Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Highschool DXD if I did this story would not be here

Chapter 5: A Step Back in Time

The small apartment in Italy was quiet. It was nothing extravagant, just a place to stay while they figured things out. The streets of the city outside were busy, filled with tourists and locals alike, but the apartment itself was a safe haven. The walls were simple, the furniture modest, and the atmosphere felt far removed from the bustling energy of the world outside.

Naruto leaned back in a chair, sipping tea and staring absentmindedly out the window. The small, winding streets and ancient architecture below felt timeless, like they were caught in the grip of history. But despite the calm of Italy, something was missing.

"Sasuke," Naruto said, breaking the silence. "You know, I was thinking about Gabriel and why you decided to leave here for Kuoh. I always figured I'd be the one dragging you along for the ride, but you were the one who suggested this. What made you want to go to Kuoh?"

Sasuke, who had been standing by the window, his arms crossed, let out a long breath. His thoughts had been far from the peaceful surroundings of Italy for a while now. He glanced at Naruto, the question lingering in the air between them.

"It's not about not liking her," Sasuke said finally, his voice steady. "It's about what she might bring. She's connected to too much power. The Vatican, the hidden agendas... Gabriel, for all her innocence, carries attention wherever she goes. And that attention... it could be dangerous."

Naruto blinked, surprised by Sasuke's directness. "Dangerous? You mean... because of the Vatican and all that power they have?"

Sasuke nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared out at the city below. "Yes. Gabriel's presence here could attract more eyes than we want. If she's tied to the Vatican and there's anything we've learned from our experiences, it's that being tied to such organizations means more trouble than it's worth. I've been running from that kind of attention for years. I can't afford to let it find us here."

Naruto slowly put his cup down, his brow furrowing as he processed Sasuke's words. Gabriel's quiet, kind demeanor had never made him think of her as a threat, but Sasuke's concerns were valid. In a world full of hidden powers and ancient rivalries, someone like Gabriel—who seemed so innocent—could unknowingly draw unwanted focus.

"I get it now," Naruto said, his voice thoughtful. "So, you think going to Kuoh will help keep us out of the spotlight?"

Sasuke's gaze shifted toward Naruto, his expression unreadable. "Kuoh seems like a place that won't have the same kind of attention. It's a smaller town, quieter, away from the larger conflicts of the world. At least, that's what it seems like on the surface. It's a place where we can lie low, find some peace, and avoid drawing unwanted attention."

Naruto stood up and walked over to Sasuke, slapping him on the back with his usual enthusiasm. "Sounds good to me! We could use a break from all the craziness. Plus, I've got a feeling that we'll find something good there."

Sasuke didn't respond immediately but gave a slight nod, his mind still weighing the decision. The need for peace had always been a complicated one for him, but after everything they'd been through, it was time to let go of the constant chaos. Kuoh, for all its simplicity, might offer them that.

The two stood there for a moment, quietly contemplating the path ahead. But the stillness didn't last long.

"We leave tomorrow, right?" Naruto asked, breaking the silence again.

Sasuke glanced at him. "We do. There's no point in staying here any longer."

Naruto grinned. "I'm ready. A new place, a new start. And no more worries about Gabriel and her... influence."

As if on cue, the tailed beasts, in their small forms, began to wander into the room, their tiny bodies floating lazily around the apartment. Kurama, the Nine-Tails, floated over to Sasuke's side, his little fox form stretching as he lazily flicked his tail.

"Kuoh, huh?" Kurama muttered, his voice surprisingly loud for his small size. "Sounds like it could be a nice change. I didn't sign up for all the drama back in the old world, and I'm definitely not up for getting caught up in any of Gabriel's mess."

Naruto laughed. "I'm with you on that, Kurama. But hey, at least it'll be quiet."

Shukaku, the One-Tail, floated past with a lazy grin on its face. "Quiet's good. But I'm more interested in the food. Hopefully, they've got something good in Kuoh."

"Food's always your answer, isn't it?" Matatabi, the Two-Tails, teased, leaping onto Naruto's shoulder. "We'll see what we can find when we get there."

Sasuke, who had been silently observing the tailed beasts, finally spoke again. "Let's just get to the airport and go. We'll figure it out when we get there."

--

At the Airport

The next morning, they packed their bags and headed to the airport, the weight of their decision still hanging in the air. Sasuke's expression remained as stoic as ever, but there was a quiet tension about him. It wasn't just about moving on—it was about getting out of the path of those who could threaten their new lives.

Naruto kept up his usual upbeat attitude, trying to keep the mood light, even though he understood Sasuke's need for caution. They passed through security, the tailed beasts sticking close by but staying small enough to avoid causing too much attention. As they waited at the terminal gate, Sasuke looked out at the crowd, his gaze sharp, always on alert. His mind was not only on the journey ahead but also on Gabriel's potential to stir up trouble, whether she intended to or not.

Naruto could sense the unease in the air but said nothing. Instead, he slapped Sasuke on the back again. "Hey, this is the start of something new! We'll make it work. Whatever comes our way, we'll deal with it. We've always done that, right?"

Sasuke gave him a slight nod but didn't respond. His thoughts were elsewhere, thinking about Gabriel, Kuoh, and what the future would bring.

They boarded the plane shortly after, and as the engines roared to life, Naruto gazed out of the window, excited about what was to come. Despite the lingering uncertainty, one thing was clear: they were moving forward, away from their past, and toward something unknown.

Whatever awaited them in Kuoh, they would face it together.

From here on out, the chapter will be longer. Give me some ideas to make the story more interesting, or anything I need to review. Who do you guys want Asia to meet first: Naruto, Sasuke, or Issei?