Human World, Hanging Neck Island.
While battle raged on in both the Human World and the Underworld, The audience in the Dark Tournament arena tried frantically to escape after seeing Acnologia smash through the roof. Meanwhile, those who James and Irene decided to protect were standing inside of Irene's barrier, not sure of what to do. James, on the other hand, could only watch Acnologia and Rizevim blankly.
'Hey Ddraig.' James said internally.
"[What is it, Partner?]" Ddraig replied.
'Do you think they forgot I was here?' James asked.
"[I don't think they forgot… At least Acnologia didn't.]" Ddraig replied. "[But I doubt he sees you as a threat, either.]"
"So, he's looking down on me, huh?' James asked with his eyes narrowing slightly.
"[Probably.]" Ddraig said.
'That's something I'll have to make him… Oh, I almost forgot.' James said before vanishing from his spot with a [Flash Step].
As James moved, Acnologia's eyes flicked in his direction for a moment. However, when he noticed that James was not trying to run away, he returned his attention to Rizevim. Meanwhile, James arrived in the stands, in a section opposite where Irene and the others were gathered. Laying in a crater next to where he stood was a barely conscious, turquoise-haired demon.
Crouching down, James patted the demon, Bui of Team Toguro, on his face, bringing his consciousness back from the brink of unconsciousness.
"You're from… team Urameshi…" Bui rasped out. "Have you come to finish me?"
"Nah… I actually came to make you an offer." James replied with a smile. "Oh, and keep in mind, if you reject, I won't kill you or anything."
Bui, despite his injuries, looked at James skeptically. Though he did not outright reject, he did not believe for a moment that James would allow him to make his own decision in the matter. The strong dictated the weak's position in the world, after all.
"I have a friend who is a lot like you, actually." James continued, seemingly not noticing the skepticism in Bui's eyes. "He puts himself through intense physical training. Hell, he even uses a technique similar to your [battle Aura]. And I think that the two of you would get along. He would probably even want you to join his peerage."
"So, you would subject me to another life of servitude, then?" Bui asked in a clearly discontent tone.
"Were you even listening?" James asked, tapping a finger on Bui's forehead. "I told you, you don't have to accept if you don't want to. I'm just giving you an option that might make you stronger."
Hearing that he might get stronger by accepting James' proposal, Bui's facial expression changed.
"But you don't have to make a decision right now." James continued. "For now, let's just make sure you don't die in the battle that's about to ensue."
In the next instant, James hoisted Bui over his shoulder. Then, with another [Flash Step], that Acnologia noticed, he appeared outside Irene's barrier.
"Hey, Irene, can you make sure this guy doesn't die?" James asked, pointing toward Bui, who he was carrying over his shoulder. "I think Sairaorg would like to meet him. Oh, and if Hiei tries to kill him, knock him out. I'll deal with that guy later."
When James finished, a hole was opened I the barrier and James handed Bui to Irene. Meanwhile, Hiei scoffed at James' insinuation.
"What do you take me for?" Hiei asked in a disdainful tone. "I do not take pleasure in tormenting the weak."
"Anymore." Kurama added quietly, causing Hiei's head to whip around toward him.
"Don't worry, James, I'll make sure he's able to meet Sairaorg." Irene replied with a nod.
Then, as soon as Irene finished speaking, a flash of light lit up the inside of the barrier. Turning in its direction, everyone, other than James and Irene, opened their eyes wide and let their mouths hang open a bit.
Standing where the flash occurred was Erza. Instead of her normal armor and skirt, she was now wearing a sexy, pink nurse's outfit with a short skirt. Quite a bit of cleavage exposed and her long legs, wrapped in sheer white stockings, were on full display.
"Don't worry, James, I'll be sure to nurse him back to health." Erza said with a smile while unravelling a large roll of bandages.
"Holy shit, that's hot… Ow." Yusuke muttered before grunting from the slap on the back of his head he received from Keiko. Deciding to change the subject quickly, so that Keiko would stop glaring at him, Yusuke continued to speak. "They called you James. Does that mean you're about to reveal your identity?"
As Yusuke finished speaking, all the eyes in the barrier turned to James.
"There's no point in keeping it hidden now." James replied with a shrug. "As soon as I start fighting, anyone with a bit of information about the supernatural world, would know who I am."
In response, Yusuke only nodded his head.
"Well, other than the Kuwabara siblings, that is." James added. "Since they've had so little exposure to this side of the world."
Before James could speak any further with his group, the conversation was interrupted by Acnologia's angry roar.
"Enough!" Acnologia shouted as he swung one of his claws at Rizevim. "I shall bear the insults of an insect, no longer!"
*Bang!*
*Boom!*
*Splat!*
Before Rizevim could react, he was swatted away with great force. Then, when he made contact with the wall behind him, his body exploded into a bloody mist while that side of the arena was obliterated by the remnant force.
"What in the…" Kuwabara asked in total disbelief.
"You intend to fight that?" Hiei asked while staring at James. "You're no stronger than I am. Are you suicidal?"
Ignoring Hiei's question, James stared at the spot where Rizevim's body was burst.
"Hey, Irene, have you received any reports about the situation around the Human World and the Underworld?" James asked absent mindedly.
"Yes, apparently, battles have broken out all over." Irene replied. "Team DxD is currently defending the Underworld and the territories of our allies along with their armies. On top of that, some of our strongest members are fighting off some of Rizevim's especially strong co-conspirators."
"Well, damn, doesn't that mean that all those battles are now useless?" James asked. "I mean, with Rizevim dead, there's no one to unseal Trihexa. 'Cause I'm sure he never shared the method with anyone else."
"It would seem that way." Irene replied with a nod. Then, she looked at Acnologia who was glaring at James with enough intensity to set him ablaze. "But I believe this battle is unavoidable."
"Yeah. I guess it's time to earn my magic's title, huh?" James said with a nod. "Even though I've defeated a couple of dragons, I've never slayed one, after all."
With that, James stepped away from the barrier, while Irene quickly closed the hole, she had opened in it.
"Wait, did he just say he's fought dragons?" Kuwabara asked with disbelief in his tone. "And won?"
"Yes, that's what he said." Irene responded.
"How is that even possible?" Kuwabara asked. He then pointed his finger at the black dragon standing under the destroyed roof. "I mean, look at that thing."
"Never mind that idiot's questions." Hiei cut in, knowing now he would get an opportunity to find out James' true identity. "Which dragons has he fought and one against?"
"The Evil Dragons, Crom Cruach, the Crescent Circle Dragon, and Acnologia, the Dragon of Annihilation." Irene replied.
While most of the people in the barrier had no idea what those names represented, Hiei, Kurama, Jin, and Touya opened their eyes wide in surprise. Considering that they were the ones who relied the most on information gathering, they had heard of the young man who was able to defeat those dragons. Meanwhile, Koenma had already received reports about those feats.
"Are you telling me that guy, J, is actually James Alaverus?" Jin asked in shock.
"It's James Sataniel now." Irene corrected. "He was made the fifth of the Great Satans a few months ago."
"Satan? Like the Devil?" Keiko asked.
"Yes and no." Irene answered with a smile. "In the Underworld, Satan is a title. The title that the strongest devils are bestowed that come with the responsibility of ruling over a part of devil society."
"Hold on!" Kuwabara said, raising his hand, signaling Irene to stop. "Are you saying that J is one of the rulers of hell?"
"The Underworld, but yes, I am." Irene replied.
Silence fell inside the barrier as everyone processed the information they just heard. However, Hiei was the first to break that silence.
"Impossible." Hiei said in a weird mixture of certainty and disbelief. "There's no way one of the Satans of the Underworld could ever be so weak."
"Dude, trust me." Yusuke said in a solemn tone. "James is much stronger than you could imagine. I mean, I trained at his house for the last three months, and even I don't' know how strong he really is."
"Of course, you don't, Dimwit." Genkai said. "The pressure of his full power alone would have caused your body to implode."
Once again, the inside of the barrier fell silent. This time, however, everyone looked at Genkai in shock, finding her description of James' power hard to imagine.
Meanwhile, while the conversation in the barrier was going on, James walked towards Acnologia, who seemed to be content to wait for him. During that short walk, James had another short conversation with Ddraig.
'I doubt I will need the [Tyrant Dragon Domination Drive] this time.' James said.
"[Yeah, after lifting the seals, I don't think you'll be much weaker than me in my prime.]" Ddraig replied. "[*Sigh* Things are going to get boring without anything to do.]"
'Well, you could always teach me how to use [Boost] without you.' James suggested.
"[Are you trying to take away all my reasons to even exist?]" Ddraig asked in a forlorn tone.
'Well, since I'll be on your level soon, there really is no reason to keep you sealed in the [Boosted Gear] anymore, right?' James asked. 'That said, I'm sure Ajuka, Azazel, and Master would be able to find a way to get you out of there if they put their minds to it, right?'
Instead of answering, James could tell that if Ddraig had a physical body, he would be able to see the dumbfounded expression of a dragon, a mental image that made him chuckle.
Hearing James' chuckle, Ddraig was pulled back from his daze.
"Are you serious?" Ddraig asked with such irritation that he spoke out loud in stead of just in James' mind.
"As a heart attack. James replied in a serious tone. "But if you leave, I won't be able to use the [Boost], [Transfer], or [Penetrate] abilities anymore. So, I want you to teach them to me."
"I see." Ddraig replied, still in a bit of a daze.
"Then, instead of just being your host, I would be more like your heir, wouldn't I?" James asked.
Although Ddraig did not know how to respond to that question in words, he could feel a smile tugging at his lips.
'An heir, huh?' Ddraig thought to himself. 'That doesn't sound so bad.'
Meanwhile, James had just arrived in front of Acnologia again. To his surprise, he was not attacked while he was having his little conversation with Ddraig.
"You're really quite patient, Acnologia." James said, looking up at the dragon before him. "I expected you to attack me while I was paying attention to other things."
"Hmph!" Acnologia snorted, causing the air in his surroundings to shake. "I do not need such lowly tricks to kill someone like you."
"Oh, I see." James replied with a nod. "It looks like I must have hit you in the head a little too hard last time we fought. I mean, that's the only explanation I can think of that would cause you to forget the ass kicking you caught last time we met."
"*Growl!*" A low, angry sound was emitted from Acnologia's throat in response.
"Either way, you'll regret giving me so much time." James said with a smile. "Chimichanga."
As soon as James said that last word, a cherry blossom-pink aura exploded out of his body and shot high into the sky, causing the clouds hanging over the island to disperse.