/ "Dialogue." /
/ 'Internal Thoughts.' /
/ "Flashback Dialogue" /
'Sharingan.'
The powerful eyes scanned the surroundings. His gaze pierced through what most could not see at Kuoh Academy. A faint smirk played on his lips. 'The same barrier as always.' He observed, 'Is this really the best they can do?' The transparent shield, erected to deter identify potential intruders, presented itself as a mere inconvenience in Sasuke's eyes.
It was more of an invitation than an obstacle. With nonchalant confidence, he approached the invisible boundary that identified the ordinary from the extraordinary.
The bell echoed through the corridors as he blended effortlessly into the sea of students heading toward their homeroom, a backpack slung casually over one shoulder. His movements were seamless, calculated, each step taken without drawing attention.
Just as he neared the entrance, something in his peripheral vision made him stop. In the adjacent building, a woman with red hair standing by a window caught his eye. Her lips moved, forming words, but the distance between them rendered them inaudible.
He lingered, lost in observation, another student, absorbed in his own world, crashed into him, stumbling backwards. The shave-haired student rubbed his head with a scowl. "Watch it, pretty boy!"
Sasuke barely reacted, keeping his expression neutral. He needed to maintain a low profile, especially with the eyes from the window still watching. His focus shifted, however, when he detected something else—another barrier, this one more intricate, enveloping the adjacent building.
'A sound barrier.' He mused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He had grown proficient at navigating large crowds lately, slipping through them like a shadow without drawing attention. Without causing a scene, he left the building, his presence unnoticed by the students bustling around him. His destination lay ahead—the old, abandoned wing of the school, a structure that had long been forgotten and left unoccupied.
No one outside this secondary barrier could hear a thing, but within its confined space, every sound resonated clearly.
"Akeno?" Called the red-haired woman, her hair flowing in the breeze like a fire waterfall. Her green eyes stared down, following the stream of students pouring into the academy nonstop.
"Yes, Buchou?" Another voice replied.
"...Is that him?"
'Have I been compromised!?'
The Uchiha felt like they were talking about him. A hint of suspicion sent a shiver down his spine, even though he tried to be careful. Fortunately, his question was answered, as the smoothness of the other voice spoke.
"Yes, Hyoudou Issei. Class 2-B. He is one causing a disruption in the student council president's barrier."
Hyoudou Issei…
The name echoed in Sasuke's mind, but it triggered no recognition. Despite having attended the school since the year began, only a select few names had lodged themselves in his memory, and this was not one of them. It struck him as odd, but perhaps the short few months since the academic year started were not enough time to register everyone worth noting.
Still, one thing was certain. This person wasn't one of the them. So why would they be interested in him?
"Senpai…"
Instinctively, Sasuke's left hand shot to his hip, a motion ingrained in him like second nature. Ordinarily, his hand would have closed around the hilt of his sword, but the rules of the school dictated that he remain unarmed. As a seasoned shinobi with the added power of the Rinnegan, he was highly attuned to detecting presences. He could sense even the faintest shifts in energy around him. However, the fact that someone had managed to slip under his radar and catch him off guard left him on edge.
She stood before him. A younger girl with white hair and golden eyes, sporting two long bangs with black cat-shaped hair clips on each side. Her expression was concerned.
"Senpai, what are you doing here? This building is abandoned. It's dangerous." Her tone was soft, but also neutral.
He recognized her. She was one of them, part of the enigmatic group that operated on the fringes of school life. Her presence around the supposedly "abandoned" building made sense—they wouldn't want regular people accidentally snooping in on their oh-so-important, high-level conversations.
"I'm still new here," he confessed, his voice smooth and casual. "Just exploring. I wasn't aware this building was condemned."
She nodded, her expression unreadable, and turned away without a second thought.
His eyes shifted to their powerful state. There was no doubt—she possessed what was known as demonic energy. It was red, coursing through every part of her being. But then his eyes widened. She didn't just wield this dark power. There was also a light, blue energy interwoven with it. It was chakra. Where he was from, chakra was a fundamental aspect of life, but he hadn't encountered anyone else using it until now. It blended seamlessly with her devil aura, and suddenly, everything made sense.
That's why it was difficult to sense her. She passively utilized senjutsu.
A glance toward the window revealed the woman's absence, likely heading to her classes.
He had been the model of quiet excellence. Despite his clear aptitude, Sasuke cared little for the material itself, breezing through assignments without giving them a second thought. He ignored the curious stares and whispers that followed him—the usual noise of those eager to know more about the aloof, dark-haired transfer student. Right now, his attention was drawn to a brown-haired boy a few seats down from him.
Everyone was focused straight ahead. They did not see his face, his scowl, nor did they see his eyes change from black to red and purple.
Hyoudou Issei.
As fate would have it, he had been in his class since the year started.
Usually, Sasuke hardly bothered with the everyday students at the school. But now, aware that someone was keeping an eye on his classmate, he figured it might be wise to start observing him a bit more closely.
His Sharingan could see the crimson energy within Issei—a strange force that set him apart from the rest of the humans around him—but even with his heightened perception, he could not decipher its true nature. It was unlike anything he'd encountered before, a unique marker that made Hyoudou an anomaly compared to his fellow classmates.
There were multiple devils hidden among the students. To his surprise, they showed no aggression toward humans, only a desire for normalcy, as if escaping the chaos of their own world. Sasuke had initially suspected some darker agenda, but that expectation had faded with time.
Two of these devils held particular significance, their influence extending beyond this school and back into the underworld. Tied to powerful figures, they carried a weight that made them especially interesting to him—a connection worth keeping an eye on.
His eyes faded back to black. Glancing down, he opened a sleek black journal, its pages filled with neatly penned notes. At the top were two names, the most prominent high-class beings at this school—names that carried weight far beyond these halls.
Rias Gremory.
Sona Stiri.
He scanned the names, along with their brief descriptions. Rias Gremory was listed first—the woman he had seen in the "abandoned" building. Despite her status as a high-class devil, she didn't seem any more impressive than her underlings. The second name belonged to the school president, or something along those lines, a figure of authority whose presence was hard to ignore.
Perhaps one or the other will make a play for…
'Hyoudou Issei…right...' He remembered, suddenly writing the name down in the journal.
This is a different world.
But also a very similar world.
People living, people surviving, people fighting. Children ran to their parents, others strolled home, and a variety of foods were on offer. The streets bustled with activity, vibrant art adorned the walls, and the futuristic design of the city stood in stark contrast to the shinobi world Sasuke knew. The assimilation process had been challenging when he first arrived, actually, it was still a difficult process. His home felt lost in time compared to many of the advances he has come to witness.
One aspect, a very notable one, was how the vast majority of people... were unaware.
They led civilian-styles lives. The idea of anything other than a human seemed impossible to imagine. They did not have to worry about being killed, or having to kill others. While, back home, everyone knew the possibility of an attack.
Here, it was not a lack of desire, but rather a lack of feeling it was necessary to live the life of a warrior.
In his life, in his world, it's a stark reality of kill or be killed. You were often designated as a trained, merciless, shinobi by age twelve. And during war, that number would be halved. It was a bloody a history, one that Sasuke never looked away from. Constant warfare and perpetual violence looming, the idea of being something other than a shinobi seemed non-existent to him.
Not everyone chose that path of course. Society needed civilians for a proper functioning civilization. But here, they weren't even aware of the potential threats. However, one could create a positive society without a sword, without killing, anything seemed possible.
Back home, strength was the only way to effect change. There was no other option—power dictated everything. Here, however, he couldn't shake the feeling that this world operated on a better system overall. It was a strange realization, one that hinted at possibilities he had never considered before.
'I need to get back.'
Another student rushed past him, nearly colliding with his shoulder. She was clearly in a hurry, desperate to make it through the crosswalk before the light turned red. As she sped by, Sasuke took a quick glance at her. Something about her seemed off. Her attire consisted of a dark red jacket over a white undershirt, a crimson bow, and a green skirt.
That was not part of the Kuoh Academy standard uniform.
While she seemed oblivious to Sasuke's presence, her attention was unmistakably fixed on one member of his particular class. She quickly struck up a conversation with Issei, who the Uchiha had been following. Her attitude was focused, happy, and lively. Despite the very odd facial expressions he made during their exchange, it appeared to be a genuinely positive interaction. Yet, something about it felt off. It was too... random.
Who is this girl? Where did she come from? Was her academy even close enough for her to have made it here so quickly after school?
The sharingan could take in every detail, its value just as potent here as it had been back home. To his surprise, she was neither human nor devil. 'Fallen angel..' The purple holy energy coursing through her body was unmistakable. It all clicked into place. She didn't wear the Kuoh uniform because she wasn't a student and wouldn't attend a school filled with devils. Yet here she was, trespassing and putting herself at risk of exposure. But what puzzled him even more was how she knew Hyoudou Issei—a boy who had seemed practically invisible until recently.
Did she know about the dark crimson energy within him? It was possible. If the devils knew, then of course other factions would as well.
It was enough trailing for one day. Sasuke lifted his gaze and took it all in. The thing about being in a new place was that sometimes the similarities were too striking to ignore. Ramen was everywhere here, just like it had been back in Konoha. The sight brought back memories of where he used to eat it and, more notably, reminded him of the one person who loved it more than anything else in the world.
Besides the sound of his own voice.
As he ate, he shifted through his black journal, the pages held carefully documented observations and cryptic insights. He furrowed his brow, tracing the ink of his previous entries. The devils' interest in humans wasn't surprising. Their surveillance within their territory was to be expected. However, this fallen angel's approach—so sudden, so calculated—continued to gnaw at him. Why him? Her identity cloaked and her wings hidden, she seemed to know too much, yet she didn't even attend Kuoh Academy, which only deepened his suspicions.
He read a small note about the race of crows. Fallen Angels have the smallest population among the Three Factions.
Historically, unlike devils, both Fallen Angels and regular Angels had long relied on humans to advance their agendas. Humans, especially those with divine or extraordinary abilities, often played pivotal roles in conflicts. Fallen Angels, in particular, were notorious for their seductive nature, luring mortals—especially men—by tapping into their deepest sins and desires. While lust was the most common weakness they exploited, greed, pride, and envy were also powerful tools in their arsenal.
Sasuke's fingers tightened around the edge of the journal as he pieced together the puzzle.
The pattern was becoming clearer, aligning with the tactics he had studied. This woman—this fallen angel—was likely aiming to sway Hyoudou Issei to the side of the Grigori, the Fallen Angel faction.
He's dead.
He was just killed.
He was murdered!
Sasuke stared in disbelief, his body rigid as the gravity of the situation settled over him. What had once been one of the most boring and dreadful days of his life had just transformed into a storm. He had spent the day following the two he hardly cared about, bored out of his mind and waiting for something to break the routine. It had been just another average, uneventful moment—until it wasn't.
She had been in obvious disguise, obvious to him, her true nature barely concealed beneath a mask of innocence. Sasuke had assumed her intent was clear. Seduction, followed by recruitment into the Grigori, or whatever fallen angel faction she belonged to. But this—this wasn't recruitment.
Her voice was low and taunting as she towered over the dying body, her true identity now fully revealed. Barely clothed in a strange, almost provocative attire, her appearance seemed designed to mock more than seduce. The Fallen Angel had grumbled something that the Uchiha was unfamiliar with, a phrase that lingered in the air with ominous weight.
Sacred. Gear. It was a term he had never encountered before, but its mention added an unsettling layer to the conversation.
What was the purpose of even pretending to be his friend? Why not just kill him the moment she had a chance? Perhaps Issei had refused her offer.
The world will never know.
'I suppose it wasn't a complete waste of a day.' Sasuke muttered to himself, ready to slip back into the trees. His interest in the scene had waned now that the outcome had unfolded. It was time to leave, to disappear back into the quiet, where no one could sense him.
A summoning circle!
He had never used one himself, nor did he know how to, but it was a phenomenon he could easily recognize.
Rias Gremory.
A sly grin stretched across Sasuke's face. 'She waited until he was dead to get involved.' He couldn't deny a certain distaste for such covert tactics. Nevertheless, credit had to be given where it was due, and the Uchiha begrudgingly acknowledged her skill in achieving her goals discreetly, without raising any eyebrows. A random dying human wouldn't raise any alarms, as he wouldn't be dead for long, and she skillfully sidestepped the fallen angel's path without drawing attention.
He watched with curiosity as the devil pulled out a set of individual items from her pocket.
The Evil Pieces.
1 Queen. 2 Rooks. 2 Bishops. 2 Knights. 8 Pawns.
There was no mistaking it. Sasuke already understood what those weaknesses were, and in his opinion, they meant one thing:
Stay away. Do not let them come close.
Yet, he couldn't deny the extraordinary power they wielded. In his own world, there were various methods to revive the dead, each fraught with its own set of weaknesses, just like every jutsu. But here, things were different.
The devil had been forced to use all eight of her pawns. While he didn't know the specifics of how they operated, the look on her face told him everything. She seemed taken aback by how much she had to sacrifice to bring someone back. For a brief moment, she paused, likely weighing whether the cost was truly worth it.
The question echoed in his mind.
'What did he have that is so drawing to these factions?'
He was tired of asking questions. He wanted answers. Sasuke shifted his gaze from the red-haired devil to the outskirts of the city. Unraveling the fallen angel's hiding place wouldn't be a significant challenge for him. However, approaching Rias too soon, especially given the current circumstances, risked creating an unnatural dynamic.
The black journal opened, the pages being flipped until he reached a familiar section. His eyes scanned the entries until a pattern emerged—one connected to abandoned churches. It seemed they maintained these structures in a state of neglect and vandalism, a petty act of defiance to express their dissatisfaction with the church and those who had exiled them.
In a land where churches were not exactly abundant, and abandoned ones even rarer, Sasuke strolled along a solitary road. His gaze fixed upon a hill, and as he ascended, he came across a run down, weathered chapel. Its silent presence suggested an air of quiet neglect. However, utilizing the power of his Rinnegan, Sasuke discerned a substantially denser barrier enveloping the chapel. More potent than the ones at the academy.
It's been a while since he's had the opportunity to flex his muscles and be in such a close confrontation. However, he doesn't want to resort to violence if he doesn't have to.
But this isn't part of his mission. This is on his own time.
He stood at the brink of the barrier. The moment he crossed his foot into it, he knew the person who had placed it was onto him.
Swiftly responding to the perceived threat, the seasoned individuals, well-versed in such situations, deftly dispersed to survey their surroundings for multiple potential adversaries. However, their vigilance quickly revealed that the lone individual who had ventured onto their land was merely a human.
Four of them. All Fallen Angels.
One, the one from earlier, adorned black strap-like objects around and under her breasts, a thong held by three thin straps around her hips, gloves with chains hanging, shoulder guards with three spikes on her right shoulder, thigh-high heeled boots, and captivating violet eyes.
A professional looking woman, tall and buxom, with brown eyes and long navy blue hair covering her right eye. She wore a maroon trench coat-style top with a wide collar, a matching miniskirt, and black heeled shoes.
A middle-aged man with short black hair and deep blue eyes, donning a pale gray trench coat over a white dress shirt paired with black pants, shoes, gloves, and a black fedora.
Lastly, a girl with blond twin-tails and striking blue eyes, dressed in gothic lolita attire.
They all sported two black feathered wings, ready for a fight.
"Lost tourist?!" Exclaimed the annoyed blonde. "Erase this fool's memory and send him back." It was evident she wasn't in charge, as no one responded to her command. They all stared at him, anticipating that his reaction to their appearance would send him into a frenzy.
"You're confused," Sasuke replied with a smirk, his tone laced with mockery. "You're the ones clearly lost. A single word to the local devils here, and you'll be reminded of that." He knew he didn't need to inform anyone. It was all part of his game, a ploy to rile them up, to get under their skin. Back where he came from, things were simpler. You fought for your country, and you hated the others. The lines were clear, drawn by borders and allegiances. But here? Here, the hatred was deeper, more insidious. It transcended mere geography, sinking into race and culture, festering in the very fabric of this new world. The divide between devils, fallen angels, and humans was far more venomous.
The one with violet eyes scowled, "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today, human. Don't make me kill another one of you today. Kalawarna, Dohnaseek, ensure our little friend came alone."
She's the leader.
Her subordinates flew above him and scanned the area where he had come from.
"What about me, Raynare-sama?" Her blonde subordinate asked excitedly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Raynare smirked, holding her back. "Wait a second, Mittelt." Her eyes shifted toward Sasuke, filled with an unsettling calm. "We aren't supposed to kill humans unless we have to. So, what the hell do you want?"
Sasuke straightened, his mind racing for the right words. "You killed my frie—" He stopped himself, that wasn't right. Not even close. "You killed someone I car—" Another pause, frustration bubbling up. Finally, he managed to come up with something, "You killed someone who is in the same classroom as me." There was a flicker of awkwardness before he firmly demanded, "I want to know why. Tell me, and no one has to get hurt."
Her smirk widened, clearly entertained. "You're right. No one has to get hurt," she said, mockingly playing along. "And because I like your face, why don't you get the hell out of here? And if you so much as whisper to the devils, we'll just say it was you who killed… what's his name." Her voice dripped with false sweetness, but beneath it was a very real threat.
"You're the only one I need alive." His voice was deep and threatening.
"Mittelt!"
The blond accelerated towards him at high speeds, conjuring a light spear with the intention of piercing him in the same fashion Raynare had killed Issei. Unimpressed, Sasuke effortlessly used his superior agility to dodge the fallen angel's repeated strikes. Frustration crept over her as he gracefully danced around her attacks. Mittelt took to the air, gazing down at him with an air of superiority.
"Die!" she yelled before hurling her light spear toward the ground. A small explosion of light and a cloud of smoke erupted from his location. Silence followed. She believed that might have done it, even if it seemed like overkill.
SWWWWIIIIIISH
A narrow surge of water exploded from the ground, prompting her to emit a yelp of feminine surprise. The force was enough to push her to the ground, and she rolled down the hill of the chapel like a ragdoll—a perfect test subject for his newfound proficiency in using Water Release.
Following closely behind were the other two. Sasuke slammed his palms into the ground and uttered a quick phrase. Dohnaseek flew in with his blue light spear, ready to launch the projectile. However, he was disappointed to witness a large flying rock clash into the light weapon, causing a small explosion as the rock crumbled into multiple pieces. Despite his attempt to conjure another spear, it didn't matter. Another sphere of rock and dirt passed through the resulting cloud and collided with the fallen angel. His body, like Mittelt's, tumbled down the hill like a toy before hitting the ground.
Kalawarner panicked and maintained her distance, learning from observing him not to stay in one place. Utilizing her wings to stay on the move, she attempted to devise a strategy. However, before she could formulate a plan, her body involuntarily jerked back into motion. "What the hell is this!?" A surge of wind seized her, rendering her unable to escape. Raynare watched in shock as her friend began to spin uncontrollably, her body ascending and moving further away from the chapel.
Now, it is just them two.
Sasuke locked eyes with her and asked, "I'll let you decide, fire or lightning?" He desired to practice all the elements, even the ones he had mastered. After all, practice makes perfect. They weren't dead, he isn't really interested in killing them.
She spat, "You little worm." Raynare summoned her own spear, "What the hell do you want? Did the devils send you to do their business?"
He sighed, "That kid. You guys spent all day together."
She lowered her eyes, "I recall…"
"And…" Sasuke said in a monotone voice, "You murdered him." He didn't really care that Hyoudou Issei had died. But he did want to sound more convincing when it came to her answering questions.
Raynare attempted a cheap shot with the spear. Sasuke let her go near him but merely moved to the side. He lifted leg up before slamming it down onto the spear. Her body jerked forward. His hand grabbed her by the neck before lifting her into the air. The Uchiha then slammed her into the ground.
Her world changed.
The sky turned a dark purple, and with each passing second, her body felt increasingly constricted. Despite her attempts to squirm, she remained held down. She was puzzled, realizing it wasn't quicksand or a conventional trap that confined her. As she looked around, she discovered that what restrained her was... a hand. Tracing the limb led her to a nightmarish sight. Looking down at her was a giant shadowy figure, overwhelming her with both strength and fear. Its enormous white eyes and wicked smirk only fueled the anxiety in this nightmare.
She had to be dreaming.
Her face bore an expression of shock, pure terror, and evident fear. She may not be able to move, but eventually the darkness faded. Light and the setting before this sudden vision came back to real life.
And so did the human.
"Why did you kill him?"
Raynare didn't even hesitate, "He had a sacred gear. We had orders to kill him." The monotone from her voice made her sound like a dictionary, which is how he preferred it.
"Sacred gear?"
She answered, "God's Artifacts granted to humans, each possessing significant abilities. He had a Twice Critical."
"Orders from who?"
For a brief moment, she hesitated. But it didn't take long to get his answer.
"Azazel-sama."
'Azazel?' Sasuke thought to himself. He had heard that name before—a higher-up in the Grigori. 'He's ordering his subordinates to enter devil territory and kill humans who may or may not pose a threat?' It didn't make sense. It sounds too risky. The Fallen Angels were the first to leave the Great War, and they faced the harshest penalties under the peace treaty because of it. The Grigori suffered more casualties as a percentage than the other two. As a result, they are now the least populated of the three.
It's fair to say she either misinterpreted her orders or is being used to potentially start a war. Both scenarios are possible, but the more likely answer is the first one.
With his curiosity somewhat satisfied, he walked past Raynare. Leaving her to suffer the side effects from the genjutsu. It was a farcry from what Itachi could do, but it was enough to get what he needed.
The next day, the former human appeared in a state of distress and confusion, yet his memory remained intact. He questioned his friends about the encounter with the girl known as Yuuma, but none of them seemed to remember the event at all, despite their lingering jealousy over the strange situation he described. They shrugged it off, leaving Issei more perplexed than ever.
Sasuke stood nearby, still astonished by the sight of someone who had been dead suddenly coming back to life. It was far superior to Edo Tensei, as they were truly alive in every sense. However, the Evil Pieces came with their own cost. He hadn't forgotten a single detail.
Someone had tampered with the memories of the humans—whether it was the work of the Gremory family or Raynare, he couldn't be certain. But the fact that Issei's memories were untouched intrigued him.
'His body is completely different now.' The sharingan could see it clearly. Issei no longer emitted the neutral yellow energy of a typical human. The energy within him had shifted, turning red—a telltale sign that he was now a devil. However, the crimson aura remained dormant, lying in wait to be fully awakened. Its notable darker shade suggested that it had nothing to do with his new devil identity.
As the school bell rang, he strolled through the echoing halls, the murmur of students and the shuffle of papers filling the air as he navigated the sea of faces. There was nothing to be concerned about; no one knew him. People did talk about him—his looks, his mysterious status—if they paid enough attention. It could get annoying, at times. If they bothered to speak to him, which luckily was rare.
People did approach him, which was bold. Various clubs invited him, hoping to raise their status; the Kendo club, in particular, hoped someone like him would take an interest in their hobby. But alas, no one seemed to have piqued his interest. Instead, he came to school barely on time and left most days without uttering a single word. It wasn't the academic pathway most envisioned for themselves, but it was his own.
It was easy to hide in open sight, just as he wanted.
Then, suddenly, unexpectedly, someone blocked his path. He went around, but so did the person.
Glass. Violet eyes. Black hair. A bob cut.
He never wished to find himself face-to-face with Sona Sitri, the appointed student council president. Known for her strict demeanor and unwavering adherence to rules, she exuded an air of authority and precision that was impossible to ignore.
'The backup.' He mused.
"Uchiha Sasuke," Sona greeted sternly, her expression as cold as the rumors are to believe. "We haven't met, but I wish to make your acquaintance. Perhaps you could come to our council room. It's important that, as the student council president, I know all of our students as well as possible. I believe it will be a... productive meeting."
He stared back at her cautiously, knowing full well she was onto him. It was her barrier he would break through every day, and every time it would detect his power, radiant and distinct compared to his peers. "What do you really want?" Sasuke asked. "I don't appreciate wasting time. Just tell me."
"Chess," Sona answered, her eyes gleaming with a competitive spark. "A game of strategy and wits. I don't like to waste time either, and I appreciate your understanding of that. But make no mistake, it's more than just a job for me to understand the value of each student at our academic institution. We tend to keep up with our graduates long after leaving Kuoh Aacademy."
Sasuke smirked, a sharp edge to his expression. "You want to fight me? Fine."
"In a game of chess," She clarified, a faint grin tugging at her lips. "If we fought for real, we'd both be expelled."
This was pressure—or at least it was supposed to be. Sasuke was seasoned and trained, having fought in the Chunin Exams and faced countless trials. While this was part of the mission, it also served as a test in its own right. In the council room, he could feel the weight of numerous eyes upon him, yet his primary focus had to remain on the game of chess.
There was nothing to worry about. He was merely a student at the school—nothing more, nothing less. Although he knew of chess, he had never played it seriously. His experiences with the game had been limited to moments of boredom, never allowing him to delve into its complexities. He wasn't a strong player, nor did he have any particular desire to become one.
Tsubaki Shinra, Sona's vice-president, stood silently by, her keen eyes fixed on the unfolding match. The chessboard was meticulously arranged, and the atmosphere thickened with anticipation as they prepared to play.
Sasuke stared blankly, scanning the board. The pieces felt foreign in his hands, their movements rigidly bound by rules he had little interest in mastering. He pushed his pawns forward aggressively, fully committing to an all-out approach—typical for an opening, though he had little regard for the early stages of the game.
Next, he shifted his knight, attempting a bold maneuver to trap Sona's bishop. As he made his move, he studied her face for any flicker of reaction—any indication of how his strategy was faring. Yet, her expression remained perfectly serene, a mask of composure. Her expression suggested she was well-prepared for whatever he unleashed, making it clear that this game would be far more than a mere analysis.
"Check," Sona said smoothly, making a move that cornered his king, exposing his oversight.
He could claim ignorance, that chess wasn't something from his world, but he refused to use such an excuse. Instead, Sasuke continued to push forward, sacrificing pawns in an attempt to lure her into a trap. But Sona saw through his tactics, deflecting each attack with methodical precision.
The game progressed, and it became clear that the Uchiha's aggressive, impatient style, was no match for her calm and calculated strategy. She dismantled his defenses one by one until, finally, the inevitable conclusion came.
"Checkmate." The devil stated, her tone neutral yet firm.
Sasuke nodded, accepting the loss without a word. He eyed her curiously. "What was the point of this?"
"To evaluate you," The president answered, "Chess reveals more than you think. You played aggressively, forcing moves out of frustration. I wanted to understand your thinking. It is not an uncommon approach, but one that might get your King constantly cornered." Sona then smiled, "I appreciate your time, Uchiha-kun."
He remained silent, unimpressed by the analysis.
She smirked slightly. "That is all. If you ever wish to play again, contact the Vice-President." She glanced at Tsubaki. "You may see him out."
From this interaction, the so-called "regular" human came to a realization. The entire purpose of this game was to confirm what he'd suspected all along. He understood what Sona truly wanted—to claim him, to bring him under her wing, her authority. She wanted him as part of her peerage, bound as one of her devils. But that was never going to happen. Not as long as he had any say in it—and he certainly did.
He had no intention of dying, nor of serving anyone.
The scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the cool evening air, a rare moment of calm for Sasuke amid the change of events. He took a slow sip, letting the warmth settle as he leaned against the balcony rail, watching the last light of day fade into night.
Just then, the quiet was interrupted by the low hum of a summoning circle forming in the center of his room. The symbol glowed, casting a light, before a tall figure emerged, his silver robe trailing behind him. The man's hair, braided and just as silver, framed a handsome face that managed to look both refined and dangerous.
"It's been a while," The arrival stated, his tone smooth and sharp, "We were starting to wonder if this mission was proving too much for you… or if maybe you'd decided to stay longer than intend."
The Uchiha smirked and took another small sip, "If that's what you're worried about, then you don't know me very well. I don't follow anyone's lead unless I choose to." He set down the cup and met the man's eyes. "As for choosing sides, only one has convinced me. And I doubt a school filled with devils like that will get me anywhere."
The man's lips curved slightly, but his voice dropped to a measured tone. "Well, if you need a recommendation, I'd suggest Rias Gremory. She's far more… compatible with our interests."
Sasuke's expression shifted to something like amusement. "You seem to forget it's my choice." He reached for a small notebook on the table, tossing it to his visitor. "I've kept notes. Things are starting to get interesting—at least for now. But I'm tired of sitting around doing this type of work. Find me something worthwhile when I am done."
The man caught the notebook, flipping through it with a smug smile that grew as he scanned Sasuke's careful handwriting. His eyes lifted, though Sasuke caught the faintest flicker of irritation in them. "Oh, I hear you," he replied smoothly, though his tone held a mocking lilt. "I'll see about arranging something… a bit more stimulating."
"Good. And don't take your time with it. I've been waiting long enough."
His guest lifted an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "In such a hurry?" he asked, chuckling. "Not enjoying this little break from your home?"
Sasuke turned back to face the view, his gaze set on the distant horizon where the setting sun met the rising moon. His jaw tightened. A "break" was the last thing he wanted—he was here for results, not to waste time. And he wasn't about to be kept on a ball and chain any longer than necessary.
"Not my sun. Not my moon. Not my home. Not my world.'"
How's it going? New story time! Here are some points for the future:
1) Small Harem Theme (eventually)
2) No other Naruto characters
3) Issei is still an important character.
Let me know what ya think.