Chapter 26: The One where He Seeks Someone
Gilderoy Lockhart leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the ornate wood of his desk. The dim light of his office flickered as he considered his next move. The Chamber of Secrets loomed in his mind, an ancient and deadly mystery that had already claimed several students. Hermione Granger's petrification had rattled the castle, leaving fear in its wake, and though Gilderoy was confident in his abilities, he wasn't foolish.
After recruiting Senku and Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz to work on reverse-engineering the Sentinels, it occurred to him that there was no need to take every dangerous task upon himself. While he enjoyed basking in the limelight, the reality was that the Chamber of Secrets contained a threat too unpredictable to face head-on alone. The Basilisk, an ancient creature, was far from an ordinary challenge.
"So why risk it?" he mused aloud, his eyes drifting toward the magical artifacts that cluttered his office.
The idea had slowly formed as he watched Senku and Dr. Heinz interact, their brilliance in action. It wasn't just about having the brightest minds—what he needed now was someone powerful, someone he could manipulate into doing the dirty work for him. Someone to handle the Basilisk, explore the Chamber, and report back.
Gilderoy pulled out his Kaleidoscope . The possibilities were endless—entire dimensions and worlds teeming with powerful beings who could be persuaded or tricked into helping him. But as his mind wandered through potential recruits, he found himself being selective. After all, not every powerful figure was trustworthy.
Gilderoy's first thought had been the Naruto world—a universe filled with powerful warriors trained in combat and stealth. Shinobi, particularly Jonin or ANBU-level ninjas, could easily handle the dangers within the Chamber of Secrets. Their mastery of ninjutsu and taijutsu would give them an edge over most magical creatures, even something as fearsome as a Basilisk. The Sharingan, Byakugan, or even Sage Mode could be invaluable tools.
But as the idea formed, it quickly unraveled.
"The ninja world is… problematic," he muttered, flipping through the pages of his tome. "They're trained assassins, not mercenaries. And the Five Great Nations have protocols—any request has to pass through several layers of bureaucracy. By the time I hire a ninja from Konoha or Kirigakure, my involvement would be questioned. And we all know how those shinobi operate…"
Even if he managed to hire a rogue ninja, there was no guarantee they'd stay loyal. Ninjas were as likely to kill him as they were to complete the job. Hiring from the Akatsuki? A foolish idea. Those S-rank criminals were more trouble than they were worth, especially for someone like him who preferred to avoid direct combat. They would kill him in a heartbeat if they found value in his death—or worse, take the Basilisk's power for themselves.
"Too much risk," Gilderoy concluded with a sigh, flipping past the Naruto world in his tome.
He continued skimming through, flipping past worlds he had visited and others he had only glimpsed. Bleach—too many spiritual beings who might sense his ambitions. Attack on Titan—he had no desire to deal with giant, man-eating creatures. Dragon Ball? He laughed. No, dealing with saiyans and gods of destruction was far too volatile.
He paused on a familiar entry: Satoru Gojo from the world of Jujutsu Kaisen. Gilderoy's eyes flickered with interest. Gojo was powerful, no doubt about it. He had the strength to face even the deadliest of curses, but more importantly, he had the arrogance and recklessness of someone young, still rising to his potential.
Young Satoru Gojo—the sorcerer with the Limitless Curse Technique and the Infinity barrier, able to manipulate space and block anything that could pose a threat. More than capable of handling a Basilisk. What intrigued Gilderoy even more was Gojo's relationship with the Jujutsu Association. The sorcerer was used to being assigned tasks and didn't usually care for the intricacies of politics as long as the mission interested him.
And there was the key: Gilderoy would make it interesting for him.
He would need to act carefully, though. The Jujutsu Association wasn't something to be trifled with. They were watchful and didn't take kindly to outsiders. But Gilderoy had his own advantages—his wealth, resources, and the tools he had gathered from other dimensions.
"Let's see how much they value gold," Gilderoy mused, walking toward the ornate mirror in his office. With a flick of his wand, the mirror rippled, transforming into a dimensional portal. It would take him directly into the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
The bustling streets of Tokyo faded away as Gilderoy emerged from the portal into a secluded alley. His elegant robes blended seamlessly with the crowd, his movements smooth and unhurried. He was no stranger to adapting to different worlds, and the modern metropolis was no different. With his magically concealed briefcase filled with gold bars, he strode toward the location of the Jujutsu Association's headquarters.
It wasn't long before he was escorted into the building—a sleek, modern structure that contrasted sharply with the ancient sorcery practiced within. Gilderoy had already made the necessary connections to arrange this meeting. Gold spoke volumes in every world.
Inside, Gilderoy was met with sharp glances from the jujutsu sorcerers who guarded the halls. They weren't used to strangers, especially not foreigners who requested private meetings with one of their most powerful clans. But gold had opened doors, and his request to meet the Gojo clan was granted.
An attendant led him through a series of hallways until they reached a dimly lit room with a large, polished table in the center. A few members of the Jujutsu Association sat around it, their expressions neutral but watchful.
"You wish to meet with the Gojo clan," one of the members stated, her voice calm but inquisitive. "And you're offering a substantial payment in return. Why?"
Gilderoy smiled, his tone smooth and confident. "I have a mission that requires the talents of your finest sorcerer—Satoru Gojo. In exchange for this mission, I am offering two things: crates of gold, and two legendary cursed tools from my family's collection."
The room remained quiet as Gilderoy snapped open his briefcase, revealing the shining gold bars within. Even the stoic members of the Jujutsu Association couldn't entirely mask their surprise.
"I trust this will secure the private meeting I've requested?" Gilderoy asked, raising an eyebrow.
The woman who had spoken nodded slowly. "Very well. We will arrange a meeting with the Gojo clan head. Your offer will not go unnoticed."
Several days later, the Gojo clan compound stood before him—a massive structure steeped in tradition and power. The Gojo clan, known for their mastery of Limitless techniques and the Six Eyes, was one of the strongest jujutsu sorcerer families in the world.
Gilderoy stood at the edge of the compound, his fingers tracing the outline of his portal creation spell. With a flick of his wand, the air shimmered and warped, and a glowing portal appeared before him. He stepped through with practiced ease and emerged just outside the gates of the Gojo compound.
The guards at the entrance tensed as they noticed his sudden appearance, but they quickly recognized the foreigner who had requested a meeting. His calm demeanor and sharp eyes made it clear he wasn't just a simple sorcerer.
Without a word, they escorted him inside.
The interior of the compound was as impressive as its exterior—high ceilings, intricate designs, and an atmosphere charged with cursed energy. But what caught Gilderoy's attention was the man waiting for him at the end of the hall: Takashi Gojo, the current head of the Gojo clan and father to Satoru Gojo.
Takashi was an imposing figure, his presence commanding the room. His eyes gleamed with the same sharpness and intelligence that would later define his son. He studied Gilderoy carefully as the foreign sorcerer approached.
"Gilderoy Lockhart," Takashi said slowly, his voice calm but curious. "You've come far to request a meeting with the Gojo clan. I hope your offer matches your ambition."
Gilderoy smiled politely and stepped forward, extending his hand. "Takashi Gojo, it's an honor. I've heard much about the strength and legacy of your family. I'm here to offer a mutually beneficial proposition."
Takashi didn't take his hand but motioned for him to sit. "Let's hear it."