Patronus Maximus
Chapter LIV: The Three Great Yokai of Japan
"What did you just say?"
After wiping the Winter Guard sans Perun's memories with the Shockwave of Forgetfulness, then dropping them back to Moscow and making sure the Remnants are hidden and protected from outside forces, the shinobi teleported Lara back home before going to Takamagahara via Hiraishin.
When he got here, Inari was already waiting for him and brought the young god to talk about what happened in Siberia.
A befuddle Naruto sat in front of his adopted parents in the main hall. Laying between them was the sheathed Kogitsunemaru.
"You're too strong." Inari repeated, "Or you will eventually."
"What?" Naruto asked again.
The reason Kogitsunemaru has been getting heavy despite his training is because of his strength?
"That's half the reason, but it is an important factor, Naruto," Leone said at the downtrodden Naruto. "You recall about weapons having a spirit?"
Furrowing his brow, Naruto looked at Inari, "So Kogitsunemaru can't… can't keep with me?" He asked reluctantly.
"Yes."
"You're messing with me."
Both Inari and Leone shook their heads, "No, we're not."
"…"
"Naruto, Kogitsunemaru is a powerful weapon, but there are limits." Inari admitted begrudgingly. He is proud of his creation, but even divine weapons have limits with few possessing none. "Not like Lord Izanagi's Ame-no-Nuhoku (Heavenly Jeweled Spear)."
"Ame-no-Nuhoku?" Naruto thought back to his first encounter with the father of the Shinto pantheon. He remembered the ancient weapon and its power emitted just by seeing it. "That's the weapon Izanagi and Izanami used to create Japan's islands, right?"
Nodding at his answer, Inari continued to speak, "And Odin's spear along with his son's hammer." As far as he knows anyway. His creation pulsed once, having Inari to slight nod, "Kogitsunemaru here…" He paused to gulp audibly, "… feels that it would slow you down in battle."
And the sword was right. It happened during his bout with Perun in Kitezh.
"We could find another weapon for you," Leone inputted before opening a bag of candy and eating handfuls. "But…"
Naruto inputted, finishing her sentence, "Any of them might feel the same way as Kogitsunemaru." He shrugged his shoulders, "That's fine. I've been fighting with my fists and legs since the day I was born; I can do that again."
"Are you sure?" asked Leone as Naruto stood up.
"I'm sure. Thank you," Naruto bowed respectfully, "Oh wait, you mentioned that my strength is only half. What's the other half?"
The couple looked at each other with bashful, but proud smiles.
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Standing atop the pagoda of the palace, Susanoo's gaze remained glue to the residence of the fox god.
"EEEHHHH?!"
Now the son of Inari knows he will have a sibling on the way. It was news to all of Takamagahara, surprising them including the expecting parents greatly. The Lady Leone was made barren after her defeat by the hands of Esdeath the Ice Queen. Or so she was made to think that.
The Onmyouji Seimei checked on Leone by Inari's request and surmised that Esdeath used a sealing spell on the lioness's uterus. A twisted method to keep a near-extinct pantheon from producing the next generation. Fitting for someone like Esdeath who always found ways to torture her enemies.
Said spell was fueled by Esdeath's divine energy until her defeat/death at Naruto's hands months ago.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Could he really be the one?
Susanoo caught the sight of a dust trail made by his cheery sister as she ran towards the Inari household. Tamae must have sensed Naruto's divine energy. "She's gotten better at sensing the ki of other beings than I though." She was never a fighter, but Naruto's deeds in the human realm inspired her to be combat-ready, even though it is not her specialty.
His thoughts were interrupted when he felt it again. This time he was ready.
To the palace's servants and workers, the god of storms and sea was a blur. He did not miss it upon arriving at the armory and opened the doors as the sun-like light bathed him. It was brighter than the first time. The weapon is definitely reacting to someone's presence. And it is probably the recent visitor in the lively temple.
"But it is not time… perhaps he needs to prove himself."
And the light ceased when he spoke aloud.
"Still temperamental, huh?" Susanoo let out a chuckle before closing the doors. "Now to find my wife and children."
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S.H.I.E.L.D. Heilicarrier Iliad
Manhattan, New York, United States of America
"And you found nothing?"
[No, director. We are at the location where A.R.M.O.R. and T.I.M.E. pinpointed, but there is no sign other than a couple of shoe prints.]
"Patronus's?"
[Most likely, but the second set seems to belong to a female.]
"A female associate… Bring a copy back to the safe house and find out whose feet was there."
[Understood, ma'am.]
"Damn it…" Hill cursed under breath. No evidence of Patronus's purpose, but he was here…on Russian soil. "Deploy S.T.R.I.K.E."
An agent looked from his computer, unsure of what he just heard. "Ma'am?"
"You heard me: deploy S.T.R.I.K.E to Boston. Their objective is to bring Patronus into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody."
"… Yes ma'am."
Disregarding the hesitation in her agent's tone, Hill remained steadfast in her choice. The Special Tactical Reserve for International Key Emergencies or S.T.R.I.K.E is a counter-terrorist unit for S.H.I.E.L.D. Said unit comprise of the organization's best agents and veterans from four branches of U.S. military.
To her agents, for Hill to send them after a well-known hero, it seems excessive. Some of them thinks it is unnecessary, but she is their boss.
As for Hill, she now has more than enough cause to bring him in for questioning. That is definite. And she will find him.
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(Two Months Later)
Banging her head against the director's table, a fuming Hill yelled out in frustration. The victims of her raging outburst are the numerous files and secret documents as they fell to the ground from being tossed.
"How the hell has he not been found?!"
Outside of her office was passerby agents on their routine until a chair was tossed through the window.
"Still can't find him, huh?" whispered one of the agents.
His fellow agent nodded, "Despite A.R.M.O.R. and T.I.M.E. helping, they can't pinpoint him or predict his movements." Hearing a ferocious growl, they quickly escaped.
"PATRONUS, WHERE ARE YOU!?"
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Kyoto
Kyoto Prefecture, Kansai Region, Japan
It was November and this year is special for not only the Uzumaki Clan, but the young children of Japan. The celebration for kids who are either three, five or seven years of age. The name of this festival is Shichi-Go-San, which translates to '7-5-3' in English. It is a traditional rite of passage to celebrate the growth and well-being of young children. Though it is not a national holiday, most if not all of Japan's population partake in the celebration of the next generation.
As per tradition, the children wear kimono and walk to the shrine with their parents to receive blessing for good luck. In the Heian period, it was originally that parents bring the children to shrines for protection against malevolent forces and blessings from the gods.
The clan participated in the festival in the older twins' third birthday at Saeko's insistence. Times like this reminds the parents of how much they can miss and experience in single moment. Saeko and Naruto cannot believe that their children are five years old already. It felt just yesterday that they were little infants playing with Kurama's tails.
One of the best parts of the festival is the cuteness overload when Ashla and Masaki don their kimono.
"More! Show me more!"
Cue the excited parents of Ashla and Masaki as they continued to photobomb their children.
"Sweetie, we're going to have to buy more binders," An excited Saeko told her husband while adoringly looking at her twins.
The jinchuriki paused in his photo-taking to look at her. "Already did two days ago, babe," Naruto answered proudly as he turned back for more photos, only to be taken aback when the twins were not there. Only figurative dotted outlines of their bodies remained. "Where'd they go?"
"Ashla! Masaki!"
"Come back here with your cuteness!"
Once they heard footsteps leave, the basement door opened with a creak as two pair of eyes scanned the hallway. Nodding at each other, the kimono-wearing Ashla and Masaki quietly stepped to avoid making any noise as they made towards the back door. Their mantra was 'Quietly, quietly, quietly.'
Just as escape was in their grasp, Masaki sneezed behind her hand.
"Oh no!" Both Masaki and Ashla pouted as their father instantly appeared, holding them up. Saeko popped up from behind Naruto, but now dressed in a kimono as well.
"All right, you two, let's get going." Saeko said, eliciting relieved sighs from the twins. "The lines will be long, but it'll be worth it. Do you know why?"
Instantly, the twins and Naruto were star-struck if their eyes were any indicator. "Chitose ame!" They shouted gleefully with their hands and the twins in the air.
Chitose ame translates to 'thousand-year candy.' They are long, thin, red and white candy that symbolizes healthy growth and longevity. Said candy is given in a consumable rice paper bag for the children to enjoy.
As Naruto put on his jacket to finish his semi-formal wear: a long-sleeved black shirt and dress pants. His signature headband is absent as events like this are important. Though he feels naked without it as Naruto tugged the back of his head where the knob of the cloth rested.
"Sweetie, your headband will be fine; I know it's important to you." It was one of the very few physical items from his home dimension. Saeko placed an assuring hand on Naruto's right shoulder before they gazed on their children, laughing with big smiles.
Naruto shook his head, "Not as them," He said like a father would before walking out of the house with his wife. "Come on, kids! Let's head to the shrine."
"Yay!" The twins affirmed as they each took their father's hands.
Saeko closed the door and walked beside Masaki as they made their way to the shrine in designation. She glanced at the house they bought with Rhea's wealth. "I've always wanted to live in a house like that."
It was a large machiya, Japanese townhouse, that serves as part of Kyoto's cultural heritage. They have a name in Kyoto, known as kyomachiya. The townhouse is a long wooden home with a small tsuboniwa, or courtyard garden. Traditionally, the front part of the house served as the retail or shop space, but they are not selling anything at this time.
Beyond that, the rest of the house served the family; the first floor behind the shop area was the living room connected to a modern kitchen in the northwestern corner of the house. Next to the living room was the stairs that lead to the second floor. The second floor of the house has four rooms divided by fusuma with the bathroom on the southeastern part of the house that faced the city skyline.
Saeko faced forward and took Masaki's other hand as she walked with her husband to the nearest shrine and celebrate the greatest treasures of their lives.
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Tokyo Tower
Shiba-koen, Minato, Tokyo
The Tokyo Tower is the second tallest structure in Japan, following right after the Tokyo Skytree. It is a prominent landmark in the city since 1958 and attracts both tourists and locals over the decades. Recently it has gained increased attendance in the past two months.
The reason of that is because the tower has become a center for All Might sightings. Though they can't see him as the hero stood at the tip of the tower.
Usually, a bright smile remained on the hero's face. Everyone would feel hope and relief when they see him arrive at a crime scene or patrolling the city. He keeps this up at patrols and public events. When he is alone at the tower, a different expression takes hold.
A frown replaced his signature smile as All Might stared at the skyline of Tokyo Metropolis. "…" He says nothing as he thinks back to the meeting with Sojobo and Seimei.
-(Flashback Begins)-
(Two Months Ago)
Mount Kurama
Kyoto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
"Amazing."
That was the single word he'd ever spoke during the entire deliberation between his party and the daitengu of Kurama Mountain. They did not sit in an office or personal quarters. Sojobo insisted to discuss the alliance while on his daily patrol within the mountain's city, thereby giving the duo a tour of the legendary and holy mountain.
Every inch of the mountain's extremely hollow infrastructure was utilized by the yokai who live here. Six rings of pathways were constructed from the walls as numerous huts of ancient Japan littered the rings. Connecting to the center of the mountain was a massive platform that housed a near-replica of Tokyo during the Edo period. Hundreds if not thousands of yokai live here.
"Nigitama." All Might corrected himself. He saw smiles on happy children as they run around the streets. The hero noted that the citizens bowed—to Sojobo more likely—when they passed by them. There were some smiles sent to Seimei and even him. "The nigitama are happy here with no worries from the outside world."
Which brings the question: should the yokai community reveal themselves to a world whose population still holds prejudice towards mutants, Jintsuriki, and others?
That is something both he and Patronus should have took account prior to agreeing with Seimei's proposition.
"Lord Sojobo, if we may—"
"Seimei."
The owlish All Might looked around and found themselves at the peak of Mount Kurama. The autumn breeze flowed past them as a great white blanket shrouded the earthly land below. He inhaled the air and felt its cleaner quality compared to the quality at the city level.
"I have thought long and hard about your proposal for the alliance, but my kind do not wish to expose themselves. And frankly, I share their mindset." Sojobo turned to face both his guests out of respect, "While it is true the human here and the one you speak of, Patronus, are not like the others, history shows otherwise."
'This does not sound good.' All Might thought as he dreaded the next words his host spoke after.
"The answer is no."
Sighing resignedly, Seimei bowed his head and created a portal. "Thank you for your time."
"What?" A flabbergasted All Might stepped in front of Seimei to stop him from entering the portal. "Seimei, just like that?"
"Once Lord Sojobo makes his decision, that is that. Nothing else can change it."
"You're just giving up?"
The flutter of wings drew All Might to Sojobo's direction, "And what would you have us do, human? The world is riddled with prejudice against those deemed unnatural. If we reveal our community to the humans, there is no telling what will happen to all yokaikind."
"But change will never happen if you do not make it," All Might countered, "… I understand your reasons. You all live in secrecy and content with the way things are. Haven't you wonder about what it would be if yokai and humans live together?"
Sojobo exhaled lowly as he thought about it. "I admit there have moments where I thought about such notions. Humans have shown their unwillingness to change unless circumstances forced them to do so."
"Like war?"
"Strife. Extinction. Natural disaster."
'The latter threatens the world on a weekly or monthly basis,' All Might weakly pointed while sweatdropping.
"And even then, they revert to their previous way of thinking eventually."
"How must we—"
"Human, your heart is pure and your words compassionate, but I with my fellow daiyokai will not endanger our people to your kind's prejudice."
"Then when will you decide otherwise?"
"…"
All Might did not get his answer as he was pulled into Seimei's portal. And said Onmyouji was nowhere in sight, leaving the hero in the middle of nowhere.
"Kuso (Crap)."
-(Flashback Ends)-
The cold, hard truth is that Sojobo's words about human prejudice remains true. Though they made an island for humans and Jintsuki, there is still people in the population that demand non-integration. All he wants is for everyone to live every day with smiles on their faces and he the symbol that guard them.
Yet people remain steadfast to the status quo. They will fight and protest against anything that 'threatens' their way of life.
Change is inevitable. It is constant. It may come fast or slow, but it will happen.
Sojobo says that the humans will never change, but All Might refuse to agree with him. He will continue to show that humans can change, but admits this will be exceedingly difficult.
The hero's thoughts were broken when his communicator beeped and he tapped it, opening the link.
-{All Might, robbery attempt seven blocks at the local bank. Police ETA is three minutes out.}-
"On my way."
A smoking outline of his body was left behind as he had left to stop the robbery in progress. No matter what happens, he will move forward with his dream of everyone smiling in peace and harmony, however seemingly impossible it looked to be.
"I wonder where Seimei is now."
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Fushimi Inari no Taisha
Fushimi, Kyoto
"Daddy, how much longer~"
The parents chuckled nervously at their daughter's question. It was the seventh time she asked them. Why? The very long line that seemed to go on for miles all the way to the peak.
"We'll wait as long as it takes, Masaki. It's not just you and your brother," Saeko lightly chided her daughter. "Remember we are in the sacred of the gods now."
Masaki nodded while her brother Ashla held onto his father's hand, "Daddy?"
"Yes, Ashla?"
"There's so many people here. Are they going to Takamagahara too?"
A chuckle came from the couple behind them, "Sounds like your kid likes myths, huh?"
"Y-yeah like me," Naruto replied back. "I told him and his sister stories about Japan's myths for bedtime."
The man chuckled mirthfully, "Well, hope you tell them the truth when they get older."
"… Sure." Naruto turned away from the man "Prick."
Saeko shared his thought about the intrusive stranger's words. He was practically told them to stop with the fairy tales and ghost stories. "But mommy, Takamagahara is real." Masaki affirmed cutely.
"We know, we know," Saeko whispered to her daughter, "But if people don't want to believe, that is their choice, sweetie."
Attending the long line of visitors were the mikos who knew that they'd be hungry or thirsty during their long wait. From what the family has seen, there are at least thirty of them. One miko approached the quartet with something in her hands.
"Mr. Namikaze?"
"Uh, that's me."
"Have you and your family been registered?"
Cue figurative question marks above the family's heads.
"Registered?"
"If you'll follow me please."
"But…" Saeko said before being cut off by the miko.
"Now please."
Not one to argue with a person of religion, Saeko heeded and followed the miko while holding Masaki's hand. Naruto groaned before following suit with Ashla, leaving their spot to be taken by the incredulous man. The miko lead them through a smaller and unknown path in the woods that led them all the way to the peak where they met two people.
"Inari-ojisan!" The twins ran or they could have if it was not for the pressure their mother emitted. Quickly correcting themselves, Ashla and Masaki walked to their adoptive grandfather before bowing respectfully, "Thank you for your hospitality."
The miko transformed into a small white fox, surprising Saeko and amusing Naruto. Guess it pays to be related to a prominent god. Although… "Lord Inari, we could have wait like everyone else."
"Nonsense!" Inari replied firmly, "We are family after all." He gestured the kids and Saeko to follow him inside.
Naruto walked in, but he stopped upon passing the seemingly old man whom accompanied Inari. "Are you not coming in, sir?"
"This is a day for the young, not the old." The man replied kindly, "It does this elderly's heart good to live this long." He chuckled to himself.
"Yeah, I guess it does."
Naruto bowed slightly in respect to the priest before entering the room. His family sat in front of Inari and he took a seat next to Saeko while Ashla and Masaki sat before them. Inari began the ceremony utilized during the Heian period as the kids began to slightly glow, which went unnoticed by the twins.
"Is this happening?" asked both Saeko and Naruto as they suppressed the urge in respect for the ceremony.
While watching the process, the God of Hope's mind slowly drifted to that day in Kitezh two months ago.
-(Flashback Begins)-
(Two Months Ago)
Wicked Vale
Kitezh, Siberia, Russia
Three gods. Three pantheons. All in the same area. Besides Thor and Hercules, this is rather unheard.
"You damn monkey… what do you think you're doing?"
Said 'monkey' simply brushed off the insult and send a finger salute to the Slavic god. "Just here to see my friend."
"You too trespass on Dieva territory? Then your life will repent for this transgression."
Before Perun could do what he said he would do, the god froze in place after the 'monkey' said something under breath. "Doesn't look like you learned from the last time, Perun."
"W-wh…ggeet…eee…utttt!"
Jin blinked and got close to the straining Perun, "What? Can't hear you since you're frozen and all."
"ck…u…eaki…nke…"
"Huh?" Mori drawled out, his hand cupping his right ear despite the height difference.
"Pid…agic…ward…no…nor."
"It's like someone took away your tongue or you bit your tongue or you forgot how to talk all of the sudden~" Mori said in mocking sing-song. "If only you had learned defensive magic to negate my spell."
"Pe…ach…ting…fil…hy…b…st…rd…"
"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"
"Who are you?"
Seemingly hurt by the question as he faced Patronus, Mori faced the hooded god, "Why, aren't you mean?" He asked mock-hurt. "Don't you recognize a fellow baseball fan?" Naruto didn't reply, causing the recent arrival to bump his head in playful admonishment. "Oh right, your secret identity role playing thing."
Naruto growled while drawing his Pivot Blades, eliciting a chuckle from the apparent god.
"Oh, all right, since the monkey's out of the bag…."
'Uh oh,' Naruto thought as he got a sinking feeling about what's going to happen, 'I've only felt this when he used to do this all the time!'
Somehow the sun went out and East Asian music played in anticipation as a spotlight beam shot atop a particular spot. Kabuki-dancing into the light was Mori as he tapped side to side before settling into a pose.
"I'm the one who erased his name from the Book of Life and Death. The one who ate the Peaches of Immortality and Sage Pill. And the man who fought the Heavens and all fear my name. I am the Handsome Monkey King, Sun Wukong!"
The smiling face of Wukong peeved when a rock bounced off of it as he looked at Patronus who was tossing few pebbles and rocks in his hand. Though he could not see it, Wukong could feel the annoyance oozing from his fellow god.
"More like Pervy Monkey if you ask me."
Choked, intermittent gags strained out of the frozen Perun's hands as if he was laughing with his might. The miffed Wukong simply blew out air and the Slavic god tipped over like a cow, shaking the ground with his mass.
"Stay there and listen while the adults are talking."
Naruto sweat-dropped when Wukong kicked Perun's sides while muttering a curse word in Chinese. He didn't pay attention to it because of the memories of the Pervy Sage's kabuki dancing. 'I never thought anyone other than the old perv would dance like that.' Besides professional kagura dancers and shrine members, that is.
"Catch."
"Huh?"
What he got was the dark red staff tossed his way. The startled Naruto panicked a little before catching the weapon, "Huh…" He started twirling the bo staff around a bit. "This is new… and terribly well-balanced."
Paying no attention to Perun, Wukong gazed upon Naruto with intrigue and surprise. Few beings on Earth can hold or even lift his signature weapon. 'And for a recently ascended god, that is saying something.' Wukong added that note to his observations.
He, like the rest of his pantheon, felt the surge of divine power months ago. Unlike the Xian's worry, Wukong was excited. For the first time in a long time. But first he had to find him or her. That turned out poorly and the Monkey King had decided to take a break at one of his favorite vacation spots.
And who would have thought that the one he searched for was there too.
'And with family too.' Four children. Five women with three of them the mothers. 'He's impressive to have that many women without suffering their wrath.' Wukong thought before changing his appearance to the true form. Thick facial hair formed around his face, arms, and legs while a long prehensile tail spouted from his waist.
"Huh?" Naruto stopped twirling the staff when he caught sight of Wukong's transformation. "Hey, you really are a monkey." He pulled out a banana from his pouch. "Monkey want banana?"
An angry vein pulsed on Wukong's forehead before his staff flew out of Naruto's hand and returned to him… along with the banana.
"What the…" Naruto blinked owlishly at the empty hand that held banana. "You're fast."
Wukong chuckled at his words, "And you're perceptive." He peeled the banana and started eating it, 'Hmm, this is better than the ones on my mountain.'
"Jin Mori." Naruto said aloud, "A god using an alias?"
"Like you're one to talk."
"Were you looking for me?"
"I was, but not during that time," Wukong admitted, ignoring Perun's cries. "That reminds me of something." He dropped an object—a wooden figure—onto Perun's chest. Instantly, Perun stopped when the figure emitted a dim glow.
'Is he scared?' Naruto thought after seeing Perun sweat. "Who's talking to him?" He asked once seeing the glow and the fear.
"Someone pretty tick about him."
"His mom?" Naruto asked knowingly.
Wukong snapped his fingers, "Bingo." His armor disappeared into crackling energy and his staff shrunk into a pin as he placed it behind his ear. "Anywho, I'm here to inform you, God of Hope."
"…About?" Patronus asked reluctantly. 'And how does he know my title?'
"They're coming for you."
"And who are they?"
"Gods."
Say what? "Gods?" Naruto repeated unsurely. "Which ones? Who? And why?"
"Your victory over Esdeath the Ice Queen reached the ears of every god on Earth. And your power…" Wukong hummed while shaking his head, "We felt that and no one even knew you existed until then. That has made some of the skyfathers pretty nervous."
"Why? It's not like I'm after them."
"No, but you are an unknown."
"And unknowns tend to get destroyed," Naruto finished under breath.
"But some prominent figures in said pantheons are intrigued by your sudden appearance. Like myself."
"And?"
"And some of us persuaded our skyfathers to hold off the…."
"Execution?"
Pondering while tilting his head side to side, Wukong shrugged his shoulders, "… Sure, you could say that."
"That doesn't make me feel better," Naruto admitted in a deadpan tone. "So, all the skyfathers know about me?"
"Everyone but your pantheon's Izanagi."
'I thought Amaterasu is the ruler, not Izanagi.' Either Wukong needs to learn this or something they are keeping from him. "So, what's the verdict about me?"
"They want to know if you're a threat to them."
Patronus looked at the sky with his arms wide open, "I'M NOT A THREAT TO ANY OF YOU! LEAVE ME ALONE AND WE'LL BE OKAY!" Naruto shouted out loud, earning a chuckle from Wukong as he looked at him with arms relaxed. "There. Are we done?"
"Wish it was that simple," Wukong said, getting a groan from Patronus. "The skyfathers has decided to put you through a trial."
Though he couldn't see it, Naruto deadpanned in response, "Gee, lucky me."
"One pantheon sends one champion to test you."
"…How many?" Naruto asked obviously. There are tons of pantheons on Earth alone and thousands of gods living in each one. Sure, he'll fight them with no problem.
"Just four: Olympian, Ennead—" The still frozen Perun strained into a growl, "Dieva, and Xian." Wukong finished with a knowing smile.
'Greek, Egyptian, Russian, and Chinese. Four gods…' Naruto's hands tightened into fists. 'And two of them are in front of me.'
"Just by looking at your hidden face even I can't really see, you're thinking me and Perun here will fight you." Naruto shrugged his shoulders and Wukong laughed it off, "Normally one would be right, but Perun is not chosen." He looked down at the Dieva, "Not yet anyway."
"So, you are one of these 'champions,' Wukong," Patronus observed aloud. "And you're not going to fight me?"
"Like I said, not yet."
Hearing and seeing Wukong snap his fingers, Naruto slipped into a fighting stance when the Winter Guard appeared between them. Even the woman he hid with the tarp is here. 'Is this magic?'
"And in honor of our shared event, I will erase these yahoos' memories of this place to protect the people who live here," Wukong informed as he spoke a word not known to Naruto. Even with the All-Speak, the ninja did not understand it.
It must have been the memory-wipe spell Wukong spoke about as ancient Chinese symbols appeared around the heads of the Winter Guard members. Only Perun was left unscathed, which Naruto pointed out.
"His mother and father are telling him that this is god business thus mortals do not need to know." Wukong glanced at Perun who reluctantly nodded. "Lest he wants to be deprived of his powers once more."
"…"
"Well, I've done what I'm told to do, so later!"
"Wait!" Naruto called out, but Wukong disappeared into a portal. "Damn it." He grabbed his head while groaning aloud, "That was freaking Sun Wukong!?" Naruto let his arms dropped while Perun was finally released from the Xian's spell. Both gods looked at each other for some time between them "So…" He spoke, breaking the awkwardness in the air. "How you feeling?"
-(Flashback Ends)-
Since that day, he had been training and waiting for any perceived assault from Wukong or the other champions. So far, there has not been any sign whatsoever. Still, it does not mean he should let his guard down.
Even now, he remains alert, but not just for him. For his family. Naruto does not know if Wukong kept his family secret, which is why he had his clones search for him in China. Any mythological spots that mentioned Wukong in literature left him no clue. Though Wukong doesn't seem like the one who would spill secrets, Naruto is still anxious for his family.
Inari finished the event with a small kagura dance unique to the worship of the titular deity. "You are blessed with protection and good luck by the gods."
"Arigato (Thank you)!"
"And here is your chitose ame."
Before Inari could barely finish his sentence, the sugar-hungry twins had already taken their bags out of the god's hands. "Yay!"
"Kids…" Saeko said knowingly, causing the twins to respectfully thank Inari. "Thank you, Lord Inari."
"You are welcome, dear. Enjoy the rest of your day," Inari bid the mortal as she left the room with the kids. "Naruto, may I speak to you?"
Nodding while remaining in seiza, Naruto watched Inari sit in front of him, "What's up?"
"I'm sure you noticed, right?"
"About?"
"Naruto, this is serious."
Joking aside, Naruto nodded as he knew what the god was speaking about, "I know." It was part of the reason why he bought a house in Japan.
Strange accidents occurred all over Japan in both urban and countryside towns until two weeks ago. Mortal officials including the Hero Association assume they were just weird incidents with no connections to each other. To him, All Might and Seimei, they were anything but random occurrences.
The witnesses at each incident reported scary monsters wreaking havoc. Yokai it would seem. And yet, after the incidents, said witnesses would confront their neighbors, apparently demanding to show their faces.
"From what Yatagarasu told Her Majesty, the incidents were littered in yoki, the energy of yokai." Inari informs Naruto who nodded as he continued, "Afterwards, any nigitama in the area exposed to the yoki are forced to change into their true forms."
"Oh shoot, that's bad."
"Yes, and Seimei reported increased populations of yokai in the mountains."
"They're fleeing."
"For safety reasons."
Naruto shook his head upon realizing something, "Wait-wait-wait-wait-wait, so aratama are setting up nigitama and forcing them out of the cities?"
"To incite fear in both the human and yokai communities," Inari said worriedly, "I'd be lying if I said this is not greatly concerning."
"Is Takamagahara going to intervene?" Naruto asked, only to get a pointed and brow-raised look in return, "Right, dumb question." He blinked upon remembering something, "Hey, what's this pledge you and the other gods took? I heard it in passing long ago; I just remembered now."
"The pledge?"
"About no interference on Earth," Naruto clarified about the pledge.
Inari hummed upon knowing what his son meant, "The Celestial Pledge." Cue the clueless face of Naruto. "You've never heard of it?" Naruto shook his head, "Nor the Celestials?"
"Until now, no."
"Hmm, do you want the long version or short version?"
"Short, please."
"Long it is," Inari said as he ignored Naruto's answer and followed-up gawking. "A very long ago…"
Naruto mentally groaned with his eyes rolled back. "Kill me nooowwww!" He internally screamed when the Tailed Beasts pulled him into their seal and punched him repeatedly for such words. "Ah, I didn't mean it!"
"Shut up!" chorused the chakra beasts before slamming him with their tails.
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Avengers Tower
Manhattan, New York City, United States of America
Tony Stark. The Invincible Iron Man. A playboy, industrialist, billionaire, philantropist. One of the smartest men alive. To him, he is the smartest man alive.
And yet, he is reaching his breaking point. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned to months. It is not unusual for him, according to his fellow Avengers.
The object of his intense concentration bordering obsession? A fellow Avenger wearing a hood.
"Run it again, Jarvis."
{Apologies, sir, but I do not believe this is healthy for you.}
"Noted. Run it again."
{… Very well.}
A simulation of future battles involving Patronus with any of the Avengers' enemies. This time, it showed three of them fighting said member. And it just ended the same way: Avenger victory.
Problem was that it ended quickly. His settings were set at the maximum to freeze, but Patronus does not show anything but necessary strength and speed in said confrontation. Not the extraordinary display back in February. Then again that has always been Patronus's way of heroing; a way to avoid casualties, both innocents and criminals.
"It's probably that ninja vibe he's got going on."
Even before the costume change, Patronus had the ninja-stealth aura around him, which made researching into his abilities that much harder.
So far, it will take someone as powerful as that Esdeath chick, a Thor/Hulk-class threat, or beyond that to make Patronus use his full powers.
"Tony, what are you doing?"
Stiff as a board, Tony swiveled his chair to be met with the inquisitive face of Wasp. "Nothing." He answered while pressing a key to put away.
"You've been digging into Patronus again, haven't you," Wasp said disappointingly. "Why do you do this?"
"What?"
"You know what—this!" Wasp pressed the key that showed the screens of Patronus. "Seriously, Tony."
"I'm intrigued~"
"No, you're nosing around!" Wasp grabbed the empty bags of cookies, "Cookies plus five bags under your eyes means you're beyond obsessed. You're Stark-obsessed."
Tony sent her a pensive look, "Really?"
"It's true," Wasp countered, "Patronus was already hesitant to join this team. Now you want to give him a reason to leave?"
"Why would he leave?"
"Tony…"
"What's he got to hide, Janet?" Stark countered back. "I mean with the clear ninja vibe and getup, he must have secrets."
Wasp crossed her arms, "Like Nat."
"Secrets can be dangerous."
"Nosing into other people's business is also dangerous."
"To the secret-keeper?"
"To everyone," Janet said steely. "We need another powerhouse on the team and Patronus is it. Don't screw… this… up." She finished between pauses, emphasizing her displeasure about Tony's research.
"…" Tony waited until Janet left the room, "Party-pooper."
The billionaire swiveled to the screens and pulled up a file in which all other research on Patronus were saved into. It was earmarked Project Ronin.
"Why am I in the mood for sushi?"
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Byodo-in, Uji
Kyoto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
Byodo-in, or the Temple of Equality in English, is a Buddhist temple built in the late Heian period. It is one of the few buildings left in Japan that still stands today. The most famous building in the temple is the Phoenix Hall due to its likeness of the legendary creatures.
And like everything else in the world, it has a secret.
Long ago, during the Heian period Kyoto, a great disaster befell upon the city. Night after night, its streets ran red and screams of agony played like a symphony. Aratama yokai stalked buildings rotting of bodies of their victims, their lifestyle exampled.
That was until the mighty Shitenno led by their leader, Minamoto no Yorimitsu, better known as Raiko. They pushed back against the aratama with the aid of nigitama in a temporary alliance. A long and arduous process, but it culminated in a final battle between Raiko, the Shitenno, and the leader of the yokai that terrorized the imperial capital.
The legend ends with Raiko claiming the head of the powerful yokai and sealing it at an unknown location guarded by the most powerful Onmyo sealing spells.
What the public does not know is that the yokai's body being sealed within the depths of the Phoenix Hall. Since then, the remains of the yokai was left undisturbed. Until two months ago when the head was stolen, forcing the security in Byodo-in to triple to prevent the reunion of body and head.
For that reason, more onmyouji were drafted as temple employees to better stave off any potential infiltrators.
A lot of good that did on Shichi-Go-San where hundreds of children and their parents arrive for the blessings of the gods.
"Gods do not care for mortals; did you not know that?"
Choked gagging ceased when he crushed the larynx with a twerk of his wrist before dropping the woman. Behind him were trails of undercover onmyouji, their blood and organs splattered on the wooden floors.
He'd waited for this day along with his compatriots who suffered similar fates at the hands of humans.
Humans… they commit atrocities and unparalleled actions towards anything that is not them. And yet the gods do little to nothing against the mortals. Once humans are done, the gods will be next.
Upon his musings, the stranger found himself in a grand hall whose floor filled with ankle-length water. The walls were adorned with murals depicting stories of the yokai's defeat along with the other prominent two. In the center of the hall stood a giant crystal covered in several Onymo fusa tags as they emitted white wispy energy in opposite of the black-red counterpart from the object.
"Hmph, compared to the mages back then, these spells are child's play."
Yanking the central tag without paying no heed to the energy, the stranger watched the rest of the tags fall the ground as more of the crystal's energy swirled around in the hall uncontrollably. He pulled out the bag from the inside of his coat and pulled out a skull. It was not a normal skull.
Two times the size of an adult human, the skull has sharp teeth and dead hair. Dual long, curved horns protruded from the forehead: the sign of an oni.
Chuckling when the crystal pulsed repeatedly as if it was anticipating his arrival. "Show humans the meaning of fear and anguish." The stranger told the skull before it soared out of his hand and broke into the crystal. "Let's have them remember the terror of us three."
The hall began to shake violently as cracks in the walls and ground broke through them.
"Now free me as well."
It was the last thing he said when everything was consumed by a black explosion.
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(At the Same Time)
Nasu Plains
Nasu, Kanto Prefecture, Honshu
The legendary tourist site that housed one of the land's most fearsome yokai. So fearsome that she only needs a compatible female body to resurrect. Said body was laid in front of the monument while unfortunate victims splattered around.
Both body and site were struck by the same black energy that soared from the south. The site happened to be the resting place of the female yokai that brought ruin to Japan. Said explosion brought the local police and fire department to arrive.
"Secure the area!"
"Oh my god, look."
One of the officers noted the bodies, causing of them and the firefighters to almost puke their stomach contents. "What did this?"
"Who could've done this?"
"Or what?"
Three officers pulled their weapons out upon hearing the fall of rocks nearby. "Who is there? Is anyone hurt?" One of them called out.
Nothing in response.
"Hello?"
Again, no response of any kind.
"Anyone hurt?"
Third time is the charm.
"H-hello?"
The officers shared a look before running to the voice. "Stay there; we'll come get you!"
"We need a medic!"
The three officers approached the center of the explosion, which was a big crater that could easily fit Tokyo's fire and police departments' vehicles and personnel with room to spare. They turned on their flashlights and aimed the beams around the crater for the survivor.
"Help… me…" The voice called out a bit stronger.
The beams then focused at the center of the crater as the officers discovered the person. Their first reaction was run to the civilian to make sure they are well. Upon reaching the person, they discovered it was a female and the officers were men.
Which was why they looked away from the woman's bare body. She has long curly black hair with light skin. Her build is muscular with large breasts and a large circular scar in the center of her chest above them. In that brief moment, the men unknowingly thought that this woman has otherworldly beauty. Her hair was tied in high ponytail with a black band.
"We need a blanket!"
"Ma'am, does anything hurt?"
"…Hun…gry…" The woman replied between pauses.
"We'll get you something, but do not move. A medic will inspect you."
"I need… food."
Anguished grunts came from the three officers as their pained eyes looked down and found sharp projectiles cut through the chests.
"I… need…" The woman's voice got better as her extra limbs drained energy from the policemen. "Food." When she finished speaking, her tails pulled out of the now-dried husks of policemen. "Hmm, their ki is dull, small and not delicious." She hummed while stretching out her arms and legs. "Cursed these humans for killing and sealing me all these years; my skin does not do well in dirt." Water burst from the ground and formed a mirror, seeing her reflection before being impressed. "He chose a very suitable host." She cupped the breasts and chuckled when they jiggled. "Back in my day, these were not the norm."
She snapped her fingers and manifested an outfit that covered every inch. It was a rather lavish kimono with dark reddish-purple, bloody yellow obi, and white small socks in a dual pair of blue sandals while nine white tails swirled behind her. She looked like a noble woman from the Heian period of Japan.
Her feet leaving the ground, the formerly-imprisoned yokai floated as she saw wave after wave of police and medical personnel arriving on the scene.
"So many meals, so little time~" Her eyes glowed demonic red. "Can't wait~" The yokai shifted upwards to the sky that'd turned bloody red. "They should be waking up now."
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(Meanwhile)
Entrance to Yomi
The giant crystal that held the malevolent yokai shattered into dust-like particles as they fell to the eerily ground. A great surge of energy as the entrance shook from the pressure. The formerly imprisoned yokai soared towards the infinite, unnatural night as his body was hidden within its blanket.
Then the yokai broke through the 'ceiling,' leaving a great black, swirling hole.
"Come, my brethren!"
That was all it needed as massive hordes of malevolent spirits rose like a never-ending rising ocean wave.
"Ashihara awaits us!"
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(Moments Before)
Streets of Kyoto
Kyoto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
"Mommy, where's daddy?"
Saeko hummed for a moment before answering, "He's with your grandfather talking about something." She clicked her tongue at Ashla, "Sweetie, hand to yourself."
"Yes, mom." Ashla meekly answered before eating the rest of his candy.
"Yes, listen to your mother."
The trio turned around and saw their loved one right there, smiling at them. "Daddy!" Ashla ran to him, only to trip on his feet. Or he would have if Naruto hadn't caught and placed him on his shoulder in one motion.
"I see you enjoyed your talk," Saeko teased her husband who grumbled under breath. She chuckled before asking, "Who wants some katsudon and ramen?"
"ME!" Ashla, Masaki, and Naruto said gleefully.
An amused Saeko chuckled as she and her family walked together. "Gluttons, you three are."
"But you love us, don't you mommy?" Masaki teased cheekily, only to whine when her left cheek got pinched.
Smiling at her daughter's expression, Saeko released the pinch as Masaki rubbed her red cheek. "Never question that, sweetie."
"Busted~" Naruto whispered to his son who snickered behind his hands.
Their happy moment together was interrupted by the increasing wave of concerned citizens, prompting the family to follow them. They found groups huddled around bars and stores that have the center of their undivided attention. An emergency broadcast from the local newspaper/casting station.
[We interrupt your regular program for this breaking news. A frightening explosion and earthquake shook the Byodo-In of Uji. Shimura Kaeko is at the scene of the incident.]
The screen shifted from the news anchor to the field reporter who was standing a few blocks away from the scene. In the background, a great fire burned around the sacred grounds of the temple and shrine, amassing heavy smoke that almost covered the area. What caught their attention was that the fire burned red… unnaturally red.
[Shimaru Kaeko reporting from outside the fire incident. Moments ago, the city was struck by a massive earthquake that registered a 5.5 on the Richter Scale. Soon after, the sacred temple Byodo-In was cast into fire. Firefighters and police are working in tandem to contain and extinguish the flames before the temple is destroyed.]
"My God, who would do this to a temple?" Saeko asked in horror and disgust. Her upbringing and samurai heritage instilled a deep respect for all of Japan's historical and sacred landmarks.
Naruto heard the symphony of growls from his tenants as he sensed it, "Guys?"
"We feel it, Naruto." Son Goku affirmed what he and his siblings are feeling.
The Last Shinobi kept his cool as he sensed a tremendously strong demonic ki from the north. The energy he felt from the yokai in previous encounters were nothing compared to this. It felt alive, dangerously potent, and unnaturally powerful. What made Naruto uneasy is that the signature can be felt despite being far away from his position. And the fact that there are two similarly powerful ki somewhere in Japan.
"Could this be what that guy was up to?" Naruto pondered about the man's intentions. "I knew it was too quiet lately after the wave of increased incidents. Is this pure coincidence or did he choose this day as a target?"
"Hundreds of children and parents on the streets… chaos instilled in them… and panic amasses negative emotions." Kurama noted as he took everything they know about this person and the yokai-related incidents into account. "Aratama are born from people who die an unnatural death with negative feelings."
"Daddy, mommy, what's happening?" asked Masaki fearfully.
Naruto felt his son's hand shake within his and saw the look of fear on his face. "Daddy, I feel…feel scared."
"Your children's abilities are manifesting; one of them is sensory," Kokuo observed. "Still, for them to sense the ki as far from Uji at their age… this is something to take account, Naruto."
After that, Sobu gave his input, "Naruto, you must bring your family to safety before going there."
Naruto was to do just that when the field reporter stopped him with her continuing observation of the situation.
[I just received urgent reports of casualties on temple grounds! There are reports of a… Oh my God!]
Everyone gasped collectively when the live feed turned into black-white static. The kids, not just the twins, buried their faces against their parents' legs or neck. Saeko grabbed Naruto's free hand for reassurance and comfort, which he reciprocated by gently gripping her as the screen returned to the anchors at the station.
Worried expressions briefly took over before the anchors recomposed themselves professionally.
[*Cough* We are experiencing technical difficulties with field reporter Shimaru Kaeko. We will switch over to the station's news chopper for an aerial view of the area.]
Once again, the screen changed to a live view of the burning temple grounds. Flames were still lit with no sign of slowing down despite the firefighters' efforts. Fear remained on the citizens' faces as they watched the temple being consumed by the fire. They watched the helicopter circle around the grounds in hopes of finding signs of the culprit. None of them could as the smoke clouds were too thick around the temple.
[We just received word that the Hero Association has sent nearby heroes to the location…. We just received word of another incident in Nasu.]
"Nasu?" Saeko asked worriedly. "We drove past there on our vacation."
[Another breaking news: a massive earthquake just occurred in Izumu Prefecture. Incoming reports indicate mass casualties and… We are switching to live broadcast of the area.]
The television switched once more as everyone now sees the aftermath of the earthquake: a giant sinkhole. It glowed ominously purple and if that was not bad enough, a wave of unknown beings marched out from the 'door'.
[As you can see, there are unverified human-like persons emerging from the crater. From what we can observe, they are assumed to be hostiles.]
The television now showed three spilt-screens at the mentioned locations: Nasu, Uji, and Izumu. Each of the screens focused on the thick smoke clouds that blanketed three peaks ahead of them as if they were leading the clouds themselves.
"Hang on."
One of the citizens caught a brief flash before turning around, no longer seeing the family that stood behind them. "Nani (What)?"
[Just now, heroes have arrived at two of the scenes.]
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Nasu
Tochigi Prefecture, Kanto Region
"Oh~" The yokai floated in place upon seeing the arrival whom stands before her. "And who might you be?"
The person in question wore ancient onmyodo attire and emitted powerful ki compared to the humans in the Heian period. He actually has yokai blood as she can smell it from him. Actually, his scent smells a lot like her.
"Ah…" the woman said in distasteful sneer, "You're that whore Kuzunohana's offspring."
Smiling as if she did not insult his mother, Seimei gave a little bow with his eyes still closed. "Still have a way with words I see." The yokai-possessed woman chuckled as if it was a compliment. "I'd expect nothing less from one of the Three Great Yokai, but whatever happened to your original body I wonder?"
"Oh~ You have some bite I see. How is that mother of yours anyway?" She asked in the same sneering tone. "I'd figure she became someone's pelt." She gasped mockingly. "Oh, that's right; she never saw you again once her nature was discovered."
"Your words are sharp and filled with unparalleled venom," Seimei fired back with unperturbed elegance.
"Are you here to fight me?"
Seimei waved his hand as a 'no'. "Even with my magical powers, you are too much for me. Then again, I did beat you last time."
"Barely as I recall."
"Still, I won." Seimei retorted cheekily. "And I've grown stronger since then."
"Really?" The yokai sounded intrigued though it was fake. "Shall we begin?"
Before Seimei could respond, the possessed woman already reached his destination, her claw-like nails ready to kill. She sliced through his torso, but no blood or guts were dispersed as the body turned into tattered intricate paper.
"A shikigami…classic Onmyo parlor trick."
Shikigami is a onmyodou technique considered to be one of the most basics for onmyouji. While that is true, the technique is actually advanced in terms of control. Ki is volatile and a shikigami requires two applications from the user: control and constant flow into the shikigami, or a vast supply of the internal energy.
Veteran onymouji, the Twelve Guardians, and Seimei are marked with having vast amounts of ki as well as the precise skills.
The yokai turned around and nonchalantly raised her palm as she blocked five energy blasts of different elements. Wind, fire, water, earth, and lightning. They had little to no effect as there were no marks on her hand.
"Your magic has grown stronger, half-breed…" Seimei stared at the yokai who is his superior in strength and magic. "But my power still outclasses yours."
"The infamous yokai who brought ruin to Japan and her people. The one whom poisoned the Emperor's mind until a relative of mine exposed her trickery and forced her to flee to Nasu where she was killed and sealed away by me. The only female among the Three Great Yokai of Japan and the strongest kyuubi no kitsune in existence: Tamamoe no Mae."
"Tenkai Bakudama (Heavenly Release Explosive Bomb)."
The area surrounding Seimei was lit up as several explosions rocked the plains, igniting dark red flames. Tamamoe stared gleefully at the destruction her flames, but it did not last long. She remained impervious to the massive ball of water in the center of the flames despite their contrasting natures.
Said water construct morphed, then separated into hundreds of water droplets while revealing an unscathed Seimei. "Ame no Sutomu (Heavenly Storm)!" Swiping his hand down, the onymouji sent the barrage towards Tamamoe no Mae with near-light speed. Yet despite this, they never reached her as the yokai's tails easily deflected them.
"Fast, but not enough to take me down, Seimei."
Seimei flashed through hand signs of the onmyouji trade before chanting. "Rain drops, clouds part/the earth receives, the sky presents/ life nurtured, happiness expands…"
While he was saying the chant, Tamamoe dashed at him with her claws and tails ready to pierce Seimei's body. But she was too late.
"Kitsune no Yomerei (Fox's Wedding)!"
The signature pentagram of Seimei materialized underneath the woman's feet as a huge dome of white energy formed around her, completely concealing visibility within.
"As I said earlier, I would but you are a bit much for me when it comes to physical combat." Seimei said to himself as he felt two distinct sensations within his body, "Looks like my avatars have yet to trap the other two."
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Byodo-In
Uji, Kyoto Prefecture
"Tekisasu Sumasshu (Texas Smash)!"
A typical smash with enough air pressure to safely blow out the flames—and smoke clouds—without risks of starting another fire in the area. Landing outside the dome, All Might approached the commanding officer, "What's the situation here?"
"With the fires out, we'll have an easier time to secure the scene, but we still have no confirmation on whom is behind this."
Them, no. All Might, yes.
The brief discussion ended when a large object fell onto a nearby firetruck and destroyed it. Parts of machinery flew everywhere while standing firefighters. They would have hit the civil servants and citizens if All Might had not already caught them all. Though he was too fast for anyone to see him.
"That was close," All Might said off-handedly as he dropped the pieces on the ground, staring at the crushed firetruck. "And he's the cause of this destruction."
Stepping off the groaning metal was the culprit. To everyone's surprise, he stood at the height as All Might, perhaps slightly. The yokai sported a heavily muscular build while he held a massive and ornately decorated club. His skin was deathly pale with a slick tone that made it look like body oil. Two glowing, curved horns protruded from his forehead while his face remained in an aggressive tone. Long unusually high noon sun-kissed hair flowed all the way to the feet behind him. His eyes burned demonic red as he exchanged serious glances with the one of similar height.
"Drink…"
A puzzled All Might tilted his head when the yokai stumbled around like a drunkard, carrying around a gourd in his opposite hand.
"Drink…"
"Is he actually drunk?"
"DRINKKKK~" The yokai swiped his arm and launched away a nearby car that had people inside. All Might jumped and caught the vehicle before landing on the street. He quickly tore out the doors after setting it down to let the family escape as the yokai focused on him again. "Raiko…"
"Raiko?"
There is only one figure with that name in Japanese history and he belongs to the famous but extinct Minamoto Clan. That also means that this being could be none other than…
"Let's… have… FUN!"
As soon as the yokai said that, All Might had already grabbed his face and leapt mightily into the air. The nearby officers and frightened civilians watched the figure of their favorite hero grow smaller over the distance.
"All right men!" The officer in charge shouted, drawing their attention. "All Might has bought us time, so let's get these fires out and secure the perimeter!"
Before any of his men could respond, the ground shook as if it was hit by tremendous force. The commander, his officers, and civilians searched for the source and found a huge mushroom cloud in the distance… where All Might and the villain was last seen headed.
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"We're people with great powers, All Might, but not the only ones. When there is an opportunity, take the fight out of the city."
"Solid advice, Patronus," All Might strained with his voice.
"Oi, oi, oi… what's going on here?"
All Might prides himself as the strongest hero in Japan. No one else in the island nation could rival his strength. He thought no villain could match his strength. Boy was he wrong.
The one being pinned down in the center of the huge crater was All Might with the yokai standing over him. "Come on, human. Make this fun!" The yokai lifted All Might again and choke-slammed him into the ground again. "Or are you another disappointment?"
The yokai's legs gave out when All Might kicked them and punched his chest as he fell onto his back. All Might did not let up as he connected one of his attacks against the yokai's stomach. "Detoroito Sumasshu (Detroit Smash)!" Dirt and debris kicked up explosively from the power behind the attack while the crater deepened.
"Hmm, that does feel…" The yokai kicked All Might's stomach, hurtling him out of the crater towards the sky. "NOTHING!"
All Might gritted his teeth, reeling from the powerful attack. "He's as strong as me!" He flexed his limbs and kicked the air, using the pressure to throw himself at the yokai. He somersaulted before throwing a right punch with the added momentum. "Kariforunia Sumasshu (California Smash)!"
Dodging must not be this yokai's style as he caught the air-borne All Might's fist, ignoring the upturned earth. "Boring!" The yokai drank a swirl, filling his cheeks with drink before exhaling the contents. Except that the contents were a big stream of demonic red flames. "Yojutsu: Enbu – Tenki (Demon Technique: Flame Dance - Tenki)!"
With the release, the yokai watched his attack drive away the so-called 'strongest in the land' before exploding into a big dome seconds later. Disappointment, he felt towards the humans these days. In his time, they were at least decent enough to be entertainment. Before his fall, the yokai relished crushing the hopes of confident warriors and onymouji with his power.
"Kitsune no Yomerei (Fox's Wedding)."
The yokai looked around when the environment changed after hearing the words. He now stood in the streets of an ancient city and it looked familiar. It should since he and his band of yokai terrorized the human populace every day; Kyoto in the Heian period and the former capital of the island.
Walking leisurely while drinking from his gourd, the yokai found himself in front of an intricately decorated, but humungous building with pagodas and lavish aristocratic establishments.
"Huh?!" The yokai shouted drunkenly. "Why am I here? Where is here? Raiko!"
"All Might…"
The voice boomed in the area, but no one is around or seen for miles.
"This is my personal domain where time and space does not apply. Anything that happens here won't affect the people and environment outside."
"Heeeyy… where are you!?"
"Go all out."
As soon as the voice said that, the yokai turned around, only for his face to be hit by an opposing fist. All Might shouted ferociously as he sent the humanoid crashing through many walls. "All out? Since my training, I've restricted myself from that." His body glowed in a shimmering color like a rainbow. "And this creature is not one to be taken lightly, isn't he?"
"No he is not. This creature is among the Three Great Yokai of Japan."
All Might didn't show it, but those words surprised him. He is facing one of the legendary yokai? "Which one is he?" He asked the onymouji.
"DRINKKK~"
"Never mind."
The drunken state. Monstrous strength. Gourd of seemingly endless alcohol. Add in the kanabo and horns, All Might realizes which one he is battling. "Shuten Douji, the Drunken Child." He was unaffected when a fiery crimson-glowing Shuten Douji landed in front of him and kicked up debris. None moved as the dust settled, revealing a scuff mark on the daiyokai's cheek.
"… Love tap… decent enough."
"Good."
Both males of different species dashed towards each other with inexplicable speed and their fists clashed. A great explosion of red and rainbow energy erupted from the opposing energies and overwhelming physical might.
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Yomotsu Hirasaka, Izumo Province
Shimane Prefecture, Chugoku Region
Among the Three Great Yokai, there was one deemed more dangerous than the others. His power so great that he was deemed a kijin—a demon god—by both humans and yokai. When news of his imprisonment spread, Japan's supernatural world wondered about who defeated the fearsome yokai.
Truth be told, not even the yokai himself knows. But he does have his suspicions about the culprit.
He will find him or her while destroying human cities in the process.
Once he escapes from the onymo spell of that accursed Seimei.
And the person standing before him being brought to his knees.
That is if he does not stop cursing at the sky.
"Are you freaking serious, Seimei?! NO WARNING, NOTHING?! I MEAN I BARELY CHANGED INTO MY COSTUME BEFORE YOU DROPPED ME HERE!"
"My apologies, but we had to contain them before they do any damage to the population."
The costumed Naruto grumbled under breath. "We really need to communicate more clearly." He and his family teleported back to the Homestead. Actually, he never intended to intervene as it was his day-off. All Might and the Hero Association were to contain this, but Seimei, or his avatar at least, informed him that this was grave matters. One that a god like him cannot ignore and leave to mortal hands.
Despite his reluctance, Naruto was urged to go by Saeko to defend her homeland, even if it was not her own.
"Ah, it is you."
Naruto turned around and found the same cloaked person responsible for the from months before. "You again… of course."
Both beings looked around when the environment changed before them. From what Seimei told him in the magic circle, the Kitsune no Yomerei (Fox's Wedding) changes the surroundings of those, specifically the caster's allies, inside based on their internal desires. It is a sort of field enhancement that boosts stats like an RPG video game.
Naruto was visibly surprised when the domain finished its nature. Instead of a flat plain, he now stands atop a mountain cliff overlooking a vast array of Japanese buildings. The array ended by a huge, half-circled walls that touched the same mountain structure. A sea of dense forests could be seen for miles apart underneath the pristine blue sky littered with clouds.
"Oh my God…"
He recognized the location after his cracked voice hinted nostalgic familiarity. To make sure if it is real, Naruto looked down the mountainside and saw five rock formations that resembled faces: four males and one female.
"K-Konohagakure?"
His home village. He was seeing his home for the first time since… before the war. Before his world's destruction.
END OF CHAPTER
