"Happy Birthday!"
A month passed, and before he knew it, Yuki had turned 14. Time flew by swiftly as he stayed home for several months.
With Tsugumi, Ayase, and Inori joining the household, the atmosphere became livelier. The girls contributed significantly to Konoha's recovery during this period.
Tsugumi and Ayase, skilled hackers, enhanced Konoha's technology and implemented more advanced security cameras.
Meanwhile, Inori, Tsubaki, and Shizune assisted Tsunade in Konoha's administration.
With Yuki and Tsunade vouching for their identities, the girls smoothly adapted to Konoha after getting acquainted with the village.
Peace had once again embraced Konoha, coinciding with Yuki's birthday.
Yuki knew it; his shota appearance had vanished, and he was now a handsome teenager. Tsunade had no doubt that soon, the young kunoichis would be chasing after him like bees.
"Ninjas mature faster than regular people," Yuki sighed. As a child, older women tended to lower their guard in his presence, taking advantage of the situation, just like Kurenai did. However, Kurenai had distanced herself a bit, making him a bit sad. Fortunately, Tsunade continued as always, signifying her genuine acceptance.
"Ohhh!"
At this moment, a massive cake stood in front of him. Tsunade, Hinata, Ino, Tsubaki, Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Neji, Rock Lee, Tenten, Inori, Tsugumi, Ayase, and the rest gathered to wish him a happy birthday.
[Congratulations, Master]
[Hmph, just because it's a special day]
In his spiritual world, Est hugged him tenderly, and Eggy huffed coldly but kissed his forehead affectionately.
*Ding*
"Yuno Gasai: Happy Birthday, Yuki!"
"Mikoto Misaka: Are you the same age as me? Ugh... My head hurts every time I try to think about how timelines work in other worlds."
"Kurumi Tokisaki: May you have many more years to come~"
"La Folia: Huhuhu, Yuki-sama is adapting more to my taste every day. Just four more years, and we can get married."
"Emilia: Congratulations, and Puck also wishes you a happy day, Yuki."
"Yami: I want cake...."
Even the chat girls sent him congratulatory messages. Yuno and Kurumi even hinted that they would visit his world to give him their gifts personally, and if Yuki wasn't mistaken, it might involve something intimate.
*Ding*
[Received a gift from Jasmine]
Jasmine was more direct, sending her gift through the chat. Apparently, she didn't want to be left behind and promptly sent a divine artifact.
With so many people around him, Yuki felt truly blessed.
"Thank you... Mother..."
Even the world's will sent him a gift— a snowy night, just like the day he was born and the origin of his name.
---
"Happy birthday..."
In the dream world, Black Rock Shooter handed him the Ocarina. She had been guiding him for these months and thought it was time for Yuki to possess this artifact.
"Elder..."
Yuki knew what the Ocarina was; it was potent enough to seal the Demon King. That's why he was surprised that Black Rock Shooter gave him something so crucial.
"It's okay; this will serve you better than me."
Without allowing Yuki to object, Black Rock Shooter continued.
"You've grown strong; you can now guide your power and activate your Crown."
Controlling the energy of Order wasn't easy; only beings of the highest level had access to this energy, and not everyone could control it, let alone use it for battle.
Order and Chaos, energies that existed since the beginning of everything.
It was a good sign that Yuki had learned to activate his Crown. Black Rock Shooter had doubts given his injuries and fragmented soul, but now she was more at ease.
At least now, if the Demon King awakened, Yuki could seal it again using the Ocarina.
"Elder, is there any way to avoid being controlled?"
During his fight against Danzo, one of his clones was controlled by Kotoamatsukami, and honestly, he didn't like it. There was also the Yamanaka clan's jutsu; although Yuki was strong enough to resist soul invasion, he didn't know what would happen if he encountered other users of mind control.
"Our souls are protected by our Crown, so we are immune to soul and brain control. However, in your case, due to your injuries, you are vulnerable to such attacks..."
Shaking her head, Black Rock Shooter explained. As Champions, pure beings of Order, their souls were always protected by the Crown of Order; mental control was impossible for them.
The Crown could only be corrupted by Chaos, and nothing could penetrate the absolute shield. However, Yuki was different; his soul was fragmented and incomplete, and his Crown had too many weak points that left the dark part of his soul exposed.
Due to this, Danzo could control one of his clones. Even with Est and Eggy in the spiritual world protecting his mind, they couldn't stop Kotoamatsukami.
As expected from the ultimate Genjutsu, fortunately, he always had the help of Zafkiel and the past, where he couldn't be controlled.
However, Yuki feared that someone could invade his mind and extract information; that would be terrible.
"But you don't have to worry; the more you can control your Crown, this weakness of yours will disappear. For now, you can have this..."
"Elder?"
Handing him a necklace with a bell, Black Rock Shooter smiled.
"This is my amulet; as long as you have it, I'll ensure to protect your soul and mind until you're ready."
Yuki couldn't be controlled due to Zafkiel's existence, but with the bell, he would be immune to mental invasion. No one could extract information from his brain, unless they wanted to face Black Rock Shooter and the entire dream world.
Even the Demon King couldn't defeat her...
"All right, it's time for me to go; I've guided you on your path. The rest depends on you..."
Likewise, Black Rock Shooter looked towards the Mist; the time to say goodbye had come.
"Elder... Is it possible..."
"I would have liked to continue guiding your path, but unfortunately, I can't stay. There's a world that needs my help."
It was a true pity, but such was the life of Champions. They were never in a single world; always traveling through the multiverse, saving worlds. At this moment, Black Rock Shooter could hear the cry for help from another world.
Yuki knew this, and because of that, he didn't say another word. He bowed and sincerely thanked her for the guidance.
"Thank you for your guidance; I appreciate what you've done for me."
"We're family, so don't thank me for anything."
"Don't overexert yourself, Elder, and please come back safe and sound."
With how dangerous Overlords were, Yuki feared that Black Rock Shooter might fall in battle. However, facing his concerns, Black Rock Shooter bowed and tapped his forehead.
"You're still a child; there's no need for you to worry about me. I'm very strong."
Embracing Yuki, Black Rock Shooter kissed his forehead before disappearing into the mist.
"Grow big and strong... When the time comes, you'll become an excellent Champion. Don't worry; we'll meet again very soon..."
---
"It's time to part ways, at least for now."
Days after Black Rock Shooter's departure, the girls and Yuki gathered again at home.
Inori, Tsugumi, and Ayase would travel to the world of the Gods. Both Tsugumi and Ayase had been living in Konoha and had never felt so powerless. There were hundreds of shinobi running across rooftops, not to mention having powers like Inori and Tsubaki. This frustrated them, and they wanted the ability to defend themselves. Thus, they turned to Yuki for help. Unfortunately, they didn't possess chakra, so Yuki provided them with only one option—the Falna or God's Blessing. To receive this blessing, they needed to travel to the world of the Gods.
Coincidentally, Tsunade, Tsubaki, and Shizune were present when Yuki mentioned this, sparking the interest of all three in this new world and, of course, in the Goddess Hestia. Although Yuki discovered that Tsunade's true reason for traveling was to escape work, he said nothing and supported the idea of a vacation.
Explaining all the details and how time would stop in their world during their travels, Yuki and the group prepared everything needed and set off to another world. Unfortunately, Yuki couldn't accompany the girls to another world, after all...
"Yuki Uchiha (Champion): Are you ready, Mikoto?"
"Mikoto Misaka: Everything is ready; I'll summon you now!"
With Inori leading the way, a light enveloped the girls as they departed to the world of the Gods.
[Mikoto Misaka is inviting you to her world]
[Do you want to accept?]
[Yes] [No]
"Yes..."
Accepting the request, Yuki waited until the countdown reached zero.
"Now it's my turn..."
Similarly, a light enveloped Yuki, and he disappeared.
A new world awaited both Yuki and the girls.
---
TN: End of volume next volume is Toaru Majutsu no Indekkusu
Tbh I haven't watched the anime but this volume was pretty good iirc
Tho yes few drama here and there but there wasn't any nerf 🤔