The all seeing one
He was here again.
The only place where he could actually see once more.
He appeared at the gates of giant, white castle build by his mere thought.
He took inspiration from a book his father once gave him. There was described a giant castle, it's tallest towers almost reaching the sky. The castle that included three concentric tiers of white stone walls, which increased in height and thickness as one travels upwards.
The inner rings of a castle were a beautiful complex of towers, courtyards, colonnades and statuary, and greenery was just as prominent inside the walls as in the fields outside. The ivies, grapevines and climbing roses could be seen snaking around the buildings, and gardens and arbors were filled with flowers. Water features were also common inside the walls, with pools, fountains and even man-made waterfalls visible throughout the complex.
It was named 'Highgarden' in the book. He decided to leave that name.
Entering the Grand Hall, he sighed knowing what was to come.
The things he saw here…
The knowledge he had…
Should anyone be aware of it, the hunt for him and his line will be hundreds times fiercer.
Nobody could know, and the ones who did… let's say they were granted with peace of eternal sleep by his ancestors.
Walking through endless corridors with uncountable doors on each side, he stumbled upon a familiar one.
He opened it, and invited himself in. Well-known scene was playing before him.
Field of countless flowers stretching as far as eye can see. Each of them special – be it it's different kind, or unique color or size – growing, bringing beauty to the place. And butterflies – oh so many butterflies – flying around the garden, making already beautiful place even more gorgeous. Just as flowers, butterflies were different from each other. Some of them may resemble, but none of them were completely similar.
At the center of garden was blooming giant Sakura tree. Thousands of cherry blossoms blooming simultaneously, basking dozens of flowers in its shadow. Not ever changing from its eternal state of blooming. And the little purple Butterfly, always being near, never leaving Sakura's side.
Slowly scene started to change.
Innumerable amount of ugly rats – rats of all types, some of them had wings, some with extra legs, eyes, but similarity they all shared was their maw, each of them had giant maw with sharp fangs, always hungry, always devouring something – started to raid the garden, some inhabitants fought back, but slowly the number of flowers and butterflies receded.
Eventually only dwellers left in the garden were Sakura tree, purple Butterfly and newly growing pink flower. From time to time other flowers bloomed, but how quickly they appeared, so quickly they left.
Scene changed once more when the rat with golden wings and eyes of rainbow came.
Sakura tree fought back, swinging its branches full of sharp pink blossoms. But for no veil. All it took for rat to flutter with its wings of gold for eternal cold freeze a tree.
A beautiful Sakura tree died from the touch of cold, leaving little butterfly without it's constant and lovely companion. Tree's last wish being for Butterfly to leave the place they both inhabited, and find a new, safe garden where butterfly could fully open her wings.
Little Butterfly ignored Sakura's wish, instead growing to hate all the vermins and promised revenge on rat with rainbow eyes.
In the end butterfly died by the wings of gold, being fully eaten by it afterwards. Little did the rat know that by the time of Sakura's decease, petite butterfly grew to be the most poisonous one. Being poisoned and weakened rat was shortly after killed by the pink flower and a boar.
It was not the first time he watched the performance before him being played. After all, he was the one who orchestrated it so rainbow-eyed rat would die.
He truly felt sorry for what happened and what was about to happen in near future. But it was the best outcome. Every other time he changed it, tried to bring others pieces to assist in garden, rainbow-eyed rat killed brought pieces or escaped, bringing chaos in other scenes.
One time he brought the piece of pinwheel to defend Sakura tree thinking the outcome would be better, that together they could defeat rat with golden wings. But no, rat killed both of them.
Other time he brought the pieces of pinwheel and colossal stone, this time sure that rat would be killed. Instead it escaped with mocking laugh.
In other scenario he hid Sakura tree, causing for confrontation to never happen. But in the grand scheme of things this scenario didn't work out. In this case Butterfly lacked hatred to become poisonous, resulting rat's survival.
He knew that actions or lack of it may seem like he was playing a god. Deciding for who to live, for who to die.
But if it brought end to great evil, he was ready to accept any punishment for his doings.
"Hardest choices require for the strongest will." His father had said when he first introduced him to this place. "And we, my son, must be strong."
Somewhat he was glad that he will not have repeat this words to his son. He will be long dead before his son will have access to this place.
He closed the door, deciding to check other scenes as well.
Passing through countless doors, he let his thought to drift.
He was close. So close. Painfully so. He was so close to achieve goal he and his many ancestors thrived for. Even though he will not be alive by the time.
"Just a year." He mused.
Everyone had role to play in his master plan. Some of them had more tragic role than other's – him included – but the ultimate point was worth it.
In a year he and rat king will die. Both on a same day.
He was ready to open the door leading little mist's life, his hand already gripping the handle when the most unexpected thing happened.
The hawk flied in from outside clawing his hands with its digits. From shear surprise and pain, he stumbled and fell.
He was confused, no one disturbed him here.
But when he looked in bird's judging eyes he screamed.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" He screamed, waking up. His blind eyes fanatically looking left and right, in desperate need of proof that those eyes were not close to him.
His whole body was trembling by the time others stormed in to the room.
"Husband!"
"Father!"
"Oyakata-sama!"
Sasuke
"Thank you, for freeing Hakuji."
The faint voice whispered as wind blew, taking away the ashes of a fallen demon.
For a moment he considered chances of him having mental illness, but quickly dismissed it. With way of things were going for him the last two months, that was just another addition of oddity to him.
He sighed, shoulders slightly slumping and stood up. Sheathing Kusanagi, Sasuke let his Sharingan to fade.
The demon he just fought – even though it hardly could be called a proper fight – was strong exceptionally stronger and faster than the ones he fought before, maybe High-Jonin level in terms of power.
But Sasuke was the individual who challenged a goddess, and emerged victorious.
Someone of that level couldn't even dream of scratching him.
Also he was plainly aware of the attention he was getting.
Injured passengers of the crushed train were openly gaping at him, while Slayers in masks – which reminded him of Kakashi – who had been tending the formers, were sending curious side glances, trying not to blatantly stare as the passengers.
Two weirdos in weird haoris – Kyojuro and Shinobu if his memory was not failing him – were approaching him. One of them in obvious need of medic, other – shorter one – was enthusiastically waving at him.
Sasuke ignored them, barring no one.
Wiping the blood tears under his left eye, Sasuke started to walk to his next target.
The girl was sleeping and if he utilized situation right, maybe he could give her painless death? Most likely, no. As he gathered from experience with already numerous demons – they perished only from the sun or specially forged blades Demon Slayers had – and Sasuke being unable control the earth's rotation cycle or not possessing Nichirin sword was annoyed at first. Very much so.
With sore expression he could still recall his first confrontation with a demon.
It was his second day in this different world – Sasuke was very much aware that he was in other world – him still being a little confused from the fall and new environment, was stroking through the forest. In the middle of night.
When Demon attacked he made a quick work of it. Then it regenerated. Sasuke stabbed his heart with Chidori – regenerated, cut him in two – regenerated, blew up with Explosive tags – regenerated, burned him with Fireball to crisps – regenerated, smashed to bloody pulp on a ground using Susasnoo's arm – regenerated.
It certainly took time for demon to fully heal, giving Sasuke enough time to just leave if he decided so. And if he – with all power he had – couldn't defeat this varmint, what were the chances that others could? He will not let for such creature to continue roam free, wrecking general folk's life.
With set mindset Sasuke was ready to start preparations to utilize Kirin, when he remembered it.
Directing pinch of chakra to his eyes, Mangekyo flared to life.
Holy flames of Ameterasu quickly burned the demon, barely leaving its ashes.
Since then, black flames were the most effective and only way exterminating the demons for him.
Shaking his head of unnecessary memories, Sasuke strolled once more. Demon girl will clearly undergo great pain burning in black flames, but he had no other options. Or he could always snatch Demon Slayers sword…
No, this will get me in trouble.
It wasn't the first time he thought about it, and each time prospect occurred the temptation was getting harder to resist.
But a quick reminder – that he will definitely be hunted(will he be hunted if he took one blade?) by organization containing hundreds of people.
By previous experience being rogue-nin, Sasuke knew better than to try.
Always staying away from populated areas or being there no more than couple of days, maintaining Transformation technique on a daily basis, wearing cloak incessantly.
It was quite annoying.
And all the mentioned things he had to do after he was officially pardoned, during his redemption road, not being rogue at a time.
So many wanted revenge. Not wanting and allowed to kill them, Sasuke had to hide no matter when and where.
This new world was exception, he had no need to do hide himself from someone. Sasuke wanted for things stay that way.
There was time when he wore Akatsuki cloak, and proudly welcomed the fame it brought. As well as challengers it came with, fighting each one to measure himself, proving every time he was superior.
Times when Sasuke was everybody's tool.
Once more dismissing his actions of the past, Sasuke focused on task ahead.
Demon girl was drooling near crushed train, he will have to pass these two who called themselves Hashira in order to reach demon girl.
Petite girl in butterfly haori perked up, seemingly thinking that he was walking towards them.
Sasuke had no idea what Hashira meant, probably some ranking or dumb nicknames they come up with, and to be honest he didn't care. Any rank meant a little to him, he – himself being still Genin – was living proof that ranking system didn't always function properly.
It was totally not because Sasuke felt bitter being senior only to Academy students in rank.
As he was getting close to the pair, the girl blurred. His single hand was already in her firm grasp before others could react.
"You did great job, Uchiha-san!" Shrimp shouted, deafening him to a certain degree, and tightened her grip on his hand almost painfully. "It would've been better, had you stopped ignoring us." Smiling she said.
He had no intention conversing with them in a middle of a battle in case she was referring to that.
"Hn." Was all he said, trying to remove his hand, already regretting his decision to let her hold it.
"Hn?" She tilted her head, locking his hand completely. "Uchiha-san, if you will not be more specif-"
Sasuke used simple Kawarimi replacing himself with nearest log and continued with his steps. Walking past injured blond, he heard squeak of surprise behind.
Sasuke smirked.
"Mismatch Eye!" He heard harsh voice shout at him.
Guy wearing pig head came running. He took his position in front of him, placing his hands on a hips Pig Head straightened. All the while Sasuke stopped and waited him to explain himself.
"Hashibira Inosuke, future Beast Hashira." Pig Head introduced. "Already would have been, had you not taken Kakaza guy me and my minions were fighting." He fumed and he pointed his finger at him. "You stole my chance for promotion!"
Another weirdo on tow.
While Pig Head was halfway on his speech Sasuke was already walking past, completely ignoring him. Apparently Pig Head didn't like that, as his next action was to charge at him with roaring battle cry.
Sasuke didn't spend much time on him. He sidestepped, taking three shurikens he sent them flying with great force. Two of them pinning Pig Head by either side of his trousers to the ground, and the last one aimed at his Pig mask knocking it down, pinning it as well.
As he predicted he(?) was glaring at him.
Sasuke sighed once more. He was getting annoyed.
I am wasting too much time fooling around.
With quick shunshin, he flickered near the demon-girl blade already out of sheath. Directing chakra to left eye he ignited his chokuto with Amaterasu.
Demon-girl had no idea what was coming to her. Sasuke swung his flaming sword to do the final deed.
Flaming Kusanagi was already halfway and would've connected with the girl neck if not for the sudden arrival who deflected his chokuto with yellow katana.
Zenitsu
Zenitsu was terrified.
Completely and utterly terrified.
Every cell in his body was screaming at him to flee, to get as far as he could from the man in front of him.
He had seen a him fight, seen how easily Uchiha-san defeated Upper Rank Demon.
Only because he was so close to Nezuko-chan he was able to deflect Uchiha-san's swing.
Some part of him was curious about blue thunder Uchiha-san displayed, but it was easily overwhelmed with genuine fear.
Fear from the man who now occupied first place in his personal list of 'The Most Scariest Things'. Right above Lady Shinobu.
All about Uchiha-san was scary, starting from his eyes. Uchiha-san's cold red eye was nothing like Tanjiro's warm and kind. And the purple one – different type of purple than Lady Shinobu's – was making him more demon like than human. Besides normal eyes didn't glow in dark.
Zenitsu was half-tempting to proclaim him a demon because of his eyes alone if not for his keen ears telling him otherwise. Finishing with his clothes that were basically declaring him haunted ghost from the past.
Zenitsu had no idea what he was doing, just that he knew he couldn't allow for this horrifying black flames touch Nezuko-chan. With that resolve he tightened his hold on his flaming katana.
…
…
?!
"OH MY GOD! MY SWORD IS BURNING!" Zenitsu all but shouted for whole world to hear. But when he noticed that Uchiha-san was bypassing him, he quickly put himself in front of still sleeping Nezuko. "Ba-back off!" He cried out, still holding flaming katana in his hand.
"She is a demon. Out of my way." Was cold reply.
"We-we know. But Nezuko-chan ne-"
"We?" Uchiha-san replied. He looked around at others – who were all advancing towards them – with horrifying mismatched eyes of his. "And you call yourself a Demon Slayers? Defending a demon…"
"Nezuko is also part of the Corps!" Tanjiro shouted in a distance. He was clutching his wound, barely running to reach them. "She never devoured a human!"
"Tsch."
"My sister is different, she never harmed a human!" Tanjiro said now standing beside Zenitsu "As older brother I can't let you kill her!"
Zenitsu heard Uchiha-san's heart skip a beat at Tanjiro's last words.
Uchiha-san stood silently for what seemed like hours staring at Tanjiro, then sighed. He strolled towards them, his red eye morphing – oh god, it was even more terrifying now – to shape a star, with each step making Zenitsu tenser. When he was just couple of foots from them he stopped and glared at Tanjiro.
"She is your responsibility, should your sister harm someone, I will come after you."
"Of course, sir." Tanjiro said without any hesitation in his voice.
In a blink Uchiha-san sheathed his sword, and started walking away. Zenitsu released the breath he didn't he was holding, beside him Tanjiro doing the same.
"My sword! It's still burning!" He shouted, remembering the weapon he was still holding. It was angry red colored now, and some part of it already melted. "Sir, could you remove your flames!?"
Uchiha-san ignored him.
Strangely Uchiha-san's heartbeat started to slow down, and after a moment suddenly he fell to his knees. Instantly Lady Shinobu appeared in front of him, kneeling on her toes so they could be on eye level.
"You know Uchiha-san, I started to worry that you might be immune." Zenitsu heard Lady Shinobu to say as she cupped his face in her hands.
"You…" He barely heard Uchiha-san's whisper. Something purple started to glow around them, for a moment Zenitsu could swear he saw bones appearing. But just as how quickly glow came, as quickly it faded.
In response Lady Shinobu just winked at Uchiha-san.
Demon Lord
He felt nothing when Akaza died.
Just out of curiosity he decided to watch who were strong enough to defeat Upper Rank.
He saw whole battle – if it could be called as such – through Akaza's memories. Both fights were completely one-sided, Akaza could've taken down Flame Hashira right at the beginning. Same could be said for the odd human being who fought Akaza.
He was expecting to see at least three Hashiras barely alive to claim the victory over Upper Moon Three. Not a cripple wanderer.
Initially there was nothing odd, just crippled human on his peak years with body in great physical condition. He had seen and devoured thousands of such in last decade.
Until he saw it.
Black Flames.
Muzan's hands uncontrollably shook, dropping the book he was holding.
Author's note:
So how was it? I know it may seem like I am making Kagaya OP, giving him literal simulation with 100% outcome, but it's not like that.
Some of you may say he is being OOC, but the guy literally sends teenagers to suicide missions, and recruits little kids. And his death pretty shows that oh-so-saint-Oyokata-sama literally killed his wife and two daughters just to postpone Muzan.
And…
OMG! Hundred followers and eighty favorites! And so many reviews! All of this in less than a week. So grateful for you guys!
I was not expecting for this story to blow up.
Judging by your reviews, most of you want for Sasuke in this story to have romantic relationship or relationships. To be honest personally I can't see this Sasuke having harem, maybe mid-Shippuden Sasuke who was half mad, but not this one. And it's totally not because I am not big fan of harems myself.
Some of you questioned will I be adding more character from Naruto-verse. The answer is no, only Sasuke will be here. He may mention them, but they will not appear in this story.
Back to topic of romance. As noted no other Naruto characters will be here meaning no SasuSaku. Sorry to disappoint.
A lot of you mentioned Shinobu, Mitsuri, Tamayo and surprisingly Daki/Ume. But thinking about this now, there's really few females Sasuke could be shipped with. And I haven't decided yet.
I want to thank all of you guys who left reviews with great ideas. Definitely gonna use some of them.
Open for any suggestions and criticism!
Don't forget to review.