Page Three

Kouh Town

The following morning, Naruto lands outside a rather large house, speaking softly. "Are you sure this is it, Ddraig?"

The red dragon nodded, Ddraig responded. "Yes. This is the place where my host lives. I cannot sense his presence however."

Naruto nodded, looking around, not seeing anyone he asks. "I may not be all that familiar with this world yet, many things do not make much sense, but this is by far the most unusual place in the area."

Ddraig chuckled lowly, Naruto feeling him nod, as it states. "Devils are rather fond of high-class establishments. Luxury is their norm, finest food and drinks are the usual, so this is considered modest."

Naruto and the other bijuu all snort at that, this is rather wasteful but whatever, as he steps towards the giant gate. He muttered lowly. "This is like, ten times the size of my old apartment. What can you do with all that space?"

Ddraig responded. "The entire group lives here."

Matatabi offered, unsure about this. "This is rather distasteful. If there's nothing here. We should go to…"

Naruto froze, snapping to the side, and felt someone's eyes on him as he reached for his tanto on the base of his back. Eyes snapping around before a caw from a crow drew his gaze upward. A single crow was circling up ahead. That did not fill him with confidence.

He murmured lowly, speaking internally. "I think we should leave…"

Kurama spoke next. "This is concerning, yes…"

But before that, a new voice called out. "Oh, young man…"

Snapping back, a human woman, middle-aged, standing not too far away with large shopping bags waving at him. She had the stereotypical Japanese traits with brown hair and a soft aura, "I do not suppose you could help me with these bags."

Naruto blinked at that, it took a moment before his tension loosened, as he points to himself and asking hesitantly. "Umm... me?"

The woman nodded and smiled, "If you would be so kind."

Naruto blinked for second time then smiled and nodding as he stepped towards the woman, easily lifting many heavy bags and the woman smiled at him, "Thank you. My name is Miki Hyoudou, can you please follow me I live just up here."

The name naturally drew their attention, as likely this woman is the mother of that former host of the red dragon. Though, she was very clearly a human though, her mental state however was skeptical at best.

Several discrepancies that were not normal were flowing over the woman and Ddraig explained. "The devils have her under a type of hypnotism, so she doesn't see anything a miss with the house she lives in, nor tells others of anything regarding the supernatural if asked. This is all considered normal to her."

All the others frowned at that, Naruto too but at the same time, but they can all begrudgingly see that this genjutsu protects her mind at least. As she unlocked the door, Naruto followed her in casually, though Ddraig a sensed that the magic barrier was tripped and informed the others. "This should be a short visit. A barrier just tripped."

Naruto grew concerned as he followed the lady into the kitchen and dropped the bags, and before he could ask, Miki smiled at him. "Thank you for your help… umm… I never did get your name."

Thinking quickly, Naruto recalled that this was a devil stronghold thus responded. "Menma. But, umm… I have to meet my friends, so I have to go."

The woman smiled at him, as she began to sort through her bags, Miki saying. "Oh my, you speak so formally, and old fashioned. My Issei could learn a thing or two from you."

Naruto chuckled lowly, whispering internally. "More than you know…"

Earning chuckles from those within, but Naruto spoke externally, inclining his head. "Right, well, Hyoudou-san, I must be off. Good day."

She returned the gesture and watched the teen leave. Upon hearing her door close, Miki sighs, muttering. "What a strange young man. Who speaks that way these days? He was really kind though, must have been raised right."

Strolling down the road briskly enough to escape, but not so much as to draw attention, but as he passed a house, he sensed the eyes again, and before he knew it. The caw from up high, and he darted into the side street.

He inadvertently escaped the eyes of the responding devils, none other than Akeno Himejima, Kiba Youta, Sirzechs Lucifer, Ajuka Beelzebub, Falbium Asmoduous, Serafall Leviathan, and Ruval Phenex.

Naruto was suppressing his entire presence with every trick he knew but he still could hear them discussing things.

Kiba looked to Akeno, asking. "Anything?"

Akeno frowned, shaking her head, "Nothing. I swear the barrier reported Issei had returned home but we all know he has not left the Gremory Manor."

Ajuka frowned as he glanced around, using his own senses to try determining whether or not there was an error in the barrier, or if someone had managed to find a loophole like the one. He blinked and dreaded if this as the truth, muttering. "What if it is the Sage?"

Everyone looked to the green haired Satan, who glanced back at his red-haired friend, Ajuka continued. "Think about it. He took out his own piece and stole then destroyed the soul of the dragon. He had plenty of time to fabricate the signature of the pawn and likely did not know of the barrier here."

Serafall nodded, following that trail of thought. "It isn't impossible. But the chances of that happening? You know, stumbling across the one house that is being watched by us?"

Falbium nodded at that, eyes scanning the street, stating. "Plus, you said he left with the Youkai. Meaning he should be in Kyoto, no?"

Ajuka nodded but continued to scan around the area and not seeing anything amiss he sighed out, "It was just a thought…"

Sirzechs responded, "A fair thought my friend. Spread out everyone. The kids will check on Issei's parents, see if they are home."

Everyone nodded and spread their wings before taking flight.

Naruto was melding holding his breath trying to think of a way out. If he flashes, it may draw their attention, as it is rather bright in this low morning light. His body flicker might be tracked as they are airborne. Damn. What can he do? A transformation perhaps. A quick glance around the area shows a few trash cans. That'll work.

Serafall leviathan flew over another alleyway and did not see anything amiss. Perhaps, they should expand further. If it was the sage, no doubt he can be anywhere by now. He is naturally fast enough to react to Sirzechs at full speed, so they should probably move further out.

A noise from behind, drew her eye to a small fox rummaging through a rubbish bin. Damn. She's been jumpy ever since that damn Menma showed up. Departing, she missed the glance the fox gave her or the cheeky smirk it gained as it watched her leave.

Back in the house, Kiba and Akeno stepped in to see Miki finishing unloading groceries, and upon seeing them she smiled, "Ah, Kiba-kun, Akeno-chan. What brings you back here so early? Did you forget something?"

Kiba smiled charmingly, answering softly. "Ah no, we got a warning text message about an intruder. We did not know it was you, Miki-san."

Miki blinked at that before her eyes lit up, "Ah. It might be because Menma-san helped me with my shopping you see. Such a nice boy but speaks old-fashioned."

Both young devils paled. Lord Ajuka was right. It was the Sage in question. Miki, due to the various hypnosis techniques applied to her, did not notice and continued. "He seemed lost though, like he wasn't sure about where he was. I asked him for help, and he just smiled and did so. Though, he left in a hurry. Said something about needing to meet his friends."

She perked up, looking to the two teens who as pale as snow, continuing. "I wonder if he'll go to school with you all. I can see that he is a well mannered, and respectful boy. He must have been raised right. Maybe Issei could learn a thing or two from such a mature young man."

Both young devils think the same thing. 'We doubt he'd want to…'

Akeno slipped out, allowing Kiba to deal with the overly friendly woman, and find the nearest Satan to inform them that it was indeed the Sage, according to Issei's mother, he had looked lost and helped her with the shopping bags.

Sirzechs, upon hearing this, did not dare to call in any help in fear of tipping their hand, but did instead comb the area with a fine toothpick for any signs of the sage.

Throughout the three-hour search none of the devils would never realise how many times they had passed their target, who played the sleeping stray cat. That nosey fox. A dumpster diving raccoon. He was not suspected.

Eventually, they gave up. Agreeing that it was a fluke and Lady Hyoudou had the absolute strangest luck to run into the one of the most dangerous existences in the current era and actually got him to smile at her. Even going so far as to say his was a good, well mannered young man.

Miki Hyoudou would end up being saved by said young man three times in the future. The first by happenstance, but the last two were deliberate and direct rescues. All because she just treated him normal in a super-normal world.

Outskirts

Leading a small skulk into a forest clearing, Naruto let out a tight breath as he puffs out of his street fox form. His 'crew' of sorts, all chirped as they gathered around him. These were three actual street foxes, and an older kit, they found on the edge of the forest who decided to tag along.

Naruto chuckled as he sat at the base of the tallest oak tree, he had unknowingly gravitated towards. He spoke internally. "Maybe it's your influence acting up Kurama, but it seems they are rather fond of me, huh?"

Everyone chuckled at that, the beast in question grinned, as he rests on his head on his paws, Kurama speaking after everyone had calmed down and he huffed. "No doubt can sense my unstoppable might. They are wise to stick with us."

Naruto smiled at that, but it didn't last as he sighed out loud. "Too bad we can't stay together long. That kid is likely in the depth of their territory, so we can't get there without being caught."

Ddraig spoke now, assuring his host. "I understand your desire to fulfil your end of the deal, and I am grateful; however, I believe he will be safe among them until the school is rebuilt. I agree that you should lay low until such a time he returns to the surface."

Naruto nodded before letting out a sigh, watching the foxes play fight, run about chirping, or just curl up beside him. For a moment he just sat there in the peaceful silence of nature.

After a few minutes, Naruto decided on getting some shut eye while they have the chance too speaking to his longtime partner. "Kurama, I'll take a Power Nap. Can you keep watch out here? You'll be the least suspicious with the others here."

Kurama grunted, it was true, and they had been awake all night making their way back here. Naruto went through a few hand signs and placed his hand on the grass when a puff of smoke and there sat Kurama, at regular fox size with his bright red coat but hiding his extra eight tails. His scarlet eyes remained the standout difference.

The other foxes were surprised but not alarmed as they chirped and barked at him, and he grinned at them, allowing them to understand he was the captain now. None opposed him. Naruto chuckled lowly, leaning back against the bark and closing his eyes.

An hour or some will be good enough.

Shinto Pantheon

Apollo had arrived just before midday and strolled into the office of his eastern counterpart's office, who glanced up and earned a raised brow from the dark haired, golden eyes woman, Lady Amaterasu asking. "Apollo. To what do I owe this displeasure?"

With a strained smile, Apollo waved and asked. "Well, it has been a while since we last spoke, so I came to see if there was anything…?"

Amaterasu cut through the crap as she folded her arms, leaning back as her paperwork continued to be signed and sorted. She replied, cutting him off. "Cut the crap, Apollo. Zeus must be worried about that power surge from within our domain a few days ago. Right?"

Apollo offered nothing on his face, but that in itself was an answer, thus, Amaterasu nodded before continuing. "Well, in all honesty, I suspected your arrival was likely, though I also have had Tsukuyomi await your sister too as the one more connected to nature of the two of you. I guess I misjudged you all."

Apollo nodded, but saying nothing on that, moving on with the subject topic, "So, have you found it? Is it a rogue or some kind of…"

Amaterasu raised a hand to stop him, but responded swiftly, "No. it disappeared before I or Tsukuyomi caught sight of it. When we do, however, we shall confront it directly as it is clear that it is powerful and not registered within our records. Anything else?"

Apollo shook his head, so the woman smiled, it did not warm him nor reach her eyes. Amaterasu pointed to the door, stating. "Then get out of my office."

Kyoto Shrine

Yasaka looks up as her door had parted and one of her kitsune steps in, and she asks. "Anything?"

The dark furred four-tailed, bowed before responding. "No ma'am. The body was confirmed to be who you feared it was however, he was despatched swiftly and so professionally, we doubt he even knew what happened."

Yasaka nodded, suspecting that, though she was wondering exactly where the sage had gone. He gave no indication of his intentions besides leaving them, but where would he go? The more she thought the more she realised she had no knowledge of his mindset, evident by the fact that somehow, she had caused him to distance himself from her.

Not from Kunou though. Think Yasaka. What was the difference between her and her daughter's interaction with the sage. Maybe she should ask her daughter but for now, Yasaka looked up at the bowing subordinate, ordering. "Prepare a scout team and have them report here in an hour. I need to talk with my daughter."

The man nodded, responding. "At once, Lady Yasaka."

Yasaka got up after he left, and moved back to the inner shrine, to find her daughter. It would take ten minutes before she found her sitting beneath the same tree the sage and kit sleeping together. But what caught her attention was the fact that Kunou was tracing something on the exposed root of the tree.

As Yasaka approached, her daughter perked up, and turned to face her mother, going to speak but Yasaka spoke first. "What is that you are doing, Kunou?"

The kit then points to the tree again, Kunou states. "The sage's mark. It smells like him."

Yasaka follows the finger and kneels down, and surely enough she could make out an engraving burnt into the bark, yet it was clear that it was structured and not random scribbles of random lines.

She made a mental note to trace it later, this was clearly a clue of the nature of the sage and instead turned back to her daughter, Yasaka asks. "Kunou. You spent the most time time with the sage. Do you know where he would go?"

Kunou knew this would happen, and she could tell that her mother was clearly desperate at the situation with mister sage's departure. So did offer up what she thought. "Umm… oka-sama, I think he would go to somewhere there is a lot of forests, see. Kunou knows he likes the forest and not the town. He doesn't know anything about technology and lives like us. That is all I know."

Yasaka nodded, that was enough to narrow things down somewhat. He would not go to any big cities, but rather the forests with minimal pollution of civilisation. Not only that, paired with the fact that he hold's importance to the spoken words, promise's and the like.

She hadn't said anything wrong throughout his stay, however a thought came to her as they walked back, in response to what her daughter said. He lives like us. It has been observed that humans have the ability to adapt to their surroundings, even more so tad children developing rapidly to their surroundings. Let's say, the Sage was raised in the forest and those whisker-like markings.

Yasaka had a growing sense of dread suddenly building up. Did he somehow have known about that particular guest room. Then the fact that he only used the soap meant that he was distrustful of the artificial. But if you paired them together. Oh. She most definitely messed up.

After all, that was the room normally given to male humans whenever she got a bit too high strung and needed a release. If his senses are as sharp as other forest dwellers, perhaps even more so, he may have detected trace amounts and come to a very dark conclusion.

Now add in that highly sophisticated barrier technique, made a lot more sense as to why her senses were screaming at her not to try. He may have very well struck out. No. If his reaction to her chakra flaring over dinner was anything to go by, he would have most definitely gone for the kill on reflex.

That also began his distrust of her. Why he used the 'san' honorific with her when they brought the food. He was wary. Then the parade of her finest maidens was very clearly seen through at that point. A ploy to draw his eye and scope out his desires. So, he showed none.

Then the sword. The reason he did not take it was likely him assuming that they wished to buy his loyalty. As he said, he is a Sage. They are loyal only to the planet's whimsical nature and are considered by many as more of natural disasters then people of habit.

That now does not make sense in the form of this particular sage. He was cordial and friendly. Just not outgoing and rather reserved. He was polite but brash and blunt at times. Except with Kunou where he was a bit of a pushover to her whims. Explains how she got him to play with her.

A lot of things had been made clearer thanks to her daughter's words, and as they reach the door back inside, Yasaka looks to her daughter who isn't as energetic as usual and asks her. "Do you want mister sage to come back?"

Kunou thought on that for a bit before nodding once, hands fidgeting, "umm, yes oka-sama. Even just to visit Kunou for a little bit. Mister Sage and Oka-sama are both really busy and important, so if only for a little bit."

Yasaka smiled and brought her daughter into a motherly embrace and whispered, "I will see if we can find him and pass on the message. Okay?"

She feels her daughters nod and nods to herself. It may take a while, but when they cross paths, Yasaka knew that she would have a lot of making up to do. She also needs to thank him for dealing with that thing that was once Kunou's father turned chimera that was after her daughter for her untapped strength.

Forests somewhere near Kuoh

Kurama was leading his skulk through the underbrush in a hunting formation he had taught them. As a single unit, they had managed to heard several rabbits into an awaiting trap. It was all just a matter of time before. Crunch.

A very crude log trap hit the heads of three dislocating a vertebra on their spine sending them sprawling. The young two can deal with them. The unharmed group were splitting up. The hunt was on.

As this was going on, Kurama had no idea his actions would birth a new predator down the line. However right now, they had most certainly caught the attention of a certain wildlife goddess who was watching the coordinated efforts of the foxes against their prey of rabbits.

Foxes are not known for a collaborative approach to hunting. They hadn't needed to in the past yet. This skulk had come together to do such in numbers larger than predicted. As this was her domain, and as a fellow hunter, Artemis was documenting this and the clear use of a very crude trap. If it was more refined, that would have definitely done more than disable. Perhaps caught a few more.

As she and her hunters watched, the foxes had been collecting their prey together to the one they had assumed their leader. Said leader collected them on his back, those that remained were picked up by the other adults and they began moving. This was not standard behaviour for foxes.

Artemis and her gathering of elite hunters followed the group, at a distance, and surely enough they came across a smaller, more defendable clearing, with numerous fox families and skulks. The kits, the baby foxes, were all playing around and barking happily, and without a care of the world. The adults who did not hunt, were watching them, or reinforcing their dens with whatever they could find around the forest.

Though, the Greeks all froze upon spotting something out of place. Something that did not belong. Foxes are many things, but unless raised in captivity, they are all vigilant around humans. So, the fact that there was a snoozing human against a large oak tree with several kits and adults sleeping with him calmly, many raised brows at that.

The peaceful scenery however was broken upon the hunters realising that this human was male, and their hatred spiked. Artemis did not blame nor quell their feelings on the other gender, as she felt the same way, and that too would be her undoing in this case. Not that she knew this.

A few minutes prior…

Just as he was physically asleep, mentally Naruto was out like a light, and the other bijuu took naps or tended to their duties. Saiken and Matatabi both had duties well, more Saiken than Matatabi but still having someone to talk to was always nice. Ddraig was just curious about what they were doing and so asked. "Lady Saiken, Lady Matatabi. To what are you two doing?"

The slug looks back at their newest acquaintance, but was so focused she did not respond immediately, so Matatabi explained. "Well, we are overriding Naruto's hormonal receptors to trigger various reactions whilst he's out like this. If we don't, he'll lose effectiveness in the field."

Ddraig's eyes spoke of his shock, same with his slacked jaw, as muttered. "Is that not a bit…?"

Both nodded and their expressions told of their dislike of doing so, but it has been required since the last safe haven was lost to him. Matatabi spoke, explaining. "It wasn't always like this. Even after he fled his home to escape forced servitude for our sakes, he had plenty of friends to fall back on. His first place was the village hidden in the Sand. Shukaku's former home."

Ddriag nodded, following along, glancing at the snoozing Tanuki, that was curled up in a neat little ball. "What happened?"

Matatabi sighed hard at that, explaining. "It took only two weeks, before the village was surrounded by the shinobi of other villages. An army, demanding they surrender. In true Naruto fashion, he made a big spectacle of getting away and forced the army to give chase."

Saiken's sigh did not feel the dragon with hope, as she said. "Not even three months later, one of the Suna shinobi that Naruto saw as a brother of sorts, his name was Kankuro, died on the edge of his tanto."

Ddraig asked, "What led to…?"

Matatabi sighed, as she seemed to dim slightly, explaining, "The alliance ordered Suna to pay fees for harbouring a criminal. From what the puppet user explained, it left them unable to afford anything. Their punishment was to show their, 'sorrow' by hunting him down too."

Ddraig snarled at that. The other two nodded. Matatabi stating. "It was another notch against forced servitude."

Ddraig can see now why his new host asked him if it was alright if he wasn't a sage. Matatabi then explained. "Similar things have happened repeatedly to either entrap, ensnare, or force Naruto-kun's hand in one way or another."

Saiken then looked to Ddraig, with a firmness that he has come to expect of his fellow passengers, stating. "The last straw was when the Ruler of a place called, The Land of Spring, lured him in. For a week, he lived there, and she gave him a sense of normalcy that he had missed. They went on a date and…"

Matatabi hissed at the memory, groaning lowly. "That wrench even had the nerve to sleep with him, and were it not for Saiken, who recognised the chemical formula used to sedate him, Naruto-kun would have been in cuffs."

Ddraig understood now. Why Naruto kept his distance from those women. He has trusted them in the past and gotten bitten by the sting of betrayal. A new voice jolted them from their trip down memory lane, saying. "We found out six months later…"

All eyes land on Matatabi, where Naruto was now laying on her head, between her ears, looking up at the phoney recreation of the night sky, as he continued. "That Kumogakure no Sato had occupied the Land of Spring and was planning on annexing it."

Ddraig asks. "What of that lady?"

Naruto let out a defeated sigh, replying. "We heard she married the Son of the Lightning Daimyo a short time before we arrived here. Apparently, her association with me killed her acting career, so it was a desperation move most likely."

This is when Naruto senses picked up the spike of hatred, and he shot up, looking beyond the confined area, shouting. "Too damn close!"

His shout woke everyone and Naruto returned to the outside world. What the heck was Kurama doing out there!

Kurama froze upon the spike of hatred that had somehow gotten so damn close. Too close for comfort. This sudden halting of movement caused the others all to do the same. Subsequently, his growl travelled in the wind to the silent observers, who grew stiff at the prospect of being discovered.

It shouldn't be possible.

They are perfectly hidden from all forms of detection, but the rising heckles on the foxes and the slow movements to protect the young did not escape Artemis, nor her hunters notice as they were spreading out to try and kill the human and protect the sprawling fox community.

A defensive perimeter sprung to life, and the kits were huddled together in the den in the centre, directly beneath the tree Naruto had been resting on. He could sense their growing fear and anxiety so was most definitely unamused. Speaking internally, Naruto calls out. "Shukaku, I need you on defense, nothing can get past us."

Shukaku cracks his back, stretching like any other canine, before grunting. "And nothing will."

Naruto smirked before turning to Chomei. "Gonna need all the eyes I can get. You ready Chomei?"

Chomei buzzed and nodded. "Consider it done."

Naruto broke into a grin as he looked to his favourite nekomata. "Matatabi. Gonna need to be able to react ahead of time. Care to lend me your strength?"

Matatabi purred as she offered a paw. "Always."

Naruto nodded fist bumping the flaming feline.

Back outside, Naruto slowly raised to his feet, head held low as he took a breath, mentally counting the enemies via their hatred that spiked again as he stood. Twenty-one and they are moving to encircle him. Their spacing suggests visual range communication.

Counter?

Matatabi speaks first, "You have access to my claws remember…? They are by far your strongest option."

Naruto replied as swiftly. "True, however they prevent me from using more than a few of my techniques. Weapons too. They are last line of resort. Trump card if you will."

Son Goku interjected himself here speaking with pride. "Then, you are using my blades then, huh?"

Naruto didn't reply, and the ape didn't need him too, as he watch Naruto's haori flap in the wind, and his hand slowly and methodically, and somehow menacingly drew his Bijuu-issued tanto from the small of his back. His left hand plucked a three-pronged kunai from its holster, and he takes up a defensive stance, kunai held reverse grip ahead, Tanto at his back to strike.

The hatred sources all together spiked as their intent became squarely focused on him. He could feel their rage in the wind. Now that's an idea. The next moment both blades were coated in razor winds just as the first shots were fired. Nine and three o'clock.

With a single twirl on the balls of his feet, Naruto deflected the silver arrows away harmlessly, despite still keeping his eyes shut.

The twenty-one signatures fell off briefly, but twenty came back stronger than before and the intent to kill along with them. The feel of parting air, from multiple directions, soon reached the shinobi and he gripped his blades tighter. This many archers, at this range, and this well trained is going to be a real challenge. Even for him.

A caw from a circling crow was heard from up high and the next moment Naruto Uzumaki was about to show the Greek pantheon the folly of crossing him. The folly of fighting him as he defends his family and friends. For challenging him in a forest, they may not be the same ones he grew up with, nor the ones he had laid his life down to protect but they were close enough.

Like a bolt of lightning, Naruto was in movement, cutting left, slicing three arrows in one wind enhanced slash, deflecting two from ahead, ducking beneath the two from behind, Naruto leaps up to the tree above. Not wanting stray fire to hit any of the gathered foxes. Kurama will protect them.

Leaping from tree to tree, Naruto was pursued and the entire time a rain of silver arrows rained down upon him. He twirled mid air to avoid a cross shot, then he lashed out with his tanto to deflect an arrow from an off centred shot. It seems that these arrows can bounce off one another. Smart.

He lands on a thick branch, deflecting another two, before leaping off, the branch itself cut through by another off centre shot. A backflip as he traveled forward earned a reprieve from the constant barrage, but he sensed the next shot coming from a mile off. Literally, a mile or so away. It wasn't aimed at him, but rather the branch he was about to land on.

Naruto snorted. It would have worked on anyone who wasn't a shinobi who hadn't sensed it. So, instead, he kicked off the tree trunk before landing on the doomed landing zone, spinning around and cutting through one side of the following barrage that had predicted his unbalanced state from the falling tree branch.

Sliding across the muddy ground, he backflips again, avoiding two clear snap shots, and his senses detect one was near enough on top of him as he landed. And surely enough the moment he touched down, a girl, no older than fourteen drops down with two large knifes in hand.

Whoever these people are getting kids to fight like this, need to train them better. At least she didn't scream something stupid as she dropped. Naruto simply stepped aside and before she could react a boot met her face, snapping her nose on impact, then bruising her spine on impact with the tree.

Before he could follow up, a much larger barrage of silver arrows filled the air and blasted everything to oblivion. Naruto had retreated up the tree and watched as two more landed beside the one he had hit. Bad move.

Dropping down, Naruto drop kicked the one on look out, face met mud and most likely a broken neck. His second strike swept the second girl's feet from under her, and yet again, before he can go for the kill, a far smaller barrage of arrows was shot in his direction. Naruto knew they were not aimed at him, but they were trying to scare him off so they could recover their own.

A single arrow, far larger than the rest, however, was aimed squarely at his chest, and Naruto traced it to the most potent source of hatred that had just re-emerged. Must be their boss. Good to know. He threw his off-hand kunai at the incoming shot that deflected them both off-course.

The resultant explosion really drilled it home that their boss was by far more powerful and experienced than the others. The small fries are all holding their fire, but it seems their sniper like boss was game.

Though Naruto knew the second he cleared these three young teens, they'll continue their attack at range despite its obvious ineffectiveness. If that is their only play, then they need better training.

He feels and hears the firing of multiple arrows, none aimed at him, yet it was Chomei who reminded him. "They can bounce their arrows off one another."

Naruto finally opened his eyes and his burrowed compound eyes located each of the fired shots, tracked the fired arrow, plotted its course based on the richocet angles, direction, and final attack trajectory. No wonder bugs are differcult to kill if they see like this constantly.

Within the breath of a baby bird, Naruto appeared by his kunai, that was thrown to deflect that first sniper shot, and leaped up to find one of the attackers, releasing from her firing stance sequence. A single chop to the back her neck was all that was required.

Dropping down, yanking the kunai from the tree, Naruto darts through the bushes like a spectre of the night, yet he was found. Not by the small fry, no, they were distracted by their falling comrade. But rather their sniper boss. He briefly parts his eyes again, and that snapshot told him where he was and what was about to happen.

He leaps left, to avoid the hail of arrows, sensing the sniper loading their shot, Naruto kicks off one tree, reaching up to the branches, and stabs in his kunai to the underside of one. Dropping down, he pulls another, falling back into the sight of the small fry again, Naruto crisscrossed movements between trees, and over roots made him a difficult to track target.

Again, his whiskers were coming in clutch today, ducking beneath another sniper shot, before he leaps up, and comes face to face with another small fry. She goes through the knife to the throat, Naruto goes for a knee to the gut, using his current momentum for added damage.

The girl was winded, spitting blood, armour deformed, and Naruto's upward speed had slowed, and was now easily a prime target. As such, as he twirled to give the double tap in the form of a roundhouse, can never be too careful, Naruto was unsurprised to feel the killing intent rise.

The second his foot dented metal, crushed bone, and earned a scream, Naruto's chakra flared, and he returned to his earlier kunai, dropping down, without recovering it. This happened all so quickly that he reheard his targets pained scream.

Naruto found no joy in this, but these people for whatever reason, have chosen war, so he will show them the pain of it. Thus, he muttered lowly, "Mata… It is time."

Naruto's vision turned to normal briefly, his bug-like sense's falling off until his feline senses kicked in, and surely enough he fills the surge of M-C-M mode flood his system. He senses that their attention had returned on him, but it was already too late, his feline eyes had caught their positions.

Matatabi grin was feral, an apex predator on the prowl, as she hissed out. "Show these hussies how to hunt."

Naruto grin matched his current partner-in-crime, whipering. "As you wish."

With the grace only a feline could possess, Naruto seemed to glide through the darkness and shadows that seemed to envelope his frame that inadvertently preventing even the sky from seeing his passing.

As if a myth, he materialised behind his first target unheard and unseen, yet her reflexes were sharp and as she turned. This teen found herself attempting to leap back, yet Naruto's claws cut through both her silver armour to render flesh and blood from her body, and cutting through her long dark hair and silver tiara cut through leaving a wound down her face.

She was then kicked in the stomach with her blasting into the dirt below. Before any of her fellows heard her scream or crash, Naruto had already moved on. "Zoë!"

"Damn it! Where'd he…"

"Phoebe!"

Before said Hunter could react however, she found her hair yanked back, getting a knee slamming up into her now bent back with a heard crack, before thrown into a nearby tree.

Naruto was gone the next moment, and the remaining few had rushed to group up, unsure how this male was beating them at their own game. It was clear he was now hunting them, taking out their commanders like that.

Abruptly another scream echoed out of from another tree. From it came another one of their sister's, broken femur evident with hr leg bent at an unual angle and as they crash ahead of them tjey all bore witness to it.

Then a second hunter followed out, armour dented and cloth torn, came flying out covered in shallow cuts on her limbs, and their enemy followed them out preparing an axe drop kick that was caught.

The shockwave knocked the injured back from the clashing duo, but now standing before Naruto was none other than the boss lady from before. The hatred was strong woth this one to the point it was almost overwhelming. Her cold, rage-filled eyes reminding the sage of the moon. But more importantly.

Naruto's eyes flashed from battling the last moon related entity.

Artemis had never felt this much hatred for a man before. How can he be so callous in despatching her Hunters. This man must die. Even if his strength is noteworthy, evident as her arm was tingling all over from blocking his axe kick, he must die as a threat to both her hunters and to that of Olympus.

Kicking off the arm block, Naruto flips back, landing on a nearby tree branch, with far more grace than strictly necessary, crouched like a cat preparing to pounce as his glowing green and yellow eyes remained fixed on the boss sharpshooter.

According to his empathy, the remaining small fry have all gathered behind their leader, and were attempting to administer first aid to the ones he's injured. He hasn't done anything outright lethal. Long lasting, sure, buf nothing life ending. That being said, they'll never forget about endangering the innocent forest dwellers after this.

Whatever reason they seem to hate him seems to have grown during this skirmish. It is their fault. They started this. Heck – they hated him before they even tried to talk to him. Now, their boss was staring at him like he was everything wrong with the world and Naruto was getting rather sick of this shit.

This is when Ddraig spoke up, clearing things up. "Hmm… now that I can actually see and sense her from that brief contact, that is most definitely the Greek goddess of the moon, hunt, and forests. Artemis."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, replying in kind. "A goddess huh? Not as threatening as the last one we faced. Though, the fact that they are both moon related can't be a coincidence."

Shukaku snorted, chuckling with his arms crossed. "Just our luck, huh?"

Chomei nodded his agreement. "So it would seem."

Son Goku added after the fact. "Though, Naruto, you can't use Six-paths without all of us in here. Right? With Kurama out…"

Naruto takes in a deep breath and sighs, shaking his head. "No. I can use it without him. Just he acts like a valve, so I don't over do it. But… if needs must…"

He shifts aside, the arrow harmlessly passing him by, eyes locked on the goddess who seemed to move with the speed of the shadows. Melding and becoming one with the forest. Naruto grins, two can play at that game. "Mata… Chomei…. Time to show this goddess what it truly means to be one with the forest."

A flood of Chomei's chakra ripples across Naruto's back and six wings erupt forward, and like a ghost in the winds, he vanishes too.

The two did not launch any attacks, just tracking skills and avoiding leaving traces themselves. A true battle within the shadows. Hunting one another.

The small fry did not see anything for a solid five minutes. Just whispers on the wind. Yet it was not a mess up that broke the seeming stalemate but rather a third party. A murder of crows began cawing up high which distracted the Hunter goddess long enough to lose track of her target for all of two seconds.

A blue flash later and said goddess found herself the unwilling recipient of a foot to the gut. The connection forced her from the tree and into the open. Just to be seen taking a drop kick to the stomach by a flying blue flash of light.

By the time she would get up, the man had fled. She could not sense him anymore.

Random Kouh Rooftop

Naruto lands and immediately falls to his hands and knees, M-C-M falling along with Chomei's chakra and Kurama's begin flooding his coils and fixing the damage done, as those two chakra havs never been used together like that before.

Focusing on his breathing and gathering the scant nature energy in these voids known as cities, Naruto is confronting his beast council.

Laying on one of Kurama's tails, Naruto asks Ddraig, "That goddess. You called her a 'Greek Goddess'. Care to explain?"

Ddriag nodded, the others now paying attention too, this was vital information. The dragon begins. "Well, all deities belong in groups we call Pantheons. Typically, only one of these Pantheons exist in any given region. In the past, they have battled for dominance, moved locations, and conquered lands. As one might expect."

Upon seeing everyone nod, Ddraig continued. "We, right now, are in the territory of the Shinto Pantheon, that rules the Land of Japan. Though, I hear they prefer to use its previous name of Yamato."

Naruto jerked at that, a familiar Anbu Captain coming to mind but shelved that for later, as Gyūki speaks up, "In that case, this Artemis. You called her a Greek God. Then, she does not belong to this, Shinto Pantheon, no?"

Ddraig nodded, confirming that. "Exactly. She should not be operating within this area. I suspect that she is searching for something. Something she just tried to kill."

All eyes looked to the recovering Naruto, who sighed out, "One of those who must have sensed our Six Paths Sage mode, huh?"

Ddraig nodded, "More than likely. Not only that, no doubt her brother pointed her in our direction. He has the ability to see prophecies and the like."

All the bijuu all sigh hard at that, in unison with their host, who was starting to regain colour to his face. Ddraig was intrigued, but before he could ask, he hears Naruto grumble. "I ain't doing that shit again. I did my time as child of prophecy, brought peace to the damn world by uniting them. Only for them to fucking hunt my ass for not giving them any power."

Kurama growls. "Calm down, brat. You're making this take longer."

Naruto sighs relaxing into the fluff, arms crossed as he keeps mumbling under his breath.

Ddraig looks to Gyūki, asking. "Do I want to know?"

Gyūki sighed hard, shaking his head, saying. "Probably. It's what landed us here in the first place. It's just a bit of a touchy subject."

Shukaku snorted. "Understatement of the year."

Naruto perks up, then narrows his eyes, whispering to the beasts. "Something isn't right."

Kurama picks it up too and narrowed his eyes. "We've been followed."

Naruto returns to the real world, still kneeling before slowly standing, and reaching for his kunai, tanto, drawing them and glaring at the single crow that landed ahead of him. "You aren't fooling anyone with that disguise. You've been following me all day. Even intervened in that fight unnecessarily. What do you want?"

The crow caws before it seems to melt into a shadow, that drips down the wall in a pool of expanding darkness until eventually out steps a fairly well-endowed looking teen with long, striping black hair above a cute childish face, pointy ears and a smile Naruto would recognise anywhere. A sadistic smile buried beneath a cheery façade.

The shadows seem to make up her frilly, one-piece sundress, but calling it that, seems about hypercritical as it's made out of something, Naruto would say was if the night was given form. Standing at a respectful distance from the on-edge shinobi, the woman finally speaks, "Ah, yes. Well, colour me surprised when I came looking for a certain dragon and stumble upon the last True Sage, responsible for killing said dragon."

She tilts her head, fingers gliding beneath her jaw as she supports the action, a beaming smile accompanying her words. "At least, according to the rumours."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, as he can sense another person sweeping towards this location. Time is short, so he asks. "Sage? Me?"

She giggled, it was truly a heavenly sound, and most would have bought it, as she says. "oh please. No need to play me for a fool. I am feeling generous right now, seeing how well you handled those annoying Hunters, thinking they are the best us woman have to offer. They are so self…"

Naruto looks to the left, sensing the approach, of one Goddess of the moon which the girl seems to sense too. Clearing her throat she skips to the end. "Well, seeing as time is short. My name is Nyx. Primordial Goddess of the Night."

Naruto tensed. Damn it, another primordial like Kagyua, but before anything one of the shadows grabs his Tanto as she continues. "This is just an – introduction. My gift to you is for showing me such a good time. If you ever want to talk, your weapon will guide you to me. Until next time, True Sage."

She smiled sweetly before she fades back into the shadows again, vanishing from sight.

Naruto cursed as he looked at his tanto, now having cracks of a shimmering midnight black as if a night sky dotted with stars instead of a dark grey almost matte black, it has served him well but now he'll have to replace it. Speaking internally, Naruto calls out. "Sorry Son… I wasn't…"

Son Goku was quick on the response, "Relax, Naruto. Wasn't your fault. I agree. No doubt that Primordial can sense the power she gave you. Throwing it away is our best chance of avoiding further confrontations with her."

Naruto sighed aloud, muttering to himself, "Man, this was a good blade as well. Lasted nearly two years. Throwing it out is a bit…"

A new voice, from the side did not spook him, instead his side eye was damn right murderous, as she dares point that stupid arrow at him. "So, it is you, then."

Naruto hissed, "What do you want, Greek goddess? From what I understand, you are not supposed to be here."

Artemis maintained her position on the buildings edge, her bow primed to shoot this man who manhandled her most experienced hunters so one sidedly, that she found it terrifying. But, what she heard Nyx call this man is what is has her attention. So she asks. "Are you the sage?"

Naruto did not answer, instead contemplated what to do next. If he says yes, she'll report back to whoever she belongs to and no doubt come back to try catch him like the rest. He says no, he dodges the attack, restarting their fighting.

Kurama's low chuckle warned everyone exactly what the third option was, his voice was a whisper. "Naruto. Why no just show her?"

Naruto tilted his head to the side as he stared at the goddess still aiming her weapon at him. Ddraig adds. "That might be best. After all, no doubt the Shinto Pantheon is unaware of her presence. If your flare you power enough, no doubt even they will take note."

Isobu spoke next. "That would bring more conflict, no? We should just…"

Matatabi shook her head, saying. "She is the goddess of the hunt. We'd run for eternity. Getting the local authorities involved may be best here."

Kokuo stepped in. "They'll try and control us. Cage is up."

Naruto's voice cut through them all as he spoke the one word that chose for them all. "Kurama."

A potent blast of nature erupted from a rooftop of Kouh town the rippled far and wide, catching every single supernatural entities attention in the nation of Japan. From the Angels of Heaven to the rogue Devils in Tokyo. The Heroes in the isolated mountains, to the Youkai of Kyoto.

They all sensed it.

Many wondered what it was, few knew what it meant, and only a handful knew who it was.

Amaterasu jumped from her desk, wondering what the hell was going on as this was by far too much of a coincidence. Twice in one week and only after her Greek Counterpart had dropped by. Is he blocking her sight? Did she overlook something?

In Kyoto, Yasaka and her group of scouts all look towards that direction of the beacon of power with even Kunou able sense it this time, despite her lack of training. This time however was far stronger than before. He must be in battle. Yasaka's eyes harden, ordering her forces. "MOVE OUT! PROTECT THE SAGE!"

On a bus leaving Hanede Airport, Seria and her group all look towards the source of the overwhelming power of life and went wide-eyed at the strength of it. The angel of death thought that there was a chance Gabriel was exaggerating a bit but this. This is unreal.

The arch angels all huddle around the portal watching as this sage confronts a foreigner goddess who has been battling him by the looks of it. Now they too can sense what Gabriel had prior. But more than a few were wondering why he had left Kyoto.

On the rooftop however Artemis was in a state of stunned disbelief. This human. This man. This male has a connection to nature as a whole that was far surpasses her own. Sure. She has the forests, that is her domain, but this man is connected to nature far deeper then hers with his connection with the earth said forest resides atop.

Did she mess up?

Naruto finally spoke, as his shakujō formed in his hands that pull apart to bring out its full form, he swirls it around in his right hand before slamming it down cracking the concrete floor. "Greek Goddess of the Hunt. You never should have come here."

His voice was commading and forced Artemis to raise her hands as a sign of surrender, eyes drinking in this glowing Sage before her. The genuine article. It was as if nature itself was given form, and she can barely stop herself from approaching. Warm and comforting. Then there's those nine balls hovering at his back. They registered to her senses as all nature's elements but for some reason they feel threateningly cold and indifferent.

Like nothing matters.

So deep in her thoughts that she missed the arrival of several Shinto Deities who were staring at Naruto in confusion and wonder. Except one. For they had met before and Naruto somehow instinctively recognized this one too, as they landed beside the teen, and looking to one another.

Naruto spoke first, inclining his head. "Lord Shinigami."

The deity nods back, replying. "This is a somewhat unusual situation your find yourself in, boyo."

Naruto nodded again, as the god chuckled lowly, nodding his head in return. "Only you and your clan. Never get tired of watching any of the antics of you all."

Naruto sweat drops. 'Were they really that bad?'

Numerous snorts echo around his mind, all the bijuu recalling said clan's antics over the centuries that were tough to believe until you saw it.

Naruto's sweat drop grew though he was also happy this shit wasn't solely limited to himself.

While those two were discussing old times. Artemis was being confronted by her Shinto counterpart, and his brother, Tsukuyomi-no Mikoto stating. "You have transgressed against one of our own whilst illegally working within our domain, Lady Artemis. This is most certainly a cause for concern."

Artemis bowed her head slightly in an attempt to appease her Shinto counterpart before responding. "Well, we sensed something here that needed my attention. Apollo was being sent to inform you so I…"

Tsukuyomi waved that off, saying. "No. That is no excuse. There are procedures for this, and you even brought a notable number of your demigods. What is your excuse for that?"

Artemis knew there wasn't one.

This was all broken when Naruto powered down, the balls of nature all vanishing into nothingness but as all heard him say. "I appreciate that, Lord Shinigami. Though, I am sure you can sense the approaching forces so I will be making my leave."

Amaterasu stepped up here, wanting to understand things, asking, "Sage. Who are you and how come…?"

This time the shinigami stepped between them both with a raised a hand to stop the goddess of the sun, stating. "Lady Amaterasu, I must implore you to not press this matter. This boy is pure of heart and will not cause any issue. His presence here is unexpected but I welcome it and soon you will understand my faith in it."

The deity's words were not to be taken lightly, the fact that this unknown is seemingly in good standing with death itself was something most immortals could not achieve. This is most definitely an unusual situation.

The Sun Goddess frowned, not sure on how to proceed. Before long, she nodded, looking to her fellow Shinto god, Amaterasu speaking. "Very well. I want a full history of this man upon our return. It will stay between us to ensure that none know of it."

Shinigami nodded, before glancing back to Naruto, stating, "I hope you understand. I will only tell her of your history."

Naruto nodded, before stating. "None here know of it. They only know of my existence as a Sage. Though, those devils call me Menma Maelstrom."

Shinigami smirked, chuckling lowly, "Oh my. How intriguing. They do not know what they have wrought, have they…?"

Naruto shrugged casually, clearly unbothered by the unsaid words, responding. "You know us. Dunno what will happen next."

The death god cackles at that prospect and nodded gleefully, "Oh, my boy. I will be watching your journey with keen interest. Upon your expiration, however, I shall claim you regardless of where you fall. Understood?"

Naruto nodded grimly, understanding what that meant as his clan scrolls were rather detailed on that subject. "Then, I can still use those upper techniques then?"

Shinigami nodded twice, wondering how much of his clan's techniques this young man had been privy too, that thought was truly exciting, and he responded. "Most certainly. I look forward to seeing what you can do – Nidaime Sage of Six Paths."

With that, all the gods and goddesses flashed away, Artemis and her injured Hunters along with them to tend to their court date with the Shinto Pantheon.

Letting out a wary breath, Naruto looks around as his senses continue tracking the incoming. He whispered. "Gotta get us out of here."

He then flashed away, vanishing from sight of all, and once again untraceable for most.

Underworld

Issei gulped as Kiba explained what had happened at his home. The fact that his mother happened to find and ask the sage guy for help with her shopping. Something said sage did without question. Letting out a massive sigh, the pawn loss strength in his legs and falling back onto the sofa, hands shaking out of nervous relief. "Damn… my mother's crazy."

Kiba nodded seriously, replying. "She is. Though, it seemed to be just happenstance in all things. We do not know why he was there and not in Kyoto with the Youkai but…"

Akeno entered the living room, spotting the knight and pawn on the sofa, smiling as she asks. "How are you feeling, Issei?"

Issei shrugged, folding his arms as his head dropped back as his gaze hits the ceiling. "Powerless. My gear is useless but still taking up all my magic reserves. Now, I find out that the guy who beat us all visited my home and spoke with my mother. A normal human."

Kiba let out a deep breath, seeing Issei's point as despite as being knight, he was not fast enough to knock out the Sage before he struck out. Not only that, but his reaction time was also so high, that he drew his own blade and forced him to move to a slash.

Issei then glances back at his senior devils, asking. "Speaking of, when are we allowed to return back there? I know the school burnt down and stuff, but no doubt my parents will suspect something a miss."

Akeno sat on the sofa's arm, nodding her agreement to that, replying carefully. "Well, that is difficult to say. Repairing the academy is a simple affair however we have no way of tracking that Sage or even an early warning. The Satans are all discussing the situation."

Kiba nodded to that, fingers under chin, "That is to be expected. He beat off both Lord Lucifer and Lady Leviathan at the same time. None of us came out unscathed from it either."

Issei shuddered recalling just how brutally that guy had beaten down the Sitri group. He had originally thought they were just weak but the ease of which he was despatched quickly made him aware of just how far they were unmatched. He muttered. "We were lucky to survive. Right?"

Kiba smiled but shook his head, stating clearly for his juniors sake. "Not at all. In fact, it is rather clear that the sage did not want to kill us. Just stop us from re-entering the fight. He was brutal, yes, but nothing he did was outright fatal."

Issei gawked but Akeno continued. "He was fast enough to escape my lightning…"

She frowned at the memory of that fact, the two boys looking to her with Kiba catching her twitching eyebrow. None have ever been that fast. But Akeno continued lowly. "Then threw a kunai that punched through my shoulder at such a speed. It is rather obvious that his accuracy was high enough to have hit my heart, but he did not."

Kiba nodded and now Issei could see where they were going now. That Menma could have gone for the kill but was choosing not to. Same with him. Though, he said something about. Speaking his thoughts aloud, Issei murmured. "Yet, he killed Ddraig. He took my partner from me."

Kiba nodded, looking apologetically at the pawn, speaking softly. "He said it was part of a deal to spare your life. So, maybe you should think about finding something else to help you defend yourself now."

Issei glared at nothing in particular, saying. "I want to get revenge on him. He hurt you all, killed my friend, and threatened my mom."

Akeno cut in, saying. "Your mother was the one to ask for his help though."

Kiba nodded to that. "That she did. Told us he was kinda and polite. Mentioned that he spoke really old fashioned. He never threatened her or anything."

Issei nodded before correcting himself. "Right. I need to get stronger enough to defend my friends, fight against that Sage and get retribution for Ddraig's sacrifice."

Kiba nodded, understanding that, offering. "Perhaps I could show you how to wield a sword. It should be useful moving forward."

Issei nodded; it couldn't hurt. Akeno spoke, deep in thought still. "Though, we should have a talk with Koneko. Asia too. They are both rather distant recently."

Kiba nodded but Issei just sighed, finally pushing up to his feet, "They're fine. Koneko-chan is strong, and Asia wasn't in the fighting as that guy didn't even look at her."

As he finished stretching, he looked to Kiba and continued. "I want to hit the shower than we can start, right?"

Kiba raised a brow, but then nodded to confirm that was fine. Issei made his way to the exit but stopped before the exit and asked without turning back. "Akeno-sempai. How is Buchou doing?"

Akeno lowered her head, remaining silent, which was enough of an answer for the former red dragon emperor.

After Issei left, Kiba looked to the queen of their peerage, and spoke lowly. "He's changed."

Akeno nodded, frowning at the thought before replying. "We all have, Kiba-kun. Menma's one-sided beat down of us all and easily beating the two Satans. His power was otherworldly."

She chuckled but it was empty and lacked any thing but loathing but what it was directed at and Kiba was growing ever more concerned at that. Akeno continued; a very dark, creepy, twisted smile appeared on the woman's face. "We were completely crushed. No matter how we struggled. We were helpless. It is a rather bitter taste, this defeat."

Kiba couldn't deny that. It was only a single clash between him and the Sage, but that blade of his was a piece of art. He only briefly glimpsed it, but it was most definitely a tanto with a matte black finish. It looked like it was perfectly balanced and was by far the sharpest thing he had ever seen.

Perhaps he needed to up his own training, seeing as they have plenty of time until the others are ready to leave the hospital let alone returning home to Kouh. Nodding to himself, Kiba replied. "Yes, well, I feel that I could have done better. If I was faster, then maybe I could have knocked him out before he lashed out."

Akeno was broken from her troubling thoughts, looking at the knight, replying. "You said it yourself, no, Kiba-kun? He fought against the Satans, even evading Lord Lucifer's upper speed, and had that teleportation ability too."

Kiba nodded, as he stood. "Indeed. Thus, I have much more work to do than I originally thought."

Akeno was bewildered for a moment before nodding and smiling, "Right, we do. I too will see if there is anything I can do about Koneko and Asia. They are my juniors that I am responsible for until Rias get's back on her feet."

Kiba nodded before heading out.

Upon his leaving, Akeno lost her gentle smile and pulled out remains of what appeared to be a hiari, scarlet cloth with an unusual pattern that was partially burnt off. Staring at it, Akeno wondered what exactly it meant as she had channeled her magic through it and the whole thing became incredibly resilient, sparkling with her lightning.

If all his clothing was like this, then Menma could very well be the most precious of resources that she knows of. He may have broken her best friend from that marriage contract, but he also took away her future. If Akeno can find him, she believes he has the power to restore what was taken. The sheer amount of life energy he had in one hand, let alone his entire body, made it a forgone conclusion.

She had to find him first.

Menma has proven that traditional tracking techniques it is impossible, many of her fellows have tried thus it has shown that it's not an effective method. But Akeno has something they don't. An article of his clothing. She held a dark grin. Akeno will save Rias by finding the Sage and have him restore her back to health. By any means necessary.

Grigori Headquarters

Azazel looked upon the reports and frowned at their contents. The Sage was no longer in the company of the Youkai but was located back in Kouh. Residue power in the area suggest a battle between the Sage and, much to his surprise, the Greek goddess Artemis.

No. It is not much of a surprise. Zeus is a paranoid man, and Artemis is a nature-based deity thus must have sensed him at some point. Azazel snorted. No wonder they fought. Likely, her misandrist tendencies flared up and they clashed.

Though, these reports also said that the power from the Sage had increased in potency and strength. Perhaps, the sage was in a weakened state and was regaining it. No. Maybe, he knew she wasn't supposed to be there and flared his power. Explained why trace elements of the Shinto gods were discovered.

Azazel nodded before finally looking up at Benemune, saying. "Well hold off on our diplomatic mission for now. The Sage is on the move and has likely gone underground by now."

Benemune nodded, secretly relieved, saying. "I understand. Though, where would he go now then?"

Azazel shrugged, unsure himself, replying. "We have no idea. We don't have any information on his habits or tendencies. We can't even begin to guess."

Benemune adjusted her glasses, saying. "We should spread out groups then, hopefully we get a hit, and we can make a full yet peaceful approach."

Azazel nodded with a frown, glancing down at the reports again. His subordinate continued though. "Should give you plenty of time to deal with Kokabiel then. No?"

The Governor sighed at that, rubbing his brow before he nodded, "I guess I should."

A/N: Did not work out the way i planned. Though I don't think it turned out too badly. New characters in the form of the Shinigami and Nyx entering the battle space. Shinigami knows of Naruto already. He was there at his birth after all.

Nyx has been watching since the beginning and only by chance had she managed to follow him. Now Naruto is going to throw away the blade she embused with her magic. Son goku waved it off. It was better safe than sorry.

o7