The Divine Tower

Naruto World

Tsunade sat at her desk in Konoha's medical lab, scribbling notes furiously. Shizune hovered beside her, carefully grinding down a handful of the Preserving Boluses they had retrieved from the tower. The mixture gave off a faintly metallic odor, hinting at its potency.

"This stuff is no joke, it cured the disease we were infected with inside the tower and when we brought it out here it can help cure some diseases. But it does not affect poisons." Tsunade muttered, holding up a vial of the ground-down powder.

"Even diluted, it's more powerful than any standard medicine we've got."

"Can we replicate it?" Shizune asked, dropping the mixture into a flask of purified water.

"Not exactly." Tsunade's brow furrowed.

"But we can make something close. Think of it as a weaker version, enough to stave off symptoms temporarily."

The two women watched as the flask bubbled softly. After several hours of experimentation, they managed to create a prototype pill that mimicked the properties of the Preserving Boluses, though not at full strength.

"These should buy us time, at least. If the disease spreads, it'll cripple entire armies," Tsunade warned.

"Azazel mentioned regrouping soon," Shizune said, cleaning up the lab.

"We'll take these pills and run more tests when we meet up with him and the others." Tsunade nodded and went back into her research.

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DxD world

In the Underworld, Azazel leaned over his workbench, examining two dull-gray stones. Beside him, Shemhazai and Vali looked on curiously.

"These stones..." Azazel held one up to the light.

"They're labeled as Smithing Stone 1 and Smithing Stone 2. But these things are on another level. They enhance weapons, not just repair them, like evolving them into entirely new forms. It seems I need to use smithing stone 1 a few times before I can use smithing stone 2. I shouldn't have wasted the other 2 on weak weapons."

Vali crossed his arms, his gaze focused. "So, if I used one of these on my Sacred Gear?"

Azazel chuckled. "I wouldn't recommend it. We don't know the limits yet, and forcing power upgrades always comes with risks. Still..." He trailed off, a grin spreading across his face.

"It's exciting, right? With enough of these, we could turn ordinary weapons into divine ones."

Shemhazai cleared his throat. "The peace summit has been pushed forward. The faction leaders are gathering sooner than expected."

Azazel sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Of course it is. No rest for the wicked, huh? Well, I'll have to put off smithing for now. But once this summit's over, we're diving back into the tower. More treasures are waiting, and I don't plan on missing out."

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Inside the tower

Floating above the tower, Noah scanned the chaotic map below with a smirk. The first wave of challengers had failed miserably, and Radahn remained undefeated at the heart of the desert.

"No one's even made it halfway to him since the first group," Noah muttered, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

He zoomed in on several areas of the map. Groups of adventurers and fighters were already scattered across the lower floors, battling smaller monsters and looting what little they could. Some were experimenting with items like the Returner Stones and Preserving Boluses, trying to figure out the tower's mechanics.

He noticed a new group that had just entered, a curious blend of samurai, wizards, and mercenaries. They moved cautiously, clearly learning from the mistakes of the first entrants. One of them picked up an NPC guidebook, flipping through the pages to discover hints about Radahn's abilities.

"Finally," Noah whispered. "Someone is paying attention."

More groups started arriving by the hour. This time, there were no reckless skirmishes. They avoided unnecessary fights and worked together, pooling resources and knowledge. It was only a matter of time before someone reached Radahn's arena again. Noah flew towards the northeast where he saw 2 people running on the Farum Greatbridge where 2 people were running on it.

The thunderous flapping of wings tore through the air as Flying Dragon Greyll loomed overhead, its shadow stretching over the battlefield. The beast's scaled form shimmered, reflecting the dim glow of the setting sun, and every gust from its wings whipped the terrain into chaos.

 "Well, I guess we're in for a little workout today, aren't we?" Kisuke adjusted his bucket hat with one hand and gave Yoruichi a sly grin.

"Workout?" Yoruichi smirked, crouching low, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement.

"You've got a funny definition of that."

Above them, Greyll unleashed a deafening roar that sent tremors through the ground. Sparks of lightning crackled along its jagged horns as its massive wings kicked up debris. The dragon's golden-yellow eyes locked onto them, hunger and malice gleaming within.

"Think you can keep up, Yoruichi?" Kisuke swung his cane casually over one shoulder.

"Don't blink, Kisuke, or you'll miss all the fun!" Yoruichi gave a laugh, her form blurring as she dashed ahead. 

Yoruichi closed the distance in an instant, her speed leaving afterimages in her wake. In a burst of pure agility, she leaped onto Greyll's foreleg, running up the scaly surface toward its neck. The dragon snarled, whipping its body sideways. Yoruichi dodged effortlessly, landing on its back before jumping off in a graceful arc.

The dragon's tail swung around like a battering ram, but she was already gone, dancing between strikes with ease.

Kisuke kept his eyes sharp, calculating every movement of the beast. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed his cane forward.

"Bakudō #63: Sajo Sabaku." Chains of light snapped into existence, binding Greyll's wings mid-flap.

The dragon roared, plummeting downward. Its massive frame hit the ground with a tremor, but the beast writhed, shattering the restraints with raw force.

"Strong one, huh?" Kisuke muttered to himself, his smile widening.

"Guess I need to step it up a notch."

"Are you just going to stand there and watch me have all the fun?" Yoruichi reappeared beside him in a flash.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Kisuke chuckled. 

The two launched into motion. Yoruichi zipped around Greyll's massive form, delivering rapid blows to its joints and wings to disrupt its movements. Her strikes were a blur of precision, too fast for the dragon to react. Meanwhile, Kisuke stayed on the ground, keeping the dragon's focus divided.

"Awaken, Benihime." He flicked his cane, and it transformed into a sleek blade. With an upward slash, he sent a wave of energy slicing toward the beast's side. Greyll's scales deflected the blow, but Kisuke wasn't done.

"Hadō #32: Ōkasen!" He unleashed a wide beam of yellow energy. The blast connected, staggering the dragon momentarily, but it retaliated with a swipe of its claws. Kisuke twisted his body, narrowly evading.

"Yoruichi!" he called.

"Got it!" she replied. In an instant, she was on the dragon's head, driving her palm into its skull with a concentrated burst of energy.

Greyll bellowed in pain, its movements growing more frantic. It opened its maw, preparing to unleash a torrent of fire breath, but Kisuke was faster.

"Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!" Six rods of light materialized, slamming into the dragon's midsection and locking it in place.

Yoruichi leaped off its head as Kisuke dashed forward. Together, they landed a final, simultaneous strike. Kisuke's blade sliced across its throat, and Yoruichi drove a blow straight into its heart.

The dragon let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, its massive form crumpling into the dirt.

"Well, that was a bit more lively than I expected." As the dust settled, Kisuke took a step back, exhaling slowly.

"Not bad. Still think it was just a workout?" Yoruichi stood beside him, brushing some dirt off her shoulder.

Kisuke grinned, tapping his hat. "You know I always aim to keep things interesting."

A blue screen appeared before the two of them saying [Great Enemy Felled] and they received rewards. Both of them received a dragon's heart, the scales, bones, and scales of the dragon. Also, both of them received 40,000 tower points. 

" What's this? It seems if we kill powerful foes we receive rewards, but what are the tower points used for?" Kiskue curious looked at the rewards he just received wondering how he could use them.

"These are high quality. Wouldn't mind having a new set of armor from this." Yoruichi inspected the dragon's scales. 

 "Quite the haul. I'd say we earned it." Kisuke tucked everything neatly into storage, ensuring nothing was wasted. 

As they finished gathering the materials, a figure approached, clad in black-and-gold armor, with a large spear strapped to his back. His armor bore the insignia of the Drake Knights, an elite group known for hunting dragons.

"Well fought," the knight said, nodding in approval.

"That was no ordinary beast you slew."

"Appreciate the kind words, Sir Knight. Seems like we crossed paths with quite the catch." Kisuke gave a polite bow and began speaking as if he was in medieval England, Yoruichi smacked him on the back of his head and made him stop.

"That was Flying Dragon Greyll, a descendant of the ancient drakes. Few have managed to take one down without severe losses." The knight studied the slain dragon's body. 

Yoruichi tilted her head. "We're just efficient. But what brings a knight like you out here?"

The knight smiled. "I wanted to commend you on your victory, and share some knowledge that might interest you."

"Do tell." Kisuke's curiosity was piqued. 

"The Cathedral of Dragon Communion lies to the east," the knight explained.

"It is a place where those who slay dragons can partake in a ritual known as the Dragon Communion. By consuming the power of a dragon's heart, one can inherit their strength and abilities."

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "So… you eat the heart and become stronger?"

The knight chuckled. "Not quite that simple, but yes. The ritual unlocks dormant potential enhancing your body and soul, and granting powers once exclusive to dragons."

"Sounds dangerous. I like it." Kisuke rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.

 "You would." Yoruichi gave him a sidelong glance.

The knight continued, "Few are worthy of the communion, but those who succeed become something more. Something not quite human, nor dragon."

Kisuke exchanged a glance with Yoruichi, the idea swirling in both their minds.

Yoruichi crossed her arms. "So, what do you think? Try this Dragon Communion thing, or stick to what we know?"

"Well, it's not every day you get an offer to become part-dragon. Might be worth checking out." Kisuke's grin widened.

Yoruichi chuckled. "I figured you'd say that."

The knight inclined his head. "If you wish to pursue it, the Cathedral awaits. But beware power always comes at a cost."

With that, the knight turned and left, his armor clinking softly as he disappeared into the horizon.

Kisuke adjusted his hat and gave Yoruichi a playful nudge. "What do you say, partner? Shall we see what this Dragon Communion is all about?"

Yoruichi smirked. "Why not? Life's more fun when you take a few risks." With the dragon's spoils in hand and the allure of new power ahead, the two set off toward the Cathedral of Dragon Communion, ready for whatever awaited them next.

" Well dam." Noah in the air looked as the two ran off into the horizon as the drake they just killed began to turn into a golden light. The two didn't struggle with the fight and he also noticed that the two had used a few Preserving Boluses. 

" Well, it's no fun if they can't adapt and kill a few monsters. Also, it's the first floor they should be speed-running this." Noah looked at his points and couldn't wait for him to be able to form a body and begin creating a second floor.

Inside the dim, stone wall of the Gaol cave, Luffy and his crew found themselves face-to-face with two groups of strangers. Having just finished off a pack of snarling monsters, the three groups stood in eerie silence, catching their breath amid the rubble.

"Man, that was fun!" Luffy chuckled, slinging his arm around Zoro.

"You guys fight pretty good!"

"You're not bad either, rubber guy! I'm Naruto, by the way. These are my friends, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei." Naruto grinned, wiping monster blood off his kunai. 

"Looks like we're all stuck in the same crazy place. I'm Ichigo, and this is Chad, Orihime, and Uryu." Ichigo lowered his sword, eyeing both groups. 

"Didn't expect a reunion in a place like this," Uryu muttered, adjusting his glasses.

"Tch. You carry a big sword, but do you know how to use it?" Sasuke gave Ichigo a quick, appraising glance. 

Ichigo smirked. "You wanna find out?"

"No need to fight each other. Save it for the monsters." Before things could escalate, Kakashi raised a hand. 

Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling lazily. "Agreed. More monsters, more loot."

As if summoned by their words, the floor trembled slightly, and distant growls echoed from a hallway.

"More fun's coming!" Luffy declared, clenching his fists.

Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Bet I take down more than you!"

"Like hell, you will!" Luffy shot back, laughing.

The three groups exchanged amused glances, feeling an odd sense of camaraderie. They had no idea where this tower would lead them, but for now, they were glad to have each other at their side.