23 Departure

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

-Story Start-

-Third Person POV-

The autumn sun shone brightly above the clear blue sky, its light providing much-needed yet lacking warmth to the eternal frost that covers the Holy Land Of Swords.

A fitting bright day for an extremely bright and happy event for the residents of the Holy Land Of Swords - Especially the Sword Saints.

The much-anticipated departure of their resident troublemaker - Gojo Satoru.

Indeed, it was never a matter of if, but when.

The residents eagerly awaited the departure of their troublesome resident.

Oh, how they longed to discover the exact moment their tormentor would bid the town farewell!

Ironically, Gojo Satoru's talent in Sword God which the Sword Saints greatly envied and were befuddled by, was the reason he decided to leave - Having mastered the art in a mere six months.

Considering him just another member of the Human Species would be a gross understatement.

It would be more apt to call him an indisputable Phenomenon - To most, a natural disaster.

Like a hurricane, he arrived before the lives of the people in this land, defeating a Great Power and flaunting his power and ego left and right carelessly, his talent indescribable as he mastered an ancient sword art in record speed, in an unorthodox manner to add to the absurdness.

His name, he gladly gave without hesitation.

His titles, describe him perfectly.

[The Anomaly] - 6th Of The Seven Great Powers.

[Delirious Sword Emperor] - The 4th Greatest User Of Sword God Style.

All these titles belong to the phenomenon known as Gojo Satoru.

And fittingly...

A crowd gathered before the town's main gate, undeterred by the cold, as a man destined to be etched into the annals of history prepared to embark on his journey to an unknown destination...

Never to return - A passing legend and tale destined to echo through generations in this Frozen Land.

...

As if he could just leave quietly and not further dirty his reputation with his pretentious antics.

...Whatever part of it that isn't dirty anyway.

There he stood in front of the gate and crowd, his posture and look eye-catching as always.

Obsidian black clothing, Phantom Edge sheathed and strapped to his waist.

A stylish backpack he expensively bought for himself to carry his minimal needs.

And of course, not withholding the iconic shades that hide his enigmatic eyes from the rest of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present - The "Self-proclaimed" Paragon Of Fashion!

Which held some truth, at least.

Waving at the crowd, he expressed faux sadness, "Don't be disheartened! I know you'll miss me! But I'm not gone forever! Come visit me at the Magic University in Ranoa - I'll be there for some time! I promise to sign all your autographs!"

"JUST LEAVE ALREADY!" Some of the Sword Saints yelled out, frustration evident in their voices.

Satoru glanced at his beloved fans, touched, "I'm touched! That so many of you have come so far to bid me farewell! I like you guys~!" He brought down his shades to wink at them with his tongue out.

Infuriating the Satoru Hating Sword Saints further, yet deep down they felt conflicted.

Sure, he was a nuisance, and they will never forget the degrading and painful beatdown he gave them when he arrived.

His presence and six-month stay with them could be described as - Complicated.

Humbled and Envious of his talent and strength.

Annoyed and Enraged at his absurd pranks, antics, and acts.

At times, amused at the jester-like Satoru - When they weren't the butt of the joke and someone else was.

All sorts of emotions whirled in the minds of all the Sword Saints alike, with varying degrees.

But the resounding one was - Emptiness.

How contradicting... Although his presence can be summarized as majorly negative for the Satoru haters.

They had grown relatively used to his presence.

One might dare say, warmed up to him, in an odd way.

And now that he's about to leave - The literal beacon of entertainment and chaos in the otherwise rigid Dojo.

Are they... Going to miss him?

As the Satoru Hating Sword Saints had their inner conflict, the residents of the Holy Land Of Swords gave Satoru a warmer reply, "We'll miss you Gojo!" Some yelled out.

The normal folk of the town seemed to have better impressions of Satoru throughout the months.

The regular town girls, enchanted by Satoru, made their feelings known:

"YOUR BABY! LET ME HAVE YOUR BABY BEFORE YOU LEAVE~!"

"I'LL NAME MY SON AFTER YOU!"

"TIE ME UP, GOJO~!"

In a town of mostly swordsmen and women, masochistic and sadistic tendencies appeared more common than uncommon.

The town's men and male adventurers on the other hand?

Had relatively better impressions of the clown...

"FUCK YOU!" The gruff man Satoru had knocked out before being employed in the Sword Maiden's inn threw a snowball at Satoru as he yelled out.

Only for the snowball to be caught by the approaching Mel, the receptionist in the Sword Maiden who had recruited Satoru to his first and perhaps last service-based job.

She smirked as she approached, "Finally leaving are ya, Gojo? Cause I won't miss ya!" She gave him a slap on the back.

Satoru snorted, "Stop lying! You're welcome to join me. If you can keep up, that is~!"

She rolled her eyes, "As if anyone can keep up with you. Besides, I don't like you as much as you think I do."

Satoru, grabbing his chin, nodded matter-of-factly, "One of those is a lie, another is the wholehearted truth!" He clicked his fingers at her, an amused smirk on his face.

Shaking her head in a mix of exasperation and amusement, she turned around, waved Satoru goodbye, and gave him one last smile.

"Cya Mel~!" He waved cheerfully.

Then, approached the figure of Alistair, a wide smile on his face, "You were an experience, Satoru." He stated bluntly

Satoru's own smirk widened as he responded, "An unforgettable experience~?"

Alistair nodded, his tone honest as he chuckled, "Haha. One of a kind." He extended his arm for a handshake.

Satoru reciprocated the gesture and shook his hand with a firm grip, their eyes meeting through the shades.

Alistair added, "Do me a favor and don't turn the University and wherever else you may wander off to upside down will you?" His tone was a mix of pleading and amusement.

"No promises!" Satoru cheerfully replied, yet his expression conveyed another message.

Truthfully, Alistair cared not if Satoru was up to his tomfoolery.

What he was concerned about was Satoru's morality, a matter Alistair had been trying his best to help Satoru figure out.

Has Satoru figured it out?

Alistair didn't know.

However, what he did know is that Satoru already had some good buried in him, and he himself did his best to nurture that quality.

Satoru's current veiled message answered Alistair's own.

"No promises - But, he'll try."

And, that gave him immense relief.

Alistair smiled in gratitude as he put a hand in his pocket, "One last thing..." He fished out an insignia in front of the curious Satoru.

He held it out to Satoru, "Take it. This is an insignia of the Wynrul Family. We give these to those who we are indebted to, or to those we greatly trust. Although my family is a relatively minor nobility in Asura, should you find yourself in trouble there, I'd appreciate it if you seek out my family if you need any help instead of... Any violet responses."

Satoru silently took the insignia, as Alistair continued, "Regardless, I wouldn't recommend going to Asura, since a majority of the aristocracy are corrupted and repulsive people. But just in case you go there after your Teleportation Magic research in Ranoa, I hope this will be of service to you." Alistair smiled.

Satoru mirrored the expression as he responded with a simple yet profound, "Thank you." Nodding.

Alistair nodded silently as he added, "Oh, and Relna also said goodbye, she told me to tell you that she'll reluctantly miss you, but she's been holed up in her room since... You know..."

Satoru waved him off, "Yeah, yeah, the season where the Beast Race gets all hot and bothered."

He then nodded sagely, his tone faux sympathetic, "Completely understandable, she'd lose all semblance of self-control if she got a look at me in that state, she'd ravage me rougher than Eris~!" Satoru was inclined to state the Eris part particularly audibly so the crowd could hear.

Snorting Alistair shook his head, "Still spouting that lie till the end, huh?"

Turning around, Alistair turned to take a look towards the far-off Dojo on the hill, "Speaking of Eris, as expected she hadn't left training to even bid you farewell, that girl." He shook his head in minor disappointment.

'Not unexpected, but still disappointing.' Alistair empathized with Satoru.

Satoru seemed completely unbothered, as per usual, "Don't worry! I bid goodbye to both her and Sensei earlier!"

Alistair's tone grew curious, "What of Master Gal? Had he challenged you for his title in the Great Powers again? I'd have loved to see that..."

Satoru shook his head as he shrugged, his tone disappointed, "He'd stated he'd still lose and he has yet to perfect his sword to match me... He said he'll send a letter to request the rematch wherever I am in the world, or to return in a few years." Satoru stated bluntly.

'Not that I'm planning on staying in this world for that long.' Satoru thought to himself indifferently.

Regardless of how much fun he had here and how much more fun he could have here, he knew he had to return.

Six months was already too long, but he trusted Suguru.

Even over time, multiple years even - Suguru would be fine.

Yet, Japan needed Gojo Satoru.

Maybe not now.

Maybe not in a few years.

But eventually, they'd need him.

'This is... A Vacation, after all.' The somber thought left a slightly bitter taste in his mouth.

Shaking his head out of those "Totally not fun thoughts" as he'd categorize them playfully, he addressed everyone, spreading his arms wide, "Everyone! It's been fun! I know you'll miss me but take care! It's been a pleasure to host you guys! Bye!" He announced quickly and theatrically.

It seemed Satoru fit into the public celebrity role perfectly, enjoying every second of it.

Nevertheless, as much as he enjoyed it, it was time to depart.

As he finished his announcement, he didn't linger for more reactions.

Turning around, he waved and headed towards the gate.

His steps on the cobblestone road echoed loudly, despite the unheard cheers, insults, and roars from the major crowd at his sides.

The uproarious, tearful goodbyes - As if Satoru is a Hero sent off to fight a Demon Lord.

The insults, rage, and grateful celebration - As if Satoru is a despicable Villian that was exiled from the town for wreaking havoc.

As always is the case when Gojo Satoru is involved.

Even a simple departure - Couldn't get a fitting category.

Was it a joyful departure?

Was it a depressing departure?

"Yes"

...As nonstandard and absurd as always.

Nodding and waving at the guards as he passed the gate, Satoru finally left the town.

He lowered his shades and glanced at the wide blue sky as a profound emotion, primarily of excitement bubbled beneath the surface.

As the prospect of another journey, another adventure in this world, and his freedom stirred those profound emotions once again - Six months after arriving in this world.

Now, don't get him wrong, he's traveled around this land for the odd quest for money and the odd Patrol Duty.

But with his purpose of staying here being fulfilled, he can move on to the next.

So simple, yet so exhilarating.

He reflected for but a moment, yet thousands of memories passed him by of the last six months in this town - The pranks with some of the more open-minded Sword Saints against the more stoic and frigid ones.

The goblin slaying.

Ice fishing with Alistair.

Making sweets with Relna and throwing her entire wardrobe in a river.

Training with Eris and beating her up in her stupid duels.

And so much more...

"Not bad at all..." Satoru mumbled out.

"I'm coming with you." A familiar feminine voice broke Satoru out of his thoughts as he turned to the source.

His ethereal eyes met with Dark Blue, as he tilted his head curiously at Nina.

"Can you keep up~?" Satoru playfully questioned.

Nina huffed, "Don't get it twisted, Gojo. I'm joining you because my father asked me to get him some materials on how to beat you in Ranoa." She pulled out a letter with Gal's seal that she'll likely have to show the Principal.

Satoru had a wry grin on him, his tone expressed he didn't believe a word she uttered, "Sure~"

At that, a microscopic blush took hold of her face.

To Be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

Truthfully, the ease of writing this fic astounds me, really.

It took less than half the time to write this length of a chapter than to write the same amount of words for my Ten Shadows Fic.

Nevertheless, hopefully, the quality is up to your satisfaction and didn't feel rushed, per se.

If there's any issue I'll rewrite it! It just flowed a bit too fast so I feel a bit weird with it lmao.

Anywho, Gojo has finally left the Holy Land Of Swords!

With a companion for his travels! Sort of...

Nina can't keep up with him!

That part will be pretty fun to write!

Also... Poor Jino! (No one cares honestly, not even me)

I hope this departure made sense and was satisfactory to you!

Good day, people! I'll post another pretty soon, cause this shit flowed way too easily not gonna lie.

Anyways! Most importantly! Did I portray Teen Gojo well in this chapter? I'd appreciate feedback on this on each chapter! As this is the most critical part of the fic! Woohoo! Feedback! Yes! 

Have a nice day!

-Author Note End-