After determined the location and the time when Zekken will appear, Asuna decided logged out. But not before looking one last at the Kirito, that already awaken then she glance at Naruto who was still napping, with Wendy also sleeping in his lap.
Kyoto
Asuna's room
Asuna opened her eyes and sat up. Then she turned off the Amusphere and took it off from her head. She hugged herself as she felt the chills from the cold weather. She went slowly to her wardrobe and took a coat from there then put it on.
Time skip
Asuna walked down from the stairs then she noticed a servant that serve her personally was about to leave. She decided to greet her.
"Good night, Sada-san. Thank you for coming everyday. And also sorry for keeping her this late"
The woman turned to Asuna and shook her head replied.
"It's not a problem at all, ok ojou-sama. This is my job after all" She bowed her head down a little after the statement.
"Are my brother and mother already back?" asked Asuna.
"Kouichirou-sama will be late again. Your mother is already in the dining room waiting for you" answered the woman.
"Thanks for telling me. And sorry once again for keeping you late" said Asuna.
The woman bowed down and then opened the door and left. Asuna walked straight to the dining room and opened the door. There she so her mother is already sitting at the table, eating. Upon noticing Asuna's presence, she said.
"You are late. Try to be at the table five minutes before the dinner"
"I am sorry" apologized Asuna and went to sit in her sit. She looked her mother for a while until her mother turned her gaze at her to snap her back. Asuna muttered "Itadakimasu" abs began to eat her food.
They ate silently for some minutes before her mother asked.
"Were you using that machine again?"
"Yes, I promised to do homework with everyone" answered Asuna.
"You need to move your hands, when you do it or else you won't learn anything" replied Kyoko and cleaned her mouth with a napkin.
"Everyone lives far away, so this is the only way to meet up with them" reasoned Asuna.
"If you are using that machine then you not actually meeting them. Just do your homework alone. If you do it with others, you'll just end up playing around" retort Kyoko. She then took a gulp of her drink and contined "Listen, you don't have time to play around. You are already two years behind other children. To make it up for it, you need to study harder"
"But I am studying! I printed out the second-quarter report card and put it on your desk" retort Asuna.
"I saw it. But the result from a school like that means nothing" retort Kyoko.
"A school like that..." repeated Asuna.
"Listen, Asuna. For the third quarter I will hire a tutor for you, in addition to your studying. And not from Internet, like its popular these days, but I will have then come here to tutor you" said Kyoko.
Asuna widen her eyes at the sudden decision and replied.
"W-wait a minute. It's too sudden..."
Kyoko gave Asuna the touch-pad, that she picked up from the table. Asuna saw the image of the school on the screen. There is also the writing 'Entry Exam Introduction' on it, which caught Asuna's attention immediately.
"Entry Exam Introduction? What is this" asked Asuna.
"For your third year, I managed to convince a friend of mine, to let you take the exam in the high school that he runs. A real school, not the makeshift one that they put together. It uses the credit system, so you will manage to graduate the first half of the year. Then you can start college in September" Kyoko told her daughter what she planned.
"W-Wait! You can't decide everything for me like that. I like my school. There are lots of good teachers there. Akso I don't want to separate from my friends there. Plus Naruto is also studying there. There is no need for me to move to another school!" retort Asuna.
Kyoto at the mention of Naruto's name just narrowed her eyes displeasingly then she sighed and began to explain to Asuna her decision.
"I did my research. The school you are attending just barely worthy the name.
The curriculum is sloppy. The classes are easy. The teachers are all a bunch of nobodies with no real experience"
"Y-you don't have to put it like that" replied Asuna solemnly.
"And about that boy. I don't want to hear anything about him" said Kykoko disdainfully.
Asuna looked up at her mother and asked.
"Why? Why do you hate Naruto like that? Has he ever done anything to you? Everybody in the family accept him except you. Please, tell me why"
"You don't need to know. Beside he is just a murder. He shouldn't be praised like that, but sit in jail" replied Kyoko coldly.
"You don't know anything, kaa-san! Naruto saved us all from the death game. He saved my life and nearly dying in the process. All thanks to the dear fiancé that you chose for me" shouted Asuna narrowing her eyes at her mother.
"That didn't change the fact that he has killed hundreds of person in that game. And Sugou was your father's choice not mine" retort Kyoko.
"Naruto did that to save other players from getting killed. All those he killed were the ones that enjoyed killing. If he wouldn't of had done that there will be more people dying. Also do you you really think he want to do that? Naruto knows that killing is bad, but he need to do that in order to save others. But I don't believe the reason that you dislike Naruto is that. So please tell me? I want to know. Naruto is my brother after all" said Asuna and plead her mother.
Kyoto looked away and began to talk.
"It happened long time ago, when I was still a student. I had two friends that were my best friends. Their names are Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.."
Asuna widen her eyes at hearing the Uzumaki name. She deduced that it was Naruto's birth mother name.
"... We always hanged with each other, did homework, and helped each other when in need. We were inseparable. That was before I felt in love with Minato. Minato was always popular in university because of his look as well as his brain. I don't even remember how I fell in love with him. Some time has passed and I finally got a date with him. We have been dating for 3 months. Then one fateful day, I discovered accidentally that Minato is cheating on me with my best friend Kushina. I felt so terrible and heartbroken back then. I wanted to hate them for their betrayal. I couldn't cease to love Minato to this day, even if I already married and had you. Then I heard that both he and Kushina has died. That fact caused me to hate them even more, because they promised me that no matter what we will always be friends. Then I heard that they had a son that one year junior to you. When I first looked at Naruto, my eyes widened he looked exactly like his father. I can't look at him normally and don't felt anything after all what happened to me. Everything about him reminds me of those two, from his genius mind to his selfless self that willing to go to any length to his friends..." Kyoko finished her story solemnly and took a huge gulp of her drink.
Asuna was speechless she never knew that her mother has a past with Naruto's parents. She looked carefully at her mother and asked.
"K-Kaa-san, do you still love Minato-san?"
Her mothers just sighed heavily and respond
"It didn't matter any way. He is dead already. The only thing left from him was that virtual world that you were so fascinate as well as his son"
"But Naruto is not at fault for his parents actions, kaa-san. He was very glad that dad decided to adopt him in our family. He always felt confused when you looked at him with such disdain eyes" reasoned Asuna.
"I-I know that. B-but it's not easily like that. Even if I accepted to be friends with Minato and Kushina again, didn't mean that I actually forgave them everything. And Naruto is a reminder of my first experience of the most painful betrayal from his parents" replied Kyoko. She sighed heavily then looked at Asuna and said. "Enough about my past and Naruto. Asuna, I want you to have a career, you could be proud of, no matter to whom you are speaking.
That's why it's best for you to transfer"
"My career? Then who is that man that you made me meet over New Year? He was talking like I already engaged to him. You are the one that is limiting my options, kaa-san!" shouted Asuna clearly displeased at the memory.
Kyoko took a gulp from her drink and answered calmly.
"Marriage is also part of your career. If you marry someone poor, you will regret it. You won't be able to do something whatever it is that so important to you. But with Yuya, you don't have to worry. His family is pretty load and their economy is stable. He could take care of you without problems"
Asuna looked at her mother with disappointed eyes and replied.
"Don't you know kaa-san, that there are things that far important than money in this world? I don't even know that Yuya at all. Plus on the first meeting he already showed his colors, I would of have never marry someone like that! People will marry each other when they want to build a family and when they want to be with each other forever. That's what Naruto said to me. And I totally agree with his words"
"Ok, I will agree with anyone that worthy of you. Just so we clear, I won't accept anyone from those facilities. That include Naruto" said Kyoko.
Asuna widen here eyes and asked.
"You didn't mean... You investigated him? And why do you put Naruto in? He is my brother!"
"I just want you to be happy, Asuna. That boy and Naruto won't be able to bring you that happiness. And why I put Naruto in? That's because even if he is your brother now, with time you could've attracted to him and then the relationship between you and him will change" answered Kyoko.
Asuna decided to just stand up from her sit silently and moved to the door.
"Let me think about the transfer for a while" said Asuna while moving to the door.
"You have until the middle of next week.
Fill it out and print three copies and put on the desk in my study" said Kyoko
Asuna was about to open the door bit before that she turned her head to her mother and asked
"Kaa-san... You are ashamed of my dead grandpa and grandma, aren't you?
You are angry that you didn't born in a rich family, aren't you? You are still angry that Minato-san didn't choose you over Kushina-san, aren't you? But do you ever wonder why?"
Kyoto hearing that widens her eyes in rage and shouted.
"Asuna, come here! Quickly!"
But Asuna just closed the door and left the dining room, going to her room. In the dining room, Kyoko opened her purse and took out one photo. It was the photo of the three of them made when they were still in university. She looked at the smiling face of Minato Namikaze solemnly and caressing his image.
Asuna's room
Asuna after entering her room immediately jump into her bed. She began to think of the things that age had just recently found out. She was still surprised that her mother had a past with Naruto's birth parents. She took out her phone and looked at the picture of her and Kirito.
"Kirito-kun" muttered Asuna and recalling the memory when she and he talked about what they will do in the future. Then she switched to the other picture where Naruto was sleepy and with deadpan eyes. She recalled that time after she took the picture she laughed so hard.
"I don't want to separate from you two. You both are very important to me. I want us to reach our dreams together... I am weak I couldn't protect what my path. Not like Kirito-kun or Naruto. I was only be a warrior in that world. But Lightning Flash Asuna of KotBO is gone. The real me is powerless..."
Suddenly she widens her eyes when she recalled one phrase Naruto said.
"If you are once a swordsman then you will stay like that forever. It didn't matter whether in virtual or real world. You are one and the same person, and even of you want to deny that fact. It won't change"
'All I can is being a swordsman. That fact won't change even if I deny that. Then all I can do now is try my best as a swordsman' thought Asuna with determination blazing in her eyes.
Next day
ALO
Floor 24
Asuna land on the grass field and saw that Kirito is already lying there. He opened his eyes when he felt her presence.
"Yo!" Kirito greeted her.
"It's rare for you to be here first. Did Naruto arrive? I would of think that he won't let such an opportunity skip" asked Asuna
"It happens sometimes. And no, Naruto still hasn't log in yet. He said that Shino-san catch the cold so he will take care of her until the temperature fall down. So he probably will be a little late" answered Kirito.
Asuna then sat next to him and put her head on his shoulder. They stay like that for a while until they heard a sound from the bush behind. They turned back and saw a black rabbit just come out of the bush. Seeing that caused Asuna to recall a certain memory
"Hey, do you remember the first time you visit my room in Selmburg?" asked Asuna.
"I don't mean to brag, but my memory is horrible" replied Kirito and scratch the back of his head sheepishly." But I do remember that"
"Really?"
"Of course. How could I forget the first time we taste the S-class ingredient? It was so good that just thinking about it, I want to eat it again" replied Kirito.
Asuna narrowed her eyes and puffed her cheeks a little then shoved him in stomach and exclaimed
"Hey, you only remember about food, don't you?"
At that Kirito just laughed and Asuna also joined him. Then they looked at the sky and saw many fairies began to fly to the direction of the giant tree, where Zekken will appear.
"It's almost time. We need to go"
"Asuna, if you are going to fight... No... Nothing... Zekken is strong"
"That I already know. Liz and the girls told me how strong they are. But I still can't believe you lost. You nearly managed to defeat Naruto in his boss mode after all. By the way Leafa told me that you were saying something to them during the duel. What did you ask them?" asked Asuna curiously.
"Um, something was bothering me, when I fought them. I asked 'You are totally living in this world, aren't you'. Zekken just answered with a wordless smile and unleashed Naruto's Phantom Sonic Rush with blinding speed. That speed was even greater than Naruto when I faced him" answered Kirito and also recalled the memory.
"Totally living in this world? You mean they are a heavy user?" asked Asuna
"No" Kirito shook his head then continued "I am not talking about one VRMMO. I felt that Zekken was a product of the full-dive environment itself"
Unknown to them Naruto has just log in and accidentally heard that phrase. He narrowed his eyes and decided to listen silently at their conversation.
"Well, I don't want to give you any preconceived notions. I want you to relax in this world. And... Naruto! Come out and stopped eavesdropping on foreign conversation" said Kirito then turned his head to a certain direction and shouted.
Naruto walked out of his hiding place and scratched his head smiling sheepishly. Suddenly he felt someone glommed him from behind. He glanced back and saw that it was Liz.
"Ya~ It felt so nice to hug my husband like this" Liz said smiling and bury her head to his back. Naruto smiled at her action.
"Naruto-kun, did Sinon-san feel better now? Has her temperature drop?" asked Leafa approaching them.
"Yeah, she feels better now. She will make a totally recover tomorrow." answered Naruto then turn to the couple and said "Enough lovey-dovey for now love birds. We need to go now"
At the giant tree
There were a lot of people gathered there. You could also hear the sound of swords clashing above the tree. The party arrived then looked up and saw the Salamander falling to the ground.
He crash to the ground then brought his hand up and said desperately.
"I surrender. I give up. Resign"
People began to cheer loudly as Zekken defeat yet one more person.
"Wow! That's 67 wins in a row. Can't any one stop her?"
Asuna and Naruto then looked up and saw that the figure was flying down. When Zekken land to the ground. Naruto began to whistle loudly at her appearance. While Asuna just widen her eyes in surprise. Zekken was an average height girl with dark hair that reaches her back and red mischievous eyes.
She bowed down her head at the public and then raised her head and brought the 'V' sign with her hand.
Naruto was snatched to the ear by Liz with deadpanned eyes.
"Why are you staring at her so intently? Huh? Naruto-kun?"
Naruto winced in pain and whined like a baby. He turned to Liz and begged her to release him.
Leafa also narrowing her eyes at Naruto, that cause him to sweat nervously.
Asuna then approached Liz and tapping her shoulder.
"Hey, Liz..."
"What?"
"Zekken is ...a girl!?"
"Huh? Didn't I tell you?" wondered Liz while sweating.
"You didn't" then Asuna realized something and turned to Kirito with a scary expression and asked" Is the reason you lost?...*staring*"
"N-no! I didn't go easy on her because she is a girl. I am serious... At least half way" denied Kirito and waving his hands
Asuna just huffed and turned back.
"I won't be sure of that". Next to her Liz is giggling. Behind her Naruto is giggling too, but that was before Liz turned her deadpan gaze to him. That action caused Naruto to shut up immediately and paled a little.
Back to Zekken, she brought her hands to her mouth and began calling around the public.
"Anyone want to go next?"
Liz shoved Asuna with her elbow and said.
"Hora, go aiready"
"Wait, I need to psychologically prepare" complained Asuna.
"Just get going" said Liz and shoved her forward.
Zekken looked at Asuna for a minute then asked with a smile.
"Onee-san, wanna try?"
"Um.." Asuna was not very sure, but Naruto decided to but in that moment.
"So you are Zekken?" asked Naruto approaching them.
"That's right. Onii-san, do you wanna fight too?"
Naruto smirked and said.
"Yeah, but I have a better idea than a duel"
Zekken cocked her head in curiosity and asked.
"And what is that?"
Naruto smirk became wider as he says two words.
"Battle royal"
Asuna and Zekken blinked in surprise at the idea. Zekken turned to Asuna and asked.
"Is it ok with you, Onee-san?"
Asuna turned to Naruto and saw he was grinning. She turned back to Zekken and shook her head.
"Ok" Zekken snapped her head then made a motion for the two of them to approach.
"So what are the rules for the fight?" asked Naruto.
"Just like standard rules, use anything you like. Magic or items. But I will only use this" said Zekken and put her hand on her sword. "Oh what do you two prefer? Ground or aerial fights?"
Naruto brought his finger and began to tap his chin in thought. He turned to Zekken and said.
"I'd prefer both. As that will not limit our fighting possibility"
Zekken nodded her head and said.
"Yeah, so then we could both ground and aerial fight. Are you two ready?"
When both nodded she began to challenge both to a duel. That created a battle royal. They looked at the invitation and saw that her name is Yuuki. She glanced at Naruto and saw him grinning widely with excitement in his eyes. She then pressed 'Accept', as well as Naruto. And then countdown began. Both of the girls unsheath the swords and stood in a stance. Only Naruto was standing relax and not unsheathing his sword. Yuuki just raised her eyebrow in surprise. Asuna took a deep breath and glanced at both of her opponents a little nervously. When the battle start, Asuna immediately charged at Zekken and began to strike at her. Zekken fall back a little and began to deflect her strikes. Out of nowhere, Naruto appeared with his Kusanagi unsheathed and began to assault them both with battle lust in his eyes. The girls widen their eyes and were forced to defense. Yuuki narrowed her eyes and unleashed Phantom Force with intent to blast Naruto back. But Naruto already disappeared and reappeared at Asuna's right side and slashed at her right side. Asuna reacted immediately and and flew up to avoid the slash. Then she changed her stance and began to rush at Naruto with blind speed. Yuuki saw the chance also use Phantom Sonic Rush at Naruto. Naruto was attacked from both side and with the fast attacks that he couldn't dodge in time. But when the strikes hit he puffed in a black smoke and reappeared behind them.
The girls are already panting heavily, while Naruto still hit breaking a sweat. They both looked at each other and nodded. They decided that they will take care of Naruto first. With that they both began to charge at Naruto and began their assault at him. Naruto was forced to defense. He jumped up in the air and unleashed Ryutsuisen at Yuuki, but Asuna intercept the attack. Yuuki used that chance to flew at Naruto and stabbed Naruto to the shoulder. The teamwork between Asuna and Yuuki was very good, Naruto couldn't react in time and took the hit. He land to the ground and jumped back touching his shoulder, where he was strike. Yuuki and Asuna smiled at began to surround him. They began to flew around him with blurred speed and attack him orderly. Naruto gritted his teeth in frustration then he unleashed Ryukansen: Kogarashi to blast both away.
The girls stood up shakingly then turned the gaze to Naruto with each of their thoughts.
'This onii-chan is a monster or what? My teamwork with that Onee-san is good. But even so he still overpower us'
'So this is Naruto's strength. Now I understand what Kirito-kun felt when facing him. He is too strong'
Then Yuuki and Asuba thought at the same time.
"It's time for me to get serious"
Naruto felt the change of atmosphere then narrowed his eyes and prepared for what is about to unleash. The look in both Asuna and Yuuki eyes changed and they disappeared from his sight. His eyes looking right, left, up and down searching for them. Suddenly, Asuna appeared in his right side with her sword was about to stabbed at him. Naruto managed to somehow avoid the strike, but he was shock at the speed, the dusts were raised up from Asuna's attack. Then Yuuki appeared above him and began to slash at him with such speed that her sword became a blur. Naruto was very shock at their performance, but still somehow managed to retreat safely. He took a deep breath then looked at both of his opponents.
'Wow, never knew Nee-san is this strong. Also their teamwork is flawlessly like they already know each other for years. If I don't get serious now then I will list for certain. Ok, enough holding back'
With that Naruto took a deep breath and the air around him began to became colder. The battle lust coming from him in waves while his eyes are glowing.
The audience began to sweat nervously. Asuna and Yuuki also felt that and they began to sweat as well.
Naruto snapped his eyes at the both of them and disappeared. He then reappeared and use Ryukansen: Tsumuji at both of them. The girls gritted their teeth and try their hardest to deflect but still received some hits. Naruto junped back then shoved his sword to the ground and unleashed Doryusen. Asuna used Quadruple Pain to deflect the debris, while Yuuki use Phantom Force to blast them away. Naruto disappear again and reappeared behind them then used Ryusosen. Yuuki was forced to unleash her OSS to save Asuna from taking the hits. But Naruto smirked as his attack didn't not just end there. Naruto unleashed a battle cry and unleash his own OSS, Final Requiem. And thus the girls earned all 40 hit of the skill and lose the fight.
Yuuki widen her eyes as she lied at the ground. She was still shock at the skill she just experience. She thought that her Mother's Rosario was the skill with the most combo hits, but now she just witness the skill of 40 hits combo.
Asuna also lied on the ground tiredly looking at the sky.
'Wow, I witness two OSS today. Zekken's skill was amazing. But Naruto's just out of this world. Who the heck could defeat him with a skill like that, huh?'
Naruto took a deep breath then looked around and saw the crowd was too silent. His was about to say something when the crowd began to cheer loudly.
"Did you see that?"
"Yeah, Naruto-sama has just unleashed his OSS. And it was... Wow. I couldn't find a word to describe that skill"
"And I thought that Zekken's OSS was am ultimate skill. What I just saw just... mind blowing"
Yuuki stood up and began to approach Naruto. She was about to give Naruto her OSS, but Naruto deny and said
"I come here to fight a strong opponent. Just keep that skill to yourself. After all, you need a trump card to defeat bosses, right?"
Yuuki smiled in gratefulness and said.
"Woah! Onii-san, how are you that strong? Even when I double-team you with Onee-san over there, couldn't do much damage to you. Also you somehow managed to avoid practically all my skills"
"That is because those skills belong to me not long ago. But don't put yourself short, if I don't know about those skills. I would have a much harder time fighting you" said Naruto with a smile.
Yuuki smiled at him then turned to Asuna who stood up.
"Yosh! I've decided to take both of you"
With that she took both Naruto and Asuna's hand and began to fly up. Kirito and the girls call out their names, but Yuuki just keep dragging them away.
When they flew to a certain distance, Yuuki turned to both of them and bowed her head then said.
"Please... Help us"
"Help... us?" wondered Asuna cocking her head aside. Naruto also blinked in surprise at the request.