Chapter 10: Prodigy vs Perfectionist part 1
Midnight
Outside the Gessen Academy Grounds stood the Hanzou Ninja squad ready to infiltrate the base to save their friend. As they all approach the main building of their rival shinobi school they were accompanied by a weird companion.
"Hey who are you!?" Katsuragi asked as a small monkey/human hybrid sat on her head he had light skin, black spikey hair/fur monkey fur and monkey tail, his cheeks had cute pink blushes due to his young appearance as he wore a black and green Monk's outfit, and regular sandals as a white headband adorns his forehead.
"Oh sorry I'm Leaf, master Michael's ninja beast." Leaf introduced himself despite his chibi like body he has a mature reliable voice almost similar to Michael's.
"Interesting a talking beast." Yagyuu stated.
"But there are no such things as talking monkey's." Ikaruga said as she lead the group in the front.
"Its because in this form, I'm summoned halfway in between human and animal to summon me is literally exhausting for the user. When I'm in my full form I tend to react on human instinct as a full monkey." Leaf explained.
"He's so cute!" Hibari cooed.
"Now's not the time for that, what is your purpose for being here?" Ikaruga asked.
"Well before you all were told on what to do master summoned me to help you track down Asuka-sama." Leaf said, "In this form its easy for me to communicate and track down a target."
"Michael-kun really is worried for Asuka-san huh?" Katsuragi smiled.
"Yes and let's not bring down his expectations of us move out!" The ninjas increased their pace moving forward at the Gessen Academy building.
'We must hurry, me being out weakens Master's ability to fight extremely.' Leaf frowned as the female shinobi approach the guarding Gessen kunouichi.
In Gessen Academy's main lobby held many good ninja being trained under the legendary ninja, Kurokage. Their current hostage, Asuka was being watched by their top school representatives as their classmate went to his challenge.
"When will Kyōfū-nii come back Minori is bored!" Minori (15) pouted. She was a cute young woman with long light brown hair tied in two pigtails, and big blue eyes as she wore the standard Gessen Uniform and is a 1st year student attending the school.
"Minori its impolite to complain, and Kyōfū-kun will be back shortly so be patient." Yozakura (16) scolded her underclassmen. She was a beautiful young woman with short blue hair in a sort of bowl cut, with a cherry blossom in it, and she has teal eyes she too wore a Gessen School girl uniform and is a 2nd year at the school.
"Hush! Everyone, I'm getting a text from Miwa-chan about her and Brad!" Shiki (15) shushed while texting through her phone. She has long wavy blonde hair, and burgundy-colored eyes while wearing a Gessen School girl uniform and is a 1st year student like Minori.
"Quiet..." the silent Murakumo scolded her lower classmen. Murakumo (17) was a young woman with long brown hair tied with a red ribbon in a side ponytail while wearing the Gessen School uniform and a Hannya mask she currently is a 3rd year at the academy, "Kyōfū-kun will arrive when he is done with the job."
"But Minori misses him!" Minori cried like a immature child.
"Don't worry Minori." Yumi walks up to the crying girl and pats her head, "He'll be back really soon." Yumi is the Academy's 3rd year and leader of the school's representatives.
"Really?" Minori smiles while sniffing.
"Of course Kyōfū won't lose and he'll definitely come back." Yumi smiled.
"Okay!" Minori cheered.
"Why?" Asuka asked still trying to break free from her binds.
"Huh?" Minori perks up as the others simply look Asuka who finished by saying, "Why are you all doing this?"
"We hold no grudge against the Hanzou Ninja, after our last battle we've settled that feeling but not all of us can change our thoughts on you all." Yumi began.
"Yumi-san are you sure you want to..." Yozakura stopped herself as Yumi nodded.
"Asuka-san do you remember our battle during the school festival?" Yumi asked.
"Of course but what does that have to do with you kidnapping me?" Asuka growled.
"During that battle I was intent on purging you all to achieve justice for grandfather's sake, but then after exchanging blows with you my views have changed along with my comrades when you defeated us and spared our school from destruction." Yumi explained, "But...there are a few others who won't change easily through words."
"Who are those few?" Asuka asked.
"Its the person we were mentioning right now Kyōfū the successor of Grandfather Kurokage's teachings he is the most experienced in his work like Yumi." Murakumo explained.
"Another Gessen Ninja?" Asuka gasped.
"Kyōfū-chan was absent when the school festival began, he didn't rush to come back since he thought we would be able to kill you easily." Shiki shrugged and gave a smile, "But after hearing of our defeat through rumors, he rushed back immediately and demanded answers as that was when Granddaddy Kurokage took him to his quarters and told him everything."
"And once he returned he had decided to challenge the successor to Ninja legend Hanzou." Yozakura said.
"Successor to Grandfather?" Asuka looked down at began to ponder on who the successor was. It couldn't be her or she would be the one being challenged so they must be talking about someone before her. She then gasped and said, "W-wait you don't mean?"
"Yes his challenger is none other than..." Yumi was then interrupted.
*Crash!*
"What?" The Gessen Girls along with Asuka looked back to see the noise's direction.
"It seems we have some company." Shiki giggled.
"Yumi-san we'll handle them just take care of the hostage." Yozakura stated.
"Do we really have to fight them?" Minori whimpered.
"Do you want to sadden Kyofu by failing this task?" Murakumo crossed her arms under her large chest.
"N-no b-but!" Minori trembled.
"Alright time for some revenge." Shiki grinned as the female ninja disappeared in a flash.
On the top of one of the city's tall buildings stood Michael on the roof muttering soft words of prayer before his challenge.
"My ancestors take this place as repentance to the sins of those who defiled me and your laws, I pray to thee lead me through this field of red to the land of white and gold we seek. On this night give me strength to end my enemy with a single movement." Michael silently prayed to himself then kissed the pocket watch that held his family crest.
"I see you've come." the white haired man known as Kyōfū smirked walking towards Michael.
"Your name." Michael said calmly.
"Excuse me?" Kyōfū questioned.
"Your name tell me it." Michael demanded.
"If you insist I should then I'll tell ya, I'm Kyōfū Fukui 3rd year Ninja of Gessen Academy." Kyōfū introduced himself.
"Good now do you have any loved ones or relatives?" Michael asked silently.
"Yes of course, I ran away from home but I have people dear to me why?" Kyōfū said.
"I will track and apologize to them for what I will do to you." Michael turned around to face Kyōfū with his dark eyes.
"We'll see about that." Kyōfū glared at the offending ninja.
"Both sides are ready then we'll begin." Kiriya pops onto the roof with a smoke bomb.
"So your the instructor for the Hanzou Academy Ninjas?" Kyōfū said.
"The match will be one on one the only way it will be decided is if one side surrenders or..." Kiriya explained.
"Die." Michael said pulling out his scroll.
'Michael control yourself and be patient, don't let your emotions get the better of you.' Kiriya thought while staring at Michael.
"I'm willing to die for anything." Kyōfū pulled out a scroll with a pale dark blue covering.
"Let the match begin!"
"Shinobi Tensei!" both Michael and Kyōfū threw up their respective scrolls as they released their shinobi transformations. Michael changed to his turnover outfit while shrouded in a green light as Kyofu's was in a pale dark blue.
Kyōfū's Shinobi outfit was a white long sleeved robes with an extra cloth that covers from his right shoulder to his left hip, Black gloves that covers even the fingers, Grey scarf, white leather pants with dark blue lining at the side, Black boots that covers the pants of the lower leg. In his hand was a long, black iron three-section staff.
"Begin!" Kiriya began the battle.
Suddenly Michael was able to pull out a few shuriken and threw them at Kyofu, the last ones thrown were thrown to both of Kyōfū's sides.
"Hmm?" Kyofu was swings his staff at the shuriken letting it send them into different locations. But the two shuriken approaching both sides of his body were drawing near towards him. Using his staff to balance Kyofu used it as a support to jump into the air avoiding the shuriken assault. But to his attention a shadow was creeping over him, he snaps his head up to see a falling Michael with both wrists already with their blades engaged.
In one motion Michael slammed the bottom of his foot against Kyofu sending the teen down into the rooftop floor. Picking himself up Kyofu looked up in the air to see that Michael was now gone. Using his natural instinct he quickly used his staff to protect a blow to the neck. Spinning around he was able to gain distance from Michael's sneak attack.
"I see your the prodigy for something other than besting your classmates, but that won't work on me because my discipline has taught me to stay focused and centered!" Kyofu lunged at Michael and suddenly swings his staff against the teen many times as each blow was blocked with a little uneasiness.
"Squirm you little worm!" Kyofu held the staff behind his head and slammed it down at Michael who was barely able to catch it between his hands. The sheer pressure of the staff created a medium crater below him.
'Pathetic, I wouldn't be struggling if I didn't have a handicap.' Michael thought to himself as his emotionless face caused Kyofu to growl in anger.
"Nothing huh!?" Kyofu growled as he kicked Michael back and fired his staff at the teens chest.
"Ngh!" Michael crossed his arms taking the brunt of the attack as he skids back.
"This is all you've got pathetic!" Kyofu waved his staff at the defensive ninja many times, he was able to get some hits in but most of them with caught or guarded.
'I can't fully concentrate if my mind is focusing on something else.' Michael panted, 'Like this I'm basically at genin level.'
"Shatter!" Kyofu slammed his staff at Michael's right arm crushing the bones in it until a small snap was heard.
"Gugh!" Michael gripped his now broken arm as he jumped back and let the arm limply fall as something in the hand released something. Kyofu approached with a disappointed expression.
"So was this all the ninja prodigy can do pathetic." Kyofu then gasped seeing a paper bomb near his foot.
'When did he?' Kyofu thought then remembered the way Michael's arm limply fell down, 'He used the chance his arm was broken to get it under my nose!' Kyofu bit his lip and jumped back as the bomb exploded. As the smoke covered the rooftop Kyofu was still in the air completely blinded.
"Where did he go that sneaky bastard?" Kyofu growled.
Suddenly a few kunai were fired at Kyofu through the smoke.
"Hmph!" Kyofu spun his staff around many times deflecting the kunai as they fall slowly to the ground. But almost in one motion a single kunai was fired but in the opposite direction Kyofu was. It was actually heading towards the falling kunai's holes. It bounced off the rings taking different directions leading towards Kyofu. Kyofu grinded his teeth and shouted, "It won't work!" He began to deflect the kunai until a hand grabbed the back of his staff.
"What?" Kyofu looks behind himself to see Michael struggling to hold back the man's staff, "Release my weapon!"
"Okay." Michael kicked Kyofu directly at the kunai thrown at him.
"Crap!" Kyofu growled as the kunai stabbed into his shoulder.
"While using my kunai trick I distracted you and took it as the chance to restrain you and cause you damage." Michael explained.
"Shut up I didn't ask you anything!" Kyofu pulled out the kunai and picked up his staff.
'I hope the others have gotten to Asuka-san.' Michael panted almost out of breath as Kiriya watched in worry.
'Michael your plan is excellent but you should've just let them handle it on their own, your staking your life on things way too much.' Kiriya shook his head as he continued to referee the battle.
"This is getting annoying!" Kyofu growled and slammed the end of his pole into the ground, "I'll eliminate you scum for Kurokage!"
"Kurokage, Master's rival?" Michael said to himself.
"Disappear!" Kyofu repeated the same normal attacks but this time they had murderous intent. Each blow was detailed and almost flawless as Michael caught or got hit by the attacks (Due to one of his arms being broken.)
"There's no opening!" Michael growled trying to see a point of opening.
"I've trained myself to cover every blind spot on my body so trying to counter is useless!" Kyofu executes a strong blow to Michael's head then to his gut. Instantly pinning Michael to the ground as a large crater was formed under him.
"Gragh!" Michael coughed out a moderate amount of blood.
"I had expected a better challenge from you I really did." Kyofu removed the staff from Michael's gut and executes a perfect kick sending the skidding back.
'Gotta stay conscious!" Michael woke up from his temporary daze and got on his feet, 'His attacks are perfect, too perfect if you look at it something perfect has an Achilles Heel so if I want to end him I have to find it.'
With the Hanzou Girls they were finally able to break through Gessen's main ninja guards to enter the secret school. Using his sense of smell Leaf told them the right directions to where Asuka was directly.
"First enter this room." Leaf ordered.
"Right." Katsuragi barged into the room with the group to confront two Gessen Shinobi the two were Shiki and Minori.
"Hi!" Minori waved.
"Hello everyone how's it going!" Shiki waved her hand up and twiddled her fingers in the welcoming wave.
"You!" Yagyuu growled.
"Minori-chan why are you doing this?" Hibari asked.
"Sorry Hibari-chan, Minori can't tell you!" Minori brings out her scroll as the ninjas took this as a threat and grew ready.
"I'm sorry we have no hate towards you all just following orders, so don't blame us if you die." Shiki pulls out her scroll from her cleavage.
"Lets take them all now." Katsuragi grinned.
"We can't." Ikaruga shook her head.
"Why?" Katsuragi frowned.
"Katsuragi-san, master is closely approaching defeat and can't hold his concentration very long." Leaf explained.
"But-?" Katsuragi began as Yagyuu stepped up.
"I'll handle this." Yagyuu stepped forward.
"Yagyuu-san?" Ikaruga gasped.
"Go ahead and save Asuka-san, I will keep them busy." Yagyuu pulls out her scroll.
"Hibari will help too." Hibari hopped to Yagyuu's side.
"Hibari-san please stay with the others." Yagyuu pleaded.
"No Hibari wants to help too!" Hibari said determined.
"You can't change her mind." Leaf smiled at Hibari's will to fight.
"I will allow it but if things go out of control I want you to listen to my commands." Yagyuu said seriously.
"Uh-huh!" Hibari nodded.
"Make sure to make it out alive guys!" Katsuragi screamed as she and Ikaruga advanced through out the room into the hallway.
"They'll soon be taken out." Shiki smiled, "But for now all I want now is to beat you Yagyuu-chan."
"Hey Hibari-chan lets play Ninja today!" Minori giggled.
"We won't lose!" both girls announced as the 4 shinobi threw their scrolls into the air.
"Shinobi Tensei!"
In the hallway Ikaruga ran in front of Katsuragi cutting down enemies attacking them from the front.
"Are we closer than before?" Ikaruga asked.
"Yes just one more room next and we'll be there." Leaf explained as a large cleaver was thrown at them.
"Watch yourself!" Ikaruga jumped back and blocked the cleaver sending it flying to the wooden ground.
"Wait doesn't that belong to?" Katsuragi continued running as a charging force was launched at her.
"Oh no you don't!" Katsuragi swung her leg as the force was actually Yozakura wearing her metal gauntlets as she swings her fist forward at Katsuragi. The two attacks collided sending the two jumping back to end the stalemate.
"I see you've gotten better at detecting my presence." Yozakura stood up.
"Yozakura-san isn't someone to take lightly." Katsuragi grinned.
Ikaruga glared at the person who walked up to pull out her large cleaver from the ground and point it at her. The person was of course Murakumo who held a long spear in her left hand as the cleaver was in her right.
"Ikaruga..." Murakumo said.
"Murakumo-san." Ikaruga growled.
"Boy you guys sure have many interruptions." Leaf smiled.
"This happens a lot but you'll get used to it." Katsuragi smiled.
"Under commands we won't let you pass." Yozakura pulled out her scroll.
"Leave at once..." Murakumo pulls out her scroll and threatened the two ninja.
"This has become such a trifle at this rate Michael-kun won't be able to concentrate fully." Ikaruga readied her blade Hien.
"Well I guess I should take care of things here." Leaf hopped off Katsuragi's head and onto the ground.
"Are you sure?" Katsuragi asked.
"Yes, don't underestimate my size." Leaf faced the two Gessen girls, "Now let us begin." Leaf bowed like he was in a match and dashed forward at them.
"You'll get chopped in half little monkey." Murakumo swung down her cleaver only to have it miss completely as Leaf hopped onto her large chest and climbed up it to grab her mask and toss it to Yozakura.
"Huh?" Yozakura sweatdropped.
"N-no Yozakura-san g-g-g-g-give me back m-m-m-my mask!" Murakumo cried out as she reached for the mask as Yozakura pulls back suddenly shocked by her partner's sudden change of personality.
"Incredible." Both Hanzou girls gasped as Leaf winks at them and enters through to the next door.
"Its up to us now I suppose." Katsuragi smiled as both Gessen girls pulled themselves together.
"Right as the seniors lets show them how we handle kidnappers!" Katsuragi grinned as both she and Ikaruga pulled out their scrolls.
"Shinobi Tensei!"
Finally in the lobby of the academy Asuka looked down crestfallen about her current action with Michael in the academy. The words kept resounding in her head over and over again.
"You should have never had come back!"
"You should have never had come back!"
'I HATE YOU!'
The last thought was what Asuka thought during the moment as she began to tear up, Yumi caught sight of this and frowned.
"If your sad about being held captive, don't we'll release you when Kyofu-kun wins." Yumi explained.
"No that's not it." Asuka sniffed, "I made a horrible mistake with someone I l-lo..I mean like."
"If its a mistake then fix it once your set free." Yumi said.
"It can't be fixed like that I might have ruined our friendship already." Asuka sadly smiled with some pain in her face.
"One mistake can't ruin a friendship." Yumi began, "If your friend isn't mad at you wholly then you can still make things right, Trust my words I have a friend like that too."
"You do Yumi-san?" Asuka asked.
"Yes, actually I consider him my lover." Yumi blushed.
"Wait is he your boyfriend?" Asuka asked.
"No its only a one sided love." Yumi smiled and closed her eyes.
"Oh sorry." Asuka frowned.
"No worries." Yumi smiled turning the hostage conversation into a girl's chat between her and Asuka.
"But I have a question to ask you, if you really do love him then why don't you just confess to him?"
"I already did but he didn't accept it, it made me sad but after hearing his reasons why then I wasn't sad anymore but it made me love him more than before." Yumi smiled as he blush grew and grew.
"Will you tell me you and his story?" Asuka asked.
"I suppose if you can tell me you and your "friend's" story." Yumi said.
"Right." Asuka nodded.
"Here." Yumi cuts down the ropes binding Asuka as the girls sat next to each other on the lobby's couch.
"Master please be patient," Leaf leaned near the door to the Lobby while crossing his arms he gave a sincere smile and said, "I can't break this moment for Asuka-san just yet."
Next Chapter- Memories of the ones we Like (Love)!
Thanks for reading everyone and I hope you've enjoyed the chapter!
P.S.- I have a question for you guys who do you think Michael should be paired up with. I mean I just want your opinions not suggestions for the story well just put in a review on what you think and thanks for reading.