One-Punch DxD: NEO
Chapter 64: The Calm

"...Say…"

Issei stared at the girls standing before him in the front yard. Rover was sleeping behind him, his size now that of a lion's, and Asia was also standing-by as a medic.

On another note - his brown hair has recovered to its original length. By the time his hair had stopped growing back, Issei had become something akin to Disney's Rapunzel, with his roots being strong enough to withstand the weight of several adults.

On the related note, Saitama was looking dejected with his son's hair growing back, albeit he vehemently claimed that he was cool with it.

Back to present - there were additional uninvited alongside Koneko and Vali.

Tsubasa, Kiyome… and Ravel; all of them were clad in gym uniforms.

"So… care to tell me why I see three extra students here?" Issei asked.

"...Just pretend we aren't here." Tsubasa smiled as she waved away his question.

"We would like a lesson of your martial-arts too, Lord Ise." Ravel curseyed, despite her sportswear.

"Yeah, what she said, actually." Tsubasa amended.

"...I didn't take you as someone who wants to learn the ways of the demon god." Issei snarked.

Ravel huffed with her hands on her hips.

"Of course I would. I've seen the video! Some of my brother's Peerage members died there! Even my brother wants to become a Demon God… Er, devil god in this case."

"...And you?" Issei asked Kiyome.

"I'm in this fight, and I want to get started properly." the Beast Tamer replied.

Kiyore raised her hands, her fingers instantly elongated into metallic blades slicing the air.

Issei leaned back out of surprise.

"Okay, that kind of reminds me of someone from a game…"

"Alex Mercer from Prototype?" Kiyome grinned.

"Oh yeah, that edgy anti-villain that pioneered the biological superweapon trope." Issei acknowledged. "You've been studying your new powers?"

"Duh." Kiyome rolled her eyes. "Black is giddy as hell when I shot laser eyes and summon a bone-chainsaw blade."

"Pillar men fanatic, heh." Issei shook his head.

"Alright, let's see what you can do first before we start this off… Who do you want to spar with? Tsubasa or Koneko?" Issei gestured to them.

Kiyome hummed in thought.

"...Chuuni." Kiyome smirked as she pointed at Vali.

"...Me?" Vali pointed at himself.

"Yeah. You, descendant of the man that screwed the Human, Devil, and Demon race." Kiyome grinned.

"...Really?" Vali asked.

"It's true, though." Kiyome blinked, her pupils now a hexagram, each star pointed to an iris.

Bone blades jutted from Kiyome's elbows, the blades shining rainbow light as chitinous armor covered Kiyome from the neck down.

Issei, Koneko, Ravel, and Tsubasa watched as Kiyome lowered her body into a predatory stance, smiling with eagerness as Vali uncrossed his arms.

"...Alright. Don't cry to me or Issei if I show you your place."

Issei wondered if he should ban magic here… but he was too curious to see Kiyome's powers.

Kiyome moved first.

A summoned barrier interposed, heavy footfalls zigzagging around the barrier, Kiyome already above Vali as he summoned wind magic.

From the magic circle, a cannon shot of wind, the gust barely grazing Kiyome's drill hair as her feet already touched the grass, a metal claw so close to Vali's throat as Vali and Kiyome stared at each other eye to eye.

The spectators were stunned.

Rassei even poked his head out of Asia's hair, cooing with surprise.

Kiyome closed the distance, each motion of her movements primal, feral, yet purposeful and elusive to the eyes, a primal grace that danced around the barrier with speed and freedom and control of movement that defied expectations.

"...Well?" Kiyome asked, grinning at Vali as she retracted her claw, her hexagram eyes returning to her human ones.

"...I want a rematch." Vali said as his face turned serious. He had completely underestimated the girl, a total newbie with absolutely no experience for combat, yet surpassed him with the powers of the eldritch beast.

"Okay… that is a bit unfair." Issei admitted. "You definitely have more power than what should be allowed for someone of your level. We're going to have you work for it in the end."

"If you can." Kiyome smirked defiantly.

"Quick question… Do you get tired easily?" Issei asked.

"Nope. Honestly, my numbers now are off the charts. I could run around Kuoh all day, do pushups in my room, and still feel fine. I even did the one-handed push-ups and the one-handstand pushups now easily." Kiyome answered, as she gazed at her new body, "I now have a better constitution than an olympic athlete, super-human strength, speed…. You name it."

"Alright, well, there goes my plan to warm you up." It looked like Kiyome would need some special training routines to prepare her for what's to come. Honestly, Issei might need to request some special training gear to push her to her limits now, something he did not have at the moment.

"For now, keep sparring with Vali, he needs the reflex and experience in close combat. Koneko, you coach Ravel and warm her up for our lessons… which leaves me with Tsubasa. I kind of did not see what you can do now." Issei looked at his ex.

And he did not see this coming… in a sense.

Tsubasa grinned at that.

"Wait, why am I stuck with… exercise while she gets to learn straight away?" Ravel frowned while Koneko slowly formed a cheshire smirk, not unlike Kuroka's, her tail swishing with excitement in showing the fried-chicken her place.

"Because she is an athletic tomboy that's way ahead of you in the athletic field. Anyways, good luck."

Vali wondered if he should resort to Divine Dividing, but considering Rizevim's power to shut his trump cards down, Vali decided to consider this as good practice.

Kiyome snickered as fire blew out of her nostrils, resuming her predatory stance as each formed their pairs.

Ravel pouted when Koneko immediately forced her to do a hundred pushups.

Issei and Tsubasa stared at each other as the other two pairs engaged in battle.

"Are we gonna brawl or you gonna skip it and teach me your secret hax arts?" Tsubasa snarked.

"Not sure about that since you still can't use Ki…" Issei pursed his lips.

Tsubasa frowned.

"But alright, alright, let's see where this goes. We're not gonna fight since I need to check on how the others are doing. Well, Koneko will check on Ravel for me, so…" Issei glanced at Vali and Kiyome, seeing him managing to land a fireball against Kiyome, though the Stjarna-jacked girl was unfazed and cackling haughtily and started bragging about her biological superiority.

"Potential good news for you though, I heard from Wukong it is possible for someone to gain access to Ki through special acupuncture treatments. There are cases of Qi practitioners with natural-born conditions that prevent them from using Ki. There are even cases where their internal energy naturally flows backwards which cripples their ability to use Qi."

"...Wow. Really?" She asked.

"Yeah. It depends. Not sure if I can get someone to check why you can't use Ki, otherwise, the hard way." Issei snickered.

"Pffff. Tell me your hax arts already." Tsubasa snorted.

"Fine, fine. Be sure to tell the others in case. Anyways, fair warning, I'm more of an adept than an expert or a master, so don't expect me to solve all the roadblocks for you. You're on your own if you're unlucky enough."

"Noted." Tsubasa nodded.

"Alright. The Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist is Garou's main style, where he started with. I heard from dad and Uncle Genos when I was little about how he fights at first. You heard about Garou's backstory when he was a Hero Hunter, right?"

"Oh, yeah. We asked around." Tsubasa nodded.

"Alright, that saves time. The guy's a genius at eighteen, able to copy the moves and techniques of other heroes before copying was a thing. The root concept behind the Water Stream style is to understand the flow of energy from surging tides and flowing water, and reproduce the said energy within your body. Mimicking the movements and energy of others is an extension of that flow. So, I guess you can say that you need to become like water itself - shapeless, formless; gentle and harmless yet lethal and penetrating as well. It is the most adaptable style one can use, though affinity with said style is another story. I am more adept with the Explosive Heart Release Fist than the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist and Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist."

"The Exploding Heart Release Fist sounds awesome." Tsubasa whistled.

"Oh yeah, it is an awesome skill. Synergizes well with my strength." Issei grinned. "Anyways, I'll see if I can cut a few corners and work with what I see from you. First, try and do what I do and we'll start from there."

Indra's true home resided within the realm of the Devas, the God currently on his throne room decorated with all of the Hindu aesthetics, gold statues of his image lined left and right of the path leading to his dais from the door.

Indra's 'throne' was a mountain of cushions, the god laying on his side, holding his head with his elbow on the cushion. He was surrounded by his wives as he waited for his guest to arrive.

And his guests did arrive by punching the ornate red palace doors, torn from their hinges.

Within the dust, the guest stepped out.

"I greet the True God in my throne room." Indra smiled despite the man radiating an aura of wrath.

Saitama's face was serious, followed by Gabriel and Crom Cruach.

"What can this God do for you, Awakened One?" Indra asked Saitama.

"...You know why I'm here." Saitama asked, his serious gaze locked onto the Sakra of War and Thunder.

"I did sneak a peek at your grand battle. It is more marvelous than any war and duels I've witnessed in the thousands of years." Indra chuckled. "Underworld was almost destroyed. While I expected you, I am surprised that you arrived here with your current entourage… did you manage to learn how to teleport into another realm?"

"The dragon dude brought us here." Saitama pointed at Crom. "I heard what you and Shiva did to Garou. I feel like I should punch you in the face or something, but I gotta ask you this first… Why?"

Indra hummed as one of his wives lowered a grape to his mouth. He opened and took it, chewing the fruit with delight.

"Hmmmm... Why? Well… have you ever played the western game called chess?" Indra asked.

"Honestly? I'm terrible at it." Saitama admitted.

"At least you heard of it. Normally, I would be playfully vague, but I can see that I might not survive and I prefer that my palace remains intact. This is a grand chess game, Saitama. A game for the fate of our home, your home. And the home you were forced to leave behind." Indra pointed at Saitama.

"...Is this all a game to you, Lord Indra?" Gabriel demanded, her face stern, a warrior maiden's mien, the face of the one that destroys all evil in the name of good.

"He is a piece on the board I had to get. After all, I can't just let anyone get Lucifer's godslaying weapons first. And my opponent is a terrible, but cunning player." Indra confessed.

"Chess is only reserved for two players. What kind of opponent is terrible enough for you to go to such extremes? He is a heroic man, a good man! How could you do such a thing?!" Gabriel shouted at Indra with sharp, glaring eyes, tears trickling down her cheeks.

"...I did not think I would see the strongest woman of heaven break into tears. I apologize for that. My opponent is very dangerous. He doesn't know that he is playing against me, though."

"...Who?" Crom demanded as he raised his and gripped his trophy, Aithri Dorcha.

"Who else? The one that sent your friend and your current companion here." Indra gestured to Saitama.

The three turned silent as Saitama stared at the composed Greater God.

"...You sound like you've met him face to face." Saitama pointed out.

"I don't have to see his eldritch form to know that he's here. You know, I have the power to predict the future, glimpse into it. You're strong, Saitama, but even you have weaknesses." Indra pointed out.

"Like what?" Saitama asked.

"You'll find out. I swear on my name as the Sakra that I am fighting for the sake of our world, our realm, for Midgard. For Gaia."

"That is hard to believe. Anyway, where's Cao Cao?" Saitama demanded.

"...Don't know." Indra opened his mouth to let his wife drop another grape into it.

"...What do you mean you don't know?" Saitama quirked a brow.

"I only come to him when I'm summoned. He never tells me the location of his bases. We just set up appointments or whenever he comes to me for advice. Don't bother trying to use me as bait. He no longer wants to seek my guidance." Indra denied.

"Why not?" Saitama asked.

"He wants to be independent in his quest to become a hero of his own image. His quest is to save Humanity from the curse of their maker. He is misguided, but even he has uses."

"...Like finding out where the bad guys' base is?" Saitama guessed.

"Good guess. However, they moved after Azazel's failed invasion. They made sure that their base can no longer be found the usual way anymore. Not even your Spawn of Trihexa can help you locate them." Indra chuckled. "...And they won't tell Cao Cao their base location either. They will know if Cao Cao even tries."

"What is your goal with these games?" Crom Cruach demanded.

"It is a complex game. My goal is the true defeat of GOD. This isn't the same GOD that you fought before. He is free, wounded, and he is frightened. He is a patient fellow that will do whatever it takes to get what he wants."

"And what does it want?" Gabriel asked.

"To be restored to his full power or become greater if it could. To become strong enough to consume Gaia, and then the rest of the nine realms. And then kill both the Strongest Man and Garou for nearly killing him. If not, well… do whatever it could to incapacitate you two until it robs you two of everything. Which is why I had to capture Garou, to hide him and have the children further my goals, to prepare him for the right moment to strike." Indra answered.

The three locked gazes with the Sakra.

"...Why didn't you just… come reach out to me and work with us?" Gabriel asked.

"The creature is very cunning. And it would rather wait a million years to achieve victory than act on impulse and lose to save time. If I did, it would never come to Gaia willingly for us to strike him down. And we will lose too many lives if we play it your way." Indra answered.

"I have guided the Hero Faction to have the Malebranche and Garou nearly destroy the Underworld for a reason. I knew that everyone would be saved, but to see it before my eyes is something else… makes me very glad that Garou did not straight off kill me and my fellow Devas… As well as Shiva."

"...And what reason is that?" Gabriel scowled.

"To destroy the status quo of the Underworld. We cannot afford the arrogant fools that cling to ghosts that refuse to die, to hold the Underworld back. The Blessing of a world is just a bonus. I planned to break their pride so that they could move forward as a culture, as a species, earlier than usual and prepare them for the trials to come. Something that not even you, Saitama, can intervene."

"Why not?"

"The Devils are called evil in the Bible for a reason. There are ghosts that demand their blood for the sins of their ancestors. It is not your right to intervene, Saitama. You heard about the Demons and the sins of Lucifer, did you not?"

Saitama remained silent.

"...They will come one day. Don't tell the Satans that, it will only add more to their tedious work-load. For now, let me play my games. But if you want something from me… I can inform you of the secret to undoing the seal I had on Garou."

Gabriel widened her eyes as she clenched her fists, "Why would you do that?" She asked.

"Because this is also part of my game… And I don't think I will survive if I have you leave without me paying at least a part of my debt." Indra smiled.

"You're quite calm for someone that knows his precarious position." Crom commented.

"It is the perk of a strong ruler."

"How did you manage to seal Garou in the first place?" Saitama asked.

"It is simple. GOD was sealed long before despite his power, was he not? If GOD can be sealed, so can Garou. So can you." Indra gestured to Saitama. "The trick is finding a way to seal Garou with his own power. The problem is putting the seals in place. Do you know how difficult it is to seal someone like Garou? Even if he willingly let us do it at the threat of murdering and destroying the souls of the innocent villagers? It took all of the Devas and Asuras, and even Shiva's full concentration to make it work. The armor is something I had made with my connections using my limited knowledge of Sacred Gears. Which reminds me, it is also a way to send data back to me."

"Data for what?" Gabriel asked.

"Data on how to properly seal a True God, to deal with one. What to do with GOD when he descends."

The three, this time, were stunned by Indra's complex plan.

The Greater God looked foolish and did wrong to a good man… but to hear his complex way of thinking, and for him to reveal his cunning, it was a different experience.

Crom let go of his odachi, his trophy weapon, lowering his hand.

"...Anything else you want before you leave?" Indra asked.

"...If you know everything… then I want to know when and where I can kill the man that nearly killed my son." Saitama demanded.

His aura of rage leaked when he finished his sentence. Both Gabriel and Crom flinched in his presence.

"...I can give you the opportunity to try." Indra chuckled. "My games have made you serious as well. Well, as serious as you can allow yourself. Anyways, please. Stay for a while. I have prepared a bunch of apology gifts, courtesy of me and Shiva. I can at least… warn you of the next hurdle. It is not something you can solve with your fist alone, Saitama."

"...I sound redundant saying this but… why?" Saitama asked.

"Because GOD has involved mortals. He doesn't care about the balance between the human world and the supernatural world like us natives. His secondary aim… is Heaven. And he knows how to hurt it," Indra smiled.

Tsubasa gave a rough exhale as her back was slammed to the ground. When she opened her eyes, she was met with Issei looming above her.

"...Well, if anything, you actually became a lot tougher." Issei remarked with a small grin, as he helped Tsubasa up.

"And being tougher is not enough to one-up you. I can't even land a good hit on you," Tsubasa replied.

"The perks of the water stream. I heard from Garou that his master fought a guy that is the absolute definition of a Rook. He took the bag of muscles down no matter how many times he tried and tired him out."

"Huh… so in other words, defense isn't everything."

During her summer training camp back in the Underworld, she was actually instructed to capitalize her Rook trait even further - which meant her regimen consisted of exercise that would allow her to tank even the heaviest hits.

"Are you still good to go?" Issei asked.

In return, Tsubasa simply stepped back and resumed her stance, "...I can do this all day."

"There's no value in a rock. After all, all a rock does is nothing." Issei pointed out.

"...I see you're coming up with original wisdom." Tsubasa inhaled and exhaled, assuming the basic stance of the defensive style.

"Something I picked up along the way." Issei assumed his stance.

The two circled each other as they talked.

"...You know…" Tsubasa bit her lower lip. "...I was scared. When I heard that you were…"

Issei stopped.

"...Oh…" Issei had not properly asked about the girl's emotional dilemma.

"...I was afraid that I would lose my best friend before I get the chance to say I'm sorry… and if we can.. Well…"

Things became awkward as Issei rubbed the back of his head, at the sight of blushing Tsubasa.

"Well…. Things were quite crazy between us last time." That was all he could come up with, for now.

"Yeah…"

Issei blushed as well, remembering the dark times.

"...I've been thinking about it for a while but… I'm not sure if you're okay with us being together again. I mean…"

Tsubasa then closed her eyes and shook her head, dispelling her previous thoughts..

On the other hand, Issei pondered. His eyes no longer changed color after a bit of practice and Kiyome's tampering.

Thinking about it, he should ask the other girls how they felt. He did not want to be a dense fool when it came to the opposite sex… and make it up to them for worrying them too much.

Issei then noticed that Tsubasa was walking towards him. She then simply placed her forehead on Issei's toned chest.

"I'm just…. So glad." Tsubasa's voice broke slightly, "I'm so glad that you made it."

When she looked up, Issei was greeted by the sight of her smiling with teary eyes at him. For some reason, the sight of Tsubasa's expression caused his heart to stop for a split second.

"Tsu, I…"

Tsubasa then closed her eyes and shook her head again.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm not supposed to show you that." she apologized, as she ran her hand over her face and walked back to her earlier position, "Let's have one more match."

However, Issei suddenly grabbed Tsubasa's hand; and much to the latter's surprise, he pulled her into a hug, burying her face into his chest.

"...Ise?" Tsubasa squeaked as she looked up from Issei's chest.

"...You know, dying feels scary, now that I think about it." Issei spoke first, before he looked down to smile cheerfully at her.

"I'm glad that I made it back too."

This time, Tsubasa bit her lip as her heart skipped a beat - that's just not fair - before she returned to hide her flustered face in Issei's chest, while her arms reached to wrap around Issei's back.

While they remained hugging, a sound of throat-clearing was heard.

"Ahem."

Issei and Tsubasa turned to Ravel and Koneko.

"...No PDA during training." The Nekoshou said with a pout, who was also mirrored by the sweaty Phenex girl.

Tsubasa simply broke away while refusing to meet anyone's eyes.

"We're not here to watch you show off how you scored more than one girl, rival. Get on with it!" Vali demanded as Asia healed his wounds with Asclepius.

"Yeah, alright. So, how's Ravel doing?" Issei asked Koneko.

Koneko glanced at Ravel for a second before replying, "...The chicken is getting better and kind of faster on her feet, but that's all about it, really."

Ravel pouted at Koneko's comment.

"So in short, working the wasteful movements out of her and stuff. Got it. Alright, I promised you two how to do the Water Stream style first. Garou taught me the Water Stream style first to help me better adapt to the other styles. Koneko, spar with me. I need to show everyone how it works." Issei gestured to the catgirl.

Koneko's cat ears and tail swished.

"...Okay." She nodded as she approached Issei.

Issei exhaled as he entered the passive stance, both hands forward, palms open as lowered his knees.

Koneko squinted at Issei as she raised a boxing stance.

"Don't hold back." Issei sternly advised.

Koneko nodded before she moved, already nearing in with a fast jab.

However, her fist landed into his backhand, the latter swirling under her knuckle and flicking her jab right back into her face.

"...Eh?" Koneko blinked, staring at her fist.

"It is possible to redirect the power of attacks back into the attacker. However, one must have great fine muscle control, from the ligaments of your wrist to your very fingers. The key is to not waste movement and control all of the energy you receive in your hands and redirect them. So yeah, in other words, be flexible and mindful of every muscle in your arm." Issei explained.

"...And when their guard is down, counter with your own power."

Issei threw a stream of barrages, all attacks striking Koneko gently without hurting her too much before he hooked a foot behind her right ankle and pushed her, letting her fall on her butt while she was in a stupor.

"...And then follow up with whatever combo you can throw at them. Questions?" Issei asked as he offered Koneko his hand.

Koneko took his hand and he pulled her up.

"Any way to break through the Water Stream?" Vali asked.

"Eh, depends. You can simply overpower it with the right timing, use grappling, the main way to counter it is not to pour too much power into the impact. Simply put, the best way to counter the Water Stream is to maintain control over the power of your own attacks and not let it get dominated." Issei explained. "Which is why the Water Stream is a bane against pure power types. The Water Stream can negate and deflect almost anything. Although, I heard that attacks with added shockwaves on impact can transmit some damage through the defenses… Anyways, it is not invincible, but it's pretty much a solid skill. Thoughts?"

Vali whistled.

"Explains why you can't handle Modi as well as Magni." Tsubasa nodded.

"I'm not a real master, yet, like I said. Not to mention that Modi himself had one helluva trick that I don't know how to counter yet. Alright, who wants to be the defender and attacker?"

The angelic forces were already investigating America when Gabriel returned with information from Indra.

Saitama returned home to practice something in secret, something he never tried since his greatest battle back home. The peaceful years of living with his family and easy-living relaxed him back into his more casual self, though that side of him might be waning after witnessing his son's state.

…And he had to visit someone he had not seen for a while.

Dulio Gesualdo, a team of exorcists, and a force of a hundred thousand Blacks, paid with a lot of high-calorie protein fast foods, were investigating Texas at Indra's lead.

They were hiding within one of the buildings meters away from the cathedral, a house they purchased under a different name.

They were in a homely bedroom, most bedecked in exorcist attire, black clothes and light pistols hilted, Dulio gazing through a telescope at the massive cathedral that survived an undead invasion somehow.

"That guy really is coming back, isn't he?"

One of the Blacks whispered to Dulio.

"How powerful is someone blessed by this GOD thing, by the way?" Dulio asked.

"Well, I know one guy… I think. Didn't confirm it, but he kept bragging about being chosen by a divine being. Back home, he was strong enough to be around my level, even more so in terms of pure destructive power, someone that can deal with most of the top heroes there. And they're strong, I'll tell you. The thing is, that guy is practically a normal human, a homeless guy that stood out amongst us."

"So in estimate…?"

"Around Ultimate Class or lower for a homeless average joe on divine steroids. Not sure on this one though… Oh, shit."

"What?" Dulio and

"Let me repeat what I'm hearing. 'I have received a revelation from a transcendent Divine Being that blessed me with power beyond imagining. The God we all know and praised, taught to worship by our schools, our teachers, our corporations, and our government… is dead.'"

Dulio and his team grimaced.

To think Indra's divination was accurate for once.

"This isn't good…"

"You have no idea how to deal with this, do you? This GOD is going for a full-on checkmate without a damn. Quick question, what happens if everyone stops believing in Heaven and stuff?"

Dulio paused in grim silence to gather his words, the others praying to Michael for strength.

"...All of the souls of heaven will fall into the mortal world. Billions of them… lost in the physical world. And angels as well. Even the Sacred Gear System The Lord placed will perish and make us all the last wielders of Sacred Gears on Earth. Who knows what other treasures in heaven will fall into this world. It will be the greatest refugee crisis in Earth's history…"

"...And the biggest all-you-can-eat buffet if that hawaiian guy is right." Black finished with a grim tone.

Dulio and the others grimaced at the mention of GOD's plan to consume the souls in Heaven.

There is great power and potential in the souls of others. To harness it without moral restraint was taboo… and GOD had none to rob the peace of those resting above.

"Continuing from where I left off. 'I know that some of you are angry, some of you are confused. But I speak the truth when I say our Lord is dead, mutually killed by the devil himself, his own son… the Lightbringer extinguished our Savior at the cost of his life, his and his greatest princes of the Underworld below us! Our Heaven is run by his weak son, the first son, Michael acting as God, someone that can never measure up to the Lord. There is no divine protection or miracle serving someone that can't even act as The Lord. The One that reached me showed that there's no point in worship if worship brings false peace and security. He answered my prayer to save us all from damnation! It is his power that I have coursing through me!'"

An evil presence shone from the cathedral like the light in the illuminating from the windows.

There was a feeling of divine-like power, the quality and make of the energy they sensed could be mistaken as Divine in origin.

But they knew from deep down that the essence of that light was anything but good.

Dulio's angelic grace quivered at the presence of such powerful evil, he could almost see the outline of the man behind those deconsecrated walls of gray stone, arms outstretched before the listeners.

"...You might want to see this." Black said as he handed Dulio an Ipad.

The handheld touchscreen was connected to a camera the other Black inside the cathedral was holding.

Dulio took the ipad, his fellow exorcist peeking over the shoulder to see the crisp recording.

They saw a man with a kind face, perverted with ecstasy as his robes fluttered from the pressure of power exuding from his frame.

"...What am I looking at?" Dulio asked with squinted eyes.

"Shhh." Black gestured to keep watching.

[Step forward, my son.]

In the video, a boy hesitantly walked up to the corrupted priest.

The man placed a hand on the boy's head.

They stared as the boy gasped, his voice a wailing cry before it turned into an eldritch scream as the child mutated.

Wings of veiny white meat sprouted from his back, feathers sweated out of the membranes as the child's face lost all of its features, an armored shell covering his face, eerily serene and ominous.

His clothes were burned away, but he was covered in a warped parody of knight's armor, shining dirty gold and misshapen yet symmetrical, organic armor made to look like knight attire.

[How do you feel? Do you feel the power of the True GOD?]

The mutant child looked at his hands.

[...I… I feel like I can do anything, Father Pilaro.]

The child's voice sounded different, more distant, an echo of a noble voice. But it was not angelic.

Back in the surveillance room, Black and Dulio remained silent for a few seconds.

"...What are the protocols of dealing with an antichrist in your God's time?" Black finally asked.

"It's not an easy question to answer. We would usually attempt to assassinate them since they are humans tricked and empowered by Devils to do their bidding... And we were more fanatical back then, according to Lord Michael." Dulio frowned.

"Set up a bounded field and let's do this, then." Black shrugged.

"No!" Dulio shouted.

"...No? What do you mean, no?" Black asked.

"He's innocent! They all are! Is there some way to… remove the power from them or something?!" Dulio desperately asked.

"...There is one case." Black admitted. "But…"

"But…?"

"The Baldy literally punched the god power out of that guy. Yes, it's possible. But I don't think we have the tools to do it. I don't think any exorcist shtick you have will work on these people, honestly."

"...Wait, why would we need Saitama for this again?" Dulio asked.

"Because as far as I recall…. Well, didn't see it, but the tin can called Genos confirmed that the homeless guy died in the fight, but not by another hero or monster. From his database, GOD took his life on the spot. I think he can do it whenever he wants, so yeah, you gotta be quick or…"

Black slid his thumb across his neck for emphasis.

In other words, giving oneself to GOD is the equivalent of their necks on the guillotine.

"...Is there no other way?"

"Like I said. Either you have miraculous god level magic in your hands, or be the Baldy. I could try to summon one of the Big Bads to turn them into statues to buy us time, though."

Dulio contemplated for a few seconds before sighing, "...I guess we have to give it a shot. Better than nothing."

"Alright, wait for a while. That'll also cost you ten thousand dollars worth of fries and chicken nuggets, so chop chop." Black clapped his hands while moving out.

Dulio smiled a little.

His friend did not hesitate to put his wallet in the red.

Issei sparred with Kiyome as Vali sparred with Koneko, Tsubasa helping Ravel get started in the art of close combat.

The others could not help but steal glances at them.

Kiyome matched Issei's tempo with astounding adaptability, Issei deflecting every primal assault from the girl-turned-bioweapon.

Her attacks were strong, but there was no technique.

It was all instinct, strong, direct, yet frighteningly graceful, and her movements were evolving.

Issei had never fought someone like this as fire clad her left hand and lightning her right.

Issei couldn't help but do the same as they renewed their exchange, fire and lightning against the same pair.

Then Issei blocked her feral right straight punch as he struck her solar plexus.

Kiyome coughed blood as he sent her flying into the mansion wall.

"...Ah, shit." Issei put too much strength into that attack as she crashed into it. "Kiyome! You-"

Then Kiyome sprang back towards him, grinning with battle lust as Issei switched back to battle mode, as he blocked a wild downward swing and ducked the following aerial kick aiming for his nape as Kiyome landed behind him, then wildly sprinted towards him with almost limitless energy coursing through her.

It was more like fighting a beast in human form than anything else. Her reflexes and senses rivaled even his, making Issei smile wider.

However, she was still unrefined.

Issei then showed the difference between them as he countered her assault, the water stream deflecting her wild fists, bypassing her field and striking her multiple times.

Issei finally synchronized with her unique rhythm, forcing her back step by step. He could feel Kiyome fighting against the flow, but she could not read it properly.

He punished her for every brutish attempt, raining blows that depressed her skin, cracking her exoskeleton every time as he finished it with a strong uppercut, sending her flying into a backflip until she landed face-down on the grass.

"Wooooooooow... Good job, Ise-chin."

A new voice joined in, clapping at the spectacle. Everyone turned to Kuroka, seeing her sitting on the grass and clapping her hands. She was waving at Koneko who looked away with an embarrassed blush.

Rover's ears perked as the dog woke from its nap to turn to Kuroka.

"...What are you doing here?" Issei asked Kiyome, who was groaning, rubbing her jaw.

Asia ran towards her, but Kiyome stopped her with her hand.

"No thanks, I can regenerate." Kiyome gently reminded. "...But the headache is annoying." She muttered.

The damage was already repaired, making her thank Stjarna for giving her such powerful regeneration, though the pain was another matter. It showed that she still had much to learn even if Stjarna imparted all of his secrets to Kiyome.

"Well, I was preparing myself for a trip to China. After I saw the Demon God called your teacher, which I must say, he is indeed awesome and I resent your luck a little, I was thinking about learning more about senjutsu from the parent country of Japan. I saw your little training group outside the window and I decided to stick around a little… and eavesdrop. So this is the martial art your teacher used to copy about any technique. It is quite basic but interesting."

Kuroka gave a Cheshire smile at Issei.

"Yeah, I'm just not there yet. What, you want in? Actually, what are you doing all the way to China?" Issei asked.

"China can be considered the home of many famous sages throughout history, nya-know? In fact, I know a few sages living there so I can learn one or two more about mystic arts."

"What? You're going for the Black Scorpion Fist or something?" Issei snarked.

"Hmmm, something less flashy and more my style. And to answer your first question. I am not interested~" She giggled. "Though I am not a close combat expert, I like to learn it to see if it can help me copy every Senjutsu in existence."

Issei snorted at her honest desire to cheat a little in her quest to become the greatest sage on this planet.

"I recommend Shangri-La. Heard Garou went there to learn the cool stuff."

Rover started paddling towards Kuroka from behind extremely stealthily. It was amazing how well Rover snuck up on Kuroka despite its lion-size.

"Ehhhh? Isn't that place supposed to be an invitation only? I heard about it from some youkai that no one can get there unless they're invited-Nyah?!"

Kuroka yelped when Rover started nuzzling against her from behind.

Issei smirked at Rover smothering her with affection. Rassei cooed as he flew out of Asia's golden hair to join Rover, rubbing his face against her cheek.

"S-Stop it! Stop! Hey, it tickles!" Kuroka begged as the two continued to nuzzle her.

"Alright, that's all for today! Good work, folks!" Issei laughed.

"Hey, don't just end the show just to watch me-aggggh!" Kuroka groaned when the dog nuzzled her into the ground, the two now smothering her as the others watched with giggles and amusement.

Koneko was more conflicted seeing Rover assault her sister like this considering her first encounter with the dog.

"Rassei. Rover." Asia called out sweetly.

The two perked as Rover shrank to puppy size and waddled towards Asia, Rassei flying back into her hair as Asia picked Rover up in her arms.

"Hah… hah… damn it. How… How did you get them to listen to you?" Kuroka asked with labored breath as she pulled herself up.

"Ummm… love?" Asia tilted her head as Rover barked and panted.

"Lots of it." Issei nodded along.

"Ugggh..." Kuroka groaned. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴovᴇlꜰirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

The backdoor of the mansion opened, knob turned and hinges creaked outward.

"Oh…"

Everyone saw Griselda coming out of the door.

"...Miss Griselda?" Issei called out.

"...Hello, everyone." Griselda smiled. "I'm sorry that I came here without prior notice. I am here to check on Irina, Xenovia and… You as well, Sir Issei. I heard about your… incident."

"...My hair grew back." Issei dryly answered.

Griselda paused for a moment before the girls smiled with giggles in their throats.

"...I mean, your near-death incident." Griselda answered.

"Oh." Issei looked away in a small embarrassment.

Tsubasa and Koneko eyed Griselda warily. A mature beauty forever preserved by angelic grace… and Tsubasa saw some pictures circulated around the network regarding Griselda's… alternative persona, some that had gotten into the circles of perverts they had to discipline.

"I heard that it is terrible. Yet it seems that my worries are unfounded…" Griselda smiled at him.

"Ah, well, nothing with a bit of magic and stuff can't fix. I owe it to Kiyome, though." He gestured to the bioweapon girl.

"...You didn't tell me you're friends with such a bombshell." Kiyome noted, marveling on the mature woman's goddess-like beauty.

"It's complicated."

"Is it?" Kiyome asked.

"Ask later. How are things going on your side?" Issei wondered if he should ask if the Blacks in the Church were finally behaving.

"Unfortunately, the world is mired in darkness even as we speak, but it is the duty of us adults to take care of it. I managed to scrounge time to pay a visit to my girls here… and…"

"...Would you like to stay for dinner?"

The girls eyed Issei with a suspicious lizard-like gaze.

"What? She came all the way here just to check on us. You want to just kick her out like that?" Issei retorted after noticing the looks.

A beautiful woman like Griselda is staying here…

For some reason, they saw her presence as something dangerous.

Kiyome was more curious than the rest. Koneko was not sure but she felt like a new unstoppable enemy would be born if they allowed her to stay. Asia was more worried, sensing a growing connection between the two.

"Oh, but I don't want to intrude…"

"I insist. Besides, I think Irina and Xenovia would like to show you how far they've come." Issei smiled.

Griselda smiled warmly in return.

"Then… I thank you for the hospitality." She curtsied.

The girls made up their minds. They must keep an eye on Griselda on all costs.

There were still stray spirits from the damned that escaped from Hell lingering in the streets of Kuoh.

Normally, when vanquished, they would be sent to Oblivion.

However, if they were blessed by a certain God of the Dead, namely Osiris, they could return to the material plane once, protected from the powers of the other Gods of the Dead.

It was why Grim Reapers could not simply dominate them with the authority granted to them by Hades.

However, even Osiris had a limit to how many souls he could protect without spreading his power too thin amongst the billions.

Only ten billion returned after they were vanquished, a number that was heavily dwindling by the day due to the efforts of the Pantheons and other supernatural organizations bent on purging the malicious dead.

The two Peerages overseeing Kuoh were busy every night to take care of the undead menace as they were more active in the absence of daylight. There were still exceptions amongst the undead able to fully manifest in the day, but they were defeated in the end.

There were even spirits that cannibalize other spirits for strength, but the amount they could receive varies.

It was rare for a spirit to gain that much power from consuming the souls of others.

This one belonged in that realm, in the same abandoned building Murayama and Katase once trespassed.

There were screams from the cemetery.

The voices did not belong to those of humans. It was the wail of the dead screaming for mercy, ghastly incorporeal forms flying away from the sole predator stalking them.

The soul of Freed Sellzen giggled maniacally as he plunged his fist into the soul of an old Mongol barbarian.

He shrieked a dying wail as Freed broke him down into spectral wisp and absorbed his essence.

He left the girl's body because he couldn't feast on souls while inside her.

So he brought her with him to a ghostly gathering to start feasting on them in the Veil, or Yomotsu Hirasaka as the Japanese call it.

"Surround him!"

The other ghosts, the samurai of the past, surrounded the spectral form of Freed as he giggled, licking his ethereal lips.

"For Nobunaga!"

The warrior servants of Oda Nobunaga charged at Freed with their swords, swords forged from their spirits.

"Idioooots!"

Freed cackled as he opened his palm as the sword sank into his hand.

It did not cut through his ghost skin. The sword was sinking into it, the samurai gasping as Freed sucked his spirit into him.

"You made your swords out of your souls, riiiiight? It's the same as putting your head inside a dragon's mouth, you know?!" Freed cackled as the souls backed away.

These spirits are older than him, but they do not have the hunger, what it takes to devour others.

Freed had constantly been hunting all manners of spirits to invest in his growth for his quest of vengeance - Devils, Humans, and the rare others. There were the occasional deviants he planned to consume, the ones strong enough to bypass the Veil and interact with the living.

Oda Nobunaga was one of them, and Freed just ate him tonight.

The loyal samurai that decided to follow Nobunaga were just desserts.

The samurai ghosts were wavering, yet they did not flee.

So this was the famous samurai spirit, serving a master to the end… it was a shame that they were stupid.

The samurai spirits roared as Freed giggled as flew towards them.

It was a flawless victory. Freed consumed all of them without mercy.

Freed burped, sighing with relief.

"What a good meal… Well, then."

Freed looked up at the moon. It was shining beautifully in the night, lighting the graveyard in a glorious pale lumination.

Freed grinned as he raised his hands. Immediately, all of the gravestones around him broke out of the soil, lifted against the hold of gravity, rising higher and higher as he raised his hands to the sky.

"Yes, yes! I can feel it! I can feel it!" Freed can feel his power growing at a massive pace. If he continued like this, he could grow strong enough to deal with the pesky pretty boy's entire peerage.

Freed summoned a sphere of energy in his hand and threw it at a gravestone, destroying it as the sphere traveled through the trees.

His months of practice were starting to pay off.

Ice spread from under his feet, a creeping cold threatening to spread and cover the cemetery like an infection.

Freed sighed as he released his hold, letting the gravestones fall back into place.

"I feel like I'm becoming a proper Sith Lord." Freed compared the similarity of his telekinesis to popular media.

"...Ah, I should stop talking to myself. I can't wait until we meet again, pretty boy. Soon, I'll be strong enough to take away what's yours and give you whatcha deserve!"

Freed laughed as he disappeared back into the veil, vanishing as he traveled back to his host, his only means of getting close to the dumb prince's key treasure.

He just needed to confirm his suspicion.

Only then would the fun truly start.

Saitama knocked on the door.

He was on an island, a small uncharted island far east of Japan. Saitama got here by running across the waters for a while like that one guy from the American comics that was all about speed.

On the beach shores was a house, a cabin in american design, the walls slightly off angle in its cubic walls holding a prismatic roof of shingles.

The wooden door opened.

There was a teenage girl looking up at him in the eyes.

"...Mr. Saitama?" She asked.

"Hey there, kid." Saitama waved.

She smiled radiantly.

"Mr. Baldy!" She shouted and wrapped her arms around him. Saitama smiled as he patted the girl's back as the parents approached them from the house.

"Welcome back, Saitama." The lady of the house smiled at Saitama. "I was starting to fear that you have forgotten about us." Her smile shifted teasingly at the end.

She was a woman with an otherworldly grace, sporting long, braided gray hair and a gentle look on her face. She was holding her pregnant belly with her husband by her side. Behind them were two boys, one ten years old and one four.

Saitama smiled warmly at them, "Yeah, it's been a while. Things… got quite a bit hectic." He carefully worded.

"Hmmm. I caught some rumors from my familiars. Is it true? Are the Three Factions finally at peace?" She asked.

"Yeah, but things got more complicated in the end."

"So I have heard…. The Khaos Brigade?"

"...And worse." Saitama sadly added.

"What can be worse than a terrorist organization?" The husband asked.

"...A ghost from the past. Something I should've put to rest… is that how they say it?" Saitama asked.

"That is the term. Come, join us. Would you like some tea? My husband bred some special leaves in our garden." She offered.

Saitama accepted the offer as he went inside and took his sea-wet red boots off. He still could not believe that they managed to make all of this so well in isolation.

After exchanging greetings with the rest of the occupants, Saitama sat on a wooden chair as the woman prepared the fire outside with magic, a bowl made of turtle shell mixed with leaves and water as the firewood burned underneath.

Her husband sat on the chair across the table as his wife returned with tea, small coconut shells filled with the liquid.

"It is not common to see you troubled." She mentioned.

"Yeah." Saitama took the coconut cup and sipped it. It had an aftertaste of coconut with the tea. "...My son almost died again."

The children spying from the door gasped.

"...Is it the Church?" She asked with a hint of spite.

"No. Khaos Brigade… he survived thanks to his friends." Saitama sighed.

"Are you planning to go serious?" The man of the house asked.

"I can't go all out…. Yet. I'm not like… well, someone I know." Saitama shook his head. "If I do, I'll just destroy the things I'm supposed to protect… Someone else I know said that I need to get some help with learning a trick to help others that can do a better job than I can."

"Destroying evil?" The wife asked.

"No. Saving lives."

They were stunned by Saitama's response.

"It is rare for you to learn to do something else other than your fists." The husband chuckled.

"Hah… Well, I killed a lot of bad people and things with these hands of mine." Saitama raised his red gloved fist. "But times are different… you can come back, you know? I think your kids might have fun getting to know their uncle and the rest of the family. I heard he's famous down there for some reason."

"Yes, I know." The mother giggled.

"...We are planning to go but I am not sure about the backlash. Is it truly safe?" The husband asked.

"Yeah. Long story, but anyone that might say something is gone." Saitama nodded.

"...Alright. But first… what do you need help with? Tell your friends what's on your mind." She asked with a hopeful smile as she poured more tea from the turtle shell into Saitama's coconut cup.

Saitama sipped.

"...This… ghost of mine…" Saitama stared into his reflection in his tea. "He can do more stuff than I can. He's the strongest guy I ever fought. I almost killed him, honestly. But…"

"But…?"

The children outside aimed their ears into their direction from the door, all of them excited.

"...It is how I got here, you know? I'm not from… Around here."

"...It explains much about you." The husband already accepted Saitama's origins like how he accepted his wife's tea.

Saitama could not help but to smile slightly at the comment.

"Heh. Well, I am thinking of trying something new. Strong as I am, I can't handle everything by myself. Can't be everywhere at once. Nor do I want to. So… I heard from the guy suggesting I practice a trick. The problem is, he said that I might kill others if I'm not careful."

"What's the trick? Can you actually pull it off? I know you can't use magic." The husband asked.

"I… can." Saitama shrugged, "I just never put my mind into anything other than punching things. Why bother when I can just punch my problems away? But now… The trick is something the ghost can do much better than I can. But I can't copy it. It's not something that can be easily… mastered."

"Since when can you copy supernatural techniques?" The wife asked, amused.

"Since always? Well, I don't know when but… the trick I'm learning is how to give powers to others without killing them."

The husband and wife lost their smiles.

"...You can do that?" The husband asked.

"Yeah. I never tried, honestly. I don't like doing this because I think it is better to earn the power with your own hands. It'll only make you feel empty inside if you take the easy way…" Saitama said.

"Interesting way of thinking." The Husband admitted.

"Many people say that. Problem is, I need some special knowhow to pull this trick off properly. The guy said I would just blow people up since I'm too strong, and I have a terrible sense of 'control.'"

Saitama quoted with his fingers.

"You are not wrong." The husband joked.

The wife giggled, "...Well, I think I can help you. I might be a housewife now, but I am still a child of a noble bloodline." She smiled.

"Uh… I don't think I need to learn your weird magic circles and stuff." Saitama sweated.

"Nonsense. You may be an adult, but I will not tolerate anyone that looks down on proper education."

"No, seriously, just show it to me and I can just wing-"

Saitama insisted, only to be rebuked by the wife squinting at the baldy with a piercing gaze. Her presence seemed to grow larger and larger, looming over the baldy with force that he could not reason with.

"...Hah." Saitama hung his head in defeat. It was like facing against Haruka.

The children giggled from the door.

"Fine… When can we start, Cleria?"

Cleria Belial smiled again.

"We can start now."

To be Continued…..

Omake: The Cult of the Demon God

"Praise the Demon God of Destruction and Change! For he has wiped our realm clean of corruption of the flesh and spirit, the weakness in our society, and brought life, joy, and wealth to our lands! Praise him for his mercy, for his gift in return for giving thee the joy of battle!"

The founder of the Cult of the Demon God shouted to the listeners before them in the center of Lucifaad.

It was a consequence of such a display of power and miracles.

Such feats could captivate those easily enraptured by such power and miracles that surpassed the limits of the Biblical God.

The Cult was a member of the Sabnock Clan, someone with an illness that couldn't be cured, yet here he was, cured, healthy, and strong.

There were many listening to the hearings, even some from noble bloodlines.

Others were here for different reasons.

"...Oh dear, this is worse than I thought." Serafall muttered, hiding amongst the crowd as she listened to the rambles of the cult leader.

The devils worship strength above all else, even more when that person did two impossibles at once.

She was here both out of curiosity and duty to inspect the situation before it grew out of control. The stage here was young, and these people could be easily misled by dark, hidden intentions.

"I, like the rest of you, are here because of him! We have all been purified by his divine light, sent to glimpse the beyond, a peek at true enlightenment, and return to share his gifts to all who listen!" The Sabnock cult leader continued.

[For the Glory of Rebirth and Renewal! For the greater future!]

Some of the crowd shouted.

Zephyrdor was amongst them, joining the chants. Serafall knew that person to be a delinquent, but how the hell did he end up here?

There was even Sirzech's Bishop, MagGregor, amongst those chanting with zeal. It was not surprising given his history with the occult, and Garou did something that was even more occult to the supernatural.

She swore that she saw Mepisto Pheles in the crowd. She could not mistake the red and blue hair and heterochromia eyes.

"...It's interesting, don't you think?"

Serafall blinked as she turned to a child, a boy.

"To have this many followers in one day. It's not something I can do without destroying an entire world to dust… and leave it like that."

Serafall blinked at the child… Who was definitely, at least not an average child.

"...Maybe." Serafall played along.

"Do you know him, by any chance? This 'demon god?'" He asked.

"...I only met him once." Serafall grimaced as she blushed with fury. "He was more human back then. Why are you here, little boy?" Serafall asked.

"I came here to see the new Underworld myself. The aftermath caught my attention so I decided to inspect it… and it's beyond my expectations. I have a question. What would you think about how, someone like…. Let's say Shiva, would react to this?" The boy asked.

Serafall blinked at the question.

"Ummm… I don't know. Well, I think Shiva would challenge him for the title of Destroyer… If he is a hotheaded person like every Asura I met." Serafall tapped her chin.

"He might not be what you know."

Serafall blinked. She looked to the voice, a man standing next to Shiva.

He was a pale man, taller than most of the Devils here.

He bore a calm, regal gaze, a diadem of bone around his head, a monstrous skull in place of a jewel on his forehead. He had an air of royalty, a regal aura greater than the Devils. He was cloaked and hooded, though, in white, a color that stood out amongst the crowd.

"...How do you think Shiva would react, then?" Serafall asked.

"He might want to apologize." The boy answered.

"So do I." The man nodded.

"Really? What did you do?" Serafall asked the man curiously.

The man turned to her. She swore that he met the man before, but couldn't place a finger on it.

"I have… failed to show him out of my home. I did not know what he was at that time. I am thankful for his mercy, but he took something important from me."

"...And I owe him something in return." The boy answered.

"Which is?" She asked.

"That is something only us Gods should know. A debt between friends…" The boy said

"A debt between those that fought." The man added as they turned, leaving as they shuffled through the crowd.

"...Gods?" Serafall blinked.

Now that she thought about it, she swore she recognized that boy… but still, why could she not remember?

"Gods… Gods… Gods….. Oh, gods." Serafall's face lost its color as she remembered the boy's face.

Leaving the crowd, Shiva, The Destroyer, and his companion - Hades, The Ruler of Tartaros, conversed.

"What do you think? Do you still believe that Gods are the only ones with the right to rule the world?" Shiva asked the ruler of Tartarus.

Hades remained silent as he looked down.

"...I only see how far we are behind, and what it means to be a true God." Hades answered.

"Hahaha… Yes, yes we are. Quite a world my friend is from."

"...We should return." Hades said. "I have a request for the Overlord of the Demons. I wish to learn under the Mastema Tribe."

"Even though you looked down on them before? Are you prepared to pay their price?" Shiva asked.

"Whatever is necessary to reach that realm. For Tartaros… For Olympus… For Earth… For Gaia." Hades remained resolved.

Omake 2: Secret Deals

"...Can you do it?" Saitama whispered to Ravel and Koneko.

His wife was currently away on a grocery shopping trip with Genos; enough for him to sneak to Ravel's workshop for his… request.

"Ummm… is your wife okay with this?" Koneko asked, knowing Haruka's personality enough to understand her tastes.

"Keep this a secret between us. Please? I'll do anything." Saitama pleaded.

Ravel and Koneko exchanged uncertain glances, but they shrugged in the end, seeing they had nothing to lose in humoring Saitama's request.

"...Just to let you know that we will immediately throw you under the bus, without hesitation, as soon as Auntie Haruka asks questions." Koneko added.

"And you'll help us get closer with your son." Ravel added.

"Deal. I'll even give you my blessing to get into his pants." Saitama nodded.

"...Deal." Ravel blushed as her imaginations ran wild with fantasies of Issei taking her firsts.

She heard everything from Irina when she asked during their sleepovers, their first times, and Issei's skill in the art of pleasuring the opposite sex.

Test tubes and glass pitchers bubbled over burners, mysterious liquids of various colors, red, garnet, colorless, were on a table.

Ravel took a pitcher of clear magenta fluids and looked at it carefully.

"Alright, this is it. It is untested, but the mixture and concoction are similar to the ones I used on Lord Ise, so it should grow your hair out… Honestly, I am curious now to see what you're like with hair." Ravel admitted.

Koneko nodded as her tail swished with excitement, wondering what the baldy looked like with hair.

"Yes!" Saitama cheered as Ravel handed the beaker to him.

He immediately splashed the contents on his head with smiling glee. Everyone then waited for the miracle to happen.

They waited… and waited… and waited some more.

Five minutes passed, and there was not a single follicle.

"...I thought you said this would work?" Saitama asked Ravel.

Koneko sneaked behind Saitama and placed her hand on his head.

"Hmph. Let me try." Koneko smiled. "If I can grow your hair… I want your blessing when my mating season comes. And lock your son in a room alone with me… and keep everyone else out."

"...Uhhhhh…" Saitama did not know how to react to that oddly specific request. "...Eh, why not?" He shrugged.

"Bow before my senjutsu." She smiled like Kuroka as she sent her chakra into Saitama's scalp.

Koneko blinked.

"...Mr. Saitama."

"...Yeah?" Saitama asked.

"...I can't move your Ki." She said.

"...Why?"

"Your chakra flow is… very stubborn."

"Meaning…?"

"I can't stimulate your hair growth if I cannot disturb your internal energy flow…. And there's too much energy. It's like I am a human trying to move an entire mountain with my bare hands." She compared.

"...So you can't do it?"

"...No." She frowned.

Saitama hung his head. The sadness he felt was overflowing, even more than missing the greatest bargain sale during his time here.

"...Well, at least you tried." Saitama sighed in defeat as he turned to the door.

He froze when he saw Haruka standing by the door, her eyes closed and smiling… very menacingly.

"...Honey! You're home!" Saitama greeted her with a frightened smile.

Haruka tilted her head, "Hm? You call me 'honey'... Means you're up to something behind my back. What's that behind you?"

She also did not forget to greet the girls behind Saitama, "Ravel-chan, Koneko-chan, how are you?"

"G-good afternoon to you, ma'am!" Ravel stiffly replied with curtsey; Koneko also mirrored her gesture and expression.

The three felt like they were in a horror movie, with Haruka as the monster and them as the victims caught in the act of doing something against its wishes despite the power difference between them, ironically.

"So? What is that dripping down from your head?" She asked.

"...Nothing." He said.

"Really? Ravel?" She slightly opened her eyes.

Ravel had never felt fear like this before. Her eyes were almost murderous, like she was prey before the predator.

"...I-I-It's nothing s-s-s-special…" Ravel quivered.

"Koneko?" She turned to Koneko as the Neko flinched, before shaking her head frantically.

"...I see. Well, if you excuse me, I would like to borrow my husband. For a little chat." She said as she walked towards Saitama and pinched his ear.

Saitama could only follow her as she pulled him out of the room like cattle to a slaughter.

Dun, dun, dun~!

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