The Formula Of Life

Chapter 13: Rating Games

"Hmph, why exactly do they try? Their attempts are pitiful, I will win either way." Marius declared his sharp eyes landing on the crimson chess piece glimmering in his open palm. Smirking hideously at the horrid fascination created by Ajuka Beelzebub, the King piece held considerable amount of power which allowed the wielder to amplify his current level of might to unimaginable amounts. He managed to liberate it from an unexacting fool, the bastard knew nothing about its potential.

Looking around the empty room he currently occupied, Marius smirked knowingly at the large map displaying the various territories of the Underworld. The Naberius Clan had been decimated during the war between the Old Satan Faction and the current Satans, his clan had been undecided until favor shifted to the new order. They were quick to align themselves with the winning side, even though they were against its ideologies survival was more important. They pledged troops to the Old Satan Faction, which resulted in destruction for their once mighty army.

"Just you wait Astaroth." Marius hissed at the symbol of the other clan. They always opposing one another, after they were given not only the former territory of Foras Clan they also had one of their members elected to the position of Satan. While the Naberius Clan lost thousands of their members not to mention their status as a Duke to which the Astaroth were promoted to. Now, he had the chance to denounce them, by sending them to their rightful place among the Extra Clans.

"You really are an idiot." Sona's soft dismissive tone drawled aloud. Her comments merely resulted in an annoyed pout from Naruto, a snort of amusement from Sairaorg, and an untamed grin from Rias. Currently gathered around a table with drinks placed before them, the group of Devils had been discussing Naruto's recent actions. Being the most critical of his decisions, Sona mouthed her heated disapproval for all to hear regardless of their surroundings. No matter how had she tried to alleviate Naruto's brash actions, the blonde disregarded most warnings, "How your Peerage deals with you is a mystery."

Clutching his heart dramatically, Naruto released a pain filled groan as he replied to his longtime friend's remarks, "That hurts, Sona I thought you loved me!"

"Never happening." Sona said snorting at the all too dramatic behavior of her friend. Truth be told, she had admired Naruto's capabilities since they were mere children. Though she would never allow Naruto to hear about her secret opinions fearful of his reaction, the blonde was relentless once he began teasing someone. Naruto and Serafall met during one of the many parties held by the Satan, safe to say her embarrassment levels managed to soar higher than she had originally thought possible.

"Naruto won't lose the Rating Game, that's for sure." Sairaorg quickly came to his best friend's defense deciding to remind the others of Naruto's unchallenged talents in combat.

"His opponent is experienced though." Rias cautioned frowning at the mention of Marius Naberius, she had never liked the arrogant bastard. Her opinions did not change over time, in truth she hated Naberius more considering what the bastard did to Naruto. Outside of her loyalty towards her friend, she simply found Marius' behavior disgusting in their limited interactions, three conversations were enough for her, "Make sure to you aim for the bastard's face."

Nodding his head in response, Sairaorg added, "Make sure you win, I won't be satisfied until I'm the one who beats you and your Peerage in a Rating Game, Naruto."

"Please don't make another speech about your rivalry." Sona pleaded her voice desperate and fleeting.

Glowering at Sona, Sairaorg with all the dignity he had left crossed his arms and huffed, "I wasn't going to!"

"Why did you two come back to the Underworld? I thought there was another week of school?" Naruto asked interrupting Sairaorg in time before he could utter another word. Though his question was broad and directed at both Devil heiress', Naruto kept his gaze glued on Sona. Sona rarely left school for any reason, skipping an entire week went against everything he had known about the Sitri heiress.

"Once I heard you challenge Marius Naberius, I was curious." Sona answered shrugging her shoulders in a small gesture. Keeping her gaze unwavering against Naruto's broadened smirk, "Stop smiling like an idiot."

"Sona, you do love me!" Naruto all but shouted dramatically waving his arms around in an unwelcome gesture. Like all other times he had tried to embarrass the unwilling heiress, Sona covered her face with her palms in an attempt to avoid the prying eyes of the other patrons. Though an equally superior smirk adorned Sairaorg's visage, meanwhile Rias simply gave her rival a reassuring pat on the back.

"Looks like we're all here." The loud arrogant drawl of Riser Phenex called aloud catching the group's attention. Rias immediately tensed at the sight of Riser her obvious displeasure at the sight of her fiancé in full display. Sona quickly schooled herself and maintained a generally polite expression while Naruto merely waved in greeting.

"Oh? The mighty Riser Phenex decides to grace us with his presence?" Sairaorg mused aloud his tone choked up of mockery. Through the years, their relationship had deteriorated once inseparable, the group of four were discontent with Riser's growing arrogance to the point of avoiding the Phenex all together. Naruto had been the only one to consider Riser a friend still, something none of the gathered Devils understood, Riser included.

"Shut it, Bael I'm here to talk to Naruto, not you." Riser said snorting at Sairaorg's mocking comment, as he pulled an unoccupied chair from another table and planted it beside Rias as he sat down, "Heard you challenge Marius Naberius to a Rating Game."

"The bastard had it coming, he threatened to kill Tatsumi." Naruto replied shrugging his shoulders and took a large gulp of his warm drink. Clutching his unfinished beverage, he turned his piercing blue gaze toward his fellow blonde, "Are you not going to call off the marriage?"

Naruto's sudden comment caught everyone off guard, neither Riser or Rias spoke at first until Sairaorg, decided to add his own opinion of the matter, "You have the power to end it, Riser."

"I don't think I will, I always wanted a wife like Rias here." Riser mused flashing Rias a lecherous smirk before turning back to Naruto, "Why do you ask?"

Allowing silence to seep into their long conversation, Naruto smiled warmly at Riser, "Make sure you don't get out of hand, Riser. I'll knock some sense into you when I finish with Naberius."

Standing over the panting figure of Tatsumi, Reinhard offered the Pawn his hand. Both of them had been training for hours on end, neither of them were willing to end their current session. Though sweating profusely and bearing an assortment of cuts and gashes, Tatsumi's unnerving stubbornness kept him standing. No matter how many hits Reinhard landed on Tatsumi he did not bow out, Naruto ordered Reinhard to help condition Tatsumi's physical strength in hopes of pushing him enough to learn to properly utilize his Sacred Gear. Incursio was physically demanding driving Tatsumi to near unconsciousness during his first usage of the Balance Breaker.

"Not yet, Reinhard-san." Tatsumi hissed forcing himself off the uneven ground ignoring the burning pain echoing from his already damaged body. Repositioning Incursio, he stabbed it against the ground curtly speaking the name of his Sacred Gear. In an instant an bright light consumed Tatsumi's body, it lasted for a few seconds until Tatsumi stepped out of it now garbed in a polished set of body armor. Bearing a flowing white cape on his back, Tatsumi was covered head to toe in an medieval inspired piece of armor giving him an appearance similar to Knights of the old.

Nodding his head at Tatsumi, Reinhard readied his sword and stood by as Tatsumi charged at him blade in hand. Blocking the initial slash, Reinhard took a single step backward avoiding the second attack. Parrying Tatsumi's third strike, Reinhard knocked him back somewhat causing the armor clad Pawn to lose his balance. Collapsing on his backside, Tatsumi felt his sword forcefully torn from his grip leaving him once again disarmed. Rather than yield to the sword aimed at his throat, Tatsumi swung his legs to the side catching Reinhard in surprise.

Using the opportunity, Tatsumi hurriedly stood back up narrowing jumping away from Reinhard's outstretched sword. Keeping his distance, Tatsumi regained his composure making sure to take Reinhard's lessons. When defenseless, one should always allow their opponent to act first giving them an opportunity to either dodge or block attacks. Watching the Knight's sword descended downward in a vertical arc, Tatsumi quickly pulled his arm forward blocking the slash. Though successful in his endeavor he did not have time pat himself on the back as a well timed kick sent the armored Pawn to the ground.

"Good block Tatsumi, but this round is mine once more." Reinhard declared offering the Pawn his hand. Pulling Tatsumi up, Reinhard sheathed his sword and offered Tatsumi's own discarded blade back, "Come now, Lord Naruto should be returning soon his meeting with the other young Devils should be over now."

"Young Devils?" Tatsumi inquired his dirt covered head tilting curiously.

Smiling patiently, Reinhard nodded planting his hand on his chin in a thoughtful expression, "Yes, they are the group of Devils that are considered the most talented Devils of this generation."

"Though none of them are truly talented." The condescending tone of Hilda commented aloud catching the duo's attention. Standing off by the destroyed field, Hilda stood her usual cold expression spread across her visage, arms crossed and staring at the two she spoke further, "The only ones who are truly capable of succeeding is Astaroth and the Bael."

Taking in the information, Tatsumi finally caught sight of Megumin standing to Hilda's side looking as if her soul had left her body, "What happened to her?"

Turning to Megumin, Hilda smiled coldly, "I followed Astaroth's instructions and trained her of course."

"She looks lifeless." Tatsumi pointed out incredulously.

"I believe in training through pain is the most efficient way of strengthening oneself."

Staring at the large crowd of gathered Devils, Tatsumi nervously turned to the others. None of them seemed to mind the roaring crowd, all they care for was finish their rituals and prepare for battle. Spotting Megumin seated on a small boulder looking calm or would be if she were not glaring daggers at Hilda, Tatsumi approached the newest member of the Peerage and whispered, "Megumin have you done this sort of thing before?"

"Are you kidding me pervert? I get to show a coliseum of Devils my beautiful Explosion Magic!" Megumin gushed her expression changing from anger to giddy excitement. Turning to the nervous Pawn, the wizard puffed her chest and planted both arms on her hips, "Once I get strong enough, I'll have bigger boobs than that demon!"

Opening his mouth to say something about her last comment, Tatsumi refrained and kept his mouth shut. Turning to Hilda, Tatsumi did not even see the Queen acknowledge the insult and more or less just kept her gaze on her sword. Naruto sat on the ground mentally gong over everything as Reinhard stood at the top of their base. The Rating Game was a simple one, all they needed to do was either capture the enemy base or defeat the enemy King to win the game. The map they were introduced to was an exact replica of Beelzebub Castle, the large fortress being their base and an equally intimidating fortress seated above a small range of hills being the Naberius base.

"Alright, lets begin their Rating Game between Marius Naberius and Naruto Asraroth!" The loud cry of the announcer rang aloud catching both team's attention. His statement was quickly met with another roar from the gathered Devils and soon enough the magical field keeping both Peerages in their base vanished allowing said Peerages to operate.

Like Naruto had commanded, Hilda and Megumin stayed put in their current position while Naruto, Tatsumi and Reinhard left in a hurry. An immense forest separated the two Peerages, something Naruto considered an advantage. Urging Tatsumi to head over to the Naberius Fortress while he and Reinhard eliminated any opposition sent their way. Hilda was more than enough to defend their base but Naruto left Megumin in case of any unforeseen developments in the game. Considering how the Naberius Peerage operated, none of them were strong enough to defeat either King or Knight, the only threat was Marius. From previous Rating Games, Naberius sent out most of his Peerage to weaken his opponents before coming out himself leaving two or so of his Peerage to guard the base.

"Huh, they got here earlier than expected." Naruto mused aloud his eyes spotting a figure descending from the trees. Standing shorter than the both of them, a woman seemingly older than both retracted her wings and smiled at them, "So he decided to send out his Queen huh?"

"Yes I am-" Rather than let her launch into an introduction, Naruto launched himself forward appearing before her and slamming a well timed fist on her exposed belly. His attack sent her backwards knocking down a few trees right up to the sixth or seventh one collapsing wordlessly.

"The Queen of Marius Naberius has been defeated!" The booming voice of the announcer roared to life.

Watching the Queen vanish, Naruto's attention however was drawn to the group of enemies surrounding him and Reinhard. Sparing them a glance, Naruto sighed and turned to Reinhard who looked disappointed at his inability to draw Reid.

Launching past tree after tree, Tatsumi finally landed at the foot of the fortress determination sketched across his face. Entering the large base, Tatsumi studied the well decorated space and quickly promoted himself. Like all Pawns, the Rating Game allowed any of them to promote themselves to any other piece just like chess, it gave them the capabilities granted by the various Evil Pieces providing a general boost in power. Choosing the Queen Piece, Tatsumi scaled the spiraled stairs laid out before him and sprinted higher and higher into the menacing fortress.

His journey soon ended when Tatsumi entered a large hallway with torches illuminating the dark space. At the end of the hall were a pair of large oak doors, gripping Incursio, the Pawn proceeded forward and kicked the unlocked entryway open. Entering a large throne room, Tatsumi ignored his surroundings and kept his gaze solely on the bastard seated on a throne. Looking more arrogant than the day he had first met him, Marius opened his arms in an opening gesture and stood.

"Welcome, Pawn I was expecting your Master but you will do for now." Marius said his haunting voice echoing off the large empty room. Throwing off the cape he chose to wear around his body, the Naberius motioned for Tatsumi to approach, "I was quite disappointed when I could not punish you, but here in a Rating Game I can murder you without consequence."

"I'm going to kick your ass." Tatsumi growled stabbing Incursio to the ground and shouting out his Sacred Gear's name. In an instant he now stood in the armor his Balance Breaker provided. Rather than allowing Marius to attack, Tatsumit took the initiative running at the Lord in an impressive speed cutting their distance apart in a short moment. Sword in hand, Tatsumi delivered a quick horizontal slash at the still Devil without warning a large magical circle separated the two stopping his sword with ease.

"I think not, no sword will hurt me!" Marius shouted pumping more magic into his magic circle converting it to a wave of deadly green lighting. Watching it envelope Tatsumi, Marius beamed at his wretched screams. The armored Pawn collapsed before his feet attempting to recover from the attack, slamming his foot on the Pawn's back, Marius smiled and dug his foot deeper. Frowning at the Pawn's refusal to fall, Marius channeled another wave of magic into his free hand. Ignorant of Tatsumi's actions, Marius hissed in pain as he felt the back of his thigh sliced by Tatsumi's.

Recoiling, Marius clutched his wound and glared furiously at the reincarnated Devil. Forming another shield to protect himself from Tatsumi's bull-charge, Marius kept his shield active as he used his other hand to mend the wound. Rather than quit, Tatsumi dropped his blade and used his fists to punch the magical shield. To Marius's surprise, his defensive measures were shaking with each howling punch delivered by the Pawn. Cracks began forming around it forcing Marius to channel more magic to repair them.

Expanding his shield, Marius began pushing Tatsumi back until he was a good enough distance away for him to drop his shield. Opening both palms to cast a streak of hideous lighting, Marius willed more and more towards Tatsumi. Growling at the Pawn's agile movements, the Lord retracted his spell and engulfed his hands in a hail of flames. Positioning both hands together, Marius pushed a wave of roaring flames at the Pawn. Rather than bolster a single blast of fire, he spread his flames in every which direction taking away Tatsumi's ability to dodge to his sides.

Rather than dodge, Tatsumi took the flames head on. Sweating from the sheer heat, Tatsumi proceeded forward he stomped against the wave of fire using his armored hands to do what he could in protecting his body. Walking close enough towards Marius, Tatsumi reeled one arm back and punched the Devil square in the jaw. His punch sent Marius reeling backwards in pain swiftly approaching the bastard once again, Tatsumi grabbed the Devil by his elegantly decorated robes and slammed his head against Marius' unguarded forehead.

"That's for what you did to Naruto-san!" Tatsumi shouted at the Devil cocking another arm back for another punch. His attack connected and sent Marius crashing against his throne. Stomping forward once more, Tatsumi barely did not have enough time to drop to the ground as another streak of lightning flew into him.

"How dare you! I am a High-Class Devil you are nothing more than a Reincarnated Devil!" Marius howled aloud his face now covered in his own blood quickly twisted into an animalistic snarl. Producing his most valued object out, Marius activated the crimson King Piece and felt his power once more explode to new heights. Keeping on hand on it and using his second to blast Tatsumi in a hail of lighting, the mad Devil cackled at the screams escaping Tatsumi's mouth. Clutching his King Piece and closing it into a fist, Marius slammed it repeatedly at Tatsumi's armored body until it shattered returning Incursio to its base form.

"I should have killed you for your insolence!" Marius shrieked grabbing Tatsumi's collar and pulling the Pawn close. His eyes widened when the Pawn disappeared in a glowing light leaving him alone to in the room. Howling in anger, Marius blasted a hole in the throne room murder was the only thing left in his already maddened mind.

"The Pawn of Naruto Astaroth has been eliminated!"

No longer caring to preserve his clan's standing, Marius only cared to murder the opposing King now. His entire Peerage had been eliminated leaving him as the sole surviving member. Unfurling his wings, the enraged Devil took took to the air his gaze scanning the forest bellow trying to find Naruto. His flight however, was interrupted when an explosion enveloped his form sending him plummeting through a thicket of trees. Crashing against the earth in a loud audible boom, Marius roared in anger as he pulled himself free of the earth and glared angrily at the castor.

"You!" Marius howled at the sight of a still conscious Megumin. Cutting the distance between them, Marius felt another smaller explosion launch him into a large tree. Rather than change his approach, Marius charged again the King Piece in his hand glowing once more in a crimson light powering him up. Raising his hand, Marius shot a large beam of pure magic at Megumin rather than killing her on the spot, Megumin was shielded by a large magical wall which managed to take the blunt of his attack before shattering and knocking Megumin away.

Raising his hand to cast a second spell, Marius felt his body forcefully bound and dragged to the ground. Looking around in anger, Marius flashed the King Piece but Hilda was much quicker using her sword she sliced Marius hand right off. Using her sword to peel the severed fingers off, Hilda grabbed the King Piece walking over to the bound Marius. Naruto and Reinhard had long been present but allowed Hilda and Megumin to handle Marius only intervening if they needed to.

"So that was what he was using to beat Tatsumi." Naruto said his eyes narrowing at the King Piece. It had been outlawed by the Satans due to its capabilities and most copies of it were confiscated and destroyed. It seemed his father left some remaining if Marius copy was anything to go by, approaching the bound Marius, Naruto delivered a single Touki enhanced punch at Marius. His blow had snapped the filaments protruded inside of the Naberius' body and knocked him unconscious upon contact.

"With a resounding victory, Team Astaroth has won!"

Marius Naberius was in the custody of the Satans right after his shameful defeat, left chained to his bed in the hospital the Naberius Clan were being called in by the Satans. Each and every one of them had been questioned about the possession of the King Piece, it was highly illegal and considering the outright usage of it Ajuka did not need any more proof of Marius Naberius' guilt. Stripped of his titles and any possessions to his name, converted into a Low-Class Devil Marius had been transported to Malebolge and was swiftly imprisoned. With the current political climate the Satans needed to be strict and imprisoning Marius to one of the Underworld's cruelest levels did its intended purpose.

It had been a few weeks since the eventful Rating Game, Tatsumi recovered relatively quick and had been out of the hospital for quite some time now. In that time, Naruto was called in for questioning as did his Pawn the Satans treated the subject seriously doing everything to find out about the remaining unaccounted King Pieces. Now, donned in robes befitting of an heir, Naruto stood inside the chambers of the Satans standing before the Four Satans and the leader of the Angels as well as his group of advisors.

"Thank you for your time, Naruto. We will deliberate amongst ourselves and will call you in if we have more questions regarding the issue with Diodora." Sirzechs said motioning for the blonde to leave. The meeting had lasted an hour thus far, Naruto's statement shifted blame to only Diodora and left the situation much simpler as they had intended. Michael and Gabriel were understanding figures and considering their losses in the Great War none of them wished to partake in a second one.

"Your son was most helpful in the matter, Lord Beelzebub." Michael said nodding to the green haired Satan who nodded in turn. While he did not want to aggravate a second war, Michael wished to alleviate the situation and keep the Church from declaring any formal action against the Devils, "As for the situation however, one of your members has broken the ceasefire called upon during the Great War."

"Yes, Diodora has been punished accordingly and is currently imprisoned for his actions. Though if we can do more to attenuate the political situation then we are more than willing to cooperate." Serafall replied.

"Good, in order to hopefully maintain the peace I wish to add more terms to our agreement." Michael declared much to the surprise of the Satans, "If we do more to prevent any more skirmishes between our Factions then we will overlook Diodora Astaroth's crimes."

"What did you have in mind?" Ajuka asked.

Chapter End

A/N: Hey guys, sorry for being inactive for so long I just wanted to post this short little chapter first before updating my other stories. Anyways, expected another chapter for this story in a few days and other updates soon. Before then enjoy and tell me what you thought, I had some trouble with the fight scene so hopefully it's enough to placate you guys until I give you a much longer chapter.

Naruto's Peerage:

King: Naruto Uzumaki

Queen: Hilda (Beelzebub)

King x2: Reinhard Van Astrea (Re:Zero)

Bishop 1x: Megumin (Kono Subarashii)

Bisho 1x: ?

Pawn x5: Tatsumi (Akame ga Kill)

Pawn x3: ?