The world around him felt distant, shrouded in a thick veil of fog. The grey sky loomed overhead, and his vision blurred as the mist obscured even the grass beneath him, though he could feel its cold, damp touch against his skin soothing his wounds. His body, pale and drained, was hanging by a thread, teetering between life and death. His heartbeat, erratic and frantic, pulsed with growing intensity, as if trying to make up for the blood he had lost.
On his back, the chill gnawed at his bones, creeping deep into them. He knew he was conscious, but barely. His thoughts floated aimlessly, disjointed and fleeting, slipping away as quickly as they formed.
A figure emerged in the fog, though Sasuke never saw her approach. She simply appeared—a young woman with short blonde hair and unsettling red eyes. She licked her hand absentmindedly, a strange gesture that caught his attention, though his instinct to survive overshadowed any curiosity he felt. Only his right eye was open—the left remaining stubbornly shut.
Her red eyes met his, softer than his own, and filled with concern.
"You're awake..." Her voice was soft, with a touch of embarrassment. "You've lost a lot of blood. I stopped the bleeding, but… I got some on my hand." His head spun as he tried to comprehend what the woman was saying. She held up her hand, streaked with his blood, and, to his surprise, she brought it to her lips and licked it as if that was just... an ordinary thing.
"It's… not that great," She muttered with a tone of disappointment, "I'm picky when it comes to blood..."
His limbs were heavy and unresponsive as the girl effortlessly lifted him into her arms. For someone so slender, her strength was unnatural, carrying his weight as if it were nothing. Sasuke's vision blurred again, but in a brief moment of clarity, he caught a glimpse of her sharp fangs as she licked her lips once more. A shiver crawled down his spine, but his thoughts were too sluggish to fully process the moment.
"Don't worry," She whispered, her cool breath brushing against his neck, sending another wave of chills through him. "I'll take you back to your village, they must be worried about you. But be careful… don't get too close to here again."
Sasuke wanted to respond, but his voice wouldn't come.
BOOM
The ground shook violently as something crashed nearby, sending shockwaves through the air. Sasuke gritted his teeth as pain shot through his body—his back throbbed, and the ghostly sensation of his missing left hand flared. His entire frame ached, but he pushed the agony down, refusing to let it show.
Both he and the young woman were startled by the sudden arrival of an unexpected presence.
A tall man materialized before them, his figure commanding immediate attention. He wore a sleek black coat that reflected his powerful build. His hair a striking mix of black and blond, cascading in elegant waves around his shoulders. But what truly caught Sasuke's attention were the man's eyes—one gold, the other a deep, shadowy black.
"Valerie-chan," The man said in a soft, almost rehearsed tone, "You know you're not supposed to wander too far from the castle." His gaze shifted to the human in her arms, scanning him with mild disinterest. "And who might your friend be? A local from one of the villages? He should've known better than to stray so close."
Valerie, still holding Sasuke, responded with an innocent burst of energy. "I was picking flowers, and he fell out of the sky!" She exclaimed, her voice lively. "He was all purple, and then I came over. I helped him…"
The man's frown deepened slightly, a trace of disapproval entering his voice, "You know you're not supposed to use your powers without Lord Marius' permission…"
His words trailed off as a realization dawned on him. Tilting his head, he studied Sasuke with more interest. "A purple orb? Falling from the sky?" He glanced upward, noticing strands of mixed energy still lingering in the clouds. "The Dimensional Gap?" The man's expression grew more thoughtful. "Perhaps his majesty will want to see this." He murmured, though his tone was mild and sarcastic.
Sasuke stirred, his senses returning slowly, a dull ache radiating through his body. He blinked, two eyes staring up as they had his entire life—one black, familiar and sharp, the other a new color. purple. The ceiling above him was high, arched, and lined with intricate woodwork. A chandelier hung from thick iron chains, casting a faint golden glow that flickered. He shifted slightly, feeling the silk brush against his body. The bed beneath him was soft yet heavy, the dark velvet curtains draping from tall posts around it, evoking a sense of confinement. His gaze darted around the unfamiliar space—foreign, aristocratic in style, with large paintings adorning the walls. They depicted hunting scenes, grand battles, and regal figures with proud, distant expressions.
Tall windows stretched nearly to the ceiling, covered in sheer curtains that allowed only the barest hint of an overcast sky to seep through. The scent of aged wood and faint incense lingered in the air.
The shinobi pushed himself up slightly, ignoring the wave of dizziness that followed. His body was weak but intact. His mind, however, spun with questions.
'Where am I?' He had no memory of this place, no clue as to how he had ended up here.
The last thing he remembered was… a woman. A red-eyed woman with sharp, unnatural teeth. And… a man. 'No,' he corrected himself, 'That was no man.' Every breath felt foreign. The air itself felt heavy, nor was the quality as good as he was used to. Wherever he is, it is not in the Land of Fire.
"It's good that you're awake. I need you to get up, please." A voice emerged from the shadow in the corner, low but respectful. "You don't have to worry. The Prince has guaranteed your safety. You don't have to concern yourself with the vampires."
The shinobi' sharpened as he took in the stranger before him. He stared at him, noting his appearance—black hair, brown skin, and dressed entirely in black. There was no headband, no visible weapons, yet the man radiated strength. Given his features, he briefly considered if this was the Land of Lightning, though everything else felt alien to him.
"...Where's Naruto...?" Sasuke finally asked, his voice neutral but laced with the faintest hint of unease. His fragmented memories searched for his comrade's face, "Is… is he... dead?"
And what kind of answer was he hoping to hear? Each possibility brought its own distress. If Naruto was dead, he had then lost his best friend—along with the immense pain that came with it and the beginning of his future plans. But if Naruto was alive, it meant they would have to face each other once more.
The man shook his head slowly, "I know no one by that name."
Disoriented and weak, he forced his body to recover, scanning the room for threats, his senses on alert.
"...What nation is this? Tell me!" Sasuke demanded, frustration slipping into his voice. As soon as he spoke, a sudden, piercing pain shot through his head. Instinctively, his hands went up to clutch his temples.
Then he froze.
His hands!
His left hand!
Sasuke looked down, his eyes trembling as he flexed the fingers on his left hand—the hand that had been missing. It was back. It was whole. A smirk crept onto his face. His Chidori hand, restored. This strange situation had, at the very least, given him something he had thought lost forever.
"Romania," The man said flatly. "Maybe you're from over there, but this is where you are now. Come with me. Don't mind the locals—they know better than to mess with us."
They walked through long corridors lined with ornate garnets, strange paintings, and intricate furniture. As they passed, Sasuke observed men and women drinking from cups filled with red liquid, eating raw meat, laughing without care. But when they noticed him and the man, the mood shifted. Eyes followed them with suspicion and disdain.
"...What's your name?" Sasuke asked as they continued, "... What village is this?"
"Apophis," the man replied casually. "And I don't know about any of the local villages. This place you mean? Tepes Castle. Home of House Tepes." He glanced back over his shoulder. "What about you? What's your name?"
The shinobi hesitated for a brief moment. feeling surprised that despite his infamous status, his name was unknown to this person, "Uchiha… Sasuke."
Apophis turned to him, revealing his eyes—ominous white pupils surrounded by black irises, unlike anything Sasuke had ever seen in a person before.
Those weren't human eyes.
"You're a long way from home, Sasuke-san," Apophis said, his voice laced with eerie respect. As they approached a long hall, lined with statues of men in strange, ancient armor, he felt his instincts flare. His sharingan activated, and he froze. What he saw wasn't chakra. It wasn't blue like a shinobi, nor red like a Jinchuriki. This presence was something darker—thick, suffocating, and pitch black. A powerful energy loomed in Apophis, menacing in its nature.
His eyes then fell on a large wooden door to the side, covered in absurdly heavy locks. Something about it pulled at him, a deep instinct whispering that he needed to see what lay behind it. He walked toward it silently, drawn in, and peered through a small opening.
"Don't open that," Apophis warned, "It's what the locals do to humans they don't want to eat."
Eat? Had he heard that right? His mind raced with the possibilities, but the thought seemed too absurd. He leaned closer, peeking through the narrow opening with his black eye.
Inside, a massive empty room stretched out, devoid of furniture. It was filled with people—dozens of them, sluggish and lost. Their bodies were twisted in grotesque ways. Some were missing limbs, others wandered aimlessly, their eyes vacant. The sight sent a cold chill down Sasuke's spine, more horrifying than anything he had encountered in Orochimaru's hideouts—though those had certainly been unsettling in their own right.
Unease stirred deep within him, his instincts screaming that something was terribly wrong here. His hand moved toward his sword reflexively, but he had lost it.
"Where are we!?" Sasuke demanded, his voice cold. "Who are you really!? Is this some experiment of Orochimaru's!?"
But Apophis simply raised a hand in a non-threatening gesture. "We're not allowed to fight here, not on the vampires' grounds," he said evenly. Then, with a calm smile, he opened the other door before him, "The Prince will answer your questions."
His eyes darkened further, his suspicion thickening. "Who is this 'Prince' and what is a vampire?"
The man was older, with silver hair shining like metal and a matching beard, his sharp hazel eyes unnerving. But it wasn't the man's appearance that unsettled Sasuke—it was that grin, vicious and predatory, filled with dark amusement. Never in his life had the Uchiha encountered a grin as ferocious as that. Even Orochimaru's sinister smirk paled in comparison.
The aura radiating from the man was overwhelming, a killing intent so potent it felt like it clawed at Sasuke's very soul. He recognized it instantly—the same oppressive pressure he'd felt during the Chunin Exams when Orochimaru first revealed his power. It was the kind of energy that made your skin crawl, set your instincts ablaze, and stirred an almost unbearable urge to flee. Yet, at the same time, it was also a feeling that would paralyze.
But the Uchiha wasn't the scared, uncertain genin he had been back then.
He pushed the fear down, burying it deep within. His hands trembled for only a second before he regained control, his posture straightening, eyes narrowing with resolve. He had faced Obito, Madara, and Kaguya—gods in their own right—confronted death itself. This man, no matter how imposing, would not break him. Not now. Not ever.
The shinobi locked eyes with the man, his stare unfazed as he stood his ground, refusing to be intimidated. The expression on the stranger's face only seemed to widen, as if he relished in the defiance.
"This is truly a remarkable time," He finally spoke, his voice dripping with significance. The twisted grin never faltered. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rizevim Livan Lucifer. I suppose that means nothing to you."
There was a brief pause as Sasuke calculated the situation. He glanced down at his left hand, squeezing it experimentally. His sharingan had receded, and he didn't feel the need to reveal it just yet. 'I'm missing chakra—a lot of it,' he thought. 'But I have enough. Enough for them.' The Rinnegan was still closed, though, if desperation comes, he can likely force it to be used.
But even without his full strength on display, he knew one thing. He was likely one of the strongest, if not the strongest shinobi alive... as Naruto was nowhere to be found.
"It doesn't." The Uchiha finally responded. The name struck him as odd. Never before has he heard a name even close to resembling that. And middle names were practically nonexistent.
Rizevim did not seem bothered by the lack of recognition. If anything, his smirk grew more insidious, his eyes glowing with an unsettling kind of anticipation.
Another figure stepped forward—a silver-haired man with braided hair and an eccentric sense of style. He gestured casually, "We fixed your hand for you." He said, his tone light and nonchalant, though there was a subtly in his voice that set the Uchiha's instincts on edge. The casual remark was anything but innocent, and he could feel the tension in the air.
"Thanks."
They stared at him with silence. As though he were some wild animal to be studied. Irritation pricked at him. Enough of this. He took a step forward, eyes hardening.
Leaning against the wall was a figure Sasuke recognized—the mysterious man with two different eye colors, one black and the other gold. He mirrored Sasuke's movements, his posture straightening as if ready to intervene at the slightest provocation. Yet, instead of acting, he smirked and spoke with a dark amusement.
"We have plenty of spare limbs in this castle," The man said, his voice calm but laced with a subtle menace. His eyes, though belonging to a figure that appeared human, told Sasuke otherwise. "We had to pry yours from one of the dogs. Human hands come easily here."
Sasuke's gaze dropped to his hand, and for a moment, his eyes flickered with something close to shock. Was this not his hand? The thought that it might belong to someone else—someone who had died in this strange place—made his stomach twist.
Rizevim's laughter cut through the air. "Silence, Crom. Don't frighten the boy." He raised a chalice to his lips, his amusement evident, "We didn't replace your hand with someone else. It's your own, thanks to this. The Sephiroth Graal. Valerie-chan stopped the bleeding and closed the wound. Healing humans is far easier than anything else."
There was no way for Sasuke to fully grasp the meaning behind Rizevim's words, but the name stood out, 'Valerie?' The memory of the frail, fragile woman who had awoken him flickered in his mind. She had healed him, perhaps even saved his life. But despite that, Sasuke's patience was rapidly wearing thin. These men were toying with him, circling him with cryptic statements and veiled intentions.
He wasn't going to play along any longer.
"Who any of you are is no concern to me," Sasuke said, his voice sharp and cold. "You already know my name, but for fixing my hand, I'll remind you. Uchiha Sasuke. Now, tell me how to get back to the Land of Fire, and we won't have any problems."
The statement was simple, direct—a clear warning. There were many parts of the map the Uchiha hadn't explored, and this strange, twisted land only reinforced his decision to stay out of the unknown. But he had somehow ended up here, in this dark, bizarre corner of the world, and all he cared about now was leaving.
"My name is Euclid," The other silver-haired man spoke, his tone more composed, even elegant. "We have no intention of prying into your affairs, but may I ask… did you encounter a young girl with gray eyes recently?"
His mind flashed back to that moment, the girl with gray eyes. 'That wasn't a dream?'
He hadn't thought of it before, as much as happened. How had these people broken through the Infinite Tsukuyomi? Everyone in the world was supposed to be under its influence.
"Who was that?" Sasuke demanded, his voice low, dangerous.
Rizevim's grin returned, stretching across his face like a viper's smile. The chalice shook in his hand
"She's your ticket back home."
"Welcome to the Occult Research Club!"
Sasuke observed them all with quiet detachment, his eyes flicking from one to the other. These devils were unlike the others he had encountered before. More genuine, naive, and innocent in nature. 'They are more green than red.' he mused silently. It wasn't just about their power—it was their personalities, their demeanor. They spoke of normal human activities and seemed overly cautious, especially around him, a human. They held back, careful with their words, as if afraid to overstep some invisible boundary.
Of course, he was just overthinking it. They were being respectful and considerate.
Inwardly, the sole human found himself slightly preferring the other devils he has come to known. Those devils were darker, sharper, and perhaps more fitting of the title. These devils, for all their good intentions, felt less like the demonic beings he had come to expect and more like humans pretending to be devils.
Also, these devils can't give him what he truly wants.
Rias Gremory spoke with utmost confidence, her lavish red hair cascading down her back. She stood tall, hands elegantly crossed, her genuine smile projecting an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.
Sasuke sat on the couch, one leg crossed over the other. The first time he barged in, he hadn't paid much attention to the clubroom. Now, as he took it in, he found it to his liking—well-designed, cozy, and dark. The outside of the building gave the impression of abandonment, no doubt to keep prying eyes away.
Her Queen approached with a graceful stride. "Things happened so fast last week, we didn't get a proper introduction. You disappeared after the battle without saying goodbye. My name is Akeno Himejima. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Uchiha-kun." She placed a silver platter with tea before him, her smile warm.
"Sasuke," He corrected, accepting the drink. "I had other things to take care of. Farewells aren't something I bother with." He took a sip, then another, "... This is well made."
There was no need to be rude when he didn't have to.
Akeno smiled wider, "Thank you, I try my best."
From the corner of his eye, the shinobi noticed the girl with white hair—Koneko, he recalled. She was staring at him again, her gaze intense and animalistic, observing him like a creature she was curious about but not afraid of.
"I never got to say thank you for saving me." A lighthearted voice broke the silence. It was Yuuto Kiba, the school's former most handsome man until Sasuke's arrival sparked debates over who truly held that title. While many preferred Kiba's kindness and warmth, others were drawn to Sasuke's mysterious and dark allure. "Call me Yuuto," he smiled, extending his hand.
The Uchiha nodded, shaking it, "The exorcist was nothing. His style is unpredictable. With someone like that, you shouldn't try to match their movements. Keep to your own rhythm." There was a look in the knights eyes, a deep look, a tragic look, a hidden look. One that spoke true volume to those who understand a certain type of pain. Sasuke has seen that look, in himself, and even in Gaara.
Kiba flinched, surprised from the sudden combat lecture, "Yeah," He replied while rubbing the back of his head, "I hate exorcists, so that definitely affected my ability."
Issei, seated across from the the human with his arms crossed, grumbled, "Great... now they're working together. You don't even have to be here. You're not a devil, after all."
"Issei-san," Asia whimpered softly, "Please be nice. Uchiha-san helped us."
Asia Argento made a pivotal decision to embrace an offer to become one of Rias' Bishop's, driven by the desire to be closer to Issei. She acknowledged that without him, she felt adrift, with nowhere else to turn. And that wasn't too far from the truth. She had already been exiled from the church, and now with what happened with the Fallen Angels, there was no faction to take her in.
"I know…" The pawn muttered under his breath, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "Now I have to compete with two princes..."
"Well, we never properly gave you a formal thank you for helping us," Rias stated, her tone sincere, "Had you not come... who knows what would have happened. The Grigori may have taken strong action against us."
Sasuke inwardly scoffed. 'Perhaps nothing would have happened at all'. He didn't know Azazel personally, but if what Euclid had said was true, the leader of the Fallen Angels might have let the entire incident pass without intervention.
"No problem." He replied, his voice even. "I'm just glad no one important had to die."
Rias smiled, "I agree. You're so wise and aware." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a chess piece, holding it up between her fingers. "As a reward for your loyalty and servitude for giving us the heads-up—not the Fallen Angels or the Student Council President—I would like to formally invite you to my peerage." Her tone was brimming with pride as she continued, "I want you as my Knight."
A Knight—an expected role. It made sense. He was swift, precise, and skilled, much like Kiba, another swordsman.
Unfortunately for her, she had chosen the wrong set of words to use.
Sasuke's eyes darkened ever so slightly. Rias may have meant well, but her words struck a nerve, unknowingly touching on something deeper within him. His stare lingered on the chess piece in her hand, his thoughts unspoken yet heavy.
"No."
"No?!" Rias gasped, her wide-eyed expression mirrored by the other devils, who exchanged surprised glances. She pouted, genuinely taken aback that someone would refuse her offer. "W-Why not?" she asked, as if the idea of someone rejecting her was inconceivable. "Being a devil is great! Tell him, Issei!"
Issei flinched at suddenly being called upon. "Uh, it's... bad actually!" He stumbled through his words, trying to make it sound as unappealing as possible, despite clearly loving his role. "You have to answer to clients... deal with other devils... kill stray demons... and, uh... you have to serve Buchou and Akeno-san, and..." He trailed off, listing what to him were the best parts of the job but which only confirmed Sasuke's disinterest.
Serving others? That wasn't something he would willingly subject himself to.
Sasuke responded with a sly, almost mocking tone, "Perhaps you could wait for the perfect opportunity for me to become your knight… like when I'm dead."
The 'King' flinched and awkwardly rubbed the back of her head, "No-No! You should never risk that. But very well, if you do not wish to, for now, I will not press the issue."
There was no interest for more discussion. Sasuke stood up and stated, "I have a meeting with the student council president." Though he was willing to go, he showed no enthuiasm and more irritation, "Your friend has been trying to corner me for some time."
Rias' eyes widened in an attempt to recover the conversation. "I can get you out of that!" She quickly assured him, her voice growing more urgent. "Sona-chan is probably concerned that you're aware of us and wants to talk about... well, her usual nonsense."
The words did not fool him. He knew exactly what was happening. Both Kings—Rias and Sona—had some level of interest in him, each with their own motives.
It had been a week since the human had formally joined the Occult Research Club, though "research" was far from what interested him. He had no real curiosity about the occult, but exploring the world of devils had piqued his attention. Over the past few days, he had killed a stray devil alongside them, ventured into a strange, otherworldly forest to seek out creatures they called "familiars," and spent more time with the group than he had initially intended.
But it was… tedious. There was little fighting, nothing truly exciting to push his limits. Not every day could be a battlefield, he had to remind himself. Relationship building, infiltration, and trust—these were all part of the process. Convincing them of his intentions and gaining their faith hadn't taken long. He had quickly decided that aligning with Rias' faction was more worthwhile than any of the other devils at the school, who seemed far more forgettable.
As he walked alongside the Queen through the quiet path leading away from the academy, he observed her out of the corner of his eye. The light breeze played with her long, dark hair, and she wore the same serene expression—a perfect blend of warmth and mystery, 'This one has a look in her eyes as well.' He didn't pry, nor did he care to. But it was unique seeing devil and fallen angel energy occupy the same body.
School had ended, and a few members of the Occult Research Club walked together toward the seemingly abandoned building that served as their headquarters. The atmosphere was calm, yet a sense of unease lingered around them.
"What's troubling Buchou?" Issei asked, his brows furrowed in concern.
"Ah, House Gremory," Kiba replied thoughtfully, glancing up at the sky. "It's likely at the heart of it. School is her getaway, but she's a High-Class devil, and she's often only distressed when something involving her family comes up."
Sasuke, walked beside them, remained quiet, his eyes scanned the path ahead. He wasn't part of these conversations—he preferred to observe, to calculate. The Gremory name was one he was starting to hear more of. It intrigued him, though he didn't show it. Kiba's reasoning made sense. Someone like Rias couldn't escape the responsibilities tied to her lineage forever.
"I mean, Buchou has been acting a bit weird lately," The pawn continued, hands behind his head. "It's not like her to be this tense for so long."
Akeno, who had been silent until now, smiled softly. "Our King is strong, but the pressure of family—especially one like hers—can be overwhelming. I'm sure whatever it is, we'll support her like always."
Sasuke glanced at the Queen. Her voice was calm, soothing even, but he could detect the underlying tension. She knew more than she let on—that much was clear.
As they neared the building, his body tensed. His senses sharpened, picking up a distinct presence within. Someone—no, something—was inside. Something powerful. Something… familiar. He resisted the instinct to speak, reminding himself to stay still, speak little, and exercise patience. He would wait for the situation to reveal itself.
"Grayfia-san!" Issei exclaimed, his voice far louder than necessary.
The Uchiha observed the silver-haired woman carefully. There was no need to use his Sharingan—her power was evident. Though, her calm demeanor did not match the overwhelming strength she carried.
Rias took a final sip of her tea before standing, crossing her arms in her usual confident manner. "Good, everyone is here," she said, her voice composed. Her eyes then shifted to Sasuke, standing just behind the others. "Grayfia, allow me to introduce you to this handsome kouhai, Uchiha Sasuke. He played a crucial role in dealing with some nuisances in my city."
The woman, Grayfia, stood and offered a graceful bow. "Pleasure to meet you, Uchiha-kun. My name is Grayfia Lucifuge, Rias' elder sister by marriage."
Sasuke didn't react outwardly. He returned the gesture with a simple nod, his face unreadable.
The name—Lucifuge—caught his attention. He had heard it before. As he studied her closely, there was something unsettlingly familiar about her that he couldn't dismiss.
Before he could reflect further, a sudden flare of magic erupted beneath his feet. A glowing circle appeared, its light fierce and fiery. He prepared for an attack. The heat radiating from the circle was intense, the vibrant light pulsing with energy. But his growing understanding of magic told him this wasn't an offensive spell—it was a teleportation circle.
From the glowing sigil, a bird of ethereal flame materialized. Its wings spread wide, embers trailing as it moved gracefully through the air, casting strange shadows that danced along the walls.
The devils exchanged glances. Some looked on in awe, while others appeared frustrated.
Amid the fiery display, a figure began to take shape. Tall, cloaked in an aura that burned like fire, the silhouette emerged. The flames swirled around him before dissipating, revealing a man dressed in elaborate red clothing. His slicked-back blonde hair and the wicked smirk on his face only added to the tension.
"Rias, my betrothed," The devil declared, his voice brimming with arrogance, "I've come to claim my rights."
Rias announced proudly, cutting through the tension. Her voice was calm but laced with venom.
"I'm not marrying you."
The room went silent for a brief moment, the weight of her words hanging over all of them. Riser's smug grin faltered for the briefest of moments before returning, now laced with amusement.
Riser Phenex is his name.
Not the heir to his own clan, but the fiancee to Gremory's family heiress.
Devil society mirrored the feudal nature of the shinobi world but with an even stricter adherence to tradition. The Pure-Blooded devil clans clung to the practice of marrying one another to maintain an order of bloodline purity, a notion Sasuke found all too familiar.
In the shinobi world, clans had once fiercely guarded their bloodlines, always marrying within their own to preserve their unique traditions and powers. However, with the formation of great nations and the end of the clan wars, that practice had slowly evolved. Marriages between different clans and even non-shinobi became more accepted, as the nation state had brought a broader sense of identity.
Though, in the Uchiha clan, marrying outside the clan was highly controversial and had its own social consequences. Though, now, it did not matter.
Riser and Rias sat together, Riser brazenly groping her chest while Rias maintained a shockingly calm reaction to the blatant disrespect.
Sasuke understood that in a world driven by politics and power, alliances often came before personal feelings. He observed, 'A guy him? They did not seem compatible. A far cry to how his own parents interacted. The Uchiha noticed Issei fidgeting, his frustration barely contained. There was a flicker of anger in his eyes, a mixture of jealousy and helplessness.
Perhaps all he needed was a little push.
"It's you I want, my fiancée," Riser declared, his voice dripping with smug arrogance. He then stood, his posture radiating entitlement, and Rias rose to meet him, her posture sharp, "To break apart an arranged marriage is seen as shameful for you, and deeply disrespects my House," He continued, his tone hardening. "Don't think I'll let it happen!"
"And what will you do?" Rias asked, her voice calm but challenging, eyes narrowing as if preparing for battle.
There was something undeniably admirable in watching her refuse to back down. Even if one could argue that she was failing her duty to her family, her house, and her honor as a High-Class Devil.
Selfish? Perhaps. Shameful? Likely. But understandable? Definitely.
"I will take you as a husband and wife should be, and I will claim my rights as your husband," Riser repeated, his tone dripping with aggression. The seriousness of his tone showing strong commitment to his words. "You won't need your peerage, anymore, I will protect you. Though, your Queen can join us in bed if you wish."
Akeno remained composed, though the disrespect aimed at them was evident. She held her ground, refusing to react despite the provocation.
"…Oh, and we don't have stewards in our castle. Especially not human male stewards."
A steward? A house guardian? A secretary? A servant? A butler?
It was apparent that if they were to marry, the steward would not be allowed to associate himself with Rias Gremory any longer.
Having his emotions enraged by words was more of Naruto's thing, not Sasuke's. The Uchiha understood that losing control would be juvenile, a lapse in judgment he couldn't afford. Instead, he maintained his composure.
Rias flared, her demonic aura surging, "You think you can come here and disrespect my House, my peerage, my Queen, my kouhai, and me all at once!?" Both Rias and Riser were emitting powerful demonic energy, potent enough to be visible even to his normal eye. The clash seemed inevitable. A boiling point has been reached.
"Stop."
And everyone did.
Grayfia, ever the professional, quickly interjected before the situation could escalate. "I am here under Sirzechs-sama's orders, do not think I will allow such destruction between High-Class devils, especially in the human world, where all factions have agreed to keep the peace as best as we can." She continued, "I have been instructed to offer an alternative solution. A rating game to decide the issue."
Riser chuckled, leaning back arrogantly. "A rating game? My peerage is well-versed in these games. And you, Rias, lack a complete set. You know very well you can't involve your steward or any other outsider in this match." he taunted, casting a glance at Sasuke. The human didn't react. He simply stood there, observing the situation, analyzing every word, every move. The devil then snapped his fingers, summoning his peerage with a flash of magical energy. An entire group of women appeared, each one looking fierce and battle-hardened. The sheer confidence on their faces made it clear that they had experience in rating games, while Rias' peerage seemed incomplete, still untested.
"All beautiful girls... what a man…" Issei muttered to himself, a mix of jealousy and awe on his face. His eyes darted between the women in Riser's peerage, admiration and envy clearly etched into his features. Tears rolled down his face as he stared, "How can such a man ever be discontent…"
'What is more pathetic?' Sasuke wondered. Crying out of envy because an enemy possessed something he lacked? Or living a life consumed by ambitions that served no one's purpose but his own? He shot Issei an annoyed glare, realizing that despite becoming a devil and having died, he hadn't changed one bit.
But then, the pawn did something unexpected. His usual cowardice vanished, replaced with an uncharacteristic surge of bravery—or recklessness.
"This is bullshit!" Issei shouted, stepping forward. "My president says she doesn't want to marry you! That's the end of it! I'll fight you right here, right now!" The room stilled. Even Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the outburst, though his face remained neutral. For a brief moment, the former human had shown a spark of courage that even the shinobi had to acknowledge, if only begrudgingly.
But the moment passed as quickly as it came, and Issei was swiftly overwhelmed by one of Riser's peerage members, a blue-haired girl wielding a staff-like weapon. She dispatched him with ease, knocking him down as if he were little more than a nuisance.
Rias stared horrified at her pawn, her voice tinged with sadness. "We will crush you, Riser." She said, her tone flat but seething with suppressed rage.
Riser chuckled, stepping forward onto Issei's collapsed body, his footing loose and vulnerable, his hand waving dismissively as he began to speak, "You know, Rias, we've fought in countless rating games, and the only time we ever—"
His words were abruptly cut short as something shifted his balance. He wobbled, his footing unsteady, and before he could finish his sentence, his body tipped forward.
It wasn't Issei moving—he was still unconscious.
In an instant, the High-Class devil fell, his face crashing into the table, sending teacups flying. Scalding hot tea splashed across his face, and he let out a startled cry.
"Gaaah!"
"Riser-sama!" His peerage shouted in unison, rushing to his aid. They scrambled around him, pulling him up as he furiously wiped the hot tea from his face, his earlier arrogance replaced with embarrassment.
A sound cut through the commotion—unexpected, sharp, and clear.
It was a laugh.
Perhaps it was the juvenile in him. It was rare for him to act unprofessional, if not blatantly violate his own rules. But the conversation had become tiresome, and he had decided to entertain himself.
Sasuke chuckled. The sound was so unusual coming from him that it startled everyone. It was brief, but enough to break the tension. Kiba was next, a soft, amused giggle escaping him. Then Akeno joined in, her warm laughter filling the room. Even Koneko, who had been simmering with anger moments before, couldn't help but smile, her posture relaxing as she joined the laughter.
Rias turned away, hiding her amusement behind a composed smile. Though she didn't laugh openly, the corners of her lips betrayed her inner delight at seeing her fiancé suffer, if only a little. 'You all…' she thought to herself, touched by the light-hearted moment.
Riser wiped the hot tea off his face, his expression a mix of fury and humiliation. "You're all finished when I win, Rias!" he spat, glaring at the group. "Mark my words, you'll be done for!" With a flick of his wrist, Riser and his peerage vanished, leaving behind an air of awkward silence that quickly began to dissipate.
Grayfia, standing by, allowed a small, rare smirk to grace her lips before resuming her usual stoic demeanor. As the laughter faded, the group shuffled back to their usual routine, gathering to discuss their next steps.
Sasuke remained where he was, watching as the others cleaned up the mess Riser had left behind. Just as he began to turn away, a gentle nudge caught his attention. He glanced down to see Koneko, her white hair framing her calm, observant eyes. There was something different in her eyes—perhaps curiosity, or even a hint of amusement.
"I saw what you did." She said softly.
Sasuke didn't react strongly, merely raising an eyebrow, "And what did you think?"
Koneko paused, her lips curving into a small but genuine smile. "Good job." she replied quietly before turning away.
Yes, he had done something. A technique he has not used in some time. All it was took a small amount of chakra, just a gentle tug, and the devil had fallen over.
His attention then shifted to the other devils, all huddled around Issei. One thing was certain. He had made progress and was now right where he wanted to be. Riser threatened his position, his objectives, and his goals. If Riser won, Sasuke knew everything would change—Rias would be lost to him, along with any chance of success.
Riser had to lose, one way or another.
I think we're done with the flashbacks now. Spreading them out over time felt better than cramming them into a single chapter, though I'm still not sure. Either way, we can finally pick up the pace and dive into the good stuff. We all know how these early arcs play out—it's been done countless times, but I hope to make it more unique.
Let me know what you think.