Original Posted On June 29, 2023

Beta Read by: Darklord331

Review Response:

Oops IDK: Thank you.

Nathair1: LOL, I know right. Yeah, just a few more years of training, and Sairaorg will be able to use Haki. Yeah, Rias is desperate. Yeah, you don't like Gin? Yes, it is a good thing she found Naruto's swords. Danzo never learns. LOL, true, he can eat normally now.

ShadowBloodedge9396: Thank you man. Gin has a unique skillset that outmaneuvered Kiba's abilities. Tsubaki really is the best person to find Naruto's swords. Pamela/Naruto and Guts/Gin team ups were nice to come up with. Everyone pointed out Loona being sad.

Borello: We shall see how the challenge ends my friend.

PLEASE READ: Already got the majority of Ravel's peerage and the Harem slots full. Sorry, but as friends maybe.

Harem: Koneko Toujo, Ravel Phenex

Ravel Phenex Peerage:

King: Ravel Phenex

Queen:

Bishops: Danjuro "Gentle" Tobita

Knights: Sai Kurozumi (SG User: Ink Dweller)

Rooks: Vulcan (Blacksmith, Hammer/Fist (from Reincarnated as a Behemoth))

Pawns:

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 37: Day 4 of Challenges

Evening, Kuoh Academy, Old School Building, Forbidden Room…

"You sure you aren't gonna get in trouble, Koneko?" Gasper asked for the umpteenth time, looking between her and Loona.

Koneko nodded as she ate the imported sweets Rias got her.

She had decided to spend time with Gasper while Naruto was away.

"I am sure." Koneko said as she chewed her sweet, glancing at the moping hellhound. "Loona needed to get out of the house anyway."

Loona lay across the floor, her arms crossed with her head on them, sighing as she sadly stared ahead at the wall.

Koneko had grabbed her before she left to visit Gasper.

"Also, Phenex will be no problem." She said before raising her cup of tea to her lips. "I left her a note."

Gasper faltered with a deadpan as Koneko drank her tea.

"If you say so, Koneko." He meekly said as he ate another sweet, sipping some calming tea.

"Anyway, did you hear about the Supernova Challenges?" Koneko asked the tiny dhampir.

"Oh, yes, Rias told me Kiba was participating." Gasper replied.

Koneko's facial features saddened.

"He got eliminated within the first day." Koneko stated, shoulders slumping.

"Oh… that's sad."

"I feel like I could have done better." Koneko said with a hint of cockiness.

"How so?" Gasper asked, head tilted as he raised a hand to pet Loona, who accepted it.

"My defenses are better than his." Koneko stated bluntly, a star in her eyes. "Kiba told us he lost to a guy with a fast-extending sword. So, as a Rook, I would have done better."

Gasper, now with Loona on his lap accepting his petting, didn't really understand.

"Sounds scary…" he whimpered.

Meanwhile, Phenex Manor…

Ravel stormed through the halls, a tick on her forehead with a crumpled piece of paper in her hand.

'How day Toujo just take Loona without permission!' Ravel thought as she walked outside, needing to get some fresh air.

"HYU-YA!"

Ravel turned to see Onimaru in his Onyudo form battling against Vulcan, the two-clashing weapon to weapon.

"You are Strong for a Blacksmith!" Onimaru stated with a smirk.

"Same to you, ya' overgrown fox." Vulcan responded with the same smile.

She disengaged Onimaru, twirling her hammer in her hands before thrusting it forward toward Onimaru's face.

"And… Time." Danjuro stated, clicking the timer.

Vulcan pushed down, her hammer going upward, sliding down her hand as she held out the opposite hand.

"Good match." She said warmly, gasping for air from the exorcise.

Onimaru gasped for air as he reverted back into fox form.

He raised his paw, and shook Vulcan's hand.

"You guys are training at this time?" Ravel asked, taking note of how late it was.

"Yes, we need to be vigilant." Danjuro said as he turned toward their King. "Just because we are in a time of Peace, doesn't mean we should sit on out laurels."

Onimaru snorted, rolling his eyes at Danjuro.

"I… I didn't mean it like that!" Danjuro exclaimed.

Ravel couldn't help but smile at the levity.

She looked down when she felt Kurotama rub against her leg.

Ravel picked the fat cat up, petting her… much to Onimaru's irritation.

The fox trotted over and pawed Ravel's leg.

Vulcan snickered.

"Seems our King is in a love square." Vulcan whispered to Danjuro as the door opened again, Minami exiting with bowls of shaved ice. "Naruto, Onimaru, Kurotama, Lady Ravel."

Danjuro didn't really get the joke, but smiled at the attempt.

?...

"Master…"

"Your training is complete." Zuko said with a very proud smile as his student sat beside him, the duo drinking tea. "I haven't been this proud in many years…"

Riser lowered his cup.

"What are you planning on doing, now that my training is complete?" Riser asked, putting his cup on the table.

"Prepare for my final task." Zuko chuckled, drinking his tea. "I've lived a long time, it is time for me to rest."

"Master…" Riser said, gripping his hand tightly, small amount of magic forming within it. "If I said you could get stronger… and live longer…" he opened his hand, revealing his final Peerage piece, the Bishop. "Would you take it?"

?...

"I shall send Animal Path ahead of you, so be prepared for their summoning." Deva told Hidan and Kakuzu. "And remember: DO Not mention us. We must remain in the shadows for now. Just spread chaos through out the Underworld."

"Yes, Sir." Kakuzu and Hidan said in unison, bowing.

"Dismissed."

The Zombie Duo left Pain alone, hundreds of paper butterflies appearing, fluttering around Pain before coming together to form Konan.

"Do you honestly believe them to be trust worthy?" Konan asked her closest companion.

"I trust their abilities will help sew seeds of doubt in the Satan's." Deva Pain replied as he walked over to a door, entering a room that ONLY he and Konan were allowed into.

Within were six containment units, one open.

In the back was a unit that held a seventh member.

Deva Pain walked over to the open containment unit and entered it, the door closing as a different one opened, revealing a redheaded female.

Konan's body split apart back into Origami Butterflies.

"Nagato, I will go with Animal Path…"

"Understood." Animal Path said, her voice cold and distant.

Meanwhile…

"HEY, LET ME GO, YA' BASTARD!" Hidan yelled as he felt his body move against his wishes.

Doflamingo chuckled, his right hand held up, fingers flicking.

"No, I am having fun." He said, the smile never leaving his face as Hidan swung on Kakuzu, who braced his arms, taking the hit to grab the scythe out of his partner's hand.

"Doflamingo!" Kakuzu shouted, his green eyes locking onto the Warlord.

"Enough."

Doflamingo turned his head, seeing Crocodile looking down at him with an uncaring gaze.

The two stared at each other for several seconds before Doflamingo lowered his hands.

"You have always been shrewd, Crocodile." Doflamingo cackled. "Such a kill joy."

Hidan felt his body relax.

"DOFLAMINGO YOU BASTARD! I'LL SACRIFICE YOU TO LORD JASHIN!" He hollered, taking his scythe from Kakuzu before he started to run toward the bird themed man.

Hidan eyes widened when he was tossed into the air… with sand.

"Sables." Crocodile said as he appeared behind Hidan, right hand held out with whisps of sand spinning like a twister in his palm.

Hidan hit the ceiling before crashing back down.

"Doflamingo is out of your league." Crocodile stated nonchalantly. "So, you better stay on his good side, including mine, even if you are immortal."

"WHAT DID YOU…"

Thick, gray wires sutured Hidan's mouth shut.

"Understood, Crocodile." Kakuzu said as he grabbed his partner's shoulder, squeezing it tightly in anger.

Crocodile shrugged as he took his leave, the situation over.

Hidan muffled out screams of irritation as he was dragged away by Kakuzu.

"Next time you get in a fight with them, I won't save you, you idiot!" Kakuzu stated as he ripped the wires out of Hidan's mouth.

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

Skip, Mid-Morning, Maze…

'WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS GUY!' Tsubaki thought as she panted in exhaustion, holding Yubashiri in both hands.

Before her was Justin, who was in a fighting stance, both arms up, his loud music being heard by Tsubaki, much to her confusion.

On his forearms, were rectangular blade.

"Please, give up." Justin pleaded, desperation in his voice. "Please, I don't want to hurt you…"

Tsubaki cut him off with a blade swipe.

Justin leaned forward, blocking Yubashiri's blade, pushing it aside.

Tsubaki grunted, holding a hand out as Justin started to counter attack with his left arm.

"MIRROR ALICE!"

Justin's arm blade struck the mirror.

His eyes widened when he realized what happened as the mirror broke.

A bright light of magic energy blasted the Pawn in an upward/diagonal way, tearing his clothing open.

Tsubaki gasped in exhaustion, but didn't take her wide eyes off of Justin as he landed on the ground before he started rolling.

"I won't give…"

Tsubaki went silent as Justin raised his arms and hit the ground.

Beams of wood surrounded Tsubaki, raising her weapon to defend… only to get her leg enclosed in a carcan bras.

Tsubaki cut it, only for it to be replaced by a new one, latching onto her other leg.

More raised from the ground, this time Tsubaki's arms were trapped, being raised into the air.

Justin removed his arms from the ground.

Tsubaki felt the momentum of the beams stop.

Justin got up, stumbling.

"Do…" he asked in a gruff… restrained tone, his hand gripping his arm, squeezing. "Yield."

Tsubaki wanted to refuse, but she dropped Yubashiri.

"I give up." She stated loudly.

Justin released a sigh of relief as he watched Tsubaki be enclosed in magic, vanishing from his entrapments.

The only things left behind were blood stains, fragments of Tsubaki's clothing, Yubashiri and Shigure.

Taking deep breathes, Justin walked forward, grabbing the swords.

'I don't need them, but I would prefer returning them to their owner.' He thought, looking up toward the sky in thought.

His eyes widened as he jumped, a massive gorilla of ink punching the location he was previously standing.

"I offer this phrase, to my treasured King." Justin stated as he reformed his arm blade, its edge starting to glow with magic. "I ask that you grant me victory, swiftly and cleanly…"

Justin flipped around, pointing his arm blade at the monster.

"LAW ABIDING SILVER GUN!" Justin stated.

A rectangular blade of magic sliced through the ape, it dissipating onto the ground, soaking into the earth.

'What was that?' Justin thought as he landed on the ground, securing Naruto's swords at his hip.

"I guess sneak attacks won't work?" Sai said as he came from behind Justin.

Justin didn't move.

Sai quirked an eyebrow as he neared Justin.

He heard loud music from Justin's earbuds.

'Oh, he can't hear me because of that music.' Sai thought as he drew Ink Dweller and swished it across the ground. "Beast Scroll: Drag…"

Sai was cut off when Justin's arm turned into a carcan bras, which latched onto his neck.

"HEADBUTT OF LOVE!"

Justin's head smashed Sai's nose, breaking it with enough force to loosen some of Sai's teeth.

Sai went limp, dropping his Sacred Gear, the weapon fading before it hit the ground.

Justin said nothing as Sai was teleported out of the Challenge like Tsubaki before him.

His eyes were livid, focusing thousands of yards away, nowhere in the present.

His shaky hand reached into his pocket… and turned his music up.

Drowning out the screams.

Observation Room…

Danzo tensed, his grip on his cane tightening.

'Sai lost.' He thought as he used his single eye to look over the other screens. 'It was a good attempt, Sai, but winning was not the point.'

He scrolled through the other screens, focusing on Naruto and Pamela.

Danzo watched as the two finished preparing themselves and leaving their campsite.

"Seems we are down to eight participants." Danzo announced to the Satan's. "Naruto Bael, Justin Law, Guts, Pamela Isley, Gin Ichimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, Deidara, and Kimimaro Phenex.

"Yes," A familiar voice said, the Satan's and the elders turning to see Orochimaru. "I am happy to see many of my peerage being in the remaining few."

"Oh yeah," Serafall said cutely, bopping her head. "You recently became a Devil King yourself, so the last few are from your peerage."

Orochimaru nodded.

"They have performed above my expectations, including Kimimaro." Orochimaru said with a proud smile.

"Wait, isn't he from Sabo Phenex's peerage though?"

"Yes, I traded him, his illness would not get better, so instead of turning him myself, I allowed Young Sabo to do it, hoping the Phenex brand of Peerage pieces' to help." Orochimaru said as he watched one of his best fighters use their power to defeat an enemy monster.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed at Danzo.

"You seem to be unhappy, Danzo?" He asked.

Danzo ignored the new Devil.

Meanwhile…

Guts and Gin walked in silence as they walked through the maze.

"It has been three days since the start." Gin said, holding up three fingers as they neared a corner, moving close to the wall of the maze before cautiously looking over the corner. "There were twenty of us, so I am going to say that about a fourth of us have been eliminated, give or take a few."

Guts was on edge about Gin, but humored him.

"Well, I fought that spider guy, Kidomaru." Guts said as he followed Gin.

"I defeated the blonde kid from the Gremory Peerage." Gin said with his smile never faltering. "But there must be more than that taken out. After all, we don't need to fight."

"But what is the purpose of this if fighting ISN'T the point." Guts mumbled.

Gin's hand touched Guts' chest, pushing him back.

Spikes shot out of the ground and from the walls.

Gin chuckled.

"Let's keep an eye out for traps, big guy." Gin said with a playful tone.

Guts frowned in irritation as he watched Gin break one of the long spikes.

"I'll use this to help detect trip wires and foot traps." Gin stated as he held it out in front of him.

"Why not use that little toothpick you have?" Guts asked Gin as they continued forward.

"My sacred gear?" Gin said as he scratched his chin. "Why don't you use that polearm you have?"

Guts looked at the naginata.

"Well, it is a weapon, so why dull it's edge?" he replied.

"There you go." Gin said as he refocused himself on finding any hidden traps.

'Not really an answer.' Guts thought as Gin continued to tap the ground. 'But I won't push it.'

Meanwhile…

Pamela impaled a Jump Spider with her extended root finger tips, draining it of its magic, causing the spider to shriek, its legs frantically moving before it went still.

"Thanks for the save." Naruto said as he slowly approached her.

"No problem… but can I ask you something?" Pamela asked as she dropped the spider, her fingers returning to normal.

"Sure."

Pamela looked at him.

"Why are you moving so slow?" Pamela asked with deadpan. "You are able to zip around very fast, so why can't you move quickly?"

"Training." Naruto told her in seriousness, his stiff movements like an unoiled robot.

Pamela had noticed this earlier in the day, just as they left their campsite.

"Training? What training?"

"Tekkai-Kenpo."

Pamela tilted her head in confusion.

"What is that?"

"Secret." Naruto replied as he slowly walked. "You can go on ahead, Pamela."

"Nope." Pamela replied without hesitation. "We are partners, so I won't abandon you."

Naruto deadpanned.

"No seriously, you can go…"

"Nope."

"Pamela…"

"Nope."

"Can I finis…"

"Nope."

Naruto's deadpan increased further, but a small smile etched onto his face.

'Well, at least I can trust her.' Naruto thought as his ears started to twitch.

Naruto stopped moving, looking around intensely.

"Pamela…" he said in a serious tone. "We're surrounded."

Pamela's eyes moved from right to left, up and down.

"I don't…"

*Thwip*

A spider.

It was pure white, the size of an apple, with thin paper like legs.

These little legs pushed the spider forward several feet before it landed with another thwip.

Several more appeared behind it.

Pamela didn't trust these spiders, closing her eyes.

In a gray world, she saw them jump… and…

Pamela paled as she took several steps back, her skin becoming tree bark as she raised her hands, on before her for her defense and the other pushing Naruto back.

"THEY ARE B…"

The spiders jumped once again before their forms warped and they exploded.

"Art is an explosion." A male stated as he emerged from the corner.

He had slanted blue eyes and long golden blond hair which he wore drawn into a half ponytail with the rest hanging down freely. The bang hanging over his left eye is what concealed an eye scope. He had a mouth on both of his palms. He wore a blue and grey kimono jacket with a fishnet under-shirt inside and khaki pants with sandals and a belt-like pouch with a chain. At his sides were large bags containing clay. His blond hair was also tied into a lower ponytail and blank headband.

The teen expected to see the defeated bodies of his targets, using weak explosions since killing wasn't allowed.

Pamela was on the ground, covered in burns and scorch marks.

"Wait, where is the fox!" He shouted, not noticing the darkening shadow over him.

Naruto was above him, arm pulled back.

"SHIGAN!"

"AH, you bastard!"

Naruto used Geppo to avoid a swipe from this teen.

"Pamela, you okay?" Naruto asked as he skidded beside her.

"I'll survive…" She panted as she rolled onto her knees. "I am one with Nature after all…"

Naruto smiled in relief before he returned his attention to his opponent.

"You little shit!" he snapped, holding his bleeding shoulder. "You hurt me! How can you hurt an artist's arms!"

"An artist?" Naruto said in confusion with a head tilt. "You?"

"The Great Deidara of the Explosions is an artist, because Art is an Explosion!" Deidara announced, unzipping his bag on his right hip, putting his hand it. "Now, eat some C1 charges."

Deidara's mouth palm chewed the clay, spitting out grasshopper looking clay dolls.

Naruto helped Pamela stand.

'If only I had my swords.' Naruto thought as Deidara smirked, taking a running start, pulling his arm back to throw the grasshoppers.

A nearby mountain was destroyed, shaking the earth.

"DID YOU DO THIS!" Pamela screamed, barely able to stand, Naruto grabbing her with his tail to keep her stable.

"OF COURSE NOT!" Deidara screamed back, falling on his ass.

The trio and the remaining participants looked toward the mountain, seeing dust clear.

"Wait, is that a person?" Guts asked Gin as they squinted.

"I believe it is." Gin said as he never lost his smirk.

Indeed, a redhaired girl zipped through the sky at high speeds.

"Summoning Magic." She stated as she landed, the shockwave destroying a portion of the hedge maze, slamming her hand on the ground, a summoning matrix appearing under her.

Naruto jumped into the air with Geppo, looking toward the area, seeing massive puffs of smoke appear before they dissipated.

His fur and hair stood on end.

"Kakuzu, Hidan…" he growled, recognizing the two criminals who escaped, as he lowered down. "We have trouble, two criminals are here."

Chapter 37, DONE!

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

If you did, please leave a review, even if you didn't like it, because it helps me become a beter author.