Patronus Maximus
Chapter LVI: Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi
"What to do?"
"I know, right."
"I mean… this has never happened before."
Inside the emergency medical tent outside of a hospital stood two medical resident doctors. They were accompanied by two heroes who consisted part of the security force in the zone. Despite their training, they were shocked to see one of their favorite heroes on the gurney.
"All Might… got defeated?"
"I know."
The hulking frame of All Might rested with bandages wrapped around his head, torso and left knee. It was a hectic day and it became even so when the strongest hero in Japan popped out of a weird portal moments ago.
"How are his injuries?" One of the older doctors approached with her stethoscope ready.
"Um, well other than severe bruising in the wrapped areas, All Might is fine."
"Physically anyway." One of the residents said under breath.
The attending doctor heard her resident and asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Well…" The resident paused before exchanging looks with his friend. "I fear for his mental state, Doctor Kenzaki."
"Can you elaborate?"
"All Might has never been defeated in his entire career, so he may experience shock over this."
Doctor Kenzaki gave a somewhat approving nod. "You may be right, but we'll only have to wait and see."
"Doctors, we need extra hands over here!"
"If he's here, then who is handling the incidents in Izumo Prefecture and Tokyo Bay?"
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Yomotsu Hirasaka
Izumo Prefecture, Kansai Region
"Well, this doesn't look good," Wukong observed aloud, his Ruyi resting on his shoulders.
Seimei agreed after casting a barrier around the hole created by Otakemaru. Hordes and hordes of Yomi's yokai slowly marched akin wandering zombies. He recognized the vile aratama whose energy and presence were stifling to him. "Hellish Hag. Yomi no Hei. Magatsu Musha."
The Hellish Hag formed the front line of the march. They are feral humanoid yokai, walking on all fours like an animal. Their skin was appallingly white as if no sun had ever touched them. Dark blue unruly mane spread from the back of their heads while tattered brown kimono covered their bodies except the legs and clawed hands. They have no eyes while their mouths were elongated like a bird's beak with dirty yellow teeth.
The Yomi no Hei translates to 'Underworld Soldier' and they formed the army of the realm of the dead. They are much taller than the average human with a large single glowing horn from their forehead. Dirt-filled samurai armor adorned their bodies as the yokai carried varying weapons from the tanto to the odachi. A triangular white cloth covered their faces, enhancing the fearful image.
Comprising the rearguard of the army was the Magatsu Musha or 'Calamity Warrior'. The yokai were taller than the Yomi no Hei with four arms rather than two, wielding rusted katanas in each hand. Their skin resembled the flowing cracks of volcanic rock. Black glistening armor reflected the sunlight while their white long hair fluttered with the wind. Glowing ominously yellow crystal-like shards protruded from the back as two crooked horns shined from the foreheads.
There are more yokai in the army, but it seems they have not yet reach Earth, especially them. Which is good for the onmyouji and the Xian.
"Their power is great enough to be felt all the way from Onogoro?" Wukong mused aloud. "How long will it take you to close that gate?"
"An hour at best," Seimei answered honestly while sitting in seiza. "That's if they don't get near me or far away from the entrance."
"Then I should get going."
"Please keep the damage to a minimum if none at all."
"You're no fun~" Wukong pouted before he took a casual jump. Said action took him far deep in the middle of the army as he landed on two Hellish Hags before they disappeared from the weight. "Grow, Ruyi!" His legendary staff extended in length and broader in size before Wukong twirled it above his head, easily clearing out the nearest yokai in a grand diameter. "Shrink!"
Upon his command, Ruyi shrunk down before Wukong casually blocked two Magatsu Musha's eight blades with it. Despite their cutting power beyond that of an average human, the Magatsu was no match for the staff of the Monkey King. Wukong smiled as he casually walked away from the yokai whom exploded via unknown force.
Said force was caused by Wukong himself. The surrounding aratama all took a step back away from the Xian in fear. It took those two deaths for them to realize this was someone far beyond their league.
"Too late~" Wukong said sing-song before engaging the enemy yokai.
Far away sat Seimei as he watched the bodies of the aratama being blown away like ragdolls. He chose this particular spot for its connection to a nearby leyline. However, there are two issues with this choice. The first being that it is completely open and the second is that the yokai will be drawn to the leyline once he connects to the energy.
"Connect!" Seimei mentally commanded with a hand seal. He felt a great surge of energy flow within him as his body glowed slightly white. "Onmyodo: Fuin Kekkai (The Way of Yin-Yang: Sealing Barrier)."
A huge version of the Seimon crest hovered over the Yomotsu entrance before rapidly descending on top of it. The contrasting energies of the underworld and mortal world definitely drew attention from the aratama as they focused on Seimei. Fortunately, in that span of distraction, Wukong punched and kicked away multitudes while his Ruyi Jingu Bang plowed through the army with nothing able to stop them.
Seimei thought back to what his mother mentioned about dreams in his youth.
-(Flashback Begins)-
Abe Family Manor
Kyoto, Japan
900 A.D.
"Mother?"
Sitting in seiza out at the floorboards was a woman in a dark blue kimono. Compared to the handmaidens, she is a very beautiful woman that fits the Yamato Nadeshiko ideal. Her eyes were brilliantly blue with small shimmers of silver-white as her skin looked like pearl itself. Her most defining physical trait is her long silver-white hair tied in a single braid over her left shoulder.
She is Abe no Kuzunoha, mother to Abe no Seimei.
"Yes, my Kogitsune?" She asked cheerily as her son of seven years sat in her lap.
"Why do humans hate yokai so much?"
"Do you mean the aratama?"
"Is there a difference?"
"Aratama are yokai filled with malice and resentment from their past lives. Nigitama are benevolent and peaceful with nature and humans."
"Do the aratama make things worse for everyone?"
"That is hard to say, Seimei."
"Can there ever be peace?"
"…"
"Mother?"
"There will be, but the journey to obtain it is unfathomably difficult."
"How?"
"All it takes is one person with the determination to reach their goal, no matter whom stands in their way."
"Where will that person come?"
"Who knows, dear? It could be tomorrow, next week, month or even decades until that individual arrives."
-(Flashback Ends)-
That was prior to his mother's disappearance after he found out about her true nature. Since then, Seimei has been working to defend both humanity and yokai-kind from darkness. It was during this time he sought to broker official peace between the two races.
The onmyouji casted another barrier around him for protection and proceeded to focus his concentration on the technique. A lone Hellish Hag had already reached his position, exemplifying its species' reputation among the fastest of yokai. It leapt at Seimei with maw opened to devour him, only to burst in flames upon touching the Seimon barrier.
"Wukong, you're letting them pass you by," Seimei said as if the deity was next to him. "Has all these years finally dull your senses?"
The next thing he knew, the Yomi army's numbers continued to dwindle by the Monkey King and his Ruyi staff. Magatsu Musha's blades broke in half while the bodies of the Yomi no Hei and Hellish Hags splattered from the force of their attacks. Wukong howled like a monkey after throwing a Magatsu Musha aside as it knocked down countless yokai and did not stop until hitting a mountain.
"Ruyi!" The staff returned to his hand before Wukong spun it over his head. "Grow and extend!" The rod grew and extended into a massive broad pillar as it mowed down the Yomi army like a lawnmower. "Shrink." The blood flew off of the staff due to its speed upon returning to Wukong's preferred form. "Ah~ There's not just any challenges anymore."
Then the earth trembled underneath several, thundering footsteps as shadows completely covered him and the trees nearby. Both Seimei and Wukong looked to find three-hundred feet tall Gashadokuro howling at the night. The former monkey yokai chuckled in anticipation since the skeletons are said to be nearly indestructible.
In battle-crazed fighters' language, they are punching bags.
"Let's play."
One of the Gashadokuro tried stomping on him, but Wukong had already jumped high above their heads. They looked up, howling and reaching for the Xian as he got pulled down by gravity. Smiling, Wukong fixed himself as his Ruyi extended and grew in size and length before he spun it once.
Two skulls were torn off from the necks as their bodies fell to the ground. Shrinking and expanding his staff to use the force keeping himself airborne, Wukong tore off the heads of three more Gashadokuro before flipping over an extended hand. He ran up the limb before jumping and flipping over the opposite limb that tried to grab him. Wukong threw the shrunken Ruyi that shattered the Gashadokuro's skull into pieces.
Jumping off the body while catching his staff, Wukong rolled on the ground after falling and stood back on his feet as the last Gashadokuro fell behind him.
"Hmph, this must be what One-Punch Man feels like," Wukong pouted in disappointment. "You done yet?!" He shouted at the far-away Seimei. His answer came from behind as the god turned around to see the onmyouji's Seimon crest closing the Yomotsu Hirasaka albeit somewhat slowly. "How long?"
"I'm not answering."
"You just did."
"Please be silent, Seiten Taisei."
Shrinking his staff to a needle, Wukong placed it behind his right ear before sitting down. "Well hurry it up! I'm hungry for some char siu pork and dumplings." A small drop of drool slipped out from the corner of his mouth in hunger. "I want to eat~"
"Then maybe you should help Patronus with the yokai."
"… Nah, he's got it." Wukong then laid down on his back with his arms supporting his head. "Wake me when it's over."
Sighing slightly exasperatedly, Seimei focused on the task at hand while muttering under breath, "… Lazy monkey."
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Onogoro
Honshu, Japan
The Three Great Yokai stared down at their mutual and lone opponent while demonic ki emanated from their bodies. Meanwhile, Naruto started to lightly jump on his feet and loosening his shoulders as if he was warming up. Livid, the transformed Tamamo slammed her right paw onto Naruto, seemingly crushing him while trembling the ground.
Lifting her paw, Tamamo and her reluctant allies saw no body in the imprint she made.
"Missed me."
A surprised Tamamo yelped when she was lifted off of the ground and slammed into a mountainside. She looked to see Patronus holding onto three of her tails.
The one most surprised was Patronus when he said, "Light as a feather." He released one hand and flexed it a couple times. "Huh, I wasn't even sure if I could lift you at all."
"She's not any bigger than me when we fought for my chakra."
And Naruto is not in Sage Mode either, meaning his current base strength is much greater than it would be with senjutsu.
"Pawa Burasuto (Power Blast)!"
Lifting a hand to catch the kanabo while avoiding the spikes, Naruto gritted his teeth while dust got kicked up from the force of Shuten's swing. "Yeah, he's just as strong as Otakemaru."
"Gekkogiri (Moonlight Slash)!"
Looking at Otakemaru, Naruto suppressed an 'eep' when the airborne Otakemaru swung his Kenmyoren, unleashing a crescent-shaped lightning slash. He swiftly tossed the kanabo-wielding Shuten to take the hit as the daiyokai's body forcibly contorted itself when the slash hit him.
"That hurt, Otakemaru!"
Otakemaru rolled his eyes as his floating swords channeled their powers. "Then don't just be a fly swatter to him." He simply replied before disappearing.
"He's faster than before!" A wide-eyed Naruto thought frantically as he flipped over the fire blade of Shotoren before thrusting his fist at Otakemaru. "Eaken (Air Fist)!"
The wind-based attack served dual purposes this time: hit Otakemaru and push himself out of the way from Shuten's kanabo. Kenmyoren blocked the club, upturning the ground once more as their owners glared at each other.
"STAY OUT OF MY WAY!"
Naruto took advantage of their quarrel as he landed and jumped off a tree while a clone materialized next to him. They spun around to add momentum to their roundhouse kicks. "Konoha Tsumuji Senpu (Leaf Coiling Whirlwind)!" Both ninja and clone smirked when Shuten fell face-flat while Otakemaru merely stepped out of the way. "Not done!" One of the two grabbed the other and swiftly threw him at Otakemaru, surprising the latter when one of the Patronus's head hit his chest. "Bushin Taiatari (Clone Body Blow)!"
"Baka (Idiot), you've shown me that you're afraid of close combat against my current form."Otakemaru observed as his Daitoren and Shotoren slashed through the original Patronus, slicing him in two halves. The demon was taken aback when the person whom he thought it to be the original turned into smoke. "If that was the clone, then—"
"Futon: Rasenrengan (Wind Release: Spiralling Serial Sphere)!"
Patronus slammed dual Rasengan against Otakemaru's stomach, increasing the calculated damage. He quickly let go of the spheres as they propel the daiyokai away from him while grinding his skin at the same time. Two powerful shockwaves of wind rustled the nearby trees' leaves while temporarily blinding Shuten and Tamamo with the kicked-up debris of dust.
"There's more where that came from!" A proud Naruto exclaimed happily. No matter how experienced he is, Naruto enjoys the feeling of his attacks, whether ninjutsu or taijutsu, hitting his enemies. "Yipes, got to remain focused."
Having already recovered on his feet, a livid Shuten dashed with renewed but greater speed despite his size, much to Patronus's surprise. "Come here, bastard!" He swung his kanabo, but Naruto blocked the weapon with his magical armlet as its energy deflected the force back to the daiyokai.
Shuten stumbled backwards from the backlash and Naruto did not let up as he dashed at him before punching him to the air. He quickly creates four clones that jumped in the air before jumping himself. Before the yokai could react, the clones grabbed his arms and legs as they held him while falling to the ground. Naruto finished by landing on Shuten's chest knee-first, "Rakkasan (Parachute)!"
Quickly jumping off the daiyokai and landing on the ground, Patronus looked up when a shadow hovered above them. He blurred away from the incoming clawed paw that smashed not only his clones but also Shuten Douji. Flashing through hand-seals, Naruto was behind the distracted Tamamo before slamming his hands on the ground.
"Doton: Doryuheki (Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall)!"
Despite 'wall' in its name, the technique morphed earth around them into loose mud that wrapped Tamamo's legs before hardening. The fox daiyokai noticed this and swiped two of her tails as she easily destroyed the earthly restraints while her jarred maw filled with purple fire.
"Kitsune no Hi (Fox Fire)!"
The flames dashed towards Naruto as he took flight to the sky, but did not burn the trees or the earth. Tamamo's flamethrower changed trajectory to catch the airborne Ninja God, but Naruto blurred out of existence once more. He reappeared again, but Tamamo's flames were already meeting him.
"Yipes!" Naruto vanished and reappeared in another spot, but was met with another stream of flames. "Again?!" He avoided it to the side as a clawed paw swiped at him. "Oh boy!" Naruto dashed forward between the gap before he started running along Tamamo's forelimb. "She can keep track of me despite her size."
Much like Kurama did when they fought back and Naruto was in Sage Mode as a human at the time.
"Stop moving around, you pest!"
Seeing the hand trying to grab him, Naruto jumped and flipped over before continuing his stride on the opposite limb until he reached the neck.
"Jigoku no Kaen (Hellfire)!"
"Eh?!" Naruto back-flipped off of the neck and avoided a flaming slash that would have burned/cut him. He saw an airborne Otakemaru flying towards him with great speed, already within close range and three swords primed. "He's over there."
"And Tamamo and Shuten are over there and there."
Looking behind his shoulder below, Naruto did see the kanabo–wielding Shuten…swelling his cheeks with a spark?
"Oh shit."
"Megafurea (Megaflare)!"
Shuten unleashed his crimson fire while purple flames soared from Tamamo's mouth at the same time and Otakemaru's Shotoren swiped another magenta slash in their respective techniques. All the fire attacks hit their mutual marks before soaring upwards in a mushroom cloud from the explosion.
"Hehehe, the cheeky god couldn't even attempt to dodge our attacks."
Ignoring the drunkard of a yokai, Otakemaru noticed the disparity within the burning flames. The burning smell of… "Wood?" The fire cleared enough to allow the three daiyokai to see a burning log of wood. "A deceptive trick." Daitoren and Shotoren suddenly swiped behind him, alerting Otakemaru and his allies when the weapons hit something metal.
Patronus stood there with his bracer and Golden Fleece blocking the heavenly weapons. "Made you look~"
Tamamo didn't feel them until she saw another Patronus appear next to her left eye. "Another clone?"
"This is going to sting, so Sangosho (Coral Palm)!"
"AAHH!" Tamamo yowled after the clone struck her left eye. Soon after, very powerful shockwaves trembled the ground around the monster fox. "Delayed shockwaves?!" The fur around her face hardened and morphed into needles that shot into Patronus, causing him to burst into smoke. Another clone. Then her left eye started to close up uncontrollably. "What is this?!"
Both Shuten and Otakemaru saw it or them, to be precise. Gray coral pieces quickly formed around Tamamo's body, but at her joints and vital points i.e. eye. Or eyes as another Patronus clone suddenly appeared next to and struck the fox's remaining eye before jumping for the air.
"Thanks for the help, Isobu!" Naruto mentally said to his Tailed Beast.
"You're welcome!"
The Sangosho (Coral Palm) is a unique ninjutsu of Isobu the Sanbi. It is meant to restrain an opponent's movements during battle, especially when facing three of them.
"Come here!" Naruto looked behind his shoulder as Shuten swung his kanabo after leaping at him. "Yoidore Taiga (Drunken Tiger)!" His demonic ki formed around his entire body as it took the form a howling tiger. The club tore through the clone easily and set it aflame at the same time. "Another clone?!"
Pressing forward, Otakemaru mentally controlled his floating swords to attack the original Patronus, pushing him back. Naruto swiftly parried the strikes with his Pivot Blades, causing a unique bell-like 'ring' from each contact. "A divine metal?"
"Okay, the Adamantine in my blades can block the sword." Naruto thought before deflecting another slash with his armlet this time. "And the Golden Fleece too." He wasn't sure about his suit's durability against one of Takamagahara's divine blades nor is he planning to find out any sooner.
"Yoidore Enjeru (Drunken Angel)!" The slight moment of hesitation left Naruto vulnerable as he got wrapped by Shuten's arms before the sky suddenly spinning out of control. "SURPRISE!"
A rapid spinning pile-driver that kicked up debris the size of an explosion.
Floating while observing Shuten land near Tamamo, Otakemaru willed his swords, Daitoren and Shotoren, as they sliced through the coral restraints. "Get it together, Tamamo."
"*Annoyed Growl* Quiet, bastard son, I do not see you actually attempt anything," Tamamo sneered back, getting a side glare in response. "Kitsune no Hi (Fox Fire)!"
"Jigoku no Kaen (Hellfire)!"
"Shinpu no Baria – Ea Fosu (Divine Wind Barrier – Air Force)!"
The flame attacks, debris, and Shuten were blown away by a powerful force. One that slowly pushed Tamamo and Otakemaru backwards. They felt something different from this latest defense as it was similar to their magical arts, but divine in nature.
Defending the god was a circular dome of swirling energy as it absorbed the flames before returning them back to their casters with greater speed. The dome dissipated quickly, revealing a mostly unscathed Patronus standing in front of a glowing tag. It lost its luster completely as Naruto looked at the three daiyokai.
"It's a good thing I asked Inari about that tag," Naruto said internally. The Shinpu no Baria – Ea Fosu is not a ninjutsu, but rather of Shinto magic belonging to the Amatsu-Kami. "Of course, I wasted the only one I had!" He scolded himself out of ninja habit to defend himself.
"AAGGGHH!" Shuten roared angrily as he drunkenly stood back up, his kanabo charged with demonic energy. "This god is messing with us?!"
"WHO DARES TO SET FOOT ON THIS SACRED LAND!?"
All faces looked at the sky upon hearing the booming voice and one of them recognizes it.
"Could that be?"
"BEGONE FROM THIS SANCTUARY!"
"LORD IZANAGI, DON'T!"
Naruto's plea was in vain as he and the daiyokai glowed white before disappearing from the island.
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Shanghai
People's Republic of China, East China
"Ling Lei, where are you?"
A woman with a black bob-cut hairstyle and in a secretary suit speed-walked through the office, searching for her boss Ling Lei. She managed to find her at the roof of the firm, eating a sandwich from a nearby shop. "Ahh-hmm," The secretary cleared her throat, stopping the boss from eating mid-way.
"Um… hi Xiao Mai," Lei meekly replied after being found out. She is a young woman around her early twenties with long, flowing black hair and blue eyes. Her attire is a white blouse with a blue pants-skirt, white pearl earrings, and blue heels. Much to her discomfort to be added. "What brings you here?"
Xiao Mai snorted disapprovingly, "You snuck out of the meeting today with the investors."
"I thought it was over," Lei defended herself weakly. "How bad?"
"Luckily, they all got called to their companies and ended the meeting," Xiao Mai briefed her long-time friend. "The CEO and owner of Sacred Tree Design should be better-behaved than this."
"I was hungry, Xiao Mai~" Lei pouted in response before eating her meal.
"… Did you skip breakfast?"
"…"
"Lei-Lei…"
Her nickname for Lei since childhood.
Lei sighed as she knew what Xiao Mai was about to talk. "I overslept so I planned to eat something on the way, but I got side-tracked."
"And side-tracked, do you mean…" Xiao Mai trailed off knowingly.
Lei nodded affirmatively, "Yeah…"
"Oh Lei," Xiao Mai sighed empathically.
What sidetracked Lei was her other job. With the power to control air in all manner, Ling Lei is the superhero known as Aero. Unlike most heroes, her identity is known as a government agent. It explains why her firm is outfitted with shields to defend against any criminal acts.
"I've only been at this for a few months, but it's hard," Lei admitted exhaustingly. "No one said this would be hard."
"Maybe you need a mentor."
Lei shook her head while making a 'X' with her arms, "No way. I don't have enough time between my two jobs." Xiao Mai hummed in agreement.
"How are your powers?" Xiao Mai asked, getting a smirking Lei to raise her hand and conjure a small tornado in her palm. "Could you make a big one?"
"… No," Lei pouted sadly, "Why do you always ask me that?"
"Sure, flying is cool and all, but tornados are better." Xiao Mai 'eeped' when Lei's finger was suddenly near her nose. "I take it back: flying is the coolest." She decided to partake in lunch hour and took a bite from her friend's sandwich, causing Lei to gawk in shock.
"That's my sandwich!" Lei cried out before exhaling a stream of wind at Xiao Mai, messing up her hair. "Take that."
Their laughing respite ended when one of their coworkers burst through the doors with a worried look. "Ms. Ling, Ms. Bang, you must look at this!" The women followed after him to the conference where more but worried employees had gathered in front of a plasma TV.
"What's going on?" asked both Lei and Xiao Mai.
"A fight is happening in Japan."
One of the employees grabbed the remote and increased the volume for all to hear.
Trouble has plagued the city of Tokyo in Japan once again. In Tokyo Bay lies three powerful villains… Oh my God….
The "Oh My God" was warranted as the helicopter hovered above the bay. Lei, Xiao Mai, and the Sacred Tree employees saw a massive white nine-tailed fox in the center of the bay area. "A monster fox?" A male employee asked in shock.
"A Jiuweihu?" Lei asked internally. Their term for 'nine-tailed fox' in China. "There's more."
A giant Jiuweihu is accompanied by two ogre-like beasts. Their sudden presence caused the water to dangerously flood the harbor.
The reporter was right as the water rose to high levels, but it did not reach the city. Most definitely it was the sudden appearance of a grand red barrier that stopped the element.
My word, a red barrier appeared around the harbor and protected the city of Tokyo and its citizens. Whoever is responsible for conjuring this barrier must be experienced.
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(At the Same Time)
Office of National Intelligence Service, Naegok-dong
Seoul, South Korea
"What is going on?" A young woman asked as she gathered in front of a television with her associates and friends. She has chin-length black hair with snow-white streak on the left side. Her eyes are not the same color as the right is blue and the left is brown, an indicator of heterochromia. "Three monster-villains?"
"No idea, Seol. Let's continue watching." One of Seol's bandmates answered as the Korean reporter continued her observation of the situation in Japan.
No one knows how and why the Kumiho and the other villains appeared in the city, but there is one fighting them.
The camera zoomed closer to a figure wearing a hood and one-arm sleeve cloak facing the three villains.
"Who is that?"
We just received word that the hero facing the kumiho and villains is none other than the American hero, Patronus also known as the Ghost of Boston.
"Whoa, Patronus?"
The chatter among the agents shifted from worry to excited upon hearing the name. The men commented on the hero's ninja appearance while the women were mesmerized at his sight. Befitting his nickname, the people outside of United States and Japan have rarely seen the hero.
Hee Seol was no exception. Not even NIS agents such as herself and the other super-powered agent knew what he looked like until now.
"Luna Snow."
That is her hero name, Luna Snow. Hee Seol works for the NIS as her other job whenever there is criminal activity or if danger threatens South Korea.
The aforementioned heroine did not have to look for the one who called her. She was already beside her, taller by three inches. The woman has black hair tied in a bun and brown eyes as she wore a suit pertaining to NIS dress code. Silver rectangular earrings hung onto her ears while the woman watched the screen.
"Agent Han."
Han Ami is her name, but to Seol and few trusted others, she is known as the hero White Fox.
"So… relative of yours?" Seol whispered under breath. Despite that it was not loud enough for everyone to hear, Ami shook her head thanks to her physiology. "Can he beat it?"
Ami shrugged her shoulders, "No idea, but if the stories we hear about Patronus are true, then the higher-ups might approve the project."
"Then what about the two villains next to the Kumiho?"
"No idea, but I believe they hold power the same to that Kumiho." Ami slightly shuddered as Seol glanced at her, "Despite being far away, I can feel it."
Seol said nothing as she and Ami focused on the broadcasted fight, which is likely global by now.
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Tokyo Bay
Kanto Region, Japan
Flight really takes the cake out of all abilities in his possession. Naruto sighed in relief while taking note of his recently deployed barrier. The moment they were transported here and taken notice of the water level, the Ninja God swiftly created and sent four clones to sections around the bay in a square formation before summoning the red, translucent barrier.
"Shisekiyojin (Four Red Yang Formation)." The Kage-level technique where four shinobi or clones can trap or contain enemies within regardless of power. "That damn Izanagi, what was he thinking?!" Naruto cursed the god for his recent action. "When this is done, I'm going to tear him apart!"
"Are you sure you should be dazing off?"
His eyes widening, Naruto bended backwards to narrowly avoid a kanabo to the face before using his right hand as a stable and sweep-kicked Shuten's legs under him. He spun on the single hand-stand and roundhouse-kicked Shuten away as the daiyokai skipped along the water surface.
"Did he just get tougher?" Naruto asked himself after his leg felt stung as he floated in the air once more. "Their ki is much more potent than they were back in… Shit!"
"Correct, hero." Naruto swiftly turned around to block Daitoren and Shotoren with his Pivot Blades as Otakemaru floated towards him. "The island's atmosphere weakened our powers significantly. Now that we're here, our power has been restored."
"Seimei's barrier must've weakened them too, but not the extent as on the island."
"Kitsune no Hi (Fox Fire)!"
As he pushed away the swords, Naruto flew higher when Tamamo let loose another, but larger stream of purple fire at him. It was certainly hotter and stronger than the attack as the bay water instantly turned to steam while small flames remained burning on the surface.
"I think I might actually get burned if that touches me," Naruto noted before a shadow loomed over him. "Oh shit!"
An amused Tamamo and nonchalant Otakemaru watched a massive oil freighter slam into the stunned Patronus. The freighter crashed back into the water, its momentum driving to the edge of the barrier before suddenly halting in place. They watched the freighter move a little before their opponent flew above it and dashed towards them with resolve, leaving behind a delayed shockwave due to his speed.
Then he completely vanished in a blinding yellow light as it left even Otakemaru and Tamamo puzzled. "Where did he go?"
"Asa Kujaku (Morning Peacock)!" Both the fox and kijin searched for the voice as they found Patronus pummeling Shuten Douji with nonexistent arms. Regular orange flames were expelled from the impossibly fast punches around Shuten's body, making him look like a peacock. "Konoha Ryujin (Leaf Dragon God)!" The wind dragon roared as it snatched the yokai after Naruto swiftly spin-kicked with a high leg.
The Asa Kujaku (Morning Peacock) is a high-level taijutsu normally accessible when one opens the Eight Gates up to the sixth level. Since Naruto ascended to godhood, he is able to perform the technique without opening said restraints and suffering the physical strain on his body.
"Erekutorikku Jajjimento (Electric Judgement)."
Channeling wind chakra through his Pivot Blades, Naruto turned around as he blocked green lightning, courtesy of Otakemaru's Kenryomen. Wind beats lightning, a given rule, but there is the case when the latter beats the former with pure strength. Naruto struggled holding back and chose to redirected the emerald lightning… right at Tamamo's eye.
Or it would have if the lightning had not changed direction and struck him from above.
"AARRGGGHH!"
"Erekutorikku Jajjimento is no ordinary attack." Otakemaru noted as his primary sword crackled with sparks. "Once my enemies are hit, heaven's lightning will strike them down until I order it to cease."
"Ogun Furiisu: Erekutorikku Jajjimento (Golden Fleece: Electric Judgement)!"
Raising his Kenmyoren to absorb the lightning, Otakemaru stared at Patronus who was shaking his arms and legs. "He deflected the lightning back at me or more specifically, Kenmyoren." He glanced at the armlet on the god's right limb. "The Golden Fleece... this is different from what I heard. Still, there is no way he didn't receive damage in some way."
"I bit my tongue!" Naruto internally cursed from the spasm. If it wasn't for the Golden Fleece redirecting most of the lightning, he would have been a sitting duck for the daiyokai pressed attacks. "Still, that didn't hurt as much as I thought it would."
"Jigoku no Umi (Hell Ocean)." Tamamo no Mae's tails glowed with ki before she swiped all of them.
The tremendous force instantly created and raised water almost as high as the barrier. A massive tsunami. With this amount of water, it would destroy a great portion of Tokyo. The fact it is enhanced with potent demonic ki makes it more dangerous.
"Son Goku!" Hearing the Tailed Beast's supportive affirmation, Naruto formed a seal before spewing out green flames from his mouth, "En'en Hoka (Monkey Flame Arson)!" Another Tailed Beast ninjutsu, courtesy of the monkey. He cast it out in a wide wave as the fire ninjutsu easily turned the water into steam, covering the entire bay instantly.
The steam did not last long when it was cut out of existence by the Sanmyoken, revealing the three yokai but no god.
"Ha! He turned tail and ran away!" Shuten shouted after landing atop of Tamamo's head, much to her displeasure.
The fox temptress scoffed at the drunkard's words, "Says the one who was set on fire by his punches."
"Quiet, you two and stay focused."
"Or what?"
Suddenly chains burst out of the barren land that used to be the harbor and swiftly wrapped around the daiyokai. Tamamo and Shuten howled in annoyance after the chains restrained their arms, legs, and neck for maximum binding.
"That happens, Tamamo." Otakemaru scowled with closed eyes. His Sanmyoren glowed with power once more. "Now stay there while I'll handle this."
"Bastard!"
Ignoring his fellow daiyokai in favor of attacking, Otakemaru sent Daitoren and Shotoren soaring to the barrier's ceiling. They changed direction suddenly as if their target was fleeing. A chase for the invisible Patronus. Naruto became visible after outflanking Otakemaru from behind, his Pivot Blades flowing with wind chakra.
Naruto stopped himself very close to Otakemaru before sharply flying upwards, hoping that the dual swords will stab the yokai. That was wishful thinking as the blades stopped and pointed their ends at him. His eyes widened when multiple duplicates appeared behind Otakemaru.
"Tenkenrangan (Heavenly Sword Barrage)."
The swords soared at Patronus with incredible speed as they blurred out of existence. To Naruto, he can see them still, but the speed was off-putting. Retracting his Pivot Blades, Patronus swiftly threw four Fuma shuriken that instantly duplicated into hundreds at the swords. "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)!"
Swirling wind patterns and crackling lightning Fuma shuriken clashed with the Daitoren and Shotoren clones, disappearing on contact. There were a few that sailed past untouched, but Patronus and Otakemaru simply swatted them away with their blades before remaining airborne as they stared at each other.
"Our battle will only serve in your defeat, God of Hope."
"Yeah, how so? I'm handling you and your buddies well so far." Of course, he had to step it up as the three daiyokai's power increased since the island. "Unless you're still holding back on me."
"I may ask the same thing about you."
Both Shuten and Tamamo became livid upon hearing that the god still holds himself back. They tried to break free of their bonds, but the godly chakra chains remained tight. Their combined physical exertion cracked the dry harbor all the way to the port, causing some shipping containers to fall off.
"I must say thank you actually."
"How's that?" Naruto asked warily, keeping constant chakra flow on his Pivot Blades.
"You trapped my power sources."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Shotoren and Daitoren—the real ones—pierced through the torsos of Shuten and Tamamo, respectively, as they screamed in pain. Their agonized yells did not cease as massive auras burst out from the two daiyokai, causing massive whirlwinds to swirl out of control. The force of the whirlwinds contorted the barrier's shape like a balloon, but it did not break.
Struggling against the winds, Naruto peeked through the gap between his arms as he saw Otakemaru doing something. The daiyokai had his hand up, absorbing the massive ki from Tamamo no Mae and Shuten Douji. Their bodies shriveled and shrunk into two objects before they were pulled into Otakemaru's grip while the chains fell to the ground.
"Wondering, are you not?" Patronus said nothing as Otakemaru showed his new possessions. "The most powerful of our kind develop these Soul Cores. They contain all our power, knowledge, and skills."
"Shit!" Naruto cursed as he dashed at Otakemaru, swiftly entering the latter's personal space.
Alas he was too late when Otakemaru quickly stabbed himself with the Soul Cores and everything turned black.
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Uzumaki Manor, Homestead Grounds
Forested Massachusetts, United States of America
The women were watching the live feed of the battle in Japan after Saeko and the twins' abrupt return from Kyoto. Naruto had dropped them off near the Kyoto machiya before leaving to fight and Saeko took them back home through the magical connection with the Homestead.
Their worries exacerbated when they learned the identities of the three figures.
"Shuten Douji, Tamamo no Mae, and Otakemaru?" Kuroka said nervously, gulping audibly. "I can feel their demonic ki all the way here in the States." She and the mothers are glad that their children are napping now. "I've heard stories about them from my mom when I was a little girl. I've had nightmares for weeks."
"I've always wondered, but how powerful are they?" Lara asked as she soothed the Nekomata by rubbing her back.
"Honestly, I'm not sure since there are different tales and versions of their stories."
Looking away from the live screen, Medusa spoke softly to the former yokai. "I believe it is the same for all dimension's Three Great Yokai, assuming each has said trio."
"But Kuroka and I can feel their power from Japan, which says something," Rhea pointed out while breast-feeding her daughter. "And our husband is battling them alone."
"Do you think he can win?" Medusa asked curiously.
Saeko hummed in thought with the others before she answered, "I do not know. This might be his first big battle since becoming a god."
"Doesn't his encounter with Perun apply?" Lara asked since it was a god battle. She recalled the strong tremors from the bout even though it was brief.
"I do not think so since Wukong intervened," Medusa shuddered upon saying the name. "Naruto's luck sure attracts unexpected people."
All the women nodded with agreed hums as they continued to watch the live feed. "How strong is Naruto after his ascension? Really?" Saeko asked sincerely. She and the others wondered about his strength since Naruto trains constantly with Leone and his clones.
"… I don't know, really," Rhea answered honestly. "But I believe he will continue to get stronger for the sake of us."
Lara hummed appreciatively. "I want to get stronger; the best I can possibly be."
"Us too," Saeko said with Medusa nodding in agreement. "We can help him whenever he needs it."
"How about now?" Kuroka asked nervously. Despite her fear of the Three Great Yokai, she will fight with her husband if it looks bad for him.
"I think we should hold off and wait for now," Rhea answered the Nekomata softly. "But we should be at least ready in case the situation becomes dire."
The women then hoped for their beloved's return, although they secretly prepared themselves to enter battle if the situation turns for the worse.
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Tokyo Bay
Kanto Region, Honshu, Japan
The last thing he remembered was Otakemaru betraying Tamamo and Shuten Douji. Now Naruto's eyes opened as he felt his chest somewhat on fire.
"Son of a bitch," Naruto cursed under breath. As his eyes focused clearly on the surroundings, the god winced at the sight of him inside of a shipping container. Full of… "Fish, great." Naruto stood up and walked out of the hole where he saw multiple containers misplaced by him involuntarily.
"We did not even see him move after everything went dark," Kurama noted aloud.
"Which means his power and speed are enhanced dramatically," Naruto pointed out before flying back to the previous location. "And not only his power, but other daiyokai considered his equals."
"I have no equals."
Eyes widening, Naruto felt his back being kicked hard as he crashed through several containers and their contents spilled. He grunted with each skip on the barren bay before flipping in the air and forced himself to stop. "I didn't feel his presence until he spoke!" Naruto raised his arms—bracers, more precisely—in time to block Daitoren and Shotoren from slicing him in half.
The force behind the dual strikes pushed Naruto back until he stomped his feet, stopping himself any further. He flew upwards as another chase began once more. This worked in his favor as Naruto got a good look at Otakemaru who transformed after stabbing himself with the Soul Cores.
He was no longer humanoid in the bottom portion as Otakemaru's lower body became a quadrupedal like a lizard. His upper body remained humanoid, but bulky compared to earlier. His horns got larger with more but smaller ones next to them. The Sanmyoren's auras changed to the combined colors of blue, red, and yellow.
Otakemaru's new form makes him look like what the Rock should have been in the 'Mummy 2.'
"Man, that movie's cool," Naruto pointed out suddenly before bracing himself for Otakemaru's next assault.
"Kaminari no Kamitachi (Lightning Sickle Weasel)." Upon swiping the Kenmyoren, a big green demonic-looking kamaitachi materialized across the air as it howled at Patronus. "Fetch."
Patronus channeled wind chakra and swung his Pivot Blades, unleashing dual slashes as they collided against the lightning construct. "Futon: Kaze no Yaiba (Wind Release: Blade of Wind)!" He swiped the main blade quickly and sent a nearly invisible wind blade aimed at Otakemaru's upper torso.
Otakemaru deflected the wind attack with Kenmyoren before mentally commanding his floating swords. "Yojutsu: Oni no Magatama (Demon Art: Ogre's Curved Jewel)." Shotoren swiped once more as flaming curved jewel beads soared towards Patronus.
"Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Formation Wall)!" Naruto called upon a wall of water from the few ponds in the harbor. The opposing elements collided and vast amounts of steam blinded both combatants. "Doton: Dosekiryu (Earth Release: Earth and Stone Dragon)!"
Underneath Otakemaru rose a dragon made out of the wet earth, solidifying as it attempted to snap up the daiyokai. It was not alone as three other dragons of wind, water, and fire that were created by clones that turned visible moments ago. "Katon: Karyu Endan (Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet)!"
"Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu (Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique)!"
"Konoha Ryujin (Leaf Dragon God)!"
Unfazed by the dragon constructs, Otakemaru's Sanmyoren swiped at the same time with blinding speed as Patronus grimaced at his attacks being cut apart. "Okay, his attacks are much stronger than before. I might have to transform at this rate."
"God of Hope—"
"What?"
"Are you lacking in your duty?"
"…" Naruto owlishly blinked, stifling a snort. "You need to reword that."
"… Foolish human humor." Otakemaru's combined ki exploded from his body. "Santon Kenjutsu: Mugen Zan (Three Release: Infinite Slash)."
The stunned Naruto's eyes widened not at the seemingly million slashes from the Sanmyoren. His surprise responded to a cry far behind him. The cry of a child for his father. It was accompanied by a chorus of pained cries for help. Civilians were in danger and Naruto did not know it.
More like he could not as Naruto did not sense their ki at all.
"Wait…" Naruto felt it. The entire area in the barrier was filled with demonic ki so potent that overwhelms his senses into believing it was the atmosphere. "I cannot believe this!"
The Ninja God turned and sped to where he heard the cries, which was beneath a collapsed harbor station where the employees and seafaring foreigners were trapped under. "Help!"
"Hero! Are you there?!"
Naruto responded, "Everyone brace for cover!" He turned around after the panicked civilians with the perimeter in mind. His personal perimeter. "Seikuken (Control of the Air Sphere)!"
The civilians who could see through the gaps and Otakemaru watched Patronus's hands blurred out of existence. To the daiyokai, however, he saw things more clearly than humans. The unknowing chakra-enhanced punches, accompanied by their individual shockwaves, diverted and deflected the swords away from the perimeter.
"My sword duplicates cannot penetrate his defense?" Otakemaru observed while continuing his assault.
On the other hand, Naruto grimaced at his actions and Otakemaru's deception. "There are illusions mixed with the duplicates." He has to feel and sense for the illusions and duplicates all while maintaining the calm mind required for Seikuken. "Kokuo!"
"On it!"
Otakemaru's eyes widened for the first time when steam burst out of Patronus's body explosively as the latter threw an air cannon from a single punch. "For a brief moment, his power skyrocketed and Patronus's single attack let out a stronger aftereffect?" Otakemaru held up Kenmyoren to block the air cannon, but found himself being pushed back by its tremendous force. "Ten no Raigeki (Heavenly Lightning Strike)."
A laser-like beam shot out of Kenmyoren's tip as tendrils of lightning struck parts of the harbors and the barrier. As pure lightning, it was already within Naruto's Seikuken, penetrating the defensive technique.
"SHIT!" Naruto cursed before being hit by the beam as a large cloud covered the area.
"Now let's get rid of this barrier."
As soon as Otakemaru said that, his Daitoren and Shotoren had already slashed through the barrier's four corners. The red structure fell into large pieces. His eyes caught the sight of four clones already closing in on him, poised to attack with energy spheres of different sizes from regular to the size of bigger than even him.
"Too straightforward."
His Daitoren stabbed one clone while the Shotoren decapitated another as Otakemaru's lower half hit the remaining two aside. The debris cloud that covered his opponent gradually cleared out, revealing his current state. Patronus had used his left forearm to block the attack, but the sleeve of the cloak was scorched off.
Naruto winced upon his partially smoking hand littered with marks before they disappeared instantly. "Healing ability, thank you." He stared at Otakemaru and his Sanmyoren. "I need to get to rid of those swords—no, I need to end this now before—"
"Looks like you are finished, God of Hope." No retort or snappy comment came from the god, which means his technique worked. "You thought your bracer deflected the lightning, but that was merely a diversion. Right now, your body's nervous system is overloaded, which means you cannot move."
Otakemaru's demonic ki exploded from his body as it got absorbed into the Sanmyoren, coating their blades and increasing their power.
"And even if you could, would you dodge to save yourself…"
Naruto knew what the daiyokai implied amongst the cries of the trapped civilians.
"Or take the blow to save them? If you manage to survive, then I would be impressed."
"Kuso (Damn it)!" Naruto cursed as he fought to move any part of his body, but struggles against the spasms.
"Daddy!"
Hearing that word made Naruto remember his children and their moms, the reasons of his existence. His source of strength.
"Seima no Jutsu: San no Arondaito (Holy Demonic Technique: Three Arondight)."
"If you don't like your destiny, don't accept it. Instead, have the courage to change it the way you want it to be!" Naruto recalled his words from long ago. The moment he decided to transform to save himself and the civilians behind him, something happened that not only shocked Naruto and Otakemaru, but the entire world that is watching their battle.
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(At the Same Moment)
Imperial Palace
Takamagahara
The siblings, Amaterasu and Susanoo, remained in the armory when they sensed the energy surge once more. It was stronger than the previous surge earlier.
They watched a bright orangish-red comet soar from the palace and into the divine bridge that connected their realm to Earth.
"Was that—"
"Yes."
"Could it be—"
"Yes."
"But for whom?"
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Tokyo Bay
Kanto, Honshu, Japan
The emergence of a slash in the space put both Naruto and Otakemaru on edge, especially the former when an orangish-red object hit his body. The infamous yokai tensed upon being hit by the object's energy. Divine and immensely powerful. And it chose to aid his enemy.
"FALL!" Otakemaru rushed at Naruto and brought down his three swords to slice him, sending three monstrously huge slashes that carved the harbor dry land.
The three slashes from the Sanmyoren sped towards Patronus suddenly vanished by an opposing horizontal slash. It was followed by, "Futon: Rasengan (Wind Release: Spiralling Sphere)!" Naruto shouted out after throwing his attack that hit Otakemaru's stomach. He can throw the wind variant now, which he just realized after regaining his motor functions.
The yokai dug his clawed feet into the ground and leaped into the air, floating with his power alone. He gritted his teeth before shock splattered on his face once seeing the weapon in the god's right hand. "No…"
Said weapon was an ancient double-edged sword with a somewhat slender blade akin to the katana and a two-handed hilt. The blade itself uniquely seemed fused with the guard. Said blade and hilt were colored vivid shade of scarlet with slight orange tinge on the edges. A wispy white aura emanated from the blade akin to flames, hinting its great power.
As much as Otakemaru was shocked, none of that would matter to Patronus himself. So much so the ninja forgot to transform. He has never seen the sword before, whether it in images or real life, but somehow its identity is known to him. Heck, almost the whole world knows about this weapon and its famous story.
"Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven)."
Despite the fact that tsurugi means double-edged sword, most depictions of the legendary sword in manga and anime have it as a katana. Admittedly, the katana is a cool-looking and powerful weapon, but this weapon is even more impressive now Naruto is seeing it, especially the weapon is what the classification it belongs.
"It's like the sun." Naruto observed, seeing the glow it emitted as a miniature sun in his grip. "But it feels cold to the touch."
"I do not know how that weapon chose you," Otakemaru sneered at seeing the legendary weapon. "But you will fall to my blades."
Naruto turned around and glanced between the rubble and the sword in his hand before swiping it. As he faced Otakemaru once more while creating clones, the debris and rubble were already cut down into nothingness. "Boys, take the civilians to the nearest hospital, but check their conditions first."
"Hai!"
Otakemaru and Patronus stared at each other while the clones did their task via disappearing in quadrupedal yellow flashes.
"San no Arondaito (Three Arondight)!"
Naruto stared at the incoming slashes before looking at the weapon in his hand. He felt something entering his body from the sword akin to natural energy, but it was not the aforementioned source. It was different like Kuroka's Yojutsu, but her other magical abilities. Is it the sword's magical energy? Is the regalia telling him to use it?
And yet again he knows the name of its first spell.
"Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Grass-Cutting Sword)," Patronus said as he swiped Ame-no-Murakumo horizontally just when the slashes got near. And like last time, they suddenly disappeared without a trace. It was this attack that saved him and the civilians moments ago. "Nice."
Otakemaru growled in response, his Sanmyoren glowing with power. "No matter. My power eclipses yours and yet you still refuse to use your full strength?"
"… I think it's unnecessary," Naruto said after moments of pondering. "I admit I was panicking, but I got my bearings back." He thought back about restraining his new form for only powerful opponents. Although the ninja is faring well despite being overwhelmed, the fight is going to drag on and most likely cause civilian casualties. "And this must end now."
Eyes widening, Otakemaru stared at Patronus when a cyan-blue aura burst from the latter's body and instantly pushed back his demonic ki. Patronus's godly aura intensified than before and for the first time, Otakemaru smirked in anticipation. "Finally…"
"Hopushin Modo (God of Hope Mode)." Naruto said aloud, his aura synchronizing with Ame-no-Murakumo's source. "Now, our battle ends."
"And one shall fall."
Just as Otakemaru said that, Patronus was already beside him with his blade about to take his head off. His Sanmyoren all blocked Ame-no-Murakumo, causing their opposing energies to violently explode as both wielders were blown away. Patronus did not stop as he pursued the staggered Otakemaru and parried two of the Sanmyoren that tried to stop him aside.
Swiping Kenmyoren vertically and diagonally, Otakemaru unleashed more lightning slashes at Patronus, but they passed through him. "An afterimage?" The daiyokai's eyes widened upon feeling excruciating pain on his back as Daitoren and Shotoren swiped simultaneously, only to hit nothing. "He's faster than I can see?!"
If that was not enough, there were multiple clones of Patronus everywhere in the harbor.
"No matter how clones you create, it will not be enough!"
Now Otakemaru sounded somewhat upset, a change from his calm persona. That is good, now Naruto must press forward. His strike-and-dash method were parried by Otakemaru's three swords and Naruto increased his speed, using his Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique) to throw him off.
The floating Daitoren and Shotoren fended the god off, but as seconds passed by, Patronus started to overwhelmed them. Otakemaru noticed this and more sword duplicates materialized above them before they shot indiscriminately, trying to stab the hero-god. Naruto's speed was too much for the swords to catch him until he suddenly disappeared from his sight.
"Down here!"
Otakemaru dreaded his new form as it blinded him from Patronus appearing underneath and kicking him away. Naruto flew after the airborne and pressed on his assault, swiping the legendary sword of Japanese mythology. Recovering high in the air, Otakemaru parried and blocked each of the strikes, but he was pushed back higher in the sky.
"Enough!" Otakemaru swiped his Sanmyoren and sent three slashes of fire, lightning and water.
"Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Grass-Cutting Sword)!" Naruto swiped the tsurugi and wiped out the slashes from existence. He channeled wind chakra through the sword, covering the blade in a cyan-blue aura. "He's panicked now." Despite all three of the Sanmyoren attacking him, Naruto still pressed his offensive as he used the defensive Soresu to parry the attacks.
Otakemaru sneered as Patronus penetrated his defense when he slashed him at his chest and lower back. And his swords could not reach the god due to his superior speed. There was a pattern though as his Shotoren and Daitoren blocked a strike from the left flank, slightly surprising Naruto. The daiyokai swung his Kenmyoren, but Patronus ducked underneath before spinning around to land a stronger blow added by the momentum.
The strike pushed Otakemaru away while Ame-no-Murakumo's blade was shrouded with chakra channeled by Patronus. With an audible grunt, Naruto swung his sword and unleashed a big wave just Otakemaru countered it via three slashes from his swords. The clash of energy exploded after impact, forcing the two beings away from each other for moments before they dashed towards each other.
Amidst the clanging of metals from their swords did one of them think about their situation.
"Why?" Otakemaru asked internally. "Every blow we trade, I feel irritated by your existence. Especially your eyes." In the briefest of moments, he saw the silver eyes that pierced the hood's darkness. "Your eyes are telling me that you are placing yourself in my shoes."
As if he read his mind, Patronus sent the slightest of nods.
"Despite all that we suffered by human hands including you, a god, you would still defend them?"
His strikes became faster, but Patronus's defense remained strong despite the increased pace.
"This kind of mindset… is one that opposes ours!"
And it must be struck down for his yokai utopia.
"God of Hope!" Otakemaru shouted in rage for the first time, losing his composure while charging the Sanmyoren.
Naruto watched as Otakemaru's swords fired three broad beams of lightning, water, and fire at him. He raised Ame-no-Murakumo with its tip facing the incoming attacks. Instead of disappearing, the elemental attacks were absorbed into the sword until the blade glowed intermittingly between red, blue, and yellow.
The activation of a second spell.
"Tsumugari no Tachi (All-Eyes Reaper Longsword)!" Naruto swung his sword horizontally, unleashing a multicolored slash back.
And it was faster than the three slashes, engulfing the daiyokai before he could react.
The hero-god looked at his new and possibly temporary weapon as he just used two of its techniques. Not only they are alternative names for the legendary sword, they are defensive and offensive. From what the sword is telling him, Kusanagi no Tsurugi 'erases' any magical phenomenon or energy-related attacks while Tsumugari no Tachi absorbs and compresses any attacks into the blade before unleashing back at the enemy with the power and speed increased tenfold.
Oh yeah, the sword is speaking to him.
"Well, that's new." Naruto thought since Kogitsunemaru hasn't done that with him. "It's not speaking to me normally, but I get the gist of it."
He was brought of his thoughts when the smoke covering Otakemaru were blown away and the daiyokai charged at him, having already entered his radius. Like before, Naruto blocked and parried each of the Sanmyoren with Soresu while giving ground to the frustrated Otakemaru.
"I do not understand you, God of Hope!" Otakemaru was littered with scratch marks and cuts from the last attack. "The humans are weak, relying on deceit and betrayal to stand on top of the world. They bring ruin to the Earth, yokai, and even the gods themselves with their actions!"
Naruto said nothing as he continued parrying and dodging in his Soresu mindset.
"Do you believe they are capable of change?!"
Through Otakemaru's frantic monologue was a moment of vulnerability in his attacks and Patronus took it. His Ame-no-Murakumo cut into the daiyokai's chest, setting it alight as Otakemaru fell backwards to the recently-awash harbor while Patronus followed after him.
Recovering his bearings, Otakemaru landed on the water as the momentum rippled its surface. Patronus stopped himself from touching the water and floated for his sword to clash with Otakemaru's Kenmyoren. Despite the lack of footing in the air, Naruto remained strong against the bigger Otakemaru.
The daiyokai knows that the god in front of him is dangerous. Not for his power, but his belief and dream of peace between humans and yokai. That is why he shot down his Daitoren and Shotoren after placing them in strategic positions to anticipate Patronus's movements.
Suddenly, Patronus broke the sword clash and tossed Ame-no-Murakumo javelin-style at Otakemaru who parried it to the sky. He dodged Daitoren before grabbing it and Hirashining behind Otakemaru, stabbing him in the tail. Amidst the pained yell, Otakemaru's Shotoren darted at Patronus to take his head off, but the god spun around and kicked the weapon toward the daiyokai's waist, impaling him as well.
"INSECT!" Otakemaru howled in anger while blood leaked from his wounds.
In the air, Patronus grabbed Ame-no-Murakumo and somersaulted forward for added momentum as he swiped at Otakemaru who blocked it with Kenmyoren. Otakemaru shoved him back and Patronus dashed again, pushing the daiyokai back with his strikes. After a very brief clash, Patronus redirected their swords, causing Otakemaru to lose his footing before the god stabbed him in the chest.
With a mighty lift, Naruto's Ame-no-Murakumo went upwards, cleaving Otakemaru in half. Just as the body's halves split apart and dissipated into wispy particles, a bright light engulfed the hero-god. As quick as it appeared, the light disappeared and left behind Patronus who stood on the water surface.
He listened to Otakemaru's final words.
"Had you been alive… as we were… would everything be different? Or if you had existed before us… would the world today already be… a better place?"
It was ten minutes after the battle that Naruto left to help the citizens in the harbor. He said nothing to the authorities, only focusing on the deeds needed to help secure structures and injured people. Once that was done, the God of Hope left the city of Tokyo. Though he said nothing, his actions and Otakemaru's words forever changed not only the island nation, but the globe.
END OF CHAPTER
Well, there you have it. A super ten-chapter update more than a year. With everything that happened in the ass-kicker of 2020 with COVID and other unfortunate disasters, my writing came to a stop. It was only in November that I started to write, leading up to Winter Break.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapters as we will start more with the Infinity Saga after this chapter as mentioned in the near end of this chapter. As for Naruto's usage for taijutsu and less usage of ninjutsu, now that he is a god, Naruto must restrain himself in cities as his ninjutsu is dangerous. Taijutsu is more preferable for him as he tends to end conflict before it gets out of hand in case there are readers who may be frustrated with the way I wrote him as of late.
Also, Naruto has a new weapon, which happens to be one of the Imperial Regalia: Ame-no-Murakumo-no Tsurugi. To be honest, I was thinking of having the sword as a katana, but I looked up tsurugi and I was surprised to see it as Japan's own double-edge swords akin to the Chinese jian. There is a photo on Wikipedia about the weapon. Anyway, I searched the Internet for accurate depictions of the sword in manga, anime, or games; there were a couple, but I found it in the series, Magika no Kenshin and the DxD fandom wiki where it had a clear description.
There is a clean image of the sword's appearance in the main character's (Hayashizaki Kazuki) gallery and it is the sword in his right hand. Also, the attacks/spells shown from here on relating to the sword is also from the Magika series. The former wikia has images of the blade. Anyway, there will be a new material introduced that relates to the Amatsu-Kami and Japanese mythology.
As for the Three Great Yokai, I used Nioh 2's Shuten Douji and Otakemaru (both forms) while Tamamo no Mae's human host is Kanaka Kanae from Tsugumi no Momo (something like that) and her true form is Hakumen no Mono from Ushio and Tora series.
As for movies, WW 1984 was a disaster from what I heard and seen on Youtube. Godzilla vs Kong will release in March 26, having been changed from May release. Black Widow is also in May. More Marvel films are scheduled to be released this year like the third Spider-Man along with TV series from Disney Plus such as the Book of Boba Fett, Loki, Falcon and Winter Soldier, and hopefully Mandalorian Season Three (Season Two was a blast, especially the finale which my family and I were especially excited about and caught off-guard).
Regarding games, Hogwarts Legacy is delayed to next year in 2022. The Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was revealed last year and will continue in the Arkhamverse series. God of War 2018's sequel was teased to be released this year, but it may get delayed due to COVID (which I hope it does not) and there may be a trailer coming soon. LucasGames was announced and Ubisoft revealed plans to make an open-world Star Wars, which I am excited about. If there are more games to be released that I missed, please let me know.
2021 is, hopefully, a better year, but we may never know what lies ahead. I hope everyone, your friends and families are staying safe and healthy wherever you are at.
