Read, Favorite, and review.
Alright, so this chapter was edited by me and proofread by my cousin Shinayomi.
Have fun reading.
Kage Bunshin no jutsu" for magic spells and jutsu.
"The fat lady sings" normal dialogue.
"Are those lemons real?" for human thoughts.
"Insignificant human" Bijū, gods, summons, and dragons dialogue.
"Puny humans" for Bijū, gods, summons, and dragon thoughts.
Disclaimer: Naruto & Highschool DxD belongs to their respective creators.
Chapter 22
Naruto Uzumaki woke up on the right side of the bed this morning… No, really, like he had somehow rolled from the left side to the right side.
The sun, the rays of the sun, the precious light and heat he's missed so much peeped through the open curtains of his room. The bed creaked gently as he rolled onto his stomach, the side of his face squashed in the bed, a stupid smile on his face. Waking up elated for the first time in years with something to look forward to, the feeling, the energy, he had missed it all.
What was our blonde protagonist looking forward to, you ask?
Well, that's because, today, the school's going on an excursion to… Kyoto!
Yes!
And The devils are tagging along too.
Noo!
But he'd get to see his little cute fox again.
Yess!
But Governor Crow is tagging along too.
Nooo!
But he'd get to see Yasaka again
Yess!
But he'd have to explain why he didn't visit for two years.
Noo!
But Rossweisse will be there too—Eh?
Naruto snapped blue orbs open at the thought but smiled anyway. Today he's going to Kyoto and nothing will ruin that! Nothing.
"Ah, why do I feel like nothing could go wrong?" Naruto mused as he grabbed an orange bathrobe and entered the bathroom.
Steam filled his vision as he washed his body. His skin was particularly smooth and bright. Looked downright creamy today.
Huh, that's weird, or was it because of his excitement? His hair was straight and much silkier than he remembered too.
Wait a minute… What's going on here?
Utilizing Futon Chakra, he slapped his hands together and cleared the steam in the air. He got off the bathtub, wiped his face, and stared into the mirror. Blue eyes widened to epic proportions at the image reflected in his mirror. He grabbed his face, gasping each time—almost hyperventilating— slapping his whisker face as if trying to ascertain if his mirror was playing tricks on him.
The entirety of Kuoh shooked mightily as a Chakra-enhanced shrill tore through the air.
As always, when did Naruto Fucking Uzumaki ever have a great morning?
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"Looking good Naruto-nii."
"Love what you did with your hair."
Naruto sat at the dining table, ignoring the comments on his hair from the resident females, a disturbed expression gracing his features, looking as if he had caught his parents in the act of coitus.
"What's wrong with him?" John asked with a mouthful of his breakfast.
Naruto turned his gaze to John.
Was that John? Nah, he didn't look like the John remembered. He looked much more beautiful and colorful and his eyes were sparkling.
The same thing could be said for the girls he lived with. Martha looked like a princess and her hairstyle had changed overnight too now spotting two ahoges with purple streaks and a much more oval jawline.
If Gaia was beautiful before the sudden transformation, she was now drop-dead gorgeous.
Naruto pulled a mirror from thin air and stared at it for a while before bursting into tears when couldn't take it anymore. "My face! I look so darn pretty!"
Sapphire-blue orbs twinkled with a certain glow to them on the mirror. His face looked so smooth and oval. Even his fingers were polished and shiny. It added to the pretty sexy boy aura he had gained. His hairstyle was to blame. It was straight. His wild hair had been tamed overnight. He had two blocks with bangs sort of hairstyle.[AN: excuse me if I didn't get the name right]
"Ile Iie Iie!" He snapped and crossed his fingers. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
A bad decision. Naruto laid his eyes on his perfect replica.
"Fix. my. hair." Naruto growled at the clone.
It's Monday; Another weird day in the Uzumaki Mansion.
(Scene Change: Kuoh Train Station)
"It wasn't the bats…?" Naruto thought with wonder as he saw every student undergo the same transformation.
They all looked different!
"Dashing!"
"Looking good, Sensei."
"I love you, Naruto-sensei!'
Many students gave him compliments as they went by. His clone failed to return his hair to its former state unfortunately so in the meantime, he was stuck with the wavy style.
"Naruto! It's good to see you made it on time." Azazel waved at the blonde.
"Crow-taicho." Naruto nodded absentmindedly at Azazel.
How is this possible? How could everyone's character design go through such amazing modifications overnight and nobody's talking about it?
"Maybe sage mode can help me understand what's happening!" Naruto slapped his open palm with his fist before a tap on his shoulder jerked him out of his thoughts.
"Senpai." Rossweisse had the most beautiful smile on her face as she laid her eyes on the blonde. Though it was gradually wiped off in favor of surprise. "Your hair…" She trailed off.
Naruto himself wasn't faring any better. She was damn beautiful today. The modifications made her bust more pronounced and her ahoge looked kinda cute on her, almost like a pale-skinned beautiful alien. The biggest change was her hair and eyes which roused a strong urge to feel her hair.
The Genin reached a hand out for her head, his hands a millimeter away from brushing her hair. Rossweisse noticed the much-welcomed gesture and inclined her head forward with a small smile on her face. Naruto returned her smile, patting her hair lovingly before
"Ara, what are you guys doing?"
Naruto jolted back to reality and quickly pointed at the public toilet in the distance. "O-over there!" he pointed at the public restroom. "I-i'm gonna go to the toilet real quick."
Saved by the bathroom.
Akron giggled as the blonde hurriedly left a profusely blushing Rossweisse. The silverish-white-haired lady will do just fine. Time to get down to business.
"So, have you guys kissed?"
"Kk-k-kiss?!" Rossweisse stuttered, blushing up a storm as steam exited her ears. "Don't go around insinuating stuff like that. We are co-workers, such ethics are frowned upon!"
"There she goes again… stuck up with the rules."
"Rossweisse-sensei, the train is about to leave!" Asia yelled at the train's door.
Indeed, The bullet train was ready to depart.
"Where's Naruto-sensei," Issei asked as he went past Rossweisse, his cheeks red from the kiss Rias gave him earlier.
Rossweisse told the Red Dragon Emperor he was in the restrooms which prompted Akeno to push her. "Let's go. Naruto-sensei can make it to Kyoto by himself."
"B-but—"
"He's quite fast. He'll track us down in no time." Issei added.
Rossweisse wanted to disagree but Issei also helped pull her along and so the train doors slid closed.
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Naruto dipped his hands under the running water and slapped his face with some cold water. "Snap out of it, Naruto. Weird shit happens."
It took him a while to compose himself and when he finally came out of the restroom, he couldn't help but notice the white locomotive device was missing.
Naruto's blue orbs narrowed in exasperation. He wasn't about to miss his first train ride.
Increasing his flow of Chakra, Naruto speeds off, leaving a trail of dust at his takeoff point. He used the rail tracks as directions of sorts to catch up with the bullet train.
It took the blonde Uzumaki minutes in his base form top speed to catch up with the train. He hopped off the track and landed on top of the train with a loud thud.
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Rossweisse was staring out the window, wondering if Naruto knew the way to Kyoto before the object of her wonder popped his head from above the train jolting her out of her thoughts.
"Hi." Naruto waved as he entered the train through the window.
"What took you so long?" She asked as she scooted back to make space for him
"I had… Business to take care of," Naruto answered.
"Naruto now would be a good time to talk about the excursion." Azazel walked in and immediately occupied the seat Rossweisse left open for Naruto.
"Uhm, that's my-" Naruto murmured under his breath before he swallowed it and flopped into the opposite empty seat.
"What?" Azazel asked when he noticed Naruto sulking in a corner. He turned to Rossweisse with a confused look who had a strained smile on her face. "Did I do something wrong?"
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Welcome, we have arrived at Kyoto train station. The AI announced over the speaker and everyone slowly thinned out with their luggage.
Naruto hopped off the train expecting a lot of things.
A hero's welcome.
Youkais.
Chakra.
But what he was expecting was a group of supernaturals trying their hardest to pick their jaws from the ground. He expected to see his students and fellow teachers gawking at his bronze statue but what he saw was zilch.
Naruto's eyes twitched at the sight. That damn vixen must have had his statue brought down. He craved vengeance like never before as his excitement waned considerably.
"Uh, Senpai?" Rossweisse tried to get the blonde's attention
"Hm?" Naruto's emotional turmoil all but traveled into thin air.
"Here's a map of Kyoto so you don't get lost."
"Keep it, I don't need it. I know this place like the back of my hand."
"Have you been to Kyoto?" Irina asked, her question directing everybody's attention at him.
Oh, how glorious would it have been; one of his little students asked if he'd ever been to Kyoto while pointing at his statue instead.
"Yes. Don't worry about me getting lost."
The excursion was split into three groups. One led by Azazel, the other by Rossweisse, and the last, by Naruto. With the excursion class split, everyone ventured into the beautiful city of Kyoto with excitement.
"Hold your horses guys!" Azazel yelled. "First we have to lodge at an inn first.
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The inn they lodged into had been already provided by the Gremory Family. The inns were equipped with spacious rooms for everybody, a spa, a bar, and all other necessities to maximize the students' welfare.
Everyone went to their respective rooms which looked like your average modern style unit with flatscreen and king-sized beds.
Issei fished out his room's key and opened the door only to drop his bag in shock at the sight that greeted him. He drew the short straw as his room only had an old retro tv, a radio, and a futon.
"Ho, this is probably the only Japanese-style room here." Matsuda and Motohama passing by the corridor commented on their friend's room. They both showed issei the photos they took in their room adding to issei's misery.
"Why is my room the only one that looks like this when everyone else gets better rooms?" Issei's eyes twitched as he stared at the pictures
"Rias chose this room so we could gather and talk in emergencies," Rossweisse explained as Mastuda and Motohama left.
"Hey, Rossweisse-sensei, isn't this unfair?" Issei whined.
Naruto and Azazel joined them with Naruto sporting a deep frown on his face.
"You got a little room, Issei. Be glad. We ran out of rooms." Azazel groaned.
"What?!"
"That damn bat did this on purpose." Naruto huffed.
Azazel sighed in exasperation. How could they run out of room and Naruto off of all people was the only one who didn't get one.
"We're out of rooms?" Rossweisse gasped feeling sorry for Naruto before a silly thought popped up in her mind. She blushed profusely at the idea and dismissed it but the thought of Naruto sleeping outside seemed to overcome the irrational part of her.
"We-we can share my room…" she said, barely above a whisper.
"What was that?" Azazel asked, thinking she had an idea.
"Naruto-senpai and I c-c" Rossweisse turned bright red at the implication of her words.
"Naruto will be sharing a room with me. Is that good with you?" Azazel spoke up, cutting Rossweisse off.
Naruto stared hard at Azazel for a while, locking eyes with the fallen angels before he turned his face away with a huff, "Never. I'd rather sleep outside."
"What, why?" Rossweisse yelled. "Why must you sleep outside?"
"Sensei and I will go to my room. This isn't our first time." Issei said and took Naruto's luggage, dropping it beside his.
"Hey, Issei!" Naruto sighed seeing Issei wouldn't take no for an answer. He shrugged and left to go do his thing. And Issei was probably the only person he can share a room with who was not his housemate.
For some reason, Rossweisse felt irritated by the fact that Issei had to share a room with Naruto not only once but twice.
"Well, the afternoon is free time so don't get too crazy," Rossweisse said and promptly chased after Naruto.
"Well, what should we do?"
"Let's call Asia and the others and go explore."
And so, their excursion began officially.
(With Issei's group)
The supernatural students had gathered together to explore the south side of Kyoto. Issei flanked by Matsuda and Motohama, the humans in the group walked around taking pictures while Xenovia, Asia and Irina checked out a few pieces of jewelry on the street peddlers trolley.
"Ah they are all so beautiful" Asia cooed
Issei picked a green necklace for Asia hoping to give it to her when they were alone.
They all toured around Kyoto taking pictures along the way. The small group reached an entrance guarded by two huge fox statues. Issei stared at the constructs in awe before Xenovia came to stand beside him.
"Normally, these statues would have warded us off but thanks to this special pass buchou gave us, we can move around freely." Xenovia commented, pulling out the special pass.
"Come guys, the Torii gates are just up ahead," Asia said as they all moved on.
(With Naruto's group)
Naruto walked around town with Rossweisse behind him in tow. He seemed Irritated for no reason, looking around now and then as if he was looking for someone. Judging his mood, the ex-valkyrie virgin refrained from starting a conversation with him.
Naruto idly moved around wondering where all the Youkais went off to. More importantly, the current 'Kyoto' looked nothing like the 'Kyoto' he knew two years ago. He wondered how a city could undergo such sophisticated redevelopment within two years until he remembered Yasaka saying something about there being two Kyotos. A Kyoto in Kyoto.
"Binded fields." Naruto facepalmed.
Naruto glanced at Rossweisse behind him who was staring at an outdoor archery contest going on. Specifically at the prize.
"Senpai." Rossweisse pointed at an outdoor archery contest going on. It seemed kinda fun and she wanted to try it. "Can we go try that?"
Naruto shrugged and thought, why not?
(Back with Issei and co)
If Naruto was here, he probably would have had a heart attack at the numerous Torii gates that stretched far and beyond which looked eerily like the same gates the Shodai Hokage used to restrain the Jyubi, only smaller.
"Wow, these gates stretch on and on," Irina noted.
"The famous Torii gates lead to the top of the mountains. One had to ascend a flight of one thousand stairs to get to the top of the mountain. Legend has it that whoever gets to the top first and makes a wish, that wish will be fulfilled." Xenovia sounded like she was reciting a page from a textbook.
Irina turned to her in awe. "You looked almost like a local for a second there."
"What? I've been reading about famous spots in Kyoto beforehand."
"Well then, in that case, I'll be moving on ahead!" Issei yelled over his shoulder as he raced ahead of everyone.
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Issei huffed heavily, out of breath as he reached the top of the mountain. The Torii gates really did stretch up to the mountains. He quickly clasped his hands, squeezed his eyes shut, and made a wish, "Please let me be the harem king!"
"Phew. That was exhausting." Issei wiped the sweat off his forehead and inspected his immediate environment.
A few wooden houses surrounded by vegetation were all he could see. The top of the mountain seemed desolate and abandoned. He took a look around searching for any sign of life. It was quiet too quiet.
He whipped his head sideways when he heard the rustling sounds. One by one, a group of supernatural beings with human-animal-like characteristics surrounded him.
Youkais.
They had a crash course on the supernaturals native to Kyoto.
A little girl no older than twelve with golden slitted eyes and golden hair, spotting two fox ears on her head and nine fox tails behind her back jumped up from her hiding spot and landed on one of the rooftops.
"You are not from Kyoto." She said, narrowing her gaze at Issei.
"Is that a kitsune?" Issei said in awe.
"Outsider, how dare you trespass our lands?! I'll have you return Haha-ue!" The young girl pointed an accusing finger at Issei.
Trespass, outsider, return, mother… What is this little girl about?
Issei gave the most intelligent reply he could muster. "Eh?"
"Attack!" At her orders, all hell broke loose as the Youkais sprung into action.
(Back with Naruto and Rossweisse)
Rossweisse held the teddy bear Naruto got as the prize for hitting the bullseye at the outdoor archery challenge.
Take it. I saw you staring at the prize. Consider it a gift from me.
Rossweisse couldn't help the stupid blush on her face at Naruto's words.
"Damn where are those Youkais at?" Naruto thought with a pout.
He didn't even mask his chakra signature. The youkai must have picked up his signal but none of them was in sight. That must be it! Yasaka must still be sour about him ghosting them for two years that dumb fox. Well, if she wanted to play hard to get, he had grown to be a very very patient man. Let's see who can hold out for long.
"Senpai, Thank you. I'll make sure to get you a souvenir"
"There's no need for that," Naruto said
"Well, thank you anyway but I want to give you things too. Though I might not be rich, I want to sincerely give to you what my hands can reach."
Naruto could hear his heart beat faster. He quickly increased his pace as Rossweisse jogged to catch up to him.
(Back with Issei)
"What are you talking about?! I don't even know you!" He yelled as he dodged an arrow that would have pierced his heart.
"Don't lie! You cannot deceive my eyes! Enemy of Kyoto." She yelled in return.
With a wave of her hands, the Youkais burst into action. A crow-like Youkai threw a Kanata at Issei who deftly evaded it with a well-timed backflip.
Issei squeezed his eyes shut, his gears shifting furiously, trying to make a decision. He quickly zeroed the odds and made his decision.
Fuck it! This girl is crazy.
Issei hightailed out of there faster than he could say oppai, headed for the woods down the mountain.
Having a massive away disadvantage, it was no surprise that Youkais caught up to him. They were on their turf after all.
Being overwhelmed and confused, issei's priority was defense until his comrades arrived as a single mistake could be fatal. As soon as this thought crossed his mind as if on cue, he tripped and fell and a youkai was upon him with his sword poised for a chop, Issei activated his sacred gear to take the hit only for a light spear and a wooden sword to block the attack for him.
"Irina, Xenovia!" He called their names in relief as they both pushed the youkai back.
"Are you alright, Issei?" Xenovia asked taking a defensive stance in front of Issei
"These people are Youkais, right?" Irina's suspicion was confirmed by a nod from Issei. Asia got to the scene and healed the scratches on issei before he stood behind her protectively.
The young youkai stood horizontal to a tree earning looks of surprise from the devils as she gave commands from above. "Impure existence of evil. I will never forgive you all! Attack!" The Youkai's sprung into action at the little Youkai's command.
Issei knew a confrontation was unavoidable, at the moment. It was time to fight back.
"Asia, the substitute card!"
A substitute card can let a pawn promote to any piece in the absence of their King when in enemy territory. Now, Issei was using the enemy's home turf to his advantage.
"This is Kyoto. Please try your best not to harm our opponents or buildings." Issei admonished his comrades before they all jumped into action.
Xenovia and Irina made quick work of their opponents being skilled swordswomen. Issei utilizing the speed boost granted by the knight piece through promotion defeated the rest, knocking them unconscious.
Now all that was left was the young youkai.
A bead of sweat broke out of her face as she stared at her downed comrades. Should I retreat? Is that all I can do?! I trained so hard to protect Kyoto! I have to try! I won't run away from devils anymore!
The young youkai stopped the flow of chakra to the soles of her feet and slid off the bark of the tree touching the ground with finesse before it was replaced with fury.
"Devil scum! I will protect Kyoto at all costs!"
"Hey, listen to me! You got this all wrong."
"I will not fall for your schemes, devil!"
Kunou rushed at the strongest person in the group. The one with the red gauntlet. Defeat the strongest one in the group first. An effective tactic a devil she loathed once used.
Issei instinctively slid into the basic Ninja Academy stance and intercepted her punch. Issei and Kunou then engaged in a bout, exchanging a flurry of punches and kicks.
A leg swipe, a follow-up kick, spin on the balls of your feet, fake a roundhouse for a sucker or uppercut.
"Is he/she reading my moves?" They both thought as they threw hands.
Soon, it became obvious to both fighters.
"She's/He's good."
Good ole fashioned hand-to-hand couldn't decide the winner of this fight.
Kunou hopped back dodging a punch from the gauntlet-covered hand of her enemy, creating space for a breather. She glared at the trespassers on the sidelines, they weren't making any move to assist their leader. Rather, they seemed more concerned about her if anything.
Kunou balled her fist, shaking with anger. They were looking down on her.
"Devil scum! I'll show you I'm not a joke!"
Issei flinched back at the dark look on her face. It shouldn't be on the face of a person as young as her.
Kunou calmed herself and took a deep breath, all traces of anger all gone, replaced with a serious aura. She stretched her hands out and made gripping motions over her open palm then she snapped her eyes open.
The unmistakable roar of a familiar technique reverberated throughout the woods as a small white mass covered by swirling blue chakra slowly formed on her palm.
"Eat this, devil scum." Kunou reared her arms, bursting forth at neck-breaking speed, clearing the distance between her and Issei in a moment.
"Shit! Ddraig!" Issei called out to his partner as a small dragon shot with enough power to drill through a rock formed in his hands.
Kunou rushed forward mustering at her top speed trying her hardest to keep the technique stable "Please just do this once!"
"Just enough to cancel the Rasengan, Ddraig," Issei said as he widened in his stance intent on meeting the small Rasengan head-on with his dragon shot.
Kunou smirked the moment Issei shot his hands forward before she disappeared into thin air.
"An illusion?" Issei noticed far too late. "Partner, Above you!"
Kunou appeared above him and thrust her hands down at Issei. The Rasengan was a few feet away from Issei before she yelled out the name of her technique with a victory smile on her face. "Est this, Rasen—huh?" The Rasengan lost its shape and detonated prematurely, sending Kunou rolling off the floor.
"Kunou-sama!" Her defeated lackey retreated and helped her up, taking a defensive posture in front of her.
Kunou stood up wobbly with bruises covering her form. "Devil scum! This isn't over!"
With a wave of her hand, a whirlwind covered their retreat, leaving a gobsmacked teenage group of devils.
"Is that…" Asia began
"Naruto-sensei's" Xenovia added
"...Rasengan." Issei finished.
A lot of things were going through their minds right now. Why does a Youkai know that technique better yet, could it have been an exclusive Youkai technique? Was Naruto a half-youkai?
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Naruto raised his head all of a sudden.
"What's this feeling? Why am I so proud?" He mused as he wiped a bead of tears off the corner of his eyes.
Naruto then proceeds to disarm a pervert while Rossweisse pointed out the frequent occurrences of such cases, reminding Naruto of the man he subdued at Kyoto train station both having that crazed gleam on their faces. They look almost like they had been possessed.
(Evening: At the Inn)
Azazel had a deep frown on his face after listening to Issei's account of his not-so-friendly encounter with the local supernaturals.
"I see. Don't tell Rias about this yet."
"What was weird about her though was that she could use Sensei's Rasengan."
"What? One of them could use Naruto's technique " Azazel's eyebrows rose to his hairline.
That just opened a new door to the enigma that is Naruto. He remembered the blonde denying being a Youkai numerous times then if he wasn't one, he must have been connected to one after all.
No wonder he didn't fight the idea of a trip to Kyoto with them. On the contrary, he looked like he was looking forward to it. Does that mean Naruto belonged to the Youkai faction
"Violently rotating-what now?" Rossweisse stared back and forth, lost between them. What's this thing about a Rasengan and how was it connected to Naruto?
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Naruto came back late feeling dull as always before he saw Issei leave their shared room with a perverted look on his face murmuring about something.
"Don't tell me Issei's been possessed too?" Naruto knew that would spell disaster so he tailed Issei trying to observe the boy so he could get a grasp on this strange phenomenon.
Ah… it sure is good to be young. No worries at all. Naruto wondered when was the last time he tried to peek at women. It's been two years but it felt like thirty years to him.
He idly heard Issei and a voice that sounded like Rossweisse, screaming on the stairs. Thinking the worst, he rushed to go and see what was going on below only to see both student and teacher yelling at each other.
It looked like a fight would break out between them anytime now. It's rare to see Rossweisse in action and he wanted to know how far Issei had come since then.
Naruto watched from the top floor as Rossweisse and Issei bicker back and forth about peeping and whatnot before Issei said something that triggered her
"I want a serious man with a bright future too! A boyfriend I can do perverted things to!" Rossweisse magic spiked till it was visible around her.
Huh? A serious boyfriend? Well… Naruto considered himself a serious man who had a Ph.D. that could get him a bright future. About the other case… Well, was traveling around the world with a smut writer good enough?
"Oh, she's getting serious…" Naruto noticed the magic circle she had conjured.
Rossweisse sent lightning bolts after lightning bolts at Issei who dodged them all and charged forward, boosting with each step as he closed the gap between them.
"Oi, I know they can do magic but aren't they afraid of collateral damage better yet, what if a normal person sees them?" Naruto's eyes twitched in sheer disbelief.
Naruto was about to relax on the railings before Issei jumped behind her and reared his hand back with a perverted look on his face.
"This is it, Sensei!" He heard Issei scream.
"Oh no, you don't!" Naruto immediately vaulted over the railings.
Issei's hands were a few inches away from Rossweisse, his eyes widening with the expectation of seeing Rossweisse naked before the winds picked up all of a sudden.
"Dress brea—eh?" A tanned hand grabbed his gauntlet-covered hand.
"Night night, perv-se."
The last thing Issei saw and heard was darkness and the girlish scream that followed the accomplishment of the dress break.
So sad. Issei wouldn't see the fruition of his labor.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief as Issei slumped on the floor face-first courtesy of a chop to the neck.
"Are you alrigh—"
"Don't turn around, Senpai!" Rossweisse screamed.
Naruto's spine went as stiff as a rock. Rossweisse has never raised her voice at him. "I was just—"
"Don't you dare turn around!"
"Fine, fine!"
If there was one thing she wished right now, it was for the ground to swallow her whole. Being naked in front of her crush all thanks to her carelessness.
"I swear if you—"
In one fluid motion, Naruto was patting the sleeves of his jacket on her body.
"Are you decent now?" He asked with his eyes still squeezed shut. "I'll get you a new sweatshirt. I know you liked it very much."
Rossweisse stared at him in awe. A pink blush stained her face. Naruto wanted to peek but he was fighting hard. He opened his eyes the moment he felt her hand on his head. She gave him a warm smile as she patted his hair. "Cute."
"Naruto—" Azazel's brain immediately short-circuited at the scene. He just gave a deep sigh and told them to freshen up and come over for dinner.
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"Wow, everyone's here." A now conscious Issei scanned everyone in the room as he took a seat beside Asia. "Except sensei." He noted.
"Now that everyone's here, please dig in. The poultry here is great."
The door slid open and one Naruto Uzumaki walked in and took a seat beside Rossweisse.
"Don't mind me. Carry on Chibi-san."
"Serafall-sama, why are you here?" The red dragon emperor asked as he dug into his drumstick.
"For work. I came to forge an alliance with the youkai of Kyoto"
"Good luck with that." Naruto poured himself a cup of sake.
"But unfortunately, something terrible has happened."
Naruto snorted at that, raising a cup of sake to his lips. As if that Yasaka could ally with devils.
"The leader of the Kyoto Youkai, a nine-tailed fox has gone missing."
Sapphire blue orbs widened in shock only to squeeze shut as the sake took a trip down the wrong pipe. Naruto beat his chest a few times before he calmed down and gazed into Serafall's eyes and asked, "What do you mean missing?"
Serafall ignored him and continued, turning to Issei. "I heard your report from Azazel. Judging from it, I believe it to be the case."
"Oi, I asked you a question!" Naruto asked, hitting the table with an open hand as an eerie pressure slammed on the students. The adults noticed it was coming from Naruto.
Everyone at the table stared in silence. Naruto has never displayed such intense emotions in public before. They could feel something in the air… a tense silence as he stared down at the devil king.
"Could it be that the girl we fought—" Irina spoke up before she was cut off by Naruto.
"Oi…" Naruto seemed like he just remembered something important. "Kunou! Her daughter?! How about her daughter?!"
"Naruto-sensei, we fought a little girl today in the woods. She could use your Rasengan." Issei narrated.
"Kunou's mastered it?" Naruto breathed a sigh of relief at that. At least she was safe.
"Where is she?" He asked.
"She retreated into the woods."
Naruto's breathing went back to normal as the pressure on the students lifted.
"The ones behind the kidnapping are probably the Khaos brigade," Serafall said.
"Khaos Brigade…" Naruto gripped his sake cup in despondence.
"Damn, our hands are full taking care of the students right now."
"There are Youkais that are willing to help us in Kyoto. We plan to help them through them."
"Well, I'm going to make my move too."
"Then, what should we do?" Issei asked.
"For now, enjoy the trip. I'll call you if anything happens " He quickly added, seeing the look of protest on the student's faces. "We'll take care of the matter during the day so you guys can enjoy your excursion to the fullest."
The students straightened their backs and shared a chorus of yes. Receiving an order from one of the four great Maous was an honor no devil would let pass by.
"Naruto-san, I don't know where you stand but it seems you have mixed feelings about this. Will you lend us your strength to help save the leader of Kyoto?" She asked, staring at the blonde.
Naruto stood up and made a beeline for the exit. "You guys do your thing. I'll do my thing."
(Meanwhile In Kuoh)
Police sirens wailed endlessly as a group of forensic teams, all in their various gears, highlighted a van and spread out to collect the tiniest bit of information. A crowd had already gathered to witness the crime scene when John alighted his partner's sub and entered the alley with his partner following close. He flashed his badge at the patrol officer, eliciting a salute from the junior college who led him to the crime scene.
"The alley, my favorite crime scene." John's partner sighed regrettably.
In their line of work, he's seen one too many corpses and thus his heart went out to the victim's family.
"There's no security camera within the area." He noticed glancing around. "Do they have an identity on our victim yet?"
A red-haired forensic woman brought them to the crime scene. A man who looked to be in his late fifties cold lifeless body on the floor.
"Ryumen Yagushi, Age 57, Occupation, Works in the cement factory. He was found dead in an alley at 1800 hour."
"What's the cause of death?" John took the dead man's wallet and checked if his belongings were intact only to see that it was in pristine condition.
"Surprisingly, it's blood loss from two puncture wounds in his neck."
John's partner raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Where's all the blood?"
"You got me. The BlueStar spray isn't showing anything."
"So, a dead man, with two puncture wounds, died of blood loss and there's no blood on the scene?"
"He wasn't mugged. No sign of bruise or struggle. Yet he died of blood loss. Where did all that blood go?" John questioned.
"Beats me. What's strange though is that we found a hickey around his neck covering the puncture wound.
"Wait…" John's partner tried to connect the dots but what the circumstances were pointing at was absurd, to say the least. So absurd it provoked a burst of hysterical laughs. "A vampire?!"
The people at the crime scene all glanced at one another before they burst into laughter at the notion. All except one eerily quiet person.
"It's not entirely impossible," John said with a serious face.
John's partner swallowed a chuckle and stared at John as if he had just grown another head. "Come on, John. You've seen one too many Hollywood movies."
"We collected a blonde hair sample found on the victim's body. The result will be delivered in a few days."
"Thanks, Mayuri."
"I'm just doing my job cap."
"Alright. Who's going to visit the deceased family?"
The patrol police all looked away comfortably.
"Oh! I just remembered I forgot to switch off my oven, John."
"Listen, Cap, I need to go somewhere Asap! I'll be right back!"
"Hey, John! Get back here!"
John turned around and left his partner in the dust.
(The next day)
The sun had reached its Zenith when we saw Issei and co touring Kyoto. One couldn't have visited the famous landmarks in Kyoto in a single day. They went around taking photos of each other when they bumped into Matsuda and Motohama who decided to tag along with them.
Issei wondered where Naruto went yesterday night. He was hoping the blonde man could give them a few tips on their morning training but he never came back to their shared room last night.
The students took a lunch break and were busy munching away when they heard the rustling of leaves. Matsuda and Motohama suddenly fell into a deep sleep before a few youkais came out. Thinking it was another ambush, the students assumed a defensive stance, each brandishing their weapons before Rossweisse came rushing with the news.
"Please wait a moment, Azazel told us to come and get all of you."
As soon as Rossweisse said those words, Naruto appeared in a gust of wind and leaves. He noticed the Chakra signature within the area and promptly headed to the location as fast as he could.
"Sempai, I have been looking for you."
"I am Kurama, and I'm here to escort you to Kyoto safely." A beautiful blonde two-tailed Nekomata introduced herself with her head inclined as per the custom.
Naruto stared at the Youkais with something akin to relief and delight. The moment he laid his eyes on Kurama his face lit up in recognition. As he moved forward with a lot of questions in mind.
"Kurama, it's great to—"
The two-tailed Neko slapped his hands away from her shoulder and flinched back, throwing a glare at Naruto. "Do you know me, mister?"
Naruto gawked at her in sheer disbelief. "Do I know you?" He repeated with a raining cloud over his head.
Kurama squinted at the tall blonde man who entered her personal space all of a sudden claiming he knew her. She would have remembered seeing a handsome man like this. Very few humans knew her and given the fact that she was in her Youkai form, shouldn't he be creeped out. Better yet, why isn't he under her spell like the two boys behind the group? Azazel only gave them the description of the students.
"Hey, Kurama, cut the act! It's me!" Naruto growled, placing his hand on his chest.
"Excuse me, sir, I don't…" Kurama sucked in air as she noticed the facial details of the man in front of her.
Blonde hair. Blue eyes. That whisker mark… There's only one human on Earth with whisker marks.
"No way, N-Naruto?" Kurama asked apprehensively.
"The one and only," Naruto replied, flashing her his foxy grin.
An image of a young Naruto overlapped with the grown man in front of her.
"It is you! Naruto!" Kurama was so overjoyed to meet Naruto again, that she pulled him into a tight hug.
"Naruto?" Though the Youkais couldn't recognize Naruto in the flesh, his name had reached the four corners of Youkai.
"As in, the Naruto-sama?"
"No way! Naruto-sama is back?"
"Naruto-sama!" They all fell on one knee, honored to be in the presence of the hero of Kyoto. His legendary exploits reached far and near.
The devils watching could hear snapping sounds. Their train of thought couldn't handle what they were seeing.
"Naruto-sama?" Rossweisse voiced out the question going on in their mind.
(Scene Change: Evening Youkai Kyoto) [Youkai Kyoto suggests that they are in Kyoto belonging to the youkai faction. Not Kyoto, Japan]
Kyoto stood in the distance, the security within the bonded field had doubled if not tripled since his last visit. Naruto couldn't help but wonder what happened to Kyoto. It didn't look like the Kyoto he remembered.
Some… structures were missing.
There was an awkward tension in the air. The way the Youkais escorting them glanced at him. Even Kurama seemed a bit stiff beside him. Utilizing negative-emotion sensing could pick up a great amount of gloom and despair coming from within the city of Kyoto. The chakra around here felt a bit chaotic and the leylines were in disarray.
Yasaka came to Naruto's side and asked him cryptically if he had found a way back home.
The smile on his face was the answer she needed.
"I see…" she said. "But you haven't given up yet, right?"
"I'm coming to terms with the fact that there's no way home."
Kurama didn't say no more and left his side to go open the barrier that kept Kyoto away from the rest of the world.
Upon getting to the gates, Naruto puffed his chest out, expecting to have the moment he was denied yesterday.
A group of devils gawking at his glorious bronze statue.
His student gushing at how his magnificence was captured by the sculptor.
"Eh, what is this?" Asia pointed at the rubble of bronze on the floor.
"Seems to be some kind of broken statue," Xenovia noted, seeing something that looked like a bronze hiraishin kunai on the floor.
"Oh well, moving on!" Issei said as he walked into the ancient city.
A depression cloud hovered over Naruto who was sulking in a corner.
"Don't tell me, That damned fox had my statue destroyed?! Yes, that must be it! Oh, there will be retribution!" Naruto raged mentally.
"Senpai, Are you okay?" Rossweisse noticed the deranged look on his face.
"What? Yes, I'm alright." Naruto had returned to his usual composed self in the twinkle of an eye.
Kirama shook her head in amusement. It seems a small part of the old Naruto was still there. The blonde man looked a mighty contrast to the old Naruto in one too many ways it was offsetting. She wondered how 'this' Naruto would react if he knew who destroyed his prized statue.
The group was soon waltzing through the streets of Kuoh staring at the numerous unique inhabitants of Kyoto. They had all gathered together, shooting looks at the devils in the group. Even issei had to flinch back at the look in their eyes.
A young white tiger youkai holding a wooden staff stood in their way with something akin to defiance and disgust present on his face and as if on cue, the Youkais spectating them all converged in on their position.
The monkey youkai slammed his staff on the ground adamantly and sized up the devil envoy before his gaze landed on Naruto.
That one looks eerily familiar.
Recognition dawned on his face as he took in Naruto's features. "By Amaterasu, It's Naruto-sama!"
All the Youkai within the area perked up at the mention of his name. Like a light switch flipped on, the whole crowd went into a frenzy.
"No way!"
"Naruto-sama is back!"
"It's really him!"
"Our hero is back!"
"Our king is back!"
The Youkais swarmed Naruto, young and old, male and female, with joy, relief, and renewed hope. Their hero had returned to them after two years.
"K-king?!" Issei had a nuclear meltdown on the spot.
Naruto is the king of the Youkais.
They fought the king of the Youkais and lived to tell the tale!
Irina, Xenovia, and Asia all had petrified looks on their faces. Their blonde teacher was the leader of a faction all along.
Rossweisse on the other hand stared at Naruto with conflicting feelings. He was smiling, he was happy, seeming a bit shy as he rubbed his head with an eye smile in the middle of the growing crowd. He was a stark contrast with his huge height and looks.
This was her first time seeing him smile this much. It made her happy but at the same time, these people called him their king and hero. Was he married? It felt strange in her heart but she wouldn't be second in his heart.
Kurama had the same smile on her face as the youkais who swarmed Naruto like moths to light. That was how he was, he was a bright light everyone couldn't resist.
"Come along, you guys. Kyoto won't let its hero be for a while."
.
.
.
Issei, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, and Rossweisse stood in front of a 12-year-old kid. Azazel, Serafall, and a Youkai they couldn't identify stood behind her as they welcomed the group.
"I am Kunou, the daughter of Yasaka and leader of the Youkais that live in Kyoto." Kunou introduced herself formally with an apologetic expression on her face. "I am sorry for attacking you the other day. Please, forgive me. I beg of you" she finished with a bow.
The unidentified Youkai grunted in disapproval of Kunou, their current leader, bowing her head to devils.
Kurama sighed beside her. She wanted Kunou to rely on her. The responsibilities of a faction weren't a burden her little shoulders are ready for. Kunou was growing up too fast.
"Well, it's fine. I'm just glad the misunderstanding had been cleared up." Xenovia said.
"It's important for angels to have a forgiving heart," Irina added.
"It's okay. Peace is the best." Asia said.
The devils after hearing of what had happened to Kunou could understand why she reacted in such a manner.
Issei walked up close to her and placed his hands on her shoulder. "Look, can I just call you, Kunou?"
The unidentified Youkai slid forward in an offensive stance against Issei for his insolent gesture before he was held back by Kurama. "Relax, Genryu, let the kids sort it out. We attacked them first, remember."
Genryu seemed to visibly relax at her suggestion.
"It's alright," Issei began. "You were worried about your mother right?"
The adults present, Kurama exempted, turned their gaze towards the entrance of the palace. Genryu's trained ears picked up a strange noise coming from outside the palace.
It looked like Kyoto was rejoicing.
How could the Youkais of Kyoto be rejoicing when their leader has been missing for days?!
Genryu was about to signal for his subordinates in the shadows to go outside and access the situation before the doors of the place slid open. The people all had huge smiles on their faces as they stared at them.
"Kunou-sama," A lady youkai called, getting the little nine-tailed fox's attention before the crowd parted ways.
In the middle of the crowd, a blonde man walked towards the envoy, gaining looks of admiration from the crowds on both sides.
Kunou's gears were shifting, her people were in high spirits, something that had been scarce since the unfortunate incident that befell them. Who could warrant such admiration and hope in their eyes? Whose presence alone could invoke such feelings from the populace? For a second her young mind entertained the thought of it being her mother but her thoughts were thrown out the window when a strange blonde man walked into the palace, his sapphire-blue eyes never straying from her person.
Genryu looked to Kurama wondering who the new guy was only to see her fighting her giggles behind her sleeves. "I hope Kunou likes the surprise."
The man came to a halt a few feet from Kunou and put on his widest grin, "It's been a while, Kunou."
That voice, she could never mistake that voice. It was Naruto.
He's big and looks different now but it was the same Naruto!
"N-N-Nii-san?" Kunou couldn't believe her eyes, tears cascaded down her face.
She thought he was gone or worse dead after all these years. Kunou's bang shadowed her face as she gripped her first.
Naruto could feel a storm of emotions welling up between her. The notable being anger, pure anger.
Naruto knew he fucked up so he wanted to make it up to her, "I'm sorry I couldn't visit for—"
Kunou ran forward, clearing the little distance between them in an instant, and did something unpredictable.
She decked him right in the face.
Everyone was thunderstruck, to say the least
Then all hell broke loose as Kunou jumped on top of him and started raining punches on the blonde.
"Why? Why? Why! Didn't! You! Visit!"
Each word was accentuated with a punch to his face.
"I! Waited! For! You! I! Trusted! You!"
It seems the young Youkai had snapped.
"I… didn't see this coming" Kurama watched stunned
"Ho, who's the young fiery fox?" Shukaku asked. A little kid owning Naruto's ass was a rare sight.
"The unpredictable ninja has met his competition"
Kunou wasn't stopping anytime soon. She just kept on raining a flurry of punches with her blood-stained fist on Naruto.
Somebody had to stop her and fast.
Kurama who planned the whole thing out tried to pry Kunou off Naruto, only to be pushed back violently.
"Why? Why? Why?!"
Naruto lay still taking all the emotions she threw at him. Something bad happened in his absence. All this animosity was absurd.
"Why?!"
Kurama and the devil envoys orbs shrunk In premonition when a familiar spinning orb of chakra appeared in Kunou's hands.
The students sprung into action trying to stop Kunou when two clones poof into existence and stood in their way.
"Why? Nii-san!"
All she wanted to hear from him was an excuse. No matter how ridiculous it was, it didn't matter all she wanted was one.
"Let it all out, Kunou." Naruto's pricing blue eyes stared into her soul. Not a hint of emotions was behind those icy blue orbs.
With a silent agreement between them
Kunou dragged her arm back, forgetting the Rasengan in her hand was highly volatile to sudden jerky motions and a foggy mind. Blue wisps of chakra swirled around before the famous A-rank technique Naruto had used to end his adversaries too many times to count came for him.
Standing on the receiving end of the fourth's famous technique was something he thought he'd never get to see but life once again showed him how unpredictable it could be.
Naruto couldn't dodge even if he wanted to. Fear, anger, and hate filled the young lovely little girl he once knew. She needed to let this frustration out if he ever hoped to reason with her again.
A white magic circle materialized behind Kunou before a choo to the neck knocked the living lights out of her.
Rossweisse grabbed her prone form before she could hit the ground.
Total silence permeated the entirety of Kyoto before Irina spoke up, asking the question going on in everybody's minds
"What… just happened?"
(Scene Change)
Kurama welcomed them all, preparing a feast for them when Genryu walked in with shock written all over his face.
"Naruto-sama, it is you…" Genryu gasped. "It's good to see you alive and breathing."
After the outburst, Genryu had to do crowd control and it took a while before he could placate the people of Kyoto. He only managed to do so when he confirmed that Naruto was truly among them once again.
Naruto had grown in such a short amount of time. He almost wouldn't have recognized the blonde if not for his unique whiskers and chakra signature.
"Genryu, how have you been?"
They all watched as both man and youkai exchanged pleasantries.
The students watched Naruto with loose jaws. He seemed dignified and friendly and above all, he was smiling after taking a beating from the kid. He seemed the least bit bothered by it as he stroked Kunou's hair who was drooling on his lap.
The Youkais around them who previously had gloomy looks now had their backs straight with a hint of admiration standing in front of Naruto. Serafall wondered how important Naruto was to them to cause such a reaction. More importantly, she was concerned about the relationship he had with the youkai princess sleeping snuggly in his lap The resemblance was… no need to jump to conclusions yet.
"Naruto-sama, the situation in Kyoto is dire. After you left, We'd been faced with disaster upon disaster."
"Genryu!" Kurama snapped. "He just got here and you're—" Kurama swallowed her words but made sure to send a heated glare at Genryu.
Now was not the time to tell Naruto of their problems. He wasn't even affiliated with Kyoto currently. The look in his eyes… His blue eyes which were full of warmth, as bright as the sun and full of life like a green forest now looked like a desert wasteland.
Naruto knew something was going on. The only organization he could think of was that blasted human terrorist group.
"It's The hero faction, Isn't it?"
"Not just them, even more." Genryu shook his head and sighed regrettably.
"Genryu! Don't you dare!" Kurama yelled.
"They all came here because of him! It's his fault! All of it! For the sake of old times, that's the only reason he's standing here."
"You—" Kurama swallowed her retort. Genryu was right. It all happened because of him but she still had a soft spot for him. It was all a series of intentions but unfortunate events.
"It's fine, Kurama. Let Genryu speak. I thought it was the best move to stay away from Kyoto but I was grossly wrong. I only caused you guys more trouble and I'm sorry for that."
The devils present were lost. None of them could make heads or tails of what they were talking about.
"After you left, a man named Cao Cao came kicking heavily on our door looking for you. Of course, Yasaka-sama didn't tell him of your location so he launched an assault on Kyoto. We fought valiantly and pushed them back before Cao Cao retreated saying he'd find you on his own when he realized you weren't in Kyoto anymore."
"Wait, what business do you have with the hero faction, Naruto?" Azazel asked.
"It's a long story, Azazel," Naruto answered, aging significantly in the process.
"As if it wasn't enough, a few months later, an evil dragon king appeared in the sky one night and laid waste to our frontline armies. It was all so sudden we couldn't do much to defend ourselves. Lady Yasaka, myself, and Kurama rushed to the frontline to assess the situation and that's when I saw evil personified." Genryu had to hold himself back.
Naruto's eyebrow shrunk in premonition.
Tricks? Techniques? All of that was useless in the face of overwhelming power.
Kurama, who had been silent, spoke up for the first time with a hint of fear and hatred in her voice. "It was a devilkin." she gritted her teeth at the powerlessness she felt that day
All the devils present gasped in shock, especially those who fought Kunou prior.
Naruto could feel a knot forming in his stomach. If it's what he's thinking then he'd brought great trouble upon the people of Kyoto.
"A devil?" Serafall gears shifted furiously. The devil-youkai relationship was in jeopardy at this point. Who dared attack a peaceful neutral faction?
"Rizevim Livan Lucifer." Kurama burned their names to memory.
Naruto buried his face in shame. He could feel a migraine coming.
"Rizevim?!" Serafall was utterly stupefied. Rizevim of all devils?
"They laid waste to our armies." Genryu looked defeated as he remembered the chaos and carnage that ensued on that day. "We were simply powerless in front of them. No matter what we did."
"Wait! I don't get it, why would Rizevim attack Kyoto?" Azazel asked, getting hysterical.
"The same reason Cao Cao did. Naruto Uzumaki."
Everyone present turned their head to the star of the night who had a distressed look on his face.
"Why does everything about Kyoto point back to Naruto?"
"The only reason we survived that day was that Rizevim wanted us to deliver a message to you." Kurama glanced at Kunou. She was the most affected out of them all.
"As if that wasn't enough, The Norse—"
"General Genryu, that's enough." Kurama silenced him. That was enough for one day.
Yasaka sacrificed a lot to keep Naruto safe and away from the rest of the world. Now was not the time to talk about it.
"Norse?" Rossweisse thought, staring at the Youkais in veiled suspicion. Something fishy was happening and Kyoto was at the center of it.
"What in the world did you do in the last two years, Naruto-dono?" Genryu asked with an unnatural tone to his voice. Traces of fear, reproach, and awe flashed through his face.
"That doesn't matter right now. Getting Yasaka back is our top priority from now on." Naruto said, more like ordered.
The secrets he's kept hidden for so long, the past he's been running away from was all catching up to him.
"We are going to need all the help we can get. We ask you to lend us your strength, everyone." Genryu begged the devil group.
.
.
.
(The Rooftop of Kyoto palace)
The moonlight illuminated the night sky, all of Kyoto had retired to the bliss of unconsciousness away from their fears, troubles, and sorrow.
On the palace roof of Kyoto sat Naruto, hugging his knees to his chest with a blank look on his face. His eyes seemed distant and unfocus as his fringes swayed gently in the night breeze. The moonlight accentuated his jaws from the side casting a pale blonde glow on his hair.
The Kuoh group had returned to the inn except for Naruto who declined in favor of staying the night In Kyoto.
Things seemed pretty ugly in the Youkai world. With her leader gone, she needed the blonde hero more than anything but, our hero was going through an internal dilemma. He was so deep in his thought he didn't notice a light pink magic circle appearing behind him.
Looking at him from this angle Rossweisse could only wonder how much was going through his mind for him not to have noticed a magic circle pop up behind him.
"Senpai, mind if I joined you?"
Naruto snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head to the new company. Rossweisse came to sit beside him and offered him a can of beer.
They both sat in silence enjoying the comfort of one another
"Are you okay?" Rossweisse asked only to receive silence. "I don't know what kind of relationship you had with the leader of Kyoto but have faith, we'll find her and deliver her from the hands of those evil men. We'll help you in any way we can, senpai."
"Have a little faith in us." She said trying to cheer him up.
Naruto changed his position, leaning back on his arms, and crossing his legs as he stretched them. "Yasaka was the first person to welcome me with open arms in this world. She gave me a lot. A lot more than I have given her. All I have ever given her is pain and suffering."
"She must have meant a lot to you."
Naruto stared at his left hand gazing at the black crescent moon shape wondering when did his powers become a burden to the people he considered precious. He wondered how he got to where he was currently.
"Yes, she was."
Naruto has been running away from his past, He's been running for so long, he got good at it. On his mission to find a way back home, Going on a wild-goose chase, hell-bent on finding a way back home no matter the cost as he believed he wouldn't be coming back to this world. Feeling his actions were justified, he disregarded everything, deemed it his unique way of protecting them by not reaching out to them, checking up on them, and letting them know he was alive and doing well.
But in all honesty, he didn't know they'd track him back to Kyoto. What was more painful was the fact that Yasaka never sold him out. She protected him. A total otherworldly stranger from harm.
Now, all the things he disregarded, he had to face.
" I might as well have kidnapped Yasaka."
He's lost his family back in the shinobi world. All he had left that was a connection to his homeworld in this strange world were these Chakra-wielding Youkais.
"No. Don't say that, senpai."
"What do you about this? It's all my fault." Naruto's tone took on an edge
"I know the feeling, senpai," Rossweisse replied with a serious look on her face. "I've lost someone close to me due to negligence too."
"I used to work so hard as a Valkyrie I didn't have time for my family, the one family who loved me and took care of me since I was a child. Then one day my home town was attacked by terrorists. I lost my family in the attack and back then, I blamed myself for her death. I wish I was there for her. I wish I visited her more often. I could have used a magic circle to teleport to her house, you know." Rossweisse chuckled in sadness wondering why she never thought of it until now, "But I can't anymore. Maybe if I was there she wouldn't have died."
Naruto stared at Rossweisse's glistening forest-green orbs. She spoke with a pained expression on her face. It was a painful subject for her. She wiped a stray tear off her face as she sniffed. "So I know that maybe if feeling going through your mind."
"... I'm sorry. I didn't know." Naruto was punching himself mentally. This was the first time Rossweisse opened up about herself to him.
"You still have a chance to correct your mistakes, senpai. To be there for them. They need you more than ever right now." Rossweisse placed her hand on Naruto's shoulder. "A person is rarely given a second chance."
Realization dawned upon Naruto at that moment. And his dilemma all but disappeared into thin air.
"Thank you," Naruto said with a small smile on his face. One could see that the weight on his chest had lightened considerably.
Rossweisse couldn't help but blush at the way he looked at her. Those words were probably the most sincere words she heard from Naruto. The virgin Valkyrie gave Naruto a reassuring smile in return. She was happy to have been helpful to the blonde man. They both gazed into each other's eyes finding comfort in them. They stayed on the rooftop like that for a while before Rossweisse left via a magic circle. Naruto stayed up for a while before he retired to his old room. The room had been kept clean and his old items were still there.
Naruto came to a halt when he saw Kunou's sleeping form on his futon. He smiled at her cute drooling form. Naruto reached down and pulled the blanket up to her chest to keep her warm.
"If anybody wants to get to my precious persons from now on, they'll have to go through me."
Enough running. There's no way back home. He had a home that needed protecting right now in front of him. And protect is what he will do.
He's decided to protect Kyoto.
He'd be setting a beacon up for his enemies but this time, he'll be ready for them.
No more running away.
The end.
Until the next time, I update.
Stay blessed and Beautiful.
Peace out.