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TIMESKIP: 5 years
A few years passed by since Naoya encountered those goons at Miyuki's and Toji's place.
Quite a lot has happened since then. Mainly, his personal progress has improved quite a lot, and he was officially given Special Grade status by the Jujutsu HQ.
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Name: Naoya Zenin
Title: Body Stealer, Possible Zenin Heir, Busiest Middle Schooler, Hei Rank 1, Special Grade Sorcerer, Big Brother, Little Uncle, Hei Captain
Cursed Technique: Ten Shadows Technique (Active) / Projection Sorcery (Active)
Cursed Energy: 43780/43780
STR: 508 (+261)
DEX: 515 (+265)
VIT: 544 (+243)
INT: 501 (+240)
LUK: 340 (+200)
Extra Points: 0
Achievements:
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The stat increase was starting to slow down since grinding was getting difficult, but thanks to the occasional passive increases, he was getting stronger steadily.
The milestone rewards were stacking up nicely as well.
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> Have 5 stats reach 200 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 2 stats reach 300 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 3 stats reach 300 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 4 stats reach 300 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 5 stats reach 300 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 1 stat reach 400 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 2 stats reach 400 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 3 stats reach 400 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 4 stats reach 400 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 1 stat reach 500 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 2 stats reach 500 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 3 stats reach 500 (+10% potential increase)
> Have 4 stats reach 500 (+10% potential increase)
{For particular stat bonuses, I will just club them together. He still gets the buff for each milestone, meaning for 300, 400, and 500, he gets the bonus 1 time for each.}
> Increase STR to 300/400/500 (+10% strength while fighting, +10% strength boost when using cursed energy reinforcement, +10% increased muscle quality, +10% defence penetration when fighting, -10% impact recoil, +10% increased bone quality)
> Increase DEX to 300/400/500 (+10% mind-body coordination while using equipment, +10% strength boost while using equipment, +10% speed boost while using equipment, +10% movement flexibility, +10% increased precision, +10% increased senses)
>Increase VIT to 400/500 (+10% resistance to poisons, diseases, status conditions, -10% damage from physical attacks, -10% damage from cursed energy attacks, +10% regenerative power, -10% food requirement to survive, +10% fatigue recovery rate)
>Increase INT to 300/400/500 (+10% cursed energy amount, -10% cursed energy consumption, +10% cursed energy output, +10% cursed energy and cursed technique activation, +10% cursed energy recovery, +10% faster brain processing, -10% damage from mental attacks)
>Increase LUK to 200/300 (+2% chance to increase all stats by 1 {once a day}, +2% chance to revive from death with recovery from the attack, +2% chance to avoid fatal injuries, +5% chance not to consume cursed energy for an attack, +5% chance to not lose a shikigami upon shikigami's death)
>Become a Special Grade Sorcerer (+1000 cursed energy)
>Become the Captain of the Hei squad (+2 to all stats)
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The increased potential buffs were now stacked at 23, meaning a total of 230% potential increase. This translates to 79 frames per second theoretically, and trapping the foes for 3.3 seconds if they failed to match his frame movement.
For the Ten Shadows Technique, two new shikigami were added to the roster, the Ox and the Tiger, and just like he had hypothesised, these shikigami were truly strong.
The Piercing Ox: It was just pure brute strength. In terms of physical might, the Ox was stronger than any shikigami he had. That, combined with the hardening abilities that it got after receiving the potential increase, made it almost too broken. The only thing holding it back from being too broken was that the hardening could not be applied to the whole body at the same time, and that it was initially slow. Though once the Ox started charging, both its speed and power started increasing as well. The scary part was that there was no limit to how fast or how strong it could get. He just needs to keep running. Given such amazing power, the Ox was named suitably as well. Broly.
The Funeral Tiger: This shikiami looked like a simple white tiger, just a tad too big, with very sharp fangs and claws and bloodshot red eyes. The Tiger was, in simple terms, an executioner. She can mark a target with cursed energy, and no matter how far away or under how many barriers the target is hiding, it won't escape the tiger's detection. The injuries caused by the tiger won't heal by natural healing or with medicines, even RCT becomes less effective on those wounds. Another terrifying ability that it gained was a 100% defence ignoring move, though it had a downside of causing self damage if it misses, but the risk was worth it. There was another ability as well, though Naoya was not too keen on using that ability anytime soon. If a shikigami died, the tiger's overall powers increased. Useful sure. Needed right now, no. The tiger was named Snow White because, for some weird reason, this executioner wanted a cutesy name.
Apart from this, his Projection Sorcery was now more versatile. Now, instead of freezing his foes in frame, he could make them undergo forced movements when using his technique on them. This was useful in redirecting potential AOE attacks from opponents or making their limbs move in an unexpected direction, and causing them cause self-harm. Works well against foes with tougher defences.
Overall, the techniques were progressing nicely. Now, only one shikigami was left to be exorcised, and even though he was confident in exorcising it, the collateral damage that would be caused by it made him delay it for now.
Now for the changes around him.
The clan was now calmer than before, thanks to Kagenori's reforms and active monitoring. He was now somewhat feared in the clan, but considering that the attacks on him had decreased by quite a lot, it was a good exchange. He was now also given more authority and responsibility in the clan since he became Hei rank 1, and the captain of the squad.
Many were dissatisfied with his sudden promotion at first, but after failing to even graze him, they accepted reality. Naobito, being officially named the next Zenin Clan Head, further silenced complaints.
The competition was quite close, considering that both Naobito and Ogi were quite similar in strength, but Naobito's change in attitude and temperament after the clan meeting that day gave him an edge. Not to mention, Naoya's support was there as well, since many believed that Naobito was made the clan head only because Naoya was too young and once he was of age, the position would be handed to him.
At the moment, Naoya had more supporters than Naobito in the family.
Many hated him because of what he did that day, but after they had time to think things through, they realised what Naoya did was beneficial to the clan, not to mention that Naoya was an idol amongst the younger generation of the clan.
Seeing someone around their age standing at the top of the clan made them feel more excited about their own prospects.
Speaking of the clan politics, Jinichi was still vying for the position of the clan head, but knew that the opportunity for that wouldn't arrive soon.
Ogi, on the other hand, was initially very vocal about his displeasure with not being chosen when he was no worse than Naobito; however, once he became a father than changed.
Not because he was turning into a great husband and father, far from that.
His firstborns were twins, girls at that. Twins were a taboo for sorcerers, and the orthodox Zenin family gave little favour to girls born in the family.
Now, instead of blaming the clan and the clan head, he was blaming his wife and kids for not being chosen as the next clan head.
And true to being a big baby, the man made sure that his anger was vented on the kids.
Naoya did not have a good impression of his uncle in the first place, but this was taking things too far in his opinion. The clan was not going to step in, considering there was no merit to take sides of the twins, who had very bad potential as sorcerers. Their mother also had abandoned the kids in name, not that Naoya could blame her; she was already suffering too much being the one taking the full brunt of Ogi's anger. She was too pitiful herself, and if she cared for the kids even after that, there was a chance that the man could vent his anger on them as well.
Not liking the way the kids were being treated, Naoya decided to take responsibility for them. The two were his cousins, so it wasn't going to cause too many issues in the clan if he decided to raise them. Ogi didn't mind much, as well, considering he didn't want to associate himself with the 'failures' anyway.
And just like that, Naoya gained the responsibility of raising the two girls, Maki and Mai.
Honestly, apart from having bad talent as sorcerers, the kids had no other flaws. They were cute, laughed beautifully, and brightened the atmosphere in his otherwise dull clan life.
Sure, taking care of them was quite tiring, but the feeling of not wanting them to grow like he did made him step up for the cause.
Meanwhile, Toji and Miyuki got married. Good for Toji. The two were living happily, with Toji leaving his shady past behind. The man decided that it was time for him to act maturely for his family and was now working as a model/ stunt double/ actor.
Initially, Naoya was surprised by the career he was in, stunt double, he could understand, but modelling was not something he was expecting Toji to do.
Turns out, someone scouted him during his stunt double gig, and he agreed to model, considering the pay. Weirdly enough, he was quite a popular model as well, turns out a lot of girls were thirs- *cough**cough* fond of his looks. One thing led to another, and he was now a small-time actor in various plays and was about to work in a TV show as well.
Toji still didn't like this work much, but it paid well, and was clean money too. Something he decided was now his priority. He didn't want to put his family in danger, which has now increased, considering he recently had a son, officially making Naoya an uncle.
The kid's name was Megumi, and he was around the same age as Maki and Mai.
Truthfully, according to Naoya, the sisters he was raising were cuter than his nephew. The boy was good, but the girls were better.
Though, because of his short-sightedness, he mentioned that to Miyuki and for some reason, the two were now competing over whose kids were better.
Spoiler, Naoya's.
Leaving that aside. Toji and Miyuki also played a huge role in helping him take care of the kids.
Naoya had school and could not look after the two all the time, and leaving them behind at the clan was asking for trouble.
Miyuki came to the rescue, as she offered to help look after them during his school hours. She was now more than aware of the 'amazing Zenin upbringing' and was more than willing to help Naoya.
Naoya readily agreed, though not for free. Zankyo, the weapon curse, turned shikigami was also left behind at their home as well and was told to help with the chores around the house, so that Miyuki was not that burdened with work. Cleaning, Laundry, and other such tasks were handled by Zankyo, not to mention the security that he provided to them. Even Toji agreed to letting Miyuki help look after the girls, considering the security that the shikigami provided.
And just like that, the time passed for him.
""Nii-Nii!!""
Naoya, who was currently getting ready for school, was suddenly tackled by the two bodies.
Seeing the two like that, Naoya smiled at the kids. They were now 2 years old and were able to hold basic conversations.
"Woke up on your own? Let's get you two ready as well."
Naoya then looked at their futon, and as expected their was a giant wet stain.
"Let's get you two cleaned first...." muttered Naoya and sighed.
He made a hand sign, and rabbits popped out of his shadow.
They looked at Naoya for instruction, to which he glanced towards the futon.
The rabbits understood their assignment and gave a salute to Naoya and got to work.
Once done with his preparations and having the girls ready, Naoya left the clan compound to head straight to the Fushiguro's.