Hall of Elders

After hours spent wrapped in each other's embrace, Izashi and Kuroka lay tangled together, breathing deeply as the quiet dawn light began to filter through the curtains. Izashi blinked, a small smile still on his face from the intensity of their time together, though he'd long lost track of just how many rounds they'd gone through.

"That was… something," he murmured, a touch of wonder in his voice.

Kuroka smirked, nestling closer, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest. "So, did I live up to my word, or was I just all talk, nya?" she teased, her voice still soft from satisfaction.

Izashi chuckled, tapping her nose lightly. "I'm not sure we can call it 'just talk' after… whatever that was. You definitely got your wish, though." He sat up, stretching his arms overhead before patting his stomach. "But right now, I could go for some actual food. It's been a while."

Kuroka pouted, her lips forming a mock frown. "After eating me up for so long, you're still hungry? I'm almost offended, nya~!"

Izashi chuckled, giving her a gentle tap on the head. "You know what I mean. Come on, let's go. You must be a bit hungry too, admit it."

She rolled her eyes, a playful gleam in them as she relented. "Alright, fine. Let's go, food lover."

They dressed and left the room, heading toward the dining hall on the fifth floor. The mansion was lavishly decorated, with touches of both Gremory's refined elegance and a sense of modernity that Izashi had personally added, giving it a unique charm. Every inch of the place seemed to remind him of the immense power he now wielded and the family legacy he was poised to take over—assuming, of course, everything went according to plan.

In the dining hall, they found Rias and Akeno already waiting at the table. Both of them had chosen outfits that seemed designed to tease and draw Izashi's attention, and if that was their goal, they succeeded. Rias's form-fitting top hugged her figure, emphasizing her curves, while Akeno wore shorts that gave Izashi a tempting view of her slender, toned legs. The sight made his heart skip a beat.

"Good morning, you two," Rias greeted, her voice light and cheerful as she noticed him taking in the sight.

Akeno flashed him a mischievous grin, as if reading his thoughts. "Did you two sleep well? Though judging by your looks, it seems like there wasn't much sleep involved," she added with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Izashi shrugged, playing it cool. "Who has time for sleep when there's good company?" He took a seat across from Akeno, who continued to watch him with a hint of amusement. Ignoring her for the moment, he reached for a plate, helping himself to an omelette, the delicious aroma making his stomach growl.

Just as he took a few bites, he felt something brush against his leg. He glanced down, his brow quirking as he realized what, or rather who, was behind the unexpected touch. Akeno's fair, smooth leg was tracing up his thigh, inching closer to his crotch in a bold, silent gesture. She maintained a poker face, pretending to be utterly engrossed in her food as if nothing was happening. Her calm demeanor was only betrayed by the slight blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Catching her eye, Izashi smirked, his gaze challenging as he subtly returned the favor. With a casual movement, he extended his leg under the table, nudging her gently. His foot found its way to her thigh, grazing it teasingly, moving upward and brushing her lightly, earning a shiver from her as she struggled to keep her composure.

"Enjoying breakfast, Akeno?" he murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Akeno took a slow breath, keeping her calm facade. "Absolutely," she replied, smirking right back, though her cheeks had taken on a faint pink hue. "It's quite… satisfying." She continued eating, fighting to maintain her usual grace despite the sensations Izashi's teasing leg was causing her.

Not wanting to push it too far, Izashi finally withdrew his leg, sending her a wink and mouthing, "Later tonight."

Akeno's eyes gleamed with excitement as she caught his silent promise, her playful grin returning as she nodded subtly. She even puffed out her chest a little, clearly satisfied with how the morning was going.

Across the table, Rias took notice of the exchange, her eyebrows raising slightly as she caught on to the unspoken interaction between the two. She sighed internally but held back any comment. Izashi had been spending a lot of time with her lately, so she felt it was only fair to let Akeno have her moment. Besides, she knew pushing too hard for his attention might end up having the opposite effect.

With breakfast finished, Izashi leaned back in his chair, feeling content. A new day lay ahead, and he planned to make the most of it. He excused himself from the dining table and decided to explore the mansion a bit more. His curiosity was piqued as he wandered through its luxurious halls, taking in the stunning architecture and the impressive array of facilities that had been included, including a pristine pool out back. Imagining his harem lounging by the poolside in bikinis, Izashi felt a small grin forming.

Soon, however, he had more pressing matters to attend to. After some time in his study, he picked up a pen and some paper, starting to jot down some notes. He'd recently been experimenting with his demonic energy, adapting it in new ways to enhance his already formidable abilities. After perfecting moves like the Destruction Style: Flaming Rasengan and Destruction Incarnate, he felt certain that he was ready to face his father, Zeoticus, in the challenge.

The hours slipped by, and as evening approached, Izashi knew the time had come. He'd been anticipating this for some time, and the thought of claiming his place as head of the Gremory family filled him with a fierce excitement.

Just as he finished gathering his thoughts, a crimson teleportation circle appeared, spiraling on the floor around him. Izashi stepped into it without hesitation, allowing the familiar red glow to carry him to the hall of elders. Within moments, he was surrounded by the council's aged yet formidable presence.

The room was grand, every inch of it displaying the Gremory family's centuries-old power and influence. Sitting in their designated places, the elders glanced his way with a mixture of curiosity and caution, aware that he'd requested this meeting for a serious purpose.

At the center of the assembly, Zeoticus himself stood, his expression cool but his eyes betraying a hint of tension. Izashi couldn't resist smirking as he took in the older devil's carefully neutral stance. Bowing his head mockingly, he said, "Hello, 'Father.'"

Zeoticus's gaze sharpened at the way Izashi spat the word, but he held his composure. "Izashi," he replied, inclining his head. "You've caused quite a stir with this challenge. And may I remind you, you are still my son and heir. This position will be yours in due time."

Izashi met his father's gaze squarely, his voice steady. "If that's the case, then you should have no problem proving yourself." He gestured around at the assembled elders. "The head of this house should be the strongest, should he not? I think I've shown I'm more than capable."

Zeoticus narrowed his eyes, irritation slipping into his tone. "You may be strong, but experience counts for much more than you realize, Izashi. You have much to learn before you can handle the responsibilities of this family."

Izashi merely shrugged, undeterred. "Experience is something I can gain. But strength—true strength—can't be faked. If you really believe I'm unprepared, prove it by defeating me. Unless you're worried, of course." His gaze moved across the room, challenging each elder to consider his words.

The elders began to murmur among themselves, casting glances between father and son. Although many hadn't witnessed Izashi's recent victories firsthand, rumors of his prowess had spread quickly, and the young devil's words stirred something in them. One elder spoke up, voicing the question on all their minds.

"Even if you defeat your father," the elder asked, his voice measured, "how will you manage the day-to-day affairs of the Gremory House? Are you prepared for the challenges of leadership?"

Izashi nodded, his answer ready. "I have no illusions about my strengths or weaknesses. I'll appoint someone from among you to handle the political and financial affairs of the house. But make no mistake—the final say will always be mine. I intend to lead this family into the future."

His response was met with a hum of approval, a spark of interest lighting in the elders' eyes. They were keenly aware that supporting Izashi might elevate one of them to a powerful position as his second-in-command. Greed, an inherent devil trait, flickered in their eyes, and a sense of opportunity swept through the hall. Slowly, one by one, the elders cast their votes.

When the tally was done, it was clear the majority supported Izashi's challenge, despite the risk of alienating Zeoticus. Well, it wouldn't matter if it the final results are in Izashi's favor.

Zeoticus's face hardened as he observed the outcome, and a tense silence settled over the hall. The elders had spoken, and the choice was clear: the majority supported Izashi's challenge. Zeoticus had no option now but to accept and defend his title as head of the family.

~~

A/N: I hope you all liked this long chapter.

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