Last time, life has been going on smoothly but for Rias, it just reminded her on how little time she has left since her engagement to Riser Phenex. While Rias was worrying over her future, Naruto was finishing up his training with her peerage where he planned on coming home in a few days but quickly changed when he heard the news of the wedding celebration between his brother, Riser and his best friend, Rias. With this, his rage intensify as Naruto had only two thoughts in head, beat Riser and save Rias.

Underworld

Several high-class families, mostly lords and their wives, gathering together for a celebration event. In the Phenex castle, many servants are moving around serving the lords and ladies of the remaining 72 pillars.

As the high-class devils gathered together in the banquet room where the festivities are taking place, the people that already arrived started to chat with each other.

In a private dressing room is the soon prepared bride to be. Alone in a room, Rias sat in front of a mirror disk as she looked at herself. Rias mentally agreed with herself that the wedding dress fitted her perfectly and showed off her well-toned body, highlighting her beauty even more. However, her facial expression shows that the crimson hair princess wasn't happy in the fact on who she was going to be wearing it for.

Flashback

In the Occult Research Building, Rias face was both annoyed and frustrated while crossing her arms under her large bust as she stood her ground at the sight in front of her. Standing behind her was, currently, her entire peerage as she looked at the person that was making their king look angry.

In front of Rias stood her 'fiancé', Riser Phenex. Riser Phenex is a tall 5'11, handsome young man in his early 20's with short blonde hair and dark blue eyes. He's wearing a burgundy blazer with gold embroidery on the right with matching pants and black dress shoes. Underneath his open blazer is a white dress shirt that is not fully buttoned, giving a slight view to his chest.

Even though Riser has changed physically over the years, his mentality is still the same arrogant, aggressive playboy with holier-than-thou personality who condescending towards lower-class devils.

The reason why Riser was here in Kuoh Academy was to take Rias back to the underworld to prepare for their wedding which he looked forward to. Her peerage, besides Akeno, were surprise to hear about the fact that Rias was engaged to marry him but learned that it was an arrange marriage, against her will.

"Rias… how about we go and check out the place that is being prepared for our wedding. We should see how the setting is being turned out." Riser suggested to the red head Gremory

"Riser, I have already told you already that I'm not going to marry you. Do you understand that?" Rias furiously stated at him

"Now, now Rias. You say that like you have a choice." Riser said with an amused tone of voice, "We both know there isn't much you can do. Both our families have already decided on this and the contract's has been rewritten. Don't forget that your family has been just as hasty to unite our two houses as mine." He completely stated to her

Don't speak so presumptuously… as the heir of the Gremory family, I'm the only one who will decided on who I'll be marrying to. Regardless, if it wasn't for what our families' did then I would happily marry into the Phenex family." Rias stated while placing her hand on her chest where her necklace piece rested.

Hearing Rias say that she would gladly marry into the Phenex family if it wasn't for some changes but wondered on what happened and why she was so angry about it now. Akeno and Koneko already knew since Akeno had her hand on her ring finger, gently touching the crystal gem ring on it while Koneko remembered the ring she kept in her drawer.

Riser saw Rias placing her hand on her chest which he knew why. Deciding to point it out, he looked at the female red head.

"Why don't you just forget about him?" Getting a surprise look from Rias, "… he ran away from his responsibilities which should have been placed upon me in the first place since I am more fitted for this occasion than he is." Riser stated

Rias angrily stared back at him, "He didn't ran away. Unlike you, he went to find his peerage and train hard to achieve his dream. Personally speaking, he is more worthy on being my husband than you are at being fit to be called a Phenex. Besides, he promised me that he'll come back during my spring term of my final year. And when he comes back, everything will be restored as it should be." She stated to him where Riser narrowed his eyes at being told that he wasn't worth being called a Phenex unlike 'him'.

Restoring his poker face, he looked at the Gremory heiress with his usual confident smirk, "I don't think so since if he did promise you that, then he should be here now. Or for a matter of fact, why hasn't he come to visit you over the years?" Riser questioned her.

End Flashback

Rias and Riser had argued with each other where Riser even threaten on extinguishing her peerage to assure that he'll bring her back to the Underworld to make her his bride. As things intensified, Grayfia, who acted as the third party of this meeting had interrupted the two.

Hearing as the meeting wasn't going well, Grayfia announced a Rating Game to settle the issue. Rias accepted it since it would give her a chance to free herself from the arrange marriage but knew if she lost, she would be forced to marry Riser right away.

Hearing Rias accepting the Rating Game challenge, Riser summoned his own peerage, a total of 15 pieces, all women.

It was around this time that he riled up Issei, Rias' newest and only pawn, where he flirted and made-out with his queen.

Once everything was set, Riser allowed Rias two weeks to train her peerage where they trained very hard. Unfortunately, though through lack of battle experience and such, Rias had lost her first game and freedom where she was now in this situation.

As she looked at herself, she brought her hand to her chest again where she held her crystal gem necklace as she recalled not only her best male friend, but also the one that she fallen in love with.

She remembered when he told her that he was leaving which she was sad about it. It made her heart ache since she already had a crush on him since he always cheered her up, always treated her as a friend, cared about her and her wishes and dreams. Unlike other devils, Naruto was the only one that only ever called her Rias, nothing more nothing less. Plainly calling her Rias just meant that he only viewed her as herself.

Naruto was also someone who didn't care about titles and such where he even called and talked to the Satans, mostly Sirzechs, in a friendly manner or gesture in front of high-class devils or simply calling him idiot or something as a nickname, showing that he doesn't fear status but didn't care about it either.

Her trip down memory lane ended when she heard that she was being summoned now where her parents are waiting for her. Slowly getting up, she started to head out where each step she took knew that her life was close to being stolen from her.

Phenex castle

In the banquet room, many devils waited for the party to truly begin. Among the crowd was Rias's own peerage, Akeno and everyone else from the O.R.C. As they waited, they're faces carried a frown since they weren't in the mood.

The reason they had a depressing mood was because their king, Rias, is now being forced to marry Riser Phenex. Out of all of them, Issei was the one that felt the most depressed and frustrated since he was the last one to help Rias win but he was taken out by Riser.

Issei fought well with a struggle against Riser's peerage, but when he faced against Riser it was where he met his match. Issei had tried to use his Boosted Gear to fight against Riser, but he had used the dragon's power, that was inside his sacred gear, too much so his body was spent. Riser proceeded to beat him into a bloody pulp where the fist fight forced Rias to quit since Riser wanted to make Issei both an example and his power by killing through his injuries.

Once the Rating Game has ended, Rias was taken by both her and the Phenex family to get her ready for the wedding. Her peerage was taken to a special recovery room where they got treated for their injuries. Having recovered, all of them where soon fitted for the engagement party where it well lead to the wedding immediately. Both Issei and Kiba were wearing tuxedos while Asia and Koneko were wearing string dresses that reached above their knees and Akeno wearing a kimono.

They're thoughts about the Rating Game and Rias' engagement ceremony stopped when they heard a familiar voice comforting them.

"You all did pretty well in your fight against Riser."

They turned to see a young bespectacled woman in her late teens with a slim figure. She had a black, short bob cut hair style and violet eyes. She wore an elegant string dress short that went down to her knees. This was Sona Sitri, the heiress of the Sitri family of one of the 72 pillars of the Devil society.

Next to her was another young bespectacled woman with long straight black hair that extends all the way down to her knees with split bangs and heterochromic eyes, violet left eye and a light brown right eye. She was also wearing an elegant string dress but hers is light blue while Sona is violet.

Getting their attention, Sona continued on to with her opinion.

"If Rias had another piece or two, she might have won." Sona said

"Yeah, but it doesn't help us now. Rias is about to be forced to go through this now." Issei stated

Everyone was about to continue before they heard the voice of the person that they detested now.

"Ladies and Gentlemen… I welcome you to this exquisite moment. The moment where I, Riser Phenex, and Rias Gremory have vow to marry each other." Riser said with a stoic voice.

The guests applauded the young man about his engagement since Rias Gremory was indeed a fine woman to marry with.

As the people continued to applaud the young man, many talk about the Rating Game where some of Riser's peerage commented that Riser knew the he was going to win where Riser also noted the same thing.

"Look at him… he doesn't see on how close of a match it was." Kiba remarked

"True, but right now this is going to be an annoyance from this point." Sona suggested

Growling a bit, Issei outburst to his group, "How can we just sit here and do nothing. Let's try and do something to prevent this." He suggested but Sona shook her head in disapproving.

"Unfortunately, there isn't anything else you can do. It's a shame really since I know that Rias wouldn't mind being part of the Phenex family, but not like this." Sona said

"Ano… what do you mean? I thought Rias detested on being part of the Phenex family?" Asia asked out in confusion

"It's not that she detest the Phenex family. It's just that it's the wrong person." Akeno said

Issei, Asia, and Kiba were curious about it. Akeno explained that after Rias had met with Kiba, around the same time someone else left. That person was not only Rias' true fiancé but also her best friend and true crush. That person is Naruto Phenex, the youngest son of the Phenex family.

They were so surprise to know that Rias was in love with someone already. They also learned that Naruto had left the Underworld nearly 8 years ago for his own training and searching for his peerage which his parents doesn't know on where he is since he left in secret.

"I can't believe that buchou is in love with someone already." Issei muttered as he had tears run down his eyes knowing that Rias's heart already belong to another.

"Hai… the proof about their feelings for each other is around her neck." Akeno said

Akeno describe that Naruto had given Rias a beautiful pendant that he made by using his own powers. They know on what pendant that Akeno was talking since every one of them saw her hold a crystal gem pendant while she sat behind her desk sometimes. Akeno and Sona also showed them that they also had something similar, crystal gem rings that they both wore since they were good friends with him. Well, Sona viewed it that way but Akeno had a small blush as she viewed her ring. Even Koneko stated that she had one but never worn it since she out grew the ring finger but kept it safe.

Before anything else could be said, they all heard Riser voice getting their attention.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome my bride-to-be and future mother of my children, Rias Gremory!" he announced

In a crimson magical circle that appeared next to him, Rias magically appeared from the teleportation wearing the white wedding dress that she was given while still wearing her crystal gem pendant.

Riser gently took Rias's hand where he guided her towards both their parents. The crowd disperse giving the two a pathway to their destination. As they walked, Rias kept her head down not wanting to see her parents.

Reaching them, Riser and Rias bowed a bit before he turned to Rias.

"Now then my love… let us enjoy our moment together, since after tonight we'll be as one. Since you are now my wife, forget about your worries and enjoy the moment. That also means it's time to get rid of that pendant." Riser said where he saw her looking at the pendant that his younger brother had given to her.

Rias looked objective where she was going to voice out her thoughts but Riser simply took hold of the pendant, tugged the strap where it broke, and tossed the pendant aside. Rias just looked stunned since it signaled to her that it was over, her life, her future, her dreams were now over.

Just before they were going to move forward to the wedding ceremony, the large double, wooden, doors that was both the entrance and exit to the banquet suddenly exploded with tremendous force that it broke the hinges causing the doors to fall onto the floor.

Everyone's attention and guard where now at the explosive entry way, wondering on what was going on.

Riser was the first to step forward, "Who dares defy this momentous ceremony." With a growl of anger in his voice. Following closely by his peerage, where they were ready to assist their king.

But before the dust could even settled, a sudden burst of power came out of nowhere where it hit Riser straightly at his face, sent him flying back sliding on the ground in an un-ceremonial fashion.

The Phenex guards came to the entry way where they shouted to the intruder to stand down. It was only when they finished ordering the intruder to surrender that everyone heard a strong voice from out of the dust cloud.

"How about I order you to stand down since I have a few things to discuss with my brother." Said the intruder with a snarl at the end.

It was only after hearing that, people looked confusedly as they heard the calm yet loud footsteps making their way into the banquet hall.

It was only when he stepped into the light that everyone can now see on who it was, wearing casual street clothes, walking forward. Walking calmly, an intense aura, that affected the lower high-class devils, was let out every time he took a step closer to the center stage while still having his eyes glaring at Riser, who got back up.

As everyone still had a look of confusion, looking closely at the young man's appearance, Lord and Lady Phenex just gained a stun look at who it was walking towards them. Riser and Ravel looked confused while Rias couldn't help but let out tears of disbelief since she couldn't believe that he came back now.

Once he made it 5 meters away in the front of the stage, he looked at both the Gremory and Phenex families.

"Hello mother… hello father… I, Naruto Phenex, has returned." Naruto simply stated with a monotone look.

Hearing the introduction to himself in front of his family, this got the all the high-class devils to spontaneously chat among themselves, seeing that the runaway son of the Phenex family has returned. While the guests chatted, both the Gremory and Phenex family take a good look at him.

Really observing on Naruto's physic, they can tell that he has completely changed from the little boy that they once knew him. The one thing that hasn't changed was his eyes, still focus, and determined.

Once the dramatic entrance ended, the only person to actually move was Rias, who slowly moved her legs, take a small step before finally just lifting the front of her dress where she just sprinted to him where she jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she cried out.

"Naruto-kun… you're finally back… I missed you…" Rias stuttered out as her tears fell from her eyes as she was both happy and relief knowing that Naruto was here in front of her, not in her dreams or imagination.

"Sorry if it took me so long to come back to you. But I'm here now and that's what it matters, so relax. I'll first settle things here before we can continue with our reunion." Naruto said where he gently removed Rias from him as he moved forward with Rias by his side.

Calmly moving forward, Naruto swiftly and mysteriously removed his wrangler jacket and turned it into a cape as it hung on his shoulders, revealing his bandaged forearms. Walking closer to his destination, he sensed that Rias was walking alongside him where he lifted his hand in front of her to signal her that he wanted to handle this himself. Rias was about to object but saw the look in his eyes saying that this wasn't a request as he only had eyes on facing his brother by himself.

(Yami Yugi jacket wear)

Stepping onto the platform, he now stood face to face in front of Riser, who also looked enrage considering that the two brothers were narrowing their eyes to each other.

Everyone stayed silent as the two siblings looked at each other. Naruto was the first to break the silence.

"Hello brother… it's been a while." Plainly stated

"Yes, it has… and fortunately you've returned in a very joyous occasion, at mine and Rias marriage ceremony." Riser stated with a grin

"Oh really… then my sudden return has been perfectly timed since I came in the right time…" Smiled Naruto as he closed his eyes before opening them again with a serious look, "… so I can stop it from happening." He stated with a deep and commanding voice where Riser scowl at him.

Both boys looked like they were about to fight each other but relaxed a bit when their father spoke up.

"Naruto… my son… it's good to see you've return home after being away for so long." Lord Phenex said with his mother tearfully smiling at her youngest son's return.

"It's good to see you too father… mother… and it's even good to see you too Lord and Lady Gremory… although, I'm having a bit of mix feeling right now, considering on what you two are doing to both me and Rias." Naruto admitted without taking his eyes off Riser.

Both his and Rias' parents looked a bit a shamed considering that Naruto was talking about the change about him and Rias getting married to Riser and Rias getting married. Before anything could be said by the parents, Riser spoke for them.

"It's actually a good thing that they change Rias' fiancé. After all, the contract did say that the youngest son of the Phenex family would marry the Gremory heiress. Since you don't have any of the Phenex family's abilities, you don't actually qualify since unlike you I'm a true Phenex who wields the great power." He simply stated

"Oh… and what makes you think that you're a true Phenex. After all, the Phoenix of legend, whose powers greatly surpass our family's, is said to have a soul of fire that can't be burned out. And although I may not have the same abilities as the family have, I do have the soul which is something that you don't have." Naruto remarked with a grin since he insulted Riser about being a Phenex.

Before things could escalate even further, they all heard a very familiar voice coming towards the two.

"Oh dear, it looks like we have quite the predicament at hand."

The two brothers turned to see Sirzechs Lucifer walking up to them with Grayfia walking closely by his side.

"Lord Lucifer…" Riser politely greeted bowing his head lightly

"Yo Sirzs…" Naruto casually greeted with a lazy wave

"My my, Naruto-kun, it's good to see you again. I can see that the years have been good to you, you've changed impressively." Sirzechs cheerfully commented

"But I can see that we have a bit of a situation right now." Sirzechs stated which the two brothers just narrowed their eyes at each other.

"Yes, it seems that my foolish younger brother doesn't know his place and is trying to stop mine and Rias's wedding." Riser commented

"A wedding that was originally supposed to be me and her. It was only just recently that I found out about this where both of our parents didn't even wait for me to return to the Underworld to make such a decision." Naruto stated

Sirzechs sighed since he told his parents, Lord and Lady Gremory, about making this decision without talking about it with the two parties, namely Rias and Naruto. Of course, it didn't help that half the party (Naruto) went missing for nearly a decade making Lord and Lady Phenex believe that Naruto was dead and such. Thinking about it, Sirzechs coughed into his hand to clear his throat a bit as well as getting their attention.

"Well… with the lack of communication… and other variables that occurred over the years, I believe I have a proper solution for this." Sirzechs simply stated

Before Sirzechs could say anything, Riser politely interrupted the Devil King.

"By all pardons my lord, why are we even discussing about this now? Since my brother left, a new engagement contract was form stating that I would marry your younger sister, so that should be the end of it since the old contract is destroyed." Riser pointed out

"You mean this one…" Sirzechs responded as he pulled out the old contract from out of his uniform.

Riser and their family's looked dumbfounded on what Sirzechs pulled out. Sirzechs explained that he had Grayfia, under his orders, make a copy of the original where he kept the original while everyone else destroyed the copy one.

"I figured that Naruto-kun would want to voice out his concern but knew that the new contract might cause some problems for him to object the situation. So I kept the old one just in case Naruto returned back home before Riser and Rias could get married." Sirzechs simply stated with a smile

Everyone looked surprised on how Sirzechs read ahead of everyone where he then got their attention as he continued on from what he originally wanted to say before Riser interrupted him.

"Alright, as I was saying before, I have a solution to this problem. A Rating game… a single one on one duel between Naruto vs. Riser. Of course, if Naruto has a peerage like Riser, then it would be Naruto and his peerage vs. Riser with his peerage." Sirzechs commented

Naruto and Riser looked at each other where Riser grinned at his younger brother.

"I accept those terms Lucifer-sama. I would defeat my little brother and show him what a true Phenex can do as well as putting him in his place." Riser overconfidently stated

"I have a peerage and trust me when I and my friends get done, you'll know what kind of Phenex that I am." Naruto responded seriously where the two glared at each other.

"Well, then it's settled, I give you two half an hour before you and your peerages begin your match together." Sirzechs announced where Naruto and Riser stepped back to prepare.

Before walking away, Naruto turned to Sirzechs and Riser as he said one thing to them.

"Before we begin… the only request that I want in this game is that if I win, both of our contracts to marry Rias is null and void, where she can choice who she should marry." He simply stated

"Oh, why would you want that Naruto-kun? Don't you want to be with my sister?" Sirzechs wondered as everyone was curious about it as well.

"It's simple really…" he started to say as he turned his gaze towards the crimson hair princess in front of him. "… The only tears a man should give a woman should be tears of joy not of pain. I gave Rias tears of pain so, I don't have the right to marry her." Simply stated

Hearing Naruto considering her feelings, Rias couldn't help but blush at how Naruto was thinking about her so much that he would null and void their own engagement contract so she can have her freedom.

As Naruto was walking away, he didn't respond to his mother and father's calls since he was more focus on one thing. While walking away, he spotted something sparkling where he went and picked it up.

30 Minutes later

Naruto and Riser were standing in front of each other where Riser had his peerage stand behind him. Among them, Naruto notice Ravel was also there where he made it known.

"Ok… how come Ravel is standing with your peerage? Did you make our little sister part of your peerage?" he asked out loud

Riser nodded in confidents where Naruto said, "Why would you do that? For what purpose?" Naruto cried out loud

Ravel kept quiet while having a faint blush on her face. Riser just answered, "Strategically, our sister is pretty good at strategy where next to my Queen, she can make plays for areas where I'm not around. It's even better since her immortality also gives her an advantage on judging other opponents strengths." Stated the older blonde where Ravel looked serious like she was agreeing with Riser.

"Tsk… yeah right… if I know you well enough, you probably asked her because of some stupid reason like for a fetish or something along those lines." Naruto remarked back

Ravel's face really turned red while she along with the rest of Riser's peerage thought, "He definitely hit the nail on the head." Knowing that Naruto was right.

"Well whatever, let's just get our Rating game started as I have a honeymoon to get to." Riser simply said as he thought about what he would do with Rias.

"Me too, I'm going to enjoy beating you and paying you back for all those remarks you gave in the past. It's about time we know what kind of Phenex we both really are." Naruto agreeing with his older brother.

"Alright then, the field has been set. I'll explain the rules of this match." Sirzechs said as he took the role of being a referee for this match.

The rules are simple, Naruto and Riser would fight each other with their peerages in a simple all-out battle royal where to win is to simply take out Naruto or Riser regardless if there are still other pieces in the match. There will be no outside help, which includes familiars. Any type of weaponry can be used as long it is their own and not outside source.

Pawns will be limited to 2 promotions since this would be a quick match. Promotions can happen anywhere without the king's permission.

Hearing that, Riser smiled since all 8 of his pawns can turn promote into queens where he'll have 9 queens off the bat.

Naruto didn't show any reaction to it since he kept a good poker face. Another reason is because he knows that Riser doesn't know on what his peerage could do.

"Naruto-kun… where's your peerage?" Sirzechs asked kindly

"Don't worry about them, I had asked Grayfia to prepare a separate teleportation circle to transfer my peerage into the game since I like to keep them a secret until the last minute. They'll be transported automatically into the game as soon I get there as well." Naruto simply answered

Nodding in acceptance, Sirzechs looked at the two Phenex, "Alright, with all the rules and stipulations set, let the Rating Game begin." He stated

The magical circle around the two Phenex activated and teleported the two into the Rating Game field.

Till Next Ch.