Chapter 2
Revenge of the Screws
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[Tenryo Residence]
It took all night for Naruto to get used to a foul-mouthed Horned Beetle Medarot named Metabee to make him be more politeful, for Chidori had told Naruto about saying naughty words. And of course, "Mother's teachings" got through to Metabee somehow as he promised not to let his built-in censorship mess with his vocabulary.
After dinner, Naruto went to his room to check on his Medaparts to see if they're running as they should, much to Metabee's curiosity. He has a lot of Male and Female Medaparts, as well as plans and models to incorporate parts for both genders.
At night, while Naruto was sleeping, he had another strange dream that the Medarots looked cartoonish in appearance and looked like shapes straight out from a younger children's math class and Metabee looks so different with noticed that his guns look like things set up like they're pipes and his face is always angry-looking, along with having a black "mouth". They met with some people that sounded familiar, like a younger Hikaru, Nae, and Kirara. But just when Naruto and Metabee were ready to robattle against Hikaru, the former felt something warm right next to him.
Naruto suddenly woke up and found his mother (fully dressed and wearing an apron) playing a little trick on her son by lying next to him under the covers.
"M-Mom‽ What's the big idea?" he exclaimed as he jumped out of bed with his night clothes on.
"It's something that I read in the newspapers. It's said to be a way to get your boys up just like a. luck-y. charm, 💕" Chidori explained with her pinkies sticking out, "You were definitely tired from yesterday's event, so I couldn't help but to try it out. 💕"
Naruto felt slightly embarrassed by that little gag, but then he noticed something was missing, "Hey, Mom, where's Metabee?"
"He's sitting by the table with Dad," she answered as she left the room to let her son take a quick Sonic Shower¹ (waterless and sanitizing) and get dressed for school. As he walked to the front room to get some breakfast (Fried Egg on Toast), he noticed Metabee sitting down, reading the newspaper while his Dad is sitting in a different chair, having a meal and drinking a coffee mug with the word 父 (father) on it.
"Morning,/Morning," they said to Naruto.
Naruto felt slightly grouchy from getting out of bed, much like a bear, when he noticed something was off, "Since when do Medarots read newspapers?"
"What's wrong with that?" Metabee replied.
"Medarots must work with their partner Medafighters, that's what! So why are you doing whatever you want, y'know?"
"I don't remember accepting you as my partner. And besides, I just like reading the funnies."
"Metabee-chan, would you kindly take out the trash?" Chidori asked and the Medarot did, but not before Naruto gave in and pointed to where the burnable garbage should go and not at the non-burnable garbage section; they're recyclables. Occasionally, Naruto found some loose Medaparts from the non-burnable piles and junkyards where he fixed and tailored them for future use, or rebuilding Medaparts with his portable Medapart generator that he stumbled upon last year. That's economic power to him, much to Metabee's surprise.
-Medarots-
After finishing breakfast, Naruto packed his schoolwork in his satchel before leaving for class. Metabee was walking behind Naruto not too close behind.
Naruto complained, "Metabee, you don't have to follow me, y'know. It's just that we can't simply bring your kind to school, even with the Safety Locks."
"I'm not some kind of luggage," Metabee replied, "I'm my own Medarot."
"Well, don't be surprised, y'know. There are other Medarots who are independent just like you are, but most of them are likely to be rogues, as in: there are no Medafighters to keep them under control², you get me?" Naruto warned, "So try to be on your best behavior, okay?"
Metabee didn't quite understand what Naruto meant by "rogue Medarots" roaming the streets.
Then Naruto gave another warning, "Oh, and Metabee, be careful of fruits like watermelon. I'm no entomologist, but the parts that you're equipping may affect your personality, otherwise you'll be attracted to those things much like real beetles do."
"I told you, you're not my partner, so I don't take orders from you!" Metabee blatantly defied.
"Sometimes, I wonder why I fished your medal out of the water…" Naruto grumbled, "Ingrateful ponkotsu³ (piece of junk)…"
They stopped for a moment when they heard a familiar chuckle coming from the post, "You seem troubled, Naruto." It was his friend Hikaru who was coincidentally passing by, with his personal motives in mind, "It's not the parts or the Tinpet that are defective, it's the medal that makes it go. So have you tried ejecting the medal?"
"I did," Naruto replied, "But this Medawatch wouldn't let me put Metabee away for storekeeping. I think our camaraderie isn't in sync ever since I found the Horned Beetle medal by the river."
Hikaru almost blurts out his other persona when he wonders if that was the same medal that he accidentally dropped in the river upstream the other day may have affected or discombobulated it, so he checked Metabee's back to see if nothing was out of place. Metabee, however, didn't like to have his Medal tempered with, "Don't you dare... TOUCH MY MEDAL!" So he tried to fire, but the [Safety Lock Program] prevented him from firing a shot. But that doesn't mean that he wouldn't thrash anybody by physical means.
But soon, Naruto realizes that he's almost late for school, so he asks Hikaru to keep Metabee busy and make sure he remains intact, due to "Article 6." And he manages to escape with swift agility, with Metabee not far behind, complaining to remove the Safety Locks.
Hikaru decided to leave and return back to work, knowing that he'll have another chance to capture the rogue Medarot's rare medal.
-Medarots-
[Ginjō Elementary]
Naruto was a few minutes away from getting a tardy when he noticed that the gate was closed earlier than usual. ::"No doubt, Yama-kong must be having a heyday, messing with me again, y'know.":: So he hopped over the very tall gate with the greatest of ease, only to be encountered by the gym teacher, Otokoyama-sensei (AKA "Yama-kong" by the students) who looked like he had a bone to pick with his most troublesome student.
"TENRYO!" he barked loudly with a booming voice!
"Otokoyama-sensei, ohayōgozaimasu (good morning)," Naruto replied courteously, with his ears slightly ringing.
"I see that you're getting some exercise are in the morning," Otokoyama said while pumping iron with his dumbbell, "So why don't you and a few other participating students drop down and give me 20 push-ups, FOLLOWED BY RUNNING LAPS AROUND THE SCHOOL YARD UNTIL I SEE YOU SWEAT!"
All of this was interrupted, when the School Principal came to the scene and remarked, "You're Naruto Tenryo, right? A few good friends and I have heard a lot about your great service."
He excused Naruto to let him see the newspaper headlines done by Arika Amazaké.
-Medarots-
[Inside Ginjō Elementary]
"Highlight of the Day: Medarot Hunting Punk Rockers defeated by Naruto Tenryo and Metabee!"
The color photo shows Metabee shooting down the 2 [Blackmails] and [Hellphoenix], along with the Rockers, taken from the former's left shoulder POV. The articles on the paper, however, appeared to be exaggerated by "you know who", but other than that, the details of the battle were spot on, including the Medaparts obtained by him.
"Now that came out pretty good, don't you think, Naruto?" Arika asked her friend. She appeared to have put on some hair clips today.
"You used Laserbeak's picture, didn't you, Arika?" Naruto suspiciously questioned.
"Well, I could have chosen those shots, but I used some sneak photos instead," she smugly replied, "I don't like that it's all about you, but people love this kind of news."
"Adios, reality," Naruto quippingly sighed about becoming a local celebrity.
Soon the other students flocked over and crowded Naruto and Arika as one kid said, "You're amazing, Naruto!
"To take out those Medarot Hunters all by yourself!"
"Eto… I trust my instinct, y'know," Naruto replied while trying not to be so overconfident, "
"What? It ain't no biggie," Metabee suddenly popped in through the crowd, "I did all the work."
"Metabee, what are you doing here, y'know‽" Naruto exclaimed from the sudden surprise.
Metabee sets up a cardboard box repurposed with a sign saying, METABEE-SENSEI AUTOGRAPH AND HANDSHAKING EVENT, "Just signing autographs."
"Metabee, I told you not to come here, y'know! And what the hell are you doing, acting big‽💢'' Naruto sports a tic mark.
Some students questionably murmured, "What a weird Medarot…"
"Going around as he pleases like that…"
"Maybe it's a defective…"
That remark made Metabee angry as his eye started to twitch as he yelled, "Who are you calling "defective"?!‽" he tried to shoot, but the Safety Lock is still active as they made clicking sounds, "Come on, come on! Fire, dammit!"
Naruto did a "patented" karate chop⁴ on his Medarot's head to keep him from hurting somebody, mainly Arika and the crowd; his hand ended up getting rather sore from hitting sturdy metal. The dizzied Metabee was dragged away while he took down the cardboard box. Arika is having that strange feeling again, like her heart is beating faster, as Naruto said, "That's 2 you owe me."
-Medarots-
[The Formerly Unused Room, now the Screws' Hideout]
"It's noisy," Kikuhimé remarked while sitting at her seat, drinking an orange soda, while Kagamiyama sits at a different chair, waiting for Iwanoi to come. And sure enough, that said person entered the door, exclaiming to his compatriots, "Oyabi, It's a big hit! Tenryo is in the spotlight with his Medarot and he kept his Medarot from making a bigger racket!"
Kikuhimé yanked Iwanoi by the cheek and yelled, "Stop calling me "Oyabi", you idjit!"
"Forgive me!" Iwanoi yelped in pain.
"She knows already," Kagamiyama said.
Then Kikuhimé lets go of her subordinate and worryingly says, "If this slips out… that we're letting Naruto-kun have all the glory… we'll all end up getting killed by the Banchō (the delinquent gang leader)!"
This makes the boys feel suddenly unnerved as Kagamiyama gasps, "The Banchō… He's going to wipe the floor with us like dirty laundry…!"
"We'll have to go and take on Naruto-kun all at once to save face for our gang, okay?" Kikuhimé asked with a serious look on her face, "We'll see if the handicap fight isn't really a joke like last time. Let's not screw this up. Unlike Naruto-kun, the Banchō… he's not as forgiving as I am..."
-Medarots-
[Later]
Naruto and the recovered Metabee are walking through the hallway, trying to mind their own business on this rather uneventful day. In the meantime, Arika already left to report to the Newspaper Club.
"Look, Metabee, just leave the school and go home before you start shooting off again."
"No way am I listening to you!"
That was when Kagamiyama engaged Naruto with his Keithturtle and declared, "Naruto, the Screws would like to have a Robattle with you, right here and now."
The crowd of students gathered as Metabee wanted to join in on the fight, but Naruto disagreed, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Waitaminnit! This isn't the right place to Robattle. You're forgetting Article 9, Clause 3. And besides, we're supposed to be in class right now."
And he's right, right when Otokoyama appeared and grabbed Keithturtle into a hold, as he yelled at the students to leave before they got reprimanded. And Naruto dragged a disappointed Metabee away before he could cause more trouble.
-Medarots-
[Later, at the Class 5 Foot Locker]
"First, I've been chased across town by my first Medarot and cut a few corners," Naruto reminisces this morning's incident, "Then Yama-kong was trying to upset things (even though I'm not technically late) and then Metabee tried to shoot down my friends in broad daylight. Thank goodness for the patented Safety Locks. The shooting weapons are locked and prevented from firing and the strike weapons would be like bouncing, flexible rubber. And there's the responsibility of taking care of Kiku-chan and Arika. When life gives you lemons, y'know... heh-heh…"
When he opened his locker, there was a [love letter] inside, but he doesn't recall anybody, let alone any girls (including Kikuhimé and Arika) sending him one. So he cautiously looked around and opened the envelope and he read the (pretty) stylized writing,
-MESSAGE-
Tenryo-kun, we need your help because we're in a serious quagmire. If you're willing, please meet us at the rabbit hutch behind the school.
Signed, the Student Council
-MESSAGE-
What does the Student Council want with him, Naruto wondered as stows the letter into his pocket. Both sides weren't exactly on good terms because to Naruto, they thought they were the smartest ones when it comes to Medarots (of which they aren't very bright). And Metabee had already left the school building, minding his own business, so Naruto will just have to wait and see if his Medarot's luck holds out as he walks towards the said location, with nothing better to do.
-Medarots-
[Ginjō Elementary, Rabbit Hutch]
The Student Council basically looked the same in fashion statements: the boys having their hair slicked back with grease/gel and the lone female member (the secretary) with a mushroom/himé cut, coke-bottle eyeglasses, pocket protectors, formal and tidied summer clothes, and pale complexions from not getting enough sunlight; everything, the whole lot for stereotypical school nerds.
The SC were in need of assistance as they're huddling inside the hutch. Naruto then asked, "So what are you doing out here, anyway?"
"Because the Screws were making too much racket!" the SC treasurer explained.
"We didn't want them seeing you there at our SC room, so we had to call you all the way here," the SC Vice-president added.
"That, and we had to feed the animals today," the SC secretary said, "...when it was supposed to be the Screws' turn."
"Tenryo-kun, you got to help us with Dr. Study!" the SC President begged, "The Screws kept siccing their Medarots just so they could pick on us!"
Naruto sighed from all the malarkey and replied, "Oh, alright, alright. But before we begin, which one of you made the letter addressed to me?"
The SC Secretary raised her hand with a blush.
"Thank you, I appreciate it. However, I'm already taken. Sorry." (The SC secretary was heartbroken, but she felt that she took the rejection gently. If it were another life, she hoped...) "Now for your Medarot, have you noticed something's wrong with the situation? You either didn't have any offensive Medaparts or have an extra Medarot that can do the muscle in battle. Since Dr. Study's medal is a Phoenix Medal, it has the ability to cause burns towards your opponents, so why didn't you use your mental facilities to get those parts?"
"It's because we don't have the budget," the President weakly replied, "Every time we get into a Robattle, we lose every single one. And besides, Dr. Study's extra parts are all we can afford." The associates nodded in agreement.
That's when Naruto has a suggestion: Trading Medaparts. Since the SC has plenty of extra Dr. Study parts and Naruto has refurbished, restored, and (slightly) modified Medaparts that he set aside for trading. He discusses a deal and it's not for a seat in the Student Council; he already has enough on his plate. And they made a deal by trading one of Naruto's extra offensive medaparts with Dr. Study's extra Point Radar (Right Arm) part. Suddenly, Naruto's Medawatch transmits a distress signal courtesy of Metabee's cussing issues again, "Metabee could be anywhere at this rate…"
"This is our time to shine, Dr. Study!" The SC President said as he summoned his Medarot through his Medawatch. Dr. Study then uses his Radar Parts to pinpoint where Metabee is located.
Naruto thanked the SC for the assistance and said to stall the Screws long enough to get his Medarot back from whoever's taking him, and he somehow disappeared from view.
The SC members couldn't believe their eyes, it is as if Naruto must have gotten faster than the average sprinter.
-Medarots-
[Meanwhile...]
Metabee was walking along, wondering why Naruto is so annoying in his book, but then he noticed a large piece of uncut fruit sitting in the middle of the road.
"A… a watermelon‽" Metabee has a strange feeling that he couldn't seem to resist the temptation from the fruit's scent, "F-for… for some reason, my instincts are acting up!"
Naruto's previous warnings came too little too late for Metabee as he started crawling on all fours and making beetle noises just to get close to the watermelon, not realizing that there's a trap underneath it - a snaring net.
(*Yoink!*)
"D...Dammit! What gives?" Metabee cursed as he was caught.
A familiar chuckle was let out by none other than Hikaru who then says, "So you really are a Horned Beetle-Type Medarot. Your kind can't help being attracted to fruits like watermelons.
"You…!" Metabee grunted, "What do ya want with me?"
"I have an interest in Medals, you see. I will simply have to take a look at your Medal."
-Medarots-
[With the Screws]
The trio almost made a big boo-boo when Iwanoi's letter fell off from Naruto's locker the moment he got the letter from the SC. They nearly challenged the principal and his Medarot, [Nantetsu⁵], by mistake.
-Meda Vital Stats-
Nantetsu
Owner: Principal of Ginjō Elementary
Medal: A - Stag Beetle
Specialty: Energy Blades
They had to make a hasty retreat to avoid getting creamed by the experienced Principal while still searching for Naruto. (Poor Principal…) So they decided to check on the Student Council and demanded that they find Naruto to robattle him in a handicap match.
The entire SC is basically stalling for time long enough until their temporary bodyguard shows up with his Medarot.
-Medarots-
Naruto was at the location 3 blocks over and Metabee is nowhere in sight. "Now what am I gonna do?" he anxiously wondered.
Just then, the same chick salesman from the other day was coincidentally waiting as he has a small crate of baby chicks and a sign saying, "ヒヨコ" (piyoko / chicks).
"Okay, you're scaring me," Naruto murmured.
The man gave some words of advice, "In life, sometimes there are moments when you don't know what to do. You know what you should do when that happens? The things you don't know will come unexpectedly if you don't slow down and watch your surroundings. So when your back is against the wall, you simply have to find the door."
Naruto didn't quite understand it at first, but when he heard Metabee yelling as he and the watermelon were being hauled away by Hikaru.
His temper suddenly flared up as he stomped toward the store clerk and demanded, "Hikaru, put down my Medarot this instant!"
Metabee's demand for independence was turned to fear when he and Hikaru noticed a change in Naruto's atmosphere, as if he had some killer intent backing his bravado, telling them that he means business.
"And what are you gonna do with Metabee?" Hikaru nearly loses his confidence, but still has the net in his grasp, "He doesn't listen to you, so it's got to be the Medal's defectiveness."
"That's not the point, y'know!" Naruto argued, catching Hikaru and Metabee by surprise, "Even if Metabee has an attitude problem, he is still my first Medarot. My parents never gave up on him, so I'm not giving up on him either as my partner, so put him down nice and easy before I get really mad and hurt somebody, like you! Do we have an understanding?"
Hikaru realized that he's being driven to a corner. Naruto knows where he lives and would prank him to no end until he meets his demands and then go back to his home, feeling satisfied. So Hikaru puts down the net to release Metabee.
Metabee was helped by Naruto and asked him, "Even after all the crap I did to you, you came for me?"
"Metabee, you're my first Medarot," Naruto replied, "Good or bad, we have to work together, y'know. Anyhow, we have to get back to the school before Kiku-chan and the Screws go too far."
Before Metabee and Hikaru hardly knew it, Naruto grabs his Medarot and suddenly vanishes leaving a bunch of leaves behind.
"Well, imagine that," Hikaru murmured before holding a particular mask in his hands, "Two can play this deadly game, Naruto-kun…"
-Medarots-
[Ginjō Elementary, schoolyard by the fountain]
"Cut the crap and bring Naru- - I mean, Tenryo out!" Kikuhimé yelled at the cowardly craven student council after they had an unofficial beatdown with her partners and their respectable Medarots, "If you don't answer on the count of 5, your SC room will be ours as well!"
As she starts counting very slowly, Arika, with her camera in her hands, is anxious to call forth Brass in a Robattle against the Screws team, even with the SC's help. But by the time Kikuhimé was about to reach 5, the parties were surprised by a breeze, followed by some leaves where Naruto and Metabee suddenly appeared in a flash, leaving them surprised.
"What was that?" Metabee exclaimed from the sudden rush of speed.
"I dunno," Naruto replied, "I just want to get back to the school faster and I just remembered some technique of that of a ninja, y'know."
The SC were not only left flying by the seat of their pants, but one of Akira's overall suspenders loosely fell from her shoulders from her friend's rescue, "That would be a scoop…"
"Hmph, you sure took your time coming here, Naruto-kun," Kikuhimé snorted as she crossed arms with a pout.
"Tenryo, it's your fault that you didn't accept our Oyabi's invitation!" Iwanoi smartmouthed again but got walloped by Kikuhimé again for his mistake.
"We ended up inviting the principal and his Nantetsu by mistake, and we had to make a… *gulp!* ... tactical retreat," Kageyama added, "Just like stinky laundry…"
"That's not important right now," Kikuhimé says, "The main thing is that you and your Medarot with relic parts are going to lose, you hear me, Tenryo?"
"Don't give it a second thought, Kiku-chan," Naruto confidently answered, "I hope that you prepared yourself."
"Prepare to kiss your 'bots goodbye!" Metabee declared as his weapon lock system is unlocked by his handler.
"I'll give you kudos for coming here, Tenryo," Kikuhimé said with her hands next to her waist and getting serious, "but know this, you be the one to lose against the Screws!" And she and her gang brought forth their Medarots to the field of battle.
-Meda Vital Stats-
Peppercat
Owner: Kikuhimé
Medal: H - Queen
Specialty: Thunder Attacks
.
Cyandog
Owner: Iwanoi
Medal: U - Monkey
Specialty: Shooting
.
Keithturtle
Owner: Kagamiyama
Medal: C - Tortoise
Specialty: Optic Laser
"Then it has been agreed!" a familiar voice called out in the vicinity and sure enough, it was Mr. Uruchi (the referee) as he made his appearance out of the water fountain with scuba gear on and stepped onto terra firma, "This handicap fight has just been recognized as an official Robattle!" But the referee puts himself in a fix as he was about to change into his judging attire, so Naruto pointed to a big tree to let Mr. Uruchi switch clothes.
"Show some decency in front of us, man!" Kikuhimé angrily yelled.
"Uruchi-san is a real show-off, for sure, for sure," Naruto shook his head in disappointment as he set up Laserbeak for recording with an aerial view.
After a few awkward moments (and switching Metabee's Revolver (RA) with Dr. Study's Point Radar (RA), Mr. Uruchi resumed, "Both sides already know the basic rules. In this Handicap Match, there are no more than 3 participants on each side of the battlefield with one member as Team Captain or Leader. If the Leader is taken out, then the match is declared over and the victor or victors will be decided. The loser(s) will have to surrender one equipped Medapart to the victor(s)."
Kikuhimé and Peppercat decide to play as Team Captain to face off in a 3-1 Handicap Battle against the solo member Naruto Tenryo and his Metabee. (The SC group and Arika move back a few paces as they witness the upcoming battle.)
The Medarots get into formation as Mr. Uruchi called, "Robattle, FIGHT!"
(Ding!)
And while Kikuhimé tells her boys to cover Peppercat as Keithturtle and Cyandog start shooting at Metabee.
Naruto looks at the situation and notices that the field is flat and made of dry mud, with a water fountain as an obstacle. So he commands Metabee to keep his distance, use Point Radar, and start aiming at Cyandog first - - - starts using Submachine-gun, the shooting attack connects, taking out Cyandog's Left Arm parts and his Right Arm also took damage.
Iwanoi was angered as he ordered Cyandog to break formation to open fire at Metabee, using his Head Part: Linear Cannon - - - the attack's aim deviated and it hit Peppercat's legs, taking damage.
Keithturtle uses his Optic weapons after he charges up and opens fire at Metabee - - - he ducks, the laser accidentally hits Cyandog where it hurts, the Head Parts, and his Medaparts were immediately jettisoned as he is out of commission.
"Cyandog, down!" Mr. Uruchi declares while Iwanoi was ashamed of himself for his own humiliation.
"Sorry, Iwanoi!" Kagamiyama apologized.
"No biggie," Kikuhimé said as she returned to her groove and then ordered her Medarot, "Peppercat, get in there and use Light Blow!"
Peppercat ran at Metabee with her Electric attack, but her damaged legs made her trip on the fallen Cyandog's body and fell into the fountain, discombobulating her with her own electricity.
Naruto smirked, "Let 'er have it, Metabee!"
"Missile Launch!" Metabee declared as he fired his Head Parts, and the move connected with a big blast! Peppercat's Head Parts took heavy damage, her parts jettisoned and she is out of commission!
(Ding-ding-ding!)
"Leader function ceased!" Mr. Uruchi makes his judgment, "The winner of this match is Naruto and his Metabee!"
"That was great, Metabee!" Naruto said as he notices that his Medarot's shooting, sniping, and support stats have increased. The SC club cried tears of joy as their room was saved.
And Arika filmed the battle with her camera. She was glad for Naruto and Metabee's progress.
The boys started to feel worried (Iwanoi whiting out and Kagamiyama feeling thinner than he ought to be) as Kikuhimé's knees gave way as she bowed in defeat and said, "It's over… The Underground Banchō will surely kill us all now!"
Naruto blinked and asked, "You mean that guy who hasn't shown up for class?"
"Yes, him, Naruto-kun. The Underground Banchō. He's the boss of our gang that controls the elementary school… no, this entire area from the shadows! To tell you the truth, we didn't really sign up for this!"
The SC president added, "And yet, nobody has seen him in person, even though he is supposed to attend here."
The SC secretary nodded silently.
"That Underground Banchō will finally show himself?" the SC Treasurer questioned.
And sure enough, the present groups hear the sounds of loud footsteps approaching the Screws trio. It was a tall, burly 6th Grade student dressed like a typical male delinquent wearing heavy shoes, black slacks, a red shirt, a collared school jacket, and a tatter-brimmed hat with a BAN badge attached to it, with the sun setting behind him. It was the Banchō, in person, as he overshadowed his underlings with an angry grin, "Kikuhimé! You and your runts lost to this pipsqueak and his old-modeled Medarot?" He grabbed her by her shirt collar (she begs for mercy) and he quickly ripped her clothes to shreds, leaving her in her kitty-printed panties around her wide hips and plump buttocks, followed by the boys' clothes, down to their white briefs. Kikuhimé hides her exposed chest (because she wasn't wearing an undershirt) and her front as she was disgraced in front of the blushing witnesses. "That oughta teach you not to lose in front of me, or perhaps I'll strip away your underwear as well!"
"That's enough, y'know!" Naruto yelled, "They've already taken their lumps, so why don't you just leave them alone?"
"So the street rat wants me to let them go, eh?"
"You heard me, punk. Let my friends go right now."
"Then we'll settle in a Handicap Robattle with my 3 Medarots for their freedom. If you lose, then I'll rip every last bit of clothing off of everyone and make you run home to mommy butt-naked!"
The SC club shiver as they imagined themselves butt-naked and hiding their privates in front of the public.
Then the Bancho pulled out 3 Medawatches from the left arm of his sleeve to transport 3 BAN-Type Medarots to the field, all with slightly different color palettes via Metawatch's control to tell which is which - a Red one, a Blue one, and a Black one.
-Meda Vital Stats-
Bankaran⁶
Owner: Banchō of Ginjō Elementary
Medals: Y - Ninja
Specialty: Counter-Attacks
Metabee is already repaired, thanks to the Self-Repair Mechanism and reloaded as he and Naruto prepare for another 3 on 1 battle.
"Didn't see that coming," Arika gasped, hoping that Naruto and everybody doesn't see her completely naked on the spot when it's over.
"Wait, Naruto-kun! Don't waste your freedom and your clothes on us!" Kikuhimé pleaded while still covering her chest with her arms, not knowing that Naruto is super-psyched up with determination.
Mr. Uruchi, still present and accounted for, declared a Robattle between the Banchō and Naruto is about to commence, with the Banchō's Red Bankaran as the Leader on one side. "Robattle, fight!"
The Bankaran squad charged at Metabee, only to have been shot down by Metabee's Ultra Shot Medaforce (after his Special Meter was charged at 100% by Naruto's willpower) and the match was immediately over in seconds, with the Banchō's clothes ripped apart from the aftermath.
"Winner: Metabee!" Mr. Uruchi declared.
"Does that even count as a battle?" Naruto sweatdropped from the disappointingly short Robattle as he checked to see if the Banchō was well enough to go home. The opponent's coat and hat were sent flying to the ground as the Banchō revealed himself to be Hibachi Daimon⁷, who appears to be thinner in appearance as he coughs from the knockdown, "So he thought he could dish it out, but he couldn't take the heat. And besides that, he's wearing his older brother's uniform." And sure enough, Hibachi's big brother Masaru⁸ (9th Grade) angrily came by and dragged his sorry brother by the waistband back home to their parents for his actions, for dirtying his favorite jacket and hat, and trashing his prized Bankarans. He also gave his Medarots some spare parts after they're repaired and were forced to surrender the said parts to Naruto and then walked away into the sunset with a fussing Hibachi in tow.
(Mr. Uruchi soon left the scene to write up the recent battle results.)
Naruto then put Laserbeak away as he checked on Kikuhimé and gave her his spare shirt from his pack to cover herself, but she immediately jumped up and hugged her hero, not caring about her own nudity, as her chest is against his chest. (Arika was feeling a little bit jealous, never even got this close to Naruto.)
Kikuhimé blushingly explained as she made circles with her finger, "Last year, the Ban- - I mean, Hibachi-san talked us into forming the Screw gang... so that we can make a reputation for the upcoming tournament. Any... anyway, thanks for saving us."
"No problem, Kiku-chan," Naruto gladly replied and then he asked the SC if they have any spare clothes.
After the former Screws gang were forced to dress in nerdy clothing (without the eyeglasses), Naruto reminded the group several things with his fingers, "Shape up, stay in school, and keep your Medarots maintained. But more importantly, stay in school, y'know! Living the life of a delinquent isn't what it's cracked up to be."
"We understand, Tenryo-"sensei"," Kikuhimé and the boys replied as they returned home to tell their parents about their ventures. The SC club also learned their lesson as they try to exercise more and strengthen their sinews to think smarter.
-Medarots-
[En route]
Along the way home while escorting Arika, Metabee asked Naruto, "Hey, I have something to ask you."
"Yes, what is it, Metabee?" he replied.
"After all the hell I put you through, you still come back for me. Why?"
"Because… Well, I just do, that's all. Anyway, had it been a lot worse, Hibachi Daimon would be arrested by the Medarot Select Corps and probably have his Medarot License suspended, if not revoked."
"What's the Select Corps?" Metabee wondered.
"It's much like INTERPOL, but mainly on Medarot matters," Arika explained, "Whenever Medarot crimes show up, they are the ones to deal with the situations."
"And just to let you know, my dad works over there. He doesn't say what section he works at exactly, y'know. Could be desk work or assisting the unit for stopping dangerous businesses elsewhere."
"Sounds hairy to me," Metabee commented.
And the trio soon meets Brass along the way and they talk about other things before saying good night to each other as they walk to their respective homes.
-Medarots-
[Amazaké Residence]
After taking a bath and dressed in her pajamas, Arika reviewed the video footage on her computer where Naruto battled against the Screws and Hibachi. Brass comes in, bringing her mistress a tray with a small plate of cookies and a cup of milk as she says, "I still can't believe that Naruto-san and Metabee fought against them, 3 on 1, and still won. They even win the Screws' freedom. *swoon💕* How I wish I would have been there to see it."
"Yeah, you would faint from all the action, being that you're a SLR Medarot," Arika has her mind on other things while hiding her rosy-cheeked expression on a certain somebody.
(After all, Brass is modeled after a schoolgirl that can be prone to strong emotions like a human girl does, such as having a crush on Naruto who was being nice to her before Metabee came along.)
"I knew it, Arika-chan," Brass chuckles at her mistress' coying, "Anyway, let's go to bed, Arika-chan. (Maybe she'll become Mrs. Tenryo in the near future. Uhuhu...💕 If only I were close to humans...)
But Arika remains quiet as she catches a glimpse of the video Naruto clenching his fists, his retinas turn red, and a fiery aura showing around him. She wondered why.
Brass looked at the still and guessed, "Could be from the sunset. After all, Naruto's eyes were always blue, but I had never seen them in a red color like this before."
"This would make a big scoop, Brass," Arika said after she turned off the computer, "But right now, it's nothing but speculation. If I present the news as is, it would be no better than those trashy tabloid papers."
"Yes, I suppose you're right, Arika-chan," Brass agreed as she and her mistress turned in for the night.
Omaké
The Aftermath with the Screws
Iwanoi and Kagamiyama's parents grounded them for a week with extra chores for letting them hide their secret about their small gang with the lame Hibachi while Kikuhimé was forced to take her punishments in a different manner; she was signed by her mother to go to dancing class to make her behave better and socialize with other dancing students, as well as doing other extra chores in the house.
Kikuhimé was taking a bath as she notices in the full-body mirror that she still doesn't have any signs of two little hills like Arika yet, but notices that there is hair showing in the downstairs area. It may be early July, but it won't be long until swimsuit season comes along. Maybe her mother would help her about keeping herself trimmed and about women's woes.
Meanwhile, Peppercat (with an extra Light Jab part) has to stay outside, because she is a CAT-type, and she couldn't help but sing in the moonlight like all the other neighboring cats across the street…
"Meow, meeooow, meeooow, meeooowrrr!🎶"
Unfortunately, Peppercat's habits seem to attract other male cats, and possibly a few dogs. What's a Cat Medarot to do?
-Medapart Winnings-
Naruto
Dr. Study: Point Radar (Right Arm, Traded Part)
Peppercat: Light Jab (Right Arm)
Keithturtle: Tyrano Laser (Head Part)
Cyandog: Assault Rifle (Left Arm)
Bankaran #1: Sweat Cape (Right Arm)
Bankaran #2: Sweat Cloak (Left Arm)
Bankaran #3: Koran-Koron (Leg Parts)
§
¹ - Sonic Shower, based on the "Journeyman Project" series; the "shower" uses a sanitizing ring to let the user clean off and eliminate dead skin cells, harmful bacteria, and tiny, loose junk and invisible dirt without water, soap, and detergents. Of course, it doesn't totally replace real showers or baths for younger children, pets, those with deep or recent scars from surgery, and those enjoying leisure bathing. The current model is still years away from vastly improving in the near future.
² - Most rogue Medarots are likely to be independent or were hired by some bigwigs to simply annoy any people - both civilians and Medafighters.
³ - "Dimension W" Kyōma Mabuchi reference
⁴ - Soul Eater-based Karate Chop (Reaper Chop, Maka Chop, etc.)
⁵ - Nantetsu, AKA Samurai
⁶ - Bankaran, AKA Banisher
⁷ - Hibachi is modeled after the character from the flashback in the Naruto Shippuden series.
⁸ - Masaru Daimon is a rather common name because the particular Kanji of both the family name and given name are the same (大門 大); no relation to the characters from Digimon series or the Danganronpa spinoff. In this version, he looks like Hibachi, only wiser and not so troublesome; the real Banchō of Ginjō City.
And the heat will be on!