Author Notes: Hello everyone. I'm so excited to be back and ready to see all of you. I have some important updates for all of you. First of all, on the 19th of August, I will be in college, so I won't be able to update the chapters as frequently.

Now, let me update you on some of my ongoing fanfics. I'm afraid I shall have to put the following stories on hold or even scrap them:

1. "Naruto: The Legend of Kaido." I lost my enthusiasm for this story. And, I feel like it's not doing well for the narrative of this story.

2. "Hikari No Yuri." I'm going to put this one on hold.

3. "The Next Generation of Strawhat Pirates." This one, I'll have to retake and redo it before continuing or scraping it.

4. "Naruto: Kage No Kunshu." Although in my mind I had planned it out to its completion, I feel the necessity of redoing it now.

Well, don't you worry! I'm not entirely bailing on the fanfiction community. I'm still gonna be writing new stories! If you want to continue following my work, you can find me at both and Wattpad as Dimerisreal. I plan on publishing these new stories at both places so all of my lovelies can see what is new.

That will be all for now, Dimer signing off.

The following is a disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor do I own High School DXD.

"Talking"

Inner thoughts

"Mental reply"

Ability/attack/emphasis/weapon

(Ddraig)

{Albion}

*SCENE BREAK*

As the sun set, the school building glowed with orange and gold hues, setting the stage for a sparring match between Naruto, Sona, Rias and their team. The open field was filled with excitement and anticipation as they prepared to face each other. The soft grass beneath their feet brought a sense of calm amidst the impending struggle. A gentle breeze carried whispers of camaraderie between competitors as they focused on the task ahead. With intricate patterns of light and shadow created by the setting sun, all were ready to prove themselves in this grand showdown.

"Cool narration, right," Dimer said as he turned away from his desktop screen and back to the couch. "Okay, It's time to show you guys what I've been cooking for these past few months."

The Honored One: DxD Story Chapter 3:

Sparring: Pawns, Rooks, and Knights Pt 2

All three peerages were gathered outside the Old School Building, a majestic structure that stood as a testament to the academy's rich history. Naruto stepped forward, his eyes sweeping across the assembled groups with a gleam of anticipation.

With a flick of his wrist, shimmering threads of energy wove themselves into a shimmering veil, draping over the vast field behind the building. "Tobari," Naruto murmured, his voice laced with power as the barrier rippled into existence, sealing off the area from prying eyes.

A cocky smirk played across his lips as he turned to face Sona's and Rias's peerages, his own assembled behind him. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the field, painting the scene in hues of amber and gold.

"Alright, let's go over the match rules," Naruto declared with a mischievous grin as a referee outfit mysteriously appeared onto his frame.

Rias blinked in surprise and sweatdropped. "Where did he even get that outfit?" She thought.

"First up will be the Pawns squaring off against each other, followed by the Rooks," he continued, his voice carrying an air of authority. "After that, the Knights and then Bishops will take center stage, leading up to the Queens. And finally," he paused for dramatic effect, gesturing toward himself with a flourish, "the Kings will have their bout – yours truly included, of course."

"Alright, for this round, we've got the Pawns squaring off," Naruto declared, every inch the referee in his outfit. "Representing Team Sitri, we have Saji and Ruruko, and representing Team Gojo, we have Gaara, Kiba and ever-loyal Akamaru by his side, and last but certainly not least, the elegant Haku. Please step forward."

The five pawns moved out into the open field, their faces resolute in determined and anticipation-filled expressions. On Saji's lips was a smirk, as if he had already won; his eyes did not wander from his opponents. Ruruko—her long, athletic form stretching fluidly in graceful extension—seemed assured as she stood tall, yet in those bright, dark eyes flickered the small reflection of worry, because she could not help feeling outmatched.

Standing across from them, each of them radiated power and commitment. Gaara was all focused, his stars ablaze in the night desert, as if it held a full desert of sand within them. Kiba's features were sharp and predatory, with a feral glint playing upon his lips. Akamaru poised beside him, his fur ruffled in expectation. And there was Haku, her beauty only matched by the grace of her killing motions—a deadly vision in elegance.

"Are both sides ready?" Naruto asked, his eyes scanning across the faces of the pawns. He was determined.

The pawns responded with a collective nod, their expressions intense and focused. Naruto's voice rang out, "Hajime!"

With Sona and Rias

"How do you think this fight is going to go?" Rias turned towards Sona, her expression of curiosity itself.

Sona pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, her eyes locked onto the pawns staged in the middle of the field. "Well, it's not too easy to say," she answered, placid and analytical in her tone. "Whilst my pawns have a bit of experience, Naruto-san's pawns is a blank state. We barely have any intel on the rest of his peerage.

"Are you at least confident that Saji and Ruruko won't get humiliated?" Rias questioned.

"A little. At least they won't be…" She cut off.

"Team Gojo wins the first round!" Naruto's voice resounded.

"What!"

During the fight.

"Let's do this!" Saji exclaimed in confidence as he called out two gauntlets that covered his wrists. The Sacred Gear of the Prison Dragon Vritra glowed purple, pulsating at a rhythm in sync with his determined heartbeat. He charged straight ahead without one single moment of hesitation, feet pounding on the grassy field.

"Saji! Wait!" The desperate cry of Ruruko tore through the air, but it was too late. Blood surged through Saji's veins as he focused on the pawns of the other team.

Ruruko scrunched up her face and soundlessly swore, "This Idiotic dumbass!" Her lean figure tightened in an attempt to launch off like a spring, but her reckless partner had already started an irreversible confrontation.

"Sabaku Kyū!" Gaara's deep command reverberated across the field as the very ground of sand under their feet grew restless. As if alive, it suddenly surged forward, whirling to life in a deadly vortex that closed around Saji, holding him fast in its grasp.

"HEY, RURUKO! GET ME OUT OF THIS DAMN SAND!" Saji's screams resounded within the cocoon of sand, his limbs powerless against the unyielding grains as his body sank inside.

"YOU DAMNED IDOIT! What did Sona-kaichou tell your ass about rushing like that!" Ruruko exclaimed. Sand begins to shoot forward towards Ruruko. Her eyes widened, she summoned her devil wings to try to dodge the sand.

"You damn idiot! Didn't Kaichou explicitly warn you against blindly rushing in?" Ruruko fumed, her voice dripping with exasperation. Sand tendrils began snaking towards her, prompting her to summon her devil wings and take flight.

"Ryūsa Bakuryū!" Gaara's deep voice echoed across the field, and a towering wave of sand rose before Ruruko's wide-eyed gaze.

"Oh sh-!" Her curse was cut short as the sand tsunami crashed over her, dragging her struggling form down into the same cocoon that had already ensnared Saji.

Inside the Sand Cocoon

"So..." Saji began, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips as he eyed Ruruko's furious expression. "This is...awkward."

"I hate you!" Ruruko growled through gritted teeth, her glare burning holes into Saji's head as they found themselves trapped together in the constricting sand prison.

*SCENE BREAK*

Naruto watched as the sand cocoon enveloped Saji and Ruruko within mere seconds. Muffled shouts echoed from inside the sandy prison. He scratched the back of his head, his face bemused.

"Well, that was…anticlimactic," he murmured, glancing towards Gaara, who had stood with his arms folded across his chest, impassive.

"Gaara," Naruto said, his voice edged with reproach. "You could have given them a chance, at least."

Gaara's eyes locked onto Naruto's: intense as the desert sun, scorching. "I am not here to amuse myself with your games, Naruto-sama," he said flatly, his voice emotionless.

Naruto sweatdropped at Gaara's blunt words and couldn't find a retort. He coughed lightly and thrust his hand up in the air. "Team Gojo wins the first round!" he declared sharply, his voice carrying well across the field.

A loud gasp of pure shock resounded through the air, breaking the tension. "What!" exclaimed Sona, whose face had widened from goggle eyes, witnessing how her pawns were so swiftly and decisively beaten.

Naruto turned his gaze on the stunned Sona, cocky smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. With a half-lidded eye, he raised a hand to execute a little wave—the gesture that, in effect, goaded her with the peerage's domination.

Sona felt the flush of heat creep up her neck and onto her cheeks. A powerful mix of embarrassment and anger surged in her, fanned by Naruto's smug gesture. Her fists clenched at her sides; knuckles whitened as she struggled to maintain her composure.

With Sona and Rias

"That insufferable…" Sona muttered through closed teeth, the muscles in her jaw locked as tight as they could go. She could feel the literal weight of Rias's amused gaze on her, and it only added to her chagrin.

"You were saying, Sona?" Rias asked, mirth dancing within her gaze. She couldn't help but lean forward at that, and her fingers curled into her palms in anticipation of more banter. "That Naruto's pawns outclassed yours? Or perhaps you're going to admit that they were utterly humiliated?"

Sona's brow furrowed, the vein at her temple throbbing as she shot Rias an irritated glare. It was more irritating with the face Naruto wore a smug grin as she clenched her fists so tightly drawing blood.

"I guess my pawns are superior to yours, Sona-chan," Naruto chimed in, his voice laced with arrogance, flashing her a cocky smirk as he reveled in his peerage's domination.

Sona's scowl deepened, and she felt the temperature in her cheeks rise. She parted her lips to retort, but somehow the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she settled for a sharp exhale through her nose as she tried to compose herself once more, silently vowing to make Naruto eat his words in the King's round.

Slightly, Naruto nodded to Gaara, at which he was to free the two entrapped Sitri pawns from the prison of sand. With a slight flick of his wrist, Gaara made the sand loose its grip and trickle away, freeing Saji and Ruruko.

No sooner had the constricting grains lost their grip than Saji gasped and scrambled to his feet. His eyes were loose, flickering this way and that, searching for some avenue of escape, but before he could take a single step, a furiously angry Ruruko was upon him.

"You imbecile!" she snarled, catching hold of his ear and giving it a vicious twist that produced a yelp of pain from Saji. "Do you have any idea just how humiliating that was?"

"Ow, ow, ow! Ruruko, let go!" Saji pleaded, grimacing as he tried to pry her fingers off his throbbing ear.

Ruruko's grip wasn't about to budge as she continued dragging him across the field, her heels digging into the soft grass as she strode forward with forceful steps. "You're lucky Kaichou didn't see your pitiful display," she growled. "If she did, your ass would be punished!"

All Saji could manage was to whimper as Ruruko's tirade completely drowned out his protests, hauling him toward the rest of Sona's peerage, her anger burning brighter than the setting sun.

On the other side of the field, Gaara, Haku, and Kiba, with the ever-faithful Akamaru in tow, made their way back to Naruto's side. Though the journey was none too peaceful, with Kiba's mouth running a mile a minute.

"Aww, man, I never even got to show them how amazing I am!" Kiba whined, his forehead wrinkling in aggravation. "That was way too fast!"

One of Gaara's eyes twitched with irritation, shooting a sidelong glare at Kiba. "Be silent," he growled, his deep voice laced with a threat.

Kiba wouldn't be deterred. "I mean, come on, I could have taken 'em both on single-handedly! With my speed and Akamaru's—"

Before he even completed the sentence, a wiggling tendril of sand traversed its way across the ground, a writhing whip that coiled about Kiba's mouth, effectively muffling his boastful tirade. He clawed at the sand with an unreasoning intensity, writhing to get it off, his pinned arms jerking uselessly by his side; he was not able to determine whether he sought not to struggle against the cruel severity or against it.

It was funny enough that Haku had to press her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud; the barely audible mutters of Kiba didn't help, so she turned her gleaming eyes up to Gaara in appreciation instead.

*SCENE BREAK*

Naruto stood in front of the fighters. His eyes scanned the two teams of Rooks. On one side stood Tsubasa and Koneko, with their minute frames disguised as powerhouses. Tsubasa was quite fleetingly tall and slender, posed with sharp eyes into the sky, while Koneko gave a reserved impression with her small frame disguised beyond.

Across from where they sat were Lee and Choji, who cut two very different figures to work with. Lee was a bouncing bundle of energy, hopping on the balls of his feet, his eyes shining with fervor as his body seemed to vibrate with every bit of anticipation he held. On the contrary, Choji calmly reached inside a packet of chips and contentedly munched away.

"Yoshi, my youthful teammate!" he shouted, voice echoing across the field. "Let us prove the power of our youthful spirits!"

On the decibel, Choji cringed, side-glancing at his spirited peer. "Yeah, but can you at least tone down your voice, Lee?"

Tsubasa and Koneko looked at each other in bemusement, their eyebrows oddly set to arch at the same time over the opposing dispositions their rivals suddenly took upon themselves.

Naruto stepped forward, a mischievous grin playing across his lips. "Now, are both sides ready?" he asked, his voice tensing with anticipation.

Lee thrust his fist into the air, his teeth gleaming in a brilliant smile. "Tsubasa-san, Koneko-san, let's have a YOUTHFUL match!"

Tsubasa and Koneko both looked very awkward, their faces poised halfway between trying to smirk at Lee's ebullience and looking worried. Tsubasa rotated a little, clearing her throat, her gaze darting between her opponents. "All right," she said, her voice skeptical.

"Hajime!" Naruto's voice thundered across the field, signaling the start of the match.

A tense silence fell over the combatants as they eyed each other warily, both sides reluctant to make the first move. Tsubasa's gaze flickered towards Choji, her mind racing with strategies. "His larger frame might make him slower, but I can't underestimate him," she thought.

Turning to Koneko, Tsubasa leaned in close. "Koneko-san, can you handle Lee-san?" she murmured. "I'll focus on Choji-san."

Koneko nodded, her petite frame betraying nothing of the raw power she possessed. "Leave it to me," she replied, her voice soft but resolute.

"Cover me, Choji," Lee whispered, his body becoming as tight as a spring coiled to its breaking point, energy bleeding out of him.

This time, Choji just nodded, crushing the last few chips in the packet between his fingers. "Got it."

Note: Naruto's chess pieces have a unique side effect. Mental communication between all of the peerage members.

And in an instant he was no longer there beside Choji, leaving behind their enemies gaping and stunned. Tsubasa's eyes darted this way and that, her brow furrowing. "Where did he…"

Her words trailed off as she suddenly caught, in the corner of her vision, a green blur streaking toward her. Tsubasa barely had time to register the incoming fist before Koneko's petite frame planted itself in front of her, crossing its arms in defense.

The world seemed to slow down as Lee's fist crashed into Koneko's raised guard with an ear splitting boom. Her eyes widened in shock at the force of the attack; her arms were numb from the blow, the ground cratering beneath her feet, sending her hurtling backward, crashing with bone-jarring force into Tsubasa.

Both of them tumbled across the field, kicking up a trail of dirt and grass in their wake. Grimacing, Tsubasa clutched her aching ribs as she struggled to catch her breath. "How…how is he so fast?"

Lee's form blurred once more, and then he was floating over them, his fist cocked back for another strike. "Your guard was impressive, Koneko-san," he said, his voice full of admiration. "But I will not hold back!"

Koneko gritted her teeth, her small body tensing up and bracing herself for Lee's attack. The air snapped with energy as his fist closed in on her, time seeming to slow.

Tsubasa moved in a flash, snatching Koneko clear by the wrist just as Lee's fist slammed into the earth with a deafening crack, cratering the area she had been standing in a second before.

The force of the impact was so great that clods of dirt and grass burst outwards as Tsubasa covered her body with Koneko, and the two stumbled backwards. Koneko's eyes were wide with shock at such raw power behind Lee's attack, and her heart thumped in her chest.

"Senjutsu…Chakra perhaps?" Koneko murmured, furrowing her brow as she thought of where Lee was gaining his incredible speed and power from. She barely had time to process the thought as a loud voice echoed across the field.

"Kakudai!"

Koneko's eyes went wide as a gigantic fist, easily the size of her entire body, sailed toward them. Before she could even move, Tsubasa's slender form was enfolded within Choji's gigantic hand, his fingers curling around her in an inescapable grip.

"Tsubasa-san!" Koneko cried out, feeling like her heart was pounding against the walls of her chest as she watched her teammate struggle futilely against Choji's iron grasp.

Tsubasa gritted her teeth, her slender body trembling as she struggled to prise Choji's fingers apart. "Let me go, you big oaf!" she spat, her voice straining with exertion.

Choji just grinned, his grip tightening infinitesimally. "Sorry, but I can't do that," he rumbled, his deep voice resonating from within his enlarged form.

Koneko tensed, her muscles coiling like a spring as she readied herself to launch at Choji. Before she could move, a green blur filled her peripheral vision.

"Konoha Senpū!" Lee's voice rang out, and Koneko barely had time to blink before a furious tornado of kicks rained down upon her.

She crossed her arms about her in a desperate bid to block the onslaught, but the simple force behind Lee's kicks was overwhelming. Every blow came down upon her guard like a sledgehammer, her arms fast growing numb from the impacts. She was sent skidding back with a pained grunt, gouging deep trenches in the earth with her heels.

Panting hard, her small body shuddering with exertion, she strived to bear up against the relentless assault. "How...how can you be this strong?" she gasped, her voice laced with both awe and frustration as she glared at Lee.

Lee's expression turned to one of pure determination, his eyes blazing like the fires of his youth. "Through the power of hard work and perseverance, Koneko-san!" he declared, raising his fists up to adopt a defensive stance. "I have trained my body to its absolute limits, and beyond!"

With Sona and Rias

"At least they're holding their own during this intense clash," Sona said, her careful eyes glued to the fierce exchange unfolding before them.

Rias nodded, a small frown on her face. "I just hope they manage to avoid any serious injuries."

Sona's gaze floated upwards, and her eyes narrowed as she spotted a figure floating well above them—without the aid of devil wings. "Hey Rias?" she started off, her voice tinged with confusion.

"Yes?" the crimson-haired devil replied.

"Can a devil fly without wings?" Sona asked, gesturing to said floating form.

Rias stared at her like she'd grown a second head. "Of course not," she replied with a scoff. "That's ridiculous."

"Then how is he doing that?" Sona pressed, gesturing an accusing finger at Naruto, who floated serenely above the battlefield.

At her gesture, Rias' jaw dropped slightly at the completely unexpected sight. "How in hell…" she said, wordless.

Sona shrugged helplessly. "Your guess is as good as mine. I'm just as confused."

The two Kings silently watched in a baffled fashion as Naruto drifted lazily through the air, his feet never touching once.

Naruto POV

I floated well above the field below, watching as the battle raged on. A trace of senjutsu caught my senses, and my eyes narrowed into slits focused onto the petite form that was Koneko. "Is she a yokai?" I wondered. "No, a Nekoshou. Odd, I thought that species in/or all the nekomata were wiped out long ago."

My thoughts were interrupted by Sona's voice floating up to me. "Naruto-san, how are you flying without wings?"

I looked down at the confused looks on both Sona's and Rias's faces and chuckled. "Just a neat little trick I picked up," I called back with a wink.

Rias huffed, crossing her arms. "Well, it's not very fair if you have abilities we don't know about."

"Where's the fun in showing you all my secrets?" I grinned back. "You'll just have to wait and see what other surprises I have in store."

Sona pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't show off too much during our sparring match."

"Relax, Sona-chan," I said with a reassuring tone. "I'm just getting a better view of the action." My eyes swept back down to the combatants below, where Lee, Choji, Koneko, and Tsubasa's fierce clash raged on.

During the fight

Tsubasa gritted her teeth and her slender body began shaking as she struggled against Choji's tight grip; no matter how wildly she pried at his enormous fingers, they just wouldn't budge, clamping down on her with relentless force. A feeling of helplessness suddenly washed over her, realizing just how futile her struggles really were.

Koneko and Lee's fight on the other side of the field was now brewing into a hurricane. With a display of energy, their limbs cracked as they clashed. That small frame that belonged to Koneko went flying about at blur speed, her fists and feet flying about with incredible velocity, only to be turned away by Lee's indomitable guard.

In the chaos, Lee landed a roundhouse kick squarely into Koneko's torso. A sickening crack of impact resounded across the field as she was sent hurtling backward. Her body carved deep into the earth before skidding and coming to a halt.

Wincing, Koneko held her side as she forced herself to her feet. Each breath was a stabbing pain, and for a moment, her vision swam. Under the tatters of her uniform, her pale skin had already started to flush angry bruises, showing just how hard Lee had hit her.

Though in pain, Koneko refused to back down. She rose into a ready stance once more, her amber eyes flashing with determination. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, but she ignored it—her gaze locked onto her relentless opponent.

Lee looked at her with a mixture of admiration and concern. "Koneko-san, maybe we should just stop," he said, furrowing his brow. "I don't want to hurt you any more."

Koneko shook her head willfully, her white hair whipping around her face. "No," she growled, her voice laced with defiance. "I won't give up."

Lee's face locked in determination; he nodded very seriously. "Very well," he said, then resumed a fighting stance. "Then I shall continue to give my all!"

A greenish glow began to swirl around Lee's body as he crossed his arms over his chest and stood in a wide, grounded stance. "Kyumon!" he roared, his voice resonating with his power.

Koneko's chest rose and fell in quick, jerky motions; the breaths were sharp and strained as fear tightened around her slight frame. Unwanted, haunting images flickered in front of her inner eye: visions of twisted, mutilated bodies that lay strewn across a soaked battlefield, lifeless forms of men and women with wide and glassy eyes staring back at her in mute accusation.

Among the slaughter, an older Nekoshou woman emerged whose piercing yellow eyes seemed to mirror Koneko's. Her eyes dug deep into the soul, striking up a primal fear that rammed at the heart violently against the ribcage.

"Senjutsu…" Koneko uttered, terrified, in an extremely low tone.

The word hung in the air like some portentous omen, triggering a deluge of memories that threatened to consume her. Flashes of violence and bloodshed ravaged her senses; with every successive image came visions more vivid and horrifying.

Koneko's body shook violently as her brain was paralyzed by the rush of traumatic memories. Her mind had retreated back to a dark place, where she stood naked and powerless against an attack that was about to come.

*SCENE BREAK* Naruto POV

I watched this with growing alarm as the fierce battle between Lee and Koneko unfolded. It was becoming very clear that Koneko was going into a panic attack: her eyes were wide and haunted; her body was frozen with fear. All of her will to fight seemed to have evaporated, leaving her defenseless against Lee's raging attacks.

I knew Lee was amid battle mania, not knowing Koneko's state. He began calling upon the Eight Gates' mighty techniques as his body radiated a greenish aura, preparing to unleash the second gate.

Anger surged through me. "Dammit Lee! Why would he do that with the Gates on her in this state?" I thought furiously. Koneko was definitely not in any condition to defend herself – one strike from Lee would kill her.

Time seemed to slow as I launched myself downwards, flying down at full speed. Just as Lee pulled his fist back, putting everything he had into a full-blown punch into the paralyzed Koneko, I jammed out my hand. My fingers clamped about his wrist with an iron grip, stopping the blow mere inches from Koneko's face.

The force of Lee's drive had created a crater, and into the earth where Koneko had been standing, deep fissures sketched their way, cut by the power of the second gate. But my timely intervention had saved the petrified girl from harm.

Koneko's Thoughts/ POV

"Am I really about to die?" I thought as Lee's fist hurtled towards her paralyzed form. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the crushing impact.

But the blow never landed.

Instead, she felt the earth shudder and rumble beneath her feet. Cracking one eye open, Koneko gasped as a familiar mop of white hair came into view. Naruto stood between her and Lee, his arm outstretched, gripping Lee's wrist in an iron grasp mere inches from her face.

"N-Naruto-senpai?" Koneko stammered, her voice trembling.

Back to present

Naruto's expression was thunderous as he glared at Lee. "That's enough," he growled, his tone brooking no argument. "Can't you see she's in no condition to fight?"

Lee's eyes went wide as he finally registered Koneko's panicked state. The green aura surrounding his body flickered and faded away. Shame etched lines across his face as he lowered his fist.

"I'm sorry, Naruto-sama, Koneko-san," Lee said, bowing low on his hands and knees. "My flames of youth burned too brightly. I should have been more aware."

Naruto released his grip on Lee's wrist and turned his attention to Koneko. His gaze softened as he took in her trembling form and the haunted look in her eyes.

"Koneko-chan, are you alright?" he asked gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Koneko flinched at his touch, her body tense as a coiled spring. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she simply nodded jerkily, unable to meet Naruto's concerned gaze.

"Easy now," Naruto soothed, his voice low and calming. "The fight is over. You're safe."

Across the field, Tsubasa watched the scene unfold with a mixture of relief and concern. She had been helpless to aid her fellow rook. She was still trapped within Choji's massive grip.

"Choji-san, please let me go," she called out, renewing her struggles against his iron fingers. "Koneko-san needs me."

Choji hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Finally, with a nod, his massive form shrank back down to normal size, releasing Tsubasa from his grasp.

The slender girl immediately took to the air, her devil wings beating furiously as she soared over to where Koneko stood trembling. She landed beside her friend, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders.

"It's okay, Koneko-chan," Tsubasa murmured, shooting a grateful look towards Naruto. "We're here for you."

Koneko leaned into Tsubasa's comforting embrace, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she fought to regain her composure. Slowly, the haunted look began to fade from her eyes, replaced by a weary gratitude.

"Thank you, Naruto-senpai, Tsubasa-san," she whispered hoarsely. "I... I don't know what came over me."

Naruto locked eyes with Tsubasa, and with that, both he and Tsubasa wordlessly knew what the other would do. He nodded slightly, and with that, sent the rooks back to each side.

Almost instantly, Naruto had zipped across the field and suddenly appeared beside a surprised Rias. He leaned in very close to her, his lips near her ear, as he spoke slowly in a hushed murmur.

"You and I need to talk about Koneko after all the sparring matches," Naruto murmured, his voice low and serious. "And why is she not using senjutsu?"

Rias stiffened slightly at his words, her brow furrowing. "H-How did he know Koneko was a Nekomata?" she thought to herself. She turned her head ever so slightly to meet Naruto's intense gaze with a guarded expression.

"Very well," she replied quietly, her tone clipped.

Naruto held her gaze a moment longer before nodding sharply and stepping back. His eyes flickered to where Koneko still stood, the girl trembling slightly in the comforting embrace of Tsubasa. A flicker of concern crossed his features before his face smoothed once more into a mask of neutrality.

As the rooks fell back, regrouping on opposite sides, it was silent upon the field. The air hung heavy, tension from last match. Naruto's gaze swept through the fighters gathered, his mind already turning to the next phase.

Naruto beckoned the knights forward with a wave of his hand. Meguri and Yuuto stood side by side, their expressions focused and determined. Across from them, Neji's gaze was sharp as a hawk's, his pale eyes missing nothing as he assessed his opponents. Beside him, Satsuki cut an imposing figure, her raven locks framing a face set in steely resolve.

"Are both sides ready?" Naruto called out, his voice ringing across the field.

Neji gave a curt nod, his eyes narrowing. Satsuki simply shifted her stance, body coiled like a spring, awaiting the signal to strike.

Yuuto glanced at Meguri, who met his gaze with a small smile and a nod of her own. "Ready," she affirmed.

"Okay. Hajime!" Naruto's voice boomed, and the match began.

In a blur of motion, Kiba summoned his Sword Birth, a dozen blades materializing in the air around him. He snatched one from the cluster, its blade glinting in the fading sunlight, and tossed it to Meguri. She caught it deftly, her slender fingers curling around the hilt as she dropped into a ready stance.

She drew her katana from its sheath. The blade gleamed ominously in the fading sunlight. Satsuki revealed a Japanese-style sword with a sleek metal of deep, inky black that seemed to absorb light around it. The long, razor-edged blade was straight. The textured grip on the handle gave one a firm hold, while there was a hole in the middle of the round tsuba for a lanyard or some kind of decoration. A small keychain with the iconic crest of the Uchiha clan spun from a string near the handle, gleaming brightly, reminding her of their proud heritage.

Neji drew his own sword with grace, precision. This was a masterpiece forged from pure, shining silver—like the sword glowing from within. The edge was wickedly sharp, gleaming with danger. The tsuba was done in the shape of a cross for divine protection and faith, forged in golden metal, studded with sparkling white opals that shone like stars for purity and sanctity.

The blades were at the ready. Tension was so thick one could almost feel it. Yuuto and Meguri warily eyed opponents, their weapons gripped tight to them as they braced for the impending clash of steel. Deathly still now, save for the sound of grass rustling in the evening breeze, the field seemed to grow quiet; as if nature itself had held its breath in anticipation of what was to come.

The crisp leaves, like two men in an evening breeze, were lazily carried to the air, wafted gently in a meandering dance. There wasn't an eye that hadn't followed their unhurried twisting and dipping to rest upon the grassy field, an unspoken signal for them all to begin.

Kiba exploded into motion, the light fall of his footsteps quick as he bridged the gap toward Neji. That was when the blonde knight's sword became a silver blur in a designedly deadly arc for his opponent's head.

Neji's washed-out, beige eyes narrowed onto every minute action Kiba performed with unnatural grace. He brought up his own blade with liquid grace, parrying the strike with a resounding clang of metal on metal. Sparks scattered through the air as the two swords ground against each other, locked in a contest of strength.

While on the other side of the field, Meguri charged with her katana held low and steady. Satsuki met the charge head-on; her ravenous blade was a blur of inky blackness as she countered Meguri's opening strike.

Steel sang as the two knights exchanged a flurry of blows, swords clashing in a lethal dance. Meguri spun and weaved with her willowy form as her silver blade became a whirlwind, seeking any gap in Satsuki's defenses. But the Uchiha matched her stride for stride, her obsidian sword a living shadow, deflecting each strike with lethal precision.

Neji and Kiba broke apart, warily circling one another. Sweat beaded on Kiba's brow, the lines of his face taut as he studied his opponent, trying to anticipate his next move. Then, with sudden speed, he flung himself forward, his sword a silver arc aimed at Neji's midsection.

But the Hyuga was prepared. With almost preternatural grace, he danced to the side, easily sidestepping the strike and letting Kiba's own momentum carry him on past. As the blonde knight stumbled, off-balance from his failed attack, Neji struck with viper-like speed.

His sword flashed out, and Kiba felt the kiss of steel across his back in a shallow cut. He grunted in pain as he lurched forward a few steps before whirling around with renewed determination burning in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Meguri and Satsuki performed their deadly pas de deux, neither one willing to give up a single inch of ground. Feinting left, Meguri swept her katana wide in a mighty arc, then wheeled right to strike; but Satsuki had seen through the ruse, and her own sword flashed out to meet the blade with a screaming protest of steel.

Gritting her teeth, Meguri renewed her efforts to rain down blows at blinding speed. But Satsuki matched each blow, her raven locks whipping around her face as she countered each attack with fluid grace.

These two girls were locked in fierce combat. Both blades were jammed against each other, the forms bent back in unremitting effort to forge ahead and win. The sweat stood on their brows; the muscles were taut with straining at the effort. Meguri gritted her teeth, her slim arms shaking as she pushed against Satsuki's sword, their faces only inches apart.

Satsuki's lips suddenly arced into a smirk, and in a blur of motion, she vanished from sight. Meguri's eyes widened with surprise as her sword sliced through empty air where a moment before Satsuki had been.

"Where did sh…?" Meguri began, but the words were cut off by a searing pain across her back. She cried out, stumbling forward a few steps before she dropped down to one knee, her katana clattering onto the ground beside her.

Meguri's chest heaved as she fought to catch her breath, her eyes wide with a mixture of pain and disbelief. A thin line of crimson seeped from the shallow cut across her back, staining her uniform.

She tried to get back on her feet, but her legs trembled and betrayed her, crumpling beneath her weight. Meguri crashed back onto her knees, her katana clattering uselessly beside her.

"W-why...?" she gasped, her body refusing to obey her commands. A cold tendril of fear snaked its way down her spine as she stared at her trembling limbs in disbelief.

"Oh, you must be wondering why you can't move," a mocking voice cut through the haze of confusion.

Meguri's gaze snapped up to find Satsuki towering over her, a predatory grin curling her lips. The Uchiha twirled her inky black blade lazily, droplets of a viscous, amber liquid flicking from its edge.

"You see, kusanagi has a special neurotoxin that messes with normal body senses," Satsuki purred, her obsidian eyes glinting with sadistic delight. "A few drops coated on my blade, and even the smallest cut renders the victim's muscles useless."

Meguri's eyes widened in horror as realization sank in. The shallow slice across her back...that's how the venom had entered her system. She opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a strangled croak as her body grew heavier, limbs like lead weights.

"Shit...poi...son..." she managed to slur before the world tilted violently.

Meguri's vision swam as the toxin worked its way through her veins with frightening speed. She could only watch helplessly as Satsuki's form blurred and wavered before her eyes.

"Don't worry, it won't kill you," Satsuki's disembodied voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, echoing in Meguri's fading consciousness. "But you'll wish it did."

Those mocking words were the last thing Meguri heard before the blackness claimed her, and she knew no more.

"Naruto, I may have gone overboard with my actions," Satsuki spoke mentally, a tinge of remorse lacing her tone. "Sakura needs to deal with kusanagi's neurotoxin that is inside Meguri's body."

"Understood," came Naruto's mental response. "Please escort Meguri-san to Sakura right away."

Before Naruto could relay the order, a blur of pink rushed across the field. "I'm already here," Sakura's voice rang out as she skidded to a halt beside the fallen Meguri.

Sakura's fingers probed delicately in the wound, causing her brow to crease with every meticulous assessment. "That damned Kusanagi neurotoxin is spreading rapidly," she murmured, the tone laced with concern. She remembers healing Neji from poison during training sessions with him and Satsuki.

Placing her palm directly over the shallow laceration marrying Meguri's back, Sakura's hand began to emanate a soft, rose-tinted radiance; the unmistakable aura of her sacred gear activating. "Honestly, Satsuki could have ended this quickly with her Sharingan," she mentally ranted, frowning as ire began to seep into her thoughts. "But no, she had to use that blasted neurotoxin, leaving me to clean up her mess…again!"

Across the field, Sona and Rias watched this entire scene unfold with a mixture of confusion and trepidation, their gazes fixed upon Naruto as he stood between them.

"What happened?" Sona demanded, her voice edged with urgency as she viewed Meguri's prone form.

Naruto turned to both Kings seriously. "Neurotoxin," he explained, his voice serious. "Satsuki's Kusanagi blade contains a powerful venom with two natures. From a shallow cut such as Meguri received, it acts as the venom from a King Cobra – though not lethal in and of itself, it slowly drains a victim of both strength and coordination during combat."

"But the deeper lacerations are a whole different matter. The venom gland in Kusanagi is capable of conducting much more of its dosage, similar to the paralytic properties of a Black Mamba's venom. It disrupts the neural pathways, cutting off the nerves from the muscles, resulting in full-body paralysis." A shadow crossed Naruto's features. "More severe cases can affect the heart."

Rias gasped, her eyes widening. "But that's...that's too dangerous! Meguri could have been killed!"

"She'll be fine, don't worry," Naruto said reassuringly. His gaze then turned to the pendant on her neck—a dual-colored gemstone, evenly split between glowing, rose-tinted hues and deep, shadowy purple. The stone pulsed with light and darkness alike as Sakura harnessed its energy.

"That is Sakura's sacred gear, Dusk's Salvation," Naruto explained, while pointing towards the pendant that Sona and Rias notice. "It can heal by fusing light and dark energies. The light repairs physical damage, replenishing vitality, and the dark absorbs and dispels ill effects like curses or poisons."

With Kiba and Neji

Kiba and Neji continued their fierce duel, their swords clashing in a whirlwind of strikes and parries. Kiba's brow was furrowed in concentration, his muscles coiled like a spring as he pressed his attack, raining down a flurry of blows upon Neji's guard.

But the Hyuga was a fortress, his blade deflecting each strike with fluid grace, his pale eyes seeming to anticipate Kiba's every move. With a sudden twist of his wrist, Neji deflected Kiba's sword aside, leaving the blonde knight momentarily off-balance.

Seizing the opportunity, Neji lunged forward, his sword lancing out in a lightning-fast thrust. Kiba barely managed to twist aside, the tip of Neji's blade grazing his side, drawing a thin line of crimson.

Both knights disengaged, circling each other warily, their chests heaving with exertion well, mostly Kiba. Kiba pressed a hand to his bleeding side, his gaze locked onto Neji's impassive expression.

Neji flicked the blood off his blade with a professional flick of his wrist, the crimson droplets scattering on the grass. His pale gaze narrowed with cold calculation as he reviewed the stance formed in defense by Kiba. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as an idea formed in his mind.

Kiba didn't know what to make of the unexpected move."So chivalry isn't dead after all, huh?" He quipped, his voice laced with equal parts curiosity and wariness. "Or do you think I'm that easy to beat?"

Neji streaked forward—the motion so fast that it seemed like his image blurred—so fast that it closed the gap between Kiba and himself in a single heartbeat.

"Yes," Neji replied, his tone clipped and emotionless.

In that same breath, he struck out with two fingers, jabbing them precisely into a pressure point on Kiba's left bicep… A shock of paralysis rippled up Kiba's arm, the muscles going slack against his will. To clutter on the ground with a dull thud, his sword slipped from his suddenly numb fingers. Kiba flexed his fingers a few times in disbelief, staring at his traitorous limb.

"Wha—" His words caught in his throat when Neji's palm slammed into his chest, the force behind the strike driving the air from his lungs. Kiba staggered back, wheezing for breath, his free hand holding his chest.

Neji gave no respite, taking his slight advantage and increasing it exponentially with a rapid flow of accurate strikes. His fingers flew over Kiba's body, their points each falling on one vital pressure point with deadly accuracy. In seconds, Kiba could no longer even obey the frantic commands roiling within his mind; his arms and legs had gone numb.

Kiba crashed to his knees. Gritting his teeth, Kiba summoned every last bit of will he had left and drove it into his numb limbs in desperation to regain control of them. His arm trembled violently as he advanced a little and reached out with outstretched fingers to grasp the hilt of his fallen sword.

But it did no good. His body just would not budge, Neji's strikes leaving him about as helpless as a newborn babe. Frustration and humiliation burned inside Kiba's chest; tears of impotent rage stung the corners of his eyes.

"My body feels like it's being ripped from the inside out," he thought hazily, his vision blurring.

Neji regarded the crumpled form of his defeated opponent with an impassive expression. Not a single quiver of emotion crossed the Hyuga's pale, iris-less eyes as he leveled the tip of his blade at Kiba's throat in undeniable warning.

"Yield," Neji stated flatly, in a voice that brooked no dispute.

A frustrated growl rumbled in Kiba's chest as he glared defiantly up at Neji.

The Hyuga didn't so much as blink, his stance unwavering, the razor-sharp edge of his sword a hairsbreadth from Kiba's exposed neck. "I attacked your pressure points using holy magic," he said dispassionately. "Surrender now, or face the consequences."

Mention of holy magic made Kiba's eyes widen. He knew very well what holy energy did to devils. A chill raced down his spine as the full implications sank in – he was completely helpless against such an ability.

At last, Kiba slumped in defeat, with all fight draining out of him. "I…yield," he ground out through gritted teeth, the words tasting like ashes on his tongue.

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he fainted. His body went limp, collapsing bonelessly to the ground as the darkness claimed his vision. The very last thing he saw was Neji's impassive gaze boring into him before the world faded to black.

"Team Gojo wins," Naruto said as he was looking to the other side of the field where Sakura was.

Across the Field

Her hands began to glow with an aura of soft pink as she held them over the prone form that was Meguri. Eyes closed in concentration, Sakura focused her power into the gemstone pendant that dangled from her neck. Rose-tinted light and shadowy tendrils interwove, whirling around Meguri's body in a mesmerizing dance.

The light energies worked their healing magic, gradually knitting the wound on Meguri's back closed, while dark energies flowed through her veins and countered the paralyzing effects of Satsuki's potent neurotoxin.

Beads of sweat coaxed onto Sakura's brow as she channeled further power into the healing process, gritting her teeth against the strain. "This poison is incredibly potent," she murmured. "Satsuki really overdid it this time."

Sakura's aura flickered and died around Meguri's body after what felt like an eternity. It was the knight who stirred first, her eyelids fluttering open as strength finally began to seep back into her limbs. She groaned softly, pushing herself up to sit, a look of confusion etched across her delicate features.

"W-what happened?" Meguri asked her brow furrowing as she looked around at the concerned faces surrounding her. "Did ?"

"No, I'm afraid you lost this round," Sakura said gently, her expression apologetic as Meguri's face fell. The brunette knight blew a disheartened sigh as her shoulders sagged, defeated.

Placing a comforting hand on her arm, Sakura gave Meguri a warm smile. "Hey, don't look so glum. You fought valiantly against a formidable opponent." She inclined her head toward Satsuki, who was standing just a little farther away, serenely cleaning the blade of her kusanagi. "Her prowess with that accursed blade is second to none, and very few can withstand her neurotoxin."

Meguri furrowed her brow while regarding the raven-haired Uchiha. "That poison she used, it was like nothing I have ever felt," she murmured, her body quivering at the memory. "My muscles all seized up on me, refusing to do my bidding. I was powerless."

Sakura's face was hardened, her jade eyes flashing with anger. "Trust me, I've had enough dealt with kusanagi venom for a while now," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "That neurotoxin is potent stuff—actually, even a shallow cut can incapacitate in seconds if you're not prepared for it."

Sakura sighed wearily, her expression gentling as she lifted Meguri to her feet. "But hey, you're still standing, and that's what matters," she said, trying to smile encouragingly. "Just take this as a learning experience. Next time, you'll know what to expect from that cursed blade."

Sakura's infectious grin won its way to Meguri, and she felt her spirits somewhat lifted. "You're right, Sakura-san," she returned, shouldering a bit straightened with renewed determination. "I won't let this setback keep me down. I'll train harder and grow stronger—strong enough to overcome any obstacle." Her gaze flickered back toward Satsuki, her eyes slanting. "Even Uchiha's tricks won't stop me next time."

Sakura wrapped Meguri's arm around her shoulder, helping her to the side where Sona's peerage could be found, while Neji was carrying Kiba's limp body over his shoulder and going to Rias's peerage.

*SCENE BREAK*

Naruto stood at the center of the field, his piercing gaze sweeping across the assembled combatants. His mind raced with anticipation as he studied Sona's two bishops, Tsubaki and Reya, their expressions focused and determined. Turning his attention to his own bishops, Naruto's eyes settled on Sakura who was dragging Shikamaru by the back of his collar.

"These next two rounds should be interesting," Naruto mused to himself, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His gaze then shifted to the queens lined up on either side of the field – Akeno and Tsubaki for Rias and Sona's peerages, while Yakeru represented his own.

A low chuckle rumbled in Naruto's throat as he surveyed the formidable lineup. "Yes, these rounds will be quite flashy indeed."

To be Continued…

Author Notes: Like I said at the beginning, I will be canceling or redoing my fanfiction and I will be replacing some of them with new stories. So stay tuned, this is Dimer signing off.