Chapter 6 - 6 - Showdown! Sasuke vs Raiser Phenex!

* * * * *

"Huh?! Who the hell are you?!"

"Sasuke--"

"Uchiha Sasuke."

Raiser tried to shake off Sasuke's hand but after struggling for a while, found out he couldn't.

This guy...he totally killed all traces of his presence and like a comet, approached me without even making any sound.

And...this strength...

"The rating game hasn't even started. Let's not make a scene yet."

Sasuke slowly released his grip.

However, just as Sasuke softened his grip, Raiser tried to launch a punch. At that moment--

"Raiser-sama, Sasuke-san, please calm down. If both of you were to continue, then I won't be quiet about it. For Sirzechs-sama's honor, I won't hold back."

Grayfia had emerged from another circle and Raiser started to make a serious face after hearing her quiet and intense voice.

"...To be told that by the "Strongest Queen", even I would be scared...I definitely wouldn't want to fight the people from Sirzechs-sama's group. Brat, you are lucky Grayfia-san is here." Raiser scoffed as he looked at Sasuke, who didn't even reveal the slightest emotion after being provoked.

Raiser's face started twitching.

This guy...

He pisses me off.

But, he shouldn't be a threat to me.

"Fine, we shall do it by rules of the rating game. If you win, do whatever you like. But if I win, you will marry me immediately."

Raiser then made a smirk.

"Hey Rias. Would the ones here be your servants?"

"So what?"

"Then this match will be a laugh. Only your [Queen], the "Priestess of Thunder" can fight on par with my adorable servants."

Raiser pointed at Sasuke.

"You--"

"I was caught off guard just now. The next time we meet, I will definitely kill you and humiliate you in front of Rias. I will show you the true power of my Phenex Clan."

Saying that, Raiser clicked his fingers and the magic-circle started glowing on the floor again.

"Rias, the next time we meet, it will be the end of you. Then, we shall immediately hold our wedding!"

Raiser disappeared in the light of the magic-circle.

"I have to handle the preparations, then--" Grayfia also bowed to the people present and left through another magic-circle.

After Raiser had left, Rias slammed her fist against the table.

"Damn it!"

Akeno tapped Rias on the shoulder and softly spoke, "Rias, let's speak to Ajuka-sama first."

Rias turned to look at Sasuke, whose face was still completely unreadable.

She sighed.

"Alright, let's go."

- - - - -

It was late at night.

Sasuke and the Occult Research club members arrived at the location written on the memo which Kiba had gotten beforehand.

They finally arrived at the roof using the lift and was escorted by a female devil to a spacious garden on the rooftop.

"The Gremory group. Never thought you would be coming together--no, one of you is different."

The young man who exuded a mysterious atmosphere and beauty while sitting on a chair slowly scrutinized Sasuke.

"You are not part of their peerage."

"The Sekiryuutei, Boosted Gear--but...I sense that you are still concealing your true power. The Boosted Gear isn't your only power, is it?"

However, Sasuke did not utter a single word.

"You have piqued my interest."

- - - - -

"Ajuka-sama."

Ajuka sighed.

"I think I know what you are trying to ask. The rules of the rating games have been present since it was developed. Even though I came up with the system, I can't change or bend the rules for your own personal reasons. If the Sekiryuutei isn't a part of your peerage, he can't take part in the rating games. I'm sorry."

Rias clenched her fist till the whites of her palm started showing but she managed to keep down her emotions and left after bowing.

Very soon, only Sasuke and Ajuka were left on the rooftop.

Sasuke finally spoke.

"You are one of the Maou in the Underworld, am I right?"

Rias had briefed him on the leadership status in the Underworld prior to their arrival.

Ajuka only nodded his head.

"Then, help me convey a message to Rias's brother and parents."

Ajuka's eyebrows raised.

"Hou, you are starting to turn out more interesting than I thought. Curiosity is my nature. Fine then! What message do you want me to convey to Sirzechs?"

Sasuke's lips lightly curled up.

- - - - -

The day of the rating game finally arrived and the members were lined up in the Occult Research Club room, along with Grayfia.

Rias kept stealing glances at Sasuke, who hasn't said a word today.

"Hah...we can only do this without Sasuke. The absence of the Sekiryuutei will be a huge factor in our odds against Raiser but we still have to try."

Grayfia then started to explain the battle.

"When it becomes the time to start the battle, you will teleport to the battlefield through the magic-circle. The location of the place is in a different dimension used for battles. You may fight with all your power. Feel free to fight to your satisfaction," as Grayfia started her explanation, she could not help but look over at Sasuke.

To think that this man would suggest such a thing.

I can see why Ajuka is so interested in him and even Sirzechs is willing to abide by his request.

"This 'Rating Game' battle will be viewed by members of both households. Maou Lucifer-sama will also be viewing this battle. Please do not forget about it."

"Onii-sama will be there?!" Rias face started boiling red.

"It's about time. Everyone, please head to the magic-circle."

- - - - -

.....When everyone finally opened their eyes.

.....Huh? They started to tilt their head when they witnessed the view, appearing to be in shock except for one individual.

Hmph, he really kept his promise.

This place should be in the Underworld.

The place they had ended up in was a huge ball room, and there were many devils who were dressed up; similar to a high society party in the human world.

At that moment, another circle also materialized and Raiser stepped out with his peerage.

When his eyes landed on the surroundings, he could not help but issue out a question.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"It's an event that I organised."

A man with crimson-hair who was originally sitting at the far back walked towards the center of the ballroom.

Sasuke looked over and a trace of excitement flickered over his face.

This man...

He is strong.

"Onii-sama."

"The Sekiryuutei proposed a very interesting proposition to Ajuka. I wanted to see the power of the Dragon as well."

"What is the meaning of this, Sirzechs-sama?"

Raiser's tone was tinged with a hint of malice.

"A [Rating Game] will no doubt be interesting but it will be a disadvantage for my little sister, who has no game experience to face off against Raiser-kun, a prodigy from the House of Phenex. Furthermore, the Sekiryuutei is not a part of her peerage."

Sirzechs said while putting on a smile.

Various whispers started floating around the room.

"He is not a part of Rias-sama peerage?"

"He is handsome."

"That guy...he is not a devil?"

"Is he a human?"

"Then Sirzechs. What do you propose we do?"

A middle-aged man with crimson hair, similar in appearance to Sirzechs, asked.

"Father. Dragon versus Phoenix. Don't you think this will be the ultimate event? A battle between legendary creatures. There aren't any entertainment which can surpass this. I have also gotten the confirmation from the Phenex family. After all, they have a lot of pride in Raiser-kun that he will not lose to the Sekiryuutei."

"Dragon user-kun. I received your proposal from Ajuka. You have our permission. Raiser, are you not willing to?"

Hearing Sirzechs speak, Raiser started making a fearless smile.

"Very well. There is no way I can decline if Sirzechs-sama asks me. I have a personal grudge against this guy after all. This is the perfect opportunity."

....Looks like he is eager to do this.

"Sasuke, you arranged this battle with Raiser? But why? Why do this for me?"

Rias's eyes were looking at him with the presence of forming tears.

Sasuke started walking to the center of the hall.

"You remind me of my past self. That's all."

- - - - -

Sasuke and Riser were soon transported to another place.

"You will be my last flame before I settle down as a married man." Raiser declared as he faced Sasuke.

However, Sasuke was concerned with something else.

My actions will be monitored in this fight.

Tch, how troublesome.

"Please start!"

A voice rang out and the battle began

- - - - -

"I already know all of your abilities. A Sacred Gear that keeps on doubling the power of the user, the [Boosted Gear.]"

Raiser's body started to get covered in a rainbow color aura and a giant pair of wings made up of flames appeared on his back while he howled.

He took off to the air.

"This is our clan's gallant hellfire of the Phoenix, the fire bird, the immortal bird. Take it and incinerate!"

Sasuke foresighted the invoked attack and instantly escaped from the high temperature flames that was emitted from Raiser's wings.

Sasuke don a cloak of lightning around his body, further augmenting his speed as he accelerated.

In a split second, he appeared in front of Raiser, who displayed apparent shock on his face.

Sasuke drew out his sword and the lightning chakra started compressing into the blade. The blade where the compressed lightning was residing-

Was slashed diagonally at Raiser.

Raiser bȧrėly moved his right arm in time and managed to block the attack.

Nonetheless--

A terrific impact was generated and he flew back a dozen of meters. Fresh blood scattered.

Sasuke took a further step forward at the direction of the blown away Raiser.

*DOSHIN!* The earth shook.

This time, Sasuke raised his right arm that was holding the katana tightly-

And swung it down.

It was a completely dreadful slashing attack that Raiser had never experienced personally before.

How can this be...

How is a brat able to damage me?

The blade was pushed into Raiser's body diagonally starting from his shoulder but he managed to force his will and jump back before the blade could slice in further.

Raiser invoked his clan's special magic that accelerated cell renewal and restored the wounds of his body.

With his face filled with presence of hatred, he rebounded back at Sasuke, thrusting out his fist that was covered in flames.

Sasuke didn't swing his katana completely. He immediately reversed his blade and laid in wait, able to swing a second slash any time.

Raiser's punch with its movement read, was the same as if coming to offer himself to become a sandbag.

The blade moved naturally. With a movement that didn't have even a single futility in it, Sasuke stepped forward.

Even faster than Raiser's counterattack, Sasuke swung down his second slash. Raiser was smashed to the ground before his fist could even come into contact with Sasuke.

Sasuke drew closer to Raiser while wielding the blade that still carried the compressed lightning.

Just when Raiser thought he spotted Sasuke's figure, he had already disappeared like haze and quickly approached him from outside his field of vision.

Raiser, who only relied on sight, could not foresight the presence of Sasuke and catch up to his movement.

He tried to counter by wrapping the flames around his body to prevent Sasuke's sword from cutting through him but--

Sasuke's right hand accelerated even further. The excessive speed caused the number of attacks to increase as though they split countlessly. The silver sword thrusted intensely and Raiser could only endure the attacks as wounds kept appearing on his body while his magic desperately tried to keep up with regenerating.

Raiser condensed the flames around his arms and legs as he tried to swing down his attacks on Sasuke.

Sasuke was superior in speed, and he dodged the attacks effortlessly, unnerving Raiser as he kept hitting through empty air.

A red gauntlet appeared on Sasuke's right arm and a sound came out.

[Boost!!]

Sasuke felt his lightning cloak being further layered up with reinforcement and acceleration. It was a strengthening on top of a layer of strengthening--

Sasuke's speed dramatically increased.

Violent blade struck down Raiser's body without even giving him time to run away. Raisers face, arms and legs that were knocked onto the ground were buried. That was how hard the attack was.

It's might was like thunder itself. And then it didn't stop with one attack. The blow kept coming like a wind god--

It was like a hail of blizzard blowing with the force that made Raiser unable to open his eyes.

Raiser, who was struck to the ground was further hit with a down swing--up swing--down swing--up swing... ...the ground was turning into a widening crater due to the shock-wave.

[NUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! DON'T FUCK WITH ME!]

"I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU. I WILL BEAT YOU WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE!"

Both of Raiser's wings started enlarging and the avatar of the immortal bird was floating; it liberated all of the flame in its body and turned into a small pseudo sun. That energy of light and heat possessed directionality and it advanced in Sasuke's direction.

A large fire bird came swooping down at Sasuke.

"Water Release : Water Formation Wall<Suiton : Suijinheki>!"

Sasuke launched a stream of water from his mouth at the ground, which started circling around him, rising upwards to create a wall.

The two opposing elements came into contact, neutralized; and the fire bird was instantly vaporized.

"What is that?! Just what did you do! That is not the power of the Boosted Gear."

An unpleasant sweat flowed down Raiser's forehead.

"Water Release : Water Colliding Wave< Suiton : Suishoha>!"

From behind Sasuke, a gigantic tidal wave was forming from the water released earlier and started to create a spiraling vortex.

The tidal wave swallowed Raiser and smashed him into the walls of the dead end.

Sasuke then took his sword that was still shrouded in lightning and stabbed it into the ground.

The high concentration of lightning started to produce a sound reminiscent of many birds chirping; and charged in a straight line towards Raiser.

"GUAHHHHH!!!"

Smoke rose up from Raiser's body.

His wings of flame had disappeared after sustaining repeated severe injuries from Sasuke's continuous onslaught.

However, his wounds still regenerated slowly.

"I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

A flame in the amount that was incomparable from before was completely covering Raiser's whole body.

Excessively large amounts of flame-

Raiser manipulated the flames with his will and stretched the flame like a net to his surroundings in a 360° angle.

"DIE!"

However, Sasuke simply stood there as he slowly closed his right eye.

Seeing this, Raiser started taunting Sasuke.

"HUH? ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE UP? WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH BY CLOSING YOUR EYE? YOU THINK I WOULD LET YOU OFF IF YOU DO THAT?! DIE BY MY FLAMES!"

{Let's see if he can still regenerate after this.}

Sasuke remained impervious to his insult as he replied with a single sentence.

"Raiser Phenex--"

- - - - -

"I will show you what is real flames."