The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Hey everyone, it's me Hide Shinyama.
So, I have added the next chapter after a whole month… I guess that might be the rhythm for releasing chapters. I wish I were faster, though.
Also, this chapter is also rather short – though still longer than the last one. I do wish I released a chapter with more than 6000 words next time. But then again, quality over quantity, I guess.
Anyway, Issei has eluded the Devils and Tiamat, rescued Murayama and visited his parents' graves.
Now, he is on his way to Nerima.
What happens now?
Find out in…
Chapter 63 – The Night Before The Attack
14th of November, Saturday, 6:40 pm – On the way to the Tengu Dojo, Nerima Ward, Tokyo
It was already dark outside as the sun had already set over the skies of Nerima. Still, it was far too early to go to sleep. Plenty of people were moving up and down the streets conducting whatever activities they needed or wanted to. Nevertheless, a certain person did want to go to sleep. That someone was Issei Hyoudou.
Although, he had slept for two hours in the bullet train to Tokyo, he still felt tired. After all, today was really exhausting for Issei.
For Issei started off the day by waking up in the wilderness of the Underworld, then walking through that wilderness with little to nothing to eat or drink. Then, he had to fight off or run away from monsters and environmental dangers. Then, he witnessed a tragedy of mass murder of civilians, whom he had avenged with his own two hands.
Then Issei ended up chasing the Hulk with full speed, break into the Grigori, fight off a dangerous purple dragon with wings, then get encounter the leader of the Grigori, teleport back to earth, escape Rias Gremory and her peerage, then deal with Murayama and the Hulk while running away from Tiamat and two Maous, visiting his parents' graves, before hopping on a train and then having sleep disturbed by the train's arrival to Tokyo… that all summed up today's events.
Unfortunately, all was not over. Matsuda rang him up and asked him to go to the Tengu Residence for an urgent pow-wow. Oh, well… at least he was back… Hopefully, he could get some sleep there, for Issei did not want to go back home on foot after this.
As Issei finally approached the gates of the Tengu Residence, he opened the gates and was greeted by a wonderful sight that blew away his fatigue.
For he was greeted by none other than Kasumi Tengu, who was standing in front of the house. She was wearing the same white silky one piece-dress and purple cardigan that she wore on their date yesterday. Only this time, she also wore a brown coat over her, while wearing the same flat-heeled calf-high brown boots without her leggings, which made Issei briefly wonder if she was not freezing with her bare knees out in the cold.
"Ise!" Kasumi cried out with joy and wrapped her arms around Issei.
"Kasumi…" Issei said softly, as he hugged her back, making sure to feel the softness of her breasts press against his chest as hard as possible.
Kasumi, not minding the intimate contact, proceeded to look Issei in the face with tender eyes and…
"MMPH!" Issei let out a muffled sound, as Kasumi kissed him on the lips.
Issei responded by pressing his own lips against Kasumi's. Their kiss lasted for ten seconds, before they parted to catch their breath.
"Kasumi! Didn't you say we should wait until I turned eighteen?" Issei asked with a flustered face.
"I don't care about that anymore!" Kasumi responded with a certain amount of desperation in her voice, as she briefly kissed Issei's lips again. "I was so worried about you… I had faith that you would come back, but even then… I… was so worried about you… Please, don't leave me again…"
Hearing Kasumi's loving words made Issei smile.
"I won't die so easily… I'll always come back for you…" Issei answered before kissing her again.
Their kiss lasted for five seconds before…
"DAMN YOU, NORMIE!" Matsuda was heard shouting from the entrance of the Tengu house.
Issei and Kasumi stopped their kiss abruptly and turn their faces with shock and embarrassment to see Matsuda there with Motohama right next to him… and Kasumi's father, Kasumi's sisters, Ryuga and Ukyu standing right behind the two of them with looks of shock and reddened looks on their faces.
"YEAH! HOW DARE YOU HIDE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE A HOT OLDER GIRLFRIEND!" Motohama yelled angrily.
"AND SHE'S FLEXIBLE, TOO! WHY DO YOU GET A GIRL THAT FITS MY FETISH AND NOT ME!" Matsuda added outraged.
Everybody looked at Matsuda with embarrassment, frowns and questioning looks at the shameless admission of perverseness he just expressed.
Before more could be said, Sanma appeared out of nowhere and landed in front of those assembled in front of the Tengu residence.
"Whoa!"
"Sanma!"
"San-chan! You're here!"
This gave Issei the opportunity to change the subject. He let go of Kasumi to greet him.
"Sanma, my man!" Issei greeted him as they gripped each other's hands firmly in a manly handshake.
"Issei! You're all right! I figured ya survived. Ain't no way someone like ya would bite the dust," Sanma replied with a toothy grin on his face.
"Yeah, it was tough…" Issei admitted. "But I made it."
"Glad ta hear. It's been ages since I saw ya last," Sanma told Issei.
"Ages? What are you talking about?" Issei said confused.
"He went into special training with Shinyama in a special training room," Ukyu spoke up. "Time flowed slower there than here. So, San-chan could have been training in there for months even when it has only been a day here."
Issei looked at Sanma astonished. "Really, you got to tell me more. Let's head inside. I think Kasumi here is freezing," Issei said as he looked at Kasumi who was beginning to hug herself to keep warm.
"Yeah… let's go. I've got a lot of catching up to do, it seems…" Sanma remarked.
Both boys and Kasumi to head inside.
14th of November, Saturday, 6:50 pm – In the living room of the Tengu Residence, Nerima Ward, Tokyo
By now, everyone had gathered around the futon of sat on the sofas. Kasumi sat next to Issei and was holding his hand. Both were blushing but were happy that they finally made their feelings for another clear. This caused Matsuda and Motohama to glare at Issei with jealousy. Hibiki and Nakane had gotten over their surprise and were now looking at Kasumi and Issei with uncertainty, as they still tried to come to terms with their relationship.
Though, Hibiki also felt the same way towards Nakane's relationship with Ryuga, both of whom were also sitting next to each other and giving each other tender smiles. At the same time, she was already making plans to exploit both couples' relationship to make more money.
Sanma could not help but look at Ryuga's and Nakane's new relationship with a pang of sadness. Although, Sanma and Nakane had fought each other fairly often and even avoided each other due to a fallout, he still felt a connection… a bond with her… one that he thought no one else could share with other than him. Now, it seemed that Sanma was wrong. Nakane had found someone else. And that someone was Ryuga Nabiki – his rival and friend from middle school. Although, he also was happy that Nakane was off his back with the engagement and all and that Ryuga also found happiness… he still could not help but feel sad.
Similar to Matsuda and Motohama, Ukyu could not help but feel jealous of both couples. She looked at Sanma looking at Nakane and Ryuga. Why did he have eyes for Nakane and not her? And it was also clear from Sanma's pained expression that he was sad.
Ukyu thought of something. She put a hand on Sanma's shoulder. Sanma turned to Ukyu in surprise. But even though they did not speak, he instinctively understood that she was comforting him and nodded with a smile. Ukyu smiled back. They might not be a couple, but at least they were good friends for now.
Soun Tengu was looking around the room at both couples with anxiety. Both his daughters had fallen in love, and he only found out about it now. He reminded himself that he was going to have a stern talking with both Sanma and Ryuga. But what was even worse was that Nakane's and Ryuga's new relationship could ruin the pledge to unite the Tengu and Raotome families! He had to do something, he had to solve this situation somehow…
"So, tell me. What has happened since I disappeared? I heard the Chinese Amazons were on the march. Is that true?" Issei asked, starting the discussion.
This caused everybody to stop what they were doing and look at Issei. They nodded and Kasumi took the initiative to explain.
Kasumi explained that Shinyama had told them to stay in the Tengu dojo to resist the Amazons. She also added that Sanma had undergone training under Shinyama for that very reason.
"Wait, he trained you!?" Issei voiced in surprise.
"Yeah, he did. I was hooked the moment he knocked out Grandmaster Hentai and my pop," Sanma voiced with satisfaction of those two being put into place.
"And let us not forget how he beat those Devils, too," Ryuga added.
"Oh, yeah… Gremory-senpai and her peerage… I heard about it from Matsuda… they were coming for me… I… apologize for causing trouble…" Issei bowed his head in the presence of everyone present.
"Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault. You could not have known they would chase you all the way here," Soun assured Issei.
With that said, Sanma told everybody how his training went. He explained how he learned the Assassin's art known as Hokuto Shinken during his time in the mysterious white space and that he has mastered nearly every technique in the art.
"You mastered it? Wow, now that's what you call a genius!" Motohama praised Sanma.
"Tch! I could do better. I could totally master every technique and not leave a single one out like Sanma here," Ryuga boasted.
"Trust me, ya would not. The conditions for unlocking the final technique are… not easy…" Sanma explained.
"And why not?" Ryuga demanded of Sanma.
"'Cuz that needs a certain state of sadness one that accumulates over the years. It's the kind of sadness that allows one to grasp the concept of nothingness…" Sanma said thoughtfully. "…at least, that's how he explained it to me. I dunno what he meant by that."
The martial artists in the room could not help but wonder what that meant. Sadness and nothingness to achieve the final technique? How were they to understand that?
"Anyway, although I couldn't learn the final technique… and a few others, Shinyama told me that I was already a master and could fight the Amazons," Sanma finished his story.
"I see… that's quite the cool story you told there. But wait until you hear mine. That one's way more epic," Issei could hardly wait to tell them his story.
And so, Issei told what had happened after he got hit by the lightning. He explained how he found himself in the Underworld and did his best to navigate through the dangers of the wilderness. Issei also told how he found himself in the midst of a tragedy, as he witnessed bandits kill all the Devils in a village, only for Issei to avenge them by killing all the bandits. Issei explained how he buried the villagers afterwards, trembling in sadness while explaining it all. Everyone was in shock at that part, while Kasumi hugged Issei, which helped him calm down a bit.
"How terrible…" Matsuda whispered, as he looked down in silence.
"Rest in peace…" Motohama said somberly.
Sanma and Ryuga said nothing, but as young men and martial artists, they could understand the grief Issei must have felt at being unable to save the innocent, the anger at those bandits for killing those villagers and the feeling of helplessness at the thought that maybe this could have been prevented if one had been there sooner.
'Is this the kind of sadness that Shinyama was talkin' about? Is this the feeling that one has to feel to achieve the ultimate technique named Musou Tensei (Nil-Thought Rebirth - 無想転生)?' Sanma wondered to himself. 'If so, maybe it is best if I did not learn it.'
"And what happened then?" Hibiki asked in order to break the somber mood.
"Well, then…" Issei continued and explained how after burning the corpses of the bandits, he came across the Hulk.
Everyone was surprised, even though it made sense that if Issei could survive being struck by lightning, why not the Hulk?
Issei explained how he chased the Hulk and ended up infiltrating the Grigori, fighting a mysterious purple dinosaur, while saving four Fallen Angels and killing it. Issei excitedly detailed how he fended off its attacks while finishing it off with the power of the Crimson Scale Mail. In doing so, Issei proudly explained, he earned the respect of Azazel, leader of the Fallen Angels, who let him teleport back to Japan.
While Kasumi, Soun, Sanma, Motohama, Nakane, Hibiki and Ukyu applauded Issei for his feat, Matsuda– while still applauding – could not help but murmured.
"I really wish it was Barney the Dinosaur that died and not some fire-breathing pterodactyl…" Matsuda quietly remarked.
Meanwhile, somewhere in America…
"Breaking news! Two children ended up nearly getting killed after the actor inside the beloved Barney the Dinosaur suit – get this – sneezed, fell over sideways and ended up falling on top of a boy and a girl aged 8 and 9 respectively. This happened while they were singing the famous "I love you, you love me" ending theme. The children ended up under the Barney suit and received several fractures from the fall… A truly tragic but stupid accident, I have to say… The children are currently undergoing treatment at the local hospital and…"
Back with Issei and the others…
Issei continued his tale by explaining that instead of ending up in Nerima, he ended up in Kuoh. He recounted how he fled Rias and her peerage and ended up meeting Murayama.
"Wait, she saw you? Did she suspect we broke out of juvie?" Motohama asked worried.
"Well, I managed to make up an explanation that she bought. I said we… had some time off…" Issei answered. "Anyway, then we found the Hulk, who had turned back into his human form…"
"You found the Hulk again!? Seriously!?" Ryuga voiced surprised.
"Yup. But I ended up losing him because some more powerful Devil Lords and Dragon King Tiamat ended up chasing us," Issei said with a groan.
"Devil Lords!?" Nakane cried out in shock.
Nakane remembered Sairaorg at that moment, whom she was told was still a young Devil. He could easily beat Ruyga. She could only imagine how strong Devil Lords could be.
[Indeed. They were Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan, two of the strongest four ruling Devils in the Underworld] Ddraig explained.
"And they were in Japan…" Soun whispered in fright.
"We escaped since they were busy fighting the Hulk. I don't know how the fight turned out or if the Hulk was okay since I was busy carrying Murayama to safety. I came across the graveyard where my Mom and Dad rested and said hello…" Issei smiled sadly.
"Your parents are dead?" Soun asked of Issei with concern.
"Yes, Father. They died a few months ago…" Kasumi answered for Issei, as she squeezed his hand.
Issei smiled at Kasumi and reciprocated the squeeze.
Once again, everybody's mood turned somber, even though many of them knew this fact.
But Issei did not want to dwell on that and moved on.
"I left Murayama on the bench. I knew she would wake up sooner or later. Then I took the next train back to Tokyo and walked all the way from the train station to here," Issei finished this story.
"It's a truly remarkable story!" Sound commented.
"Yeah. And now I'm here. And I'm ready to help you guys fight the Chinese Amazons," Issei declared to everyone present.
"Yeah, with both Sanma and Issei here, we can beat those Amazons!" Matsuda exclaimed, as he pumped his fist into the air.
"Ahem!" Ryuga coughed.
"Well, and Ryuga. Let's not forget him, too!" Matsuda quickly added.
"Those Amazons won't know what hit them. We're fully OP!" Motohama joined in the triumphant talk.
"Let's not forget Shinyama. He's very strong, too," Ryuga remarked.
Everyone in the room was feeling relief and hope. With those four, all of them could be saved.
"But wait, where is Shinyama Hide?" Matsuda asked everyone.
"Good pont, where is he?" Hibiki asked as well.
Everyone looked at each other for answers, but it seemed like nobody knew the answer.
Except for one that is.
"Yeah, it's true. The four of us can beat them easily and we wouldn't break a sweat… is what I wanna say…" Sanma said, suddenly draining the good mood in the room with his words.
"What are you talking about, San-chan?" Ukyu asked Sanma confused.
"Unfortunately for us, Issei won't be takin' part in our fight against the Amazons," Sanma sighed and pulled out a letter from his pocket.
These words made everyone shocked.
"Why won't I be taking part?" Issei asked confused. "And what's that?"
"This is a letter from Shinyama. Shinyama wrote this letter for Issei here. I'll read it out…" Sanma said and began to read the content of the letter.
What they heard puzzled all of them all.
14th of November, Saturday, 7:10 pm – Somewhere on the way to Tokyo
The Hulk was running and jumping. For a while now, he had been running as if he had a destination in mind. It was quite dark right now, but the Hulk ran as if the darkness did not impair his vision. And the Hulk was currently heading towards Tokyo.
But if one were to read into the Hulk's mind, one could understand why the Hulk was running towards Tokyo. It was the words of Issei Hyoudou that drove him on.
Flashback
"Yes, I know someone… name is Shinyama Hide. He can help. Is in Tokyo," Issei whispered into Bruce's ear.
Flashback End
"Shinyama Hide… Tokyo…" the Hulk said to himself.
Unbeknownst to him, a certain girl in a Lolita dress was looking at the Hulk from a distance in silence.
14th of November, Saturday, 7:12 pm – With the Coalition of Supernatural Factions
"When are we going to strike?" Nurarihyon asked, as he and the other leaders observed the Hulk through the eye of familiar acting as a camera.
"Not yet. But a little further down the road," Michael answered.
"I hope this time we can take it down," Penemue said.
"Don't worry. This time, we made sure that to prepare ourselves thoroughly. We have all the people needed to take the Hulk down," Falbium answered, as he warmed himself up.
"Yes, just a wait a little longer…" Yasaka added.
14th of November, Saturday, 7:15 pm – Somewhere near Tokyo
The Amazons were taking a final rest. It was the final rest before the day of the battle. Originally, they had 500 warriors, 25 pandas and 20 Rocs. But after several skirmishes with the Youkai and the police, they ended up having only 450 warriors, 20 pandas and 17 Rocs. Their losses were not light, but they still had more than enough troops to wage this war.
Mouse, Cat Fu and Elder Colon were keeping watch through the night.
"Our honor will be cleansed in a few hours. Rest tonight my children. I will hold guard here tonight in your stead," Colon instructed them both.
""Yes, Elder,"" Mouse and Cat Fu answered simultaneously.
As the two of them headed for their tents, they each had different thoughts.
'I will kill you, Sanma Raotome and Cat Fu will be mine!' Mouse thought to himself.
'Airen… I don't want to kill you… I hope you not resist…' Cat Fu thought sadly.
Colon stood there in the darkness, pondering about the battle ahead.
"The morning sky shall be red tomorrow. I just know it…" Colon said to herself.
15th of November, Sunday, 3:00 am – In the skies above Tokyo
Issei was currently looking out in the pitch blackness of the early morning sky. He was in the Chopping Board Type 2 with Matsuda and were heading towards Hotel Entertainment – or rather the ruins of it.
As soon as they were hovering above it, Issei got ready. The doors were opened and Issei, wearing a backpack with a parachute inside, turned to Matsuda.
"Matsuda, wish me luck," Issei said to him.
"Sure," Matsuda replied. "Say, Issei… You'll be coming back from this… right?"
Issei could hear the worry in his friend's tone. Yet, he decided to be cheerful for both their sakes.
"Of course, man! I survived worse. How bad could this be?" Issei asked rhetorically.
Matsuda chuckled in relief.
"Yeah, you're right. I got worried for nothing. See you later," Matsuda answered.
"Yeah, see you later," Issei said and then jumped out of the helicopter.
He went into freefall for a few seconds before pulling the strap. The parachute opened and Issei glided downwards safely.
Why were they parachuting in the middle of the night you might ask?
To answer that question, one ought to go back to when Sanma was reading Shinyama's letter to those assembled in the Tengu dojo.
"Hello, Issei. I hope you got back safe and sound. By the time you read this letter, I will have already left for an appointment. It is an urgent appointment that I cannot possibly miss," Shinyama's letter started off. "What I have written in this letter is your role in the fight against the Amazons. The plans for the battle are recorded in the video on the USB stick that I have given to Sanma. However, you yourself will not have any role. You might ask why not? It is because you have different mission – one that you must do no matter what? Now, I'm sure you're groaning because you have to go on a mission as soon as you have returned. But hear me out! The reason why you have to go on this mission is absolutely urgent. How urgent it is, you will have to find out once you arrive on the rooftop of Hotel Entertainment. Use the Chopping Board Type 2 to get there. Arrive at 3 am. Once you have landed, wait there until the designated person arrives on the scene. He will give you the information on what you are to do next."
Issei landed on the rooftop of Hotel Entertainment. Issei looked around. It was more desolate and grayer than ever. He did not know whether the reason was decay or the battle between the special forces and the terrorists the other day. Either way, Issei did not like the feeling of the place. But he had no choice.
He was probably supposed to go down there. But before Issei could do so, he needed to wait.
Yes, wait – that is until the "designated person" arrives and tells him what to do next.
Hence, Issei removed the parachute backpack from his back and stuffed the parachute into the backpack. He then proceeded to find a place to rest for the time being. He looked up into the sky to see Matsuda's chopper fly off to the distance.
As Issei watched the Chopping Board Type 2 fly away, he knew what Matsuda was going to do next.
15th of November, Sunday, 3:02 am – With Matsuda, over the city of Tokyo
"Phoebe?" Matsuda addressed the A. I.
{Yes, captain?} the A. I. responded.
"Find the location of the locations of Cat Fu and Mouse," Matsuda ordered Phoebe.
{Yes, sir} Phoebe replied.
Matsuda waited for a minute and received a report from Phoebe.
{Location confirmed. They are on the outskirts 8 kilometers Southwest from here. With them are a great number of people with weapons and huge land and air beasts. It seems like they are meant for battle. They are moving at 10 km per hour. More details to follow} Phoebe reported to Matsuda.
"This can't be good…" Matsuda said as he gulped in dread.
A large group of Amazons… just like Shinyama said… And judging by their moving speed, they will be at the Tengu dojo in about fifty minutes.
"I should give Motohama a call," Matsuda said to himself.
15th of November, Sunday, 3:25 am – Back with Issei, Rooftop of Hotel Entertainment
Issei was feeling tired after waiting more than twenty minutes. But he resisted the urge not to sleep. For one, he already rested after the briefing ended at 7:30 pm and eating a small dinner at 8 pm. He slept for a total of six-and-a-half hours, which though far from ideal was the minimum amount of sleep needed for someone like Issei. Two, he had a mission to fulfill, and he intended to do it, especially given the severity of it.
And third, he did not want to be caught off guard by whoever it was he was waiting for.
Who was this "designated person" anyway? And why would Shinyama trust this person to give him the next piece of information for his mission.
Whoever it was, Issei hoped that this person was not somebody suspicious or evil.
And as he was thinking these things, Issei suddenly saw a figure with wings flying towards the rooftop where he stood.
"What…?" Issei voiced in surprise.
Issei summoned the Boosted Gear.
Whoever it was, that flying figure seemed to be humanoid, but definitely not human, so Issei had to be prepared.
As soon as the figure landed on the rooftop, Issei immediately jumped out with the Boosted Gear glowing in the dark to ascertain the figure's identity.
The winged figure pulled out a sword from nowhere and rushed at Issei.
[CLASH!]
As the figure's sword struck Issei's gauntlet, Issei finally recognized who the figure was.
"You're Yuuto Kiba!" Issei exclaimed in surprise.
Indeed, it was the knight of Rias Gremory's peerage, wearing his school uniform while wearing a cloak over his body.
Yuuto backed away Issei, while having a look of surprise on his face.
"You're Issei Hyoudou! What are you doing here?" Yuuto inquired warily, while readying his sword for the next attack.
"That's my question!" Issei retorted, as he prepared to parry any attack from Yuuto. "Are you here to capture me again?"
"No, I am not," Yuuto denied. "Besides, I would never try to capture you by myself."
"Wait, the others are not here?" Issei asked perplexed.
"No, rather I am here on a personal business. I was told in a series of letters that I was supposed to meet someone here. Was that you?" Yuuto asked Issei.
Issei widened his eyes at that.
"So, wait! YOU are the 'designated person' I was supposed to meet?" Issei questioned Yuuto in return.
"Designated person?" Yuuto wondered.
Both Yuuto and Issei stood there in silence for a few seconds. Then, both boys lowered their weapons and Yuuto withdrew his sword.
"How did you get those letters?" Issei asked Yuuto.
"I found them in the mailbox. They were addressed to me and said that it was urgent and for my eyes only. I became curious and opened them. They told me to come here in the middle of night to meet someone."
"It seems like Shinyama told you to meet me," Issei concluded.
"Shinyama?" Yuuto wondered at the name. "Was he the one who sent me those letters?"
"Maybe. It depends on whether those letters are from him. Can I see them?" Issei asked Yuuto.
"Why?" Yuuto asked Issei warily.
"Because I was told that I was supposed to wait for you here and then the information you have is supposed to help me further," Issei explained.
Yuuto nodded and took out one of the letters for Issei to see.
Issei looked at the letter. He activated the light of the Boosted Gear to see the handwriting.
"No doubt… it was that guy…" Issei said to Yuuto. "But why would he call you here? Out of all people, why did he send you to help me?"
"I thought you might be able to answer that," Yuuto responded. "Though, judging by what the letters here are talking about, there is no way I could deal with what is down there on my own."
"What do you mean?" Issei wondered.
"Just read this letter first and you will see what I mean," Yuuto answered.
Issei proceeded to read the letter.
"Hello, Yuuto Kiba – or should I rather call you Isaiah, survivor of the Holy Sword Project? But then again, you do not go by that name anymore. I wrote this letter to you to inform you that Valper Galilei, one the people who caused you all that suffering back then is going to be in the bunker beneath Hotel Entertainment in Tokyo. If you truly wish for revenge, then come to the rooftop of Hotel Entertainment at 3 am. When you do, you will meet somebody who will help you in your revenge. I know you would prefer to do this alone, but please note that he will not be alone. There will be a lot of stray exorcists and Fallen Angels, led by none other than…"
"Kokabiel…?" Issei finished the letter confused.
"Yes, the leader of the hardline faction within the Grigori, which is most bent on restarting the Great War between the Devils, Angels and Fallen Angels," Yuuto grimaced in fury.
15th of November, Sunday, 3:30 am – In the Bunker underground near Hotel Entertainment
"How long until it is finished?" Kokabiel asked a certain Stray Exorcist.
"Not long, Lord Kokabiel," the Stray Exorcist replied. "The men are setting up the final structures and power sources for the portal before we can begin."
"Excellent. You are excused, Valper," Kokabiel said to him satisfied.
The Stray Exorcist known as Valper smiled and bowed his head.
"Yes, Lord Kokabiel," Valper answered and turned to leave.
Valper made a devious grin.
"First things first… While the various faction leaders are busy fighting the green monster, we can finally build up our army in secret and then… Hehehehehe…" Valper Galilei laughed evilly to himself.
And that was the Chapter 63 of The Lone Vigilante Issei.
Now about this chapter.
I originally wanted to make the romantic relationship between Issei and Kasumi a more modest one. I wanted them to take their time and then when Issei turned 18, make their relationship official to everyone. However, I decided to drop that idea and make their relationship much more open. I also thought it would be more plausible, given how much Issei worries Kasumi by putting himself in danger and ending up missing.
Speaking of relationships, I also ended up making Ryuga and Nakane a couple, which creates certain complications for Nakane's father and Sanma. For Sanma, it is to finally nudge him in a certain direction in terms of romance. For Nakane's father, Soun, it leads to the dilemma on how to fulfill the family pledge between him and Sanma's father, Gunma, to unite the two families by marriage. How will that play out? That will be revealed in a later chapter.
As for the Hulk, he is making his way to Tokyo. And for all you High School DxD fans, I think it should be clear who the girl in Lolita clothes is. She plays a significant role for how this story will end (which will take an unspecified number of chapters).
Finally, the mission that Issei must take part in. You might be wondering why I told Sanma to go somewhere else when the Tengu dojo is in danger. Well, as you can obviously tell, the mission that Issei is taking part in is a variation of the Excalibur Arc.
I decided to move this arc earlier in the timeline since I felt like it would be a good way to deal with Kokabiel, who has been confirmed to have been absent by Azazel when the Hulk attacked the Grigori. I threw in Yuuto Kiba to the mix since I wanted to Issei to team up with somebody from the Gremory Peerage. And for me, Yuuto was the best. I do realize that Xenovia and Irina are also major characters in this arc along with the Gremory peerage, but if you think about it, that arc mainly centered around Yuuto Kiba. The focus of the Excalibur Arc is Yuuto's grudge against the Holy Swords and his regrets about the deaths of his comrades, which he learns to overcome. I realize that because of that arc and the arc in which Issei was dead, Yuuto proved to be a decent secondary protagonist, which I admire about him. He's easily one of the better executed characters in High School DxD (compared to most other characters in it – especially Issei Hyoudou whom I have really grown to dislike over the years).
I cannot wait to see what I will have in store next, which will hopefully lead me to release the next chapter quicker.
Stay tuned.
In the meantime, what did you think of this chapter?
Did you like it?
Please read and review, I would like to hear from you.
And as always, I hope to see you around next time.
Until then.
Hide Shinyama
