---
The Akatsuki dimension had changed.
What once was only a massive fortified sanctuary for three members was now quietly evolving into something far greater. Over the past weeks, with the successful Spade Kingdom extraction mission, dozens of new inhabitants filled the growing villages and settlements Avi had been preparing from the very beginning.
Avi (thought):
"A safe haven that can never be touched, a pocket reality outside Lucius' view. And within it… my pieces gather."
The rescued prisoners had become loyal citizens under Asta and Yuno's protection. Many of them were descendants of Spade's fallen royalty, mages with rare talents, and future key players in the war that was inevitably coming.
---
Inside the Central Council Chamber — Akatsuki Base
Asta, Yuno, and Avi stood before a newly-formed council of their most trusted members. The group included:
Leona Crescent — a former noblewoman with Ice and Healing Magic.
Gideon — a battle-hardened Spade resistance leader with Earth Magic.
Elira — an expert in magical engineering, crucial for maintaining Avi's expanding infrastructure.
Father Orsi — though not a fighter, his kind presence helped stabilize and nurture the new refugees.
Asta (serious for once):
"This place has become more than a base. It's becoming a new nation… a place for those the world has abandoned."
Yuno:
"We cannot officially reveal ourselves yet. But our strength keeps growing. When the time comes, we'll have an entire population ready to rise."
Gideon (firmly):
"The Spade people will fight for freedom when the time comes. Under Akatsuki's banner."
Avi smiled faintly, his mind constantly calculating possibilities.
Avi (thought):
"The Spade Kingdom will collapse from both within and without. But not yet… the seeds must mature first."
---
Elsewhere — Clover Kingdom, Magic Knight Headquarters
The Wizard King Julius sat at his desk, reading recent reports. Behind him, Marx and Damnatio stood silently.
Marx (worried):
"My Lord, these disappearances across the Spade region… they appear too coordinated to be simple rebel movements."
Damnatio (cold):
"And yet we have no proof. No evidence points to any Clover involvement. The Akatsuki Squad remains unusually quiet. Suspiciously so."
Julius rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Julius:
"Perhaps. But I sense… no ill intent from Asta and Yuno. They have potential. Still… someone highly skilled is pulling strings from the shadows. Someone we cannot yet see."
Julius (thought):
"Or perhaps… someone even beyond me."
---
Far Away — Lucius Zogratis' Private Chambers
Lucius stared into a time-frozen reflection of the world. He analyzed every detail, every anomaly. And yet, one black void remained hidden.
The Akatsuki dimension.
Lucius (to himself):
"A fracture in fate. A rogue element, unknown to my predictions. I grow curious."
His devil-merged form pulsed with radiant forbidden power as his smile widened.
Lucius:
"It matters not. All will fall under my perfect world in due time."
Behind him, a bound ancient devil husk writhed, infused with experimental runes — another piece of Lucius' long game.
---
Akatsuki Training Grounds — Secret Chamber
While Asta and Yuno led public training with their growing recruits, Avi continued his personal secret preparations deep within the fortified sub-levels of the Akatsuki base.
A massive underground chamber housed forbidden grimoires, captured devil artifacts, experimental mana stabilization cores, and layers of his system's invisible enhancements.
Standing before a sealed vault, Avi activated his system interface.
---
System Notification:
> [Host has successfully recovered Devil Relic No. 4 — "Fragment of Zagred's True Core."]
[Cursed Energy isolated. Purification in progress…]
[Dimensional Shielding: 100%]
Avi (thought):
"Every piece of darkness I collect becomes one less tool for Lucius to manipulate."
With careful hands, he inscribed ancient anti-devil glyphs onto the vault's inner walls.
---
Avi's Hidden Clone Network Expands
Using his clone abilities, enhanced by the system, Avi had now placed secret scouts in every major kingdom:
Clover Kingdom:
Clones maintained surveillance over every Captain, even within Julius' tower.
Spade Kingdom:
Invisible spies infiltrated the noble ranks, gathering intelligence on Dark Triad experiments.
Heart Kingdom:
A clone cooperated secretly with Queen Lolopechka's spirit guardians.
Diamond Kingdom:
A newly placed clone monitored the remnants of Mars' rebellion and Moris' dark experiments.
Avi (thought):
"Control information. Control outcomes. Every event bends to my direction while others think fate plays its course."
---
In The Heart Kingdom — Warning Signs
During one of Avi's secret visits to the Heart Kingdom disguised as a traveling merchant, he personally visited Lolopechka under the cover of night.
Lolopechka (worried):
"The mana across the continent feels increasingly unstable. The devils' influence... it grows too fast. Even the spirit guardians are disturbed."
Avi nodded respectfully.
Avi (in disguise):
"Prepare your people. Reinforce your barriers. When the Spade Triad moves, the Heart Kingdom will become one of their first targets."
Lolopechka:
"But who are you? How do you know so much?"
Avi (smiling gently):
"Just a concerned wanderer who wishes to see this world survive."
Before she could probe further, Avi's shadow flickered — his clone dispersing before any magical trace could be tracked.
Lolopechka (thought):
"Who… was that? His mana felt… ancient yet pure."
---
Meanwhile — Dark Triad Accelerates
Inside Spade Kingdom, the Triad grew bolder. Their experiments with devil fusion reached new heights. Several failed hosts became twisted half-human, half-devil abominations patrolling their borders.
Dante (laughing maniacally):
"The final stage is nearly ready. The Tree of Qliphoth will soon open fully."
Vanica:
"My blood's boiling with excitement!"
Zenon (calm but focused):
"But still... Akatsuki remains an unknown threat."
His gaze lingered on Yuno's existence.
Zenon (thought):
"I will personally destroy the traitor prince when the time comes."
---
Akatsuki Council — Secret Strategy Session
Back at Akatsuki base, Asta, Yuno, and Avi discussed their next steps.
Yuno (serious):
"If we wait too long, Spade's people will suffer even worse."
Asta:
"We have to hit them soon, right?"
Avi (calm):
"No. Not yet. The tree isn't fully grown. If we strike too early, Lucius will adapt and accelerate. But if we strike too late, the gates of the Underworld may open entirely. We strike just before the key resonance peak."
He summoned a complex star-map projection of devil mana nodes across the continent.
Avi:
"Timing will decide everything."
Yuno clenched his fist.
Yuno:
"Then we prepare… and wait for your signal."
---
Akatsuki Base Expansion
In preparation, Avi ordered another expansion phase of the Akatsuki dimension:
Dimensional Layering Upgrade: Multi-tiered defensive layers preventing even time-space observers from penetrating.
Training Environments: Simulated battlefield zones with varying mana conditions.
Artifact Vault: Sealed chamber for dangerous relics gathered from their missions.
Civilians Growth Sector: Allowing more Spade refugees to escape into Akatsuki's safety.
System Notification:
> [Base Expansion Complete — Level 4 Akatsuki Hidden Nation established.]
Avi stood before the massive dimension map as it evolved.
Avi (thought):
"The world will never know the hand that orchestrated its salvation."
---
Foreshadowing: Far Beyond
Far beyond even Lucius' grasp, deep in the distorted dimensions of the Underworld, an ancient devil began awakening — far older than Zagred or Lucifero — sensing the growing disruptions.
Ancient Devil Whisper:
"There is another… not written in fate… who dares bend the flow of destiny itself."
Its dark consciousness twitched.
Ancient Devil:
"A puppeteer hidden behind puppeteers… intriguing."
---
Avi's Quiet Smile
As the world spun ever closer to war, Avi sat quietly upon his floating throne within the Akatsuki palace, watching it all unfold.
Avi (soft whisper):
"Let the world believe fate guides them. I alone write the true script beneath the script."
And above his head, Akatsuki's blood-red cloud symbol shone brightly against the artificial moonlight.
---
[TO BE CONTINUED...]