A few hours later.
The steady hum of the private airplane engines filled the luxurious cabin as it cut through the sky, its destination drawing ever closer with each passing minute.
Inside the cabin, Arthur is sitting near the window, his gaze fixed on the vast clouds outside while his thoughts drift far to the horizon before him.
His hand moved absentmindedly, gently caressing Lavinia's soft hair as she rested peacefully against his shoulder after what had clearly been hours of studying an ancient-looking grimoire that now lay loosely held in her lap.
Sitting across from him, Valerie sat stiffly upright, her face flushed a deep shade of red that contrasted sharply with her pale complexion as she quietly read a book she held far too close to her face, her breathing uneven and noticeably heavier than normal.
*Pant*x5
Arthur's eyes flicked toward her for a brief moment before narrowing slightly in confusion, noticing the title on the cover.
(Is that... Fifty Shades of Grey?)
Arthur immediately decided that whatever was going on with Valerie was something he was better off not questioning at the moment, and let out a quiet breath, returning his gaze to the window.
Not far from them, Heracles sat hunched forward in his seat, his massive frame somehow fitting into the luxurious massage chair as he held a tablet with intense focus, his brows furrowed and eyes locked onto the screen with the same seriousness he shows on the battlefield.
"C'mon, you pixelated feathered fuck... Don't you DARE ruin this for me..."
The faint tapping of his fingers echoed as he maneuvered a tiny yellow bird through an endless series of pipes, his entire brain focused, as if the fate of the world depended on achieving a new high score.
Meanwhile, Dulio was seated comfortably with an expensive tray of exotic snacks and beverages laid out before him, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he sampled each item one after another, and let out an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction as he bit into something particularly rich, muttering to himself.
"Man, I'll never get bored with first-class travel. They always have the best snacks."
A few seats away, Jeanne and Siegfried sat side by side, their attention fixed on a movie playing on the screen before them, one that followed the story of a retired yet infamous hitman who had returned to a life of violence after losing both his car and the last gift from his late wife, a dog.
"People keep asking me if I'm back, and I haven't really had an answer. But now, yeah, I'm thinking I'm back!"
Jeanne leaned slightly forward, clearly invested, while Siegfried nodded in quiet approval at the action unfolding before them.
Eventually, the voice of the pilot came through the intercom, drawing everyone's attention in one way or another.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your pilot speaking. We would be reaching Tokyo's International Airport shortly."
Arthur's eyes shifted slightly, his gaze sharpening as a small, almost imperceptible smile formed on his lips.
(Finally… we've arrived at the land of the rising sun… and the focal point of everything that's about to happen in the DxD canon.)
As he thought about this, Heracles yelled in frustration and almost broke the tablet.
"OH, COME ON! I was so close to reaching 1,000!"
His yelling caused Lavinia to wake up, leave Arthur's shoulder, and yawn.
"Are we there yet?"
A few minutes later, the airplane began its descent, and soon enough, the wheels touched down smoothly on the runway of Tokyo's International Airport.
Once everything came to a complete stop, the doors opened with a hiss, and Arthur was the first to step out with a bag in hand, followed closely by the rest of the group, who each carried their own stuff.
After going through the usual airport procedures, identification checks, and formalities, the group finally made its way outside.
The moment they stepped into the open air, Dulio took a deep breath, his chest rising dramatically before he suddenly threw his arms into the air and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"YES! WE'RE FINALLY HERE! THE BIRTHPLACE OF GODZILLA, HENTAI, AND JOJO REFERENCES!"
"..."x6
The others were completely silent, while nearby pedestrians turned their heads, some confused, others mildly disturbed, and a few simply walked faster to avoid whatever was happening.
Arthur closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed.
"It's not even a whole day, and he already lost his freaking marbles."
Not long after, they arrived at a five-star luxury hotel.
After checking in, they got three rooms: one for Arthur and Lavinia, one for the boys, and one for the girls.
Once inside, they each took some time to sort out their belongings, unpacking what they needed and settling in, and when everything was in order, Arthur called everyone into his room.
They gathered around, some sitting, others standing, all turning their attention toward Arthur as he leaned slightly against the wall, his arms crossed as he looked at each of them.
"Alright, team. It took us a few hours, but we're finally here in the Land of the Rising Sun. We all know why we're here, and we all know that we can't be wasting our time while innocent people are being subjected to God knows what."
Arthur calmly explained, and there was a brief silence as the meaning behind his words settled in.
"Supposedly, I was planning on meeting up with someone that Azazel assigned to help us and start our investigation around the scene of the crime."
He paused, his eyes scanning the group before letting out a small breath.
"But let's be real here… this might sound stupid and kinda awful, but I can't be the only one thinking about trying out real Japanese food, seeing the popular attractions, and actually experiencing the culture while we're here."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
The room went still for a second.
Then Dulio suddenly exclaimed, grinning widely as he pointed at Arthur.
"This is why you're my favorite junior, Arthur!"
Arthur slowly turned his head and looked at Dulio with a completely blank expression, as if questioning the Strongest Exorcist's mentality.
Ignoring Dulio, Arthur continued.
"So go ahead. Take the rest of the day off, explore the city, and do whatever the hell you boys and girls want. If any one of you wanna investigate while enjoying yourselves, that's fine too. Killing two birds with one stone and all that."
His expression shifted slightly, becoming more serious.
"But after all that, by tomorrow morning, we'll get back to work. Got it?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Heracles gave a small, satisfied smile as he stood up and went for the door.
"In that case… I'm gonna go ahead and find an authentic ramen shop."
He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"I'm finally gonna prove that ninjas really do run ramen shops, like Naruto."
Dulio immediately shot up.
"Hey! WAIT FOR ME!"
And just like that, the two rushed out of the room.
Jeanne crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"Well, if we're actually gonna do this exploration thing, I'd like to see if there are any museums worth visiting… or perhaps a traditional blacksmith."
Siegfried nodded.
"I'll join you. Who knows? Maybe we'll meet a genuine samurai."
"In this time period? It's highly unlikely that we'll meet one."
The two "friends" left soon after.
And just like that, the room grew quiet.
Arthur turned his attention to the only ones left.
Lavinia and Valerie.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, a small smile forming as he asked.
"Welp… I have zero plans for the rest of the day, so I'm gonna let you two take the lead."
He tilted his head just a bit.
"So what now, girls?"
The two girls looked at each other.
A silent exchange passed between them.
Then they both smiled.
Lavinia gently took Arthur's hand.
"Three words, Arthur."
Valerie then held Arthur's other hand.
"We're going shopping."
Before Arthur could say anything else, the two of them pulled him toward the door, their grip firm as they dragged him along.
Arthur blinked in surprise for a moment before letting out a chuckle, allowing himself to be pulled along without resistance.
As they stepped out into the hallway, he couldn't help but think.
(I have a feeling I'm going to be mentally drained afterwards… But I don't mind.)
A small smile formed on his lips as they disappeared down the hall.
DxD
The streets of Tokyo were busy, and among the many small establishments tucked between larger buildings was a humble ramen shop that would soon experience something it had never seen before.
The door slid open, and Heracles stepped inside first, his towering frame immediately drawing attention, followed closely by Dulio, who looked around with excited eyes as if he had just entered paradise.
"Welcome, dear customers."
The elderly owner greeted politely, though his voice carried a hint of surprise as he took in the sight of the two unusual foreign customers.
Dulio inhaled deeply, his grin widening.
"You smell that, Heracles? This is it. This is the real deal."
Heracles gave a slow nod, his gaze sweeping across the menu while secretly checking on the staff.
"Yeah. This place feels 100% authentic."
As they took their seats, a younger employee approached them with a polite smile.
"Good afternoon, customers. What would you like to order?"
Dulio didn't even hesitate.
"Everything."
The employee blinked.
"I'm sorry… everything?"
Heracles leaned forward slightly with a determined expression.
"Everything on the menu."
A heavy silence fell over the shop, the owner turned his head, and the other customers paused mid-meal.
Dulio clasped his hands together excitedly.
"Don't worry, we'll pay. Just bring it all out."
The employee looked toward the owner, who stared at the two for a long moment before slowly nodding.
"…Understood."
And just like that, the kitchen erupted into motion, and minutes later, the first wave of dishes arrived.
Bowls upon bowls of ramen, each with different broths, toppings, and aromas, were placed in front of the two.
Dulio picked up his chopsticks.
"Hey, Herc. Let's do the thing that Anime characters do before every meal."
Heracles did the same and nodded.
"Agreed."
They both clasp their hands.
"Itadakimasu!"x2
What followed could only be described as destruction.
Dulio slurped noodles at an alarming speed, his eyes lighting up with every bite.
"THIS IS AMAZING! THE BROTH IS SO RICH!"
Heracles, despite his massive size, ate with surprising efficiency, finishing bowl after bowl with minimal wasted movement.
"The amount of seasoning is perfect!"
Bowls emptied, plates cleared, and just as the customers stared in disbelief at the now barren table...
Dulio wiped his mouth, grinning.
"Round two, baby!"
The second wave arrived, and the two continued.
Other customers began to watch in disbelief... and fascination.
"That actually looks really good..."
"Yeah… maybe I should order another bowl…"
"Same…"
One by one, people began calling out for more orders, inspired by the sheer enthusiasm and unstoppable appetite of the two.
Meanwhile, as they continued eating, Heracles' voice echoed calmly within Dulio's mind.
(We should investigate this place later.)
Dulio didn't even pause mid-bite.
(You think that ramen shops are run by ninjas?)
Heracles took another mouthful before responding.
(Dude, how do you think these guys managed to order all of our shit with just a little amount of time? Only a ninja can do that really, really fast.)
Dulio slurped loudly.
(Yeah… Now that I think about it... The owner definitely gave away ninja vibes.)
Another bowl vanished.
(We observe and eat our food first. Then we act later.)
Dulio nodded slightly as he chewed.
(But what about dessert?)
Heracles paused for a second and then continued eating.
(We act later... after getting dessert.)
Back in the kitchen, the owner and his employees were working at full speed, sweat forming on their brows as they continued preparing dish after dish.
"Faster!"
"They're not slowing down!"
"These are very hungry customers."
And the chaos continued.
DxD
Elsewhere in the city, Jeanne and Siegfried walked side by side as they entered a local museum.
As they approached the entrance, an elderly security guard glanced at them before offering a small, knowing smile.
"Enjoy your date."
Both of them froze.
"What?"
Jeanne said flatly.
Siegfried blinked.
"Wait a second. We're not-"
"Oh, don't worry, I get it. The first date is always nerve-wracking."
The guard said with a chuckle, waving them in.
A deep blush crept onto Jeanne's face.
"Hold on! That's not-! We're not even-!"
Siegfried covered his face with his palm, his own face slightly flushed.
The guard simply nodded with an amused expression.
"Of course. Of course. No need to explain. Enjoy your time here."
After failing to clear the misunderstanding, the two gave up and silently walked away.
"Sieg, you idiot."
Jeanne muttered under her breath.
"What? How is it MY fault? You're the one who reacted first."
Siegfried shot back.
"But you didn't deny it with me properly!"
"I did deny it!"
"You didn't deny it verbally!"
Their bickering continued as they moved deeper into the museum, eventually arriving at an exhibit that immediately caught their attention.
Rows of samurai armor stood on display, each piece meticulously preserved, alongside various weapons, most notably the katanas.
Jeanne stepped closer to one of the displays, her expression shifting to one of genuine interest.
"Huh… The craftsmanship is actually very refined."
Siegfried nodded, examining a blade carefully.
"Yeah, you're right. You can tell just by looking at the forging patterns."
They spent time observing each piece, discussing the details with surprising depth, their earlier argument fading into a more familiar conversation.
Eventually, they left the museum, but not before Siegfried discreetly flipped off the oblivious security guard, earning him a small chuckle from Jeanne.
As they stepped back outside into the city streets, Siegfried let out a small breath.
"That was honestly kinda underwhelming."
Jeanne crossed her arms but nodded.
"Perhaps. But it was still nice to see genuine preserved pieces of Japanese history."
"I guess so."
They walked in silence for a short while before something caught their attention.
A large, brightly lit arcade with a huge banner hung outside.
[COUPLES EVENT – GRAND PRIZE: 10,000 YEN]
They both stopped as their eyes scanned the entrance, watching as pairs of participants entered, mostly single people watching the participating couples, and one depressing guy who looked like he was praying for their downfall.
"That looks like fun, doesn't it?"
Siegfried noted.
Jeanne nods her head slightly.
"And the prize."
They looked at each other for a second.
Siegfried smirked.
"Wanna beat these losers?"
Jeanne smiled.
"Let's go."
They approached the registration table, ready to dominate the event.
DxD
The bustling atmosphere of the Japanese mall was filled with chatter, music, and the constant movement of people going from one store to another, yet amidst all that, Arthur sat quietly on a bench just outside a popular female clothing store, his posture relaxed but his expression… completely drained.
He stared down at his flip phone to check the time.
"It's been thirty minutes… The sun is about to set..."
He muttered under his breath, though his tone suggested it felt far, far longer.
Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind.
(Partner… what exactly are you doing?)
Arthur let out a long sigh, leaning back slightly against the bench.
(I'm waiting for my girlfriends… who have been shopping… for the last thirty minutes...)
He answered mentally, slowly raised his head, staring blankly at the store entrance as if waiting for a miracle to happen.
Ddraig went silent for ten seconds.
(…Thirty minutes?)
(Yes.)
(And they are still inside?)
(Yes.)
Another ten seconds of silence.
(Why?)
Arthur closed his eyes.
(It's... a girl thing.)
(That does not answer my question.)
(It doesn't answer mine either. Yet I'm still doing it anyway.)
Ddriag fell silent for a moment, clearly trying to process the situation.
(So you are saying… they willingly spend this much time… choosing pieces of colorful fabric... that would just work the same way as their current clothing?)
Arthur dragged a hand down his face.
(Yes.)
(…Females are so odd.)
Ddraig quietly returned to his slumber, not planning on torturing himself.
Arthur groaned quietly.
"I should've brought something… anything… a fidget toy, a book, a gun to my head, I don't care…"
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees before glancing to his left, then to his right.
And that's when he noticed several other men who were seated along the same row of benches.
All of them have the same lifeless expression as if their souls had been raptured away to the afterlife.
Arthur blinked, and they looked at him.
One of the men, who looked slightly older, slowly turned his head toward Arthur.
"First time?"
He asked.
Arthur hesitated for a second, then nodded.
"Yeah."
A few of the men exchanged looks, and one of them walked over and gave Arthur a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Welcome to the club, kid… Don't worry, you'll get through this."
Arthur felt a sense of camaraderie between him and the other men.
"…Thanks."
Another thirty minutes passed, and Arthur found himself talking with the others, sharing stories, listening to their experiences, and suffering from success.
"She once spent two hours choosing in just one clothing store."
One man said, staring into the distance.
Arthur's eyes widened slightly.
"What happened then?"
"She bought nothing, we went to the next store, and the cycle repeats."
Another man leaned forward.
"My wife asked me which of the two identical dresses looked better."
Arthur nodded slowly.
"And?"
"She got upset when I picked the one with the smallest shift of color tones."
A heavy silence followed.
Arthur clenched his fist slightly, as if holding back tears.
"I understand now… Thank you for sharing."
Then his phone buzzed, and he opened the message sent by Lavinia.
"Arthur, we need help picking new swimsuits and lingerie. Come inside, please."
"…"
Arthur stood up instantly.
"I have to go."
The men nodded.
"Good luck, soldier."
Arthur gave them one last look, then sprinted towards the doors of the store with determination in his eyes.
Minutes passed, then the doors opened again.
Arthur stepped out with each of his hands holding large shopping bags, clearly filled to the brim.
On either side of him, Lavinia and Valerie were walking happily, each holding onto one of his arms, their faces bright with satisfaction.
"You were so helpful, Arthur."
Lavinia said softly, leaning slightly closer.
"Thank you, Arthur."
Valerie smiled shyly.
Arthur let out a small chuckle.
"Of course. Happy to help, girls."
As they walked past the benches, Arthur turned his head slightly.
The men were still there, and Arthur gave them a respectful nod.
They returned it with a smile, and Arthur couldn't help but smile too.
Because somehow… It felt like he's now part of a brotherhood.
DxD
The lights of Tokyo began lighting up when the sun set, and at the very top of Tokyo Tower, a lone figure stood.
A young boy with silver white hair, piercing blue eyes, a red scarf around his neck that swayed gently with the breeze, a black jacket and grey shirt, fingerless gloves, jean shorts, and resting on his shoulder was a small white dragon plushie.
He stood near the edge, looking down and watching, murmuring to himself.
"So this is Tokyo…"
His gaze shifted.
Far below, across the streets filled with movement and noise, his eyes locked onto a growing crowd gathered in a lively district.
In the center of it all, Heracles and Dulio stood surrounded, their opponents none other than the ramen shop owner and his employees, who had long since dropped their cover, and armed with kitchen utensils.
Heracles ducked under an incoming frying pan, laughing.
"I KNEW IT! I KNEW THEY WERE NINJAS! IN YOUR FACES, YOU FUCKING NAYSAYERS!"
Dulio casually blocked a flurry of chopsticks with his legs, still eating from his bowl of ramen, too preoccupied with eating his food to say anything.
The boy atop the tower chuckled softly.
"…Interesting…"
His eyes moved again towards further into the city.
In a brightly lit arcade, through the windows, he spotted Siegfried and Jeanne, who were dancing side by side on a lit platform, their movements perfectly synchronized as arrows streamed upward on the screen before them at blinding speed.
They were playing Dance Dance Revolution, dancing to Beethoven Virus in the highest difficulty... and they were winning.
"We're winning!"
Jeanne called out, smiling brightly.
"I know!"
Siegfried replied, spinning slightly before landing perfectly on the next sequence.
The crowd around them erupted in cheers as their combo continued to climb.
"Heh... Not bad…"
The boy let out a small laugh.
Finally, his gaze shifted once more.
This time, his expression changed to something sharper.
"There you are…"
In the distance, walking along a lively street filled with food stalls and glowing lanterns, he saw them.
Arthur is standing near a takoyaki stand with both of his hands occupied with multiple shopping bags, while on either side of him are Lavinia and Valerie, who stayed close, smiling as they each held small trays of takoyaki.
"Say ahhh~"
Lavinia said softly.
Arthur complied, opening his mouth as she fed him.
Valerie followed immediately after, her face slightly red from the staring passerbys, but still gave Arthur her takoyaki.
"H-Here you go…"
Arthur accepted it as well, chewing slowly as he let out a satisfied smile.
"Seriously... I think you two are enjoying this way too much…"
The two girls both laughed.
The boy watched all of this... and he grinned.
"There you are…"
Excitement flickered in his eyes, something almost predatory as the wind picked up, and his scarf fluttered wildly.
From his back emerged a pair of white metallic wings with radiant blue light forming feather-like constructs, glowing brightly.
The air around him shifted as his grin widened, his eyes locked onto Arthur once more.
"At long last… We'll finally meet, Arthur Pendragon."
And with that, he flapped his Light Wings and flew towards Arthur's direction.
DxD
Hello readers!
Here's the first upload, so give me a Power Stone as "payment".
The second upload will follow shortly after I receive your remaining Power Stones.
Thank you, everyone, and see you later!