There it is a new chapter. The only reason I'm even updating in my tight schedule is that I like where this story is going. Well whatever it is, here you go.

Some people don't like me declaring pushing down this fic on my update schedule because of the disappointing lack of reviews. Well, you can suck it up, I don't get any money from this, I don't even ask or promote a subscription of the sort to any of you. The least I could do to ask for my hard work is a review to feel at least people appreciate what I'm doing. I have other fic requiring my attention too, so excuse me if I change focus.

There are other things I also want to address, but personally, I don't have enough energy to address it and I'm not wasting my time doing that.

Welp, just enjoy I guess.

XXX

First Triumvirate

XXX

Shikamaru Nara let out a plume of smoke from his mouth. The cigarette in his mouth taste fouler than usual and even the nicotine can't change the fact how it tastes now. He put his free hand in his pocket and leaned back to the pillar of the abandoned building he's currently at. He's restless, even smoking can't seem to kill off the feeling of anxiety inside of him. The bleak atmosphere also doesn't help, and the mood of his partner clearly will not improve anything into a positive.

"Listen," Shikamaru finally spoke, "I know you want to end her life right now for what she'd done but we can't just ignore a high profile individual, you know that." He looked at his blond hair friend sitting on a barrel not too far away from him with a stone cold face, holding his unsheathed crimson sword in front of him with both hands like a cane. No matter how many time he'd seen the blade Shikamaru always never get used to the sight. He's absolutely sure that Naruto will never brandish it to his longtime comrade but the thought never leaves his mind.

The Blade of Rupture, Naruto called it. A sacred gear that had help carved him his reputation among the Underworld denizens as Serafall's undisputed Queen, and her most feared lapdog. But of course a weapon is just a weapon, and without a strong wielder, even the greatest tools will fall with their full potential unreachable. Naruto, however, can reach many heights of potential use to almost all of the tools he has, including the blade.

"Just leave the negotiation to me, alright? I'll try to at least get something out of this troublesome situation." He looked at the unconscious wounded Fallen Angel on the ground directly in front of Naruto. "So when he arrives here please hold your anger, at least until the negotiation is done." The blond didn't react immediately, which spoke volume of his mood right now. Not that he can blame him; Naruto just lost a friend again.

What a troublesome situation I'm in…

"… Fine." Naruto voice broke the silence, and even Shikamaru can sense the anger hidden in it. "Just… Please, at least fulfill Rias demand…"

The smoker let out a sigh of relief, "Of course." He looked to the other side where the other Fallen Angel's located. Anko most recent victim sits on the ground with a collar chained to one of the building pillar wearing only a rag that barely covers her body. Her lifeless expression and eyes informed him enough that his more sadistic co-worker had done quite the number on her.

Well, at least I don't have to deal with her spouting insults or trying to escape.

"Foxhound there's someone heading toward your position, presumably the target, over."

"Copy, Firefly." Shikamaru pushed himself off the pillar. "Naruto, I think he's here."

Naruto didn't reply and just stare dagger toward the entrance of the building.

They watch and observe the entrance as a figure slowly made itself inside. As he stepped in closer toward them the darkness slowly dissipated and reveal a tall man with black hair, golden bangs and black goatee wearing a dark purple long coat. A large grin seems to break out on his face when his violet eyes landed on them—or more specifically to Naruto. "Ah! Serafall most beloved lapdog and one of his mixed blood companion! Good evening!"

None of them had taken his obvious bait. Shikamaru step forward. "Good evening to you, Lord Azazel." He said in his neutral diplomatic tone, "It's a pleasure to have you here with us."

He laughed at that statement. "Sure, of course." His eyes moved toward his fellow Fallen Angels and observe them. "I see you've done quite a lot to my cute rogue subordinates."

"Ah yes, they did enter a Devil Territory illegally. The fact they remained alive at all is a goodwill from us."

"Understandable." From his expression Shikamaru could only decipher that he doesn't seem to mind that one his fellow Fallen Angels is half dead and the other looks lifeless mentally. "Now I'm sure you have other business to attend to so how about we—"

"Please wait." Shikamaru quickly interjected. "Before we begin our transaction there's something you need to know."

"Oh?"

"Are you familiar with the name of Asia Argento?"

Azazel blink, "Asia Argento? Of course, I know her but what—"

"Her Sacred Gear was extracted from her body by your companion there," Shikamaru motion toward Raynare unconscious body, "And she was killed because of that."

Azazel seems to ponder the information. "… I see. That's… Unfortunate. But what does she have to do with anything?"

"This territory governor, Rias Gremory, had taken a liking to her and was severely upset that your rogue subordinate had taken her life. She'd even go as far as using one of her piece for her." His tone is neutral, but there's a hidden message inside of it. "But you of all people should know that someone being revived without their Sacred Gear inside of them is an incomplete being that can barely be called alive. It took some negotiation with her to prevent your… rogue, subordinate to be not executed on the spot. She's given us a simple term in exchange for her life: She's allowed to live IF Asia Sacred Gear returns to her, if not she will be executed for her crime."

"… I see." He rubs his chin in thought, "But the only way to have the Sacred Gear back is to kill her, and that will be bad for me."

Shikamaru let out a faint smile, "Ah, please you're too modest on yourself, Azazel-sama. Your other subordinate actually told us an interesting story about how they learned how to extract Sacred Gear from you, and how you're researching about it." It's when he saw a small twitch in Azazel's eye that he knew he'd hit the spot, "And so abiding by the rule set by the Honorable Maou's and the Noble Families; our term is as followed: You extract Asia Sacred Gear out of her and only then can you take her away from here, not complying with our demand will result in her execution as per the Law of the Devil and the Peace Treaty."

Naruto stood up from his sitting position and aim his blade at the Fallen Angel's back.

The message was clearly sent to the fallen representative, and from the slight frown and serious expression on his face, Shikamaru knew he's processing his options. He needed another push.

"We understand that you do not seek war with us, but you must also understand that we as the DCTF cannot go against the local ruler of the sector we are assigned to. If you can't agree to our term for whatever reason, then we can retrieve Asia's Sacred Gear with the more… Extreme, way." The extreme way, of course, meant by death. If the Fallen Angel dies, then the Sacred Gear will return back to its original owner, as it is part of the Nun soul it'll always seek to be reunited.

"… Or," Azazel smile returned to his face, "I could kill all of you and take them back with me."

Silence, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy and thick from power being poured out as an intimidation method. No one reply to the Fallen Representative unsubtle threat. Shikamaru knew that if they fight the chance of them winning will be slim to none, even with the ambush they'd prepared. After all, what are a group of well-trained youngsters to a veteran of war that said have the power to rival a Maou?

Shikamaru puffed out another smoke, "That's true, but we're pretty sure we can wound you enough that it'll leave a long-lasting scar. My team leader is especially good at fighting you see; he's our Maou's Queen for a reason." He motions his hand toward the blond, whose narrowed eyes now glued to Azazel's form to find any hint of aggression from the Fallen. "And if in…" He looked at the watch on his wrist, "Twelve minute, both Rias Gremory-sama and Serafall-sama did not hear anything from us then they'll know what had happened. Let me also remind you that Serafall-sama will not take it kindly if you kill her peerage."

This is his plan of strong necking the negotiation. He'd read that Azazel is a pacifist or at least hate the prospect of another war if the dossier from the Devil intelligent Service had gathered is to any credit (which they are, most of the time). With the knowledge that Kuoh is a joint territory between the Gremory and Sitri clan heirs, both the siblings of two different Maou's, and Naruto being the Queen of the Leviathan peerage Shikamaru gamble that Azazel wouldn't risk a fight. They're also under the protection of both the New Devil Legal Laws and the Peace Treaty, but even he wouldn't gamble on that justification.

The two factions stare off at one another like predators gauging its fellow predator strength. Their bodies are tensed, ready for the worst case scenario of what will happen.

"… Pfft, BAHAHAHA!" Azazel suddenly burst out laughing. "You're amusing, truly. I can see why your team garner so much favored from the Leviathan." He wiped an amused tear from his eye, "Very well then, I accept your term."

Every tensed muscle relaxed and Shikamaru softly let out a breath he didn't know he's holding. He can feel an aftereffect headache from the negotiation, and even his good mood of succeeding without dying can't cover the annoying pain in his head. But that's not important for them right now, what important is that they've succeeded the negotiation without spilling any blood.

The peace can reign a little longer.

XXX

Morning slowly came to light the world, yet the somber mood didn't change.

Naruto and Shikamaru stood in front of a lone modest grave with a long, wooden plank with large kanji for Meme Oshino written on it. It stood on a hill overlooking Kuoh Town amongst the trees of the forest.

"… You know," Shikamaru inhaled the cigarette in his mouth and let out a plume of smoke, "If you asked Serafall-sama she'll probably revive him."

The blond snort, "And then what? He'll kick my ass for making him a Devil and probably kill himself again. He loved being human too much."

Meme Oshino is an eccentric man and once you passed his greed for cash you can see the good side of him, willing to help someone out wholeheartedly if they're willing to try. A pragmatic man that really love and believe in the potential of humanity, and one that willing to work with a race that had used humanity for centuries if it meant the survival of his race.

Another friend died. Another victim of a generation of an endless cycle of hate.

He clenched his fists as a wave of anger washed over him. He wanted to scream, to destroy everything around him, to… To do something to vent this anger! But he stops himself before he goes out of control before his rage brings about unneeded destruction. "I… I hope you like this grave, my friend." Naruto forced a small smile to the grave, "It's quite, and you got a great view of the town from here. I can't pray for you but I hope you have a peaceful rest." He slowly turned his back to the grave, "I swear to you… I will not let another great war broke out." He began to walk away from the lone grave with Shikamaru slowly following him from behind.

Among the peaceful forest and the gentle sunlight, Meme Oshino rest.

XXX

"-that's all to report to you, Serafall-sama. Complete written report with more details will be sent once Shikamaru is done with them."

The room is empty with no furniture in sight. There's no window, and only the lamp sitting above on the roof stop the darkness from covering the entire room. The only thing of note in this empty room is the large crimson magic circle drawn in the middle of the room, which is currently glowing with an astral projection of a black haired woman in a magical girl outfit floating slightly above of it.

Serafall Leviathan let out a small hum, "I see… Well, I'm glad it went well then." A smile broke out on her face, "Good job, Naruto-kun! I knew my dearest Queen and his team is reliable~!"

The blond eye twitches a bit at the word 'Queen'. Even after so long he still hasn't gotten used to being called a 'Queen' while being a male. It's just isn't as cool as being called a Knight or something similar. "I hope this won't cause too much trouble for you, Serafall-sama."

"You worry too much, Naruto-kun." Serafall waved him off nonchalantly, "As long as the Fallen declared them Rogues and this doesn't go public we should be fine."

"Yeah well…" Naruto scratches his cheek, "It's my job to worry about you since you're my King and all…" And she sometimes prone to do something that causes trouble to people around her on a whim. They're harmless, but still a trouble.

"Iyaan~" Serafall looked delighted, "Naruto-kun you're such a tsundere Queen! It's cute!"

"Wha-?! What do you mean by that! I'm not a tsundere!"

"Uuuh! I miss you and Sona-chan so much! I haven't hug or kiss any of you for so long~! If only this communication circle let me touch people!" She wailed in despair, "I just want to show you both my love again and then we can have a sexy scene with kisses and lewd things involving—"

"Please stop right there! You're entering a really dangerous line of thought!"

"Ah!" She brightened up as if a revelation had entered her mind, "I know! Why don't you and Sona-chan marry each other? Then the two people I love will be happy together!"

Naruto sighed, "I don't think Sona will like the idea very much." She'll probably be angry at both him AND his King for even suggesting such a thing.

"Speaking of marriage," She beamed him a large smile, "It's just a matter of time before your application will be approved! So congratulation!"

The blond looked at his King owlishly and blink. Then a large smile also spread on his face, "I'll tell them the good news."

The Maou nodded her head in approval, "Good! But I must say your strategy for this dilemma doesn't bring you any favor from the Nobles." Then her beautiful friendly smile was replaced by that of cold malice and anger, "They dare think they can stop my Naruto-kun kindness… Fufufu… Those bastards will have a taste of my ice…"

"Um, Serafall-sama I don't think freezing the Nobles is a good idea." Though personally speaking, Naruto would like nothing more than for his King to commit genocide on the stuck-up Nobles. "You got enough trouble for helping me with this plan. I don't want you to suffer even more for me."

"Nonsense!" Serafall suddenly yelled. "Helping you or Sona-chan is never a problem for me. Let your King pamper you once in a while, okay?"

Naruto stares at his King with a surprised expression at her declaration. Slowly a small smile curved itself on his face, and he bows toward his King. "As you wish, Serafall-sama."

"Iyaaan! Though I want you to keep calling me Serafall-chan, your polite and gentleman side is also really turning me on!"

"Please stop ruining the moment!"

XXX

Naruto walked out of the 'Communication Room' on the second floor of his home with a sighed. With a comfy long-sleeve orange shirt and black sweatpants, the blond heads downstairs toward the kitchen area. The house is quiet; with the only humming sound of electric house, furniture's echoing the house.

Arriving at the kitchen Naruto open his trusty large fridge. "Hmm… Chicken… Veggies… Tofu…" He mumbled out loud. The blond closes the fridge and began scouring his kitchen to look for ingredients. "Soy sauce… We still have a lot of rice… Yeah, I think I can make some honey soy sauce oyakodon (Chicken and egg bowl) and some spicy tofu soup." He nodded, and starts to gather all the necessary ingredients—

*Thud*

The blond paused his activity and turn his head to look at the kitchen entrance. "You're awake huh? So how are you feeling, Asia-chan?"

Asia Arganto stood in the doorway wearing a simple and comfortable white dress with blue wave pattern at the edge. She looked really nervous, like a timid animal that doesn't know what to do. "I… I'm fine, but…" She fidgets and looks around the room nervously. "W-Who are you?"

Oh yeah, she doesn't know me. Naruto picked up the ingredients and put them on the kitchen counter. "My name's Naruto Uzumaki, I'm ah, Issei's friend."

At the mention of the pervert, her eyes widened and glow brightly. "Y-You're friend with Issei-san?!"

"Yeah, that's right." He's slightly surprised she'll react like this at the mere mention of his perverted student name. "He's at school right now but he'll come visit here after, so can you be patient for him?"

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously. "But ah, if you don't mind me asking… Where are we? And what happened? I remember Raynare-san and…" She looked down and touched her chest where her Sacred Gear was torn right out of her body. "A lot of pain…"

"This is my home." Naruto answered, "As for what happened… It's a long story." He walked toward the couch and sit. He motions her to join him, which she did nervously.

So he told her what happened. Fallen Angels, Devils, Old Church, Sacred Gear, her death, and her revival as a Devil, he told them all to her. The girl didn't say anything and just stare at the floor. It's to be expected, for a nun like her to be turned into the enemy of God, it'll be shocking and bad news no matter how one look at it. He left her on the couch to process the information he gave her and to ponder it. Naruto won't be surprised if she starts to go hysteric.

"… Then I need to thank all of you."

Naruto paused his cooking and stare at the ex-nun with wide eyes. "Huh?"

Asia gave him an honest sad smile, "I… I was betrayed by my protectors and was even killed for it. Then all of you risk your lives to save a nobody like me, and even brought me back from death." She looked back down, "Though I was once a nun, it doesn't change the fact that all of you had saved me. So thank you very much." She bowed her head toward the male blond.

That… Actually taken him by surprise. "Uh, you're welcome?"

"God is also—AH!" She winced and held her head. "Uuuuh…"

"Oh yeah," He smiles sheepishly, "Forgot to tell you. As a Devil, we'll get pain whenever we praise Heaven's name so try to keep it in mind, okay?"

"R-Really…?"

"Yup, sorry."

She closed her eyes and concentrate, though it's broken not a minute after when Asia winced and hold her head in pain again.

Naruto sweatdrop, "Praying in your thought also count, you know?" He left the ex-nun to herself and resumed his cooking.

Ten minutes had passed and he doesn't hear any more moaning of pain from his house guest, but instead, he felt curious and somewhat intense stares from the back of his head. He shifts his face so he could see behind him from the corner of his eyes. "Can… I help you?" He asked the blond Nun that's starting at him from the couch.

She flinched when she's being addressed. "Ano… C-C… I… elp…" She timidly said while looking down.

"What?"

Asia took a deep breath and stares at the blond with determination, "C-CAN I HELP YOU COOK?!"

…

…

… That's it? She wants to help me cook? It's a bit bizarre to see someone get so worked up just to ask to help him cook. "Uhm… Sure. You CAN cook right?" He's cooking a lot of portion for today so any helps is appreciated, as long as said help can cook.

"Y-Yes!"

"Okay, good. Now I want you to—"

XXX

"ASIAAAAA!"

A blur of black and brown dashed through the space between the entrance to the kitchen and a surprised ex-nun in a blink of an eye. "AH! I-Issei-kun!" Though the blond was ambushed she somehow could recognize her friend in a matter of seconds.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Issei cried out in relieve.

Asia gave him a smile, "I'm glad too."

"Ara, it seems our cute pawn can't wait to see his fated princess."

"It seems so, Akeno."

Rias Gremory and her peerage walked into the 'Living Room' geared in their usual Kuoh Academy uniforms and their school bags. "Good evening." Kiba greeted politely with his usual kind smile.

"I'm home." And the second denizens of the house declared her arrival.

Naruto picked up a tray filled with 7 large bowls of oyakodon and greeted the guests with a large smile, "Yo, welcome." He walked toward the large dining table he and Asia had prepared. "Make yourself at home, but wash your hands first. That means you too Koneko." The unmotivated 'haaai' is the only response he earned from his white hair student.

Ten minutes later everyone is seated around the dining table enjoying the food the two blonds had made. Issei, in particular, is wolfing down his share like he hasn't eaten anything for the past week.

"This is so good!" The pervert said while stuffing the food into his mouth. "Sensei I didn't know inside your scary and barbarian exterior you have a talent for housework! Though I guess Asia came to play as a big factor for the taste."

Naruto eye twitched, "Oi, who are you calling a barbarian?" He taught history, damn it! There's no way he can be a barbarian!

"N-No Issei-kun!" Sitting next to Issei the blond ex-nun interjected quickly, "I only help a little bit with the simpler stuff a-and Naruto-san did most of the cooking!" Asia said out loud, declaring her intention of defending the older blond.

"O-Oh." Issei seems to back down instantly, "If you say so Asia-chan."

Naruto immediately declared Asia as one of his favorite inside his mind.

"You might not believe this Issei-kun," Akeno looked to her newest juniors in the peerage, "But Naruto-sensei had cooked us lunch several times in the past, even made us bento with a cute design on the food."

"Ah I remember," Kiba also joined in, "The food is really delicious."

Koneko nodded her head in agreement, "Sensei, best cook."

Both Issei and Asia looked at the older blond in a new light, Asia especially with her glowing eyes of admiration. "Please stop, you guys are embarrassing me." As much as he loved to garner compliments (especially when it comes to his food) it's a bit embarrassing doing it to the newbies.

Even Rias joined in, "Sensei has a large level of husband points."

"I agree, Buchou." Akeno mischievously stares at the blond teacher and when their eyes met she deliberately licks her lips hungrily, much to the blond dismay. "And the lewd things we can do in the kitchen with him—"

"Alright, we'll stop this conversation right here!"

Kiba laughs, Issei looks on in jealousy while murmuring 'eroge protagonist should explode', and Asia looks really confused.

"Asia-chan," Rias shifted her gaze toward the newest member of her peerage, "Would you like to stay here from now on?"

"E-Eh?!"

"Oh yeah," Naruto also shifted his gaze toward the younger blond, "If you want you can stay here. We have empty rooms."

"B-But…"

"She can stay in my home too!" Issei offered.

"Not a chance, pervert." The disgusted look Koneko sent to Issei felt like a thousand blades were stabbed into the later heart. The pervert grabs his chest with tears pouring down from his eyes. "You can stay here, Asia. Sensei is also a pervert, but he won't touch you."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?! THAT'S SLANDERING DAMN IT!"

The words from the white hair loli seem to recover the most perverted of them all, "… Comrade?"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT! I'M NOT YOUR COMRADE!"

Asia fidget in her sear, "W-Won't it trouble Naruto-san?"

Naruto waved the female blond worries off, "Don't worry about it." Another mouth to feed is nothing for him, and they have several empty rooms so they might as well use them. "Besides Koneko could use a female housemate around."

"E-Eh?! You live here too, Koneko-san?!"

"Yes."

The ex-nun looked unsure, but after a minute she looked at both Koneko and Naruto. "I-If you two wouldn't mind having me… Then please allow me to stay!"

They both gave her a large smile, and the life of Asia in the Uzumaki Household officially began.

XXX

Being at school is something Naruto didn't want but need to do anyway for obligation purposes. After all, what kind of teacher skips their duties twice in a row?

Naruto Uzumaki leaned forward toward the school rooftop railing and observes the students down below. He watched as the youth do whatever youth do, chatting with friends, eating lunch together with your clique, stalking your loved ones, etc. He himself never had the chance to do whatever they're doing in his own youth, but that doesn't matter anymore. As long as they can live their life to the fullest then he won't condemn them.

"Hm?" He spotted an interesting sight of Issei being dragged around by a smiling Asia, the later now wearing a Kuoh Academy Uniform. "Heh, I hope she'll work out for you, Issei." He may be a pervert, but he deserves some happiness too.

The blond push himself off when he heard the sound of the rooftop door opening and a pair of footsteps heading toward him. "Took you two long enough." Naruto turned around and was greeted by the sight of both Rias and Sona standing there, the later with her arms crossed on her bust.

"Can't be help when you suddenly text us to meet you here." Sona replied, "So what is it about? I have a lot of StuCo papers needed to be check and sign."

Naruto just gave them a grin, "Don't worry, this is important enough to pause your organizational duty." He ignores the 'I hope so…' from Sona, "My application will be approved by the Maou council soon."

That did it. Their eyes widened at the news sink in. "R-Really?!" Rias asked almost in disbelieve, "Then does that mean…"

"You don't have to worry about your problem anymore Rias." He gave her a thumb up, "They'll be my problem soon enough."

Sona, however, barely showed any emotion aside from surprise. "… But you'll be inviting the ire of almost the entire Noble population. Since they can't do anything to Anee-sama, they'll be even more vicious toward you if this goes through." Then she added an extra mile, "Even the Gremory."

Rias looked down at the floor and clench her fist. A guilty expression marred her beautiful face. She flinched when she felt a hand on top of her head.

"I'll be fine." Naruto waved Sona concern off and begin patting the redhead, "I'm used to it by now. As long as they don't bother my King and focused their hatred on me then I'll consider the plan to work perfectly."

Rias looked up at her teacher with a distress expression. "B-But—" A finger on her lips stopped her.

"I promised you and Sona that I'll protect you two, just as I protect Koneko." Gone was the carefree expression on Naruto face, and in its place is a smile of pure determination. "When I promise something I'll make sure to do whatever it takes to fulfill it. You two, and your peerages too… I'll protect you all."

And this time I will not fail again.

Sona sighed loudly and turn her back to them. "You're a hard-headed idiot, Sensei." She sighed again, "But… you're our hardheaded idiot. I don't care about the other nobles or my reputation, you have I and my peerage full support."

Rias looked stunned, and Naruto just smiles at the Student Council President.

"Sona…"

"Sona-chan that's really cool!"

"Thank you, but please refrain from calling me that in School!"

"Don't tell me you're still embarrassed?"

"That's not it! It'll not be professional of you to call your students with such an intimate suffix!"

Rias could only smile and let tears of happened roll down her eyes as the two went into a petty small argument again. "Thank you, both of you."

To be continue

What are they planning? What's going on? What changes could this bring to the DXD world? Find out next time on Dragon X D!

Before anyone complaint yes, Naruto CAN be respectful if he wants. He just doesn't want it most of the time. This is cannon by the way.

Same deal, I guess. Review and stuff.