Chapter 11

Ryuu was currently strolling through the market of Sitri territory, tasting stalls here and there and thinking about his next steps. Having completed his preparatory training, it was now time to test his moves and abilities in real life combat.

Despite his confidence, due to his past lifes' experience Ryuu knew it would help little as he stepped into the mid-rank of the power ladder.

After all he was no longer dealing with people whose heads' would pop after they take a bullet, he would instead be dealing with supernatural beings. People that didn't need to breath in order to survive

In order to hurt a supernatural being you needed magic, or any supernatural force for that matter. Items of supernatural origin would work as well.

However like many things in life there is a an exception to the rule.

Pure physical might will affect anyone and anything, no matter who or what they are. If a mortal tried to push a knife into a supernatural's heart the knife would break, not causing any damage to the skin. But the supernatural being would feel the pressure and the push of the blade itself.

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'I'm currently at the peak of the low-rank. My demonic energy has turned into a clear river, fully under my control allowing me to make the best out of every last drop of my reservers.

As for my body, it capped around somewhere along the tenth year. Despite my best efforts I couldn't produce a scenario to breakthrough myself. I would've preferred to join the ranks of the mid-ranked devils before entering but time wait's for no one,' Ryuu thought as he stepped into the rather magnificent looking arena.

The moment he stepped in he could feel the shift in the atmosphere. The cold and sharp breeze trying to cut his skin, the thick smell of iron indicating a lot of bloodshed and the dark desires emnating from everyone in there.

Ryuu tried to calm his heart and contniued onwards to what looked like a reception desk. As he was moving the people inside were following him with their eyes not bothering to hide their grins and the contempt and ridicule on their eyes.

Once he reached the desk he said in the most frigid tone he could muster up, "sign me up." The receptionist gulped. Despite dealing with rowdy ruffians on a daily basis, Ryuu felt different.

He couldn't sense or smell blood on him, but if those before Ryuu were iron pipes, he was a blacksmiths' masterpiece. A sword with an edge refined to it's extreme with only one purpose: to slay what lays before its' path.

Quickly compossing himself he swiftly answered, "right away, sir. May I ask which brackett you are going to join?"

Ryuu looked at the receptionist with a bored expression and said, "start with the middle of the mid-rank and go from there."

While Ryuu was busy with his application and the necessary documents, his arrival was already being circulated. After all the Sitri territory was mostly clean, unlike others'.

There was no real space to settle and expand within the Sitri lands for the people of the underground, which kept the amount of fighters here to less than a dozen.

They were very amused when they heard the starting bracket the newbie chose. From their point of view, while Ryuu certainly looked trained they assumed he wouldn't have experience in actually making use of his abilities thus making him prey to snatch up easily.

Not to mention that most of the underground fighters where peak mid-level devils, if not early high ranked ones. Unknowingly Ryuu was already being marked as easy prey, not that he would've cared much.

After paying up the entrance fee Ryuu scheduled his first battle. It would be five days from now right under their feet. Giving a nod indicating he understood, he took his ticket and left.

Suprisingly no one bothered following him which left Ryuu a bit disappointed. He was really looking forward to a small squabble like the cliche ones he always used to read about, alas life doesn't always work upon your desires.

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While Ryuu was heading back to his little hut he thought back on his plans for the future. 'I will be fighting in the underground ring until I breakthrough, but what should I do afterwards? Project [Ultimate Wine Barrel] is halfway through. Once it's done it will open up more options for me.

I'm thinking about contacting Sun Wukong through Tiamat and Yu-Long by offering some alcohol. While my products won't be on the same level as refined monkey win it should be exotic enough to gain the attention of both the dragons and the Great Sage Equaling Heaven'.

Ryuu always knew that self-studying will only get him so far. Therefore he made plans to seek guidance by skilled individuals while he can.

Having read the light novel he knew how to avoid a total disaster:

Number one, don't bother mentioning Ddraig in front of Tiamat or you are toast.

Also don't try to lie to her, if she turns out to be the former goddess of mysopotamian pantheon you'll be screwed otherwise. In some fanfictions he read she was said to be the very same primordial goddess just without her divinities.

Number two, when asking the monkey king for help be honest and don't try to outwit him. If he decides to teach you, do your best even if it ends up killing you.

Ryuu knew if he could learn how to properly manipulate his vital energies he'd become nigh invincible below the ultimate rank. (A/N: Got this idea from another FanFiction, Highhuman in Highschool DxD by DonnutHermit)

As for weapon training, Ryuu settled on Okita Souji. He just wanted to get someone to teach the solid basics of wielding a sword, especially a japanese one. As most guys of Ryuus' former world, he too has an unhealthy obsession when it comes to katanas.

While the Evil Pieces were't officially introduced the devil society just yet, he had already heard about Lord Germory and his "bishop".

Getting his help through Serafall would be rather easy but the thought of using Serafall like this did leave him with a sour expression. He'd probably end up skipping Serafall and ask for help personally. After all he wanted to learn, coming to him personally should show his sincerity.

Thinking about it again, Okita Souji wouldn't be born before 1840. And Japan had a lot of talented and historically important swordsmen coming within the next two decades. Like Tokugawa Ieyasu who'll be born in 1543 or Toyotomi Hideyoshi who was already a year old at this point in time.

Then there was also Oda Nobunaga who is four years old right now. Takeda Shingen should be seventeen at this point in time.

There are many options for him to choose from, after he had settled his breakthrough and hopefully his tutelage under the Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

Using alcohol and some rituals to add to their lifespan should be enough to get most of them, if not all to teach him the way of the swords.

This brought a small smile onto Ryuu's lips and made his otaku soul burn with passion. He was already bearing the name "Dragon" and he'd be learning how to wield a katana, add to it dual wielding and you have most young mens' wet dream right there.

Chuckeling a bit at his silly and childish thoughts he pushed the door of his hut open. With a wide grin he was going to make some last preparations for the upcoming battles.

(A/N: It is currently 1538. Ten years after his rebirth and fifteen years after the end of the civil war.)