Chapter 3: The Crescent Moon and the Devil's Blade
A hush fell over the training ground as Yamato stepped back, signaling the start of the match. The gathered ANBU instinctively held their breath, the shift in atmosphere pressing down on them like an unseen weight.
Vergil's smirk had vanished, replaced by an expression of pure focus. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Yugao with an intensity that sent a chill down the spines of those watching. Gone was the playful air from before, what stood before them now was something far more dangerous.
Yugao tightened her grip on her blade, her keen instincts flaring in warning. She was no stranger to battle, but something about the way he carried himself, the effortless stillness, the sheer control...
And worse yet, he had admitted to practicing Iaidō.
That meant every movement mattered. Every sheathing of his blade was a potential strike.
She couldn't afford to underestimate him.
Vergil, however, had already made a decision, he wouldn't go all out, because of Yugao's exhaustion from the drills. It would be "dishonorable" to take advantage of that.
Yugao moved first, vanishing in a blur of speed. She reappeared at Vergil's side, blade flashing.
Fast.
But not fast enough.
Vergil sidestepped with minimal effort, the tip of her sword slicing through the air where his ribs had been. He didn't counter, simply observing her footwork, testing her reactions.
She pivoted sharply, spinning into another strike, this time faster, sharper. A feint. The real attack came from her other hand, a kunai slashing for his blind spot.
Vergil's sword sang as it cleared its sheath.
Clang!
The kunai split in half, the severed pieces landing harmlessly at their feet.
A murmur rippled through the watching ANBU.
"So clean…" one muttered.
"That speed…" another whispered.
Yugao backstepped, eyes narrowing. That was barely a flick of his wrist.
"You are holding back," she noted.
Vergil tilted his head. "Would you prefer I didn't?"
She exhaled sharply. "I'd prefer you take me seriously."
Vergil's fingers flexed against Yamato's hilt. "Very well. But I won't strike you from behind. That would be… dishonorable."
Somewhere in his office, Hiruzen stroked his beard, watching through his crystal ball. "Interesting…"
Yugao rushed in again, her strikes now weaving between precision and unpredictability. A flurry of slashes, one after the other, testing his defenses.
Vergil moved with elegance, his blade meeting hers at just the right angles to deflect without wasting movement. His form was flawless, like a swordsman who had lived and breathed the art for centuries.
Her frustration grew. I can't land a single hit…
Her eyes flickered to his sheath.
Every time he resheathed his blade, she knew he was preparing for something, but when would it come?
She had to act first.
"Hazy Moon Night!"
Her blade flashed in a circular motion, leaving behind a trail of afterimages, a technique designed to confuse the enemy.
Vergil's eyes sharpened slightly. A mirage-based technique?
For any normal opponent, the blurring motion would make it impossible to track the real blade.
But to Vergil?
This is nothing.
The moment she lunged through the illusions, he stepped aside, pivoting just enough to let her attack graze past his coat. In the same instant, he struck, not with his sword, but with the back of his hand.
Yugao staggered, the blow sending her skidding back.
Vergil's voice was calm, almost bored.
"Too slow."
Yugao clenched her jaw. "Damn it. He hadn't even needed to cut her, he had simply moved at the last possible moment and punished her mistake.
The ANBU in the crowd weren't sure what was more terrifying: his skill… or the effortlessness of it.
Raising the Stakes
Yugao exhaled sharply. Fine.
She weaved through hand signs.
"Fire Release: Flaming Crescent Slash!"
Her sword ignited in vibrant orange flames, heat radiating off the steel. With a single arcing slash, she sent a wave of fire rushing toward him.
The ANBU leaned forward, eager to see how he would handle ninjutsu.
Vergil's response?
He merely sighed.
And then
SHING!
With one motion, he unsheathed Yamato.
The very air split apart.
A perfect Judgment Cut bisected the flames, cleanly, as if slicing reality itself. The fire vanished, severed at its core, the embers scattering harmlessly into the wind.
Silence.
Then
"Impossible…"
Vergil slowly resheathed Yamato, his voice cold and unimpressed.
"Fire won't work against me. Try harder."
Yugao's breath hitched. What… is he?
Yugao knew she was outmatched. But giving up was not an option.
She pushed forward, blurring into motion, her stance shifting.
Vergil recognized it instantly.
Ah. Now she's serious.
"Dance of the Crescent Moon!"
Three Yugao's lunged at him simultaneously, moving in perfect sync
A good technique. Against anyone else, it would be near impossible to defend.
But Vergil?
He closed his eyes.
The world slowed.
His senses stretched outward, feeling the shifts in the wind, the rhythm of their steps.
He drew Yamato.
And vanished.
SHING!
The clones dispersed in a flash of light. The real Yugao barely had time to react before
SLASH!
Her sword flew from her grip, spinning through the air before embedding itself into the dirt.
Vergil stood behind her, Yamato sheathed.
He had disarmed her with a single stroke.
A moment later, a thin cut appeared across her shoulder, not deep, but enough to make his point.
The match was over.
Yugao stood frozen, stunned.
The ANBU erupted in murmurs.
"He cut through everything."
"No wasted movement…"
"This guy…"
Vergil turned slightly, looking at Yugao from over his shoulder. His voice was cold
"You are not worthy as my opponent."
Yugao clenched her fists but gave a reluctant nod. "I concede."
Hiruzen, still watching through his crystal ball, released a slow breath.
"What a terrifying young man."
--
Chapter 4: The Devil's Daily Life
As Vergil walked away, the tension from the spar lingered in the air. Yugao remained standing, gripping the hilt of her sword, her mind swirling with thoughts. I need to get stronger... so that one day, Vergil Sparda will acknowledge me.
Meanwhile, Yamato stood with his arms crossed, deep in thought. His wood-style abilities were formidable, but watching Vergil's precise, inhuman movements made him wonder, Would I even stand a chance against him?
Vergil, sensing his gaze, turned his head slightly, an amused smirk playing at his lips. "Would you like to go for a round?" His voice was calm, almost taunting.
Yamato stiffened. "Uh… no. I'm good." He quickly turned away.
The surrounding ANBU had their own thoughts
"He's too precise."
"Incredible skill. Dangerous."
"He moves like a shadow, cutting before you even register the attack."
Vergil paid them no mind. He simply walked out of sight. But the moment he was alone…
"Hell yeah!" he whispered under his breath, a smug grin breaking his usual stoic demeanor. "I'm so badass!" He clenched his fists in excitement. This world… is my stomping ground.
--
A Few Days Later
Vergil finally got an apartment, and while it wasn't luxurious, it was leagues better than Naruto's rundown place. He had expected something grander, but at least it had proper furnishings and a quiet atmosphere.
Then came the summons. The Hokage had jobs for him.
Vergil's excitement soared. Finally, real missions. A chance to unleash his skill.
Vergil should have known that perverted old man would pull something like this. Babysitting loud brats, cleaning houses, delivering packages, catching lost animals
Vergil paused. Animals hated him.
A cat hissed and clawed at his coat. A dog growled as he tried to return it to its owner. Even birds eyed him warily from a distance.
The ANBU watching his every move had reported this to Hiruzen.
"Interesting…" Hiruzen muttered, stroking his beard. "Animals are highly sensitive to danger. If even they are wary of him… the boy must truly be a threat."
With that, the Hokage doubled the surveillance on Vergil.
--
The Devil's Curse and a Curious Veterinarian
Vergil stood near the river, collecting trash.
He gritted his teeth, gripping the bag in frustration. "That damn old man…" he muttered under his breath.
From a nearby rooftop, the ANBU keeping tabs on him snickered.
Vergil turned his head slightly, eyes sharp as daggers. The ANBU instantly stopped laughing.
Turning back to his miserable task, Vergil thought, I hope Orochimaru makes that old fool's death as painful as possible.
"That's some strong language for the Hokage," a playful voice chimed in.
Vergil turned to see a young woman standing nearby, arms crossed, an amused smile on her face. Brown hair tied in a ponytail, warm black eyes, and the signature Inuzuka clan markings on her cheeks. Three large ninja dogs stood at her side, watching him warily.
Vergil composed himself instantly, replacing his scowl with a polite smile. "I meant no disrespect. Simply lamenting that my skills are being wasted on chores."
Hana chuckled, her hands on her hips. "Every ninja starts from the bottom. You work your way up to better missions."
Vergil nodded. "I understand that. But menial labor hardly seems fitting for someone like me."
Hana raised an eyebrow. "Someone like you?"
Before he could answer, the Three Haimaru Brothers growled lowly, their fur bristling.
Hana blinked and looked down at them. "What's wrong, boys?"
Vergil sighed, rubbing his temple. "Animals don't seem to like me."
Hana studied him curiously, then looked back at her partners. "That's unusual. They usually trust people with good instincts… but they also react strongly to danger."
The brothers growled again, giving Vergil a hurt her, and you're dead' glare.
Vergil met their gaze and gave them a subtle nod of respect. Understood.
Hana grinned. "Well, they're wary, but if you were truly bad news, they'd be lunging at you."
Vergil smirked. "Comforting."
The two continued to talk. Hana was intrigued by Vergil's calm yet confident demeanor, but his answers to personal questions were always vague. He didn't talk much about his past or his origins, deflecting with smooth responses.
Still, there was something… oddly charming about him.
The brothers weren't convinced.
Vergil smirked, sensing their distrust. Smart dogs.