A/N: Revised as of 3/19/2024

Crimson Demon Village…

The door to a certain divination shop opened as a young girl with black hair that spiraled at the tips walked in.

The owner of the shop looked up with a knowing smile.

"Good morning, Arue. I had a vision that you would visit my shop today."

"So it seems, Soketto. Then I take it you already know why I am here?"

Arue asked with narrowed eyes as she walked over to a nearby window and closed the curtains.

"I have foreshadowed that this day would come. I assume you have finished deciphering the tome that our ancestors have left us?"

"Not quite. It is near completion, but I require the eyes of a female mage born from the bloodline of our chief. Only then will we uncover the truth."

This caused Soketto's eyes to widen ever so slightly. But she was quick to retain her calm yet calculating expression.

"The chief would not allow such actions."

"That is why it must be done in secret. Without magic."

Arue replied while peeking outside the curtains to make sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. Seemingly satisfied that no one was watching, Arue walked over to Soketto's desk and placed a small scroll in front of her.

Soketto eyed the scroll for a moment, but her attention was drawn to the sound of the of the door opening once more and saw that Arue was already leaving.

"…Is Ero-Senin aware of this scroll's existence?"

"…No, and I intend to keep it that way. Now I must leave and perform the forbidden ritual to keep Ero-Senin's vision off our village for the time being."

Arue said and closed the door behind her.

Soketto stared at the door for a few moments, then looked back at the scroll that had found its way into her hands.

"You can come out now."

"!"

In the corner of the room, the very space became distorted as a cloaked man appeared out of thin air.

"You were aware of my presence…"

"Of course. Just who do you think I am?"

Soketto said with a tone of amusement, causing the boy to advert his gaze.

"I have a task for you, Buzucoily."

Alcanretia…

"Achoo!"

Jiraiya wheezed, his voice echoing off the walls of the nearly empty hot springs.

"What is wrong, my comrade? Don't tell me you're catching a cold in a hot spring? Hahaha!"

A middle aged man with dark grey hair said to the sage said before bellowing with laughter.

"No, it's not that… I think that pipsqueak is pretending to place a curse on me again."

Jiraiya replied and let out a tired sigh. He loved the Crimson Demon Village, for it was known to have plenty of beautifully bountiful women. But for some reason, he was super popular with the kids. Especially a certain brat that aspired to be an author like him.

"Gah! Why can't I have this sort of luck with mature woman!? Curse the Goddess of Water for my bad luck!"

The shinobi shouted, but realized he said something that was considered taboo in the city that was the headquarters of the Water Goddess's followers.

"Ah… I mean… Sorry, Zesta."

Jiraiya sheepishly said while laughing awkwardly. For the man that he was currently sitting with was the head priest of the Axis Order, who was currently frowning in disapproval.

"I'll forgive you if you join our ranks."

"Don't ask for the impossible."

This was a classic strategy the Axis Cult used to gain new members, but Jiraiya knew a way around their advances. The Axis Cultists were simple people. You merely needed to redirect their attention to something else.

"Hey, where are the ladies? This is the mixed bathing side, isn't it?"

"Hmm… The woman must have been aware of our inevitable arrival. It's a shame Cecily is still absent. I would normally have her tell me when the female members were coming to the mixed baths like usual."

Zesta said while shaking his head.

Yes, the figurehead of the Axis Cult was in fact a hopeless pervert.

"I had hoped they would have come at the same hour as last time, but it seems they have created a system to avoid me. Those silly children… They're so shy to show some skin, but I'll be sure to teach them that there is no shame in the eyes of our revered goddess."

The Arch Priest started before he stood out of the water and raised his fist up high.

"For it is in our divine doctrine that we must live life to the fullest, without a care what other people may think! Do what must be done! For as long as it is not a crime!"

"…"

Jiraiya simply stared at his friend as the man preached about nonsense.

They were both perverts, Jiraiya wouldn't deny that. But the big difference between them-

"By the way, Jiraiya. Next time you must bring along some of those little Crimson Mages that follow you around to our city. I would love to show them our wonderful hot springs! Fufufu…"

-was that he was also a lolicon.

While Jiraiya was into mature woman, Zesta didn't discriminate anyone. Whether they were bountiful or flat, young or mature. It didn't matter. If they were cute, they were on Zesta's strike zone.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be sure to do that. By the way, where's Cecily?"

Jiraiya asked when he realized he hadn't seen the blonde priestess at all since he had arrived at the city of springs.

The girl had an amazing figure, one that her robes did very little to hide. But her personality was… Well, that.

The first time they had met, she had instantly tried seducing him when he mentioned he was a famous author. Now, he was okay with that at first. After all, Cecily had a nice figure. But then he had shown her his art, to which the priestess had instantly tossed to the side and called it garbage.

The nerve of some people!

Since then, Jiraiya had avoided the priestess like the plague.

"Cecily… Ran into a little trouble when she tried using a rather expensive strategy to recruit a new member. Poor child… She was forced to flee with her debts to the Town of Beginners."

Zesta explained with a somber look on his face.

"Town of Beginners… I was actually headed there right now to see one of my old students."

Jiraiya said and took a mental note to look out for crazy priestesses in the future.

"Are you now? Perhaps I could ask you to check on her while you're there? I would do it myself, by my duties simply won't allow me the time. Honestly… What would my Sect do without me?"

Zesta asked with a tired smile.

"Duties my ass! You just want to spend your time sexually harassing the cute members of your cult! Though, I would join you if your members weren't all shot in the head…"

Jiraiya spat and crossed his arms, but the Arch Priest simply smiled.

"You know, cursing our Goddess's name in this city is-"

"Guh…! F-fine! You do a lot for me, so it's only natural to return the favor every once in a while."

Jiraiya owed Zesta a lot for keeping the Axis Cultists off his back while he was visiting the city. It was rumored people lost some of their intelligence stat when they joined the Axis Cult, which was something Jiraiya could not afford.

But to think Zesta would go so far for one of his fellow followers-

"With Cecily back here, I'll be able to have her learn of the female members new bathing system! Be sure to take notes, my friend!"

Yep. The man Jiraiya had made friends with was completely hopeless.

But…

"Hey, my friend! Let me in on that next time I visit! Heeheehee…"

The man was also a big contributor to finding inspiration for his precious work. So Jiraiya would let such behaviors slide.

At the front gates of the Town of Axel, an adventuring party could be seen walking in the direction of the adventurer's guild. A young boy with a handsome face wearing a set of shining blue armor and wielding a large sword was closely followed by two female adventurers.

"You were amazing today, Kyouya! You defeated that hoard of White Wolves with a single swing!"

"I'm so glad you were able to get your magic sword back, Kyouya! You worked so hard to earn the money to get it back…"

The two girls fawned over the Sword Master when the memory of a certain male adventurer came to mind.

"Grr… I still can't believe that creep!"

"I know! Not only did he steal my Kyouya's sword, but he even had the nerve to steal sell it for pocket change!"

"Yeah… Wait, what do you mean your Kyouya!? He's mine!"

"No, he's mine!"

As the girls began to bicker with each other, Mitsurugi chuckled to himself in amusement.

The past few days had been rough… But now that he had his magic sword, Gram, in his hands again, it was time to get back on the road to becoming a hero!

"Now now, girls… I've already forgiven Kazuma, so try not to say such things behind his back."

"So kind!"

"As expected of my Kyouya~!"

"What did you say!?"

Mitsurugi sighed as his companions started butting heads once more.

'I heard Kazuma's party retrieved a mansion. That's good. Now my lady Aqua can rest in a manner that she deserves. But the only problem is…'

This man named Naruto Uzumaki.

As Mitsuru had been working for funds, he heard some rather disturbing rumors surrounding this man. But it wasn't until after buying back his sword from a certain delinquent, Dust, that Mitsurugi finally realized that this Naruto fellow may be a problem.

According to the rumors, the adventurer Naruto was a womanizer. He was a man that sunk his teeth into all sorts of woman, regardless of age. The thirst of this man seemed to know no bounds.

But worst of all, one of the women he had allegedly seduced was lady Aqua herself.

This was something Mitsurugi would not let stand. As the goddess who had saved him and sent him on his quest to defeat the Demon King, he had to protect her!

"Hey, do you girls know anything about one Naruto Uzumaki?"

Mitsurugi asked his traveling companions, and the two ceased their squabbling upon hearing his voice.

"Naruto… The name sounds familiar."

"Oh! I once heard a detestable man named Naruto was juggling girls in the adventurer's guild!"

"Now I remember! He even recruited two cute girls for his party recently! That Dust guy is also in his party… They must have gotten some dirt on those poor girls and forced them into joining their party."

That fiend! His companions never lied to him, so these rumors must be true! He had to help Aqua and those two girls at all costs!

"Then it's settled! I'll teach this Naruto fellow what happens when you mistreat a woman!"

"Kyah! How noble!" x2

With that said, Mitsurugi pushed open the doors to the adventurer's guild and walked straight towards the reception stalls to gather some much needed information.

"Hello, Mitsurugi-san. I trust your extermination quest went smoothly?"

Luna asked with her usual professional smile. She could tell the man was not in a good mood, which was strange because Mitsurugi was quite the respectable adventurer. He rarely started trouble, minus the squabble with the Arch Priest that one time.

"Yes, thank you. But I am not here for that. I came to ask for any information you have regarding the adventurer Naruto Uzumaki-"

"Dense as a rock."

The receptionist responded without missing a beat.

"I-I see… But no matter how many resistances he has, there's nothing my magic sword can't cut. What else do you know?"

Mitsurugi further inquired, to which Luna responded accordingly.

"He's a man that speaks his mind, even if he unknowingly leads other people on."

So, he was also a master manipulator.

"Oh yes, he's also quite stubborn."

A man that won't give up on a target until they succumb to his wishes… That fiend!

This situation was worse than he thought! If he didn't do something quickly… Who knows what that man was doing to his lady Aqua!

Luna sighed. She knew she was only being stubborn herself, and she was beginning to feel bad about giving Naruto the cold shoulder these past few days. But toying with a young maiden's heart was unforgivable!

"Don't worry, Luna-san! I will set that man straight, don't you worry!"

Mitsurugi shouted before taking off in a hurry, leaving the very confused receptionist behind.

"…Huh?"

A troubled feeling grew in Luna's stomach as years of working with adventurers called out to her intuition. But she dismissed the feeling as there was no way Mitsurugi would cause any real trouble.

After all, the man was a hero candidate.

"Fufufu… Naruto-sama…"

A certain loli Succubus mumbled as she lay on one of the larger cushioned seats in the café. In her arms was an orange jacket in which she tightly clutched to her chest.

Normally, a Succubus would be quite busy at this time of day. But not Maria. Due to her consistent failures, the male adventurers rarely requested her services. So here she was, wasting her night away with Naruto's precious jacket.

Totally worth it.

In the midst of her fondling, a group of her fellow Succubus walked by her seat.

"We're going to be heading out on our nightly jobs soon. It seems no one has requested your services again so… Hey, what's that?"

The receptionist Succubus asked when her eyes caught a flash of orange.

"Nothing! Good luck on your jobs tonight!"

Maria quickly hid the jacket under her tiny form and said, but it seemed she was quick enough to hide it as all eyes were on her.

"Is that… Naruto-sama's jacket!?"

"What!? How did that child get her hands on such a treasure!?"

"L-let us have a turn with it!"

The Succubi all yelled and pounced on the poor girl in an attempt to retrieve the tattered old jacket.

"N-no! Stop! Naruto-sama lent it to me! I have to protect it!"

Rip...

"Waaaahhh!?"

Inside Naruto's Seal…

Kurama glared at the bars that contained his very being.

Maybe it was because he was so used to the cage being open now, but seeing the bars again was really pissing him off.

'Tch! That brat… Forgetting to loosen the seal…'

Oh well, it wasn't that bad. It's not like there was anything exciting going on with his host to begin with.

Although, the old fox was beginning to get the feeling that something big was coming. Something that might even give the mightiest of the tailed beasts a good exercise.

Kurama was willing to wait for his idiot of a host to remember to loosen the seal again. Until then, the beast would sleep…

Naruto shuttered as his eyes opened to his dark room.

What was that? He felt some sort of… Disturbance? No, multiple disturbances. It was almost like he had dreamt of a series of unfortunate events that were about to unfold.

"What's the matter? Can't sleep?"

"No, just a bad dream… Wait."

Naruto flipped on his side to find someone else in his bed. It was dark, but his well-trained night vision kicked in just enough for him to make out blonde hair and blue eyes.

. . .

"Get out, Cecily!"

"Kyah~! How forceful~!"

Naruto swung his door open and pushed the priestess out and right into someone's arms. Yunyun, who was fidgeting in front of the entrance caught the laughing Cecily.

"Ah…!"

"Yunyun? How long have you been standing here?"

The shinobi asked while stifling a yawn. Despite the commotion, he was beginning to get used to people showing up in his apartment without his consent.

Did that make him strange?

"U-um… Sorry, Naruto-san! Cecily-san snuck into your room without your permission again, so I came over to stop her. But… The door was locked, and I wasn't sure if it was alright for me to come in without your permission! But I didn't want to wake you…"

Yunyun explained while struggling to meet Naruto's eyes.

Naruto deadpanned. This girl was spending all that time… No, it wasn't Yunyun's fault. He should have woken up regardless from having someone else in his bed.

For a priestess, Cecily sure was stealthy. He made a habit to double check that his door and windows were locked, yet this girl still somehow managed to get in… Maybe it was time to take better precautions.

"That's okay, Yunyun. But it's okay to be a little stricter with Cecily, especially when it comes to times like this."

Naruto said while nodding sagely. You had to be firm with people like Cecily.

This was something he was beginning to learn because of Kazuma and the way he kept his party members from getting out of hand.

"O-okay! I'll try!"

Yunyun said, taking every word of Naruto's to heart.

"Hey, I'm not a child! I'm a beautifully grown woman, and with the small price of converting to the Axis Cult, this voluptuous figure could be your-"

"No thanks. Goodnight."

Slam!

Naruto said before slamming his door shut, leaving the two girls alone in the darkened halls.

"…"

Cecily simply stood there, mouth agape, having been cutoff midsentence.

"N-now… Let's leave Naruto-san alone for tonight. I'm sure he's very tired from everything that happened with the bet-"

"How could any sane person deny such a deal!? Are you stupid? Surely this man's head must have had a few screws loosened by that Succubus the other night!"

Yunyun tried to pull Cecily away, but the priestess continued to bang on the shinobi's door.

This continued until Yunyun finally grew so panicked, she cast Sleep on Cecily and carried the girl into her room.

A/N: Now that we've seen what some of the other characters are up to, it's time to move onto the next arc! I wonder what's going to happen next…

Spirit Out!