Yo!

  Welcome back to Chapter 45 of Shadow Light.

  We will discuss more in the end AN.

  Without further ado, let's jump into the chapter.

  Shadow Light

  Chapter 45

  Silent Omen

  The spar was in full swing as the 2 peerages tried their best to outdo Naruto's, amid the intense atmosphere of the sparring arena, a sudden disturbance caused everyone to falter momentarily. A shimmering magic circle appeared in the very centre of the arena, and Diodora Astaroth, driven by obsession and arrogance, stepped forth, expecting to take everyone by surprise.

  'YES! I'M HERE! YOU WILL BE MINE RE-'

  However, his timing couldn't have been worse.

  In that split second, multiple spells, unleashed from various directions as part of the ongoing spar, converged upon the unexpected intruder. A torrent of lightning from Akeno, a crystal nce from Saeko, an ice shard from Reni, and a stream of blood from Alice all found their mark simultaneously.

  Diodora, who had anticipated making a grand entrance and seizing control of the situation, was instead caught completely off-guard. The amalgamation of attacks smmed into him with unrelenting force, causing a massive explosion of energy that sent shockwaves throughout the arena.

  The dust and smoke from the explosion hung thick in the air. When it finally cleared, the sight that greeted everyone was one of utter disbelief: Diodora, one of the most well-mannered younger Devils, y sprawled and severely injured amidst the remnants of his misjudgment.

  The participants of the spar, momentarily unified by this unexpected turn of events, exchanged bewildered gnces. The audacity of Diodora's entrance, followed by its instant, unintended consequence, left the arena in stunned silence. The implications of this unforeseen twist loomed rge, and the atmosphere was thick with uncertainty.

  Unfortunately for Diodora, this caught Naruto's attention and with no mercy, a shadow ensnared the Astaroth Heir, banishing him from the Arena as sudden as he appeared.

  "Continue," is the only reply Naruto gave.

  The air around the sparring arena crackled with residual magic, the setting sun casting long shadows that danced on the ground. The 4 girls, whose attack hit Diodora stood in a semicircle, their expressions a mix of confusion and surpirse.

  Upon hearing Naruto's command to continue, 3 of their minds (Reni, Alice and Saeko) rebooted and readily slipped into a ready stance unlike the stunned posture of Akeno. Though not directly part, Rias and Sona looked dumbfounded as well, unable to process the quick turn of events.

  The clone didn't speak, he let the peerage do the talking and as he expected, Alice released blood mist, shaking everyone out of their stupor and suddenly remembering where they were before the surpirse, they jumped into action, continuing the spar.

  For the 2 Kings, this is a monumental moment as Naruto only trained them till now and didn't participate (even through his peerage) in an official spar. Sona and Rias want to make a good impression in their first attempt, as they can feel the changes in their minds and magic due to his training.

  While the blonde's peerage stood poised, their eyes focused and their stances ready. Kazehana adjusted her grip on her wind scythe, her vender eyes shimmering with calm determination. Saeko twirled her katana with a practised ease, her every movement exuding grace and lethal precision. Alice shifted her weight, her lithe form ready to spring into action. Reni stood slightly apart, her aura radiating both confidence and an underlying gentleness as she redied her ice to attack.

  A sudden burst of magic from Tsubaki marked the start of the renewed spar. Being the most versatile one with her mirrors, Tsubaki's eyes narrowed as she sent her mirror shards towards Kazehana. The elegant Rook responded with equal swiftness, her hands weaving through the air as she conjured a barrier of wind, simultaneously sending the scythes to intercept the mirror shards. The mirror shards shattered upon impact, the fragments scattering harmlessly around her.

  Rias' team, not to be outdone, unched their own offensive. Akeno, with a mischievous smile, called forth a bolt of lightning, directing it towards Saeko. The Knight moved with blinding speed, her katana slicing through the air as she deflected the lightning bolt. The energy crackled around her bde before dissipating into the ground.

  "Is that all you've got, Akeno-chan~?" Saeko taunted, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

  Akeno's smile widened. "Not even close, Saeko-chan. Fufufu."

  Just like that, the spark reignited leading to an intense battle, the members of the peerages moved with precision and coordination. Tsubasa, Sona's Pawn, darted towards Alice, her agility matched only by her ferocity. Alice met her charge head-on, their forms blurring as they exchanged a flurry of hand to hand blows. The sound of cshing steel and the crackle of magical energy filled the air, each strike resonating with power as Kiba charged on Saeko.

  Sona observed the battlefield with a keen eye, her mind racing with strategies. "We need to disrupt their formation," she called out to her team. "Focus on separating them!"

  Koneko responded to the command with a nod. She charged towards Kazehana, her small frame belying her immense strength. With a powerful leap, she aimed a punch at Kazehana's midsection. The wind barrier shifted, redirecting the force of Koneko's punch and sending her skidding back.

  Kazehana's voice was calm and composed. "Impressive strength, Koneko-chan. But you'll need more than that to break through."

  Koneko's eyes narrowed, her determination unwavering. "Then I'll just have to hit harder."

  Reni observed the battle with interest. She understands why her King wants to make them strong, but making his peerage fight them is ridiculous in the blonde bishop's mind. 'Am I missing something?' she thought and expanded her senses, while her hands moving gracefully as she conjured a barrier of ice around Alice as she was bombarded by Tsubaki, Momo and Kiba.

  The protection allowed Alice to focus on her offensive, her movements becoming more aggressive and precise. Saeko, meanwhile, adjusted her stance, her bde fshing in the dying light as she parried Akeno's continuous lightning strikes.

  'There you are!' Reni caught Naruto's magic signature, sitting in the Club office. 'Now what are you doing?' She pondered and sensed a cold yet warm feeling signature near him. She knew that signature. 'Oh my, how naughty, my King.' Reni giggled in her mind as she understood the reason behind the spar.

  With new found understanding, she jumped back into the spar, kicking the intensity of the spar a notch as the 4 of them pushed both peerages to their limits. Tsubaki and Rias coordinated their attacks, their combined power, mirrors deflecting and intensifying PoD creating a formidable force and directing it towards Naruto's peerage. The ground trembled under the force, cracks forming as the energy surged forward.

  Kazehana and Saeko stood side by side, their combined defences forming a wall of wind and crystal. The wave of energy crashed against their defence, the impact creating a shockwave that rippled through the arena. They knew full well how to counter the Power of Destruction. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the view for a moment.

  As the dust settled, the figures of Kazehana and Saeko emerged, their defenses holding firm. The exertion showed in their boured breaths, but their resolve remained unbroken.

  Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Alice unched herself towards Tsubasa, her agility unmatched. With a swift motion, she unleashed a series of powerful blood strikes, each one aimed with precision. Tsubasa struggled to keep up, her defences faltering under the relentless assault.

  Reni, seeing an opportunity, raised her hands and unleashed icy spikes from the ground, surrounding Tsubasa and cutting off her escape routes. Trapped, Tsubasa had no choice but to focus on defence, her movements becoming increasingly desperate.

  Seeing her Rook in trouble, Sona jumped to save her, unleashing a Water tiger while sending hot water to melt the ice trap Reni yed, saving Tsubasa. Rias nded beside her, fed up with Naruto's peerage constantly pushing them. She looked at Sona and both of them came to a silent mutual agreement.

  "This will end here. You will face us." Rias procimed, pointing towards Reni and the blonde Witch only smiled at that.

  Rias, with a determined glint in her eyes, raised her hands high, the crimson strands of her hair flowing like fmes in the breeze. The very air around her seemed to vibrate as she channeled Power of Destruction around her. The energy coalesced into dark, pulsing armour that thrummed with destructive potential. "Now, let's see how you handle this," Rias voiced, a mix of challenge and excitement in her tone.

  Beside her, Sona, ever the strategist, was already weaving her attack. Her fingers moved with precision, tracing sigils in the air that glimmered with a subtle blue light. "Water Dragon's Might," she intoned, and from the ground surged forth serpentine columns of water, their surfaces shimmering with a magic.

  Across the field, Reni's lips curled into a knowing smile as she prepared her own spell, her hands drawing intricate patterns that sparkled with frost. "Winter's Embrace," she whispered, and the temperature around her dropped precipitously. Ice crystals began to form in the air, growing in size and number, driven by her will to nullify the forces of destruction and water.

  As Rias released her armour of destruction like a missile, they joined Sona's rising water dragons with unstoppable force. The blue and red joined, creating a destructive purple dragon, pulsing with power from the 2 Devil Heiresses.

  Reni's smile didn't fade as the air filled with a sharp, crystalline tinkling with her ice crystals sweeping across the field, carried by a silent, cold wind. The Winter spread like a snow blizzard and as the two attacks met, a loud BANG was heard, breaking Sona's protective barrier around the arena due to the sheer magic and potency of the attacks. Only Naruto's barrier withstood the collision. Everyone paused their battles to find the source of the sound.

  As moments passed, the struggle for dominance slowly shifted to Reni's favour, PoD and Water being too uncooperative, so thought Rias and Sona. To no one's surprise, the Winter managed to supress the destructive Dragon and dispersed.

  Rias, observing the effectiveness of Reni's attack, couldn't help but nod in respect. "Impressive, Reni. Your control is as formidable as ever," she called across the field, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and the thrill of competition tinged with fatigue.

  Sona, too, acknowledged the strategic interpy, her analytical mind already parsing through the results for future encounters. "It seems we are well-matched today," Sona responded, her expression composed yet her eyes shining with the thrill of battle and exhaustion.

  Though they didn't show it, Rias and Sona have been pushing themselves for the past few hours and they can feel exhaustion catching up with their peerages as well. Even the high stamina Kiba and Koneko are showing signs of exhaustion for Rias and Tsubasa and Momo are already slowing down.

  Understanding that others can't keep up, Naruto called out, "That's enough for now. Everyone, gather around," his voice resonating across the field. Relief spread through everyone's bodies as all members didn't want to give up to save face for their respective Kings and the official call to end helped them maintain dignity for Sona and Rias.

  Underworld

  With Diodora

  Trigger Warning

  Meanwhile, in a secluded part of the underworld, the stillness of the night was shattered by a rush of shadows. Diodora was spit out of the gathered shadows, his form battered and bruised, he can barely hold himself together as he stumbled forward. He had been unceremoniously expelled from the battlefield, thrown into the middle of nowhere by thats Naruto.

  'THAT FILTHY HYBRID! HOW DARE HE! HOW DARE HE TOUCH ME! ONCE I GET MY HANDS ON RENI, I'LL TEACH YOU A LESSON! I'LL MAKE YOU WATCH HER SUFFER UNDER ME AND ONCE SHE GAVE UP, I'LL REMIND HER OF YOU AND BREAK AGAIN!' Diodora raged as the pain from his injuries was searing, each movement he made sending waves of agony through his body.

  Clutching his side, Diodora activated his teleportation circle, a complex pattern of runes glowing beneath him. The air around him shimmered, and in an instant, he was whisked away, reappearing in the grand hall of his family estate. The Astaroth mansion, with its towering columns and dark, gothic architecture, loomed over him, a stark contrast to his weakened state.

  As he staggered inside, the echo of his footsteps on the marble floor was the only sound. The grand chandeliers cast long, ominous shadows that seemed to dance mockingly around him. Diodora's vision blurred as he made his way through the hall, each step a testament to his stubborn will to reach his quarters. Just as he was about to colpse, the sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears.

  "Diodora!" a stern voice called out, filled with a mixture of concern and authority.

  He turned slightly, his bloodshot eyes meeting the gaze of his stepmother (father's bitch in his honest opinion), Verena Juro. She has an attractive figure. Her long, dark hair flowed down her back, and her piercing blue eyes were now narrowed in worry as she took in the sight of her stepson's battered form.

  "Diodora, what in the name of the Maou happened to you?" Verena demanded, her voice a mixture of anger and genuine concern. She closed the distance between them swiftly, her hands reaching out to steady him as he swayed on his feet.

  Diodora grimaced, brushing off her hands. "It's nothing, just a minor setback," he muttered, his voice strained with pain.

  Verena's eyes fshed with irritation. "A minor setback? You look like you've been through hell and back. Don't try to brush this off as if it's nothing," she snapped, her tone brooking no argument.

  "Shut up, why the fuck do you bother pying nice with me? My father is not here to impress." Diodora roared, he's not going to allow some random bitch to belittle him just cause he is injured. He is diodora ASTAROTH! HEIR OF THE HOUSE!

  "Shouldn't I care for you if your father is not around?" Verena asked in a hurt tone, her eyes, once filled with worry now filling with hurt.

  "Oh yeah? You really wanna care for me?" He asked mockingly, his power surprisedly back. He can feel his body repairing itself faster than he ever could. He was on his way to rage fuck Petra as her healing juices work well in these circumstances.

  But in the current scenario, he had a better choice and noticing his left hand, he saw the Ouroboros symbol on it glow as his body healed. 'So that's how it is,' he smirked with satisfaction. His eyes gleamed maliciously as his gaze returned to Verena.

  Verena looked up, a sense of foreboding settling in her stomach. "Yes?" She answered doubtfully, dreading what will happen. As Diodora mentioned, her husband is not home and she knew no one will save her from the Heir's wrath/lust if it comes to that as they gave up on him and let him do his thing. Even her husband stated the same.

  "Chloe!" Diodora called. His Queen appearing in an instant in front of him, kneeling obediently.

  "Your orders?" she asked in a bnk tone.

  "Pin Verena to my bed, she wants to care for me." He said, his face forming into a face splitting eerie smile, that gave chills to Verena and before she can react, Chloe was in front of her, catching her hands and teleporting her to Diodora's room and she proceeded to pin Verena to Diodara's bed as ordered, ignoring the woman's plight.

  Diodora appeared, like a stalking predator, his clothes vanishing as he inched closer to the bed and Verena's clothes also dispersed with a single touch from the Astaroth Heir. Her body in full dispy for Diodara to feast on.

  "Diodora, please, don't!" Verena pleaded. She doesn't want to escate this knowing full well her husband won't care for her now even if he comes.

  "What's the matter, you said you wanted to 'care' for me." He said with his eyes opening to give a once over to Verena's body. "You have such a fine body and strong spirit, 2 things I love in women. You can 'care' for 'me' all you want." He said, his gaze going down to Verena's honeyspot and as the animal he is, he spread her legs and aligned his member, ready to ram full force, to blow the daylights out of this bitch who dare to think low of him.

  He hoped to save this for Reni, but he could practise what he wanted to do for her he guessed and as he was about to ram in, "Schemer," that one, cold emotionless word stopped Diodora, his face paling as he turned to face the petite infinite Dragon Goddess, who is floating in front of his bed, not caring for the nudity or the circumstances.

  Her presence was ethereal, almost surreal, as she floated - her expression impassive, her piercing, emotionless grey eyes boring into Diodora's.

  "Schemer," Ophis called again in her childlike voice, devoid of any inflection. "You are injured. Who did this?" She asked, straight to the point.

  "..."

  "..."

  He bnked for a second, the petite dragon staring at him, unblinking. His mind kicked into overdrive and Diodora forced a smile, though the pain from humiliation made it hard, he managed. "Ah, Ophis, it's nothing. Just a minor accident during training."

  Ophis' eyes narrowed slightly, a rare show of suspicion. The intensity of her gaze was almost tangible, pressing against Diodora like a physical weight. "You lie. Tell me the truth."

  Diodora's heart pounded in his chest, but he kept his expression serene. He knew that Ophis, with her detached and analytical nature, would not be easily fooled. "I assure you, it was merely an accident. I slipped and fell on a sharp edge. Truly, there's no need for concern."

  Ophis floated closer, her presence overwhelming and suffocating. The air in the room seemed to thicken, making it harder for Diodora to breathe and Verena fell unconscious. "I do not believe you. Who attacked you?"

  Diodora's mind raced. He knew revealing the truth would have dire consequences. He maintained his calm facade, meeting her gaze directly. "Ophis, I swear, it was just an accident. Please, you have my word."

  Sweat began to bead on his forehead, but he held his ground. He knew showing weakness now would be his undoing.

  Ophis continued to scrutinize him, her eyes never leaving his. The silence stretched on, filled only with the crackling of the fire. The pressure of her gaze was almost unbearable, and Diodora felt as if she could see right through his lies.

  Finally, she sighed softly, a sound almost imperceptible but carrying a weight of disappointment. "Ok, Schemer. I believe you this time. Remember, I will know if you lie to me."

  Diodora exhaled slowly, relief washing over him like a tidal wave. He had managed to convince her, at least for now. "Thank you, Ophis. I won't disappoint you."

  Ophis turned away, her figure beginning to dissolve into the void, but her presence lingered, heavy and oppressive. "Tell me if you encounter anyone interesting, Schemer. Don't break my trust."

  With that, she vanished, leaving Diodora alone with an unconscious Verena in the flickering light of the fire. He slumped on Verena, the tension slowly ebbing from his body. He had escaped this time, but he knew he had to be more cautious in the future. Ophis was not one to be easily deceived, and her eyes would always be watching. The crackling of the fire seemed louder now, a reminder of the precarious game he was pying.

  His interest lost in Verena, he moved to other matters: pnning. He's the schemer after all.

  In Kuoh

  At Naruto's call, all the members moved closer, forming a circle around him. The air was thick with the lingering magic of their intense spar, and despite their exhaustion, each member's eyes were alight with determination and curiosity.

  Rias and Sona stood at the forefront, their expressions a mix of competitiveness and respect. They knew this was more than just a critique; it was an opportunity to learn and grow from someone whose strategic mind and combat prowess they both admired.

  Naruto took a deep breath, his gaze steady and encouraging. "First of all, I want to commend all of you for your efforts today. You pushed yourselves to the limit and showed incredible determination. That's the spirit that will lead you to greatness." He started.

  He turned his attention to Rias and her peerage first. "Rias, you and your peerage have made significant strides since our st session. Your coordination and teamwork were impressive, especially the way you and Akeno combined your attacks."

  While Rias chest swelled in joy, Akeno smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Thank you, Naruto-kun."

  Naruto nodded. "However, there were moments where you relied too heavily on your individual strengths. Remember, the strength of a team lies in its unity." He turned to Koneko.

  "Koneko, your strength is formidable, but you need to work on integrating your attacks with the rest more seamlessly."

  Koneko's cat-like eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a subtle nod indicating her understanding. "I'll… work on it." She said in a daze as she felt intoxicated by the subtle healing aura coming from the blonde.

  "Kiba," Naruto continued, turning to the knight, "your speed and precision were excellent. You created opportunities for your teammates with your quick manoeuvres. But don't forget to communicate those openings more clearly. A split second of hesitation can make all the difference."

  Kiba's usually calm demeanour was touched with a hint of determination. "Understood, thank you, Senpai."

  Naruto then shifted his focus to Sona and her peerage. "Sona, your strategic mind is a powerful asset. Your ability to read the battlefield and adapt your tactics is impressive and improved." He turned her Queen.

  "Tsubaki, your leadership and command of your sacred gear were crucial in holding your team together under pressure."

  Tsubaki's eyes reflected pride and a hint of gratitude. "Thank you, Naruto-kun."

  "However," Naruto continued, "there were times when your strategies were too rigid. Flexibility is key in battle." The King and Queen nodded.

  "Tsubasa, your agility and ferocity were on full dispy, but you need to be more aware of your surroundings and your teammates' positions."

  Tsubasa nodded, her expression resolute. "Understood sir."

  "You did well, Momo. Try to improve your Attack variety," Momo bowed in understanding.

  Naruto's gaze softened as he addressed the entire group. "Remember, the goal of these exercises isn't just to win. It's to learn, to grow, and to become stronger as a team. Each of you has unique strengths and abilities. When you combine those effectively, you become a force to be reckoned with."

  He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Let's go over some specific moments from the spar. Rias, when you summoned that wave of destructive energy, it was a powerful move, but it left you vulnerable for a moment. Always have a contingency pn."

  Rias nodded, her eyes reflecting her determination to improve. "I understand. I'll work on that."

  "Sona, your command to disrupt our formation was spot-on," Naruto said, turning to her. "But when Kazehana redirected Koneko's punch, it created an opportunity for a counter-attack that you missed. Being able to capitalise on such moments can turn the tide of battle."

  Sona's analytical gaze turned inward, processing his feedback. "I'll pay closer attention to those opportunities."

  Naruto's tone shifted to a more encouraging one as he continued. "Kana, Saeko, Alice, and Reni – your coordination was excellent. You supported each other and adapted to the situation well. Kana, your wind barrier was particurly effective against Koneko's strength. Saeko, your speed and precision with the katana and Crystals kept Akeno's lightning at bay."

  Kana and Saeko exchanged a gnce, their expressions reflecting their pride.

  "Alice," Naruto said, turning to the young Pawn, "your agility and combat instincts were impressive. You kept Tsubasa on her toes. And Reni, your support spells were crucial. The barrier of ice you conjured around Alice allowed her to focus on her offence."

  Alice and Reni both nodded, their eyes shining with joy.

  Naruto took a step back, his gaze encompassing all present. "You've all shown incredible growth, but remember, there's always room for improvement. Continue to train hard, push your limits, and learn from each other. The bonds you forge here will be your greatest strength." Everyone gave a happy cheer.

  "Rest your bodies well. You earned it!" He said and the group began to disperse, Rias and Sona approached Naruto, their expressions thoughtful.

  "Thank you, Naruto," Rias said, her voice sincere. "Your feedback is invaluable. We'll continue to improve."

  Sona nodded in agreement. "Yes, your insights are always enlightening. We have much to work on, but I'm confident we'll grow stronger from this."

  Naruto smiled warmly at them. "I have no doubt you will. Remember, I'm always here to help." He said encouragingly as they dispersed.

  As the st rays of the setting sun bathed the training grounds in a warm, golden light, Naruto's peerage gathered around him, their faces reflecting a mix of pride and 'exhaustion'.

  "You all did well. Let's head back. Your reward is long due," Naruto said, his voice filled with satisfaction. With that, they teleported to their residence.

  Meanwhile, Ninja Club Office

  As the participants dispersed from the training grounds, Naruto and Grayfia continued their conversation in the Ninja Club office. The tension from the sparring session slowly ebbed away, repced by a quieter, more reflective atmosphere.

  Grayfia's usually composed demeanour was tinged with a rare hint of mischief as she settled into a chair, crossing her legs gracefully opposite Naruto. "Naruto, you realise the implications of what just happened with Diodora, don't you? Ajuka's not going to let this slide. It's going to be a pain for you to deal with."

  She acted as if she didn't suffocate him in her cleavage or teased with her skillful hands.

  Naruto leaned against his desk, continuing the py, arms crossed, a pyful glint in his eyes. "Ooh! I'm in trouble," he said in a 'scared' tone.

  "..." Grayfia smiled in amusement.

  "I don't think so, Grayfia. Diodora brought it on himself. Barging in unannounced like that during an official sparring session was reckless."

  Grayfia chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm just gd I'm no longer the 'Strongest Queen' everyone looks to for solving problems like this." She gave Naruto a pyful look, her tone teasing. "Looks like the title now belongs to someone else."

  Naruto smirked, a mixture of pride and amusement in his expression. "Oh, is that so? I didn't realise I had such big shoes to fill."

  Grayfia leaned back, her gaze thoughtful as she shifted to a more serious tone. "The improvements I've seen in both Rias' and Sona's peerages since I st saw them in the summer are impressive. They have really stepped up their game. Their coordination and strategy have significantly improved."

  Naruto nodded, his expression turning reflective. "They've come a long way. But there's still more they need to learn. Today's spar was a good test, but they need real-world experience to truly grow."

  Grayfia's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she shifted the conversation. "Is that why you allowed them to participate in the 'War against Demons' in Kyoto?" She asked with a knowing smirk.

  "Did I? It never occurred to me." He spoke in an innocent tone, his sweet smile so powerful it could even melt the heart of a wary stray dog.

  "And what of now? I couldn't help but notice your ck of involvement today. Are you showing off?" She continued in the same tone, not falling for the trap the mischievous blonde id. She resisted the urge to pinch his cheeks hard.

  Naruto's sweet smirk widened, his tone pyful. "Maybe? But you know me, Grayfia. I don't tolerate anyone intruding in my territory or ciming something that's mine. Diodora learned that the hard way. I feel he had it easy as he is an Heir."

  Grayfia's heart danced upon hearing Naruto's boastful procmation, indirectly ciming her as 'his'. She leaned forward, her tone both teasing and serious. "So what's your pn moving forward? What are you going to do with Rias and Sona?" She asked, not wanting to give in.

  She would love to be part of Naruto's peerage then and there. But they made a promise to each other. He would show her love and she would allow him to express himself and then decide. Even for a Devil, Grayfia Lucifuge is a woman of her word. She's not going to break that. But she still hoped Naruto would finally take her in. This feeling she gets whenever she is around him is truly intoxicating.

  She didn't want to talk about Kyoto as she doesn't want to imagine/remind the pain he went through to make such a harsh decision and the magic he exerted to rebuild the city almost from scratch. For a pacifist and someone who loves peace, he is very powerful and Grayfia doesn't want it any other way.

  Naruto's expression turned thoughtful, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'm going to organise more training sessions, maybe even joint missions. They need to learn to rely on each other and adapt to changing circumstances. It's the best way for them to grow."

  Grayfia blindly nodded, her thoughts a jumbled mess. "It sounds like a solid pn. Their potential is undeniable. And I have to admit, watching them today was quite impressive." She spoke in automation.

  Naruto's pyful smirk returned, his tone turning mischievous. "Speaking of impressive, you seemed to enjoy the show today. Did you have fun watching me 'show off'?"

  Her mind returned to present at those words and she chuckled, a warm, genuine ugh that filled the room. "I always enjoy watching you, Naruto. You have a way of making things interesting." Her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "And I also appreciate your dedication to their growth. You see the potential in people and help them realise it."

  Naruto's eyes softened, a genuine warmth in his gaze. "Thank you, dear. Having you here to support me means a lot." His voice turned emotional, his eyes tearing up for a second. Grayfia thought she saw an otherworldly depth to them for a moment before it disappeared into a joyful look.

  Grayfia's gaze lingered on Naruto, feeling the unspoken bond that had grown between them over time. She leaned in, her tone both serious and teasing. "So, about our date... Should I be prepared for another 'show'?"

  "Hehe, I don't see why not." He said with a smirk. His pn for their data is gonna rock the world and he knew that's nothing compared to the joy and bliss he feels when she is with him.

  'Naruto, you there?' Naruto received a telepathic message.

  "Oh it's the zy bum! I was on the brink of eternal cringe here. Gimme some good news, Shika." Kurama said in excitement. He didn't know why Naruto didn't cut their connection when he is having such a cheesy moment, but he was curious and stayed. Curiosity killed the cat, not the Fox. Definitely not the amazing, all-mighty, powerful, Juubi- Dragon-sama. No Sir!

  Though he understood the simirities between the ice doll and Hinata, he didn't get why Naruto was wasting so much time fooling around instead of fully ciming her. Even after a century, Kurama can't get the blonde's intentions.

  'Yes, Shika?' Naruto replied, ignoring the furball's stupid remarks.

  'I found something for Kurama to clear his boredom. Visit me when you can.' He said, his voice full of curiosity and excitement.

  'Oh no, he found something big.' Naruto and Kurama thought simultaneously as they knew the Nara well.

  'Ok, see you soon.' Naruto replied and the zy Nara cut the connection. Before Kurama could say how excited he was, Naruto severed the connection, focusing on his beloved.

  Grayfia thought Naruto zoned out for a second. But understanding he might be thinking, she left him for a few seconds and he gave her a small smile, as if he found what he was looking for.

  "So we will go at 9pm tomorrow, is that acceptable?" He asked with a mischievous smile.

  "Where?"

  "That's a secret. Be ready by 9pm." He said and shaking her head at his antics, she agreed.

  Grayfia's thoughts swirled with anticipation as she imagined what Naruto had in store for their date. His ability to blend light-heartedness with deep sincerity was one of the many things that drew her to him. She could feel her excitement building, not just for the surprise itself, but for the time they would spend together, away from the pressures and responsibilities that often weighed on them.

  Naruto's smirk widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, you should definitely be prepared, Grayfia. It's going to be a night to remember."

  Grayfia stood, a pyful smile on her lips as she summoned her magic circle. "I'll hold you to that, Naruto. And thank you for a wonderful day." She leaned in and kissed him softly on his lips, her eyes reflecting a mixture of affection and anticipation.

  Naruto's gaze followed her as she stepped into the magic circle, his voice filled with warmth. "See you tomorrow, dear."

  Grayfia's smile deepened, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Until then, love." With a final wink, she vanished in a swirl of magical energy, leaving Naruto standing in the office with a sense of anticipation for the day ahead.

  The weight of the recent events seemed to lift, repced by a sense of purpose and determination. The future was uncertain, but with Grayfia by his side, Naruto knew they were ready to face it, whatever it might bring.

  Scene Break

  Dimensional Gap

  In the ethereal vastness of the Dimensional Gap, a tear in the very fabric of space-time shimmered, the space breaking like gss, as though reality itself had been punctured by the needle of existence. From this tear, a figure emerged, her form a blend of substance and shadow, composed more of light and thought than flesh and blood.

  The entity was undeniably female, with an elegance that transcended the mortal concept of beauty. Her form was semi-spiritual, ethereal, like a goddess conjured from the mists of some ancient and forgotten world. Her hair flowed around her like a halo of soft, luminescent blonde with red threads, each strand glowing with a pale, otherworldly light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the beats of the universe. Her eyes, wide and luminous mauve, mirrored the cosmos—vast, deep, and filled with the swirling nebus and starlight of distant gaxies.

  Her attire seemed woven from the very fabric of the night sky, adorned with consteltions that moved and shifted over her form, a map of celestial wonders that was both armor and insignia. The air around her was perfumed with the scent of ozone and jasmine, a fragrance that spoke of rain-soaked earth and the electric charge of a storm.

  As she floated gently in the boundless void of the Dimensional Gap, her thoughts raced at an incredible pace. She had been drawn here by disturbances that rippled through the yers of space-time—a series of anomalies that had unsettled even her ancient and inscrutable kind. Only days ago, these disturbances had been mere whispers on the cosmic winds, but they had swiftly grown into cmors impossible to ignore.

  Her purpose here was threefold. The first was to investigate the source of these disturbances, disruptions that had the potential to unravel the threads that held the universes together. The second, more pressing concern was the sudden and arming disappearance of one of her own—a fellow entity who had vanished a day ago, her magical essence abruptly ceasing to resonate in their dimension.

  Though they suspected she fell to their enemies, they knew better than to lose trust in one of their own given their capabilities and the one missing is a special kind which their enemies fear.

  Third was a pivotal warrior, a messenger that came to their world with news that can help them in the relentless war their kind waged against a race of self-procimed superior machines, entities that viewed organic life as a redundant precursor to their own cold, calcuted existence.

  These machines, calling themselves the pinnacle of creation, had long sought to eradicate the ethereal beings, seeing them as obstacles to the ultimate order of the universe—a universe governed by logic and efficiency, devoid of chaos and emotion. Propostorous.

  Hovering in the void, the ethereal woman focused her senses, extending her awareness across the dimensional divides, searching for any trace of her lost sister. The urgency of her mission was palpable, each moment stretching out like an eternity. The fate of entire worlds hung in the bance, hinging on her ability to uncover the truths buried within the chaotic folds of the Dimensional Gap.

  "Astrid, report," she commanded softly, her voice resonating within the confines of her mind.

  Analyzing...

  And Cut.

  That's it for this chapter folks.

  Tell me what you feel about the chapter. A lot happened lol. I definitely didn't expect the end. What could this entity be and who could they be searching for?

  Astrid, what a nice name. Any idea who that is? Lemme know! If you want the story to be continued in July, do vote on my patron page.

  As always, let me know in your reviews and do share your feedback and suggestions!

  I'm very delighted to share that you can now read 9 early chapters on my patron. My user name is same BckInfinity1289 on patron website.

  Note: They are early access only, they will be eventually released here as well.

  Also, if you want discuss about the story or the ideas, you can join my discord server. I go by Henry there, give me a ping to say hi.

  link: discord. gg / SPsSwAcq4b

  Hope to see you there!

  Thank you for reading.

  Good Day!

  Bck Infinity 1289,

  Ja Ne.