What's 9 + 10?
19!
…
And this chapter is 18, my bad lads… I don't know what's going on with me, I've been a bit too eccentric lately.
But never mind that, we've got a chapter to read/write, so let's get on with it!
Start:
As the morning sun cast its golden rays over Asgard, the legendary Tournament of Warriors commenced. Naruto and Baldur, positioned in the center of the grand arena, were the first to take the stage. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as the anticipation for this inaugural match swelled.
Naruto started with a swift maneuver, dodging to the right as Baldur's first punch sliced through the air where he had just been. Quick on the counterattack, Naruto's left fist shot upward, connecting with an uppercut to Baldur's abdomen. The force lifted Baldur off his feet, sending him airborne briefly before he landed with a thud that echoed against the stone.
Unfazed, Baldur rolled back to his feet and charged with renewed determination. Naruto, anticipating the rush, sidestepped gracefully. He snapped a high kick towards Baldur's head, which the god avoided with a good duck. Baldur's counter was swift—a rapid succession of jabs aimed at Naruto's chest and face. Naruto's reflexes shone as he deflected and dodged, his movements a blur to the onlookers.
Deflecting a cross to the side, Naruto used the momentum of his turn to pivot and throw a left hook that caught the Norse God in the jaw.
The blow was struck with such force that Baldur had been skidding back, but not before he threw a kick that landed its mark on the shinobi's chest.
Naruto was similarly pushed back, and he grinned despite the pain as he enjoyed their bout so far,
If he had to place Baldur in terms of skills and physical ability, he'd rate the Norse God as higher than Moka in skill, but not physically as capable, though close to that level of strength.
Deciding to escalate the challenge, he summoned ten shadow clones that appeared in a puff of smoke. The clones, mirroring Naruto's combat style, flanked Baldur, forcing him to split his focus.
The pair failed to hear the gasps of wonder from the audience as they continued to gaze at the fight, the duo too absorbed into the battle.
Baldur, surrounded, fought off the clones with a touch of grace, weaving and dodging as the clones jumped at him all at once, he struck them down one by one, careful to not be hit. But this diversion of attention allowed the real Naruto to find an opening. He lunged, delivering a series of precise body shots that pushed Baldur backward.
Realizing the effectiveness of Naruto's strategy, Baldur unleashed a burst of speed unique to his divine nature, quickly dispelling the remaining clones with a forceful wave of energy.
Now back to one-on-one, Baldur's attacks grew more aggressive. He advanced with a flurry of heavy punches, each imbued with the weight of his godly strength, that Naruto barely managed to block using crossed arms.
Baldur threw an uppercut meant to land on Naruto's midsection and the blonde defended accordingly, but the blow was a feint, quickly capitalizing on the young blonde's mistake, the divine threw a high cross kick aimed at the side of his opponent's head.
It was blocked. Barely.
But Naruto still felt the repercussions of taking that kick as his body was forced to skid back many meters away from where he had been standing, his forearms pained and bruised.
'Ow.' Naruto bit back a grimace. That hurt a lot more than he liked to admit.
Though it was no surprise all things considered, from what he had understood, Baldur was considered amongst some of the stronger Gods in Norse mythology, definitely in the top five.
(For those wondering, I'd rank Baldur as the fourth strongest among the Norse Gods, but that is my opinion, with only Odin, Thor, and Tyr being stronger than him, that's personally my take, though Loki comes close and takes fifth place.)
Grinning, Naruto ignored the pain in favor of blitzing towards his opponent, Baldur likewise doing the same with a hearty laugh as the two attacked one another with well-precision timing and boundless ferocity.
The crowd watched, entranced as the two combatants exchanged blows in a spectacular display of power and agility. Naruto, relying on his ninja training, employed deceptive movements to create openings. Baldur, driven by the honor of the gods, met each tactic with a thunderous counterstrike that resonated through the arena.
Naruto, feeling the strain of Baldur's divine strength, pushed his limits. He darted beneath Baldur's guard, delivering a rapid succession of punches to the midsection. Baldur grunted, stepping back, but then retaliated with a spinning kick that Naruto dodged by a hair's breadth.
They paused, circling each other, each catching their breath. The arena was alive with the roars of the gods, each cheer a drumbeat to the rhythm of combat. Naruto wiped sweat from his brow, grinned, and rushed forward again. This time, his attack was a complex combination of feints and low kicks. Baldur responded, his own style a mixture of brute force and impeccable timing, blocking and parrying with the skill befitting a god.
Seeing the spinning heel kick coming his way, Naruto reacted quickly as he caught the leg between his hand, then proceeded to swing overhead with the clutched leg before he slammed Baldur's body on the marble floor.
Not yet done, the shinobi used the same grip he had on the God's limb to throw him away, allowing himself a quick moment of reprieve before Baldur, who had righted himself in midair, exploded towards him with a flurry of light.
They engaged in blows once more, tanking punches and kicks, elbows and knees, it was a well-suited fight, one that drew the admiration of many.
For Naruto, despite his superior hand to hand combat skills and his superior physical capabilities, he was still struggling to attain a victory as Baldur made up for his slight deficits with his countless centuries of experience and his gift of invulnerability.
One could say that it was the worst match-up for the jinchuriki as he could keep batting the Norse God around, but it would amount to nothing unless he used something extremely powerful like a Rasen-Shuriken.
Which was obviously not an option.
As the fight drew on, both fighters showcased their endurance and skill in a combat symphony. Naruto's use of shadow clones became more strategic; he summoned them not in numbers but for crucial diversions or to double down on a critical strike. Each appearance was calculated, preserving his chakra for enduring Baldur's relentless assault.
The duel continued with Baldur pressing forward aggressively, testing Naruto with a barrage of heavy blows. Naruto absorbed the impact with his arms, the force pushing him back slightly. He countered quickly, creating distance with a rapid backflip that landed him several feet away. As he landed, he swiftly created another shadow clone, sending it charging towards Baldur to engage him directly.
Baldur, recognizing the tactic, smiled slightly, ready for the challenge. He swung a massive arm, striking the clone so powerfully that it vanished upon impact, leaving only a small cloud of smoke. As Baldur scanned for Naruto's next move, Naruto used the distraction to launch himself high into the air, coming down with a powerful downward kick aimed at Baldur's shoulder.
Baldur raised his arm to block, and the collision sent a shockwave through the ground. Naruto landed, rolled back to his feet, and without pause, spun into a series of striking kicks that Baldur parried, their arms and legs moving in a blur.
Naruto intensified his offensive, mixing in feints to confuse Baldur. He launched a high kick that Baldur blocked, followed by a low sweep that took Baldur off his feet. The god fell but quickly rolled back up, only to find Naruto coming in fast with another aggressive series of punches.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the fight reached a crescendo. Baldur, catching one of Naruto's fists, twisted and threw him across the arena. Naruto twisted in mid-air, landing gracefully on his feet, and charged back with an unyielding spirit.
Taking the toss personally, Naruto employed a combination of speed and technique with devastating power to try and outmaneuver Baldur's invulnerability. After a rapid exchange of blows, Naruto saw a chance when Baldur missed a heavy punch. Quickly, he summoned one last shadow clone for a diversion. As the Norse God turned to strike the clone, Naruto gathered all his strength and leapt forward, delivering a powerful flying kick to Baldur's chest.
The impact was monumental, sending Baldur skidding backward, his feet carving grooves in the arena floor. As he steadied himself, a murmur of respect spread through the crowd, acknowledging the high level of skill and determination displayed by both fighters.
Grinning, Baldur raised a hand, silencing everyone while prompting the now curious Naruto to stop. "This was a battle well fought, I concede."
Immediately, the crowd erupted into cheers while Naruto eyed the smirking ginger-haired divinity with disbelief. "You can't be serious, I refuse to win like this!"
Laughter surged all around as Naruto fumed, Baldur himself was no exception as he took a good minute to steady his amusement. "As far as I'm concerned, this was an honorable victory, you demonstrated that you're an amazing warrior, but this fight would never end if we kept going because of my invulnerability… that is unless you used a powerful attack meant to kill."
"Which I obviously would not." Naruto finished for him with a grumble, drawing a smile from the God of light.
"What Baldur says is correct, Naruto Uzumaki!" Rising from his ornate throne, Odin commanded absolute silence with his words. His voice boomed across the arena, imbued with the deep, resonant timbre that carried the weight of wisdom and power. "You have fought with the heart of a true warrior, one with restraint, courage, and skills!"
The crowd murmured in agreement, many nodding their heads in appreciation of the fierce competition and the display of mutual respect between the combatants.
"With honor and fairness presiding over this contest," Odin declared, his voice rising with a finality that resonated through the very foundations of the arena, "I proclaim you, Naruto Uzumaki, to be the victor of this match!"
The response was immediate and thunderous. The gods and spectators erupted into cheers, the sound echoing off the stone walls and reverberating through the air. Baldur clapped the loudest, his robust laughter mingling with the celebrations, as he approached Naruto and raised his arm in a show of solidarity and sportsmanship.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Time-skip: Thirty minutes later
Naruto sat in silence, his back slightly stiff as Grayfia pressed herself close against him from behind, the warmth of her body both soothing and slightly suffocating. In the seclusion of their shared quarters, her presence was intimately close, her healing hands gently tracing the lines of battle weariness on his skin.
Despite the comfort her touch brought, Naruto couldn't fully relax, an annoyed scowl etching his features. The reason wasn't the physical proximity; it was the faintly smug look that he had caught earlier, flickering in Grayfia's eyes as she reminded him, non-verbally, of their earlier debate about his penchant for neglecting his own health.
Yet, despite the irritation, he couldn't deny inwardly that he found a guilty pleasure in the warmth and softness of her touch.
Naruto wasn't even flushed when one considered that the gorgeous maid was just in a pair of matching blue panties and bra, having pretty much grown accustomed now to this. But just to ensure that he didn't become his Godfather, he made sure to keep his eyes closed the entire time.
Though the temptation to open them was strong.
Before he could drift further into his musings, Grayfia broke the silence with her crisp, clear voice. "That was an impressive showing, Naruto-sama," she commented, her words tinged with respect and admiration.
The shinobi allowed himself a small smile. "Thank you, for the kind words… and for this," he gestured to himself and to where he felt her hands, acknowledging her healing efforts.
"It's no issue, Naruto-Sama," Grayfia replied earnestly. Then, allowing a hint of playful smugness to creep into her tone, she added, "And I was expecting this to be a regular occurrence, hence the roommate situation."
At her words, Naruto nearly shot her a look of mock annoyance, stopped only by the fact that turning around to do so was going to give him an eyeful of breasts… and thighs… which now that he thought about it, wasn't so bad.
Sensing his annoyance, a smile slithered across her lips, a rare break in her usually stoic demeanor. Deciding to shift the conversation to more strategic matters, she asked, "Do you have any plans on how to defeat Heimdall?"
The shinobi shook his head slowly. "I don't know anything about him to form a plan."
"Nothing at all?" Grayfia's frown was one of disbelief, surprised at his lack of knowledge about one of the more renowned Norse deities.
"Unfortunately," he replied, feeling slightly embarrassed by his ignorance.
Grayfia's expression became thoughtful. "Well, that has to change, considering he now knows more about you due to your battle with Baldur."
"Don't tell me everything," Naruto interjected quickly, a serious look crossing his face. "It wouldn't be much of a fight if I know everything there is to expect from him. Just one thing about him is good."
After a moment of consideration, she nodded, understanding his need for a fair challenge. "He possesses the gift of foresight; he usually knows the attack that is coming even before it happens."
His brows rose in intrigue. "Oh, that does make things a little annoying, but I have a few ways of countering that problem," he hummed, thinking back to his numerous encounters with the Uchiha and their annoying Sharingan.
He totally wasn't jealous.
Her curiosity piqued, Grayfia leaned in slightly, her interest growing. "You've fought against others who have the ability of foresight?"
"Mhmm," he answered nonchalantly. "Someone I once considered a precious friend had these eyes called the Sharingan. It came with different stages and abilities, and naturally, the higher the stage, the stronger the abilities that came with the eyes."
"Sharingan?" The maid repeated slowly, testing the word, her eyes searching his for confirmation.
Naruto nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips as he noted the curiosity in her gaze. "That's the first time I hear of such an eye. Is it a sacred gear?"
"Oh no." He chuckled, shaking his head. "The Sharingan was a clan trait, only those from the Uchiha clan could possess it… well, that or if someone literally took the eyeballs and implanted said eyes into themselves."
Grayfia listened intently, her face unflinching at the gruesome detail. "I see," she responded, her tone even. Considering the atrocities that she had seen had been committed during the devil civil war, someone's eyes being plucked off, while not a picnic in the park, was certainly not the most gruesome act out there. "Though the Uchiha clan is not one I've heard of either." She admitted.
"That doesn't surprise me. Where I come from is a really isolated place," Naruto replied, his thoughts momentarily drifting to his own world—a world so distant yet ever so present in his heart.
As silence fell between them, Grayfia watched him with a soft, understanding gaze, recognizing the loneliness that often accompanied such displacement. Breaking the silence with a firm, supportive voice, she declared, "I will help you."
He looked up, slightly startled. "Hmm?"
She elaborated, "Up until now, I was helping you because that was my mission, but now, I too have a personal stake in this. I have to help my… friend," she added softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she admitted her emotional investment.
Naruto's initial surprise gave way to a warm, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Grayfia."
"It's no problem, Naruto-Sama," Grayfia assured him, hugging him a little tighter.
He allowed himself to relax at her soft touch, feeling a sense of comfort and serenity that that differed from the kind he grew accustomed to when connecting with nature. This kind of peace was warm.
And it felt nice.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on the perspective, Grayfia deemed his back to now be in excellent condition, unwrapping her arms from him and scooching away, she robbed the blonde of the warmth he desired.
Suppressing a grumble as the maid got off the bed, Naruto's minor agitation turned into confusion as he felt a pair of small hands push his shoulders down. "Lie down for me, Naruto-Sama."
Wordlessly doing as she commanded, he couldn't resist opening his eyes in bewilderment as his back pressed down on the silky mattress, head nestled on top of a couple of pillows. Immediately, he was greeted to the sight of Grayfia crawling on the bed.
The dim light of the room cast shadows that danced across her stunning features, accentuating the graceful curves of her face and the intense gaze in her eyes. Her silver hair cascaded around her shoulders, shimmering like moonlight as it flowed with her movements. Her expression was unreadable, yet there was a certain softness in her eyes that he was beginning to see much more frequently.
As she moved closer, Naruto's efforts to suppress his arousal turned out to be a fruitless endeavor.
Because there was simply no way to suppress the fact that he was affected by her body as his friend downstairs rose up from the view Grayfia was granting him, of her fat pale breasts hanging down from her chest, each orb large and round, swaying gently like pendulums as the distance between the two friends gradually diminished until she was directly above him.
It took everything within Naruto to tear his gaze away from Grayfia's huge tits so he could look up to see her face, he immediately noted the small yet pronounced teasing grin found on her lips that spoke of incoming trouble. "Enjoyed the view?" She inquired amusedly.
'No more blushing princess act.'
"Yes I did." Naruto replied with a grin.
His proclamation sparked a small giggle from the strongest queen who found it increasingly harder to maintain her stoic persona around him. "Good, now let's me finish healing you for the next fight, Naruto-Sama."
A scowl swiftly replaced the blonde's smile. "Stop with the 'Sama'."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Time-skip: Four hours later.
As Grayfia settled into her seat in the VIP section of the grand arena, courtesy of the gracious Odin who sat beside her, the anticipation among the gathered deities was palpable.
All around them, gods of varying ranks and realms filled the massive amphitheater, their voices merging into a resonant chorus of excitement. The air was charged with the energy of anticipation, each murmur and shout a testament to the spectacle that was about to unfold.
In the center of the arena stood Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, his presence as commanding as the legends that preceded him.
Clad in his ornate armor that shimmered under the Asgardian sun, he wielded his horn, Gjallarhorn, not just as a weapon but as a symbol of his role as the watcher and protector. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the buzzing crowd, embodying the serene confidence of a seasoned warrior accustomed to the weight of expectation.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically as Naruto made his entrance. Fresh off his recent victory over Baldur—one of the strongest among the Norse gods—Naruto was met with thunderous applause and cheers.
The crowd's enthusiasm for the young shinobi was unmistakable; his previous display of skill and power had clearly won him a multitude of admirers among the divine spectators. As he walked into the arena, his bright hair and vibrant energy seemed to draw the light towards him, his confident smile engaging the crowd further in his favor.
Grayfia watched intently from above, her gaze fixed on Naruto as he greeted the audience and prepared for the battle. Her position afforded her a perfect view of his movements, and she noted every detail with an analytical eye. Despite her role as an observer, her connection to Naruto pulled her emotions closer to the surface than usual.
As the competitors made their respectful salutations and the initial clash began, Grayfia found herself completely absorbed. Her professional detachment was challenged by her personal investment in Naruto's welfare and success. She observed his every move, noting the strategic depth with which he approached the confrontation.
Naruto's agility was on full display as he navigated Heimdall's attacks, his movements a blend of precision and grace.
Heimdall, for his part, demonstrated why he was revered as one of Asgard's finest warriors. His ability to anticipate Naruto's moves spoke of his legendary foresight, yet Naruto's unpredictable tactics gradually began to press the guardian. Grayfia's heart raced as she watched, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat.
Each time Naruto successfully countered or dodged Heimdall's strikes, a small smile would break through her usually impassive demeanor.
Beside her, Odin's keen eyes missed none of this. He observed the subtle changes in Grayfia's expressions with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction.
It was rare to see her so openly engaged, her emotions so clearly aligned with the outcome of a duel. Odin found himself silently rooting for Naruto, not just for the spectacle but for the unexpected joy it brought to one of the most stoic warriors he had ever come across in his long life.
As the duel progressed, Naruto's innovative combat style began to visibly frustrate Heimdall. The young shinobi's ability to adapt and respond to almost preternatural anticipation was remarkable. With each successful maneuver, Naruto not only earned the crowd's cheers but also a deeper, more pronounced smile from Grayfia.
The climax of the battle was met with an eruption of cheers as Naruto executed a particularly clever series of moves that finally overwhelmed Heimdall.
When Naruto was declared the winner, the arena burst into an overwhelming roar of approval. Grayfia's reaction was spontaneous and joyful; she stood, clapping vigorously, her smile broad and unguarded. The pride and relief that washed over her were so intense that they momentarily eclipsed her usual reserve.
Odin chuckled softly, his voice a rumble of deep amusement as he leaned over to Grayfia. "It seems our young hero has quite the effect," he commented, his eyes twinkling with mirth.
Grayfia, still caught in the moment, failed to realize the teasing edge in his tone as she nodded, her eyes not leaving Naruto as he celebrated his victory. "Indeed, he does," she replied, her voice carrying a warmth that was seldom heard.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Location: Occult Research Club
Arriving at the club room where his sister and her peerage usually spent much of their time, Sirzech was greeted by the sight of Rias and her pieces bowing deeply in respect. The formality, though customary, was something Sirzech always felt slightly uncomfortable with among family.
"No need for formalities, everyone, please, you're all family," Sirzech declared warmly, prompting everyone to straighten up and relax.
The room's atmosphere lightened considerably, but Sirzech's eyes lingered on Rias, who seemed slightly uneasy under his uncharacteristically serious gaze. "Rias-chan, come with me. I wish to speak with you."
Rias looked around at her peerage, seeing the concern in their eyes. She reassured them with a wave, knowing well that when Sirzech requested a private conversation, it wasn't optional. "Hai, Onii-Sama," she responded obediently, her voice steady despite the flurry of thoughts about the potential reasons for his seriousness.
Sirzech led the way out of the Occult Research Club and into the sprawling forest that bordered their school, walking in silence. Rias followed him, trying to gauge what this all might be about as they walked aimlessly, her brother's demeanor unusually grave.
After several minutes, they arrived at a well-furnished clearing that Sirzech often used for private discussions. Turning to face her, his expression was stern. "Next week, as you know, the young devil gathering will commence, and Azazel and Michael have been invited and are expected to join."
"Yes, I'm aware, Onii-Sama," Rias replied, a trace of confusion in her voice. She was well-informed of the political landscapes and their participants.
Sirzech nodded, pleased yet not surprised by her awareness. "Yes, but what you might not know is that the leader of the vampire faction and the Norse pantheon are also coming."
"Oh," she said, understanding dawning upon her before confusion crept back into her expression. "But Onii-Sama, while I appreciate being informed, I don't understand why you're being so... serious about this with me."
Sirzech's gaze softened at her confusion. "Because Naruto is currently in the company of the Norse pantheon, and there is a good chance he'll be coming too."
A massive smile, one that radiated nothing but happiness and excitement, crossed Rias's face. Her eyes lit up, her cheeks slightly flushed with exhilaration, a clear indication of her feelings about Naruto's possible attendance.
"And that's where my concerns lie," Sirzech continued, his gaze narrowing slightly. He observed as Rias's vibrant smile faltered, her posture stiffening at his tone and the pointed lack of the affectionate 'chan' he usually used.
Rias crossed her arms defensively, her brows knitting together. "And what is that supposed to mean, Onii-Sama?"
"It means exactly how it sounds," Sirzech replied promptly, his tone firm. He crossed his arms, mirroring her defensive posture. "You've always exhibited proper behavior during events and gatherings, but when matters become personal to you, you tend not to be composed at all."
The incredulity hit Rias hard, and she looked up at her brother with a mix of disbelief and hurt. "Do you really think I would cause an issue?"
Sirzech uncrossed his arms and sighed, the sound heavy with a mix of frustration and concern. "Rias, you're possessive, and while that can be an admirable trait in certain circumstances, it wouldn't be in this case. You may not consciously think of Naruto as yours, but deep down, you probably do think he belongs to you."
His gaze became even sterner, if possible. "So I'm telling you, not as your big brother but as the Satan Lucifer, I expect you to not cause trouble just because Naruto is not around you or does what he likes. Is that understood?"
Though his statement ended as a question, the firmness in his voice made it clear it was anything but. Swallowing her pride, Rias nodded slowly. "Hai, Lucifer-Sama."
"Good," he nodded in approval, before a soft, apologetic smile tugged at the edges of his lips. "Now give your Onii-Sama a hug before he has to feel worse for scolding his cute imouto."
Sighing, Rias stepped forward, opening her arms and wrapping them around Sirzech in a warm hug
End.
And that marks the finishing for this chapter lads.
So once we're done with the tournament, we finally get to see a reunion between Naruto and his first friends in the DxD world, and that's like what, 8 chapters? 9? since we last saw them? It's still a bit early to tell.
More Chapters are posted on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n Feel free to check it out lads, here's the link
www.#patr#eon.#com/Demon_Knight939 (Just remove all the hashtags)
Regardless, I do hope you all enjoyed reading this, I tried to make it as good as can be!
Take care lads!
Peace.