Ch 45 Part 3

Meanwhile, Ninja Club Office

As the participants dispersed from the training grounds, Naruto and Grayfia continued their conversation in the Ninja Club office. The tension from the sparring session slowly ebbed away, replaced by a quieter, more reflective atmosphere.

Grayfia's usually composed demeanour was tinged with a rare hint of mischief as she settled into a chair, crossing her legs gracefully opposite Naruto. "Naruto, you realise the implications of what just happened with Diodora, don't you? Ajuka's not going to let this slide. It's going to be a pain for you to deal with."

She acted as if she didn't suffocate him in her cleavage or teased with her skillful hands.

Naruto leaned against his desk, continuing the play, arms crossed, a playful glint in his eyes. "Ooh! I'm in trouble," he said in a 'scared' tone.

"..." Grayfia smiled in amusement.

"I don't think so, Grayfia. Diodora brought it on himself. Barging in unannounced like that during an official sparring session was reckless."

Grayfia chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm just glad I'm no longer the 'Strongest Queen' everyone looks to for solving problems like this." She gave Naruto a playful look, her tone teasing. "Looks like the title now belongs to someone else."

Naruto smirked, a mixture of pride and amusement in his expression. "Oh, is that so? I didn't realise I had such big shoes to fill."

Grayfia leaned back, her gaze thoughtful as she shifted to a more serious tone. "The improvements I've seen in both Rias' and Sona's peerages since I last saw them in the summer are impressive. They have really stepped up their game. Their coordination and strategy have significantly improved."

Naruto nodded, his expression turning reflective. "They've come a long way. But there's still more they need to learn. Today's spar was a good test, but they need real-world experience to truly grow."

Grayfia's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she shifted the conversation. "Is that why you allowed them to participate in the 'War against Demons' in Kyoto?" She asked with a knowing smirk.

"Did I? It never occurred to me." He spoke in an innocent tone, his sweet smile so powerful it could even melt the heart of a wary stray dog.

"And what of now? I couldn't help but notice your lack of involvement today. Are you showing off?" She continued in the same tone, not falling for the trap the mischievous blonde laid. She resisted the urge to pinch his cheeks hard.

Naruto's sweet smirk widened, his tone playful. "Maybe? But you know me, Grayfia. I don't tolerate anyone intruding in my territory or claiming something that's mine. Diodora learned that the hard way. I feel he had it easy as he is an Heir."

Grayfia's heart danced upon hearing Naruto's boastful proclamation, indirectly claiming her as 'his'. She leaned forward, her tone both teasing and serious. "So what's your plan moving forward? What are you going to do with Rias and Sona?" She asked, not wanting to give in.

She would love to be part of Naruto's peerage then and there. But they made a promise to each other. He would show her love and she would allow him to express himself and then decide. Even for a Devil, Grayfia Lucifuge is a woman of her word. She's not going to break that. But she still hoped Naruto would finally take her in. This feeling she gets whenever she is around him is truly intoxicating.

She didn't want to talk about Kyoto as she doesn't want to imagine/remind the pain he went through to make such a harsh decision and the magic he exerted to rebuild the city almost from scratch. For a pacifist and someone who loves peace, he is very powerful and Grayfia doesn't want it any other way.

Naruto's expression turned thoughtful, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'm going to organise more training sessions, maybe even joint missions. They need to learn to rely on each other and adapt to changing circumstances. It's the best way for them to grow."

Grayfia blindly nodded, her thoughts a jumbled mess. "It sounds like a solid plan. Their potential is undeniable. And I have to admit, watching them today was quite impressive." She spoke in automation.

Naruto's playful smirk returned, his tone turning mischievous. "Speaking of impressive, you seemed to enjoy the show today. Did you have fun watching me 'show off'?"

Her mind returned to present at those words and she chuckled, a warm, genuine laugh that filled the room. "I always enjoy watching you, Naruto. You have a way of making things interesting." Her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "And I also appreciate your dedication to their growth. You see the potential in people and help them realise it."

Naruto's eyes softened, a genuine warmth in his gaze. "Thank you, dear. Having you here to support me means a lot." His voice turned emotional, his eyes tearing up for a second. Grayfia thought she saw an otherworldly depth to them for a moment before it disappeared into a joyful look.

Grayfia's gaze lingered on Naruto, feeling the unspoken bond that had grown between them over time. She leaned in, her tone both serious and teasing. "So, about our date... Should I be prepared for another 'show'?"

"Hehe, I don't see why not." He said with a smirk. His plan for their data is gonna rock the world and he knew that's nothing compared to the joy and bliss he feels when she is with him.

'Naruto, you there?' Naruto received a telepathic message.

"Oh it's the lazy bum! I was on the brink of eternal cringe here. Gimme some good news, Shika." Kurama said in excitement. He didn't know why Naruto didn't cut their connection when he is having such a cheesy moment, but he was curious and stayed. Curiosity killed the cat, not the Fox. Definitely not the amazing, all-mighty, powerful, Juubi- Dragon-sama. No Sir!

Though he understood the similarities between the ice doll and Hinata, he didn't get why Naruto was wasting so much time fooling around instead of fully claiming her. Even after a century, Kurama can't get the blonde's intentions.

'Yes, Shika?' Naruto replied, ignoring the furball's stupid remarks.

'I found something for Kurama to clear his boredom. Visit me when you can.' He said, his voice full of curiosity and excitement.

'Oh no, he found something big.' Naruto and Kurama thought simultaneously as they knew the Nara well.

'Ok, see you soon.' Naruto replied and the lazy Nara cut the connection. Before Kurama could say how excited he was, Naruto severed the connection, focusing on his beloved.

Grayfia thought Naruto zoned out for a second. But understanding he might be thinking, she left him for a few seconds and he gave her a small smile, as if he found what he was looking for.

"So we will go at 9pm tomorrow, is that acceptable?" He asked with a mischievous smile.

"Where?"

"That's a secret. Be ready by 9pm." He said and shaking her head at his antics, she agreed.

Grayfia's thoughts swirled with anticipation as she imagined what Naruto had in store for their date. His ability to blend light-heartedness with deep sincerity was one of the many things that drew her to him. She could feel her excitement building, not just for the surprise itself, but for the time they would spend together, away from the pressures and responsibilities that often weighed on them.

Naruto's smirk widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, you should definitely be prepared, Grayfia. It's going to be a night to remember."

Grayfia stood, a playful smile on her lips as she summoned her magic circle. "I'll hold you to that, Naruto. And thank you for a wonderful day." She leaned in and kissed him softly on his lips, her eyes reflecting a mixture of affection and anticipation.

Naruto's gaze followed her as she stepped into the magic circle, his voice filled with warmth. "See you tomorrow, dear."

Grayfia's smile deepened, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Until then, love." With a final wink, she vanished in a swirl of magical energy, leaving Naruto standing in the office with a sense of anticipation for the day ahead.

The weight of the recent events seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of purpose and determination. The future was uncertain, but with Grayfia by his side, Naruto knew they were ready to face it, whatever it might bring.

Scene Break

Dimensional Gap

In the ethereal vastness of the Dimensional Gap, a tear in the very fabric of space-time shimmered, the space breaking like glass, as though reality itself had been punctured by the needle of existence. From this tear, a figure emerged, her form a blend of substance and shadow, composed more of light and thought than flesh and blood.

The entity was undeniably female, with an elegance that transcended the mortal concept of beauty. Her form was semi-spiritual, ethereal, like a goddess conjured from the mists of some ancient and forgotten world. Her hair flowed around her like a halo of soft, luminescent blonde with red threads, each strand glowing with a pale, otherworldly light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the beats of the universe. Her eyes, wide and luminous mauve, mirrored the cosmos—vast, deep, and filled with the swirling nebulas and starlight of distant galaxies.

Her attire seemed woven from the very fabric of the night sky, adorned with constellations that moved and shifted over her form, a map of celestial wonders that was both armor and insignia. The air around her was perfumed with the scent of ozone and jasmine, a fragrance that spoke of rain-soaked earth and the electric charge of a storm.

As she floated gently in the boundless void of the Dimensional Gap, her thoughts raced at an incredible pace. She had been drawn here by disturbances that rippled through the layers of space-time—a series of anomalies that had unsettled even her ancient and inscrutable kind. Only days ago, these disturbances had been mere whispers on the cosmic winds, but they had swiftly grown into clamors impossible to ignore.

Her purpose here was threefold. The first was to investigate the source of these disturbances, disruptions that had the potential to unravel the threads that held the universes together. The second, more pressing concern was the sudden and alarming disappearance of one of her own—a fellow entity who had vanished a day ago, her magical essence abruptly ceasing to resonate in their dimension.

Though they suspected she fell to their enemies, they knew better than to lose trust in one of their own given their capabilities and the one missing is a special kind which their enemies fear.

Third was a pivotal warrior, a messenger that came to their world with news that can help them in the relentless war their kind waged against a race of self-proclaimed superior machines, entities that viewed organic life as a redundant precursor to their own cold, calculated existence.

These machines, calling themselves the pinnacle of creation, had long sought to eradicate the ethereal beings, seeing them as obstacles to the ultimate order of the universe—a universe governed by logic and efficiency, devoid of chaos and emotion. Propostorous.

Hovering in the void, the ethereal woman focused her senses, extending her awareness across the dimensional divides, searching for any trace of her lost sister. The urgency of her mission was palpable, each moment stretching out like an eternity. The fate of entire worlds hung in the balance, hinging on her ability to uncover the truths buried within the chaotic folds of the Dimensional Gap.

"Astrid, report," she commanded softly, her voice resonating within the confines of her mind.

Analyzing...

And Cut!

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