Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Clash of Bloodlines
[System Notification]
New Challenge: "Battle Against Zekram Bael"
• Objective: Survive 3 minutes against Zekram Bael.
• Bonus: Land a single hit.
• Rewards: 1,000 XP, Special Skill Unlock.
Gremory Castle – Throne Room
The moment Naruto threw down the challenge, the entire room fell silent.
Rias's eyes widened. "Naruto—"
Sirzechs smiled, intrigued. "Now this is unexpected."
Serafall clapped her hands in excitement. "A battle between Bael bloodlines? This is going to be so~ much~ fun~!"
Zekram Bael's piercing gaze locked onto Naruto, his expression an unreadable mask of disdain and amusement.
"You dare challenge me?" the elder devil murmured, voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight.
Naruto rolled his shoulders, stretching. "Well, I figured if you're gonna talk all that trash, you might as well prove you're as tough as you think."
A ripple of shock went through the noble devils watching. No one—NO ONE—spoke to Zekram Bael that way.
A slow chuckle escaped the old devil's lips. "Hmph. You are either brave… or foolish."
Naruto smirked. "Guess we're about to find out."
Zekram turned to Sirzechs. "Do you approve of this foolishness?"
Sirzechs, to everyone's surprise, leaned back in his chair and grinned.
"I think it'll be a good learning experience."
Zekram scoffed. "Very well. Let us take this to the training grounds. I will end this quickly."
Underworld – Private Battle Arena
Within minutes, the royal Bael Family's private arena was filled with nobles, warriors, and high-class devils, all eager to witness this ridiculous match.
At one end of the battlefield stood Zekram Bael, the living legend of the Bael Clan, the original wielder of the Power of Destruction, and one of the strongest devils in history.
At the other end stood Naruto Bael, the so-called outcast, the failure, and the one who had dared challenge the Bael hierarchy.
The announcer spoke.
"This will be a formal duel. No outside interference. No magic suppressors. The duel ends when one side is unable to continue or yields."
Zekram's cold eyes never left Naruto's. "This farce will be over in seconds."
Naruto grinned, flexing his fingers. "You talk too much, old man."
[System Notification]
Battle Commencing…
• Opponent: Zekram Bael (Ultimate-Class Devil)
• Difficulty: Extremely Hard
• Time Limit: 3 Minutes
The Battle Begins
BOOM!
Before the signal was even given, Zekram moved.
One moment, he was standing still. The next? He was directly in front of Naruto, his palm glowing with destruction energy.
"Shit—!"
"Demonic Barrier!"
Naruto barely had time to raise a shield, but the sheer force of Zekram's attack sent him flying back like a ragdoll, crashing through the air before slamming into the arena walls.
CRACK!
The entire audience gasped.
Naruto coughed, his body screaming in protest, but he forced himself to stand. His System Interface flashed warnings.
[Damage Taken: -30% HP]
[Endurance Boost Activated]
Zekram tilted his head. "Hmph. You're still conscious?"
Naruto spat out some blood and grinned. "Yeah. And you still hit like an old man."
Zekram's expression darkened.
"Let's see how long you can keep that arrogance."
He vanished again.
Naruto's Counterattack
"I need to think—fast!"
Naruto's instincts screamed as Zekram reappeared, his palm charged with another destruction strike.
But this time, Naruto was ready.
Instead of blocking, he dodged—his movements guided by his Instinctive Combat skill, allowing him to react before Zekram fully attacked.
WHOOOSH!
The elder Bael's attack missed by inches, erasing a portion of the ground instead.
Naruto twisted mid-air, channeling all of his demonic power into a single counterattack.
"Demonic Eruption!"
A massive blast of red-black energy erupted from Naruto's hands, colliding with Zekram head-on.
The entire battlefield shook as the explosion sent shockwaves through the area. Dust and smoke filled the air.
The audience gasped in shock.
"Did… did he just hit Zekram Bael?"
Serafall's eyes widened. "Oooooh~ That was a big one!"
Rias clenched her fists. Come on, Naruto…
As the smoke cleared, Zekram Bael stood… completely unharmed.
He dusted off his sleeve. "Hmph. That was amusing."
Naruto frowned. "Damn. Thought that would do more."
Zekram raised a hand, his energy surging again.
"I tire of this."
A massive sphere of destruction energy formed above him.
Naruto's instincts screamed.
"If that hits me, I'm dead."
But just as Zekram was about to erase him from existence—
[Skill Evolution Triggered!]
New Ability: "Demonic Compression"
• Naruto can now condense Destruction Magic into a highly focused beam or blade.
• Power Increases with Concentration.
Naruto's eyes flashed red, and for the first time, his Power of Destruction evolved.
His right hand crackled with condensed destruction energy, forming a blade-like aura.
Zekram's attack descended.
Naruto rushed forward.
And then—
BOOOOOOM!
Aftermath
When the dust settled, Naruto stood panting but alive. His right arm stung, but his blade of destruction energy had successfully clashed with Zekram's attack, stopping it for a brief moment before it dispersed.
Zekram… was watching him closely now.
"You survived."
Naruto grinned, despite the pain. "Guess that means I win the bet, huh?"
The elder devil narrowed his eyes. Then, without another word, he turned and left the battlefield.
The audience erupted in whispers.
"He actually survived…"
"He landed a hit… on Zekram Bael…"
"Maybe he isn't just some failure…"
Sirzechs smiled. "Now that was entertaining."
Serafall rushed over to Naruto, pressing herself against him.
"Kyaaa~! Naruto-kun, that was amazing~! You just made yourself so much more interesting!"
Naruto groaned. "I think my ribs are broken…"
Rias walked up to him, her eyes unreadable before she finally spoke.
"You did well, Naruto."
Naruto chuckled. "Damn right I did."
His System chimed once again.
[Challenge Completed!]
• Survived against Zekram Bael.
• Landed a Hit.
• Skill Evolution Achieved.
Rewards:
• +1,000 XP
• New Skill: Demonic Compression Blade
• Title Earned: "Bael Challenger"
As Naruto grinned to himself, one thing was clear—
He wasn't just a random outcast anymore.
He had just made his mark in the Underworld.
And this… was only the beginning.
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter Teasers:
• Naruto meets Ajuka Beelzebub.
• A mysterious faction takes interest in him.
• The first Harem Event with Serafall?