Phantom of the Underworld - Chapter 17 (Patreon)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Highschool DxD or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their perspective owners.

Arc II- The White Empress

Chapter 17- Hurting Others

Time passed after the mission in the land of waves. Kaiza and his family were relocated to another village near Konoha. As the somewhat ninja and mercenary returned to his empty home across Konoha's mountain, a follower in tow.

Valiana Lucifer did not take to Haku kindly.

Truly, she did not. From the moment he had introduced the two, they, namely Vali, hadn't gotten along with the other in the slightest.

Yet, Haku had been more than amicable since her former mentor's unfortunate demise. In fact, it was almost as if she were completely subservient to him, listening to his every word as if he were kami himself.

If he were completely honest with himself, many of the royals in the underworld wouldn't mind such an outcome. In fact, they would love to be in his situation. Haku was powerful for her age, and she took to her devil transformation better than most. She almost took to her Devil training as well, learning all the simple ice techniques he knew and taking them even further. And then there was her sacred gear…

Yes, he couldn't have picked a better servant to use his [Mutated Knight] on. But aside from that, many nobles would also enjoy Haku as their servant because she was, admittedly, more beautiful than most.

At just fifteen years old, he could already tell that she would grow up to be stunning. With her long, dark strands and her perfectly proportioned face. Those chocolate brown eyes that somehow sparkled with innocence yet experienced resolve—even he didn't understand. And while her breasts weren't the largest, she had near-perfect curves and a nice ass that not even the greatest supermodels would compare to.

Not that he would ever admit to paying attention to that, of course. He would never see anyone, especially his servant, in such a light.

He found out the growing woman liked wearing kimonos, having shopped with the girl for supplies in konoha's market district on more than one occasion. She was particularly fond of pink ones, like the one he found her in within the clearing at Wave. But she was also partial to the more traditional and fortified battle kimonos that she fought in.

Vali had also grown as well.

Gone was the frail and scared young girl he found in the woods. And while she had only begun to begin the early stages of puberty—man, that was a weird day for him to explain things. Luckily, Haku had stepped in to help clear things up— she was already starting to bud within her chest. Not that he had ever paid attention to that, after all.

Even her clothing started to change. And although she still fancied things like the silver sundresses he had bought her when they first started living together. She also started to like darker clothing, like leather jackets or even black short shorts. Which, unknown to him, was only worn to try and get a reaction out of him.

But even more than that, she was still the sweet little girl he had grown accustomed to living with. They were each other's family, and that would never change.

Even with her newest hostility toward Haku, that would never change.

It brought both a chuckle and a smile to his lips every time he remembered the first time he brought Haku. And seeing her face when she had heard he had resurrected Haku as his [Knight, his sword. Which unknown to him was because of Kurama's constant teasing of such an outcome.

And with the reveal of his [Evil Pieces] Valiana had been adamant about him reincarnating her, so much so that it was all he had heard for the following week. And much to her joy, he had finally caved, not being able to resist her worried and distraught face for so long.

He had chosen, or rather, Valiana had pestered him into making his [Queen, his right hand in every sense of the word. And with her enthusiasm for the subject, he couldn't refuse her.

Honestly, he couldn't have requested a better [Queen] if he tried. Sure, Valiana was young; a year his junior. But he could already tell the girl had a potential that would leave many salivating in envy just to receive a lick of her power.

She was the descendant of Lucifer himself, the original Maou, and his heir in every sense of the word. Her control over her unholy darkness was something to behold. And her magical supply was so vast that it could even rival his own in magnitude.

Aside from that, there was [Albion, or her Sacred Gear Divine Dividing. The gear was something to behold—a middle-tier Longinus. Yet it held the power to divide any opponent's power in half—provided she lay a hand on them, of course. And the vast amount of knowledge the Heavenly Dragon would impart would prove useful for her.

But aside from that, there was something even greater. She held a resolve greater than most—to protect her loved ones and to get revenge on her father. That would bring her far, but what would bring her farther was her near-genius-level intellect.

Of course, after he recruited both Haku and Valiana he took to training them. And like his frozen [knight, his new [queen] had taken it better than most. Hand to hand, she excelled, and when he taught her spells, she took to them faster than most.

And whenever they sparred, he could tell that the girl had formed a pseudo-rivalry against him. Proclaiming that one day, she would beat him. And honestly, he couldn't help but smile at her resolve, she was really something.

Like when he first found Vali he had resolved to spend at least a couple of months away from missions. This was to give him some reprieve to train his new servants. But also to have Hiruzen help with their training as well.

And then there was his new [Rook]…

XXX

Several months since Wave.

A simple fact Naruto realized in his time since Haku's recruitment was a simple one: he needed peerage members.

This was made abundantly clear, as during his mission in Wave, having at least another person to help had been vital to ensuring the protection of Kaiza and his family. Kurama had helped in that regard, yet the mission could have ended there had Kurama not been there to ensure the family's protection as they were transported.

It was a simple fact of life that he could not be in two places at once. And having one or two more people there could have substantially made his efforts and missions easier.

Valiana had made that abundantly clear when he returned, beaten and bloodied. Which was almost ironic given the nature of his, Phenex had healed himself already.

His [Evil Pieces] made that even easier.

Now, normally, some nobles use their peerage members to garner lovers or at least powerful pieces to grow their prestige within rating games.

But he wanted his pieces for one reason and one reason only: he knew he wouldn't be able to kill 'that' man alone.

Or at the very least, he wouldn't be able to fully do it alone. The supernatural world was vast and incredibly large, and he knew that the masked man could be anywhere. And even with his immensely long lifespan, it just wasn't feasible to search every pocket dimension of every pantheon that existed on the surface of the earth.

The toad's master had felt the same, and when he asked if he knew of any potential peerage members. And he had been given a vast list of prospects.

Only one stood out for what he wanted; it was a simple tale. Small rumors spread across a small village along the outskirts of the Underworld. They told of a vicious monster who had ravaged an entire town. A being that could not be matched, and that rested upon the top of his own secluded mountain for reasons unknown. Terrifying any that walked by, and scaring those that trespassed.

Nobody knew the reason he remained within his mountain, and he had been intrigued to find out.

"Naruto, are you sure about this?" Valiana asked unsurely, being hesitant about this whole ordeal from the moment he told her of this potential prospect.

Her attire had changed, with the young girl gaining her own battle outfit. Her clothing being less revealing than her usual casual outfit. Wearing dark leggings under her even darker shorts, and tall black boots that allowed her to easily traverse harsh landscapes much easier. As she wore a dark leather jacket over a bright silver shirt.

And to top it all off, she wore the standard cloak he had given her, although she had made some alterations. The normal white and red-lined cloak and hood were turned silver. As a silver porcelain mask covered her face, a dragon was the only mask that would be worthy of gracing her face. As her long, lustrous hair was left flowing at her backside for all to see.

Haku was much the same, keeping her usual cyan battle kimono over her brown and dark clothing and wearing his more standard cloak. Although the young woman also had a porcelain mask hiding her delicate features. Different from the mask she had grown accustomed to in wave. As a rabbit mask, one with the bottom removed to show her lips as it rested upon her face.

"Of course I am," Naruto told the younger girl by his side. "Don't you have faith in me?" He questioned. Although his tone, as she could tell, was little more than just harmless teasing.

In the time since wave, his appearance hadn't changed much. He still wore the same cloak—well, a different cloak, one that was identical to the one he had lost. As his previous attire had been torn to shreds. A copy of his simple three eyed fox mask still covered his face. While his hair was dyed the same as well, by a simple seal on the back of his neck.

But his demeanor had changed since his mission on wave. Vali could see it as well, as he acted less closed off and less distant than he usually acted around her. Haku had been surprised as well, but it was something he had been thinking about since then.

Maybe his way of doing things was wrong?

Haku had proven to him that revenge was not always the right thing, and he was hesitant to believe her. Yet his mother's death weighed heavily on his mind, for more reasons than one.

He couldn't keep doing this, but at the same time, he couldn't stop himself from opening himself up to Valiana.

Haku was much the same, as even though she could be quite cold at times, he had taken a liking to her calm attitude. Her calculating eyes as she observed him, yet the kindness she held within her heart.

Yes, truly, he had found a small amount of semblance in the two kind girls in his life. It almost made him understand the reasons for his mother's running off to her death… almost.

But enough about his past, he still had a job to do.

Looking at his side, idly paying attention to his [knight] as she spoke. "Dragon, I believe it is imperative that we have faith in our king," Haku stated, subtly reminding her that they were supposed to use each other's code names. It was simpler that way, which allowed for easier team cohesion when they needed it, even if not all of them needed to keep their identities secret.

Inwardly, Valiana flushed under her mask, forgetting that they had code names entirely. As she was also embarrassed at Naruto's teasing remark. Sending a subtle glare towards Haku as she did so.

"No, I have complete trust in Naruto-kun— I mean, Fox," she corrected, as Haku was about to retort. Before a lone hand raised by her king stopped the impending argument from happening entirely.

"Dragon, Rabbit, stay here, I will confront the target alone," he told them, eyeing the entrance cave right in front of the three.

Valiana frowned at his statement, not liking the idea of Naruto going in alone. Haku nodded, sure that Naruto would return safely.

But as Naruto stepped forward, he felt an odd eeriness around him. It was encapsulating all around him, as if he were charging within the very belly of the beast. The rocks were jagged and rough, and if one were not careful, they would see themselves being unintentionally impaled by said object. Left to die a tragic death that none of them intended to come to pass.

Even still, he trudged on, his footsteps sounding like thunder on the ground as the silence encapsulated the very air itself. Forming one after another as they echoed throughout the entire cave itself.

Until he finally reached his destination, of which he had no doubt, the monster within knew his presence. As tall, poorly made, jail bars stopped him in his path. Made as if to keep something within, or someone out.

"Go away..." a figure spoke within the shadows, as Naruto could start to make out his tall figure. Yet his features were unrecognizable in the dark light of the cavern within.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Naruto told him bluntly, making his intentions known. He wouldn't leave until he was satisfied with what he had found. Whether that was a new peerage member or not was yet to be determined. "The villagers speak of you, they say you are a monster beyond compare. With a madness that would leave devils overshadowed in your presence. Yet you stay here, I want to know why," he said honestly.

As the figure started to reveal himself, Naruto took note of his appearance, as well as his immense size. He had rather delicate features, with skin that was neither too pale nor too tanned to say whether he spent too much or too little time in the sun. He held a kind face, one that could likely charm any fauna should he sing them a merry tune. But to contrast, this was his hair, orange, and spiking all out in a way that was not too dissimilar to his own.

Yet the most striking thing was his eyes, as he looked at him with nothing but fear. "It's because I'll hurt them if I leave, just as I'll hurt you." True to his words, he would. Naruto realized exactly where his inner fear was directed. No, he did not fear him, and surely he had not heard of his exploits to garner such attention. It was quite the opposite, really, he was afraid of himself, and what he could do— truly, he was a kind soul.

"I see," Naruto understood, "I can help you, you know." And he truly did understand what it was like to have a power that could only hurt others, and put those he loved in danger by just being around them.

But the young man didn't seem to take his words seriously, as the madness had likely already started to take its toll. As the boy, likely four years his senior, clutched onto his head, a pain he could never imagine engrossing his features.

"N-No, you can't," the male spoke. "Get back, or…"

Instantly, the boy's complexion started to change, as a rather strange dark marking seemed to stem from the top of his neck. Stretching along his entire left side as if it were armor. His eyes changed as well, as the once kind golden eyes started to sparkle with just the slightest amount of madness within them.

"Or I'll kill you! Is that what you want?!" The beast shouted, rushing straight towards Naruto like a bull would its fighter.

All the while, Naruto remained calm, stalk still, as the much larger boy charged forward. He burst through the wooden confines as if they were nothing more than paper in his path. A testament to his immense amount of physical strength.

The deranged beast raised his fist high, and surely if his fist struck, Naruto would be nothing more than mincemeat on the floor.

Even Valiana was nervous, seeing this all happen from the entrance of the cave. But as she was about to rush in, a raised hand in front of her by Haku within her path stopped her. As the young girl sent a glare towards the rabbit-masked girl.

"Have faith in our [King," was all she spoke, as Valiana turned her silver-flecked eyes to see what was happening with Naruto.

True to Haku's words, Naruto dodged the beast's fast strike easily. Weaving his way around it like a fly would an oncoming strike, which wasn't too far from the truth. But the beast continued on his assault, raising his other fist for a swift counterattack. Although Naruto only remained calm, dodging the strike, but not taking the opportunity to capitalize on his opponent.

Which only seemed to cause the beast to rage even more. Sending an increasing amount of a flurry of blows that never seemed to land on his target. Eventually, this got to the point where the orange-haired boy struck the ground in his attempt to strike the dark-haired boy. But the cave shook from the impact, and he caught wind of something far more dangerous.

Red spinning orbs behind his mask locked eyes with the beast. As he was completely paralyzed in his tracks.

"I'm impressed; you're very strong; I almost thought you were going to get me, " Naruto told him honestly, as the boy was too paralyzed to strike back any longer.

So much so that he had to ask out in Sunrise. "Who... who are you? Why are you here?" He questioned himself in his madness. His voice was rough, a constraint to the kindness he had once sounded.

And surprisingly, the masked boy answered him, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and the reason I came here was to find you." He told him, as he turned to meet the beast within his eyes. "Tell me, would you like to join me?"

"Join you?" The beast asked aloud.

"Yes, join me and my peerage. I'm putting together a group of people with exceptional capabilities, people not unlike yourself. People who are alone just as you are right now: outcasts, exiles." He explained. "If you join us, you won't have to be alone anymore." Naruto had recognized the beast's eyes—that loneliness, that fear of getting hurt or hurting someone else. It struck a cord within him, for it was the same eyes he saw every day.

And it seemed he struck a cord within this beast—no, this boy as well. "No, I can't; you don't understand; I'm not well; I can't control myself… there's no telling I won't kill all the people around me," he admitted. His eyes gained back a semblance of the fear they once held within them.

But Naruto wasn't having any of it. "No, you can't kill me, I won't allow it." He had a job to do, and he still had his goal to follow. Naruto would not allow himself to die, nor would he allow Valiana or Haku to be harmed as well.

Naruto's eyes sparked with an assurance and confidence not many could muster. Even as the boy's hand was still raised, ready to strike.

"You mean... you're not afraid of me?" Jugo realized, he saw it within his eyes.

"Not at all," Naruto told him, eying the poorly made bars of wood lying destroyed on the floor. "You will never again lose control, and when you do, I will be there to stop you," he stated.

As Naruto's Genjutsu began to receate, Jugo felt his body becoming more maneuverable to move as well. As the marking along his side began to disappear, his madness left as well. Like a fire, being extinguished by the very air itself.

Naruto eyed the two girls off in the distance, saying one final thing. "As long as I'm by your side, I'll not allow you to be hurt, or hurt anybody else as well," he promised, both his new peerage members and his current ones as well. Naruto would not allow them to be taken from him.

That seemed to be all the convincing Jugo needed, and he would owe Naruto his life.

XXX

Jugo's assimilation into his peerage had turned out well—better than expected.

Jugo was a berserker beyond compare, with a monstrous strength to boot. No doubt he was perfect for the role of his [Rook, no other piece would fit him.

He had taken to his peerage as well, with his usual calm and almost peaceful personality resonating with Haku. And even Valiana's more temperamental side could not deny the older boy. That was good, his peerage was really filling out.

But aside from the relations within his peerage, there was also Jugo's more volatile nature, namely his more monstrous heritage. He had found out that Jugo belonged to a more estranged demon clan, one that had the ability to take in the world around them. Which resulted in his immense strength and his momentous rage.

Many in the underworld would see this as a problem. As having their own [Rook] with the ability to rage out like a roaring, uncontrollable hulk would not be an optimal recruit. There were just too many things that could go wrong. What if he were to turn on him? What if he were to lose control of his rage at the wrong time? There were just too many possibilities and too many risks involved.

But in all honesty, he wasn't worried too much; just as he had done before, Naruto knew that he would be able to use his Sharingan to calm him down. The knowledge of this caused Jugo to become more relaxed and open up more.

Many would say that he was taking advantage of the older boy's insecurities. Extorting loyalties and, overall, just leeching off of the boy's inner worries to exploit them for his own gain.

He wouldn't say otherwise, but honestly, he didn't care… he was a devil, and devils were not known for always doing what was morally reprehensible.

Jugo's training hadn't amounted to much, or rather, it couldn't amount to much. Anything taught to the older boy would be forgotten the moment he activated his bloodline. So all they really focused on was mental training and the ability to remain calm until the situation was accounted for otherwise. They couldn't have him going berserk when it was unwanted, after all.

Training was going well; Valiana and Haku had taken to it like fish to water.

And that was when Hiruzen came to him personally with another job…

XXX

Weeks later.

(Location: Tanzuku gai)

Lights flared around him, as did the roar of applause and the bustling chatter.

Yes, this was clearly the worst of the worst.

People from all around the underworld come here to gamble, betting their life savings. Many of them left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Yes, truly despicable, yet here he was, in the middle of it.

People drank all around him, getting wasted, getting drunk, and overall just trying to have a good time. Friends, family, and enemies all lined up to watch him for their 'entertainment'.

He didn't care, it paid well, and that was all he could really ask for.

Sending a vicious kick into the chest of his opponent, a blob of a man with more fat than brains. As roars of outcry and rage sounded all around him, nearly drowning out the sound of his enemy hitting the mat, out cold. That only seemed to spur on the crowd even more, nobody liked an easy fight.

Workers dragged the man's near-lifeless body out of the cage as the announcer prepared his next fight.

"In all my years, I've never seen anything like it," the MC commented, trying to get a rise out of the crowd it was better for business this way. "Are you going to let this man walk away with your money?!" He asked as roars in the negative sounded out.

And one of the more eager men, a bald demon in a sleeveless shirt, in the crowd sounded out, "I'll fight him!" He roared as he stepped into the cage.

"Our savior!" His microphone blared. That only seemed to get a larger rise out of the crowd, hoping that the newcomer would defeat the lasting champion.

As the man got close to the referee, he was courteous enough to give him a piece of advice. "Whatever you do, don't kick him in the balls," he told him.

As the challenger raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said anything goes."

As the referee and announcer nodded, "anything goes, but... he'll take it personally," He drawled. And with that, the bell sounded, as the challenger looked at his opponent with a confident smirk across his face.

He rushed towards the shirtless man, sending a heavy fist towards the man's face, instantly trying to go for a knockout. Which sent many of the ones rooting for him into a frenzy. As the champion's neck whiplashes to the side, a loud thunderclap sounds like a thousand bullets.

Which only caused the champion's dark eyes to glare at him, fixing his neck with a pop, causing the crowd to go into an uproar. Even the challenger felt a twinge of fear within him, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. As a harsh fist was sent to his cheek faster than any of them could react.

Not that he could feel it, as the champion followed up with an even harsher knee to his stomach, and a right hook to his cranium for good measure. The onlookers knew that the challenger would not get up anytime soon.

As the champion returned to his corner of the cage, putting his hand within his pants pocket. As the MC closed off the cage match, he said, "Well, alright, folks, let's hear it for our undefeated champion's final match of the night…"

The champion started to retrieve both a lighter and a cigarette.

"The peerless former shinobi!…"

As he started to ignite his lighter.

"The demon with the attributes of the wildest beats themselves!"

As the champion lit the tip of his cigarette.

"The Monkey King… Asuma Sarutobi!"

As the champion, Asuma, promptly put his lit tobacco in his mouth, blowing out a puff of smoke.

All the while, spinning red-tomoed eyes stared out at the man within the crowd.

XXX

Later.

"That was an impressive match, Asuma-San," a voice said through the bustling crowd. Although they both had moved away from the cage match earlier, Asuma was still left puffing out the smoke of the cigarette he had lit earlier.

The monkey king raised an eyebrow, seeing the boy. "You know, they don't allow kids in here," he spoke.

And indeed, he was true, as Naruto had decided to go without lt his usual mask and cloak in favor of his usual, more Uchiha-like persona. Wearing a black and blue jacket and jumpsuit to not draw attention from people. And it wasn't like he would be found out, considering it was likely nobody within the crowd would notice him.

Unfortunately, he had to leave Haku, Vali and Jugo outside, much to their fervent desire otherwise. But it was better to go in alone, lest he draw any unwanted attention.

As Naruto gained a small smirk, he told him, "They don't, but unfortunately that rule only applies if they know I'm here." Flashing his sharingan eyes for only a second.

Asuma just shrugged, it not really being his problem. And besides, he was sure if Naruto was willing to slip them a few bills he would be let in just fine.

Naruto turned his head to see the arena for the cage match he was previously in. "Y'know it was surprising, seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's son in a match like that in a place like this," he said.

As the monkey demon turned to him, "What can I say, a man's got to make a living somehow?" he drawled, puffing out a plume of smoke.

He pulled out a photo from his pocket and flashed it to him. Naruto caught sight of a young-looking woman, beautiful to be sure. With raven-colored, dark hair and red, piercing eyes. As makeup covered her skin with purple eyeliner and red lipstick.

"But you seem to know a lot," Asuma noticed, given the fact that his estranged father likely wouldn't have told him of his relationship with him.

That only caused Naruto's smirk to grow even larger, "Oh I can assure you, I am very knowledgeable about certain things. Like the fact that I was sent here to Tanzuku Gai, one of the worst places on the outer edges of the underworld. Likely due to the mysterious disappearances happening within the city. But that's why you called me here, you were the one who requested this mission for your Hokage after all," he revealed, much to Asuma'd silent surprise.

"Former Hokage, I'm retired after all," Asuma corrected, taking one final puff out of his cigarette. Before he promptly put the flames out as he threw the chafed-up pieces along the floor. "But you're right about the disappearances, word is that it's something big," he started, Naruto's attention fully on him.

"They say there are some crazy lunatics running about. Abducting demons that are alone at night. Many are saying it's just rumors, and the truth is the abduction rates haven't gotten too far out of the ordinary to cause people to panic. But I have a feeling things are about to get worse," Asuma revealed.

"Are there any leads?" Naruto asked, wanting to gather any knowledge he could from the male in front of him.

Asuma nodded. "Word around here, there have been a large number gathering at the old temple outside the city. I have no doubt these events are connected." And if there was one good thing about working in the undercity of Tanzuku Gai, it was that you could hear any of the rumors floating about. And while most of them were just tales told by old drunkards, there was usually some truth to them.

"I see…" Naruto said. It wasn't much to go off of, but it was something, and a place to start.

And as he turned away to return to his peerage members, he gave one final look back to the son of his teacher. "You know, you must care an awfully lot to go to your father about this," Naruto commented.

But Asuma only shook his head. "No, I just don't want my fiancé to get caught up in all of this," he told him.

Naruto gained a small smile, almost being reminded of Haku's words. Nodding as he left.

All the while, Asuma stared out at the near-empty box of cigarettes that was in his pocket.

He had a bad feeling about this.

XXX

Hours later.

The temple they had found off on the outskirts of Tanzuku Gai was barren of anything of notable value. Seemingly abandoned by time, the building lay empty, save for a few pieces of furniture that had been left for the rodents to consume.

But that wasn't what bothered him, it was almost too empty, too barren. But at the same time it wasn't, any dust or debris that would have accumulated over time was gone. That only meant one thing, this temple had been abandoned fairly recently. Which wasn't all that uncommon; it was really a coincidence. But the problem lay in the fact that he had been informed of such a development, and he was sure Asuma would have informed him of such had he known about it.

That was his first clue, his second was far less concrete, as within the very pits of his stomach he felt that something was off. Something was wrong, but he didn't know why.

"Jugo, destroy it," Naruto told his [Rook, as he stood before a statue of Lucifer himself within the center of the room. Jugo broke it apart without a moment's notice. The irony was not lost on him as he destroyed the statue of the Morningstar with his very ancestor within the room, not that Valiana minded. She seemed to be more preoccupied with looking for clues herself.

And it seemed that his suspicions were correct, as right below the crumbled statue was a long corridor leading down to what looked to be a large catacomb. He had seen the scuff marks along the ground, evident of the fact there was some sort of hidden entrance below the statue. The act of destroying it was just because he could.

These people were careless, and if they really wanted to hide then they would have gone about things a bit more secretly.

Vali seemed to enjoy it. "Nice catch, Naruto, now we can—" But as she tries to head down the newly revealed stairs, a hand stops her in her path, courtesy of Naruto himself. "Huh? If this is about me not using your code name," she tried to argue, but that wasn't it.

"Dragon, Rabbit, I think you two should stay here and make sure nobody follows us," Naruto suggested with his head held low. A familiar scent hit his nose, one that Jugo and himself recognized. And even Haku had her own suspicions, although she had not yet become accustomed to smelling such an aroma.

Valiana didn't seem to take that well, as she was eager to get her first mission started. It had taken some convincing to even get her to stay back with the rest when he went to get Asuma. And in that enthusiasm, she didn't even smell the scent he was picking up, even with her enhanced dragon senses, but Albion did.

[Vali, I suggest you listen to your King] her inner voice suggested, but it was too late, she'd already made up her mind.

'Oh, please, it can't be that bad,' Valiana waved him off, not bothering to take in his warnings.

[…] Albion was not as adamant, but he knew he couldn't stop his host when she made up her mind on these things.

Naruto just seemed to walk down the dark stairs, a blank expression across his masked face. Jugo followed not far behind with his own seriousness across his face. Haku also disregarded Naruto's words, as she was too adamant about going down as well. Denying within her mind of what she knew to be true and what lay below the temple.

Step. Step. Step.

But as they reached even further down the stairs, the stench only grew, to the point that it was almost intoxicating.

Splash.

Until Naruto reached the bottom, a bit of crimson sprayed onto his masked face. As they all turned their gazes to the floor, what they had previously assumed to be a red carpet was anything but. As pools of red liquid littered the floor, disfigured limbs and torsos scattered about, not a few feet away from him. All of their eyes widened slightly, seeing the horrific sight right in front of them, Vali's and Haku's the most. They all realized that this would be a rescue mission, as there was nobody left alive to save.

"T-this is…" Haku realized it, but it was already too late, as all the strength within her legs disappeared, sending her to her knees. The sickness was too much for her, and she emptied all the contents of her stomach. Only mixing the vile and vomit within the pools of crimson blood at her feet.

Valiana was much the same, as she was left feebly clinging onto her strength, her knees being slightly hunched over. The smell was almost intoxicating, especially given her enhanced draconian senses. A queasy feeling filling her chest at the sight.

'Damn it!' Valiana mentally cursed, not allowing herself to fall to her knees. Even as the memories of her mother's corpse falling before her came flooding into her mind. She couldn't let herself fall now, couldn't let herself be so weak to allow the sight of a few meager bodies suck away all her strength.

But it seemed her own willpower wasn't proving to be enough, as vile began to seep up her esophagus. "Damn it… Damn it…" she cursed to herself, accidentally making her thoughts known.

A voice made itself known, "Valiana, this is no time for foolish pride to overwhelm us," it told her. As Valiana upon reflex lifted up her mask, emptying out her stomach in its entirety. Her legs giving out right before her eyes, much to her dismay.

A calming hand being placed upon her back in a subtle attempt to sooth her. "It only natural to feel revulsion upon seeing a sight like this, pride only gets in the way of it," a male voice told her, but she didn't feel the same. Mentally cursing herself even as the vile rushed out of her mouth.

But, as she was done, she shifted a lone side eye towards the one who had given her his words… it was Naruto. "But… how can you say that, how can you still stand?" she accused, still panting from exhaustion. Her dragon's pride not allowing her to live this down in front of her rival.

The truth became all too clear to her, that despite all her efforts, all her training… She was weak. How would she be able to avenge her mother? How would she be able to never feel that loneliness again.

And, true to her words, Naruto only stood there, tall, emotionless like a statue. His eyes looking all around, still alert. She wondered in slight jealousy how he would be able to stay so unmoved. Did the sight not revolt him too? Was he not affected by seeing such a terrible scene.

Even Jugo didn't appear emotionless, a sight of dismay and guilt showing within his eyes and behind his mask. Likely because he had caused similar scenes during his own rampages. But Naruto's eyes were cold, calculating. A scary thought given the hypocrisy of his own words.

But his words contradicted that, "You think I'm unaffected by such a sight?" Naruto realized, and she idly noticed Haku was feeling much the same. As his grip tightened on a kunai at his side, much to their silent shock. "I can't allow myself to give in to such a sight, can't allow myself to be affected at such a horror," he stated, but whether he was trying to tell them or himself was anyone's guess.

"W-Why?" Valiana had to ask, still lying on the floor.

"Because…" Naruto tried to say, before a long figure appeared out of the shadows. He was ready, as he spun around and planted the kunai within the figure's shoulder, pinning him to the wall instantly. He needed to protect them, he wouldn't allow himself to faulter at such a sight. Because if he did, who knows what could have happened.

They all turned their eyes towards the intruder; a knife within his hands as he was prepared to strike them all down. His body tall, muscles lanky, as his entire clothing was covered in blood.

Naruto glared down with his sharingan eyes, "Tell me where the people who did this are!" He demanded, his eyes spinning in fury. As he pushed even more pressure onto the knife that pierced the shadow's body. Yet the look of insanity within the man's eyes remained, even as he had been stabbed directly within the shoulder.

He only laughed even more, the genjutsu that had been cast upon him seemingly unaffecting him within his mental depravity. "Hahahaha! You think you can stand up to us. We of the followers of Jashin will not be stopped, blood will be upon you all, and none of you will remain. That is the will of our lord, we will—" the lunatic tried to ramble, but a firm knife to his skull pierced his head, killing him instantly.

Courtesy of Naruto himself, who realized the pointlessness of trying to interrogate such a person. But he did get come information, namely a single name…

Jashin.

Question were raised within his mind.

Who was such a person? Who were his followers? And, if they were here, then where were the ones who did this?

… reality dawned upon him.

XXX

Elsewhere.

A young man with slicked-back silver-ish purple hair stepped forward in front of the crowd.

He was wearing a strange modern outfit, wearing a plain white T-shirt under an open leather jacket with a fur hood that remained down with dark jeans. But the strangest thing, or rather, what would have been the strangest thing had they not been within the underworld, was the pentagram-like necklace around his neck. And a large three-bladed scythe he carried at his side.

"Alright! Now is the time to strike!" announced to the crowd in the forests outside of Tanzuku Gai, as they all gave a cheer. Some of the more eager enthusiasts within their cult even slashed their own wrists in preparation to form their pentagrams. "For too long have those fuckers lived their lives, filling it with nothing but booze, sex, and gambling!" Hidan chanted, causing the crowd to become even louder. "For too long have these people lived to indulge their pathetic lives without meaning. I say no more!"

"No more!" "No more!" The crowd chanted.

As Hidan raised his scythe to the purple night sky. "They desire meaning and purpose, and I say that we give them the purpose that our Lord Jashin can provide!" He roared.

"Hail Lord Jashin!" "Praise Lord Jashin!"

Hidan grinned. "That's right, the only purpose our Lord can give them is death! And only in death will those pathetic rejects be able to find meaning!"

As he pointed his scythe towards the city, he said, "Praise Lord Jashin!"

"Praise Lord Jashin!" The crowd chanted, readying their weapons as they descended upon the town.

XXX

(With Naruto)

Naruto's eyes turned fully towards the bustling city, his eyes widened behind his mask ever so slightly. "Dragon, go to the city, now!" He called out.

And the silver-haired girl didn't waste any time, getting over her stupor, as she nodded. 'Albion!' She called within her mind. Manifesting her divine dividing's wings as she blitzed out of the catacombs into the sky, rushing towards where Naruto believed the murders to be.

Valiana was the fastest among them, and with her sacred gear, she would prove to be even faster. That was good, because if Naruto was right, then time was of the essence.

And as such, the remaining three rushed outside, meeting the first they had come from. They looked upon the hill that stood to see Tanzuku Gai, a hellfire blazing upon many of the buildings. It looks like his suspicions were correct.

As Naruto turned towards his orange-haired [Rook, "Boar, go ahead of us, and make sure nobody is left within our path," he ordered, as the older boy manifested his wings and flew in a path not unlike Vali before him.

But as Haku made to follow him, a hand grabbed her wrist, and a look of shock appeared evident on the bottom of Haku's face. Didn't he know the clock was ticking down?

And as she was about to speak on the matter, she was interrupted. "Naruto, what are you—" she tried to ask, accidentally forgoing Naruto's proper code name in the havoc.

"Haku," Naruto started, also forgoing her proper code name, trying to get his point straight to his dark-haired [knight]. "I need to know if you will be willing to do this?" He asked, as Haku looked upon him in confusion.

Nonetheless, the Uzumaki elaborated. "I need to know if you will be able to kill the people who did this," he told her firmly. Realization dawning upon her chocolate eyes, as the girl tried to break free from his iron grasp. "I need to know, or else you will die. I can't allow that to happen. Tell me, can you?" He reiterated. If Haku was unwilling to kill, then she would be killed, it was as simple as that.

He knew her reservations about killing, which is why he was asking the girl. And unfortunately, if she refused, he would have to send her home. And as sad as it was, he had faith that Valiana would be able to overcome her reservations on her own, even if she was just as unaccustomed to the thought as much as Haku. He would have to deal with the aftermath later.

Haku answered him, turning away. "I-I... don't know," she answered honestly, even as Naruto's eyes bore into her figure. She could tell, even if she wasn't looking. Naruto's grip didn't lessen on her hand.

Although unfortunately, or rather fortunately, given the circumstances of her plight, she looked straight at the burning buildings off in the distance. It bore into her soul, as she could only imagine the misery that was being inflicted.

She steeled her resolve, her fist tightening. "But I can't allow anyone to die." The ice wielder told him.

Naruto took that as his answer, nodding his head, as he let go of his grip. "Good, because I'm ordering you to survive," he told her coldly.

Haku nursed her wrist, although she didn't really feel any pain as he grasped it.

As the dark-haired young woman's head looked down. "Yes… my [King]." She told him on near reflex, and it was oddly reminiscent of her with her old master, Zabuza.

XXX

(With Valiana)

This wasn't good, it wasn't good at all.

Blood was everywhere, just like she had seen within the temple. But the sheer quantity of it was much more immense, and much more spread out, to the point it nearly horrified her in shock once again. As countless mad men and women rushed around killing and slaughtering even more people in their panic. Blazing fire roared around them in the chaos, screams of pain echoing in the night.

She couldn't let herself back down now, as she flew around with her brightened wings around the city, observing everything from a distance.

A particular sight caught her attention, as a large man wearing a jockey mask stood by, ready to slaughter an innocent mother and her daughter.

Reflexively, she formed a small, darkened spear in her hand, aiming it towards the machete the man was wielding and knocking it out of his grasp. As she delivered a vicious flying kick to the man's face, hoping to knock out the now disarmed man within an instant.

With the absolute muscle of a man collapsing to the ground in a heap, the girl effortlessly landed on the ground. Her blue and silver eyes looked over the still terrified family, including the mother, who had been clutching onto her daughter even as they both shivered at the sight. A look of nostalgia appeared within Valiana's eyes, the sight almost reminding her of…

Shaking her head from her former thoughts, she turned to address the woman, asking, "Are you two okay?"

But she was met with no reply, as the woman's trembling finger was raised up, pointing directly at her. Which shouldn't have been all that surprising, given the fact she was wearing a cloak and mask similar to the one who attacked her.

But as a shadowy figure overtook her, Valiana's eyes widened, turning within an instant as the still-coverall-wearing masked man stood before her. Unfazed as the man stood behind her, his bloodied machete ready to strike.

As his machete lowered to slash at her, faster than she could react.

Squelch.

As the man suddenly froze, Vali didn't waste the opportunity to instinctively form a dark spear in her fingertips and drive it straight through the man's heart. Blood spraying all around her, nearly soaking her silver cloak and hair in the crimson liquid. It was almost ironic, given how many times she had seen Naruto return in such a state, not that the irony was clear to her at the moment.

A voice reached her ears, as she instantly turned to face the new occupant in the street. "Good work, girl; these people need a kill shot in order to stay down; nothing else will stop them," a woman told her, her hands still forming a hand sign. Evident given the Genjutsu she had just unleashed upon the deranged slasher.

The woman had long, curly, dark hair with piercing red eyes that almost reminded her of Naruto's doujutsu she had seen him use. A strange forehead protector littered her face; one of a strange leaf-like symbol that reminded her of Konoha. Her face was covered in red lipstick that brought out her eyes and blue eyeshadow that highlighted them. And her attire consisted of a red mesh armor blouse made out of a strange bandage-like material with a single red sleeve and black shinobi sandals.

Nonetheless, the woman continued, "These men have some strange sort of immortality, as they can shrug off most attacks. That's why it takes a kill shot to put them down." She told him. It was strange, as if she were a warrior, and had fought before.

As Valiana blinked, the woman's words registered in her mind. The blood along her fingers felt foreign to her, almost cold even, which was strange considering the crimson liquid was still warm within her grasp.

She needed to kill again… she didn't know how to feel about that.

The silver-haired girl was focusing on the family she had just saved. And their looks of terror didn't go unnoticed.

She wondered how the rest of her comrades were doing.

XXX

(With Jugo)

"Hahahaha! Die! Die! Die!" The orange-haired monster yelled, tearing each of the cultist's bodies limb from limb.

But to his credit, he didn't kill any of the frightened citizens of Tanzuku Gai. Although, he ended up likely scaring the many onlookers for the rest of their lives. A testament to the intense mental training they had put Jugo through in an effort to help him control his powers better. As the black markings around his neck seeped even deeper across the boy's skin.

"Jugo has taken to his training well," Haku commented, trying to change the subject and keep her mind off the mass slaughter they were witnessing across both sides.

"Indeed he has," Naruto nodded, idly walking past the broken road filled with rubble as if he didn't have a care or worry in the world. Something that Haku noticed as her eyes were firmly on him. It was as if he had seen a slaughter of this magnitude.

Not bothering to pay attention as another masked man got behind him, ready to strike...

He didn't make it a few feet before he was put down

As it was out of pure reflex that Haku had launched a senbon at the male's neck, killing him instantly. As her chocolate yes widened, realizing the magnitude of what she had just done. She looked at her trembling hands, shaking as she looked on at the dead body she had just killed.

Naruto stepped in between her path, "Good, I want you to follow Jugo and make sure he doesn't cause any trouble. Make sure he doesn't kill any of the citizens, and be sure to relocate them to safety," he ordered, as if she hadn't just murdered a person in cold blood.

Walking away from the girl coldly, the girl realized that he was right, she had a job to do. She forced her shaking hands to calm down, balling them into fists as she answered.

"Yes… King-sama."

He didn't turn back to see her, his sharingan spun behind his mask, as he felt around in his kunai pouch. Ready to kill at a moment's notice.

XXX

Elsewhere.

"You know, you group, it's causing quite the ruckus, it's upsetting the town folk," a calm voice spoke, Asuma's, as he stood off to the side of an alleyway. A burning cigarette in his hands, as his affair had changed. Wearing the standard Konoha shinobi apparel for anyone who has reached the Chunin rank and above. Which consisted of a solid green flak jacket and a long-sleeved navy blue undershirt. Shinobi pants of the same color, as well as his shinobi forehead protector, indicate his former allegiance. The village hidden in the leaves, before all the shinobi had been disbanded.

As the object of his attention looked towards him, he saw the man with slicked-back silver hair that all the crazed cultists seemed to be taking orders from. Not that they were organized enough to take orders, but he just remained shouting at some of the survivors, ordering their deaths.

"Huh? Well, who the fuck are you, you fucker!" Hidan called out, finally noticing the man who had seemingly eluded his vision up until now. A slight pang of irritation flooding his figure at the thought of this bearded man looking down at him.

But the man only continued to take a drag out of his cigarette, almost willfully ignoring the cultist right before him. Even as the murderer pointed his three-pronged scythe at him, he only continued to look off to the side.

But as a flurry of shuriken were launched towards him, they were easily blocked by a long steel cord connected to Hidan's side. As he launched his scythe towards the bearded man, the former ninja easily dodged off to the side. His spear embedded itself helplessly into the stone wall he had been standing beside.

"That's an awfully big scythe you have," Asuma commented, pulling out his trench knives, a white glow of cutting wind magic flowing through them.

Hidan grinned, "Ha! You think you can get the upper hand on me! You're going to have another thing coming!" He mocked, as he pulled on his cord. His scythe's tearing appeared on the wall it had previously pierced through. As it headed straight towards Asuma once again, a testament to his immense strength and skill. It was evident that this particular cultist was no pushover, unlike his fodder subordinates, whom he had already taken down.

And even as Asuma tried to dodge once again, it seemed the scythe would follow him wherever he leapt. As he took out another set of kunai from his pouch, Hidan still managed to block them with his steel wire. But that caused his weapon to lose much of its direction, the cord connected having been flailed off to the side. Just as he had planned, giving him enough time to perform the much-needed hand seals for the jutsu he had been preparing.

Asuma raised a hand to his mouth, inwardly shouting. 'Wind style: wind bullets,' he chanted. Hidan not expecting such an attack, as they launched it directly into his chest. Sending him back, and through another nearby wall, as he was nearly helpless to stop it.

But as the former shinobi tried to move in close for the kill— having already found out about the cultist's strange death requirement— he was sorely stopped as a familiar three-pronged scythe was launched towards him. Asuma was nearly helpless to stop it given its proximity, and it was only his honed instincts that saved him, as he raised his right hand to use one of his trench knives to block the attack.

"Hey, that almost killed me!" Hidan groaned, stepping out of the wall he had previously been launched into. As he nursed his wounds, the wind sent bullets piercing through his abdomen. Blood pouring out of his wounds at a rate that seemed almost unnatural, almost as if he were a hemophiliac.

"But it's sad to say you won't be able to, Jashin-sama won't let that happen," he bragged, pulling his cord back, as it was sent at Asuma's blind spot. The man's eyes widening, at the unexpected move, he was forced to use both his arms to block the intense blow that nearly cut his head clean off.

But unfortunate for him, he had unknowingly lost it within that moment, as the middle prong slightly grazed his cheek.

"Ha, I win!" Hidan declared, pulling his scythe back, a crazed expression forming across his face, even as his blood started to pool at his feet. As he moved his legs in such a pattern to create a near-perfect pentagram. Although, this particular design only consisted of a three-sided triangle within a circle.

Suddenly, his skin began to change, becoming more ghastly and darkened. As pure white markings formed around his body and face, as if his skeleton were showing straight through his skin.

And as he raised his tongue to his weapon, ingesting the blood of his soon-to-be victim. A sense of dread began to fill near within the veteran shinobi's body. But he was powerless to stop it, as Hidan pulled a metal spike out of his jacket. But as Asuma tried to form a few hand signs, a harsh pang was felt within his knee, as he saw Hidan had stabbed himself exactly where he felt the pain on his own body.

As his eyes widened, not understanding what exactly happened.

XXX

Some time later.

Fire burned the town, as the cultist lunatics descended, each being put down one by one. And judging by his predictions, the local enforcement, or citizenship and the rest of his peerage should have retaliated and apprehended them by now. They would be able to take down these third-rate demons and devils, even with their supposed immortality.

But there still stood the problem of who was cussing such a massacre. Who was leading such a revolt? Who wanted this slaughter? He needed to find out, and that's when he sensed a powerful and dark aura within the city. One with so much malice and darkness that it almost made the average devil look like an angel in comparison.

And even within all the choas around the only sound that seemed to be reverberating were his hollow footsteps along the stone road.

Step. Step. Step.

As hardy laughs filled the air, drowning out all the insanity within the town. But that's when he saw it, as his footsteps stopped...

Asuma's body, lying dead along the floor, swimming in a pool of his own blood, had cuts and piercing wounds that ended up piercing his body.

A sight that was not fully unexpected to see, but one he had not hoped for. Asuma did seem like the type to not back down during such an event, especially if he had the power to stop such a slaughter.

He had a girlfriend, didn't he? He recalled. A family—what would she think when she laid eyes upon this? Would it be the same feeling he felt when his parents died, he wondered. What about Hiruzen, the man who's helped him so much in his own training? How would he feel knowing his only son died in some alley to some lunatic?

And then the thought struck him—he could save him, it was the only thing he could do.

And yet, the man's killer is still remaining at his side, just meters away from the former shinobi. But it seemed the man was too engrossed in his laughter to register his appearance, as he merely calmly walked towards the monkey demon's limp form.

"Hahaha! The bastard didn't know what was coming! Yes, feel the love of Lord Jashin, the death only our divine one can provide!" Hidan gloated, sending a not-so-silent prayer at his latest victim, such was the will of his Lord.

As he seemed to finally notice Naruto's presence, he was kneeling on the ground right before Asuma's body. A dark magic circle floating in the air, as he retrieved a pitch-black ebony piece. A [Pawn] but he soon realized that one would not be enough as he retrieved one of its counterparts.

Hidan seemed to finally turn his attention away from him, as he was nearly done with his ritual. "Hey, what the fuck are you doing? That's my kill!" He shouted, but it was already too late. A piece had already been taken, although he has a feeling it would be the only one he needed to heal and revive Asuma. Especially with the much needed arrangements he would need to procure. But it would buy him some time, time that would surely be spent towards a good cause.

As Naruto's sharingan spun blazing behind his mask, although no illusion was cast, his insanity and whatever strange power he wielded likely protected him from anything he could possibly try. Not that he minded, he almost preferred it this way.

"You're annoying," was the only words Naruto spoke, interrupting Hidan's rambling. And it was too late for the skeleton-like cultist to do anything. As a large magic circle appeared right before the masked boy. Naruto's back to Asuma's still-prone form. As the disguised blonde, took a deep breath, 'Wind release: pressure damage.' A canon of air escaped his lips, absolutely blowing Hidan through the air and through any nearby buildings as he was launched back towards the forested area from which they came. Which wasn't too hard to believe given the fact that Asuma and Hidan's fight had taken place on more of the outer edge of the town.

But he followed, not expecting the man to be put down by such an attack. As the silver-haired man once again climbed out of a hole, not that he knew that. "Hey! That really hurts, you know!" Hidan complained. And he could tell that it did, as his body was broken from his higher-level attacks. His arm was broken, and his leg was twisted at an odd angle. It was nearly a miracle that he was even speaking at all, judging by the large gash across his head. Likely due to some sort of concussion or brain injury he had suffered, not that he cared.

"You have a healing factor," Naruto noticed, and it seemed to be true, as the silver-haired cultist's wounds seemed to be regenerating at an accelerating rate. Honestly, such an ability almost seemed to remind him of the Phenex clan's own immortality, but his was more on the level of a lower clan member. Rather than one who had the instantaneous healing ability of the main line.

Hidan seemed just as proud of it as well. "Ha! Of course, I do, you masked bastard, it is a blessing from my lord! The ritual of my god, Jashin!" He praised.

As Naruto raised an eyebrow behind his mask, "Jashin?" He questioned. He had never heard of such a god in any pantheon, so the name sounded foreign to him.

Hidan seemed to perk up at his God's name, "Yes, Jashin loves all, Jashin accepts all!" He said this as he held on to his scythe. Which had surprisingly remained within his grasp even as he was launched outside the town. "You will provide another great sacrifice for my god!" He chanted, as he got ready for another fight. Laughing, as he pointed his three pointed weapon directly at him, intent on getting his blood as he did his earlier victim.

But Naruto wasn't having any of it, as he simply dodged to the side almost effortlessly. As he observed the object that was thrown at him. It was a scythe, certainly an unusual weapon. Especially given the fact that it had, three distinct blades, but that didn't quite make sense if the weapon were for slicing. Having three blades on a weapon certainly made it unruly, and heavy for its wielder, even if this man seemed to be wielding it like it was nothing. No, this weapon seemed to have another purpose, but what would three blades provide for its user?

Well, if the scythe wasn't for slicing, it seemed the only real reason it could provide was piercing, or inflicting more damage. After all, slicing with three blades was far more destructive than just slicing with one. That seemed to be the reason.

But there was also something else about this man, and the strange fact that Asuma and Hidan's injuries appeared the same, save for a small cut across his face. Now, normally that wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary, but within a fight, one where it relied on both participants skills and skills alone. The possibility of both injuring each other in the same exact places was almost unheard of; it was unimaginable. And it would have been if Asuma were fighting an exact copy of himself, which was unlikely.

Which only meant some sort of technique was used. The supernatural world was filled with too many to count. Whether it was some sort of curse or a blessing, something was amiss with this man. But one thing was for sure… he couldn't allow himself to fall into whatever this man's trap was.

Which meant he wasn't going to let himself get hit by his weapon, not that he had any plans to do so after all.

Honestly, he detested people like this man, a crazed murderer. One who had no regard for life itself—it reminded him all of 'that' man. The masked man was someone he despised with all his being, and he couldn't allow anyone like him to remain in this world any longer.

Dodging seemed to be what Hidan had been expecting, as he pulled the same move he had used on Asuma. As he pulled on his metal cord, redirecting his weapon straight towards Naruto's head, right towards his blind spot.

But what he didn't know, and what would be his mistake, was that Naruto's sharingan eyes were still blazing behind his mask, taking in every detail. A six-pointed sharingan design glared daggers at the weapon.

As he caught the scythe within his man, seeing everything in slow motion with his doujutsu. Even Hidan seemed surprised by such an act, but he wasn't deterred, as he only pulled on his cord. And to man's credit, he was able to do so with ease; after all, he was still only a child after all. As he pulled his scythe back into his grip, not that he minded.

There was a dark aura surrounding Naruto as he walked towards the skeletal man, like a lion stalking his prey. All the memories of the previous few hours culminated, as well as memories long since passed.

Of the man who killed his clan, of Kimimaro, and of his boss who experimented on the defenseless. Of Gato, who hired and killed Shinobi for his own twisted wills. And this man who led his own cult to attack a town, even if the town it was as detestable as this. Just how many innocent lives had he and his cohorts taken.

He didn't care about this mysterious god, or his will. He could not allow such a person to live anymore.

Even if this 'immortal' had a healing factor, he had to find a way to put him down for good.

And as such, it was almost too late, Hidan was unaware of his impending doom even as he retrieved his weapon for another attack. As another magic circle was formed right in front of Naruto, as he unleashed more and more explosions of condensed air courtesy of another of his 'Wind Release: Pressure Damage.'

A large boom wielding as Hidan crashed into the ground once again in a crater. Appearing to be in a similar broken state that he was in before. But it seemed that attack wouldn't be enough, and as he soon got back up, his wounds started to heal.

"Hey, that hurt you, fucker!" He cursed. "Who the hell do you think you are? Defying the will of Jashin—" he tried to argue, but Naruto only launched another wind explosion at him, which only seemed to do minimal damage once again…. And again.

And Naruto realized he was a bit of a loudmouth, as he tried to speak once again, but another window technique was launched at him."What—"

Boom.

"the—"

Boom.

"fuck—-"

Boom.

One after another as various wind techniques were launched at the skeleton man. Only expanding the crater he seemed to be in. Naruto realized the futility of such a strategy, even if it was quite entertaining.

"Screw you!" Hidan cursed as he lighted his attack, Hidan seeming to be in a deep crater given the vast amount of attacks he had used. It seemed outlasting his stamina wasn't going to come into play. "It's not like you can kill me, so shut the fuck up and let me kill you!" He tried to say, as he attempted to leap out of the hole…

Only to receive another wind attack for his efforts, much to his ire. Never let it be said Naruto wasn't petty sometimes. But in his defense, he shouldn't have murdered all those people.

Naruto only raised an eyebrow behind his mask, his dark aura returning, "Immortal, huh? I suppose we will have to test that, shouldn't we?" He supposed, his Mangekyou sharingan spinning behind his mask. As his right eye spun.

He couldn't allow a man like this to exist, especially if he wanted to keep Valiana, Haku, and Jugo by his side.

Hidan began to realize his situation, "Wait, what are you—stop it! Stop it!" He cried out, as an ebony-black flame engulfed the entirety of the hole Hidan was now in.

Naruto had to wonder if this man was truly immortal, could he return from being turned to ash itself?

It was a strange feeling for Naruto of 'that' night flooding his mind, even as the screams of both curses and terror of the cultist leader echoed into the distance. He didn't care, his job was done, and the cultists were likely all taken care of. Although his mind did wander towards the strange orchestrator of all this. And the mystery of why such an event needed to occur. One name stuck out...

Jashin, the god Hidan talked about—who were they? What were the motives? And would he see more of their work in the future?

Although, one thing was certain, the only God Hidan had to worry about in this forest… was him.

XXX

(Back with Valiana)

The rest of the cultists were defeated easily after all the locals got word of their strange immortality trick. And, true to Kurenai's words, the strange ravagers didn't go down easily, she had nearly found that out the hard way. The dark-haired woman had been useful, as they both rushed around, with the woman's strange illusions to try to ensnare the weak-minded and cause them to free up. Which gave her just enough time to incapacitate them and take them down. And snuffing out their lives...

She didn't know how she felt about that, but before, she hadn't had much time to reflect on it all. These people were murderers—the worst of the worst that leeched off of the innocent. She had seen what lay within the temple's underground. But yet…

She could still feel the blood on her skin, which had dried up as it caked over the majority of her body. The feeling of plunging her knife into all those men's chests.

And she didn't miss the look of absolute terror that woman looked at her, like she were a monster.

And that reality dawned upon her: she was a murderer, a killer… she was just like her father.

Would her mother hate her for what she was becoming? No, she knew she wouldn't, which made it even more painful.

She was just like grandfather, Rizevim Lucifer. She knew he would be proud of her first kill, or at least pleased that it happened when she was so young. Yes, he would think that her growth was coming along nicely, that she was truly living up to becoming a true devil.

That's what she hated—the reality, the destiny, she was a descendant of Lucifer after all, and that meant death and destruction lay at her feet. Just like how Asuma, whom she assumed was Kurenai's loved one, still lay dead on the floor. He was dead, but how long until someone else died who was near her?

Jugo, Haku… Naruto. She didn't want them to get hurt; she didn't want them to leave her, just like her mother. And sure, Haku was annoying at times, getting too close to 'her' Naruto for her own good. But she supposed she wasn't all bad, and if she died, Naruto would not be happy.

The scene in front of her was all too familiar, it reminded her of how she felt when her mother died, as Kurenai lay crying over Asuma's still form. Her beautiful face was contorted in pain and disbelief. Idly, she wondered if that would be how she would feel if Naruto died, and she knew it was true. Even if her draconic instincts screamed out at the thought.

This mission had been to prove herself, to prove that she was ready for such a task, and to prove she could be by Naruto's side. She didn't like seeing Naruto return home, covered in blood that wasn't his and with a look of darkness that was all too unfamiliar. But it was ironic, given her current state, that it was much the same.

She was wrong, she was a murderer. She felt weak, powerless. Grandfather was right, all her presence would spell was darkness. She knew she hated the feeling, and it was cold…

But, like a blinding sun, a small bit of warmth was felt through her body. As a hand grasped her own, interlocking her fingers with his own. She didn't need to look up to know who it was, it was the same person who had always saved her.

And even though Valiana's head was low, she could still tell that he held a small, assuring smile behind his mask. He looked at her tenderly, saying, "You did good, Valiana… you did good."

She didn't feel the same, the doubts were still in her mind, but she did feel some comfort at his touch. As a sigh of relief escaped from her lips.

As Naruto let go of her hand, giving a gentle squeeze onto his [Knight's] shoulder. Who had been standing off to the side in her own thoughts. Likely due to the fact that Haku too had taken her first kill.

Nevertheless, he was proud of them, they did well, better than he had expected. Especially given how downhill this mission had gone. Speaking of which, he still had something else to do.

As his cold steps walked towards the crying woman, like a wild animal stalking his prey. His cloak billowed out in the cold night, although not a drop of blood was spilled on him. And his red eyes behind his mask peered down at her, as he laid a cold touch on the woman's shoulder to gather her attention.

And to say she was startled was an understatement; it was almost as if she were looking at the face of the shinigami itself. "W-who are you?" She demanded, still clinging to Asuma's cold body.

But Naruto waves the question off, "Who I am is of no consequence, as I am the one capable of helping you in your predicament." He couldn't allow Hiruzen's only son to die, but that didn't mean he couldn't gain something out of it in return. By his count, Asuma was still warm, good for a few hours if he were properly healed after his resurrection.

But he wasn't good with healing techniques, although the natural healing ability of a devil's female body did come to mind. Although he knew Valiana and/or Haku wouldn't be up for such a task, he wouldn't be so cruel as to force them. So that meant he needed to acquire another female devil. Or one that would be willing to heal Asuma's wounds, and converting Kurenai, who was a demon, into becoming a half-devil would become the simplest option. Likewise, him gaining another worthwhile peerage member wouldn't prove to be as bad as well.

And sure, he might be extorting upon the situation, but he was a devil… it was the aim of the game.

As he retrieved his [Evil Pieces, and said, "But the question is, what are you willing to give up in order to gain what you desire."

XXX

Elsewhere

(Hidan's burial grounds)

Death and darkness permeated the air, like a smoky, vicious storm that only rained hellfire and destruction upon the land.

As a shadow walked along the dirt and muddied grass of the forest outside Tanzuku Gai.

Death seemed to be the only thing that spilled off of it. The figure was cloaked in mystery, with naught but a few of her, soft, feminine features being revealed. Particularly her long, delicate legs that were unearthly pale, as well as a single hand that spilled off of the shadows that clung to her visage. Her nails were painted purple, as she trailed her pointer finger along her path. The grass seemed to be dying right before her eyes as it lost all of its color.

"It seems hidan's little crusade has failed. A pity." Her voice was soft, tender and even motherly, but there was a darkened air to it. As she looked upon the dust particles that floated off in the wind. "Even in ashes, you still scream, it's almost ironic." She noticed, the pain and horror he must have felt at being burned by some of the hottest flames known to man.

An almost cruel smile formed across her lips. "But I suppose you did well, locating Indra's latest incarnation, even if you know not of what you've found." As dark magic spelled off of her hand. Purple fire and shadows seemed to engulf Hidan's ash and dust particles, forming the shape of a fully grown male. His body, seemingly to be reforming out of thin air.

"Now, live for me even more, your goddess."

Jashin's dark red eyes bore into the shadows, her blacked sclera seeming as if he were staring at death itself.

End Chapter.