3 Kokabiel

"Kokabiel..."

Azazel put his hand to his head at the thought of what his subordinate was trying to do. Kokabiel was tired of the status quo and wanted to provoke a new biblical war. The governor could neither go directly, as the problems could escalate much further nor send someone who really couldn't stand up to Kokabiel in an overwhelming way. Tobio was on a mission outside Japan, so Issei was available.

"What has that idiot done now?"

Issei asked disinterestedly. He didn't really care what the Cadre had done, or what he would do at any time. Of all the senior Grigori commanders, he was the person with whom he had forged the least trust over the years.

"He has stolen two Excaliburs from the Vatican."

Azazel explained slowly.

Issei frowned. He was no fool and understood the gravity of the matter. He also realized Kokabiel's real objective.

"He wants to provoke a war."

"Yes..."

But that wasn't the only problem. If that was all it was, Azazel could have sent Baraqiel or Shemhazai.

"And the Vatican?"

"It has sent two novice exorcists to retrieve the Excalibur."

What are they, morons? Two novice exorcists won't be able to do anything against Kokabiel.'

Azazel also understood Issei's doubts, but the Vatican had the same problems as Grigori right now.

"He's attacking Kuoh right now. As you may know, the younger sisters of two of the Maou control the city. Both Grigori and the Vatican are having difficulty getting into that place without causing more trouble than there already is."

"Kuoh?"

Unnecessary memories returned to Issei's mind. He didn't exactly have fond memories of his hometown.

"Yes, that's why you have to go. From what I understand, Sirzechs' adopted son is helping with the situation. Riser Phoenix is also arriving as reinforcements."

"Do you want him dead or alive?"

"I don't really care, but maybe you do. Looking at the situation, I think he may have some information about what happened ten years ago."

Issei turned serious. The incident ten years ago... Issei had to go back to the place where it all started in order to get information.

"I understand."

Azazel followed Issei with his gaze. He didn't know whether to feel worried or to feel anticipation. After all, Issei was going to show himself to the world for the first time. Moreover, on a stage that many important personalities were following from a distance.

----------

[Kuoh]

Issei had returned to the place where he had spent the first seven years of his life. Just like his last moment in this city, it was already late at night. He took a deep breath, wistfully recalling those early years.

"Back in Japan..."

[Yes, it's been a while.]

Ddraig's voice rang out from the bracelet wrapped around Issei's left arm.

[I have to say, watching battles can sometimes be as interesting as fighting them. But... don't you think maybe we should stop Kokabiel now? At least, before something that's irreversible. Big wars aren't exactly a good thing, as much as I enjoyed them].

They both watched the battle taking place in the distance. Leviathan's younger sister along with her slaves, who they for some reason called "peerage", were holding the battle on a magical field. It really wasn't too powerful, maybe Kokabiel was too lazy to break it.

A blond boy was fighting with an interesting Sacred Gear. It was quite rare to see one that combined holy power with demonic power. Next to him was an albino boy fighting with a Sacred Gear that caught both of their attention. This was the current wielder of Albion, Ddraig's rival.

However, even the two of them fighting together were barely able to hold off the Cadre. Issei could see that he was enjoying humiliating the young devils, as he was holding back his strength. Maou Lucifer's younger sister had already been defeated, and the rest really weren't too useful.

"I'm surprised they're still fighting after losing their Master."

Issei listened to what Kokabiel was saying to one of the exorcists. She had stopped fighting, so maybe she was going to say something important.

"Kokabiel, what do you mean by that?"

The short blue-haired girl asked. She could barely stand after blocking the Fallen Angel's attack. Kokabiel burst out laughing when she heard her.

"Of course! I almost forgot! Since I'm going to start a war I don't need to hide anything!"

[Issei, I think this is going to be a problem!]

Issei nodded his head, but it was already too late.

"In the great war not only did the four Great Maou's die! God did too!"

Kokabiel shouted without any qualms. This was privileged information that should not be spread to the public, Azazel had explained to Issei. The Biblical factions need the faith of humans, as they have great difficulty reproducing themselves.

"I'm going to stop him before he says any more nonsense."

Issei said as he prepared to activate his Balance Breaker.

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]

The red flash formed an impressive armor of dark red, green gems, and a powerful aura. The wings of the armor spread out as the young man took flight towards the battlefield.

Inside the barrier lay the vast majority of the defeated Gremory group, along with the two rookie exorcists the Vatican had sent. Only Vali Lucifer and Kiba Yuuto were left fighting the Fallen.

"Vali, it's time for you to use that."

Kiba said to Vali. The young man was the group's only hope at the moment. Reinforcements would be coming in another ten minutes, and he was the only one capable of buying them that time.

[Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!]

In a flash of white light, the armor that opposed the Welsh Dragon's enveloped the young Lucifer.

"Finally someone looks at least a little interesting!"

Kokabiel chuckled as he watched Vali's transformation. Though he didn't really take much notice, there was someone in Grigori who was far scarier than the current Albion wielder.

"I will defeat you!"

Vali shouted.

However, before he could do anything, the barrier surrounding the battlefield was brutally destroyed. A red armor remained in the sky, looking down at the rest of them.

"You...!"

Kokabiel shouted as he realized who it was that had arrived.

"I've come to leash the dog, you idiot."

Issei said condescendingly. He then turned to look at his supposed rival.

"Nothing personal, but I need him alive."

Vali paused, confused at the current situation.

"You dare to ignore me, you human trash that Azazel picked up?"

"Excuse me, does anyone here speak the language asshole? I just don't understand what you're saying."

Kokabiel's face contorted in rage. He was a Fallen Angel who had lived for thousands of years. He had fought in the greatest wars and against the most formidable enemies. He could not tolerate a young human speaking to him in this way.

"There is nothing to understand! We would have won the last war! And we would win it again if we fought now!"

Kokabiel generated a huge spear of light and sent it in Issei's direction.

[Fellow, he really is a jerk!]

"Watch out!"

Issei heard someone say that, but he didn't really pay attention to it. Maybe for them, it was a powerful attack, but....

[Boost]

Issei grabbed the spear and clenched his fist, completely destroying it. Kokabiel paled, he knew he was in trouble.

[Boost]

Sitri and her nobility arrived on the battlefield after the shield was destroyed. They were surprised to see the Issei fighting Kokabiel.

"Rias! What is the Welsh Dragon doing here?"

Sona asked. Perhaps it had been attracted by Vali's presence.

[Boost]

"I don't know, I think it's coming from the Fallen Angels. It seems Azazel wasn't behind Kokabiel's actions."

"It's time to go."

Issei disappeared and reappeared behind Kokabiel. With a mighty blow to the back, the Fallen Angel fell to the ground. Kokabiel tried to get up, but Issei wouldn't let him. With his right foot on his back, Grigori's Cadre couldn't move.

"Tch, I missed my favorite show to deal with this jerk. Oh, that looks like his mates. I'll take them both."

Issei grabbed Kokabiel by the collar and disappeared again. He appeared next to the mad exorcist Freed and grabbed him as well.

"Well, I'm off."

"Wait!"

Issei stopped as he heard Albion's bearer speak.

"You're just going to leave?"

Issei looked at him in confusion. He didn't quite understand what he meant.

[We're supposed to be rivals, Issei. He's expecting a fight or something.]

Issei nodded, understanding the situation. Then he looked at Vali.

"I'm not interested in you."