"May we talk, Shikamaru Nara?"
The sound of an old man's voice startled me from my musings, since I was in the middle of eating ramen with Naruko at home, that I made of course.
I blinked as I found myself staring at an older man with a beard and two Rinnegan staring at me, a slight smile on his lips.
"Or perhaps I should refer to you by your more spiritual self, Meraki?" Hagoromo Otsutsuki spoke once more with amusement.
"Meraki is fine. So, what brings the famous, or infamous in some matters, Sage of Six Paths to little old me?" I asked dryly.
The old man snorted. "You did. The gathering of Asura and Indra's chakra into your... rather unique skillset caused a bleed effect. You would have gained my eyes at the end of your life, but you skipped the process by obtaining and disseminating my eyes throughout you and yours."
I nodded. "So, are you asking to join my little gang?" I asked carefully.
To my surprise, the old man leaned his head back and laughed for several moments.
"I'm sorry, it's just been so long since I've met anyone who actually offered me anything. Most of the time, the people I connected in this manner tend to ask for power or to have me return to the living to guide others to peace." The old man finally said, wiping tears from his face, a grin on his face.
"In a way, I am here to shorten your stay in my universe. I am willing to disperse your contracts to all the rest of my children in exchange for taking my mother away from this universe." The old man clarified.
I snorted. "I was already going to do that. Your mom needs some serious therapy and some time away might do her some good."
Hagoromo nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Then, I will offer a deal on top of it. I will willingly enter into your services so long as you don't try to rule over the world as a God-King." The old man said seriously.
I paused for a moment. "Does not openly ruling as a God-King count? Cause I don't like the paperwork and I'm not sticking around longer than three to five ish years here. Might leave a permanent Clone here, but that's about it." I offered as an olive branch.
Hagoromo nodded. "I only know of the contracts because of Kurama and Isobu, so give me an edited contract with my terms and consider it done."
Chakra molded into paper, and ink appeared on the paper as I passed it to him.
The old man read the contract, nodded in satisfaction at seeing his condition right there in print, and casually used his Rinnegan to create a writing utensil to sign his name.
[Hagoromo Otsutsuki. The Sage of Six Paths. Signed and Sealed Capture. 140.
Shukaku. The Ichibi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 60.
Matatabi. The Nibi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 60.
Son Goku. The Yonbi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 60.
Kokuo. The Gobi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 60.
Saiken. The Rokubi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 60.
Chomei. The Nanabi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 60.
Gyuki. The Hachibi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 60.
Fuu. Jinchuriki of the Nanabi. Signed and Sealed Capture. 30.
715 Credits Remaining.]
"Was this another test?" I asked dryly.
Hagoromo laughed. "Of a sorts. My children have been abused by mankind for too long, so they are a distrustful sort at the best of times. Getting a contract from me is far easier for them to accept than from a human, even if its a human that intends to see them free to be left alone by the world."
I shrugged. "Well, yeah. I'm not one to try and use them for power. Too much work, and it's such a drag. The shinobi will be obsolete in a couple generations anyway."
Hagoromo nodded, his Rinnegan eyes glinting with amusement. "Yes, and it's certainly not to protect my children's descendants from being mistreated and used by the cold ignorant world around them?" The old man's amusement was palpable.
"No, not at all. That's just a happy coincidence." I said cheerfully.
"Hmph. You'll find that each Rinnegan naturally awakened obtains an ability unique to each user. For yours, the ability is oddly fitting."
Ikigai. The ability to infuse my chakra into reality and mold it into whatever I desired or needed. Basically, a version of Creation of All Things, except my version were also extensions of myself that I could alter or recall to myself to return to energy as needed.
"Ikigai. That which gives your life worth or meaning. I suppose you truly reached enlightenment, Meraki, given that the Rinnegan's unique ability shows your true self." Hagoromo mused.
I nodded. "Thank you, Hagoromo. Now if there isn't any other reality altering discussions, I'd like to get back to my ramen."
Hagoromo nodded in return, smiling gently. "I've made a lot of mistakes in my very long life, Meraki. I'm glad to say that meeting you was not one of them."
I blinked and I was again back at home, eating ramen as Naruko looked at me eagerly for another bowl.
"Wait until everyone has eaten their first bowl, Naruko." I said dryly, and dad laughed as Naruko pouted at me for making her wait.
Now all that's left is the Gedo Statue. Right before I use Body Tune-Up, I'll feed the Black Zetsu to Wendy, and then that'll be that, aside from whatever else I want to do in this universe. I know Naruto had a lot of movies and filler, but I don't remember any of them. Definitely sticking around until the Chunin Exams, if only cause I can at least smack down the Raikage and Orochimaru.
To think it's only been a couple months. Time flies when having fun, or at the very least amassing a shit load of credits.
I relented as I grabbed Naruko's bowl to grab her more, hiding a smile as she cheered me on for changing my mind. Mom shook her head at me.
"What are you going to do if you have a daughter, Shikamaru?" She teased. Naruko's face turned red as she paused in her cheering.
"Spoil her rotten and leave the reprimanding bit to Naruko." I commented dryly as I handed Naruko her second bowl.
Naruko's face drained of blood at the idea of having to deal with a younger version of herself.
Dad snorted, hiding his laughter behind a cough as he wheezed.
Mom nodded slowly. "Yes, that seems fair. As long as you back her up on her punishments like a good husband." She glared pointedly at dad, who continued to wheeze as Naruko looked at me with the most helpless expression on her face.
I shrugged. "Hey, I can't help you. My daughter would have me wrapped around her finger from day one, no genjutsu needed."
Naruko turned to mom, who snorted.
"Grandparent privileges, sweetie. We're spoiling our grandchildren rotten."
Naruko moaned in defeat as she went back to eating her ramen. Then sighed as she looked up, her eyes bright with determination.
"I'll be the best mom ever. Beli-." I cut her off with a swift kiss, her face flushing as I stopped her from talking before pulling away.
"No. The words "believe it" and "dattebayo" are banned from your mouth." I said flatly.
Naruko's face turned red as she went back to eating her ramen silently, mumbling about how she totally wasn't going to say that.
Dad stared at me, stared at Naruko, and then looked at mom.
"Next time you start yelling at me about a chore I haven't done, I'm kissing you senseless." He swore.
Mom growled, her eyes narrowed as she bit her lip for a moment.
"Words are cheap, darling. Prove it." She purred.
"Get a room." I said dryly.
To my surprise, dad didn't even blink as he seemed to pick mom up onto his shoulders and walked away from the table, mom's giggles the whole way through making me sigh as I turned to Naruko, whose face was red as she continued to eat her ramen, refusing to look me in the eye.
"Not until Chunin. I promised gramps. Not until Chunin." Naruko muttered repeatedly, her face dark red as she continued to refuse to look at me.