"I am the Supreme Sorcerer of another universe," Senju Haruto declared, his voice firm and unshakable.
No matter how one looked at it, his current power clearly surpassed that of the Ancient One. And because his mental strength was greater, the Ancient One could not peer into his memories. To her, he was a complete mystery.
But Haruto…
Even without delving into the Ancient One's mind, he already knew much about the Marvel universe.
He knew that the Ancient One was the Supreme Sorcerer who resided in Kamar-Taj.
He knew her magic came from the light—White Magic, drawn from the Trinity of Vishanti, three ancient gods who safeguarded Earth.
He even knew that one of them, Agamotto, had been the very first Supreme Sorcerer.
These were not minor details—Haruto carried with him a treasury of hidden knowledge.
"Supreme Sorcerer of Universe-19999," Haruto said as he withdrew his overwhelming mental force, his tone calm and deliberate, "I have no desire to harm you."
"Universe-19999?" whispered Kaguya, standing behind him. Her voice was so faint it barely reached Haruto's ears, filled with quiet confusion at the strange designation.
But this was no moment for explanation. Haruto pretended not to hear.
"Another Supreme Sorcerer?" the Ancient One murmured as she slowly steadied herself. She was still shaken, but her eyes carried both suspicion and curiosity. Judging by the raw might of Haruto's magic and spirit, he was certainly on par with—if not greater than—a Supreme Sorcerer.
"Then what is your purpose in coming here?" she asked at last. Surely this man had not come to Kamar-Taj merely to test himself against her?
Haruto's brow furrowed slightly, his voice carrying the weight of solemnity. "I've encountered… a problem. A grave one. If possible, I was hoping you could lend me your aid."
He paused, then added, "Of course, Ancient One, this would not be without payment. In return, I can help you resist Dormammu's invasion."
It was a masterful bluff.
To the Ancient One, his words were tempting—who wouldn't want such a powerful ally against Dormammu, the Lord of the Dark Dimension?
But Haruto knew the truth.
Because the Ancient One was bald and female, he had already confirmed this was the film universe, not the comics.
And in the Marvel film continuity, Dormammu's invasion could only occur if all three Sanctums were destroyed at once.
That event, in the entire movie timeline from Doctor Strange to Avengers: Endgame, had happened only once. And even then, Doctor Strange himself had resolved it—not through brute force, but through clever negotiation.
In other words…
Dormammu wouldn't even show up. Haruto had nothing to worry about.
Still, coming from someone like him, such an offer sounded irresistible.
The Ancient One narrowed her eyes. "Then… what kind of help do you seek?"
Haruto smiled inwardly. She was cautious but had chosen not to make an enemy of him. That was the wise path.
"It's like this," he began, weaving his story with flawless conviction. "The universe I belong to was invaded by forces from another dimension. Though I ultimately defeated them, I was deeply affected in the process. My homeland—my entire continent—was drawn across dimensions, and brought into your universe."
He let his voice drop slightly, heavy with false regret. "Now, I seek a way to return."
The Ancient One nodded slowly, digesting his words. Whether she believed them or not, at least on the surface, his purpose was reasonable: he wanted to go back.
But doubt remained in her mind.
"I do not understand," she said at last. "A Supreme Sorcerer as strong as you… how could your dimension fall to an invader? Do you mean to say your universe had no Sanctums?"
Her tone was calm, but Haruto immediately recognized the hidden test in her words. If he faltered, if he slipped in his story, she would act—even if it meant wielding black magic or summoning the Eye of Agamotto itself—to ensure Earth's safety.
But Haruto was a traveler, well-versed in the lore of Marvel. How could he be caught so easily?
A faint, bitter smile crossed his lips. "In truth… when the invasion came, I was not yet the Supreme Sorcerer."
"Oh?" the Ancient One's brow furrowed slightly.
"At that time, the Supreme Sorcerer of our universe was also known as the Ancient One. But unlike you, our Ancient One was a man."
Haruto continued seamlessly:
"I was but one of the Sanctum guardians. In our world, there were others as well—Mordo and Kaecilius. But both grew hungry for the power of the dark arts, their minds corrupted."
His voice hardened. "It was Kaecilius who ultimately betrayed us… and slew the Ancient One."
The Ancient One's expression shifted. She had seen glimpses of this future herself, through the Time Stone. Kaecilius killing her—it was a vision that had haunted her. Hearing Haruto speak of it made her chest tighten.
"But," Haruto pressed on, "the Ancient One's spirit returned, guiding me. He taught me how to resist the darkness, and entrusted me with the mantle of Supreme Sorcerer."
"The final battle unleashed more power than I could control. When the dust settled, I found myself here… with my companions. And the Time Stone…" Haruto's voice grew quiet, as though weighed down by loss. "…vanished without a trace."
It was the perfect lie. After all, the Time Stone was too conspicuous to carry around in this world. Better to declare it lost than invite suspicion.
"No wonder," the Ancient One muttered, her lips twitching in a rare moment of candor. "No wonder you looked upon Kaecilius with such pressure earlier…"
Still, her thoughts were a tangle of contradictions. Was he speaking of his world—or describing her own fate?
At last, she exhaled and offered a faint smile. "Very well. I will do all in my power to aid you, Supreme Sorcerer from another universe."
The sooner he left, the less danger he posed to her reality. And if, in the meantime, she could borrow his strength against the Dark Dimension, so much the better.
"But," she added, tilting her head slightly, "how should I address you, Supreme Sorcerer?"
Haruto's lips curved in a soft, confident smile. "Call me Haruto."
Then, with a courteous bow, he made his request.
"If you do not mind, Ancient One, I would ask that my companion and I be allowed to stay here for a time. And perhaps… consult your library. Within your ancient tomes, I may find clues to the path home."
...
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