Akeno put her finger on her chin, a wondering look on her face.
Then a dark glint entered her eye, completed with a slightly sadistic grin.
Naruto suddenly had the feeling that he shouldn't let Akeno-san and Maria talk with each other for any period of time.
He just shouldn't. End of story.
"Alright, now that everyone is present and accounted for, there is something that needs to be discussed."
Everyone turned to Rias, giving their attention to the master of the house.
"Naruto informed me of what happened yesterday, first I'd like to apologize for the trouble that all of you have endured. I'm...somewhat ashamed that someone managed to get inside the barrier." the high-class devil apologized solemnly.
Naruto just looked annoyed at that.
"Hey. You couldn't have known. So quit trying to take the blame here, instead...let's focus on the perpetrator. Let's find out who this bastard is and what he wants." Naruto interjected, a frown marring his face.
No one here was 'responsible' for that attack. Even he couldn't sense that bastard properly without his use of demonic energy. So instead of pointing fingers, it's best that they just find the bastard and put him down before he tries anything again.
Nods of agreement were murmured between all of the occupants of the table and Rias gave the blond a grateful nod.
"Speaking of which, I think that I know why that masked bastard attacked us, I think that he was after Asia." Issei added quickly, positive that he was right.
The shinobi glanced at the wielder of the Boosted Gear with a pointed look. "I thought that that might be the case, but do you have proof? Something that he said or something like that? After all...he could've also been aiming for you."
He had a point, the masked guy left the Peerage at the forest to hunt down Issei and Asia-san...so which one was that bastard targeting?
The pawn nodded. "In a sense, he was after me...just that he was after me to hurt Asia. He said he wanted to see her in pain...so he wanted to hurt me to do that."
Well...that was pretty morbid.
"Well, considering that this masked individual seems to be a high-class devil at the very least and that he only had fourteen Peerage members...we can infer that this man tried to take Asia-san for some twisted reason." Yuki deduced quietly, it sounded awfully close to what she heard that the devils of old would often do.
Asia just shifted uncomfortably, intensely aware that some dangerous individual was hunting her for some reason.
Issei placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort.
She appreciated that.
"...So do you think that he'd stop if she became 'unavailable'?" Mio wondered out loud.
"Maybe, but I think it's best not to do anything too...permanent until we have more information. Besides, this bastard sounds like he would target Asia-san whether she's part of a Peerage or not." Naruto replied with a serious expression, sure that someone like that would always try to get what he wanted.
Arrogant pricks were like that.
"Nevertheless, Asia-san is in danger now. So perhaps she should learn how to defend herself properly?" Yuuto suggested, seeing that as the best solution so far.
No one objected to that idea, so it was pretty much accepted.
"Um...if I'm going to train, then what would I learn? I don't exactly have that much combat potential, I think..." Asia asked with a hesitant face, she didn't see how anyone could train her properly for fighting.
Naruto simply grinned at her. "Leave that to me. Besides, I don't really think that you need to learn how to fight...just how to stall. Besides, while you're right in that you don't have much fighting potential, you do have potential somewhere else."
Akeno frowned, somewhat confused. "Maybe she could be a powerful support, but I don't see how her abilities could allow for her to stall against a concerted attack."
The blond simply shrugged. "Normally I'd agree. But I think she's got a shot with some...uh...intervention I guess."
He didn't elaborate.
"On a different topic, when will Grayfia-san come back?" Naruto inquired while turning to face Rias. "I wanted to talk to her about the fire chicken."
...
"Wait...what?"
"I wanted to talk to her about that Riser guy."
Rias stared at the blond for a moment, did she mishear him...?
She decided to let it go and answer his question.
"She's supposed to come by today in order to inform me about those women you've captured. I'm not too sure when...but it should definitely be today."
The shinobi nodded, then he had a little time to get something ready for his idea...
With that knowledge at hand, he stood up from the table with a foxy grin on his face.
"I gotta get something ready, so I'm gonna head to my room for a while. See you guys later!" Naruto chirped, before moving away from the table, back to his room.
The entire group watched him leave, some with very curious stares.
"What's the prankster from hell up to...?" Issei mumbled warily, unintentionally voicing out everyone's concerns.
Rias especially gave him a curious stare, was it about what he told her last night...?
"Ara ara...it seems that our foxy-kun has a secret or two. Do you have an idea about he's up to, Buchou?" Akeno asked with a genuinely curious expression.
The entire table turned to her.
...Damn it Akeno...
"...I think that he may be preparing himself to help me with...that issue." Rias stated casually, trying her hardest to appear calm and centered.
"Eh? Are you in some sort of trouble, Rias-san?" Maria inquired with a worried expression. Anyone that treated Mio-sama and Naruto-sama well deserved to get help in her eyes.
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