Yo,

Sorry I forgot to upload this and accidentally updated next one. So here it is. You can read next 2 chapters of Shadow Light on my pa#tron page now.

Before we dive into our newest chap, there is one last thing-

Here's a link to my super private server on discord where I'll keep on updating sneak peeks of the chapters, Character designs and where you can freely talk and ask things regarding my fics directly from me. I'm most active there:

It's a relatively new server, so please show some love <3

Link: discord . Gg / SPsSwAcq4b

Remove the spaces

Name: Black Dawn

As always, thank you for your continued love and support.

Thank you for your continued love and support. Without further ado, let's get started.

Enjoy.

Shadow Light

Chapter 41

Dark Tidings

"What did you say to your people yesterday when this area got sealed away? I'm sure it caused quite a panic," Naruto said sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

"Aren't you interested? I said I'm going to surp-" They sensed a large burst of demonic energy release in their surroundings and Naruto turned to Yasaka who took a big gulp of air.

"The demons from Yomi-no-kuni were released. We must evacuate everyone before they start rampaging the city!" Yasaka said in urgency. Naruto's face turned cold at that and she felt a large force descend upon Kyoto in an instant.

'What pressure!' Yasaka thought in awe. Though she knew the pressure isn't intended towards her, its passive aura is affecting her due to her closeness to Naruto.

"Yasaka dear, I'm sorry for this disturbance. Let's take care of this and continue our date." Naruto's strong voice pulled her out of the gutter that passive aura put her and she stood to neutralise the threat.

Few Minutes Ago

As Naruto and Yasaka revelled in the intimacy of their candlelight dinner, the air in Kyoto suddenly thickened with an unsettling silence. The sky above turned into an unsettling tapestry of reds and purples, as if mirroring some unspoken dread. Unknown to the human realm, the very fabric of the spiritual world had torn asunder, releasing a horde of demons from the depths of Shinto Hell. The city's ancient wards quivered and fractured under the assault, sending tremors through the metaphysical plane.

The alarm is instantaneous among the Devils. As if electrocuted, they broke from their idle conversations—jettisoning a lighthearted debate between Akeno and Reni about bust sizes—as a suffocating wave of demonic presence washed over them. Rias, ever the impulsive girl, broke the silence. "What's going on?"

No sooner has she asked that the group's collective attention snapped toward Naruto, who seemed to be the epicentre of the suffocating draconic pressure. His face, usually warm and inviting, had morphed into an icy visage of simmering fury. Yasaka stood beside him, her expression equally serious.

"They're fucked," Sona declared, her tone tinged with a mixture of awe and finality. Though Sona is not one for swearing, the situation called for it. Her past encounters with Naruto had taught her that when he is this incensed, calamity followed. She did not doubt that the invaders has severely miscalculated; even her most conservative estimates placed Naruto on par with her formidable sister. He had, after all, effortlessly bested them in every sparring session, without even revealing his Balance Breaker.

"We'll end this quickly," Naruto declared, his voice cold enough to freeze the very air. "Don't worry about collateral damage. If the Ley Lines remain intact, we can restore the city." His cerulean eyes, now icy shards, fixed on the rift in the sky. A flicker of shadow danced across his face, as if summoning the night itself.

Then, with a barely perceptible wave of his hand, shadows unfurled around them like dark tendrils. They slithered through the streets, seeking out and enveloping 'normal' humans, shielding them from the imminent battle. All except one—a white-haired teacher standing at a distance, keenly observing the events unfolding before her.

Naruto's anger is a palpable force, a malevolent storm churning within him. What has been an intrusion into the city has become personal—the desecration of a sanctuary, the invasion of a treasured moment. And for that, there will be hell to pay.

High above the unfolding chaos, Rosseweisse hovered, shrouded in ethereal mists that veiled her true Valkyrie form. The air around her was thick with a mélange of magic and dread, each note of energy tinged with impending calamity.

She had been observing the mixed group of Devils and Shinto deities under Odin's orders. The All-Father had expressed a keen interest in understanding the strength of these young Devils, especially one Naruto Uzumaki. He had also added, with a somewhat inappropriate jocularity, that she should enjoy her time in Kyoto. The notion almost made her scoff. A Valkyrie of her stature had more pressing matters than leisure.

Rosseweisse's focus snapped back to the present as a sudden surge of Draconic pressure filled the atmosphere. Instinctively, she knew such an aura; it was a signature of ancient powers. Scanning the area, her gaze fixated on Naruto. He was enshrouded in a dark, almost palpable aura that seemed to resonate with the underlying Draconic pressure.

Even as her senses wanted to bask in the Draconic aura, she was stunned by the ensuing spectacle. Shadows unfurled from Naruto like ink in water, radiating outwards in an intricate web. These tendrils of darkness swept through the area, enveloping every 'normal' human being they encountered. Rosseweisse felt a tendril snake towards her, its reach guided by some arcane intuition. She deftly shifted her position, evading its touch. Sensing nothing at its target destination, the tendril withdrew, dissolving back into the shadowy tapestry from which it originated.

As she witnessed the scene unfold, Rosseweisse couldn't help but contemplate the raw, untamed power she had just observed. It was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, leaving her with a greater sense of urgency to report back to Odin. Yet, for all its ferocity, the power carried an undertone of responsibility, a weight of unspoken duty. And that, more than anything, intrigued her the most.

Meanwhile

In the shadowy abyss of Yomi-no-Kuni, the Onis had languished for what seemed like eternities, confined by celestial barriers and spiritual wards. When the rift tore open, they felt it like a jolt of electricity pass through their demonic cores. It was as if the very chains that bound them had suddenly evaporated. For the first time in ages, they sensed freedom—an intoxicating, irresistible allure that beckoned them forth.

As they surged through the rift into the mortal realm, they felt invigorated, like caged beasts finally released into the wild. Their snarls were tinged with exhilaration, their demonic eyes glowing with malevolence and triumph. Each Oni revelled in the return to a world they could ravage and despoil. The thought of sowing chaos and feasting upon human fear fueled their dark souls, turning them into torrents of malevolent energy.

But even amidst this heady rush of liberation, a shard of instinctual wariness embedded itself within their collective consciousness. They sensed a powerful presence, something formidable and wrathful, a force unlike any they had encountered in the depths of Hell. It was as if the very air had thickened, sending ripples of unease through their demonic forms.

Though unable to comprehend the full scope of what they were about to face, the Onis felt an inkling of dread. Still, the allure of freedom and the intoxicating scent of mortal souls were too much to resist. They pressed on, each filled with a dark resolve to seize this rare moment, ignoring the spectral shadow of apprehension that clung to them. Just then, they heard a call of attention and turned to the voice.

In the dimensional gap on the way to the human realm, the Prime Oni General, Daisuke Kurogami, a behemoth draped in spiked armour with eyes aflame in ethereal blue, convened a gathering of his subordinate Oni Generals and Onis. They materialised from the mists, each a fearsome monstrosity in their own right, wielding weapons fashioned from the bones and souls of the damned. An unholy council, brought together to seize an unprecedented opportunity.

The Prime General's voice resonated like the clanging of iron against stone. "Brothers, for eons we've languished in the bowels of Hell, bound by celestial decrees and shackled by Shinto barriers. Today, that changes. The rift we've traversed is a sign—our destiny to annihilate Kyoto and bring ruin upon the Shinto pantheon is at hand."

A low murmur of approval swept through the assembly, a rumble of guttural voices and clashing weapons. Each Oni was a walking vortex of malevolent energy, and the very air crackled with their collective anticipation.

"We will not squander this. We will reduce their sacred temples to rubble, feast on the souls of their priests, and extinguish their guardian spirits. We shall bring about a darkness that will blanket the Shinto realm for all eternity!"

The horde erupted in a chorus of cheers and roars, the force of their collective might shaking the very dimensions they occupied. Each Oni felt their dark heart swell with purpose; they were united in their malevolence, fueled by a shared vision of utter devastation.

"And should we encounter resistance, let them come. We will rend their bones, shatter their spells, and drown their cities in a tide of chaos. Tonight, Kyoto will be a pyre, and from its ashes, a new reign will rise—our reign!"

As the Prime Oni General raised his gargantuan blade, the assembly roared in unison, each brandishing their weapon, their eyes ablaze with unholy fire. Unbeknownst to them, their proclamation of war was a prelude to an inevitable clash with a force that had felt their presence, a wrathful entity whose fury was even now coalescing into a storm of unimaginable magnitude.

For the Onis, it was a rallying cry for their long-awaited reckoning. Yet for Naruto Uzumaki, this was nothing more than a provocation, a blight to be eradicated. The stage was set for a cataclysmic encounter, one that would reverberate through the realms of Gods and Devils alike.

The Onis had no way of knowing that they were hurtling toward an encounter with a wrath unlike any other—an unprecedented tempest that would challenge the very essence of their malevolent natures. They were about to meet Naruto Uzumaki, and Hell, as they knew it, would be redefined.

With Others

As the skies of Kyoto boiled with shades of crimson and violet, Naruto stood at the epicentre, his eyes transformed into a piercing cold blue, icy in their intensity. Beside him, Yasaka could feel the visceral surge of Shadow magic radiating off him, a testament to a wrath seldom seen but unmistakable. His fists clenched, and the air itself seemed to compress, drawn into an orbit by the sheer gravity of his fury.

"What's the situation, Naruto?" Rias spoke, her voice tinged with a shade of worry she rarely allowed to surface.

"We're not just dealing with a few rogue demons," Naruto's voice resonated, icy and clipped. "This is a full-scale invasion from Japan's Yomi-no-Kuni. They've broken through the barriers."

Sona's eyes widened, "Are you saying—"

"Yes," Naruto cut her off, his gaze not leaving the swirling rift in the sky. "This is an act of war." He declared.

Everyone got an uneasy look. Numerous thoughts raced through their minds. Is this a planned event to act vengeance on the Devil faction as sisters of both Sirzechs and Serafall are here or is it merely a coincidence? Is the top question in Rias's and Sona's along with their peerages minds.

While Naruto's group are thinking differently. They didn't see Naruto this angry ever. Even the rare talks he had about his childhood didn't make him this angry. Saeko and Alice may write it off as Naruto being angry at the demons disturbed his date. A private moment for Naruto with his loved one.

But Reni and Elsha, who had known Naruto for long and were particularly drawn to his ideals, knew the demons had disturbed the very peace Naruto fights to establish in the world and hence enraging him at a deeper level.

They decided to help Naruto to their best and Naruto leaving Elsha out instead of hiding her away like he did others only added to the woman's resolve. He recognised her worth. He recognised her value beside him. The thought brought tears to Elsha.

Naruto is the one who saved her from her prison in the shadows, a punishment Skiadrum gave her when she destroyed a human settlement in pure madness and looked after her since release.

He even granted her asylum near him and took her to Kuoh, where she knew he was determined to protect the Devil heiresses to keep the peace intact. Though she didn't like staying away from him, his clone always stayed with her, not leaving her alone to her cynical thoughts.

He even allowed her the opportunity to save a town from stray devils, giving her a chance at redemption and Elsha is very grateful to Naruto for that. As her thoughts concluded, Elsha turned to reality.

Knowing that Naruto is upset, Reni and Elsha exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Naruto's words settling over them. Even Alice, usually so composed, gripped her witch hat tighter.

"Then we fight," Rias declared, her eyes glowing a fierce crimson. "We'll send them back to the hell they crawled out from."

"You don't get it, Rias," Naruto said, his voice laced with an edge that stopped her cold. "They didn't just pick a fight with you, or Kuoh, or even the entire Underworld. They dared to disrupt our peace, the peace that's presided over the world for the past millennia, they dared to bring this war to our doorstep. That's not a mistake; it's their last regret."

As if orchestrated by his own sentiments, shadows spiralled from Naruto's feet, tendrils of pure darkness that lashed out in every direction. The world around them seemed to pause, the breezing wind, the falling cherry blossom petals, and even the flickering flames in the distant, burning buildings stood still—frozen in the spectacle of his ire.

Naruto stepped forward, his form shadowed yet highlighted by the ambient sinister glow coming from the rift. "This city, these people, they're under my protection. And I will annihilate anything that threatens them." His voice changed into guttural mid-sentence and everyone for the first time witnessed what an enraged Dragon looks like.

His proclamation resonated within Yasaka, stirring a flurry of emotions. The possessive claim he made over the city only heightened the blonde's reverence for the Kyuubi, solidifying her determination to aid him wholeheartedly. Silently, she issued a command, directing her Yokai to obey Naruto's every word.

"Understood," Sona said, her voice subdued but resolute. "We'll follow your lead."

Naruto looked at each of them, his eyes meeting theirs, a silent pact forged in that single, lingering moment. He then turned to Yasaka, his eyes softening ever so slightly.

"I apologise for the disruption, Yasaka-chan. I'll make it up to you, I promise." He said in a soft whisper only she heard.

Yasaka smiled, a warm yet fierce glint in her eyes, "I wouldn't expect any less."

Naruto looked up, his eyes locking onto the descending Oni, the generals of this demonic horde. A thin, almost imperceptible, smile crept onto his lips.

"Let's end this."

And in that instant, the frozen world unfroze, bursting back to life in an explosion of action, each warrior unleashing their own form of devastation. But above them all, the eye of this storm, was Naruto—his every action a statement, his every spell a declaration.

This is his world, his people, his love that has been threatened.

And for that, there will be hell to pay.

The tension reached a fever pitch as the Oni generals descended from the rift, grotesque faces twisted in malevolent glee. Naruto stood at the forefront, his eyes a relentless blue, the very air around him crackling with the eerie black of his rage. The shadows at his feet roiled like a living ocean of darkness, as if even they quailed before the tempest of his wrath.

Naruto's voice was a whisper that somehow carried above the cacophony, "Skiadrum's Roar!"

The world seemed to hold its breath as Naruto unleashed a torrent of black energy from his mouth, a swirling vortex of shadows that obliterated the first wave of Oni generals in an explosion of dark flames. The scene is reminiscent of the Shinto Goddess Amaterasu's unyielding black flames for many Youkai. The sky itself looked as if it was consumed by the darkness, a black hole in the very fabric of reality, reflecting Naruto's all-consuming fury.

Rias and Sona with their Akeno and Tsubaki followed suit, their powers a maelstrom of elemental fury. Rias's Power of Destruction vaporised Onis in bursts of crimson light, while Sona's water magic cleaved through the demons like surgically precise scythes. The Kyuubi, Yasaka, released waves of ethereal fire, her nine tails sweeping wide arcs that left no Oni standing.

Reni and Saeko were an elemental dance of frost and crystal. Reni's ice spells cocooned Onis, freezing them in a moment of pure stasis. Saeko's crystal magic followed, shattering them to pieces, a testament to the fragility of their demonic forms against the indomitable spirit of their opposition.

Alice weaved her sanguine threads through the battlefield, creating a deadly maze that ensnared and drained the blood and life force of any demon that dared enter its bounds.

Elsha, even in the absence of her Scalemail, harnessed the residual Dragon flames that remained within her after Skiadrum removed the Sacred Gear due to her belligerent actions. While imprisoned within his shadowy realm, trapped in a stasis, she defied death's grasp.

As they fought, Naruto's eyes never wavered from the remaining Oni generals. His gaze alone seemed to pierce through their demonic armour, a promise of impending annihilation. With a flick of his wrist, shadowy tendrils sprang forth from the ground, twisting around the Onis like constricting serpents. One by one, they fell, crushed under the weight of his Shadows.

Though Naruto can use his Holy Light and eradicate these pesky little miscreants in an instant, even in his enraged state, he didn't lose his sense of reasoning. Revealing his Light only raises more questions than solutions and he didn't want the peace threatened anymore.

"I agree with you on that, Naruto. Revealing your Holy Light will only reveal God's inevitable death in the last war to the world and plunge it into pure chaos." Kurama agreed.

"I know, buddy. I'm sure my Shadows are enough for this pesky horde of 100,000 Onis. They are not that strong either." Naruto said in a disappointed tone.

In contrast to the others engaged in a battle against the Onis within this dimension, Naruto stood as the guardian of the rift that has manifested, eliminating the Onis before they breached into the human world—essentially eradicating the problem at its source. Simultaneously, he extended his assistance to those unable to defend themselves.

"Shadow Iron Fist!" Naruto bellowed, his fist enveloped in a dark aura. He lunged forward, each punch landing with the force of a cataclysm, reducing the strongest of the Oni generals to nothing more than a dissipating mist of dark energy.

Daisuke watched everything from the rift, waiting for the triumphant cries of his soldiers only for them to be massacred by a blonde who didn't seem worth any of Daisuke's time. And so he focused on weakening the Kyuubi, whom he saw as the biggest threat.

After a moment when he turned back to see his troops progress and expecting the young punk's head on one of their spears, he saw the said young punk obliterating his army with ease with Shadow attacks that cut them with precision.

In addition to the defeat, there are no humans around in Kyoto for the Onis to feed on their fear which worked against them and as the young punk obliterated his next batch on their way to the human world in the rift, Daisuke decided to deal with him personally.

A shadow Oni like him has greater strength than many of his generals combined and he is in no mood to play. With a mad glee in his eyes, Daisuke unleashed his Corrupting Shadows on the blonde, deciding to corrupt and use him for his purposes.

Naruto saw the biggest and strongest of all charging towards him, towering above its fallen brethren, Naruto's eyes met its malevolent gaze. He understood this is the general that led the charge, the mastermind of this invasion, and Naruto could almost hear his thoughts, taunting him, mocking his power.

"Is that all you've got?" he seemed to sneer.

Naruto's response is a smile, a chilling upturn of his lips that held no warmth, only the promise of imminent destruction.

"Now begone. Corrupting Shadows!" He sneered and Naruto saw dark purple shadows approaching him at high speeds.

"You wish. Shadow Dragon's Oblivion Claw!"

His hand transformed into a claw of pure shadow, larger and more terrifying than anything the Oni had faced. With a single, swift movement, Naruto slashed through the demon, its form disintegrating into motes of darkness that vanished in the wind, leaving nothing but an empty void in its wake.

The battle was won, but as Naruto appeared in the city and surveyed the field, his eyes still held that hard glint. His shadows receded, retracting into the depths from which they came, but the air still felt heavy, laden with the remnants of his unchecked fury.

His eyes met Yasaka's, then his team's, each of them silently acknowledging the tempest they had just witnessed—Naruto's rage, a dark storm that has swept away an army, and a reminder of the power he wielded, the protector he is.

Yet at that moment, Naruto's eyes softened, if only just a little, as if to say that while his wrath could consume worlds, it is always, always, in defence of the ones he loved.

As the final remnants of the demonic rift sealed shut, the sky over Kyoto started to clear, gradually shedding its ominous hues for the tranquil blues and pinks of dusk. The air was heavy with the scent of burnt ozone and a silence settled over the city as if the world itself were catching its breath.

Naruto stood amidst the group, his shoulders slightly hunched as though bearing the weight of the battle they had just won. His eyes scanned the cityscape, taking in the burnt buildings, the shattered grounds, and the dissipating essence of the fallen demons.

After the dust settled, everyone got a glimpse of the once beautiful and proud city of Kyoto which lay in ruins. Buildings were toppled, the air thick with the stench of magic and battle, and bodies—both demonic and human—were scattered throughout the streets.

The energy in the air was a mixture of relief and lingering tension; the Oni invasion had been repelled, but at a cost that seemed incalculable. A hushed silence fell over the scene as all eyes turned to Naruto, who stood at the centre of the devastated city square.

Naruto's eyes were no longer filled with the scalding rage that had obliterated the Oni Generals; they had reverted to their usual cerulean hue. But behind them was an ocean of complexity: relief, yes, but also a profound disappointment. That such a sacred place had been defiled was unforgivable. And though the battle had been won, its wounds were deep and raw.

Then, with a wave of his hand, everything changed.

His shadow Dragon magic combined with the numerous magics learned stretched out, transforming from an instrument of destruction into a beacon of restoration. Like rivers reversing their course, the magic flowed through the rubble and decay. Buildings reassembled in mere moments, ancient wards regenerated with an audible hum, and streets cleared as if the debris was being swept away by an invisible hand.

Best of all, the ancient senjutsu that was rich in the air got refilled thicker than ever, energising those who could feel it. As his magic washed over the injured, their wounds began to close, bones knitted back together, and consciousness returned to the unconscious.

For a moment, everyone caught in the wave of Naruto's magic felt a warm comfort, as if being embraced by an old friend. It was a momentary experience, but one that would be etched into their souls forever.

Yasaka, Rosseweisse, Rias, Sona, Reni, Alice, Akeno, Tsubaki and Elsha stared in awe. They've seen Naruto's power before, but this is different. This is not just an exhibition of strength; it is a revelation of character. Yasaka looked at him with a newfound sense of wonder and an emotion that was hard to place—perhaps a mixture of awe, gratitude, and a deep, resonant love.

The very air of Kyoto seemed to exhale, releasing a collective breath it didn't know it had been holding. As the final traces of Naruto's magic dissipated, leaving behind a city not just restored but invigorated, a gentle rain began to fall, as if the heavens themselves were weeping in relief.

Naruto looked around at his work, his friends, and the people of the city he'd just saved who had returned. His face held an inscrutable expression, one that seemed to say, "This is how it should be. This is what it will always be if I have any say in it."

Sona approached him, her face etched with both relief and worry. "We did it. The city's safe now."

Naruto looked at her, his eyes still an icy blue but softer now, "Yes, but at a cost. This is no ordinary attack. Someone or something wanted to see just how far they could push."

Rias, joining them, added, "We should report this."

Naruto nodded, but his gaze shifted to Yasaka, who stood a short distance away, her nine tails gently swaying in the evening breeze.

Yasaka heard Naruto's voice in the wind. "I'm sorry our date got interrupted, Yasaka-chan. Once we sort this mess out, I promise I'll make it right."

Yasaka smiled, her eyes twinkling like the stars that were beginning to appear in the sky. "You've shown me another side of you today, Naruto-kun. And I love you all the more for it." She whispered back only for the wind to tickle her.

Rosseweisse, still hidden in her vantage point, closed the ethereal book she was noting in. Her eyes softened as she looked at Naruto and his team, a silent nod of approval before she vanished in a swirl of light and appeared in the middle of the newly brought-back crowd.

As all members gathered to discuss the further course of action, they heard magic circles forming on the ground and readied themselves for a new attack while Naruto's eyes narrowed, recognising the people whom they belonged.

Few Moments Ago

Outskirts of Kyoto

Sirzechs, Serafall, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi materialised on the outskirts of Kyoto, their arrival heralded by a shimmering burst of celestial light and magical energy. The four powerhouses exchanged glances, fully prepared to wade into an ongoing battle of apocalyptic proportions.

However, what they found instead was a battlefield already purged of its demonic infestation. Burnt carcasses and remnants of dark energy lay scattered, but there was no sign of the chaotic invasion they had braced themselves for.

"Seems like we're late to the party," Sirzechs noted, his crimson eyes taking in the scene with a mixture of relief and curiosity.

Serafall looked around, twirling her magical staff. "The kiddos really cleaned up, huh? They didn't even leave a single demon for us to play with!"

Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, deities of the Shinto pantheon, surveyed the field with an air of divine gravitas. "The disturbance has been quelled," Amaterasu stated, her eyes glowing like molten gold.

Tsukuyomi added, "Indeed. But who could have possibly contained such chaos? Even the Gods had difficulty sealing that rift."

As if in answer to their question, a pulse of magic washed over the city. It was a complex weaving of shadow magic, but tinged with a warmth and light that seemed to undo the earlier destruction. Buildings reassembled themselves, trees regrew, and the burnt ground was covered with fresh grass as if the city itself was inhaling life once more.

Following the trail of the magic, they arrived at a plaza where they found Naruto, his hands outstretched, the dark shadows emanating from him reconstructing the city with meticulous care. Beside him stood Yasaka, Rias, Sona, Reni and their respective groups, their faces etched with exhaustion but glowing with the pride of a hard-fought victory.

Naruto looked up, sensing their arrival, and met their gazes. "Sorry for taking care of the party before you guys could join," he said, a playful smirk crossing his lips but his eyes still carrying the weight of the battle.

Sirzechs chuckled. "Naruto, it seems we underestimated you. You handled this crisis before we could even lift a finger."

Serafall jumped in excitedly, "Oh, let me take a selfie with the hero of the hour!"

Amaterasu stepped forward, concern etched into her divine features. "This is an impressive display of power, Naruto-dono, but what of the destruction? The very fabric of this realm was torn. How was that dealt with?"

Naruto met her gaze, his cerulean eyes tinged with a pearl of hard-won wisdom. "The destruction was extensive, but not irreversible. I used my magic to restore the physical realm. As for the spiritual damage, I made sure the Ley Lines were left intact during the battle and resealed the wards afterwards."

A sigh of relief escaped Amaterasu's lips. "That's reassuring. Your capacity to restore is as formidable as your ability to destroy."

Tsukuyomi, ever the stoic, nodded. "Indeed, the balance has been maintained. Though, Naruto-dono, your actions today bring questions about our own preparedness."

"Or lack thereof," Naruto added, his voice tinged with disappointment. "If the gods of this realm can't protect it, how are its people supposed to feel safe? What if I hadn't been here?"

The celestial atmosphere grew tense. Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi exchanged glances, acknowledging the weight of Naruto's words. This is not just about a single battle won; it is about the promise of safety and the expectations of divine guardianship.

Yasaka isolated them from the passersby, not wanting the mortals to witness a potential argument between gods and devils and unwilling to reveal their existence in the city centre. She would have asked them to wait till they went back to her mansion, but she couldn't object to Naruto's valid concern.

Amaterasu finally broke the silence. "Your point is valid, Naruto-dono. We failed in our duties, and for that, I am truly sorry. But your actions today serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We noticed a breach in the celestial wards yesterday and wrote it off as a one-off malfunction. We must reassess our strategies and fortify our defences."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he turned to face Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, the weight of the battle settling back onto his shoulders. "I appreciate the kind words," he began, his voice noticeably colder, "but where were you two when this rift opened? Where was the security from the Shinto gods to prevent such an event?" he asked coldly.

"Or did you think that the Kyuubi can handle 100 thousand Oni's with 100 Oni Generals and 1 prime general you sealed eons ago?" He asked, hints of his rage for the peace threatened resurfacing. Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi gulped at Naruto's cold tone and piercing eyes.

Amaterasu looked into Naruto's eyes, her divine calm momentarily faltering. "We were dealing with disturbances in other realms. However, I admit that our attention should have been here, safeguarding our own world."

Tsukuyomi nodded, his face solemn. "You're right to criticize us. Our negligence put countless lives at risk. For that, we take full responsibility."

Naruto shook his head, frustrated. "Taking responsibility means little to the people who could have lost their lives, their families, and their homes. If we hadn't been here, how many would have died? How many souls would have been lost to darkness?"

Sirzechs and Serafall exchanged glances, sensing the intensity of the conversation but knowing it was a dialogue that needed to happen.

"Your anger is justified," Amaterasu conceded, lowering her eyes for a moment before meeting Naruto's gaze once more. "We will take immediate steps to fortify the barriers between worlds and make amends for our failure."

Naruto exhaled a weighted sigh, his eyes softening just a fraction as he turned to leave. "I've done my part, and I'm glad to hear more effort will be made. Strengthen your defenses, Amaterasu. We might have the power to protect this world, but the responsibility shouldn't fall solely on the shoulders of young Devils merely trying to live peaceful lives."

With that, he walked away, leaving the celestial beings and Devil Kings in contemplative silence. Although tension still marked his visage, there was a palpable sense of relief, as if a shared burden had been acknowledged, and a tacit commitment made for greater vigilance.

Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi watched his retreating figure, a newfound respect flickering in their eyes. "He's absolutely correct," Amaterasu conceded. "We've become complacent, reliant on our own perceived invincibility. The time has come to rectify that."

"Agreed," Tsukuyomi added, his voice steady but earnest. "We can't afford another failure."

Sirzechs observed with a sense of pride as Naruto not only protected Kyoto but also managed to challenge the gods, causing them to reevaluate their roles. It was a leadership quality that couldn't be taught, one that chastised even those who saw themselves as the epitome of divine power.

Serafall, too, absorbed the unfolding dynamics, and both Devil Kings experienced a moment of quiet satisfaction as they witnessed Naruto catalyze change even within stalwart beings like Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi.

What was equally astonishing to them was the sheer speed and efficiency with which Naruto had vanquished the invading force. Ten minutes—that was the disconcertingly brief interval between the breach of the celestial barriers and their arrival. And in that short span, the battle had already been decisively won.

Both Devil Kings were also acutely aware of how valuable this confrontation had been for Rias and Sona, offering them not just a spectacle of power but invaluable real-world combat experience. Experience that would undoubtedly serve them well in their future endeavours, particularly in the fiercely competitive arena of Rating Games.

Thus, in that reclaimed moment of peace, the gathering sensed that it wasn't just the city of Kyoto that had been restored. The event served as a poignant reminder for all, nudging gods and Devils alike toward a more vigilant and unified guardianship of the worlds they were sworn to protect.

After the customary farewells and a promise to tighten defences, all of them vanished to their respective realms, and the weight of the conversation hung in the air. A point had been made, and a lesson learned; power alone is not enough to guard against complacency, and sometimes the sternest reminders came from those who held the courage to speak the uncomfortable truth.

And Cut.

That's it for this chapter folks.

See y'all in the next chapter.

Suggestions are welcome.

R and R.

Black Infinity1289,

Ja Ne.