Ch5

Netto sat across from Miyuu as the two discussed their battle together. "You are doing well Netto-kun," she said as she sipped some tea. She looked up at him with a calm gaze and looked down at his PET. "You and your navi defeated me with little difficulty, I am impressed by your strength and teamwork."

"Thanks. Slur is very strong," he said as he drank his tea. She was still holding back though I can tell. He didn't want to push his navi since they would be facing stronger opponents but he was curious about what she could do at full strength. Just how strong are you Slu?

I know we can win this tournament. Deep down he knew his navi was special and could probably defeat most of the other navis here. Dad made such a strong navi I won't let her go to waste.

"So what did you want to talk about?" he asked.

Miyuu looked at him with a deep gaze and smiled. "Remember when we were fighting and you used that chip combo? It was Sword, Wide Sword, and Long sword?"

He nodded. "Yeah. It was weird the swords looked like they were going to merge." Drinking some tea he remembered the moment it happened. At first he thought it was something random or maybe a glitch.

"You almost did a program advance," Miyuu said as she drank her tea.

"Program advance? What is that?" He asked.

Miyuu set her cup down and looked at him with a clam smile. "It is a powerful attack that merges the power of three battle chips. But to do it one must be in sync with their net navi."

"In sync with their net navi," he said. Sitting back in his chair he thought about Slur. I know she is hiding something but other than that I feel like we trust each other.

At least that was what he wanted to believe. While his net navi was calm and collected he couldn't help but feel that there was a wall of distance between. How can I get to her though? She is polite to me but I don't know how I can break through to her. Despite his navi's friendliness he could feel that it wasn't genuine. I want us to be close I really do. So what can I do to bridge the gap between us?

Miyuu looked at him. "You and your navi are strong but I can feel that your bond isn't as strong as you would like it to be."

He avoided her gaze and nodded. "Yeah. I mean we work well together but I feel like our bond can always improve."

"I see," Miyuu said as she drank her tea. "I say just keep working at it. Eventually your bond with your navi will grow and you both will be able to pull it off. If you like I can help train you both."

"Really? " He asked.

Miyuu nodded. "You are a nice kid. I'm sure you and your navi will do great things." She smiled at him before finishing her tea.

"Thanks. I would appreciate all the help I can get," He said. "I know this tournament has some strong opponents and I could use all of the help I can get."

Miyuu smiled at him. "Good I'll let you know when I am available. Right now I have some things I have to do with my colleagues."

"See you around," he said as they both got up and bowed to each other before leaving.

"Hey Slur what do you think of the program advance?" He asked once they were in a quiet place.

Looking at his PET Slur appeared calm. "It is an interesting technique. Do you want us to learn it?" Her voice sounded a bit board, like she really found it inconsequential. If you don't like it you could just tell me.

He nodded. "It seems like a powerful technique." He avoided her gaze. "I know we have to be in sync for it to happen."

"I understand," Slur said. "If you wish for us to learn it I will assist you in that undertaking."

"Sounds good," he said. "Hey Slur if I may ask do you like being my navi?"

Slur looked surprised for a second he thought that she frowned at him before. "Of course I do. I am your net navi."

"I know but I just sometimes feel that we fight more out of duty," he said avoiding her gaze. "I'm sorry it's just hard to explain."

"I'm sorry if I disappointed you," Slur said looking at him calmly.

"No you haven't disappointed me," he said quickly. "I just wish we could be a bit closer."

Slur looked at him and nodded. "If that is what you wish I will do my best. How can I better assist you in this task?"

He scratched his head. "I want us to be better partners. You know so we can fight better together."

Staring at Slur he wasn't sure what she was thinking, as usual her face was expressionless. Yet as always she bowed. "If that is what you wish I shall do it," she said carefully.

"I want us to be able to trust each other," he said. "I'm not saying you can't have privacy but I just wish we could confide in each other and trust each other more."

Slur nodded. "I understand."

He wasn't sure if she was just saying that or not but he was glad to get his words out. I really hope we can win this together. I don't want you just brute forcing your way through every fight. Though a part of him knew that Slur was probably stronger than he thought. Dad really did something when he created Slur that's for sure.

"Netto-kun may I ask you something?" Slur asked.

"Sure of course," he said quickly.

"What do you desire?" Slur asked looking at him with a calm gaze. "What do you desire to accomplish both here and in general."

"That's a big question," he said scratching his head. "I guess you could say I want to protect those who are close to me and show that I'm capable of helping them." He avoided her gaze, "Also I want my dad to be able to see me," he said softly.

"Your dad is still working right?" Slur asked.

He avoided her gaze and nodded. "He works a lot. I hardly see him these days since he is always busy." Taking a deep breath he swallowed down all the negative emotions that he usually felt when the subject of his father was brought up.

"A lot of times growing up it was just me and mom," he said softly as he cleaned his eyes. He turned to look at his navi who was listening intently. "Then you came. It was the first gift from my dad in a long time."

For a second he noticed Slur avoided his gaze as if knowing some deep secret. "I see," she said carefully. "You care for your friends and family a lot."

it is noble to want to protect them."

He forced a smile on his face. "I know. Thanks to your help I've been able to help them some more. I couldn't have asked for a better navi, you are stronger than I imagined you would be."

Slur smiled at him. "I am your navi and will always follow your commands."

"I know," he said looking up at the sky. "But I also trust your judgment, if you need to do something do it."

Slur nodded. "I understand. I'll do my best to keep your interests at heart whether they be good or bad."

He smiled at his navi. "Anything else you wanted to ask me?"

Slur shook her head. "Not at the moment. If I think of anything I'll ask you."

"Got it," he said. "Come on lets go see our friends. Yaito wants to take us out to celebrate."

Slur smiled at him and nodded. "Sounds fun Netto-kun."

Yaito had arranged for a very fancy dinner so he dressed in something nice. The restaurant was probably the kind his father would go to for special occasions such as work or with his mom. But he was looking forward to the experience since they all advanced in the tournament.

"Thanks for the invite," he told his friend as he sat down next to Meiru. They were all there, Yaito, Dekao, Tohru, and even Mariko sensei came to congratulate them.

Yaito nodded and folded her arms. "This is one of my favorite places. I figured since we all passed the first round we should celebrate. You are all welcome."

The food was delicious and they all had a good time talking and relaxing. That was until a familiar dual haired boy who sat near them caught Yaito's attention.

At first they ignored him but eventually, Enzan came up to them. Yaito looked up at the boy. "You're Ijuin Enzan the vice president of IPC right?"

Enzan nodded. "I am. I take it you are Ayanokoji Yaito?"

Yaito nodded. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Enzan stared at all of them his blues eyes anything but friendly. "Just wanted to see the competition. A bunch of kids like you all won't last long so enjoy the celebrations while you can."

"Hey who the hell do you think you are!" Dekao said.

Enzan looked at his friend with contempt. "Like a citizen like you can win. Why don't you just sit down and maybe you can work as a janitor at some third rate company like Gabcom." Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Enzan in shock.

Man this guy is a real pain in the ass. Looking him up and down he reminded him of those rich developers who looked down on his dad.

"Excuse me!" Yaito said her face fuming. "My father's company is not some third rate company."

Enzan rolled his eyes. "Well if it is anything like your navi it is. See you all later."

The boy turned around and was about to leave. "Hey don't talk to my friends like that," he said his blood boiling as he stood up. "Who the hell do you think you are insulting us like that?"

Enzan turned to him and shook his head. "You're just a civilian like you can win this."

"Well why don't we settle this with a net battle," he said pulling out his PET.

"I don't fight with children," Enzan said walking away. "Especially a child with a wannabe Barbee doll net navi. Why don't you go play dress up with her. To think you are the son of a great scientist? I bet your dad must drink himself to sleep every night knowing he has a son like you."

"What the hell did you say!" His blood boiled. This asshole just insulted his friends, him, and Slur. He figure this guy wasn't friendly but now he really disliked him. "Are you just a coward who relies on his daddy all the time? Are afraid he can't bail you out when we kick your ass? Geez, you are such a pompous prick."

The room went silent and Enzan turned to face him his gaze hard. "What did you say?" His voice was cold as he glared at him

A smile spread across his face as he folded his arms. "I guess you rely on your daddy to help you all the time. I mean he put his number one coward of a son as his vice president. I bet he bought you your navi too. You called Yaito's company third rate? I bet his company must really be suffering if he had to hire you. Such a pain in the ass." His friends snickered and laughed as Enzan's face turned white.

"Fine lets take this outside," Enzan said coldly before turning around. "I'll show you the meaning of respect you punk."

"Netto," Yaito said gripping his arm,

He turned to her and smiled. "Don't worry I'll make him take back what he said."

Yaito smiled at him. "Thanks for standing up to me."

He turned to his friends who nodded in agreement. "No problem know do you guys want to watch me kick his ass?"

They all cheered as they followed him outside. It was full of people and bright lights but his vision was set on Enzan who glared at him. "Slur whatever you do lets win."

Looking at his navi Slur smiled, it made him feel uneasy since it looked malicious. "At your command Netto-kun. Would you like me to show you a bit of my power?"

It almost sounded like a challenge. A smile spread across his face. "Don't hurt him too badly, I still want to fight this guy in the tournament. But yes take your glove off and show him what you can do."

"Understood," Slur said with a smile that sent a shiver down his spine. "This is for your friends and me."

Their eyes met and he could feel that they reached an understanding. Enzan had insulted him, his friends, and her and they weren't going to let him get away with it. "I won't let anyone insult my friends like that. Plug in Slur!"

Finally I can let loose. Slur kicked the navi Blues so quickly he didn't have time to react.

"Blues take her down!" Enzan ordered.

She let out a laugh. "My my oh my. I guess my operator was right you really are just a rich kid's navi. Just a toy for a rich kid."

Blues charged at her with his sword. Normally she would've played along but his operator not only insulted her operator and his friends but also her. The thing was no one insulted her and got away with it. Snapping her fingers cords appeared from the ground and strangled Blues and electrocuted him.

She laughed as the navi let out a scream. "I'll show you the meaning of respect now." A pair of light swords appeared in each of her hands.

"Area steal slot in!" Enzan yelled but her cords were stronger than some battle chip.

Charging at the navi she plunged her swords into Blues. The red navi screamed in pain as the cords released their grip on him. "Netto-kun I don't know your views on torture but if you wish I could torture him until his operator gets on his knees and grovels for forgiveness?"

"Hmm I don't know. This guy doesn't seem like the humble type," Netto said shrugging his shoulders. "Just teach them a lesson."

"Roger that," she said as Blues got up and charged at her.

She effortlessly blocked the attack with her sword and laughed. "A pitiful navy for a pitiful boy."

"Do not speak about Enzan-sama that way," Blues seethed.

"Oh really? Would he care if I did this?" She swung her sword, Blues barely dodged it as she grazed his leg.

The red navi swore as he fell to his knees. "That's more like," she said. "Grovel for my operator's forgiveness and his friend's forgiveness as well." Blues screamed as she stabbed him with her light sword. "Know your place you insect," she said as she stabbed him again.

Blues screamed as he fell to the ground. She stomped on his face with her boot. "You aren't even worthy to like my boots you maggot." She stabbed him in the gut causing the navi to scream in pain.

"Recovery slot in!" Enzan said his voice seething with frustration. Blues stood up his legs wobbling. "Blues finish her!"

Such a disregard for others. She shook her head. As much as she disliked humanity she had to admit at least her operator cared for her and others. This boy is different, he is cold as ice.

"Sword slot in," Enzan said. "Wide Sword slot in!"

A new sword appeared on each of Blues' hands. "Oh daddy bought his little boy some toys," she said mockingly. "Netto-kun I think this boy's toy isn't worth the fight. I guess he was just talking big when he insulted all of us."

"I guess so," Netto sighed his voice barely hiding the mockery. "Maybe his daddy can buy him a new navi?"

Enzan's face turned three shades paler. "You'll regret those words," his voice was low and cold. "Blues finish her!"

Blues charged at her but she easily avoided her attacks. She then stabbed the red navi in the gut before summoning some cords to strangle him. Blues was electrocuted before she ordered him to be thrown against the wall.

"Long Sword slot in!" Enzan yelled. She could see the anger and frustration in his voice.

Blues' arms glowed and something happened. Just like in her own match the two swords began to merge.

"This must be the Program Advance," Netto said as Blues raised his hands up in the sky the swords in his hands made a pillar of light. "Slur be careful!"

"Don't worry it is unstable. I'll end it here with your permission," she said looking at her operator.

They exchanged a look but Netto shook his head. "Don't delete him just make him regret insulting us. But be safe, don't get hurt."

She didn't expect anything else. She snapped her fingers and spears of light erupted from the ground all around Blues. The red navi screamed in pain and there was a flash of light followed by a wave of energy and a blinding light.

Like such an attack could harm me. The attack hadn't fully materialized but what was there most likely landed on the red navi. Why does Netto wish to master it?

When the light and smoke dissipated all that was left was Blues impaled by her various spears. The red navi had wounds on every inch of his body.

"Next learn respect," she said snapping her fingers. The spears retracted from Blues' body and the red navi fell and was logged out.

"Blues!" Enzan said his face a mixture of anger and sorrow. The boy glared at her operator. "This isn't over."

"Next time you insult my friends and navi it will be worse," Netto said firmly as he folded his arms.

Enzan glared at her operator before turning around and leaving. "Wow that was something Slur," Netto said as she returned to the PET.

"I hurt him to an inch of deletion," she said firmly. "That blast also took its toll on him. I doubt he will make the mistake of antagonizing us again."

Netto smiled at her. "Come on you deserve some rest."

She smiled and returned to her PET. What a fun exercise. It was again that she felt that warm sensation inside of her, working with Netto to defeat a common enemy made her feel happy. This feeling. Netto-kun working with you surely is different.

AN: Just a reminder that Enzan/Chaud wasn't that nice in the games and the anime actually toned him back a little. So as of now in the story he is still an arrogant prick.

Also I won't be updating for a few weeks I'm going to edit the next few chapters. Thank you all for the likes and reviews. Let me know what you think of the story