[Kiba's Perspective]
"Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Gaspar, Rossweisse—a word, if you please."
Azazel-sensei called for us. Leaving the rest of our friends to watch over Issei-kun and his parents, we followed him out of the room and down to the lounge area on the same floor.
Waiting there was a man in a black jacket—Ikuse Tobio, the 'Blade Dog'—accompanied by several men and women I didn't recognize.
Tobio-san nodded to Azazel. "Everyone is accounted for."
"Sorry to call you in on such short notice," Azazel replied.
"Don't be. We figured it was time for us to step into the light alongside D×D. Our strength may be modest, but we're here to help."
Azazel turned back to us, his expression grave. "Our 'Blade Dog' team will be joining the front lines as official members this time. I'll need you all to coordinate with them later."
The elite of Grigori were joining the fray? In a global conflict of this scale, every powerhouse was a godsend. Their participation was a massive relief.
Just then, Akeno-san let out a soft gasp of surprise. Her eyes were fixed on a beautiful woman in her early twenties who bore a striking resemblance to her. The woman smiled warmly at Akeno.
"Akeno. You look well."
"Suzaku-neesama!" Akeno-san rushed forward, throwing her arms around the woman. Suzaku-san returned the embrace, stroking Akeno-san's hair with sisterly affection.
"I was worried since I hadn't seen your face in a while. I'm glad you're safe."
"I'm so sorry... I should have reached out," Akeno murmured.
"It's alright. Given your position, I understand why you couldn't."
Suzaku. The name rang a bell. Himejima Suzaku—the current head of the Himejima Main House and Akeno-san's cousin.
Rias-senpai stepped forward with a welcoming smile. "It's been a long time, Suzaku."
"Indeed, Rias. I've finally managed to silence the grumblers back at the estate. I'll be joining Tobio and the rest of you. In times like these, it is only right for the Himejima to lend their strength."
There was a reason the head of the Himejima clan was so familiar with Tobio-san: he also carried the Himejima bloodline. In fact, he, Akeno-san, and Suzaku-san were all second cousins.
Suzaku-san continued, "It won't just be the Himejima, either. Practitioners from the other Four Houses will also be joining the front."
The Five Principal Clans—Himejima, Hyakki, Shinra, Kushihashi, and Doumon. These were the supernatural lineages that had protected Japan from the shadows since ancient times. To think they were all mobilizing...
Suddenly, another group approached.
"Tobio. I didn't think you'd show your face in public," a voice chuckled. It was Vali.
The Vali Team had arrived. After witnessing Rizevim's end, they had fought alongside us in the Norse world, mowing down legions of Evil Dragons. They had vanished briefly after the defense succeeded, but it seemed they were back in the fold.
"Well," Tobio-san replied to Vali, "our team is stepping out to suppress Trihexa's rampages. We'll be running support for you while we cause a little chaos of our own."
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