Chapter 24

"That should do it!"

"Whoa, really?"

Yuki has been on a roll as of late. So much so, in fact, Alley had given him his own lab to work in! He still collaborates with her and Genus on various projects, but for now, he has been modifying the heroes weapons and making them gear to last in a monster fight. He just finished Singer's new bamboo shoot much to his delight. "I have kept the basic structure as requested, since after all, this is something special, but thanks to Alley and some alien tech she let me have. I managed to incorporate some unnatural elements to your weapon, for example…"

He took the shoot and revealed the button on the side of it. "This here is a power absorber. It will take in any energy. For example, if Max has some to spare, you can absorb that into your weapon and use it later. This has a capacity of about one million volts, give or take."

"Whoa…"

"There's another button here, the green one, that will absorb poisons. In return, it draws them to the tip of the weapon, you can then use it against a monster. Be warned though, don't use it on the monster you took it from, they will have immunity."

"Okay, I get that."

"Lastly, your shoot I managed to reinforce with alien tech, this should last you a while, so don't go willy nilly with it!"

Stinger smiled as he marveled at his new weapon. "This is amazing Yuki, thanks!" he said graciously. "I didn't know you had a nack for these things!"

He smiled. "When I was little, dad let me take home a piece of scrap. Alley would later explain to me that it was a robotic hands from another project of hers. I took the whole thing apart and put it back together again as something to do. She saw my potential and promised when I was older… she would let me play with her good toys!" he said with a smile. "I got a few other things to work out, she told me to keep the inventions simple, also to lessen the technology within so they are not susceptible to corruption or hacking."

"Got it, thanks again!" Stinger walked out with his new weapon. Yuki was proud of it and was quick to get back to work on the other ones. Next up was…"

"Hey Yuki,"

Peering up, he saw his brother Rimuru. "Hey! How's the training going?"

He sighed aloud. "Atomic refuses to train me," he said with a sigh. "I don't see why he would refuse. I got good potential according to Iaian!" he protested. "Maybe it's because I'm Garou's son…"

"Maybe, have you asked Flash?"

He snorted to the notion. "He said I am too slow, I tend to agree with him. But Atomic is fast too…"

"Maybe we ought to ask again…"

"I've been pestering him for a month to train me! Iaian has even spoken on my behalf, no dice! Yuki, it's frustrating!"

He nodded. "I know, it can be, just give it time and perhaps something will…"

"OW! I said quit it!"

The lab door opened as Silverfang appeared with Atomic, apparently he looked a little rough around the edges, like he got a small beating for his actions. "Silverfang sir!" Rimuru said and was quick to bow to his master.

"Just Bang, I told you that before!" he laughed. But then his glare turned to Atomic. "Well!" he demanded.

Atomic sighed. "Kid…"

"Rimuru!"

"Right, look… I'll CONSIDER training you…"

"Really?!"

"If you pass my test."

He paused. "Test?"

"I don't understand how this is relevant, when you have your own top disciple speaking well on his behalf!" Bang protested.

"They went through the same test, and so should he!" Atomic reached into his kimono sleeve, and somehow pulled out an apple! "Cut this apple," he said. "Using your sword, I'll judge from there."

Rimuru was a little confused by the challenge. "Really? Just cut the apple with the sword?" he asked, but then, he appeared to think it over.

"What are you waiting for kid?" Atomic demanded.

"Deciding how I need to cut the apple. As simple of a task this is, it's not simple. Your standards are high, and if this how you judge someone's talent, then I have to take this seriously." He explained.

There came a pause over Atomic, Bang however was grinning from ear to ear. "Not disciplined you say?" Bang teased.

"Shut up, he's Garou's son and the bastard of Amai Mask…"

SLAP!

"OW!" Atomic protested as he got a firm smack to the back of his head.

"Watch your tongue," Bang said in a warning tone.

"Thank you Sensei,"

"Now, show Atomic what you can do."

Rimuru nodded.

He stepped back and away from everyone, to the far side of the room where he wouldn't hit anything. He kept his sword in its sheath as he held the apple in his hand. From there, he began to do fists of flowing water. Yuki was stunned as he watched his brother control the aura round him, the apple floated out of his hand and began to follow the flow of energy, until…

He moved so fast, he blinked and nearly missed it. However. He had already put the sword away, the apple fell to the ground in various slices, half of it was diced, the other half cut up into ring and cored.

Atomic froze to it all.

Bang was smiling proudly. "I would consider that a pass."

The samurai snapped out of his blank stare as he looked to Rimuru. "You used martial arts rather than sword techniques. I don't know…" he said as he continued to stare at the apple on the floor.

"Oh get off your high horse asshole, that was amazing!" Yuki protested.

"Brother!" Rimuru scolded.

"No, I have to agree with Yuki," said Bang. "You are just being stubborn, failing to admit that the children of Garou and Melee have potential, yet you refuse to train them out of your own pride and ignorance. Such a shame, he would be treasured at the council of the swords…"

"What would you know?" Atomic demanded. But then sighed. "Fine, I'll give him two months!"

Rimuru froze. "Really, you'll train me!?"

"Two months, from there. I decide whether we continue or not."

"Thank you!" Rimuru said and bowed graciously.

As Atomic left, Bang appeared to have sighed aloud. "How frustrating for you, I am sorry you went through that."

At the moment, it didn't look like Rimuru cared the least bit. He was happy to have a chance to train with Atomic.

He left to tell Iaian the news. Yuki however sighed aloud. "I don't know what has him so excited. Knowing Atomic…"

Bang nodded in agreement. "I know, but this is also your brother's path is it not?"

Yuki nodded. "I suppose it is." And went back to his work. He kept peering up every so often as Bang remained in the room. "Is there something I can make for you?" he asked.

"No, I don't need weapons to fight. However… I have come to notice that all your siblings are trained in some form of self defense, but you."

"Oh, I'm more of a technical guy. I am not into fighting."

"Ah, I see. But tell me, can you defend yourself?" he asked.

Yuki thought it over, he hasn't had the need to fight anyone or anything. Yet, the notion that he may need to with the on going threat looming, it made him reconsider his options. "Perhaps… I could be stronger," he said offhandedly.

Bang smiled as he came in closer. "Would you mind if this old man taught you a few tricks?"

"Old man?" Yuki asked curiously.

"Oh, that's right you didn't know did you. Well… like Genus, I do not look my age to say the least. I'm over 80 years old,"

"My God what is with everyone not looking or acting their age?" Yuki muttered.

"Ahem, are you not one to talk?"

He blushed a little to the comment. "Fair enough. But, I don't know if martial arts is for me to say the least."

Bang nodded. "It may not be, but it would be good to know, just in case. Please, consider it Yuki. I think I could teach you well. Even if it is just enough to defend yourself."

He nodded in agreement. As Bang left, he looked about his lab. He knows he could make a weapon to defend himself with, yet at the same time, if something were to happen to said weapon, he could only rely on his own strength. He can tap into Amai Mask's power, yet at the same time, compared to his siblings, Yuki doesn't have much in the way of battling. "Hell, I think Athena even knows a thing or two because of crazy people in the fashion industry…" he muttered.

He decided.

Rushing out of his lab, he saw Bang just down the hall. "BANG!" he called.

He stopped and turned around, smiling. "Oh? Want to get started?" he asked.

"Yes, let's not waste time, I wish to know the proper way to defend myself, if you will teach me… master" he said and bowed graciously.

Bang smiled. "Come with me, we have a little bit to learn, but I think you can catch on rather quickly."