The Underworld shook with battle. Issei, Rias, and Tannin struggled against the coordinated strikes of Bikou and Kuroka. The pressure was immense—every blow from Bikou's staff carried lethal force, every spell from Kuroka dripped with mastery of Senjutsu.
"Where's my Shirone-chan?!" Kuroka demanded, her golden eyes narrowing. "I thought she was with you."
"Koneko-chan is no longer with us!" Issei shouted back, chest heaving. "Even if she were, I'd never hand her over to someone like you!"
"Kuroka…" Rias stepped forward, summoning her power. "I've called for backup. Leave now before you regret it."
Kuroka smirked, unfazed. "Backup? You mean more corpses for the pile? Nya~ how disappointing." Her cold confidence left Rias's peerage stunned.
Far above, Valiana observed, amusement glinting in her eyes. To her, this Kuroka was laughably weak compared to the monstrous variant from the Naruto world. If it were that Kuroka, this fight would've ended in seconds. But this? It's like watching children spar. My rivals still have far to climb before he can entertain me.
The ground cracked as Kuroka leapt at Issei—only to be intercepted mid-strike.
A blur of white hair. A crushing counter.
"Shirone-chan!" Kuroka gasped.
"Long time no see, Onee-sama," Koneko said, landing gracefully, her aura burning with new strength.
Kuroka's eyes widened. "Nyahahaha! You've surpassed my expectations. Tell me… who taught you Senjutsu?"
"My apologies," Koneko replied calmly. "I'm a Shinobi. My teacher's identity is confidential. But I recommend you retreat, Onee-sama, and stop bullying my friends."
"Shinobi?" Kuroka sneered. "Heh… could it be that white-haired boy? Perhaps I should visit him too."
Koneko shook her head. "Senpai? No. He's too soft, too loud, too reckless for this path."
Valiana, despite the tension, chuckled low. 'She's not wrong…'
Without hesitation, Koneko threw herself into battle, facing both Kuroka and Bikou at once. Every move was precise, deadly—Senjutsu chakra flowed through her strikes. The timid rook they once knew was gone; in her place stood a warrior.
Rias bit her lip, her pride burning. 'She was supposed to be mine… My peerage. But Shin… that man saw her potential and stole her from me. Unforgivable.'
"Damn, this little kitty's tough!" Bikou grinned, staff whirling as sweat dotted his brow. "And she can make bunshin like me too? This is fun!"
Kuroka's breath grew heavy. "You're… no longer a devil? Perfect. Then come with me, Shirone-chan. Your place isn't here—it's with your family."
"Family?!" Rias snapped. "You abandoned her the moment you betrayed your master and ran away to become a terrorist!"
Kuroka flinched, lips tightening. She had no retort.
But Koneko only smiled softly. "Don't worry. I hold no grudge, Onee-sama. I know you must have your reasons. But I'll decline. I've already found my place."
Kuroka's eyes narrowed. "Then you leave me no choice. Bikou—paralyze her. Quickly, without pain."
"Yare-yare…" Bikou twirled his staff, excitement in his eyes. "I can't promise that. She's already proved herself a worthy opponent. Surrender now, little kitty, before you regret it."
Both rushed her at once.
Inside, Matatabi's voice stirred. "Do you need my help, Koneko-chan?"
Koneko shook her head, her eyes hard. "No. This is mine to finish."
She gathered every ounce of strength and chakra, compressing her power until her body trembled. Then she released it in a devastating burst—
"Neko Blast!"
The strike detonated with the force of a storm, vaporizing the ground ahead of her. The combined assault of Bikou and Kuroka was shattered in an instant.
Valiana sighed, stepping in effortlessly to catch her underlings before they were flung into oblivion.
"Crazy chick," Bikou groaned, wincing in pain. "Nobody told me she had something like that up her sleeve."
"Shirone-chan…" Kuroka whispered weakly, before fainting from the sheer shockwave of the attack.
Tannin's eyes glimmered. "Such potential… I never thought a nekomata could reach this level. That destructive force—it's on par with me."
Valiana frowned. "Embarrassing. Getting crushed this badly by little girl…"
Arthur stepped forward, calm and sharp, as he sliced open the dimension itself. His arrival silenced the battlefield.
"W-What? Another enemy?!" Issei panicked. "We can't handle another one!"
"Stay alert," Tannin growled. "That sword… that's Caliburn, the Strongest Blade in existence. And its wielder has joined the White Dragon side."
Arthur held his weapon with poise, his tone almost courteous. "If you're curious, this particular form is called Excalibur Ruler."
Shock rippled through Rias's peerage.
Arthur turned, his expression hard. "You two—back. Your recklessness ends here."
He glanced once more at the opposing side, his voice steady. "Red Dragon Emperor. Give my regards to the wielders of the Holy Devil Sword and Durandal. As fellow swordsmen, I'd like an audience with them someday."
Then, with a casual flick of his blade, he reopened the Dimensional Gap. "Now, before their reinforcements arrive… we're leaving."
The enemy vanished into the rift. Moments later, Rias's reinforcements finally arrived—only to find the battlefield silent and their foes already gone.
A gruff voice muttered behind them. "Quite the commotion here."
•
"This was disgraceful," the cadre of Fallen Angels, Shemhazai, muttered with cold disapproval. "Vali's team—the so-called independent squad of the Khaos Brigade. Bikou, Kuroka the Nekomata, and now even the wielder of the Holy Sword Caliburn—and still, they've managed nothing. The devils are proving incompetent at keeping things in check."
The council chamber went silent under his words.
Azazel, however, only smirked. '…But this isn't all bad. Issei's gained new experience, and that timid little rook of Rias's? She's bloomed into something completely different. A Shinobi, she calls herself. What methods could turn a child into that? I want to know it…'
His quiet laugh drew Shemhazai's sharp gaze. "What's so funny? Are you treating this disaster like a joke?"
Before Azazel could answer, a new voice echoed from the entryway. "Thinking something clever again, perhaps?"
Azazel's grin widened. "Oho… Odin. Long time no see, old bumpkin from the north."
The All-Father chuckled as he strode in, staff in hand, his one eye gleaming. "And here I find the Fallen brat acting all buddy-buddy with his lifelong enemies. The world really has turned upside down."
"Unlike you, old-fashioned northerners," Azazel shot back, "we've learned to be flexible."
"Flexible?" Odin scoffed. "More like beaten dogs, whimpering after losing your God and your Devil King."
"Good to see you too, Chief God of the North," Sirzechs interjected smoothly, bowing his head.
"Hmph." Odin eyed him. "I accepted your invitation to watch this 'game,' but what do I hear instead? Rumors of Lucifer's bloodline gone rogue, their White Dragon Emperor turned terrorist. Quite the mess."
"Sharp tongue as ever, Odin-sama," Serafall said with forced cheer.
Odin's eye twinkled as he finally noticed her. "…And what's this, Serafall?? That outfit?"
Serafall twirled proudly. "Magical girl costume! It's the trend among youngsters these days."
"Magical girl, huh? Wahahaha!" Odin leaned in with a perverted grin. "Not bad at all."
"Odin-sama, stop your indecency!" barked his attendant Valkyrie, cheeks red with embarrassment.
The old god waved her off. "So stuffy, this one. Looks the part, but with a personality that scares men away—useless as a warrior or a woman." His casual cruelty made her wilt, shoulders sagging.
Azazel clapped his hands. "Alright, alright, enough. Let's move on. We're still waiting for another guest."
"Oh?" Odin perked up. "Who else is bold enough to join this circus?"
As if answering him, a fiery portal burst open, radiant as the morning sun. From it stepped a woman who seemed carved from divinity itself. Her shrine maiden's attire gleamed white and red, long violet hair cascading like flowing silk, bound by a crimson ribbon. She moved with serene grace, yet her presence was overwhelming.
The room bowed instinctively.
Amaterasu, leader of the Shinto Pantheon, had arrived, attended by her elite shrine maidens. Mortal bodies, yes—but radiant vessels of her light.
"Wahahaha!" Odin barked, stroking his beard. "So the sheltered sun goddess finally leaves her castle! Long time, Amaterasu. What drags you to this farce? Pray, humor an old man."
Her golden eyes lingered on him for only a moment. "Good to see you too, Odin. Let's just say… I felt I'd meet some old friends here. And there is a boy who piques my interest."
Odin's laughter cut short. "A boy? You? Interested?" He gawked. "The sun, untouchable to gods and mortals alike, notices someone? This I must see."
Amaterasu's smile was faint, unreadable. "Perhaps you'll understand soon."
Before further questions could fly, Sirzechs's phone buzzed. His face darkened as he listened. "I see. He'll arrive shortly. He was just detained by the police of the Underworld for putting a noble heir of the Astaroth House through a wall at Lafela Restaurant because he was bothering his companion. I specifically ordered them not to harass our guests yet…"
A ripple passed through the chamber as space itself warped. Three figures appeared.
At the center: a young man in a batik shirt, teal hair glinting beneath stylish sunglasses, both arms casually linked with two striking women. His grin was wide, almost mocking.
"Yo," he greeted, voice laid-back. "Sorry for the wait. Had a little pebble in the road, but I moved it. Hope you don't mind." He laughed like it was nothing.
"Shin-kun," Azazel said with amusement, "welcome to the Underworld."
"Shin-kun," Serafall added added with forced brightness. Her eyes flicked to the women clinging to him. "Care to introduce… your companions?"
On his left stood a maiden with braided golden hair and brilliant blue eyes, clad in silver armor trimmed in black and white. A shining headpiece crowned her brow, and the aura of sanctity she carried was undeniable—pure, serene, yet commanding.
On his right, a beauty with flowing white hair and crimson eyes concealed her smile behind a dragon-embroidered fan. Dark horns curled from her head, and her very presence throbbed with draconic majesty, both alluring and dangerous.
The armored maiden stepped forward and bowed with grace befitting royalty. "My name is Jeanne. I serve as his caretaker. If my Master has caused you trouble, I ask your forgiveness. It is my duty to keep him from straying." Her voice rang with the quiet authority of a saint.
The horned woman lowered her fan, her crimson gaze glinting like fire through smoke. "And I, like her, stand as wife and mother in service to my Danna-sama. Kiyohime Tempest, at your service. Pleased to meet you all." Her formal smile failed to hide the edge of possessive devotion—and the danger simmering beneath.
Ajuka's eyes sharpened. "Kiyohime the Mad Dragon? Sirzechs, surely this is a jest. By our laws she is a criminal. Worse—they harmed my little brother and now you invite them here as though nothing happened?"
Sirzechs did not flinch. His voice was calm, resolute. "No jest. They are my guests. And it was our own folks that erred first by antagonizing them. If we truly seek a new era of peace, we must be willing to acknowledge our faults as well."
Satria clapped leisurely, his grin irreverent. "Wise words indeed! As expected of a Devil King. You've earned my respect, redhead."
Gasps and whispers stirred. This boy spoke before kings and gods without a trace of fear. Where others quailed, he only smiled wider.
Azazel's smirk faltered. He studied Jeanne more closely, his mind racing. 'That aura… it's unmistakable. Pure, radiant—divine. No ordinary human. Could she be…? No, impossible. And yet…' He leaned forward, voice smooth but edged with curiosity. "Pardon me, mademoiselle. Your name… it recalls someone. Tell me—are you human? And where were you born?"
Jeanne met his gaze serenely. "I was born in Domrémy la Pucelle, France. And yes, Monsieur, I am human. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
Azazel forced a thin smile. "Yes… merci, my lady." But inside, his heart raced. 'Domrémy… the birthplace of the Saint. Her aura doesn't lie. If Michael lays eyes on her, heaven itself will stir.'
Odin, meanwhile, laughed deep and slow, stroking his beard as he eyed the trio. "Hooo… a saintly woman and a dragon bride, both tethered to one man. How fascinating. So then—tell me, boy…" His one good eye gleamed like steel. "…who are you really?"
The chamber fell silent, heavy with expectation. All eyes turned to Satria, waiting for the answer.
"Everyone here can call me Shin. I'm sixteen years old and just an ordinary student at Kuoh Academy—invited here by a certain perverted old man." Satria grinned as he jerked his thumb toward Azazel, who only sighed. "At the moment, I'm building a startup. It's not just a business—it's about creating solutions. I like to think of myself as a professional in progress, laying foundations for something greater than myself." He raised a finger dramatically. "As a bonus—yes, I'll give you extra free of charge—I always get home before 8 PM, sleep by 10 PM, and I make sure I get my eight hours. And before that, I always cuddle with my girls, so I can sleep like a baby." He spread his arms proudly, his grin stretching ear to ear. "Why am I telling you this? Because I'm a man who loves peace. But if some prick decides to pick a fight—" his eyes sharpened, voice dropping into steel, "—I won't hesitate to end his whole career."
The room went silent. Then—
"Wahahahaha!" Odin burst into thunderous laughter, clutching his belly. "What kind of introduction is that? I like you, boy! You've caught my interest."
Satria gave a casual shrug. "Sorry, old man, but I'm not into guys."
For a beat, the room froze—then Odin roared with even louder laughter. "Buahahahaha! This boy! No one's ever spoken to me like that! Hah! Where did you all find such a jewel of a young man?"
The tension broke, though sweatdropped expressions lingered among the dignitaries.
Meanwhile, Amaterasu leaned slightly toward Kiyohime, her golden eyes curious. "That boy… Shin, was it? Who is he really? What makes him so special to you?"
Kiyohime chuckled softly, her fan covering the faint smile tugging at her lips. "It began that night, when this reckless boy wandered into my dwelling. Back then, he was nothing more than a lost puppy—clueless and utterly helpless." Her eyes softened with memory. "But step by step, he grew. His courage was absurd, his recklessness infuriating… and yet, he never once wavered." She closed her fan and rested it against her shoulder, her voice low and steady. "Where others bent, he stood. That boy—my Danna-sama—is a fool who dares to face the impossible. And that is what makes him shine brighter than anyone else."
Amaterasu's lips curved faintly, her gaze lingering on Satria. "A reckless fool who became extraordinary… How very dangerous."
Issei smirked, puffing his chest out. "Well, that's not all. There's something that makes me respect Shin-san more than anyone else!"
"Oh? Do tell, Issei-kun," Serafall leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Issei pointed at Satria with both hands, grinning like a fool. "He is the most respected, most cultured man of my kind! Shin-san is none other than… the famous author of Icha-Icha Paradise! The greatest bestseller book in the world!"
The room froze. Several women's faces flushed crimson. Odin nearly dropped his staff. Azazel's jaw hit the floor.
And Satria? He silently walked behind Issei—then whack! kicked him square in the backside. "You stupid brat!"
"OW! W-What did I do?! I just wanted to tell everyone how great you are, Shin-sensei! You're my idol!"
"Shut up, kuso-gaki! Why the hell would you spill that now of all times?!" Satria hissed, panic flashing in his eyes as he saw Kiyohime's face twisting into something terrifying. Jeanne, on the other hand, tilted her head in confusion.
Azazel was the first to recover—grinning ear to ear as he pulled out a well-worn book. "Damn, Shin-kun… so you're a man of culture after all. Say, could you sign my copy?"
"WHAT?!" Odin suddenly roared, eyes sparkling. "You—you're the author of this divine art?! This masterpiece?!" His hands shook as he pulled out his own battered collection. "Sign mine too! Ohhh, the God of Icha-Icha! Finally, I meet you!"
Satria's soul visibly left his body. "Kill me now…"
Meanwhile, Kiyohime's voice cut through the chaos like a guillotine. "Ara… What book is this, Danna-sama? Care to explain?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Jeanne frowned, suspicious. "I don't know what's inside, but something tells me it's… not good. Sir Azazel, may I borrow a copy? I'll judge it myself."
"S-Sure… here," Azazel said, passing one to her with way too much enthusiasm.
The two women sat together, flipping through the pages. A few lines later—slam! the book snapped shut. Both of their faces were scarlet, their eyes locked onto their husband like knives.
"How could my Danna-sama write such vulgar thoughts?!" Kiyohime gasped. "Did I raise you wrong? Where did I mess up?! There's no way my little boy wrote something like this! I can't believe you're the author of this stupid book!"
Satria held up his hands, shrinking down like a cornered puppy. "Wait—I can explain! I just needed extra funds for my research in the past, that's all and—"
Jeanne's voice was soft, but deadly. "Honey… we'll continue this talk when we get home. But hear me now: I cannot believe you would write something so impure. From this moment, you are forbidden from publishing anything like this again."
Satria whimpered, shoulders slumped. "Y-Yes, ma'am…"
"Nooooo!" Azazel clutched the book to his chest dramatically. "Ojou-chan, don't forbid him! This is a masterpiece! The world needs it!"
"I agree with Azazel!" Odin slammed his fist on the table. "You cannot suppress a talent like this! His words must shine!"
Both men were immediately silenced by Amaterasu's glare, her voice like fire. "Shut your mouths, perverts. Stop trying to lead a young man astray with your degeneracy."
In the corner, Sirzechs wiped cold sweat from his brow, whispering to himself. 'He's the author of Icha-Icha…? Damn it, I want his signature for my collection too… but Grayfia is right here. What do I do?'
Grayfia's eyes narrowed dangerously at her husband. "What are you thinking, Sirzechs-sama?"
He coughed nervously, straightening his back. "N-Nothing, my dear."
Shemhazai groaned, rubbing his temples. "Can we end this idiotic comedy routine already? Let's return to the main topic before we all lose our dignity."
Sirzechs straightened, regaining his composure. "First of all… I want to express my thanks to the Shadow Garden faction, for rescuing my wife from another world and returning her safely—just as Lord Kazuma promised me."
Satria grinned and gave a thumbs up. "Told you. We never disappoint our clients. That's our motto—and our pride!"
Odin's jovial face hardened, eyes narrowing.
"Another world, you say? Explain this further."
Sirzechs's expression darkened. "It began with a man known as Black Flash. His power… is beyond terrifying. He could mimic my abilities, and his speed—unbelievable, faster than anything in this world. He kidnapped my wife to a place beyond my reach. That was when I realized… I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't even protect my family…" His fist clenched, knuckles white.
Grayfia softly embraced him from the side. "Don't blame yourself, Sirzechs-sama. What matters is that I'm safe. You mustn't lose hope—you simply need to grow stronger. Train. Break your limits once again."
For a moment the hall was silent, the weight of her words pressing on everyone.
Kiyohime muffled her giggle behind her fan, her sharp eyes darting toward Jeanne. The saint only gazed at her husband with a subtle frown, noticing the way he turned his head as if hiding something.
'Honey… you…' Jeanne thought, her smile never breaking but her eyes narrowing.
Azazel forced a nervous chuckle, though the tension in his jaw betrayed him. "The world grows crazier with every passing day. And speaking of which—have you all felt it? That surge of immense power that entered this realm not long ago?"
Amaterasu nodded firmly. "Of course. Yasaka-chan already made contact with the individual—he carries the name Sung Jin-Woo, the Shadow Monarch. He crossed blades with my brother in Kyoto too… and held his ground. His strength is real."
The gathering stirred at her words. Odin stroked his beard in interest, while Shemhazai frowned, eyes cold.
"Shadow Monarch, huh? Another factor to throw our balance into chaos," Azazel muttered. He tried to sound casual, but his fingers drummed restlessly on the table. The memory of Black Flash's overwhelming presence still gnawed at him. And the idea that such an entity could be swayed by… pleasures? His mind reeled.
Satria leaned back casually, breaking the tension with a grin. "Sounds like a dope guy. Should've joined a K-POP group instead—shake the world with that kind of performance. So? Did you already reel him into your pocket?"
Amaterasu smirked, a glint in her eyes. "Fortunately, yes. For now, he is… docile. Spending his time with women under our faction—many of them see him as worthy. As long as he enjoys himself, he stays close. And if he stays close… he becomes a shield for Japan against outside forces."
Several jaws tightened at that. Odin let out a hearty laugh, but the tension in the room didn't lift.
Azazel's smirk faltered for the first time. 'A honey trap… and it worked? No… it's too risky. If they think they can contain someone like that with flesh and comfort, they're playing with fire.' He clenched his teeth, sweat prickling his brow. 'Black Flash almost shattered my confidence… and now this?'
Satria, however, only squinted, his easy smile fading for a moment. 'Huh? Did I hear that right? That guy… spending his days playing with women? No… no way. I've seen men like him before. Sung Jin-Woo isn't that type. Not even close. So either someone's feeding lies… or something's very, very wrong happen here.'
•
At Satria's mansion, the girls gathered in the living room, their voices a mix of excitement and plotting.
"It's almost Satria's first birthday in this world," Fatalis announced with a grin. "We need to give him a surprise he'll never forget."
"Yes," Crom agreed, nodding earnestly. "Hubby always pampers us and gives us anything without expecting anything in return. It's only right we prepare something special."
Great Red leaned back, arms crossed, deep in thought. 'Power? He already surpassed me. Authority? He has that. Riches? Meaningless to him. Maybe...'
Fatalis, unlike the rest, looked entirely at ease. She had peeked into Satria's memories more than once, so she had a good idea of what would bring him joy. Smirking, she noticed Rimuru and Raphael frowning in confusion.
She wrapped her arms around both, squeezing them playfully. "Hey, you two look lost. What's wrong?"
Rimuru sighed. "I… don't know what to give him. What could make him truly happy?"
Raphael mirrored the worry, her voice soft. "I feel the same. What if my gift doesn't satisfy him?"
Fatalis chuckled darkly. She leaned close, whispering into their ears. "Then how about this: the two of you dress up… cosplay into something he likes… and offer yourselves together. Trust me, he'll never forget that gift."
"Eh?!" Rimuru's slime-core almost quivered in panic. "C-Cosplay?! Offer my body?!" Her cheeks glowed crimson.
"I-I…" Raphael stammered, fingers fidgeting. "Would he… really happy if I did that?"
Fatalis gave them a wicked grin and a thumbs-up. "Leave it to me. He'll accept you both—and you'll have the most wonderful night of your lives."
"Fufufu~ what are you scheming, you perverted dragon?" Velzard's cold voice cut through the air. She had been listening from the corner.
"Coming from the same pervert who cried and threw tantrums just to stay by my husband's side," Valiana shot back with a smirk. Velzard instantly flushed, glaring daggers.
Kurumi suddenly emerged from the shadows, her trademark giggle filling the room. "As I expected… So tell me, Velzard-san—has darling finally reached the standards of a True Dragon in your eyes~?"
Velzard stiffened. "I'm only observing him so he doesn't cause trouble in my world. That's all! Don't twist it!"
Morgan approached calmly to the new arrival, bowing lightly toward Kurumi. "Welcome back, Master. How were things in your world?"
Kurumi smiled faintly. "Busy. I've been gathering information about my old friends whereabouts, but more importantly—I've already prepared something fitting for my beloved's birthday." Her gaze then slid to Velzard, eyes glinting. "What about you, Velzard-san? Any brilliant ideas for a gift?"
Velzard huffed, crossing her arms. "Hmph! Why should I? As I said, I'm only an observer. Nothing more." Yet her averted gaze betrayed her. Inside, she was cursing herself.
Fatalis smirked, circling her like a shark. "Shame~ This is the perfect chance to… deepen your connection with him. You're inexperienced, after all. We can give you tips. Want to hear them?"
"H-Huh?! Don't treat me like some fledgling! I'm an Ancient Dragon who's witnessed civilizations rise and fall! I have no interest in trivial things like —"
"—love?" Kurumi finished smoothly, tilting her head.
"Y-Yes! Exactly!" Velzard snapped, turning her head away, her cheeks pink.
The room fell quiet for a moment, before Ophis finally spoke up from the couch without looking up from her manga. "…Yet, you listened to our night activities from outside the door. When I and Baka Red mated with him last night." Ophis turned a page, her face blank as ever. "You could have just knocked. And joined us."
Velzard's face turned scarlet in an instant. "W-Wha—?! You—you little snake!"
Great Red burst into laughter, almost falling over. "Hah! She got you good, sister! Next time, just admit you're curious instead of freezing the hallway!"
"Shut up, Red!" Velzard roared, face steaming.
Fatalis leaned back with a victorious grin. "My, my. This birthday planning is already getting very entertaining."
To be continued...