Original Posted On April 17, 2022
Beta Read by: Darklord331
Review Response:
Razberr17: I thought about having that element again, but I am not sure if I should. If there is anything I could do differently, you know. Don't want to copy and paste everything.
Nakari Cole: Thank you.
Guest: Thank you.
Spark681: Well, he is about to get a shining ray of hope, so don't worry, Naruto isn't alone.
Borello: Hopefully this dull chapter is good. Feel like it could have been better, but it is what it needs to be.
Harem:
OKAY, LETS READ THIS SHIT! I DON'T OWN NARUTO, ONE PIECE, HIGHSCHOOL DXD OR ANY OTHER ANIME I MAY REFERENCE!
"Hey" = Speaking
'Hey' = Thinking
'Hey' = Memory
"Hey"= Sacred Gear/ Communication link
Chapter 9: Reunions
Sairaorg bowed to Naruto, hands on his knees to help him keep balance.
Misla, who was outside the door, waited with baited breath.
It wasn't uncommon for Peerage members to hold malice toward their Kings, especially if it was a forced reincarnation.
"Okay…" Naruto mumbled after several minutes. "But I want something… well. A favor."
Sairaorg mentally gave a sigh of relief, but had a feeling it would be a while before Naruto was comfortable completely.
"Depends on what the favor is." Sairaorg answered as he relaxed.
"There is someone I have to talk to." Naruto stated. "But they are in the human world…"
"Absolutely." Misla stated as she entered the room, making Naruto jump from her sudden interjection. "I've been meaning to go to the human world again for a while, so when do you want to go?"
"Mom…"
Misla gave Sairaorg a slanted glance, eyes narrowed, which made the young King nervously swallow the lump in his throat.
"I'd like to go tomorrow, if that isn't to incon… incon…"
"Inconvenient?" Sairaorg asked.
"Yeah, that." Naruto said as he pointed at Sairaorg.
"Perfect, and while we are out, we can get you some clothing and books." Misla said as she clapped her hands.
"Why?" Naruto asked in confusion.
"Well, you can't just wear Sairaorg's hand me downs, and you want to liven up your room, right?" Misla pointed out, as Naruto's room was indeed quite empty.
"Hm, fine." Naruto pouted. 'Also, a second sword could be useful for training in Nitoryu.'
With this settled, Misla gave Naruto a quick hug.
"I know, things feel overwhelming," Misla said as Sairaorg left the room, making Naruto relax a bit. "But I promise, things will get better, Naruto."
"Okay… Granny Misla…" Naruto mumbled nervously as he looked away.
Feeling her heart become at ease, Misla ruffled Naruto's hair with a bright smile.
"See you at breakfast tomorrow, Naruto." Misla said as she got up and left his room.
Alone, Naruto took a deep breath.
'Okay, I guess I will take a look.' Naruto thought as he reached over to his desk and grabbed Kurama's journal. 'Pervy Sage did leave me a letter in here, it might be important.'
Naruto unbuckled the journal and opened it, Jiraiya's letter falling from under the now open cover.
Meanwhile, Phenex Mansion…
"You're leaving already, Sabo?" Jonathan Phenex, Lord of the Phenex house and Father of Ruval, Sabo, Riser, and Ravel, asked his second oldest as Sabo put on his hat.
"Yep," Sabo replied with a smile. "I was given three weeks off by my masters, so it is time for me to return to finish my training."
"Tsk." Riser scoffed as he walked down the stairs wearing a formal casual outfit. "Riser is skeptical, brother."
"Hm, skeptical of what, Riser?" Sabo asked his younger brother.
"This training, you speak openly OF it," Riser pointed out as his father face palmed. "But you don't tell anyone what you do for training. As if you have no idea what you are doing."
Sabo laughed at the accusation Riser brought up, patting Riser on the back as he did, not angered at all.
"Yeah, I see what you are talking about," Sabo admitted. "But it was one thing that my masters told me that I could not talk about my training to anyone, including family. Besides, you have a peerage to help you fight."
"Which is funny that you don't have any pieces yet, Sabo." Layla Phenex giggled as she approached her husband and sons. "Looking for the right people I guess?"
"Yep." Sabo said as he picked up his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "Well, later."
Sabo opened the door.
"Oh, really quick," Sabo said as he remembered something as he turned to his parents. "Which way is the Bael Mansion? The one where Sairaorg lives?"
Gremory Mansion…
Koneko ate her food slowly as she watched Rias, Akeno, and Rias talk about things.
"… can't wait to see Sairaorg's New Pawn." Rias said in excitement as she ate. "I mean, it is an amazing thing to get your peerage completed."
"Hopefully we can finish your peerage, I mean, you have us and Gasper, though he is sealed currently, he still counts." Akeno pointed out.
"Even so, we are enough, right, Koneko?" Kiba asked the Rook.
"… I guess." Koneko mumbled, sighing before pushing her plate away. "May I be excused?"
"…" Rias quirked a concerned eyebrow as she nodded, to which Koneko got up from the table and walked to her room. "I am worried. She has been like this for over a day."
"Do you know what started this?" Akeno asked in concern.
"Well, she started crying yesterday during the Festival of the End, right after the Satan's revealed the Heroes of the Revolution and Kushina's group from the Civil war." Rias stated as she cupped her chin.
"Maybe… just maybe… she KNEW someone who was in the Civil war?" Kiba asked.
"That is not… well, it IS possible, though it is low." Rias stated as she realized that it was entirely possible. "But who is the question. Though it isn't something we need. Let's just be there for her when Koneko asks for help."
Kiba and Akeno nodded in agreement.
"Now," Rias said as she pulled out her phone. "I am going to call Sairaorg, I want to meet his new pawn."
Next Morning, Bael Mansion…
Naruto felt an intense dislike pump through his veins as he wore an outfit similar to Sairaorg's.
'I feel like a tool.' He thought as he stood beside Sairaorg, Misla, Kuisha, and Regulus.
"… We should be back in a few hours," Sairaorg told his peerage. "If Rias and her group shows up before we return, let them in."
"Yes sir."
"Alright, let's get going…"
"HELLO~"
The door was opened to reveal Sabo.
"Sabo?"
"Yo!" Sabo said with his bright smile, waving to everyone. "Woah, were is the party?"
"Sorry, we were just about…"
"Sabo?"
Naruto stepped up, a look of confusion on his face as he saw the familiar devil.
"Oh, it's you, the kid that was with the Toad Sage… Sorry, I didn't get your name." Sabo said as he recognized Naruto.
"Naruto." Naruto answered as he became melancholic, looking at the ground.
"Well, Naruto, its nice to see you again."
"Sorry, Sabo, but we are about to go somewhere." Sairaorg told the Phenex. "We will be gone for a good part of the day…"
"Ah, no worries, I just wanted to stop by and let you know I'll be back in a few months." Sabo said as he and Sairaorg high fived each other before the Phenex turned, waving behind himself. "Later."
In a plume of fire, Sabo vanished as his magic circle appeared at the base of his feet.
"Naruto, you ready to go?" Misla asked, taking Naruto's hand.
Naruto nodded.
The group of five huddled together as the Bael magic seal appeared under them, glowing brightly before it died down as the scenery changed to that of a beach in Japan.
'Home…' Naruto thought as he recognized the beach. "We are a few minutes away, follow me."
Naruto started to walk, still holding Misla's hand as he led the group to the bridge.
"I don't see anything, or anyone?" Kuisha mumbled as she looked around. "It is a pretty place though."
"It is a hidden village." Naruto explained. "So, you can't see it by looking, you have to know where it is."
"So, you were raised in a hidden village?" Sairaorg inquired, hoping to learn a bit more about Naruto.
"Two, actually." Naruto answered slowing down in his walk. "My first home… was Uzushiogakure, the Whirlpool village. This place where we are going was my second."
'So, he survived the Whirlpool Genocide.' Misla thought as she felt her heart ache.
They walked in silence for twenty minutes before Naruto stopped.
"We are here." Naruto said as he led Misla into the water, only for the two of them to vanish before the eyes of Sairaorg, Kuisha, and Regulus.
Following them, the trio walked into the water, only to pass through a barrier, revealing a long bridge and the Kamabakka Islands, in their pink, heart shaped glory.
Letting go of Misla's hand, Naruto took off down the bridge.
"HEY, DON'T RUN…"
A shadow of something large appeared before the devils, making them stop as Sairaorg stepped in front of them.
"GERO!"
Yokozuna landed on the bridge, an angered look on his face as he positioned himself in a Sumo position.
"HOLY SHIT, IS THAT A FROG!" Regulus shouted in shock.
"GERO, GERO!" Yokozuna shouted as he thrust his palm forward, striking Sairaorg in the chest.
'FUCK!' Sairaorg thought as the air was knocked out of his body with the brute force of Yokozuna's strike.
"SAIRAORG!"
Yokozuna went for a second strike, only for his arm to enter a magic portal, for a second one to appear near his head, with his arm exiting it, striking himself in the head.
"GERO!" Yokozuna shouted in pain as he was pushed out of balance. "Ge…ro…"
"Shit, I think he is pissed." Kuisha, who used her magic to make the portal, stated in fear as Sairaorg staggered to stand up.
"Knock it off, Yokozuna."
"Gero?"
Yokozuna turned, holding his face with one of his flippers, and saw Naruto.
"Gero!"
Overjoyed, Yokozuna forgot about the devils as he jumped over to Naruto, smiling with his big teeth showing as he did.
"Okay… uh, thanks for the save, Naruto." Sairaorg thanked as he regained his composure.
"Sorry about that, seems Yokozuna has been appointed as Bridge Guardian since I left." Naruto apologized, glaring at Yokozuna, who rolled his eyes.
"Gero."
"He apologizes."
"Can you talk to animals?" Misla asked as they started to walk along the bridge with Naruto and Yokozuna.
"I can, I am a kitsune, so I can talk to… Wait a minute." Naruto started to say before he squinted in thought. "Do you speak Japanese… or… no…"
"No, actually." Sairaorg explained. "A perk to becoming a reincarnated devil is universal speak and understanding, we can understand all languages, except we can't write. Another perk is night vision."
"Interesting, but weird." Naruto replied as they started to enter Kamabakka.
"I have a weird feeling…" Kuisha mumbled as she felt a strange tingling sensation in her spine as they neared the end of the bridge.
"Gero!"
"What is it Yoko… Naruto?" one of the two women stated in shock as they turned to see Yokozuna and the devils. "Oh my god… NARUTO!"
"NARUTO'S BACK, WE GOT TO TELL IVA!"
Naruto was swept up into a tight hug as one of the women grabbed him, while the other pulled out their phone, making the call.
"Hey, Steph, been a while." Naruto said with a smile as the named Stephanie put him down.
"Yeah, it has, several years." She said as she wiped her eyes.
"Okay, Iva has been informed," the other woman stated as she entered the conversation. "You can go to the castle."
Misla, Sairaorg, Kuisha, and regulus watched as the second woman pinched Naruto's cheeks and stretched them.
"Oh, you are as cute as ever." She gushed.
"Thanks…" Naruto said with his cheeks puffed when they were released.
"Enjoy your stay~" Stephanie called out as the group of five entered, Yokozuna staying behind at the bridge.
"N-Naruto… were they…" Kuisha asked in utter disbelief. "
"Kamabakka Queendom," Naruto pontificated, posing as he spoke. "The place where those with a Maiden's Heart live."
"Doesn't answer my question."
Naruto grumbled.
"Yes, they were drag queens. You have a problem?" Naruto asked as he would not take any insult to the citizens of Kamabakka lightly.
"Oh, no, just wasn't… prepared." Kuisha answered.
"This place is very… pink." Sairaorg mumbled.
Naruto rolled his eyes as he started to walk to Iva's castle.
Meanwhile, Bael Mansion…
"Welcome, Rias." The butler said as he held the door open for Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko. "Sadly, Master Sairaorg and Lady Misla are out right now, and should be back in a few hours if you are willing to wait."
"That is fine, we can wait." Rias replied as she and her peerage settled in.
With a small nod, the butler started to shut the door.
"Hold the door." A gruff, agitated voice ordered.
"Hm?"
Rob Lucci walked toward the door with Hattori on his shoulder, restrained anger in his eyes.
"Mr. Lucci…"
"Is the fox here?" he asked the butler as he entered the house. His eyes narrowed, focusing on his Observation Haki to sense all living beings in the mansion. "Tsk, he isn't."
"Master Sairaorg and Lady Misla took him out for a few hours, they should be home before the day ends." The butler stammered.
Snarling, Lucci sighed as he took off his hat.
"I would like a room, and if it is possible, a bottle of wine. I have had a long day." Lucci ordered as the door shut behind him.
Kamabakka…
"WHAT, JIRAIYA IS DEAD!" Iva shouted, his head swelling many times its size, his voice nearly shattering the windows.
'So, this is Emporio Ivankov, one of the right-hand men of Kurama the Ashura.' Misla thought as she watched the scene play before her, her son, his queen, and pawns.
"Yes…" Naruto stated as his eyes teared up. "He died trying to get me help…"
"It's true." Sairaorg said as he approached Iva, who narrowed his eyes at the devil.
"So, Jiraiya gave his life to get Naruto to you, and YOU turned him into a devil?" Iva stated as he stomped toward the young King.
"NO," Sairaorg said in a panic. "He begs us to heal Naruto. When he got Naruto to us, Naruto was already dead!"
Iva stopped, a look of shock.
"What? No, I wasn't dead." Naruto stated. "Though I did have a strange dream."
Iva bit his lip, sighing as he made a decision.
"You," Iva said as he looked at Misla. "You said you came here to have Naruto boy get new clothing?"
"Uhm, yes…"
Iva snapped his fingers, Inazuma nodded as she entered the room with refreshments.
With a speed that could barely be followed, Inazuma took Naruto's measurements and wrote them down.
"Here, take these to the people at the tailor," Inazuma spoke in a soft tone with a smile. "Tell them the clothes are for Naruto, and ask for designs if you want, and they will know what to do."
Misla, being a mother, took notice of what Inazuma and Iva were subtly asking.
"Alright, we will." Misla said as she took the paper, noticing the address of the tailor. "Come on you three, let's give them some time alone."
Not really wanting to leave Naruto alone, Sairaorg relented and the four devils left Naruto alone with Iva and Inazuma.
"Now, Naruto," Iva said as they sat down. "What happened in this dream?"
"It was weird…" Naruto stated as he told Iva his dream, telling him about how he met his parents, Fujima, and Jiraiya, the fire, and the mysterious figure. "… and then I vanished before waking up at Sairaorg's place."
Iva had his arms crossed with his eyes closed in thought.
"Well, Naruto." Iva stated as he opened his eyes. "You were in the space between Life and Death."
"W-what?"
Iva sighed as he found the words he needed to say.
"Kurama, a long time ago, entered a coma after your grandmother's death." Iva stated. "He was fighting a powerful enemy in a bad state. He was reckless, and he left himself open, and was nearly killed."
"What does…"
"Don't interrupt." Inazuma cut Naruto off.
"When Kurama woke up, he told me something similar to what you just told me." Iva stated. "But for him, he saw Kuina sitting next to a fire wearing a cloak."
"But… but that means…" Naruto slowly realizing something. "Fujima was there… that means… means she's…"
With a heavy heart, Iva stayed quiet as Naruto's tears streamed down his face.
"Shit… Damn…" Naruto mumbled as he fruitlessly wiped his eyes. "Why… Why…"
He sniffled as he tried to calm down.
"But what about…"
"Nya~"
Sniffling, Naruto turned to the sound and saw a black cat at the window, sun bathing.
They had a white ribbon around their neck, which had a bell to it.
"Oh, Kurotama." Inazuma called out as she picked up the cat.
The named Kurotama purred in Inazuma's embrace but slowly shifted out of it and leaped toward Naruto, who reflexively caught the cat.
'A female.' Naruto thought as he held Kurotama in his hands, taking notice of the lack of balls. 'What a fat cat.'
Indeed, Kurotama was a fluffy cat that was much thicker than she should have been, but it didn't deter her cuteness.
"Nya?"
Naruto hugged the cat, who snuggled in his arms as he carefully, and slowly, let out the anguish of his revelation.
Fujima was dead.
Three Hours later…
"You are welcome here anytime." Inazuma explained as he handed Misla a piece of paper with a special teleportation circle that would allow them to teleport directly to Kamabakka as Sairaorg, Kuisha, and Regulus returned home with the new clothing for Naruto.
Iva had to leave, the trials of being a leader pulling him away from Naruto.
"Thank you, for everything." Misla said as she bowed.
Inazuma smiled, winking at Misla before turning to Naruto, who was holding Kurotama.
"Now, this is for you." Inazuma said as she reached into her pocket. "I can't believe I nearly forgot to give this to you, Naruto."
Naruto watched with interest as Inazuma pulled out a headband.
It was black with white markings on it, with a red spiral patch.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Misla said as she felt unease enter her stomach. "But you can't have that emblem, Naruto."
"What? But it's my family's symbol." Naruto told her. "Why can't I have it?"
"I didn't say that, I meant to say that the emblem has to be changed." Misla explained.
"Why?"
"Hm, I think I know." Inazuma stated as she held the headband in her hand. "It is the Uzumaki symbol, and with many seeing Kurama and Kushina as heroes, there are those who hate them, right?"
"Yes, and since we are on this topic," Misla said as she knelt down to look Naruto in the eyes. "You can't use your last name or initial."
"WHY?" Naruto demanded, not liking this. "WHY CAN'T I BE A PROUD UZUMAKI?"
"It isn't easy, Naruto, but there are many who would probably try to kill you." Misla explained, wincing at Naruto's frustration. "Many hated your mom and grandpa. Some let their hatred go, but those that didn't let it go would most likely want to kill you to make themselves feel better that they hurt Kushina and Kurama."
"But… But…" Naruto whimpered as he held Kurotama tighter.
"I know… it isn't fair," Misla said sadly, remembering her past, being a lover of Lord Bael, being tossed aside when Sairaorg was revealed to not have the PoW. "But we want you to use the last name Bael, to protect yourself."
Naruto didn't understand.
"F-fine…" Naruto huffed angrily.
"Good boy." Misla said as she sadly smiled while ruffling his hair.
"How about this?" Inazuma asked as she held out the headband.
The original red spiral was now an olive green, with red lining, but it now looked like a leaf, with a point on the bottom left and a straight line on the top right.
(Konoha Leaf Symbol)
"That is perfect." Misla said as she saw Naruto's face light up.
It was still a spiral, but it looked like a leaf, so it would not be a big deal.
Inazuma carefully put it around Naruto's head, with the leaf above his right eye.
"How does it look?" Naruto asked as he didn't have a mirror.
"Looks amazing." Misla said with a smile. "Now, it is time for us to go, Naruto."
"Okay."
"Oh, you need to leave the cat, Naruto." Inazuma told him, much to Kurotama's ire.
"What?" Naruto whined, pulled Kurotama closer. "Can't we keep her?"
"No, Naruto." Inazuma stated.
Pouting, Naruto put Kurotama down, who immediately pressed herself against Naruto's leg, rubbing herself around his ankle.
"Don't worry, Kurotama, I'll be back to play." Naruto cooed as he rubbed her head, making her purr.
"Nya~"
Naruto stood up, not wanting to leave Kurotama, Inazuma, or Iva, but walked next to Misla, waving goodbye as they teleported back to the Underworld.
"Hmph," Inazuma huffed. "It's okay now, Kuroka."
A puff of smoke covered Kurotama, and in her place was Kuroka.
Now fourteen, Kuroka had grown.
She was now taller, her natural beauty accentuated with her black gi and bright orange obi holding Wado Ichimonji. BUT...
"My lord, Kuroka, you can't keep going like this." Inazuma stated as she grabbed Kuroka's cheek and pulled on the very plump area. "You need to lose some weight!"
Kuroka had gained a lot of weight.
Not only had she gotten thicker, not heavy, but enough to be noticed, her forehead was riddled with zits and her hormones were drastically adding to her weight flux.
"OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!" Kuroka whined loudly as she flailed around, trying to break out of Inazuma's grip.
Inazuma sighed and released Kuroka's cheek, which swelled making it look plumper than usual.
"That hurt~" Kuroka whined as she held her red cheek, tears threatening to pour from her eyes before they were replaced with anger. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR, INA-JERK!"
Inazuma said nothing as she drank her wine, causally ignoring the Nekoshou's anger.
"Come, let's get your training started for the day." Inazuma stated as she turned heal. "Also, later today we are going to accompany Iva to the meeting with Boa Hancock, and you are going with us."
Kuroka's eyes widened as she followed Inazuma, her curiosity not going to kill her.
"We are going to meet one of the Warlords?" Kuroka asked in shock as she knew of the Warlords, but never dreamed of meeting one.
"Yes, but now, we need to do your training." Inazuma restated.
Pouting, Kuroka turned around, looking at the area where Naruto had left, walking backwards as her ears drooped.
"I wanted to go, so badly." Kuroka mumbled sadly as she turned back around.
"But then you would be in a constant danger, and then your own training would be halted." Inazuma stated as she drank more wine. "Besides, you know where he is, so you know where to visit."
Kuroka nodded, sighing as she touched her chest, her heart pounding.
'I promise, Naruto. I will become strong to protect you and Shirone.'
Bael Mansion…
"Lady Misla, you have a guest." The butler mumbled in a quiet panic. "He is waiting in the upstairs guest room."
"Okay," Misla said as she put her jacket up. "I'll be right there."
Taking her leave, Naruto followed the butler to the first floor living room, where he heard lots of noise.
Naruto opened the door, and saw red.
His eyes widening, naruto lunged forward, grabbing the person who possessed the long red hair.
"MOM!" Naruto shouted, pressing his face against them.
"Excuse me?"
Naruto's eyes widened further, this time in shock.
Letting go, Naruto moved back as Rias turned, seeing Naruto for the first time.
"Oh, hello?" Rias asked in confusion.
"I'm sorry." Naruto apologized quickly, his heart racing. "I thought… you…"
"You thought I was your mother?" Rias asked as she knelt next to him. "What's your name?"
"Uz…" Naruto started to say, but stopped. Taking a frustrated deep breath, Naruto exhaled. "Naruto Bael."
"Naruto?"
Pulling his attention, Naruto looked toward the owner of the voice.
"Shirone?"
Chapter 9, DONE!
Happy Easter, to all who celebrate.
I liked this chapter, nothing to big, but just the right amount of surprises, which were probably easy to see.
I can't wait to be honest, but it will take me some serious thought on how Naruto and Koneko react when they recognize each other.
Then there is Lucci waiting to talk to Misla.
Loved the idea that Kuroka is training on Kamabakka, instead of just wandering around aimlessly.
Just rambling at this point.
If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review, and if you didn't, leave a review anyway as it helps me become a better author.