The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping as the door opens to reveal Ikaruga in her Hanzo Academy uniform. She walks outside and carries a school bag in her hands as she turn around to look at her friends. "We're going to be late for school, everyone," Ikaruga said.
"We're coming!" Asuka shouted as she and the others are running through the door. Katsuragi coming down the stair and let out a yawn as she ran out of the house to catch up with her teammates. They are now walking down the Kaminarimon Yanagikoiji Alley as Katsuragi is wobbling side to side as she struggles to stay awake.
"Ah, I'm so sleepy... I've had it..." Katsuragi groans as she leans onto Asuka and gropes her breast causing her to squeal.
"Geez, Katsu-nee!" Asuka shouted with a frown causing Katsuragi to laugh.
"Just my traditional morning grope," Katsuragi said with a grin. "You're wide awake now, aren't you, Asuka?"
"Don't go coming up with weird traditions!" Asuka stated as she have her arms cross. "Besides, Katsu-nee, you're the one who's still asleep!"
"It's sure a nice day today, huh?" Hibari said with a smile.
"It is, Hibari," Yagyu said, looking at her with a smile.
While they are talking to each other, Ikaruga deeply thinks about what Kiriya said when they reported to him yesterday.
-Flashback-
"Kugutsu?" Ikaruga asked, causing Kiriya to nod.
Kugutsu, which is to say, puppets. Also known as marionettes or dummies. The ninja technique of freely manipulating a puppet and tricking one's opponent is also called that.
"As far as what you've told me, the one attacked you is quite a Kugutsu master," Kiriya said.
"Kugutsu master?"
"Yeah. Plus, when Asuka was attacked by the invisible enemies again. Her life could have been forfeit if it hasn't been for that boy." Kiriya said as he is quite grateful of Ichigo for saving his student.
"So then, what is the Kugutsu master's and the invisible enemies' objective? Why us?" Ikaruga asked, raising her hand.
"I can't say anything just yet," Kiriya said uncertainly.
-Flashback end-
They continue to walk down Hanayashiki Street as Asuka tries to stop Katsuragi from groping her while Hibari looks at them with a smile. Yagyu looks at them with a neutral expression on her face. She turn her attention toward Ikaruga as she notices something is wrong with her. "What's the matter, Ikaruga?" Yagyu asked.
"I'm hoping...nothing ill is coming from all this," Ikaruga said, causing Yagyu to be confused.
-with Ichigo-
Ichigo is fighting against a Hollow as he cut off its arm, causing the Hollow to let out a roar in pain. Ichigo jumps in the air and slices the Hollow down in the center, as its body starting to dissipate. "Well, that takes care of that," Ichigo said, placing Zangetsu on his back. "Still, why would the Hollows come to this place? What got them so interested in Asakusa?" During his free time, he have been searching for clues on the strange Reiryoku. But he found nothing. Not even a lead to where it is. Ichigo let out a sigh and scratches his head as he have nowhere to start. "I'll figure it out later. Right now, I need to patrol for any sign of Hollow in the area."
-With Team Hanzo girl-
Meanwhile, Team Hanzo is training on the mountain as Ikaruga is standing on top of the rock in her shinobi uniform with a katana in her hand. "Secret Ninja Art! Pheonix Flame Flash!" Ikaruga shouted as she drew out her sword and summoned a burning red phoenix behind her. "One! Twp!" She slashes the flame with her katana while Katsuragi running toward the cliff and jump off.
"Come to me, my dragon!" Katsuragi shouted, summoning a blue dragon behind her as it let out a roar. She landed on her feet with a smirk on her face. "Secret Ninja Art! Tornado Spindel!" She places her hands on the ground and twirls her legs around, creating a tornado.
"Secret Ninja Art! Leg-sweeper!" Yagyu shouted, summoning a squid as it twirls its tentacle around and destroying the ground.
Secret Ninja Arts, also known as summoning ninja arts. A secret shinobi technique exhibits a paranormal power by embodying a creature imagined within the mind.
Hibari and Asuka watch in awe as they saw how powerful their summoning is while Kiriya nods in approval. Ikaruga, Katsuragi, and Yagyu walkout, causing the squid to disappear as they walk up to their teacher. 'Ikaruga and Katsuragi, your performance is outstanding. Yagyu, as calamariffic as ever." Kiriya said, causing them to bow and let out a smile.
"Calamariffic? What's 'calamariffic'?" Asuka asked in confusion as she have never heard that word.
"Kiriya-sensei is something of an expert at giving compliments," Ikaruga answered, causing Kiriya to laugh.
"Ikaruga, complimenting me won't get you anywhere," Kiriya said with a small blush on his cheeks, causing Ikaruga to let out a sigh. "Now then..." Kiriya returns to his normal composure as he turn his attention toward Asuka and Hibari. "Asuka! Hibari!"
"Y-yes?!" They shouted as they flinch.
"What do you think? Is today the day you're ready to show off?" Kiriya asked, looking at his students.
"W-we'll do our best," Asuka said in a nervous tone.
"Um, Kiriya-sensei..." Hibari called, raising her hand.
"What is it, Hibari?" Kiriya said, looking at her.
"When we summon, it can be anything, right?" Hibari asked.
"It doesn't matter if it's a real or imaginary creature," Kiriya replied. "However, the summoning is greatly affected by the person's innate characteristics or what you might call 'compatibility.' If you try to summon something at random-"
"I've thought about it a long time ago and finally decided," Hibari said with a smile cutting off Kiriya's explanation. "I've chosen someone that I should get along with best!"
"Oho? Then would you like to try?" Kiriya asked.
"Hai!" Hibari shouted in excitement as she ran away from the group and stopped at the cliff. She turn around and closes her eyes as Hibari is thinking really hard to summon her creature.
"I've never seen Hibari so serious. What on earth is she trying to summon?" Asuka asked
"A close chum, huh? I hope it's something sexy." Katsuragi said in her usual antics.
"I don't understand what you mean," Ikaruga said, looking at her.
"Good luck, Hibari," Yagyu said as the wind started blowing.
Hibari places her hands together as she is praying for it to come. 'Please... Come to me...' Hibari prayed as she heard something behind her. She turn around and saw a giant pink bunny. "Ah! It's here!"
"A rabbit?!" Asuka shouted in surprise.
"And a pink one, at that!" Ikaruga added in shock.
Hibari jumps onto the giant pink bunny as it hops into the forest. "Boom! Boom!" Hibari screams in excitement as her summoning is destroying the forest.
The others watch in awe as they never suspect a rabbit of being this powerful. "Awesome..." Katsuragi said in amazement.
"I-it's a lot more destructive than it looks," Ikaruga said in shock as the rabbit jump back toward the group and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Hibari lands on the ground as she have a proud smile on her face.
"I did it! I did it!" Hibari cheers in joy as Kiriya walks up to her.
"Mm-hmm, Hibari... That was quite rabbitastic." Kiriya said with a smile.
"Thank you very much!" Hibari said as she got onto her feet and saluted him.
"Sure enough, he really does sound complimentary," Asuka said as Hibari laugh a bit.
She felt a hand on her shoulder as she turn her head to see Yagyu looking at her with a smile. "You did it, Hibari." Yagyu praised as Katsuragi and Ikaruga walk up to her.
"A pink bunny, huh? And bunnies mean bunny girls!" Katsuragi shouted, pulling a bunny costume out of nowhere. "We'll all have to do bunny cosplay now!"
"Where did you get that?" Ikaruga asked, looking at Katsuragi in confusion.
"Looking the part is a shinobi fundamental," Katsuragi said with a proud smile.
"That was amazing, Hibari-chan!" Asuka said with a smile.
"Thank you! It's your turn next, Asuka-chan!" Hibari said, causing Asuka to be nervous.
"Ah, y-you're right..." Asuka said nervously.
"Okay... You're up next, Asuka." Kiriya said, causing her to be even more nervous as she turn around with a strained smile.
"I-I'll try my best," Asuka said as she walked away from the group and tried to summon her creature. Using different postures and methods to get it to work. But no matter how hard she tries, it's just won't come. She let out a sigh and drop her head in depression as she fails to summon her creature.
-later-
They have returned to the abandoned school building to take a nice warm bath in a blue swimming pool. "Ah! A little bath after training is the best!" Katsuragi said, wearing a blue bikini with a red star on her left side. She pours water onto herself by using the water plant bucket.
"You brought those things in again?" Ikaruga asked as she is wearing a towel around her and have her hair tied into a bun.
"Ikaruga-san, come play with us. It's fun!" Hibari said as she and Yagyu are in a pink swimming pool with their swimsuits on.
"No, thank you. We have a shower room, after all." Ikaruga denied as she walks into the shower room.
Meanwhile, Asuka is taking a shower as she is doing some hand signs. "How come it won't work?" Asuka asked with a frown.
"There's no reason to rush it," Ikaruga said, causing Asuka to look at him.
"Ikaruga-san..." Asuka said as she took the next stall. Ikaruga turn on the hot water and place her towel on the door.
"Rushing things will only agitate you unnecessarily, Asuka."
Asuka turn off the water and grabs her towel from the door. "I think about lots of things that I like inside my mind, but it just doesn't seem to work," Asuka said, drying her hair with a towel. "Um, Ikaruga, how did you make up your mind about that fried chicken like-"
"It's a phoenix!"
"Oh, sorry about that." Asuka apologized, causing Ikaruga to look at her.
"It's come to me." This cause Asuka to be confused.
"It's come to you?"
"Yes. I think that's true of everyone. So I'm sure one will come to you too, Asuka-san. A summoning beast that matches you." This cause Asuka to smile as her confidence started coming back.
"Sure."
"It's alright. You're the great Hanzo-sama's granddaughter. Take heart."
"Yeah, you're right. Grandpa would laugh at me of he saw me depressed over something like this."
"Yes, that's the spirit," Ikaruga said, causing Asuka to laugh.
However, her expression change as she looks quite a discomfort. As she's done with her shower, Asuka made her way to the locker room and put on her school uniform. "So I say, but still..." Asuka bent down toward the basket where a pair of wakizashi, Green Willow, and Red Blossom, are in. She put them up and look at them with a doubtful look on her face. "Grandpa..." Asuka muttered memories when she received them from her grandfather.
-Flashback-
"Asuka." An elderly man called. He has long gray hair that eyes into a ponytail, gray eyes, a gray mustache, and a long goatee. He wears a dark green haori, brown kosode, a white shitagi, a brown hakama with a red hakama-himo, and white tabi. Thus man is Hanzo, Asuka's grandfather and legendary shinobi. He is sitting across the room as he presented two wakizashi to his granddaughter. "Those two wakizashi are the ones I used until I retire. You should use them and apply yourself." Hanzo said.
-Flashback end-
Asuka holds the wakizashi in her hand as she looks at them with doubt.
Asuka's grandfather, Hanzo, is a master known throughout the shinobi world and was also the founder of the Cabinet's Special Intelligence Bureau Section One's top-secret intelligence officers... Also called the Shinobi Squad. To honor his achievement and aim for others, this school has been adorned with the name of the legendary shinobi, Hanzo.
She finishes changing as Asuka walks out of the room with a determined look on her face. 'I have to try my hardest so I don't bring disgrace on grandpa's name.' Asuka thought as she is determined to hold up her grandfather's expectation of her. Asuka felt someone grab her ankle as she fell into the swimming pool where Katsuragi and Hibari are in.
"Asuka, come play with us!" Katsuragi said with a smile.
"Katsu-nee!" Asuka shouted.
"It's fun, Asuka-chan!" Hibari said with a smile and giving her the peace sign.
"Aw, I just got changed!" Asuka complains as her clothes are now wet.
"You can always change again, right?" Katsuragi said as she grabs her Asuka's breast. "Take it off, take it off, take it off!"
"I'll take it off by myself!" Asuka shouted, trying to get out of her hold.
"Where's the harm? Where's the harm?!" Katsuragi asked as Asuka scream and kicking her legs while Yagyu holds up her umbrella to block the incoming water.
"Our own corrupt magistrate, huh?" Yagyu said with a smile.
However, Kiriya appears by a smoke bomb, causing the girls to cough. "Huh? What are you guys doing?" Kiriya asked with his brow raise.
"Aah... You see, we were just washing up from our training..." Katsuragi replied as Ikaruga walk into the room.
"Kiriya-sensei? I thought the training was over?" Ikaruga asked in confusion.
"There is one thing I forgot to mention," Kiriya said in a serious tone as he looks at them. "For the next little while, contact with anyone outside is off-limits."
"Outside?" Asuka asked as she and the rest of her team are confused.
"Is this about the puppets and the invisible enemies?" Yagyu asked, causing Kiriya to nod.
"That is correct," Kiriya said, causing Katsuragi to stand up.
"Ha! I don't care how many of them there are. I'll take them all on!" Katsuragi shouted in confidence.
"No!" Kiriya shouted, causing Katsuragi to flinch. "This is an order, Katsuragi."
"Right," Katsuragi said as she salutes her teacher, causing Asuka to look at her.
-later-
"What is with Kiriya-sensei?!" Katsuragi shouted as she and her friends are walking down the street. "He's just been spooked by those puppets and the invisible enemies, am I right, Asuka?"
"Haha, I wasn't there when puppets attack, and I was saved by Ichigo-kun when the invisible enemies attack Homura-chan and I.," Asuka said.
"Oh, right," Katsuragi said as Asuka change her expression.
'Homura-chan and Ichigo-kun... But I probably won't see them again...' Asuka thought to herself in sadness.
"The way Kiriya-sensei was acting..." Ikaruga said, causing everyone to look at her. "He seemed to know something more about the attack on us. That's the feeling I get, anyhow."
"Something more?" Asuka asked.
"What do you mean, Ikaruga?" Katsuragi asked.
"I'm not sure-"
"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM!" A male voice cut Ikaruga off as they saw a group of people up ahead. One of the guys is lying on the ground with skateboards around him while four people are ganging up on a single individual. However, this individual have orange spiky hair, which caught Asuka's and Hibari's attention.
"Ichigo-kun!" Asuka and Hibari shouted, causing their teammates to look at them.
"Do you guys know him?" Katsuragi asked, causing them to nod.
"He's the guy that I give him a tour of when I return from my mission," Asuka replied.
"Ichigo-kun helped me when I lost something at the shopping district," Hibari added.
"I see," Ikaruga said as they look at the scene. "But what cause him to attack them?"
"You got a death with pal?! Nobody jumps one of my boys for no reason and live to tell about it!" He shouted, causing Ichigo to scoffs. He looks at them with a frown as he have his hand on his head. "That's all you've gotta say?!"
Just when he was about to punch him. Ichigo calmly smacks the dude's face with his foot as the guys fall to the ground face first. He started to stomp on him repeatedly, causing the rest of the boys to become scared. "Little Yama's down! We gotta help him!" He shouted as he and the rest of them are shaking in their boots.
"Are you crazy?!"
"No way I'm taking on that psycho." He said as Ichigo stomps on the guy's head into the concrete ground causing the girls to be shocked at Ichigo's strength.
"Quit yakkin'!" Ichigo shouted as he looks at them, causing them to flinch. "Now listen up, you bastards! Do you see that!?" Ichigo points at the vase, which lay flat on its side, causing the girls to be shocked.
"All that for a flower vase?" Katsuragi said in surprise.
"First question. What the hell do you think that is? You, the one in the middle, answer!" Ichigo shouted, causing the other to back away from him.
"What? Wait, you talking to me? I guess somebody left those flowers for some kid who got killed here." He replied, which cause the girls to surprise even more.
"So that's his reason," Ikaruga said, now understanding Ichigo's action.
"CORRECT!" Ichigo shouted, kicking the guy in the face so hard, he bends backward unnaturally.
"Wait! Chill out!"
"Now the next question, that case over there. Why is it lying on its side?" Ichigo asked as they are trembling in fear.
"I guess... One of us knocked it over when we were skateboarding through here... We didn't mean to-" He was cut off when Ichigo sends a fury of kicks at them, knocking off the skateboarders to the ground.
"You guys catch on fast." Ichigo made a scary face which cause them and the girls to be terrified of him even more. "Now go and apologize, or else the next time, the flowers will be for you!" This cause them to scream in terror as they got up to their feet and ran, shouting out sorry over and over again. "There. That ought to keep those punks from showing their ugly faces around here." Ichigo said as he let out a sigh.
Unknown to him, the girls watched the whole thing as they were too shocked to even move. "That was something..." Katsuragi muttered in shock.
"I agree... To think that Kurosaki-san would do something like this..." Ikaruga said honestly.
"We should go before he notices us," Yagyu said, causing the others to nod as they were about to turn around and walk away.
However, Ichigo turn around and notice them in the distance. "Yo! Asuka! Hibari!" Ichigo called, causing them to stop as he walks up to them.
"Ah! Ichigo-kun!" Asuka shouted as they know they couldn't run away.
"It's been a while, hasn't it. How are you two been doing?" Ichigo asked.
"We're doing fine, Ichigo-kun!" Hibari replied with a smile.
"That's good to hear," Ichigo said with a smile as he notices the three other girls with them. "Are they your friends?"
"Yes, there are. Ichigo-kun, this is Ikaruga-chan, Katsu-nee, and Yagyu-chan." Asuka introduced them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Ikaruga said, bowing her head.
"Sup!" Katsuragi said with a smile, waving her hand at him.
"Hello," Yagyu said with a simple greeting.
"Nice to meet you all. My name is Kurosaki Ichigo." Ichigo introduced himself, causing Katsuragi to burst into laugher.
"Who names their boy strawberry!" Katsuragi laughs as she fell to the ground causing Ichigo to gain a tick mark.
"My name isn't strawberry! It's He Who Protect!" Ichigo shouted, causing her to laugh even more at his comical expression.
"Katsuragi-san, It's impolite to laugh at people's names." Ikaruga scold.
"She's right, Katsu-nee. I already told Homura-chan about this. You shouldn't be doing this too." Asuka said with a frown on her face.
"Alright, alright," Katsuragi said as she stops laugh. "I'm sorry."
"As long as you don't make fun of my name. I'll let it slide." Ichigo said, feeling slightly irritated.
"Can I ask you something, Ichigo-kun?" Asuka asked, getting his attention.
"What is it?" Ichigo asked.
"How did you manage to kick that man's face into the ground?" Asuka asked as they are waiting for an answer.
"Oh, that. It's nothing special. Compare to what Chad have done. This is nothing." Ichigo replied.
"What did your friends do?" Hibari asked as they are curious.
"He blocks a falling girder with his body and survives," Ichigo replied.
"What?!" They shouted in shock as they thought Ichigo is making it up. But to their surprise, they couldn't sense any lie in Ichigo's tale.
"How is it even possible for him to survive falling girder?" Ikaruga muttered in shock. No normal being could survive a falling girder on them, even a shinobi couldn't survive that, and they are stronger than a normal person.
"I've been asking myself that question many times. I even asked him what his body is made of." Ichigo said with a shrug.
"Well, in any case. It's quite badass of you to teach those guys a lesson. Those punks will think twice of doing that again." Katsuragi praised with a smile.
"Well, I am the one who put it there," Ichigo said, shocking them.
"You're the one who places the flower there, Ichigo-kun?" Hibari asked in shock, causing Ichigo to nod.
"I heard that a kid got killed here a few days ago. So I place a flower there so the kid's soul can pass on." Ichigo said, causing Asuka to smile.
'He's such a good person.' Asuka thought, seeing how nice Ichigo is.
'I never thought he would do something like that.' Ikaruga thought in shock. At first glance, he looks like nothing more than a delinquent due to his hair color and fierce scowl. But there's more to him than she realizes.
"By the way, Ichigo. I heard that you saved Asuka yesterday, right?" Katsuragi asked.
"Yeah, that's right," Ichigo said, causing Katsuragi to smile.
"Thanks, Ichigo. If you haven't saved her... I wouldn't be doing this!" Katsuragi said as she grabs Asuka's breast.
"Stop it, Katsu-nee! Ichigo-kun is right there!" Asuka cried out.
"It's fine! I'm sure Ichigo wouldn't mind." Katsuragi said.
Ikaruga let out a sigh as they are feeling quite embarrassed by Katsuragi's habit. "I'm sorry that you have to see that." Ikaruga apologized. But to her surprise, Ichigo just waves it off.
"It's fine. I also deal with a similar problem back in Karakura." Ichigo said.
"You have," Yagyu said with a shocked expression causing Ichigo to nod.
"A girl from my previous school name, Honsho Chizuru, also does something like this. She always gropes Orihime's breast whenever she gets the chance." Ichigo replied, causing them to shock even more. They have no idea that Ichigo have been dealing with a similar problem as they did with Katsuragi. "Fortunately, Tatsuki is the one keeping her in line."
"What does she do?" Ikaruga asked in the hope of using this on Katsuragi.
"She punches her," Ichigo replied, causing them to sweatdrop.
"That sounds quite painful, Ichigo-kun," Hibari said.
"Whatever keeps her in line is alright by me," Ichigo said, causing Katsuragi to laugh.
"Finally, somebody understands the joy of groping boobs. I would love to meet her someday." Katsuragi said with a smile, still fondling Asuka's breast. This cause her friends to look horrified as they don't want to deal with another Katsuragi.
"Absolutely not!" Ikaruga shouted as dealing with her is bad enough. They don't need another one in their mix.
"Let's go, Katsu-nee!" Asuka shouted as she manages to get out of Katsuragi's hold. She fell to the ground against the tree with her shirt to be slightly open. A frog appears out of nowhere and fell into Asuka's break, causing her to freak out and scream.
"A frog! There's a frog down my shirt!" Asuka cried.
"Come on, Asuka. There's no need to be freak out by a frog." Ichigo said.
"You don't understand, Ichigo-kun!" Asuka shouted as she crawls toward Katsuragi. "H-help me!"
"Good grief, Ichigo's right, you know," Katsuragi said as she grabs Asuka's shirt and pulls it over her head. Revealing her bra and breast, causing Ichigo's face to turn red.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Ichigo shouted as he turn around and closes his eyes.
"What's wrong, Ichigo? I thought a guy like you would love to see them." Katsuragi said with a grin.
"I'm not that kind of person!" Ichigo shouted, causing her to laugh. She's going to have a lot of fun teasing him.
The frog jumps out of Asuka's breast causing Katsuragi to catch it with her hand and place it on her finger. "What do you know, it's a tree frog," Katsuragi said.
The tree frog, also called the rain frog, it's an amphibian of the family Hylidae. They possess the ability to change their color from yellow to grayish-brown depending on their surroundings and get their name from the way they chirp loudly when humidity rises before the evening shower.
"I can't believe you were shaking up by a mere frog, Asuka-san," Ikaruga said, not wanting to let Ichigo know about the shinobi world.
"They're so small and cute," Hibari said, looking at the frog with a smile.
Asuka sits up straight and pulls down her shirt, causing Ichigo to let out a sigh of relief as he turn around and faces her. "I've never been good around frogs. Especially with their legs and their webbed feet!" Asuka shouted.
"That's oddly specific, huh?" Yagyu said.
"Well, it's nice meeting you all. See ya, guys." Ichigo said as he is walking away from them.
"See ya, Ichigo-kun!" Hibari said, waving her hand at him.
-At Team Hanzo resident-
It's already nighttime as the rest of Team Hanzo are already asleep. Save for one. One room is still lit as Asuka is lying on her bed wearing her cat pajama, looking through the book with different animals on them. "They'll come to me, huh? That's what Ikaruga-san says, but without imagining some specific kind of animal..." Asuka muttered as she fell asleep on her bed.
-later-
The girls went inside the old school building and entered the lobby to saw a suspicious counter in the room. "What's this?" Ikaruga question.
"A lunch counter, right?" Katsuragi asked.
"From a sushi restaurant?" Hibari asked, looking at Yagyu.
"Yep." Yagyu calmly replied.
"Huh? It couldn't be..." Asuka muttered when they all heard a laugh causing the four shinobi to back away.
"You're here." A voice said, causing Asuka to gasp in shock.
"That voice!" Asuka shouted as a familiar old man pop behind the counter, causing her to smile. "Grandpa!"
"Grandpa?!" They said in shock as Asuka ran up to her grandfather.
"Grandpa!" Asuka shouted as she wraps her arms around him.
"Come now, Asuka. We just saw each other, didn't we?" Hanzo said as Ikaruga approach them.
"Asuka-san... Is this gentleman...by any chance...?" Ikaruga realized, causing Hanzo to look at them and bow his head.
"Thank you for looking after my granddaughter," Hanzo said, confirming Ikaruga's suspicion.
"Hanzo-sama!" Ikaruga shouted in shock as she got onto her hands and knees and bow in respect.
"Th-the legendary shinobi?" Katsuragi said in shock as she pointed her finger at him.
Once things are starting to calm down. Hanzo went behind the counter and stirring the rice with a wooden spatula in one hand while using the fan to cool the rice with the other. " Hey, I was just thinking of treating you all to some lunch," Hanzo said with a smile.
"Hooray! Sushi! Sushi!" Hibari cheered in excitement.
"You even went and set up a store upfront?" Asuka asked.
"I wanted it to be a surprise for you," Hanzo replied.
"Just as you'd expect of Hanzo-sama, the legendary shinobi. Beautifully done." Ikaruga said in admiration.
"But then, doing all this by myself was quite a strain on me," Hanzo said, letting out a small laugh.
"Oh, but what about your family business?" Ikaruga asked.
"Grandpa is more or less retired, and the business is run by my mother and father," Asuka replied.
Ikaruga looks at her for a moment before turning away with a smile on her face. "I see. Your parents..."
"Ikaruga-san...?"
"Oh, nothing," Ikaruga said as she looks at her with a smile. "It sure is nice, having a family, huh?"
"Yes! I think so, too!" Asuka agrees with a smile as Hanzo is done with his sushi.
"Here, thanks for waiting," Hanzo said, placing futomaki rolls on the counter. "My legendary specially made futomaki rolls."
The girls have a glee look in their eyes as they start eating the futomaki rolls. Hanzo and Asuka are sitting away from the group as the legendary shinobi look at them with a smile. "Having young ladies eating futomaki rolls sure is nice. It's like it cleanses the heart." Hanzo said while Asuka is eating her futomaki roll. He turn his head toward his granddaughter as he let out a serious expression on his face. "I hear your summoning isn't going well."
Asuka lowers her head in sadness as she felt like she had disappointed him. "I'm sorry, grandpa. I'm afraid that the way things are going, I'll disgrace your name, grandpa." Asuka said in sadness.
"That's doesn't really matter to me. Still, that's how it's turned out, after all, has it?"
"Eh?"
"Sometimes, one family line has a bearing on one summoning beast."
"Family line?"
"The trend is particularly strong in families like ours, where there is more than one generation of practicing shinobi."
"Then, grandpa, what did you summon?"
"It's something rather traditional for a shinobi."
"Rather traditional? What is it that our family line has summoned?"
"Well, you see..." Hanzo changed his expression and told Asuka their summoning beast.
"T-toads?!" Asuka have a horrified expression on her face as she clutches her futomaki roll. "With their legs...and webbed feet..."
"Perhaps I should have gotten you more accustomed to them when you were little, Asuka. I never expected to raise a girl who was afraid of frogs. This is a shinobi trial!" Hanzo narrowing his eyes at her, causing Asuka to lower her head.
"I'll do my best," Asuka said, not wanting to fail her grandfather.
"mm-hmm. Oh, by the way, where is Kiriya?" Hanzo asked as Kiriya appears through a smoke bomb.
"Long time no see, Hanzo-sama." Kiriya greeted, bowing his head.
"You're the same as ever, huh?" Hanzo said, coughing.
-later-
Team Hanzo is at the school garden as they are looking through the bushes to find frogs. "We just can't seem to find one, huh?" Katsuragi said.
"Let's look over by the pond a little more," Ikaruga said.
"Mr. Frog!" Hibari called, looking through the bushes.
"Um, this concerns me, and I can't let it bother the rest of you, too," Asuka said
"The shortest path to summoning is to be close to the subject," Yagyu said, poking her umbrella in the bushes. She turn around to reveal a squid in her mouth. "Kind of like this."
"Eh?! P-put a frog in my mouth?!" Asuka shouted as she lowers her head in defeat. "I don't care if I ever summon in my whole life! I'm giving up."
"What are you fight against? I was speaking figuratively." Yagyu said.
"She's right," Ikaruga said, popping out behind the rock. "Asuka, we're all here looking for frogs so that you can become more accustomed to them, aren't we? Stick with it."
"Ikaruga-san, you're right. Out of respect for all of your feelings, I'll keep trying." Asuka said with a strained smile.
Far away from the group are Hanzo and Kiriya, who is standing on the bridge watching them. "So the thing she is supposed to summon is something that she's afraid of," Kiriya stated with a smile. "It's no wonder it never went well, no matter how much she tried."
"Mm-hmm."
"There are none here," Ikaruga said with a rock in her hands. "It might be difficult to find any without going to a rice paddy."
Hanzo places his hand together as the girls heard a chirping sound coming toward them. "I hear frogs!" Hibari shouted as a large number of frogs are heading toward the group.
Asuka screams in terror as she jumps in the pond. "It's fair for me to help out this much, right?" Hanzo questions as he pulls out a fan. "I came all this way to see how she was doing, after all."
Hanzo let out a laugh causing Kiriya to look at him with a smile. "Is seeing how she is doing the only reason you come to the school?" Kiriya asked.
"I heard they were attacked by puppets and these invisible enemies." This cause Kiriya to be surprised as he never expects him to learn so quickly.
"Oh, then you heard about that after all."
"You must have realized, as well, just what this means." Kiriya stays silent as he closes his fan and looks up in the sky. "They have already gone into motion."
-At Hebijo Academy-
The five girls of the elites of Hebijo Academy are in the traditional Japanese tatami-room as they are reporting to their leader. Their teacher. They were all now planning their next move against the Hanzo Academy students.
Homura, Yomi, Haruka, Hikage, and Mirai were kneeling in front of someone wearing dark black samurai armor with a mask covering their face. They also wear a cloak wrap around her neck and possessed glowing red eyes. "Having been in contact, what do you feel?" A woman voice asked them.
"Ma'am, the girl Asuka, who carries the blood of the legendary shinobi, is the one that I wished, in particular, to approach," Homura said, raising her head.
"The other as well..." Haruka said as she and the other raise their head as well. "...seemed to have their hand full against my adorable puppets."
"Then there is little to fear?" She asked.
"Affirmative." Haruka replied.
"We must not underestimate them after only one encounter. Carelessness means death. Such is the essential point of the shinobi." She reminds them.
"Affirmative." The five Elite Hebijo ninja complied.
"It is inevitable that those girls will block your way in time. But there is no need to rush. With shinobi pride, press deeply and quietly, then eliminate them." The armored woman said.
"Affirmative." They complied, causing the armored woman to look at the green dress ninja.
"Yomi... You are next." The armored woman ordered.
"As you wish." Yomi obeyed with a malicious smirk on her face. She already have a target in her mind.
"There's one more thing that we need to report, Suzune-sensei," Homura said to the armored woman, now known as Suzune.
"Yes? What is it?"
"During my encounter with Asuka. I was attacked by an invisible enemy." Homura said, getting Suzune's full attention.
"Explain." Suzune orders as Homura explained everything that happens, from meeting Asuka at the temple to being saved by Ichigo from the invisible enemy's attack. "I see...and this Kurosaki Ichigo manage to sense these invisible enemy's attack?"
"Hai, sensei. Ichigo said that it happens a lot in his hometown called Karakura." Homura said.
"Interesting..." Suzune muttered as this had gotten her full attention.
"Do you know who these invisible enemies are, sensei?" Hikage asked, causing the armored woman to shook her head.
"I do not, Hikage. From what you have told me. These invisible enemies neither belong to the good nor evil fraction. But something else entirely. So be on guard just in case they attack you again. Dismissed!" Suzune declared, causing the girls to immediately left the room, leaving their master to herself. 'These invisible enemies... Are they rogue shinobi, or are they Yoma? Whether the case, I must report this to Dogen-sama.'
-With Team Hanzo -
Asuka is shaking in fear as she is wearing a rainbow strip bikini. She freaks out when she saw the swimming pool fill with frogs as Asuka was hesitant to put her foot in. "Hang in there, Asuka." Hibari cheers as she is wearing a pink swim outfit.
"What am I supposed to hang where?" Asuka asked in fear.
"You'll be fine. The frogs aren't going to bite you, after all." Katsuragi joked as she let out a small chuckle.
"This isn't funny!" Asuka shouted as she places her foot above the water. One of the frogs jumps onto her foot, causing her to freak out as tears form in the corner of her eyes.
"Like a frog that's been cornered by a snake, huh?" Yagyu said, eating a piece of dried squid.
Meanwhile, Hanzo and Kiriya are having a private conversation as they are sitting in a dark room. "Hebijo Academy? You mean..."
"Mm-hmm. It is revealed at last. Their evil ninja training organization." Hanzo said, confirming Kiriya's suspicious.
"Then the puppets attack really is the work of evil ninjas," Kiriya said in a serious tone.
Where there is light, there is also shadow. While there are shinobi hat strive to maintain national stability and peace, there are also shinobi who work as tools behind the scenes for those who wish to fulfill their own desires. The history of shinobi is a history of two forces, that of the secret feud between good ninjas and evil ninjas.
"What about the invisible enemies? Are they evil ninjas as well, or are they Yoma?" Kiriya asked.
"I don't know. This is the first time hearing these invisible enemies. But if they are Yoma... Then I'm afraid the girls will know about their exists sooner than we hope."
"I see..." This cause them to worry about the girls as the existence of Yoma is highly classified. Under shinobi law, only those who have graduated from school can be told about their existence.
"But we must remain vigilant. Although they are still in training, these girls are shinobi. Now that the other side has made their move, we must be prepared to stake their lives. Their purposes are still unknown, but we must fend off the sparks that will be falling our way."
"Right," Kiriya said as he closes his eyes when an image of a ponytail girl appears in his mind.
Meanwhile, Asuka is still struggling to get over her fear of frogs. "I just can't do it!" Asuka shouted with her eyes close. However, her foot slips as she fell into the pools of frogs, sending out of the pool. One of the frogs land on Ikaruga's lap as it went up into her skirt, causing her to scream.
"Oh, Ikaruga, are you showing an example for Asuka?" Katsuragi asked, looking at her with a grin as she gives her a thump up.
"N-no, that's not it!" Ikaruga shouted as the frog went out of her breast and landed on her face.
"Look, Asuka. Just enjoy yourself the way Ikaruga is doing." Hibari said with a smile.
"Is she enjoying that?" Asuka asked with doubt.
"It doesn't look like it," Yagyu replied with a blank expression.
"P-please take it off! Please take it off! Please take it off!" Ikaruga shouted, trying to get the frogs off of her body.
-later-
Asuka is sitting on one of the park benches as she looks through a book of known animals. "...It's no use... I really can't find another animal to substitute the tree frogs as a Summon Creature for me..." Asuka laments out loud, shaking her head in defeat. She closes her books and lets out a depressed sigh as Asuka feels like she fails as a shinobi. "How I'm supposed to get over my feat of frogs?!"
"Huh? Asuka, is that you?" A familiar voice called.
"Eh?" She turn her head to see Ichigo with a school bag over his shoulder. "Ichigo-kun?!"
"Yo, Asuka. Fancy seeing you here." Ichigo said as he walks up to her. "Still afraid of frogs, huh?"
"Yeah... I'm still am..." Asuka replied as Ichigo notice a depressed look on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, Ichigo-kun." But Ichigo didn't buy it as something is troubling her. He sat beside her on the bench and looked at her, giving Asuka a comforting expression.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Ichigo-kun."
"Why are you so afraid of frogs?" Seeing that there is no harm of telling him. Asuka decided to explain to Ichigo about her phobia of frogs. "I can see why you are so afraid of frogs, Asuka. But you shouldn't judge things base on their appearance."
"I know, but their legs...and their webbed feet... I get so freaked out just by seeing them."
"Well, that's how they are. Despite how they look, there are legends about them."
"Really?" This cause Ichigo to nod and smile at her.
"In some legends, frogs are represent healing and good fortune for those who prove themselves to be worthy of it. Some people might not take them too seriously because of their appearance and even find their kind gross. But I don't believe that shouldn't be the case." Ichigo explains, grabbing her attention.
"Really? I didn't know about that." Asuka said.
"That is why you shouldn't be afraid of them, Asuka. You should never run away from your fear."
"It's not that simple, Ichigo-kun. I just can't-"
"Cast off your fear," Ichigo said, cutting her off causing Asuka to look at him. "Look forward. Go forward. Never standstill. Retreat, and you will age. Hesitate, and you will die. These are the words that a certain someone have spoke to me. Helping me overcome challenges time and time again. So don't let your fear control your life. If you do, then you be able to protect the people you care about."
"Ichigo-kun..." Asuka said as she lowers her head. Thinking when she was attacked by the invisible enemy makes her feel completely useless. She had to be saved twice, the first being some unknown savior and the second by Ichigo when she was helping Homura find her friend. 'What is wrong with me? Why I can't act like a proper shinobi?' She felt so upset when she is thinking about that. Even more when her friends try to help her overcome her fear of frogs. But hearing Ichigo's advice causes her resolve to increase and her desire to protect her friends even more. 'Ichigo-kun is right. I shouldn't let fear control my life. I want to make my grandpa proud and prove that I can carry on his legacy.' Asuka stood up on her as she turn around and bows her head toward Ichigo. "Thank you for giving me that advice, Ichigo-kun."
"Just doing whatever I can to help those in need." Ichigo smiled as he saw how determined she is to overcome her fear. "Just take care of yourself, Asuka, and stay safe."
"I will. Bye, Ichigo-kun!" Asuka said as she leave before waving her hand at him.
"It was admiral of you to help her, Ichigo," Zangetsu said.
'She is doubting herself. So I figure that I might help her by saying the same words you said to me.' Ichigo thought.
"Indeed, whatever the challenges that she faces. I know she will overcome them."
'You got that right, Zangetsu.' Ichigo said with a smile.
-At the abandoned school-
Asuka made it back to the abandoned school building. She entered the room to see her friends picking up the frogs. "Asuka, what are you doing back here?" Kiriya asked as he is surprised to see her return.
"Kiriya-sensei, can you give me one more chance to overcome my fear?" Asuka asked as he saw the determination in her eyes.
"Sure, Asuka," Kiriya said as he orders them to place one of the frogs on the ground.
Asuka is walking toward it as she bends down and is hesitant to pick it up. But she remembers Ichigo's advice as she closes her eyes and decides to recite them in her head. 'Cast off your fear. Look forward. Go forward. Never standstill. Retreat, and you will age. Hesitate, and you will die.' Asuka said, repeating the words that Ichigo's said to her. Asuka opens her eyes and gently grabs the frog with her hand, banishing her fear as she smiles on her face. 'I did it!'
"Way of go, Asuka-chan!" Hibari cheers with a smile.
"Way to overcome your fear, Asuka," Katsuragi said with a smile as she places her arm over her shoulder.
"Excellent job, Asuka," Ikaruga said, congratulating her.
"Well done," Yagyu said, smiling at her.
"Thanks, guy.' Asuka said with a smile as she saw Kiriya and Hanzo walking up to her.
"You did a wonderful job of overcoming your fear, Asuka," Hanzo said, feeling proud of her granddaughter.
"Thank you, grandpa. But I wouldn't have done it without Ichigo-kun's advice." Asuka said.
"Ichigo-kun? Oh, you mean that boy that saves you and your friend from the invisible enemy's attack." Hanzo stated, causing her to nod. "What advice did he said to you?"
"'Cast off your fear. Look forward. Go forward. Never standstill. Retreat, and you will age. Hesitate, and you will die.' That what Ichigo-kun told me." Asuka replied with a smile.
'Such wisdom... That is something no normal civilian would have said.' Hanzo said as he watches his granddaughter getting praised by her friends. 'But still... I am grateful of him for saving my granddaughter. If he hasn't been there. Then she and her friend would have die.'
-the next day-
Ichigo is eating his bento on the roof of the Hanzo Academy as he wanted some peace and quiet. Looking at the city of Asakusa, he really enjoys the view just as much as Karakura. 'I wonder how they are doing?' Ichigo thought, thinking about his friends in Karakura town. Then he heard a door open, causing him to turn his head to see Asuka with a bag in her hand. "Asuka? What are you doing here?"
"I notice that you don't eat in the cafeteria, and I saw you a couple of times when you were heading toward the roof. I figure that you must be very lonely since you transfer here from Karakura. So I decide to eat with you." Asuka replied, surprising Ichigo.
"You don't need to do that, Asuka. I'm fine eating on my own."
"Don't be like that, Ichigo-kun. It's the least I can do since you help me overcome my fear of frogs."
"And no matter what I say, would change your mind?" Ichigo saw the look in her eyes as she won't take no for an answer. He let out a sigh as he slightly shook his head in defeat. "Alright, you can join me." This cause her to let out a smile on her face as Asuka wraps her arms around him.
"Thank you, Ichigo-kun." Ichigo let out a small chuckle as he patted her head with his hand.
"It's no problem, Asuka," Ichigo said with a smile as they sat next to each other and enjoying their food.