A/N: I do not own the characters used, (unless they are OC), rights to their respective Authors.

"Character Speaking"

"Character Thinking"

Jutsu.

[Summoning or Tailed Beast Speaking]

[ Summoning or Tailed Beast Speaking]

Before starting with the chapter, I would like to say something important: There are going to be a lot of changes in both Naruto World and DxD world. So please if there is something that does not match with the canon, doesn't mean I don't know, it's just how my story takes on that matter.

Now, somebody in the comments said about the Grayfia's surname, being Lucifuge and not Lucifugus. As I checked, this is true, however, I don't think it's worth it now to rewrite this for this small mistake. And about Mizuki, which I wrote as Mitsuki. The same, I wrote it without thinking too much and didn't even check, so my bad.


Konoha, Hokage's Office:

The Third Hokage of the Leaf Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood by his office window, gazing at the stunning sunset while taking a thoughtful puff from his pipe. Despite his outward calm, his mind was a whirlwind of activity. His thoughts lingered on the document Grayfia had handed him before her departure.

A familiar voice broke his reverie. "Hokage-sama, you summoned me?"

Hiruzen turned to see Kakashi Hatake standing at attention. "Ah, Kakashi. It's good to see you," Hiruzen greeted him with a smile. Kakashi responded with a smile from his single visible eye, which quickly turned serious as he watched the old man perform a series of hand seals to secure the room, a precaution for discussing sensitive matters.

Once the seals were in place, Hiruzen's expression grew grave as he handed Kakashi a single sheet of paper. Kakashi took the paper and began to read. His visible eye widened in shock as he absorbed the contents. He looked up at Hiruzen, seeking confirmation.

Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "Kakashi, what you're holding is real. I was just as shocked as you when I first saw it."

Kakashi quickly returned the paper. "But how is this possible?"

Hiruzen sighed. "The only explanation is that someone within the village's high command is involved. But I can't say whether it's from the shinobi or civilian side," the Hokage explained with a hint of resignation.

Kakashi's fists clenched, his killing intent spiking to the point where even the hidden ANBU struggled to breathe. Although they couldn't hear the conversation, they sensed something dire was unfolding.

Kakashi's anger simmered. He had waited twelve years for a chance to connect with Naruto, to form a bond with his sensei's son. But the boy had failed the exam, and Kakashi felt powerless to change it.

He had resolved to focus on helping his fallen friend's legacy, guiding Sasuke towards a good path and, if possible, forming a connection with him. But the document was the final straw, pushing his frustration, sadness, and anger to the surface.

He had been forbidden from contacting Naruto, though he had watched over him from the shadows in his early years. He knew he hadn't been in the best state to care for the child back then, so he hadn't questioned the order at the time.

Now, however, he regretted his inaction. He vowed that when he found the one responsible for this, there would be no mercy.

Sensing Kakashi's rising rage, Hiruzen knew he had to intervene before things escalated. "Kakashi, calm yourself," he ordered firmly.

Kakashi snapped out of his thoughts and took a few deep breaths to regain composure. "I apologize," he said, but Hiruzen shook his head.

"No, I understand completely. I felt the same way when I first learned of this," Hiruzen assured him. Kakashi took another deep breath and sat down.

Silence filled the room until Kakashi, now calmer, spoke again. "What are we going to do now?" he asked seriously.

"For now, nothing," Hiruzen began. Kakashi raised an eyebrow but waited for him to continue. "If my suspicions are correct, it's best to let them think they've succeeded. Meanwhile, we'll interrogate the Academy instructors. Although I believe some are innocent, I want them questioned one by one, and all of this must be done in secret."

Kakashi nodded. "Hokage-sama, before we conclude, I have one last request." Hiruzen gestured for him to continue. "If possible, when the culprit is found, may I have permission to speak with them?"

The Hokage was slightly surprised by the request but understood. He granted his approval and dispelled the silencing barrier.

Before they could continue, an ANBU knelt before them. "Hokage-sama, my apologies for the interruption, but the council meeting is about to begin," the ANBU informed them.

Hiruzen nodded and dismissed the ANBU, who vanished from sight. The Hokage rose from his chair and headed for the door. Before leaving, he turned to Kakashi.

"Kakashi, you and Neko are in charge of this mission. Brief her on the details and bring the suspects to Ibiki for interrogation," he ordered before exiting the room. Kakashi nodded and disappeared in a swirl of leaves, using the Shunshin [ Body Flicker Technique ].

Council Chamber:

Hiruzen appeared before the tall doors of the council chamber, using a quick Shunshin to reach them. He paused for a moment to compose himself and then strode forward, pushing the doors open with determination.

The meeting room was filled with representatives from the shinobi and civilian factions. As Hiruzen, their leader, entered the room, they all rose to their feet and bowed deeply in respect. He nodded in acknowledgement before taking his own seat at the head of the table, signaling for others to do the same.

Hiruzen strode confidently to his seat at the head of the council, his traditional Hokage robes swishing elegantly behind him. As he took his place, he turned to address the council members who sat before him. "Good evening, everyone."

The room buzzed with greetings and acknowledgments as everyone settled into their seats. Hiruzen cleared his throat and began, " As we are all aware, the Genin Graduation Exam was held two days ago. This year's graduating class holds particular importance, as it includes the heirs of some of our most respected leaders." A sense of pride and anticipation hung in the air.

"Together with their instructor, Iruka Umino, we have carefully selected and formed teams for these graduates and assigned them their respective sensei," Hiruzen announced, gesturing towards an ANBU who stepped forward to distribute a sheet detailing the council members leaned in, eagerly examining the team assignments and discussing amongst themselves.

After some minutes of silence Hiruzen asked "Are there any objections or concerns?"

The council members shook their heads. The teams and their sensei assignments seemed logical and well-balanced. Hiruzen's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of dissent, when suddenly a voice shattered the stillness.

"Hiruzen, where is the Jinchuriki?"

The sound of Danzo Shimura's voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, filling the room with an icy chill. Every eye in the room turned to the Hokage, waiting for his response.

Hiruzen showed no outward signs of emotion, but inside, he couldn't help but feel pleased. His former teammate and known as "The War Hawk" had unknowingly provided him with the perfect opportunity to confirm his suspicions regarding the information Grayfia had provided.

His voice dripping with authority, Hiruzen addressed Danzo firmly. "First of all, it's 'Hokage-sama' to you. And secondly, the Jinchuriki has a name. I suggest you use it."

Danzo's face remained stoic, but inside he seethed with anger. It had been years since Hiruzen had spoken to him with such disrespect, and he didn't appreciate it one bit.

"As for Naruto," Hiruzen continued, "he simply failed the exam for the third time. As you all know, that means he cannot re-enter the Academy and, consequently, become a ninja through conventional means."

The Hokage observed the reactions of those present. As he had expected, some of the shinobi leaders sighed in relief, while others remained neutral or appeared to be so. On the civilian side, some wore smug smiles, while others showed cold indifference. Among his advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane merely frowned, while Danzo, as always, remained expressionless.

A brief silence followed. Just as they were about to move on to another topic, Danzo spoke again.

"And why weren't we informed that the boy was leaving the village?" he asked sharply. Everyone was taken aback by this revelation. While no one favored the boy, they all understood his importance to the village and the implications of his absence.

"Is this true, Hokage-sama?" Hiashi Hyuuga, the stoic leader of the Hyuga clan, inquired. Though he maintained a neutral stance regarding Naruto, he was well aware of the boy's significance and the impact his presence had on relations with other villages. The rest of the council waited anxiously for their leader's response.

Hiruzen remained calm, his gaze meeting Hiashi's. "Yes, it's true. Naruto is not currently in the village. As for why I didn't inform anyone," he paused, his eyes locking with Danzo's, "the answer is simple. The information is classified and for the Hokage's eyes only."

Surprise rippled through the room. A question echoed in everyone's mind: What was the boy doing that even the village's high command couldn't know?

"Now that you are all aware of this detail," Hiruzen continued, his voice dripping with authority, "I am classifying it as S-rank. And let me make this clear: if anyone dares to divulge this information, not only will I personally put an end to them, but their entire family will suffer first, as they watch helplessly."

The room grew heavy with tension. Everyone started sweating, unsure of how to react. The pressure was immense, and moments like these reminded them that the man before them was once hailed as the "God of Shinobi."

"Understood?" Hiruzen's voice boomed, leaving no room for argument. Though the punishment might seem cruel, he couldn't risk the information leaking like it had 12 years ago. To reinforce his point, he released a surge of his chakra. The council members could only nod in agreement.

Hiruzen withdrew his chakra and surveyed the room. The civilians were breathing heavily, some struggling to rise from the floor where they had collapsed under the weight of his power. Some of the shinobi leaders sighed in relief, while others wiped the sweat from their brows.

No one spoke. The room was shrouded in a deathly silence as everyone processed the Hokage's words.

Hiruzen smirked inwardly and rose from his seat, heading towards the door. "The meeting is adjourned for today," he announced. Many in the room snapped out of their daze, watching as their leader reached the door. Without turning around, he spoke one last command.

"Danzo, I want to see you in my office immediately."

Danzo gripped his cane tightly, but Hiruzen had already vanished with a Shunshin.

The room remained silent for a few minutes until Shikaku Nara, the Nara clan leader, yawned and stood up. "Well, the meeting's over. I think it's time to go," he said, and people began to file out of the room, each lost in their own thoughts.

Hokage's Office:

Two hours had passed since the council meeting. The Hokage was finishing up the day's paperwork when a loud, urgent knock sounded at his office door. Hiruzen set down his pen and granted permission to enter, expecting another tedious report or request.

But instead, Danzo Shimura stepped into the room, his usually stoic expression marred by a hint of unease. "What did you want, Hiruzen?" he asked in his usual emotionless tone.

Hiruzen smiled coyly at his former teammate's demeanor and stood up, walking towards the man. Danzo raised an eyebrow at the action but said nothing.

"You see, Danzo," Hiruzen began casually, as if they were simply discussing the weather. "I don't think you fully understand your position here."

Danzo's confusion quickly turned to apprehension as he noticed the glint in Hiruzen's eye. But before he could question further, Hiruzen moved with blinding speed. In a flash, he severed Danzo's left arm with a simple kunai infused with lightning chakra.

The pain was excruciating and Danzo couldn't comprehend what had happened. One moment he was standing before Hiruzen, the next he was on the floor, clutching his mangled arm which barely clung to his body. He was about to cry out in agony, but Hiruzen's hand clamped over his mouth with unnatural strength, silencing him.

When Danzo looked up, he saw the Hokage staring down at him with an impassive expression. "Is something wrong?" Hiruzen asked coldly.

Danzo wriggled free from Hiruzen's grasp and scrambled backwards in shock and horror, falling to his knees. He cradled his arm, which hung limply from his shoulder, glaring up at his former ally with pure rage and hatred. "What have you done?" he shouted, struggling to keep his arm attached.

"Oh, just employing your methods," Hiruzen continued nonchalantly. Seeing Danzo's confusion, he elaborated, "In other words, I'm simply treating you the way you treat your underground rats."

Danzo's eyes widened in realization and fear as Hiruzen's words sunk in. But before he could react, Hiruzen delivered another blow. "And since you didn't follow my orders when I told you to come immediately," he paused for effect, "well, I thought I'd give you a little taste of what will happen if you disobey me again."

The Hokage's voice was now ice-cold and Danzo knew that this was no mere warning. He struggled to his feet and stumbled towards the door, but Hiruzen had one last thing to say.

"Ah, Danzo," Hiruzen called out after him, "I expect you to do your job better from now on. After all, a tool can always be replaced, can't it?"

Danzo understood the message all too well. He himself often said the same thing to his subordinates. The Hokage was giving him an ultimatum and they both knew this wasn't just about disobeying a single order.

But even more terrifying was the fact that Danzo now knew without a doubt that Hiruzen wouldn't hesitate to kill him. He swallowed his pride and rage and disappeared in a Shunshin towards his base.

Though every fiber of his being yearned to send all his men to assassinate the Hokage right then and there, he knew it would be futile. As much as it pained him, he had to follow Hiruzen's orders for now because he knew that crossing the powerful ninja would only lead to his own demise.

Time Skip: 1 week [Naruto and Grayfia]

It had been a week since Naruto and Grayfia had left the village to settle in the silver-haired girl's quiet home. Panting, the blonde was clinging to a tree, his muscles tense from the constant effort. Since his arrival, the days had become a routine of relentless training, guided by the scrolls his Jiji had given him.

At first, Naruto had been eager to learn the Shunshin no Jutsu, but Grayfia had been adamant: 'Chakra control is the basis of everything'. Reluctantly, Naruto had agreed and immersed himself in the arduous exercises. Now, on the verge of reaching the top of the tree, he felt a satisfaction that made him forget the fatigue.

"Well done, Naruto," Grayfia's gentle voice echoed through the clearing, drawing him back to the present. A warm smile graced her lips as she extended a glass of cool water toward him.

"Thank you, Grayfia-chan," he replied gratefully, taking a long, refreshing gulp. Together, they settled onto the soft grass, their gazes sweeping across the vast expanse of the horizon.

"And you, how's your training going?" Naruto inquired, his curiosity piqued by his companion's progress.

A wistful expression flickered across Grayfia's features. "I am gradually regaining my former strength," she confided, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. Ever since she arrived in this world, she had deliberately suppressed her abilities, fearing unwanted attention. But now, with Naruto by her side, she needs to be able to fight.

The two sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Naruto, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, broke the tranquility. "Hey, Grayfia," he began, capturing her attention with a simple glance.

"Ever since we arrived here, I've been wondering...is there anyone else on this...place besides us?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of unease. The isolation of their surroundings had begun to weigh on him.

"No," Grayfia replied simply, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Naruto's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "And how do you know that?"

"Because I surveyed the island from the air," she explained, her words revealing a startling truth.

"Island?" Naruto echoed, his mind reeling. He hadn't realized they were on an island. A sudden thought struck him, causing his expression to turn serious.

"But if we're on an island, that means we're not in the Fire Nation," he mumbled, more to himself than to Grayfia. He had a basic understanding of the Fire Nation's territory, having studied maps in class and even glimpsed the grand map in the Hokage's office. No island had ever been marked as part of their domain.

Lost in his thoughts, Naruto barely registered Grayfia calling his name. It wasn't until she gently shook his shoulder that he snapped out of his trance, blinking at her in confusion. "Ahh... ehhh..." he stammered, quickly composing himself.

"Grayfia," he began, his voice firm, "are you absolutely certain we're in the Fire Nation?"

Grayfia looked at him, puzzled by his sudden concern. "Of course we are, Naruto," she assured him. "But why do you ask?"

Naruto took a deep breath. "Grayfia, the Fire Nation doesn't have any islands within its territory. I've seen the maps."

Surprise flickered across Grayfia's face, quickly replaced by confusion. "But that's impossible," she protested. "There's a small, ruined village on this island. And everywhere you look, there's that red spiral symbol, the same one worn by all the Konoha shinobi."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock. He had never heard of such a village. A surge of determination coursed through him. "Grayfia-chan, can you take me to this village?"

Grayfia, though still grappling with the implications of Naruto's words, nodded. With a swift gesture, she summoned a magic circle beneath them, and in a flash of light, they vanished from the clearing.

Moments later, they materialized on a small hill overlooking a desolate village. No more than ten houses, all in ruins, dotted the landscape.

"This is the place I told you about," Grayfia said, gesturing towards the village. "And as you can see, there's the spiral symbol, just as I described."

Naruto's gaze followed her finger, landing on the distinct red spiral etched into the wall of one of the crumbling structures.

"When I first saw it, I didn't think much of it," Grayfia continued. "But once I arrived in the Fire Nation and encountered the symbol again, I realized it belonged to Konoha. That's why I sought out Konoha in the first place." She paused, looking to Naruto for any sign of comprehension. He responded with a slow nod.

"Are there more islands?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Grayfia confirmed his suspicion. "When I first arrived on this island, I conducted an aerial survey of the entire area. This island is part of a small archipelago, with the largest one situated in the center." She paused again, her expression turning thoughtful. "Although I haven't visited any of the other islands, I'm fairly certain they're uninhabited."

Naruto absorbed this new information, his mind racing with possibilities. After a few moments of contemplation, he spoke again. "Grayfia-chan, could we go to the main island?"

Despite her growing bewilderment at the boy's actions, Grayfia simply nodded. This time, instead of summoning a magic circle, she unfurled her wings, enveloped Naruto in a secure embrace from behind, and launched them both into the sky.

Naruto, still lost in his thoughts, was startled by the sudden ascent. His feet left the ground, and before he could process what was happening, he was airborne. A primal scream tore from his throat.

"¡AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

His cries echoed across the islands until, finally, their feet touched solid ground once more. Naruto, released from Grayfia's grasp, collapsed onto the earth, fervently kissing the soil.

Grayfia, observing the entire spectacle, couldn't contain her laughter. Her amusement only intensified as Naruto continued his display of affection for the ground. Finally, her laughter reached his ears, and he turned to glare at her, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Why didn't you warn me?!" he demanded.

Grayfia's laughter subsided into a playful grin. "And where would be the fun in that?" she retorted.

Naruto rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small smile tugging at his lips. He shook his head, then looked expectantly at Grayfia, who had also regained her composure. "Do you know where the village is on this island?"

"I saw some buildings in the center of the island from the air", Grayfia answered and took the lead, and together they set off at a brisk pace towards the main island's village.

Half an hour into their journey, Grayfia abruptly halted, her sharp eyes catching something in the dense foliage. Naruto, surprised by her sudden stop, inquired, "Is something wrong, Grayfia-chan?"

Without a word, Grayfia moved towards a nearby bush, her movements cautious. She parted the leaves, and her eyes widened in shock. Naruto, his curiosity piqued, approached her. He gasped as he saw what had captured her attention: a mummified corpse, seemingly untouched by time, was propped against a tree, a rusted sword impaled through its chest.

Grayfia quickly regained her composure and placed a comforting hand on Naruto's shoulder. He, too, shook off his initial shock, though the urge to vomit churned in his stomach. The academy had prepared them for the reality of death in a shinobi's life, but no amount of theoretical knowledge could fully brace them for the sight of a decaying body.

"Let's move on," Grayfia said softly, her voice steady. Naruto nodded, steeling himself and following her lead. He fought back the nausea, his mind replaying the gruesome image.

Grayfia, too, was lost in thought, though not about the corpse itself. She had witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. What troubled her was the presence of the body in this seemingly abandoned place. An even more pressing concern nagged at her: since their arrival on the island, she hadn't seen a single animal. The island where she had initially landed had teemed with wildlife, but this one was eerily silent.

The absence of scavengers would explain the mummified state of the corpse. A shiver ran down her spine. What other secrets did this island hold?

Neither of them spoke as they continued their trek, their minds heavy with unanswered questions. But as the remnants of more buildings emerged in the distance, their eyes met, and a silent understanding passed between them and both quickened their pace.

Minutes later, they crested a hill, and the sight that greeted them caused their blood to run cold. The village lay in ruins, a scene of utter devastation. Buildings were reduced to rubble, weapons—kunai, swords, shurikens—littered the ground like fallen leaves. But the most horrifying sight was the countless bodies, both shinobi and civilians, strewn across the village. All were mummified, frozen in grotesque postures of death.

Naruto couldn't hold back any longer. He doubled over, retching violently. The gruesome spectacle was far beyond anything he had ever imagined. Grayfia, though hardened by her own experiences, was also shaken. The sheer scale of the carnage was overwhelming. What struck her most was the eerie stillness of it all. It was as if time had stopped the moment the battle ended, leaving the village suspended in a macabre tableau.

She knelt beside Naruto, her hand resting gently on his back. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Naruto took a few shuddering breaths, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah... I've just never seen anything like this before."

Grayfia nodded in understanding. "Do you want to keep going?"

He hesitated, then looked up at her, his resolve hardening. "Yes."

Grayfia wasn't entirely sure this was the right decision, but Naruto's determination swayed her. With a sigh, they ventured into the heart of the ruined village.

For nearly half an hour, they walked in silence through the desolate streets. The destruction was relentless: collapsed buildings, scattered weapons, and more bodies. The weight of death hung heavy in the air.

Suddenly, Naruto's gaze was drawn to a building that, though damaged, stood taller and prouder than its surroundings. It bore a striking resemblance to the Hokage Tower back in Konoha.

"Grayfia-chan," he said, pointing, "does that building look like the Hokage Tower to you?"

Grayfia followed his gaze and was surprised by the uncanny similarity. If not for the state of disrepair, one could easily mistake them for twins. The only difference was the symbol emblazoned on its facade—the same red spiral that adorned the fallen shinobi.

"You're right, Naruto," she confirmed. "It does look remarkably like the Hokage Tower. And it has the red spiral, too."

Naruto's brow furrowed in confusion. " But what does this place have to do with Konoha?" he wondered aloud. It was strange that he had never heard of this village, especially considering the ubiquitous red spiral symbol is used by all Konoha's shinobis. The mystery deepened with every step they took in the village.

Grayfia, too, was grappling with similar thoughts, but another concern weighed more heavily on her mind: the bodies. Even if this had been a village allied with Konoha, why hadn't anyone come to clear the area or at least retrieve the remains? She turned back to Naruto, ready to address his question.

"Naruto, I'm not entirely sure," she began, "but it's possible this was once an ally of Konoha."

Naruto's eyes widened. "But if that's the case, and it's never been mentioned at the academy, it must have been a significant village, don't you think?"

Grayfia nodded in agreement. A sudden thought sparked in her mind. "Naruto, I believe the answers to our questions might lie within that tower. If it resembles the Hokage Tower, it might serve a similar function."

Naruto considered her suggestion. It made sense. With a determined nod, they set off towards the tower.

Moments later, they stood at its base, its resemblance to the Hokage Tower even more striking up close. The two structures were practically identical.

They reached the tower's entrance, exchanged a look of anticipation, and pushed open the door. Inside, the dismal state of the interior came as no surprise. They began their ascent up the stairs, assuming that, like the Hokage Tower, the leader's office would be located at the top.

They climbed in silence, their eyes scanning the surroundings. Finally, they reached the door that presumably led to the office. Naruto knocked, then cautiously pushed it open.

Neither of them noticed the faint, fleeting glow that emanated from beneath Naruto's palm as he touched the door.

Stepping into the room, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. The room was completely empty, devoid of furniture, bookshelves, or even windows. Even more surprising was its pristine condition, untouched by the destruction that ravaged the rest of the village.

The only distinguishing feature was the same red spiral symbol, engraved in the center of the floor. As they walked towards it, the doors slammed shut behind them with a bone-jarring finality, the echo reverberating through the stark chamber. Both Grayfia and Naruto recoiled, their hearts pounding in their chests. They whirled around, their eyes wide with alarm, only to find their only exit sealed tight.

Before they could even utter a word, a low rumble shook the room. The floor beneath their feet lurched downwards, the sudden descent stealing their breath.

"What the—?!" Naruto exclaimed, but Grayfia's hand on his shoulder silenced him.

"Naruto, stay alert," she warned, her voice grave.

Naruto nodded, his senses heightened. Grayfia had a suspicion. This felt like a secret passage, but why had it activated the moment they entered? Such passages were typically reserved for authorized personnel.

The descent continued for several minutes before coming to an abrupt halt. They braced themselves for whatever lay ahead. A grinding sound echoed through the chamber as one of the walls slid open, revealing a long, torch-lit tunnel.

Without a word, they exchanged a determined look and stepped into the passage. They moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the confined space.

After about ten minutes, a glimmer of light appeared at the tunnel's end. They picked up their pace, their anticipation growing.

Emerging from the tunnel, Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. Before them stretched a vast, verdant cavern. Lush vegetation thrived under the artificial light source, creating an almost paradisiacal scene. If not for the absence of a sky overhead, Naruto would have thought they were back on the surface.

"It can't be..." Grayfia breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

Naruto looked at her, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

But Grayfia seemed lost in her own thoughts, repeating a single word, almost reverently. "Magic..."