The Honored One (MHA)

Satoru's reputation as a prodigy spread quickly throughout the Gojo household. At just three years old, he was already leagues ahead of most of his older cousins in terms of raw power and control. It wasn't just the Limitless technique that amazed everyone—it was how effortlessly he seemed to understand and apply it.

His father, Hiroto, couldn't have been prouder. He started treating Satoru less like a toddler and more like a promising apprentice. Every evening, they'd walk through the training courtyard, with Hiroto explaining the finer points of combat strategy, quirk theory, and what it meant to carry the Gojo name.

"Our family is more than just powerful quirks," Hiroto said one evening, his hands clasped behind his back as he strolled alongside Satoru. "We're a symbol. People look up to us, expect things from us. Strength isn't just for ourselves—it's for everyone else, too."

Satoru squinted up at him, the corners of his mouth twitching. "So, I have to be strong so other people feel better?"

Hiroto chuckled. "Not exactly. But when you're as strong as we are, people depend on you. That's why we have to stay ahead of everyone else. Always."

Satoru nodded thoughtfully, though his mind was elsewhere. He wasn't against the idea of strength for others, but he couldn't help thinking about how much fun it would be to mess with people once he was old enough.

The problem with being labeled a prodigy, Satoru quickly learned, was that everyone wanted to test him.

His older cousins were the worst. They didn't outright hate him—he was still a kid, after all—but they didn't love how much attention he was getting. Every time he walked into the training area, someone was ready with a challenge.

"Let's see how tough you really are, little guy," one cousin said, grinning as he activated his quirk, which created small, jagged spikes of stone.

Satoru stared at him, unimpressed. "What's your plan? Throw rocks at me?"

"Come on, kid, don't be scared," the cousin teased, raising one of the stone spikes.

Satoru sighed. "Alright. You asked for it."

The moment the cousin hurled the spike, Satoru activated Limitless. The spike stopped midair, held in place by his invisible barrier. With a flick of his hand, Satoru sent it flying back toward his opponent, embedding it harmlessly in the ground at his feet.

The courtyard erupted in laughter and cheers.

Satoru gave his cousin a smug look. "Next time, bring something harder than a rock."

His cousin didn't challenge him again.

Despite the constant sparring and challenges, Satoru's parents insisted he have some semblance of a normal childhood. His mother, Aoi, made sure of that.

"You're still a child," she reminded him often. "You don't have to grow up so quickly. Take your time."

Her words were kind, but Satoru couldn't help feeling like they didn't quite fit his reality. He wasn't just a child. He was a reincarnated adult with the powers of a god and a system that encouraged him to push those powers to their limits. Still, he appreciated her effort.

One day, Aoi decided to take him to the gardens, far away from the noisy training grounds. The two of them sat under a cherry blossom tree, its petals drifting lazily to the ground.

"Do you know what I love about this tree?" Aoi asked, running her fingers gently along one of the branches.

Satoru shrugged. "The flowers?"

She smiled. "Not just that. It reminds me that strength isn't everything. Even the smallest things, like these petals, have their own beauty and purpose."

Satoru stared at her, unsure of how to respond. "That's... nice, I guess."

Aoi laughed softly and ruffled his hair. "You'll understand someday."

He wasn't so sure.

One evening, while the house was quiet and most of the family had retired for the night, Satoru sat in his room, staring out the window. The moonlight cast long shadows across the floor, and the air was filled with the faint hum of distant crickets.

[New Challenge Unlocked.]

The system's voice echoed in his mind, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Challenge: Test the Limits of Infinity.

Reward: System Points + Skill Refinement.

Satoru grinned. It had been a while since the system had given him something interesting to do. He closed his eyes, letting his focus sharpen, and activated Infinity.

The room changed instantly. He could feel the subtle shifts in the air, the minute vibrations of sound, the faint warmth of energy lingering in the space around him. Everything slowed, as though the world itself had bent to his will.

He extended his hand, imagining the flow of space around him bending and reshaping itself. The air shimmered faintly, and for a brief moment, he felt like he could reach out and touch the edges of reality.

[Challenge Progress: 50%.]

Satoru pushed further, channeling his energy into the technique. His vision sharpened, the edges of the room glowing faintly as he manipulated the flow of energy. A single cherry blossom petal, carried by the wind, drifted toward him through the open window.

He stopped it midair, holding it in place with perfect precision.

[Challenge Progress: 100%.]

[Reward Unlocked: System Points + Skill Refinement.]

The petal floated gently to the floor as Satoru released his control. He let out a breath, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

"Too easy," he muttered.

The following morning, his parents called him into the family's main hall. The room was enormous, with high ceilings and walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting the history of the Gojo lineage.

His father stood at the center of the room, his expression serious.

"Satoru," Hiroto began, his voice steady. "You've shown incredible progress, but there's more to being a Gojo than strength. It's time you learned discipline."

"Discipline?" Satoru raised an eyebrow. "Is this about me beating up Riku again? Because that's on him for being bad at everything."

Hiroto's lips twitched, as though he was trying not to laugh. "No, this isn't about Riku. This is about teaching you responsibility. Strength without control is meaningless."

Aoi stepped forward, placing a hand on Satoru's shoulder. "We've decided it's time for you to begin formal training with the elders. They'll help you refine your abilities and prepare you for the future."

Satoru blinked. "The elders? You mean those guys who sit around talking about tradition all day?"

"They're more than that," Aoi said gently. "They've mastered techniques you can't even imagine. If you're going to carry the Gojo name, you need to learn from them."

Satoru crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "Fine. But if they start lecturing me about cherry blossoms, I'm out."

Hiroto laughed, his deep voice echoing through the hall. "Good. You'll need that attitude to keep up with them."

As Satoru prepared for his first session with the elders, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and dread. On one hand, it was another chance to prove just how far ahead he was. On the other, he wasn't sure how long he could handle a room full of old men telling him what to do.

One thing was certain: life as Gojo Satoru was never going to be boring.