A/N: 100,000 views! Yay...!
Sorry for the late update. Had to make some tough decisions in this chapter. Hope you like it.
Chapter Sixteen: The Culling Games
A tense silence hung heavy in the air, thick enough to choke on. Naruto, cloaked in an inky blackness, stood poised in the dimly lit chamber. Moonlight filtering through a high window cast an ethereal glow on his white hair, the only part of him visible. He had infiltrated Kara's innermost sanctum, a feat many deemed impossible. Now, the test has arrived.
A guttural growl shattered the stillness. From the shadows emerged two figures – Victor, a wiry man with a patchwork of stitched wounds marring his pale skin, and Boro, a hulking behemoth whose body resembled a grotesque amalgamation of flesh and machinery. Naruto's lips quirked into a barely-there smirk. Easy targets first, it seemed.
Victor, with inhuman speed, launched himself forward, a glint of steel flashing in his hand. Naruto, his Infinity warping the very perception of space around him, tilted his head effortlessly, the blade whispering past his ear. He retaliated with a lightning-fast kick aimed at Victor's midsection. Victor twisted, his body contorting at an unnatural angle, the blow landing harmlessly on his arm.
The metallic clang of steel echoed as Boro charged, his massive arm augmented with a giant drill whirring menacingly. Naruto, a blur of motion, ducked under the spinning blades, the destructive wind whipping at his hair. He rolled forward, coming up behind Boro in a crouch. A surge of cursed energy crackled around his fist as he slammed it into the base of Boro's metallic spine.
Boro roared, the impact sending a tremor through the chamber. But the effect was negligible. With a sickening crunch, Boro ripped the drill-arm free from its socket, showering Naruto with sparks and wires. The hulking figure spun around, his remaining arm glowing with a sickly green light.
Naruto, ever-observant, noticed a faint shimmer around Boro's fist – a build-up of chakra. He didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a volley of invisible cursed energy blades. The air shimmered as the blades sliced through the air, embedding themselves deep into Boro's chest. The giant staggered back, a low growl escaping his throat.
Victor, seizing the opportunity, launched another flurry of attacks. Naruto, a whirlwind of black, weaved through the assault, the metallic clang of blade on cursed energy the only soundtrack. Victor, frustrated by his inability to land a solid blow, switched tactics. He lunged forward, aiming for a grapple.
Naruto anticipated the move. As Victor's hand reached for him, he activated his Limitless. The air around Victor distorted, his hand grasping at empty air. Naruto reappeared behind him, a cruel amusement flickering in his unseen eyes. With a single, swift movement, he delivered a bone-shattering elbow strike to Victor' spine.
A sickening crack resonated in the chamber. Victor crumpled to the ground, a strangled cry escaping his lips. He lay unmoving, his body twitching erratically. Naruto, his attention solely on Boro now, watched as the hulking figure ripped the cursed energy blades from his chest, the wounds cauterizing instantly.
Boro roared in fury, his remaining fist glowing an even brighter green. He lunged at Naruto, the ground trembling with each thunderous step. Naruto, his expression unreadable, met the charge head-on. This time, he wouldn't dodge. He raised his hand, palm facing Boro's fist.
A blinding flash erupted, filling the chamber with an otherworldly light. The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling outwards, pulverizing the nearby pillars. Dust and debris rained down as the light slowly subsided. In the aftermath, Boro stood frozen, his green-glowing fist mere inches from Naruto's outstretched palm.
An unsettling silence descended. Then, with a sickening crack, Boro's fist shattered, the green energy dissipating harmlessly. The giant looked down at his mangled appendage, his eyes wide with disbelief. Naruto, the very picture of nonchalance, lowered his hand. A single word escaped his lips, barely a whisper, yet echoing ominously in the ruined chamber.
"Next."
Naruto's eyes, narrowed slits in the inky blackness, flicked towards the table in the distance. Jigen, the leader of Kara, sat impassively, his presence radiating a cold, calculating aura. Even from afar, Naruto could sense the immense power coiled within the man. But it was the figure Jigen gestured to that sent a jolt through him. Delta, the cyborg with a reputation for swift, brutal takedowns. This wouldn't be a brawl like the one he'd just finished. This would be a dance with a deadly blade.
Victor's whimpers, the only sound besides his own ragged breaths, filled the brief lull in the fight. Naruto ignored them, focusing entirely on Delta. The cyborg rose from the table with inhuman grace, her metallic limbs gleaming under the dim light. Her crimson eyes, devoid of any emotion, locked onto Naruto. In that single, cold stare, Naruto saw a reflection of his own ruthlessness – a terrifying mirror held up by a weapon far more precise than any Victor or Boro.
He didn't wait for her to make the first move. With an explosive burst of speed, Naruto propelled himself towards Delta. The air crackled with cursed energy as he unleashed a barrage of invisible blades. Delta, her movements a blur of precise calculations, sidestepped each blade with inhuman agility. The metallic clang of cursed energy against her reinforced body echoed through the chamber.
Naruto closed the distance, his hand a blur as he aimed a punch at Delta's core. But Delta anticipated the move. With a sharp snap of her wrist, a hidden blade extended from her forearm, meeting Naruto's fist in a shower of sparks. The force of the impact sent tremors through the ground, momentarily disrupting Naruto's Infinity.
Delta seized the opportunity. Her other arm transformed, revealing a long, serrated blade that shimmered with a deadly glint. In a blink, she was upon Naruto, the blade aimed for his throat. Naruto, with a desperate twist of his body, flung himself backwards, the blade slicing a thin line across his cheek, drawing a bead of blood.
The metallic tang of blood spurred Naruto's movements. He couldn't afford to be on the defensive against a weapon like Delta. He needed to get close, disrupt her precise movements with his chaotic style. But Delta was a whirlwind of steel, her attacks relentless, forcing Satoru to backpedal, his Infinity working overtime to warp space around him.
The chamber became a whirlwind of motion, the clash of cursed energy and metal the only sound. Naruto, his white hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, gritted his teeth. He knew he couldn't keep this up for long. Delta, unlike Boro or Victor, wouldn't tire. He needed an opening, a single misstep from the cyborg to turn the tide.
His eyes darted around the room, searching for anything he could use to his advantage. A broken pillar lay nearby, remnants of Boro's earlier rampage. An idea sparked in Naruto's mind. As Delta lunged forward, he sidestepped, using his Infinity to warp around her. He reached the broken pillar in a flash, grabbing a large chunk of debris.
With a battle cry that echoed through the chamber, Naruto hurled the debris at Delta. The cyborg, caught off guard by the sudden change in tactics, was forced to deflect the projectile with her bladed arm. The impact sent her staggering back, momentarily disrupting her assault.
Naruto seized the opportunity. He charged forward, his cursed energy crackling around his fist. This time, he wouldn't hold back.
The metallic clang of Delta deflecting the debris sent a jolt through Naruto. It was the opening he needed. He surged forward, a blur of black and cursed energy, aiming a powerful punch at Delta's core. This time, he wouldn't hold back.
But Delta, fueled by a surge of fury unlike anything Naruto had anticipated, met his attack head-on. Her crimson eyes, usually devoid of any emotion, blazed with a cold, calculating rage. This wasn't just a fight anymore; it was a desperate struggle for survival against an unpredictable intruder.
"Damn you!" Delta snarled, her voice a distorted screech that scraped against Naruto's ears. The word, laced with a venom he hadn't expected, surprised him momentarily. He hadn't expected a cyborg to curse. But the raw emotion in her voice was undeniable.
The impact of their fists meeting sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber. Dust swirled around them, momentarily obscuring the fight from view. When it cleared, Naruto stumbled back, a look of surprise etched on his unseen face. His Infinity, usually impenetrable, had faltered for a split second – just enough for Delta's enhanced strength to connect.
A dull ache throbbed in his knuckles. He wasn't used to feeling pain. It was a stark reminder that despite his abilities, he wasn't invincible. Delta, seizing the upper hand, pressed her attack. Her bladed arm lashed out, aiming for a vital point. Naruto, fueled by a mix of adrenaline and wounded pride, twisted away, the cursed energy around him crackling with renewed intensity.
The fight descended into a brutal dance of offense and defense. Naruto, relying on his unpredictable movements and cursed energy blasts, tried to create an opening. Delta, a whirlwind of precise strikes and inhuman agility, countered his every move. The chamber echoed with the clang of metal, the hiss of cursed energy, and Delta's enraged shouts.
"You'll regret trespassing here!" she roared, each word laced with a chilling fury. Her mechanical body, usually a model of efficiency, moved with a desperate ferocity that belied her programming. Naruto, for the first time, felt a flicker of unease. He had underestimated Delta, both her capabilities and her capacity for rage.
He knew he couldn't keep fighting like this. He needed a new strategy, a way to exploit a weakness he hadn't yet identified. But Delta, fueled by a primal urge to protect her base and eliminate the intruder, gave him no quarter. The fight raged on, a brutal ballet of destruction.
Naruto weaved through another flurry of Delta's attacks, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The throbbing pain in his knuckles was a constant reminder of her unexpected strength. He needed to end this fight, and fast. But Delta, a whirlwind of crimson fury, offered no openings. Her mechanical precision, honed by countless battles, anticipated his every move.
Desperate, Naruto retreated towards the broken remains of a pillar. He needed space, a moment to think. Delta, relentless in her pursuit, followed close behind. As she lunged for another attack, Naruto saw his chance. He wouldn't dodge this time.
With a deep breath, he channeled a massive surge of cursed energy into his core. The air around him crackled with a crimson glow, the telltale sign of his Cursed Technique: Red. Delta's assault faltered for a split second, her crimson eyes widening in surprise. It was a flicker of hesitation Naruto wouldn't miss.
He unleashed Red with a roar, the power of positive cursed energy erupting from his palm. A blinding crimson sphere of energy, twice the potency of his usual Blue technique, shot towards Delta. It was a force of pure repulsion, a miniature supernova condensed in his hand.
The chamber pulsed with a deafening boom as Red slammed into Delta. The cyborg, caught in the direct path of the blast, was flung backwards with inhuman force. Her metallic screams were lost in the deafening roar. She slammed into the far wall, the impact leaving a crater of pulverized stone.
Silence descended, thick and heavy. The air shimmered with the residual energy of Red. Naruto, chest heaving, watched the crater, waiting for any sign of movement. A tense moment stretched into an eternity.
Then, with a sickening crunch, a metallic limb twitched from the debris. Slowly, Delta's mangled form began to pull itself free. Her body, riddled with cracks and glowing embers where her cybernetic enhancements had fused with the impact, looked beyond repair.
But even in this state of utter devastation, Delta's crimson eyes remained fixed on Naruto. A single word, barely a whisper yet laced with defiance, escaped her ruined form.
"Monster..."
The word hung in the air as Delta's body finally went limp. Naruto, the victor, stood amidst the ruins, his white hair dusted with red debris. A single bead of sweat trickled down his temple. He had won, but the victory tasted bitter. The raw fury he had witnessed in Delta, a cyborg programmed for obedience, left him shaken.
He had faced powerful enemies before, but Delta's defiance, even in the face of annihilation, was a stark reminder of the human spirit, a spirit he couldn't simply erase with his cursed techniques. Taking a deep breath, Naruto surveyed the chamber, the weight of his actions a heavy burden on his shoulders.
A redheaded boy was procedding to walk towards him with a scowl when the bald man spoke.
"Code, stop."
The boy gritted his teeth.
"I shall deal with—" Jigen spoke emotionlessly. "—this nuisance."
Jigen stood up before disappearing from there.
Jigen appeared above Naruto and the boy dodged a kick that impacted on the ground, creating a crater.
'He is faster than Six Gates Gai!'
Jigen surged forward, a blur in Naruto's vision. Naruto, with his supersonic speed, managed to deflect the blow with his forearm. The impact echoed through the decaying amusement park, shattering nearby windows and sending a plume of dust into the air.
Jigen pressed his assault, a barrage of punches and kicks fueled by an otherworldly chakra. Each blow struck with the force of a battering ram, forcing Naruto back. Naruto twisted and weaved, his Limitless technique warping space around him, but Jigen's movements were unlike anything he'd encountered. The alien warrior moved with a lethal blend of martial arts prowess and raw, chakra-enhanced strength, bypassing Naruto's defenses.
Naruto knew Infinity alone wouldn't suffice. He needed an opening, a chance to strike Jigen with something unexpected. Spotting a momentary lapse, Naruto ducked under a wild haymaker and retaliated with a powerful roundhouse kick. Jigen grunted as the blow connected with his side, but the alien countered with a brutal uppercut, launching Naruto through the air.
Naruto crashed against a rusted carousel, the metal groaning under the impact. He pushed himself up, his white coat stained with dust and a smear of crimson. This was unlike any opponent he'd faced. Jigen's strength was monstrous, fueled by an alien energy Naruto couldn't comprehend. He gritted his teeth. His Infinity wouldn't hold for long. He needed a new plan, and fast.
Jigen didn't relent. He materialized before Naruto in a blink, staff gripped in his hand. The weapon, black and ominous, pulsed with a dark energy. Naruto sidestepped the blow by a hair's breadth, the staff whistling past his ear. He wasn't fast enough to dodge entirely though, the staff's edge catching him on the shoulder, leaving a smoking gash.
Searing pain erupted from the wound, a sensation unlike anything Naruto had ever experienced. It was more than just physical damage; it was a deep cellular ache, a violation wrought by the chakra-infused attack that bypassed his natural defenses. Naruto stumbled back, hand flying to the wound.
Despite the agony, a strategic realization dawned on Naruto. Jigen was undeniably strong, impossibly so, but his fighting style lacked a certain finesse, a tactical nuance Satoru was accustomed to exploiting. A bloody smirk crept across Naruto's face. Perhaps Jigen's raw power wasn't so unbeatable after all. There was an opening, a sliver of opportunity Naruto could exploit if he played his cards right.
The corner of Naruto's mouth twisted into a snarl. He wouldn't be outdone. With a surge of cursed energy, he unleashed a barrage of Black Flash, his punches imbued with devastating speed and force. The air crackled with each blow, the very fabric of space distorting around his fists. Jigen, however, remained surprisingly composed. He moved with an almost casual grace, deflecting most of the blows with his staff or blocking them with his forearms.
Naruto, fueled by a surge of defiance, pressed his attack. He saw an opening - a feint to the right followed by a lightning-fast Black Flash-enhanced left hook aimed straight at Jigen's jaw. For a split second, Jigen seemed surprised by the sudden change in direction. But the alien's reflexes were inhuman. Just as Naruto's fist was about to connect, Jigen raised his right hand with impossible speed, easily snagging Satoru's fist mid-punch.
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his arm, but Jigen held firm, his grip strong as iron. The alien's counter was swift and brutal. With a twist of his wrist, Jigen used Naruto's own momentum to fling him backward. Naruto slammed into a nearby concrete pillar, the air knocked out of his lungs. He coughed, tasting blood, his white coat now sported a growing crimson stain. This wasn't just any opponent. Jigen's strength was monstrous, and his reflexes defied logic. Naruto knew he had to adapt his strategy.
Naruto lunges forward, Jigen effortlessly dodges the kicks and punches.
Narutowasn't one to back down from a challenge. Rising from the debris, he wiped the blood from his mouth, his expression hardening with resolve. With a defiant snarl, he unleashed his cursed technique, Red. The air around Jigen distorted, the domain expanding at an alarming rate, threatening to crush the alien warrior within its crimson confines.
Jigen, however, remained unfazed. A chilling smirk spread across his face, sending shivers down Naruto's spine. As the domain intensified, Jigen's body inexplicably shrunk, becoming an impossible blur within the collapsing space. Naruto watched in disbelief as his surefire technique failed to land. Where did Jigen go?
A knot of dread formed in Naruto's stomach. This unpredictable ability to shrink himself added a nightmarish twist to the fight. Jigen's raw power was formidable, but this new tactic was even more unsettling. Narutoknew he had to tread carefully. One wrong move, and Jigen could exploit an opening within the domain itself, rendering Naruto technique useless. He had to devise a new strategy, and fast.
Naruto uses a Black Flash, but Jigen's elbow proved more than solid enough to nullify that. Jigen had an emotionless facade during the entire fight. The man was not tired. He could keep going. The man kept producing chakra rods within Naruto's body while Naruto kept using the Reversed Cursed Technique. Jigen tried to trap the any in a sphere made of energy holding metal. However, Naruto wrapped away immediately. Naruto used physical attacks. But the man was simply overwhelming him. Naruto regretted not taking Sasuke with him. Naruto used an army of clones to distract Jigen so that he could land a punch on Jigen's horn. However, the punch didn't work. Naruto, seeing no other way, decided to use his best technique. Domain Expansion: Infinite Tsukuyomi. However, to his shock, the man seemed unaffected by it. "Infinite Tsukuyomi doesn't work on Otsutsukis."
Then Naruto began to use every kind of Rasengan he knew…
"Blue: Rasengan!"
Skiwshhh…
"Red: Rasengan!"
Skwishh…
"Purple Rasengan!"
Whizz…
…but the man either dodged them, or shrinking them. It was... Unbelievable. No one has ever been able to do that.
Naruto used Sasuke's techniques: Chidori and Amatrrasu. But the results were constant.
"You have a lot of tricks under your sleeve," Jigen said with his emotionless face. "Still, it's barely enough to challenge me."
Naruto was getting very tired. His muscles were aching, his visions were getting blurry. He never gives up... But he felt like he couldn't win this fight. Not now, not yet.
Then he realized something. 'The cosmic scales of the multiverse have a way of evening things out. When the villains in one realm grow too powerful, the heroes rise to match them. What if I boost Jigen's power? If I give him a surge of strength, perhaps Naruko will also gain new might to balance it out. It seems plausible. Yet, can she really gain such power swiftly enough… No… I can… perhaps it's time to strike a bargain with Jigen?'?'
"You are a strong being," Jigen's voice echoed. "I'll give you that. However, you are nothing but a pebble compared to me. You may have defeated Momoshiki and Urashiki. But, I am not those weaklings. I am Otsutsuki Isshiki, the strongest after Shibai."
"If I can't defeat you now then I want to make a deal." Naruto said in a confident voice.
"Oh? And what's that?" Jigen was clearly amused.
"I want you to not harm anyone for the next 12 years."
"Why?" Jigen raised a non-existent eyebrow.
"Can't tell…"
"And what will I get from this deal?"
"Cursed energy." Naruto replied. "A lot of cursed energy."
"Why would I take that?"
"Your eyes… it can make use of it, can't it?" Naruto said.
"Hmm. True." Jigen nodded.
"As far as I can see, you are… fading." Naruto continued. "This vessel… it's getting weaker."
"It is still more than strong enough to make you yield." Jigen bluntly said.
"...yeah." Naruto sighed. "But with my reversed cursed energy- positive energy, you will… live longer in this form."
"But I already have a vessel."
"But are they ready yet?"
Jigen remained silent for a moment. "No."
"Then so be it, make a binding vow with me."
"That's tempting." Jigen remained silent for a full minute. The members of Kara were looking at him with curiosity in their eyes. For some reason, Naruto felt like Jiraya was there, but he brushed it off.
"You have a deal, child." Jigen finally declared. "But remember, I'll not wait for more than one day when the time is over.
"And keep in mind that if you break this deal," Naruto smirked. "there will be major consequences."
"I am aware of your world's "Binding Vow" system. Now, as promised, give me half of your total cursed energy."
"Half of it!?" Naruto yelled. "You do realize that I have near infinite cursed energy, do you?"
"I don't care." Jigen smirked for the first time. "Give it or nothing."
Naruto pondered at it for a moment before grinning secretly. "Fine."
Toneri stood at the entrance of his castle. His Tenseigan was glowing brightly. The light-blue hair made him look like a prince- which was not untrue.
"I've been waiting," he said as he felt a celestial presence behind him. "Child of Prophecy."
"Yeah, whatever." The boy said as he began to stretch his legs. "So are we doing this the easy way or the hard way"
"Hard way, I suppose." He replied absentmindedly. "But first, let's t-"
"Okay, sorry to kick…"
Toneri was sent flying into his castle through the door before he could continue.
"Excuse me?" Toneri yelled as he stood up.
"What?" The boy looked slightly confused. "Didn't you say you want to get your butt kicked?"
"I…I did not," Toneri barely controlled his anger. "I said that I want to talk."
"No you didn't!"
"I didn't…?"
"Duh!"
'Oh… my bad,'
"What do you want to talk about?" Tenodakume Gojo said as he floated around the Otsutsuki.
"I know just how weak I am compared to you," Toneri began.
"Really! Gees, thanks." The boy smiled sheepishly.
"That's why I wish not to confront you in a battle," Toneri finished.
"Really?" The smile on the boy's face was gone, replaced by a frown. "So easily? You're that weak, huh?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"It sucks,"
"Indeed."
"You do realize that your actions have consequences, don't you?"
"Yeah… but you already knew what I was going to do, right?"
"Yes, my child. Jigen, or rather, Isshiki's dojutsu is space-time based. His current body is too strong for you to defeat. He is your natural counter."
"I noticed that he shrinks… everything."
"Yes. His powers only work on inanimate objects. He can also absorb most chakras…"
"But he couldn't absorb my cursed energy…"
"Your power is… complicated. Extremely complicated."
"How?"
"Your Jōrikugan, it complicates the energy to atomic level— so difficult to understand…"
"Hmm. That's why I kinda deceived him back there. I hope he doesn't notice it."
"He will. But not before It's too late."
"Will they be able to beat him?"
Hagoromo smiled. "Believe it."
Naruto knocked on the Uchiha household's door.
A moment later, Sasuke Uchiha opened the door.
"You are back," Sasuke said with a little confusion.
"Yeah," Naruto sighed. "Turns out, I am still very weak to face that other guy."
"Oh?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"I made a deal with him." Naruto continued. "He won't do anything for twelve years."
"How can you be sure about that?"
"Long story." Naruto shook his head. "Now," he held Sasuke's single hand and began to pour positive cursed energy into his chakra system. Sasuke's eyes widened and with precision, Naruto's Jōrikugan began to convert it into chakra. "There." Naruto finally said. "This should be enough. I gave you a special kind of energy. It will make you stronger with each passing day."
"Okay?" Sasuke was confused.
"I may not be able to come here again." Naruto concluded. "That's why I gave you some powers."
"That makes… sense."
"And this power will never run out." Naruto informed him. "Just fist bump with others to share it." He grinned, seeing Sasuke's face twitch at that. "I know you can do it, believe it!"
Sasuke sighed.
"I need to go now," Naruto said. "There are many things I need to do on Earth. But I hope to see you, all of you guys one day." His eyes began to gleam. "Bye—"
"Naruto," Sasuke pulled something from his vest— a red scarf. "Take this," he held it to Naruto. "Someone told me to give this to you."
"Really, who?" Naruto asked as he took it and wore it around his neck.
"Can't say," Sasuke replied. "They forbid."
Narutp raised an eyebrow then shrugged. "Anyways, see you, Sasuke." With that, Naruto disappeared as his eyes glowed.
Sasuke sighed. How was he supposed to fist bump with people? Maybe he should start with Naruko.
"Naruko, fist bump with me."
"W-what? Why?"
"Just do it."
"Weird old man. Dattebayo."
"Come on already."
Meanwhile, in the Hyuuga estate, a certain dark-blue haired woman in her early thirties smiled weakly as she turned her Byakugan off.
"Hinata-sama," someone knocked on her room's door. "The clan meeting begins in five minutes."
"I'll be there," Hinata said as she stood up and slided the door open.
The branch family member with a CLEAR forehead bowed before saying, "I'll go and prepare the papers there."
Hinata nodded. Clan head duties were very sensitive. Her father was definitely enjoying his retirement.
Her mind then shifted to a certain boy.
"At least he has my gift…" Hinata whispered as she looked at the sky. "I'll be waiting for you, Naruto-kun. One day, I'll look at your eyes that hold the heavens."
Jōgan's powers, or rather Jōrikugan's powers, were a bit hard to control.
Using dimensional teleportation with it was… quite an experience.
Naruto's been hopping through dimensions like he's lost the map to his own backyard. First stop: a place where the local giants have a taste for human flesh. Not cool. He may or may or not have… forget it.
Then, whoosh! He's with pirates who think they're the top dog. But a quick spar later…
Just when he thinks it can't get weirder, he crashes an alien filled world that's out of this world—literally.
And in a blur, he's zipping through superhero turf, accidentally stirring up chaos with every move, 'accidentally' chopping off a purple-skinned being's hand, 'accidently'
He caused chaos everywhere, we're talking about major oopsies. Like history changing actions…
Finally, after a tour of the multiverse's wildest spots, Naruto finds his way home. Phew! It's been a trip, and not just the metaphorical kind. He's back where he belongs, probably ready to chill and process the cosmic rollercoaster he just rode.
When he returned to the Shibuya subway, he breathed out. It felt almost like years since he was here.
Then he saw it.
Time was unfrozen.
Yuji-nii-chan was in Stitch-Faced cursed spirit's domain.
Naruto cracked his knuckles before launching towards the giant black orb, healing Sunglasses-Sensei in the way, his new scarf fluttering like a cape.
Naruto punched the domain and cracked his way inside.
"See you in hell—" Mahito was about to destroy Yuji when Naruto whispered.
"Amateursu."
'The Pure Eye, Jōgan has all the powers of the Byakugan, Tenseigan, Mangekeyo Sharingan and most powers of Rinnegan and Rinne-Sharingan.' He remembered Super Gramp Sage's words. 'It also has some powers of other Otsutsuki dojutsu too…'
Mahito screamed as the black flames engulfed him, his domain shattering in the process and Yuji looking at the scene with wide eyes.
Mahito screamed. Yelled. Cursed. Tried to use the Reversed Cursed Technique.
Of course, nothing worked.
Finally, with a sickening popping sound, the Special Grade cursed spirit was out of existence.
Then Yuji looked at Naruto, a questioning look on his face.
"How… what…"
Naruto grinned. "I am just that awesome, believe it!"
Yuji was about to say something when they felt something enormous outside the subway.
Immediately their facial expressions changed into serious and with a silent nod of acknowledgement they both rushed outside the subway in order to see what it was.
A few moments later, they found what can be called a huge mess…courtesy of Sukuna, Jogo, Mahoraga and of course— Naruto.
Amidst the ruins, there stood three figures. Naruto and Yuji reached the center of a huge crater to see them.
A traditional white dark-purple dress wearing guy standing in front of a woman with bob-cut white hair and…
"Monk-guy…!" Naruto yelled as he saw the man.
"Yo," The monk smiled. "How have you been, little guy?"
"Forget the greetings!" Naruto yelled once more. "I thought you ate that Stitch-faced guy. But he was here, I k… finished him a moment ago."
The man smiled once more. "I did, although, only half of him."
"W-what…" Naruto paused. Sensing something… his eyes widened. "Kenjaku?!"
Kenjaku's smile widened, too creepy.
"No…" he and Yuji looked at the other guy, the one with traditional clothes. "He is Noritoshi Kamo!"
Silence.
"Who?" Yuji scratched the back of his head.
The guy's eyes widened as he looked at the boy. "Yuji… I am your big brother… Choso…"
Pin drop silence.
"N-no way!" Yuji denied.
"It is true…" Choso insisted.
Naruto frowned. He activated his Jogan and scanned Choso and Naruto. He looked at… Kenjaku.
What…
…no way…
"What did you do…?" Naruto asked as he shaked with anger.
"Nothing too much," Kenjaku chuckled. "You are too young to hear about such things."
If it were another time, Naruto would have blushed, but instead he yelled, "You bastard!"
He ran towards the man with speed that would put even the fastest airplane in the world in shame.
Kenjaku could clearly see him coming If his moving eyes were in indication and his smile from his face did not disappear, instead, his grin widened further.
Just when Naruto was about to shatter his skull with a Tsunade Style: Black Flash powered kick, a figure, not too taller or shorter than him emerged between him and Kenjaku, taking the entire force— nineteen hundred Newtons. Naruto's eyes widened as he felt a sharp pain on his ankle but the figure didn't move an inch. His Jōrikugan met a pair of dark-golden orbs.
Naruto jumped away.
"Tenodakume Gojo—" Kenaku said as he clapped his hands. "Child of Prophecy, it is foretold that in the future you will bring great change in the world. I waited centuries for you. To work with you, to study with you…" Kenjaku's smile vanished. "But why would you agree to work with me? I want to see the world through your eyes… but what if you went against me? So I had a little experiment. I present you your counter—"
Naruto still had his celestial dojutsu active. They scanned the newcomer.
His heart skipped a bit as he looked at the little girl.
Choso gasped as he fell on his knees, he could understand what Kenjaku was going to say.
Yuji was just looking at those eyes of hers. It was like looking into the mirror. Except… there was too much void.
"—Shinko Itadori." Kenjaku finished.
"Shinko protects Uncle Geto." The girl shyly muttered as she clutched his robes.
"Her innate cursed technique is artificial…" Kenajaku announced. "She will trade all her cursed energy in order to fight you. everytime she fights you, her cursed energy will disappear and give her such physical abilities and strength and speed and much more that no one will be able to dominate in a hand to hand combat." He grinned. "But there's more— when YOU, Tenodakume Gojo will use your cursed technique on her… it will have no effect." Naruto's eyes narrowed. "She is a fine creation, don't you agree?" Choso fumed while Yuji was frozen. "Second only to Yuji Itadori, her older brother. The others… huge disappointment.,"
"You…" Choso, not being able to tolerate anymore, launched himself at Kenjaku
Choso's eyes blazed with fury. He lunged at Kenjaku, fists ready to strike. "You're done!" he yelled.
Kenjaku dodged, a smirk on his face. "Too slow," he taunted.
Choso swung wildly, his attacks fueled by rage. Kenjaku slipped away each time, his smile growing.
"Stand still!" Choso demanded, his voice echoing with anger. "Piecing Blood!"
The pressure of the blood between his palms was intense, the blood shot like a laser beam. But Kenjaku easily dodged them.
Kenjaku chuckled. "Why? So you can miss it again?"
Frustrated, Choso unleashed a torrent of blood, aiming straight for Kenjaku. But Kenjaku raised a hand, a dark smoke-like cursed spirit appered and the blood froze mid-air.
"Pathetic," Kenjaku sneered.
He flicked his wrist, and the blood splattered harmlessly to the ground. Choso's eyes widened in disbelief.
Kenjaku's laughter filled the air. "Is that all you've got?"
Choso roared and charged, but Kenjaku's form blurred. He was toying with him.
Naruto and Yuji watched the one-sided duel with different expressions on their face. While Yuji was stunned by the revelations, Naruto was… feeling immense guilt.
'This is… everything was because of me?'
Suddenly, Kenjaku stopped smiling. "Enough games," he said coldly.
With a wave of his hand, he summoned a horde of cursed spirits. They swarmed Choso, their forms grotesque and terrifying.
Choso fought back, punching and kicking, but there were too many. They clawed and bit, dragging him down.
Kenjaku watched, his expression bored. "You were never a match for me."
The spirits overpowered Choso, pinning him to the ground. Kenjaku approached, his footsteps slow and deliberate.
Choso struggled, but it was useless. The spirits held him tight.
Kenjaku stood over him, a dark figure against the light. "Goodbye, Choso."
He raised his hand, and the spirits tightened their grip. Choso gasped for air, his strength fading.
With a final, cruel laugh, Kenjaku closed his fist. The spirits attacked, and Choso's screams were…
"Black Flash!"
The cursed spirits were sent flying away as they disappeared mid-air.
"Don't touch my onii-chan!" He declared.
Choso's eyes widened for a fraction for a moment before they started to saturate with tears.
Yuji, his form erupting cursed energy— almost as much as…
…Yuta Okkotsu.
Yuji launched himself at Kenjaku.
Kenjaku looked impressed by the teen's speed. But just when he was about to punch the man on the gut…
"Shinko protects Uncle!"
The girl punched he 'brother' on his face instead, sending him flying in shock and pain.
Naruto, who had regained his composure, appeared just in time to catch the older boy.
"Stay here onii-chan," Choso's eyes narrowed at the way how the Gojo addressed Yuji. but remained silent. "Maybe it is time you began your evil-villain talk." Naruto finished with a stern face.
"Ooooh," Kenaju playfully spoke. "I'll do you one better, how about I show you…" He raised his hands before he spoke and slapped his hands on the ground. "Idle Transfiguration!"
Suddenly Naruto… no everyone felt something under their feet, even without any special eyes….
The ground began to shake as hundreds of thousands of cursed spirits began to come out of the ground.
"I must thank both of you," Kenjaku addressed Naruto and Yuji. "Your fight with Mahito helped him to unleash his full potential…"
Yuji's eyes widened.
"You didn't…" Naruto trailed off.
"Indeed, I did." Kenaku smirked. "I have turned on Idle Transfiguration on every human being."
"W…" Just when Naruto was about to raise a question, a voice was heard.
"My, my, such fine boys in such a nasty place. Although, I must admit it is a nice time to…" A blonde-haired tall woman wearing a sleeveless black top and jeans with a playful smirk tapped on Yuji's shoulders. "What type of women do you like?"
"Women like Jennifer Lawrence," Yuji answered immediately before frowning. "Who are you again?"
The woman in question smirked playfully.
"Tsumiki Yuki…" Kenajaku answered with a devilish smirk. "Special Grade sorcerer…"
"Oh, you remember me?" She frowned.
"Indeed."
"Umm, hello?" Naruto waved. "So… what are you doing here again?"
"Who might you be?" She smiled as she asked.
"Naruto!"
"Right…" Kenajaku began. "As I was saying, I have awakened people's cursed techniques, Now, they will have to grow up…"
"'Have to'?" Yuji asked.
Kenjaku ignored his question. "Welcome to the precipice of a new era, my dear enemies. You stand in the heart of Shibuya, unknowingly at the cusp of evolution."
"Evolution? What twisted game are you playing, Kenjaku?" Naruto was fuming.
"Ah, child, it's not a game but a revolution. The Culling Game is but a means to an end. An end where humanity and Tengen become one."
Yuki yelled, "Merge with Tengen? Why would you want to do that?"
"To unlock the true potential of cursed energy within us all. Sorcerers, non-sorcerers, cursed spirits… we're all but vessels of this magnificent power."
Yuki gritted her teeth, "And you think forcing people to fight to the death will achieve that?"
Kenjaku continued, "The Culling Game is necessary. It's a crucible to collect the cursed energy required for the grand merger. And in the process, it weeds out the weak."
"You're playing god, Kenjaku-teme. Manipulating lives for your own ambition."
Kenjaku grinned. "Is it ambition or foresight, Gojo? I see a future where cursed energy is not a curse but a gift. And for that, I need the strongest to survive, to face the King of Curses himself."
Yuji frowned, "Sukuna? What does he have to do with this?"
"Everything. He's the linchpin. The Culling Game will leave only the mightiest sorcerers standing, ready to challenge Sukuna. And as they weaken him, I shall prepare my final move."
Naruto yelled, "You're insane. We won't let you get away with this."
"But you see, it has already begun. The die is cast, and the game is afoot. Will you play, or will you be swept away by the tides of change?"
He said before summoning a huge swan-like cursed spirit. The woman and the child got up on it's back followed by him.
Naruto knew he should attack him. He can definitely defeat him… but the girl… she didn't want to hurt her…
"Oh," Kenjaku raised his hands to show them a…cube.
"Old-man-sensei!" Naruto yelled.
Kenjaku chuckled while Yuji was on his knees.
"You may have to face him in the future, be ready." And just like that, the swan-like cursed spirit took off.
Naruto wasn't afraid anymore. He'll face anyone. He'd fight beings even Kenajau can't imagine. He had defeated Sukuna. He would prevail
"Master, to what destination does our journey lead?"
"To the heart of Chattogram, in the land of Bangladesh."
"Could it be… Bandarban?"
"Indeed."
"May I inquire the purpose?"
"In that place, Sensei's mystical spring resides."
"And this spring…?"
"Whosoever sips its waters, even but a solitary droplet, shall find their vigor multiplied a hundredfold."
"Such power seems invaluable."
"Yet, the peril is great; a 99% likelihood of doom. Your presence, Uraume, is no coincidence."
"Understood, Sukuna-sama."
"I can't wait for my sweet revenge…!" Sukuna grinned.
Next: The Culling Game begins!
Story Stats:
Words: Almost 92,000.
Chapters: 16 story chapters.
Interlude: 1 chapter.
Q/A: 2 chapters.
Views: More than 100,000!
Follows: 596
Favorites: 500
Reviews: 551
Till next time!