A/N: You may consider this two chapters in one. Its that long.
As such, this took a bit longer to prepare a result; hopefully folks enjoy this chapter.
After all, this blasted past three hundred reviews already so here we are, ANOTHER early update!
Feedback really does kick me into high gear; if this chapter gets a good reception as well, then I'll do my best to update early once more. Do let me knoew!
Of course, it helps that I've been watching the latest episodes of JJK and reading the manga. Mahito is a menace and needs to be put down. Really ground my gears.
Alas, in other news depression's starting to hit real hard these days. Seriously. Like a sledgehammer paired with concrete. Sometimes I wonder why I do anything at all. can't claim to understand what's going wrong with my head anymore. I don't even know why I'm feeling this way! One moment I'm fine, then my mood craters for a few hours, then I'm back again for a bit, and the cycle repeats. On and on, round the bend, forever and without end! Its rather annoying; as though I've become a prisoner in my own mind sometimes.
Sure, what's one more mental problem on the pile. Not like I don't have enough, what with already being this old. Feels like every day is a battle sometimes. Meanwhile, my doctor insists that I'm fine. Take a health walk he says. Go fishing. You'll be fine.
But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Now for your questions, comments and concerns:
Q: Doesn't "Naoya" have elder brothers?
A: He does indeed! He's Naobito's youngest son. We never see his older siblings, but its been implied that there are at least three, all of whom are adept swords and cursed tool to some degree. Its brief, and only in a manga panel, but we get the general idea of what they're like. But no names. No faces. Not even when *SPOILER* wiped them all out.
Which gives me complete creative freedom for an upcoming arc.
I've thrown a few names together.
Do tell me what you think:
Naome (Eldest Son)
Natsuo (The Middle Child)
Natoshi (Second Youngest Before Our Boy)
...but when we'll see them is anyone's guess. I'm being coy on that.
Q: More chaos! More fluff! More we say! More!
A: You're really not prepared. And speaking of the pairing, its going to be a small one. Better to keep everyone in character that way. Maki and Mai have clearly already staked their clam, but they're not the only girls to take an interest in our boy...
Q: Does Naruto have any other techniques besides Creation of All Things?
A: He does indeed. You've already seen a few of them. He's keeping his cards close to his chest...until he isn't.
That should do it for now. As ever, I own no quotes, references, quotes, themes or memes! They're simply tributes to legends far greater than I. I'm just an old man who writes as a pastime. I don't make any money doing this, not a single cent.
This is ALL done for free. Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story.
Simple as that. In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
Now comes Gojo. He was so much fun to write~!
"Satoru Gojo and Naoya Zeni'n must not be allowed to meet!"
"Its too late! He's already crossed into Zeni'n territory!"
...so be it. Raise the bounty on Naoya's head."
~?
Limitless
Gojo Satoru enjoyed his dramatic entrances.
And why shouldn't he?
They were fun~!
Life could be so terribly boring when you were the strongest, so by that logic, why not shake it up a little? Excitement was the spice of life after all.
By that definition, Naobito Zeni'n was so terribly boring.
Naoya isn't here, he said, he's busy, he said.
Liar. He knew the old geezer didn't want him to meet Naoya. Neither did the higher ups for that matter. Too bad~! Not like he could stop him anyway. Nobody could touch him if he didn't want them too; and they certainly couldn't grab him. From there it wasn't hard to find his way through and follow the cursed energy.
They say first impressions last a lifetime.
His first impression of Naoya Zeni'n was thus: Different. Not good or bed different, but different. He wasn't prim or proper like the other kids in the clan, he'd even dyed his hair blond -he could still see the black roots, suggesting he deliberately hadn't done it proper- and even more interestingly, he was covered in dirt and blood. The last wasn't his own oddly enough.
Heh.
He liked him already.
But rather than hold his head high and try to look down on him as some might...he ignored him.
He found him sat on the porch, back the setting sun, fussing with a black sphere atop one hand- no, he wasn't holding, it was levitating, so it must be a cursed technique- while the other held out a worn tome of sorts, one he was reading from even now. Two girls with green hair and bright eyes -twins!- sat beside him, one to each side, listening intently.
"And so the brave princess slew the fire-breathing dragon, conquered the castle, and lived happily ever after." Naoya closed the book with a pleased hum and looked to each of them in turn. "The end."
Gojo tilted his glasses up for a moment, not bothering to hide his smile. Look at him, reading to those runts. Awww. He was a softie, a proper people person. Kinda made him wanna poke him, just to see his reaction. He lingered around the corner a moment more, content to listen in and observe their happy little family moment.
"But what about the prince?" one of the girls, the one with longer hair asked. "What happened to him?"
"What indeed?" He closed the book and looked to her. "What do you think happened, Maki?"
The other girl perked up. "I think he married the princess!"
Naoya chortled. "Do you now? And why is that?"
She beamed. "Well, she broke his curse and-
Her twin butted in. "Make another one!"
Maki glared. "Mai! I was talking!"
"But I want another story!
Gojo leaned back, mildly amused as they descended into a squabble again.
Maki and Mai, eh? Yup. Definitely twins. Almost made him wonder what it would've been like to have one of his own. Geto was certainly like the brother he'd never had, sure, but to actually have a flesh and blood sibling of your one, a twin, one who always had your back, someone you could pull off all sorts of silly shit with...
It might've been fun. Maybe in another life. Another story.
"Another story, eh?" Naoya thumbed his chin, considering. "Lets see...would you like to hear the story of the priestess and the land of demons?"
Maki and Mai's squabble died instantly.
"YES!"
"Alright, alright, hold your horses." he set the book aside, closed his eyes, and opened his free hand. "Lets see here...how did it go again? Aha!"
In an instant another book materialized in his hands, this one bearing a deep orange cover emblazoned with gold. Gojo tilted his glasses down to regard it with his Six Eyes. So this was the legendary Creation of All Things that the Zeni'n clan wouldn't stop bragging about. Alright, that was busted. Could he really create whatever he wanted so long as he had cursed energy? That was-
He leaned forward and a floorboard creaked underfoot.
Naoya clicked his tongue in mild admonishment. "Had your fill of eavesdropping?"
Gojo pursed his lips in a pout. He'd sensed him? Aww, and here he'd thought he was stealthy.
"You got me~!" he stepped around the corner, hands raised. "Sorry abut that. Am I interrupting?
The girls -Maki and Mai!- took one look at him, nodded to one another, and all but flung themselves between him and Naoya.
"Naoya's tired! You leave him alone!"
"Yeah! Go away you...meanie!"
Oho? Protective kids.
"Maki. Mai." Naoya chided them ever so gently. "You're being rude to our guest."
The twins looked like they might protest...but eventually subsided with a sullen sigh and let him by.
Gojo ruffled their hair as he passed, drawing a mutinous look from each. What? Not his fault! They were just too cute! He had to tease them a little! It was his nature!
"So you're the Zeni'n clan's ace, huh?" he considered the youngster before him with a keen eye. "I thought you'd be bigger.
It was just a joke, but a spike of color flashed through the faux-blond's eyes. Oh? For a moment his gaze had gone from blue to amber, then green, followed by white and back again. Curious.
"And you are...?"
Satoru thrust a hand at him. "Call me Gojo-senpai~!"
"I refuse." Naoya wrinkled his nose and glared up at him. "Why do I have to call you Senpai?"
Gojo grinned. Ah, but he'd prepared for this! Gojo grinned.
"Last I checked, I was older than you, so...
"Point taken." Naoya clicked his tongue, closed his book with one hand, and waved the sphere away toward the ceiling. "So you're Gojo Satoru." There it was again, that telltale flash of high color cycling through his eyes once more. "I've heard about you.
His shoulders slumped. "Well, take all the wind out of my sails, why don't you? Just kill all the fun. Put it in the oven and bake it, why don't you?"
...is that a reference to something?"
"Eh," he shrugged. "Been watching cartoons lately between missions." he noticed something and frowned. "By the way, you're bleeding a little."
Naoya blinked and looked himself over. "Hmm? Where?"
"Your nose."
"Oh, that. Gimme a sec." He closed his eyes and the wound...did the same.
And just like that, Naoya Zeni'n got a whole lot more interesting for Gojo Satoru.
His eyes lit up. "Reversed cursed technique, eh? How do you do it? The one person I know who can't explain if for the life of her."
Shoko was great, really, she was, but she was pants at explaining that sorta stuff.
"Really?" That got a bemused blink from the younger boy. "You mean you can't dot his? From what I've heard, I thought you could do anything...
Oho, the little shit had a sharp tongue! This might be fun after all.
...its not that hard if you know what you're doing." the boy explained glibly. "Just multiply the cursed energy back against itself. That's the Reversed Curse Technique."
"Easier said than done." Gojo planted both hands in his pockets with a mulish look. "I haven't been able to use it at all. There's a trick to it, right?"
Naoya's smile thinned. "The only "trick" is dedication, determination, and a bit of destruction. You of all people should know this."
Another point to Naoya Zeni'n. No big deal. He'd get him back for that.
Mai bulled in from the side. He can do Domain expansion, too!
Maki glared at her. "That's supposed to be a secret, sis!"
"Ignore them." Naoya clicked his tongue. "I'm not that skilled."
Yes, he was.
Gojo's gaze granted him much these days thanks to the Six Eyes, and while telling the differences between a truth and a lie didn't necessarily come with the territory, he'd become skilled at reading people.
Of course he was! He was Satoru Gojo for crying out loud. He knew things.
And besides, Naoya had responded just a touch too quickly there; the writing was on the wall. So in conclusion, not only was his cursed technique broken to all hell but he know the elusive reversed curse technique, and clearly already had a domain of his own.
This was the ace of the Zeni'n clan.
Almost made him jealous...what a wonderful feeling!
It made him want to compete, to better himself, to outdo him!
When was the last time he'd actually wanted to try? Never! Such a sublime sensation!
"How about a trade?" He held up a finger. I don't need any help with Domain Expansion; I'm already well on my way to figuring that one out on my own, but I've been trying to learn the while reversed shtick for awhile now, to no avail." He couldn't be as bad with explanations as Shoko. There was just no way. "If you help me out, I'd be willing to offer you something you want in return."
Maki and Mai made curious noises. Naoya simply stared. "And what would I receive in this trade?
Gojo opened his mouth to retort...
...and closed it.
Huh. Fair point. What did he have to offer? Riches? Resources? Naoya already had those in spades as the Zeni'n clan heir and prestige aplenty. He didn't lack for power or friends either. What to offer him, then? What did he want, but not have? It was something of a short list, there. So what-of course! That was it!
An idea truck him like a thunderbolt. "I'll be your friend!"
Naoya's deadpan was nothing short of legendary. "No, thank you."
Geh. Tough sell, this one. "You wound me! What if I said I'd be your sponsor, too?"
"Ha?"
"You're looking to get into Jujutsu High, right?" he'd heard the whispers through the grapevine. "I've got some pull with the higher ups." Not as much as he would've liked, but enough to bully them into obedience if he wanted. "How about that? I can guarantee a spot for those adorable little cousins of yours, too~!"
Naoya regarded him for a long moment.
"Not enough, eh?" Gojo leaned back and thumbed his chin, frowning now as he considered him. "Well, what do you want?"
The Zeni'n Ace considered him for a long, ponderous moment. And then: "Training."
Now it was Gojo's turn to blink. "You're plenty strong already, aren't you?"
"Not enough. I have things -people!- I need to protect." he stood at last, and despite the boy's smaller statue, Gojo felt like he was the one being looked down upon. "You'll include Maki and Mai in that, of course. I want nothing but the best for them."
Maki and Mai flushed, looking away.
Gojo felt his opinion of Naoya inch just a little higher.
He grinned. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, my dear kouhai."
"I ain't calling you Senpai. And friends? We just met, like five minutes ago."
Meh. He'd come around like Geto and Shoko had.
"That said, I gotta ask...what's your goal?"
Naoya tilted his head. "Goal?"
"You clearly don't want power for power's sake." Satoru tapped a finger to the side of his skull. "I can tell. Protecting those runts is all well and good, but there must be more that you want from life. So? What do you hope to achieve? Or more bluntly, what do you want?"
(.0.0.0.)
"What do you want?"
Naruto paused, considering the baffling being before him.
Gojo might act the part of the fool, but he knew his "Senpai" was more than meets the eye.
Still, a goal? He hadn't really stopped to think about it. Maki and Mai couldn't be his only purpose in life, no matter how much he might wish otherwise. Naruto knew this, he really did, but it was damn difficult. His hands longed to save anyone and everyone he could, and in his mind they were the in the most immediate need of saving.
So what, then, was his goal? Save them all?
Not possible. Even for him. Some people -villains!- couldn't be saved, didn't want to be saved.
If he put such an onus, a geas upon himself, he would inevitably shatter, sure as glass under a hammer.
'If you're going to be a hero, don't mistake what you want to save.' he stared down at his open palms. 'A hero is someone who doesn't hesitate to stretch out their hands and run was fast as they can toward what they're trying to save. What do you want to save with those hands of yours? If you don't even know what that is, you'll never reach it.'
But what if he screwed up?
What if he made a mistake? What if someone died?
His hands trembled and he clenched them into fists to master the fear.
'I thought you were going to be the hero?' he rebuked himself for his momentary lapse. 'That's why you've come all this way. So don't backpedal. Its like you said, isn't it? if there's someone you want to save, then don't hesitate to grab them with both hands and hold on for all you're worth.
He nodded once, reaffirming his goal. And in that moment, he found his purpose.
"First," he began slowly, "I wanna find the bastard who put the bounty on my head and gut him."
Gojo whistle. "Oh? You too, huh? I got a lotta that when I was younger. Don't worry about them. They can't hurt you."
Naruto shook his head. "But they can hurt Maki and Mai to get at me."
That was the problem with being Strong. Power was all well and good, but in this world, you were only as powerful as your weakest link. Maybe they couldn't kill him, but it only too a moment of inattention for someone to snatch up Maki or Mai, to threaten them, to use them against him. He wasn't perfect. He could be almost everywhere at once if he wished, but not always. He wasn't omniscient, nor omnipresent
Hmm. Fair point.
Make them strong, Toji had said.
Alright. He had ways of ensuring that, of keeping them safe.
Gojo whistled. "Yikes. Anyone ever tell ya you've got a scary smile?"
Was he smiling? Naruto touched a hand to his mouth and found it curled in a death's head grin. "...I've been told that, yes."
"Good, good. So it isn't just me."
So how to change things? In what way could be
"I'll learn to lead the Zeni'n."
"Bold words." Gojo tilted down his glasses. "Your older brothers might take issue with that."
Those weaklings? They barely had a third of his cursed energy.
He was the heir for a reason. And if they tried anything...
...then I'll kill them."
Maki and Mai balked a little.
Gojo stared at him. He stared hard. And then:
"Ha!" A sharp, high peal of laughter burst out of him as he doubled over and clutched at his sides, cackling with delight. "You really would, wouldn't you? You're a cut above the rest!" a finger flitted out, wiping a mirthful tear from the corner of his eyes. "Alright, I'll bite. What comes next?
He'd given some thought to that.
"From there, I wanna save whomever is deserving of it," he declared. "And change the Jujutsu world."
"That's a pretty hefty ambition you got there." he'd gained Satoru's attention now, and he aimed to keep it. "How do you intend to change things? Those old fogies in charge won't take kindly to you rocking the boat.
"By force, if necessary."
Gojo's grin practically split his face. "So you hate the higher ups, too?"
"Buncha mean old bastards who don't want things to change. Backwards and stagnant.
"Bingo!" Satoru's smile was sharp. "I'm so glad we're on the same page. Okay!" he clapped his hands, no, punched a fist into his palm and ground it there, grinning with devilish delight. "Leave it me! Your beloved senpai," and here he ignored Naruto's angry squawk, will support that ambition of yours. You'll reform the Zeni'n clan and I'll deal with the Gojo clan. That puts us two-to-one against the Kamo. Those bastards won't know what hit 'em."
"Now whose the one with lofty ambitions?"
"Don't worry," Gojo tilted his glasses down to wink at him. "I'm the strongest.
Naruto puffed up his chest and stood a little straighter, if only for pride's sake. "That's my line."
Something gleamed behind those bright blue eyes. "Is that so?" his gaze strayed to Maki and Mai. "Care to give the kids a show, then?"
(.0.0.0.)
In hindsight, he should've known it wouldn't be such a simple affair.
Even so, Gojo practically skipped ahead of Naoya into the yard, such was his excitement. How could he not be?! After all the words they'd bandied around, he was raring to go, and in all honesty, curious. Who cared if they drew more than a few unwanted eyes? Who cared if everyone was watching them? Who cared if old man Naobito grumbled and groused on the sidelines?
Not him!
He was the Strongest.
Let the Zeni'n clan watch. Let them tremble. This was gonna be great!
"So?" he pivoted, facing the faux blond at a respectable distance of three feet. "How do you wanna do this?"
Naoya cracked his neck. "First blood sounds about right."
"That's really not fair for you. You won't be able to touch me."
His brilliant little kouhai pulled a face. "Sounding a bit brash, there."
"Aww," he crooned, "You don't believe me? Go ahead, throw the first punch."
Naobito's son dropped into an unfamiliar stance, one hand placed low to the ground and for a moment, his hair seemed to catch fire in the waning light of the setting sun. "You know, you're the second person to tell me that this week...
Curiosity gave him pause. "Oh? Who was the first?"
"Classified."
"Aw, not even a hint?" He looked to the twins.
Maki crossed both arms in an x-shape before her face. "Classified."
"Classi-ow!" Mai bit her tongue, but rallied nevertheless. "Classified! We're not telling you so nyeh!
"Fine, fine." he held up a hand to stave off their rebellion. "Have it your own way, I'll figure it out sooner or later."
Naoya only smiled.
There it was, the edge he'd been waiting for. Gojo drew in a brief breath and ran a hand through his hair. His gaze roamed the yard with an idle smile. Maki and Mai gaze back at him, rapt with attention on the sidelines as the rest of the clan looked on. It felt like the world itself was holding her breath. So was he. Thus far, the boy had lived up to his reputation. Time -and combat!- would tell if he was the real deal.
'Don't you dare disappoint me, Naoya Zeni'n.'
Naobito raised his arm...and brought it crashing down. "Begin!"
Nothing happened. Naoya didn't budge. He just kept crouching there...staring at him.
"So?" Gojo planted a fist on his hp and looked back his way. "You gonna throw that punch or what?"
"Apologies in advance."
A rush of wind behind him was his only warning.
Gojo almost didn't see him move. He was just that fast. Terribly, horribly fast. Fast.
'Huh.' his gaze flitted left, then right, tracking him as he circled him. 'Kid's quick. Is he using the Zeni'n clan cursed technique? No, he's just that agile-
Limitless wasn't something he could use automatically just yet, he had to focus to maintain and it, and frankly it was tiring, but even so the boy's speed surprised him.
He almost broke through.
Naoya's fist came barreling in from the left...and stopped an inch before his face. Gojo leaned back despite himself. Close, than he would've expected, but close, like almost, only counted in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Another punch met the same fate, stopped just shy of him.
"See?" he beamed as the air shimmered between them. "What you hit is the infinity between me and you.
"Is that a dig at me?"
"No, no, no." he waved a hand at his glasses. "You're strong. I don't deny that. But I'm stronger."
Naoya scowled at him. He scowled hard. Temper, temper! Gotta watch that."
"Makes you wanna slug me again, doesn't it?"
Gojo half-expected the kid to fly off the handle as most boy's his age would. But he didn't.
Instead he unclenched both his fingers, still straining against Infinity...
...and mimed the action of unwrapping a box.
"...!"
Gojo felt something shift in the world, then; like someone had turned a key in a lock. Gojo Satoru couldn't explain the emotion he felt just then; it was like looking into the abyss and the abyss stared back. One monster unto another. And yet it was not fear he felt. Although every hair on the back of his neck stood up and his brain betrayed him, bleating at him to fly, to flee, to evade, to DODGE, he still stood his ground...right up until Naoya's left eye, still a brilliant blue, popped like a grape. Maki and Mai shrieked in horror.
A single word assailed Satoru's ears. "Open."
Gojo made a grab for his wrist, too late.
Black fire howled into existence.
The sheer rush of napalm propelled Naoya backwards to safety, but that was all Gojo saw as the inferno burned into his Limitless furiously. Despite its intense heat it was unable to reach him ,yet no less vicious for it. The heat actually made him sweat! Grimacing, he waved an arm and batted it away with a pulse of cursed energy, aiming to extinguish it, only for it to cling tighter to the barrier between him and it.
His eyes widened a second later
The flame was devouring his cursed energy!
"Clever!" He laughed frowned and gave it a push of Blue, flinging it off his technique entirely. "Whaddya call it?"
It struck the ground and stuck there, sullenly sizzling the dirt.
"Amaterasu." Naoya touched a hand over the empty socket in his skull, revealing a hale and healthy eye once more as he waved a hand and the hungry flames extinguished. "Its a poor man's version of the real thing, and as you can see, I can't use it properly at the moment, but it does the job well enough."
A grin stretched across Gojo's face. "You really are something. Still its my turn now."
He blurred in and slugged Naoya across the jaw.
"Naoya" vanished in a plume of smoke.
"More tricks?!"
A whistle echoed behind him.
Instead of attacking like a berserker, Naoya calmly took three swift steps back, thumbed his chin and considered him as one might a fly pinned to the wall. His gaze was sharp, the intent behind it keen, his mind hard at work. His eyes had gone gold again, though Gojo had no idea what that meant.
'He's only attacked me twice and he's already working out ways to get past Limitless. Can't let that flame hit me again. In that case-
Flinging a hand forward, fingers splayed he upped the ante. "Blue!"
The blond was summarily yanked off his feet toward him.
A kick barreled headlong into his Infinity,
Gojo's fist slammed into his jaw.
Both stumbled back.
"No blood, eh?" Gojo's grin grew, stretching across his face as he cast his glasses aside entirely. "Enough parlor tricks, I showed you mine, the least you can do is show me yours."
Maki and Mai sputtered in the background." Pervert!"
"I didn't mean it like that, oi!"
Naoya barked a laugh and tilted his head.
Maybe I should use blue again- he still couldn't use red- but Incoming!
His eyes were gold still, but shot through with veins of violet, deep and dark as the ocean blue.
'Creation of All Things! Its in the name. Its must be those eyes of his. They let him visualize what he wants to create.
Occular jujutsu were rare as a rule. He'd only ever met two others who could claim such. One, an excitable little girl in the Kamo Clan who could see "lines of death" And another, an older jujutsu sorcerer with pale eyes, who could see for miles in any given direction-
"Pay attention!"
A wall of stone slammed into his Infnity, stacked with-were those cursed swords?!
He dodged on sheer reflex- because pointy objects were Bad Things- and sidestepped, only to be met with a miniature tornado. When had he created that?! It threatened to suck the very air from his lungs, forcing him to expel another Blue and dispel it, only for a wave of cutting water tor The kid must have an upper limit.
"Is what you're thinking, right?" Naoya sang. "You can't outlast me!"
The ground buckled underfoot as a swarm of roots grabbed at him, cocooning him and his Infinity both.
He swiped a hand out and shattered them, but it took a surprising amount of effort. "Just how many techniques do you have?!"
"Of course I have more than one technique." Naoya walked past him, grinning as the very shadows themselves began to writhe and swell underfoot. "Who do you take me for? We're just getting started! You think I've got an ace up my sleeve?! I've seen more techniques that you can imagine! I BROUGHT THE WHOLE DAMN DECK!"
Gojo considered the writhing ebony tethers with a wary eye.
They gave him Bad Vibes. Probably shouldn't let any of those touch him.
'He can't use cursed energy to create more cursed energy. It doesn't work like that. So how-
A shadow whip lashed at him, and again, his body dodged on reflex by a hair's breadth. He heard the appreciative murmurs from those observing and countered with another blue. This time Naoya was ready for him. Their fists collided in a blistering barrages of blows, unable to land a solid hit on one another. Finally, he saw his chance and caught his palms outright, forcing a grapple. Naoya's grimace said he hadn't expected that.
"Why not use your domain?" he hummed as he pushed down on him.
Why not use yours?" came the counter as the boy struggled back.
"Oi, now. You know I don't have one, remember?"
"Then neither do I!"
"Cheeky bastard," he tutted. You won't be able to get past my Infinity without it-
Naoya's face stretched into a shit-eating grin. "Shadow possession complete!"
Gojo looked down, baffled to find their shadows linked. "Shadow wha-
CRUNCH.
His own fist swung around and clocked him right in the schnoz. His concentration shattered as he felt pain for the first time in years. Naoya had grunted as well, but he didn't know why. He looked up to find the blond's fist wedged in his own face, his visage contorted in visible pain. Bastard punched himself, but why?
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Gojo looked down, baffled.
He was bleeding. Ohhhthatbastard.
Realization broke like the dawn and with it came laughter. His body had mimicked Naruto's movement. Their shadows were still linked. Shadows were the soul. The soul controlled the body. Limitless had protected him from just about everything, but not himself, because he'd never thought to defend himself from...well, himself.
It was his loss.
Gojo giggled, feeling like a child again. There was no disappointment, only relief to know that he still had room to grow. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was on equal footing with someone; like he didn't know what to expect next. This kid understood.
He wanted to keep going! He wanted to see who was really the best! He WaNtEd...!
"I think that's enough for now." he heaved a deep breath before his battle mania could override common sense. "Any more than this and we might seriously hurt each other."
...we'll call it a draw, then."
"Draw? Nah, you got me." he grinned.
The Zeni'n clan didn't sound happy about that. Screw 'em.
Another thought struck him. "Naoya."
"Hmm?"
Gojo knelt down to retrieve his glasses. "Mind if I bring a friend next time?"
"There's going to be a next time?"
"Of course there is!" he walked over and clapped him on the back. T"he strong should stick together. Geto's a bit of a stick in the mud, but you'll get used to him."
It was as good an invitation was he was going to get. He wondered if the kid woul take it.
...Fine. Thanks for visiting.
"One last thing." he slung an arm around the boy's shoulder. "The clans love their marriage alliances. With an ability like yours, I'm sure you'll have plenty of brides beating down your door, especially after today's little display. Best be careful in the future, eh?"
Maki and Mai absolutely hissed.
Naoya made a face. "...Gojo."
He beamed. "Yeeessss?"
"Get off my lawn.
"Feh, stingy!"
But he could tell when he'd overstayed his welcome. He made his goodbyes, shallow though they were, and left the way he came, happy as a clam. And why wouldn't he be? He'd come here expecting to find a brat with a stick up his ass. Instead he found someone who, dare he say, might be his equal. Something to look forward to! Could he truly defeat him a protracted fight? Did all those techniques truly stem from Creation of All Things, but more importantly...he'd seen the look Naoya's little cousins wore.
But why would they look at him like that unless...
Oh.
Oh?
Ohoho!
Maybe he should turn around and say something, but it was just too entertaining! It would be even more amusing in a few years.
Whistling softly to himself, he walked back with a spring in his step.
"What a lovely day...
(.0.0.0.)
The clan took issue with Gojo's visit, of course.
Or rather, Naobito did. It was only to be expected, really.
No one else would dare speak against him after that last display.
He wasn't surprised when his "father" summoned him to his chambers, in truth he was amazed it took him the better part of three days to summon him. He wasn't drinking for once. Surprsing, but not consequential in the long run he supposed. After all, he already knew what the geezer was gonna say.
"You shouldn't associate with that fool. His views might infect you."
Might? He'd already thought this way long before he'd ever laid eye on Gojo Satoru. Showed what he knew.
"Hmm." He shrugged one shoulder and sat beside him. "Is he the fool, or am I the fool for thinking you would keep your word?"
Naobito granted him a puzzled look. "I'm afraid I don't follow."
"You're gonna be afraid of a lot more than that in a minute."
His "father" sprang to his feet.
Naruto followed, ducked low, and thrust his fist into the older man's torso.
To the untrained eye, it was just that, a jab. To a Jujutsu Sorcerer it was as good as knife to the gut.
Curse energy blasted into Naobito's already thoroughly abused liver and slammed into his other internal organs, crippling him a he went. He didn't even have time to defend himself before he came crashing down to his knees, wasted and gasping for clutched at his gut in vain, only to vomit. Wheezing, he glared a thim.
"What... is the meaning of this?!"
"Meaning?" Naruto crouched down before the ailing man, refusing to let his anger show. "Someone in the clan put a bounty out on me. I had an assassin waiting for me when I took the girls outside and I've spent the last three days trying to puzzle out who. Now by your baffled expression and emotions, I can see it wasn't you, or that you had nothing to with this attempt at the very least. I'd like to think you're not that stupid. So who was it? Jinichi? That old oaf Chojuro? I knew I shoulda finished them off...
"I don't know-
Naruto grabbed him by the hair and yanked his face closer, baring his teeth in a warning. "Not the answer I'm looking for."
"Fool of a boy! This will only turn the clan against you!"
"As if they weren't my enemies already." He pressed a finger clad in crimson energy into clan head's stomach. "Have you ever suffered catastrophic bowel failure? I'm told its quite painful. Talk."
"I said I do not know! And even if I did, I would not yield to such base threats-
A punch folded him in half.
"How about now?"
He wanted to kill him. He wanted to do it so badly. He would surely be justified in doing it...and yet something nagged at him. Pausing he glared at his "father" long and hard, stretching out his senses to the very limit. He didn't sense a lie, which only made this all the more annoying.
"One of my idiot older brothers then. They were away the day I thrashed the clan." he turned his head and spat upon the floor, such was his vitriol. "I thought they would have known better. Honestly, anytime I show you lot even a little mercy, you trample on it. So...
He grabbed him by the throat and began to apply pressure to his windpipe.
...shall I just drag you all into my Domain and be done with it?"
"Domain?! You're bluffing, even Satoru Gojo hasn't-
"It wouldn't even be that difficult." he trampled over his words with all the care they deserved, which was none. "The clan compound is what...less than two hundred meters? I'd have to create a safe pocket for Maki and Mai of course, but you would be right at the center. Would you like that?" he squeezed tighter, snarling as the old man's face began to blue, "Its not every day you get to see the pinnacle of Jujutsu. You would be right at the center of it all. It would be quick death. Probably wouldn't even feel it."
Naobito's voice rose in a whine. "Naoya, please...
"Now you beg?" A small, humorless smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He barely felt it. "After all, before Creation there must come Destruction."
He clawed at his face ."Son...!"
"Son?" Here at last, his temper reared its ugly head at last. "I am not your son. I have never been your son, though not for lack of trying. Maybe if you tried to be a father, I might feel some semblance of affection towards you. I never knew my mother in this life. I wanted a mother. What did you do with her again?"
The silence was Naobito's answer.
"Oh, right. You had her killed so I wouldn't get attached." his fingers bit down, ready to twist. "Domain-
"As entertaining as that would be," a soft voice crooned just behind him, "I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to let him go."
Naruto looked down and frowned. There was an ax set against his neck, hooked just so to prevent any forward movement on his part.
In his right mind, he would've noticed. Should have noticed.
Sloppy, he chided himself for the slip. He'd been far too focused on Naobito and his imminent demise. Kurama would've chewed him out for getting tunnel vision. He looked back over his shoulder with a sigh, frowning a little as he recognized the interloper. He knew this one, as he endeavored to know every decently ranked jujutsu sorcerer with interesting techniques.
"Miss Mei Mei." He smiled back at her, never letting go of Naobito for a second. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Such a polite boy. She smiled at him and tucked a stray strand of pale hair behind one ear. Belatedly he notice Maki and Mai were with her. "I came here to see you, but these little ones wouldn't let me be. Would you mind releasing him? This would be a bit of a bother for me to report to the higher ups...
Maki and Mai looked to Naobito. Nether said a word. Good girls.
But he didn't want to traumatize them.
Glowering at his "father" he let go.
Naobito collapsed in a coughing wreck and crawled away. He let him. They could resume this at any time. His hands free, he pried he axe away from his neck -she let him- and tumbled to his feet. Maki and Mai were quick to scurry behind him, not once trusting the newcomer for a moment. Good girls.
"You still haven't answered my question. Why did you come to see me?"
"There's a bounty on your head." she said it as though it explained everything. "Its tripled in the last three days." he tensed and she laughed breezily. "I've no interest in taking it of course, but Gojo has said such good things about you. I was curious."
...and is your curiosity satisfied, now?
"In part, yes." She lowered her ax. "Can I trust you to behave yourself once I leave?"
Possibly-no, wait, this was an opportunity! He knew what Mei Mei wanted and better yet what she valued; which immediately gave him an upperhand in negotiations. "How much do I have to pay you to tutor me?" Maki and Mai protest, and he corrected himself quickly. "I mean us."
Hey, the more mentors the better!
The First Grade Sorcerer arched a pale brow.
"I'd pay a premium rate for Maki and Mai, of course." he reassured her.
Somehow, he doubted Toji would amenable to training his nieces just yet. Baby steps. Crawl before you could walk, walk before you could run and all that.
"My, my?" Mei Mei made a bemused noise and touched one hand to her right cheek. "Aren't you the bold one? Tell me, how would you measure the weight of a life."
Ha! He knew the answer she was looking for! "Its how valuable they are."
"Correct." She licked her lips. Y"ou can immediately describe the scale you use to measure the lives you hunt down. When you kill, you do so without remorse. Because you have a goal. Coincidentally, I measure lives by their potential assets." She looked him up and down, as though imagining the man he might one day become. I was just thinking how much money you might make me if I were to marry you."
Maki lunged forward. He grabbed her by the collar and hauled her back.
Mai...Mai was silent, but her eyes promised murder.
'Yikes, this one's dangerous.'
"Lady," he shrugged, "I'm a little young for whatever your thinking, but if you want to take this up again when I'm of age, go right ahead."
There! Bluff made!
He wondered if she would call it.
Probably not. Sure she was pretty an' all, but this body was TEN for sage's sake, however old he might be mentally.
She gave his head a gentle pat. "You understand. For that you get ten points. And a reward."
"Ha?"
"Close your eyes."
He heaved sigh. "Will you still train us?"
"So long as you have money, yes. Now be a good boy and listen to your senpai."
"Not you too-oh, fine," he rolled his eyes then closed them. "I'll play. What're ya gonna do, smack me upside the head or-
Warm lips alighted upon his cheek, soft and infinitely yielding.
Maki and Mai made strangled noises behind him.
Huh. He blinked. You managed to one up me.
The Firs Grade Sorcerer leaned back with a smug smile."Consider that an investment in your future...and be wary when you try to bluff your way out of trouble."
Her peace said, she walked away, hips swinging.
Naruto tilted his head to watch her slowly retreating rear.
Damnit, he really hated being a teenager in a kid's body sometimes.
You would't think a lady's hips could mock someone like that, but he could've sworn Mei Mei's hindquarters did just that.
(.0.0.0.)
...Time flowed by...
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto looked left.
Naruto warily looked right.
Naruto didn't see a soul in sight...
.
..
...good.
Things had been quiet these last few days. No one had dared bother him...which finally gave him a chance to try this. And so he crossed both arms before himself, fingers splayed, raised his thumbs to his mouth and bit down. Blood sluiced down his fingers, ran across his hands, pooled at his feet now. It hurt like hell and left him feeling more than a little whoozy, but he forced himself to hold on.
Creation of All Things was a versatile ability, albeit a draining one to use in rapid succession with other techniques Still, so long as he knew the general composition of something he could create it. Weapons, poisons, even elements if he was feeling whimsical. As an ability it was useful, but as a cursed technique it allowed him to push himself to the very limit. And if he had a proper catalyst to work with, say blood for instance, then he could truly break those limits.
Surpass your limits.
This way, he wouldn't have to leave Maki and Mai behind.
Surpass your limits.
This way, he could protect everyone.
Surpass your limits.
This way, he could save them.
He gave the slowly expanding pool a moment to spread and clot, circled it once, then nodded. Steeling himself, he took all his cursed energy and poured it in, alongside a drop of chakra. From there he watched as the red pool began to spread and grow, taking the shape he desired. The technique was primed, it only awaited his will.
He clasped his healing hands together, finger to finger in silent benediction.
And then he declared it aloud:
"Nine Divine Beasts!"
This was not the Ten Shadows Technique, no mater the comparison some in the Zen'in clan would inevitably make. This was something infinitely greater, on a higher plane, despite the nature of its name. Through creations of all things, the sage's own ability, and the dying dregs of biju chakra within him, he could attempt a feat not seen since the days of Hagoromo himself.
...to create life.
"Come! Shukaku!"
At his command the blood gained flesh and chakra and life, assuming a familiar shape...but much smaller.
The tanuki was tiny. Didn't even come up to his knee, really.
"Hello~!" The tiny tailed beast planted both paws on his leg and blinked up at him. What is this? Where am I? Who are you?"
So many questions!
Naruto released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. This was not Gaara's Shukaku, despite the resemblance, not int he truest sense of the word, but it was a start. That he'd managed to summon and recreate such a creature so close to the original spoke well for his burgeoning skill level.
Wait does this count as making a curse? Or was he a chakra demon?
Certainly he could sense both within him, but he supposed it didn't matter in the long run. Semantics and all that.
"As your creator, I'd like to make a pact with you." He offered the tanuki his hand. "Defend me and my allies and I'll see that you want for nothing."
It wasn't a binding vow, but it was close enough; it would serve.
Little Shukaku perked up. "That's all I have to do?"
"Yup."
Hmm. I don't know you, but you smell kinda familiar...
Naruto's heart clenched. Was it possible for memories to carry over between lives? He was living proof of that, but he wasn't sure the same could be said of Biju
...you must be imagining things."
"Whatever you say, boss!"
"Boss?"
Shukaku chittered. "Well, you made me and you're in charge, so yeah. Boss!
Aaaaaaand now he was getting Konohamaru vibes all over again. Ah, sweet memories...
A thought struck him and squeezed harder than Gaara's sand ever could. Crap. He couldn't just make one cursed demon now, could he? That would make one of the twins jealous. But he wasn't strong enough to recreate Kurama yet. Merely "making" Shukaku had drained his reserves by a fourth; it would take awhile to recover. So he'd have to settle for the lower echelons. But who...?
"Ah. She'll do." Running his hands through the seals once more. He slapped a hand down. Matatabi!
The process was much smoother this time, now that he knew what he could and couldn't do; almost immediately a kitten wreathed in blue fire burst from the blood, and alighted before him. It shook itself once, mewed at him, and began licking a burning back. Sure enough its right eye gold gleamed gold, while the left eye burned an eerie green.
Both eyes fixed upon him now, shimmering with curiosity. "Who're you?"
Naruto sighed. "Well, I guess it would be best to call me-
Shukaku beat him do it. "That's the boss!"
"How uncouth. He's clearly our Father."
Naruto sputtered. "Eh?!"
(.0.0.0.)
It wasn't enough.
Maki knew was close, but it was not close enough. Toji had said she was close, but that meant nothing if he wasn't at his level She'd seen the way he moved; faster than Satoru Gojo, but no less lethal. She wanted that, no, she needed that, needed to be strong, strong enough to stand beside Naoya no matter and weather the storm.
She could tell that Mai ahd the same idea or something along similar lines.
Still, she was trying, doing her best.
And then Naoya gave her a gift.
(.0.0.0.)
She was weak.
Those words banged around Mai's had like a bullet, tearing her thoughts to pieces with each passing day. She'd seen Cousin Naoya fight twice now, and the gap between them had never seemed so large. She had to get stronger. She must. She couldn't be left behind. She wouldn't!
And then he gave her a gift.
(.0.0.0.)
"What're those things?"
Well that answered his question abou Shukaku and Matatabi being a curse. Mai could see the yes, but so too could Maki. Chakra demons they were, then. Somehow that made him feel better as he offered the two tiny creatures to Maki and Mai.
Their reactions were...well, predictable. They were kids after all.
"Cuuuute!"
"Oi! Get your hands off me!"
"Indeed! Release me at once, human!"
Mai and Mai squealed. The mini biju squawked their protest. They never stood a chance.
The girls rounded on him, clutching them close.
"And you're giving them to us?"
"Well, Shukaku is for Maki, and Matabi is for Mai." a pause, now, as he scratched the back of his head. "Happy birthday?
They jumped him.
They were, the both of them, delighted.
He let them tackle him, fuss and fawn over him, smiling ruefully.
They needed something to watch over them.
Just in case things went amiss.
(.0.0.0.)
Toji was waiting for him that weekend as promised. "You came alone?"
He dropped a bag at his feet. "I did, as promised."
The Sorcerer Kller smiled at him.
That...was not a nice smile.
"Good." Try not to die."
A/N: Naruto and Gojo, shaking up the Jujutsu world one sorcerer at a time~!
You ain't seen nothin' yet. I'm really motivated.
That said, would you like weekly updates?
Do you want this to remain a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard! Really need to hear from you, here.
Needless to say, the "Nine Divine Beasts" may be confused for the ten shadows. It'll make things even more amusing once Megumi comes around.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself isn't popular? Well...I'll not continue it. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? Hope you enjoy the previews.
We've got some new ones and some are...intense.
They've been expanded and then some!
I cut down on them to not spoil things.
Read at your own risk:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT YOU!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
"Listen. That technique of yours is powerful, sure, but its also risky. And I told you to call me Gojo-senpai~!"
"I categorically refuse! Does it matter anyway? You have your Limitless, I have my Creation of All Things. We were born with these abilities."
"Maybe, but think of it like this. Dying to win and risking death to win are two completely different things. With a strong foundation, and a little bit of sense, imagination, even a pinch of regret, it just takes the slightest trigger to change a person...after all, this isn't your first life, is it, Naoya?
Wait, you know? How did you figure it out? I thought I did a good job hiding it from Maki and Mai.
You did for the most part, but its the eyes. People say eyes are the window to the soul.
Now, that we've determined that. Are you going to tell me you really are?"
Alright, fine. You win. My name, my real name is...
Have you all bothered to think about what kind of person you're trying to curse?!
His head tilted. "This is where you're weak, right?"
"Need a hand?"
"Ha? I ain't no damn babysitter! Find somebody else to watch your kid for the day!
"Oi. That's my friend. GET YOUR FILTHY MITTS OFF HER."
He swallowed the finger.
Finally, he had the cocky little brat. "Idle Transfiguration."
A fist barreled into Mahito's face, cratering it.
"WON'T WORK ON ME!"
He pointed a finger their way, thumb raised to mime a gun.
Focus your energy. Harden it. Sharpen it. Draw it back, imagine a gun and-
Bang. He whispered.
His opponent recoiled, startled by the sudden gaping hole in their chest. He knew better. That wouldn't stop them, not for long.
Bang!
Another hole, right where their heart should have been. He gripped his elbow to steady his aim and growled, a snarl splitting his face.
BANG!
His fearsome foe dropped with a startled grunt as he blasted their leg clean off at the shin. Even then he knew better than to get close. Arrogance had spelled the end of many a man greater than him, and he was no fool. Even then he found himself grinning. Exhilarated, he took aim again.
Not so tough now are you?
His head snapped up with a wild grin, eyes gleaming. "Gotcha!"
The curse swore. "How did he-
And then there was pain.
"Hiya, Mechamaru! Want a new body~!"
"Hanami, was it?" he gestured to the stump beside him. "Why don't you sit down?"
The entity before him wavered ever so slightly. "...you're not going to attack?"
"Why would I?"
"I am a Cursed Spirit. You are a Jujutsu Sorcerer. We are natural enemies."
Aha! She'd hesitated! Anything was better than brawling out here. They'd wreck the trees.
"Who decided that?" he jabbed a thumb into his chest. "Despite what everyone calls me, I don't think of myself as a sorcerer. If anything, I'd call myself a sage...
"Oh? I dearly hope you have proof, else I might have to kill you for that insult-
He stomped a foot down and an entire forest bloomed behind him.
...what is your name, child?"
Progress! He mentally pumped a fist.
"Well, lots of people call me Naoya, but you? You can call me Naruto."
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed! Looking forward to your feedback~!
Hope you have a great day,
~Nz.