* * * * *
At the gates of Konoha-----
"Well, I will be blunt. By rights, you should have been in prison right now. But we have heard your plea and all your actions up to now have been pardoned. Breaking the jutsu of the Infinite Tsukuyomi played a big part in the decision. As well as the fact that I became the Sixth Hokage, and that Naruto, the key figure in ending the war, testified on your behalf. Don't forget that. And please don't get too reckless. Otherwise, I'll be held responsible."
Kakashi explained to Sasuke, who was recently released from prison, following his attempts of joining the Akatsuki and attacking the Five Kage Summit.
Sasuke simply replied back with a firm statement, "Understood. Thank you."
"Must you really go? The artificial arm that Lady Tsunade is creating from Lord Hashirama's cells will soon....." As Sakura tried to convince Sasuke, he quickly intercepted, "I need time to understand my feelings. How I should view the Shinobi World, this World. Perhaps I'll be able to see things I couldn't see before. Things that can't be seen unless I do this. Also, there's something I'm worried about."
Sakura started blushing and she inquired softly, "What if I said.....I'd go with you?" She glanced up at Sasuke with her green eyes, awaiting his answer.
However, Sasuke simply closed his eyes and sighed. "This is a trip to atone for my sins. My sins have nothing to do with you."
Sakura's head dropped instantly when she heard Sasuke's cold reply. Nothing to do with me....? However, almost concurrently, she felt a poke on her forehead and looked up to find Sasuke smiling at her.
"Maybe next time. Thank you(Arigato)"
Sakura's face instantly turned red and she could only watched on as Sasuke started walking away from the village, her heart filled with hope that he would eventually return.
***
As Sasuke continued his journey through the forest, he turned his head to find Naruto propped up against a tree.
"I didn't think you'd come to see me off."
Naruto simply reached out his hand and a single word escaped from his mouth. "Here!"
Sasuke glanced down at the item Naruto was holding and was shocked for an instant. "You kept that thing?"
As Sasuke looked at the missing arm of Naruto, he could not help but feel guilt overwhelm him.
[You sacrificed your arm to stop me.]
[Thanks to you, I found Salvation.]
[Once, all we did was clash with each other. But now we share each other's pain.]
[I came to the conclusion, that this sharing of pain can perhaps be applied to something much bigger than just us.]
[But I can't do things like you. Things don't go that smoothly, as you and I know more than anyone else.....]
[The bigger something is, the harder.]
"I'm returning this." Naruto passed over the headband which Sasuke had once discarded.
As Sasuke received it, he made another vow with Naruto.
"I'll hang on to it....."
".....until our real match."
[To keep enduring, no matter what, until things come to pass.]
[And for we who must endure, perhaps that's what it means...]
[To be a ninja.]
***
Not long ago, the world was threatened by a criminal organisation known as the Akatsuki, with their leader being known as Pain, a wielder of the legendary dojutsu, Rinnegan.
However, it was only during the 4th great Shinobi World War that the world understood; Akatsuki was simply masterminded by Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara, who sought to rule the Shinobi world through the Infinite Tsukuyomi; in order to gain what they define as true peace, a world of dreams.
The legendary Ten Tails was revived along with the God tree and after Madara cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Otsutsuki Kaguya was resurrected by Black Zetsu.
It was only due to the efforts of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, that Kaguya was sealed by the resonating powers of Yin and Yang("Rikudou:Chibaku Tensei!").
***
For a period of time, the world was at peace.
The Five Great Villages had united during the 4th Shinobi War and each village was mainly concerned with rebuilding their infrastructure and addressing the deaths of their Shinobis.
However, not everyone believed that the threat was over.
Uchiha Sasuke, a current wielder of the Rinnegan, was left doubtful as to why Otsutsuki Kaguya had to create an army of White Zetsu when she was already strong enough to wipe out the Shinobi race by herself.
Being the only one left with the Rinnegan and able to travel through dimensions, Sasuke decided to leave the village to atone for his sins.
Soon after reconciling with Naruto and his former team 7, Uchiha Sasuke finally left Konoha on his journey of redemption.
***
Two years after the 4th Shinobi War,
Somewhere in another dimension--
A lone figure; wearing a black cloak over a black shirt and pants, with white bandages wrapped around his legs, could be seen walking through a seemingly endless desert.
***
As Sasuke continued walking through the desert, his mind wandered off and he was dragged into his subconsciousness, causing past memories to start surfacing.
What spread within the inner heart was an overwhelming and vast darkness. It was a place that gave off a feeling where a person would lose themselves. However, on the surface of the darkness, slight ripples were spreading out.
Continuously heading towards a deeper place within the darkness.
It was an image of the deep sea. The pitch-black color of the darkness slowly became more and more dark.
The parts of Sasuke's mind that were disconnected were being dismantled bit by bit and lie scattered across the vast empty darkness.
Those pieces scattered everywhere contained countless memories of his life so far.
The time he first joined the Academy.
The time he entered Team Seven and joined the Chunnin Exams.
The time he defected from Konoha to join Orochimaru in search of power.
The time he joined the Akatsuki.
The time he and Naruto fought against Kaguya.
And--
His final battle with Naruto.
And then even further into the past----the events that were seemingly painful to recall, the distant scar....
The bottom of his own mind. In the lower strata of his unconsciousness that was far separated from consciousness, forgotten pasts were precipitating as if being thrown away.
The first time his brother carried him on his shoulders for a piggyback ride.
The first time they took down a Boar together.
The time his brother killed his entire family.
The time when he realized that the Brother he thought hated him actually loved him all this time, and all he did was to protect Sasuke from danger.
Itachi.....
As Sasuke looked up at the sky, he once again felt just how minuscule his existence was in the vast cosmos; and how there were many things in this world that have yet to be explored.
However, he was soon brought back to reality.
[It seems there is nothing I can find here.]
[As I thought, Kaguya's palace is in another dimension.]
Sasuke took one last look at his surroundings.
[There is no point in me staying here any longer.]
The black color started draining from the iris of his left eye into purple; forming three circles, with three tomoe intersecting the two innermost circle.
A dark oval shape spiral started distorting through the atmosphere and a separate dimension could be seen through it.
Without hesitation, Sasuke jumped through the portal.
***
As Sasuke stepped out of the portal, he instantly realized that something was amiss.
This place was...
He had ended up in a park.
As he surveyed his surroundings, the orange sky indicated that it was close to dusk and there were several couples preparing to leave the park.
Did I end up back in Konoha?
As Sasuke activated the Rinnegan again, a flicker of shock coursed through him.
[I can't create another portal?! Could it be that I overused the Rinnegan?]
Although his Rinnegan was clearly visible, he was unable to use its teleportation abilities.
It was at this moment, that he sensed a strange feeling in the air.
Right at that instant, an area of the park which Sasuke had stumbled in was cocooned by a purple barrier and he could sense an ominous energy signature coming from the center of the park.
***
Rushing to the location, what came in Sasuke's sight first was an aesthetic and breathtaking Water fountain.
However, he was clearly not alone.
His eyes quickly landed on another scene. There was a male and female in front of him.
The male, roughly around Sasuke's age, stumbled to the ground as two black wings started sprouting from the woman's back.
[What is this...]
[Just where did I end up in?]
The female started speaking first, "Although short-lived, playing innocent lovey-dovey with you was fun. So..."
A spear started materializing in the woman's hand.
"Yuuma-chan?"
"...please die!"
The woman brought her spear down on the man's chest and flesh blood spurted out.
However, just before the spear could penetrate in deeper to the chest, the man suddenly disappeared like mist and another figure took his place.
It was a male with a cloak.
PING!
The woman's spear was deflected away.
"What the...!"
***
[Tch, I was slightly late]
Sasuke cursed inwardly as he drew out his katana from its sheath and intercepted the woman's spear.
"Who are you! Where is Hyoudou Issei!"
Unbeknownst to her, the man called Hyoudou Issei was only a few meters away from her.
Sasuke whipped out three kunai from the pouch he carried and hurled it at his opponent.
"Tch!" The woman flew up a few meters in the sky and black feathers rained down as she ascended.
"You will pay for interrupting my meal!" The woman started hurling verbal insults and a spear of light formed in her hands.
"Die!"
She threw the spear down at Sasuke.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!
A thick barrier of Earth was constructed in front of Sasuke and the spear of light was defended against; however, the barrier instantly crumbled.
The woman's face contoured into a grimace and she created another spear of light.
This time, she flew straight down at Sasuke but he predicted her movement and had already leaped up midway into the air; the ground where he was just at was already a crater.
He formed the Tiger Seal on his right hand, a seal common for fire techniques.
"Fire release: Great Fireball Technique!
A fireball, the size of a giant orb, was expelled from Sasuke's mouth and upon impact, with his complete mastery of the jutsu, the fireball was powerful enough to obliterate the ground and vaporize the surroundings.
***
The woman was able to barely avoid the direct impact of the blast although--
"ARGHHHH!"
The woman groaned in pain as she clutched her injured body. She had suffered extensive external wounds and some parts of her wings were already charred beyond repair just from Sasuke's jutsu barely touching her. She had managed to avoid the attack to certain degree but the effects were already proven from her injuries.
If that blast hit me completely, I would have...
Her eyes, filled with hatred, glared at Sasuke before she declared.
"The next time we meet, I will definitely kill you!" The barrier started to disappear and the woman instantly took off.
However, Sasuke decided not to chase her and instead focused his attention on the injured male.
He walked over and crouched down before examining the wound.
Although the spear had penetrated slightly, the wound was not considered fatal.
Luckily, he had switched positions almost instantly, or else...
As soon as the barrier was released, a couple of people started entering the scene and were shocked to find an injured male in the park.
Sasuke calmly assessed the situation and stood up.
"This man here was attacked by a robber and requires immediate medical attention."
Although some of the passerby were suspicious of Sasuke's getup, they still listened and hurriedly called for medical services.
After witnessing the male being carried off by medical personnel, a question still remained in Sasuke's heart.
[Just where am I?]
However, it was at that particular moment, a mysterious event occurred, which completely caught Sasuke off guard.
A crimson light, which flew out from the injured male, pierced through the air and insinuated into Sasuke's right arm.
***
"Kuh!"
The moment the light entered Sasuke, he felt a sudden change with him; as though something was binding together with him and a sharp like pain penetrated his skin.
He clutched his arm as the searing pain increasingly grew; and he felt as though his soul was merging with a foreign presence.
[Just what is this...]
Finally, the pain started subsiding slowly and what appeared next shocked Sasuke to his core.
What appeared on his right arm was a red claw-sharped gauntlet with a green jewel; manifested with golden spikes.
[What the hell?!]
***
As Sasuke examined the gauntlet, his right eye started taking the appearance of three intercepting ellipses.
Using his Mangekyo, he could sense a distinct entity within the gauntlet.
However, just as he was about to look further into the mysterious and foreign object that had overtaken his right arm, a crimson circle; with a rose encased within it, expanded from the ground.
Sasuke instantly readied his stance of drawing his Katana but retracted his action upon seeing the figure and released the Mangekyo.
What appeared from the circle was a young woman with white skin, blue eyes, and long beautiful crimson hair that reached down to her knees.
It was a gorgeous appearance that could never be thought as something for a fight.
The girl landed gracefully on the ground as she turned to face Sasuke.
"So, it seems you are the one who drove away that fallen-angel." She started speaking in an alluring voice.
"My name is Rias Gremory. Pleasure to meet you. May I ask for your name?"
Sasuke calmly ascertained the woman.
Her alluring voice sent a tickle to the strings of a man's heart and would make one fluctuate--
However, he appeared indifferent and simply replied coolly, "Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke continued, "You seem to know that woman you termed as Fallen-Angel. Just who are you? Are you the same kind as her?"
The girl named Rias, shook her head.
"Hmm...we are not the same. This area is under my jurisdiction and I sensed someone had invaded my territory so I came to take a look. I am impressed. For a human to defeat a Fallen-Angel. And...to think that I would find the Sekiryuutei," as Rias sent a glancing gaze to the gauntlet on Sasuke's right arm, her mouth curved cynically and she continued; "This is certainly fate. Judging from your reaction just now, you have no clue what is that red gauntlet on your arm. Am I right?"
Rias took Sasuke's silence as an affirmation.
"Tomorrow, come to the Occult Research Club at the old school building of Kuoh Academy. You will find your answers there."
As Rias prepared to leave, Sasuke asked her one final question.
"Where is this Kuoh Academy?"
***
This should be the place.
Sasuke was standing outside the gates of the supposed Kuoh Academy.
He glanced at his right arm.
The gauntlet had disappeared during the night..
As he stepped inside, whispers started floating through the air from the various students.
"Hey look! Isn't that guy like...super handsome! He is as cool as Kiba-Kun!"
"Oh my gosh he is super cute!"
"What is he wearing? Is that cosplay?"
"Who cares! But I have never seen him before! Is he even a student here?"
However, Sasuke remained completely insouciant as he approached one of the girls.
Kyaa!!!
"Sorry to disturb you. May I ask where is the Occult Research Club?"
The girl appeared shocked for a moment and her face instantly blushed as she pointed towards the direction.
"Thanks."
Sasuke gave a light bow and left, pretending not to notice the scene of the girls creating a commotion.
***
Finally--
Sasuke had arrived outside an old building, with a large clock located at the top; obscured away from the school and without hesitation, he entered.
Sasuke could sense the presence of people inside the building and he pushed open the door to one of the rooms.
Inside the room, four individuals were seated.
One, was the girl named Rias and the other three were--
Sasuke simply swept his gaze over them and focused his attention on Rias.
"I came just like you asked. Now, you will answer my questions. Just who are you and that woman in that park? You clearly know what kind of creature she is so I am assuming your identity is closely related to her. And, just what is this thing inside my right arm?"
"Ara, ara. Handsome-Kun has a lot of questions, doesn't he?" A girl with long black hair and violet eyes gently laughed.
Rias placed her tea on the table and smiled.
"Let's start off with some introductions. The girl who just spoke is Himejima Akeno. That girl over there is Toujou Koneko and the other male is Yuuto Kiba."
Sasuke nodded his head.
"Sasuke."
"Now, Sasuke. Where do I start. Firstly, we are Devils."
That was a rather shocking confession but Sasuke continued listening.
"The black-winged woman you saw yesterday was a Fallen-Angel. They were once angels serving under God but were cast down to the underworld due to their wicked nature...." Rias paused for a while before continuing.
"Since primeval times, there's been a constant struggle for dominance in the Underworld, or Hell, as you humans call it. There are also normal Angels, who come here on God's orders to hunt demons and Fallen-Angels. Simply put, we have a three-way standoff."
[What kind of place did I end up in? Is this another dimension I travelled to? This doesn't seem to be part of Kaguya's dimensions.]
Sasuke then raised his right arm. "I roughly get the situation. Then, what is this thing in my arm?"
Rias stared at Sasuke's arm for a moment.
"Sacred Gear."
The girl named Akeno continued.
"An unusual power that resides in humans. Sometimes, they have power formidable enough to threaten Devils and Fallen-Angels. Once unleashed, you can activate and deactivate it as you please."
Sasuke then recalled back to that injured man from the day before.
[This Sacred Gear thing must have transferred over from him.]
"However,"
Rias then sent a sharp gaze at Sasuke.
"What you possess is something very special. Known to double its holder's power every ten seconds; allowing any who possess it to surpass even a Maou or God temporarily..."
"It is one of the thirteen Longinus:"
"The Gauntlet of the Emperor of Red Dragon, Boosted Gear."
[Red Dragon?] Sasuke looked down at his arm.
[So that was the presence I felt residing inside this gauntlet. To think that there is such a creature within it...its exactly like...]
[A Bijuu.]
[Is this the same as being a Jinchuriki?]
"You seem surprisingly calm about this."
They had no idea that Sasuke had encountered legendary beings back in his world such as the Tailed Beast and the Ten-Tails; so a dragon was not exactly a surprise for him.
"I have my reasons," came the usual cool reply.
"Thank you for answering my questions. I will be taking my leave now."
[I will just wait for the Rinnegan powers to return. But, I must figure out how to get rid of this gauntlet as well.]
However, just as Sasuke turned around--
"Wait!"
"Is anything the matter?"
"Ahem ahem."
Rias then raised her finger and pointed at Sasuke.
"Now that you know our identities, we can't just let you walk off like this. Besides, the Fallen-Angel that you encountered at the park will definitely find you again and you will meet many more enemies in the future...so...how about it?"
Rias revealed a seductive smile.
***
"Would you like to become a devil and join my peerage?"
For a moment, Sasuke was too stunned to say anything--
However, when he regained his composure, his eyes started frowning.
"Become a devil? What are you trying to say?"
Rias then started explaining to him.
"After the Great War between the devils, fallen-angels and angels; there were much fewer number of us. So, the evil pieces were created to help replenish the number of devils," Rias paused and observed Sasuke for any distinct expressions before continuing, "The evil pieces are a set of 15 chess pieces given to High Class Devils to increase their rankings. These pieces are used to reincarnate other beings into Devils and become our servants."
She paused slightly.
"I am currently looking for potential members as I plan to officially take part in the Rating Games."
"Rating Games?"
"The Rating Game is a competition between two Devils with a peerage and shares many similarities with the game of chess."
"And, what do I gain by joining your peerage?" Sasuke asked.
The smile on Rias's face widened.
"The Rating Game is used to measure a Devil's strength, which will reflect their social standing in the Underworld. If you participate in the Rating Game and produce exceptional results, you may be able to become a High Class Devil in the future with your own peerage. After all, you possess a legendary Sacred Gear. And, even though you will be considered my servant, I treat my peerage as my own family. I will do my best to protect you from future enemies."
Rias continued smiling at Sasuke, confident that this would surely entice him into accepting the offer.
"Not interested. I do not require any form of protection. But thanks for the offer."
As Sasuke reached to pull the handle of the door, the male named Kiba suddenly held him back by his shoulders.
"Please wait. Our President has a reason for doing this...she needs to gain more strength..."
Sasuke was about to outright reject the statement when a magic circle, similar to the one from the park, suddenly formed in the center of the room.
A beautiful young woman, appearing to be in her early twenties; with back-length silver hair, wearing a blue and white maid outfit appeared from the circle.
"How do you do everyone? I am Grayfia, a servant of the Gremory Family. Nice to meet you."
She bowed her head.
"Grayfia? What are you doing here?! Is it because of Elder Brother and Father again?" Rias questioned in a harsh tone.
However, Grayfia remained calm and replied.
"Your marriage with Riser Phenex has been determined. This matter is already decided."
"My chastity is mine! Why should I give it away to someone I do not even like?"
"It seems my timing has been unwise. But, you are the heiress apparent of the Gremory Clan. Think about the reputation of your family," Grayfia left behind these parting words as she disappeared through the same circle.
As Rias slumped to the floor, the smallest girl in the room, Koneko, started explaining to Sasuke.
"Rias President is engaged to Riser Phenex. He is a pure-blooded, upper-class devil, and the third son of the Phenex family. This marriage was arranged by the orders of her brother, Sirzechs Lucifer-sama and her father. That is why, she intends to annul the marriage through a Rating Game with Riser."
Akeno then reached out and gently placed her hands on Sasuke's chest.
"Please. We need your strength as the Sekiryuutei."
Rias then looked up at Sasuke.
"You find me pathetic don't you? Trying to recruit you just for the sake of annulling my engagement. But, even though I know it's pathetic, I don't wish to be tied down by such a fate. I want to break free from this chain and change my own destiny."
As Sasuke listened to Rias, he was conflicted when he heard the phrase-
"I don't wish to be tied down by such a fate."
***
[A long time ago, due to the anger and hatred of my clan's downfall, I decided to bear the entire clan's hatred upon myself in my desire to avenge them and I was so submerged in darkness that all I ever wanted was destruction.]
[The Curse Of Hatred became the fate that tied me down.]
Sasuke then looked down at Rias.
[This woman...bears some similar circumstances. And now, she is trying to break free from the chain that binds her.]
Sasuke recalled back to what Naruto had said at the Valley Of The End after their final battle.
Why do you keep involving yourself with me?
Cuz you are my friend.
But...what exactly does that mean to you?
It's just that...when I see you take on stuff and get all messed up...
It kinda hurts me.
It hurt's me so much that I cant just leave it alone, y'know.
***
[You saved me.]
[You managed to free and purge me from the endless cycle of hatred that tied me down for so long.]
Sasuke then remembered the main purpose of his journey.
[This is a journey of redemption to atone my sins...]
***
Sasuke sighed.
"I understand. I will help you."
Everyone's face instantly lit up but just as Rias tried to say something, Sasuke cut her off and continued--
"However, I have two conditions."
"What kind of conditions?" Rias could not help but ask.
"First, I said I'm helping you but I am not going to be reincarnated into a devil or become your servant."
Rias started panicking. "But...what about the Rating Game? Only members of my peerage can take part in it."
Akeno then spoke from the side. "Let's speak to Ajuka-sama to see whether they can do anything about it. I don't think we should force him if he doesn't want to."
Rias could only sulk and pouted.
Sasuke simply ignored her.
"And I require a place to stay as my previous lodging was...destroyed."
"That's easy, I can get a new place for you immediately."
Sasuke sighed again.
[Is this really alright?]
***
As Sasuke finally left the school, he recalled to the conversation back at the Occult Research Club.
"But...you can't take part in the rating games if you are not part of my peerage!"
[It seems that there are certain rules these so called devils abide by. How troublesome.]
[I wonder--]
[What if...]
Before Sasuke could finish his thoughts; a young girl with long blonde hair and green eyes, wearing a dark teal nun outfit and a white veil over her head, bumped into him.
"Kya!"
The girl had fallen into quite an awkward position.
"Are you alright?" Sasuke reached out his hand and the girl hesitatingly reached out for it.
"Than...Thank you."
The girl brushed off the dirt from her clothes before she bowed to Sasuke.
"Once again, thank you!" and Sasuke watched as her silhouette left.
[I didn't even do anything yet she still thanked me.]
[Strange girl.]
***
As Sasuke continued walking through a park, he saw the same girl again.
"Don't cry, it's just a scrape. You're a boy, after all."
She was stroking the head of a boy who had an injury on his knee.
However, what caught Sasuke's attention was the green light shining from the ring on the girl's finger.
Slowly, the wound on the boy started healing
[His wound--]
[Is that Medical Ninjutsu? No, this is not Konoha. There should not be any other Shinobi here. This should be something perculiar to this world.]
[Is that thing also one of these Sacred Gears?]
As the girl stood up, she turned around and noticed Sasuke standing behind.
***
The two of them sat on a bench at the roadside.
"I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Asia Argento."
"You can just call me Sasuke."
"Since you saw what happened, I must've surprised you." She smiled lightly at Sasuke.
"No, I'm not really that surprised."
Asia then saw the left sleeve of Sasuke's shirt fluttering.
"Your left arm--"
"What happened to it?"
When Sasuke didn't reply her, she hurriedly apologized.
"Sorry. I know it's not my place to ask such personal questions."
The girl looked down at the ring on her finger.
"This is a wonderful power granted by God. Yes...a wonderful power..."
She started explaining to Sasuke about her past although he didn't ask.
(Once, there was a girl who was abandoned by her parents and was raised in a Church.
She received a special power at the age of 8 and from then on, her life changed.
She was symbolized and respected as a "Holy Maiden" by many but she didn't have any friends she could open up to.
One day, she saw a devil nearby and healed him. However, someone from the Church saw and notified others.
When they realized she could heal even devils, the people saw her as a heretic and was abandoned by the Church.)
"This is also a trial that the lord gave me. Since I'm a clumsy nun, the lord gave me this trial. So I have to endure."
After Asia finished her story, Sasuke stood up.
"Umm..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take up so much of your time."
Her face started turning gloomy until she heard--
"There was once a man who refused to heed the word of others, and sought power regardless of the method--"
"And tried to change the world all by himself."
"He paid for it dearly..."
"However, in the end, a friend saved him."
Asia couldn't say anything and simply stared at Sasuke.
Sasuke then turned around.
"Umm..." Asia started fidgeting with her hands.
"Will we see each other again, Sasuke-san?"
Sasuke didn't say anything and left.
***
It was close to nightfall and Sasuke was still walking around the streets, recalling his memories from the time he spent as a child up till his present self.
He glanced down at his missing arm.
[This is my punishment...]
As he continued walking down the street, he saw something faint in the far distance.
***
"...Raynare-Sama..."
"Asia, you know it's useless to run away?"
"...No! I don't want to return to that Church. I don't want to return to the people who kill other people."
"Your Sacred Gear is essential for our plan. I also took the time to look for you. Stop being such a troublesome bitch!"
Raynare formed a portal above them and covers Asia with her black feathers before flying up.
***
[Tch, just what is that girl up to now?!]
Although it was dark and there was quite a distance, Sasuke could still see two distinct people.
[It's that Fallen Angel again!]
The Rinnegan instantly materialized on his left eye.
However--
[Shit! She is too far away!]
He couldn't use the Amenotejikara.
Furthermore, he had been constantly using the Rinnegan to travel through Kaguya's dimensions prior to his arrival in this world; he had to use a significant amount of Chakra every time he passed through a dimension.
Sasuke closed his left eye.
The black portal vanished.
***
"...It's becuase I didn't pray enough. It's because I'm clumsy."
"This is also a trial that the lord gave me. Since I'm a clumsy nun, the lord gave me this trial. So I have to endure."
"Will we see each other again, Sasuke-San?"
Sasuke then recalled what Chino had said to him before at the Coliseum--
"Then why don't you help?"
"To a victim, the assailant and a third party are no different."
"People are no better than the assailant if they didn't try to help."
"...If you do nothing--"
"You're just as guilty, Sasuke-chan."
***
[This world has just been giving me troubles...]
Sasuke then recalled Asia's attire.
[She said she belongs to a Church.]
[If I'm not wrong, according to this town map, there is only one Church...]
Sasuke turned his head and faced a certain direction.
***
What a strong killing intent.
Sasuke was crouching behind a bush just outside the Church.
[I can sense multiple presences inside.]
1,2,3..7...10--
[There should be more than 20 people.]
Sasuke then sauntered forward and kicked the doors open.
***
Inside, the place simply resembled an abandoned sanctuary and Sasuke focused his attention at the center, right below the altar.
[There is a trapdoor there.]
"Hey! Hey! Hey!"
A young man with short white hair, dressed in clerical clothing's, walked out from behind a pillar.
"Well, who do we have here? Are you a Devil here to save Asia-tan? HAHAHAHA!"
The man started laughing in a crude manner and a disturbing smile spread across his face.
"You know, since I'm super strong, I cut Devils into pieces when I first meet them! You guys piss me off! DIE! You trashy Deeeeeeevils!"
After spouting off verbal abuses, he took out a gun and a sword.
Hmph. I don't even need to use my eyes against this guy.
"Ahaha! Lately, I haven't had an awesome battle like this! You seem strong! I'm going to kill you!"
The man shot out multiple bullets from his gun but Sasuke evaded the soundless bullets with ease.
"Hmmm! Such a pain! Fucking DIEEEE YOU PIECE OF SHIT! Eeii!"
As if unsatisfied, the man continued releasing more bullets but Sasuke had already grasped the flow of his movements--He was able to completely read his opponents breathing and muscle tension.
Sasuke could sense the outline of the distortion in the air caused by the flow of the bullet, depicting an outline as if showing where the phenomenon was going to happen next.
The second wave of bullets were also avoided and like the dancing wind, Sasuke plunged within a few meters of his opponent.
His hand had already grasped the hilt of his sword and Sasuke channeled his lightning chakra through it.
"You talk too much."
With a white flash, the horizontal Iai slash was unleashed, causing blue sparks to scatter and the man's weapons were annihilated in half. Moving faster than the human eyes could follow, and with a thunderous boom, Sasuke appeared next to the man with white hair. With a crushing force, he unleashed a roundhouse kick, sending the man flying across and smashing right through the wall at the far end.
Most of his internal organs had been pulverized and most of the bones in his upper body shattered. It was unknown whether he was even still alive.
Sasuke proceeded to head towards the altar's hidden stairs.
***
As he walked down the staircase, Sasuke could sense a peculiar presence at the end of the passage.
[That person is there.]
Sasuke raised his right arm.
The consciousness inside was still not waking up.
Sasuke walked further in and pushed open the large door at the end of the passage.
The room was filled with people wearing hooded Priest robes and they were all holding sword handles in their hands.
At the center of the room, Asia was tied to a huge cross.
The Fallen Angel, Raynare, screamed from the end of the room.
"IT'S THAT BRAT AGAIN! EVERYONE, STOP HIM WHILE I EXTRACT THE SACRED GEAR!"
One of the Priest came charging at Sasuke but Sasuke lightly sidestepped and launched an upwards kick. The Priest fractured into the walls of the surroundings.
"Hah--I didn't want to reveal too much but this is going to take a while. And, I do not have time to spare..."
Sasuke closed his right eye as he declared to his audience.
The next moment he opened his eye, the surrounding Priests around him started falling to the ground.
"What did you do!"
Raynare screamed at Sasuke as she examined his right eye.
"You..! Just what is that eye! What are you exactly!"
"I am not going to use that on you. That would be letting you off too easily."
Sasuke continued "But at the same time, I won't use anything special on you. You are not worth it..."
"Taijutsu would be enough on you."
"Brat!"
Before her lingering voice could dissipate, a single person had already taken a position behind her back.
"You..."
Raynare was blown to the ground just by a single kick from Sasuke.
Sasuke kept his katana back in it's sheath and concentrated chakra at only the soles of his feet; creating an acceleration with the minimum amount of chakra.
It was exactly the move of a master assassin.
Without any preliminary motion, also with little emission of chakra, it was nearly impossible to foresight and detect.
Then, Sasuke slipped within a meter from Raynare.
--What was unleashed, was a palm strike. With a slap, Sasuke's palm hit Raynare's chest. There was no impact. His palm was coming into contact lightly with her chest.
At that instant, a curious amount of chakra was emitted from his palm. That chakra which possessed a curious wavelength repulsed against her chest. With Sasuke's palm at the center, a ripple was spreading out energetically and
---Almost at the same time, Sasuke's one leg where he placed his center of gravity stepped *DON!* on the ground strongly.
The recoil impact that was created from that action was, just like absorbing the momentum and energy produced, absorbed into Sasuke's body.
Sasuke's whole body was operating in succession as if not to let the produced impact escape. The energy and momentum earned from stepping the ground was passing through the knee into the hips; the hips were rotating in a circle making the chakra tinged with a spiraling property while passing through the spine into the shoulder, the shoulder was twisted in a circle making the spiraling force accelerate even further while moving to the arm--
As if the whole body was depicting a spiral and turned into a screw.
That technique converted the chakra into destructive power. When compared with a normal impact, the spiraling movement brought about ten times the piercing power mechanically.
The spiral penetrated the muscle and destroyed the internal organs, consequently, it was a Hakkei of certain death.
*DON!* The special move was driven into Raynare's chest. What was hit was not the chest, but the sternum. No, passing through even the sternum, towards the heart...
What depicted the spiral was not only the body's movement, but the chakra's aura too.
Finally, Raynare collapsed on the ground.
Blood spurted out from Raynare's mouth as she struggled to raise her body.
She looked at Sasuke with sorrowful eyes.
"Please! Don't kill me! I will give you anything you want!"
She started begging for her life pitifully.
"Do you want sex? I can give it to you! See, I'm so pretty! It is every guy's dream to have sex with a Fallen Angel!"
Sasuke took out his sword again and readied his blade stance, such that once released, it would swing downwards in a clean cut and completely severe the head of the girl in front of him.
"Just like that guy from before, the way you talk disgusts me. Miserable."
Sasuke's voice didn't have the slightest sympathy in his tone.
"Your presence in this world will only bring harm to others."
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Tears started streaming down Raynare's face.
And--
The blade was swung down.
***
Sasuke cut the ropes binding Asia and supported her, before leaving the place and heading back up to the sanctuary.
As for the other Priests in that room...
***
Asia's face was pale as Sasuke laid her down on one of the pews.
She was still heavily traumatised because of the incident.
"What are you going to do now?" Sasuke asked.
Asia looked up at Sasuke before looking down again.
"I can't go back to the Church again. I don't know where else I can go also."
Just as Sasuke wanted to say something else, a magic circle materialized behind him and the Occult Research Club members stepped out.
***
"As expected, you really are special." Rias started speaking as she walked towards Sasuke.
"What are you doing here?"
"I finished my business so I used the magic-circle to come here. It was my first time transporting to a Church, so I was slightly nervous. I heard about a special girl being able to heal devils so I started my own investigation as well. Her name is...Asia Argento isn't it?"
Akeno continued.
"There were a couple of Fallen-Angels not far from this compound and we took care of them. After all...for Fallen-Angels to step foot in this town, we can't let them get off Scot-free. But...the main credit still belongs to you, Sasuke-kun. It is no amateur feat being able to take down so many enemies at once."
Rias took something out from her pocket.
It was a red color chess piece that bore the same color as her hair.
"That is..."
"This is a [Bishop] chess piece."
"Wait...don't tell me. You are planning to..."
Rias then walked towards Asia while she held the crimson chess piece in her hand.
"The [Bishop]'s role is to support other members of the group. Her healing powers could be useful as a [Bishop]. Since I'm taking part in the rating games, I need powerful people in my peerage."
Rias looked at Asia straight in the eyes.
***
"Asia Argento, are you willing to become a devil and servant of the Gremory Household?"