Chapter Nineteen
Old Lady
Agatha grimaced as she used the shaft of her spear to defend against the weapon of her opponent. They were both wearing the Exterminator outfit and while she is using a spear, her opponent is using a one handed bearded axe. It's a white polished metal that's a trademark of Heaven-forged steel with a leather wrapped black metal handle.
Despite that, all of these weapons are replicas To look and feel like the real thing and would thus not actually harm them.
She pushed her spear out to get some space and she whipped the blade around, making her opponent duck. She did not expect the immediate follow-up and gasped as the weapon crashed against her armor. She staggered back, holding her left breast in pain, and hissed out.
"You got my nipple!"
Her opponent chuckled and twirled her axe in her hand. "Shoulda wore the padded bra. They were given with the uniforms for a reason, dattebane."
Agatha scowled at the mention of the bra and hung her head. "I don't like the feeling of them."
"Then you better get used to the feeling of your nipples being hit~!" Her opponent sang out amusedly.
Agatha frowned and looked up at her mentor. "Hermana, I had a question I've wanted to ask for a while."
The woman looked around and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess we can take a break. What's up, Aggie?"
"I know you said you joined the Exterminators for revenge," Agatha pulled off her helmet and shook around her hair. "What happened for you to join and continue serving for the last sixteen years? I heard from Lute that you are the longest serving angel and even Adam has respect for you."
Kushina had taken off her helmet while Agatha spoke and she scowled at the mention of the First Man of Earth. "Adam is just a misogynistic pig that feels entitled to every woman because he started humanity. I could care less if he respects me, which he doesn't. He fears me."
Agatha raised an eyebrow at that. "He fears you? I had been told he fears no one."
"Lies spread by himself and Lute," Kushina assured the woman and sat down on a bench with her bottle of water. "That man fears me because the first time we met was the only time he tried to touch me without permission, and that ended with him needing to see Raphael-san. Other than that, he fears my powers and my skills but he also knows that I serve the Virtue of Temperance and therefore cannot do anything against me."
The Virtue of Temperance was not a warrior by any means. During life, he had been a friar of the Dominican Order of the church and had been a very important theological figure. He had lived so in tune with the orders of the faith that he had been given power to conduct miracles in God's name, which he had done to help others. Even his book, which would become a cornerstone of religious education, has been but a glimpse of truth provided by God.
But for all of that, he had no combat abilities and has even abhorred the idea of picking up a weapon. However, he understands the necessity to fight the Evil that lurks and for that he relies on Kushina the most. She has been the sword while he is the pen, each conducting themselves in their specialty to serve God the best they could.
"So why do you still do this?" Agatha did not understand her mentor's motives no matter how much she tried.
"I have told you that I come from Ninkai, which is different from Earth. What I did not tell you is that my world has been corrupted by the Darkness and is the biggest concern of the Heavenly Host." Kushina's gaze turned down to her helmet and she rubbed her hand over it. "There is a being we call the Shinigami, he was basically a death god to my people, but he could be summoned and commanded at the cost of the host's life. What we did not know is that he is a demon of power, dwarfing that of many of the Ars Goetia."
Agatha had her mouth open in surprise at the woman's harsh words. She knew of some demons who had posed as gods, that was where some of the world's pantheons came from. But to hear that they do so to another world as well had surprised her.
"My husband had to summon the Shinigami to protect our village, trapping a beast into our son at the cost of our lives. I came to Heaven due to my sacrifice, but my husband's soul had been claimed by that bastard." Kushina's grip tightened around her mask and the small hairline marks of cracks began to form. "So every year since learning about it from the geezer, I have made it my mission to find that soul-snatching bastard and free my husband from his control. That way, when my son arrives when he dies of old age, both of us can be there to greet him."
Agatha quickly hugged her mentor at the end of her hopeful statement, her eyes welling with tears. She had never known that the woman she saw as an older sister had so much of a burden to hold. "I promise to help you, hermana! You don't have to fight that gilipollas alone!"
Kushina wiped her face as tears began to form suddenly, unbidden, but hugged the young woman. "Thank you, Aggie."
She hated remembering her husband and son, both of which are lost to her. Her husband who is in the possession of a demon and her son who still lives in Ninkai. She really hoped that he could have lived a good life and would come to her in Heaven.
She doesn't know what she would do if he ended up in Hell.
Naruto woke up in bed, drowsy and confused for a long moment, and he looked around his room a few times before he realized where he was. He could not remember last night very well, only knowing that he was suffering from a change in his emotion sensing abilities.
How did I get in bed? Naruto could not for the life of him remember.
The only thing he remembers is excusing himself to bed and… nothing. He must have staggered through the halls and somehow made it to his room. Thankfully he did, he would have hated to hear any concerned questions coming from any of his friends should they have found him. He was thankful they cared but he hated others worrying over him.
He just wasn't used to it, what with the independent life he had growing up.
As he sat up and rubbed the back of his neck, he tiredly looked at a calendar on his wall. September 13th. Nearly two months left until Extermination Day. What to do about the upcoming Extermination.
He had ordered the Vees that their employees will be allowed the day off before and on the day of the Extermination. This will let them prepare themselves for the event and hopefully survive it, whether they actually do or not is all up to what happens during those twenty-four hours. But he had a plan that would help anyone caught in the open during the attack.
Fitting enough, when he pitched it to the Vees, as he wanted them to do the same, he had called it Project Kris. It was in remembrance of the man who sacrificed his life for the safety of others. To make sure that something like that never happens again, he came up with the idea to have bunkers implemented at strategic areas of the district.
Divided into sectors that he had his clones following, this would space them out enough that there was no more than a 2.5-mile gap between them. They would be built into the basement-level and be reinforced with magic protection seals. However, now that he had his new powers, he thinks he can reinforce and build these bunkers even more quickly.
With the mark of Earth, manipulating the dirt to create large enough rooms would be a breeze. Add in his Steel creation, and the bunkers can survive anything short of a massive warhead being dropped on them.
I should start ordering the clones, Naruto thought to himself as he yawned and got to his feet. "First, something to eat."
Before he could open the door, he was bombarded with hasty knocks - multiple at the same time! "What!"
He whipped open the door and found Helsa, Charlie, and Tayuya outside his bedroom. They all looked at him before shoving him inside, which he didn't have the thought to fight against. Once they were all inside, they closed the door and looked at him upset - their auras now more vibrant and noticeable.
They were all green and pink; sour apples and strawberries filling his mouth as if he was eating Bee's fruit salad again - albeit missing the honeycombs and blueberries.
Wait! Oh shit, I'm cornered! He nervously chuckled at the girls. "Mercy?"
"You're dating Beelzebub?!"
Naruto winced at Helsa's shout and sighed before sitting on his bed. "Yeah, it kind of just happened. Wasn't like that was what I was planning on, she kind of just took my joke and ran with it. Now I'm in a relationship."
The green wafted from them now and clashed with his own, clear aura. He couldn't tell what his aura was, funnily enough, and that did not change with the rest of his senses. They looked discouraged now, however, despite the envy they currently felt.
"What makes you three think you love me," Naruto finally asked with a small sigh, closing his eyes tiredly. "What about me makes me… appealing, I guess the word is."
"You're cute, for one," Helsa shot back at him without a hint of black in her aura.
"Yeah, and you're kind! Super kind!" Charlie nodded her head at her own words.
"Steadfast and never discouraged by other people doubting you," Tayuya mumbled her own reason, which she saw as too serious when considering the other girls' answers.
"Don't forget strong and a good fuck," Helsa pointed out, getting a glare from Tayuya and a flustered blush from Charlie.
"You've made me feel things I didn't feel with Seviathan," Charlie made the statement as if it was a competition with the others now.
"You're strong as fuck, and that's fucking sexy," Tayuya gave her own opinion and looked at Helsa.
The demon heiress blushed in embarrassment now as she thought of something to say.
Naruto rubbed his face as the three went back and forth about things that made him appealing. It was now a competition among them on who has the most compliments about him. Fuck, I wish I was ugly at this point.
"Stop, stop, stop," Naruto began speaking over the three and they quieted down. "Do you know what you guys are basically insinuating? You are willing to fight each other over me. Like, why?"
"We don't need to fight, to be honest," Helsa glanced at Charlie and the blonde Princess blushed at her eyes.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he had a feeling about what she was insinuating but he decided to clarify. "What are you suggesting, Helsa-chan?"
"It's not uncommon for strong demons to have multiple partners," Helsa said and that got a wide eyed stare from Tayuya and Charlie looked ready to pass out. "We had always followed the rule of the strong, and the more power you had the more suitors you had. You do not have to choose beyond saying yes or no to someone wanting to join."
"Are you suggesting a harem?" Naruto asked after a few moments of shocked silence.
The woman shrugged her shoulders now, beige and lapis growing in her aura. "It's just a thought. You don't have to if you want. I just know that those two new girls also got a thing for you and I doubt they will be discouraged over there being other lovers."
"How do you know?" Tayuya bit out with crossed arms.
"Hellhounds have always been known to be attracted to strong males, or females it kinda just goes whichever way," Helsa shrugged at that. "And the Goetia girl is molting."
Charlie looked at Helsa in surprise this time, her wide red eyes looking at the young girl for a hint of a joke. "You're joking."
"I'm pretty sure that's why Prince Stolas dropped her off," Helsa shrugged again. "She fell in love with Naruto and imprinted her magic with his. Nothing is stopping her anymore."
This had Naruto throwing himself back into his bed before shouting. "I NEVER ASKED TO BE THE LOVE OF MULTIPLE WOMEN!"
"Wait until the men come," Haku's joyous and amused voice entered the room suddenly, spooking everyone.
"Haku I swear to all that is alive and dead, I WILL END YOU!"
Despite his shout, the raven haired boy laughed and closed the door, leaving the four alone again. It was silent as no one was willing to speak, and Naruto was making plans on how he will get back at his friend when the day comes that men begin falling in love with him and asking to be part of a harem.
Count your days, Haku, because I will make sure you get what you deserve! With the promise, his stomach growled and he winced at the sudden pain. "Ah , shit, I'm starving. Feels like I'm eating for a dozen people!"
Little did he know.
Carmilla softly walked the beaten path to the outskirts of Pentagram City. This path is known by very few people, even fewer who knew where it went. The only ones who've been out here and down the entire path are her and Zestial.
The reason for that is quite simple.
The woman that lived down this way was terrifying. She looked like a normal woman but she was the very definition of a monster. She sure did not have a problem massacring the unfortunate vandals that happened upon her home.
"What are you doing here, Carmine-san."
Carmilla shivered as she had not heard the woman appear near her. She turned to look at her and she found a beautifully young woman with red hair and dark eyes. She has two buns on the sides of her head and two sets of sticks stuck inside - she forgot what she called them so she just referred to them as sticks. She is wearing a pristine white robe over a light teal loose dress and wooden sandals on her feet.
She did not have the typical animal Sinner characteristics and that was for a very good reason.
This woman is a fallen angel, one by choice at least. Carmilla had not heard much on the reasons for her fall but it was apparently because of a fight with some important jackass.
"I've come to talk to you," Carmilla turned to face the redhead and bowed respectfully, which she learned to do upon her second meeting with the woman. "Can we talk?"
The woman nodded her head and quietly began walking away. "Come. I have some tea heating up."
Carmilla made a small face of disgust as whatever herbs the redhead used they always tasted so strong. It was like eating the leaves itself. "Of course, Lady Mito."
The redhead hummed a small tune as they walked down the path and came upon a nice, quiet cottage. It was traditional Japanese architecture in Carmilla's eyes, but it was apparently very common in Mito's world as well. Despite that, it had western-style doors and a placemat on the front that read: "Welcome Home".
She entered after the woman and looked around the interior. The walls are a light blue to teal shade and the trim dividing it and the ceiling is a dark brown. The ceiling is white with black swirl patterns that pulsed with not-magic; she had no idea what the energy was but it wasn't magic so that's all she could ever refer to it as. The furniture is an old style of western influence but even then it was very outdated.
All in all, not much has changed since last time.
"Are those new flowers?"
Mito glanced at the small vase on the living room table and nodded her head. "Yes. They are sacred lotuses."
Carmilla decided against asking how she got Earth flowers into Hell, the explanation likely not being given or being something she should have learned. She sat down in one of the padded cushions around the living room table as the redhead went into the kitchen for her kettle of tea and some cups. While she waited, she looked around at the miniscule amount of decorations and wondered how such a spartan and composed woman was in Hell.
Then she remembered the woman's temper. If I didn't know better, I'd assume that she was the wife or daughter of the Sin of Wrath with how quick she flies into a rage.
Mito soon returned with her teapot and sat down across from Carmilla, setting a coaster on the table. She poured tea before setting the two cups in front of them, the teapot going on the coaster.
"What do you need to talk about, Carmilla," Mito finally asked as she brought her cup up and took a drink of her cup. "It sure isn't to check up on my health."
"How perceptive of you, Lady Mito," Carmilla jabbed back as she took a sip of her tea and grimaced into the cup. "You're right, I'm here for something that doesn't pertain to your degrading sanity."
"Watch it child," Mito warned with golden energy wafting off of her shoulders. "I can still smack you around if you push me."
"Sure, sure," Carmilla smirked back. "How common is your last name?"
Mito paused in her drink and her dark eyes looked up at Carmilla with a steely gaze. She swallowed and set her cup down calmly. "Why do you ask, Carmine-san?"
Carmilla swallowed as she felt the power of the woman mounting, making her struggle with breathing. "There is someone else in Pentagram City with the name Uzumaki. But he looks nothing like you."
Mito's eyes narrowed at that but she relented after a bit and downed the rest of her tea. She slowly and calmly took the teapot and began pouring herself more to drink.
As she set the teapot down, she asked, "Tell me more about this Uzumaki."
"Hello again, Henroin-san," Naruto greeted the man with a grin.
"Greetings to you too, kid." The man nodded his hat to him. "So what's the deal?"
"I have a job for your family." Naruto knew the man understood that he meant his mob family. "Extermination is coming up in a month. I have five bunkers that will be unprotected as I was unable to find the people necessary for it."
"Mm, I smell an expensive request," Henroin chuckled to himself and crushed his cigarette. "What do you need?"
"Fifty guys, ten for each bunker, and each needs to have Heaven-forged weapons," Naruto told the man, getting a disbelieving look.
"The men are not a problem, but do you know how hard that type of weaponry is hard to come by?"
Naruto nodded his head and he pulled out a slip of paper from his pocket. "This should help."
Naruto extended the paper and Henroin took it while lighting his next cigarette. He unfolded the paper and what he saw nearly made him drop the cigarette in his mouth.
"W-what the fuck!"
Naruto chuckled at the man's reaction. "I already promised you, Henroin-san. I'm a friend worth having."
Tell me about it! Henroin did not have to double check the validity of the slip in his hands, which is a check made out to him. But how the fuck did this kid get an account with a bank that serves Overlords, Goetia, and highborn demons?!
That question was also ignoring the amount of zeros in the amount.
"So can I count on you, Henroin?"
The man grinned and nodded his head. "You got yourself a security detail! Send us the addresses and we will be there."
"Good man," Naruto grinned and leaned against the arm of his chair. "What about your children, need me to get them to the bunker for you?"
"Bah," Henroin waved his hand and shook his head. "Don't bother. Neither of my sons really listen to me anymore and my daughter ain't down here."
"She's in Heaven?"
Henroin nodded his head silently. "Yeah, with my wife I'm assuming."
Naruto nodded his head in understanding and gave the man the respect of not asking further. "If that's the case, then I will give you the bunker closest to here. It's still a good twelve miles away from here but that's what you get for not being in the Entertainment District."
Henroin snorted. "Aw, shucks, whatever will I do. Just keep that bunker open for me and my men and I'll worry about being there.
End of chapter quick note
Ages (physical) and birthdays
Charlie - 17 (March 9)
Haku - 18 (January 9)
Helsa - 17 (June 17)
Loona - 18 (July 22)
Naruto - 15 (October 10)*
Octavia - 15 (November 26)
Rin - 25 (November 15)
Stephen - 19 (April 1)
Tayuya - 17 (February 15)
* By the start of the Extermination Day, Naruto is the only one who will have his birthday making him 16. He has not told anyone his birthday, therefore does not celebrate it, and it irks the fuck out of Haku, Stephen and Tayuya as they have been trying to pinpoint the date for the last two years.