"Hmph," said Naruto, still not happy that it wasn't ramen.
"Sekirei are aliens from some other planet or dimensional space, you aren't sure which," said Jiraiya. "You find an Ashikabi who is a human with certain preconditions who can 'react' with you - allowing you to access some special bloodline abilities."
"So, that explains the ice - you're like Haku," said Naruto to Akitsu.
Akitsu blinked once at Naruto, picking at her salad absently. Not understanding the reference, she remained silent.
"Right," said Jiraiya, understanding all this in terms of his own background as well. "There's going to be a general melee between the various Sekirei until only one is left at the end, which is this 'Sekirei Plan' - what happens to those who lose?"
"We cease functioning," said Katsuragi.
Both ninja understood that to mean "die" - so a to-the-death battle.
"Man, that's even worse than the chunin exams," said Naruto.
"Well, if it comes to that, we can all four escape back to our world," said Jiraiya. Watching for reaction though his attention was apparently mainly on stealing some of Naruto's fries.
"So... we don't have to be separated from our Ashikabi after all?" asked Katsuragi, her voice indicating that the possibility was one she'd never considered before.
"Right," said Jiraiya. "I'm a ninja. Sometimes we follow the rules. Sometimes - not so much."
There was a brief silence following that, with the two Sekirei working that out.
"What exactly is a 'ninja'?" asked Katsuragi.
"Where we come from," said Jiraiya, "it is an elite operative of a village specifically set aside for the purpose of the defense of a country. Ninja are skilled in the areas of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu to some degree and the manipulation of chakra."
"I don't know what most of those terms mean," confessed Katsuragi. "But you're soldiers of some sort?"
"In a manner of speaking," said Jiraiya. "Though I'm currently doing something of a training journey with Naruto."
"Like a martial arts training journey?" asked Katsuragi, sounding slightly less depressed than was usual for her. This at least was an area of familiarity with her.
"Yes, I'm his sensei," admitted Jiraiya.
"A pervy-sensei," put in Naruto.
"Please teach him well," said Katsuragi, bowing from her seated position and ending up banging her head against the table. "Ouch."
"Eh?" asked Naruto.
"Wha?" asked Jiraiya, who then took in the eyes-down from both Sekirei and the blush on Akitsu's face and came to the obvious conclusion. "Actually, it's his ninja skills I'm working on. However, I will take your request under consideration."
"Uhm, what just happened?" asked Naruto after a brief silence.
"Your Sekirei wants you to learn how to kiss her properly," said Jiraiya, waiting until Naruto was taking a drink of tea, then leaning out of the way of the spray since he knew it was coming.
"Wha-wha-what?" asked Naruto.
"Actually, I'd like to work with both of you," said Jiraiya. "You, Akitsu, appear to have Hyouton except I didn't see any hand-seals as you shaped those ice attacks. You, Katsuragi, appear to be a taijutsu specialist."
"'Thai'?" asked Katsuragi.
"Taijutsu - unarmed combat," said Jiraiya.
"Ah," said Katsuragi. "Yes. I'm a Power-type specialist."
"Good," said Jiraiya, popping the last of his burger in his mouth and giving it a few chews. "Let's leave here. I saw a park a bit off to the side."
"Pervy-sensei, are you sure?" asked Naruto, his eyes going to the side.
Jiraiya considered explaining. Whatever these 'Sekirei' were - they were not ninja. Body language and tone of voice were wide open. They had little or no experience in concealing their thoughts or feelings. Even if there was a feeling of non-human about them, particularly in the "feel" of their chakra - they were close enough for him to extend some small measure of trust their way. "Yeah. I'm sure. For now at least."
At which point someone entered the "Carl's Junior" and caused Jiraiya's war-honed danger sense to move things straight to Defcon 2.
She was supposed to be trying to be subtle and diplomatic and such. Which was why she didn't slash open the outer wall of the restaurant and provoke an immediate confrontation.
She'd thought about it. Pondered it. Ultimately though, she'd resisted the temptation. For now.
She was at full combat readiness as she went through the glass door to the little restaurant. She was itching for a fight, ready to unleash some violence on the chattering little monkeys and their allies. It would help move things along as well.
So when she spotted the four of them in a corner booth and saw the oldest of the four meet her eyes, she was ready for fight or flight on their part. Fight would be the most satisfying, flight would indicate that they had someone intelligent in their group who would have an idea of what the end result of 'fight' would be.
She had NOT expected a sudden poof of smoke completely obscuring that table, drawing a few startled comments and people jumping back at the display. Nor had she expected to see the smoke clear and an empty table. So they'd fled, but she hadn't even seen them move.
That brought a frown to Karasuba's face. This was going to be one of the annoying ones after all.
"What the hell Pervy-sage?!" asked Naruto as he plopped down onto his butt in the street.
"Sorry," said Jiraiya, not sounding sorry at all. "That girl that just entered was radiating enough threat to make Orochimaru take her seriously."
Naruto blinked. "Seriously?"
"Karasuba, Disciplinary Squad, Sekirei #4, also known as the Black Sekirei," said Katsuragi, shuddering. "I thought we were all dead."
"So, my instinct was right," said Jiraiya. "Always good to have that confirmed."
"If she's that bad why is she coming after us?" asked Naruto.
"As the head of the Disciplinary Squad, she would be dispatched to execute those who have violated the terms of the Sekirei Plan," said Katsuragi.
"Which is another good reason for trying to get details of this 'Sekirei Plan'," pointed out Jiraiya. "So far, I've still got more questions than answers."
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(Posted Tue, 01 Jan 2013 15:54)
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