Phantom of the Underworld - Chapter 18 (Patreon)

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

Arc II- The White Empress

Chapter 18- The Indra Appears

Blue eyes awoke within an instant, he was lying down, and he saw a familiar wooden lining across the ceiling, knowing exactly where he was. As he rose from the lightly white-colored bed, sterilized, in an attempt to keep one uncontaminated. Yet even as long as things persisted he still felt a scorching pain within his eyesockets, for a reason he already knew.

Although he supposedly overdid himself within his little dual with Valiana, and indeed the girl he had once found within the forest had grown in her time away. And trying to hold the girl back and at the same time not kill her was a challenge, especially given how well the girl knew him and his techniques.

As he looked around the room, oak, and spruce lining covered the walls, giving the room a cozy feeling. His eyes fell upon a particular decoration off in the distance, a small photo of a pale blonde-haired woman with one of the largest busts he had ever seen laid across a small nightstand. As he moved forward, slowly walking towards the photograph, his steps weary, and filled with weight, and whether it was the exhaustion that persisted from his earlier battle or his mind he did not know. As he gazed upon the woman, his [Bishop's] original master, his mind drifted deep into the darkness, partaking in several memories that he was reminded of, and his past mistakes he still held onto. Never allowing himself to forget what he had lost, No– he would never forget.

But the longer he was engrossed in his thoughts time seemed to pass on, and it seemed someone else had entered the room in his enamorment. "Naruto-sama," a voice perked up, as Naruto let go of his hold on the image, how his hand ended up on it he did not know.

Naruto turned, his attention drawn to familiar chocolate brown eyes, a small smile forming across his mouth as he saw her face. "Haku-chan," he recognized his [knight, but he didn't have much time to dwell on it, as his whole body seemed to give out at that moment, dropping to the floor, or he would have. Luckily, Haku seemed to notice this, as the moment he started falling she caught him within her arms, using her immense speed to close the distance between them. "It seems you caught me," the blonde quirked, looking her straight in her eyes, and seeing her soft features she only seemed to become more beautiful.

"It seems I have," she spoke. A small smile seemed to form across her face as well, one filled with fondness. "Shizune-San told me you might feel a little dizzy when you wake up. Although I suppose it's your fault for getting up so soon after you've been asleep for so long," the ice user told him.

Naruto chuckled, "Yeah, well I'm not too keen on waiting if I can help it, you know that."

Haku nodded, knowing his nature well. Before a comfortable silence filled the room, each content with just staying in each other's presence. But it was the ice user who broke it as she spoke up. "So what were you thinking about?" She inquired, at which Naruto only raised an eyebrow, she clarified. "When I walked in here just now."

As his eyes widened in recollection, he looked away. "Oh, Y'know, the past, memories, mistakes…" he trailed off, once again staring at the blonde woman's photograph.

"I see," Haku said in thought, as she too began to think about things. The past, the present, and the future. How she ended up here, and why she did what she did, what she did wrong. In all her 20 years of living, she too had things she regretted, but she also had things she had left undone. And so, taking a deep breath as she steeled her resolve, she began to speak on what she had wanted to. "Naruto?" She spoke up, gaining his attention.

"Huh?" Naruto asked, confused. And it was at this moment he realized how close they were to each other. He used her body as a sort of crutch for support.

"Do you remember… the day we first met and the mission that took place then?" She inquired.

Naruto nodded, "Like it was yesterday," he instantly responded.

Haku's smile widened, "Yes, I suppose you would," that sounded just like him, he always remembered the things that were important to him. Before she began to reach the topic she had been trying to talk about. "But do you know why I was so supportive with helping you, with joining your peerage? And to not…" she trailed off, remembering exactly how the mission had ended. The pain, the suffering, the emptiness within Naruto's eyes, she remembered it all.

Naruto's eyes instantly widened in realization, before he quirked his brows lightly. "No, I can't say that I do." Don't get him wrong, he was eternally grateful for Haku helping him as long as she has. He is as reliable as ever in his goals. But the thought has always bugged him, and truthfully he has always felt guilty about the subject. Like he wasn't doing enough for his [knight] as much as she did for him.

Haku secretly knew his feelings as well, and that's why she wanted to reveal the truth to him. "Well…" she started, having thought long about what she wanted to tell him. But at the same time, she needed a moment to collect her thoughts. "The truth is, in the beginning… I despised you," she told him. "I truly hated you with every fiber of my being. I blamed you for Zabuza's death."

"I see…" Naruto realized, his head held low.

"But…" Haku continued, gaining the blonde's attention once again. "At the same time, I saw that you were exactly like me."

"Like you, how?" Naruto inquired.

Haku took a deep breath, as she gripped the hem of her kimono at her side, steeling her resolve. "Forgotten, alone… broken."

She felt a lone hand reach up to rest against her cheek, forcing her to gaze into his cerulean blue eyes the action of which gave her no small amount of comfort, as the voice of her master resonated into her ears. "And… are you still so broken?" Naruto asked, to which she answered.

"No," she told him, leaning into his touch. "I'm not, you gave me purpose, you gave me strength when I had none, and for that, I am eternally grateful," Haku said. Naruto could tell there were no lies in her voice, as she told him nothing but the truth.

It was only then that he realized just how close they were, almost as if they were right on top of each other. He could feel her hot breath against his skin, and she likely could feel the same. He could feel the warmth of her ice-cold skin. And as he gazed upon her chocolate brown eyes as she stared at him, he could feel her words reverberating around his soul, giving him comfort as well. Naruto didn't know who moved first, and perhaps it was both of them at the same time. But, given how both had been almost a lifeline in their many years of knowing each other it was almost automatic, as both started to close the distance between their faces. As their lips drew mere centimeters apart.

But, as they were about to touch, something else broke them out of their trances…

"Hey! Stop button mashing!" a voice yelled somewhere else within the cabin, both of them recognizing the owner to be Hanabi.

As another, more angry and irritated, voice sounded, "I can't help it when the controller doesn't want to register the combo I want! It makes me want to throw it at the wall if I don't want to win this game too badly." Both of them sweatdropped at Suigetsu's remarks.

"Oh no you don't mister, I won't go having you wreck my house again," a woman's voice told him.

"Shizune! Hey— Hey! You're messin' me up~! Hanabi, don't— dang it…"

"Haha, I won! Your Johnny cage is no match for my Raiden's teleport," the younger girl sounded.

The sweat drops on the pair of [King] and [Knight's] faces only increasing before they both notice each other's presence once again. And surprisingly, it was Naruto who pulled away first, finding the strength to stand on his own feet as he did so. "We should… probably get back now," he told her.

"Yes, we should probably get back to babysitting now," the dark-haired girl smiled. But the hurt Haku felt as he did so wasn't evident upon her features, as her face remained stoic as ever.

Naruto slightly smirked at her remark, but the small traces of sadness within her eyes were plain as day for someone like him. But, at the same time, he still felt that those feelings, especially what felt for Haku, and even some of the other girls in his life, should not be explored. Not unless…

"Yes, I suppose we should go see what's going on," he commented, as they both moved towards the door. None of them mentioned what had previously happened within the room as they left.

XXX

"I lost… I can't believe I lost, to her of all people" Suigetsu said in disbelief, on his knees.

Hanabi, the dark-haired Hyuuga [knight] stood triumphantly over his body, a cruel smirk across her face as she crossed her arms. "Hmp, you should have known such an outcome would happen, especially when you are facing someone as prestigious and awesome as myself." That was the image the two devils walked in on as they entered into the other room.

Meanwhile, a face-palming woman stood off to the side, utterly stupefied with the two's antics. The woman, one of his [Bishop's, was a particularly ordinary, if still beautiful looking woman with short, brown hair and black eyes as she wore a long bluish-black kimono, held with a white obi and open-toed sandals with low heels.

This was Shizune, his [Bishop] and the overall medic of peerage that they would visit whenever one of them was injured. He realized Haku probably took him here once she noticed his state after his battle with Vali, it being the only place he could trust to keep his well-being safe as he wouldn't step foot within any of the hospitals within the underworld. Not with all the unwanted connections they had.

Looking around he also noticed several other particular figures within the room, some crowded around the television and couch, some at the dinner table playing cards. But none stood out more than his [Queen, Valiana, was for some reason standing within the corner of the room, alone. Naruto sent a questioning look towards his [knight] at his side, wondering why his peerage was excluding her intentionally. Haku seemed to notice this, as she talked in but a whisper to not alert anybody of their conversation. Not that that was too hard, given how immersed in their activities the others appeared to be, as Suigetsu was once again dueling Hanabi in another game on the TV.

"Valiana is… an interesting topic among the peerage, as many of them simply have not forgiven her for abandoning us, and finding out that she put you in such a state does not help her case when it comes to reintegrating her back into the group," Haku explained. The fact that Valiana had battled Naruto was obvious, as when she had found the girl with Naruto's prone form after she managed to erect a magic circle to transport her from Naruto's pocket dimension. Especially given she was nearly catatonic with guilt as she hugged onto Naruto's still frame, it had taken a while to get her off. And it was only after she got her to realize it would be better to take her to Shizune would be the best thing to do. That was when realization struck in with Valiana and she isolated herself from Naruto out of her own volition. However, she decided not to stray too far out of the fear of uncertainty that something bad would happen. After word got around the peerage at their [King's] comatose status and who did it to him it was no surprise that Valiana would be excluded as well. Many of them opted to outright keep her away but out of fear of Vali's mental state and knowledge of what Naruto would do they opted to just leave her alone for now.

Naruto was about to speak up on the matter, but Haku already knew what he would say, and as such she only laid a finger over his lips. "We all knew you would forgive her, knowing you would not turn your back on your family, on any of us. But that still doesn't change what happened and what she did. Many of us look at you as our [King] and knowing that someone was able to put you in such a state doesn't still go well with us, even if you do forgive her we do not… I do not" she admitted, not being able to forgive someone who would turn her back on them, put Naruto in such a comatose state, and come back like nothing was going to happen.

Naruto looked at Haku with her chocolate eyes, seeing neither malice nor hatred in her eyes for Valiana, which showed that she wasn't truly saying this out of some grudge for the girl. But that was how she, and many of the others likely felt about his [Queen]. But even still he had to ask, "And will you ever be able to forgive her, all of you?"

As such Haku answered, although it might not be one that he would have liked." Perhaps, in due time we may be able to trust her again. But trust requires consistency, and she has to prove herself, not just to you, but for us to have faith in her once again," she told him, before asking. "Are you okay with that?"

Naruto thought about it, and truly he did think about it. In all reality he would prefer to have his peerage have no quarrels within it, but perhaps that was asking for too much. He could see that Vali's disappearance had hurt his peerage in more ways than one, and perhaps his little escapade with her hadn't helped much either. But in some ways, he could see that they were doing this because they truly cared for him, and for that much, he could respect them. Plus,m he had faith in Vali, he always had, and he was sure that she would earn the rest of his family's trust in her again, no matter how long it took.

As such Naruto only nodded, Haku took his answer with a smile, and as such she could only smile. Although it was faint, almost unnoticeable to many of the people within the room's eyes he saw it plain as day.

This little moment between them remained unseen by all his peerage as they still hadn't noticed his presence, which was punishable within itself for a supposed group of elite warriors he had collected throughout the nations. No, this wouldn't do.

As Naruto stepped forward he did so with nothing but the aura of a ruler, a [King, as he took a deep breath ready to rally his troops. "I see all of you have been slacking off in my time away, honestly I'm disappointed," he told them all, as they began to notice his presence, many of them stopping in place just to find out their eyes and ears weren't playing tricks on him.

None were more shocked than Valiana, as she nearly rose from her seat in the corner of the room. "Naruto!" she cried, before realizing her surprise as she sunk back into her seat, many of his peerage elected to ignore her in favor of staring at the once hospitalized blonde.

Asuma, who was sitting at the table playing cards right next to his wife, who held their toddler Mirai on her lap, was the first to react, as he blew a puff of smoke out of his cigarette. "Well, Naruto, it seems that you've woken up from your nap, we only found it fair to get some relaxation in while you did the same," he commented nonchalantly.

A person at the table with dark eyes and a haircut who was wearing the standard Konoha chunin outfit sighed, "Troublesome,"

Naruto only raised an eyebrow in amusement, although he did elect to ignore his [Pawn, Shikamaru Nara. As many of them knew that something bad was about to happen, a chill ran down all their spines. "Oh really, so I guess now that I'm awake all of you can get back to training for our rating game in…" he trailed off, fishing for an answer as to when their match with Sairaorg was. He realized he hadn't found out the exact amount of time he had been sleeping for.

Luckily, Haku seemed to fill in that blank as she answered, "24 hours," she spoke up.

"Right, twenty-four hours…" he finished, before momentarily taking a moment to process the information. He had expected his Phenex heritage would only allow him to be kept within a gurney for a day at most, not six. That was a lot less time than what he had originally hoped, no matter, whether he would come to formulate a plan to mitigate such a matter. "Hmmm, that puts much of the final preparations training I had planned, especially given the fact many of us are not used to fighting with each other after being localized into specific groups for so long." Which left many happy that they wouldn't be a part of his more brutal training for the time being. Naruto thought about it, before coming to his conclusion of what they were going to do.

"Alright!" he said, clapping his hands together. Instantly naruto morphed his eyes into his Mangekyou Sharingan, as he retrieved several objects from within his personal pocket dimension. He threw several documents at a number of the people within the room, specifically; Haku, Suigetsu, Hanabi, Asuma, Kurenai, Shikamaru, and Shizune. " Within these folders, I have all the information I have on Sairaorg and his peerage as well as attack patterns, formations, and any general knowledge that I plan to use within our battle. Additionally, I have several ideas for counters, matchups, and other defenses we can use against them, I want these all memorized before our fight with them," he ordered. Received many surefire nods from people like Haku, Hanabi, Kurenai, and Shizune. And even some more reluctant nods from people like Asuma and Shikamaru and one long drawn-out sigh from Suigetsu. Not that he had any plans to not do as ordered, he only knew the earful he would get from Hanabi should he not do it.

But even still that left a few people we left without the documents, "And what about us?" one of his other peerage members asked.

As another spoke up, "I too would like to know my assignment."

The first was a masked man with silver hair that seemed to defy gravity as it spiked out over his head. In addition to that, he also covered his left eye with his hitai-ate, as he wore the standard Konoha jonin outfit.

The second figure was far more noticeable as he seemed rather young, being around Hanabi's age. He had spiky red auburn hair and a skin complexion that was almost sandy as it was caked in mud. His eyes appeared to be lacking pupils, and he seemed to be lacking any sleep as dark rings framed his sockets. He also had a strange tattoo on his forehead, namely the kanji for 'love', as he carried a large gourd upon his backside, even as he sat at the table playing cards with Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai and their daughter. He wore a reddish-brown bodysuit with long sleeves and dark pants under a strange one-sleeved navy vest.

"Gaara, Kakashi," Naruto addressed his other peerage members, before adding another name into the mix. "Valiana…" who perked up at the mention of her name, before sinking back into her seat again. "You three will be performing a special assignment I have planned, this mission being particularly important to you, Gaara," he addressed, as the redhead nodded, knowing exactly what he was referring to, and how important such a mission would be.

After all, it wasn't every day you got to return to your homeland.

Naruto left it at that, preferring to bring them all further once their respective missions started. But a new voice did begin to speak throughout the room, asking, "And what will you be doing?" a female asked.

As Naruto turned towards her, smiling. "Well isn't it obvious, my dear Hanabi-chan, I'm going to be visiting a friend before our match."

Honestly, this was something he should have done a while ago.

XXX

(ORC Building)

All was calm, all was quiet, as the room was lit within the dark limelight of the area. Issei was out somewhere, whereas Kiba had put himself through training after their loss at the rating game. She didn't mind, they deserved a break after how much she put them through training, even if it didn't amount to much in the end she was proud of them. She did however order them to return to the Occult Research Club once Naruto's rating game started, not only because it could be a good learning experience but also because the likelihood they would have to face each other was high given the fact the young devils gathering was coming up. That left her, Akeno, and Koneko within the Orc building alone. Naturally, Koneko was sitting on the couch eating candy, Akeno was at her side, and she was left handling the documents she had been put up with after her rating game; not a sound was heard.

Idly, Akeno seemed to notice something, "Rias, you seem angry," she pointed out, seeing that she was tapping her finger on her desk rather forcefully.

Rias looked towards her [Queen, trying her hardest to look at her without the slightest emotion on her face. "Hmmm, Akeno, I'm not sure I know what you mean," she said nonchalantly, although both could tell otherwise as her repeated tapping had only increased its tempo the moment the conversation started.

"Yeah I'm sure," Akeno said, plastering a fake smile upon her face. "Just like I'm also sure this doesn't have anything to do with your no-good fiance not contacting you since his ball, that would be utterly deplorable wouldn't it, him leaving you out to dry that is," she said, almost plainly not hiding her disdain for Uzumaki Naruto.

Rias moved her stray hand and positioned it upon her pale cheek, upping her slowed tempo even more. "Oh it's nothing like that I can assure you," She said with an equally fake smile. All the while Koneko watched on with a sweatdrop, knowing each of them was lying through their teeth.

Electricity seemed to run through their gazes, neither backing down. But it wasn't before long that Akeno backed down, changing the subject as she looked away. "Yes, well I'm sure you're telling the truth. Oh, I know, why don't I prepare some tea for you to calm your nerves," she said, a fake smile still plastered over her lips.

Rias smirked, seeing her [Queen] back down, "Yes, I'm sure that would be lovely," she told her, as the dark-haired girl started to walk out the door, but not before adding.

"Y'know, knowing him, he's probably been resting his head this past week and forgot to visit," she told the redhead before she left the room, closing the door in her wake. Rias sunk back into her seat, a small smile on her lips at the thought. That sounded just like Naruto, who was always so impulsive at times, forgetting the small stuff.

And even though she was somewhat mad at him for not contacting her, or even simply giving her his address she couldn't help but still care for the guy. He was her childhood friend after all, and the knowledge that he was alive and that he had come to save her in her moment of need was even better.

Yes, even though he had changed, that he had gotten more powerful and different, he was still the same knuckleheaded blonde idiot that she had grown up with.

Idly, a stray voice reverberated around the room, "Y'know, Tomato-chan, if I didn't know any better I would think your Queen utterly despises me."

Rias knew exactly who was in the room, only one person would ever dare address her with such a nickname, as she closed her eyes and leaned even further back, "Well, she might come to like you more if you actually remembered to visit or at least send a word every once and a while, a girl can get lonely whiskers."

Sure enough, Naruto was in the room, sitting on the window sill without a care in the world as if he had always been there. He always did have the nerve to pop up in the most unexpected places and times. At least he did have the decency to look ashamed at that remark, as he rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. "Yeah, sorry about that, Rias-chan, I would have called if I wasn't so… predisposed," he told her, using her name instead of the nickname he used to show his sincerity.

Rias opened her eyes, seeing the ashamed look in his eyes telling her that he was sorry about it. And no matter how much she wanted to pulverize him with her Power of Destruction she just knew that she would forgive him. "Alright, I suppose I can allow it just this once, just don't let it happen again," she told him.

Naurot of course gave a mock salute, "I promise," he said, before he thought about it. "... I'll try my best," he wouldn't make promises he can't keep.

Rias sighed, although she supposed that was the best she would get. "Alright, well, I think it's time for you to tell me why exactly you are here," Rias said.

Naruto looked offended at that remark, as he was left clutching his heart as though he were shot. "What, my dear Rias, you act as though I wouldn't visit you just because I want to spend time with you before my match with your cousin," he accused. Rias only gave him a flat look in response, and he sighed, both of them knowing that he was lying. As he pulled out several documents from his coat, turning towards Koneko. The white-haired young girl was attempting to exit the room in favor of retrieving more candy. "The truth is that I have some information for you [Rook, information I think you both need and information I want to give you personally," he told them both.

Rias only raised an eyebrow, as Koneko perked up, not really expecting this conversation to be related to her. As the redhead motioned for the blonde to come over, Naruto respected that it was her choice if her [Rook] were to see what he was to show her. As he opened the folder in front of the older girl's eyes, as she read.

Her blueish-green orbs widened by the second, her words leaving her lips before she could even think. "This is…" she trailed off, Koneko had to see this. That only made the cat-like girl raise an eyebrow, wondering just what the two were talking about.

Naruto nodded, "I know, I plan to take this to Sirzechs right after my game, that's why I think it's imperative that she sees this first," he told them both. And at that Koneko was surprised; What could be so important about her that it needed to be discussed before a Satan?

Rias motioned for her piece to come over, and as such Koneko did so, the curiosity being almost too much for her. It was ironic, given that curiosity killed the cat, after all. But as she read the documents her eyes started to widen, as tears started to leave her eyes. "This is…" she trailed off, not being able to comprehend what she was seeing.

And as if to allow what she was seeing to set in within her mind Naruto spoke and finished her statement, explaining, "Proof that of the illegal experimentation your sister's original master had been performing on her, and his future plans to experiment on you. Naturally, Kuroka got ahold of this information and reacted the only way she could, revolting against her master and killing him," he said aloud. Sure enough, this hard evidence was hard to come by, especially when it was intentionally covered up so thoroughly. But he had it and there was no denying the truth of expense record, scientific notes, and personal plans created by the high-class devil with his seal to show it wasn't fabricated.

With this information, it would likely cause an outcry for and from the family of Kuroka's original master, but he didn't care. This information would mean that Kuroka was innocent or at the very least acting in self-defense and for the preservation of her sister, meaning she had not overdosed on senjutsu like they were told.

Meaning that her sister would no longer be a stray devil marked for death, meaning she wouldn't be wanted within the underworld and hunted by devils ruthlessly.

But the question was… What would happen after?

Instantly Koneko's willpower started to drain away, as her Nekoshou features manifested in the form of catlike ears upon her head and a tail at her back. As she began to collapse as reality set in.

"Nee-chan…" Koneko sniffled, tears flowing down her eyes. She had hated her sister for so long, been afraid of her, condemned her. All the while the truth had been so far from her, it had all been for her.

Rias was the first to react, as she took her young [Rook] in her arms and she cried into her chest, uncaring as to the situation they were in as she let her sorrow flow out.

Naruto saw the scene and looked on for sympathy for the girl, but even still he had to speak. "If I may offer some advice…" he started, taking a deep breath. "There will always be people who try to tell you how things are, and some may not believe what happened. Don't fault yourself for believing them, you are so young after all. But now that you know this information I would advise you to look inward, to take this information and form your own opinions. And whether that means forgiving your sister or not is up to you, but know that it is yours to make, nobody else's." It was likely that his words were not reaching Koneko, as the truth was beginning to set in her mind.

But even still he had to say it.

Rias nodded at his words, even as Koneko still sobbed into her shirt. Truly when she started the day did she not think when she started her day that it would turn out like this?

Naruto realized this was something Rias needed to do, as a [King] and as Koneko's friend, and he knew he had no place in it. As such he began to leave them, although not before adding. "Be sure to watch my rating game, I'm sure it will be quite eventful," he told them, heading out for the door, as Rias flashed him a look right before turning her attention back towards her queen.

As Naruto left the room, the door closed in his wake as Koneko's cries grew even louder, none of them leaving the room.

XXX

(With Naruto)

"Y'know, you can come out now, Akeno, I know you were listening the whole time," he spoke, as Akeno walked into the hallway right outside the room Koneko and Rias were occupying. There was no tea in her hands, showing she had been there the whole time.

Akeno sent him an untrusting glare his way as she saw him, knowing everything he said was right. "I don't know what you're trying to do, but if you hurt them I swear I will–" she tried to say, but Naruto's hand stopped her.

"I can assure you that it is nothing of the sort," he interrupted. "Merely trying to right a few wrongs that the world has put them through," Naruto told her.

But the girl wasn't having it, "And what does that mean?" she glared.

Naruto was far more cryptic, "It means a lot," he told her. Before he changed the subject, "Truthfully I have to thank you, Akeno," he said, as Akeno's eyes widened.

"Thank you–" she tried to say but was once again interrupted, as Naruto enveloped her in a warm hug, emphasizing the emotions he felt.

As he tried to convey them in words, "Yes, thank you, because you have been by Rias's side for so long when I wasn't there for her. And for that, you have my deepest gratitude," he told her, speaking into her ears as her purple orbs widened even more at his truthfulness.

Before she finally found the courage to push him away. Glaring at him once more, "Don't think I need a thank you, I've been by her side for her, not for you," the half-fallen angel accused.

Naruto smiled, stumbling back because the girl had pushed him away, not that he hadn't expected it.

"Oh I know, But don't think that I won't thank you for it. And a hug isn't all that you will be receiving for my gratitude, I already have what you have in mind for you, you'll just have to wait a little longer," he revealed.

"Oh yeah well I don't want it," Akeno told him. "So I think you can take that gift and shove it up your–" she tried to say before Naruto chuckled.

"Truthfully you might not want it, but I want to give it to you in hopes that you might find closure," he told her, not that the girl was having any of it. Naruto knew that there would be no convincing her, at least not right now, as he began to leave.

Frowning slightly he heard Koneko's sobs growing even louder.

XXX

Sometime later, Right before the rating game.

(With Sairaorg)

"Are you sure about this, Sairaorg?" his mother asked, worried about how this rating game would end.

But her son was more than resolved to go through with this, not just for himself, or the fact that Naruto believed he could give himself his family's prized bloodline, but for his mother. Naruto had healed his mother completely, he didn't know how, and truthfully he didn't fully know why, but he had healed her. After his meeting with Naruto, he had been sure enough to check practically every medical professional he could find and they all came to the same conclusion, his mother's disease was gone, and soon enough they were all sure she would make a full recovery. He couldn't be more grateful, and if facing Naruto would help in whatever the boy planned then he would help him.

Getting back at his father was just a bonus.

He didn't know Naruto's reasons for doing so, and he didn't even know what Naruto planned to do afterward. But he could see the hate within Naruto's eyes as he spoke of him, and he couldn't help but agree. His father had to go.

His fists tightened with resolve, as he stared at his mother's ever-increasing healthy body. "Mother, the truth is I couldn't be more sure of anything in my life," he said with the most conviction she had ever seen.

Misla knew that her son wouldn't back down, but even still she tried to dissuade him. "I know, but the thing is that I don't want you to go so far for just me," the older woman told him. Her son should be living his own life, not simply living for her. He should have children–don't think she didn't miss the looks his [Queen] had been sending him– and friends, and do whatever he aspired to in his lifetime, he should not just be aspiring to gain back the prestige she willingly gave up to raise him.

Sairaorg didn't seem to feel the same as he held onto his mother's hands and looked her straight in the eyes. "You're wrong, everything I am is because of you, I–we want to do this, not just for us, but for you," he told his mother, as he was surrounded by his peerage.

All of them felt the same as well as they stood at her son's side.

Such a sight was enough to bring his mother to tears, as she tried desperately to wipe them away from her eyes as they swelled up inside of her. "I know, dear Sairaorg, but be sure to live your life as well, for me," she told him.

As her son flashed her the brightest smile she had ever seen, "Of course," he smiled.

All was well within the hallway they were located in, as they were waiting for the usual press conference to start before the rating game. Which they had no doubt would be packed with reporters, not just because the strongest youth was fighting someone, but because Naruto Uzumaki from the time of his arrival was nothing more than a mystery. Especially given the time of his emergence he was able to defeat a Phenex, someone who was slated to be the strongest currently of their generation. And there was no doubt in any of their minds that the room wouldn't be packed with reporters lined up against the walls to see who would win their match against them.

Idly, a nameless devil walked up to them, "Sairaorg-sama, it's time, they are ready to have you," she spoke, as she went off to perform even more of her duties.

Sairaorg nodded, looking at his peerage. Sure enough, each and every one of them was ready, staring with his beautiful blonde queen at his side, Kuisha Abaddon.

Next up were his two [Bishops, one a curvy and bodacious blonde woman with red eyes and wore a pink pantsuit of the Andrealphus family, Coriana. The other is a young feminine boy with light green hair and purple eyes wearing a strange hooded wizard-like outfit named Misteeta of the Sabnock family.

Then there were his two [Knights, one was a rather handsome-looking blonde male with long hair and silver eyes wearing a light set of armor and wielding a sword at his side, this was Liban Crocell. The second was a brown-haired young male with green eyes. He usually wore a set of silver armor and rode upon a horse whilst wielding a lance, this was Beluga Furcas, of the horse-taming family.

As well as his [Rooks, one a rather tall and rocky young male who only appeared to be wearing a set of jeans, his name was Gandoma, of the Balam family. And another tall lanky man with dark hair and a beard, this was Ladora Buné.

Lastly, there was his only [Pawn, who solely took seven evil pieces to reincarnate, the one whom Naruto revealed to be the Nemean Lion and the spirit of one of the thirteen Longinuses.

All of them headed towards the door to the stage, ready to see the large crowd that had amassed to greet them.

They were all assured, and each of them knew, they had to do their best.

They would win.

XXX

Within the Occult Research Club.

"Oh come on Bucchou, why do we have to watch some boring interview," Issei whined, nobody was surprised.

Rias's entire peerage was within the room, and although some of them felt the same as her [Pawn, namely Akeno, the rest were quite curious to see how this would play out. Kiba, who had spent the past few days training, was eager to see just how strong Naruto's peerage was and where he would compare. And who knows, maybe he would be able to learn a few sword techniques as well while he was at it.

Koenko was watching because she was interested in the man who had shown her the truth and wanted to know more about him. Even if she was silent the whole time, as the information had been a lot for her to handle within the past few hours, she sat off in the corner of the room away from prying eyes. Nobody brought up the fact that her eyes were puffed and her cheeks were stained.

Rias was watching for completely different reasons, and they were utterly pointless in the grand scheme of things. Sure, she had told her peerage that watching such an interview might help them in the long run, as seen in the likely future they would have to face off against one or even both of their peerages. Especially given the fact that they might have to perform such an interview in the future and it was better to know how they worked as well.

But the true reason Rias wanted to watch was simply because she was curious, or more accurately, she wanted to know more about her childhood friend. Truthfully in some ways, she was slightly jealous, even though Naruto had visited her earlier, which she was thankful for.

But she wanted to know how Naruto's peerage interacted.

She had seen the looks some of them had sent at him and wanted to know what sort of relationship they had with her Fiance. Especially considering how beautiful many of them were.

Not that she was jealous of any of them, she knew her worth and she knew that she was beautiful and desirable to any man.

She just hoped Naruto saw it the same way.

But don't get her wrong, she wasn't jealous– She wasn't!

Naruto just had to get it through his thick, idiotic skull that she was just as beautiful as everyone else, even more so.

It was only then that Rias noticed that she had spent so long on that thought that it appeared that the press conference on the television was about to begin, as Sairaorg's peerage had stepped up to their seats.

Naruto was sure to follow…

XXX

(Within the Press conference)

"Thank you for waiting…" A gray-haired man spoke in the middle of the two stands. "And now we are proud to welcome the Uzumaki Family! " he announced as several devils began opening the door.

Shining a spotlight over many of their figures. Naruto, who was in his usual 'Indra' battle uniform. As well as the majority of his peerage, all dressing in their usual battle garb with white hooded cloaks with red lines running along the bottom, as well as differently designed porcelain masks covering their faces.

Suigetsu a shark, Haku a penguin, Hanabi an owl, Shizune a Slug, Asuma a Monkey, Kurenai a raven, and Shikamaru a deer. As they all stepped towards their respective seats, several cameras captured them as they did so.

"Alright, both families are now present so let us begin," the announcer and mediator spoke. "First, allow me to welcome the [Kings] of each family. Now, each [King] will have a chance to comment on the upcoming match, Sairaorg will go first, followed by Naruto, so please reserve any comments for afterward." He told them, before motioning to the brown-haired [King, "Lord Bael, please start."

"Yes, thank you," he spoke. "The young devil looked assured and ready for anything that might come his way. "Well then, I guess I am just really excited for this battle to begin, I intend to fight the Uzumaki family with all my strength, that's it for me," Sairaorg told them, as several flashes of light went off in his direction.

It was then Naruto's turn to go up, as he reached for his white fox mask. His skin turned much tanner, as his hair grew noticeably more blonde. "I'm so honored to be fighting against the Bael family and look forward to an interesting match…" he spoke, nothing within his voice, as he looked towards his opponent. Many of them think this would be another standard 'I will try my best for my family' speech that many of the younger devils partook in.

Before Naruto paused, his emotionless tone going away, "...Is what I'm sure what many of you were expecting me to say, but the truth couldn't be utterly more wrong." he finished, looking at the crowd, his Sharingan eyes beginning to spin rapidly with conviction.

"I will win this game, I will beat Sairaorg with no casualties, and I will show the Underworld just what power it has been missing since the Uzumaki clan fell. That is what will happen, that is my goal which all of you will bear witness to," he told them all.

Many of them saw that behind his menacing figure, two shadows looming over him, as well as the sight of several spinning tomoe benign cast upon the moon.

End Chapter.

An:

(For reference here's everyone they have in their peerage for the rating game)

Team Uzumaki-

King: Naruto Uzumaki (Fox) Sharingan User

Rook: Suigetsu Hōzuki (Shark) Sword/water user

Knight: Haku Yuuki (Penguin) Ice User

Knight: Hanabi Hyuga (Owl) Gentle-fist user

Bishop: Shizune Kato (Slug) Field-Medic

Pawn: Asuma Sarutobi (Monkey) Fire/ash/wind user

Pawn: Kurenai Yuhi (Raven) Genjutsu User

Pawn: Shikamaru Nara (Deer) Shadow user/Strategist

Team Bael:

King: Sairaorg Bael, High-level Taijutsu

Queen: Kuisha Abbadon, Hole magic user

Bishop: Coriana Andrealphus, Ice/Sexuality? User

Bishop Misteeta Sabnock, Sacred Gear user

Rook: Gandoma Balam, Earth/Taijutsu user

Rook: Ladora Buné, Dragon user

Knight: Liban Crocell, Ice/Sword/Gravity user

Knight: Beruka Furcas, Horse Tamer

Pawn: Nemean Lion/Regulus Nemea