/ "Dialogue." /
/ 'Internal Thoughts.' /
/ "Flashback Dialogue or background." /
/ "Emphasis on a word." /
Madness.
What was happening?
The forces of the Old-Satan Faction had learned their lesson the hard way. They avoided the shinobi now, steering clear of the danger he posed. Weak and undisciplined, they were nothing compared to even the lowest-ranking genin he had known back home. These were outcasts—exiled devils, mercenaries, or those with no other place to go. And so, they died, one by one.
From the ground, a pale, light-blue beam lit up the skies above. It seemed harmless, from this distance, but it was anything but. From mere contact, the devils simply vanished across the sky. They disintegrated on contact, reduced to nothing in an instant. Below, Odin stood, gripping a massive two-handed spear. Whatever power it was, it was devastating.
The Norse God laughed like a maniac. Likely a nostalgic moment for him. To be able to go into battle once more without the fear of another, stronger faction having to intervene against him.
'All Gods are children.' Sasuke thought. He had only come to know two of them, and his opinion for these divine beings is fairly low. However, there was no doubt they are powerful. This distance was prefect, as he had no desire to fight near Odin regardless. He had come to understand that supernatural beings often viewed humans as expendable tools, barely worth a second thought. If a mere human like him were to die, then so be it.
He enjoyed fighting on his own anyways.
Meanwhile, Rias and her peerage had charged into the castle to face Diodora. It would be a difficult fight, no doubt. And there was another detail to keep in mind. This battle wasn't protected by the rules of the Rating Game system—if they died, they died.
While in the air, behind Sasuke, a bright red light flared to life. He glanced over his shoulder, his attention diverted as a magic circle materialized.
He did not recognize the crest.
A devil appeared, dressed not as a warrior but in noble attire. He had pale skin and sharp, pointed ears—an appearance the Uchiha was starting to realize was more common among devils than he initially thought. The man's violet eyes glowed with vengeance, and a black cape fluttered in the wind. Clearly, this person thought highly of himself.
From just a glance, Sasuke assessed the devil's demonic energy. It was significant, no doubt, but hardly impressive.
'Not even close to Sirzechs or Ajuka's.' he thought.
What truly caught his attention, however, was the strand of black energy pulsing within the devil's chest. It wasn't ordinary power—it was something darker, rawer, and far more unsettling.
Ophis.
She must have given him some of her power. Though, the Uchiha still wondered why. It's not like they were going to fight Great Red any time soon. If it was up to him, he would have made sure to get rid of the beast before giving them anything. But in her infinite wisdom, those who are part of her Khaos Brigade seem to just be doing whatever they wished.
Meanwhile, the only ones looking for viable routes for success is Rizevim, or rather Euclid, doing all the work.
Sasuke knew exactly who this person was. After the debacle at Kuoh Academy, and the attack from the Old-Satan faction, he had taken some time to know who is left, who will attack, and who to be alert of regarding this faction.
Creuserey Asmodeus sneered with disdain, "A human, a pagan god, and a Fallen Angel leading you all," he spat. He looked around the battlefield and lowered his eyes, "Where is Azazel? I seek justice for what he had done to Katerea Leviathan." he demanded.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "And why would I give that information up easily?"
The descendant's expression twisted with rage. "Humans are nothing but insects—lesser beings beneath the might of pure-blooded devils! You disgrace yourself by serving those false Maous. A death by my hand is a the best fate you were destined for." One had to admit, despite losing on all fronts, these members of the old-guard clung to their ideals like armor. Not once did they feel the need to sacrifice them for an advantage. They hated everyone and did not lie about it.
A sudden amused smirk formed on the shinobi's face as he gripped the hilt of his sword. To him, there was no need to assist the Old Satan Faction. They were constantly interfering with his own mission and were simply on a path of self-destruction. He would rather focus on getting home and contributing to the ultimate goal of the Khaos Brigade.
EXPLOSION
Suddenly, across the battlefield, a massive pulse of green and red energy erupted from the direction where the devils were fighting. The rinnegan immediately honed in. There was a deep rawness to it, an uncontrolled surge of power rampaging through the sky. It immediately reminded him of an uncontrolled tailed beast, radiating unchecked energy. But this was different—this was not a tailed beast.
This, was a dragon.
'Hyoudou?' The thought struck him. Was it possible? He had no idea the pawn could even draw this level of power out. Either he had been training in such an intense scale, or something else was happening. Something terrible.
Creuserey flinched at the surge of power but locked eyes with the human. "Wait a minute," he said cautiously, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Those eyes… could it be?" His body tensed, gripped by a complex mix of fear, shock, and unease. "Is it you? Are you the one Rizevim spoke of? If you're with us, then tell me!"
The Uchiha lowered his gaze, "...What are you talking about?"
A tense, stuttering fear crept into the devil's voice. His pride and arrogance seemed to waver as he began to realize who this person might truly be. "Shalba said Rizevim had a gift from another world—living evidence that such places exist outside our own." He paused, swallowing hard. "One with strange eyes... is that person you? You don't look all that different from the worthless lot of humans we have here."
That seemed to scare the devil. Knowing life existed in another world.
In the Shinobi World, there were many ways to identify Uchiha Sasuke. However, in this universe, only two things truly set him apart. His majestic, ominous, and powerful eyes were unlike anything else. They were his fingerprints, his DNA—what defined him. If someone were looking for Sasuke, they wouldn't need to know the color of his hair, the shape of his face, or even his height or weight. Nor even his blood type.
They would only need to recognize the color of his eyes.
Sasuke's expression darkened. Only a few people knew that he was not from this world, that he came from another. Even fewer knew about his eyes, which were by far the most unique thing about him. He recalled some names, wondering how this devil had recognized him just by looking. Who could have told him such things?
Ophis. Valerie. Rizevim. Euclid.
Not even the Evil Dragons knew, nor did the other vampires. To them, Sasuke was simply part of the faction—a mercenary of sorts. Though many were suspicious, as he lacked a Sacred Gear or any obviously superior traits, they never pressed the issue.
The idea of his identity being revealed to the world had never been the issue. However, it was meant to happen with caution and precision. Randomly exposing himself to a dead-end faction like the Old Satans had never been part of the plan. Instead, it was supposed to attract those willing to help fight Great Red and anyone who would stand in their way.
It was then a rare sensation clawed at the back of his mind—something he typically only felt in the midst of battle. Even then, it was not a typical feeling. Since he had so much experience with it throughout the years, but it did come.
Stress?
Anxiousness?
If someone as insignificant as Creuserey Asmodeus knew who he was... who else did?
And why did it bother him?
Sasuke released his grip from his sword, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield. Across the distance, beams of green energy pierced the sky, accompanied by the unmistakable presence of another of Ophis' snakes. A ferocious battle raged. The destruction of the arena—and perhaps much more—was a real possibility. He felt an urge to go to them. That level of power was not something they were accustomed to facing.
They would need him.
So, he decided to pass this fight to someone else.
"Your friend," The Uchiha said suddenly, his tone cold and detached, "Managed to take Azazel's arm. He's weak, wounded, and can easily be killed." He stepped aside and pointed in the direction the devil had come from. "He's over there. Go seek the revenge you wish for."
The statement was a flat-out lie. Despite losing an arm, Azazel was far from weakened. He remained just as formidable as ever. Perhaps even more powerful. But Sasuke felt no obligation to share that fact.
The Cadre would annihilate this devil—even with Ophis' power coursing through him. And to Sasuke, that was perhaps the best path forward. His interest now was to go investigate what was going on with the peerage.
Creuserey hissed, his prideful anger on full display. "I am the real Maou! I don't need an opportunity to strike my prey—any moment is perfect!"
He watched in silence as the devil shot off in the opposite direction, fully aware that death awaited him. He had no intention of stopping it—or intervening.
The question then came back to his mind.
Who else knew he was the one from another world?
More Madness.
'He must be here.' The Uchiha flew through the skies, cutting a stark figure against the horizon. As he moved, the devils scattered, avoiding him like fish fleeing from a shark. It was over for them at this point. Once word spread that Asmodeus had been killed, the remnants of their forces would continue to scatter—unless another commander stepped forward to take charge of the battle.
The castle where the Rating Game was supposed to take place was crumbling under its own weight. It felt as though the entire realm was trembling, the mounting forces tearing the structure apart from multiple directions. Dust billowed into the sky as the supporting pillars collapsed, and the once-majestic palace now lay in ruins, reduced to a vast field of debris. Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his senses attuned to the lingering traces of demonic energy through the thick haze.
Flying across the newly cratered valley like a ragdoll was the battered figure of a man with long, flowing brown hair. His one-armed body struggled to remain aloft. His power had been drained, and even Ophis' snake was not keeping him together. Whoever had done this to him was superior in every metric. And the fight was not even over yet.
Shalba Beelzebub.
Had the leader of the Old-Satan Faction chosen to hide himself once again, as he had done at Kuoh Academy, the devils would surely lose all faith in him, dismissing him as a coward unworthy of their loyalty. But now, with the tide of battle turning so violently, it seemed as though the entire force was on the brink of annihilation.
Sasuke stared at the devil, 'If he dies here, then this ends now for all of them.'
[RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH]
A sound unlike any other tore through the air—a voice so loud and resonant that it caused the winds in the sky to swirl chaotically. It was a horrifying sound, the cries and pain of a man mixed with the low and menacing groaning of a dragon.
As the dust and smoke cleared, the figure of a massive humanoid dragon emerged. It walked around, feral and unguided, each step shaking the ground beneath it. The power coursing through it radiated in waves, so vibrant and overwhelming that the spectators didn't even need the Sharingan to see the dark-red energy coating its body.
The demonic and dragon energy wasn't stable—it pulsed erratically, growing stronger with every beat.
[BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST]
Sasuke stood in the air, his eyes observing it all, 'All that energy...' he thought, his mind analyzing, 'Untrained. Unprepared. He's lost control. Trying to manage that surge of raw power will likely break him.' He was caught between both sides. Hyoudou down and further to his right. While Shalba was struggling to his left.
A massive burst of red light exploded from Issei, blinding anyone who dared to look. The light filled the sky with red, a warning for what was to come. The force of the blast ripped through the air, hurling dust, debris, and shattered stone in every direction.
Issei had no clear aim, no calculated target. His actions were driven purely by desperation and fury, his overwhelming power unleashed in a wild, indiscriminate rage. He wasn't focused on precision—he was simply hoping that the attack would annihilate every enemy in his way. Even though, there was only one enemy.
[RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH]
He screamed once more, and that seemed to only make his power grow.
This was the Red Dragon Emperor in his purest form. The Sekiryūutei abandoned all technique or strategy in favor of raw, unrelenting power.
Even the combined strength of Ophis' snakes and Shalba's demonic energy was utterly useless in slowing him down. They clashed once more, and with a single devastating punch, the Maou's pride shattered along with his jaw and nose. However, he wasn't dead yet. In true devil defiance, Beelzebub raised his remaining hand, conjuring as many magic circles as his life depended on. With sheer desperation, he unleashed everything he had. Everything his entire existence had been building toward.
[BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST]
[LONGINUS SMASHER!]
Never before had Hyoudou Issei impressed Sasuke, but this moment made him reconsider his assumptions about the pawn. A massive, green, thick beam shot from the dragon's chest. It absolutely obliterated everything in its path. From miles away, people could see and sense the devastation unfolding. It lit up the dark sky and was truly a marvelous sight to behold.
In this rare moment, the mere pawn had transformed himself from an underling to a force capable of rivaling gods.
Sasuke smirked as he watched Shalba being pounded by the overwhelming power. But as the beam eventually dispersed, he saw the devil crashing into the ground, his palm slamming into the dirt as he desperately attempted to conjure a magic circle.
He was retreating.
The shinobi grabbed his sword and started running toward him, but his movements halted suddenly. He looked over his shoulder and saw the rest of the devil peerage, but Asia was missing. It didn't take a genius to understand what had happened. Hyoudou had gone berserk, likely because the bishop was dead. A grim, yet realistic, scenario.
Sasuke turned his attention back to the battlefield, assuming the fight was over. But then he heard it—a roar. A deafening, primal dragon's roar that shook the earth and caused rocks to crumble around him. The sound was so loud, it vibrated through his entire body.
He tensed, realizing the truth. Issei couldn't control his power.
A single thought crossed the Uchiha's mind.
'If he has no enemies left to fight… what will he do next?'
Options presented themselves, but the stressful thought hit him once more. Shalba was still alive, attempting to retreat. Sasuke could kill him now and prevent him from being a nuisance any longer. As before, he had no concern or care for the goals of the Old Satan faction. If anything, their destruction only made his mission easier—he wouldn't have to worry about his identity being revealed somehow.
However...
[RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH]
Issei stood, lashing out at the sky. He had no concept of thinking, of logic, of even emotion now that his enemy was seemingly dead. He now had instinct. But what was a dragons natural instinct?
Destroy.
In the corner of his eye, Sasuke caught movement. His gaze widened in shock. Someone was running toward the uncontrollable dragon—someone foolish and reckless. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she called his name. It was someone who cared deeply for the pawn and, like the dragon, was now letting emotions dictate her actions.
Someone who, without a doubt, was about to be grievously injured.
Sasuke's gaze snapped back to Shalba, who lay bleeding profusely, a magic circle forming around his body as he clung to the last threads of his power.
He had to make the choice now.
"Issei!" The woman called as she raced toward him. He was big, he was huge—he was a dragon—but she didn't see that. She saw her pawn, the one who would fight, die, and kill for her. Rias, above all else, truly cared about her peerage. She saw them as more than friends, but family. And she would be failing her own morals and beliefs if she were to leave him in this state.
The King appeared before her pawn and looked up.
But, to no one's surprise, the dragon did not recognize her. Issei's tail lifted, scattering rocks and debris with its movement. Though it deemed the threat insignificant, it still recognized it as a threat nonetheless. The appendage positioned itself above her and then slashed downward, confident that this would be enough to deal with the new intruder.
In the corner of her eye, Rias caught sight of a long, sharp metal object hurtling toward her—a blade aimed directly at her chest.
What struck her, however, was neither the tail of the Sekiryuutei nor the blade itself, but the rough hands of Sasuke, who grabbed her tightly and pulled her away from the dragon just in time.
[UUUUUUUUUUUUUUURGH!]
[RAAAAAAAAAAH!]
The dragon roared, fury in its voice as it realized that a potential target had been stolen from its wrath.
Sasuke landed on the other side of the battlefield, placing Rias behind the remnants of a crumbled wall where the devils had taken shelter to avoid the collateral damage. He steadied himself, watching the beast as it thrashed.
"What's going on?" Sasuke asked.
Rias turned to him, tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling with anguish. "Asia…" she choked, her words catching in her throat. "Asia is dead. And Issei—he's lost it."
"I mean what's wrong with that brain of yours!" Sasuke snapped, narrowing his eyes. "That thing which is supposedly in your head?"
She had seen it—how close she had come to death or serious injury before the human intervened. Her eyes met his, searching. His sharp expression softened slightly, and in his powerful, colorful gaze, she saw undeniable concern.
That brought some comfort, but Rias felt the need to defend her actions. "I am his King!" she declared. "I cannot abandon him! He would never abandon me. We must all..." Her words faltered as her gaze swept over her remaining peerage. Their expressions were meant to reassure her, but they didn't. Instead, they had the opposite effect.
"Okay..." she conceded reluctantly. "We must... retreat. For now."
The Queen, Akeno, nodded in agreement, though it was clearly difficult for her. She had never seen her King like this before, but then again, they had never been in a position this dire. Akeno stood and took the initiative—she would not let this be their end. With Asia supposedly dead and Issei rampaging uncontrollably, action was needed before anyone else met a tragic fate.
Akeno clenched her fists, fighting back tears. "Everyone, we need to prepare to evacuate!" she commanded, her voice tinged with panic. "Hopefully, Issei will return to normal on his own."
The devils nodded hesitantly, but as they began to move, a deafening roar froze them in place.
[RAAAAAAAAAAH!]
The sheer force of the roar shattered the ground beneath them, and a wave of dragon power surged outward. The air grew heavy and suffocating, as if the world itself was trembling under the weight of Issei's raw strength.
Gasper whimpered, tears streaming down his face. "Akeno-senpai!" he cried, his voice cracking with fear. "I'll try to stop Issei-san! Then we can run!" It was no doubt brave of him, to volunteer for such an action.
She turned to him, her face a mix of sorrow and resolve. "No, Gasper," she said, her voice steadier now. "We'll all attack together. If we can stun him, even for a moment, we might have a chance to escape without suffering any reprisals." It wasn't a bad plan—one opportunity to retreat was far better than a needless sacrifice.
Though incomplete, the Occult Research Club joined in unison to attack one of their own. Sasuke formed hand seals, the Queen summoned lightning, and Koneko channeled Senjutsu. The Knights poured demonic energy into their blades to create ranged attacks. The King hesitated, tempted to use her bloodline power, but ultimately relented, fearing it would cause too much destruction.
Gasper blinked, his eyes locking onto Issei. To everyone's surprise, his ability managed to freeze Issei for just a moment.
That was their opening.
They attacked together, but the dragon was released just a second before it came. It recognized instantly what to do. Not to defend, or to shield itself, but to simply attack with its own power.
[BOOST!]
A red beam erupted from Issei's palm, obliterating their combined attack and carving a massive crater into the ground just before them. The force sent the devils flying, their bodies slamming into rocks and sliding down the rubble. Had he bothered to aim, perhaps some of the weaker devils would have perished. Luckily for them, they merely scattered around further back.
As the dust settled, the ominous sound of footsteps echoed through the air.
Walk. Walk. Walk.
Sasuke observed, still impressed by the display of power. Truly, it was amazing to witness. It was far greater than anything Vali had showed. All it took fighting him was to keep his distance and wear him down. The Uchiha wondered if at this point, Hyoudou really could defeat his supposed rival. But him fighting without any thought was no doubt a huge weakness. Still, everything he has seen gave him some respect for the underling.
But then he glanced at the others who had come next to him. He had not even really noticed they were staring not at there fellow devil, but to him.
Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Xenovia, Kiba, and even Gasper, who was usually scared of him.
They weren't amazed like Sasuke was. They were terrified.
Their eyes told a story of fear and desperation. The Uchiha could no longer keep his amused expression. It frowned at the sight of them, seeing the pain in there eyes.
In their faces, he saw ghosts from his past—Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo during their fight with the Eight-Tails. Sakura in the Forest of Death. Naruto when they had fought Haku.
For a moment, a pang of longing struck him. 'I need to get back,' He reminded himself. 'I don't belong here.'
Rias had tried to reach him with words, but a dragon understood only one language.
Force.
There were many ways to handle this situation, but Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan and Rinnegan observed the beast with caution. This wasn't merely the Balance Breaker form—it was the Juggernaut Drive, the apex of the Heavenly Dragons' power. No doubt a grim reminder of how wise it had been to stop Vali from ever reaching this form in their battle.
The devils wanted him to do what needed to be done.
No, not to kill the pawn—that would be too simple, too easy. This required something more complex. Somehow, he had to bring Issei back to normal. Though, Issei was never truly normal. But Sasuke knew the boy was decent—good enough to be worth saving.
There had to be a calculated plan. Not overly complex, but a clear formula to bring him down and, hopefully, keep him alive.
The good news was that, like Vali, Issei's power likely shared similar characteristics. It was immense, durable, and destructive—but it had its weaknesses. Sasuke's eyes narrowed as his gaze locked on the core in the dragon's chest. That was the target. Stronger and harder to reach than Vali's, it would take some time before being able to crush it the same way he had done to the White-Dragon Emperor.
'The core is hidden, and likely far more durable than Vali's. I'll have to chip away at the armor before I can pierce it.'
Weaken the armor. Paralyze him. Subdue him. Break the core.
But there was a complication. Issei would continually [BOOST] his armor, amplifying his strength and durability with every cycle. It would take significantly more power to weaken him, paralyze him, and finally reach the core. The task wouldn't just require raw strength; it demanded timing, precision, and adaptation to Issei's relentless surges of power.
He had his plan.
Sasuke looked over his shoulder. "You two, Queen and Rook," he gestured to Akeno and Koneko, "Can you manipulate the weather? Create thunderclouds?"
Koneko lowered her gaze, frustrated, "I don't know Youjutsu that well… I can't."
Akeno shook her head, apologetic. "My lightning comes from magic circles. I can't summon clouds."
"Magic, then," The new command came, his voice sharp as he turned back toward Issei. "Fire magic. You too, Rias. Aim for the sky above this place. Spread out. Kiba and Xenovia, make sure nothing comes near them."
There were no questions, no second-guessing. His tone, his posture, the expression on his face, and the coldness in his red and purple eyes left no room for doubt. They knew he didn't waste words, so they stood and prepared to do as they were told.
"I will deal with Hyoudou," Sasuke finished, his tone dropping to an icy finality. "Just stay out of my way. And don't get yourself killed."
[RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!]
The tore through the air, shaking the ground beneath them. Rock shattering like glass. Even the air became tense.
Before the devils could unleash their fire into the sky, Sasuke quickly maneuvered around the fight, drawing Issei's attention. He utilized his Fire Release techniques, hurling streams of flames and explosions toward the rampaging dragon. However, as expected, fire alone was not particularly effective against a creature like this—especially one pouring a massive amount of its power into its defense.
Sasuke skidded to a halt, his eyes narrowing as he shifted tactics. Slamming his palms into the earth, he activated an Earth Release jutsu. The ground beneath Issei cracked violently and began to collapse, the tremors racing toward the dragon with the intent to destabilize him.
Issei staggered for a brief moment, his massive arms and tail slamming into the ground to stabilize himself. The attempt to unbalance him faltered as green energy erupted from his body in wild, uncontrolled bursts, obliterating the surrounding terrain and neutralizing Sasuke's efforts to create an opening.
[EXPLOSION!]
A surge of red energy blasted outward, shattering the crumbling landscape. The devils were thrown back, shielding themselves from the sheer force. Sasuke stood unmoved, letting the wind whip his cloak and hair.
The earth quaked violently as Issei's destructive aura escalated. The dragon's massive form loomed over the shattered ground, and with a deafening roar, his chest opened, revealing the glowing green circle of his core.
BEAM
A massive blast of energy tore through the wasteland, narrowly missing its target. It slowed neither of them down.
Run.
It charged at him. The evolved Scale-Mail, Juggernaut Drive—the Red Dragon Emperor in its most fearsome form.
His Mangekyo Sharingan flared, and the skeletal form of his Susanoo erupted around him, shielding him from Issei's devastating, power-enhanced strike.
A smirk tugged at Sasuke's lips as he observed the ferocity behind the blow.
'Not faster than the Raikage... but stronger.'
The fist stuck, and dug into the Susanoo as it mainlined its form.
[BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST]
The power accelerated, the gauntlet grew stronger, Susanoo needed to be enforced, otherwise, it will break.
Instead, the fists of Susanoo countered, slamming downward with relentless force. Pound after pound, the pummeling struck the dragon with heavy physical force.
Weaken the armor.
Once Issei had risen, both hands of Susanoo grabbed him and attempted to lift him into the air. However, the weight was far beyond a human's. Instead, it squeezed—squeezed as hard as it could. Squeezed so hard that, had it been a normal body, it would have been crushed by this point. Instead, the pawn merely shook; he vibrated as his power grew and grew. The shaking began to turn violent, his entire body trembling with chaotic energy.
Sasuke stared, his eyes widening. It was like a ticking time bomb. Something was coming—an attack, a beam, an explosion—he did not know, but something was coming that could not be contained.
What just happened?
Yuuto Kiba stood with his peerage, his sword gripped tightly in his hand. Around him, countless blades jutted from the ground, forming a defensive perimeter. It was a desperate effort to strengthen their position, but deep down, he knew these measures would do nothing to stop the Juggernaut-Driven Issei from tearing through them.
Moments earlier, the pawns body had trembled violently before erupting in a massive surge of red energy. The blast rippled through the air, shaking the battlefield to its core and obliterating everything around him into nothingness.
Everything, that is, except for his opponent.
The Knight had transformed himself since getting his vengeance against Valper Galileli. He no longer was the same person he had been before. Instead, he has secretly wanted to be more like his friend, Sasuke. However, he was no Uchiha. When facing Diodora, he had mercilessly struck down members of the enemy's peerage. In his eyes, if his King deemed someone a target, they simply ceased to exist. There was no questioning, no hesitation.
Yet here, he was no Uchiha. And he knew well that if he charged in recklessly to help, like he had done with Loki, he may die.
Everyone gathered once more following the attack. Fortunately, they had been clear of the blast radius. Kiba looked over his shoulder, "G-Go back to doing what Sasuke-kun ordered us to do..." He said, "I can still guard us if... if something comes close.
For a moment, everyone wondered where the sole human was. Where was he? Was he dead? Of course not—how could he be? He had survived against Loki's dragon, controlling it and using it to his advantage. And the attack Issei had used took time to charge. If the devils had seen it coming, surely Sasuke had too.
Far off in the sky, their answer appeared. He descended toward the dragon, not a scratch on him. From their vantage point, they couldn't see the faint smirk on his lips—the enjoyment of the battle, the satisfaction of it all.
'There it is again.' Kiba thought, his eyes narrowing. That purple, ethereal body—it had appeared once more. This time, it looked more complete. Armored, wielding a shield, and cutting off at the chest. The Knight of course didn't know its name or its full potential, but even he could tell it was a masterpiece of power.
Sasuke's armored Susanoo was as awe-inspiring as it was terrifying.
A beam of red shot out from the palm of the dragon's gauntlet. It was his [Dragon Shot], but far more ferocious—thicker, denser, and packed with overwhelming power. It had been boosted to an unimaginable level. Whatever it struck would surely feel its destructive force.
The Susanoo loomed larger than it had in some time, its glowing yellow eyes always lowered. When the beam hit its massive frame, the defense held firm, barely reacting to the impact. The yellow eyes narrowed, glowing brighter as a counter attack was being prepared.
Not from Issei. Not from Sasuke. The purple-body itself was attacking.
Purple projectiles, coated in ominous black flames, shot forth, streaking toward the dragon.
Using Amaterasu on an ally had been an incredibly risky move, but it was part of the plan. Sasuke tracked the flames as they clung to the armor. The entire purpose was to erode his defenses, and as far as he could tell, it was working. Issei stumbled back and forth, as if simply walking or waving could disperse the flames. But that didn't work.
[BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST] [BOOST!]
The chanting was just another attempt to gain further resistance. However, Sasuke's Mangekyo bled, and more black flames came. Issei's entire Scale-Mail was fully coated in the jutsu. There was not a single opening where red could be seen. He had transformed from the Red-Dragon Emperor to the Black-Dragon Emperor with that fiery intensity covering his body.
[GRRRRRRR!]
In what seemed like mindless fury, the dragon began punching itself. Perhaps it was a valid strategy—using brute force to stomp out the fire. Had it been normal flames, it might have worked, but it didn't. Instead, it only made the situation worse. The physical power damaged the armor further, actually speeding up the process of its destruction.
SMASH. SMASH. SMASH. SMASH.
It struck its legs, its arms, its chest, and even delivered a blow to its own head. But none of it stopped the flames. Instead, the relentless assault created cracks, opening weak points in the armor.
Sasuke saw it. He had to. His eyes observed everything, his mind calculating the precise moment to strike.
'I can't let the flames overtake him if the armor breaks.' He knew what would happen—Issei would die. That would mean failure. The entire purpose of this fight had been to keep him alive, and Sasuke intended to do just that.
Once before, something similar had happened—when Amaterasu had unintentionally struck an ally. It had been Karin, and fortunately, Sasuke had a technique to manipulate and extinguish the flames from afar. Unlike other ninjutsu, he didn't need to physically touch the flames to control them.
Eventually, it stopped hitting itself, and simply decided to run forward. It was clear that the idea was simple. If the user of the attack were to die, then the attack would cease to exist.
It would be wrong.
Sasuke's lips curled into a faint smirk, 'Let's see how far you'll go.'
What gave the shinobi the utmost control in this fight was his ability to keep the dragon confined to a specific area. His offensive strategy ensured that Issei remained predictable, allowing Sasuke to utilize his ninjutsu more effectively and keep the battle aligned with his plan. For all his weight and power, Issei wasn't using speed in the same way Vali had. Sasuke hoped it would stay that way.
Until it didn't.
The dragon charged—far faster than the Raikage. Far faster than Vali. But not faster than what he could see.
He reacted instantly, teleporting to avoid the attack. Issei charged again, and Sasuke reappeared once more. On top of rocks, in the trenches, above collapsed buildings—any position that would prolong the flames and keep his distance.
[RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!]
There was no doubt that was a roar of frustration.
Earth-Release had also been a reliable source to attempt to punish the reckless assaults coming from the beast. Large rocks, boulders, sharpened earth all would pound him relentlessly. This was combined with the flames, that were still blazing and slowly but surely eating away the sacred gear. The process continued to repeat. Another charge, another evasion. More ninjutsu, and more roars of anger.
Sasuke flew into the air, and the dragon wasted no time following him, seemingly eager to escape the confines of the ground. But the Uchiha turned mid-flight, his left hand crackling with electricity. His eyes lifted to the sky, finally catching sight of the fully formed thunderclouds. The timing was perfect.
He glanced back down, watching as the dragon hurtled toward him with a high-speed punch, intent on ending the fight in one decisive blow.
But Sasuke saw it—he could see that speed clearly. His left eye activated, and the lightning in his hand extended. His Chidori Spear grew, and as the two clashed, the shinobi blitzed his opponent, somehow moving even faster than the dragon.
Blood sprayed into the air as the dragon's massive body faltered, then plummeted. It descended rapidly, falling further and further until it slammed into the ground with a deafening crash.
There was no denying it.
The armor had been weakened.
The Queen positioned herself at a unique angle. While the others avoided looking at the fight, unwilling to see their friends hurt, she couldn't help but glance as she continued pouring magic into the sky as instructed. She didn't understand why Sasuke wanted fire in the air, nor did she question it. Still, despite her efforts to focus on the task, her attention kept drifting back to the fight. She watched—terrified, fascinated, and conflicted.
In the corner of her eye, she saw the two in close-quarters combat, which was insane. It was also a heartbreaking sight. Issei, her dear friend, was not himself, consumed by the Juggernaut Drive. And Sasuke—he wasn't fighting to win. He was fighting to save him. If something were to happen to him, if he simply made one mistake, then his life could also be at risk.
Or worse, end up like Asia.
'That purple energy… darkness?' Akeno muttered to herself. 'And those black flames…'
She couldn't help but wonder...
What was Sasuke? The human she had come to know, who had displayed strength, care, and remarkable power—where did he come from? Who had taught him these techniques? Who else would fight a Juggernaut Drive user head-on like this? Who would have the confidence, the fearlessness?
A voice called out to her—it was Koneko, warning urgently, "Akeno-senpai! I'm running low on demonic energy. I'm not as skilled with it as you and Buchou are!" Koneko had only recently embraced Senjutsu, and her reserves were still untrained. She wasn't alone in her struggle, but it was clear she was reaching her limit.
Akeno's own reserves of demonic energy were running low. After all, they had just faced Diodora's peerage, which had been a grueling battle in itself. There had been no time to recover since then. She gave the rook a reassuring nod, and Koneko lowered her hands, placing them on her knees as she began panting heavily.
Akeno suddenly felt something on her face. Her eyes lifted, and she noticed the gray clouds above starting to release a faint drizzle of rain. It seemed the fire they had been unleashing all this time had finally conjured storm clouds.
'Was this his plan?' She wondered.
She felt confused. If Sasuke didn't know how to utilize thunderclouds, why had he bothered creating them?
"Everyone!" Rias called out, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "We've done everything we could! Fall back and let Sasuke-kun handle this!"
Reluctantly, the peerage obeyed. Even Yuuto, who looked ready to leap back into the fray, retreated. Together, they moved to a safer distance.
From their new vantage point, the fight became far clearer.
Sasuke was matching Issei's monstrous speed.
It was surreal. One moment, the human was in the air; the next, he blitzed the dragon, his left hand crackling with lightning. Each strike carried so much force that it actually knocked the dragon to the ground, despite the overwhelming power of his body.
The battle was relentless. And then—
CRACK - CRACK - CRACK - ROAR - ROAR - ROAR
These sounds, loud and clear, familiar and far off came loudly. However, they did not come from Issei. The pawn was now on the ground, on his back, it's body clearly attempting to rise. However, it appears its own weight was holding it back. Their eyes turned upward. There, high above the battlefield, the clouds had fully connected. The flames they had unleashed into the air had created perfect storm conditions.
A storm had come.
It was then a figure appeared before them. Sasuke had arrived, seeking to be with them rather than remain closed to the dragon. Calm and composed as ever, his fighting style had become obvious, and it was no doubt ambition. He had never let his opponents touch him, not even once. His entire body was unharmed despite the intensity of the fight that had been going on.
But there was something else.
Akeno's eyes widened slightly as she noticed his expression. Despite the chaos and destruction... Sasuke was smirking.
'Was he… enjoying this?' She wondered.
"Close your eyes." He ordered to all them.
The sky roared with thunder, a raw and primal sound that sent her heart pounding in her chest. She opened her eyes just slightly—and froze.
High above, hiding within the clouds, loomed a colossal, blue entity forged of pure lightning. It circled around, as if waiting where to strike. Its menacing red eyes and large mouth opened as if ready to consume wherever it was planning to go.
Sasuke's hand glowed with lightning, and that seemed to initiate everything. With an earth-shattering scream, it leapt down at massive speeds. A streak of blue light trailed down until it slammed into the ground.
The lightning dragon let out an earth-shattering scream, its voice reverberated through the heavens. Then, with terrifying speed, it descended—a streak of blue fire tore through the sky, plummeted toward the earth.
"Kirin."
'Asia…'
'Where are you?'
'Are you dead?'
'Did Shalba kill you?'
'I'm sorry.'
Brown eyes blinked open slowly and softly. The sky above was a deep red, with clouds slowly dispersing.
'Clouds? How did clouds even get here? There was no rain… or was there?' His thoughts were sluggish, disoriented.
His body felt unbearably heavy, as if crushed under the weight of a building. But it wasn't debris—it was his armor, his dragon armor, his own power, pressing him down. He couldn't move his legs, his arms, or even his head.
'Am I paralyzed?'
As well as subdued.
In the corner of his vision, black flames flickered ominously, clinging to his armor, eating away at it. He recognized that fire. He'd seen it before. Yes, that was the same fire he had unleashed against Riser. He hated Riser back then. Now? Not so much. Issei didn't hold grudges that intensely. In fact, at this moment, he wished he could see the arrogant devil. At least then, it would be someone familiar—someone he recognized.
'Am I dying?'
'Matsuda… Motohama… Buchou… Akeno… Asia... Kiba… Koneko… Xenovia… Irina… Saji… Mother… Father…'
The flames were getting closer.
'Shit… they'll reach me soon.'
'I don't want to die… not like this…'
It was a nightmare—a horrifying way to go, pinned to the ground and unable to fight back. The flames were relentless, their searing heat inching closer and closer. Sweat trickled down his body as the armor, once so strong, began to crack under the heat and unyielding pressure. Tears stung his eyes, the only thing he could manage. He blinked, his vision blurring as hopelessness crept over him. He was helpless. All he could do was stare at the sky, watch the clouds shift slowly, and wait for the inevitable.
'…Did I kill Shalba at least? Did I do something good before I died?'
He couldn't even recall the fight. Everything was a blur. He remembered hearing that Asia had died, and then—red. Just red.
He closed his eyes. The darkness seemed to soothe his anxiety.
When he opened them again, a shadow loomed over him.
That's right… the flames. They weren't his own. When he had used them on Riser, they had been utilized by him. But these… these belonged to Uchiha Sasuke. Just a human.
Issei admired his strngth—he really did—but he couldn't deny that he didn't particularly like him. He hated how Sasuke seemed so indifferent to the constant attention from women around him. He hated how Rias, and now even Akeno, would speak about him behind his back, always with admiration and respect. They praised him. They trusted him. Issei knew he was jealous, and while he didn't like feeling that way, it was the truth. He didn't hate Sasuke, though—he trusted him enough. But the envy was strong.
The Uchiha stood over him, his expression the same as it always had been. Cold. Unreadable. Blank. There was no warmth to him. It was as if he had always been away from the light, always in the shade or in the shadow. And in his hand, black lightning crackled and hissed.
'Was this... my classmate? My fellow club member? Maybe even my friend?'
'Or was... someone else?'
And then… his eyes.
Issei knew he had seen those eyes before, but he had never thought much of it. He had never truly observed them. Not like this. He had never been on the receiving end of their wrath until now. They spoke volumes. They looked brutal, ruthless. They showed no sign of restraint, and the human did not even blink. This, combined with his expression, made an absolutely menacing and intimidating combination.
He would not even lie about it. The pawn was terrified.
Never before had he been afraid of the Uchiha. Despite his sour-puss attitude and arrogance, he had always been on their side, always on his side. They had even made a secret deal together. But being his enemy now... it was a horrifying, ominous feeling.
'Did I fight him?'
What's happening?'
'Is he… is he going to kill me?'
There were no words of comfort. No reassurances, nothing that indicated the Uchiha was there to help him.
It only fueled the panic in Hyoudou.
The black lightning crackled louder as it was raised.
'No! If he touches me, I'll die! I'll really die again!'
Terror consumed him as the hand descended.
The core of his armor shattered.
The battlefield, once alive with chaos and destruction, now lay silent. The Old Satan Faction had fallen, and it was no surprise to those who remained. Creuserey Asmodeus and Shalba Beelzebub were said to have been slain in battle, marking what seemed to be the end of the Second Devil Civil War.
The alliance between the Norse Religion, Heaven, and the Underworld had proven itself a resounding success once again. Their combined forces had crushed the rebellion, cementing their unity in the aftermath of the conflict.
At the center of the a mass group of fighters stood Sirzechs Lucifer. It was only natural that the face of the underworld would speak for his race and for the friendships that had been building through these troubling times.
He spoke proudly, "We did it," the devil proclaimed, "All of you here, you have my thanks. Many of you did not need to fight, and most of you likely did not want to fight. But you did fight—for us—and I hope, we hope, that our realm can repay you for that in time." Despite his immense power, his humility was a stark contrast to what a descendant of the original Maou's would have done.
Azazel nodded, Odin nodded, and Irina, on behalf of Michael, nodded as well.
Was she really the only one Heaven could have sent?
However, the factions were not the only ones here. Other figures, once considered enemies or, at best, uneasy allies, now stood among them. Or perhaps they were still enemies.
Vali Lucifer stood confidently, arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He had arrived just as the battle concluded, but he didn't come alone. Bikou was there as well, with his usual obnoxiously playful grin. And with them was someone new—a human, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a distinct sword at his hip. His name was Arthur Pendragon. Sharp and composed, Arthur showed no fear despite the fact that his group was still wanted as members of the Khaos Brigade.
They hadn't come empty-handed. With them was Asia, the Bishop. Her return immediately lifted the spirits of everyone present, especially Xenovia. They embraced one another now, as everyone had believed the girl was dead.
Issei remained unconscious, but he was alive and stable.
"It's nice to have you back on the good side, Vali." Azazel said, "I missed you. We all missed you."
Sirzechs nodded, "We could use all the help we can get."
Vali shrugged, brushing off the gratitude. "I felt Hyoudou's energy spike. I had to see it for myself. Looks like I showed up late, though." His gaze shifted to the figure standing apart from the group. Sasuke stood with his arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever. His dark eyes were fixed on the distant sky, as if sensing something approaching.
The Fallen Angel leaned casually next to the human and smirked. "He's your replacement now. Can you believe it? A human taking over for our beloved White Dragon Emperor?"
Vali's smirk widened slightly, "We'll have to fight someday, for real, Sasuke. I think you and I could have some promising moments together." The attention shifted to the Uchiha, who neither smirked nor showed even a flicker of interest.
"I wouldn't do that to you." he replied, "I wouldn't do that to anyone." The arrogance was fitting, especially since it irked the devil. Vali tensed slightly, his smirk sharpening as though provoked by the subtle challenge. However, before he could reply, a hand rested on his shoulder. Arthur Pendragon, the blond human with calm blue eyes, held him back.
"Now wouldn't be the best time for a battle," Arthur said, "Even if you made it a quick one." Now those were arrogant words.
"…And why not?" Vali asked, his tone suddenly becoming irritated.
Bikou chuckled, twisting his staff in his hands. His grin widened as he pointed toward the sky. "Because of that!"
The sky was split open, and every head turned upward, drawn to the colossal figure soaring above them. It was as majestic as any creature could be, a being of immense power and mystery that matched its size. It moved through the realm silently, yet its presence was towering and imposing to the small figures on the ground. Its dark crimson scales blended perfectly with the bloody red sky above. With each flap of its massive wings, the air surged and blew across hundreds of miles in the vast pocket dimension.
True Crimson Dragon God.
"My dream," The Hakuryuukō said with determination, "Is it rise to its level. To fight it. To kill it."
It was no surprise that Vali had quite an ambitious dream, but Sasuke knew he had other dreams as well—dreams of strong vengeance. Still, knowing now that he aimed to take down this behemoth was reassuring. Could he actually be a worthwhile ally? The power to [DIVDE] would no doubt assist an army that was strongly committed to taking down the colossal entity.
Azazel sighed, "Maybe it's best he stays in the Dimensional Gap, endlessly flying. Let him remain in his home. The last thing we need is this one being provoked."
"No."
A voice called out. Everyone flinched, as a mysterious figure appeared suddenly before them. Not even Sasuke had seen it coming, but had been used to Ophis' random show ups. She stood in the air, a smirk on her face. She pointed at the dragon and flew into the sky. It would not be this time to fight him, but everyday they became closer and closer.
"Baka Red must go." The Infinite Dragon God proclaimed. She looked down at them all, her cold, grey, almost life-less eyes lowering, "My Dimensional Gap. My Silence."
Koneko widened her eyes, realizing this person had escaped her senses, "... Where did she come from?"
Azazel stood up and walked past everyone, his eyes lowering as he came closer to the Ouroboros Dragon, "Well, well, well. So it is true then, Ophis. You are aiding and abetting terrorists." He sighed, "What for? You never showed an interest in us mortals before. Do we really have to worry about you now? Even though you've had a good reputation of staying out of worldly affairs."
Ophis looked at him, a faint smile on her face, "Remove Great Red," she answered, "My Khaos Brigade. My Dimensional Gap. My silence." They all seemed to recognize it now. Combined with Vali's dream, it was now evident that the entire purpose of her being involved was simply to assist in the removal or killing of a specific Apocalypse Dragon.
The Fallen Angel merely spoke for himself when he continued the conversation, "I see, I see. And for that, you'll put the entire world at risk? The billions of us? No matter if it's a God, Buddha, Angel, Devil, Fallen Angel, human, nor any of the other religions and factions? To them your little game is worth losing everything we have all built? The peace that had been created?"
Is he trying to provoke the dragon?
"Risk?" Ophis asked plainly, "What is risk?" she asked, "I do not know the meaning. But someday, I will obtain my silence, no matter what."
Azazel paused for a moment, clicking his tongue. "Tsk, tsk," he muttered before speaking darkly, "Everyone, stay back." He gripped his artificial Sacred Gear and kissed it, his thoughts lingering, 'The fight of our lives, Fafnir. Wish us both luck.'
His purple eyes sharpened, "Infinite Dragon God, if you die, the Khaos Brigade dies with you. Maybe your lackeys will splinter off and skulk into the shadows like the rats they are. Then we can pick them off, one by one. And after that?" He smirked. "We can go back to our bedrooms with our women. I'd prefer a life like that, rather than stressing and growing more gray hairs because of you."
Sasuke, who was standing behind him, suddenly stood straight.
The Governor-General of the Fallen Angels then declared, "I will kill you, right here, right now," his voice now resolute, "Even if it means I die, I will go knowing I have done a deed so great that even God Almighty would have restored me to Heaven, if he was still alive."
There was no real room for interpretation. Sasuke gripped his sword, an incredulous expression on his face, 'Do you want to die?'
He asked himself the question, hoping the words would echo back to Azazel and make him withdraw his threat. This was Ophis—the one who had saved the Uchiha's life in the Dimensional Gap. She was the strongest entity on his side, the closest being capable of matching Great Red. She was absolutely essential for him to leave this place, this world, to return to the Land of Fire.
To return home.
If there was one person Sasuke absolutely had to keep alive, it was this Infinite Dragon God.
Azazel, on the other hand, clearly was asking to die.
He readied himself, wondering if the ultimate fight was about to unfold. There was no way the Cadre would face the dragon alone—someone would step in to fight alongside him, and that only made the situation worse. Everything he had been doing with these devils—was it all about to end? Was he about to be forced into confronting them all in such an unexpected way?
Thankfully, Ophis was not one to be concerned with threats. She was so powerful that any words spoken against her were meaningless. Since the beginning of time, she had done whatever she wished, unchallenged in her might. To her, everyone here was… nothing.
"Impossible," The dragon replied calmly. "You, or anyone, cannot kill me." Her gaze lingered on Azazel for a moment before shifting behind him. Sasuke stood there, his hand on his sword, his stance poised as if ready to strike the Fallen Angel in the back. Her empty gray eyes locked onto his.
"…Friend." she said softly.
The Governor-General, however, misunderstood her last word. "I'm not your friend," he grunted in response, assuming she was speaking to him.
Finally, a levelheaded Maou interjected, "Don't do it." Sirzechs said, "Even if I assist you, and we both succeed. I highly doubt we would come out of it alive. And right now, the Underworld needs both of us. I fear what might happen if something were to happen to either us. And not just with the Khaos Brigades.'
Those words surprised Sasuke, 'Does he not have faith in the other Satans?'
Azazel relented, "... You're right." He admitted it, "Perhaps all this fighting has brought the youth out of me. I've been too hot-headed. I suppose, then, Ophis. We'll just have to defeat every one of your subordinates. Today was a success, and tomorrow will be too. You can count on this world uniting together to defeat you."
"... Lot's of friends." Ophis replied with her still-smirk.
Lucifer replied to her this time, "We have lots of friends, as well." He replied calmly, "From the Underworld to the human world, to Asgard. And it is only going to grow. If anything, your game is making everyone else stronger." His eyes then lowered, "... Even though you're giving your power to others... our strength in unity will be our greatest asset."
The response from the Maou only made her toy with him, "... Lots of friends." She repeated, an amused look on her face, "Some... not even from this world."
There was never a more annoyed expression on the Uchiha's blank face. But no one looked at him.
The leaders of the Underworld gave one another a strange look, as if disbelieving her words and assuming she was just mad, which she like was. Then, the Dragon of Infinity turned her back and watched as Great Red left this realm. That seemed to be the end of the tense conversation. And no doubt it was the ideal way to end things. A fight right, here, right now, would serve no one's interest.
Sasuke eased himself, his posture relaxing slightly. He realized the situation had grown too intense for his liking. It was time to leave. In traditional Uchiha fashion, without a word, he cast a final glance at everyone before turning away and preparing to depart.
PAT
A hand gripped his back, halting him from escaping. It was the grip of the mischievous Fallen Angel. The one who almost got himself killed.
Azazel spoke with a smile, "You know, Sasuke, after battles like this, most people unwind. You ever try that?"
Sasuke glanced at him, already annoyed, "Unwind?"
The Fallen Angel leaned in closer, his voice becoming a whisper, "Women, alcohol, and more women. That's the best way to celebrate a battle, a victory. You would like it. Trust me, I know humans."
"You don't know me, then." He replied, "I prepare for the next battle. That's my celebration. You can do whatever you like and continue pretending you know me so well."
That seemed to amuse the Cadre, "If you say so. But that does make sense." His eyes then went soft, and his voice went even softer, "I... also saw what you did."
Sasuke paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, "... And what did I do?"
"You were prepared to fight Ophis with me." Azazel replied, "I saw you ready your sword. Trust me, with the experience I have, after all these years, I know a man who was prepared to fight. Even if it meant certain death, you were with me. That's rare, Sasuke-kun, I will admit. I won't forget that gesture you made, even though, thankfully, we did not end up fighting. I do not want to die, nor do I want you dying for or with me."
The Uchiha said nothing. There was nothing to say. That's what had happened, right? He was going to help Azazel fight. There was nothing else to it, no other possibility of anything different happening.
"…But don't do that again," Azazel warned, "You're young, and you've got people waiting for you. I have a duty to this world. Leave the reckless decisions—like sacrificing yourself—to me."
Sasuke's lips twitched into a smirk. "You think I don't understand duty and sacrifice?"
He shrugged from the question, "You do. Probably better more than I realize. But life's not just about that. Speaking of which…" His grin returned, playful and teasing. "I hear you've got a date soon, anyways. So, it would've been a bad time to suddenly die here."
The human blinked, "... Date?"
His mind flashed back to a brief conversation before the battle. One he had with another Fallen Angel.
"If we both make it back in one piece, I'll consider it."
Oh, right, he had such words.
Akeno stood there, battered and bruised, yet as composed as ever. She was beside her King, as she always loved to be. Like the rest of the peerage, she had cried during Asia's apparent death and the chaotic fight against Issei. But now that it was over, her relief was immense. There wasn't a happier expression on her face than the one she wore now. Though war loomed on the horizon, for the moment, she could thrive alongside those she cared about.
And, of course, she felt his stare and returned a smile of her own.
She was indeed in one piece.
This chapter is long, but decent, in my opinion. I think it shows how scary Sasuke can be, whether friend or foe, just by watching him fight. It shows strong he is, and that he can only get stronger, which will be the case.
The plan was also to include the date, but I didn't like the feel of it just after this massive battle, plus it was too long.