DxD - The Last Amagiri

by HolyKnightX

Kensei Amagiri, the surviving heir to the Amagiri Clan, after losing his mother now lives on an island, where he fights for survival with his new friends. Left for dead by the Old Devils and Taro, is found by two legends who'll assist him in taking his fate back into his own hands.

21. A True Reunion II

Welcome to the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, but before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:

Rider126: The thing is that David isn't that different from his actual counterpart, that is kind of a mindset in the Church and Vatican.

Altair95: Thanks. Yes, as Kensei said this will be their third round and there won't be a fourth. It could get irritating if you're just enjoying your life and two exorcists come out of nowhere to attempt to kill you for being a pure-blooded or half-devil even if you didn't do anything. It was perfect timing for the two of them to stop the Demon Eater from getting Claire and Kunou, as well as Kensei getting his new weapon.

---

A True Reunion II

Kensei after receiving Kurogane stood in front of the Demon Eater with Zane and Maria standing next to him with their stands prepared for an attack from the monstrous individual before them. Seeing that neither of them made a single move against him, the Demon Eater turned his arms into blades and rushed toward them at high-speeds while letting out a deranged shout.

"I'll act as support for the both of you," Zane said as he also used the 'Rune of Defense' on Kensei before moving back a bit from them. "I'm interested in seeing what this new sword and technique can do."

"Got it."

"I feel the same."

Maria and Kensei replied as the Demon Eater appeared before them, the former stepped back to avoid the strike knowing she couldn't take it head-on. But, in response to the slashes aimed at him, Kensei slashed Kurogane to counter the strikes and when both their swords collided with one another, there was a notable spark between the blades. Both Kensei and the Demon Eater continued to clash against one another for an extended period without stopping for at least the tenth time.

"Hmm, this feels a little bit heavier than the last sword that I wield," he noted, making several practice swings in front of him and examined the blade but he could tell that there was something weird about Kurogane. "I have no idea what's going on, but there's something odd about this blade."

As Kensei wondered about Kurogane, the Demon Eater stood in front of Kensei with his mouth opened wide as a demonic power seemed to gather around his mouth; lightning also started to radiate around the sphere. Seconds later, the Demon Eater then released the blast toward Kensei who stood his ground without moving a single inch.

"Alright, let's test out this move."

Kensei stated to himself as he raised Kurogane into the air, as a white aura started to radiate from the blade, but he noticed something odd that he couldn't address at the moment. But, Kurogane's hamon started to turn a white color as it seemed to absorb the power infused into it.

"Zantetsuken!"

As soon as the Demon Eater's breath attack appeared near him, Kensei called out that technique, he slashed his sword downwards slicing the sphere in half. This was the true essence of Zantetsuken ("Iron-Cutting Sword"), in which the "metal" element it added onto the technique, increasing its effectiveness more than before. The Demon Eater soon turned his left and right arms into that of an enlarged single-edged blade, then rushed towards Kensei with a demonic power covering it intent on killing him.

To respond to the incoming assault, Kensei covered himself in touki and infused it into Kurogane, but he noticed the same thing as before.

"Huh, it feels like Kurogane is absorbing my ki, mostly, I would've had to actively focus touki inside of the katana, but it looks as if it's passively absorbing ki," Kensei noted as he noticed the Demon Eater appearing before him in a rage. "But, it also feels as if Kurogane is continuing to absorb more ki than I imbue into it. This child appears to be impatient and demanding."

Both his touki-imbued Kurogane the Demon Eater's blade imbued with demonic power had collided against each other causing a small shock wave amid their clash, which escalated into a ferocious barrage of strikes from the Demon Eater. Kensei could feel the force behind each of the strikes from the enraged Demon Eater, but there's a complete lack of skill different from beforehand and seemed to be nothing more than raw instinct.

"So, are you still in there, or have you been taken over by something" Kensei had questioned the Demon Eater as he dodged one of the slashes and managed to give the Demon Eater a slash across his chest. "You had a lot more skill the other time we fought using a blade, but now you're just thrashing around."

"…raaaah!"

After making a wide horizontal swing toward Kensei, the teen jumped backward avoiding the swing without one wound or damage done to his shirt.

"Kensei!"

After hearing Maria calling out to him, Kensei turned his head and realized that she was rushing toward him, then he smirked and kneeled on the ground without moving. As the Demon Eater rushed toward him, Maria arrived at around the same moment and jumped off Kensei's back. She slashed both flame holy swords toward the Demon Eater, this time slashing both his arms and left behind a deep flaming wound, landing behind him.

"Maria, now at the same time!"

"Got it!"

After calling that out, Maria prepared for another strike as Kensei prepared his attack.

"Enzan!"

After calling out that attack's name, Kensei channeled flames into Kurogane, which was absorbed into the blade, with a notable difference being that the temper line, the straight hamon turned red. Ignoring that for the moment, Kensei moved at the same time as Maria, both aiming for the left and right arm of the Demon Eater respectively.

"Guaaaaah!"

The Demon Eater let out a monstrous roar as he shouted out loud angered as his arms landed on the ground.

Kensei stopped glancing at the flames leaking out from the blade, which faded after the technique was finished, a great deal of interest being formed on his face.

"Aside from absorbing ki, it can also absorb Five Elements channeled in it and exhibits the same attributes as the techniques that I used," Kensei noticed as he realized that the tempering line returned to normal after turning red for a moment. "Man, Amakuni-san made me one heck of a katana."

"Graaaaah!"

The Demon Eater let out a pained scream as he shouted out loud with the muscles from where his arm was cut off started expanding and soon more monstrous arms grew in their place.

"Kensei, it seems that this is going to get more complex if this fights drags out," Maria noted glancing towards the Demon Eater who leaked more malice than before. "I think that you should use that new technique that you were just talking about using."

"Sure thing, just me a moment since I need to prepare it."

"Alright, Zane, and I will buy you some time."

Maria said as she rushed toward the Demon Eater once again using her swords, while Kensei stood in the same spot as before holding Kurogane in front of him by its hilt and placing his palm before the blade. A breath leaked out from his mouth as he started to concentrate with his eyes closed, there was a spiritual power that seemed to manifest around him. As he continued to focus on getting the correct mechanics to perform this technique, there was a certain event that entered his mind.

---

He was still six-years-old, inside of the Amagiri Clan Main Shrine, sitting outside one of the training room with an older man who appeared to be in his late fifties with graying hair that had some hint of black in them dressed in formal Japanese attire. His name was Kenichi Amagiri, Kensei's maternal grandfather, classified as among their Amagiri Clan's Grand Masters.

"Why'd you call me here, Gramps," Kensei asked not sounding disrespectful, but seemed irritated after seeing all the other kids playing around in the field in front of them with a ball. "You pulled me out of a ball game with Kaito and the others…and our team was winning."

"I just wanted to ask a question. You'll be able to return to your game after we're done."

"What was the question?"

Kensei asked as he placed both of his hands behind his neck as he linked them together, waiting for the question from his grandfather. It was then that Kenichi crossed his arms with one another and glanced towards the azure blue skies over their heads.

"You all who's the future of the Amagiri Clan", he spoke in a serious yet also a kind tone. "All of you each have a particular talent in various fields among the Amagiri-ryuu, whether as warriors or mystics. But, Kensei why do you believe that you were born with your talent?"

Kensei was confused about that question, which caused him to glance toward him confused before crossing both his arms tilting his head, and closing his eyes. Kenichi could tell that Kensei was thinking about the question with an expression, which displayed that he was genuinely thinking about an answer.

"I've got it, Gramps," Kensei opened his eyes wearing a smirk on his face and sparkling eyes as he turned toward his grandfather who seemed surprised. "I was born with this talent and strength to fight against stronger people."

His answer was filled with confidence and there wasn't the slightest hint of doubt in his reply, resulting in Kenichi placing a single hand on his forehead and sighed. Before long, a humanoid that has the Amagiri Clan emblem on its forehead manifested next to Kensei without being able to even sense the slightest hit of spiritual power being molded to create the shikigami. It then raised its head and bonked him on the head with enough to hurt a little bit, but not enough to do actual damage.

"Ouch! What was that for Gramps?!"

"I expected that kind of response…you're truly like that Sakura," Kenichi stated as the shikigami vanished. "Our clan has protected Japan the home of Shintoism from all manner of hostile demons, evil spirits, and even other supernatural beings. There's doubt that among your generation that you're most probable to be the next Head of the Amagiri Clan with your talent and potential compared to the others. As the future Clan Head, it'll be up to you to uphold the obligation of our clan. If you do anything rash, then you'll just earn the ire of the Five Principal Clans mostly those from the Kushihashi Clan who chose you to be…."

Kenichi was stopped as he felt someone poking his cheek with enough force to turn his head to the side.

"You shouldn't lecture my son in such a manner, father," it was his daughter, Sakura speaking to him wearing an intimidating smile. "You're lucky that I didn't do anything after you hit him on the head using one of your shikigami and I was close enough to hear that previous comment about me."

"I just don't want my grandson and future leader to end up being reckless enough to pick fights with people a lot like someone I know," Kenichi countered brushing her finger aside. "I can recall all the complaints that we used to receive about you getting into fights with members of the other clans and don't make get me started with those five potential marriage candidates from the Five Principals you beat up."

"First, I thought that the men and women from the Amagiri Clan were free to love whoever we want," Sakura had commented. "And those little bast…brats got a little too proud about me being their quiet little housewife cooking their meals. And so, I just challenged them to a fight to prove whether or not either of them was worthy enough and it's not like I killed either of them. Besides, Kensei will grow up strong and confident like his father and me."

Sakura smirked as she hugged Kensei who seemed a little embarrassed about her hugging onto him, which was inflated as the children watching all started laughing.

"That's why I'm having this talk with him," Kenichi sighed. "No one doubted that you and Uesugi-dono held talent and achieved multiple feats in your teens than most from your families. Uesugi-dono, in particular, since he's hail from a famous yet normal clan, but was born with something that he made strong through his efforts. I don't want him ending up being overconfident and arrogant."

"Was that it," Kensei asked as he turned back toward his grandfather with his hands behind his hands thinking of the reason his grandfather called him over to talk. "I don't think that I'll end up being either of those things since it sounds a little bit lame being arrogant."

After hearing that response from Kensei, both Kenichi and Sakura smiled, the latter not seeming worried about his future anymore.

---

As that recollection ended, Kensei stood upward holding Kurogane in front of him, as flames started to appear in his hands, then was channeled into the blade causing the hamon to turn red. Meanwhile, Maria continued to fight against the Demon Eater with her two initial swords being broken against him, then made two replacements, this time it was an ice and water sword. Maria then stabbed both blades into the ground near the Demon Eater, which resulted in the water being spread outwards almost like a miniature wave followed by the wave of ice following it; causing the legs of the Demon Eater to be frozen.

"Alright, Maria stand back."

"Alright!"

Maria stepped back from the Demon Eater as a magic circle appeared underneath the Demon Eater before long lightning started sparkling around the Demon Eater before a bolt of lightning crashed down onto him.

"Raaaaah!"

The lightning continued striking the Demon Eater several times until being paralyzed, while he was being burned at the same time. This granted Kensei the chance to prepare for his technique, as more and more flames started to surround the blade, but it seemed as if he didn't have enough power to manifest all the needed flames.

"I thought this might happen," Kensei said as he tried to create more flames for this technique. "I can understand their basics of it, but without the required skill or power, I won't be able to perform it to its full potential. No, I'm not going to complain, Maria and Zane put all their efforts into creating an opening for me. So, I'm going to make this success even if I end up dried up."

""Nii-san/Ken-nii.""

Both Claire and Kunou arrived near him, but Kensei didn't break his focus on the technique, although, he did, wonder why they were there. Without saying anything else, Claire created flames using her demonic powers and Kunou caused foxfire to appear in her hands. These conjoined flames were channeled onto Kensei's blade, causing him to understand their intentions.

"I see. I'm lucky to have these girls with me."

As that thought crossed his mind, Kensei noticed that more flames were becoming more powerful and focused all around the blade causing the black blade to gain a reddish tint. But, he could tell that Claire and Kunou were near their limit due to their fight against the Demon Eater. Before long, he felt someone placing his hands on both his shoulders, but he could tell from the presence that it was Yasaka and noticed that her attendants were keeping up the barrier using their youki instead.

"I would like to contribute something to this battle seeing as how you've all being so helpful to us," Yasaka said in her usual kind tone. "I'd also like to see you being brave in front of all of us."

"…Yasaka-san."

Though Kensei sounded flushed after hearing that least teasing tone from Yasaka, soon felt a warm feeling, which almost overcame as he felt power being channeled into him.

"Is she using the spiritual power from the leylines to give him the required power," he surmised as the flames that were around Kurogane started becoming stronger causing him to smile. "Alright, here it comes!"

Having declared that, Kunou, Claire, and Yasaka stepped from him as the flames encircled Kurogane, then was imbued into the blade. This resulted in the black blade of Kurogane turning redder by the second, which was due to the blade taking on the same properties as the technique used.

"Amagiri-ryuu Ougi: Enten!"

A/N: Heavenly Mist Style Hidden Technique – Blazing Sun.

The Demon Eater soon freed himself from the ice and paralyzed due to both Maria and Zane, he then turned his arms larger and thicker as if believing that he could tank the attack that Kensei brought out. Without hesitating, he rushed toward the teen with both his fists covered in an aura much denser than he had used beforehand. Without a single bit of fear, Kensei held the sword using both his hands and stood in a prepared stance to swing it. At the same time that the two appeared in front of one another, the Demon Eater aimed his fists toward him and Kensei slashed his sword without hesitation.

It was almost like a scene from a martial arts movie, where two people strike each other at the same time, while passing by one another. Everyone stared at Kensei and the Demon Eater as the two paused no making a single move in the slightest. Until—

"Huh?"

As if regaining his rational senses at the last moment, the Demon Eater realized his arms were cut off as well as having a horizontal slash that separated his torso from his bottom half. It didn't take him long to realize his arms and lower body were burning leaving nothing but ashes after landing on the ground.

"A flaming sword that burns anything that exists inside of the material world to the point of even reaching the spiritual one," Kensei declared holding the blazing Kurogane in his hands. "Even at a basic level, this technique can without kill you without resistance."

The Demon Eater could tell that there wasn't the slightest hint of anger, arrogance, or malice, it was just a simple statement describing what's happening. All the intense flames used to perform "Enten" vanishing from Kurogane, causing its blade to recover its original color.

"Seriously, what kind of monster are you," the Demon Eater said laughing as he looked towards the sky. "I recall feeling a chill running up my spine moments before being sliced by that technique."

"Well, it seems that you're rational again. And you don't sound insane anymore."

"I can't tell whether you're making a lousy attempt at consoling me or making fun of me," he sighed as the flames started to inch closer toward him turning him into ashes slowly. "Huh, despite being slowly burned alive, it doesn't feel all that bad and I don't even feel starving anymore. I feel satisfied."

"So, do you have a name aside from 'Demon Eater'?"

"Why does it matter? What's the point of remembering someone who's turning into ashes?"

"Correct. Someone such as yourself should be condemned without saying anything else."

After hearing a familiar voice from the exorcist who remained on the sidelines, Kensei sensed that David arrived next to him bringing down Galatine towards him with the intent of cutting him down. The Demon Eater just stayed in the same spot preparing for the strike, but Kensei deflected the strike using Kurogane causing David to glance toward him wearing confused about his interference.

"What're you doing?"

"There's no point in killing someone who's already about to die," Kensei replied before sheathing Kurogane at his side. "He's already defeated so there's no point in doing anything else."

"I can't tell whether that's some code or if you're too naive or your good. Someone who's killed and eaten a score of innocent people including those who live in your nation. He deserves nothing more than take his penalty and be judged in front of the Lord on high."

"If I were naive then I would've allowed him to live," Kensei replied turning toward David who still pointed Galatine at the downed Demon Eater and he approached him. "But, to make up for all the lives that he took, I did kill him to somehow make it up to all the innocent people and youkai he's killed since coming here. The one thing that I won't do is laugh or mock someone close to his death, especially if they're showing remorse about it. So, as I had to do your mission for you, why don't you and that potential sociopath over there and get out of Kyoto."

Having said those final words, Kensei grabbed onto Galatine's hilt under David's hand so that the exorcist would be unable to strike the Demon Eater. As David was about to get Galatine from him, he had realized that the holy sword's aura started reacting, but it wasn't because of him.

"Is Galatine reacting to him? Does this mean that he's a…?"

As that question entered his mind, David showed no interest in fighting against Kensei, and after noticing that, the latter releasing his grip on Galatine.

"We're leaving Freed."

"Alright, Teach David! I hope to fight you all in the future!"

Freed called out in a jovial tone as he and David existed the barrier from another side, causing the Demon Eater to let out a slight laugh.

"To think that someone as uptight as him would listen to anyone," the Demon Eater laughed as the flames began reaching the upper portion of his torso. "For all their preaching about peace and justice, the people in the Church and the Vatican can be as corrupted as their enemies. Going through whatever length to ensure that their desires or goals made real, even throwing away others who don't follow their ideals and even if it means creating those who could follow them."

"Create what does that mean?"

Zane interjected after arriving near them.

"Does it have to do with this girl?"

Maria questioned pulling out her phone to show the wallpaper, which was a photo of her, Layla, and Iris standing in front of their home to the Demon Eater.

"Those girl does resemble our group, but she could also be from that scrapped program that I guess you can call the 'Second Generation', while I came from the 'First Generation'. Not that I care about any of that anymore since I'd rather die without anyone knowing who I am."

The three teens looked at the Demon Eater who continued to remain calm without fearing his death, making the three of them wonder what led to all this. It was then that Yasaka arrived in front of the Demon Eater with Kunou, Claire, and Alice following behind her.

"I would like to ask a question before that," Yasaka questioned seeming to want to know about his intentions. "Do you feel any remorse toward devouring all the innocent people and injuring my people that you devoured on your rampage around Kyoto? If nothing, I believe that you could at least answer that question."

Everyone could tell that Yasaka was looking into the best interests of the people living in Kyoto, as well as all the people who're under her service. But, the Demon Eater just seemed as if it were about to shrug his shoulders.

"I didn't feel anger or malice toward either of the people that I devoured to become stronger. Do most people feel anger toward cows or other animals that you kill and eat? No, the reasons that people do that are to survive, and if I get called a monster for doing what I did to survive, then so be it. If you want to find someone else to condemn as you did me, then find the people who made me like this."

Yasaka stared at the Demon Eater unable to understand his actual emotions aside from his attempt to rationalize them using the means that people naturally uses for survival. But, no matter the reason, she couldn't forgive the amount of damage that he had done to the innocent and her people.

"One more thing, who was this benefactor that you were talking about?"

"Don't know who he is, it was just some guy who found me in the forest," the Demon Eater said letting a light sigh escaped his mouth. "He seemed to know a lot about you, including your name and that fighting style of yours. But, based on his presence, I could tell that his strength was above mine and yours."

Having said those final words, the Demon Eater started completely turning ashes without saying anything to all of them. And everyone watched as even the ashes vanished and turned into nothing more than dust in the wind.

"Well, though that wasn't the ending that I was expected," Yasaka said as she turned toward them all wearing an appreciative smile on her face. "I'd like to thank all of you for protecting Kyoto and for winning the long battle with the Demon Eater. The same goes for the two people who arrived to save my daughter and Claire-san."

"It wasn't anything special. All we did was come to deliver a message to a friend."

Maria said respectfully, while Zane was thinking about all that happened.

"There appears to be someone who knows about Kensei and his clan came into contact with this person. Kensei, this might be me speculating, but…."

Zane glanced towards Kensei preparing to finish his sentence but stopped after noticing the expression that was on his face, which meant that he came to the same conclusion as himself.

"There's no way that the Demon Eater ran into some random person who happened to know my name and gave him a demon, which increased his strength and allowed him to become resistant to the Amagiri-ryuu," those were the thought running through his head as he clenched his fist. "There's a good chance that person was involved in taking all my friends and killing everyone in the clan."

"Ken-nii."

"Nii-san."

Kensei felt Kunou and Claire grasping onto his hand causing him to glance toward the two of them who stared at him with a worried expression on their faces. After noticing their expressions, he softened his and smiled towards them, placing his heads on top of their head. Both of them seemed to have realized the change in his expression and became worried.

"Come on, what's with those sad faces? Didn't we all just win against the Demon Eater," he said in a more gentle tone. "Also, it seems that both of you did a great job working together as a team while I wasn't around."

"It was an experience to fight alongside Kunou-san."

"I wasn't expecting that it would be this fun fighting alongside Claire-san."

Both Claire and Kunou gave their own opinions on the matter while seeming not all that aggressive towards one another like they were after meeting for the first time. The two tweens glanced toward each other wearing a smile on their faces. After seeing the two of them getting along with one another, Kensei walked towards Alice who had been kneeling and breathing slightly heavier.

"Jeez, did you push yourself again?"

"…I don't want to hear that from you, Kensei."

Alice replied jokingly as Kensei helped her onto her feet and lending her his shoulder to lean on, causing Kensei to let a slight escape from his mouth.

"Well, at least you're energetic enough to make jokes."

Kensei added as he placed his hand on her head in a comforting manner as a warm sensation ran across her as Alice started feeling better, which meant that he had used senjutsu.

"Well, I believe that after all the work that you've all done. How about we have a feast at our mansion."

After hearing Yasaka's suggestion, the people there felt ecstatic about the meal, but both Maria and Zane waved their hands in denial about the offer.

"I was planning on cooking a meal with Layla and the others."

"I should probably come to help in explaining the situation to them."

Maria and Zane gave their answers about her offer, Yasaka understood their reasons and just nodded her head, but Zane turned toward Kensei.

"Well, just don't forget to bring up some good souvenirs from Kyoto."

Zane said as he activated a magic circle underneath both Maria and himself to transport back to Kibou Town and inform the others about the situation.

Realizing that it all had been settled, Yasaka removed the sunshower barrier and all of them decided to return to her mansion to have a well-deserved feast.

---

Sitting on top of the building, was the Benefactor watching the entire situation without his expression being at all noticeable due to being obscured. But, a slightly amused sigh escaped from his mouth as he placed a hand on top of his head running it through his hair.

"Of course, he'd be able to defeat the Demon Eater. I wouldn't expect anything else aside from Kensei ending up being victorious and even allowed someone who tried killing him to have a peaceful end," instead of being either enraged or annoyed, but he was instead laughing lightly. "No one from the Five Principal Clan would do such a thing for anyone. Similar to them, the Amagiri Clan was blessed by the Shinto Gods to manipulate the Five Elements, but an assortment of them chose to use the element most suited to them."

The Benefactor said to himself, as he thinking back to something, and recalled the technique that Kensei used.

"Since their founding, the Amagiri Clan created several techniques and spells among their Amagiri-ryuu," he started to stand up to stretch. "They can be split into Hiden and Hiken, which merges both techniques and powers to create a powerful attack that can even affect stronger demons. And finally, Ougi, their strongest moves takes both aspects to their limit, reaching their quintessence, which even the strongest demons and spirits fear. Despite it still being an incomplete technique, no wonder the Demon Eater was defeated like that. It's a shame, but that's just how it is."

As he continued talking to himself, a magic circle appeared beside his ear, which caused the Benefactor to put a single hand into the clock of his hood and seemed to have move something aside before speaking.

"Hello," his voice was revealed to belong to an older male, but not an adult male, and was talking to a man on the other end of the communication circle. "Ah, hello, it's good to hear from you. I apologize, I didn't mean to make all of you wait for me…I got caught in the middle of watching a little experiment."

[That's fine. We aren't starting things just yet. It'll be tomorrow when we'll making our moves on 'them'.]

It was a man that seemed to be much older than the Benefactor.

"That's good," he started before sounding more impressed. "But, I was surprised that someone like you could locate me in the first place since I made sure that no one would be able to find me. Well, that doesn't matter and I am just about done here anyway. I'll see you soon."

After ending their conversation, the Benefactor and the man on the other end of the line stopped conversing with one another.

"It was a fun experience while it lasted," the Benefactor said placing his hand back towards his head and seemed to set back whatever was in front of his face causing his voice to be altered once again. "I hope you find at least some peace in the afterlife, Demon Eater-dono. And Kensei, I believe that we'll see each other soon. It's time to see the nature of their experiment and how will it assist me in mine."

Having said those words, a magic circle with unfamiliar symbols appeared underneath him and he vanished from sight as he transported to another location.

---

The next morning, Kensei, Alice, and Claire found themselves standing at the train station that'll lead them back towards Kibou Town carrying all of their belongings. Standing in front of them were Yasaka and Kunou, the latter was sad about the fact that Kensei was leaving back home.

"Well, it was an eventful visit," Yasaka said in a joking manner recalling all that happened. "Though didn't have a single clue that all of these incidents would occur during reuniting with a longtime colleague, but at the very least we were able to resolve everything and still have at least one more peaceful night. It truly was a pleasure seeing you were still alive Kensei-kun."

"It was great seeing you and Kunou-chan again, Yasaka-san."

After exchanging those words, both Kensei and Yasaka shook one another's hands before turning toward Kunou who seemed as if she were on the verge of tears.

"Oh, what's wrong Kunou-chan?"

"Ahhh, Ken-nii is leaving Kyoto. A-Are you going to return?"

"Of course," Kensei replied wearing a smile on his face. "But, you do realize that you can visit anything you want, right? I mean, as long as that's fine with Yasaka-san."

"Huh?! Can I Hahaue?!"

Kunou immediately energetic after hearing that from Kensei, then turned towards her mother with pleading eyes, Yasaka let a light laugh escape from her mouth.

"I don't see why not? For the future of the Amagiri Clan, it would be best that a fiancée and fiancé became closer to one another. Who knows, Kunou might leave and join school when she's older."

"Hahaue!"

"…ugh."

Claire sighed, glancing to the side thinking about the chances of living with Kunou and going to the same school as her as well, which caught the attention of the young Kyuubi.

"Just you wait, Claire-san. Kunou will be training to become the perfect bride and win the heart of Ken-nii before Kunou's other rival."

Kunou declared with a smug smile on her face, which Claire returned.

"I don't know who this other rival is, but I guess that it would be this, Minako-san," in response to that Kensei had glanced to the side knowing that it wouldn't be the end of it. "But, I don't consider you a threat since Kunou-san is not even at the same level as me."

"Is that right," Kunou returned the same smile. "Well, Kunou will advance most as a woman than Claire-san in all categories. Kunou has known Ken-nii for much longer than anyone…aside from Minako-san."

"Well, I take that as a challenge, Kunou-san."

"The challenge was started a long time ago, Claire-san."

Once those words left their mouths, both girls shook each other's hands wearing a dark smile on their faces as a tense presence surrounded them. The three older people stared at them with a wry smile on their faces with the same thought going through their heads.

"""Are they friends or not?"""

All three of them mumbled silently.

"Well, before we all leave, there's something that I need to do as an apology for not seeing you guys sooner," Kensei said reaching inside his pocket and directed it toward Kunou. "Here you go, Kunou-chan."

Kensei opened his hands revealing a necklace that has a jade magatama (a curved comma-shaped jewel) on it that had smaller red beads next to it, which caused Kunou's eyes to sparkle.

"Ken-nii, did you buy this for Kunou?"

Kunou questioned excitedly causing Kensei to smile brightly after putting it around her neck.

"Of course," he replied much to her excitement, and placed his hand on top of her head. "Since Kunou-chan here can be a little adventurer, I placed a protective charm imbued with my spiritual power and I even modified it using senjutsu so that it can be refilled using the surrounding spiritual power from the leylines."

Kensei explained to Kunou as she seemed to finger the jade jewel, which caused Claire to pout a little bit more in a jealous manner.

"So, this is what you bought after splitting up from us."

"Ara, that'll make me feel a lot less worried about Kunou going out alone."

Hearing those words from her mother caused Kunou to blush from embarrassment, but it soon returned to being out of her enflamed feelings as she marveled at the magatama around her neck. Yasaka had smiled in response to Kunou's reaction to receiving, feeling happy that she was given such a gift from her fiance. She then turned in his direction after noticing that Kensei was reaching his hand towards her.

"Huh, what's this?"

"Well, I did say that it was a present for not seeing you guys sooner," he answered Yasaka's question before he handed her the gift that he purchased. "I couldn't think of anything better to get you so don't expect anything too spectacular."

Kensei said the last part being slightly embarrassed not knowing whether or not Yasaka would prefer his present and realized that Yasaka was staring at the present in her hands. In her hands was a necklace similar to the one that he got Kunou, but this one had a black kitsune made from obsidian on it.

"…."

Yasaka remained silent as she stared at the necklace seeming as if she couldn't comprehend, which had caught the attention of Kensei and Kunou.

"Is it bad? Do you want to get you something else?"

"Is there's something wrong, Hahaue?"

After hearing both Kensei and Kunou ask those individual questions, Yasaka snapped out of her trance with what seemed to be slightly red dusting her cheeks.

"N-Nothing! Nothing's wrong! Hohohohoho," it seemed as if Yasaka was attempting to laugh in an attempt to relieve them of their concern, but her cheeks still seemed a bit reddened. "This is a wonderful present, Kensei-kun."

"That's good to hear."

Kensei added feeling glad that Yasaka liked the present as she placed it around her neck and seemed to marvel at it similar to what her daughter had done. As the five of them continued to stand there, the three who would be leaving soon heard the signal of departure from the train.

"Well, not that we would mind. But, if we're late, then we'll have to catch the train next time."

"Yea, we'll see you when we decide to visit Kyoto again, Yasaka-san, Kunou-chan."

"It was a pleasure seeing Kyoto like this."

Claire, Kensei, and Alice said to the two Kyuubi who waved their hands in response to their farewell.

"Ken-nii is always welcomed in Kyoto with anyone he desires."

"The pleasure was all ours. It'll be great to see all the friends that you all made as well."

Having said their farewells as well, the three of them entered the train waving their hands as the door slid closed behind them. It didn't take long for the bullet train to speed off toward its intended destination, causing Yasaka to look in the direction of her daughter to see her reaction.

"Well, this is a surprise. I thought that you'd be sadder seeing them go, Kunou."

"I am a bit sad, but this is also a chance for Kunou to become more of a woman than her rival," Kunou said causing her mother to let a slight sigh escape from her mouth. "Kunou also learned that she also needs to be more of use for Ken-nii if he gets into a terrible situation again."

"Ararara, I'm complicated hearing my darling little daughter growing up like this," Yasaka said in a joking tone. "I'd think that a little more training after seeing the Demon Eater would be more appropriate. It would be improper if a fiancée didn't do their best to support their fiancé. …but, if Kensei-kun keeps sparking my interest like this, then I might end up becoming serious in the future."

"What was that Hahaue?"

Yasaka spoke in a low enough tone to where Kunou couldn't hear her properly, but Yasaka just laughed.

"Nothing, dear. Let's return home~"

"Alright."

Having said that, Yasaka and Kunou started to return to their own home in Urakyoto.

---

Minutes later, Kensei, Alice, and Claire sat down in their seats on the bullet train after placing all their belongings in the proper storage space. It didn't take that long for Alice to fall asleep as she leaned her head on his shoulder, as soft breath escaped from her mouth.

"Geez, I sometimes marvel at the amount of time that it takes for Alice-nee to fall asleep."

"Well, she did do a lot during that fight against the Demon Eater. I mean, if Zane and Maria didn't arrive to deliver Kurogane to me, then Yasaka-san might've gotten involved and finished things before I even arrived."

"You're probably right about that. I mean, me and Kunou-san might not have lasted long without support but did do a good combo attack with one another. It gave me a lot to think about training with White Nemesis."

"Yea, and with the journals from the Amagiri Clan, I can do some real training to become stronger in the future."

Claire and Kensei talked silently without disturbing Alice, knowing how easily she could both fall asleep and wake up a lot easier than either of them.

"I'm sure that Zane and the others are going to be surprised about the souvenirs that we got for them."

"Well, I didn't think that you would get something for Yasaka-san and Kunou-san, but I think that it was nice since it was an apology for not seeing them. Nii-san wouldn't be Nii-san if he didn't do something to apologize."

Despite not being the best person when it comes to girls, Kensei could tell there was something irregular based on the tone of her voice and decided to just question her.

"Claire, are you jealous?"

"O-Oh course not. What would I be jealous of?"

"Come on, did you think that I wouldn't get you or Alice anything?"

Kensei asked, letting a slight laugh escape from his mouth before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a silver necklace that has a single angel-winged pendant hanging from it. After seeing the pendant, Claire felt her cheeks turning a bright red and she reached her hands out touching the pendant.

"…Nii-san," Claire had started before smiling a bit. "I can't believe that you gave a half-devil a pendant shaped like an angel wing."

"This coming from the half-devil with an angel sealed inside of her. I couldn't find a pendant that has a devil wing, but I found this one and thought that it might fit you instead. Now, you have the wings of a devil and an angel."

He started taking the necklace and putting it around her neck, without disturbing Alice from her sleep. As soon as the necklace was placed around her neck, Claire shook her head and laughed lightly.

"Well, Nii-san I didn't think that I'd hear such a sappy line from you."

"Do, you want me to take it back?"

"Nah, I like the sound of it."

Claire giggled after saying that, then leaned her head onto the shoulder of the sleeping Alice.

---

Elsewhere, in Europe, where the Vatican, the main and renowned headquarters for the church was the location, as well as being the main branch for the churches from different factions. It would be a well-known fact to those who have greater knowledge about the supernatural, that the religious beliefs of the Three Faction migrated to other factions, resulting in the decrease in those who believed in the god of that particular faction causing those gods to turn into 'myths' in the eyes of their former believers.

"And then the Samurai-kun's flaming sword turned red and he slashed through the Demon Eater."

Freed was in one of the training areas talking to the other exorcists in training about his experience in Japan, with a lot of their attention being more towards the 'Samurai' aspect of the conversation. Another thing was the foreign countries' impression on things regarding Japanese culture around samurai and ninja.

As Freed was conversing with all the other exorcist trainees, a more appropriate location for a meeting was held between David who stood in front of a group of officials among the Vatican. David informed them about the entire situation that occurred in Kyoto against the Demon Eater.

"It wasn't intended, but the people from the other factions got involved in the incident as well."

"We don't blame you for that. It can be expected as the Demon Eater attacked people from their faction as well. It was among our possible predictions."

"We're a little more interested in the three people that you encountered."

After hearing that from the official caused the others to agree to the very same opinion. And in response to those words, David pulled out what seemed to be a cellphone that had three pictures of Kensei, Alice, and Claire, which was taken without either of them noticing from a distance.

"After meeting this girl named Alice and realizing she owned the Longinus, Annihilation Maker with no doubt she must've been the sudden cause of monsters appearing somewhere in Italy a couple of years ago. It did appear that she gained control over the sacred gear after that incident, so there isn't a need to track her down at the moment. It also appears as if she became able to use the Anti-Monsters," David explained thinking back to the fight against the Demon Eater. "Then there was the person who killed the Demon Eater."

"You said that the male used an irregular fighting style against the Demon Eater."

All of them heard his previous explanations from David about Kensei, about his initial clash against David, then a lot of his confrontations about the Demon Eater.

"From me seeing him fighting the Demon Eater, I could tell that he's better than a lot of the talented trainees and full-fledged exorcists who got actual combat experience. There was also the reaction from Galatine."

"Reaction?"

"After I attempted to deal the final blow to the Demon Eater, Kensei grabbed onto the blade before it could reach him and Galatine reacted. It could just be my imagination, but it looked as if two holy sword wielders were holding onto it at the same time."

"It might not be mere speculation, but to encounter a natural-born holy sword wielder in such a location and an odd manner. There's no other reason for Galatine to react to him in such a manner."

Neither of them thought that David would end up encountering a natural-born holy sword wielder after traveling to Japan to defeat a renegade former exorcist.

"Before we get into our discussion about dealing with the ones named Alice and Kensei. We all need to discuss a far more pressing matter, which is the half-breed devil in possession of White Nemesis."

All the others agreed with his words, as they became disheartened after hearing that a half-breed devil came into possession of the sacred gear that has an angel sealed within it. This situation could result in trouble for the Vatican if things went south.

"And finally, there's the girl named Claire," David said going to the next and last photo showing a clearer image of Claire, which resulted in the officials standing in front of him turning paler. "This girl has shown to be rather skilled in using demonic powers, but…is there something wrong?"

David stopped after noticing that the officials' expressions in front of him turned paler as if all of them were looking at a long-dead ghost from the past.

"I-It's nothing David," one of them recovered after looking at Claire's photo. "There's a chance that this girl might be related to the current Emperor of the Rating Game, Diehauser Belial."

"T-That Emperor."

David seemed almost stunned after hearing that name.

Although the Vatican and Church have viewed exorcising devils, vampires, and monsters as their mission, there are some of them that they've expressed their exorcists from confronting. If there were exorcists who would all be sent after the highest class of devils, then it would be those exorcists who have been blessed with either power or skills to challenge them; two, in particular, who were recognized as being almost unreachable by the others.

Among those devils, Diehauser was a special case in the same league as their greatest threat, the current maou, and their peerage. And confronting someone like them would take a special existence among the church, one of them being someone that David couldn't reach no matter the training and the other still undergoing training.

"It would be better that we don't confront this girl until we know all the facts."

"Until then, why don't you take a break, David?"

"Yes, sir."

David after saying those last respectful words, turned around on his heels and left the meeting from leaving their officials to remain in their seats wearing the same pale look on their faces.

"She can be their daughter, right?"

"I thought that business was taken care of a long time ago."

"We went through their old home and ensured that there wouldn't be loose ends."

The officials went through different thoughts that started making their situation more and more complex the more it was talked about.

"We just finished the situation with Marko," one of the older officials said in a serious tone referring to the 'Demon Eater' by his real name. "As soon as we found out that Masaomi Yaegaki was in a relationship with Cleria Belial, that devil governing that town where one of our Churches was located, we all attempted to make him see reason and end that forbidden love. If we didn't align with the Bael Faction, then the Emperor would have gotten involved and it would've escalated into a war."

"We gave several people promotions for doing that and relocated a lot of them, then that was supposed to be the end of it. We also received information from the First Bael that Diehauser was informed that she made a mistake and was killed by someone else not related to either side. But, now…."

"We didn't anticipate that Cleria and Masaomi would've had a child with one another."

"There's no choice anymore," another official said in a grievous tone. "We'll need to inform the First Bael all about this situation since this could result in the Emperor finding of her existence as well. And if she knew about the incident a long time ago, then Diehauser could turn his rage toward all of us."

"Is this some form of punishment," the official asked becoming more nervous than anyone. "Even if it went against our teachings, we aligned ourselves with one of the worst among the Underworld, the Great-King Faction to end their relationship. But, now their half-breed child has the powers of a high-class devil and angel."

All the other officials shared a similar opinion as him and steeled themselves for what might happen in the future with this current situation and then found about the existence of Claire.

---

Meanwhile, at around the same time, Kensei, Alice, and Claire had arrived home from the train station, the three of them settled in the living room sharing the same nostalgic feeling as one another. Despite not being gone long, all of them felt that it was good to be home.

"Well, that was a trip to remember."

"With all that happened, it'd better be at least a thousand years until I forget those events."

Claire said in a joking manner as she leaned back in her seat yawning, but as a devil, albeit a half one, Claire would be able to live for that long and likely even passed a thousand years. Alice yawned stretching her arms, revealing a charm bracelet that had painting-related charms on it such as a painter's palette.

"Well, this is a trip that I'll never forget," she smiled as she rummaged through her bag, then pulled out one of her sketchpads that had several sketches in it from Kyoto. "I was able to sketch most of Kyoto's beautiful locations to my heat's content and I went on a trip with two of my most favorite people in the world. Through, there were some places we couldn't do it, we were able to take photos of our time together."

In the sketchpad, there were several photos of Kensei, Alice, Claire, and Kunou smiling in front of several places in Kyoto together.

"I think that it would be a good idea to find a frame," Claire said before sounding almost exciting. "Or even better, we could make a little photo album for ourselves."

"I think that I like the sound of the latter," Kensei said before a thought crossed his mind. "Now, that I think about it, my mom did say that she hid our old photo album around here somewhere."

"What do you mean 'hid'? Why would she hide a photo album?"

"There are some photos that I might not have wanted in there and she thought that I might have tried to get rid of them if I ever found them."

At hearing those words, a devious smile appeared on both Claire's and Alice's faces who seem to have had the same idea entering their head. After noticing those looks, it didn't take all that long for Kensei to realize what that idea was due to their previous talk.

"Look, if you want to attempt to find that photo album, then good luck. I looked at every possible place here after we moved in and I couldn't find it," Kensei stated before crossing his arms. "Besides, I don't think that I would want to get rid of it at this point since it carries several important memories from my childhood."

"Speaking of photos," Claire started in a thinking pose. "You never told us who that other girl in the photo was, Nii-san. But, I'll understand if you don't want to tell us."

"No, I don't mind telling you guys who she is after already meeting Kunou-chan," Kensei replied before he started speaking again. "Her name is Minako Kushihashi, the cousin of the current head of the Kushihashi Clan and my childhood friend who was chosen as my first fiancée."

"Kushihashi Clan?"

"The Kushihashi Clan is among the Five Principal Clans, one of the five strongest clans in all of Japan," he explained. "Their clan, in particular, have been blessed by the Shinto Gods to governs the 'Wood Phase' among the Five Elements, meaning that their members can manipulate all things related to those elements such as wind, lightning, and plants. In addition to that, the Five Principal Clan also govern a specific sacred beast who wield immense power related to their specific elements, which would also be inherited by the one who would be chosen as the next heir granting them various improvements, as well as inheriting the name of that beast."

"The top of the other Japanese clan. What about the Amagiri Clan?"

Claire questioned with a raised brow after hearing so much about the Amagiri Clan from Kensei.

"If Sacred Beasts wasn't added into the equation, then the Five Principal Clans and Amagiri Clan would be more or less equal with one another. Even then, I doubt that the Amagiri-ryuu would lose to them since their clan has attempted to have their members married into our clan to strengthen relations. But, the Amagiri Clan maintained a doctrine to be married to those they've fallen in love with, but that doesn't mean that there weren't people from the Five Principal Clan. Though, their ideals tend to be different from ours."

"Ideals?"

"A lot of the members of the Five Principal Clans have ideals of maintaining a certain ancient rule in their clan," he stated before seeming to get angry for a moment. "For instance, if someone didn't receive the same blessings as the others, then that person would be banished without question or using something against their teachings more so if it concerns a sacred gear."

"They'd maintain their rules even if it means banishing their members," Clair said feeling almost too anxious after hearing that. "The more that I hear about this, the more it kinda reminds me of what I used to hear about the way that high-class devils would treat half-breeds like me from Kaa-san."

"It's not something that just high-class devils would do," Kensei said before sighing. "I think that we had gone into a different subject altogether though we were talking about Minako at first. Since the two of us were already close friends with one another as we attended the same school here in Kibou Town, Minako was skilled at using all her powers and the people from the Kushihashi Clan thought it would be a good idea for us to be married. After both our mothers talked about it, our engagement went through without a hitch."

"Then shouldn't the Kushihashi Clan or this Minako-san have visited at this point if you two were supposed to be engaged to one another?"

Claire was confused after hearing how much the Five Principal Clan was into the idea of their members marrying into the Amagiri Clan, but there was no one even from the Kushihashi Clan to check up on his condition.

"I don't know about the others' reasons, but Minako and I made a promise together," Kensei replied. "There was a dream that Minako wanted to accomplish before getting married and it was something that she talked about all the time with me, her mom, cousin, and someone else who shared the same dream. Even if everyone else in their clan was again it, it was something that Minako wanted to fulfill. We promised that none of us would see each other until we turned sixteen, which she said would be the deadline for her dream."

"Her dream?"

"She didn't want me telling anyone else. But, Minako said that there wouldn't be anyone who didn't know her."

Having heard those words from Kensei, neither Alice nor Clare could say anything else and wonder what Minako's dream was. Before long, there was a knock on the door, causing Kensei to stand on his feet and walked towards the door before opening it.

"Hell…."

"Ken Ken!"

Before Kensei could even finish his greeting, he was glomped by Hisui who immediately pounced on him like a cat as a slight wryly sigh escape from his mouth.

"Did you miss me, Ken Ken?!"

"Uh, yea."

Kensei was unable to say anything aside from that, as Hisui glomped him, as the usual group began entering the house; consisting of Zane, Maria, Layla, Iris, Rui, and even Abigail. After Zane and Maria returned yesterday, the two of them informed everyone about what happened and Abigail decided to join in on their talk this time. After all of them entered their home and took a seat, Kensei started going through the events that happened from his own experience before Alice and Claire went through theirs.

"It looks as if that the Church has now become aware of Claire's existence," Abigail had said worried about Claire realizing how the Church would react if they realized that she was the child of a high-class devil and exorcist with an angel sealed inside of her. "I'm also worried about all the other devil children and half-breed living inside of the orphanage."

"Abigail, how would the church react if you and your mother were discovered to be here?"

Maria questioned.

"No one in the Church or even the Vatican will think about touching me or my mother out of fear of angering my father," she said before crossing her arms. "I guess that's the benefit of being a miracle child."

The term "Miracle Child" was a common tone used among the Church, which referred to the half-angel and half-human children. Their birth was a rare case since pure angels would fall due to their impure desires when mating with humans, which would turn them into fallen angels. Abigail told them after the Hagun Island Rebellion, which explained all the light-based abilities that she used, which was superior to Jason's Staring Gold. But, all of them thought her healing abilities were due to either a sacred gear or her paternal parentage.

"But, shouldn't there be some kind of regulation that keeps the Church from entering another faction?"

Layla questioned thinking that it was odd for another faction to enter someone else's without permission.

"Well, that didn't stop the old devils and all of our former captors from entering the Norse Faction and our to seal us," in response to that lighthearted sarcastic comment from Zane, which caused Layla to pout. "But, Kensei how do the Shinto gods feel about this?"

"Well, though some of the five principal clans might see this as rude to the gods, there are some gods who are pretty lax. Some gods won't react even if you were to enter their shrines without actually being apart of the Shinto Faction. But, if something drastic happens as if you attacked the people living in or near their shine, then the god won't appear. Though, since I received all of the journals and documents that belong to the Amagiri Clan, it'll make things easier to strengthen the barrier around Kibou Town."

As all of them talked with one another about preparing Kibou Town, while Iris' seemed to be fidgeting around with her hands after hearing about the Demon Eater and his relations with her, which Maria noticed.

"Is there something wrong, Iris?"

"U-Uh, there's something that I'd like to tell everyone."

Iris spoke up catching the attention of the people inside the living room, though, in most situations, she would be nervous, but she maintained her composure.

"That person, the Demon Eater was an artificial human born among an institute called the Sigurd Institute. He is the same as me," Iris admitted to them and continued. "Neither of us were born naturally but were creations with genetics from those related to the original Hero. The researcher wanted to create a 'True Descendant of Sigurd' who would wield the Demon Emperor Sword, Gram. I don't know who even knew about the nature of the Sigurd Institute as most people believe that our hairs became the way they are due to the training there."

Most of them were shocked, aside from Maria and Layla who had heard about this from Iris first, but they felt that it was courageous of her to talk about it to them. Though, Abigail also hasn't heard about this situation since such a thing shouldn't be ethically based on their religious beliefs.

"I thought that it would be something, but I didn't think that it would be that," Zane added. "But, that explains what happened to Gram."

"What do you mean, Zane?"

"Several years ago, one of the descendants closely related to Siegfried who could wield Gram migrated out from the Norse Faction leaving the Demonic Emperor Sword's location unknown. I guess that both the descendant and sword found its way into the Church."

"There's something else," Iris said again fidgeting around with her hands before speaking again. "A lot of us were born using multiple genetic materials aside from Siegfried's, but some of the people there had an idea of instead creating more stronger exorcists. And that was to use special genetic materials, but not from normal humans."

"Iris, what do you mean by 'special genetic materials'?"

Claire was stomped as to what she meant about that, but Iris held out her right arm and a light silver aura, which Hisui and Kensei could tell weren't human gathered around her arm. Soon enough, her right arm thickened then it gained several scales and shifted into something that wasn't human.

"It was genetic material that belonged to dragons," Iris replied showing her arm to Claire who stared at it in shock about what she witnessed. "It was a dumb idea if you think about it. Dragons are creatures more dangerous than the devils that the Church fights against as masses of power, but I guess that's why the idea of using their blood to create enhanced exorcists came to mind. I'm not even an artificial human-like the first generation, but instead an artificial humanoid dragon from the second generation."

"…Iris."

Claire looked sadly at Iris who held her dragonized hand as she stared at it, but before anyone Zane spoke up.

"I'm sure that all of you heard the tales about Siegfried becoming a renown hero for slaying one of the Five Great Dragon Kings, Fafnir wielding Gram," he pointed out before he continued. "I'm also positive that most of you also heard the part of him bathing in and drinking Fafnir's blood, which granted him nigh-impervious skin almost like a dragon aside from one spot on his back. Dragon blood is among the most potent things among the supernatural, more so if that dragon was powerful. If that's the case, then Siegfried's descendants even those creating from his genetic material would be compatible with things related to dragons."

"You're as smart as ever, Zane," Iris laughed dryly. "Things went great at first, there were those who were made calm and stable like me. But there were those among the second generation too compatible and transformed into full human-shaped dragons. All of them went berserk and attacked the exorcists, which caused them to decide to get rid of the evidence and their creations using Gram. But, it was due to the same riot that occurred that I was able to escape and I'm sure that everyone knows what happened next. If this Demon Eater was modified by someone, then it was likely someone from the Sigurd Institute."

After hearing Iris' explanations, the next part was something that they were too familiar with, which involved Taro and his guards finding new attractions for his tournament. Those were the last words that Iris said as she stared at her right arm, which soon returned to normal.

"I was nothing more than a monster that the Church created as an accident, then tried to get rid of to keep things a secret. To them, we were nothing more than expendable pawns," Iris added. "Despite running away from there, I couldn't find a single thing to do nor did I have anyone to turn to. But, it was then that I found Sis and Layla who treated me as their young sister. Then I met everyone else and I found something that I could do in life. I wasn't a monster to either of you."

"Of course, you aren't a monster."

Claire sighed as she poked Iris in the middle of her forehead, which caused the white-haired girl to stare at Claire in a confused manner.

"Seriously did you think that Nii-san, Alice-nee, Zane-san, and I would treat you any different after finding out that you were an artificial humanoid dragon," Claire questioned before switching to a sincere smile. "A lot of the people who're close to us aren't humans or full humans, but that doesn't change the fact that they're important friends or comrades. The nature about how you were brought into this world doesn't matter and it doesn't change the fact that you're my friend."

"…Claire."

Iris started at Claire in a heartfelt manner after hearing those words from her, which nearly on the brink of tears.

Despite her telling him all about her birth, no one looked at Iris any different than before, which resulted in all the previous anxiety that she felt vanishing away.

"Well, to get rid of all the negativity wafting around in the air. Why don't we all see what Ken Ken, Alice-chan, and Claire-chan brought back from Kyoto?"

And Hisui being Hisui, she was able to lighten up the mood inside of the room using her usual casual nature and energy. It was enough to get their minds off all the seriousness of the situation as Claire started bringing out all of the souvenirs from Kyoto and Alice showed off her sketches. As the others were preoccupied with those, Kensei, Zane, Maria, Hisui, and Abigail were talking with one another about different things.

"It is concerning to hear that the Church will now be added onto the people that we'll need to be concerned with at the moment," Abigail started thinking about the children at the orphanage. "If they find out about the children at the orphanage being devils or other half-breeds, then they might target them as well aside from just Claire. And I can't get my father involved in this since it'll complicate things more than solve things."

"Would the church target children?"

"Whether or not it's an order, there are some exorcists who will attack even children as long as they're devils. I'm sure that Kensei and the others realized that as David attacked Claire. As long as it's normal exorcists, I think it'll be possible that you all could handle them. But, if it's Vasco Strada and Ewald Cristaldi are involved then."

"I'd like to think that we might have a chance against Ewald, but Vasco Strada is a different story entirely."

Maria added after Abigail, both of them seem to know more about them than either of them.

"Who're these two exactly?

"It wouldn't be an understatement to say that they're the strongest exorcists among the Church at the moment," it was Abigail who started to inform them. "Ewald and Vasco are people who've been blessed with talents from the start able to eliminate even the highest class of devils for different reasons. Ewald has impeccable skills that have been honed through his experience and are a natural-born holy sword wielder able to wield three Excalibur blades at the same time."

"Excalibur?"

"Even in Japan, I'm sure that Excalibur is still a talked about holy sword with seven different abilities. But, it broke during a war and the Church's alchemists reforged the fragments into seven different swords, but neither of them is as powerful as the original blade," Maria added right after Abigail. "Vasco Strada is the real monster to talk of and not Ewald, even living with my parents, I heard stories about his overwhelming strength."

"Despite his strength, his Eminence Strada is a kind man," Abigail spoke in a respectful tone. "Similar to Ewald, he is a natural-born holy sword wielder able to wield Durandal, a sword on par with the original Excalibur. Even if you left that aside, his strength alone is monstrous enough to leave even Ultimate-Class Devils in fear of hearing his name alone. During World War II in his youth, I heard that he almost killed one of the Cadres of Grigori and he earned several titles. Among exorcists, he would be the most understanding of the situation."

Despite him hearing about the danger that the two of them alone could pose, there was also a certain feeling of anticipation that arose within Kensei. The two of them were just the kinds of opponents that Kensei would want to face off against soon, but that could wait for later.

"Then there's someone else."

"Huh, who would be worse than them?"

"Well, in terms of potential alone, he is worse, but he wouldn't attack children even if the Church ordered him to," Abigail said before speaking again. "His name Dulio Gesualdo, a lot like Alice, he also has as High-Tier Longinus called Zenith Tempest, which let him manipulate the weather and elements found in nature. In terms of abilities, it is above the Annihilation Maker."

"That sounds almost unfair in a fight," Zane dryly laughed. "I can't help but admire the Biblical God for being able to make things such as the Longinus. But, I guess that it's a good thing that we won't have to be concerned about fighting against him in the future."

"But, Abigail," Hisui spoke in a soft tone as she looked toward Abigail. "Didn't you sound a little too happy talking about this Dulio-san?"

"I'm sure that you're just reading into things too much."

Abigail said turning head toward the side slightly no showing a single reaction to Hisui who had continued staring in her direction.

"Well, if there were others among the Amagiri Clan, I'm sure that things wouldn't be this complicated and it would be a lot easier to look after everyone here. I can't get Amaterasu-sama and the other Shinto gods involved in this situation," Kensei said before coming up with an idea. "I was putting this off for a while, but I don't think that I can put this off anymore."

"Put what off?"

In response to hearing Zane's question, Kensei stretched his arms.

"I'll be visiting Tokyo in a couple of days after school alone this time," he answered Zane much to both his and their confusion. "I'll be going there to visit my dad and ask for some advice."

---

It has been some time after their return from the Kyoto Trip and has promised, after school, Kensei left Kibou on a train that would lead toward Tokyo. Though Alice and Claire wanted to come with him, both of them respected his wishes and allowed him to go there alone. Kensei walked through the streets dressed in normal clothing, as well as having a black sword bag strapped on his shoulder with the Amagiri Clan symbol on it; which he was now using to carry around Kurogane instead of keeping it in storage.

Though, instead of heading straight towards his father's home, Kensei instead stopped in front of an elementary school, a private school named "Seijou Elementary School"; whose students were being let out at the moment.

He scanned through the students leaving and couldn't see the person he was looking for and waiting near the school gate leaning his back against the stone wall.

"I wonder if he would remember me, it has been over five years since I last saw him," Kensei wondered feeling a little bit anxious at the moment. "Similar to Yasaka, my stepmother didn't believe that it was me at first, but I didn't think that she would ask me to pick up him myself. I mean, I don't mind since he's my Otouto…I think that I'm a little too nervous now."

As Kensei continued thinking to himself, he felt that he was becoming more nervous by the second, but stopped as he started hearing laughing from children.

"Naoto, couldn't you have done better during gym class? I mean, you were stumbling everywhere."

"What would you expect from Klutzy Naoto?"

After hearing the name "Naoto", Kensei turned his sights towards a group of three boys all huddled around just a single student. It was a nine-year-old boy bearing a strong resemblance to Kensei, albeit a soft expression on his face with an X-shaped scar on his right cheek, gray eyes, and dressed in the same school uniform as them. This was Naoto Uesugi, his younger half-brother. Seeing his little brother being picked on had sparked a sense of distaste within him, which caused him to begin walking over there. But, before a single word left his mouth….

"Are you idiots picking on Naoto again?!"

There were both the screams of a girl and the rampant footsteps that showed no hesitance, which caused all three boys to stiffen as if it meant the approach of a monster.

"Oh, no!"

"Here 'she' comes!"

"Forget this, I'm not dealing with her!"

All three boys started running off without neither of them wanting to confront whoever was coming.

"Tch, cowards."

At around the same time, a red-haired nine-year-old girl with orange eyes arrived dressed in the female variation of their school's uniform. She stood next to Naoto who seemed relieved about her presence as the red-haired girl stood in front of him miffed about the situation.

"Uh, thanks for that, Akari-chan…ouch ouch ouch!"

The girl named Akari was pinching and pulling Naoto's cheek who was shouting in pain as the red-haired girl had stared at him with an irritated look on her face.

"Why do you keep letting them pick on you like that? I know for a fact that you're a lot stronger than them," Akari seemed to be lecturing Naoto as she let go of his cheek leaving a red mark. "Explain yourself."

Kensei couldn't help getting a tomboyish vibe from the girl, which caused him to laugh nervously as Naoto began rubbing his cheek and giving her a response.

"Okaa-san said that it wasn't right to fight someone just because they talked bad about you," Naoto replied as he glanced to the side. "It would be better to fight when it's to protect someone else."

In response to hearing that, Kensei couldn't help but smile at the mature response from his little brother, while he noticed Akari tilting her head to the side taking in the words that he said before shrugging her shoulders.

"Alright, fine," she sighed. "But, I guess that means that I'll keep driving them off."

"Hahaha, I'm sorry about…that…."

As Naoto was apologizing to Akari, he stopped after noticing Kensei who was standing there watching the entire scene. After noticing the quiet state that Naoto was in at the moment, Akari turned around to see the person that he was staring at and she was shocked.

"Uh, there's a person who looks the same as you and your dad," Akari said before noticing Naoto walking toward Kensei. "Is he related to you?"

"A-Are you Aniki," Naoto shakily said hoping that he would end up being right. "Kensei Amagiri, right?"

"Huh, and here I was worried that you wouldn't remember me," Kensei said letting a slight laugh escape from his mouth. "I was standing here all concerned that…."

"ANIKI!"

Without hesitation, Naoto rushed towards his older brother and tackled him into a hug, wrapping his arms around Kensei's waist. This contact caused Kensei to smile as he placed his hand on top of his little brother's head who continued hugging him, while Akari stared at the scene bewildered.

"I didn't know that you had an older brother. Why didn't you tell me that?"

"Because, I haven't seen Aniki in a long time," Naoto answered Akari who seemed prepared to pounce on him for not telling her about that. "I probably would've forgotten about Aniki if Okaa-san didn't talk about him as much as she did and showed me pictures of us together. All that I know is that Aniki just vanished when I was around four I promise that's what happened."

After hearing his explanation, Akari seemed to have accepted that, likely knowing that Naoto wouldn't lie to her in any possible situation. She turned toward Kensei who seemed to be interested in who she is to Naoto, Akari then respectfully bowed her head.

"Hello, my name is Akari Akamine," she formally introduced herself with proper manners. "I guess that you could say that I'm Naoto's best friend and future rival."

"Well, that sure is an interesting last thing to say," Kensei laughed lightly. "My name is Kensei Amagiri. There's a lot that happened, but it was my fault for not visiting a lot sooner than I should have. Though it is good to meet my little brother's friend, I think that it'd be best that we finish this conversation at your house."

---

All of them soon decided to walk toward the Uesugi Residence and during their walk, and amid their walk, Kensei patted Naoto on the head after saying that.

"I didn't expect that you'd grow this tall though."

"W-Well, it has been five years Aniki, of course, I wouldn't be the same height. I've also been training in kendo with Otou-san when I was old enough."

"Oh, then would you want to spar with me."

Kensei joked, but Naoto took it as a serious challenge.

"Huh? N-No, I couldn't do that and besides, Akari-chan is better than I am."

Naoto stated nervously as he waved his hands in front of himself, while Akari gave him a sideways glance with a look of annoyance.

"I keep telling you to have more confidence in yourself, Naoto. Though I would still win in the end, there isn't that much of a difference in our skills."

"Well, you two do seem to be close."

After those words left Kensei's mouth, Naoto blushed a little, while Akari nodded her head wearing a slight smile.

"We met each other during our first years in elementary school after those idiots started picking on Naoto here. I chased them off and realized that the two of us have somethings in common," Akari explained. "Both of us enjoy training in swordsmanship and we both also have a unique…uh, never mind."

Kensei heard that last part, but he could notice that there was something inside of both Naoto and Akari, before it could be addressed, all three of them arrived in front of Uesugi Residence. A sizable somewhat far more modern Japanese residence for multiple people to reside inside that has the emblem of two swallows bamboo embroiled on the walls. The Uesugi Clan, in which Kensei was a descendant from was a samurai clan most famous from both the fourteenth through seventeenth centuries.

All three of them entered the Uesugi Residence, several people were walking around seemingly busy with their business. It was then that, the three of them were approached by a single blue-haired beautiful woman with a buxom figure dressed in business attire and matching colored eyes. She was Natsumi Uesugi, Naoto's mother, and Kensei's stepmother.

"Ah, I almost didn't believe that it was Kensei-kun when you called the other day," she said as she smiled toward Kensei who stood by unable to say anything else. "But, no matter what happened, I believed that you would still be alive in the end since you're Sakura-chan's and Tetsuo-san's child."

"Yea, I'm sorry for not seeing you all sooner, Natsumi-san. I was kinda busy taking care of things for a long time, but I should've at least come to tell you all that I was alright."

"Well, what matters is that you're still alive," Natsumi gently said as she wrapped her arms around Kensei before she separated from him and whispered something to him. "You're father is in his office. He said that he wanted to talk with you about something after you arrived."

"Right," Kensei stated before separated from his stepmother, then turned towards his little brother. "I'll be back. I need to go talk to dad for a moment."

"A-Alright. I'll be waiting out here with Akari-chan."

After saying that to Naoto, Kensei started walking inside of the Uesugi Residence, then started walking towards a certain room inside. It was a door leading inside of an office and due to the sensory abilities of senjutsu, he could sense that someone inside of the office. He reached his hand toward the doorknob, but stopped for a moment as a result of the question and answer that he wanted to know. However, knowing that he had no other choice in the matter, then opened the room to step inside.

---

After stepping inside of the office, there were some portraits along the walls in the room, as well as various furniture meant for guests such as business partners. But, that wasn't who Kensei was most focused on, instead, it was toward the man sitting behind the desk. Though, the man in question bears a strong resemblance towards both Kensei and Naoto, with short black well-groomed yet spiky hair and gray eyes, while dressed in a black suit; there was also a healed X-shaped scar in the middle of his face in the spaces between his eyes and nose.

Tetsuo Uesugi, the Head of the Uesugi Clan, as well as his and Naoto's father.

"Hey, it's been a long time, dad."

"Yes, it has Kensei. You've grown a lot since the last time."

"Well, I guess it's good to see that some times haven't changed."

Kensei sighed recalling that his father wasn't the most expressive person in the world and maintains a poker face making it difficult to tell what his feelings were on anything in general. More so, there was never even the slightest opening in the midst of doing business with his various partners and there was also the presence around him that was different from his mother.

"I'm sure that there's a lot of things that you want to talk about."

"Right, but first there was something that I wanted to ask," Kensei stated causing Tetsuo to link his hands already knowing the question. "Did you send me to Hagun Island?"

That was a question that had been on the mind of Kensei since first hearing the fact that his father had been the one who sent him there from Taro. Though, he never believed anything that came from Taro, which was why he wanted to confirm it for himself instead.

"Yes."

The moment that those words left his mouth, Kensei vanished from the spot where he had been standing, as the sword bag that originally contained Kurogane being on the floor. Kensei, on the other hand, stood on top of his desk pointing an unsheathed Kurogane just inches from his face. Tetsuo didn't make a single reaction in the slightest to avoid the blade and just remained there as a single motion of the blade.

"Then, I guess it's true then."

Kensei retracted Kurogane from near Tetsuo's face who just stared silently at him unable to come up with even a single response to counter it. His father though seemed almost surprised about the fact that Kensei stopped his blade from stabbing him.

"Honestly, I was expecting that you would stab me for that."

"I'm not that immature. Besides, I already took care of the guy who killed my mom," at hearing that, there was just a slight change in Tetsuo's facial expression as Kensei sheathed Kurogane. "If I did end up doing that, then I would not be able to face either Natsumi-san or Naoto afterward. But, I think that I at least deserve an explanation."

"Of course, you do," Tetsuo let a slight breath escape from his mouth before he started speaking. "It would be seven years ago, you were six years ago at the time starting first grade, but it at that time you was here when the biggest incident aimed at the Amagiri Clan. It was the disappearance of all the children aside from yourself and it, of course, sparked concern and worries from their parents and other adults among the clan, because there wasn't one disruption in the various barriers and defenses placed around Kibou Town including their main shrine. It meant that it had to be a person who could get passed or worse knew all the weak points in their defenses, causing them to search all over Japan for the children, but came up with nothing even from the Five Principal Clans who helped."

These were things that Kensei of course knew and heard about after the incident happened, but even now that's hard to believe that all of his friends just vanished without a trace. He had gone over his father's to have fun with his two-year-old little brother and when he returned everyone was gone.

"Even Amaterasu-sama or the other gods didn't know how something like this could occur, but everyone knew it had to be someone who had a grudge against the Amagiri Clan."

"That's a long list of grudges or animosity, but there shouldn't be someone able to do something like this."

"Of course, that's the same conclusion that people like Kenichi-san came to. But, there was one thing that didn't make sense," Tetsuo stated before directing his attention toward Kensei. "No one could understand why you were left alone despite the defenses here being near nonexistence while breaking into the Amagiri Clan to steal all the children would've been the most difficult feat to perform. If anything, everyone believed that you'd be the most sought target, but you were left alone, which Kenichi-dono thought was intentional. This caused the other Amagiri Clan members to believe this person might also target you in some way in the future."

Hearing those words caused Kensei to think back to the incident in Kyoto, where this 'Benefactor' assisted in the Demon Eater's rampage and even knew his name beforehand.

"After the incident, Sakura became far more protective over you, ensuring to train you as best as she could, while protecting you from the shadows without you knowing. But, monsters before the incident that shook all the clans of Japan, Kenichi-dono came to talk with him."

"Gramps?"

"If the Amagiri Clan would meet its end, he wanted me to ensure that you'd still be alive at least as the future heir. Even if it meant that Sakura would end up despising both of us for the rest of our lives," Kensei seemed shocked that even his grandfather seemed involved in this knowing how strict yet kind he could be. "Before the incident, it came to the attention of some members that there was odd activity around places in Japan and due rumors from certain connections elsewhere due to my business, the existence Hagun Island came to us. And I'm sure that you can guess what happened next."

Kensei took a seat in the chair near the desk taking in what was told to him by his father, but all the blanks which led him to arrive on Hagun Island. Barely anyone knew about the existence of Hagun Island due to the barrier that was around the island keeping its existence hidden. And those who knew about its existence were limited to simple rumors that had no basis whatsoever, making it the perfect place to hide someone.

"After you were taken to Hagun Island, I called Sakura and told her everything," Tetsuo adding placing a hand on his cheek sounding a little more emotional than Kensei recalled. "She, of course, got her actual emotions out of the way first and gave me a sound beating. And despite all that, she understood the decision that I made, but she couldn't leave you there despite knowing what might happen to her. Despite us both knowing that you would somehow find a way to escape from there."

"What're you talking about?"

Kensei questioned knowing that the last part didn't sound right at all, which caused Tetsuo to sigh.

"Sakura was famous for using personal two-sword style and a variation of the Amagiri-ryuu. During a fight against a dangerous dragon a long time ago, there was something that happened to Sakura. It was a prior attack from the dragon that caused severe damage to her right arm that healed with the help of a doctor, but there was some lasting damage that stopped her from training as much as she did before. If it wasn't for that, then even Kenichi-san agreed that she'd be one of their Grand Masters. But, even then aside from being able to plan something like this, whoever took the children was able to somehow massacre the entire clan."

Kensei thought back to all of the training that he did with his mother and did recall that most times, she did train with him using her left hand. Even the training using the two-sword style was a lot more tamed, but Kensei never thought much about it. Despite that wound, it was still remarkable that she could overpower Hayashi. But, there was someone able to all this to one of the strongest clans in Japan.

"…."

"…."

Kensei and Tetsuo remained quiet, as the parental parent stared at his oldest son leaning back into his seat with an expression, which showed him taking in everything that he was being told. Some things were a bit much for him to handle, but if just hearing this was enough to bring him down, then he couldn't handle what'll happen shortly.

"I understand," Kensei sighed and before skipping onto another subject. "The reason that I came here in the first place was that I need some advice about the situation that all of us from Hagun Island are all in right now. I think that the Church and likely some devils in the Underworld will be coming for us in the future."

After hearing that from Kensei, Tetsuo leaned back in his chair before immediately coming up with a solution that would assist them in their future conflicts.

"There's a couple of things that you can do. If it's just those from the Church, then the simplest solution would be just training and getting stronger. The most that'll happen would be them just sending their warriors after whoever they'll be targeting. However, the Old Devils from the Underworld will be far more difficult to handle since most of them rely on using tricks and politics. In this situation, one of the most important things that you could do is form strong connections with people that the Old Devils can't go against. But, I believe that you should wait until you're at a more convincing age."

"Forming strong connections with other groups, huh."

Kensei thought about what he heard from his father and the idea did sound good, as well as the idea of waiting till he was older since people likely wouldn't listen to people barely in their teens. Soon enough, it felt as if their talk ended with that.

"I think that should be about it," Kensei said standing up from the chair without his father even attempting to stop him from leaving. He then walked over towards the discarded sword bag and placed Kurogane back inside it. "I'll remain here for a little longer to get reacquainted with Naoto and get to know his friend."

"Kensei. You have the right to hate me for what I did and I don't have the right to blame you."

After hearing those words from Tetsuo, Kensei stopped in front of the door unable to speak another word for one moment as he turned the doorknob.

"I'll be visiting and next time bringing some of the friends that I made on Hagun Island. I'm sure that you'll all like them a lot."

As if saying those words to rid him of some of his guilt, Kensei turned the doorknob and left the office room which left Tetsuo inside of the room alone. After leaving the room, he leaned back in his chair placing a single hand on his face allowing a slight sigh to escape from his mouth.

---

Kensei walked outside of the office heading towards one of the open places where Naoto and Akari should be at the moment. He continued thinking about all that he was told as he continued walking and the answers were what he expected somewhere in the back of his mind, but hearing them for himself was something that he would need to get used to.

"If anything, I'll need to talk to Zane and the others about finding some people we could form connections with if we have a chance at surviving," Kensei thought in an attempt to get his mind off things. "But, there's one thing I'll be looking forward to…and that's finding the guy who started all this in the first place."

"Here I come again!"

"R-Right!"

After hearing their voices, Kensei looked up and noticed both Naoto and Akari training with one another wielding shinai in their hands dressed in appropriate training gear. Both of their shinais were clashing against one another, which caused Kensei to realize that their skills were almost equal. It could have been just seeing his little brother training with his friend who held an interest in sword training, but he felt a little better.

He walked toward them not interrupting their sparring match and continued watching their sparring session while taking note of their swings noticing their varying preferences. Naoto seemed to favor quicker and precise strikes and Akari seemed to favor fast and strong strikes.

"I think that those two would make great rivals for one another."

Both of them seemed to be finished training, then walked toward Kensei after noticing he was sitting there viewing their sparring session.

"Hey, Aniki did you just finish talking to Otou-san?"

"Yea, but since I don't have anything else to do," Kensei said before smiling toward his little brother. "I think that I can give a little bit of advice to two aspiring swordsmen."

"Really, Aniki?!"

Naoto seemed to enjoy the idea of getting advice or even sparring with his older brother, even Akari seems to be at least interested in that idea.

"Hmm, well if you're Naoto's older brother, then I guess that you're bound to be a competent swordsman. And if you're worthy enough, he and I can show your our special power."

"I think that I have an idea of what that is."

"Huh, but how…?"

"Our dad has something similar, but different to what you two have and that special power as you call it is known as a sacred gear," Kensei said before sighing a little. "I'm guessing that neither of you has decided to talk about them to dad yet or even asked. So, I guess that I'll just get into that discussion first."

Kensei then started getting into a conversation with both his little brother and his friend first about sacred gears.

---

A/N: And there goes the twenty-first chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, it was both the last and longest chapter of this volume. This chapter, showed just what Kurogane can do in a fight against the Demon Eater and one of the Ougi ("Hidden Technique") from the Amagiri-ryuu. It also appears that there's some hint that Kensei is a natural-born holy sword wielder. Near the end of their trip, Kensei gave both Kunou and Yasaka gifts, as well as Claire and Alice. It also appears that the Vatican has found out about Claire, being Cleria's and Masaomi's daughter, and will be informing Zekram Bael.

We've also got some more information about Iris being an Artificial Humanoid Dragon, which the Sigurd created and Abigail is one of the Miracle Children (Half-Angel, Half-Human).

Kensei was able to finally reunite with his little half-brother and even met his friend, both of which seem to have sacred gears. He was able to also meet his father who explained the entire situation to him, but it seems that there will be some tension between them, however, that doesn't mean that Kensei hates him for what happened as Akeno did toward Barakiel.

So, until next time.

Kensei's Harem: Alice, Claire, Hisui, Kunou, Yasaka, Lu Lingqi, Mirana, Sarah, Minako, Koneko, Kuroka, Ravel, Amaterasu, Brynhildr.