"Not bad, you've really improved," said Kakashi, reading a small orange book.
"You could at least breathe hard when you say that," said Kyon.
"Well, there may be a possibility of a C-Rank mission, so being able to run and fight might be a good thing," said Kakashi, turning a page.
"Good," said Naruto. "I haven't been able to keep up practicing the higher end of my art here in the village. Besides, it's more crowded here than I'm used to."
"Hmph," said Sasuke.
"What exactly is a 'C-Rank' again?" asked Kyon, not bothering to get up.
"C-Rank missions," said Kakashi. "Pay better. More danger. Go outside the village. Not expected to fight enemy ninja or elite level opponents."
"Oh," said Kyon.
"We'll see what's available tomorrow," said Kakashi.
"Question," said Kyon. "If I've improved so much, why is it that Sasuke and Naruto are still kicking my butt?"
Kakashi considered that. "Naruto. Avoid getting hit."
"Huh?" asked Naruto.
At which point Kakashi was already throwing handfuls of kunai at Naruto, made a hand-sign, and suddenly there were what seemed like hundreds of kunai headed for the blonde swordsman.
Naruto seemed to just twitch, while his sword blurred into motion. Then the kunai were past him and he simply stood there looking mildly vexed.
"Naruto is worse at strictly ninja skills," said Kakashi. "But he's been trained extensively as a monster-hunter, exorcist, and he has a sword which can see through solid objects and at great distances. Sasuke has trained since he could walk in his family's arts and ninja skills. You now have greater natural strength and speed, but neither of them are slouches to begin with and they have a lot more training. Plus they're still training themselves even as you are."
Naruto snorted. "What? You thought we would be standing still just to let you catch up with us?"
Sasuke had started out smirking, but there was something about that comment that caused his smirk to disappear after a few moments and a thoughtful expression to appear instead.
North High School, Osaka, Earth:
"Okay, they uploaded this week's episode."
"Well, Koizumi? Roll it!"
"I thought it would be good to see the beginning this time instead of just going from after the opening credits."
"Who needs such things? Get to the episode already!"
"B-But it might have some information..."
"All right, Mikuru. But we only have to watch it this once then. Koizumi!"
"Right."
The image showed the Elemental Countries of the series.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki, monster hunter, demon slayer, warrior monk of the Shinmei-ryu style. I have fought and slain demons and evil spirits, but few know that one of the worst demons of the world is sealed within me."
"..."
"Okay, that was something actually useful to know."
"H-he's got a demon in him?!"
"Hit the gas! There's no need to finagle, oh yeah!
We'll go all through the night.
I'll complain at the end, the balance is zero, oh yeah!
We'll whittle the days away..."
"Go ahead and fast forward, Koizumi."
"And... there."
The images of Kyon training alongside the ninja were handled as brief snippets, with intervening images of Kakashi noting the progress made on a clipboard.
His strength was shown as steadily growing. The first day he was lifting crates with difficulty. By what was billed as Day 60, he was easily lifting and slinging the crates into place. After the transformation, he was making fifteen foot leaps. By Day 60, he was clearing small buildings. His strength, however, was only minor compared to his speed.
And when he took his shirt off to practice taijutsu or paint fences - Mikuru no longer fainted but her eyes remained fixated on the screen.
"Mikuru! Stop drooling!" commanded Haruhi. "It is unbecoming of a member of the SOS Brigade!"
"And forcing her to wear leather bondage gear?" asked Itsuki.
"Punishment!" said Haruhi. "Besides, it suits her."
"Where did you even GET that?" asked Itsuki.
"You know, you're beginning to sound a lot like Kyon," muttered Haruhi.
Itsuki shrugged. "It doesn't feel the same without the occasional Kyon-ism."
"Two points," said Yuki softly.
"Thank you," said Itsuki.
Konohagakure, Hi No Kuni, Elemental Nations:
"So what is it?" asked Kyon, idly lifting a weight. He wouldn't admit that he was actually finding his uprated strength and speed, or the ability to travel by roof-hop, amusing. Heavens no.
That one time he'd been exercising with his shirt off and the local Yuki had come by had also been amusing. After he'd determined that her walking into that tree had not done any damage, of course.
"Yes, my little genin, it is indeed a C-Rank mission," said Kakashi, holding up a scroll. "Unless you really want to find a certain cat again?"
"Thank you, we'll pass on Tora this time," said Sasuke.
Kakashi nodded. "Well, this mission is:"
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(Posted Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:48)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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