Chapter 7: Saying Hello to a New Training Regimen and Goodbye to a Kunoichi
"Alright, first things first, what happened? Why are there three dead shinobi in the lake, two naked people, and reports of explosions going on?" Elder Kai asked. Shurayuki looked at Pearl and Pearl looked back at her. Shurayuki nodded and said, "They attacked us, so we defended ourselves. Those two naked people were part of the shinobi squad, Pearl decided we should let them go." The Supreme Kai of Time sighed, "Shurayuki, why am I not surprised to see you're involved. I knew that letting Kenshiro in the Time Patrol might be a mistake." "This has nothing to do with him!" Shurayuki adamantly said, "They were after me, and me alone. Pearl just happened to be here when they attacked. And besides, she's fine, Chronoa." The Supreme Kai of Time stomped her foot and said, "I told you not to call me that when I'm on the job!" The Goddess of Time quickly regained her composure and looked at Pearl, "Is what she said true?"
"Yes, Supreme Kai of Time-sama. Shurayuki and I were having a little girl's time when they attacked us. Everything she said is true," Pearl said. "Is it?" Elder Kai asked the two naked shinobi, keeping his eyes on Hitomi especially. "Yes! We wanted to kill the White Widow and get a name for ourselves, but she was too strong for us!" Saito yelled. "Fine, then you may leave," Elder Kai said, he raised his hands and Saito was immediately dressed in regular clothes, while Hitomi was in a red and white polka dot bikini. "HEY!" Hitomi yelled. "Didn't I tell you two to screw off!" Shurayuki yelled, Hitomi's next words died in her throat, and the two shinobi ran off. "This could be a problem still," Elder Kai pointed out as the Time Patrollers left as well.
"I know," the Supreme Kai of Time said and turned to Shurayuki, "Your reputation could really cause problems for me you know. It's hard enough running the Time Patrol and keeping the Patrollers from blowing up the city when they spar, but now shinobi as well!" Shurayuki smiled at her and said, "You look like you might need someone to help you with your stress…again." What? Pearl thought, then saw the Supreme Kai of Time blush. You've got to be kidding me… "That's hardly appropriate for this time and place! Don't forget that I can still banish you and Kenshiro from here!" the Supreme Kai of Time anxiously yelled. "Don't you dare!" Shurayuki yelled back, "What kind of Goddess would punish the innocent anyway? He has nothing to do with this, he's sleeping in his apartment as we speak. Don't take your frustrations out on my son. That's what you have me for."
Shurayuki smirked at the very red Supreme Kai of Time, and Pearl was starting to blush too. For the love of mercy, who HASN'T Shurayuki been involved with? Elder Kai had the most confused look on his face as he said, "I don't know what you're going on about, but you have a point. You were clearly defending yourself, so we won't do anything. However, if any Time Patrollers not already involved in this affair is hurt, then you will receive the same punishment as the perpetrators. We're putting our people at risk for you, Shurayuki. Don't make us regret it. And Pearl?" "Yes, Elder Kai-sama?" Pearl said. "As soon as you're able, I need to speak with you about your training. You can meet me at the Patroller Academy," Elder Kai said, and nodded to the Time Patrollers to collect the dead shinobi then walked away. "Well then, if that's all, I'll be going too," Shurayuki said. As she passed the Supreme Kai of Time she ruffled the goddess's hair and said, "Just call when you need me." The Supreme Kai of Time could only blush a deeper shade of red and fume silently as Pearl followed Shurayuki.
"You…you slept with…" Pearl couldn't get herself to say it. "Oh yes. Don't let that little girl act fool you, when she's riled up she proves what a goddess she is," Shurayuki snickered, and licked her lips. "Is there anything you wouldn't sleep with!?" Pearl asked, trying to keep her voice down. Shurayuki thought about it, "I wouldn't touch anyone younger than eighteen, or who appears older than 60, off the job. I've had to 'entertain' a few dirty old men in my day. People that aren't at least average intelligence are out, same with anyone not in their right mind, who is married to a devoted spouse, off the job, or unwilling. And I'd never get involved with those people with the shit and piss fetishes, off the job. The shinobi world isn't pretty, Pearl. You often see the absolute worst of the world, sometimes they're your target, but most of the time they're your client."
"Is there anything you haven't slept with?" Pearl sarcastically asked. Shurayuki actually answered her, "A Namekian, a Demon, and an Angel." Pearl tried to go through everything that meant, but for the sake of her sanity stopped after three minutes. Shurayuki sighed as they got close to the apartment. "Well, I figure I can spend one more day here, and then I have to leave for a little while. I was hoping I'd get at least a week to relax. But if the Murasaki Clan can find me, then more competent shinobi might be on the way soon. So then, I guess I'll have to test Kenshiro tomorrow," the kunoichi said. "So then, I guess I don't have much time," Pearl said, "If Kenny wakes up before I'm back, please tell him where I am." "Very well, good luck with your test," Shurayuki said, and Pearl ran to the Patroller Academy. She walked through the campus, smiling and greeting Time Patrollers in Training who saw her. She spotted the Elder Kai standing next to a robot.
"I'm here, Elder Kai-sama," Pearl said, and bowed. "Alright then, before we start this training, I need to get a better sense of your power. Stand still," Elder Kai said. Pearl stood still as the Elder Kai looked her body over, making various 'hmmm' and 'oh' sounds. Pearl was worried that he might get pervy, but the old god kept his hands to himself. After a few minutes he finally said, "Just as I suspected. You have a lot of untapped potential. There is great power hidden within you. I can help unleash that potential, if you can pass my tests." "What tests?" Pearl asked. Elder Kai indicated the robot next to him, "This bucket of bolts will send you to various locations, where you shall battle various warriors. If you can complete all these missions, then you will prove worthy of my help, just as Gohan was many years ago." I have hidden potential?! He can unlock it!? I could be so powerful then… Pearl swallowed at the thought of gaining more power, but remembered her boyfriend's encouragement.
"Alright, I'm ready," Pearl said. If nothing else, fighting this test with my weighted clothes will definitely help make me stronger… Elder Kai nodded to the robot, and in a flash of light Pearl was gone from the Patroller Academy and found herself in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Before her stood Yamcha, ready to go. "All right," Elder Kai said, "This is your test. No cheating now. I've got my eye on you!" Yamcha immediately flew in for a kick that Pearl ducked under. She jumped back to avoid his ki balls then stretched out her arms for a one two punch combo. She quickly charged up her power and then dodged Yamcha's Kamehameha Wave. Pearl blasted him back with Double Sunday and then powered up her Majin Kamehameha. As soon as Yamcha went at her, Pearl unleashed her fully charged Majin Kamehameha, knocking the Earthling out.
Pearl sensed an energy signature coming and saw Tien arrive to fight. He was just fast enough that Pearl had to block three of his kicks and one punch before quickly jumping back and hitting him with a ki ball. Tien wasn't too badly hurt, and responded with a quick Tri-Beam, knocking Pearl back. She quickly countered his Dodonpa Ray with Double Sunday, then blasted him with Weekend. Tien was sent flying back, and Pearl quickly flew at him, going for a kick to his head. Tien dodged it and hit Pearl with a Dodonpa again before slamming his elbow into her stomach then kicking her back. "Loosen up those shoulders," Elder Kai told Pearl, "You have to let the power flow through you." Pearl quickly powered up her ki again, and hit Tien with a Giant Storm, sending him flying into the air, out for the count.
"Oh ho! Those are some smart moves. Stay sharp and keep it up until it's over!" Elder Kai admonished Pearl. "Yes sir!" Pearl said and quickly charged up her ki as she saw her next opponent, Krillin. "Super Destructo-Disc!" Krillin yelled, and a massive Destructo-Disc came at Pearl. The Majin girl quickly flew back, only for the Destrcto-Disc to follow her. "Yikes!" Pearl yelled as she tried to fly faster, but the Destructo-Disc was gaining on her. "KAIOKEN!" Pearl yelled, and immediately doubled her speed. She quickly outflew the two Super Destructo-Discs and blocked Krillin's punch-kick combo. Pearl kicked the short human back and punched him three times, knocking the wind out of him. Pearl finished him off with Double Sunday followed by grabbing Krillin from behind, pounding on his head three times, then stretching back and slamming her knees into his back, sending him falling face first into the ground. Pearl charged up just as her next opponent arrived, Piccolo.
Piccolo blasted at Pearl with ki balls as he flew to her, then stretched out his arm and tossed her aside. "Special Beam Cannon!" the Namekian yelled, and his attack pierced through Pearl's stomach. The hole quickly filled up, but Pearl felt incredibly drained. "He's not messing around!" Pearl yelled as Piccolo flew at her for a punch. Pearl blocked the punch and quickly kicked him back. "Kaioken Times Three!" Pearl yelled and charged Piccolo, throwing punches and kicks as hard as she could at him, but the Namekian dodged all her attacks before slamming his palm into her face, then kicking her recently healed stomach. Pearl quickly jumped back to avoid his follow up strike and yelled, "TIMES FOUR!" Power surged through her as she blasted Piccolo with a Weekend attack, but he wasn't done. "Alright then, try this!" Pearl yelled as she Instant Transmissioned behind Piccolo and slammed her elbow into his lower back then hit him with another Weekend attack. This time it worked, and then Pearl fell to her knees as the Kaioken dissipated.
Oh man…I think I overdid it. I feel like I should melt, Pearl thought as Elder Kai said, "Hmmm… You passed the test. Remember to continue training diligently." One flash of light later, and Pearl was back in front of the Patroller Academy, her track suit ruined. "Wait, that wasn't like a Parallel Quest?" Pearl asked, and realized she was still tired. Elder Kai shook his head, "No. This is a serious test. And that was just the first of many to follow; so keep training." "Yes sir," Pearl said, and slowly walked back to her apartment. Oh boy, I'm going to have to really train my butt off if I want to keep this up… Here goes nothing. Pearl's tentacles lifted up and glowed with energy, pointing at her wrist bands and boots. Pink energy shot out of her tentacles and wrapped around the wrist bands and boots. Pearl focused as hard as she could, and increased their density. After two minutes, she stopped.
Her arms dropped down and she struggled to walk further. "Uh oh, looks like I tripled their density by mistake," Pearl said as she struggled to walk with the extra eight hundred pounds of weight on her. She slowly made her way back to her apartment, and opened the door. Kenshiro woke up just then and Pearl saw Shurayuki was sitting on the floor, watching something on the TV. Kenshiro saw his Mom first and said, "I had the weirdest dream that you were being hurt by a giant cucumber." Shurayuki laughed at that and told him, "I wouldn't say he hurt me too bad," the kunoichi then saw Pearl, "Oh my, are you alright Pearl?" Kenshiro sat up and saw her and helped Pearl in, "What happened?" Pearl was sat down on the couch, and it creaked under her, making the two Earthlings even more surprised. "Elder Kai-sama put me through a more intense training test. I was doing pretty good, until I had to fight Piccolo, and he shot me with his Special Beam Cannon. I managed to beat him, but I had to use Kaioken Times Four. After that, on my way home, I decided to try increasing the density of my wrist bands and boots, and I overdid it," Pearl explained.
"Well, you should rest then, take them off, get changed, take a shower. We can relax at home," Kenshiro said. "Thanks, Kenny," Pearl said, and took off her wrist bands and boots. Shurayuki lifted them up, "Amazing, these are almost as heavy as Kenshiro's." "Huh?" Pearl asked. "Yeah, my clothes are weighted too, a whole ton," Kenshiro explained. Pearl had to blink at that, "But…but, you're so strong! And you've still been held back?" "Yeah, I've just been training with weighted clothing for longer than you. If you want, you can make mine heavier too," Kenshiro said. "Maybe later," Pearl said, "Right now I'm just gonna get my pajamas and take a shower." Pearl grabbed her weighted clothes and headed to her room, grabbed her pajamas, and took a shower before changing into them. "Hey, Pearl, you want to open this?" Kenshiro asked, and showed her the package Praxtic had delivered.
"Sure," Pearl said, and Kenshiro opened it and pulled out a capsule and a letter. Kenshiro read it:
"Pearl and Kenshiro,
"I've been watching your progress on my own Interdimensional Cable Box. Keep up the good work. I do suggest you check out Soon's alternate path in 'Ryo vs. the Xenoverse'. The Cable has a voice search feature. The remote has a green button on it. So just click and say, 'Locate the channel with Ryo vs. the Xenoverse.' You can even use it to a show with a certain theme. Like a version of the Dragon World where it's modern with gang wars or so on. I left an outfit for you, Pearl. Kenshiro will like it. ^w^
Sincerely,
Merch"
Pearl took the capsule and opened it, out popped a copy of Launch's skimpy outfit. "Ooh, that would look pretty ravishing on you," Shurayuki said. Pearl turned to her boyfriend and with the largest doe eyes she could make asked, "Do you want me to wear this, Kenny?" Kenshiro turned red and swallowed before answering, "I…well…yeah." Pearl considered this, "Alright, but you need to," Pearl got close to him and whispered in his ear. Kenshiro turned a deeper shade of red before saying, "Uh, yeah, sure thing babe. Just…later?" "Okay," Pearl said with a devious smile, Quid Pro Quo, Kenny. Shurayuki grabbed the remote and handed it to Pearl, "Well, we might as well see this alternate path." Pearl took the remote and pressed the button and said, "Show me the channel showing 'Ryo vs. the Xenoverse'."
The channel changed immediately, and the three of them were immediately engrossed in it. They watched as the warper-turned-Saiyan, Ryo, battled his way through the same battled as Soon had, and fought alongside the alternate universe version of Soon as well. Pearl was surprised at how slightly less serious Soon was, embarrassed at the hijinks the alternate Chronoa got into with Ryo and the rest, and gave a small cheer as he decimated the Ginyu Force like it was nothing. The story ended after showing Ryo and Soon, with the help of an alien woman named Blackfire, fighting together on a Parallel Quest. "Well then," Barit said. "Huh!? When did you get here!?" Kenshiro yelled. "About an hour ago. That was something else," the Namekian answered. "Wow, we really lost track of time," Pearl said. "I figured so, so I brought dinner with me," Barit said, it was Chinese.
The five of them all sat down and ate, telling Barit what he had missed from 'Ryo vs. the Xenoverse'. By the time they finished eating, Shurayuki had a look in her eye, "I forgot, Barit, do you still have my package?" "Oh, yeah, it's in my room," Barit said. He brought out the package and gave it to Shurayuki, who gave it to Kenshiro. "Kenshiro, this is something I think you should keep with you," she solemnly said. Kenshiro took it and unwrapped it to reveal a Memorial Tablet. "M-Mom?" he asked. "My enemies attacks are becoming more frequent, I had to leave Cashew Village forever one month ago to protect your grandparents. I don't know if I'll survive the trials ahead, and I wanted to make sure you had your Father's Memorial Tablet," she said. "Mom, we can help you," Kenshiro said.
Shurayuki sadly smiled and shook her head, "No, none of you deserve to get involved in the shinobi world. There is one more thing I can do, before I leave Conton City, but it can wait for tomorrow." Everyone looked at her, and Pearl got an idea. She stretched out her arm and grabbed the remote, "Show me the life of Shurayuki, if Shiro hadn't been killed." The TV immediately turned to a channel, showing the birth of Kenshiro. Kenshiro respectfully put his Father's Memorial Tablet down on a side table he cleared as he and his mother sat down on the couch. Barit took his chair, and Pearl just laid down on the floor and they all watched what could have been.
Shurayuki's life would have been amazingly different. In the alternate world they saw, she gave up the shinobi life for good, and only maintained her martial arts skills to teach them to the children and some adults of Cashew Village. Shiro would go on to discover a radical new treatment for heart diseases. Shurayuki and Shiro would have had four more children, first a daughter named Majime, then another named Hikaru, followed by twins, a son named Soujiro and daughter named Misao. Kenshiro, Hikaru, and Misao would follow their Mother's path, and eventually became Time Patrollers together, and Kenshiro would have been chosen to defend history while Pearl and Barit helped him train. Majime and Soujiro would follow their Father's path, and were studying to become doctors. The view into the alternate world ended with Shurayuki and Shiro celebrating their 20th Anniversary with a cruise.
Kenshiro had tears flowing down his eyes, but a smile on his face. "He…really was as amazing as you always said," he told his Mom. Shurayuki was crying tears of joy as well as she said, "I know. To think, four more children, all of them, as good as you." Pearl wiped away a tear as well, while Barit quietly went to his room. After spending fifteen minutes just quietly hugging, Shurayuki left to go to a hotel, while Kenshiro went to bed. Before she joined him, Pearl bowed to Shiro's Memorial Tablet and said, "Thank you, Shiro-san, for the joy you brought Shurayuki-san, and helping to bring Kenshiro into my life."
THE NEXT DAY
"PEARL! WAKE UP! KENSHIRO AND SHURAYUKI ARE GOING TO FIGHT!" Pearl was woken up by Barit yelling and shaking her. "Huh!? What!?" was all Pearl could manage. "Shurayuki woke up Kenshiro early, and told him that they had to fight! To the death!" "WHAT!?" Pearl screamed as she jumped up and started changing. The only outfit she could get on quickly was her Buu-gi, with purple top and bottom and white gloves and boots, with a black wrap on her waist. "They went to the Supreme Kai of Time, and she agreed! They're going to fight in the Cell Games Arena, but all the safety protocols were turned off! They could actually kill each other!" Barit yelled. Majin and Namekian ran out of their apartment and straight for the Time Machine Station. "KENNY!" Pearl yelled, only for him and his Mom to immediately be swallowed by a flash of light.
She saw the Supreme Kai of Time watching on the viewing screen along with a dozen Time Patrollers. "Supreme Kai of Time-sama, please, stop this!" Pearl begged. The Supreme Kai of Time solemnly shook her head, "I owed Shurayuki a favor, and she decided to cash it in for this. After this is over, one way or another, she's going to leave. This is her family's business, apparently, it's some rite of passage for Kenshiro." "But she's a trained shinobi! She's a hardened killer! She'll use every trick in the book, and a lot that aren't to win!" Pearl said as the screen turned on. "I know, but it's out of my hands now," the Supreme Kai of Time said. Pearl silently watched with the other Time Patrollers, keeping her fists clenched the whole time.
She saw that Shurayuki was dressed in her full white shinobi outfit while Kenshiro wore a similar outfit that was dark blue. "BEGIN!" came the announcement. Kenshiro and Shurayuki quietly circled each other in the middle of the Mountains. Shurayuki made the first move when she tossed three shuriken at him, Kenshiro drew a kodachi and blocked all of them before blasting a ki ball at Shurayuki. The kunoichi dodged the ki ball and charged up her ki. Kenshiro went for the attack, only for Shurayuki to draw a dagger and toss it at him. Kenshiro blocked the dagger with his kodachi and continued his charge. Shurayuki pulled down her mask and spat poison at him, Kenshiro jumped up and flew back from the poison and Shurayuki quickly tossed four more shuriken at him that he quickly deflected. Shurayuki finished charging up her ki and put her fingers to her forehead, "Special Beam Cannon!"
Kenshiro barely dodged the attack and responded with a storm of ki balls that Shurayuki struggled to dodge as she flew up into the air as well. The sun was behind her as she yelled, "Solar Flare!" Kenshiro looked away just in time to avoid being blinded, but Shurayuki was nowhere to be seen. The kunoichi drew her katana and tried to attack her son from behind, but Kenshiro managed to block the attack just in time. Shurayuki got closer to Kenshiro's face and spat in his eyes. Kenshiro responded by kicking her back and wiping his face before blasting a quick Charge Shot that hit Shurayuki in her chest. "Give up, Mom. I won't kill you," Kenshiro said. "I'm sorry, son. But I'm not beaten yet!" Shurayuki said as she tossed five shuriken that Kenshiro quickly blocked. "Death Beam!" Shurayuki quickly yelled, and blasted Kenshiro through his shoulder before he rolled out of the way of the other two Death Beams.
"Oh shit, she's serious, she's actually trying to kill him!" Barit said. Pearl kept quiet as Kenshiro charged up his ki. Shurayuki disappeared then reappeared in front of him, Kenshiro barely blocked her attack in time to blast her point blank with a Full Power Energy Wave, knocking her back, leaving blood behind her. "Mom!?" Kenshiro said as he ran to see her. Shurayuki looked up and spat poison at him again, this time Kenshiro let it hit his chest. "Solar Flare!" Shurayuki yelled, this time blinding Kenshiro. Shurayuki quickly landed a dozen punches to his stomach before kicking him back and tossing the rest of her shuriken at Kenshiro. He quickly jumped back and dodged the shuriken, and answered with his own ki balls. Shurayuki was badly injured and was struggling to avoid the ki balls. She quickly drew another dagger and yelled, "Shining Slash!" She appeared in front of Kenshiro again and slashed at him with the dagger first, Kenshiro grabbed her hand and blocked her katana before head butting her in her nose, breaking it and disorienting her. Kenshiro quickly hit her in her chest with his fingertips, hitting specific pressure points. Shurayuki collapsed and Kenshiro said, "Don't worry, Mom, you'll live. But It would seem that I've surpassed you."
"Indeed," Shurayuki said, as Kenshiro's chest started to smoke. "Holy Shit!" Kenshiro yelled, and quickly tore off his shirt. That was when they returned to Conton City. "Wow man! You are awesome! What did she do!?" Pearl ran to Kenshiro and Shurayuki and yelled, "YOU TWO ARE CRAZY!" "I had to do this, to make sure he was ready," the defeated Shurayuki said, "Kenshiro, undo this, please. We're not done yet." Kenshiro nodded and pressed a pressure point on her chin then forehead and she stood up. "Pearl," Kenshiro said, "Please heal Mom. She's done." Pearl looked at Shurayuki uncertainly, but did as he asked, and healed Kenshiro as well. Shurayuki stood up and unsheathed her katana.
"Kenshiro, from the moment you were born, I feared for your life. When you were one year old, your grandparents and I performed a test on you, to determine your destiny. We presented a brush, a gardening hoe, a doctor's mask, a wrench, and finally this sword to you. You went immediately for this sword, that has been in my family for thirty-five generations, Chinmoku no Shi. I knew then that you were destined to be a warrior, and I trained you as such. Today, you have far surpassed me. I give you this blade, as is your right," Shurayuki said. Kenshiro held up his hands and Shurayuki sheathed the sword, Chinmoku no Shi, and put it in his hands. "Now then, it's about time I left. Take care of yourself, my son," Shurayuki said, and kissed Kenshiro's forehead, "and those you love." Shurayuki ran over the edge of Conton City and jumped off it with an amazing triple back spin, before flying off into the sky.