When Senju Haruto and Kaguya appeared on the square of Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One and her disciples quickly noticed them—especially Haruto.
Though he had only been at Kamar-Taj for a single day, he had already left everyone in shock. First, he had resisted the Supreme Sorcerer in sheer spiritual power. Then, he had easily mastered high-level magic from the library, including the Form of Ikonn.
What stunned them most, however, was the speed of his reading. He devoured book after book so quickly that it looked like he was flipping through pages without thought—yet he absorbed everything. A few disciples even tried mimicking his method, only to realize they couldn't even make out the basic letters, let alone absorb the spells and knowledge.
In their hearts, Haruto was already branded with a single label: terrifying beyond reason.
"Master Ancient One, Senju has arrived," Mordo said quietly as he stepped to the Ancient One's side, as if to remind her. In his view, Haruto had come to the square only because she had called for him.
The truth about Haruto impersonating the Supreme Sorcerer was known only to Mordo and the Ancient One. To the other sorcerers, Haruto was simply a newcomer to Kamar-Taj who had come to learn magic.
The Ancient One gave a small nod, then spoke. Her voice resonated across the entire square, reaching every ear at once.
At once, silence fell. The crowd waited for her words.
"Senju Haruto. Kaguya. Since you are both here, go to the armory and claim a Sling Ring."
The truth was, the Ancient One had already spoken to Haruto privately about the Sling Ring. He had told her he once possessed one, but in his final battle, it had been destroyed by magical energy. She had even tested him once, asking him to use a Sling Ring to open a portal back to his supposed "original world."
Naturally, he failed. After all, he had no intention of finding a way home—he was here to complete his sign-in mission at Kamar-Taj. At the time, she had not given him a new Sling Ring, only tested him.
That moment had been for this very occasion.
As Supreme Sorcerer, the Ancient One knew every corner of Kamar-Taj. Today's "training" was no mere exercise, but a test. She sought to select those strong enough to undergo trials in other dimensions. Those who survived would graduate.
In other words, this was her way of testing her disciples. Those who passed could choose to leave Kamar-Taj, stay and continue their studies, or journey to one of the three Sanctums on Earth to serve as a guardian.
The Ancient One's gaze sharpened as it fell upon Haruto. She still did not fully trust him. His words had carried only half the weight of truth. This trial would be the final test.
If Haruto succeeded as the others did, it would prove he was not only gifted in spirit, magic, and talent, but also possessed the unwavering will of a true sorcerer.
Perhaps then… she might even consider retiring earlier than planned, passing the responsibility of guiding Stephen Strange onto Haruto instead.
But that was only if he passed.
"Understood, Master Ancient One."
Haruto gave his reply without hesitation.
First, he was indeed interested in the Sling Ring. Second, his sign-in task specifically required him to visit the Kamar-Taj armory. He had been planning to invent an excuse, but this was even better—he could enter openly without suspicion.
Kaguya, of course, followed without question. She had been by his side constantly since arriving, trailing him like a silent shadow.
The other sorcerers, however, looked on with eyes filled with both envy and jealousy.
They knew what was at stake.
They had trained for this day for years, pouring sweat and effort into their practice. Even the most prodigious among them had taken years to earn the right to participate. Yet Haruto and Kaguya—after a single day—were given the same opportunity.
They knew it was because of their innate gifts, but knowing didn't make the bitterness any easier to swallow.
Haruto, however, didn't spare their feelings a thought. With the Ancient One's permission secured, he strode directly toward the armory.
From afar, the Ancient One subtly guided him with her spiritual power. She even reminded him:
"Remember, artifacts and sorcerers choose one another. While the Sling Ring is standard, you may select another weapon if one resonates with you."
Haruto only shook his head. "No need."
Aside from the Time Stone, which was under the Ancient One's protection, he had little interest in the artifacts of Kamar-Taj.
Well… perhaps Strange's Cloak of Levitation. That one had personality. But unfortunately, it wasn't here—it was locked away at the New York Sanctum.
Everything else? Haruto considered them far weaker than his own Zanpakutō.
With that thought, he reached for a Sling Ring.
Each Sling Ring was identical, mass-produced as the standard tool of Kamar-Taj sorcerers. He didn't bother to pick—functionally, they were all the same.
"You should take one too," he said to Kaguya when she made no move. "It's more interesting than it looks."
Kaguya gave him a small nod, then remembered what he had said the day before about smiling. She lifted the corner of her lips slightly, offering him a fleeting smile before selecting a Sling Ring of her own.
Most of the time, her expression was blank, unreadable. But that momentary smile—it shifted something.
For Haruto, who knew her as one of the most striking figures in the shinobi world already, that small gesture carried an unexpected warmth.
Just then, the voice of the sign-in system rang clearly in his mind:
Congratulations, host, you have reached the sign-in location!
Sign-in has begun!
Please do not exit midway!
1%... 23%... 44%... 78%... 92%... 99%... 100%!
Sign-in successful!
Reward acquired: Supreme Artifact Mastery and Bankai!
"Bankai?"
Haruto froze for a second. The artifact mastery he had expected. But Bankai? That caught him by surprise.
"So it's finally Bankai…" he murmured to himself.
Sliding the Sling Ring onto his hand, he rotated his wrist toward the space before him. Having already mastered all the knowledge of the Kamar-Taj library, he was completely familiar with how to use it.
The moment the portal flared to life, the sorcerers gathered in the square stared in stunned silence.
...
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