smirking whiskered face, "And what are you so happy about?"

"Oh nothing," Naruto shrugged, "Just basking in my victory."

"Yeah well don't pat yourself too hard on the back." She walked past him without even a sideways glance, "I know you made a promise that you wouldn't get yourself killed fighting, but I'll believe that when you're old and withered with a bunch of redhead, whiskered babies."

"Pfft," Naruto scoffed, "When you say it like that...I can't help but accept the challenge."

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Done

So that brings us to the end of the Loki arc. I wonder how long it took before people realized what the titles of this arc were spelling out. I just thought it was the most appropriate for what was happening in the story.

And now that we've finished this arc, it's time to go into the next one. But instead of going straight into the story, I want to try writing a few smaller, easier chapters to bring us down from what we just finished. But don't worry...next chapter is still going to be very important.

This was a huge turning point and one of the most important chapters I've had to write for this story. But it won't be as big as what comes next.

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