Those Who Endure
Chapter 11: No Place Like Tokyo
"This was a mistake."
"You think?"
"I'd thought the waiting would make it all worth it at the end, but…"
"I know~"
The Totsuki students in the stands etched away from the gloomy Duelists who looked ready to call it quits and go to nirvana. They wanted to watch their chef friends cook their curry to be judged in order to advance to the main tournament. However, they learned that Soma, Megumi, along with their mentioned Polar Star residents, and the Aldini brothers were separated into two different groups and their judging will be held at two buildings including the Shokugeki Arena.
Soma and the other Polar Star residents were in Group A while Megumi, Takumi and Isami were in Group B. Group B's judging was held at the second building nearby while Group A was within the Shokugeki Arena.
Now the biggest question was where are they going to go first.
"I want to check out Soma's curry."
"Of course you would."
Naruto looked at Sasuke irritably. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you want to stay in a routine. Try new things from other people." Sasuke clarified with a scoff. "Idiot." He muttered lowly.
"Why you!"
"Oi, oi. Sounds like you two are chatty, huh." The two Duelists looked at the origin and were slightly intimidated by the aura of the man in the suit was giving off of. The man noticed this and laughed heartily as he patted the boy's shoulders as to calm their nerves. "Relax you two. After all you two just had an amazing Duel. I haven't seen one like that for a long time."
Naruto saw a hand stretched out from the man and he took it before shaking firmly.
"Thanks. My name is Naruto Ea." He let go as the man shook hands with Sasuke.
"And I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
"Of course. I am Gin and the head chef of Totsuki Resort."
"Tosuki Resort?" Naruto repeated. "Wait, does Totsuki Academy own a hotel?"
Gin nodded at the curious blonde. "Among other brands across Japan. It isn't a famous culinary academy for nothing." It was Sasuke's turn to be curious.
"I take it you're an alumnus of Totsuki." Sasuke stated rather than ask. "That's impressive."
"Huh? How?"
Gin chuckled while Sasuke sighed at the blonde's obliviousness.
"Since the academy's inception, with each generation, only 10% of the graduates make it at the end of their third year." Sasuke stated, visibly shocking Naruto of the intense graduation rate. "Those who graduated are considered legends and renowned across the globe."
"How do you know this?" Naruto asked.
"My mother's an alumnus."
"I though you looked familiar." Gin commented with a pondering look. "You're Mikoto's youngest son, right?"
"Yes."
"You look just like her."
Sasuke was taken surprise by this. He was usually compared to his brother or his father, but this was the first time anyone compared him to his mother. "T-Thank you." He muttered lowly, genuinely bashful.
"And you…" Gin looked at Naruto, catching the latter's attention. "I'm sure you've been told plenty of times about you looking like your father."
"Hehehe… Yeah, plenty of times. Although I have my mom's hair color, so that's good." Naruto replied, sheepishly chuckled while Gin was confused.
"Really? I thought your mother—"
"Oi, oi!" The trio looked at the voice and found it to belong none other than Senzaemon himself. "What are you three doing out here? The preliminaries are about to start."
"Ah, Old Man Director. How are you?" Naruto greeted casually, shocking the students and staff behind the Nakiri elder. Gin chuckled at the boy's attitude while Sasuke sighed irritably as Senzaemon chuckled at the blonde.
"Fine, fine. But address me formally next time, Mr. Ea."
"As long as you don't call me 'Mr. Ea', then we're good." Naruto retorted with a grin.
"Is this really happening?!" The Totsuki staff entourage thought with pale faces while an amused Gin watched on.
The Totsuki director and Spellcaster Duelist stared down at each other, ignorant of the tense atmosphere that was created between them. Then smirks tugged their lips as they both laughed like old friends reuniting after a long time since college graduation.
"You got guts, Ea. Just like your mother."
Naruto was surprised when he mentioned his mother.
"You know my mom?" Naruto asked as he thought inwardly. "That's odd. Mom attended at Stanford University for her Master and PHDs while pop went to Tokyo University." He then spoke, "Uh, my mom never attended Totsuki Academy. She studied in America so how do you know her?"
"Hmph?" Senzaemon was now curious about this. "What's your mother's name?"
"Misaki. Why?" Naruto asked back.
"…I must've mistaken you and your mother for someone else. Apologies."
"Uh… okay." Naruto turned around as he made his decision and ran…with Sasuke in tow while literally dragging him by the arm. "Well see you later!"
"OI! Let me go!" A comedic angry Sasuke shouted with his arm still in the vice-grip.
His eyes never leaving the two boys until they left his range, Senzaemon turned around and walked through his entourage who soon followed him with the lists of objectives and activities.
TWExTWExTWE
Stadium Hall B
"All right! They just started cooking!" Naruto exclaimed happily while an out-of-breath Sasuke wheezed in air as he supported himself on his knees. He took a long whiff of the food-enthralled air. "Aw! That's the stuff."
"You… idiot." Sasuke squeezed out before he regained his composure and took a spot next to the blonde. "Don't do that again."
"What?"
"You know exactly what!"
The two didn't notice some of the audience were staring at them for their outburst. In fact, there was two students who were not wearing the Totsuki Academy attire, but casual clothing. One of them was holding a red banner with the black kanji 'Polar Star' embroidered vertically.
"Hey, it's those two Duelists."
"Didn't Yukihira mention the blonde was his childhood friend?"
"Let's invite them."
The two tough-looking boys walked over to Naruto and Sasuke who were about to get into a scuffle once more until the latter noticed their approach and pointed behind the blonde who turned around to face them.
"Oi, are you Naruto?"
"Who's asking?" The blonde asked casually as he and Sasuke observed the newcomers closely.
The one who asked for Naruto's identity was fair-skinned and had dirty blonde hair that was cut at a semi-mohawk style with the edges being a darker color as he wore a gray long-sleeve shirt with brown pants. The other one has spiky black hair with long sideburns, tanned skin and well built body since he was wearing a white undershirt with the navy blue pants.
The dirty blonde extended a hand to Naruto. "The name's Shoji Sato. And this is—"
"—I'm Daigo Aoki." The black haired boy cut in. Instantly, Shoji pitted his forehead against his own as angry veins visibly protruded from their necks. "Oi, oi! What's your problem?!"
"You interrupted me from introducing you!"
Daigo pushed against Shoji as they struggled between them. "I don't need help to introduce my name."
"Why you—"
"OI!"
The quartet looked back to see an elderly woman with gray hair in a style that looked reminiscent to the late King of Games as she too wore casual clothing with a long apron over her shirt and pants. She had wrinkles, but her expression was that of a reprimanding grandparent. Shoji and Daigo relaxed a little but were cautious since she usually had a caring side and amusement on her face.
"Enough yelling you two. You're disrupting their concentration."
"Sorry~" All of them said before Naruto and Sasuke blinked at each other "Why are we apologizing?!"
The woman chuckled as she gestured the boys to come to her spot where she was standing. "That was a splendid duel, you two. Congratulations."
"Thanks old lady." Naruto instantly felt the air escape out of him after the woman kicked him straight in the area below his stomach with his bulged out eyes.
"Never call a lady old!"
"G-got it." Naruto wheezed out before he fell on the floor.
"F-Fumio." Shoji and Daigo stuttered in fear after witnessing what just happened.
Sasuke, after nonchalantly staring blankly at the downed Naruto, looked at the elderly woman. "Who are you?" Naruto by then had shakily stood up as he grabbed hold of the railing.
"*Chuckle* I'm Fumio Daimido and the warden of the Polar Star Dormitory." The woman stated as Naruto perked up upon hearing the dormitory.
The blonde then spoke albeit hesitantly. "Dormitory? You mean that vine-covered building way out in the forest? That's Polar Star?" Naruto asked before he looked at Shoji and Daigo. "I take you guys are Polar Star residents like Megumi and Soma."
"Yeah and there are others participating right now to get into the main tournament." Shoji mentioned, confusing Naruto.
The whiskered blonde tilted his head. "Then why are you guys standing here? How come you're not down there like the others?" What he got was the two falling to their knees with an aura of sudden depression. "Wha—Guys?!"
"It's no use." Sasuke spoke, getting Naruto to turn his head to him. "Every year, the high school first years go through the Totsuki Autumn Elections, however only 20 participants are chosen for the preliminaries and after that only four advance to the main tournament."
That's when Naruto realized about his new friends. They weren't chosen for the preliminaries and he just reminded them of that pain.
"I am sooo sorry~" The blonde apologized genuinely with a bow to the depressed boys.
Instantly they stood up and clamped their hands on Naruto's shoulders with faces of forgiveness.
"It's all right. You didn't know so we'll let it slide this time." Daigo said casually.
Naruto fixed his posture and watched the chefs below cook their curry so they may participate in the main tournament. That's when he noticed Megumi pushing something on wheels that was covered in a tarp. "Whatever that is, she must be confident."
"Let's go, Megumi! Yuki!" Daigo and Shoji shouted with vigor as a petite girl with teal eyes and amber hair that was tied neatly into two buns on the sides of her head. She like Megumi and the rest of the chefs were the standard white chef's uniform albeit with black trimmings.
She happily waved at them back before proceeding with her dish. When they looked at Megumi, she had tripped on her feet before quickly getting up to chase after the runaway object on wheels.
Sweat-drops fell on the boys' head as they pondered about her nervous tick.
"Megumi…"
Naruto chuckled as he leaned on the railing while watching the chefs battle it out with their dishes that await to be judged by prominent people in the culinary world as mentioned by Soma.
"Soma… you really got into a great place." The Duelist thought before Megumi pulled the tarp and revealed the content, much to his and everyone else in the audience's shock. "Is that a monkfish?"
The competition and the hunger within Naruto and Sasuke only grew from there as they bear the torment.
TWExTWExTWE
(Six Hours Later)
Polar Star Dormitory, Totsuki Academy
"Whew~ That was amazing."
The entire Polar Star residents stood there in the dining room where they were celebrating Soma and Megumi's advancement to the main tournament. Bewilderment and shock were on their faces as they stared at the atrocity yet impressive display before them.
Stacks of towering plates stood high on top of the dining table, stained by countless presences of gourmet food followed by the distinct aroma. And in the center sitting on a chair while was the source of it all; Naruto Ea.
Said boy just finished the last piece of Soma's dish that he dubbed the Omelet Risotto Curry: a risotto consisted of mango chutney, banana, and apples combined with curry inside of a soft shelled omelet. After wiping his mouth with a napkin, Naruto beamed a smile at the Polar Star residents.
"That was delicious! Thank you all!"
"This guy's a monster!" Was the collective thoughts of everyone before their eyes directed to their second guest who too had stacks of towering plates like Naruto albeit gentlemanly. "And he's no better!"
Sasuke looked at them and asked, "Who cooked this curry? The one with the Koji?"
One of the residents stepped forward and she was a beauty admitted by both Naruto and Sasuke internally. She had long, purple hair that reached her waist with split bangs that reached her chest/large bust and orange-colored eyes wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt and pants that did nothing to cover her slender body.
"I did." The girl said confidently.
"What's your name?"
"Ryoko Sakaki."
Sasuke nodded as he repeated the name internally. "I see. Your dish is very refined although I was surprised when you didn't make it to the main tournament." He flinched when Ryoko suddenly fell to her knees with a depressed aura on top of her. "O-Oi. What's wrong?"
"Way to rub salt on the wound, Sasuke." Naruto muttered while Yuki and Megumi tried to cheer Ryoko up as Sasuke flinched in horror.
"I—I didn't mean to—"
"Jerk~" Naruto, Soma, Yuki chorused through cupped hands at the Uchiha.
"Be quiet!"
Fumio chuckled at the children's acts and bemused about how Polar Star had gotten lively since the 92nd Generation moved in, especially with their latest resident. Now the dormitory is even more lively thanks to Naruto who was currently asking Ibusaki, a scruffy brown haired boy with bangs that completely ccovered his eyes and wore a long-sleeved sweater and casual pants, for more of his smoked curry: smoked egg, smoked bacon and smoked potatoes.
"Oh!" Naruto suddenly said, catching everyone's attention. "I need to use the bathroom. Where is it?"
"Past the doors and across the platform, first door on the left." Soma casually said.
Naruto gave a thumb up before leaving the room and went down the hall to do his business. At least that's what he told everyone else in the kitchen. Instead he quietly went outside the dormitory and looked around to make sure no one was present.
"Tamamo, are you there?" Naruto asked after taking out the new card from the deck box.
"Hai! It's for that talk now, I assume." Tamamo's voice held a hint of amusement as her card slightly glowed in the dark. "What do you want to know?"
"How about where you came from? No… what happened to you and your restaurant? My friends and I saw the new earlier today and we were shocked."
"I know. I was there after all."
Naruto had tilted his head in confusion. "Eh?"
"Ah that's right! You don't know, but I kinda want to save the surprise."
"What surprise?!" The blonde asked and received no answer. "Wait, she said about being there when we found out about the restaurant. There was no one there but us and…" Naruto thought back how Tammy's sudden appearance, wounds and disappearance followed by his finding Tamamo's card in his deck. "No…"
"Looks like you figured it out. Aw, well I guess I got to show you."
Naruto watched as the card turned into energy and shot out of his hand before it morphed into a familiar small shape as it soon revealed itself to be the one he'd taken into his room just last night… in his bed.
"You're Tammy?!"
"Yep!" The fox said aloud, surprising Naruto even more. "You see after I was attacked by a couple of nobodies who managed to hurt me with some anti-Yokai weapons, I followed your scent and arrived at your house. You know the rest from there."
"S-seriously?" Naruto asked in horror. He basically slept with a grown Kitsune woman. A hot one at that. "But why though?"
Tamamo tilted her head. "Why I came to your house for aid, correct?" A nod was her answer. "You're big."
"Eh?" Naruto blushed as he quickly back-stepped away from the fox before slamming his head against a tree, groaning at his own misfortune as his body slid down against it. "W-What do you mean by that?"
"Your life force. It's huge compared to most Humans I've seen in a long time. It helped me with my healing powers although I could heal on my own with no problem, but it's best and faster to use someone else's life force." Tamamo answered truthfully as she nonchalantly took a place on the blushing Naruto's lap. "Plus your words back at the restaurant."
"How I would get along with Yokai if given the chance." Naruto somewhat repeated his words. "I remember and I meant it." He chuckled a little while looking at the night blanket. "Funny thing is I've always wanted to meet a Yokai since my childhood after my parents told me a story."
"Oh… which one?"
"Yours actually."
Tamamo raised a curious brow at the blonde. "About my demise at the plains Nasu after being exposed by Abe no Yasuchika?"
"…Yeah." He answered hesitantly after seeing the fox's teasing grin. "Unless there's something else you're hiding…." Naruto's eyes widen slightly before Tamamo's grin grew bigger. "That's not the real story is it."
"Correct you are!" Tamamo raised her paw as to affirm it, her white fur shining lightly under the moonlight. "As you can see, I'm alive and well but that was only thanks to Yasuchika."
"Huh?"
"The part about him exposing my true nature is true, but for a whole different reason. After I escaped to Nasu, he confronted and defeated me…."
Naruto leaned in slightly to the fox. "How'd he accomplished that?"
"By making me his bride, kyyaaa!" Tamamo jumped away from his lap as she had transformed back into her Kistune form with her fox ears and tails like during the duel while her hands were on her face like a squealing teenaged girl.
"Is this really one of the Three Great Monsters of Japan?" Naruto thought with a sweat-drop on his head before he played back what Tamamo said moments ago. "His bride?! You mean you and he—"
"Yep, we got married in secret!"
"Eh?!" Naruto cried out in utter shock. This was such a turn of knowledge he's learned straight from the source. As a son of historians/archeologists, he had found gold. After he calmed himself, Naruto asked "So you two got married. Was it difficult for a Human/Yokai marriage? What was he like?"
To his surprise, Tamamo's expression turned solemn with a small smile as Naruto turned bashful at his questioning.
"I—I'm sorry… If you don't want to talk about it, I understand completely." Naruto said to comfort the legendary Kitsune. "I'm really sorry."
"It's fine." Tamamo's smile changed from solemn to genuine like a fox. "It was difficult for any Yokai/Human marriage, but we made it work. We loved and supported each other through the hard times. We were a family until the end."
Naruto stared at the smiling Kitsune woman before him and smiled at her. "You loved him." He stated and got a nod from her. "It was difficult, wasn't it. Moving on."
"…Yes."
"And I assume that over the centuries, relationships between Yokai and Humans grew bitter." A solemn nod came from Kitsune. "Have there been others who wanted to promote Human/Yokai relationships?"
"Yes, but they were silenced by those who wanted to keep the status quo." Tamamo admitted, surprising Naruto. "Of course they too met their fate by them."
"The people who attacked you?"
"Yes, but it felt like they weren't trying to kill me. It was more like trying to capture me." Naruto's eyes widened as Tamamo continued speaking, "I don't know who though, but I don't really care at this point." She looked deep into her fellow blonde's blue eyes. "If they come after me again, I'll just send them back to their mommies."
"This group… what did they want with you? What did they want with Yokai though?"
"That I do not know, but again I reiterate I'll just send them to their graves." Tamamo responded with a sweet smile.
"So…" Naruto scooted slightly away for his safety in response to the intimidating aura oozing out of Tamamo. "Are you going to leave for your safety?"
Instantly the aura disappeared after Tamamo looked surprised before she giggled at Naruto.
"Of course not!"
"Huh?" Naruto blinked with confused eyes.
"You're the first Human with a genuine heart that wants to connect with Yokai; I haven't met someone like that for a very long time." Tamamo smiled at the Spellcaster Duelist who was taken aback. "Plus you and your friends are a lot of fun to be around, especially the Signers."
His eyes widened once more, Naruto became a little tense. "H-how do you know about them being Signers?" He got a smile in response from the Kitsune.
"I've been around for a very long time, so I would recognize a deity's power nearby." Tamamo responded with a cheeky grin. "And… I'm just tired."
"What? Tired of what?" Naruto asked before he saw his answer in Tamamo's eyes. A tinge of loneliness. The type of emotion he felt during his childhood while his parents had unintentionally slightly neglected him during their travels. It was way before he met Soma and Kuroko. "I see. Well then…"
Tamamo watched him stand up from the ground and offered his hand to her as he smiled at her.
"Are you just going to stand there or are you coming with me back home?" Naruto said confidently as the transparent forms of Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl appeared behind him albeit in defensively. "Oh hey guys, what's up?"
"Naruto, are you sure about this?" Dark Magician asked, holding his staff in front of him. "We know little about her or her intentions."
Diana pitched in her concerns as well. "If the people who are after her knows about you, then they could go after you as well. Perhaps your family too."
"I'm right her, you know." Tamamo said slightly irritated as her eyebrow twitched in annoyance. The trio were caught off-guard by then. Could she see them in their spirit forms? "And yes I can see you two behind Naruto. Remember, I'm a Yokai."
"Then you understand our concerns about Naruto and his family's safety." Diana retorted with a worried expression. "He already has to deal with Yliaster and—"
"Diana." Said girl looked at Naruto as did Dark Magician. "Dark Magician. I appreciate your concerns and I am grateful, but I cannot turn someone who's suffered loneliness for so long. I too know the feeling although clearly not as long as you." He smiled at his concerned monsters who reluctantly relented before they nodded at him. "And you can't judge a book by its cover." Naruto said before looking at a surprised Tamamo. "Welcome to the family."
The legendary Kitsune stared at the hand that was still out for her to grab. She couldn't stop herself from smiling at his kind words and gesture. Tamamo then noticed the rest of Naruto's monsters appeared in their spirit forms behind the blonde before she finally took his hand as tears streamed down from her eyes.
"Thank you."
TWExTWExTWE
(The Next Day)
Naruto yawned as he slowly rose up on his bed after the early morning sun hit him through the window. He had spent the night at the dormitory in one of the empty rooms. As for Sasuke, he had left early in the night to sleep at the room he was staying before their Duel and explained that he would head to a city in the east since he was transferring there during the school year.
Which city he did not say at the time, but the last words he said to Naruto stayed with him.
"Don't lose to anyone else. I will defeat you next time."
Rubbing his eyes after smacking his dry lips, Naruto got out of the room to take a shower. After 30 minutes of relaxation, he went down to the kitchen and grabbed himself a couple of ramen for breakfast as always.
"Um… Naruto?"
That was until he was halted by a worried Megumi.
"Morning, Megumi." He sent a nod at the girl. "What's up?" That's when Naruto noticed the several bowls, cooking pans and various ingredients. "Testing a new dish I see." Naruto stated with a smile.
"H-Hai." Megumi responded rather meekly. Naruto raised a curious brow at her expression.
"Why are you nervous? Does it have to with the tournament?"
Megumi reluctantly nodded while she twiddled with her index fingers. "It's nerve-wrecking to say the least for someone like me."
"What do you mean by that?" Naruto asked genuinely.
From there on, he learned about Megumi's nervousness impeded her cooking skills and she almost got expelled twice; by grades and a douche of an Totsuki alumnus who gave her an unfair advantage. By the end of her tale, Naruto nodded at the key factor that helped her through those trying times.
"I see, so Soma is still Soma." Naruto chuckled at the red head's hero complex and recklessness. "That's good to hear. So the three of us are still the same."
"Three of you?" Megumi asked as she and Naruto sat on the bar stools to talk more comfortably.
"We have a third friend who grew up with us. His name's Tetsuya. Tetsuya Kuroko." Naruto then began tell Megumi stories of their childhood between the trio; the fun and trouble that he and Soma would get into while Kuroko would remain untouched due to him being unnoticed.
At the end, Megumi was in a giggling frenzy at the mention of Soma running naked at one time during Halloween. Naruto joined as well, his laughter booming across the kitchen and throughout the dormitory until he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
"Hello~" Naruto greeted after answering. "Hey, Aunt Hestia. Yeah, I'm back in Tokyo for a while. Uh huh… Wait, what?" His eyes widen as his aunt told him more about something important. "He and his team have a match today?" He waited for more information from the phone. "A qualifying match for the Winter Cup? Please send me the address."
Megumi was startled when her new friend suddenly left the room before coming right back with Tammy on his head this time. Apparently he had found the little fox in the woods nearby the dormitory.
"Do you like basketball?"
TWExTWExTWE
(Meanwhile)
Downtown Tokyo
"Damn that Naruto!"
"I second that."
Yusei nervously chuckled at the depressing and angered auras emitting from his childhood friends. He couldn't blame them since Naruto failed to contact them or answered any of their calls last night when they arrived in Tokyo. It wasn't easy for them to find a hotel late at night, but fortunately they met a generous person who let them stayed for free.
The Signers plus Leo and Bruno had walked through the busy streets of Tokyo and found the auto shop where the latest Kaibacorp Duel Runner technology were on sale. They had made the order of a few parts at a fair price thanks to Yusei's current and Jack's former statuses of Duel King, respectively. Now they were walking through the famous culture center of all of Japan.
Akihabara.
"This is awesome! It's not every day we get to come here, so let's enjoy it while we can." Leo cried out before he went further ahead as Luna sighed exasperatedly with a face-palm.
"Oh brother."
The older members of the groups chuckled as they journeyed through the usually-crowded streets and found card shops that had featured posters of new card releases. That's when they found a particular shop that featured new cards that support Synchro Monsters and surprisingly Fusion Monsters.
"Cool, new cards for our decks!" Luna and Leo cried out with vigor after the former caught up with her brother.
The Signers and Bruno met up with the twins soon after upon seeing the particular shop that stood out the most from the rest. It was a simple game shop with the latest cards, but its name was one they all recognized from the history books. Kame Game. The same name of the original game shop where Solomon Muto and Yugi Muto lived in as their residence during the latter's legendary era.
"Hello there. How may I help you?" The cashier greeted as they entered the shop. It was a simple interior with a 'U' shaped glass display that reached the entrance on both sides with tons of cards within it.
Rare cards to be exact.
"Look at these rare cards!" Crow, Jack and the twins cried out in astonishment with their faces stuffed against the glass. Yusei, Akiza and Bruno were astonished as well, but not to the same extent as they looked at the cards. Most of them were after Yugi and Kaiba's era like the Cyber Angel, Armed Dragon and Cyber Dragon archetypes.
The cashier smirked at their expressions and chuckled at the end. "Those reactions are the same when a favorite customer of mine first visited my shop." He looked out at the window where the passing civilians glanced at his shop every few seconds. "Although he hasn't come by for the past few months. A friend of his told me that he and his family moved east."
The group perked up upon hearing about this as it sounded vaguely familiar.
"And what's the name of this favorite customer?"
"His name is…"
TWExTWExTWE
Inter-High Preliminary Gym
"Naruto! Please stop!"
"Eh?" Naruto looked back to see an exhausted and sweating Megumi behind him as she looked ready to keel over. "W-what's wrong?"
"Your eccentric behavior is too much for her, Naruto." A familiar voice came from behind the petite girl. It was Soma with his usual casual grin. Naruto had picked up Soma on the way out of the dormitory and the trio took the train instead of taking Kurama, which was very tight and narrow since it was usually for two people, not three.
As for Tamamo, she's reverted into her small fox form known dubbed 'Tammy mode' by the legendary Kitsune as she rested on Naruto's head.
"Can you blame me, Soma? Tetsuya and his team are having their first Winter Cup preliminary match. We can't miss it!" Naruto reasoned before turning on his heels and continued his pace towards one of the gyms as Soma and Megumi walked a normal pace.
The trio finally made it and took seats on the upper levels as the basketball court was on the first floor. On the court were the players of the different teams sporting different colors. The team known as Johsei sported orange jerseys as opposed to their opponents. Their opponents wore black jerseys with white trimmings at the sleeves and red numbers, but they were known for being a powerhouse despite being their school being formed just one year ago.
A team that made to the Inter-High preliminary finals this summer; an action that was repeated from the year before.
The team where his and Soma's childhood friend was playing for.
Seirin High School.
"Wooo! Let's go Seirin!" Naruto cheered with raised arms in the air, catching the team's attention. "Let's go, Tetsuya! Nagali!"
"It's Kagami, idiot!" The second tallest player shouted in annoyance with a ticked mark from below.
"Who cares!"
"Why you!"
"Naruto…" The surprised Kuroko stared at the grinning blonde before his glance switched and his surprise was further when he saw Soma there as well along with a blue-haired girl behind them. "Soma… you're both here."
Soma sent his easy-going grin that matched Naruto's. "Sup, Tetsuya? It's been a while."
"Yes it has." Kuroko responded in his usual stoic tone.
"Anyway, good luck out there!"
Kuroko nodded as he and his teammates walked to the center of the court. He and Kagami were wearing #11 and #10, respectively as a sign of their partnership since their high school basketball debut.
Next to Kagami's left was Teppei Kiyoshi, a brown half-long haired teenager with a larger frame and even taller than Kagami as he sported the #7 jersey and is the Center. On his left were the Captain and Shooting Guard of the team, Junpei Hyuga, as he was the only one with glasses, a stern face and shaggy black hair and wore the #4 jersey.
Standing next to the captain was the Point Guard, Shun Izuki. He had straight black that reached his narrow, black eyes and resembled an eagle of sorts as his small frame paled in comparison to his fellow teammates on the court with the #5 jersey proudly displayed on his person.
They were all ready to play for the right to participate in the Winter Cup and the chance to become champions while also defeating Kuroko's former teammates from his middle school. The prodigies of the basketball world.
The Generation of Miracles.
First, they have to beat Johsei as the first obstacle on their journey.
The Seirin lineup were ready to go until they were befuddled when a member of the opposing team had tears in his eyes. "Eh?"
"You're so cruel, Captain." The player muttered in despair with slouched shoulders and boneless arms. "You tricked me…" He started to move his fingers in a way like a pervert old man. "Give me back what is mine."
The player suddenly straightened up with his tears-streaming face as he pointed his left finger at Seirin's bench.
"SHE'S NOT SEXY AT ALL!"
The trio above on the stands were taken aback when Seirin suddenly paled and shook in place while their coach, a girl with short brown hair and fringe on her right side as she sported a skirt and dark blue sweater with a whistle simply stood there, seemingly unfazed by the brutal insult.
The Duelist and chef slightly flinched when she gave a nonchalant smile while sending the Seirin players a message by moving her thumb across her throat followed with a thumbs-down.
Tear them apart!
"Y-yes, ma'am!" The Seirin lineup collectively answered her message in fear.
"Yikes, what a scary coach they have." Soma commented, surprising Naruto and Megumi. He glanced at them, "Yeah, she's their coach. Riko Aida I believe is her name. Tetsuya told me about her not too long ago."
"Huh?! How come he didn't tell me?!" Naruto whined with a pout.
"You never answer your phone."
Naruto froze on the spot and cursed himself for habitually delete his voicemail without ever checking them first. Megumi tried to bring him to his senses, but was told by Soma to leave him be since it was a habit of his own and only he could snap himself out of it.
"This is actually the first basketball game." Megumi admitted, amusing Soma while snapping Naruto out of his stupor.
"Is that so?" Naruto smirked at the curious girl before pointing down at the court. "Then you're in for a great surprise."
Excitement filled within the petite girl, courtesy of the influence from her friends. "Really?"
"Yep." Soma answered this time with pride etched on his face as his eyes were glued into the court.
Naruto gave a small nod as the whistle blew and the ball was thrown up for the tip-off.
"You're about to see what our friend, Kuroko, is known as since his debut at middle school."
Megumi watched the game started below and before she knew it, the ball was already in Kagami's hands before he jumped and dunked it hard. "W-what? How'd the ball get there already?" She received no answer from her friends and instead observed closely. It took some doing, but she eventually found the causes of those 'invisible' and fast passes.
Kuroko.
"While we didn't go to the same school as Tetsuya did, he'd message us about their games and practices and his team. They were the Generation of Miracles and acknowledged him and his skills." Soma commented as he leaned over the railing.
"And those who really know him like his teammates and us call him by another name…" Naruto stated as he, Megumi and Soma watched Kuroko suddenly appear in front of the ball's passing lane before he intercepted and passed it to Kiyoshi who also dunked a score as well. "He's known as the Phantom Sixth Man of the Generation of Miracles."
From there on, Megumi knows firsthand how exciting basketball and the entire world can be outside of cooking.
TWExTWExTWE
Uchiha Mansion, Sapparo, Hokkaido
"What did you just say?"
Ryu cleared his throat subtlety at the calm and stoic Fugaku who was in an important meeting with a client before his interruption. He had been ordered to deliver him the news of the Duel between Sasuke and Naruto in an estimated week, but the Duel had happened last night.
Much sooner than expected and the results were not what Fugaku had expected.
Hence the stoic but inwardly furious Fugaku who sat on his chair in his office.
"The Duel occurred yesterday and… your son lost."
Instead of the full-blown rage most prideful fathers exhibit after their sons' loss, Fugaku exhaled loudly to calm his frustration. "Leave me."
"Hai."
After his lead agent left and closed the door, Fugaku in a rare display of emotion, swiftly swept his arms across his desk in one fluid motion as the essentials on top were knocked to the ground. His seething frame struggled to reel in the anger, but the disappointment was too great.
His son was defeated by Naruto Ea and once again, the Dark Magician emerged victorious over the Blue Eyes White Dragon in their legendary rivalry. Although it wasn't the legendary Spellcaster himself that won the duel, it still applies to the monster.
This wasn't supposed to happen at all. His family had modified the deck with the best cards that were released over the years since the era of the King of Games.
What's even more surprising was the new and powerful monsters the young Ea used in the final bout of the Duel. One was the teal dragon that performed a Fusion Summon with Dark Magician Girl and the other was the Kitsune card that delivered the final blow.
The latter was most intriguing. In the boy's previous duels, that card was never used before. Has it been in his deck this whole time and he never had the opportunity to use it or had he obtained it recently?
"This cannot be tolerated." Fugaku muttered as he took out a cell phone out of his drawer and pressed the necessary numbers. A few rings in, his call was accepted. "It's me. It was a failure. Continue with the operation and then send the unit with them. It's time for a test drive and I know the perfect candidate."
TWExTWExTWE
(Sometime Later)
Seirin High Private High School
"Man you guys crushed them!"
"Yes we did."
"Oi, Kuroko! You should be more jovial about our victory and our next match up in the preliminaries!"
"I agree with Kanami here."
"It's Kagami! Ka-ga-mi! Learn it right!"
"Scary!" Megumi nervously thought inwardly with sweating bullets as she was basically squeezed between Naruto and the taller annoyed boy known as Kagami. "How tall is this guy?" Her trembling frame didn't go unnoticed by everyone else, much to Kagami's confusion.
Seirin had beaten Josei 108 to 68. The entire flow of the game was mostly dominated by Kiyoshi's center plays, Kagami and Kuroko's coordination, and Hyuga and Izuki's dominant plays as shooting guard and point guard. Naruto and Soma thought to themselves that they had to destroy their opponents in fear after their coach was insulted from the rookie.
Afterwards, the team were sent home to rest for another round 'hellish' practice mentioned by a player named Koganei. Naruto, Soma and Megumi had waited for Kuroko and Kagami so they can all grab a bite to eat together.
"Naruto. Soma."
The mentioned boys turned to their childhood friend who stared at them with his stoic face as he petted Tammy's head after seeing it on his friend's head.
"How did you know about the preliminaries and our match today?"
Naruto answered that with a grin as Tammy soon got out of Kuroko's brace and climbed onto his head. "Your mom of course!" Kuroko let out a sigh in response, much to Kagami's surprise. Usually he reacted like that at his antics, but this is something else.
"Besides did you really think we wouldn't find out?" Soma interjected casually with a pointed look. "You know Naruto and I would come to watch your games. Believe it or not, we were hurt when you didn't invite us to any of your games in middle school."
A pout etched Naruto's face with his cheeks puffed out as his answer.
"We would've been there, cheering you on with banners and such."
Sweat-drops fell on Kagami and Megumi's heads as they watched the scene unfold in front of them. "They're acting like overbearing, doting relatives you don't want to attend at events because of embarrassment!"
"And that is exactly why I didn't tell any of you." Kuroko then looked at the sky. "Also the team was something I didn't want you to see." He said solemnly.
A confused Soma and Megumi tilted their heads while Naruto and Kagami nodded in understanding. But the tension was soon erased when both Naruto and Soma put their arms around Kuroko's shoulders with smiles on their faces.
"I don't know what happened, but we'll always be there." Soma said.
Naruto nodded with his friend. "Unlike our demon chef of a friend…"
"HEY!"
"I know middle school was rough for you, but that's why you and Seirin will win the Winter Cup to change their minds about basketball."
Kuroko looked at the grinning faces of his childhood friends and let out a small smile. "Yes, we will win the Winter Cup."
"There's the Kuroko we know." Naruto smiled before unlatching his arm from Kuroko's shoulder. "Now then, let's go to Restaurant Yukihira for dinner on the house!"
"Hai!" Kagami shouted in approval while Kuroko raised a fist in the air. Megumi giggled at Soma's gawking expression while Tammy smirked at Naruto's positive attitude as they were about to head onwards to their next destination.
That is until…
*Bark*
"Eh?" A collective chorus echoed as they looked at the source to be in front of them. It was a puppy with black fur on the back while its belly and paws were white as it wore a Seirin #16 jersey, but that wasn't the capper.
It was the eyes.
Oval-shaped and blue colored.
"Hey, doesn't he look like…" Naruto said before trailing off.
Soma answered the unfinished question. "Yeah..."
The duo looked between the puppy and Kuroko, specifically at their eyes. They did double-takes before shock and awe stuck at their very core.
"The eyes! They have the same eyes!"
From there on, life in Tokyo has gotten more interesting for Megumi, Kagami and especially Kuroko.
TWExTWExTWE
Kame Shop, Akihabara, Tokyo
"No…"
"It's true."
"I'm seeing it, but I don't believe it."
Crow and Jack along with Leo and Luna were struggling to suppress the laughter evidenced by their puffed cheeks and teary eyes, but they're finding it very hard to do so.
Why? Because laying on the glass top before them was a photo book, filled with photos.
Photos of his son, a spiky red-head named Soma, and lastly a familiar whiskered blonde. As for the former, they saw a photo of him dressed up a fairy princess when he was a toddler.
Apparently they and the shop owner have a mutual friend in the form of one Naruto Ea. His nephew was friends with him since childhood and hung out every day, except when Naruto goes on a trip with his parents, until middle school where they attended schools in different prefectures. Still, they always tried to hang out as much as they could and none of them ever regret it.
"And do you know what he was called back then?"
"W-What?" Crow asked hesitantly.
The shop owner leaned forward and whispered the name to the four. Instantly they were on the ground, holding their sides as their laughter could no longer be held. As for Yusei, Akiza and Bruno, they fared better than those on the floor but small bouts of giggles and laughter escaped every now and then.
"But don't tell anyone about this, especially Naruto. He and his parents made me promise not to tell anyone about it."
"Too late!" Both Jack and Crow mischievously thought within as they immediately thought about new ways to get back at Naruto for his pranks.
The shop's bell jingled, signifying another customer's arrival in the shop. "Wel—" The shop owner said after turning to face to face, but stopped as he was instantly colored pale.
"Hey, old man!"
"Hello uncle."
"Naruto!"
The stoic blue-hair, Megumi and Soma stepped to the side as two blurs tackled Naruto outside and pinned him to the ground. Not wanting to miss the comedic beating, everyone ran outside to watch Naruto get what he deserved but instead it was Crow and Jack on the ground with comedic bumps on their heads.
"Hello, who are you two?" asked Akiza to the boys and the girl who accompanied Naruto. Then she took a closer look and realized they were from the photo album. "You two must be Kuroko and Soma."
"Yes. Pleasure to meet you as well." Kuroko politely answered with a bow, surprising the group by his way of speaking.
They couldn't help but return a bow as well while Soma cheekily greeted the Neo Domino residents. Upon reaching the nearby train station, Kagami had left to go home and rest while Kuroko stayed with Naruto, Soma and Megumi to catch up with the former two.
Akiza then noticed the shaking girl who stood next to Soma and asked, "H-hey are you okay?"
"S-so pretty!" Megumi thought enviously as her eyes soon descended on the taller girl's assets. "Big!" She shook her head and greeted her. "I'm Megumi, pleased to meet you."
"Akiza. Same here."
After getting acquainted with each other, the two groups affiliated with a familiar whiskered teenager looked at the scene that had said person at its center.
"Now what was that for, you two?" Naruto asked annoyed with a twitch in his left eye as he sat on the heap that is his friends.
"You forgot about us last night."
"Huh?" Naruto tilted his head in response. A chill went down his spine and he looked at the glares from the twins, Akiza and Bruno while Yusei didn't looked bothered at all. "Oh come on, I was busy in one of the best duels I'd ever had: I dueled against Sasuke and his—"
"It is you."
"Huh?"
The merged group of teenagers were kept in suspense, but that suspense was turned into awe as the person was a woman. A beautiful woman with bright, vibrant red hair that reached her back with a clip on the front that held part of her bangs on the left side. She wore a knee-length, yellow skirt with a light blue blouse that had embroidered swirls around it as her purple-colored eyes barely glanced the teens before they rested on the whiskered blonde who blinked owlishly.
The one she wanted to meet since his introduction at Totsuki Academy.
A face she'd never thought her eyes would ever lay on ever again.
"Naruto…"
The teenagers, especially Naruto, were taken aback from the woman's affectionate tone when she addressed him.
"Um…" Naruto paused to get off his friends and sheepishly asked the obvious question. "Do I know you?" Tamamo along with the spiritual forms of Dark Magician and Diana behind Naruto waited as the woman grew slightly bashful.
"I'm Kushina Uzumaki," She answered before her lips was tugged by one of the sincerest smiles anyone had ever seen. "I'm your mother."
Glass shattered as everyone's eyes, even Kuroko's, were as wide like saucers chorused.
"HHHHAAAAAHHHHH?!"
END OF CHAPTER
I do apologize for the long update, but I did let all of you know that starting from September, the updates will be slow from there on. I will do my best to make the updates to a week or week-and-a-half at best. I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter and that you are safe as you enjoy life.
Speaking of life, it has its down like the end of the Shounen era: Naruto, Hitman Reborn, and now Bleach are now gone. Only Fairy Tail and One Piece are left with the former appears to close to its ending with the war between Fairy Tail and the Empire led by Zeref. Also, today's chapter concluded with the awesome yet tragic beginning of the battle between Gray and Natsu.
Another thing: why did Bleach end the way it did? Back in July, there was news that Bleach would end in 10 weeks around mid-September. With the second to last chapter, it ended with the Quincy leader being hacked then the next chapter ended with rushed epilogues like Chad being a boxer in a world title match, Uryuu being a doctor and Ichigo and Orihime being married while having a son. At the very least, I hope they do a film between the last chapter and the war's aftermath like they did with "The Last: Naruto the Movie".
Also the second seasons of "Attack of Titan," "Boku no Academia," and "One Punch Man" has been announced with Boku being aired this fall in either October or November. One last thing is the third season of the volleyball anime, "Haikyu," will be aired next month on the seventh. I am utterly excited for these upcoming anime and I hope you are as well if you are a fan or seen them.
As for the timeline, we are at the Autumn Elections preliminaries from Shokugeki no Soma and the Winter Cup preliminaries from Kuroko no Baske. With the latter, the manga did say the preliminaries stated in November, but I changed their first game to take place in October for a special occasion.
I wish you a good evening or morning or night wherever you live. Stay safe and enjoy life.
Chapter 10 Q&A's:
Ivan0061509 (Sep 3): That is great to hear and I'm pleased you enjoyed the Duel between Naruto and Sasuke. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter as well. Of course, it's a little slow but it will build back while they're in Tokyo.
Blackseal84 (Sep 3): I aim to please the audience and I am happy you liked the duel. Is that so? Honestly, I was trying really hard not to mess up with the Duel, dialogue and card effects. The Battle City Semi-Final duel was one of—if not the—best in the entire franchise. The tag team has yet to come and I assure you it will be epic. Now it's the obstacle of finding worthy opponents.
Veesmaster (Sep 3): That is great! Man, I was really trying not to make her seem OP in the duel. It's hard regarding creating an OC whether a person or card. But I'm glad you liked it and there's more to come. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.
Jebest4781 (Sep 3): Yes, there should be set limits regarding Tamamo's abilities in a Duel. Of course, the support cards will be revealed later on in Naruto's future Duels. I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter.
Guest (Sep 3): That tone in the chapter had you on the edge of your seat? *Smirk* I thought I would have Naruto get his first loss, but I really wanted him to debut Tamamo as part of his deck and friend. I'm glad that you think Tamamo's effects aren't OP since I really was trying not to make her so. Jebest4781 and I had talking about the support cards and they will debut soon in Naruto's future Duels. Another support card to prevent her control being switched? That is a good idea. Is the Trap negating effect also part of "Tamamo's Orb?"
You want a Guardian Eatos in Naruto's deck? Is the banishing the monsters and the sending traps to the graveyard also a part of Tamamo's Orb as well? As for the Guardian card, I have something in mind regarding it and it will be fun to write about it if you catch my drift.
Thank you and please don't apologize about your review. I really appreciate and thank you taking the time to write a review either short or long. Reviews help the authors to make their stories better along the way. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.
NinjaFang1331 (Sep 3): Thank you very much! Did you enjoy the latest chapter as well?
Zdeath01 (Sep 3): Yes, he does. I figured she would be a great co-character to have with him like Kurama in the canon. Now she's one of his ace cards and there will be more exciting Yokai coming in the future. Just you wait.
GodX (Sep 4): I really poured my heart into the last chapter ever since I introduced Dark Magician as Naruto's ace early in the story. Well, she wanted to show her gratitude and it happened to help him win the duel against his new rival/friend. Her alternative form is a white fox, not a cat. The characters in the first chapter besides Soma was Kuroko and Kagami from Kuroko's Basketball manga/anime. It is a really good series and I highly suggest you watch/read it. You won't regret it. Perhaps, but the arc where Soma and company is that it's located at the Autumn Elections Preliminaries so that's far away from now. There is plenty of time before the WRGP so I'll introduce more Yokai and characters along the Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds like when Crow acquires Blackwing Dragon. That's coming up soon. I'll be using the anime versions of the god cards, not the game versions.
Lightningblade49 (Sep 4): Thank you and I'm glad you are interested. The series is called Shokugeki no Soma. Please check out the manga since the anime is missing some parts. You will not regret it.
R-king 93 (Sep 4): I am happy that I didn't mess up the rivalry or the dialogue between the Duelists. Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Did you like the latest chapter as well?
Ito Uchiha (Sep 4): The redhead angle is kinda cliché nowadays in the Fanfiction world, but I'm not debating nor against it. There will be only two at best and I believe you know who they are. Did you enjoy the new chapter?
Megakdre (Sep 4): Tamamo is pure yokai, not a Duel Spirit of one. Her history is mentioned in the new chapter and I hope you approve. Did you enjoy the new chapter?
AnonGod (Sep 3): I see. I went through the story and I noticed few instances regarding the Trap card mistakes, but it's not a lot though. I will fix them at a later time and avoid making them in the upcoming Duels as well. Thank you for pointing this out. I understand your wanting to make this story and I approve it. I will fix the mistakes whenever I can. Did you enjoy the new chapter?
Ravage88atlas (Sep 4): I put your nickname as you suggested and it's actually better. Her other effects will surprise opponents and allies. Sadly, they haven't met Sasuke yet, but they will at a later time. I know there are actually fox cards that help Spellcasters like Inari Fire and Fox Fire, but I don't think there are more like them. Perhaps I could make OC cards for the deck and I could use help/suggestion for them.
