A few days after the Great Prison Break.........

Daniel's POV

I'm currently resting in the abandoned house that looks like it has seen better days. It was abandoned a few years ago though surprisingly, it's still in quite good condition. I'm planning on making this my  Secret Base where I'll run the show! Banzai one of my aspirations is completed.....

Kurome: "Hehehe. C'mon get some sleep, Dan. The training will commence in your mindscape. I also happen to owe you a hug."

Daniel: "Yes sensei."

I said thinking of what kind of training montage will I have to go through.

Kurome: "Swordsmanship and few other things. That's all."

Right. She can read my mind. How did you forget that, Daniel? Putting that aside, I went to find a 'comfortable' to crash.

(Mindscape)

I again found myself on a grassy field. Now that I look at it and connect the dots, this is indeed my training room or place so to speak.

Kurome: "Will we proceed with training or hug? Your choice."

She asked with a smile on her face.

Daniel: "Hug!!......Uhhhh sorry."

I said with a mortified face but she just giggled at my tomato face and hugged me for a few minutes then let go.

Kurome: Let us proceed, young one. Today's focus will be on the basics. Get ready Dan." 

She said as she drew her sword from the scabbard.

Daniel: "Yes sensei."

I summoned Yatsufusa and the training has begun. In a blink of an eye, she caught me off guard. Using her agility, she was fast enough which resulted from me being slashed way too many times. Now, I'm just panting out of breath as I was lying on the grassy field.

Kurome: "Well good work for the day of training, Dan."

Daniel: "Your training is appreciated sensei." 

I said with a slight bow.

Kurome: "Think of the sword not as a weapon but a part of your body. The sword doesn't change. So you have to adapt to the sword. You can't change your surroundings. They only change once you have changed. Only then, you'll get better along the way of our training. Look at the time, it seems now you're waking up."

She said as she started to fade away slowly. 

(Real World)

I woke up with terrible tension then look around only to realize I'm no longer tied with chains. I'm a free bird.

Daniel: "Kurome, what should I do today?"

Kurome: "What about we go explore the city now? We're quite close to the Sirti Domain so for now, we should be safe from the Gremory Family."

Daniel: "It's better here than there. Alright, time to get off my ass."

I said getting up from the chair I sat on and started walking out of the house and later, through the forest. Then it hit me. Realization. I did not have any cash. You need cash to survive.

Daniel: I don't have any money on me to buy anything. Dammit!"

Kurome: "It's cool. Just stay calm and we can work this out. Probably."

Daniel: "I'm calm, now what should I do?"

Kurome: "Try stealing. It'll be fun. I promise."

Daniel: "Not being rude but, what if I'm caught?"

Kurome: "Simple. Eliminate the bastard."

Why do I have a feeling that she's smiling like a sociopath?

Kurome: "Cause I'm. It's been a while since I can slice people. Just hoping it will be a corrupted one."

She exclaimed not hiding her hatred towards them.

I started looking around for a target to steal from. Five minutes later, spotted a young adult who looks like or could be himself, Ajuka Beelzebub.

Kurome: "Judging by his outfit, I can tell he's a Devil King. I suggest, watch your steps."

She warned me.

Daniel: "I see...stealth is my best shot huh? On second thought, why's he alone and has no protection?"

Kurome: "That's cause he's a King Dan. Just be careful, alright."

I started walking in his direction and purposely bumped into him.

Daniel: "Sorry my Lord, for not minding my steps."

Ajuka: "No, it's okay. Just be careful next time."

Kurome: "I suggest now's the time you do a marathon run before he realizes what just happened. You get me?"

Quick as I can, I ran to the other side of the woods. Later, after fifteen minutes of catching my breath, I took the item I stole only to find a small wooden box. I opened said box and found....a chess piece. Strange. What I'm gonna do with a chess piece eh? Better ask Kurome.

Daniel: "What's this?"

I asked Kurome as I was analyzing the piece.

Kurome: "You found an evil piece."

Daniel: "Now what's that?"

Kurome: "It's used by high-class devils to revive a deceased race turning into a reincarnated devil and thus, serve their master as some say. Though I don't know much about it. Sorry, Dan."

Daniel: "Hey, don't be sad. It's okay. What you told me is more than enough. Cheer up."

Kurome: "Right where were we? Since evil pieces are created with a strong kind of magic so it can be later enchanted into said pieces."

Daniel: "So, I can't use it?"

Kurome: "Not entirely, no. I have an idea. Call a dead mad scientist by the name of Senku. He'll know what to do."

Daniel: "Okay, got it. I call upon the dead! Rise Senku and serve me till death!"

From the ground, two hands emerge and later a body of a young man.

Senku: "For why I was summoned, master?"

Daniel: "I want to ask if you can make this evil piece useful for me. Got it?"

I asked as I handed him the piece with the box containing all the rest of the pieces.

Senku: " Of course boss. I'll start the research once we're back to base."

I nodded in response and did some stealing for a while. Then went home to have the food I stole.

Timeskip to the Base: Howard Base

After getting back home, Senku ran to the lab with the box while I freshened up and went to check on my latest 'project'. As I entered, I saw the scientist in deep thinking while holding one of the pieces and mumbling. 

Senku: "Should I use them as well? The boss might get pissed. Hmm, what to do?"

Daniel: "You can use 'em."

Senku: "Huh?! You scared me, boss. Come back later. I'll tell you then. I need some alone time."

After I granted his request, it took me mere seconds to see a wide smile appearing on his face. I left him alone and went to my room to rest. Waiting for the project was making me curious. I then hear Kurome's voice in my head.

Kurome: "Any plans for the meantime, Dan?"

Daniel: "I was thinking of training in my mindscape."

Few Days Laters.....

Senku was able to convert the evil piece for my use. I made my own ritual chant and was able to absorb the king piece inside my chest. We also modified these pieces into making the users/wielders immune to holy powers. How you may ask? I'm not the smartest of the duo doesn't mean I'm the dumbest. With Kurome and Senku's smart thinking and analysis, we came up with a solution to do said conversion. Now, few steps later Daniel will be unstoppable. Few days later, I came up with a plan to sneak in a train that travels between  Netherrealm and Earthrealm. In order to escape as I knew soon or later, I'll be found. No idea how long will I be able to hold myself. The best-case scenario was to escape. It was my ass or the highway. Or in this case, back to prison or on these tracks of freedom. As I reached near, Kurome called out to me.

Kurome : "Dan, be on guard. I'm sensing lotta guards. What are you gonna do now?"

Daniel: "I dunno, use invisibility?"

Kurome: "Please tell me you're joking Dan."

Daniel: "Get used to it."

Using stealth the best I could, I managed to get my ass inside a train boxcar via training by Kurome.

Daniel: "We're in. What now, Kurome?"

Kurome: "Find a hiding place, Dan."

As I went on my new quest, I found a spot with a little eight-year-old there. She had black hair and purple eyes. Wore maroon glasses with golden rim. Also a blue dress with a pair of white leggings and beautiful glittering shoes. She was sitting alone. I approached her and introduced myself.  Maybe if fate has it, this kid is my golden ticket. 

Daniel: "Hey, the name's Daniel. What's yours?"

Sona : "Hello, Daniel-san. I'm called Sona. Please to meet your acquaintance."

Daniel: "Lemme guess, you alone here?"

Sona: "Not really, no. Actually, the adults are having a meeting on the other side of the car."

Daniel: "Mind if I asking you something?"

Sona: "Is it about my parents? I'm sorry I can't speak against their will."

Daniel:" Nothing like that. Just curious why you'll going to Earthrealm."

Kurome: "Are you serious right now? You got a chance to talk to someone and you're asking unreasonable questions. Jesus, I thought you'd be smarter than this."

Daniel: How about you talk to her alright? How about that? Can you talk to her?

Kurome: "I can but it'll cause more trouble if the devils find out that I'm possessed by the infamous Daniel Howard. Heh, also known as Son of Whore by the Gremories."

Daniel: Ehh, just shut up and let me deal with this.

Sona: "We're going there to learn about their culture as I was told when growing up, I'll have to manage one of many towns in Japan. That being said Kouh Town. I'll get evil pieces when I'm sixteen! Ahem! I mean I'm overwhelmed with this situation. I'm worried I might disappoint my parents, you know?"

Daniel: "Don't worry Sona. I'll root for you. Try hard and you'll succeed. Even when you in a tight situation, remember two things. One, you are Sona and no one else can take it from you. Second, I'll support you the best I can."

Sona: "But why would want to help me? We don't even know each other that well Daniel-san. From what I see, we're still stranger, aren't we?"

Daniel: "Maybe so. I was just trying to make some friends, you see. So, will you be my friend? Also, you can call me Daniel. No sans or kuns needed. Got it?"

She thinks for about five minutes then looks at me with a small smile and nods her head. One word. Kawaii~.

Sona: "Okay Daniel. Now we're friends, can I know why you're also traveling there?"

Daniel: "Huh?! I can't just tell her escaped prison and is on the run. No, I can't. Better make some excuses. C'mon Daniel think. Aha! Eureka! "Well, I heard that Earth realm has quite a lot of interesting things to discover and I'm going there for work."

Sona: "Look at you being curious Danny."

Daniel: "Why can't I be? After all, it's fun to learn about your surroundings for benefits in both combats and empire building. The more you sharpen your brain with knowledge, the more people will look at you for inspiration, motivation, advice everything."

I said with a large smile planted on my face which turned Sona red. Blushing are we? Hehe, let's have some fun, Daniel. Let's spice it up a little, shall we?

Daniel: "Oh c'mon Sona. Am I really that handsome? Oh, is my charisma too high? Is it? Is it? Huh?"

Sona : "Baka, Baka Daniel. J-Just s-s-hut up!" Her face now more redder than that hooker, sis-con, and the tyrant's hair on which I chuckled at her embarrassment. 

Daniel: "Now I'm really hot."

Kurome: "Wow, he's charming for a kid. What else can you do, Dan?"

However, I ignored her as I'm still pissed at her for bringing that fucking title. If there's one thing I can't stand, that would be this title. She wasn't facing me due to how I mortified her and now she can't even look me in the eye. When she got over it, we had a little chat with each other casually when the car door opened and entered a man in a black suit. He approached Sona.

???: "Daughter, gather your things and join us shortly. We will be arriving in Kouh in about thirty minutes or so."

After that, he went back to where he came from.

Sona: "Ahh, father's here....well I guess I should go. Wouldn't wanna piss him off." 

She exclaimed with a hit of a little bit of sadness. I quickly caught on to that and reassured her. Poor kid. I feel bad.

Daniel: "Don't be sad Sona. We WIll meet again. I promise you that. Once Daniel makes a promise, he never backs away from his commitment. In other words, I never back down on a promise let alone dodge it like a coward."

Sona: "But still. You don't even know whether it will be possible to meet again or not."

Daniel: "Hey Sona, look at me."

She looks at me. Then I begin to cheer her up.

Daniel: "This is only goodbye for now. We'll be reunited. No matter how many hardships we have to go through, cross through, kill and slice, we will be together again. Do you get me, Sona?" 

I asked with a concerned look which she returned with a wide smile.

Sona: "Then let's meet again in the place where the station is from ten years from now."

Daniel: "Why's that?"

Sona: "I'll turn eighteen by then. At the time, I'll be attending Kouh Academy in Kouh Town. I say we should meet up there."

Daniel: "Judging by your appearance, I take it you're from a royal family, isn't it?"

Sona: "You got that right and because of that well...well I have few friends. They're my friend because of my family heritage but you Daniel, you treated me like a normal girl so far. I'm grateful for that. I'm really am. Thank you, Daniel, you're a true friend."

Daniel: "Sona, I don't give a damn about heritage and other bullshits. No matter where you come from. From royalty, middle-class, or low-class, I don't care because see you as only Sona. Not Queen Sona or Royalty Sona. I know, they mean the same thing. Point is, to me you're just my only friend Sona. I'm hoping it stays that way."

Daniel: Suspicions confirmed. She's the Sitri noble, right Kurome? It's like you said. What do you think, will it help me achieve my goal?

Kurome: "Not sure about that but you could use a friend in your life, y'know?"

Daniel:' Yeah whatever.'

I said rolling my eyes.

Sona: "Umm, c-can you give me your hand please?"

She asked with a smile which in no way in a thousand hells could I refuse. I did as requested, and I got an expensive blue shining necklace in return.

Daniel: "Wow, so expensive...Sona, I can't take it. You should keep it. Otherwise, you might end up in trouble." 

I said with a worried face. She just stood there, smiling.

Sona: "My mom gave me this necklace on my eighth birthday as a present. I want you to keep. Will you keep it, please? Please?"

Daniel: "Okay, can't say no to that face. What are the odds? I'll take it but I'm still worried for you? Out of everything you could've handed me, you gave me this necklace. Isn't it important for you to wear it all the time?"

Sona: "I believe if we forget our promise eighteen years later, the necklace will draw the line of love-I mean friendship. Yeah, that's it. Friendship. Nothing more nothing less. Hehehe..."

Daniel: "Since you gave me yours, it would be fair if I did the same. Something to remember you by. Here, take this necklace."

Daniel: "Mom gave this necklace before she died. She said to look at it whenever I missed her. That necklace is what kept me alive so far. Whenever I was in danger, I knew mom was always near me. It's my treasure. Promise me you'll look after it, Sona."

She gives me a determined face with a large smile.

Sona: "I'll hold on to it till we meet again, Daniel. Also, promise me you'll take care of my treasure like I'll do yours, okay?"

Daniel: "I promise."

Sona: "This is goodbye for now."

She said as we hugged each other for a long time to each she smiled. Later, got out of the embrace, took her things, and made a break for it, but not before waving goodbye at me. I also did the same as her by smiling. She went to the other side.

Kurome: "Hey, for how long are you gonna keep ignoring me, Daniel?!"

Daniel: "For as long as I'm pissed. Even knowing full well how it affects me, you had to bring up the title didn't know?"

Kurome: "Look I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I swear I won't do that again. Please, Dan. Please."

Daniel: "You're forgiven. Ah, by the look of it, we arrived in Kouh Town."