08/25/2016
Those Who Endure
Chapter 9: Rivals Appear
"Aaaahhhh~"
The sound of smacked lips lightly echoed the hallway as a tired Naruto walked down the stairs, his bed hair blocking most of his eyesight. His shriveled and slightly smelly clothes wrinkled with each step until he entered the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, pulling out the half-full milk carton.
"…" Naruto stared at it before he shrugged and drank the entire carton. "Ahh~" He exclaimed in relief as he put the empty carton back inside the refrigerator. "That hits the spot." Upon closing it and getting something in his stomach, the fully awake Naruto noticed a note on the door. "What's this?"
Naruto, your father and I will be at the doctor's office for my monthly appointment. We're also going to the university where the chairman of the history department is hosting a big banquet for us. Stay safe and don't trash the house like last time. AVOID THE COFFEE! Love you though~
Despite the sweat-drop, Naruto chuckled before he exploded in full-blown laughter with his arms high in the air.
"I HAVE THE HOUSE TO MYSELF!"
"Why are you always so loud?!" A voice called out from outside. The perplexed Naruto walked to and opened the door to find an annoyed Crow with bags under his eyes. "Hey~"
"Dude… you look bad."
Crow rolled his eyes as Naruto let him inside the house and sat on the couch. "Don't remind me. Yusei and Bruno were up all last night and their talking kept me from my beauty sleep." He tensed at the slip of the tongue and saw Naruto holding back a giggle. "Don't tell anyone I said that."
"Can't make that promise." Naruto answered with a teasing grin. Crow scowled at him. "You want anything?"
"Got any cereal?"
Naruto smiled at the Signer as he put two bowls on the countertop. "I have something even better." When Crow saw what his blonde friend put in the bowls, he smirked at the challenging Spellcaster Duelist.
"Oh you're on."
Naruto placed the two bowls on the table that was in the center of the living room while he turned on the television with the remote. He and Crow grabbed their respective bowls full of delicious food before they sniffed its aroma and began eating its content.
Their little haven from the outside world was bliss.
Until…
"Hey! I was watching that!" Naruto complained when Crow used the remote and changed the channel.
Crow sent him an incredulous look. "Really? Andrew Zimmerman? His shows aren't—" He was cut by Naruto's chopsticks that threatened to poke his eyes out.
"Don't you dare say anything bad about him! He brought us knowledge about other cultures from around the world."
"With food."
"Exactly! Within each episode are history that can be expressed only through food. A culture that was passed down through generations and generations." Naruto shouted with faux tears at the majesty that is Andrew Zimmerman and his culinary knowledge.
A sweat-drop slid down the former Enforcer's head as he deadpanned at the blonde.
"Riiiigghhhttt~" Crow drawled out before he stayed to one channel that had one of his favorite shows airing on now. "Sweet! Spongebob Squarepants is on!"
"Cool!" Naruto cried out with excitement since it was the one with Spongebob and Patrick playing mini-golf inside the former's house in a torrential storm. He and Crow then laughed hilariously when Squidward woke up to find Patrick about to hit him with his club. "Aw~ I love this show!"
"Me too!"
A yelp turned their hands between them and they saw a fox wagging its tail, content as it watched the show on the television set. Instantly, a startled Crow scurried off the couch and fell to the ground. Naruto and the fox shared a glance before looking at Crow who just stood up with a comedic bump on his head.
"What is that?!" Crow pointed his finger at their direction.
"It's cereal." Naruto raised his bowl to emphasize his answer, confused by his friend's reaction.
The annoyed Crow shook his head before he redirected his finger at the fox specifically. "What is that?! As in what is it doing here in your house—in your living room—Naruto?!"
"What this?" Naruto picked up the remote. The fox seemed to giggle at the blonde's friend's annoyed reaction. "It's a remote. You use it—"
"I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FOX ON YOUR COUCH YOU IDIOT!" Crow shouted at the top of his lungs as he finally had it with a huge tick mark as an angry vein pulsed visibly.
Naruto's face took on a realization while suppressing the urge to laugh so hard at Crow's reaction. "I found this fox last night on the roof. She had injuries on her body and I cleaned and bandaged them before I took her in my room to sleep for the night." Naruto answered as the fox gently nuzzled her head against his thigh.
"Why?"
"'cause she's cute!" Naruto pointed at the fox which barked in response. He then looked at her oddly. "Although I wasn't expecting her to still be here in the morning. Hey…" The fox looked up at the blonde inquisitively. "Do you… want to stay here?"
The fox stayed silent for a moment before it licked Naruto's cheek as it barked happily.
"That's great!" Naruto chuckled with a grin that matched the furry creature. That's when he noticed something else about his new companion. "Your wounds… have they healed already?" He inspected while taking off the bandages and found the wounds had completely healed overnight. "Very suspicious." Naruto muttered to himself before grinning. "Or very cool!"
A deadpanned Crow felt a sweat drop from his head as Naruto played with the happy fox by throwing it in the air and catching it joyfully. This is the guy who beat Ghost and one of those Yliaster guys?
"Crimson Dragon help us all." Crow spoke as he looked up to the ceiling.
TWExTWExTWE
Neo Domino Duel Academy
"What is this?" Naruto asked annoyed, his left eye twitching.
Surrounding him was a big ring consisting of his most persistent challengers with their activated Duel Disks and no gaps were exposed between themselves. Naruto sighed loudly at his misfortune and ignored the funny faces Leo and Luna was sending him from outside the ring.
Diana and Akiza giggled behind their hands at their friend's annoyed expression. Their daily lives never ceased to be this amusing when Naruto's around.
"Oh Naruto. How your misfortune is pleasure to us," Akiza said, smirking behind her hand. Naruto was seething while his teeth gnashed against each other as steam exuded out of his nose and ears at this time.
"That's it!" Naruto shouted in annoyance with his arms raised in the air. "ATTACK!" With speed earned from martial arts training, Naruto ran around the outside of the ring while he knocked out the challengers with quick chops to the necks. With a huff, Naruto fixed his jacket as he walked along with his snickering friends.
"Mr. Ea!"
Flinching at his name being called as he stopped in place, Naruto turned around to see the principal with an amused smile. He chuckled nervously while Akiza, Diana and the twins left him behind. "W-what can I do for you, Principal?"
"Have a walk with me."
"Eh? O-OK." Naruto stuttered a little before he followed the principal in stride. The two walked across the campus and into the principal's office as the latter took a seat while Naruto stood in front of his desk. "So…what was it you want to talk about? Whatever you think I did, I didn't do it." Naruto said rapidly while whistling nonchalantly as sweat cascaded down his person.
"And by what are you referring? Perhaps that incident regarding the football club whose equipment was covered JIF Peanut Butter three weeks ago?" The principal queried with a knowing tilt, smirking at the blonde's sudden stiff body.
"No…" Naruto replied rather meekly.
"I'll let it slide since I too enjoy a good prank."
The blonde's head snapped to the grinning principal in surprise. "A fellow prankster?!" He gulped a little since first-hand experience tells him to never mess with a tenured prankster. "I-I still don't know what you're talking about, though."
"Of course you don't." The principal answered with a knowing smirk before it turned jovial. "Although I have a favor to ask of you."
Naruto blinked at the nonchalant tone. "What is it?"
"You see, an old friend of mine is sending his daughter here to attend school."
"Another transfer student? I'm starting to feel I'm in a cliché of a manga series." Naruto pondered with a sweat-drop. "Okay, what does this have to do with me?"
"I want you to pick and take her to her family's apartment here in Neo Domino City."
"EH?!"
"Is there a problem?" The principal asked the shocked Naruto who quickly composed himself as he coughed behind his fist.
"A-are you sure about that? There are other students whom I think are more qualified for this than me."
"That's true." The older man chuckled at the downtrodden Naruto whose slump shoulders is a sign of his hurt pride. "But you have something the other students do not possess." Naruto's head perked up when he mentioned this mysterious trait.
"What is it?" Naruto asked with a tilt of his head.
The principal smiled at the blonde as he placed his hand on the latter's shoulder. "You're friendly and won't try to hit on her."
"Eh?"
TWExTWExTWE
Neo Domino Port
Leaning against Kurama, Naruto waited before the vast, open blue sea whose salty smell filled the atmosphere while the waves crashed against the pier and the harbor.
While he was waiting for his guest to arrive, Naruto noticed something else that had bothered him since this morning. "How long you've been in there?" He looked over his shoulder at his backpack whose latch popped open to reveal the fox's head as it barked softly. "Before I left?" Another bark followed by a yip soon came after. "I guess you're right. My mom would've freak out when she sees you. Come to think of it, she did mention one time of wanting to have fox for dinner."
The fox had a tick mark above her eye before it bit his hand.
"GGGAAAHHHH!"
A teary Naruto held his hand tightly as he rubbed it while the fox smirked behind his back. When he turned around with a glare, his furry companion looked innocent a second later.
"Why you!" He stopped when the fox's eyes were brimmed with tears and a small whimper escaped its snout. "Ooohhh~ You're lucky you're cute." Naruto muttered reluctantly as the fox climbed onto his shoulder and licked his cheek, bringing a smile from the blonde. "Anyway where is this boat of hers?"
"Um…mister?"
Blue eyes turned around and saw a young girl with light brownish hair and a strand hanging out in front of face. She was wearing a navy blue sailor outfit, a common clothing for children in elementary school. Her green eyes piercing through him as tears began streaming from them.
"Uh! What's wrong, little one?" Naruto looked around for her parents before his eyes were on the little girl again. "Where are your parents?"
"I-I-I don't know! We were getting off the boat and… and…" The girl couldn't hold it in as she began crying, her wails loudly throughout the port.
The nervous Naruto raised his placating hands as he tried to calm her down. "I-It's okay. I'm sure your parents are out looking for you too." He smiled when the girl's crying slowly ceased after his fox friend jumped from his shoulders and licked her hand. "There… are you feeling better?"
"A little." She admitted while wiping away her tears. Curious beseeching her, she slowly raised a hand to the fox before petting it. A smile etched her lips when the fox purred on her touch as it nuzzled its face against her hand. "Can I hold her?"
Naruto shared a look with the fox before he nodded. "Sure."
"Yay!" The little girl squealed while hugging the furry fox.
"What's your name?"
"My parents told me to never tell anyone my name."
An amused eyebrow rose in response. "I see. Smart, your parents are." Naruto said, "My name is Naruto Ea. Come on, let's take you to the nearest police station."
"Okay." She soon saw an extended hand in front of her before looking up to find a grinning Naruto.
"It's okay. I won't let anything happen to you."
The girl felt the fox trying to tell her to trust her owner with a couple of yips and barks. Eventually she relented with a smile as she accepted the blonde's hand. Naruto then placed the girl atop Kurama's seat to make her more comfortable as she carried the fox in her arms.
"Comfy?"
"Yes!" The girl answered happily as she giggled and stared in awe at the ocean on her elevated position. Naruto smiled at her as he continued pushing his Duel Runner towards the port's security office.
TWExTWExTWE
"USHIO!"
"MOMMY!"
Naruto watched the young girl named Ushio run towards her mother and father who held her so tightly in their arms. Ushio must have gotten her looks from her mother because they have a striking resemblance except that she's a lot taller and had brownish-red hair. She was wearing a white sundress with a white hat to cover her face from the sun. As for her father, he had light blue, brown eyes and the aura of a former delinquent. He was wearing a light green shirt with brown shorts and matching sandals.
Inside the station were the content expressions of the security officers and Port Authority. It was days like this that make their jobs so worthwhile, especially if it was reuniting a family together.
After kissing her daughter several times, Ushio's mother looked up at the blonde. She then carried Ushio into her arms as she and her husband walked toward Naruto. "Thank you so much for bringing our daughter to us."
"It was no problem." Naruto answered with a grin that matched the fox's own on his shoulder.
"Now… officers arrest him."
"Eh?"
It wasn't only him. Some of the officers were confused and surprised while most of them stared at the blonde incredulously.
"W-why?" Naruto asked the parents.
"You came into this station with our daughter. How do we know that you didn't do something to her?" asked Ushio's father.
"Unbelievable!" Naruto gritted his teeth before he exhaled to calm himself down. His temper wasn't going to help him here. "I was waiting by Port Three to pick up someone from America." One of the station desk officers perked up before he stood up.
"Do you by any chance know the name of the vessel?"
Ushio and her family and Naruto looked at the man before the latter answered, "Yeah. It's called the Triton's Command."
"I see. You're the one old man Nekota sent."
"Nekota?" Naruto repeated in confusion with imaginary question marks above his head. He then realized that it was the man who sent him here. "You mean the principal?!" He shouted in shock as his mind instantly imagined the principal with cat ears. "Weird image."
"Yep!" The sergeant looked at the curious family. "Mr. and Mrs. Okazaki, this young man here is on an errand from Neo Domino Duel Academy on behalf of its principal."
"R-Really?" The parents said lowly before their daughter spoke next.
"Mommy. Daddy. I was lost around the port and I found brother Naruto near his bike, waiting for someone. Did he do something bad?" Ushio asked since she was confused by the way her parents treated him moments ago.
Her parents looked at each other before her mother answered her. "No, he didn't do anything wrong." She smiled at Ushio before looking at Naruto. "We apologize for our behavior. It's just—"
Naruto waved it off casually. "I don't blame you and your husband for reacting the way you did." He spoke in a reassuring tone. "After all the world is a dangerous place for anyone. If I ever have a child of my own…" A glint gleamed in his eyes as imaginary flames appeared around the blonde. "I wouldn't let any of them out of my sight for a second!"
"Speaking of that, Triton's Command had just arrived in Port Three."
"Crap!" Naruto ran out of the station and got unto Kurama before leaving for the port.
"…"
"…He's got spirit. That's for sure."
"Bye-bye, Naruto!" Ushio shouted giddily with waving arms from being carried in her mother's embrace.
TWExTWExTWE
(Two Hours Later)
Yusei's Garage, Fountain Plaza
"Hey guys, take a look at this!"
Everyone including Naruto and Diana who had just arrived from school looked at Leo and Luna who barged through the door. Judging by the looks on their faces, they were really excited about something.
"We've been invited to the Grand Prix party!"
"And?" A bored Crow asked after he handed Bruno a wrench. They were just working on another new engine prototype but with the completed program Bruno and Yusei had just finished the night before.
"And we can take guests there." Leo said, trying to convince them to come.
Jack sent them an unpersuaded look. "So?"
"With a free all-you-can-eat buffet." Luna finished with a smile.
Instantly, the heads of Naruto, Crow and Jack snapped at them with an audible crack that made everyone else think if they'd just cracked their necks. They cringed upon seeing drooling waterfalls from the trio's mouths.
"Ew~" Leo, Luna, Akiza and Diana shouted in disgust while Yusie chuckled at their reactions.
"WE MUST GO!" Naruto, Crow and Jack shouted with fire in their eyes. They looked at the now terrified twins. "WHERE IS THE PARTY?!"
"I-In…I…In T-Tokyo."
And just like they were fired up, their attitudes instantly deflated as they fell to their knees with slumped shoulders.
"Forget it."
"Come on. We don't want to go by ourselves!" Leo pleaded the downtrodden boys.
"But it's a six-hour ride to Tokyo." Crow whined about the travel. "I don't want to go there, stay a few minutes and then come back. It's an entire day wasted honestly."
"Hold on there… This might be a great opportunity here actually." Naruto said, drawing everyone's attention as he smirked. "Lately I'd heard there were going to be new products released in Tokyo in a couple days…" He looked at Yusei with a knowing smirk. "Products like Duel Runner parts and new cards as well."
"New parts?" Jack stuttered a little.
"Cards?" Luna repeated in excitement.
The smirk grew in length as Naruto looked at his friends. "And the best of all: if the banquet turns out to be a bust, I can take you guys to the best food around in Tokyo!"
The Signers, Diana and Leo couldn't help but feel intrigued. "What's it called?" asked Diana curiously.
"Restaurant Yukihira."
"It sounds like a diner."
"That's because it is a diner." Naruto answered back.
"Pass." Crow and Jack said at the same time, forcing Naruto to pull out the big guns.
"Oh well. That's a shame, especially since you won't be able to eat Yukihira's delicious Transforming Furikake Gohan." Naruto opened one eye and saw he got everyone's attention once more. He spoke again in the same nonchalant tone. "You're not gonna to be able to taste the delicious, melting aspic as it covered the small egg curds and the golden brown, crispy chicken wings that had been saute in sesame oil."
Both Jack and Crow gulped while Yusei and Bruno unconsciously drooled a little at the edge of their mouths. The images of the described food hovered within everyone's mind as Naruto continued with another delicious menu item with each description making the images and their hunger bigger and clearer by the second.
"All right! Let's go!" The Tail and Wings Signer along with the twins shouted in excitement.
Diana giggled at their reactions before she looked at the grinning Naruto who then asked Yusei to check on Kurama. That's when she finally noticed the white fox on his shoulder. "When did he get a fox?" She asked herself. Apparently she spoke loud enough since Akiza and the twins saw the fox as well.
Their staring was quickly cut when Bruno shouted in surprise and shock. Everyone was startled by the pacifist and gifted mechanic who held a laptop for Internet surfing before he showed the object that caused his reaction.
"Tama no Ya…destroyed?" Naruto repeated the article's headliner in shock like his friends.
TWExTWExTWE
Uchiha Mansion, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Sitting in his seat with a deep frown, Fugaku was watching the news after his lead agent informed him about it. The television was showing the highlights of an incident in Neo Domino Beach regarding the destroyed Tama no Ya restaurant and several deaths within said building.
"…"
The current Uchiha head rose from his seat and turned around to look through his panoramic view where he could see a clear view of the majestic snow-covered city. "The men didn't capture her."
"Yes. Although during the scuffle, some of the men managed to wound her and—"
"There is no 'and'!" Fugaku said firmly and slightly louder, silencing the man. "Three generations of searching! Gone! And now she's in the wind! We've lost the only chance to bolster our might."
The lead agent stayed silent until it was permissive for him to speak. "But sir, your family are blessed by the gods themselves. Why the rush—better yet the need—to find and use this fox?"
"It'd be best to cease the questions, Mr. Ryu." Fugaku slightly glanced over his shoulder. "For your own good and your family."
"Y-Yes sir."
"Onto our second agenda." Fugaku said, referring to the one who is currently a threat to his family.
"Of course. The target had left Neo Domino City and was last seen heading east, most likely to his old hometown."
"Tokyo." Fugaku guessed correctly as Ryu nodded in confirmation. "What business would he have there?"
"We have no idea at the moment, but we are working on it."
"Very well. You are dismissed, Mr. Ryu." With a bow, his lead agent left him alone in his room to ponder his thoughts. "Naruto Ea. He and his friends were seen at the fox's restaurant. Are they her allies or worse…her servants?" Many theories come and go through his mind before he shook his head. "I hold no ill will to the boy, but as long as he holds Dark Magician in his deck, fate will repeat itself."
His train of thought was interrupted by the ringing of his phone on his deck. With a slight groan at the idea of it being one of his relatives begging him to come to their ancestral home for the upcoming winter holidays, Fugaku answered the phone professionally.
"Hello. Fugaku Uchiha here." His eyes widened slightly when he recognized the caller's voice. "Senzaemon? What do I owe you the pleasure of this call?"
"Fugaku, I have a proposition for you. One that will benefit both your family and Totsuki Academy."
It was rare for the both heads of the two families to talk to each other. They'd only meet each other in private parties that includes both the culinary and Duel Monsters worlds. Fugaku would consider his and Nakiri's relationship be that of associates…distant associates due to differing philosophies regarding Totsuki Academy one time in the past.
"Do tell."
TWExTWExTWE
(Six Hours Later)
Tokyo, Japan
"Yes…Yes…Yes…I understand. No, we're probably going to spend the night there. I know I have to avoid coffee." Naruto spoke exasperatedly. His mother would never let him live that particular incident down for the rest of his life. "Yes, yes, I love you too. We'll be back by tomorrow. Bye, I love you and dad and my baby sister."
Naruto sighed under his helmet's visor as he rode past the final sign that said 'Welcome to Tokyo Metropolitan'. There were a lot of things to worry about like getting a girlfriend, paying bills and rent, and a family. However, there was one thing that he was worried.
Tamamo and her restaurant.
"Who would destroy a woman's restaurant? I just hope Tamamo and her staff are all right?" Naruto thought before speaking aloud to him-self. "Of course this road trip wouldn't be so boring if everyone came along now, but thanks to that text message…." Naruto groaned while rubbing his stiff shoulders. "But Soma said it was an emergency."
The planned trip to go with his friends to Tokyo had been altered since Soma had sent him a Code Blue-Alpha. It was one of the codes he, Soma and Kuroko came up with when they were little and dealt with a group of bullies during elementary school. Code Blue-Alpha was for one of them being in immediate danger by an unknown force and they need assistance immediately.
Back then, Naruto was the muscle of the trio when growing up while Soma was the cheeky oddball and Kuroko was the pacifist but he held within himself a devastating side that had come out once. Since that day, both Naruto and Soma made sure to not anger Kuroko for the rest of their lives.
"Now where is this place?" Naruto pulled Kurama to the curb and stopped a nearby man who held groceries in his arms. "Uh, excuse me."
"Yes?"
"Do you know where Totsuki Academy is?" The man instantly turned pale and dashed like Usain Bolt at the Olympics away from him.
The blinking and confused Naruto tilted his head as the man disappeared from his sight. His eyes looked around and saw the neighboring store clerks and restaurant chefs retreating inside their own work of business.
"Was it something I said?"
TWExTWExTWE
"Damn~ I can see why the people were so scared when I mentioned this place. I can't believe Soma's been attending this school for the past six months."
Naruto, with shocked eyes, stared at the landscape before him. He was expecting a modest culinary institute like the ones he and his parents visited during their excavation trips, but this place was off the hook! In front of him were large wooden gates accompanied between stone walls as the kanji sign 'Totsuki Tea Ceremony and Cooking Academy' hung vertically on one of the frames.
But that wasn't the capper.
It was the huge up-hills that resembled large mountains with various buildings of different height statures being visible from the ground level. The peaks could not be seen due the clouds and the slight mist hovered just above one particular building. All in all, this place was intimidating.
Naruto couldn't help but gulp in nervousness. It happens to everyone, even him!
"Guess we should knock then, huh." Naruto spoke to his passenger in his zipped jacket. Out popped was the head of his new friend whom he dubbed Tammy. "You okay in there?" Tammy gave a small lick to his chin as her answer. "Good to know. Well, time to get this over with."
After getting an extensive security check and the 'okay' from someone called the 'Food Demon King' muttered by one of the guards, Naruto rode Kurama at a leisure pace as he and Tammy gazed the deceptive vast lands that hid behind the gates. There were trees, grass and ponds everywhere without signs of destruction and contamination from urban life.
It took three hours in the end, but Naruto finally made it to his destination and he was in for another surprise. "This is where he's living?!" It was a large and rather run down Western-styled dormitory with three stories as it was covered from roof to ground by vines and tree roots. "This suddenly reminds me of Stephen King and 'The Shining'."
Opening and closing the gate, Naruto parked Kurama next to the steps as Tammy climbed and sat atop his head for comfort while he fixed his headband. He then knocked a few times and waited for someone to answer. No one came. A tick mark appeared on his forehead as he was about to slam his fist into the door until he heard crashing within the building.
"Help!"
"Someone's in trouble!"
With a strong push of his shoulder, Naruto burst opened the door and ran towards where he heard another call for help. It was the kitchen and he stood there at the sight before him. A petite girl with long dark blue hair in two braided ponytails and a flower hairpin on the right side of her hair as she wore a simple blue blouse. Her yellow colored eyes were brimming with tears as she backed away from someone who was putting the fear in her.
That someone was none other than…
"Soma! No!"
"Come on Megumi. Just try my new recipe, peanut butter-covered grilled octopus!" An evil-looking Soma pleaded deviously with a comedic black aura as he held said octopus with a pair of chopsticks. He had short, spiky red hair with golden eyes and a small scar on his left eyebrow as he wore his family's gray t-shirt and black pants while a white bandanna was tied to his left wrist.
His attitude quickly changed when he felt an oppressive and familiar aura inside the kitchen. Megumi felt it as well and looked to the entrance where a whisker-marked and seething blonde was glaring daggers into the frightened Soma who slowly backed away.
"Soma…" Naruto muttered venomously in growing anger with his bangs covering his eyes as his headband fluttered in mid-air. Soma gulped nervously and sweated bullets when his childhood friend lifted his head and revealed glowing red eyes within his darkened bangs. "What. Are. You. Doing?"
"N-Naruto? W-what are yo—"
"DON'T IGNORE THE QUESTION!" Naruto shouted with fury as he delivered a high, flying kick at the cook and sent him sliding across the kitchen while scaring Megumi of the action. He then quickly flipped Soma on his stomach, sat on his back and pulled his legs towards himself. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THAT POOR GIRL?!"
"N-nothing! OW!"
"Nothing you say?!" Naruto repeated before he pulled a little and a yelp of pain came from Soma's mouth. "It sure looks like you were forcing one of your disgusting failures of dishes onto her!"
"I—I—"
"You've chosen a new victim since I moved away and you think it was okay?! Not anymore! I refuse to let someone else become victim to your failed dishes!" Naruto decreed, expecting an answer from Soma. When he didn't, the blonde looked back and saw his cooking friend laying there with foam at the edge of his mouth. "Oh he passed out. That'll teach him a lesson."
The terrified Megumi stared at the blonde as he released Soma's legs and rose up before putting the latter against the wall next to to her. There were many things going through her mind, but one thought stuck to her. Soma shoved those horrible dishes to somebody other than her before? Who are they?
"Are you okay?" Megumi was into her thoughts that she didn't noticed that he crouched in front of her. She finally realized and screamed a little, scaring the blonde. "Whoa! Whoa! Hold on there. I'm not gonna hurt you."
She pointed at the unconscious Soma. "B-But you hurt Soma."
"Because you were about to be his victim of his disgusting dishes and I wasn't going to let that happen." Naruto answered truthfully, surprising Megumi.
"Wait… you mean…are you—" The blonde nodded grimly and Megumi suddenly hugged him, surprising Naruto greatly. "Ah~ I finally found someone who knows my pain!"
Naruto's eyes widen at the stipulation and held Megumi at arms length, his hands on her shoulders. "Hold on. You mean to tell he already…" He got a sad, confirming nod from her and screamed as he fell to his knees with a literal depressed cloud. "I FAILED!" An annoyed Naruto looked at the stirring Soma and grabbed his collar before he started to shake him viciously. "Wake up, Soma!"
His demeanor quickly changed to a casual and happy one as he looked at the girl. "I'm Naruto Ea, by the way. A Duelist and this laid-back idiot's childhood friend." He stopped the shaking to point at the fox on his head. "And this is Tammy." He resumed the shaking.
The girl couldn't help but giggled at Soma's predicament before she introduced herself. "I'm Megumi Tadokoro, a chef."
"Pleasure to meet you, Megumi!" Naruto answered with his infectious grin, causing her to grin back as well.
TWExTWExTWE
"I trust you found your way here to be pleasing?" One of the Totsuki attendants/employees asked as he guided his charge to one of their rooms. He got no answer from the black hooded teenager before he opened the door and gestured him to enter. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call for me."
When the teenager closed the door and walked to one of the four long panel windows, he stared out into the grounds that is Totsuki Academy. The internationally famous academy that is so brutal only 10% of its students graduate at their third year, but it was those graduates who'd become renowned stars in the culinary world across the globe.
He should know. His mother was an alumnus years ago and she married his father two years after graduation because of love instead of the usual political motive between prestigious families.
Excitement filled him throughout the entire ride across Japan's countryside because of the upcoming duel against the Dark Magician user. He'd heard stories about the legendary King of Games and his Dark Magician against strong opponents, but the most exciting rivalry was against Seto Kaiba and his Blue Eye White Dragon. There was simply no better rivalry than this.
And he has the chance to relive that rivalry.
"Father told me he'd be in Tokyo. I'll search for him once the ceremony is done."
The hooded boy pulled out his deck and looked at it as he felt an incredible energy surging from it to his entire body.
"Soon. Soon."
Little does he know that he was about to get what he wanted sooner than expected.
TWExTWExTWE
"Please tell me you're joking."
"Sadly I'm not."
"Really?"
"Yes."
A solemn Soma and the nervous Megumi watched Naruto as he turned pale and fell to his knees in absolute devastation. His arms went slack as he shouted to the skies.
"NNNNNOOOOOO~"
Luckily there was no one passing to watch the embarrassing moment as the two cooks tried to snap their blonde friend out of his depression.
Finally, he stopped while his head leaned forward a little. "It can't be. Restaurant Yukihira…is…closed." Naruto whined as tears dripped from his eyes to the ground.
"I know it sucks, but I can still cook the menu items and I learned a bunch of new stuff while here in Totsuki. I can enhance the Beef Stew with new ways to cook it." Soma mentioned casually. Instantly Naruto got up, completely devoid of his previous emotions as fire blazed in his eyes.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"…YAY!" Naruto threw his arms up in the air as he does a victory dance around his friends. Megumi couldn't help but giggled as she clapped at the blonde. Eventually he stopped before continuing to push Kurama while Tammy was sitting on the seat. "So how is this place?"
"It's fun but brutal too." Soma answered a little tired.
Naruto tilted his head in response. "How so?" It was Megumi who answered.
"Three weeks ago, we came from the training camp. It was so scary and intense with many cooking assignments along with accidents that are common in the kitchen." Megumi shook a little on the spot but maintained her composure. "When we began the camp, there were 980 of us and in the end, 628 passed."
His eyes widening, Naruto whistled at the number of dropouts. "352 students dropped out? Man, that is intense."
"Yeah…." Both Soma and Megumi shuddered at the memories.
It wasn't long until Naruto realized something else that was important. The message that brought him here.
"Hey Soma." Said kid looked at him. "What's the problem?"
"Huh?"
"You sent me an Alpha-Blue." Naruto hesitantly said upon seeing the confused Soma. He took out his phone and showed the text to the red-head. "See?"
"Oh~"
"Oh? What 'oh'?" Naruto asked incredulous as Soma looked sheepish.
"I—I was pretty out of it when I sent that text." Soma answered as Megumi looked nervous again after seeing Naruto's left eye twitched.
"What?"
"I didn't mean to sent the text but—"
"SOMA!"
"I'M SORRY!"
"Please stop!" Megumi shouted in vain as a peeved Naruto held the crying Soma in a chokehold.
TWExTWExTWE
(One Hour Later)
"This place is huge!"
"Yep. It amazes me how the academy is seriously loaded."
Megumi chuckled sheepishly at the childish attitudes displayed by the childhood friend. Despite the short time, she's come to enjoy Naruto's presence here at the academy. Like Soma, he has a cheery attitude and boastful although slightly cocky spirit and always look at the bright side.
What was standing before in its majesty was the Shokugeki Arena: a grand hall where many of the infamous battles between cooks are commenced. These battles are called Shokugeki. The rules of a Shokugeki is absolute like offering one's cooking career as a condition and if that person loses, he/she must follow it to the end.
And her friend Soma had already won a Shokugeki after he transferred.
It was here that the Totsuki Autumn Elections will be held as well to determine who will be the next Elite 10 Council.
After parking Naruto's Duel Runner outside, the trio entered the stadium and the blonde was even more shocked by the size of it. This place was big enough to have a stage with culinary furniture in the middle that were off to the sides and five rows of audience seats. Atop near the ceiling were the VIP room as mentioned by Megumi.
"This is nuts!" Naruto exclaimed in utter disbelief. He looked up at Tammy on his head. "Don't you think?" She gave something that resembled a shrug of sorts. "You've seen better?"
He was soon cut when Soma pulled him by the sleeve after Megumi found seats for them. They, like the students, waited for what was going on.
"Wonder why they called us here?"
"They're supposed to start the preliminaries in a couple hours."
"There's no time for this. I need to finish working on my recipes."
After hearing and looking at all the anxious students, Naruto whispered to Soma. "This tournament thing you mentioned must be a big deal, huh?" He received a nod just before the lights went out and a spot light blazed its illumination aboard a ledge in front of the VIP room. In the center of the spotlight was the man in charge of Totsuki Academy.
Senzaemon Nakiri.
"Who's that?" Naruto asked but he was ignored instead, pouting as a result.
"Greetings, students! Welcome to the 43rd Autumn Elections tournament! Those who have passed the training camp and elected by our agents… there are 20 of you. That means they have great vigor the audacity to push cooking boundaries!" The elderly man spoke firmly yet sagely. "I know most of you are confused about your being here, but things are a little different this year. To start off the tournament, I have decided to pick two very interesting parties to perform a great sport."
Small chatter ushered between students before it was silenced when the Food Demon King spoke once more.
"I would like to call up the first party to the stage. He hails from one of the prestigious families in all of Japan and considered a prodigy in the world of Duel Monsters." The Nakiri pointed at his right where the East entrance was located as another spotlight shined on it. "Round of applause to Sasuke Uchiha!"
"Uchiha?!"
"That famous family descended from samurai of the Sengoku period?!"
Naruto and his friends watched as Sasuke emerged from the hallway, basked in the spotlight. His black hair shined with blue had bangs over his face while his brown eyes scanned the audience as he clutched his Alpha Duel Disk that held his deck in the slot. His black clothing slightly reflected the light of the spotlight before he stopped on the edge of the stage.
"And for the second party who will Duel this prodigy is..."
Naruto snorted lightly at Sasuke below at the stage. "As much I want to Duel him, I feel bad for the sucker who has in front of these people."
"Naruto Ea!"
Blinking eyes was his response when a third spotlight shined on his person as Naruto looked at a shocked Soma and Megumi who were staring at him. In fact, everyone's eyes were all on him.
So he only had one appropriate answer for this.
"EEHHHH?!"
"Go on, dude."
"Yeah!"
"Get down there."
At the audience's beckoning, Naruto reluctantly rose from his seat and wen through the hallway to reach the ground level.
"What the hell am I supposed to do now? I wasn't expecting a Duel now! But then again, I'm fighting against a prodigy so that's something." He spoke while not taking notice of his furry fox disappearing into little particles and merged into his deck box. "What do you think Tammy?" He asked just after exiting the hallway and stood on the opposite side of the stage.
When he didn't receive an answer and felt the lack of weight, Naruto looked up and freaked when Tammy was no longer there.
"Tammy, where are you?!" He called out through his cupped hands attached to his mouth.
No answer at all.
"Oi." Blue eyes met brown eyes and a stoic face. "What are you shouting for?"
"For my pet fox. She was just on my head a few seconds ago." Naruto answered inquisitively while rubbing his head. He then took off his backpack and pulled out his Battle City Duel Disk before putting it on. "Eh, I'm sure she'll come back." He faced forward against Sasuke who had just activated his Alpha Duel Disk.
"Let the Duel—"
"Hold on a second!" Naruto suddenly shouted. The entire audience went silent while the Nakiri elder looked at the blonde firmly. "Uh, why are we doing this exactly?"
"…A change in routine as you youngsters say."
Sweat-drops formed on both Duelists as they deadpanned at the elder. "Is he serious?" Both Sasuke and Naruto thought to themselves.
"Let the Duel Commence!"
After tightening his headband, Naruto smirked as he put his deck into the slot before activating his Duel Disk.
"Let's Duel!"
TWExTWExTWE
(Meanwhile)
Fountain Plaza, Neo Domino City
"EH?!"
"W-what?" Leo asked the freaked out duo that is Jack and Crow. They were getting ready to go and meet up with Naruto in Tokyo who had left ahead due to an emergency from his friend.
"I have the feeling we're about to miss out on a great duel!" Crow shouted in vain.
Jack had his hands on his head as if he was trying to get rid of a possession. "This sucks! Where is the amazing Duel going to take place?!"
"This…This is too much." Luna said to her fellow audience as sweat-drops formed on their heads.
"Yep~"
TWExTWExTWE
Shokugeki Arena, Totsuki Academy, Tokyo, Japan
Naruto: 4000 LP
Sasuke: 4000 LP
"I'll go first."
Naruto nodded after drawing his cards as did Sasuke who looked at his hand before making his move.
"I summon to the field Sage with Eyes of Blue (1/ATK-0/DEF-1500) in DEF mode." Sasuke declared as his monster appeared on his field.
A tall man emerged from the summoning portal and crossed his arms with a stoic expression. He was tall while wearing sleek, navy blue/silver chest-plate attached to a loincloth as his arms were covered with armguards while light blue pants were pressed against by the knee guards that went down to his feet. A long navy blue scarf was loosely wrapped around his shoulders while a light blue cape fluttered below as his blue eyes contrasted his long silver/white hair with a braid tied on his right side of the face.
"Whoa." Naruto said lowly, amazed by the new monster he's never seen before as it twirled its black short staff that held a small white wing at its tip with an even small, glowing blue gem in the center. "I've never seen that monster before. So cool!"
Sasuke snorted, much to the blonde's confusion. "Only an idiot gets so excited about a monster on the first move."
"What did you just say?" Naruto asked, incensed by the attitude of this guy.
"You heard me…dope." Sasuke smirked at his opponent's attempt to calm himself by biting on his fist. "I activate my Sage's special effect. When it is Normal Summoned, I can add one Level 1 LIGHT Tuner monster from my deck to my hand. I place two cards facedown. That ends my turn."
A smirk etched the blonde's lips as he drew his next card. "My turn then. I draw!" Naruto looked at his new card and the smirk grew from there. "I summon Silent Swordsman LV3 (3/ATK-1000/DEF-1000) to my field in ATK mode!"
His monster appeared on the field. It was a young child with short, cut darkened blonde hair that covered his right eye as it wore dark purple/blue robe that covered the silver pants while an 'S' buckle closed the robe at the waist. His white glove-covered hands held a small dark blue broadsword with silver edge that was similar in size to him. The theme was the same with the helmet except it had two very sharp 'horns' that faced opposite directions and intersected with each other.
"I place two cards facedown and I activate this! Card Destruction!" Naruto declared as Sasuke looked a little apprehensive at the card. "Now we must discard the cards we have in our hands and redraw the same number of cards."
"I know what the card does. I'm not an idiot like you."
Naruto gritted his teeth at the remark, but chose to show him through Dueling like he always done before. "Well excuse me." He said after drawing two new cards as did Sasuke. "Now I play my facedown card." Naruto pressed the button on his Disk as Sasuke's eyes widened at it.
"Monster Reborn?!"
"That's right! And I'm using it to bring one of the monsters I just discarded." Naruto picked the card from the graveyard slot before he placed it on the Disk's Monster Zone. "Revive to my field, Mystical Elf (4/ATK-800/DEF-2000)!" The blue-skinned elf appeared onto the field while kneeling, signifying her position to be on DEF. "I set one more card and call it a day here."
"That's it? How anticlimactic." Sasuke said in his usual smug and disappointing tone. "My draw!" He put the card in his hand before picking the one he drew through his Sage's effect. "I summon Maiden with Eyes of Blue (1/ATK-0/DEF-0) in DEF mode."
Naruto's eyes widened when a pale-skinned young woman with flowing and long white hair that had several tiny, long braids as they reached her ankles. She was wearing a beige dress that had two white dragon look-alikes sewn into it while her white necklace had the acronym 'BE' as a thin brown bandana was around her head.
"Beautiful." The blonde muttered lowly as the female monster looked at him with her deep blue eyes.
"I end my turn with another facedown."
"That's it?" Naruto repeated what Sasuke said to him at the beginning of his turn. "My draw!" He placed the new card in his hand before playing the other. "I activate my Silent Swordsman's special ability. During the Standby Phase, I can send him to the Graveyard and Special Summon Silent Swordsman LV5(5/ATK-2300/DEF-1000) in ATK mode."
Both the Maiden and Sage with Eyes of Blue watched with their master as the little swordsman grew in height and had noticeable changes. His clothes were sharper and more lean as his frame grew with muscles and his hair grew longer while the sword increased in length and became completely silver.
"Next I play Pot of Greed! This allows me to draw two new cards." Naruto drew his cards, having a total of three. "What could he be planning? For some reason, he left two of his monsters in DEF mode."
His eyes drifted to the three set cards on Sasuke's field that were behind his monsters.
"He must be planning something with those facedown cards. I have to remain vigilant from here." Naruto thought before making his move. "I call Summoner Monk (4/ATK-800/DEF-1600) in DEF Mode." The bearded monk appeared next to Mystical Elf before he made his next move. "I activate his special ability. By sending a Spell Card to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster to the field from my deck. So take to field, Magician's Valkyria (4/ATK-1600/DEF-1200)!"
Sasuke's eyes widened when the brown haired Spellcaster in the light pink attire appeared next to the recently evolved Silent Swordsman. "That card was in Yugi's deck! How did someone like him get a card like that?!"
"Battle! Silent Swordsman attacks Sage with Eyes of Blue! Silent Slash!" Naruto declared as the audience was starting to get excited at the upcoming battle.
The swordsman jumped into the air and raised his broadsword over his head as he descended rapidly to slice his intended target. The blue-eyed Sage tensed as he lifted his staff, intending to block the incoming attack.
Fortunately, his master had a plan in mind.
"Trap activate! Unified Front!" Sasuke declared while his card activated. "And I'll explain to you on how it works." He smirked at the steaming blonde who looked ready to pop. "By discarding one monster, I can target another monster on the field and its ATK along with DEF becomes the discarded monster's ATK and DEF until the end of this turn. And I choose my Sage with Eyes of Blue!"
The Sage groaned at the intense power-up while its body glowed in a bright white aura as well as shocking Naruto of the increased ATK and DEF values.
Sage with Eyes of Blue (ATK-3000/DEF-2500)
"3000 ATK?!" Naruto shouted in surprise before trying to call out his swordsman. "Hold on!"
"Too late."
He was right.
Silent Swordsman had already clashed against the sudden more powerfully Sage as they briefly struggled for dominance. However, it was the Sage who became the victor as it pushed back the Warrior away and fired a powerful white energy blast reminiscent to the one utilized by a legendary dragon at the stunned opponent.
Naruto: 3300 LP
Sasuek: 4000 LP
"Ugh!" Naruto had his right arm to protect his eyes from the smoke debris that used to be his swordsman. "I end my turn here by setting one card facedown."
"Good, now it's my turn. Draw!" Sasuke looked at his monsters, especially at the Maiden before his eyes rested on Naruto. "By now, my Sage's ATK and DEF had already returned to normal."
Naruto rolled his eyes at the Uchiha. "I'm very flattered about this." He spoke sarcastically.
"Now I summon Kaiser Sea Horse (4/ATK-1700/DEF-1650) in ATK mode." Sasuke and Naruto watched as the former's new monster made its appearance onto the field. It was a dark purple sea horse-like humanoid clad with armor-like scales as it held a sting-ray-like shield in its right hand while a dull gold spear occupied the left. "Now attack his Summoner Monk!"
"Not so fast! My Valkyria's effect forces your monster to attack her instead!"
Sasuke smirked at the blonde's naïve thinking before he said, "That's why I prepared this…" His second facedown card rose to reveal itself. "My Divine Wrath Trap Card!"
"Oh no!" Naruto answered in surprise.
"Yes. When a monster's effect is activated, I can negate it along destroy that monster at the cost of one card." Sasuke discarded the second to last card in his hand. "Say good bye to your monster."
A virtual black cloud formed around the stage, scaring and awing the audience with the effects before streaks of lightning flashed across it. Naruto then braced himself when a powerful lightning bolt struck his Spellcaster, eliciting a cry of pain before she went to the Graveyard. "Sorry, Valkyria. I'll get him back for you, I promise."
"I know you will."
"Now my Kaiser Sea Horse, commence your attack on Summoner Monk"
The blonde grunted as his monster was also sent to the Graveyard before Sasuke ended his turn with a set facedown. His only monster left was his Mystical Elf and her 2000 DEF as his only defense.
"Damn! I've lost three monsters in two turns and he did it like a cakewalk." Naruto felt a bead of sweat slid down his cheek. "Something's off though. He attacked Summoner Monk and it seemed like he didn't know my Magician's Valkyria's special ability, but… that Trap Card said otherwise." He had a serious expression while Sasuke smirked at him. "He knew about her ability and set that specific Trap just for her."
Yet despite of this new revelation, Naruto couldn't stop smiling.
"This is fun."
TWExTWExTWE
"Grandfather…"
"Hm?" Senzaemon looked at his right and saw the voice belong to his granddaughter. "What is it, Erina?"
She was a beauty in all of Totsuki Academy with pink eyes and her honey blonde hair that flowed above the lower back with bangs that partially cross her cheeks and go down to her neck as she wore the Totsuki Academy uniform: a plaid short skirt with dark and light brown along a diagonally striated red violet bow atop a navy blue blazer.
"Forgive my bluntness, but what is the point of having this Duel right before the preliminaries? Our guests are very busy. They—"
"Erina."
"Yes?"
"I understand your concern, but there is a reason for this Duel. Our worlds have been severed."
"Huh?" Erina had to ask after the rhetoric answer. "What do you mean?"
"Long ago there was an unofficial Cold War between Duelists and chefs who wanted to prove that one world or profession was better than the other. No one knows who started this little scuffle and it seemed like it wasn't going to end after each generation since Yugi Muto's time until…" He chuckled at the people who crossed his mind. "They came. One was an alumnus here at Totsuki and the other at the America's Duel Academy, but they crossed paths and fell in love."
Erina was stunned after realizing what he must be referring to. The two legends of both worlds who created an empire that showed it can be done. "You mean them? But they nor their children haven't show their faces in years and their business barely remains afloat nowadays."
"*sigh* That is due to an unfortunate accident in their lives, but now… standing on this stage shines a key to bringing them back to the way they were." Senzaemon answered solemnly.
Erina noticed her grandfather staring at one of VIP rooms and her eyes widen in recognition as well as shock. "They're… they're here. They're acutally here."
"Yes. I sent them an invitation a while back. Honestly, I didn't think they would show up but I'm glad they did." Senzaemon said in a relieved tone as he watched the Duel, his eyes on Naruto. "Come on, boy. Summon him."
"Huh?" Erina looked at her grandfather before she directed her gaze on Naruto as well. "Taking a closer look, he looks like…" Her eyes widen as her mind played several scenarios before she heard something else entirely insane.
"I'M ABOUT TO END THIS DUEL RIGHT NOW!"
TWExTWExTWE
Sasuke couldn't help but chuckled mirthfully at his opponent's decreed as he shook his head. "And how are you going to do that? You only have one Monster on your field, but that won't stay for long on my next turn."
The smirk grew in length as Naruto held the new card in his hand in a teasing gesture.
"With this card." The blonde declared before doing something unexpected. "I end my turn here."
The entire audience face-faulted sans Senzaemon who heartily laughed at the action, even Sasuke who instantly recovered and had a stunned/annoyed expression on his face.
"Don't declare an objective then do something else entirely!"
The smirking blonde shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, increasing his annoyance.
"Whatever. Since you want to lose, I'll end it here with this." Sasuke drew his card and immediately played it. "I activate the Stop Defense Spell Card!"
"Oh crap." Naruto simply said as his Mystical Elf was forcibly switched to ATK mode.
"Now Kaiser Sea Horse, attack his Mystical Elf!"
"That's not going to work because I'm activating this!" Naruto swung his arm in a sweeping gesture before one of his facedowns activated. "Magic Cylinder, block his attack."
"What?"
"This Trap Card reflects your attack back to you while your LP gets pummeled by the equal amount of your monster." Naruto smirked as Kaiser's attack was caught by the red cylinders that appeared behind his Elf and shot a powerful, deep blue blast at Sasuke's LP. He smirked at the Uchiha's displeased look. "And if I recall, your Kaiser's ATK was 1700."
Sasuke: 2300 LP
"Don't get so cocky. I end my turn here."
"Sweet! My draw!" Naruto looked at his new card and smiled at it. "I switch my Mystical Elf to ATK mode." He muttered lowly before shouting, "I activate Dark Magic Veil!"
"Dark Magic Veil?!" Sasuke thought to himself. He'd heard only one Duelist who possessed that card and it was within Seto Kaiba's files about the virtual reality and his last duel with the King of Games. "This means—"
"By paying 1000 LP, I can Special Summon one DARK Spellcaster from my hand or Graveyard!" Naruto declared as his LP dropped to 2300. He then held up the card before placing it on his Disk. "He whose loyalty is never questioned by his king or allies; whose power is unrivaled by those of his peers or foes and protects the innocent; the ultimate master of magic!"
A bright, navy blue intricate magic circle shined around Naruto's feet as it brightened its light, signaling the Spellcaster's arrival.
"Come forth! Dark Magician (7/ATK-2500/DEF-2100)!"
Silence was present as everyone in the audience stared at the blue/purple legendary Spellcaster that had made its appearance alongside the smirking blonde Duelist. However, no one was more shocked than Sasuke and his monsters who actually trembled on the spot by the mere presence of the Magician.
"Battle! Dark Magician attacks Kaiser Sea Horse with Dark Magic Attack!"
All eyes were on the Magician as he jumped into the air before firing a ball of green magic at the purple-shelled monster. Sasuke was still in shock that he didn't react to his monster being destroyed or his LP reduced to 1500.
Then it was broken by a particular chef in the audience.
"Yeah, Naruto! I didn't know you have the Dark Magician, but whooo! Beat his butt!" Soma shouted, excited by the Duel. Not long after, the Totsuki staff and students screamed in excitement as they wanted more from the two Duelists.
"I then play the Spell Card Thousand Knives!" Naruto declared, furthering his opponent's shock. "Since Dark Magician is on the field, I can destroy one monster on your field." He paused for a moment before declaring his attack target. "And I choose your Sage with Eyes of Blue!"
Sasuke stayed silent as his lowered head hid his eyes from public view when literally thousands of knives materialized behind Dark Magician who swung his staff at the Sage and away they went. Again, he didn't react when his monster was skewered by the unknown number of knives that dug into his body before it left for the Graveyard.
Only his Maiden with Eyes of Blue remains as his defense.
"Now Mystical Elf, attack his Maiden with Eyes of Blue with Holy Light!" Naruto declared as his female Spellcaster fired a white beam at the defensive and opposing Spellcaster. His smirk then quickly turned into a frown when Sasuke raised his head with a small smile. "What?"
"You activated my Maiden's special ability!" Sasuke spoke with unexpected glee. "When she's targeted for battle, the attack is negated…" His smile slowly grew in length. "And I can Special Summon a close friend of ours."
"Their close friend? He can see Duel Monster Spirits too!" Naruto thought to be the only conclusion.
Sasuke picked up the card that was ejected from the Graveyard and looked at it before facing Naruto. "I didn't expect to Duel you so soon, but it seems fate has brought us together."
"Huh?" A blinking Naruto tilted his head.
"Today is the day where we Uchiha are recognized for our skills and power by defeating you and your Dark Magician here!" Sasuke lifted the card high in the air while it shined not unlike Dark Magician's card. "Power incarnate, descend upon those who seek to delay our rule. May your unstoppable rage know no bounds on our enemies! My pride and my soul!" Sasuke smirked as he placed the card on his Disk's armblade. "Roar! Blue Eyes White Dragon (8/ATK-3000/DEF-2500)!"
"WHAT?!" Naruto shouted in disbelief while his monsters stood in shock as a great pillar of light burst from behind Sasuke.
Out came was a large dragon with completely white scales covering its oval-shaped body as its long hind legs barely touched the ground while the razor sharp claws glistened the stadium's stage lights. The elongated head opened its mouth as it roared the familiar and deadly sound that is known while its distinctively blue eyes glared straight at Naruto and Dark Magician.
"So…what do you think?" Sasuke asked his surprisingly silent opponent. "You're scared now, aren't you?" He chuckled mirthfully as his dragon lowered its head and nuzzled against the Maiden's hand. "I don't blame you. After all, this card was Seto Kaiba's ace and now it's mine."
Again, no answer came from the blonde.
"I'll give you a choice—" A low chuckle cut him off, causing Sasuke to look at Naruto who raised his head as his face had a very excited look.
"No choice here. I am standing before the legendary Blue Eyes White Dragon with Dark Magician by my side." Naruto laughed loudly as he couldn't contain his excitement any longer. He quickly calmed himself before saying, "And I'm Dueling against a strong opponent. That doesn't get any better than this."
Sasuke was perplexed by his attitude, but even he couldn't help but feel excited about their Duel and the rapidly upcoming battle between their ace monsters.
"I agree." Sasuke stated with a confident smirk as his Blue Eyes White Dragon glowed a white aura from its body while it roared at its rival.
Naruto chuckled while his Dark Magician had the blue/purple aura glowed off his body as he too had a smirk similar to the former.
They couldn't see it though.
Not since they were dueling, but their audience can from outside the stage and in the VIP rooms.
All of Totsuki's staff, students and guests were brimmed with excitement and awe as they can see the transparent images assimilated into Naruto and Sasuke.
The figures who are legends in the Duel Monsters World and intense rivals to one another.
They knew from that moment, they were watching Yugi Muto and Seto Kaiba dueling each other through Naruto Ea and Sasuke Uchiha.
END OF CHAPTER
Another chapter is finished! Can't believe I reached just over 11K words. It has been a while, but I will try to keep the chapters between 7000 and 8000 words. I just think it'd be better for everyone unless there's disagreements. If so, let me know please. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and had a great summer since it's back to school. I understand if the duel was a little stale or slow in progression, but it is a work in progress.
In accordance to the Yokai introduction, I will be researching them to put into the story for certain characters. Also, if you have ideas or suggestions for Yokai characters from other anime/manga series that could be a great addition, please let me know and I will research them too. One last thing: if any of you have ideas that could help the Yokai cards with effects that reflect their nature or powers that also supports a Type/archetypes, please let me know.
Chapter 8 Q&A's:
Megakdre100 (August 16): I'm pleased you liked the previous chapter and I hope you enjoyed the new chapter. I'm going to try to keep it to two or one girl. That would be too many if I was thinking of doing like The Traveler. Although there will be a surprise within Naruto's deck.
RoyalTwinFangs (August 16): Yeah sorry, man. I understand you, but I just couldn't see him using other archetypes. I see and I agree since both Blue Eyes and Raidraptors are powerful archetypes, but to me, Magicians are my favorite along with Spellcasters. Blue Eyes does fit into 5Ds, but this doesn't mean the end for Sasuke. There'll be more to come.
Lightningblade49 (August 16): Yes, it did. I was thinking about introducing Yokai and I discovered that there was an archetype in the Yugioh wiki during the GX manga series, but they weren't impressive. So I thought about the Yokai in other anime/manga series and decided to introduce them into the story. Kanokon, Youkai Shoujo—Monsuga and Rosario Vampire are good examples of Yokai-related materials. I know there is more, but I do not know all their names. I do believe your question regarding Tamamo and Naruto has been answered. Fox-related cards will be included in the deck later on. Perhaps Red Eyes will appear in a casual way.
Narutoxasuna25 (August 16): I'm happy to know you enjoy the story so far. How do you feel or like about the new chapter?
NinjaFang1331 (August 16): Thank you. Do you like the new chapter? I hope you enjoyed it.
Zdeath01 (August 16): Yes, he does. I believe your answer is within the new chapter. I know there are fox cards in the game, but I do not know them all. However, there are cards that support Spellcasters actually.
Jebest4781 (August 16): Thank you always for your help and input about the stories. All I can do to repay is help you with your stories and update this story with exciting Duelist that is yet to come.
GodX (August 17): I know, right? It's just not fair for her since she's quite the looker too. She can and will hang out with Naruto and Diana to get to know the Human World. Magician's Valkyria will get paired up with someone, but not who you expect at all. I hope you like how the mysterious Duelist has appeared, but if not, then I'm sorry to have failed at that and hope the Duel makes up for that.
Ivan0061509 (August 17): I debated over Tamamo's introduction and appearance, but I'm glad you like it. The pairing will be decided later on. I hope you like the new chapter and the duel so far.
AnonGod (August 16): I'm pleased to know you liked the previous chapter. I had answered a similar question regarding Naruto having a Synchro Monster in his deck: it will be at the second last battle of the story during his and Team 5Ds' greatest trial. Really, there is a Synchro Monster with Dark Magician's robes? I looked at the Dark Magician archetype page on the wiki and it didn't show on the related page at all. Do you happen to know the name?
Ito Uchiha (August 17): Thank you for your support. I'm really glad you enjoy the story so far. Diana and Tamamo should it be. That's what I'm leaning towards right now unless otherwise.
Guest (August 17): I see. Was the introduction good? The spar was fine? That's a relief all right. Honestly it will be a challenge to think about the effects Tamamo should have. Do you think so about her being the fox? I'm happy to hear about this being a good story. I would like to hear your ideas regarding the fox's effects and support for Naruto's deck. I do suggest to read and/or watch the series; both manga and anime.
R-king 93 (August 17): Yep! Naruto, Fuuka, Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds and Shokugeki no Soma all in one. There will be more cameos, but they will be just comedic relief. You too, huh? How do you enjoy the chapter?
The Keeper of Worlds (August 17): He will have anti-Magician cards appearing next chapter or so. This chapter had set the stage between the famous ace monsters in the Yugioh world. The Yokai aspect was surprising, huh? There was a Yokai archetype in Yugioh GX manga, but those cards weren't very impressive. I thought to include Yokai from other series and implement them to the story. As for the diner, Fugaku and his ambitions had answered that for you. Did you enjoy the new chapter?
Anoyak111 (August 19): That is your choice. I'm sorry to hear it though. Technically a harem is when you have three or more girls after a one guy. Just saying. No hard feelings.
The Sith'ari (August 19): The fanfic will try to stay being single pairing, but it may increase to two. Regarding the Uchiha, he had other motives regarding Tamamo. He wanted her power to be included into his family like certain beings had in the form of techniques in Narutoverse. Yep, Naruto and Dark Magician are facing off against Sasuke and Blue Eyes White Dragon in the next chapter. Did you enjoy this chapter and the duel so far? That's the problem with the Uchiha: their pride.
777 (August 19): Very happy to have another reader enjoy a story. I hope you liked the new chapter.
