Chapter 1: Act one - Let's get the plan started!
Summary:
Ladies, gentlemen, and esteemed folks of all kinds—today, we recount the wildest day in Fuji's entire life!
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto — Shogun’s Castle
“So, wife... what do you think of our grand plan, huh?” Yeyasu beamed, flashing a grin so bright it could blind a Prinny.
Hard to believe—but true. The legendary Higan Zesshosai, terror of the battlefield and icon of spear-swinging fury, was now his wife.
And all of it, absurdly enough, could be traced back to Mao—yes, that dissociative lunatic—who invented the Moboo: super-nutritious cattle capable of feeding entire armies.
But there was… a catch.
“Moboo, Moboo…” (1)
“That’s all it says?” Suisen asked innocently, his voice calm.
“Don’t. Ask. That,” Yeyasu said, panic cracking through his usual bravado.
“Why not?” Suisen and Higan asked in perfect, unsettling unison.
“FATSO!” the Moboo shouted, its snout curling in sadistic joy.
“…What did you say?!” Higan growled, veins bulging with divine wrath.
In a blur, she summoned her spear and jammed it into the Moboo’s backside.
Chaos exploded as Higan launched herself into another glorious brawl, spears flying and Moboos squealing like banshees at a rock concert.
Yeyasu sighed, brushing some stray hay off his shoulder.
“Well, Suisen, since my beloved wife is too busy skewering cattle… what do you think?”
“Your plan will succeed. At a rate of 110%,” Suisen replied with grave seriousness. “Even with lunatic Overlords like Laharl, Mao, and Zetta in the mix.
Even factoring in idiots whose IQs make turnips look like scholars—Fenrich, Red Magnus, Axel…”
He paused, eyes narrowing.
“…But was it really wise to include The Love Freaks & Co.? Last time, their potion triggered a semi-orgy that almost escalated into a Netherworld–Celestia diplomatic crisis.
I still have PTSD… Ceefore nearly dismounted me.”
“They’ll behave. Or they won’t see a single HL from me!” Yeyasu barked like a true big brother—offended, outraged, and just a bit broke.
Meanwhile, in Veldime…
“Achoo!” Flonne sneezed—courtesy of a still-angry Yeyasu remembering that incident.
“Are you okay? We all need to stay healthy—we can’t afford to get sick,” Canonline said, worried about her benefactor. If not for Flonne’s intervention, she’d probably be a Prinny… or worse.
Not only had things turned out well—but she was certain that with further effort in her studies, a certain demon was finally going to be healed, and the souls trapped inside the Infernal Treasures would be freed and reincarnated.
“Everything’s fine!” Flonne replied, radiating her usual sunshine.
“Why did I accept this job again?” Adell’s mother asked.
“Easy! Because you’re going to earn enough to buy a beautiful villa for the newlyweds! Can you believe Rozalin’s having triplets?!” Fuka and Desco squealed in unison, practically vibrating with excitement.
They recalled her bizarre pregnancy cravings—hot dogs with slime ice cream, spaghetti topped with fish bones—and her wildly unpredictable mood swings, which had already caused, in order:
- The complete collapse of DemonKon (R.I.P. Cosplay Contest).
- Tink to lose his house… and most of his dignity.
- And a Pride Day celebration so chaotic, not even Nemo would’ve dared to upstage it—with everything covered in radioactive green glitter and at least four zombie unicorns.
“So, is everyone ready?” Adell’s mother asked the gathered group: Sicily, Flonne, Fuka, Desco, Seraphina, Majolene, and Canonline.
“YES!” they all shouted in cheerful unison.
Adell’s mother activated her cauldron and—
“Then on my count: One, Two… Three!” they all chanted together:
“Abracadabra, Hocus Pocus, Coriander Salami, Hula Hopa and Timbuktu Tops… ALAKAZAM!”
A loud explosion shook the entire NIS Multiverse.
Paprika Kingdom
“What was that?!” Culotte cried.
“Ugh… it’s Priere and Croix going at it again,” Alouette sighed in exasperation. (2)
“Damn their insatiable appetites!” both exclaimed.
Skullrock Island
“What was that?! Hey! Stop summoning Easter eggs already!” Marona cried out in exasperation. The training Putties, completely ignoring her protests, continued their chaotic antics—summoning the most absurd things imaginable:
- Strange, shrieking penguins that exploded on impact (3),
- A magical pocket watch that wouldn't stop rewinding time (4),
- And a bizarrely adorable knight mascot with a hunger for mischief (5).
World Hero Society Stadium
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for joining the largest battle royale fundraiser in Netherworld history!” Etranger announced from her floating podium, arms raised theatrically. “All proceeds will go to repairing the worlds devastated by Fear the Great’s final rampage—yes, final, because in this universe that bastard is actually dead this time!”
The special interdimensional stadium thundered with cheers as titans like Zetta, Gig, Asagi, Marjoly, and Metallia clashed in surreal, high-speed chaos.
Then, with a shriek of wild laughter—
“BOOOOOM YEAH!!!”
Metallia spammed Omega Star repeatedly, lighting up the sky with stars so bright, the crowd had to shield their eyes. Etranger sighed as the sound system was drowned out by the carnage.
“Metallia, could you not turn the fundraiser into a supernova light show?!”
Hinomoto – Golden Week, Children’s Day
“Look, look! Those Koinobori are so pretty! I want one—please?” Ao beamed, tugging excitedly on Fuji’s arm as the trio made their way through the bustling festival.
Pirilika and Fuji had been searching for the perfect miniature Gogatsu Ningyō—traditional samurai helmets—for Ao’s celebration.
“Of course you can have one,” Pirilika said warmly. “You scored a perfect 666 out of 666 on Miss Raspberyl’s final exam—right before Golden Week, no less!”
Fuji smiled, but couldn’t shake a strange feeling that Yeyasu and the others were up to something… more than usual.
“As long as you’re paying, Piriko… I’m in,” he said with a grin.
“Even if I don’t have to worry about Master Higan’s legendary gluttony anymore, I’m still digging my way out of the debts from Ao’s ‘accidents’—not to mention her schoolship in the Evil Accademy. Luckily, I’m almost there. Just a little longer, and I’ll finally be debt-free!”.
All thanks, weirdly enough, to Yeyasu, who had once chased him halfway across Hinomoto for daring to propose to Higan. Fuji had to admit—grudgingly—Yeyasu was a better brother-in-law than expected.
They were just starting to enjoy the day...
Then—
A sharp beam of radiant light split the air, striking Pirilika without warning.
BOOOOOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed across Hinomoto, rattling windows and silencing the crowds.
“Pirilly?” Ao shrieked, her eyes wide with panic. Smoke and dust swirled in the air—and where Pirilika had stood just seconds ago, there was now only a scorched crater.
“Dad? What’s happening?! Where’s Pirilly?!” Ao cried, panicking.
Fuji didn’t respond. He just stood there, paralyzed—his eyes fixed on the crater, his body frozen with shock.
Notes:
(1) The same ones of La Pucelle
(2) This story follows the path of Overlord Priere. Therefore, it’s likely that Alouette is still alive.
(3) Prinnies
(4) TickTock
(5) The Hundred Knight
Chapter 2: Ok, so where we start to search Piriko?
Summary:
The beginning of Fuji's ordeal
Chapter Text
Hinomoto, Shogun's castle
“…and while Pirilly, Dad, and I were out shopping,” Ao explained to her “handsome darling uncle”—a title he had once insisted on, much to everyone’s embarrassment—“a beam appeared out of nowhere and kidnapped her. Just like one of those over-the-top Demolien Invasion scenes!”
She took a breath, her voice trembling.
“So please, Uncle Yey-yey… we need Suisen’s help. We have to find Pirilly as soon as possible.”
Yeyasu was speechless. Once again, Love Freak & Co. had stirred up chaos like it was an art form.
“My poor little niece,” he muttered. “Your life’s one never-ending rollercoaster… and now you’re dragging your father around like a plushie on clearance.”
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
That tsundere idiot. He’ll never admit it— not even under torture— but he does care about Pirilika.
“Wife, wake that idiot up. We need all hands on deck,” he called out. “I’ll contact Pii-Chan and request backup from Yoshizuna. Suisen—time to shine. Use your foresight. We need to know who’s behind this.”
Suisen’s eyes narrowed in focus. A long silence passed—minutes stretched into tension. Then he finally spoke.
“There are disturbances, or some strange vibrations, emanating from three Netherworlds. The first is Overlord Laharl’s. The second, Overlord Mao’s at the Evil Academy. And the third… Hades, under the command of Prinny Instructor and Former Tyrant Valvatorez.”
Meanwhile, in another corner of the room, Higan was doing what she did best—waking Fuji with loving precision.
SMACK!
“Ouch! Must you slap me like a training dummy, Master Moron?” Fuji groaned, rubbing his reddened cheeks.
“I had to,” Higan replied without missing a beat. “The electroshock didn’t work. Nor the ice water. Not even threatening to blow your next hundred paychecks on mass-produced Furji toys got a twitch out of you. Have I really raised a disciple this spineless?”
She crossed her arms, her glare sharp enough to slice steel, silently cursing every Demon King of the Sixth Heaven for the endless drama Love Freak & Co. dragged in.
Then, with perfectly-timed theatrical flair, Pii-Chan arrived—radiating quiet fury.
“You’re lucky you haven’t been fired as Miss Pirilika’s bodyguard,” he said coldly. “She was kidnapped in broad daylight, and I haven’t said a word to Opener. If I had… well, you’d be nothing more than a red smear on the carpet.”
He handed Fuji a device.
“Fortunately for you, I secured a spaceship. Fast travel. Don’t waste it.”
Fuji nodded, finally snapping into gear.
“All right… so where do we even start to search for Piriko?” he asked Suisen.
Suisen closed his eyes again, reaching deep into the currents of fate. Another heavy silence filled the room.
“Probability of the Netherworld most likely to yield clues… is Overlord Laharl’s by 98%”
“Understood. Ao, come with me,” Fuji said, running a hand through his hair. “Before this stress gives me an headcache.”
As they left, Yeyasu turned to Suisen, brow furrowed.
“Why didn’t you send them to Veldime? That was the plan.”
“I know,” Suisen replied. His voice was low. Grave. “But I’ve lost all contact with Veldime. I’m trying to buy time. And whatever’s behind this—those vibrations—I can feel them pulsing across the Netherworlds, but I still can’t pinpoint where. That’s why, Higan… I need a favor from you.”
Veldime – Minutes after the explosion
Why is he here already? He wasn’t supposed to arrive this soon…
Cannonline’s mind raced, stunned by the unexpected turn.
Then… hell descended upon them.
Somewhere else, in a faraway Netherworld
“I can’t die yet…”
Chapter 3: Hour of Darkness
Summary:
Fuji and Ao's journey through Laharl's Netherworld begins
Chapter Text
Laharl's Netherworld
"Here we are," Fuji said, glancing around. "Wahei's tech really is something - we made it here in no time. So this is Laharl’s Netherworld?"
"Dad, this place is so desolate!" Ao exclaimed. "No wonder Laharl’s always so grumpy. I bet no tourist has ever come here on purpose!" She giggled, and even his father cracked a grin.
But the moment of levity shattered - suddenly, a blade whistled through the air, narrowly missing them both. Only their honed reflexes spared them from a bloody end.
"What the hell, Laharl?! Is that how you greet an old friend?" Fuji snapped, locking eyes with the short, blue-haired demon lord. But the look staring back wasn’t his usual mischievous spite - it was raw, unfiltered hatred. Something far darker was at play.
Near Zeroken’s Dojo
Zeroken was making his way home after a productive day of training with his students when he noticed someone collapsed by the roadside - badly wounded, barely clinging to life.
"I can’t die yet..." the stranger murmured over and over, a mantra of defiance...
Back in Laharl’s Netherworld
"You must really have a death wish, coming back here so soon," Laharl growled, his voice low and menacing.
"Ao, stay back! It's too danger--GAAHH!..." Fuji coughed, as the familiar sensation of blood welled up in his throat due to the Empathy Killer curse.
"Pathetic," Laharl spat. "Still the same weakling. And after what you did to Etna - she's second only to me in power!" His voice rose with furious conviction, surprisingly candid for once.
Without another word, he lunged forward again - and Fuji met the strike head-on.
An Alternate Hinomoto, Five Human Years Ago
"If she can afford a Nethership, she must be raking in a billion HL a year," a shadowed figure mused, watching from afar. "At last... a perfect pawn. And that bag of hers - there’s an Infernal Treasure inside. I can feel it."
Same Place, Months later
"Master, do you really have to kill her?"
Chapter 4: Afternoon of Darkness
Summary:
Fuji and Ao's journey through Laharl's Netherworld continues
Chapter Text
Back in Laharl’s Netherworld
In a flash, Fuji unsheathed the Kanzan Musashi, steel clashing against steel as he caught Laharl’s blade mid-swing.
"I don’t even know what the hell you’re talking about! I just got here!" he barked, breath ragged and voice strained. But Laharl didn’t hear him—or rather, he didn’t care. Fury had consumed him entirely, and the air crackled as he began channeling his devastating Overlord Wrath.
"Enough—both of you!" came a sharp voice.
In a blur of motion, Xenolith stepped between them, unleashing one of his signature techniques—Chaos Divider. A shockwave split the battlefield, carving a rift into the earth and sending both combatants stumbling backward. The clash was over in a single, decisive stroke.
"Whoa, that was so cool! He literally split the ground open!" Ao cheered, eyes sparkling with admiration.
"This isn’t cool, Ao! He could’ve vaporized us!" Fuji snapped, still catching his breath.
Laharl turned on Xenolith with a snarl. "How dare you interfere with your Overlord’s revenge?" His antennae quivered violently, his aura flaring. "Don’t think I’ll show you mercy just because you’re Etna’s brother!"
"Cease your wrath, Overlord Laharl," Xenolith replied, unfazed. "The Fuji who attacked us with Maderas bore different markings—different scars, a different energy."
Laharl faltered, his anger momentarily pierced by confusion.
"What? Another Dad?" Ao blinked, baffled. "Is that even possible?"
Xenolith gave a solemn nod. "The timeline we inhabit is not singular. Many others exist—born from divergent choices, altered events, or unseen variables. We call them Xeno timelines."
He turned his gaze toward the horizon, voice low. "Etna was wounded by this Xeno Fuji while trying to rescue Aramis and Hanako from a kidnapping. She nearly lost her life."
"Tch... damn it!" Laharl growled, clenching his fists. "If only I’d come back sooner from that meeting with the other Overlords…"
Alternate Hinomoto – Few days after Fuji and Pirilika's encounter
"Master... why did you kill everyone on the Nethership?" the voice trembled with sorrow. "She gave you everything she had. There was no reason..."
A sharp crack rang out—loud and sudden—the sound of a slap echoing through the dimly lit chamber.
"Be grateful," came the cold, detached reply. "Their souls now sustain you. That should be enough."
There was a pause... then a chilling grin spread across the speaker's face.
"As for the hostage... she still has her uses. You’ll see."
Alternate Hinomoto – Some months after Fuji and Pirilika's encounter
"It seems Zenryo Yoichi's powers are the only ones I truly need... Cursed Cannonline—when I find you, you’ll know no peace. Not in this Netherworld or the next."
Chapter 5: First Interlude - Of Heroes and Past
Chapter Text
Alternate Hinomoto – Two months after Fuji and Pirilika's encounter
“You’re bringing food again today? Thank you! You’re really giving me the bread-carpet treatment!”
“Please… don’t be so cheerful. If the Master hears you, his experiments on you will only grow crueler.”
Skullrock Island
"Great job, everyone! You’ve finally learned how to summon your staves from your pocket dimensions without blowing up thanks to those odd, explosive penguins," Marona praised, handing a shiny red apple to the pink-robed Mage Putty she called Peach—for clarity, since Putties all looked almost identical aside from subtle quirks.
Then, suddenly, a portal shimmered into existence. From it stepped a familiar figure.
"Carona!" Marona gasped, surprised and delighted by the unexpected appearance of her alternate self. But Carona’s expression was unusually grim, hardened by something more than just battle.
"I’m glad to see you’re alright, Marona. I was afraid I might be too late," Carona said in a solemn tone.
"Too late for what? No… don’t tell me your world’s Sulphur is back," Marona asked, now uneasy.
"Fortunately, no. But I’ve come to ask if you’ve heard about the serial murders happening across countless multiverses." Carona handed her a newspaper from her world.
Marona’s face paled as she read the gruesome details. "Who could’ve done this?"
"From what little I’ve gathered, the killer resembles a notorious warrior from Hinomoto. I was hoping you might know something—or someone who does."
"Not me," Marona replied, "but I know someone who definitely would: Overlord Laharl." She quickly pulled out her ultra-rare Bottlemail of Emergency—a costly artifact known for its near-instantaneous delivery—and penned a message to Laharl asking if he had information and if they could join forces to stop the killer.
"Sent," she said quietly. Carona, however, couldn't shake the feeling that this was merely the prelude to something even worse than Sulphur.
Alternate Hinomoto – One day before Yeyasu is appointed Shogun
"Tomorrow, during the ceremony, I’ll finally have my chance. The Curse will spread to every demon in Hinomoto… and then that Prince Stupid will die."
World Hero Society HQ
"Captain Gordon, Defender of Earth, reporting for duty!" Gordon announced in his signature 130-decibel voice. "And I’ve brought the heroes you requested!"
Mario Cestus—also known as the Unlosing Ranger or simply MC—nodded, his face betraying mild irritation. He was used to Gordon’s bombastic entrance and the chaotic mix of heroes, anti-heroes, and whatever Pirohiko Ichimonji was.
"Glad you made it, Gordon, Jennifer, Thursday, Kurtis, Prism Rangers. We need to act fast," MC said, pressing a button to reveal horrific footage on the main monitor. The screen displayed grotesque murder scenes from various dimensions—dismembered bodies, twisted corpses, and other unspeakable desecrations.
"This is vile," Kurtis growled. "But you didn’t call us here just to show us this filth."
"You’re right," MC said. "There were witnesses. One even managed to capture a photo of the killer. It’s low-quality, but it's all we’ve got."
The blurry image appeared on-screen, and Gordon squinted. "Wait… doesn’t that look like the Hinomoto warrior we ran into during that fugitive chase?"
Jennifer’s stomach churned. The last time she’d felt this level of dread was when Vulcanus had nearly triggered an unholy meltdown across the Netherworlds.
"Thursday, can you enhance the image?" she asked.
“Bleep-Bleep-Beep. Analysis complete. Image enhanced,” Thursday chirped, now fully upgraded with Mao-certified triple-A performance.
The new image loaded.
"WAIT—WHAT!?" the entire room erupted in unison.
Alternate Hinomoto – After Ao’s Birth
“You did it, Dad! Was Ao good enough to help?”
Fuji said nothing. He stared down at the lifeless body of his own father, a quiet storm in his eyes. Without the curse, he never would have achieved his revenge. And now, finally, he was free—free to choose any path without empathy dragging him back.
For a moment… he almost felt grateful to his foolish old man.
"Ao," he said at last, his voice cold. "I order you to stop calling me 'Dad.' From now on, you are the first pawn of your Master—Fuji."
He grinned darkly, the shadows curling at the corners of his smile.
Chapter 6: Night of Darkness - Part 1
Summary:
Fuji and Ao's journey through Laharl's Netherworld ends
Chapter Text
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle
“I'm sorry to ask this of you in your condition, Higan, but I need someone trustworthy to investigate why all communication with Veldime has been cut off,” Suisen said, his voice heavy with concern as he addressed his sister-in-law.
“Do you really have to send my wife?” Yeyasu interjected, visibly displeased. “Can’t we just send Partyasu instead?”
“My dear brother,” Suisen replied gently, “please understand… If the explosion was merely an accident, we would’ve already received a follow-up about the operation. My foresight is warning me that we may be on the brink of something dangerous. And our cousin simply doesn't possess her proficiency in combat.”
Yeyasu’s expression tightened. “Still… I can’t help but worry.”
“Don’t worry, Yeyasu,” Higan said, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. “I promise that if I sense even the slightest danger, I’ll return immediately. I won’t engage in any battle…”
Then, barely audible, she added with a smirk, “…at least not yet.”
Back in Laharl’s Netherworld
“So this is your castle, Laharl?” Ao asked, eyes wide with curiosity. “It kinda reminds me of the time I used my uncle’s castle as a landing pad when I crash-landed from the sky.”
She grinned at the memory, while Fuji shuddered instinctively. That particular episode had nearly ended with him footing a reconstruction bill that could bankrupt a demon king. For a brief moment, he envisioned his daughter’s future in a demolition company run entirely by Weapon Otaku. The thought was almost as terrifying as the damages.
“Hmph! My magnificent castle would’ve petrified you with its splendor!” Laharl boasted, fists clenched and his antenna rigid with rage for what felt like the thousandth time. Fuji idly wondered if those antennae ever relaxed.
The scene before them was grim. The once-mighty halls of Laharl’s castle now lay in ruin—walls cracked, machines scorched, corridors choked with rubble. Injured demons limped through the wreckage, with the lucky ones helping set up makeshift tents for first aid and rations.
And above it all loomed the eerie absence of Etna's usual chaos.
Laharl scowled, eyes scanning the wreckage. “The Prinnies are going to have to rebuild this place without Etna yelling at them... for once.”
Xenolith led the group quietly to a medical chamber, where Etna rested under the care of the castle’s cleric.
Etna, wrapped in bandages but still feisty, smirked at Laharl. “What’s with that look, Prince? Aww, don’t tell me you were worried about me.”
She paused when her eyes fell on Fuji.
“Hey! That’s the top-knot jerk who attacked us!” she shouted, pointing dramatically at him.
“Wait, Etna—calm down,” Xenolith intervened, stepping between them. “I wasn’t strong enough to stop him when you were wounded… so I hid. I wanted to strike him when he was weakened—but then I noticed something odd about the markings on his body.”
He looked away, shame flickering in his eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you, sister.”
“We’re glad you’re still alive, but we don’t have time for dramatics,” Laharl snapped, crossing his arms. “Tell us what happened here.”
“Yeah! That way we can slap-slap the bad guy and make him say ‘ow’ a lot!” Ao added with cheerful determination, somehow easing the tension.
Etna sighed, her expression growing serious. She sat up straighter, her voice lower now.
“Alright. Here’s what went down…”
Laharl’s Castle – Shortly Before the Xeno Fuji Incident
“Perfect, Hanako! You’ve mastered my Sexy Beam in record time! But of course, with me as your master, how could you not?” Etna beamed, striking a victory pose as if cameras were flashing all around her.
Hanako giggled, mimicking the pose. “You're the best, Master Etna!”
Nearby, Aramis leaned lazily against a pillar, watching the scene. “Might I suggest you take Hanako to the BeelzExpo? It’s the perfect occasion to test out her new techniques... and to eat even newer treats. Geniuses like myself will showcase creations like the Morning Star Cookies. Although Belphegor will probably bring that abomination he calls cake.”
He smirked thoughtfully, wondering how well his latest culinary masterpiece would fare in competition.
Meanwhile, a group of Prinnies were flailing about in front of a screen, clumsily attempting to follow the beat of “Cry for the Demon” from the wildly popular devilgame Dance Demon, Dance! Their movements were chaotic, their coordination nonexistent—but their enthusiasm unmatched. The game, ironically enough, had been a "reward" from Etna for thwarting another panty heist.
Hanako poked at a large, cloth-covered tray next to Aramis. “Can we see your new creation?”
“But of course!” Aramis said with a dramatic flair, whipping the cloth off. “Behold! My latest masterpiece... the Cotton Candy Zombie!”
A twisted blend of vibrant grey fluff and unsettling twitchiness revealed itself.
The prinnies froze, dropping their controllers in unison as if witnessing a cursed relic awaken. Silence blanketed the room.
“Uhhh… are you sure that thing’s edible?” Hanako asked, eyeing it suspiciously. “Even my big brother Adell wouldn’t give that to Mister Stupid-Head Axel!”
“Relax, Hanako,” Aramis replied confidently. “I tested it thoroughly—on Prinnies. Each time, they were left speechless.”
“Speechless from taste… or trauma?” Hanako asked.
Etna stepped forward, grinning. “Well, if it left them speechless, it must be amazing. I’ll be the judge!”
She grabbed a chunk, took a big bite and—
“GHHHHHHAAAAAAA!!”
The scream that followed would be immortalized in the annals of the Netherworld, second only to the legendary Veldime explosion.
Paprika Kingdom – At That Exact Moment
Eclair was in the middle of teaching her star pupil Tink how to control his alternate persona, when the walls of the classroom literally vibrated from the echo of the scream. She froze mid-sentence.
Tink, completely unfazed, casually glanced out the window. “Ah. I recognize that voice. Miss Etna. Probably Overlord Laharl touched her Sea of Gehenna Pudding again...”
Chapter 7: Night of Darkness - Part 2
Summary:
The first act of our story draws to a close, setting the stage for the trials that lie ahead.
Chapter Text
Alternate Hinomoto – Unknown Location and Time
“…For now, thanks to your angelic shield, he shouldn’t be able to track me. I’ll make sure to complete my research on the Empathy Killer curse, so that we can both have our revenge. I’ll contact you again through a new encrypted frequency when the time is right, Magistrate Nitra.”
With that, the call ended, the device falling silent.
Veldime — After the explosion
"Who. Did. This?" Higan roared, her grip tightening around her spear, Banji Tadakatsu, as she surveyed the carnage that lay before her. Death and devastation blanketed the village.
"Please... save the... villagers... over there..." gasped a man nearby, his words barely more than a whisper. To Higan’s horror, his feet had been crudely sliced to prolong his suffering. Before she could even move, he succumbed to blood loss—his soul lifting from the body, as if drawn by an invisible force.
Without hesitation, Higan followed the drifting spirit toward the heart of the ruined village. But she was forced to stop when she and the soul reached a courtyard surrounded by strange, robotic Prinnies. They moved in eerie unison, chanting:
"We are Pringer X! WE Exterminate! We are Pringer X! WE Exterminate! We are Pringer X! WE Exterminate!"
Higan lowered her stance, her spear poised to strike. "Enough of this massacre," she declared. "I, Higan Zesshosai, will put an end to your madness!"
She was about to lunge when the soul she was following was suddenly captured by a sword—snatched away like a prize.
A figure emerged from the shadows, and as Higan locked eyes with the stranger, her blood ran cold. The face... it was too familiar.
"Hmph. Seems that the Higan of this universe is just as strong as mine," the stranger mocked, holding the glowing sword aloft. "Too bad you’ll share the same fate."
"Who... are you?" Higan demanded.
Meanwhile, at Zeroken’s Dojo...
"Thanks for helping with the kiddo, Master Goldion! You’re really the father of Liezerota and Void Dark, huh?" Zeroken said with his usual boundless energy, earning a warm chuckle from Goldion and an amused smile from Liezerota.
By the way," Zeroken continued, scratching the back of his head, "it's been a few days since I last saw him around. Everything okay?"
"Worry not, young pupil," Goldion replied, voice full of pride. "My son is working hard to make up for his endless mistakes. He's taken a role teaching at the prisons—helping demons reform and become stronger fighters."
Liezerota nodded, her smile soft and hopeful at the thought of her brother finally finding a new, healthier path.
Suddenly, a soft moan echoed through the dojo.
"Wait!" Zeroken cried out, pointing. "The kiddo's waking up!"
Evil Academy, before the attack on Laharl’s Netherworld – Mao’s Room
"Mao, you can't just spend the whole holiday playing video games!" Raspberyl scolded, striking her iconic angry pose. "It's bad for your health!"
"Shut up, Beryl!" Mao snapped back, hammering buttons furiously. "I’ve only got two days of freedom left before the students come back, and I’ll have to work again! Ugh, it’s so hard being a Dean!" he whined dramatically.
"Lord Mao, I honestly can’t recall a single day when you didn’t skip your duties to play," Almaz said with a sigh. Beside him, Sapphire chuckled behind her hand.
"OUT. OF. MY. ROOM! Or I’ll use you all as my next guinea pigs!" Mao shouted, veins bulging.
Grumbling, the group shuffled toward the door—until they all froze. A strange noise was coming from the direction of Mao’s lab: mechanical whirring and faint scraping sounds that definitely shouldn’t be there.
"My Lady, should we investigate?" Kyoko and Asuka asked, turning to Beryl. "There’s not supposed to be anyone in that room."
Beryl grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Good idea! Let’s go—together!"
Near Hades, slightly before the events at Evil Academy
"Uuugh, why do I have to do this? That werewolf’s impossible to deal with!" Nitra groaned, dragging her feet.
"Fififi! Just think of it this way—these Love and Peace lessons are one more step toward your full pardon! You’ve got this, Nitra!" Ceefore cheered enthusiastically.
"I know, Cee... but why are you even here? Tomorrow’s supposed to be the big surprise day in Veldime, isn’t it?" Nitra asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Cannonline promised to send us the live recording!" Ceefore said with a bright grin. "That way, I can focus with Sugar and Spice on investigating why there’s suddenly a shortage of Prinnies. Besides," she added, her tone softening, "since communication with Celestia’s cut off in that area... I didn’t want you to be alone."
Chapter 8: Night of Darkness - Part 3
Summary:
We learn what happened in Laharl's Netherworld
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Near Hades, slightly before the events at Evil Academy
"By the way, Cee, how’s your collaboration with that mad scientist Mao going?" Nitra asked, curious.
"Wonderfully! His lab is packed with weapons and explosives — I could stay there foreeeever! And don’t even get me started on the gunpowder quality!" Ceefore squealed, practically vibrating with excitement. "Fififi, sorry, I’m getting off track... You know how much I love gunpowder. And weapons, of course!"
She cleared her throat and continued, "According to the latest results, the lab prototypes should allow for the safe preservation of a soul when it’s extracted from an Infernal Treasure body. Cannonline said that after the Veldime surprise, when she will found how to bind the souls to the prototypes, she plans to start experimenting on some volunteers. And—"
Ceefore suddenly froze, a chill running down her spine.
"Nitra... do you feel like we’re being watched?"
"Yeah... I’ve had that feeling for a few minutes now—" Nitra began to reply, but was cut off as Ceefore, reacting in a flash, fired a blast from her gun, Hicchu Ryoma, straight toward the unseen threat.
After a few tense minutes, Nitra finally relaxed and said, more calmly, "Whoever it was... it looks like the threat is gone now. Come on, Cee — let's head back to the classroom."
Laharl’s Castle — Shortly Before the Xeno Fuji Incident
"Prinnies! Fetch medicine for stomach aches, diarrhea remedies, and about a dozen buckets!" Hanako barked, patting Etna on the back as she helplessly unloaded the Cotton Candy Zombie into one of the buckets.
"I suggest you hide very far away from here," Hanako warned Aramis, her voice dangerously sweet. "Once she’s done unloading that abomination you dared call a 'sweet,' you’ll wish you were in another Netherworld."
"I'll take that advice right now!" Aramis agreed, sweating bullets as he remembered Etna’s legendary punishments for those who crossed her. He rushed toward the exit to gather his things when—
"Well, well, well... what do we have here?" a hoarse, slimy voice echoed through the castle halls.
Etna’s head snapped up, her red eyes flashing with fury. She recognized that disgusting voice immediately—she hadn't heard it since the day she and Laharl defeated him long ago.
"Maderas?! What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t the humiliating beatdown we gave you last time teach you anything (1)?" Etna snarled, fists clenching tight.
"This is how you greet an old friend? You wound me, Etna darling," Maderas mocked with a twisted grin as he grabbed a struggling Aramis by the scruff of his neck. "Stop squirming, you pathetic rodent! Luckily, my new Master gifted me with this lovely Infernal Treasure."
Then, Maderas shoved Aramis into a cursed, writhing cape that swallowed him whole.
"But enough chit-chat," Maderas hissed, raising his arms. "Dark Durians — kill them all!!"
At his command, an army of black Prinnies stormed the castle, laying waste to everything in their path with gleeful destruction.
Outside Laharl’s Castle — At the Same Moment
"See, Xenolith? That meeting with the other Overlords was a huge success! No one dared to stand against me, the great King Laharl—hahahahaha!" Laharl boasted proudly as they made their way back.
"! — Overlord Laharl, do you see those explosions?!" Xenolith interrupted, pointing grimly toward the castle.
Inside Laharl’s Castle
"Like hell we're going to let you destroy our home!" Hanako screamed, her eyes blazing with fury.
She grabbed her devil clay pot and hurled it at the nearest Dark Durian with all her might. The cursed fruit exploded on impact, sending shards and rot flying in all directions.
Meanwhile, Etna’s Prinnies, displaying rare moments of tactical brilliance, launched their joycons like grenades—each one detonating with chaotic, cartoonish force.
The explosions triggered a wild chain reaction, decimating the enemy ranks in a wave of smoke and yelps.
Across the battlefield, Etna’s voice thundered with venom: "Maderas! Let Aramis go—NOW! Or I swear, I’ll show you what happens when Higan deals with trash like you!" (2)
She collided with him like a comet, spear in hand, her strikes filled with righteous fury.
But to her shock, Maderas was different—stronger, faster, more precise. He met her assault blow for blow, wielding a dark, otherworldly weapon she’d never seen before.
"Who taught you to fight like this?! Where the hell did you get that weapon?!" Etna spat, parrying a savage arc that nearly split the air in two.
Around them, the castle erupted into all-out war—Prinnies, demons, and shadows battling amidst flame and debris. The Dark Durians kept coming, swarming like cockroaches from every corner.
Then—a scream.
"HAAAGH!!"
Hanako was snatched mid-charge, a clawed hand tightening around her throat. With a brutal crack, she was slammed into the stone wall, her devil pot clattering to the floor.
"Hanako!" Etna cried, heart lurching. “Prinny Squad! Surround Maderas! Don’t let that bastard escape!”
She lunged to help—but too late. A flash of steel—
An Infernal Sword sank into her side, its cursed venom already spreading through her bloodstream like wildfire. Her limbs trembled. The strength bled from her muscles.
"Y-you..." she gasped, eyes locking on her attacker, before darkness claimed her.
"Tch. I hope these two brats are worth the trouble," Xeno Fuji muttered, stepping forward, his eyes cold and hollow.
He glanced at Hanako’s limp body like she was a broken toy. "Because if they’re not, Maderas—you’ll be joining the worms."
Maderas opened his mouth, perhaps to protest… but history never recorded his reply.
Because in that instant—
“ETNA!! HANAKO!!”
Laharl’s scream echoed through the ruined hall as he vaulted over the wreckage, eyes blazing with raw, unfiltered rage.
The stench of smoke, blood, and cursed fruit filled the air, but all he saw was Etna—collapsed, blood pooling beneath her, and Hanako limp against the shattered stone wall.
“DAMN IT!!” He dropped to his knees beside Etna, cradling her gently, his voice cracking. “You idiot… You’re supposed to be tougher than this…”
Behind him, Xenolith advanced with eerie calm, his crimson gaze sweeping over the battlefield like a scanning sensor.
His expression tightened—not in sorrow, but in fury. “You’ll pay for this. I swear it.”
A furious roar shattered the air. Laharl, blazing with wrath, stormed into the hall with Xenolith close behind. Their power surged like a tidal wave crashing through the battlefield.
Xeno Fuji’s expression twisted into a sneer.
No more words. No theatrics. Just instinct.
A portal appeared and he and Maderas vanished into the shadows without another sound...
Laharl's Castle – End of Etna's Flashback
“So let me get this straight—there’s a version of me out there who’s not just a wayward warrior, but a full-blown monster?” Fuji asked, his voice strained with disbelief. “No wonder you lashed out the moment I arrived here...”
“That’s what it looks like,” Ao replied with a solemn nod, her gaze steady. “It’s hard to imagine, Dad… because I know how kind you really are.”
The words hit harder than any blade. Fuji staggered back, a hand over his mouth—then coughed up blood.
“G-Gah—!” Fuji choked, coughing up blood the instant Ao’s words hit him like a critical strike due to his Empathy Killer curse.
“Wait—what? Are you saying there could be other victims too?” Laharl shouted, eyes widening with alarm. His instincts were already screaming battle stations.
Fuji forced himself up, wiping the blood from his chin with the back of his hand.
“Ao,” he said, locking eyes with his daughter, “we’re heading back to Shogun Stupid’s castle. Whatever’s coming next, we can’t afford to be caught off guard. And Piriko… we still have no idea where she is...or if she’s even alive....”
Act One - End
Notes:
(1) In the main story of Disgaea 1, Maderas ends up as Etna’s slave after his defeat, but afterward, he largely disappears from the narrative.
In this story, however, he was simply beaten to a pulp and left forgotten
(2) A reference to the introductory event of Disgaea 7 as featured in Disgaea RPG
Chapter 9: Second Interlude - Xeno Pirilika's tragedy
Summary:
We begin to uncover the truth behind Xeno Pirilika’s tragic past
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Alternate Hinomoto - Two months after Fuji and Pirilika's encounter
“Please… don’t be so cheerful. If the Master hears you, his experiments on you will only grow crueler.”
Thank you, Ao… but I have to do this!” Pirilika insisted, her voice trembling. “I owe it to everyone he killed aboard my Nethership!”
She clenched her fists, trying to hold back the tears. “He promised—he said that if I handed over all of Tempoora’s funds and the Infernal Treasure in my possession, he would spare their lives… How could he? How could he lie like that?”
Her composure finally broke as she began to cry.
“And my poor father… He loved Hinomoto with all his heart…” she whispered, her voice barely audible beneath the weight of her grief.
Alternate Hinomoto – Several months after Fuji and Pirilika's Encounter
“Do you think… if things had been different… we could’ve been friends?” Ao asked softly, her voice breaking with tears.
Pirilika didn’t respond right away. Her body trembled, still reeling from the latest of Fuji’s cruel experiments.
“…Maybe… at first… you would’ve thought I was just some airheaded girl,” she whispered between ragged breaths, forcing a small, pained smile. “But I really believe… we could’ve become like family. Even my sister… Chloe (1)… she would’ve adored you…”
Alternate Hinomoto – That same month
Ao crept into the cell, clutching the Kanzan Musashi tightly in her hands—stolen in secret from Fuji’s chambers. Her eyes were filled with resolve.
“I can’t… I can’t watch you suffer like this anymore,” she said, her voice trembling.
Pirilika, weakened, barely managed to turn her head toward Ao.
“I overheard Master talking,” Ao continued, “He said the Infernal Treasures can awaken when they recognize a worthy bearer. Please… take this sword. Use it to protect yourself.”
“Please…” she whispered, on the verge of tears.
Pirilika’s fingers brushed against the blade. It began to shimmer—faint at first, then glowing brilliantly.
“…It’s ringing?” they both said at once, stunned by the sudden resonance.
A silence followed. The light of the sword reflected in Pirilika’s eyes.
Then, her voice broke the hush.
“Thank you… for everything you’ve done, Ao. But I fear… this body of mine is nearing its limit.”
She took a breath, steadying her voice for one final plea.
“That’s why I need to ask you… one last favor…”
Notes:
(1) Chloe is the Saber Cat in the Nethership. According to Disgaea RPG, Pirilika considers her as a sister
Chapter 10: Act two - Battle in Veldime - Part one
Summary:
A new act of this story begins.
Chapter Text
Hinomoto, Shogun's Castle - After Higan's departure
“Yeyasu, for the love of—if you don’t tear your eyes away, that dimensional portal won’t hold for another minute,” Suisen muttered, arms crossed as he watched his brother stare at the swirling gateway.
Yeyasu ran a hand through his hair. “I know, I know… but Higan’s sense of danger is on a whole other level. I can’t just switch off the worry...”
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the hum of the portal.
“Fine,” Suisen conceded at last. “you can go. But I’ll wait for Fuji and Ao back at the Castle while I try to reestablish the communication with Veldime.”
Then he let out a reluctant chuckle. “Who’d have thought you—of all demons—could fall so hard? Sometimes you forget you’re the Shogun.”
A grin broke across Yeyasu’s face. “Thanks, Suisen. You’re the best brother ever. Heading to Veldime now!”
With that, the Shogun turned on his heel and strode toward the portal, determination shining in his eyes.
Zeroken's Dojo
“Hey there, kiddo—look who’s awake!” Zeroken exclaimed softly, his voice warm as he extended a hand toward the little girl. “Let me help you up onto these cushions.”
But the moment his palm hovered in her line of sight, the child recoiled, eyes wide with terror. “No—please, don’t hit me!” she whimpered, her voice trembling.
Horror washed over Zeroken’s features. He withdrew his hand gently, heart aching at the sight of her fear. “Oh, you poor thing,” he murmured, his tone suffused with compassion. “It seems you’ve been living in a nightmare until now, hasn’t it?”
Veldime - Back to Higan
"Who... are you?" Higan demanded.
Chapter 11: Battle in Veldime - Part two
Summary:
The fight between team Higan/Yeyasu VS Xeno Fuji continues.
Chapter Text
Veldime – Back to Higan and Yeyasu
Thanks to Yeyasu’s perfectly timed surprise attack, Xeno Fuji faltered for a brief but crucial moment—just long enough for Higan to intercept his blade with her spear.
“Yeyasu?! What are you doing here? You were supposed to stay back at the castle!” Higan exclaimed, astonished.
“Maybe I’m here to save my wife?” Yeyasu grinned cheekily—only to receive a sharp (but restrained) flick on the forehead.
“Eeep! Why are you being so meanie with me?!” he whined, rubbing the sore spot.
“Focus, Yeyasu. He’s charging again,” Higan warned, gripping her spear tighter.
The clash resumed. Higan’s spear locked with Xeno Fuji’s sword in a violent arc of sparks. She deflected it just in time as Yeyasu unleashed a barrage of Tera Star, forcing Xeno Fuji to dodge.
For a tense few minutes, the battle raged across the shattered landscape. Then Higan spotted a large block of broken concrete nearby. With a powerful strike of her fist, she shattered it into chunks and launched them skyward.
“Yeyasu—you know what to do!”
“Leave it to me! Tera Wind!”
With a wave of his staff, Yeyasu summoned a mighty gust, propelling the flying debris straight toward Xeno Fuji. He twisted to evade, but one chunk struck his sword—hard.
A crack splintered across the cursed blade.
In the next instant, the weapon began to glow ominously… and then erupted in spectral light as the imprisoned souls within were suddenly released, their anguished cries echoing into the void.
“Tch! You were saved by sheer dumb luck,” Xeno Fuji hissed. “Hey—Angel! Open the portal!”
Far in the distance, the silhouette of a celestial being stirred.
“I am NOT your butler,” the angel muttered in disdain.
But with a shimmer of divine energy, a portal opened behind them, and both vanished into its light.
Moments later, the battlefield fell silent.
Yeyasu dropped to his knees, exhausted. He looked around at the devastation, eyes heavy with regret.
“…What happened to this day? It was supposed to be a joyful one...”
Snow Melody Clan - Main Site
“Is she asleep?” Majolene asked softly, her voice laced with concern.
“Yes,” Flonne nodded gently. “The sleeping spell I cast should keep her resting for a few hours at least. Poor Cannonline… Watching your daughter be taken right in front of you, powerless to stop it—it would break any parent's heart.”
“We should all rest.” Sicily added, her expression grim. “The teleportation spell we used to evacuate everyone drained almost all our energy..."
Nearby, Fuka, Desco, Yukimaru, and Fubuki moved swiftly among the injured, administering healing and comfort where they could.
“Thankfully, Adell, Rozalin, and Taro are away on a short vacation to relax before Rozalin’s due date, when it all happened.” Adell’s mother said through tears, her voice shaking. “I can’t bear to imagine what would’ve happened if they’d been here…"
"That creature—was he really an angel? He watched the slaughter with no emotion at all…” Adell’s father said.
“I can’t believe Master Lamington would ever allow something like this,” Flonne replied solemnly. “I suspect what we saw was a Xeno version of someone else from Celestia. That’s why I have to return. As soon as the wounded are stable, I’m going back to Celestia with Sicily and Cannonline.”
“I’ll help you to send Fuka, Desko and Majolene to their respective Netherworlds” Sicily said firmly. “Thankfully, Big Brother doesn’t know I was here today...”
Hinomoto - Shogun's Castle
“Thank you for your cooperation, Pii-Chan. With this data, I should be able to reestablish contact with Veldime. Yeyasu and Higan are still there.” Suisen said, his tone calm yet focused.
“Think nothing of it,” Pii-Chan replied, though with a faint tremor of worry in the voice. “But I am concerned. This has never happened before—losing track of Miss Pirilika like this when she, Fuji and Ao were supposed to enjoy their surprise in Veldime... As her personal secretary, it’s absolutely unforgivable!”
Chapter 12: Third Interlude - Shogun's wedding!
Summary:
We will now reveal the long-awaited wedding of Yeyasu and Higan. But beyond the vows and celebration lies a hidden turning point… one that will reshape the destiny of the Crimson Dark forever.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto – One Year and some months before this story (1)
"I never thought I’d live to see the day you showed up fully clothed, Fuji. And in designer wear from Tempoora, no less!" Yeyasu said with a playful grin, tugging at Fuji’s kimono sleeve. “If I weren’t marrying Higan today, I’d be proposing to you.”
"Hmph," Fuji grunted, crossing his arms stiffly. "And I never thought Master Higan would settle down. Especially not with you. And yet here we are." He glanced away before adding: "Master Higan insisted that Piriko design the outfits for all of us—said it was non-negotiable."
Fuji sighed, then continued: "Piriko mentioned she’s planning to launch today’s outfits as the next big Tempoora wedding collection. Only she would turn a private ceremony into a marketing campaign."
A few minutes passed in a rare moment of calm, before Fuji narrowed his eyes and muttered, “Remind me again why the Shogun of Hinomoto is having a private wedding with just a few close friends? Shouldn’t this be the event of the century?”
Without warning, he unsheathed his sword just enough to press its edge toward Yeyasu’s neck. “Are you sure you’re not pulling some kind of fake marriage scam on her?”
Before Yeyasu could answer, Suisen stepped in, exasperated. “Can you two not fight with each other before the vows?!”
I bet that it’s just Fuji's idea of a background check, Suisen thought, rolling his eyes. If he doesn’t threaten to decapitate you before the ceremony, you’re not really marrying into the group.
Fuji relented, sliding the blade back into its scabbard with a scowl.
Yeyasu raised his hands in mock surrender. “For the record, this was mine and Higan’s decision. My mother—and Ikki’s—passed away long ago.
The Empress seat has been vacant ever since. Higan just wants time to adjust to her new role before stepping into the spotlight.
And I’ll support her, whatever she chooses. Then we’ll announce the marriage and throw the wildest Partay Hinomoto’s ever seen.”
“Says the demon who just wanted to try being married like it’s some new videogame genre,” Fuji muttered. (2)
“Excuse me?” Yeyasu shot back. “If I wasn’t serious, I wouldn’t have sold my entire videogame collection just to finance the Moboo experiment!” (3)
Fuji raised an eyebrow.
“Besides,” Yeyasu continued, his tone softening, “love doesn’t always start with fireworks. Sometimes it just… grows. Bit by bit. Over shared meals. Over stubborn arguments."
He looked down, then back up.
“If I’d tried to feed her like she demanded that day (4), it wouldn’t have worked out. We needed to grow—to become better versions of ourselves first."
He smiled faintly.
“That’s love.”
Fuji immediately doubled over, coughing up blood as the Empathy Killer curse flared violently.
Suisen winced but said nothing. Even Yeyasu fell quiet for a moment, watching Fuji steady himself.
Then—because he was Yeyasu—he grinned and nudged him.
“By the way, Higan’s condition for this wedding was that I cover all her food bills, and I did. Remember what I asked in return? Come on. Three little words.”
Fuji glared at him, trembling.
“Say: Brother-in-law.”
“I… I c-can do it…” Fuji stammered, trying and failing.
“B-b-bro—GAAAH!”
Another spurt of blood.
“Quiet,” Suisen cut in sharply, “The bride is entering.”
Everyone immediately stood straighter as Higan appeared at the end of the aisle, radiant in a blood-red kimono trimmed with silver, her signature spear resting across her back.
Yeyasu looked up, all joking gone from his face.
His eyes shimmered—not with awe, but with quiet certainty.
“…Worth every sacrifice,” he whispered.
Meanwhile in Hinomoto - Unknown Location
Crimson Dark stood frozen, utterly flabbergasted.
Right before him, his lifelong idol Void Dark was casually conversing with none other than the legendary, musclebound loudmouth himself—Overlord Red Magnus.
“Suuuuper annoying! I mean, sure, I’m glad you're finally trying to find a goal that isn’t total annihilation...but you’re still the biggest whiny siscon I’ve ever met!” Red Magnus bellowed, flexing his absurdly large biceps with gusto.
Crimson Dark’s entire worldview began to crumble.
"Siscon?!"
His heart clenched. His blood ran cold. He trembled as the word echoed through his soul like a cursed incantation.
“Oh, but I am doing this for my beloved sister,” Void Dark declared dramatically, hand on chest like a seasoned stage actor. “She said she’d cut me out of her life forever if I didn’t change my ways! Oh, my sister—every moment without her is like being flayed alive!”
As Void Dark’s voice rose into a melodramatic wail, Red Magnus paused mid-flex, his boisterous energy briefly fading.
He sensed an an aura of despair and he turned toward Crimson Dark, who was now on his knees.
“What’s up with you?” Red Magnus asked, surprisingly calm.
“I can’t believe it…” Crimson choked out. “Void Dark… the one I looked up to...the demon I idolized…he’s just a melodramatic wreck driven by sibling issues? First my Master Mugai, and now this?! The demon I revered is a whiny siscon?! WHY ME?!”
Without notice, Red Magnus delivered a hearty fist-bonk to Crimson’s head—light enough not to hurt, but hard enough to snap him out of his spiral.
“End this nonsense,” Red Magnus said, his voice suddenly grounded and wise. “You don’t need idols. You need you. Your own strength. Your own fire. You gotta become your own legend.”
He offered a hand and flashed a toothy grin.
“If you want, I’ll help you find your path. The suuuper way.”
Notes:
(1) 1 human year
(2) Disgaea 7, Opener's postlude
(3) Chapter one of this story
(4) Disgaea 7, Opener's postlude - "If you can feed me, I'll happily marry you"
Chapter 13: At the end of the day
Summary:
The first day of this story slowly draws to a close, leaving behind unanswered questions
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Near Hades – Moments After Cefore’s Attack
“Ugh! My Clairvoyance failed to foresee being struck by that wretched angel from such a distance!” hissed a cloaked figure, emerging from the shadows, clutching his shoulder. His voice dripped with venom, but also satisfaction. “Still… my talents weren’t wasted. I’ve uncovered exactly what we needed.”
With a grimace, he muttered an incantation, a faint glow pulsing around his wound as he healed it. Once finished, he opened a dark warphole with a flick of his hand and stepped through.
Later – Near Zeroken’s Dojo
"I intercepted an useful conversation in the Hades." the cloaked figure declared to Xeno Fuji and Maderas, his tone sharpened with triumph. “According to what I overheard, in this universe, Cannonline is in Veldime—and logically, the Infernal Treasure we’ve been seeking.”
“And the last tools we need are housed within Evil Academy,” he added, eyes glinting with purpose.
Maderas grinned wickedly, his clawed fingers twitching with excitement. “That’s not all. The Dark Durian I disguised as a Prinny and sent to spy on Laharl’s Netherworld has returned with a trove of useful information.”
He practically giggled with glee. “Among the vassals there’s a gifted zombie creator and a summoner of considerable power—exactly the resources we need for the next phase of our plan.” His voice trembled with anticipation, the thought of unleashing chaos as revenge for his past humiliation filling him with twisted joy.
Xeno Fuji, silent until now, let out a cold, cruel chuckle. His eyes drifted to Xeno Ao.
“She’s served her purpose,” he said, his voice laced with disdain. “That outdated relic of an Infernal Weapon has outlived her usefulness. I think it’s time we discarded the dead weight.”
His devilish smile deepened as he turned his back on her, shadows curling at his feet like vultures ready to consume the discarded.
Present day - Same location
Xeno Ao blinked in disbelief.
The last time a hand had reached for her without intent to harm… had been Pirilika’s before her death.
That single act of kindness had been the only light in her life.
She had faked her death to escape a life of violence and torment. But now... Could there really be hope?
Pirilika's voice echoed in her memory, faint and fragile like a lullaby from a distant dream:
“I don’t know how... but I am sure that... one day... some day... you’ll be happy.” (1)
A single tear slid down her cheek before her eyes closed again. She lost consciousness once more, retreating into the silence.
Laharl's Castle
“Overlord Laharl, dood!” said a breathless Prinny. “We received an emergency bottle from Marona, dood!”
“Marona?” Laharl raised an eyebrow. “Bring it to my chamber. Xenolith, come with me.”
Laharl's Private Chamber
Laharl uncorked the bottle and unfurled the scroll within, his eyes scanning the contents.
Xenolith stood at his side, arms crossed.
“It seems that fiend’s chaos has spread to other Netherworlds,” Xenolith observed. “What shall we reply to Miss Marona?”
Laharl was quiet for a moment. Then, his gaze hardened.
“Tell her we’re handling it. She doesn’t need to get involved.”
Shogun's Castle – Evening
“I still can’t believe what you witnessed in Veldime…” Suisen said, having finally reestablished contact with his brother and Higan. His voice was trembling.
Standing nearby, Pii-Chan added, “And we still have no word on what happened to Miss Pirilika, Miss Cannonline, or the Love & Freak Company. At least... at least they weren’t among the confirmed dead.”
Suisen’s eyes narrowed. “Fuji and Ao are still unaware of the full situation. Yeyasu, Higan—return to the castle. We need to regroup and decide our next move.”
Yeyasu exhaled slowly, fatigue and frustration etched into his features. “I just hope they’re hiding somewhere… anywhere safe. First thing tomorrow, I’ll dispatch Partyasu and Big Bull to start the investigation.”
Higan glanced down at Yeyasu’s bandaged arm, her eyes softening. “For now… we should tend to our wounds. We can’t protect anyone if we fall apart ourselves.”
Notes:
(1) A reference to Phantom Brave
Chapter 14: Thoughts under the moon - Part 1
Summary:
We are back to Hinomoto. Some of our protagonists will reminish the past
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle
“Hey, Beakface! You’ve got work to do!” Fuji said as he spotted Pii-Chan in the castle.
“You? Giving me orders? As Miss Pirilika’s personal secretary, my services don’t come cheap, you know.” was Pii-Chan's reply.
“Hmph,” Fuji grunted. “You just need to draft a contract for the Nethertime Support Force. I’ll fill you in on the details later.”
He turned to another figure in the room. “Hey, Suisen. Where are Yeyasu and Master Higan? We’ve got something serious to discuss. All of us.”
Just as the words left his mouth, a glowing portal shimmered to life. Yeyasu and Higan stepped through, their clothes slightly torn and bandages visible across their arms and shoulders.
Ao gasped, eyes wide. “Auntie Higan! Uncle Yey-yey! You’re hurt! Did… did you get into a fight?”
That Night in the Castle – Ao
Ao was in the bed, deeply worried for Pirilika.
Her mind wandered back to a moment, long ago, when she snapped at Pirilika in a fit of jealousy:
"I just know you’re different from me. You were showered with love. Maybe that’s why you’re such an airhead." (1)
Pirilika never held a grudge for those words. And in time, together with her father, she had become part of Ao’s little world of warmth.
"Thank you, Pirilly, for the dress you sewed for me… It’ll always be one of my greatest treasures."
"Thank you, Pirilly, for the manicure! Ao loves this color so much! I can’t wait to show Dad!"
"Thank you, Pirilly, for coming with me today. Dad couldn’t, but he said he trusted you!"
She smiled faintly through the worry, then remembered another distant moment—her father and Pirilika talking about her future:
"I know how you feel, Fuji," Pirilika had said gently. "But Evil Academy would let Ao meet demons beyond Hinomoto. Don’t you want what’s best for her?"
“Oh, Pirilly…” Ao whispered into the darkness, clutching her pillow close. “Please be safe…”
That night in the Castle - Fuji
After debriefing everyone about what had transpired in Laharl's Netherworld—and the disturbing revelation of a Xeno version of himself—the room had fallen into a heavy silence. The weight of it still clung to him.
Before they dispersed, his master had spoken in a serious thone:
"Fuji, we have something to tell you and Ao tomorrow. Please stay at the castle tonight."
And now, hours later, Fuji found himself wandering the dim corridors of the castle, the Nethermoon casting long shadows across the stone floors. His thoughts drifted, unbidden, to a recent exchange with Pirilika. He could still hear her voice echoing in his mind, light and teasing:
"...See, Fuji? That wasn’t so hard! Oh, what would you ever do without me?"
He smirked faintly at the memory, but the smile didn’t last. The silence crept back in—louder than ever.
He remembered when, after they defeated Mugai, he had said to her:
"...That fullfills our contract. I am pretty glad I don't have to see your face anymore." (2)
And yet, here he was now, wondering when he had grown so accustomed to Piriko’s presence—when her voice, her teasing, her quiet support had become a part of his everyday life, so familiar it was almost unsettling to imagine its absence.
That night in the Castle – Higan and Yeyasu’s Bedroom
“Higan?” Yeyasu asked softly, his voice barely rising above the rustle of blankets. “Do you think I’ll survive another one of Fuji’s chases after we tell him Pirilika vanished during the surprise we set up in Veldime?”
Higan chuckled, a low, fond sound. “That brings back memories. Ao once told me he did the same thing when you asked for his blessing to marry me.”
Yeyasu winced at the memory, though a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “I was sore for a week.”
“Maybe I should mention her to him,” Higan said with mock innocence, a playful glint in her eye. “That should trigger his curse. It might buy you a few seconds to run.”
They shared a short laugh, but it faded quickly.
The levity dissolved, leaving only silence—and the heavy weight of uncertainty. The absence of Pirilika hung between them like a shadow, unspoken but deeply felt.
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7, Chapter 6
(2) Disgaea 7, Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Thoughts under the moon - Part 2
Summary:
We will now have a glance to other characters thoughts
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Celestia – Seraph Lamington’s Private Chamber
Seraph Lamington sat in silence, lost in memories of a different time—back when he was known not as a Seraph, but as Christo, the tactician of the Rebel Army.
He recalled the moment before the final battle against Void Dark, speaking with Killia in quiet candor.
"I figure I should confess this to you...I'm actually an ang-" (1)
But Killia had interrupted with a knowing smile:
"You're Christo, the Overlord of Certain Giant. And, you're our ally and chief tactician of the rebel army..." (2)
That moment, and the bond he shared with the other five Overlords, had reshaped his life.
In the years that followed, before of returning to Celestia, he chose to remain among demons, helping to rebuild the shattered Netherworlds, working toward something greater than war.
“Why, one day an angel and a demon might join hands to save the world together.” he once said with conviction. “I have a strong feeling about this.” (3)
And yet… somewhere out there, his other self had chosen a different path—bringing death, not salvation, side by side with a demon.
Zeroken's Dojo
As Zeroken gently placed a fresh cloth on Xeno Ao’s fevered forehead, his thoughts drifted back to the exchange he had earlier with Master Goldion and Liezerota, their words still echoing in his mind.
“I’m sorry, Zeroken,” Goldion said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “But I fear the child doesn’t have much time left. I can’t fully explain it, but her body isn’t responding to our treatments the way it should. It’s as if her very physiology is different from ours...”.
Zeroken clenched his fists, his voice trembling. “Even so, Master...Are we just going to let her die? I can’t accept that!”
“Zeroken…” came Lieze’s gentle voice, calm but heavy with meaning. “Perhaps… you should write to him. Ask for his help. But know this—doing so will mean he’ll realize that we know…that he’s not a demon.”.
“That’s why I need to ask you… one last favor…”
In her fevered delirium, Xeno Ao relived the final moments of Xeno Pirilika.
“…Please,” Pirilika whispered, her voice quivering, “absorb this sword into your body. It might stabilize you, even if just for a little while. You told me you’re a living Infernal Treasure, right?”
“No!” Ao’s voice cracked, her eyes wide and wild. “I can’t take this! Please… don’t do this…”
Pirilika’s gaze softened, but beneath it, pain flickered like a dying ember.
“He was here… until about an hour ago,” Pirilika murmured, her voice thin and fragile. “He found out… that Cannonline is my mother.”
Ao’s heart plummeted. Horror churned through her gut. She didn’t need to ask how he discovered it — the possibilities alone made her sick.
“He said he’d suspected it for a while… because we look so much alike. So, he’s planning to use me as bait,” Pirilika continued, her voice wavering. “To draw her out… to get the Zenryo Yoichi. If he succeeds… it’s over. His plan will be nearly complete. I can’t let that happen.”
A weak, bitter laugh escaped her, but it quickly dissolved into a coughing fit. “I can feel it… my body’s falling apart. The last experiment… it was too much. There’s not much time left.”
Her hand shook as she pressed the sword toward Ao, her eyes pleading. “If I die like this… my body will turn to ash. There’ll be nothing left of me. No bait for my mother. No leverage for him. And he won’t care about the sword — he’s too obsessed with that bow.”
Ao’s hands trembled as she stared at the blade. The edges blurred through her tears. Her breath hitched, and with a sob that tore through her chest, she reached out and absorbed the sword into herself.
And then…
Pirilika raised a hand, her fingertips twitching. “Ao… could you… could you hold my hand?” she asked, her voice breaking, eyes wide with fear. “Dying alone is… scary.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ao seized her hand, clutching it as though it were the only thing tethering her to reality. Tears spilled down her cheeks, unrelenting.
Pirilika’s other hand rose shakily, brushing through Ao’s hair in a touch so soft it was almost ghostly. “Thank you, Ao…” she whispered, her voice fading, a fragile thread unraveling. “You’re such… a good child… I don’t know how, but… I’m sure that… one day… some day… you’ll be happy.”
Her hand slipped from Ao’s grasp.
And then, she was gone.
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 5 - Chapter 16
(2) Disgaea 5 - Chapter 16
(3) Disgaea 5 - Ending
Chapter 16: Fourth Interlude - Angel, no more
Summary:
Why Xeno Lamington chose a different path? Let's uncover his past
Chapter Text
Alternate Celestia - Unknown time
"…Therefore, from this moment forward, you are exiled—no longer an angel—until the day you redeem your name."
How long had it been since that fateful verdict?
Christo had long stopped counting. He no longer cared. The words that once echoed through his soul now rang hollow. He had grown weary—disgusted, even—by the self-righteousness, the narrow-mindedness, the quiet cruelty hidden behind smiles and hymns. Celestia’s hypocrisy had become unbearable.
Once, he’d viewed demons as nothing more than filthy, amoral creatures—soulless scum to be judged and corrected. But now? At least demons were honest. At least they made no pretense about what they were.
Alternate Hinomoto - Unknown time - Sardemon World
“Nice try,” a black-haired demon sneered to a purple-haired woman, his voice icy and devoid of mercy. “But this is the end for all of you.”
Christo stood frozen, his eyes wide as the carnage unfolded around him. Blood splattered across the ground, screams echoed in the air, and the scent of death hung heavy.
This… this was how demons lived. Raw. Unfiltered. Unapologetically themselves.
For the first time in what felt like centuries, Christo smiled—a real smile, not one crafted for diplomacy or appearances. Something stirred in his chest, something he thought long dead.
Perhaps I’ve found someone worth following for a while...
As the thought passed through him, a shift occurred. His pristine white wings darkened, feathers bleeding into crimson. Horns curled from his head—no longer illusions, but tangible, real.
The angel was gone.
Only Christo remained.
Alternate Hinomoto - Unknown Time and Place
Ao was wandering lost in thought, when she saw her.
There was no need for words. The woman standing in the shadows ahead—bow in hand, posture poised—was unmistakably her. The resemblance was haunting. The same determined eyes. The same delicate features.
She was Pirilika’s mother.
She was Cannonline.
“You!” Cannonline snapped, her voice sharp with suspicion. She raised her Demonic Bow, aiming without hesitation. “You’re the girl always with that monster! Don’t take another step.”
Ao stood still, her hands open, her voice calm and quiet. “You can lower your weapon… I’m not here to fight.”
“And why should I believe you?” Cannonline asked, tension still drawn in the string of her bow.
“He’s not here,” Ao answered. “If he was… he would’ve already taken the Zenryo Yoichi from you.”
That gave Cannonline pause. Slowly, she lowered her weapon, but her eyes remained wary.
Ao didn’t flinch. She just looked at her. And her gaze wasn’t one of anger, or fear… but of sorrow. Deep and aching sorrow.
“You really do look like her,” Ao whispered, her voice trembling. “You remind me so much of your daughter, Pirilika.”
Cannonline froze. “…Pirilika? How do you know that name?” she asked, a fragile edge cracking her tone. “How do you know I—?”
Ao’s lips trembled, her eyes dark and haunted. Then, in a shaky, uneven voice, she began to speak.
She told her everything.
About how he dragged a male Nekomata, bound and broken, before Pirilika—one who bore the same unmistakable double set of ears. How he slaughtered him right there, forcing her to watch, his only intent to shatter her spirit.
About how he loomed over Pirilika, his eyes cold and calculating, deciding at the last moment not to kill her. Not when he suspected she might be Cannonline’s daughter. Not when she could still be useful.
About the tortures. About the relentless, nightmarish experiments. About her last breath.
And her last smile—a fragile one still filled with kindness.
And as the words sank in, Cannonline fell to her knees. Her bow clattered to the ground beside her.
Her husband was gone. Her daughter was gone.
The pain she had buried deep in her soul tore free like a dam breaking. She clutched her chest as if trying to hold her heart together.
Ao stepped forward, kneeling gently beside her. No more words were spoken.
“Why?” Cannonline’s voice cracked—not with anger, but sorrow. “Why are you still following him? Come with me instead. You don’t belong with someone like him.”
Ao lowered her head, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Ao… doesn’t have a choice.”
She clutched her arms as if shielding herself from a pain no one could see.
“I tried,” she said softly. “I tried running away—more than once. But the angel who follows him... he has Clairvoyance. He always finds me.”
She looked up, her eyes hollow, her voice trembling.
“I’m not really a demon, Cannonline. I’m a living Infernal Treasure. To my master… I’m not a person. I’m not a child. I’m a thing. A tool he owns. A tool that has no right to choose her fate. Not even to die.”
A pause. Her fists clenched.
“If I stop working... if I resist... he feeds me souls. Forces them into me. Whether I want them or not.”
Cannonline’s expression contorted with fury and heartbreak, her hands tightening around her bow again—but not to attack Ao.
Ao continued, her voice thinner now. “The Demonic Sword Pirilika gave me… it’s the only reason I’m stable. I don’t need souls—for now. So he’s using the time to focus on his research. He doesn’t even care why my body’s not falling apart anymore. He’s just glad I’m quiet.”
Silence lingered between them, heavy and raw.
“Cannonline,” Ao whispered. “Do you want to know his weak point?”
Chapter 17: A new day begins
Summary:
We will know discover what happened in Veldime
Chapter Text
Near the gates of Celestia - Dawn
When Cannonline awoke a few hours earlier, for the briefest moment she clung to the desperate hope that her daughter’s kidnapping had been nothing but a terrible nightmare. But as the sun began to rise, reality offered no such mercy.
She relived everything again in her mind....
The summoning circle detonated with a burst of light far stronger than expected—unstable, but successful. Pirilika appeared in mid-air, tumbling down hard and landing on her rear with a startled yelp.
“Oooooooouch! What’s happening?!” Pirilika whined, rubbing her back.
“Hi, Pirilika,” Cannonline said gently with a smile. “How are you feeling?”
Pirilika blinked up at her. “Mother? You’re here? Did I die and somehow end up in Celestia without noticing?”
Cannonline chuckled softly. “No, my daughter. You’re in Veldime. We summoned you because—”
Why is he here already? He wasn’t supposed to arrive this soon…
Canonline’s mind raced, stunned by the unexpected turn.
He was already there. And flanking him, two unfamiliar, ominous figures.
Pirilika noticed her mother’s sudden change in expression and turned.
“Fuji?” Pirilika asked in disbelief. “You’re here too?”
But then she froze, her eyes sharpening. “Wait… who are you?”
The demon didn’t speak. In a flash, he lunged forward and seized Cannonline by the neck, lifting her effortlessly from the ground.
“Give me the Zenryo Yoichi, woman,” he growled, his voice devoid of warmth. “And your death will be quick.”
The members of Love & Freak Co. rushed to respond—but their attacks were intercepted. A vampire demon joined his power with that of an angel, and their combined force overwhelmed the assault.
Flonne and Sicily hesitated, paralyzed as the angel emerged behind them.
“Angels are forbidden from harming each other.” He warned, his tone deceptively calm. “Do you really want to test what happens when you break that law?”
“But we’re not angels!” Majolene snarled.
It didn’t matter. Their strikes barely grazed the enemy’s defense, swallowed by unholy synergy.
Meanwhile, Pirilika acted. She drew her Demonic Bow and fired an arrow directly at the demon’s shoulder, forcing him to release Cannonline.
“Leave my mother alone!” she shouted. “I have the Zenryo Yoichi! I’m the one you want!”
The demon who resembled Fuji turned toward her, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Hmph… so you’re alive in this dimension. And you possess the Infernal Treasure?”.
His eyes glinted with cold amusement. “This might actually be fun.”
He turned slightly. “Maderas. Take her. Then, we'll kill the others.”
As the others reeled, none noticed Pirilika’s next move—quick, precise, and instinctual. In one deft motion, she pulled back the bowstring and—snap—shattered it with a sharp twist.
Her breath hitched. But somewhere deep inside, a voice had screamed: Don’t let them take the Zenryo Yoichi intact. Don’t give them that power.
Celestia
"Master Lamington! We bring grave news," Flonne said, urgency tightening her voice.
The Seraph turned toward them. "Welcome back, Flonne. Sicily. Cannonline." He paused, his gaze settling on Flonne. "I was expecting you, Flonne. I have matters to discuss with you and Archangel Virunga."
Evil Academy – Mao's room
"Young Master!" Geoffrey X burst into the room, his voice breathless with excitement. "Everyone is starting to regain consciousness!"
Mao blinked, stunned. He couldn’t remember the last time he'd felt a weight so heavy lifted from his chest.
Celestia
The Seraph's expression grew solemn as he recounted his hidden past—his time spent among the Rebel Army, and the truth none had ever suspected: that the Xeno version of himself now wandered freely, spreading ruin among angels, demons, and humans alike.
Flonne listened quietly, heart pounding. Then she spoke, her voice trembling with the clarity of realization.
"Now I understand your teachings on Love... I always thought they came from the experience. You lived among demons, just like I did... You chose to see the good in them."
Lamington gave a faint smile.
"Still, the facts remain," he said. "You’re confirming that the Xeno version of myself assisted the attack on Veldime and the kidnapping of Cannonline’s daughter."
Virunga, silent until then, folded his arms. "What troubles me most is the target: Zenryo Yoichi. They were specifically after it, correct?"
"Yes," Flonne replied. "That bow has powerful healing properties... But why would someone devoted to destruction covet something that restores?"
A heavy silence followed.
"...Maybe I don’t understand because my knowledge of Infernal Treasures is limited," Flonne continued. "But there’s someone who does understand them—Angel Ceefore. Perhaps I should descend to Hades... and ask her directly."
Evil Academy – Later in the Infirmary
"WHAT?!" Mao shouted, the infirmary walls practically shaking.
"Have you lost your mind after nearly dying, Beryl?!" Mao snapped, eyes blazing. “You’re seriously suggesting we confirm the photo with Ao first? Do you even hear yourself right now?!”
Chapter 18: Something is beginning to stir
Summary:
We’re approaching the climax of Act Two. From here on out, everything is about to shift into motion
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto - Shogun’s Castle
“Good morning, Ao,” Suisen greeted gently. “Why are you sitting here alone? Did you receive some troubling news?”
Ao didn’t look up. “Good morning, Suisen… Yes. I did. And I could use your advice.”
Suisen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to her explanation.
“So… You received an official summons from Evil Academy.” he repeated carefully. “And if you refuse to attend, Overlord Mao is threatening to unleash destruction on Hinomoto to force your hand?”
Ao gave a small nod, her voice quiet but firm. “Yes. My heart tells me this is more than a summons. It may be connected to the Xeno version of my Dad. Your foresight predicted disturbances around Evil Academy… and perhaps this is what you sensed.”
“…And don’t forget the signs in Hades.” Suisen added. “But first things first… Are you sure you want to handle this alone?”
Ao’s gaze fell to the floor, her fists clenched. “We still haven’t found Pirilly… If I refuse the summons, I could ignite a war with Evil Academy. And right now, we can’t afford to divide our efforts while she’s still missing. I’ll go alone if I must.”
Suisen frowned in thought. “And what excuse can we give Fuji with a probability of success equal to 100%?”
Just then—
“Man, I’m beat.” Sea Again's voice came behind them. “That thief was tougher to arrest than I expected.”
“Indeed,” said Crimson Dark, following behind. “Let’s report to Shogun Yeyasu and then enjoy a much-needed soak in the Gero Haunt Springs.”
Suisen’s eyes lit up.
“…Ao, perhaps I have an idea. But I’ll need the help of these two,” Suisen said, nodding toward Sea Again and Crimson Dark.
“Gaaaah!” Fuji coughed hard as his Empathy Killer curse triggered violently.
“That’s exactly why I should go with my daughter!” he barked. “Who knows if that murder thief is still hiding in the Academy? I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to Ao—!”
“Fuji,” Suisen interrupted smoothly. “That’s why you should let us escort Ao instead. The Dean only wants her to inspect her room for anything missing—nothing more. Besides, Pii-Chan is en route to Laharl’s Netherworld, so you’re stretched thin. Let me and your two elders accompany her. Surely, you can trust us.”
Fuji clenched his jaw. "Fine...” he muttered with a reluctant sigh.
Shogun’s Castle – Briefing room
“So, Yeyasu, what was it you wanted to say to Ao and me yesterday?” Fuji asked.
Yeyasu froze like a deer in headlights. Or like a fear in the spotlights, as Pirilika would say. (1)
This is it. Today… I die…
But before he could speak, the room doors burst open.
“My apologies for the interruption, Shogun Yeyasu!” Akuma called as he entered. “But an Archangel from Celestia is requesting an audience. He claims he requires your cooperation to investigate the disappearance of Cannonline’s daughter.”
“What the—?” Fuji blinked in disbelief.
“Saved by an Angel!” Yeyasu screamed internally, nearly collapsing in relief. Thank you my beloved father Gachiyasu… I did well to pray to you yesterday!
Unknown Location – Inside a Prison
“Hanako! Look, she’s waking up!” Aramis said, relief evident in his voice.
“Thank goodness,” Hanako whispered. “When that monster struck her with that brutal slap, I thought he was going to kill her.”
“That bastard is completely heartless!” Aramis said, his jaw tight. “Do you remember how furious he was when he found out she’d broken that strange bow?”
Hanako swallowed hard, her expression darkening. “Yeah. ‘For now, I won’t do anything to you,’ he said. ‘But once the Demonic Bow is repaired, you’ll see.’”
Aramis shuddered, glancing toward the door as if expecting him to barge in at any moment. “He estimated it would take almost three days to fix the bow... But is there any chance — any chance at all — for us to escape before then?”
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 4
Chapter 19: Welcome to the Evil Academy! - Part 1
Summary:
We'll uncover the content of the photo took by Raspberyl
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Near the Evil Academy – In a Wasteland
“I believe my internal mechanisms are warning me of what demons refer to as a heart attack…” Suisen thought grimly, dust trailing from his battered frame as he lay in a fresh crater. Of all the outcomes he’d predicted, being launched from the sky by Ao as a thank-you gift was not on the list.
And yet… here he was.
“See? Wasn’t that fun, Suisen?” Ao beamed down at him, cheerfully dusting her hands off. “Crashing into buildings is even better—but I promised Dad I’d stop so he wouldn’t rack up new debts!”
Suisen’s eye twitched as he struggled to sit up. “Noted… For future gratitude… please consider a handwritten card…”
“WHOA! Did you see that Benikage?!” Sea Again shouted, mouth agape as he shielded his eyes from the rising dust. “The girlie just pulled off a lunatic launch! That was epic!”
“Hmph,” Crimson Dark grumbled beside him, arms crossed and a haunted look in his eyes. “You say that now… Try being her landing pad sometime. Twice.” (1)
Sea Again blinked. “Wait… You survived that?!”
Crimson Dark simply turned away, muttering something about ‘steel bones’ and ‘no honor in becoming a cushion.’
Wasteland – On the Way to Evil Academy
“By the way,” Suisen said thoughtfully, “I couldn’t help but notice—you’ve changed your attire.”
His eyes swept over Benikage’s new garments. His clothes echoed the dignity and discipline of a true bushido warrior—what Benikage had always seemed on the verge of becoming.
With a calm voice, Crimson Dark—no, Benikage—recounted everything. The day when he met Red Magnus (2). The moment of truth. The fire, the fury, the acceptance. How in stepping out from behind someone else’s shadow, he had earned a new title: Ryukage the Scarlet (3). And how, from now on, only a handful of people would hear him reclaim his birth name—Benikage.
“I’m no longer hiding,” he finished. “And I’d rather be remembered for who I am, not who I used to chase.”
Ao’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “That’s so cool! But not as cool as my Dad! My Dad is the bestest samurai ever!”. (4)
Benikage’s stern expression cracked slightly—was that a smirk?
“My dad is the bestest samurai ever!” Sea Again said with a bright chuckle. “I guess it’s true — you don’t need to share blood to be family. You sound just like him when he talked about his old man and...”
He glanced at Benikage. For just a second, their eyes met, and neither of them had to speak. They were both thinking of the same thing.
“Ao,” Sea Again said, grinning now, “Did you know, when your dad was a little kid, he used to go around saying—”
Dean's Office – Evil Academy
"Enough already!" Mao roared, slamming a fist on the desk. “I’m only being lenient because Beryl begged me to give you a chance to explain—but you keep insisting your father is innocent?! I have a photo Beryl took right before she fainted! That’s evidence!”
“And I am trying to stay composed only out of respect for Miss Beryl.” Ao growled, her voice low and sharp. A faint chill crept into the room—the air itself seemed to shiver as her power stirred. Ice Fang Princess wasn’t just a title.
Her eyes remained locked on Mao, unwavering. “Dean. With all due respect—how could someone with 1.8 million Evil Quotient fail to notice that—”
The door burst open.
“Forgive the interruption, Mao.” Sapphire said calmly, stepping into the room with her usual elegance. “I need bandages. Almaz’s wounds need tending.”
“Sapphire! You’re already up?” Mao exclaimed, eyes widening in surprise. Then he shook his head, a smirk forming on his lips. “Heh... looks like the title of ‘Robust Princess’ still suits you perfectly.”
“May I continue now?” Ao asked icily. “Look closely at this photo, Dean. The flame marks on his right arm and chest are completely wrong. My Dad’s flames are sharp and jagged, like fierce, crackling embers. But these? They’re wavy, almost fluid, like they’re mimicking fire without truly burning. And right here—” Ao’s eyes narrowed as she focused on a section of the left arm. “The photo’s a bit blurry, but… there’s definitely something there. It looks like a scar. But my Dad doesn’t have one on that arm!”
She stepped closer, voice growing stronger. “You met him during the past Parents’ Day events. You’ve seen him up close. Mistaking his Xeno version for him? That’s a major oversight.”
There was silence. Deafening.
Mao’s mouth opened—then closed again. Ao’s words hit him harder than the time Sapphire tried to literally open his heart with a chainsaw. (5)
“…Touché,” he muttered, defeated.
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Chapters 7 and 11
(2) Chapter 12 of this story
(3) Ryu means Dragon and Kage means Shadow. Scarlet is a reference to Scarlet the Brave, one of the characters of Phantom Brave
(4) A reference to Disgaea 7 - Chapter 14
(5) It really happened in Disgaea 3!
Chapter 20: Welcome to the Evil Academy! - Part 2
Summary:
We reached the end of the second act fo this story. After an Interlude, the third act will be more action oriented
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Dean's Office – Evil Academy
“Now I see with my own eyes what Higan and Yeyasu saw in Veldime…” Suisen muttered. “Oops—did I say that out loud? Or was I just thinking it…?”
Thankfully, Ao didn’t seem to have noticed Suisen’s slip.
“Dean, do you confirm that only the prototypes for the safe preservation of a soul are missing from the Academy?” Ao asked.
“Yes,” Mao grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Everything else is accounted for and—oh, for the love of...Sapphire, why are you still here?! Can’t you see we’re busy?!”
“Sorry, Mao…” Sapphire began innocently, but her eyes sparkled. “It’s just that—this cyborg is soooo cuuuuuute!”
With a squeal, she lunged forward and pulled Sea Again into one of her infamous, rib-cracking hugs.
“Wha—HEY! Lady! I’m not a stuffed toy! SOMEBODY HELP MEEEE!” Sea Again flailed, his voice muffled against her crushing embrace.
“Sapphire, let him go,” Mao grumbled. “Hmph. You really have no taste in tech. That one’s barely a toaster. This—” he pointed dramatically at Suisen, “—this model is magnificent!”
Mao’s eyes gleamed. He started to pant lightly, trembling with glee. “Huff… huff… That horn… that core configuration…! I knew it! It’s a special variant of Magichange! I must confirm the structural makeup! Oh, if only this is the origin-world where the weapon-shifting art was first conceived…”
“Probability of being dismantled: skyrocketing!” Suisen yelped, darting behind Ao. “Ao, save me! I didn’t survive Ceefore just to get dissected here!”
But Ao didn’t respond.
“…Ao?” Suisen tilted his head, concern flickering in his eyes. “You’re looking pale. Is something wrong?”
Ao forced a smile, her expression tight. “No,” she said softly, shaking her head. “It’s nothing, Suisen.” She turned to Mao, her voice steady but hollow. “Dean, if you don’t mind, we’ll be heading home now. I believe we can consider this incident… resolved.”
Without another word, Ao reached for a sheet of paper on Mao’s desk and began scribbling swiftly. “Here are the contacts for arranging a support request with the Nethertime Support Force. We’ll do our worst (1) to retrieve the stolen tools if possible.
Also, could you please provide me with a copy of that photograph? And is there any possibility of enhancing the section that shows the left arm?”
Mao watched her, a shadow passing over his features. He raised a weary hand in a half-hearted wave, eyes heavy with a mix of frustration and guilt. “Yeah… you’ll hear from me soon Ao. I... owe you more than just a simple apology.”
As Ao turned to leave, Mao’s jaw clenched, a knot tightening in his chest. If only I hadn’t brushed off those explosions as just sound effects from the game I was playing… If only I’d paid attention…
His fists trembled at his sides. I could have saved them.
Later – On the Road Back to Hinomoto
"...in a far-away Netherworld, there's an art that permits demons to become weapons and regain their original form afterward." (2)
Ao stared at the sky, lost in that memory.
“Grandpa… why did you tell me that?” she thought. “Was it because I was a living Infernal Treasure at the time? But… my birth was different. I didn’t have an original form to return to…” (3)
Her eyes widened slightly. Or… could that be that...?
Breaking the silence, Ao suddenly turned to her companions. “Um… Suisen...can I ask you something? How were you born as Infernal Treasure?”
“That’s… out of nowhere,” Suisen replied, blinking. “I don’t know the exact process, but I can tell you what Cannonline once explained to me…”
Now it’s clear what Grandpa was trying to tell me… Ao thought, her eyes narrowing with resolve. I need to talk to Suisen and Pirilly’s mom and dad, at a right moment..."
Hinomoto - Shogun’s Castle
“Thank you both for your assistance, Benikage, Sea Again,” Suisen said with a respectful nod. “Your compensation will be transferred in the coming days.”
With formal bows, Benikage and Sea Again took their leave.
Silence fell.
Then—
“Suisen,” Ao said sharply, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Now that we’re alone… explain what you meant when you said Auntie Higan and Uncle Yey-yey already encountered the Xeno version of my father.”
Suisen froze.
“So you did hear that...” he muttered nervously. “Ahaha… well… I, uh… suppose there’s no avoiding it now…”
“What?!” Ao exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. “So Pirilly was teleported to Veldime, where also her mom and the Love & Freak Co. were? And it was just a tragic coincidence that the Xeno version of my father was there too? And now we still don’t know what happened then?”
Her fists clenched, trembling with barely restrained fury. “Why did you, Uncle Yey-yey, Auntie Higan, and Pii-Chan keep something this important hidden from me and Dad?”
“Ao, please, calm down,” Suisen said, his voice quivering as he shrank back from the rising storm in Ao’s eyes. “At the time, we couldn’t have possibly known that losing contact with Veldime would spiral from a staged kidnapping into a mystery drenched in tragedy! Teempora asked my brother to arrange it because—”
“Ao! Suisen!” Yeyasu’s voice interrupted, striding toward them. “You’re back from Evil Academy. Everything go well? Nothing missing from Ao’s room?”
Ao nodded. “Yes, Uncle Yey-yey. Nothing was touched.”
“Good. That’s a relief,” Yeyasu said. “Now, I need both of you to stay here with me and Higan until Fuji returns from Hades. I’ll explain everything in the meantime. Also, Opener, Cannonline, and Archangel Flonne are on their way to the castle…”
Act Two - End
Notes:
(1) After all, Ao is Fuji's daughter
(2) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 15
(3) A personal interpretation of Ao's birth
Chapter 21: Fifth Interlude - The Gift
Summary:
What was the very first Tempoora item Fuji ever wore? Let’s find out!
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Notes:
(1) A real Japanese saying
(2) Chapter 12 of this story
Chapter 22: Act Three - Mayhem in Hades - Part 1
Summary:
We will discover why Fuji went to Hades
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Opener's Postlude
Chapter 23: Mayhem in Hades - Part 2
Summary:
The events in Hades continue
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hades – Love and Peace Classroom
“Fuji?!” Nitra’s eyes widened, her expression a mix of shock and fear. “You’re here? In Hades? Oh no… I told everyone that the surprise could be a bad idea! You’re here to kill us, aren’t you?”
“Surprise?” Fuji narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. “Hmph! I knew you were all plotting something behind my back! (1) I swear that, when the time comes, if I don’t like your explanation I’m cutting every single one of you down!”
“Why not start by cutting down this Angel?” Fenrich muttered, glaring toward Nitra. “I’ve had enough of these pointless lessons. I need to get back to my Lord!”
Before Fuji could respond, Nitra’s face twisted into a mask of fury. The intensity of her glare was enough to make even Fuji take a step back.
“Stop pretending to forget that it was your precious Lord Valvatorez who insisted you learn the concept of consent!” Nitra snapped, her paper fan slamming down onto the desk. “Who was so determined to spike your Lord’s sardine cake with a few drops of human blood? And now I’m stuck babysitting you until you get it through your thick skull... Grrr!”
Akuma cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation back on track. “Ahem. About Ceefore… Do you know where she is, Nitra?”
Nitra exhaled a deep, frustrated sigh, rubbing her temples. “Yes. She’s near the Reincarnation Site.” (2) she said, her voice tight. “Ask that Prinny over there to take you. I’ve got a class to finish — and a werewolf to teach some basic decency.”
Hades - Near the Reincarnation Site
Ceefore was hunched over a severed Prinny peg leg, meticulously examining the bite marks alongside Sugar and Spice. Her brow was furrowed in concentration when she heard Fuji’s voice calling her.
Her heart jolted. Was he here because he somehow disliked the surprise in Veldime? Panic flared through her, and her hand instinctively dipped into her pocket, fingers curling around a smoke bomb. If she had to make a quick getaway, she was ready.
But then she saw them — Fuji, Akuma, and Archangel Virunga. The sight of the unlikely trio made her blink in astonishment. Ceefore hesitated, her hand still clenched around the smoke bomb. Run or stay? For now, she chose to stay. But her grip on the bomb remained tight — just in case.
Hades – Near the Reincarnation Site
“Oh, Pirilika…” Ceefore murmured after having heard what happened from Fuji. “I can’t just stay here while my friend is in danger! Sugar, Spice — can you continue the investigation without me?”
“Say no more, Ceefore!” Spice boomed, her fists clenched with fiery determination. “Your act of friendship has set my heart ablaze! Mmmmh… Justic—”
Before she could finish, a grotesque figure materialized from the shadows, moving with incredible speed. In a single, vicious strike, it knocked both Sugar and Spice unconscious, their bodies crumpling to the ground.
“No!” Ceefore gasped, reaching out too late as the figure grabbed them both and started to run away.
“Finally, fresh meat… I was getting tired of Prinny flesh.” said a chilling and raspy voice.
Fuji, Akuma, Virunga, and Ceefore launched into its pursuit.
Unknown Location – Inside the Prison
“Considering that portal was opened by that angel, we could be anywhere...” Pirilika said, pressing a trembling hand to her still-stinging cheek. “For all we know, we could even be in another dimension...”
Her gaze fell to the ground, eyes distant and haunted. “Still… I can’t believe it. I just met a version of Fuji completely devoid of empathy. The one I know is the kindest warrior in all Hinomoto…”
Hanako and Aramis exchanged wary glances, as if Pirilika had just lost her mind.
“Uh… are you sure that slap didn’t rattle something loose in your brain?” Hanako asked, leaning closer, her brow furrowed in concern.
“I’m serious!” Pirilika insisted. “He nearly died healing a friend. And he died for saving her daughter. The curse he carries — the Empathy Killer — drains him every time he heals an Infernal Treasure or he feels love, kindness and other strong emotions. It’s a constant risk to his life and—”
Her voice caught in her throat as a memory slammed into her — the moment Fuji spoke about healing Suisen.
“By the way, why do you know how to heal Suisen, Fuji?” Pirilika had asked. (4)
“My father invented Infernal Treasures. I know the basics too, so fixing Suisen'll be easy…”
Pirilika’s eyes widened, her pulse pounding as realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She grabbed Hanako’s wrist, her grip tight.
“Wait. Aramis, Hanako…” Her voice trembled, urgency sharpening every word. “Did he say he’d repair my Demonic Bow?”
Notes:
(1) Chapter 1 of this story
(2) Reincarnation Site is a stage of Disgaea 4
(3) Chapter 21 of this story
(4) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 9
Chapter 24: Mayhem in Hades - Part 3
Summary:
Three importante events will occur in Celestia, Alternate Hinomoto and Hinomoto
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hades
“Damn it! If he keeps running like this, we’ll lose him!” Fuji growled, gritting his teeth. “Ceefore! Can you shoot him with your Demonic Gun?”
“I can’t!” Ceefore shouted back, eyes darting frantically between the fleeing figure and her comrades. “I might hit Sugar or Spice! If only there was a way to slow him down for a few seconds…”
“Slow him down?” Akuma echoed, his eyes narrowing. “I guess I could try. I was saving this for the next Ping Pong rematch against Fuji, but saving those angels takes priority.”
Without breaking stride, Akuma whipped out a paddle and a ball from the folds of his blue kimono. With a powerful leap, he launched the ball with a serve so fierce it whistled through the air, striking the fleeing figure square in the head.
Virunga seized the opportunity. “Tera Fire!” he roared, unleashing a torrent of flames that engulfed the figure and brought him to a staggering halt.
“Perfect!” Ceefore exclaimed, her breath heaving. “Alright... ready... snort... FIIIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” She aimed her Demonic Gun and unleashed her signature Billion Blast, that struck the figure dead-on.
The impact sent the figure stumbling backward, forcing him to release his hold on Sugar and Spice. The two angels collapsed to the ground, unconscious but breathing.
Instead of fleeing, the figure steadied himself, his stance rigid, eyes wild. But the moment his gaze fell on Fuji, a flicker of fear twisted across his grotesque features.
“Well, well… Long time no see, Master Fuji,” he sneered. “You managed to find me even here, huh? Wasn’t enough to kill my Lord Mugai and strip me of my ability to take a vessel?”
“What?!” Fuji’s eyes widened in shock. “MASTER?!”
Celestia – Seraph Lamington’s Personal Chamber
“Life never ceases to surprise, even for a Seraph,” Lamington murmured, his expression contemplative.
Moments earlier, as the Gates of Celestia were closing behind Flonne, Cannonline, and Opener, four identical, cloaked figures had appeared with astonishing speed.
One held the gates open, two distracted the angels rushing to defend the Seraph, and the fourth silently placed a letter at Lamington’s feet. In a blink, the four figures merged into one and vanished from Celestia.
Even without the Rebel Army emblem stamped on the letter, Lamington knew exactly who it was from. Only one could use the Overload Superluminal Wolf to such effect — his old friend, Zeroken.
With a heavy sigh, Lamington unfolded the letter. The handwriting was unmistakable:
Dear Christo, my old friend,
I need your help to save a little demon girl’s life.
If your duties as Seraph prevent you from aiding me, I’ll understand.
Behind this sheet, you’ll find the coordinates to my dojo. Should you decide to come.
Your friend,
Zeroken
Alternate Hinomoto – Unknown Place
“Cannonline,” Ao whispered. “Do you want to know his weak point?” (1)
Cannonline’s jaw clenched, her gaze fixed somewhere far away. Since that day, she had devoted every fiber of her being to avenging her husband and daughter. If she closed her eyes, she could still see them — alive, hopeful, dreaming of the future.
Pirilika, her bright-eyed daughter, gushing about meeting a bushido warrior and embarking on a grand adventure. Gatty, her husband, brimming with pride after being selected alongside her wife for a diplomatic mission to Hinomoto. Shogun Gachiyasu, gifting them the Demonic Fist and Demonic Bow as tokens of honor.
But then, everything fell apart.
Gachiyasu was executed without warning, and Cannonline was dragged into the abyss of Shicroaku. There, she was forced to conduct horrific experiments involving Infernal Treasures under constant threat: comply, or they would kill her husband.
In the end, she made the impossible choice — sacrificing her beloved Gatty to escape after uncovering the truth behind that monster’s obsession with the Zenryo Yoichi.
Escape was futile. The portals were tightly controlled, watched by the angel who never left that monster’s side. And her sweet Pirilika… all she wanted was to know why her parents had vanished, and that curiosity led her straight into the jaws of tragedy.
Years of torment, anguish, and desperation had led to this moment. Now, Cannonline finally held the key to the monster’s undoing — a way to strip the Empathy Killer curse from his body. And she knew exactly how to do it.
Her fists clenched, her eyes cold and steely. The time had come to contact Magistrate Nitra. The vengeance she had waited for was about to begin.
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle
As he waited for Fuji’s return from Hades, Opener stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the sky. A subtle prickle ran down his spine — the unmistakable sensation of being watched. He turned and found Ao lingering in the corner.
“You know, Ao,” Opener said warmly, a gentle smile easing the tension in his expression. “I have a daughter. And right now, you’re wearing the same look she gets when she wants to ask something but doesn’t know how to begin. Is something troubling you?”
At his words, Ao dropped to her knees, bowing low, her forehead nearly touching the ground.
“In truth,” Ao began, her voice trembling slightly but resolute, “I wanted to take advantage of this rare moment — having you, Suisen, and Cannonline all in the same place.
I’m deeply worried about Pirilly. Please believe me. I know my Dad feels the same for her. I understand this may not be the best time, but… I think that if we work together, we might be able to free the demons who were turned into Infernal Treasures...”
Laharl's Netherworld - Outside the Castle
“My, those negotiations dragged on longer than I anticipated...” (2) Pii-Chan muttered, releasing a weary sigh. I just hope they’ve managed to find Miss Pirilika in the meantime…
Notes:
(1) Chapter 16 of this story
(2) Chapter 14 of this story
Chapter 25: Mayhem in Hades - Part 4
Summary:
An important revelation about the Infernal Treasures will be made
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hades
“Wait… did he just say ‘strip me of my ability to take a vessel’?” Ceefore asked. Her eyes narrowed, zeroing in on their enemy. “That annoying voice… No way. Could it be… you’re Joe Doe?!”
“It’s been ages since anyone called me by name… I suppose I owe you that much!” was the hollow and bitter reply.
“I can feel it… We are not facing someone from our dimension. Stay sharp!” Virunga said.
The figure lunged forward, a feral snarl tearing from his throat as he charged at Fuji. But Fuji met him head-on with his Demonic Sword. Akuma seized the moment, aiming a crushing blow, but the fiend twisted away, narrowly evading the strike.
Ceefore and Virunga moved in tandem, Ceefore unleashing a precise shot on the enemy's shoulder while Virunga followed up with a Tera Star. But the impact barely fazed him.
He kept advancing, eyes fixed solely on Fuji, a murderous gleam in his gaze.
“I haven't seen hatred in a soul this intense in ages. Isn’t there anything we can do?” Ceefore asked Fuji, a shiver running down her spine.
Hinomoto - Shogun's Castle
“Indeed,” Cannonline said, her finger pointing to a precise spot on Suisen’s chest core. “When Ikki’s soul was placed into the experimental model GS-00, Mugai personally used the powers of the Demonic Fist to bind the soul within the core. That’s what sets him apart from the mass-produced Infernal Treasures like Kurofune, Shirofune and Deathfune. Sea Again is a rare exception as his unyielding thirst for vengeance of that time anchored his soul and preserved his memories.”
Her expression darkened. “Mugai created the Infernal Treasures after studying the art of transforming demons into weapons in a faraway Netherworld. He traveled there to refine his swordsmanship. He told me this when he presented the blueprints for the Kurofune, insisting that I replicate the process without using the Demonic Fist’s power. But now… if I could find something akin to it, I’d finally have the means to atone for my sins — to restore Ikki and the other living Infernal Treasures.”
A heavy silence fell over the room until Ao broke it. “And what if you could use the Demonic Fist itself?”
Cannonline’s eyes flicked to Ao, a shadow of doubt crossing her face. “That’s impossible unless the Demonic Fist is awakened. For that to happen, an Infernal Treasure must resonate with its owner.”
“Then I’ll awaken it!” Ao declared, eyes blazing with determination. “I know Grandpa Mugai will lend me his power if I ask for his help. Before he died, he told me about that Netherworld — not just to push me to become a real demon, but to entrust me with the mission of freeing all the other living Infernal Treasures in his name. But I don’t know the art of fist fighting.”
She took a deep breath, then bowed deeply before Opener. “Opener… please, teach me. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Opener’s jaw clenched. “I would be honored, Ao. Truly. But… are you sure about this? You know what happened between me and your grandfather, Mugai. The tragedy our clash caused… to your father Fuji, to Yeyasu, and Ikki…”
Ao straightened, her eyes fierce. “I know. When the time is right, I’ll go to Grandpa’s tombstone (1) and retrieve the Demonic Fist. I’m certain it’ll work. After all, you and Cannonline are Pirilly’s parents. I just know you’re as exceptional as she and my Dad!”
Suisen was quiet for a moment, his mechanical fingers twitching at his sides. “...Then I’ll come with you. I can’t stand by while you fight for us living Infernal Treasures.
I’ll start training with Sea Again and Benikage. I’m certain they’ll stand with us. Sea Again will finally have the chance to reclaim his true form, and I am sure that Benikage will gladly help his old friend.
Besides… with Yeyasu and Higan’s lives about to change, I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead for me other than just being Yeyasu’s brother.”
Cannonline’s eyes softened. “Higan’s pregnant, isn’t she? I could tell — her face has that same glow mine did when I was carrying Pirilika.”
Before Suisen could respond, Ao burst into laughter. “My Dad noticed the change too… but for the wrong reasons!”
Ao mimicked Fuji’s gruff tone. “‘You know, Piriko and Ao, I’d never say it to her face ‘cause she’d kill me, but I think Master Higan’s gained a little weight. Have you seen how her face is just a bit rounder lately?’”
Suisen groaned, pressing a palm to his forehead.
Cannonline chuckled softly. “Leave it to Fuji to be utterly clueless.”
“Tell me,”Opener said with a wistful smile, his voice brimming with old heat, “isn’t there room in your group for an old demon like me?”
He glanced up, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “I figure I’ve got one last adventure in me… before I even think about retiring from the United Netherworlds.”
"I suppose I'll join too, after receiving Celestia's permission. You'll need someone to stop you from jumping the gun (2), Gatty..." Cannonline said.
Hades
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Ending credits
(2) Disgaea 7 - Opener's postlude
(3) Chapter 4 of this story
(4) Disgaea 7 - Ao's postlude
Chapter 26: Mayhem in Hades - Part 5
Summary:
The events in Hades come to a close
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hades
“Listen… I don’t know what happened to you, but I’m not him!” Fuji said.
Xeno Joe Doe’s gaze snapped to Fuji’s left arm, his eyes wild and feverish. “So, are you denying who you really are?! That on your left arm… Wait… There isn’t…”
His words faltered as his eyes scanned Fuji’s body, desperately searching for something that wasn’t there. Slowly, the fury in his expression dissolved into something far more hollow. Despair.
He dropped to his knees, clutching his head with trembling hands. “It’s a nightmare… there’s no way out. I can’t have my vengeance… I’ve been found, so there’s no more Prinny meat to sustain me. Even if I escape with this decayed body, I won’t find another easy meal…”
His voice cracked, raw and ragged. “Oh, Lord Mugai… you turned your own son into a monster by cursing him with the Empathy Killer. Why? Why did it have to be this way…?”
For a moment, no one moved. The silence rang louder than any weapon strike.
Ceefore swallowed hard, her grip on her weapon loosening as she looked away, voice thick. “Fuji… I know it might kill you, but… could you heal him?”
Fuji’s jaw clenched. “His body’s too far gone to heal and he’s barely being held together by hatred and desperation. There’s only one option left…”
He stepped forward. A line of blood ran from his mouth as the Empathy Killer curse flared. His stance shifted—calm, centered, sharp as steel.
“You’ll die without feeding on Sugar and Spice, right? We can’t allow that. But if you’re determined to end this as a true Bushido warrior…” He drew his blade slowly, reverently. “…then do your worst and come at me with everything you’ve got. Fight with the last remnants of your strength — and die with honor.”
Xeno Joe Doe staggered to his feet, bones creaking under decayed skin. And for the first time, his stance resembled something noble. “Fine. If this is the end… then let me go out not as a curse or a beast… but as a real demon!”
The others stood back, watching, silent. Even the wind had stilled, as though Hades itself held its breath.
Xeno Joe Doe roared, one last time—not in hatred, but in defiance of what he had become—and lunged.
The battle started in a flash of motion. Sparks burst. The echo rang.
And then, silence.
Fuji stood alone, his blade lowered. Xeno Joe Doe lay still, a peaceful expression carved into his disfigured face—finally free.
Zeroken's Dojo - Afternoon
“I can’t thank you enough — you, Bro, Master Goldion, and Lieze,” Zeroken said, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion.
Killia gave him a gentle smile as he continued stirring the pot of curry, the rich, comforting aroma filling the room. “Aren’t friends supposed to help each other when they’re in need?” he said. “Besides, I think Goldion’s feeling young again, training your pupils alongside Lieze.”
Zeroken’s expression darkened, his gaze falling to the ground. “The kiddo’s not getting any better… I don’t think she has much time left,” he muttered, his voice heavy with the weight of helplessness. “Do you remember that I opened this dojo not just to teach the Ultimate Demon Technique, but so that children could grow a Netherworld in their hearts, like I did? And look at that kiddo... She was so afraid of being touched that her heart could’ve shattered beyond repair…”
He paused. Then, after a few minutes of silence, forcing a shaky breath, he added: “You know, Bro, you’re making way too much curry. I’m not really hungry, and that’s enough to feed a whole army, even with your appetite. Let me grab a container—”
“Oh? Won’t you offer me some?” a warm, familiar voice asked. “What a pity… It’s been ages since I last tasted Killia’s curry…”
Hades
Alternate Hinomoto - Unknown Location
“Are you absolutely certain about this, Magistrate Nitra?” Cannonline’s voice was low and tight, each word laced with unease.
“Yes,” Nitra said, her gaze sharp as a blade. “I’m done playing the loyal servant. This ends now. I despise that family... every last one of them. The father slaughtered me when I was still named Kotra (1). And the son…” Her eyes darkened, fists clenched. “He murdered my Cee (2). The only reason I stayed a Magistrate was to keep you hidden from his eyes, to finish what we started. And the fool was so accustomed to his angelic sycophant, he never even suspected I was your informant.”
Cannonline’s jaw clenched, a dark resolve hardening her expression. “Understood. Thanks to your sacrifice and the tools I have here with me, I can now transform the Zenryo Yoichi into a blade capable of purging the Empathy Killer curse completely. If we don’t sever it at the root, everything will persist even after his death. We can’t risk that.”
Nitra stepped closer, her eyes blazing with fierce intensity. “Remember, Cannonline — you only get one chance. Once you drive that blade straight into his heart — assuming he even has one — the purification will only activate if you pour your life force into it. Since you’re human... you’ll have about thirty minutes left to savor our vengeance. If you were a demon or an angel, the effect would’ve triggered without a sacrifice.”
Cannonline’s eyes narrowed, fists clenched at her sides. “I’ve already lost everything. Death doesn’t scare me. Just confirm one thing — are you absolutely certain he’s been going there alone, off and on, since yesterday?”
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 13
(2) Chapter 16 of this story
Chapter 27: One day, some day, you'll be happy
Summary:
The conclusion of Xeno Ao's story arc
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“Are you heading back to Celestia soon?” Killia asked quietly, glancing toward Christo, as the soft sounds of Sachi’s and Zeroken’s gentle breathings filled the room.
“Normally, yes… my duties as Seraph would call me back,” he said with a small smile. “But I realized something— it’s been centuries since I took a proper holiday. So, just this once, I used my privileges to extend my stay. A long rest… so I can help Zeroken a while longer.” Christo said. Then he paused, gaze drifting toward the open window.
“Before I return, I’d like to visit Toto Bunny, Scorching Flame, and Gorgeous. I miss them all dearly… Usalia, Red Magnus, Seraphina…”
Killia nodded. “They’ll be glad to see you.”
A moment passed. Quiet. Familiar.
“I’ll tell them about Sachi, too,” Christo added. “So everyone can be a family for her.”
“Christo! You’re here, plip?!” Usalia rushed in, tackling him with a joyful hug. “I’m so happy to see you! I’ll make you the best curry ever! You’re staying a few days, right?”
Christo laughed softly. “You’ve grown, little Usalia…”
His gaze drifted behind her.
“And I see Majorita is here, too. Still granting wishes, is she?” (3) he added with a knowing smile.
Majorita blinked at his wings. “Those… those are real? You’re really an angel?!”
“Long time no see, lil’ Christo! How’re things in Certain Giant? Or should I say—Celestia?” said Red Magnus, slapping Christo’s back with a friendly but seismic pat.
“Oof—still strong, I see,” Christo winced. “Speaking of strength… who really won that last match between you and Killia?” (4)
Red Magnus grinned. “I’ll only tell you if you super promise to stay a few days!”
Christo straightened his glasses, smiling.
“Oh my... what do we have here? An angelic face straight from the past?” Seraphina said with a teasing smile.
“Hello, Seraphina... I see you’re as beautiful as ever.” Christo replied, bowing slightly.
“Oh-hohohoho… Naturally! After all, I am Seraphina, the Eternal Temptress!” she said proudly.
“I’ve always wondered… Did you ever find a demon worthy enough of you to make you forget about Killia?” (4) Christo asked.
“Hasn’t anyone taught you that a woman must keep her secrets?” she smiled. “But I suppose I might make an exception for you if you stay a few days...”
Zeroken kept his vow.
He lived a long, full life—so long that only Usalia, with her rabbit-like resilience, outlived him. Sachi never once felt alone. Surrounded by her extended family—Killia, Seraphina, Red Magnus, Christo, Usalia, Lieze, Goldion, and even Void—she had what her past self never did:
Love.
The only sorrow she truly knew was the day her beloved father passed. The dojo fell quiet. The mornings felt colder.
Yet she endured. She inherited the dojo, and with it, the Ultimate Demon Technique… and Zeroken’s boundless spirit.
And when grief nearly broke her, a hand reached out.
A fellow cleric-in-training. Blonde, with kind blue eyes. Her dearest friend.
Over time, their bond deepened—like sisters. But sometimes, when their hands touched or they trained side by side, there were moments, fleeting but powerful, when Sachi felt something strange—a déjà vu that stirred in her soul. As though they had met before.
And the truth was… they had.
Her friend was none other than the reincarnation of Xeno Pirilika, returned to the Netherworld in a new form… yet somehow, always the same.
And so, in a dojo built on dreams and demon techniques, two souls found each other again across lifetimes...
Notes:
(1) A recurring gag in Disgaea 5
(2) Happiness
(3) Disgaea 5 - Postlude
(4) Disgaea 5 - Ending Credits
Chapter 28: The truth about the Zenryo Yoichi
Summary:
We reached the end of the penultimate act of this story
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle - Earlier
Ao, Suisen, Opener, and Cannonline were deep in conversation when Flonne arrived, bowing deeply to Yeyasu and Higan.
“I truly can’t thank you enough for dispatching two Magistrates to assist with first aid, (1)” she said. “Majolene, Fuka, and Desco insisted on staying behind to help the Snow Melody Clan. I was worried… after everything they endured—those two demons, and that angel’s sudden appearance (2)—it’s been too much.”
Yeyasu stepped forward, his voice calm and resolute. “Please, Lady Flonne, raise your head. We would never abandon a Netherworld after such a tragedy. It is our duty—and our honor—to stand beside you.”
Flonne gave a grateful nod, though concern lingered in her eyes.
“There’s more,” she said, quieter now. “I received a message from Laharl—Overlord Laharl, I mean. He asked me to fabricate a reason to keep his sister Sicily in Celestia.” (3)
She hesitated, then added, “At first, I refused unless he gave me the truth… and eventually, he did.”
The air in the room tensed as she looked around at each of them.
“His castle was attacked—by the same two demons that struck Veldime, as you confirmed. In the chaos, a summoner and a zombie maker were abducted. He’s convinced it’s all connected.”
She turned toward the window, golden sunlight casting long shadows across the chamber.
“I just hope Angel Ceefore can help us understand why this is happening… before it’s too late.”
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle – Near Evening
Ao sat in silence as she reread the letter, her brow furrowed in thought.
Dear Ao,
From the enhanced photo, we were able to identify two distinct scars on the demon’s left arm. Almaz noted that one is significantly older than the other.I hope this clue aids in recovering the stolen prototypes.
Also, your teacher Miss Beryl sustained serious injuries and will require a long recovery. In light of that, I am currently drafting a proposal I hope you’ll accept—as both a strategic opportunity and a gesture of apology.
Cromulent regards,
Overlord Mao
Dean of Evil Academy
Ao sighed, folding the letter neatly. Suisen peered at the image on the table, his eyes narrowing.
“The older scar looks like it was made by a sword...” he murmured. “But the newer one has an odd pattern. Surely not a clean cut.”
Ao stared at the photo for a long moment, her voice quiet but heavy with realization.
“So... the Xeno version of my Dad who struck Veldime, was also in the Evil Academy and Overlord Laharl’s Netherworld. And now my Dad’s off in Hades.” She shook her head. “Your foresight is terrifying, Suisen.”
Suisen gave a weary nod. “The tragic truth is… I initially told you about the dimensional disturbances only to stall for time—hoping I could reestablish contact with Veldime. I didn’t imagine everything would be connected.”
“Ao! There you are.”
Fuji stepped into the room. “Was anything missing from your room?” (4)
Ao quickly tucked the photo in her kimono. “Hi, Dad. Nothing’s gone. Everything’s fine.”
“Good. I’ve been worried sick. I—”
Before Fuji could finish, Suisen broke into a fit of laughter—sharp, sudden, and uncontainable.
Fuji blinked, confused. “What… what’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing,” Suisen said between chuckles, “It’s just—ah, you two really are cut from the same cloth.”
Ao groaned, but she was smiling. “Suisen, we talked about this. It's not funny. I just wanted to marry Dad (5) because he was my hero. And still he is.”
“And Fuji,” Suisen added with delight, “wanted to marry his mother when he was a little kid.”
Fuji’s entire face turned scarlet as the memory, and the likely culprits who spilled it, clicked into place. His fists clenched, and his eye twitched.
“I swear, I’m going to cut those two bastards down.” he roared.
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle – Evening
The assembled group in the war room sat in grim stillness — Fuji, Ao, Higan, Yeyasu, Ceefore, Suisen, Pii-Chan, Opener, Cannonline, Virunga, and Flonne — all gathered under the weight of a single truth.
Higan had just finished relaying all they knew about Xeno Fuji. Almost everything—she had omitted Teempora’s secret request to Yeyasu to stage a kidnapping.
Now, all eyes turned to Fuji and Ceefore.
Fuji didn’t speak. Didn’t move.
He looked like he wanted to peel his own memories apart—just to make sure they weren’t real.
Across from him, Ceefore stood frozen, pale and rigid as a statue.
She knew something—something even worse. And she didn’t know how to say it.
But she had to.
Swallowing the fear clawing at her throat, she finally stepped forward and spoke.
“Fuji, Archangel Virunga and I encountered Xeno Joe in Hades,” she began.
“He claimed an alternate version of Fuji had been cursed with the Empathy Killer. What most people don’t know—and what I only discovered recently while studying the curse’s mechanisms—is that it goes… deeper.”
The room fell deathly still.
“I wanted to understand why Mugai, of all curses, chose that one. And whether it could help us restore the living Infernal Treasures in their demonic form. But…”
She looked at Fuji. Then Ao. Then the others.
“If a demon truly renounces empathy—not just represses it, but annihilates it—he gain direct access to the full potential of the Empathy Killer.
At that point, the curse becomes a weapon. A power simply called the Curse—capable of enslaving nearby demons, robbing them of their will and freedom. Like a god playing puppeteer.”
A shiver passed through the room.
“But,” she continued, “this power only works on native demons—those born of the same Netherworld. Angels and humans are immune. Even demons from other Netherworlds are protected…”
She hesitated. Her hands trembled slightly.
“Unless… a foreign demon is sacrificed. Through a rite that needs two casters: one to summon the soul, one to bind it—through necromancy.”
Gasps echoed through the room.
“If the soul is extracted and stored, it can be fused with a healing-type Infernal Treasure—reforged into a conduit. A gauntlet. That’s how the Curse spreads beyond its limits—using both summoner and zombie maker as anchors.”
Her voice dropped.
“Once the preserved soul is bound to the gauntlet, the Curse would no longer be limited by realm, species, or natural resistance. It could spread freely—an unstoppable force. No more boundaries. No more safe havens. Just… total dominion.”
“You mean... he’s going to turn Piriko into the conduit,” Fuji said at last, his voice low and shaking.
Ceefore didn't answer.
She didn’t have to.
A long, stunned silence followed.
“To date, the only Infernal Treasure known to possess the required healing capabilities is the Zenryo Yoichi.
Thankfully,” she added with a nervous laugh, “the only prototypes ever made for the soul preservation system are still locked away at the Evil Academy…”
Ao’s breath caught in her throat. Suisen went rigid beside her.
“He already has them...” Ao whispered, her voice barely audible.
Suisen didn’t move. Just, slowly, reached for Ao’s hand—and held it like it was the last steady thing in the room.
Ceefore’s eyes darkened.
“Then we’re already too late.”
A horrified silence fell over the room.
“…But we’re still conscious. Still ourselves,” Ceefore said quickly. “Something’s stopping him—for now. Maybe the ritual isn’t finished. Maybe the Curse hasn’t fully bonded. Whatever the reason—this is our only window.”
She looked toward them all.
“We have to find him. We have to find Pirilika. If she’s still alive… we have to reach her before he finishes what he started.”
Act Three - End
Notes:
(1) Chapter 13 of this story
(2) Chapter 11 of this story
(3) Chapter 10 of this story
(4) Chapter 18 of this story
(5) Disgaea 7 - Opener's postlude
Chapter 29: Sixth Interlude - Sometimes love grows little by little
Summary:
Yeyasu’s words about love at his and Higan’s wedding weren’t just rhetorical. That’s where everything began.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto – Nethership – 4 and a Half Years Ago
Yeyasu was leaning his forehead against the cold wall, his shoulders tense beneath the weight of doubt.
“The proposal was rejected again… maybe I’ll never be able to bring prosperity to Hinomoto… Am I really such a failure as Shogun?”
The thought echoed bitterly, like a curse he couldn’t shake. It had been a long time since he’d felt so powerless.
“Oh wow, I didn’t know a Shogun could hold up a wall with his forehead!” came Higan’s voice from behind, light and teasing, while she was casually munching on a cursed doll cake from a massive, half-empty box.
Yeyasu didn’t answer—just sighed.
“Something bothering you, Yeyasu? Want to talk? Maybe I can help,” Higan asked, more gently this time.
“It’s nothing, Higan,” he muttered. “I was just thinking... maybe Fuji was right after all. Just changing my appearance isn’t enough to succeed with the approval of the reforms I want. Maybe... I was foolish to think otherwise.”
But before he could spiral deeper, Higan stepped forward and promptly shoved a cursed doll cake into his mouth.
“Mmf—Higan—!”
“You know Fuji’s old-fashioned. He probably still hasn’t recovered from your ‘modern Shogun’ makeover,” she smirked. “Remember the look he gave you the first time? Like you had two heads.”
Yeyasu had cut his hair short and traded his traditional robes for simpler clothes. Only the Edogawa family crest remained untouched on his back—a symbol of who he was and who he hoped to become. It was a gesture meant to show that even a Shogun could embrace change.
“He wasn’t mocking you, you know,” Higan continued. “Fuji just meant that change has to come from within, too. You can’t just look different—you have to be different. Be stronger. Be bolder. You said you wanted to be the greatest successor Hinomoto’s ever seen, didn’t you?”
Yeyasu fell quiet. He took another bite of the cake, slower this time. Then, without lifting his gaze:
“Higan… will you help me become stronger?”
Hinomoto – Slapporo – 1 Month Later
“I’m gonna die… This water’s so cold I can’t even remember how to cast a fire spell…”
Yeyasu’s teeth chattered violently as he flailed in the freezing river, half-naked, drenched, and completely miserable. He never imagined Higan’s training would involve throwing him into a glacial current to “toughen his resolve.”
“Focus, Yeyasu!” she barked from the shore. “Or maybe I’ll poke you a second butthole with my spear. That’ll keep you afloat.”
“N-No! I’m good! Very good!” he sputtered in terror.
And for the first time since they’d started, he didn’t retreat. He held on—not out of stubbornness, but resolve. Cold couldn’t scare him now. Not when he had something to prove.
Thirty grueling minutes passed before Higan allowed him to climb out, soaked and shivering, but proud.
As he stood on the riverbank, dripping and exhausted, a thought struck him.
“The rejection of the proposal… That was nothing compared to this…”
He looked up at Higan, her arms folded, eyes watching him with an odd mix of mischief and approval.
“Thank you, Higan… I think I’m finally ready to succeed. But... will you still help me? There’s still so much I have to learn. So much I need to do.”
Hinomoto – Near Narutorture Whirlpools – 3 and a Half Years Ago
“There you are, Higan!” Yeyasu called cheerfully. “What are we doing today? I’m ready!”
But something in the air felt off.
Higan didn’t look up. She was sitting on a mossy rock, arms resting on her knees, gaze lost in the distance. The usual spark in her eyes was dim.
Yeyasu slowed his approach, then fished a candy from his pocket.
“A candy for your thoughts?” he offered with a grin.
At that, she finally looked at him—and laughed softly.
“Are you imitating Pirilika now? Isn’t it supposed to be a penny for your thoughts?”
She took the candy anyway and unwrapped it quietly.
“Fuji still hasn’t stepped forward to challenge for the Zesshosai title,” she said at last. “And for once... I don’t understand.”
Yeyasu’s expression softened.
“He’ll get there. I know he will. You know... I understand him. I grew up with the weight of succeeding my father—Shogun Gachiyasu. After he died, his legacy stopped. But Fuji? He still lives under your shadow. You’re a legend, Higan. He’s still trying to catch up.”
He reached out and lightly tapped her head with the end of his Demonic Staff, his tone playful.
“So cheer up. And wait for him, okay? That’s an order—from your Shogun.”
Higan stared at him for a moment… and then smiled.
Hinomoto – Outside Ewwdo – 2 Years Ago
“This is bad…” Yeyasu murmured. “I think my feelings for Higan have changed.”
He sighed, the weight of his own heart dragging his shoulders low. It was a familiar ache—like the one he’d felt when his political reforms were first rejected years ago. But this time, the problem wasn't policy or politics. It was Higan herself.
She had always been there—his ally, his teacher, his closest companion. Her strength had carried him through his lowest moments. And now… she had become something more. Something terrifying. Something precious.
“Maybe this afternoon… I’ll try to see if there’s even a flicker of hope for me,” he whispered, trying to muster his diplomatic skills. “Very calmly. Very subtly. Nothing reckless…”
But that afternoon, Higan was entirely focused on training talk—animatedly describing a sparring session with Fuji from years past. No openings. No subtle moments. Just her usual intensity.
“Yeyasu, is something wrong?” she asked, leaning in slightly, towering just enough to make his heart stammer. “You look distracted today.”
Yeyasu blinked up at her, lips parting.
Then—he threw diplomacy to the wind.
“You know what, Higan? Just this once... diplomacy can go to hell!”
And before fear could stop him, he kissed her.
The world blurred. His pulse roared. He was dead. Surely. She’d kill him for this.
“But I regret nothing,” he thought, heart pounding like a drum. “If I die now… it was worth it.”
Then he felt her arms slowly wrap around him as she kissed him back.
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle – 1 Month Later
"I still remember when Higan said she’d marry me—if I could feed her," (1) Yeyasu muttered, scratching his head. "With her legendary appetite, that’s no small feat. If I’m not careful, she might eat Hinomoto into an economic crisis…"
He sighed, pacing between the library shelves. His gaze drifted toward a book titled “Perennial Plant Life Cycles.” Something about it sparked a thought.
“Wait… what if meat could be like that? A food source that regenerates itself—something we could harvest again and again, without needing to restock? (2) That’d solve everything…”
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle – 2 Months before the start of this story
“So it’s true…” Yeyasu whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. “You’re pregnant…”
He laughed as the first tear rolled down his cheek. “I’m so happy. When will we know if it’s a boy or girl?”
“In about two months,” Higan replied softly.
But Yeyasu’s joy was tempered by something heavy.
“Higan,” he said quietly, “if it’s a girl...she won’t be able to inherit my title. The laws of Hinomoto forbid a woman from ruling the Netherworld.”
His hand found hers, firm and sure.
“Will you fight this battle with me? One last war—not with blades, but with laws and words. Will you stand with me?”
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle – A Few Days before the start of this story
“We did it, Yeyasu,” Higan said, her voice tight with emotion. “The reform had been approved.”
She gently rested a hand over her belly. According to the latest check-up, the pregnancy wouldn’t start to show for at least another month thanks to her unique physique. Only a slight softness in her face hinted at the change, a subtle roundness that hadn’t been there before.
“And the baby… she’s a girl. Our daughter will be the first woman ever to sit on the Shogun’s throne.”
Her eyes flickered with joy for their daughter. Sorrow for the dreams they’d traded to secure her future. “But there’s a cost. They demanded we halt all further cultural changes...”
Yeyasu smiled, gently brushing his fingers over her hand.
“Her future means more to me than any policy,” he said softly. “And who knows? Maybe she’ll continue what we started. In her own way. In her own time.”
He kissed Higan’s hand, then added with a quiet smile, “I love the name you chose. After all, she was like a mother to you...”
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Opener's postlude
(2) Chapters 1 and 12 of this story
Chapter 30: Final Act - The long night
Summary:
We witness Fuji’s thoughts after discovering the identity of Pirilika’s kidnapper
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle – Later
Fuji sat alone in the dark, breath shallow, silence thick enough to choke on. He hadn’t moved for some time—he couldn’t. Since the truth of what his Xeno counterpart had done came to light, it felt as if time itself had frozen.
His thoughts spiraled.
It’s incredible… how life can change with a single choice. I always wondered how my life would’ve looked without the Empathy Killer curse. And I chose to fight it. I still fight it, every single day. But my other self… he embraced it.
He clenched his fists.
“I worked so hard all this time—with Ao, Piriko, and the others… all to gain the trust of the United Netherworlds (1), to protect something bigger than myself. And every kind word I spoke, every act of kindness—I had to force it through the iron grip of the Empathy Killer.”
He paused. His voice caught. His hands trembled.
“And that version of me…”
He couldn’t finish. Even now, the curse choked off what he didn’t want to feel.
“He abducted Piriko. Just because he thought it was fun that she still existed in this dimension (2). Fun...”
The word echoed inside him like a blade scraping against bone.
Could it be… that in his world, she’s already dead? Maybe that’s why he took her. Because, in some twisted corner of his heart, seeing her alive again was… entertainment.
The thought gnawed at him—merciless, cold.
Since he had discovered the identity of Piriko’s kidnapper, Fuji hadn’t dared look Opener or Cannonline in the eye. Their daughter had been stolen by a monster wearing his face. While his own daughter, Ao, remained safe and close.
And all Cannonline and Opener could do was hope… pray… that their daughter was still alive somewhere. Still holding on.
Yet something deep inside Fuji whispered that she was. That somehow, the Curse hadn’t spread… because Piriko had stopped it.
If our roles were reversed… would I have their strength? Fuji wondered bitterly. I nearly lost my mind once, just thinking Ao might’ve been taken—when she didn’t return from her Grimjufu restoration… (1)
That memory still haunted him.
And speaking of Ao… she had lied to him. Lied about why she went to the Evil Academy. Lied with Suisen’s help, of all demons (3). It took Ceefore’s blunt question—how Ao knew the prototypes had been stolen—for the truth to come out.
They told me what he looks like. How he talks. Even what he’s done. But I haven’t looked at the photo. I don’t want to see his eyes in mine.
The words rang in his mind like a confession half-buried.
Then the door creaked open.
He didn’t turn. He didn’t need to.
“Ao, I told you—I want to be alone,” he muttered, voice heavy with more than exhaustion. “Please… just try to sleep. At least one of us should.”
But the voice that answered wasn’t his daughter’s.
“It’s me, Fuji,” came a soft, familiar voice. “I just came to retrieve my hat—I left it here by mistake.”
Opener.
Fuji blinked. There, right beside him on the floor, was the Demmodore’s hat.
But Opener had been standing on the opposite side of the room earlier.
He left it here on purpose. Fuji thought with a dry, bitter edge. An excuse to come back. Damn it… Piriko really had inherited those rose-tinted glasses from her father Opener (4).
“You should rest, Fuji,” Opener said. “We both need our strength. If we fall apart now… we won’t have anything left to bring my daughter Pirilika home.”
And then… his tone shifted.
“And when I find the one who took her... he’ll learn what it means to regret everything.”
Fuji stared at him.
Opener—gentle, optimistic, kind-hearted Opener—radiated a murderous intent so raw and absolute it stole Fuji’s breath. He’d never heard that tone from him before. Not even once. He never thought that Piriko's father could sound like that…
But, strangely, that fury gave him the courage to finally speak.
“…Only after I’m done with him,” Fuji murmured. His voice was low, but laced with steel. “And I won’t make any promises about what’s left for you to beat. Who knows…” He looked up, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. “…Maybe, just this once, I’ll do something gratis. Even if I usually work for money.”
The last line was sharp but necessary to counter the Empathy Killer curse. However, he failed miserably.
“That’s what I wanted to hear, Fuji.” Opener said, then he paused and glanced toward the door.
“…Though it seems we’re not alone anymore.”
Fuji’s gaze snapped up. Near the door two familiar figures stood silently.
Ao and Archangel Flonne.
Flonne stepped forward, sensing the weight in the air. Her voice remained gentle and kind. “Excuse me for the interruption,” she said with a soft smile. “Ao wondered if maybe… a touch of angelic magic might help you both rest, just a little.”
Ao took a hesitant step forward, eyes wide with guilt.
“Dad… I’m really sorry. About everything. Please… please believe me.”
Fuji let out a breath—deep, steadying, and weary. He gestured for her to come closer, his expression softening.
“I know, Ao. I know you meant well.” He paused, his voice quiet but firm. “But try to understand something… If you had failed to prove my innocence… a war could’ve broken out between Hinomoto and the Netherworld of the Evil Academy. All because you kept this from me (3).”
Ao looked down, her fingers tightening into fists. But before the silence could stretch too long, Flonne smiled, folding her hands with earnest conviction.
“Ao would never have failed,” she said with that radiant certainty only angels and children could wield. “Her faith in you, Fuji, is so strong that it defeated an Overlord with words alone (5). Just imagine what would’ve happened if weapons were involved. Oh, isn’t Love magnificent?”
Her words, especially those last ones, hit Fuji like a hammer—his Empathy Killer curse flared in protest.
“And you know something else?" Flonne continued. "My angel senses are telling me the ritual has been interrupted—at least for now—because Pirilika found a way to delay it.”
“…I’ve had the same feeling,” Fuji admitted through clenched teeth. Then he exhaled, a rare smile flickering across his lips. “Maybe she’s just talking non-stop, filling my Xeno counterpart’s head with one of her endless monologues full of messed-up sayings.”
He raised his hand theatrically, mimicking her tone—only to pause mid-sentence. A faint shimmer gathered in his palm.
There—cradled in a warm light—was Pirilika’s bracelet, with a small folded piece of paper wrapped around it.
Fuji opened the note with trembling fingers.
Fuji,
If I guessed right, I’m imprisoned alongside Hanako and Aramis in the cells of Shicroaku located in an alternate Hinomoto. If I’m wrong, this message will never reach you.
To find me, you and Ao will need the hair ties I gave you as a gift. The ones from that day (6). Wear them while crossing the portal. This will trigger a summoning called 'Please, return to me'.
I believe I have only a day left. After that… I don’t know what it will happen to me.
But I trust you, with all my heart.
Always have (7). Always will.
Even now, that hasn’t changed.
Pirilika
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Ao's postlude
(2) Chapter 17 of this story
(3) Chapter 18 of this story
(4) Disgaea 7 - Opener's postlude
(5) Chapter 19 of this story
(6) Chapter 21 of this story
(7) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 11
Chapter 31: Alternate Hinomoto, we're coming!
Summary:
We'll discover why Archangel Virunga went to Hades instead of Archangel Flonne.
Also, starting from next chapter, no summaries will be provided. Only the actions will tell the story.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hinomoto – Shogun’s Castle – Early Morning
A pale silver light spilled through the windows, casting long shadows across the war table. The air in the strategy room was heavy with tension. Higan stood at the center, arms crossed, voice steady.
“So, let’s sum up the situation,” she began. “Pirilika and two other demons—Hanako and Aramis—are being held in the Shicroaku cells of an alternate Hinomoto. If Cannonline’s right about why her daughter is there, then something must have happened to the Zenryo Yoichi. That would explain the delay in the ritual.”
She gestured to a red-circled block—a section labeled ‘Detention Wing – Shicroaku’—on the map of their dimension's Shicroaku spread before them.
They hoped the layout of the alternate Netherworld matched their own—just as it had in the Carnage Dimension. Pirilika had recognized the area. That gave them a foothold.
“Not far from the cells is the original Kurofune Project laboratory. If anything can repair an Infernal Treasure, it’ll be there. And if the stolen prototypes are still intact, they’re likely stored in the adjacent warehouse.”
She looked up, eyes dark with resolve.
“To save our friend, we’ll need to face three enemies: Xeno Fuji, a corrupted angel called Xeno Christo, and a vampire demon named Maderas.”
Yeyasu nodded grimly. “How we divide our forces will decide everything. One wrong step… and the Netherworld we know ends.”
A heavy silence followed. Every person in the room could feel the weight of what was coming. Then Cannonline stepped forward, eyes locking on Ao.
“Let me see that photo of Xeno Fuji again,” she said softly.
Ao handed it over. Cannonline studied it silently, then glanced toward the real Fuji—comparing, measuring.
And then… she smiled.
“Who would’ve thought those old lessons would come in handy?” she murmured to herself. “I have a plan to free my daughter—and the others. All I need is a little time… and for our Fuji to stay out of sight.”
Everyone turned to her.
“We can’t risk him being seen. If Xeno Fuji spots him, the ruse fails. So let’s finalize the strategy without Fuji.”
Flonne stepped forward, her usual brightness gone.
“In that case, I’ll face the corrupted angel,” she said. “Alongside Archangel Virunga and Ceefore. Seraph Lamington granted me a shard of temporary seraphic power… to decide Xeno Christo’s fate—after we defeat him.”
“Considering what Overlord Laharl said about Maderas,” Yeyasu added, “he’s best fought at a distance. Higan and I will take him.”
Fuji blinked. His mouth opened a little.
Master Higan choosing strategy over charging in teeth-first?
Maybe today really was the day the Netherworld would end…
“I’ll go after the prototypes!” Suisen offered.
But before anyone could reply, a familiar voice cut through the tension.
“…What if Benikage and I go instead?”
Everyone turned. At the door stood Sea Again. Beside him were Benikage and Akuma.
None of the others had known it, but the three Demonic Magistrates had chosen to remain on standby—just in case they were needed.
“You didn’t really think we’d sit this one out, did you?” Benikage grinned.
Akuma stepped forward, nodding to Cannonline. “I’ll stay with her. She’ll need protection while she provides first aid with that yellow Prinny. That frees up Opener, Ao, and Suisen to put everything they’ve got… into stopping the other Fuji.”
Fuji looked at Cannonline. “Do you know where those bastards’ personal chambers might be?”
Alternate Hinomoto – Shicroaku
“The Zenryo Yoichi’s reparation is nearly complete,” Xeno Fuji said flatly to Xeno Christo. Maderas was out on patrol, leaving the two alone.
“At first, I thought I’d sacrificed that idiotic demon-vampire. He never suspected a thing...” A low, dark chuckle escaped him. “But then I thought—why waste the fool? There’s someone far more entertaining to torment.”
He turned, lips curling into a predator’s grin.
“The nekomata girl.”
Xeno Christo stood by the window, uncharacteristically silent. His eyes searched the heavens with unease.
“…Strange,” he murmured, tension coiling in his voice. “My Clairvoyance is… unsettled. There’s danger from above, but the sky is—”
CRASH.
Glass exploded in all directions. A second later, the ceiling cracked like thunder—and then, like a comet, Ao tore through the roof and slammed into the floor with explosive force.
The shockwave sent Xeno Christo hurtling through the wall and out into the open air.
“Wheeeee! See, Suisen, Opener? Crashing into buildings really is better!” Ao cheered mid-air, spinning once before landing with catlike balance. “It’s been foreeeever! I still can’t believe my Dad actually asked me to do it—for once!”
Her eyes locked onto the figure before her—the mirror image of her father.
“Hi, Dad! I came to play~! Wanna start with hide-and-seek, or should we go straight to tag?”
But Xeno Fuji didn’t respond. He rose slowly, brushing the debris from his hakama with deliberate precision. His face was expressionless—until their eyes met.
What stared back at her was contempt. Hollow. Cold.
“I don’t know who you are, brat,” he said, voice like a blade. “But it seems you’re eager to die…”
He paused, eyes narrowing.
“…Did you say Dad?”
A flicker of realization passed through him.
“Oh...I see now!” he sneered. “You’re the alternate version of that outdated broken Infernal Treasure I discarded. (1)”
Alternate Hinomoto – Shicroaku – Near the Prisons Site
From behind a crumbling wall, Xeno Cannonline watched the distant figure with bated breath.
“He’s… really alone?” she whispered, scarcely believing it. “Is he finally letting his guard down?”
She clenched her fists, nerves thrumming.
“I need to follow him. Undetected. This might be my only chance.”
The weight of what she was doing pressed down on her shoulders. But she couldn’t stop now.
“Pirilika… Gatty… watch over me from the sky…”
Notes:
(1) Chapter 13 of this story
Chapter 32: Time to battle! - Part 1
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Alternate Hinomoto – Where Xeno Christo landed
“Ouch… First that bullet a few days ago in Hades (1), and now this?” Xeno Christo groaned as he staggered to his feet, brushing dust from his robes. “Maybe it’s time I trained my Clairvoyance a little more…”
Before he could regain his composure, a firm voice echoed from above.
“Xeno Christo! For the crimes of kidnapping and treason against Celestia, you are hereby placed under arrest! You will be judged according to Celestian law!” Ceefore’s voice was like thunder as she dove toward him, weapon drawn.
But Xeno Christo didn’t flinch. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a blinding Tera Star spell that would have vaporized Ceefore—had Flonne not transformed into her towering Flonnezilla form, intercepting it just in time.
“I can feel it… There’s so much sorrow in your heart. Why?” Flonne cried. “Why did you fall so far? I refuse to believe you’d follow someone like Xeno Fuji unless something—someone—shattered you first!”
Spell after spell rained down in answer. Each blast came heavier, hotter, filled with fury.
Flonne, Ceefore, and Virunga dodged and defended, trying not to destroy—trying to reach the soul still buried beneath the wrath.
Xeno Christo paused mid-casting, breath ragged. Another spell built behind his eyes, but something—some ancient ache—stayed his hand for a second too long.
“You know…” his voice came again, softer now, nearly drowned out by the hum of another incantation. “I used to believe in all that. Angels, demons, humans—we could walk together. Side by side. That love and peace were worth fighting for…”
“But?” Virunga’s voice cut through the chaos, calm and firm as he raised a radiant barrier. Even through its holy shimmer, the next Tera Fire came close to breaking through—scorching heat laced with raw hate.
Xeno Christo’s voice cracked.
“But one day… everything I believed in collapsed.” He swallowed hard. “My so-called friends—my fellow angels—turned on me. They condemned me for a crime I never truly committed (2). I killed an angel to protect a young demon. One life for another.”
His laugh was hollow, bitter.
“I was ‘soft.’ I was ‘sentimental.’ Not fit to be called an angel anymore. And the ones who condemned me? They were the ones who preached goodness. They were the righteous, the pure… the biggest sanctimonious hypocrites I’d ever known.”
The fire returned to his eyes—but this time, it burned alongside the raw agony of betrayal.
An angel who once stood for light… now buried beneath his own shadow.
Nearby
“I have to hurry… That explosion wasn’t normal,” Maderas muttered, his long cloak billowing as he sprinted toward the rising column of smoke.
But just as he rounded the corner—
THWACK!
A stick shot out from the shadows with ruthless precision, striking him squarely in the rear.
“GYYAAAAAAGHH!! NOT AGAIN—MY DIGNITY!” Maderas shrieked, tumbling forward in an unceremonious heap.
From the darkness, a familiar laugh echoed.
“Hyahyahya… Looks like your 'legendary move' is still as glorious as ever, Higan!” Yeyasu grinned, stepping into view with a devilish spark in his eyes.
“That should slow him down,” Higan added, arms folded as she emerged beside him.
Yeyasu twirled his Demonic Staff with a casual flourish, his tone firm but brimming with conviction. “We fight for the future, Maderas. And you? You’ve run out of places to run.”
Still clutching his wounded pride, Maderas snarled and forced himself upright. “I fight for my Master. And I will stop you… even if it costs me my life.”
Back to Xeno Fuji and Ao
As Xeno Fuji lunged toward Ao, a massive fist came crashing down, missing him by a hair’s breadth. The ground cracked violently under the force of the blow.
"AO! IKKI! Stay back!" Opener bellowed, his voice trembling with fury. "I’ll deal with this bastard myself—for what he did to my daughter… and to her other self. Don’t ask me how I know. A father just does."
Opener’s eyes locked on Xeno Fuji, burning with the wrath of a father pushed far beyond his limits.
Alternate Hinomoto – Prisons
“Looks like the body-painting plan worked after all,” Fuji thought, moving with careful, measured steps through the dimly lit corridors. “No one suspects I’m not the Xeno version of myself... Hang on, Piriko. I’m coming.”
Inside the prison chamber, a furious voice shattered the silence.
“You again?! You monster!” Hanako roared. “Come one step closer and I’ll bite you—I swear, even if I lose every last tooth doing it!”
“Back for us again?” Aramis snarled, eyes full of rage. “You already kidnapped us, locked us in this nightmare — and now you want what?
Thunk.
Fuji’s knuckle landed lightly on Pirilika’s head.
“Eeeek!” she squeaked, clutching her head. Then her eyes widened. “T-That knuckle... That’s—That’s my Fuji!”
Aramis and Hanako fell silent as she stumbled forward.
“Aramis, Hanako—it's really him! I thought—I thought I’d turned into a sacred lamp... or something,” she whispered, crumpling to her knees, tears welling up. “But it’s really you…”
Fuji knelt and slipped the bracelet back onto her wrist with quiet care.
“I think you mean ‘sacrificial lamb,’ Pirsillyka. But for once... I’m relieved to hear you butcher the Hinomoto language.” he said gently.
“See?” Pirilika said, turning to the others. "Look how much he's bleeding right now. This is how the Empathy Killer curse works! That’s how you know it’s really him.”
Aramis's expression shifted as understanding dawned. Hanako, still suspicious, muttered, “Tch... you'd better be right.”
“Enough with the reunion,” Fuji muttered, drawing Kanzan Musashi with a snap of steel. “I’m getting you out. Now.”
Notes:
(1) Chapter 8 of this story
(2) Chapter 16 of this story
Chapter 33: Time to battle! - Part 2
Chapter Text
Opener VS Xeno Fuji
The moment crackled with tension. Opener stepped forward, the stone beneath his feet cracking from the pressure of his stance. His fists trembled with fury.
"You kidnapped my daughter," he growled, each word heavy with restrained rage. "And now you’ll answer for it."
"I have to admit," Xeno Fuji said flatly, sliding his sword from its sheath, "she’s a fascinating disposable variable in my design."
That was enough.
Opener charged with a primal roar, his fist rocketing forward like a meteor. Xeno Fuji sidestepped with unnatural grace, his blade lashing out in a blur, slicing shallow across Opener’s ribs.
Blood sprayed, but Opener didn’t flinch. He slammed his knee into Xeno Fuji’s gut, followed by a crushing uppercut that sent the swordsman flying back into a pillar. The stone exploded on impact.
"You feel that?" Opener snarled. "That’s every second she spent scared and alone!"
Xeno Fuji twisted mid-air and landed in a crouch. A flick of his wrist—his blade struck again, slashes dancing with deadly precision. Opener blocked with his forearms, grunting as shallow cuts opened across his chest and shoulders.
Then he grabbed the blade. Blood poured from his palms, but he held it firm.
"And this—this is what it feels like to face a father’s fury."
With a roar, he yanked the sword forward and slammed his forehead into Xeno Fuji’s skull with bone-rattling force.
Xeno Fuji stumbled back, dazed for the first time.
Opener didn’t let up.
He pounded the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through it. Xeno Fuji staggered. Opener leapt—fists glowing with raw, condensed energy—and brought them down like divine hammers.
But the swordsman was too fast.
In a blur of afterimages, Xeno Fuji vanished from the point of impact, reappearing behind Opener.
"I tire of this."
His blade shimmered—then erupted into a flurry of strikes. Opener blocked most with raw instinct and sheer toughness, but a final diagonal slash carved deep across his back, staggering him.
Breathing hard, knees buckling, Opener stood tall one last time.
Xeno Fuji surged forward for the finishing blow.
But Opener caught the blade—bare hands, bleeding anew—and hurled Xeno Fuji back with a punch charged with every ounce of strength left in him. The ground cratered beneath his feet from the recoil.
Xeno Fuji skidded to a halt, then he straightened slowly, smirking coldly.
"You almost had me," he said, lips curling slightly. "But you're spent."
His voice dropped a note colder.
"I feel nothing for her. Or for you. Empathy is a flaw I buried long ago."
Maderas VS Higan and Yeyasu
Higan landed first, her Demonic Spear spinning in hand. Yeyasu flanked her moments later, eyes narrowing at the writhing mass of cursed cloth that formed Maderas’ living cape.
“That thing won’t save you,” Higan said coldly.
“It doesn’t have to,” Maderas growled. “It only needs to devour you.”
The cape surged forward, tendrils lashing out like the limbs of a starving beast. Higan vaulted back as one snapped inches from her leg. Yeyasu raised his staff.
“Tera Fire!”
A tornado of flame erupted, forcing the tendrils to recoil, shrieking and smoldering. Behind a shimmering barrier, Maderas remained untouched, grinning.
“I’m not so easily burned.”
To drive the point home, he slammed his hands into the ground. Dark chains burst upward, snaking toward them. Higan flipped backward mid-air and hurled her spear.
It whistled through the smoke—but the cape intercepted it with a meaty snap, forcing her to retreat another step.
“You’ll need more than sharp sticks and fireballs!” Maderas bellowed, eyes blazing with manic devotion. “I carry my Master’s will! I carry—”
“Tera Star!” Yeyasu shouted, cutting him off.
The radiant blast slammed into Maderas’ barrier. It flickered—then shattered in a cascade of sparks.
Higan was already behind him.
“Keep him busy!” she called. “I’ve got a clean shot! And try not to get eaten by that cursed laundry while you're at it!”
Yeyasu didn’t need her to explain. They’d rehearsed this kind of maneuver a hundred times on the battlefield.
Higan lunged, ducked a tendril, and drove her Demonic Spear into Maderas’ side. He roared, twisting unnaturally, and flung her away with a surge of cursed strength.
Maderas laughed through the pain, blood dribbling from his mouth. “Fools… even wounded, I will not fail! I—”
He froze.
A glowing glyph had bloomed on his chest—searing through his robes, etched not in ink, but in blood.
“What… is this?” he gasped, staggering to one knee. “My barrier… my lifeforce… it’s unraveling…”
Higan’s eyes widened.
“A failsafe. Your master must’ve branded your soul… to keep his Infernal Treasure from falling into enemy hands.”
Maderas clawed at the glyph as his body began to crumble into violet ash.
“Master… why… why did you betray me…? Was I… just a tool after all…?”
He collapsed. The cursed cape writhed once more—then fell limp beside him.
A silent gust carried his ashes into the void.
For a moment, nothing stirred.
Then—
“…Well,” Yeyasu exhaled, wiping blood from his lip. “That was unpleasant.”
He winced and placed a hand on his lower back. “Also, ow. I think I pulled something.”
Before he could finish, Higan crouched beside him, mischief twinkling in her eyes.
“Eh?! What are you—?!”
Without hesitation, she hoisted him over her shoulder like a sack of rice.
“Let’s get you patched up, husband. Cannonline’s waiting.”
“HEY! Put me down! What if it hurts the baby?!”
Higan chuckled, already walking. “She’s fine. But you need a checkup after that squeaky yelp when the cape nearly tagged you.”
“I told you—it was a tactical exhale!”
But he was laughing.
And so was she.
Chapter 34: Time to battle! - Part 3
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Prisons
"Piriko, can you reach these coordinates with Hanako and Aramis on your own?" Fuji asked, urgency tightening his voice. "Cannonline, Pii-Chan, and Akuma will be there with first aid. I’m heading out to retrieve the Zenryo Yoichi."
Pirilika froze. Her heart pounded, but her voice rang with determination.
"Hanako, Aramis... you’ll recognize my mother as soon as you see her. She looks just like me." She turned to Fuji, eyes unwavering. "I’m going with you."
Fuji’s expression twisted in disbelief. "What the hell, Pirsillyka?!" he barked. "You want to die just trying to be saved?"
Her fists trembled, but she didn’t back down. "The Zenryo Yoichi is my Infernal Treasure. I won’t sit back and let someone else risk their life for it." Her voice cracked. "What would I say to Ao... if you didn’t come back?"
Fuji’s jaw clenched. "Don’t steal my line! What the hell would I tell Cannonline and Opener if you didn’t come back?!"
"I’m going with you!" Pirilika snapped again, standing her ground.
"And I said you’re not!" Fuji shot back.
"Uh... excuse me," Hanako interjected, raising a hand as she began to edge away. "Me and Aramis are just gonna... let you two sort this meltdown out."
She tugged on Aramis’s arm as they backed into the hallway.
After a pause, she added more seriously, "If we split up, it’ll be harder for that monster to pull off whatever twisted plan he’s cooking. Let’s move, Aramis."
Their footsteps faded into the corridor. Hanako muttered something about how her big brother Adell and sister-in-law Rozalin used to argue just like that. (1)
Fuji exhaled sharply, then turned back to Pirilika. He wasn’t smiling, but something in his eyes had changed—resigned… maybe even proud.
"If you’re going to be this stubborn," he muttered, gesturing to a cloth tarp nearby, "put that on. We can’t let the guards recognize you."
"...Thank you, Fuji," Pirilika said softly as she grabbed the cloth.
Fuji’s eyes flicked to the bruise on her cheek. He stepped closer—then stopped himself.
"...He did this to you, didn’t he?"
"I’ll heal it," Pirilika whispered. "Once we retrieve the Zenryo Yoichi."
Opener VS Xeno Fuji (continued)
Xeno Fuji strode forward, intent on killing Opener—but Suisen streaked down like a burning lance, crashing between them in a blast of wind and smoke.
"You’ve spilled enough blood," Suisen declared, his eyes blazing with foresight.
Beside him stood Ao, her Demonic Axe in hand, her face fierce and unflinching.
"You hurt Pirilly’s dad," she growled through gritted teeth. "Now you’ll answer to me."
Xeno Fuji’s expression remained unreadable. "There must be a discount on fools trying to play heroes."
He darted in, faster than thought, aiming for Ao.
Suisen moved to intercept, predicting the strikes twice before Xeno Fuji slipped past his guard—and drove his sword deep into Suisen’s side.
Opener tried to rise, to help—but the fight had drained him. He collapsed, unconscious but alive. His fingers twitched.
Suisen gritted his teeth and attacked again, fighting alongside Ao. Their combined assault forced Xeno Fuji to retreat a step.
"Not yet... I still see a path!" Suisen gasped.
Xeno Fuji’s eyes narrowed.
"You are an Infernal Treasure," he murmured.
Then, softly—almost reverently—he whispered a string of syllables no mortal should know. The air twisted as the command took hold.
Suisen’s body froze. The energy radiating from Zenchi Kintoki began to flicker erratically.
"Wha—what is this...?"
"I know how to seal you tools. Time for the scrap heap," Xeno Fuji said coldly, driving his sword toward Suisen’s chest core.
"NO!"
Ao’s cry split the air.
The moment Suisen screamed, something in Ao snapped.
Her vision went red. She surged forward, not thinking—just feeling—as her Demonic Axe cut a blazing arc through the air.
"Annoying until the end, huh?" Xeno Fuji hissed.
His eyes locked on Ao, full of murderous intent. "If my powers don’t work on you... then I’ll kill you the traditional way."
Near the warehouse
“We're almost there, Benikage!” said Sea Again as they attacked the guards blocking their path to the stolen prototypes.
“Looks like it,” Benikage replied. “Once we’ve recovered the prototypes and brought them back to Cannonline, I suggest we check in on Ao, Suisen, and Opener. They’re fighting Fuji, after all—even if it’s his Xeno version.”
"When did he even surpass us?" Sea Again said with a wry smile. "And watching you swing that sword… makes me miss my old body. Still, I believe Fuji and the others will find a way to restore the living Infernal Treasures… to turn us back into demons."
He grinned. "Otherwise, I’d have never entrusted him with my sheath." (2)
Xeno Christo VS Flonne, Virunga, and Ceefore (continued)
"Wait… maybe I’ve got an idea," Ceefore said, her eyes narrowing in sudden realization. "He hates angels, right? Then I’ll change my aspect to the demonic one!"
A shimmer of dark energy rippled over her as her pristine white wings darkened, morphing into sleek violet ones.
Xeno Christo froze. His expression faltered—just for a moment.
Ceefore grinned. "Gotcha."
"Oh, I see where you’re going," Flonne chimed in, clapping her hands together with sudden inspiration. "Then I’ll transform too—into my Fallen Angel form!"
Ceefore blinked, her smirk faltering. "Wait... did you say Fallen Angel?"
Flonne winked. "It's a long story. (3) I'll tell you someday. And guess what? I lived with demons... just like you."
Notes:
(1) A reference to the first chapters of Disgaea 2
(2) An item world event in Disgaea 7
(3) A story beginning with her self-introduction as an assassin in the first Disgaea!
Chapter 35: Time to battle! - Part 4
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Xeno Christo VS Flonne, Virunga, and Ceefore (continued)
Xeno Christo’s fury boiled over.
“I shall cleanse this battlefield of all impurity!” he roared, eyes ablaze with radiant malice. With terrifying force, he unleashed his full magical arsenal upon Archangel Virunga—the only one who had not taken a demonic form.
“Archangel Virunga—watch out!” Ceefore shouted, but it was already too late.
Virunga raised his arms to shield himself, and the onslaught struck with cataclysmic brilliance. A golden inferno swallowed him, the air shuddering with wrath.
But in his zealotry, Xeno Christo left himself wide open.
“Now!” Flonne cried.
Ceefore fired a charged round from her demonic rifle, striking Xeno Christo’s side and shattering his barrier.
In the same instant, Flonne conjured a rain of holy arrows, each one glowing with purifying light. They struck in a radiant cross-pattern, pinning him to the earth.
Xeno Christo collapsed to one knee, coughing blood. He looked up at them, defiant and trembling, yet unable to rise.
“It’s over,” Flonne said, her voice gentle but firm.
The battlefield fell still.
She stepped forward, her eyes alight with borrowed Seraphic Judgment. For a moment, her wings pulsed with radiant sorrow.
“You were betrayed,” she said quietly. “Falsely accused, abandoned by those who should’ve stood by you. And so you turned to demons—because at least they were honest with their hatred.”
Xeno Christo’s lips parted, but no words came.
“You thought that made them pure. That made him pure.” Her voice trembled—not with anger, but with grief. “But you never learned the difference between truth and love.”
She reached out, light forming in her hand.
“There is beauty even in broken things.”
A soft wind stirred. Light flowed over Xeno Christo—not to obliterate, but to transform. His body shimmered, then dissolved into a swirl of radiant petals. When the glow subsided, a single glowing Yuie flower bloomed where he fell.
Ceefore blinked. “You… turned him into a flower?”
“Reincarnated,” Flonne corrected gently. “Yuie flowers only bloom in Celestia (1). Maybe, if he finds his way back there… he’ll finally understand what love really is.”
Virunga stirred with a groan, emerging from the scorched earth, wings tattered but intact. “Next time,” he said hoarsely, “I’ll dodge faster.”
Slightly Away from Shicroaku
"Thank you for having brought back the prototypes, Sea Again, Benikage," Cannonline said with a nod of gratitude.
"We’re heading out now to check on Ao, Suisen, and Opener," Benikage replied. "It seems Akuma is doing a solid job protecting you and Pii-Chan."
With that, he and Sea Again turned and left.
“Ms. Cannonline… are these prototypes really capable of preserving a soul?” Aramis asked curiously.
“They are. Their purpose is soul containment and restoration,” Cannonline responded, raising an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”
Aramis glanced at Hanako, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
“I think I just found a way to get Master Etna to forgive me for the Cotton Candy Zombie incident… (2)”
Xeno Fuji VS Ao
Ao charged forward, frost bursting from her feet, freezing the ground beneath each step. Her axe swung wide, an arc of ice trailing behind it.
Xeno Fuji met the blow with a clean parry, the clash of metal ringing sharp and pure. Sparks flared. They broke apart, only to lunge again—her strikes wild and furious, his counters tight and methodical.
“Who ever thought a useless tool could put up a semi-decent fight?” Xeno Fuji said.
“I’m not a tool,” Ao growled, her eyes glowing with cold fire. “I am a real demon!”
With a roar, she slammed her axe into the ground. Ice erupted from the impact, jagged spires racing toward him like a tidal wave of frost. Xeno Fuji vaulted effortlessly over them.
His sword flashed—too fast for Ao to follow—but she managed to block it, just barely.
Steel clashed as axe met blade, but Xeno Fuji’s precision overwhelmed her. With a sharp twist, he knocked the Demonic Axe from her hands and seized her by the hair.
“You’re a living sin that never should’ve existed…” Xeno Fuji said coldly, raising his sword to strike.
Just as the blade began to fall, two ragged shapes stumbled forward from the smoke and debris—Suisen and Opener, driven by sheer will and desperation. They grabbed Xeno Fuji’s arm with what strength they had left.
Near the Zenryo Yoichi's Reparation Site
They moved in silence.
Fuji led Pirilika by the arm, her face concealed beneath a draped cloth. To any passerby, she looked like a captive—another prisoner dragged through the ruined halls of the fortress.
It was the only way to avoid raising suspicion.
At the corner of the corridor, Fuji stopped. He pressed Pirilika gently against the wall and leaned forward, peering around the edge.
No guards. The coast was clear.
He turned back to her and gave a small nod. “Looks like we’re almost the—”
In a flick of movement, a blade burst through his chest.
Fuji gasped, the words dying in his throat. Pain tore through him like wildfire. He staggered back, barely able to register the burning steel now protruding from his ribs.
Standing before him, hands clenched around the hilt of the Zenryo Yoichi, was Xeno Cannonline.
Her eyes were wide and burning with rage, her teeth gritted, her expression twisted in grief too deep for words.
“You monster!” she screamed. Her voice cracked, fury and heartbreak surging together. “You’ll pay for what you did to my daughter—and my husband!”
Fuji’s eyes widened in horror. “No—wait—”
But Cannonline drove the blade deeper. Fuji choked, blood pouring from his mouth and over her trembling hands.
His knees gave out. The world reeled around him, spinning and dimming at the edges. He fell to the ground with a wet thud, his breathing ragged.
“Mother… no!” Pirilika’s voice rang out, raw and panicked.
The cloth slipped from her face as she dropped to her knees beside Fuji, her eyes wide with horror, tears already falling.
Xeno Cannonline froze.
Her gaze locked onto Pirilika—those unmistakable eyes, that voice, just a little older. There was no mistaking it: she was her daughter, from another dimension.
“…Pirilika?” she whispered, the sword falling from her hands.
Fuji’s vision darkened. The last thing he saw before the blackness swallowed him was Pirilika’s face, stricken with anguish, cradling him in shaking arms.
“Fuji!” she screamed, her cry echoing through the corridor like a dream torn in half.
Notes:
(1) Disgaea D2 - Chapter 1
(2) Chapter 6 of this story
Chapter 36: Last Interlude - How it all began
Summary:
From chapter 26:
... Xeno Joe Doe’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind.
In that other Netherworld, he had killed his father. He was called "Master." And what if something terrible had happened to Ao, Piriko, or his friends because of him?
What choices had he made that diverged so drastically from his own? And what price had those dear to him paid for them?
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Alternate Hinomoto — After Ao’s Birth
“It seems if I play my cards right, I can twist Ao’s innocent love into a blade against my father,” Fuji muttered coldly, eyes fixed on her as she trained.
“She’ll be useful—an instrument of revenge… and a test subject for mastering the Empathy Killer curse. I’m tired of coughing blood.”
He turned, his smirk swallowed by shadows.
“But I must be cautious. Let her grow too strong, and she might turn on me. No… I’ll stunt her potential. She’ll never realize what she could’ve become. She will obey me—utterly and forever.”
Unseen above them, Tenbuyer was watching intently. But before he could retreat, something snapped around his wings.
“You were right, Dad!” Ao chirped, while holding the struggling Mothman (1) in a headlock. “Someone was spying on us!”
“Hold him,” Fuji said flatly. “I’ll tear his wings off. We can’t allow interruptions.”
Far away, Joe Doe watched in silent horror from within the body of Opener—his host, still bound to the will of the Demonic Fist.
“Oh, my friend… what did they do to you?” he whispered, gazing at Tenbuyer’s broken form.
“I know the culprit,” Mugai said, stepping out from Opener’s body, voice hollow and without remorse. “Let it be. If Fuji is finally shedding his empathy… then everything is going according to my plan.”
Joe Doe glanced at him sharply. “Are you certain, Lord Mugai?”
Mugai gave a slow, bitter grin. “From now on, I won’t hide inside the Demmodore’s flesh. I want to see if my son truly has the will to raise his blade against his own father.
And if something happens to me… swear your loyalty to him. Tell him everything about the Curse. By then, I expect he’ll wield it far better than I ever could.” (2)
“Tomorrow, during the ceremony, I’ll finally have my chance. The Curse will spread to every demon in Hinomoto… and then that Prince Stupid will die (3). I have no use for a scrap like him.” Fuji announced, speaking to no one in particular.
“Are you insane, Master Fuji?!” Joe Doe blurted in Opener’s body, voice trembling. “You’re really planning to unleash the Curse during tomorrow’s ceremony?! On all of Hinomoto?!”
“Shut up,” Fuji snapped, eyes flashing. “What would a talking thing know?”
“I am not a thing! I am Joe Doe—a living being! Your father treated me like kin! You won’t even speak my name!”
“Hmph. I remember only the important ones. Take the Prince Stupid. That fool really thinks he can save his little brother if he just obeys us.
Too bad—we already killed him. Do you think I even cared enough to learn their names?” Fuji replied, dryly.
Joe Doe trembled, fury rising. “You’ll kill him… then what? What about the foreign demons here? The angels? The humans?”
“I’ll wipe them out too,” Fuji said, grinning coldly. “The Curse doesn’t affect them—yet. But give it time. Sooner or later, they’ll kneel before me.”
Far away, Higan gritted her teeth as her trembling fingers clutched her blade’s hilt, knuckles pale beneath bloodstained gloves.
“You used your wife's body to forge a Demonic Sword. You turned your own son into a monster… You fool, Mugai. You damned us all.”
She staggered forward, every step carving pain through her limbs. Her breaths came shallow, ragged.
The Curse was eating her from the inside, necrotizing her organs, withering her soul. She had resisted it for too long.
“I don’t have much time left…” she murmured, her voice hoarse. “But I will not die quietly.”
With one final push of will, she launched herself forward until she stood at the edge of Gero Haunt Springs.
Without hesitation, Higan struck. Her blade tore through Fuji’s left arm in a blur. (4)
“You… Who dares—”
“I am Higan Zesshosai! I’m here to end this!” she roared.
“You’re barely standing,” Fuji sneered, unshaken. “Let’s fix that.”
“I suggest you don’t kill me… After all, I could be useful to you, Master Fuji,” Nitra said smoothly. “What if the United Netherworlds start to suspect what’s happening here? You’ll need political stability in Hinomoto to buy more time.
I propose appointing Partyasu—the cousin of the late Prince Yeyasu—as Shogun. A puppet figurehead.
Then, with a loyal Magistrate working behind the scenes, no one interferes. You gain both control and legitimacy.”
Fuji’s eyes narrowed.
“And what makes you think I wouldn’t just eliminate you anyway?”
“Because I am an angel—like the one standing near you. And angels are… loyal,” Nitra replied.
Christo snorted, but she ignored him.
“Let me prove it.” Nitra knelt and presented a sword.
“I offer this as a token of fidelity. It absorbs the strength of those it slays and repairs itself with every soul (5). You’ll never need a blacksmith again.”
Forgive me, Cee… Nitra thought.
I know how you felt about using souls in weapons… but this was the only way to earn his trust. (6)
I was far away when he killed you in Sardemon World (7)—Celestia had sent us to investigate the sudden surge of souls ascending—so he didn’t see my face.
But I’ll avenge you one day.
I swear it.
“There’s no doubt—only the Zenryo Yoichi possesses the healing properties described in the rite.
No matter how many other Infernal Treasures are forged, none will suffice,” Cannonline said grimly.
“And if he keeps forcing me to work on the soul preservation experiments, his plan will be nearly complete. I can’t let that happen…”
“You have to escape, Cannonline,” Nitra urged. “Otherwise, it will mean the end of every living being.”
“If I run… they said they’d kill my husband,” Cannonline whispered, collapsing to her knees.
“I haven’t seen him since he mysteriously disappeared in Gero Haunt Springs. They must have imprisoned him.”
She clenched her hands.
“The only comfort I have left is knowing our daughter is safe in Wahei…”
“I don’t want to hear more excuses, Magistrate Nitra! Only an incompetent wouldn’t have noticed that Cannonline escaped! You were appointed specifically to watch her!” Christo snapped.
Nitra said nothing.
“Tsk… fine. I’ll inform our Master. You’ll live—for now—because you still serve as the puppetmaster behind our false Shogun.
But answer me this: we threatened Cannonline. Told her we’d kill her husband if she didn’t cooperate. We know she’s married—her ring proves that. But we never confirmed the identity. Whoever he is… he’ll pay.”
“He’s prisoner 666,” Nitra answered quietly.
“Oh? That fragile demon? Love really is blind,” Christo scoffed. “But since you’ve been loyal until now… I won’t bother using Clairvoyance to check.”
That demon was already dying... but why does it hurt so much to have sacrificed him? Nitra thought.
Oh, my beloved Cee... it seems I’ll never see you in the afterlife. But I swear I’ll support Cannonline with everything I have.
And one day… we’ll have our vengeance.
"It seems Zenryo Yoichi's powers are the only ones I truly need... Cursed Canonline—when I find you, you’ll know no peace. Not in this Netherworld or the next. (8)" Fuji roared.
“You seem irritated,” Christo said.
“I am,” Fuji growled, biting into a cursed peach. “The nekomata’s spirit still resists. She should’ve broken by now—and I hate that super-positive attitude of hers. It’s sickening.”
He paused, his voice lowering with irritation.
“We’re only keeping her alive because her soul’s unique structure helps with our research—extending the Curse beyond this Netherworld. Otherwise, she’d be ash already.”
Joe Doe, still in Opener’s body, muttered, “And while you experiment on her… you keep torturing her…”
Fuji hurled the peach pit at him. It struck Opener’s hat—and from beneath it, a pair of twitching nekomata ears slipped free.
“Oh… That’s who you’ve been hiding,” Fuji sneered. “Now I know how to start breaking her.” (7)
Fuji stood over the broken form on the ground—Opener’s corpse, slack and bloodied, unmoving. He gave it no more than a glance, assuming also Joe Doe’s spirit was shattered.
“Pathetic,” he muttered, reaching for the Demonic Fist. But as his fingers touched the relic, a faint twitch pulsed through the body. A flicker of consciousness sparked behind its dead eyes.
Too late, Fuji sensed it.
The body surged upright. Joe Doe seized control—just for a second—and with one final act of defiance, slashed Fuji’s left arm, tearing the flesh open. In time, a second scar bloomed—bright and jagged—right beside the first. (9)
“You dare—!” Fuji howled in fury. Snarling, he grabbed the corpse by the throat.
Runes flared across his palm as, using his knowledge about Infernal Treasures, he tore Joe Doe’s soul from the Demonic Fist and forcefully anchored it back into Opener’s body—this time with chains of spiritual rot and necrotic intent.
“If you want to cling to this corpse,” he hissed, “then rot in it forever.”
The spell took hold. The body would not die, not truly—but decay slowly, twisted into a grotesque, half-living mockery. Neither alive nor dead. Neither fully himself nor fully gone.
"So I was right... Cannonline is your mother. I was suspecting it for a while because you look so much alike (10)." Fuji said flatly, wiping his bloodstained hands with a cloth—her blood, still warm, smeared across his fingers without a flicker of remorse.
Pirilika said nothing. But her wide, tear-filled eyes pleaded with him, silently begging him not to harm her mother.
Fuji noticed—but didn’t care.
"Ah, your spirit is still unbroken? How touching," he sneered, tilting his head with cold curiosity. "Good. It'll be far more satisfying to shatter it... right in front of your mother’s eyes. You’ll be an excellent bait for luring her here..."
He tossed the crimson-soaked cloth aside, his voice calm, clinical—the voice of someone completely detached from the pain he caused.
"I’ll give her credit, though," he continued, his voice casual, as if discussing a trivial puzzle. "She’s clever. Must’ve tricked Magistrate Nitra into thinking she was married to some other weakling. That’s why I didn’t see the connection sooner…"
He stepped closer, a faint, joyless smile curling on his lips.
She flinched—but didn’t move.
"But now that I know the truth…" he murmured, reaching out and grabbing her by the hair. "I’ll make sure you both suffer—properly."
His grip tightened.
"For now… playtime’s over. Time to resume the experiment."
Ao sat silently beside the ashes of Pirilika (10).
Earlier, when Fuji had entered the cell and seen what little remained of Pirilika’s body, he had barely glanced at it.
“Sweep up the dust,” he had said flatly. “I don’t like dirty cells.”
As he turned to leave, he added with cold indifference, “At least I won’t have to see her annoying face anymore. She reminded me of someone (11)… but I don’t remember who.”
Ao didn’t move. She didn’t speak.
But something stirred—deep, buried under layers of numbness. A whisper of memory.
“…Please,” Pirilika whispered, her voice quivering, “absorb this sword into your body. It might stabilize you, even if just for a little while. You told me you’re a living Infernal Treasure, right?
…I can feel it… my body’s falling apart. The last experiment… it was too much. There’s not much time left.
…If I die like this… my body will turn to ash. There’ll be nothing left of me. No bait for my mother. No leverage for him…”
That moment was burned into her soul. Pirilika’s fingers trembling around the Kanzan Musashi. Her voice, thinned by pain but still gentle. Her last request: a hand to hold so she wouldn’t die alone.
Ao had taken her hand. She had clutched it like a drowning child clings to air.
Now there was nothing left.
No warmth. No voice. Just dust.
Ao should have felt grief. Rage. Something.
But the moment Pirilika slipped away… something in her had shattered too.
There was no escape.
Even if she fled, the angel would track her down before long.
She didn’t have the strength to kill her master.
She couldn’t even end her own life, as he had sealed her souls without her knowledge, ensuring that suicide would be impossible.
“Because,” he had once said, “your birth is a sin (12). You should never have existed—and now, your every breath is penance.”
She stared into the grey dust where her only friend had once been.
"Ever since he discovered the Curse, no one has known peace." she thought. "…What was it Joe Doe said once? That the Curse’s existence is tied directly to the Empathy Killer?" (13)
She clenched her fists, but the anger wouldn’t rise. Not anymore.
Only silence.
“You were right to propose searching other dimensions,” Christo said. “Scouring the multiverse has brought results (14).
It’s only a nuisance that Cannonline and the Demonic Bow from our own reality are still unaccounted for.”
“That’s why I ordered you to continue the portal research,” Fuji replied coldly. “If they’re not in this Netherworld, then we’ll find them elsewhere.”
In the shadows—far below their notice—a soft tear shimmered open in the air. Just large enough for one body to pass.
Joe Doe stepped through.
Shackles still clung to his wrists—burned, rusted, barely holding together. The skin beneath them was raw.
He’d been nothing more than a disposable body. The angel had run countless portal tests on him, seeking a stable transdimensional gateway. The pain had been unbearable.
But Joe Doe had endured.
He had learned.
And now—from their own research, their own cruelty—he had forged a singular rift. Crude. Unstable. One chance only. (15)
But it was enough.
As the dimensional slit closed behind him, the air swallowed his scent, his pain, his existence. To them, he’d always been a shadow. A failed experiment. A tool. One not even worth naming.
But tools, when sharpened by suffering, can cut the hand that forged them.
“And the Vampire?” Christo asked. “Do we still pretend he’s our equal?”
“He’s a puppet,” Fuji said with a cold smile. “A foreign demon we’ll sacrifice once we claim the Demonic Bow.
Until then… let him cling to his delusions. The deeper the trust… the sweeter the betrayal…” (16)
Notes:
(1) The Winged Warrior class is also known as Mothman
(2) Then, at the end of chapter 5 of this story, he'll be killed
(3) Chapter 5 of this story
(4) This is the origin of the older scar Almaz noticed in chapter 28 of this story. Also, although Xeno Fuji defeated Xeno Higan, he was so impressed by her that he mentions her in chapter 7
(5) Chapter 7 of this story.
(6) Disgaea 7 – Chapter 10.
(7) Chapter 16 of this story.
(8) Chapter 4 of this story.
(9) So this is the origin of the second scar
(10) Chapter 15 of this story
(11) At some moments in Disgaea 7, it is hinted that Pirilika resembles Fuji's mother, Fuyo. However, Xeno Fuji fails to notice this
(12) This is the complete opposite of what Fuji says to Ao in chapter 14 of Disgaea 7
(13) Then, in chapter 16 of this story, Xeno Ao will reveal this important truth to Xeno Cannonline
(14) Meanwhile, while searching for Cannonline, they went on a killing spree, as shown in chapter 5 of this story
(15) So this is how Xeno Joe Doe ended up in Hades
(16) That's why Maderas had the failsafe on him, as shown in chapter 33 of this story
Chapter 37: The shape of the sky
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Gero Haunt Springs – 15 Years Ago – Before Opener’s Arrival to Hinomoto
“Fuji! Hey, Fuji! Wake up!” Benikage’s voice echoed through the training ground. He shook Fuji by the shoulders, worry creasing his brow. Did I hit him too hard with that last strike?
Fuji stirred, a sleepy mumble escaping his lips. “Nooo… Ao… Piriko… just five more minutes…”
Benikage blinked. He glanced over at Sea Again, who raised an eyebrow, arms crossed in amusement.
“Ao? Piriko?” Sea Again let out a low whistle. “Hey, Master Mugai, sounds like our little demon prince has got two sweethearts.”
Fuji’s eyes snapped open. “No, Sea! It’s not like that!” he protested, cheeks flushed as he sat up groggily. “They’re…they’re not my girlfriends! They’re just…”
He paused, rubbing at his temples. “Wait… who were they? It felt so real…but I guess it was just a dream.”
Mugai stepped forward, concern softening his stern expression. “You seem fine, but perhaps it’s best to skip training for the rest of the day. Head injuries aren’t a joke.”
“Really? Then I’m going to see Mom!” Fuji lit up, already sprinting off before Mugai could speak again.
“Fuji, wait!” Mugai called, but it was too late.
“Moooom!” Fuji burst through the door, his voice filled with boyish eagerness. “I don’t have training today! Can I help you with something? Maybe we could spend some time together!”
Fuyo looked up from her workbench, her eyes warm—but touched by a quiet, far-off sadness. “Oh, honey… you shouldn’t be here just yet.”
“Huh?” Fuji frowned. “Am I disturbing you? I’m sorry, Mom…”
Fuyo shook her head. “That’s not what I mean, sweetheart. Why don’t you go outside? The air will help clear your head.”
Fuji lay sprawled out on the grass, arms behind his head, watching clouds drift across the sky.
“That one looks like a mouth with sharp teeth… that one’s a triangular horn… and that one—whoa! What a scary face with two horns.”
He laughed, the sound echoing over the hills.
“And those over there… they look like an angel wing and a demon one…”
His voice faltered. A knot tightened in his chest.
“And those two together…” His throat thickened, eyes stinging. “A cat with four ears and an adorable snowman…”
A single tear traced down his cheek, and he didn’t know why.
“Today feels…strange,” Fuji murmured, still watching the clouds. “Maybe a game of ping pong will clear my head.”
Present
“Fuji! Fuji!” Pirilika’s voice was a desperate plea. “Please, open your eyes! Or I swear I’ll use your entire paycheck to buy Ookiyoe paintings!”
She shook him harder, but his eyes remained closed and his body limp and unresponsive.
Pirilika’s throat tightened. A similar threat that had once brought him back to life (1) before fell flat against the silence.
This time, he wasn’t waking up. This time, she didn’t have the Zenryo Yoichi to save him.
“I’m sorry,” Xeno Cannonline said, her voice hollow. “I’m so sorry, Pirilika of the other dimension. How could I have known it wasn’t him…”
The sound of a paddle hitting a ping pong ball echoed. Fuji swung, missed, and the paddle slipped from his hands, clattering to the floor.
“It’s as if… my hands are too small,” he muttered, staring down at them.
Aimlessly, he wandered to the window, gazing up at the sky. The clouds drifted by—shaped like the same cat and snowman from before, but this time, both wore delicate ribbons.
“Huh? A girl snowman and a girl cat? Why do they feel so…familiar? Why does it feel like… I’m leaving them behind? Wait… leaving behind? Then I… I’m…”
He turned, heart pounding—and there she was.
His mother.
“…Mom?”
She nodded, eyes glistening.
“Yes, Fuji.”
“I… I’m dying, aren’t I?”
Another nod. She stepped forward and pulled him into a gentle embrace. For a moment, Fuji could feel her heartbeat.
“Yes, but it’s too early for you to come to me...” Fuyo whispered, her hands cradling his face gently. “You have people waiting for you. People who love you. You still have sunlight to walk in, Fuji. Don’t trade it for my shadow just yet.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
She brushed his tears away. “I didn’t raise you to give up. And I certainly didn’t raise you to break girls’ hearts.”
Present
“Fuji…” Pirilika clutched his hand. “What’ll happen to Ao, if you leave now? You once told me your greatest fear was that she’d starve…that she’d suffer.”
She sobbed, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. “I swear… if you don’t wake up, I’ll adopt Ao myself and make her the richest Wahei woman ever…”
“…Would you really do that if I died…?”
Pirilika’s breath caught. Fuji’s fingers twitched—then tightened around hers.
"Yes," she said sincerely.
“Thank you, Pirilika… from the bottom of my heart,” Fuji murmured, his eyes fluttering open. A single tear slid down his cheek. “But I hope you didn’t dare spend my money on ukiyo-e paintings while I was dying.”
“Haven’t we had a similar exchange the last time you died?” (1) Pirilika choked out, laughing through her tears.
Fuji gave a faint smile. “Seems like it. And just like last time—I’m still not giving you a discount on my fee…”
He exhaled, softer now. “But I’ll protect you with everything I’ve got. Even if it costs me my life.”
They both froze.
Fuji had spoken from the heart—completely, unguardedly.
And the Empathy Killer curse didn’t trigger.
“What the hell… Why the Empathy Killer isn't triggering?” Fuji whispered, wide-eyed. “Did I really die, Piriko…?”
“No…” came a soft voice from nearby. “But it’s a miracle you survived.”
They turned to see Xeno Cannonline.
“My research… it was right,” she said. “The Empathy Killer curse has finally left your body. Forever.”
“WHAT?!” Fuji and Pirilika shouted in unison.
“I don’t have much time,” Xeno Cannonline said, her voice strained. “So I’ll skip the details. Please… use the Zenryo Yoichi blade.
Use it to remove the curse from him—the true monster. The blade’s purification won’t kill, as long as it’s wielded by a demon or an angel. Only then… can everyone finally know peace.”
She paused, then turned to Fuji. “May I have a moment alone with her?”
Fuji gave a respectful nod, then stepped away, leaving the two alone.
Xeno Cannonline turned to Pirilika, her gaze softening with maternal warmth. “Tell me… in your dimension, has your dream come true? To live a grand adventure with a Bushido warrior?”
Pirilika smiled through her tears, heart full. “Yes, Mother… every single day. I even started a Support Force… to stay with him, Ao, and our friends.”
Xeno Cannonline’s eyes closed, her breath catching in relief. “Thank goodness… then I can die with peace in my heart.” She reached for Pirilika’s hand and gave it a faint squeeze. “Promise me one thing…”
“Anything,” Pirilika whispered.
“If he ever treats you badly… just whisper it to the stars.” Xeno Cannonline managed a weak, playful smile. “I’ll haunt his dreams and make sure he regrets it, okay?”
Pirilika nodded, laughing through the tears that wouldn’t stop.
“I promise.”
Fuji stood just beyond the doorway, hands clenched into trembling fists.
For years, he had carried the Empathy Killer curse like a noose, never knowing when a moment of honest feeling might kill him. But now…
“I’m free…” he whispered, voice shaking. He took a breath, deep and full, the way someone might after surfacing from a nightmare he thought would never end.
The door creaked open behind him. Pirilika stood there, her eyes red from crying, her lips pressed into a brave little smile.
"She died..." she whispered.
Fuji didn’t speak. The words were still too new, too fragile to trust.
For so long, he’d armored his heart with sarcasm and silence, surviving the Empathy Killer curse one breath at a time. But now, for the first time, he simply wanted to feel.
So he reached out his hand.
And Pirilika took it without hesitation, without needing to say a word. Her fingers slipped between his, warm and steady.
They stood together in the quiet, letting their silence say everything that mattered.
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 14
Chapter 38: Final battle - Part 1
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Xeno Fuji VS Ao (continued)
Just as the blade began to fall, two ragged shapes stumbled forward from the smoke and debris—Suisen and Opener, driven by sheer will and desperation. They grabbed Xeno Fuji’s arm with what strength they had left.
For a heartbeat, the strike halted.
Xeno Fuji’s eye twitched.
Then, without a word, he moved. Brutal. Efficient.
He twisted, slamming his elbow into Suisen’s torso with enough force to crack the plating—just above the chest core. A sickening crunch echoed.
Suisen gasped as his systems short-circuited. He dropped to one knee, sparks flaring from his shoulder joint.
Opener, still clinging to Xeno Fuji’s sword arm, tried to hold on—but Xeno Fuji whirled, dragging him off balance.
With a ruthless stomp, he crushed Opener’s foot beneath his heel and tore his arm free, hurling him aside.
“You dare touch me?” Xeno Fuji spat, still gripping Ao’s scalp like a leash. “You worms forget your place.”
Ao struggled, but his grip around her skull tightened. Her vision swam.
Suisen reached out again, trembling, trying to rise.
Xeno Fuji stepped on his outstretched hand and pressed—slowly, deliberately.
“You’ll live… just barely,” he said, a thin smile curling on his lips. “I want you conscious. I want you to see every moment of what comes next. That’s why I spared the chest core”
Then, as if bored of him, he turned back to Ao. His free hand snaked toward her throat like it had always belonged there.
Ao’s vision blurred. Everything slowed. Suisen lay twitching beside her, barely moving.
And then—a new voice rang out across the battlefield.
“HEY YOU! Don’t you dare touch the daughter of my fellow young disciple!”
Benikage strode forward, sword drawn, flame dancing in his eyes.
“Fight someone your own age instead!”
“Keep him busy, Benikage! I’ll move Lord Suisen and Opener to safety!” shouted Sea Again, rushing toward the fallen figures.
With a sneer, Xeno Fuji slammed Ao violently into the ground. She let out a stifled cry, dazed, as he released her and turned to face the newcomer.
“Another relic from my father’s pathetic past,” Xeno Fuji said coolly. “Let’s see if you’re less disappointing than the others.”
Benikage raised his blade in a defensive stance. “I don’t need to win. I just need to hold you long enough.”
Xeno Fuji didn’t respond.
He struck.
Their blades met with a flash of sparks. Benikage parried the first swing and countered with a precise slash toward Xeno Fuji’s ribs.
Xeno Fuji twisted away, answering with a feint followed by a vicious upward cut that Benikage barely blocked.
Benikage moved with agility, spinning to redirect Xeno Fuji’s weight and striking low to unbalance him. Xeno Fuji slid back, but his footing remained steady.
“I see that even in the other dimension you’ve still got form,” Xeno Fuji muttered. “But you lack power.”
“I have enough to protect them!” Benikage shouted, channeling a burst of energy into a flurry of rapid strikes.
Each blow came faster than the last—slashes, jabs, unpredictable footwork meant to keep Xeno Fuji reacting rather than controlling.
For a moment, it worked.
Xeno Fuji gave ground under the onslaught, forced to deflect rather than attack. Benikage pressed the advantage—
—until Xeno Fuji smiled.
He stopped retreating.
With a sudden, brutal reversal, he caught Benikage’s blade with his own and wrenched it aside.
Then he slashed deep across Benikage’s side.
The older swordsman staggered, blood spraying from the wound. His limbs burned, lungs screamed for air—but he pressed forward anyway.
Xeno Fuji didn’t stop. He pivoted and drove his elbow into Benikage’s jaw, then spun low, sweeping his legs out from under him.
Benikage fell hard, his sword skittering across the ground.
Xeno Fuji stepped on his chest, pinning him.
“You fought well… for a demon past his prime,” Xeno Fuji said. “But this isn’t your story.”
He raised the sword.
“Benikage…” Suisen rasped.
Thwack!
An arrow struck Xeno Fuji squarely in the rear.
He stiffened in disbelief, then whirled—
—and there they were.
Fuji and Pirilika.
“You know, Piriko,” Fuji said with a smirk, “didn’t think you’d pull a Master Higan move.”
Then his voice darkened.
“Benikage, Piriko—hold him for just a few minutes. I’ll stabilize Suisen, and then... leave him to me.”
Xeno Fuji turned back just in time to deflect another arrow. Pirilika stood firm, her Demonic Bow drawn, eyes sharp with fury.
Benikage struggled upright, clutching his bleeding side. Every breath was a war—but he raised his sword again.
“You still breathing, old relic?” Xeno Fuji sneered, lunging with uncanny speed.
Steel rang again—Benikage barely parried the strike, knees buckling. He fought defensively now, buying time with will alone.
Pirilika loosed another arrow, grazing Xeno Fuji’s shoulder. He snarled, dodging the next, ducking under Benikage’s slower swing. He slammed a pommel strike into Benikage’s ribs and dropped him again.
“Pathetic,” Xeno Fuji muttered, turning toward Pirilika.
She fired another volley, forcing him to slow his approach.
Meanwhile, Fuji knelt beside Suisen, pressing a glowing hand to his chest. Light pulsed from Fuji’s palm, mending him.
“Thank you, Fuji…” Suisen murmured, his voice tattered. “You saved my life… again.” (1)
Then his eyes widened.
“Wait. The Empathy Killer… it didn’t trigger. How—?”
Fuji didn’t look at him.
“Focus on staying alive,” he said, completing the healing process with one last pulse of energy.
His jaw clenched. His heartbeat was steady now—not from fear, but from resolve.
He looked up, eyes like steel.
“Good job, Piriko… Benikage.”
His voice dropped.
“Now it’s time to do my worst, and cut the other me down!”
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 9
Chapter 39: Final battle - Part 2
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Climax
The clang of steel echoed through the ruined hall as Fuji's Kanzan Musashi clashed against Xeno Fuji’s blade with furious rhythm.
Sparks danced with every strike and parry. The two moved like mirrors—each blow met with its twin, each feint read with instinctive precision.
It was a demon dueling his own reflection—one shaped by resolve, the other by cruelty.
Fuji’s breathing deepened. His strikes came calm, controlled, relentless.
Xeno Fuji grinned darkly. His blows were heavier, more erratic—wild, but no less deadly.
Then—Xeno Fuji lunged from the left in a cleaving arc—
—but Fuji parried, stepped in, and struck with sudden, brutal precision.
A swift knee slammed into Xeno Fuji’s most vulnerable point. He let out a strangled grunt, staggering back—teeth clenched, hands twitching.
“This is for what you did to my daughter Ao… and for Piriko,” Fuji growled, his voice a storm barely held back.
Xeno Fuji's breath was ragged, his eyes burned with fury, but his stance never faltered. Gritting his teeth, he roared and charged forward again.
Across the shattered room, beyond the clash of steel and echoes of violence, Pirilika sat beside Ao, gently cradling her as healing light shimmered from the Demonic Bow.
“Do you feel better now, Ao?” she asked, her voice soft with warmth.
“Yes, Pirilly…” Ao whispered, suddenly hugging her tight with shaking arms. “Thank goodness you’re alive…”
“Ao—let go—I can’t breathe,” Pirilika wheezed with a weak laugh.
But Ao didn’t loosen her grip. Pirilika’s smile faded as she felt the sobs silently wracking the girl’s frame.
“He… he used that to refer to the alternate version of me,” Ao murmured. “Like she was just a mistake. And he called me a living sin. He made it sound like her mere existence ruined him. What if I did the same? What if I ruined my Dad’s life… just by being born?
Pirilika cupped Ao’s face and gave her a light, but firm, slap. “Hey—listen to me. You know you're Fuji’s beloved daughter. He already died once to save you. Don’t ever say those words to him. They’d kill him more than the stab in the chest earlier did.”
“WHAT STAB?” Ao shouted, panicked, eyes wide.
“Oops,” Pirilika said sheepishly. “I’ll explain later, Ao. For now—can you help me heal my father and Crimson Dark?”
“It’s Benikage now,” (1) Ao said, rising as she wiped her tears. “I’ll help you—but then you’re going to tell me what happened to my Dad. All of it.”
Xeno Fuji slashed downward with unrelenting force, his blade carving through the air like a guillotine.
Fuji rose into a parry. Steel shrieked as sparks sprayed between them. The force drove him back a step—but he held firm.
“You're good,” Xeno Fuji snarled, launching a flurry of horizontal strikes aimed at Fuji’s ribs and neck.
Fuji pivoted, the edge of the blade grazing his shoulder as he weaved through the storm of attacks. “Because I fight for something,” he replied through gritted teeth. “Not against everything.”
Their swords met again in a brutal clash—Xeno Fuji’s raw power versus Fuji’s balanced precision.
Xeno Fuji stepped in with a brutal knee to Fuji’s stomach, knocking the air from his lungs and sending him stumbling back.
Before he could recover, Xeno Fuji lunged, sword poised for a killing thrust.
Fuji narrowly deflected the attack, spinning to the side, but Xeno Fuji’s momentum drove him forward.
He adjusted mid-charge, turning the strike into a sweeping arc. Fuji ducked low, felt the wind of the blade skim just over his head—and in that instant, everything slowed.
Xeno Fuji shoved him back, roaring as he lunged again.
But this time, Fuji twisted away, ducked under the blade—and in a single breath, drew the Zenryo Yoichi blade he had hidden before in his hakama.
The blade shimmered with restrained energy, its surface glowing faintly with celestial light. Fuji gripped it with both hands and surged forward.
With a cry—one born of pain, purpose, and finality—he drove it forward.
Straight into Xeno Fuji’s heart.
Time froze.
Xeno Fuji gasped, blood bubbling at his lips. He looked down at the blade jutting from his chest.
The moment stretched into silence, as if the entire world held its breath.
Then—crack.
The Zenryo Yoichi blade shattered in Fuji’s hands, fragments scattering like falling stars.
The pure force of the strike had broken the weapon… but it had pierced the heart of darkness.
Xeno Fuji dropped to his knees. His eyes, once filled with hate, now flickered with something else. Surprise. Pain. And a trace—just a trace—of regret.
He coughed, red spilling over his lips. “So… this is it.” He looked up at Fuji, voice hoarse. “I thought cutting out empathy would make me stronger… complete. But it only left a wound… one that never healed.”
His eyes glazed over. His body slumped.
The dark reflection of Fuji—was no more.
Silence followed.
Then—footsteps echoed in the corridor.
A shadow stretched across the ruined floor.
“Looks like the prototype worked... his soul is here,” said a familiar voice.
Cannonline.
And she wasn’t alone. With her came Hanako, Aramis, Higan, Yeyasu, Flonne, Virunga, Ceefore, Akuma, and Pii-Chan.
“The body isn’t too damaged,” Aramis mused as he examined Xeno Fuji’s corpse with Hanako. “It’ll make excellent material for the ultimate zombie... the eternal Zombie Prinny slave!”
“I see...” Cannonline said, her eyes narrowing as she took note of the broken blade still embedded in his chest. “Then allow me to introduce you to the Overlord of Evil Academy.”
“With a sword lodged that deep, Overlord Mao will know exactly how to keep him alive—just enough for it to hurt with every breath. (2) Once his soul is bound to the Zombie Prinny, the suffering will be endless.”
She paused, her voice dropping lower. “And from what Ao told me about what happened at Evil Academy, Overlord Mao will be very interested in getting revenge for what this monster did to Miss Raspberyl.” (3)
Then, she tilted her head slightly. Her expression shifted—twisting into something cold, focused, and lethal. Even Fuji felt a chill crawl down his spine.
“But that’s not punishment, that’s just process.”
Her eyes burned—not with rage, but maternal fury.
“Because he still has to pay for what he did to my daughter... and to her other self. Don’t ask me how I know.” Her tone softened, but the threat remained carved into every word. “A mother just does.” (4)
Fuji glanced away, heart thudding—not from fear of her power, but from the sheer, unrelenting certainty in her voice.
First Opener, now Cannonline? he thought. Who knew Piriko’s parents had such a hidden side? Even I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end...
And for the first time, a chill he couldn’t laugh off crept down his spine.
If Cannonline ever turned that fury toward Ao… not even hell would be far enough to run.
And quietly, on the side, Pii-Chan’s eyes gleamed with anticipation for a plan that was ticking away in the background.
If I remember right… today’s the day. The first phase of the plan was skipped thanks to Miss Pirilika’s actual kidnapping… but there’s still plenty of time for Phase Two!
Notes:
(1) Pirilika was not present during the events in chapter 19 of this story
(2) Sweet revenge for what Xeno Fuji said to Xeno Ao in chapter 36 of this story
(3) Chapter 30 of this story: It took Ceefore’s blunt question—how Ao knew the prototypes had been stolen—for the truth to come out
(4) Check what Opener said in chapter 32 of this story
Chapter 40: Epilogue - Part 1
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
While Pirilika hugged her father and mother, Fuji sat on the floor, breathing slowly.
He was exhausted. Not just from battle — but from everything. Somewhere behind him, Xeno Fuji's blade still lay shattered on the ground, the last echo of a nightmare now over.
Suisen and Ao approached him.
"Now that we have time, Fuji… can you explain how you managed to heal me without triggering the Empathy Killer curse?" Suisen asked.
"And you have to tell me about the stab, since Pirilly still hasn’t explained anything to me!" Ao added, arms crossed. "And you’d better be honest, Dad—Suisen’s going to use his foresight to check, just like I asked."
"You know, Ao, Suisen…" Fuji sighed. "I’m not sure how I feel about this strange alliance forming between you two."
"Fififi~ Why, Fuji? Are you afraid of becoming a father-in-law soon?" Ceefore teased as she approached, flanked by Archangels Flonne and Virunga.
Ceefore expected a reaction—maybe a growl, maybe a dramatic flare of the Empathy Killer curse—but instead, Fuji just stared at her. Silent. Still.
Ceefore blinked. Nothing. Not even a twitch.
"...Okay, that’s unsettling," she muttered, kneeling dramatically behind him. "Is the Netherworld ending? Is this how I die? Not with a bang, but with awkward silence—"
Then, without warning, Fuji spun and yanked Ceefore into a headlock. His grip was firm but not painful, just threatening enough to make her squawk.
"Would you repeat that, Weapon Otaku?" Fuji asked coldly.
"OKAY, OKAY, I WAS KIDDING! Fuji! I’m too cute to die—someone save meee!" Ceefore squawked and flailed.
"Please, let her go… I have plans for her," said Virunga, stepping forward calmly. "You see… this entire journey has made me reflect. Seraph Lamington, Archangel Flonne, and even Angel Ceefore have changed so much since living among demons. And now, with the Curse broken, there’s so much work to be done in this Netherworld."
He turned to Flonne with a smile. "I was thinking of staying here a while to help guide those demons now free from the Curse. But I can’t leave Celestia short of Archangels…"
Virunga turned to Ceefore, still in Fuji’s grip.
"What do you think, Archangel Flonne? Should we temporarily promote Angel Ceefore? I am sure that the explosive wit she showed in battle will be very useful for Celestia."
"Excellent idea!" Flonne beamed.
"Fuji, let Ceefore go," said Pirilika, approaching with the rest of the group. "Otherwise, I can’t heal you."
With visible reluctance, Fuji released Ceefore. Pirilika knelt beside him and began the healing process.
"Pirilika, maybe give him a little extra healing," Ceefore muttered, still rubbing her neck. "The Empathy Killer curse isn’t triggering… Maybe Fuji’s dead and we’re talking to his ghost!"
Everyone laughed—until they saw Pirilika’s face.
“…Wait. He did die?” Ceefore blinked. “…Seriously?”
“Yes,” Pirilika nodded gently. “His heart stopped for just a moment. But when it started again… the Empathy Killer curse didn’t come back.”
“WHAT?!” the group cried in unison.
“…Maybe I shouldn’t have said that last part about the curse,” Pirilika mumbled, noticing Fuji’s dragon tail twitch in irritation.
“That was only for Ao to know!” Fuji growled. “Now everyone’s going to feel free to say whatever crap they want to me!”
"Are you really free from the Empathy Killer curse, Fuji?" Higan asked, kneeling slowly in front of him.
"Yes, Master Higan," Fuji confirmed, exhaling sharply.
"Oh, well..." Higan muttered, rubbing her temple. "I guess we can check if it's true if you’ll be able to hold Rekka without your life constantly hanging by a thread."
At those words, Fuji blinked in confusion, then gently pressed his hand to Higan’s forehead.
"You don’t seem to have a fever, Master Higan… but you’ve been acting strange lately. First your face is getting rounder, then you keep staying out of fights… and now you’re saying I need to hold my deceased grandmother?"
“Did you seriously fail to connect the dots? You’re such a dumbass sometimes, Fuji… I swear—” Higan sighed, smacking him upside the head. “I’m not talking about my master, Rekka Zesshosai..." (1)
She looked him directly in the eyes.
"I’m talking about Rekka Edogawa, my soon-to-be-born daughter with Yeyasu!”
"WHAAAAT?!" Fuji gawked, completely stunned.
"Congratulations!" Pirilika chirped. "Ao and I started getting suspicious when Fuji pointed out your face was changing, Higan. He was the only one who didn’t put two and two together. But I’m sure you had your reasons for keeping it secret until now..."
Ceefore said nothing, but her knowing smile and the faint flicker in her eyes said it all—she’d seen the truth through her soul sight long ago.
“Hyahyahya... you’re right, Pirilika,” said Yeyasu. “We were waiting until the end of the Veldime surprise to make this announcement, but I guess we can just say it now—rejoice, everyone! Rekka will be the first woman ever to ascend the Shogun’s throne!” (2)
As Fuji remained suspiciously quiet, Yeyasu tilted his head. “Well... isn’t there anything you want to say, Fuji?”
It’s not that I’m dumb, but honestly, I was in denial… Fuji thought with eyes slightly glazed. I always saw Master Higan as a higher entity, completely devoid of any mortal desires... aside from her huge appetite. If she’s pregnant, it means that with Yeyasu... oh no. Oh no no no. Abort thought. ABORT MISSION!
Then, a memory flashed in his mind—Yeyasu's request at his wedding.
“Come on. Three little words.” (3)
Fuji stood up, smiled warmly, and said:
“Congratulations, Master Higan... and Brother-in-law.”
Yeyasu blinked. “Did... did he just call me—?”
“You heard him.” Higan grinned.
A beat passed. Applause, laughter, warmth filled the room.
Then—
“Ahem,” Pii-Chan intoned, voice clipped and precise, like a calculator politely interrupting a wedding.
“Before this descends fully into sentimentality, I do have one important clarification to request. Miss Pirilika: who delivered the finishing blow?"
Pirilika blinked, thrown off by the question.
“Fuji did, but... why?” she asked, tilting her head.
"Because, according to the contract stipulated with Overlord Laharl, (4) Fuji is entitled to a generous reward. If I remember correctly, it should almost cover all his debts," said Pii-Chan.
"Hmph. This is too good to be true... See, Piriko? I told you before! I died, and now I’m being delusional like you!" Fuji grumbled.
"Speaking of death, Fuji..." Pirilika began softly—
—and then, for the first time since Fuji had known her, her face twisted into a look of pure rage. So intense that, for the first time ever, Fuji was genuinely afraid of her.
"Die a third time in front of me," she said coldly, "and I’ll fire you. Got it?"
What the hell... Fuji thought. It’s official—the whole family is terrifying!
"Can we finally know what the surprise in Veldime was?" Pirilika asked as she and Ao helped Fuji wash off the body paint.
"Ah yes..." Yeyasu began — and what happened next he would always remember as one of the funniest and warmest moments he’d ever witnessed.
As if they were of one body and one soul, Fuji, Pirilika, and Ao turned to him with the exact same expression, all saying, "Yeees?" in perfect sync.
"The staged kidnapping was meant to help you relive the most important events you’ve experienced over these turns of the Dark Sun... you see, today—"
RING.
The emergency line from Teempora rang.
Fuji, Pirilika, and Ao all sighed in unison.
"Let’s give up, shall we, Fuji? Ao?" Pirilika said.
"Pirilika, before you and Fuji go... your father, Ao, Suisen, and I have something important to say," Cannonline said, stepping forward.
“So, you got a message from Francis (5) asking you to come to the Nethership ASAP? I smell trouble,” Fuji said, arms crossed, suspicion in his voice.
“Come ooon, Fuji! (6) Besides, I just want to take a loooong bath in my personal room and get a proper night’s sleep…” Pirilika whined dramatically.
“Oh, do you really think crying about it will work? Ugh... Okay, fine, we’ll go. Happy now?” (6) Fuji grumbled. “But only because I want a break too. Don’t get used to it.”
“Really? Weee!” (6) Pirilika cheered, her face lighting up.
“My, always a pushover when it comes to Miss Pirilika,” (6) Pii-Chan quipped.
Ao couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of her dad and Pirilika bickering like children.
Meanwhile...
“Pii-Chan just texted—they’re on their way!” Yuki (5) whispered excitedly. “Yohl, (5) are we set? Chloe, (5) lights off! Quick!” she ordered in a hushed tone.
Darkness fell just as the Nethership door hissed open.
“SURPRISEEE!” everyone shouted, confetti exploding into the air.
“You guys! What’s all this?” Pirilika asked, eyes sparkling amidst the falling paper. “Why are you throwing a party?”
“Today marks five turns of the Dark Sun since our arrival in Hinomoto! Oooh, Miss Pirilika, I still can't believe you're the same age Fuji was when you first met him!” Tadael (5) said, grinning. "So... we’re celebrating with a party!”
“Sounds fun!” Ao chimed in with a bright smile “Let's enjoy the party!”
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Carnage's postlude
(2) Chapter 29 of this story
(3) Chapter 12 of this story
(4) Chapter 14 of this story
(5) Respectively: the thief, the succubus, the ghost, the saber cat, and the red mage aboard the Nethership
(6) This dialogue is slightly adapted from Chapter 7 of Disgaea 7
Chapter 41: Epilogue - Part 2
Notes:
These final chapters have been the hardest to write, but also the most meaningful. I hope you’ll stay with me through the epilogue of this story.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
That night, Fuji couldn’t sleep.
Tadael’s voice had meant nothing then—just teasing. But now, it echoed like a tolling bell. Time had moved, and he hadn’t noticed.
Oooh, Miss Pirilika, I still can't believe you're the same age Fuji was when you first met him!
He’d laughed at the time, brushing it off with a sarcastic quip. But now, those words lingered differently, like the sound of time slipping through his fingers.
Back then, he’d called her names like brickhead, nitwit, and his personal favorite, Pirsillyka.
Once, she’d been that awkward teenager outside the noodle shop, (1) full of big dreams and louder opinions. But that girl was long gone. Pirilika had grown.
Tempoora was a fashion empire now. The United Netherworlds didn’t just tolerate her—they sought her wisdom. Not because she was the Demmodore’s daughter. (2) That part was a footnote now. She’d earned every ounce of their respect.
Through grit. Through mistakes. Through courage.
Because she was wise. Determined. Stronger than she ever let herself believe.
He remembered when she’d said she couldn’t just sit and wait while others retrieved her Demonic Bow. And when it was finally returned, she told him something even more startling: she had broken it.
She said she did it because she felt a voice—one she believed was the Xeno version of herself (3)—and that unconscious act had saved everyone from the Curse.
But what shook him most were the words she said as he came back to life…
You once told me your greatest fear was that she’d starve… that she’d suffer. I swear… if you don’t wake up, I’ll adopt Ao myself and make her the richest Wahei woman ever… (4)
He didn’t even remember when he’d shared his fears about his daughter. And she hadn’t said anything back then—not when he first told her. But now, after hearing those words from her, he understood—she had listened. Really listened. She meant it. If he hadn’t woken up, she would’ve taken Ao in. Raised her. Protected her. Loved her like her own.
And Ao wasn’t the only piece of his soul he’d placed in Piriko’s hands.
Somewhere along the way, she’d become the only person he could really talk to. The only one who saw him. Not just the scowls and sarcasm, but the demon beneath.
Because of the Empathy Killer curse? Maybe. But more than that… because Piriko never turned away—not when he snarled, not when he shut down, not even when it would’ve been easier to let him rot in his own silence.
She stayed. And somehow, that mattered more than anything else.
Sure, she still butchered the Hinomoto language—twisting syllables into nonsense with the confidence of someone fluent in chaos. But he smiled at the thought, warmth blooming behind his tired ribs.
Because Piriko was fluent in things that mattered: Loyalty. Kindness. Strength.
And then there was Ao…
His daughter had once lied to him. Not out of malice—but to protect him.
There had been a time when he was the one shielding her from the world, standing between her and danger.
But now… she stood strong on her own.
As Archangel Flonne had said, Ao’s belief in him had been so fierce, so unshakable that she’d defeated an Overlord with nothing but her words. (5)
No blade. No magic. Just her voice—and unshakable faith.
The realization struck him like a dream he didn’t want to wake from—soft, surreal, almost too much to grasp.
His precious, adorable little girl… now the same age Piriko had been when they met. Time didn’t creep—it leapt.
His daughter was becoming a young woman.
Soon, she’d chase dreams of her own. Venture down paths he couldn’t walk beside her on.
The thought hit like a quiet punch to the gut—a bittersweet ache that settled deep in his chest.
He would always be there for her.
But would she still need him?
He remembered how, not so long ago, she often told him that all she ever needed was for her dad to give her a big hug and say he loved her. (6)
When had that time slipped away?
The only solace he had left was Suisen—or more accurately, the distance between Ao and Suisen’s heart. And he’d make sure it stayed that way.
Still, he had to admit—Suisen was one of the few sane and trustworthy demons he’d ever met.
Before leaving, Suisen had declared that he wanted to discover who he was, beyond being Yeyasu’s brother. (7) And he had even called him a hero for saving his life twice.
The only thing he didn’t like was that Suisen would be leaving with Ao.
Maybe he should have a talk with him. Remind him that his adorable little daughter was centuries away from being hand-holding material.
No. Always far too young for romantic nonsense.
But then, he saw it—the soft look Suisen had given Ao before leaving...
Tch. Another one growing up too fast.
His jaw tightened. No, he wasn’t ready for that. Not from her. Not from Suisen. Not yet. He could still banish the thought, rewrite it as a fluke of lighting or a misread glance.
But deep down, he knew better.
He wasn’t ready for this.
Still...
So many of them were changing.
It felt like a lifetime ago that he and Piriko had first met Ceefore—back when she was just the Chivalric Thief known as Mouse Girl. (8)
Since they defeated Mugai, Weapon Otaku had quietly become a vital link between Celestia and Hinomoto. (9) Her role had grown until even demons treated her with respect.
So much respect that she no longer bothered disguising herself.
She was simply Ceefore—the Angel. Soon, even temporarily, an Archangel. (10)
But he was sure: with her wit, her will, her relentless drive, she’d soon become a permanent one.
He wasn’t worried for her. Not with Nitra by her side. Her anchor. Her equal. Her quiet strength.
Together, they could face anything.
And speaking of Nitra… was it his imagination, or had she actually gotten better with people?
The way she’d handled that werewolf? (11) That said everything.
It was a far cry from when she first joined the group—back then, the only thing on her mind was Ceefore.
Then there was Shogun Stupid—or maybe it was finally time to retire that nickname.
Yeyasu wasn’t just fulfilling his promise. He was exceeding it—building something real, bringing joy to Hinomoto, and happiness to his beloved Higan.
He never said it aloud, but he was proud of the stubborn little brat.
Yeyasu had made his share of mistakes—gods knew how many times he had been tempted to throttle him—but Yeyasu’d grown. Slowly, steadily, relentlessly.
Still, he would keep holding back the praise. Not out of cruelty. But curiosity.
He wanted to see how far Yeyasu would go without applause. How far he’d push himself—not for validation, but for pride.
And Master Higan…
She was going to be a mom.
Somehow, that hit harder than any blade or spell ever could.
She’d always been solid. Unshakable. The one who could take a hit without flinching. And now Master Higan was carrying a new life. A strange, terrifying, beautiful future.
Whatever kind of Netherworld that child would be born into, he knew this: with Master Higan as her mother, that kid would be stronger than most before she could even walk.
And “Mom” would just be another title to add to her legend: Fighting Empress. Hinomoto’s Protector. One of the greatest Zesshosai who ever lived.
He had promised to carry on her name. (12) Her legacy. Her strength.
But he hadn’t.
He’d told himself it was because he was too busy working with Piriko... but now, in the stillness of night, that excuse collapsed under its own weight.
It wasn’t just time that had passed.
It was purpose.
And with the quiet, painful clarity that only sleepless nights bring, Fuji understood:
He was the only one who hadn’t truly changed.
He closed his eyes, hearing his father’s long-ago judgment:
Fuji was a rare sword talent, but he never reached his full potential after losing his mother… (13)
He’d shrugged it off then. But now, the words sat heavy on his chest, like armor he never removed.
He wasn’t unhappy. Just… still.
He was proud—so proud—of his found family. Their triumphs, their growth, their light.
But something inside had gone still. Quiet. Hollow.
Was he just standing still… watching the people he loved soar into skies he couldn’t reach?
Fuji sat up, the cool, pale light of the Nethermoon spilling across his room like a judgment.
Maybe it was time to stop hiding behind responsibility. Time to stop being only what others needed him to be.
Maybe it was time to ask what he wanted.
Not as a warrior. Not as a protector.
But as Fuji.
What good was strength if it never moved forward? What good was pride without direction?
A soft knock interrupted the spiral.
“Dad?” Ao’s sleepy voice floated through the door. “Are you okay?”
Fuji blinked, then stood and opened the door.
“Yeah,” he said with a small smile. “Just thinking too much, that’s all.”
Ao giggled. “You’re always thinking too much, Dad. Come on—it’s late. Tomorrow’s another big day!”
Fuji chuckled, softer than usual.
Yes. Maybe tomorrow was another big day.
And maybe... just maybe...
He was ready to meet it.
He was ready to fly too—even if only a few steps at a time.
Head-on.
Notes:
(1) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 1
(2) Disgaea 7 - Opener's postlude
(3) Chapter 17 of this story
(4) Chapter 37 of this story
(5) Chapter 30 of this story
(6) Several moments in Disgaea 7
(7) Chapter 25 of this story
(8) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 2
(9) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 15
(10) Chapter 40 of this story
(11) Chapter 27 of this story
(12) Disgaea 7 - Carnage's postlude
(13) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 12
Chapter 42: Epilogue - Part 3
Notes:
Netherhome: A term used among demons to describe the Netherworld of one’s birth or upbringing. While some claim multiple Netherhomes due to migration or war, traditionalists (like Fuji) often recognize only one.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The Day After - Afternoon
“Do you really have to leave so soon, Ao?” Fuji asked softly. “I was hoping we’d have more time.”
“I have to, Dad,” Ao replied with a soft smile. “The Dean officially asked me to substitute for Miss Beryl until she recovers (1). Don’t worry—Miss Kyoko and Miss Asuka will help me plan the lessons.
As compensation for this, and for the successful retrieval of the stolen prototypes, (2) all of my future school fees will be covered!”
“And besides,” she added brightly, “I can leave with peace of mind… knowing you’ll not be alone.”
She stepped toward the portal that would take her back to Evil Academy. But just before crossing, she paused, turning back with a hesitant, searching look.
“Dad… is the Empathy Killer curse really gone?” she asked quietly.
Fuji blinked. Then he gave a soft, almost bittersweet chuckle.
“It seems so,” he said. “I don’t remember ever being able to talk with you like this—without the pain… without the Empathy Killer curse clawing at my heart. And now…”
Before he could finish, Ao rushed back and threw her arms around him in a fierce, heartfelt hug.
“Thank you, Dad… for having me… for loving me… for everything. I really love you,” she whispered, voice cracking with emotion.
For a moment, Fuji was frozen. Those words—spoken so plainly—cut through every wall he’d ever built.
Then he gently returned the hug, overwhelmed by a quiet, deep happiness he hadn’t felt like an eternity.
“I really love you too, Ao,” he whispered, as a tear fell from one of his eyes.
Nearby, Pirilika wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and even Pii-Chan sniffled.
Then, with another burst of emotion, Ao turned and hugged Pirilika tightly.
“I never said it out loud… but I really love you too, Pirilly… I don’t know what I would’ve done if I lost you…”
Pirilika gasped softly, then hugged her back, tears streaming down her face.
“Thank you, Ao… thank you…”
She couldn’t say more. She didn’t need to.
Hinomoto – Outside Penne's Noodle Shop (3)
“Piriko… Are there still Netherworlds outside Hinomoto that need the Nethertime Support Force?” Fuji asked suddenly.
Pirilika blinked in surprise.
"That's a rare question coming from you, Fuji… but yes. Over these turns of the Dark Sun, we’ve been so focused on finding a way to free the demons trapped in the Infernal Treasures that I’ve only been handling minor support requests. But now that Mother, Father, and Ao say they've finally found a solution (4)—and they'll be the ones to carry it out—maybe it’s time I asked myself whether my days in Hinomoto are truly over.”
Fuji nodded, then frowned.
"About that... can I really trust Cannonline won’t pull anything... extreme with Ao?" Fuji asked, his voice quiet. "I know she’s changed… but I can still see the look in her eyes back then—when she was talking about vengeance. It still sends a chill through me.”
Pirilika's smile faded just slightly—not enough to worry him, but enough to show she understood.
“She can be scary sometime,” she admitted. “But she’s not the same as she was back then, Fuji. Mother’s learning how to carry grief without letting it burn everything down. I’m sure she’ll protect Ao.”
She tilted her head and gave him a look. “Besides, are you seriously doubting a super genius like me wouldn't have a plan to keep everything from going off the rails?”
She grinned. “Now lean in.”
Fuji frowned, suspicious. “What, for another one of your dramatic goodbyes?”
“No, no. Just… something important.”
He sighed—and leaned in.
WHAM!
Her knuckles crashed down on his head in a perfect comedic arc.
“Ow! Dammit, Piriko—!” Fuji rubbed the sore spot, scowling as she giggled with pure triumph.
“First time I ever landed one of those,” she said, beaming.
“Yeah, yeah… congratulations,” he muttered. But when he looked up, something in his eyes had changed—subtle, but real. A quiet steadiness had settled in.
He didn’t say what he was thinking, not yet. But the image of Ao, of Cannonline’s fury, and of Piriko stepping forward alone—all of it stayed with him.
And in the silence that followed, Fuji’s gaze lingered just a second longer on her back—like he was measuring the space he didn’t want to see open up again.
If I just stand by, something bad could happen. Again.
And I don’t know if I could survive another loss like I did with my mother.
Not without answers. Not without trying.
He exhaled softly.
“So,” he said casually, “if you’re really leaving... you’ll still need someone with some combat expertise, right? Like when it was just the two of us at the start?”
Her eyes widened briefly, then softened.
“Of course! You’d be perfect, Fuji. Actually... I got a request from Wahei recently. I didn’t mention it because you always turned down Yuki’s invitations to visit my Netherhome (5)—every single time with a different excuse that somehow still triggered your Empathy Killer curse. Like, I don’t know… ‘Hinomoto born and raised’? (6) All that stubborn nonsense,” she teased, nudging his arm.
Fuji smirked, but it didn’t quite mask the quiet earnestness in his voice.
“Well... maybe it’s time I stopped making excuses, now that the Empathy Killer is finally out of my body and soul. Maybe I should see your Netherhome for myself. See what kinds of Netherworlds and sword styles are really out there.”
He went on, his tone more reflective than before.
"I hate to admit it, but the Xeno version of myself fully developed his sword skills. And I’m not sure I would’ve won if I had fought him right from the start.
So if coming to Wahei will sharpen my skills—let me truly step into the role of Zesshosai—then yeah. I’ll take that next step. But only when I’ve earned it."
He paused, then added with a mischievous glint:
“But let’s get one thing straight—”
“—this isn't about saving you, helping out, being nice, or doing a good deed," Pirilika interrupted, hands on her hips. "This is all about getting paid to deliver a stompfest!” (3)
Fuji burst out laughing.
"Hah! So you do still remember those words, huh?"
“Of course I do.” She said, smiling fondly.
There was a pause between them—quiet, but not uncomfortable.
A stillness charged with something unspoken. It wasn’t like before. Not quite. Something had shifted.
Fuji glanced away—briefly, like he was locking something away for now.
“Then let’s go do our worst,” he said, holding out his fist.
Pirilika met it without hesitation—but this time, her touch lingered a heartbeat longer.
And in that moment, they both understood that it wasn’t just the beginning of another mission.
It was the start of something that would deepen slowly, quietly.
Even if neither of them had the words for it yet.
Author's Note
Fuji and Pirilika’s story closes here, for now, but their journey isn’t over.
Their adventures continue in The Path I Want to Follow.
Notes:
(1) Chapter 28 of this story
(2) Chapter 20 of this story
(3) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 1
(4) Chapter 39 of this story
(5) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 15
(6) Disgaea 7 - Mao's DLC
Chapter 43: Spoiler Ending - Several Years Later
Notes:
This epilogue is optional and contains spoilers/references for my other fics. If you’d like to end the story with Ao’s farewell and Fuji/Pirilika’s new beginning, the main story is complete in chapter 42
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Years passed, as the ripple of Fuji's and Pirilika's choices spread across the Netherworlds…
Rozalin and Adell’s daughters were safely born, (1) each named for a different variety of rose. In a single moment, three true daughters of Overlord Zenon had come into the world.
Virunga chose to live out the rest of his life in Alternate Hinomoto, becoming a symbol of hope and rebirth for the countless demons finally freed from the Curse. Inspired by those like Seraph Lamington, Flonne and Ceefore, he devoted himself to healing the rift between angels and demons. (2)
Thanks to his tireless efforts, the two races began living together in harmony within that Netherworld—a fragile peace, but one built on genuine understanding.
After spending some time in Celestia, Sicily eventually returned to the Netherworld of her beloved big brother, Laharl. (3) And she wasn’t alone. Flonne came with her, planning to stay for just a few days. She missed Laharl and Etna more than she’d admitted.
But just days before Flonne was supposed to return to Celestia, Baal appeared once more. This time, however, he was defeated for good—thanks to Flonne and Laharl, who together fulfilled the dream Seraph Lamington once expressed during his time as Christo:
“Why, one day an angel and a demon might join hands to save the world together.” (4)
And that wasn’t all they realized.
Both were badly injured in the battle, which extended Flonne’s stay. One thing led to another, time passed… and eventually, the two became a true bridge between Celestia and the Netherworld—just as Overlord Krichevskoy had once envisioned. (5)
From their union, the first half-angel, half-demon child was born—a living symbol of unity between light and darkness.
They named her Kiria (6)—a name now spoken with reverence across both Celestia and the Netherworlds, for she was not only the first of her kind, but the first to truly unite both realms.
Sicily, a demon-born angel herself, became a doting aunt to Kiria—guiding her gently through the complexities of two worlds, always offering sweets, stories, and quiet encouragement between Flonne’s more passionate outbursts.
Aramis brought the Zombie Prinny slave to the castle. (7)
When Etna discovered that it had been created from Xeno Fuji’s corpse and soul, (8) she did two shocking things:
First, she granted Aramis a full pardon for the Cotton Candy Zombie incident. (9)
Second, she hired Fubuki to train all her Prinnies—impressed by how thoroughly he’d disciplined them after they fled after the summoning, when her power dropped from giving a fake nail to Adell. (10)
With the Prinnies under Fubuki’s training, only Xeno Fuji remained her personal Prinny-slave.
After that, Etna set off on a new journey with Hanako, Aramis, and her army of Prinnies—one that would eventually lead to the founding of her very own Netherworld.
And so began the legend of the Beauty Tyrant Etna.
Her Netherworld maintained strong relations with Laharl’s, thanks in part to the efforts of her brother, Xenolith—who remained one of Laharl’s most trusted vassals, alongside Sicily.
Ceefore and Nitra eventually married—to no one’s surprise. Rumors soon spread throughout Celestia that Ceefore was being considered as a future candidate for Seraph, thanks to her tireless work building bridges between Celestia and several Netherworlds. Much of this success was credited to the experience she gained while serving as the Celestial ambassador in Hinomoto. (11)
After forcefully hammering the concept of boundaries into Fenrich (12)—fan first, patience second—Nitra became the most sought-after teacher in the Love & Peace classroom, eventually even surpassing Flonne, who had first established the program back when she was a Fallen Angel. (9) Her unique blend of humor and discipline, often delivered via paper fan, earned her a devoted following.
In Hinomoto, historians still debate: who was the greater ruler—Yeyasu Edogawa, who brought lasting peace, or Rekka Edogawa, who spearheaded the cultural revolution her parents had once dreamed of?
Thanks to Higan’s vigilance, wisdom, and combat expertise, Hinomoto remained one of the safest Netherworlds for many years.
One day Fuji finally challenged her to officially succeed her as the next Zesshosai. They fought. And what a battle it was—fierce, brilliant, unforgettable.
But near the end, Higan began to be outmatched—and for the first time since their paths had crossed, she lost to Fuji.
Higan wept with such fierce joy that Yeyasu joked the entire castle might be submerged.
From that day on, a new Zesshosai arose in Hinomoto:
Fuji Zesshosai.
The same name Ao had once shouted out—bold and fearless, before anyone else—during the Ultimate Martial Arts Tournament. (13)
Also, from that day on, Fuji wore his hakama properly as a sign that he had become Higan's worthy successor.
But the surprises weren’t over. Fuji called Pirilika into the room to make another announcement.
Since Pirilika had returned to Hinomoto—after they defeated Mugai—Fuji had worked for her in a strictly professional capacity, always bound by one contract or another, ever since he accepted her bold business proposal involving the Nethertime Support Force. (11)
For years, that was all it was—business. Partnership. Trust built through battles and stubborn teamwork.
But now, Fuji and Pirilika said, he had stepped away from that contract—because that chapter of their story had quietly come to an end.
Or rather… soon it would be time to make it evolve into the most important contract of all.
Marriage.
And Higan’s reaction made Yeyasu’s joke about submerging the castle dangerously close to reality, to the point that Yeyasu seriously considered appointing a Plumber Magistrate.
Xeno Cannonline’s vow to haunt Fuji’s dreams was never needed—he had given her no reason to rise from the stars—where her soul now rested. (14)
Before Fuji challenged Higan, remembering something Ao once said, Pirilika asked Ao if it was truly alright for her to marry Fuji, even though she wasn’t stronger than her. (15)
Ao—who realized it wasn’t in Wahei, or even in the missions after, but later that their bond began to quietly change—just smiled, then gave her a gentle knuckle to the head, more affectionate than teasing.
“Pirilly,” she said warmly. “Strength isn’t just physical.”
She paused. “You’ve always had the kind that matters most.”
Fuji, chuckling nearby, mused that maybe head-knuckles had become a signature trait of their growing family.
In time, Fuji and Pirilika’s love brought a new light into their lives: their son, Raiji (16)—a demon dragon with his father's fierce features and his mother’s bright sky-blue eyes and boundless smile.
His black hair shimmered with golden-blonde streaks instead of his father red ones, and a playful tuft of nekomata's fur tipped his dragon tail.
As he grew, the crimson markings across his body began to glow with a radiant gold—a sign, some believed, that his legacy would be one of compassion shaped by power.
Ao awakened the full power of the Zessho Mugai under Opener’s careful tutelage. Then, she set off on a grand journey with Suisen, Sea Again, Benikage, Cannonline, and Opener—to free the countless demons still trapped within the Infernal Treasures.
Later, Tenbuyer and Joe Doe joined the quest as well, claiming they wanted to witness firsthand the rise of their Lord Mugai’s granddaughter.
Opener’s record of their journey remains the best-selling book in all of Hinomoto—even though it’s hilariously full of malaphors and mixed-up sayings.
On the day the journey ended, Cannonline’s stoic veil finally shattered, and she wept with tears of joy—atoning at last for the shadows of her past as Demonic Weapon Magistrate.
One quiet day at Gero Haunt Springs, Fuji heard a familiar voice on the wind:
“Hey, kid! You still got my sheath with you?” (17)
At those words, Fuji didn’t hesitate to smile.
And at that very moment, standing in front of Yeyasu was a demon tall as the Shogun, with short brown hair streaked with green, one soft brown eye and one bright green one.
Yeyasu’s breath caught.
Without a word, the two brothers ran to each other and embraced, their tears of joy filling the silence.
Suisen had returned—not just as the demon he once was, or the cyborg he had become, but as both, reborn in a true demon’s body.
As fully himself.
And though he’d already died once, (18) Suisen nearly died again—or so he claimed—when he nervously asked Fuji for Ao’s hand in marriage. The look Fuji gave him could have frozen lava. Nevertheless, he survived... barely.
Even Fuji, once wary of anyone near Ao, had to admit Suisen had earned it—not through strength, but through sheer stubborn love.
It was Suisen’s steady patience and boundless optimism that helped the freed Infernal Treasures rediscover their identities and find new purpose beyond the pain of their imprisonment.
He became not just a caretaker, but a bridge between worlds—Hinomoto’s first ambassador to foreign Netherworlds, his title earned by empathy rather than might.
Ao became a living legend like Higan Zesshosai—the first and only demon able to awaken two Infernal Treasures. (19)
After her grand adventure, she became widely regarded as one of the greatest luminaries of the United Netherworlds, which she chose to join after witnessing all the hard work of her now-grandfather Opener.
And in time, bearing the spirit of both his parents, Raiji would be named the next Zesshosai, carrying forward a legacy of strength through kindness.
Several other years passed…
Fuji and Pirilika had turned Gero Haunt Springs into something beautiful: a sanctuary where anyone—noble or orphan, warrior or dreamer—could find a home.
The dojo Fuji and Pirilika opened, built on stubbornness and hard work, became a pillar of hope thanks to Fuji’s dedication, Pirilika’s devotion and the support of Yubana and her Haunt Spring, and Sakoora and Yayaka—who had already been caring for the orphans in their peculiar way ever since the time Fuji and the other Infernal Treasure Wielders had been lured to Gero Haunt Springs by a letter that turned out to be a trap. (20)
There, children learned how to fight, to laugh, and to dream. Among them was a certain boy from Sardine World: Grapesworth (21)—once brash and sharp-tongued, now steadily walking the path of a true warrior.
Back when Fuji and the others defeated Mugai, Grapesworth had challenged him to a duel. Fuji, with his usual dry grin, accepted—on one condition:
“Only before my neck starts squeaking.” (22)
That moment stuck with Grapesworth—not just as a challenge, but as a turning point. It became his vow. His reason to grow.
Years passed, but he carried those words like fire in his chest—not as a rival’s threat, but as a disciple’s promise.
In time, Grapesworth became a legend in his own right—not because he ever bested Fuji, but because he understood him.
With every swing of his blade, he passed that same spark to the next child who needed it—burning bright with the same hidden kindness that had once saved him.
And Fuji’s students—under the quirky guidance of Benikage, Sea Again, and Akuma—didn’t just master the sword; they became fierce warriors of heart, conquering not only battlefields, but also…
Ping-Pong tournaments far and wide.
Fuji’s final day came as quietly as the falling of a leaf. His light didn’t fade in battle, but in quiet peace, after a lifetime’s worth of seasons—surrounded by those he loved.
As he closed his eyes, he wasn’t afraid. In his fading mind, he returned to the moment outside that noodle shop, while he was watching a cheerful girl and a yellow prinny get yelled by an angry shop owner.
He remembered saying:
Heh, thought I smelled money. This’ll be fun… (23)
But now, with a heart full of gratitude, he realized the truth:
It hadn’t just been fun. Since then, it had been the start of the most precious part of his life, surrounded by everyone he loved.
When he passed, Pirilika, Ao, and Raiji mourned him with a grief so deep it echoed through all Gero Haunt Springs.
Yet they stood tall, just as he would have wanted.
Pirilika kept living there—not as a Queen, not as a Hero, but simply as the Heart of the dojo.
She taught the orphans who had always seen her as a mother, told them stories of Fuji’s stubbornness and kindness, and made sure no dream went unloved.
In her final years, she often sat on the dojo’s porch with Pii-Chan, now Raiji's personal secretary, watching the students train—laughing, crying, living. And Raiji, gently guiding them, just as his family and his masters once guided him.
When Pirilika's last day finally came, she was not alone.
Ao, Raiji, and dozens of children—her children—gathered around her, holding her hands, whispering thanks, love, and promises they would keep.
Her last sight was of the Netherworld she helped build—not one of wealth or conquest, but a home where every lost soul found a family.
With a peaceful smile, Pirilika closed her eyes and then, with a final breath, she whispered:
“Fuji… I’m coming…”
A hush fell. The wind slowed. The dojo seemed to hold its breath.
And somewhere beyond what words can hold, a door opened.
In that quiet place beyond life—where Netherworld skies blended with memory and soul—Pirilika stood in the form she had when she first arrived in Hinomoto.
Waiting there, arms crossed and smiling, was Fuji—also in the youthful form he had when they first met.
“Hi there, Piriko,” he said warmly.
“Hi, Fuji…” she replied, joy light in her voice, eyes shimmering. “Do you think… we really did our worst, after all?”
Fuji stepped forward, slower than before, but stronger than ever. He reached out, his hand sure and steady.
“We did,” he said, simply. “And I know Ao, Raiji—everyone—will carry that torch.”
Pirilika smiled through the tears and took his hand. “You're right.”
Their fingers laced together as the dojo faded into light.
And so ended the tale of two unlikely souls who found each other in the strangest of places…
…and changed Hinomoto forever.
Outside, the morning sun poured through the open sliding doors of the dojo, spilling golden light across the tatami. Bare feet padded rhythmically. Wooden bokken clacked and echoed as children shouted with each swing—awkward, determined, alive.
One of them stumbled on a stance, then looked up, grinning as their teacher gently corrected it with a nod.
Somewhere nearby, a noodle bowl clinked on a countertop. A wind chime stirred.
And in the quiet between strikes, laughter rang out—light and clear and full of future.
The land of Hinomoto had been changed forever.
And it was still becoming.
Notes:
(1) Chapter 1 of this story
(2) Chapter 40 of this story
(3) Chapter 28 of this story
(4) Disgaea 5 - Ending credits
(5) Disgaea 1 - Ending credits
(6) Inspired by Krichevskoy and an angelic-sounding suffix. Her name's symbolic meaning is "light born of legacy"
(7) Chapter 39 of this story
(8) Remember what Xeno Fuji did in chapter 9 of this story
(9) Chapter 7 of this story
(10) Disgaea 2 - Chapter 10
(11) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 15
(12) Chapter 23 of this story
(13) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 4
(14) Chapter 37 of this story
(15) Disgaea 7 - Opener's postlude
(16) A reference to the Thunder God, and to Pirilika’s statement in chapter 15 of Disgaea 7, where she says that she and Fuji together are like thunder and lightning
(17) Chapter 34 of this story
(18) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 9
(19) Herself and the Zessho Mugai
(20) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 7
(21) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 3
(22) Netherworld Sightseeing event in the postlude
(23) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 1
Chapter 44: Bonus Chapter - Debts and Daughters
Summary:
The evening is quiet aboard the Nethership. Yeyasu drops by Fuji’s quarters, pretending it's a casual visit—though he’s clearly masking his nerves about the future. One is preparing to leave his Netherworld behind for growth; the other is about to raise a daughter while holding his Netherworld together…
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Nethership – Evening – Two weeks after the Empathy Killer Curse was lifted from Fuji
“I still can’t believe Mr. ‘Born and Raised in Hinomoto’ is leaving soon. For Wahei, of all Netherworlds! And only with Pirilika!” Yeyasu said, arms thrown up in theatrical disbelief.
“Hmph. I don’t get why everyone’s making a fuss...” Fuji grumbled. “Even Ao’s fussing.”
“Hellooooo~? Of course we’re making a fuss! You’re leaving Hinomoto of your own free will, and as of yesterday, you’re debt-free! Our Netherworld’s ending! Poor me… I’ll never get to see what my daughter Rekka will look like...” Yeyasu sighed dramatically.
“Funny how life flips the table, huh? Maybe now you’ll understand what I went through with Ao…” Fuji said, then added with a sly smirk, “Shogun.”
“Just Shogun? Not ‘Shogun Stupid’?” Yeyasu gasped, clutching his heart in mock offense.
“Don’t push your luck. Or I’ll call you something worse.”
“Hah! Okay, okay! I don’t want to make Higan a widow or turn Rekka into a half-orphan,” Yeyasu said with a chuckle.
Fuji leaned back, arms crossed. “Speaking of Master Higan... At your wedding, didn’t you say you sold your entire videogame collection to fund the Moboo experiment for her appetite?” (1)
“Mmhmm.”
“You got anything left to sell?”
Yeyasu blinked. “Why do you ask?”
“Ever thought Rekka might inherit her mother’s appetite? Or even surpass it? If I were you, I’d start preparing for Moboo 2.0,” Fuji replied with a grin.
Yeyasu didn’t answer right away, his face shifting between panic-calculating what he could still pawn... and daydreaming about what Rekka might take after.
“I can’t wait to meet her, Fuji...” he murmured at last.
There was a beat of silence. Then, Yeyasu’s eyes lit up again.
“By the way,” he added slyly, “I really envy Pii-Chan right now.”
“…Why in the Netherworld would you envy Piriko’s secretary?” Fuji asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Beeecaaause~ Pii-Chan gets to witness the century’s greatest event: You—the demon who mocked Pirilika’s Hinomoto language skills—now having to learn hers! Sweet, sweet revenge!”
Fuji froze as the realization hit. He hadn’t thought about that.
“Guess I better start studying, huh…” Fuji sighed. “But I’ve decided to succeed Master Higan properly. So I’m not letting this stop me.”
He paused, voice lowering.
“Just… don’t tell her. I want the day I challenge her for the Zesshosai title to be a surprise.”
Yeyasu nodded slowly. Then, just as he turned to leave, he stopped.
“…Speaking of successors, Fuji…” he said quietly. “Am I doing it right?”
Fuji blinked. “What?”
“As a Shogun,” Yeyasu clarified, eyes suddenly searching. “You’ve never said anything.”
Fuji held his gaze, serious.
“You already tired, Shogun? Keep trying. If I ever do say something… it means I’ve stopped expecting more from you.”
Yeyasu’s expression softened into something small and real.
“That’s the nicest insult you’ve ever given me,” he said with a crooked grin.
“Hmph. Don’t get used to it,” Fuji grunted.
Notes:
(1) Chapter 12 of this story
Chapter 45: Bonus Chapter - Form 92-B
Summary:
It was supposed to be a normal morning, until Fuji received a bureaucratic notice...
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Wahei — One Year and Three Days After the Beginning of This Story
Dear Employee,
In light of the urgent implementation this morning of the new Workplace Safety Law, you are requested to report to the location indicated in this notice in order to complete the Teempora Form 92-B.
Cromulent regards.
That was the note Fuji had found this morning, slipped under the door of his quarters aboard the Nethership.
He’d tried to track down Piriko to ask what the hell was going on, but she and Pii-Chan were nowhere to be found. The other members in the Nethership were equally clueless, having received the exact same message with identical wording.
So, not particularly thrilled, Fuji set off for the address listed.
As he walked through Wahei’s streets, he noticed that, compared to when he first arrived, he could now understand almost everything the locals were saying.
Not only that. Lately, he’d even begun developing the foundations of a new sword technique, inspired by what he’d observed in Wahei’s fencing schools.
Lost in thought, he arrived at... a suspiciously creepy-looking photography studio.
He checked the letter again.
Yep. Right address.
So, cautiously, he stepped inside—
—only to find Yuki the succubus... fully dressed.
Fuji froze, staring in stunned silence. Then he blinked and pinched his arm.
Nope. Definitely awake.
“Good morning, Fuji! You here for the notice too?” Yuki asked sweetly — then added, with a devilish grin, “Need help undressing?”
“Take one step closer and I’ll cut you down,” Fuji growled. “And why would I need to undress?”
Yuki just held up a hanger with a full set of Wahei formalwear: shirt, tie, jacket and polished shoes.
“Because,” she said cheerfully, “you need to submit a Smile Authorization Waiver to account for non-hostile facial expressions in public.”
“WHAT?” Fuji barked.
“That’s the regulation,” Yuki replied, flipping her hair. “Unless, of course, you’d prefer to jeopardize Miss Pirilika’s standing by being noncompliant…”
Fuji hesitated.
He definitely didn’t want to do that to Piriko. But those clothes... he hated them already.
“Is there no alternative?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“Miss Pirilika anticipated that reaction,” Yuki said smugly. “So, she left instructions. You’ll find her in the wooded training area outside Wahei.”
Fuji muttered a reluctant goodbye and headed out — only to be greeted not by Pirilika and Pii-Chan, but by what appeared to be... an ordinary Prinny.
“Good morning, Fuji! I’ve been waiting,” it said in Pii-Chan’s unmistakable voice.
Fuji stared, but then decided — after Yuki’s stunt — not to ask.
Maybe, for a yellow Prinny like Pii-Chan, dressing as a regular Prinny counted as formalwear.
“How come Piriko’s personal secretary is out here alone? Don’t tell me you’re slacking off,” Fuji muttered.
“This is your fault,” Pii-Chan said flatly. “Miss Pirilika has spent the whole morning bribing eight officials, rerouting a demonic goat shipment, and threatening three accountants with performance reviews.”
Fuji blinked.
“And she left me here to stall you while she gets Regulation 48-E officially passed, so cases like yours can be granted a formal exemption,” Pii-Chan added, unimpressed.
Fuji went pale.
He hadn’t realized that refusing some ridiculous form might’ve caused this much trouble for Piriko.
“Where is she now?” he asked, serious.
“Warehouse 666-Bis,” said Pii-Chan. “I’ll take you.”
After a while, they arrived at what looked like an abandoned Tempoora storage hangar.
Fuji frowned. “This can’t be right.”
Pii-Chan gave him a shove. “It is. Go in.”
Fuji stepped inside and flipped the light switch.
“Surprise!” Ao shouted, running up to him.
Fuji blinked. “Ao? What are you doing here?”
“It’s a long story,” she said, hugging him. “But I made very sure I’d be here today.”
“Today? But it’s not my birthday.”
Pirilika stepped forward from her hiding place, wearing a soft smile.
“In a way, it is, Fuji. Do you remember what happened one turn of the Dark Sun and three days ago, when a beam of radiant light hit me?” (1)
Fuji’s expression softened. He nodded.
“How could I forget? Three days after that... the Empathy Killer curse left my body.” (2)
He was about to say something else when he heard a soft beep. He turned just in time to see Pii-Chan reverting to the usual yellow aspect, while the normal Prinny disguise was falling away like a sticker peel.
Of course... The Prinny Disguise Kit. The one Ceefore had bought in the past and that helped max out Piriko’s credit card. (3)
“Hmph. Should’ve seen that coming,” he muttered.
Pii-Chan, entirely unfazed, reached into the Prinny pocket and pulled out a tray with a silver lid. With dramatic flair, it was lifted to reveal a batch of handmade ohagi riceballs.
Fuji froze.
He recognized them immediately. The uneven shapes, the extra kinako... this was Ao and Piriko’s doing. He remembered how, after an offhand comment about how his mother, Fuyo, used to make them for his birthday, (4) they’d insisted on learning how to make them themselves.
Fuji stared at the tray. Then at the two of them.
“…Thank you,” he said quietly. “You know, sometimes I still wake up wondering if it is only a dream that the Empathy Killer curse is really gone.”
He paused, the smell of the ohagi stirring something older than words.
“But… that’s a sad thought for a day like this, isn’t it?”
He looked up — first at Ao, then at Pirilika — and, for once, didn’t try to hide the quiet gratitude behind his eyes.
Ao nudged the tray closer.
“Don’t get weird about it, Dad. We didn’t make them because we’re sentimental. It’s part of the official Tempoora and the Nethertime Support Force Surprise Protocol.”
Fuji raised an eyebrow. “Is that so.”
Pirilika beamed. “Yup! Surprise Protocol Section B-2: Emotional Stabilization through Traditional Snacks.”
Pii-Chan cleared the throat and held up a scroll. “There’s actually a regulation now. I helped draft it.”
Fuji groaned. “Piriko’s company is cursed in a different way.”
Ao giggled. “But you love us anyway, right, Dad?”
Fuji didn’t reply.
He just reached out, took one of the ohagi — slowly, deliberately — and muttered, “One more joke like that and I’m filing a counter-regulation.”
Pirilika moved closer and gave him a gentle nudge with her shoulder. “You’re not getting out of this with sarcasm, Fuji.”
“Yeah, Dad,” Ao said, stepping forward. “You survived one turn of the Dark Sun without the Empathy Killer curse! You’re way overdue for a group hug.”
Fuji backed away. “I swear to Master Higan, if anyone touches me—”
But it was already too late.
Pirilika hugged him from one side. Ao from the other.
Fuji froze rigid, while his arms hovered in the air like startled blades.
Then… he sighed resigned.
“…Just this once.”
Pirilika blinked. “Wait, what?”
“Don’t ruin it, Piriko,” Fuji grumbled, but a faint smirk tugged at the edge of his mouth.
And as neither of them were looking, Pii-Chan snapped a photo and quietly took notes for future blackmail.
Notes:
(1) Chapter 1 of this story
(2) Chapter 37 of this story
(3) Disgaea 7 - Chapter 5
(4) According to Disgaea RPG
Chapter 46: Bonus Chapter - Sachi’s First Day as Master
Summary:
This chapter is dedicated to queenofgravyfries
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Zeroken’s Dojo — Early Morning
That morning, after a sleepless night, Sachi stared at the mirror and realized her face looked far worse than she imagined. Dark circles dragged beneath her eyes. Her long blue hair refused to stay in place. And as for why her cheeks were puffy and red… she decided she didn’t want to know.
Lost in contemplation of her reflection — which looked increasingly like someone just discharged from a madhouse — she nearly missed the knock at her door.
For an instant, panic flared. Was she already late for her first class as master of the dojo since her beloved father, Zeroken, had passed? A quick glance at the clock told her it was still early. Even so, tears welled at the thought of him.
Perfect, she thought bitterly, a red nose from crying really completes the disaster ensemble. She wiped her cheeks and went to open the door.
To her relief — and mild surprise — it wasn’t one of the students. It was her friend Pikari (1). One look was enough for Pikari to sigh and gently take her by the arm, guiding her back inside.
She grabbed a towel, soaked it in cold water, and pressed it against Sachi’s swollen face.
“I doubt a blowfish look is ideal for teaching the Ultimate Demon Techniques,” Pikari said with a wry smile.
Sachi puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
Next, Pikari turned to Sachi’s unruly hair. “What did you do, wrestle a lightning socket? There’s more electricity in here than in that poor burnt-out lamp on your nightstand.”
Another pout. Another sigh. Pikari decided it was time to be blunt.
“Master Zeroken would lose his mind if he saw you like this,” she said, handing Sachi a black kimono while rummaging in her pink bag.
“I know!” Sachi’s voice trembled. “But everyone expects me to carry on his legacy… What if I didn’t inherit his great heart? What if I can’t teach the Ultimate Demon Techniques?”
“If you cling to doubt, that’s exactly what will happen,” Pikari replied firmly. “But you know you’re stronger than you think. Otherwise, how did you master them as a child? None of the students have come close to that at your age.”
Finally, she drew something from her bag: a sash patterned exactly like Zeroken’s headband.
“You… you made this?” Sachi asked, her throat tight.
Pikari nodded. “Looks like I have a knack for it. Maybe in a past life I worked in fashion,” she teased, grinning.
By the time Sachi was dressed, her tears had slowed, and together the two girls headed out. Pikari — her assistant, and in some strange, inexplicable way someone she felt she had known long before this life — would stand beside her all day.
That evening, exhausted, they slumped to the dojo floor, silently wondering how they would ever find the strength to clean up for tomorrow’s lessons.
A perfectly timed growl from both their stomachs broke the silence.
“It’s over,” Sachi groaned dramatically, sprawled on the floor. “Father, forgive me — it seems I’ll be joining you soon.”
“You’re butchering those acting lessons you said Overlord Seraphina gave you,” Pikari muttered.
Sachi snorted, sticking out her tongue. The laughter that followed eased the tension, until she clutched her stomach again. “Oh Father, I smell food… is that you, sending me dinner from above?”
“No, plip — but close enough! I brought a huge pot of your favorite curry rice, Sachi.”
They both turned toward the voice and blinked in surprise. Usalia stood there, her fur flecked now with strands of silver but her smile as warm as ever, with Majorita struggling behind her to push a cart loaded with a massive pot, plates, and cutlery.
“Auntie Usalia?” Sachi gasped. “What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be at the Haunt Springs of Hinomoto?”
“After the panic call you gave me yesterday, I couldn’t just stay there, plip,” Usalia replied.
Meanwhile, Majorita handed out servings with her usual quiet efficiency. “Do I look like a waitress? You two better eat every grain of this rice…” she muttered under her breath.
“Thank you, Overlord Usalia,” Pikari said politely.
“Oh, just call me Usalia, plip,” she smiled. “Now, let’s eat. Afterwards, while Majorita cleans the entire dojo as my personal request, I have a surprise for us to watch together.”
Sachi raised an eyebrow. Usalia leaned in conspiratorially. “Do you know why mushroom curry became taboo for us?”
Sachi shook her head.
“One day your father, Zeroken, tossed a mushroom he’d found in the Demunshroom (2) swamp into the curry Killia and I were making. We thought we removed it in time… but let’s just say it had a creative effect, plip. We woke up the next morning to discover Seraphina had filmed, with Zeroken and the rest of us, an entire TV series called Legend of the Galactic Zeroken.” (3)
The three burst into laughter. Between snorting at Zeroken’s staged battle against a floppy Baal puppet and tearing up at the heartfelt scenes, Sachi felt something shift inside.
After a day filled with so much love and support, she knew she couldn’t give up.
Tomorrow, she would teach her students how to wield the power of the heart in battle.
But tonight, she would use hers to grow stronger — strong enough to carry forward everything her father had given her.
Notes:
(1) Pikari = From the Japanese word pika (“spark”)
(2) Map of Disgaea 5 — Chapter 4
(3) Disgaea 5 — Episode Preview for Chapter 8