The Dimensional Workshop - Chapter 4

The Dimensional Workshop - Chapter 4

I lay on the ground, blood trickling down from a gash in my head onto my cheek. Dazed, my vision swimming, I gazed up at his face, or what little of it I could see.

He stood there, stoic, unamused. One eye visible, the other hidden behind his headband. Kakashi looked bored, and considering how little effort it had taken him to demolish me, I could understand why.

For all the benefits that came with my new, enhanced body, it couldn’t hold a candle to the sheer power of someone who could use chakra.

“You have me dead to rights and you can’t even muster up a tiny bit of enthusiasm?” I asked, chuckling as I pulled myself up. 

“No, just marveling at the fact that all that musculature is just for show.” Kakashi shot back, giving me one of his patented eye-smiles. He was beginning to open up a bit. Then again, it was hard to stay closed-off to people when spending so much time around Naruko.

The little bundle of energy was passed out, tuckered out after a day of play and a good meal. She was sleeping in the grass, using my bag as a makeshift pillow, not a care in the world.

Sometimes, I envied the carefree life of kids. One day she’d learn the dreaded word, ‘taxes’, and life would never be the same again. Though I wasn’t sure if shinobi even paid taxes. They probably did, considering just how beautiful Konoha was.

I wasn’t one to put much stock in the beauty of the past. For all I cared, old houses just looked rundown, but seeing the blend of traditional Japanese architecture combined with modernity really was unique. There really was no other way to say it. Konoha was beautiful.

Which made the fact that this place would not only be trashed by Orochimaru, but also be destroyed in the Konoha crush, all that much harder to swallow.

I fished out a potion from my bag, taking care not to disturb Naruko. Her hair had grown out, a testament to how time moved differently between my world and hers. It was bittersweet, watching her grow so fast, but it was also good to see how Kakashi’s persistent presence, as well as my own, were providing her with the one thing she’d always wanted.

A place to call home.

“I didn’t hit you too hard, did I?” Kakashi piped up as I chugged down the potion. The bleeding had already stopped, and the gash had scabbed over, proof of the healing factor my new enhancements gave me. Yet, I found it prudent to pop a potion to cover any brain damage Kakashi’s kick might have given me.

After all, Sven had delivered a lot more to me, all in exchange for a carton of Axe sprays. I was actually considering importing some of the perfumes that I personally liked using, just to see how he’d respond to a scent that actually smelled good.

“No. Actually, I’m thankful for the beatdown.” I spoke, placing the empty flask back into my bag and pulling out a towel to dab at the drying blood on my face. “It’s good to test my limits in a safe environment. Plus, it shows me just how far I have yet to go.”

Naruko stirred in her sleep as I sat down next to her. Her hand seeked out mine, grabbing my fingers, and I had to resist the urge to give her head a few gentle pats. She could use all the sleep she was getting, it was important for a growing child.

“Two questions.” Kakashi spoke, leaning against the tree behind us. “One. That healing drink. Do you make those?”

I shook my head. “Well, realistically? I could. Right now I’m just buying them off a friend.” 

Kakashi nodded. “Start production as soon as you can. I’ll vouch for its effectiveness in front of the Hokage. Something that can heal internal injuries that fast? Shelf-life be damned, you’d be drowned in orders.”

I shook my head. “Shelf-life should not be a concern.” I spoke, pulling out another from my bag. “Here, take this one. Again, these are pretty low-quality potions. It won’t help you grow back a limb or survive a lethal hit, but anything like my concussion? It’ll get rid of within seconds.”

“Something like that could save more lives than you’d believe.” Kakashi spoke, no trace of mirth in his voice. “I’ve lost too many shinobi to conditions far less severe than a concussion. There are, after all, barely any medical-nin available outside the hidden villages.”

I nodded. I could imagine. A cut that hit a vein could be lethal given time. Even infections could be lethal over a long enough span of time. I wasn’t a doctor, but I’d be willing to believe that more nin were lost to those two than anything else.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll also put some work into making better potions, the kind that can bring one back from the very brink of death.” I spoke, and got a grateful smile from Kakashi.

“That’s all I can ask.” He spoke. “For the second question, you said that sparring against me gave you an idea of how far you have to go.”

“Just what is your goal?” he asked, and I was left to wonder. The shop, and especially the workshop, offered me endless power, as long as I kept doing my best. I’d owned the place for less than a month, and I was already much better off than any baseline human could ever be.

How far did I really want to go? I didn’t know what worlds I’d connect to. Currently, I was connected to three, and each operated on a different stage of power. I’d never been a powerscaler, never would be, but I did want to make tangible changes to make life easier for those I came to care for in those worlds.

“I guess, I just want to be strong or influential enough to ease life for those that I care for.” I answered, only to get a shake of the head from Kakashi.

“You know our stories, and you know how our failures shaped us. By making life easier for us, you might end up weakening our worlds, irrevocably changing things without knowing if things will get better or worse.” He spoke.

“Yet strength can be built in peace. Without tragedy.” I replied. I paused, wondering if I should tell him what I knew, before realizing that my hesitation was the crux of this entire debate.

I knew Obito was alive. I knew what he was doing. I knew the lengths Kakashi would go to, just to bring him back, or put him down. On the flipside, I knew his importance. I knew that the tragedies he’d facilitate would create a stronger opposition, and would be crucial in uniting the villages. 

But if he were to be removed from the equation, Madara would lose his proxy, and how would Zetsu react? Too many variables, too many-

“You’re thinking about it. That’s good.” Kakashi snapped me back from my mental dissociation. I saw a tired look in his eyes. He knew what I knew, he knew what I was wrestling with, or at least some of it. 

“You know things. Just your knowledge could change the history of this world. Yet, you understand the changes, even though you cannot predict everything.” Kakashi said, “So, do what you shopkeepers do best.”

“Sell stuff?” I blurted out, and for a second, I could swear I saw the shadow of a genuine smile under Kakashi’s mask. 

“Barter.” He spoke, confusing me. “Save those you can. Change what does not creak continuity. Make us reach that good end while saving everyone who is worth saving. Isn’t that more attainable?” 

I was silent for a second. Just off the top of my head, I could think of six people I could save with minimal consequence. Yet, the further I went down that chain of thought, the more I realized that there was - in fact - another way.

“There’s… yeah. There’s a lot of things I can do. Not yet, but eventually, especially with you and the Hokage knowing my abilities.” I spoke.

“And there it is. You’re bartering. Good.” Kakashi smirked at me, but I was far too lost in thought to react to it. 

“Has the Uchiha massacre already happened?” I asked, deciding to rip off the bandage. 

Kakashi nodded. “Before you ask, I am aware of Itachi Uchiha’s… circumstances.” He spoke, and that made a lot of things make sense. The Hokage trusted Kakashi. He was supposed to be the sixth Hokage one day, after all. 

“You do, but do you know where all the Uchiha eyes are?” I asked. 

Kakashi’s silence was enough of an answer for me.

“Before I tell you what I’m about to tell you, please reassure me that there are no eyes on us.” I stated. Kakashi took a quick look around, before giving me a reassuring nod.

“What do you know of ROOT?” I asked, and by the way Kakashi’s one visible eye widened in surprise, I knew I was in for a long night. 

Yet, as I began to explain how there was an entire organisation subverting Konoha’s shinobi forces, and why it was important to keep tabs on them without letting them know, I noticed as my hand slowly clasped around little Naruko’s own.

It would be worth it, for her sake.

LB

Expanding the shop required money.

Why was I even surprised? Karma expanded the workshop and gave me new tools. SP gave me access to new technologies, it made sense for money to be used for something too. It even made sense. More land was needed to expand the shop in a traditional sense, so of course the shop would give me a method to do the same, but internally.

With the expansion of my skills into the world of culinary science, I really wanted to have a little cafe. Not a standalone building, just something more elegant than the one table setup I’d served Gloria, Naruto, and Kakashi at.

Dropping a quick hundred grand on the shop interface gave me exactly what I wanted. A four-table setup near the entrance of the shop, in perfect view of my counter. It was perfect.

I’d been staring at it for the last three hours with the sort of look I’d give a ten on ten baddie at the club. Not that I’d ever been to a club. Never had that sort of money.

Love at first sight, completely worth the hundred grand I’d dropped on it. 

Or so I hoped. I hadn’t actually made any big sales since the trade with Sven. Sure, Naruko dropped by every week to pick up her monthly groceries. Kakashi paid with the stipend that the Hokage had assigned for Naruko. It was concerning seeing Naruko grow that fast.

Thankfully, there was a silver lining. Digging through the shop interface, I’d finally found it. 

Worldline Harmonisation

Temporally align another world with yours

Cost: 10000 KP

It was ten thousand KP per world, which was many times more than I’d earned till date. I was currently sitting on around a thousand and a half, and just the idea of making that many KP per world was terrifying.

Yet, It was also a signifier that the system wanted me to take risks, make greater changes. Karma was a measure of how proactive I was in changing the fate of those that walked through the doors of my shop. Or changing the fates of any world I stepped into.

As evidenced by the thousand KP I’d earned by telling Kakashi about Danzo’s actions. 

Bartering, it truly was the way to go. Hedged bets, moving pieces, making people aware of powers working against them was a safe way to do it. The Hokage and Kakashi wouldn’t publicly act against Danzo, but his easy access to moments of importance would be slowly taken away, and so would his access to the pool of talent he’d been kidnapping and claiming for his own organisation. 

Even if you couldn’t pull the roots out, you could starve the tree till it died, after all.

The door opened, and in walked Sasha Yakovleva. It was still interesting that she was one of the people who I’d come across. She was only ever part of a music video, but her lore ran so much deeper than that.

“Gloria will be a bit late. The payment for the last batch came in, so she decided that today would be a good day to put in her resignation papers.” She spoke, apprehensively looking at the new mini-cafe layout of the entrance.

“Like the renovations?” I asked, all the while, my brain was trying to formulate a little experiment.

“Definitely adds to this place’s charm.” She spoke with a sly grin. “Gloria did say you’re a preem chef. Wanna get me something?”

“Well, I haven’t exactly formulated a menu, but while we’re waiting for Gloria, mind sampling some of my dishes for me?” I asked, still trying to figure out how I could pique her interest. I knew things I shouldn’t know. I knew things she would like to know. I just had to make her ask.

Unlike Naruko’s world. The people of Cyberpunk were not exactly aware that my shop existed in a parallel dimension. Explaining that their story was a work of fiction in my reality was not an undertaking I was willing to go through.

“Well, choom, I haven’t eaten a thing since morning. The more you can feed me, the happier I’ll be.” She spoke, sitting down at the table closest to the counter. “And trust me, a happy netrunner is someone who you definitely want in your good graces.”

I chuckled in response, busying myself with the extension counter for the workshop behind my table. My hands moved by themselves, which left my mind free to continue the conversation.

“I don’t particularly fear netrunners, you know. I’m pretty hack proof.” I replied.

“Which is curious. You haven’t got a single bit of gear anywhere in that body, not even a biomon! I’ve never seen someone this ‘ganic, ever!” She proclaimed.

“Well, not all enhancements need to be metal.” I replied.

“That’s the weird part. Even the most preem Bioware can’t hold a candle to what you’re capable of.” She spoke. “Sure, I don’t exactly know what you’re really capable of, but what you did to a chrome jock like Maine? That was far beyond anything someone with your ganics should be capable of.”

“Well, my enhancements aren’t exactly off-the-counter.” I countered. It was a lie. If I were so inclined, I could enhance anyone to the same level as myself. Yet, I was the only one who could. 

A half-truth, then.

“True, but that raises another question.” She continued. “Bioware this bespoke isn’t something you can install yourself. That, coupled with the fact that you asked us specifically not to look into Biotechnica, makes me believe you’re someone important in their hierarchy.” She paused, “Or at least related to someone who is.”

I raised an eyebrow. “If that were true, why would I be running a shop in the shit end of town?”

I opened the oven, pulling out the muffins. My hands dextrously topped them with passionfruit creme that I’d made earlier. Before she could even reply, I had already plated my offerings, put them on a tray, and had begun my walk over to her.

“I’m guessing it’s a Yorinobu Arasaka situation.” She spoke, her hand on her chin. The way the lights danced in her eyes was enough to tell me she had some sort of computer-assisted mindmap, probably consisting of every Biotechnica majority stock owner she could find details on.

“What? Like I’m trying to take down my father’s company? By doing what? Running a shop-cum-cafe?” I spoke, laying out the spread in front of her. Three butterscotch cookies, each cooked to perfection. Two passionfruit creme muffins, and a cup of caramel macchiato.

“A shop that sells fresh. A shop that sells fresh dirt cheap.” She countered, picking up a cookie. She bit into it, and the way she froze brought a smile to my face. The best I could equate it to was watching a medieval serf eating a sour candy. 

She would never look at fast-food the same.

“I wonder how much of a dent this shop will make in their globalized trade network, or their stock value for that matter.” I hummed, watching her slowly un-freeze and look at the cookie like it held the answer to every question she had ever asked. 

“God, that was a revelation.” She spoke, finally coming to her senses. “I gotta get the rest of the gang here one day, have a real welcome party for the new girl.” 

A new member? Lucy, probably. I’d feared that me saving Sasha would prevent her from joining Maine’s crew. Yet, that brought to mind another question.

“Didn’t know you guys were hiring.” I spoke, urging her to have a sip of the macchiato. This time, she didn’t freeze. Instead, a blush appeared on her face. She set down the cup with a look of fascination, before remembering I’d actually asked her something.

“Well, yeah. I’m with Glo now. As clever as the old girl is, she’s hopeless when it comes to networking with black market sellers. So, Kiwi introduced the crew to another netrunner. She’s nova, and a damn sight to look at too.” She spoke fast, already going back for a second bite of the cookie.

“Well, you guys are always welcome here, provided Maine doesn’t try to pull some shit.” I said, “I’ve even got some good alcohol for you guys, as long as you keep it on the down low. Don’t exactly have a liquor license.”

She chuckled at that. “You think the Afterlife has a liquor license? No one cares, choom.” 

“As long as we’re clear.” I spoke, taking the chair opposite her. “So, getting back on track. I’ll level with you. I’m linked to Biotechnica, but more so as a competitor. A competitor who may or may not know more than he’s supposed to know.”

This definitely piqued her interest. “But you asked for us to not take any jobs against them.”

I shook my head. “I didn’t say that. I said ‘any jobs regarding them’. Be it for them, or against them. I don’t want to get on their radar, and having any of you working with or against them would not be ideal.”

She nodded, finally biting into the muffin. This time, there was no reaction. She just chewed, a curious expression on her face. She seemed to like it, but it looked like the taste of passionfruit had sent her for a toss.

Which was to be expected. I’d be surprised if someone in a place as blasted as Night City had ever tasted passionfruit.

“Okay, I kinda get it. Don’t want the trillionaire corpos to come after you.” She spoke, gulping down the rest of the muffin. “But now I’m intrigued. You said you know more than you’re supposed to. Care to clue me in?”

That was it. That was my in. Yet, I couldn’t pounce, not while she still had doubts where my loyalties lay.

“I reverse engineered a lot of Biotechnica’s medicine and technology.” I commented, and watched as she tensed. It was not the reaction I was looking for, but it was close. “I’d even say that the biomods I created for myself have some root in Biotechnica’s mediocre offerings.”

Again, not a lie. The world I’d gotten the modifications from was far, far more futuristic than the world of Cyberpunk. At some point, they too had the rudimentary offerings that Biotechnica peddled. Of course, they hadn’t been used for millenia.

“It also gave me a better understanding of just how deep the rot went.” I spoke, each word measured. “You remember the drug named ‘Securicine’?” 

And there it was, my bait. She could question why that was the specific drug I brought up. She could question a million things about my backstory. Yet, what I was looking for was rage. Rage that could overpower her logic, if only for a second.

“Far too well.” She answered, and with that, I knew the bait had been taken. Then again, this girl had put her own life on the line to hack Biotechnica mid-heist for this knowledge. I shouldn’t have expected anything less.

“Of course, the drug’s now been removed from the market. It was, against its own certification, a neural degradation agent. Sure, it got rid of pain, very effectively at that, but it came at the cost of degrading the user’s nervous system with prolonged use.” I continued. “It’s hard to get a sample these days, but there was a gang who used to sell something very similar a few decades back.”

“I believe you could still find it out there. Of course, not under the same name. ‘Securicine’ is too ‘corpo’ for gang culture. ‘Emerald City’ fits the clientele much better.” I finished, and watched as Sasha seemed to… shut down. We sat in silence. Me, trying to formulate my next move, and her? She was just trying to absorb what I’d told her.

“I lost my mother to that drug.” She finally piped up. Just because I knew it didn’t make it any less poignant, or my reaction any less genuine. “I saw the way you looked at me before you asked Maine to stop any biz with or against Biotechnica. You knew all along.”

I sighed. Of all the things that could have done me in, it was the fact that I’d been clumsy beforehand. I’d have to keep a better track of myself in the future. 

“Of course I did. It’s in my best interest to make sure I know the people I’m entering ‘biz’ with.” I replied.

“Oh please, you didn’t know that Gloria would bring along Maine, or me for that matter.” She spoke.

“The new girl who joined your crew? Lucyna Kushinada. Probably better than both you and Kiwi at her job.” I began. “Maine? Ex NUSA SpecOps. Dorio? Daughter of athletes, has ties to the Animals. Rebecca and Pilar? Born into the merc life, kids of the notorious Papa Sunrise himself.” I spoke, watching her eyes widen. “Should I go on?”

“But… how?” Was all she could ask.

“You said you looked into me and found nothing. Nothing at all.” I said, using every ounce of willpower to maintain the calm-and-collected vibe I was trying to portray. “How many people in night city can claim to have zero data on the net?”

I left it out there. My technology was better than anything she’d ever seen was the explanation I was going for. After all, there were electronics in this shop, yet not a single thing she could hack. After all, when she couldn’t interface with anything in the shop, her mind was more likely to go to ‘super advanced proprietary tech’ rather than ‘tech so old the connectivity was not compatible anymore’.

The realisation set in, and for a second, I felt her tense. Her eyes lit up, likely running through multiple routines, likely trying to verify my claims. Of course she’d find nothing. I hadn’t even stepped into her world yet.

“I hope you realize I’m not your enemy. I’m just someone who is slightly paranoid about protecting his work.” I finished, offering her an olive branch, one that I wasn’t sure she’d take.

“Why did you study that drug?” Was what she finally asked, and thankfully, I already had an answer ready for that.

“Neurotropic agents make for an interesting study, even more so when your designs include a drug that can cure cyberpsychosis.” I finished, dropping the metaphorical shoe.

“Ain’t no way.” She exclaimed, before thinking about it again.

“All these biomods? They were made by yours truly. For the right fee, I can give these to anyone. Of course, after a thorough vetting process.” I continued, gesturing towards myself. “They might not stack up well against someone like Adam Smasher, but I’ll have you know, they’re pretty damn hackproof.”

“So, tell me, how hard would it be for someone who can make something like this to make something as simple as a cure for cyberpsychosis?”

I let the question hang, and for once, I saw a completely lost expression on her face. She wanted revenge on Biotechnica, for her mother. Yet it would come at the cost of her life. I didn’t want that. Sure, she wasn’t important to me, but I’d already saved her life once.

Preserving it furthermore was nothing less than a moral obligation.

“Once I finish said drug, I plan to reveal to the world the extent of Biotechnica’s failures.” I spoke, leaning closer. “A surgical strike at their public image, and a window of opportunity for me.”

“They’ll kill you.” She replied, still in a daze.

“They can try. By the time I’m ready to make my move, I’ll be beyond their ability to destroy.” I spoke. Sure, I was aware that the panacea could also remove cyberpsychosis, but wasting such a hard-to-make potion for some cyberpsychos? It was too wasteful. I’d take my time in making the right medicine, and in that time, I’d make sure nothing in this world could pose a threat to me.

“So, all I’m asking you to do is keep selling my wares.” I spoke.

“Only if you let me help.” She spoke, and before I could protest, she raised her hand, stopping me.

“I’ve been compiling data on those gonks for a decade. I know exactly where to press to make it hurt.” She spoke. “I’ll even distance myself from you if necessary. I won’t even ask for pay. God knows I’ve made enough from the first sale of your fresh to set me up for a while.”

I shook my head, having already anticipated this. “No. Again, you know well enough that once they are attacked, they will go for anyone even remotely connected to you. I couldn’t give less of a fuck about Maine’s people, but I will not let them go after Gloria.”

“Instead, I will tell you when I’m ready to make my move.” I spoke, usurping her rebuttal. “I will give you chrome the likes of which this world has never seen. You will be untraceable, you will be uncatchable, and most importantly, you’ll actually survive, and get paid for your services too.” I stated with a smile. “After all, someone told me that everyone should have a happy netrunner in their good graces.”

“So, are you willing to do this my way?” I asked, offering her my hand, hoping I’d made my point. 

The speed at which she took my hand and shook it, as well as the 500 KP I got made it clear that I had - in fact - succeeded.

“So, now that we’re bedfellows, anything else you want to tell me?” She asked.

“Well. I wanted to tell you that we’re wasting time right now.” I spoke, and watched the curiosity mount on her expression

“There’s three more dishes I want you to try before Gloria gets here, after all.” I finished, and I could swear, the smile that I got from her was enough of a reward for this mental game of checkers I just had to play.

The extra karma points didn’t hurt either.

LB

Magic… fucking hurt.

After a ten minute session of flirting with Gloria while Sasha handled the transaction for the first batch of fruits and vegetables, I’d finally gained enough SP to attack the one constellation I’d wanted the most.

Magic, better known as the art of making shit out of nothing.

I’d dumped a quick five hundred points into the constellation, and gotten a pretty interesting skill out of it. 

You Have Gained

The Essential Magia : 500 SP

Beginning Download

I had, of course, prepared for a download of information. The more complex the topic, the more of a headache it gave me. Magic was not a topic I expected to be simple, so I thought I’d prepared enough by having a potion handy. 

I was not expecting the excruciating, full-body pain that came with.

It was like molten-hot lead travelling through my veins, like my own blood had been superheated till it was plasma. It was excruciating. I was only able to bear about ten minutes of it till I passed out.

“Hey man, you okay?”

I was woken by someone prodding at my head with a naked foot. 

My eyes snapped open, and the first thing I saw was a dong dangling over my head. Connected to it was a man who seemed to be completely impervious to the fact that his tshirt, jeans, and jacket were all lying around me.

I waved a hand and all the articles of clothing strewn around me flew at him, making him yelp in surprise. I stood up, trying my best to ignore the naked man in my shop while trying to nurse the most painful headache I’d ever felt. 

Well, at least my rudimentary usage of telekinesis showed that my understanding of basic to intermediate level magic was very much functional. 

That, and the fact that while I was out, my shop had opened to another world, which was why - of all the people possible - Gray fucking Fullbuster was trying to frantically put on his clothes in my shop.

Why couldn’t I have just gotten Erza like everyone else did?

LB

Next chapter will be in less than 24 hours. I'm still recovering from my flu, so progress is a bit slow. Chapter 3 will be posted on FFnet around the same time.

As always, join the discord for more shenanigans. Link is https://discord.com/invite/AP8nG65RmA