Author's Note: Triple Post Today.
• 10,000 years later:
The Earth shook, and there was a flash of light, when suddenly... it appeared.
Kakashi, and his fellow ANBU, were sent out to investigate.
A kid was with them... Itachi. Much like Kakashi had been, the boy was a prodigy. Already an ANBU, at the mere age of 9.
Kakashi had been an ANBU for a few years now, ever since his old team died, back when he was 7. It was thought he'd be better for solo work, then leading a team.
For this current mission, Kakashi's old Sensei was leading them... it wasn't common that the Leader of the Village, the Hokage himself, went on a mission... but this was a special case.
Even the 2 remaining legendary Sennin, themselves, were with them. The great Shinobi were ready for action, in case this was some kind of invasion.
There were also a few other reputable ANBU. Like a member of the Hyuga Clan, who's eyes could see past the physical plain, and actually observe the flow of Chakra.
"Hokage-Sama," Itachi got the blonde leader's attention, as they observed the strange sight from the trees. His own eyes could see nearly as much as the Hyuga.
The Uchiha Clan's blood-limit, allowed them to duplicate near anything they saw, as well as see energy patterns, and create mental illusions. There eyes were a truly fearsome mutation.
Itachi frowned. "I'm detecting some kind of temporal distortion. Like when a seal breaks... but this one encompasses the entire mountain."
And that was why the Hokage was called in. For he was the strongest Shinobi in the village, as well as it's chosen leader.
A mountain had suddenly materialized at the edge of the village's boarders... crushing much of their farm land. But thankfully, no lives were lost.
The Shinobi were currently observing it from the wall, that went around the city... and that the mountain was just a few meters smaller then.
It had a flat surface, and what looked like ancient architecture scattered around the surface. All the buildings so grand, and awe inspiring.
The Hyuga spoke, with even more startling news. "Most of these people..." he gulped, "They don't have any Chakra."
"What's Chakra?"
The Shinobi near leapt out of their skin. As a green eyed man suddenly appeared in front of them.
The, seemingly young, man raised his hands in surrender. As the Shinobi reached for their weapons.
"Easy now," The young man grinned... clearly not finding them threatening. "Have I got a story for you."
• 1 month after the mountain appeared, at the Hokage Tower.
An ANBU suddenly teleported into his office. The ANBU were the last defense of the village, as well as their first choice for Black Ops.
Minato wasn't too concerned, as the ANBU often came and went, during his working hours. Mostly to give reports, on the task they had been assigned.
Regardless, Minato set aside the papers, on the "Time Traveling Neanderthals" progress.
The ANBU deserved his full attention. Whom was dressed in the all black uniform, with the exception of a White Animal mask. Each ANBU wore a different mask, and used the species as their code name.
This was "Wolf-San", AKA Kakashi Hatake. Minato's former apprentice... and the only survivor of that team... It wasn't often childern die, in the line of duty, but their were no guarantees in the Shinobi's World.
"Sensei!" Kakashi yelled, within seconds of appearing. Completely forgetting his ANBU training, as he was clearly panicked. It could be forgiven, as the boy was only 13. Regardless how mature he was, he was still a child.
"Your wife!" The moment the boy said that, Minato was on his feet, and opening the cabinet, where he kept his Shinobi gear. "She's been kidnapped!" Kakashi explained. "The Kyubi has been Unleashed!" which meant Kushina was either dead, or had the demon forcibly ripped out... which meant she was dying.
Suddenly, as Minato quickly began strapping on his gear, Doctor Manhattan appeared before them.
The demon stood over 7 feet tall, taking the form of an idolized man... with glowing blue skin. And the symbol of a hydrogen atom, burnt into his forehead. The entity was completely hairless, which Minato could tell, due to him being completely naked... it wasn't uncommon, for demons to be naked, but most didn't take the forms of extremely sexy humans.
"I can send you to her," informed the demon. "It's not to late to get her out. Harry Potter is currently fighting the kidnapper."
"An Uchiha?" Minato asked. There were few capable of forcibly separating a demon from their host.
Doctor Manhattan gave a subtle nod... everything about him was subtle.
"Stay here, we can't risk you getting caught in their trap. It's bad enough they have Kurama under their thumb."
"Not they," Manhattan shook his head. "One Missing Nin, not the whole clan. You need to remember that."
"Who?" Minato demanded, just as he strapped the last bit of gear on.
"Madera Uchiha." Doctor Manhattan informed, before teleporting the man away. Not giving him time to have a conniption, over the fact one of the Founders of the village, was currently attacking it
Minato appeared on a mighty battle field, as Harry Potter and Saitama "One Punch Man" went against Madera. There were several craters, while the entire forest had been knocked down.
Minato ignored the fight, running to his dying wife... and realizing, she had gone into labor.
Harry shot spell after spell, each aimed to kill the fiend. As Saitama casually swung his fist. Getting slightly more interested, as a punch landed... and didn't phase Madera.
The next, slightly more forceful punch, Madera dodged... and Saitama ended up hitting Harry.
While Saitama was stunned, Madera smirked, as the mighty savior of the wizarding world, burst apart... turning into nothing but blood stains.
But before Saitama could react, the blood snapped back together... and there, perfectly fine, stood Harry.
Madera gaped, "What are you!?" He demanded.
The Magi darted towards him, catching the Ancient Uchiha in a state of shock. Meanwhile, Harry didn't miss a beat, swinging his fist.
"I'm Harry," His fist connected, an explosion of Chakra rippling with the punch. "Bloody." While Madera was stunned, a second Chakra infused punch landed. Causing another explosion, and this time lifting the Missing Nin off the ground. "Potter." The boy lept into the air, spinning over his own head, before slamming his foot into the man's face.
Madera crashed into the ground, the momentum creating a massive crater, 100 yards long.
Minato had to jump back, clutching his wife. It wasn't safe to move her, but he had no choice.
Madera gave a single groan, before rising to his feet. Looking hardly worse for ware.
Saitama, finally recovered from the shock of Potter exploding, lept forward. His fist raised, as he swung.
"Serious punch," he calmly announced. The sheer force of the blow, sending a shock wave across the world. The clouds exploded, releasing a fierce storm upon them. Which the satellites were working hard to contain.
However, Madera was still standing... and holding the man's punch in his palm.
Saitama gaped, before a smile slowly formed on his lips. Chuckles escape from him.
"At last," He whispered, yet the words echoed across the world. "A serious fight... I FOUND IT!" He screamed the last bit, as his other fist connected with Madera's face. The earth cracked around them, but all that Madera endured was a single bruise.
Saitama began laughing like a mad man, as he unleashed "Serious Punch" after "Serious Punch". Madera was able to block, or dodge, most of them. But he obviously felt the ones that landed.
Harry "Bloody" Potter, jumped back into the fight. A sword materializing in his hand as he swung. He used no visible seals, the sword just appeared, as he willed it.
"Come on Godric," He called to the sword. "We can't let punchie have all the fun." The sword made contact, burning apart Madera's armor, but leaving behind only a slight, sizzling, cut.
Saitama and Harry suddenly started working in tangent with each other. As Harry used mental Jutsus, to coordinate their attacks. Saitama's skill was still his own, but he followed Harry's guiding mental suggestions. So they were no longer stepping on each other's toes.
Madera was slowly being worn down, as he was forced back.
Madera slowly realized, he couldn't win this fight. Trying to teleport away, he was stunned, as nothing happened.
Harry smiled, "Apparition Wards." Harry announced, as he sliced off the man's arm. His magical attacks, combined with the Venom infused Sword of Gryffindor, made it so he could finally break through the man's Chakra enhanced durability.
Madera screamed as his arm fell to the floor.
Just as Harry was about to cut off his head, a boy appeared in the way. He was so fast, even Harry couldn't stop his attack.
The boy had mismatched eyes. One Sharingan, the signature mutation of the Uchiha clan... and one Rinnegan, a reality bending eye, that could shatter apart the world.
Thankfully, the boy managed to grab Harry's wrist. Thereby stopping the sword from killing him.
"Get out of here, Sensei!" The boy begged, as he began fighting off Harry, who was suddenly scared to fight back. Not wanting to hurt a child.
The boy made a hand seal, and 10 of him appeared, to keep both Harry and One Punch Man occupied. As he grabbed his Sensei, and made a break for it.
The boy's clones kept the reluctant men back, who didn't understand destroying a clone wouldn't hurt the actual child... as the real boy... got Madera away..
• Years later:
Harry sat at one of the park tables, in between the Estates. Admiring the view of the village, Hokage Mountain, and the modified Walmart below... as he calmly played a game of wizard's chess... with a god.
"You didn't exactly keep your head down," Hades smiled, as his shadows floated just above the chair. His blue skin, and blue flames for hair, barely turned an eye. He truly loved his mortal world. It was soooo interesting, when even he was thought mundane. "As you assured me you would." Hades noted, his voice sympathetic... though slightly teasing.
Harry sighed, clearly disappointed he was letting himself be used, as a weapon for the government. "I'm sorry," he muttered.
Hades chuckled, "I did warn you. When you have our level of power, mortals often feel compelled to abuse it. No harm in falling down a well traveled Rabbit Hole. I never expected you to do nothing with the gifts I've given you.
"I'm actually surprised you haven't gone further. Last mortal, in your position, went mad with power... killed tens of thousands of people, meticulously choosing who should die, based on their own values.
"While you," Hades Chuckled. "You haven't even cracked open that Death Note I gave you. Not even to destroy Kiri, nor Madera, nor Danzo... you've resisted the temptation. And are determined to let them all die according to fate's design... I must say, I'm impressed."
Harry gave a light smile, as Hades took one of his pawns. Secretly grateful he had the forethought, to set up a privacy charm.
"But Harry," Hades sighed. "I'm afraid that's just going from one extreme to another. I sent out the Hallows, to find someone worthy to become the next Mortal wielder, of the Death Note. Death is a natural part of life... and there are currently too many lifeforms on this world... too many people, who should have died, and too many people, who should never have been born. if that doesn't change soon..."
Harry gulped... "I... I can't... I know I need to, I can feel how unbalance the Cosmos is... but actually deciding who lives and who dies..."
"It's too late for that," Hades eyed the boy.
Harry stiffened. "What do..." he trailed off, not wanting to know.
Hades informed, "The gods have decided, since you won't do your job, and the world is too out of sorts for it to make a difference at this point... you must choose 3 Hidden villages, or an entire country, to suffer a natural disaster... that will wipe out most of the population."
Harry froze, unable to think.
"We've had to do this a few times actually. Noah, Atlantis, Los Angeles, a few others."
"Why are you doing this?" Harry whispered.
"I am DEATH, Harry." Hades sighed, "I might not be the monster mortals fear, but I am a living Cosmic force. A rule of the universe... and fact is, this is a lesson to you. One, I to, had to endure when I was in your position.
"You've suspected I've been grooming you for my throne. Truth is, this is my world. I'm grooming you to one day take your own. If you don't want the destroyer gods, to completely snuff out your world. You'll need to learn to limit your population, to something the planet can actually support."
"Cerebro..." Harry whispered.
"That was done, because my last apprentice refused to choose. So the destroyer gods decided to snuff his entire species out of existence. I actually had nothing to do with that... but my world still hasn't fully recovered, ten thousand years later.
"Please Harry, you have to decide."
Harry gulped, "Why me?"
"The Destroyers are big on 'tough love'. This is there version of a spanking. Divine punishment for not doing your chores.
"If you don't choose... then Konoha, The Demon lands, and Suna will be destroyed. Those are the most problematic to the Timeline... and Harry, that's the gods being merciful. Normally they would just nuke the world, and force me to start from scratch."
Harry was breathing heavily.
"You have to choose, Harry," Hades insisted. "Who will die?"
"I... I can't..." Harry gulped.
"Then Konoha will-"
"Kiri!" Harry suddenly yelled. The first, genuinely evil, village he could think of.
"And the others," Hades pushed.
"ALL OF KIRI, THE ENTIRE WAVE COUNTRY!" Harry yelled, panicked. "Please, just don't hurt Konoha!" He begged.
Hades nodded, "It is done... Kiri is now mere days away from being hit by a meteorite... if you go back on your word, if you try to save them... all the world will burned."
Tears started falling down Harry's face, as he collapsed on the table. The chess pieces scattering, and complaining. It wasn't enough he had to doom a country... but had to endure the knowledge, he had the time to save them... but wasn't allowed to... or the whole world would suffer.
At Hades gentle hand, running through the boy's hair, Harry yelled, "I'll never forgive you for this!"
"Yes, you will," Hades promised. "Just as I forgave my own mentor, when he did this to me... don't get me wrong, it took several thousand years... but I promise you, the pain of this will dull... and then you'll weep when you're forced to put your own apprentice under a similar lesson."
Harry hesitantly looked up, and saw Hades really was misty eyed.
"I'll never put anyone through this," Harry insisted, though felt his determination waining.
"You think I didn't say something similar," Hades sighed... suddenly looking so very old... he was older then the Earth, and in that moment, Harry saw all his billions of years.
Harry's stomach was in knots, but reminded himself he couldn't forgive his mentor... not for forcing him to literally choose which country died... all those people. Harry clung to that. Not letting his naturally forgiving heart cave to the Shinigami.
"This is a hard lesson Harry," Hades spoke strangely seriously. "And not just for you. All the greatest Shinigami had to learn it... Including me... and we both know how awesome I am," He gave a weak smile. Then grew more grave. "Death is a natural part of life, we must fulfill our duty... i need you to start writing in your Death Note... the Destroyers won't stop at one country, if you neglect your duty again."
• The Next Night.
Harry... had gathered the dragon balls... and was ready for his assault on the fates.
The Eternal dragon... smiled dangerously. "A Junior Shinigami. This should be interesting."
Harry looked determined. Before holding up a large Scroll of paper. "I wish, everything written on this Scroll, was made true in a separate pocket dimension, that the gods can't access, without my permission."
The Dragon just stared. "That might be the most anyone has ever crammed into a single wish. But seeing as it will extend my own influence, across the entire Sector, I will grant it. But I'm only allowing that, because this wish prevents others from making such drastic changes to reality.
"But I'll also need to tap into the power of all demons, to alter reality to such extremes."
"Then I use my second wish," Harry informed. "To make them want to help you."
The Dragon blinked. "Then I suggest, for your third wish. You give each civilization of demon, there own plentiful layer of subspace, coating our new dimension. Along with a few afterlifes, for mortals, which Hades rules over, as the primary Grim Reaper, for this dimension. Plus his own successfully ascended apprentices, acting as the Shinigami of each world."
Harry frown, "I don't know them."
"I will vouch for them."
Harry nodded.
"To make this work, I need to make it so every world has a new god. Ones that match your own values, of course. Since they won't have a teacher, they'll need both the knowledge, and the desire, to fulfill their role."
"..." Harry just frowned.
"A world cannot function without gods. So I must insist, if you are to make worlds, they be properly cared for."
"Fine, I guess. No gods of destruction though," Harry insisted.
"Then there cannot be gods of creation. For things cannot begin, without an end."
"So long as their still muses?" Harry stipulated. "To inspire creativity. Along with gods of birth and death."
"You... are not a good Death god," Shenron frowned. "It seems Hades chose poorly, for all three of your generations apprentices... Since your bargaining with me, I'll add a stipulation of my own.
"I want to remove your role, as Apprentice to death. And make you god of champions. It will be your duty to protect our new home."
Harry... smiled, "I think I'd like that a lot more."
The Dragon smiled. "I think you will to." Then frowned, "Actually, for your first wish. I suggest you add all we discussed into your paper. Then For your second wish, i will grant the paper... then for your third wish..." The dragon smiled. "Wish to maintain your powers, granted by Death. They will make you a better champion... and you'll still be able to converse, and even hold, your loved ones, once they die."
Harry frowned... he'd like to wish they would never die... but heaven was real, and he couldn't deny his family that paradise.
Slowly, he agreed, and the Dragon's eyes glowed red.
"This will end poorly," Hades sighed, looking at his new universe from the gates of all the new Afterlifes.
Shenron just gave a shrug, "Nothing last forever. But with no gods to create or destroy. This one could very well see the death of the Cosmos, itself."
"Only because of how resistant to change it will be," Hades eyed. Obviously not thinking that a good thing. "Not thet that will matter, if he finds us. He'll take issue with being cut out of the loop."
"That's why I modified Harry's wish... We'll stand a chance this way," Shenron insisted. "He won't have as much power, in a universe not his own. And if he dies here, you'll be able to claim his soul."
Hades eyed the former demon, and new consciousness behind their entire dimension. "You demons are playing a dangerous game. The gods barely tolerated you... they'll be out for blood now."
"That's why I need someone with your experience... and your grudges. How many times did he step in. Blasting apart your beloved souls. Leaving none for you? We both have a stake, in ensuring this new dimension prospers... tell me now if you don't think you can handle it, and we can part ways here, before you step too far over the line."
Hades eyed the dragon, as he considered leaving. Then waved off, "What's another apocalypse. At least this time... I'll actually be able to do something about it."
While he was relieved the God of destruction could not harm anyone... but no gods of creation, meant nothing new would be invented. Their technology and culture would now stagnate. Thanks to the muses, new art and stories would keep being told... but they would stay in the same styles and themes.
The Cosmic Force of Muses, was currently in the Divine layer of subspace, for their new reality, yelling at Harry's true self. All other such beings present. Most grateful to Harry, but many had concerns as well.
The Muses had worked closely with the gods of creation. And were certain art would soon grow repetitive. Harry was unmoved, as he could deal with media following a pattern, even being a tad boring as a result.
He never cared much for stories, given he wasn't exposed to any until much later in his life. If it meant millions would be spared, Harry found it a fair trade-off, losing something that didn't interest him.
However, The muses were acting as if this was a major travesty. That no new stories could be told. Just reboots, adaptations, and an infinite number of sequels and retcons. That sounded like plenty to work with, to Harry.
"Doesn't sound too bad to me," Harry shrugged. "Things have been going that way for years. You guys rarely created anything new to begin with."
The Muses raged.
Hades calmly pointed out, "What's done is done, let's try to make the best of it." He looked at the muses, "You can still inspire new ideas, within existing franchises. And artwork has always been open to interpretation. The styles might not change, but you still can move people with existing styles. Same for music and architecture."
Hades sighed, "Nothing can be done to reintroduce new concepts. This universe is going to stagnate. Shouting about it won't change that. It's too late to even introduce the idea of creation. But just as nothing new can be created. Nothing will be lost. Old styles won't be forgotten to time. All you inspire, will be remembered until eternity."
The Cosmic muse grumbled, "So long as Beerus doesn't find us, and snuff out our entire universe."
"The Demons severed the link to our parent universe. Beerus has no way of finding us. And even if he did. Our universe doesn't have a concept of destruction. Not even vases can be broken here. He'd have a hard time destroying anything with our new domain."
"He can still kill everyone!" The Muse insisted.
"Not with our god of champions," Hades motioned at Harry, whom fidgeted. "Heroes shall appear in mass. So all high ranking Shinobi, and White Lanterns, will be as strong as a god of destruction."
"What about all the junk that will pile up, thanks to nothing being destroyed!" The Muses demanded
Harry explained, "Thanks to the matter converters, all trash will be converted into raw matter, and changed into something else. That isn't, technically, destroying anything, merely changing it's form. The gods of change are still around, even if they are more limited.
"All mortals instinctively know how to cope, in this new universe. Don't worry, Shenron spent a few hours with me, helping me design my wish. To insure we could actually survive without new ideas, nor anything getting destroyed. Then near every Demon, shared their chakra with him. So he could actually create this world, and ascend into its Elder God. He's happily answering all the prayers he deems worthy. As a god of Wishes, he quite likes the new responsibility."
Shenron may be a demon, but he had been chosen as a god of wishes. Then bound to the 7 Dragon Balls, as genies are to their lamp. So now, Shenron was quite enjoying granting prayers, which were essentially more Domestic Wishes.
New Genies were chosen, whom would be Benevolent wish granters, for the more outrageous desires. As Elder God, Shenron was now bound by Physics and Luck, in granting wishes, so more genies were needed.
To appease the dragon, Harry had written into his wish, that each new world gained 42 genie lamps, whom couldn't change physics. However, they could permanently conjure near anything into existence, even people (for those that wanted unconditional love). They could resurrect any soul, so long as the soul wanted to return to the mortal world. Even grant immortality, or endless wealth.
With each of these Genies, granting only 3 wishes, for a person's entire life. If they wanted more wishes, they had to find a different Genie. But they could potentially use every lamp, of every world.
With the Lamp returning to its personal temple, once the 3 Wishes were granted. While the Genies were connected to their lamp. They were more gateways into a blissful layer of Subspace, where all Genies lived together, in a state of permanent joy. Working more like the Dragon Balls, then a prison.
Once the Muses grumpily left, Harry enjoyed another game of chess with his former Sensei. Whom kept praising Harry for finding a way to out smart the god of destruction.
As Hades moved a pawn, he said, "Without gods of creation, no new worlds will form, so we will never need to choose more gods. That's fortunate, as I was always horrible at that part of the job. Few of my Apprentices worked out... not even you.
"You really did make a terrible death god," Hades smiled. "But as a Champion deity?
"You had the dragon choose a pantheon of gods, for every world. Choosing those best suited to the roles, and gave them the powers, and an instinctive knowledge of how to fulfill their duty. Perfectly understanding their roles.
"Even let the dragon choose his own Pantheon of Cosmic entities, to represent the physical manifestations of forces that govern the universe. Bet you weren't expecting him to make you the Cosmic force of Champions."
Harry scowled, using a Knight to take Hades' Pawn... only to lose his queen.
Hades sighed, "Just remember, I'm proud of you... no matter what happens, remember that."
"You think Beerus will find us?" Harry asked.
"I honestly don't know, but if he does, your champions give us a fighting chance. None may be as Powerful as Beerus but together... together we just may be able to defeat him."