Punch the Distractions
Xxx
His godly chakra reserves? All gone. Amazing and destructive jutsu? Can't use 'em. Weak? Not even close. If all else fails then good old fashion exercise will help. Unfortunately, he may have overdone it because now Naruto is bored. "How'd you get so strong?" "Push ups, sit ups, and plenty of orange juice!"
Xxx
Disclaimer: I own nothing that is already owned by its respective creator. This is a work of fiction and not to be used for monetary gain. Naruto, One Punch Man, and all other works that are depicted in this story are not owned by NanashiX. Please support the official release.
Big sorry for the long ass break. Had RL distractions and such. I have longer explanation at the bottom. I also tried to step away and wrote other things like Do You Understand Death? and Well That Happened. Any who, onwards!
Previously on critically acclaimed Punch the Limit! Our hero just cubed a fallen angel! Let's find out what happens next!
Xxx
He took a deep breath, his footsteps echoing within the empty church. Each step rang out and seemed like bells, almost as if the cathedral wished to be used once more. It seemed fitting for the place of worship and repenting especially after his last act. Did he need to kill the fallen angel? Probably not. Would Dohnaseek have given up? Very unlikely, but he thought that dying in battle seemed like the most fitting way for Dohnaseek to expire. Naruto had killed before, it was a job necessity.
Growing up, his idea of being a ninja was full of hope and wonder — princesses were the prize and he was the the valiant knight. However, he realized down the line that sometimes he had to do what was necessary. Was killing Dohnaseek violent though? Oh hell yes it was. Naruto cubed that bastard like stir fry. Mmmm stir fry. Maybe he and Kurama should have that for dinner. Technically, he hadn't had a meal yet.. Wait…
"Kurama."
"Yeah?"
"Did you really ruin my stove?"
"Uh…."
"You bitch."
"Eh hem." Naruto forewent his tirade over his kitchen appliance and turned his attention to the scene in front of him. The source of said noise was Kalawarner ahead.
Raynare lay in a pile of rubble. The fallen's body had created a hole in the wall of the church. Her breathing was shallow, but she was most definitely still amongst the living. Her wings were bent and shredded while her clothing looked like ribbons. Naruto didn't bother holding in a whistle. The damage was extensive.
The boy then turned to the cause of said fallen angel's current state. Issei's body had been through the ringer. His face was cut and bruised; blood smeared over his skin. One of the boy's eyes was starting to swell shut and he was gasping in pain. Naruto chuckled lightly at the battle worn warrior, though the odd draconian gauntlet Issei sported was new. Rias and Akeno immediately went to their ally to check on his condition while Naruto moved closer at a calmer pace.
"Not bad Issei, not bad at all." Issei looked up quickly and dropped to his knees in apparent relief.
"Naruto? What are you doing here?" Issei said as he stumbled forward. Naruto walked up and pulled the boy to his feet, straightening Issei's clothes and brushing him off.
"What am I doing here? Why dear Ise…. I'm back."
"...Who are you looking at?"
"Don't worry about it." Issei nodded and clutched his shoulder in pain. He had been beaten, stabbed, and thrown about, but he won. Issei had overcome Raynare and was able to come out of it alive, but at what cost though? "So I see you had one hell of a fight." Issei turned towards the motionless Asia. The nun lay on the church bench, her body cold and pale. The brunette stumbled towards the blonde nun and dropped down. His eyes welled up as tears started to flow.
"I couldn't save her Naruto. I wasn't strong enough to protect her," Issei sobbed, "all I could do was watch as her Sacred Gear was taken from her. Why am I so weak?!" Naruto held back a frown.
He turned towards the downed Raynare and walked to her. The fallen angel looked pretty beaten up and there were numerous cuts littering her body. Naruto also noticed the girl was wearing much more modest clothing compared to the last time they had met.
"Excuse me senpai." The former ninja moved aside and Koneko plucked Raynare from the rubble. The small girl pulled her prize along like a sack of garbage before depositing her in front of Rias and Akeno.
"Akeno, if you wouldn't mind?" Akeno nodded towards her King and summoned an orb of water. She dropped it upon the unconscious fallen angel who woke up shouting.
"Wh-what?" Raynare sputtered and coughed.
"Good day to you," Rias answered with a smile. Raynare growled and spat out a stream of water in contempt.
"You think you have defeated me? Back up will soon arrive…"
"They won't come," Raynare paused in her tirade and narrowed her eyes. Rias' lips pulled into a thin dangerous smile, her pristine teeth giving a chilling glint under the moonlight. "Your comrades? Dohnaseek has been disposed of and I know for a fact that you haven't had contact with Kalawarner or Mittelt."
"How would you know that" A small cough turned her attention from the devil to a white haired boy who was leaning on a pew. It was him. Raynare's body went rigid and it felt like the water on her body multiplied. Was she sweating? The boy who she had first met; the one who took her light spear head on with not even a scratch. Why was he here? And was that…
"Your friends came to say hi." Kalawarner gave Raynare a curt nod and Mittelt waved with a weary smile.
"Kala? Mittelt? Why are you with him?"
"He spared our lives — people that tried to kill him. In all honesty Naruto has treated us better than anyone ever has." Raynare took in Kalawarner's words and turned to Naruto. So that was his name. He didn't look like much like before. In fact, he was currently picking at his ear with a bored look on his face. Naruto noticed Raynare's stare and stopped messing with his earwax.
"You look like shit."
"Aren't you prince charming." Naruto shrugged off Kalawarner's comment and walked towards the injured girl.
"So little Issei beat you huh?" the former shinobi asked sarcastically and knelt down.
"What this fallen angel failed to notice is that Issei's Sacred Gear is much more powerful than you could imagine. That is the Boosted Gear Crimson Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet," Rias explained. Raynare gasped in response.
"This boy has a Longinus?!"
"Yes." Rias enjoyed Raynare's confusion and shock. If Naruto wasn't a ninja he would have missed the sadistic gleam in the red head's eye. He shivered.
'Everyone here likes to punish others, either physically or mentally.'
"And did you know," Rias continued, "if he is trained correctly then Issei here can butcher the gods with the Crimson Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet?" Raynare started shiver.
"God damn that's a mouthful," Naruto whispered. He then noticed an intricate tattoo on the fallen angel's cleavage. It seemed to be glowing slightly. "What do we have here?"
"How do you know all this?"
"You are talking to Rias Gremory," Akeno answered Raynare. "She is the daughter from the household that holds the Power of Destruction. She has been given the title the Crimson Haired Princess of Ruin." Rias preened a bit. She wasn't one to brag, but everyone enjoys a little limelight here and there. A snort brought her back to reality and she glared at Naruto.
"Comments?"
"Yeah, your title makes me laugh." Naruto saw Rias pout and huff. He chuckled and turned his attention back to the strange tattoo. "So what's this shiny thing here?"
"That would be the rune that was used to extract the nun's Sacred Gear." Naruto turned to Kalawarner. "That is where it is currently being held."
"Kala?!" Raynare hissed. The woman in question shrugged. Naruto was her caretaker, plus he would have figured it out.
"Yes, well now that all that everything is explained let's move on." Rias strode forward and towered over Raynare. "Time for you to disappear. Naturally, I'll be taking that Sacred Gear." The fallen angel started to scurry backwards in fear.
"You don't understand this healing power is for Lord Azazel and—"
"Your crow boss?" Raynare stopped her cries and snapped her head to the boy next to her. She nodded quickly. "Azazel wants that thing? Didn't seem that way when I talked to him."
"Y-you talked to Lord Azazel?" Naruto nodded and pushed himself up. He pulled Raynare up with him and the girl stood on shaky legs. Around him, the devils gave him a strained look while Issei sent Naruto a confused glance.
"Mm, after I kicked his ass." Raynare gasped and spun towards her former comrades for confirmation. They said nothing to refute his claim.
Rias bit her lip at Naruto's comment. If what the boy said was true, then he had beaten down the leader of the Grigori, one of the strongest - if not the strongest, fallen angel. Was he bluffing? She put that in the back of her mind, though, a prize was within her reach. Rias had come to save Issei, and have the possibility of gaining another strong Sacred Gear.
"As interesting as that is, I'm going to need you to move Naruto." Rias pointed her palm towards Raynare who seized up. "This fallen angel has overstayed her welcome in my territory and I do believe it's time I send her off." Naruto stepped in front of Rias' target and waved his hand.
"Whoa, whoa! Hold on there Red. Don't go shooting off your magic willy nilly. There are ways to get around this. Trust me."
"Naruto...move!"
"No."
"Move or I'll fire!"
"Nuh uh." Rias started to charge a ball of black energy, making the people around her gasp.
"Really? Are you doing this for Issei?" Naruto then pointed at Raynare's rune and raised an eyebrow. "Or were you just looking for this?" The devil said nothing in response. Naruto huffed and shook his head. "Really? There are times when I thought I had you figured out, but at other times I feel like I'm having to completely change my outlook on you."
"And why isn't this the best course of action?" Rias countered. "She killed Asia. Why can't I kill her to avenge Issei's friend? An eye for an eye!"
"Makes everyone blind," the war hero cut in. "Revenge only brings more suffering. If you killed her, then someone would want to kill you. It is an endless cycle. Who's to say that we can't learn more about why this happened from her? Trust me, I used to be like you, I used to rush into things without thinking. It took a while to learn to think - and that cost people their lives. I watched as one of my closest friends gave their life for mine, all for the sake of one man's vengeance." Rias gazed into the boy's eyes, those deep pools of sapphire projecting a sense of melancholy that she had never seen from him.
"Life is about making choices and living with those consequences. I live with his death every day." Rias was silent, contemplating the boy's words, but the ball of magic in her hand did not waver. "Are you ready to live with your choices?"
"You need to move Naruto! This is my responsibility. You have no right to get in my way."
"It is my dream to end the horrible cycle of revenge and I will do anything to make this come true."
"I would be careful with your choices. Your actions thus far have been cute, quirky even. However..." Dread permeated the room, the inky black ball started to dance with red energy. "However, you do not want to make an enemy out of me."
Naruto frowned and stepped closer. His eyes, once warm pools of blue, locked onto Rias's and she felt their iciness piercing into her. Each step he took was precise, small and calculated, his body close enough for Rias to feel his breath. He glanced down at the ball of energy, its pulsing power nearly kissing at his shirt. He saw the slight tremors of the girl's wrist, her hand shaking. He saw her gulp, sweat beading on her perfect skin.
"Pres," Rias twisted her head quickly to see Issei stumble forward. "I just want this to be over. Please."
"I...I," her hand shook. The princess didn't know what to do. On one hand she could listen to Naruto, and possibly find out why this all happened. However, this was her chance to retrieve a valuable Sacred Gear; this would be quite the boon to her. Especially with her upcoming battle. It seemed that Naruto took her silence as her choice because he simply took the Power of Destruction orb from Rias. He crushed the sphere, leaving vapour trails in the air, much to the redhead's shock.
"It wouldn't have worked anyway," said Naruto, "your brother's was much more powerful, I don't think yours would have been a problem." With that said, the snowy haired boy turned back to the fallen angel. "Now for you."
"What are you going to do me?" Raynare backed up in fright. She felt like a cornered animal, a rabid dog surrounded by hunters.
"Just taking back little something that doesn't belong to you," Naruto said to her, pressing a finger on the marking above her cleavage. He gave a small push, well small to him, and Raynare cried out, tumbling back. A floating orb of light stood in her previous spot. Naruto plucked the orb from the air and observed it.
"Did you just flick the Sacred Gear out of her?" Naruto turned to Mittelt who had a dumbfounded look on her face.
"Not really flick. More like, uh, push. So this is what everyone is going crazy over?" Naruto bounced it up and down. "Doesn't seem like much." Rias walked beside him and gazed at the orb.
"So what are you going to do with it now?" Rias asked him.
"That depends," he replied. "What are you going to do about that?" Naruto pointed to the kneeling Issei. The boy was holding Asia's corpse gently, head against her stomach. Tears were cascading down his face. The broken sobs filled with a mixture of grief and rage were muffled by the nun's clothing. Rias was silent. "I know you can revive her."
"Well, yes I can. But…"
"But since she doesn't have this you don't think she is worth it?" Naruto didn't receive a reply. "Tch, for once in your life, try thinking about how others feel. There is a reason I'm not giving this to you."
"I didn't expect you to."
"As well you should. You won't be the receiver of this." Naruto walked beside Issei and placed his free hand on the boy's shoulder. "Issei, I'm sorry I wasn't in time to save your friend." Issei choked back another sob and nodded.
"I wish I was as strong as you Naruto. If I was, then maybe I would have been able to stop this from happening." Issei bit his lip, blood dripping to the church floor. "I just couldn't do it. I couldn't be there for her. All she wanted was a friend, and I told her I'd be that friend." Naruto bent down and wrapped an arm around the crying boy. Rias watched as Naruto comforted Issei. It would be so easy to use an Evil Piece on Asia. She could revive the girl right now. In fact she still had two left.
Was resurrecting the girl worth it though? Could she waste a precious piece on someone who's only power was a high magical ability due to Sacred Gear residue? Sure, Asia would be loyal to a fault, but what was left after that? Rias' mind clung to the practical side of things, but hearing Issei call his friend's name, voice ragged from crying, cemented her decision.
"Issei. Bring Asia here."
"Prez?"
"We are going to bring your friend back." Issei was at a loss for words, but complied and lifted Asia from the bench as if she were made of porcelain. He brought her forth and Rias pulled a [Bishop] piece from her blouse. The redhead gave it a hesitant look. There was an inkling of doubt in her mind, but when she saw the glow in Issei's eyes, the hope of seeing a friend again, Rias knew she had to go on.
Naruto watched the process, but his attention was drawn away to his roommates. They were helping their former teammate walk to him. The fallen angel looked defeated and broken as she stumbled along. With her body bruised and her once flawless skin cut and bloody, Raynare looked like she needed a week of sleep. Kalawarner was holding Raynare up and Mittelt held Kurama in her arms. The blonde stepped closer to Naruto.
"Are we done here?" questioned Mittelt.
"Just about." Naruto stepped towards where Issei was embracing Asia. Both looked so happy to be able to be in each other's presence once more. "Hello again Asia."
"Ah, you're that boy that I met earlier. It is nice to see you sir!" Asia stumbled as she attempted to bow. Naruto and Issei caught her and helped the girl to her feet as gently as they could.
"Easy there. You just went through a lot, so try to take things slow. It's nice to see you too, and please just call me Naruto. Seeing as how we can understand one another, it's good to properly introduce ourselves." Asia blinked at that before gasping.
"I can understand you!? You can understand me?" Naruto nodded. "B-but how?"
"It's… complicated, and I don't know how to explain it to you, but I just wanted to return something to you." Naruto held up the sphere that contained the sacred gear, watching Asia's face morph into one of awe.
"That is mine?"
"You got it. Hold still now." There was a brief glow and the orb sunk into Asia's chest. "You be safe now. We can't keep saving you." Naruto ruffled the girl's hair and turned. "Grow strong Asia." He continued to walk forward and passed a befuddled Rias.
"B-but you said you were going to keep the Sacred Gear! Right?" Rias stuttered.
"I never said that," said Naruto. "I said I wasn't going to give it to you."
The girl stammered, pointing at Asia, then Naruto and then pointed to herself. She pointed back to the grinning boy, who continued speaking.
"I wasn't going to keep it. I can't use it, and I had high hopes for you, Princess. Hopes that you would do the right thing." Naruto walked past the gaping redhead and her equally shocked peerage. "You doing what you did proved me right. I like to see the good in people, and I'm glad that my optimism wasn't misplaced."
"So now that we've finished here, mind if we get some grub?"
"Oh, that's right. I haven't actually eaten yet." It was at this time that Naruto's stomach growled. He pouted and looked down.
"Our stove is broken," Mittelt reminded Naruto. He froze and panned his gaze towards the sweating fox.
"It was an accident?"
"You bitch." With that said, the group flew off. Rias watched Naruto scream at the fox, the two being carried by the fallen angels. She bit her lip, her emotions in turmoil. Asia was a powerful ally and would be vital to helping her achieve her goal. However, Naruto's faith in her felt unfounded. He had said that he liked to see the good in others. Was she a good person? She turned to where Issei was retelling his fight with Raynare with such vigor to Asia. The two seemed happy to be able to talk together without the threat of the nun being taken.
'Naruto, you truly are a strange person.'
Xxx
A somber mood permeated the Uzumaki household. Naruto kneeled with his hands clasped in prayer. Around him stood the fallen angel trio, each with a different expression. Kalawarner was pinching the bridge of her nose, Mittelt tried to stifle her giggles, and Raynare kept looking back and forth between her former comrades and the boy. When she was dragged off, Raynare expected to be sat down and interrogated. She was not expecting to attend a funeral for a kitchen appliance.
"Is he going to be alright?"
"He'll survive." Kalawarner stopped massaging herself and turned. "So Raynare, you're quite lucky to be alive." Raynare turned to the blue haired girl and frowned. It was true. The devil princess was about to vaporize her with her magic. After hearing about Rias' family, the fallen angel knew exactly what the Power of Destruction was capable of. She wasn't strong enough to fight off that kind of attack. Raynare had heard stories about what the Lucifer was able to do with his power.
"Why did he save me? You knew of my plan, he did as well, so why did he think it was a good idea to let me live?"
"Because I want answers." Naruto pushed himself up and lifted the destroyed oven off the floor. He walked out of his kitchen and started to crush it down. In a moment, the once large appliance was now a compact ball of steel and wire. Naruto tossed it up and down then spun back towards his company. "I could have crushed you as easily as I did this. I didn't because like I told Rias, I like to see the good in people. Not all people who do wrong things are evil. Hell, I was able to become friends with the guy who was going to crush my village." Naruto stopped his bouncing and stroked his chin in thought. "Actually he is one of my best friends. I miss that red haired bastard."
The fallen angels gazed at each other. This boy was so confusing. Naruto tossed the metal ball at Raynare who grunted at the weight. How was he able to just toss this around? A compacted oven shouldn't be bounced like a basket ball!
"Seeing as how I can befriend a rampaging demon, I don't think anything here is much of a challenge." Naruto took a seat at the table and glared at the snoozing fox upon it. The least the fox could do was provide a flame he could cook on, but no. The asshole biju decided to nap. "So, mind telling me more about this Kokabiel character." What Naruto said could have come off as a question, but his tone really sounded more like an order. It was odd for the girls, especially the ones who lived with him, to hear him talk like that. Raynare looked uncomfortable with all eyes now on her and she shuffled back and forth.
Naruto continued to gaze at his guest. He didn't mean to make her feel uneasy, but the fact of the matter was that she murdered a girl in cold blood. Asia may be alive now, however who's to say that this Kokabiel doesn't have other targets? Naruto had decided that he would no longer sit on the side while good people were injured, or worse perished.
"I really don't have all the time in the world," Naruto said. His words snapped Raynare from her thoughts and she gulped.
"I, um, I was tasked by Lord Azazel to watch over the Hyoudou boy. He told me that Issei's Sacred Gear could possibly pose a problem if it awakened and his body wasn't ready for it. While I was preparing for my first watch, Kokabiel came to confront me," Raynare explained. She was doing her best to stay composed under Naruto's unwavering gaze. She could feel his eyes on her, judging every word spoken from her lips.
"And what was it that he wanted?"
"He wanted me to kill the boy. Kokabiel believed that by killing Issei, he would be able to cause tension within our group. He didn't like how Lord Azazel wanted to keep the peace amongst the three factions. Killing Issei would not only undermine Azazel's orders, but also show that Kokabiel held more power than was thought." Naruto stroked his chin as he listened. It sounded like a classic powerplay. It wasn't uncommon where he was from. During the war, he had to learn a lot about politics and this sort of backhanded subterfuge was used quite a lot.
"But why you?" All eyes turned to Mittelt who blushed. "I mean, why did he ask you specifically? He could have asked another fallen angel. Hell, he could have done it himself."
"True, but think about it like this," Naruto cut in, "if a low ranking servant goes against orders, then it would be easier to punish them than a higher ranking officer. In other words" -he turned towards Raynare, pity written across his face- "you were doomed the moment the bastard walked up to you."
Raynare gaped and her throat dried up. Was this true? Had her efforts been for naught? The more the girl thought about it, the clearer the conclusion came to be. If Raynare had failed at killing Issei, she would no doubt have tried to escape the failed site of the killing. This would have led her to be questioned by Azazel. She could have easily given up Kokabiel's name, but would he honestly believe her over his second in command? That was a big fat no.
As for completing her mission, she had technically killed her target. However, Issei would still have been resurrected and this whole scenario would have played out the same. The only main difference would be if Naruto was not there, she would be a scorch mark on the ground. Raynare felt a bead of sweat drip down her face and a shiver go down her back. No matter what, she was screwed.
Naruto gave the girl a small pat on the shoulder. He wasn't very good at giving emotional support, especially to girls. Sakura never did like his "pep talks". But what he was good at was showing how much he cared and he hoped Raynare could see that. He gave her a smile and she returned it, albeit small and strained. He didn't see the strong and sensual girl he had first met. In her place was a girl who had lost her purpose. He knew those eyes. He had seen them everyday at one point, soulless blue orbs reflected in a stained mirror. There was a time when he too was broken.
Naruto had to stifle a chuckle. He had a knack for helping those like him, those who were left broken by the world. Neji, Gaara, Tsunade, hell even Sasuke were some of the people who had been chewed up and spat out by their circumstances. He wasn't one to let those who had shared his past suffer.
"From what you've told me so far, it seems like this Kokabiel guy is the main issue. He's the one playing puppet master," Naruto said and gave Raynare's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We can discuss more tomorrow, but it's late. You all should go to bed. I'll leave the sleeping arrangements to you guys," he stated and locked up the apartment. Naruto sent the girls a nod and picked up Kurama.
"Wait! Before we all sleep, what are we going to do about Kokabiel?" Raynare asked. Naruto turned and gave them all a wry grin.
"I'm no one's puppet."
Xxx
"Why in the world would I let you leave school for what I would assume to be months?" Naruto held up his hands hoping to placate the fiery storm of anger that was the Student Council President. "You barely do anything in class as it is! How would it look if one of the laziest students up and left!"
"Calm down, calm down! It's really important, and I promise I'll keep you updated," Naruto said as Sona growled. He wanted to say she was threatening, but her fuming face merely made the girl cute. "I just want to follow up on something. It shouldn't take too long."
Sona grumbled and crossed her arms under her chest. Her cheeks puffed out and she narrowed her violet eyes. She peered at Naruto and sucked at her teeth. Sona didn't like the idea of him just gallivanting around. Not only did they just form a bond, but she was hoping to have been able to learn more about him. What was so important that he had to rush away for such a long time?
"Sona, there are things out there that we don't know about. It may not be my place to put my nose into it, but I've never been too good at minding my own business." Naruto scratched his cheek and grinned. "In my personal opinion, if I see something wrong and I can fix it then I'm doing what I can."
Sona stifled a groan. He was such a bleeding heart, but she couldn't help but admire that quality. Naruto was the type of person who would give his right arm for his beliefs. A smile tugged at her lips. She could get used to having Naruto around a lot more. Sadly, Sona knew she had to let him go.
"Will you keep me updated on what you are up to?"
"It's a promise!" Naruto caught Sona's phone after she tossed it towards him. He smiled and punched in his number then quickly took a picture of himself. After his selfie he lobbed it back much to the girl's chagrin.
"Why did you feel the need to take a picture of yourself?"
"That way you can see my beautiful face when we text!" Sona was silent for a moment then looked down.
"I'm deleting it."
"Wait! Come on!" Naruto saw the small smirk from the girl and couldn't help his smile. Looks like she wasn't serious all the time. "I'll call ya when I can. For now, I'm gonna let the other devils know that I won't be around to pull them out of whatever stupidity they get themselves in. See ya Sona!"
Naruto waved his goodbye and headed towards the old school building where Rias's group resided. It was a nice afternoon and most of the students had already left home. This gave him the opportunity to relax and take in the peace of the school.
Kuoh was a very nice town and the academy was beautiful. No wonder why it cost an arm and a leg to get in here. Well it used to cost that for him.
'Not anymore! Now my tuition is Sona's problem.' Naruto thought. A large grin spread across his face. He couldn't help it since he didn't have to work for tuition now. That's what happens when you make a deal with a devil and then kick their ass.
Ten minutes of walking later and Naruto found himself in front of the Occult Research Club. He still didn't understand why their "club" had to be so far away. If Sona could do her business at the main academy, why couldn't Rias? He shrugged and gave the door a few hard knocks.
"Hey Rias! You in there?" There was some shuffling from the other side, but no answer. Naruto hummed and knocked again. "Rias? Any one there?" He heard footsteps, but again no one answered his call.
Unbeknownst to the boy, inside the confines of the room Rias was massaging her temples in frustration. Naruto just had to come during the time when Grayfia had to bring Riser. She already had enough problems with her so called fiance, she really didn't need another issue.
"Oh, and what's this?" Rias turned towards the cocky devil and had to resist the urge to punch Riser in his face. He was disgusting, prancing into her club room and fondling his Peerage like it was nothing. "It seems you have a guest dear wife. I didn't realize you were so popular."
"He is a classmate Riser. I would rather he not get involved in this," Rias replied.
"A good idea, my time is much too precious to be wasted with a lowly human." Oh how she hated the way Riser sneered while saying that. "If we could continue our business then." Another knock interrupted Riser and he scowled. "If he does not leave, I will burn him alive."
"No. Leave him out of this," Rias countered. "This is between us."
The Phenex heir's scowl morphed into a disturbed grin and he rose from his chair. He walked towards Rias and cupped her cheek with his hand. A twisted gleam crossed his eyes. It was sickening.
"You are so true. It is between you and me," as Riser said this he raised his other hand towards Rias's breasts, his fingers curling. He was stopped cold when a draconian gauntlet grasped his wrist and squeezed it. Riser turned and gazed into fierce brown eyes.
"Get your hands off of Pres," Issei hissed.
Riser gave the boy a bored look and the room started to heat up. The two young men didn't waver their gaze even the temperature of the room became uncomfortable. Around them, voices rose, but they didn't care. Issei just wanted to punch that smug grin off of the other boy's face.
"Lord Phenex! That is -" Grayfia was cut off as all attention turned to the sound of wood splitting and metal crunching. She felt a strong presence enter the room, an overwhelming pressure she had never felt before. Grayfia spun around and summoned a spear of ice, aiming it at the mysterious stranger. She was about to plunge her weapon into her enemy when she felt her body lurch.
"Whoa! Hold your horses there, wait Haku?" Grayfia looked upwards into soulful blue eyes, eyes filled with curiosity and wonder. She would say they were quite enchanting if the owner wasn't pointing her own spear at her face. That was when the Queen of Lucifer felt an emotion she hadn't felt in many, many years. Fear. She was afraid, and for good reason. The young man before her held an aura of complete power.
A suffocating pressure filled the room and the occupants other than Grayfia and her captor dropped to their knees. A magic circle sprang to life on the floor and fire erupted forth. Rias looked at it in awe and recognition. She knew this presence, and she knew that power. She also knew the voice that echoed out.
"WHO DARES HARM MY WIFE!" Through the flames, a figure could be distinguished. Wind buffeted around and Naruto had to let go of his would be killer intent to squint into the blurred fire. "WHO HAS A DEATH WI- Oh God damn it. It's you." With the distortion missing, Naruto recognized the voice and a smile split his face.
"Oh shit! Hi there Douchifer!"
Sirzechs stepped from his personal summoning circle and groaned. He had felt his wife's distress and had immediately rushed to her aid. He never would have imagined that it was Naruto that was the cause Grayfia's turmoil. He took a look around the room and saw the Phenex boy along with his Peerage were there.
'So he is meeting for the Engagement. Ugh what a disgusting boy,' Sirzechs thought. He cast that thought to the side and walked towards Naruto.
"What are you doing here Naruto?"
"Oh you know, a little of this a little of that. What made you come running here?" Naruto asked and crushed the ice spear to powder shocking of Grayfia.
"I felt my wife in peril and came to help her." Naruto looked at the silver haired beauty who had attacked him and blinked. How'd he get this hottie?! It was a strange world out there. "Seriously though, why are you here Naruto."
"Ah that's right. Well, I wanted to talk to Rias about something." Naruto turned towards said girl and opened his mouth, but stopped as he felt a tap on his shoulder. "Huh? Yes?"
"Excuse me, but how do you know my husband?" Grayfia asked after tapping on the strange boy. Who was this young man? He looked fairly normal, but that unspeakable presence was frightening.
"Sirzechs? Well I met him and his little angel buddy a while ago. Wait angel? No, no Azazel was a Fallen Angel. Anyways, so I met your little hubby when he and his friend wanted to have a conversation with me. Long story short, I kicked his ass." Naruto's grin made Sirzechs growl and rub the bridge of his nose.
"Do you really have to state it like that?"
"Is it a lie?"
"No, but you could have phrased it differently," Sirzechs stopped trying to massage away the incoming migraine and turned to his wife. "He is correct though. Grayfia, this is Naruto." Naruto waved cheerfully. "He is a lot more powerful than he looks. In fact he is the most powerful person I've ever met."
A loud scoff interrupted the trio and all eyes turned to Riser. He had gotten over his shock at seeing Sirzechs appear. He had a reputation to uphold. Riser dusted himself off and gave Naruto a scathing look. To him, Naruto looked like a miscreant. His hair looked like a dry, fizzy porcupine and its white color wasn't beautiful at all. His clothes were unkempt and he even had the audacity to be picking his ear in front of everyone! What a brute!
"Forgive me Lord Lucifer, but how could such human trash be that powerful? He looks pitiful. You there, boy!" Riser sneered. Naruto stopped poking at his ear and looked at the devil. "Do you realize where you are? You are in the presence of a nobleman! You should be licking the ground at my feet. If Lord Lucifer weren't here I would have reduced you to a pile of ash. The power I hold in my little finger could bring about cataclysm! Bow before me mortal and ask for forgiveness before I destroy you!" A cackle escaped Riser's lips and a dark miasma leaked from his body.
Naruto gave the devil an apathetic look and panned his gaze. He took in all of the so called Riser's Peerage and had to admit, the guy had pretty good taste. All the girls were beautiful. However, the sneer on their faces weren't very attractive. He could tell they held utmost loyalty towards their master, believing him to be their so called "god amongst men". Naruto gave Sirzechs a confused look and asked a simple question.
"Can I punch this guy?"
"No, you can't punch him. He is the heir to the Phenex clan and his family holds powerful sway in the Devil world."
"So?"
Sirzechs opened his mouth to deny the boy's request when Riser's voice cut him off.
"Wait, wait this human wants to fight me? How laughable!"
"You are laughing, ass."
"Quiet human! The very idea that you could touch me is outrageous," Riser said. The onlookers gave Naruto and Riser a wide berth as they spoke, one side believing wholeheartedly in their [King] and the other just being plain confused. Naruto stepped close to Riser, their noses tip to tip.
"Sirzechs, Rating Area."
"Are you really going to do this Naruto?"
"I will punch you."
"Rating Area!" Sirzechs quickly summoned a magic circle and a flash of light blinded them all. When Naruto could finally see once more, a wasteland greeted him. It was the same place Naruto had beaten Azazel and Sirzechs before. He had good memories here.
Riser looked around and hummed. How curious, that Lucifer would listen to a human. He was more disgusted than curious. Did this human have some sway over devils? Laughable. Irregardless, he would put him in his place.
To the side, Rias had moved her Peerage away from the battle zone. She didn't know how truly strong Naruto was, but she knew that Riser could be destructive. She had seen the videos of his Rating Games. He rarely fought, but when he did, his power was frightening. Would Naruto be able to handle it?
Yubelluna smirked. This whole thing was going to be a massacre. What was Lord Lucifer thinking? To allow a human within a meeting between devils was already a farce, but to let one fight a High Class Devil was on a whole other level. Her master would make short work of this cocky sounding bug. She only hoped they would clean up the human's remains after this.
"Whenever you're ready Douchifer, start the match," Naruto said while rolling his shoulder. He couldn't wait to wipe that smug grin off his opponent's face. Putting assholes in their place had become almost a job for him.
"Stop calling me that!"
"No."
"Stupid boy. Master Phenex, you really don't have to do this!" Sirzechs called over to Riser.
Riser replied with a loud guffaw and held his arms out wide, his body wide open for any attack. His stance was lazy and he barely had his eyes open. Riser felt no threat from the boy in front of him.
"Lord Lucifer, I would be honored to turn this pitiful human into a pile of burnt blood and ash. Start it when you wish!" With that said Sirzechs waved his arm downwards, a universal sign to start. "Now come puny human! Either Sacred Gear, or magical power, you won't come close to hitting me! In fact you won't even come close to-."
Swish.
Boom!
All eyes except for Naruto's and Sirzechs widened in shock. Riser's own face held both shock and budding pain. It was for good reason as well. The devil's eyes shot to his arm, or where his left arm used to be. Instead of his appendage, he was gazing at an explosion of blood and flame. His eyes tracked the source to Naruto, the boy's fist extended. A scream bubbled in his throat, tears of pain escaping. After what seemed like an eternity of time slowing down, everything seemed to move normally and chaos erupted.
"GRAAAgghhhhh!" Riser screamed in a mixture of pain and surprise. His Peerage made to move, but Sirzechs held his arm up. He gave them a look that promised punishment if they interfered. Riser held his stump and gazed at Naruto, his eyes bleeding hate. "What sorcery is this!" He growled and used his family's regeneration to form another arm once more, the appendage coalescing in a spiral of gore and fire.
"I could say the same thing," Naruto said as he gave the new arm a once over. "I didn't want to blow off your arm, but I guess you're really squishy. Lucky for us you could regenerate another one. How'd you do that? Was it sorcery like you oh so accused me of?"
Riser roared in fury and sent a blast of flames towards Naruto. The wave of fire engulfed the boy and screams ensued. While Riser's Peerage screamed in happiness, Rias's yelled in horror. When the flames died down, all was silent.
Naruto stood above the charred ground, his pants were now burnt shorts and his torso sans a shirt. He looked fairly pissed as well. He cracked his knuckles and let his eyebrow twitch. Why did people like to destroy his clothes? Lucky he had kept his pants, well shorts now.
"I hope you can regenerate your ass, cause I'm gonna be kicking it all the way to where you come from." Naruto raised his fist and narrowed his eyes. "In other words, I'm kicking your ass to Hell."
"Lucky shot human," Riser spat. "But it won't happen again! You can't hurt me! I'm immortal! Try that again and I'll burn you to a crisp!"
"Naruto!"
"What?!" Naruto turned to Sirzechs, annoyed expression on his face.
"He isn't kidding, he is immortal in a sense. The Phenex family can't be killed by normal means. They have the power of regeneration." Naruto gave the devil a blank stare and he pointed at Riser.
"In other words, even if he blows up he'll come back?"
"Essentially, yes," Sirzechs answered. He then saw a manic grin spread across Naruto's face and a deep cold feeling coursed through his veins. This was not good.
While Sirzechs felt as if he had caused the next apocalypse, Naruto gave Riser a wide smile. A smile that made Riser uneasy.
"What are you smiling at trash?"
"You're so fucked."
Xxx
And thus we end on this cliffy. What's gonna happen to Riser? What's gonna happen to Rias? Or, do you just not care and want to see Naruto punch the crap out of things? Well tune in next time! I will tell you all now, just to make sure there are no surprises, there will be a cameo ew why of a character from another anime/manga. Don't want to ruin the surprise, but a clue is that he is a clumsy mafia boss. Clue is way too easy Hush kitten. Never!
Also, I decided to write a small NarutoxKonoSuba crossover. I was having trouble finishing some main things and figured it would be a good idea to step back. If any of you are interested, it's called Do You Understand Death? A first person story if you guys want to give that a try. Experimentation ftw!
Anyways, I'm sorry this took so long. I have been trying to find the muse to finish this chapter. The last few months were amazingly busy. Good news though! I graduated university! His cat was not happy after Nana placed his graduation hat on him. Kitty was giving death glares.Now to find a Goddamn job in this horrible market. Animating is a hard business to get into. Damn it. I'd like to thank Discord for the many wonderful friends I have made. I have wonderful don't think I don't see that repetition betas such as Plagued Ambition he's amazing, Dadlop3 the affectionate person (actually he's a bastard who messes with people too much), and my kitten Jesxangel. Awww 3 Kitten approved! Nope. I ran over it once. I think I missed a lot. Have fun reading!
NanashiX