Streets of the Leaf Village
Bracing another beam Goku set it into place. It stood tall and sturdy among many others. As he gazed up Goku saw another was raised up to stand beside it. Bringing his head back down he saw it was Ichigo who had set it into place. Once it was settled, Ichigo lowered his head as well seeing Goku staring at him. Ichigo nodded to him as Goku shot him a thumbs up.
A frantic scurrying was heard from behind Goku. He turned around as Ichigo leaned to peer past him and they saw a horde of Naruto running together, though this time it was not at them. Scrambling in a cohesive unit, they like Goku and Ichigo before set up the next pillar completing the framework of what would once again be a building. Standing on top of each other the Naruto's eased it into place as the other two looked on below. But once it was in it's place all the clones disappeared in a puff of smoke and the real Naruto all the way at the top with nothing to stand on fell to the ground.
But it was a controlled fall and he landed back on the ground next to Goku and Ichigo.
"Must of been some fight with this Pain guy if he wiped out the whole city." Goku said as he looked around "Hope I get to see it once it's complete."
"That should be soon hopefully." Naruto said hopefully and thankful that they had some new help in rebuilding the village.
Goku then raised his arms to stretch them out. As he did his eyes bugged open as he suddenly got a brilliant idea "You know what we should do?!" he asked loudly to the other two, startling hem just a bit.
"Ah!" Naruto held his ears.
"Not so loud." Ichigo rubbed his.
"We should go back to my home!" Goku said excitedly. The two perked up at the suggestion though.
"I've been to your world." Ichigo stated.
"Speak for yourself." Naruto stepped forward pushing him out of the way "I haven't gotten to see any of this yet!" he raised a fist "Let's go!"
"That's the spirit." Goku pushed a fist into his other open palm.
"So when do we leave?" Naruto asked. Goku said nothing, but instead turned his head to Ichigo as Naruto did the same. Ichigo let out a sigh, but it turned into a smile.
"Let's go." he said. But what he meant was let's find Rukia. Goku using Instant Transmission was able to do just that. They found her along with Sakura, training with Lady Tsunade. She came on a little strong for Rukia however.
"So this is the one Sakura lost to?" Tsunade said dismissively as she threw another punch towards her.
"It'll take nothing short of a Bankai to bring her down." Rukia thought to herself.
Their training match was interrupted as Goku, Ichigo and Naruto appeared in between the charging Tsunade and the defensive Rukia. That put an abrupt halt to their training session though Rukia seemed glad for it. Though once she heard the reason why she didn't hold back in berating Ichigo for it.
"You gotta find someone else to ferry you guys along." Rukia said as she completed the act regardless. The door opened and the pathway clear Goku and Naruto ran through both equally energetic for what awaited them. Ichigo kicked up his feet to pass through it.
"Thank you!" Goku waved back and Rukia did the same. The doors closed in time just for them to see Tsunade crash her elbow on top of Rukia's head sending her to the ground.
With the door closed behind them, there was nothing left for them to do, but take in all of the Soul Society. Of course Naruto had a few choice words about someone else already.
"Let's go." Naruto nagged quoting Ichigo from earlier "You should of said let's go find someone who can take us there."
"We got here didn't we!" Ichigo shouted at him.
"Not with any help from you!"
Now from here they needed to take the Senkaimon to Goku's world, courtesy of the Captain guarding it at the moment. But with those two held up arguing over logistics, Goku instead took the time to look around. And closely by he saw a set of barracks with a familiar looking number on it.
"Hey!" he called and behind him the argument stopped short of getting physical as Ichigo held Naruto up by his collar and Naruto tugged at his hair. Now still in each others grip they turned to Goku looking off towards the seemingly endless array of barracks. "What's that over there?" he asked pointing off to it. Ichigo and Naruto finally released the other from their grip.
"Squad 11." Ichigo told. Goku's eyes widened when he heard that and became all the more giddy from it. Confusing Naruto, but Ichigo felt he knew the reason why. Keeping his eyes on Goku but leaning over to Ichigo.
"What's the matter with him?" he asked, weirded out by Goku's delight. But Goku had already told them how he came to learn about Ichigo.
"Kenpachi." Ichigo answered.
"Hm?" Naruto huffed.
"The Captain of Squad 11." Goku told and the two turned to look at him as he peered ahead at the barracks "He was the first person I came across in my travels, after I got separated from everyone else." he told pausing so the other two could take it all in "He traveled with me for a while, but I lost him like I did the others," he turned back now "In fact that was right before I met you Naruto." he chuckled innocently.
"Oh yeah." Naruto said remembering what Goku was waiting for "The guy from the sky." he said as he looked up himself.
"I haven't seen him since." Goku said "I'd like to see if he's alright."
"You'll get more than that and you know it." Ichigo pointed out.
"Well, I was promised one." Goku said before he turned back to the barracks "Let's go check on him."
"I heard he got confined there once he got back." Ichigo told as he walked with Goku, coming up on his left side. Naruto then came up on his right.
"Confined?" Goku repeated confused.
"So this guy," Naruto began getting their attention "who is he again?"
"The Captain of the 11th Division. They specialize in combat." Ichigo told forebodingly, as he was told to him all those years ago. "Kenpachi Zaraki."
"Weird name." Naruto commented.
"It means he's the strongest of his generation." Goku told.
"Strongest of his generation?" Naruto mused aloud "Like a Hokage?" he rationalized.
"Something like that." Ichigo said "He still takes orders from the Head Captain after all." he said and the three of them passed through the archway and entered the barracks. They found themselves in a wide open courtyard.
The three found no one there so they stopped together. Each of their heads turned from side to side, but it didn't improve the prospect.
"Weird." Ichigo said surprised as they all gazed ahead. Unaware of the large lumbering figure that had overtaken them from behind and was making it's way towards them. A wild grin on his face "It's not usually like this here."
"Like what?" Naruto asked.
"Like-"
"Ichigo!" a violent voice cut through the air behind them. Turning around Ichigo saw him first but they all turned around to view the large figure looming down over all of them. He eyed them with a crazed stare and maniacal intent. His one revealed eye rolled from Ichigo to the one beside him. "Ah! Goku too. Finally come to see me eh? And that rematch?" his eye darted between Ichigo and Goku "The two of you at once? Now that would be a fight." he was becoming more enthusiastic by the moment.
"We came to check on you." Goku said "So you've been here this whole time?" Goku asked as he looked around to the barracks Kenpachi called home.
"Ever since I last saw you. Pah!" Kenpachi spat "The other two old timers thought it was best to put me away- more like keep me out of the way." he explained "Being the old man's students. It seems they had more of an idea of what was going on than any of us. And me coming back to you would just ruin your prize fight they had planned." His interest was of course peaked when he heard Goku had crossed paths with Ichigo just as he recommended. Even in his confinement word still travels. And it meant even less now that it all seemed over.
"Well," Goku admitted looking down before coming back up "It got stopped even without you there."
"A shame." Kenpachi admitted "A wasted fight is just as bad as no fight at all." He turned then to the Soul Reaper standing beside Goku "Ah!" he let out with a toothy smile "So you finally clashed huh? Tell me how it went." his voice sounding more bloodthirsty by the second "Give me all the bloody details first hand." his hand reached for his sword "Though I'd rather experience it myself."
"It was a tough one that's for sure." Goku admitted "But he wasn't the only one I fought." Kenpachi's manic glee turned to confusion when he looked back to Goku. The Saiyan then pointed a finger to his side. Following the que Kenpachi saw a young blonde haired orange clad ninja standing beside him.
"Huh?" Kenpachi let out as his head turned to view Naruto. His face churned as he looked down at him "This kid?" he asked. His voice and posture unimpressed.
"Kid?!" Naruto yelled. Goku looked on with a smile as Ichigo looked more concerned. There's only one way this could go "Who do you think you're calling a kid!" he snapped up at him and pointed a finger at him "I happen to be the hero of the Hidden Leaf."
"And he's the jinchuriki of the nine tailed fox." Goku chimed in "The one I was looking for."
"Hm?" Kenpachi let out more intrigued now "This one here?" he asked as he studied him "He hardly looks like a beast." his eye then trailed over "But he gave you two quite the fight didn't he?" Both Goku and Ichigo nodded. "Well then." Kenpachi moved his arm down across his body "Why didn't you bring him sooner!" he roared as he unleashed his sword slashing the blade at Naruto who jumped out of the way as the tile beneath him was sliced to pieces.
Goku and Ichigo jumped to the side as well. Once they landed, they saw Naruto steadying himself against Kenpachi who pointed his sword at him.
"Well can't say I didn't expect this."
"Same here." Goku agreed "But Kenpachi said he'd have a rematch with me."
"Hm." Ichigo chuckled "You too?"
"Hold it there!"
Kenpachi pointed his sword to Naruto "Come at me kid. Let's see what you got."
"I'm not a kid!" he shouted at him "The names Naruto Uzumaki!" he shouted as he charged Kenpachi who was more than welcoming.
High in the Mountains
He was used to the silence of the mountains. The wing blowing off the rocks was one thing. Chiaotzu's voice another.
Approaching footsteps were entirely different from both of those things.
Tien's eyes opened and looking through all three, he could see the mountainside he was meditating on. It was the only thing he afforded himself in the gaps between the physical training. A mind is a terrible thing to waste after all.
"Tien! Tien!" his small floating friends voice cried out as he encircled him.
"I know." Tien stated blandly as he bucked his legs out from under him and propelled himself up straight. Tien stood as still as the mountains he trained on, the blue gi and white cape he wore blending in with the sky that they pierced. From behind he could still hear the footsteps approach. Turning over with a stern gaze and jaw he saw someone coming up the path to them.
Rounding the corner and coming up the rocky trail-if it could even be called that- was the soft but determined sound of feet against the ground. Tien had picked this spot because of it's isolation and inability to find. So whoever this was, no doubt had to be powerful to come this far. And were here for a reason.
Whatever he was expecting, he was a bit caught off guard when he saw a young man; a boy actually. Half his age if not more, in dark gray coat with fur lining it. He had wild brown hair to match his appearance as well as fangs. A bandana with a strange emblem on it was worn on his head, but more distinct was another mark. His cheeks had red marks on them, not unlike Chiaotzu's except these were sharp and not round.
Tien eyed him strangely and when the boy finally took notice of him, he stopped in place. Like Tien did, he studied him briefly before nodding his head and grinning showing off some more teeth.
"Tien Shihnan?!" he called, his voice echoing out, engulfing Tien Chiaotzu like the wind that blew around them.
"The same." Tien responded seriously.
The boy let out a sigh "Good." he said as if relieved "Then I haven't come all this way for nothing."
Tien's hard stare didn't falter "And what did you come here for?" The boy picked his head back up.
"For you obviously." he let out with a clenched fist as if annoyed he hadn't figured it out already.
"Well" he paused briefly "who are you?" Tien asked "And what could you possibly want with me?" Recalling a darker time in his life, Tien was sure this wasn't someone he had wronged in the past. So he was here for another reason. But what?
Confidently the boy introduced himself with a thumb to his chest "Kiba Inuzuka!" he boasted.
"You know me." Tien said "But I've never heard you before..." he paused as the boy seemed to become irritated by his statement, given that he already knew who Tien was. "What could I have done to bring you all the way out here?"
"You won the 22nd world martial arts tournament didn't you?" Kiba asked though he seemed to already know the answer.
"A long time ago, yes." And a close fight at that.
Kiba grinned, flashing his fangs like a wild animal "Then that's all the reason I need!" Kiba announced as he planted his feet in the ground and lowered his back "If I'm gonna become Hokage and surpass Naruto one day. I have no choice but to get stronger. And what better way than to beat the champions of the tournament?" he asked aloud, again already having the answer, having made it up in his head. He may have been left out of this last adventure but he was going to prove his worth and make his mark his own way.
Tien was worried at first. He he was looking for champions of the tournament, he thought of how King Piccolo had done the same thing all those years ago, but it seemed Kiba had a much different goal in mind.
Tien stern gaze broke and a small grin came over his face. Perhaps there was something to get out of this after all.
"So your trying to surpass someone as well huh?" he asked and now it was Kiba who perked up by what he said. "Alright." Tien said and he brought an arm up to his neck and when he flung it away he discarded his white cape with it. "Then make it worthwhile for both of us." he said and Kiba grinned maliciously. If he was ever going to catch up to Goku the way Kiba wanted to catch up to Naruto, perhaps he should find new and daring opponents as well. And what a finer place to start "How did you come to find me anyway?"
Kiba took a deep exaggerated sniff and then huffed it out "Senses." he said simply and Tien needed no more. Taking a stance of his own he was prepared to fight. And to start it off he raised his arm in the air and charged up a blast. But something stopped him suddenly.
A long howl was let out as Tien felt multiple sharp blades pierce his right forearm. The blast inside his hand disappeared as he was now focused on the multiple blades stabbing into his arm. Perhaps the last he time he felt pain like that was when he had lost it again Nappa all those years ago.
Looking up surprised, he saw a shadow dash away from his arm as blood trickled down from the multiple entry points. Ignoring the pain, he followed the shadow as it landed back to take it's place beside Kiba revealing that he did not attack him and that the itself to be a giant dog; so large that even Tien could ride him.
"I never said one on one." Kiba grinned as Akamaru barked beside him, his teeth running red.
With a newfound determination Tien resumed his stance, undeterred by the new development and ready to give it his all.
"More training for me then." he said in response.
Hell
Looking around Hell hadn't changed much since the last time he was here, though it had been some time since then. Deservingly so perhaps. If the Prince had his way, he would be out of it soon enough. If another threat like Majin Buu appeared or another infernal rumor that got the three worlds dragged together came up, he could be whisked away. But for his luck, that would not be the case.
Cell had started a rebellion in Hell with the mindset of 'perfecting' it and Vegeta being the only one available was the only one who could come deal with this. With Kakarot gallivanting off with that spirit boy and ninja, their sons finding themselves in the company of other squads or villages, the Namekian travelling with that ninja and the ex-captain(usually as a cat), it made sense they came to him.
This of course being the Other World, there were certain rules to follow here. And to make sure that he followed them, Vegeta was to be given a companion.
Dead weight as far as he saw it. Though he wasn't dead and she was a soul reaper she was the guest here, not him. He grumbled at the sound of that. But even when he saw her coming, he let out an annoyed sigh. Whether she heard it or not he didn't care.
Truthfully, he was missing Lee 'The Leech' already.
Footsteps as silent as a shadow and quicker than a flash Soi Fon bounded down to Vegeta's side. She landed low before rigidly coming up to her full height. Vegeta was by no means a tall man, but even he was a giant compared to her. Her nimble frame complimented her quick movements but contrasted with his bulky frame.
Her hair was perfectly round and fell off the sides to form around her face. Out of her entire body, only her eyes moved up to view him.
Clearly, neither one wished to speak to the other, as usual. But eventually they had to speak for formalities, though the greeting was far from formal.
"Dead again?" she asked aloud, mockingly of course.
"Hm?" Vegeta perked up as he rolled his shoulder "Say something boy?"
Her scowl deepened to match his "Boy?" she spat being the first one to take the bait "You will watch your tone with me." she menaced being the first to use the line "I am the Captain of the Stealth Force." she said with bite.
"You are but a vassal." he referenced her status, turning to face her crossing his arms "Come to kneel before your new king?"
"King of what? I'm loyal only to the order, not some rabble rouser like you."
He didn't let that get to him but instead fired back at it "Your order cannot keep order in your own ranks, let alone control these." he said releasing one arm from the other to stretch it out and show their surroundings. "The Soul Society is supposed to take care of all this, is in not?"
"Only because you are familiar with the main culprit, are you here. Nothing more." she stated simply devoid of emotion. "Your information is the only notable thing we need from you."
Vegeta was ready to retort, but a deep eloquent laugh cut him off. Looking away from each other, the two saw a tall green figure staring them down.
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised to see you here Vegeta." Cell said finishing with a hearty chuckle "Back again?" he asked but got no answer. Cell then turned to Soi Fon. "Captain." he greeted pleasantly though his intentions were far from it " Have you two finally learned to play nice?" he joked, one that neither of them enjoyed as they remained staring stone faced at him "I must say I'm surprised it's only you two against me." he said crossing his arms much like Vegeta had his.
Finally, he got a reaction.
"And here I thought I only had to deal with one of you." Soi Fon said walking up towards Cell and away from Vegeta. She reached her left arm over to grab the opposite shoulder of her Captains cloak and as quickly as she appeared flung it off of her body and released it letting the wind take it to smack and wrap around Vegeta's face- purposefully of course. "Now," she said stepping forward, a small malicious grin overcoming her face as she wore her assassin garbs; an outfit with no sleeves or back, clinging tightly to her form, save for open slits they exposed her hips. "Let's get you back to the cells... or death. Whichever comes first."
"Whatever the lady wants." Cell said as he readied himself for her attack. Abruptly Vegeta stepped up beside her.
"Stay out of my way and you won't get hurt." he said.
"This will be over in two decisive hits." she boasted with an icy glare.
"I only need one." he grinned. Their eyes flashed competitively before each other before the charged at Cell. Soi fon took the lead, just ahead of Vegeta her speed overtaking the raw strength he had over her. Being faster, she reached Cell first shouting the command for her sword.
"Sting all enemies to Death!" she shouted and her blade flashed bright and began to morph onto her hand, forming a small gauntlet and a blade on her middle finger.
She shot it forward at Cell who stuck up his arm to block the attack, but the blade pierced his forearm. Grinning Soi fon pulled the blade away as a mark formed from where the blade hit. Not a wound, but some kind of tattoo.. a butterfly?
"Is that all little bee?" Cell mocked. Soi fon said nothing and seemingly disappeared from Cells sight. And in her place a golden haired Vegeta came with both his pals facing outward.
"Final Flash!" he roared and before Cell could process it all he was engulfed in the golden wave. The light so bright it overshadowed the entire area and Cell was lost in it, as was the very ground he stood on.
The glow began to fade as the blast travelled farther from it's owner hands. The overwhelming might of the blast erupted beyond the horizon. In a quick motion the head of this rebellion was defeated and a message was sent to all other occupants.
One either one of them would be happy to give out again.
When all was done Vegeta looked confidently as everything before him was obliterated. A deep trench etched into the realm of Hell to let them know this rebellion was over.
"Hm." Vegeta let out as Soi fon reappeared by his side. "As I said," he spoke aloud before down to her "All I needed was one hit."
"Really?" Soi fon said grinning up to him "Because it took two to beat him." she said showing off her shikai braced on her arm.
Third Training Grounds
"Heh!" He swung his sword forcefully, but gracefully through the air. Zangetsu cut the air clean and whatever was before him would have been in two. Ichigo stopped the swing suddenly, but not in a controlled concise manner. Now he held the sword out before him. His fingers gripped tightly around the hilt.
As confident as he felt, he felt a glare colder than the steel of his sword bearing down on him. His eyes glanced over and out of the corner of his eye looking over the grass he sat sitting atop a round log was a figure as green as the grass beneath him. His arms and legs were crossed over each other and his eyes were unyielding as they watched him. He didn't even blink and it made Ichigo wonder if it wasn't a statue regarding him. Unnerved, but not undeterred, he swung his sword again. He added a few more from different angles. Nothing he wasn't used to doing. He was half tempted to unleash a Getsuga Tensho, but decided to contain it to just strikes. Though upon completing another round of them he heard a distinct low grumble from behind him.
Ichigo's eyes widened in acknowledgement and he dropped the sword to his side. In a neutral stance he turned to see that the stare and stature of his Namekian overseer hadn't changed.
"So uhh.." he began as he turned around to face Piccolo. His silent observer stirred now and his head perked up when he was called "Are you gonna comment or add any tips or what?" he asked as he now slung the sword comfortably over his shoulder.
Whose idea this was, he wasn't exactly sure, it was just brought up to him one day out of the blue- or rather green- and he had no choice but to go along with it. Something about him getting 'perspective'. And while he had no say in what he was to do, he was sure the three of them had lots to talk about before and after.
"Your form is too stiff." Piccolo scolded grumpily, making Ichigo wonder if he was pushed into this as well. Regardless Ichigo was only partly startled by what he heard. Well, he wanted something and now he got it. "Try to loosen your stance and be aware of where your feet are planted" It just seemed to keep coming.
"You want me to do it again?"
"Only if you intend on improving it. Which I doubt."
"Ehhh" Ichigo grumbled uncomfortably.
He turned around to put his back to the old warrior again "And face me this time" he snapped. Grumbling at first Ichigo complied with the order.
"Eehh" he sighed "I hope everyone else is having an easier time than I am." he whispered.
"I heard that." Piccolo snapped at him. And not only did he hear Ichigo's complaints, but he was able to hear everyone else progress as well.
For his part Kakashi was lying on his back, lazily stretched out over a log. This place looked like the Third training grounds where he would train his squad it was actually in Piccolo's world not his own. Though given it's similarities it had all the comforts of home. He had only one eye open as the other was concealed beneath his mask. And even though he was starring upwards it was not the clouds in the blue sky that had his attention. Instead it was the white page with black words all over it, his hand holding the book up as the other slumped off the log. He blinked and then brought his other hand up to turn the page.
Thankfully for him they never seemed to stick together, so he never needed to lick a finger to unbind them.
Turning the page his eyes fixated on the top of the page as his arm slumped back down to his side, though this time he brought it back under his head to use it as a make shift pillow. He was reading each line, though he found the only thing that broke his concentration was the odd grunts coming from his side that seemed to take the place of the spaces between the words.
Turning his head over and looking past his elbow he saw two boys fluttering in the air throwing punches and kicks at each other. The two had their legs and arms locked against each other in the struggle. Grinding against each other fiercely that was until they saw that he was looking over to them. They blinked cluelessly and then broke their stance against each other and then rotated in the air to face him.
They blinked again and Kakashi returned with one of his own as they just remained starring at each other wordlessly.
"Well!" Trunks began.
"How'd we do?" Goten finished leaning forward.
"Hm?" Kakashi's voice perked up but otherwise he didn't stir "Did you say something?" he asked himself now "I wasn't aware we started."
"Ohh" Trunks groaned
"No fair." Goten whined with him "That was a really good attack."
"Alright." Kakashi said calmly as he bucked his feet to kick himself up, and once he sat himself up on the log he shifted himself over to face the two young half saiyans. Though he never did drop the book from his hand or put it away. "Let's see what you got?"
The two boys then tensed up and bent over a bit.
"Right!" Trunks cheered
"You bet!"Goten said just as enthusiastic. The two then powered up leading to a forceful gust of wind to blow all around them blowing the grass and ruffling Kakashi's hair though he remained calmly seated. The two then turned on each other and then began to throw punches and kicks just as they had before, though more forceful than before.
They turned up the heat and continued to pelt and assault each other. Though for all of their efforts Kakashi remained sitting right where he was with the same blank and calm expression all over his body.
Eventually the two boys got winded and backed off from each other, landing back onto the ground. They panted and continued to square off with each other but neither one advanced. Instead just as the had before they turned to see Kakashi slumped over the log and starring at them.
"Well," Goten began now "Was that better?" he asked as he and Trunks loosened their fighting stance.
"It's fine I suppose" Kakashi answered calmly.
"Suppose?!" Trunks questioned getting some energy back in him to shout.
"You two certainly know how to go on the attack." he admitted "Though you seem a little winded at the moment." he pointed out as the boys breathes deepened "What would you do now if your opponent stil had enough energy to carry the fight?"
"Tsh!" Trunks scoffed "That's nothing. Wait until we go super sayain!"
"Yeah!" Goten agreed.
"I'm sure it's quite the light show." Kakashi admitted before looking around to the ground "This is the route your father took when he was training wasn't he?" Kakashi asked "Delivering milk as I was told."
"Yeah? So?" Goten answered unsure of what that had to do with anything, though it did make him thirsty.
"My dad never did that." Trunks crossed his arms and pouted, sound and looking very much like his father.
"Well.." Kakashi began as he reached his free hand into his pocket and the heard the rustling of his hand in his pocket and then a jingling sound along with it. When Kakashi brought his hand up again they found it wasn't empty. As two bells dangled loosely from between his fingers. "I wanted to try something different." he said to the accompanying sound of jingling bells.
These two were indeed a handful just like Piccolo said, but so were Naruto and Sakura.
Sokyoku Hill Study Chamber
A white marble slab stood before her but in one punch Sakura shattered it. She looked down at the rubble that crumbled beneath her knuckled and brought her hand up. Of course the the slate was now a pile of rocks which meant it blended in with everything else around them- aside from it's coloring that is; it was white while everything around them was brown. They were in a deep brown den, surrounded by uneven layers of flat rock or uneven mounds. She picked her fist and her hand up confidently and the placed it on her hip.
A swerving gust of wind overtook her from the side and looking over she saw what was plainly a cutout made in the shape of a person. The wind picked up and flew violently, but controlled at the same time. A concentrated blue ball of it was flung forward and when it collided with the cutout obliterated it completely.
And when nothing stood in it's place the owner stood back up just as confidently as Sakura did. Naruto turned to her and grinned a foxy grin when she shot him a thumbs up.
"Ohh very impressive." a deep man's voice echoed throughout the chambers of the cave. Both of the ninja's perks up at the sound of it; Sakura arched her head past Naruto who looked back over his shoulder. They saw nothing, but more barren and open rocks some spiked and some flat, but all empty save for them. That was until a flash of two gold specs appeared from the shadow of one of the rocks and leaping up from the shadow was a smaller darker one. A ink black cat landed atop one of the rocks and perched itself there looking at the two with it's golden eyes inflection "It must be easy with a stationary target."
"I mean" Naruto turned around "It's what you wanted to see." his voice then grew annoyed both because it was but also because it was to hear
"Narutoo" Sakura grinded her teeth in a warning.
"Tsh" Yoruichi let out "That's right" lowering her head but then brought it back up "But that doesn't mean you should get confident, let alone overconfident." she said brining her head back up and looking to them.
Naruto's grumbling ceased "So?" he began "What do you wanna see?" he asked.
"Well since we've gotten through the preliminaries" Yoruichi said hopping down from the rock and began to walk on a winding path around them. Sakura and Naruto followed her as she weaved past some standing and sharp rocks. Then she leapt up onto one and then another "I suppose we can go to live targets." she inched down and hopped forward leaping farther than she had gone before and disappearing behind a larger rock. It took a few moments but when she reappeared from the other side it wasn't as a cat, but as a woman. She pulled her shirt down tightly over her torso and approached them. She put her hands on her hips and looked to them.
"Well what are you looking at me for?" she asked aloud and didn't give them time to answer "I said live targets." she grinned and there was a flash in her eyes as they each seemed to eye both of them. Naruto and Sakura flinched under her gaze and unnerved looked to each other uncomfortably. "There you go" Yoruichi said when they locked eyes with each other. They both moved to face each other, but still seemed unnerved by the prospect so all they ended up doing was starring. "Well" Yoruichi said "Your not stationary are you?"
After that question the two ninja's hesitated no more and charged each other.
The Lookout
Mr. Popo made a fabulous table as he always did. The variety of food and drink here was so much you could hardly keep track of it all; of course he was used to hungry and fussy guests. But this time all the food remained practically untouched. It wasn't the large long table either, but a small round one fit for smaller groups and occasions.
Piccolo sat sternly and sharply at the table, his legs and arms folded with each other. Kakashi slumped over it more focused on his book than any pleasant aroma, his other hand holding up his slumped head. Yoruichi as well eyed it with curiosity but not much interest. The more pressing things to them it seemed was the reason they were all here which wasn't for the food but the conversation.
"So..." Yoruichi started. Kakashi's eye perked up over his book and Piccolo being seated between the two rolled his eyes towards her "how'd it go?" she asked. Both remained silent. The twos eyes went to each other before back to her.
"It was all you're idea" Kakashi said "I thought you'd wanna start."
"You agreed to it." she told "So I thought you'd be just as enthused." she said looking between the rigid as stone Namekian and the looser ninja. "Well then" she rolled her shoulders back, sat up and began. By her account Sakura seemed more focused by needed more training, while Naruto it was the opposite.
"Oh I just love his little whiskers." Yoruichi said pinching the air before her. Clearly the conversation had gotten sidetracked.
"Hm." Piccolo grumbled. Slumping down she turned to him.
"Don't 'hm' me." she turned to him and scolded playfully "You may be able to hear everything we did, but not what I concluded."
"I came to the same conclusion." He said lowly.
"Maybe shaking things up further will help them?" Yoruichi proposed.
"Another week of this?" Kakashi asked tiredly. She nodded "I think Guy would be better suited."
"Tsh" Yoruichi let out "he doesn't lack for enthusiasm. Or color." she added slyly as her eye rolled over to look to Piccolo out of the corner of it "And what about you?" she asked "Thinking of pawning this off to Goku? I'm sure he'd leap at the chance."
"Hm" Piccolo let out and his shoulders raised and lowered as he did "Not likely. He'd get too carried away training himself.
"Though he's likely leaping at the chance to fight Naruto and Ichigo again." Kakashi added.
"Then it's settled" she said slamming her hands on the table and picking herself up standing over the table "See you next time." she waved before flash stepping away.
Leaving just the two of them alone. They turned towards each other now with the same tired reaction. Seemed it would be more of the same next week. But there remained a lingering question now.
"Are you going to eat that?" Kakashi asked pointing to the pudding by Piccolo's elbow.
World Martial Arts Tournament
A fist came hurling his way and in response he pulled out a blade.
To dodge the blade Tsunade ducked under it and shot upward, her fist hitting Future Trunks hand and knocking the sword from his hand sending it spiraling out of the ring and out of his reach. He would have gone to try and grab it if she hadn't continued her assault.
The crowds roared when she swung at him, and did so even louder when he jumped back. The resulting fist to the ground where he once stood cracked the ring in half-and almost the stadium as well, but they were too focused on the fighting to notice.
After dodging her attack and with no other alternative Trunks came at her with the offensive. The crowds were even louder when they came forward to clash.
He swung down low with a fist, but she brought hers down to block it. He then brought the fist up to try to hit her head, but she swiftly brought the same arm up to block that as well. Lunging forward, he brought the left arm with it and she brought her right arm up to stop its momentum. Reaching over with his left hand and grabbing her then then brought his knee up to her stomach and hit her. Stunned by it she let out a grunt before he did it again. When he brought the leg back down to plant it she pushed off of him and backed up. Then she jumped up in the air with a kick that he ducked under. When she landed back down she swung her left leg out which he matched with his right nullifying the blow. Him being quicker, he shot his leg back out first and shot it up towards her head. She snapped her arm up to move it away and then swung towards him with her fist. He stepped forward with his own and they were locked together as their arms pressed against each other.
"Eh!" Trunks grunted "And I thought fighting one Hokage was bad."
Putting his shoulder into it, he pushed her away and sent her stumbling back. He pressed his attack. He swung his fist out and she brought both arms up to block him. When he brought his right hand in for a swing, she merely moved her right arm to block it in the same manner. His left came again and she did the same with the right. He swung with his right again and she ducked under it and came up with a punch to his face sending him stumbling back. For added efforts still below him, she sent a punch to his gut sending him further back only now holding his stomach in pain as he skidded to the edge of the broken ring. But he wouldn't let that stop him.
When he came back he swung his left arm which she grabbed, followed by the right which she did again and the crossed them over each other making it harder for him to move not only because they were in her grip, but they were farther from him and tangled up. He merely brought his leg up and pushed her back breaking her hold on his arms.
She stumbled back briefly before steadying herself. She swung her arm around and when he came at her she unleashed it forward connecting it with his jaw sending him up even more, so much so that his legs were level with her head. Grabbing his leg she hurled him over her and down onto the ground, cracking the arena even further. When he bounded back up she snapped out a kick and send him hurling out of the ring.
"Ring out!" the announcer declared energetically with a raised fist. In response to the cheers and applause Tsunade put her hands up in a bosting display of an 'easy' victory. Though when she heard some 'boos' she stormed off towards the stands to find them. Aside from the announcer, there were other commentators to be had, from up high in the stands.
"Yes this is great!" Goku cheered as he shot his arms up and out "I can't believe it!" He said with excitement and enthusiasm. He wasn't even in the ring himself and actually didn't even get a chance to fight, yet but was still up and ready for anything.
With just as much enthusiasm, he plopped back down in his seat and continued to gorge on the food all around him. Gamatatsu sitting next him indulged as well. Just two seats down from him to his right Naruto was doing the exact same thing. Of course the problem was that someone was between the both of them.
"Uh could you guys stop getting crumbs on me." Ichigo asked though his request went unanswered as the sound of chewing and munching from the both of them overtook his voice.
"Pwaz- muh noodles" Naruto said with a full mouth and still empty stomach. Somehow Goku seemed to understand him and gave in to the request.
He reached out before Ichigo and passed a bowl which Naruto took. Of course Ichigo was the only one who had his attention on the bowl since the other two were looking at the other food before them and some of the noodles fell onto his lap.
He looked dimly at the prospects that either of these two would notice as he turned from side to side.
"That was a good fwight." Naruto chewed and stuffed his mouth at the same time "I knew granny was gonna win."
Of course due to the new team rules for this tournament- as well as the fact that weapons were now allowed-, consisting of three members, one from each world. When a member of a team loses due to a ring out or count they are out for the remainder of the tournament even if the team moves on. making it much more of a free for all than before. So Tsunade will have to do without Yamcha for the remainder. And Isane hardly wanted to be apart of this to begin with, but thankfully rangiku was always there to help her out; thinking as medical professionals they would get along great, though Tsunade was just as overbearing to Isane as Rangiku was. And hough Isane was asked, it would be that she was bullied into is; she had a much better time watching than anything else. Rangiku for her part when she found out Sakura was trained by Tsunade but her 'rival' was not thought she'd help give her some pointers.
"Fulfilling Tsunade's work." as she called it.
"Gotta say though," Goku said more clearly through his stuffed mouth "I know someone who won't be happy about that." Goku said. His puzzled stare holding, he stood himself up as more crumbs, noodles and residue dropped from his lap and chest. "So that means we'll fight them."
"I'm gonna.." Ichigo paused and seemed only to be speaking to himself "go find a bathroom." His words were unheard by the other two , but his going away wasn't.
"Hey, if you're getting up can you pick up some more food?" Goku asked.
"We need something to wash this all down with!" Naruto called after him. Ichigo only sighed in response to that and walked off down from the stands. As he did he passed more people, all of whom were more focused on the stage than himself. Which would hopefully make it easer for him to navigate himself around.
In the center off all attention was instead to the arena; cracked and broken yet again with only one man who could hold the crowds attention who was not a fight. Ruffling his moustache the announcer made his voice known yet again.
"Due to some..eeh" he stumbled and his voice lowered despite still echoing through the microphone "technical difficulties." he untimely settled on as he stood over the crack in the stadium; one on each side of the crack. He had almost already fallen through it twice "We will be halting the preceding for a moment."
Ninjas came out and began to repair the arena using earth abilities.
At this time Ichigo had found himself back upwards, specifically on the balcony overlooking the stadium and while there were people there, none seemed interested enough to help him so he merely moved on.
"Wow she sure is strong." Krillin said aloud as he leaned over the railing "I guess that's why she became Hokage." he said casually. Towering over him on his left, someone took issue with his comment.
"I assume your not insinuating something." 18 said coldly as her eyes rolled down towards Krillin. Another outburst might have spared him from anything else.
"Whatever the reason she's got my vote!" Roshi cackled next to them.
"That's my teammate." Isane cheered her on meekly as she watched with all the others. Though being so tall, her rear was perfectly in line with the crouching turtle hermits head much to his delight.
Behind them Kenpachi picked his teeth his sword, too preoccupied with trying to nap to even care about proceedings "Hm. Nonsense." he said before bowing his head and shutting his eyes. If it wasn't his fight he wanted no part in it.
Ichigo went back downward descending the stairs. He was dripping now for some reason and he didn't feel perfect comfortable with that. But a familiar face made it all better.
"Ichigo!" Gohan called. Ichigo turned to greet him though he was dressed much different than he was used to. In his orange gi and not his Great Saiyaman costume.
"So.." Ichigo said "This is how you normally dress."
"Yeah." Gohan chuckled "Gotta say it's a shame my dad got to you first. I would have loved to have been on your team."
"It happens" Ichigo shrugged "Besides I've alongside you, but against your dad. Thought I'd mix it up this time." he said, though it wasn't menacing but a friendly challenge.
"Just win your matches and it'll happen." Gohan reminded him. But Ichigo never forgot why he left the stands in the first place.
"Hey you know this place. Do you know where-"
"Man you stink!" Gohan held his knows and Ichigo, now annoyed grinded his teeth.
"I know. I want to fin-"
"Bathrooms that way if you need it."
Lightening up Ichigo took his advice and walked off. He rounded another corner of the building when he bumped into someone else.
A soft 'oof' was heard and looking forward he saw a man stumble back even though Ichigo had hardly touched him.
"Oh sorry." he apologized. The man almost fell back over himself as he only had one foot to hold himself up. The other one dangling out before him Ichigo lightly tapped it down giving him enough momentum to come back to the ground, though with all his momentum he swung back forward and accidentally hit Ichigo in the head. "Ah-gah- he held his face "What was that for!"
"That's what!" a light voice squeaked before clearing his throat "That's what you get." a deeper one now grumbled.
"What?"
"I am Mightier Mask!" he boomed in a low, grumbling 'tough guy' voice.
"...yeah..." Ichigo blinked as he looked him over strangely. He seemed to be made of lumps. His arms were irregularly short; almost as if they were a child's. Or perhaps just stunted. His body squirmed under his shirt and no matter how hard he tried to hide it under that cape, or that comically small pointed mask attached to it. Maybe he was hiding some strange stunted deformity.
All of a sudden the man made a small irregular -by his standards at least- movements before his stomach let out a sneeze. His entire body was hurled forward and collapsed in on himself, his shirt splitting open. But instead of his stomach falling out, came three small children.
Ichigo just looked on in bewilderment. Not even blinking as the two boys and the girl picked themselves up from the floor groaning.
"Ah! Nice job Udon." Konohamaru complained.
"How are they going to let us compete now?" Meogi asked.
"..what the hell?" Ichigo mumbled aloud. All three head turns back or up or down depending on where their owner was positioned. And three sets or prying uses looked up to Ichigo's blank ones.
"It was his fault." Udon sniffled and pointed towards Ichigo.
"What are you three doing?"
"We're here for the tournament!" Konohmaru shot up and shouted at him, for no reason as far as Ichigo saw it.
"Isn't there a kids one!"
"We're not kids!" he shouted. Ichigo blinked at them before looking through the corner they just rounded and saw that it lead to the Jr Disvison of the tournament.
His guess was that they either just got eliminated or never competed in the first place.
Looking towards the tiny pint sized arena he saw an adorable rendition of a battle going on, including one pint sized participant. Trunks flew toward Yushiro who jumped up with a backflip, his flaming leg extended outwards and would have almost his Trunks if he hadn't flown back and shot a blast down which Yushiro then blocked by jumping away. Anko sat sliding dumpling into her mouth instead of watching the match.
"Guess that was too much for you huh?" Ichigo let out looked back to them.
"It wasn't enough!" Konohmaru shouted back. The three seemed more than ready to fight Ichigo then and there, but someone else seemed ready to stop them.
"Honorable grandson!" a voice called sending the three into a frenzy before the continuously disinterested Ichigo. The three scrambled around in circles amongst themselves fumbling with over sized clothes and too big for your britches boots. Seen enough they stacked themselves on top of each other and his back away into the disguise, though they closed the cape so not as to reveal their hiding place.
Coming around the corner right as they prepared themselves was Ebisu who from his angle only saw Ichigo and the back of who knows you.
"You!" he let out and pointed at Ichigo, somewhat demanding and angry with him for some reason. "I am searching for my team? Where are they? Have you seen them?" To Ichigo it seemed like those last two questions should be switched, but he answered.
"Captain Kyoraku and the Turtle Hermit?" he paused. Their team name was 'The Skirt chasers'. "I saw each of them-"
"No you fool! My students!" Ichigo starred blankly at him, not sure what or if he should even answer as his eyes rolled over to Mightier mask. Ebisu let out an aggravated sigh before turning to the other man in the room. "Excuse me good sir." he said more politely for some reason "But have you perhaps seen them."
'Mightier Mask' fumbled and grunted over himself before answering in a deep voice "I think they went that way," he pointed off as best as he could so the cape wouldn't open up.
"Ah" Ebisu let out a relieved sigh "Thank you good sir. I wish you good fortune in you battles. But for now I must be off!" he exclaimed before running off in the direction he pointed. Ichigo followed him before turning back to the disguise which was swerving from side to side as they attempted to walk off towards the main division of the tournament. And right as they moved Ichigo saw a sign place as day on the wall.
'Bathroom' it read with a bright arrow to it. He looked back to Ebisu before looking back to where the arrow pointed.
"Dumbass." he said aloud before walking away, having finally found his destination.
Back up on the stands Goku and Naruto ate away, but almost coming to the end of their rations. Beneath them the arena had been repaired, almost as if it had never been destroyed in the first place. And with such a debacle over, that meant it was time to move on with the proceedings.
"Now that everything repaired lets continue where we left off shall we?! he proposed and the crowds were all for it. "On deck we have Vegeta and Rock Lee!" he said and the crowd cheered once again.
Everyone heard the next participants save the two who were talking amongst themselves. Their chewing was too loud anyway.
"Against Goku, Naruto and Ichigo!"
The two looked to each other with wide eyes. Nodding they hopped to their feet, ran to the stairs, descended down, ran around on the outside of them and towards the main temple which housed the fighters and connected them to the ring.
"We gotta find Ichigo first!" Naruto said
"Did he say where he was running off to?" Goku asked looking down, but Naruto had just as many answers as he did. "Well let's try to ask around, If not we'll at least know where he'll end up."
Naruto and Goku stumbled into the hallway of the main temple. Placed in a corridor before the arena, the sound of approval from the crowds outside could be heard, but were drowned out from everyone in between them. For it was here that the rest of the contestants would wait their turn to enter the ring, and with so many contestants of so many shapes and sizes, it was hard to find who they were looking for, but even easier to pick up on conversations.
Rukia Sakura and Videl all stood together and put their hands in the middle connecting them.
"Girl Power!" Videl cheered for their team. Behind them another challenge was being offered, though it would have to wait for the ring.
"It'd be quite a bout dontcha think?" Guy proposed to a less than enthusiastic Piccolo as he leaned against the wall. Yoruichi as a black cat was perched on his large shoulder blade. Both of them thought Guy was talking to them.
"Perhaps, but that remains to be seen." Piccolo was the one who answered. Casually and calmly sitting between their conversation, Shunsui sipped from his cup, hid face hidden under his straw hat, only peering up once a short skirt would walk by.
'Oh but there's so many possibilities to be had here today." Guy mused aloud before putting a hand to his chin to ponder more "There's one that's been capturing my eyes you see..."he paused "Kaio-ken huh?" Guy asked "perhaps not so dissimilar from my own technique" he pondered aloud and seemed to be in deep thought but to others just seemed to be staring at the wall. Before long he pointed a flashy and accusatory finger Goku's way "before this is over I just know which is better!"
Goku stalled in his search for Ichigo when that finger came his way. Naruto looked on unamused, but Goku no doubt would have answered Guy had someone else not cut in from behind.
"Get out of my way!" A scratchy voice irritatingly let out from behind as Goku was shoved to the side. Naruto received a similar treatment. Looking from the side Goku looked to see who was barging through everyone in the hall.
"Vegeta!" he let out. He stalled for a moment and glanced back over his shoulder at the one who called his name.
"Kakarot." he grumbled "I've no time to waste with you. My time is now."
"Your forget you're fights with not just me this time." Goku reminded him.
Vegeta smirked "How could I. So you better get there on time." he said before walking off. If not every one was present the entire team was disqualified. An easier way to trim the numbers.
"GEEH!" Goku let out and frantically turned his head from side to side as Naruto did the same, only looking up and down.
Smirking Vegeta turned his head forward and walked away from them and towards the stadium. Rows upon rows of fighters passed him on both sides. Some bickering ,some planning, some silent and some loud, some sat while others stood tall and others floated or rested on others. And in all of that commotion one of them broke off from the crowds to walk side by side with him.
"And we're off then!" Rock Lee shouted with his arms up.
"I am off." Vegeta grumbled back.
Though the two were at odds since they met, it seemed they formed a surprisingly stronger partnership through their chase and misadventures, strengthened further through their confrontation with Byakuya. With them now having agreed to fight together to prove there is no other worthy rival to face than the other. Which they intended to finally do once they won this tournament.
Though Vegeta held out to finish Byakuya as well he did not show for the tournament.
"Ah" Lee raised a finger and began to explain "but if one member of the team is not present, even though they haven't been previously disqualified- that's me" he said before moving on "Then the remainder of the team- that's you" he pointed to him as they exited the hall and entered the bright openness of the bright shining sun and the white clean marble of the arena. "That means all members would be disqualified due to improper attendance. Which goes on your permanent record." he finally finished the two were centered in the center of the square arena. Vegeta with his arms crossed, Lee starring with wide eyes under those heavy brows.
The crowds were enthusiastic to hear from them, thankfully there would be no repeating of last time-from Vegeta at least.
"Well that's one team." the announcer broke out over the commotion "But there's to be three challengers! Let's see how they fare"
Lee slammed a fist into an open hand "Well that's, certainly not fair." he let out "But such odds will only make us stronger!" he declared.
"Hm" Vegeta let out as he rolled his head towards the edge of the arena and towards the main hall, where he could see and faintly hear Naruto and Goku running around frantically to find their third member, but to no avail.
Closing his eyes he rolled them over to see two men over watching them atop the roof of the entrance.
"Hm?" Lee peered forward with his hand over his eyes "Is that?.." he squinted
"It doesn't matter." Vegeta scoffed.
Leaning back across the wall, Ikkaku layed himself across it and took a swig from the jug with him.
"Not interested in watching now?" Yumichika asked as he leaned on the other side.
"Na. What's the point?" Ikkaku dismissed, sounding more disappointed than anything else. His captain told him about Goku so that's who he wanted to fight. So he attached himself to Vegeta's team as a sure way to face him. He was welcomed by Le but not Vegeta. And ended up losing in the first bout.
The announcer looked from side to side, before peeking back to the hall where it seemed no one would be exiting from anytime soon. He then turned to see the disgruntled and impatient looks from the crowds. Vegeta looked at him out of the corner of his eye while Lee had his full attention They already had to make stops for repairs. Who knows what'll happen when there's no fight. He cleared his throat and
"Well it seems that their opponents have no intention of showing up at the moment." he paused as grizzled 'boos' of disapproval rained down on him. There was even trash being shown. Blocking them he continued on when he found a safer location. "As I was going to say, due to their opposing contestants not appearing, we will have to unfortunately disqualify the opponents" The crowds booed and erupted into anger. But in the hallway outside there was nothing but silence. Goku and Naruto finally stopped their galivanting and now only stood with their mouths to the ground and slouched over in defeat. And at the moment of their greatest defeat, a third person rejoined them.
"Hey there" Ichigo said casually as he was dusting himself off, feeling much better about himself. He stopped next to them and looked them over curiously "What's wrong?" he paused to wait for an answer that didn't come from his two sulking companions "Did you guys lose something?" he asked.
In fact they did.
From the center of the new arena a hard cackle was heard. "How pitiful!" Vegeta laughed at their misfortune.
"Disappointing." Lee said as he rubbed his chin "But now I wonder who will be next." His question was soon answered.
"We'll just have to move to the next bracket for them!" the announcer shouted "And introducing the Femme Fatales in their place!"
Instead of the three facing them it would be only two. Fairer perhaps, but still not what he wanted. Or perhaps expected.
For at that moment Sprouting from the opening leading to the arena came Rangiku and Ino, both of them making fantastic, or rather suggestive poses upon their entrance. Vegeta looked on without amusement; more so than usual at least. Rock Lee raised one large eyebrow. Toshiro-who refused to participate- let out a loud groan at the sight of it. To everyone, it certainly didn't look like proceedings to a fight.
Rangiku was cheered on by Tsunade, Ino by Sakura. Vegeta's family cheered him on though he acted like he didn't hear them, Lee gave a happy wave to them. His own team from Tenten, Neji and Might Guy was even more encouraging. Ichigo was being berated by Goku and Naruto in a corner.
Both of them sauntered into the ring, looking more like they were walking on stage and greeting adoring fans than coming ready for a fight. In fact they were so distracted by that, it seemed like they hardly noticed Vegeta or Lee. And it was only when the announcer called everyone into play that they finally turned to face each other.
Of course, first came assessing the other side.
"Didn't you say he had a drunken rage form?" Rangiku asked down to Ino hiding her mouth behind her hand "I'd like to get my hands on that kind of drink."
"He has less of a taste for it than you." Ino said to Rangiku
"Is she a long lost saiyan?" Lee asked up to Vegeta
"Absolutely not." Vegeta fumed as he gripped his crossed arms tighter and a vein appeared in his head.
"She is blonde just as you are." Lee pointed out.
"Do not mock me leech, or I'll end you first." Vegeta grinded his teeth
"Alright!" Ino stepped forward and pointed out towards Vegeta "Don't think this'll be easy." she said determined. Rangiku had boasted how she was the 'Tsunade of Soul Society' when she was introduced to Ino. though it was in appearance and drinks preferences if not status. Of course that only got Ino excited to train with her. "I know how Lee fights. So that means Rangiku and I are gonna give you a run for your money." It was Vegeta who answered back.
"I've already forgotten your name." Vegeta spat.
Next time: The Adventures continue. The Final Epilogue.